In the Central Academy Library, Yan Yi finally noticed Ward beneath the mana pressure Ward released with a faint smile.
Yan Yi was genuinely surprised. He hadn’t reacted when Ward blasted him out of the library earlier—because the attack couldn’t hurt him. But now, under this pressure, his body had actually registered a threat.
“No time to fix the library today. Let’s go.”
“Where to?”
Yan Yi asked instinctively. Ward had questioned his own decision more than once. He sighed, feeling he’d been too naive back then.
“The nine competitors are gathering—to analyze other academies’ participants and plan the training camp.”
Yan Yi listened carefully, then suddenly felt wronged.
“Wait, you never told me. How was I supposed to know?”
“Is *that* the point? The roster’s finalized—we obviously need all nine there!”
Yan Yi nearly rolled his eyes. Unreasonable. How could anyone know without being notified?
Truth was, Ward was annoyed. Recommending Yan Yi had landed *him* the team instructor role. Seeing Yan Yi irked him. He’d even considered beating the kid senseless to “teach him manners,” but weighed the cost… and let it go.
*As a so-called good educator,* he thought, *if I can’t hit him, verbal jabs’ll do.*
“Fine, fine.”
Yan Yi stood up helplessly. Ward was simmering—better just listen and avoid trouble.
Leaving the library drew immediate attention. Students who’d never seen Yan Yi flocked to glimpse the “Violent Overlord,” lingering over ten meters away, too wary to approach.
Yan Yi felt utterly confused. He was probably the only one in the academy unaware of his own title.
As they neared the conference room, pressure surged. Yan Yi froze. Even Little Bone—usually offline—sent a message:
“Kid, the resentment in there’s thick enough to touch. If whoever’s inside dropped dead right now, I could summon them back *immediately*.”
Yan Yi nodded inwardly. The grudge felt almost solid. He subtly slipped behind Ward just as Ward pushed the door open.
Whoosh—a barrage of spells flooded the room. Ward stood dumbfounded. Spells of every attribute, all low to mid-tier, yet forming a seamless curtain so dense not even a mosquito could slip through.
Just as Ward was about to become a pincushion, the spells veered slightly—grazing his skin.
Explosions roared behind him. Cold sweat slicked Ward’s neck. *Nearly the first Realm of Magic master taken down by low-tier spells… body shredded to dust.*
Yan Yi’s scalp prickled. He knew those spells wouldn’t have spared *him*. He’d have needed Little Bone’s shield—or just endured the pain. *Ouch.*
Inside, two chairs sat at the head table. Teacher Lette occupied one, smiling gently. Nine chairs flanked the sides; eight held students staring at Ward with fear and pity, breaths held. Only the frontmost seat on one side stood empty.
Ward swallowed hard. *No wonder Liette’s reputation’s rough. Looks gentle… nearly killed me.*
“Uh… T-Teacher Lette, hello.”
“Mr. Wode, hello. So we’re the two instructors. Where’s *that guy*?”
Liette had lost her vacation—six of *her* students were competing. Plus, Luris and Interle claimed they’d only consider snatching badges *because* Yan Yi was on the team. Reviewing rival academy profiles? Utterly disheartening. Central Academy losing again… no picnic for instructors.
*Ugh. With that guy around, peace is a myth.*
Ward finally realized—Yan Yi hadn’t been beside him. *He sensed danger… and shoved me in first?!*
*Damn it! Selling out your teammate—how’s that teamwork?!*
Yan Yi cautiously stepped out from behind Ward, meeting gazes of curiosity, pity, anger, faint fear, and amusement. He quietly took his seat.
Ward shot him a venomous glare before sitting at the head table.
“Alright, everyone’s here. Meeting starts now.”
Liette spoke once all were seated:
“I’m Liette. This is Mr. Wode. We’re your team instructors. My strength isn’t far above yours—but *Mr. Wode* is a Realm of Magic master. Direct questions to him.”
She smoothly dodged teaching duty, zero shame.
Ward shot her a *“Seriously? Set up again?!”* look but stayed silent. *No wonder she’s Yan Yi’s teacher.*
The nine students kept stone faces, listening intently, terrified of being singled out.
Ward felt a hollow disappointment. *A Realm of Magic master sits here… not one flicker of awe? Not even surprise?! Don’t you know what this means for your training?!*
“Next: introduce yourselves—class rating, magic specialties, combat style. Helps us tailor training. Captain first.”
Liette sat. All eyes turned to Yan Yi. Undisputed strongest. Badge #1. Natural captain.
Yan Yi’s gaze swept the room. He slowly placed the #1 badge down.
“Anyone wanna swap with me… uh?!”
A stone spear pressed against his throat. Liette—seated close—had merely raised a hand.
“Uh… cough… I’m Yan Yi. Class F. Specialties: concealment magic, strength, speed. Combat style? Straight-up face-smashing.”
Whispers rippled among competitors (except Luris and Interle). Yan Yi caught every word:
“He *actually* said Class F? Who buys that?”
*I do!*
“Face-smashing? No wonder they call him Violent Overlord.”
*Wait—what title?! When was I ever violent?!*
“Quiet. Next.”
Sigu set down badge #2. “Sigu Du. Peak Class B. Lightning magic—mostly enhancements. Knows incantations. Close-quarters brawling with electrified strikes. Ranged? Poor aim.”
Ward gave a slight nod. *Normal.*
Lilith had violet-tinged blue hair and eyes—unlike Luris’s aqua. Adorably cute. The quiet girl suddenly pulled out a donut and bit in.
*Mmm. Gulp.*
She swallowed fast. “Call me Lilith. Peak Class B. Ice magic, incantations. Don’t like moving. Combat style? Freeze opponents solid.”
*Rampage Ice*—legend said she’d frozen entire buildings. She then pulled out cake and kept eating.
Shan: chubby brown-haired boy, explosive magic—unleashes barrages.
Lala: golden-haired, shoulder-length locks, gentle aura. Light magic specialist—master healer, fierce burst attacks, rarely fights.
Doxin: gray-haired, gray-eyed, rivaling Sigu in looks. Invisibility magic—nearly undetectable to Class B. Assassin-style ambushes.
Sia drew Yan Yi’s attention—carrying a great sword. *Kendo practitioner.* Black hair, black eyes, long straight locks. Body enhancement magic, light wind support for range.
Yan Yi already knew Interle and Luris. Introductions complete.
Ward mentally drafted brutal drills. Liette handed each student a file.
“Profiles of competitors from other academies.”
She sighed again.
“Read them. With our current situation… we stand no chance.”
