Rank 32, Diana, was launched into the air and thrown with such force out of the arena that she broke through the wall, leaving a large crack where her body had hit.
"They really are weaker than I thought."
Serenya remained standing in the center of the arena, her nose held high and a proud expression on her face. Enrico, Caelan, and Elian applauded her victory, while Serenya looked toward the top of the stands, where her mother remained seated. She did not show the slightest smile, but Serenya had already expected that. Her mother would probably only truly smile when she reached Class S.
What really worried Serenya, however, was the fact that her mother was one of the three teachers of Class A.
"I hope she doesn't bother my subordinates... especially my right-hand man."
Serenya whispered as she looked at the others, especially Enrico, before running toward them. The next fight was Valença's. Her opponent launched a large fireball, but Valença responded with an even larger fireball that completely swallowed the Rank 33 student's attack. The difference in power was clear, and shortly afterward, Valença also secured her victory.
Finally, it was the turn of Rank 34, Jorge, a young knight. He entered the arena and looked at Kai, but became irritated when he noticed the disappointed expression on his opponent's face.
"Don't you think you're underestimating me?"
Kai raised his head, still looking disappointed.
"Sorry, but I wanted to fight Rank 32 or 33. But they pointed first, so I had to settle for you."
Kai said it so innocently that Jorge became even more irritated. As soon as the teacher authorized the start of the fight, Jorge charged forward with his sword, aiming directly at Kai's throat. However, before he could complete the movement, his sword was cut apart. In the next instant, a blade was already pressed against his neck.
"The battle is over. Kai is the new Rank 34."
Jorge fell to his knees, completely frustrated, while Kai sighed and walked toward Enrico with a smile.
"Enrico, when are we going to have our rematch? I want to fight someone strong."
Enrico looked at him with white eyes and, through them, noticed Jorge clenching his fist in frustration. Perhaps he could be useful in the future.
"In the future. You're still not on my level."
[Liar.]
'Oh, system. I didn't hear you comment on anything, so I thought you had died.'
[Tsk, as if that were possible.]
Kai, however, completely believed Enrico's blatant lie and clenched his own fist with determination.
"Then I have to train more."
Meanwhile, Virelle approached the students while watching Elian fight against Rank 77 of Class B.
"You all did well. I'll leave you in Sir Drenholm and Borem's hands and go to Class A."
Everyone asked at the same time:
"And the duel?"
"I canceled it."
Sairus's eyes shot sparks toward Virelle. Serenya, on the other hand, became curious.
"And who are you going to challenge?"
To be honest, she wanted Virelle to challenge her own mother.
"Professor Park."
"Tsk."
Virelle narrowed her eyes upon hearing Serenya's little "tsk." The girl immediately began whistling, pretending she had done absolutely nothing.
After all the fights ended, Serenya, Enrico, Elian, and Caelan went to the storage room they used to spend time in. This time, however, they ended up bringing Kai, Valença, Liam, and Sílvia with them. As soon as she entered, Sílvia looked around, sitting in a chair with a curious expression.
"So this is where you guys hang out? Isn't this prohibited?"
"Hohohoho, of course it is. But they won't know."
Sílvia's eyes widened at Serenya's audacity. After a few seconds, however, she simply looked away, as if she had decided not to get involved.
"Okay... and what is he doing?"
She pointed at Enrico.
The boy was standing in front of a cabinet, surrounded by several vases, maintaining a serious posture as if he were a guardian protecting some treasure.
"Don't mind the subordinate. He just collects vases."
Sílvia stared at Enrico in silence, trying to understand how that explanation could possibly make any sense.
"Oh no, I'm going to fall."
Elian suddenly jumped onto one of the vases, but Enrico grabbed him by the collar before he could even touch it. His expression became dark.
"Do you want to die?"
"Sorry, I slipped."
Elian smiled awkwardly, but Enrico simply threw him out of the room. Caelan tried to approach from behind shortly afterward, but received a kick and was sent crashing into the wall. Enrico then returned to the vases and remained around them, like an angry cat protecting its territory.
Serenya watched him with a strange gleam in her eyes.
"How cute."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
Enrico narrowed his eyes for a few seconds, but eventually calmed down and sat down. While the others talked, he began thinking about what he would need to do from then on. First, he needed to prevent Lan and his subordinates from having any opportunity to take revenge. Second, he needed to start revealing to his companions what he knew about Ego Weapons.
'Alright. This will be the plan.'
Enrico looked at everyone.
"Everyone, I'd like to talk about something."
Everyone turned their attention to him, while Elian and Caelan also returned to the room after being thrown out.
"Lan will definitely want revenge, and the other three will too. So, we have to completely destroy them every day so they don't feel like taking revenge."
[You sound like a villain, you know? You know they won't agree, right?]
"Alright."
Everyone answered at the same time.
Serenya's eyes became serious.
"I already didn't like him, nor that girl I fought."
Valença agreed, while Kai crossed his arms with a somewhat doubtful expression on his face, but seemed to agree.
"I don't want them getting in the way of my rematch when I become stronger either."
[Even the protagonist... Wasn't he supposed to be the good guy? What did you do?]
Enrico did not hear anything the system said.
"The second thing I'd like to talk about is Ego Weapons."
Everyone was surprised. Serenya was the first to ask:
"Isn't that how knights become stronger than Seventh Circle magicians, since they can only reach the Sixth?"
"Yes. And I'd like you to start now."
Serenya seemed a little confused. Normally, this ability was only used by people she considered weak.
"Subordinate, that's only for people who use weapons."
"Besides, it's better to focus on magic for now."
Valença spoke next while looking at Enrico with some confusion. He, however, simply smiled and created his fire bow. The weapon appeared in his hands, much more stable and well-defined than when he was still in the Zero Circle.
"Are you sure you want to stay behind me? Because I've already started creating my Ego Weapon."
Everyone looked at the bow. They had already noticed that the flames were much more controlled now, but they had not imagined that Enrico was actually creating an Ego Weapon.
They did not know exactly how these weapons came into existence. They only knew the result: most knights started with a physical weapon and, through it, developed their Ego Weapon. No one there imagined that it was possible to begin creating one directly from their own magic.
Enrico observed their surprised expressions.
"Do you want me to explain?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the storage room wall, two people were listening to the entire conversation.
"What an interesting boy. Really interesting."
"He is. But I want to train him, so don't get involved."
They were Damian and Virelle. Both had gone to the location separately, but ended up meeting while observing Enrico.
Virelle, especially, did not seem at all pleased with Damian's interest in her student.
Damian simply continued smiling as he looked inside the storage room.