Chapter Twenty-Three: Challenge from the Weak
Shaya’s voice was loud, so everyone in the crowd heard his declaration.
The onlookers turned to look back, momentarily stunned, realizing that the main protagonist of this conflict had finally arrived, with varied expressions on their faces.
After a brief silence, under Shaya’s seething gaze, a pathway was cleared in the crowd.
Meanwhile, they speculated how long this unknown minor noble could hold out against Angelica.
They eagerly awaited the outcome.
Shaya ignored the gazes of the spectators and quickly walked through the gap they had opened, immediately spotting a few girls standing at the entrance of the apartment.
Aside from the maid accompanying Angelica and several members of the Blood Rose Association, Naya’s figure particularly caught Shaya’s attention.
Hearing the noise, Angelica turned her gaze towards the crowd. She was momentarily taken aback and then frowned, “Why are you…”
Clearly, she was filled with confusion about Shaya’s safe return.
However, Shaya quickly approached, disregarding Angelica, and cast a deep glance at Naya as he passed her, entering the apartment.
What first caught his eye was Deyora, who had raised her arm high as if to slap herself.
In his line of sight, Deyora’s right cheek was slightly swollen and red.
In fact, the punishment hadn’t even started; this redness was a remnant from yesterday’s conflict.
But Shaya did not know any of this.
“Master…” Upon seeing Shaya, Deyora’s eyes slightly brimmed with tears, but she struggled to maintain her calm demeanor and gave a slight bow, “Welcome home.”
She tried to sound indifferent, but inside, she felt deeply wronged.
Ah, how she wished to hug her master quickly and hear him call her sister; that would heal any wound.
Deyora thought to herself.
Shaya took a deep breath and stepped forward to grasp Deyora’s hand.
“They hit you?”
He asked, forcibly suppressing the anger boiling within him.
Deyora shook her head, “No, Master, it was my own fault.”
“I’m sorry I returned late, but please, don’t ever do things that hurt yourself, never again.”
He said softly.
“Mm, yes, yes.” Deyora sniffed Shaya’s scent, feeling much more at ease, and slightly raised herself on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, “Master, you were so handsome just now. Can I wear black stockings tonight?”
“…” Shaya rolled his eyes, released Deyora, and asked, “Tell me everything that happened.”
“Oh.” Deyora playfully flicked her long hair, “Actually, last night, I taught a lesson to a few little bitches… cough, maids, who came to provoke me, angering Lady Algeria, and then…”
Deyora objectively recounted what had happened the previous night, including Angelica’s true purpose in seeking the titles this year and Naya’s role in it.
Shaya stood with his back to the door, listening carefully.
The two whispered flirtatiously, completely ignoring the several girls outside, making Angelica, who felt neglected, suddenly unhappy.
She had always bossed others around, so when did it become Shaya’s turn to disregard her?
“The punishment hasn’t even started, Shaya, don’t you think you’re a bit too impatient?” Angelica’s tone turned icy, “Moreover, have you thought of a response to the matter I informed you of previously? If there are no questions, please hand over the titles. I’ve been waiting here for quite some time.”
Meanwhile, Naya, who had been silent beside her, gently bowed, “Brother.”
However, Shaya did not respond but waited until Deyora had finished explaining everything before taking a deep breath and turning grimly around.
He first directed his gaze towards the very quiet Naya, stepped closer, fixed his eyes on her delicate, pale face, and gently asked, “When everything happened earlier, did you say even a single word in defense of Deyora?”
Naya, with a cold expression, sensed the suppressed fury in her brother’s voice but still showed no reaction, impassively shaking her head: “No.”
“Very well.” Shaya looked at her deeply, nodded, “From today onward, I have no sister like you.”
“…”
Naya didn’t speak or even look up, seemingly unperturbed by this result, much like a puppet, her pupils devoid of any spark.
But in a place where no one could see, her tender white hand clutched unconsciously.
After dropping that statement and ignoring the surprised gazes from those around, Shaya turned his attention to Nina, who was covering her face.
He glanced at the swelling on her left cheek and suddenly raised his hand, gently slapping the other side of her face.
Of course, this gentle motion was relative; if Shaya were to use full force now, he could shatter rock with a single slap.
A person’s face before him seemed more like tofu; it only took a flick to make it burst like a semi-solid.
“Smack!”
The slap was sharp and loud, striking not only Nina’s face but also hitting the hearts of Angelica and the others.
Nina, wide-eyed and terrified, covered her face and stumbled back uncontrollably, soon falling to the ground, dazed.
Everyone, including the surrounding students, fell into silence for a few seconds before collectively gasping in shock.
Did Shaya really dare to do that?
Although the maid had no real standing, hitting a dog still required consideration of its master, right?
Moreover, doing it right in front of her was a direct confrontation with Angelica?
It was true—a country bumpkin, just like the old-fashioned border nobles, was barbaric, rude, utterly ignorant of noble etiquette!
Many people thought so.
But they failed to remember that just moments ago, Angelica had treated Nina in the same manner.
After making this gesture, Shaya looked at the swelling on Nina’s cheeks, clapped his hands, and nodded, “Now it’s symmetrical, no need to thank me… want another two slaps?”
“Adelaide!”
At that moment, Angelica finally lost her patience.
Her narrow eyes landed on Shaya, slowly sizing him up.
She felt that today, his aggression seemed to have intensified?
Had she touched a nerve?
A maid?
Indeed, a waste, smitten by a lowly maid, and in a fit of impulse, he dared to directly confront a grand noble—arrogant and ignorant of rank, utterly foolish.
With this thought, Angelica boredly shook her head.
Earlier, she had considered Shaya’s appearance quite fitting to her aesthetic, but now he seemed merely superficial.
“How dare you touch my maid in my presence?” Angelica stepped in her knee-high boots, the heels making a sharp sound as she coldly gazed at the boy before her, “Everything is my decision; why not come at me instead?”
Her tone dripped with contempt and disdain, just as she looked upon everyone with condescension.
“You? Right, was just about to mention you, don’t rush.”
Shaya turned around to face Angelica.
He wore a smile, but his expression had no trace of amusement; it resembled a precursor to a storm, suppressing an emotion that was about to explode.
“Listen carefully.”
“I, Shaya Adelaide, from the southern sub-vicountcy under the jurisdiction of Rand City in Sako Province—by the God of Justice and Judgment, wagering in the name of the Viscount of Adelaide, I challenge you to a gambling duel.”
His voice was calm and distant, completely void of impulse.
As soon as this statement was made, the entire corridor fell into silence.
Everyone pondered, utterly unprepared for such words to come from Shaya at the last moment.
They were a bit unsure if they had heard correctly.
Did they mishear?
A freshman who had just entered school for less than a year sought to challenge a top genius who had long since advanced to a three-ring mage?
Even Angelica was momentarily stunned by these words, before bursting into laughter: “What did you say? Sorry, I didn’t catch that… you said you want to challenge me?”
In Angelica’s eyes, Shaya was merely a knight’s squire.
As a three-ring mage, the top genius in the entire academy beyond even Naya, endowed with countless magical resources from the Algeria family, shining as the pride of the royal capital, she was fully qualified to disregard what Shaya had just said.
If this got out, students would only ridicule Shaya for overestimating himself.
It should be noted that mages like Angelica already possessed powerful magical devices and ancient artifacts, enabling their power to increase exponentially, and could not be measured by ordinary standards.
Moreover, challenging her was just a freshman who hadn’t even become a knight yet?
It was simply delusional!
However, Shaya sighed and said, “Can’t understand the Universal Hiren Language? Or do you want it formally? Should I wear a knight’s costume and throw down my white glove in front of you for a fair duel like a man?”
“Sorry, I forgot you’re a woman.” Shaya smiled lightly, shaking his head, “And a filthy bitch.”
