Skyler deadpanned. Kid? Seriously?
Where, in the name of everything, did his huge build look anything like that of a kid?
"Sure, why not."
He said sarcastically.
"However, this kid would very much like Senior to show his powerful spells first."
Austin laughed at his tone, doubling over with his hands clutching his stomach.
"You're hilarious."
Their exchange drew the attention of the other students, who were currently facing off against their opponents in the practice hall they had entered after the professor abruptly announced the friendly matches.
Zack, standing opposite Max, casually turned his attention to Skyler and Austin, completely ignoring his own opponent.
"Let's wait until they're finished. I want to see exactly how many spells he can wield."
Max raised an eyebrow. This Zack looked so different—so casual, so unlike the one he had beaten a few months ago.
"How about we wrap up our battle quickly? Then you can watch whoever you want—"
His words were cut short as the entire hall plunged into deadly silence when Charles, who was paired against Elena, was thrown backward, crashing into another student.
Every gaze shifted to the short red-haired woman, who nonchalantly twirled a strand of hair, as if she hadn't just unleashed one of the most powerful offensive wind spells—toppling her opponent within seconds.
Professor Garrick's expression tightened.
"Elena, this is a friendly match...! You are meant to showcase your spells and learn—not to overpower your opponent like that."
She frowned in response but then nodded, muttering an apology. Having lost the race that morning, she was visibly on edge and wanted to end the battle quickly and leave.
Facing Charles, who had claimed second spot in the race, only added to her tension.
Skyler observed silently as, following the professor's command, a student hurriedly helped Charles and the student he collided with back to their feet. His expression was calm, inscrutable, and unreadable.
Charles coughed. His hand was on his stomach, but he said that he was fine.
Skyler's eyes shifted to Austin, who was already poised to unleash his spells.
"Hmm?"
He watched as golden Evol spread from Austin's body, enveloping him and forming an image of a pair of golden wings behind him as he charged forward with a burst.
The students around were mesmerized by the spell's beauty, overlooking the fact that Elena had apologized to the professor, not to Charles, to whom she should have.
Skyler suddenly let out a dark chuckle, the unexpected sound made Austin, who was charging at him, flinch mid-attack. Before Austin could comprehend what had gone wrong, his vision went completely dark.
A faint whisper was all he heard.
"Cosmic Collapse."
The entire space around them fractured violently. Evol from the surroundings was pulled inward, leaving behind nothing but a void. Wisps of silver lightning and golden sparks snaked through the empty void.
But before Austin could be swallowed by the collapse, Professor Garrick stepped in.
With a flick of his wrist, the Evol dispersed, and the fractured space returned to normal.
Max, Elena, and Jenny—who had rushed forward to halt Skyler's spell and help Austin—froze in place, their hearts pounding wildly at the destruction they had just witnessed.
Austin gasped as his vision returned, his heart pounding like a thunderous drum. He was certain he saw his dead grandmother waving at him from heaven.
Professor Garrick spun toward Skyler, his gaze sharp and filled with stern authority.
"How many times must I repeat myself? This is a friendly battle! What on earth is wrong with all of you?"
Skyler blinked, then nodded.
His gesture eerily mirrored what everyone present had seen Elena do just moments before, sending chills down their spines.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I lost control."
Austin let out an laugh, clearly pissed.
"You should be apologizing to me!"
Skyler tilted his head, his face calm. He hadn't meant to harm Austin. Even without the professor's intervention, he would have halted his spell before it turned dangerous. He just wanted to set the record straight.
"Really? I thought all I had to do was say sorry to the professor—just like Elena did."
All eyes turned to the red-haired woman, who flushed crimson with embarrassment. She clenched her fists, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
Professor Garrick lost his temper, his tall frame trembling. He was usually one of the calmest professors, but his blood pressure has risen due to their petty argument.
"I guess I have been too lenient. That's it—both Skyler and Elena, go outside to squat for two hours as punishment! If I see you slacking, the penalty will be even harsher!"
Skyler rolled his eyes.
Secretly, of course, he didn't want to be punished further by Professor Garrick.
Charles gave him a sidelong glance as he passed by his side, flashing a cheeky grin, and hurriedly left the practice hall.
Elena followed suit, the silence in the hall remained unbroken even after the two left.
Max watched the hall exit and sighed.
"The spell he used was strong..."
Another agreed next to him.
"Far too powerful."
Max turned his gaze to Zack, who stood beside him, also watching the exit intently.
Austin, still shaken by what had happened earlier to him, arrived next to them, rubbing his shoulders as if warding off a chill.
"Are you two going to battle or not? I am calling the professor if you don't. Beat each other so I can shake this awful feeling. That bastard just had to use me as an example to tell the professor about his mistake."
Zack gave him a deadpanned look.
"Are you that eager to see me beaten up? Wasn't last time when Max did it enough?"
Austin tsked, rubbing his nose.
"Look, I'm a 14-star Light. But I just lost to a 10-star Light. Is that worse, or you losing to Max? Of course, my situation is worse. You had no reputation to begin with, but I did — and mine just took a hit in class."
Zack was left speechless. He looked at Max, who seemed prepared to fight him. After his change, the protagonist was eager to gauge his strength. Yet, Zack had no plans to fight him, knowing well he would end up losing even if he used all his hidden tricks.
He simply raised his hand, attracting the professor's attention, and then attempted to imitate a bit of Skyler's shamelessness.
"Professor, my history with Max is rather complicated... I believe I should change opponents. I fear for my safety. What if I am badly injured like Charles?"
The class: "...."
Garrick rubbed his forehead.
Taking care of First Year Elite Class A had never been this difficult. What in the world had gone wrong? Shaking his head, he just paired Zack with another student, wanting to end the class as soon as possible.
Outside the class, the passing students in the corridor threw curious looks at the two familiar Elite Class students in punishment.
Elena was squatting, an image of discipline. But Skyler? He was just lounging leisurely, without a care in the world. It's not like the professor could see them from inside the hall, so he could do whatever he wanted.
He hummed a random tune, wanting to scroll through his phone. But recalling his phone was with Riruru, he could only sigh.
Elena glared at him from the side.
"What are you doing? Squat properly."
Skyler ignored her sharp words, his gaze wandering. He even called over a passing male student, who seemed introverted, and asked if the latter could buy him some fresh snacks. Fortunately, the quiet student was his fan and went to buy some for him.
He opened a pack of potato chips and ate one. The introverted student with short dark hair and maroon eyes stood right in front of him, watching quietly. So, he offered him.
"Want some?"
But the latter shook his head.
Elena frowned next to him.
"Stop bullying others."
Skyler scoffed at her words.
"Will you shut up and do what you are doing? Don't you see I'm ignoring you?"
Elena's jaw clenched tightly. She gritted her teeth and looked away. She never thought Jenny's brother was this disrespectful.
Skyler looked at the student again.
"What's your name anyway?"
He fiddled but answered quietly.
"Isaac..."
Skyler nodded, humming. Truthfully, he already knew his name. Issac Brown. The genius potion maker of Starlight Academy. No, he should say the future genius potion maker of Starlight Academy. Who would've thought he would meet this guy before Max? And Issac would himself walk to him?
"Nice meeting you, Issac. My name is Skyler. Thanks for buying me snacks. Should I transfer Star Coins to you?"
Issac shook his head, his curly hair framing his forehead. And Skyler decided not to pay.
Issac's family was described as one of the wealthiest in the original story. Otherwise, how would this guy obtain the resources to create powerful potions in the future? A few Star Coins were probably nothing to him.
Skyler was about to shake hands with the guy to hurriedly befriend this future genius potion maker when Professor Garrick's voice echoed dangerously close to him.
"Skyler...!"