The nineteen students were carried to the infirmary to get treated. Among them, the four pillars received the lightest injuries. Still, it didn't mean the injuries were something to scoff at either.
Basil got out of the field and moved his feet toward Blake and Chester. Every eyes followed his movement like they were looking at a celebrity. Blake gazed at the approaching Basil and smiled wryly.
Blake glanced to his left, at Corvet who had been eager about this battle. Corvet had a look of a constipated person. Cold sweat ran down his forehead as he gazed at Basil's eyes.
'This kid will be a monster in the future.'
Corvet threw his head at Blake. He was about to protest to Blake about Basil when he remembered something. He had been the one who had suggested the idea. Therefore, he kept his mouth shut.
"You have done quite a number on them."
"It was a choice they made themselves. It is the quickest way to teach them responsibility."
"For barking at the wrong tree?"
"No. For their stupidity."
Again, Blake shook his head helplessly. This time however, he was also followed by Chester.
But, you were the one who challenged them!
Surely, it was left unsaid. Blake looked at the crowd of students and motioned the teacher of each classes to lead them back to the class. Chester gave a short nod to Basil before he too led his students back to the class.
Corvet had already gone even before Blake motioned the other teachers to take their students back. Therefore, most of Basil's classmates had returned to the class. Among the fifteen students returning, only one of them was male.
As the one who took Basil's challenge were all male students, it left only the female students and the average student who had retreated from the battle behind. Inarguably, the class would be awkward.
They didn't need to wait for long until the arena was empty. Blake looked at the ruined arena and Basil alternatingly. He sighed forlornly.
"I've just fixed this last day..." Blake muttered under his breath. Basil had obviously heard it and responded, "I can fix that for you." Blake whipped his head quickly at Basil and waved his hand, "No, no, no. I don't need that. I can have someone done it by tomorrow."
Basil just nodded his head faintly. The two people didn't say a word as they merely enjoyed the breeze and the silence. Blake was about to ask Basil about something when he frowned his forehead. He felt a presence nearing them.
Not long after, both of them could see a man walking toward their way. The man got a blond hair, thin moustache, and a healthy build. The man was 183 centimeters tall, however the only one he towered over was Blake.
Basil was over 187 centimeters tall, therefore the man's attempt to act intimidating was really useless on him.
"Son..."
Blake was slightly surprised. Even though he was quite old and knew quite a lot of people, he hadn't known Basil's father who was a mere Viscount. Basil leered at Nicholas casually from the corner of his eyes.
"Are you speaking to me?"
"Who else will I speak to?"
"There might be a possibility you have dementia. You have just said a weird thing after all."
"You!"
Nicholas almost lost himself. Although they had been on a cold war for a long time, Basil had never confronted him directly. Therefore, he could somehow hold himself back from exploding somehow.
Now that Basil didn't even try to give him the least courtesy like he used to, it was really hard to hold back himself from exploding.
Sadly, it was all in his head. Basil had never given him the least courtesy. The situation had always been just coincidentally less irritating for Basil.
"Huuh... We need to talk."
"You can say it now."
"It's a family matter. I can't just say it here."
"Family?" This time, Basil properly looked at Nicholas. The latter was taken aback by the former's abnormally aged look. "Have you ever thought of me as a part of your family?" As expected, Basil shut him up with that.
Blake was having a dilemma. He didn't want to be regarded as a busy body. However, if he were to leave, it would be awkward as the attention of the two people would be momentarily on him.
Nicholas noticed of Blake's well hidden discomfort. He got an idea, then he bowed at him.
"I am really sorry for the inconvenience, Master Blake. This son of mine is a little bit troublesome sometimes."
"Hm. Don't mind me. I'm just here to speak with my student after all. Now, that he is preoccupied, I just have to wait."
Blake had intended to get out of their vicinity in the beginning. However, when he was given the chance to, his heart told him not to take it. He was genuinely worried the father and son due would tear each other's throats if they were to be left alone.
Nicholas clicked his tongue inwardly. He hadn't thought Blake was a busy body. Seeing that nothing he could do, he decided to use his authority as an official father.
"Basil, my son. We really need to talk alone. I'm telling you this because I am your father and I have every right to speak with you."
"Were you referring to our arguable blood relation?"
"..."
Nicholas'eyes visibly widened. Not even Blake was spared from the shock. He only managed to hide it because of his experience. He looked at Basil sighed bitterly.
'No wonder his father "liberated" him.'
The family drama was thicker than Blake had imagined. However, he had chosen to stand beside Basil. He wouldn't back down. Unfortunately, Basil didn't have any attention to dwell on the matter too much.
"Mr. Blake," called Basil. Blake turned his eyes at him. Basil continued, "You said you have something to talk with me?" Blake was puzzled and instinctively asked, "Yes?" Basil merely nodded in response.
"Very well. Let us have a talk."
"But..."
Blake was about to say something when he looked at Basil who was faintly smiling. He gave up and opted to nod his head. He looked at Nicholas once and nodded his head faintly. At that, Nicholas could only nod reluctantly.
Blake touched Basil's shoulder. Then in the next moment, they disappeared after a flash of light. Nicholas was silent for a moment, before eventually gritting his teeth and cursed in rage.
"Darn it! Like father like son, he is just as unbearable!"
Considering it came out from the mouth of the person who had declared himself as the father of the one he cursed, it was pretty weird to say the least. Nicholas' eyes glinted. Rage clouded his mind. A maniacal grin appeared on his face.
"You will regret this, Basil!"
...
Basil was together with Blake in his office. They were chatting among themselves while having a tea. Turned out, Blake just wanted to ask how he should aid him in his progress. Basil responded him by saying he only needed a secure place to practice.
Blake had enough mind not to ask Basil anything about his family matters. Even at a glance, anyone could tell how bad the relationship of Nicholas and Basil.
Just like that, the academy time ended. Every students were ready to go home as they had finished their lessons. Basil got out of Blake's office and every eyes were instantly on him. All of the students made a short bow at him or took a distance away.
Basil didn't mind it. Out of his 19 victims, only 7 had regained their consciousness. Although the injuries the others received weren't that heavy, the mental shock was enough to keep them out for a while.
"Brother!"
"Hello, senior!"
Basil was greeted by Shirley and Julia who were eager to meet him. Shirley quickly latched onto his body and hugged him tightly. Basil didn't try to get rid of her as he merely patted her back tenderly.
Julia looked at the duo from the side and shook her head bitterly.
"That was a good battle, Senior. Now, you are officially the strongest student in our academy!"
Julia was ecstatic. Being a powerful Mage was her dream. Seeing someone who was already in his way to reach the top made her blood boiled in eagerness. She wanted to be the same too.
"Do you think being the strongest in our academy is something to be proud of?"
"Of course! Not just anyone could achieve it."
"Well, I bet brother doesn't feel that way."
"What are you saying? Just look at senior..."
"..."
Julia was dumbfounded when she could plainly see Basil didn't feel proud or whatsoever. It seemed Shirley had understood some of Basil's habit as she could guess it perfectly this time.
Shirley got down from Basil's body and patted her uniform. She smiled sheepishly and said, "Father told me to come home today. So, I can't stay with you tonight." She observed Basil's reaction expectantly.
"Alright." Shirley was so disappointed by the lack of reaction that she couldn't help but exclaim, "Aren't you supposed to feel sorry or something?!" Basil merely raised one of his eyebrows. He was about to respond when Julia beat him to it.
"Woah, woah. Chill out, girl! Your brother still have me!"
"What are you saying you thieving cat?!"
"..."
Just like that, they had their daily dose of banter. Basil looked at that from the side and decided to step back. However, he stopped midway as Shirley said something that caught his interest.
"Oh! Brother, Irene wants to see you."
"She does?"
"Hm. You haven't met her for a quite long time. She misses you."
"Very well. I will meet her today."
Basil had intended to meet Irene the day after. However, now that the latter had asked to meet him first, he couldn't refuse. He went to the Cobham Manor together with Shirley after parting their ways with Julia.
On their way, Shirley was so excited as she could finally walk home alongside with Basil like that time. They chatted in their way, or to be specific, Shirley talked about the respect the whole academy got on Basil.
Basil mostly nodded his head and responded it casually. Not long after, they arrived at their destination. Basil didn't enter the manor. He waited outside and told Shirley to notify Irene that he was there.
"Young Master!"
By the time Irene went outside and took a look at Basil, she was overwhelmed with emotion as she instantly ran toward his way. She hugged him tightly while tearing up, and Basil returned the hug warmly.
They stayed like that for a quite some time before Irene let go of her hug and properly looked at him.
"My... Look at you, Young Master. You have perfectly turned into every woman's dream now! You have grown well!"
"By saying every woman, are you including yourself too?"
"Well, well. Look at that. You can now flirt too!"
Irene chuckled and Basil let out a soft smile. His eyes were tender and the aura he gave was softer than usual. Shirley looked at the both of them from the side and her heart unconsciously clenched.
She wanted to be the part of that. She wanted to receive that warm smile of Basil. Sadly, she couldn't. Her newly formed relationship could never beat the strong bond Irene had with Basil.
"I have my own mansion. Although it is not big, it is enough to house more than one person. Are you interested to live with me?"
"Oh my... Is that a proposal? If so, I can't accept it. I'm too old to be your wife, Young Master." Irene chuckled and Basil smiled in amusement. Irene cleared her throat and said, "As long as the Master let me go, I will gladly follow you."
"You won't."
A cold voice was heard from behind. Everyone's head turned at the source of the voice and found it belonged to Nicholas. He had a weird glint in his eyes. Irene bowed at him and Basil merely glanced at him disinterestedly.
"We meet again, Basil."
"How much?"
Nicholas was a little bit taken aback as Basil's question was too out of context.
"What do you mean?"
"The cost of Irene's liberation."
"Hah! You can't even afford it even if I said it."
"Try me."
"2,000 gold!"
Irene widened her eyes as she heard the amount of money Nicholas charged to free her of duty. She was pretty sure she didn't worth that much. She turned his head at Basil and looked at him in concern.
"Young Master. You don't have to—"
"Consider it a deal."
Clink!
"What..?"
Nicholas was bewildered at the development. Basil had just agreed to pay the ridiculous price and tossed him a pouch of gold. Nicholas couldn't believe his eyes. He looked at Basil in disbelief.
"Pack your things, Irene."
"Young Master, that much money is...!"
"Just pack."
"Understood."
Seeing that arguing was useless, Irene heeded Basil's words and moved toward the door. She was about to enter the mansion when Nicholas stopped her.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"I am going to pack my things, Mr. Cobham."
"Are you not aware that I am your master?"
"You are no more, sir."
"Insolent!"
Nicholas raised his hand and was about to slap Irene when terror washed over his entire body and soul.
"Touch her, and I will show you what pain is."
A cold voice resounded from Basil. Two Ultimate Circles floated behind him showing their might to the world. Nicholas looked at that and gulped. He was genuinely scared by the pressure Basil emitted.
However, it wasn't the worst part.. When he looked at Basil's eyes, he could see the pain he would endure if he chose to proceed his act.
