CHAPTER 55: CALM BEFORE THE STORM (2)

After having a dangerous breakfast.

Amon was practicing in the yard.Too focused.

It turned out that both Selena and Vixra had been messing with him. Though Amon felt relieved, he still couldn’t forget their cold faces.

A silver trajectory formed in the air.

Crash!

The blade of the silver hatchet struck the tree. Its curved blade stuck on the trunk’s surface.

"Not bad. It’s easier than I thought," Amon muttered.

’If only I could pull the weapon back into my hand again. Like some kind of telekinesis.’ he imagined.

He strode toward the tree, gazing at the silver hatchet that had pierced the trunk.

"It’s sharp."

He gripped the hatchet by its haft and pulled it free. Running his finger along the sharp curved blade, he inspected it with an amused smile.

Suddenly, he felt a pair of eyes on him. Like someone was watching.

He turned back. Glancing at the corner of the house, he saw multiple pairs of eyes staring at him—small heads peeking from behind the wall.

When his eyes met theirs, the children hid again. Then slowly peeked once more.

A wide grin appeared on his face.

"You can come out. See how amazing this big bro is," he announced.

The children looked at each other, then slowly walked toward Amon.

The four children gazed at him with admiration.

The girl named Lily asked, "Big brother, can you do magic as well?"

Amon’s face turned smug.

"Of course. I can do that."

"Wow!"

They exclaimed, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Are you good at fighting with weapons as well?" Samuel asked, wondering if Amon was like a knight.

"Hehehe... You are in the presence of the most talented student from Arcadia Academy. So yes, I know how to fight with weapons as well." At that moment, Amon felt like he was on cloud nine. No one was above him.

It wasn’t every day that someone looked at him with admiration, as though he were some kind of ideal.

Joy chimed in, "Brother, please show us some magic." His voice was excited, his eyes eager.

The others nodded, waiting for Amon to demonstrate.

Amon didn’t back down.

"Okay. Now watch your big brother." He brushed a hand through his messy hair, trying to act cool.

He raised his hand and pointed his finger at a nearby tree.

Bang!

With a sharp sound, a mana bullet shot at the tree.

Thud!

It collided with the trunk.

"Ooohh!"

All four children exclaimed in excitement.

With a big grin, Amon continued to demonstrate his magic and weapon skills.

Meanwhile, Lily and the others watched with innocent eyes, enjoying every moment. Not knowing the truth behind Amon. That he was considered as weakest of the academy.

A little farther away, Vixra leaned against the house wall, still wearing her academy uniform. Yet, she looked stunning.

She watched the scene with a smile.

"Junior is showing off in front of innocent children~."

---

Hours later.

It was evening. The sun dipped slowly, casting orange light over the streets and houses. Some people were returning home from work, while others still lingered at their shops.

Mana lamps along the street began to light.

Amon’s eyes drifted over the small markets, houses, and stone buildings.

Compared to Elarith, this town seemed a little backward.

He strolled leisurely through the town, alone. His hands were tucked behind his back as his eyes wandered across the rows of shops. Surprisingly, he was enjoying it.

The air was filled with the scent of baked bread, spiced meats, and the sweet sharpness of ripe fruit.

’I should eat something.’

He stopped at a small street stall where baskets of apples and pears were piled high. Leaning forward, he picked one up, turning it in his hand.

"How much for this one?" he asked casually.

The shopkeeper stood behind the stall, but his eyes were unfocused, staring into nothing. Amon frowned.

"Hello? The price?" he repeated, louder this time.

’Why isn’t he answering?’Amon thought, feeling tense.

Still no answer. The shopkeeper’s lips were slightly parted, as though caught mid-thought, his body frozen. Not moving at all.

"Hey!" Amon snapped, waving his hand in front of the man’s face.

At last, the shopkeeper blinked and shuddered, as if waking from a dream.

He shook his head rapidly and looked at Amon in confusion before stammering, "Ah... apples, ten copper coins, sir."

Amon paid quickly, unsettled by the strange daze, and walked away, biting into the crisp fruit.

Its sweet juice ran over his tongue, but the taste barely registered. That vacant look lingered in his mind.

Something felt off in the town. Though everything looked normal, it didn’t feel natural.

As he wandered aimlessly, chewing, his steps slowed. Across the street, near the town square, a woman stood rigid as stone.

Her shoulder-length burgundy hair framed a pale face. Her clothes were plain,any villager might wear them. But something about her was deeply wrong.

She faced the temple’s towering spire, her violet eyes fixed upon it.

Her face... that was what froze him. Her lips were curled into a tight, unnatural line, neither frown nor smile, and her wide eyes held a madness that made his skin prickle.

Amon narrowed his eyes, studying her from a distance.

Then, as if sensing his stare, the woman turned.

Their gazes locked.

She didn’t look away. Her eyes dug into his, unblinking. Slowly, far too slowly, her mouth twisted into a smile. Not warm. Not friendly. A stretched, crooked grin that made his chest tighten.

Her smile was creepy and eerie.

’What the heck is this now?’

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

Amon’s hand clenched around the half-eaten apple. For a moment, the bustling street seemed to fade into silence, leaving only her stare and that smile.

Shaking himself free, he thought:

’I... I need to go!’

Still gripped by fear, he turned away and hurried toward the orphanage. His steps quickened.

From the alleyway, a hooded man watched Amon. But before he could follow, another figure appeared behind him.

"What are you doing?" the newcomer asked, his eyes following the first man’s.

Amon was already gone.

Instead, the newcomer saw the woman. She was still standing there, staring at them with that same creepy smile.

"Boss, I was following that kid from the academy... What if they mess up our plan?" the first hooded man asked nervously.

The scarred man under the hood glanced at him. A huge scar stretched across his face, hidden mostly by the shadow.

"You don’t need to. Rather, keep an eye on that woman. She’s losing her mind slowly... She’s important to us. The academy students won’t be able to do anything anyway."

"Okay, boss."

The scarred man nodded and turned to leave.

The other one decided to stay behind, watching the creepy woman.

Their plan was moving.

And thus, another two days passed.