Creation Of All Things-Chapter 97: Another Bastard About To Die

"Well, now I know the second reason I never even thought about going to college," Adam said, arms folded behind his head, walking like he had all the time in the world.

Joshua glanced at him. "And the first reason?"

Adam opened his mouth—

"Taking care of his siblings," Aurora cut in, her face still completely blank.

Adam and Joshua both turned to her.

"What?" she said, blinking. "That's what he was going to say."

Adam just shrugged. "Yeah, pretty much." And with that, he kept walking, completely unbothered.

Joshua sighed, shaking his head. "At least let the guy talk, Aurora..."

Aurora didn't respond. She didn't need to. She was right.

Then—

"Wait."

Mael suddenly spoke up, frowning. "What is this 'college' you guys keep talking about?"

The group paused.

Adam turned to him, finally looking properly at the guy. The realization hit him like a delayed punch—

Mael looked human… but he wasn't.

Joshua narrowed his eyes. "You're joking, right?"

Mael tilted his head. "Should I be?"

Aurora blinked, and for the first time, something like mild surprise flickered across her face. "You don't know what college is?"

Mael shook his head. "Nope."

Adam ran a hand through his hair. "Damn... I mean, I guess it makes sense." He gave Mael another once-over. "You look human, but you're obviously not."

Mael folded his arms. "So what is it, then?"

Joshua exhaled. "It's basically a place humans go to after high school. To study, get degrees, and prepare for their careers."

Mael blinked. "...Sounds like a fancy way of saying 'training grounds' for work."

Adam snorted. "That's... actually not wrong."

Aurora tilted her head slightly. "Except not everyone ends up using what they learned."

Joshua sighed. "Yeah. Some people graduate and still have no idea what they're doing with their lives."

Mael frowned. "Then why go?"

Silence.

Adam and Joshua looked at each other.

Aurora just stared.

"...Huh," Adam muttered, rubbing his chin. "That's actually a damn good question."

Joshua shrugged. "Some people go because they want to. Others go because their parents make them."

"Or because society says they should," Aurora added.

Mael crossed his arms. "That sounds... unnecessary."

Adam grinned. "Welcome to human life, buddy."

Mael just sighed, shaking his head. "Humans are weird."

"Tell me about it," Adam muttered.

Joshua chuckled. "You're literally hanging out with us, so what does that make you?"

Mael thought for a second. Then, with complete seriousness, he said—

"...Tolerant."

Aurora actually let out a small huff of amusement.

Adam grinned. "Damn, you're getting better at this."

Mael just smirked.

As they continued walking, the conversation shifted to something else, but Adam kept stealing glances at Mael.

Yeah, this guy was definitely not human.

As they walked through the academy halls, heading toward the battle arena, Adam kept sneaking glances at Mael.

Yeah, this guy was definitely not human.

Joshua must've been thinking the same thing because he suddenly asked, "Alright, Mael. If you're not human, then what are you?"

Adam smirked. "Yeah, spill. We've been hanging out all this time, and we still don't even know what species you are."

Adam could've just checked his stats and figured out what Mael was in seconds. Heck, even Aurora could've peeked into the future and gotten the answer before he even spoke.

But maybe... they just wanted to hear him say it.

Mael walked ahead of them, hands in his pockets. Then, without looking back, he casually said—

"I'm a Nephilim."

Silence.

Adam and Joshua stopped mid-step. Aurora kept walking, but she did glance back.

"…Wait, hold up," Adam said, holding up a hand. "Like—an actual Nephilim?"

Mael turned his head slightly, eyebrow raised. "Is that a problem?"

Joshua blinked. "Dude, Nephilim are literally part-angel, part-something-else. That's insane."

Adam scratched his head. "I knew you weren't human, but damn. That explains a lot."

Aurora stared at Mael. "What's the other half?"

Mael paused, then smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

Adam narrowed his eyes. "Oh, hell no. Don't try to be mysterious now."

Mael just chuckled. "Maybe I'll tell you after we're done in the arena."

Adam huffed. "Fine, whatever. But when I beat your ass in there, you better tell me."

Joshua scoffed. "You? Beat Mael? Please."

Adam grinned. "I'm feeling generous today. Maybe I'll let him last a few minutes."

Mael smirked, eyes glowing faintly. "You should be worrying about yourself, human."

Adam's grin widened. "Now that's what I like to hear."

Aurora sighed. "This is going to be exhausting."

By now, they had reached the battle arena. The energy in the air was electric, filled with the anticipation of fights about to unfold.

Adam stretched his arms, cracking his neck. "Alright, time to rank up and beat some people senseless."

Joshua adjusted his gloves. "Try not to embarrass yourself."

Aurora, still expressionless, simply said, "Try not to die."

Mael rolled his shoulders, a faint golden aura flickering around him. "Try not to hold back."

Adam laughed. "Oh, I like you."

And with that, they stepped into the arena—ready to wreck some poor souls.

"ADAM DHARK..."

A furious scream echoed across the arena. Adam let out a sigh, already knowing what was coming.

Another poor idiot was about to become his loot.

"I challenge you to a death match!" the voice rang out again, filled with rage.

Adam blinked, confused. He turned to Mael. "Okay, but... what exactly is a death match? I mean, I get that it's a fight to the death, but that's basically what I did to that Krozak guy back then. So why bother calling it a 'death match' when I was gonna kill him anyway?"

Mael scratched his head. "Well... in a normal arena fight, killing is more of an option than a requirement. A death match? That's straight-up official. No surrender, no mercy, no backing out."

Aurora, still as expressionless as ever, added, "Also, it means that if you lose, you die for real. No revivals, no second chances."

Adam sighed again, stretching his arms lazily. "Man, this guy must really want to die, huh?"

He finally turned to see who was dumb enough to call him out.