July 21, 2080, Tuesday.

[8:00 A.M.]

Eve is currently inside the headmaster's office.

Kendy and the headmaster himself, Leo Justo, are also present in the same room.

Eve came here for a very specific reason— she was tasked with reporting what happened inside the labyrinth.

From the very beginning, she explained everything carefully.

She mainly spoke about each individual's contribution during the raid, going into detail about how everyone played their part and supported one another when the battle grew intense.

She also emphasized the growth they all achieved afterward, pointing out the progress that couldn't be ignored after going through such an ordeal.

Her words were steady and clear, her tone respectful but firm as she relayed every piece of information the headmaster and her homeroom teacher needed to know.

...

...

...

And after a good number of minutes had passed...

"That's the end of my report."

Eve finally closed her mouth after carefully finishing her report to Leo and Kendy.

The room fell into a short silence after she spoke, and that pause gave weight to her words.

It had taken her ten whole minutes to explain everything in full detail.

Ten minutes of steady reporting without missing a single crucial point.

"The boss didn't drop anything?"

Kendy finally broke the silence with his question, his voice carrying a casual tone, as though he wasn't impressed with the fact that she had spoken for so long.

Eve, however, didn't waste words in replying. She simply shook her head nonchalantly, confirming that nothing was obtained from the boss.

"About Raven..."

This time, it was the headmaster himself who spoke, his deep voice drawing Eve's attention immediately.

She turned her gaze toward him and waited for him to finish what he wanted to say.

"You mentioned that he contributed the most during the raid, right?"

Leo asked without beating around the bush.

"I did."

Eve replied simply, her tone calm and even.

"Are you saying that he acted as the group's leader?"

Leo's next question shifted the atmosphere slightly. His words were careful, but the underlying meaning was clear— he wanted to know just how much influence Raven had on the others.

Eve could immediately tell from the way Leo asked that the headmaster was expecting something from Raven. Perhaps more than she wanted to imagine.

'What the hell did that guy do to attract even the headmaster's attention...?'

She couldn't help but ask herself that question in her mind.

Then she shook her head lightly, answering Leo's question directly.

And before the headmaster could say anything further—

"It's more like he acted as our guardian."

Eve clarified without hesitation.

"He didn't give us detailed instructions like a leader normally would. Instead, he set goals for us to achieve."

"He constantly made sure everyone was fine... And he gave each of us the opportunity to grow stronger in our own way."

Eve added with certainty, her words flowing naturally as if the truth needed no embellishment.

Then she lifted her chin slightly, her expression hardening with seriousness.

Her eyes locked with Leo's sharp gaze.

"Raven made us stronger."

She declared those words clearly.

"..."

"..."

Her bold statement was enough to silence both Kendy and Leo for a brief moment.

The two men exchanged no words, but their silence revealed the weight of what Eve had just declared.

Several seconds passed before—

"He did that?"

Leo finally asked, breaking the silence once more. His voice carried more weight this time, as though he wanted absolute confirmation.

Eve unhesitatingly nodded, her reply firm and steady.

"So..."

She opened her mouth again, her voice not losing an ounce of resolve.

"Please let Raven rest for a while."

"..."

The request left the room silent once more.

After staying quiet the entire time, Kendy finally opened his mouth.

"What do you mean?"

He was asking Eve to clarify her statement, his tone firm as if he wanted no vague answers.

"Raven is still struggling to control his newly acquired power."

Eve answered right away, her words direct and to the point.

"So what?"

Kendy questioned casually, though his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Mixing him with the other students now will surely result in a disaster. And in the end, it will cause you, sir, to have even more work to do."

Eve kindly explained, her words logical and backed with reason.

"..."

After hearing her explanation, Kendy slowly turned his head toward Leo.

Leo met his eyes, silently asking him what he wanted to say.

And without wasting time—

"Let the kid rest for a while. He's pitiful. What if he breaks?"

Kendy said, his voice carrying a strange mixture of concern and teasing as if he was acting worried on purpose.

He even put on a face that tried to look cute.

"Shut up, you idiot!"

Leo snapped at him immediately, clearly annoyed at his antics.

"Besides, I was already planning to do that after hearing what happened at the labyrinth entrance yesterday."

Leo added firmly, making it clear that he had already decided on the matter.

Then, turning his attention back, he called out.

"Hey, young lady."

"Yes?"

Eve responded politely, ignoring the strange little scene between Leo and Kendy.

"You can leave now. Rest well, and attend your classes properly."

"Tell that to the other members of your group as well."

Leo instructed calmly, his tone final.

"Then, please excuse me."

Eve bowed her head slightly and left the office without any more hesitation.

*****

Meanwhile...

The most talked about person in the entire Lunar Academy, Raven, was currently inside one of the private training grounds reserved for teachers.

And yes, he was with Ruby.

The reason they were here was straightforward— Raven had asked Ruby to teach him how to control his overwhelming presence.

(He's suffering from success lol.)

But despite the purpose of being here, the two of them hadn't started training yet.

So while the silence stretched on...

'Sariel.'

Raven called within his mind.

[What?]

Sariel replied immediately, his tone flat but attentive.

'I want to see it…'

[See what?]

At Sariel's question, Raven didn't reply right away. He stayed quiet, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing something.

Then, after several seconds—

"I want to see the evolved version of the <Monarch's Presence>."

Raven finally mumbled out loud, his expression serious.

[...Then I'll start the evolution process now.]

Sariel answered earnestly, matching Raven's seriousness.

To further explain, there are some skills that can evolve into stronger forms.

And Raven's skill, <Monarch's Presence>, happened to be one of them.

But in order for a skill to evolve, there are always two conditions that must be fulfilled.

The first is that the skill must reach its maximum level.

That alone is already difficult to achieve.

But Raven had managed to accomplish it by using the reward he received from the Transcended Beings after killing the [Hell's Prisoner].

Then comes the second condition—

This one varies depending on the skill.

In Raven's case, the requirement given to him by <Monarch's Presence>...

Was to make one hundred people kneel before him!

And coincidentally, Raven had fulfilled that exact condition yesterday.

When he emerged from the labyrinth, his overwhelming aura from <Monarch's Presence> had exploded outward.

The crowd waiting outside for their return was caught completely off guard.

Most of them were crushed to their knees under his presence, unable to resist the pressure.

In total, Raven had sent roughly one hundred people kneeling before him in that single moment!

That was more than enough to fulfill the condition.

As for why he hadn't evolved the skill immediately...

It was because he had only just returned yesterday.

And he didn't want the evolution process distracting him from spending time with Keara and the two.

He knew himself well. If he went through with the evolution right away, his excitement would consume him, leaving him unable to focus on anything else.

So he made the choice to delay it until now.

[Because of the skill's compatibility with you, the evolution process was a breeze!]

[The skill evolution was a success!]

Sariel's report entered his head swiftly, carrying good news.

'Already?!'

Raven's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

It hadn't even been a full minute since he made the decision, yet the process was already complete.

"Anyway—"

Raven exhaled before speaking again.

"Show me the new [Monarch's Presence]."

He said firmly, cutting straight to the main point.

[On it!]

Sariel responded without hesitation, just as eager to reveal the results.

And just a second later—

Swish~

A transparent bluish window appeared in front of Raven, glowing faintly in the air.

The words written on that window were clear.

=====

[Emperor's Aura Lvl.1]

-Grants you an overwhelming pressure or presence of an emperor. This skill strongly reacts to your emotions.

-You can materialize this as a weapon aura, significantly increasing any weapon's performance.

-The skill's strength is based on how much mana you use and the skill's level.

<Mind Master>

-Control those who are completely under the skill.

-Gives you resistance to any controlling skill.

=====

"..."

Raven was left completely speechless.

He honestly thought he would wake up any moment now from this sweet, sweet dream.

But even after waiting... and waiting some more...

The same transparent window remained in front of him!

So in the end—

"Haha..."

A short, awkward laugh escaped Raven's lips.

"Today seems to be my lucky day..."

Then he muttered to himself, finally accepting that this was no dream.

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