Upon reaching the gym and noticing the crowd, the group halted, attempting to grasp the situation.
In the center, Tanya and James stood surrounded by a group of boys. It didn't take long for them to understand what was unfolding, recognizing the boy at the center of the group.
"Liam, you're crossing a line here," James stated with a scowl.
"Haha," Liam and his group chuckled. "What do you mean by a line? There's no line for me."
"Yeah. Although you're valued in the family, that's just because of your father. But you also have the blood of your mother, right?" Another boy said with a grin.
James seethed with anger. "You."
"You're from a branch family, and you have the guts to question a direct descendant?" Tanya interjected this time. "Rogers family is really declining."
The boys' faces contorted with displeasure; Tanya had hit his sore spot. He hated getting labeled as a branch member. However, Liam wasn't backing down.
"Don't put your nose in our family matters, Craig." Liam released a bit of pressure with a lecherous smile. "If you want to interfere, how about coming with me?"
Tanya gritted her teeth but didn't say anything. It was true that without consulting her family, she could not take action against other families.
"You should blame yourself James. Why do you have to be friends with those commoners?"
Now it was Zen and Anna's turn to squint their eyes. They really didn't like what they were hearing.
"Those commoners will be killed sooner or later. Not even their family will survive." Liam boldly declared.
"Oh, really?" A voice echoed, drawing everyone's attention. It was Zen, wearing a demonic smile. Although he knew that no one on Earth had the power to harm his family, controlling his emotions was still challenging. He was learning to control his impulses, but he still lost his cool here and there.
"You sure spout a lot of bullshit." Everyone left a path for Zen's group to walk. Zen approached James and Tanya, with Anna and Evelyn following suit. Evelyn stopped her friends from getting involved, not wanting any trouble for them.
"You sure are courageous to speak like this," Liam replied casually. "Do you really want to die that much?"
"Oh! I'd love to die. But not even your dad has the courage to come and kill me."
The boy beside Liam glanced at James. "You have to ask a commoner to stand? You really sully your family just like your mother."
"Are you a little kid?" Evelyn retorted. "Who even talks like that?"
"Of course, you will speak on this matter," Liam countered. "You are even worse." Liam didn't like Evelyn speaking up.
"How interesting." A new voice reverberated through the air, instantly recognized by everyone. Fear gripped them as they heard the voice of someone they dreaded the most. As the voice ceased, everyone, except Zen, Anna, and Evelyn, knelt on the ground. Evelyn also wanted to kneel, but Zen stopped her. She was his girlfriend, and his family wouldn't kneel to anyone.
Zen turned around and spotted the royal entourage, along with Stacy Hudson and a group of people in uniform. Observing the badges, he nodded.
'France! Interesting.'
France was one of the countries hosting the academy. On Earth, there were only 8 academies, each allocated a specific set of countries based on population and other factors. The academies were located in the USA, Brazil, France, China, Germany, Russia, India, and Nigeria. Students from designated countries attended the academy assigned to their region. Despite the limitations, modern transportation made it relatively easy to traverse the globe.
For example, the students from Canada, Mexico and many other countries attended the academy in the USA. There was no restriction on them and they had equal chances of getting into the academy in the US. But they can't get admission in any other academy.
Oliver Banks strolled leisurely, leading the group. Upon arrival, he signaled everyone to rise.
"So it's true. Evelyn Walker, who had a line of suitors, is now dating a commoner. Haha," Oliver Banks laughed. "You should be careful in the future, girl."
A stylishly dressed brunette from the group stepped forward. "Your Highness, it seems that people from your country lack manners. Do you want me to educate them?" She directed her gaze at Zen and Anna.
"Aunty, you're not even from this country. Why are you getting agitated?" Zen tilted his head, not holding back. "Are you menstruating?"
"A—aunty?" She gasped, shocked at being addressed that way. "Who are you calling aunty? I need to correct that vile mouth." She screamed, and a pressure descended over the area. Oliver said nothing, secretly hoping for such an outcome. The lady before them was the head of the disciplinary committee at the France Academy.
"And who are you to educate my disciple, Chloe Lombardi?" In the next second, Shreya descended to the ground, her untied red hair fluttering in the wind.
Chloe squinted her eyes.
'Shit! So this boy is the red witch's disciple? But I can't back down now.' She was the highest-ranking person from her academy, chosen to lead the team. The vice-director of their academy was in seclusion and hence he couldn't come.
"Ms. Shreya, if you don't give me an explanation, I will not back down."
"What explanation do you want?" Zen interjected. "I was talking to the stick up his ass prince, and you butted in. I asked because I was concerned about your well-being," he declared righteously.
Hearing Zen, Chloe felt like she might vomit blood. On the other hand, Oliver had a smile. Nobody ever dared to talk to him like that, so, this was a fresh breath of air for him. Zen was destined to die a horrible death, so why not enjoy these moments.
"I don't care, boy. You insulted me, which means you insulted the House of Lombardi, and I want an explanation." Chloe brought up her house name, trying to exert more pressure on Shreya and Zen. Offending a foreign noble on domestic soil was a significant matter.
"Sigh. No matter the country, nobles have egos the size of the moon," Zen shook his head. "I know what you want, so let's have a spar between the academies."
Chloe smiled, realizing this was the outcome she desired. She had a longstanding rivalry with the red witch and now had the chance to humiliate her.
"Alright. What is the wager?" She asked, eyeing Shreya.
"I want your earring," Shreya declared instantly with a smile. The earring in question was worth more than 3 trillion and was the treasure of House Lombardi. It looked like Shreya was waiting for the spar.
Hearing Shreya, Chloe's smile vanished. If she loses it, her family's reputation will go down the drain. But having initiated this challenge, she couldn't back down. Gritting her teeth, she responded, "I want your plane."
Shreya nodded carefreely, fully aware of what was about to unfold.
"Let's decide the ground rules."