The tension boiling down the room didn't go unnoticed by the others. They eventually realized the cause of such suffocating atmosphere.

All the teachers eyes shifted to Rio, seemingly curious and sympathetic at the same time.

Rio merely ignored those stares, turning a blind eye towards the tension in the room.

Eventually, seeing his callous and indifferent attitude they moved their focus to a more important problem. The state of Ashen Ataraxia. Others that were inexperienced in combat might've not noticed them, but a majority in the room witnessed the battle and noticed immediately.

Arcuied and Ashen were both dueling with the intent to kill each other. In what was a mere duel of exam turned into a hack slashing battle of life and death.

In the midst of the silence in the room, the deputy head that was normally enforcing rules was quiet and seemingly deep in thought as his head lowered.

The teachers inside the room stared at each other, not knowing whether to ask or not. In one hand, no one wanted to disturb the man in case they court his ire. In the other, everyone wanted an answer towards the question.

But, however, merely staring wasn't going to any desired results.

"So, cough, uh..." a Combat Teacher spoke up, coughing awkwardly as he shattered the silence. "Is the other student still alive?"

All the teachers, including both nobles and civilians, nodded and directed their stares towards the deputy head in the room. Unlike in Ali's situation, the nobles were more or less, indifferent or uncaring.

But in this situation, everyone payed attention in great detail. It was a great disparity; and it was because of the difference between the two students.

Ali was but an average nobody.

Ashen was the second best student in the school.

The former had not even passed the ultimate trial of the academy yet and become second year. While the latter was already in the fruition of becoming a great addition to the Kingdom's forces.

It was a great disparity between their worth; one was unproven and has no expectations around his shoulders while the other was already a proven genius that was expected over something.

If the student—Ashen Axtaria—died, then... the damage that would be done will not only be the negative public perception they would receive, but the academy would also estranged every relationship in forged all those years.

But the most worrying of all would be the Kingdom Council itself. If a noble like Ashen Ataraxia died in the kingdom's most prized and prestigious academy, then the council would be forced to act and personally visit the place.

Brandon sighed, shaking his head. He waved his hand. "Don't worry. Nothing will happen to both of them. In the event of an accident like this to occur, the security followed the teams that entered. By now, the Deputy Head of Security should have contained both of them and saved the three."

"But what's the academy's stance regarding this matter?" an Arcane Teacher spoke. "Arcuied Valens had just tried to kill Ashen Ataraxia, the successor of the Ataraxia family. In the laws, this is treason... the academy couldn't possibly let this go, right?"

"Right, I'm sure the academy will arrive to a proper decision..."

"Indeed, as part of this magnificent academy, I suggest punishment by law. The academy shouldn't condone treason."

"Bah! Stop your intelligible bullshit!" a Combat Teacher shook his head aggressively. "We all know both of them tried to kill each other. Why should Arcuied Valens be the only one accountable for it? Besides, this isn't your matter to settle. It's for the Ataraxia Family."

"Snake like tounges, and yet cowardly beyond belief."

"This is but a case of two hot headed brats going at each other in full force. I have no problems with it, considering there's no dead bodies."

The boiling tension resurfaced. The noble teachers sided with the Arcane Teacher and immediately used the situation as a weapon to eliminate a potential trouble for them, Arcuied.

The civilian teachers didn't hesitate to call out their words. Even if the Kingdom was ruled by the nobles, the academy was completely different. If it were outside, then perhaps they would have no chance to argue but inside the academy — all were equal.historical

"Alright, let the academy decide this matter ourselves. Remember your roles." Brandon knocked the air lightly, taking everyone's attention. "Don't try to extend your hands towards it..."

Brandon stared at the array of teachers, warning them in advance.

"...For the meantime, focus on teaching the second years and contributing to academy." Brandon continued. "In other words, forget about this matter completely."

The noble teachers expressions turned ugly, realizing the implications from his words. The academy sided with Arcuied in this matter. No mention of punishment nor penalty was mentioned from his mouth.

On the other hand, the civilian teachers were filled with ecstasy and joy. Arcuied could potentially change the status quo within the kingdom — the hope they wanted from him.

Brandon mused silently, staring at the array of teachers with different expressions. He already knew what the academy's answer to this situation would be. It would be focusing all their attention and resources on Arcuied.

Unlike other learning institutions, all were equal in status in Volund Academy. A noble wouldn't have extra benefit a civilian doesn't have. Because of that, rather than status quo, the hierarchy within the academy was based on equity.

Equity, or in other words, worth and contribution. The academy's goal was to nurture human geniuses for humanity to have a fighting chance againts disasters of the future, and therefore they would prioritize those who show greater talent than the rest.

Even if the academy offended some of the nobles in this matter, it wouldn't matter in the slightest as nobles weren't the only investors keeping the academy alive. The guilds were also invested in this matter, keeping an eye over any genius.

"Alright, be quiet for a moment and listen here." Brandon clapped his hands, producing a loud thunder clap in the room. "The exam has finally ended and all the students should be escorted soon. In that matter, since the exam has ended, all of you have no use now and therefore able to go. Now, scram yourselves."

"W-what about the rankings?" a General Education teacher asked, stuttering.

"The academy will announce it tomorrow." Brandon waved his hand in dismissal. "We will still need to recheck and consider some things before finalizing the ranking. But the results should be out tomorrow."

The teachers nodded and turned quiet.

"What are you waiting for?" Brandon stared. "Go out now."

All the teachers reluctantly turned their backs and made their way outside. After a while, no teachers remained in the room—leaving his tall, sturdy figure to ponder silently.

—

Somewhere in the academy, an indiscernible figure silently hummed while sitting in a wooden chair—the figure's voice was indistinguishable from man to woman, making their gender a complete mystery.

Suddenly, the figure opened their mouth and spoke with a calm voice that held otherworldly cadence that can take anyone's attention and enrapture their minds like a demon.

"...So he lost, huh?"

In hindsight, it was expected. Ashen Ataraxia—or perhaps, the student's true name—Ashen Valens, was but a failure that was abandoned. The battle was akin to a fake trying to overthrow the original. It was bound to be a losing battle.

However, even with such expectations in mind—the lost was still shocking to an extent. Even for they, who lived longer than most and saw most of the universe, was shocked from the talent and prowess Arcuied was holding within.

"It seemed 'your' experiment is a success in the end..."

The figure mumbled, thinking of a particular person that hides from a priest clothing.

"Still, you're really confident at the this project of yours. You embeded the Sea of Souls inside him, are you not worried he might go insane...?"

The figure wondered staring beyond the window vacantly. The Sea of Souls was one of the forbidden secrets in the universe, having magical and miraclous uses beyond comprehension.

"Then again, there's no worry for him to go insane with the unawakened divinity you mixed inside his soul. I expected him to be a key part of your plans, but it seems like he has a much bigger role in your plans than expected..."

The figure muttered while staring at the hologram in the room. The hologram displayed a white haired kid with golden eyes getting held by security, on the back, several students watched in silence.

"But this is great." The figure suddenly smiled. "You haven't forgotten, have you? Ashen Valens isn't the only abandoned one from the experiments. There's still two hundred and ninety-nine left. Well... let's see, I have three hundred chances left to eliminate him."

The figure spun the chair, turning their back against the hologram.

"I wonder who would win? The three hundred failures and fakes or the original one who succeeded all test? It's a fascinating question for sure."