I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 100: Clear Warning [2]

'And I pride myself on calling Envy my Master.'

Just as the conversation was about to go further, the chattering around us halted, and the camera flashes echoed continuously, grabbing my attention toward the source.

From the side of the stage, Ruby walked to the podium. The moment she appeared, her mere presence left everyone in awe.

Wearing her Hero Uniform, her boots tapped against the stage's wooden surface. Her crimson eyes, which matched her loose hair, gleamed under the flashing lights. The Hero Association's emblem was carved with metal on her right chest, and a single number faintly glowed red on her left: 07

Ruby's steps halted behind the podium, and the clicking of cameras intensified.

She raised her hand, and all activity stopped. The clicking sounds ceased, and the flashes dimmed.

Her command was absolute.

Tap. Tap.

She lightly tapped on one of the microphones.

Thousands of students sat before her, their murmurs dying down as she raised the microphone to her lips.

Her piercing crimson eyes scanned the crowd, and then, in a calm yet authoritative tone, she spoke.

"First and foremost, I stand before you not just as the Headmistress of Nova Academy, but as someone who carries the weight of responsibility for each and every one of you."

The whole auditorium fell silent.

"What happened during the teleportation incident was an unacceptable failure—one that cost us dearly. The Hero Association and Nova Academy should have done better. I should have done better."

Her voice remained steady, but there was a distinct sharpness in her tone.

'Good going, Ruby!'

"For that, I offer my sincerest apologies."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Nobody expected a Rank 7 Hero to apologize so openly.

But Ruby wasn't finished yet. Her gaze turned colder than before.

"But know this."

A small pause.

The air grew heavy. I saw some students instinctively straighten their backs.

"This is my Academy."

Her words cut through the silence like a sword.

"And I will not tolerate any threat—internal or external—against my students."

For the time being, her gaze turned toward the media, not the students.

"Anyone who dares will find that there are fates far worse than death… and I will personally make sure they experience them."

A chilling aura spread through the room. I even saw a few reporters flinch. Some students swallowed hard. Even the instructors at the sides couldn't suppress the tension building in their chests.

Ruby let her words settle, then continued with a bright smile.

"You are the future heroes of this world. But until that day comes, your safety is my responsibility. And I do not take my responsibilities lightly."

She lowered the mic.

Silence.

Then, thunderous applause erupted across the auditorium.

I found myself clapping non-stop.

Seriously, I was just too proud of her.

'I wish Master was present to witness all this.'

Ruby paused for a moment, then, staring directly at the media, asked,

"Any questions?"

"..." "..." "..." "..."

Nobody dared to speak. They simply stared at her.

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I couldn't blame them; messing with a single ranker was not something anybody could risk.

Before letting go of the microphone, Ruby concluded,

"If there are no quest—"

But before she finished, one of the reporters, a man with blonde hair, interrupted her.

"Headmistress Ruby, if I may ask—why didn't you reveal your identity as Rank 7 before? And why choose now?"

The microphone was passed to him, and the entire auditorium turned silent, waiting for Ruby's response.

'Does he have no fear?'

Well, there were always these types of reporters whose sole purpose in life was to ruin others'.

'Such a lowlife!' I cursed at him again.

Ruby's crimson eyes flicked toward the reporter.

Her lips curved into a smirk, but there was no warmth in it—only cold certainty.

She took a step forward.

"Because before, there was no need."

Her voice was steady, unfazed, yet carried the weight of her warning.

"But now… I can feel them. Bugs that have slipped through the cracks. Bugs that may soon take flight, buzzing around in 'my' academy, disrupting its peace."

She let the words sink in before continuing, her voice laced with quiet menace.

"And if there's one thing I 'hate'—it's pests."

The auditorium felt colder. Some students swallowed hard, while the reporters instinctively went silent.

Ruby tilted her head slightly, her smirk widening just a fraction.

"So consider this my extermination notice."

Her eyes gleamed with raw authority.

"I am the Headmistress of Nova Academy. I am Rank 7 Pride. And I do 'not' tolerate disturbances in my domain."

A suffocating silence filled the room.

It was clearly a warning.

And I could tell what single thought was going through everyone's mind.

'Whoever these 'bugs' were… they wouldn't last long.'

She was going all out, and I didn't think I could ever pull off something like that.

For a brief moment, I caught a faint glimpse of Master Envy in Ruby—the same unshakable presence, the same terrifying certainty.

And I really hoped she wouldn't turn out like her.

'Human, I gotta respect you now…' Sera's voice echoed in my mind.

'Huh? What are you on about?'

'You have excellent taste in women. I really like her.'

"…"

I had no words to respond. So, I did the only logical thing—I ignored the annoying ghost.

'Rude! Hmph!'

But all jokes aside, I had to applaud Ruby.

With just a few words, she erased every lingering doubt in the students' minds. The uncertainty about moving into Nova's dormitory—the hesitations, the worries—all of it vanished.

Ruby stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the silent reporters.

"Any more questions?"

This time, no one dared to speak.

A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Good."

Her attention shifted to the students, scanning every row with sharp, unreadable eyes.

"Now then…" She paused, letting the tension linger before continuing.

"There will be no classes today. All students are hereby dismissed. Use this time to settle into your assigned dormitories and prepare for the days ahead."

And just like that, Ruby officially declared herself as Rank 7 to the world, along with a subtle warning—never to go against her or her academy.

After the speech, I separated from the rest and made my way toward my assigned dorm room, which had just been notified to me through a personal message.

As I walked, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the vast grass field ahead. Nova's campus was rich with greenery, a sight that brought a strange sense of calm to my mind.

Tomorrow marked the start of our classes after an entire week, and I had no intention of missing any of it.

"Sighhh….".

Letting out a long sigh, I finally reached my dorm building.

Looking up at it, I silently hoped.

'I just want a decent room.'

End of chapter.