Chapter 213: Fighting The Instructor
On the podium, Maul continued, "To stay weak after an entire year, unable to grow their talent or rise in rank— such people have no potential."
"Don’t misunderstand me as targeting a particular race," he said mockingly, raising his hands as if in innocence. "I’m merely stating facts. Perhaps you—" his eyes swept across the crowd "—are the ones who truly deserve Class S. But someone with too much ego must’ve forced those unworthy into it."
He ended his speech with a booming laugh that made several students chuckle uneasily.
"Excuse me, Instructor Maul!" Andine suddenly raised her hand, voice sharp with conviction. "Are you seriously insulting the students of Class S?"
Her boldness drew whispers through the crowd.
In the front row, Revan’s eyes widened. He murmured under his breath, "Maybe she’ll understand... once she sees their true self with her own eyes."
Standing beside him, Vania overheard. She raised her hand next, her tone deceptively calm.
"Instructor, I think your words carry truth. But, since some of our classmates seem unwilling to accept them... why don’t we test it? Let the two of them prove themselves in a duel. That way, no one can claim bias."
A grin spread across Maul’s face, veins on his temple easing into satisfaction. "You’re absolutely right, Vania. Only through battle can truth be revealed."
He turned back to the crowd, smirking. "But the problem is... they might not—"
Before he could finish, Gara’s voice cut through the air, firm and clear. "We’re ready. We accept your challenge, Instructor."
Maul froze mid-sentence. His glare locked onto the young man standing with calm defiance. A surge of anger burned in his chest, how dare a mere student challenge him so boldly?
Forgetting that it was he who had thrown the first spark.
"Fine," he growled, baring his teeth. "Both of you, come up here. Two against one. Otherwise, I’d look like I’m bullying the weak."
He had originally planned to have Vania humiliate them in his stead. But after their audacity, Maul decided he’d teach these insolent humans a lesson personally.
Down below, Yuvika and the others exchanged worried looks.
"Are you sure about this?" Yuvika asked anxiously.
"He’s an instructor, you’re just students. How is this fair?" Orman nearly exploded.
"I’m sorry... it’s my fault." Andine lowered her head, guilt heavy in her voice. "I provoked him."
"Relax," Gara waved it off casually, his tone light but his eyes serious.
Then he turned to his partner. "How’s your wound, Madha?"
"It doesn’t hurt anymore," Madha said casually.
Gara let out a heavy sigh. "Of course it doesn’t. I used anesthetic on your wound."
Madha chuckled and started walking toward the podium. "You stay behind me."
"Obviously. I’m the ranged attacker, and you’re the close-range guy," Gara replied, making Madha laugh even harder.
To Maul, their laughter sounded like mockery. To the other students, it felt like the two had finally lost their minds— realizing too late the grave mistake they’d made.
At some point, Revan and Vania had already appeared beside Andine.
"Andine, I’ve been trying to tell you this, but you wouldn’t listen. You kept clinging to them," Revan said, earning a sharp glare from Andine and the three others standing with her.
Revan didn’t seem to care and went on to share what he’d heard from Vania about Gara and Madha. He skipped anything about Professor Langga, too risky to talk about in public.
Next to him, Vania wore a smug look, lips curling slightly as if to say, I told you so.
"What kind of ridiculous rumor is that?" Andine muttered, torn between anger and disbelief. She had just been defeated by Madha, and Gara had beaten Fian.
If the two who managed to crush the top two from the entrance test were said to ’lack potential,’ then what did that make her and Fian?
On the podium, Gara and Madha crossed paths with Kevio. The human boy lowered his head silently and stepped down the stairs.
Gara took position at the edge of the podium while Madha moved forward.
Maul’s eyes followed their every move, searching for a hint of nervousness or hesitation before facing an instructor. But there was none.
He clicked his tongue in irritation. "So, you’re looking down on me too? You think I’m weak just because I’m only an instructor here, huh?"
Madha and Gara exchanged confused looks. They had no idea about the teaching ranks or positions in this academy.
Down below, Andine whispered, her tone dark, "Sir Maul’s really sensitive about his position. He’s been here almost ten years, but he’s still just an instructor. Never once trusted enough to be promoted to assistant professor, let alone professor."
"What kind of fool professor would ever promote him to assistant professor with a temper like that?" Orman blurted out—
—and instantly froze when Maul’s sharp glare landed on him.
He quickly ducked behind Andine’s back.
On stage, Maul’s irritation deepened. These weak humans... how dare they underestimate him!
His gaze shifted toward Madha and Gara. He muttered under his breath, "Don’t blame me for showing no mercy."
"Begin," Maul declared confidently. "You’re free to attack."
Whoosh! Without hesitation, Madha charged straight at him— his body turning into solid iron.
"You think I’m some child to toy with?" Maul scoffed. Even without using his Talent, his natural traits —thick skin and crushing fists— were more than enough to deal with a rookie.
BOOM! Their fists collided with an explosive crack.
Most students expected Madha to go flying off the podium, ending the fight in just one hit.
But to everyone’s shock, Madha was still standing.
Another strike came. Madha managed to block, but Maul’s experience gave him the upper hand. His follow-up punch slammed into Madha’s midsection.
THUD!
"It’s over!" Vania cried out with joy as Madha took the heavy blow.
Madha staggered back —one, two, three, four, five steps— then stopped. That was it. No flying, no collapsing. Just... standing firm.
"How— how is that possible?" Revan stared in disbelief. If that punch had landed on him, he’d already be on the ground gasping for air.
Maul’s fists struck again and again, each blow landing squarely. Yet somehow, they barely made a dent.
"Is Sir Maul... holding back?" one student whispered, both puzzled and amazed.
"I don’t think so. Look at his face— those hits were serious."
"Then how’s that human boy only pushed back a few steps? Is he really that strong?"
The same question flashed across Maul’s mind.
...