The Calm Before the Storm (5K) (Continued)

But as a result, precisely because he didn't go that morning, he received devastating news.

"You mean, this was done by Cid Kagano? He beat Claire up like this?"

In the ward filled with the smell of disinfectant, Mahiro gazed at Claire lay unconscious on the bed like Sleeping Beauty.

Opposite him, a shadowy figure dressed in a dark gothic gown, Aurora, plopped down on Claire's hospital bed.

As if oblivious to the heavy atmosphere, she stretched out her slender white fingers and lightly poked Claire's cheek once in a row.

He sighed softly again:

"That's right. Claire said that man was her brother, Cid Cagaino, but his contestant name was John Smith. She specifically told me not to interfere, and I ended up getting beaten up so badly."

Aurora's tone was filled with sorrow.

Claire was her disciple after all, yet she was beaten so badly that she couldn't even put up a fight.

That makes sense, though.

If she were to play, she probably still wouldn't be able to beat that man named John Smith.

At most, it's just enough to hold on a little longer.

The opponent's magical power was simply terrifying; in her memory, it ranked among the top three most terrifying powers.

Fortunately, Claire's injuries were not serious, just simple superficial wounds, but the emotional damage she suffered was probably more severe than the physical injuries.

That's why he's in a coma.

Yotsuba Mahiro: "..."

He stood there without saying a word.

"What do you plan to do?" Aurora looked up at him and asked.

"What to do? Avenge Claire, of course," Mahiro replied coldly. "Even if she escapes to the ends of the earth, I will never let her go."

Cid Cagaino, he really dares to do that...

Even if Aurora hadn't said it was Cid, he could have guessed it.

There's no one else but Cid who could have such incredible strength and such a strange name like John Smith.

After all, the name comes from a movie and means spy assassin.

It also represents superheroes from DC Comics.

"Oh dear, that's scary!"

Seeing the anger emanating from his cold expression, Aurora couldn't help but tease him slightly, "If it weren't for Claire, and if I had been beaten up like this, would you have avenged me, Mr. Mahiro?"

"Of course."

Mahiro raised her eyelids and looked directly at Aurora: "I've already said before, I will protect your life. You are no longer the cursed witch that everyone sings about, you are simply a woman named Aurora."

His tone was particularly serious, completely different from Aurora's, with not a trace of joking.

Aurora just chuckled and didn't say anything, but the way she looked at him became slightly unusual.

It vanished into the air in the blink of an eye and returned to Claire's body.

Whether or Mahiro would actually do that, for Aurora, such an answer was enough.

"Get some rest."

Mahiro down and tidied the long hair on Claire's forehead and temples as she slept, gently stroking her cheek.

A few pure white particles emitted a radiant glow and enveloped her body.

In the blink of an eye, the dust on his body had disappeared.

He didn't use Regrowth on Claire, just a simple cleansing spell.

Thanks to the effects of the Tyrant gene and the potion's immense restorative power, Claire's injuries had already healed, and there was no need to rewind.

He hasn't woken up yet, probably mainly because the blow was too great.

Despite having tried so hard, she still ended up being defeated by her own younger brother.

Given her proud personality, she would probably find it hard to accept...

After doing all this, Mahiro turned and left the ward.

Two elves were waiting for him at the door of the ward.

One is Alpha, and the other is Beatrice, now Omega.

The two have been inseparable lately; to be precise, Beatrice has been following Alpha, as if afraid of losing her.

"How is Miss Claire?"

Seeing him come out of the ward, Alpha asked in a voice as melodious as a silver bell.

"There's nothing wrong, she's just still unconscious," Mahiro said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "By the way, Alpha, send two people to protect Claire later, just in case."

"Yes, I understand. I will have Beta and Epsilon protect Miss Claire."

Even if Mahiro doesn't say it, Alpha has this intention.

As for the adorable but clueless martial god standing to the side, he reached out a hand to him.

"Mahiro, do you want some?"

She asked this in a calm and elegant voice.

In her hand was a hamburger, a special product recently launched by the Arcadia Trading Company for the "Bushin Festival".

However, she was also holding a full bag in her arms.

You seem to be in a bad mood. Eating something will make you feel better.

That's what she said.

"That's what I've always done."

Then he added this sentence.

"No need, thank you. I'm in a wonderful mood right now."

Mahiro declined Omega's offer with a smile.

"Alright, everyone get ready, I need to go prepare for the competition too..."

"Wait a minute!"

Just then, a fourth person present interrupted him.

It was a silver-haired girl staring at him with her scarlet eyes.

"Is there anything else, Your Highness Princess Alexia?"

"Teacher Yotsuba Clan, what exactly are you planning to do?" the girl questioned.

She sensed something unusual from the conversation.

It's true that Claire is injured and unconscious, but the security in the capital is very strong right now, and all members of the Knights have set out.

There's absolutely no need for extra protection.

But he did it anyway.

Therefore, Alexia felt that this Ms. Yotsuba Clan might be planning something, something to cause a bigger commotion...

"I have no obligation to tell you what I'm going to do..."

But considering our past teacher-student relationship, I advise you to go back and try to persuade your sister Wang.

"No matter what happens next, don't meddle, or you'll lose your life."

After saying that, Mahiro turned and left.

No further explanation is needed.

After all, the plan has already reached this stage.

The fugitive Rose has embraced his power and is preparing to take revenge on Duke Doem.

So all that's left is a major battle with the Order, nothing more.

"What... what does this mean? Hey, wait a minute!"

Alexia didn't understand what he meant, but by the time she wanted to ask again, Mahiro had already walked away.

Even Alpha and her aunt have disappeared.

However, the fact that Claire was defeated by a mysterious figure named John Smith, who was participating in the "Bushin Festival" for the first time, also shocked the others.

"Really? Claire actually lost?"

"Just who is this John Smith?"

"Who knows? Miss Claire seemed quite excited at the time."

"Do they know each other?"

It was just past noon.

Behind that magnificent door, in the very grand and luxurious VIP box, the upper-class nobles and foreign guests had already gathered together and were whispering among themselves.

Without exception, all of these people were so-called high-ranking figures, including almost all of the academy's top officials.

However, the defeat of Claire, the champion of the previous "Bushin Festival," has already made the academy's higher-ups sweat profusely.

You should know that this is the honor and reputation of the Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy, following in the footsteps of Alice.

Now they've been humiliated, which will likely affect enrollment in the coming years.

"Your Alice, what should we do next?"

The academy's director, wiping the sweat from his brow, cautiously inquired about the First Princess Alice's opinion.

Alice's attitude, however, was completely opposite to his mood. She sat there calmly, without the slightest worry.

"Let's observe first. There's still one more match. If it really doesn't work out, then we'll have an extra match, and I'll personally step in."

"You personally took to the field..."

Upon hearing this, the college administrator panicked even more.

He knew about Princess Alice's abilities.

But after watching the morning's match, he felt there was no point in Alice going down to participate.

Although it's a bit impolite and even blasphemous to say it like that, Princess Alice's swordsmanship seems to be inferior to that of Miss Claire.

How could he possibly be a match for John Smith?

Princess Alice was simply too confident and failed to notice this fact...

However, just as he was trying his best to dissuade them, the door to the private room was pushed open again.

Turning my head, I saw a beautiful elf, dressed scantily clad and wearing a black coat that made her look particularly dashing, walk in.

In that instant, everyone's eyes were fixed on her, their faces showing astonishment.

Lady Beatrice, the "Goddess of War"...

What brings this gentleman here?

Despite Beatrice's loss in the match, no one present dared to underestimate her.

After all, Beatrice had never suffered a defeat when she was active ten years ago; otherwise, she wouldn't have been revered as a Goddess of War.

Moreover, Yotsuba Mahiro's performance in that match was simply too extraordinary, not to mention the rumors that Yotsuba Mahiro had once defeated the legendary Calamity Witch by fighting three opponents alone in the "Goddess's Trial".

If it weren't for Alice, they would have already tried to win her over, although they are still thinking about doing something after the competition.

"Lady Beatrice, you've finally arrived. Please, have a seat here."

Alice smiled and spoke to Beatrice.

Beatrice nodded and walked directly toward Princess Alice.

However, just as he was about to sit down, someone else intercepted his seat.