The examiner turned to the remaining students, announcing the end of the test. "The test is over. You may return to your residences. If you wish to keep your evolved beasts, inform the staff. If not, sell them to the staff."
Randor, Sambria, and Eric all chose to sell their beasts back. They already contracted stronger beasts, so they don't need new beasts at all.
Kaelix, who was still angry, also sold his Thunder Wolf while muttering, "I have no use for something that failed me."
As the students left the arena, Kaelix clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palm. His humiliation was complete, and the disdainful glances from the others only deepened his frustration.
Kaelix rushed back toward his own residence. Inside it, he broke a lot of stuff before calming down. He looked at Lucius' residence and vowed, "This isn't over, Lucius. You've humiliated me for the last time."
Lucius went back to his residence, smirking over the victory against other golden-class students. "Too easy. If that was meant to challenge me, then the academy truly underestimates what I'm capable of."
As he entered his residence, Luna and Liora were already waiting in the hall. They both bowed in unison. Luna was the first to greet, "Welcome back, Master. I trust the test went exactly as you planned."
Lucius chuckled and smirked. "Of course it did. Honestly, I overestimate the test, but I never thought that the test was that easy."
Liora stepped forward, kneeling and asked, "Then what's our next move, Master? What do we do now?"
Lucius sat down and drank the prepared tea. "For now, we continue as we always have. Train, observe, and wait. We could not even go outside now. Let's think about it later."
Liora and Luna nodded. They didn't talk back as they returned to their previous work. "Yes, Master. We will do what we can for now."
Meanwhile, Kaelix was now sitting angrily in front of the communication crystal. The crystal projected the image of his brother, Kaltrik.
Kaltrik looked at his brother, smirking and asked, "Has my plan worked? Is Lucius finally dead, or at least failed and expelled from the academy?"
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Kaelix frowned and sighed. He turned to the projection and said, "No, brother, your plan did not go as well as you thought."
Kaltrik frowned after hearing it and immediately asked for an explanation: "How could it be possible? Explain to me why my plan didn't work."
Kaelix clenched his only fist and said, "Lucius not only managed to evolve that cursed Poison Spider, but he did it effortlessly!"
Kaelix then continued it with anger, "Its power... it was also monstrous. It crushed my Thunder Wolf in the rank battle and managed to secure him the top position."
Kaltrik was surprised after hearing it. He crossed his arm and said, "To think he is that capable... It seems I underestimated him. Tell me, did you challenge him directly?"
Kaelix became even angry after being asked. "Of course I did. And it was a disaster. He humiliated me in front of the entire Golden Class."
He stomped his foot and continued, "The examiner himself declared Lucius' Venom Spider unmatched in its tier. It had full D-tier stats, and its venom was practically unstoppable."
Kaelix slammed his only fist onto the desk as he could not hold back his anger any more. "He made me look like a fool, brother! Do you know how I felt after being beaten by that bastard? I am the genius one!"
Kaltrik raised his hand to stop Kaelix's anger. "Enough. We Kryndals do not whine like beaten dogs. We retaliate."
Kaelix stopped his anger and tried to calm down. He then asked, "Then what should we do? He's too dangerous to ignore now."
Kaltrik then smirked and said, "Don't worry. In one month, the academy will announce a mandatory mission for all students."
He then smirked even more as he continued, "These missions take place outside the academy, in uncontrolled territories where accidents are far more likely to happen."
Kaelix, who heard it, understood it and smirked. "You mean..."
Kaltrik also smirked and said, "Yes, you know what I mean. I'll ensure that when the time comes, a group of 'accidents' will gather on Lucius."
Kaltrik was excited as he explained the plan. "A few rogue mercenaries, perhaps some untamed beasts. Who knows? He'll be out of the academy's protective reach. Even his precious Volcaria backers won't save him."
Kaelix smirked after hearing it. "That's brilliant, brother. No one will suspect us. And once he's gone, I'll reclaim my rightful place as the strongest in the academy."
Kaltrik scolded Kaelix for a bit. "Do not grow overconfident, Kaelix. Lucius has proven himself to be resourceful and cunning. Underestimating him again would be your downfall."
Kaltrik also warned him. "Remember, this plan is not perfect and if it fails, it will be your head on the line—not mine."
Kaelix's smirk didn't disappear as he bowed his head at Kaltrik. "Don't worry, brother. I knew the risk and I won't fail this time."
Kaltrik leaned back and smirked. "Good. Prepare yourself. When the time comes, I'll send you the details. Until then, play your part and keep an eye on Lucius."
Kaltrik also reminded him of something. "And also, I want to know everything he does, every move he makes."
The crystal began to dim as the projection was almost fading out. "Remember, Kaelix. Pride is a weapon—but only when wielded wisely. Don't let it blind you."
Kaltrik's projection faded out and Kaelix smirked. He glanced at Lucius' residence. "Soon, Lucius. You'll learn that no one humiliates a Kryndal and gets away with it."
Kaelix then turned back to his own works. He needed to record what Lucius had been doing for a month later and send it to his brother.
He also needed to plan some in case the plan failed, but he believed that his plan would work and Lucius would die namelessly later.