Rebirth-Transcending All Beings

Chapter 83: The New King?

10 minutes before Vergil came in.

Eleanor adjusted the clothes given by the academy, a tailored uniform of dark green lined with gold embroidery. However there was no emblem to signify their attendance. A minor detail that was actually significant.

Though her movement felt stiff, she csrried herself with dignity to her seat. She rested her elbows on her thighs, interlacing her fingers under her chin.

Although she had lost her title, her dignity and knowledge was all that remained. Next to her, Elena sat like a statue. Her eyes scanned the room, fidgeting her fingers.

They were surrounded by people who were destined to become future leaders in the seven powers and maybe even their top powerhouses that would guard it.

Eleanor’s gaze flickered to the structure around them.

The ambient light of the assembly hall rained a bluish radiance by small stones embedded in the vaulted dome.

Still, her expression remained calm.

They had taken seats in the middle row. Central enough to overlook events, but not near enough to be seen. The crowd mostly talked quietly, nervous of what was to come.

"There’s so many applicants," Elena whispered, her lips barely moving. "They all look talented."

Eleanor nodded, though her focus wasn’t on the crowd. "There’s a few monsters here as well, from the rumours."

As if summoned by her words, the lights above dimmed slightly. The stones shifted, casting darkness over the vast chamber. The rustling died down instantly as the figure made his way up to the stage.

Behind the podium, the principal stood tall, draped in a ceremonial robe of black and gold. His long silver hair was tied neatly behind his back, revealing a stern and chiseled face.

His presence alone was enough to silence the room.

And when he finally spoke, his voice reverberated like a mountain tremor.

"Welcome all of you, to Vaeloria Academy. I am principal Adlric Kaelthorn, and it is my duty and honor to oversee your next steps into a world far harsher than any of you have been prepared for."

There was no fanfare nor any dramatic flair. Just the cold truth.

"This isn’t a place of comfort. This is a forge, and you are the iron."

"If you cannot be tempered..."

"You will be discarded before the year ends."

"Our entrance exams will be split into two stages," he spoke solemnly. "Theory will determine your comprehension of politics, rules of combat, monster biology, and energy systems."

"The practical exam however," his smile darkened. "Will determine whether you’re the predator... or the prey."

"He’s not sugarcoating anything, " Elena exhaled softly, her eyes darted through the crowd, searching for him.

But he wasn’t there.

"He shouldn’t be," Eleanor whispered, her eyes narrowed slightly.

Then—

A loud creak of doors echoed across the hall. The main doors opened.

Slow and deliberate.

All heads turned

And three figures entered.

Their steps echoed against the polished floor. They didn’t rush. They didn’t bow their heads in apology. They walked as if they were meant to be there.

Well... two of them did.

The first had slicked-back brown hair, moving with his hands tucked in his pockets.

His clothes were ragged and stained with blood but he acted indifferent to the gazes that focused him.

The second moved with a subtle sway, his forest-brown hair loosely tied behind his back with a smirk playing on his lips.

But the third—

He was different. Even the so-called ’monstrous’ students turned their focus to him.

Tall, wrapped in a long blue robe. A sword fastened at his hip. He exuded a strange magnetism. One that asked to fight him. Though he didn’t flaunt like the others, those nearby averted their gaze in fear.

Something about him was unique. He was composed. Collected. Although others may have mistaken this for pride, it was something different.

It was a thunderstorm that hadn’t decided whether to pass or strike.

Eleanor’s posture shifted loosely, her gaze widening as her eyes locked onto the three.

"Vergil."

She recognised him almost immediately. But something about him was different. His brown hair was slick-back, he was taller and he carried himself with ease. A faint smile on his lips that radiated warmth.

What the hell happened to him!?

This was something, Eleanor couldn’t put her finger on. His usual coldness and indifference was gone. And in its place was a radiant energy that tugged attention with demanding anything.

"He’s changed hasn’t he?" Elena whispered. "What could have happened?"

At the front, Aldric had turned to face them fully. He didn’t scowl nor frown. Instead, a subtle amusement curved at the corner of his lips.

"Well now... it seems some students have decided to make a grand entrance," he said dryly.

A ripple of snickers and murmurs broke across the rows in both mockery and intrigue.

The teachers who lingered at the side, sighed. Not at the students but at the principal for entertaining them.

"What should we do with them?" the principal mused aloud, tapping his fingers against the wooden desk of the podium.

"Ah, I know... let’s have them introduce themselves in front of everyone."

The entire hall stirred in confusion at why the principal entertained their request but they leaned forward anyway, gleaming with curiosity.

Elena smirked. "That’s one way to make an entrance."

Eleanor didn’t reply, her gaze hadn’t shifted from Vergil even once. She still watched him like a puzzle she thought she’d already solved.

Until now.

The three students stepped forward, their books clicking softly as they made their way down the polished floor. The tension in the hall shifted. Turning expectant and tense.

Eyes followed their every movement with every step. Vergil walked last — he appeared calm but his thoughts were a raging storm.

Shit, what do I do? I’ve never had to do this. Speak to a few people. Sure, but thousands. Someone kill me now.

[You scared?]

’... or course I’m scared.’

His legs moved on their own, each step was unnaturally light. Compared to the other two, he felt like a miscast shadow as they strode ahead, unbothered, as if they owned the space.

Vergil glanced down, his pants were intact — but his shirt was ripped along one side and dried blood staining it near the collar.

I look like someone who lived in a jungle. Not someone attending an elite academy.

’I’m not presentable, but I should do my best. First impressions are everything.’

By the time that thought formed, the three had reached the podium.

The principal stood there, regal as ever, offering a patient smile. "I’m Aeldric Kaelthorn. It’s a pleasure meeting you three."

Then, without delay, he stepped back from the podium.

The three looked at him before realising what he was trying to say.

Li Yuxin stepped forward. Moving like flowing water with an unshakable balance. In his eyes was a practised serenity, comparable to a monk.

His lips opened but no words were spoken for a second. A second that felt like an eternity.

"Li Yuxin from Stormveil Ascent." His voice cut through the silence, radiating an unforced strength. "The title given to me is the Azure Dragon."

"That is all."

He bowed his head respectfully, before moving to the side to let one of the other two take his place.

There was no need for embellishment, his title echoed across the dome like a thundering storm.

Next came Zhao Huan.

He carried himself differently. Upright. Casual. His confidence didn’t come from training or meditation — it was innate. His robe fluttered slightly behind him as he stood next.

He gave a friendly smile, and when he spoke. It was with open energy. Simple and unguarded.

"Hello everyone."

"I’m Zhao Huan. Also from Stormveil Ascent and I’m sixteen. I hope we all enjoy our time at the academy."

His words were honest and the crowd, although guarded and some fearful of Yuxin — were now relieved, earning a few nods and approving murmurs.

Dammit. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit it all.

Then came the moment.

It was Vergil’s turn. He stepped up to the podium.

The weight of their gazes pressed down on him with a burden he couldn’t lift just yet.

His legs remained stiff, the entire assembly blurred at the edges of his vision as he began thinking of what to say.

Just introduce yourself... that’s all I have to do.

His hands trembled, his first instinct was to run and disappear into obscurity where nobody would see him.

But he wanted to show them. Eleanor and Elena.

That he had changed.

And finally—

Ping!

A voice.

[Bro you got this.]

The familiar tone of his system was always lighthearted and overly confident.

And Vergil. He took a breath.

A long one.

"Hello everyone. I’m Vergil Vayne. I’m 16."

He paused for a moment, the crowd seemed ready to nod and move in.

He could’ve stopped.

He should have.

But something else snapped in his mind. Panic? A sudden burst of delusion? Or perhaps wanting to make his introduction memorable?

And before he could stop himself—

Vergil screamed. "MY TITLE IS THE KING OF BLOWFISH!"

The echo bounced across the great hall like a warcry from an idiot god.

Then—

Silence.