Chapter 102: His Own Madness
Hearing that a team from their own year had accomplished such feats, standing against countless enemies and even confronting a dragon without losing a single member, filled all surviving students with disbelief.
That disbelief soon became pride, replacing much of the hopelessness that had consumed them and leaving them eager to learn how that unbelievable team intended to face what came next.
Now they stood atop the wall, watching countless forces converge towards the mine from every direction. They had heard that Silas’ team had already gone there to fight the dragon, but the more they watched, the clearer it became that the five of them seemed to be standing alone against the entire world.
Many had climbed the wall, hoping to catch a glimpse of them, perhaps even find an opportunity to help. Yet after witnessing the endless streams of Enhancers marching toward the mine, along with the rumours that several hundred Dark Hunters had already gathered around the mine, hesitation inevitably settled into their hearts.
And when they placed the dragon in the picture, they knew how insignificant they were.
"This battle... we’re far too young to even dream of taking part in it."
The student ranked fourth, slowly shook his head, and many around him silently nodded in agreement.
"Even so, it’s remarkable that they managed to survive under that kind of pressure while facing all those odds."
The seventh-ranked student spoke with genuine admiration before the red-haired youngster, ranked sixth, finally broke his silence.
"They survived because they fought as one team," he said quietly. "If anyone failed here... it was us."
His gaze swept across the gathered students. He knew his words were harsh, but he did not regret speaking them.
The mere fact that not a single team managed to keep all its members alive was enough testimony to that. Even rumours spoke about how Alfred and Rachel lost members of their teams as well.
And the red-haired student believed this wasn’t a mere fluke. It was the result of real teamwork, and above all, trust among friends.
"What are you suggesting?"
The student ranked ninth frowned.
The red-haired youngster did not answer immediately. Instead, he continued staring toward the distant mine, as though resisting an invisible force pulling him in that direction.
"We should reorganise ourselves," he finally said. "Our original teams are gone. We need to form new ones if we want any chance of surviving what’s coming."
Whispers spread through the crowd as many misunderstood his intention.
"You can’t possibly mean joining that battle."
The fourth-ranked student frowned, convinced the sixth-ranked youngster had lost his mind.
"That’s not what I meant."
The red-haired student calmly shook his head before turning toward the open plains, where countless groups continued rushing toward the mine.
"We’re nowhere near strong enough to play at such a stage. That’s exactly why we need to stay together and leave this place now. Whatever happens at the mine is going to shake everything around it, and we’re far too close to escape the aftermath."
His reasoning echoed what everyone had been thinking.
Within minutes, the survivors dissolved their broken teams and reorganised themselves into fifteen new ones, each consisting of seven or eight students whenever possible. The strongest among them naturally assumed leadership, ensuring that nearly every team was led by one of the academy’s top twenty-five ranked students.
The last to choose his teammates was the red-haired youngster, who quietly formed a group of seven. Yet for reasons he only knew, he didn’t compete with others over those who had established their strength and value so far.
He simply picked the leftovers, as if he didn’t even care about the team in the first place.
"If we’re leaving, then we leave now."
The fourth-ranked student raised his voice, and the newly formed teams immediately departed together, moving away from the castle, away from the mine, and in the exact opposite direction of the many groups racing toward the mine battlefield.
Half an hour later, however, a lone figure emerged from the distance, walking steadily toward the mine instead.
’Sorry... but I can’t let any of you become part of my madness.’
’I refuse to carry your deaths on my conscience.’
The red-haired youngster, the academy’s sixth-ranked student, continued forward without hesitation, taking one steady step after another as he headed directly toward the mine.
Yet his little adventure was short-lived.
"You won’t take another step forward."
The red-haired youngster had only recently passed the garrison post where he had spent the last few days. After walking for several minutes, he turned into a cluster of hills, his mind occupied with finding a way through the countless search parties without being discovered, and how to go to the mine and achieve his goal.
Instead, he found his path blocked.
Two students stood before him. One supported the other, whose leg was wrapped in bloodstained cloth and looked badly injured.
His eyes narrowed.
"You are... from Silas’ team."
Recognition quickly dawned on him. The two were Darius and Alfred. Judging by Alfred’s condition, this encounter was unlikely to have been planned.
"You were waiting for me?"
Alfred’s expression stiffened. The question struck closer to the truth than the red-haired youngster realised.
Ever since separating from Silas and Cher, Darius had insisted on taking one detour after another, ignoring Alfred’s repeated questions until they arrived here. Only after the red-haired youngster appeared did everything finally make sense.
Then Darius spoke.
"I’m here as a friend, not an enemy," he said calmly. "And I have a message for you from my team leader, Silas."
The mere mention of that name caused the red-haired youngster’s body to slightly tense.
Neither Silas nor his teammates realised how deeply they had carved themselves into the minds of the surviving students. To those who had witnessed the entire adventure, Silas had become someone worthy of admiration, fear, and respect.
Even as the academy’s sixth-ranked student, the red-haired youngster couldn’t remain completely indifferent upon hearing that Silas had sent him a message.
Taking his silence as permission to continue, Darius spoke again.
"Silas wants you to take charge of the remaining academy students, move away from the mine..."
"No."
The refusal came immediately.
"I won’t."
He didn’t even allow Darius to finish.
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