Chapter 265 Chapter 265
265 Chapter 265
The crisp winter air painted the landscape in a serene hue, as snowflakes pirouetted gracefully from the heavens, delicately blanketing the world in a pristine layer of white.
Trees stood as stoic guardians adorned in icy attire, their branches laden with glistening snow, while the ground sparkled like a field of diamonds under the soft, ethereal glow of the pale sun.
As he took a deep breath, a trailing mist emerged from his mouth mixing with the wintery fog.
"The winter is finally here." Parth spoke in a yearning voice that was quite soothing to the ears.
But his next words shook them.
"Damn it, I can't enjoy my peaceful time by laying back on the branches anymore. My sleeping spot was destroyed by snow."
"You are still thinking about a peaceful time when someone just massacred half of the Professor's squad."
"What's new in that? I won't be shocked if he kills half of the world's population the next day. It may not look like it but that bastard is the pettiest guy I have ever seen." Parth muttered, giving Roan a sideline glance.
Roan, who was taken aback for a moment, asked.
"What? Why are you looking back like that?"
"It's because you look a bit more handsome and masculine." Parth muttered rubbing his chin, and asked.
"Roan, did you go through plastic surgery? Did someone get into your eye? Are you feeling that otherworldly feeling of sunflowers blooming even in winter?"
"Shut up!" Roan glared at Parth.
"You have grown some balls, after breaking to peak 2-Star but how did you do that?" Parth asked.
Roan scratched his head and wondered,"I don't know but before breaking through I was beaten and pummeled quite badly by Lucas."
Parth eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Is this a legendary technique of getting stronger by getting beaten?... Wait a minute. I remember Lucas would always get beaten to death at the beginning of the training sessions then he became like this." Parth clapped his hands with an expression as if he had solved a great mystery.
"Finally, I have uncovered a big secret. Hahaha!" Parth laughed wildly, making Roan scared.
'Did he finally go insane?'
"Hey, Parth, tell me where is Lucas now? Also, I didn't see Frederick and Charles."
"Don't you know that they have gone to get the special badge to enter the labyrinth?"
"...It seems I need to get my hands on that legendary technique to get stronger by being beaten." Parth jumped in excitement.
Roan shook his head seeing this madman.
'I don't know about legendary technique but you might get a legendary beating if you piss Lucas off after such turmoil.'
.......
A group of 8 stood in line staring around the miraculous area with a strange gleam.
The grassland below their feet seemed to extend endlessly over the horizon while a beautiful sky radiating various shades was over their head.
A cool gentle breeze blew through this meadow. The serene and peaceful atmosphere was so relaxing that it wouldn't take long for one to fall asleep the moment they lay on the soft grassy ground.
While few gave Lucas, who appeared out of nowhere a strange look.
Naturally, out of the 10 Hailey and Richard weren't feeling good seeing Lucas among them but they made sure to keep themselves down cause after witnessing and hearing all the rumours, they knew that Lucas was the last person they should offend.
His tales of torturing a senior until he broke had made many wet their pants. Though there isn't any witness, only a fool wouldn't believe in all this after seeing that senior's condition.
Lucas looked around and felt a bit sad for Parth as he was ranked 9 but after remembering that the bastard out of all treasures would choose a fancy lighter to light a cigar to make him look famous, Lucas decided it was better to keep him out and let someone else take out some good things.
Frederick and Charles, on the side, gave Lucas a curious stare seeing him nodding his head.
The thought that Lucas was digging someone's grave came across their mind.
"How did you get that rank? I mean it shouldn't be 1 or 2?" Frederick whisperer, making sure others didn't hear this.
"That's a secret. You can think of this as a part of a deal." Lucas grinned.
"So, you targeted the entire Professor squad who tried to frame you." Charles asked, feeling a chill down their spine.
Seeing their look, Lucas said with a glare,"Come on man, Vice Principal Josh himself agreed to this. I just submitted some black material but he went on a rampage."
Frederick and Charles exchanged a gaze that conveyed many words.
"By the way, why is Jennette giving you that weird gaze?"
"Huh?!" Lucas turned back and saw Jennette's gazes lingering on him.
'Maybe she wants to say something.'
Lucas met her eyes and was about to speak but Herman and Ami appeared, interrupting them.
Herman took his stance and spoke like a gentleman.
"I hope you are doing great even though the situation isn't great."
Ami stepped on Herman's feet and whispered.
"Did you have to say that?"
"Sorry, it's just that I have been too affected by that old man." Herman squeezed out a forced smile.
Ami snorted and stepped forward.
"Though the times were difficult, you all had managed to overcome the ordeal. I sincerely hope that you grew up and learnt a lot from this event."
As Ami said this, Lucas turned his gaze towards the lifeless Monica.
'She changed a lot.'
Ami clapped her hand, spewing a few praises to cheer everyone up.
"Before we begin, let me inform you about a few things."
"First about the labyrinth. The truth is, it is a test site to nurture future generations just like the Tower of Miracles. Each part of the labyrinth had its challenges and twists. The top 10 of each year will get a chance to train here and hone their skills but that's for later."
"Now coming onto the second point. You all should know about the Inter Academy Tournament that has been held in Ralph for ages. Previously, it was a battle between top warriors but now it's a battle of the newest generation and rising stars to declare themselves before the world."
"The battle takes place in a team of 3 along with an additional player acting as a reserve and it will be the Top 4 who would be selected."
As Ami explained, she frowned, noticing Monica raising her hand.
"Miss Ami, I am opting out of it. I am not going to participate."
"W- what?" Ami's voice stuttered a bit as she observed Monica.
Lucas was also taken aback for a moment. Originally, the team would be made of Frederick, Charles, Rose and Ezekiel but it was filled with problems.
But with him and Frederick as warriors, Monica who is a mage along with Rose as an Archer would make a good well-balanced team.
"Why are you opting out?" Herman asked.
"Sorry Sir, I have some personal circumstances which I can't say now."
Both Ami and Herman were at a loss for words. There is no rule that states that someone can't opt out but there aren't many that do so unless they are injured.
And she can't force someone to just fight.
'I think this must be related to Humphrey's condition.'
Ami sighed and looked at the others.
"In that case, it would be you four."
"Frederick, Lucas, Rose and Charles. Our hope to win will lie on your shoulders."
The four of them nodded with serious looks as if they were going to the borders to fight.
"Now, come here and take your badge."
Herman took out a black box inside which there were 10 insignia.
The badge had an eagle that was flying between the place where land and sky met signifying the never-ending quench for greatness.
"Now listen everyone, This badge will allow access to enter through a passage of fog. If you don't have this, you will lose your way and be trapped inside. And once you enter, you won't find anyone next to you. A way will appear and you have to follow that trail." Herman explained loudly, emphasizing each word.
Then everyone followed them into the passage that led to an uncharted territory.
The moment Lucas stepped in, the world around him distorted and he found himself standing in the middle of dense white fog hovering around.
Lucas gulped knowing what it was.
The fog has hallucinations and slows down your senses. The place between a labyrinth and the outside world is guarded by a Guardian Beast which, though named a beast, is a tree that can take a humanoid shape.
If not for the Insignia, he would have already lost consciousness.
As he searched around, he saw that the mist before him bifurcated forming a road.
Sighing in relief, Lucas followed the trail to walk out.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢