Chapter 657: Chapter 658: For The Academy Impressive.... That was an understatement of the century. Calling or even saying someone with a total mana of thirty thousand was impressive was an understatement. Fun fact when you advance, you gain more mana. But absorbing monster cores doesn’t actually boost mana; it only refines what you already have, making it more powerful and increasing the overall quality of your power. Damon himself was actually on the cusp of another class, but that wasn’t the point. The point was that having this much mana was unfair. Thus Damon’s reaction. "Damn.." Seras narrowed her eyes, then smiled faintly, her lips curving with a knowing amusement. "Hmmm, what an impressive fellow.... Even I didn’t have that type of mana." Damon was about to say something when he heard a booming laughter coming from one of the floating pavilions. His eyes followed the sound, landing on the crest above. It was the crest of the Eldorian Magical Academy. "Hahahah.... Ahhh, I bet no one in the Aether Academy has such aptitude for magic. What do you have to say for yourself? It seems my students will be taking the win this time." Seras leaned her cheek lazily on her arm, looking up toward the pavilion with a smirk. "That would be the old man who is the head of the Eldorian Magical Academy. He’s still salty about me beating up all his students back in the day." Damon crossed his arms, remembering right. She was a student of the Aether Academy back then. "I see, senior.... Reliving your glory days must feel good. You know, some people peak in their youth, then live an unassuming life as an adult." Seras rolled her eyes playfully. "When you die, I’ll miss that casual confidence of yours.... But maybe you’ve forgotten I’m something of a hero these days, so I’m still at my peak." Damon muttered under his breath. "Show off." Seras chuckled softly, feeling his jealousy. At least she won this round. However, it seemed she wasn’t the only one in a winning mood. "Trash.... Absolutely trash. My Aether Academy could never be caught dead bragging about a trash mana level of a mere thirty thousand." Damon opened his mouth in shock. Wait wasn’t that the voice of the Aether Academy headmaster? Since when was he so... so foul-mouthed? "Yeah, that’s about it. The two of them never get along. In fact, we at Aether just have a natural rivalry with those in Eldorian.... It stems from the War of the Five Sages back in the day." Seras decided to give Damon some history. He shook his head with a helpless sigh. "Hmmm, people really hate that we’re the best, and the Eldorian Academy is trash. How can they compare to the great Aether Academy...." Seras nodded in agreement. As a former Aether student, she was also an Eldorian Academy hater. Their rivalry was legendary, and everyone knew it. Naturally, as soon as the two headmasters’ voices boomed across the arena, jeering at each other, the students on both sides began cursing at each other. An Aether Academy student stood up, screaming at the top of his lungs. "At least our student council president is hot! It will never be better for you Eldorian scum!" "Yeah, I heard Eldorian Academy relies on potions made in magic labs!" "Drug addicts all of them." The students of Eldorian weren’t taking it lying down. They were firing insults back just as viciously. "I had a nightmare once... that I was an Aether student. I didn’t sleep for a week." A student beside him gave him a pitiful look. "Oh my goodness, how traumatizing.... Are you okay?" He wiped mock tears from his eyes. "No... I’m still in therapy." Another Eldorian student balled his fists, waving his hands as his voice cracked from yelling. "These trash get their uniforms made by us! If you’re so great, get your uniforms made here in Soltheon instead of our great Magic Continent!" Naturally, the insults continued to fly as other academies watched with growing amusement. However, one academy suddenly stood up. It was the Royal Academy. "Yeah, Aether is trash!" The students on both sides stopped and turned toward them. "Who... who are these...." Eldorian students asked. Aether students shook their heads in embarrassment. "Sorry about those guys, they’re from the Royal Academy...." Eldorian students nodded with understanding. "Ohh, I see. Sorry you have to deal with such trash." The Aether Academy students waved their hands dismissively. "No, no, it’s fine. Don’t mind them. Anyway, where were we... ahh yes." "You can never beat great Aether!" And the arguments continued. Of course, they were rivals. The two headmasters were still slyly badmouthing each other. The Eldorian headmaster sneered, stroking his long beard with disdain. "I don’t see anyone from Aether showing off their mana. You scared, old man?" "I’m not that old, and you’re not so young yourself with that mop beard," the Aether headmaster replied with equal venom. The dignitaries and nobles present didn’t interfere. They were well aware this was a long-standing feud between the two great academies. In fact, the other academies didn’t even bother joining the argument. The emperor sighed, pressing a hand against his temple as though already suffering a headache. "That’s enough.... If Aether has someone with that much mana, they are free to compete, or Eldorian will be declared the winners." There was silence. Then the Aether Academy students froze for a moment, before all of them slowly turned their heads toward Damon. Normally, if he was just a normal student, they would have started chanting his name, cheering him on for moral support. But this was Damon Grey. The students and faculty exchanged glances, then one by one, they all made up their minds. They had to do this. For the academy. A student reached into his pocket, pulling out his pouch. "I’m offering twenty thousand zeni for Damon Grey to shut this ignoramus up!" Another student pulled out their pouch, then another. Soon, all of them were calling out bids, offering money and even their personal effects. Damon, wearing his hood and standing right beside Seras, looked utterly stupefied. His jaw slackened, his eyes wide. Never in his life. And it wasn’t just the students. Professors joined in as well. Emeralda, who had just regained consciousness, suddenly stood up and yelled at the top of her lungs. "One million zeni... if you win!" Kael sighed, raising his hand. "I also offer a million." Soon everyone from the academy was offering bids, embarrassing enough that even his own friends joined in. Damon finally stepped onto the railings, his expression one of pure disbelief. His voice rang out over the chaos, appalled. "That’s enough!" The students fell quiet at his tone. "How can you people do this? I am a student of Aether Academy, and we all know I value the academy’s honor...." Everyone cheered, feeling moved by his words. Damon cleared his throat, lowering his voice as he added casually. "Please submit all payments to my secretary, Renata Malcrist." "Ahem, ahem.... After all, we can’t act like uncivilized animals when Eldorian is watching...." Everyone looked at each other, then they all began to cheer again, moved to tears. Yes, this was the son of a bitch they all hated. Damon teleported to the center of the arena.