Chapter 43: Bloodlust [2]

Standing beside Joseph, Elise couldn’t help but pity the first-ranked student.

Despite possessing SS-rank talent, he was nowhere near Lorenzo’s level in terms of actual danger. Provoking him in front of the entire academy was an unnecessary gamble.

As expected, murmurs spread throughout the hall.

"Sheesh... This Joe fellow is ruthless."

"Well, he’s from a noble family. He’s probably prideful by nature."

"He must’ve been irritated that the spotlight was stolen by that Lorenzo guy."

"I think he’s foolish. Even the president didn’t berate Lorenzo, and she clearly knows who he is. There’s more to him than we know."

"...It seems like it."

While the students discussed the situation, Lorenzo looked toward Joseph with a slight frown.

He had heard every word.

But he couldn’t care less about what some noble brat thought of him.

That didn’t mean he would tolerate being disrespected.

In his previous life as a mafia boss, Lorenzo had learned the importance of reputation. Once people believed they could trample over him without consequences, his words would lose their weight, and his name would no longer command respect.

He couldn’t allow that to happen.

And so, he stood up.

The murmuring gradually died down as Lorenzo began walking toward Joseph.

At first, most students assumed he was simply leaving.

However, when they noticed him heading directly toward the first-ranked student, their expressions changed.

"Oh? What’s happening?"

"Is he going to confront Joe?"

"Seriously? Right after the entrance ceremony?"

"Well, Joe did insult him in front of everyone. I suppose he’s not going to let that slide."

The students watched with growing interest.

Golden Dawn Academy was an institution where strength mattered. Conflicts between talented students weren’t particularly unusual, and many of them were curious to see how the second-ranked examinee would respond to the first-ranked one.

Joseph had just stepped down from the stage when he noticed Lorenzo approaching with both hands in his pockets.

’Bastard!’

Joseph’s expression darkened.

Lorenzo’s casual attitude irritated him even more than the confrontation itself. The man was walking toward him as though nothing important was happening.

As though Joseph Goldberg wasn’t worth taking seriously.

"What do you want?" Joseph demanded.

Lorenzo didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he released his mana core pressure.

His E- rank aura spread through the space between them.

Joseph flinched.

For an instant, he hadn’t expected such a direct challenge. However, his pride quickly overcame his surprise, and he released his own E-rank pressure in response.

His mana core was a minor realm higher than Lorenzo’s.

He should have had the advantage.

Yet Lorenzo didn’t even slow down.

’What? Why is he still perfectly fine?!’

Joseph’s confidence began to waver.

Then he felt it.

Something far more terrifying than mana pressure.

Bloodlust.

Lorenzo’s killing intent spread through the air, carrying the weight of a man who had faced countless enemies and taken countless lives.

The difference was immediate.

Joseph’s mana pressure could intimidate and suppress, but Lorenzo’s bloodlust made him feel as though he were standing before a predator that had already decided how he would die.

His breathing became shallow.

His body stiffened.

The closer Lorenzo came, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.

The surrounding students felt it too.

Conversations died in their throats, and several students instinctively stepped backward.

Lorenzo wasn’t simply trying to overpower Joseph.

He was making everyone in the vicinity understand what it meant to become his enemy.

Click—!

Joseph’s eyes widened.

A gun was suddenly pointed at his temple.

’When...?!’

He hadn’t even seen Lorenzo draw it.

The weapon was already aimed at his head, and the man holding it looked utterly unconcerned.

"You live long—"

"I think that’s enough."

Lorenzo stopped mid-sentence.

He turned toward the voice beside him.

Elise Valor stood at his side, one hand resting firmly on his right shoulder.

She was smiling.

But there was no joy in her eyes.

"You should stop before I stop you myself."

Lorenzo glanced at her hand before looking back at Joseph.

Only then did he notice the other presence nearby.

Joseph was already unconscious on the floor.

Standing beside him was a young man with curly green hair, a long sword in his hand. Its tip was pointed directly at Lorenzo.

The young man’s expression was serious, and his stance suggested that he was prepared to intervene if necessary.

Lorenzo looked at the sword, then at its owner.

"I’d like to see you try."

"Lorenzo!"

Elise tightened her grip on his shoulder.

Her smile remained, but the warning in her voice was unmistakable.

"Put the gun away."

Lorenzo looked at her for a moment before glancing down at Joseph.

Then he sighed.

"Fine."

With a casual movement, he returned the gun to his inventory.

The suffocating pressure gradually disappeared.

Around them, students finally began breathing normally again.

However, the tension remained.

Everyone had witnessed what had just happened.

The second-ranked student had pointed a gun at the first-ranked student’s head during the entrance ceremony.

And judging by Lorenzo’s expression, he hadn’t been bluffing.

’What the hell was that?’

’He’s only E- rank, isn’t he? Why did his bloodlust feel so terrifying?’

’Was that really a student?’

The students exchanged bewildered glances.

Some had experienced bloodlust before, particularly those from prominent Awakener families.

However, none had ever felt anything quite like Lorenzo’s.

It wasn’t merely intimidating.

For a brief moment, they had genuinely believed their lives were in danger.

Even those who hadn’t been directly targeted found themselves sweating.

Meanwhile, the young man with curly green hair lowered his sword slightly.

His name was Adrian Vance, the second-year student and vice president of Golden Dawn Academy’s student council.

He had been standing near the stage when Lorenzo began approaching Joseph.

At first, Adrian had assumed it would be nothing more than a verbal confrontation.

But the moment Lorenzo released his bloodlust, he realized the situation had escalated beyond an ordinary argument.

He had moved immediately, knocking Joseph unconscious before things could get worse.

What kind of monster is this guy?

----

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