The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　At eight o'clock sharp, Professor Sylph entered the classroom as the bell rang and immediately noticed Evan Pearson, who was occupying Emma's seat.

　Evan Pearson's position was actually quite unexpected.

　Because the seats that originally belonged to Emma and her two companions were in the Knights' Academy area.

　Students are not assigned seats, but the areas between departments are clearly defined.

　So, behind Evan Pearson sat students from the Magic Academy.

　Professor Sylph frowned and said without hesitation, "Evan Pearson, watch your seat."

　Evan Pearson frowned. "Professor, are there assigned seats for this class?"

　Professor Sylph said, "Your house is on that side." Evan Pearson then turned to look at the side of the Noble House, only to see that the area was filled with students in the uniforms of the Noble House—while the students behind him were all wearing the uniforms of the Magic Academy.

　He immediately realized he was in the wrong place. "Sorry."

　After offering a slightly sincere apology, Evan Pearson got up, walked to the aisle, and then slowly headed towards the back row.

　He looked through the rows, some in groups of three, some in groups of one, but no one extended an invitation to him.

　Doron wanted to show his hospitality, but he and Pistan were already cramped enough, and he really didn't want to bring another person.

　Evan Pearson walked all the way to the last row.

　By then, it was too late for him to find a seat in the front row with only one person.

　He couldn't very well go back; that would be too embarrassing. In the last row, Dark Dimon sat by the window. "Dimmon, may I sit here?"

　Evan Pearson was actually extremely unwilling. But in order to alleviate his current predicament, he forced himself to ask Dark.

　Dak raised his head slightly, indicating that he should do as he pleased.

　Evan Pearson then put down the books he was holding and sat down two empty seats away from him.

　After seeing him seated, Professor Sylph tapped the table and immediately said, "Let's begin the lesson."

　Professor Sylph's lectures remained as serious as ever, unchanged despite the arrival of exchange students.

　—No, the second-year students felt the professor had become more serious. "During last Friday's 'Golden Cup' main tournament, fifth-year Magic Academy student Silas Andy used a special summoning spell in a duel. Does anyone remember what it was?"

　"Professor, I remember. It's 'Reverse Summoning Spell'!" "Please raise your hand before answering next time."

　Professor Sylph drew a circle on the blackboard and said, "This student is right. Silas Andy used the 'Reverse Flow Summoning Spell.' The 'Reverse Flow Summoning Spell' is a special summoning spell created by the original mages after drawing inspiration from the 'Reverse Flow Time Dragon.' Its roots lie in the 'Reverse Flow Time Dragon,' making it extremely difficult to master. Of course, that's not part of the assessment, and the 'Reverse Flow Summoning Spell' isn't very versatile. The academy doesn't, in principle, require students to master this type of summoning spell before graduation. But as mages, even if we can't master it, we must at least have some understanding of this type of summoning spell."

　After this opening, Professor Sylph began to explain and analyze the "Reverse Summoning Spell".

　Dark was surprised that Professor Sylph would talk about "Reverse Summoning" in this class, so he temporarily stopped his research and started to listen attentively.

　Professor Sylph's teaching ability is beyond doubt. She explains complex concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand way, and handles various knowledge points with ease. Whether or not you have heard of "Reverse Summoning Spell" before, you will gain a lot from it.

　However, the prerequisite is that you listen carefully!

　Maintaining concentration for a continuous 90-minute lecture is relatively difficult.

　Most students choose to copy down the blackboard notes while listening to the lecture, so as to deepen their understanding after class.

　Of course, some people cannot concentrate on the class for long periods of time due to reasons beyond their control, and have to shift their attention every now and then.

　Sitting next to that person, Evan Pearson was surprised to find that the person was extremely inattentive in class and would often daydream.

　This was something he couldn't understand, yet he couldn't question it.

　This first lesson passed by with Evan Pearson full of questions.

　The second lesson followed immediately.

　Evan Pearson, who had followed the flow of people to the new classroom, ultimately chose to sit next to Dark.

　For some reason, he wanted to observe more closely how this true top student in the second year actually studied.

　Meanwhile, Emma, ​​Lucy, and Susan naturally returned to their front-row seats.

　The second period on Monday morning was Professor Kazel's "Theory of Magic." Dark's research on "Theory of Magic" had long surpassed the textbook. Professor Kazel's lesson today also remained within the textbook's scope. Therefore, aside from occasionally needing to "daydream" and listen to the lecture, he devoted the rest of his time to his research.

　In Evan Pearson's view, this meant he didn't attend any classes.

　This has always been the case with Dac.

　However, because he was sitting in the last row by the window, he did not have a negative impact on the other students.

　However, by a twist of fate, Evan Pearson ended up sitting next to him and was ultimately affected.

　Dark hadn't expected Evan Pearson to pay so much attention to him, and even if he had, he wouldn't have cared much.

　Evan Pearson's reason for this was not only his initial bad impression of Dark, but also because Dark was one of the sixteen finalists of the "Golden Cup" that he was going to challenge.

　Moreover, after he won the Easter Duel Festival championship in the lower grades, the most common thing he heard was not congratulations. Instead, students from all grades were saying things like, "It's just that Dark Dimon didn't participate."

　This infuriated him.

　During his month-long exchange program at St. Marian Academy, he was determined to challenge Dark Dimon and defeat him one day!

　But before achieving his goal, he must plan carefully before acting. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory; start with knowing your enemy!

　After the "Theory of Magic" ended, Dark left the classroom with Professor Kazel and went into his office.

　Dak closed the door before asking about the research. After the ceremony last night, the professors' research consisted only of testing the "Blood of Hermes," testing the unknown hair, searching for a way to control pollutants, refining fossil creatures, and forging the "Oil Serpent's" divine essence.

　After returning last night, Professor Kazel did not rest immediately, but instead began testing the "Hermes Blood" without stopping.

　First, he must confirm whether the "blood of Hermes" has become connected with Hermes himself after it has been activated.

　If so, that drop of "Hermes' blood" could very well become Hermes' eyes and ears, causing the secrets here to be leaked.

　But with Ergani's help, Professor Kazel confirmed the safety of the "Hermes Blood".

　For reasons unknown, Hermes did not have any connection with the "blood of Hermes".

　On the other hand, we can use curse-type abilities to locate Hermes with this drop of blood and cast a curse on him!

　Of course, the chances of the curse being ineffective or even backfiring are relatively high.

　The testing for "Hermes' Blood" went relatively smoothly. However, the testing for that single strand of hair encountered difficulties.

　That strand of hair didn't even resemble hair; aside from its unexpected toughness, there was nothing remarkable about it.

　Professor Cazell initially suspected that it had also been sealed and that specific conditions were required to unseal it.

　But later, through testing the pollutants, he gradually came to understand a fact.

　That strand of hair likely lost all its properties after being slightly corroded by pollutants.

　Finally, he stored the hair in a box and temporarily abandoned the related experiments.

　"So I'm now preparing to start research on pollutants, testing the effectiveness of various purification methods by artificially increasing their intensity. In any case, I have to find something out."

　"Of course, deep down I'm more inclined to help that 'oil serpent' become a god, granting it authority related to pollutants."

　"Half of its power comes from the same source as the pollutants. Once it can control the pollutants, our safety when entering the Mountain of the Gods or the Heavenly Court will be greatly increased."

　"Furthermore, because of this breakthrough, Ergani's 'Brain of Intelligence' has become less effective, and it will only be possible to determine whether to use it after that."

　"However, everything can only begin after Professor Harvey has completed his examination of the divine substance in the fossil."

　"Of course, in fact, it's already pretty much a 100% certainty."

　"Professor Mitia has already set up a magical barrier in the underwater space." "That's not a secret passage; we must ensure that the aura of the 'Oil Serpent' when it ascended to godhood is not leaked out under any circumstances."

　"On the other hand, we must also prepare for the worst-case scenario that it could get out of control."

　"I know what you want to say."

　"At seven o'clock tonight, take Aurora and let's go to the bottom of the lake."

　Professor Cazell told Darke everything he wanted to know in one go. Darke scratched his head, thanked the professor, and then left the office for the cafeteria.

　On his way to the cafeteria, Dak used his "Professor Card" to send Aurora a message to come to his office after lunch.

　After lunch, Dak went to his office to wait. A short while later, Aurora entered the office alone. "How's it going? Has Audrey's arrival had any impact?" Dak asked as soon as she entered.

　Aurora closed the door, stepped forward, and said, "The specific impact isn't much. However, the professors seem quite interested in her, always calling on her to answer questions, which makes some students in the class unhappy, as they rush to answer. It does make the learning atmosphere in the classroom more intense."

　Dark was somewhat taken aback: "That's good news then."

　Aurora shook her head and said, "The girls in the class are quite xenophobic, and with Anna and Angie around, who seem to thrive on chaos, it's probably not that simple."

　Dark nodded and said, "If it's them, they'll at least have some sense of propriety, so there's no need to worry too much."

　Aurora asked, "What about over there?"

　"Everything is normal," Dark said.

　Aurora nodded and said, "That's true, you're in the second year." Dark said, "That has nothing to do with me. Evan Pearson sits in the last row, and the professors treat everyone equally, which is why he doesn't affect the other students. But that only applies in class. After the afternoon classes, those who are dissatisfied with Evan Pearson winning the championship should take action."

　Aurora blinked and said, "So, this is a good thing, right?" Darke smiled, "Yes, a good thing. From every angle." Then he repeated his agreement with Professor Cazell, "So, are you free tonight?"

　Aurora said, "Even if you have something to do, you have to cancel it. It's seven o'clock tonight, right? Where do we meet?"

　Dark said, "Let's do it in Professor Cazell's office." Aurora said, "Okay!"

　Time flies.

　The afternoon's "Potions Mastery" session concluded successfully. As expected, Dark saw several boys come to challenge him to a duel.

　For some reason, Evan Pearson was so troubled that he didn't even notice the first boy's challenge.

　When he finally noticed, he couldn't help but show a look of astonishment. Clearly, he was extremely surprised that someone would actually challenge him.

　The boy's challenge was even quite formal—it wasn't something like throwing white gloves; he had carefully prepared a challenge letter inviting him to a duel, and the words were very enticing.

　Dark overheard it without realizing it.

　The boy seemed to be saying, "Evan Pearson, you need to bring your own materials for next week's potions lab. You're new here, so you probably don't have any credits yet, right? We're all classmates, so I can share some with you. How about a duel to witness friendship?"

　Evan Pearson, perhaps because he was confused by some unsolvable problem, actually said thank you and accepted the challenge.

　But the next second, a dozen challenge letters arrived in front of him. "Evan Pearson, please enlighten me!"

　Dark watched as Evan Pearson was surrounded by the boys and left the classroom, shook his head, and then buried himself in his work again.

　—He has already studied the entire Potions class.

　Professor Thompson was very accommodating and gave him plenty of freedom. He planned to stay there and continue his research until dinner time. The research was progressing faster than he had initially anticipated.

　Once we return from the bottom of the lake tonight, we can begin a large number of experiments.

Chapter 896 The Snake Driver Aurora (6k

　7 p.m.

　As agreed, Dak arrived at Professor Cazell's office and saw Aurora already sitting inside chatting with Ergani.

　Professor Cazell seemed to be using this brief interval to grade assignments. But once Dak entered, he put down his pen and paper, stood up, and said, "Since you're already here, let's get started."

　Then he waved his hand, and a little sprite with black butterfly wings peeked out from behind a stack of books, wobbled, and flew to sit on his shoulder.

　That was Professor Kazel's "Butterfly Wing Sprite," which had been imbued with intelligence by Dark.

　After not seeing it for a long time, Dark noticed that this "butterfly fairy" had become much quieter.

　Its tiny body, no bigger than the palm of your hand, was clad in an exquisite black dress and a small hat. In its hand was a magic wand no bigger than a toothpick, yet it radiated an astonishing magical aura.

　The "Butterfly Wing Sprite" is only a three-star magical sprite. That wand is clearly Professor Kazel's creation.

　At Professor Cazell's signal, it gently waved its wand, and starlight fell, concealing everyone's figures and auras.

　“Let’s go, Sylph and the others are already waiting at the bottom of the lake,” Professor Cazell said.

　Dark asked, "Is Professor Sylph here too?"

　Professor Kazel said, "Professor Mitia set up a magical barrier at the bottom of the lake. After I told her, everyone else knew."

　Dark couldn't help but smile.

　The four of them left the office and, just minutes later, entered the hidden space at the bottom of the lake.

　Before coming here, Dak had no idea that there was such a large hidden space at the bottom of this lake.

　The pavilion in the center of the lake is not only a teleportation hub to the Traveler's Street, but also a kind of array eye, protecting the entire underwater space. The lake water also isolates sound and breath.

　However, this level of protection is not enough to conceal the fluctuations in aura when one "becomes a god".

　That's why Professor Mitis was so busy.

　There were more people gathered at the bottom of the lake than Dark had expected. Clearly, the professors were well aware of the importance of this "oil snake." "They're here! They're here!"