Chapter Twenty-One
Hysterical Laughter
The sun rise weakly on a cloudy, quiet, and rainy day in a cold summer. Raindrops whispered softly on the windows as if warning of something unsettling on the horizon. Inside the hall, Alice distributed Blood Dagger shards to the students, her delicate smile concealing intentions far from innocent.
The atmosphere was charged with tension and mixed with excitement among the students. Some laughed proudly, while others couldn't hold back tears of joy. But Alice cared little for these emotions. Her focus was solely on her "special" students.
Among them, Lysa played with a bloodstained dagger in her hand, staring coldly at the other students. She hadn't received a new shard but had skillfully refined her previous one, leaving a strong impression on everyone.
On the other hand, Drada held his shard with confidence, as if challenging everyone. His expressions hinted that he was ready to be the first to refine his shard, proving to everyone that he was the best.
As for Sero, he was in his own world. He barely raised his head when Alice placed the shard on his desk. He picked it up with obvious boredom, then placed it into his magic realm, where the shard began to refine rapidly under the influence of the Mana of the Ocean of Time, as if it were just another routine task not worth his attention.
"And now that you all have your Blood Dagger shards, I'll give you a week to refine them," Alice said in a calm tone, watching the students' reactions with sharp eyes. "There will be no lessons until the beginning of next week, so you may leave."
As soon as she finished speaking, the students' faces turned jubilant. Receiving a new shard without effort was a dream for many, especially for those from weak families who couldn't provide much.
But Alice, in her usual manner, didn't allow them to enjoy this joy for long. After a moment of silence, she added coldly, "But those who fail to refine their shards by then will be expelled." Her gentle smile was like a knife, slicing their dreams into pieces.
The shock that struck the students was evident. Some silently wondered how those with weak talents could refine their shards in such a short time. In short, the blame fell squarely on Sero without their knowing.
When Sero refined the Flame Shard in one day, Nyoska had searched for a logical explanation. Naturally, she wouldn't know that Sero was immortal with the remnants of a legendary place like the Ocean of Time, so she concluded that his shard was weak and devoid of the world’s mana.
To prevent similar cases from happening, she had placed her mana in each Blood Dagger shard, making the refining process more difficult. Her goal was clear: either they proved their endurance and perseverance, or they fell into failure.
"The usual time to refine such a shard for a first-path mage with average talent is two weeks, if refining by day and sleeping by night, of course," Alice added, enjoying the sight of the students standing on the brink of collapse. "So you must work harder. Moreover, I'll be checking each shard to see if any of you had someone else refine it."
Her last words were enough to make the students lose hope. Their eyes were a mix of anger and despair, and some began to look enviously at Lysa, believing that her shard was easier to refine. But they didn’t know that it wasn't that simple; Lysa's shard was just as difficult as any other, but she had refined it easily thanks to possessing the mana of her mother in the shard, it was merely luck.
In such a situation, it was natural for the students to start searching for a scapegoat to blame. Sero was the easiest choice. He was an obvious target of their hatred due to his swift achievements and indifferent behavior.
"If that scoundrel hadn't hit me, I would have gotten the shard and had enough time! Damn him!" one student muttered angrily.
"All the blame is on him! A thieving scoundrel who hit us, then wagged his tail like a dog, giving his shard to the family that adopted him! How can someone like him call himself a man?" another whispered.
"Lysa isn't even the prettiest in the hall! His taste is as bad as his morals!" a third added quietly.
Minds continued to fabricate excuses to hate Sero. They couldn't blame themselves for their weakness and stupidity, so it was easier to direct their anger towards someone else. And Sero, with his indifferent behavior and rapid achievements, was the perfect target.
Alice, on her part, enjoyed the negative energy rising in the hall. She could see how the students burned from within, and how their negative emotions grew and intensified with each passing moment.
"Let's see how he will overcome this problem now," Alice thought with slight excitement, closely observing Sero. "Don't blame me; you're the one who created these enemies who intend to see you fall. They'll use any excuse to place the blame on you."
Then, slowly, she poured a cup of tea, as if eagerly awaiting the unfolding events.
"As long as there are no lessons, there's no point in wasting my time," Sero muttered to himself and silently left the hall. He felt the hateful gazes and killing intents piercing his back, but he didn’t care at all. He had grown accustomed to such feelings in his previous life and had even begun to enjoy them.
In the world of mages, where powers clashed, and corpses marked the maps, hatred and challenges were ordinary matters for him, even serving as fuel for his ambitions.
But his first step towards the door that led outside wasn’t as quiet as he had expected. Suddenly, voices rose, and the scream of a girl drew his attention to what was happening behind him.
"Where do you think you’re going?! All of this happened because of you!" A girl from a branch of the Herfult family stood up angrily, kicking her table and drawing all eyes towards her. Her face was flushed with rage, and her eyes sparked with fury. This behavior was an obvious attempt to draw attention and express her dissatisfaction.
Sero stared at her with boredom, his eyes half-closed, while Alice ignored the quarrel and enjoyed her tea, as if the scene was just part of a play. She observed coldly, relishing the rising tension among the students.
"If you hadn't caused our injuries, we would have gotten the shard! But you didn't even claim it, and instead, you handed it to the heir of the Anira family! Do you feel worthy of earning her attention, you pig?" the girl shouted arrogantly, as if trying to provoke Sero.
It was clear that the girl knew exactly what she was saying. If she had insulted Alice or even hinted at her poorly, her future would have been doomed, but her insult to Sero and saying he was beneath Alice not only made Sero appear less valuable, but it was also a compliment to Alice. The girl savored the moment of heightened tension, enjoying being the center of attention.
"And besides, you're just a filthy orphan! You only bullied girls and then ran away from Drada like a coward after cheating and using your shard on him!" the girl shouted foolishly, while others looked on apprehensively. But the next response was surprising.
"Silence!" A strong voice shouted from behind the girl, and to her surprise, it belonged to Drada.
"Ah…" The girl immediately felt foolish, realizing that Drada was too noble to be labeled as someone who bullied orphans, and she stammered in an attempt to repair Drada’s reputation. "Of course, I didn't mean you, sir! I was just showing how despicable he is until you taught him a lesson!" she stammered, trying hard to save face. But Drada’s expression remained unchanged, only growing more annoyed.
Drada knew the truth well and preferred to keep silent so that no one would dig deeper into the matter. It was expected that Jokai hadn't adhered to her word and had treated Drada for the effects of the Orchid of Poisonous Nectar shard, but he didn't want anyone to discover this and decided to suppress anyone who tried to bring up the incident.
"Have you finished barking?" Sero sighed slowly, with a long yawn as if mocking the girl’s anger. This reaction was a sign of his disdain for the tension she felt, which only fueled her anger.
"You wretch!" the girl shouted, then tried to punch Sero. However, Sero stopped her easily, not exerting any effort at all. His reaction was complete indifference, which further infuriated the girl. But Sero's expression changed from boredom to a wide, devilish grin. He preferred to use his strength when things were on the verge of exploding, and this was the perfect moment to do so, using self-defense as an excuse.
Sero slowly extended his hand and grabbed the girl’s hair, who couldn’t comprehend what had happened, then violently smashed her face into the wooden floor. The sounds of horror and shock filled the hall as fresh blood dripped from the girl's face smeared on the ground. The entire scene was terrifying, and the smile on Sero's face reflected his cold nerves.
"This was unexpected, but I’m not surprised," Alice commented with a cold gaze, as if the scene were just part of an ordinary theatrical performance.
"Lady Alice!" one of the girls screamed in fear, staring at her classmate who groaned on the floor while blood oozed from her face. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, where the tension had escalated into a direct conflict, and the girls were now in a state of panic.
Alice spoke in a mocking tone, "He didn't use any shards, and I'm not your nanny but your teacher. If you don't find a problem with mocking him, then hit him. Whoever does get ten mana stones." It was as if she were enjoying the spectacle, betting on who would emerge victorious.
"What about me?" Sero retorted, irritation lacing his voice as he gestured sarcastically with his hands. "Turning an entire class against me just because I defended myself against baseless accusations—and then paying them on top of that—seems rather unjust." His words were dripping with sarcasm, to the point that Alice felt choked by his deceit.
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As Sero spoke, Alice, who had a knack for reading the atmosphere, noticed the harshness in his expression. She realized that things could spiral out of control if she didn't intervene—not out of concern for him, but out of concern for what he might do.
Alice was no stranger to these kinds of confrontations, but Sero was different. There was an overconfidence in his tone, as if the whole world revolved around him and bent to his will.
"His wealth is barely less than that of Drada and Lysa, and now he wants a reward for hitting others? Isn't that just audacity?" Alice thought to herself, her gaze tauntingly fixed on Sero.
Sero looked at Alice, his eyes glinting with an unusual brightness. "If you manage to stay out of the treatment hall until tomorrow, I'll personally tutor you for a whole day. How does that sound?" Alice's voice dripped with sharp sarcasm as she laid the offer on the table. She knew Sero would find the deal unappealing, but the mockery in her voice remained.
Sero, who had initially faced the situation with indifference, shifted to a sly calmness. Crossing his arms over his chest, he replied with equal sarcasm, "I accept the lesson! Thanks for your generosity!" He grinned widely, causing a strange discomfort in Alice's heart.
"Since when did you enjoy studying? Are you trying to embarrass me now?" Alice wondered inwardly, feeling a weariness settle over her. "No, if this gets out, I'll be seen as instigating a brawl. And even though the use of shards is forbidden, he's capable of causing harm even without them."
Alice took a deep breath, sighing heavily as if shedding a heavy burden. "Alright, you may leave now," she commanded, raising her hand. Sero quickly ran off, his sly smile never leaving his face.
"He's running away! Coward!" one of the girls among the angry crowd shouted.
"He's not running, you fool! The challenge is for him to stay unscathed until tomorrow, not for us to beat him!" came the angry reply from another girl in the class.
"Chase him!" yelled the girl with the bleeding nose as she got up from the ground, her face flushed with anger. The noise and commotion quickly escalated, making the atmosphere in the classroom tense and charged.
In the next moment, a crowd of angry girls took off after Sero, while Drada and Lysa remained in place, puzzled expressions on their faces.
"They're just ten mana stones; it's like crumbs. The real cost is messing with the wrong person," Drada sighed deeply, watching the girls fade into the distance.
"I know, that's why I made the reward so simple. For them, the mana stones aren't the incentive—it's the desire for revenge. A desire Lysa doesn't have because she owes him, and Drada has already gotten involved with him enough," Alice spoke aloud, making both Lysa and Drada feel a strange sensation, one that bordered on a challenge.
The feeling was stronger than ever before. Both came from noble families, born with silver spoons in their mouths, and Sero's presence served as a test of their values and beliefs.
"Can we join the challenge?" Lysa asked with a simple smile that carried a hint of lightness and a desire for excitement.
"You can choose whichever side you prefer, but you'll get the same reward if that side wins," Alice responded gently, as if handing them the keys to the game.
"So, I have to protect that brat in secret. Thanks for the opportunity." Lysa, brimming with enthusiasm, took off, leaving Drada with a surprised look on his face.
"You say you're going to protect him in secret? Are you serious?" Drada questioned.
"Yes, and I'm completely serious. A personal lesson from Miss Alice isn't a bad price," Lysa said, then cheered among the crowd.
As Lysa quickly ran after Sero, a glimmer of hope shone in her eyes. She hoped that this opportunity would allow her to showcase her abilities, thereby gaining even a small advantage.
Meanwhile, Sero was running at full speed, navigating various obstacles as he heard the voices of the girls chasing him and the rising challenges echoing in the distance. He knew the situation was difficult, but he had no intention of backing down. His strategies were old and well-known, but the challenge lay in how to execute them successfully this time.
Sero suddenly stopped at a corner, contemplating how to handle this situation. He knew he needed a solid plan, not just a random escape. As he paused to catch his breath, his thoughts flowed quickly, considering every step that might help him overcome this obstacle.
"Hehe, the rainy weather will make the forest ground muddy and hard to scout, while the wild boars will pose a threat. Let's play hide-and-seek then, you lowly children!" Sero laughed maniacally as he darted through the crowds and people in the village center.
His steps were light and agile, to the point that passersby didn't notice him. Their attention was entirely focused on the girls chasing him, whose shouts filled the air.
"Tsk, the young ladies have become witches and lost their dignity. What a shame!" a middle-aged merchant sighed in disappointment, observing the chaos the girls had caused.
"How can they bring disgrace to their families?" echoed an elderly woman, covering her face with her hand as if unable to bear the sight.
As Sero continued running, he skillfully avoided the watchful eyes. He relished every moment of this game, as everything worked in his favor. Meanwhile, the rainy weather created a slippery ground, making it harder to track his movements.
"Wait! That's my daughter! You naughty girl!" a young man shouted angrily when he spotted his daughter among the crowd, trying to reach her.
Amid the chaos, Sero managed to shake off many of his pursuers, but most were too blinded by their anger to realize the social pressure.
Lysa, on the other hand, was leaping gracefully across rooftops, lightly trailing Sero while laughing to herself. Her steps were as light as a breeze, and she observed the events below without anyone noticing her.
"This is truly fun! Even better than sitting and reading plays," Lysa thought to herself, recalling the times she spent amusing herself with less exciting things. For her, this kind of chase ignited her enthusiasm and made her feel more alive than she had expected.
At a certain point, Lysa paused and turned to look behind her. She couldn't stifle her laughter when she saw some of the girls blushing in embarrassment as passersby scolded them. The chaos Sero had caused had put the girls in an awkward position, and Lysa couldn't help but enjoy the scene.
Meanwhile, Sero had led the others into a dead-end alley. He stood there, waiting for the angry crowd to arrive. This was part of his plan, as he knew well how to maintain control even in the toughest situations.
"This is the end! Surrender, and we promise we'll hit you gently," shouted the girl Sero had previously struck, as she wiped the blood from her nose with one hand. Her anger was evident, but Sero showed no hesitation. On the contrary, he raised his hands and smiled with suspicious innocence.
From his robe, he threw various mana stones and several bags of coins at them. The sudden wealth that appeared from his possessions was far more than the girl had expected. She felt a surge of greed as she realized that Sero had secretly possessed all this wealth while the others grabbed what he had thrown.
"Do you think you can bribe us? Where did you get this wealth from in the first place?"
Suddenly, the girls heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from the end of the alley. "You annoying thieves! Stop right now!" shouted an angry man as he hurried with a large stick in his hand. He was followed by several passersby who seemed highly irritated.
"Wait? Did he steal from them?" one of the girls shouted in confusion, feeling deeply embarrassed by the situation as she dropped the gold coins she was holding. It was clear that they had fallen into Sero's clever trap, who had exploited their greed to his advantage.
When the girl turned to look for Sero among the crowd, she suddenly realized he had vanished. Her astonishment was indescribable, as she was convinced that she and her companions had completely cornered him. But Sero, with his skill and cunning, managed to slip away unnoticed.
"Run and leave everything behind!" In a moment of despair, a girl with tearful eyes shouted and ran towards the crowd, somehow managing to escape with a doubled hatred for Sero. The others could only mimic her.
Among the crowd, the number dwindled to just twenty girls, as the rest were caught. Despite blaming Sero, they lacked sufficient evidence to accuse him. Luckily for them, Sero was kind enough not to steal anything from the passersby, preventing them from getting into bigger trouble, and the passersby only scolded them.
On one of the rooftops, Sero sat silently, gazing at the vast, dark sky while the relentless rain drenched his body. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth, and the sound of raindrops echoed between the buildings like a faint moan.
"Are you really enjoying this?" Lysa asked as she sat beside him, handing him a water flask. Her features, once cold when they first met, had softened, with a hint of admiration visible in her eyes.
"Helping me in that dead-end alley was enough. If you hadn’t reached out to me, I would've had to fight them and get involved with the crowd," Sero spoke with a laugh, but his eyes remained fixed on the horizon.
"Liar, you would’ve found a way to escape on your own," Lysa sighed, closing her eyes for a moment as if recalling past thoughts. She knew well that Sero had creative ways to flee, even in the direst situations.
After a moment of silence, Sero opened his eyes and looked toward the distant forest. "It seems I won’t be returning to the manor tonight; those troublemakers know where I live," he muttered as he stretched slowly, holding the water flask without drinking from it.
"Aren’t you going to ask why I helped you?" Lysa said as she stood beside him, extending her arms as if trying to solve a puzzle, her face showing signs of confusion.
"I don’t know. I’m too ugly for you to find me handsome, and too poor for you to find me wealthy, so you likely have your own reasons," Sero muttered with boredom, then smoothly jumped to the ground, calling out to the remaining girls, "Hey! Have you had enough of the insults?"
The girl with the bleeding nose turned in anger, her eyes burning with a flame-like intensity. "You filthy little—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Sero struck her with the water flask he was holding, tearing it apart, and drenching her completely. She looked like a cat that had just come out of a bath, with her wet hair sticking awkwardly to her face.
The girl paused for a moment, shocked by Sero's unexpected action, her eyes widening in humiliation. Sero stood there smiling, satisfied with his deed, before darting toward the forest outside the village.
The girls headed toward the muddy forest, which had become even more challenging due to the rain. The muddy ground formed an additional obstacle, and wild boars began to appear on the horizon, roaming and attacking anyone who got too close.
"Damn it, how can we track him now? The ground here has turned into a swamp," one girl said, clinging to a nearby tree to avoid slipping.
Sero observed the situation closely from the tree branches, enjoying every moment of the chaos he had created. With each step he took, the girls slowed their pace, trying to reach him, but the wild boars and the muddy forest ground were significant hindrances.
On the village wall, Lysa watched Sero gently, the humid summer wind playing with her long white hair and her short knee-length dress. Her expression bore a mix of admiration and confusion, but she eventually sighed and turned toward the Anira Manor.
In the forest, chaos reigned. The sounds of wild boars echoed between the trees, accompanied by the heavy rain that beat the ground, making it difficult to distinguish between the noises. It was as if nature itself had conspired against everyone, turning the forest into a battlefield.
Suddenly, one of the girls following Sero stumbled and fell into the muddy ground, rolling in the muck. Her cries of pain and frustration mingled with the noise of the crowd gathering around her, complicating the scene further.
"Ugh, I just want to catch him! I don’t even want the mana shards anymore!" another girl shouted as she tried to avoid the wild boars advancing toward her with unsteady steps.
Elsewhere in the forest, Sero followed the chaos with a wicked smile, enjoying every moment. "It seems the game has just begun," he muttered to himself. Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure on the horizon. It was Hirlou Jin Bi.
Amid the chaos around him, Sero wiped his mouth and closed his eyes for a moment, entering his magic realm. After a few seconds, Sero opened his eyes with a wide smile full of excitement.
"Blood Dagger Shard has been successfully refined!" Sero said to himself with joy as he examined the shard in his hand, then returned it to his magic realm.
"As much as I’d like to try it on these nuisances, it would attract too much attention. Well then, time to hunt!" With a crazed laugh, Sero leaped through the trees with agility, heading toward Jin Bi’s team.
As he moved swiftly and lightly, he left the girls behind in despair and disappointment. One by one, they decided to return empty-handed, realizing that they had lost this round against Sero, but certainly not the war.