Chapter 664: Night Terror’s Dilemma
Aster, after the day's work at the workshop, was casually walking up when two men donned in black uniforms approached him.
The black uniform was nothing like he was used to. First of all, the contrast of the blackness of their uniform was deeper and richer in comparison to the ones he knew.
In addition, gold buttons and edge linens tailored the ensemble as a very unique and outstanding wear.
Not to speak of the faces. As Aster saw them coming, he stopped in his tracks, staggering backward.
'How...' his mind trembled.
Why would the disciplinary committee come all the way to the non-Combative school? This had never happened before; it was why Aster had calmed down. He thought he was safe and no harm could befall him, as long as he did not go to the underground location or to the Combative School.
He never expected them to come all the way here.
Seeing him stagger back, the two of them picked up their pace. Immediately Aster ran, cutting across a corner so he could use a shortcut to run towards the blacksmith workshop.
Why was he running towards there? Even he did not know; his actions had been too instinctive for him to answer.
Despite Schneider's size, his speed was astonishing. Once he saw Aster run, he darted across the distance, power carrying his steps without losing his grit for speed.
He entered the corner almost as quickly as Aster did, despite being far away, and swung his massive hand to smash the poor guy's head to the wall-but suddenly redirected his hand.
Not wasting a millisecond, he leaped backward before even daring to fully grasp what was happening before him.
All his reactions had been as a result of a polished sense of perception. In the fraction of a second as his hand was about to connect to Aster's head, he suddenly felt his skin crawl with the cold tendrils of fear.
Something reached out towards him from the shadow beneath. He didn't see it and dared not bother to try; instead, he trusted his instincts to save himself from the situation before setting his eyes upon the abomination.
Even though they probably did not look like it, these kids, especially the disciplinary committee, were rugged, battle-built warriors.
They might not be as powerful as drifters from the Dark Continent, but that didn't mean they fell too far back either.
A tensed frown appeared on Schneider's face as he now saw what was standing in front of Aster.
Even Aster was as shocked as they were, falling on his butt as he saw a four-handed monster emerge from his shadows.
The maroon-haired guy stopped, his eyes slowly growing wide.
"What in the world is that?" His voice trembled, its whisper breaking.
A drop of sweat rolled down Schneider's face.
"I have no idea, Lenn. But I think it should be at least a hellion rank."
"Don't be foolish. This thing is definitely more than a hellion rank..."
Schneider swallowed his spit, his hands slightly opened by his side, ready to fold into rigid fists any moment.
The vicious existence in front of them stood with its hands still, eyes gleaming but somewhat suppressed.
The maroon-haired guy-Lennister, scratched his hair annoyingly.
"Damn it. What is a monster doing in the academy grounds... I suspect it is someone's ability."
Schneider glanced at him quickly, not wanting to take his eyes away from the monster completely.
"Someone's ability? How does that even make any sense?" His voice sounded unsure and quaked with fear.
Lenn, on the other hand, had a slightly detached demeanor. After his initial shock upon seeing Night Terror, he did not seem to experience any intense fear like Schneider currently was. Slowly, two swords weaved into his hand with shimmering sparks like ignitions of lightning. "What are you doing?!" Seeing him, Schneider almost freaked out.
"What do you mean? We see a monster, we kill it; that is the essential making of a drifter. Besides, nothing must get in our way of getting that guy. We don't want to incur the leader's wrath now, do we?"
With trembling eyes, Schneider gulped again.
"Y-you are right. Now that I think about it, facing the leader is more scary than this monster... but still..."
"Don't worry, I can deal with this. You just need to make effective use of your shield."
A note of confidence immediately transformed Schneider's expression.
"You will use your ability? I thought you hate using your ability."
Lenn grimaced. "I don't exactly look like I have a choice here. Should he come out, don't think about confronting him. There are only two people that can deal with that guy: the leader and the council President. Don't you get cocky."
"Don't worry, I have learned my lesson once already," Schneider replied.
He clenched his strong hands. The fear in his eyes had completely vanished; instead, an ignition of stony resolve rose in the depth of his eyes.
Night Terror all the while stood still, standing between Aster, who was trembling on the ground but still trying to crawl backwards, and the two members of the committee. Immediately Schneider clenched his fist, the light in Night Terror's eyes went aglow with a malevolent intensity.
He was never to attack the students unless they attacked; he was never to also harm or kill the students. This was Northern's instruction when he sent him to be on guard around Aster.
Night Terror immediately recognized the ignition of Schneider's resolve as a will to attack. Even though the monster's form only changed slightly.
It did not attack.
Until the big guy lunged himself at it.
Night Terror raised two arms to intercept Schneider's massive punch, the impact reverberating through the corner with a chilling, bone-breaking crack.
The devil staggered two steps back, forced to yield to the sheer power of the big man's blow.
A wide grin laced Schneider's lips.
"Don't underestimate me. I am a Master despite being a student... and this guy here..."
Schneider shot a quick glance over his shoulder at Lenn, who was already in motion- sprinting along the wall with fluid precision before launching himself into the air.
"...even I have no idea how he is able to become a Savant at the age of eighteen."
Night Terror's four eyes narrowed into vicious slits as Lenn descended, his sword twirling in a fevered blur. The devil met the onslaught with a growl, all four arms snapping upward to
intercept the strike.
The blade clashed against his near-impenetrable, stonelike skin, sparks erupting from the impact as the force reverberated through the air.
As Lenn dropped into a crouch, a single word slipped from his lips in a low, deliberate mutter.
"Reversal."
In the nick of that moment, as Night Terror's arms recoiled from its block, a sudden, sharp
strike tore across the devil's arms.
Thin lines of blood erupted instantly, spilling in a swift gory spray.