Chapter 6 — The White-Haired Instructor
The arena remained loud long after Reskin's battle ended.
Students continued discussing the impossible gravity ability they had witnessed while injured participants were escorted toward healing chambers across the academy grounds.
Meanwhile, Kalen Vortex still knelt inside the cracked battlefield with both fists trembling against the ground.
Humiliation burned inside him hotter than any flame he could create.
He had lost.
Not barely.
Not honorably.
He had been completely overwhelmed.
And worst of all…
It happened in front of the entire academy.
"Impossible…" Kalen muttered under his breath.
His Flame Fang Horsiken stood beside him silently with lowered ears, sensing its master's unstable emotions.
Several noble students nearby looked uncomfortable.
Nobody knew what to say.
Because everyone had expected Kalen to dominate.
Instead, another name had stolen all attention.
Reskin Bond.
The orphan nobody respected yesterday.
Kalen slowly raised his head toward the distant exit where Reskin disappeared moments earlier.
His eyes darkened coldly.
"This isn't over."
—
Far away from the arena noise, Reskin walked quietly through a large stone corridor following academy staff toward the finalist waiting chambers.
The hallways alone looked more luxurious than anything he had ever seen.
Golden chandeliers hung from enormous ceilings while glowing blue crystals illuminated ancient paintings across the walls.
Some paintings showed legendary Horsiken Fighters battling giant monsters.
Others displayed ancient wars that reshaped entire kingdoms.
"This academy is older than most nations," Bali commented calmly.
"You know this place?"
"I existed before this place."
"…Right."
Reskin still occasionally forgot he was talking to a creature older than human civilization itself.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind.
"HEY!"
Dugu came running down the hallway breathing heavily.
"You disappeared so fast!"
Reskin smiled slightly.
"You survived your match."
"Barely."
Dugu dramatically held his chest.
"I think three of my ribs died during that fight."
"You're still talking normally."
"That's because I'm brave."
"No, that's because you talk too much."
Dugu gasped dramatically.
"You wound me."
For the first time in years, Reskin laughed naturally.
Not forced.
Not fake.
Just genuine laughter.
Dugu noticed immediately.
"You know," he said quietly, "you smile more now."
Reskin froze slightly.
"…Do I?"
"Yeah."
Dugu leaned casually against the wall beside him.
"Before yesterday, you always looked like someone carrying the whole world alone."
Reskin stayed silent.
Because Dugu wasn't wrong.
Loneliness had followed him for years like a shadow.
But somehow…
After meeting Bali…
That emptiness no longer felt as crushing.
Even though the ancient GOD-HORSIKEN was arrogant, mysterious, and terrifying—
He was still someone beside him.
Someone who acknowledged his existence.
"Maybe things are changing," Reskin answered softly.
Before Dugu could respond—
Several academy staff members suddenly appeared.
"All finalists must report immediately for ranking announcements."
The students quickly followed the instructors toward the central assembly hall.
As they entered—
Reskin's eyes widened slightly.
Thousands of students stood gathered inside a gigantic circular chamber with floating crystal screens hovering above everyone.
The atmosphere felt serious.
Excited whispers spread everywhere.
Everyone waited nervously for final rankings.
An elderly instructor stepped onto the center platform.
"The entrance examinations have concluded."
Instant silence filled the chamber.
"Out of twelve thousand participants…"
The floating crystal screens activated brightly.
"…Two hundred and sixteen students have officially passed."
Cheers exploded across the room.
Some students cried from happiness.
Others collapsed in relief.
Dugu nearly grabbed Reskin violently.
"WE PASSED!!"
Reskin almost lost balance.
"I noticed."
Dugu looked seconds away from fainting.
"I actually thought I was dead during that giant hammer fight…"
The elderly instructor raised one hand again.
"Final rankings will now be announced."
The atmosphere immediately became tense again.
Because academy rankings determined everything.
Resources.
Dormitories.
Training privileges.
Even instructor attention.
Names began appearing rapidly across the floating screens.
"Rank 87."
"Rank 43."
"Rank 19."
Students reacted differently depending on their placements.
Some celebrated proudly.
Others looked disappointed.
Dugu clenched his fists nervously.
"Please don't be terrible…"
Suddenly—
"Rank 28 — Dugu Arlen."
Dugu froze.
"…WAIT WHAT?!"
Then he exploded excitedly.
"RANK 28?!"
Nearby students looked surprised too.
For someone without noble background, reaching Top 30 was impressive.
Dugu immediately grabbed Reskin's shoulders.
"I'M AMAZING!"
"You're loud."
"I'M TALENTED!"
"You're still loud."
Then—
The crystal screens changed again.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavier.
Because now only Top 10 remained.
"Rank 10…"
"Rank 9…"
One by one, elite students appeared.
Kalen Vortex reached Rank 4.
His expression darkened further after hearing it.
Normally he would have ranked first easily.
But one person ruined everything.
Finally—
The elderly instructor's voice echoed loudly.
"Rank 1…"
Complete silence filled the chamber.
"…Reskin Bond."
BOOOOOOM!!
The entire hall exploded with noise.
"What?!"
"The orphan got Rank 1?!"
"He defeated Kalen so it makes sense…"
"But where did someone like him even come from?!"
Kalen's face turned cold enough to freeze water.
Meanwhile, Reskin simply blinked.
"…Rank 1?"
Even he looked surprised.
Inside his mind, Bali laughed proudly.
"As expected."
"Stop sounding like this was obvious."
"It was."
Suddenly—
A new voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"Reskin Bond."
The crowd instantly quieted.
Everyone turned toward the upper balcony.
The white-haired woman stood there calmly overlooking the hall.
Her long silver hair moved slightly with the wind while golden eyes locked directly onto Reskin.
Even instructors became respectful immediately.
Dugu whispered nervously.
"…That's Instructor Seraphina."
"Who?"
"One of the strongest academy instructors!"
The atmosphere became tense instantly.
Because Instructor Seraphina rarely appeared publicly.
And she almost never spoke to new students directly.
"Follow me," she said calmly.
Reskin blinked.
"…Me?"
"Yes."
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
The entire hall stared at Reskin with envy, confusion, and curiosity.
Because everyone knew one thing.
Being personally called by Seraphina could either become the greatest opportunity…
Or the beginning of serious trouble.
Dugu looked nervous.
"Try not to die."
"That's encouraging."
Reskin quietly followed the silver-haired instructor through another series of academy corridors.
Unlike before, these hallways felt isolated and silent.
Powerful soul barriers surrounded the area.
Even the air felt heavier.
Finally, Seraphina stopped inside a large private chamber overlooking the academy city.
Massive windows revealed flying beasts crossing the skies while distant training grounds echoed with explosions.
She stood silently with her back toward him.
For several moments—
Neither spoke.
Then—
"Who are you really?"
Reskin's heart skipped slightly.
Bali immediately became silent inside his mind.
"I'm Reskin Bond," he answered carefully.
"That is your name," Seraphina replied calmly. "Not your identity."
Her golden eyes slowly turned toward him.
"And your power is abnormal."
The pressure in the room increased instantly.
Reskin felt danger immediately.
Not murderous intent.
But overwhelming strength.
Far stronger than anyone he had encountered before.
"If you're suspecting forbidden contracts," Reskin answered carefully, "then you're wrong."
Seraphina observed him quietly.
"You know what I sensed during your battle?"
Silence.
"For a moment…"
Golden energy flickered faintly around her body.
"…I felt something ancient inside your soul."
Inside Reskin's mind, Bali remained completely quiet.
Which somehow felt even more dangerous.
Seraphina slowly walked closer.
Each step carried immense pressure.
"You are either extremely dangerous…"
She stopped directly before him.
"…Or extremely valuable."
Reskin met her gaze calmly despite his racing heartbeat.
"What happens now?"
Unexpectedly—
Seraphina smiled slightly.
"Now?"
The pressure vanished instantly.
"Now you become my student."
Reskin blinked repeatedly.
"…What?"
"You heard correctly."
Even Bali sounded mildly surprised.
"A direct disciple offer already?"
Seraphina walked toward the massive window calmly.
"I watched every battle today. Your control, instincts, and adaptability surpass ordinary academy standards."
Her golden eyes reflected the city below.
"And if someone else discovers your secret first…"
Her voice became quieter.
"…They will try to own you."
Reskin felt cold chills.
Because deep down—
He knew she was right.
In a world ruled by strength…
Rare power attracted dangerous people.
Seraphina turned back toward him again.
"I can protect you inside this academy."
Her expression became serious.
"But only if you trust me enough to train under me."
The room became silent again.
Reskin didn't answer immediately.
Because trusting others had never ended well in his life.
Yet somehow…
Seraphina's eyes didn't contain greed.
Only curiosity.
And caution.
Inside his mind, Bali finally spoke.
"She is dangerous."
"I noticed."
"But…"
For the first time, the ancient GOD-HORSIKEN sounded thoughtful.
"She may become useful."
Reskin almost sighed.
That was probably the closest thing Bali gave to approval.
Finally, Reskin looked directly at Seraphina.
"…If I become your student, what exactly will you teach me?"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"How to survive the monsters hidden inside this academy."
Far away across the academy grounds—
Inside a dark underground chamber—
Several shadow-covered figures sat around a circular table.
A glowing crystal projection displayed Reskin's battle recordings repeatedly.
One figure slowly spoke.
"A gravity-type user."
Another voice answered coldly.
"No."
The projection paused exactly when Reskin's eyes turned gold.
"…Something far more dangerous."
Silence filled the chamber.
Then—
A third figure leaned forward slightly.
"Should we eliminate him before he becomes a problem?"
The room became deathly quiet.
And somewhere deep within the academy shadows…
Ancient enemies had already begun watching Reskin Bond.