The moment the camera shutter clicked,
Both Silas and Einar snapped their heads toward Ashan at the exact same time, their expressions twisting with raw fury as their killing intent surged violently, now fully redirected toward him.
Ashan, however, didn't waste even a fraction of that opportunity, pressing the capture button with deliberate satisfaction and locking in the image of their enraged faces—an expression that, to him, was far more valuable than any battlefield victory.
For a brief moment, the air grew heavier.
Then,
Their combined fury collapsed onto him like a tidal wave.
"You bastard… what the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Ashan turned toward them casually, raising one hand in a loose, almost mocking wave, his posture completely relaxed as though he wasn't standing in front of two S-rankers on the verge of exploding.
"Oh my… did I interrupt something important?" he said lightly, tilting his head with feigned concern. "My apologies. I didn't realize your little exchange was so… heartfelt."
His lips curved into a faint smirk as he glanced at his phone.
"But really, what was I supposed to do? This was too good to miss," he continued, lifting the device slightly. "Moments like this don't come often.. you know, two senile old S-rankers publicly humiliating themselves in front of an entire academy."
He paused, as if considering something, before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"Honestly… that old saying about people getting more fucking stupid as they age might actually have some truth to it."
His gaze sharpened just a little.
"Though I'll admit… even for that, this is pretty pathetic."
That was the breaking point.
The last thread of restraint snapped instantly, and without another word, both Silas and Einar moved at the same time, launching toward Ashan with overwhelming speed, their killing intent fully unleashed as the ground beneath them cracked from the force of their movement.
But just before their attacks could collide,
A figure stepped in.
Garrick.
He appeared directly between them, his presence firm and immovable as he forced both of them to halt, his expression dark with irritation.
"What exactly are you two trying to do?" he demanded, his voice carrying authority as his gaze hardened. "Have you completely lost your minds?"
"Step aside, Garrick," Silas growled, his voice low and dangerous as his grip tightened around his sword. "I'm going to carve that bastard's face open… mask and all."
"Get a hold of yourself," Garrick snapped back immediately, his tone sharp as he pointed toward the academy behind them.
"Everything you're doing is being recorded, and every single student is watching this unfold. On top of that, this place has already taken enough damage.. we are not turning it into rubble again unless you want to personally answer to Maren."
That was enough to make Silas pause, if only for a moment.
Einar clicked his tongue in irritation, though his killing intent didn't fade in the slightest.
"So what, you're telling us to just let him go?" he said, his voice laced with disbelief. "After everything he's said?"
Garrick exhaled slowly before turning his gaze toward Ashan, his expression turning stern.
"You," he said bluntly, "this situation is largely your doing. Not only did you openly provoke one S-ranker, you've now managed to antagonize another. If this escalates any further, you'll be the one held responsible."
Ashan waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing away the entire warning.
"Yeah, yeah… responsibility, consequences, all that," he replied lazily, before his tone shifted, gaining a sharper edge. "I'll take responsibility by beating both of them into the ground… how about that?"
He straightened slightly, his eyes narrowing as a clear decision settled in.
"Actually… now that things have gotten interesting, I've made up my mind."
A brief pause.
"I'll fight both of them."
His gaze locked onto them.
"At the same time."
Silence.
Then,
"WHAT…?!"
Einar's breathing turned heavy as a faint mist escaped his mouth, blue flames igniting across the dragonized portions of his body, his aura surging violently.
Silas's grip tightened around his swords as mana flooded into them, the blades trembling as if alive.
"Do you take us for toys?" Silas's voice exploded, filled with fury. "Fighting both of us at once.. how dare you look down on us like that?!"
Even Garrick's expression darkened at that.
"Masked one," he said coldly, "I acknowledge your strength, but do not mistake that for superiority. We are not individuals who tolerate being looked down upon. Our standing, our authority, and our capabilities are not something you dismiss lightly."
Ashan raised both hands slightly, as if surrendering.
"Alright, alright… my mistake," he said, though the tone of his voice made it painfully clear that the apology was anything but sincere.
He lifted a finger.
"Then let's adjust things. I'll fight one at a time… back-to-back."
Einar let out a low laugh, his grin filled with mockery.
"One at a time? You think this is some kind of game?" he said, shaking his head. "This is what happens when I go easy from the start."
"Exactly," Silas added, his voice sharp. "And I'd be more than happy to fix that mistake myself."
Einar's gaze sharpened.
"Enough talk. Decide it now," he said, pointing his blade forward. "Which one of us are you facing first?"
Ashan tilted his head slightly, glancing up at the sky as if genuinely thinking it over, taking his time despite the overwhelming pressure directed at him.
"Well… this is a bit of a tough choice," he murmured.
Then, after a moment, he lowered his gaze and pointed directly at Einar.
"I'll start with you," he said calmly. "I don't particularly like your attitude, and since we already have unfinished business, it makes sense to settle that first."
His eyes shifted toward Silas.
"And after that… I'll deal with you properly. I have no intention of avoiding that fight."
Silas clicked his tongue, clearly dissatisfied.
Einar, on the other hand, let out a pleased laugh, his killing intent intensifying.
"Good," he said. "Let's continue from where we left off."
"Make sure you crack that mask open for me," Silas added coldly.
"Hold it," Garrick interrupted, raising a hand as his tone turned firm once more. "If you're going to fight, you're not doing it here."
Ashan nodded slightly. "That's reasonable."
"But where?" he asked.
Garrick glanced toward Maren.
"There's a large training ground outside the academy.. built specifically for S-rank engagements," he explained. "However, it's restricted property. We'll need the director's permission to use it."
"Then let's not waste time," Ashan replied immediately. "We'll ask her now."
Garrick gave a short nod and began walking toward Maren.
The others followed.
As they moved, Ashan walked calmly at the front, his posture relaxed, while behind him, both Silas and Einar kept their eyes locked onto him, their gazes burning with undisguised killing intent.
Sorin drifted closer during the walk, her eyes briefly shifting toward Silas and Einar in greeting, though neither of them spared her a glance.
Instead, Ashan was the one who noticed.
He turned his head slightly, meeting her gaze.
For a brief moment, his eyes met hers.
Sorin gave a small, knowing nod.
Ashan returned it just as casually.
By the time they reached Maren, she had already stepped forward, Lia and the other S-rankers gathering behind her.
"Garrick," she said, her tone measured, "you're late. As usual."
Garrick smirked faintly before his expression turned serious.
"There's a situation," he said plainly. "These three intend to settle things through a fight."
Maren's expression tightened.
"And?"
"The only suitable location nearby is the academy's S-rank ground," he continued. "We need your permission to use it."
Maren inhaled sharply, already calculating the consequences—the destruction, the cost, the inevitable repairs.
"That place is…"
"Just say yes," Ashan cut in bluntly. "Unless you'd prefer we do it here instead. I don't really mind."
Maren froze, her hand rising to grip her hair as frustration built.
"You…!" she growled under her breath, clearly cornered.
After a moment of internal struggle, she let out a long exhale.
"Fine," she said at last. "Do whatever you want, but don't completely destroy the place. If that ground gets reduced to rubble, I'll be the one forced to drain the academy's funds to rebuild it."
Her gaze sharpened.
"So keep that in mind."
Einar slammed his blade into the ground with a heavy thud, the impact sending a tremor through the area as a few gasps escaped from the surrounding crowd.
"Don't worry so much," he said, his tone laced with confidence as he looked toward Ashan. "It won't take more than a few clean hits to put him down… assuming he doesn't rely on those cheap tricks again."
Ashan let out a low laugh.
"Relax," he replied. "I won't be going intangible this time."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And you defeating me in just a few hits?"
A faint smirk appeared.
"Let's see if you can actually pull that off."