Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

"It's just noodles," he remarked, wiping away the hot broth from his back. A few students exchanged impressed glances, surprised by Zhou's composed demeanor.

Seemingly magnanimous, Zhou even smiled at the apologetic student. "No harm done. Just be more careful next time."

Relieved, the student mumbled an apology and quickly retreated, leaving Zhou to continue his meal with an air of superiority. However, as the student walked away, a devilish smirk spread across Zhou's face, revealing a side not everyone expected.

Without warning, Zhou delivered a swift and unexpected kick to the passing student's groin. The cafeteria fell into stunned silence as the unfortunate student crumpled to the floor in pain. Zhou, standing over him with a provocative look, locked eyes with Caleb from across the room.

It was a calculated move, a display of dominance that sent a clear message. Zhou reveled in the shocked expressions of his peers, relishing the chaos he had orchestrated. The cafeteria, once a mere witness to the feud, now became the stage for Zhou's theatrical provocations, leaving the students to ponder the depths of his cunning and the lengths he was willing to go to assert his dominance over Caleb.

'What a scum.'

Caleb shook his head. Such a character. It's too childish. Not even considered a minor villain. More like a hoodlum. Zhou isn't qualified to be his enemy. He hasn't even reached 5% of Michael's danger level.

After the cafeteria spectacle, the students slowly dispersed, each returning to their respective rooms. The tension lingered in the air, and whispers of the cafeteria incident echoed through the hallways.

As the evening settled in, the high school president, Fujitor, took the stage, announcing over the intercom that the teachers wouldn't be attending the evening session. Instead, he revealed that the teachers had assigned specific tasks to the class presidents.

"The upcoming month will be crucial for all of you," Fujitor began, his voice commanding attention. "We have several important events lined up, and it's time for you to prove your abilities as genetic warriors."

He went on to unveil the tasks that each class president would announce. Mei, as the class president of Caleb's class, took the floor.

"Attention, everyone. Our class has been assigned the Elite Trial, scheduled one month from today," Mei declared, her tone authoritative. "It's an opportunity to showcase your strengths and potential. Prepare yourselves for the challenges that lie ahead."

Caleb, sitting nonchalantly in his room, listened to Mei's announcement. The information didn't faze him; after all, he had faced numerous trials in different worlds. The Elite Trial was just another hurdle to overcome.

But Mei continued, "Additionally, we have a class trip planned to the Forest of Orcs. It's an excellent chance to test your combat skills and learn more about the diversity of demon beasts. Be sure to be prepared for whatever you might encounter."

The students received the news with mixed reactions. Some were excited about the upcoming challenges and eager to prove themselves. Others, like Caleb, remained indifferent, viewing it as just another step in their genetic warrior journey.

Fujitor's voice returned over the intercom, revealing more tasks for the other classes. "Incoming Demon Beast Tide on December. Prepare for a large-scale battle to protect the school. It's a chance to gain real combat experience and prove your worth as defenders of humanity."

The gravity of the situation sank in as the students absorbed the information. December would bring not only the Demon Beast Tide but also the culmination of their preparations.

In the aftermath of Mei's announcement about the upcoming challenges, the students buzzed with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The news had injected a surge of energy into the atmosphere, and conversations echoed through the hallways as students gathered in small groups.

"I can't believe we're going to the Forest of Orcs! It's going to be so thrilling," exclaimed one enthusiastic student, eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Think about all the powerful demon beasts we might encounter. This is our chance to prove ourselves!"

Others, however, were not as thrilled. Some wore expressions of concern, exchanging worried glances with their peers. The prospect of facing powerful demon beasts, especially in the untamed environment of the Forest of Orcs, sent shivers down their spines.

"I heard the Forest of Orcs is no joke. Those demon beasts are no pushovers. What if we encounter something we can't handle?" voiced a more cautious student, frowning at the thought. Discover stories at empire

Caleb observed the various reactions from his room, leaning back with his arms crossed. He could sense the diverse range of emotions circulating among his classmates.

A small group of friends huddled together, animatedly discussing strategies and potential challenges. "We've got a month to prepare. Let's focus on strengthening our abilities. We can't afford to be unprepared," one of them suggested, the determination evident in their eyes.

On the flip side, another group seemed less enthusiastic. "A whole month of training? I was hoping for a break. Now we'll have to spend every waking moment honing our skills. Ugh," grumbled a student, shoulders slumping in mock exhaustion.

Mei, having overheard various conversations, approached Caleb. "Adam, aren't you excited about the upcoming challenges? It's a chance for us to prove ourselves and showcase our strengths."

"Elite trial and trip to the Forest of Orc..." Caleb gave her a nonchalant smile. "It's all part of the package, Mei. I'm always ready for whatever comes our way."

Some students, inspired by Caleb's seemingly relaxed attitude, adopted a more optimistic perspective. "If Adam isn't worried, why should we be? Let's face these challenges head-on and come out stronger," declared an optimistic voice, rallying others around.

Zhou, with an air of arrogance and a sly smirk, couldn't resist making snarky comments about Adam as the news of the upcoming challenges spread through the student body.

"Adam, huh? The way he acts all nonchalant, pretending like he's got it all figured out. It's amusing," Zhou remarked with a disdainful chuckle. "He's just a weakling trying to play it cool. Let's see how long he keeps up the act when we're out there facing real challenges."

His words, dripping with sarcasm, garnered a few nods from those who held reservations about Adam's seemingly carefree attitude. Zhou, reveling in the attention, continued to sow seeds of doubt and resentment, painting Adam as nothing more than a pretentious figure.

"He probably doesn't even have the guts to handle the Forest of Orcs. You watch; he'll crack under the pressure. A weakling like him won't last long out there," Zhou added, ensuring his comments reached the ears of those who had started to pay attention to the upcoming trials.

As Zhou walked away, leaving a trail of snide remarks behind him, some students nodded in agreement, while others exchanged uncertain glances. Adam, in his room, remained unfazed by the comments. His nonchalant demeanor seemed to irk Zhou even more.

As Zhou's snarky comments echoed in the air, Caleb, observing from a distance, couldn't help but think, 'No response is the best response.' It wasn't just a casual notion; it was a strategy born out of experience and wisdom.

Caleb understood the power of silence, especially in the face of provocation. Responding to Zhou's taunts would only fuel the fire, giving him the satisfaction of a reaction. By choosing not to engage, Caleb aimed to maintain the high ground, refusing to let the negativity affect him.

In his past experiences, Caleb had learned that responding to petty comments often led to unnecessary conflicts. It wasn't a sign of weakness but rather a deliberate choice to conserve energy for more significant battles. Engaging in verbal sparring with Zhou would only divert his focus from the challenges that truly mattered – the upcoming trials, the Forest of Orcs, and the impending Demon Beast Tide.

"No response is the best response," Caleb repeated in his mind. It was a mantra that helped him navigate through the complexities of social dynamics. By staying silent, he preserved his mental fortitude, allowing his actions and achievements to speak louder than any words ever could.

Furthermore, he knew that Zhou's provocations were nothing more than attempts to rattle him, to disrupt his calm facade. Caleb, being well-versed in the art of composure, understood that maintaining his cool and not succumbing to petty conflicts was a mark of true strength. So, he chose the path of silence, letting Zhou's words fade away into the background noise of the bustling high school life.