Classes had officially begun. I now stood in front of my assigned classroom: Class 1-D.
Each class at Helsguard Academy housed about forty-five to fifty students — except for the S-ranked class, where only five prodigies were permitted.
Taking a deep breath, I held my notebook under one arm and crouched slightly to step through the doorway. I needed to stay in character — to forget Jack the Ripper completely and become Lucivar Velmorian.
As I entered, I was greeted by a range of expressions. Some students stared with open disdain; others looked genuinely stunned; the rest ignored me, laughing and chatting freely among themselves.
I guessed my unusual height was partly to blame for the shock. Speaking of which, Lucivar had always been tall — but not this tall. Well, it didn't matter now.
I crossed the room and placed my notebook on the teacher's desk beside the blackboard. I'd studied relentlessly in the library, distilling only the most critical information into these notes.
Looking up, I surveyed the classroom. The students sat in rows of three, each row holding roughly fifteen seats, with the back rows slightly elevated — perfect for large lectures.
However, some students blatantly ignored me, carrying on their conversations as if I didn't exist.
I cleared my throat.
"Ahem! May I have everyone's attention, please..."
Nothing. If anything, their chatter grew louder. So be it.
Turning back to the desk, I picked up an ink pen and pressed its tip against the blackboard.
'Better cover your ears...'
Just before I unleashed my plan, a furious voice cut through the noise behind me.
"Everyone! Why are you being so disrespectful to the professor?! We're here to learn, so please—"
She didn't get to finish.
I dragged the pen across the blackboard, amplifying its screech with
[Sound Manipulation]. A piercing, high-pitched shriek ripped through the room, climbing louder and sharper the longer I dragged the pen.
Then — silence.
When I turned back, the students still had their hands clamped over their ears, faces scrunched in pain.
'Serves you right. When a teacher speaks, listen.'
I cleared my throat again. "Ahem. Now that I have everyone's attention, shall we begin today's class—"
Thud.
A glove smacked against my chest and dropped to the floor.
Thrown at me?
For a moment, confusion flickered in my mind — but the answer came quickly as the same girl from before stepped forward, eyes blazing with anger.
"I challenge you to a graduation duel!" she declared. Her voice was trembling but unwavering.
Gasps filled the classroom. Whispered gossip surged like wildfire.
A graduation duel. I remembered reading about this in the library: at Helsguard Academy, any student could challenge a professor to a duel. If they won, they graduated immediately, proving themselves stronger than an instructor.
Of course, no one in their right mind ever did so — because to qualify as a professor here, one needed power equal to at least one of the six demon generals.
Did I really look so weak...?
Activating [Soulstess], I saw why she was so confident — her magical energy core was the largest among the students, though it paled in comparison to mine.
I exhaled slowly and asked, "And may I ask why you wish to challenge me? You do understand the penalty if you lose, don't you?"
If a student failed, they would be expelled on the spot.
She said nothing, only clenched her fists, her silence only fueling the whispers.
"I knew she'd do something reckless — just like her traitor mother..."
"But isn't she pretty strong? And she's up against that worthless Velmorian..."
"Quiet! Even if he's useless, his family still holds power."
'So that's how they see Lucivar Velmorian. And a traitor mother? Interesting.'
I let out a quiet sigh. I had planned to keep a low profile. This reckless girl had ruined that.
'Well... so be it. Better to crush her here and now — make an example so no one else gets ideas. Breaking an arm or two should do the trick.'
I clapped my hands sharply. "Alright, everyone — think of this as a practical lesson in magical combat."
I grabbed my notebook and added, "Form lines of two and follow me to the practice grounds."
Reluctantly, they fell into line behind me.
***
Practice Grounds
Behind the academy lay the training fields. The students now lined the perimeter, watching intently. Judging by their expressions, they genuinely believed I'd lose.
Was Lucivar truly so pathetic...? His magical core was on par with mine. Maybe he just couldn't fight properly?
No matter. I'd figure that out later.
The black-haired girl now stood across from me, practice sword clenched tight, eyes unwavering.
It had been so long since I'd seen this look on an opponent's face — pure resolve, nothing hidden. When I was Jack the Ripper, people trembled just hearing my name.
But this girl — she would fight with her life on the line.
Interesting.
I could end this in an instant by unleashing my full magical presence — but that would be too dull. Let's see how far she's willing to go.
But if she came at me to kill... then I'd take her life without mercy. Anything that tries to kill me — dies.
And with that, the graduation duel began.