-Hush!
Aerox was gasping for breath, his body shaking from exhaustion and pain.
His mana was almost completely drained, and it was a wonder he hadn't passed out yet.
Out of nowhere, a massive ice wall rose up between him and Lucas and Rowan.
The sudden barrier caught them off guard.
"What the—? Where did this come from?"
Lucas shouted, struggling to get his balance as both he and Rowan stumbled and fell to the ground.
========================
I saw Aerox being attacked by Lucas and Rowan.
"Ice Wall!"
I called out, creating a barrier of ice between Aerox and the seniors.
I could have gone for a sneak attack, but with them, there was no need.
You might think I'm underestimating them, but I'm not.
The only reason those two are winning is that Aerox is holding back—he doesn't want to accidentally kill them.
But I'm not as forgiving as Aerox.
They brought this on themselves, and I won't show mercy.
I walked over to Aerox, who was struggling to stand.
His body trembled as he took deep, shaky breaths.
His eyes were half-closed, and he looked completely drained.
"Hah… hah. Sorry, I messed up,"
he said, panting.
"No, you did well,"
I replied.
"Now, let me show you how to deal with trash like this. The only way they'll learn is if they're beaten to the ground."
I turned to glare at Lucas and Rowan, who were charging toward us.
They were in a berserk rage, clearly determined to take Aerox down.
Lucas reached me first, faster than Rowan.
I deflected his attack, pushing him back, and then struck him with the hilt of my sword.
My full-force strike sent Lucas flying, slamming him to the ground, his head hitting hard.
While he was down, Rowan came at me with his sword, ready to attack.
I raised my sword and blocked Rowan's attack, then pushed him back, sending him crashing to the ground.
There was no time to waste, so I kicked him down before he could get back up.
It only took three swift strikes to finish them both off.
They were completely still, not moving at all.
I knew they were strong, but they were no match for me—not in their current state.
They had drained themselves fighting Aerox and didn't stand a chance against someone with full stamina.
Their berserk rage was fading fast, too.
Honestly, if I just stood here for another minute or two, they would have collapsed on their own.
"shall we continue our fun?"
I said with a smirk…
=================================
Everyone thought Aerox was about to lose when suddenly, a giant ice wall appeared between him and his opponents.
The one responsible was someone most had ignored throughout the match—Xerox, Aerox 's duel partner from the first year.
The crowd was shocked by his appearance.
Some, thinking this was turning into a two-on-one fight, were confused, assuming Aerox was interfering.
"Who is he?"
someone asked.
"He's the other participant in this duel,"
another replied.
"I thought he was too scared to fight, but I was wrong. These first-years are something else."
"How did Lucas and Rowan both get taken out by him? That's unbelievable!"
"Yeah, I thought he was just some weakling."
"Maybe not. He might even be in the top three in the first year!"
"This is crazy! How can a first-year beat two second-years?!"
"You all shouldn't underestimate them. These first-years are as strong as us already. They really are The Golden Generation."
The crowd erupted in chatter.
The second-years, who had always felt superior, were stunned.
First, Aerox had nearly defeated two seniors, and now, Xerox—someone they hadn't even considered a threat—had taken out Lucas and Rowan with ease.
Their views on the first-years shifted.
What had once seemed like exaggerated praise for "The Super Generation" was now undeniable fact.
Even the first-year students were surprised, especially Lily, who was in the same class as Xerox.
She knew Xerox was ranked 1+ or 2-, far below the level of Lucas and Rowan, who were at peak 2+ even after their fight with Aerox .
But seeing him defeat both seniors so easily told a different story.
It meant Xerox was at least rank 2+ or higher.
It was hard to believe, but the proof was right in front of her eyes.
"Xerox! Go for it!"
one of the first-years shouted.
More voices joined in, and soon, the first-years were cheering loudly for Xerox.
"Yeah, Xerox! Show them what you've got!"
"Whoa! He's 2+ for sure!"
Their excitement grew.
They didn't know much about Xerox, but seeing him beat two second-years who had used berserk pills was exhilarating.
Earlier, Lucas and Rowan had used those pills to boost their power unfairly and overpower Aerox , frustrating many of the spectators.
Xerox's victory over them felt like justice, and it gave the first-years a sense of pride and unity.
========================
Aerox was still breathing heavily, but he started to calm down.
Although he was exhausted, he couldn't hide his surprise when he saw Lucas and Rowan lying motionless on the ground.
Turning to me, he muttered,
"I see," almost like he had realized something.
I was about to approach Lucas and Rowan to "continue the lesson" when I noticed their eyes fixed on me.
They weren't looking at me with anger anymore—only fear and despair.
The effects of the berserk pills had clearly worn off.
Their hesitation to attack and the terror in their expressions made it obvious.
I smirked.
Seeing them regain their senses was satisfying.
It's more fun to teach someone a lesson when they're fully aware of what's happening.
"Seniors,"
I said with a grin,
"Let's have some fun!"
Lucas and Rowan quickly scrambled to their feet, taking defensive stances.
"If you tell me who sent you to mess with me, I might let you go,"
I said casually.
It was clear they weren't acting on their own.
Lucas and Rowan didn't have the influence to organize such a targeted attack.
Someone else—someone higher up—must be behind this.
Maybe Professor Lance? Or someone else entirely?
"Ha! Don't think you've won just because you got lucky,"
Lucas spat.
"You should apologize to us now, or my father will make you regret it!"
"Wrong answer,"
I said flatly.
Without waiting, I moved toward Lucas.
A punch to his stomach, a knee to his face, and an elbow to his back were enough to send him crumpling to the ground.
He held his face and groaned in pain, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Rowan froze for a moment, but I didn't give him a chance to act.
I kicked the back of his knee, forcing him to kneel, then struck him repeatedly with the hilt of my sword.
His cries of pain echoed around us.
"No!"
Rowan screamed as I grabbed him by the hair, lifting his head.
I slammed his face against my knee and kicked him hard, making him collapse completely.
Lucas, still writhing on the ground, watched helplessly.
I turned to him, grabbed his collar, and hauled him up.
With a kick to his stomach, I sent him flying across the stage.
Ignoring Lucas for now, I focused on Rowan.
"I'll ask again,"
I said, my voice cold.
"Who sent you to harass me?"
Rowan stammered,
"I-I came on my own!"
I grabbed his head and slammed it into the ground.
"Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"I-It's the truth!" he cried.
"Wrong answer again,"
I said, lifting his chin and looking him dead in the eye.
Rowan was trembling, his voice shaking as he begged,
"Please, don't kill me! I'll do anything! Just don't kill me!"
"Hmph,"
I muttered and kicked him off the stage.
He was useless—he wouldn't give me anything valuable.
I turned back to Lucas, who was groaning in pain.
"Your turn,"
I said, pulling him up with a fake smile.
His face turned pale.
"Now, let's have a little chat."
Lucas was terrified, shaking as he muttered,
"P-please don't kill me!"
I struck him with the same intensity as Rowan, asking him the same question.
His cries echoed as he finally broke.
"It's because Aerox was acting too arrogant!"
he blurted.
I frowned.
"I don't believe you."
"I'm telling the truth! Please, let me go!"
"Then I'll show you what I think of your truth,"
I said coldly.
Grabbing Lucas's arm, I swung him like a rag doll and slammed him into the ground repeatedly.
His screams filled the air, mingling with his sobs and gasps for mercy.
By now, the crowd was in chaos.
Some students yelled that I was unfair, while others defended me, pointing out that Lucas and Rowan had used berserk pills.
Regardless of their opinions, my focus was clear.
I wasn't going to let them off until I got the truth—or made sure they'd think twice before messing with me again.