CHAPTER 231: SPECIAL TRAINING

"You’re not tired of being served tea you prescribed yourself, are you?" Langga greeted, already aware of Gara’s identity as the Alchemy Genius and the mastermind behind Alrova’s herbal products.

"Not at all. I made it because I like it," Gara replied, sitting down on the sofa-like settee without waiting for permission.

Langga rose from his chair and took a seat across from him. The steaming cup of tea floated through the air and settled gently on the table between them.

"Congratulations, Gara," Langga said with genuine warmth. "Your water has great potential, and you’re also an alchemist and herbalist recognized by the professional of that field. After graduating from the academy, I’m sure you could go anywhere you wish."

Gara only glanced at him briefly, unimpressed by the kind expression that could easily be nothing more than a mask.

"I won’t ask you much today. You’ve done exceptionally well," Langga said, taking a slow sip of his warm Niskara tea. "We’ll continue your training Monday night. But if there’s anything you want to ask —about anything at all— you can ask now."

Gara was about to stand. He never liked staying in this office longer than necessary. But then, he remembered Revan.

"The Class S monitor," Gara began. "Can he really be replaced if he doesn’t act like a proper monitor?"

"Of course," Langga replied with a nod. "Do you think Revan isn’t doing a good job?"

"It’s not that he’s bad," Gara said carefully. "He’s just... too sure that he’s always right. That’s not good for the class, is it?"

Langga paused, then gave a faint smile. "If you think Revan always believes he’s right, then you’re quite mistaken."

"Huh? What do you mean, mistaken? He clearly—" Gara cut himself off and frowned. "Mistaken in what way?"

"Do you know what kind of instincts vampires have?" Langga asked in return.

Gara almost groaned. He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture on other races, but curiosity won out. He shook his head.

Langga explained patiently, "Vampires aren’t social creatures. They don’t like leading, cooperating, or relying on anyone. They prefer to handle everything alone.

That’s part of why they live long lives, they don’t need others. When the academy invited Agus Soren —Revan’s grandfather— to serve as vice principal, they had to go through quite a lot to convince him."

Gara nodded slowly. Now he understood why Tristan once said Agus Soren was so hard to meet.

"If vampires hate socializing so much, then why did Revan agree to become a class monitor? He doesn’t even seem antisocial."

Langga snapped his fingers lightly. "Exactly. That’s why I said Revan isn’t the type to think he’s always right. He’s not like other vampires. He wants to change how people see his kind.

That’s why he cares so much about what others think of him. And that’s also why he doesn’t seem to like you...

Because from the start, you went against him. He assumes you dislike him, so he’s been trying to prove himself to you, trying to show he can be a fair and capable leader. But... his perspective was flawed."

"You know about all that?" Gara asked, genuinely surprised.

He tried to recall if he’d ever mentioned Revan around Langga, but he was sure he hadn’t gossiped about him to anyone.

"As the main advisor for your class, there’s very little I don’t know," Langga replied casually.

Gara didn’t bother asking how he knew. He just realized one thing, Langga had more eyes and ears than he’d thought.

I’ll need to be extra careful with my plans concerning him, Gara noted silently.

Feeling there was nothing left to ask, Gara stood to leave.

"See you Monday night," Langga said as Gara reached the door.

"Yeah," Gara replied with a sweet smile. "See you Monday night."

But once the door shut behind him, that smile turned sharp.

"You’re digging your own grave, Langga."

...

The special training between Gara and Langga took place at the top of the clock tower, a place where most of the academy staff lived, except for the professors.

Access to the tower’s interior was restricted to residents, but the rooftop could still be reached by climbing the outer staircase.

Of course, it required far more effort than simply using the floating stones inside.

Fortunately, Gara wasn’t the type to tire easily. Thanks to his Niskara tea, even climbing ten stories felt like a light jog.

And as for Langga, the young professor, fatigue was clearly beneath him.

Their training had begun. A duel.

"Show me every kind of attack you’ve got," Langga commanded.

Though he called it a duel, it was more like attack and defend.

Gara attacked. Langga defended.

And not a single strike landed.

"Guess there really is a huge gap between students and professors," Gara muttered, still trying to find an opening in Langga’s perfect defense.

His duel with Maul suddenly felt like child’s play—

or maybe Maul had simply underestimated both him and Madha so much that his guard had dropped completely.

By the end of the day, Gara lost.

But the knowledge he gained from Langga’s movements and counters was worth more than the win itself.

He really is a top professor,

Gara thought to himself.

"I’ll see you next week," Langga said as they wrapped up. "Try to identify the reason behind your loss today."

Gara nodded, turned around, and left without another word.

Yeah. I’ll figure out why I lost, he mused. But more importantly...

The next day at the cafeteria, Gara sat with his friends, enjoying a bowl of suplement soup.

Its taste varied depending on which spices each person added, and the table was lively. Until gossip from a nearby table reached their ears.

"I swear, someone saw Professor Langga going up to the clock tower with a female student," one student said.

"Not just that! They said he forced her— even covered her mouth!"

"Isn’t that a crime?"

"Obviously! But he’s one of the most respected professors here."

"Pfft. If it were me, I’d totally go along with whatever he wanted, he’s too handsome to say no to!" another girl giggled.

"Ugh, are you serious? Handsome or not, that’s disgusting if he’s using his authority to threaten students!"

"Wonder how many victims he’s had already?"

At Gara’s table, Andine’s tail practically twitched with fury.

If Gara hadn’t subtly shaken his head, the mermaid girl would’ve already stormed over there to give those gossipy students a piece of her mind.

"They’re spreading rumors like that about Professor Langga so carelessly," Andine fumed.

"Apparently someone claimed to be a witness," Madha said between spoonfuls of soup. "That’s why it spread so fast this morning."

"Just wait till I find out who started it!" Andine snapped loudly enough for the nearby table to freeze mid-breath.

The group fell silent.

Meanwhile, for the first time since lunch began, Gara spoke.

"What if..." he said quietly, stirring his soup. "...what if the rumor’s actually true?"

...