CHANGES

[Sorry for the late chapter. I was unwell. Enjoy!]

Buzzzz...

"Haaahhh… That was refreshing!" I finished my meditation and checked the alarm clock to see it was 7:02. After doing my morning stretches; I headed towards the washroom to wash my face and get ready for the workout.

Splashh!

"Sigh… A lot changed in only a few days." I sighed and looked at my bare upper body in the mirror, which had a few changes from before I went to Ritzu Forest with Robin. This also included the addition of a few scars. Thankfully I didn't have any on my face yet, but who cares.

I had an earring on my left ear in the shape of a snake that went behind my ear and then peeked at the front. It was silvery in colour, but the scales and all the details to it were lifelike.

The second thing was a hexagon tattoo just below my pecs at the centre.

"Thankfully, there aren't any letters or some weird shape, as that would have been difficult to explain. At least, now I can say that I'm changing my look or something." I muttered in relief as I started collecting my essence over the tattoo. A screen popped up in front of me in the blink of an eye.

[ Name- Steve

Age- 27

Realm- High-ranked human

Inheritance- Conguard (God of Protection)

Concepts- Block, Conceal, Stomp…..

Unique concept- Godspeed

Legacy concept- Protection ]

My primary information popped up, and I only had a single thought, 'Apart from God's name, I know everything else already. So why tf is this screen-like thing even necessary!? And even that name must be stored somewhere in the records that I have with me!' I then looked at the earring, which vanished and turned into a grimoire; floating in front of me.

'I should remember not to do this in front of anyone else, as this is proof of someone clearing the Ruins. As this book is bound with the person who clears the ruin.' I willed, and the pages of the Grimoire started flipping, showing the vast amount of treasure and records stored within. This book was like a warehouse where a lot of stuff was stored. The difference between this Grimoire and the others is that; a person needs to fill the pages with different treasures on their own, but in my case, it was already filled up to the brim, and there wasn't anything that was 'unnecessary' in those treasures.

'But it still feels weird that all the items perfectly fit what I think is necessary. It's like it was handcrafted for me, but something's weird… The items I would have considered useless in the past don't seem like that anymore. Although I still think the design of this earring is a little cringe, it is still better than anything else. At least I have some of the most coveted treasures on me.'

Robin and I didn't discuss much about our rewards, as we had agreed upon earlier. After getting our awards, we made our way back to the academy. Although we were late by a few days, the higher-ups didn't say much after we told them about the attack by The Hunters. Also, I had become a High-ranked human, which was something to celebrate as we are basically considered the top-ranked forces in our world. Each one enjoys numerous benefits.

'And I'm one of the youngest to reach this realm. However, the hard work behind it was truly immense. Talent without hard work is nothing. Assimilating with the conceptual core at the throne room was definitely something that helped me, in any case. Sigh, that whole ruin didn't follow anything considered standard… ' I thought with a complicated look; as I wondered what would happen in the future and what Lehman said about the prophet.

"Will the Arch humans involve themselves in this war?" I said in contemplation…

Arch humans find the regular stuff too dull and troublesome, although there are a few exceptions to this; they have ascended only in recent decades. The others are aged in the hundreds, but it's not like they have achieved immortality… They can still be killed and even die of old age; the only difference is that numerous generations would pass before that…

So, to the average person, they can only be considered as immortals…

"Anyway, let's get going. I need to reach the training grounds of the academy by 8 to mentor the students. 30 km run, here I come!" I got ready in a hurry and left my apartment in high spirits. Professors are given their private quarters and can even live with their families here. But, since I don't have any… I enjoy my life in peace.

-

After completing my workout, I returned to my 'home' to change in the official attire that professors are required to wear on school grounds. It was a simple T-shirt with my name on the backside and the Imperitous Royal Academy logo on my chest. The logo was a horizontal infinity sign in black, it was nothing fancy like a mythical animal or a bird, but its meaning was wonderful…

{Even If the academy is destroyed or closed down, the knowledge it passed to its students will keep spreading through them for eternity.}

The grounds were five minutes from the professor's living quarters. By 8:04, I reached the ground, and as soon as everyone saw me, they said at the top of their voices, in perfect sync…

""GOOD MORNING, PROFESSOR!!""

The greeting was crispy and filled with energy because, in the past, I gave some 'personal guidance' to those who weren't serious in my class, and thus my image of 'Angel to hard workers and a Demon to slackers' has been around for a while. Although it was not something I hoped for, the result was not bad.

"Good morning, everyone!" I spoke in a loud enough voice that was audible to even those in the last line. However, none of the kids was surprised, as this is something pretty normal for someone of my power level. The increase in power isn't only in essence or mastery over your concept; it is also physical.

"I have a surprise for you!" I said with a smile and then released my essence aura.

"Ohh.. that aura is certainly heavier than before!"

"The rumours were true…"

"Sir will now be considered a powerhouse of the Academy and the Empire!"

"Ahh… He looks even more handsome now!"

"He is still single, right!"

The students discussed within themselves, and I could hear various reactions and opinions, but one thing was certain; most students here really liked me as a teacher.

'But, some may be a little too infatuated with me.' I thought as I looked at the flushed faces of a few of the girls present there.

Block!

I used my concept, covered the area where the students were standing in my essence, and made the sounds coming out of their mouths disappear entirely. But the students weren't too surprised, as if they already had anticipated such a thing.

"Stop your banter and start the training." I said in a stern voice and then withdrew my essence. Hearing such things from girls 12 years younger than me; gives me a complicated feeling. Although marrying someone older at the age of 15 is not a taboo or something, I see them as kids; who grew in front of my eyes.

'Though people at a high level are essentially free to do whatever they feel like; if they at least uphold the law in front of the public eye.' I thought as I remembered some people I had to 'deal' with in the past.

The children were not even awakened yet, but they were trying their best at the academy; gaining as much experience as possible will increase their chance of awakening intuitive concepts. The more someone awakens, the more talented they are and the faster their growth will be.

"Keep working hard like that! Talent and hard work are very much interconnected, don't forget that!" I tried to give a few words of motivation here and there.

The kids sparred against each other, raced, competed, tried to break their previous records, and practised with different weapons. Soon the sound of a bell ringing echoed everywhere. I checked the time, and it was 9:30, currently.

"All right, everyone! That's it for today. Will see you in the classes soon, don't be late!" I said with a smile, and the students replied with a thank you. Some even came up to me for personal advice or to congratulate me.

'Sigh, soon these kids will choose their specialisations in the fields they have interest and talent. And then, after working hard for two more years, they'll awaken. But, how far they'll go on this road; will depend on them only…' I thought while remembering all those children who have passed from this prestigious academy and have spread their names far and wide.

"Haahh, I should go back and change. I have a class at 10:30." I sighed again and went towards my quarters.

[Hope you liked it!]