The Twelfth Prince’s group looked at the stunning young lady with dread visible in their eyes. Of the two people in the Fourth stage of the Origin Plane, she was the strongest.

They still couldn’t comprehend why she would have such a thought process, but since it has kept them alive, they weren’t complaining about it. Even though they felt they were the most unfortunate group in the trial land, they were still better than those who had died, right?

“Why are they back so soon?” The youth from the Starlight Academy asked the others softly.

According to how the group from the Azure empire usually operated, after beating them up, they would give them a day or so to rest and recover before coming back, but now, it hadn’t even been up to an hour, and they’re back. Judging from their expressions, it looks like maybe they’ve come to a decision to end them this time.

“I don’t know, but hopefully they’ll leave soon after finishing their work.” The youth who previously complained about the assault said.

He might have complained when the group wasn’t here, but since they were here, he didn’t dare to. Being the weaker party, he had already accepted his fate, besides, it wasn’t like this was the first time he was bullied. Getting used to being bullied is something only the brave and determined can do, that was his motto back then.

Currently, he felt after some time, the others would get used to it as well and move on with their lives. Well, that was under the premise that they weren’t killed this time.

The youth from the Starlight Academy looked at him weirdly and refrained from replying. If he were to answer the youth, then there’s a chance they might start quarreling amidst their current predicament.

It wasn’t like they were as carefree as Klaus and Reynolds were, who would be able to quarrel even when they were outnumbered.

“After a long deliberation, we have decided it’s time to stop these games.” The tall youth said coldly while staring at the Twelfth Prince’s group.

When the Twelfth Prince and the rest of his group heard this statement, their hearts sank. And for the first time in the lives of most of them, they wanted to beg to continue being beaten.

‘Please, continue beating us!’

This was what they prayed for currently.

“Just in case you all don’t understand what that means, it means we’re tired of our current toys and want to get rid of them. And, you all are the toys.” Another youth said while laughing.

Although most of them were still below twenty years of age, they had already gotten used to killing. Some of them could even kill entire families without blinking an eye, this was a world of Elementalists, a world ruled by the strong. If you don’t want to be stepped on or abused, then you have to strive to grow stronger, by any means necessary.

‘I knew the reason they came back wasn’t good.’ The youth from the Starlight Academy thought feeling a little depressed.

“Hmph! If you think you can kill us, I’m afraid you’re greatly mistaken.” The Twelfth Prince snorted coldly with the deep-seethed pride of a prince showing forth.

Since the group had already decided to kill them, then there is no use being courteous with them anymore. Even though he didn’t want to die, it didn’t mean that he’ll turn into a coward when faced with death. He was a Prince of the Qilin empire, how could he bow to mere citizens of the Azure empire.

Given the severity of the upcoming battle, the Twelfth Prince knew that if he didn’t rile up the others, then their deaths would come sooner. Although, being a Wind Elementalist, there’s a slim chance he might be able to escape if the opportunity presents itself.

“Hehehe, I like feisty toys. I’ll be the one killing him.” The girl giggled while positioning herself in front of the Twelfth Prince, looking at him with playful eyes.

The group from the Qilin empire had more numbers compared to their opponents, but the difference in individual strength made things difficult for them.

The group from the Azure empire were five in numbers, with two being in the Fourth stage of the Origin Plane, and the other three being in the Third stage. Of the three in the Third stage, one was a Dual Elementalist whose strength almost rivaled that of the two in the Fourth stage.

While the Twelfth Prince’s group had seven people, with three being in the Third stage of the Origin Plane, and the rest being in the Second stage.

Boom!

An attack was unleashed unexpectedly.

Bam! Bang!

A youth was sent flying by the unexpected attack, while the other tried to defend but was pushed back.

The youth sent flying was one of the Third stage Origin Plane Elementalist from the Azure empire.

Surprisingly, the Twelfth Prince’s group were the first ones to attack.

Being taken unaware, the group from the Azure empire were momentarily stunned by the sudden attack and fell on the defensive with one of them sustaining an injury.

Never in their wildest dreams did they think that this group from the Qilin empire would be the first to attack.

All the while that they had been attacking them, they had always been the ones who attacked while the Twelfth Prince’s group defended, yet when it came to the most important fight, they were the ones on the defensive. It was an ironic situation from their point of view.

“Yes!” Neil exclaimed and went straight for the injured youth.

During the short period the group from the Azure empire was spouting nonsense, the Twelfth Prince told him to attack them while they were still picking opponents.

He initially thought the plan wouldn’t be successful, but surprisingly, the youths from the Azure empire were dumber than they look.

Did they think they would just wait for them to pick who they wanted to fight against before attacking?

Seeing that one of their opponents had been injured, the momentum of the Twelfth Prince’s group shot through the roof and they felt, maybe, just maybe, they could escape this alive.

What the Twelfth Prince did showed he truly was worthy of being the leader of the group, and also being a prince trained in the art of war.

The only unfortunate thing about the plan was that the youth attacked didn’t die, and the injuries he sustained weren’t life-threatening. But it had decreased his strength significantly.

_____

At the forest.

The chase was still ongoing with Grey cursing at Void repeatedly. If Void had not stolen their treasure, they wouldn’t have been in such a position.

Bang!

Another attack landed close to him.

“Cough…cough… Damn it! These things are relentless.” Grey coughed out while dashing out of the dust that rose from the blast.

Being too occupied with escaping, he couldn’t create inscriptions, and even if he did, since he couldn’t turn around to face the Apes, he couldn’t get a clean hit. One has to remember, he was the one escaping, not the other way around.

‘Huh! There’s a battle going on up ahead.’ Void said after sensing ripples in the space caused by the impact of the battle going on.

Being a Space Elementalist, he was naturally very sensitive to the space around him, especially within half a kilometer radius. It was just like the sensory ability Grey had from the wind and the earth element. Only, the range of Void’s sensory ability was far better than that of Grey.

‘Between humans?’ Grey asked the question he felt was most important.

If the battle was between humans, then he wouldn’t mind bringing his escorts behind him to the party. With more people around, the Apes would instinctively attack them as well, especially if he acted like they were together.

But if the battle was between two or more beasts, he would have to take a detour so as not to incite their wrath. He was already being chased by one group, if another group were to start chasing him, then he wouldn’t know what to do anymore.

‘No, it’s between humans.’ Void replied after a brief wait to confirm if the fighters were humans or not.

‘Phew, thankfully we have helpers now.’ Grey breathed out a sigh of relief.

Now all he wanted to do was take the Apes towards the people, so they could help him stop them while he makes a break for it. In short, he wanted to use them.

Despite the fact that the Apes couldn’t catch up with him if he continued running, being chased for so long was quite tiring.

‘But, what if they’re my friends?’ He thought.

If the people fighting were his friends, then, it would be difficult since he couldn’t make the Apes attack just one group.

The best case scenario was that he wasn’t acquainted with any of the people fighting, that way he could just dump the Apes at them, while the worst case scenario was that they were people he knew. He hoped for the former while also preparing a plan in case it was the latter.

With everything in place, he darted towards where the battle was going on.