Frey, Lanqi, and Huberrian walked along the pathway leading to the Knight Academy.

  The three of them remained silent during the journey, simply walking in quiet contemption.

  On either side of the path, jacaranda trees stood like silent guardians, their branches gracefully intertwined. These trees, symbols of the campus's tranquility and mystery, would bloom with delicate purple flowers in spring, drawing students and city residents alike to admire their beauty. During that season, this area would become lively and bustling with visitors.

  At the end of the path stood an old wooden building, concealed within the trees.

  The structure was only a single story but was spacious enough to resemble a small dojo.

  From a distance, the windows appeared cracked and broken, while the weathered wooden walls bore the scars of time, their once-pristine surfaces now faded and worn.

  Yet, despite its rundown appearance, the interior of the building was teeming with energy. From within came a cacophony of sounds—ughter, shouting, roaring, and even the occasional crashing noise. Together, these sounds created the impression of a chaotic brawl in full swing.

  “This is the pce. The remnants of that team are nothing but a bunch of stubborn brutes. Even the dean finds them a headache to deal with,” Frey said, stopping in his tracks and pointing at the wooden building ahead.

  The "dean" he referred to wasn’t Loren Cranthel, the head of the Sage Academy, but rather the dean of the Knight Academy.

  “Frey, how do you pn to negotiate with them?” Lanqi asked, turning to the sharp-eyed youth beside him.

  To Lanqi, Frey’s demeanor, with his half-worn sungsses and hawk-like gaze, exuded the aura of a street enforcer. His lean yet powerful build radiated an explosive energy, giving off the impression of someone who could handle himself in a fight.

  Although Frey didn’t seem like the type to engage in friendly dialogue, Lanqi understood the value of having contrasting approaches in negotiations. One person could adopt a tough, no-nonsense stance to pressure the other side, while the other pyed the role of a calm and rational mediator. This dynamic often softened the opposition’s stance and disrupted their resolve.

  “Let me handle the initial negotiations. I’m familiar with the rules of the Knight Academy,” Frey replied, patting the inside pocket of his jacket to ensure his weapon was securely in pce. He then cast a gnce toward the wooden building.

  “Alright, I’ll leave it to you,” Lanqi nodded. As a member of the Sage Academy, he wasn’t well-versed in the customs and unspoken rules of the Knight Academy. This would be a good opportunity for him to learn.

  “…”

  Huberrian, however, felt a sense of unease as she observed Frey’s behavior, which resembled that of a bandit preparing for a heist. She seriously doubted that this was what he meant by "the rules of the Knight Academy."

  Still, after some thought, she had to admit that Frey was the most suitable candidate for the job. If Lanqi took the lead, the negotiation would likely devolve into a mix of trickery and manipution. And as a half-demon, she wasn’t exactly the most welcome presence in such situations.

  In the end, it made sense to let Frey, a "local" of the Knight Academy, take the lead. As a fellow warrior, he was probably better equipped to communicate with other fighters.

  “If you need any backup, we’ll step in,” Huberrian offered.

  “Thanks,” Frey nodded slightly before striding toward the building.

  The door was slightly ajar, as if inviting passersby to enter. In truth, the lock had long since been corroded by time and could no longer function properly.

  The three student council members approached the entrance and peered inside. The dimly lit interior revealed a group of burly men, some sitting and others standing, all of them radiating the aura of seasoned fighters.

  Even Frey, who looked like he could handle himself in a fight, seemed comparatively ordinary next to these towering figures.

  The oppressive presence of the group was like a wild and unstoppable tidal wave, making it clear that they were not to be trifled with.

  Among them, however, one figure stood out—a woman with long, fiery red hair. Despite being surrounded by these hulking men, she exuded an air of absolute authority.

  Her tall and slender frame appeared almost petite in contrast to the others, yet her wild and fierce demeanor left no doubt about her strength. Her high ponytail swayed as she moved, and her bangs partially obscured her right eye. She wore a simple yet intimidating outfit: a bandeau top and long pants, with bandages wrapped around her arms and legs.

  Her sharp, predatory gaze gave her an aura of dominance that was impossible to ignore.

  “That’s Zilvini, a third-year from the Knight Academy. She’s got a strong sense of honor but a fiery temper. She’s a sixth-rank Gold Challenger, so subduing her by force is nearly impossible. The main difficulty lies in simultaneously dealing with the fifth-rank fighter at three o’clock and suppressing the rest of the fourth-rank combatants,” Frey whispered, sharing his assessment of the situation with his two companions.

  Lanqi and Huberrian both nodded in acknowledgment, their gazes fixed on Frey.

  From his analysis, it was clear that Frey wanted to avoid a direct confrontation. Both Lanqi and Huberrian wholeheartedly agreed with this approach.

  Resorting to violence would not only fail to resolve the campus conflict but would likely escate tensions, undermining the principles of harmony and cooperation that the school sought to uphold. It would also tarnish the student council’s reputation and jeopardize their ability to complete the demolition on time.

  Their goal for the day was clear: to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement with the occupants.

  “What are you three whispering about over there?”

  A burly man inside the building suddenly noticed the faint movements at the door. His voice, as loud and forceful as a gale, seemed to stir the air within the hall.

  Huberrian instinctively took a step back, startled by the man’s aggressive tone. She wasn’t particurly skilled at dealing with such brash and violent individuals.

  Lanqi, however, remained calm and unperturbed. He pushed the door open and asked casually, “Excuse me, is this the clubroom for ‘Spirit of the Fighter’?”

  “That’s right,” the red-haired woman replied, her tone ced with disdain. Her expression grew more serious and hostile as she spoke.

  The composed demeanor and authoritative tone of the newcomers immediately reminded the fighters of the student council.

  “So, what brings you here?”

  The fighters inside the building spoke in unison, their voices carrying an almost magical weight that could make lesser students tremble and colpse on the spot.

  But the three student council members standing at the entrance were far from ordinary. They stood firm, unfazed by the intimidating dispy.

  “We’re representatives of the student council. According to the academy’s decision and an enforcement order from the Hutton Kingdom’s Capital Fire Department, we are here to oversee the evacuation and demolition of this building,” Huberrian decred, her tone as professional and detached as a bank clerk collecting a debt.

  With Lanqi as her safety net, she felt no need to hold back.

  As soon as she finished speaking, a wave of oppressive energy filled the room, as if directly challenging her words. Angry shouts erupted from the fighters.

  “This pce is important to us! You spineless weaklings without the spirit of a fighter can get lost!”

  (End of Chapter)

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