Alex responded, "David, we were waiting for you."
"I apologize for taking so long."
"David, how is Camilla doing these days?" Alfred was curious.
"I believe she is doing better now, and I'm trying to give her some time as well." David smiled as he spoke.
"It's good to know you're changing for the better," stated Alfred.
David's face darkened when he abruptly heard Alfred. Alfred was right when he said that David needed to change. He realized now that his attitude had a terrible impact on Camilla.
[It changed the scenario to the magic sector.]
While moving along the hallway, Camilla unexpectedly bumped into someone. Camilla did not see the corridor path because it was so crowded compared to other days. After turning around, she was going to apologize to the person. But when she turned around, she saw Theia standing in front of her.
Theia said, "You?"
Camilla apologized to Theia politely, since she didn't want to argue.
"I apologize. I did not notice you coming."
After stating this, she turned to walk when Theia abruptly seized her hand, hard, in rage. "How rude of you!"
Once she heard Theia, Camilla's eyes became narrow. "Behave yourself, Theia," she said as she yanked her hand from Theia's grasp.
Hearing Camilla, Kim, and Hayley raised an eyebrow. They found it hard to imagine Camilla could say something of such a nature. Was that Camilla, or a different person? And what about her aura? Why was she so dazzling today? Her gestures, her attitude — everything had changed. She was no longer that terrifying old brat.
"Brat, how dare you use that tone of voice with Theia? What the heck are you doing?" said Kim.
Camilla's expression was serious as she arched her brows. She moved forward, looking into Kim's eyes and adding, "To me, your friend always comes first. Tell her to act more appropriately, then."
Kim gaped at her lips in disbelief and turned to face Theia. She said, "What is she saying?" Theia tightened her teeth and stared at Camilla. "Did you forget who we are, or do we need to do something?" Kim asked Camilla as she turned her attention back to her.
Camilla inhaled deeply and, disregarding Kim's query, remarked, "I'm not in the mood to talk. I'm hoping you can comprehend it."
Kim arched her brows as Camilla was about to leave, but Theia shouted Camilla's name. "Camilla."
Camilla came to a stop, and her eyes fluttered. Theia responded in a collected manner, "Just wait two days and pray to God not to put you in my opponent's position. I promise that if you turn out to be my opponent, you'll never be allowed to join the expedition."
As soon as Camilla heard her, her brows furrowed. She responded Theia, keeping her gaze fixed. "Do you still remember that day? Or do you need to get beaten up once more? If so, don't worry; you may pray to God to save you from becoming my opponent, or I won't allow you to join the expedition."
Camilla's harsh comments made Theia angry. Theia instantly yelled in wrath and prepared to smack Camilla when Adela walked up and grabbed Theia's hand. Adela and Theia crossed paths once again. Theia was receiving a harsh glance from Adela while feeling her hand being squeezed firmly. Kim and Hayley both gave Adela a stern look. It was clear that if they could beat Adela and Camilla immediately, they wouldn't hesitate to do so.
"Are you out of your mind, Theia?" Adela pushed Theia's hand.
Theia raised an eyebrow when she noticed Adela there. Now she could not hold back her anger anymore. Adela shoved Camilla in front of everyone when she made a rude comment about her. What did they think of themselves? Theia suddenly yelled at Adela.
"Adela, why are you here again? Or did Camilla hire you to serve as her bodyguard?"
As they heard Theia, everyone froze in their tracks and turned to stare at them. "Well, you don't seem to be into yourself at all," said Adela. Adela posed sternly. Theia had previously bullied her friend, which had enraged her, and now Theia was insulting her.
"Adela, do you know what you're doing? You'd best not interfere with mine or her business." Theia yelled at Adela.
Adela gritted her teeth and stiffened. How dare she, Adela thought. "Are you frightened to face me?" she said, stepping forward and speaking sternly while keeping Theia in her eyes.
"So, you won't truly stay away from here," Theia remarked as her stare became more fixed. "Then don't blame me for it, considering what is going to happen."
"I truly didn't want to fight before the expedition, but you—" Adela started to say something, but Camilla cut her off by saying.
"Adela, please let me speak."
Adela returned her attention to Camilla when she heard. Adela could not allow Camilla to fall into Theia's trap because she understood what Theia wanted. Theia was picking a fight for no reason. Adela knew that Camilla's situation was not entirely normal. She was changing bodies with Anesthesia or something else. Hence, if Camilla transformed herself once again, it would be extremely risky.
"Camilla, let me handle her. It does not force you to converse with those ugly rodents," Adela remarked when she looked at them. Theia and her pals raised an eyebrow and exchanged glances when they heard Adela refer to them as "nasty rodents."
Kim lowered her brows and said, "Did you just call us rodents? What do you think of yourself?"
"Are you guys not? If you genuinely want to battle, confront your leveled opponents. Why do you folks harass other people?" said Adela.
Camilla lowered her gaze when she heard Adela. When Adela and they were engrossed in arguing, it engrossed Camilla in Adela's comments. Her friend tried to make it clear to her that she wasn't up to their standard. Camilla clenched her hands and raised her gaze. All of them were watching their show as Adela continued to fight about that ridiculous issue.
"Adela," Camilla said sternly as she moved forward. Adela turned around to face Camilla. Adela narrowed her eyes when she noticed Camilla's look differed from normal. "What is it, Camilla?" she asked.
"I can talk with her. You are under no obligation to do that for me."
Camilla's words startled Adela. She made a perplexed gesture with her brows down. She could not comprehend her current behavior. Adela gaped her lips, ready to speak, but Camilla turned down the chance. She faced Theia as she moved in that direction. Adela was standing next to her.
"I know you can talk," Theia said as she relaxed her arms. "Even so, you always rely on her to keep you safe. Simply a useless girl who suddenly wants to take part in a competition. I swear if you are my opponent, I will show you what I am."
While listening to Theia, Camilla fixed her attention on her. Theia was lecturing her when suddenly everyone heard a loud sound, which caused their eyes to widen.
[Whack!]
Adela was staring at them with wide eyes, as though everyone else was. Kim and Hayley took a small step backward. Theia's eyes widened as her palm touched her left cheek. Camilla hit her unexpectedly in front of the whole crowd. She could not believe her own eyes. Theia turned her head gently to look at Camilla. Camilla's gaze was fixed on her at that time. Her eyes were devoid of any trace of regret or fear. While staring at Camilla, Theia carefully pulled her hand away from her cheek.
Kim and Hayley exchanged glances. They were astounded to see Camilla smack Theia as well. Camilla abruptly stated, focusing her attention on Theia and folding her hands, "I can protect myself, and I don't need anyone. If you wish, I can beat you up on my own. No matter how powerful of a mage you are, I can annihilate you."
Adela was astounded when she heard Camilla. She also had some confusion since, as long as she knew that Camilla's spirit might change, she would respond boldly. But things were a little different today. She was threatening Theia, but she remained calm. Why was that, Adela pondered.
Theia felt angrier as Camilla continued to speak. How was she supposed to take Camilla's slap? How could a low-level mage have the temerity to attack a high-ranking wizard? Theia would protest that it was impolite for a low-level mage to approach a high-ranking mage.
"How rude of you!"
Theia yelled in an irate manner. Her voice was tensed with rage. She was breathing heavily; her cheeks were flushed, and the veins in her neck throbbed. "How dare you, bitch?"
Theia lifted her hand and prepared to smack Camilla as she yelled. Camilla stood still, paying close attention to Theia. Adela furrowed her brows and prepared to halt Theia when, suddenly, a loud, angry voice could be heard.
"Stop it,"
To be continued...