ASHER REYNOLDS POV
What the hell?!
My perfectly crafted display of strength wasn't enough to catch her attention? Ma'am Sarah—she's proving to be a difficult target indeed.
I mean, the way she looked at me before walking away... it was like my mere existence irritated her. Or worse—disgusted her.
Because of that, my victory against Hilary wasn't as satisfying as I'd wanted it to be.
What a waste.
I turned to the crowd, only to find everyone staring at me in terror. I get it—I showed off some intense power for a D-rank, but still, I wasn't expecting the sheer horror on their faces. The only ones who didn't look at me that way were Sharon and Anna. They both rushed down the stairs, my sister in front, Anna right behind her.
They hugged me at the same time, and for some reason, Sharon started sniffling. Was she... crying?
Then came the hushed whispers.
"He used magic without chanting any spells."
"He must be one of them."
"It's hard to believe, but it makes sense."
"No wonder he was so strong. This heathen!"
Wait... what? That makes no sense!
The principal, Mrs. Lawson, stood up, looking at me with pure disdain.
"Asher Reynolds, to my office. NOW!"
"Huh? Why?" I asked.
She didn't answer—just turned on her heel and strode away, her ridiculous oversized hat bobbing as she walked. The other terrified students followed behind her like sheep.
Soon, I was the only one left in the arena aside from my three idiot friends, my sister, and Anna.
"Asherman, what the hell was that?" My friend asked.
"What was what, Four Eyes?" I raised a brow.
"I'm Adrian, not Four Eyes, dammit!" He clenched his fists, then let out a sigh. "Anyway, I meant that power you used. Did you... join them too?"
Sharon tightened her hold on me.
"Join who?" I frowned.
Adrian exchanged glances with Normie, who sighed before speaking.
"Listen, bro... We get that you wanted to be strong to get back at Lorraine but joining that organization was a bad move. You shouldn't have done it."
Even Munching Boy wasn't eating his cookies for once. He just stared at me, his small eyes peeking out from his chubby face.
"What the hell are you guys talking about? You keep saying I joined them. Who the hell is them?"
"Devil-boy!"
A sharp voice rang from the doorway. I turned to see a female student standing there, arms crossed.
"I'm talking to you, devil-boy," she sneered, pointing at me. "Using magic without the goddess's incantation... The principal's tired of waiting for you." She huffed, then spun on her heel and walked away.
"Go, brother. Before you get yourself into even more trouble," Sharon murmured.
"What? Trouble?"
How the hell was I in trouble? I just had a duel, beat that cocky bastard, and won. People should be cheering for me, not acting like I just committed some crime.
I sighed.
Whatever was going on, I figured I might as well hear it straight from the principal herself.
Knock. Knock. Knock!
I stepped inside and found Mrs. Lawson pacing back and forth in her office.
"Ugh... I'm here, ma'am," I said, my voice cracking slightly.
"Sit down!" she ordered.
I sat.
"Tell me, boy. When did you join them?"
"Join who?" I asked.
She hissed, smacking the table hard as she sat down. "The... Revolutionaries. Their name is cursed. Don't make me say it again!"
"The Revo—what now?" I frowned. "What's that?"
She raised a skeptical brow. "Don't play dumb with me, kid. When did you join them? How? Tell me everything you know."
"Listen, ma'am, I have no idea what you're talking about or who these Revolutio—"
"Don't say that cursed name so casually!" she snapped.
I scowled. "Okay, fine. I don't know who they are. But why the hell is everyone suddenly assuming I do?"
"That power! Your ability to summon magic without an incantation—it's unnatural. Only those devils can do that."
"Devils?" I tilted my head. "Now I'm curious. Would you care to tell me more about them?"
I needed to understand what the hell was going on.
"You really don't know about them?" The principal narrowed her eyes.
"Nope," I said with a nod.
She let out a deep sigh. "They are an infamous organization, also known as the Anti-Goddess. A group of weak men who refused to be ruled by women. But to make up for their weakness, they turned to the study of dark magic. They make deals with demons from the underworld—offering their souls in exchange for power."
I gasped. There are demons in this world?
Mrs. Lawson's voice dropped lower. "These people are enemies of the Goddess and therefore, enemies of humanity itself. Unlike us, they don't pray for the Goddess's blessing to cast magic. They simply will it into existence, using the power granted to them by demons. So, if they've already recruited you, Asher, the least you can do is tell us their hideout. Help us wipe them out, and I'll make sure your life is spared."
I exhaled slowly. These Anti-Goddess guys sound strong. But... something about their ideology made sense to me.
Women in this world were powerful because of the Goddess's blessing. Meanwhile, weak men were forced to bow to the same deity that saw them as insignificant.
Of course, some would feel resentment. It was only natural. And I could understand why they would go as far as making deals with demons for the strength to stand against these women.
They weren't wrong. Their somehow villainous actions were.... thrilling.
I liked it.
But that didn't mean I'd let them harm these unfaithful women.
They are mine and mine alone to punish!
No other man should have the right to do so. Call me selfish, or a scum, but it is what it is. I don't have the rod of judgment for nothing.
"I understand, Mrs. Lawson," I said calmly. "But I had no idea such an organization existed until now. The reason I can use magic without incantations is simple. Like them, I don't give a shit about the Goddess."
She gasped. "Such blasphemy cannot go unpunished, young man!"
"I'm just stating the truth," I said with a shrug. "I don't sugarcoat things. And I won't lie about being a believer just to appease you. Only cowards lie out of fear but I'm not afraid of anything."
Mrs. Lawson stood abruptly, clearly unwilling to hear another word.
"But rest assured, dear principal," I continued, leaning back in my chair. "I'm just a special case. I haven't made any deals with the demo—"
BANG!
The door was kicked open.
Standing in the doorway was none other than Liloth Alvado—the evil Guildmaster.
She sneered. "So, we meet again, kiddo." Her eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"Except this time..." She cracked her knuckles.
"I'm prepared to kill you for good. I can't stand devils."
The hell was this bitch doing here?
Tbc