Both Azriel and Caleus sat in chairs near the edge of the ballroom, their wounds freshly treated by healers, the metallic aftertaste of health potions still lingering on their tongues.
The duel had spiraled far beyond what anyone had anticipated, yet no one had dared to intervene.
'To think I actually managed to win...'
[Void Mind] had already faded, but the memory of every movement remained vivid, carved into his mind with razor-sharp clarity. He'd been in control the entire time.
Had he not been at a formal banquet, beneath the gaze of hundreds of scrutinizing eyes, he might've jumped up and cheered like a lunatic. But now, he had to hold his composure.
Guests had already lost interest in the two new students dueling in the center of the room. Compared to the battle between the Crimson and Nebula princes, their spar looked like play-fighting.
Those same guests, people of power and pedigree from across the world, had just witnessed the reemergence of Azriel Crimson.
And rumors? Oh, they would spread like wildfire.
Luckily, the banquet had enforced a strict no-devices policy.
No footage. No proof. Just whispers and tales that would warp with every retelling.
It was perfect.
The truth would be buried under layers of exaggeration and disbelief.
"Seriously, what were you thinking..."
Azriel turned toward Jasmine, seated beside him, her voice low and taut with frustration.
He swallowed, eyeing the flicker of restrained fury behind her otherwise calm expression.
"Well... I guess we went a little overboard."
"A little. Definitely just a little," she replied flatly, inspecting his already-healed wounds like she expected them to reopen out of spite.
The potions had done their job, but they hadn't mended the tears in his tuxedo—something Azriel found especially tragic, considering how stupidly expensive the thing probably was.
Still, most people would see the ruined suit as a badge of honor.
"You call that 'fun'? You fought like a ghost."
Azriel glanced to his right, where Caleus was casually sipping wine.
Next to him sat Celestina, watching Azriel with such quiet intensity it made him resist the urge to fidget.
Azriel shrugged.
"Maybe it didn't look like it, but I'm serious. I haven't felt my heart race like that in a long time."
"Mmm. So even the great ghost of the Void Realm still has a pulse," Caleus muttered, finishing his drink with a chuckle.
'Where are Mom, Dad… and Uncle Ragnar?'
They hadn't come back to witness the duel, which—knowing his mother—was probably a good thing.
'Dodged a bullet there, I guess.'
Then he felt a piercing gaze from across the ballroom, by the grand piano.
Solomon.
And beside him, Freya.
'I guess it's finally time, huh?'
Azriel stood, drawing a wave of attention. But he ignored it.
Just as he was about to walk away, he felt a tug on his sleeve.
"Where are you going...?"
He looked down to see Jasmine, still seated, brows knit in worry.
"Going to talk with Solomon and the Headmistress."
"Oh…"
She nodded, eyes lingering on him for a moment longer.
She didn't know the details of his connection with Freya, but she did know about Solomon saving him back in Europe. The man always found time to speak with Azriel during events like this.
"Just… don't fight Saint Solomon," she muttered.
Azriel blinked.
'Huh? Fight Solomon?'
He gave a bewildered smile and nodded before continuing toward the table.
Upon reaching them, he sat down across from Solomon and Freya, placing Freya on his right and Solomon on his left.
Without a word, a faint pink dome enveloped the table—transparent but unmistakably a soundproof barrier.
Gasps fluttered through the crowd.
"Sound barrier," Freya explained, though Azriel already knew. Still, he nodded.
"I have to say," Solomon began, grinning wide, "that was one hell of a fight. Didn't expect you to actually win."
"I got lucky."
Azriel shrugged, though they both knew better.
He turned toward Freya.
Her expression was unreadable—so blank he almost wondered if she had [Void Mind].
"Does this mean you're accepting my plan?"
For a few moments, Freya simply stared, her rose-colored eyes boring into his as if searching for something.
Then finally—
"I am."
A genuine smile spread across Azriel's face for the first time that evening.
And whether he realized it or not, a few glances sneaking their way toward their table lingered a bit longer than usual.
"I've already heard most of the plan from Solomon," Freya said. "What do you need me to do?"
"Not much. Just two things."
Azriel tried not to sigh.
'If she doesn't agree, the whole plan gets a lot messier…'
"First, no matter what happens outside the void dungeon, I want you to ensure the parties already inside aren't forced to abandon exploration and return. I'll take care of whatever happens within."
Freya gave the faintest nod of acknowledgment, listening without interruption.
The void dungeon.
That was where they were heading after the academy's entrance exam.
One of the three great mysteries of Earth. A place no one fully understood, tied to the origin of the void realm itself. Of its countless floors, only thirty-seven had been explored. Students were only expected to reach the first five.
But in the novel, Neo Genesis had attacked—massacring both students inside the dungeon and civilians in the surrounding city.
Solomon had managed to limit the damage, but the incident still resulted in mass casualties and ended further exploration.
Azriel intended to stop that.
How?
By doing the unthinkable for a main character.
Informing an adult.
"Very well," Freya said at last.
"I expected that."
Azriel exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders.
Neither she nor Solomon asked how he knew about the upcoming attack. Each of them had their own reasons for trusting him.
Freya, in particular, wanted to end the war between humanity and the void. Allowing students to grow stronger inside the dungeon was a step toward that end.
"And the second thing?" she asked.
"My entrance exam ranking—I want it suppressed. Hidden until the end of the trip or, if possible, replaced with a lower one."
Freya's brows rose slightly. Solomon looked at him like he'd just grown a second head.
"Why the hell would you want that?"
The confusion lasted all of two seconds.
Then Solomon let out a low whistle.
"Ohhh... confusion, huh? The rumors from tonight will seem like exaggerations if you rank low. People will underestimate you. Focus on the top ranks, thinking you're weaker... until it's too late."
His grin widened.
"They'll never realize there's a second Grade 3 Intermediate walking among them."
Azriel nodded.
Solomon would deal with Neo Genesis on the surface.
Azriel would eliminate them in the dungeon.
Unseen. Unnoticed. Until the time was right.
A shadow among brighter stars.
Freya considered it for a moment longer, then said:
"You'll get the rank you earn—until the midterm exams."
Azriel smiled again, for the second time that night.
This time, it wasn't for show.
This time, it was real.