Chapter 353 (2/2)

When I saw the self-satisfied sain unsure “It’s been a pleasure, Grey Bad luck, really Although, inthe quality of this institution's faculty is never bad,” he prattled before exchanging laughs with his associates nearby

The rest of the professors broke up andfroback Caera squeezed

Kayden leaned in close and whispered, “Don’t let theain picturing Cadell, Dragoth, or even Agrona hi for me to arrive Had the Scythes finally tracked is said, noide awake and practically hu with anticipation ‘Do you think we’d even need to break out Destruction to kick Dragoth’s ass at this point? I mean, with that new dual-layer core of yours—’

Like the other professors had done, I glanced through the s for me, what I saw didn’t exactly settleat the botto platfor to the director, his grandfather, who shared the same dusky complexion as Valen, but wore his nobility less pompously The head of the Cohtly to the side I assuaze downturned to his shoes—that he was unco

The fourth man was lean and muscular His dark hair was pulled into a topknot, and he had come dressed in leather armor dyed the black and azure of Central Academy He wore a broad s hatever Valen was saying

“Professor? Should I—”

“Wait out here,” I instructed Mayla, only just re that she was still there

When I entered the classrooaze and jutting his chin The stranger iray eyes crawling across rily

Director Ramseyer broke the silence “Professor Grey Come in We do not mean to ambush you in your classroo was unable to reach you” Although the words were polite, his tone was clipped and sharp with reproach “Now that you are here, however, we have a most serioush in my voice

“It has colance—“that your behavior toward this class has been less than attentive, Professor Grey This is unacceptable at the best of times, but now more than ever it is essential that a couide the Melee Enhancement Tactics students”

I stood tall, ether behind ?”

The director, who hiht, inspected“In different circuratulate you” He paused, letting the er “As you likely know, Vechor will host the Victoriad this year Melee Enhancement Tactics has been selected as one of the classes to corowled a quickto stop e tournas Alacryans from every dominion to compete, mostly in combat The type or class of coical combat must have been one of the classes picked’

“I see,” I said out loud piss poor luck for us, though

‘It’s worse than that The tournais continued ‘Challenges are sanctioned by the Sovereigns, allowing a sufficiently powerful or connected e an old Scythe or retainer for their place Uto survived a dozen challenges over the years The Victoriad is the last place ant to be’

Ihtly “I understand why you e Am I to assume that this er—“is to take my place?”

“Indeed,” the director confirhblood Vassere He has been Valen’s private tutor for several years now, and is an excellent fighter He has offered to lead this class in their preparation for the Victoriad, and I have accepted He will start iiven—”

“I would like a chance to defend nation ‘My wordsfart to you’

The director squinted at ry “Please explain”

Before I could speak, the door into the classroo extremely irritated When she saw the director and departustine held up a hand and said, “Please wait outside a esturing to the door “In fact, let them come in and watch”

“Watch what?” Rafferty asked, though his attention was on the director, notpast Valen and the director toward the tutor “You need someone who has been in actual co able to defend theic really is”

“Excuse me?”away “I’ll have you know that I—”

“Let theive them confidence in whoever wins”

Director Ra to the door where the students were starting to gather

“Grandfather, this is preposterous You can’t expect Drekker to—” The director waved for silence, causing Valen’s mouth to practically snap shut

“Yes, an excellent idea, Professor Grey” To Drekker, he said, “I a them to the students will build excitement for the transition”

Drekker bowed “I am at your service, Director Ra able to read your ’

Visit ReadNovelFullcoestured for the students waiting outside in the hall to enter Enola slowly descended the stairs while the rest of the class filtered in, including Mayla There was some confused chatter as people saw the director and departnal, they all found their seats and quieted down

The director stepped forward and introduced himself for the benefit of any students who had never met him before, then explained as about to happen A nervous tension settled over them, but I didn’t think it was for my benefit

Most of their attention was firmly on Valen’s tutor as Director Ramseyer motioned him to step forward “I know it is untraditional for the acadee a professor mid-season, and for this reason, I would like tofro the art of combat as a Striker

“An ascender, a soldier, a trainer, a tutor…you will find yourselves in very good hands with Professor Vaserre”

‘But has he had his lirown, bathed in lava, or been shat out an insect’s rectuis asked in a snippety tone ‘I think not’

Well put, I thought, holding back a smile as I watched the students

Most of theoof off, not to learn how to fight, and I could tell fro about dropping the class Those ere most excited—Enola, in particular, see looks to their potential new professor

‘You act like you care what they think of you,’ Regis pointed out fairly ‘The real question is…what the hell are you doing?’

I’ve just found another reason I need to stay as a professor

I could feel my companion roll his eyes, but no other words were said

“Now, if our co,” the director announced, standing off to the side to allow a clear view for the students “Let’s see who is best fit to prepare this class for the Victoriad”

Drekker and Isides Thethe, he quickly shi+fted betweenacross the platforuard stance or forward basilisk stance?”

Ignoring his question, I take a slow, th is restrained and I’h the classrooin”

Drekker’s feet flickered as his body swayed I could see him raise his brows in curiosity behind his raised fists “I iive you the first s “My apologies, this isn’t personal”

The length between us disappeared as my fist slauard in tiht foot between Drekker’s legs and drove my elbow into the side of his head Two strikes to the jaw and one to his ear, and Valen’s tutor hits the ground I pinned one knee down under his collarbone as my other foot locked an arm in place

My eyes flashed up to the director, waiting for him to call thehis forehead into h, Professor Grey It would appear there is randson another pointed look The boy had enough sense to look chagrined

Releasing Drekker, I got up to my feet and offered hi to swell, Valen’s tutor gavehiht I had a chance,” he acknowledged h, calloused hand “You have a strong guard”

Hopping down fro platfor with open- at me with a newfound flicker of respect Seth, I noticed, wasn’t watchingdown at his own clenched fists

Still, it was Valen who surprised ht have expected Instead, he cal thean to whisper frantically, and waited

I rubbed the back of et started”