“For example, that person from the Boson family whom you killed. He was the most talented child of their family in nearly a hundred years.”
“He had the potential to become a Tier-Sage.”
“And now, with that child dead by your hands, you’ve effectively cut off the hope of their family.”
“Then there’s House Ponton, a very ancient family. Recently, one of their own became a Tier-Sage, and currently, they have quite a few masters in their ranks. Do you think you can handle their wrath?”
“I know, you may think you’re strong enough to escape from them, even if you can’t defeat them. But what about your family and friends?”
“You came from Riverside City, right? If they want, they can easily find out these things about you. Your friends and family living in Riverside City—do you think they can withstand the anger of these noble families?” freewebnσvel.cm
The old man spoke slowly.
Unbeknownst to him, Nora was holding back laughter.
If these so-called powerful families dared to go after Riverside City, that’s when they would learn who the real danger was!
“So, the only thing that can ensure your safety, as well as that of your family and friends, is Karea Academy. Win this upcoming duel, and everything will be fine,” the old man continued.
Nora understood why the old man said these things now.
After all the roundabout talk, he was really just trying to emphasize the power of Karea Academy, and that she had to win this fight.
Nora didn’t say anything.
The truth was, she wasn’t even sure if the battle would happen at all. She had already received a message from Nina—the headmaster himself was coming. It was bound to be interesting.
The old man, with his back to Nora, didn’t know what she was thinking.
Nora was led away, but before she left, the old man spoke again:
“Next, we need to go to House Ponton.”
A few days later, House Ponton.
The battle ship from Karea Academy landed here.
Naturally, Nora followed the old man down.
“This is House Ponton, the very powerful family I told you about.”
Hearing the old man’s words, Nora looked at the magnificent buildings before her, her fists clenching.
Maybe… she would have to slaughter them all here?
“Don’t worry, you won’t encounter any accidents here.”
The old man seemed to notice Nora’s tension and reassured her:
“Because the message that was sent to them said that it was in the secret realm that their son died, and you had nothing to do with it. As long as you win the upcoming battle, it will never concern you again.”
Nora nodded.
So that was how Karea Academy was handling this.
They were outright deceiving these powerful families.
But when she thought about it, it made sense. If the truth were told, it would tear the mask off and leave no room for reconciliation.
What Karea Academy was doing was actually a necessary measure.
After all, Nora had wiped out an entire A-level House.
Because of that, Karea Academy had no choice but to let Nora fight in the duel.
Otherwise, if they found someone else at the last minute… they’d be openly admitting that Karea Academy was weak.
They couldn’t even find someone suitable to fight.
Furthermore… so many students had died at the academy. The word would get out, and that would be disastrous for the academy’s reputation.
Therefore, the academy was slowly releasing information about the students’ deaths.
This way, they could cushion the blow. At least they’d have some time to recover.
“Although they don’t know the truth, according to House Ponton’s head, he will only create a little trouble for you.”
The old man looked at Nora and said.
House Ponton’s head was a person with a small mind and a protective nature.
His beloved son had been killed in the academy.
Originally, he had hoped that his son would be selected by the academy to fight in the secret battle, but now…
It was Nora who was chosen, and his son died in that secret realm.
How could he possibly accept that?
So it was inevitable that House Ponton’s head would come after Nora.
But thinking about this, a smile appeared on the old man’s face.
If he still cared about his reputation and wanted the younger generation of his family to try, that would be interesting.
The old man knew Nora’s strength well.
If House Ponton didn’t have any hidden genius, then even if all the young members of their family teamed up, they wouldn’t be able to defeat Nora.
That was how strong Nora’s talent was.
Otherwise, Karea Academy wouldn’t be protecting her like this.
If she were slightly weaker, the academy would have killed her the next day or taken her family hostage.
They wouldn’t have wasted so much time thinking about it, and the threats to her family would have been more than just words.
After all, Karea Academy wanted students, not enemies.
They only had to subdue the most powerful House Ponton, and the other families wouldn’t dare to question the academy’s choices.
Because anyone sent to the academy was surely hoping for that coveted spot.
But since the most powerful House Ponton had nothing to say, the others would be too embarrassed to protest.
“I can’t guarantee that those who come to provoke me will stay alive,” Nora said flatly.
“That’s fine. As a genius, it’s your privilege. Provocation always comes with the awareness that death could be the consequence.”
“Once this matter here is settled, I’ll take you to familiarize yourself with the battle grounds. The reason we’re here is that House Ponton is very close to the location of the upcoming fight,” the old man explained.
They had come here not only to shut the families up but also because the battle would take place in a secret realm near House Ponton.
“So who will my opponents be?” Nora suddenly asked.
“Your opponents are all from superpower factions. In total, six factions are competing. They are Karea Academy, the Dawnlight Empire, the Dark Empire, the Cult of Calamity, the Dragonscale Bank, and the Sanctuary of Extension.”
“The real Sanctuary. By the way, there’s also a self-proclaimed Sanctuary that has recently appeared in your hometown.”
The old man even casually mentioned Riverside City, dropping a hint that they had been keeping an eye on the city. If Nora hadn’t caught the implication…
“Why is Dragonscale Bank involved?” Nora asked, confused.
She wasn’t unfamiliar with Dragonscale Bank. After all, Daniel used to love trading with them.
Almost everything she used came from Dragonscale Bank.
In Nora’s mind, Dragonscale Bank was just a giant store. She never expected them to be involved in something like this.
“Yes, Dragonscale Bank doesn’t usually involve themselves in ordinary conflicts, but… they are just as much a superpower as we are at Karea Academy. Their ambitions are not small!” the old man said slowly.
“Don’t underestimate them. In this battle, the greatest threat to you could very well come from Dragonscale Bank.”
The old man spoke with a mysterious air.
Dragonscale Bank was practically everywhere on the continent.
Even the old man himself didn’t know how many geniuses Dragonscale Bank had quietly recruited.
And considering their terrifying ability to make money…
They may have been preparing for this battle for a long time.
Nora nodded.
The closer they got to the truth, the more she realized the secrets surrounding it.
“The world is far beyond your imagination. Many great beings hide just beneath the surface. Once you mention them, it’s like throwing a stone into the water—the ripples are quickly noticed by them.”
“Being noticed by such great existences is inherently dangerous.”
“And here, when I mention these things, it won’t draw their attention.”
The old man said, glancing upwards.
An invisible barrier appeared in the sky.
They were now at the edge of the barrier.
Because of this upcoming battle, the barrier had appeared to block many gazes.
Even House Ponton was fortunate to be partially shielded by this barrier.
So, only in this place, the old man could speak freely.