While Ulric sank deeper into his thoughts, a dumbfounded expression rested on the grey-robed academy instructor’s face, almost similar to the one Kael had worn monts ago.
The only difference was that he could see more than Kael had. As he watched the battle unfold, he couldn’t help but shake his head repeatedly. A glint of disbelief flashed across his eyes.
Power like this was not supposed to exist at this rank. How then did the youth wield it so masterfully?
Even more shocking, despite making so effort to conceal his rank, he could tell the youth was rely a D-rank being. He wasn’t entirely sure whether he was at the peak of early D-rank, but one thing was certain.
No D-rank being was supposed to fight on equal terms with peak C-rank beings. At this point, it would be an exaggeration to say the battle had been equal at any mont.
From beginning to end, the youth had completely dominated the fight without even breaking a sweat. A truly astounding feat, no matter which angle he looked at it from.
Was this the prowess a supre genius was supposed to exhibit? If so, it was nothing short of monstrous.
Contrary to Kael and other uninford powerhouses who thought he was an all-knowing figure with a wealth of information, he too had never seen a supre genius up close. Most, if not all, hailed from prestigious clans and great houses far beyond the bounds of even a top academy such as Glaivemire.
He had heard tales of their disparity from normal geniuses, and now that he had witnessed it for himself, he couldn’t help but agree.
The more he thought about it, the more his eyes lit up with fiery brilliance. With this display of power and talent, he beca even more determined to bring the youth back with him to the academy. His existence by itself was an anomaly.
Multiple questions raced through the back of his mind until he was consud by them.
***
Elsewhere, far within the city walls, an old man sat behind a rusty old shop as he took lazy sips from the cup of tea clutched in his hands.
"Hmm." Alaric exhaled as he brought one hand up to rub the white stubble beneath his chin. A thoughtful expression forming across his face.
"It seems he doesn’t need my help after all," he mumbled beneath his breath as a faint smile carved across his lips.
Though the battle was unfolding thousands of ters away, a layer of mana swirled in an enchanting display across his eyes, boosting his senses to terrifying levels and allowing him to watch the battle as if it were happening right in front of him.
With these senses, he was able to pick up on a few details that even the academy instructor had missed.
How there had been no fluctuations of energy when the youth unleashed his surprisingly monstrous skill. The subtle changes unfolding across his body when he slew Kael, and so much more. Nothing escaped his eyes.
The more he observed, the more intrigued he beca until he couldn’t help himself anymore as a giddy chuckle slipped past his lips.
It seed there was more to the little brat than he had anticipated. It almost tempted him to attend the academy selections just to see how those old monsters would react.
Maybe he would. But for now, he was more curious as to how the youth would fare against the B-rank being.
A single glance could tell him the grey-robed figure was only at the initial stage of B-rank. But that was more than enough to deal with multiple peak C-rank beings.
The residents of Tempest might have been unassuming, but he knew better. The gap between C-rank and B-rank was far greater than that of D-rank and C-rank. And with good reason.
B-rank beings didn’t rely tap into the realm’s energy. They had incorporated it into their bodies, making their attacks and even the slightest gestures far deadlier than any C-rank being could ever imagine.
If it were any other ti, he wouldn’t have even dared entertain the thought. A C-rank being facing off against a B-rank was basically suicide. What about a D-rank?
That would be pure madness.
But sothing stopped him. He already knew the dark-robed youth was far from normal. He was different.
He had seen how easily he had steamrolled a peak C-rank being as if they were nothing. He was curious where his limit truly lay.
He wouldn’t be surprised if he found out the youth wanted to discover that as well. This was almost the perfect setup.
Ti to uncover more of your hidden secrets.
Alaric chuckled before suddenly snapping his gaze toward a little girl staring at a glowing screen projection that displayed the events unfolding beyond the city gates after her endless nagging.
"Mira! Get so more tea."
He had a feeling he would need it for the next part.
***
Within the city gates, a huge crowd had ford, drawn by the commotion as they witnessed the battle. Faint murmurs spread through the crowd, growing more intense with every passing second.
"Look! The young lord is speaking with the two powerhouses. Too bad I can’t hear anything. I’d give anything to know what they’re discussing."
"Anything? Well, you must be in luck! My talent is Extre Sense Refinent. How badly do you want to know?"
"Aaaaaaagh, why are you looking at like that? Are you a pervert? If you don’t tell , I’ll kick your ass!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" the youth began, but seeing the evil look on the girl’s face, he gave up, realizing he had been tricked.
"It seems they want to take the young lord away to so sort of academy."
"This... you must have heard wrong. Nobody can take the young lord away from . Cough... I an Tempest, unless he truly wishes to leave. Clearly they must be courting death."
"It seems the young lord is suggesting an alternative."
"Quick, tell us what it is! Did he tell them to piss off?"
"Uh, close enough. He challenged them to a battle to the death."
A mont of silence descended as the youth’s words echoed through the crowd.
The gathered figures struggled to process them.
This was an unexpected move. But when it ca to the young lord, it didn’t matter.
One figure in the crowd suddenly yelled out, followed by countless others as they regained their voices.
"Ah, yes. Clearly I had understated how overbearing the young lord is. Now that I think about it, I can’t help but agree. Just asking such a question is an act of defiance. They must be courting death!"
Within the raging crowd, a few figures stood with concern plastered across their faces.
Unlike most of the gathered spectators, they could sense the two new figures’ power more clearly, and the results did little to ease their worries.
Just from their auras alone, they could tell they far surpassed Greyson even at his peak.
At the thought, Amber clenched her fingers so tightly she nearly drew blood as a helpless feeling washed over her.
Her mind, body, and soul had been consud by endless training for the past few weeks.
All with the goal of standing beside him when he fought his future battles.
The ti had finally co.
Yet she could already feel her strength was nowhere near enough.
Would it ever be enough?
As the thoughts gnawed at the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.
Aelira and the rest shared so of her concerns as troubled expressions crossed their faces.
They knew for a fact that he was very strong.
They just didn’t know whether he was strong enough to overco the threat now looming before him.
They didn’t have to wonder for long.
Their answer arrived soon enough, and it was far beyond their wildest imaginations.
The battle had barely lasted a few minutes before Ulric had killed a great C-rank powerhouse as if they were nothing.
They had expected him to struggle. To fight. To show signs of strain.
But not this.
It didn’t seem as if he had even used a fraction of his power.
The sight caused Lyra to scratch her nose as her expression flickered slightly, almost slipping into a daze.
Even after everything she knew about him, she could finally see there was truly no need for surprise when it ca to him.
Still, instead of quenching her curiosity and worry, it only fueled them further.
One question burned deep within her mind, shared by most of the figures in the crowd.
How strong did one need to be to achieve this level of power?
Pondering in silence, they waited to find out.
Curious to see how he would fare against the second opponent.
At the side, the elders were even more excited as they witnessed everything unfold.
"Hahaha!"
Elder Rysten broke out into a fit of uncontainable laughter.
"The lord’s power is without asure. Even peak C-rank beings are nothing before him."
Mistress Aria nodded in agreent.
The sight before them was undeniable.
As the thought ford, a wistful smile carved across her lips as she let out a slow breath.
She could almost rember the day he first stepped onto the path of power.
Now his strength had grown to levels she couldn’t even perceive.
Wondrous. Truly wondrous.
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