-nk!


    Entering the ssroom, Lillian made her way towards the podium.


    Instantly the whole room fell silent. The pressure that emanated from her body caused everyone to stop whatever they were doing.


    Arriving in front of the podium, Lillian staked a few papers on the table before clicking her tongue and dismissing them.


    Sighing, Lillian looked at the ssroom and spoke.


    "Alright, it''s time to get started ss."


    The ssroom fell into a hushed anticipation as Lillian addressed the students. Her sharp gaze swept across the room, measuring each individual with an intensity that made even the most confident students shift ufortably in their seats.


    "Hope you all had a refreshing break because it''s time to dive back into hero training," Lillian dered, her voice cutting through the air like a de.


    She paced in front of the podium, her eyes scrutinizing each student.


    "As you all know, midterms are approaching. It''s a crucial evaluation of your progress and capabilities. Those who shine will earn recognition, and those who falter will need to catch up. I expect nothing less than your absolute best."


    Evelyn''s determination flickered as she considered the uing challenges. Midterms were not only a test of academic knowledge but also a showcase ofbat skills. Her mind shifted momentarily from Lucas to the impending trials that awaited her.


    Lillian continued, "Remember, your time at Nova Academy is an opportunity to shape yourselves into exceptional heroes. Use every resource, learn from each other, and strive for excellence. Now, let''s begin with today''s lesson."


    There was silence as everyone was thinking hard about what they did. It was just the beginning of ss after so many days and they instantly felt pressure from Lillian''s words.


    However, not everyone feels the same thing. For example Adrian, He had gone very hard training under headmaster Hera this past two weeks.


    It was the first time someone had trained Adrian in his entire life aside from the quest he gets from the system.


    This was the first time in his life Adrian felt he pushed past his limit.


    Now he was stronger than ever.


    However, he was not the only one who got special training.


    After the massacre of Silva City, Aric also went under special training from his grandfather, who is a master of the secondrgest guild in the human domain a [ SS Rank ]''Star guild''


    Everyone in the top 10 rankings had been getting stronger each day.


    As Lillian''s words hung in the air, the ssroom echoed with a shared determination. Adrian''s newfound strength and Aric''s specialized training were just glimpses of the transformations happening within the top-ranking students.


    Adrian''s eyes gleamed with a confident resolve, a silent promise to himself that he would rise to the asion during midterms. He felt the weight of responsibility as one of the top-ranked students, a position he aimed to secure even further.


    Aric, too, carried a silent determination. The training from his grandfather had honed not only his physical prowess but also his strategic thinking. The intensity in his gaze hinted at a readiness to showcase the results of his rigorous training.


    The other top-ranking students, each with their unique strengths and abilities, shared a silent acknowledgement.


    "Now it''s time for attendance." Saying that Lillian started to take attendance.


    The first on the list was,


    "Rank 1001, Lucas DarkHart."


    "..."


    There was silence as she called out Lucas''s name.


    "Rank 1001, Lucas DarkHart."  Lillian again called Lucas but there was just silence. Frowing she looked up toward the ssroom, trying to find Lucas.


    "Is hete again?" Lillian said she didn''t find Lucas in ss.


    "Umm, Ma''am." At that moment Isabe stood up from their seat and called Lillian.


    Everyone turned their head in her direction including Evelyn.


    Emma and Adrian who were seated in front of her gave her a confused look.


    Lillian''s brows furrowed, her sharp gaze now focused on Isabe.


    "What is it, Isabe?"


    "Well, umm, you see Lucas can''te to ss for the next two weeks but he wille before the midterm exam starts,"


    "What? How could he take two two-week breaks when Just vacation ended? And what does he mean that he wille before the mid-term exam starts." Lillian asked in her anger. Everyone had been given two weeks off from the Academy.


    Isabe hesitated, sensing the tension in Lillian''s voice. "Well, you see, Yato take him on two two-week training trips on the Western Range mountains."


    ''That goofy idiot.'' Lillian''s anger deepens as she remembers Yato''s face. He had taken her student to the Western Range mountains without her permission.


    ''wait a minute, don''t tell me he had taken Lucas as his disciple?'' Lillian''s widened at that. She remembered that Yato said that he would take Lucas as his disciple before.


    Meanwhile ss went crazy as they heard this unexpected piece of news.


    -Yato? Do you mean the strongest unranked hero?


    -No way! Why would someone like Yato bother with Lucas?


    -Did Yato take Lucas as his disciple?


    -That was the biggest Joke I heard. Yato had refused everyone before who had asked him to teach them.


    -That is true so are you saying that Isabe is lying?


    -Hey! I had never said that!


    "It''s true, Yato had taken Lucas as his disciple."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Everyone in the ssroom went silent as they heard the words that Isabe had said. Even Aric, who is always disinterested in everything has a look of surprise on his face


    The revtion of Yato taking Lucas as his disciple echoed through the ssroom, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Whispers and murmurs erupted among the students as they tried to process this unexpected turn of events.


    Adrian exchanged a surprised nce with Emma, both trying to make sense of the connection between the unranked hero Yato and Lucas, who held a prestigious position in the rankings.


    Aric, known for hisposed demeanour, couldn''t hide the flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Even he found this piece of news intriguing, a rare urrence for someone usually indifferent to gossip.


    Lillian, despite her initial anger, now wore a conflicted expression. Yato, the elusive and powerful hero who refused disciples, had seemingly taken an interest in Lucas. The implications of this mentor-disciple rtionship raised questions about Lucas''s potential and the dynamics within Nova Academy.


    Meanwhile, Isabe, who unintentionally sparked this revtion, stood nervously, unsure how the ss would react to this unexpected disclosure. Her gaze shifted between Lillian and the students, gauging their responses.


    Lillian took a moment to gather her thoughts before addressing the ss. "While I don''t appreciate theck of propermunication, it seems Yato has indeed taken Lucas under his wing. This doesn''t excuse the absence from ss, but it adds ayer to the situation."


    She nced at Isabe, and said,


    "By the way, Isabe how did you know about all of this?"


    As soon as she heard what Lillian said Isabe closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.


    Isabe doesn''t like the big centre of attention but she looks great about debt to Lucas. He had saved her sister''s life, which could not be saved by anyone in the world including her father.


    No matter what she does, Isabe couldn''t pay that debt in her whole life.


    She also knew that what she was going to say next must be a misunderstanding for everyone but she didn''t care.


    At that moment without Isabe knowing, Lucas had taken a special spot in her heart. She had never let anyone enter her heart but somehow Lucas did, even if didn''t mean it to happen.


    After a moment, Isabe opened her eyes looked at Lillian with confidence look and said, "When we both were about to enter the teleportation portal, Yato came and took Lucas to Western Range mountains, for training."


    A confused look appeared on Lillian''s face, she was not the only one who was confused at the moment everyone in ss was.


    Evelyn in particr didn''t like the way things were going on.


    "Wait a minute! Could you please tell me why are youing together? As far as I know, Lucas doesn''t live near your n."


    Lillian asked the question that everyone wanted to know but they were too scared to ask Isabe directly.


    Taking a deep breath Isabe, said "Lucas hade to the Evergreen n." That''s all Isabe said and that''s all Lillian going to get as an answer.


    The revtion hung in the air, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and curiosity within the ssroom. Isabe''s admission about Lucas visiting the Evergreen n added anotheryer to the mystery surrounding their connection.


    Lillian, though curious, recognized the sensitivity of the situation and decided not to press further. The dynamics between Lucas and Isabe seemed to carry a weight that extended beyond the boundaries of Nova Academy. Lillian shifted her focus back to the ss, addressing the students with a stern gaze.


    "I see, thank you for letting us know about Lucas''s absence, Isabe. You can sit back in your seat." Lillian said to Isabe who in return nodded her head and sat down on her seat.


    Evelyn, however, couldn''t shake the lingering questions. The unexpected twist in Lucas''s absence and his connection with Isabe and Yato fueled her curiosity. She discreetly exchanged nces with Emma and Adrian, sensing their shared interest in unravelling the mysteries surrounding their ssmates.