Chapter 46 — Advice

It was nighttime when Damian dragged his tired body back to his room.

After learning from Professor Blackwood, he’d gone to the forest behind the Academy to train his Abyssal Slaughter weapon art.

There was still no trace of the old man who’d taught him the art. It was as if he knew Damian would need to practice extensively before requiring his guidance again.

When Damian entered his room, the first thing that caught his eye was the broken bed.

’Sigh... I need to get that removed later.’

He didn’t bother with it. He just placed the axe on the wreckage and went to lie down on the floor instead.

As he tried to get some much-needed sleep, his mind wandered to the future.

’Tomorrow’s the day when the clubs start recruiting.

I didn’t think much about this social construct thing before. But after understanding what it really meant from Brian... I hate that shit.’

Damian’s face displayed coldness as he remembered the information that had slipped from Brian’s mouth earlier.

He’d never thought this world would be even more fucked up than his last one.

He hadn’t even personally witnessed any incidents related to the Nobles yet, but he could already imagine what his current position must look like to them.

Even his Mafia cartel back in his past life had strong principles they followed.

But it seemed that when people obtained power literally – physical, undeniable power – they became even more monstrous.

’I do hope things aren’t as bad as I’m imagining... Let’s see how tomorrow goes.’

Damian closed his eyes as his breathing technique automatically activated.

By now, he’d already become used to running it subconsciously, even while sleeping.

Soon... he drifted off as his restless dreams became active again.

****

The next day, Damian woke up and got dressed quickly before heading toward the Student Council room.

Many students glanced in his direction as they whispered amongst themselves.

By now, he’d already become used to it.

But what he didn’t know was that on the forums, many posts filled with wild speculations about him were spreading again.

And this time, the rumors included claims that he was a criminal under supervision by the SFD.

To back that claim, someone had posted a photo of him and Brian sitting together yesterday in the cafeteria.

Although many people debunked the claim as false in the comment section, it was still clear that he was connected to the SFD in some way.

Not to mention, everyone had seen the news about the Quintin Skyscraper being attacked two days ago.

One particularly crazy post even claimed that Damian was the one responsible for the attack.

But people only laughed at the poster, saying Damian wasn’t nearly strong enough for something like that. No one believed such ridiculous bullshit.

What they didn’t know was just how accurate that post actually was.

****

As Damian entered the council room, he found Elizabeth alone for the first time since he’d started coming here daily.

"How have you been recently, Damian?"

Elizabeth, with her purple hair and eyes, looked as beautiful as ever as she smiled upon seeing him enter.

"I’ve been feeling surprisingly good, actually. I hope you’re doing well too."

Damian replied with a small smile.

Elizabeth looked genuinely surprised.

"...You must be feeling really good for you to even smile a bit. That’s a rare occurrence."

She said this with awe written all over her face.

"...I smile quite often, you know." Damian’s smile vanished instantly.

"No, you don’t. You always wear that brooding expression on your face – as if the whole world is your enemy."

Elizabeth said this in a tone that suggested she was absolutely certain of it.

"...Is that not the case?"

Damian whispered in a low voice as he moved closer and sat down on the side where the Disciplinary Committee’s seats were.

"...I’m not your enemy."

Elizabeth replied after hearing him say that, a complex expression crossing her face.

"..."

Damian stayed quiet as he studied her for a long moment. Then he leaned forward on the table and whispered again.

"I heard from your brother that you have a seer skill. I wonder if that’s why you’ve been behaving so strangely around me.

Maybe you saw some visions about me that made you treat me differently. But I’d like to give you a little advice – since you’ve been kind to me from the day I arrived."

Elizabeth didn’t interrupt. Her face became more serious as she also leaned closer across the table to listen.

"I recently learned about the social construct and how commoners are suppressed by Nobles.

I know your family is a bit better than most, and you treat everyone the same. But that doesn’t change the fact that both of us stand on opposite ends of a spectrum."

He paused, his crimson eyes locking onto hers.

"Starting today, I plan to interfere with every injustice done to commoners in this Academy. And I really don’t want us to have problems with each other. So I’m going to be as blunt and honest as possible."

Elizabeth’s expression remained calm, attentive.

"The attack that happened on the Quintin Skyscraper? That was me. I killed several C-rank awakeners using my weapon art. And in our council – hell, in this entire Academy – there are probably only three B-ranked awakeners, including you."

He leaned even closer, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper.

"I’m telling you this honestly so you can warn your entire year, as well as the other Nobles associated with you. No one should mess with me.

I really mean it. I’ve killed many people in just a few weeks since I Awakened, and I don’t know if I’ll hesitate to harm students as well if they cross my limits."

Elizabeth kept listening to Damian’s confession with no visible reaction, her hair partially covering one side of her face.

After a moment of silence, she spoke.

"...I understand what you mean, Damian. But let me give you a bit of advice as well – since I consider you my friend."

Her violet eyes sharpened.

"There’s a huge difference between the quality of awakeners who study in prestigious Academies like ours... and those whom you killed. Don’t underestimate anyon–"

"I’m not underestimating anyone."

Damian interrupted her, his tone firm.

"They might be able to inflict damage on me. They might even kill me. But their bodies aren’t strong enough to survive the amount of damage I can inflict either."

Damian already knew what Elizabeth wanted to say, so he cut her off.

Silence settled between the two of them.

The air felt heavy.

Tik.

Both of them turned sharply toward the door to see Naomi standing there with a panicked expression on her face.

"I-I didn’t see anything!"

Naomi looked at how close Damian and Elizabeth were – both leaning toward each other across the table – and a wild thought immediately came to her mind.

"..."

"..."

Both Damian’s and Elizabeth’s faces became awkward as both of them glanced at each other.

"Don’t misunderstand, Senior Naomi." Damian cleared his throat. "The President was just providing me with details regarding the Shadow Council."

"I-I see."

Naomi sighed in relief and quickly walked over to sit at her seat, trying to act natural.

Damian stood up and excused himself, heading toward the attached kitchen room to find Robert, while Naomi and Elizabeth quietly talked amongst themselves behind him.