Quickly following, the two Medium priests rushed forward with palm-strikes but Shen dodged and redirected the palms without even moving from his spot, entering into a close combat against both of them but dealing with one arm each. After a few moments of constant parrying, he quickly grabbed hold of the wrist of two palms coming at the same time from his sides, redirecting them and making them strike each other’s chest. From above, a uni priest fell with his fist in front like a meteorite, but Shen, just like before, grabbed a hold of the wrist and redirected the punch right beside him, rather, in front of him from where other three High Classed priests wanted to use a combination of kicks. Their combination got interrupted as the uni priest suddenly crashed in front of them, making them block a strong shockwave. Then Shen kicked the priest in front of him right into the three, making them all fall like pins.
“Oah?”
Shen then took a step to the side to let a fire arrow fly pass him.
“Go, go! Don’t let him take a breather!”
“Breather? Do I look like I’d need that?”
Shen stared confused at the High magic priest in front of him who just shot the fire arrow then he suddenly felt his ankles grabbed and pulled downwards. The next moment, Shen’s ankles were now under the ground, then a high-class priest suddenly appeared behind him and locked onto his neck, the next moment another huge high-class priest pinned Shen by one arm and another equally burly priest locked onto his other arm. The next moment, three uni priests rushed towards him, one from the front, one from behind, and one from above, each with their hands in the form of a spear, ready to impale Shen while killing intent exhumed from all over their bodies.
“So I take it, this is a Deathmatch?”
Shen’s dark tone made everyone around them to shiver and a feeling like things won’t go as planned struck them all.
T-this is bad!
The first to feel something wrong was the woman that locked onto his neck, hastily trying to get away, but she was too late.
“As if I’d let any of you escape.”
Shen’s eyes turned blood red and his aura exploded, usurping the ground below him and sending flying the two burly and one woman priests from around him, making them crash on the walls around, adding in calculus that the diameter of the circular arena was close to 100m. The three that wished to strike Shen crashed onto the shockwave as if they crashed on an indestructible wall, the shockwave continuing to push them away and such sending them flying with wounds even worse than the former three, these crashing head-on on the shockwave then on the walls of the arena. From the brutal shockwave, Shen was momentarily stagnant in the air but then he lightly landed and stabbed his arm underground, then took out a bloody high class priest who was already unconscious.
“T-this dude is brutal…”
“Yeah. Did you see the Universitar priests who crashed onto the shockwave? I bet some suffered some ugly injuries.”
“Broken bones, that’s for sure.”
“I wonder how he’ll deal with the one that hid underneath.”
“Bet he’s going to throw him or even kill him.”
“Yeah, I’d see that coming.”
“N-no way… The High Clerk won’t let that to happen… right?”
“Maybe…?”
The audience waited for the execution with their breath cut, only to see Shen slowly lay the injured priest on a flying stone-table he just created, and make the table with the unconscious priest atop of it to fly away from him toward the Great Clerk’s group.
“This one suffered the worst blow. You better take him to the infirmary.”
“…Take him away.”
The Great Clerk stared sharply at Shen, then at the injured priest, giving order to his subordinates to take care of him.
Tsk, damn fossil. That’s how you take care of your people?
-BOOM!-
Not even able to turn around, a fire-bomb exploded right beside his head, completely covering him in flames and smoke.
“Oy that was nasty!”
“Wow, sneak attacks? Isn’t it enough that they’re fifty to one?”
“Oy! Guys! Quiet down or they’ll hear us!”
“Oh come on, it’s a fight! Of course they can strike whenever from wherever!”
“yeah, but even when he’s rescuing an injured one?”
“Hah! It was his fault for not being wary in the first place.”
The coliseum started whispering loudly, mostly being displeased with the battle priests’ sneaky moves, but some approving of it as it was normal inside a coliseum. Even so, Shen stood tall, uninjured by this one strike, only having his clothes burnt and cut here and there. Even so, his deadly scars and ridiculously life-like tattoos baffled many.
He looked behind with a neutral face and observed all the mage-oriented priests with their spells fully charged sitting in a weird formation.
“Ready to strike!”
One Universitar Priest shouted and every other priest cleared the area, taking with them even the downed ones, leaving Shen alone in the open.
Hm? Wait. What is this powerful energy?
Shen frowned for a moment when a suddenly great array appeared under the magic battle priests, the collective energy swirling and spinning above them, forming for a great ball of multi elemental energies to grow and be ready to be thrown.
“Great Saint power-rank?!”
Leorio shouted shocked after feeling the ridiculous accumulated energy and even the Patriarch frowned displeased.
“Great Clerk, I thought I already told you that our new priest-to-be is in truth the representative of another kingdom who will work for us for 2 years. If something were to happen to him, would you be able to support the burden of gaining a new enemy?”
The Great Clerk was unfazed as he asked back,
“Patriarch, with all my respect, I’ve been informed that this young founder was able to show incredible combat capabilities even against our entire group of elites, in front of Elder King Leorio and Lord Yuri, all placed together. If he’s unable to hold his ground even against such an ability then I can take it that I’ve been misinformed and I will hold all the burden.”
“That was when he was using his [Energy Stones]… Listen here, if something were to happen to Lord Johan, you won’t be able to hold all that responsibility even if you exchange your life for his, Great Clerk.”
The patriarch’s tone was already deep and severe, making even the always unfazed Great Clerk to feel some worry. Even so, he still answered while trying to stay as unfazed as possible,
“So is Patriarch Astaroth so untrusting into this young lord’s powers as to survive at least this much?”
“…Then so it be, Sarmin. Remember this: if lord Johan falls, then your head will be next.”
This time Sarmin turned with a revolted look on his face, but immediately felt like breaking in a cold sweat after seeing Astaroth’s murderous glint in his eyes, showing that he was anything but joking at the moment. He just said that his life won’t be enough to exchange for injuring Shen, now that if he didn’t believe him it was his own problem.
Seeing him finally panicking now, the patriarch felt somewhat better but frowned still displeased as the spell from the mages was charged up and ready to strike.
“[Array of Creation: Great Elemental Fusion-”
“Nah, hold up a second.”
“?!?”
Out of nowhere, Shen suddenly appeared in front of the uni priest who seemed to be the leader and stared at his feet, observing how every one of them stood inside a magic circle which joined together to be part of the array.
“W-when did you-“
“Hey, if this array is suddenly charged up past the limits, what will happen?”
““W-what?!””
The priests’ faces turned white and Shen understood the answer from their reactions. Because Shen was simply too close, the couldn’t use the great energy ball above their head and so they couldn’t really cancel it that fast either.
“H-hey! Where is the melee group?! Send him away!”
“Y-yes!”
The remaining physical oriented priests finally rushed forward, but it was too late as Shen was already stepping on the magic circle bellow and started to infuse his energy.
“Here, let me help you.”
“W-wait! Stop! You will kill us all!!”
“Nah, is fine~. Even after such a blow, nobody will die. I know it cuz I blew up quite a few times before. I know what it takes to kill Masters to Grandmasters like you lot.”
“Y-you’re mad!”
“Oho~! Well done discovering that.”
Shen winked at the priest and their faces turned completely white. Before the combat priests could even touch Shen, the great energy ball above them started to fluctuate with uncontrollable energy and show signs of exploding.
“[Great Barrier!]”
Feeling the ridiculous energy fluctuating in such a chaotic way, the patriarch hurriedly got up and created a barrier everywhere around the arena, such protecting the entire coliseum and everyone inside it.
-BOOM-
The multi-coloured energy ball suddenly exploded, but contrary to everyone’s expectations, the explosion was much milder and low in the destructive part than expected. Even so, the priests who were inside the array, were now all laying on the ground, completely passed out, with the exception of Shen and another medium classed priest who was out of the area of the explosion, looking completely shocked at Shen who seemed to have suffered no damage.
“…”
The priest said nothing while he was still frozen, shock being written in his eyes while looking at his companions.
“Oy.”
Shen then called out and the priest twitched, waking up from his daze.
“You didn’t make one move against me up till now. Why? Are you the kind who sits back when his companions are fighting?”
The priest then took a more serious expression and glanced back. With a solemn tone he said,
“This is supposed to be a duel, not a street fight. Going so many against one in a duel is something no noble should be able to do.”
“Even if the Great Clerk ordered this?”
“…Although I’m a small noble, I know better than behave like thugs, even if I’m ordered to do such.”
“Hoho~. Even if the enemy in front of you is much stronger than anyone you’ve met before?”
Shen’s aura swirled threateningly but the noble in front didn’t even flinch, although his back was already filled with sweat and his face almost palled. He stood tall and while taking a martial stance he answered,
“Even if. A duel is a duel. Maybe if it was in the middle of a war, but otherwise I see no need for such a shameful act.”
“Pfft! Ahahaha! Good thing the patriarch made this barrier sound-proof as well. Like this that old fossil won’t have any grudge on you as he’s unable to hear us. Now, let us fight—“
“Please hold on a moment.”
Just as Shen wished to rush forward, the priest suddenly stopped him, making him almost trip and fall face-first. With quite the annoyed expression Shen asked,
“Ye? What is it?”
“Please tell me what you did back then. That energy ball was strong enough to destroy this entire coliseum. Just how did you made it form just a small crater like this?”
“What. That was the question? I simply intruded inside the array and infused my own energy to destabilise the balance between elements, making them null each other until only this fart of an explosion remained. Now can we fight? I’m really curious how a noble person like you fights.”
“F-fart… Sigh~ Alright. Here I go!”
Sighing dishearten after hearing that one of their school’s best arrays was called to be just a fart, the priest hastily took a combat stance and rushed forward.
“Nice charge, but can you control it?”
Shen smiled amused and punched forward a phantom punch, making the priest open his eyes wide and hastily sidestep to the side, reaching behind Shen.
“Kinda sloppy, but still better than those morons.”
“I thank the founder for the praises.”
He then rushed toward Shen’s back and prepared a roundhouse kick. Shen slightly bent, leaving the kick to go above his head and quickly countered with a guard-break and a fist, grabbing one of his arms away from his face and punching forward. The priest hastily dodged the fist and in a panic kicked toward Shen’s legs, wanting to make him retreat.
“A weak kick won’t do anything.”
Shen simply tensed his leg-muscles and the kick did almost nothing to him. Seeing that his kick was too weak to make Shen let him go, the priest’s face palled then Shen followed right after with another punch. The priest tried to block the punch with one arm but was sent flying by the uppercut. Even so, he was able to land properly as the punch wasn’t that strong. Right after, Shen followed with a knee toward his face but the priest hastily rolled away, getting up and rushing with his fingers right toward Shen’s throat. Shen smiled surprised and with a fluid palm he redirected the strike then followed with his other fist, striking towards his liver. The priest already saw this as he redirected Shen’s punch with his other hand, then for a small fraction of a second, he fell into a dilemma:
N-now what? If I wish to strike with my left, then I’ll need to retract my arm which will give him enough time to either retreat or counter, or should I strike with a kick? No, I’m too close- Ah! I know!
The priest then sidestepped and while spinning he quickly struck out with his elbow toward Shen’s head, forming ripples from the strong impact. Because he was with the back, the priest was unable to tell what he struck, but the impact was definitely strong nevertheless.
There!
“Seriously?”
Shen’s voice resounded and the priest finally saw how he struck Shen’s arm.
“Eh?”
“Do you think you have the luxury to show your back to me? You’re either desperate or foolish.”
Shen then grabbed a hold of his elbow and of his other arm then strongly head-butted the priest right in the forehead so he won’t break his nose.
“Guh!”
The priest instinctively retracted his head and jumped backwards at the impact, but the strike was still strong enough to send him crashing on his back 2 meters behind.
“Your reactions are good, but because you strike by reflex, you forget to add power. Your speed is well matched with your raw strength, but you rush too much for a finishing blow. I mean, what in the world was that high roundhouse kick? Don’t you know? First are always punches to put your adversary in a rhythm, then hastily come with a kick so to confuse them and make them act desperately. Kicks are slower than punches. That’s why you never use them first against an experienced adversary. And also, a spinning elbow? Really? I was waiting for that head-butt, but you thought that it would be better to risk having your back exposed, for what? For a finishing blow? As I said, you rush too much and if you’re not a master of combat, then playing the risky card is the hand of the fool.”
The Medium Class Priest listened surprised and suddenly asked,
“Are you… teaching me how to fight?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve been using the same power-level as yours just so this fight won’t finish too soon. Or what, is your pride now wounded for being taught by a brat like me?”
Shen smiled mockingly but the priest still had a serious expression on his face. He slowly got up and cupped his hands in respect for Shen.
“Not at all. On the contrary, I thank you and wish for Founder Johan to continue to teach me the way of combat as I am still inexperienced.”
“… You really are an odd one.”
“Am I?”
The priest smiled amused and Shen scratched his head confused. Seeing how everything calmed down, the Patriarch lowered the barrier and observed the two chatting in a friendly manner, the medium-class priest with a smile on his face while Shen with a complicated expression.
“So? What was the result?”
The patriarch asked with a smile already knowing the answer after seeing the melee duel. The priest bowed his waist in a respectful manner and answered calmly,
“Yes. We utterly lost even after going fifty to one. Lord Founder Johan has all the rights to be the winner of this duel-… test.”
“I see. In that case I suggest to go for our next test. Yes? Great Clerk Sarmin.”
“…. Alright.”
Sarmin answered sharply but the next moment, the entire stadium started an uproar.
“WOAAAHH~!!!”
“Woah- what the f-?!”
The entire coliseum roared in amazed applauses, completely shocking Shen after hearing the loud cheers. Unable to understand what was happening, Shen looked around completely restless, thinking that maybe some kind of rebellion was starting.
“Hahaha~! Congratulation to founder Johan for passing his first test with flying colors.”
The priest walked closer to him and bowed lightly, congratulating him with sincere feelings. Shen on the other hand stared weirdly at the priest and asked confused,
“And why are you so happy? Rather, what in the world is wrong with everyone? Is there a war or something?”
Shen seemed to be quite perturbed as he was unable to understand what was happening, but then the elder king Leorio and Patriarch Astaroth jumped and slowly levitated beside them with wide smiles on their faces.
“Hohoho~! Has founder Johan never experienced the joy of being cheered and applauded? Such a wild crowd I have rarely seen.”
“Exactly. Is like everyone here loves you already. Are you not pleased with such popularity? Hahahaha~!”
Astaroth and Leorio laughed happily, satisfied about the fact that Shen was able to win the students’ admiration from this one duel. Even Yuri and Jian followed after to congratulate Shen, both being influenced by the hyped reaction of the youngsters inside and around the colosseum.
“Congratulations, Johan.”
“Indeed, I expected nothing less from you. And look at their reactions, what a wave-raiser you are.”
Yuri smiled sincerely while walking closer to him with a serene expression, making Shen feel somewhat embarrassed seeing his sincere happiness for him. Jian also landed slowly beside them and smiled amused while pointing toward the huge crowd that surrounded them, Shen only looking more perturbed,
“What is that big of a deal, anyway…?”
Shen looked confused at everyone, then the Middle Class Priest explained with the same high spirited smile on his face,
“For such a strong person like yourself, it might be nothing to pass this test, but as you can see everyone admires your strength, Lord Johan. I wish you’ll be able to answer their cheers accordingly.”
“They’re cheering…. For me?”
“Aye, boss! I can’t lie, that fight was sick! The last part where you fought the Middle priest was an incredible sight! For a powerful warrior to fight someone much weaker on equal grounds, that’s something unheard of as any great warrior would be overwhelmed by pride when faced with a weaker enemy. With such a move, not only did you show respect to a honest opponent, but you also showed great grace to the ones who spectated the duel between you two.”
Even Sabin got down and patted his shoulder with a wide smile, amazed that his boss actually never felt how is like to feel the cheers of a crowd.
Shen then finally understood that everyone was shouting not because of an emergency, but to applaud and cheer for his achievement. Although for him it was nothing, he never truly felt appreciated for what he did, such ending up seeing no true worth in no matter what he did. Although he also disliked being overly praised, he still preferred for his work to be recognized.
“WOOOHHH~!!”
Seeing them all still applaud and cheer with such passion, Shen was unable to simply ignore them and as an answer he confidently raised his fist while releasing a strong battle-ready aura, making for the blood of anyone who saw him to rush and boil even stronger than before.
-BOOOM~!!!-
The crowd answered back with even fiercer cheers, making for the entire coliseum to vibrate with small tremors.
“Hahaha~.”
A rare sight for Yuri, Sabin and the ones who actually knew Shen, to see him laugh while bathing in the cheers of the crowd, hearing them scream and applaud for him. Everyone knew Shen as a more reserved individual. To actually see him enjoy the attention of crowds, that was quite the surprise.
“Time to go.”
The Great Clerk announced as he got down from his seat and walked toward the middle of the coliseum, unable to take part in this such making the crowd to quiet down with his presence alone. Afterwards Sarmin struck the ground twice with a black royal cane he got out from a spatial pouch, making for the coliseum’s arena to vibrate and for it to split in the middle, revealing a great orb of power-measurement.
Oh? Isn’t that one the same with the crystal-orbs Saint Gabriel had inside his treasury? Our kingdom uses them even now to verify how fast our warriors are growing every week. But those things can measure up to adept Saint power-rank… Well, I always wanted to see what will happen if the output is stronger than the limited capacity. I think at best it will explode.
Shen grinned in anticipation then Sarmin announced with a neutral voice.
“Now, Lord Founder Johan. I will ask of you to please step forward and place your hand on this great crystal. It will measure your powers and in accordance, it will give us the possibility to offer a befitting test.”
“Well, aren’t you kind? Now you’re actually putting into account the tested individual’s powers and not just indiscriminately going in full force, yes? That’s much appreciated.”
Shen’s sarcastic tone made the Great Clerk and his circle to frown with dark faces. Sabin and Astaroth tried to hide their laughing faces while the queen, Leorio, Yuri, and Jian smiled awkwardly, while a part of the elites and the whole priesthood couldn’t help but whiten in the face and start sweating. Shen then simply walked toward the crystal ball and after he looked at it for a moment, he turned toward the Great Clerk and said:
“With all respect, I suggest to change this crystal ball with a sturdier one. It might break if one strand of my mana enters inside it to be examined.”
“… Brat, are you testing my patience?”
Sarmin seemed to be at his wits ends, glaring at Shen with a scorning tone.
“Oh come on, man. We already saw his ridiculous powers. If he said that the crystal sphere won’t hold then it will surely break-“
“A mere servant dares to open his mouth unasked?!”
The Great Clerk boomed and around Sabin’s neck, a force tried to choke him as he was now unable to breathe, his body slowly starting to levitate.
T-this old fart! He’s a Saint at Intermediate!
Sabin started sweating and his face paled as he slowly lost consciousness.
“Great Clerk.”
Shen’s domineering tone boomed and the force around Sabin’s neck dissipated and set him free, making the High Clerk to turn toward Shen in shock then freeze in place after seeing his red and stern eyes.
“I apologize in my assistant’s name, but I will ask from now on not to raise your hand at one of my people, especially when I’m present. Please remember this as next time I won’t be so benevolent no matter who will speak for your greatness.”
His tone polite but his sharp glare and firm words made everyone understand the deeper meaning.
No matter who, if someone touches my people, be ready to pay in full.
“… If founder Johan can apologize for his assistant’s misbehavior, then this old man has nothing more to say against, I’ll only ask for them to learn behaving.”
The Great Clerk was the same as his eyes said something else:
If you wish for their wellbeing, then better keep your minions in check.
Shen still felt irritated by the Great Clerk’s answer and thought to teach him a lesson.
“In that case, please fulfill me one wish…“
Shen touched the great crystal sphere with just one finger and the next moment, the crystal ball shone with a blinding light that made even the furthest person to cover their eyes. Right after, cracking sounds reverberated throughout the coliseum, making for the great crystal ball to crack and collapse in multiple pieces, being unable to measure the true power-rank Shen had at the moment.
“….”
Everyone stared baffled and even the Great Clerk froze at such a sight, but Shen still continued his words, waking Sarmin up from his dazed state,
“Please be sure there won’t be any bugs to disturb any of my people or myself next time…”
Otherwise I’ll have to take things in my own hands, and you won’t like it, old man.
Although he didn’t gave voice to his last sentence, Sarmin, the patriarch, Leorio, and even the Queen got the message loud and clear.
They might be allies now and Shen truly wished to make a strong bond between the two kingdoms. But if there was no mutual respect from both sides, then he couldn’t help but take a strong front and show once again that if there was disrespect, then no one should expect for him to be any humbler.
“…Seeing how the power-rank cannot be measured, the next test will be canceled. To the last test then.”
Sarmin said nothing about Shen’s wish and turned around, walking inside the colosseum toward some spiraling stairs which were going to the underground.
“Sigh~…”
The patriarch sighed then walked toward Shen. He patted his shoulder and said,
“We understand your indignation, Lord Founder, but we better not make any rushed decisions. Acting before thinking it’s unwise.”
“I am well aware of that and I won’t take any decisions which would place the two kingdoms into conflict. All that happens here will remain here as it will have nothing to do with the kingdoms themselves, but if I’m showered with malice, please don’t expect for me to give back kindness. I’m not a saint-hearted man, and neither do I plan to become one.”
“It is understandable, please don’t worry.”
Hearing that the kingdoms were out of this little misunderstanding between Shen and Sarmin, Astaroth and the Leorio were able to breathe out more at ease.
After going down the spiraling stairs, everyone reached an underground spacious hall where a great altar has been sculpted from a white stone and behind it, a great statue of someone Shen couldn’t help but feel his blood boiling after seeing, was standing tall with a sword and a scale in his hands.
“Kaveh…!”
