Although those around him showed astonished expressions, Ryu didn't have much of a reaction himself. He may have evaluated Gale as too arrogant, but how did others see Ryu? His arrogance pervaded the lands, infused the heavens and shook the earth. This was Ryu! A man who, even as a cripple, wouldn't bat a single eyelash when challenged by an immortal. This was his pride.
Titus felt his chest thump when he looked at this son of his. 'How great would my son be if the heavens hadn't cursed him? Wouldn't he force the Shrine Plane to play on the palm of his hands?'
However, to Ryu, he wouldn't describe himself as arrogant. Wouldn't such a title imply that he was overconfident? This evaluation was wrong. Ryu knew the extent of his abilities. His disposition was nothing short of warranted and earned!
To the side, Old Mistress Holy Wing almost couldn't refrain from giggling in madness. She had come of with this plan on a whim but hadn't expected Gale to adapt and react so perfectly. But then again, if he wasn't an outstanding youth, he would have never been chosen for Elena.
"And what did you have in mind?" Ryu replied.
Gale's face twitched slightly in response to Ryu's calm response. 'Does this cripple really think that it only makes sense for me to challenge him? Does he believe that he's worthy of such a thing?! FUCK! If it wasn't for this old hag, do you think that I would be in this predicament?!"
"Nothing complicated. It'll be a simple test of disposition. As much as I'd love to settle this with the ancient rules of the martial world, your body is too frail. I had also thought of challenging you in your domain, but I have no experience in secondary professions. Instead, I'll choose something completely neutral and benign."
Gale's poisonous words were clear to everyone, but they still remained sympathetic to him. Which of them wouldn't feel insulted if a mere mortal showed no reaction to their challenge? This was a sort of slap in the face too. Gale had clearly managed to grasp the crowd's momentum. The Faith of this room was now biased toward him.
"Is that so?" Ryu nodding faintly.
"Of course." Gale nodded. "There's still the wager portion. I would like you to wager this Origin Flame Embryo!"
The room fell into such a devasting silence that even a pin dropping wouldn't dare to make a sound. This wager… It was too venomous! Did Gale believe an Origin Flame was a normal treasure?! How could such a thing be used in a wager?
"Alright."
However, Ryu's answer was swift and decisive. He didn't even ask what Gale would bring to the table. In fact, he didn't care. The idea of losing never crossed his mind, even for a single moment.
"It's difficult to put a price on Young Master Gale, and it's even more difficult to place a value upon your heartfelt emotions. In comparison to the Origin Flame, I fear that your plight heavily outshines it. As such, I have no qualms placing this small flame forward. In fact, I would feel ill-at-ease if you also wagered something. I would feel much better if you didn't."
Ryu's words caused his family's lips to quiver. It was a serious matter, but Ryu's words were too funny.
Gale had gone through all that trouble to make sure others knew that he didn't care for Elena. He was only doing this for what she represented, not her herself. Yet, Ryu's words had shattered that fabricated reality.
By implying that Gale's emotional trauma over Elena was even more valuable than an Origin Flame, he was portraying Gale as some frail, porcelain doll that needed to be coddled and protected, even to the point of gaining his rival's sympathy! If Gale's words were poisonous, Ryu's were deadly!
"There's no need, this young master wouldn't be so shameless." Gale spoke through his clenched jaw.
"Oh? So you have something of comparable value to an Origin Flame? I wonder what hidden vault treasure of the Ventus Clan this is?"
Ryu's words tore another hole in Gale's gut. While Ryu's own efforts brought his clan this Origin Flame, wouldn't Gale only be able to bring out a treasure his Ventus Clan had gotten for him?
With just a few words, Ryu was sneering toward Gale despite his face remaining cold and neutral. 'You dare challenge me to a wager to decide which of us is better? Isn't it already clear which of us deserves that title? You can't even bring out something you've taken with your own two hands!'
Gale's chest heaved as he felt many looks of pity fall upon him. He had tried to start a war of words with the Tatsuya Clan's Young Master, yet it had ended with him getting beaten down time and time again. Wasn't this too pitiful?
Soon, Gale forced himself to regain his calm once more. He had lost count of the number of times he had to do this in just the last few minutes. This Ryu's words were too sharp…
"I'm sure that Young Master Ryu won't be disappointed. While the Origin Flames are the last sparks from the beginning of all things, there are other vicissitudes of that age still remaining." A crafty glint lit his eye as his back straightened, a look of pride in his eyes.
"As you all know, the Wind Sky God mandates that her successor inhale the winds located at the ends of existence, the Heavenly North, South, East and West Winds. What this young master has here is an Embryonic North Heavenly Wind!"
The guests began to clamor, unable to hold down their excitement. They had come here in low spirits, feeling it beneath them to attend the birthday party of a toddler. But, to think that they'd see so many great things! This was unprecedented!
An Origin Flame and a Heavenly Wind?! These two treasures were indeed comparable. Although the Origin Flame was actually a few tiers higher, when all four Heavenly Winds were combined, they wouldn't lose out in any way!
This was truly a worthy wager!