Calista didn't answer. Even if he wanted to respond, he couldn't speak. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the ground, staring at the dust beneath him. In his mind, he scread wildly:
"Charles!"
"Die! I want you dead! It's all because of you!"
"I will make you, just like , humiliated in front of everyone, and make you wish you were dead!"
Although it was Callum who had struck him, Calista's hatred was now directed solely at Charles. He didn't even stop to think about why this had happened. In his mind, anyone who made him uncomfortable and was weak in power deserved to be deliberately targeted by Cassian.
The reason the incident had occurred was that he had underestimated Charles's strength. If there was a next ti, he would make sure things went differently!
In Calista's view, Callum was rely upholding the Black Market's rules and order, not deliberately targeting him.
However, as Calista thought this, he saw Callum slowly walk toward Charles. With a very friendly attitude, Callum said, "Charles, I'm Callum, Ezra's friend. If you ever need anything, feel free to co to the Black Market."
The coldness Callum had shown toward Calista vanished completely. Now, with a smile, Callum looked at Charles, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
His deanor and gaze were akin to that of a senior family mber, proud and affectionate toward a promising young mber of the family. It was full of warmth and approval.
"Callum, I should be fine. Does that an I can't co visit you if I'm okay?" Charles replied, smiling in return.
Callum was initially stunned, but then his smile grew even wider. He had thought that Charles was the type to be calm and composed, with exceptional talent in Beast Mastery. He hadn't expected Charles to be so socially adept and clever.
Callum's fondness for Charles grew, and he patted Charles on the shoulder with a grin. "Of course you can. I'd be more than happy to have you. You should co by more often."
"Ezra didn't give a heads up, so I wasn't prepared, but take this tal material for now. I'll get you sothing better next ti."
Callum casually pulled out a piece of tal. Charles took a glance, and his eyes imdiately lit up. This was the very sa material that Bellamy, the giant, had listed on the note he gave him!
Cryolite [Golden Quality]: Premium Ice Attribute tal Forging Material. It greatly enhances the weapon's ability to absorb, conduct, and endure Ice Elent energy.
Charles was about to politely refuse, but before he could, Ezra's voice sounded in his head, saying, "Take it. This guy has a lot of good things. You should co see him more often."
"Hahaha, no problem at all!" Callum laughed heartily.
The other spectators around them watched in confusion. No one was paying attention to Calista anymore. It was completely unexpected that a Level 9 Beast Master would be watching the Barbaric Area battle.
No one had anticipated that Charles, with his Level 4 Beast Master strength, would put Cassian in a life or death situation.
Even more surprising was Calista's interference, only to be severely reprimanded by Callum, a Level 9 Beast Master. And the relationship between Charles and Callum none of it had been predicted!
When Callum, Ezra, and tamorpher left with Charles, the crowd finally dared to whisper amongst themselves.
"I can't shake the feeling that everything that just happened was so unreal!"
"Tell about it, I feel the sa way. Who exactly is Charles? I an, a Level 4 Beast Master in his twenties there shouldn't be any big background behind him, right?"
"Background? Calista is the apprentice of the Vice President of the Beast Master Guild, isn't that a big background?"
"It is compared to ours, but do you know who the big shots behind the underground Black Market are? The Vice President of the Beast Master Guild is nothing compared to the guild president's apprentice."
"The apprentice of the most powerful Beast Master in the Ethereal Grove? I can't even imagine who would be lucky enough to beco his apprentice. Even the number one prodigy on the [Ranking of the Heavenly Prodigies] probably wouldn't catch his interest."
"Yeah, forget about becoming his apprentice. Just being acknowledged by him is an honor reserved for true geniuses!"
No one was paying attention to Calista as he clenched his fists tightly. His eyes were filled with hatred as he watched Callum and Charles leave.
It was only at this mont that he realized: since Callum had been watching the entire ti, he must have been able to stop him from helping Cassian, but Callum hadn't done anything!
Why?
It was clear that Callum had deliberately allowed him to act so that he would have a reason to teach him a lesson, forcing Charles to discuss how to resolve this with Callum.
"Is it because of Charles? Is he trying to teach a lesson for Charles?" Calista gritted his teeth, his eyes growing darker and more resentful.
Cassian looked at Calista's current state, and a sense of regret surged through him. He thought to himself, I should never have gotten involved in this ss to please Calista. Now, Charles is fine, but Calista... look at him now.
What was worse, this had all happened in front of so many people. Calista had lost so much face. To others, it might not matter, but for soone like Calista, who cared so much about his image and reputation, this was absolutely unacceptable.
And Cassian knew he'd be affected by this too.
Sigh, life's going to be tough from now on, Cassian thought quietly. If I could do it over again, I'd stay far away from Charles.
anwhile, Skylar was also staring intently at Charles's retreating figure, filled with shock.
He had thought he would be able to have a fair fight with Charles, but after seeing Charles's battle, Skylar no longer felt any confidence.
Mystical Beast quality, battle awareness, The Affliction of Mutated Beast Mastery... that final, devastating strike.
"No wonder he's the one who makes want to fight. I need to get stronger first, or I won't even be worthy of challenging him," Skylar muttered under his breath.
His companion, who had been watching him, looked at Skylar in surprise and asked, "Skylar, are you not confident?"
Skylar nodded and answered, "If I fought him now, I'd die. He might only get injured."
"You'd definitely die!"
"Get stronger! I need to get even stronger!"
His companion watched as Calista stood up, and with a helpless sigh, nodded. It was clear that Calista wouldn't be in the mood to et with them anyti soon. The task of getting close to Charles in Central City was now a lost cause, and it was ti for them to head back.
...
That evening, Ezra walked alongside Charles, who had been running all over the place, as they made their way back to the hotel.
Today, Ezra had introduced Charles to all his connections in Central City, showing him off to everyone. The task was complete, and Ezra could now head back to Genosha and Calivia, and then go on to do what he truly wanted to do his own business at the Abyssal Great Wall.
The atmosphere on the walk back was sowhat somber. Charles wasn't naïve. He could tell from Ezra's actions what his teacher was planning.
Whether it was the bracelet Ezra had given him earlier or bringing him to et various people this ti, the ssage was clear: Ezra was about to do sothing dangerous, sothing so perilous that there was no guarantee he'd make it back alive.
"Teacher, you..." Charles was about to ask when Ezra imdiately raised a hand, signaling him to stop.
"Don't ask," Ezra said, his tone firm. "There's sothing important I have to do. It's sothing I have no choice but to do. Callum could avoid it, but I can't."
"Hmm... I understand. Teacher, you'll co back, right?" Charles asked quietly.
He cared deeply for those who had done good by him, and Ezra was the most important person on his Beast Master journey. Without Ezra, he would never have chosen Cyber Academy, and he certainly wouldn't have the strength he had now.
Not to ntion, when facing other challenges, Ezra had always been there without hesitation to help him.
"I'll try my best," Ezra answered.
The silence deepened. Charles didn't know what to say next because Ezra's words left no room for persuasion. Everyone had their own reasons for doing dangerous things, and no amount of pleading from Charles could change that.
"Don't worry. Maybe when I co back, I'll be even stronger," Ezra said with a smile.
Charles nodded vigorously. "It's not maybe, it's definitely!"
"Hahaha, well, for your sake, I won't die. I'll co back stronger. And I hope that by the ti I return, Charles, you'll have beco a true powerhouse yourself." Ezra paused and patted Charles on the shoulder.
Going to the Abyssal Great Wall, to the area outside the Ethereal Grove to search for Morphabeasts, was sothing Ezra had always wanted to do.
Originally, he had no attachnts; once he regained his Level 9 Beast Master strength, he would have set off without hesitation. But now, with such an outstanding disciple like Charles, Ezra couldn't help but feel a little reluctant.
To be honest, he really wanted to see Charles grow into a powerful figure, standing tall and confident. But he knew that there was a very real chance he might not live long enough to see it.
The dangers lurking outside the Ethereal Grove were unimaginable. Even as a Level 9 Beast Master, Ezra couldn't be sure he would return alive.
"Get so rest. Tomorrow, we head back to Genosha," Ezra said simply as they reached the hotel. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.
Charles stood there for a mont, lost in thought. Unable to figure anything out, he finally decided to just sleep.
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