The atmosphere had grown tense. Too tense.
Ursa and Kalista stood rigid, held back by nothing more than an invisible thread; it felt as though they could lunge at each other at any moment. The air grew heavy, suffocating. No one spoke. No one breathed normally. Everyone waited… for someone to throw the first blow.
Sweat ran down Luzbel's forehead. Her mind burned, replaying one scenario after another, all of them equally terrible.
-What do I do? Do I fight? No… if I do, he and they will be exposed.
( Luzbel thought quickly )
Her eyes darted desperately from side to side, searching for an escape route, an exit, anything. But there was no way out. All eyes were fixed on them, sharp as blades.
-No… it's impossible to escape. Not with so many students watching us. What do I do? What do I do?
( Luzbel thought once again )
She clenched her teeth.
-I have no other choice… I'll have to fight.
( Luzbel said, sharpening her gaze )
That simple gesture was enough.
Ursa and Kalista immediately understood how this would end. A battle was inevitable. The clash was about to erupt.
But just as Luzbel, Ursa, and Kalista were about to launch themselves forward—
A wall of rock violently burst from the ground, rising with a thunderous roar between them, completely separating them.
-Ahhh… what do you think you're doing?
( Someone said, yawning )
That someone was Zarathoz.
Everyone turned at once. She stood there, her face drowsy and unconcerned, as if she hadn't just stopped a massacre. Ursa glared at her with pure hatred, rage overflowing. Luzbel, on the other hand, let out a breath of relief, as if her soul had nearly left her body.
-What the hell do you think you're doing, Saarathozz?
( Ursa shouted, filled with anger )
The fury in her voice was so intense it felt as though the air itself cracked. Kalista, for the first time, kept her distance upon seeing Zarathoz's figure.
-Isn't it obvious? I'm preventing you from causing a scandal in front of our students.
What kind of professor would behave this way toward a colleague… and a newly enrolled student?
( Zarathoz said seriously )
-What? A newly enrolled student? Who?
( Ursa said, confused and irritated )
-Isn't it obvious? I mean him.
( Zarathoz said, pointing at Morgan with a smile )
-In case you didn't know, the young Morgan is, as of today, part of our glorious academy.
So you must protect him, respect him, and guide him as he deserves.
( Zarathoz said with a mocking smile )
-Oh… don't tell me you're planning to break the academy's rules.
( Zarathoz smiled arrogantly )
-You're a daughter of—
Ursa was about to lunge at her.
But Kalista, who had knelt before Zarathoz's presence, stopped her.
-Wait, teacher.
( Kalista said seriously )
Ursa frowned, displeased by the gesture. She did not like it at all. But before she could say anything, Kalista raised her voice.
-My lady director… you say that this individual is now part of our academy, and that my teacher, Miss Ursa, must treat him as a formal student, exactly as dictated by the academy's regulations. Is that correct?
( Kalista said firmly )
Zarathoz grew serious. She straightened, puffed out her chest, and clasped her hands behind her back. Her voice was cold.
-Yes, that is correct.
Ursa bared her teeth, furious. She turned to push Kalista aside and attack Zarathoz… but then she saw it.
On her student's face was a twisted, wicked smile, teeth showing.
It unsettled Ursa.
Kalista spoke again, firm.
-I see… then if that child is now part of our glorious academy, he must also follow the rules and adhere to our customs, isn't that right?
( Kalista said, smiling venomously, her head lowered )
Zarathoz frowned. Something about this displeased her. Her gaze turned threatening.
-Where are you going with this, miss?
Kalista rose abruptly. She spread her arms theatrically, reveling in the moment.
-Nowhere at all, my beloved director.
It's just that… if he is now one of us, then I may formally challenge him. Isn't that so?
( Kalista said with a smile )
-As everyone knows, one of our norms and customs states that if a student has a conflict with another, they may resolve it through a confrontation of any kind they choose.
This is how conflicts are calmed. This is how peace is maintained in our beloved academy.
Only in this way have we managed to remain civilized… and not fall into savage ideas, isn't that right?
( Kalista said cheerfully, spinning as if she were dancing )
-Therefore, I, Kalista Winterhowl, formally request that the new member of the academy face me… in combat at the coliseum.
The place erupted.
The students burst into excited shouts. Terror and worry filled Luzbel's face. Galahad tightly grabbed Morgan's arm, clinging to him. Satana brought her hands to her chest, silently begging Zarathoz to stop this.
-So then… what do you say, my lady director?
Will you approve my request… or don't tell me you will ignore the rules of our academy?
( Kalista said with an arrogant smile )
Zarathoz clenched her teeth. She looked at Kalista with irritation, then at Luzbel… whose eyes begged, pleaded for her to say no.
-What will your stance be, my beloved director?
( Kalista said, bowing )
-Yes… what will your stance be, di-rec-tor?
( Ursa said mockingly )
Silence fell completely.
The pressure became unbearable.
Then, as one voice, the students began to chant.
-GOR! GOR! GOR! GOR!
Kalista and Ursa smiled arrogantly. Luzbel begged in silence. The students demanded blood.
-SILENCE!!
( Zarathoz shouted forcefully )
Everything went still.
Zarathoz turned her gaze away, irritated. Her voice came out heavy, strained.
-As director of this academy, it is my duty to abide by its rules and customs.
Ignoring them would turn us into something worse than animals.
Therefore… I find myself forced to accept Miss Kalista's request.
Luzbel's face broke. Terror. Desperation.
-No…
( Luzbel whispered, her voice shattered )
The eruption was immediate.
-GOR! GOR! GOR! GOR!
-Thus, Miss Kalista and the young Morgan will face each other tomorrow in our coliseum.
That is my final verdict.
The celebration was deafening.
Luzbel's legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground. Ursa clapped with savage joy, wearing a victorious smile. Kalista performed another bow, her grin unhinged, satisfied.
-Thank you, my beloved director.
( Kalista said venomously )
End of the chapter.
Next chapter: I can do it.