Villain Retirement



"Since you have been quite civilized throughout our travels, I have convinced the Academy to give you your own room—as well as a little privacy."

"I appreciate that, Dr. Whis."

"Alright, be prepared to be called upon soon."

"Hm."

His own room—Riley was truly not expecting that. He was a slave, and he expected to be thrown in some sort of dungeon that hasn't been cleaned for more than a hundred years.

And yet right now, he was inside a clean room, with a clean bed. There was even a window that allowed him to see the sights outside—it was barred by metal to prevent him from escaping—but still, this was not how Riley expected to be treated.

It… was quite boring.

Kritika Academy, as explained by Dr. Whis, is a school for nobles who are serious about pursuing careers in academia—scientists, lecturers, and doctors. But Kritika wasn't only for scholars, the other half of it consists of those that want to make their names known on the battlefield.

And as for Riley's role in all of this, well…as Dr. Whis also already explained, they would be studying him.

He was a student on Earth, and then he became a professor on Theran. And now, he was a research subject. 

"...Pft." And Riley found that amusing. He seemed to be taking all of the roles he could get from schools. Perhaps next time, he will be a school shoo—

"T… that's him."

"That's a Traveler…? I was expecting more."

"Shh, be quiet!"

"..." And as Riley was laughing to himself, he heard a tap coming from the window. He looked, only to see several people peeking their heads over the window—they were trying to be subtle, but failing all the same as they seemed to push each other to get a better look at Riley.

Riley did not mind, and even started to approach the window; causing the people to quickly disperse. It was, however, obvious that they were just hiding on the other side of the wall.

"Hello," a small chuckle escaped Riley's lips as he knocked on the window. The students that were outside could really only look at each other as they heard his voice, but before any of them could really react, Riley suddenly opened the window and stuck out his arm.

"I have a few questions," Riley then said as he opened his palm which released some sort of black goo,

"I would truly appreciate it if someone answers them."

***

"Hm, interesting."

Black coat, black pants, and a red shirt—that was the uniform of the students of Kritika Academy. And perhaps almost as if a testament to their prestige, the materials of the uniform were truly smooth and comfortable to the touch.

Riley was liking it as it didn't feel constricting—Yes, Riley was now wearing the uniform of Kritika Academy, and is now even walking through their open hallways; his once pale and white skin, now gray; his hair, as dark as it was when he donned the identity of Paragon.

As to where he got the uniform, well, he borrowed it.

"This school does not seem to have that many students," Riley talked to himself as he noticed that he hadn't seen a single student in the hallways. But then again, it was a prestigious and private school for nobles—there probably weren't that many of their kind in this city to begin with in the first place.

The architecture of this world was a bit weird, it almost reminded him of Ahor Zai with how open the building was; with the hallways almost acting like bridges.

Riley was about to take a turn, when all of a sudden, a figure came coming towards him.

"Ah!" It was a young man, who quickly gasped as his butt hit the floor from hitting Riley.

"I apologize, I didn't know whether it was appropriate to catch you."

"W...what are you, a wall!?"

The male student rubbed his forehead, pushing away his light brown hair and revealing his moss-green eyes, which almost showed due to his gray skin.

"Ack, enough about this, I'm late!" He groaned in frustration as he stood up, and Riley could almost make out a few tears forming in his eyes—but they weren't falling yet so he still held back some gracefulness amidst the moment. 

"Which class are you going, teary-eyed male student?"

"...What? I'm not fucking crying!" The young man was about to leave, but Riley's voice whispered to his ears before he could even take three steps. He then very slowly turned his head to Riley, finally looking at his face.

"I'm... going to class, duh?" The young man then focused on Riley's face, "Wait, why haven't I seen someone as good-looking as you here before?"

"Because your species' median is subjectively worse looking than humans, male student."

"...The fuck? Do you even know who you are talking to right now, pleb!?"

"No."

"You're as weird as an orcbear. Wait…" The male student then squinted his eyes as he focused on Riley again, "If I'm late… that means you're also late! Which class are you in?"

"...Dr. Whis."

"Oh… Oh!" The male student's eyes almost lit up as Riley could almost see a light bulb flash above his head, "I guess you're lost, new guy?"

"I always am."

"Let's make a deal, then…" The male student started to whisper as he leaned closer to Riley, "Tell Dr. Whis that I toured you around the Academy, and I bring you to class. How about it?"

"I would appreciate that, male student."

"Tino, the name's Tino. Prince Tino, to be exact."

"Riley Ross."

"I knew it, you're an exchange student," Tino gestured to Riley to follow him, "No way in forever would somebody in this city not actually know who I am."

"..." Riley did not really respond to Prince Tino and just followed behind him as he rushed to his classroom—even jumping and leaping over the hanging hallways. And judging by how he was glancing back at Riley, he was trying to test if he could follow him; only to see him slightly struggle in mid-air.

Riley can fly—but he had just always used his telekinesis to do so. This was, perhaps, the very first time since he acquired the ability to fly that he was actually using it.

And in the end, he just opted to just go along with Prince Tino and just leaped across and over the hallways like some sort of grasshopper. After all, the Deity might not like it if he continues actually flying around.

Fortunately for Riley, he didn't have to chase Prince Tino for long as they reached the classroom, in which a deafening scream quickly welcomed them and filled the entire Academy.

"Your Majesty! How many times do I have to tell you not to be late for class!? Do you not know that the royal family has given us full authority to oversee your education!?" Dr. Whis made even the students that were already inside the classroom lower their heads and cover their ears even though the sermon was not directed at them,

"If you are not serious about this then—"

"..." As for Prince Tino, he was just about to cover his ears when Dr. Whis suddenly stopped talking; his eyes, staring at the person standing behind him.

"Ah!" Prince Tino's eyes quickly lit up as he glanced at Riley, "Dr. Whis, this is—"

"Get away from him, Your Majesty."

"...What?" Prince Tino could not help but raise an eyebrow at the sudden change in Dr. Whis's tone.

"Get… away from it, now."

"...It?"

Dr. Whis's breaths started to quiver as he looked at Riley's face. Even though his skin was now gray like theirs, his face was still completely the same.

"How… did you escape the room?" Dr. Whis then breathed out as he looked at Riley's neck, only to find the collar absent from it.

"I opened the door and stepped out, Dr. Whis," Riley shrugged as he stepped inside the classroom; his eyes, scanning all the students that were clearly confused as to what was happening, "Since you are a professor; I have a question, Dr. Whis."

"...What?"

"I am slightly getting impatient for some reason, so what happens next will depend on you, Dr. Whis," Riley whispered, "The Deity…

…How do I contact it?"