Caelen ignored them and closed his eyes to meditate. He was trying to digest the information he had just received.
In his former world, everyone relied on the ’Aspect’ that could awaken in humans. Caelen himself was the first ever to awaken this Aspect and fight against Dungeons and monsters. He was the one who had single-handedly created the new order. He had fought on the front lines with his blood and sweat.
’Unlike the Aspects in our world, it seems the powers here are more layered and explored. People are given different choices of Aspects that manifest based on luck.’
With the explanation Kolu had given about the Essence Path, Caelen obtained more information from the host in his mind. He couldn’t help but feel wary.
’The Seradon family is a family that uses blood techniques. Their Essence Path is centered on blood manipulation and control! They consumed the blood of that divine being!’
Could that be a coincidence?
Caelen did not believe in coincidences, especially when it came to matters that concerned him.
’That means there might be someone who knows how I got here. Otherwise, why does my Aspect match the Blood Essence Path of the Seradon family?’
’And the first link to all of this is the assassination. Marek! That assassin is from House Nyxen, which is neutrally aligned. But the assassination of someone with a family background like Caelen’s can’t be taken lightly by House Nyxen. It must have the approval of their higher-ups. That’s one link.’
’The other link is Instructor Hadrian and the Three Tail Flare. And they might be connected. There are two possibilities: either Hadrian or his backer must be part of the assassination plot, or they know about it. Their reaction speed is just too swift.’
’I must not let Marek go. I must keep him in the palm of my hand so I can cut him open later and find out what he’s hiding.’
Just then, Caelen opened his eyes and saw Kolu standing in front of him. He had sensed his presence for some time, but he had simply kept quiet and ignored him.
Now, he looked at the young man, who wasn’t much younger than the body he was occupying.
"What?"
Kolu looked at him with a strange half-smile. Then, a ripple of power spread around him, sealing the space around them to prevent sound from escaping and blur their movements from outside.
"I suggest that Instructor Caelen forfeit the challenge," he said.
Caelen continued to look at him without saying anything. His eyes were red, a deep red. They were like bloody knives that pierced through flesh.
Kolu shifted. Although this wasn’t the first time he had seen a member of the Seradon family with their natural red eyes, looking into the eyes of the person in front of him was like looking into the eyes of a beast that knew only how to consume.
He suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Caelen finally spoke. His voice was cold and indifferent.
"What, have you had your fun, then? You want to stop things now?"
Kolu blinked.
Caelen didn’t give him time to speak. He asked directly, "Why are you here?"
"To tell you that you should stop and forfeit the challenge," Kolu replied.
The uncomfortable expression was gone from his face, and he now appeared calm.
"I’m asking you why you’re here in my class."
Kolu watched him for a while.
"You really don’t know?"
Caelen’s eyes narrowed.
"Know what? Why are you here?"
Kolu gave him a look of slight pity, but it disappeared the next instant. He shook his head.
"I don’t know either. But I was asked to come here and remain in this class."
’You don’t know?’ Caelen sneered inwardly. How could he believe something like that?
"Who asked you to come?"
"This... My father, the family head, asked me to come to the Academy. And I must stay in your class."
The family head of the Medullaris!
An Upper Family! How prominent were the Upper Families? They were the absolute rulers of this world! And their family head had asked Kolu to come to Class Thirteen. Kolu, who should have been a future heir...
Caelen didn’t like what he was hearing.
Kolu studied his expression intently, but Caelen only gave him a mocking look.
"Is your family looking to control my family through me? Is that why you were sent here?"
Of course, it was a possibility. But Caelen was merely using that question as a probe to muddle things.
Kolu actually smiled, and all the respect he had been displaying vanished. His eyes turned cold.
"Can you control even a tenth of your family? Besides, even without a Sicon, an Upper Family is difficult to chew."
Could Caelen control even a tenth of his family? His standing within the family was that low! And although the Seradon family had no Sicon, it was still strong!
With just that probing question, Caelen gained two things: insight into his true standing within the family and an understanding of his family’s real strength.
Caelen was no fool. How could he battle his enemies alone? With only himself? Wasn’t that one of the mistakes he had made in his past life? This time, he needed an organization or something that would devote itself to him!
It would take time for the students to grow. The only way was to take a bite out of an existing force. And what better way than his own family?
Nothing like family, right?
He looked at Kolu without expression.
"You should win your fight. You won’t like your punishment if you lose."
Kolu stiffened.
"What?"
But Caelen had already closed his eyes to continue his meditation.
Kolu just stood there in surprise because it was the first time someone had actually threatened him! And to think it was someone like Caelen! Caelen! The useless one?
But for some reason... why did Kolu suddenly feel his heart tighten?