Chapter 431 [Event] [Semester-Exam At Vanadias] [19] A Third Party

Chapter 431 [Event] [Semester-Exam At Vanadias] [19] A Third Party

(<You can't really blame him just because he wants to help others, you know?>)

John clenched his fists. "I don't care about that. He's going to get himself killed if he keeps sticking his nose where it doesn't belong," he snapped, his voice tight with barely controlled anger. "He can't help but throw himself into other people's problems. It's like he has some sick need to intervene every time, even when it's pointless. Last year was bad enough. He nearly got himself killed because he couldn't step back when he should've. And now, he wants to save Alvara? I never thought I'd hear something that stupid coming from him."

He shook his head.

(<Shouldn't you be happy about it, though, Jonathan?>)

John's brow furrowed. "Happy? About what?"

(<Come on, John. I know everything about you. You've always worried about Edward not being able to escape his fate—becoming the Main Antagonist of the Second Game. You even said you will kill him if he does. But right now? He's farther away from that destiny than he's ever been.>)

She was right—John knew it. He should be relieved. He'd spent so long dreading the day Edward would lose himself completely, succumb to the twisted path that had been laid out for him. And yet, here Edward was, trying to save someone. Trying to help. That compassion, buried under layers of cynicism and frustration, was still alive in Edward.

Edward still cared—perhaps more than John could ever claim to care. That was undeniable. His actions, however reckless, came from a place of deep empathy, of wanting to protect innocent people and even some not-so innocent ones, even if they didn't deserve it. John could understand why Layla had fallen so hopelessly in love with Edward, why her feelings had only grown stronger over a few months.

It was that same boy she had fallen for all those years ago—the one who, as a child, had crept into her room when she was sick, taking care of her without expecting anything in return. He had never shown off his kindness, never sought praise or acknowledgment. That quiet, selfless part of him hadn't changed at all.

And that was what worried John.

One day, Edward's luck would run out. Things wouldn't go his way, and when that day came, Edward might pay the ultimate price. His heart, as noble as it was, would lead him straight into the fire.

John didn't want that to happen. Not for Edward's sake, not for his sister's, who had made him promise to look after Edward. But also not for his own sake. Edward was more than a friend. He was the only person John could truly call a brother, he felt something similar that he felt toward Shayna.

"Hey! Look!" A voice suddenly cut through John's thoughts.

His head snapped up, eyes narrowing as he registered the commotion around him.

"It's—John!" "Let's get him!" John glanced to his left, eyes sweeping the area. Five figures were splitting off, quickly moving to surround him. Their grins were wide and clearly nervous though.

'Isn't the exam supposed to be individual?' John thought, confused for a moment.

John stood in the center of the clearing, his eyes narrowing in confusion as the five figures from the Blue Group rushed toward him. He belonged to the Red Group, so their aggression seemed nonsensical. What could they possibly gain by teaming up to take him down? Only one of them would be able to scan his fallen body if they succeeded, and with their combined strength, a few of them would definitely not escape unscathed. It was a foolish plan.

"Attack him!"

The shout rang out, and as if on command, all five surged forward, weapons at the ready, their movements fast but uncoordinated. John stood silently unfazed by the impending assault. He barely spared them a glance.

Without lifting a finger, a dark, ominous fire erupted from the ground beneath his feet, spiraling outward like the grasping tendrils of a hungry beast. The flames roared to life, surrounding John in a protective barrier of heat and shadow before surging toward his attackers.

The men barely had time to scream before they were swallowed whole by the searing black fire.

"Gyaaahhh!!"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Pierre smirked.

Before John could respond, Pierre surged forward, his fist glowing with Ruah. In one swift motion, he swung it through the air, unleashing a massive shockwave that ripped through the clearing toward John.

-BAM!

The force struck like a tidal wave. John raised his palm instinctively, trying to deflect the blow, but the impact was too great. The sheer energy sent him skidding back several meters, his boots digging into the dirt. A sharp, stinging pain shot through his arm, numbing it momentarily. 'He's still not removing his disguise,' John thought.

It was clear now—Pierre and Behemoth didn't want their presence revealed to the examiners or teachers watching from outside, at least not now. They were operating under the radar, infiltrating the exam for reasons unknown.

But that meant John was cut off. There was no way to alert anyone outside without abandoning the forest. If he did that, he would forfeit his ability to help the important people here, namely—Amelia, Edward, Victor, Celeste.

Amelia could already be in danger.

Edward and Victor might need him soon.

And there was no way he'd let Behemoth—or anyone else—get their hands on Celeste. She was the Prophetess, after all. Too important.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go. He had prepared for Utopia, sure—but Behemoth?

They were another level of trouble entirely.

What was their goal here? What reason could they have for targeting this exam?

He didn't know, and that gnawed at him.

-BAM!

John vanished from sight, reappearing in a blur of motion as he slammed his fist into Pierre's stomach.

"Argh!" Pierre gasped, blood spurting from his mouth as his body doubled over in pain. John wasted no time, grabbing his head and driving it into the ground with a sickening thud.

-BAM!

The earth shook as Pierre's face smashed into the dirt, leaving a shallow crater beneath him. John knelt beside him.

"Tell me why you're here," John asked.

Pierre coughed, struggling to speak but he laughed. "A-Aghh! You'll have to try harder, John Tarmias!"

Before John could react, Pierre's body erupted with a surge of Ruah. John quickly jumped back.

Pierre's muscles bulged grotesquely, veins throbbing as his frame expanded, returning to its original burly form. Even with his disguise intact, Pierre was back to his original body

'I don't have time for this!'

Every second he spent here was a second closer to disaster. If Behemoth was involved, Amelia, Edward, and maybe Celeste were all in immediate danger. He couldn't afford to waste any more time on Pierre's games. He needed answers. Now. And more importantly, he needed to warn Edward.