The Villain's Apocalypse-Chapter 55: Professor

Chapter 55: Professor

Before him stood a tall lady with long crimson-colored hair and a beautiful face, staring at him with those fierce amber eyes.

She had a sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and a dignified aura that was impossible to ignore. Her combat uniform—a sleek black and red attire lined with golden trims—fit her like a glove, accentuating both grace and power. A long red coat billowed behind her, and a sheathed sword was strapped to her back. She stood there, arms folded, one eyebrow slightly raised.

"You’re the Crown Prince?" Her voice was deep and clear, like a ringing bell. "You don’t look very princely right now."

Cassian blinked.

A second ago, he was trying not to vomit his soul out. Now, he was being judged by a beautiful war goddess.

"It’s been a while since I teleported somewhere." He lied, brushing a hand through his hair and quickly composing himself. "The space shift was unstable, so it took me some time to adjust."

"Right," she replied dryly, tilting her head. "How was your journey, Your Highness?"

Cassian narrowed his eyes. Was she mocking him?

He didn’t sense any hostile intent from her tone, only sarcasm and a bit of arrogance.

"And you are?"

"Professor Celestine Vael," she said, bowing slightly—not out of respect, but as protocol. "Combat instructor. Specializes in real-world applications of swordsmanship and magic synchronization. I’ve been assigned to greet you and show you around."

Her tone didn’t carry any warmth, but it wasn’t entirely cold either. Professional. Controlled. Dangerous.

Cassian studied her carefully.

’Celestine Vael...’

He remembered her. A high-ranking professor in the Academy, formerly a general in the Crimson Vanguard, once known as the Scarlet Reaper. In the novel, she had trained Lucian personally, molding him into a combat genius. Her teaching methods were brutal, her standards even worse—but those who survived her lessons turned into monsters on the battlefield.

[STATUS SCREEN]

Name: Celestine Vael

Title: Scarlet Reaper, Professor Vael

Race: Human (Awakened)

Age: 25

Energy Source: Mana

Elements: Fire, Magma

Main Stage: Growth

Sub Stage: Nebula

Rank: Radiant

’What the hell is she doing greeting me?’

Almost as if reading his mind, she turned on her heel. "Come. You’re not the only student today, but you’re the only one getting a private tour. Consider it an unfortunate privilege."

Cassian raised an eyebrow and followed. "Unfortunate?"

"You’ll see."

They walked through a long marble corridor that shimmered with ethereal light, runes embedded into the walls pulsing faintly as they passed.

Cassian kept pace beside her. "So, where is everyone?"

He inquired, feeling quite curious along the way. There was literally noone at the entrance gate and till now, the only person that he had met was her.

She smirked. "They had arrived on time unlike someone, and now are at the welcome ceremony."

His eyes twitched slightly under her constant mocking attitude. Was she really pissing him off? Didn’t she know who he was?

’Bitch I could annhilate you with a single word.’

fuu

Control, control, Cassian control. Although you may be able to annihilate her back in the empire, she can easily annihilate you here.

Chuckling under his breath, he continued following her. This place was already starting to feel quite lively.

They passed through various checkpoints—magical barriers, identity wards, even a magical gate that scanned his soul signature. Everything was layered in security. Nothing here was half-baked.

Thankfully, she only stated the identification procedures and stopped mocking him in front of others.

As they approached a wide balcony that overlooked the vast campus, Celestine stopped.

"Welcome to SolHaven Academy, Crown Prince." She gestured forward.

Cassian stepped up beside her—and his breath caught.

It was enormous.

Stretches of floating islands connected by glowing metal bridges hovered around a central citadel, its spires reaching toward the sky. Each island held a brick-walled building with a creamy white colored pattern painted all over it, that glowed faintly before his eyes.

Magic beasts flew in the distance, growling and grumbling with intense energy. Students draped in emerald green robes sparred in dueling rings, and professors discussed high-tier theories with each other while standing on platforms suspended midair. Crystal towers flickered frequently with plain white light, monitoring the flow of mana, while teleportation pads shimmered with incoming lights.

"Beautiful..." He muttered, his eyes widening with amazement. This place was mesmerizingly beautiful and looked like a world on its own. The countless islands floating midair held a city of their own, each one representing its island master’s symbol. The island master was the governor who oversaw the entire island and had the power to punish criminals or dictate laws and regulations. Meanwhile, the central citadel was a lavishly decorated castle with constant buzz and movement of professors all around it. The citadel was the Dean’s domain and was the central power of the entire floating archipelago. The Dean was the strongest individual in the entire academy and held the greatest power both in a political way and in a literal way.

Atop the citadel hung a massive flag that fluttered under the gentle breeze. Etched on it was the symbol of the Academy–an open book floating above a burning sun.

The Academy was true to its title, ’The Floating Wonder of Heaven.’

"Your Highness, we are getting late. So, would you mind stepping inside?" His thought process was stopped abruptly by Celestine, who was pointing her finger toward a green floating platform that looked exactly like a lotus pad. Her eyes were as fierce as ever as she stared at him with an intimidating look.

’I wonder how he managed to overcome her shitty personality.’ He muttered, thinking of Lucian, the protagonist. ’Hmm...I mean he got a shitty personality too. I guess they clicked pretty quickly.’

He gave her a side-eye look and placed his feet on the pad, feeling its soft, squishy texture. ’They create some pretty weird inventions here.’ He muttered beneath his breath, not minding her judging look.

The moment both of his feet landed on the floating pad, it flickered slightly and vanished from the area, taking Cassian with it.

"It seems the rumors about him being a stoic, emotionless individual were false." Celestine rubbed her chin with a playful smirk on her face.

"What will your presence bring to the Academy? I’m looking forward to it."