Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1729 Recognition

”...Master, what are those noises?”

Shaddad pushed his massive head through the doorway, his heavy footsteps echoing as his gaze swept across what looked like a battlefield. ”What in the hell is going on here?!”

”Did he just say... Master?!”

”Thatʼs Professor Shaddad, right? Or is it someone else from his kind?!”

”Itʼs him, definitely him-canʼt you feel his aura?!”

Clamor Clamor

Robin looked around, clearly irritated, and then clapped his hands twice. ”Get out of here and take this noise somewhere else. I donʼt want to see anyone here.”

”What did you just say?!”

”You...!!”

Hmmm...

A soft yet pure burst of soul force suddenly erupted from the direction of the professorʼs chair. Everyone-despite themselves-found their attention drawn there, to the substitute instructor who was forcing a calm smile while motioning toward the door.

”Please, my students,” she said gently, ”leave now and tend to your wounds. His Majesty no longer wishes to be disturbed. We will continue the lecture next week.”

”...Understood, Teacher”

Step Step Step

Nearly six thousand students-some limping, some being carried by their peers -slowly exited the hall. Every single one of them took one last lingering glance: first at Robin, then at the seven students who had crushed their classmates, and finally at the substitute instructor and Professor Shaddad, both standing there like enigmas in a storm of disbelief, before they finally left.

BAM!

As the last student stepped out, the door slammed shut with such force that everyone inside thought it had exploded!

Yet even with that, neither the students nor the onlookers outside dispersed immediately...

”Whatʼs even happening right now? Why did Professor Shaddad call Professor Robin Master?”

”And Miss Morgana... she called him His Majesty! What is going on?! Professor Shaddad is a Truth Chosen, the strongest instructor in physical might! And Professor Morgana-sheʼs a Royal Soul Lady, the best instructor in soul arts and enchantments in the entire academy-no, in the entire sector!”

”And what about those seven? Arenʼt they mercenaries?”

”Theyʼre not! I know each and every one of them!”

”...Could it be that the man we thought was a failure... is actually a real professor?”

”Tsk- what a headache.” Robin scratched his head in mild irritation before glancing toward Morgana. ”Girl, I nearly lost my mind when I saw twenty-seven people in the lecture hall the first time. How do you even handle thousands?” ”Usually, this many donʼt gather in a single session,” Morgana sighed, brushing a few strands of her silvery hair behind her ear as she approached him. ”But today was different. They came because I stopped teaching for over five years.” Her voice carried the weight of exhaustion and quiet pride. As she drew closer, her confidence wavered for a brief second-her eyes darted toward the seven students. Each one of them was a monster in human form... a one-man army!

”But why did you choose today to hold a lecture?” Robin frowned slightly. ”Didnʼt I tell you to focus on preparing for the second star? This is exactly-” He suddenly froze mid-sentence, eyebrows lifting in surprise as he sensed something different. ”Wait... girl, did you already break through?”

”Youʼve got sharp eyes, Your Majesty.” Morganaʼs lips curved into a soft smile as she nodded proudly. ”Yes, Iʼve compressed the second royal star.”

Robin blinked a few times, then broke into a grin that carried genuine satisfaction. ”Excellent. Truly excellent!”

She really was a genius. Even with the new technique, he hadnʼt expected her to succeed this fast-he thought sheʼd need at least a year to fully adapt to her new soul domain and master the flow of her technique.

”Congratulations, Sister Morgana!” Jabba clapped his hands twice, grinning from ear to ear, his voice filled with warmth and admiration that echoed softly through the now-empty lecture hall.

”Haha, congratulations, Sister Morgana, truly, congratulations from the bottom of my heart!”

Shaddad finally stepped fully out of the doorway, his broad frame blocking part of the corridor behind him as he reached out and clasped Morganaʼs hand with exaggerated enthusiasm. ”Youʼre now the Academyʼs First Soul Instructor - not just by results, but by level, by recognition, by sheer mastery itself! Youʼve done what few could ever dream of doing!”

”Thank you, Professor Shaddad. Morgana tried to remain composed, her voice steady even as his handshake rattled her arm. Despite the forceful grasp, she managed to maintain the dignified air befitting a top instructor of souls. ”Professor? Whatʼs this Professor nonsense?” Shaddad blinked, his eyes opening wider and wider until they almost bulged. ”Come on now we serve the same master, the same great truth! Thereʼs no need for such stiff titles between us. Call me Brother Shaddad!”

”Thereʼs really no need for that...” Morgana withdrew her hand at once, brushing off invisible fur that had clung to her sleeve. The very thought of calling that massive, fur-covered oaf brother made her skin crawl.

”I wonʼt let you go until you drop the formalities and say it properly!” Shaddad took a step forward, his booming voice echoing across the marble hall. ”...Brother Shaddad.” To finally get rid of him, Morgana swallowed her pride - and a lump in her throat - before forcing the words out. She immediately turned toward Robin to change the subject. ”Your Majesty, are those seven over there truly your students?”

”Indeed,” Robin nodded slowly, a faint, composed smile curling across his lips as he turned toward the group. ”As long as theyʼve followed my instructions exactly as given, then yes they are students of Professor Robin Burton.”

Thud! Seven knees struck the polished floor in perfect unison, the sound reverberating like thunder through the hall. ”Thank you for acknowledging us, Professor!” they said together, their voices trembling with a mix of pride and emotion.

”Stand up,” Robin gestured with calm authority. ”I am only your instructor within the Academyʼs walls. Thereʼs no need to kneel before me.” ”...Professor,” Mirna whispered as she rose, her eyes glistening with moisture. ”But youʼve never asked anything from us... not a single favor or demand, we didnʼt pay you anything for you to be just an instructor.”

”Professor,” Vanir spoke up, his voice shaking with restrained emotion. ”We did everything you told us to do. We spent decades in warzones and roamed the lands of beasts to master the legendary techniques you bestowed upon us. Weʼve hunted down criminals steeped in dark karma, brought peace to cities, saved the helpless, rebuilt homes... Weʼve tried to live by every word you gave us.” He took another step forward, fists clenched. ”So... canʼt you take us as your true disciples?”

Robinʼs expression darkened. ”I believe we settled that the day I entrusted

those techniques to you,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. ”Only the seven of you have the right to say that you were once students of Professor Robin Burton. That title alone is more than enough. Our bond does not extend beyond those boundaries.”

”...” Jabba stood silently at the back, watching every exchange unfold like an outsider to something sacred. He had seen their entire battle earlier - the skill, the coordination, the willpower. And now, watching them kneel before his master, he couldnʼt shake the thought: in terms of strength and combat instinct, he might not actually surpass any of them.

Was it luck that he had met the master early in his life, when the manʼs expectations were still low? Or had fate simply smiled on him once and never again?

”Professor...” the seven murmured in unison, eyes filled with a swirling storm of emotion pleading, regret, pride, and even a quiet defiance.

”Enough of that,” Robin waved his hand several times, his expression softening only slightly. ”Tell me, what brings you here today? Iʼm sorry, but I wonʼt be giving any lessons. My schedule has been impossibly tight lately.” ”Professor...” Mirna exhaled softly, realizing there was no changing his mind.

She forced herself to move on. ”Weʼve been searching for you for over a century now. No... perhaps itʼs more accurate to say that our families have been searching for you all that time.”

”Hm?” Robin arched a brow, recalling the conversation with the gate guards upon his arrival. ”So that was you?” His gaze swept slowly across the seven, reading each face one by one. ”...Very well. Iʼm here now. What is it you seek from me?”

The seven exchanged uneasy glances before Vanir finally stepped forward once more. ”Professor, may we summon our family representatives first? Theyʼve all been waiting for you in the Academyʼs reception hall. Or, if you prefer, we can bring them here directly to meet you in person.”

Robinʼs eyes lingered on the six standing behind Vanir. He saw hesitation in some, worry in others, and deep conflict in all. Finally, he sighed quietly and nodded. ”Very well,” he said, waving a hand. ”Invite them to come.”