Francis turned his head in horror. The fear strangling his throat left him unable to make a sound.
Staring at Zayne, who was still wreathed in violet lightning, he had only one thought left in his mind.
Madman.
This guy was an absolute madman.
A few insults, and he fired off three Forbidden Spells in a row. What else could he be but insane?
He regretted provoking Zayne more than anything in the world. If regret had a price, he would pay it just to make Zayne disappear from sight forever.
A Forbidden Spellcaster was not frightening.
A Forbidden Spellcaster who did not care about his own life was the most terrifying creature on earth.
Zayne, stop! A panicked voice cut through the air. Norton sprinted out of his office as if the floor were on fire.
Hearing Norton, Zayne's gaze flickered and he finally withdrew the forbidden spell.
He was not stupid enough to kill the young master of the Ward family in front of the entire school.
Norton... I... Zayne clenched his fists, acting as if he were deeply wronged.
His face was pale, as if he really suffered backlash from casting three Forbidden Spells in quick succession.
Do not worry. You do not need to explain. I will make sure you get justice.
Norton was furious. He had heard of Francis pursuing Nia and bullying other students. He usually turned a blind eye because of Francis's father.
But this time Francis had gone far too far. To push a Forbidden Spellcaster into unleashing three Forbidden Spells without caring for his life meant Zayne must have been bullied brutally.
Norton needed Zayne to shine during the exam trials. If something happened to Zayne, Norton would kill Francis himself.
Francis, stand up! Norton barked. Apologize to Zayne right now!
Given Francis's arrogant personality, Norton expected him to refuse, and he was ready to scold him harshly. Instead, Francis dropped to his knees with a hard thud before Zayne.
Zayne, I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. I am sorry. Nia is yours. I will never compete with you again.
When it came to his own survival, Francis was genuinely terrified.
He was the sole heir of Ward Group, a young master with a bright future. People with shoes feared those barefoot. He did not want to die with a lunatic, especially one who could actually kill him.
His apology was so quick and sincere that even Norton froze. He wondered if someone had replaced Francis with a look alike.
The Francis he knew usually strutted around the school as if he were second only to heaven itself.
Zayne, what do you think... Norton was unsure how to proceed.
Norton, I accept his apology. Francis, remember this. A man may be killed, but he must not be humiliated. Zayne's voice rang firm and steady.
Yes, yes, yes. I truly know I was wrong. I will never insult people again. Francis nodded repeatedly, terrified that Zayne might raise his hand and cast another Forbidden Spell.
Norton, I will head home then. Zayne bowed politely. After today's incident, no one in the school, or even in all of Old Shipyard Port, would dare trouble him for a long time.
After all, his image was now fixed. He was someone who might take you down with him at any moment. Who would provoke a suicidal Forbidden Spellcaster?
Nia's expression grew complicated. Watching Zayne leave, she shook her head softly and whispered.
No brains at all. Being humiliated a little, and he is ready to risk his life. Just a reckless brute. Even if his class were not Forbidden Spellcaster, someone like him would never go far.
Throughout history, any class holder who could rise above the world had both strength and wisdom.
In her mind, Zayne's fate was sealed. They only happened to awaken on the same day and at the same school. They were not from the same world.
Five years from now, she would surely become a peerless prodigy.
Five years from now, with Zayne's recklessness and his class's fatal flaws, he would likely be nothing but bones in a coffin.
Zayne returned to his small shack in the slums.
This was the poorest part of Old Shipyard Port, full of sewage and shady characters, but it was the perfect hiding place for someone immortal.
Sacrifice part of the intestine for basic thunder. Sacrifice a spleen for abyssal frost thunder. Sacrifice a heart for sanctified flame thunder.
Zayne quietly calculated the sacrifice cost for different grades of thunder summoned through Forbidden Spell Worldbane Thunderfall. All data obtained moments earlier from testing on Francis. To avoid suspicion, he sacrificed only internal organs.
Based on this, if I want to summon the strongest Abyssborn Thunderfall, I probably need to sacrifice my entire body. No wonder this spell is forbidden.
Zayne rubbed his nose and chuckled helplessly.
Only someone immortal could use this class like he did. A normal person would be half paralyzed after a few uses.
Still, the power satisfied him greatly. He was only level one, yet if he unleashed Worldbane Thunderfall at full strength, no class holder under level five would survive.
With a thought, the organs he had sacrificed regenerated. His complexion returned to its healthy glow. He lay down and fell asleep instantly, peaceful as a corpse.
While Zayne slept soundly, Francis could not sleep at all.
Dad, you must avenge me. You must kill that bastard. He humiliated me in front of the whole school. I even knelt and begged him for forgiveness. I cannot swallow this.
Francis sat across from his father, Blake, crying loudly.
His apology earlier had been sincere. His desire to kill Zayne now was also sincere.
Ward Group employed many powerful class holders. Killing a level one Zayne would be effortless.
Blake took a drag from his cigar, the smoke obscuring his face.
Listening to Francis's crying, Blake remained expressionless.
Francis, you are my only son. I have taught you countless times. A businessman must not act on impulse. Learn to weigh profit and loss.
Let me ask you. If I send people to kill him, and they succeed, what will we gain?
Francis froze. Killing Zayne brought no actual benefit. Only satisfaction.
Blake tapped the cigar ash onto the table.
And if they fail? We will have completely offended an SSS Forbidden Spellcaster. Once he grows strong, he can drag Ward Group to hell with him before he dies.
Francis's heart tightened.
So killing Zayne just to vent anger is extremely high risk and brings zero reward.
Ordinary enemies could be disposed of. But not this time.
Francis nodded obediently. He finally understood.
Dad, I will avoid Zayne from now on.
No.
Blake shook his head, eyes gleaming.
Not only should you not avoid him. You should follow him. Treat him as your leader.
What? Why? Francis asked in confusion.
Because someone who unleashes Forbidden Spells over a few insults clearly has no restraint and cares deeply about face.
Blake smiled knowingly.
The young master of Ward Group becoming his follower would give him more face than anything. If you can swallow a little pride, he becomes your shield.
Anyone who bullies his follower is insulting him. As long as you give up a bit of pride, you gain a free SSS Forbidden Spellcaster bodyguard. Why not?
People only say Forbidden Spellcasters die early. No one says they are weak.
Francis's eyes widened as if enlightenment dawned.
Dad, I understand.
Blake nodded slowly.
He cares about pride, and he is poor. Remember these two points. If you play this well, you will gain a free Forbidden Spellcaster enforcer. And the Ward family has no shortage of money.