Everyone in Parachenko Village was only present, only due to their current usefulness.
Parachenko Village was probably one of the few places within the Thirty Three Heavens in which Arthur didn't have to worry about his schemes or plans being easily revealed.
It helped that no-one within a ten thousand kilometre area specialised in divination or fortune telling, but this was the place that Arthur was born, and a place where everyone was already familiar with him.
Just by existing did he fit into the environment and society. It was considered "normal" for him by others.
"You guys still need to work on your teamwork. Zlatanna, you need to work in tandem with Iryna better. Both of you are the close ranged fighters on your team so you need to better work to compliment the other. Parvan and Milena are the same somewhat, although their destructive powers aren't as high as they could be. I'll see you guys tomorrow then....".
Arthur ignored the sounds of groans and struggled breathing.
He promised not to kill any of them, but everything else was practically fair game.
He had definitely broken more bones that any of them cared to count. For mortals, such injuries would put them out of commission for at least a couple months, but for Fae Masters, even without healing type fae, it would take at the most four weeks for them to completely heal.
That time was the same for every Fae Master, but usually Rank 1 and Rank 2 Fae Masters could ask someone to heal them for next to nothing. Rank 4 and Rank 5 Fae Masters would find it more difficult, seeing as though needed a Fae of the same Rank or higher to heal them.
With his enhanced strength, it was very easy to break bones and rupture muscles. He was still holding back by quite a bit, but even with that.... they were still too weak.
Most of these Fae Masters, after experiencing a sharp bout of pain, usually fell to the ground like a sack of broken potatoes. There weren't many, like Randolf who could fight even after burning the skin and flesh of his hands and forearms.
His madness overtook his wills and emotions. That didn't particularly count because he wasn't fully in control of himself, but Arthur wanted the same effect from these four as soon as possible.
So long as a Fae Master could fight regardless of how much pain they were currently experiencing, Arthur would consider them a good slave.
Even if their arms had been chopped off, and their internals were spilling out from their insides, if they were still breathing, they had their uses.
Leaving the four, physically broken, young "teammates" of Arthur, the reincarnated demon turned towards the Lecture Hall, approaching the large familiar building with a slight glint in his eyes.
He had been given permission by his Father and Elder Vova in order to help teach the next generation of Kovacs. Even within the Affection Tree Fae, over the course of a year, most of these students would be putty in Arthur's hands.
Speaking of putty-.
"Ah? Arthur, what are you doing here?".
Arthur suppressed a smile before turning an noticing the beautiful young woman walking parallel to him. The girl had long, dark, almost midnight coloured hair, and a pair of bright blue eyes that seemed to shine with curiosity and admiration.
Arthur gave the girl a small polite smile.
"Nyssa. I'm here.... to work I guess".
The girl tilted her head slightly before gesturing towards the the Lecture Hall in front of her.
"Work here? At the Lecture Hall?".
Arthur nodded.
"I asked if I could help assist in some of the teachings in the Lecture Hall this year. Mostly in regards to combat and martial arts, but maybe some other things if I get permission for it".
The girl's eyes widened, and her face turned red slightly as she quickened her pace towards the Lecture Hall. She completely ignored all the young boys her own age that tried to approach her as she quickly entered Arthur's former classroom.
Said classroom had gotten quite the expansion over the past week or two, taking the beast tides and the number of new Fae Masters that had been added this year.
Arthur smiled slightly before heading towards Elder Vova's office, knocking on the door a couple times before entering with a expressionless look on his face.
He needed to make sure that on absolutely no level, was he any of the students friends. He was just over a year older than most of them, but that didn't mean that he could fraternize with them so easily.
All the other Elders in the Lecture Hall knew how.... popular Arthur was with most of the mortals, and this generation of Fae Masters. Even if they knew he wasn't the type to so willingly..... persuade those around him into "relations", all of them knew that most of the girls present wouldn't say no.
All the girls wanted to be with him, and all the boys wanted to be him.
Now that he was a Rank 2 Fae Master, the gap between them and Arthur had only widened. Most of them didn't realise just how hard it was for Fae Masters to cultivate.
Elder Vova smiled slightly when he saw Arthur enter his office. Out of the original seven Elders belonging to the Lecture Hall, only three remained after the beast tide. Having Arthur here to substitute for the Elders they had lost may have seemed over the top, but after his performance during the Tournament, none of them had anything negative to say about him.
In fact.... they felt slightly jealous at this young man's talents and perception.
But they would never admit that out loud.
"Ah. Arthur. Elder Karl, Elder Jakob and I were just talking about you. You are completely fine with teaching the martial arts and combat classes correct?".
Arthur nodded.
"Good. Because the three of us have tried to push with the Clan Leader about sending the new Fae Masters on more excursions outside of Parachenko Village. Most of these mortals have spent their childhoods in the forests just outside the Village, but due to the new terrains and environments, we would like them to get used to the new Winter Rain Mountains as soon as possible".
"We would prefer to send them out on their first excursion, just after the first Fae Master Tournament for the year. And as someone who has experience in combat, and who teaches combat, you will be asked to accompany them. Along with whomever else you see fit to bring along".
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
This.... was a little convenient, wasn't it?
He had already wanted to start trying to get Parvan, Zlatanna, Iryna and Milena to right in actual life or death combat, but for the time being, he was keeping it relatively down low. He wanted to try and tests their loyalties, as well as the effects of the Affection Tree Fae.
It wasn't really a secret that he had started associating with those four, but had Elder Vova already planned for this?
Arthur kept those thoughts to himself and just nodded at Elder Vova's suggestion.
"I think that sounds like an excellent idea Elder Vova. When the time approaches, please tell me my role during the excursions".
All three of the Elders shared a glance, before smiling and nodding at Arthur.
The corners of Elder Vova's mouth raised as he stood up and gestured for everyone in front of him to follow.
"Good. Now I guess all that is left to do is introduce ourselves to our new students for this year. Although, I hope that nothing to surprising will happen as a result of our new..... staff member".
The three Elders glanced at Arthur, who just scratched the back of his head and awkwardly smiled.
"Don't worry Elders. I'm not the type of person to take advantage of those who depend on me".
Despite the serious tone behind Arthur's words, only he knew that what he had just said, might've just been the biggest lie he had ever told.