OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 274: Heads Or Tails?

Chapter 274: Heads Or Tails?

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After Emir and Lyra had their fun, he bid her and the others goodbye while leaving their home.

He quite enjoyed the salutes he received from his people on the way out.

Soon, his Flash Steps resounded through the streets as he headed towards what had awaited him since his arrival in this world.

The Academy.

Emir chose to go on foot for... no particular reason.

Really, he just didn't feel like driving that day.

It was not as if he needed to practice his ability, and he had already identified what had been upgraded after his breakthrough. Which, obviously, was the much faster incantation speed.

A result of his body's improvement in all aspects.

That was what made his path through the test's second phase so easy.

After all, a one-star ability could no longer drain his Aether reserves as fast as it had done before.

So now he went wild and spammed his way to the Academy, wanting to reach there ahead of time.

He intended to make sure that he wouldn't be late for his first class, unlike how a certain someone would.

And this class was one of the two he had each week.

Monday and Thursday were the days.

So while he needed to confirm their attendance and hold ceremony every working day...

He'd only teach them twice a week.

There were exceptions for certain events or if Emir himself requested an extra class.

But that was how it would usually go.

The class of SS-1 was his responsibility, correct, but he was entrusted to only pass down the basics and/or topics he deemed necessary.

After all, he wasn't on a path those students could follow.

His expertise and experience differed from the norm.

Amon recognized that, in turn offering him complete freedom in how he would teach his students as other professors were set to ingrain the Academy's curriculum into their bones.

So, more or less, the principal had nothing to worry about.

Neither did Emir.

His job was simple.

He was set to teach whatever he wanted in whatever way he wished.

If he kept track of the students' progress and reported it to the principal, then he was all good in the Academy's books. And thankfully for the kids, Magnus's hounds were not friends with Amon, so they were in safe hands in that regard.

"Flash Step."

With that last incantation, Emir stood before the entrance of the Tower, surprising the students around him.

They immediately figured out who he was, so they saluted, showing their respect and made their way in.

He followed behind them until he reached the elevator and ascended to the tenth floor.

Since he was quite early, he took that time to cultivate, but when it was nearing 8 a.m., he left his office and made his way down to the fourth floor.

During that time, he thought about preparing a script for the class...

Yet that thought left as soon as it came.

What replaced it was a simple: 'Fuck it, I'll just wing it.'

And that's what he did.

Because at the end of it all, Elite or not, who he had to teach today were kids.

They might be of legal age, and they definitely were smarter than the average fifteen-year- old...

But still.

They were kids.

Some might say that the Elite students should've had higher ranks, been physically stronger, and maybe even been more mature.

But again... they were kids.

Ones that had responsibilities-extremely tough ones.

They were to lead in the future and grow up into someone ready to take the head's mantle.

Yet for the third time...

They were kids.

They hadn't given it their all.

Stakes were involved, things that drove them forward, consequences for their failure, but for the fourth and last time...

They were kids.

Ones that lived their youths to the fullest, took breaks to have fun, despite the constant training and hammering from their parents...

So it just wasn't possible for them to reach Emir's heights.

Because, unlike them, he was no stranger to death. To tragedy.

He was a man who walked on a tightrope and all that was below him was certain, unending

sleep.

Those children grew up without that feeling of death, that noose around their necks.

Even though they had all the advantages the planet could offer.

A golden spoon that fed them all they wanted on the daily.

They simply could not match.

Sofia was no exception to that rule.

Their resources, however, still allowed the strongest of them to reach the Knight sub-rank. This was never expected from someone their age, even with the Well of Eternity in mind. But if they were to be considered strong, they still did not know how to use that strength. Some of them might think that they know the world, the creatures of the dark, and the shadows under the light.

However, Emir himself couldn't claim that fact.

He knew a lot... yes.

He went through a lot... yes.

But he wasn't stupid or arrogant enough to call himself knowledgeable of the true world.

A world where a mere coin flip could decide one's life or death.

Emir's job was to teach them exactly that.

And now... he stood in front of all his students, ready to give them heed.

His eyes were locked on Arthur.

The protagonist, who had expectedly arrived in class a few seconds late.

{I smashed through the door, almost stumbling, as I barely stopped myself from falling.}

Emir's mind went through the lines of the 'Born In Ruins' novel.

And as if it were a script, all the students followed them to a tee.

Except for a certain few...

Mostly Aria and Elijah.

{I looked to my right, spotting who appeared to be our class's professor.}

{'She's so beautiful... as expected of the-}

Emir skipped past Arthur's wonderment in an attempt to stop himself from laughing out

loud.

{'That's Ava, right? Oh, and there's that bastard Max...' My mind grew confused for a

moment.}

{And then I felt anger... 'Why is she sitting next to him?!'}

Because that was the seating arrangement 'fate' had decided.

{Does she not know that he kicked me? ...She might not.}

Ava did, but she just didn't care.

{'Even that Elijah is sitting next to Sophia and Aria...'}

Arthur was jealous.

They paid him no mind when he entered as if their experience together in the exam was

nothing but a dream.

A dejected protagonist then made his way to a free seat.

However, unlike most novels, Arthur found no seat awaiting him that matched his status-

the so-called window seats were taken.

However, unlike the typical scenario in most novels, Arthur found no seat awaiting him that

matched his status.

The so-called window seats were taken-occupied by unnamed characters, mere extras of the

new world.

So like all of those latecomers to class, he had to sit closest to the professor.

"You're late."

Emir spoke, his tone cold, his eyes staring at Arthur through his shades like daggers ready to

strike.

"I-I'm sorry sir! Please don't give me a penalty! Even though I overslept, I was only a few seconds late!"

{I wasn't lying; of course, I in fact was late because of my sleep, but it wasn't my fault! That bastard brother calling and asking me to do things for him, not allowing me a wink of proper

sleep!}

"Were you now?"

"Y-yes sir!"

Hidden chuckles echoed throughout the room, along with some daring but stupid ones that

spoke out:

"If I were you, I wouldn't have even come here."

"How dare this bastard be late while we're here early!"

"Those impure peasants-"

"Quiet."

Emir's low voice cut through the noise, stunning everyone into silence.

"...Now then."

He raised his hand, presenting a Valora coin.

A gold-plated piece featuring the Order's insignia at its center.

An eye.

One that was highlighted in black lines, contrasting strongly against the gold and creating a

beautiful piece of art.

Emir tossed that coin into the air...

Ting!

And slapped it onto the back of his hand.

"Arthur... Tell me..."

It wasn't completely visible, but he allowed the protagonist to see its bottom to a certain

degree.

"Heads or tails?"