Marquis Snaek stalks Azrael as the parents exit the academy's auditorium. He ignores the indignant glares he receives from the grieving parents walking past him and keeps a focused stare on Azrael. Though Azrael does not see him as a threat, Marquis Snaek is one of the Ten Wands of Gaia—Ranked tenth of the Ten Wands, 'The Venomous' Marquis Snaek Brastad. As such, he can sense the nauseating aura surrounding Azrael.
Nether aura, he thinks as sweat rolls down his cheek. It's as terrifying as ever. When was the last time I faced off against a demon with command over this nauseating power? As the last relative exits the auditorium, he and Azrael momentarily stare at each other. From what I've heard, this boy is as powerful, if not more powerful than Ubel. The corner of his lip curves into a scheming smirk, But after a duel against Albert Stein, he can't be at full power. This might be our only chance to pressure him into submission.
Marquis Snaek's guess was spot on - Azrael is not currently at full power. He has only recovered a fifth of his power, making him much weaker than before. However, he fails to grasp the full extent of Azrael's full powers. Succubi, like vampires, are high-ranked demons within the underworld. In the great war, Lucifer used the succubi as frontline soldiers and their presence on the battlefield pressured the gods into directly interfering. And Azrael's mother was special, even among the powerful succubi. She possessed a nether energy pool so large it could fill a three hundred and seventy thousand square kilometre lake with relative ease and still not come close to exhausting her life-energy supply. Albeit not as great as hers was, Azrael, being half-succubus, has inherited this quality from his mother.
"Will you follow me, Professor Azrael?" asks Marquis Snaek, lowering his guard.
Is he underestimating me? thinks Azrael, annoyed. He has the gall to lower his guard after figuring out I'm not at my full power and carry himself with such pride and egoism. Azrael's nether energy spikes momentarily, sending chills down Marquis Snaek's spine. He takes a deep breath and whispers, "No, I cannot allow myself to expend energy like this." That's right. I need to recover fast so that I can go to the Zostrel Aeoub mountains to rescue Tyson. Azrael takes another deep breath for insurance, before saying, with a crooked smile, "Lead the way."
As Marquis Snaek leads Azrael to the academy council's headquarters, he cannot shake the nerves from his body. What was that? he thinks as he walks ahead of Azrael, visibly trembling. His aura spiked for a moment. It felt like a demon stalked me. Don't tell me... Marquis Snaek turns his head slightly and glances at Azrael from the corner of his eye, is he masking his full power? Does that mean he has power rivalling the Ten Wands even after fighting the Albert Stein? No, he shakes his head, forcing a grin, that's impossible. Despite his erratic behaviour, Professor Stein was a magician who rivalled us, the ten greatest magicians on this planet. For a creature to face off against someone of his calibre and not appear weakened is unheard of. Is this boy a monster?
This marquis has been watching me ever since we left the auditorium, thinks Azrael. I can sense how tense he is through his mana. I can't tell what he's thinking but I have a feeling it's something utterly disrespectful.
After traversing, by carriage, through Magus Academy's southern exit, they enter a world separate from the city from the northern exit—the high-nobility sector. This area within Chasrol is where the highest-ranking nobility in the Scholarly City reside. This area is disparagingly different to the other parts of this city. There is not a speck of dust within sight and this view... Azrael cannot believe his eyes. He sees various trails of lingering black smoke leading into the monotonous rows of white-painted mansions. Everyone within this sector is no different than the marquis before me.
They finally reach a large building that resembles a church. However, instead of a symbol of religion, Magus Academy's insignia, the x-formation of the sword and staff before a large shield, adorns the building's spire. Walls and a moat surround the building like it is a palace, with guards stationed before the large gate leading into the building's large courtyard. The carriage takes five minutes to reach the building's entrance, where Marquis Snaek and Azrael depart the carriage. They are welcomed by a straight-faced, red-headed maid, wearing glasses. She keeps her head low and her gaze on the ground as she greets, "Good Afternoon, Marquis Brastad. Good Afternoon, Professor Azrael."
She knows my name? Impressive. It appears my reputation precedes me. "Good Afternoon," replies Azrael.
Marquis Snaek ignores the maid's greeting and walks into the building. Despite its outer church-like appearance, the interior is similar to the interior of a palace. A red carpet stretches forward to a flight of stairs, which Marquis Snaek leads Azrael up. They walk past many rooms where maids, butlers and other staff members greet. Everyone in the mansion is well aware of Azrael's name and presence and greets him as well.
This is weird. I didn't know this many people knew about me. They finally reach a room which they enter. Inside, seated behind a long desk, are two individuals—a blonde man and a red-haired woman. The corner of the woman's lips curve into a disturbing smile and her eyes remain shut, despite her gaze falling directly onto Azrael. The man swirls red wine in a gold-plated glass, glaring at Azrael with his eyes half-opened. He has a different jewel adorning every one of his plump fingers and his liturgical vestment can barely contain his stomach. His neck creates multiple folds as he sits, relaxed. Marquis Sneak sits beside the woman, who is now at the desk's centre. Are these the other council members?
"Welcome, Professor Azrael," says the woman, her voice gentle and calculating. "Since you are new to this academy, and since you are still so young, I assume you have no clue as to who the three... well, you may have been introduced to the marquis to my right, so it is only proper to say the two of us seated before you. As you may already know, to my right is Marquis Sneak Brastad. To my left is Pope Alexander Samael. And I am Marchioness Atalante Dukas. Do you know why you're here today, Professor Azrael?"
"I do not."
"There are a few matters we need to discuss; however, there is one important matter I wish to start with."
"Which is?"
She opens her eyes to reveal two beautiful rainbow-coloured eyes. "Professor Azrael, from this moment forth, your position as class 1A's homeroom teacher is officially terminated."
"Is that so?" answers Azrael, staring indifferently at the three individuals before him.