Chapter 334: Next Target
As soon as Bryan was brought up, the air around them became awkward.
It was confirmation that the three of them also noticed the same thing.
Bryan wasn’t going to make it.
A few years ago, the Guard Angels were also students of Eventide Academy. Students who were learning, training, and mining under the academy’s umbrella. But due to their low talent, either from having a low number of Divine Locks or not having the favour of their Patron God, they could not reach higher ranks.
In the case of an Awakened Supernal, their blood vessels simply refused to evolve.
Refused to turn into Awakened Blood Vessels.
Such a thing narrowed their future path to only one—becoming Guard Angels.
Just like Angels who sacrificed themselves to mine mana ores so that Demons could grow, the Guard Angels sacrificed themselves so that talented Angels could grow stronger. For the rest of their lives, they would remain where they were right now.
And their path to grow stronger was narrowed to becoming Grade-4 Awakened Supernal.
It was the height of what they could achieve.
"I think you’re being too hasty," Matilda replied. "He’s slow—but I think his divine bloodline would still allow him to reach Aspirant Supernal. Just give him time, and he would break into the Aspirant Supernal rank."
Abigail was allocated the group’s legal mana ores the latest.
So, it was concerning that Bryan was overtaken by her progress despite having more time.
"Yes—he might still succeed, but what if he didn’t?" Bree turned to look at Matilda. "We need to think about what to do if the worst-case scenario happened. Kicking him out of the Ambrosia Pact is natural, but should we replace him?"
"I think that’ll be unfair for Bryan," Matilda rebutted. "We have to at least give him the benefit of the doubt. And he’s not that low in talent. I’m sure he could still reach the Aspirant Supernal rank."
"Even if he could, can he do it in time?"
"Pressure can do wondrous things."
Considering how hard-working Bryan was and the fact that he has above two Divine Locks— chances are, he would still be able to reach the Aspirant Supernal rank. Just that whether that would happen within the set timeframe.
And for Bree, it didn’t seem likely.
Not at all.
"You didn’t strike me as someone sentimental," Bree remarked sharply.
"I am not." Matilda’s eyes narrowed. "But Dorian is. Do you think he’d accept if we suddenly kicked Bryan?"
"Four against one. I don’t think he has any say in the matter. Besides, it’ll hurt less if we kicked him now than later."
"But if we give him time, Dorian would be able to accept it more easily than if we do it right now."
"Okay, that’s enough." Kai finally broke their argument and straightened his back. He stared at Bree, and then at Matilda, telling them to stop arguing with his gaze alone. "Matilda is right; we need to give him time. If not for him, then for Dorian."
"Hm? Are you—"
"But Bree also has a point," Kai continued before Bree could cut his words. "It’ll be easier for Bryan to accept reality if he knew where we stand. So—I’m going to tell him directly that he’s to be removed if he can’t become an Aspirant Supernal within our agreed timeframe. Happy?"
Neither answered, and Kai accepted that as them agreeing with his decision.
It was the middle ground and also the best path for everyone.
"Oh, I was expecting to only meet with you."
Just then, Kai’s body froze when he heard the familiar voice.
At the entrance of the Aerial Stable—a cloaked figure stood. She spared a glance at the sleeping stable master while brushing the snow from her cloak. Though she could simply use mana to melt it, she patted it down instead.
She couldn’t stand out too much in Eventide Academy.
Since the Dragon Ring Tournament, the Chancellor had increased the level of security.
Not only did the Guard Angels roam around even more, even through the harsh snow, but he also activated a barrier that would sense any mana activity across the entire academy—and its surroundings.
It was precisely why the students were all called a couple of months ago.
All of them were told to infuse their mana into a crystal ball.
An item that could remember the unique mana trait of a specific student.
Combined with the barrier, any outsiders who used mana within the area would be detected.
Several professors would be sent out, or even a dean.
Due to that, this woman—Julialla—couldn’t use her mana to do anything.
Julialla’s piercing bronze eyes moved from Matilda to Bree—then, with measured steps, she approached them. "Can you really trust these two?" She asked, lazily pointing at the two with her index finger. "As a woman myself, I can say that we’re really good at hiding our true face, especially from a man."
Bree and Matilda looked at Julialla.
Even though she was suppressing her mana, they could tell that she was incredibly powerful.
More importantly, the air around her was ice-cold, but not the kind of cold they knew. Because of the Blood Rite, every student already carried a chilling air—they were killers, survivors, all of them were.
But hers was different.
It sank into the bones and tightened the lungs.
Even standing near her made Bree and Matilda struggle to breathe.
"I trust them with my life," Kai said without hesitation. "I can vouch for them."
"Suit yourself." She shrugged, and then stretched out her hand. "Now... I believe today was your deadline to give me something—to give me the head of a Grey Orc Chieftain. Did you succeed in killing one? Or should I return with bad news?"
Kai grabbed the Chieftain’s head from his side and tossed it over.
He didn’t even bother standing up to hand it over to her properly.
"Why bother asking when you already knew the answer?" Kai replied nonchalantly.
"How can I know?" Julialla chuckled and bent down to verify the head.
As she was doing that, Kai’s brows furrowed together.
Wait... She’s not the one who was watching me in the Barbarian Hold?
Back in that desert, Kai always felt an eye on his back wherever he went. Naturally, he thought it was Julialla. Even though she couldn’t use mana near Eventide Academy, that place was far away from Eventide Academy.
So, she could spy on him if she wanted to.
Is she lying? No—she answered it too naturally. I don’t think she’s lying. But then, who was it?
Kai frowned in contemplation, but Julialla had already finished verifying the head.
"It really is the head of a Grey Orc Chieftain." She nodded repeatedly. "Not bad. I thought the requirements would be too hard for you, but it seems like I was wrong. Good work. You’re one step closer to gaining His approval.
"You still remember what you need to do, right?"
Kai didn’t answer instantly.
He could feel Matilda’s and Bree’s eyes locked onto him.
"Do remind me again." Kai finally replied. "I can see you’re itching to say it."
"You will participate in the Lower Olympian Ring next week. Your target is a student from Lis Angla Academy—Spissos, a Supernal of Poseidon. He is the champion of a stubborn thorn in His side. Another Demigod who has been getting in His way. You are to humiliate him."
"Humiliate?" Bree spoke up in confusion. "You mean beat him in the tournament?"
"Just being able to participate in the Lower Olympian Ring is already an honour for a student. Do you think losing there would be a humiliation?" Julialla’s eyes narrowed at Bree. "No—it won’t be. He would need to do more."
She reached for her inner pocket and took out a black envelope with a blood-red stamp.
And then, she threw it at Kai in a spin.
Kai caught it and kept staring at Julialla, waiting for her to explain.
"Open it." She instructed. "In that envelope is more information about your target."
Once Kai opened it and unfolded the paper, he read the content and realized that it contained everyone around Spissos. Starting from his group members, those close to him—and even his recent feats.
But then, Kai’s grip on the paper tightened.
It crumpled the paper, but he didn’t care as his eyes were fixated on a particular name.
"Archangel Morriva...?" he muttered.
"Yes," Julialla nodded. "You don’t need to know the details—but she’s currently getting in the way of Him. Having one of her champions humiliated would greatly help Him in getting what He wanted. So, do not fail."
Kai couldn’t contain the curl on his lips.
Both Matilda and Bree noticed that, which made them curious about what was in the paper.
"I have also done my own research," Julialla said as she turned around to leave. "If you want to hurt Spissos most, then aim for Katrina. His stepsister, who also became an Angel in the same year as him. Consider this information a gift from your senior."
Upon saying that, she headed out again.
She came only to verify whether Kai had what it takes to gain His approval.
Now that she did, there was no need for her to stick around anymore.
"I have a question." Kai stood up, stopping Julialla dead in her tracks, and raised the envelope in his hand. "The intel written in this letter is quite impressive, and I can’t help but wonder... will our enemies be the same? Can they research me as well as this?"
"If you know about them—then they know about you." Julialla’s voice was firm, unyielding. "But there’s nothing to worry about. Your only family—your only weakness—is dead. And as for these two, I’m sure they can handle themselves.
"Also, if you two ever need a sponsor, I’m still open to help."
Once she said that, she waved her hand and covered her head with the hood again.
She disappeared into the snow, leaving the three behind.
Kai sat back down again and collected his thoughts, digesting the information he had gotten.
And once again, his lips cracked into a smile.
I didn’t expect it to go like this, but I’m glad that I took the risk in accepting the Demigod.
His only lead regarding the Demon Man came from Professor Hera, saying that the only one who might know the identity of the Demon Man was Archangel Morriva—the one who stood beside the Demon Man during that wretched speech at orientation.
If anyone knew his identity, it would be her.
Now, Archangel Morriva appeared in this paper he was still holding tightly.
She would be present at the Lower Olympian Ring, then.
Since her champion would be fighting, it was most likely that she would be there.
And for the first time, Kai could meet with her again face-to-face.
Kai was caught by surprise when he saw the name—but now that he knew that she was going to be in the Lower Olympian Ring, he needed to make sure that he could utilize this situation as much as he could.
To find out more about the Demon Man.
One step at a time. Soon, I will make sure he sleeps and never wakes up again.