Chapter 188: 188. Real Risk

“Buaaha ha ha ha ha!”

Galeion’s explosive laughter tore through the academy corridors, echoing off stone walls and disturbing others walking by. Conversations halted mid-sentence, and several students turned their heads in confusion, scanning for the source of such unrestrained amusement.

They did not know what had triggered it.

They had not seen Katherine remove the scarf from her face earlier in the corridor, nor had they heard Galeion’s sincere promise that he would not laugh.

Leila rushed toward Katherine, concern overtaking her expression. “Gosh, Kath! What happened to you?”

Katherine stood stiffly; her face was wrapped in a thick scarf hiding her features, and she wore gloves and a long scarf that covered her properly.

Only her eyes remained visible. Those eyes, however, were filled with gloom and fury at the same time.

Around them, the boys tried to restrain their laughs with varying degrees of success.

Ethan had both hands pressed firmly over his mouth, shoulders trembling despite his effort to suppress it.

Maximus clenched his jaw so tightly that his temples throbbed visibly. Even he looked on the verge of tears from suppressed laughter.

Galeion, in contrast, made no effort at all. He had fully surrendered to it.

The reason was obvious to anyone who had seen her face a few moments ago.

Katherine had turned red and rough like she was an ape. Her cheeks had puffed outward a bit, her lips were inflamed, and the skin was flushed a vivid shade of red. The transformation was dramatic enough to shock and horrifying enough to entertain.

“I ingested garlic by mistake,” Katherine said quietly, not adding any further explanation out of embarrassment.

Leila blinked. “What? Why was garlic in your food? Should we report the cafeteria staff?”

“No need,” Katherine replied shortly.

She did not bother elaborating and explaining. She simply turned and began walking toward the classroom, keeping the scarf tightly secured over her face. Only her eyes remained exposed, and those eyes were sharp with resentment and sadness.

The group followed behind her, still struggling to maintain composure. By the time they reached their usual seats, the laughter had diminished into suppressed snickers and occasional coughs.

Several minutes later, William entered the classroom at his usual pace. His expression was lazy, as he felt that morning classes sucked. He took his seat at the end of the row beside Katherine.

That seat had once belonged to Seraphine. It had been their shared spot until her departure to the Sylvaris Empire. Recently, Katherine had occupied it instead.

William turned his head slowly toward her.

“Miss, you got the wrong seat. This seat is for my friend Katherine,” he said with a pleasant smile.

The glare she shot him could have pierced even the scales of a dragon.

She did not respond to him for now and just turned her head away, refusing to engage. A few minutes passed in silence as William settled beside her before she finally turned back.

“Why?” she demanded.

William leaned back comfortably against the chair. “No reason. You mixed poison in my food. I thought I might return the courtesy.”

“You are so petty,” Katherine hissed through narrowed eyes.

“Wow,” William replied softly, ensuring his voice was not loud. “You try to kill me and expect no reaction?”

He was not entirely sure if anyone else could hear them, yet subtle movements in nearby seats suggested otherwise.

Several female students had angled their heads ever so slightly; their ears twitched and postures shifted occasionally as if trying to hear their conversations.

“That was to paralyze you,” Katherine shot back, her voice trembling. “I had no intention of killing you.”

William exhaled. “Do not create a scene. Everyone is listening.”

“I do not fucking care. You ruined me!!!” she snapped.

William pressed his lips together.

Her phrasing was so unfortunate that someone listening without context will surely overthink.

“My whole body feels painful and red, my knees hurt, and my mouth hurts. You are so evil!! Do you have any idea how much of it I have swallowed???? She continued as her emotions kept rising and her eyes moistened.

A dangerous silence spread around them. William could practically feel the assumptions forming in the minds of nearby students. Several girls stared at him with subtle disgust.

[Fck, at this point you will be called Creep Kaiser.]

William rubbed his temples. This situation had spiraled further than anticipated.

Before he could respond, the classroom door opened.

Professor Bloodrose entered.

Katherine immediately fell silent. William released a quiet breath of relief.

Bloodrose stood at the front, gaze sweeping across the class. The students settled instantly, paying attention to what she was about to say.

“I hope everyone remembers what Professor Kevin announced a few days ago,” she began.

“A new curriculum has been framed for the academy. Today, I will explain the evaluation criteria for this semester.”

She allowed a pause long enough for anticipation to build.

“For first-year students, you will be joining a military training camp established jointly by the academy and the Celestial Army.

During this period, you will undergo structured training. At the conclusion of the camp, you will participate in multiple drills and missions. Your performance during these operations will determine your evaluation.”

The air grew heavier.

“As for the nature of these missions,” she continued, “your assigned officers will brief you when appropriate.”

She lifted a catalog and glanced briefly at the documentation.

“The entire batch will be divided into five camps of one hundred students each.”

A murmur rippled faintly before dying down.

“That means Class S1 and A1 will be merged to form the first camp.”

She lowered the catalog and fixed her gaze directly on them.

“If even one of you falls behind the students of Class A1, may the gods save you from me.”

Her words did not require raising in volume. The threat lay in the certainty behind those words. A chill passed through everyone in the room.

Then her gaze shifted and locked onto William.

“Your classmates will be your comrades on the battlefield,” she said evenly. “If you find yourself leading them during a mission, their safety becomes your responsibility.”

William’s expression did not change outwardly, though a faint crease formed between his brows.

“If even one of them dies during a mission in which you were involved, I will take away your Archon badge that very day.”

A silence heavier than before descended.

“I am not saying this as Professor Bloodrose, but as Major Bloodrose.”

Her gaze remained fixed on William for several seconds before moving ahead.

He felt the weight of her words clearly; it seemed like the title of Archon was not just for show.

A new headache was on the way for William.

Around him, students exchanged uneasy glances.

The introduction of real missions meant real risk of life, and just now Blood Rose had confirmed it while warning William. If she told him to not let them die, then that meant there were chances of death involved.

The semester ahead would not resemble anything in the history of the whole academy.

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