Chapter 10: I Don’t Mind Her Fighting for Me… Unless the Enemy’s Level 24

Leon wasn’t the kind of guy to be overly egoistic or radiate sigma energy like he was above everything. He didn’t mind if his women fought for him—in fact, he found it kind of hot sometimes. But this world was different. If he wanted to get to his goals, he needed to show the authorities his true worth, and it wouldn’t happen if he was hiding behind his women. So, he had decided to take the hard route. Or, well, that was the plan. But the moment he saw who was blocking their way, he didn’t even hesitate to take a small step behind Silver and let her handle the situation. After all, one had to be alive to make an impression. In front of them stood a strikingly beautiful woman, likely in her early twenties. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and her pretty face was scrunched into a sour scowl that probably scared off half the crowd. She wore the Academy uniform, but the way she stood—shoulders back, chin lifted, like she owned the whole damn place was more intimidating than her looks. Leon instantly recognized her. Ashley. A third-year student. In novel terms, she was that annoying minor antagonist who couldn’t handle rejection. She was obsessed with Leon and wanted him under her wing—quite literally. Though, this was way more common in this world, so it didn’t really make Silver a protagonist. The reason Leon backed away was because this woman was a Level 24 Awakened. She could mop floors with him with no difficulty at all. But it was different with Silver. Silver didn’t back down. Instead, she stepped forward, blocking Leon from Ashley’s view like a knight shielding a princess which Leon even more speechless and determined to enter the Dungeon. "Why?" she smirked, folding her arms. "Are you jealous of my relationship with Leo?" ’Woah. So now we’re using nicknames too?’ Leon blinked as he watched the scene unfold like a soap opera. At this point, all he needed was popcorn. He wasn’t even worried. In a verbal battle, Silver was second to none, and when it came to strength, she wasn’t lacking either. She was a second-year student and already Level 22, just two levels behind Ashley. "Jealous? Of you?" Ashley scoffed, flipping her ponytail. "Please. Leon hasn’t even accepted your proposal. You’re single because you’re unworthy. I’m single by choice." "Choice of others, that is," Leon muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. The crowd, which had naturally gathered for the unfolding drama, erupted in laughter. Even Silver, who hadn’t expected him to throw that punch, broke into a huge smile. Ashley’s face turned crimson with embarrassment. Her pride burned at the corners, fanned by the laughter ringing in her ears. Leon could practically hear her inner monologue screaming, ’He wasn’t like this before! He used to be so pure and sweet... That vixen must have corrupted him!’ "That’s it!" Ashley snapped, pointing a shaking finger at Silver. "I challenge you to a duel. Whoever loses will stay away from Leon from now on!" She’d been holding it in. She’d planned to make her move later as she wanted to use that item to increase her level first, but seeing Leon and Silver together had pushed her over the edge. ’It’s fine,’ she reassured herself. ’I’m two levels above her.’ Silver raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised that Ashley had the guts to add a condition like that. Still, she wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge. "Fine," she replied with a sweet, dangerous smile. "I accept. Just make sure you remember that condition when you lose pathetically." The crowd leaned in. But before the scene could escalate into actual bloodshed, a cold, spine-chilling voice echoed through the hallway. "Is there a movie being telecasted here?" A collective shiver ran through the crowd. Even Ashley, who was moments away from launching a verbal nuke, froze on the spot. Without waiting for a second invitation, the onlookers dispersed like frightened pigeons. Ashley vanished in the blink of an eye. Silver, reacting on instinct, grabbed Leon’s hand and bolted toward the classroom. There wasn’t a single soul in the Academy who didn’t recognize that voice. They entered a lecture hall that resembled the classic auditoriums of old universities—wide, circular, with ascending rows of wooden desks. Each desk had an embedded tablet, and at the front was a massive smart screen meant for projecting the lesson. Students started filling the room quickly. Hundreds of them. And yet, despite the numbers, there was pin-drop silence. Nobody moved. Nobody coughed. Nobody dared to even gulp. They all stared down at their tablets, scrambling through notes and data files, hoping to anticipate whatever the professor might ask. Everyone knew the punishment for slacking off in this class. Leon glanced around calmly, scanning his peers. ’Only twenty-three guys. That’s actually a lot for a standard class.’ And as for their professor... He already knew. Right on cue, a woman stepped into the room. Her outfit was simple yet somehow intimidating—tight high-waisted shorts, a fitted purple T-shirt, and a white cloak hanging from her broad shoulders like the weight of a thousand battles. Her most striking feature wasn’t her chiseled physique or her commanding presence. It was the pair of fox-like ears that jutted from her head, like twin blades pointing to the sky. On Earth, people might have thought she was a cosplayer. Here, it was just another alien trait. Totally normal. Totally terrifying. The temperature in the room seemed to drop by several degrees as she walked to the podium, her piercing cyan eyes scanning the classroom like a hunter sizing up prey. Those eyes weren’t just sharp. They were lethal. "Good," she said with a faint smile. "At least you lot have decency to stay quiet in the class." Her voice was smooth, but it carried the weight of iron. "My name is Amber," she continued. "And I am a Tier 11 Ascended." The students gasped. A few jaws hit the table. What were Ascended? They were the Tall Walls that guarded the fortress known as Humanity. The Guardians who stood amon the top of power levels.