My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 901 - 902: Page

As Damon neared the academy's entrance, a foreboding sensation gripped him, yet even after three days since classes resumed, no incidents unfolded. Silence from all around left him convinced the veteran High Templar had simply been toying with him.

Damon began to unwind. Drawing in a steady breath, he lounged on a wide picnic blanket alongside Leona.

The beast-kin girl appeared utterly carefree. She devoured a hefty pastry with relish.

He shook his head. She seemed far too at ease.

"Hey, should you really be eating? We’re supposed to be overseeing the entrance exam for the new students..."

Evangeline materialized in a burst of light, her features twisted in fury at the pair picnicking so casually.

Damon shot her a disinterested look.

"Who is this chick... she kinda looks familiar..."

Leona, mid-bite into a creamy pastry as she set her spoon aside, remarked,

"We don’t have money. Go away."

Evangeline's cheeks flushed crimson with rage.

"I’m not a beggar..."

They exchanged glances.

"Hide the food... I heard people like these are like demon raccoons, always stealing food."

Evangeline strode over and seized both their ears.

"Listen up, you two. We have to make sure this exam goes perfectly. Our grades are on the line, and I’ll have you know, Mister Number One on the rankings, we’re second-years now, and I may reclaim my top spot..."

Damon drew Evangeline close into his embrace to halt the ear-tugging. He swept her hair back, cupping her face gently.

"Eva... that’s never gonna happen. The people here love me..."

"No... no they don’t. Everyone hates you," Leona mumbled through her chews.

"Shut up, Leona. Nobody asked you, and whose side are you on..."

Evangeline shoved away from his torso, shaking her head firmly.

"Be that as it may, we are still on a job. If anything happens and we lose the designated number of first-years, our grades will be halved..."

Damon shook his head.

"Don’t worry, I got this. I’ve been watching this new crop of first-years take the exam, and besides, they aren’t our academy’s students until they pass..."

Evangeline nodded, aware he wasn't treating it with gravity.

"Iris is taking the exam..."

He nodded deliberately.

"I know. She’s strong enough to beat all those bums. I trained her myself... I have nothing to worry about..."

Evangeline nodded before unleashing the shocking revelation.

"Luna is taking the exam too..."

Damon went rigid. He had been on the verge of sipping his beverage. He eyed Evangeline sharply.

"You jest..."

"No, I’m not. She’s here..."

Damon's hands shook at the mere thought of his sister enduring hardship. He delved into his shadow storage for the charm.

In a secluded section of the academy, a compact forest landscape had been fashioned. Spanning several kilometers, it served to select fresh recruits. Low-tier green goblins and minor beasts lurked within, posing dangers. The setup was regulated, yet fatalities remained possible, as the academy permitted them to identify top talent. Naturally, if one's kin held immense influence, intervention would occur, though officially all stood equal.

That explained why Damon and other elite pupils were positioned to rescue the elite and influential.

He desired to resent the system, yet he currently ranked among the elite and influential himself.

His voice resounded across the testing grounds.

"Testing, testing... everyone please stop what you’re doing..."

Amplified by the charm, his voice boomed through the testing grounds.

All activity halted... combatants against foes or beasts froze in place.

"Hey you, the one surrounded by five green goblins. Are you deaf? I said stop, or do you want me to disqualify you?"

The youth battling the goblins was wounded and evidently outmatched. Such defiance was absurd. Perhaps aid could be offered, but no—he merely observed, and amid the chaos, he spotted no sign of the youth.

"As expected of Aether Academy, everyone here is a powerhouse."

"Are you deaf, boy? Yes, you—the one bleeding to death..."

The command reverberated.

Irritated, Damon snatched a handful of utensils—spoons and forks—and from kilometers away, he felled every goblin.

The youth halted as the goblins perished. Note that he was deep in the woods while Damon picnicked remotely, yet the strikes landed precisely.

As if that weren't shocking enough, his fourth-class aura then blanketed the entire woodland.

Forced to a standstill, every soul in the woods—even the beasts—succumbed. The pressure choked all breath. Shadows stirred as if awakened.

"Ahem, ahem... thank you..."

He waited briefly while all, beasts included, were compelled to heed him.

"Now then, I’m sure it’s your first time participating in this exam. Personally, I came into the academy without taking this exam..."

Though puzzled, all listened intently. His power surpassed many instructors they would soon face.

"Let me make one thing clear to everyone. There is a cute white-haired girl here with grey eyes and an adorable little face. That sweet angel is a blessing on this world and my little sister. If any one of you touches a hair on her head..."

In a forest nook, two girls found themselves encircled by beasts and rivals in a brutal melee.

Abruptly, the creatures and foes fixated on one girl and began retreating gradually.

She possessed white hair and grey eyes, having just dominated her adversaries, yet now... all backed off, save for the pink-haired peer beside her.

"Well, let’s just say Aether Academy allows bullying... if you want to keep living peacefully, or even in this world, you’d treat my little sister like a goddess and stay out of her way. That includes you monsters too. I know you can understand me—I made sure of that..."

"What the hell are you doing, you bastard..." a female voice rang out too.

"Eva, what are you doing? Give that back... I have to make sure no one bullies Luna..."

"Shut up, Damon. You’re causing trouble again. I swear, we had one job... one job..."

Their voices lingered before dissolving, but Damon ensured a final dire warning.

"Mess with my Luna and you’re dead... dead, I tell you..."

What ensued was a bizarre spectacle. No student or beast dared confront Luna upon encounter.

A pupil clashed fiercely with a creature, sparks of metal and spells flying. Then Luna appeared. Spotting her, the goblin wailed, discarded its blade, and bolted in terror.

Perplexed, the pupil glanced back to find Luna there.

"White hair, grey eyes..." He hesitated, retreating.

"Miss... are you Luna..."

She bowed her head slightly. That sufficed. He plunged into the bushes and escaped desperately.

Luna's cheeks burned. Tears welled up.

"Wait, please... fight me..."

Her expression turned endearingly pitiful as she pleaded for battle.

Iris rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Desperation looks bad on you... just let it go and cruise through the exam..."

Thus, Luna sailed through the exam unscathed.

........

Damon stood within a hall, confronting the academy's council, including the headmaster whose flowing beard remained as impressive as ever.

"First of all... I can explain. It’s not what you think. I was not breaking any rules... I was just acting like a good upperclassman. It was for their own good. Imagine if they bullied my sister... I would have m—I mean... ahem... I did nothing wrong..."

The headmaster sighed, shaking his head.

"Enough of that. It is of no consequence."

Damon exhaled in relief. They overlooked it.

Wait—if so, why summon him? What demanded a gathering of the academy's elite leaders?

"The demon wars have officially begun, although at the moment no skirmishes or battles have happened between the two sides. For many years we have been the principal aggressors. It is unheard of for demons to declare war on us first..."

"And we ended up losing most of them. We never won, technically speaking. We invaded and they sent us retreating always, and when they did declare war last time they almost won. That was during Ashcroft’s reincarnation," Damon stated evenly, despite the reluctance to acknowledge it.

The headmaster nodded deliberately.

"Yes... that is unfortunate but correct. Now they have declared war again, and we cannot be caught off guard. To that end..."

He halted.

"Have you heard of the page program?"

Damon nodded.

"Yeah. It’s a course taken by academy students. You go under a figure of renown to gain real-life experience, and it acts as your academy credit. Gather enough and you can graduate..."

"Yes," the headmaster nodded.

"We’ve decided to put most of you in second to final year in the program, and after talking with all authorities involved, we’ve decided someone of your talents would be placed in a vital position."

Damon dismissed it with a wave.

"No worries. I would cruise with my grandfather’s army... better to stay with family."

The headmaster shook his head.

"Actually, that won’t do... we are sending you to join Seras Blade on a special mission."

Damon's instincts screamed danger.

"Em... where?"

The headmaster averted his gaze faintly.

"In the demon continent."