Chapter 183 — A Sudden, but Welcome Appearance

1

The week passed in the blink of an eye.

The midterms were over before anyone realized it, so quickly that it almost felt like a blur.

Today was Friday.

It was the day when the week came to a close, and a grand banquet was held with many nobles gathering to celebrate.

The banquet included everyone, from first-year students to fourth-years.

Preparations were in full swing to help everyone forget the intensity of the midterms.

Kael was with Anais, who had roped her into helping with various preparations.

“Oh my, just look at you! You’re stunning once you’re all dressed up.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Even if you said you were a noble, I’d believe it. You don’t even use anything special on your skin, do you?”

Kael nodded.

Aside from basic hydration, she didn’t do anything special for her skin.

Strangely enough, her skin was always flawless.

It was one of her small prides.

“I’m so jealous. My skin gets so dry I have to take care of it constantly.”

“Anais, you’re beautiful too.”

“I’m not exactly ugly, am I? Anyway, let’s go. The seniors are waiting.”

They had plans to meet Alano, Nia, and the others in the dormitory lobby.

Emerson had left early, and Melanie had gone with Livy.

Apparently, Melanie said it was time to “re-educate” Livy.

It seemed she was keeping up a good relationship with her.

Kael was wearing a blue dress that matched the color of her hair.

Anais had specially arranged the dress for her, having requested it from her family.

The Flois family had gladly tailored the dress for her.

“Thank you so much.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re friends, after all. Just make sure to pay me back when things go well for you.”

“I’ll definitely repay you.”

The two smiled at each other.

It was time to head out.

Two ladies, one in a red dress and the other in a blue one, emerged into the lobby.

There, they saw dresses in pale sky-blue, representing the Harrison family, and yellow dresses representing the Abrel family.

Nia, who had come down to the lobby, waved at them.

The two stunningly beautiful women drew the eyes of every passing student.

As student council presidents representing their year, there was an aura about them that made it difficult for others to approach them casually.

“Hurry up. You two look absolutely gorgeous!”

“Hehe, you seniors are just as beautiful!”

“It’s been a while since I wore a dress. It feels like I used to wear these all the time.”

Nia said, looking at the two of them.

Before entering the academy, they had been summoned to countless events like this.

Back then, they had often been forced into wearing these dresses, which they found so irritating.

The four of them gathered and began walking together.

Today’s banquet was going to be truly special.

After all, the Emperor himself was attending.

Many other notable figures from across the continent would also be present.

The Abrel family must have also come.

‘My brother. And my father.’

They were the ones who had worked tirelessly for the glory of their family.

Surely, they had seen her performance as well.

A smile naturally formed on Nia’s lips.

“Let’s get going.”

“Senior Manus and Senior Guillermo are probably going to look amazing, don’t you think?”

Anais spoke, sparking the imaginations of the group.

Both Manus and Guillermo were known for looking sharp even in their academy uniforms.

Manus, in particular, was from the only family on the continent with jet-black hair.

There was an indescribable sense of mystery about him.

Kael smiled softly.

Just thinking about Senior Manus made her heart race uncontrollably.

Yes, it was admiration for the overwhelming presence Senior Manus always displayed.

“Look at you, blushing. You really must love thinking about Manus, huh?”

“Oh, well… he really does show us some incredible moments.”

“Huh? So it was like that? Hmm… I thought it wasn’t.”

Nia squinted her eyes in suspicion.

Kael looked back at her with the most innocent eyes, full of sincerity.

There wasn’t a hint of dishonesty in her gaze, and Nia shook her head with a sigh.

“I really don’t get you sometimes. Still, I’d like to invite him to our family at some point.”

“To your family?”

“Yeah. After all, he helped me awaken my new abilities. I should repay that, don’t you think?”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The immense destructive power Nia had displayed during the midterms had left a lasting impression.

At first, everyone thought Nia had done it all on her own, but it turned out that Manus had given her some advice.

His guidance carried a mysterious power, like something that could clear away any blockages.

Whenever they thought back on his words, a path forward became visible.

With these shared thoughts, the group made their way to the banquet hall.

And there stood a tall, handsome man with jet-black hair, dressed not in a uniform but in a sleek, tailored suit.

---

2

The banquet hall.

It was filled with dazzling lights, delicious pastries, and fine wines.

There were also plenty of drinks prepared for the students.

One by one, the nobles began filling the seats.

The students hadn’t entered yet, but notable figures from across the continent had already arrived, ready to light up the event.

They exchanged greetings, waiting for the banquet to officially begin.

Many had been looking forward to this event during the long midterm period.

Small groups of friends gathered here and there.

“Oh my, you’ve come again this year.”

“Of course. How could I miss this when the Emperor himself is attending?”

“Haha, naturally. But… it seems someone isn’t here.”

One of the nobles looked around.

The crimson banners—the emblem of the Caesar family, the Emperor’s eternal right hand—were nowhere to be seen.

They had thought he would surely come this time.

The head of the Caesar family.

Decades ago, he had traveled across the entire continent with Bradley, before he became Emperor.

Together, the two of them, the greatest talents of the Empire, had solved countless crises.

The legend himself wasn’t attending today, once again.

The nobles expressed their disappointment.

“Well, the Caesar family did go through a major ordeal recently. He must be very busy.”

“It seems the Emperor has acknowledged that as well.”

“Still, I’m sure the Emperor must feel a little lonely without his old friend. Perhaps…”

“Shh, it’s about to start.”

Someone had entered.

The Emperor.

He carried the imperial seal.

From the highest seat in the room, a voice boomed across the hall.

[His Majesty the Emperor approaches!]

Everyone bowed their heads.

They awaited the arrival of the supreme ruler.

The Emperor entered with an emotionless expression.

He glanced around the hall once and personally filled his goblet.

Upon seeing this, everyone else filled their glasses as well.

Now, it was time for the true stars of the evening to make their entrance.

“The proud students of Mythos Academy, who have excelled over the past week, are entering now.”

The doors opened.

The students, who had been waiting outside, stepped into the hall.

Leading them were the student council presidents from the first to the fourth year.

Following them were the other student council members, lined up in orderly rows.

They were dressed not in their uniforms but in elegant attire befitting the occasion.

It was a scene that filled the nobles with nostalgia.

Many of them had spent four years, or even as many as ten, at Mythos Academy.

The people gathered here were the living history of the academy.

“Look at them. Aren’t they just beautiful?”

“The Flois family has produced the student council president. Their family’s prestige will rise significantly.”

“And that girl over there…”

All eyes were drawn to a particular pair.

A man escorting a beautiful woman with blue hair.

He was a figure who seemed to emit light, instantly capturing the attention of everyone around him.

His sleek, shiny black hair was a symbol of one thing.

The Master of Magic.

The family known across the entire continent for wielding the deadliest and most powerful magic.

It was rare for anyone’s status to be defined solely by their appearance, but no amount of skill in hair dyeing could ever replicate the luminous quality of that black hair.

“…Caesar.”

“That’s right, he’s in the 5th-Class.”

Someone’s words sent a ripple through the crowd.

It had almost slipped their minds since it had happened earlier in the week.

The Crystal Golem had been designed to challenge veteran mages, and only three teams—comprising third— and fourth-year students—had managed to break it.

The fourth-year student council president’s Group A.

Nia’s Group B from the third year.

And Manus’ Group D.

The midterms had been exceptionally difficult, designed to test the limits of the students.

“Sixteen years old. To have just started learning magic at that age…”

“Haha, it looks like we’ll have to bow our heads again this year.”

“Receiving the Emperor’s favor is only natural.”

The nobles whispered among themselves, their gazes fixed on Manus.

His overwhelming performance was still fresh in their minds.

He had shown abilities that even the fourth years couldn’t reach.

Fifth-Class magic at his age.

How could someone so young have already reached the limits of what humans were capable of?

Everyone was curious.

And tonight’s banquet offered them a chance to learn more about the depths of his knowledge.

“You are the future of our empire. Well done on your midterms.”

The Emperor spoke.

Everyone bowed their heads in gratitude.

With a faint smile, the Emperor continued.

“Because of you, we live with confidence. Because of you, we work with passion. Because of you—”

“…”

The Emperor locked eyes with someone.

He then smiled, a clear, bright smile.

“—we can preserve this era of peace. This past week has been a time for you to grow stronger. A time to reflect and decide the direction you wish to take.”

Manus, who had caught the Emperor’s gaze, quietly listened to his words.

The Emperor continued his speech as if he were speaking directly to him.

His eyes, glowing with wisdom, steadily focused on Manus, growing more vibrant as he went on.

“Do not falter. Move forward. Do not become arrogant; always look back. Hold onto the pride of being a student of Mythos Academy, and you will become stars that light up the continent.”

Eat and drink!

Only by having fun, in addition to studying and training, can you truly move forward!

The Emperor raised his goblet high.

“To the future stars of the continent—our students of Mythos Academy!”

[To the stars!]

Music began to fill the hall.

Voices rose in lively conversation, and the atmosphere was abuzz with excitement.

Just as the banquet was beginning to get into full swing, a commotion stirred near the entrance.

At the same time, an undeniable presence filled the room.

The mana itself trembled.

An overwhelming aura swept through the hall.

Manus, Alano, Kael… even the Emperor turned their heads toward the entrance.

“To think he would arrive so suddenly.”

Manus murmured.

“Do you know who it is?”

Kael, who had moved closer to Manus, asked in a soft voice.

It wasn’t a display of affection but rather a subconscious reaction—like she was instinctively hiding behind him out of fear.

Manus, noticing this, spoke to her reassuringly.

“Don’t worry. He’s someone I know very well.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Meeting him will be beneficial for you. Let’s take this opportunity to greet him.”

Kael’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

From Manus’ expression alone, she could tell.

His brightened face made it clear that this was someone he was genuinely happy to see.

The doors opened.

The figure who stepped through was a man whose flowing black hair seemed to suit him perfectly.

He had an aura that was different from Manus.

His lazy, languid eyes were the eyes of someone who had weathered all of life’s storms.

The first to react to his arrival was none other than the Emperor.

“Oh, my friend. It’s been far too long!”

“How have you been, Your Majesty?”

A crimson cloak fluttered behind him.

With just a single word, he erased the presence of everyone else in the room.

He was the Archmage, Caesar Labeth.

–TL Notes–
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