Eternal Freedom's Ascension

Chapter 171: Aftermath

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

Hearing such bold words, Apollo was tempted to laugh. However, seeing the serious expression on her face, his expression darkened.

"You really think you can?"

He stepped forward, closing the distance between them slightly.

"Your ability allows you to kill your target by some mysterious means, right?"

His grin slowly returned.

"I’m sure it’s not as simple as cutting off weed from the garden. For you to kill off stronger targets, you need more time, don’t you?"

Adela’s smirk faltered. His deduction was right.

Seeing her expression, Apollo’s smile widened. "So I’m right. Without your ability, you are nothing but a weakling. No wonder you always have those guards around you."

The girl lowered her head, her bangs covering her eyes. A light chuckle escaped her lips.

"Ah... you’re actually not all brawns with no brain." She smiled in amusement.

Raising her head, her eyes shone with a dark gleam.

"Since you know my ability so well, you should also know that your classmates would be weed for me to clear, right?"

Apollo paused, a frown appearing on his face. "Threatening me with the lives of others now?"

His grin turned fearless and predatory.

"Well, I am fine with that. Losing a few pawns to slay the king is worth it."

Adela’s smile also widened, her face clouded in excitement.

"Shall we see?"

Suddenly, a heavy pressure descended on the two of them, forcing them to their knees.

"Care to explain what is going on here?"

Instructor Rina appeared like a ghost, breaking the icy atmosphere with her presence alone.

The two class leaders were humbled immediately, their killing intent quenched. The oppressive might of an Evolved was nothing to scoff at by an Awakened.

"Instructor, it’s merely a misunderstanding. I can guarantee that."

Elon stepped forward, a calm expression on his face.

Rina wasn’t fooled, but she decided to let the matter go. Retracting her oppressive might, she turned around.

"Next time I hear you both threatening to kill each other... don’t blame me for the consequences."

Saying that, she disappeared just as fast as she came.

The two students slowly stood up, their gazes fixed on each other.

Smiling faintly, Adela spoke in a courteous tone.

"It seems we still aren’t able to play freely on this stage. Perhaps one day, we might meet outside the academy."

Apollo snorted coldly. "Then you should have a few more guards around you. It will be saddening if your head falls off too easily."

Leaving those words for her, he turned around and walked away with the rest of the students in his class.

Adela stood smiling, envisioning a great battle in her mind.

’Oh, Apollo. I can’t wait to see your expression clouded with defeat.’

.........

In another part of the forest, a purple-haired girl watched over Kaiser’s sleeping figure with a cold look.

’This guy... how can he sleep so peacefully?’

She stood with her arms crossed, a subtle frown on her face. She had initially been drawn to the chaos created by the Nectar Bees, but stumbled upon the scene of the blue-haired boy falling unconscious.

’Why did he even fall unconscious?’

Suddenly, Kaiser’s fingers twitched, and his eyes snapped open.

His gaze locked onto her figure, those blue eyes cold and emotionless.

Slowly, recognition appeared in those eyes and his lips parted softly.

"Oh."

"Oh?" The girl leaned forward, her frown deepening. "That’s all you have to say?"

Kaiser remained on the ground, simply staring at her.

"I only saw the silhouette of someone approaching. I didn’t expect it to be you, Mordica."

She sighed, covering her eyes with her palm. "I’m appalled by your confidence. What if I had ill intent towards you?"

The boy blinked, "Ill intent? Hm, if you did... I’m sure I’d have reacted unconsciously."

Realizing this conversation was becoming difficult to understand, Mordica waved her hand.

"That’s enough about your choice. Instead, I’m interested in something else."

Kaiser finally raised himself off the ground. Resting his elbow on his raised knee, he tilted his head.

"And what is that?"

Mordica folded her arms. "That ability you used. Is it a cursed ability?"

He raised an eyebrow, surprised. "I didn’t expect you to notice. Yes it is a cursed ability. How do you know this, though? Not just anyone can recognize a cursed ability."

Mordica’s expression didn’t change as she answered. "My family. We study people who have connections with cursed abilities and cursed essence a lot. Therefore, it is completely normal that I recognize a cursed ability when I see one."

Kaiser nodded and stood up, patting the dust off his trousers.

"I see. Nerth right? So you are related to the witches err... whatever you guys call it."

Hearing this from him, Mordica was surprised. "How do you know about that?"

He cracked his neck and turned away. "Don’t ask me. I can’t really remember. Perhaps my uncle was just speaking about it randomly."

Without giving her the chance to ask any more questions, he waved his hand and darted away.

"Catch you later. I have somewhere to be."

What was left of him was a light chuckle that lingered in the air.

Mordica stood alone, staring at the spot he was standing previously.

’His uncle? Who the hell is his uncle to recognize the Witches Association?’

.........

When Kaiser returned to the safe zone, the Class-E students were already being treated. Some of them were laid on stretchers, their injuries covered in bandages.

Kaiser observed them with a bottomless gaze, then walked up to Hazel, looking relaxed.

"You have fewer injuries than I expected."

He said flatly. The black-haired girl barely had any injury. In fact, one could say she had no injuries at all.

Hazel turned to him, her eyes sharp. "What were you doing while everyone was fighting?"

Although she believed he could act freely, she was still indignant that he wasn’t there to lend the class his strength. Same with Sebastian who was busy admiring nature, and Mordica who was also nowhere to be found.

"I was observing an experiment. Nothing concerning."

He shrugged indifferently, scanning the injured students.

Hazel fell silent, biting her lip. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.

"Well... any comment? I know you have some."

Kaiser tore his gaze off the others, glancing at her.

"You’re burdened with guilt, aren’t you?"

Hazel nodded, unconsciously lowering her head.

Kaiser sighed and continued. "Indeed, you all made crucial mistakes today. Your mistake was allowing yourself to be influenced by the opinion of others."

"You believed you should at least give them what they want. Also, you believed you could handle whatever situation arises."

Hazel’s expression darkened further as he spoke.

"That is where you’re wrong... and foolish. Whenever there are situations involving more subject materials, the results are susceptible to heavy changes that are beyond your control."

Hazel blinked, staring at him weirdly. "Subject materials?"

"Pardon my choice of words." He shook his head with a smile, "What I mean is the presence of the other classes and the danger of the Nectar Bees."

Hazel’s eyes widened in realization, understanding him.

"In all you do, always consider other factors capable of influencing your predetermined outcome. That... is when you stop being an intelligent person and become a smart person."

Hazel took a deep breath, allowing his words to sink in. She reflected on her actions today, and realized that she had truly been led around by the general opinion of the class.

’Next time... I’ll make decisions without allowing outside influence.’

Observing her as she regained her determined expression, Kaiser nodded with a smile.

Someone gradually approached them, her steps filled with hesitation. Kaiser and Hazel turned to the girl, curious.

"Kiera?" Hazel called, her tone even.

However, Kiera didn’t even look at her. Her red eyes were fixated on Kaiser, full of thirst and hunger.

Before she even spoke, Kaiser already understood everything.

He rolled his eyes, then turned her around.

"Go wait for me. I’m coming."

A relieved look crossed her face, and she immediately turned around, disappearing into the forest.

Hazel turned to Kaiser with suspicion in her eyes. "Are you secretly dating Kiera?"

Instead of answering directly, Kaiser smirked and shrugged.

He dismissed his armor, flexing his fingers a little.

"Ah, and a last warning. Don’t push yourself too hard tomorrow. You all already lost to Class-B."

He took a few rapid steps, disappearing into the distance where Kiera had gone.

Hazel clicked her tongue, her fists clenched. "We already lost? That means Adela’s remaining classmates had killed a lot of creatures while we were battling the swarm of Nectar Bees."

She felt pained, having fallen victim to the lilac-haired girl’s scheme.

’I won’t let this mistake repeat itself next time.’

Not far away, Kaiser finally stopped. He looked at Kiera who was tapping her feet against the ground impatiently.

"You’re hungry again? I didn’t—"

She became a blur, charging at him at high speed. While he blinked in surprise, she pushed him onto a tree, locked her arms around his neck, then sank her teeth into his flesh.