Chapter 42 — Drunk

Damian started the bike and headed back toward the University.

Along the way, he saw many police vehicles rushing past him, all heading toward the Spire District.

Completely unaware that the one responsible for all the chaos was casually riding right by them.

’Phoenix, was it? That’s some good stuff. I’ll get that old man to give me a few bottles.’

Even the most expensive alcohol he’d had in his past life wasn’t even 10% as strong as this.

’I feel so alive...’

Ever since Damian had awakened his past memories, he’d felt suffocated... like he was drowning in responsibilities, threats, and the weight of two lifetimes pressing down on him.

Only a few weeks had passed, but it felt like an eternity thanks to the different situations he’d found himself in.

For the first time in a while, he actually felt good.

But it was hard to tell whether it was the alcohol loosening his restraints, or the fact that he’d finally retaliated against his enemies.

The Shadow Council had been lurking in the back of his mind ever since they’d tried to hurt his sister. Knowing the enemy was still out there, actively coming after him, didn’t sit well with him at all.

Even though the majority of them were still out there, at the very least, destroying one branch was a start.

’Next goal... let’s annihilate each and every branch they have in the central region.’

But he needed more people. The Shadow Council was just one organization among many.

To go after the entire underworld, he needed to create his own power base. His own force.

Yes. Damian planned to go after the entire underworld.

When he’d been talking with Mike earlier, he hadn’t just been talking big. He really did intend to control the entire underworld... just like he used to in his past life.

’But all of that’s for the future. For now, let’s focus on Academy matters.’

Starting Monday, the clubs would begin recruiting.

’Let’s see if Edrin and the others actually call me or not.’

He wanted to see how serious these talented commoners were about this whole "social construct" thing.

For him, it didn’t really matter what the Nobles or Commoners did – as long as they didn’t get in his way.

But that didn’t change the fact that he’d take full advantage of the current situation for his own benefit.

’And knowing the arrogance of those Nobles... they’ll surely do something stupid against me sooner or later.’

Elizabeth and Liam were smart enough to handle the third years and keep them from interfering for now.

Gareth and Arielle also seemed without any bias toward him, and their batch was already in their final year – they clearly wouldn’t have enough time or motivation to mess with him.

So that left the idiot from the second year... Victor.

’Let’s see how that plays out...’

As Damian was occupied with his thoughts, the Academy gates came into view.

It was very late at night, so he found no one roaming the campus. The pathways were empty, lit only by the occasional lamp post.

He drove the bike straight toward Professor Seraphina’s house.

To Damian’s surprise, Seraphina was standing outside her door, arms crossed, as if she’d already known he was about to arrive.

As soon as he stopped the bike and got off, her voice rang out sharply.

"Come inside."

"..."

Damian said nothing as he followed her in.

****

Inside the house, the holographic TV was on.

And on the screen, live news was being broadcasted.

"Breaking News! Just half an hour ago, Tranquil City, where Stormhold Academy is located, was shaken awake by a thundering blast!

The explosion occurred on the top floor of the Quintin Skyscraper, where reportedly many people had gathered for a meeting.

But we believe this was not an ordinary blast! Multiple witnesses reported seeing a flash of light strike the building, followed by the massive explosion!

Clearly, this was an attack carried out by a high-ranking awakener. The SFD has released no information so far, but we’ve also uncovered one more SHOCKING development!

The Sigmund Hotel, located next to Quintin Skyscraper, reported six murders just before the attack! Police have identified an unidentified man dressed in a suit and wearing a black helmet as the primary suspect.

Only one image of the suspect was recovered as he was leaving the building covered in blood."

The reporter went on to display a blurred image of Damian exiting the hotel, his silhouette barely visible through the distortion.

Seraphina muted the TV and turned to look at Damian, who was seated casually across from her.

"..."

"What?" Damian asked with a confused expression, genuinely unbothered.

"...While I appreciate the fact that my student was capable enough to take out several C-ranked enemies all by himself, while being only an E+ rank awakener himself...

I don’t recall ever telling him to do so in such a flashy manner."

Seraphina’s voice dripped with annoyance.

"It’s just a blast. They’ll forget about it soon enough." Damian waved his hand dismissively, as if the incident was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

"... What happened to you? You’re acting differently."

Seraphina’s violet eyes narrowed with suspicion as she studied him.

He always behaved seriously, constantly lost in thought. He’d even complained about the mess in her house before. But now? He looked completely unbothered. Relaxed, even. His usual tense posture was gone.

Sniff. Sniff.

Suddenly, Seraphina caught a familiar scent. Her eyes widened slightly.

She stood up abruptly, leaned forward, and grabbed Damian by the collar, pulling his face closer to hers as she sniffed him.

"W-what are you doing!?" Damian looked genuinely startled by the sudden closeness and bizarre action.

"You’re drunk!" Seraphina’s face went through a vivid range of expressions – shock, disbelief, irritation – as she stared at him. "So that’s why you’re acting so weird... Did you go out to kill your enemies or to party!? And who the hell let you drink at your age!?"

"...There’s a fucking drinking restriction for fifteen-year-olds? Who was stupid enough to make such ridiculous rules?

We’re allowed to carry weapons and kill people, but we can’t drink!? And you’re worried about me drinking but you let me go kill a bunch of terrorists!?

Hey, Professor, I think you’ve got issues with your head as well. Let’s go see that SFS therapist together..."

Damian replied with a drunk, lazy expression on his face. Clearly, the Phoenix was now fully hitting him.

"Y-you fucking..." Seraphina looked absolutely flabbergasted.

Although she knew he was drunk, she couldn’t deny the fact that everything he’d just said somehow seemed to make... sense?

She let go of his collar and sat back down, crossing her arms with an irritated look on her face.

"That’s not the issue, you idiot." She pinched the bridge of her nose.

"These past few years have been very peaceful for the Federation. But now you just blasted a building in the center of a major city...

And not just any city – it just happened to be the one where Stormhold Academy is located. It’s bound to attract a lot of negative attention and reputation. If the Headmaster finds out about this, he’ll be furious."

"Who’s gonna tell him? You?" Damian smirked lazily. "Relax a little, would you?"

"...I’m your Professor. Show some damn respect, at least." Seraphina leaned back on the sofa and eyed him sharply. "Also, why the hell did you let them capture a photo of you? Don’t you have a brain? You’re supposed to destroy surveillance before you do shady stuff."

"...And that’s why you’re a professor and I’m a student. See? I learned a valuable lesson." Damian grinned.

"Ah... don’t make that face. I’m just joking. I wasn’t caught by any CCTV cameras. It was probably just one of the people in the lobby who snapped a photo right when I was leaving.

Don’t worry, it’s blurry as hell. There’s no major issue."

"You–" Seraphina sighed in complete defeat as she looked at the thoroughly drunk Damian sitting across from her.

Gurgle.

Damian’s stomach made a loud noise, interrupting her thoughts.

"Sigh... Wait here. And sit quietly. My head’s already hurting enough."

She stood up and headed toward the kitchen.

Since it was late at night, all the shops would be closed by now, so she decided to let him eat here. He was clearly in no state to fend for himself right now.

But when she came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of food, she found him already passed out on her couch, his head tilted awkwardly to the side.

"Sigh..."

Seraphina set the plate down on the table and went to grab a blanket from her room. She draped it over him carefully, making sure he was covered.

Then she stood there silently for a moment, staring down at his messy crimson hair.

She reached down and gently adjusted his posture so he wouldn’t wake up with a sore neck. Then she brushed his hair away from his face.

’This kid looks a lot cuter when he’s quiet.’

She smirked faintly.

’Note to self: don’t let him get drunk again.’

She turned off the holographic TV, dimming the room into soft darkness, and walked back to her bedroom.

But she paused at the doorway, glancing back at him one more time.

’Sometimes I even forget he’s still just a kid...’

She shook her head and closed the door behind her.