The Revenge of the Mad Sorcerer Xia Yuan had drawn to a close. After extensive repairs to the academy, four imposing figures sat around the round table in the highest-level conference room of Celestial Carving Academy—besides Headmaster Dishi. These four represented the dominant powers of Aire Continent’s four regions, effectively the academy’s board of directors.

"Never thought Lan Jing’s mess would fall to you to clean up. My condolences, Headmaster Dishi. We’ll jointly settle the academy’s repair costs."

The speaker was Kami Miraishi, a golden-haired youth in a white suit. He led the New Wing Divine Church from the Western Sea.

"I hear Sorcerer Xia Yuan’s Ten Attendants possessed extraordinary combat prowess. Even Haruhi Masamitsu and Minhai Wei were implicated in this incident."

Beside Kami sat Kurayama Sekai, a petite brunette wearing a crown—the tenth-generation leader of the Northern Kingdom’s royal family.

"Oh, and that madman’s daughter—Xia Feina, the academy’s second-ranked student—also took part in the attack."

On the other side, an elderly man in flowing black robes sat cross-legged. He represented the Xuanyuan Clan of the Eastern Continent, a slender pipe resting in his hand.

"Oh?! Then we absolutely cannot let her off lightly!!"

The booming voice belonged to Yamamoto Takedazou, a muscular middle-aged man leading the Wrath Mars Group from the Southern Desert.

"The directive from *that* person is simple: settle the repair costs, and Xia Feina’s execution is entirely at your discretion."

As if following prior orders, Dishi stated the academy’s position plainly.

---

In the Celestial Carving Academy infirmary, Sharkai Bai slowly opened his eyes. A short, white-coated elderly man stood before his bed.

"Thanks."

Sharkai pushed himself up with effort.

"Save your thanks—you’ll be discharged soon. But heed this warning! Whatever magic or curse you used to suddenly boost your power… stop using it. Your body won’t endure much longer."

"Got it."

The old man had already warned Sharkai about his excessive use of Berserk Mode these past days.

Suddenly, noise erupted outside the door.

"D-don’t push me! I can walk in myself!"

"Oh my~ Even the student council president gets shy~ Hehe~"

"You idiot!"

Sharkai recognized the voices immediately.

*Ugh… trouble.*

He almost wanted to leap out the window to escape the commotion.

"Daaarling~~~~~!"

"S-Sharkai-kun…"

*SLAM!* The door burst open. Cecilia Snowlotus charged in, followed by Elucia carrying a bag of fruit. The old man silenced them with a gesture before slipping out.

"T-thank you…" Elucia murmured.

"WAAAH! STOP! YOU IDIOT! I’M SUFFOCATING!!!"

Elucia’s head snapped up. Sharkai was buried face-first in Cecilia’s ample cleavage.

"CE-CI-LI-A! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Elucia’s face flushed crimson as she yanked Cecilia away.

*This noble lady! In public?! Unbelievable!*

"I’m just rewarding my darling~! He fought a Grand Magus to protect me—I’m so moved! My precious darling~! Let me shower you with love~!"

"Shameless! Come with me! Leaving you here is too dangerous!"

Elucia dragged the struggling Cecilia out.

*(Phew… finally gone. That airhead!)*

Sharkai exhaled, hands behind his head, gazing at the sunset outside.

*I wonder how Xia Feina is doing…*

---

That night, unable to endure his clingy fiancée in the dorm, Sharkai headed downstairs. As usual, he stopped at the soda vending machine. Just as he pressed a button, a pale hand reached over his shoulder and jabbed the orange juice selection.

"Congratulations on your discharge, Sharkai-kun."

"Buyers queue in order, you know! But… since you’re my idol, I’ll let it slide. Don’t expect it again."

Sharkai paused, then smirked.

They sat on a bench, sipping coffee and orange soda.

"Your hair… what happened?"

Sharkai stared at Xia Feina’s snow-white locks.

"Just trying a new look!"

"Hmph. Quite avant-garde, Miss Xia Feina."

"Tch! Who are *you* to judge, bastard!"

She shot back fiercely at her fan’s teasing.

"Should I say, ‘Wow! Only my idol could pull this off!’ then?"

"You… really see me as your idol?!"

Xia Feina stared at him, startled.

"Of course. The ‘idol’ in ‘idol vomit’."

Sharkai sipped his coffee calmly, ignoring her hopeful gaze.

"BASTARD! YOU STUPID SHARKAI!!"

Pain exploded in his side as she twisted his waist.

"The academy’s verdict is in."

Their banter ceased. Xia Feina’s voice turned quiet.

"Only fair. After all that chaos… good luck."

"Well then… goodbye, Sharkai-kun!"

A flicker of sorrow flashed through her eyes as she stood to leave—until a hand settled on her head.

"If something happens… promise you’ll tell me everything."

Sharkai stroked her hair, smiling.

"…Okay."

Her answering smile was bright.

Watching her disappear, Sharkai stood to return to his dorm.

*(Guess I overthought it… the academy only gave her a disciplinary record.)*

He’d noticed that fleeting sadness in her eyes before she turned away.

"You’re not just letting her walk away, are you, Sharkai-kun?"

A shadow detached itself from the trees. Sharkai froze.

"…You’re the one who attacked the academy."

Xia Yuan.

Sharkai lunged, fist clenched—for Xia Feina’s sake.

Using his own daughter as a tool? Unforgivable.

A figure materialized, blocking the punch.

*…*

The First Attendant skidded back, slamming into a wall. Smoke curled from his right hand as he narrowed his eyes.

"Not bad. Defeated Xia Feina *and* injured my upgraded attendant? Impressive."

"You piece of trash!"

The next punch—without One Hit Kill—was easily caught by the First Attendant.

Sharkai hesitated, recalling the doctor’s warning against Berserk Mode.

"Save your rage for the four bastards running this academy."

Xia Yuan spread his hands. "You really know nothing, do you? My daughter—their strongest weapon in the attack—won’t just get a slap on the wrist. The final decision for Celestial Carving Academy’s second-ranked student? Death."

"WHAT?!! YOU BASTARD!!"

Sharkai sprinted after Xia Feina.

*Of course it wasn’t just my imagination… she was acting strange.*

*(Damn it! I should’ve noticed sooner!)*

Xia Yuan watched him vanish. "Let’s go. To fight Celestial Carving again… we’ll need new materials."

"Yes."

Blue light flared beneath the First Attendant’s feet, swallowing them both.

*(What kind of smile was that idiot wearing?!)*

Sharkai ran, Xia Feina’s tear-streaked grin burning in his mind.

"XIA FEINA!! YOU IDIOT!!"

He finally spotted her solitary figure ahead and blocked her path.

"S-Sharkai-kun… wait! I’m not crying!!"

She frantically wiped her cheeks.

"Why didn’t you tell me something this important?!"

He gripped her shoulders.

"You know already… This is my fate."

She bowed her head.

"T-this is the only way I can atone—"

"Don’t be ridiculous!"

He cut her off.

"Who the hell gets to decide if someone lives or dies?! Not even the academy can take a student’s life!"

His roar echoed.

"It’s the academy’s will. This is how I redeem my sins."

"The academy’s *will*?! Are you kidding me?! Punish you harshly? Fine! But why should *you* atone for Xia Yuan’s crimes?! If they take your life for this attack… then I’ll—*steal back your right to live* from those bastards!"

Sharkai knew the consequences of this vow.

*So what?*

Xia Feina’s tear-soaked face softened into a relieved smile under his unwavering gaze.

"That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you, you idiot! I knew you’d never stand by!"

*If only I’d swallowed that ‘last goodbye’…*

"Hmph. After I win back your life, you’d better accept your punishment properly!"

He couldn’t watch a girl who’d lost everything lose her very existence.

With those words, he’d declared war on the entire academy.

Above them, Dishi watched from a window, scratching his head with a groan.

"Ahhh… what a mess!"

---

That same night, letters from Dishi arrived simultaneously at the dorms of Celestial Carving Academy’s top ten students.

"Huh?! What is this guy scheming now?!"

The #1-ranked student slammed his desk, incredulous.

"Just got promoted and already caught up in something fun? Sharkai Bai—the one who defeated Xia Feina?"

The new #2’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Eh…? What’s he dragging us into *this* time?"

The #3-ranked student slumped, face etched with weary dread.

"The moon tonight is perfect for tea. Let's set this matter aside for now."

The fourth-ranked student of the Celestial Engraved Magic Academy knelt by the table, set down the letter, and took a light sip of the hot tea in her cup.

"Tch, don't bother me with this! I've got plenty of troublesome things to handle tomorrow!"

After reading it, the fifth-ranked student crumpled the letter into a ball and tossed it into the trash bin.

"Is this really okay?"

Lying on the sofa, the sixth-ranked student sighed sympathetically.

"Hmph, how romantic~~~"

The seventh-ranked student burned the letter in her hand.

"Huff... huff... huff! Huh? Aaah! So annoying—why is everything about this guy lately!"

After a quick glance at the letter, the eighth-ranked student kept punching the sandbag before her.

"Well, I'm not stupid enough to take on such a scary guy," the ninth-ranked student said in a startled tone.

"......"

After finishing the letter, the tenth-ranked student lowered her head and continued flipping through her book.

The top ten students of the Celestial Engraved Magic Academy had all received identical letters: defeat Sharkai Bai and kill the academy's former No. 2, Xia Yuan's daughter, Xia Feina.