Chapter 195 — Back To Class II

They continued walking through the Academy halls, and the reaction was immediate.

Students stopped mid-conversation, their attention drawn like magnets to the group moving past.

Whispers erupted immediately. Communication devices appeared, photos being taken and forum posts being uploaded in real-time.

"That’s him! That’s Damian Valcor!"

"He actually came to class!"

"Look at his entourage! They’re all Section A now!"

"He looks so different. More mature and more dangerous."

The awe in their voices was palpable, respect mixing with fear mixing with genuine admiration.

This wasn’t just a strong student walking to class. This was a legend made flesh, someone who’d survived impossibilities and built an organization at sixteen.

Even without releasing any Aura or intent, Damian’s presence created oppressive pressure that made people instinctively step back, creating a clear path.

****

[Section A Classroom]

The Noble students who’d arrived early fell into shocked silence as Damian entered the classroom, his Mafia members flowing in behind him.

Thud Thud Thud Thud

The energy shifted immediately, tension replacing casual pre-class conversation.

Damian ignored them completely, his eyes scanning for a specific seat.

Front row, center. The position with best sightlines and most symbolic importance.

It was currently occupied by Tobias Crane – the minor Noble who’d tried rallying Micheal and the others against Damian while he was in the portal.

Damian walked directly to that seat and stopped, looking down at Tobias with calm expectation.

Tobias broke into cold sweat immediately, his mind racing.

’Does he know? Does he know I tried rallying Micheal against him? Is he here to make an example of me?!’

But Damian’s voice was polite and almost gentle.

"Could you please move? I want to sit at the front."

The casual request somehow made it worse than threats would have been.

"S-sure! Of course! No problem!"

Tobias practically leaped from the seat, grabbing his belongings with shaking hands.

He tried to walk to the back of the classroom with some dignity intact.

He made it to three steps before his legs gave out, his body collapsing to the floor in an undignified heap.

Bam

"BwahahAHAHA!"

The Mafia members burst into laughter, Ronan’s booming voice leading the chorus.

Other Nobles frowned at the display, embarrassed by association.

Damian paid no attention to any of it, settling into his claimed seat and immediately beginning his breathing exercises.

Just like the first day he’d entered this classroom.

’I stopped attending regular classes months ago. And then the Imperial families pressured professors not to teach me individually. Only Seraphina still provides guidance despite the political consequences.

But today I’m back. Not to learn or anything, just to have some normal classroom experience. I have been on edge for far too long. It’s become a luxury to even be a student anymore...’

As he sat there, eyes closed and focused on Aura circulation, he was completely unaware of the attention focused on him.

Multiple Noble girls stared with unconcealed interest, their gazes heated in ways that had nothing to do with combat rivalry.

"Just look at him. So focused and so disciplined~"

"Did you see how he walked in? That confidence and power~ Like he owns the entire Academy."

"And he fought Demons! Actually fought elite Demons on that train! Who does that?!"

"Plus he survived two months in a hostile portal and came back even stronger. That’s... that’s incredible."

"Not to mention how handsome he’s become. That face! Those muscles! Did you see his body through the uniform?!"

"Ah~ He’s so dreamy~ His eyes are so strict and serious. I want him to punish me~"

"Girl! Get in the line~"

The whispered conversations grew more animated, Noble girls who’d previously dismissed commoners now reconsidering their positions.

Damian had become a crush for many of them without even realizing it.

He was talented, powerful, brave, and now carrying a dangerous edge that made him irresistible to certain personalities.

The Noble boys noticed all this and seethed with jealousy, their faces showing barely controlled resentment.

"He’s just a commoner with some lucky encounters."

"Probably used tricks and devices to survive. Not real skill."

"Girls only like him because he’s got that dangerous criminal aesthetic. It’s shallow."

But their protests rang hollow even to themselves, watching how their female peers looked at Damian with open admiration.

Among the observers sat Iris Langsten, heir to one of the thirteen Imperial families.

Her blue hair and eyes marked her heritage clearly, her bearing showing the confidence of someone raised to rule.

She looked at Damian with heated interest, her gaze lingering on his profile, studying the sharp features and relaxed confidence.

But she said nothing, maintaining her Imperial dignity, simply observing while filing away impressions for future consideration.

The classroom continued filling as students arrived, the energy building toward something inevitable.

Because everyone knew this peaceful moment couldn’t last.

Damian’s return meant confrontation was coming. Conflicts delayed would finally be addressed and scores would be settled.

The only question was who would move first.

And what would be left standing when the dust settled.

****

[Section A Classroom - Morning Session]

The classroom door opened precisely on schedule, and Professor Seraphina Vale entered with her characteristic military bearing.

Black hair pulled back in a practical style. Violet eyes scanning the room with tactical assessment. Her S rank presence radiating controlled authority that made even the most arrogant Nobles sit straighter.

Then she stopped, her gaze falling on the front row where Damian sat with his eyes closed, breathing exercises continuing despite her arrival.

Surprise flickered across her professional demeanor for just a moment before she controlled it.

’He actually came back to regular classes. I expected him to continue avoiding the Academy entirely.’

Damian opened his eyes and smiled at her – genuine warmth rather than the cold expressions he showed most people.

Seraphina nodded back, maintaining her professional facade despite internal satisfaction.

"It’s good that you’re here as well. There’s something I want to announce to everyone."

She moved to the front of the classroom, her presence commanding immediate attention.

"Soon the year will be ending. At the beginning of the year, I set a goal for all of you: reach at least E+ rank before moving to second year."

Her violet eyes swept across the assembled students.

"It seems now that goal was far too modest. Every single student in Section A has already reached E+ rank. Many of you are approaching D- rank or have already achieved it.

Truly, this batch of students is far more talented than any previous generation this Academy has seen."

The Noble students showed proud expressions, puffing up slightly at the acknowledgment of their superiority.

Then they remembered the class rankings – where commoner Mafia members dominated the top 50 positions and their faces soured immediately.

’We’re more talented than previous batches, but somehow still ranked below peasants. The humiliation...’

Seraphina continued, seemingly unaware of their internal crisis.

"I’m starting to understand why the Federation specifically sent me to train this year’s first-years despite my active battlefield general status. Your talent concentration is unprecedented."

She paused for emphasis.