The Gigolo System in the Academy of Magic-Chapter 26: Conflict

The arena had turned tense.

The red-skinned demon didn't even glance at Darien who had stepped forward, instead his glowing golden eyes scanned the crowd until it stopped on a figure - Ryan Everheart.

"You should tell your dog to back off, or he might get hurt."

Ryan narrowed his eyes. Then, without skipping a beat he retorted calmly:

"I had heard the demons were a backward race, but today I found out for myself first hand."

The air shifted.

Several of the demons snarled or growled under their breath. Their hands itched for violence, tails flicked with agitation, and magical pressure began to hum faintly around them.

Professor Helene's smile faltered and her beautiful dark lips creased into a frown. She said nothing, but stepped forward and silently joined Selena near the edge of the arena.

Then, one of the demons stepped out from the group.

His skin was unnaturally pale, like bleached bone, and his eyes were slitted and yellow like a serpent's. A long tail slithered behind him like a snake with its own mind. He spoke with a soft, rasping voice, full of venom.

"Amon, let me teach these humans a lesson!"

Several other demons nodded and muttered in agreement. They were itching for a fight right now. Despite being outnumbered, they showed no fear.

The tension grew unbearable until a calm female voice cut through the chaos.

"Everyone, please calm down."

Lydia Clearwater said, stepping forward. She raised both her hands slightly in a gesture of peace.

"This is a historic moment. Let's not ruin it with unnecessary conflict."

James, who had been observing quietly from the back, raised an eyebrow. Clearwater? He remembered Selena had mentioned their family belonged to the peace faction in the Council of Thirteen Houses - they advocated for reconciliation and diplomacy with the demon realm.

But Ryan wasn't having it.

"They provoked us first. Are you saying we should let them trample on the dignity of Ainsworth?"

Most of the students nodded in agreement. They felt that Lydia's words were too biased towards the demons. They were the guests after all but they had no decorum.

But they were not too obvious in their support as no one wanted to go against Lydia Clearwater either, after all she was also from one of the Thirteen Houses.

The red-skinned demon, Amon, turned his head slowly toward Lydia. His golden gaze lingered on her for a moment before he spoke again.

"I was merely stating the truth. You're all weaklings compared to me."

Then, he let his aura explode.

It was like a tidal wave crashing over the arena. Invisible pressure bore down on every student like a crushing weight.

"A level 3 mage?!"

"How is that possible?!"

Everyone was stunned. His aura was a little unstable as if he had just broken through recently but it was undeniable, this demon boy was already a level 3 mage! Even Ryan Everheart, who was the strongest in the first year, was still only level 2 right now.

James was surprised. He knew that demons relied heavily on bloodlines - those with more concentrated bloodlines would improve very fast - but the demon, Amon, still looked young. To be a level 3 mage at such a young age meant that he was monstrously talented.

Also, demons tended to have an advantage in the early levels compared to human mages because of their strong bodies and often strange bloodline abilities. Although he had never seen the two top nobles fight with full strength before, he was fairly sure that they couldn't beat this Amon.

It seems he had the right to be arrogant.

The crowd was a little overwhelmed by the sudden outbreak of aura. The top students all had a solemn look on their faces.

Bang!

At this time, Darien, who was standing closest to the demons, had his face turn red. His body trembled as if it was under a lot of pressure and he suddenly kneeled on the ground with a bang, sweat dripping all over his body.

"Waste." Amon shook his head and said calmly.

People didn't understand what happened, but before they could even react, Helene finally spoke:

"Enough! Let's all take a step back, shall we?"

She strode calmly toward Amon, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

"Come now, Amon. Don't ruin our first day."

Amon's eyes flickered toward her. His gaze was cold but he still stepped back.

The faint pressure dissipated and Darien who was on the ground began gasping for air hurriedly.

Helene turned to the gathered students and gave a graceful bow.

"My apologies for the rudeness of my students. As you know, demon culture can be... blunt. I hope you will show us patience."

Most of the students in the crowd listened to her calm sensual voice and saw her enchanting smile and felt all their anger dissipate. They looked at the curvy woman with an infatuated glaze. Only a few people were still normal.

James looked towards the corner and saw that Selena was frowning. It seemed like she was about to walk forward but Helene beat her to the punch.

Actually it seemed like Helene was being polite and giving everyone a way out, but why did she only interfere at this moment? Clearly she was trying to establish the demons' advantage in this first confrontation.

James shook his head. He didn't care about whatever political games these people were playing. He glanced at the beautiful purple-skinned woman and said to the system in his mind:

"Contract Helene Ashvane."

[The host had decided to contract the Level 6 demon Helene Ashvane! Establishing contract...]

[Congratulations!]

[The host has used up all available contracts (2/2). To gain more contract opportunities become a level 2 mage.]

"Panel."

[Name]: James Woodrow

[Age]: 18

[Mana]: 150/300

[Skills]: Shadow Step, Shadow Manipulation, Shadow Space, Ice Spear, Water Blast, Ice Prison (all level 1 abilities)

[Magical Root]: High

[Class]: Level 1 Mage

[Bloodline]: Abyss Walker (1%)

[Contracts]: Selena Vaughn [79 (Love)], Helene Ashvane [5 (Stranger)]