I regressed and became the Sword Ice King

NORMAL POV.

They stared at each other for a moment, and just like that Louis looked away with a sigh.

'Oh?' Raph thought, amused by his reaction as he walked up the steps to get to him.

Some of the 2nd years were present, but their nonchalant reactions were a testament to their disinterest in the situation occurring in their classroom.

It wasn't a difficult thing to imagine a 1st year going to a 2nd year class, especially if that person is a member of the Great Family.

You might as well just give them face because of their reputation, and it's just a year difference.

"You want me in your club? Mariam told me how you asked her as well" Louis said when Raph got to him.

However, Louis gazed elsewhere as if he were staring at something entirely off this world. He had an odd habit of staring into space mid-conversation, especially when he wasn't interested.

Despite his expression, Raph smiled, and took a seat next to him, observing Louis for a second only to conclude that he didn't mind.

"You guessed right. I need you to convince Mariam as well".

Louis remained silent for a while; then he slowly glanced at Raph, a vibrant red hue igniting behind his murderous eyes.

"Then, you must have guessed my conditions if you want me in your club".

Raph's smile widened. "Of course, but just to be clear, can you state those 'conditions'?". Most of what Louis wanted could be narrowed down to a few conditions, and Raph had more than just one of those conditions he had postulated in his head.

Louis' gaze remained unperturbed, devoid of emotions, and the warmth that he once showcased with Mariam was gone, replaced by a cold, calculative nature that exuded from his demeanor.

"Fight me, if you win then I'll join your club".

'Hah….typical' Raph thought, but this was within expectations.

'Most people would just settle things with violence, but at the moment, I really don't have that kind of time'.

"Of course, but I won't be able to fight you now, and can I ask, why do you want to fight with me?"

Louis raised a brow, confusion etched on his handsome face. "Why? Because you're strong….you defeated Jang Kang Lin. I want to know how by fighting you". He looked away. "And why can't it be now?

I'm free, and you seem to be free as well".

"...Well technically, I'm not free. I still need to get the form today, fill it up, and officially create my club.

It's becoming a big deal with how much time I'm spending on it, but I would like to do this as fast as possible".

Louis remained silent, his gaze staring into nothingness once again. It seemed like he was lost in thought, but one couldn't really tell.

It was like he was sleeping with his eyes open, or meditating, and he could do this in any sort of environment.

"...Louis?" Raph called, and the boy flinched, turning towards Raph.

"...Oh, well. I don't think I would mind as long as you promise to fight me, but I don't think I'm enough to convince Mariam".

Raph chuckled. "...You are, and I would like you to help convince her at the moment.

The first years are also done with classes, and I've asked Darell to gather the others".

Louis looked away, his thoughts reeling in. "Who else is going to be in this group?"

Raph looked up at the white ceramic ceiling, gathering his thoughts. "For now, Darell Silvan, Jane Lucia, Ciara Merlin, Elsie Darkpelt, then me." He slowly glanced at Louis as he continued. "Then you and Mariam if you decide to join".

Louis turned away, a small sigh exuding from his lips as he stared at the window.

"..you know why I didn't join any club till now?"

"....Is that a difficult question? Obviously, there's no thrill".

Louis's ears flickered vividly, the intensity in his ears brimming brightly. "Yes, and your club has that?"

"Of course. Well, for now, we're just starting as a new club, so we won't be able to do much, but only powerful people will be in this club, or people with potential, meaning there's a lot of sparring partners for you".

"...True, but aren't there others as well?"

"Louis…my goal isn't just a club." Raph slowly stood up from the seat, jumping off to the other end and walking towards the see-through glass walls.

"What I want is a cohort. Powerful allies that I will need in the future".

Louis's gaze shifted to Raph; confusion etched on it. "Why would you need powerful allies? The north has armies for the demons, what more do you need?"

"....Hah…Louis…I'm not talking about Demons and Devils alone" He slowly glanced back at Raph, a cold intensity growing in his eyes. "....I'm talking about people. People that are not meant to be where they are but they are still there. I'm talking about a system that forces us to cooperate"

Louis for the second time, could not bring himself to get lost in his thoughts as he always did. Right now, at this moment, his gaze and ears were focused on Raph's movements and words.

"I want people that would ride with me in life, and trust me, the perils that I will face would be more than just 'boring'. Do you want excitement? Do you want the free reign to kill without having to worry about public opinion? Do you wish to be free from the system that our Elders have created for us?

Then join me. I will make all that happen and more"

Louis' gaze was filled with a longing and an emotion he had felt for the second time in a while. 'Is this excitement? I'm feeling excited over some words again?'

An image of Mariam appeared in his mind, and his heart began to race, and his eyes ignited even more.

'The first person to make my heart race was Mariam, and now….'.

This excitement was similar but different.

If the first one he felt was like a gentle, fiery desire, then this was a murderous, eruptive desire.

One was the desire to love, and the other, oh, it was a desire to Kill.

"....What will I do to you if you're unable to fulfill these statements?"

"Hm?" Raph raised a brow as if confused by his statement. He had never once thought that it wouldn't be possible, how could it be really? Well, it didn't matter.

"Huh? I'll give you not just my life, but my skull as well. You can make a delectable dagger from that can't you?"

Louis's eyes bulged open in shock, and his thoughts began to work in overdrive.

'How does he know about that? Impossible! That is a sacred ritual of the La Teur household, did he just guess it or say it with intent?'

He could contemplate as long as he wanted to, but nothing would give him the conclusion he sought, so why bother to continue?

"Fine…." Louis's lips curled upwards, and a murderous intensity began to exude from his body unconsciously, causing most of the 2nd years present to shiver and move away from the area of effect.

"...Raffaelo Jun, you've gone and done it. Yes, I shall join your club".

A small chuckle exuded from his lips as he stood up, the murderous intensity absorbed as quickly as it appeared.

"Do what you must to make this club possible. I will convince Mariam, and help Jane in gathering the rest….I wish you success." He walked down the steps, leaving Raph to his line of thought.

Raph watched him walk away, and a smirk grew on his lips. 'It's becoming a little bit more possible now, overthrowing the Kingdom…sounds like a fun idea indeed'.

****

A few minutes later, Raph arrived at the Staff Quarters.

A large building found between the Visiting Lounge and the 1st year L.T.

It was just as magnificently built as the rest, and you could hardly notice any sign of human presence.

Well, that was because it was a well-kept building, and the interior made it difficult for Lecturers to step outdoors.

Looking up at the building, and strengthening his resolve, he walked up the series of stairs and opened the door that led in.

On entering, he was immediately suffused in a temperature that nearly felt ethereal. And he began to unconsciously fade into a deep comfort.

This was a result of the magical artifacts used here, and they were state-of-the-art magical tools that not only regulated the temperature but ensured the comfort of the people in the building.

They were hard to come by and were directly manufactured by the Green Tower, the tower in charge of magical artifacts and engineering. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

The interior of the room was basked in white light from magical ceiling lamps, rectangular in shape, similar to our Rectangular LED lamps, but these run on mana.

The open-plan office was segmented by glass dividers, creating cozy nooks for focused work. The building walls were made of see-through glass that added light and depth to the buzz and bliss of the working environment provided for the Lecturers.

They weren't provided with individual offices, but these cubicles served that purpose perfectly well, and each provided the basic and required needs of their staff.

With well-constructed tables, chairs, and other personal additions to their cubicles, it was made into a haven of productivity.

Some of the cubicles were empty, but a lot more were occupied, while a few were locked.

The Academy was well known for the best treatment of their staff after all, and this was a testament to the facilities of the Staff Quarters.

Raph took a breath, basking in the comfort that suffused him like a haven. 'It's nearly comparable to that….NEARLY….' He thought as an image of Elsie's chest appeared in his head, causing him to cough back to reality.

'Okay, Okay, enough distractions.

Let's get that club'.