Chapter 83
The tension in the area continued to mount, the spectators now aware of the imminent threat to the crown prince’s life. His panicked breathing quickened, blood steadily pouring from the wound at his neck.
“Auserre, if you wish, I can execute this young master at your call,” Emory said, his voice calm yet filled with a quiet threat.
Auserre gave Kei Y a glance, asking without words whether he wanted the crown prince to be executed. The prince, desperate and afraid, also looked to Kei Y, his eyes pleading for mercy.
Kei Y shook his head, his message clear. He didn’t want to make things more complicated for Auserre.
Auserre, unfazed, “Don’t worry about it, Khenu. I’m not worried about that useless king on the throne. He’d be far too much of a wimp to make things difficult for me just for his kid.”
Kei Y sighed. “No, it’s fine. Let him live.”
With that, Emory withdrew the blade from the crown prince's neck.
The prince, still trembling, whispered, “Thank you.”
Emory gave a slight bow toward Kei Y, acknowledging the decision. “Thank you, my young friend Khenu. As useless as his mouth and attitude are, his talents make him worthy of being a future ruler. He may not seem like it, but among those in the soldier class across kingdoms, none are his match. Even able to challenge specialist class comfortably. His passing would mean the loss of a suitable talent for the kingdom. Rest assured, I’ll see to it that he’s immediately corrected... as will the king when he learns of his actions.”
“It’s fine,” Kei Y said with a grin. “It just means I’ll be able to come after him myself soon. I don’t feel like having anyone else do my business for me if I could help it.” He gave Emory a look, and the servant nodded in understanding, accepting the unspoken challenge Kei Y had just issued to the crown prince.
“Heh, you think you could challenge me? As if—” The crown prince tried to continue, his arrogance still brimming, but before he could make things worse for himself, Emory smacked him on the head.
Without another word, Emory grabbed the crown prince and began to pull him away, preventing further insults. Despite the prince being pardoned moments ago, it was clear he still needed guidance. Before disappearing, Emory gave a simple nod to Kei M, acknowledging his presence. The silent gesture was clear: "Good to see you're well, young master." Kei M returned the nod with a brief but respectful acknowledgment, and then Emory and the crown prince vanished.
Auserre, watching the entire exchange, shifted her attention back to Kei Y. It wasn't the challenge itself that caught her attention, but his response. He had just learned that the crown prince, despite only being at the soldier class, could comfortably take on specialist class cultivators, yet Kei Y barely reacted to it. He seemed unimpressed, almost indifferent, as if he found the crown prince's talent far too lacking in comparison to his own.
“Heh, I think I’m going to like you, kid,” Auserre said, her eyes narrowing in a mix of amusement and curiosity.
“Of course you do. You said you didn’t want to see me for a while, but it looks like your heart couldn’t handle the time apart, and you ran here to save me,” Kei Y laughed, teasing her.
Auserre rolled her eyes, but Kei Y wasn't finished. “Wait,” he said, feigning sudden realization. “Does this mean I have to give you back the extra coins you gave me? Technically, you gave them to me so I’d stay away, but here you are, running to me instead!” He looked up at her.
The vein on Auserre’s forehead visibly bulged, a tick of irritation. “That’s what you’re worried about?” she growled, her voice sharp. “Brat, I’m going to teach you a lesson myself.”
With a swift motion, she grabbed Kei Y by the collar and began dragging him away. Behind her, three people followed, their footsteps. A little girl chased after them, her pockets bulging with the earnings she’d won from betting on the fight, her expression bright with the thrill of her victory.
As they moved off, Kei Y shot a cheeky grin at Auserre, clearly enjoying the playful tension between them.
The tension in the area finally began to ease, but the implications of the challenge, the crown prince’s defeat, and Auserre’s arrival were far from forgotten.
In the midst of all the commotion, the reason for it all laid still in the center of the arena, his body still burning from his defeat. Forgotten by his opponent, as if he meant absolutely nothing. The scathing words he’d heard and the sheer determination to take his life had left him in the dirt. If not for the interference of a much stronger power, Nekhtem would have been dead by now. Killed by the kid he once picked up and slammed on the head.
“Hurry up and bring him back to our territory,” the gang leader instructed, his voice cold and dismissive as his followers hoisted Nekhtem’s battered form and began carrying him away.
“I’ll be sure to deal with you, kid,” the gang leader added, his gaze lingering on Kei Y, who was still being dragged off.
Meanwhile, the vendor with the scarred lip, finally managed to bring him back to her residence. Silvie, Inpu and Kei M followed closely behind. Each person had questioning looks in their eyes, unsure of what to say, but all silently observed Auserre, the woman who had made a General-class cultivator bow to her and force the crown prince into submission. Auserre, on the other hand, glanced between the group of kids with a bemused expression, wondering what she was going to do with all of them.
The two groups stared at each other, the air heavy with unspoken tension. Neither side was willing to speak first, their gazes locked, and for a moment, it seemed as though time had come to a standstill. But the silence was broken by the unmistakable sound of jingling coins.
"Khenu, look how much money you made mama!" Mia said cheerfully, tossing Kei Y a wink as she handed him a shiny coin. "Here you go, here's a nice shiny coin as a thank you. And who knows, if you fight some more, there’ll be a lot more where that comes from."
Her voice was full of encouragement, the playful glint in her eyes suggesting that she was already planning her next bet on Kei Y’s future fights.
Kei Y stood there, momentarily stunned as he stared at the shiny coin in his hand, then back at Mia, the fragile-looking girl who had so innocently, yet confidently, placed her bets on him. It was both amusing and humbling. He couldn’t help but feel a mix of disbelief and gratitude. To her, he was just another fighter to root for, someone who could win her coins, yet the reality of the events that had just unfolded seemed lost on her.
Her excitement and enthusiasm made him speechless. How could someone so innocent be so oblivious to the dangers that loomed? To everything that had happened just moments ago? She had no idea the risks he had been facing, but in that moment, he found a certain calm in her naivety.
“Hahaha, cute kid. I like her, Khenu,” Auserre teased, her tone playful. “She’s out here planning future fights for you. Better hope you win them, so you can make mama some more coins.”
Auserre reached out, rubbing Mia’s head affectionately, but as she did, Mia flinched in pain.
“Oh, sorry, kid,” Auserre quickly apologized, though her smile never faltered.
Mia, despite the pain, only smiled up at her. "It's okay, and of course Khenu is going to win! He’s really strong!”
The simplicity of Mia’s words, her unwavering belief in Kei Y’s strength, caused a moment of quiet reflection in Kei Y. She had no doubt about him, none at all. It was so pure, so innocent.
“Oh, really? Wanna bet some more, little girl?” Auserre teased Mia, clearly amused by the girl’s conviction.
“Of course he’d win, he’s really strong.” Mia nodded confidently, her eyes sparkling with belief. “He barely revealed all of his strength in that fight. That was just a mere fragment of his strength. He’s super strong, he’s as strong as Kei, who’s super super strong!”
Mia’s words made Auserre stop in her tracks. She stared at the girl for a moment, her amusement fading into an almost impressed expression. “Is that true, Khenu?” Auserre asked, her voice tinged with genuine surprise.
Kei Y scratched the back of his head, feeling somewhat awkward under Auserre’s gaze, but before he could answer, Silvie stepped in.
“Umm… before he answers, may I ask who you are?” Silvie asked, a polite but curious tone in her voice. “You seem to be quite formidable, if the King fears angering you.”
Auserre’s gaze shifted to Silvie, her amusement returning. She wasn’t used to being asked such a question, especially not from kids. But something about Silvie’s demeanor caught her attention—she wasn’t just a curious onlooker, she was a protector, and that intrigued Auserre.
“I’m no one important,” Auserre said with a soft laugh, brushing off the question. “But to answer your point, yes, I’ve earned the King’s... respect, let’s say.” She glanced back at Kei Y with a knowing look, as if seeing him in a new light. “But you’re right to ask. Not many can get that kind of attention.”
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Kei Y was quiet, still processing the conversation and Mia’s belief in him. "I’m not as strong as she thinks,” he said with a sheepish grin, though his words lacked conviction. "But I’m stronger than I let on."
Auserre leaned in, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she studied Kei Y. "Oh really? Because for a Runesmith, I’d say you’re rather impressive. So what, you weren’t using your strongest runes or something?" she asked, clearly intrigued.
Kei Y blinked, taken aback by her directness. He scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward under her gaze. "Runesmith?" he echoed. "I’ve only just learned runes, actually. I mean, I only started working with fire runes recently. Not long ago, I couldn’t even get the stove to light up to cook," he explained, his tone light, trying to downplay the extent of his abilities.
Auserre raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by his honesty and the fact that he had been able to execute such impressive feats with fire runes in such a short time. "Wait, really?" she asked, surprise creeping into her voice. "You couldn’t even light a stove?"
Kei Y nodded, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, runes are just convenient for me. I mostly focus on hand-to-hand combat. I’m still learning the ropes with runes," he admitted, trying to sound casual about it.
Inpu, who had been quietly listening, jumped in. "It’s true," he said. "He really shines more in hand-to-hand combat. When we train, that’s where he’s at his best."
Auserre chuckled, clearly impressed by their camaraderie. "Hmm, so your real strength lies in combat, huh? Not bad, not bad," she mused, her eyes scanning the group. "You must be quite a sight in a fight."
Kei Y shrugged nonchalantly, although he could sense that Auserre was still sizing him up. "I guess so," he said. "But I still have a long way to go."
Auserre glanced at each of them curiously, her gaze lingering on each person in turn. "Hmm, and I’m guessing you’re all friends? Are you as impressive as Khenu?" she asked, her voice playful yet laced with genuine interest.
Silvie laughed nervously, her posture stiff as she tried to hide her uncertainty. "We’re okay. We can keep up with him," she said, her words coming out a bit softer than she intended, as if she wasn’t sure if Auserre would believe her.
Auserre raised an eyebrow, intrigued by their response. "You all must have some really high potential," she added with a knowing smile.
Mia, unable to contain her excitement, jumped in, grinning from ear to ear. "Of course we do, we’re all...." she started proudly, but before she could finish, Kei M quickly used his Sound Force to quiet her, stopping her from revealing more than she should.
Mia, her voice muffled for a moment, looked confused before continuing. "Well, other than Inpu, he’s not one... because of me, but he’s really good at rune fighting. And I’m strong too! Khenu and Sanu said it’s time for me and Inpu to join them in zones, even though I’ve only been training for a few days," she said with a puffed-up chest, full of pride, though careful not to strain herself too much.
“Hmmm... sounds impressive, but if you wish to challenge our crown prince, you’d have to do much better than having just a bit of potential,” Auserre remarked, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Silvie, still processing everything she was hearing, asked with a hint of concern, “Is he really that strong?”
Auserre nodded, her expression shifting into a more serious one. “Like old man Emory said, he has no equal in Soldier Class tier. Even Specialist Class are nothing in his eyes. So, I’d say he’s so-so... but he’d definitely prove to be a challenge,” she explained.
Kei M scoffed. “Tsk, I’ll deal with him soon enough. He doesn’t even deserve to be the crown prince, and I’m going to make sure he’s painfully aware of that,” he said, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and determination.
“Hey, man, don’t steal my fights!” Kei Y grumbled, looking at Kei M with a playful scowl.
Auserre chuckled at the exchange before leaning in with a sly smile. “You guys seem to speak a big game. If you’re so confident, I’ll be happy to take you as my students,” she offered, her voice dripping with amusement.
“Really?” Kei Y raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Can’t imagine you doing that. I had to beg to get you to sell me goat meat on credit. I don’t believe you have a kind bone in your body.”
Before Auserre could respond, Kei Y found his head smacked straight into the ground, courtesy of Auserre’s swift hand.
“Haha, he got you there, Aussie,” one of the other vendors chimed in just in time to hear Kei Y’s retort, clearly entertained.
“Don’t laugh at me,” Auserre snapped, her voice sharp. “You wouldn’t even sell him vegetables that weren’t spoiled, you cheapskate.”
The vendor rolled his eyes. “Hmph, who told him to be lacking funds? I run a credible business that needs coins to operate. I’m not a charity case,” he shot back, shrugging his shoulders in mock exasperation.
Kei Y, now rubbing his head where Auserre had smacked him, grinned up at her. “I see how it is. Next time, I’ll make sure to bring more than a handful of coins if you’re going to be so generous,” he teased, enjoying the playful banter despite the tension still hanging in the air from earlier.
Auserre simply rolled her eyes at him. "You might want to start thinking about how to survive the fights first before worrying about coins."
“To be the student of someone who sees General Class beneath her... it’d be an honor to be your students,” Silvie cut in, her voice filled with genuine respect as she addressed Auserre, hoping to display her gratitude.
“Yes, as Sanu said, it’ll be our honor,” Inpu and Kei M echoed, each of them standing taller, ready to rise to the challenge.
Auserre's lips curled into a slight smile, clearly pleased by their words, but her tone quickly shifted to one of sternness. “Well, that’s great to hear. But don’t think it’ll be so easy to become my students,” she said, her gaze turning calculating. “If anyone were to find out that you were under me, you’d better be sure not to make me look bad. I only take the best of the best, after all.”
Kei Y raised an eyebrow. “So what would it take to live up to your expectations?” he asked, his voice teasing yet serious.
Auserre’s eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed him. “Your little display earlier against Nekhtem was indeed impressive, but it’s not unheard of. I’d give you a few extra points for fighting with runes you’ve only just learned, but that display is far from being able to live up to my name.” Her voice was firm.
The group fell silent, absorbing her words. The challenge ahead was becoming clearer. They were about to take on something far more demanding than what they had anticipated.
Auserre’s eyes flickered over each of them, as if sizing them up in that single moment. “I’m not interested in mediocre talent or those who coast through with ease. If you want to be my students, you’ll need to show me something truly worthy. I don’t take on just anyone, and I don’t waste my time on people who can’t keep up,” she said, her voice unwavering.
Kei Y leaned forward, a fire sparking in his eyes. He was used to challenges, used to pushing his limits—and this one, it seemed, would be no different. "Well, we’re not here to coast. We’re here to show you what we’ve got,” he said, full of determination.
Auserre regarded him with a mixture of amusement and approval. “Good. That’s the kind of attitude I want to see. But don’t mistake that for an easy road. It’s going to take everything you’ve got—and then some.”
The group exchanged looks of understanding. The real challenge was just beginning, and they would have to dig deeper than ever before if they were going to stand a chance under Auserre’s tutelage.
“So exactly what do we have to do?” Inpu asked, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty, as the weight of the challenge started to sink in.
Auserre paused, as if thinking over her words. “Hmm? Nothing much, really. There should be a few recruit class Apex Bosses around here. How about you defeat a few, and I’ll see from there?” she said casually, her gaze sweeping over the group as if evaluating their reactions.
Inpu’s face showed clear shock at the request, his eyes wide as he processed the challenge. Mia, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the gravity of the situation. But what truly caught Auserre’s attention was the reactions of Kei Y, Kei M, and Silvie. They looked… placid. Calm, even. Accepting. Almost as if to say, “That’s it?” Their response? “Okay,” they said, as if taking down a few Apex Bosses was no big deal.
Auserre blinked in surprise, her confidence faltering slightly. “So where are they? I’d rather get it done with so we’re not out there late at night,” Silvie asked, her tone practical and matter-of-fact, as if she were discussing an afternoon task.
Auserre, trying to clarify, repeated herself, her voice a little firmer now. “Did you hear what I said? Apex Bosses. I’m asking you to defeat Apex Bosses.” She leaned forward slightly, almost as if worried they hadn’t fully understood the challenge.
Kei M just shrugged nonchalantly. “Hmm, I think I know where a few are. We can get them done rather quickly,” he said, his words so casual.
Auserre blinked again, clearly taken aback by their calm demeanor. She had expected at least some hesitation or fear—Apex Bosses were no small threat, even if they were in the recruit class. But here they were, completely unshaken.
“I don’t know if you guys are insane or what, but I’m more curious about you three. Why don’t you feel intimidated by Apex Bosses?” Auserre asked, her eyes narrowing in both amusement and intrigue as she studied their reactions.
Kei M answered first, a calm confidence in his tone. “I’ve fought and used them to train before. Learned a lot, so they’re not much trouble for me.”
“I’ve defeated one and killed one,” Kei Y said, his voice as casual as ever, almost as if talking about a trivial matter.
“I’ve killed two, the second one being the one Khenu helped me kill,” Silvie added, her voice just as nonchalant, though the mention of fighting and killing Apex Bosses was enough to raise an eyebrow.
The vendor who had been observing the group with growing interest couldn’t help but speak up. “Auserre, looks like you’ve come across some really talented students. I’m almost jealous.”
Auserre’s gaze sharpened, her mind already working. “If that’s so, let’s start with your force alignment and progression,” she said, her tone shifting to something more business-like as she motioned for them to line up.
Inpu, still a bit overwhelmed by the pressure but now standing tall, began. “My force alignment is Scale Force. I’m at 3% force progression.”
Mia piped up next, beaming with pride. “I’m Equilibrium Force. I’m at 5%.”
The vendor, still recovering from the shock, couldn’t help but comment. “Woah, two Balance Force users? You really did hit the jackpot. Kingdoms would kill to get their hands on them.”
Auserre gave a rare, approving nod. “I agree, those two alone would be invaluable to any faction.”
Silvie continued the list. “I’m Vine Force. 40% force progression.”
“Resonance Force, 35% force progression,” Kei M added, his voice steady and sure.
Finally, Kei Y grinned as he said, “Breeze Force, 50%.”
At that, the vendor and Auserre froze. The vendor looked as though he was going to collapse, his breath becoming shallow, and he quickly found a nearby seat to steady himself before he passed out from shock. Auserre was in the same state, blinking at them as if she had just witnessed a miracle.
“Are you guys serious?” Auserre finally asked, her voice nearly trembling.
“Why would we lie to you?” Kei Y responded nonchalantly, his grin never wavering.
Auserre let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. “You guys are geniuses amongst geniuses.”
Before anyone could stop her, Mia, as blunt as ever, spoke up. “Of course we are. We’re Sparklings. Except for Inpu.”
“Sparklings?” Auserre asked, utterly confused by the term.
“WAIT, YOU’RE ALL GOD SPARKS!?” Auserre exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. She passed out on the spot, the shock overwhelming her. Meanwhile, the vendor, having overheard, started foaming at the mouth, his shock reaching a new level of hysteria.
Silvie, Kei Y, and Kei M exchanged knowing glances, all of them equally exasperated by Mia’s careless revelation. “Oh Mia,” Silvie muttered under her breath.
Kei Y could only shake his head, still in disbelief at how easily Mia had let their most important secret slip out. “Well, guess that’s one way to make an impression,” he said with a laugh.
“For what it’s worth, I can see the scale tilting in your favor from her revealing that,” Inpu added nervously, trying to lighten the mood. “If anything, it may help you more than anything.”