The sight of dozens of long black roots and vines shooting out of the ground was a different type of beauty to behold.
Nearly half of the First Years that were present were hanging from the roots and vines, their legs kicking the empty air as they struggled to either breathe or escape from the roots and vines.
The other First Years who had been running passionately at their seniors had no choice but to stop their approach.
If this was just going to be a battle of physical strength and demonic energy, then they all knew that they had a chance of winning, even if it was little.
But if their seniors planned on using chaos in this battle, then it would severely dwindle their chances of winning.
In fact, their chances of winning would be close to none, and the sight of nearly half of their classmates hanging and struggling in the air was a sign of the difference between those who can control chaos and those who couldn’t.
But what many of the First Years did not understand was why their seniors were using their chaos.
Weren’t they afraid of getting punished?
Using chaos in the academy was forbidden, and even if this was outside the academy, it was still in its vicinity.
They could still be punished and reprimanded.
Even Agramormos and Belafar were surprised.
Tibat exhaled deeply, a turbid mist escaping her lips as she lowered her hand.
Belafar walked to her side.
"Why are you using your chaos?"
Tibat glanced at him, then she shifted her gaze back to the stunned and wary First Years.
"We have to take control of the situation. Having a physical brawl can escalate the issue, and it might even result in an accidental death of one or two."
"Hmm." Belafar hummed, then he looked at the black vines and roots that bound the First Years.
"Besides, I didn’t use my chaos to attack but as self defense, and all of the First Years are safe. So, we should be fine."
Belafar’s eyes flashed with a glint of realization, and he could not help but nod severally in approval.
This was why he and Agramormos usually allowed Tibat to do majority of the thinking and planning whenever their gangs work together.
She was the smartest, and she knew how to skirt around the rules.
Unfortunately for her, there was somebody who knew how to skirt around the rules even more.
And he was watching the battle with a cold glint in his eyes.
Tibat did not know this, but due to her cautious nature, she looked around and decided to contact her subordinates.
Her Grave Mark glowed, and demonic scripts appeared before her.
"Hey Baddon. Status update on the Iron Fangs?"
There was no response for a few seconds, then the demonic scripts released a deep male voice.
"All the members of the Iron Fangs are present."
Tibat furrowed her brows slightly. "What of Akaza?"
"I can see him. He’s just sitting and drinking some wine."
Tibat’s frown still remained.
"And you’re sure it’s not an illusion or it’s not fake?"
"It’s not. I sent Lecto and Lamitsa inside to confirm, and they’re both conversing and drinking with a group of the Iron Fangs. Those wretched slaves are even trying to sleep with them."
When Tibat heard this, her frown reduced but the worry in her eyes was still evident.
"You’re too cautious, Tibat. They’re just a bunch of First Years, and your right hand man has already confirmed that Akaza and all the members of the Iron Fangs are there, far away from us." Belafar said with a soft shake of his head.
Agramormos appeared on Tibat’s other side, causing Tibat to take a glance at him.
"Belafar is right. You’re too cautious. We came here for the merits, so let’s take the merits we came for and leave."
Tibat looked down and began to ponder.
’Could I just be overthinking it? The Iron Fangs are far away from us, no Second Year is interfering with us. Some are even watching us from the academy gates. We have also broken no rules.’
’But why is it that despite all of these, I still have this uneasiness in my heart? Is it just because of my overcautious nature?’
Tibat’s eyes flashed with a myriad of thoughts, then she exhaled deeply and looked at the First Years with a determined light.
"You guys are right. We’re here to make some money, so let’s make some money."
She stepped forward, then she clenched her fists, causing all the black roots and vines to turn to ash.
She looked at the First Years coldly.
"If you want to pass, get into a straight line, peacefully approach us one by one, pay the exit fee, then we’ll allow you to leave without any harm."
The First Years looked at one another, their eyes gleaming with unwillingness, frustration, and anger.
They hated this.
They hated this so much.
How many times must they be bullied and extorted?
But what could they do?
They were weak, and they all knew that weakness was a sin in the demon realm.
"How much is the fee?" One of the First Years asked.
Tibat swept her gaze toward the Initiate.
"It depends."
"On?" The same initiate asked again, and Belafar immediately scoffed and stepped forward.
"It depends on us fools! Do as we say, or suffer the consequences!"
The First Year shrank back in fear, and the other First Years could not help but have shaken expressions behind their masks.
However, despite their shaken expressions, none of them stepped forward.
For some, it was because they were angry about being bullied for the second time in just twenty four hours.
While for others, it’s because they had very little money left and paying a fee would mean they’d have no money to even afford basic things.
How were they going to survive?
When Belafar saw this, his eyes flashed with a cold and vicious light.
"Vipers Nest. Go. Teach them a lesson. But make sure you don’t use your chaos and don’t kill anyone of them."
Tibat and Agramormos nodded, and they also gave the same order.
"Stone Crushers. Do the same thing."
"Black Thorns. Let them know fear."