Back to Alex's location.
Artemia and Isabella dashed toward the fallen Alex and checked his condition; his body was scorching, his heartbeat was beating at fast speed.
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
''What's going on, your highness?"
Isabella couldn't help but inquire after seeing Alex in this state.
''It is probably has something to do with his sister. Something bad must have happened. Although-"
Before Artemia could finish answering Isabella's question, she got interrupted.
''Gracier, don't go, Gracier, Alexandra!!! Wait!!!"
As if he was having a nightmare, Alex shouted as his body started thrashing.
With Isabella's help, Artemia managed to calm Alex before he further rampages to hurt himself. Isabella used a water skill to cool Alex's temperature; the latter fell asleep just after this.
Artemia and Isabella waited for Alex to wake up before going back; they couldn't live with a sleeping Alex. However, even after one day, Alex showed no sign of waking up. The girls decided to wait a little bit to see; maybe he was exhausted; unfortunately, even on the second day, Alex was still unconscious, even Silveria didn't show up.
Artemia and Isabella became worried as Alex showed no sign of waking up after two days. However, they could do nothing except wait; in these two days, they kept feeding Alex a High-grade Healing potion; they even mixed in Mana recovery potion and yet still no response. Facing Alex's situation, they were helpless.
In the outside world, the capital was thrown into turmoil after Maria, Sakuya, Luna, and Leon returned injured, announcing the kidnapping of Alex's sister, Elseria went berserk, she sent her forces to go search for Gracier, she even asked the Mercenary Guild for help, Sera was seriously injured, even so, she tried to go search for Gracier, it was thanks to Elseria harsh words she stopped and decided to recuperate enough to be able to complete the search mission.
All the students sent into dungeons have returned, except for Alex's group; these students were being kept in the academy dormitory for observation to check if there was nothing unusual about them.
Another two passed, still no sign of Alex's group. People started wondering if Alex's group didn't encounter any mishaps.
However, on the evening of the same day, Alex's group came back.
Alex could be seen sauntering toward the academy; there was no expression on his face, only coldness. Artemia, who was walking on his right, couldn't help but sigh; she didn't know how many she sighed like this; Alex woke up this morning, and since then, he was always like this; he didn't talk too much, only respond with few words. As Artemia expected, Gracier got kidnapped by someone, Maria and others seriously injured; as for how Alex knew this, Artemia didn't dare to ask as she could feel Alex's anger.
Isabella stayed silent as well; however, from time to time, she would sneak peek at Alex to see if there was a change; unfortunately, his face was still expressionless as they come closer to the academy. The passerby wanted to shout to welcome Artemia's arrival; however, the atmosphere around her didn't permit such action, so they could only close their mouths.
Finally, Alex's group entered the academy; Chris was waiting for their arrival; he didn't say a word; he leads Alex's group toward where the others are.
For the first time since waking up, Alex's expression softened when he saw Luna, Maria, Sakuya, Leon, and others.
''How are you?"
''Fine, it's good to see you back.''
Maria, Luna, and Sakuya said in unison before giving Alex a group hug.
''My friend, thank you for what you have done. I'll remember it.''
Still hugging the girls, Alex turned his head in Leon's direction.
Leon smiled helplessly and said, ''No need for thank between us. I should be apologizing instead as I couldn't keep up my promise-"
''Say no more; you have done your best. Let's me take it from now on.'' Alex interrupted Leon and said.
''Sorry, Alex, we couldn't help. If you need anything, say it, we will help you find her. I have already instructed some people to search for her.''
The Wolfang's twin and Kuina said.
''Thank you. I will be relying on you.''
Seeing Alex responding to his friends, Artemia and Isabella heaved a sigh of relief. However, their expressions suddenly changed when they saw a group approaching them; this group was not present when Alex's group entered.
It was Leonardo's group, putting on a concerned expression, Leonardo who was in the lead said, his voice was loud, loud enough for everyone to hear it.
''Welcome back, Alexander; I'm sorry for what-"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Before Leonardo could finish whatever he planned to say, the world in front of him blurred for a split second before returning to normal, and a horrible explosion shook the whole building. Soon another explosion followed.
People became dumbfounded; Leon's eyes widened as he was the one to understand what was going; he wondered how Alex knew those were involved, then he remembered Alex's words, he talked as if he saw what happened; everything makes sense now.
Chris, who just came after leaving to bring Freya, was shocked to see Leonardo and Damien embedded in the opposite wall; the sturdy wall was cracked; Freya stopped Chris when he wanted to lash out at Alex for suddenly attacking his classmates.
''Wait, there must be a reason for the boy to act like that.''
Chris could only sigh as he didn't have the choice.
While ignoring the incredulous looks of the people around him, Alex slowly walked toward Leonardo, aiming Silveria at Damien; he disabled him with one bullet in each limb.
''Guh! Pfff!"
After spurting blood, Damien passed out.
Someone suddenly appeared before Alex forcing him to stop; it was Camilla.
''Please, Alex, stop, please stop, I beg-"
''Move''
Only one word, and Camilla fell on his knees shivering, Alex's glare, his voice was too frightening, it was as if she was sent to the abyss of death as if she was facing the King of hell, going against his order would result in death. Neither Kevin nor Dodolus could move after being glared at by Alex.
Alex continued to walk toward Leonardo, who was puking blood nonstop; he stopped few steps away, heterochromia eyes locked into him, Leonardo didn't know from where the immense feeling of absolute fear came from, but he couldn't look at Alex in the face.
However, when he remembered where they are, the people around them, Leonardo ground his teeth.
''What are you planning to do? Wh what is the meaning-"
Bang!
''Gaha!"
A solid punch landed in Leonardo's stomach; his armor cracked, he almost lost consciousness.
Lifting him, Alex took the air. This action surprised many; even Freya, who usually remains calm facing any situation, couldn't help but be surprised.
''Rank 10?"
Most of the people present couldn't believe that Alex became Rank 10 in less than a month; one should know that the gap between Rank 7 to 10 was huge, one needs a tremendous amount of XP to level up, not only that one needs time as well, lot of time, so when they saw Alex jumping from Rank 7 to 10 in less than one month, people were beyond surprised. They wished to learn what happened; unfortunately, now wasn't the time.
Maria, Luna, Sakuya, Kuina, Eris, Ferris, and Leon couldn't help but lament, most of them are currently Rank 8, with a few closer to Rank 9; however, Alex outclassed them.
''Sigh! What a freak!"
Leon said the others couldn't help but agree.
In the sky, Alex held the struggling Leonardo by the neck; he coldly stared into the latter eyes. No words, only brutal moves.
Crack!
''Gah!''
Crack!
''Ahhhhhh~''
Under the crowd of astonished eyes, Alex broke Leonardo's arms; he bent them to an unnatural angle.
''Wai wait, it wasn't me. It was Damien's idea. I don't know anything; I don't know where they sent your sister-"
BANG! Fwoosh!
''Giaaaaahhh!"
Without hesitation, Alex fired a Fire into Leonardo's left leg; it was set ablaze; Alex extinguished the flame with an ice bullet. The pain was unbearable, so Leonardo lost consciousness. However, he was brought back by a few slaps.
On the ground, people couldn't believe what they just heard, to think Damien and Leonardo were responsible for Gracier's kidnapping.
''Take Damien to the dungeon. And contact the pope.''
Freya ordered before flying toward Alex, once on the same level as him, she suggested.
''Boy, let him go. You have vented enough. Let's us take it from now on.''
Alex didn't say anything; he threw Leonardo toward the ground; like a meteor; Leonardo crashed against the hard floor, leaving a deep crater there.
''I will come back.''
Alex said before descending toward Maria and others.
''Alex, can I have a word with you?"
The moment Alex descended on the ground, Leon asked; Alex's expression softened.
''Sure.''
The two went somewhere secluded before Leon recounted what happened, what he saw inside his injury, its piece of black metal.
After studying the piece of black metal, Alex found nothing; he decided to store it away.
〖This piece can help us find where they took Gracier. I'm more curious about what is the goal of that woman. She didn't kill the girls; she even let a hint behind, almost as if she wished to be found. Who is this girl?〗
To Silveria's question, Alex stayed silent; he would like to have the answer as well.
When he was unconscious, he saw Gracier's last memories, how the black-skinned woman singlehandedly take care of them after killing her subordinates. It was thanks to these memories that Alex learned that Damien and Leonardo were present; they did nothing; it didn't take a genius to connect the dots and know what this means.
''I don't know what the group behind Gracier's kidnapping want but with the woman's unusual behavior, we can speculate that Gracier won't be killed; with the clue left behind, we can find her.''
''I will depart tomorrow. I must find my sister soon. She must be afraid. If only I were there.''
''Stop blaming yourself. The only thing to do now is to find her make her stronger, put some stronger people around her for this type of situation never to happen again.'' Leon slapped Alex's shoulder seeing depressed.
''As for those two. I will make them regret what they have done.'' Leon added when he remembered Damien and Leonardo.
''Don't worry, I have my plan. I don't want a complete fallout with the Crux empire yet, but Leonardo, I have use for him. I know what to do.'' Alex said to his friend. He remembered the talk he had with Silveria after learning what happened.
''That is good. You should leave to get some sleep; you need it.''
Leon said while pushing his friend to leave. Alex sighed; after exchanging few words with the others, he left with Luna, Maria, and Sakuya. Artemia promised to visit him tomorrow.