The next class was Intermediate Arithmetic.
It was taught by an old professor with a distinctive long white beard and bald head. When he went to the class, he immediately started teaching after introducing himself.
Perhaps he was already too old, he was no longer interested in knowing the names of his students.
Nevertheless, they didn't mind this attitude since this is still the Academy of the Dark Arts. This place is full of eccentric people so it's not surprising to have a strange Professor.
Anyway, Vale realized that Intermediate Arithmetic has similarities to Algebra for freshmen students in Junior High School if he compares it to his previous life.
It was basic for him so he felt a bit bored in this class.
While all of his classmates were seriously listening and taking notes from time to time, his mind started wandering off as he entered his Phantasm State.
With the current range of his magic zone, he was able to sense the Class 1, Class 3, and Class 4 that wasn't too far from their room.
He was simply bored that's why he was doing this. He wasn't looking for anything and just want to pass the time. However, before he could retract his Phantasm State, he realized that someone entered his Magic Zone with an incredible fluctuation of energy.
The man's spirit is several times stronger than him!
'Not good…'
Vale immediately canceled his Phantasm State… Although it's extremely difficult to sense someone who was using their Phantasm State, it is not an impossible thing to do especially inside this Academy filled with excellent Practitioners of the Dark Arts.
He probably wouldn't get scolded for spreading his magic zone since this is normal in the Academy but he still didn't want to be discovered by that incredibly strong man.
'Ahh…' Vale suddenly froze as he felt that he was locked on by someone. Even though he's no longer in his Phantasm State, his unique physique tells him that he's currently inside a magic zone.
Then, someone suddenly spoke directly in his mind! Thankfully, it came from a familiar voice.
"Vale… Visit my office after your class… I have to discuss something with you about your duel against Wilfred."
The voice came from the Headmaster!
Vale was shocked not because of the mysterious voice that was sent directly to his head but the fact that the Headmaster decided to get himself involved in a duel between two first-year students!
'Did I make a bad decision agreeing to Wilfred in the duel?' Vale thought as he can't help but worry about this matter.
Before he could even reply, he felt that the connection was already cut off.
Vale could only sigh as he felt uncomfortable all of a sudden.
His mind raced as he started thinking that the Headmaster might even ask him to lose deliberately to ensure that the prestige of the Moontomb Family wouldn't be stained because of his willful actions.
Deliberately lose? That would a terrible and he didn't want that to happen…
Nevertheless, if he was compensated properly, he probably would have to think twice. After all, now that he thinks about it, the Moontomb Family probably has senior students here in the Academy.
There might be 8th-year, 9th-year, or even 10th-year students.
What would he do if these seniors find trouble with him?
Vale shook his head.
He wasn't that afraid… However, he feels like it would be too troublesome if people started causing trouble for him because of the duel on Sunday.
'Ugh… Whatever… The Headmaster might even support me. I'll think about what to do after talking with him.' Vale thought as he calmed his mind.
As he looked around him, he realized that Professor Russel Ravinie was squinting his eyes while looking at him.
Some of his classmates were also looking at him.
"Ahem… I've been staring at you for a while now and noticed that you weren't focusing in class." The professor said with a stern voice as a few people behind him suppressed their laughs.
Vale helplessly smiled as he decided not to defend himself. He acted like he was embarrassed as he shifted his gaze to the blackboard.
Well, he was indeed not paying attention but he only needed a glance to know the topic of the class. It was integer arithmetic and simplifying equations...
This is too simple for him. Nevertheless, he's not Neil so he decided not to boast.
"Very well. Since I can tell you've realized your mistake, I can let it go if you solve this problem…"
As soon as they heard this, many of his classmates started gloating at him.
Well, since he has the highest Spirit Strand and was capable of killing an Evil Creature, seeing him fail in this normal class would make them happy even if they don't really hate Vale.
Seeing someone who was on top suddenly fall to the bottom feels quite pleasant for them for some reason.
'Hehe… Now you're in trouble… I wonder how you'll embarrass yourself.' Neil couldn't stop grinning as he can already imagine how Vale would fail to solve the arithmetic problem.
Although they have high Spirits or Intelligence, it doesn't mean that they could easily have logical thinking, and problem-solving skills, or recall all the equations that were just taught to them.
In other words, even if Vale has 25 Spirit Strands, it doesn't guarantee that he's capable of solving a problem that he had only seen for the first time.
Furthermore, Vale wasn't even listening so he shouldn't know the subject well.
A few students also glanced at Leonore because of this.
'Heh… Look at this guy who wanted to fight Wilfred for you, he's about to be humiliated.'
'Your suitor is in trouble, aren't you going to help him?'
'I wonder if you will still look at him in favor if he failed this.'
Leonore may not have heard their thoughts but she can easily tell what's in their mind just by staring at her.
She can only shake her head as she can't control their imagination.
Soon, Professor Ravinie wrote a problem on the blackboard for Vale to solve.
His classmates looked at the arithmetic problem and just after reading half of it, they were already dizzy as they could not follow.
Obviously, the old professor made it a lot harder to embarrass Vale! This old man didn't even teach them how to solve this complicated problem!
