'What is he doing?' Cedric thought as he looked at Ethan who was simply dodging and blocking the attacks being aimed in his direction. 'He could have easily defeated his classmates. Is he playing with them?'
The Second Year, who once fought against Ethan in a magical duel, couldn't understand why the handsome young man was not fighting using his full powers.
Clara, who had come as part of the delegation, was having the same thought.
She believed that Ethan could have easily defeated his classmates if he fought like he had in his duel with Cedric.
'Is he perhaps holding back since we are here?' Clara mused. 'Does he not want us to learn more about his fighting abilities?'
This was the only reason Clara could think of as she looked at the young man, who was clearly being targeted by his classmates.
Nicole would receive some attacks from time to time, but compared to Ethan, it was simply laughable. Searᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
'Maybe they just hate his guts?' Clara thought. 'Also, only Witches are attacking Nicole. The boys are all targeting Ethan. Do they perhaps hold a grudge against him?'
What she didn't know was that this was one of the main reasons why Ethan was being targeted.
Most of the boys in the First Years had a crush on Luna, Lily, and Nicole.
Since Ethan was always close with these beautiful ladies, they treated him as their public enemy number one.
Since they were given an opportunity where they could attack him without repercussions, they were going all out.
A few minutes later…
"Okay, that's enough," Sir Lionel stepped in to stop the battle. "Ethan and Nicole will get ten minutes rest. The Second Batch will fight in ten minutes."
Ethan closed his eyes as he tried to stabilize his breathing.
He was out of Magical Powers, so he had used a bit of Sebastian's power to conjure a dome of water.
Using that allowed him to survive the combined attacks of his classmates, which made him feel a little bitter inside.
'Do they really hate me that much?' Ethan mused. 'Or are they just afraid to attack Nicole because she might retaliate later?'
The young man closed his eyes as he tried to stabilize his breathing. He only had ten minutes to prepare for his next battle, and he would use the time he had to the best of his ability.
Suddenly, she felt something soft press against his right cheek.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Lilian using a hand towel to carefully wipe the sweat off his face.
At first, he wanted to ask her to stop, but Sebastian and his Other Half started making a ruckus inside of his head, telling him to leave the young lady alone.
"Ethan, her Legacy harmonizes perfectly with yours! If you chase this girl away, being able to utilize the Tide Bringer's Legacy on land is just a pipe dream!" Sebastian stated. "You'll forever be a half-baked Tide Bringer at this rate! Do you really think that all your battles will be at Sea? Think again, my guy!"
"If you really want to protect those you hold sacred, then you must use all and any available means to get stronger," Ethan's Other Half commented. "You've only gotten a bit better after spending more than a year in the Lands of Alastor. If you think that's enough, then think again. Someone like Lily's Older Brother can easily wipe the floor using you."
Ethan couldn't refute any of their words because they were hitting him where it hurt.
Sebastian was right.
He was truly unable to unleash his full powers on land, and he couldn't possibly ask his opponents to fight him in the Sea, where he had an advantage.
Also, his Other Half knew him better because he had been with him from the start.
Ethan had indeed grown way stronger than he was after entering Brynhildr Academy. But, in the face of someone like Conall, he would easily die if they were to fight him seriously.
Because of this, he sighed in his heart and allowed Lilian to wipe the sweat off his face.
Seeing that he didn't reject her initiative, the young lady smiled and continued to wipe his sweat. She even allowed him to drink from her water pouch, which made his classmates look at him in disdain.
'Another beauty has fallen into his grasp. I must kill this bastard!'
'Damn! He's just a little bit better looking than me, yet he makes all the ladies fawn over him. This girl from Nightfall Academy is quite beautiful. Did he go there just to pick up girls?!'
'He already has Chloe, but he's still trying to charm any beautiful girl he sees. Just you wait! I'm going to blast you to oblivion!'
The Second Batch, who was about to fight Ethan, was all fired up after seeing this jealousy-inducing display of affection.
Even Chloe, who had lowered her guard against Lilian after hearing that she had helped protect her best friend from the Ancient Wendigo, had a frown on her face.
'It seems that Luna was right.' Chloe narrowed her eyes. 'She thinks fondly of Ethan.'
Luna had told her everything that had happened in Nightfall Academy.
This included her suspicion of Lilian wanting to become one of Ethan's lovers, especially after what happened after the duel ended.
Chloe was also aware that the handsome blonde guy, who had the same hair and eye color as Lilian, was making a move on her best friend.
Because of this, her impression of Cedric instantly hit rock bottom.
'Both of them are trouble,' Chloe thought as she looked at the brother and sister pair, whose eyes were locked onto her cousin's body.
A few minutes later, Sir Lionel declared that the break was over.
Nicole, who wasn't as tired as Ethan, lightly tapped the young man's shoulder before pointing at their opponents.
"Looks like your little reunion with Lilian has fired up their will to fight you." Nicole chuckled. "Good luck, Mr. Popular."
Ethan snorted as he held the Sea God's Trident firmly in his hand.
He had already resigned himself to being targeted this time around as well. But, since this was considered good training, he was also looking forward to it.
Seeing his reaction, Nicole just smiled and took a fighting stance beside him.
It had been a while since she saw Ethan get serious, and this might be a good opportunity to gauge his current strength while he was not relying on his powers.