Chapter - 14 [ Classroom ]

The next day, Victor, Peter, Ariana, Morgan, Queer, and three other students from Surruk gathered in the living room.

The other three students were Jakal, a male student, and Pretti and Narmadi, both female students.

"You should know that a normal student has the right to challenge a special student. If you lose, all the privileges will go to the winner," Peter warned with a serious expression. His eyes locked on Victor, but he couldn't discern any nervousness or distress.

"I'll deal with it when someone challenges me," Victor responded plainly, showing little interest in the topic. He was confident he could safeguard his privileges.

Using Guzi's battle as a benchmark, he was certain he could easily outclass the others in strength and aura. As for his intellect, there was no doubt he ranked among the best—if not the very top.

"I heard there are factions in Heaven?" Narmadi, a reserved and shy young woman, asked in a low voice, clearly afraid of offending anyone present.

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about," Peter nodded slowly. Everyone had different thoughts at that moment, but they were all essentially the same.

"I suggest not joining any faction in the first year. Focus on yourselves instead. You'll have more time to think about factions in the second year," Victor said, glancing at the group. His gaze lingered a second longer on Queer.

"Except you, Ariana. I know the Phoenix family has a faction of its own," he added.

Ariana lowered her head in thought. It was true that the Phoenix family had a faction in Heaven, one of the strongest at that.

In fact, the Phoenix family was the oldest continuing lineage in the world, followed closely by the Khan family of the Khan Empire.

However, the Phoenix family in Surruk wasn't even part of the main lineage, just one of its branches.

"There are also the prodigy twins from the Phoenix family—Emily and Ethan, right? They're known for their temper."

Morgan commented with a smile, her gaze shifting toward Victor. She felt lucky to be assigned to the same section as him.

Morgan, Victor, and Narmadi were in Section B, while Peter and Ariana were in Section A.

Queer, Jakal, and Pretti were in Sections C, D, and E, respectively. Each section consisted of 80 students, with a total of five sections in the first year.

"It's best for normal students like me to stay out of the power struggles. Ha… I just want a peaceful student life in Heaven," Pretti sighed, her voice tinged with emotion. True to her name, she was very attractive, her figure no less stunning than Morgan's.

"I agree with you," Jakal chimed in. He had a lazy, introverted demeanor, and his presence was barely noticeable.

"Victor, has anyone approached you with an invitation yet?" Queer asked.

Victor shook his head but didn't reply with words. Some things were better left unsaid.

"The president asked us to form a faction. But how can we do that with just us? There are only two special seniors from Surruk in Heaven—one in the second year and one in the fourth," Peter said, massaging his temples with a sigh.

Two months ago, the president of Surruk had met with them and voiced his plan. He'd asked them to form a Surruk-based faction in Heaven, promising handsome rewards in return.

Unfortunately, it was easier said than done. No faction would willingly support a potential rival.

"I think we might be able to pull it off," Morgan said suddenly, her voice breaking the silence. The others perked up, waiting for her explanation.

"We might not get support from the seniors, except for those from Surruk, but what about the new students every year? As we move up, a new batch will arrive, right? We can have the president help more students from Surruk enroll in Heaven. With each new batch, our faction will grow stronger. We just need to make sure the bud isn't plucked early.

"What I'm saying is, on the surface, we can join any faction that benefits us, but later, we'll quit and form our own. Each year, we can recruit new students from Surruk into those factions, keeping them on our side—but only on the surface."

Morgan adjusted her glasses with a confident smile. Her plan involved consuming the other factions from within.

"Nice plan! But if our intentions are exposed…" Queer glanced openly at Ariana, his meaning clear. Everyone turned to look at her.

"I don't plan to join the Phoenix faction in Heaven. Rest assured, I won't tell a soul about this," Ariana quickly clarified. She had come to Heaven with her own will and mind.

The group nodded, their expressions relaxing. They discussed other topics, tactfully avoiding Morgan's plan for now.

In the days leading up to the orientation, the institution buzzed with rumors and developments that set the student body on edge.

One of the most prominent pieces of news was the establishment of a new faction by Princess Novaria of Waria.

She called it the United Body, a name that symbolized unity and inclusivity.

Unsurprisingly, the faction quickly gained traction, attracting the majority of students who hadn't already aligned themselves with existing groups.

As Victor had predicted, the rise of the United Body didn't sit well with Shere Khan, one of the campus's most dominant figures.

On the third day after its formation, Shere Khan personally visited Novaria in her building, his presence commanding attention and sparking whispers throughout the campus.

Whatever transpired between them remained a mystery to Victor. He had only speculation, and no conclusive answers.

Not that it mattered much to him. If anyone asked, Victor's stance was clear—neutrality was the safest path.

Aligning with no faction meant less exposure, fewer enemies, and greater flexibility.

While this approach might not come with the immediate benefits of faction support, it also ensured he wouldn't be a target. For Victor, that was reason enough to steer clear of the limelight.

The institution's curriculum, tailored for aspiring members of MAD, reflected the dangers of Gazzile.

Subjects and roles were divided into categories that aligned with real-world necessities:

Hunter: The backbone of every team, specializing in the combat and elimination of mutated creatures and crawlers. Most students aimed for this position, drawn by its prestige and the thrill of battle.

Scout: Agile and sharp-eyed, scouts served as the team's forward observers, tasked with identifying threats before they became problems. This role required exceptional reflexes and observational skills.

Support: The lifeline of every team, supports focused on medical expertise and healing. Their work ensured the survival of their teammates in the harshest conditions.

Victor's ambitions didn't align with the glory-seeking hunters. Instead, he gravitated toward the Support role, a profession that demanded meticulous knowledge and precision. His chosen subjects reflected this aspiration:

Injury Treatment

Drug Analysis

Stitching

Premedication

Dissecting

Two additional subjects, Combat Training and Meditation, were mandatory for all students, ensuring that everyone possessed a baseline level of physical and mental resilience.

With seven subjects in total, Victor's schedule was packed but manageable. Most first-year students took six to seven subjects, as failure wasn't an option.

Those unable to pass all their subjects were expelled—a harsh but necessary rule in an institution that prepared students for life-and-death situations.

Standing on the balcony that night, Victor stared up at the sky, his mind drifting.

The stars above Gazzile weren't much different from those he'd seen back on Earth.

They sparkled with the same distant beauty, evoking memories of quiet nights long past.

"In one of these stars is the sun," he murmured to himself, the words soft, almost inaudible.

His gaze remained fixed on the sky, his thoughts adrift between the life he once had and the uncertain path that lay ahead.

---

In the blink of an eye, the day of orientation passed, and the first day of class arrived.

Standing before the long mirror, Victor adjusted his uniform with a calm, practiced hand.

As he gazed at his reflection, he couldn't help but notice how the sharp lines of his attire seemed to accentuate his features.

His appearance exuded a quiet confidence, making him look more handsome and refined than ever.

A sleek black blazer adorned with silver buttons, exuding a polished, refined aesthetic.

Beneath, a crisp white collared shirt offered a clean and elegant base, complemented by a red-striped tie that added a subtle yet striking pop of color.

The look was completed with grey pleated trousers, providing a refined contrast to the dark blazer, and polished black shoes that elevated the entire outfit.

For women, it was a grey pleated knee level skirt.

---

The books for Victor's subjects had arrived the previous night, leaving him fully prepared for his first day. Everything was in place, and he was eager to get started.

In the lobby, everyone gathered before heading to the bus stand. The air was filled with excitement and chatter, though not everyone shared the same energy.

"I wish we were in the same class!" Kushi muttered, her voice low and tinged with sadness. She had been placed in Section D with Michael, while Justin was assigned to Section A.

Her disappointment stemmed from the hope of being closer to the princess, Novaria.

Surprisingly, Novaria was in the same section as Victor. Many had wanted to be in her class, but only 80 seats were available, leaving most of the hopefuls disappointed.

"Mm," Novaria said simply.

In their year, 20 students were First-Tier Aura Grade Users. Nearly 80% from all over the world were enrolled at Heaven Academy, a testament to its unmatched reputation.

The bus arrived at the campus gate, and the sight of the colossal building left everyone in awe.

It towered over the cafeteria, gym, and even the arena, earning its title as the largest structure in Heaven Academy.

The building was L-shaped and had eight floors. The first six floors housed classrooms for each year, while the seventh and eighth were restricted.

The seventh floor's purpose was a mystery, while the eighth housed the offices of the vice principal and principal.

Every floor was equipped with washrooms, staff offices, and medical rooms.

As the students entered the courtyard, chaos erupted.

"Hey, it's the princess!"

"Wow, she's so beautiful!"

"Princess! Princess!"

The crowd swarmed around Novaria as soon as she stepped onto the campus.

Members of the United Body faction quickly surrounded her, forming a protective circle. Even Victor was pushed back in the commotion.

Victor stayed calm, observing the scene. He had no interest in the chaos surrounding Novaria.

'I guess it's better for me to stay away from her,' he thought, sighing quietly as he slipped away from the crowd.

Victor made his way into the building and headed straight to his classroom, Section B. At the door, he saw Morgan and Narmadi waiting.

"Stay away from her," Morgan said, her tone serious. "Not everyone likes the princess. Some even hate her."

Narmadi stood silently but nodded in agreement.

"I know," Victor replied casually. "Where are you two sitting?"

"First bench," Morgan said firmly. "Don't tell me you're sitting at the back?"

"I've never sat in the front row in my life."

Victor walked past them and climbed to the last row, choosing a seat at the back.

The classroom was designed like a lecture hall, with tiered seating and a podium on the left side of the stage.

Morgan and Narmadi hesitated before following Victor. Despite their preference for front-row seats, they decided to sit with him.

It was better to stay close to someone familiar in a place where forming alliances was critical.

Students entered the room in pairs and groups. The front benches filled up quickly, with many eager to secure what they considered the best seats.

A male student, drawn by Morgan and Narmadi's beauty, tried to sit beside them.

Sensing Narmadi's discomfort, Victor switched seats with her, placing himself next to the student.

The room fell silent as a group of four entered. Novaria was among them, along with Vanessa Cersh, the vice-leader in the United Body. The other two were male students, both Second-Tier Aura Grade Users.

Half of the class had already joined the United Body under Novaria's leadership.

Four special students, including Novaria and Vanessa, were registered in Section B.

Victor's eyes scanned the room for the fourth individual and landed on a student seated in the middle row.

It was Aydan Fall, a quiet boy with silver hair. He was an orphan from the eastern continent and had been scouted by Heaven' scout the previous year.

Aydan's background was unusual. Awakening as a First-Tier Aura Grade User was rare, especially for an orphan without resources.

Victor's gaze lingered on Aydan.

'What secrets are you hiding, kid?' he wondered.

Silver hair was uncommon, even rarer when it was natural. It hinted at a shared lineage with others of similar traits, like Novaria.

"Attention seeker," Morgan muttered under her breath. Her disdain for Novaria was clear, and she didn't bother hiding it.

As the students settled in, Victor leaned back in his seat, observing the room.

When the clock struck 9 a.m., the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock was replaced by an eerie silence as a massive shadow darkened the doorway.

The chatter in the classroom, which had been lively just moments before, abruptly stopped as all eyes turned toward the imposing figure that now filled the entrance.

A bear-like man stepped into the room with deliberate, heavy footsteps that seemed to reverberate through the floor.

His mere presence was enough to command attention. He exuded an air of authority, one that could silence even the rowdiest crowd without a single word.

The man was a sight to behold. A large, bushy brown beard framed his face, giving him a rugged appearance, while his long hair cascaded past his shoulders in thick waves.

His piercing eyes scanned the room, their intensity making even the most confident students feel small under his gaze.

His physique was nothing short of intimidating—broad shoulders, a barrel chest, and muscular arms that bulged even beneath the fabric of his well-fitted suit.

Victor's eyes narrowed as he assessed the man. His features bore a striking resemblance to those of a Russian on Earth—big, bold, and built for strength.

The man's sheer size was staggering, towering over everyone at what Victor estimated to be 2.5 meters in height.

Standing there, he looked less like a professor and more like a mythological warrior stepping out of ancient lore.