"Hold your handkerchief tightly, or else the palm print on your face won't disappear for at least a day."

Collins took the handkerchief and applied the icy solution to his face. The burning pain intensified, causing his expression to contort.

Achilles knew that the pain on Collins' face was only a minor aspect; what truly caused his facial twitching was his sister's actions just now.

"What did I do wrong?"

Collins's tone carried a hint of resentment. Achilles knew that Collins had received a good education, but even with such a good upbringing, it wasn't surprising to hear his angry rejection in his tone.

Everyone has their limits.

At this moment, Achilles should stand by Collins' side and berate his sister for her lack of manners. Should he repay kindness with enmity?

No...

"You shouldn't negate your sister's efforts."

"But I didn't. I'm only doing what's best for Inkmoon."

"But what you think is best may not be what your sister wants."

Achilles placed his palm on Collins' shoulder, leaning in closer, and the strong scent of a young girl filled Collins' nostrils. The overly ambiguous distance exceeded the boundaries of friendship, causing Collins to push away from Achilles, trying to create distance between them.

"Actually, do you know, Junior Brother?"

"I've always... disliked you."

Collins opened his mouth, his shy expression fading away, replaced by more confusion. His face revealed complete bewilderment.

Achilles's gaze softened, but the eyes he looked through were not those of a human, but of a being far inferior, a creature that could not be compared to his own class.

In Achilles's eyes, Collins was nothing more than an inhuman monster.

"Do you know how much effort I put in to become the top student in the academy? Do you know what kind of determination a nobody like me needs in order to suppress those from influential families, the inheritors of powerful bloodlines?"

There were too many instances of hesitation and difficulties in Achilles's memory. For the sake of an alchemical material, he could eat only one bowl of instant noodles every day for a week. In order to remember every word from his mentor, Achilles's notes had filled his entire room.

This woman, who had nothing apart from herself, had put in more effort to succeed than anyone else.

But Achilles never cared about how much he gave, endured hardship, and believed in the saying "God helps those who help themselves."

"And now, you've taken away my position as the top student as soon as you arrived. You should know what kind of honor being the top brings to a student. It's not just about fame; more importantly, it's the school's investment in the top student."

A melancholic tone carried with it a deep sense of oppression. Achilles's tone was originally extremely cold and jealous, but he didn't want to show that emotion and could only use an overly gentle tone to converse with Collins.

"After becoming the top student, life has become much easier. I no longer have to work until I'm dizzy for one or two pieces of magical material, nor do I have to fight with those students from influential families for access to the laboratory. I have my own laboratory, and I have enough resources."

Collins didn't dare to look into Achilles's eyes.

"If, if you had discussed with me about becoming the top student, that title... wouldn't have mattered to me..."

Achilles's hand printed onto Collins's face, like Inkmoon had done earlier. The resounding slap echoed through the corridor, and Collins raised his head to look at Achilles. Achilles, somewhat surprised, stared at his own hand and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

Achilles shook his head wearily, as if trying to shake something out of his mind.

"That's why... I dislike you, Junior Brother."

"I..."

"No need to explain, Junior Brother. Do you think I would come here just for a few resources, just to keep a top position, and ask you to kindly step aside? Begging you while saying I can't lose this title?"

Collins pressed his lips together.

"I have reached my current position not because I can endure hardship or because of my exceptional talent and ability. It's because I have always believed that I am absolutely no worse than anyone else. As long as I put in enough effort, my achievements will surpass anyone else's.""Even with you, I don't think I'll be any worse off than you. Since you can take away what belongs to me, I can also snatch it back from you."

Faced with Collins' dominance, Akefis definitely did not consider bowing down to Collins. Proud as she was, she would never surrender to Collins.

"But, that's not what you think, right?"