Argument

*Boom*

At once a training room at some distance from me exploded, clouds of dust and smoke clogged my vision from seeing anything. The air had a stench of rotted blood and flesh yet immediately after, the dust, dirt and even the stench dissipated as if it never existed in the first place.

After my vision was restored, I finally recognised the figure which emerged from it…Azrael.

He was still wearing an all black attire, his hair was messy giving him a rough look. For some reason his power seemed more potent even though he was still the same rank as before.

Kaltain also arrived immediately after the shock waves of the incident went all across the castle.

Azrael seemingly didn't notice us, whatever happened had taken a toll on him for sure. He was huffing, his stamina was drained and he was coated with dense cosmic energy all over his body.

Finally stabilizing himself, he noticed us.

He scoffed. "Damn!! Even those mortal ranks can be a hassle."

Kaltain looked at him amused. "You got beaten by a Mortal. I expected more from you."

Azrael frowned. "It's not like I was acting cocky or something. It's power was annoying, that's all."

I questioned him. "What kind of powers?"

"Illusions, I seriously hate those things."

Kaltain nodded in a look of approval. "I get it, that makes sense. Either way you arrived pretty late. Don't you think it leaves a bad impression?"

Azrael turned his head mockingly. "Like as if, anyone cares about such things. Even so I was here before you guys arrived, since 5 am or something like that."

""Wait!What?""

We both said that in unison, I mean we were told by the literal head that this guy was late and yet he has the audacity to lie that bluntly.

Kaltain cleared his throat. "We were told by Madam Larrisa that you will arrive at 10 am, meaning you were not present here. Why are you lying?"

"I'm not lying. She just didn't know that I was here. You could ask the workers here or just check the cameras."

"Oh, so you were here all along. What kind of misfit were you doing now? Azrael."

The air around us lost its heat, I could faintly see the literal air freezing around us. Glimmers of frost lights blinded the terrain, the broken walls and floors were instantly mended by freezing ice.

A few ice spikes emerged from the ground aiming at Azrael trying to skewer him alive.

He didn't dodge the incoming spikes. He clenched his fist, cosmic energy surged encompassing his fist creating a miniature black hole which devoured the blinding light as well as the striking spikes.

Azrael scowled. "Hey, I didn't do shit. Why are you so hell bent on making me suffer?"

Miss Larrisa raised her eyebrows. "Oh, you didn't do anything huh. Ignoring the damage dealt here. Your reckless way of training has caused many of my workers to nearly lose their lives."

"How did that happen now? Don't make false statements."

"I'm not making false statements. There were workers mimicking your training style, they stayed nourishing themselves in front of the portals for longer than advised. Which as any sane person would have guessed didn't end well."

"So, they died because of their weakness. Why are you shouting at me?"

"You moron, you are kind of a celebrity now. And people unconditionally follow their idols even if they are doing something wrong. So, your reckless training has caused many other people to follow your path. Basically killing themselves, so can you please stop with your recklessness."

"How did I get famous? This fast?"

"Your battle with the students, it was broadcasted around the globe. You have quite the number of followers."

Azrael made a disgusted face. "So, those teachers instead of helping were making videos as students were dying."

Miss Larrisa choked on her words, before finally stabilizing her twisted expression.

"How did you…Fair enough, Yeah they aren't allowed to fight. It's kind of a protocol here to make students strong. Unless they have their own life at stake they won't make significant progress."

Wait, then aren't we just wasting our time here. We don't have our life at stake, we won't make progress. Isn't this exact opposite of her point? We are just wasting time here.

Breaches won't happen on regular intervals, they are extremely rare. Not exactly extreme but rare. Training with equipment is good but real life experience is much better.

Wait a moment is that what he wants to convey? At once everything clicked in my mind instantly. I observed Azrael's face and as I thought…he was smiling very subtly but smiling.

"If that's your argument then let me travel around the globe. Gain real life and death experience, get stronger. Those breaches are rare right? I don't wanna waste my time playing with toys. And if I am not here, nobody sees me then nobody will follow my reckless training regime. What do you think? Miss…"

Kaltain joined the convo. "If you don't mind Azrael. Can I join too?"

Azrael tilted his head. "If you wish. Of Course you can."

I really didn't want to miss this chance, immediately I made my plea to join his cohort. Which was accepted by both of them.

While we were chatting happily about our upcoming trip. Larrisa was still contemplating.

Finally she spoke. "I will have a meeting with my colleague. Then I will inform you. Till then train here."

The fact she accepted that her argument lost it's credibility and didn't overreact as a result showed how mature she is. At the end she even considered his plea.

She immediately went back leaving us. All of us knew in our mind that there was no argument present to stop our trip. At most a strong Astra would accompany us just in case.