Uzig

"Hahaha..." James cocked his head while laughing uncontrollably. His sudden actions stunned the already puzzled observers. They wondered if he had gone insane.

Aebalar, on the other hand, sported a dazzling grin. However, her eyes oozed bloodlust.

"That's a good one. I haven't laughed this hard in ages," James said. He used his hands to clean the tears gathered at the corners of his eyes in between occasional chuckles.

"Oh. Do you you think—"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" James interjected. His visage had done a complete one eighty. His bloodthirsty eyes met Aebalar's while his lips had twisted into a savage grin.

His sudden reaction surprised Aebalar.

"So what if you have something inside you? You want to kill me? Pfft. Take a fucking number. I don't have time for your bullshit. You've got something inside you, yeah? Pfft."

Saying nothing further, James causally rose to his feet. Before he could take his first step, however, he felt a tug on his robes. Instantly, he lowered his head.

There, he could see Aebalar's body trembling. However, she showed no sign of pain or discomfort. Instead, a deep blush covered her face while drool escaped from the sides of her mouth. She could barely contain her moans.

"I warned you not to make me excited... I don't think I can control myself anymore. You have to take responsibility for this..." Aebalar said. Her voice was ever so soft.

Unlike before, she donned an orgasmic smile which would send shivers down the spines of those who saw it. Coupled with the fact that her eyes had turned pitch black.

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Target has initiated Mana Deviation!

Name: Aebalar.

Age: ???

Race: Demon.

Rank: Student and Knight.

Level: 20-37 (Sorcerer), 60 (Warrior).

Occupation: Sorcerer, Warrior, Soul Tamer, and Torturer.

Path: Darkness.

Current status: Suffering from Mana Deviation.

Effects: Mana in the target fluctuates between levels and only lasts for twelve days. Target will attain the highest level once it completes the Mana Deviation process. Target will suffer mental and physical pain during the Mana Deviation process.

Limitations: Process can kill the target if it succumbs to the pain. Starting the Mana Deviation process does not guarantee the process will increase the level of the target.

Odds of the user defeating the Target: 60%

"Kaleb, you're finally awake. Oh? What are you guys doing? Is this some lovers' quarrel?"

Even without turning his head, James already knew the owner of the voice.

At that moment, a small path opened up among the youths in the eastern part of the room. Henriksen wore a beaming smile as he stared at James and Aebalar. Although the strange scene stirred his curiosity, he didn't put much thought into it. After all, he knew the two had a somewhat problematic relationship.

Aebalar, on the other hand, turned her gaze towards Henriksen. Her countenance had once again returned to normal. She waved at the former monk while sporting a sly grin.

Meanwhile, the other youths keenly stared at Henriksen. Only a few minutes had passed since he brought them the news about the Rights Ceremony. Now that he had returned, they believed the ceremony was about to begin.

"Kaleb, my friend. I thought you wouldn't wake up. It seems you were enjoying your sleep. Hahaha..." Henriksen causally patted James on his shoulder while assisting Aebalar to her feet.

"Can you turn off this annoying alarm?" James said. He wasn't in the mood to banter with Henriksen.

"Hahaha... I'd even forgotten about it. Give me a second." Just then, Henriksen clicked his fingers while muttering inaudible words. A second later, the alarm ceased.

"Aebalar, have you told him about the Rights Ceremony?" Henriksen asked.

"Of course. We had a thrilling chat. We poured out our hearts to each other. Right, Kaleb?" Aebalar teasingly said. Forcefully locking arms with James.

Henriksen had a slight smile tug at the sides of his lips as he watched the comical scene.

'Maybe I shouldn't have paired them together... they're like fire and ice.' Henriksen thought. Since he was in charge of the Odon Forest, naturally he grouped them.

"That's great. Follow me. I'll lead you to where the others are waiting. I will also explain the importance of the ceremony there," Henriksen said.

James and Aebalar nodded. They didn't have a choice. Although James tried to free himself from Aebalar's grasps, she stuck close to him like a leech.

The trio turned around to leave, with Henriksen taking the lead. However, just as they took their tenth step, the voice of a human male reached them. Saying, "Wait a minute!"

A scowl distorted Roth's features as his blue eyes stared at the backs of Henriksen, Aebalar and James. Like most of the youths, he was awake when Henriksen made the declaration about the Rights Ceremony. However, he wasn't able to speak then since he hadn't recovered.

"Ummm... how can I help you?" Henriksen asked. Causally picking his nose. Flicking the waste into the mouth of an unsuspecting youth.

"This isn't fair," Roth said. He folded both arms while staring intently at Henriksen.

"Hmmm... what isn't fair? Friend, I don't think you can blame your height on anyone here," Henriksen retorted. He couldn't stop himself from giggling as Roth's face darkened.

Although he had an above average look and was already nineteen years old, Roth was only five feet tall. Naturally, his height made him insecure, and he slaughtered anyone who dared to mock him with it.

'This bastard... how dare you?! Calm down, Roth. He could be another monster like that creep Boufal.' Roth thought.

Despite Henriksen openly mocking him, Roth had no intentions of lashing out. After all, the events that played out with Boufal remained vivid in his mind.

"The selection process for the Rights Ceremony is unfair. What makes those two more special than us? Because they survived some fucking forest? If we were there, we would have probably survived too. We demand—"

Before Roth could finish his statement, Henriksen and Aebalar's thunderous laughter interrupted him. The duo hung their arms around each other while laughing uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, James turned his attention towards Roth for the first time.

Scanning Completed!

Name:???

Age:???

Rank: Student.

Level: 20.

Occupation: Sorcerer.

Path: Darkness.

Odds of the user eliminating the Target: 100%

James nonchalantly averted his gaze away from Roth. He didn't need to bother with someone who could only serve as fodder.

'That fucking redhead. Does he think he's better than me?!' Thick veins covered Roth's forehead as he glared at James. Out of the three, James's reaction infuriated him the most.

Unlike Henriksen and Aebalar, James's reaction showed utter disdain for Roth's words. And that was a bigger insult to him.

"What's so fucking funny?! Do you think—"

"I honestly don't give a flying fuck about your concerns. Do you think this place is some resort? Who gives two fucks what you think? If you think it's unfair, I can ask the Caretakers to give you a do-over. It shouldn't be too hard to survive the same forest. Hahahaha." Henriksen interjected.

"You two, let's keep going." Henriksen motioned to James and Aebalar.

At that same moment, however, some youths suddenly blocked their path.

"Do you think any of us wants to be here? You either open the ceremony to all of us—"

"Or else what?" Henriksen interrupted Roth once again. He had a dazzling grin on his face while his eyes slowly scanned the room.

'These idiots. Do they have any idea who they're about to piss off?' James mused. He had no intentions of interfering. He wanted to see Roth make a fool of himself.

Although he looked disinterested, he had sensed Roth's malice earlier. If not for wanting to keep a low profile, he wouldn't need more than a minute to turn him into a mess of blood and bones.

"We don't want a confrontation. All we are asking for is that you open the ceremony to everyone," Roth said. He wore a smug grin as he stared at the large Ogre blocking Henriksen's path.

Although he didn't collude with the others, he knew his words would stir the desire in their hearts. After his haunting experience with Boufal, he knew better than to antagonize Henriksen himself.

"You. I'll give you five seconds to get out of my way," Henriksen said. Pointing towards the Ogre blocking his path.

However, the Ogre remained unmoving.

"Human, I compete. Weaklings not better than Uzig. I com—" Before Uzig could complete his statement. Henriksen swung his fist sideways, striking Uzig's massive jaw. At that same moment, Uzig's head turned around his neck thrice. His mouth remained opened while his eyes echoed his shock and confusion.

A second later, Uzig's corpse hit the cold floor. Those who stood behind Uzig had magically disappeared. Hiding and mingling with the other stunned youths. They prayed Henriksen didn't remember their faces.

Roth, on the other hand, swallowed hard as Uzig's corpse hit the floor. His mouth opened several times, however, he couldn't utter a word.

Never would they have thought Henriksen's ordinary punch would cause so much damage.

"Does anyone else have something to say?" Henriksen asked. His eyes slowly scanned the room.

All the youths lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. After Uzig's demise, who in their right senses would oppose him?

"If that's all, I'll be taking my leave," Henriksen said. Turning towards Aebalar and James, he continued, "Hahaha... Sorry for the delay. Let's go."

The duo said nothing, only nodding their heads. Unlike Aebalar, however, James's eyes remain fixated on the display above Henriksen's head.

Scanning Completed!

Name: Henriksen.

Age:???

Level: 38 (Monk). 100 (Great Knight).

Occupation: Monk. Warrior. Interpreter.

Path: Light.

Odds of the user eliminating the Target: 3%