Yeah, Lio — that was the name of such a glorious existence.
Anticlimactic, right?
Well, the reason lies in his background. It was even mentioned in the novel.
The Principal was born when a prostitute got pregnant. Some clients had strange hobbies, and since not many women became pregnant, his mother decided to keep him. By the time she thought of aborting, it was already too late, and so he was born.
His mother wasn't interested in taking care of him, but her clients' odd tendencies ended up saving him. They used some strange devices — one for drinking milk, the other for… well, you can guess.
When his time for milk passed, it was time to eat — yet his mother never gave him a single bite of food. But again, those strange hobbies came in handy. The clients would do their deeds in front of him, and if he clapped for their "performance," they rewarded him with food.
He became an orphan at the age of five. The reason? Once again — his mother's clients.
But Lio didn't want to die. He begged for food, clothes, or money, anywhere he could. Yet he was clever — he only begged in places where he could learn.
By the age of twenty, he had already become stronger than most nobles of his age. He began teaching commoners and anyone willing to learn. By thirty, the nobles noticed the rising strength of the commoners and searched for the cause. They found it — Lio.
So, low-ranking nobles hired him to teach their heirs. By thirty-five, even high-ranking nobles noticed the rapid growth of their rivals' heirs and hired him themselves.
At forty, he was invited to join the Celestara Academy.
By forty-four, he became Vice Principal.
At forty-five, he was dismissed.
Why?
He had become stronger than the Principal of that time.... basically jealousy.
Using the money he had saved, he opened an academy of his own — one that only accepted commoners. Within three years, nobles were terrified. Commoners were getting hundreds of times stronger.
Even though noble children were more talented, the number of commoners was far greater. Even if one in a thousand had a noble's talent, their combined strength could shift the balance of power.
Fearing this, the nobles made Lio the Principal of Celestara Academy to suppress the growing influence.
But that wasn't the end.
By fifty, he solved a major problem in the academy — factionalism. He banned faction formation completely. While some students were dissatisfied, it was a minor issue. Under his rule, Celestara rose in prestige — from training students of half the continent to welcoming students from every kingdom, even beyond the continent.
At fifty-five, he tried to allow commoners into the academy. Everyone objected.
So, he resigned.
They didn't want him gone — so they had no choice. And now commoners study too.
He became an influential figure, not because of political standing, but because people feared he could change the social order itself.
---
And now, the man himself stood before me once again.
The Principal said, "Adrian Lewin… please have a seat."
Hmm… not going to let my title work as a bargaining chip, is he?
I smiled and sat down.
"It's nice to meet you, Principal… again," I said.
He smiled.
Eh? Why is he smiling?
He said, "Not going to clap?"
…Shit. He remembers.
Ahem. Let's ignore that.
Half of it is because I don't have a comeback and half because it's too embarrassing.
"I don't like being indirect," I said.
"I thought so," he replied. "You're far too young for that. So, what brings you to the academy you already left?"
He knew. Of course, he did. Actually I knew he would. As soon as I became the Twelfth Lord the teacher should have came running to inform him.
"I want someone admitted into the first year," I said.
The Principal's smile faded slightly, his brows furrowing.
"And who is that?"
I wonder if he thinks I'd come for someone special.
Well… he's not exactly wrong, but not quite right either.
"Elric… Elric Lewin," I said.
The Principal frowned. "Is he related to you?"
Anyone would think that, given the shared surname.
"He did something for me," I replied. "He asked for a surname — I had reasons to give him mine."
The Principal nodded slowly. "But we can't accept that. This isn't how Celestara Academy works."
I smiled. "So, no one will be admitted into the first-year mid-session, I presume?"
He looked at me intensely.
The Principal sighed. "So you know the Hero is coming?"
I shook my head. "No. But I deduced it. Honestly, I wasn't planning to ask — until the ceremony gave me the idea."
That part wasn't a lie. The deduction, though… well, I knew it from the novel. And since Hero is coming it would be easier to ask.
The Principal shook his head. "But the Hero is different. When your candidate lifts a holy sword, I'll gladly accept him."
I lowered my gaze, feigning disappointment. "Is that so? You aren't always at the academy, and even without the Hero, it's been attacked before. Who knows what might come next?"
He immediately understood I was referring to the terrorist attack.
"And?" he asked.
"I don't know," I said with a smirk. "Maybe if I had a stake in the academy, I could help someday. But I understand — traditions can't be broken. I won't take any more of your time."
I stood to leave.
"Stop," the Principal said.
I smirked again.
"So, if there was a stake?" he asked.
He took the bait.
Hehehehe
I turned back fully. "Then I might be of use — one time or many times."
The Principal was silent for a moment, then said, "But he needs to be tested."
Even I know that much.
"Test him all you want," I said.
He continued, "We will test—"
"Not my problem," I interrupted. "I've already helped enough. Now, he needs to solve his own."
If I look more interested than this he might look at "Elric " more. Which might become a problem.
The Principal nodded. "Here, Twelfth Lord — give this to him and ask him to come to my office."
Yeah, now that the talk's over, then I get my title. Great.
I took the object and asked, "I can roam around the academy, right?"
He nodded and cast a spell. "Here — this will keep the barriers from affecting you. No barrier will stop you that's casted by me."
Barrier, huh? For me, barriers don't even exist.
---
Outside, I looked down at the token. No one could enter the academy without permission — this was that permission.
I wandered around and entered the training grounds — a vast open field with facilities for combat and magic practice. Private zones were available for four hours daily for those who wanted secrecy in training.
Under a nearby tree, I spotted them: Alaric Blackwood, Althaea Arkwright, Seraphine Nightingale, Roderick Stormrider, Sylwen Starleaf, and Liora Blackthorn — all training.
Only their blacksmith friend wasn't here. Well he must not have become a friend yet. And he would rather hone his skill than train.
I leaned against the tree, unbothered if they noticed me.
---
Alaric Blackwood's POV
A guy with red eyes and blond hair was staring straight at us — not even trying to hide it.
He wasn't that handsome so I don't think he was trying to hit on the girls then again there are some delusional people.
I turned to the others. "Hey, is it just me, or is that guy staring at us?"
Everyone nodded. Well it would be hard not to notice. He wasn't hiding at all.
Seraphine asked, "Should I ask him why?"
We all looked at her. I mean, she wasn't wrong — it was awkward.
Then, out of nowhere, Darian charged toward the boy, punching from behind — and he wasn't holding back. Darian often picked fights, especially when Liora was around.
I shouted, "Hey, look out!"
But the boy merely tilted his head, and Darian's punch missed completely. Momentum carried him forward, and now he stood face to face with the blond guy.
Maybe out of frustration, Darian unsheathed his sword.
"You should've been in Class A," Darian said coldly. "You're not, which means you're no academy student. So I won't be punished — as long as I don't kill you."
The boy didn't even look at him.
Darian slashed — but the stranger only stepped back slightly. The sword passed so close that, from where I stood, it looked like it cut him. But there wasn't a single mark.
He still wasn't looking at Darian. Was he blind? That could explain it… but then, how did he fight?
Darian thrust his sword again — but the boy spun gracefully, chopping the side of Darian's neck.
And just like that, Darian was on the ground — unconscious.
We all stared, wide-eyed.
Darian wasn't weak. He got into Class A through pure strength. But it all happened so fast.
A voice came from the side.
"Maybe I should ask who he is."