A few students ran around, checking behind every tree and under every bush.
"He couldn't have gone far! Check everywhere!"
"Are you sure he couldn't have? He is really fast..."
"...I don't know, actually."
The two talked as they moved, leaving a third student, who scanned the area.
Suddenly something hit him from behind and grabbed him.
Covering his mouth, an unseen force took him into the dark woods.
Cyril tied up the student with a vine, completely obstructing his legs, arms, and mouth.
"There."
He stood up and warily glanced around, focusing on voices that gradually grew distant.
No one noticed for now.
Cyril nodded with satisfaction and glanced at the body on the ground.
The student glared at him sharply, his hands and legs twisting, trying to get free.
A red butterfly on Cyril's shoulder twitched her antennae in contemplation.
What is happening to them?
Cyril grabbed onto the student's face, keeping it from moving.
The eyes that looked at him were almost fanatical in their hatred but also mixed with some other emotion.
Rhamn appeared at his side, on her head was suddenly a detective's hat.
"Before we do anything, we need to figure out the cause of this sudden aggression. It was way too sudden."
Cyril observed the student's hate-filled eyes for a few moments more.
...I think he is feeling jealous.
He let go of the head and stood up.
Are they under a spell of some kind?
"What, all of them and for this long? That would be a powerful spell."
Cyril looked above, at the crowns of trees that seemed unending, right at the clouds that obscured the sun above.
Doesn't seem that crazy to me.
"...Maybe."
Rhamn pinched her hat, her expression becoming solemn.
"We can't do anything about that anyways. Let's test something instead..."
Cyril listened to her for a moment, briefly frowning.
Then he looked back at the angry student on the ground and crouched down.
His cold blue eyes met the rage-filled eyes, and he raised his hand.
"Did you know I've been holding back with my spells before?" Cyril calmly whispered.
"I haven't been trying to cause pain, but..." He slowly brought his hand close to the student's chest.
The rage-filled eyes shook, slowly changing.
"I am curious what would happen to a human's body if I did."
As the palm approached, the student closed his eyes, only panic on his face now.
Huh.
Cyril clenched his palm into a fist and hit the man's head.
With the sound of glass breaking, the barrier was destroyed.
The student rolled in pain and slowly disappeared, vines binding him included.
I might've still needed that...
Cyril shook his head and got up, the butterfly on his shoulder fluttering her wings in excitement.
"It's confirmed their rage is not unbreakable! We can continue on with the plan!"
Rhamn threw her hat away and crossed her arms, on her face a mischievous smile.
Suddenly, Cyril heard someone approaching and dashed away.
He leaned against another tree, staying still as the noises disappeared.
...Still can't believe I'm hiding.
He sighed with frustration and turned towards the red-eyed woman in a business suit nearby.
So, are you sure that will work?
She nodded with complete confidence.
"Yes! No matter how many we strike down, they will just come again."
A malicious glint shone in her eyes.
"Instead, we just have to break their spirits! Scare them into submission! It shouldn't be too hard, we already have the foundation for that."
That will be detrimental to my reputation.
"Don't worry. This will work in our favor in the long run. The more feared you are, the more impressed they will be once you start doing some good deeds."
I feel I've heard that before.
Rhamn looked at him with a knowing smile.
"Well, otherwise, you can be defeated by them, and that'll calm things down."
Cyril hesitated for a few seconds, a frown emerging on his face.
...Let's go with your plan.
"Great! Finally all that annoying gossip I hear all day will be put to use!"
The butterfly on his shoulder twitched her antennae in curiosity, unaware of the plan.
"Be ready to fight given the signal." He whispered to her and focused on his hearing.
Once the rustle of leaves around him disappeared, Cyril cautiously resumed his exploration.
Need to find a suitable place.
"Preferably something cool and intimidating."
...
A small army of students hastily marched through the gloomy forest, bringing light with them.
At the front walked a brown-haired student with a two-handed sword on his back.
His face had an excited smile.
"Scouts! What's the word?"
Albert pointed towards a student who just arrived from the bushes.
"...Thorne is nowhere to be found to the north and west."
"Hahaha!" Albert held his head and laughed.
"See! He's afraid of us, this will work!"
One of the students near him gave him a skeptical look.
"Something doesn't sit right with me. She was the one who came up with this tactic, and she is Thorne's friend."
Albert waved his hand in dismissal.
"We are all on the same team, and besides, it's not that surprising for him to be betrayed. It's Thorne we are talking about!"
"He is right!"
Someone yelled, soon joined by others, their eyes filling with emotion once again.
"Still, Thorne is... really strong..." Someone whispered.
Hesitation shone in the eyes of a few others.
Albert quietly tsked and raised his hand.
"Listen to me!"
Everyone slowed down and looked at him.
"With every encounter we are that much closer to defeating Thorne... Thorne! Think about it!"
He spread his hands to the sides with an excited smile.
"It might be painful now, but just think of what will follow! Think of how you can proudly say in the future, 'I beat Thorne!'"
The spark already in the eyes of the student around grew even more.
"With this, today will mark the beginning of that family's downfall!"
A smile gradually emerged on the faces of the students present, their state growing similar to Albert's.
At this moment a white fireball streaked across the sky, as if a guiding star.
"There! Just a little more!"
Albert turned around and marched on, waving his arm in the air.
"After me! We will win today!"
"Yes!"
The small army excitedly went through the forest, quickly and without stopping.
They went towards a hill, their spirits passionate.
Suddenly a body was thrown into the tree right near Albert, making him freeze.
It slid to the ground, the barrier broken, and soon disappeared.
Albert and the rest of the students behind him glanced forward.
There, on the very top of the hill, stood Cyril, a spear in his hands.
The butterfly hovered in the air near him. There was no sign of the disc-shaped crystal.
His face was completely calm, his breathing even as he gazed at the excited crowd.
His cold blue eyes without the slightest fear somehow dampened the fire of the crowd.
Momentarily distracted, Albert recovered and pointed at Cyril.
"Surround him! Don't leave even the tiniest opening!"
The crowd slowly circled him, their weapons at the ready.
Albert took a step forward, his smile becoming wider.
"Cyril Thorne! You really underestimate us... but not for long! It's time for you to pay for your pride!"
Cyril sighed internally, his face still calm.
Selene said that too, but I am not that proud, am I?
"Of course not!"
"Let's deal with these losers already!"
Cyril slowly looked over the crowd and shook his head.
"Is that all, or will you wait for more people?"
Albert frowned without responding.
Cyril continued, his cold gaze resting on him.
"Better use all you have. I don't want to hear any excuses later."
"The weak are really good at that."
The crowd froze, and immediately the anger in their eyes intensified.
"..."
"It's going well, go on!"
Rhamn cheered near him, her smile becoming more and more gleeful.