Chapter 53 Pudge In The Academy
The Academy—one of the world’s most powerful institutions dedicated to nurturing newly awakened beings—was nestled deep within a vast valley on a secluded island in the Pacific Ocean.
The terrain surrounding the valley was rugged and natural, a defensive barrier that doubled as training grounds. Architecture sprawled across the valley like veins of an organism—an awe-inspiring fusion of ancient magic and futuristic technology.
It wasn’t flashy, but it held prestige. Structures within the academy reflected influences from every human civilization—classical columns, oriental rooftops, gothic spires, tribal carvings, and even hypermodern modules—all seamlessly woven into a unified design.
A wide river split the valley like a blue artery, branching into three tributaries that nourished the land. Towering spires stood tall across the terrain. Each one signified importance—residences of high-ranking personnel or headquarters of elite institutions.
At the heart of the valley stood the tallest and most imposing of all: the Central Tower, the main headquarters of the Academy.
At the topmost floor of this tower, in a room styled like a European gentleman’s study, a man sat lazily in a reclining mechanical chair. A can of beer was clutched in one hand, while the other flipped through thick piles of documents stacked on his desk.
The man looked middle-aged—salt-and-pepper hair, a strong jawline, piercing gray eyes that held decades of experience. His name was Aaron Evileye, the Director of the Academy and younger brother of the Academy’s legendary founder, Aaron Chaosbringer.
Before him were four tall stacks of paperwork, each containing files of this year’s newly awakened students. For hours, he’d been flipping through the reports, chugging beers as he worked. Now, four dozen empty cans lay scattered across the cluttered desk.
He leaned back with a sigh, eyes still closed. Then he spoke, his voice calm, yet amused:
"It’s been hours, friend. I know you’re here. You’ve had no intention of attacking, just lurking like a shadow. That’s not exactly the behavior of a gentleman. Why don’t you come out?"
A ripple passed through the air. Slowly, a figure materialized—tall, broad, and unmistakably rotund.