Chapter 418: Isaac’s Jarring Confidence
“True. We do think and feel differently...” Peimar sighed, considering Treeda’s offer.
Toseko chimed in, “I’m willing to bet on any of those things, but I’m most interested in who will be semifinalists and the ultimate winner.”
“I’ll join either of those bets as well,” Warak commented.
Sighing, Isla joined the discussion, “I’m also willing to join either of those two bets...”
“As am I,” Inka chuckled, taking out a scroll. “Should we present the scrolls, or do Peimar and Isaac need more time to think about it?”
“I’ll join the bet,” Peimar replied, taking out a scroll without any more hesitation. “But which will we bet on?”
“Why not both?” Toseko chuckled, stealing their attention. “And we can even add a new bet. Who wants to bet on the life of my candidate? Will he live or die?”
.....
“I won’t make such a bet. He’s too strong for our candidates to kill, especially given how little is known about Hathal,” stated Peimar.
“I’ll bet that he dies.”
All prefecture lords were floored. Suddenly hearing that confident, unflinching tone from Isaac was more than enough to steal their attention away.
Isaac repeated himself before anyone could question him, “I’m willing to bet that he dies. And it will be at the hands of that fox girl. I’ll bet my strongest battle art, Sundering Flame, a dual battle art for fire and wind.”
Warak was the first to turn to Treeda, who was also speechless.
“Since she’s no longer my candidate, I see no reason to hide my true evaluation of her,” continued Isaac. “If anyone wants to bet against me, then by all means.”
Furious yet silent, Isla clenched her fists. Telepathically, she scolded her brother, ‘You think the fox is strong enough to kill the private candidate, yet you didn’t warn me about betting against her fellow pupils?!’
‘Sorry. But business is business. Such is the life of prefecture lords. But you should know that better than me, given that you’ve been holding the position longer than me,’ retorted Isaac, not holding back.
“Before I bet against Isaac,” Peimar asked, “what will we put forward if we’re making multiple bets?”
Toseko suggested, “How about something of equal value? It could be a weapon or item. It could be another cultivation technique or battle art. I don’t mind, so long as it’s something of equal value.”
Peimar nodded and took out two scrolls. “Then, this here is one of my clan’s old techniques, a mid-king grade, along with our Lightning Barrage Art, also a mid-king grade. I’ll bet the art against Isaac, that Hathal will not be killed by anyone. And the technique will go to whatever bet we all decide on.”
A pause hung in the air while everyone turned to Treeda. They all wanted to hear what she would say regarding the new bet involving her new perfect candidate.
“I... I’ll wait to reply to that bet till after the original bet is decided,” stated Treeda, delaying her response. “Are we betting on the finalists or the semifinalists?”
With a change of thought thanks to Isaac’s sudden bet, Isla stated, “I want to bet on the semifinalists.”
“As do I,” Warak added.
“Then let’s do that. Treeda, you’re betting that you’ll have two candidates in the top four?” Toseko clarified, getting a nod in response. “Well, as much as I’m impressed with your many candidates, I don’t quite believe that will happen. Unless, perhaps, you’re willing to try and convince me...”
“I’ll bet that each prefecture will have a candidate in the top four, alongside the private candidate,” Peimar declared. “For that, I’ll put forward my clan’s old cultivation technique.”
“I’ll bet... that Treeda has two semifinalists.”
Hurt by the statement, Peimar questioned, “Am I wrong to assume that you, Warak, believe that I’ll be left without a semifinalist??”
Nodding, Warak replied, “That’s right. I’ll bet my battle art on Treeda having two candidates.”
“Interesting... So you think the vanishing swordsman will defeat the mighty Thunderbird with a king bloodline, the grandson of a prefecture lord?” Toseko specifically asked.
Nodding much slower, Warak repeated, “... That’s right.”
‘Did I guess correctly?’ Warak chuckled telepathically.
Treeda chuckled as well, ‘Good question. We’ll see soon enough.’
Toseko summarized the bet for everyone, “So, we have two betting on Treeda kicking Peimar out of the semifinals and two betting that everyone will have someone. What do you other three think?”
“I’ll bet the same as Treeda,” Inka stated, passing the god her scroll. “That’s a rare nature battle art. It’s only low-king grade, but it’s an offensive nature art. I believe that’s of equal value.”
Nodding, Toseko agreed, “Yes, it’s rare enough to count. Isaac? What do you have to say with your sudden boost of confidence?”
“... I’m not sure. I’m only certain about the fox, not the candidates I didn’t test personally.”
Startled, Isla had to ask her brother, ‘What makes you think that the fox can kill the private candidate?’
‘... I tested her personally and told her to kill me before revealing who I was. In seconds, she had recognized me as a king stronger than any king she’d met previously. And, in the end, I underestimated her and she landed an attack on me, cutting through the robes at my side,’ Isaac telepathically explained. ‘Had she been a perennial with divine essence, like her capable teacher, then she would’ve dealt me a serious injury.’
Isla said nothing more to Isaac. She was too hung up on the details to ask for more. “... I’ll join Isaac and bet on the fox girl killing the private candidate.”
“Are you sure?” Peimar half-laughed. “Isaac’s been on a downward spiral, so I wouldn’t trust him.”
“He’s still my brother... And I’ll trust his gut feeling, since that gut kept him from betting against me earlier,” retorted Isla, taking out a scroll. “This is my Molten Fist Art, mid-king grade.”
Warak shook his head, struggling to decide. “I... won’t participate in the second bet. I don’t know what to fully expect from either the fox girl or Hathal. And, the fox girl still has to defeat my granddaughter to get that chance to fight.”
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