Chapter 473: Not because of blood [2]

Chapter 473: Not because of blood [2]



Supply station, control tower.

Several professors were lined up in front of a large projection that displayed over several dozen windows. In each window was a different group. Beside the projection was another projection.

It was currently empty, but it had several numbers that ranged from one to twenty-five, which was the overall number of teams. Beside each name was a red 'o' that indicated their score points.

"What do you think? Who do you think will rank first?"

Professor Heart asked.

He was the professor who had brought the second year over.

"Ideally speaking, it should've been Jacob's team. The fifth team."

Answering him was Professor Lambart, one of the first-year professors. His voice was sharp and concise. With short, disheveled brown hair and green eyes that glimmered behind thick, square-framed glasses, he exuded an air of seriousness.

"But..?"

"....I'm not so sure anymore."

As he spoke, the Professor's gaze stopped at a specific window and closed his eyes.

While he didn't show it, one could see the disappointment in his gaze.

"I would've been confident in their ranking if not for the sudden change in captaincy."

"Oh?"

Curious, Professor Heart looked at the specific window and noticed that the captain had indeed been changed from Jacob, the current Black Star, to Linus.

"That's surprising. Did they come to the decision themselves?" "No."

Professor Lambart shook his head, his lips pursing together.

"That's the most annoying part. The changes were forced upon one of your cadets." "Mine?"

"Indeed."

He gave a nod and lifted his glasses.

"I'm sure you're quite familiar with him. It's none other than the previous Summit winner, and the previous Black Star."

"Could you mean...?"

"Yes, Julien of the Evenus Household."

"Oh, great."

Realizing what had happened, Professor Heart covered his face.

He was lost for words.

Julien was known for always being indifferent and partial. He wasn't someone that would meddle in things that didn't involve him. It was for this reason that Professor Heart was comfortable with assigning him to his brother.

He thought Julien wouldn't show any favoritism towards him.

And yet...

"That cadet of yours... He's potentially screwed an entire team because he wanted to take care of his little brother. I previously thought he was arrogant, which can be understandable due to his achievements, but this is beyond what I imagined."

What could Heart even say to this?

He... didn't know how to respond. Staring at the screen and focusing his attention on Linus's group, he could only secretly shake his head.

'I've heard about Julien's little brother. He's smart, but...'

The Professor shook his head.

His meaning was clear.

He was smart, but not reliable.

This team...

They were set for a potential failure.

***

The air felt increasingly heavier the deeper they ventured into the Mirror Dimension.

Holding onto a small lamp, Linus illuminated the path in front of him. Rotten and decayed trees lined up the path, their branches brushing against their skin.

Because of how dark it was, everyone had to stand close together in order to avoid any ambushes from the monsters around them. Usually, one would have the 'tanker' hold onto the light while walking forward, but Linus offered himself for the role.

This decision prompted Julien to furrow his brows, but he didn't say anything and followed from a safe distance.

Amell walked beside him silently.

From time to time, he would look at him and ask, 'What did you mean by what you said

before? I look what..?'

Julien would just ignore him and keep his eyes peeled forward. Even if he did sense

something, he didn't show it outwardly.

It was up to Linus or his team to sense something.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Wait."

Thankfully, Sophia had been paying attention.

Extending her staff, the temperature dropped and her staff glowed. Following this, an ice wall

formed right in front of Rick.

Even so, given the little time it took for her to cast, it was far from enough to completely

block the attack.

Bang!

"Ahh...!"

He still ended up being hit by it, which sent him crashing against the nearby trees, shattering

several at once.

The entire sequence occurred in less than a few seconds.

Before Linus knew it, the entire team was in disarray, with one cadet potentially injured.

"Wake the fuck up!"

Feeling a large hand seize him by the collar, Linus was shoved backward. Before he could

react, a massive shadow loomed in front of him, followed by the thunderous stomp of something enormous coming down.

Bang!

The ground trembled and he lost his footing, but thankfully, he was able to avoid the

incoming attack as Jacob just managed to push him away in time.

"Humph!"

With a grunt, Jacob lowered his body and shot forward.

In that time, he used his momentum to charge forward; meanwhile, he concentrated his mana

and blood, causing his arm to pop and expand.

His presence magnified and the air around his shield funneled.

In an instant, Jacob appeared before the Rotmane, his shield crashing against the front of the

monster.

BAM!

A thunderous 'clap' reverberated through the surroundings as the Rotmane was pushed back several steps.

Jacob didn't relent.

His eyes grew fierce and his calves tensed. Swoosh- With a swift motion, he thrust his left

hand forward, and the Rotmane came to a sudden halt. Clenching his right fist, his body blurred from the spot, reappearing before the creature in the blink of an eye.

"Now!"

At the same time that he shouted, four other figures appeared on all sides of the Rotmane.

Jessica raised her staff, summoning a sheet of ice that spread beneath the Rotmane. Shortly

after which, Sophia slid under the frozen surface, her speed nearly imperceptible. As she

moved, small, precise cuts appeared at the monster's joints.

"Ahhh!"

Her movements were followed by Rick who lunged forward, driving his spear into the

creature's left flank.

Spurt!

Blood gushed in the air as the Rotmane squealed in pain. But it wasn't over yet.

There was still life in the monster's eyes, but not for long.

"Uhmp!"

A massive shadow loomed over the Rotmane, descending rapidly as Jacob hurtled down with

his heavy shield clutched tightly in his outstretched hands. Moments later, the shield crashed

into the beast with earth-shaking force.

Bang!

Dust and debris flew in the air in the aftermath of the crash. When everything settled down, a figure appeared standing on the body of the Rotmane. He

looked unharmed and his breathing was fine, but if there was something that wasn't fine, it

was his expression.

Turning his head to look at the stupefied Linus, he was just about to say something when he

closed his mouth.

Eventually, turning his head in Julien's direction, he murmured in a tone only he could hear. "I can put down my arrogance, but can you...?"