Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Chapter 47 Clayton was clearly irritated by the scene unfolding before him. "If all you’re going to do is spout nonsense, then why should I even bother listening? I’m not a masochist!" "Nonsense? How rude..." Ardy muttered, shaking his head in mock disappointment. Clayton had had enough. He didn’t want to waste another second on weirdos like this. "Sir, we don’t even know each other. So stop acting like we’re close and stay out of my business. Mind your own life—and don’t bother me again!" He brushed off Ardy’s hand and turned to leave. Seeing this, Isadora couldn’t hide a flicker of anxiety. Though she’d been smiling at Ardy, she didn’t actually care about him. What she truly valued was wealth. And Clayton—now a "walking bank"—was slipping away. Ardy noticed her reaction and grew anxious as well. As a suitor, he wanted to impress his goddess—whatever it took. Once again, he grabbed Clayton’s shoulder to stop him from leaving. Clayton’s brow furrowed. He turned back slowly, his voice calm but filled with menace. "Do you not understand human language? Or are you just a pig? Why do you keep meddling in other people’s business?! Don’t you have anything better to do?!" Ardy, who had been trying to stay composed, finally snapped. Clayton’s sharp words struck a nerve. As a two-star mage apprentice—technically one rank above Clayton—he felt insulted and disrespected. Instead of letting go, he tightened his grip, as if trying to cause pain. But he didn’t realize he had already crossed a line. Worse, he still thought Clayton was the one in the wrong. Unfortunately for him, Clayton’s body wasn’t easily harmed. As both a mage and a knight, he was tough. Though he felt no pain, he was certainly annoyed. Clayton seized Ardy’s wrist, gripping it tightly. Ardy, who had been smirking, suddenly cried out. "AAARGH! Let go, you bastard!" Clayton stared coldly into his eyes. "You let go first. Then I will." Humiliated, Ardy wanted to retaliate—but the pain in his hand forced him to submit. He released his grip. Clayton let go as well. Ardy stumbled back, panting, his eyes full of hate. Thinking it was over, Clayton scoffed and turned away. But Ardy, now seething with humiliation, couldn’t let it go. Just as Clayton took a step forward, a cruel glint appeared in Ardy’s eyes. He began chanting a spell. A magic circle formed. A spell was about to launch. But before he could finish— SPLASH! A dense jet of water slammed into him with incredible speed, almost invisible to the naked eye. "ARGHHHHHH!" A pained scream echoed through the tower. People turned in surprise. Some looked concerned. A few even seemed sympathetic. But those who had seen everything shook their heads. "What a performance. As if a mage apprentice could be taken down by some toy spell." They began to view Ardy as just another loudmouth picking a fight and playing victim. One by one, people backed away. No one wanted to be associated with someone that shameless and manipulative. If Ardy had known what they were all thinking, he might’ve coughed up the blood he was trying to keep down. Yes—blood. He was actually injured by the spell. That water projectile had been dense, fast, and heavy—more like a metal slug than liquid. Shot at close range, it hit hard. Ardy wasn’t a knight. His body was fragile. Even though his skin showed no obvious damage, his internal organs had taken a hit. Clayton had meant it only as a warning. But Ardy, full of anger and shame, lost all sense. He lunged again, grabbing at Clayton’s shoulder despite his weakened state. Clayton saw it out of the corner of his eye and moved, raising his hand for a full-force slap. Before the strike landed, someone caught his wrist. Clayton turned sharply, glaring at the man who had intervened. "Why are you getting involved in my business?" The young man smiled—but it wasn’t friendly. "Come on, friend. Don’t you think you’re taking it a bit far? He’s already half-dead, and you’re still going after him." Clayton narrowed his eyes. "Too far? He started it. Or are you another self-proclaimed hero who likes meddling in things that don’t concern you?" The man froze. Clayton’s words struck his pride like a blow. As a two-star knight trainee, he was used to throwing his weight around. But being insulted like that made his blood boil. He clenched his fists, ready to retaliate. Before he could move, a familiar voice called out. "Heh, Clayton. What’s going on here? Some kind of misunderstanding?" Everyone turned. Arthur had arrived. "Pretty much, Brother Arthur. I just wanted some peace, but people keep trying to ruin my day," Clayton said, sighing. Arthur looked around and said casually, "Oh yeah?" He then released his three-star mage apprentice aura. The air changed. Several people flinched under the pressure. The large young man let go of Clayton’s arm immediately. Clayton shot him a sharp glare before turning away with a snort. The onlookers didn’t dare say anything under Arthur’s watchful eye. Clayton thought to himself, "Having strong connections really is useful sometimes." But just as he was about to leave again, someone blocked his path. He frowned, ready to strike—but Arthur quickly held him back. Clayton looked puzzled. The man who had blocked him turned to the large knight trainee. "What’s going on, Balda? A misunderstanding?" "Balda—still red in the face—quickly responded, "Brother Hope! This man started the fight! Look at him—he’s practically dying!" Hope nodded, then turned to Clayton. "You just here to stir up trouble? People come to this place to learn. If you’re not serious about that, you should leave. In fact, get out of this city! I, Hope, a student of the Academy of Water and Fire Magic, don’t want someone like you tainting this place!" Clayton frowned. He noticed the emblem on Hope’s robe. So that’s why Arthur stopped me, he thought. Even though Hope was only a two-star, his status as an academy student gave him clout. Enough that even Arthur wouldn’t risk a conflict. Just like that, the tides had turned. A moment ago, Clayton had the upper hand. Now, his opponent had the academy behind him. But Clayton wasn’t one to back down easily. He didn’t pick fights—but he sure as hell wouldn’t roll over either. "Heh," he scoffed. "So that’s the kind of quality the Academy of Water and Fire Magic produces?" Gasps spread through the crowd. No one expected anyone to insult the academy—especially in this city. Even Arthur hesitated. He wanted to stop Clayton, to warn him. Most people disliked the academy in secret. But saying it out loud? That was dangerous. Ardy and Balda looked stunned. They hadn’t expected to mess with someone this reckless. But Hope just smiled—cold and calculating. Now, the real game had begun. He looked at Clayton with amusement and a touch of scorn.