My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a frantic shout. "Oh god, someone help me!"

All of us quickly turned to the source just outside the door.

"Oh god," I muttered under my breath, my eyes widening at the sight.

There was a mountain of chocolate. And underneath it, struggling but not quite crushed, was Ian.

Despite his superhuman strength, the sheer volume of chocolate certainly looked uncomfortable. Ren stood nearby, his expression twisted in absolute disgust before he kicked at the pile.

"This madman is trying to kill me!" Ian cried out, his voice muffled by the chocolates.

"Store the chocolate in your spatial ring," Cecilia said, her voice tinged with exasperation as she muttered "dumbass" under her breath.

"I can't! I accidentally brought the one that's full!" Ian wailed.

Cecilia's mutters grew louder, and everyone else looked at him as if he was the biggest idiot in the world, which, given the situation, wasn't far from the truth.

'Seriously?' I thought, caught between laughing and sighing at the ridiculousness of it all.

"Maybe you shouldn't be such a player in the first place," Ren said coldly. "You'd also be stronger then."

"That's the type of thinking that'll keep you a virgin!" Ian retorted, prompting Ren to kick his shin, his face contorted in irritation.

"Ouch!" Ian yelped, recoiling from the sudden pain.

"Shut up and get inside, idiot," Ren snapped, his violet eyes glinting as he opened a rift to store away the mountain of chocolates.

"My chocolates!" Ian cried out, reaching toward the disappearing sweets with a desperate hand.

"You want to get cavities or something?" Ren muttered, shaking his head as he watched the chocolates vanish into the rift.

Ian, still nursing his shin, reluctantly followed Ren into the classroom, his expression a mix of disappointment and lingering pain.

"So, which lucky lady are you taking out on a date today, Ian?" Lucifer asked, his verdant eyes gleaming with amusement.

"None of them are really my type," Ian sighed, scratching the back of his head.

"Yet you took all their chocolates," Rachel interjected. "At least be kind enough to deny their advances."

Ian didn't respond and went to his seat.

Despite his seemingly social demeanor, Ian, like the other Class 1-A students, carried deep scars from his childhood. These traumas made it impossible for him to truly get close to anyone. He flirted with many girls, and they were drawn to his personality, looks, and background, but he couldn't let anyone in. He was similar to Rachel in this way, but a bit more open and social—and significantly more flirty.

"Looks like everyone is here," Nero announced as he entered the classroom, his authoritative presence silencing the chatter. He walked to his chair and sat down, surveying the room with a calm, steady gaze.

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"As you all know, today is Valentine's Day," he began, his voice carrying a note of reverence. "A day established by the great Emperor Julius Slatemark, commemorating the moment he proposed to the Empress, making her his fiancée. This day is celebrated as a day of love. But remember, it isn't just about romantic love. It's also about the love we share with our friends, the bond we have with those who support us."

His words seemed to resonate, a thoughtful silence filling the room. "Love in all its forms is vital," he continued. "The friendships you build here, the camaraderie you share, are just as important as any romantic relationship. Support each other, respect each other, and value these connections."

As Nero spoke, I found myself reflecting on the friendships I had formed here. Despite the challenges and the intensity of our training, these bonds had become an integral part of my life.

"As such, today's first lesson is going to be about Julius Slatemark," Nero announced, his tone signaling the importance of the subject. "You will be learning about the first human to reach -rank and the one who conceptualized mana cores instead of mana stars."

'Oh, interesting,' Luna mentally transmitted to me, her curiosity piqued. 'I want to see what all information there is about Julius.'

'I also want to learn more about him,' I replied. Despite Luna knowing the most about Julius, she had always been cryptic, deeming me too weak to uncover the mysteries behind his death.

Nero began, "Julius Slatemark was the third prince of the Slatemark Empire. From a young age, he showed remarkable talent and determination."

The lesson commenced with almost cliched tales of a genius prince born to a waning Imperial family. Julius, undeterred by the challenges, steadily strengthened the empire as he achieved new records and milestones. His story was one of relentless ambition and unparalleled genius, a journey that saw the transformation of a declining empire into a formidable force, one who was eventually chosen by a qilin as fated to become the Emperor of the World.

Nero continued, "Julius's most significant contribution was the conceptualisation of mana cores. Unlike mana stars, which were the traditional way of harnessing mana, mana cores allowed for more efficient and powerful utilisation of magical energy."

The tale of Julius's ascent to -rank was a highlight. Nero described how Julius transcended the conventional 9-star limit, reaching a level of power that was previously thought unattainable. His journey was not just about strength but also about innovation, pushing the boundaries of what was believed to be possible.

"Julius was not just a warrior but a visionary," Nero explained. "He was able to develop the concept of mana cores after much research, a fundamental shift that allowed him to surpass his contemporaries and achieve the -rank."

"However, Julius could not fulfill his destiny of becoming the Emperor of the World and perished for unknown reasons," Nero continued, a solemn note in his voice. "Still, he achieved a lot for humanity through both his genius and his strength."

Ren raised his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face. "What makes -rank so special, professor?"

Nero nodded, considering the question. "To reach -rank, a warrior must undergo a body metamorphosis, adapting their physical form to a new level of mana. This transformation allows warriors to harness astral energy and mages to use the Fuller method to stack mana circles. Reaching -rank involves a second metamorphosis, significantly deepening the connection between the soul and the body. Finally, reaching -rank involves a soul metamorphosis, where the soul itself changes and transcends."

Nero's explanation was more than just an answer; it was a glimpse into the profound transformations required to reach such heights of power. Each rank represented a fundamental shift, a deeper understanding and integration of mana, body, and soul.

"As -rank warriors, you undergo a significant physical change," Nero elaborated. "Your bodies adapt to manage and channel astral energy. For mages, the Fuller method allows you to stack mana circles, enhancing your magical prowess."

The class listened intently, the weight of these transformations sinking in. Nero continued, "The second metamorphosis, leading to -rank, forges a stronger bond between your soul and body. This connection is crucial for harnessing the immense power at this level."

"And then," Nero's voice grew more intense, "to reach -rank, your soul itself must undergo a metamorphosis. This transformation transcends physical and magical limits, elevating your very essence. It's not just about power; it's about becoming something more, something truly extraordinary which I cannot fully describe since I haven't reached that level myself. This is why -rank is special and different."