"The bet is canceled because you're using someone else's results as your own!" Arthur declared.Alex glared at Arthur.Arthur was the hero of the academy, charming everyone. If he declared the bet unfair, it meant it was canceled."So be it, if you refuse to accept the outcome," Alex replied.He understood that forcing the issue would only make people hate him more. After all, he was already the infamous villain.Lyra stepped in front of Alex. "Where are you going? You're cheating on the bet, which means you lose! Now, honor the wager and end your life!"All eyes turned to Alex.He realized the saying was true: if you don't defend yourself, people will think you're weak and begin to take advantage of you.Suddenly, a gust of wind magic struck Lyra, knocking her backward.Before she hit the ground, Arthur caught her in his arms."What are you doing?" Arthur snapped.Tanya, standing behind Alex, glared angrily at Lyra. "Don't push your luck. Alex won the bet; you should honor it and acc
The accusation against Henry's daughter, Arriane, had caused a rift within the Emberleaf family.They quickly sided with Harold, the eldest, who held a higher rank in magic and wielded more influence.No one cared to delve deeper into the matter; instead, they quickly offered their congratulations to Harold."Congratulations, Lord Harold! You'll be the next leader of the Emberleaf family!" they exclaimed.Harold smirked confidently. "I'm planning to present the magic formula to the elders this afternoon, after contemplating it for a week," he announced smugly."I don't know how my niece managed to sneak into my room and steal the diagram, but Henry, you need to discipline your daughter!"Henry was furious. "How dare you accuse my daughter of stealing! That formula is her own creation!"Harold laughed dismissively. "Do you honestly believe a mere Rank 4 magician like Arriane could develop a Rank 7 magic formula? Even I've struggled with it for years! She clearly stole it from me.""Arr
The Elder gazed intently at both Harold and Arriane, his expression inscrutable.After a moment of heavy silence, he finally spoke. "Interesting," he mused.Harold's brow furrowed. "What's interesting?" he demanded."I believe one of you genuinely crafted this magic formula," the Elder replied. "I wanted to observe your reactions. Someone who toiled to recreate such an ancient spell would feel pride, joy, a sense of accomplishment. Yet both of you seem incredulous." He scrutinized their faces. "I may be old, but I've witnessed much in my time. Neither of you drew this diagram."Harold's eyes involuntarily flickered toward Arriane. She looked down, recalling the pride on Alex's face when he completed the formula for *Forest Rebirth*. The confidence and certainty he exuded were qualities she realized she lacked.Taking a deep breath, Arriane met the Elder's gaze. "You're right, Elder. The diagram was made after I commissioned it from a powerful Rank 8 magician. Through my connections, t
Alex was in a carriage returning to the Academy after two months.His carriage was empty since no one was willing to share it with him after his troubles with Arthur Fairhaven.Only Tanya accompanied him.When their long carriage reached the outer gate of the Academy, there was a commotion at the front, causing the whole procession to slow down.People were yelling loudly."Lord Alex! Where is Lord Alex?""Lord Alex, please answer!"A group of people kept calling his name.Alex opened the carriage door and found a group of people with the Emberleaf insignia."Are you Lord Alex?" they asked."I am indeed Alex, but not your lord," he replied.Some people were already yelling to the larger group when Arrianne rushed to Alex and quickly knelt before him."Lord Alex, it is great to meet you here," she said.Suddenly, the whole Emberleaf group—about a hundred people—bowed down to Alex, causing all the carriages to stop and people to open their doors to see what was happening.Arthur was amo
Arthur Fairhaven worshipped Zeus, the King of the Gods, with fierce pride.He relished the honor of being one of Zeus's chosen, as the god accepted only the best of the best as his followers.As the firstborn of Duke Fairhaven, Arthur always knew he was destined for success and respected by all.But recently, rumors had begun to swirl. Whispers echoed in the halls that he had been beaten in betting by the outcast, Alexander Leonhart.People were starting to question his status as a worshipper of Zeus, and news spread that Alex also had even bested him at the auction house.The humiliation ate at Arthur, leaving him with only one regret."That I didn't kill Alex sooner."Arthur's butler had died during a mission to steal Alex's belongings, and there was a strong possibility that Alex had someone backing him to commit the murder.Alex was supposed to be a worthless rat, but now Duke Mirestone and even the Emberleaf family had aligned with him.Arthur's fists clenched at the thought. If
Alex stood in the arena, the sunlight glinting off Natania’s full armor as she gripped her gleaming sword.“I demand an honorable battle under the god of Ares,” Natania declared, her voice strong.“Oh, bullshit,” Alex shot back, unfazed.“Why do you always need your god’s permission? All he does is make you a slave, ordering you around.”“Silence!” Natania roared, charging at him. “They are gods, more powerful than us!”Alex swiftly parried her attack with his wooden sword, redirecting the strike away.“The True Source created gods, us, and demons, putting us all on the same level. We don’t have to be their slaves! Even the True Source doesn’t see us as servants, but as children.”With a powerful kick, Alex sent Natania flying out of the arena.“We are children of light, created by True Source, while you’re all enslaved by these fake gods!”Ian Mirestone, a devoted follower of Thoth, the god of wisdom, stood watching nervously.Though a duke, he felt his heart race hearing Alex challe
As they watched Natania convert safely to the True Source God, even Ares, the God known for his hatred of betrayal, did nothing.Ian and Elder Emberleaf knew one thing: this True Source God was greater than Ares.They were two old men who had seen much throughout their years—witnessing the fallout when gods and goddesses clashed because of their followers.Humans like them always became the victims.Sometimes they died instantly, other times, they died miserably. Nothing good ever came of it.But looking at Natania, now healed despite her wound, it was clear—the True Source was a kind God, one unafraid of Ares.If even Ares couldn't challenge this True Source, then the lesser gods and goddesses of Mirestone and Emberleaf had no chance either.Ian couldn’t hold back anymore.Stepping forward, he asked Alex, “What kind of sacrifice does the True Source demand? Human blood? Animal blood? People’s lives?”Alex laughed. “The True Source owns everything. He doesn’t need anything from you. T
Alex had prepared everything for this fight, knowing the hardest attack he would face was Zeus' lightning strike.They said it came in a flash, and for thousands of years, no one had survived that sure-kill attack.In history, Arthur was supposed to use this devastating power against the Demon King who would threaten their world.But now, with Alex stepping in, everything had become more complicated.Alex anticipated that Arthur wouldn't unleash the final attack, knowing that Alex posed no real threat to his life.This was why Alex adopted a defensive stance, leading to a stalemate. However, Arthur’s desire to kill him was real.For Arthur, the mere fact that he had to duel someone as lowly as Alex—and end in a draw—was already a death sentence in itself.As Arthur grabbed his small Zeus token, ready to unleash the legendary strike, Alex activated his overthinking ability, making everything around him slow.He knew Arthur would launch the one-time attack, and quickly opened his emblem