I am the Only Son of Nyx

Professor Hera already warned Kai about this.

As Blooded Angels, they were now valued more by the academy. Their entire purpose was to grow strong in order to uphold their roles against the Blue Void. And the academy had begun to make sure they understood the weight of that expectation.

All punishments for breaking the rules in place would be heavier for them.

And the grey-masked Angels are the enforcers.

It was to prevent anything like Kai’s brawl against Ursa Minor earlier from happening.

For Blood Angels, they could only shed blood for mankind.

Out there while gathering mana ores or dealing with the incursions from the Blue Void.

Not petty brawls.

At least when they weren’t told to do so.

"Something came up," Kai wiped his chin more, not realizing that he was bleeding.

Bree could only shake her head.

Kai had attended the class for exactly two days. One time when he got out of prison, and the second was today. On both days, he had gotten into a fight. "Just tone it down, will you? You are not a brute," She urged. "You can’t get into trouble. Not after your demotion."

Even though Kai wanted to argue, as he wasn’t the one who started, he gave her a nod.

Her advice came from her worry, and it’s completely right.

As the class waited for the professor to come, Kai took the time to look at the new faces.

He takes a look around his new classmates.

The classroom had changed.

And it’s not only because there are new faces.

Nothing stood out about their faces in comparison to the students from before the Blood Rite, but the new students’ bearings were different. Their postures are sharp. They didn’t whisper. They sat as blades sheathed.

Even when they noticed Kai was checking them, they didn’t explode or even react.

All measured him back in silence.

There was blood in the air, and it came from their hands.

Kai could see the blood on their hands even when those hands lay empty on the desks. They had the same eyes as him. They had all killed someone. It was written in the way they blinked slower, breathed quieter, and occupied space as if they had earned it at someone else’s expense.

The class had turned into a den of survivors. A den of killers.

And survival made the air thin. Suffocating.

Right now, he had gotten the full sensation of being surrounded by real Angels.

Ones that had earned the right to serve mankind.

At the last minute, Roan and his goon entered the classroom. All of them must have made a quick trip to the infirmary to mend their wounds. Right behind them was Professor Hera— still composed and strict as usual.

She placed a few books on her table and then stared at the class, eyeing the new faces.

New students who are going to be her responsibility.

Her gaze met Kai, but Kai quickly averted away.

For a second, her eyes showed sadness, but she quickly recovered and addressed the class.

"I understand that all of you are going to be busy gathering the swelling weekly quota, so the class today won’t be a long one," She announced and wrote something on the glassboard. "I will be explaining why the academy wanted you to open your second Divine Lock first in the Blood Rite."

Two hours passed by in a blur.

According to Professor Hera’s lecture, the Second Divine Lock was prioritized because it’d be harder for them, the new Supernals, to practice their control over their Divine Locks if they were already at a higher rank.

The mana in their bodies would be too much to handle for them, hindering their progress.

So, the academy urged them to open their second Divine Lock first.

And when they adapted to it, they could then begin progressing to the Aspirant rank.

It was all because the benchmark to fight a Star Beast is to have full control over two Divine Locks. Only then could a Supernal harm these monsters from the Blue Void. Other than that, she also talked about two additional cultivated clouds assigned for the freshmen.

Bree told him that the freshmen were assigned cultivated clouds for them to mine on.

That’s where they could get their weekly quotas.

"All of them are safe for us to mine, but since we’re now Blooded Angels," Bree’s eyes trailed back to Professor Hera. "I’m guessing the additional cultivated clouds aren’t. So that we can get accustomed quickly to the real world for us Angels."

"Professor Hera said we’re not obligated to venture to these new ones, so why on earth would anyone try to go there?"

"Greater concentration of mana ores, I’m guessing. And... null gems. In case you forgot, the weekly quota only demanded mana ores."

"So, the null gems we get from killing Star Beasts are ours."

"Exactly."

Achieving higher ranks in power would not only help them mine mana ores more quickly, but they would also be respected throughout the academy and survive. Strength is everything in this world, so the prospect of getting null gems is enticing.

Enticing enough to push students to adapt quickly to get their hands on as many of them.

"Okay, class is over," Professor Hera clapped her hands. "You are now free to go."

Almost instantly, the students stood up and left the classroom.

"I’ll skip mining today. I can’t be bothered," Dorian stood up, squeezed through the gap, and walked out. He still looked distracted and down. And frankly—Kai understood him perfectly. Being trapped in the training chamber is somewhat worse for them.

After the Culling of the Nonentity, their minds are their greatest enemies.

It would be easy for them to lose their minds in such a cramped and isolated place.

Kai also had trouble, but the Goddess helped clear his mind. Her hum washed away the pain. And anything remaining, his sister helped him go through it. He doesn’t have anyone around, but he has them in spirits.

That’s not the case for Dorian, it seemed.

"How do I check my weekly quota again?" Kai asked, turning to Bree for help.

"In the levy post, of course—like getting your accolade," Bree replied. "Let’s go together. Your weekly quota would be enormous, especially since you got a penalty from the professor. Still remember it?"

"Yeah..." Kai recalled the fight in the cafeteria and massaged his forehead. "But I’ll be mining later tonight, not now. I have something to do."

"Huh? What can possibly be more impo—?"

"Kai," Matilda called and approached, cutting Bree’s sentence short. She didn’t heed the sharp look she got from Bree. "Do you have something in mind already? For the weapon. I am only reminding you in case you forgot."

"Oh, right. I did forget." Kai nodded. "I’ll tell you when I know what I want."

"Okay. Just come to my room once you’ve decided, and I’ll make it for you. I’m in room thirteen."

"The fuck he will."

Bree intervened, frowning at the audacity for Matilda to be saying that in front of her face.

She couldn’t take it.

"Sorry?"

"I said he won’t be coming to your room. You’re not slick. Pick another place."

"Who are you? His girlfriend? I never knew he had a girlfriend."

"In that case, let me make myself clear," Bree flicked her braid back and stood up, stretching her hand for a handshake with a completely neutral expression. "Name is Bree, and I’m the girl who’d have Kai’s children in the future."

Kai choked on his own saliva.

Not expecting her to say that at all.

On the other hand, Bree was completely unmoving, as if what she said was entirely normal.

I don’t have time for this.

"I’ll... I’ll leave you two at it," Kai scooted over and quickly made his way out of the classroom, not wanting to be in the middle of that. He’d have a heart attack if he stayed longer. Best for him to slip away while he can.

Matilda eventually sighed, pushing Bree’s hand down.

"Nothing is going on between Kai and me," She said truthfully. "At least, nothing romantic."

"What do you mean?"

"I betrayed him during the Blood Rite, and I’m doing this as an apology."

"And how exactly can I know for sure that you’re telling the truth?"

"Ask him. He probably still hates me right now," Matilda turned around and walked down the stairs, heading for the door. "Besides, it’s not me you should be worrying about. You already have a rival. You know, trauma bonding is quite a strong opponent to defeat."

Bree was stunned in her place.

She stared at the door where Matilda had gone, and smacked her lips in displeasure.

"Nobody wanted to be his friend or even be close to him before, so why are girls suddenly in line to flock around him now? And who’s this girl? Trauma bonding? Seriously?" Bree crossed her arms with a huff. "I tried to get on his team, but the stupid academy won’t let me.

"And now look," She stomped her foot like an angry horse. "So. Annoying."

...

Kai went through the corridor and wandered around.

He was searching for something or someone.

Soon, he stopped in front of a door. It was the professor’s headquarters. He was searching for Professor Hera. Fortunately, the door wasn’t entirely closed, so he could poke his head inside and take a look around.

It was easy to find Professor Hera.

Her table was across the door.

She immediately noticed Kai and gestured for him to enter.

"Do you need something?" She placed her books in the drawer and then focused on Kai.

"Yes," Kai looked around, checking to see if there’s someone listening. There was none. The other professor is wearing earphones, jamming to music. "I was thinking whether you know anything about someone."

"Someone?"

"A Demon, or an Archdemon, at the orientation. White long hair. Pale white eyes. Horned red mask."

Almost instantly, Professor Hera’s face was drained of all color.

That reaction made Kai even more hopeful.

Professor Hera checked the surroundings, really making sure that nobody was listening, and then sat down again. She thought for a second, and then finally said, "I don’t know who that person is. He’s a new face. But I heard that he’s not to be messed with."

"Anything else?"

"Didn’t you hear what I said? He’s not someone you messed with."

"I don’t care. Are you going to help me or not?"

"Sigh..." Professor Hera massaged her forehead, knowing exactly where this came from. She watched the orientation, so she knew that it was that man who used Kai’s sister as a statement. "I really don’t know. But the best bet is to ask Archangel Morriva. The woman with the white owl mask."

"And where can I find her?" Kai asked.

He remembered that Archangel.

Since she was the one making the speech, she must be someone important.

"She’s the vice president of the Association of Angel Academies," Professor Hera answered.

Kai exhaled through his nose roughly.

Great. This is great. How in Zeus’ sake can I reach her?