"Damn it. I should have practiced more before coming here." Carl gritted his teeth while wiping a streak of blood from his lips.
He began to feel regret for being lazy in hunting star-dragon souls. If he had gotten even a little stronger, he might have endured much better after that punch. He had been so focused on the main mission that he'd forgotten the most basic things to grow his soul—things he would need if he wanted to handle the enemies in the future.
At this moment, Ceillia's body was completely reinforced with tons of scales, as if she were a true dragon model human, not like the last time Carl fought her. She must have used all her strength at this moment… She really assessed an actual enemy to Carl now.
But a voice echoed loudly through the area at this point.
"I think everything should be stopped."
Then, a young man appeared out of nowhere and landed in front of Ceillia, stopping a few steps away.
"Get out of my way, Hanley. This is none of your business. You little shit"
Hanley smirked.
"None of my business? You're mistaken. Your brother is currently an academy student. I wonder what he did wrong to the academy that you feel the need to kill him… You're using your position on the student council for personal gain."
Ceillia gritted her teeth in fury, releasing a wave of mana to suppress Hanley. But Hanley wasn't as weak as the other students—he was the student council president. He earned that position with his own power, not with status or connections.
Hanley just smiled politely and released his mana to block Ceillia's. It was really difficult, though. Some sweats dripped on his face then. He was clearly being suppressed by the power of an eight-star dragon soul, even though he had already reached rank-D.
"Keep your manners in check, Ceillia… I've been watching that match from the very beginning. And of course, I knew what happened. You used a cowardly trick on your brother and exploited his love to attack him sneakily and slyly."
He chuckled, emphasizing his point.
"I wonder what would happen if rumors about this academy spread."
Ceillia glared at Hanley and yelled,
"How dare you?.. I'm stronger than him. He's just an insect. I've just been careless and haven't used my full power yet… If I use it…"
Hanley chuckled.
"If? Anyway… it seems you have many lives to say 'if' whenever you want. Don't fool yourself with illogical reasoning… You're still alive thanks to… YOU'RE HIS LITTLE SISTER."
"Wasn't that what you always denied?"
Ceillia clenched her fists so tightly that some scales on her palm creaked and split.
She wanted to refute everything Hanley said, but doing so would only make her seem stubborn and foolish. Indeed, what he said was true. Her mood sank as she imagined the countless problems that would arise if this rumor spread throughout the academy.
Her parents would punish her.
Her life would be ruined… Hanley had perfectly exploited her weakness.
She turned and limped away like one losing its soul. She barely had any reason to continue this pointless fight.
Hanley smirked as he watched Ceillia's mood collapse. Now he could make her obey him like a dog and do anything he wanted.
In a satisfied mood, Hanley turned to Carl and extended his hand.
"Well, don't need to thank me. I guess you felt annoyed having such a little sister."
Carl, on the other hand, looked far from welcoming.
He scoffed, raising his voice. "I wonder who here needs to say thank you?"
He stood tall, ignoring Hanley's handshake.
"You should be the one thanking me."
…
"You owe me."
In truth, Hanley had gained many benefits from this. He now had Ceillia's weakness, which he could use to control Ceillia.
And Carl knew that. If the damn brat wanted to save him, he already appeared from the beginning, not at this moment.
''Sneaky brat!''
Everything about it was disgusting. Who the hell was he to dare interfere in a sibling's match?
Hanley's face darkened, but he quickly let out a long breath. He thought that siblings were stupid alike, but Ceillia's brother was a sharp guy.
"You're right… So, what do you want?"
Carl slowly lifted the corner of his lips, his intention clear.
"I want to join the student council."
Hanley blinked and looked at Carl with confused eyes, then shook his head.
"I can't… Rules are rules. You have to defeat one of the three mighty dragons of the student council if you want to be on my team. And I suppose you can't defeat any of them with your current power."
"But… You can be my assistant until I'm strong enough to face one of them."
Carl smiled and offered his hand to Hanley.
"And I want you to announce my new role to the academy."
Hanley grimaced, ignoring Carl's handshake just as Carl had ignored his before.
"Why would I do that? It's nothing but a waste of time."
Carl laughed, tapping his temple.
"Just think… What happens if you announce it to the academy? How will my sister and the students react?"
Hanley rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
"She'll obviously be furious. If I appoint you publicly, everyone will think she's obedient and under my control, while someone like you—her enemy—gets onto my team."
"It'll be a fatal blow for her."
He smiled, imagining it unfolding in the future.
"Great idea!… I'll do it."
Just like that, several days passed. The breaking news sent a wave of shock throughout the academy.
The student president appointed Carl Ryan as an assistant. Normally, no one would have cared, but this time it was different—because the assistant was Carl Ryan, the crippled heir of the Ryan family. He was Ceillia's older brother… and everyone knew what their relationship was like.
What Hanley had done seemed impossible, unless Ceillia became obedient and under the student president's control.
It was unbelievable, due to the fact that no one in the academy knew Ceillia's infamous reputation, and no one could make her obey.
She possessed an eight-star dragon soul, and her rank was remarkably high for her age—even the student president couldn't defeat her.
Anyway, this disruption would last for many weeks.