Chapter 127: Chapter 121: Alexandra
Cass said, "Alright. But with our abilities, the battle could go on for quite some time."
Zeke responded, "Then let’s just choose one aspect to compete in."
Cass hesitated before replying, "But we focus on different things altogether. You’re a magic swordsman, while I’m more of a paladin... sort of. You get what I mean, right?"
Zeke nodded, a sly grin forming on his face. "Then let’s do it this way. We’ll fight using whatever means we can. Whoever makes their opponent’s face touch the ground first wins."
Cass raised an eyebrow. "Any time limit?"
"How about three minutes?" Zeke offered.
Cass thought it over for a moment, then nodded. Both boys stretched, their joints cracking as they prepared. The intensity of their battle lust was almost palpable. They locked eyes, their resolve set.
Simultaneously, their voices echoed, "Go!"
They launched toward each other with explosive speed. Zeke, slightly faster, threw the first punch. His fist crashed into Cass’s chest with a resounding metallic clang. Almost. Cass’s Devic Kavach Kundal activated just in time, dispersing the impact.
But Zeke was relentless. He unleashed a barrage of punches, each strike reverberating like a hammer against steel. The clangs filled the arena, a harsh symphony of combat.
Cass stood firm, mostly unfazed. The Divine Armament did its job well, absorbing the blows. Yet, something felt off. Cass knew Zeke wasn’t the type to waste energy on meaningless attacks. If he was continuing this onslaught, there had to be a reason.
High above in the viewing room, where the Imperials and the Dean sat, Ramses broke the silence. "The one without the armor—who is he?"
The Dean replied, "That’s Ezekiel. He’s the younger one."
Ramses chuckled, stroking his chin. "He’s cunning, isn’t he? The kind of person who would thrive in a high-risk, high-reward environment, like a palace."
The Dean muttered under his breath, "If he doesn’t destroy it first."
Ramses caught the comment and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
The Dean shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just an observation."
But then he asked, "Wait, what do you mean?"
Ramses smirked and addressed the group. "Do none of you understand what’s happening down there?"
The others exchanged puzzled looks before shaking their heads. Ramses laughed, his voice rich with amusement. "Well, then, I won’t spoil the show. Pay close attention—you might learn something."
The Dean chuckled. "You and Zeke would probably get along famously."
"You’re not wrong," Ramses said, eyes glinting with interest. "Bring him to me after the match. I’d like to discuss that spell he used on Erik."
The Dean paused, glancing briefly at Bjorn, who remained stoic and expressionless. Turning back to Ramses, he sighed. "I’ll mention it to him. Whether he agrees or not is up to him."
Ramses just laughed, his attention returning to the arena. He seemed eager to see the others realize what was really happening.
Just then, the door to the room opened, and a young woman stepped in. Her black hair shimmered under the light, and her green eyes sparkled with intelligence.
"Hey, Uncle Dean. I hope I’m not too late," she said, her tone light but confident.
The Dean’s face lit up. He stood and wrapped her in a bear hug. "Alexandra! It’s so good to see you!"
She wriggled free, playfully pushing him away. "You’ve got to stop doing that. I’m not a kid anymore."
He chuckled. "You may be the great Matriarch of House Vitali, but to me, you’ll always be a child."
They both laughed, their bond evident.
Chandra cleared his throat. "Hey, we’re here too, you know. Just in case you forgot."
Alexandra turned and hugged him. "Uncle Chandra! How have you been?"
He returned the hug, his grin wide. "I’m good, kiddo. Are those old fogies giving you trouble?"
"They wouldn’t dare," she replied, her tone calm but assured.
Her attention shifted to the arena below. She frowned slightly. "Wait, why are there only two cadets down there?"
The Dean answered, "Because they’ve already taken out the rest."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Seriously? Which cadets are they?"
Ramses chuckled. "Alexandra, I’m surprised you don’t recognize your own kin."
Her eyes widened. "Wait... are they the ones Grandpa was raving about? Am I finally an aunt?"
The Dean couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement. "Well... yes and no."
She blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
The Dean explained, "They’re the ones who got the old man so worked up, yes. But they call him Grandpa and me Uncle Dean, just like you do. So, technically, they’d be your cousins."
Alexandra’s jaw dropped. "What?! No way!"
Ramses, ever the instigator, added, "Oh, that’s not all. In terms of bloodline, they’re technically a generation above you."
Her shock turned to incredulous laughter. "You’ve got to be kidding me!"
Ramses just smiled knowingly, his eyes twinkling with mischief as the group turned their attention back to the arena.
But Alexandra wasn’t done. She exclaimed, "How is that fair?!!"
Dean sighed and replied, "Don’t ask me. It is your family tree that is messed up. But who knows, maybe the boys will call you Aunt."
Alexandra was speechless. But then she smirked and said, "Well, they won’t have a choice."
Dean felt a headache coming on and said, "Whatever you’re thinking of doing... don’t. It might work with Cass but it will definitely bite you in the butt with Zeke."
Ramses said, "It’s true. You do not want to mess with that one. From what I’ve heard, he is quite the troublemaker. As Dean said, he has inherited the ’mad’ from the Mad Immortal a bit too well. Man you should have seen what he did to Erik."
Alexandra asked, "Why, what did he do?"
Ramses painted quite the picture of what Zeke had done and why he had done it. Alexandra asked, her shock clearly visible in her tone, "So you’re telling me that they both incapacitated all of the cadets with just their killing intent? And then Ezekiel went ahead and tortured Erik to the brink of literally breaking his mind... just because he annoyed him?"
Ramses replied, "Yup. Well, then he healed him as well but the after effects of what the boy went through will only be apparent after he wakes up."
Alexandra looked at Dean and asked, "Uncle Dean, is Ezekiel... you know... right in the head?"
Dean replied helplessly, "I wonder about that myself everyday."
A/N:
Merry Christmas 🎁 ⛄
