Chapter 232: Humbling A Professor "Ah... Class Representative Azel, do you still think my classes are basic?" Professor Rudeus asked, his deep voice echoing across the silent classroom. Even though he said the words with calmness, everyone in the room knew what he meant. The bald professor was challenging him in front of all the other students. Azel did not flinch under the gaze... he had seen far worse at the hands of monsters. His lips turned into a small smile as he answered, "No, not at all. I just thought since Lady Flare showed her skills in Enchantments to get allowed into the Advanced class, I could as well." Rudeus sighed, his large hand rubbing the top of his bald head as his sharp eyes stayed fixed on Azel. He had to admit, Flare’s performance earlier had been impressive. Stacking four runes at once, and the last one even while in motion, proved that she had discipline, skill, and experience. The professors of Astralis Academy were already aware of her reputation, which was why he had been lenient, letting her move to advanced lessons. But Azel... Azel did not look like someone who had practiced enchantments at all. When you watched long enough, you could tell. There were small habits in those who trained daily — the subtle flex of their fingers and the calm control of their mana flow. Azel had none of those, hell, he couldn’t even sense Azel’s mana but he knew that the boy could use magic. He looked like someone playing a dangerous game, trying to keep up with talents far above his level. Still, Rudeus decided to test him. "I see..." he said with a nod. "Then if you can stack five enchantments as well, I’ll grant you passage to the Advanced Enchantment class alongside Student Flare." Azel nodded once and stepped up to the podium. The room seemed smaller as dozens of eyes locked on him. He could feel Flare’s gaze on his back but he didn’t turn. ’I just need to impress him, right?’ Azel thought. While Flare was showing off her stacking, he had purchased an advanced enchantment and now was the time to use it. If he could not, then Flare would move forward, and he would be left behind. He needed to know more about this heroine so it was unacceptable. "I’ll be using an Advanced Enchantment," Azel announced clearly. The reaction was immediate. Rudeus’s brow lifted slightly. He was no stranger to bold students, but this was beyond bold. For someone who hadn’t shown even a single enchantment before or even have a record of it, to suddenly claim they could use an advanced enchantment? Preposterous. "Is that so?" the professor asked, his voice was filled with curiosity. Flare, who had been standing near the podium, quietly stepped off, giving them space. "Do you know what an Advanced Enchantment is?" Rudeus pressed further. "How would I use it if I didn’t know what it is?" Azel shot back with a confident grin. The professor studied him, his arms crossing. He wanted to see where this was going. He knew well the difference between a basic enchantment and an advanced one. No matter how much mana one poured into a basic enchantment, it remained limited in effect. But an advanced enchantment? It had layers of power built into its design, and the results were far beyond what a simple enchantment could achieve. "Very well," Rudeus said finally. Azel lifted his hand. His storage ring glowed faintly, and in an instant, a bone sword spun out of the air and into his grip. He gripped it tightly, raising it in an attacking stance. "I’d suggest you keep your defenses up," Azel said calmly. The audacity of his words made the students quiet. Rudeus scoffed, though he was far from careless. He had been teaching long enough to know that every now and then, someone unexpected appeared. Still, in his mind, there was no way this boy could truly pull it off. ’I really need to put the new blood in their place.’ he thought. The next moment, Azel moved. He stepped off the ground with sudden force, his body blurring forward. The distance between him and Rudeus closed fast. The professor had already expected it and began preparing his defense. But what he didn’t expect was the glow. The bone sword lit up brilliantly, golden energy burning along its edge. An enchantment formed on it, brighter than any he had seen from a student. The moment he saw the pattern, his eyes widened. "Sever Enchant," Azel spoke firmly. The enchantment flared. The symbol of a crescent slash inside a circle shone like fire and Azel’s blade cut forward with terrifying precision. Rudeus quickly mounted a barrier, a shimmering wall of magic snapped into place. But it was too late. The blade met the barrier, and with a hiss, the golden light cut through it as though it were paper. The barrier shattered, and the sword stopped just at the professor’s neck. Rudeus froze, his eyes wide. "Are you willing to believe me now?" Azel asked. He took a single step back, lowering the blade. In a blink, the bone sword vanished back into his storage ring. The class stared, mouths open. Some were pale and others burning with shock. Whether it had been a fluke or not, one thing was undeniable: Azel had broken through a professor’s defenses. Even if he was the Sword Saint’s son, the professors here had been on the battlefield at least once... The bald man exhaled slowly, his broad shoulders slumping. He felt deflated. He had underestimated this boy... dangerously so. "I’ll be guiding the two of you to the Advanced Enchantment class in a moment," Rudeus finally said but his voice was a bit quiet. "Let me get permission." He left the room without another word. [Ding!] The familiar chime rang in Azel’s mind. [Hidden Mission Completed] [Humble An Astralis Academy Professor] [Reward is being generated...] [You have received a reward: Inventory Function] ’Finally!’ Azel thought, almost wanting to jump with joy. But he held it in, at least he no longer had to rely on Storage rings... The door opened, and Rudeus returned. "The both of you, follow me. The rest of you, your class will be continued by my third-year assistant." A young woman entered. She had blonde hair and oversized glasses. She clutched the enchantment textbook tightly against her flat chest, bowing slightly. "Thank you for having me," she said softly. But neither Flare nor Azel heard the rest. They had already stepped out of the classroom, the heavy door shutting behind them. "Let’s go. You’re wasting time," Rudeus said gruffly, his annoyance clear in his voice. And with that, they left.