"N—NO WAY!"
The Scholars began gawking.
Of course, the theory I gave wasn't exactly functional, but the very concept of it was alluring. That was what mattered.
"Do you all realize it now? It's not strength that makes you qualified for progress. It's conscious efforts at progress that make you strong."
I was sure they were all curious about how I became this way.
"I am only fifteen, you know? Yet... I doubt anyone here could beat me—that includes your Lecturers. Do you know why?"
'It's because I reincarnated!'
There was no way I would say that, though. Sometimes it was necessary to lie in order to spur the right kind of emotion from kids.
"It's because I thought of things differently. In essence, I was nothing like you. The same applies to everyone whose name was written in the Hall Of Remembrance. You'd do well never to forget that."
While it was true that the right choice of words could transform a child, there was a limit to its power. That was why I had to show them with action. Still, even that wasn't enough.
I needed something to create a lasting impression in their hearts.
'Now, then... let's spur them a little...'
"Kahn..." I whispered.
Suddenly... a chill began to form in the air.
>VWWWUUUUUUUSSSSSHHHHHHH!!!<
Before anyone could react, the aura emanating from me permeated the entire hall.
"U-U-UAAAARRRGHHHHHHHHH!!!" Everyone erupted in deep fear and absolute terror.
The darkness that squirmed about caused some students to pass out, while others gave maddening screams.
Some couldn't even speak. They simply shuddered violently. I heard chattering sounds of teeth; I smelled a faint whiff of ammonia.
The Hall had suddenly been transformed into a place of utter despondency.
"Aura Of Despair: Stage 5"
There were nine stages. Using only the middle area was enough to drive everyone—both Lecturers and Students alike—into a useless state.
"That's enough, Kahn."
With that, the hellish atmosphere ceased, and sanity returned to the hall.
"Do you understand now? This is the world that awaits you."
The illusion that these students had; it was time to shatter it.
"Do not believe for a second that you have a choice. It's either you improve... or you die. That's the nature of this world."
Surely, they knew about the Demonic Disturbance. Soon, the looming War would be revealed to them as well.
There was no room for weakness.
"This world does not require more useless lumps of meat. You were privileged to attend this Academy. It's an opportunity many people will never have till they die."
They needed to understand one fundamental truth.
"To someone whom much is given... much is also expected! Do not imagine, for one second, that you have a choice. You do not."
Their entitled mindset had to be shattered.
"You must all become strong. You will rise above your predecessors and attain far greater heights than they ever could."
That was the true goal of civilization.
"Is that possible? Someone could ask that question. However... I am living proof of my words."
After all... in all the history of this Kingdom... no one was as strong as me when they were my age.
Reincarnation or not; it remained the truth.
"That feeling you just had... was the same that your predecessors had when they faced the Shadow Demons during that incident. Seventeen perished in that struggle. It was a hellish night."
Yet, these little ones spoke of the whole incident with sparks in their eyes, thinking of a hero who rescued the Academy from destruction.
"I, too, was scared. I wanted to run away. It hurt like hell. It was overwhelming. But, do you know why we all fought? Why we all won?"
It was one simple fact.
"We had no choice!"
And that was my lesson to these people/
"Now, then... do we have any volunteer who still wants to try?"
Silence.
'Of course...'
This was it. The lowest point.
No sane student would raise their hand. I didn't expect any to.
Right now, they were all supposed to reflect. They had to wallow in despair. Only by achieving failure and hitting rock bottom would they be capable of generating enough propelling force to rise.
"Why don't I give it a go?" A voice came from above me.
'What?!'
Suddenly, someone came descending upon the stage.
'Why are you...?'
My body throbbed a little as I stared at the confident man who was standing before me.
"HEADMASTER NERON!" The students were just as surprised.
"What are you trying to do?" I asked, raising my brows.
It was a bit baffling. Why would he interrupt my education process? Surely, he must have told me to 'exhibit' while knowing what kind of person I was. Was he offended that I took things a bit too far?
"I can't hold myself back any longer. After that aura you unleashed earlier..."
'Ah, so he's upset?'
"... I just can't contain my urge to fight you!"
For a moment, I paused—letting Neron's words completely sink in.
'Of course! What was I expecting?'
"So, Jared... what do you say? I raised my hand... and you didn't specify that only students could volunteer!"
Well, he wasn't wrong about that.
'Should I just take him on?'
As tempting as it was, I had to consider things carefully. I wanted to fight Neron as badly as he did, but... we had to consider several factors.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to —"
"If you're thinking of holding back, then forget it. There was no point in fighting Neron when he was holding back."
"But... wouldn't you also be holding back?"
'Tch. Fair point...'
There were many cards I couldn't play at the moment.
'Now that I think about this... our fight could be instructive for the students. Neron probably sees that too, right?'
One glance at the excited look in his eyes told me that he was simply concerned about our battle—nothing more.
"Huu... very well."
I had nothing to lose, and quite a few things to gain.
"I suppose it's time I showed you a little something I've been working on."
There was a reason I had Fusion Cores—a mix of Mana and Miasma. Showing it to Neron, and the rest of the audience, would be nice.
