Chapter 143 - VOL 2 Chapter 88: Are you tired of living?!
When Edward was about to attack Martín, Erik revealed his presence. At the same time, a cold, sharp, and suffocating air filled the hallway—courtesy of Erik's "killing intent", a trick he copied from the young lady of the Yuan family, the same one who started a fight with him over an item at an auction he attended some time ago. It turned out to be surprisingly easy to replicate and quite useful in the few tests he had done.
"It looks like someone thinks the Order's laws are just toys or something."
Erik spoke aloud, drawing the attention of the siblings, who smiled in relief upon seeing him. Meanwhile, a small fan-like grin appeared on Olivia's face as she slowed her actions a bit to call security.
At the same time, Seraphina discreetly placed several photographic orbs at different angles and positions throughout the hallway. These were special versions, not only capable of taking photos and videos of unbeatable quality, but they also had a stealth mode that made them impossible to detect by anyone below Master level.
Something so expensive and rare that it wasn't illegal simply because practically nobody could afford it. And all of this with the sole intention of recording her young master's gallant figure in high definition.
"Look who showed up: the biggest coward of the Arcane Order..."
Upon hearing the voice, Edward turned around to see who was so bold. But when he spotted that striking starry hair, he quickly commented with a disdainful smile. He then clasped his hands behind his back and announced in a tone he believed to be full of "righteousness", making a pose he considered especially elegant: standing perfectly straight, hands behind his back, chin slightly raised.
"I'm giving you five seconds to kneel on the floor and apologize for 'stealing' the first staff in the tournament, or I'll make sure you get to experience what it feels like to have every bone in your body broken."
"Are you all right?" Not bothering to spare a single glance at Edward, Erik asked as he approached the brothers with a calm and steady gait, a reassuring smile on his face.
"Yes, Boss, nothing happened to us." Sofía answered enthusiastically, which made Erik feel at ease. He then added, pleased.
"That's good, and I really liked how you handled the situation, just like I told you."
"Were you watching, Boss?" Sofía asked in surprise, glancing around. Erik only answered softly.
"Yes, you did well—exactly what I expected from you."
"Hehehe." Sofía smiled shyly at Erik's praise. Then he turned to look at Martín and spoke with genuine praise.
"Martín also did an excellent job."
"Thank you very much, Boss, though I only did what I had to do." Martín replied quickly, with a serious expression and a firm tone of voice, completely convinced of his words. Erik, even more pleased, responded cheerfully.
"Great answer. You've got talent; we'll talk more about it later..."
Seeing how the star-haired bastard was completely ignoring him, Edward felt a strange burning sensation spread across his face. But then he caught sight of the pitying and uncomfortable looks from his own followers, along with the mockery plainly written on Olivia's face. An insane fury flooded him, making him feel embarrassed and humiliated, so he quickly roared in anger.
"You son of a bitch!!! You dare ignore me?!! Are you tired of living?!!!"
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Hearing his enraged threat, Olivia couldn't help staring at Edward, wondering if he had pudding instead of a brain or something like that. After all, she could not understand where he got the nerve to threaten and insult the direct disciple Erik. He was not just a supreme talent, but was also the disciple of the two youngest Master-level and Auric-awarded individuals in history. Far above any common disciple or even other direct disciples, to the point where they could not even be mentioned in the same breath.
(Does that idiot not value his life? Or did he hit his head really hard during the tournament?)
While Olivia's mind filled with genuine doubt about Edward's mental stability, he, on the other hand, felt as though a golden opportunity had fallen from the sky for him to establish his reputation. After all, he had failed to win the tournament, and he needed some accomplishments to talk about when his master announced his great breakthrough so that he could climb up on the coattails of that new reputation with confidence.
The truth behind Edward's arrogance boiled down to a single factor: his master—an Arcane-Peak of almost 100,000 years—had just made a major breakthrough to the Master level, becoming a powerhouse of the Arcane Order, and simultaneously elevating Edward as a direct disciple. This was a huge boost in hierarchy that would place him at the top of the food chain.
Because he had been 'training' at the borders, fighting and competing against young talents from the three great factions, Edward developed the false idea that, as a direct disciple. He would be untouchable and powerful enough to do whatever he wanted without facing any consequences. After all, at the borders, a disciple of a Master-level individual was a step above everyone else.
There, such a disciple could kill, murder, and even rape without anyone saying a thing, untouchable by anyone who wasn't also a Master-level disciple or a Master-level themselves—and the latter generally disdained getting involved with younger people. As a result, they were practically mini-kings on the borders, running wild with no fear of consequences.
Convinced that being a disciple of a Master-level meant he could do as he pleased, Edward willfully ignored the fact that direct disciples of the Order not only never behaved so recklessly. But actually placed active restrictions on common disciples to keep them from doing these sorts of atrocities. He chalked it all up to a lack of guts, which is why he now intended to use Erik as a stepping stone for his own reputation.
Edward's rationale for daring to challenge Erik—who had two Master-levels supporting him—was very simple. While it was true Erik had two Masters, his position remained the same as the position Edward himself would soon have: a direct disciple. Additionally, the two were part of the younger generation, both under three hundred years old, and throughout the galaxy, it was looked down upon for masters to intervene in their disciples' fights.
Hence, not only could he face Erik with complete confidence, but being stronger, he could easily overpower him and thereby bring glory to himself and to his newly ascended master, who was bound to attract the galaxy's attention for becoming the second to ascend to the Master level in the Arcane Order in less than a hundred years. An unprecedented feat that would greatly enhance the faction's reputation. This, in his mind, would let him do whatever he wanted, untouchable.
"Stop shouting. It's annoying."
Erik commented, irritated by Edward's loud hollering, causing veins to bulge on Edward's forehead. However, having spent time in the border territories and faced his fair share of tough battles, Edward managed to keep enough composure to send some cannon fodder in first to test the waters. He shouted to his followers.
"Teach this arrogant bastard a lesson for me."
Upon hearing the order, the followers couldn't help but cast conflicted glances at Edward. With a piercing stare, he made it clear that they had no other choice. Terrified and ridden with guilt, they were forced to attack Erik with expressions of fear and apology, cursing the day they got involved with that mad bastard. Deep inside, they swore that if they survived, they would anonymously report him to the Court as soon as everything was over.
Under Edward's gaze, an individual at the Revealed level—the strongest of all present, as far as they could perceive—who also held their weaknesses in his hands, the young ones braced themselves, at the very least, to put on a convincing act before him. Some still held on to the hope that someone would rescue them from that idiot who was sending them straight into a pit of fire.
With complicated expressions, several young people began reinforcing their bodies with mana, while others conjured runes or magical circles around them, which made them look somewhat intimidating. However, to Erik, it was almost comical because he could plainly see what those unfortunate young ones were thinking. They didn't even want to fight, and many of them kept shooting him apologetic looks.
"Well, I guess I couldn't expect anything else..."
Erik remarked with a wry smile as he stretched his arms, preparing for what was coming. At the same time, a magic circle appeared at the siblings' feet and conjured a Myst barrier around them to keep them safe—given their pathetic power level, even a single shockwave from the fight would leave them with serious injuries.
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In the space station's conference room, the Director, Adrian, Thalia, Ryoma, and Jessica were gathered, along with Sigrún and Eleonora, all watching the room's holographic screens. These screens were playing recordings of key moments from the tournament, as well as the final battle in the champion's palace—a rather erratic and chaotic scene.
"So there were no surprises, and Omar's kid was the champion..."
Resting her face in her hand, elbow propped on the table, Sigrún commented, clearly bored, as she watched the recording on the holographic screen where a handsome young man with dark blue hair, grayish eyes, and a slim build arrived at the final zone to find Ngozi, accompanied by nine other people.
"Well, it was to be expected. He's a Revealed-Competent level genius under three hundred years old, and he's also diligent and strategic, so there weren't any surprises." Adrian answered while reviewing various tournament recordings.
"Though my poor Liliana did have it tough, fufufu. I prepared some nice desserts for her for when she gets out." Eleonora commented with a slight giggle as she watched somewhat amused footage of Liliana, Elara, and Zoe being chased all over the planet.
"Yes, thanks to that kid of yours, my Zoe really suffered. I'll definitely have to seek justice for my little girl..."
Ryoma replied with a somewhat dark expression, as he had witnessed his beloved granddaughter's suffering in real time, being one of the few who stayed on the space station. He had to exert an almost supernatural effort to keep himself from rushing to the planet to teach a lesson to the bastards who tried to intimidate his granddaughter—and while he was at it, to that little monster Sigrún and Eleonora, who was the cause of it all in the first place.
"Don't be such a crybaby, Ryoma. It was a good experience for the little one. Just look how much my Elara has matured thanks to it." Thalia said with a calm smile, resting her face in her hand, elbow on the table.
"Hmph, mind your own business, Thalia." Ryoma shot back, scowling. Thalia, Eleonora, and Sigrún just laughed in response, choosing not to say anything else to the grumpy grandfather who complained over a few hardships his beloved granddaughter had faced.
"Speaking of something else, how did your disciple do, Jessica?" Sigrún asked with mild interest, looking at Jessica, who was watching recordings of a rather striking young man who looked about eighteen.
"Unfortunately, he didn't stand out much, and he's still in the tournament. But it looks like he teamed up with your girls." Jessica answered with a smile, pointing to a screen that showed the young man alongside Elara, Zoe, and Liliana.
"Fufu, let's hope they manage to get a spot, though it'll be tough—they're among the youngest left..."
Thalia commented casually, contradicting her real wishes because deep down she hoped Elara wouldn't earn a spot. After all, she was still too young and inexperienced, and the inside of the ruin could be dangerous for her.
"You're right about that..." Eleonora agreed with Thalia while studying the recordings of Liliana's major tournament moments, a nearly maternal smile on her face.
The Masters continued chatting about random topics as they watched their disciples' performances, until the Director suddenly joined the conversation, speaking while looking at Eleonora and Sigrún with interest. He instantly caught the attention of everyone present.
"So, how were your vacations with Erik?"
""Spectacular."" they both answered in unison.
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