Kahn took a deep breath and entered the large hall. Although he was feeling awkward a bit inside, he still maintained his confident look and looked approachable.
He grabbed a glass of wine and greeted the organizers. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered and started to look around; some of the guests approached him and greeted & formally introduced themselves to Kahn.
Kahn didn't have any problems getting mixed up among these reputed and influential people as one would expect because at the moment, his reputation was at its peak.
"I've long heard the renounced name of yours, mister Kahn. And I hope to cooperate with you on many things in the future if you have time." spoke one of the well-dressed guests who displayed proper etiquette and demeanor of a well-mannered individual.
"Pleased to meet you as well. And I do appreciate you being direct about it than beating around the bush. I like such type of person the most." joked Kahn and started a friendly conversation.
As a grain of sugar was in front of them, many of the guests started swarming like a group of ants towards Kahn and tried to make his acquaintance before others had a chance.
Soon, there was one side of the hall that was filled with dozens of people making pleasant and praising remarks to Kahn while he greeted them politely and replied with utmost respect like someone belonging to an Aristocrat background.
But to some younger men in the crowd, the sight was displeasing because who didn't like attention and gain recognition of the masses. Especially for the ones belonging to the upper class of society. Something such as power, reputation and respect is what they yearned for most.
The nail hit the coffin when many young and beautiful girls and some extremely gentle looking women adorned in lavish clothes started paying attention to Kahn and even gave occasional flirting remarks, praising his extremely masculine body and handsome face.. This even made Kahn feel shy occasionally because who didn't appreciate compliments from the opposite gender?
Kahn kept a polite smile on his face and laughed in response, showing a welcoming attitude to these young and gorgeous women.
"Eh, what's so good about killing a bunch of braindead monsters? And since when can a Commoner be better than those from Noble clans?" spoke a young and round-faced man among the guests. His voice was was loud enough to reach every corner of the hall.
"Yes. I believe he didn't even kill those minotaurs by himself and had help from others. All those rumors seem like nothing but a sham to me." complained another noble heir among this crowd, adding fuel to the fire.
But unlike some Beta main character, Kahn wasn't the type of guy who'd allow others to talk down on him or let such remarks slide if somebody specifically targeted him.
"I feel like if you gentlemen have some misgivings about me.. May I know why?" asked Kahn in response, his voice was loud enough to reach everyone's ears.
"Ah, don't mind us. We just don't fit in well with posers and lowlifes." spoke a slim man from this group with condescending eyes.
"Then why do I see a bunch standing in the middle of this hall?" replied Kahn as he sipped his wine elegantly.
GASP!
Suddenly the entire hall went silent as multiple gasps and shocked whispers were heard. Kahn's remark was targeted towards this group of young nobles who were standing exactly in the middle of this hall at this moment.
This was no different than declaring this bunch as useless and incapable through that retort.
"You! What did you say?! Do you know who I am?" spoke a grumpy guy from the group, totally enraged after Kahn's banter.
"No, I don't. And I don't care.." declared Kahn in a nonchalant voice.
Why should he swallow down an insult just because he was surrounded by a bunch of upper-class people? None of them were related to him or had any friendship so why would he shut up and not respond in the same way as the other party.
Trying to control this situation calmly would only make him look weak and a conman. Who would take him seriously if he didn't retort back in an authoritative tone?
"You lowlife scum! You dare insult us?! Are you tired of living?" shouted the first round-faced young man.
Kahn walked in front of the group of people that were surrounding him. He placed the wine glass on a table and folded his arms. He raised an eyebrow and replied in a dejected tone.
"Why would I feel threatened by a bunch of weaklings?"
The crowd went into disarray as soon as Kahn's last remark was heard.. Kahn had called these group of young heirs as weaklings.. Like he had no fear of the consequences and didn't fear the ire of these noble families at all.
Some found his attitude extremely brave while the majority of the nobles present there found his words extremely arrogant. This was a society of Elitism after all. A no-name coming in their circle and calling their young-ins as weaklings was no different than a slap in their face.
"You ignorant cretin! You dare fight me?!" shouted a young guy who was around the same age as Kahn.
"Yes! Do you dare fight us, young filthy commoner!" replied a Tigerkin young man from the noble group.
Although Rakos Empire wasn't run by a Royal family and worked more like a Democratic country, there existed a class of people who had a say in running this Empire. So definitely they had their sense of superiority and elitism.
"Even if I accept your challenge, I don't think it's appropriate to cause a fight here in front of all these people. It'll ruin this pleasant gathering." replied Kahn in a carefree tone.
"I'll allow it."
Suddenly an old Lionkin amongst the crowd who was surrounded by many old age people who were wearing extremely expensive clothes spoke in a soft tone. But his voice spread across the hall regardless and everyone in the hall turned silent the next second.
Unlike the other lionkin Kahn had seen, the old man in front of him wasn't excessively tall or had any muscular built. But from the looks of it, he held immense power and authority.
"Let me introduce myself.. I'm Gravis Kenthaar, the Magistrate of the Flavot city." spoke the old man as he walked towards Kahn and tried to shake his hand.
Kahn shook the hand in response and spoke "Pleased to meet you, honorable magistrate. Apologies for not recognizing you and greeting you when I came. I simply hadn't had a chance to meet your grand figure before." Kahn spoke with a calm demeanor, looking completely unaffected by the magistrate's regal appearance.
"I too wished to meet such a promising talent such as you, mister Kahn. Your grand and heroic deeds have reached my ears as well." replied the old man with a benign smile on his face.
At this moment, a middle-aged man and a brunette woman dressed in formal military clothes walked and stood behind the old magistrate. They were none other than captain Nordak and lieutenant Beatrice. Yet none of them spoke a word and simply looked at Kahn with discerning eyes.
"Since there seem to be some misunderstandings between you and these young men.. Why don't you display some of your skills to all of us? I'm certain that many of us would like to see them as well. Am I right everyone?" spoke the magistrate and looked around the hall.
"Yes, yes. We would love to see some entertainment as well." spoke a noble from the present guests and soon many others followed him. Some of the noble heirs belonged to the families of these nobles and Kahn calling them weaklings was also a disrespect towards their entire clan. So they too wanted to see him beaten and asking for forgiveness.
"Sure, let's take it to open space. It will give everyone a proper view as well." said Kahn.
Soon he and the group of noble heirs went outside in an open garden, followed by all the attendees.
Kahn stood on one side and the group of 8 heirs on the other side. They all took out their weapons, all of them seemed to be sword users for some reason.
Kahn found it reasonable as swords were the most glorified weapons for the noble class and military ranks.
Kahn took out a wooden sword from his space ring.
"Why aren't you using a real weapon? Are you afraid of something?" asked one of the heirs.
"Yes, I'm afraid... Afraid that I might end up injuring you lot." replied Kahn with an expressionless face.
"You! Let me go first. I'm going to teach this filthy scum some manners!" roared a man and walked ahead of the group.
"Wait!.." spoke Kahn and put his left hand in the left pocket his pant while he pointed the wooden sword in the right hand at the group of young nobles.
"I don't have all night. Let's finish it in one go." Kahn said.
"What do you mean?" asked the man who was about to fight Kahn.
Kahn simply let out a smirk and replied.
"Come at me.. All at once."