"Sir Cliffhard. It's time for breakfast, please get up so you won't be late," the butler said politely.
A clock flew through the air and shattered against the wall just inches from his head.
"JUST GET OUT! I'm not in a good mood," Cliffhard growled.
"As you wish, Sir Cliffhard," the butler replied without flinching, turning and leaving the room.
> "That damn civilian... thinking he can have everything. I'm the son of the sixth richest family. I have everything—wealth, the strongest gear, and a powerful Gift. Yet that damned civilian stole the spotlight like it was nothing. Like stealing candy from a baby. But I'm no baby... You'll pay for this."
Unbeknownst to Cliffhard, the butler had paused just outside the door, listening silently. Once Cliffhard finished his rant, the man quietly walked away.
Later, Cliffhard arrived at the long dining table, eating breakfast alone. The butler stood nearby, hands folded.
"Sir Cliffhard, may I offer a suggestion?"
"What is it, Rei?"
"Would you like me to use our family's connections... to hire assassins to eliminate this 'civilian' you despise so much?"
Cliffhard blinked, then grinned wickedly. "You listened to me earlier—tsk, but... yeah. That's a good idea. Handle everything while I'm at school."
"Understood, Sir Cliffhard," Rei said with a bow, already turning to make arrangements.
---
Within hours, Rei had scoured hidden channels and hired six deadly assassins:
One with the Gift: Chameleon
One with the Gift: Shape Shifter
One with the Gift: Poison Expert
One with the Gift: Trap Master
One with the Gift: Silent Death
One with the Gift: Fog Manifestation
They were dispatched immediately toward the Gifted Academy, hunting their target—Lumiel.
---
"Such a peaceful day," Lumiel murmured as he walked toward school.
But then, a dense fog rolled in.
[System Notice: Multiple Dangerous Anomalies Detected — Species: Human]
> "More humans after me...? Let's pretend I don't notice. Maybe they'll back off."
With calm precision, Lumiel unsheathed his blade and cast Heaven's Judgements. The radiant slashes pierced the fog, dispelling it.
Unknown to Lumiel, the attack had nearly killed the assassin with Fog Manifestation. He lay bleeding in an alley, deep cuts across his body.
The others didn't back off.
As Lumiel continued walking, he spotted an old lady trying to cross a street teeming with traffic. Naturally, he approached to help her.
Midway across, the old lady subtly pulled out a knife, ready to stab him.
But fate intervened—a truck roared toward them. The assassin froze in terror. Lumiel quickly activated Guardian Angel's Protection, shielding them both.
"Ma'am, there's nothing to fea—Ma'am?"
He looked down. The old woman was gone. In her place was a man with a knife, unconscious. Lumiel dragged him to safety and left him behind.
Another assassin eliminated.
Two more closed in. The Chameleon user yanked Lumiel out of a crowd. In a heartbeat, the Silent Death assassin lunged.
But Lumiel raised his arm just in time. A wall of stone erupted, blocking the blade. He knocked the Chameleon assassin unconscious, then encased both attackers in earthen cages and contacted the authorities.
Two more down.
The last pair—Trap Master and Poison Expert—had already set a trap near the academy gate. Just one touch of the poisoned mechanism would mean instant death.
[System Notice: A trap has been detected near the gate. Recommendation: Avoid or Disarm.]
> "A trap? What sick mind would poison a school gate?"
Lumiel carefully inspected the area and, with a single precise Heavenly Slash, disabled the trap's mechanism.
"That should do it."
He entered the school like nothing had happened.
---
"Hey Lumiel!" Skye waved.
"H-hi, Lumiel," Lady Nishia greeted, blushing.
"Good morning, everyone," Lumiel smiled. "Sorry I'm late. I helped an old lady cross the road."
"Still helping others like always," Claud laughed.
"You never change," Skye agreed.
> "That damn civilian again... Everyone's looking at him like he's a hero. Why won't he just disappear? Didn't Rei say he'd handle it? Why is he still alive?!"
Cliffhard stared at Lumiel in disbelief.
> "He's STILL alive. No wounds, no fear. Like nothing happened. He even made Lady Nishia smile! If I want this attention to stop... maybe I need to end him myself. Yeah... I'll do it. I'll kill him. Then they'll forget him... They'll remember me."
Cliffhard clenched his fists, hatred boiling beneath the surface.