Why is Background Character the Strongest Now?-Chapter 35: Calm before the Fight 2

Morning sunlight spilled over the gates of Blackridge High No. 7, the school’s tall stone building glowing softly under a clear sky. Students started filing through the main entrance—some still yawning, others laughing and chatting in small groups. For them, it was just another regular school day.

But Ezra and Dravis weren’t here for school.

The two had come to meet Ellia, hoping to speak with her directly. The rest of their group four others were elsewhere, trying to find out why the Crimson Guild was involved with her in the first place.

"Let’s go," Ezra said, looking at the main building. "I hope she came to school today."

"In a place like this," Dravis replied, "missing a day means losing a day’s salary. Unless she’s rich, she’ll be here."

Ezra gave a short nod, and the two walked through the gates. A few students glanced at them, unfamiliar faces standing out among the crowd, but didn’t pay much attention. It wasn’t unusual for Blackridge to have visiting teachers, outer academy students, or parents wandering around.

"Let’s head straight to the staff room," Ezra said. "If school just started, she might still be there."

"Do you know where it is?" Dravis asked.

Ezra shrugged. "We’ll ask."

He spotted a group of students—three boys and two girls—chatting in a loose circle. Ezra approached calmly.

"Excuse me," he said politely.

One of the boys turned, clearly annoyed. He’d been about to kiss his girlfriend, but the moment he saw Ezra’s calm, serious presence, he paused and straightened up.

"Y–Yeah?" the boy said.

The rest of the group looked over. One of the girls blushed slightly when she saw Ezra.

"Sorry to bother you," Ezra said. "I’m looking for a colleague. Can you tell me where the staff room is?"

"You a new teacher?" one of the boys asked.

"Not exactly," Ezra said. "Just here to meet someone who teaches here."

"Who?" one of the girls asked.

Ezra hid his irritation. Just tell me the way... "Her name’s Leria," he said.

"Oh, she’s my homeroom teacher," the boy said. "She doesn’t sit in the staff room around this time. You’ll probably find her in the mess hall."

Ezra tilted his head. "Where’s that?"

"Block E, ground floor," the boy said. "You’ll find her there."

"Thanks." Ezra nodded and walked back to Dravis.

"She’s probably in the mess hall," he said. "One of the kids said she goes there at this time. Block E, ground floor."

Dravis nodded. "Alright. Let’s go."

And the two of them started off together toward Block E, hoping to finally get some answers.

_______________________

In the mess hall, Leria sat at a table, having breakfast with a few of her fellow teachers. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with the clatter of plates and casual laughter.

"Hey, Leria," one of them teased with a grin, "when are you getting married, huh?"

Another chimed in, nudging her playfully, "You’re too good-looking to still be single. You should let me introduce someone to you."

"Oh! What about my brother?" said a third teacher, leaning forward excitedly. "He’s Rank 4, you know. Works for the Ardent family in the capital—earns a solid income."

"Whoa, then introduce me to him!" someone joked. "Leria’s not interested in marriage."

"Excuse me?" the woman who mentioned her brother shot back, laughing. "Have you seen yourself? My brother’s wife needs to be someone like Leria—beautiful and capable."

Leria just smiled politely. "Sorry, everyone," she said gently. "I’m already in love with someone. We might be getting married soon, so I’ll have to decline your offers."

One of the women gasped, eyes wide. "What?! You’re getting married and didn’t tell me? I thought I was your best friend! That’s not fair!"

Leria laughed softly. "Haha, I’ll introduce you soon. We actually met a few years ago. He proposed recently, and I said yes."

"Come on," said another, "at least tell us his name! Or show us a photo!"

Leria grinned. "Of course I will. But not here. It won’t be any fun if I spoil the surprise, right? How about this why don’t I take you all to Bar Resto this weekend? I’ll invite him too."

"Ooooh, yes!" they all cheered in unison.

"Deal!" said one of the men, raising his cup like a toast.

They all laughed together, the mood warm and full of excitement.

As Leria and her colleagues chatted over breakfast, the mess hall doors opened. Ezra and Dravis stepped inside, their presence immediately drawing a few glances. Some staff members turned to look, frowning.

One of the older teachers stood up, mistaking them for students.

"Hey! You kids lost or something?" he snapped. "This is the staff mess. Get out!"

Ezra stepped forward, calm and composed. His voice was polite but firm. "I’m not a student here. I’ve come to meet a colleague."

The teacher’s face twisted in anger. "You dare joke with me?" he barked and started marching toward Ezra, raising his hand as if to strike him.

But before he could do anything, Dravis, who stood close to Ezra, grabbed his wrist mid-air.

In an instant, the man’s expression changed to one of pain and disbelief.

Dravis’s grip was brutal. His hand tightened like a vice, and the teacher’s face twisted in horror as he tried to pull away. This man was a Rank 3, yet the boy in front of him—who looked a decade younger—was overpowering him with ease.

He finally yanked his hand free, stumbling back, fear and confusion in his eyes.

Ezra looked at him calmly. "I told you. I’m not a student. I’m here to meet someone."

He turned away and scanned the room until his eyes landed on Leria. He walked over to her table and stopped a few steps away.

"Miss Leria," he said. "Can we talk?"

Leria didn’t panic.

She couldn’t sense his cultivation—nothing at all—but instead of feeling threatened, she trusted her instincts and strength. Her expression remained composed.

She stood up smoothly. "Alright. Let’s go."

As the two walked away together, her friends sat frozen at the table, stunned by what they had just witnessed.

One of them whispered, "Wait... is he the one?"

Another stared at Ezra’s retreating figure. "Seriously? He looks like a kid..."

_________________

As soon as they stepped out of the mess hall and into the quiet hallway, Ezra turned to her—his voice calm but direct.

"I know you’re not Leria," he said. "Your real name is Ellia Seraphine."

The air changed instantly.

Ellia’s eyes narrowed, and her aura flared without hesitation. The space around her warped ever so slightly—like heatwaves twisting reality. The hallway lights flickered, and the pressure came crashing down on them.

Ezra held his ground, but the weight was crushing.

Beside him, Dravis murmured under his breath, his voice tight with disbelief. "Rank 6...?"

His stomach dropped. How the hell are we supposed to complete this mission if the person we’re escorting is three or four ranks above us?

Ezra didn’t hesitate. He pushed back, unleashing his own aura in response. It surged outward, steady and controlled—not as overwhelming as hers, but sharp and defiant. Enough to hold the line.

"Please," Ezra said, his tone steady. "I’m not here to fight. I’m here for a peaceful conversation."

Ellia’s eyes flicked to him, assessing.

"I’m a student of Etherlight School of Awakeners," he added, pulling out his ID and holding it up.

Ellia’s aura slowly settled, the pressure in the air easing. She stepped forward and took the ID, glancing at it for a moment before handing it back.

She didn’t drop her guard, but she no longer seemed ready to fight.

"Follow me," she said.

Ezra and Dravis exchanged a quick look, then fell in step behind her as she led them down the corridor, the air still tense but no longer volatile.

________________________

Meanwhile...

Far from the Blackridge high 7, deep within a storm of twisted mana and blackened skies, Kael Arkzen was in the middle of a brutal battle.

But this wasn’t the usual lazy professor the world knew—the one who lounged in chairs and sipped soft drinks during missions.

This Kael was furious.

His face, usually bored and indifferent, was now twisted with cold rage. Every movement crackled with deadly precision. Each strike shattered the air with enough force to warp the terrain.

A sinister laugh echoed around him, mocking and cruel.

"Didn’t expect it, did you?" the voice said. "That your dear master would one day die... by his own student’s hand."

Kael didn’t respond immediately. His eyes were locked on the figure in front of him.

When he finally spoke, his voice was ice—and full of fire.

"You’ll die here," he said. "I don’t care who you were to me. You crossed a line that can’t be undone."

Energy surged around him like a storm ready to explode.

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Author’s Note

Hey everyone!

I know I promised a big fight—and don’t worry, it’s coming in the next Chapter! So stay tuned and keep supporting the story!

Also... I just want to take a moment to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🥹

It’s because of you—your love, support, and comments—that this novel has climbed into the popular rankings. I seriously couldn’t have done it without you all. 🙏

Love you guys. Let’s keep going together