Chapter 133: I Want to Kill Him Too

“Is he just a necromancy student? Is he really worth all this concern?” the shadow asked in surprise.

“He’s no ordinary person. There are many mysterious aspects about him that I still can’t fully understand. Whatever secrets he hides, this man is certainly intriguing,” Lawrence said with a smile, speaking slowly.

“Clark’s visit to the Knight Academy this time was probably to target you. Last time, he and the Duke of the Caro Empire seemed to be planning something against you. But for some reason, their plan was abruptly halted, and the Duke suddenly left our country. It’s all very suspicious,” the figure continued.

After nodding in silence for a moment, Lawrence spoke, “Alright, you can leave for now. It won’t be so easy for Clark to take me down inside the Knight Academy. Hmph, it looks like I’ll have to make the first move and eliminate Clark myself.”

The shadow said nothing further, leapt onto the rooftop, slipped away from below, and headed off into the distance. Lawrence sat quietly inside, sipping tea and pondering.

By this time, dawn was breaking. After the shadow had left, it swiftly moved to the back mountain of Babylon Martial Magic Academy and continued walking further away. Since it was daylight, Han Shuo couldn’t openly pursue, and with other matters to attend to today, he temporarily gave up tracking the person.

Before the students at the Knight Academy had risen, Han Shuo returned early in the morning to the necromancy department. He spent the entire morning alone in his dormitory, practicing necromantic magic as usual while silently contemplating Lawrence’s identity and his relationship with Clark.

At noon, Han Shuo went to the Babylon Martial Magic Academy’s cafeteria for the first time to eat, causing a small stir.

Each major department at Babylon Martial Magic Academy had its own independent cafeteria, and the Dark Arts Department was no exception. The cafeteria had two floors: the lower floor served free meals for students who’d paid tuition, but naturally, the quality wasn’t great.

The upper floor offered meals prepared by various renowned chefs, with much higher quality. However, these dishes required additional gold coins to enjoy, catering mostly to students from wealthy families.

Han Shuo was no longer a poor laborer. The crystal card in his space ring held enough gold coins for him to indulge in life’s pleasures. So, he skipped the first floor and went straight to the second, swiping his card to order several expensive and exquisite dishes, then claimed a table to feast alone.

After the last duel, Han Shuo had become a celebrity in the academy. The Dark Arts cafeteria was filled mostly with Dark Arts students. Although Han Shuo had earned some honor for the department, his actions hadn’t won their respect; on the contrary, he had brought shame to them. So when Han Shuo appeared on the second floor, it attracted many hostile gazes.

Han Shuo paid no mind. As his strength and experience grew, these Babylon Martial Magic Academy students gradually ceased to be a concern. To him, they were just naive children who posed no real threat.

“Oh, so you’re here!” Lisa and Lawrence entered through the door. Lisa called out softly and smiled as she and Lawrence approached Han Shuo.

Lawrence smiled and signaled Han Shuo from a distance, then went to order food. Lisa sat directly across from Han Shuo without hesitation. Noticing the hostile looks around, her face darkened. Hands on her hips, she snapped, “What are you all staring at? What’s so interesting?”

Though Lisa was a weak necromancer, her foul temper was infamous throughout the Dark Arts Department. Her outburst silenced those hostile students, who looked displeased and muttered curses under their breath before turning away.

“Don’t mind them. They’re just jealous of you,” Lisa said cheerfully as she sat down, glancing around with a scolding gaze.

Han Shuo smiled wryly and replied, “Let them be jealous. I won’t lose a single hair because of it. But if anyone dares to turn jealousy into action, I guarantee they’ll lose far more than that!”

His voice was calm at first, but when he caught more hostile stares, he raised his tone with a warning edge.

Though Han Shuo hadn’t struck decisively in the last duel, his cold and resolute demeanor made it clear he was no merciful man. Observers had the impression that if not for academy rules, Han Shuo might have ruthlessly eliminated those opponents.

So, when Han Shuo warned with a stern face, even those who had yet to back down under Lisa’s rebuke gradually lowered their heads.

“Heh, looks like you’re not very popular,” Lawrence said with a smile as he approached carrying a plate of fine food. After handing Lisa a dish, he sat opposite Han Shuo and spoke.

Han Shuo shrugged indifferently, “Some people are just too boring—jealous but powerless. If you treat them nicely, they don’t thank you; they think you’re afraid of them.”

“True, I’ve experienced that myself,” Lawrence chuckled in agreement.

At that moment, Amy and Asina, two girls from the necromancy department, appeared at the entrance. Lisa hesitated before carrying her plate away and said, “You two talk. I’m going to find Amy and the others.”

She then crossed two aisles and sat with Amy and Asina at a distance.

With Lisa gone, only Han Shuo and Lawrence remained at the table. Because of the warnings from Han Shuo and Lisa, a wide space around them was left empty, making their conversation private.

“I heard Clark likes Teacher Fanny, but because you appeared, Clark was defeated and looked utterly dejected today. Is that true?” Lawrence asked casually with a smile.

Han Shuo’s mind raced, then he glanced at Lawrence and replied nonchalantly, “That’s not true. Teacher Fanny rejected Clark simply because she doesn’t like him, nothing to do with me. Don’t spread rumors.”

Lawrence was momentarily surprised, then laughed and said, “Brian, Brian, we’re friends, aren’t we? You don’t expect me to believe you’re hiding nothing. In the Dark Arts, the rumors about you and Teacher Fanny have been rampant. As they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

“Say whatever you want,” Han Shuo said indifferently, lowering his head to eat, clearly not caring about Lawrence’s words.

“Clark isn’t as upright and kind as he seems. It looks like you’ve offended him. I also heard he suspects you killed his brother. Looks like you’re in for some serious trouble,” Lawrence continued, watching Han Shuo’s expression closely. When he saw Han Shuo remain unmoved, he pondered for a moment and said, “Brian, we’re friends, right?”

Han Shuo nodded and smiled, “I suppose so.”

“Good. Then I can tell you Clark will definitely come after you. I hope you trust me,” Lawrence said earnestly.

“Of course. When I returned to my dorm yesterday, I found my blanket on the bed had been slashed. Luckily, I wasn’t resting there, or you wouldn’t be seeing me today. I thought about it and figured only Clark would do such a thing,” Lawrence hinted, his meaning becoming clear. Han Shuo, wanting to know Lawrence’s true intentions, stopped beating around the bush and admitted it.

At this, Lawrence’s eyes lit up with surprise. Han Shuo paused, then broke into a radiant smile and nodded, “You’re not simple at all. You were prepared all along. I worried for nothing. Since you consider me a friend, I can help you deal with Clark.”

Now came the crucial point. Han Shuo’s eyes flashed with astonishment as he looked deeply at Lawrence and said in a low voice, “You mean, join forces with me to kill Clark?”

Startled, Lawrence glanced around nervously before whispering, “Brian, why would you think that?”

Han Shuo stared at Lawrence. When he noticed Lawrence’s unease, he spoke solemnly, “Lawrence, when you said you wanted to deal with Clark, I sensed murderous intent. I’m certain you have the same idea, don’t you?”

Lawrence fell silent, looking at Han Shuo as if seeing him for the first time. After a long pause, he nodded and sighed, “Brian, I admit it. Yes, I want to kill him too.”

“This isn’t the place to talk. I have some business today. Come find me tomorrow afternoon; maybe we can plan properly then,” Lawrence said after confessing his desire to kill Clark. Han Shuo stopped looking at him and quietly resumed eating, his voice low.

Lawrence nodded in silence. The two sat face to face, heads bowed, eating without another word or glance.

After a long moment in this strange silence, Han Shuo stood calmly and walked out of the cafeteria. Just as he was about to leave, Lawrence suddenly looked up and fixed his gaze on Han Shuo’s back, muttering in a voice only he could hear, “A terrifying man.”

%%%%

Leaving the cafeteria, Han Shuo stopped dwelling on the conversation and headed out from the academy’s rear mountain. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, he hired a carriage and went to the Buster Trading Company.

Today was the day Han Shuo had arranged with Phoebe to complete the materials needed for refining the Earthen Armor Corpse, which required food from the Forest Trolls.

He was also preparing for advancing to the True Demon realm to refine a type of Shadow Demon higher than the Yuan Demon. In the Forest Trolls’ sacred land, Han Shuo had discovered the Wood Desolation Zone, allowing him to also refine Wood Armor Corpses, meaning even more materials would trouble Phoebe.

At the Buster Trading Company, Han Shuo learned from Fubin that Phoebe had not yet returned. She had instructed Fubin to have Han Shuo wait if he arrived, as she would return by evening.

With time to spare, Han Shuo asked Fubin to take him to visit Jack. Upon hearing Han Shuo had come, Jack was very pleased, and the two found a quiet place to chat happily.

From Jack, Han Shuo learned that Phoebe had taken great care of him, having him follow the company’s best teachers to study bookkeeping and business management. It seemed Phoebe intended to groom Jack into a figure like Fubin.

By evening, Phoebe finally returned to the company. Seeing Han Shuo, she immediately said, “I spent the whole afternoon making a suit of formal wear for you. Come with me to my room and try it on—I want to see if it fits.”

Hearing Phoebe had devoted an entire afternoon to tailoring, Han Shuo felt a strange flutter in his heart. Feeling somewhat dazed, he followed her into her boudoir.