Chapter 158

Someone was following them. Emma’s face was impassive, her eyes cold. She immediately dispatched Josiah to investigate. Soon, he replied, “Miss Wilson! Several militants were secretly observing you. However, inexplicably, they are all dead.”

“Dead?” Emma asked, feeling a growing unease. She mused, Could someone be protecting me secretly?

Josiah added, “The perpetrator was powerful. You were alone; engaging them would have been suicidal.”

“Find out who killed them,” Emma instructed.

Josiah hesitated. “I tried, but found nothing.”

Emma pursed her lips. Someone Josiah couldn't find… someone powerful enough to silently eliminate those who threatened me. But who wants to harm me? And who possesses such strength to protect me in secret? Troln City is steeped in mystery, teeming with hidden talent.

That afternoon, Blanche departed for the airport. Emma, forgoing further questioning about Justine, simply obtained Blanche’s contact information, intending to seek her out after uncovering the truth. Emma also discreetly assigned subordinates to protect Blanche.

Returning to Charon Military School during the lunch break, Emma had over an hour before training. Entering the changing room, she heard a cacophony of discordant sounds.

“Say something!”

“Aren't you very capable?”

“Take off her clothes and take a photo. Post it online!”

“Bitch, you don’t want to say it, right? Then don’t blame me.”

Emma, though not usually meddlesome, couldn't ignore the bullying. She strode over. “What are you doing?”

Seeing the familiar girl—Lane—with disheveled hair and a flushed face, Emma’s eyes widened. “Lane? How could this be?”

Lane, surrounded by three girls, remained stoic, her lips pressed tight. Upon seeing Emma, her composure crumbled; her eyes welled. “Emma!”

Emma hadn't expected Lane to be the victim. “What are you doing? Do you think I won’t report you to the instructor and have you expelled?”

The girls, surprised by Emma’s appearance, fled. Emma, instead of pursuing them, attended to Lane, frowning at the wound on her face. “Why are they doing this to you?”

Initially hesitant, Lane finally stammered under Emma’s persistent questioning, “They want me to tell them your weaknesses. Otherwise, they’ll take nude photos of me and post them online.”

Emma gritted her teeth. “Those bastards…” She asked, “Why didn’t you fight back? With your strength, they’re no match for you!”

Lane shook her head. “They were targeting you. If I fought back, they’d have an excuse to attack you. You saved my grandfather and helped me. A few beatings are nothing; I can’t endanger you.”

Emma’s eyes froze. Without a word, she dressed Lane, tidied her hair, and treated her wounds. Then, rising, she said, “I’ll find them.”

“Emma…” Lane tried to stop her, but it was too late. Emma moved swiftly. Locating the three girls amongst thousands of students was trivial for her. As she walked, her thoughts drifted to Justine. Witnessing Lane’s ordeal, she reflected, Were they similarly cruel to Dummy back then? That weak, introverted Dummy who silently endured, unwilling to involve me.

Her expression hardened, cold and lethal. I will make those who bully the weak pay the price!

Meanwhile, the girls, still shaken, whispered amongst themselves. “Let’s hurry. Even though Lane didn’t talk, Emma’s not someone to trifle with!”

“Did Emma see our faces? Will she retaliate?” Guilt gnawed at one girl.

The others were anxious. “I doubt it… so many people, same uniforms… who could identify us?”

“She hasn’t caught us yet. We’re probably safe.”

“No matter what, Lane and Emma are bitches! I don’t believe she can do anything to us!” Their chatter continued, their apprehension palpable during the afternoon training.

Two classes passed without incident. Just as training ended and they relaxed, Emma stood silently behind their class, her uniform stark against the backdrop of their relief, her face an icy mask. Their cheerful conversation abruptly ceased as they turned and saw her.

“Why… why are you here? What do you want?” they stammered.

Emma’s voice was frigid. “I’ve applied for a highest-level duel. The three of you… which one of you wants to go first? Or all together?”

The mention of the highest duel nearly caused them to faint. It was the pinnacle of competition at Charon Military School, accessible only to monthly exam winners. The initiator could deduct 100 points from their opponent. Ten students with the lowest points each year were expelled.

They realized, This isn’t a duel; she intends to punish us under the guise of a duel.

One girl trembled. “Emma, don’t think we’re unaware that our school prohibits physical violence, but you want to duel! You’re seeking revenge!”

Emma raised an eyebrow, a chilling smile playing on her lips. “So? I want revenge. What can you do? Lane suffered; you will too.”

The girls panicked. “Stop dreaming. We won’t duel!”

Emma looked down at them. “It’s too late to refuse. The school has approved my application. Tonight, the duel will be held in the main arena; the entire school will witness it.”

“What?” The girls were utterly distraught.

After two seemingly uneventful classes, the girls were stunned by Emma's swift action in applying for the highest-level duel. She recognized us instantly and initiated a duel so quickly! This woman is terrifying!

One girl pleaded, “Even if you win, bullying students of lower rank won't reflect well on you.”

Another added, “Charon Military School prohibits cross-level challenges for awards.”

“Emma, everyone will see you’re taking revenge! Don’t get disqualified from the awards because of Lane!”

They desperately tried to dissuade her. But Emma remained resolute. She intended to teach these bullies a lesson on behalf of their parents.

“Looks like you lack confidence. The three of you can attack me together. See you at the main arena in half an hour!”