I created my own system

While Nero was still on the run Apollo was aware of his every move but still could not understand why the emperor would let him escape. So, for now, he remains observing.

To make sure he won't do anything he might regret he decided to give his mind something to be occupied with. That is the repeatedly mentioned party that he is still having problems making. However, even with his lack of communication skills, he still wants to do it since he already made a promise.

So now Apollo sat in Professor Adolfo's dimly lit office; he was quiet, thinking how their demonic professor actually has a taste similar to old people. Lingering in the room is the scent of aged parchment and ink filling the air. Across from him, Professor Adolfo had his attention on a book, looking like an aged yet sharp-eyed scholar, an image that was directly opposite to how Apollo knew him.

The burning incense along the stacks of books in the background created this calm-looking professor that Apollo had no idea how to approach. The boy remains silent not knowing how to initiate the conversation with his professor.

"So, let me get this straight…" Adolfo broke the ice and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "You want me to draft official reinstatement documents under my name… while you—disguised as a professor—personally invite the former lower-class students back?"

Apollo nodded, his golden eyes glinting mischievously. "That's right. If I go as myself, they might not trust me." In reality, he just wants to save himself from the trouble of speaking awkwardly, disguising himself as a professor gives him a number of words he can say. If he were to go as a student, he might become too nervous to think of any topic that could entertain the seniors. Somehow hiding behind the identity of someone made him less conscious of himself.

On the other hand, Adolfo looked keenly at his student, knowing it wasn't really the case. However, he isn't sure what reason he has to use a disguise.

Just then, Professor Timothy came in and, standing beside Adolfo, crossed his arms and said. "You've put a lot of thought into this."

Apollo smirked. "I always do."

Adolfo chuckled. "And why, pray tell, should I agree to this risky venture? Especially letting go of a student that is akin to misfortune"

Timothy, hearing those words, couldn't help but choke on the drink he was gulping in.

"Misfortune? Seriously"

While Timothy wiped the mess he made Apollo leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "Because it's the right thing to do. They were wrongfully cast out. They deserve a chance to come back."

Timothy sighed. "You have a way with words, I just hope you can be that convincing once you meet them because I am certain those kids had their guard up"

"True, just imagine suffering before leaving the academy, starting a new life after all the struggle but then a year later someone will appear asking you to return to the place that once tormented you, even I would hesitate"

"I don't really worry about that whatever they decide I would respect, whether they wish to return or not I will take it"

It was then that the door creaked open, and several more professors stepped inside.

The three people who were inside were surprised since they knew they should be the only people there.

"Were you expecting visitors to Adof?"

"Nope since Alejo informed me he still has some things to do so he won't come"

"Then professor who are these people"

The three were very confused, but seeing the appearance of the people that came in, it should be the professors teaching the lower class.

"Good morning my name is Callista...um... The truth is I and the other professors used to teach them"

"By them you mean.."

"Yes the banished class was once our students....the headmaster had informed us and we would like to extend our hand to help"

The Professor, named Callista, looked at her thirties with brown eyes that seemed to see many things. This woman had once overseen the former lower class. Her composed expression was clouded with emotions showing how she cared about her former class.

"We heard what you were planning," she said softly. "And we want to help."

Apollo raised a brow. "Oh?"

Callista smiled, though sadness lingered in her eyes. "We never abandoned them, student Apollo. Even after they were expelled, we continued to guide them from the shadows—sending advice, helping them adjust to their new lives."

"And we also know where we can find them" added another professor, "Since we used to visit them to continue our teaching"

Timothy sighed. "We owe them more than just that right? If we can give them a real choice… we should do more."

Adolfo exhaled through his nose. Then, finally, he picked up a quill. "Fine. Let's get to work."

For the next few hours, the professors and Apollo worked tirelessly, drafting personalized letters for each student.

Some letters offered apologies for not being able to protect them.

Others contained encouragement, assuring them they were always meant to be part of the academy.

Some even had handwritten notes from the seniors who wished for their return.

When they were finished, Apollo gathered the stack of letters and official documents.

"Time for the next step," he muttered.

But before he could leave, he still thought about Nero; his eyes kept looking at the monitor and saw that the base where he was hiding seemed harder to find than the others.

"Should I make a report now?" he hesitated, but in the end, he refrained from making a move.

"I should be patient" he decided.

While Apollo and the entire students in the lower class were busy, a certain someone was experiencing a tormenting pain that made him wish he was dead.

And that person was none other than Edmund Tower, Eros' beloved teacher.

"Argh!!" He screamed, feeling the wrenching pain; these past few days, the attacks were becoming frequent and more painful. It was to the degree that even after losing consciousness, he could still feel the pain.

"Damn it.....I... Cant...be-bear it...a-anymore"

His nails dug deep into his flesh drawing blood continuously. His head, which he used to hit the floor, was also covered in blood.

Edmund was in so much pain that snout and tears were already mixing together. But due to the little pride he had left, he didn't even cry for help; instead, he remained crouching on the floor, wincing in pain.

"I must do something to ease this pain," he began to think; however, he had limited choices due to the spell he had used. The ancient spell that devours a person's talent is a double-edged sword that also eats the life of the caster.

"I should have used a different spell at that time"

Edmund thought so as his mind began to feel clouded due to the pain.

He only has three choices: kill himself to stop the pain from turning him crazy. Second is to kill Apollo to end the seal from affecting him; and lastly, the one he least wants to do.

"Revoke the spell and suffer the drawback"

Unknowingly, his body jerked even more as he imagined Apollo gaining the power to surpass Eros.

"N-no....I rather die than see that boy gain the power that belongs to my student"

Between the deep-rooted anger he has on Apollo, Edmund wants his student to inherit the seat of the dukedom. It was a dream he had longed to have a student who would hold power comparable to the emperor.

"I c-can't....n-not s-stop now!.....there must be a way!"

However, killing Apollo can't be done since the oath placed by Helios prevented even the thought of it. This oath was also the reason why Edmund ended up using an ancient spell to seal Apollo's talent.

Because other spells would be immediately detected by the oath.

In the end, he won't be able to escape his fate and either be killed by Apollo or remove the seal to quench the pain he is feeling.

Suddenly, as Edmund had a mental debate with himself, the door of his study creaked and opened.

"Master, I came here to report about our latest research...master?....!?...MASTER!!"

One of Edmund's trusted students came in a rush to aid the old mage as soon as he saw his state.

"Master ...are you cursed or something...should I call Shan to aid us?"

The concern that he had shown softened the old man's heart, and he immediately forgot the pain he was experiencing.

"Nel thank you for caring for this old man..."

"Master ....just tell me what is going on... please... I beg you"

Nel was five when Edmund took him in and taught him many things about magic. Now, even when he is already a mage under the association, he would still spend time doing things for his teacher.

Edmund was already satisfied that at least his students would care for him; even for just a moment, he felt extremely happy that the pain he was feeling had subsided.

"My only problem is that brat," he thought so while clenching his teeth in pain