Chapter 18: Becoming a beast

Elias could see the young boy's attire, which was even more luxurious than his own. The boy also had an insignia depicting an eagle that seemed to be flying while carrying a snake in its claws.

Elias didn't know much about this world, but he could tell the boy was from a family just as high-ranking as the Ashborns.

Moreover, was it simply a coincidence that he could see a snake being destroyed by an eagle in that insignia? The symbol of the Ashborn family was a snake devouring its own tail, like an ouroboros after all.

"Is he seriously expecting him to return those things? Did he forget what kind of relationship their families share?"

"The Esterin family and the Ashborn family are like water and fire. There's no way this will end peacefully."

Many in the surroundings had started whispering amongst themselves, subconsciously taking a step back.

If two descendants of the major families actually started fighting right after getting their class, then it was definitely going to be a disaster that they didn't want to get caught in.

"I don't see your name written on them. Can you prove they belong to you?" Rey Von Esterin raised the two vials, having no intention of returning them.

Although he didn't know why Elias wanted them, he could feel that they were extraordinary, especially since they'd appeared from the clouds of heaven. Moreover, if a descendant of the Ashborn family needed them, he had all the more reason to keep them.

"As far as I know, I'm the one who found them on the ground. Seems to have nothing to do with you," he said, keeping the two vials in his pocket.

"Everyone knows they belong to me!" Elias exclaimed. "They fell from my hands!"

Rey arched a brow, feigning innocence. "Oh? Everyone knows? Then let's have a show of hands, shall we?"

He surveyed the surrounding youngsters. "If even one person here agrees with your story and accepts that they belong to you, I'll gladly return them to you."

Elias's gaze swept across the faces of the other awakeners, but he was only met with averted eyes and a frightening silence. No one wanted to help him; they were too worried about their own safety.

Even those from major families, who weren't scared of Rey, didn't raise their hands. They were mere spectators, entertained by the conflict, indifferent to the winner. Their gazes were filled with mockery, like gods enjoying the spectacle of a world devoured.

It was exactly the same way that his brother was looking at earth when it was being destroyed by the virus of his own creation.

Elias didn't feel sad that there were people who were scared, but what made him absolutely disgusting were the descendants of the major family.

They were never going to help him. Although this place was called an Academy, in reality, it was a world where the strong devoured the weak.

Rey Von Esterin was simply enjoying watching the despair on Elias' face. It felt even more precious than any object that he might have taken from Elias.

'This is just the beginning. I am absolutely going to destroy you. Through you, I will drag the entire Ashborn Family to hell...' The corner of his lips crept up, but his eyes were still extremely cold, as he hadn't forgotten the reason he was doing all this.

The descendants of the other major families also looked disappointed in Elias. They thought they were going to see some action, or a battle where the two were going to reveal the strength and weakness of the class that they had gained.

Unfortunately, Elias looked like he was already broken. They could see him shivering, feeling as if he was scared.

"If this is enough to break him, then it is quite a disappointment." A woman who was watching the spectacle lazily, mumbled.

"I thought he would be like the Eldest Son of the Ashborn Family who went on a killing spree, and killed the Eldest Son of the Esterin Family. It seems like he's even worse than even the fourth son."

She sighed, seemingly bored and turned around. She started walking away, not interested in this anymore.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a laughter started echoing in the surroundings. The sound of maniacal laughter broke the scary silence.

The girl turned around, her frown deepening. She looked at the source of the laughter. To her surprise, it was coming from Elias, who until recently looked like he was broken.

Elias covered his face with his palms, unable to stop his laughter for some reason.

"Did he go crazy? Why did he start laughing out of nowhere?" Almost everyone had the same question in their minds, as they saw Elias laughing.

"I seem to be turning into a goldfish." After a long time, Elias stopped laughing, lowering his hands to reveal his eyes that looked entirely different than before. "I keep forgetting that I am not amongst humans."

Although his eyes were still the same shade and same color, something was different in them. It was as if it was a completely different person.

He was repeatedly reminded that he couldn't rely on anyone else. The people here were not humans. They were beasts, who were hiding under human skin. This world was not for the kind.

If he wanted something, he could only take it with his own hands. He had to become a beast if he wanted to survive in this cruel world. He couldn't ask for kindness from others. Instead, he had to leave his own kindness behind.

So what if they were from the major families? So what if they were descendants of families that held great power? If they wanted to make him into their stepping stone, then he could only run wild.

"I keep treating trash like humans." His fingers brushed through his hair, pushing them back, as he raised his head.

"Have you finally lost your mind?" Rey asked, but instead of getting an answer, he saw Elias rushing towards him.

There was already less than a few meters of distance between them. Before he could even react, Elias had covered the distance.

The next thing that everyone saw made their jaws drop. Many even looked in horror, unable to believe what they had seen.