As Xavier’s voice faded, the gazes of everyone present naturally gravitated toward Pierce.

  Within the Astral Spirit Society, Pierce was arguably the most enigmatic and intriguing figure. His aptitude had previously been evaluated as mediocre at best, yet ever since his advancement to a Rank 1 Apprentice, his strength had surged at a breakneck, almost illogical pace. He had even surpassed Xavier—the undisputed second-ranked student of their class—constructing his Third Will-Rune far faster than anyone had anticipated.

  Now that another half-month had elapsed, the question burned in everyone's mind: just how far had he progressed? Had he constructed his fifth Will-Rune? Or perhaps even his sixth?

  Pierce offered a faint smile, preparing to speak, but a harsh, discordant voice suddenly sliced through the air, interrupting him.

  "Pierce!"

  Ten meters away, a male apprentice was marching toward them, his stride aggressive and his aura bristling with hostility.

  Xavier frowned, recognizing the newcomer immediately. "It is Kane."

  "You know him?" Pierce turned slightly to look at Xavier.

  "Kane is from Class 8. He is the twin brother of Kian from our class. Both of them are usually seen following Silas around like lapdogs." Xavier’s eyes betrayed a hint of confusion. Anyone with functioning eyes could see Kane meant trouble, but he was baffled as to what business Kane could possibly have with Pierce.

  At the mention of Silas’s name, Pierce’s eyebrows twitched imperceptibly. In the memories of his predecessor, that individual shared a significant, albeit unpleasant, history with him. As for Kane, there was no need to ask; he was clearly here because of Kian.

  Sure enough, as soon as Kane arrived, he stopped and spat out a sharp accusation: "Pierce, you owe me an explanation for what happened to my brother!"

  Pierce remained entirely unmoved, his expression as tranquil as a stagnant pool. He responded tonelessly, "Oh? And what explanation do I owe you?"

  Kane glared at him, teeth grinding audibly, his voice thick with resentment and grief. "You caused my brother’s death, and you think you can just brush it off as if nothing happened?"

  This revelation sent a wave of shock crashing through Xavier, Marcus, and the other society members. Pierce killed Kian? How was that possible?

  "Kian sought to use me as a sacrificial decoy to secure his own escape. I merely fought back, and he died at the hands of the Corrupted. He reaped exactly what he sowed!"

  Pierce let out a cold, short laugh, his gaze sharpening into a blade. "The Enforcer Team has already conducted a thorough investigation and cleared me of any wrongdoing! What, are you dissatisfied with the Enforcers' judgment? If so, why do you not go and demand an explanation from them?"

  "You..."

  Faced with Pierce’s piercing, unflinching stare, Kane instinctively averted his gaze. When he realized he had flinched in fear, a flush of humiliation fueled his rage.

  By now, Xavier and the others finally understood the full gravity of the situation. News of the incident involving the Corrupted had already spread throughout the entire academy like wildfire. They knew two unlucky apprentices had perished, but they hadn't realized one of them was Kian.

  More importantly, they never imagined that the legendary Rank 1 Apprentice who had allegedly slain the Corrupted in single combat was the very man standing before them—Pierce!

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  That was a Corrupted! Even the weakest among them possessed the physical strength of an Intermediate Knight. For Pierce to have killed it in a head-to-head confrontation... just how powerful was he?

  Xavier felt a sudden sense of vertigo. He had been entertaining thoughts of catching up to Pierce, but now that ambition seemed like a hollow joke. To kill a Corrupted, Pierce must have constructed at least six Will-Runes, reaching the absolute peak of Rank 1.

  As the standoff continued, a thin, scrawny student stepped out of the nearby Logistics Building. He frowned, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with annoyance. "What are you all doing gathered here? Do you not know that noise is forbidden in this sector? Disperse at once!"

  Kane completely ignored the interjection, stabbing a finger aggressively toward Pierce’s nose. "Pierce, do you have the guts to face me in the Duel Arena?"

  Xavier was startled and quickly leaned in, whispering urgently into Pierce’s ear: "Do not fall for his provocation. Kane has mastered several spells of considerable power. Word is, House Pye created weakened versions of Level 1 Spells specifically for their clan initiates. They are far more potent than ordinary Rank 0 spells. Besides, he is at the peak of Rank 1 himself; he is a dangerous opponent!"

  Pierce’s eyes narrowed slightly. Weakened Level 1 spells? He wondered how they compared to his own optimized spells, enhanced by the Eye of Omniscience.

  Pierce’s momentary silence was interpreted as cowardice by Kane. The latter sneered with undisguised contempt. "If you are afraid, just kneel, admit your wrongdoing, and pay compensation. Maybe then I will consider forgiving your wretched life."

  The expressions of the onlookers shifted immediately to undisguised disdain. They had thought Kane was seeking justice for his brother's blood, but it turned out he was merely using the death as leverage to extort resources!

  "Kane, stop being unreasonable!" Xavier stepped forward with a scowl. "The Enforcer Team has already closed this case!"

  Kane glanced sideways at Xavier, his lip curling. "Xavier, I suggest you mind your own business. Or would you like to take Pierce’s place in the arena?"

  Xavier’s expression froze. Kane’s strength was well-known among the freshmen; he was not someone to be trifled with lightly.

  At that moment, a snort of laughter erupted from the side. The scrawny student from Logistics squinted at Kane, his face twisted in open mockery.

  "How hilarious. This is the first time I have witnessed a Rank 1 Apprentice possessing the audacity to challenge a Rank 2 Apprentice. I am not sure if I should call you brave or just plain stupid."

  Kane froze in his tracks, as if struck by lightning.

  The members of the Astral Spirit Society were equally stunned. It took a long moment for Xavier to process the words. He whipped his head around to look at Pierce, stammering, "You... you have advanced to Rank 2?"

  "I just advanced yesterday," Pierce admitted calmly.

  Xavier’s eyes went wide with pure, unadulterated astonishment. Marcus, Gwen, and the others stood there with their mouths agape, rendered speechless. They knew Pierce had made great progress, but they never imagined he had already crossed the threshold to the next rank!

  On the other side, Kane stood there, equally dumbfounded, his brain refusing to process the information. Impossible... this guy was clearly only Rank 1 two days ago!

  While he was still reeling from the shock, he saw Pierce looking at him with a faint, knowing smile—a smile that looked terrifyingly like a predator eyeing its prey.

  "Didn't you say you wanted a duel? Fine. I accept."

  Kane’s face instantly turned a deep, bruised purple.

  The gap between a Rank 1 and a Rank 2 Apprentice was an unbridgeable canyon. Just through the ability to manipulate energy particles alone, a Rank 2 possessed crushing superiority. He had absolutely no hope of being Pierce’s match. If they actually fought, he wouldn't just lose; he would be ground into the dirt and humiliated beyond recovery.

  Kane’s facial features contorted in a spasm of fear and shame. He couldn't bear to stay a second longer. Turning tail, he fled the scene in utter disgrace, scrambling away like a beaten dog.

  Once he was gone, the onlookers couldn't hold back their laughter.

  "Clown," the scrawny student muttered with disdain. He then turned and gave a respectful nod to Pierce before leaving. He wouldn't dare be rude to a talent that even the Logistics Master held in high regard.

  The members of the Astral Spirit Society immediately swarmed Pierce, their faces full of envy and admiration.

  "Pierce, when did you advance? That is impossibly fast!"

  Currently, in the entire freshman year, there were only nine known Rank 2 Apprentices, including Pierce. Reaching this stage so early meant that his eventual advancement to a Formal Wizard was practically a certainty.

  Xavier stood on the periphery, watching Pierce, who was surrounded like a dazzling star. He let out a long, complex sigh.

  If he had harbored thoughts of competition before, only a deep sense of powerlessness remained now.

  He couldn't catch up. Not even close.