Chapter 217 I am three...
William had no interest in clashing with these people, especially under such blatant provocation.
"I still need to cross the bridge and bring someone back. Perhaps you'd like to duel her? She's a young woman too."
The young man sneered, "A woman? I am Tristan, the heir to the Lancaster family. Would I bother fighting a woman?"
William slightly furrowed his brows, unfamiliar with the so-called Lancaster family. He replied, "Our Director Wenzel is also a woman."
"It sounds like you think I'd fear her!" The young man stated proudly, "I simply choose not to exert violence on women."
"In that case, when Director Wenzel awakens, you can try challenging her," William retorted. "I need to fetch someone now."
"Hold on!" The young man suddenly reached out, attempting to grab William.
William deftly dodged his move.
"You're quite reactive!" The young man grinned, "How about I spar with you using the ancient Lancaster family martial arts?"
"Not interested." William turned towards the direction of the bridge.
"You think you can just refuse?" The young man threw a punch, one that encapsulated the essence of his family's martial arts, passed down through generations. Energy surged from within him, transforming his forearm into a roaring lion, charging straight at William.
Even though William wasn't keen on combat, the young man's aggression left him no choice. With a swift movement, he caught the young man's punch.
In an instant, the young man's technique was defused.
"This is bad; his hand must be injured."
In ancient times, the Lancaster family ruled the northwest of England, owning vast lands and commanding numerous subjects.
But they weren't merely military rulers; they were also revered as ancient martial arts inheritors.
Family members underwent rigorous martial training from a young age, mastering a unique fighting style. This martial art, a fusion of ancient English combat skills and elements from Eastern martial arts, was termed "Lancaster Ancient Fist."
"The Lancaster family has preserved an ancient martial art; their skills are exceptional, even hard objects struggle to resist. The proficiency of this young man is truly astonishing."
"If he, at such a young age, can counter the Lancaster family's martial art, his prowess must be on par with Zoey's."
Holding Tristan Lancaster's fist, William smiled and said, "Perhaps you should spar with someone else. I'm too weak."
A storm of disbelief raged within Tristan.
William's move just now seemed unremarkable, and Tristan didn't even feel the presence of energy in William's grip.
Yet, with just a simple squeeze, William had shattered the substantial, raging energy Tristan had mustered. Was this really the strength of a beginner Soulmancer?
Could a novice Soulmancer really effortlessly neutralize the energy lion that Tristan had summoned?
If that were the case, he might as well renounce his title as the heir to the Lancaster family!
"Huh? His hand is unscathed?" Onlookers couldn't help but express their astonishment.
Under normal circumstances, if William had intercepted Tristan's punch, his hand would undoubtedly be dripping with blood. Yet, William's hand appeared completely unharmed.
"It seems Tristan held back."
"After all, this is the Arcane Society. One must give respect to the elder mage, Kyle. Tristan probably didn't use his full strength."
Spectators around them commented, suggesting as if Tristan had intentionally shown mercy at the last crucial moment.
By now, William had pieced together which family Tristan hailed from.
Within the Lancaster lineage, Eldric Lancaster, sometimes referred to as the "Master of Ancient Fist" or the "Lionheart of Lancaster", stood as the most distinguished figure in the family's history. He lived during the Lancaster family's prime era and was regarded as the gold standard of the family, unparalleled by any other.
Not only was Eldric an exceptional ruler, but his martial prowess had also reached the legendary realm.
It's said that he once single-handedly, using the "Lancaster Ancient Fist" technique, defeated five hundred enemy soldiers, defending his family's honor and territory.
However, during Eldric's time, the methods of becoming a Soulmancer had started to wane.
The technique he mastered was called Soulmancy, a powerful but progressively declining art. Its essence was the transformation of energy into form, just like the summoned energy lion.
In truth, William once bore the title of the God of Soulmancy, but that was in ancient times.
Back then, he was legendary, a genuine master of spiritual magic, where his energy flowed like a great river, and a single arc of his energy could span an entire continent.
Wherever his energy arc reached, all creatures would be awed and shaken by its immense power. Even the ancient elites dared not directly face his true strength.
Tristan was at a loss. The Lancaster Ancient Fist technique he used, which transformed energy into the form of a lion, was something he had only recently mastered. But judging by William's demeanor, he indeed seemed to be at the novice Soulmancer level. Could it be that Tristan had employed the technique incorrectly?
It should be impossible for a beginner Soulmancer to shatter the energy lion that Tristan had formed.
That's right! There must have been some mistake on his end.
With quite a thick skin, Tristan waved dismissively and nonchalantly said, "Go fetch your companion. You truly are too weak. I don't feel like fighting you."
William nodded with a smile and once again proceeded onto the rope bridge.
When he returned to the Wizard's Gate side, Alice was still clutching the wooden stake at the edge of the cliff, staring motionlessly at William.
"Don't you know how to move to a safer place?" William was speechless. Had she been so scared that she'd lost her senses? Clearly terrified to the core, she still clung to the stake by the cliff's edge. Wasn't she afraid of falling off?
Seeing William approach, tears streamed from Alice's eyes as she cried out, "My legs... are too weak... I can't stand..."
William could only respond, "Come on, I'll carry you across."
"I can't get up!" Alice clung desperately to the wooden stake. Her tears had stopped, but she refused to let go. How did she resemble a mid-level Soulmancer in this state?
William remarked, "Hurry up! If you don't get up, I'll kick you off."
"..." Alice had just stopped crying, and now she was stunned. Was this really her beloved mentor?
Tears welled up in Alice's eyes as she gazed at William. "I want a hug!"
"Are you a three-year-old?" William quirked an eyebrow. "No hug!"
"I am three..." Alice pouted once more.
"Alright, alright!" William sighed, exasperated. She acted so much like a child, even more tearful than Amy.
Finally mustering enough courage, Alice detached herself from her life-saving wooden stake. As soon as William picked her up, she clung to him like a sloth.
"Can you not grip so tight?"
"No!"
Alice had initially imagined being carried across by William as a romantic gesture, perhaps in a princess-like embrace. However, when she inadvertently glanced down at the rope bridge below, she was too scared to move.
The position wasn't particularly romantic, but she relished the rare opportunity for close contact with her mentor. Even though she could hear the wind rustling and knew that a steep cliff was right beneath William's feet, she firmly believed that as long as she stayed still, they would be safe.
Zoey had been carried across by William, so Alice naturally wanted the same treatment.
All the way across, William didn't entertain any particular thoughts. The strong mountain wind was enough to dissipate Alice's scent, ensuring he wasn't distracted.
Although Alice was a bit nervous, she was also somewhat thrilled. She secretly hoped the rope bridge had no end so no one could snatch her mentor away from her.
"We're here! Time to get down!"
After crossing the bridge, William announced, but Alice clung on, saying, "My legs are still weak; I can't walk."
"Alright then!" William had no choice but to indulge her. After all, he couldn't just throw her down. She was clearly being wilful.
Tristan and his group watched from the side. They had initially hoped to see a rematch between Tristan and anyone William brought back. Still, they hadn't anticipated William returning with a girl in his arms.
Most of these Soulmancers were single, their intense secret training often robbing them of romantic opportunities. These boys were often clueless when it came to romance, making it hard for them to find girlfriends.
At first, they didn't see the significance of it all. But after reflecting on it...
Here was a novice Soulmancer who had previously carried Zoey and now carried another beautiful girl across the rope bridge.
They originally wanted to see William embarrass himself, but it turned out that they became the laughingstock.
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