Chapter 177 – Return (3)

A few days later…

Back at the academy, the sudden execution of a few nobles had led to a power struggle between the students of higher lineage. While the first years were somewhat peaceful among each other, the second years were causing unnecessary trouble for themselves as well as the juniors.

Their targets were members of those families which had disappeared overnight or died in some sort of an 'accident'. Why? Simply because they were weak and trampling over the weak ones was their duty… and also a bit of fun.

If the higher class wasn't bullying those of lower status, they would often force them into submission and turn them into their personal lackeys. They would then band together to take on some higher ranking nobility members to take away their influence as well.

Since most of the first years were comparatively weaker than their seniors, they couldn't put much of a fight on. Also, the target was not to abolish the weaker families but to have them assimilate with a bigger and stronger family.

Some willingly joined the seniors to avoid crossing them, while ganging upon those who didn't. The Gruntas were the first to jump ships when things started to change and now were one of the strongest… 'cults' inside the campus.

They even managed to poach a few disciplinary committee members on their side with the promise of influence and whatnot. Though the rest of the smaller groups, weren't hostile with them, it was certain that if the Gruntas were not taken care of somehow, soon everyone enrolled in the academy would have to seek their approval and be under their thumb forever.

As for the professors, they intervened whenever they could, but the staff was widely outnumbered. Therefore they couldn't be everywhere at all times to protect the students.

They were a bit dependent on the disciplinary committee to help them out with crucial information when the shit show first started. But they soon realised the committee was up to no good.

So they decided to take matters into their own hands and punish the ringleaders and put an end to the madness.

However, it was easier said than done. Whenever they would corner the Gruntas for a violation, one of the other students would take the blame instead. Allowing the Gruntas to walk away freely.

At the end of their wits, they decided to ask Jonathan for some help, who assured them the problem would be dealt with as a Baronet was already on his way with his team to handle it. But the baronet… whoever, he was, was taking their sweet time to get there.

This gave the unknowing Gruntas a few more days to cause havoc in the academy. And their new target was… Anna Swan.

Although they did not have any beef with the quiet and neutral Swan family, the Grunta twins had some personal score to settle with her. They had been eyeing for an opportunity to take care of her for a while now… especially ever since she took the side of that filthy mutt Ashton.

And now, after trying for days, they finally had her cornered. She was standing alone, while around 50 students both from the first and second year had surrounded her. But for now… the twins had something else in their minds or more like the adults of their family wanted them to do something else.

"This is your last chance Anna," Nicole smirked, "Join our family. I'm sure the Swans wouldn't mind if you decided to marry Nick. After all, my twin is just as beautiful as I am."

"Do you really think it's the time and place to discuss marriage proposals?" Anna retorted without wasting a moment, "Also, I'm not interested in marrying someone who did not even have the guts to come forth with the proposal himself."

"Unlike myself, my brother has family duties he has to take care of in the capital. But he did give me this letter to give you as an informal proposal." Nicole took out a black envelope from her inventory and tossed it towards Anna.

"You think bringing your pets along would be enough to force me into agreeing with you or something? If it was your brightest plans, then I apologize, you failed hilariously." Anna turned the letter into ash without opening it, "Now if you don't mind, I have places to be."

"Tsk, I was really hoping you would accept the proposal. We could have been best friends and sisters-in-law." Nicole shook her head as if she was actually disappointed.

But everyone around Nicole knew she was hoping Anna would reject the proposal. After all, that would give her the reason to unleash her dogs upon her. Nicole snapped her fingers and everyone prepared themselves to lunge at the beauty standing in front of them.

Anna was well aware she wasn't getting out of there without injuries. Even her life might be in danger, but she wasn't going down without a fight.

Even if she might not be as strong as the second-year students, she was confident in her abilities. After all, she had been fighting in the underground arena to get stronger than the rest of them.

She surrounded her fists in flames, while at the same time prepared to release the toxins from her hairs to charm as many people as she could there. However, before either one of them could do anything, something landed in front of them with a loud bang.

"I should have known it was you fuckers causing trouble." A familiar voice pierced through all the dust and smoke, "You Gruntas never learn, do you?"

As the dust began to settle down, all of them got their first look at the one who dared to interrupt them. The man was wearing lavish black armour with the royal insignia engraved on the chest plate, immediately putting his status above everyone there. But the surprise wasn't over yet…

A look of shock enveloped both Nicole's and Anna's faces as they recognised the man standing in front of them. But their reactions afterwards varied widely, while the former had clenched her teeth in a mixture of fear and anger, the latter felt… somewhat happy.

"It's been a while, Anna." Ashton smiled at her before turning his attention towards the students surrounding her, "Alright, I assume you wanted a fight, and now you got it.. Don't back away now."