EVEN AS A SLAVE, THE HEAVENLY DEMON'S MIGHT SHALL TAME THE BEAUTIES-Chapter 61: THE TRIAL OF WILL

For a moment, instructor and student locked eyes across the arena, silent communication passing between them that transcended words. In Yomi’s expression, Lyra read a clear message: Is that all?

The challenge ignited something primal in her competitive nature. As someone who had spent her career demonstrating superiority over students and colleagues alike, finding someone who could casually dismiss her best efforts was both infuriating and exhilarating. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Her pale eyes flashed with anger at being challenged by a mere student, her jaw tightening as she prepared to escalate beyond any reasonable limit. Whatever it took to find this arrogant first-year’s breaking point, she would.....

"Instructor Nightwhisper!"

The commanding voice cut through the oppressive atmosphere like a blade through silk, immediately drawing attention to the arena’s entrance where Professor Matthias Greystone strode forward with obvious urgency.

The Department of Student Welfare’s senior member was a distinguished man in his sixties whose reputation for protecting academy students was matched only by his willingness to challenge faculty who exceeded proper boundaries.

"That’s quite enough," Professor Greystone continued, his voice carrying absolute authority as he approached the arena’s center. "You’ve exceeded testing protocols by a considerable margin."

Lyra’s aura immediately withdrew as she recognized the intervention, though her expression showed clear frustration at being interrupted just as things were becoming interesting. She clicked her tongue in annoyance, shooting one final look at Yomi that promised their encounter wasn’t finished.

"Of course, Professor," she replied with professional courtesy that didn’t quite mask her irritation. "I was merely conducting thorough assessment procedures."

Professor Greystone’s expression suggested he wasn’t fooled by her diplomatic explanation. "Thorough assessment doesn’t require risking permanent injury to first-year students," he said dryly, gesturing toward the unconscious forms scattered across the arena floor.

With practiced efficiency, he began casting an area-effect healing spell that spread golden light across the arena. Students stirred as consciousness returned, gasping and disoriented as they struggled to process what had just happened to them.

"The test was merely for assessment purposes," Professor Greystone announced as students began sitting up and looking around in confusion. "No one will be expelled or penalized based on these results. Consider this your introduction to the standards expected at Astralux Academy."

A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd as students realized their academic futures weren’t in immediate jeopardy. Many looked at Yomi with new respect, recognizing that while they had struggled and failed, he had weathered the entire ordeal without apparent effort.

Lyra gathered her materials with deliberate calm, though her pale eyes continued to track Yomi’s movements with undisguised interest. "Class assignments and sanctum placements will be posted tomorrow morning," she announced. "I suggest you all prepare yourselves for the actual challenges that await."

As she moved toward the arena’s exit, she paused just long enough to shoot Yomi one final look, a mixture of professional respect, personal intrigue, and the promise of future encounters that would be far more interesting than today’s interrupted test.

****

The four-bedroom academy suite that had been assigned to Yomi’s group reflected the substantial payment made for their accommodation. Spacious rooms opened onto a central common area furnished with quality pieces that spoke of institutional luxury, while tall windows provided views of the academy’s seven sanctums rising against the evening sky.

Kira had claimed one of the private rooms with obvious delight, her small form practically bouncing as she explored what she proudly declared to be "Kira’s room!" The concept of having personal space, of belonging somewhere without chains or cages, filled her with joy that was infectious even to the adults.

Aeloria settled into her own private chamber with quiet satisfaction, the comfortable furnishings and privacy representing luxury she hadn’t experienced since her family’s fall from grace. For the first time in months, she could close a door and simply exist without constantly managing group dynamics or political concerns.

The master bedroom arrangements had evolved naturally from the relationships that had developed during their travels. Yomi and Lirien shared the space with the comfortable ease of people who had already negotiated the complexities of their connection, while maintaining enough discretion to avoid causing gossip among their academy peers.

From her suite window across the courtyard, Evangeline Morwyn watched the group settle into their accommodations with analytical interest. Her violet eyes tracked their movements, cataloging relationship dynamics and filing away observations about the mysterious student who had challenged everything she thought she understood about power.

Seating herself at an elegant writing desk, she began composing a letter to her family, her precise handwriting reflecting the methodical nature of her thoughts.

Dearest Mother,

I write to inform you that I have encountered someone extraordinary during our academy orientation. A student whose capabilities defy conventional understanding and whose presence has already begun reshaping our institution’s social dynamics.

His name is Yomi Masaru - a Dra’kesh who achieved first place in physical assessments and ninth in magical, despite having no noble backing. More intriguingly, he demonstrates techniques I cannot classify and wields influence that extends beyond mere academic achievement.

His strategic value to our house could be significant. He possesses both power and mystery - qualities that could elevate our family’s position if properly cultivated. I believe establishing early contact and building trust would serve our interests well.

I request permission to pursue closer association. Not merely for academic purposes, but as a potential alliance that could benefit House Morwyn’s future.

Your devoted daughter, Evangeline

P.S. - He is quite fascinating to observe in action.

The letter was carefully crafted to convey professional interest while hinting at deeper fascination that she wasn’t yet prepared to acknowledge explicitly. Her family valued hidden potential above all else, and approaching this unusual situation as a research opportunity would provide cover for whatever personal interest might develop.

Meanwhile, in the academy’s senior student quarters, Viktor Ravencroft received word of his younger brother’s humiliation with the cold fury that had made their family one of the kingdom’s most feared political forces. The simple message, Cassius publicly dominated by Dra’kesh student, family honor requires response, was enough to trigger planning that would escalate the conflict beyond individual rivalry.

Family honor demands satisfaction, Viktor thought as he began considering options for responding to this unprecedented challenge to their house’s reputation. This pretender will learn the price of humiliating noble blood.

But such planning would take time, requiring careful coordination with allies and the development of strategies that could overcome whatever advantages the mysterious Dra’kesh possessed. For now, patience was required, but patience in service of eventual, comprehensive vengeance.

The academy’s power dynamics had been fundamentally altered by a single afternoon of testing that proved merit could transcend bloodline, that assumptions about racial capabilities were dangerously flawed, and that the most formidable individuals were often those who appeared most controlled.

Word of Yomi’s performance would reach the faculty within hours, confirming their worst fears about his disruptive influence. But it would also inspire students like Marcus Ironhold, who saw proof that excellence could transcend bloodline.

The Trial of Will had exposed the foundation of the academy’s social structure and introduced forces that would reshape the institution itself.

Change had come to Astralux Academy, and the wise were already positioning themselves for the inevitable conflicts ahead.