**The Call of the Academy**
Summer had transformed the small rural village into a radiant sea of colors. The meadows were in full bloom, and the scent of fresh hay and blossoming flowers filled the air. Ilyas enjoyed the warmth of the sun on his skin as he worked at the edge of his property. He chopped wood, his movements powerful and steady as he focused on the rhythmic strikes.
Suddenly, the sound of hooves beating against the ground interrupted his thoughts. Ilyas set the axe aside and turned toward the noise. A rider in an elegant cloak approached, the crest of the Alderis Academy gleaming in the sunlight.
"Are you Ilyas?" asked the messenger as he stopped in front of him and dismounted.
"Yes," replied Ilyas, a feeling of curiosity and tension rising within him.
"I come on behalf of Director Nareth. He would like you to teach as a professor at Alderis Academy." The messenger handed him a sealed letter.
Ilyas took the letter, the messenger's words echoing in his mind. The Alderis Academy was known as the best in the world. He had heard that this year, they were even accepting non-noble students, which had caused quite a stir among the nobility.
But what truly puzzled him was the Director. Of course, he knew Nareth – very well, in fact. He had once saved him on the Demon Continent when a horde of high-ranking demons attacked him. Since then, Nareth owed him his life and had always helped him whenever he needed it. He was even the one who had made it possible for him to live undisturbed in this small village.
Yet now, Ilyas wondered why Nareth wanted him for his academy.
'Whatever, he had already made his decision.'
"I decline," were the only words that left his mouth.
"Sir Nareth knew you would say that and asked me to tell you that you needn't worry about money. He's offering you a very generous salary."
…
This left Ilyas speechless. A vein bulged on his forehead.
'Does that bastard really think he can buy me with money? I swear, I should really punch him.'
"Listen, you can tell that—"
"Hey, Ilyas! We haven't talked in a long time!"
He couldn't finish his sentence as a playful and very familiar voice suddenly interrupted him. The letter he had received from the messenger now seemed to have a mouth from which the words were coming.
"I know you wanted to live a quiet life without dealing with any nonsense, and for that, I'm sorry, but it just can't be helped."
"This year's students are a bit... special, and I don't think anyone could manage them better than you."
"I know you're probably thinking you just want to live in peace and that you've never taught before. But I also know that living in the village isn't going as well as you claim."
"I can imagine you're just lonely there with nothing to do, thinking you could relax but realizing you can't let go of the past."
Ilyas was shocked.
'How does he know that?'
"… probably."
'Did I just mishear, or did he actually say "probably"?'
"Anyway, I know this isn't the life you really wanted. So just come and give teaching a try."
"And if you say you can't teach, then listen to yourself. The strongest man in the world can't teach? Even demons would laugh at that. So don't be ridiculous and come!"
The letter that had just been in Ilyas' hand turned to ash, and all that remained were two people standing in front of a house in silence.
One was silent out of embarrassment and fear, the other out of speechlessness and anger.
"That f***ing bastard. This…"
Ilyas muttered a few curses to himself, not even noticing in his rage that the messenger had taken off, running with a speed that would make even Namikaze Minato jealous.
After several breathing exercises and a few destroyed trees, Ilyas managed to bring his pulse back to a normal level and started to think about the offer.
'It's not a bad offer, really. I get a good salary, at least if I can trust that guy, and I won't have to worry about living expenses. There's no downside to the offer, except that I'll have to deal with hormone-crazed teenagers, but that's the problem.'
'The offer is too good. There has to be some catch, knowing Nareth. Well, even if he has something planned, there's probably nothing that could really threaten me.'
'I guess I could accept the offer. Nareth is right anyway; this life here isn't for me. I suppose I should ask when I need to go.'
"Excuse me, but…"
Ilyas turned his head to speak to the messenger, but he was gone as if the ground had swallowed him up.
'What the hell. When did he disappear? There's almost no one who can match me in speed, so who was he?'
Fun fact: Ilyas had long since forgotten his anger.
"Damn it, how am I supposed to know when or where to go now? I guess I can find out where the academy is, but when do I need to be there?"
"I suppose I should probably head out as soon as possible, huh?"