“Is this a joke? Surely you don’t actually believe anything you just said.”

Professor Arcilith Ma’dolbe squared his shoulders. His jaw jutted forward into a stubborn position as he realized who dared to interrupt the perfected framework of his lecture.

“If you have a question, Jiran of Feylon, perhaps you should phrase it as such,” His snobby voice was in full swing as he prepared to put the unruly nuisance in his place.

Calm down, Jiran. Think.

With a deep breath, Jiran instantly regained control of his emotional state. Needing to buy time to think, he threw out the most important question, while madly scanning his memories of everything the professor had said so far.

“Do you believe everything you have said so far to be the truth?”

Archilith looked at Jiran like he was a fool, responding before Jiran had time to gather all his thoughts.

“Everything I have spoken strictly follows the teachings of the Conclave of Density and Mana. If you have a dispute with their curriculum, I suggest you submit an official thesis for review.

“Or you can continue to interrupt this lesson, taking away valuable learning time from your peers,” The vile grin that spread across his face made it clear he believed victory had already been claimed.

Jiran realized the professor had not only turned the entire class against him in an instant but had also referred to the highest authority on mana usage in the empire.

As far as the professor was concerned, Jiran’s fate as a pariah in his classroom was already assured.

Clever bastard, isn’t he?

Well, I’m not just going to sit here and do nothing while he poisons the mind of every person in this room.

These kids are the future of the empire. They will all eventually come face to face with a graymin. They deserve to have the best chance at survival when that day comes.

A wide grin spread across Jiran’s face as the thrill of a new kind of battle overtook him. His fingers trembled from the adrenaline that spiked through his blood. He began to walk down the nearby aisle toward the professor's stage.

Arcilith took a step back in fear. The rumors of this boy’s power among the faculty were not to be discarded lightly. The creepy grin on the Class M’s face was enough to make his knees shake.

With grim determination, he stood up straight. In front of his students, none could be allowed to question his authority.

Only a few meters from the professor, he saw the man open his mouth to speak again. Not allowing the noble to further seize the initiative, Jiran spoke first.

“A simple test then. You say that emotions prohibit the optimal use of mana. Surely a wise and experienced professor such as yourself could easily prevent a mere student from disrupting the mana inside your body.”

Jiran could see Arcilith’s eye twitch as he closed in on the man. The students in the class began to whisper angrily at Jiran’s audacity.

“Prove me wrong, my wild emotions versus your control. If you can prevent me from disrupting your mana for five seconds, I’ll admit my defeat.” Jiran’s smile never wavered as he came face to face with the now sneering noble.

“How bold of you. After your public display of running from the princess, I had assumed you were a bit of a coward.”

“For a low-born peasant like me to have the ability to run from a princess of the empire. Doesn’t it make you wonder how I could even do such a thing?”

Jiran’s response had the desired effect on his peers. Their once scornful looks changed to thoughtful pondering.

Good, got them thinking at least. What’s your move, scum?

“So be it. Five seconds, then you will unenroll from this academy and never darken the streets of Cruex with your filthy shadow again.”

As a gasp swept through the crowd, Jiran’s grin widened even further.

I was just going to demonstrate, but now you've gone and crossed the line.

He extended his hand to seal the deal he had struck. The excitement swelling inside him at the very real consequences of failure was nearly more than he could contain.

Arcilith hesitated only for a second at the manic gleam of intensity in the student’s eyes. Clearly, he was an unhinged boy. An irrational obstruction that would be dangerous to every noble in the academy if he was not dealt with immediately.

With his resolve firm, the Tier five teacher grasped Jiran’s hand, sealing the boy’s fate.

Jiran could feel the man’s mana condense near the center of his chest. It coiled tightly under his control, defenses formed to repel any assault Jiran could unleash.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“One,” Jiran’s voice was loud and crisp, it easily traveled to the farthest corners of the auditorium and carried with it the finality of an executioner delivering death’s blow.

He gathered all the emotions he had cultivated since the day began. The shame from every snide look and whisper behind his back. The frustration at Ramora and Olive throwing constant complications into his life. The disdain for this vile professor who was threatening and misleading the bright future of the empire. The excitement from the challenge in front of him.

“Two,” The thoughts from Jiran’s brain traveled along the chemical bridge of his emotions into his own core.

Mana and emotions met like two warriors standing victorious on a battlefield. Felled enemies collapsed at their feet. Hands grasped in a victorious union. The call of battle and triumph shouted from their lips.

“Three,” A molding was formed. A sliver of his mana penetrated the professor like a molten spike of steel through a stick of butter.

When his mana reached the professor’s, Jiran did not fight, or confront it. He merely penetrated into the very core of that defensive ball with his own emotion-fueled energy.

“Four.”

You belong to me. You are mine!

The professor collapsed onto the floor in a shaking heap as every ounce of his mana was ripped from his body in less than a second.

In the shocked silence that swept through the circular auditorium, Jiran spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

“My first class will be held at the end of this week, I will be teaching my own version of mana control,” Jiran climbed back up the stairs to resume his seat amidst the outraged cries of his peers.

It was impossible to understand what any one person was saying over the tumultuous hubbub.

I just hope a few of them show up. Whatever. It doesn’t matter what they decide today. If they don’t want to learn the easy way, I’ll just beat the truth into their heads.

Arcilith was helped to his feet by three students with fine features. They each glared daggers at Jiran when he resumed his seat as if nothing had happened.

To his credit, the defeated professor continued the class with barely a hitch in his demeanor. Twice he stumbled over his words when his gaze accidentally landed on Jiran.

A wave of mana swept through the entire academy signaling the end of the first course and the students began filing out of the auditorium. When Jiran stood from his seat and made his way to the door, every person stepped back from him like he was ground zero for a deadly plague.

A light melancholy surrounded him as he walked toward his next class.

Sorry Samris. I don’t think things are going to turn out the way you had hoped.

Jiran found a seat in an identical circular auditorium thirty minutes later. A similar scene unfolded as students refused to sit too close to him. The professor arrived before the room was full. She was accompanied by two muscular staff members.

They wore a uniform that was similar to the students, except for the armored plates on the shoulders, chest, and knees. It fell somewhere between a tuxedo and a football uniform giving them a bulky and intimidating look.

The teacher nodded her head toward Jiran and both men advanced to his seat. They didn’t say anything to him, simply sitting on either side of him. Their frowns, appearance, and demeanor were so similar he thought maybe they were twins.

They were a year his senior and had matching brown military haircuts. Their ice-blue eyes were set inside strong facial features that reminded Jiran of someone from his past.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to cause another scene. No matter how inane the lessons are, arguing with the professors isn’t the best way to make a positive change. I’ll behave. Promise,” He said the last bit with a wink.

Something about their stoic no-nonsense attitude just makes me want to mess with them. I think they remind me of a young Uncle Micah. Yup, that’s definitely it. I bet he had a huge stick up his ass when he was their age too.

The thought made Jiran chuckle. Which of course put the two young men even more on edge.

“We are from the disciplinary committee. If you cause any more trouble today, there will be repercussions.”

“Good to know. As I said, I won't be making another scene. Feel free to kick your feet up and relax, maybe take a nap.”

Both of them had a noticeable reaction to Jiran’s nonchalant dismissal of their warning. A flexing of muscles and clenching of fists and jaws was hardly enough intimidation to affect Jiran’s disposition.

It’s actually nice to have someone normal to talk to.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind Jiran held his forehead in his palm and let out a light groan.

The fact I feel like this is my first normal interaction at school is incredibly disturbing.

“Good morning, students. My name is Professor Saltaath and this is Introduction to the Natural Elements.”

She was a tall woman with a slender rectangular build. Her hawkish nose, wide forehead, and thin lips added to the image of a remarkably unattractive woman.

“This curriculum is a prerequisite for all other courses on elements so please give this course your best efforts as it will greatly impact your future.

“There will be time at the end of each class for open discussion, questions, and demonstrations,” She paused on the last word, sending Jiran a suspicious look.

“Natural elements are best described as an observable reaction that can be found in nature. Classic examples would be waves, wind, lightning, groundshakes, the growth of plants, light, colors, and shadows.”

Jiran let out a soft groan as his worst fears began to unify into a nightmare of disappointment.

Every single one of my classes is going to be full of absolute rubbish, aren't they? Lenton, you old bastard. Why didn't you warn me?!

Jiran somehow managed to sit through the entire lecture. He constantly flinched and groaned as his ears were violated every few seconds. His guard dogs were so on edge that by the end their backs were coated in sweat.

All three of them breathed a sigh of relief when the wave of mana swept through the academy marking the end of the class.

Jiran had to admit, he liked Professor Saltaath much more than the noble ass-hat Arcilith.

She may be incredibly misinformed on the fundamental workings of the world, but she was respectful to the students. She gave him the impression that she wanted them to succeed and would put in the extra work required to help them do it.

On his way out of the room, he gave her a polite bow.

Finally, it was time for lunch.

Surely nothing crazy will happen at lunch. This is going to be a nice short trip to the cafeteria to get some grub. In and out. Easy peasy. Right?