章 24: Let's Get This B*tch Out Of The Guild
The guild's training hall buzzed with energy as Ironstride's members honed their skills for the challenges ahead. The clang of weapons and bursts of quirks filled the air, mingling with the smell of sweat, oil, and faint traces of mana. Felix lingered near the edge of the hall, his foxlike smile firmly in place as his sharp crimson eyes flitted across the room.
His presence, subtle yet undeniable, drew glances from every corner of the space. Some were curious, others admiring. Felix didn't need to say much to command attention; his looks, his aura, and his mysterious rise within Ironstride were enough to make him a topic of whispered conversations. But not all eyes held admiration—some burned with something far more hostile.
Kara "Steelclaw" Morgan stood near the sparring ring, her wiry frame taut with tension. She was a fighter through and through, her body hardened from years of battle and rigorous training. Her combat suit hugged her lean figure, every movement radiating sharp efficiency. Her quirk-enhanced claws—wicked metal extensions seamlessly fused to her fingers—glinted under the fluorescent lights as she methodically ran a whetstone over them, the rhythmic scraping sound a testament to her precision. Kara was known for being ruthless, sharp-tongued, and fiercely territorial. Her aggressive nature had earned her both respect and fear in the guild, particularly among the lower ranks who often bore the brunt of her temper.
But today, her focus wasn't on her weaponry or her usual sparring partners. It was on Felix.
"He's turning this place into a damn joke," Kara muttered under her breath, her tone acidic. She didn't bother lowering her voice too much—she wanted her disdain to linger in the air. Her claws paused mid-stroke as she narrowed her eyes at Felix, who stood too far away to hear but close enough for her glare to carry intent.
Standing beside her was one of her lackeys, a younger fighter named Darren who had attached himself to Kara in the hope of learning from her. His wiry frame and eager-to-please demeanor made him the perfect yes-man for her outbursts. He followed her gaze, his brow furrowing slightly. "I mean, he's been pretty useful. Victoria trusts him, and he's—"
"Shut up." Kara's claws snapped into place with a metallic click, the sound sharp and deliberate, cutting off Darren's words. The poor lackey stiffened, his mouth snapping shut as he gave her a nervous glance.
"Useful?" Kara repeated, her tone dripping with venom. "That pretty little parasite hasn't lifted a damn finger in a real fight since he got here. You call that useful?"
"Well, I just meant—" Darren stammered, but Kara didn't let him finish.
"I've seen his type before," she sneered, her voice low but charged with frustration. "Think they can flutter their eyelashes and worm their way into power without earning a single thing. And Victoria? She's letting him get away with it. How long before he undermines everything we've worked for?"
Darren hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. "I don't think it's that bad. He's helped with strategy, and, uh, people seem to like him..."
Kara let out a sharp laugh, the sound devoid of humor. "Of course they do. Look at him." Her tone dripped with disdain as her gaze raked over Felix's lithe frame and androgynously beautiful face. "He's too damn pretty for his own good. That's all they see—a pretty face. But I see through him. No strength, no real skill, no backbone. He's just a leech."
The whetstone resumed its scraping against her claws, the sound harsher now, almost grating. Kara's words were sharper still, each one laced with the bitterness of someone who felt overlooked.
"It's pathetic," she muttered. "Victoria's supposed to be leading us, and instead, she's letting that... that thing lead her around by the nose. It's disgusting."
Darren shifted uncomfortably again, glancing between Kara and Felix. It wasn't the first time Kara had vented her frustrations, but this felt different. There was a sharper edge to her words today, a deeper anger that simmered beneath the surface.
"Kara," Darren began cautiously, "maybe it's not worth getting worked up over. If Victoria sees something in him, maybe he's not—"
"I said shut up," she snapped, cutting him off again. Her claws scraped the whetstone one final time before she slammed it onto the bench beside her, the loud clang making Darren flinch.
Kara's anger wasn't born out of nowhere. She had been one of Ironstride's most reliable fighters for years, clawing her way up the ranks—sometimes literally. Every victory, every drop of blood shed, every scar on her body was a testament to her dedication. And yet, despite all of that, her status within the guild had stagnated. She was respected, sure, but never feared in the way she wanted to be.
And then Felix had arrived.
With his sharp crimson eyes, his unnervingly calm demeanor, and his too-perfect face, he had swept into Ironstride like a gust of wind, effortlessly drawing attention and favor. Victoria's obvious infatuation with him only made it worse. It didn't matter that Felix had yet to prove himself in a real fight—his influence was growing, and Kara hated him for it.
But her anger wasn't just about Felix. It was about what he represented: a reminder that charm and cunning could sometimes outweigh brute strength and hard-earned skill. And that terrified Kara more than she cared to admit.
As she watched Felix from across the room, her fingers flexed around the hilts of her claws. Her gaze was a storm of resentment, jealousy, and something darker—a need to reassert her place in the guild.
"Someone needs to remind him who really runs this place," Kara muttered under her breath. Darren wisely stayed silent, his expression tense.
Her mind was already made up. Felix needed to be put in his place. And if Victoria wasn't going to do it, Kara would.
+
Felix, oblivious to none of this, pretended to admire the sparring matches from a distance. His crimson eyes flitted from one fighter to the next, cataloging quirks, patterns, and weaknesses. But even as he feigned detachment, he could feel Kara's hostility boring into him.
"Felix," a sharp voice called.
He turned just in time to see Kara stalking toward him, her claws flexing with barely concealed menace. The entire training hall seemed to pause, fighters lowering their weapons and turning to watch the confrontation.
"Kara," Felix greeted her with his usual calm smile, tilting his head slightly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Cut the crap," Kara snapped, stopping just a few feet away from him. Her voice was loud enough to carry across the room. "We all know what you're doing here. Acting all sweet and innocent while you worm your way into Victoria's good graces."
The murmurs started almost immediately, a ripple of curiosity spreading through the onlookers. Felix's smile didn't falter, though he could feel the weight of every gaze on him.
"I wasn't aware my presence was causing such a stir," he said lightly, his tone laced with just enough charm to make it sound sincere.
Kara snorted. "Don't play dumb. You're such a manipulative little leech, hiding behind your looks and Victoria's protection. But I see through you."
Felix clasped his hands behind his back, tilting his head as if considering her words. "It sounds like you've given this a lot of thought. I'm flattered, really."
That earned him a growl of frustration. Kara took a step closer, her claws glinting menacingly. "You think this is funny? You're nothing, Felix. No strength, no skill, no quirk worth a damn. You're just a pretty boy who got lucky."
The crowd's murmurs grew louder, some whispering in agreement, others simply eager for drama. Felix, however, remained unfazed. His crimson eyes met Kara's with a calm intensity that only seemed to fuel her anger.
"Well," he said softly, "I suppose we're all entitled to our opinions."
Kara's smirk widened, mistaking his response for submission. "That's right. And maybe it's time someone put you in your place."
The challenge hung in the air, thick with tension. Felix could see the anticipation in the crowd's faces, the way they leaned forward slightly, eager for a spectacle. And for a brief moment, he considered letting Kara have her victory. Let her humiliate him, let her feel the rush of power.
But only for now.
+
"Go ahead," Felix said, his voice smooth and even. "Put me in my place."
Kara blinked, caught off guard by his sudden willingness. The crowd shifted, the murmurs turning into quiet gasps.
"You serious?" Kara asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Why not?" Felix said with a shrug. "If it'll make you feel better, I'm happy to oblige."
The mockery in his tone was subtle but unmistakable, and it only made Kara angrier. She stepped closer, her claws inches from his face now. "You're playing a dangerous game, Felix."
"Am I?" His smile didn't waver.
For a moment, it looked like Kara might strike him then and there, but she stopped short, perhaps realizing the optics of attacking someone so publicly. Instead, she sneered and stepped back. "You're not worth it."
Turning to the crowd, she raised her voice. "This is the guy Victoria's staking our future on? A spineless, silver-tongued coward? If that's the kind of leadership we're headed for, then we're screwed."
Felix said nothing, letting her words hang in the air. He didn't need to respond. The damage she'd done to her own reputation was already clear. A few of the onlookers exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions uncertain. Kara might have been a formidable fighter, but her outburst had revealed a pettiness that many found unappealing.
+
As the crowd began to disperse, Felix turned and walked toward the exit, his steps unhurried. Kara's laughter followed him, sharp and mocking, but he didn't look back.
"Enjoy your little victories while they last," he murmured under his breath, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
The system pinged softly, the notification hovering in his vision.
System Notification:
New Quest Initiated: Neutralize Kara's Threat
Reputation Points: -5 (Rumors spread by Kara)
Quest Update: Gather Evidence Against Kara
Felix's smile widened slightly as he left the training hall. Kara had just declared war, and she didn't even know it. "Let's see how long you last, Steelclaw."
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