Lucifer reined in his aura, and the rest of the lessons continued as usual.
When the final class ended and the instructor began to leave, another man entered the room through the doorway.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, his posture composed yet carrying a quiet sense of authority.
His hair was neatly tied back, and faint lines around his eyes hinted at both age and long experience.
A subtle scent of ink and mild cologne drifted in with him as his calm gaze swept across the students before finally settling on Lucifer.
The room fell silent.
"Lucifer," the man said evenly, his tone clear but without warmth. "You are needed at the principal's office."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly at the sound of his name. He hesitated for a moment, then stood and followed the man out.
As he did, faint whispers from his classmates filled the air.
…
Lucifer followed Instructor Kael through the corridors.
As they walked, he quietly observed his surroundings.
Far off in the distance, a young boy was crouched on the ground while another, slightly more muscular one, struck him hard in the stomach.
The boy's face was streaked with tears as he pleaded weakly, enduring the punishment.
Lucifer glanced sideways at Instructor Kael, but the man acted as though he saw nothing and simply continued walking, his expression calm and indifferent.
Lucifer clenched his fists, his gaze flickering back toward the scene before he forced himself to relax.
Along the way, aside from a few potted flowers placed by the walls, they passed several other cases of bullying.
Each time, Instructor Kael ignored them completely, pretending such things did not exist.
Through the corner of his eye, he noticed Lucifer's strained expression.
'This is the rule of the world,' Kael thought. 'You must learn to accept it. Without talent, you are powerless in this society. The weak can only remain at the bottom, obediently serving as the playthings of the strong.'
Soon, they arrived at the principal's office.
"Head in," Instructor Kael said, gesturing toward the door.
Lucifer nodded, his expression betraying a trace of nervousness as he stepped inside.
A faint scent of old paper, polished wood, and freshly brewed tea filled the air.
The office was neat but not overly decorated.
Shelves lined with carefully arranged files stood against the walls, and sunlight filtered weakly through half-drawn blinds, casting pale stripes across the floor.
Behind a wide desk sat the principal. He was not particularly tall, yet the way he sat—straight-backed, hands calmly clasped—radiated quiet authority.
His black hair was flecked with gray, and his sharp, steady eyes carried a calm that made people uneasy.
The faintest smile rested on his lips, though it never reached his eyes.
"Lucifer," the principal said softly, his voice smooth and composed but carrying weight. "Have a seat."
Lucifer obeyed, lowering himself onto the chair across from the desk with careful movements.
The principal's gaze never wavered.
He studied Lucifer's face closely, observing every subtle expression as though he was searching for hidden truths.
After Lucifer sat down, the principal spoke. "I heard from your friends that you encountered a black dungeon. However, when we arrived at the location, it seemed to have vanished. Can you retell everything that happened?"
Lucifer paused, a faint shadow crossing his face. His expression grew complex.
After a long silence, he pressed a hand to his forehead as if struggling with a headache and replied quietly, "Principal, I can't remember."
He had no intention of revealing the truth about the legendary dragon or the fact that he was no longer entirely human.
For now, all he wanted was to grow stronger.
The principal continued to stare intently at Lucifer, and the pressure of that gaze weighed heavily on him.
Lucifer tensed instinctively and lowered his eyes, unable to meet the man's sharp stare.
After a few moments of silence, the principal finally smiled again, though it felt forced.
"I understand. In that case, if you recall anything, come to my office immediately and tell me everything."
He paused slightly before adding, "Remember, Lucifer, we humans thrive by lifting others."
Lucifer's face froze at those words.
The principal dismissed him shortly afterward, yet the sentence echoed endlessly in his mind.
'We rise by lifting others? Then why am I treated like this while everyone turns a blind eye? Humans are truly selfish creatures.'
Lucifer muttered under his breath, his eyes darkening.
"Every creature is cursed in its own way. Just as dragons are too proud and elves are too kind, humans are too greedy. When their safety is at stake, they talk of unity and compassion, but when it costs them nothing, they look away."
'Such absurdity,' he thought bitterly.
Just then, a sharp sound cut through the air as a fist shot forward.
Bang!
Before Lucifer could react, he was struck hard across the face and stumbled backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
He lifted his head at once, his vision spinning, to see who had attacked him.
"Brat! Next time I tell you to get me a cup of water before the teacher comes, you do exactly that!"
The fat, pig-like boy named James snarled through clenched teeth and launched another punch at Lucifer.
Bang!
Pain exploded in Lucifer's mouth as he coughed up blood.
James had activated his D-grade talent, Muscle Enhancement, to deliver the blow.
The force of it made Lucifer feel as if his jaw had shattered.
Seeing Lucifer's pitiful state, James turned toward the three lackeys standing behind him.
Their expressions varied, yet none of them showed the slightest sympathy.
"You two, pick him up and drag him to the usual place. We'll teach him a proper lesson. I could beat him up here, but that might ruin my parents' reputation," James said coldly.
At his command, two of the boys nodded quickly and rushed forward.
One grabbed Lucifer's legs while the other took hold of his arms.
The third youth laughed and offered a few mocking words of praise as they dragged him away toward an abandoned warehouse.
It was rumored that the academy deliberately left that warehouse untouched, providing a place for students who did not wish to display their cruelty in public.
As they walked, a few students passed by, but upon recognizing James and the battered Lucifer, they turned away or hurried off, unwilling to interfere.
The group entered one of the dim, dusty rooms of the warehouse and tossed Lucifer roughly onto the cement floor.
His body hit with a loud thud that echoed through the space.
By now, his face was bloodied, and his eyes burned with anger.
His mind churned with chaotic thoughts as his blood boiled.
'Will I remain like this forever?'
'I have talent now, so why do they still treat me like trash?'
Clutching his head, he raised his gaze toward James, his eyes glowing with fury.
"Why, James? Why do you bully me so much?"
James froze for a moment under that gaze, a chill running down his spine.
His fear quickly turned to rage. How could this worthless boy make him feel fear?
"You dare to question me? It seems your punishment today won't end anytime soon," James growled.
But within Lucifer, something had already snapped.
...
A/N: I hope you enjoy the opening of this novel. Support by adding to your library and giving a power stone or two. Thank you. There might be no release at the usual time, as i robably would be too busy, so here's the chapter.