“D-Devil?!” Jasmine gasped from next to me once she realized that I stood up.
She was not the only one, as a chorus of murmurs erupted in my vicinity. Vex wasn’t slow on catching my movement either. “Oho. I should’ve seen this one coming. Mister Devil is up for the task I presume?”
I crouched low, concentrated my strength into my legs, and jumped off, landing right next to her just like I did when she called me to execute the rat dude whose name I long since forgot. “Yes,” I replied now that I was at a comfortable speaking distance.
A giant smirk found its way onto Vex’s gorgeous features. I could tell that she hard approved of my move, or maybe she just wanted to see me get my ass beaten. I was a bit cocky towards her in recent times, after all.
“Come out,” she instructed, and three people entered the arena.
“Since you’re taking on an unnecessarily enormous challenge, you may choose who you wish to face.”
There was an assassin, a fighter, and a mage.
Due to my being restricted to my Elemental Sovereign class, I was not particularly fond of a rogue matchup. These people were seasoned veterans and higher level than me, so putting myself in an even more difficult situation wasn’t ideal. After all, an assassin on this power level could likely speed-blitz me. Without me having access to my Stormblade class, I wasn’t confident in my chances.
The decision thus came down to a swordsmaster woman and a man who was dressed as a mage. He drew my curiosity, so I asked, “can you tell me your class?”
He had no reservations in answering my question. “Cryomancer.”
So he’s like Ice but older. Ice was perhaps the most interesting combatant in the event up until now besides my allies, but she was likely only around level 24. She would not give me too much of a challenge, unlike this older and stronger person. “What’s your name?”
“Kael, and you happen to be Devil, an Elemental Sovereign. Your future is bright, I’ve been watching.” He replied in a rather smug tone. Although his words were amicable, I could tell that he was eager to put me in my place. Whether it was jealousy or something else I didn’t know.
“Last question, what’s your level? Or is that a secret?”
“34.”
Oh boy. Then he is a very strong person. While the Consortium’s ranks weren’t dependent on levels, as in one could reach a high rank while having low levels or a low rank while having high levels, it was a good indicator nonetheless.
Level 34 should be a strong, upper-tier combatant of the Eclipse Enforcer rank, especially due to his rare class. I didn’t know how to become a Cryomancer, but I wanted to. I didn’t mean it like unlocking the class, but as in getting my Elemental Sovereign class to provide me with the opportunity to wield the element of ice as well.
An Elemental Sovereign was supposed to be the master of the elements, after all, and the four basic elements were just that – basic.
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Perhaps having a chance to study a Cryomancer would provide me with some hidden eureka moment or something.
“I wish to fight against this man.” I decreed while turning towards Vex.
“Devil, Devil, Devil. You’re truly starting to remind me of Raika. Are you a brute like her? You know, a man losing miserably is not hot at all in my opinion.” She replied in a coy tone while not ceasing her grinning even for a moment.
“Then I’ll just have to win your fancy by beating him up.”
“Hehe! You really are a brute, this is how dumb animals conduct their mating calls!” She snickered jovially.
The three newcomers who were close enough to hear our exchange raised an eyebrow in surprise, letting me know that not many had the right – or the balls – to talk to Vex like I do.
I couldn’t help but recognize that I was getting on very well with the mentally unstable women of Thalorind.
My interactions with Iris today were also very sweet. The fact that Black Fang is the one who shows the most interest in me from the seven heads is also… Should I be concerned? What does it say about my mental well-being if the crazy ladies tolerate me the best?
I then quickly came to the conclusion that it meant nothing because my mental health was in pristine shape. I’m as healthy as can be.
<Master Primordial, I wish to challenge the swordsman.> I suddenly heard Cedric ask for my permission.
<Denied.>
Cedric was level 23, without some big tricks up his sleeve, unlike me. He would likely get obliterated and ruin his chances of becoming a Phenom. I wanted to instill as many of my allies (puppets) onto the seats of Phenoms as possible. Not only will they get some monetary help, but they will also be trained and have better future prospects of ranking up.
<But Master>
I appreciated his eagerness to test himself as a blademaster, it was a trait that I was sure would make him into a great combatant later down the line. However, the risk-reward ratio was not to my liking in this instance.
<If you want to get beaten to a bloody mess then we can arrange that later. Blackjack or I will put you in your place. Before that, you are to become a Phenom.>
<I understand…> His brooding acceptance sounded in my mind just as I saw Iris throw a glance at me.
I knew what she thinking and shook my head. Just like Cedric, she wanted to challenge the swordmaster too. She had a better chance than Cedric in my opinion, but the odds were still heavily stacked against her.
Unlike me, the Phenom rank wasn’t in her bag already, she needed to show more excellence, in my opinion.
However, it seems that she didn’t take my advice to heart as she stepped up to the plate. “I wish to duel the woman with the sword.”
“Anyone else? No? Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we have two challengers! Devil versus the 129-year-old Kael and Wrath versus the 130-year-old Azura! Can these two young, budding stars overcome the odds presented by a century of harsh training their enemies have under their belts?” Vex was doing a very good job as a hype woman, evidenced by the crowd going wild with excitement.