Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Rising Rivalries

"Woah, I feel like my punch will do more damage now," the lightning martial artist blurted out while trying some random moves.

It wasn't just him; everyone was feeling a little excited after sensing the power of Aura course through their body and its nourishing effects.

Of course, most had calmed down and put an arrogant expression to hide their embarrassment at the childish excitement.

Only Ziva seemed to be stifling her laughter, keeping a nonchalant expression on her face after forming her Aura even before Amael or Helios.

If looks could kill, she would have died ten times over from the glares of hatred, jealousy and envy surrounding her.

But still, one person was missing after they looked around.

Turning their heads and scanning the group to ensure no one was absent, a student whispered, "Where is Jash Ramille?"

Even though it was just a whisper, how could it have escaped Aileen's senses?

"He has long formed his Aura and has already gone to the duel class," Aileen explained, keen on seeing their surprised looks.

She deliberately didn't mention any time, and let them speculate, preventing him from being targeted.

Of course, she had other reasons and her words made the students realize that they were standing here like idiots after forming their Aura.

All they did were some light stretches and had no clue they could use this time to train in the duel hall.

But... it appeared as if some were aware of it, but purposefully didn't go.

Though, every single one of them was currently regretting their decision.

After all, which genius hadn't been hailed as the prodigy of the generation? And some even mentioned them to have the potential to become a SSS-Rank Hunter.

However, geniuses could be arrogant but not idiotic; they didn't whine or make excuses to display their patheticness.

Excluding a few dimwits, most realized what they wanted to ignore this whole time: 'Maybe I... was not the best, perhaps... I am not the prodigy everyone claims...'

At this moment, everyone collectively accepted the fact that Jash was stronger than them, but did that mean they gave up?

No.

They were meant to soar and they will soar the skies irrespective of anyone else.

Focusing on Amael and Helios, one could see that Amael was smiling acceptingly with nonchalance while Helios seemed to display reluctant acceptance on his face.

'Maybe I should save him, with this talent he would be useful,' Amael thought for a second before giving up.

In fact, he knew nothing about the ones planning this attack, and he doubted if it was ever revealed...

In that manner, Helios was the same and that's how he consoled himself, 'He'll die soon anyway, the brighter he shines, the more eyes will be attracted to him.'

In the end, one calmly accepted the situation while the other only consoled himself with his delusions of everything going as it did in his past life.

Yet, the person observing them carefully was doubtful as she noted their expressions.

Aileen thought of comforting them but there were no words that came to her mind.

If Jash was a rank or sub-rank ahead of them, it would be fine, but the highest ranked were Amael and Helios. Sёarᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

What else could she do except hiding Jash's Aura manifestation time and being vague about it?

If she told them directly, it would affect them mentally. It was better to let them accept the reality—the wall—in front of them.

Even geniuses had levels and he was ahead of them, so they shouldn't hold on to him, or else they would just be implicating themselves.

And wasn't it better than finding excuses as to why Jash was stronger?

Yet that didn't mean they gave up, instead the fire in their hearts burned even brighter.

'I will defeat him!'

Some made Jash their end goal, their target that needed to be defeated in order to prove themselves and heal their pride.

While a few didn't even have such extravagant dreams, accepting the cold harsh reality of being inferior and only hoping for Jash to not be a bully.

If only they knew that the person in their thoughts was busy considering how to grow stronger and limit what he showed outside, they would want to beat themselves.

However, one thing was for sure, Jash was quite calm and didn't have to forcefully control his mana and Aura from going berserk.

'This feels relaxing,' he mused as the burden on his mind seemed to have decreased a lot, and a cool sensation lingered around his head.

After the last few minutes of practice, Jash stopped as the Duel Class was about to start.

"Haa..." He sighed before setting aside his sword and relaxing a bit to not overstrain his muscles and exited the training room.

Only a minute or so remained before the class began, so the vast room of the Duel Class was filled with all the students and Aileen.

'Hm? Who's she talking to?' Jash was confused after only seeing the person's back.

The man had a tall stature and broad shoulders with curly brown hair, but it didn't ring any bells in Jash's mind.

'Is he someone important?' Jash wondered, unable to hold his curiosity over what made Aileen have a cold expression.

While she usually remained cold and aloof, Jash knew of her personality to be sure that she wouldn't give anyone the cold shoulder... unless the other party deserved it.

And as if sensing Jash, both the parties turned to look at him with no change in their expression as if they couldn't see him.

'Quite a good mask,' Jash praised the curly-haired instructor for being able to keep his stoic expression, but his eyes gave him away.

They seemed to be focused on him, and Jash was aware that nothing good would come out of it... until he got something out of it.

The conversation had actually been going on for quite some minutes, but the students around weren't aware of it.

Even Jash was surprised by their lack of interest in the professor's conversation, or maybe the students were afraid to be labeled as eavesdroppers?

Jash didn't know but he too followed the student's glances.

The huge hall had multiple machines and weapons and it consisted of everything that people could utilize in duels.

But the most important thing was the training rooms.

The entire facility was somewhat similar to gyms back in his previous life in a certain sense.

Just that they were made for awakeners and were specifically designed for the freshmen only.

Each year had its own duel hall, consisting of better facilities in order to accommodate their greater strength than the first years.

'It sure looks grand,' Jash commented inwardly while walking near the professors and finally heard a snippet of their conversation.

'I knew it... it just had to be this guy,' he cursed inwardly and scowled as if his mood had been soured.

"...to convince him to drop out of Elemental Theory," Ronan, the curly-haired professor of Sword Arts Class, said without a care.

If one didn't know the ins and outs, it was too difficult to even consider it a lie.

However, Aileen had lived one of the harshest lives out there when compared to the other professors, how could she fall for simple statements?

Truthfully, she wanted to scoff at his face and dismiss him, but she did see his throbbing veins as if he really wanted Jash to be a part of the Sword Art Class.

'Didn't I already say no? Why is she not saying...' Jash thought, remembering his recent chat with Aileen.