CHAPTER 59: TRUX, ONCE AGAIN!

Trux’s eyes also landed on Athar, and his face broke into an evil grin. He had recovered from all his injuries in the two weeks and seemed fine now.

Terius, meanwhile, had a few bruises and injuries on his body, the most prominent one being his blackened eyes, clear evidence he had been struck hard in the face.

"A-Athar," Terius stammered, trying to gather himself and get back on his feet.

"Oh!" Trux interrupted with a grin. "The two losers know each other."

Athar’s eyes narrowed, fixated on Trux.

"Do you guys recognize him?" Trux asked his companions, pointing toward Athar. He did not wait for a reply. "He is the new personal disciple of Miss Angelica."

"That made his life suddenly soar to new heights," he chuckled.

"Miss Angelica openly threatened the Boss and told the academy meeting that she would hang his head on the walls of her house," he added mockingly.

"She must hold you in high regard, Athar.."

Athar’s attention shifted at the mention of the Boss. His mind immediately churned. Was this someone connected to that extortion web? Angelica had refused to reveal any information to him.

Still, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind and focused on Trux. Previously, he might have let the matter go, but things were different now. He had no idea where this fool’s confidence came from. Even a teacher like Vale had backed off once Angelica stepped in, but did this idiot not understand?

Or perhaps he thought he could keep this as just a scuffle among students? That was most likely the case, since Trux did not know Athar’s full strength.

Trux might still be thinking he could beat Athar to a pulp.

The other two companions of Trux were flaring their mana, and it was clear that both were weaker compared to Trux. Athar could take the three of them simultaneously.

It had been two weeks since Athar last beat Trux. Although two weeks might not seem like much time, with the speed at which Athar had been cultivating, he was now inching rapidly toward E Rank.

Athar had not realized it at first, but conversations with his master had made him understand that his cultivation speed was actually monstrous. Typically, an average cultivator with a silver grade beast would take four to five months to make a breakthrough from F to E Rank.

But with his new cultivation technique, Athar would be doing it in less than two months. And if he actually started absorbing two beast cores daily, which was entirely possible with his new method, he could achieve the same result in even less time.

"Trux," Athar spoke. His face impassive. "I had hoped that after what happened with you, you might have made improvements."

Trux’s face immediately snarled that into of a rage. He had heard the theory from Axel that it might have been Athar who might have hit him.

Trux found this hard to believe. He did not consider that Athar who, at that time, had awakened not even for two weeks could have overpowered him. But thinking that he had been caught off guard in a sneak attack, he could not outright dismiss that possibility.

As for, Athar killing Dervin, he did not believe it. Axel and Boss did not Dervin better but he knew that Dervin had been no pushover. He had been crafty, cruel and intelligent. A person who had only awakened for two weeks, could not have killed him.

"Were you the one who did that me?" Trux asked with rage, his face still bubbling with rage.

"This does not matter, Trux," Athar shook his head.

Trux let out a derisive snort as he stepped forward. Enough words had been exchanged. Now, it was time for action.

He had barely taken two steps when a sudden eruption of black mist surged out from Athar’s body, swallowing the space between them. The mist coiled through the air, instantly obscuring Trux’s vision. He could see nothing and without mana sense, he was helpless.

Panic flickered in his mind, and before he could even think of his next move or how to counter the mist, a bone jarring force slammed into his gut.

The wind was knocked clean out of him as his body was launched backward. A choked grunt of pain burst from his lips, followed by the dull thud of his back hitting the ground hard.

Two more cries echoed through the mist. His companions. Then two successive thuds as their bodies joined his on the dirt.

Then, as abruptly as it had arrived, the black mist dispersed.

Athar, meanwhile, stood still amidst the fading mist, his expression unreadable and his presence unmistakable weighing heavy on the three.

Trux and his two companions lay sprawled on the ground with their hands clutching their stomachs.

Their faces were contorted in discomfort and had turned red in colour. Either from pain, or from shame or from anger. Or perhaps all the three. Only they could tell.

Though their injuries were not severe, the sensation they had felt in that instant lingered in their mind. That emptiness, as if their insides were empty, when the force had slammed on their guts.

Trux somehow overcame his pain and mana flared around him. He was going to summon his beast.

"Do not do that, Trux," Athar’s calm voice snapped Trux’s attention. "It would draw a lot of attention and I do not think that even you would be wanting that."

"If you are really so desperate," Athar added. "Then arrange a full duel. I will happily take on all the three of you."

Trux too realised that any more commotion and it would invariably draw the attention of the academy. He could not afford that. He had certain impunity for his actions in the academy but as long as it did not cross a line.

He clenched his fist in anger and frustration but made no further move.

Athar cast one final glance towards the trio and turned towards Terius.

"Athar," he said awkwardly.

Athar, ideally, might have not wanted to get himself involved into any such confrontation. But he realised that even if backed away, the other side was not going to back away immediately.

Although, Miss. Angelica’s threat was keeping them at bay at the moment, they would not be able to hold themselves forever. Someone like Trux would always be willing to test his resolve and patience.

And now coming face to face with Terius, he was interested in his story.

"Terius," Athar said calmly. "Come with me."

Terius wanting to go far from Trux and his men, nodded vigorously and followed behind Athar.

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