After successfully defeating the boar, Levi and Mark took a moment to catch their breath and celebrate their victory. However, their moment of triumph was short-lived as they heard footsteps approaching from behind them.
Turning around, they saw a group of students led by Jameson's lackeys, who had been causing trouble for them and their classmates throughout the year.
One of the lackeys, a tall and muscular boy, stepped forward and sneered at them. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It looks like the two little mages have managed to take down a measly boar. Impressive."
Levi and Mark tried to ignore him and started to walk away, but the lackeys blocked their path. The boy continued, "You know, I've heard that you two think you're so special because you have Strong Mana Hearts. But let me tell you, that doesn't mean anything if you can't back it up."
Levi, who was usually calm and collected, could feel his blood starting to boil. He took a step forward and looked the lackey directly in the eye. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice steady and unwavering.
The lackey smirked and replied, "We just wanted to see if the rumors about your Mana Hearts were true. And it looks like they are. But don't get too cocky. There's always someone stronger."
Levi chuckled in response, not intimidated by the lackey's words. "Is that so?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, let me ask you this. Do you know who Jameson is?"
The lackey looked taken aback by the sudden change in topic, but he answered, "Of course. He's the strongest mage in our school."
Levi nodded. "That's right. And yesterday, I defeated him in a one-on-one fight."
The lackey's eyes widened in surprise, and he stammered, "T-that's impossible! Jameson is unbeatable!"
Levi just laughed. "Believe what you want. But if your boss couldn't defeat me, what makes you think you could?"
The lackey's face contorted in anger at Levi's words. "We have numbers here," he said, motioning to his group of fellow students. "And you're just two. You don't stand a chance."
Levi shrugged. "Numbers don't mean anything if you don't have the skill," he replied calmly. "But if you want to fight, then let's do it."
Mark, who had been nervous and afraid up until this point, suddenly found himself feeling brave. He remembered the water and earth elements of his Mana Heart and cast a spell, causing the ground beneath the lackeys to turn into the muddy ground.
Levi took advantage of the confusion and attacked them. Levi commanded water from the nearby river to rise and form a wall of water, trapping the lackeys in a circle of mud and water.
The lackeys tried to escape, but they were unable to move due to the mud and the force of the water.
Levi stepped forward, his eyes cold and his voice commanding. "You're lucky I'm not one to hold a grudge," he said, "otherwise you'd be in much worse shape right now. Consider this a warning. If you ever mess with me or my classmates again, I won't hesitate to use my full power."
The lackeys looked terrified as Levi and Mark turned to leave. They scrambled to get out of the mud and water, but it was too late. The two mages had already walked away, leaving them humiliated and defeated.
Levi and Mark walked away from the encounter feeling a sense of accomplishment. Mark was particularly pleased with how he had handled the situation, considering he was usually timid and lacking in confidence.
Levi noticed the change in Mark's demeanor and turned to him. "Good job, Mark. You're improving. You just need to be more confident."
Mark looked at Levi with a mix of gratitude and surprise. He had always looked up to Levi as a role model, but hearing him say those words made him feel like he was on the right path.
Levi continued, "Confidence is key in situations like that. If you believe in yourself and your abilities, then others will too. It's not just about having strong Mana Hearts, it's about knowing how to use them and having the confidence to do so."
Mark nodded, taking in Levi's words of wisdom. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was determined to become more confident and assertive like Levi.
Levi and Mark continued their exploration of the forest, unaware of the presence that had been watching over them since their encounter with Jameson's lackey. The figure moved silently through the trees, staying hidden from view as it monitored the two mages.
As they made their way deeper into the forest, the figure became more intrigued by their actions. They had faced off against the lackeys with confidence and skill that was rare in someone their age.
The figure began to talk to himself, "Interesting. They are quite powerful. Levi is a brave and confident kid but that one, Mark, is it. Even though he is gifted, he is not confident."
The figure continued to follow them, observing their every move. As they walked, Mark seemed to be hesitant and unsure of himself, while Levi was always the one taking the lead. The figure wondered what it was that held Mark back, despite his obvious talent.
As the two mages continued deeper into the forest, the figure noticed how Mark's confidence seemed to diminish with each step they took. The figure pondered the possible reasons behind this and concluded that it could be due to a lack of experience or a fear of failure.
The figure spoke to himself once more, "It's a shame that Mark's lack of confidence may hold him back. He has a natural talent for magic, but if he cannot overcome his fear, he may never reach his full potential."
Despite Mark's hesitation, Levi seemed to have complete faith in his abilities. The figure could see how Levi's confidence inspired Mark, and how he relied on Levi's guidance.