Chapter 23: Magic user Eric?

His tone was incredibly casual, as if he didn't even regard Black Serpent as a threat. This attitude immediately amused Black Serpent.

A sinister smile spread across his face as he turned around and made a gesture with his hand. "Bring that guy over here!"

Behind him, Kevin was barely able to scream anymore. The two massive Physical-Cultivation Practitioners who had been beating him finally stopped, dragging his battered body to Eric.

"So, you want to save this guy, huh? You think you're going to end up like him?" Black Serpent's voice was as cold as ice.

Kevin forced his swollen eyes to glance up at Eric, his voice weak. "You? Well, at least there'll be someone to take the beating with me."

At the back, the students were all on edge, especially Alicia. Dealing with just Kevin was already troublesome enough, but now Eric had gotten himself involved.

She could only hope that Eric would keep his tone civil, to avoid making things spiral completely out of control.

Eric, hearing Black Serpent's words, slowly lifted his eyelids, his expression unchanged as he said flatly, "I think you need to calm down, unless you want to make an enemy of a powerful Magic user."

Alicia's face immediately turned pale, and Andy, along with the others, began to feel frustrated.

"I thought this guy might have some brilliant plan to save Kevin, but it looks like all he's doing is bringing up the family name?" Andy muttered, stomping his foot in disbelief.

Other students were equally dismayed, "Is he really talking about the strong Magic user from the class leader's family? Oh my god, does he have any sense at all?"

Only Lilith remained calm, her expression unchanged. As the murmurs and complaints spread around her, she found herself inexplicably feeling more confident.

'Could it be because Eric is here?' Lilith herself couldn't quite place the feeling, but it was there, a sense of newfound strength.

Meanwhile, Alicia was on the verge of breaking down. Her mind was in chaos, the pressure was overwhelming, and she couldn't help but tug at Eric's sleeve from behind.

"Don't worry, class leader, I told you I'd help you," Eric turned and gave a gentle smile.

Alicia was in a panic. "Help me? You're just making things worse! You don't know how powerful these people are. They don't fear me!"

Eric, after hearing this, replied, "I know they don't fear you. But they will fear me, or rather, they have a reason to."

Eric's voice was loud and clear, not only did Alicia and the other students hear it, but so did Black Serpent and his crew.

"What... did you say?" Alicia's eyes went wide.

"Because I am the powerful Magic user," Eric said, his voice steady but filled with absolute certainty.

"Powerful Magic user?" Black Serpent laughed outright. "You? A mere high school kid, are you trying to make a joke out of me?"

Eric stared at him, his expression calm. "That's right, it's me." His tone was steady, without a hint of hesitation.

Black Serpent immediately tightened his grip on the large knife in his hand. "Alright, alright, this is getting more ridiculous by the minute. Now, I'm going to show you just how harsh reality can be."

The atmosphere in the area immediately grew tense.

Behind Eric, the group of students stood frozen in fear, too terrified to even breathe.

Just then, one of the large men behind Black Serpent suddenly changed his expression. "Wait a minute... Eric?"

He had been blocked by the others earlier, but after hearing Eric's conversation with Black Serpent, the voice seemed familiar. When he stepped forward and took a closer look, he realized it was Eric.

The tall man had a red serpent tattoo on his body he was Red Snake.

"Red Snake?" Eric raised an eyebrow, looking at the man.

At the same time, the group of students exchanged surprised glances. "What? Eric knows one of these guys?"

Black Serpent furrowed his brows and turned to Red Snake. "What's going on?"

Red Snake replied, "Boss, this is the kid I was talking about the other day. At the time, my injury hadn't healed, so I could only use about thirty percent of my strength."

Black Serpent sized Eric up, disbelief written all over his face. "This is the so-called Magic genius you were talking about?"

Red Snake nodded seriously. "It's the truth. Based on what I saw that day, Eric's Magic skills are so impressive that calling him a genius isn't an exaggeration."

Red Snake went on, "I'm certain. From what I saw a few days ago, this kid named Eric has Magic abilities that far surpass his peers. In terms of fighting ability, he might even be on par with me."

Although Red Snake was older, his talent was limited, leaving him only at the level of a Low-level Physical-Cultivation Practitioner. The rest of their gang were also Low-level Physical-Cultivation Practitioners, except for Black Serpent, who was an Intermediate-level Physical-Cultivation Practitioner.

In a fight with Eric, who was a Low-level Magic user, they had no real advantage.

Upon hearing this, Black Serpent's eyes flickered with thought. First, he realized that Eric was indeed an extraordinary being, which meant his usual privileges didn't apply. Second, Eric's immense talent and unknown background made him a far more dangerous opponent. Magic users were already considered noble by nature.

In this situation, Black Serpent knew it would be best to avoid provoking Eric if possible. After weighing his options, the murderous intent in Black Serpent's eyes slowly began to recede.

"Since you say so, of course, I believe you." Black Serpent said to Red Snake behind him.

Red Snake immediately suggested, "Since this kid is Eric's classmate, boss, let them all go. After all, we've already given them a beating."

At this point, it seemed like the whole situation had been resolved. Kevin, who was lying on the ground like a dead dog, was bruised and battered, but still conscious.

Kevin was completely stunned after hearing the conversation that had just transpired.

And the other students, including Alicia, all felt the same way. They couldn't believe what they had just heard, as it was so surreal.

A powerful Magic user, Eric those two things together just didn't make sense. It was impossible to imagine.

"Eric is strong enough to make this gang back off? It just doesn't add up." One of the students muttered, still in disbelief.

Alicia frowned and couldn't help but quietly remind Eric from behind, "Eric, if they find out you're just faking it, it will end badly for you!"

Although Kevin couldn't speak, he didn't believe Eric was some powerful Magic user. However, he had to admit that he now saw Eric in a different light.

'Eric, you risked getting sliced up by the gang just to save me with your bluffing. Once we get out of here, I swear I'll never mess with you again.' Kevin thought to himself.

Just as everyone thought Black Serpent was about to let them go, Black Serpent suddenly bent down, grabbed the severely wounded Kevin, and tossed him with force toward Alicia.

"Kevin!" Andy and several of his lackeys quickly caught Kevin. "Thank goodness, Kevin is safe!"

Kevin lay in Andy's arms, muttering, "Damn, I can't believe Eric actually saved me. This guy's got a good head on his shoulders."

But in the next moment, Black Serpent suddenly spoke coldly, "I'll let that guy go, but this kid's situation isn't over yet!"

As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere grew tense once again. Red Snake's face showed confusion, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Boss, it's not that I don't respect you, but the way this kid spoke earlier really rubbed me the wrong way."

"So what if he's a Magic user? He acted like he's superior to us. I can't stand that kind of attitude. We Physical-Cultivation Practitioners are not inferior to Magic users!" Black Serpent's words were followed by a sudden outburst. He raised his large knife and swung it toward Eric!

"Whoosh!"

Everything happened so fast that almost no one had time to react.

Red Snake's expression changed drastically, and Alicia and the others covered their mouths, breathing heavily.

"Eric!" Alicia couldn't stop him in time, and even if she had, her strength wouldn't have been enough to prevent it.

The large blade was about to slice through Eric's throat.

Eric stood frozen in place, his face changing rapidly. While he had been mentally prepared for Black Serpent's sudden move, he never expected the speed of an Intermediate-level Physical Cultivation Practitioner to be this fast!

Black Serpent was like lightning. At that moment, Eric had no chance to dodge. His physical abilities felt as slow as a snail in comparison.

It seemed like Eric had fallen into a deadly situation, and even Red Snake behind him looked horrified.

"Thud!"

But in the next moment, Eric's figure suddenly disappeared.