The tension in the air was palpable as Anos and Emily locked eyes, the surrounding students instinctively sensing the brewing storm. Emily stood confidently, her arms crossed and a smirk playing on her lips, a mixture of arrogance and challenge evident in her stance.
"What? Are you really considering hitting me? You think you can just get away with it because I'm a girl?" she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain, as she leaned in closer, daring him to act.
Anos met her gaze unflinchingly, a smirk forming on his lips. "I'm not just any guy, Emily. I don't follow your rules, especially not when you think you can walk all over me."
Without warning, he delivered a sharp backhand slap that echoed through the courtyard like a thunderclap, the sound cutting through the chatter of the nearby students. The collective gasp of shock reverberated among the onlookers, their expressions shifting from disbelief to awe at the audacity of the act.
"Ding ... Successfully slapped a big sister. This is the behavior of a scumbag. Scumbag Value + 500000."
Emily staggered back, her hand flying to her face in disbelief, eyes wide with shock. "How dare you? You'll pay for that!" she shouted, the anger in her voice boiling over as she glared at him, her cheeks flushed with humiliation.
Anos shrugged, a nonchalant smile dancing on his lips. "Maybe. But I'm not losing sleep over it," he replied, turning on his heel with a swagger, his confidence unwavering.
As he walked away, whispers erupted among the students, their shock quickly transforming into a mix of admiration and incredulity. Some exchanged incredulous glances, others grinned, marveling at Anos's boldness. He had done what few would dare, and it felt oddly satisfying to them—an unexpected twist to their mundane day.
"Anos! You think you can just walk away from this? I'll make you regret it!" Emily's voice rang out, laced with venom as she picked herself up, her fury evident as she tried to regain her composure.
Fatty Tom, practically bursting with excitement, scampered after Anos, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "Big brother Anos! That was incredible! You really took her down a notch!" he exclaimed, his voice full of awe as he caught up to him.
Anos chuckled, shaking his head, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his tone. "It's not about being incredible, Tom. It's about showing people like her that they can't push others around. They need to know there are consequences."
"Yeah! She treats guys like they're beneath her," Fatty Tom agreed, his grin widening. "You really showed her what's up! It's like you knocked her off her high horse!"
"Exactly," Anos replied, his voice dropping slightly in seriousness. "Now, go back to class. I'll help you with Isla when I can. Just give me some time." The promise hung in the air, a light at the end of Fatty Tom's romantic tunnel.
Fatty Tom nodded eagerly, his enthusiasm infectious. "You got it! With you on my side, I feel like I can actually make a move!" His excitement was palpable as he bounced away, ready to spread the news of Anos's boldness.
As the crowd began to disperse, Anos stepped into the Virtual Combat Room, where the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The dimly lit space was filled with the sounds of avatars clashing and students shouting strategies, each lost in their own world of training. Anos felt a thrill course through him; the impending battle against the Demonic Beasts loomed large, and time was running short.
....
Anos immersed himself in his training, every fiber of his being focused on each simulated enemy encounter. He pushed himself harder, driven by the knowledge that the true test loomed just beyond the horizon. After an hour of grueling practice, with sweat trickling down his brow and his muscles aflame from exertion, he decided it was time to contemplate the Amelia mission assigned to him by the system.
He was currently at 70% completion on his mission, with 30% still ahead. The reward for successfully finishing this mission was a piece of Spiritual Equipment known as The Dark Covenant. Anos's mind raced with possibilities. What could " The Dark Covenant " be? A fearsome weapon? A piece of impenetrable armor? The mere name suggested a formidable power, one he could hardly fathom. For now, he wielded only one piece of Spiritual Equipment: the Celestial Serpent Blade, gifted to him by Miss Sofia. While it was an 8-star Yellow Rank weapon—a decent prize—it was not enough. Anos craved defensive Spiritual Equipment, something he could don to shield himself from harm. High-quality defensive gear could significantly mitigate damage from attacks until it eventually succumbed to wear.
"I missed you and thought I'd surprise you," he said, flashing her a disarming smile that could charm the stars.
"Really? How original," Amelia shot back, turning away to focus on her reading, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What's caught your attention so much?" Anos leaned closer, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair that lingered in the air.
Amelia refused to respond, her determination to ignore him evident.
"Are you upset with me?" he asked, tilting his head curiously, wanting to draw her out of her shell.
She huffed in reply, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Is it because of me pinching your butt cheeks last time?" Anos prodded, mischief glimmering in his eyes.
Enjoy new chapters from empire
Ding... Feeling shyness from Amelia, Scumbag Value + 10,000. Mission Progress: 80%.
Anos fought back a laugh; her reaction confirmed his suspicions that she was sensitive about the incident.
"Don't you dare mention that again!" she snapped, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and irritation.
"Alright, alright! I promise I'll let it go," he replied quickly, sensing her growing annoyance and wanting to diffuse the situation.
With a mischievous grin, he picked up a random book from the table and pretended to read. After a few moments of exaggerated concentration, he exclaimed, "You know, I could've pinched your butt cheek even more that day."
Ding... Feeling shyness from Amelia, Scumbag Value + 10,000. Mission Progress: 90%.
"Why can't you just drop it? I'm actually annoyed!" Amelia protested, her cheeks burning. Some girls could handle playful banter, but others had their limits!
Anos raised his hands defensively, his expression earnest. "I swear, I didn't mean to tease you! I just wanted to explain why I came here."
Amelia scrutinized him, her expression softening slightly. "Fine! Then explain yourself. I'm all ears!" she challenged, crossing her arms defiantly yet intrigued.
.....