Chapter 83 — Consequences I

The next day, Damian woke up after a long, much-needed sleep.

His body still ached in places, and his mind felt foggy from exhaustion, but it was nothing compared to how he’d felt after guiding thirty-two students through their Aura breakthroughs.

He dragged himself to the bathroom and freshened up again, trying desperately to wash away the persistent bloody smell that seemed to cling to him.

Last night after returning from the garden, he’d already taken a long shower, scrubbing his skin raw.

But the smell of death still lingered somehow.

After spending two months constantly hunting and killing beasts, only occasionally washing in lakes whenever he stumbled across one, the scent had apparently soaked into him deeper than soap could reach.

After another thorough cleaning session, he finally put on his Academy uniform again for the first time in what felt like forever.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Damian couldn’t help but notice how much he’d physically changed.

His height had increased by several centimeters, making him noticeably taller than before.

His crimson hair now fell past his shoulders, long enough that he needed to tie it back in a knot to keep it out of his face.

His facial features had become sharper, more defined, losing the last traces of childish softness.

He looked older. More mature. Undeniably handsome in a way that surprised even him.

’Is this because my rank keeps increasing, clearing waste and impurities from my body? Or just because I’m going through normal teenage growth?’

He honestly wasn’t sure which factor was more responsible.

’Well, I was handsome from the start anyway. I’ll just keep getting better-looking in the future. Hehe.’

His narcissistic thoughts were interrupted by more practical concerns.

’I wonder if Edrin and the others have started their ranking challenges yet, or if they’re waiting until afternoon.’

Damian left his room soon after, his mind already organizing the day’s priorities.

He needed to visit the Student Council chambers today to deal with Victor Cross and his attempt to ban the Mafia.

But before that confrontation, he’d decided to meet Professor Salazar Blackwood to learn the next stages of the Omega Point weapon art.

He was always busy with something, and he didn’t want to risk being pulled away again before learning the advanced stages of his weapon arts.

Better to get the knowledge now while he had the chance.

He left his room, which he didn’t change even after he became top ranked and headed toward the training facilities where Receptionist Annie, his so-called "senior sister," would be working.

She’d know exactly where to find Professor Blackwood.

****

Annie looked exactly the same as always, hunched over behind the reception counter with her head down, completely absorbed in whatever was on her communication device.

"Hey, Annie."

"Hm? Oh, it’s you!"

Her head snapped up immediately, brown eyes lighting up with genuine excitement.

"Junior Brother! You really are such a badass! Look at how handsome and cool you look in this video!"

She practically shoved her device into Damian’s face before he could respond.

The screen showed footage from yesterday’s confrontation, clearly recorded by some student in the crowd.

The angle was actually quite cinematic – showing Damian using his telekinesis to pull a cigar and lighter through the air, then lighting up casually with his boot pressed firmly on Leonard’s humiliated face.

Micheal and Iris were visible in the background, lying broken and half-conscious in pools of their own blood.

’It is pretty cool, actually. Whoever edited this together really knew how to capture the best angles.’

Damian studied the video with the critical eye of someone who understood the importance of image management.

Then he noticed the title.

[THE KING IS BACK!!]

He stood there speechlessly for a moment, processing the melodramatic headline.

But honestly? He didn’t mind the hype at all.

He’d always paid careful attention to his public image, both in this life and his previous one.

If he were just operating alone, this much attention might have been problematic.

But as the leader of the Mafia, the more his reputation grew, the more people would fear standing against his organization.

Fear was a useful tool when wielded correctly.

"It’s cool, isn’t it?"

Annie asked with literal stars shining in her eyes, then proceeded to blatantly look him up and down with obvious appreciation.

"You’re becoming more and more handsome by the day, Junior Brother. You even got rid of that ugly scar across your face. Now you look more like a muscular scholar than a brutish thug."

’What do you mean I looked like a brute before!? And what the hell is a ’muscular scholar’!? Is that even a real term!?’

"Yes, it’s cool. Thank you for the compliment, Annie."

Damian’s response was perfectly calm and polite, but his internal monologue was anything but peaceful.

"Annie, can you tell me where Professor Blackwood is currently? I need his guidance on something important."

"Oh, Master? He’s at the outdoor shooting range right now. Actually, it seems like he wanted to meet with you too. I was about to send you a message."

Annie’s tone suggested she knew more than she was saying, but Damian didn’t press.

"I see. I’ll head there now then."

He started walking away before Annie could trap him in another lengthy conversation.

"Ah, okay! See you later, Junior Brother!"

Annie waved enthusiastically as she watched him escape.

’Silly Junior. Always running away from me.’

****

The outdoor shooting range was located behind the training facilities, a massive open area with reinforced barriers and targets set up at various distances.

It was designed specifically for students and professors practicing long-range weapon arts and marksmanship.

But it was mostly occupied by Professor Salazar and him.

As Damian approached, he could hear the distinctive sound of gunshots echoing across the space.

But these weren’t the controlled, measured shots of target practice.

These were angry, violent discharges that spoke of frustration and rage.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

When Damian finally reached the range and could see clearly, he found Professor Salazar Blackwood standing alone in the center.

The normally jolly professor looked completely different.

His usually neat appearance was disheveled, his face twisted with anger and frustration.

His gun, a beautiful custom piece that normally only saw careful, precise use, was being fired repeatedly at the distant mountains.

Each shot was infused with massive amounts of Aura, creating devastating explosions against the rocky peaks in the distance.

Chunks of stone and earth were being blown apart with each discharge.

Salazar wasn’t practicing. He was venting.

"Professor Blackwood?"