The next morning, Anos woke up before dawn, feeling a sense of urgency. He quickly made breakfast for his sister, Luna, before heading to the Academy. He had an important question to ask Sofia, and he couldn't afford to waste any time.
Upon arriving at the academy, Anos was met with shocking news. The two Flameborn Lions he had defeated the previous night had become the talk of the town. Rumors spread like wildfire that five advanced class warriors had ventured out to grind but never returned, falling prey to the very same Flameborn Lions.
Anos's eyes widened in disbelief. How could this be? He had single-handedly taken down those lions just hours ago. The academy was now gripped with fear, and no one dared to venture out to grind.
The news had spread mysteriously, and Anos couldn't help but wonder who was behind the rumors.
The Flameborn Lion's appearance outside Flower City, at such a close proximity to the Spirit Core Realm, defied all logic. Typically, such monstrous beasts roamed the farthest reaches of the realm, preying on the unwary. Yet, this one had somehow wandered into the city's outskirts, sending shockwaves through the martial arts community.
Eager to prove their mettle, numerous experts from Flower City had embarked on a perilous hunt for the beast, oblivious to the fact that Anos had already vanquished it.
....
Anos strolled into the Sky Martial Court's Beginner Class 10, the soft glow of luminescent orbs illuminating the room. The air hummed with the gentle buzz of conversation and the sweet scent of incense wafted through the air. Mia and Sasha sat engrossed in their music, headphones wrapped around their necks like gleaming silver collars.
As Anos approached, their gazes snapped towards him, expressions twisting into disdain.
"Missed you, Sasha," Anos teased, his voice low and playful, "How about a welcome-back kiss?"
Sasha rolled her eyes, dodging his leaning form. "Dream on, Anos."
Mia wrinkled her nose, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ugh, you're as charming as ever."
Anos shrugged indifferently, his habitual teasing of Mia and Sasha having become second nature. Sometimes, he even craved genuine conversations with them.
Mia and Sasha gazed at Anos, their expressions a mix of puzzlement and amusement. Despite his constant jests, they'd grown accustomed to his presence, treating him like a friend. They were willing to engage in conversations, but only when Anos was serious.
"Why didn't you come to the academy yesterday?" Sasha asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "We'll be heading to the Demonic Beast Domain soon. Aren't you nervous?"
Yesterday, Sofia had queried Sasha about Anos's absence, leaving her equally perplexed. She wondered why Anos hadn't attended classes.
Anos sighed, his expression turning serious. "I went to the Demonic Beast Domain yesterday and got injured."
Mia and Sasha exchanged surprised glances.
"I heard the Flameborn Lion appeared outside," Mia said, her brow furrowed with concern. She turned to Anos. "Did you encounter it too?"
Anos shook his head. "No, it's just a minor scratch. See for yourself."
He extended his right hand, revealing a small, crusted cut.
Sasha raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with dry amusement. "This is your injury? A Band-Aid would fix it."
Anos chuckled, shaking his head. His eyes crinkled at the corners. "No, you have to make a small cut too."
Mia leaned back in her chair, observing with interest.
"Good! Anos, just you wait!" Liam snarled, his face twisted in rage.
He struggled to his feet, dusting himself off with a trembling hand. The humiliation burned within him.
Liam shot Anos a venomous glance before turning to leave, his dignity bruised.
As he disappeared into the crowd, the corridor erupted into hushed whispers.
Anos strolled over to Sasha, a hint of exasperation in his sigh. "It's a curse being handsome, isn't it? Trouble finds me every day."
Sasha's eyebrows arched. "You provoked someone from the Advanced class? Their weakest member is at least a Stage -Ten Qi Awakening Realm cultivator. Most are Elemental Foundation Realm experts, far surpassing the Intermediate class."
Her voice was laced with concern, her eyes sparkling with worry.
Anos's grin was disarmingly charming. "Sasha, you're worried about me? That's sweet."
Sasha's cheeks flushed as she struggled to comprehend her concern for Anos. His carefree nature and piercing gaze unsettled her.
"Can you be serious for once? If you keep this up, we can't even be friends!" Sasha chided, her voice laced with annoyance.
Anos's nonchalant shrug sparked irritation. "I never planned on being friends with you."
Sasha's eyes widened, her mind racing. What did he mean?
Anos's piercing gaze locked onto hers. "From the start, I wanted you as my partner – in every sense."
Sasha's jaw dropped, her heart skipping a beat. Heat spread through her face, a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"Bastard!" she hissed, teeth clenched.
On the sidelines, Mia watched with wide eyes, no longer invested in defending Sasha. In the past, when Anos pursued Sasha, Mia would intervene, only to find herself teased by Anos as well. Now, she adopted a hands-off approach.
As long as Anos didn't bother her, she was content.
Anos's mischievous grin faded, replaced by genuine curiosity. "But who is this Noah, anyway?" he asked, his voice tinged with interest.
Sasha shook her head subtly, her gaze averted.
Mia's voice cut through the air, her tone laced with disdain and a hint of vulnerability. "I know him – Noah, an Advanced class expert. Rumor has it he's reached the Elemental Foundation Realm, mastering the intricate balance of elements."
Anos's eyes narrowed, intrigue sparking as he leaned in, his voice low and curious. "How do you know him, Mia?"
Mia's expression twisted, her delicate nose wrinkling in distaste. Her eyes flashed with annoyance, and her lips curled into a scornful smile. "He had the audacity to chase me before, relentlessly pursuing me despite my clear disinterest. Ugh, the very thought of him makes my skin crawl."
As she spoke, Mia's hands subtly clenched, her fingernails digging into her palms. The memory of Noah's pursuit evidently still lingered, evoking a mix of disgust and unease.
Anos's gaze lingered on Mia, his expression thoughtful. He sensed the depth of her aversion, and his curiosity grew.