CHAPTER 37: Dispute[2]

The training class ended, and the atmosphere was different from usual, mainly due to the "training" session between Levi and Blake. Levi had gained a lot of attention, as he had become the center of focus in the class due to recent events.

Levi garnered this attention partly because of his handsome looks, but also because of his improvement in archery and his contributions to the team. The incident with Lia had also added to his notoriety.

As he was leaving the room, he noticed that Blake stood there, with his eyes locked onto Levi.

'This must been how Yuki felt when I waited for her.' Levi thought.

Levi sighed because he knew what was about to happen. Blake pointed his spear at Levi.

"Ask for a duel with the professor with me," Blake demanded.

The professor wouldn't allow a duel between them if Blake was the challenger, but this was not the case for Levi. If he issued the challenge, the duel would proceed, although the teachers might try to intervene.

However, Levi had no intention of engaging in a duel. He couldn't use his full power against Blake, nor was he a masochist who enjoyed being humiliated.

"Why are you so obsessed with fighting me?" Levi asked Blake, aware that Eliza was behind it but uncertain of the details.

Blake grabbed Levi's collar and pushed him against the wall. "After what you said, do you think I am going to let you walk around freely? Do you think me and my family are a joke?"

Blake recalled the rigorous training he had undergone since the age of four. Wake up, cultivate for two hours straight, have an hour of rest, then exercise for 30 minutes. He'd continue to spar with his teacher until his body cried out for a break, and only then would he practice their family art.

This tough regimen had persisted for a long time. Blake had begged his father to stop it, only to realize that it was all for his own benefit. There was someone his age who trained even harder and had become stronger.

To him, his family's martial art was not merely a fighting technique; it was his life. Levi "mocking" it felt like a personal insult to Blake's values and efforts.

'This guy dares to disrespect us Soron and acts aloof when confronted. At least, try to admit your mistakes like a man.'

Levi's expression remained unchanged. He could attempt to resolve the misunderstanding, but Blake wouldn't believe his words. To Blake, Eliza had no reason to lie.

Levi grabbed Blake's hand and pulled it away from his collar, shocking Blake with his strength.

"Listen! I don't know what you heard or saw, nor do I care. No matter what I say, it won't penetrate that thick skull of yours. If you want to beat me, then try it. I'm not just going to stand there. You might defeat me, but I'll ensure you'll never be able to swing your spear again."

Blake grew even more furious. 'The audacity of this guy.'

He was about to thrust his spear at Levi's neck, but both of them heard footsteps approaching the arena. Blake clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Lucky you."

"Yeah, I was getting tired of hearing your nonsense."

Levi retorted as he left the arena, leaving Blake angry and even more frustrated.

******

"Levi, do you have the correct structure for this dataset?" A senior colleague asked Levi at work. Levi smiled and provided only half the answer so that his senior could think and come up with the remaining solution.

The atmosphere in the management office had changed. The once gloomy and tense atmosphere was gone, replaced by a more positive one. The staff members were communicating with each other, and teamwork was starting to flourish as they began producing high-quality reports and efficiently organizing data.

Levi had become a valuable asset to the team, like a flower that provided them with endless nectar. Initially, they had questioned why Levi had approached them, but they soon realized that his skills in this field were exceptional, and he outshone all of them combined.

Even the boss acknowledged this. He had initially wondered about Levi's intentions, but now he knew. The staff members were happy with their work, they knew what to do, and they worked as a cohesive team. If they encountered any problems, they would put their heads together, seek advice, and Levi was always there to assist them.

Everyone noticed Levi's contributions to their improvement, and they were delighted to have him. As adults, they wondered,

'How does a kid like him know so much and why is he so composed?'

They could only speculate because no one dared to ask him, not even the boss. For some reason, they liked Levi, perhaps because of his attractiveness or his unwavering composure; deep down, they knew Levi would never let his guard down.

Levi also noticed the improved atmosphere in the room. He finished his part of the work and handed the reports to Dave.

"Fast as ever, you can leave now. Most of the work is done, and we might finish a month's worth of work in a week."

"It's a team effort, Mr. Dave," Levi replied.

Dave noticed Levi's gaze and laughed. "Finishing four hours of work in two doesn't mean your pay will be reduced. You don't know how much profit you've brought to the team. Plus, from next week, I plan to increase your pay as well."

"Thank you, boss," Levi responded.

Levi gave a fake smile and asked the boss, "By the way, where's Mark?" The senior colleague who sat next to him had not come to work for three days.

"He's sick, very sick. He could hardly walk properly. I sent him back home on Thursday to rest. Since then, I haven't heard much from him. I even gave him his pay and a bonus so he could buy some good potions, but he must have consumed some cheap, strange potion to treat his illness. If he doesn't show up tomorrow, I might send someone to check on him."

"I hope he gets well soon. I miss his pessimistic behavior; it keeps me grounded."

Dave laughed as Levi left the room.

Levi changed his clothes and headed to Noel's shop. He needed some lizards for training. The one he had in the lab had died, not because of any mistake he made, but because it was simply too old.

'I remember seeing some lizards in the shop.'

Additionally, he needed to discuss some business matters with Noel.

******

"Do you have any lizards?"

"Why do you need them?"

"Just for my classes."

Noel then took out a lizard and placed it in a jar.

"Take a break and don't train all the time," Noel advised. Seeing Levi constantly working concerned him.

'At his age, he should try to enjoy life and be carefree. He's just too mature.'

"And also, be careful on the streets. There have been eyewitness accounts of many people falling ill and some suspicious activities in the alleys."

Levi nodded. Well, he was the reason why those activities had stopped, but there was no harm in being extra cautious.

Levi then left the room without further conversation. He noticed the clothing store next to the item shop, with a clone of Noel busy selling clothes.

As he was heading back, he heard a voice calling him. He turned around to see Ryan

 waving at him.

"What's that in your hand?"

"A lizard. The one in your lab died."

"Oh... Rest in peace, lizard number 120," Ryan offered his condolences.

"Where are you going?" Levi asked Ryan, as he shrugged off Ryan's hand from his shoulder. He didn't particularly like physical contact.

"I was on my way to your dorm to call you. New cases have been cropping up, and the other healers can only delay the process. Only the two of us can eliminate it for now."

Both of them made their way to the hospital. This time, there were three patients, but their condition was not as severe as those of previous patients. The hospital also paid Levi for his excellent work, as he had worked for four hours straight.

Levi noticed that his "Golden String Of Life" art was increasing, and now it needed only 10% to reach a D- grade. He was applying what he had learned from his training with Ryan, and [Essence] had significantly accelerated his growth.

However, his body was still not accustomed to this demanding schedule.

After completing his last surgery, Levi went to the open space behind the hospital and lit a mana cigarette. He watched the stars in the sky as he took a puff, captivated by the glowing stars.

'This is a lot more hectic than I thought.'

"I didn't know you smoked," Ryan commented.

Levi looked back to see Ryan holding the jar containing the lizard. He handed it to Levi, who placed it on a table.

"I'm sorry; I forgot about you, Mr. Lizard No…"

"121," Ryan promptly assigned the lizard a new name.

"By the way, you didn't answer my question," Ryan remarked as he sat beside Levi, gazing at the stars.

"Will you report it to the academy?" Levi asked, not stopping his smoking in front of his mentor. He couldn't reveal that these cigarettes increased his mana; no one would believe him.

"You're 17, right?"

Levi nodded.

"Then you are of legal age. Smoke if that's what you want. Just don't overdo it."

Ryan patted Levi's back and then sat up. 

"I mean, mana can heal anything, so it doesn't really matter how much I smoke."

Levi took out another cigarette and began smoking it.

Ryan had a complex expression as he watched Levi, who seemed to be smoking carelessly without concern for his health. Although he didn't know much about Levi, he did know that Levi was a good young man.

"Yup, mana can heal anything, but not something that hurts someone deep within their soul, nor does smoking."

Levi didn't respond and continued to inhale the mana-infused smoke. Not that it intoxicated him, but he needed to act as if it did.

Ryan left the field, watching Levi's eyes, which appeared hollow, fixated on the starry sky without any sense of wonder.

Right now, the stars in the sky looked like dots that Levi was trying to connect. Luna's condition and the mysterious disease that was spreading; they were connected. Someone had linked them.

Levi had some suspicions about certain individuals, but he prayed that none of them were involved. Because if they were, killing them might be the only viable option.