YM778.TV Chapter 296: Kayden Vs Asher Eli...
"Surely not, right? I mean, he has \'The Mythical Beast\'. How could a coward have the Mythical beast if he got scared of a duel?"
"Yeah, right?"
\'Chatter\'
A buzz of anticipation swept through the common arena ground, voices murmuring, speculating, and the air charged with excitement and... disappointment?
"Did he really run away?" a middle-aged man with silver hair and yellow eyes observed the stadium from a separate platform for nobles and high-ranking officials.
"Not sure, Father," a young man with silver hair and royal blue eyes replied with enthusiasm, craning his neck to catch a glimpse of the particular twins.
Looking at his son\'s longing face, the middle-aged man sighed and whispered, "Son, you didn\'t forget our plan, right?"
Hearing that, the silver-haired young man turned his head and also whispered, "Of course, Father."
"Hmm," his father nodded, the tension and excitement reflected in his eyes.... he was going to do something that never happened in history.
"But father, are you sure we can trust that man?" the silver-haired young man hesitated.
"Don\'t worry, Theo. It\'s not whether we can trust him or not. As long as he succeeds in his end deal, we\'ll reap a fruitful result. If not..." The middle-aged man shrugged nonchalantly, the atmosphere vibrating with suspense indicating he already had a plan.
"..." Theo, the Prince of Theos Kingdom, nodded with understanding, the energy of anticipation swirling around him.
And the middle-aged man was none other than the King of Theos Kingdom, Carter Theo.
On a separate platform,
A green-haired middle-aged man sat with a frowning expression, and beside him, a silky green-haired woman sat with her face covered by a veil.
"I am not sure what the heck that bastard was playing, but he sure pulled me into his mess!" The green-haired man, Richard, Duke of Theos Kingdom, as well as Father of Kayden, muttered under his breath.
Richard looked at his son, who stood proudly in the middle of the ground with a haughty look as if he had already won the match. The crowd\'s anticipation mixed with Richard\'s internal turmoil.
"Does this brat even worry about how much I am concerned about the situation?" Richard gritted his teeth. Richard\'s lifelong experience told him that his son was a mere pawn for something, and yet he couldn\'t go against the King\'s order.
He did warn his son though...
Richard, glancing at other platforms, saw his kingdom\'s High-rank to Low-rank nobles chattering among themselves, excitement and anticipation written all over their faces.
Even some nobles from other kingdoms.
Other platforms were filled with Nex students and.... even commoners, their whispers and discussions adding to the charged atmosphere. It truly seemed like everyone wanted to witness the fight between a hero and a commoner sponsored by the Vampire Queen.
Others might not know the full details, but this fight would decide what would happen to the Mythical beast.
Only a few high-ranking nobles knew the secret. For others, it was just a duel.
Security had been tightened around the stadium to prevent anything untoward from happening. They didn\'t want this place to become a war zone, especially if anything happened to the King and lots of Nobles.
"WWWOOOO!!!"
"Did that coward run away? WWWOOO!!"
"Don\'t you Fallen\'s have some backbone?"
"Did your Queen get scared of her toy getting hurt?"
"Hahaha...."
The taunts and jeers echoed through the arena, creating an unsettling atmosphere between the nations.
Both Theos and Chola Kingdoms harboured a deep-rooted hatred for the Fallen Continent, a resentment stemming from the deaths of millions caused by their God a thousand years ago.
Even though time had subdued people\'s hatred, it never truly disappeared.
Yet, the true Culprit.... which was, of course, Dawn Kingdom remained neutral because due to the previous King who fell in love with Fallen God.
\'They are really bold,\' Richard muttered as he observed the nobles from the Fallen Kingdom across the way.
Provoked by insults, the Fallen nobles stood composed, waiting sensibly, perhaps out of respect for their Queen or fear of incurring her wrath.
\'It seems they also want to catch a glimpse of the person who he is capable of being highly regarded by the Vampire Queen,\' Richard thought, silently praying for his child who was blissfully unaware of the underlying tensions.
He wanted to pull his child and yet, as a father he wanted his child to let him know the world.... What could the world hold for him...
\'Well, as long as he comes to me in one piece, otherwise... I do not know how to answer his mother\' Richard thought, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
All the while, the green-haired woman stared intently at the red-haired woman who sat on another platform.
"Come on! Did he really get scared?" Kayden\'s arrogant voice echoed as he casually ruffled his hair. He exuded an air of confidence, seemingly unworried about the impending duel.
"KYYAAA!!\'
"So Handsome!!!"
"MY HERO!!!"
"Will you marry me??!!"
"I will die for you!!!"
His single action captured the hearts of many young women, their cheers and declarations of admiration filling the air.
Richard\'s lips twitched when he saw his son flashing a handsome smile. He wasn\'t sure whether he felt jealous of his son getting so much attention from women or annoyed about what might transpire today.
"Richard"
Suddenly, a hoarse voice interrupted, startling both Richard and the green-haired woman. They turned to see an old man appearing in front of them.
"Brother?" Richard stood up, showing respect.
The old man, none other than Rock, brother of Richard, looked at him and asked, "Did you find anything?"
"No, I checked his body. There was nothing unusual other than him entering the Domain Realm," Richard shook his head.
After the negotiation failed partially, the King of Theos Kingdom, Carter Theo, insisted on personally training Kayden.
Both Rock and Richard felt an uneasy feeling about it. Even though Kayden reassured them that it was just training and nothing more, a lingering sense of apprehension persisted.
They were well-acquainted with their King\'s insatiable desire for power and fame....
"Sigh, well, it\'s up to him" Rock muttered, expressing his resignation as he settled into the chair.
"Him?" Richard inquired, taking a seat beside his brother.
"Well, Asher Eli, I did warn him, but..." Rock recalled the incident on the way back with Asher Eli. Rock had nearly fallen victim to Eli\'s schemes, an encounter that left him feeling on edge.
Rock, who had failed to uphold his promise, reluctantly gave something precious to Eli on the way back. He also informed Eli that this exchange was the reason for his recent preoccupation, trying to deflect further inquiries.... yet,
\'That brat!!\' Rock crumbled inwardly, frustrated. \'I may have given him advice that day, but that doesn\'t mean he can use it against me just because there was an opportunity!!\'
If Rock hadn\'t swiftly evaded Eli\'s schemes, he was certain he would have lost almost all of his post-old-age savings.
Though he liked his son-in-law\'s actions... A little bit of pride about it, maybe?
Richard waited for his brother to finish, sensing Rock\'s internal turmoil over the matter. Just as Richard was about to ask again, the atmosphere tensed when,
\'Step\'
\'Step\'
\'Step\'
A series of small, deliberate steps echoed around the arena, causing a hush to fall over the crowd. Every gaze turned toward the source of the sound.
\'Step\'
\'Step\'
\'Step\'
"Ssshooooooo!"
A collective gasp escaped the audience as they witnessed the entrance of an exceptionally handsome figure!! The term "Handsome" seemed inadequate to describe him; his allure surpassed conventional definitions.
While some had seen him before, each encounter only intensified the perception of his extraordinary attractiveness.... as if his handsome increased every day.
Cloaked in a black dress adorned with red and blue embroidery, his heterochromatic eyes glowed with a captivating combination of emerald green and cloudy white.
Asher Eli moved with measured grace, his gaze projecting an air of authority and confidence that permeated the arena.
The audience, captivated by his magnetic presence, couldn\'t help but be drawn into the enigma that was Asher Eli.
\'Step\'
Asher Eli stood before Kayden, whose face contorted with anger. Kayden felt a surge of superiority, convinced that Eli was beneath him.... even if his aura felt different.
A commoner could never beat a Noble!!
The air crackled with tension when suddenly,
"~Ara~Ara~"
A sultry, sweat-inducing voice echoed, sending shivers down everyone\'s spine.
Eli halted his gaze on Kayden, turning to identify the source of the mysterious voice. However, the origin remained elusive.
Not only Eli but everyone present struggled to pinpoint the source until,
"Ahem"
The Head Master materialized between Kayden and Eli, effectively redirecting their attention.
Everyone snapped and looked back.
"This is the duel between Mr. Kayden R and Mr. Asher Eli.
The conditions have already been discussed with the two parties.
Without wasting any----"
"Pardon my rudeness, Head Master," Kayden interrupted with an arrogant face.
The Head Master\'s lips twitched. Just because of these idiots, he was being treated like a slave..... He glanced at the higher platform, where a VVIP was present.
"Go on," the Head Master urged, keeping his composure.
Kayden smiled with false humility, bowing slightly to the Head Master, and then shot an arrogant glare at the seemingly indifferent Asher Eli.
"You think you can come whenever you want?
Is this a joke to you?
Don\'t you have any discipline?
Don\'t you...."
As Kayden continued his tirade, Eli maintained a stoic expression, observing the Hero attempting to frame him as an unethical guy or whatever...
Yet,
\'He hasn\'t changed a single bit, has he?\' Eli thought.
It was just like before the first day of their encounter; Kayden always rambled on about something before the fight.
"...See I am, far more--"
Hearing enough of his shit, Eli interrupted him,
"Have you married?"
"H-Huh?" Veins popped on Kayden\'s forehead when he got interrupted.
"Have. you. Married?" Eli\'s voice was now more powerful and emotionless.
Kayden didn\'t know why, but he felt if he didn\'t answer, something terrible would happen. Gritting his teeth,
"N-No, not yet!!"
"Hmm" Eli raised an eyebrow, with a smug smile, "Unlike you, I\'m a married man.
I have responsibilities and being a man it\'s kind of exciting to have a beautiful wife....
I have to work all night.....
So, I hope you understand what I mean... right?
and.... I am sorry?"
Eli flashed a small smile making Kayden and the other males twitch their lips.
".....KKKYYYYAAAAA!!!"
"OOHHHHHHH!!!!"
The stadium echoed with the screams of women who were seemingly captivated by Eli\'s unexpected revelation.
Scarlett, sitting with her mother, turned bright red. Seeing her brother so bold and telling everyone she was his wife.... \'Oh!!\' she started to feel shy.... Nope, he didn\'t mean her it\'s just her imagination.
Mariel, beside her, couldn\'t help but snort at the spectacle, though she refrained from saying anything. She had yet to forgive her daughter for her inappropriate act.
Eli glanced at the Head Master, who nodded, giving the signal to start.
"Let\'s begin!!!"
Eager anticipation filled the air as Eli casually produced his trident, ready to face whatever move Kayden had in store.
Kayden, whose face turned ugly upon realizing that his efforts to portray Eli in a negative light had failed, gritted his teeth. He was about to make shit out of him when,
"....."
\'W-What?\'
"Gulp"
Kayden couldn\'t comprehend why, but his legs trembled in fear, as if the person standing in front of him was an entirely different being.
\'W-Why?\' Kayden asked himself. He knew Eli. They had already fought before...
In their initial encounters, Eli\'s actions showcased his worthiness as a commoner... whether in speech, gait, or expression... Everything literally said he was a commoner.
However, Eli standing before Kayden now...
This figure didn\'t even acknowledge Kayden\'s existence. His eyes held nothing but a fleeting glance as if regarding an insignificant ant.
Clenching his fists, Kayden summoned determination and shouted,
"You veil bastar--"
"I didn\'t wear a veil, though," Eli interjected calmly.
Despite Kayden\'s attempt to make his shout louder than a mere mutter, Eli\'s voice resonated the most.
"PPFftt--"
A stifled sound emanated from the higher platform where the Head Master and other influential figures were seated.
Kayden\'s eyes turned bright red; he had intended to deliver a dramatic speech like any hero before a duel, casting Eli as the villain in the eyes of the spectators.
"He..Heh.... Let me show your true ugly sid--" Before Kayden could finish his speech, Eli vanished from his position.
Without a second thought, Kayden immediately teleported to another location.
"BOOM"
The sight before him made Kayden\'s heart race. The ground where he had stood was deeply impaled by Eli\'s trident..... Unable to sense Eli\'s presence, Kayden had instinctively employed his space-distorting ability, if not for his instincts he.... he...
Gasps echoed throughout the arena; this was pure killing!!
It seemed Eli was determined to end Kayden\'s life.
"Y-You!!" Kayden shouted. Before Eli could react, Kayden snapped his fingers, and a crystal ball appeared, proclaiming, "See, people? This is the reason I have to fight this wretched monster who would do anything for his gain!!"
The video was nothing but showcasing.... their first duel.... The admission test.
Asher Eli without a care retrieved his trident from the ground and mused, \'I guess the space element was a little better... yeah, a little better.\'
Unfazed by whatever Kayden intended to reveal, Eli remained focused on his objective.
However,
When the video played, the audience observed the video of Asher Eli and Kayden\'s previous duel. The footage portrayed Eli as the one who \'backstabbed\' the hero, and, against all odds, the hero emerged victorious.
Sure it was a good video,
However,
Eli couldn\'t help but facepalm, thinking,
\'Damn man, you have to show it here!!\' As he predicted, the reaction followed.
\'Shatter, Shatter\'
The glass around the higher platform shattered as black mana swept out with a deadly sound.
"CLAP!!"