Chapter 22 - annoying mortal creature

That morning began in peace, yet full of questions.

After spending the previous night with Hana—who now had a name and identity as a being beginning to explore mortal life—Exafanos prepared to resume his routine as a teacher at Dracosta Academy. Though he was the highest existence, beyond all concepts of being, he chose to live a seemingly simple and calm life, like an ordinary human.

As dawn broke and the soft morning light pierced through the trees surrounding Exafanos's residence, he and Hana vanished in an instant, reappearing at the front courtyard of Dracosta Academy. No footsteps were heard, no sound of teleportation. They simply appeared, defying space and time itself.

Hana, who had never been to this place before, instantly became the center of attention.

With a beauty not of this mortal world, a mysterious aura that surrounded her, and eyes that intimidated with a sharp gaze, many students were stunned and couldn't look away. Some, with either courage or foolishness, tried to greet her. But the only response they received was a cold glare and sharp rejection.

One of them even received such a disturbing stare from Hana that he was nearly erased from existence. With just a flick of her finger, a boundless void began to form in the air. But before chaos could unfold, Exafanos intervened. Calmly, he erased the void, halting Hana's destructive intent.

"I already told you, don't cause chaos," Exafanos said in a calm yet firm tone.

"That foolish creature was annoying," Hana replied, still clearly irritated.

Upon arriving at the teachers' lounge, the atmosphere was rather relaxed.

The instructors were chatting about lessons and the curriculum. Some greeted Exafanos respectfully, acknowledging the status and presence of the mysterious teacher. Exafanos only gave a slight nod, as usual not saying much.

However, in the corner of the room, a teacher named Arnold appeared to have an excessive interest in Hana. His gaze wasn't one of admiration—it was the gaze of a predator eyeing prey. Arnold was known among the teachers as an arrogant man, born into a wealthy merchant family, often thinking he could get anything with money and status.

Arnold approached with a noble-like gait, combed his hair with his fingers, and bowed courteously before Hana. He introduced himself with a soft, exaggerated voice. But to Hana, it was all revolting.

"A mere mortal like you dares to look at me that way?"

Hana raised her finger. An unfathomable void began to form, intending to erase Arnold from existence. Yet again, Exafanos intervened, dissipating the void effortlessly, his expression unchanged. Hana looked upset, frustrated at being stopped once more from obliterating the disrespectful mortal.

"I told you, don't cause chaos," Exafanos said again.

"But he's annoying!" Hana argued, like a child denied her toy.

Feeling disrespected, Arnold began boasting about his status.

He claimed to come from a very wealthy family, possessing great power and influence, teaching at the academy merely out of boredom. He even bragged about his business plans and political connections. But all of that meant nothing to Hana.

How could someone like Hana, who emerged from absolute void and was unbound by reality, care about such trivial matters as worldly wealth?

She only stared at him coldly before casually sitting on Exafanos's lap—without shame or hesitation. This act caused Arnold's eyes to widen, his teeth grinding in rage and jealousy. He knew that Exafanos had already caught the attention of Headmistress Lithuana—a strong and beautiful woman. And now, another woman, even more stunning and mysterious, was by his side.

Driven by ego and swelling envy, Arnold issued a challenge.

He challenged Exafanos to a duel. He wanted to prove his power. He believed that if he could defeat Exafanos, he would gain Lithuana's recognition—and perhaps even make her his wife. Yet Arnold was only at the High Mage level, still in the process of being promoted to Arc Mage. He could control two or three elements of magic at once, but that meant nothing compared to Exafanos.

Hana chuckled upon hearing the ridiculous challenge.

"Even I wouldn't dare fight Exafanos. And you—a little creature who can't even control the void—dare challenge him?" she said with a mocking laugh.

Exafanos remained calm, looked at Arnold, and declined the challenge with a single short sentence.

Arnold assumed Exafanos was afraid and began mocking him relentlessly. He said Exafanos was unworthy to be a teacher, too cowardly, always hiding behind women.

At that moment, Hana stood up from Exafanos's lap and faced Arnold.

"In that case, before challenging him, face me first," she said.

Arnold laughed mockingly, "So Exafanos hides behind a woman now?"

But before the conflict could escalate…

Headmistress Lithuana entered the teachers' lounge. She greeted all the instructors politely, but her expression shifted the moment she sensed the tension between Exafanos and Arnold. She walked toward them, her authoritative aura slowly filling the room.

The tension thickened.

A battle between absolute power and mortal arrogance might break out—or be stopped by Lithuana's presence.

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To be continued...