Eternal Freedom's Ascension

Chapter 173: A day break

Apollo had always disliked Kaiser. The guy had an attitude that was grating to someone like Apollo.

To the purple-haired delinquent, only two emotions should be shown towards him—respect and fear.

However, Kaiser was different. He displayed neither of those emotions when interacting with Apollo. Instead, his eyes always carried that bottomless, indifferent look that made others seem insignificant.

Even his tone was the same, treating others like innocent children on a playground.

This was one of the reasons why Apollo swore to bury him. Unfortunately, his first attempt had failed. Even though he exposed him as the culprit behind the camera loaning that happened during the first semester, Kaiser remained unharmed.

In fact, most of his classmates now feared and respected his intelligence.

’I can’t seem to come up with an idea to attack him. He is almost indifferent to everything... Wait.’

He looked tp the side where a pink-haired girl was chatting with Thyla.

’Almost.’

At first, Apollo had been unwilling to use his classmate as a means to attack Kaiser, but now he had no other option.

’I won’t be the righteous leader everyone envisions. I will only do whatever it takes to win.’

In the depth of his eyes, a ruthless glint flashed by.

...............

The next day, some students who had finished recuperating from the first-year classes returned into the forest to hunt.

It was the last day, so they did their hardest to aquire as many essence crystals as possible.

From Class-E, Hazel led the little team of eight students into the forest. The remaining students of Class-E stayed back to rest.

Meanwhile, Adela’s class went on full throttle. Just like the first Nirad Raid in the first semester, they now moved together, slaughtering any creature they came across.

By the time the day ended, it felt like Class-B had already wiped the forest clean. Even the instructors were appalled.

Immediately after returning from the Nirad Realm, the students were informed that they were given a day break to recuperate.

To their utter delight, the free day was a Friday, meaning there would be no classes until the following week.

It was so compelling and euphoric for some students.

"Ah! After all the suffering! It’s worth it."

Someone cried out, his eyes dripping with tears. Still, the classes had different atmosphere hanging above them.

Class-A was solemn, still recovering from their loss and Iruca’s depression.

Class-B was the total opposite. Despite the severe injuries of some students, they were in a joyous mood. After all, the class had gotten over a hundred essence crystals as a whole.

Apollo’s Class-C was calmer, and seemed to be scheming something. They weren’t as wild as before, but not because they had been humble. They were merely waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

Class-D remained the same. It was as if they hadn’t encountered any tragedy. Even during the break, most of their students still headed for the Training Facility.

As for Class-E, they were in a disorganized state. Many were depressed, many were anxious, and many were spiteful. Whispers flew around claiming Hazel was the cause of their tragedy.

After all, she had been the one who led them to the place.

Hearing these rumors, Liam was... flabbergasted. He also felt guilty, since he had been one of those who supported the visit to the Nectar Garden.

’I’ll address this issue later.’

Next to Ysabella, Liam was the most trusted and beloved student in Class-E. Therefore, despite his lack of action, his words had weight.

However, now was not the time to defend Hazel.

He had a personal matter that was pressing on his heart.

Standing outside the dormitory, he was clad in a simple cream-coloured t-shirt and a neat black jeans.

Holding his phone, he sent a polite text to Kaiser. Scratching his ears, he thought.

’That guy might take weeks before he checks the message.’

To Liam’s surprise, Kaiser replied immediately, asking him to come over to the Item Store.

’Item store? Isn’t that where Logan was framed?’

Still not understanding why the boy had called him there, Liam pocketed his phone and moved.

Although it was still on campus, it took him ten minutes to reach the place.

The large shop was pristine and clean, with several relics hung around for display. Some students were entering and leaving the store, buying different relics according to their desires and capacity.

’They’re mostly second-year students.’

Liam noted, greeting a few of them that he recognized. They were all in uniforms. After all, the single day break was only given to the first-years. The upperclassmen still had to classes today.

Taking a step into the large store, he sucked in a cold breath—literally.

’The sir conditioners here are insane.’

Rubbing his nose, he looked around and immediately spotted the blue-haired boy from his class.

Liam’s expression changed slightly, and he approached him.

Without even turning, Kaiser spoke. "You’re here. That was fast."

His gaze was fixed on a little aquarium with harmless aquatic Nirad lifeforms and regular earthly lifeforms swimming peacefully.

Liam stepped beside him, his expression curious. "I didn’t know they had this here."

Kaiser smiled faintly. "They were just added recently. Isn’t it beautiful? The ecosystem of aquatic life."

"Uh... I didn’t know you had a thing for that."

Liam blinked, surprised. He immediately shook his head. This wasn’t why he came to see Kaiser.

In a tone full of seriousness, he spoke.

"Do you have anything to do with Kiera’s breakdown two days ago? You were the only person last seen with her."

As he said this, Liam paid full attention to Kaiser. He wanted to see if there would be a reaction to those words. After all, people tented to flinch or blink when caught.

To his disbelief, Kaiser didn’t even react. It was like he hadn’t heard him. He kept observing the little aquarium with an interested gaze.

Just as Liam was about to repeat himself, Kaiser finally spoke.

"Liam. Have you wondered what will happen if this Crab’s partner was killed by another lifeform?"

Liam frowned, disturbed by the question. He took a glance at the two crabs present in the aquarium, seeing them move around and play.

’The aquarium isn’t having such a lifeform right?’

However, Kaiser’s question was theoretical, so he considered it normally.

"The other crab will seek revenge, I guess?"

Kaiser nodded, agreeing with him. "But. That totally depends on who is the killer, isn’t it?"

Understanding what the boy meant, Liam’s brows creased. "You’re saying if the killer was stronger than the crab... it would run?"

Kaiser chuckled.

"That depends on what kind of crab it is too."

He paused, his smile receding.

"If it is an obsessed crab, it will fight regardless."

"If it is a foolish crab, it will fight regardless."

"If the crab is smart, it will hide and strike when the killer isn’t watching."

"And if the crab is a coward, it will flee and never return."

Hearing all these, Liam began to relate it with the reason he had come to see Kaiser.

His expression became solemn. "What... are you driving at?"

Kaiser finally turned to him, his gaze devoid of emotions, giving no fluctuations at all.

"Regardless of the crab’s choice, the process will be very interesting to observe."

He turned and walked away, leaving the stunned by standing blankly before the little aquarium.

’I guess that is enough catalyst. If I have to kill Kiera one day, what color will you produce... Liam?’

Kaiser’s eyes remained empty, but there was a hint of expectation within.

............

Meanwhile, as soon as Kaiser stepped out of the Item Store, he was blocked by Mordica.

The girl was clad in a large grey hoodie, wearing a three-quarter khaki pants under. She looked... sassy and rogue.

Kaiser raised a brow and walked past her.

"It’s surprising that you came to find me. I thought your pride was above that."

Mordica clicked her tongue, turned around, and followed him.

"I don’t have pride. I’m merely not on the level of those in this academy."

"You’re not?" Kaiser shook his head. "You’re just an Awakened. Just like them."

"Just like you." The girl retorted sharply.

Kaiser fell silent, then stopped.

Staring into the distance, he asked.

"What do you want? I’m in need of a refreshing nap right now."

Mordica stopped beside him, looking into the distance too.

"How much do you know about the Witches?"

She had been pondering about it since two days ago, and could no longer reign in her curiosity.

Kaiser closed his eyes, sighing faintly.

’Bloodlings, Lycanthropes, Witches... this is turning into a paranormal fantasy, isn’t it?’

After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth.

"How much do you know about the Solace Clan?"

Mordica blinked, surprised. She hadn’t expected a question in return. However, the question itself struck a chord within her.

’That name...’

She could remember her sisters speaking about that name with caution. Even her mother regarded them with wariness.

Turning to look at Kaiser, there was a hint of caution in her purple eyes.

"You..."