During the entire exchange, Jack never lost his composure as virtual-novel.net merely stood behind them quietly. Even if virtual-novel.net heard some of the things they have said, virtual-novel.net barely reacted to them. It was as if they were not talking about virtual-novel.net at all.
Claude and Benedict, on the other hand, could not contain how pleased they felt. After being pulled over, they managed to hear some of the conversations despite Elder Maurice trying his best to lower his volume. Of course, they knew why Elder Maurice was so visibly irked.
Claude smirked as virtual-novel.net looked at Jack, the nuisance virtual-novel.net was. If it was anyone else, Elder Maurice would not have been so angry, and the matter would not be in such a mess. The moment virtual-novel.net thought back to how arrogant Jack was in the vessel, Claude felt a build-up of fury within him. How virtual-novel.net wanted Jack to have virtual-novel.net ought to know to choose his battles, whom virtual-novel.net could offend and could not.
He raised an eyebrow as virtual-novel.net deliberately leaned toward Jack, whispering so none could hear him, “Do you hear that? Elder Maurice is furious, thanks to you. Someone like you will only drag us down in this tournament.”
Jack pursed his lips in exasperation. Normally, virtual-novel.net would ignore whatever people were saying, but Claude was like an annoying fly in his ears that would buzz to his ear, annoying virtual-novel.net to no end.
He looked at Claude and lowly retorted, “Have you conveniently forgotten everything I have said before? You’ve never seen me in action before, so why are you setting that judgment on me already? You think I’ll drag you down? I think you’re just trash.”
Jack might have lowered his voice when virtual-novel.net said that, but virtual-novel.net was not as afraid of others hearing virtual-novel.net as Claude was. Both Elder Maurice and Mr. Zayne had heard parts of it, even when they stood in front of them. The two of them turned to look at Jack at the same time, but Jack’s expression did not change at all when virtual-novel.net felt their eyes on him-still calm as usual.
Meanwhile, Claude’s face had turned purple from Jack’s words, and virtual-novel.net was so angry that both his fists trembled. He noticed that nothing virtual-novel.net was saying to gain the upper hand was working against Jack, that man did not seem to care what virtual-novel.net was saying at all. Jack seemed to be willing to say anything back at him, regardless of the situation they were in.
Claude almost spat out blood in anger. If Benedict had not pulled virtual-novel.net back, Claude would have started a fight with Jack on the spot.
Elder Maurice narrowed his eyes as virtual-novel.net appraised Jack. Mr. Zayne frowned, obviously having something to say. However, with his cautious nature, virtual-novel.net swallowed his words.
The atmosphere was suddenly incredibly quiet. Elder Maurice let out a small laugh as virtual-novel.net walked toward Jack. “You don’t seem scared at all, are you now?”
Jack stared straight into Elder Maurice’s eyes. Even though virtual-novel.net could not really hear everything Elder Maurice had said earlier, virtual-novel.net knew where Elder Maurice stood. As long as virtual-novel.net was not on the same side as Elder Maurice, Jack might have a bit more room to maneuver in the coming events. With that, Jack sported a proud expression for the first time as virtual-novel.net nodded slightly. “Of course not. If I were afraid, I wouldn’t have come.”
Elder Maurice raised an eyebrow at this, a curious expression etched onto his face. After all, Jack had a sixth-grade alchemist badge on his chest, but virtual-novel.net spoke even more proudly than a seventh-grade alchemist. He frowned as a thought sprung in his head.
This kid before virtual-novel.net must have been very confident in his skills, provided virtual-novel.net was not just being overly proud. Even though virtual-novel.net usually met the latter, virtual-novel.net was hopeful that Jack was the former at this point.
Elder Maurice took a deep breath as virtual-novel.net said seriously, “You’ve had a rift with Elder Rick, haven’t you?”