Chapter 36: Duel Challenge (III)
"There are five recruits...that's an odd number," Nova declared, at that very instant everyone present understood the meaning of his words.
Smiling a little, he stated. "How about eliminating the missing one?".
...
The room is filled with silence, at the same time everyone present looks at Nova with different emotions in their expressions.
Others found it disrespectful to consider having petitions in their organization, others were amazed at the young man's bravery and audacity.
Still, others had somber expressions, where Nova could not see their expressions, but of one thing he was sure... Almost no one now had a favorable preference for him.
But what does he care, did he join the organization to follow orders and lick the shoes of his superiors?
The answer was clear and firm... NO.
He was not going to try to join the organization for that, but for the incredible benefits if he managed to win all the challenges.
Besides that, the freedom that the organization gives is considerable, thinking about this, Nova further strengthened his determination inside, with the outside showing a calm appearance and a slight smile.
Even Ivelisse, who had a cold expression since she walked away from Nova, now had her eyes widened with surprise, but also a further spark of curiosity.
'This guy is not normal...', Ivelisse thought, watching the whole scene with her long legs crossed and her head held high, her face still hidden by the fire mask.
On the platform, the two masked men stood pinned to the ground as if they were statues. Alex and the tall man still had the same expression when they arrived; still, they had a slight nervousness in their eyes, especially Alex.
But the ones who were more nervous and scared were the duo that Nova considered extras or mere strangers, the average-looking woman and the chubby man.
They both wore expressions of horror and fear, looking between Nova and the two masked men, waiting for their decision.
Moving slightly from his position, Lars took a step forward, standing a little closer to Nova, who suddenly felt that his neck would be cut at any moment.
Lars looked directly at him for several dozen seconds, the atmosphere was again more icy or even colder than before.
Looking at the results of her ambition-filled request, Nova did not regret it at all, but waited patiently for Lars' words, feeling that his head would be cut off at any moment.
"Young Leiden, you made a very good impression on me at first. But don't you think you're going a little overboard?", Lars commented with words that seemed as cold as the North Pole and so blunt that Nova momentarily didn't know what to reply.
Already sensing danger and even death, Nova quickly recovered, at the same time feeling a pressure pressing down on his body, making it heavier and almost unable to move.
At this point, Nova moistened his throat which was completely dry.
"I don't think I'm overdoing it, I'm simply of the opinion that it would be quicker and more efficient for one to be eliminated," Nova said with a tone that did not at all reveal his fear or anything like it.
Again, everyone was surprised by this. Does he not feel the pressure of the Mana suffocating him? Or does he not know that, from a single thought, his head will be left rolling?
Many did not know whether to admire his bravery or mock his "ignorance".
But Nova was not at all proud of his bravery, nor was he ignorant, for he knew of his increasing likelihood of dying with each passing second.
The only thing driving this decision was his extreme need to achieve level 5, which may be key to passing as the official winner of all challenges.
Turning back to Lars, Lars was still quiet, leaving Nova's words in the air, which was becoming more tense.
"And what do you say we eliminate you so that the numbers become even again?" asked Lars. His words seemed innocent, but the meaning and his voice, so cold, scared Nova.
His words were so cold that even Nova felt truly cold, at the same time his breath became like cold air.
The temperature had truly dropped several degrees, causing the walls to freeze bit by bit.
Nova's feet had frozen completely, sticking to the ground, leaving Nova unable to move.
Several parts of his body also had frost, freezing the living bit by bit.
However, Nova remained calm and composed.
This time, he truly had a look that was even colder than the ice around him.
It was not a feigned expression or purple like all the others, it was a real look that could freeze any living being, a look that even Lars, who looked directly at him, felt Nova looked beyond his mask and even beyond his soul.
'I will become stronger, even if the world is against me,' Nova thought with his gaze still on Lars.
Lars, a bit startled and frightened by his gaze, stepped back and looked away from Nova, to the surprise, and amazement of all present.
"Leiden, your request has been granted."
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