Special Instructor II

'Aurelia Morningstar, Zyila Ilva Lovisa, Byleth Silen, Mera Yavor, Rex Tigor, Layla Yelvo, Harold Wyve, Kura, Jackson, Dane, Randolph, and lastly, Slade' Zariel listed off from his chart, glancing at the three sigils houses at the edge of each of there names. 

Aurelia and Zyila had been lucky enough to be sorted into the House of the Wolf, the same house Selene governed. It was a house that represented seclusion. The House that cared little for Highborns and common borns alike. 

Meanwhile, the House of the Golden Stag housed mostly nobles and their servants who had shown potential to become knights or arcanists. The Ironblood represented the opposite. They were derived from common-borns who sought to destroy the concept of Nobility. 

To Zariel, it made little difference. All men bled. Be they commoners, nobles, gods, or demons. If they could bleed, they could be killed. It had been especially so when the question had been asked once class ended by a boy who bore the sigil of the Golden Stag on his collar. 

"Are you a Nobleman?" Harold Wyve asked. His long, minty hair shimmering beneath the golden rays of dawn peering through the long bay window. "You do not bear the Emblem of the Stag or the Wolf, or god forbid the Scarlet Sword." 

A few of the noble parents had the grace to blush. They, too, had wished to ask such a question but dared not do so in front of the Headmaster, especially after such a comprehensive lesson. 

"I don't believe I'm a commoner, but I'm also no longer a part of royalty," The boy revealed. Not seeing the value of such a question. Had his lesson regarding Transfiguration not been adequate for it to matter?

Harold seemed confused. "Nonsense! How can you not know? You are either a highborn or a bottom feeder." 

Zariel found his smile. "And let's say I am a commoner. What exactly will you do about it?" 

"You can't possibly be my homeroom teacher then!" Harold exclaimed. 

"Then leave." Zariel shrugged. "I care little if you want to learn or not. The headmasters there ask him. Personally, I could give two shits if you drop my class or not. I'm sure hundreds would be willing to—" 

"Professor Blackwater," Lord Wyve said with a wry expression, arms pressed over his son's shoulders. "The boy meant no harm by such a claim. Ignorance comes with age, you see." 

"Father!" Harold shouted. "I—" 

Lord Wyve's palm tensed, nearly snapping Harold's collarbone. He glanced down at his son, his smile never waning. "Apologie Son. I won't ask again." 

Harold turned white as if he'd seen a ghost. Tears practically threatened to fall as he whirled away in a hurry to apologize. 

Zariel didn't hear it. Too lazy to care, he spoke, "Tomorrow, you are expected to draw ten percent of this Transmutation Circle. Those who can't will be punished." 

"That's it?" Kura, the bucktooth girl, questioned. 

"Yup. Problem?" 

"Well… what's the punishment?" 

Aurelia raised her hand and shouted: "He hexes you for an entire day. So you'll feel like you're carrying double or triple your weight." 

Mera, a young girl whose blood-red hair flowed to her ankles, paled. Her porcelain white skin lost what bit of color was visible. "I'd die! What about other classes like Abjuration and Arcana? Surely—" 

"I could care less. In my eyes, you all are adults, and I will treat you as such," Zariel explained. "If you don't like it." He pointed towards the Headmaster. "Ask to drop." 

Augustine wanted to cry. "Professor Blackwater… please have a bit of tack?" 

"The fuck is that?" 

Aurelia had been the one to erupt with laughter, with Zyila giggling to herself. Despite her short time with Zariel, she knew him to be one to speak his mind no matter what others thought. If she smelled, he'd tell her without hesitation. If he was wrong, he was the first to tell her why and how. And he did so without malice. 

Such a thing had been a breath of fresh air when compared to the slaver's teachings on how to pleasure a man.

"Never mind," The Headmaster cleared his throat, looking out at the various parents, professors, and ambassadors. "Now then. Ladies and Gentlemen, now that you've experienced Professor Blackwater's wisdom, might you have any questions? I'm sure he'll be more than willing to answer them." 

"... I would?" 

"You will." 

"Tsk. Fine. Ask a—" 

"I challenge you?" Harold shouted, wrenching out his father's grip. He pointed, "I refuse to accept this! How can some nobody teach us nobles! Are you a noble or not?"

"Aurelia? What are you doing?" Zylia asked, noticing the little girl clasping her hands together. 

"I'm praying for his immortal soul," she said. "Dumb-Dumb is going to kill him or worse." 

"You want to challenge me?" The Silver Devil laughed, pointing to himself. A hint of disbelief on his breath. "Your Nine. Not even an Awaken Soul. Just a normal nine-year-old. Did mommy drop you on the head more than once? Were you kicked in the head by some donkey?"

Lord Wyve was absolutely red behind the eyes, "Bastard," he seethed in a low, hushed voice. His finger creeping towards his son's neck. 

"What? Scared?" said Harold boldly. He was standing proudly, much like a spear. His head held high. "No way I'll lose to a commoner. Especially one with just one star." 

Zariel couldn't help but study the boy. His unruly attitude matched his age. But mercy wasn't much virtue he abided by. 

"Professor Blackwater," Professor Vortis called, his tone slightly more respectful. "Might I suggest you accept the dual with your young age and mysterious background? Gaining respect might be hard-earned.'

"Aurelia's against it! If Hell were a person, it'd be Dumb-Dumb here." Aurelia was quick to say. Quite aware of his horrible personality.

"Little Girl, I'll have you know we have some of the finest medical centers known to man and beast alike, " Professor Vortis proudly proclaimed. "So long as one does not die, we can bring them back." 

"You'll regret it, " Aurelia mewled, shaking her head, a hint of pity on her breath. 

"hmmm. If I accept this dual, do I have to answer any more questions?" the boy asked, glancing around. 

The Headmaster looked rather troubled. Instinct warned of danger, yet curiosity seemed equally appetizing. 

He looked over at the various parents and ambassadors, some of whom sponsored many programs within Trinity, and lastly, Lord Wyve. 

Duals within Trinity had been the cornerstone of tradition within the college. Dating back thousands of years. Students would challenge each other, seeking to test their wisdom, be it in a particular field or merely to see who was more powerful. 

Lord Wyve's teeth clenched, and his eyes blazed seeing everyone his son tossed to the wolves. What was a Professor at Trinity if not for men at the top of their field? Vetted by a Ninth Star, Magnus. 

"...Fine, " he said, forcing the words out. The dice had been cast the moment his foolish son echoed the challenge. To step back would only desecrate his family name. 

"Professor Dumb-Dumb, don't kill him, kay! Aurelia really likes this school," the little lass said, seeing everyone ignore her plea. 

"you really need to stop calling me that." 

"then stop being a big dummy!" 

Zariel looked at Harold and sighed. "Alright, attack. No need to drag this out. I'm—" 

Cut short, Zariel saw Harold charge towards him, his fingers dancing through the air to form hand signs. But before enough, arcana could bend to his will. 

The Silver Devil gave a mirthless grin and tilted his head. 

The echo of something snapped through the air, turning faces pale and eyes wide. One by one, shouts echoed, and spells were cast as Harold's neck snapped. 

The boy managed two more steps until he stopped. Falling to his knees and into the Headmaster's arms. 

"Y-Y-You killed him." Lord Wyve muttered, his feet staggering towards his little boy. "Harold? My boy… My boy. Answer me." 

As a few young faces fainted, Zairel glanced towards Aurelia, "Remember, fear is the biggest deterrent a person can face. Remember this when someone challenges you. Now… before all of you start panicking. He's alive. Just paralyze. I'm sure he's freaking out. Right now. Best send him to the medical bay lest the damage becomes permanent." 

The Headmaster and Professor Vortis were quick to confirm Zariel's words as they hurried off to the medical tower. 

"Now then," Zariel said, glancing at the star-stuck children. "as you can see. I've no issue crippling you. So choose when to challenge me wisely, or you pay dearly for it. Office hours are from dawn till noon. If you have any questions, come see me. You may go to your next class." 

"Ummm, Professor Dumb-Dumb. Mera fainted." Aurelia pointed out. "Do we take her to the—" 

Out the door without a care in the world, Zariel waddled his way towards his lab.

Aurelia sighed, sharing a glance with Kura. She could see the fright in her eyes. 

"Don't worry, Dumb-Dumb is actually pretty nice."

"He broke Harold's neck."

"... outside of duals, he's nice."