Chapter 367 — Potion Consortium

The medical wing stood near the Academy’s eastern edge, its white walls and clean lines a stark contrast to the gothic architecture dominating the rest of campus.

Inside, the smell of antiseptic and healing Aura permeated everything.

Professor Richard Evergreen stood in the main treatment room, his green hair slightly disheveled, white medical coat spotless despite having worked through lunch.

Beside him, Doctor Isabelle White examined a holographic display showing vital signs and Aura readings, her white eyes scanning the data.

The doors burst open.

Fiona stumbled in, her face pale, arms carrying a body.

Jorah’s limbless torso lay cradled against her chest. His severed arms and legs dangled from where she’d wrapped them in cloth, blood seeping through despite her efforts.

Richard and Isabelle froze.

For a long moment, neither of them moved or spoke. They just stared at what had once been a B+ rank fourth-year student, now reduced to a torso with stumps where limbs should be.

Fiona’s voice came out shaky. "He’s still alive..."

Richard’s training kicked in. "Emergency pod... Now. Isabelle–"

"On it." Isabelle was already moving, her healing Aura flaring green as she guided Fiona toward the specialized healing chambers lining the back wall.

They worked in silence, their movements efficient and professional, but the tension in the air was thick enough to choke on.

After they’d stabilized Jorah’s condition and sealed him in the healing pod, his unconscious form floating in translucent liquid, Richard stepped back.

He pulled off his blood-stained gloves and dropped them in the waste bin.

Then he sighed, long and heavy, the sound carrying weight.

"...Damian Valcor."

The name hung in the air like a verdict.

Isabelle said nothing, but her white eyes found Richard’s green ones, and something passed between them that didn’t need words.

****

Damian caught up with the others as they walked past the main courtyard.

Luna turned at the sound of his footsteps, her silver eyes meeting his crimson ones, and they both spoke at exactly the same time.

"Are you alright?"

The words overlapped perfectly and both of them stopped.

Luna’s cheeks flushed slightly. Damian’s expression shifted to something that might have been embarrassment if he let himself feel it.

Then they both spoke again, still synchronized.

"Let’s get you something to eat first–"

"You haven’t eaten since last night–"

They stopped again.

"..."

And the silence stretched for seconds.

Damian cleared his throat. "Let’s go to the council room. We can eat there." His voice came out more formal than necessary. "I’ll tell you all what happened last night."

Luna nodded quickly, looking anywhere except at him. "That sounds... good."

They walked toward the council building, the awkwardness dissipating slowly as distance from the moment grew.

The others followed without any comment.

They’d seen Damian put his hands through people without blinking.

They’d seen him stand on a mountain of corpses and look bored.

But they were seeing this side of Damian for the first time.

****

The Student Council room hadn’t changed since Damian had last been here.

Robert had already delivered food earlier, apparently anticipating they’d come here, and now platters of sandwiches, fruit, and drinks covered one end of the table.

They sat scattered around and started eating.

Damian finished his sandwich and leaned back in his chair.

"Last night, Elizabeth was targeted." His voice came out flat, matter-of-fact. "Someone hired assassins... Professional ones from the Death Cult."

Edrin’s hand stopped halfway to his mouth. "Death Cult?"

"An underworld organization." Damian’s expression stayed neutral. "Don’t know much about them yet... Didn’t get time to ask Gregor and the others more details."

"Did she–" Lysa’s voice went tight. "Is Elizabeth–"

"She’s fine." Damian’s tone gentled slightly. "Shaken, but fine. The situation’s handled now."

"Anyway." He shifted the subject deliberately. "How’s the Mafia? In the Academy, I mean."

Edrin straightened slightly, slipping into report mode. "Most members are progressing steadily. Selene and Marcus are close to D+ rank. Better than the others by a margin."

He paused, pulling up numbers in his head.

"Average across the Mafia students is solid D rank currently. It’s nothing spectacular, but consistent. The training regimen’s been effective."

Damian nodded, processing. "Good. Keep pushing them."

Ariana set down her cup carefully. "My sister joined Stormhold this year... Sakura. The one you saved before."

Recognition flickered across Damian’s face. "How’s she adjusting?"

"Better than expected." Ariana’s voice carried quiet pride. "She’s taking it seriously."

"There are many from the orphanages too." Damian’s voice went distant. "Alessio’s probably gathering them–"

Knock Knock

A knock interrupted him.

The door opened before anyone could respond.

Robert stepped in, his butler-like professionalism immaculate as always, but his expression carried unusual tension.

Behind him, a woman in an expensive business suit entered with measured steps. Mid-thirties, sharp eyes and dark hair pulled back severely. Everything about her screamed corporate efficiency.

"Young sir Damian." Robert’s voice held formal respect. "This is Miss Milena from the Potion Consortium. She was sent by the Federation to deliver your reward for the portal incident."

Damian stood, his posture shifting to something more formal. The others remained seated but went quiet.

Milena approached with a professional smile, extending her hand.

"It’s an honor to meet the ones recognized as heroes of humanity."

Her grip was firm, her voice practiced.

Damian shook her hand, then gestured to the chairs. "Please, sit. Can I offer you something to drink?"

"No, thank you. I won’t take much of your time." Milena settled into a chair with practiced grace. "I’m here on behalf of the Consortium and the Federation."

Damian sat back down, his crimson eyes studying her. "Miss Milena, forgive my ignorance, but what sort of organization is the Potion Consortium exactly?"

Surprise flickered across her face before she could hide it.

’He doesn’t know? How does the most famous student in the world doesn’t–’

Edrin spoke up before she could answer. "They produce almost all potions in the Federation and supply the military, the Nobles and Imperial families. Most of the famous alchemists work for them."

Damian nodded slowly, absorbing that. His gaze returned to Milena. "Do you only use beasts as raw materials? Or... other things as well?"

The temperature in the room dropped.