n

n

n

nChristos is just glad that he is prepared.

nHe brought Bronte along with him and the remaining three are also promising. So, he believed they still have a chance. The fight was set up instantly and the Olympians chose a team combat. They can all fight together and whichever team has the last one standing wins.

nWhen all the candidates stepped on the stage, the referee signaled for the start of the fight.

nChristos and the rest were looking to enjoy the fight. However…

n

"Start.

"

nAs soon as the announcement was made.

n*SWOOSH* *BOOM* *CRASH*

nThe next moment, the trio made their move. Except for Bronte and Stone the rest of the people on the stage moved and their caused a massive flash. When the scene is finally visible, the three of them are standing with their feet on the three candidates from the Olympian side.

nBronte was stunned.

nHe didn't expect such a massive domination from the other side.

nStone slowly stepped toward Bronte and said in a very slow voice.

n

"Do you still want to go on Bronte? You think you can win?

"

nBronte is a bit nervous. The four of them surrounded him. All four of them are strong. His instincts are telling him to ** off that stage, but there is also a sense of anxiety and excitement deep inside his heart. A curiosity, asking him to find out if he can walk out of this.

nHowever, the person who is handling him, or managing him, is not a person with same curiosity. Christos immediately called for a withdrawl.

n

"This is **ing ridiculous.

"

nHe muttered to himself as he turned around and walked away.

nStone and the other three were clearly disappointed. They didn't expect such an easier time. They actually wanted to destroy Bronte that day, even Sam gave a green light. It would have set the whole Noble league on fire.

nChristos is too much of a wuss for that though.

nThey had to go back and report to Sam.

nSam didn't mind too much.

n

"We need to push them a bit harder. Let's hope things are looking well on Ivar's side.

"

nA couple of days passed. Stone continued with his quest, but the reaction from the Olympian side has slowed down again.

nOn that day, the Zeus Academy finally sent a delegation of sorts to meet with Ivar from the Thor Academy. They wanted to demand an explanation from him for his horrendous disrespect towards the Zeus Academy.

nWhen the delegation reached the destination of the meeting, they felt like they ate a bug.

n

"This is really where we are meeting? For a meeting regarding an almost diplomatic issue between two regions? Is he even serious?

"

nOne of the Instructors that was part of the delegation asked. The rest of them just shrugged and sighed as they walked in to one of the cheapest and the dirtiest bars they have ever seen. When they walked in, not a single person that fell into their eyes belonged to an Academy.

nThey are all old, weak and washed up. They are the ones that came to the Academy realm with aspirations but couldn't handle the pressure and the competition and finally gave up. They must have worked as mercenaries or assistants for the other people in the Academies their whole lives.

nDoing odd jobs and missions and soon they are not suitable for those jobs anymore.

nAt least that was the first impression they gave off to this high and might instructors. In the middle of this filthy bar which is filled to the brim there is one big table where only one person sat while taking a swig after swig of a cheap and hard liquor

nNone other than Ivar.

nIvar waved the at the newly arrived group.

nThe group slowly made their way to him, trying to avoid touching anything or anyone in the place.

n

"You don't have to act all disgusted. This place is not filthier than a beast's gusts. Shouldn't the war torn instructors of the Zeus academy be a bit more tolerant for places like these? In a way, you are the reason that places like these are created.

"

nThe instructors looked at Ivar with a frown.

nThey obviously didn't like what he said, but they didn't retort. They believed Ivar was just trying to rile them up and make this into a fight. At least that was what their opinion is of him.

n

"Mr. Ivar. You are an esteemed alumni of one of the greatest academies in the Academy realm, but your behavior during the freshmen tournament didn't reflect that. You acted on your whims and wishes and tarnished the reputation of Zeus Academy in front of the whole world.

nFor that we would like to demand a reasonable explanation.

"

n

"What kind of explanation would you like?

"

nIvar asked with a smile. Not denying any of these accusations.

n

"First of all, we would like a public apology. You should admit to what you have done to the instructor and you should admit to your ill behavior. On top of that, the attack you made to sever the arm of the instructor was very special.

nWe needed a special treatment method the required us to use some of the most precious herbs within our inventory.

nWe would like you to compensate that.

"

n

"What would you do if I don't do it?

" Ivar once again asked with the same calm smile on his face.

n

"We will take official action. Even if the Elder did make a mistake by interfering with the competition, your punishment to that was way too excessive. We are sure that we can get you expelled from the Academy realm with a proper hearing.

"

n

"Oh, that is it? That is all you can do?

"

nIvar asked nonchalantly. The instructors didn't know what to say.

nIvar chuckled at this and spoke.

n

"Alright, I will play along with you guys. I will do all you want me to do, but I have a few conditions.

"

n

"Please do tell.

" The instructors felt a surge of hope. They are afraid to deal with Ivar with the usual methods. In a normal situation when someone disrespects the academy like this, the instructors will go and challenge them to a duel.

nIt will be in an extravagant venue with a bunch of people spectating it. However, now they didn't want to do it.

nIt would just serve as a great stage for Ivar to embarrass them further.

nSo, they decided to take what they usually call as a coward's approach. Hide behind the rules of the Academy realm and try to make the other party keel in annoyance.

nNow that Ivar is stating some conditions, that means he is ready to let go of this.

n

"Before I tell you those conditions, I am gonna ask a few questions.

nInstructor Beli, can you turn around and tell me who is sitting at the right corner of the restaurant?

"

nHe asked one of the instructors of the Zeus Academy. All the instructors turned to take a look at the corner table in confusion. Even when they saw the people sitting there, they didn't feel much. However, Instructor Beli had a change of expression, because the person at the center of the table is someone he recognized very well.

nIt is almost someone he didn't want to see in this lifetime. It is a man with only one arm and one eye.

nHe looked at Ivar with fear apparent in his eyes.

n

"That is Monor. I am sure you are very familiar with him, so don't bother denying it. He was one of the people that you recruited as your subordinate when you were a student at Zeus Academy.

nHe used to help you with the missions, particularly those related to exploration and resource gathering.

nDo you remember what happened to him? Please share it with your colleagues.

"

nIvar continued with that smile. Beli didn't speak. He was flustered and the rest of his colleagues are confused.

nWhen Beli didn't speak up, Ivar continued.

n

"He is the one you framed for the murder of your fellow classmate and in process, he lost his arm and the eye. He was processed through the Academy realm's judiciary proceedings and since he doesn't have backing or resources, he was subjected to the rules of the Academy realm.

nHe was trapped in the Prison of Remorse for more than two decades and came out with his soul injured. He has yet to recover completely.

nAll because of your crimes.

nNow, you just need to do what I asked you to do. Confess, Apologize, and Compensate.

"

nJust judging from Instructor Beli's face, they understood that he had actually done it. The rest of the instructors are weighing their options. They don't care what Ivar wants to achieve from this. They just want to finish their task and if the price of it is just one instructor, maybe…

nEven before their thoughts ended, Ivar continued.

n

"Don't be in a hurry to push it down, Instructors. I am not done yet

"

nListening to Ivar's words, all of a sudden, they felt a slight chill down their spine.

n

"You might want to take a close look around all the tables in the bar. You might find someone familiar.

"

n

n