After the incident inside the dungeon occurred, the classes were canceled for the whole week.
Considering quite a lot of cadets almost lost their lives, the academy was bound to make explanations to the furious parents.
Also, the powers out there that wanted to control the growing influence of Arcadia Hutner Academy wouldn't stay idle either.
Therefore, the managent team of the academy needed to put so results, and they were investigating for such cause right now. This ti, demon followers shot their bullet, and now they lost their montum because of this investigation.
Of course, from the ga, I know the fact that this investigation won't reveal much. The real perpetrators of this incident will stay hidden since the ones that would be found sabotaging were nothing but tools.
This was how the demon followers operated. Blackmailing, kidnapping, impersonating….In the end, the academy and the governnt would stab themselves back.
Of course, the small circle of demon followers on top of the managent team were also working quite hard to hinder the investigation, and the deanor the academy decided to take was going to help them in the future.
Just as you know, Arcadia Hunter Academy is an institute that is directly connected to the governnt; however, even then, this place is a proud establishnt. Therefore, that pride refuses to let them accept any external investigation since that would an the academy would no longer be managed by itself.
This was also the reason why they masked the MistWraith Incident and didn't release the details of it to the dia, and that was pretty helpful.
In any case, since the classes were canceled, I had pretty much free ti.
'Should I visit that dungeon?'
I asked myself, looking at my stats. I was finally now on the level of a lower-rank academy cadet.
As you may have seen, top rankers like Irina, Lilia, or Julia can confront a peak rank-4 monster on their own. No, Yeti's stats were a lot higher than rank four since it was going berserk thanks to the effects of Demon Followers' disturbance.
Thus, it is safe to assu that Irina alone can confront a low-rank-5 monster. This should give you enough reference to judge how strong academy cadets are and where I would stand against them.
This was why this ga was a weak to strong ga. Ethan's starting point was very, very weak. Even now, if 10 Ethan confronted Victor alone, Victor would win without getting attacked even once.
Anyway, since I had the free ti, I could either train or I could use this chance to explore another dungeon I had in my mind.
'A familiar would be helpful.'
I thought as I slowly made my way out of training rooms. I had been training non-stop after resting in my room, and now it was slowly approaching the night.
Though, of course, just as I was walking away, I felt the presence of soone. I had been feeling the eyes of people on for a while, but none of them had made any move before, though that seed to be changed now.
But, I guess this was sothing expected.
After I got out of the joint dungeon exploration, I was being bombarded with the harassing ssages on my smartwatch. I even needed to turn my watch's calling and ssaging functionality off since it was getting annoying to block countless numbers of different numbers.
However, because of the harassnt, I was able to see the article on the forums of the academy posted about .
'Whoever this is, he is really putting in quite a lot of effort.'
I don't know who I offended to make them target this much, but they have quite a good influence since they could put an article about while also bringing this amount of false evidence.
They even brought three girls to give so false testimony.
'This might have been the reason why Irina looked this angry at that ti.'
Of course, normal people are expected to believe those things since most people don't have enough reasoning to judge what is right and what is wrong.
But, I expected Irina to have a better judgnt since she must have also been subjected to such rumors before.
'I guess that was too much to ask for from a little brat.'
Just as I thought about that, suddenly, I felt the presence of those behind .
"Hey, you bastard."
I turned to face the source of the voice, and there stood a group of three individuals, sneering and exuding arrogance. One of them, a guy with slicked-back hair, pointed at derisively.
"You think you're so hotshot just because you made it to this academy? You're nothing but a wimp. You don't deserve to be here."
The guy stood there and smirked.
'I guess he read the article.'
I didn't say anything and just ignored him. Unless I would deal with these sources of rumors, it was pointless to fight with these mobs.
Of course, direct confrontation might also not be a good idea since they seed quite strong.
"Heh, look at this guy trying to act all high and mighty," another one chid in, nudging his companion. "He's just scared to fight, that's all."
They were laughing and sneering, and at that mont, mories of the past ca.
'If it were the original Astron, I wonder what he would do?'
I thought to myself.
"He thinks he's too good for us, huh? Must be trying to make up for being a disappointnt to his family," one of them jeered.
"Probably couldn't handle the pressure, so he's trying to act all tough here," another added, his voice dripping with malice.
"He's got that look, you know," the one with slicked-back hair sneered. "That look of desperation, like he's trying too hard to prove sothing. Probably trying to fill his family's shoes by forcing himself on won."
If it was the original Astron, rather than getting mad at the people like this, he would probably get angry at himself, thinking he was weak.
That was partially true but also wrong. He was doing his best, and this world is cruel. It never cares about how you feel at all.
"Hey, bastard! Are you ignoring right now?"
Of course, there is one common thing when it cos to bullies. It is the fact that they are doing this act to satisfy themselves.
I still didn't respond and continued walking.
SWOOSH
Until one of the three on the back blocked my path, appearing in front of .
"Bastard….I asked you a question."
"...Move."
Looking at the bastard and seizing him from head to toe, I imdiately observed so points.
'Right feet unconsciously on the back, slightly humpy posture, strong trapezes, and rear delts. He is a right-handed spear user.? Clothes devoid of any sweat and dirt, he didn't train today. Eyes that are constantly checking his watch an he is sohow connected to the instigator.'
"Why don't you show so respect when soone's talking to you?" the guy snarled, his anger escalating. His companions were circling behind , attempting to make feel trapped.
"Move," I repeated calmly, refusing to let their aggression affect .
"Think you're tough, huh? Think you can just ignore us?"
His words were just a facade for his insecurity. He was itching for a fight, probably to prove himself to the one who was paying him to do.
SWOOSH!
Before I could react, he lunged at with a punch. His technique was sloppy and predictable.
The motion of his body and the intention in his eyes were easy to read. I leaned back, dodging the punch with ease. He was faster than most people I had encountered, but he was probably underestimating .
"Huh?" he stamred in surprise, montarily taken aback by my dodge. "You!" he exclaid, anger flaring in his eyes.
Before he could attack again, a commanding voice resonated through the corridor.
"That's enough."
Turning our attention to the source, we saw Irina approaching. Her presence was overwhelming, radiating authority and strength.
'Finally...' I thought, looking at her. She had been there for a while now, and she didn't do anything and watched while trying to mask her presence. Of course, even without her, I could deal with these bastards, but I would need to get quite beaten to make the best out of it.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her gaze focused on .
"I'm fine," I replied, standing my ground.
"Report them to the faculty," she advised, her eyes piercing through the bullies. "Don't let them get away with this."
The bullies, now aware that their intimidation had failed, exchanged uneasy glances. Irina's reputation was enough to make them think twice about pushing the situation further.
"We'll rember this," the leader spat, trying to save face.
Irina remained unfazed, her posture emanating confidence. "I suggest you think carefully before you do anything foolish. I dislike bugs trying to eat more than they can chew."
The bullies hesitated but then reluctantly turned and walked away, their bravado lting in the face of Irina's presence. The fact that she was the third rank of the academy and a mber of the Emberheart Family was enough to make them escape with their tails between their legs.
"I guess I should thank you?" Turning my attention to her once again, I asked. Even though she was quite an irritating woman, she was the one who helped in the end.
"It was the right thing to do. I didn't do it particularly for you."
"Is that so?"
"I guess with this, our debt is cleared." She said with a haughty tone, reminding of her from the ga.
In the ga, Irina was such a character, always going in her own montum. But, of course, against , this didn't work.
"Of course not," I replied, refusing to let her do as she pleased.
"What?"
"This wasn't sothing I had requested from you. Also, you just said you didn't do it, particularly for . Doesn't that an you expected nothing from in return?"
She clicked her tongue in irritation, caught off guard by my logic.
"Don't click your tongue like that. It was you who said those words," I pointed out, crossing my arms.
"I know that...."
Saying that she started staring at like she wanted to ask sothing.
"What? If you have sothing to ask, just do it."
"...Why are you not fighting back?"
"What?"
"I an against those rumors…..Why are you not trying to clear your na?"
"So you are believing now."
"..."
"I guess you have a brain."
"Tch…..If you are going to talk rudely like that, I am going away….." She threw an irritated gaze at and started walking away.
"You can't bla for thinking like that, can you? What would you think about yourself if you were in my shoes?"
But, of course, this attitude was sothing she deserved.
"...."
"Right?"
"Sigh…." With a hearty sigh, she turned back and ca closer, standing before . "So? What do you want from ?"
"What do I want from you, huh?"
"Don't request sothing illogical." She said, slowly covering her body as if trying to refer to those rumors.
"What do you take for?"
"Hmm...Arrogant, rude, selfish….."
"Aren't you describing yourself?"
"Tch."
"Anyway, I wouldn't request your body even if you are the last person in this world, don't worry."
"Oh yeah? We are on the sa page then."
"Good to know."
"So? What do you want from ?" She repeated again, her arms crossed.
I have been thinking about this for a while, and the best thing I can request from her is simply-
"Give money."
Money.
"How much?"
"100 thousand Valer."
"HA! 100 thousand Valer? Are you joking right now?"
"I am not."
"If you are not, then why are you asking for such a huge amount?"
"Because that's the price for saving your life," I retorted, referencing the incident when she was unconscious and I protected her from the Snow Wolves and Snow Squirrels.
"This….."
She was left speechless. Of course, we both knew that there was a possibility of her not dying there even if I hadn't protected her. But again, that was just a 'possibility,' and my defending her would be a 'fact.'
Of course, she could apply the sa logic I had used just at the start of the conversation here, but she wasn't good enough for that for now.
"Anyway…Here, this is my bank account." I opened my watch and showed a small QR code on there. "You can deposit any amount you deem equal to your life; I won't complain about it."
"Tch. I really hate you." She said while slowly scanning the code and tapping on her keyboard.
"Is that so?
I replied and started walking away. At this point, I didn't need to spend any more ti here.
"Yes, it is so."
DING!
Following that, a notification ca.
-----------------------------
150.000 Valer is deposited to your account.
-----------------------------
'I guess, she is at least generous.'
In my head, her standing was raised a little.
.
.
.
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You can check my discord if you want. You can see the illustrations of characters there.
The link to the discord server is in the description of the book.
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