Chapter 555: Verdict Passed!
Chapter 555
"No, no, no, no! Instructor Albed, you can’t do this, it’s totally unfair!" Ray shouted, teeth grinding as he glared at the instructor.
"I just did. What do you want to do?" Albed asked, raising an eyebrow as she met the student’s glare. "Before you were teleported, what did I tell you all? Stealing from one another is not acceptable."
"But I did nothing." Grey retorted fiercely.
"So you mean six students conspired against you? For what exactly?" Albed asked, folding her arms.
That was exactly what Grey wanted to find out. He ground his teeth and turned to glare at Jared, who flashed a grin his way.
’We are back at the academy, surely you will not want to try anything funny otherwise you will be hunted,’ Jared thought, the grin widening.
"You have no proof that you hunted those beasts, but they do have proof of you bullying and almost killing them. That is my verdict. Now stand aside." Albed said sternly.
"You know there is a problem, right?" Mada whispered to the duo beside him.
"What problem?" Noelle whispered back.
"If he is not allowed to participate in the tournament, how are we supposed to get our revenge on him?" Mada asked, and the gravity of the situation settled on them.
’Crap, this is bad,’ Rivock thought, but then his face relaxed as a plan sparked in his mind.
"Do not worry, I have a plan. Our revenge will come during the tournament," he whispered to the duo, crossing his arms. "For now, enjoy the show."
"You are joking, right?" Grey scoffed, chuckling slightly then scanning the room. "Is this some kind of prank?" He thundered again, but no one answered.
"Grey, I said step aside." Albed repeated.
"But I hunted those beasts myself. One by one, kill after kill, and now you say I stole them? Then how did I get these injuries?" Grey shouted, jabbing at his bloody back.
"Did I forget to mention that a beast met us there half dead and attacked you, and that I killed it? You were angry because you thought I stole your kill," Jared added, trying to sound convincing.
"Shut your stinking trap, you liar!" Finral exploded, hands shaking with anger. His voice cut through the hall.
Although Finral disliked Grey and still resented how things had shifted, he would not stand by while a stranger slandered a Cromwell. Finral’s father had accepted Grey into the family, and whether he liked it or not, Grey was now part of them.
"I know Grey. He would never do such a thing. He would rather die than steal from weaklings like you," Finral shouted. "If you do not speak the truth right now, I will force it out of you."
"I’m starting to want you to come make me say what you want." Jared clapped back.
Finral was about to move when...
"I have already made my decision and judgement. Anybody that acts out of line next, will join Grey in serving the same punishment." Albed muttered sternly as she glared at each one of the students.
"In case we aren’t clear, that means forfeiting this tournament."
Grey’s fists tightened, his jaw trembling slightly. ’Then what will happen to my revenge?!’ he thought bitterly, his rage simmering beneath his calm exterior.
’That is the day I planned to put those arrogant descendants in their place, and now I’ve lost my chance? Because of what? Because I decided to be humane and help these backstabbers? Because I thought being helpful for once wouldn’t backfire? I really forgot that humans are natural-born betrayals.’
He took in a deep breath as the fury in his chest burned hotter. ’Earlier, I only had three targets—the direct descendants but now, Jared, you’ve just been added to my list. I will burn you to the ground. You will come face to face with the wrath of the Supreme Magus. Mark my words, the countdown to your death has begun. Tick tock, tick, tock.’
"Now, will you step aside?" Albed asked again, her tone cold and firm.
Grey didn’t say a word. He simply turned his head toward Jared and smiled—a smile so sinister and chilling that it sent an instant shiver down Jared’s spine. Every hair on his body stood on end, and cold sweat trickled down his face as his heart skipped a beat.
’Wh...why is he looking at me that way? Wh...why is he smiling at me like that? Does he plan to harm me right now? No, the instructor will stop him before he can... right?’ Jared thought nervously, gulping as he instinctively stepped back.
But contrary to his panicked thoughts, Grey simply spun around with an inward chuckle. His calm demeanor made the moment even more terrifying. Without another word, he walked away, making room for the remaining students to step forward and submit their beast cores.
’Guess I’ve got a live target to test the new skill I got, he thought to himself with a dark grin forming at the corner of his lips.’
Albed, however, was lost in her own thoughts as she watched him walk off. ’Until I can find out who exactly he is, I can’t allow him to participate in this tournament. I’ll need to report back to the clan.’
She then called on the blue bands to come forward and submit their cores. They came one after another some dropping five, four, or eight cores; others just one or two.
A few minutes later, the tally was complete. Out of the twenty-five blue bands who took part in the assessment, only ten passed. Out of the twenty yellow bands, only six including Jared qualified. And unsurprisingly, all seven red bands passed with ease.
The rest, including Grey, were dismissed.
"Congratulations to you all," Albed announced with a faint smile. "You’ll be representing your bands in the upcoming tournament. It begins in a few days, so prepare well and make me proud. It’s been an honor knowing you all."
The students bowed slightly as applause echoed around the hall, but Grey didn’t clap. He simply watched in silence, his eyes dark and burning with quiet resolve. The fire of vengeance in him had only just been lit—and everyone who had crossed him was now marked.