Basil was frowning inwardly. He was observing the crowd surrounding him with his eyes. His mind was spinning at miles per hour. The scenery he saw reminded him of an event that had happened in his past life.
The crowd and the hero.
The hero has always been a person that stands out in a group. While they are moving forward, the crowd would cheer on them. The hero will then keep fighting due to the crowd's cheer, believing their sacrifice is needed to repay the cheer.
They will feel satisfaction when their sacrifice aren't in vain, for the crowd who cheer on them could be happy. When another ordeal is sent upon the crowd, the hero will once again reply to the shout of help from the crowd.
The same thing will repeat where the hero push theirself to the limit while the crowd can only cheer. However, when the hero fails, they will instantly become the abhorred. In the end, there is nothing in the world aside from interest.
The hero likes publicity, for they like being cheered on. In the other hand, the crowd is a selfish bunch of cowards who can do nothing but pushing other people to protect themselves.
Such a thing had happened almost all the time in his past life. Therefore, Basil abhorred the thought of becoming a hero.
Hero is for hypocrites, and crowd is no more than a bunch of people who are full of themselves.
Basil shook his head faintly to clear the unnecessary thoughts. He had always been a thinker, therefore he always thought deeper than anyone. The severity of Shirley's case that had happened just then wasn't that bad.
In truth, Basil was reminded of the thing that had happened to Shirley in the past. She had been hailed as the most inspirational noblewoman. She had stood for many people, and many of them admired her.
However, when she had needed someone to stand for her, the people she had stood for, stood against her in return. A very disgusting thing that any human could do in a heartbeat.
Basil looked down at Shirley who had her head buried deeply in his chest. He brushed her hair gently at the delicate gesture of her. He would ensure the same thing wouldn't happen to her in the future.
Letting go of her hug, Shirley gazed at Basil shyly. She had been so overwhelmed with emotion that she didn't think much before hugging him. Luckily, Basil didn't seem to mind as he had that faintly amused expression on his face.
"May I know the details of the thing I have seen about to happen?"
Basil didn't even turn his back. He was still looking at Shirley while saying that. However, everyone could understand whom that question was intended to.
"Gugugu.."
The answer was merely a groan out of a gritted teeth. Harold was trying his best to hold his body from touching the ground. He was already on his four limbs since Basil pressured him with his power.
He was sweating bullets. Even the ground was wet with his sweat. In truth, he wasn't even sure whether it was because his sweat or tears. He was bathed with terror that he had never experienced before.
Chester also approached Basil, however he didn't stop him. Violence was forbidden outside the Battle Ground. However, pressuring someone with one's Mana didn't count as a violence. Therefore, he merely observed the two calmly.
"Retract... Your pressure... Please...!"
"Hmph!"
A soft yet cold snort came out of Basil as the reply of Harold's rather sincere tone. Just like what he had said to Chester. He wasn't actively pressuring Harold or the crowd. He merely leaked out a bit of his killing intent and none of them could handle that.
Who was he to joke? He was the man who had cleared seven Higher Class Obelisk alone! One could imagine how many monsters he had killed and how fearsome the Obelisk Masters he had slain.
Not even anyone dare to attempt clearing the last 36 Obelisk yet. However, he had cleared them in the past. A mere brat in front of his killing intent? They would instantly think their nightmare was the sweetest dreams they had ever had.
Still, Basil retracted his killing intent lest he wanted to kill Harold. He was 'experienced' enough to know how to hold back against a child.
"Hu-hah... Kuhuk-kuhuk!"
Harold was gasping for air. His appearance was so pathetic that it contrasted his previous confidence. He didn't dare to raise his head. Basil had been his nightmare since 'that' fight.
Today, Basil had officially become his heart demon instead.
"I heard from Mr. Chester you have been pushing yourself lately."
"Ah.. umm?"
Shirley could only respond dumbly at Basil's question. She was still in a daze for her admiration on him. After all, he had made a bratty Earl's son drenched in tears and snot! It was so cool!
Shirley finally recomposed herself and cleared her throat. "Kuhum. Right... I have been working hard!" At the end of her word, she put her hand on her waist and raised her nose high.
The bratty Shirley is back!
Julia commented silently in her mind. She glanced at Basil and couldn't help but shaking her head helplessly. Shirley's bratty side was provoked whenever Basil was in her vicinity it seemed.
She could understand her somehow. Anyone would understand her. Having such an eye candy of a brother, of course anyone would want to be spoiled!
"I would like to see how much you have grown."
"You can expect it!"
Basil patted her head while curving his mouth slightly upward. He turned his head at Chester and asked, "Would you mind if she joins us?" Chester replied in a heartbeat, "Of course not. Julia can join too." Basil nodded his head in agreement.
Basil moved his feet to the counter to order some food. He wanted to taste the cafeteria's food which he had enjoyed in his past life. Chester also followed suit as he was quite famished himself. The crowd wisely parted to give them way.
Basil and Chester passed the crowd like scissors cutting paper. Chester looked at that with a bitter smile. He was a teacher not a thug! Why would the student gaze at him in doubt as if he was about to pull something bad on them.
Looking at Basil's back in front of him, he could only silently lament.
'My favorite student, you have successfully made me a thug in a day!'
The food was quickly ordered and delivered to them by the nervous cook. The cook couldn't help it, he was just a normal person after all! Although he hadn't gotten swept by the pressure, he had felt the terror!
He was looking at Basil, the perpetrator, in nervousness. He feared for his life. Even though the headmaster had ensured his safety while working here, it was no secret Mage treated people like dirt.
Luckily, his worry was unfounded as Basil behaved rather normally for someone so fierce. While the cook sighed in relief, Chester sighed in lament. He was sure the look he would get from the cook would never be the same like before.
While holding Shirley's hand, Basil and the other people left the cafeteria. Their food was wisely stored inside their Spatial Bracelet. There was no need to hold their tray of food. That would be stupid as hell!
Harold looked at the disappearing back of Basil in resentment and fear. He was so humiliated he couldn't handle it anymore. He absolutely needed to do something with Basil. Otherwise, he would never be able to move forward.
"What are you looking at?!!"
He shouted spitefully at the crowd looking at him. Like a scaredy cat, they scurried away from him and returned to their tables to resume their meals.
'Just wait. I will absolutely make you suffer!'
He was losing it, and he was aware of it. However, losers always hate winners.
His eyes glinted in a fierce light. He would do anything to vanquish his heart demon.
...
Unlike any other teachers who purposefully distanced themselves from their students for the sake of 'professionalism', Chester didn't mind such thing. He was always being the sociable and amiable teacher.
Therefore, he didn't mind spending his lunch time in the Battle Ground along with Basil. They were talking with each other like a good friend. Julia and Shirley observed the two in amazement.
They are so awesome that I can't even understand a thing they are talking about!
Both of them had the same thought. Again, Basil and Chester were talking in their own language. Meaning, they were spewing poetic yet cryptic words from time to time. Shirley and Julia wisely kept themselves out of their talk.
Just like that, the lunch finished. To be exact, Shirley and Julia had finally finished their food. Basil and Chester had already finished their food way before them with an mysterious technique unknown to them.
"I can not wait to see how far you have grown in the time I have been away."
Basil looked at Shirley and smiled faintly. He had heard how much Shirley was working herself from Chester. Although he had told her to do that, he hadn't expected her to really do it. Therefore, he felt slightly expectant toward her progress.
"Hm. Although I am not as good as you, it is acceptable enough... I guess?"
Shirley answered in slight nervousness. She had bragged about her growth earlier, however when she was about to show it to Basil, she was afraid it wasn't up to his expectation.
"Believe in yourself."
Basil advised her in a slightly ordering tone. Surely, from the people's perspective it was an encouragement. Basil didn't need to encourage her. He had merely stated a fact.
Encouragement isn't needed to someone who doesn't even believe themselves. When one believes in theirself, the motivation to success will be their encouragement.
"I will try my best."
"Come on, you are the best! Go, Shirley! Go!"
Julia was cheering for her friend enthusiastically. However she felt it wasn't enough. She smiled rather mischievously.
"Shirley, you can do it! Do your best and impress your crush!"
"Hiih! Hey! W-w-what are you talking about?!!"
"Ahahaha!"
Chester shook his head helplessly. These two inseparable students of his were surely unique. There were many times their stunts baffled the entire class due to how absurd they were.
Shirley was a normal student, only if she was alone. When Julia was on her vicinity, normal would be out of her dictionary. But still, he was glad. At least these two didn't act like a typical child from a noble family.
"Huuh..." Shirley calmed her heartbeat down. Her face was burning. Luckily, Basil didn't show any indication he was bothered by Julia's word. "Let's do it!" She muttered to herself.
She utilized her Mana with her meager control over it. She hadn't carved any Magic Circle on her heart yet, she could only do that at the second year. Therefore, she was counting on her innate talent and her practice.
[Zil edenz adz utracht, Gale!]
Mana was accumulated in her hand. The wind swirled on her palm before it became bigger and moved to swirl on the ground.
Whoosh!
The dust in the ground was lifted to the air and swirled along the wind. Shirley kept her concentration on the gale to make it bigger. She gathered her spread hand and pushed them forward.
The gale that was swirling in its place was pushed forward. It swirled fiercely while swiping anything on its way.
Basil looked at that and hummed quietly. It wasn't overly impressive, however he couldn't help but admire her talent. Her Natural Core must have been pretty good in quality considering how much she could familiarize herself with Mana.
Furthermore, she was utilizing Mana without the help of Magic Circle and a suitable technique. Producing such result was impressive according to Stardust Academy's standard.
"Hm. It is impressive. She is talented, but her dedication to move forward makes it even more impressive."
Chester commented on Shirley's performance with a satisfied smile on his face. Unlike Basil who observed her calmly, Chester admired her openly.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Yes, you did it girl!"
"Huuh..."
Unlike the ecstatic Julia, Shirley merely heaved a sigh of relief. Luckily, her performance was up to her satisfactory. It could even be called as the best she had done so far.
She turned her head to Basil to observe his reaction, and she wasn't disappointed. Basil nodded his head with a faint smile. With a toothy grin, she made a peace sign with her finger.
"What do you think? Is it good enough?"
"There is still room for improvement."
"We can assume that as fairly good, right?"
Julia turned her head at Basil to look for confirmation. At this point, she didn't register the fact that Chester who was a teacher was also there. Chester didn't mind that. He could see the gap between his ability and Basil's ability.
Scratch that, he hadn't even seen Basil utilized his Magic Circle yet! Even so, he could still see Basil's abnormally impressive performance. Furthermore, Basil knew many things about magic.
Therefore, he didn't mind Julia was asking Basil for confirmation. He wasn't such a petty person if he were to act like that.
"Yes, it is fairly good."
"Way to go girl! Your crush is impressed!"
"S-s-s-shut up you dork!"
"Ahahaha!"
Basil looked at the two of them and curved his lips faintly. The two of them hadn't been friend in the past. The relationship between them had been merely a former classmate and nothing more.
However, both of them had the same trait. They were a proud woman in their own right. The only difference was Julia lived longer.
"Thank you for being her friend."
"Eh? Um... You're welcome."
Julia who always acted nonchalant and blunt became a timid girl under Basil's soul piercing gaze and soft voice. She fiddled with her finger and answered him shyly.
Shirley who was looking at Julia from afar was slightly bewildered. She wondered what happened to her friend to become such a timid girl. Upon looking at Basil's interaction with Julia, realization dawned upon her.
'Right, she should have a crush on Brother.'
She shook her head bitterly. She cleared her mind and walked toward Basil's way. She was about to approach Basil when a shocking thing happened.
Boom!
Shirley's body froze and she could only stare in front of her dumbly.