Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"I actually didn't plan to hurt you. If I did want you to suffer, I wouldn't have stopped Julian from making a move just then," Linda said while glaring intensely at Zachary, full of disdain.

"Is this Julian very powerful? Should I be worried?" Zachary asked casually.

"Yes to both questions! As one of the Crane College's top ten Imperial Level warriors, he's qualified for the Imperial Level Warrior Contest and his treasure beast, the Raging Fire Beast, is ranked second in the treasure beasts' power ranking list, second only to Alisa's Coco. Not to mention, the total fighting power of his three treasure beasts is ranked third in our college. If I hadn't stopped him, you'd have been in big trouble!" Linda revealed, nodding and pretending to be serious. Still, she spoke the truth; Julian was definitely one of the top Imperial Level warriors in the Crane College. More to it, he was Barnes' right-hand man.

"Oh wow, that certainly is quite impressive! I did not expect to encounter such power just as I entered the Crane College. It seems I should be more careful." He may have spoken the words, but he didn't attach much weight to them. In truth, he was bothered little.

"It's good that you know, so next time you see him, do your best to avoid him. He has quite a narrow mind and is very vindictive. You may have slipped away this time, but I'm afraid if he gets an opportunity to cause you any sort of trouble again, he will take it," Tina pointed out.

"I see. It's getting late. I should head back now. Linda, thank you for your help. I wonder if I may have the honor of calling you my friend," Zachary asked suggestively and with a courteous smile. He had known Linda for a little while now, and although she was hot-tempered, she was actually a kind-hearted woman. Plus she had a good relationship with Alisa, which allowed him to establish a friendship with her.

"Be friends with me? You wish!" She hadn't expected him to want to make a friend of her and de

ed and Tracy and the others were worried too. They knew Zachary was in deep trouble now.

"Where is he?" Barnes demanded.

"Harley hasn't come back yet," Jay replied after a short hesitation.

"He hasn't come back? He would not dare come back. It doesn't matter. I've sent people to search for him throughout the entire college. I'll do whatever it takes to find him!" Barnes said with contempt.

"Barnes, I don't think such a fuss is necessary!" Jay felt that he was unnecessarily riled up. They were guests after all. Even though Zachary had made some mistakes, he should not be treated like this. They held a high status in the Devil Kingdom, and they couldn't bear to be treated like this.

"A fuss? Humph! Do you think our Crane College is the kind of place where people randomly make trouble and are allowed to do so? When you come to our college, you must abide by our rules. Anyone who violates these rules must be severely punished. Now a warrior of the Imperial Level, from the Devil Kingdom, has violated our rules. I won't turn a blind eye to it. If I do, news will spread and our Crane College will not be respected in the Supernal Continent or any of the four martial colleges." Barnes spoke sternly as he cast a glance at Jay, as if he was sure to find Zachary and punish him as he felt he deserved.