Eternal Freedom's Ascension

Chapter 170: Threatening Confrontation

Instructor Rutherford walked up to the students, his expression calm and composed. Sensing him approach, they all turned to him regardless of their condition.

Seeing the swollen faces of the majority of the students, even the man felt a pang of sympathy towards them.

Surveying their condition, he allowed the silence to fester for some time before he spoke.

"Since the causality rate has gone up and many students have been robbed of their fighting ability, you are given the rest of the day as a break."

"The raid resumes tomorrow morning and every kill made during your break would not be counted. Is that clear?"

Several students sighed in relief, plopping to the ground in tiredness.

They had never expected the situation to be this dire, but they were glad they had survived.

Instructor Rutherford left quietly, his back fading into the distance.

Hazel rolled her weary shoulders, her gaze focused.

"We survived. Those of you who can still stand should support the others and head to the safe zone."

Her tone was cold and icy, filled with anger towards herself and everyone.

"Uh... Hazel, I think everyone is a bit ti—" Ysabella tried to speak up, but was ruthlessly shut down by Hazel.

"You don’t have options. Everyone get moving now."

Her authoritative tone made it hard to disobey her, and the students began helping each other up.

Ysabella’s face burned red in shame and she lowered her head.

’Damn you, Hazel! How dare you talk to me like that?’

She shot a subtle glare at the black-haired girl, then turned to help a student.

Unfortunately, right on the ground beside her was Jose. Even after Hazel rescued him, he still got stung a few times because of his twisted ankle.

Ysabella wanted to immediately ignore him and check for another student, but Liam stopped her.

"Ah, Ysabella. Please help Jose up. I can’t lend a hand right now."

The brown-haired boy was already supporting two students, carrying them on his shoulders.

Clenching her teeth, the girl turned around and pulled Jose to his feet.

"Ah! Ah! My leg!"

He yelped, raising his injured foot in pain. He was about to insult the person carrying him when he realized it was crush.

Immediately, his expression changed. "Ysabella, it’s you!"

Ysabella’s smile almost faltered at his sudden change in expression. However, she maintained her caring expression and put his arm around her shoulder.

The boy winced slightly, leaning against her for support.

"It’s okay, Jose. We’re heading to the healers now."

She offered him some comforting words, then began walking forward carefully. The others who were injured had also been helped up, slowly moving as a group.

Resting his head on Ysabella’s shoulder, Jose closed his eyes and thought.

’I’m sorry Eric. I had to leave you behind to fight alone. Thank goodness Hazel came to help me. My injuries would have been more severe.’

He released a sigh of relief, feeling a dull ache from the places he had been stung.

’Hazel is really so heroic. Haha, and she’s quite beautiful too. Unfortunately, Logan has already shown interest in her. I’ll stick with my Mistress Ysabella.’

Pursing his lips, he felt his fingers brushing something soft and sensational. He froze briefly, making Ysabella stop.

"Are you okay? Should I slow my pace?"

The girl asked softly, her voice filled with concern.

"Ha-ha." Jose gave a stiff laugh, shaking his head. "I’m fine. Just felt the sting once."

"Hm, it’ll soon be okay. Let’s get to the safe zone quickly."

She sighed and resumed walking, making sure he wasn’t feeling uncomfortable.

Jose nodded subtly, lowering his hand around Ysabella’s shoulder slightly. The girl seemed to sense nothing wrong, even as his fingers perfectly rested on her bosom.

’Ah...’

While harboring perverted thoughts, he restrained himself from going further as they moved.

Some distance away, seeing as the Class-E students retreated, Class-A and Class-C also decided to retreat. Iruca’s class suffered the least damage because of her ability that held out until the end. However, she was still saddened and burdened by guilt.

Austin and his classmates were less emotional. Although most of them sustained injuries, they didn’t whine or cry about it. They just helped each other and left the garden.

Now, only two classes were left at the Nectar Garden.

Apollo and Adela locked gazes, a slight friction in the air between them.

The purple-haired boy had a swollen mark on his neck, but still looked terrifying.

"Adela. How do you feel after all this? Was your grand plan fulfilled?" He asked, his tone high and arrogant.

The other students of his class were tired, but they still stood strong—ready to back up their leader.

Adela spread her fan, covering her lips with it.

"Can you imagine? This situation was totally unexpected. I can’t describe how entertained I am at the moment."

She sounded really excited.

Apollo’s expression darkened, a look of disgust in his eyes.

"You really have a screw loose, you wretch."

Stabbing the pole of his scythe into the ground, he folded his arms.

"This stunt of yours might be amusing to you, but I intend to challenge you seriously."

His lips parted in a predatory grin. "Your class suffered the least from this, right? After all, your main fighters aren’t even here. These ones are merely cannon fodder and are insignificant."

Adela’s smile crinkled in amusement as she nodded, admitting he was right.

Apollo’s eyes burned with intent as he stepped forward. "You might think you have won, but what makes you think I can’t crush you and your cannon fodder right here?"

His words made the Class-B students tense. He was right when he said they were merely average students in the class. Although they were strong, they weren’t the strongest. Even Tamara who was considered Adela’s attendant was absent.

Every one of them present was injured. Against Apollo’s class which still had some fighting capability, they saw no chance of winning. Their only hope was Adela herself.

To their surprise, the girl was giggling, unbothered.

"You want to crush me?"

She closed her fan, placing her index finger on her lips seductively.

"What makes you think I can’t kill you and your classmates right here?"