The Thor Academy team is devastated.
What Sam did is more than defeating them. He humiliated them in front of the whole world and they couldn't stand for it. Even though they would be ranked third, it is worse than coming last place.
That is what they thought.
If only they had seen what Sam did to the Hel Academy which was the first one to go. They might not feel the same. They didn't have that much patience to think of that anyway. Meanwhile, everyone is expecting a massive fight between Sam and Noah.
Both of them surprised the crowd way more than anyone expected.
At least Sam's actions are not too far-fetched, a lot of the Deans and Elders knew that he is a troublemaker, but the same couldn't be said about Noah. She was low-key since the start. Except for the Dean of Aranya Academy nobody knew what she is actually capable of and what her background was.
She kept a low profile and only gave enough effort to get into the team.
The way she led the team and destroyed so many other teams attracted a lot of attention. Now they are anticipating her further actions.
Sam went to Aranya's base alone.
Noah stood in front of the formation waiting for him.
"You are quicker than I thought." She said with the faint smile.
"They are weaker than I thought. I expected to be cornered at least once, but they are just way too pathetic."
"Stop bragging. Would it hurt you if you become humble once in a while?"
"Kind of. Every idiot would want to walk all over me, if I was humble. Can't tolerate idiocy.
Enough small talk. Give me the flag and we will be on our way."
Noah stayed silent for a moment and looked at her team.
"Come on Noah, don't play games. You know me better than most. And I know that you are above this bullshit. Just give me the flag."
Noah chuckled and gestured her teammates to bring the flag out. In front of the deans, elders and countless students, Noah handed over the flag to Sam. Admitting defeat without even putting up a fight.
Sam nodded and the next moment disappeared.
The final battle everyone wanted to witness, didn't take place.
The Gambler Academy won.
The Academy that never really managed to have many accomplishments, particularly in the Freshmen competitions won with extreme domination and it all happened because of one student. Sam and his team were sent out.
Sam could feel the hostility towards him.
Thor, his team, his seniors, the elders everyone is looking at him like they wanted a piece of him. Same reaction could be seen from Hel Academy as well.
As for the rest of the academies, their deans and seniors were not here. They are few in number and their hostility could be considered negligible at this point. The Gambler Academy students who could be considered an extended collateral in this, couldn't help but sigh.
Sam really has a knack for pissing people off.
Even Dove felt the same. She didn't stay long to socialize. She brought the team back to Paradise inn so that they could avoid these glares full of killing intent.
Sam went to his suite and didn't bother mingling with the rest. The rest of the team wanted to thank him and even treat him to a meal. They really do wished to bury the hatchet. As much as they held a grudge against Sam, it is not worth it to ostracize him for such a petty thing.
However Sam didn't care much.
Fear of being ostracized might be last thing on his list.
He was fine when he was completely alone, but now he has a bunch of his friends and teammates in the Academy realm, how could he even feel alone?"
That evening Sam didn't come from his suite. He called for dinner to his room directly.
When someone knocked on the door, he opened in anticipation to have a good feast. But to his surprise, the one in front of him is the annoying senior that he wanted to avoid badly.
Its Dove.
She didn't even bother asking for permission and unceremoniously came into his room before taking a seat.
"How are you feeling?"
She asked in a calm tone. Sam frowned. There is some change. The annoying concern that is usually apparent in her tone disappeared. She seemed like the senior Dove that matched the rumors that he heard about her.
"Why are you here? Can't I have some lone time?"
"I will leave you alone, but I need to give some news."
"Sure, please go ahead."
"Do you understand what you did today?" She asked in a solemn tone.
"Do I look like an idiot to you?" Sam retorted. He then sighed and calmed himself down. "Please just get to the point."
"Well the point is, you injured so many people severely. A lot of people that came to fight you at the lake are part of the Solo Combat Competition. But everyone of them is currently in the care of Thor Academy's Healing Centre.
They had broken bones, their bodies are ingested with extreme poison that is even affecting muscle fibres and bones to their marrows, their internal organs are a mess and finally the death energy of that lake.
They absorbed to much of that energy inside their bodies, it would take days if not weeks for them to recover. In fact, without cleansing that death energy, it is impossible to heal the rest of their wounds. You have upset the whole Solo battle stage."
"And?" Sam asked nonchalantly.
"Since you are unfazed, I guess you do know what you were doing. But be careful. Likhma is a very well connected guy. His relatives are all in high positions within Aranya academy. Right now, his brother and his uncle are both here.
They might come after you."
Sam seemed to have realized something and smile crept on his face.
"So, that is why they picked him."
Dove picked up on his words even though he just muttered under his breath.
"What do you mean?"
Sam looked at her an suddenly thought of something.
"I don't know what is the point of telling you this, but since you are the one in charge of our well being here, I might as well tell you this.
The whole thing with Likhma is intentional."
"Of course, Likhma intentionally came after you."
"That is not what I meant. He was intentionally manipulated to come after me. In fact, Thor is the one who talked to him about this whole thing. And from what I learned from him, he already knew that I was going to be placed in the Lake so he directly came there with the rest of the members.
The only reason they took some time to attack is because they didn't want to raise suspicions."
Dove frowned and she spoke in a serious tone.
"I hope you do know what you are implying by saying this."
"Of course, I am implying someone messed with the draw of the bases for this team competition. It was rigged against the Gambler Academy."
"It is impossible unless someone on the level of an Elder interfered in this."
Sam just shrugged and didn't reply. He could sense that Dove's aura changed a bit. Even her postured appeared a little bit domineering. She walked to the door and turned around to speak with Sam for one last time before she took the leave for the day.
"If it was really someone of that level who manipulated this draw, I will make sure that it comes to light."
"What if you couldn't? Even if Olaf did manages to find someone who did this, do you really think he would admit it out in the open? Admit it and ruin his reputation among the Divine Academies?"
"Then I will subject them to a punishment on my own. Don't worry, as long as I am here, not anyone could just conspire against Gambler Academy students and get away with it."
Sam chuckled and replied.
"I would prefer actions against words."
As he spoke, the waiter brough the food Sam ordered. Sam looked at Dove and said.
"Now, if you don't mind, I would like to enjoy some food alone in my room."
Dove nodded and left.
"Well, that's not so bad. I hope she will be like this. The annoying mother hen persona is hard tolerate."
He muttered to himself as he grabbed the large tray of food from the waiter.
"Congratulations, Sir. I saw your performance of the team competition. You did great."
Sam smiled and nodded.
"You are welcome. Tell the waiters to eat whatever they want today. Tell Ivar that I will cover the bill."
The waiter was overjoyed. He immediately nodded and left. He knew better than refuse offer from this bigshot. Tonight he and his friends are going to have a party.
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