"...I want Zane to go next."
Hearing those words.
Everyone stared at Zeph with a dumbfounded look.
Zane too was surprised, but his face remained unchanged. His expression was still the same as ever. It's probably because Zane isn't really that expressive towards his own feelings. Although his expression remained the same, one glance at him and you can tell he was frustrated by Zeph's request.
Sweat started dripping down on Zane's forehead as he stood silently.
'Damn this guy... He really wants to torment me as much as possible."
Vale was beside him, dumbfounded as well; he couldn't even say anything to Zane this time. He just stared blankly at where Zeph was standing.
Professor Ferlin paused for a while after hearing his request. He then said.
"Hold on, Zeph. This is a bit too far. Zane isn't in the condition to do this task."
The crowd nodded, agreeing with Professor Ferlin's statement. Although some of them may look down on Zane for being weak and powerless, they simply couldn't deny that this was too far.
"Woah, Zeph really wants to torment Zane, huh?"
Vax, who looked bored before, said in his playful tone.
"Hell yeah!"
Many of the crowds thought that Zeph was going too far, but many also didn't.
Zeph stood still, hearing the crowd get louder as seconds went by. He then looked at Professor Ferlin once again; he then said in a casual tone.
"Of course, I am not going to force him. If he doesn't want to, then he doesn't have to. But it's really disappointing... I mean, doesn't he have any plans of getting stronger? I know I am not in the right position to say this, but he comes from the Thaleward family. I am trying my best to become stronger every day, and I will definitely move to class A next year; I will make sure of it. But, Zane... It's a bit shameful that he remained weak all this time."
Zeph's words resounded through the entire training hall. Everyone could hear his words clearly, and everyone knew exactly what he meant. Including Zane.
The crowd of students started nodding in agreement. What Zeph said was true. Ever since Zane was in his first year, he has remained the same. He never got stronger in terms of magical prowess. The only reason why he was able to pass in the first place was because of the written tests.
Although he didn't really do that well in magic. He was a student who studied a lot. Well, not really; it's just that he often reads a lot of books, and I guess the stuff he reads in those books can be seen on the test papers. I guess he was just lucky.
But still, he passed all the written tests throughout his entire year in the academy. And because of that, he was able to get to where he is now.
The crowd started looking towards Zane.
To everyone, Zane was like a celebrity. I mean, he is the son of the current strongest mage in the kingdom of Ashveil after all. His grandfather is also the man who sealed the former demon king.
But, Zane... He was weak and pathetic. He never reached anyone's expectations. Thus, leading him to disappoint everyone.
Zane couldn't help but feel saddened by Zeph's words. He wasn't even angry at Zeph's words at all; it simply hit him like a sword struck in his heart.
Zane's face started showing anguish; he looked down on the ground again. Trying to avoid all the stares and words meant for him.
Vale this time couldn't really say a word. It's not that he felt the same as the others, but because he thought that it would be better for him not to say anything.
[Hey, Zane. Raise your head and go.]
Surprised by the familiar voice, Zane raised his head without even knowing it. He then looked beside him.
There, he could see a human-like demon levitating like a ghost. Well, he was a ghost.
It was Velrath.
Zane was surprised and confused; he then responded in his thoughts.
[Velrath?! I didn't know you were back already. Where have you been?]
Velrath grinned; he then said.
[I was just strolling around, it's been a while since I had been sealed you see. Anyways, stop being a coward and come up there!]
Zane was looking in the front, where the professor was standing. Only Professor Ferlin could be seen standing since Zeph had already gone back to his spot earlier.
Zane's face looked dumbfounded as he tried not to look towards Velrath. He then responded in his thoughts.
[How the hell am I even supposed to do that?]
Velrath smirked; he then said in a casual tone.
[Just go! And leave everything to me!]
Zane was confused. He then responded in his thoughts.
[Huh? Don't tell me you are going to possess my body again.]
Velrath's face turned somber; he then said.
[Of course not, just trust me.]
Zane stood motionlessly for a while. He didn't know if he should really trust Velrath, the demon king who had placed a curse on him and technically ruined his entire life.
"Zane!"
Surprised by the familiar voice. He looked beside him.
"Zane, what's up with you, man? I've been calling you out for about 5 times already! Are you alright?"
Zane paused for a bit; he then said.
"Y-yeah. I'm alright."
Vale furrowed his brows; he could tell that something was up. He then looked away from Zane and focused on the professor.
"Is there no one else who would like to volunteer?"
"..."
The crowd glanced at each other.
"...Well, I'm guessing not."
"I volunteer."
Suddenly, a man with jet black hair and deep brown eyes was raising his hand.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Their eyes were wide from shock. Their faces looked like they had seen a ghost.
"H-hey, I am not dreaming, am I?"
Vale too was looking at him with his eyes wide open from shock. He then said.
"Zane?! What are you doing?! You don't have to force yourself to do this, man! If your mana gets drained again, you might really die!"
Zeph was standing from afar, looking at Zane. His reaction was unlike anyone else's. His face looked shocked and, at the same time, furious about something.
'What the hell is he doing?'
Vax was standing beside Zeph; his expression was also just the same.
Professor Ferlin looked at Zane. A faint smile could be seen on Ferlin's lips.
"Are you sure, Zane? If you're going to collapse again, I am going to expel you."
Despite hearing Professor Ferlin's words, Zane's eyes remained fierce. His entire demeanor completely changed.
Vale, who was beside him, was gritting his teeth.
"Zane! Think about this man!"
Zane released a big sigh. Choosing to ignore Vale, he moved forward, heading towards the spot where the professor was standing.
[Velrath, you better be serious about your words.]
Velrath was levitating, following him.
[Hey, hey. I may not look like it, but I have some principles too, you know! Why would I lie to a helpless kid?]
Velrath, said while smiling.
Zane arrived at the spot where the professor was standing.
He then focused on the wooden dummy.
Professor Ferlin then started moving, getting away from Zane as much as he could.
Everyone was shocked after all. No one else here had managed to get the task done, aside from Zeph.
And Zane, the man known as the weakest mage in the Thaleward family, is going to do the task that only one person has been able to do? Well, it definitely sounds absurd.