[Academy Courtyard – Morning]
News spread like wildfire.
A new guest lecturer was arriving. Not just any—one sponsored by the Celestial Council itself.
Students whispered.
"Did you hear? A divine envoy is coming!"
"They say it's a goddess… young, but terrifying."
"I heard she used to be human."
Lohan stood beneath a tree, silent, his hand tightening around a half-eaten apple.
He knew who it was.
Justine.
She was coming.
---
[Headmaster's Office]
Headmaster Arval frowned, reading the scroll that arrived in gold-trimmed parchment.
"A temporary teaching position? Under divine authority? This isn't a request—it's an invasion."
Professor Varis scoffed. "We should deny it."
Arval shook his head. "We can't. She's no ordinary god. She's been elevated by one of the main Seats."
Professor Mira entered with grim eyes. "And she requested to teach Battle Theory. Specifically... to Lohan Ardyn's class."
A tense silence followed.
Arval looked out the window.
"He must not act recklessly. Or she'll destroy him before we can stop her."
---
[Main Gates – Later That Day]
A divine chariot descended from the sky, pulled by flaming avian beasts. At its center stood a woman with golden eyes, long black hair, and robes laced with divine symbols.
Her presence alone bent the wind around her.
The academy guards instinctively dropped to their knees.
But Justine ignored them.
Her eyes scanned the crowd… and found him.
Lohan Ardyn.
She smiled sweetly.
"Found you, Master."
---
[Classroom – First Lecture]
The students didn't know what to expect. Some thought they'd witness miracles. Others were just here for the novelty.
But when Justine entered, silence swallowed the room.
She stood before the class with elegance—and eyes that seemed to strip away secrets.
"Let's begin."
Her fingers moved.
The air twisted.
Ten illusions of divine warriors appeared.
"Your first lesson," she said with a chilling smile, "is to survive."
Winter leapt from her seat. "You can't be serious!"
Justine looked at her. "And you are Winter... his guardian now? How cute."
Her gaze shifted to Lohan.
He didn't flinch.
He stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"Bring it."
---
[Battle Simulation Initiated – Class 1-A]
> [System Alert: Host Targeted by Divine Authority. Permission to engage: Granted.]
[Skill Modifier Bonus – +25%]
The students scattered in panic as the illusions attacked. Lohan moved with fluid precision, protecting allies, striking weak points, and controlling the battlefield.
He wasn't fighting to impress.
He was fighting her.
And she watched from above, leaning on her desk.
Amused.
Intrigued.
Obsessed.
---
[After the Battle]
The illusions faded. Half the class lay unconscious or bruised.
Lohan stood over them, breathing hard, one eye cut and blood dripping from his chin.
Justine clapped.
"Very well done… Master."
The students looked at him, confused.
Winter stared in disbelief.
But Lohan didn't explain.
He just turned and walked out.
---