Early morning.

When Ray finally opened his eyes, he was startled to see sunlight pouring through the windows.

Raziel Phoenix was already gone.

This was his first time practicing the new meditation technique, and he'd clearly slept in.

He jumped out of bed, quickly washing up.

For Ray, meal time was sacred.

He rushed toward the dormitory doors with renewed energy. But before he reached them, he noticed a group of upper–grade students looking around suspiciously, as though searching for someone.

As he drew closer, a familiar figure came into view.

Rachel.

She was wearing the academy uniform, her long golden hair tied into a high ponytail. Girls matured early, and she already stood half a head taller than Ray. Her figure was tall and slender, carrying the budding elegance of youth.

At the same moment Ray noticed her, Rachel turned and spotted him.

"It's him!" she shouted, pointing straight at Ray.

Before he could react, Rachel and seven or eight upper–grade male students surrounded him.

"What do you want?" Ray asked calmly.

"There's something we need to discuss with you. Come with us," a tall but ordinary–looking male student said coldly.

"What is it?" Ray replied. "Say it here."

He already had a rough idea what this was about.

The upper–grade student sneered. "You think you get a choice?"

He reached out and grabbed Ray's shoulder.

Ray shook his arm violently.

The grip broke instantly, the upper–grade student stumbling backward, nearly falling over.

Ray didn't hesitate.

A strand of Silverfalls Vine shot from his palm. In an instant, the surrounding students were bound tightly. At the same time, he knocked down the student who had tried to grab him.

Back in elementary academy, whether it was for himself or for Vivienne, Ray had never backed down from a fight. Even when outnumbered, he would strike first. In an academy setting, breaking out was all that mattered.

The upper–grade students were completely unprepared for this.

Despite their numbers, Ray attacked decisively, binding them in a single motion.

Just as one of the trapped students began gathering soul power, Ray slammed into him.

Bang!

The student was sent flying.

Ray was about to break free—

Suddenly, a figure appeared silently in front of him, accompanied by a blinding flash of light.

A scorching heat washed over Ray's body. His movements slowed instantly.

He heard a cold snort.

The next moment, a powerful kick struck his abdomen.

Ray was sent flying backward, crashing straight back into the encirclement.

As Ray was kicked back into the encirclement, he immediately sensed something wrong.

His soul power was draining at a terrifying speed.

In just a few breaths, nearly ten levels of soul power vanished.

Pap! Pap! Pap!

One after another, the upper–grade students tore free from the Silverfalls Vine bindings. Ray had restrained too many people at once. Against opponents with far stronger soul power, the weakness of his variant Silverfalls Vine finally surfaced.

Once the bindings were broken, the backlash caused his soul power to plummet even faster.

"Brat! You actually dared to crash into me!" one of the upper–grade boys roared, swinging his fist toward Ray's face.

"Stop!" Rachel shouted sharply.

The boy halted unwillingly, but still shoved Ray hard, knocking him to the ground.

Only then did Ray clearly see her.

It was Rachel who had released that blazing light.

Two yellow soul rings rose beneath her feet. Above her head hovered a golden sphere of light, blazing like a miniature sun. On her left shoulder burned a small, round flame that pulsed steadily. It was clearly her spirit soul.

Though restrained, the surrounding air was still noticeably hotter.

A powerful aura pressed down.

Two rings…

She was already a Soul Grandmaster.

Rachel stepped forward. The other upper–grade students instinctively retreated, unwilling to get too close to her restrained yet intimidating presence.

"I am Rachel, fifth grade, class one," she said coldly. "I want to compete with you in forging. If you wish to continue studying at this academy, you cannot refuse."

Competition burned fiercely in Rachel's eyes. Since childhood, she had never tolerated anyone standing above her.

Ray stared back. Of all things, he hated threats the most. His stubborn nature flared instantly.

Just as he was about to speak, an icy voice cut through the tension.

"If you want to live, shut your mouths and get lost with your henchmen."

Rachel's body stiffened.

A chill crept up her neck. She clearly felt it. If she moved even slightly, her throat would be slit.

She didn't dare move. Not even to release her martial soul.

"Make them leave," the eerie voice continued.

A familiar face appeared beside her.

It was Raziel Phoenix.

He wrapped one arm casually around Rachel's shoulder while the Light Dragon Dagger in his other hand pressed lightly against her waist.

"You bastard, what do you think you're doing?" one of the upper–grade boys shouted.

Raziel Phoenix replied coldly, "My patience is limited. If you think I wouldn't dare act inside the academy, you're welcome to test me."

He applied a bit more pressure.

Rachel cried out softly in pain.

"All of you, leave!" she shouted in panic.

She could feel the killing intent behind her. No matter how proud she was, she was still only twelve.

The upper–grade students hesitated, then reluctantly began to withdraw.

At that moment, a thunderous voice roared across the area.

"Stop!"

Raziel Phoenix's entire body jolted. He instantly withdrew both the Light Dragon Dagger and the invisible Shadow Dragon Dagger.

The next second, a tall figure lifted him off the ground like a chick.

*

Intermediate Division Teaching Building;

"Speak. What exactly happened?" Teaching Director Aaron demanded, frowning deeply.

Rachel lowered her head. "I was only looking for Ray to have a forging competition."

Raziel Phoenix sneered. "You brought a group of people to our first–grade dormitory. Is that how seniors 'invite' juniors?"

Aaron shot him a cold glare. "And you threatened a senior with a weapon. What if they hadn't backed down? Would you have really killed her?"

Raziel Phoenix's lips twitched as his gaze swept over the fifth–grade students with disdain. "Hard to say."

Aaron turned to Ray. "What about you? You struck first. Explain yourself."

Ray's eyes were calm, but his expression was firm. "When I was young, my dad taught me something. At the elementary academy, he told me that if I bullied younger students, he would punish me severely. But if seniors bullied me, I should hit back without hesitation. He said he wouldn't blame me for that."

For a moment, Aaron was speechless.

"Well said," an icy voice cut in. "I don't think my student did anything wrong either."

Alfred walked into the office.

Aaron's face darkened. "Teacher, have you forgotten basic manners? Like knocking?"

Alfred replied flatly, "Sorry."

Aaron's face twitched. There wasn't the slightest hint of sincerity.

Alfred's gaze swept across Rachel and the other fifth–grade students like frost. "So, the strong bullying the weak? You're quite skilled. I don't bully the small myself, but if I ever find you provoking my students again, I'll beat up the teacher in charge of your class."

"Teacher!" Aaron exploded. "Have some dignity!"

Alfred replied calmly, "Beat me first, then we'll talk about dignity."

With that, he grabbed Raziel Phoenix by the head with one hand and Ray with the other, dragging them out.

"You—!" Aaron rose angrily, but memories of Alfred's past actions in the advanced division flashed through his mind. His courage vanished just as quickly.

Turning back, he unleashed his fury on the fifth–grade students. "All of you will receive disciplinary punishment! Bullying the weak, huh? Impressive!"

*

Outside the teaching building, Alfred released them and continued walking ahead.

Ray hurried after him. "Thank you, Teacher."

Alfred replied indifferently, "You did nothing wrong. No need to thank me. Just don't let anything delay my classes."

Raziel Phoenix jogged up, grinning rare and bright. "Teacher, you were amazing just now! Even if you put us through hellish training, I won't complain!"

"Remember that," Alfred said faintly.

"Raziel Phoenix," Ray tugged his sleeve. "I have to thank you, too."

Raziel Phoenix snorted softly, but didn't pull away.

Raziel Phoenix looked annoyed. "Why are you talking like that? You don't need to thank me. I just hate it when people gang up on others, or when the strong bully the weak."

Ray smiled faintly. "Then we're friends now."

Raziel Phoenix's mouth twitched. "You make friends way too easily. I don't consider you my friend yet."

"That's not important," Ray replied calmly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.