As the five figures landed, Lin Hao immediately recognized three of them—three women he had previously encountered during the conflict at the grimoire tower.
"So, I finally found you, you annoying country bumpkin!" one of the women sneered, flashing a twisted smile at Lin Hao.
Lin Hao grinned back and turned to the nun beside him. "You should go. This has nothing to do with you."
The nun hesitated, glancing at Lin Hao with concern. Then, she addressed the group.
"I think there might be some misunderstanding here."
"Misunderstanding?" the woman crossed her arms arrogantly. "This bumpkin embarrassed me in front of everyone. If I don't teach him a lesson, how can I ever let this go?"
Her smug expression was infuriating, as if she believed the entire world revolved around her.
"Hey, girl, this has nothing to do with you," one of the men scoffed, eyeing the nun dismissively. "Scram, or we'll deal with you too."
The nun's face stiffened, but she stepped in front of Lin Hao and said firmly, "Leave. I'll handle this."
Lin Hao stared at the nun's back, utterly perplexed. He chuckled dryly. "Uh, did I miss something? Since when did we have this kind of bond?"
"Don't overthink it. I just can't stand seeing so many people bullying one person," the nun replied, frowning.
Given her age, which was slightly older than Lin Hao's, and the fact that Lin Hao was around the same age as Asta and Yuno, the nun instinctively took on the role of an older sister, stepping in to protect him.
Her actions caught Lin Hao off guard, leaving him both surprised and touched.
Stepping forward, Lin Hao smiled mischievously and said to the woman, "Didn't I tell you before? It's not your fault you're ugly, but scaring people like this is just wrong."
The woman's face twisted in rage, veins bulging on her forehead. "Brother! You have to teach him a lesson for me!"
The man beside her nodded confidently. "Leave it to me. I'll make him kneel and apologize to you."
A grimoire floated in front of the man, glowing with a silvery light as its pages flipped rapidly.
"Water Creation Magic: Aqua Fist!"
The man chanted, and a massive fist made of water surged toward Lin Hao.
"Watch out!" the nun called out in concern.
But Lin Hao stood unfazed, raising his hand as the watery fist approached.
"Zzztt!"
The moment the water fist touched Lin Hao's hand, it began to freeze rapidly. Lin Hao took a step back as the ice spread, completely freezing the fist in seconds.
With a loud crash, the now-frozen fist shattered as it hit the ground.
"What?! He froze my Aqua Fist?" The man's face paled in shock.
The nun, equally stunned, stared at Lin Hao in disbelief.
Lin Hao smirked. "Looks like my worries were misplaced. I thought you'd be more of a challenge."
Cold air began to radiate from Lin Hao, spreading outward and freezing everything within a 10-meter radius.
"Crack! Crack!"
Ice covered the ground, and while the two men managed to dodge, the three women were not so fortunate. They were frozen up to their waists.
"Brother, help me!" the woman shrieked in panic.
Hovering on his broomstick, the man's face darkened as he glared at his sister. "Damn it! You said he just got his grimoire a few days ago!"
"He did! I swear! He got it at the same time as me!" she stammered.
"Do you think I'm an idiot? Someone who just got their grimoire wouldn't be able to freeze my attack or unleash such powerful magic without even using their grimoire!" the man growled.
"I'm not lying! Ask my friends!"
"It's true. He got his grimoire with us," her friends chimed in, nodding frantically.
The two women, who had merely followed to spectate, now deeply regretted getting involved.
The man scowled. "You handle your own mess. I'm not getting involved."
"What? But you're my brother!" she cried.
The other man hesitated before saying, "Shouldn't we help her? She's your sister."
"What do you expect me to do? Even my magic isn't enough to deal with him!" the man snapped.
With that, the two men mounted their broomsticks and flew off, abandoning the women.
"Brother! Don't leave me!" the woman screamed in despair.
Panic overtook the three women, their bravado shattered.
Lin Hao grinned. "Now, who was it that said they'd teach me a lesson?"