78 Despicable! So Despicable! (1/2)
A commotion suddenly sounded in the quiet square, along with hurried footsteps from the tunnel.
”You in front, move!”
”It’s the concertmaster challenge. Hurry up! It’ll be over if we’re late.”
”I want to see Eastern Ye beat up the challenger. Hurry up, hurry up…”
”Psh, I bet he’s the one getting beat up!”
”Look, Mom! I’m going to be on the Notice List!”
”Someone come and drag this psycho away…”
The dark crowd took up the entire square. Everyone was startled and stared at each other.
”Did it start yet? Get on with it, I’m in a hurry!”
”Front row seat, front row seat!”
”Hey, don’t leave! You, you made me drop my drumstick!”
”Sh…stop playing around! It’s the concertmaster challenge!”
Besides the rowdy students that came to see the show, there were many curious professors as well.
Ye Qingxuan recognized some familiar faces, such as the gloomy Banner, and Ben who had rushed back to campus after receiving the news.
Charles cut through the crowd like a fish in water. ”I have stools. Does anyone want some? Anyone? Sit up close to the first concertmaster challenge of this year! Don’t miss this opportunity! ”Pumpkin seeds, soda and ice cream, anyone? It’s all five pounds per set. They’re not being sold individually. Don’t want it? Okay then.” Charles called out, ”Hey, I have a rotating chair for you, Professor. Would you like one? It’s only fifty pounds, very cheap! You want three? Great!”
”Charles…” Ye Qingxuan could not help but bury his face in his hands and sigh. He should have guessed this was what would happen when Charles had lugged a mysterious pile of things over. So this was what he had been waiting for!
Rooted to his spot, Brian’s expression changed. He prepared to say something, but behind him, a hoarse voice said, ”Good. Just like this.”
Dominic spoke from the shadows. He rolled the peanuts in his hands and threw them in his mouth, one by one. Seeing that they tasted good, he waved. ”Hey, come here, give me two more bags…”
Brian grimaced, but he did not say anything. He took one last glance at Ye Qingxuan, not hiding his disgust whatsoever. ”Since the school office has already verified it, we can start now. But it’s different from regular duels. You are allowed to injure and maim in the concertmaster challenge.” Spitting out the word allowed, he announced the start of the challenge and left.
The square silenced in an instant. It was finally starting.
--
At the heart of the snake circle, Bart stared coldly at Ye Qingxuan.
Facing each other, they put their hands to their chest for a bow, performing all the required etiquette. But when they looked at each other, Ye Qingxuan heard Bart say, ”You will regret this decision. I’ve been a student for two years!”
Ye Qingxuan was calm as ever. He gazed at Bart with frustrating pity. ”If I win, I hope you will promise me something.” He sighed. ”My time is precious. Can you all go and read more books and stop causing trouble for me?” He paused, shaking his head. ”Wasting other people’s time is shameful.”
”Are you scared?” Bart chuckled. ”This is only the beginning.”
Ye Qingxuan pursed his lips. It was as if they were speaking different languages—it was a waste of time.
According to etiquette, they were to take ten steps back after bowing, and stand at the rim of the snake circle. Outside of the ring, Brian flipped a coin.
Bart kept his eyes glued on the coin, watching as it flipped in the air, cut through and landed in the center of the square. A sharp sound rung out as it bounced on the stone. It had begun!
Bart raised a hand instantly and began chanting loudly. A mouthful of syllables hung in the air. Aether gathered at his fingertip, forming a blurry shield in front of him.
”Planning and attacking” was the typical way Revelations fought. They believed that finding the right timing was more important than blind attempts. They first had to protect themselves, and store strength. After finding the right opportunity, they would destroy the enemy with one blow!
As he chanted, a blurry rune rose from his heart. The rune seemed as strong as stone, standing in his soul, and calming his slightly panicked mind. This was the most common protection rune—one of the uses of ”Iron.” By transforming the aether into an iron wall, one had produced a shield. This effect was long-lasting, and would not break unless it was hit with an explosive rune. It could also take in new aether and become stronger through chanting.
But when he finished chanting and looked up, he froze in shock. His enemy was right in front of his eyes.