Wearing a similar uniform as them, Aria noticed the red wristband on the person's arm which was just like him. The wristband denoted the strength and status of a cadet within the Academy. A red wristband was the proof for Level-2 Major, whereas the yellow one on Jasmine's wrist was the proof for Level-1 Captain.
"Oh, look who we have here? Isn't it Jasmine, Marshal Seven's favorite disciple?" The woman mocked as she arrived in front of them. She had long black fluttering hair, and her uniform seemed to be made to highlight her proportionate curves. Her entire being emanated a certain charm that would make a male drool and she was even flaunting it.
In response to her words, Jasmine gritted her teeth harder. Aria noticed that her gaze lingered on the red wristband on her arm.
"What do you need, Maya?" That entire sentence seemed to have taken a lot of courage for Jasmine.
"Insolent! How dare you address your senior by name?" Maya announced in a cold voice.
Listening to her tone, Jasmine's face turned pale instantly. Aria seemed to notice the tension in the air as his brows frown with displeasure.
'This kid, she seems to be provoking her intentionally.'
He thought, but did not meddle. After all, it was Jasmine's battle. Instead, his gaze was wandering at the person standing behind the lady named Maya.
His sixth-sense was warning him that this person was dangerous.
Even the detection function of Athenaeum had been activated on its own. It was even pushed to the advanced level just to classify the aura.
Aria could very well observe the strength of these individuals.
There was a [ Level: 2.0 ] above the lady called Maya and the old man had [ Level: Unknown ] floating above him painted in dark scarlet color.
Aria was puzzled by it and asked Athenaeum about it.
[The Universe is unfair only when a being is alive]
[Once dead, the Universe judges a living being]
[A living being would be bestowed a certain blessing by the Universe according to their deeds, which manifested in the form of aura]
[Athenaeum has detected a hint of nefarious aura that can only be delegated when a person was bestowed a Negative Karma by the Universe]
'I see, so that old man is evil. But what is with that unknown?'
[Athenaeum cannot determine a person with Negative Karma as it taints its functionality]
'Then how do I determine if I can defeat him or if he is a threat to me?'
[Opponent cannot be defeated by Host with his current suppressed strength]
'So I can, if I use my true strength?'
[Affirmative]
The conversation with Athenaeum happened within a fraction of seconds within Aria's mind.
"I apologize for my lack of sincerity, Major Maya." Jasmine's words dragged Aria's attention as he sighed.
"What are you sighing for, you idiot?" Maya seemed unbridled as if she did not notice the red wristband on his arm, as she blurted out profanity.
'Hey! Why are you targeting me?'
Hearing this, a hint of annoyance appeared in Aria's eyes as he thought. But he couldn't take this lying down, so, in order to display a right attitude to Jasmine, Aria decided to fight back.
"You are talking to me?" He asked rhetorically as he turned his head back and forth, seemingly searching for someone else.
"Who else is here, if not for you? Seriously Jasmine, does this idiotic friend not possess commonsense or what? But then again, if he was with you then it was to happen." Maya was lost in her thoughts as she spoke whatever was in her mind.
There were multiple cadets who were watching this from a distance, as they passed comments about Jasmine and Maya.
Aria seemed to be annoyed and irritated this time, so he too blurted out his thoughts pointing his fingers at her.
"You are Idiot! Your whole family is Idiot!"
The surroundings were instantly plunged into a heavy silence. Aria looked at everyone and their gazes contained a hint of pity, some of them even threw out sympathy in the field.
For a moment he was puzzled, he had a minimal social life and thus could not understand what this meant. He could be considered just as a child with respect to social etiquettes.
Sensing the abnormal situation, and the gazes of everyone on him. He was immediately embarrassed, but it could not be said the same for Maya.
"What did you say?" Maya's tone was laced with anger, which was evident in her voice.
"My bad, it just slipped out of my mouth. Anyways, it's just not my mistake, who told you to call me an idiot. Do you even know me? Did your parents not teach you how to behave like a lady?" Aria said in his defense, and soon courage returned to his face.
Thinking that his retort was solid enough this time, he looked at everyone again. But it was even worse this time. Along with the previous sentiments some of the guys were even cursing him, while the women who were infatuated with his looks and charm were praying for his soul to rest in peace.
"Good! Very Good!" Maya screamed in anger. She looked at Jasmine and continued.
"Is this what Marshal Seven teaches his cadets? To disrespect the Guardian families and even speak ill of the Monarchs? Good! Very Good! Don't blame me for what happens next! Uncle, apprehend both of them, they shall pay for their crimes!" She finished hysterically.
'Oh crap!'
It was only now that Aria understood the reason behind people's sentiment and gazes. He too had read the history books from this world and was aware that anyone could be spoken ill of but not the Monarchs and the Seven Marshals.
[Host the opponent is about to attack]
His sixth-sense immediately warned him of something bad. Even Athenaeum warned him in his mind. It was at such a time that the battle instincts kicked. But----
"What's going on here?"
A sudden melodic voice disrupted the tense ambience surrounding the duo. Aria's taught nerves were seemingly doused in warm moonlight and the tension faded away.
Everyone present turned their heads towards the source of the voice.
A lady dressed in Military uniform could be seen walking towards Jasmine. She had silver hair which combined with her silver pupils radiated a peaceful and warm aura. But the crimson collar patch along with the two golden stars denoted her authority and status.
Seeing the lady, everyone, including Jasmine and Maya stood at attention, saluting in the manner befitting of the Academy. But alas only two people stood there, both with different expressions on their faces. One of them was the old man who was no longer calm and collected, viewing everything in disdain like his previous self.
In fact, if Aria had used his detection skill now, he would notice that the nefarious aura around the old man was suppressed as soon as the lady entered his view.