"What a powerful array! How are the rewards from the tower distributed?" Ranav asked, his curiosity evident.
"When someone loses at a level, the array automatically transports the contestant back to the starting point," Paramita explained. "The Heavenly Tower then displays the reward on a board next to the starting area. Students can collect their rewards from the administrative building afterward. It's an efficient system."
Ranav nodded, absorbing the information. Just then, a tall, handsome young man appeared from the side. His perfectly combed hair and confident bearing exuded a charismatic ambiance. He smiled warmly and spoke in a gentle tone. "Miss Rawat, are you here to challenge the Heavenly Tower? I've reached the fifth floor before. If you'd like, I can share some tips with you."
His polite tone and refined movements hinted at his noble upbringing. He seemed completely at ease, his presence commanding attention without effort.
"Wow! He's so handsome! I wish I had a boyfriend like him," a girl nearby whispered excitedly.
"Who is he?" the girl beside her asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"Oh, you're new here, so you wouldn't know. That's Mahesh Gulati, the Prince of Fire. He's not just good-looking, his control over the Fire Element is extraordinary. He's ranked twelfth on the school leaderboard!" another girl replied, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Mahesh Gulati had earned the title Prince of Fire from the students of Khohdwar County Magic School. His mastery of the Fire Element was unparalleled, and his feats after joining had quickly made him one of the most popular boys at the school. Combined with his striking looks, noble lineage, and composed demeanor, he had captured many girls' hearts.
"He's hanging around that demoness Paramita again. I don't get it. What's so great about a girl who hasn't even mastered her element? Her chest is even flatter than me!" a student with an extravagant hairstyle muttered, her jealousy palpable.
"Amita, don't be like that. Maybe he admires her beauty or her kindness," her friend tried to console her.
"I bet he's after her family's wealth. What else could she offer?" Amita sneered. "She's just putting on an innocent act. Ugh, I can't stand her fake saintly demeanor!"
The sharpness of her words drew laughter from the nearby group, their tones filled with malice.
Mahesh turned slightly toward the girls; his polite smile unfaltering. "Don't mind them, Miss Rawat. They're just jealous that I spend my time with you. Let's go to the tower," he said softly, his voice reassuring.
"I'm not here to challenge the tower. I came here just to look around… Ranav, let's go," Paramita replied coolly. Her calm expression betrayed no emotion, as if she was completely unaffected by the rude remarks.
As they walked away, Amita's mocking voice rang out again. "Look at her pretending to be aloof, playing hard to get to reel him in. How cunning! Why are you here? Go to acting school."
The taunts continued unabated, growing increasingly cruel.
Mahesh finally reached his limit and turned toward the group. His previously gentle demeanor had hardened, his voice firm. "Haven't you gone too far?" he asked, his tone sharp enough to cut through the tension.
"Too far? We're just speaking the truth. It's not our fault she puts on an act. We don't like girls who like to put up an act. She is still acting as if she were a saintess after being mocked by us, pretending that she isn't angry at us. I bet she's cursing us in her heart," Amita retorted with a smirk.
"Those who put up an act are the most disgusting." Said another girl.
Mahesh clenched his fists but chose to remain silent. He glanced at Paramita, who continued walking away with Ranav. For the first time, he felt powerless, unsure of how to defend her without escalating the situation further.
While he was feeling lost, the boy who was with Paramita, ran past him. The boy now had a fierce presence. His body exuded a vicious aura like he just returned from hell. His eyes were glowing with white light.
"Bitches like you shouldn't open your mouths so carelessly. Today, I'll teach you to hold your tongues," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
The venom in his tone stunned the girls into silence. Then, in an instant, two glowing white swords appeared in his hands. He moved with startling speed, slashing at the girls with precision. Their screams echoed through the area as shallow cuts appeared on their arms and legs. They have fallen on the ground. Ranav mercilessly kicked their different body parts with accuracy.
The surrounding crowd froze in shock. No one dared to intervene, paralyzed by the sheer intensity of Ranav's killing intent. His movements were ruthless, each strike landing with unerring accuracy.
Mahesh stood rooted in place, unable to process what he was witnessing. Though he had just fantasized about putting the rude girls in their place, his noble upbringing had always restrained him. Seeing Ranav act out these fantasies left him speechless.
"Ranav, stop it! Stop! Stop!" Paramita's voice broke through the tension. She ran back to him and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the fallen girls. The menacing aura around him began to dissipate, and the crowd let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Why did you attack them? They were just talking nonsense! I always ignore them. They're seniors; they'll eventually stop. Besides, Amita is the daughter of a baron. Her family won't let this slide easily. Mom asked me to take care of you, and now you've caused such a bloody scene!" Paramita scolded, her tone a mix of anger and frustration.
"I didn't use my full strength. The cuts are shallow; they'll heal soon," Ranav replied, his voice sheepish.
"What if they get infected? What if you accidentally caused a serious injury in your anger?"
Ranav paused, his expression thoughtful. "Wait here. I'll be right back," he said before turning and running back toward the scene.
"What are you-?" Paramita's words were cut off as she watched him dash away.
The crowd was still murmuring about the incident. The three injured girls sat on the ground, dazed and trembling.
Ranav approached them again, his expression calm and collected. "Sisters, I am a healer. Although your wounds are shallow, they need immediate care to prevent infection. Please allow me to help," he said with an amiable smile.
The girls shuddered in fear and tried to distance themselves.