Once Derek left Yami's chamber, a heavy silence settled in the room.

Only Yami and Wilson remained now.

"You can speak now. I know you are dying to ask so many questions," Yami said calmly.

Wilson exhaled sharply. "What the hell was that? He can swallow a beast core and grow stronger? How is that even possible?"

"That's news to me as well," Yami replied. "I wish I could give you an answer. But I don't know either."

"You don't?" Wilson frowned deeply. "Then is it really okay to put this much trust in him? Because of you, I've been spending almost all my class hours teaching them Lightning Pace. Normally I would start with easier techniques and teach many martial basics at once."

"I think we can trust him," Yami said. "He has potential. Very, very high potential. Have you ever seen someone reach E-class before entering the academy? No, right? But he did. I know I don't know much about him... yet… but I believe we can trust him. If we truly want to break the unfair gap between mages, aurans, and cultivators, he is our best hope."

Wilson sighed. "I just hope I don't end up regretting investing so much time in him."

"You won't," Yami said with certainty. "I'm sure he's going to turn this academy upside down."

"But you told him to hold back," Wilson said. "Wouldn't it be better if he showed his full power? That would shake the academy much faster."

"Yes, it would," Yami agreed. "But it would also put him in danger. I don't want to use him as a tool. I want him to become a beacon, a hope for balance."

Wilson's face grew tense. "But once others find out what you're planning, they'll do everything they can to bring you down."

"I know," Yami said quietly. "That's why I want him to be ready before the storm breaks. How is his progress in Lightning Pace?"

"You won't believe it." Wilson shook his head in disbelief. "He has already mastered the first two stages. All that's left is to combine them and improve his efficiency."

"Good," Yami said, a grin spreading across his face. "I knew he wasn't normal. After this, teach him Divine Sense and Concealment."

"What?!" Wilson's eyes widened. "I know he's talented, but there's no way he can learn those before he graduates."

"Just do as I say," Yami replied. "You have no idea what he's capable of. If you had seen him wield a sword, you wouldn't doubt him."

"Sword?" Wilson blinked. "Why would he use a sword? He's a cultivator."

Yami chuckled. "Just do as I say. That part is a surprise for later."

Wilson opened his mouth to question him again but closed it.

"Alright, you can go now," Yami said. "Your students are waiting."

"…Okay." With that, Wilson stood and left the chamber as well.

Once Wilson left, the chamber fell silent again, and Yami stared at the door with a heavy expression. "Derek… I hope I won't regret putting my faith on you."

Meanwhile, Derek reached the classroom.

The moment he stepped inside, all the students rushed toward him.

"Derek, is it really true you reached D-class already?" Mia asked, her fingers clasped together, eyes shining with awe.

"Yeah," Derek replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. He wasn't used to being surrounded like this. Even though his mind was far older than theirs, he still felt uneasy under so many amazed stares.

"How did you do it? Did you get your hands on some high-class treasure or something?" Billy asked eagerly.

"Umm…" Derek hesitated. "Something like that."

He paused for a moment, then lifted his head and looked at all of them seriously.

"Guys, can I ask for a favor?"

"Yeah, sure," Paul said immediately.

The others nodded as well — except Harold, who stayed silent as always.

Derek continued, "Can you all keep it to yourselves that I had a breakthrough recently?"

"Why? Is there a problem sharing it?" Billy asked.

"Not exactly," Derek said. "But don't you think the news about a cultivator reaching D-class would stir up trouble? Especially from the mages and aurans?"

Mia nodded slowly. "Yeah… someone will definitely cause problems for you."

"But some legacy families might approach you too," Mia added. "They might want you to join their household. That could be good for you, don't you think?"

Derek shook his head. "I'm not planning to join any family. I have my own. And I don't want to be stuck with one for life. I only need to stay low until the Half-Yearly Ranker's Test. Once that's done and I improve a bit more, then it's fine if people know."

"You're participating in the Half-Yearly Ranker's Test?!" Billy and Paul shouted together. Mia's mouth fell open.

"Yeah," Derek said casually.

"With which party? What's their current ranking? You're so lucky you got accepted into a team," Mia said, assuming he joined an existing group.

"I created my own team. Or… I'm still creating it," Derek said.

"What?" Paul almost choked. "You're participating with a brand-new team? Seriously? Who are the members?"

"Me, and two of my friends from first-year — Henry and Art. Henry is in the first-year elite mage class, and Art is in normal mage class. Then there's my guide, Eva, from second-year elite mage class. And one fourth-year student, Emma… she's also from the elite mage class."

"You want to join the test with only one fourth-year? Are you crazy?" Mia looked horrified.

Billy and Paul were shocked too, but not for the same reason.

"Which fourth-year did you say would join?" Billy asked nervously.

"Senior Emma," Derek said plainly.

"Y-you mean Emma Starwind?" Billy swallowed hard.

"I don't know her full name," Derek said. "But she's a wind mage. Eva said she's as amazing as Cecilia Glaciblade."

"Damn! It's really her!" Paul exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "How on earth did you manage to get her to join your team?"

"Why are you two acting so excited?" Derek asked, puzzled.

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