Return Of The Strongest Player

Boom!

Alex's eyes opened wide at the terrifying sound that startled him. It seemed the entire class was startled at the noise of the explosion, which originated from a girl named Gianna at the back of the class.

Smoke emerged from the table in front of her, and her face was covered in ash, similar to a cartoon.

"Are you all right?" Mr. Mason asked, rushing to the girl's table. Immediately, he willed his mana to halt the emerging smoke, causing it to subside. The entirety of the table was broken into pieces that lay a few meters away from each other.

The eyes of everyone turned to face Gianna, who sat with her legs on her chair. She wished nothing but to curl up and die, and it wasn't possible. Yet, Mr. Mason wasn't angry or even frustrated.

"It's fine, Gianna," Mr. Mason consoled, kneeling beside her and caressing her back.

Gianna was shocked, partly due to him knowing her name, and because he wasn't annoyed by her mistake. "Is it truly fine?"

"Yes," replied Mr. Mason. "Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is whether you succeed in the end by learning from those mistakes and bettering yourself. Don't be harsh on yourself about something you cannot control."

Gianna nodded silently, raising her head. Her tearful eyes were swollen.

Suddenly, amidst the dreadful silence, gasps resounded across the room. All eyes turned away from Gianna and towards the cyan-haired woman sitting near the front of the classroom. In front of Alisha was a sword.

The hilt was tightly clutched between her fingers, and a light pulse stretched from her hand to the sword's blade. The area where her hand touched the sword shone a faint light, and so did the blade of the sword.

With a disinterested expression, Alisha lightly swung her sword, causing a trail of light to linger as the blade pierced through the atmosphere.

She had achieved the very process Mr. Mason was explaining, Mana Infusion.

"Good job, Alisha," Mr. Mason praised, approaching her and raising his hand, requesting a high-five. Unfortunately, Alisha simply stared at him with disinterested eyes, refusing to indulge in such childish behavior.

Mr. Mason awkwardly lowered his hand, pouting.

"Do you mind assisting others?" He asked, to which Alisha nodded. Standing up, the cyan-haired woman immediately went towards Arthur's desk, displaying a faint smile on her face.

Mr. Mason nodded in satisfaction before helping others.

"What is it?" Arthur asked, glancing at the cyan-haired woman who stood beside his desk. Her eyes lingered on the table in front of the crimson-eyed man. She continued observing the mana fluctuations within the desk's structure.

"Do you need help?" Alisha asked innocently. "I can understand if you're too nervous to ask."

"Go away," replied Arthur, retrieving his longsword. Holding it by the hilt, he quickly allowed mana to seep within. The roots of mana investigating the object extended, encompassing the entire sword.

A blinding glow shot from the blade, startling the students.

"Good job, Arthur!" Mr. Mason praised, observing the powerful force of mana that ran across the longsword.

Alisha's expression crumbled, and she silently returned to her desk. Jake chuckled from the sidelines, finding their interaction amusing. Alisha wanted to gloat, but Arthur thoroughly crushed her dreams.

'What was Gregorio talking about?' Arthur thought, gazing at Alisha. 'Has Alisha truly closed the gap? It doesn't seem like it, though…'

One thing was for certain; Alisha had immense potential. However, whether she chose to draw that potential or allow it to remain dormant depended entirely on her. But it was true that Arthur could sense serious determination in her gaze.

The class sped by.

Arthur and Jake chatted the entire time, and the latter achieved Mana Infusion. A few others achieved the milestone as well, but 60% of the class still could not access the basic function of mana.

Soon, the class ended.

Bidding farewell to Jake, Arthur immediately headed to training grounds Xavier had told him about. It was a place near the outskirts of Arcadia, a place where no one would suspect the crimson-eyed man for visiting.

This was done to draw Arcadia Academy's attention away from Arthur, since he often interacted with the superiors of the Ainsworth Family. If news got out, it wouldn't be long before the crimson-eyed man was arrested for interrogation…

Especially because things were getting heated between the Campbell Family and the Ainsworth Family.

For now, Arcadia Academy, the Jester Organization, and the Millers were assuming a neutral stance. However, that was only in public. Arcadia Academy had already threatened the Ainsworths, while the Jester Organization was allied with the latter.

The Millers, on the other hand, were truly neutral.

But that was only temporary, as soon, they would have to pick a side. Or, they could also sit by and watch the conflict continue. That would allow them to reap the rewards at the end. But it would be disadvantageous for them, as the other world powers could then target them.

All of this would unfold on the day of the banquet.

Arriving at an enormous, seemingly abandoned building near the farms on the outskirts of Arcadia, Arthur walked forward. The walls of the building were encompassed in spider webs and dust.

A squalid scent tickled the crimson-eyed man's nose, causing him to let out a sneeze.

'Damn, they really went all out picking a location,' thought Arthur, letting out a chuckle. It wasn't a surprise, to be honest.

Swiping a card on the entrance, the door automatically slid open. The inside of the building was dark, and Arthur's eyes took some time to adjust. Once they had adjusted, the crimson-eyed man spotted a door in the distance.

Gently pushing it open and peeking inside, his eyes widened.

In front of him was an enormous training facility, with specialized flooring, perfect lighting, and even a smoothie stand. Supplements were key.

Arthur observed the facility with utter shock clouding his face.

"Ah, you're finally here."

Gregorio's voice broke him out of his stupor.