"How childish," Nahir glowered at Kyran's suggestion.
Kyran raised his brows and smiled as he leaned back on his chair and said, "Scared?"
Nahir's eyes narrowed. He stayed silent for a few seconds before saying, "I don't have time to play around with kids."
"You think this is a simple game?"
"What else?"
"You haven't even heard what the bet is about."
"Then let's hear it."
"You agree then?"
"I did not say that."
"Then what's the point," Kyran shrugged and rubbed his nose. "Such a disappointment. The one everyone revered is actually scared to bet with a kid."
Azikh and Gidan could not help but look at each other. They wanted to stop Kyran from provoking Nahir. But they also wanted to see what the younger man was up to.
They knew Kyran acted like this because of Nahir's treatment of Cyneah, which both older men did not approve of. Honestly, this was not the first time Nahir showed dominance over Cyneah. Before, Gidan could still step in and remind Nahir to respect the Saint. But after becoming her fiancé, Gidan could no longer say anything.
Only the Abbot could speak up for Cyneah because she would never retaliate. Today was the first time they had seen her speak up against Nahir, and they knew it was all because of Kyran.
Azikh and Gidan initially thought that Nahir, being older than Kyran, would be the better person and avoid conflict with the younger man. They did not expect that a simple provocation from Kyran would trigger Nahir.
"Fine," Nahir said through gritted teeth. "Since it is a bet, we will have a wager."
"Of course."
"Then, let's hear your idea first."
"It's quite simple. Since you said I'm only confusing your people with what I teach them, how about doing a mock battle? Five against five. You pick five people representing the 'old' ideas, while I pick five representing the things I've taught them. What do you think?"
Azikh and Gidan raised their brows after hearing this. They had thought Kyran would personally challenge Nahir in a fight. Hearing the younger man propose a mock battle involving their fighters surprised them.
Although Kyran used a roundabout and childish way to prove what he had been teaching the Eidums was not pointless, Azikh and Gidan knew this was the only way to convince Nahir.
To be honest, Gidan had reservations when Kyran started teaching them. But after a few days, he realized the benefit of focusing on their strong points. Thus, he did not mind following the younger man's arrangements until the Armakeans attacked them again.
Azikh felt the same. Although he and his team did not participate in most of Kyran's training, they would sit in on the practical knowledge and found his battle knowledge and combat sense enlightening.
Nahir regarded Kyran in silence. Like Azikh and Gidan, he thought Kyran would ask him to fight. Thus, he was taken aback when he proposed a mock battle among his people.
By doing this, Kyran could show the positive result of what he had been teaching the Eidums. If he succeeded, it would prove that Nahir's claims earlier were wrong. However, if he lost, he could also say he needed more time to teach the Eidums to produce results.
"Humph," Nahir sneered and looked at Kyran as if he had seen through his plot. "Alright. Let's discuss the wager then."
"Okay."
"Stay away from my fiancée."
Cyneah took a sharp intake of breath at what Nahir had said. For all she knew, Kyran did not know about Nahir. Or if he did, he probably only thought it was in name only, which was supposed to be the case.
Unfortunately, Nahir had taken his role too seriously, and Cyneah could not say anything about it because she had no choice.
"Alright," Kyran agreed almost at once.
Whether his agreement was a testament to his confidence in winning the bet, they were not sure. To Cyneah, however, his agreeing readily to Nahir's wager was disheartening.
It was as if, Kyran did not care.
Nahir sneered. He felt Kyran's confidence in his answer and could not wait to see his disappointment once he lost.
In any case, Kyran probably thought that he had a better chance at winning by using the five Eidums he took to train in the wilderness for two days. Nahir had already seen through that.
That was right. Nahir was aware of the 'training' the five Eidums went through, resulting in them missing the early part of the assembly. For this reason, he planned to prevent Kyran from using them in the mock battle.
"But if I win," Kyran continued. His eyes suddenly glinted maliciously, "Treat Neah with respect."
"How I treat my fiancée is none of your business."
Kyran did not respond. Nevertheless, he saw Cyneah's complexion pale from Nahir's words. Not to mention, Azikh and Gidan's expressions turned grim.
Obviously, they disapproved of Nahir's treatment of Cyneah. Kyran also guessed this was not the first time the older man had treated her like this, judging from Azikh and Gidan's reactions.
"Let's go," Nahir stood up and left the huddle room.
Azikh and Gidan looked at Kyran. They initially wanted to say something. In the end, they chose not to say it, to show their neutrality in the matter.
Before Kyran stepped out of the room, Cyneah grabbed his sleeves.
He stopped, looked at her, and saw the concern reflected in her mirror-like eyes.
"You should not have provoked him," she told him.
"Are you afraid he'd lose and retaliate?"
Cyneah frowned, "No. Because him losing is already a given."
Kyran raised his brows in surprise. The vote of confidence from her was a little unexpected.
"Then why—."
"Nahir is not usually like this. He is only in a foul mood. Then again, his father was abducted, and he was forced to change his schedule so he could travel here as soon as possible. He is under a lot of pressure."
Kyran frowned, "You don't have to justify his actions. No matter the reason, he has no right to talk to you like that."
"He doesn't normally talk to me like that..."
"Right," Kyran snorted. "Say that more confidently, then I'll believe you."
"Nahir could be unreasonable at times. Once he loses, he won't stop until he defeats you."
"I'd say bring it on. I don't mind teaching him a lesson myself, but I don't want him to lose face in front of his people. To be honest, I am doing him a favor by suggesting a mock battle among the Eidums."
"I know that. Which is why I said he will not stop."
"What are you two whispering about?" Nahir suddenly appeared at the door.
When he did not see Cyneah and Kyran come out of the room, he immediately turned back to check on them. He initially wanted to hear what they were talking about, but he was surprised to hear them talk in a different language.
He was pretty knowledgeable in several languages. Yet he did not understand what they were saying. It made him remember Kyran calling him something a while ago, but he did not understand it.
Nahir looked at them with furrowed brows. He knew Cyneah had a secret that only his father was aware of. He had tried to ask his father about it, but the old man refused to say anything. To be honest, he had thought that now that they were betrothed, his father would tell him Cyneah's secret.
He was wrong.
"Nothing," Cyneah replied, letting go of Kyran's sleeve. She then left the room and followed Azikh and Gidan.
The two men were also outside, waiting for them.
Nahir looked at Kyran with unmasked hatred. He walked over to him and leaned slightly.
Nahir was tall himself. Nevertheless, he found Kyran's height also intimidating.
"Don't get any funny ideas," he whispered to Kyran. "Although you said that my father had asked your help. I don't believe you. My father is a proud man. He would never ask someone with a questionable background for help. Besides, I found your arrival to be too coincidental."
Kyran did not respond. He did not even show any reaction to the older man's provocation.
"I know you are up to something. And that involves Sisi. I will unmask you in front of her and everyone else."
Kyran tilted his head after hearing that. He found Nahir's words ironic because he was indeed wearing a mask.
"Go ahead," he replied. "But I don't think you can handle the consequences when that happens."
"So you admit you are up to something."
"I don't plan on hiding it," Kyran replied with a shrug. He smiled and added, "I can even tell you what it is. You only need to say the magic words."
Nahir stepped back and glowered at him, "Don't mess with me, kid. I'll wipe that smirk off your face in a while."
With that, he turned and left.
Kyran followed suit.
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