Aldric noticed a peculiar feature called Frenzy Mode. His curiosity got the better of him, and he immediately asked the system,"Hey system, what is Frenzy Mode?"
The response flashed before his eyes:
『Frenzy Mode: Can enhance any effect twofold! This includes refining, consuming items, attack power, cultivation, and experience gain.』
"At level one, it already doubles everything? If I level it up further, just how strong will it be?" Aldric muttered, his heart pounding with excitement. This ability was simply godlike!
The thought of doubling cultivation and item effects was incredible—one pill could become as effective as two. But as his eyes scrolled further down the description, he frowned. Frenzy Mode consumed one Frenzy Point per minute. At this moment, he only had five Frenzy Points, barely enough for a few moments of activation. These points were earned by slaying Lucian's younger brother, and five points felt far too little.
"Lucian's brother... he's dead? You—you killed him!"Lord Calder's disciple, a young man named Darius, checked the fallen boy's pulse and recoiled in shock.
Aldric wasn't surprised. His opponent had been struck down by his own poisoned dagger—poetic justice for raising a weapon first. If Aldric hadn't gained power at the last moment, it would have been his own blood staining the ground instead. His gaze darkened. He would never let those who insulted Lady Seraphine get away unpunished.
Coldly, he glared at the trembling Darius and spat,"Killed him? He was the one who attacked me with a poisoned dagger. He got what he deserved."
"What happened here?!"
A sharp voice echoed through the courtyard as several disciples from Celestine Academy arrived, their eyes widening at the scene. At the center, Lucian lay lifeless, the dagger still embedded in his chest.
Aldric stood to the side, gripping his spear calmly, his expression unreadable. The crowd whispered among themselves. Soon, Lady Seraphine arrived, her elegant form cutting through the sea of onlookers. She knew these troublemakers—they had a reputation for arrogance even among the outer disciples.
When her sharp eyes found Aldric standing firm, she immediately understood what had transpired. Lucian and his allies had underestimated her protégé and paid the ultimate price.
"What is the meaning of this?" A cold voice rang through the courtyard.
A group of men arrived, led by Lord Calder, the Second Elder of the Ironclad Order. As soon as he saw Lucian's lifeless form, his face twisted in fury."Little brother!" A man rushed forward—Ferran, Lucian's older sibling. He knelt beside the body and checked for a pulse. His expression hardened.
"He's dead... You killed my brother!" Ferran roared, his eyes locking onto Aldric with unbridled hatred.
Aldric met his gaze unflinchingly."He and his companions tried to rob me of my Crimson Vitality Draught. I defended myself. That is the truth."
Darius, still trembling from the encounter, suddenly spoke up."N-no! That's a lie! We were just passing by, and he attacked us unprovoked!"
"Yes, he suddenly claimed this was his territory and attacked us without reason!"Cedric, another of Lucian's allies, groaned as he forced himself to stand, his injuries severe but his desperation stronger.
Ferran clenched his fists, his anger barely restrained. He knew his brother too well—he would have tried to take the elixir by force. But admitting that would mean losing any chance at revenge.
Lord Calder's voice boomed,"Palace Lord Seraphine, an explanation is required! Our disciples joined Celestine Academy in good faith to strengthen ties between our factions, and this is how you repay us? Are you trying to destroy the peace between our orders?"
The disciples of Celestine Academy murmured uneasily. The Ironclad Order was a force to be reckoned with. If their relationship soured, it could spell disaster.
Lady Seraphine's expression remained unreadable, but Aldric could feel the storm brewing beneath her icy facade."What do you want?" she asked.
Ferran stepped forward."A duel! A fight to the death!"His eyes burned with the need for vengeance."You killed my brother, and I will have justice!"
Lord Calder nodded in agreement."It is the only fair way to settle this. A life for a life. A duel, fought honorably, will determine the outcome."
Lady Seraphine's expression darkened."Aldric is not an appropriate opponent for this duel. Choose someone else."
"Palace Lord Seraphine, are you saying your disciple is too weak to take responsibility for his actions?"Lord Calder sneered."Are you backing out of this fight?"
Aldric clenched his fists.He knew the truth—they wanted him dead. Ferran was more experienced, his cultivation significantly higher. The duel was a death sentence.
Lady Seraphine's aura flared to life, sending a chilling wind howling through the courtyard. The snow around them stirred violently as raw energy crackled in the air. In a blink, she vanished from where she stood and reappeared before Lord Calder.
SLAP!
A crisp, resounding sound echoed through the courtyard as Seraphine's palm met Calder's face with enough force to shake his very soul.
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Lady Seraphine returned to her original position, standing protectively in front of Aldric, her white robes billowing from the residual force of her strike. Her scent of frost and blooming nightshade filled the air, a stark contrast to the deathly silence.
Lord Calder's face was burning with a red imprint, but the real wound was the humiliation that had been etched onto his pride.
"Palace Lord Seraphine, do you mean to start a war?!" he bellowed.
Seraphine's voice was as cold as the winter wind."I already gave my answer. If Aldric is weak, then what are those three fools lying on the ground?" Her gaze flicked to the wounded disciples, her meaning clear.
Aldric looked at her, stunned.This was Lady Seraphine—the woman who had raised him, who had protected him all his life.No one could lay a hand on him while she was standing.
And for that,he would make them all pay.