Noble? More like trouble

We walked out of the room, heading to meet the arrogant nobleman who seemed to have lost his sense of humility due to his wealth and power. A figure I so much enjoyed ruining.

People like them are the ones with the best reactions when they know they're about to lose. Not to mention when they beg while kneeling, throwing everything they can offer. Thinking they can still negotiate. Unaware of their own position.

Well, it's fine if they intend to degrade themselves like that. But, will I accept it?

Perhaps.

Of course, after getting what I want, I'll just throw them away.

Easy, isn't it?

Let's see how strong the resolve of the man in front is. Will he endure until the end or will he kneel instead? I hope he's not too boring because I really need a distraction right now.

"Since when did you become this sadistic?" Z asked confusedly.

Since when?

Your question is wrong, Z. The correct one is why haven't I done it since before?

Haven't I already said that I will only inflict torment upon those who deserve it? And the man in front, he has the face of those kinds of people.

"Welcome back to Lightheart, Duke Ravelthrone."

A Duke!?

HAHAHAHA!! THIS WILL BE SO MUCH FUN!!

"Headmaster Verhatten, is it true that Edgar got into trouble and is now being treated in the infirmary?" Duke Ravelthrone asked, displeased.

"That's correct, he picked a fight with the wrong person and ended up there," the headmaster answered, not intimidated by the sharp gaze of those blue eyes.

Duke was surprised, not expecting the headmaster to talk back to him. He had never done it before. But now, the headmaster was truly challenging him. This made him wonder if something had happened for Verhatten to dare so much.

A sigh escaped from his mouth. "Headmaster, I know Edgar has often caused trouble. However, is it fitting that he should need to be treated? He was only giving a lesson to those who deserved it. Have you looked into whether the student provoked Edgar or something?" Duke inquired.

He struggled to contain the anger now boiling within his heart. He knew he couldn't lose control here. Their family name could be tarnished, especially with so many witnesses.

Was it because he had been visiting for quite some time? Or was it because of the white-haired man beside the headmaster?

Speaking of him, Duke felt suspicious of him because he couldn't sense any mana from the man.

"Eizen is the name of the student. And to answer your question, no, Eizen didn't do anything wrong. Edgar is the one who has often bullied him, but Eizen has never once retaliated. Only today did he truly lose control," the headmaster explained with a flat expression.

Duke's forehead furrowed. "You mean, the student who always skips classes, caused Edgar to need medical attention?"

"No-"

"That's me," Zent replied, cutting off the surprised headmaster.

He wanted to stop Zent, but he knew he was too late as Duke's attention had already turned towards him. "You're the one who injured Edgar? Tell me, why did you do it?"

"Because he was oppressing others. I didn't like it," Zent retorted, folding his arms with his chin raised, refusing to yield to Duke's evident arrogance.

"Did he ever do anything to you?"

"Has the headmaster ever done anything to you?"

"What?"

The headmaster looked at Zent, unable to believe he had just said something like that. On the outside, he appeared taken aback. In his heart, he was cheering Zent on, jumping up and down enthusiastically, shouting,

'Tell them, Zent! Tell them!'

"Why? Cat got your tongue?"

A woman approached. Her long brown hair swayed from side to side, following the rhythm of her steps. She appeared beautiful with high cheekbones, a pointed nose, and a gaze that was just as arrogant as it was firm.

She stood before Duke, gripping the hilt of her sword, ready to strike at the foul-mouthed man. However, Duke held her back with a slow shake of his head, causing her to reluctantly withdraw, only muttering, "In front of you stands Duke Ravelthrone! Someone who isn't even worthy of being compared to you! Show some respect!"

Zent snapped his fingers with a smile. "There it is! Why should I be respectful when he's not even worthy of being compared to me?"

"You-"

Duke extended his left hand, gesturing for the woman to stay back, but it was he who approached. "Oh? I'm not worthy of comparison with you? May I know your name, young one?"

"Why do you want to know? Planning to send someone to find my family and use them as leverage to make me submit to you?" His laughter was so loud that the watching students regarded him as crazy for daring to challenge a Duke.

"Try me."

Duke was taken aback, not expecting to be challenged directly in front of so many onlookers. His grin widened, pleased to have found someone intriguing in this otherwise dull kingdom. "I admit you're quite brave, but you'd better not pick fights with the wrong person, young one. I'll let you go this time."

"But, sir!"

"It's fine, Viona. He's still young, and I understand he wants to make a name for himself in front of the other students. I was young once too; I know what he's feeling now," he said calmly with a smile that felt unsettling to Zent. "However, once again. Don't mess with the wrong people, young one. You'll regret it later."

"More like you'll be the one regretting it later," Zent challenged.

Viona stepped forward, swinging her sword only to freeze in place, surprised to find her blade effortlessly restrained by a white-haired woman who suddenly appeared before her.

Sarah gathered a small amount of power in her clenched fist and struck, sending the woman flying backwards. This not only shocked the students but also Duke.

He didn't expect there would be someone who could render Viona helpless, even though she was a Tier 5 individual. A level of strength that was rare to find, even within Fernova.

Duke glanced at the white-haired woman, then at the man behind her who was currently sporting a wide smile.

Viona had regained her stance, preparing to launch a counterattack, though blood now trickled from both corners of her mouth. However, upon catching Duke's sharp gaze, Viona abandoned her intention and continued to stare fiercely at Sarah, who turned her face away in an expression of boredom.

Aware that Duke's bodyguard might target Sarah, Zent captured the bodyguard' attention by raising his middle finger. Viona didn't understand his intention, but she was certain it was an insult.

"I'll get back at you someday," she muttered angrily under her breath.

"What's your name, young one?" Duke inquired, his smile now vanished.

"Zent."

"Zent... I'll remember it." He turned to the headmaster, nodding in farewell, then returned to the carriage with his guards.

The horse-drawn carriage turned, carrying them away from the academy, where the headmaster could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He turned to face Zent, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. "I've been wanting to do that to them for a long time. Thanks to you all, they retreated without causing a major incident."

"What exactly did they do?" Zent asked curiously.

"They were giving lessons to the students who obstructed Edgar and made sure they could never set foot here again. That's the reason. No student wants to stop him. They don't want their families driven out of the city."

Upon hearing the answer, Zent stomped his foot forward, conjuring an RPG and without one two three, pulled the trigger.

The rocket shot off, startling Sarah, the headmaster, and the students who then watched as the rocket sped quickly and exploded right at the back of the horse-drawn carriage, which was now engulfed in flames.

The thunderous sound jolted them, even from a fairly distant range. They imagined what it would have been like if the object had exploded at a closer distance. They likely wouldn't be intact anymore.

"A T-Tier 5 magic!?" the headmaster exclaimed.

Zent resumed his normal posture, smiling at him and shaking his head. "No. This is a weapon from my world, an RPG. Welcome to the modern world, Headmaster."