Deep within the blue tree domain in the forest, a prideful man with dark-blonde hair looked at another man with navy blue hair. On one of the nearby trees, Andrei leaned quietly, seemingly unconscious.
"Ren, I knew you were strong, but I didn’t expect..."
Franz glanced at Andrei in the tree before turning his gaze back to Ren. Honestly, he was prepared for Ren to fail. But when they t again, he was pleasantly surprised by the outco.
He stared at Ren deeply, chuckling.
"I didn’t expect you to defeat, Andrei Nurvech."
"Huh?"
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"What do you an by that? Did you think I would lose? Are you itching for a beating?"
’Damn it, this bastard is too volatile...’
Sensing his irritation, Franz gritted his teeth. But he kept a pleasant smile outwardly, quickly replying. "No, not at all. I heard rumors before that you’re stronger than your actual position in the leaderboards. Knowing you’re the Blue Dagger, I knew they were right..."
"Enough. Stop talking, I get it."
Ren’s eyes twitched. He changed the topic.
"So when will you give the reward?"
"After school hours, I’ll go to your turf."
Franz replied, then glanced at Andrei on the trunk. Seeing the man’s unconscious, ruffled appearance, he let out a mocking sneer.
"Top 6? What nonsense! Nurvech’s just a fraud, nothing more and nothing less! Once the situation in the third year is settled, Gene will put him back in his place again anyway. Tch, damn busybody..."
Suddenly, Andrei’s body twitched slightly, causing Ren to grit his teeth.
"Huh?"
Franz’s eyes squinted. He was just about to walk forward, but then a sudden shout from his left took all of his attention.
"F-Franz! I’m..."
Hearing the familiar voice, Franz’s lips involuntarily curled up. He shifted his gaze and saw a brown-haired man with a... bloodied and ssy appearance, as if he was beaten black and blue.
"Ryan?! What happened?!"
Franz was startled, his heart skipping a beat. But before Ryan could respond, his face suddenly froze, then a mont later, he fell to the ground wordlessly.
Thud!
From the shadows, a man with dark-red hair stepped out. His face was as frigid as ice, and his red eyes were like the sword in his hand, sharp but exceptionally clear. He was exceptionally good-looking, a natural target of envy from n, and admiration from won.
Franz recognized him instantly, his expression changing.
"It’s you, Zeke Crimson!"
Zeke raised his gaze and t Franz’s eyes directly. He gave a slight nod.
"It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"
His words held no anger or fear, the complete opposite of Franz’s expectations.
"Huh?"
Franz flinched, feeling as if sothing about Zeke had changed without him knowing. He looked at Zeke cautiously, but then, as if he realized sothing, his lips suddenly curled upwards.
"I get it."
Clap! Clap!
He clapped, causing Zeke to raise his brow.
"Hahahaha!"
Franz laughed out loud, rubbing his nose.
"You must be thinking that Andrei can still protect you, huh?! Huh?! Well, let show you sothing, Zeke."
He spoke mysteriously, his tone dripping with mockery.
Zeke was confused at first, but when he heard his reasons, he couldn’t help but fall silent.
"Look!"
Franz extended his hand, pointing at one of the nearby trees. Zeke glanced at where he was pointing and saw Andrei leaning against a trunk, seemingly unconscious. To say he wasn’t shocked would be an understatent.
But when he looked at Andrei’s body, the man’s hand suddenly ford a thumbs-up, causing him to fall speechless.
"Let tell you what happened! My accomplice here took down Nurvech by himself, so if you’re still thinking of using Nurvech to escape, dream on! Ren will take him down again and again! Hahahaha!"
Franz grinned wildly, overwheld with joy. He pointed at Ren beside him as he let out a fit of laughter, his voice dripping with mockery and hubris. He paused for a mont, awaiting Zeke’s reaction.
’Now... what will you say, huh? I dare you to look in the eye again with that indifferent gaze of yours! I wonder if you can even remain indifferent... let see your true feelings, Crimson! Co on!’
Franz raised his gaze, looking at Zeke directly. But then, his smile faltered. Instead of the fear or anger he was expecting, Zeke seed unfazed by it all. Yet, his eyes were no longer indifferent, instead, it was showing pity.
That was right—
Pity.
’Pity?! Sympathy!? TO WHOM?!’
Franz’s eyes widened in disbelief. His hands trembled quietly. He lowered his gaze before asking in a low tone.
"... Are you pitying , Crimson?!"
Zeke gave a slight nod. He held his sword tightly and answered.
"That’s right."
"...!"
Franz was startled, but then, like a fuse lit up, his anger exploded.
"What’s with your damn sympathy?! I’m the stronger one here, Crimson! Do you think you can pity ?! I’m stronger, better, and more talented than you ever will be! You don’t have the right to pity ! I’ll take your eyes off that damn face of yours, you piece of trash!"
After screaming a long rant, he clenched both of his fists tightly and dashed towards Zeke.
Woosh!n
"Like a man-child."
Zeke mused, not taking him seriously in the slightest. He assud the Starbearer stance, raising his sword at chest height. This stance specializes in balance and defense. A mont later, Franz appeared before him with bloodshot eyes.
Franz’s fists glead softly, containing hidden power. Gold-plated knuckles covered both of his hands, shining along with his skill activation. Both of his arms were drawn over his back, shoulders bent, as though he was pulling a bowstring.
Then, when he appeared before Zeke, he thrusted both of his arms forward.
Boom! Boom!
A loud shockwave resounded from their spot. Franz’s attack created a small whirlwind, taking down all of the surrounding trees. The brown soil beneath them blew upwards, scattering all over the area.
When the dirt settled, Franz remained in his original position, while Zeke...
"...!"
Zeke was pushed back far away from the shockwave, his uniform fluttering along the wind. But shockingly, there was no sign of damage in his body, as one would expect from soone who received an attack head-on. His sword was still held tightly between his hands, like he was barely affected by the attack.
With a sword on hand, he slowly raised his gaze.
When Franz saw those pair of red eyes, a chill crawled down his spine.
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