SHAMAN PROTOCOL
Chapter 78: Merge If You Dare

Chapter 78: Merge If You Dare

Mikel looked around at the other students out of pure curiosity. But since most of them were first-years, and the ones surrounding the smaller student were clearly second-years, no one seemed willing to intervene. Some continued eating, as if nothing was happening at all. Even Tahu just kept chewing, seemingly unbothered.

"Ugh..." the pinned student turned his head, grazing his forehead on the surface of the table.

Much to Mikel’s surprise, even though the student was smaller, outnumbered, and clearly overpowered, he was gritting his teeth and glaring at his bullies.

Through clenched teeth, he spat out, "Guess which finger I’m holding up?"

The second those words left his mouth, the air in the cafeteria grew unnaturally still, like a calm before the storm.

And then, a sudden gust of wind exploded outward from the two students.

Mikel’s eyes widened slightly, his hair fluttering in the wind.

Two massive figures materialized behind the pinned student and the bully. The cafeteria lights didn’t just flicker—they dimmed. It was as if even the electricity didn’t want to get involved.

[Phantom Detected: (2)]

[Analyzing Phantoms... Check details in the system log.]

The two Phantoms—one resembling a bloated knight in black armor rimmed with gold, and the other wearing a damaged silver helm with the lower face exposed—hovered behind their respective wielders. Though their eyes were hidden behind visors, the oppressive pressure between them created a battlefield-like atmosphere.

Students reacted in a variety of ways. Some covered their mouths. Others stared in awe. A few grew tense. Even those who had continued eating now paused mid-bite.

Spirits were one thing.

Phantoms meant war.

"Is that... the Dray Clan’s guardian—the Hound?!" one student whispered, her voice shaking as she stared at the plump, black-armored knight. "But the Hound only bonds with the heir of the Dray Clan, doesn’t it?"

"This is insane..." another murmured. "They’re both Phantom users. Even if the silver one looks cracked and worn out, his aura is making me dizzy."

"Dray Clan and the Lunehart bloodline don’t get along," another student added, adjusting his glasses, which caught the light with a sharp gleam. "Last I heard, the Lunehart heir died a few years ago in a major incident. There was talk of serious conflict between the two clans."

"Ohh, so that’s why a weak-looking first-year has the Silver Knight now."

Mikel heard the whispers, but his eyes remained fixed on the two Phantoms.

Those are Phantoms?!

He couldn’t help but think of Haleth, and his face contorted.

[Master, please refrain from comparing them. If Haleth knew your thoughts, his spiritual morale might plummet.]

The bully, now revealed to be the black knight’s wielder, sneered. He glanced at the Phantom behind the smaller student, growing angrier by the second.

"You think just because you hold him..." He yanked the pinned student upright and, without warning, kicked him.

The smaller boy went flying, sliding across the aisle until his body skidded to a stop near Mikel and Tahu’s table. His shoes bumped against the table legs, making their plates clatter slightly. And behind the student was his worn Silver Knight, catching him from crashing further.

"Tch! You think just because you carry that useless thing you’re some big shot?" the black knight wielder snarled, marching forward. "Let me show you the difference between someone chosen by a clan guardian and some worthless replacement."

As he approached, the Silver Knight gazed down at his wielder.

But then...

"Don’t... ugh—" the student on the floor propped himself up on one arm, eyes still burning with defiance. He looked up at the Silver Knight as if warning him to stay out before shooting the bully a glare."You coward... just because you think—ack!"

Before he could finish, the bully stomped on his side.

"Coward?!" the older student snickered, following it with another stomp. "If anyone here’s a coward, it’s you. Even if you had a higher type Phantom, you’d die before you could use it."

Stomp.

Then again.

And again—until it was no longer a fight, just punishment. The smaller student curled tighter, arms guarding nothing but his pride.

Some students winced. Even with Phantoms summoned, they did nothing. All they did was amplify the pressure in the air.

"Why don’t you merge with him, huh?!" the bully taunted. "Go on—do it! So I can send both of you to hell!"

The Silver Knight Phantom looked down at his bloodied master. The damaged helm exposed a clenched jaw. His eyes, hidden behind shadows, shifted toward the table just beside them, settling on Mikel’s back.

"This is bad," another student nearby whispered. "So the rumors were true, huh?"

"What rumor?" asked his friend.

The first leaned closer, speaking like he was letting someone in on a secret. "I heard the current holder of the Silver Knight can’t merge with his Phantom."

"What? Then what’s the point of showing it off?"

"All bark, no bite..."

The bully kept striking. "You should know when to stay down, huh?! You should know your place!"

As the stomping continued, Mikel and Tahu remained seated. Heads low, faces shadowed.

[...]

"Come on, coward!" the bully roared. "Merge with him! I’ll beat you down without even using spiritual energy!"

The water in Mikel’s glass rippled with each stomp while he stared at it. When it rippled just enough to touch his food, he moved.

Once the next stomp came down, a foot slammed into the space between the bully and the victim, colliding with the raised leg mid-strike.

The bully stumbled back.

He reached for the nearby table, steadying himself. When he looked up, his eyes traced from the student on the floor to the foot now hovering protectively over him.

The fallen student blinked and slowly turned his head, only to see another student still seated beside him. Mikel’s outstretched leg slowly moved back under the table.

Tahu smiled, eyes gleaming with satisfaction, as he observed Mikel’s indifferent expression.

"If you’re going to fight," Mikel said lazily, finally taking a bite of his food, "Do it outside."

He chewed slowly, eyes locked on the bully. "Not in a place where people eat."

The bully studied Mikel for a moment, then scoffed.

"You first-year fool," he growled, straightening and stepping toward their table. "First-years always think they’re—"

But just before he reached them, both Mikel and Tahu stood.

They rose together, tall and unflinching.

The Phantom wielder faltered. His lackeys stepped closer to back him up, but neither Mikel nor Tahu seemed intimidated.

For a second, the bullies’ expressions faltered, not anger, but recognition. They weren’t looking at two students anymore.

They were looking at trouble.

Students all around exchanged glances, whispering and watching.

"This is getting interesting," one student murmured—one of the two who had been watching Mikel earlier. He spat the toothpick from his mouth and smirked, eyes gleaming.

Unbothered by the attention, Mikel cocked his head.

"What?" he asked dryly, eyes fixed on the three. "Want to take it outside?"

"No need for flashy spiritual techniques like you said," Tahu added, cracking his knuckles. "My best friend and I can just use our fists. Even that’s too much for you three. Best friends versus three spirit leeches! Want to test it?"

[Observation logged: Escalation Potential 78%]

The bully’s Phantom twitched, and the cafeteria lights dimmed again—this time, for real. Meanwhile, Mikel’s finger twitched as he suddenly felt his Blood Chain pulse faintly, but meaningfully.

[System Warning: Unauthorized Phantom Merge Detected.]

[System Advice: Consider moving your lunch tray to a non-combat zone.]

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