Loki continued shadowing behind the three students watching the student named Michael’s every movement, from the expressions on his face to his body language. Loki could have already saved Michael at any point but he wanted to see what was kind of scenario was playing out before he made a move. 

Even though at first glance it looked like Michael was the one in need of saving, Loki didn’t want to assume anything. There were multiple reasons that could explain why he was being dragged against his will. Michael could have done something bad to those two dragging him, or he could have owed them something, there were many possible reasons. As he was following the three students, Loki sighed. 

‘This day is becoming such a hassle.’ 

…

Michael was brought to a place under a bridge near a river. There were many students from the martial arts course present and most of them were famous students that had reached the second rank as a martial artist. 

Michael was still trying to figure out why he was dragged here. Was he brought her for a group beating or something? Even though the situation looked grim, Michael had gathered his resolve, and no matter what happens he would stand his ground. Yet the moment his eyes met Hayate’s he was about to unconsciously step back, but Michael held it in and stood his ground. 

Seeing Michael’s reaction Hayate was quite surprised since based on what was told to him Michael was the weakest freshman to enroll in the martial arts course and was cowardly. Yet the Michael standing before him now was nothing like what was described to him. The look Michael was giving him was not the look of a coward. Hayate couldn’t help but frown at the sight. 

‘This kid has a bit of a backbone. Another one that doesn’t know his place.’ 

“What do you guys want from me?” 

“Don’t speak if you’ve not been spoken to.” One of the delinquents beside Michael was about to hit him, but Hayate stood up and signaled the person to stop. The delinquent who had raised his hand stepped back. Now there was no one holding Michael down. 

Hayate slowly approached Michael as he came closer and closer, Michael could finally feel the intense pressure radiating from Hayate. Still, even though he was being assaulted by such an intense aura Michael continued to stand his ground. Hayate then stood face to face with Michael only an arm’s distance away.   

“What’s your question again? I didn’t hear it the first time so care to repeat it.” When Michael heard Hayate’s question he knew that no matter what he did now it was obvious what Hayate would do next. Michael wanted to remain silent, his instincts were telling him to just lay low for now. Yet his heart was telling him something different. 

‘Am I just going to once again bend a knee to the strong?! Didn’t I just told myself that I would never do that again?’ Michael gritted his teeth and responded. 

“I asked you what you guys wanted from me.” The moment Michael spoke those words he quickly raised his arm in defense but it was no use. Hayate’s right hand was faster and it hit Michael in the face. Michael was blown a few feet away. 

“Oh sorry about that, I reacted unconsciously it’s because you’ve been glaring at me I forgot that you weren’t an enemy.” Hayate approached the fallen Michael and grabbed hold of Michael’s hair lifting him up. With just one punch Michael was on the verge of fainting and the pain he felt was immense. This was the difference between a rank 3 and a no-ranker like himself. Yet despite knowing that, despite being very afraid at this moment, Michael’s resolve was firm and he looked at Hayate with his hazy eyes. 

Hayate could not understand what he was feeling at the moment, all he knew was that the way Michael was looking at him was very irritating. Hayate lifted Michael’s head higher and was about to smash it onto the ground, but then something stopped him. Someone was holding Hayate’s arm, the surrounding students who saw the newcomer were all shocked, but the one most surprised was Hayate himself. 

As a rank 3 martial artist, Hayate’s senses were sharper than most, but he could not sense this newcomer getting behind him. After the initial shock, the students surrounded the newcomer while brandishing their weapons.

Hayate then turned his head around and was shocked at what he saw. The person who had stopped him was someone no one expected to see. This person was the most famous topic nowadays and his existence has been highly debated amongst the people, but today he was standing before Hayate.

“How unexpected so you weren’t just an urban legend… Fade.” When the other students heard what Hayate said they were all equally surprised. Since it was a little dark the students tried very hard to focus their sights on the person holding Hayate’s hand and were shocked to see that it was truly Fade from the urban legends. 

“So why are you here, did someone pay you to kill me?… What was it you said as long as the price is right and the reason is just you would kill anyone.” While Hayate was talking he was trying to free his arm from Fade’s grip but was unable to do so. 

“If I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t be able to even see me before you die.” The moment Fade spoke those words an immense amount of killing intent flowed out of him. When the students who had never been in a life and death situation before felt Fade’s killing intent they could not help but tremble in fear. Though some of the higher year students were able to keep a calm facade outside deep down they were also afraid. 

Hayate who was the nearest to Fade felt that immense killing intent and was astonished. Unlike one’s aura and inner energy that can be trained, killing intent and bloodlust could only be strengthened in battle. This kind of killing intent meant that Fade had killed more than Hayate could imagine.