Chapter 41: First Class (7)
Cadets were still murmuring, some sneaking glances at Leon's stiff back as he returned to his seat, others stealing side-eyes at Eric, who looked annoyingly calm despite his victory.
But then—
Alastor's gaze snapped toward me.
"Michael… step forward."
My body tensed instinctively. His tone wasn't just an order; it was a challenge, a call dragged from the throat of a lion testing if another beast dared answer.
The hall went quiet. Too quiet.
Every eye turned toward me.
Some were filled with curiosity. Others—resentment. And a few, barely concealed hunger, as if waiting to see the Rank 1 crumble under pressure.
I rose from my seat in the third row, the scrape of the chair legs sounding deafening in the silence. My steps echoed against the arena's stone floor.
'Tch… and here I thought I'd get to spectate a little longer.'