''What a bore, I'm exhausted,'' Carl let out a long yawn as the damn lecture from the history professor kept droning on, like lullaby lyrics meant to put him to sleep — well, not just him, but pretty much everyone in class.
''Yeah! That bald professor is making me sick with this lecture,'' Earl nodded, clearly agreeing with Carl.
Meanwhile, Slater was dozing off in a sitting position, which somehow looked both funny and kind of cute.
Carl shot the siblings an annoyed glance. To be honest, half of it was because of the boring lecture, and the other half was because those two had ruined his sleep last night.
Trying to shake off his exhaustion and boredom, he asked,
''So, can you finish the story from yesterday?... The current relations between the dragon realms.''
''Hmm…'' Earl rubbed his chin for a few seconds before nodding.
''I think the best example would be our history lesson… Anyway, I only know the basics.''
Completely unbothered, Earl stood up and raised his hand, looking like the model student of the class.
''PLEASE SIR, WOULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THE CURRENT RELATIONS OF THE DRAGON CLASS?''
The bald old professor looked rather pleased that someone was finally showing some interest in his lecture — especially about current world affairs.
He stroked his long goatee and gave a slight nod.
''Well, well… The relations between the realms have been tense ever since three years ago. Right now, countless small and large conflicts are breaking out all over the world — especially along the borders. Those places are really dangerous…''
Earl pressed further.
''So do you know what started all of this?... For conflicts this big to happen, there must be something really serious going on.''
As soon as Earl asked, the whole class turned their attention to the history professor, waiting for the same answer. This was serious business — some powerful figures had clearly shaken the realms like a row of falling dominoes.
''Sharp boy!'' The professor clapped loudly, then slowly stepped toward the chair at the center of the podium.
A few seconds passed.
''I'm guessing you all already have an idea.''
In the blink of an eye, chatter rippled across the classroom like wildfire.
He grinned and shouted, ''Quiet!''
Then he turned to the blackboard and, with chalk in hand, marked six spots across its surface.
''The god patron of the Stoker class!''
''The god patron of the Striker class!''
''The god patron of the Sharper class!''
''The god patron of the Boulder class!''
''The god patron of the Tidal class!''
Finally, he stopped scribbling and turned back to the class, his excitement almost spilling over.
''The source of it all — the six god patrons.''
''I don't know what exactly occurred to them up in the heavenly realm… but ever since that destined day, the god patron of our Stoker class has descended a decree.''
''All other realms are enemies.''
The entire classroom went silent at the professor's words. Then, little by little, chatter started to rise — until the room erupted like an explosion.
The bald history professor just laughed, rubbing his long goatee again.
''That's it for today's lecture. You're all dismissed.''
Yeah, yeah… a long story.
This world was said to have been created by the Primordial Dragon. Of course, all living creatures in this world also belonged to the creativity of the Primordial Dragon — even the six god patrons, those Rank-EXX beings who dwelled in the heavenly realm… but that was just a myth. Nobody really believed in the existence of the Primordial Dragon anymore. People only placed their faith in the six god patrons, who had lived for countless ancient centuries.
The mortal world had even built countless temples across the six realms, where people prayed to them every day, begging for decrees — and sometimes receiving blessings in return.
Carl, for some reason, hated the god patron of his own class, so he couldn't even remember the last time he went to the patron's temple to offer a chicken.
''Tsk! But I still don't think relations between the realms are that bad.''
He was only now beginning to understand why his wife's subordinates treated him with mockery and hate.
Just a few years ago, he had been on some short travels on realms through the border home realm — but now, crossing the borders was nearly impossible.
''Haizz! So… how the hell am I supposed to get to my wife's realm after I destroy this academy? …This Stoker realm is driving me crazy. Guess my wife is the princess of that Striker-class realm… so there must be some way… I hope so.''
Carl sighed and wandered through the area by the castle, the place he had sneaked into yesterday. Something caught his eye — a glimpse of the council room window from outside.
''Now… how could I join the student council?''
He then picked a bench beneath a tall tree and sat down, letting the gentle breeze and the scent of leaves drifting from the canopy refresh him.
''Earl? Do you know any way?''
From the nearby bushes, Earl slowly stepped out, scratching his head in confusion. Slater quickly followed, sticking close to his brother.
''How did you find me?''
Carl exhaled and looked at the siblings. In reality, finding them had always been hard, but everything changed after he had given Cobb to Slater. Carl's sword resonated with Cobb, allowing him to sense Slater's presence anytime, anywhere. Still, Earl's skill made him a challenging target to track — but the two siblings always stayed together, so it didn't matter.
Thinking about it… Carl began to remember his little sister. She had once acted like Slater, always sticking by him.
A bitter taste stirred his tongue again.
''Yeah… don't bother with the details.''
Then he asked,
''Which rank of Star Dragon Souls do you have?''
He already had a sense that the siblings' Star Dragon Souls were quite high, which left him curious.
''Oh… I have a four-star Dragon Soul, and my sister has a five-star Dragon Soul,'' Earl said with a smile, showing no pride — he knew it didn't reveal much about their true strength.