The dining hall felt wrong, and too empty as if no one was even there in the hall.

The change came immediately, and the casual arrogance that once rested on Julian’s face simply vanished, replaced by a frigid composure that was restrained yet profoundly dangerous.

Amidst it all, Violet, Calyra, Rosalin, Irene and Loden also looked at Ruvian, their gazes filled with deep confusion and curiosity, unable to understand why he would act in such a way.

Why would he resort to such provocation?

However, for Julian, facing such audacity — wrath was the only natural outcome, rising uninvitedly and inevitably within him.

Defiance and mockery... such trifles would typically not merit even a moment of his attention, as they are merely transient amusements frequently displayed by those who lacked the awareness to comprehend the depth of their own irrelevance.

At worst, they were insignificant annoyances that could be easily ignored because they had no real repercussions.

But to be dismissed?

To have one’s honor so brazenly diminished, so carelessly stripped away, not in private silence but before the crowds that now still dared to breathe after witnessing such humiliation?

That was no simple offense, but a grave violation, an egregious transgression of the highest order, an insult so severe that, within his judgment, forgiveness was not something to even be considered! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

His fingers quivered slightly by his side, revealing the growing ferocity of the storm building inside his serene exterior.

As this was going on, the currents of mana beneath his skin started to stir, waiting only for the slightest sign of permission to explode.

The air around him became unnaturally heavy, thickening with oppressive pressure that expanded outward, pressing against the entire hall.

And those who possessed sufficient wisdom, those perceptive enough to recognize the vast disparity that separated them from his standing...

They would inevitably kneel to this overwhelming gravity of the moment.

Yet the scholar before him did neither submission nor fear, neither bowing or stepping back. Most of all, he did not even show the smallest sign of respect.

The boldness of such calm felt so shocking to everyone that it almost seemed unreal to witness.

Julian narrowed his gaze, his expression now hollowed out, replaced by a dull focus.

Ruvian had made his play.

But the board was Julian’s to command as well.

The pace, the rhythm, the consequence... that would be his to dictate. The dark-haired scholar in front of him was not the only one who knew how to play this game.

Julian was familiar with it too.

"You should know your place, peasant. Do you know what I find most curious about people like you?" he continued, his tone calm, almost reflective.

"It is not the disrespect itself. Because there will always be those who look upward and feel dissatisfied with what they see. But what interests me is how easily you commoner begin to believe that standing close to something elevates you to its level."

"Just because you sit in the same hall as us, you listen to the same lectures, you hear the same words spoken — you all slowly begin to change. Until eventually, you suddenly dare standing before the noble, speaking as though the world has suddenly become equal simply because of that."

His chin lifted slightly, the faintest trace of irritation now visible on his face.

"It is disappointing," he admitted quietly. "I had thought that commoners who reach this hall would at least possess the awareness to understand the ground beneath their own feet."

"But I guess... I was wrong."

A faint flicker of violet static whispered briefly around his fingertips.

Meanwhile, Ruvian’s expression was relaxed as ever, held firm under the mounting pressure. His dark eyes met Julian’s coldly.

Slowly, Julian stepped forward, studying the anomaly of the scholar’s defiance.

And then... he stopped.

Now, only a breath separated them.

’Not even a flinch?’

Seeing Ruvian was still calm even after he had exerted his dominance, Julian couldn’t help but think that he was nothing but a fool.

A courageous fool.

However, after giving him a closer look into his unshakable eyes, Julian understood that this was not the arrogance of a fool who was ignorant of the consequences.

No, this was intentional. It was the choice of someone who clearly recognized the danger and still acted regardless.

’How amusing. He must be thinking that the academy rule of fighting in the dining hall would stop me from attacking him.’

’Very well... I shall show him. I will make an example of him of what becomes of those who dare to show such impertinence in my presence.’

Julian’s smirk returned.

"I do not know who you are, nor what gave you the courage for such insolence... but do not mistake this dining hall as a place that can protect you. A simple rule against fighting would not stop me from breaking you who dared to speak like that to me."

He stepped closer once more, the violet murmur of his mana wavering like a phantom around his shoulder.

Ruvian tilted his head a little, copying Julian’s slight smile.

"Break me?" he repeated.

Ruvian looked at him calmly.

"With what exactly? Just empty threats?" (+100PP)

Murmurs surged as the tension of the hall was crashing like a tidal wave.

"Holy..."

"...Fuck. He is so done."

"Should we call a healer in advance?"

"No, the better question is should we move back a little?"

Then Julian exhaled softly through his nose, slightly sounding irritated.

"You truly misunderstand..."

Julian said, slower this time.

"This is no empty threat."

His mana stirred once more, this time, the violet light deepening as it gathered at his palm.

"It is simply your end."

The pressure in the room deepened.

Onlookers, even those with little sensitivity to mana, felt it in their bones — felt the inevitability of what was coming.

And yet...

Ruvian was still running his mouth freely!

"Then talk less and act for godsake." (+250PP)

The words had scarcely left his lips, scarcely reached the ears of the crowd...

But Julian was already on the move.

He couldn’t hold it anymore!

In one instant he stood unmoving, but in the next, lightning erupted along his arm, lashing forward without restraint.

’This PEASANT!!!!!’

A sharp crack tore through the silence, roaring as the spell took form. Violet arcs surged outward like the snarl of a storm, scarring the air with their violent brilliance.

Julian moved, his arm driving forward with ruthless speed, a direct strike aimed at the Ruvian’s throat.

It was fast.

A blow intended to end everything in a single instant!

Yet Ruvian did not flinch, nor did he adjust his stance.

He remained exactly where he was, a calm smile resting upon his lips, as though the violence rushing toward him were nothing more than a passing breeze.

Then, three surges of mana flared across the hall, bright and urgent.

Violet. Calyra. Rosalin.

They too had already begun to move.

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 137: Chaos in the Dining Hall (6)]

Plot Points= 22,550