A week had passed since Aizen started wearing his 20 kg weights. However, he was still not used to doing daily activities.
For walking or sitting, it was doable. But, for eating and sleeping, it was pretty uncomfortable.
His body ached for a few days after wearing the weights. According to his estimation, he would likely need another 20 days or so to get used to it. And for the muscles of his body to form too.
And, at that time, the minimum physical requirements for an Apprentice Knight would be fulfilled for him.
Apart from being recognized as a tier-1 Knight Apprentice, he should also be able to use a bit of Reeva's power and begin to accommodate a small amount of Mana in his body.
Aizen leisurely walked into the Class 10 of Mage Division. Unintentionally, he ran into Arman. His steps stopped because Arman's four friends were also in front of him.
"You shouldn't need to come back to this class. Just enjoy your time in that dump."
"Your presence in this place is not welcome, soldier."
Arman and his friends sneered at Aizen in low tones.
Aizen just lowered his eyelids, giving Arman and the others a lazy and bored gaze.
'This brat seems to have a plan already. But seeing he didn't dare directly denounce viciously. It meant that his preparations weren't ripe. Should I mock him?'
"I'm not a soldier. I'm a student in this class. If you don't believe me, you can check it in the student administration section.
"Why? Incapable or lazy to do that?
"Or are you just jealous because I can afford the budget to study in two divisions?
"If you guys are short on money, tell me. I might be able to give you one copper coin."
Aizen deliberately said that in a tone that could be heard by all the students in Class 10 because he was sure that Arman and his friends would not be able to act like the first day.
And sure enough, when Aizen finished his words. Arman and his friends could only grumble in annoyance. Because at that very moment, Nathan stepped forward, walking from his seat.
"Hey! What did you guys do to my big brother? Move aside! Don't block the path for the other to come in."
Arman and his friends were furious. Their bodies were shaking because they were so angry they wanted to beat Nathan.
In their previous life, they might have grabbed Nathan by the collar and knocked him to the ground. But now, they already know Nathan's identity. So, just yelling at him, they had to think long and hard about it.
However, Arman was already having a hard time holding back the insult when it was added to Aizen's earlier scorn. He turned around with furrowed brows, narrowed eyes, and a forced smile.
"Oh! His Highness, the fourth prince of the Aslan Empire. Of course, we don't dare to do that. We just wanted to step out for a bit and happen to cross paths with this brat." Arman said while holding Nathan's arms, trembling, trying not to tighten his grip.
He didn't care if touching the body of the imperial family would have dire consequences. He would still do it fearlessly in front of the crowd. He was only one step away from losing his mind and was about to punch Nathan and Aizen without thinking about what would happen next.
Nathan was not afraid of Arman's appearance. He remained firm and was about to shake off Arman's hands that were holding his arms.
However, Aizen suddenly pulled Nathan backward, freeing him from Arman's grip. Thanks to returning to youth, his five senses could be honed earlier to become sharper. And because of that, his hearing gave him Dante's position, which was only twenty steps away from the classroom door.
So, Arman and his friends were left with no choice but to abandon the farce or whatever they intended to do later.
And also, with Arman announced Nathan's true identity to all the students in the class. Every move he made would meet with rapt attention from even the most prestigious families in the empire, as the imperial family held a revered position in society. Aizen couldn't have hoped for more than that.
But unfortunately, the incident, which should have been done without dragging on. Instead it continued and might have become worse because Inkgrit suddenly joined in front of the class.
"I knew that. You guys are brats who won't give up their bad habits. You shouldn't bother Aizen anymore after beating him up so badly."
This time, Aizen could only slap his forehead. He was speechless at Inkgrit's actions. Aside from Dante being close to the class, he also wanted to stop his teasing.
Arman would be easy to take care of when he was still sane. But when he was out of his mind, he would do anything to relieve his fury. Even if he had to kill an emperor on the spot with disastrous consequences, he would still do it!
Arman's temperament was the most difficult to control, even by his own father, Viscount Joe Malajorg.
That was also the reason Aizen went for a moderate taunt without going overboard.
Now, if he wanted to, he could beat Arman and his friends in a fight after removing the weights. But what about after? It was complicated because he would definitely be forced by circumstances to kill Arman and his friends.
And with Aizen's current state, facing the revenge of the five aristocratic and noble families was too much.
'What should I do now!?'
Aizen tried to rack his brain amidst Arman's footsteps, who were approaching slowly at the peak of his anger.
"Nathan, bring Inkgrit back to his seat. Remember! Whatever they do to me, don't act or make a sound. Got it!?" Aizen said in a low tone.
"But..."
"Shut up! Do as I said! Otherwise, I will ask Prince William Argust to bring you back to the imperial palace!"
Nathan shuddered and immediately turned around, pulling Inkgrit back into his seat.
"What are you doing?! Let me go!" Inkgrit said.
Nathan didn't care and continued what he was doing as if he was deaf.
Aizen smiled and began to feel the movement of Arman, who was swinging his right fist. He then turned around to face the attack and leaned his upper body slightly back.
He managed to dodge by letting the punch land on his left cheek. However, he also managed to mitigate the impact of the force by immediately moving his face to the right side along with the blow.
But to make the situation even more dramatic, Aizen crumpled onto the floor loud enough for the sound of the crash to be heard by all the students.
Nathan and Milo were shocked, while Inkgrit was surprised by covering her mouth.
Meanwhile, Arman's four friends were shocked and tried to stop Arman. But the effort was in vain.
Arman was at a complete loss and just wanted to swing his punches at Aizen.
Luckily, before the next punch was delivered, Arman's movement stopped.
"What happened in this class!!?"
All of the students hastily lowered their heads at Dante's arrival. Even the four friends also left Arman and immediately returned to their respective seats.
Dante's angry expression made the class atmosphere dark and gloomy. He then flicked his hand and released a dazzling burst of blue magic, which blocked Arman's movements and brought him back to his sanity. As the powerful spell engulfed him, Arman gasped in shock, his eyes widening as he gradually regained his senses.
"Ah!? Professor?" Arman stuttered as he looked at Dante and continued to Aizen on the floor. "I..., we..." He didn't know what to say and realized that he was in deep trouble now.
Dante clicked his tongue and was about to give a verdict based on his point of view alone without intending to know the truth.
However, Aizen immediately got up in fine condition with only a slight red mark on his left cheek, which had been grazed by Arman's punch earlier.
"It's just a misunderstanding. I fell because I tripped on my way out."
"Then why are your cheeks red?" Dante asked, frowning.
"My cheek tripped over Arman's shoulder because I was only 161 cm tall, while he was almost 180 cm," Aizen replied while measuring Arman's height by looking from the bottom up.
"'You..,"
"Let's just forget what was happening. We will return to our seats and continue with the lesson. Wouldn't that be better? The other students will probably agree with that too."
Aizen interrupted Dante and immediately headed to his seat after saying his part.
"Wait, Student Barthomel!"
But Aizen didn't stop, heedless of Dante's words.
That made Dante unable to do anything, coupled with the stares of the students who hoped that the incident would pass by.
"Sigh! You! Return to your seat." He sighed and ordered Arman to return to his seat in a slightly irritated tone.
Arman returned, his teeth clenched and fists balled in rage. His animosity towards Aizen had reached an irreconcilable level, leaving no room for turning back. Not in the least did he feel grateful for the help.
On the other hand, Dante cleared his throat and managed to grab the attention of all the students in the class as if the incident had never happened.
"Starting today, all magic and mage theory lessons will be suspended for the next two weeks. During this time, you need to practice in the mage training room in order to prepare for the Raven Academy's upcoming student orientation competition festival."