Chapter 345

It was an entirely predictable scene.

‘What good is being the Round Table’s top talent? In the end, you’re just a sheltered flower in a greenhouse.’

Of course, Aiden’s skill level was high.

But there was a crucial difference between the two.

The difference in accumulated experience.

How many times had Aiden actually faced real combat?

Especially life-or-death battles where he had to risk everything?

Probably almost never.

He’d been too busy being pampered by everyone.

‘If he could at least use his spiritual and teleportation techniques properly, he might be able to push through with sheer force.’

But the Alliance’s duels forbade the use of spiritual or teleportation techniques. Even though Evan insisted on treating it like real combat, the rule stood.

So basic skills and real battle experience mattered far more—and in that regard, Evan possessed an unmatched instinct.

‘Still, it’s disappointing. The so-called top talent of the Round Table is only this good? If he fought against the Mage Empire’s mages, his head would be off in an instant.’

Chris swallowed a sigh.

It wasn’t just Aiden.

The other talents watching the duel with stunned expressions felt the same way.

‘When will these guys ever become capable?’

Though he sighed, there was nothing to be done.

If he wanted to avoid even more hardship in the future, he absolutely had to make these guys pull their weight.

Thwack!

At that moment, Evan’s blade struck Aiden’s nape, and with a groan, Aiden collapsed.

A hollow defeat.

Everyone swallowed hard at the unbelievable sight.

“…Anyone else dissatisfied with the professor, step forward. I’ll take you on.”

No one dared respond to Evan’s cold glare.

Chris smirked and addressed the frozen talents.

“Then I’ll take it that no one has any complaints. From now on, will you follow my instruction properly?”

“…Yes, we will.”

The talents nodded hastily, eyes flickering nervously at Evan standing nearby.

“Good. First, Evan, I’m appointing you as my assistant instructor. Hand out these documents to everyone.”

“Yes, Professor.”

The talents exchanged puzzled looks as they received the papers.

“…What is this? A contract?”

“Before we start the real lessons, you have to agree to this. You’ve probably signed something like it back at the academy.”

“Y-yeah, but the contents…”

“This is basically a waiver of bodily rights, isn’t it?!”

Indeed.

The contract’s terms were terrifying.

Absolute obedience to the hero’s orders.

Consent to injury or death during lessons.

Transfer of life-and-death authority to the hero.

Permission for disciplinary corporal punishment and use of mental spells, and so on.

“This is ridiculous! Do you really expect us to agree to this?”

“If you don’t agree, you can leave. I don’t need cowards who won’t endure this to get stronger.”

“!!”

Chris crossed his arms indifferently.

“Let me ask you something first. Why do you think I set these conditions? To oppress you for no reason? Do I look like I have that kind of time? I’m a hero, you know?”

The room fell silent.

They wanted to answer honestly that maybe he did, but the man before them was a hero.

His presence alone made it impossible to speak carelessly.

“You all know the Mage Empire’s movements are ominous. But how prepared are you?”

“……”

“Do you know how disappointed I am? The so-called best talents of the Alliance are only this level?”

A heavy silence settled among the trainees.

“I intend to make you strong. By any means necessary. If you’re not confident, leave now. Cowards won’t last anyway.”

They bit their lips tightly.

Though Chris dismissed them harshly, they were still among the continent’s finest talents.

There was no way they wouldn’t bristle at such words.

One young man stepped forward, his face set hard.

“Will you really make us stronger?”

“You’re asking the wrong question. You should first ask yourself if you’re capable of following me.”

“!!”

Chris sneered crookedly.

“I’m telling you, I’ll make you stronger than you’ve ever been. But… I don’t know if you can keep up with my teaching.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You all look pretty unimpressive. Like I said, if you’re not confident, leave now. I’m getting tired of repeating myself.”

Provoked by his words, the trainees exchanged glances, then one by one began signing the contract.

They didn’t fully trust Chris’s promise to make them stronger.

If anything, it was their pride that moved them. As top talents, their pride was unmatched.

“Think I’m scared?”

“Yeah. You think you can intimidate the heir of the Vineyard Duchy? I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’ll show you what I’m made of.”

Seeing their resolve, Chris inwardly rejoiced.

‘Such naive fools. They signed without realizing the contract’s true horror just because I poked at their pride. They’d have no right to complain if they were sold into slavery.’

In truth, when someone earlier called it a ‘waiver of bodily rights,’ Chris had flinched a little.

Because that was exactly what the contract was for.

He’d pushed them hard, ruffling their pride, but luckily they’d fallen for it.

‘Well, if you want quick results, some side effects are inevitable. It’s all for your own good, so don’t resent me.’

After wrapping things up, the lecture began.

Their faces mixed curiosity, suspicion, and skepticism.

‘After all that fuss, this won’t be an ordinary class.’

‘Let’s see just how amazing it really is.’

Chris finally spoke.

“My subject is Hero Studies. Do you know what that is?”

No one answered.

It was a course Chris had hastily put together, so no one could be expected to know.

“It’s simple. Hero Studies is about defeating the wicked minions and tribes of Gehenna. Now, let’s get right to practice.”

“…Practice?”

“Yes. No time to waste on pointless chatter.”

When Chris revealed the object, everyone’s faces fell.

It was an artifact, radiating an ominous aura.

“What is that?”

“It’s a demonic relic that forcibly opens a passage to the border of Gehenna.”

“!!”

Suddenly, all color drained from their faces.

“…W-what did you say?”

“I said the border of Gehenna. Didn’t I say we’d start with practice?”

Rumble.

The artifact vibrated, black tendrils stretching out.

Realizing this was no joke, panic set in.

“Stop! What is this?! Gehenna?!”

“You signed the contract, didn’t you? You agreed to die if necessary.”

“Are you kidding?! I’m canceling this! Step back!”

“It’s too late. It’s already activated.”

“You never said you’d do something like this, you bastard!”

“Everyone shut up! How dare you speak to the professor like that! Do you want to die?”

“Shut up yourself!”

Amid the chaos and curses, even Evan’s stern glare couldn’t restore order.

But Chris calmly continued, his voice dripping with annoyance.

“The Hero Studies class lasts four hours. Survive that long. I’ll summon you back after four hours.”

“Aaaargh!!”

With screams, the trainees were pulled into the border of Gehenna.

The first lesson had begun.

---

A demon had appeared at the Kainfer Training Academy!

That was the story behind Chris’s nickname.

After every class, he shoved the trainees into Gehenna, earning that title.

‘Is this all it takes to get a reputation?’

Chris shrugged.

‘The real lessons haven’t even started yet.’

Indeed.

The Gehenna excursion was just to build a basic foundation.

If they were to fight demons and monsters during the Age of Ruin, they had to get used to Gehenna.

‘It’s not even a truly dangerous area. No demons or high-ranking fiends can appear at the border. Evan and Lanya are here too.’

Though he threatened death, he had no intention of letting them actually die.

He planned to train every single one of them into useful tools.

‘Even if there are injuries, the secret healing techniques of the Uiseon family will fix them. The best real combat experience plus warm treatment. Where else can you find a professor like me?’

If the trainees heard that, they’d probably be so frustrated they’d swing their swords.

‘This is just basic conditioning. Time to move on to the next stage.’

Though it had only been about ten days, the trainees’ eyes had begun to gleam with a deadly edge.

A satisfying change.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

“…May I come in, Professor?”

“Come in.”

The door opened to reveal an unexpected visitor.

Aiden Pashet!

“…Why did you call me?”

Aiden asked, his face uneasy.

“Does a professor need a grand reason to call a student? I called for a meeting.”

“…A meeting?”

“Yes. You seem to have a problem.”

Aiden frowned.

‘Problem, my ass.’

His biggest problem right now was the demon bastard standing before him.

But he dared not say that and answered politely.

“No problem at all. Please don’t worry.”

“Really? You look like you’re about to fall into possession, but you seem calm.”

“…What did you say?”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know? You’re on the verge of possession. Your microcosm is incomplete, and you’re forcibly interfering with the laws.”

Aiden was speechless.

He’d already sensed something was wrong.

Chris shook his head.

“You must have pushed yourself too hard recently to achieve results.”

“……”

Aiden clenched his fists tightly.

It was true.

Because of the expectations his family had for him.

The Morning Star of the Round Table. The brightest prodigy the Round Table had ever seen.

That dazzling title had long been eating away at Aiden.

His twisted personality was the result of the crushing pressure from those overwhelming expectations.

In the end, it all blew up in his face.

“At this rate, you won’t even make it to 8-star rank. You’ll end up a complete wreck.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

In his previous life, Aiden had been utterly useless during the Age of Ruin. He’d already become a shell of himself before that even began.

“…So what exactly are you saying?”

Aiden growled, his emotions flaring.

“Are you telling me to just give up everything I’ve worked for until now?”

If Chris was telling the truth, there was only one solution.

To tear down the shaky foundation he’d built and start over from scratch.

That was the only way—but Aiden couldn’t accept it.

“I am the Morning Star of the Round Table. There’s no way I’m giving up all I’ve achieved…!”

“That’s not necessary.”

“…Excuse me? What do you mean, to fix my problem?”

Chris smirked.

“Normally, you’d be right to do exactly what you said. But how long do you think that would take? Ten years wouldn’t even be enough.”

They needed to put him to use immediately—there was no time to waste.

“…Is there another way?”

“There is. But there’s a catch.”

Chris crossed his arms.

“You’ll have to agree once more to the contract you signed when you first started your training.”

Aiden’s face went blank.

The contract to surrender his body.