The metallic clink of the unlocked mechanism echoed faintly across the Beast Fence's dim interior.
Kaigaku's breath was sharp, visible in faint.
The Frost Fang Direwolf had already slipped out from the shadows, its hulking C-rank body moving like an icy nightmare through the foliage, heading directly toward the cluster of unsuspecting first-years deeper inside the Beast Fence.
Kaigaku didn't watch it for long.
He knew the danger.
And he also knew he couldn't be seen.
Not after what happened with Kael.
His hands were still trembling.
"That bastard…" Kaigaku whispered under his breath, face twisting in frustration. "He made me lose. In front of everyone."
The image of the younger boy's fist slamming into him over and over replayed in his skull like a curse.
He clenched his jaw.
"If the academy sees chaos among the first-years… if the monster hurts enough of them…"
Kaigaku muttered, "they'll blame the weakest crowd. They'll blame the ones not prepared."
