Ascension of the Nephilim

It had been an hour since the horrifying experience.

The path back to the clearing finally met the tall shrubs of poisonous plants.

Vivindel moved in and used its body, immune to the poison, to push the shrubs to the side.

Emeros was the first to move in. He looked tired from all the fighting, but of course, he was without any wounds or injuries.

Next to move in were the students who had bandages, and many were using their staves like walking sticks.

Despite the durability of these staves, as many were made with powerful magical trees, some had clear dents and cracks, bite marks, and other signs of improper usage.

Many ran into the clearing, dashed towards the lake near the center, and began to drink it.

The water had been purified and was glowing with light as it was changed to have healing properties.

Many who were poisoned rushed in and abandoned the corpses they were dragging down and ran towards the water that Emeros promised would heal them and remove the agony of the poisons they received.

SPLASH! SPLASH!

"Ahh....!" Many relieved shouts echoed as the poisoned ones felt the water draw the poison out of their wounds.

"Don't drop your spoils! Remember! They will be bestowed to you, and you alone!" Emeros frowned.

But his words were useless. Some of the students barely had stepped and dragged their monster into the clearing when they instantly collapsed in fatigue as the psychological realization that they were safe had crept in.

Chevik was among the last to arrive. Many of those still strong were dragging off the monsters they killed.

Many insects, wolves, and even the alpha wolf's corpse were brought inside the clearing.

THUD! THUD!

The two women of the class were among those who collapsed and fainted as they brought in their kills.

Serena walked in as she was the vanguard. She dragged a large centipede corpse inside.

"Sad to see that only two women are in this class. It must be hard for women here." Serena sighed.

"Actually, it's the opposite. You see, the women here can throw away their pride and decide to have an easier life. They can apply to be maids for the nobles. While some hire manservants, staff, or bag persons, most men prefer to use their one slot for a follower to bring in beautiful maids. Of course, they have to pass certain criteria. These two could have opted to be maids, and they would greatly benefit from it. They would be allowed to listen in on three courses here. While they will not be tested and tutored, they will be guided and will enjoy greater benefits. But sadly... they are too beautiful."

"Too beautiful?" Serena asked.

"I'd wager that they would only be second to you in beauty, Serena."

Serena blushed as she heard Emeros's praise.

"Master! I...! I am not beautiful!"

"Because of the curse. But even then, remnants of your beauty still remain. Will fix that." Emeros smiled.

"...What about them, Master?" Serena was too shy to pry any further and changed the subject.

"The nobles often bring beautiful women as maids because the academy is full of the peak beauties all over the Flying Continent. But... everyone is a noble. Unless one is particularly strong, he could only dream of having relations with the women here. And even if one is strong, the women here are strong enough and would have their pride. So, the nobles bring maids to be their... partners. It saves the nobles the trouble of facing any possible scandals of visiting brothels. And the city doesn't even have one! If these two, Battle Mage Quinn and Fire Mage Anna, would move to the top, they would undoubtedly become the top-selling maids." Emeros shook his head.

Serena's expression turned dark as she realized what Emeros meant.

"Such is the life of those who are not Nobles in this place. It is also no wonder that these two refused to be a maid knowing that future and chose to be here for their pride. Am I right, Chevik?"

Chevik sat silently and glanced at Emeros. He gave a reluctant nod.

Finally, the last groups had managed to move in. They were rushing and pulling with whatever reserve of strength they had.

Vivindel even teased them and began to cause the shrubs to close up slowly and made the ones move in as fast as they could.

"I'm... alive..." Mackerel wept as he dragged the creatures inside. He then stumbled down and could not find any strength to move.

As everyone began to rest, Emeros began to work.

Vivindel took many of the millipedes and poisonous insects and began crafting a strange concoction using a cauldron he had left behind.

But as everyone was exhausted, a few moved closer to where Emeros continued working.

They were the ones who had studied alchemy and were surprised at the unorthodox methods of Emeros.

Soon, numerous dark round orbs appeared.

"Have everyone eat this. It will make you all feel better and heal your exhaustion." Emeros began to pass around the small dark balls to everyone present.

Even those who were unconscious were forced to eat the dark, round pill.

Seconds after taking the pill, Chevik sensed his body being restored as his strength returned.

He was amazed.

"Teacher! What is this?!

"This is a Dark Dependent ritual. Some would call it... black magic." Emeros explained.

Everyone was startled.

"Teacher... knows of Black Magic?"

"When one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic narrow view of the Light."

But before Chevik could say more praises, he felt a strange pain.

Suddenly, everyone who ate the pill started to suffer and feel a strange heat within them.

Those unconscious started to be roused awake from the pain, and everyone rushed towards the lake.

"Teacher! What is this?!" Chevik shouted.

"I want to transform the class and give you all a Superior Commander's Potential. But to do that, we need to solidify our foundations. And this is the fastest and most direct approach. That pill was my recipe. A Dark De-Leveler potion!"