"...?" Simon looked confused when he was suddenly called.
Everyone else also looked confused, except Knox.
He was smiling.
But this time, his smile felt different from usual. It wasn't warm. It felt cold.
"It'll only take a second," Bred said.
Simon turned to face him, still unsure.
"Well, if you've got something to say, let's do it after we cross over," Simon replied calmly.
Silence followed for a brief moment.
Then Knox suddenly laughed.
"Pfft!"
The sound broke the atmosphere, making everyone from both Group 7 and Group 8 turn toward him with questioning looks, clearly wondering what he was doing.
Bred clicked his tongue in irritation and raised his right arm.
Crack!
With a sharp, splintering sound, a nearby tree snapped and fell, dust rising behind him.
"Hey."
Bred's gaze turned sharp and aggressive.
"I won't say it twice. I'm not here as an assistant or anything else. This is just man to man."
No one spoke.
From the way he carried himself, it was obvious he came with a serious grudge.
Simon understood that this was not something he could ignore.
"Alright. Then lead the way."
"Hoo, interesting."
Knox stepped forward and stood beside Simon.
Bred's expression darkened immediately.
"You. Just because you are famous doesn't mean you get to act however you want. Who told you to follow us?"
Knox looked at him with an indifferent expression.
"Nobody. But why should I ask for permission?"
Hearing that, Bred's anger rose instantly.
Bred pressed his fingers against his temples, trying to hold himself back.
"Haaah, kids these days really don't know anything. Back in my time, something like this wouldn't even be imaginable."
Knox let out a small breath and replied without hesitation.
"Heh. Then let me return that to you. Adults these days really are brainless. Getting angry out of nowhere and venting it on students like this. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Simon stepped in calmly.
"Knox is right. If I've done something wrong, please tell me clearly."
The others stayed silent, but their gazes toward Bred were no longer neutral.
They were clearly hostile.
"You little punk. You really want to die?" Bred snapped.
Knox laughed lightly.
"Hahaha. Die? You really are hopeless, aren't you? Do you really think that kind of threat works on someone like me? Just because you're an assistant professor doesn't mean your experience is greater than mine."
Bred paused for a moment.
He could not deny that.
But backing down now was not an option.
His face twisted, and he pointed directly at Simon.
"Who the hell do you think you are, bossing Professor Hong Feng around? What was that? Asking her to teach you survival skills? What a joke. You've completely lost basic respect. Do you think she's your private tutor?"
Hearing that, Cindy and Claudia showed signs of realization.
"I see, so that's the reason..." Claudia muttered.
"But that still doesn't justify this!" Cindy added.
Merida said nothing, but her expression clearly showed displeasure.
Simon responded calmly, still keeping his composure.
"I think it's inappropriate for an assistant professor to interfere in matters between a professor and a student. Of course, I apologize if we caused trouble by making you come out here during the weekend to pick us up."
Crack!
Simon stopped speaking.
A stone that Bred had kicked was now embedded into the tree beside him, leaving a deep dent with faint smoke rising from the impact.
"You think I called you out here to hear that kind of nonsense?"
Bred pointed at Simon.
"You're playing with Professor Hong Feng's feelings."
"...Excuse me?"
"You don't even realize it, do you?"
Bred spat on the ground.
"You think you can do whatever you want just because you got in through Special Entry No. 1? I know about the personal apprentice offer. And what have you been doing? Playing with her. Leading her on."
Simon was genuinely confused.
What is this man even talking about?
"You piece of trash. Do you know how kind the professor is? And you're using that kindness like this..."
"There's a misunderstanding."
Simon cut him off.
"It's true that she offered to take me as her direct disciple, but I declined."
Bred's eyes widened.
"You declined?"
"Yes. I refused clearly. The professor respected my decision. She said she was simply curious about my potential, and that I could still come to her anytime as her student. So what you're accusing me of is not true."
Bred stayed silent.
Simon continued.
"When she invited me to her cabin, that was her own decision. I never..."
"Hey."
Bred interrupted again.
"You really expect me to believe that? So you're saying she's putting in effort for nothing? Does that sound realistic to you?"
He hit his chest with a loud thump.
"I've served her for five years. Five years. I know better than anyone what she thinks. And you think you understand her after just a month?"
Simon let out a quiet breath.
This was pointless.
No matter what he said, it would not get through.
"Shut up. I've heard enough of this nonsense," Knox said coldly.
"If you want to fight, then fight. Why are you still talking so much, you damn baldie."
Bred's face turned red instantly.
"Enough! You want a fight too? Fine! I originally only planned to deal with this brat Simon, but now I'll crush both of you arrogant idiots. You damn duo of Special Entry No. 1!"
"Wait, Knox. Can you let me handle him first?" Simon said calmly.
Hearing that, Bred's anger rose even higher.
"You brat! How dare you underestimate me! Just because you're Special Entry No. 1 like him?!" Bred pointed straight at Knox.
Seeing Knox being pointed at like that, Mem puffed up and started stomping in the air like a certain emergency food in Teyvat.
"Mem! Mem!"
Knox completely ignored Bred's shouting. He turned his head toward Simon and replied casually.
"Sure, have fun~"
Bred scoffed, clearly thinking Knox was mocking him, but before he could say anything—
Knox cut him off.
"By the way, Mr. Baldie, are you really sure you want to do this here? What do you think will happen if Professor Hong Feng of yours sees the aftermath~?"
Bred's anger surged again.
He was about to lunge forward—
Then he froze.
Knox's eyes were on him.
For a brief moment, it felt like those crimson eyes flashed.
Bred's entire body stiffened. His breathing became uneven, and a cold sensation ran down his spine as if something far more dangerous than the current situation was staring right through him.
It felt like death was standing right in front of him.
"What's wrong, baldie? Why did you stop?" Knox asked casually, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
Bred forced himself to calm down, steadying his breathing before shifting his gaze away from Knox and toward Simon.
"…Put it on."
He pulled something out from subspace and tossed it toward Simon.
It was a protective suit.
"This isn't the kind used for assessment duels or simulations. This is a high-grade defensive suit."
Simon caught it and looked at it briefly.
"Let's stop talking and settle this properly," Bred continued.
He swung his fist through the air, the movement heavy with intent.
"If you can land even one hit on me before the suit's barrier breaks, I'll drop all of this. I'll give you whatever you want. An apology, compensation, even retirement. Anything."
Simon narrowed his eyes slightly.
"And if I can't land a single hit?"
Bred paused for a moment, then took a deep breath.
"Then accept Professor Hong Feng's offer. Become her direct disciple."
Simon's eyes widened slightly.
That was unexpected.
He had thought Bred was just acting out of jealousy, but it seemed there was something more behind it.
"That's a noble sentiment, I'll admit," Simon said, scratching the side of his head.
"But forcing your opinion on others like this is still low-level behavior, no matter the reason."
He then began putting on the protective suit.
"And besides…"
Simon finished adjusting it.
"I'm not the type to back down from a challenge."
His expression sharpened.
Behind that calm surface, his thoughts were already moving at full speed.
He wasn't just going to accept this.
He was going to turn it around.