"The Bloodsail Alliance? What kind of organization is that? I've never heard the veterans here mention it before…"
"Who cares what it is? Look at these guys—they're all radiating such a menacing aura. Let's get out of here first and figure it out later."
In the blink of an eye, the No. 9 Lecture Hall was left with nearly eighty members of the Bloodsail Alliance encircling a dozen terrified newcomers. Among them was the very person who had brazenly claimed that Grimm and his companions wouldn't survive six months. His face was now ashen, cold sweat dripping down his forehead, and a faint trembling of his legs could be discerned beneath his robe.
"This... this is a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding…" stammered Torris, his speech slurred and his composure shattered. He no longer cared about appearances.
Who would have thought there'd be such a powerful organization among this batch of newcomers? It had only been three days since enrollment!
"A misunderstanding? Hmph…" Laffey sneered coldly, casting a glance at Yorkris and Yorkriana. In a timid voice, Yorkriana pleaded, "Sister Laffey, don't kill him. Murder within the academy will bring the Enforcers down on us."
Yorkriana's words sent a fresh wave of cold sweat down the spines of Torris and his group. Damn it, were these people really considering killing someone? Openly committing murder in the academy was a surefire way to get hunted down by the Enforcers!
"Don't worry," Laffey reassured Yorkriana with a nod. Torris breathed a slight sigh of relief, but his lips curled into a mocking smile.
She wouldn't dare. Hah, even I wouldn't make a move without consulting the older apprentice sorcerers here. No matter why they formed this alliance, it's just a ragtag bunch of ignorant, powerless nobodies. This alliance won't last.
At that moment, however, the Saintly Sword King, Amrongd, addressed Yorkriana. "We've already familiarized ourselves with the academy's rules these past few days. We intended to establish the alliance's authority anyway, and since this guy was unlucky enough to provoke Laffey, he'll serve as an example."
The Puppet King smirked, shrugging. "When it comes to things like this, I suppose I'm the only one in the alliance who can act for now. Hopefully, someone in the curse division grows strong soon."
Grimm, observing that the matter was nearing its resolution, wasted no time. He kicked Torris squarely in the stomach. The man's face twisted as if he'd swallowed something foul. Doubling over, he clutched his stomach tightly, not daring to utter a sound.
"Hmph, disgusting wretch," Grimm muttered, the disdain in his eyes recalling the image of the Bloodsail Alliance members from Shanghai Wheel.
"Excuse me, this has nothing to do with me. May I leave?" asked the girl Torris had been pursuing, her voice calm and her gaze indifferent. She appeared uncomfortable being surrounded by so many people but showed no hint of fear.
Amrongd paused, scrutinizing her every move. After a moment, the coldness in his expression dissolved, replaced by a gentlemanly smile. "Of course, my lady."
"Oh?" The girl seemed surprised. She gave Amrongd a curious smile before walking away, never once glancing back.
As the girl departed, shrill screams, akin to the slaughter of pigs, erupted from the No. 9 Lecture Hall. Outside, the other newcomers, who had been cleared out earlier, exchanged uneasy glances. Their faces were grim. Clearly, the Bloodsail Alliance was not a group to be trifled with.
One bespectacled boy, who had earlier assumed that Yorkris, Grimm, and the others were doomed, now silently cursed his own cowardice. He had noticed their fearless demeanor but had still chosen to step back. Now, he regretted not trying to associate with them or even joining this Bloodsail Alliance. What a missed opportunity!
With only minutes remaining before class, Torris and his battered companions limped out of the hall, supported by others. The Sacred Flame King gestured at the Puppet King with a throat-slitting motion. The latter sighed, nodded reluctantly, and followed the group out.
Soon after, the No. 9 Lecture Hall was once again packed with people, as though nothing had happened.
Click, click, click…
The sound of high heels echoed through the corridor. As the magical clock chimed, a young and beautiful sorceress stepped into the hall, her presence captivating everyone.
Her short, sleek, dark brown hair framed a flawless face. Amber eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her figure, accentuated by a tight, cinched robe, exuded both elegance and allure. This was the first time Grimm had seen a sorcerer in such a "normal" human form.
"From now on, I'll be your instructor for the seven foundational classes. You may call me Eiran," she announced, her voice smooth and magnetic. Noticing the surprised expressions directed at her, she chuckled knowingly. "Are you astonished by my appearance? Not all sorcerers focus on bloodline studies. While bloodline sorcery can greatly amplify a sorcerer's power in a short time, it often alters their appearance irreversibly and carries significant mental risks. It's not suitable for everyone."
Wow. So there is a beautiful side to the world of sorcerers, the newcomers thought in unison as they gazed at Eiran in awe.
Crunch…
Suddenly, the sound of chewing broke the spell. The crowd's enchanted expressions twisted into shock—even Grimm's eye twitched involuntarily. The stunning sorceress had nonchalantly pulled out a palm-sized black centipede and begun munching on it, the crunching sounds vivid and ghastly. One could almost imagine the centipede turning to mush in her mouth.
This breathtaking sorceress was… eating that?
A silent sigh rippled through the crowd.
"Are you surprised by my choice of snack?" Eiran asked, noticing their expressions. Shaking her head lightly, she continued, unfazed, "Every sorcerer has three defining traits: crystal balls, parasitic companions, and soul slaves. If you don't want to die suddenly from a curse or illusion attack someday, you'd better start cultivating your own parasitic companion soon. In time, you'll understand that these creatures aren't as disgusting as your shallow perceptions make them out to be."
Fighting the urge to retch, Grimm silently vowed, That may be true, but I'll never eat them like you're snacking on candy.
Unbothered by their reactions, Eiran finished her snack and addressed the class. "Now, as this is our first lesson, let's begin by discussing what a sorcerer truly is."
The students hesitated before one finally stood. Bin Hansen declared, "A great sorcerer is a master of the world's order, standing at the pinnacle of existence and holding dominion over life and death."
"A sorcerer transcends mortality, achieving the sublimation and transformation of life itself," another chimed in.
One after another, more students rose to voice their thoughts, most offering praises of sorcerers as godlike beings of unparalleled power and mystery.
When it was Grimm's turn, he pondered briefly before stating, "A great sorcerer should use