1.27.3 Jilted lover.

The Prathan family were born killers.

They barely held any emotion or disgust toward it. Killing just came to them naturally and the feeling of remorse and mercy was absent from their emotional spectrum.

The family doctor even said that there was something wrong with the mental state of most of its members, as certain parts of their brain never work as intended, showing next to no energy signatures.

Maybe that was the reason why the patriarch of the family was so strong and efficient at what he did. He can smile and talk with his friends normally, but he won't feel that bad when that friend of his died by his own hands.

That was what a Prathan was.

A monster in human clothing, made for killing.

Hence was the reason why Luvi, who was born in this bizarre family, remained so close to death. Seeing his father covered in blood.

Forced to kill animals to get used to the scent of blood.

And then watch executions as part of the training sessions.

Luvi even remembers the time when his father had brought the body of a hanged criminal and opened him up to teach his children the weak points of a human body. Teaching them the methods to not kill the criminal while giving him the most intense torture and such curious things.

And even though Luvi was young. He was forced to watch all of this, even though he was not like his family. What many would consider to be a Prathan.

So, killing was nature to him and he didn't feel much guilt when thinking about death. To him, it was nothing more than the fastest means to achieve his goal.

Though, as he considered himself different from his family, he opted to give some chances to those that offended him. And only thought of killing others, when no other methods would work.

The only problem was that, unlike his family, Luvi ever killed one person.

******

Rose, unaware of the mental gymnastics Luvi played. Rushed in the gauntlet.

The rules were simple: save the humans and destroy the monster cutouts that appear as fast as they can without harming the human cutouts in this maze-like dungeon, which would change shape for each instance of gauntlet, to make the activity a bit more dynamic and entertaining. While also not giving much advantage to the students that come later.

Though, the gauntlet itself was hard, with traps strewn about almost everywhere, so fast reaction speed is what made a good hunter from bad one.

And Rose was at the peak of her game at the moment, her team consisted of both mage type as well as strength type awakeners. There was even a healer in the mage type that didn't show much value due to the nature of the gauntlet. But her spells came handy and she kept spamming the Analyze on walls and floors to check any traps, while the other members did the rest.

As for Rose, she was the allrounder, though she couldn't copy the build of spells of others, but she can copy the awakened abilities and mixing and matching them with her own mastered spells, she completed the gauntlet in fifteen minutes and finally saw the last obstacle.

An actual monster from the dungeon. Though, the moment it showed its head, two vines broke from its side and held it in place, while it was killed in an instant with a direct blow on its head with one of the knight students.

"16 minutes and 12 seconds, this is the fastest run as of yet."

The Skyward academy was first, so being first so early didn't matter much to them. And besides. The time only accounted for 30% of the total marking.

There was also the marking on how many human cutouts they saved as well as how many monster cutouts they destroyed, with the last ten percent being the efficiency at which they took down the true monster on the gauntlet.

Which when taken in account with the rest of the performance, it would affect the final rating of a team.

And considering how great they played, Rose's team actually had a chance of being a winner.

Though, the only problem remained was that the ratings were done by a team of professionals in which Pragati was part as well. And during the event, only a few of them were present to give out comments on the performance of the students. While the others watch the gauntlet at their leisure.

"Why are you so worried? Be proud of our achievements." One of the teacher, that was responsible for the gauntlet students came and congratulated the worried students who were contemplating their performance.

"But teacher, I did kill a person, we might lose points for that."

If this was all about saving people, then they can take their time and do things slowly at a pace. But due to the time constraints, it became nigh impossible for most of the students to think straight during the gauntlet. Which caused them to make small mistakes.

"Haven't you seen how bad the performance of those before you was? You just don't know how good you did. Come in the open and see how many reporters want to have an interview with you."

Reporters were something Rose was used to. Her ability caused many agencies to approach her. And she still receives gifts during holidays and her birthday by these agencies, in hopes she takes them as their manager.

So, the small attention of these reporters was nothing to her. Instead, after having a small hurrah with her friends. She met with a friend.

"You were a lot faster than me."

"You didn't have any training methods. Otherwise, the performance of yours would have been much better than ours." Rose said with smile as she took Triptans hand and brought him to the resting area on the side, in front of many students, who started to look at Rose and Triptan with mischievous glances.

Though, still in public, there were a lot less eyes and ears around them. Though, the smiling face of Rose was a bit confused.

"Why are you here though, you know the state our academies are in."

"Is it wrong to meet the one you love? And besides, we were together before your old friend caused the war between our institutions. Everyone knows this."

"And it's what makes it fun." As he said this, Triptan tried to get close to Rose for a kiss. But Rose denied it. "No, there are many eyes around us… and my friends are still too angry with your academy."

Seeing how he was denied once again, the smiling face of Triptan turned a bit sorry, asking. "They are angry?... Manipulated by that rodent, they beat up students of my academy and they still act like victims?"

"It is what it is. And as part of Skyward, I don't think we should meet for a while longer." Rose said, appearing sorry and showing her intentions of breakup, which Triptan didn't appreciate in the least.

"I never thought of you as someone so easily swayed by your friends? Or are you using that as an excuse?"

"Did that rodent manipulate you as well?"

"I don't know what you are saying, he was just an old friend and nothing more. We don't even talk anymore."

Hearing these words, Triptan's face turned calm, as he took out his phone and showed Rose a photo.

"Talk anymore? Then what is this? Meeting him out of the infirmary and looking so submissive."

"You… you were spying on me?" Rose asked in horror, not believing that Triptan was keeping track of her.

"You have to do it, when you learn the past of your girlfriend."

"You have gone mad… there is no need to talk anymore. I am leaving."

"You leave here now and I won't hold my people from beating that friend of yours."

At those words, Rose paused. But only for a second.

"I… I don't care."

With those words, she left. But to Triptan, her struggle was enough.

"Suit yourself… don't come to me when I break his leg."

'I wish you success.' Rose wanted to smile, but she knows that now was not the time.

A fool, that was what Triptan was to her.

An easy to manipulate fool that would do her work for her, blinded by his love for her. Though a bit unexpected at how long it took, it finally happened.

And this time, no one would dare point their fingers at her. This was going to be the case of just a jealous lover. Who in a bit to hurt his target of passion, destroyed the future of a past friend of that target.

The perfect plan and the perfect punishment for that horrible human who gave her the scar.

And this time, that horrible monster's family won't be there to save his skin, his name and his legacy.

For this monster had been kicked out of his family.

'Killing you is not enough. The peace you wanted, I won't let you have it.'