The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 49: Back After The Incident

[You look better already,] Evangeline remarked in a proud tone, flying around him in her sword form.

Neraxis merely nodded, trying to hide the grin forming on his face.

After all, he hadn’t realized just how much blood and grime had gathered on his body.

Two back-to-back rifts tend to do that, and washing it all off was an achievement in and of itself.

He also noticed that a new academy uniform had appeared in his closet. At this point, he began questioning how it kept ending up there.

Merely putting it on, Neraxis was now ready to head out, still with around 30 minutes to spare.

But he wasn’t planning on spending them all back home—after all, it was empty and, quite frankly, pretty lonely.

His parents were still out, and his sister was on vacation.

After having his breakfast, he went outside, met his butler, and stepped right into the limousine.

The drive this time around was more interesting than usual because Neraxis struck up a few conversations along the way, mostly trying to get to know his butler.

What he found out was that Albert, as the man was named, was a simple retiree. However, due to his dedication to Neraxis’s parents, he decided to keep working for them.

But that was about it. He wasn’t an awakened, nor did he have any grandchildren.

Neraxis thanked Albert before heading to the academy, where he saw a few students chattering by the entrance.

Yet the moment they saw him, they all flashed surprised looks, as if they’d seen a ghost.

[Well, who knows what kind of stories spread about you?] Evangeline said with a chuckle, to which he tried his best to ignore.

However, the amount of stares he got as he walked through the hall was becoming a tad overwhelming.

It was almost as if he was some sort of celebrity.

Soon, he arrived in his classroom, and like before, most students were still not present.

But there were some, and they too had bewildered expressions on their faces.

The only exception was Magnus, who had been scribbling something down, paying Neraxis little attention besides a nod.

None of his previous team members were present. Neither Kael nor Celina were there.

Without them, he didn’t exactly have anyone to talk to, which made the rest of his time in the classroom rather quiet.

Hey, Evangeline? he randomly called out in the midst of boredom.

[Yes?]

How should I improve with the sword? Neraxis questioned before continuing, I’ve been fighting nonstop with it, yet the skill’s rank hasn’t risen. It’s still only G rank—it’s supposed to be the easiest skill to rank up.

Noticing his complaining attitude, Evangeline immediately shut him down. [You’re supposed to show an improvement in technique to have it recognized as a skill rank-up. The only thing you’ve shown so far is brute strength by relying on my sharpness.]

Then why did the skill generate in the first place? I didn’t do anything aside from swinging it a couple of times.

[I said you had potential. That didn’t mean you were exactly a swordsmanship genius. I’ll teach you the basics after you’re done with class,] Evangeline affirmed before falling quiet.

Soon, the rest of his classmates began gathering. He spotted a worried-looking Celina along with Aurelia and the other girls of his team.

Lastly, Kael, who was walking toward him with a frown, sat down in his usual seat.

"Why are you so grumpy today?" Neraxis couldn’t help but point out.

However, Kael merely stared at him for a moment, not saying anything.

What’s up with him?

[Maybe he didn’t sleep so well?] Evangeline suggested teasingly.

He merely shrugged in response, putting his attention toward the front and noticing Magnus had already finished jotting down the information.

From the looks of it, there was a triangular diagram inside of a circle with all sorts of different materials listed in each corner.

Some he recognized, while others were completely foreign.

But they all had something in common—each ingredient was, in one way or another, related to alchemy.

So the lessons proceed as usual, huh... he thought, feeling a little bitter inside.

An event as big as what happened yesterday—and to an S-class team nonetheless—yet no one was making a fuss about it.

His thoughts were soon interrupted as the classroom door swung open, revealing a muscular-looking woman.

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By her side was a handbag, one the size of Neraxis himself.

She quickly went inside and plopped the bag down beside Magnus, earning him a brief glare.

However, she simply ignored it and turned to face the class, quickly introducing herself.

"I’ll get straight to the point. I will be your alchemy teacher for this year. You can call me Instructor Liora if you wish," her brisk voice resounded before continuing,

"I’ve brought my own materials this time, and we’ll be trying to make a health potion."

Just as her words fell, she picked up the bag and opened it. Suddenly, a large table appeared before them.

It was so large, in fact, that it expanded nearly from one end of the classroom to the other.

On it, multiple sets of vials and flasks were already set up. Soon, Liora spoke once again.

"I have 10 sets, so gather in groups of two and pick a spot. I’ll give you the equipment necessary once you’re done."

The class nodded, and Neraxis immediately glanced at Kael, who was still avoiding him.

But aside from him, there was no one he could ask—most, if not all, had already formed their groups.

Out of all the options he could consider, there was one in particular that might just work.

"Kael, if you fix that attitude of yours, I promise to spar with you."

As soon as Neraxis’s words fell, Kael froze, turning to him with a frown that began slowly cracking.

The moment Neraxis spotted that, he realized it had been Kael’s objective all along.

But before he could change his offer, it was accepted.

"Deal," Kael stated before standing up and walking to the summoned table.

It seemed to shrink a little—just enough for everyone to fit but not be too overbearing.

With a roll of his eyes, Neraxis followed along and stood in front of a potion-making station.

He’d learned how to make potions in the past—the most basic ones since that was all that existed at the time—but he’d made sure to master that art.

After all, the number of serious injuries he’d acquired was beyond normal.

That was why this little alchemy lesson should be nothing but a simple walk in the park for him.

The moment Liora noticed everyone was ready, she began handing out the supplies she had talked about.

They were simple tools, such as a lighter to regulate temperature directly, as well as a safety mask to prevent the toxic gases from harming them.

What was most important, however, was the water they had been given.

It was only a small droplet. However, due to its nature, if certain chemical reactions were performed, it could become a full-fledged flask with a healing potion inside.

They were quickly introduced to each piece of equipment they would be using, and soon, it was time.

"Follow exactly what I do."