Atticus felt the eyes of the gods on him as he walked, but that did nothing to pause his movements.
They were baffled, shocked at the scene that had just played out in front of them. But of all the emotions he felt rolling off them, hate was the most predominant.
He’d just embarrassed the shit out of that god, out of the whole group, in fact, and if there was anything Atticus had gotten used to over the past decades of his life since reincarnation, it was that it was never over.
’I need to set an example.’ Now, it had become more than a thought. It was a necessity.
Atticus wasn’t sure what brought about the sudden hostility. People had challenged him since Masner left, insulted him, in fact, but this was the first time they would blatantly try to force a confrontation.
’Could it be him?’ Atticus pondered. He didn’t miss the fact that the most hate and hostility came from the Redflames faction.
The warning Whisker gave him still rang in his head. Of the factions that came to watch the Virelenna, the ones he had to be wary of were the Redflame, Nature, and Abyss. One of them had just entered his radar.
The temperature around Atticus rose as he made his way to class. In his mind, he pondered on how he should proceed with this.
He didn’t have to move far to reach the class, it was in the same building after all.
Soon enough, he reached the west side of the castle, where he caught sight of multiple figures moving through a large double door.
Atticus didn’t miss the shift in the air the moment they saw him approaching. They whispered, some even blatantly pointing at him. Some smirked, some laughed, others shook their heads, looking at him like he was already a goner.
Still, as he reached them, they all parted and allowed him to pass. Atticus didn’t spot any Redflames among the batch of gods gathered outside, but he didn’t let his guard down. The Redflame faction was not his only enemies here, after all.
As Atticus reached the door, he felt the eyes of everyone on him. There was a glint in their eyes he didn’t miss.
’Expectation.’ They were expecting something. Him entering the class, perhaps.
’Something’s waiting for me,’ Atticus realized, but didn’t pause his steps. He pushed the door open and entered the room.
He was met with an expansive hall. It was like any other college classroom, rows of ascending desks and chairs all facing a raised platform at the front. It was filled with numerous gods, all of whom turned towards him the moment he entered.
But Atticus’ eyes weren’t focused on them. The hall was littered with large posters, depicting pictures of him that were the least bit appropriate.
Some had him posing shirtless, others with exaggerated muscles flexed like a caricature, another showed him kneeling before a flaming figure with the words "New Pet of the Redflames?" written boldly across.
One had him in a maid uniform, while another showed a childlike version of him crying in front of the academy gates. Each one more absurd than the last.
All eyes were focused on Atticus. Many stifled their chuckles, others blatantly laughed. The gods of the Redflame faction in particular wore massive smirks, their flames rising as though to signify their dominance.
They waited for a reaction, a response. Would he lose his shit and finally challenge one of them? Or would he cry and run out of the classroom?
Regardless, they waited for the show to happen.
Many felt their wills flare. It was a challenge.
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