Chapter 84 — Consequences II

"Professor Blackwood?"

Damian’s voice cut through the sound of gunfire.

Salazar spun around immediately, his expression shifting from anger to something far more complicated when he saw Damian standing there.

Pain, Guilt, Frustration, Sadness...

All of it flashed across his face in seconds before he forced himself to take a deep breath.

"Damian. You’re here."

His voice was rough, strained.

He lowered his gun and gestured toward the observation table nearby.

"Come. Sit. We need to talk."

The serious tone made Damian’s internal alarms start ringing.

He followed Salazar to the table and sat down across from him, studying his professor’s face carefully.

Something was very wrong. And judging by Salazar’s expression, it was directly related to Damian somehow.

Salazar sat down heavily, placing his gun on the table between them with more force than necessary.

He opened his mouth to speak several times, then closed it again, struggling with how to begin.

Finally, he just sighed deeply and looked Damian directly in the eyes.

"You know I’m from an Imperial family, right? The Blackwood family."

"Yes. I learned about the Imperial Families from Adrian Murdock."

Damian’s tone was neutral, giving nothing away.

Salazar nodded slowly, his jaw working.

"Then you should understand what I’m about to tell you carries weight that goes far beyond just this Academy."

He paused, gathering his thoughts.

"The news and videos of what you did yesterday have spread beyond just the student forums.

They’ve circulated through all the Noble social circles. Every major family knows about it now.

Even many Academies across the Federation have seen footage of you dominating three Imperial heirs simultaneously. It’s trending everywhere..."

Damian remained silent, simply listening.

"The entire top-level hierarchy of our world now knows your name and face. They know you easily defeated Micheal Thorne, someone no peer has ever managed to beat in combat.

Only a handful of older Noble children from previous years have more impressive records than Micheal had."

Salazar’s hands clenched into fists on the table.

"The thirteen Imperial families are not happy about this situation.

Their carefully maintained image of superiority and dominance has been publicly shattered by a commoner student. And they don’t tolerate that kind of embarrassment."

Damian’s expression remained calm, though his mind was already working through the implications.

’I knew yesterday’s display would attract attention. That was partly the point. But I didn’t anticipate it spreading this quickly or reaching this high.’

"They’ve started applying pressure... Significant pressure."

Salazar’s voice was bitter now, angry at himself more than anyone else.

"They reached out directly to all the professors who’ve been teaching you.

They delivered a very clear message: stop providing any guidance or instruction to Damian Valcor, or face serious consequences from your respective families."

The words hung heavy in the air between them.

"Professor Seraphina told them to fuck off, essentially. She cut ties with her Noble family years ago and doesn’t care what threats they make. Her background in the Military is strong as hell..."

A ghost of a smile crossed Salazar’s face.

"But I... I can’t do the same."

His expression crumbled, frustration and self-loathing written clearly across his features.

"I’m still deeply connected to the Blackwood family. I have parents, siblings, cousins, people I care about who depend on me maintaining good standing.

I can’t just burn those bridges without implicating their lives too."

He looked down at his hands.

"They forced me to officially sever the master-disciple relationship between us. And made it very clear that if I continue teaching you, there will be severe consequences for everyone I love."

Damian sat perfectly still, his face calm and neutral as he absorbed this information.

He said nothing. Nor did he interrupt the man as he sat there listening.

Salazar’s frustration only grew watching Damian’s composed reaction.

"Why aren’t you saying anything!?"

His voice rose sharply, anger mixing with desperation.

"Shouldn’t you be furious about this!? This is blatant injustice! They’re punishing you for being talented and strong!

They’re trying to cripple your growth because you embarrassed their precious heirs!"

"...Would being angry change anything?"

Damian’s voice was soft, almost gentle.

"Would showing frustration make the Imperial families suddenly decide to be fair? Would my rage convince them to lift their restrictions?"

He met Salazar’s eyes directly.

"The world was never fair to begin with, Professor. I learned that lesson a long time ago. Being angry at injustice doesn’t fix it. It just wastes energy that could be spent finding solutions."

Salazar stared at him, completely taken aback by the response.

"Besides..."

Damian continued, his tone remaining calm and measured.

"This weapon art was never truly mine in the first place. The Academy gave me the choice to select any arts I wanted. As for the guidance, technically it’s also a given that it will be provided.

But you chose to teach it to me out of your own generosity and recognition of my potential without any bias. Even going through extra effort to make me understand everything.

I’m genuinely grateful that I even received the guidance I did. Many students never get that opportunity."

"That’s not the point–"

"It’s exactly the point."

Damian’s voice was firm now.

"You gave me something valuable without any obligation to do so. The fact that external forces are now preventing you from continuing doesn’t erase what you’ve already given me.

I don’t blame you for choosing your family over me. That’s what any reasonable person would do."

Salazar opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again, his anger deflating into something more like despair.

"...How can you be so calm about this? How can you just accept it without any resentment?"

"Because I understand the position you’re in. And because I can see that you’re more frustrated about this than I am."

Damian’s expression softened into a warm smile, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

"The fact that you’re this angry on my behalf, that you’re struggling with this decision so much it’s driving you to shoot mountains in frustration, that tells me everything I need to know about your character."

He stood up slowly.

"I know your heart, Professor Blackwood. Seeing you this upset for my sake is already more than enough. You’ve been a good teacher and a decent person. That matters to me more than any benefit I gain from you."

Damian bowed his head slightly, a gesture of genuine respect.

"Thank you for everything you’ve taught me... Master."

Salazar’s breath caught in his throat.

In all the time they’d worked together, through all the lessons and training sessions, Damian had never once called him Master.

He always addressed him as "Professor" or "Professor Blackwood", being respectful but still distant.

And now, at the moment they were being forced apart, Damian used that title for the first and last time.

The irony was crushing.

"...Damian, wait–"