Lord of the Truth

"Hold it!"

The voice wasn't loud… but it carried a weight far heavier than volume.

It surged through the interior of the academy building like a focused blast of pressure—quiet, yet thunderous—causing the very atmosphere to shift.

"Hmm?"

Shaddad spun toward the entrance, brows drawn in fury, face twisted with irritation.

He was more than ready to lash out—regardless of who dared to interrupt. Even if it was another teacher, even if it were an elder.

But the instant his eyes landed on the one at the door… his rage melted into delight.

"Big Brother!!"

His voice shifted instantly—from a defensive roar to a joyful call.

"Big Brother?"

"Did… did he just say Big Brother?"

"Wait… who on earth would Professor Shaddad—that iron-willed, fire-tongued instructor—call 'Big Brother'?!"

"You're new, right? I've only heard him use that title once. Only for one person... That's our true instructor."

"Whaaaaaaaaaat?!"

Within a blink, every single student turned toward the entrance, eyes wide, jaws slightly parted.

Anticipation filled the room like fog—

and those who hadn't heard the stories before… were struck silent by what they saw.

A man.

A human.

One whose presence didn't scream power at first glance—no blinding aura, no crashing pressure.

Yet somehow, none of them could look away.

He looked to be in Level 31, but even that seemed… misleading.

"Big Brother, you're out! Finally!"

Shaddad rushed forward like a soldier seeing his commander return from the dead.

"You were in there so long I thought that book's aura had erased you entirely!"

He chuckled, half-nervous, half-relieved.

"I was going to Voltar every week just to ask about you. Even he said you might stay in there for seventy more years!"

Robin didn't smile.

His expression remained unreadable—his voice, level and cold:

"What exactly is going on here, Shaddad?"

"Did I ever authorize you to teach those unruly children in my absence?"

"I…"

Shaddad flinched like a boy caught stealing bread.

He hesitated, then rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I remembered what you said that day… about your name. About how it shouldn't be tainted by this place."

His voice was softer now, quieter.

"I thought about it, you were right... When people call you the Sixth, it would be a shame to have this place stain your legacy."

He looked down for a moment, then met Robin's gaze again.

"Maybe I can't change the Monarch's orders, or reverse the system… but I could help in small ways. I thought, if I could keep your name out of the dirt, even just a little…"

Robin was silent.

Then—

He exhaled, a long breath escaping between slightly parted lips.

His fury was melting. The words may not have been perfect… but the sincerity behind them couldn't be denied.

He couldn't stay angry. Not at that.

"I left the Archive because I need something from you."

His voice steadied, regaining its usual focus.

"How long until you finish this… lesson of yours?"

"Half an hour. Just thirty minutes."

Shaddad's voice lit up again, his face almost glowing with hope.

"Wait for me in your quarters—I'll come as soon as I finish. There's so much I want to ask you about!"

Robin shook his head.

"No need. I've had more than enough solitude for a lifetime."

Without another word, he stepped past the crowd of stunned students and toward the teacher's seat.

He sat, crossing one leg over the other, exuding quiet authority.

"I'll observe from here."

"Haha, even better!"

Shaddad beamed with pride.

This was his chance—his Big Brother would witness his method, his growth, his discipline in action.

He turned to the center of the sparring courtyard nestled between the lecture stands and the professor's platform.

Then pointed at someone near the back.

"Vaneer. Get down here."

"Huh? Me… again?!"

A sleepy voice groaned from above.

A red-haired youth lazily lifted his head, eyes half-shut, lips curled in annoyance.

He moved sluggishly, as if still half-dreaming.

His physique was well-built, muscles thick and balanced. His skin was lightly tanned, almost human…

But if one looked closely—very closely—

faint traces of scales shimmered along his cheeks and neck, only visible when the light hit just right.

Robin's eyes narrowed.

He knew this one.

That's the boy who surrendered mid-fight… the one who walked off without hesitation.

"You're the strongest here."

Shaddad's voice cut through the tension.

"The one with the highest endurance."

He pointed directly at Vaneer.

"As long as you keep trying to hide in this class, I'll keep dragging you to the front."

"...Tch."

Vaneer scratched his scalp, yawned, and dragged himself down the stairs with visible reluctance.

But when he reached the training zone—he stood straight. Calm. Collected.

Not a trace of nervousness in his posture.

He wasn't much shorter than Shaddad.

His steps didn't shake. His expression didn't falter.

"...."

Robin's gaze settled on him—and stayed there.

It was hard to look away.

This boy wasn't ordinary.

He was at the absolute peak of the Emperor Realm, holding himself back from ascending further.

His physical force was immense—overwhelming.

Robin could tell:

He had undergone at least one, maybe two Weaponization Baths.

And most bizarre of all…

The way he looked at Shaddad.

It wasn't the gaze of a subordinate.

It wasn't fear.

It wasn't even respect.

It was calm assurance.

Almost like he knew… nothing here could harm him.

Like he'd seen worse—faced greater.

"Alright everyone—watch carefully."

Shaddad's voice rang with clarity and authority.

"I'm only going to demonstrate this once."

He turned his head slowly, making sure every student in the room was attentive. Dozens of eyes followed him, some wide with interest, others dulled with fatigue.

He then shifted his gaze back to Vaneer and took a large, purposeful step forward—shortening the distance between them.

Once more, he turned to the crowd of students, raising his voice:

"First—use your Law-based techniques to close the gap quickly, just like we practiced."

"The key is to create a brief opening in your opponent's defenses. That's your entry point."

Then, turning to Vaneer again, he spread his arms wide—like he was preparing to embrace him.

"Next, focus all your strength into your chest and palms."

He nodded toward Vaneer.

"Now try to escape."

BAAM!

In a flash, Shaddad closed the distance fully and struck Vaneer hard on the back—both palms landing squarely between his shoulder blades.

It was clear Shaddad held back his full strength…

But even so, Robin—still seated, arms crossed—could tell:

That blow carried enough force to shatter the spine of a Nehari Giant, Daoudar.

Easily.

"Aargh!"

Vaneer groaned in pain, his body jolting forward.

He squirmed, tried to wriggle free—

but he was locked. Solidly.

Shaddad then released him and faced the students again, voice steady and firm:

"Did you see the strike point? Right behind the upper back—beneath the spine ridge."

"Targeting that spot will weaken the entire body for a few seconds. And in those precious seconds…"

He gestured with both arms, mimicking a crushing motion.

"…you squeeze your enemy between your charged palms and chest—until they break."

He then placed his hands calmly behind his back, posture formal.

"Any questions?"

"…No, Professor."

The students responded in unison, though their faces betrayed something else—confusion, concern, or perhaps mild fear.

A few of them exchanged uncertain glances.

"Tsk, tsk… this'll ache for the rest of the day."

Vaneer muttered as he stretched his arms lazily, like someone trying to wake up from a long nap.

He turned, dragging his feet as he headed back to his seat.

But just as he was about to sit down—

"Where do you think you're going?"

Shaddad's voice snapped like a whip.

"Wait right there. You'll be helping the others learn the move."

Yawn

Vaneer cracked his neck, unbothered, then strolled back to his previous position.

He shoved one hand into his pocket and sighed.

"Alright, let's get this over with."

Shaddad let out a short breath, then swept his gaze across the seated students until his eyes landed on someone.

"Merina."

He pointed.

"You're the weakest when it comes to physical combat. Come down and try The Bear's Embrace on Vaneer."

"Eeeeh?!"

A thin, petite girl wearing a comically large hat blinked in disbelief and pointed at herself in shock.

Then, with visible reluctance, she rose from her seat and descended toward the arena like a prisoner walking toward the gallows.

She stopped at a safe distance from Vaneer, her head lowered in nervous respect.

She gave a tiny bow.

"Please go easy on me."

"…Can I defend myself?"

Vaneer ignored her and turned his head to the side, speaking casually.

"Of course! How else will they learn properly?"

Shaddad barked in annoyance.

Then raised his arm—

and brought it down like a judge passing sentence.

"Engage!"