Chapter 24: Preparing for the Last Lesson of the Week

Baran woke up on Friday, his face showing signs of exhaustion.

"Why do all the tiring tasks always fall on me?"

He grumbled to himself. He usually did all the chores at home alone.

But he didn't complain any further. After taking care of his basic morning routine, he left his room. Today, he had a lot on his plate.

He quickly headed to his classroom. On the way, he ran into Tristan, Angellica, and Arabella—but he paid them no mind.

Arabella was a bit surprised by this.

"Baran didn't even care about you, Angellica," Arabella said.

"Yeah... I guess he must have something important going on. We shouldn't bother him," Angellica replied thoughtfully.

Tristan listened to the girls and moved on. He agreed with Angellica, knowing he needed to meet with some professors for his own agenda. So, he couldn't really spare time for Baran.

As for Baran, during the lessons, he barely paid attention. Instead, he was busy sketching spells constantly. At that moment, he was working on his second notebook.

The professors noticed his behavior and some asked about it, but Baran gave quick answers and stayed focused on his work.

This continued until the last lesson. By then, Baran had filled one regular notebook and three notebooks with notes and spell drawings.

His mind clearly needed rest, but he had unfinished business.

At that moment, Arabella approached him.

Baran noticed and turned to her. "Did you bring the badge?" he asked coldly.

Arabella nodded and handed over the Family Friendship Badge to Baran.

"Thanks," Baran said, examining the badge carefully. Normally, people would risk everything for this badge, but Baran had acquired it easily. "Let's not be late for class," he said, taking Arabella along as they headed in.

While Baran kept working on his spells until the last lesson, Tristan was in the vice principal's office, talking with him.

The vice principal, Adrien Fontaine, wore a suit resembling the navy-blue Zukunft student uniform. He had wavy brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard of the same color. His eyes were hazel, not as handsome as Theodore or Tristan, but on par with Baran.

"Je vous salue, young Fort," Adrien said, bowing slightly—a traditional French greeting.

"Please train me," Tristan bowed before Adrien.

"No, young Fort. To be my student, you must be different from everyone else," Adrien rejected Tristan and went back to his work.

Tristan released his energy to surprise Adrien.

Adrien responded with his own energy—it was demonic energy. Although his main energy was corrupted energy, demonic energy suited him better, so he focused on that as his secondary energy.

Tristan struggled against Adrien's pressure, trying to conceal his own energy.

After a few seconds, Adrien relaxed his pressure and looked at Tristan with surprised eyes.

"How did you make a pact with a demon?" Adrien suddenly raised his voice.

"Is this enough, Vice Principal?" Tristan asked, landing lightly on one foot.

"Yes, it's enough... but I need to see it physically," Adrien said. Though he wanted to accept quickly, he had his pride, so he made Tristan work a little harder.

Tristan was touched. This was one of his first achievements in life. His eyes watered slightly as he quickly saluted and left Adrien's side.

While Tristan and Baran were busy with their own affairs, Theodore had finished all his lessons and was watching the arenas in the 'Practical Combat Training' class.

The arenas were spacious. Their floors were made of stones arranged in symmetrical patterns.

Although Theodore couldn't see it, technological devices under the floor analyzed every movement of the fighters in the arena via computers.

It was a perfect system. Theodore was happy because he was about to defeat a 'dog' in that arena.

Angellica quietly observed Theodore at that moment.

Though Theodore noticed, he didn't care.

"Why are you paying so much attention to the arenas, Theodore?" Angellica finally couldn't hold back and asked.

"I don't know, I just thought it would be fun to fight a dog in the arena," Theodore said with a slight smile.

Angellica's eyes widened in shock.

"You know that's against animal rights, right?" There was a hint of anger in her voice. Since she loved animals, the mere idea of harming them made her upset.

"No, no, you misunderstood... It's just a nickname," Theodore explained with a slightly regretful smile.

"How can you give someone a nickname like that?" Angellica criticized Theodore's behavior.

"But seriously..."

Baran suddenly appeared and pulled Angellica away from Theodore with his arm, like an older brother protecting his little sister.

"Look at this dog," Theodore said as he moved away from Baran.

"Look who's talking, Void Head," Baran shot back immediately.

"Hahaha... Nice nickname, I like it," Theodore laughed.

"Hahaha... Happy to hear that, Void Head," Baran matched his tone.

Just as the two were about to release their energy pressure, other students and Professor Cain Mortlock entered the room. Theodore and Baran stepped back.

"Why did you do that?" Arabella asked Angellica while greeting her.

"I just... felt like I had to," Baran said, unable to explain more and telling the truth.

Arabella and Angellica looked at Baran with surprised eyes. Just as they were about to speak, someone interrupted.

"Baran... ha... why is it so hard to breathe?" Tristan said, struggling to catch his breath.

"Who told you to run crying, Beetroot Head?" Baran replied coldly.

"Haha... I'm not crying," Tristan protested.

"I don't know, the tears in your eyes mean you cried," Baran logically dismissed the objection.

Tristan had no answer and fell silent.

At that moment, Professor Cain spoke. His voice made the whole class stand up.

"Everyone, go to the large arena next to the training campus." He spoke authoritatively and left the classroom.

Everyone followed Cain and left the room similarly.

They all arrived at the gigantic arena-stadium where the opening ceremony was held.

Noticing this, Professor Cain started speaking.

"Since it's the end of the first week, volunteers will begin first... Who wants to fight first?"

Theodore immediately raised his hand.

Professor Cain gave Theodore the floor.

"I want to fight Sonnenaufgang," he said confidently.

Everyone suddenly looked at Baran.

"I wanted to fight Theodore... What a great opportunity at my feet. I accept."

After hearing Baran's reply, Professor Cain showed them a small fighting arena.

Theodore and Baran prepared and entered the arena.

Theodore wore the Zukunft combat suit and held a wooden practice sword.

Baran, on the other hand, wore his usual Zukunft uniform without changing. On his back was a spare sword and a bow. On his waist hung a quiver full of arrows. In his jacket pockets were notebooks filled with his spell writings. Unfortunately, he couldn't bring the big notebook. Lastly, he held a wooden sword just like Theodore.

After making sure the other students were matched, Professor Cain decided to watch Theodore and Baran's fight.

At that moment, a lady's voice came from behind.

"How are you, Professor Mortlock?" The voice belonged to Sophie Baldwin.

"I'm fine, Director Baldwin, how are you?" Cain politely asked back.

"I'm good, and these students are quite interesting, aren't they?" Sophie said, pointing at the two students.

"Yes, I think so too." Cain answered calmly and began watching the match with Sophie.

Meanwhile, there was a slight tension between Theodore and Baran.

Theodore loosened his stance slightly.

Baran, however, stared directly at Theodore without taking a fighting stance and spoke.

"Do you remember what you told me yesterday?"

Theodore smiled lightly. "Of course I do. 'A barking dog doesn't bite,' Baran."

After hearing that, Baran smiled faintly and suddenly attacked Theodore with his sword while Theodore was unprepared.

Theodore stumbled after the hit, and Baran said:

"A barking wolf bites no matter what, Theodore."