Chapter 18: Rising storm

The wind howled like a beast in agony, growing fiercer with every passing second. The blizzard raged on, its icy tendrils lashing against the caravans.

Snow and mist swirled violently, blinding their vision. Beyond two caravans, nothing was visible. The world had become a grey void.

The harsh climate forced them to a halt. The caravans could go no further. The professors immediately gathered at the front caravan, their faces tense.

"We must take shelter."

Professor Graham declared, his voice barely cutting through the storm.

"Professor Waikatsu, create a barrier to block this cursed weather!"

Professor Hasmon ordered.

"Yeah, but sir—where are Professor Vladimir and Master Baiyun?!"

Professor Heinrich shouted, alarmed. At his words, Professor Archwood paled. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the back, frantically counting the caravans. Moments later, he returned, his face grim.

"Two caravans are missing! There are only six here!"

"..."

A heavy silence fell.

About sixty students and two professors—gone.

The realization sent a wave of dread through the group. Meanwhile, the storm grew even worse. The winds roared, making it almost impossible to hear one another.

"They might be further back!"

Professor Heinrich yelled, his voice barely audible.

"WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR THEM!!!"

"NO WE CAN'T!!"

Professor Graham shouted back.

"THE STORM IS TOO STRONG!!! IF WE GO OUT THERE, WE'LL BE LOST AS WELL!! THE PROFESSORS WITH THEM WILL MIND THEIR SAFETY!!!!"

"GRAHAM IS REASONABLE, HEINRICH!!!"

Professor Archwood added.

"RIGHT NOW, WE CAN'T BUT TAKE SHELTER BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"

Their choices were limited. Survive first. Search later.

With a nod, Ellios raised his hands. A surge of magic pulsed from him, forming a massive barrier—a dome of shimmering light that materialized around the six caravans.

Within moments, the raging winds were sealed outside. Snowflakes battered the barrier but failed to break through.

Inside, Professor Graham immediately began an incantation, warmth spreading through the space as the snow beneath them melted, revealing the solid granite surface below.

"We're standing on a granite field,"

Professor Graham muttered.

"That means..."

His gaze darkened.

"The Kingdom of Frhosien is still much far."

A heavy silence followed. Then, he spoke again.

"We have no choice but to wait. Once the storm clears—we find them."

Everyone nodded. They had no other option.

——————————————————

"WAAAAAAAAAAA... WAAAAAA... WAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

A chorus of wails filled the cramped space.

Most of the students, and even Professor Vladimir—were crying their eyes out.

"Oh nooooooo! Wuaaa wuaaa wuaaaaa!"

With a dramatic gasp, Professor Vladimir clutched his chest and collapsed, his tongue hanging out, eyes rolling back like a tragic actor in his final scene.

Seeing this, the students who were already in distress... did the exact same thing.

Thud

Thud!

Thud!

One by one, they fainted in unison, as if they were NPCs programmed to react the same way.

Watching this bizarre display, Mizuko blinked, her face deadpan.

"Are these people even real? What are they? NPCs??"

She thought, resisting the urge to facepalm.

Right then, a familiar voice echoed through the caravan—

"BWAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Striding forward with a wide grin was Doyoun, the same bully from earlier.

He gathered the fainted students into a pile and sat on top of them like a throne, grinning wildly.

"Listen up, peasants!"

he bellowed.

"I AM THE STRONGEST! FROM NOW ON, YOU MUST CALL ME YOUR KING! ANYONE WHO DARES DEFY ME WILL BE THROWN INTO THE STORM TO DIE! HEEEHEHEHEHE!"

The students shivered in fear. Then, Doyoun's eyes landed on Ray. A wicked grin stretched across his face.

"Oohohohohooo... I remember that puny face of yours. IT'S THE MY LITTLE HERO!!!"

He stood up, towering over the others, and began walking toward Ray. The students held their breath. Doyoun loomed over him, nearly twice his size. Ray, however, remained calm.

"Do not."

His voice was quiet but firm. Doyoun scoffed. Without hesitation, he raised his

fist—

Or at least, he tried to.

A sharp, excruciating pain shot through his gut. Ray's hand was already there.

His fingers dug into Doyoun's stomach, gripping the Shitty flesh beneath his ribs with surgical precision.

Doyoun's eyes widened. But he didn't back down. He swung his fist—

Ray was gone.

Before the punch could land, Ray had already moved—above him.

And then—

A kick smashed into Doyoun's head, snapping it downward. As he staggered back, Ray reappeared—

Uppercut.

Doyoun's teeth shattered from the impact. But instead of screaming—

He caught his own teeth with his remaining ones.

Then—

He spit them out like bullets. The sharp fragments shot toward Ray. He turned—

And suddenly, he was breathing the same air as Mizuko. Mizuko's heart nearly stopped. Her cheeks flushed bright red. Ray, completely unfazed, reached up—

And took both of her hairpins. Mizuko's long hair tumbled down, her blush deepening.

With a flick of his wrist—

Ray deflected the flying teeth with the hairpins, sending them right back at Doyoun.

Doyoun's eyes darted to the incoming projectiles.

But he didn't see—

The hairpins still spinning toward him. They pierced through his sleeves, pinning his arms to the wooden wall. Doyoun couldn't move. His struggles were useless.

Ray slowly approached him. He looked up at the bully, his voice calm—

"I told you... not to."

"FUCK YOU!! IM GONNA RIP YOU APART WHEN I GET DOWN!!!"

Doyoun cursed, shouting threats about what he'd do once he got free.

Ray didn't say a word. He just punched him in the nose. Doyoun slumped forward, unconscious.

The room was silent....

The students still trembled from the chaos—

Except for Mizuko. She was still hiding her burning face behind her hair. Ray turned toward her and knelt down. Mizuko nearly exploded.

"Sorry for sudden action..."

Ray said, his voice softer than before.

"May I?"

Mizuko blinked.

"Wait... does he mea—?!"

Before she could respond, Ray gently gathered her hair and—

Neatly tied it into a bun.

The room's atmosphere shifted instantly.

The fear?

Gone.

The other students exchanged glances—side-eyes, smirks, and whispers.

Ray stood up, gave one last glance at the unconscious Doyoun and the fainted professor, then spoke again—

"Don't panic... Safe.."

With that, he turned away, heading back to his bed. The students were still in shock.

Mizuko just sat there—blushing harder than ever.