Academy Restoration Act.
This act, as its name suggests, seeks to bring order to the academy by enforcing reforms such as equal access to opportunities, the removal of noble-dominated non-mandatory subjects for lower-ranked students, and the elimination of hidden bullying and social isolation. While natural enforcement already exists, it could never fully solve these issues. Simply put, the act aims to bridge the gap between Nobles and Commoners so that true order may be upheld. The responsibility for enforcing these reforms will fall to the Student Council.
But the Academy Restoration Act wasn’t born out of mere idealism. It was drafted by academic geniuses—students from both higher and lower years, from differing ranks and walks of life—who specialized in governance and reform, all under the leadership of an individual known only as “Ted.” At the very least, it was made under his direction. As for why that was the case, Nyx had no idea.
But she knew this much from what she recalled. Yet she also knew it was unlikely to ever be passed. Rather, it never passed. Such an act would bring about a radical shift to the academy’s structure—especially with its proposal to abolish the attendant system entirely.
The entire reason Nyx couldn’t bring herself to support this meticulously crafted act.
And that’s why Nyx couldn’t help but wonder: why would he—Prince Orion—support the Academy Restoration Act?
A man of his status stood to gain nothing, only to lose influence and privilege. It was absurd to even consider.
Unless, of course, there was something deeper driving him.
A grudge.
A desire for revenge.
At that exact moment, a burning spear materialized and shot toward Nyx at Prince Orion’s slightest gesture — whoosh — its speed impossible to follow.
It struck, but the attack did not land as he expected. The spear was deflected and the force snapped back at its caster.
Once again blood trickled from Prince Orion’s nose. He wiped it away with a quick swipe of his thumb. He was clearly taking damage from what he was doing; Nyx could see it.
Nyx raised her staff and proposed, “Prince, let us make a wager. If you lose, you retract your support for the Academy Restoration Act.”
Orion only smiled and scoffed, but the meaning was clear to Nyx.
“...That will never happen. I will crush you.”
At that exact moment, flames engulfed the earth and burst across the scene.
Outside the halls—far from the epicenter—the ground still trembled.
Znnnnghhh. The earth grumbled.
“What in the world is happening?” Cassian muttered, halting in his tracks. “Damn it… whoever’s making that ruckus should be suspended.” He scoffed, though his concern couldn't mask his annoyance.
There was no alarm, which meant it was a sanctioned activity—or so he hoped.
Deep within the academy grounds, behind the main building, stood a vast open arena. From within, a deafening roar echoed through the air.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each few seconds, another thunderous impact reverberated. Inside that inferno stood Nyx—enduring the relentless barrage of flaming spears. Yet she remained unyielding, and untouched.
Not a single scratch marred her skin.
But one thing was clear: with every strike, Nyx was slowly—almost imperceptibly—being pushed back.
To the spectators, it was undeniable that she was untouchable. That overwhelming firepower, so fierce it could incinerate steel, meant nothing against her.
Yet the same truth applied to Nyx... she couldn’t muster a single spell to strike back.
Amidst the flames, a man stood laughing, blood trailing from his nose.
“Hahaha!” Prince Orion’s laughter rang out, unhinged and echoing through the burning air. “To think a mere commoner could brush off my attacks… Is this why that bastard took an interest in you?"
“What?” Nyx’s brows furrowed, disbelief flickering in her eyes.
'This guy is insane,' she thought.
Every time one of his spears struck her barrier, it deflected cleanly, yet he stood there laughing, unbothered—almost proud of himself.
Still, she brushed the thought aside and spoke with clear irritation. “Why are you so aggravated toward me? More importantly, why are you supporting that act?”
Flaming spears continued to hurl through the air as Prince Orion smirked. Amidst the roar of fire and shattering wind, their voices were drowned to everyone else—only the two of them could hear each other.
“You’ve associated yourself with that imbecile,” he said coldly, eyes narrowing. “Naturally, it’s my duty to strip that influence away.” His tone darkened, anger bleeding through his voice. “That worm even dared to refuse my proposal for an alliance… I offered him an alliance without sworn allegiance, and he still declined.”
At those words, Orion’s eyes narrowed. He swept his hand through the air, and the barrage ceased instantly—like a commander ordering his artillery to stand down.
Blood still trickled from his nose, running down to the corner of his mouth. Yet before it could touch the ground, the red turned to gold and evaporated into the air.
He fixed his gaze on Nyx, cold and unfeeling. His hand began to move again, but this time, it was different.
“That means,” he said, his tone flat and lifeless, “he’s someone of no use to me.”
His next words dripped with coldness. “I only intended to make you surrender… but you’re just the same kind of scoundrel as him.”
Nyx’s brows furrowed as realization dawned. It wasn’t mere arrogance or wounded pride driving him—Prince Orion saw Cael as a threat.
And now, she was next in line.
But Nyx kept her silence, offering no response, no reaction beyond what she had already shown. Yet it seemed to grate on the prince’s nerves.
“Imbecile… isn’t it common sense, even for a commoner, to reply when someone’s talking to you?” he said, waiting... yet silence was all that answered him.
“You’re truly not fond of speaking, are you? Oh well… doesn’t matter. I was just curious how long you’d hold up.”
His expression darkened, a crimson glint flashing across his eyes as he added, “Playtime’s over.”
With a single gesture from Orion, the blazing lances scattered into the air, spiraling inward as they merged—threads of molten light weaving into a cocoon of flame.
Nyx watched in silence, her expression tightening ever so slightly. That sight… it was familiar. Uncomfortably familiar.
She knew that spell.
It was Orion’s signature—his finishing move.
The Cocoon of Flame began to compress—boom!—then again, boom!, each pulse shrinking it further until it was no larger than a one-meter sphere. Then… it bloomed.
Wings unfurled, tearing through the inferno as a shape emerged—Shrieeeekkkkk!—a blazing red-orange eagle, its feathers burning like liquid fire.
A phoenix had been born, its piercing gaze fixed squarely on Nyx.
But Nyx knew that thing wasn’t alive—it only appeared to be. It was a one-shot artillery strike that even Nyx, with her seemingly impenetrable defense, couldn’t withstand. After all, it held more mana than what she was currently channeling over herself.
She also knew that the blazing lances Prince Orion had cast at her weren’t at their full power.
‘Is this guy planning to kill me?’ Nyx wondered in bafflement. While she had at least some faith that this man wouldn’t actually kill her, the consequences would still be dire. So, in response, Nyx canceled the barrier protecting her.
Nyx knew she couldn’t deal any more damage to Prince Orion. The first strike had been nothing more than a fluke, born from his momentary ignorance.
But when it came to defense... if it broke...
Then she would simply build a stronger one.
So yes... she must respond in kind.
She sharply struck the edge of her staff against the ground.
Nyx’s eyes turned pale violet, and a hue of dark violet mana spilled from her body. It was thick and musky, visible even to the naked eye.
Nyx was channeling an absurd amount of mana.
This amount of mana was outrageous, even for those blessed with high reserves.
The staff and the ring on her pinky finger glowed a bright blue. They were reacting—the natural effects of her staff and dimensional ring. It wasn’t much, but Nyx preferred to rely less on such artifacts anyway.
The ground began to scream in pain, Zhngnnnnggggggggg!!!!!!!! Everywhere except where Nyx stood, the concrete shattered into fragments, flattening the already even surface.
With each passing second the earth cried out, crushed piece by piece under the weight of her magic.
Nyx pointed her staff at Orion and signaled him.
“Go on,” she said coldly. “And miserably fail…”
Her lips curled into a sly grin as she spoke again, her voice lilting with playful mockery,each word drawn out, deliberate, every syllable biting through the air.
“Pathetic. Crybaby. Loser.”
Prince Orion’s eyes widened. “Mongrel worm… What did you say?”
Nyx laughed, a low, sly sound that somehow hit him harder than she expected. His expression crumbled, which only fed her amusement.
“You said that I dislike talking...” she said with a cold smirk. “Maybe you just talk too much.”
She had stayed silent before out of fear. She had not wanted to incur his wrath. But nothing would change by keeping her silence.
From his words alone, Nyx could already surmise that this man would continue to pester her and make her life difficult. That’s why—if he would not stop tormenting her, she might as well make this entertaining.
Her first gift.
Her demeanor slid into something darker, sharper.
“I will crush you into a pulp... I swear it in my name,” Prince Orion spat, his voice raw with fury and killing intent. His eyes were bloodshot.
The flaming bird coalesced and streaked forward at impossible speed, appearing as little more than a shadow even to those who could use mana and aura into great degree. Nyx’s new barrier had collapsed into the ground, the concrete groaning and sinking beneath its crushing force.
But before the phoenix could strike —
Someone appeared with a soft click. Golden flowing hair fluttered, eyes like a galaxy.
The principal, Miriem Starfall, hovered into the center of the ring.
“Oh my,” she said softly, her voice cool yet melodic. “Let’s stop this duel for now. It’s gone far enough.”
With a single, effortless snap of her fingers, both Nyx’s and Orion’s spells unraveled, the magic collapsing like threads cut loose.
“I’ll be restricting your spells for now."
Miriem said with absoluteness.
One thing was also unmistakably clear... it brought the sparring, which had escalated into an all-out fight, to its end.
| Chapter 55 - Pathetic. Crybaby. Loser.