Mage Adam

Francis' companions were surprised at his reaction, whispering, "Do you know this old guy?"

Francis was a little confused at the familiarity of this old man -- he remembered who the nasty poison expert was and the innocent apprentice with the mechanical body, but he couldn't tell who was before him.

"Funny, has Moldo dropped their standards, allowing an old guy like you to remain in the Academy?" the apprentices of Monte Carlo taunted.

Most of the new apprentices at Moldo didn't know who James was either, since James holed himself up in Adam's laboratory. He dropped his teaching for Rune Studies as well, becoming completely invisible.

Francis held his hand up to stop his companions' taunting, since he could sense strong energy fluctuations radiating from James -- however, it was obscured, as if there is no presence of elemental magic.

"Who are you?" Francis asked again.

James took a deep breath, smiling, "Long time no see, Francis -- I'm James. James Berry."

Francis pondered on the name for a bit, comparing James' current image with everyone in his memory, widening his eyes, "I remember you -- the trash who escaped from me back then!"

The apprentices of Monte Carlo glanced at James curiously, and Francis, with a loud voice, shouted, "During the war, I received an order to raid the 17th district -- those weaklings all died by my hand alone, and only him managed to escape, disregarding the life and death of his companions."

After a brief silence, the apprentices of Monte Carlo burst out in laughter, pointing and jeering at James -- even the Moldo Academy apprentices cast contemptuous glances at James.

"I didn't run."

James remembered it all too well -- he was knocked away by a stray tornado and fell into a coma for a few days. When he finally came back to his senses, the only things left were the headless corpses of his companions.

Francis spat on the ground, "Tell that to your dead friends. Get out of my way."

Francis strode forward, ignoring James.

James stood motionless, flicking his hands, and the apprentices of Monte Carlo found that it was difficult to walk. Francis cut through the air with a blade of wind and bellowed, "Are you trying to provoke us?"

To be honest, he felt a little uneasy looking at James' unending smile. James sighed, staring straight into Francis' soul, "Duel me, Francis."

James wasn't loud, but everyone could hear the firmness and fearlessness in his words, which was mocking to Francis.

Francis snickered. "A duel with me? A piece of trash like you wants to duel with me? Have you gone senile?"

"Duel me."

Francis laughed, looking at his companions and looking back at James repeatedly, "Alright, if you are courting death, I will fulfil your wishes!"

"See you at the duelling arena," James smiled.

...

Francis stared daggers into James' back, feeling that he was mocked by literal trash! He roared incoherently, making the other apprentices shrink themselves to avoid his wrath, "Damn it! I will end you, trash! I must kill you!"

His companions were silent -- James' resistance put them at a loss.

A man and a woman landed silently behind them, and the man saw Francis' expression and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

After hearing this deep voice, everyone hurriedly turned around, and Francis immediately calmed down, "Lord Bill, Lord Monica."

Lord Bill waved his hand and asked again, "What happened?"

Francis took a few deep breaths to quell his anger, and told Lord Bill what had happened.

Lord Bill frowned upon hearing it, "If this apprentice really is just trash, then just kill him. Anger will only make you lose your calm and dignity."

Lord Monica simply covered her mouth and chuckled, speaking seductively, "Bill and I found an... interesting person on campus. Go and deal with that 'trash' of yours, and come with us to see the real genius of Moldo."

She strolled by Francis, her fingers gliding across Francis' arm, "Don't keep us waiting."

Francis shivered, immediately replying, "Yes, Lord Monica!"

Monica nodded, turning around and locking her arms with Bill, "Come, dear Bill, let us watch the duel!"