I'm The Devil - Chapter 237

Chapter 237: Elandor Vs Bullies

In a secluded part of the forest, hidden away from the prying eyes of the village, a group of five boys gathered under the dense canopy of ancient trees. Their faces were twisted in expressions of envy and bitterness as they huddled together, whispering conspiratorially.

“I can’t believe it,” muttered Jareth, the oldest and most resentful of the group. His brow furrowed deeply, and his voice carried a weight of frustration that resonated with the others. “Elandor, that useless fool, now he’s becoming something more? It’s not fair!”

“He was always below us,” sneered Darius, his voice dripping with disdain. He crossed his arms over his chest, glaring off into the distance as if trying to ignore the reality that Elandor had surpassed them. “We were at least adept enough to attempt the trials. But him? He was too pathetic even for that.”

The other boys nodded in agreement, their frustration palpable. Each of them had tried to become adept magic practitioners, undergoing the rigorous trials that tested their mana compatibility and control. In the world of magic, mana was the lifeblood of spellcasting, and those with low compatibility struggled to channel enough energy to perform even basic spells.

“You know why he’s suddenly ahead of us, right?” said Roderick, his voice low and bitter. He kicked at a stray root with frustration, his fists clenched at his sides. “It’s because he’s an anomaly. He’s got some hidden well of talent that none of us knew about.”

“But it doesn’t matter,” interjected Kael, the youngest of the group but perhaps the most cunning. His eyes glittered with a mix of envy and determination. “What matters is what we do now. He’s up there, probably thinking he’s better than us. We can’t let him get away with that.”

The boys exchanged glances, their minds already swirling with thoughts of vengeance. They had spent years resenting Elandor for his perceived incompetence, mocking him behind his back and reveling in their own superiority. Now, seeing him rise to a status they could only dream of achieving, their envy turned into a dangerous resolve.

“I say we teach him a lesson,” proposed Thorne, his voice laced with malice. He cracked his knuckles, a habit that betrayed his eagerness for action. “We’ll show him who’s really in charge here. No one’s going to think he’s better than us.”

Jareth nodded firmly. “Agreed. But how? We can’t take him on directly. We need a plan.”

Kael smirked, a devious glint in his eye. “I have an idea. Remember that prank we pulled on the teacher’s pet last year? We could do something similar. Humiliate him in front of everyone.”

The boys leaned in closer, their heads together as they plotted their scheme. They discussed various ideas, from embarrassing pranks to more malicious acts meant to undermine Elandor’s newfound confidence. The plan took shape quickly, fueled by their resentment and desire to put him back in his place.

—

Several days later, on a cool evening as the sun dipped low behind the horizon, the boys put their plan into motion. They had chosen a moment when Elandor would be returning from his training session in the fields outside the village. Hidden among the bushes near the pathway, they waited with anticipation, their hearts pounding with nervous excitement.

“There he is,” whispered Darius, spotting Elandor in the distance. “Get ready.”

As Elandor approached, lost in thought and unaware of the danger lurking nearby, Kael stepped forward with a mischievous grin. He held a small vial in his hand, filled with a concoction meant to cause a harmless but embarrassing effect.

“Hey, Elandor!” Kael called out, his voice intentionally loud to draw attention. “Catch!”

He lobbed the vial towards Elandor, who turned just in time to see it hurtling towards him. Instinctively, Elandor raised his hands to catch it, but the vial shattered upon impact, releasing a burst of glittering powder.

Laughter erupted from the boys as the powder engulfed Elandor, covering him in shimmering, sparkly particles. The effect was immediate and undeniable—Elandor stood frozen, his face turning crimson with embarrassment as the glitter clung to his clothes and hair.

The boys doubled over with laughter, their amusement echoing through the quiet evening air. They pointed and jeered, mocking Elandor openly for his predicament. To them, it was a moment of triumph—a chance to humiliate the boy they had long considered beneath them.

But Elandor didn’t react as they expected. Instead of shrinking back in shame, he sighed deeply, closed his eyes momentarily, and then snapped his fingers. In an instant, a gentle breeze swept through the clearing, carrying away the glittering particles from his body as if they were mere dust in the wind.

The boys gasped collectively, their laughter abruptly cut off. Shock and disbelief etched on their faces as they realized what Elandor had just done.

“How… how did you…” stuttered Roderick, his voice trembling.

Elandor’s eyes, normally calm and serene, now held a piercing intensity that sent a shiver down their spines. “You thought that would embarrass me?” His voice was steady, laced with an edge of quiet menace. “You thought that would put me in my place?”

Thorne, the boldest among them, stepped forward defiantly. “You’re nothing, Elandor. Just a fluke. We’re stronger than you!”

Elandor regarded Thorne with a cold stare. “Strength isn’t just about magic, Thorne. It’s about character and wisdom. You’ve shown neither today.”

With a sudden movement, Elandor raised his hand, and a radiant blue aura enveloped his fingers. Without warning, a burst of wind surged forth, knocking Thorne off his feet and sending him crashing into a nearby tree with a thud. Thorne grunted in pain, clutching his arm where he had hit the trunk.

The other boys stood frozen in shock and fear, their bravado evaporating in an instant. They exchanged panicked glances, realizing they had severely underestimated Elandor’s capabilities.

“You still think you can challenge me?” Elandor’s voice was calm but laced with authority, his eyes glowing faintly with arcane energy. “Or will you finally learn to respect those who are different?”

Jareth, recovering from his initial surprise, clenched his fists, attempting to muster his courage. “You think you can scare us with your magic tricks, Elandor? We won’t back down!”

Elandor sighed softly, shaking his head. “I don’t seek to scare you, Jareth. But if you continue down this path, you leave me no choice.”

Before anyone could react, Elandor raised both hands, palms glowing with an ethereal blue light. With a swift motion, he conjured a swirling vortex of water and wind, spinning it around the group of boys. Leaves and small twigs lifted into the air, dancing within the cyclone’s grasp.

The boys cried out in alarm, struggling against the powerful currents threatening to engulf them. Elandor’s control over the elements was mesmerizing yet terrifying, a stark reminder of his mastery over magic. Caught in the vortex, they stumbled and fell, desperately trying to shield themselves from the relentless assault of wind and water.

Realizing their predicament, Kael yelled, “Stop! Please, Elandor, we’re sorry!”

Elandor’s expression softened slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, the vortex dissipated, leaving the boys gasping for breath amidst the swirling leaves. The forest fell silent once more, the tension palpable in the air.

“You’ve made your point, Elandor,” Roderick said, his voice trembling. “We were wrong to underestimate you.”

Elandor regarded them with a mixture of disappointment and understanding. “I don’t seek vengeance. I seek understanding. Magic is not a tool for dominance or humiliation. It is a gift, one that should be wielded with respect and humility.”

The boys nodded silently, chastened by the encounter. They had sought to tear down someone they perceived as weaker, only to discover the depths of his strength and wisdom. Elandor’s words resonated deeply with them, challenging their preconceived notions and igniting a newfound respect for the art of magic.

But the tension remained palpable. Thorne nursed his bruised arm, while Darius and Jareth exchanged uneasy glances. Kael stood with his head bowed, contemplating the consequences of their actions.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Elandor turned away from the boys, his gaze lingering on the fading light. He knew that their journey towards understanding had just begun, and he hoped that they would one day find their own path to mastery, guided by principles of integrity and compassion.

With a final nod, Elandor disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving behind a profound silence broken only by the whispering breeze and the rustling leaves—a testament to the transformative power of magic and the lessons learned in its pursuit.

—

Days passed in uneasy silence among the boys. The forest, once a place of solace and camaraderie, now echoed with the weight of their actions. Guilt gnawed at their hearts as they grappled with the consequences of their attempt to humiliate Elandor.