Chapter 329: Returning Practically 3



There were many things Uriel was curious about the moment she stepped foot into the academy.

The way it trained its students, the rigorous methods used to test them, and-most importantly—the sheer level of growth each student underwent.

Year after year, graduates of the academy emerged as legends, their names echoing throughout history, securing fame and influence in their respective fields.

Was it due to the academy itself?

The strict curriculum, the prestigious faculty, the unique opportunities only available here?

Or was it simply that the academy naturally attracted the best of the best-those destined for greatness, who would have risen to prominence no matter where they trained?

It was a question that didn’t particularly matter in the grand scheme of things.

The results spoke for themselves.

And yet, Uriel couldn’t help but be curious.

After all, she knew she was strong.

And if there was one thing the academy could offer her, it was the chance to go even higher.

Yet despite that… a faint sense of disappointment lingered within her.

Outside of a select few professors, there was no one in this place who could truly push her to her limits.

No opponent who could force her to grow at the pace she wanted.

No rival who could make her struggle.

The thought alone left a bitter taste in her mouth.

But even if the academy’s standard training wasn’t challenging enough for her, that didn’t mean she would simply abandon it.

Growth was growth, even if it was slow. Prestige was prestige, even if it was unnecessary for someone of her caliber.

So, no matter how tedious some of the tests felt…

No matter how pointless some of the drills seemed…

She would endure them all.

For the sake of getting stronger.

For the sake of ensuring her family’s standing remained untouchable.

“Tsk…”

Even as the attack golem before her lay in a heap of broken metal and shattered runes, Uriel felt nothing but dissatisfaction.

Her victory had been swift-too swift.

This was supposed to be a combat golem, designed to rival a high-ranked magic beast.

At the very least, it should have been capable of putting up a decent fight.

Yet, in the end, it had barely managed to serve as a warm-up. In terms of size, weight, and sheer brute strength, the golem undoubtedly outclassed her.

But in every other aspect-speed, technique, combat prowess, efficiency-it was nothing more than a training dummy.

Uriel clicked her tongue again, her frustration simmering beneath the surface.

This so-called practical exam was nothing more than a formality-a way to assess the general combat proficiency of the students.

She understood that. She knew this wasn’t meant to be a real battle, nor was it intended to push her to her limits.

But still…

What was the point of testing her against an opponent that couldn’t even force her to break a sweat?

Her mind wandered back to a few days ago-when the Saintess had dragged her into an unexpected battle.

That time, the enemies had been actual demons, their monstrous presence alone enough to demand her full focus.

Those had been real opponents-worthy adversaries capable of keeping her on edge.

Compared to them, this golem was…

She sighed, dismissing the thought.

With a glance to her side, she noted her peers-the so-called Top 10 first-year knights- finishing up their own battles.

Much like her, none of them looked particularly impressed by their victories.

One by one, they had all systematically dismantled their respective golems, eliminating their opponents with precise, almost mechanical efficiency. There had been no interruptions, no struggle-only clean, decisive victories across the board.

Even with the chaos unfolding across the training grounds, it was clear that for them-for her -this exam was nothing more than a formality.

‘Fighting her would’ve been better…’

The thought lingered in Uriel’s mind as her gaze instinctively drifted toward Princess Stacia- the one person in this academy she was most interested in.

The two of them shared the top rank among the first-year knights, but to Uriel, that was nothing more than an inconvenience.

Ever since the rankings were announced, a single question had gnawed at the back of her

mind:

Between the two of us, who is truly stronger?

It was a question she had no answer to-not yet.

And unfortunately, she would have to wait a little longer to find out.

The academy’s Grand Festival-the semester’s final event-was still months away.

That was when the highest-ranked students would be required to face off in official matches.

Typically, top students would battle against their seniors within the same department, proving their worth against the generation before them.

But there was an exception to this rule.

If two students of equal standing desired to settle a score, they could declare a formal duel-

as long as both parties agreed.

Technically speaking, Uriel could challenge Stacia anytime.

The princess didn’t seem like the type to refuse a challenge-if anything, Uriel suspected that

Stacia would accept without hesitation.

And yet…

Uriel chose to wait.

It wasn’t just about proving herself. Recognition mattered.

Fighting Stacia in a casual duel behind closed doors wouldn’t bring the same weight as

defeating her in front of everyone.

The Grand Festival was where reputations were made. That was where strength was put on

full display.

And when that time came…

She was certain that Stacia wouldn’t hold anything back.

Sighing to herself, Uriel casually walked away from the training grounds, her mind drifting

elsewhere.

She couldn’t help but wonder how the professors-who already looked like they were struggling to keep up-were supposed to evaluate them.

Did they even bother trying anymore?

It wasn’t like their grades mattered all that much. She and the other top-ranked students would undoubtedly score at the top as usual, so there was little point in worrying about it.

-FLASH!

A sudden purplish glow exploded across her vision.

A split second later, the sharp crackle of lightning filled the air, followed by a thunderous explosion that shook the entire training grounds.

Uriel instinctively turned around-

And there she was.

Amidst the settling dust, the principal emerged unscathed, her ever-refreshing smile unchanged, as if she hadn’t just dropped out of the sky and cratered the ground behind her.

“…Why is she…?”

Uriel muttered unconsciously, echoing the very same thought everyone else in the training

grounds had.

The principal clapped her hands together once, drawing all eyes to her.

“Alright, everyone, settle down-” she said in a cheerful yet commanding voice, raising both

hands in a calming motion.

“I know, I know-you’re all surprised, but please, be at ease. And more importantly… focus

on your test~”

A handful of students had lost concentration after her grand entrance. Unfortunately for them, their respective golems did not-and before they could react, they were knocked flat by a flurry of fists.

“Fufu- everyone sure is trying their best. Ah, Professor Lucy, could you put up a small barrier

around this area-?”

The principal continued her lighthearted chatter as she was approached by several professors, casually giving out instructions as if she hadn’t just stunned the entire training ground with her flashy entrance.

Uriel, much like the other students, couldn’t help but be curious-why was the principal

suddenly here?

But instead of focusing on her, Uriel’s gaze gradually drifted to the person standing just

behind her.

A young man.

Golden-blond hair. Deep blue eyes.

He looked like the average person you would meet out there and yet…

Why did just looking at him make something inside her stir?

A faint, fluttering warmth bloomed deep in her chest.

“Hey, isn’t that Senior Riley…?”

“Why is he here?”

“He came with the principal, right?”

“He looks so strong…!”

Whispers and murmurs spread quickly through the gathered students.

Many of them seemed familiar with him, their voices filled with either awe, curiosity, or-in

some cases-unease.

Riley.

It wasn’t a name unfamiliar to Uriel.

After all, she made it a point to be aware of the top-ranked students among her seniors.

And yet, out of all of them, his name stood out the most-not because of his achievements,

but because of the reputation tied to him.

“Playboy Riley.” “The Great Womanizer.”

“Stealer of Purity.”

“The Enemy of All Men.” “Two-Timer Riley.”

“The Debaucherous Senior-.”

“Woman Beater.”

“Sex Maniac.”

The list of scandalous, over-the-top nicknames went on and on-each worse than the last.

And yet, among them, there were also titles that directly contradicted those awful rumors.

“Hero of the Academy.”

“Hero of light.” Uriel frowned slightly.

‘How could one person have such conflicting reputations?’

Riley Hell-the ever-infamous senior-stood there, his presence as suffocating as the

rumors surrounding him.

His eyes, an apathetic shade of blue, scanned the students gathered on the training grounds

with such disinterest that it felt almost unnatural.

‘Why is he looking at us like that?’

Like nothing they did could possibly matter to him.

Uriel shifted uncomfortably.

There was something wrong about looking down on him from her elevated position on the

training platform.

It wasn’t just her imagination-her own body seemed to react, as if warning her not to take

him lightly.

She didn’t know why, but…

It felt wrong.

Her grip tightened around her spear.

Even if his reputation was one of scandal and controversy, the fact remained that Riley was

one of the top-ranked tankers of the second year.

And that kind of strength could not be faked.

The aura he exuded was undeniable-it commanded attention, even in a place filled with elite

students.

Everyone around her was on edge, their senses sharpening instinctively just from his

presence.

Uriel swallowed.

As he trailed behind the principal, her gaze locked onto him-curiosity, wariness, something

else she couldn’t name.

And then, he noticed her.

His deep blue eyes turned in her direction, meeting hers without hesitation.

Her breath hitched.

A strange heat ignited inside her, an unsettling warmth that spread through her body in an

instant.

Her heart skipped a beat.

‘What’s going on?’

Panic surged through her as she struggled to make sense of the foreign sensation.

She needed to look away.

She needed to calm down.

Avoiding his gaze, Uriel was about to turn around when-

-CREAAK!!!

-CRUMBLEEE!!!

The entire training platform shifted beneath her feet.

A large, rectangular section of the stage abruptly broke away from the main one.

A translucent green barrier snapped into place, sealing off the newly isolated section.

And before she could fully register what was happening-

Uriel found herself locked inside the cut-off stage. Alongside her classmates of the S-Class.

The atmosphere inside the barrier was filled with confusion as the students exchanged

glances.

Even those outside the enclosure appeared equally bewildered, their expressions mirroring

the uncertainty of the ones trapped within.

The golems-once fierce opponents, now nothing more than obstacles effortlessly conquered

-began to disappear one by one, their hulking forms dissolving into shimmering particles.

Celestial spells rippled across the training ground, their residual energy subtly warping the

air within the confined space.

And then-

“Everyone~”

A cheerful, almost melodic voice cut through the tension, drawing all eyes toward the source.

The principal.

Her lively tone echoed within the sealed area, effortlessly commanding their attention.

“I know you’re all surprised, but please, don’t panic~”

Despite her reassuring words, unease remained palpable in the air.

“What’s going on, Principal?”

The question came from Stacia, her voice calm but sharp.

She held her crimson fan up, partially concealing the lower half of her face, but her narrowed

eyes betrayed her skepticism.

The principal, ever radiant with her usual warm yet unreadable smile, clasped her hands

together.

“Princess Stacia-perfect points~”

“???”

“Student Uriel-perfect as well- Student Magnus-perfect- Student Annalie-perfect- as

well as Robert- Peter-Warren- Reina- Ollie- Kate~”

She continued down the list, calling out each of their names one by one, her voice carrying an

unmistakable note of amusement.

“All of you got perfect scores in this practical exam~!”

Murmurs rippled through the students.

It wasn’t a surprise, per se. Most of them already knew they had aced the test-after all, their

performances had been flawless.

Even so, the fact that the principal herself had chosen to make such an announcement in

person… it felt unusual.

And then-

“I’m sure you all know this by now, but even still-congratulations~!”

The principal’s voice was as airy and lighthearted as ever. “All of you are truly the pride upon which this academy places its hopes~”

She took a graceful step to the side, eyes twinkling with unmistakable admiration.

“It only took you a few minutes-no, even a few seconds for the truly strong among you to

bring down each and every one of your golems. It’s seriously impressive, considering your

-age-!”

A few students puffed out their chests slightly at the praise, while others remained motionless, waiting for her to get to the point.

“At this rate, you’re all practically guaranteed to graduate with the highest honors~”

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in.

Then-her gaze shifted. Something in the air changed.

The warmth in her voice remained, but beneath it, there was an undeniable shift in tone-

something subtle yet profound.

“Based on the academy’s evaluations, your futures are already brighter than most of your peers… but-“

Her smile widened.

“That is only if things remain the way they are~”

Silence.

A single beat passed.

“The future, after all, can be quite unpredictable, wouldn’t you agree?”

A sense of foreboding settled over them, though no one dared to voice it aloud.

“That’s precisely why a proper assessment is necessary.” Her gaze swept across the group, lingering on a few individuals.

“Because, in the end… not even the truly strong can survive-if fate itself is against them~”

CLAP!!!

A sharp, resonating clap rang through the air.

In an instant, a cascade of starry blue energy erupted across the stage, washing over the

enclosed space like a celestial tide.

The shimmering light distorted the atmosphere, bending reality for a fleeting moment- And then-

Riley appeared.

The S-Class students froze, their bodies instinctively tensing at his sudden presence.

Some took an involuntary step back, while others clenched their weapons tighter, as if their

instincts had already sensed the change in intensity.

Yet, Riley himself said nothing.

Instead, the one who spoke was the principal, her voice carrying the same playful lilt as

before.

“I’m sure you’ve all found this little charade of an exam quite a bore~”

She took a few light steps, twirling a strand of her Ebony hair between her fingers, before

glancing at the students with a knowing smirk.

“That’s why, in order for both the academy and you to truly benefit-“

Her eyes gleamed with amusement.

“A proper re-assessment is required~”

A hush fell over the students.

They didn’t like the sound of that.

And their unease only grew as the principal took a step back-outside the barrier-placing

distance between herself and the group.

Then, with an almost too casual wave of her hand, she continued:

“Student Riley here will now have my permission to assess you all properly, so please do cooperate~”

Her smirk deepened.

“Riley, you may do as you please~”

And with that-

She vanished.

Gone. Just like that.

Leaving behind only Riley and the entire S-Class first years, now locked inside the stage with

him.

The tension was palpable.

Every student remained still, processing what had just happened. Their eyes flickered

between one another-silent yet filled with unspoken questions.

“All of you-“

Riley’s voice, calm and indifferent, finally broke the silence.

He slowly lifted his gaze, his deep blue eyes sweeping over the gathered students.

“Come at me.”

A sudden pressure crashed down upon them.

Crack-!

The stage beneath their feet trembled, fine cracks forming along the stone surface.

The air itself felt suffocating, pressing against their bodies like an invisible force, demanding

obedience, demanding submission.

The weaker students buckled slightly under the weight of it, their knees bending involuntarily

as sweat beaded along their brows.

Even those who prided themselves on their strength felt their muscles strain in front of him.

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