The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Chapter 444

"I will never forget the contributions your parents made. Even if everyone forgets, I will ensure that I remember. Once again, I welcome you all. In this place, you will learn how to lead a better life in the future.”

If they did not know how to write, they would be taught. If they lacked knowledge of swordsmanship, they would be instructed on the ways of the sword. As for magic, they would be guided toward the truths.

“If we put our trust in you, Lord,” one of the astute children cautiously inquired. “What awaits us?”

“A future.”

“Stop lying! I'm sure there's no need for such grandiosity!”

“Just trust in me.”

Not many children grasped the full weight of Davey's imposing words, but they could all sense his sincerity. The entire auditorium became a sea of tears. The quick-witted older children wept as they looked around, as if remembering that their parents had already passed. Even the younger ones joined in upon seeing most people around them crying.

“Wow... What am I witnessing?”

“My goodness... So, he built this grand academy for these children?”

The students of Shakuntala Academy's Class F stepped back, their jaws nearly touching the ground.

“I always thought he was a completely crazy psychopath…”

“He's the kind of person who backs up his words with actions.”

“That's probably why he holds the title of 'Saint.' His ability to follow through is extraordinary.”

They realized that even if Davey lacked the funds or power to execute his plans, he would find a way to make them happen. That was the kind of person Davey, the eccentric instructor who had taught them for a short while, was.

Timmy Lendarouge, one of Class F's students observing Davey from a distance, glanced at his classmates when he heard their surprised murmurs.

He saw Alyssa Yosefov shedding tears, evidently influenced by the sobbing children. Loisa Foren and Serend Reta's eyes had reddened as well. Even the gruff and brusque Celvice avoided Timmy's gaze and cleared his throat. However, Timmy could see his pupils trembling.

“Our Instructor may usually come off as a crazy psychopath, but…”

“He's a man deserving of respect. Despite being only slightly older than us, we have much to learn from him.”

None of the students of Shakuntala Academy had ever thought or planned as deeply as Davey. Although they sympathized with these children, they lacked the courage to take action on their own. Their instructor, who was their age, was different. Perhaps that was the distinction between them and him.

Many things had changed for the students of Class F since they first met Davey. In a short time, Class F had become a formidable group that even Class A students feared.

If that was the case for them, what about Josiah Frances, the highest-ranking student in Class F?

"Slurp..."

Timmy, hearing a peculiar sound, turned to its source, his eyes widening. Josiah was gazing at Instructor Davey as if he were a delectable meal.

"I think he'd taste good if I could sink my teeth into his neck..."

Clearly, she was a girl who had previously shown little interest in anything or shared her troubles with others. But much had changed in this short span. Did she, by any chance, harbor inexplicable feelings for Instructor Davey?

Timmy couldn't help but shake his head. It appeared that the walls Josiah had constructed around herself were far more intricate than he had imagined."

***

The academy opening was a success. As for the students, they all completed their entrance ceremony successfully, marveling at their new, mysterious, and beautiful surroundings. Interestingly, there were more children from other nations than from the Rowane Kingdom. Since they had attracted people from outside of their own accord, they were now facing criticism.

"These are the complaints sent by each nation. Some nations didn't participate, but this thoughtless behavior cannot be seen as a good thing either."

Archbishop Alice, who had taken on the role of vice dean, handed several documents to Davey.

"Ah, wait... I only came here to teach. I didn't intend to interfere in the prince's politics."

"There's no avoiding it; we're just getting started. Just ignore their complaints. It's quite ironic, isn't it? These mean-spirited individuals normally wouldn't care if they lived or died. It's only at times like this that they take their time to criticize others."

"Well, I don't have the right to get involved in this matter."

As Archbishop Alice said, they were just part of the faculty. Getting involved in politics would only cause trouble.

"Uncle!"

Davey immediately wiped the troubled expression from his face when he saw a half-elven little girl running toward him. He opened his arms wide to welcome her. "My goodness, Myuu, you grow bigger every time we see each other, don't you?"

"It's because Myuu is Uncle's friend! Myuu will definitely grow as big as my uncle!"

Davey ruffled Myuu's hair affectionately when he saw her ears perk up. "Is your room okay?"

"Yes! It's very clean and cozy!"

Elves typically preferred things that were in harmony with nature or closely related to it. However, perhaps because Myuu was a half-elf, it didn't bother her much. Well, for a child who preferred meat to vegetables, what did something like that matter?

"Good. Make sure to make lots of friends."

“Hngh… Myuu only needs uncle.”

“Nope. You have to make a lot of friends. Also, Myuu, make sure to learn all of the things that you want to learn, okay?”

“Yep!” Myuu pondered briefly before flashing a bright smile.

Then, she turned to look around.

Following her line of sight, Davey saw some of the girls with their heads sticking out and looking at Myuu. It seemed like the half-elf had already made some friends.

“Well then, go now.”

“Yes!”

Davey watched Myuu run to her friends before turning away and tearing the documents in his hands. These were audacious individuals who had the nerve to send letters and demand compensation from him for taking the children under his care.

‘I've made sure to remember all the names of your nations.’

***

Whoever fired the first shot would be the first to experience hell. This was precisely what happened to the countries attempting to exploit the situation and advance their own interests through political maneuvering. As for the nations that chose to remain silent, refraining from expressing any stance, they remained outside of Davey's purview, along with the few nations that supported his cause.

In a scenario like this, it wouldn't have been unusual for them to protest immediately. However, they had chosen the wrong target. Davey hadn't even touched them; all he had done was use the territory's funds to pay the ransom demanded for the children.

Davey's behavior had left them utterly surprised. Nevertheless, they had no choice but to remain silent when they heard what Davey declared next.

[From this point on, Heins Academy will be entirely independent of your nation. We will not send Heins Academy graduates to your country.]

If the children grew up surprisingly well, they wouldn't reap any benefits. To put it simply, only other nations would benefit from Heins Academy, and the competition for its graduates would decrease.

Some declared, ‘Don’t say nonsense.’

While some said, ‘Do you think those lowly commoners would have any value when they grew up, huh?’

However, those were things that could only be solved with time. That was all that Davey intended to do.

However, there were some who reacted strongly upon seeing Davey standing still. What happened next was that the three empires supporting the mission of Heins Academy stepped forward.

They demanded to know how these nations dared to claim the rights to these children when they were the ones who had neglected the families of the deceased veterans, those who had sacrificed their lives for the safety of the continent. Furthermore, they declared that they would ensure these nations faced consequences in the future. What kind of consequences?

"Even if an emergency were to occur and they sought assistance from other nations, their requests would be denied."

"They're foolish. People who fail to consider the broader context tend to become like that."

Since they had initially embarked on this journey with noble intentions, their side overwhelmingly won the argument. However, they inadvertently killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

Since then, many changes had occurred.

Josiah Frances, the Vampire Lord, notorious troublemaker, class skipper, and top student of Shakuntala Academy's Class F, had caused quite a stir.

She achieved early graduation. Josiah Frances, a genius who had amassed considerable power and prestige, suddenly challenged the faculty exams in pursuit of her goals. To everyone's astonishment, she not only passed but did so with flying colors, earning herself an early diploma.

For Shakuntala Academy, this development was both a source of pride and embarrassment. Few students had ever graduated early from the academy. In fact, the faculty exams they had administered were filled with questions and problems that were still far too advanced for students with limited experience and knowledge.

Since Josiah had aced the challenging math and mana control tests, which even faculty members found daunting, they couldn't justify making her go through middle and high school levels anymore.

Josiah Frances, now qualified to join Shakuntala Academy's faculty, chose to forgo the conventional path laid out for her and went straight to Davey after visiting the Mage Tower.

"Please give me a job," she proudly requested. "I'm highly confident that I can teach children now, considering I passed the exam."

Davey grinned at her request. Despite being close in age, he still viewed her as his student, given the short time they had spent together. Under Davey's guidance, Josiah's potential had grown exponentially. While some of her progress could be attributed to her exceptional lineage as the Vampire Lord, it was also the result of her hard work.

Observing her confident demeanor, Davey asked, "You want a job here? It won't be easy, you know?"

"I don't mind," she replied confidently.

Davey smiled warmly and teased, "Stop causing a commotion, Josiah Frances. Your interest lies not in the students but in my blood."

"Oh my, you got me," she replied, revealing her sharp fangs. "You didn't reward me earlier, did you? Well, then, give it to me now. Let me take a sip."

"No."

She frowned, a furious expression crossing her face at Davey's straightforward response. "No. Why?"

"Why? Are you going to spread rumors that you're a vampire just because you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms?"

"Ugh..."

"See? It's like this. Besides, you're not yet good enough to join the faculty here."

In essence, she didn't meet the standards.

Josiah glared at Davey, a resentful look in her eyes. "Other places are willing to extend an olive branch to me! Why can't I join this place?"

"All the humans here are much stronger than you, and they've all received lessons from me."

Josiah paled at Davey's words. "That... that..."

"I'll let you join if you really want to. However, you'll need to take special lessons from me for a month or two."

‘Don’t worry, I’m not such a scary person. At the very least, it would be more lenient than how I was taught.’

"I'm already content being a part of the faculty!" It seemed like Josiah didn't want to experience hell once again, given her anxious withdrawal.

"I feel ashamed whenever the instructor hits me! It's the first time I've felt disgusted with myself! Why do I even feel good even after being hit?"

"Then our conversation is over. What about the others?"

"Everyone already had a goal in mind. As for me, well, I don't really care about goals. But everyone seemed sad when they heard that I would be joining the instructor."

"I'll have to set aside a day to speak with them, then." It was quite amusing to see Josiah smirk at his words.

"So, what should I do?"

"If you head east of the academy, you'll find the Magic Department. Go there and report."

Josiah wouldn't have to worry about her salary. Davey assured her that she would receive various benefits and even a bonus.

After sending Josiah away, Davey turned his attention to the remaining issues he needed to address.

"Please let us enter the academy!"

"That's right! Why can commoners enter and not us?"

"Are you telling us that those lowly commoners can come before us?"

Davey realized he needed to deal with these clueless and naive individuals sooner rather than later.

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