Orca Academy, Capital..

The classes were going on as usual. The event from the previous day seemed to have left a lingering effect on the students creating a change in environment.

Some of the students among nobles seemed angry while some seemed to be acting in restraint. Among the commoners, the majority were scared of the consequences but were actually praying for Max's well being.

Cafeteria…

''Damn...I shouldn't have come out after all…" Eren said in anger.

"I told you he didn't seem a good guy….why the hell is he even sitting with us..." Edwards whispered to Mark sitting beside him.

With Grandmaster's help, Edward had managed to get permission for Mark's release. But, Mark refused because of Eren. He had fought by his side and in Max's favor. Mark couldn't just leave him alone after that.

In the end, Edward somehow managed to get both of them out.

"There is no helping it….there is no guarantee that they would have allowed you to act like a witness." Mark replied with a sigh.

They were let off easily after reviewing the situation and their punishment was left for the Academy to decide. Even though they wanted to act as a witness and speak for Max, they weren't allowed to do so.

"I won't forgive those people if they even lay a hand on him…Just why are they even going through all of this? He didn't do anything wrong…." Eren had made Max into his idol. He was the type to hate the Noble Society from his very heart. It was because he didn't have any good memories related to them instead it was more on the opposite side.

"Let's go, it's time for the class…" Mark said as he got up from his seat.

"Do you really need to be that strict, there is still a few minutes left?" Edwards said after looking at the time.

"Teacher's don't say anything to you people, but for us, there are some who wouldn't let it go easily because of difference in our background…." Eren said as he got up from his seat as well.

The trio got up and as they were walking out of the cafeteria, they came across a bunch of familiar faces.

Well, only Edward was the one who personally knew them.

"What's going on?" Edward was asked with a smile which froze as his gaze fell on Janet. He didn't know how to react in this situation..was it even the right thing to be smiling now….not to mention, the two behind were the ones who fought for Max the previous day.

"Nothing, it's the usual..." Elly said as she recognised the two behind Edward. The situation was turning awkward.

"You don't need to be awkward because of me, I will leave…." Janet realised the situation and as she was about to get up, Aria caught her hand.

"When did you become a trouble for us?" She asked with an honest look.

"I know it might not sound convincing, much less do anything to help you….but Max isn't the type to do something like that…" Mark said with a calm look and Edward flinched.

'You kidding me?!! Is this time to be saying these things….' Edwards screamed in his mind as sweat rolled down his forehead in this cold weather.

Janet looked at him, she could feel his honest gaze without any hint of hesitation even though he was speaking for someone else.

She knew about it. Even without the thing about intention to kill or not, everything was done within the rules. If it was someone from the Nobles family who had done this and some other random person got killed, things wouldn't have taken a turn like this.

But….she still couldn't help but feel hate towards these people. She could think logically but it didn't mean that she could change these emotions and feelings. At least it would take a while…..

''I don't think this is the time to be talking, the classes will begin soon…." Aria intervened breaking the odd silence.

Mark looked at the girl and he seemed to have caught on to something as he spoke, "I don't want to intervene. But it's better if you get yourself treated…burning it like that to seal the wound isn't a good idea…."

Aria's face twitched for a second and everyone seemed to be confused.

Lisa who had been sitting against Aria, immediately realized it. Max had told her about it after all. But she seemed to be lost in herself these two days, totally forgetting about looking after Aria.

Everyone looked at Mark and then at Aria.

"What is he talking about?" Elly suddenly asked with her brows knitted together. She had realised it too that Aria seemed to behaving oddly. But when asked, Aria completely denied it replying that nothing was wrong.

"I-I don't know….I think there is a misunderstanding…." Aria replied as her body tensed up.

Elly turned her head towards Mark, planning to ask him about it in detail but before she could do anything Mark screamed, "Eren!"

"I am on it!"

Eren clasped his hands and water conjured above him, consuming the people around.

Before anyone else could understand what was going, a loud noise rang almost blasting off everyone's eardrum and sending everything flying around and shaking the cafeteria to it's core.

The students sitting on the chair were thrown aside and the dishes went flying around hitting students.

When the situation finally calmed down, Eren finally released the water barrier which had trapped quite a number of people inside.

"What's going on, earthquake?"

"It's more like some explosive?"

"Is the Academy under attack?"

The students began to panic, there were quite a few injuries but no one seemed to be majorly hurt. It was a good thing that the structure managed to hold up.

"What the heck was it?" Eren said as he pushed his drenched hair up.

Mark got up onto his feet and the water on his body began to evaporate.

"Where are you going in this situation?" Edward caught him by his shoulder. It was dangerous to go out without knowing what was happening. It was better to wait for an announcement.

"The Academy structure is strong and hence withstood it. We can't say the same for the people outside….." Mark shook his hand and moved ahead.

"Help me stop him…" Edward turned to Eren for help knowing very well that he couldn't do it himself.

"Isn't this the time for you nobles to step up? That's why I hate you people, when the time comes you are the first one to run away."

"Good, you are marked in my trash list. Be sure not to act mighty in front of me from next time….I will kick your ass.." Eren further said with a smile before walking after Mark.

'Sigh! These two will make me mad…' Edward stomped his feet before bolting towards them.

….

On the other side….

Max had entered the Recycling district, it was a huge place with mountains of garbage piling around. He didn't know where exactly he had to go but if he had to guess, it could only be one place. There was only one but huge factory which processed this garbage while the rest of the District was just a huge dumping ground. Calling it a mini garbage city wouldn't be a big deal at all.

Max had been feeling odd for some reason from a little while ago. It was a bad feeling as if someone was calling for help and it seemed to be getting stronger with each passing second.

'Hmmn?'

Suddenly, Max frowned. He could hear Sera crying. They shared a connection after all and were well aware about each other's condition.

'What's wrong Sera?'

'Is everything fine you guys?'

Everyone had surrounded Sera in the spirit world. They were all shocked when she started crying suddenly and no matter what they did to cheer her up, she wouldn't stop…

'Sera, I am here…' Max made sure that those words would reach her in the way he wanted them to.

'It's in pain...tormenting…..save him….Max…' Sera's desperate cry entered Max's ear.

Max seemed to have realised the meaning behind her wordsand his face started to turn grim, ''The Ancient Families…..so it has to turn out this way after all…..''

"Zmmn!"

Max suddenly came to a halt and his spear flew out of the spirit world right into his hands as he knocked into the incoming black crescent wind blade.

"Clang!"

The impact shatter blade and sent out of wind all around blowing the trash all around.

"So, it was you after all…" Max said with a dark face as he looked at the guy standing behind the half sliced pile of garbage.

"Hmmmn….you didn't seem to be surprised at all….did this thing tell you somehow?" Bayu looked at the scythe in his hand. He had followed after the weapons instinct and had ended up meeting Max.

"This thing is indeed alive isn't it?" Bayu asked with a calm look. He had been fascinated with it the very first moment he had touched it. He had felt something which no one else did. There was something beyond this….

"She doesn't belong to you…..don't go forcing yourself onto someone else just because you can't find someone…this is not a gentle man's way." Max said with a calm tone.

With such a close distance, if he still couldn't hear that miserable voice emanating out of that spirit shell, then he might as well cut off his ears.

"So it is like after all, I will make her mine then…." Bayu said with a smile.

"Don't be so sure, we still don't know if you are leaving alive or not…" Max said with an indifference in his eyes.