After the duel ended, everyone was satisfied.
Despite smoking in the classroom, Crowler didn't heavily dock Strongman's score. Instead, his hands-on dueling earned unanimous praise from both teachers and students.
Barring anything unexpected, Strongman's professorial qualification evaluation this year was secure. Even if Crowler eventually became principal, his position as a branch professor should be safe.
Of course, the evaluation was one thing. On the other hand, Jaden did as he said and decided to stop sitting idle.
He planned to gather some "like-minded" people and, in between the academy patrol rotations, venture beyond the school building to explore further out, searching for spirits that had come to this dimension. He would try to turn them or persuade them to surrender before anyone else reached them.
If successful, perhaps those spirits' power could help fight the invaders more effectively.
Even if unsuccessful, it would at least yield some intelligence.
However, people with that kind of "courage" were still few. Apart from Syrus and Hassleberry, who volunteered to go with Jaden, barely anyone answered his call.
But Jaden understood. Not everyone had the courage to venture somewhere more dangerous. Some just wanted to survive safely. That wasn't wrong.
Still, Jaden did gain some support. Besides his two "loyal followers," Axel Brodie also decided to team up with him.
In truth, the old Axel would have gone exploring alone. But after extended contact with Jaden during the Nexus incident, he trusted Jaden deeply. So when he heard Jaden wanted to explore together, he agreed naturally.
To Jaden's regret, neither Jesse nor Hikaru planned to go with him.
He understood Hikaru's situation. And honestly, he preferred Hikaru staying in the main area as a safety net. That put his mind at ease.
Jesse not joining surprised him, though. Jesse was also the restless type who loved running around. But he chose to stay behind.
Then Jaden reconsidered.
Fair enough.
Jesse had been studying "Fusion" lately, frequently consulting Jaden, Hikaru, and several professors during his free time. He probably needed more time to settle in before heading out.
Jaden didn't mind. He packed the full set of "enhanced exploration gear" that Hikaru had specially prepared, rallied his friends, waved, and dashed off.
The way he went about it, you'd think it was a picnic.
Days seemed to pass steadily. Teachers taught normally, students attended class normally. Outside, professors rotated patrols. Further out, Jaden occasionally brought back strange news. Student life seemed to return to ordinary routine.
But hidden beneath that normalcy lay bottomless depths.
Paladin yawned, stretched, and returned to his room.
Seraph's "disappearance" had kept him on edge recently.
Not that he and Seraph were close. Although their academies were nearby, that didn't mean they knew each other well.
In fact, precisely because their schools were close, the competition was fiercer. Just like Duel Academy headquarters and the Northern branch competed intensely, with annual dueling tournaments between them.
In short, he and Seraph weren't friends, nor did they share much bond.
But losing a professor meant the patrol schedule was now tighter. Although he only taught every three or four days, preparing the next lesson plan after each class was genuinely draining.
On top of that, being quite handsome with a distinct exotic charm, and teaching an interesting course, meant female students and eager learners pestered him daily.
He wasn't angry, just genuinely tired.
After all, he wasn't a soldier or mercenary by background. Although he had been an adventurer, his physical conditioning was nowhere near that extreme.
"Maybe I should take a day off for next class..."
He opened his door with a sigh.
But thinking of those students who clung to him with questions, he felt a bit guilty.
Besides, at a time like this when everyone was working hard, taking a day off would just burden the other professors.
As an excellent professor, he couldn't do that...
"Welcome back."
Just as he was thinking this, a pleasant voice came from inside his room. He looked up. A girl with long silver hair sat gently on the edge of his bed, smiling as she welcomed him home.
He froze.
Then he reached out, trying to grasp her hand through the empty air. The girl seemed to respond, extending her right hand. But with her movement, her figure slowly dissolved before his eyes.
He shook his head sharply, jolting as though plunged into hot water. He was drenched in sweat.
He gasped for air.
"Damn... should I really rest? Am I hallucinating?"
He removed his uniform, hung it on the rack, and gazed blankly out the window.
In the distance, on the translucent wall, the blue flames that had burned relentlessly had finally gone out today.
Although he didn't know where those flames came from, he guessed that whatever was behind them was on their side.
Yet even those powerful flames, burning endlessly without fuel, hadn't been able to breach the wall at all...
"So, what do we do now?" Paladin was at something of a loss.
Just as he was thinking this, he felt a pair of cold hands gently rest on his shoulders.
The girl appeared beside him again, leaning softly against him, whispering, "It's okay. I'll be right here with you..."
Paladin flinched. He turned his head and opened his mouth.
"Angelica..."
He tried to grab her, but the figure dissolved like foam.
Paladin clawed at his own hair.
AHHH!
He was losing it.
His mental state was deteriorating. He really was hallucinating. Angelica... was already dead!
He set down his Deck, slumped into a chair, tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and drifted into a hazy sleep.
Meanwhile, the Deck he had casually placed on the table slowly began to emanate wisps of black miasma without his knowledge...
A sword. A maddened sword. Slowly radiating dark energy!
And while Paladin finally got some rest, many things continued to unfold at the school.
Hikaru, Chazz, and Aster had been studying Professor Seraph's "belongings" for the past several days.
To their delight, Seraph had a habit of "recording Revelations," so his belongings contained considerable intelligence of value.
Particularly information on enemy spirit types and origins, which would give Jaden thorough preparation when attempting to "turn" them.
They felt they might be able to unearth even more useful information and follow the trail to the true "mastermind": Darkness.
However, things were a bit complicated at the moment.
Hikaru had originally planned to visit the Gladiator Beast dimension these past few days. But with Duel Academy sealed, he really didn't dare leave.
Taking Jaden for a quick trip and returning had been his limit last time. If he went to the Gladiator Beast dimension and had to duel, he might not be able to return quickly. He could be stranded for a long time before making it back to the academy.
That was something Hikaru simply couldn't accept.
But the good news was that the school was currently thriving.
Indeed, even though things had returned to "academy routine," the prolonged three-point lifestyle of classroom, dorm, and cafeteria still weighed on students. When spirits attacked during these tense times, students were more prone to panic and confusion.
But conversely, precisely because of these attacks, the students' "spirit adaptability" was growing far faster than regular classroom study.
A "battlefield" was always the best way to improve. Even timid students or types like Beauregard who normally stayed holed up in their dorms had to learn to get stronger under this pressure.
This was also an opportunity.
After all, Hikaru wasn't their babysitter. Everyone had their own matters. Being able to protect yourself was obviously best.
For instance, right now in the Fusion Division, several students were excitedly boasting about how they'd stepped up at a critical moment, defeated some spirit, and earned thunderous praise.
Even Hikaru and his group couldn't help applauding. Stepping up to rescue classmates instead of running away was an act of courage no matter how you looked at it.
Some who had been rescued felt a bit awkward, but they were generally happy to hype up their saviors. At least it made them look less embarrassing.
And then there were some who seemed slightly out of it.
Dimitri hadn't even come to the Fusion Division today.
Although many friends urged him to join them there, where the Chief was, guaranteeing the safest gathering spot, and where they could play games together, a rare luxury in this oppressive environment, Dimitri declined.
Not only that, he turned down classmates who wanted to walk with him.
In the current academy environment, traveling together to dorms or clubs was safer, providing mutual protection. But Dimitri refused without hesitation.
There was no need for them to escort him to the dorm and then double back to the Fusion Division. Just go straight there. In times like these, extra walking meant extra danger.
As for him... there was no need. Right now, he should spend his time on something more useful!
This was perhaps the most fulfilling period of his life. Despite being surrounded by enemies, his spirit power was visibly growing daily. Just days ago, he had successfully summoned a fiend and gained spirit power through dueling.
At this steady pace, he believed his growth this semester would be enough to help Professor Viper pass the faculty evaluation!
He ran excitedly toward the dormitory to conduct his next experiment. But along the way, he heard groaning. Startled, he stopped and followed the sound, discovering a classmate lying in the bushes. Alarmed, he was about to rush over when he remembered Hikaru's instructions to the club members. He quickly put on the glasses from the club.
Through the lenses, he saw...
A real person!
He stepped through the undergrowth, ready to help. But at that moment, the person shouted, "Don't come over!"
"Watch out!"
He froze. From the darkness, a dagger lunged at him. With a crack, the "protective shield" on his body shattered. He stared wide-eyed in terror, trying to summon a spirit, but in his panic, he couldn't channel any spirit power at all.
He understood. This was one of those "fishing traps"!
Professor Strongman had taught them about this...
"Call a professor... call Hikaru..." The classmate on the ground struggled painfully.
Dimitri swallowed hard. Without responding, he turned and ran, trying to get help. But the monster's attack followed close behind. Hearing the whistle of the strike, he cursed inwardly.
It's over. I'm going to become the next piece of bait, and the classmate behind me won't even be useful anymore...
Just as he thought this...
"Lyrilusc- Sapphire Swallow!" A small female bird flew in from the sky, slamming into the attacker with a whoosh.
Then...
A mighty panda suddenly materialized from the side, landing a punch square on the attacking spirit, sending it flying instantly.
"Are you all right, senpai?!"
Two adorable girls who looked like twins rushed over from the other side of the grove. Serena and Lulu. They had heard the strange sounds and hurried over.
Saved...
Dimitri and the classmate on the ground both exhaled in relief.
But then...
Dimitri, sitting on the ground, instinctively dug his right hand hard into the dirt.
He could understand Serena summoning a spirit. After all, Serena was the Chief's "apprentice." But Lulu... how long had she even been studying spirit power?
Why... why couldn't I...
The failure to rescue his classmate. The humiliation of not being able to protect even himself. And the stark contrast...
His hand gradually crushed the soil, drawing small trickles of blood.
And that "Professor Viper" he admired so much... what was he doing right now?
Professor Strongman laughed heartily as he and several teachers split into two groups for exploration.
Given their recognition of his strength and his powerful personal abilities against spirits, everyone felt confident in him.
Honestly, he personally felt great too.
These past days, he had gradually rediscovered his old passion. There was an exciting feeling of having something to devote his life to again.
The emptiness from leaving the military, the regret over fallen comrades, all seemed to be fading.
To protect the hopes of humanity's future...
"It's been a while, General Meng."
Unexpectedly, when he arrived at another location, a "mercenary" had been waiting for him.
A sturdy teacher only slightly less built than himself stood with hands behind his back, waiting quietly.
"Viper... tch..."