Chapter 280 (1/2)

Zhang Dong was a bit maddened. He had made many blunders through these aptitude tests which caused Beatrice to stand out. The plan of getting into the special class with somewhat lowered scores had fallen through. Beatrice was looking like some kind of gifted child now, far above the other powerful noble houses. He knew well how those types of people reacted to upstarts, his only hope was that they wouldn't go all out against a child till she grows.

Then there was this guy that was trying to pull a fast one. He felt the magic instructor attempt some underhanded attack during the third test. To him, it looked like he was out for no good as this attack would damage Beatrice's soul. The two were connected with each other so he was quickly made aware of this intrusion.

The purpose of this underhanded attack was unknown to him. It certainly had a different purpose than the mana pressure test. He reacted fast by intercepting the attacker, he was injecting a soul fragment for some reason so it was easy to pull it into his own soul dimension. Through this, he was able to make contact with the old man's own soul and trap him here for now.

The place looked like a giant castle with him sitting on a throne. He had played around during the last training session with Beatrice and had left it like this. The old man he pulled in was now trembling before him and down on his knees.

”I apologize for my transgression, great spirit.”

'I guess he thinks I'm a spirit like Beatrice does… Did he want to harm her? Maybe some jealous young noble ordered him to damage her future prospects?'

Zhang Dong was thinking in line with what cultivators from his own world would do. It was normal for them to try to cripple the competition. If this was true then he was kind of at fault for getting Beatrice noticed by the other students.

'It could also be a big misunderstanding as always…'

He also had enough sense and life experience to know that things weren't always how they seemed. The old guy could very well be doing something else entirely. He wasn't versed in these magic world's techniques, he could only distinguish them on a basic level. A prodding towards the girl's soul was done, if it would leave long-lasting effects or harm her, he wasn't sure.

That is also why he didn't try to trash him the moment he got here. His own soul energy was far greater than this old man. Though the old fart was the strongest person that he came across here. His energy levels were akin to someone at the very early onset of core formation. For someone at the middle stage of the nascent soul, this was nothing.

”Explain to me… what was your reason? Who put you up to this? Are there people aiming for Beatrice's life?”

”Aiming for her life? N-no great spirit, you have it all wrong! This has nothing to do with the student that you made a contract with!”

The man became quite chatty, this was probably because his soul beast was right next to him. The size difference between the small old man and the giant golden dragon was immense.

Zhang Dong was painted a picture during this explanation. There were supposed 'demons' in this world, ones that liked to infiltrate human locations like this magical academy. Due to Beatrice's strange boost in power during the test, he was called to check up on her. The attack that he intercepted was there to see if she was one of this form shifting monsters.

”So, these demons infiltrate schools like this to steal knowledge or to kill potential strong magicians?”

'Great now I have to contend with body snatchers…'

”Is there a way to detect these demons?”

”Yes great spirit, they are susceptible to certain magical spells. The same one that I performed on your summoner…”

It was strange to look at an old man that was kneeling down and looking up to him with glistening eyes. He was like a really old wrinkled up puppy that looked at his master after peeing on the carpet. It did seem like he was telling the truth, he had certain techniques to measure things like that.

”Very well… you may leave…”

”Thank you, great spirit! I will never forget your generosity”

The man's eyes opened up wide and he was all smiles but that turned upside down the moment Zhang Dong spoke out again.

”But to be sure, I'll have to leave you with a small present.”

”A present, great spirit?”

Zhang Dong flicked his finger forward and a small golden bolt of lightning flew out. It connected with the soul version of the old man, the moment it did he could hear him scream out in pain.

”I will leave my mark on you, if you ever go against Beatrice in any way, your life will be forfeit! You don't have to worry, if you do a simple task for me your life will be spared.”

The vice-principal opened up his eyes to find himself on the ground. The students that were taking the test were around him. It looked like he had passed out and dropped dead during the test. Even some teachers were coming from the side.

”Is everything okay?”

He shot up to his feet and checked for something. There was a certain seal placed in his body now, it wasn't something that he was capable of removing with his current power. The contracted spirit that lived in the girl had placed some kind of kill switch on him, of this he was certain.

”Y-yes… the test is over… now if you'll excuse me…”

The old man that was still disguised as the teacher quickly ran back into the back room where his associates were.

”Vice-principal what happened? You suddenly collapsed?”

”How long was I unconscious?”

”For about ten seconds…”

”Is that so…”

”What about the student? Is she a demon?”

”The student?”