Skyler stretched his arms behind his back with a smile as he stepped out of the car, which had just come to a stop before the familiar gates of Starlight Academy. The same gates, facing Malor City, that he had passed through the first time he arrived at the academy with Charles and... Jenny.
The one who had dropped him off drove away as he approached the towering gates. But just as his tall, striking figure, dressed in peach-colored, fancy attire, came into view, the crowd of students moving in and out of the academy gates came to a sudden halt.
Those who caught sight of him—and the familiar snake coiled around his shoulders—gasped in shock, their expressions a mix of disbelief and surprise. The air buzzed with murmurs that spread like wildfire.
"Is that Skyler Thorne...?! The one everyone's been talking about?"
"It's really him! I remember being very mad when some unknown guys got straight into the First-Year Elite Class… but if it's him and his friend, I don't mind! He cleared the first level of Battle Royal in just a week!"
"Don't forget, he's returning after clearing the royal family's tomb! Everyone else was kicked out, but he actually made it inside!"
"Damn, I want to get acquainted with him. Does anyone know him personally?"
A young man squinted, then said.
"Wait… why does he look so different from the pictures online? Isn't he way taller?"
A girl beside him squealed.
"And handsome too! He might be even better-looking than Max and Austin—and they are like the academy's heartthrobs!"
Skyler scoffed as he caught the murmurs around him. The crowd wasn't even trying to lower their voices, fully aware he could hear every word. Loud and clear.
How ironic.
In front of him stood the familiar academy gates—Skyler walked the same path he had taken when he first stepped through them.
Just like back then, he could hear the faint whispers and feel the gazes of students.
But this time, he—Skyler—was the one at the center of attention, not Jenny. Things could change so quickly, so drastically. In the end, power was what really mattered.
Sidestepping the few senior students who tried to approach him with smiles on their faces, he made his way into the academy.
He thought about calling a four-wheeler with his student ID, but the memory of his balance—exactly 00 star coins—made him sigh in defeat. With no other choice, Skyler started the long walk to his dorm.
"I seriously need to start completing some missions to earn star coins on my student ID. I haven't even paid my annual fee yet. Ugh, why am I this poor as a student?"
As he walked, Skyler spotted the familiar face of Professor Hawthorne. The sky had already begun to darken, yet the older man was still out there, making the students run laps around the area—shouting curses at anyone who dared to slow down.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he made a swift U-turn, heading toward the professor.
"Good evening, sir!"
Startled by the enthusiastic greeting from behind, Professor Hawthorne jolted, nearly tripping. He spun around, ready to punish whoever had dared to startle him—only to freeze when he saw the familiar face.
Skyler looked down at the man who had once stood taller than him—but no longer.
"It's been a while. Do you remember me?"
Professor Hawthorne stiffened. Of course, he remembered. How could he not? There wasn't a soul on the Human Continent who didn't know this young man now.
He'd actually been feeling anxious ever since learning Skyler was of royal blood.
If he had known that back then, would he have ever dared to cross him? No, never!
Also, Skyler had even cleared the first level of Battle Royal—something that earned him Hawthorne's respect, a rare thing in itself.
Still, that didn't mean he wanted to see him! Who knew what the kid might report to the royals if he got on his nerves any further?
Forcing a strained smile, he said.
"Student, it's indeed been a while. So, you have cleared the tomb and returned to the academy—an incredible feat. I'm sure the academy will reward you. However, do you need my assistance with anything?"
Skyler nearly laughed. The professor was clearly stronger than him in terms of power, yet the older man's tone while talking to him had completely changed. Was this the true benefit of being a royal? He suppressed his smirk and even dared to pat the older man's shoulder, making Hawthorne clench his jaw in clear frustration—yet he didn't retaliate.
"No, no, Professor—you misunderstood. I don't need any assistance. I just saw you and wanted to greet you, you know?"
It was only then that Hawthorne realized what he had been overlooking. His mind had been too preoccupied when Skyler appeared so suddenly out of nowhere.
The student before him was taller, even taller than him. He blinked, his gaze blank.
Wait a second, if he remembered correctly, wasn't Skyler shorter than him? Then how? Hawthorne's thoughts came to a halt when Skyler flashed him a faintly evil smile.
"Then, I shall take my leave, Professor. By the way, you know my uncle, right? Alistair Thorne. I told him how good the professors at this academy are and how they gave me such a warm welcome when I joined. Uncle really wanted to meet them, but I told him you are a busy man. Right? Take care."
Skyler finished speaking and turned to leave, his steps calm and unhurried.
Behind him, Professor Hawthorne stood frozen, his face drained of color and sweat trickling down his temples as the weight of Skyler's words sank in. His knees buckled.
Why? Because Alistair Thorne wasn't just any royal—he was the 2nd strongest man on the entire Human Continent! Officially! And Skyler had mentioned his name to him!
Not just brought it up—he had apparently already told Alistair Thorne how he'd been treated on his first day at the academy!
Hawthorne's stomach twisted with regret. He had really crossed the wrong student—someone who was very petty and vengeful. What Skyler gave him was a subtle warning, wrapped in innocent and casual words. To let him know that if he ever dared to wrong him again, he wouldn't hesitate to run to his uncle and complain—like a spoiled child.
"Does he have no shame... using the royal influence to intimidate me so blatantly like that? I need to stay as far away as possible from this kid—and everyone connected to him. If I don't, it could cost me my life."
He dismissed the students he had been making run laps, the ones who had secretly observed his exchange with Skyler and now saw Skyler as an idol who had made even the feared professor lose his composure.
With a shudder, Hawthorne dragged his legs away, deciding to take a few days off.
Just a few sentences from that kid had sent his mind into overdrive, making him feel as though he were running a fever—despite being someone with Evol in his body, which made him immune to illness.
Simultaneously, Skyler laughed as he ran toward his dorm, feeling very satisfied.
"I wonder if Professor Hawthorne knows that I stole quite a bit of his hidden wealth before leaving? I'm sure he doesn't, or else he wouldn't have been so calm. Haha."
Soon, despite the curious glances from those who recognized him, Skyler reached his room and instantly kicked the door shut behind him. The resounding slam echoed through the hall, startling his neighbors.
He placed Riruru on the bed, took a long, refreshing shower, and then jumped onto the bed, letting out a contented sigh.
"Honestly, this is what I missed the most while I was in the tomb—a good shower, food, and a comfortable bed!"
He closed his eyes, prepared to drift off to sleep without even bothering to dry his hair. It was already late, and since he and Riruru weren't particularly hungry after their meal at the castle, he decided to call it a night.
Tomorrow, he would have to return to his classes. The thought of Max and his team, who dared treat him like a weakling in need of protection, and his classmates' shocked reactions when they saw his change, made him chuckle as he drifted off to sleep.
Regardless, who knows if Max and his teammates have even returned yet?
The touch of a soft, chilled finger tracing from his forehead, down his nose, across his lips, and then along his Adam's apple and collarbones finally made him stop thinking.
Skyler grabbed the finger and pulled the woman lying beside him closer, wrapping his arms around her as he whispered.
"Sleep, Riruru."
Riruru blinked, then stared at his peaceful face as she rested her head on his arm.
The aura surrounding her intensified, only settling when she broke through to the final stage of 13-star. Her crimson eyes glowed in the darkness as she snuggled closer to the warmth radiating from his body.
The next morning, Skyler stepped out of his room—which he had been told was cleaned during his absence by the staff who cleaned student rooms once a month—wearing the uniform he had picked up from the ground floor the night before, tailored to fit his size.
At that very moment, the door to the room next to his swung open as well. A familiar figure stepped out, and their eyes met.
Unlike Skyler's eyes, which crinkled with amusement, the other's dark eyes widened. Charles opened his mouth, then closed it again, finally uttering just three words.
"Who are you?"