Was he nning on attacking them?


    Their muscles tensed, and some instinctively reached for their weapons. Even those who had fought alongside Nox on the battlefield moments ago were unsure where they stood now.


    Nyx, however, stepped forward without hesitation.@@novelbin@@


    "Nox," she called firmly, her eyes searching his. "What are you about to do?"


    Nox raised an eyebrow as if taken aback. "What do you think I''m about to do?"


    "Are you going to attack us?" One of the special students spoke, wild bluish mana dancing around her arms. It was evident that she was ready to attack at any moment.


    "Huh?" Nox was slightly shocked because, when his gaze swept around, he noticed that all the students had their weapons and abilities activated as well—except for a few like Nyx, Theo, ke, Glen, Zara, and Wendy.


    "What makes you think I''d want to attack you guys?"


    "To silence us, maybe? I mean, what other reasons would you be apologizing for?" Someone retorted, a fierce light shining in their eyes.


    "Ah." Nox face-palmed when he heard this and quickly rectified, "The reason I''m apologizing is because I won''t be following you all back."


    Beside Nyx, Wendy looked between them, then at Nox, her brows furrowing. "You''re not nning on running off alone again, are you?"


    Nox''s gaze flickered to them, his expression softening just a fraction. Then, just as quickly, the usual sharp glint returned to his midnight eyes.


    "What I''m about to do is important," he said. "And I can''t afford distractions."


    Nyx narrowed her eyes, a bit of annoyance shing within them. "You think we''d be a distraction?"


    "Not intentionally," Nox admitted. "But right now, I need absolute focus."


    Nyx clenched her fists. She knew her brother well enough to understand what he really meant—he didn''t want anyone else involved in whatever danger he was about to throw himself into.


    Wendy, on the other hand, frowned, clearly not satisfied. "At least tell us where you''re going."


    Nox exhaled. "I can''t."


    Silence stretched between them.


    Then, Nyx let out a frustrated sigh. She knew she could not force an answer out of his mouth. Besides—


    Nox was plenty strong! That, she had witnessed over and over again. The gap between them was massive.


    And I used to be stronger than him, she thought with a wistful expression on her face. I miss the times when I could easily smack him around.


    "Fine." She broke out of her train of thought and muttered, crossing her arms. "But you better not do anything reckless."


    Nox chuckled. "When have I ever?"


    Nyx shot him a re.


    "Do you really want me to list all the times?"


    "I''d rather not."


    Wendy huffed but took a step back. "Be careful."


    "I will."


    "Hey, can I join you?" ke suddenly shouted.


    Nox looked back, and obvious exasperation shone in his eyes. "No!" His answer was rather fast.


    "Ouch, that was harsh."


    "Yeah, what do you expect him to say? Take you along with him?" Jared chimed in.


    "I mean, yeah? Aren''t we friends?"


    "Tsk. Creepy."


    After hearing Nox''s reasoning, the students visibly rxed and went back to their own discussions.


    The conversations were mostly about what they''d tell Headmistress Bridget when they returned.


    Nox ignored the banter, turned, and shifted his gaze to the figure in the distance.


    Zara had been watching all this while, her icy-blue eyes glowing under the sky, which was slowly growing dark. As soon as Nox moved, she stepped forward as well.


    "It''s time?" Zara asked. Now that the moment had arrived, she found her heart elerating wildly. Why did she feel so anxious, as if things could go south at any moment?


    Even though she had witnessed what Nox could do, there was still a glimmer of doubt in her heart.


    The Scourge Alpha was a peak Legendary-Tier Dragon.


    Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire


    The monster they had just dealt with was only a Level 1 Legendary-Tier beast.


    The difference was like heaven and earth.


    Who knew? Maybe the beast could have broken through to the Ascended rank—after all, that had been its n before Zara left.


    "It is..." Nox smiled and then asked with a slightly raised eyebrow, "You look anxious, though. What is it?"


    Zara, who was usually confident, fidgeted with her hands. She remained silent for thirty seconds, her eyes seeming to mirror her thoughts.


    She nced up at Nox, shook her head a momentter, and said with a forced smile, "Nothing. Come, let''s get going then."


    With one final nce at the battlefield,


    Nox retraced his steps to the frontline to rendezvous with his pets, leaving behind only the unsettled murmurs of those who remained.


    Nyx and Wendy exchanged looks.


    "What do you think he''s nning?" Wendy asked.


    Nyx''s eyes lingered on the spot where Nox disappeared.


    "I don''t know," she admitted.


    But she had a bad feeling.


    "What do we do?"


    The special ss students immediately turned to Wendy.


    Now that Brandon was gone, she was all they had.


    "Hmmm." At that moment, Commander Lutheir cleared his throat. "On behalf of the Tristan Kingdom, we want to thank you foring to our aid in this dire moment."


    He paused and made a low bow. "Rest assured, our kingdom will reward you handsomely."


    After saying this, he left and mobilized his soldiers to clear the region and begin rebuilding it so that the inhabitants who had fled could return.


    "Kid, why do I feel like our paths will cross again?" Lutheir mumbled as he stared in the direction Nox had disappeared into.


    ---


    "We''ll return to the Vermilion Kingdom. That''s what will happen," Wendy said, her sharp gaze scanning the students, noting that they were all ounted for. Except for the Tristan soldiers, there were no casualties on their side, which was good.


    This meant that this batch of special-ss students had passed with flying colors. If not for the unexpected situation, it could have been a joyful asion.


    "And as for what happens next..." Wendy wasn''t done. Her tone sounded cold and dangerous, making the students who had never heard her speak in such a manner think she was possessed. "I''ll personally report to the headmistress. All of you should keep your mouths shut."


    "Yes, Instructor!" they all echoed.


    After that, the special portal that had brought them here was activated once again.


    Meanwhile... in the Vermilion Royal Castle...


    ***


    Okay it''s been long since I do this but let''s try again.


    1 castle for five extra  chapters


    1  Dragon  for two extra chapters


    1 luxury car for one extra chapters.


    Goalst for two days!