Imprisoned for a Trillion Years, I Was Worshipped by All Gods!

Kelin had clearly noticed Krom's sidelong glance—but chose not to comment.

Instead, he turned toward the crowd gathered outside the academy gates and barked coldly,

"What are you all staring at? Lioncrest Academy is merely dealing with a lunatic who's lost all reason. There's nothing to see. Get lost!"

But the onlookers only grew more agitated.

Naturally, their indignation was directed at Kelin's remarks.

They hadn't even stepped past the academy threshold—just watching from outside—and that alone wasn't allowed?

It was obvious the higher-ups at Lioncrest Academy were simply too ashamed to let the truth spread. Now they were trying to shut their doors and cover up the disgrace.

And not everyone was going to let that slide.

Some spectators, especially those who loved chaos and drama, only grew more fired up.

One voice shouted,

"Why can't we look? What, afraid people will find out the truth? Is Lioncrest Academy scared of this young man or something?!"

The words had barely finished echoing when Kelin teleported right in front of the speaker.

With one swift motion, he crushed the man's skull in his bare hand.

Red and white—brain matter and blood—splattered everywhere.

The crowd erupted in panic. People shoved and screamed, scrambling to flee the scene.

They'd gotten so carried away watching the spectacle that they forgot where they were—Lioncrest Academy, breeding ground of elite mages.

Right or wrong, the academy's strength was unquestionable.

To provoke them… was to court death.

Within moments, not a single bystander remained near the gates.

Except for one.

The blind noblewoman, whom Alan had entrusted with Isabella's safety, was still standing calmly in place.

Kelin slowly walked toward her, voice dripping with menace.

"Why haven't you left? Are you not afraid of Lioncrest Academy's retaliation?"

The woman gave a soft laugh and replied,

"You give me too much credit. Lioncrest Academy is fearsome indeed. How could I not be afraid?"

Then, she gently took Isabella's hand.

"Come, dear. Let's go."

Isabella hesitated, casting a pleading glance toward Alan.

Alan's expression softened. He waved at her and said gently,

"It's alright. Don't worry about me. Go with her. I'll come find you soon."

"But… but…"

She wanted to say more.

But the noblewoman suddenly moved—striking the back of Isabella's neck.

The girl's eyes rolled back as she collapsed into the woman's arms, unconscious.

Without a word, the noblewoman turned and quickly departed with her in tow.

Not long after they left, Kelin could no longer restrain himself.

He launched a surprise attack on Alan—deliberately choosing the moment when Alan hadn't yet risen to his feet.

Alan was caught off guard.

He was blasted backward, tumbling several times across the ground before finally coming to a stop.

Kelin approached, towering over him, sneering.

"Didn't you enjoy slaughtering our students earlier? Where's that arrogance now?"

"Get up! If I can't make you pay for the lives of those students today, then I'm not worthy of the name Kelin!"

With that, he placed a heavy boot on Alan's chest and began pressing down with force.

Alan coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips as pain twisted across his face.

But just as the situation turned critical—

A new figure arrived, intervening with lightning speed.

Kelin was forcibly knocked away, saving Alan's life at the last second.

"Kelin, bullying a boy like this—do you really think Sirius Academy has no one left?"

Both Kelin and Alan looked toward the voice.

Their reactions couldn't have been more different.

Kelin's face twisted in anger.

Alan, meanwhile, lit up with joy.

"Headmaster Gayle! You came!"

Gayle smiled, reaching out to ruffle Alan's hair affectionately.

"If I didn't come, was I supposed to just sit by and watch that old bastard beat you to death?"

Kelin's brow furrowed. He growled,

"You damn old man—who are you calling—"

Before he could finish, Gayle vanished.

In the blink of an eye.

Kelin tensed immediately, eyes darting around, watching for a sudden strike.

But Gayle never reappeared.

Instead—

A crushing gravitational force slammed Kelin flat against the ground.

No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't move.

Everyone nearby—especially the Lioncrest students—stood frozen in disbelief.

This was Vice Headmaster Kelin, a confirmed tier-diamond mage.

And yet…

He couldn't even withstand a single spell from Gayle?

Kelin himself was in shock.

He forced his head up, glaring at the man now standing beside Alan once more.

"What… what kind of magic is this?!" he spat, blood pooling between his teeth.

Gayle didn't respond with words.

He simply clenched his fist.

The pressure increased immediately.

Kelin's bones groaned under the weight, and still he couldn't move.

Strangely, the crushed stones around him… began to float upward, defying gravity.

The sight struck Kelin with a dreadful realization.

"Gravitational inversion… manipulation of natural law… You—"

His eyes widened in horror.

"Your power… it surpasses tier-diamond?!"

Crack!

At that moment, Kelin's leg was crushed into fragments by the gravity alone.

Gayle pulled out a small silver flask, took a sip, then made a casual downward gesture with his hand.

Suddenly, the earth around Kelin convulsed.

It lifted violently into the air, forming a floating platform like a miniature island.

Kelin was pinned to its center, completely immobilized.

Then, just as quickly as it rose, the platform plummeted.

Boom!

The floating mass slammed into the ground with catastrophic force.

Kelin's organs ruptured from the impact—shattered beyond repair.

His body was broken, battered, and utterly ruined.

"Cough… cough…"

Blood and tissue spilled from his mouth in chunks.

Barely conscious, he lifted his head with what little strength remained.

"All these years… you never revealed your true power… You're a terrifying actor…"

Gayle frowned in disgust, then spat a mouthful of wine-laced phlegm in Kelin's face.

Without sparing him another glance, he turned and helped Alan up.

At the same time, Francis and Fort finally arrived, rushing to support their student.

They took Alan from Gayle, expressions grim.

"Alan, are you alright?" Fort asked, his voice laced with concern.

Alan wanted to reply, to say he was fine.

But the moment he opened his mouth—

A torrent of blood burst forth, spilling down his chin.

Clearly, during Kelin's sneak attack, he hadn't held back in the slightest.

Though Alan appeared uninjured on the outside, internally, his mana circuits were completely shattered.

His breathing turned shallow.

His consciousness began to dim.

And in that moment…

The entire capital finally realized—

This old drunkard of a headmaster, Gayle, wasn't just a harmless relic of Sirius Academy.

He was a monster in disguise.