As Kevin made his way through the crowd, depression and anxiety marred his face. The youth was missing his left arm and looked extremely emaciated.
He's still alive?! Adam was so shocked that he froze in place. He really hoped that Kevin wouldn't make it out of the secret plane.
But here he was. In the flesh!
At once, many thoughts flashed through Adam's mind.
How is he still alive?
How did he survive in that state for so long?
No!
More importantly, has he seen Val's true appearance?!
Valerian's identity as a dragon was something that Adam wanted to keep a secret for as long as possible. At the very least, until he was powerful enough to protect the little guy from the greedy Magi of this planet.
Tumultuous waves rose inside the youth's heart as he struggled to decide. The main thing hindering him from moving forward was the long-established agreement made by the forefathers of the races that inhabited the Southern Federation.
That any enmity formed inside the secret plane stayed inside the secret plane.
But the next moment, his eyes turned cold and he resolved himself.
No, he must die! I cannot risk it. Whatever happens, happens.
Having already made his decision, he bolted from his spot and approached Kevin like a specter. Just when he was right behind the latter, he raised his fist and launched a devastating blow to the head, aiming to kill him instantly.
But suddenly!
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Another figure appeared between him and Kevin!
"What do you think you're doing?" A cold voice entered Adam's ears, causing him to be stunned by the sudden arrival of the owner of this voice.
He hurriedly stopped in his tracks and looked at this person. His eyes widened and he blurted out, "Professor Hemingway!"
The middle-aged man had a head full of black hair that was greying at the temple. He sported a thin mustache and a goatee. He was looking at Adam with great anger visible on his face.
"Displaying such bloodlust toward my apprentice! Student Adam, you have the audacity to renege on the agreement made by our ancestors?"
Professor Hemingway spoke in a loud tone, making the surrounding people suddenly focus their attention on them. Kevin, who was oblivious to all, suddenly turned around and saw his mentor standing behind him.
"T-Teacher, what are you—" But his words got stuck in his throat when his gaze suddenly fell on Adam.
"It's you!" He shrieked in fear and stumbled on the ground. He then crawled away in terror, "Stay away from me! Help! Somebody help me!"
Adam had really scared the living daylights out of him since their last encounter. Kevin would have nightmares about him. So now when he saw Adam suddenly appear near him, he was frightened shitless.
Not expecting to see such a response from his student, Professor Hemingway turned around and looked at Kevin incredulously. The man gazed at his missing arm and then at the visible terror enveloping his face.
"I see." Putting two and two together, he got the gist of what must have happened inside the secret plane. After all, he was no stranger to the enmity between Adam and his student.
Hemingway turned back around and glared at Adam. "You filthy commoner… How dare you!"
The man raised his hand and attacked Adam. Although it was just a slap, if it connected, the latter would be heavily injured.
Not expecting this sudden turn of events, Adam was stunned. He tried to evade the incoming attack, but how could a mere Organ Stage Magus contend with a mighty Rank 2 Magus?
Just when Hemingway's hand was about to smack Adam's face, something very surprising happened.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"Bullying your juniors? Have the professors of the Clover Academy fallen so low?"
Adam was shocked to find a tall, silver-haired man suddenly appearing in front of him. He wore white robes that looked neat and luxurious.
The youth couldn't see the man's appearance, but judging by the familiar voice and the pointed ears, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Lord Elrod?!"
Elrod turned around and winked at Adam.
He then turned back around to gaze at Hemingway, his expression cold and indifferent. "Tell me, human. Why are you attacking my little friend here?"
Hemingway was shocked when he realized that this elf had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his wrist. He turned furious as he tried to free his hand. "How dare you touch me! Do you know who I am—"
CRACK!
Hemingway stood there in a daze, looking at his right wrist which had completely been dislocated. Seeing his wrist dangling at a strange angle, it took a moment for the man to understand what had just transpired.
And then, the sense of pain came flooding in.
"Ugghh!!" Hemingway grimaced in pain. He then raised his head and looked at the elf who had effortlessly broken his wrist.
At once he understood. A Rank 3 Magus!
Realizing this, he hurriedly bowed and spoke in a trembling voice, "Please forgive me impudence, My Lord."
"Hmph!" Elrod harrumphed in displeasure. "Leave. Never show your filthy face in front of me again."
"Yes, yes, my lord." Hemingway bowed several times, completely disregarding the prestige that a Magus like him should have, before quickly leaving the place with Kevin in tow.
Elrod turned back around to look at Adam who was standing there in a daze. He couldn't help but sigh, "Haaa… you sure are a troublesome little kid."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})The elf looked around and realized that many people had gathered around them and even more were coming to see just what kind of drama had just taken place.
He placed his hand on Adam's shoulder. "Let's go somewhere else."
Without waiting for the youth's response, the next moment, the two of them suddenly vanished, eliciting a collective yelp of surprise from the crowd around them.
…
This event didn't go unnoticed by the other Rank 3 Magi who were secretly present at the city square.
They all knew that Elrod was a powerful Magus who hailed from the other side of the Murky Mountains. After all, they all wanted to have friendly connections with him.
Now that they saw the Rank 3 elf standing up for a mere Organ Stage human, they couldn't help but become interested in the latter, wondering just what kind of relation the two shared.
The King of Nightingale Kingdom was the most interested. After all, the youth in question was a human.
"Who is that child?" He asked while stroking his chestnut-
colored beard.
A shadowy figure silently appeared behind Arnold and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, his name is Adam Constantine, a commoner hailing from Behal Town in the Cormier Kingdom."
"Oh?" Arnold was intrigued. "A commoner, you say? And already an Organ Stage Magus at such a young age. Not bad!"
"That's not all, Your Majesty," the shadowy figure added. "My spies tell me he is an accomplished Herbalist. Moreover, there are also rumors that he is Lord Berger's apprentice."
Arnold's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Very impressive."
He paused for a while and then nodded as if coming to a decision. "Keep a close eye on that child. Have someone send precious ingredients to his house. Tell him it's from me."
The figure was momentarily surprised before complying, "By your will, Your Majesty."
"Hmm." Arnold looked around at all the people in the city square one last time.
"Alright, let us depart. There is nothing more to see."
