384 Eliminating Trouble
Some meters away from the ongoing battle between Quinn, Grace, and Lucas, a rather fine-looking young man with brown hair and ruby-red eyes was standing on top of the crown of a really tall tree.
He was looking through a scope on a sniper rifle, aiming at his target. He kept looking for a long time, waiting for a perfect position.
His breathing was sturdy and his index finger was putting just enough pressure on the trigger to not fire the shot yet still be ready to shoot at any given moment.
After an unnervingly long amount of time, he smirked and pulled the trigger.
A sharp sound of a loud gunshot erupted as a golden bullet was launched from the barrel of his sniper.
It was an enchanted bullet capable of throwing the mana core of the victim it hit into disarray, rendering them unable to cast magic or use mana arts for a brief period of time.
Plus, it would also function as a real bullet and obviously hurt getting shot.
Basically, it was a Magic Negation bullet that Hugh got after begging Kai for weeks, since not only was it very costly but also just as rare.
Unfortunately, his bullet went to a complete waste. His target – Lucas – activated a relic just in time.
It was an armor relic that Hugh's bullet couldn't pierce.
Seeing that, the brown-haired sniper's eyes widened through his scope.
"What the actual fuck?!" He cursed, not able to believe what just happened.
Not only did Hugh make sure to mask his presence, but he was also a considerable distance away from the fight.
How did Lucas know he was going to get sniped?! Just how?!
"Damn, he's scary!" Hugh chuckled to himself.
His precious bullet was not only wasted, but he had also revealed his location to everyone in the near vicinity after failing to neutralize his target.
Yeah, this wasn't a favorable situation for a sniper. Hugh had to move and he had to do it fast.
He plummeted down the tree and landed gracefully on the ground. However, right then, he felt a strong wind blowing past him.
In the next moment, he felt someone's hand pressing on his back accompanied by a sweet voice that reached his ears.
"Be the smart boy I know you are and don't move," the voice said.
"Or what?" Hugh asked, trying to think of a solution to get out of this situation.
"Or a strong tempest will hit you point blank and break at least more than a few bones. Now, raise your hands."
Hugh closed his eyes and nodded with a resigned smile on his face. He began to slowly raise his hands as he said:
"Didn't know you were so ruthless, Miss Black."
Amelia smirked behind him, her green eyes shining with a victorious glint as she grabbed his left wrist and chanted a spell.
Wind coalesced around her palm, giving her enough strength to easily shatter the smart bracelet on Hugh's wrist.
A notification popped up in her earpiece.
[You eliminated…]
Without bothering to listen to the full notification, Amelia intoned another chant as once again the wind started swirling around her.
"See you back in class," Amelia said before another strong gust of wind blew and she disappeared from her spot like a passing spring breeze.
†
I was leaning against a tree. I had long since dismissed the Phoenix Embrace.
I also made sure that Quinn's shadows did not follow me here by casting light flashes from time to time and looking out for any unnatural shadow.
It had been fifteen minutes since I came here, our arranged meeting spot. Just where was–
Before I could complete my thoughts, I heard faint sounds of footsteps coming from the bushes in front of me.
Soon, a tall girl stepped out from the cover of the woods. She had leaves sticking out in her long black hair which was tied in a high pony.
Instantly, her emerald eyes fixed upon me and a bright smile bloomed on her alluring face.
"Been waiting long?"
"Yes," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Do you know how dangerous it is to stay on one stop for so long right now?"
Amelia chuckled. "I doubt anyone can pose a threat to you, anyway."
"Maybe not individually," I nodded. "But if they band together like just a few seconds ago, then yes, they can."
The enchanting smile on Amelia's lips. "But wasn't that all just a part of your plan?"
Hearing her rhetorical question, I couldn't help but smile a little myself. "Of course, it was."
"How did you do it, anyway? I mean, how did you know they were going to attack you?" Amelia asked, genuinely interested.
I shrugged, the smile on my face turning into a grin. "Because I was the one who gave them the idea."
Amelia raised her eyebrows in slight shock. "How? And when?"
The last time I met them, I made sure to talk about the practical exam in front of Grace. I also subtly indicated that they wouldn't have to follow me during the exam.
I knew Grace wouldn't let go of a chance to get back at me. And just as I thought, she took the opportunity.
Grace thought she was the one who thought about attacking me during the exam, but in reality, it was I who suggested that idea to her.
The poor girl was just too short-sighted to see.
But I didn't know she would bring Quinn in on her plan. That was a surprise even to me.
I did, however, know that she was going to use a trap to finish me off. After all, Grace couldn't beat me and she knew that.
However, I thought her trap was going to a cadet capable of casting imprisonment or artillery spells.
So it came off as another surprise when she used a sniper instead. I did not know Hugh was helping her too.
Truly, Grace Goodwill is a girl full of surprises. If not for my Phoenix Embrace, I might've actually been in a little trouble back there.
Anyway, after I incepted the idea in her head, I began to strategize a counterplan.
The plan was simple. I would go ahead, eliminate a few Cadets, attract Grace's attention to me, and have her attack me.
Meanwhile, Nero, Anastasia, Amelia, and Kent would search for her wild card, and eliminate whoever they would be.
Whoever eliminates the wild card would then send me a text, giving me their live coordinates.
That's what Amelia did. She eliminated Hugh and texted me her live location. I then asked her to meet me here.
I made this plan right after I left the deck.
The reason I didn't speak of this plan on the deck was because there were too many Cadets there. Any one of them could easily have been Grace's spy.
Now, one of the few people who could have given me trouble is now eliminated.
Heh, what a genius I am.
…No, I'm getting overconfident again. If anything, I should be ashamed that I didn't expect Quinn and Grace to work together.
Shaking my head, I took a breath and began walking.
"He-Hey! Where are you going? Tell me, how did you do it?!"
"Long story. Not in the mood to tell."
"H-Huh?! What does that mean?! Lucas!"
