The three patrol juniors immediately move into battle positions.
"Prepare to face the houl!"
"No need," Liam interjects.
His right hand lifts, palm facing the portal. As the head of a terrifying creature begins to emerge from the houl portal, a burst of intense light shoots forth from both of Liam's palms, blindingly bright.
BLAAAR!
The dark creature and its portal vanish instantly. The three patrol juniors gape in silence, stunned by how swiftly their senior eradicated both the houl and its portal.
"If the portal is destroyed before the creature comes out, there's no need for a troublesome battle," Liam summarizes plainly.
"B-but for ordinary mages like us, there's no way we could erase a portal that fast."
"Senior's power is so overwhelming it's beyond reason."
"Why do I feel like being blamed here?"
One of the juniors suddenly realizes in shock. "Senior! That guy ran away!"
While their focus was diverted by the appearance of the houl portal, Cedric had already vanished from sight—no one knew when he had slipped away.
Liam's face hardens in annoyance.
"This time I'll have to discipline a troublesome brat."
"Senior, why do you want to make him your aide? Why not just send him straight to prison?"
Liam understands the juniors want to know the reason behind his decision. His answer is brief:
"Because I'm still curious why Grand Master refused to take him as a disciple."
.
Among the forest trees, Cedric runs as fast as he can with the strength he has left.
"That portal appeared at just the right time! While he was busy dealing with the houl, he shouldn't have noticed which way I ran. Verlyn Academy really has a mage that powerful—I truly miscalculated."
"I thought that by inheriting that old man's power, I could easily burn down the academy he cherished. Turns out there's someone dangerous inside it."
Cedric halts by a large tree, his breath ragged. He quickly glances behind and around him, seeing no signs of pursuit. Only then does he let out a weary sigh and sit back against the tree, his exhaustion clear after running away with all his strength.
"Looks like I managed to escape …"
CRING!
A pouch of coins suddenly drops into Cedric's lap.
The young man is utterly shocked. Liam is already standing beside him, wearing his usual expressionless face.
"Use that to buy better clothes—and don't forget to take a proper bath."
"S-s-s-since when was he…??!"
Cedric is so shocked he loses his voice, shuddering tensely with raised shoulders, unable to comprehend how the man before him appeared out of nowhere without any sign of approach.
Meanwhile, Liam acts as if nothing unusual has happened.
"You're quite sharp to guess where I'd head. Not far ahead, there's a small town where we can rest before continuing to the border."
Cedric's mind keeps racing.
"What kind of power does he have? Do I need to run faster than the blink of an eye just to escape from him??!"
Liam folds his arms across his chest and speaks directly to Cedric, who is still sitting stiffly on the ground.
"I noticed earlier—your speed was impressive, even while running through the forest. Did you know? Researchers in Argoust have successfully created artificial legs for royal soldiers who lost theirs in battle. Those soldiers with artificial legs can now run faster than ordinary ones."
"Are you interested in replacing both of your legs with artificial ones?"
Cedric's face stiffens at the terrifying question.
"N-no… I still want my own legs…"
Liam smiles, but with a chilling aura.
"Exactly. No matter what, we'd always prefer the body parts we were born with. Be grateful your legs are still intact—take good care of them."
Cedric's face turns deathly pale.
"Does he mean he'll cut off my legs if I try to run away again?"
.
The excitement of the tournament continues at the academy, with more participants being eliminated as the rounds progress.
Vichel, having just stepped down from the stage and returned to the participants' waiting room, loosens her shoulders after finishing her third match.
"The opponents just keep getting stronger."
"Vichella Arleith!"
Vichel is suddenly approached by several participants in full tosca uniforms—students from the Carrion region. Their faces look displeased.
"You humiliated our friend, Lugia Walner!"
"Huh?" Vichel looks puzzled.
"She was predicted by the Faculty Council to be a semifinalist, but you threw her out of the arena in the very first match!"
"But it wasn't me who chose to fight her in the first round—the committee gave me lot number 2."
"Even so, you should have given her a chance to advance to the next round!"
Vichel grows even more bewildered.
"They mean I was supposed to lose on purpose?"
"And with that shameless face of yours, you just keep winning matches!"
"Heartless!"
Fed up, Vichel plants her hands on her hips in a defiant stance.
"So what do you want, then?"
"These people make no sense!"
"Look at that sky-high arrogance of hers!"
"Let's just make sure she doesn't advance to the next round!"
Half-panicked, Vichel braces herself for a brawl—not because of the numbers, but because of one reason:
"Are participants even allowed to fight in the waiting room? I should ask the committee first before I beat them up. I might get disqualified!"
"Oi, losers!"
The heavy voice of Zeff Lou Roan halts the rowdy participants. All eyes turn toward Zeff, standing right behind them.
The tall, muscular young man casts a scornful glare.
"So you're really Lugia Walner's comrades, huh? Just like her, you've all been tossed out of the arena."
Zeff's sharp taunt corners the rowdy participants, fueling their anger to the peak.
"You! Don't get cocky just because you're a championship candidate!"
"So what?" Zeff sparks electro in his right hand. "Want me to throw you out of the room?"
The rowdy participants hastily choose to leave, still hurling insults as they go.
"Arrogant fools! We hope you lose in disgrace!"
Vichel and Zeff remain expressionless, not bothered at all by those people's antics. At least the situation has calmed down, and Vichel breathes a sigh of relief that she doesn't have to fight.
"Thank you," Vichel says.
"I just wanted to pass through, but they were blocking the way."
Zeff walks off indifferently.
.
The scenery of a small town beside the forest Liam and Cedric have just passed through comes into view. At a modest tavern on the edge of town, where the green of the woods is still close by, Liam sits quietly, enjoying the peace as he sips a cup of warm tea.
Three locals play a beautiful tune on traditional instruments, offering entertainment for the tavern's visitors. Liam savors the peaceful atmosphere.
Yet even in this seemingly calm and relaxed moment, his eyes discreetly scan the surroundings. He notices three burly men seated at a table not far from him, speaking and laughing loudly. He also observes the elderly woman who owns the tavern, her face uneasy as she busies herself with work.
Cring!
The pouch of coins, now lighter than before, lands on the table in front of Liam, breaking his thoughts and drawing his attention to the one who tossed it. Who else but Cedric—now dressed neatly in new clothes. He looks far better, no longer like a wandering drifter.
"Your money was far too much, even for the most expensive clothes in this town. I even tried wasting it on this golden pocket watch, and still, it wasn't all spent."
Liam folds his arms across his chest, taking a closer look at the young man who has just become his aide. Though Cedric's appearance is now more refined, Liam's attire still carries a far greater elegance.
"How does it feel, living without having to worry about money anymore? Is it pleasant?"
By helping Cedric improve his appearance, Liam hopes for a change in his attitude.
But all he gets in return is the same stubborn face.
"This still won't erase my grudge against that old man!"