Chapter 87: Group Class Raid 3
"Pftt."
Selene Whitmore let out a mocking laugh, her voice echoing through the courtyard. Her tall frame stood out, commanding attention as her sharp words followed. "A two-digit rank talking nonsense? Just shut up already, low rank."
Julie Wartin’s eyes narrowed instantly. Her fists clenched at her side, and she glared at Selene without hesitation. "What did you say? Talking nonsense? You’re the uneducated one. Don’t you dare tell me to shut up."
Selene Whitmore tilted her head, lips curling into a smirk. "Isn’t it more uneducated to speak nonsense when you don’t even know anything? Oh wait I suppose you don’t know anything because you’re ignorant in the first place."
Julie Wartin’s face flushed, not from embarrassment but from the sharp sting of the words. "Ignorant? Who’s ignorant right now? Look at yourself. You’re nothing but a tall girl who looks like a pole!"
The crowd gasped at the bold insult. Selene Whitmore’s sharp gaze didn’t waver. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, her presence pressing down like a shadow. "And you’re short. A tiny girl who only knows how to speak well. That’s your only skill, isn’t it?"
A tired sigh cut through the tension.
Kael Vi-rel, who had been standing nearby, shook his head with a heavy exhale. His expression was calm, though his eyes betrayed faint disappointment. "Honestly... the people who are so violent when handling a task can be ridiculously childish at times like this. But then again, I suppose it’s normal. They’re only seventeen."
Julie Wartin immediately spun toward him, her tone sharp. "Kael Vi-rel, if it was you at eighth rank maybe it would be acceptable. But if the leader is sitting at five-hundredth rank? That’s a completely different story."
Selene raised her chin, eyes flashing. "Of course it’d be a different story. But since it’s about me a completely different person I guess you’re not afraid of the eighth rank anymore. After all, you’ve got your precious hubby, the third rank, standing right behind you."
Julie Wartin stiffened, her cheeks turning red for a different reason now. "W-Who are you calling my hubby?!" she snapped, her voice cracking slightly before she recovered.
Selene Whitmore chuckled, her words slicing the air. "Oh, I see. Having a five-hundredth rank nearby isn’t scary to you. Still, I’ll admit he must have worked harder than most to even reach that level, especially with no proper background to help him."
For the first time, Kael Vi-rel’s eyes flickered with a shadow of emotion, but he said nothing.
Julie Wartin seized the opportunity, her lips curling into a triumphant smile. "Ah, so you finally went quiet. You know I’m right. No matter how great your Whitmore family is, you’ll never be on par with the Wartin Corporation. And don’t even dream of comparing yourself to the Crowe Group." Her voice carried a mocking edge, loud enough for everyone around to hear. "That’s true power. That’s true influence."
Selene Whitmore’s smirk faded, her silence heavier than any reply she could have given. The crowd felt the shift immediately.
On the side, Octavia Blake bit her lip, her hands fidgeting nervously. "Um... shouldn’t we stop them before this gets out of hand?" she asked, looking toward Kael Vi-rel.
But Kael Vi-rel only folded his arms. His voice was calm, though tinged with faint amusement. "No. Let them be. It’s not your concern."
Octavia Blake’s brows furrowed. "Not our concern? Kael Vi-rel, they’re about to"
"I’m curious," Kael Vi-rel interrupted smoothly, stepping back half a pace as though anticipating a storm. His lips twitched into a faint smile. "What is Selene Whitmore going to say or do this time? Who knows where a flying bullet might come from."
Octavia Blake’s voice wavered. "But... are you sure?"
Kael Vi-rel glanced at her briefly, then back to the two girls. "As I said don’t worry. They won’t go too far. Not as long as they’re still on school grounds."
Julie Wartin pressed forward, her tone sharp and biting. "Why aren’t you saying anything now, Selene Whitmore? You were running your mouth just moments ago. What happened? Was it too much for you to drag Lucian Crowe into this?"
At the mention of that name, Selene Whitmore’s expression darkened instantly. Her hands moved without hesitation.
Selene Whitmore reached for the weapon strapped at her side.
The courtyard froze.
A sharp, invisible chill rushed through the air, heavy enough to make the hairs on everyone’s necks rise. Julie’s bravado cracked immediately, her body stiffening as if her blood had turned to ice. The weight of Selene’s intent pressed down on her like a crushing mountain.
Julie Wartin’s voice trembled despite her efforts to remain composed. "H-Hey... hey, what are you trying to do?!" She took an involuntary step back, her heart pounding against her ribs. "You you shouldn’t be going this far!"
All around, students whispered nervously, the earlier jeers silenced by the suffocating tension. Nobody dared move closer. Nobody dared breathe too loudly.
Kael Vi-rel let out another long sigh, his tone softer this time, though still carrying a faint note of amusement. "And here we go."
Selene Whitmore’s fingers lingered on the hilt of her weapon, her gaze burning into Julie Wartin’s. She didn’t need to say a word her silence screamed louder than anything.
Julie Wartin’s lips quivered. Her legs felt weak beneath her. "This... this is insane..."
Octavia Blake, nearly in tears from the pressure, stepped forward. "Selene Whitmore, stop! Please!"
The courtyard seemed to hold its breath. The wind rustled through the trees, the sound sharp against the suffocating silence.
Selene Whitmore didn’t move.
Her narrowed eyes stayed locked on Julie. The tension stretched like a bowstring, ready to snap at the slightest push.
Julie Wartin’s throat felt dry, her earlier confidence shattered. For the first time, she understood that Selene Whitmore wasn’t someone she could dismiss with words alone.
Hey! Hey! This should not have reached to this extent...! as Kael Vi-rel began to perceive killing intent from Selene Whitmore.