The lecture hall was bustling with activity.

Kailen's eyes scanned the large hall full of students from different races cordially engaged in chatter with one another.

"Hey, did you hear about the news of Enna Harker?"

"Yeah, it really sucks. The academy is not safe anymore."

"Doesn't really get to me as much as the death of the saintly councillor, Vesper Locke. He was such a gentleman."

"Yeah, bummer. Heard Kailen Darkhaven has something to do with it."

"Seriously, are you guys nuts? Do you think Kailen Darkhaven is strong enough to kill Vesper Locke?"

"That Kailen Darkhaven, I was starting to like him but, if he really killed Vesper Locke then he's a real piece of shit."

"Hey, language, you swore you won't curse anymore!"

"Tells you how sad I am about Vesper's death, girl."

"Well, dead men are dead men and they tell no tales. There's no point talking about them. Anyway, see that dude over there, I heard he got bounced by that beauty werewolf from the Sword Tribunal Society I called Miranda Morrigan. Heard she threw sauce on his face at a bar last night because the dude came on too strong."

"Heh, serves that fucker right. He thinks he is—"

"Why did you stop talking?"

"Look well, you idiot! Don't you recognize the fellow heading to the back of the class? It's the painting prodigy, Riba Harker!"

"What's he doing in this class? Is he not the genius rumored to be on the cusps of breaking through to the emotional realm of painting?"

"Well there are no rules that states that skilled student painters cannot participate in the lecture. As long as they have the credits to afford it, it's not a big deal. Instructor Bonevald is quite the flexible kind so..."

"Is that not Kailen Darkhaven?"

"What's he doing here?"

"Is he planning on taking this class?"

"Most importantly, doesn't it look like Riba Harker is heading towards him?"

Ignoring the conversations, Kailen calmly found a quiet place at the back of the lecture hall to sit.

"Is this Riba Harker a meatball or a person?"

Something akin to a giant meatball was kind of rolling towards him.

Even his enhanced senses seemed to be playing tricks on him! The hell was this?

Kailen knew it was Riba Harker drawing closer, but he felt like he was in some sort of illusion. What kind of food did this guy eat to become so... Ah, never mind.

"From their conversations, it seems he's some painting prodigy. Probably wanted to use this chance to humiliate me? I will just say no to his challenge and just mind my business. I'm new to this painting art anyway. Also there's no need to waste my time trying to prove a point to someone. I'm here to learn, not to engage in some squabble, especially against someone who's a walking corpse anyway. After all I'm gonna kill him in the society wars."

Kailen sneered.

As the meatball Riba was walking towards Kailen, he mused to himself in displeasure, "Thanks to this bastard, the clan leader has threatened to make me suffer seriously if I don't find a way to get payback for the humiliation he has caused the clan and the Arcane society."

He mused further, melancholy and pain flashing through his eyes. "Also this for cousin Enna. After all he killed her disciples after all."

"I'm still shocked about the fact that she actually committed suicide. I guess you never really know what's going on in someone's mind."

"At least so that she can rest in peace, I have to humiliate this guy now, and certainly, he will be dying in the society wars due to the joint collaboration."

A glint of ruthlessness flashed through Riba's eyes covered in fat wobbly eyelids.

Riba finally arrived before Kailen, his fat frame casting a large shadow over Kailen's figure. His words were straightforward. He didn't even greet Kailen or afford him any sort of pleasantry, a natural outcome considering the feud between Kailen and his clan.

"I would like to—"

Before he finished speaking, Kailen interrupted him, his voice laced with lazy coldness and nonchalance.

"Please Meatball, not interested, so fuck off."

The large lecture hall became extremely silent, eagerly waiting a response from Riba Harker concerning Kailen's response that literally made gunpowder smell on the air.

Riba honestly didn't care if someone called him a meatball. He was fat and that was the truth. On a normal day he wouldn't care, but hearing the term from this fellow just did something to him.

The anger boiling in him almost overflowed outwards. However he had to reign it in. He had achieved what he wanted—he had finally baited Kailen towards the trap, it was time to push him into it.

Contrary to the angry expression many were expecting, an expression of mockery appeared on Riba Harker's face.

"Didn't take you for such a coward, society president Darkhaven. Resorting to a strong, and uncivilized front to mask your fear of losing against me in a painting duel. Don't you think you are dragging the reputation of not only yourself, but that of your society in the mud by employing such a disgraceful tact?"

"This guy is good." The time dilation artifact couldn't help but comment as she made popcorn chewing sounds, as if she was enjoying some sort of movie.

Kailen couldn't agree more to her reasoning. This guy was quite good. By resorting to such tactics and such words, if Kailen refused the duel, people will think he didn't care about his society, and his reputation will be on the line, and he would be labeled a coward.

But what Riba had not considered was that Kailen was not someone who would be swayed by such mundane opinions. He didn't give a damn about what other people thought. Also, he was a level headed person who knew when to play mind games, and operate like a sly fox, apart from being a terrifying combatant.

"Oh I'm sooo scared~ In fact, seeing you right now, I feel intimidated I might as well micturate myself. Your mere visage is casting a terrifying aura of dominance upon me. So please, Lord Meatball, can you do me the honor of sparing this pitiful creature the horror of your ginornous visage?"

Kailen performed a theatrical and sarcastic bow under everyone's gazes in front of Riba Harker, his voice fully laced with insults, ridicule and complete disregard towards Riba.

He sneered, then sat back on his seat, face calm, demeanor relaxed, completely ignoring the fellow, who looked green, like a clown at the moment, rooted in spot and unable to respond.

Contrary to the response he would have expected, one where Kailen would have considered his reputation on the line here, and would have been led into a trap to accept the painting duel, which would have in turn led to an opportunity for Riba to humiliate Kailen by utterly crashing him in the painting duel, Kailen had actually adopted a thick skin and actually found a way to silence him!

The onlookers looked at Riba Harker with expressions of mockery, disdain and ridicule. This guy had really made a fool of himself.

As for Kailen, they stared at him with complicated expressions. This fellow was akin to an old fox. Not only was he a terrifying combatant, he was also a tactical, sly bastard with terrifying composure in handling intricate situations.

A monster in every way possible.

He had completely outwitted Riba Harker at his own game.

As for Riba, he couldn't even stand the embarrassment; with feigned composure, he turned around and headed towards a seat at the front under everyone's scornful gazes. He couldn't leave the lecture now, else the observers would say he run away with his tail tugged in between his legs. The only option was to endure the disgrace he had brought on himself.

"Damn it. Just what the hell is this guy. Just you wait bastard. The society wars will be your grave." He cursed inwardly, fuming , fat wobbling , clothes dangling about as he retreated.

As for Kailen, he stared at Riba's retreating back, and said calmly, not loud, but audible enough for everyone to hear, as he shook his head with a sigh, "What a clown."

On hearing this, Riba almost tripped and fell.

Several bouts of laughter erupted, catapulting his shameful defeat to higher heights.

It was at this point that the instructor, a streak of light, appeared on the podium.

****

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