After an Awkward apology, Ores had no face to stay. He never gave Dyon a disdainful look, nor did he seem angered. The only thing he felt was shame. Shame that he had brought such ruin to the Grimbold family. A shame he’d use to fuel him towards better and newer heights.
Smiling up at Ri, Dyon casually strolled back to his place among the beauties, seemingly still not having noticed Mithradir’s hot gaze.
Dyon grinned, “aren’t I amazing fairies?”
The girls rolled their eyes, but they couldn’t help but feel impressed. It was clear that Dyon wasn’t just a braggort, he had the skill to back up his words. They had no way of telling, but it was clear Dyon used at least 4 wills with his weapon’s hell arrays. That in and of itself would still be reasonable as there were other geniuses of that level here. But, his understanding of his wills had reached an unprecendented level. They couldn’t understand what was different between their uses of wills and Dyon’s… but there was a clear gap which was why he was able to make up such a large disparity in cultivation.
As for Mithrandir, her eyes slipped in and out of anger and complex emotions. She didn’t know how to feel. As a young lady, she was angered beyond belief at how Dyon took such a first time from her. But, something in her didn’t allow her to completely hate him since it was indeed her fault. Yet, there was a completely unreasonable part that wanted him to suffer and die.
Dyon turned his pure gaze to Mithrandir, “you should thank me Madame Norville.”
Mithrandir furrowed her eyebrows, gritting her teeth in anger, “what could I possibly have to thank you for?”
“Can it be possible that you don’t have an understanding of your own manifestation?”
Mithrandir’s eyes narrowed, seemingly understanding what Dyon was trying to get at.
“If you want to make further progress in your cultivation with me, it won’t be possible. I have a fiancee and I’m quite loyal,” Dyon said shamelessly, “but, I was at least able to give you a helpful hint, no? So, you’re welcome.”
“You! – “ Mithrandir was shivering, not knowing how to respond to Dyon’s shamelessness. Who asked him to help her again?!
All this time, Zaltarish had a boiling volcano within him. His face showed no signs of anger, but he was already plotting Dyon’s downfall. He had no doubt that he was much more powerful than Ores, but, wasn’t Dyon also much more powerful than Ores as well? He felt a discomfort within him, and for the first time since he manifestated his soul, he doubted himself.
But, his pride wouldn’t allow him to cave.
“I see. Your talent is indeed barely adequate for your arrogance,” Zaltarish spoke softly, but his voice seemed to quiet the entire surrounding areas.
Uncle Acacia had long since returned to his seat. Having turned the event over to the younger generation, he was content to sit back and watch things unfold.
Dyon turned away from Mithrandir, smiling faintly towards Zaltarish, “and you are?”
Zaltarish didn’t seem too bothered by Dyon’s response. In fact, none of the male geniuses who remained seemed to bother with Dyon at all. Almost has though him crushing Ores had nothing to do with them. In their eyes, Ores had no only underestimated Dyon, he had barely used his fully potential because of his pride. He didn’t stimulate his bloodline and he used no techniques. In fact, he only used 2 of the wills he knew. How could a young master of a major family only have an understanding of two wills? To top it all off, he didn’t even use his understanding of will paths at all. It was clear he hadn’t put Dyon in his eyes, which is why he lost.
However, would they make the same mistake after witnessing this? Of course not. So, why would they bother acknowledging Dyon?
Zaltarish sighed, “however, judging by your response, it’s clear you’re lacking in any other qualities necessary to lead a campaign. If it was just about strength, of which yours barely qualifies, why would we need leaders at all?”
Dyon chuckled, understanding Zaltarish’s meaning, “ah, so you think I’m stupid because I’m so clearly challenging you all without any understanding of who you are, correct?”
Although Zaltarish didn’t expect Dyon to pick up on what he meant so quickly, he didn’t let this bother him, “since you understand, doesn’t that make this easier? Can we have a leader who only knows how to charge ahead, without any use of tactics?”
Dyon laughed as though he had just heard the funniest thing in the world, “I’m the one who doesn’t understand, hm?” Suddenly, Dyon looked up towards Ri, “Ri, could you let me see the array plate for a second?”
A devious light flashed in Ri’s eyes. With a smile, she took it out of her ring and threw it down towards Dyon.
Dyon casually caught the plate between two of his fingers before flicking it towards Jonas.
Confused, Jonas caught the plate. Looking down, his eyes flashed with a sudden realization.
“Tell me fellow student Jonas, do you recognize this array plate?”
Jonas nodded heavily.
“And what does this array plate mean to you?”
Zaltarish’s expression turned serious for the first time. He had no idea what Dyon’s intentions were, but he felt like he was being played.
Jonas took a deep breath, “about a year ago, members of our guilds went to the main continent to gather supplies as our island isn’t vast enough to be self-sustaining. While there, we found a truly profound array plate and purchased as many as we could find. Although blacksmithing requires a vast amount of knowledge that strays from array theory, it is still considered a branch of the olden array alchemy. This being because the best of weapons always utilize the best of arrays to strengthen and boost them…
We were never able to find out who the master behind those plates was… but, over the past year, we’ve made vast improvements because of it… can it be that Junior Dyon has an understanding of where this came from?” Jonas’ breath was hurried. Although he didn’t like Dyon because of what he did to his younger brother, he also couldn’t hate Dyon since he hadn’t actually injured Sebastian.
Dyon chuckled. Originally, he had only wanted Jonas to appraise the plate and say how useful it would be to their guild. He hadn’t expected that his work would have already given the Elvin Kingdom such advantages.
Dyon didn’t respond to Jonas’ question though. Instead, he lifted up his hand, inscribing the very same first common level array in the air. Except, this time, he held nothing back.
16 swirls appeared. Although they were vastly slower than what Dyon could do, the speed at which the array formed still made the surrounding observers draw in a breath.
RING! RING!
Jonas trembled, ‘heaven’s chimes….’
The bells didn’t stop. It seemed they were intent on continuing until the array was used. So, Dyon flicked his wrists, using his human-world made storage device to take out a common array plate.
Slowly, the common level array melded with the plate, causing its once brown and dull body to shimmer with a blinding gold. It was only then that the chimes ceased.
Dyon didn’t seem to care about this though, instead casually tossing this plate to Jonas as well, “how do those plates compare?”
Jonas looked down, his hands trembling, “they can’t be compared… the one you just created is far above…”
Dyon looked towards Zaltarish with a smile that wasn’t a smile, “it seems I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand who they’re dealing with. It also seems that I’ve made quite vast contributions to your kingdom without even my knowing. I wonder how much I could do if I actually tried?”
Zaltarish’s teeth clenched. Dyon’s meaning was clear. The plate they had used to improve so much was already vastly surpassed by himself. In fact, he implied that even the first plate was created by him as well. Didn’t he say he had only been here a year!? So how did he create such a profound plate a year ago?! What level is he at now?!
Zaltarish wasn’t so stupid as to doubt Dyon’s creation. Although he wasn’t an expert, as a young master of a major family, he had knowledge in many areas. And, he knew enough about array theory to know that each array had its own unique finger print… in other words, it was impossible for Dyon to lie about who created the first plate in front of someone as knowledgeable as Jonas!
The eyes of the beauties sparkled. Before, they had thought Dyon was just a brute who didn’t think before he did things. But, it was clear from earlier on when he said that he hadn’t contributed to the Elvin Kingdom just yet, that he already had major plans to do so. They had no choice but to change their assessment of the man in front of them.
As for Dyon, this didn’t mean much to him. Since he knew Jonas had only initially acted abrasively with him since he assumed Dyon was breaking seniority by being in the air of a lecture without the power to do so, he didn’t mind his character too much since he knew next to nothing about it. But, judging by his willingness to be honest about the value of Dyon’s array plates, there was no need to hold a grudge.
“So, almighty member of the major families, is there anything else you’d like to test me on? Because if I’m going to be honest, it’s not that I was stupid in not checking your identities before offending you. It was more so that your identities don’t matter all that much to me at all.”
The eyes of the geniuses narrowed.
The crowd spoke in hushed whispers. The appearance of Dyon seemed to a thorn at the side of these young masters.
Zaltarish quickly recovered, a small smile appearing on his face, “alright then. I hope you didn’t take offense to my question, as a member of the major families, I only want the best for our kingdom. Since you’ve contributed, I of course have no objections to your existence. We can proceed with the thought of this as just a friendly competition between candidates then.”
Dyon nodded, “of course, no problem…”
Zaltarish smiled, “Zaltarish Sigebryht.”
“Dyon Sacharro.”
“mm, then Headmaster Acacia. How about we have a free for all intelligence competition? It won’t be school against school, but instead peers against peers, how about it?”
Uncle Acacia, being pleasantly surprised with Dyon’s performance, was in a good mood. As such, he didn’t think that such an innocent request could lead to any problems, “and what did the Sigebryht young master have in mind?”
Zaltarish nodded in acknowledgement, “how about you pick a topic of debate? This way, the women can participate too. The crowd can treat this as a cultivation session. It would be greatly beneficial to them, no?”
Uncle Acacia suddenly realized what Zaltarish wanted to do. Having learned that Dyon had only been in the martial world for a little over a year, how could his debating skills in topics of cultivation match up to the young geniuses who had been privy to specialized tutoring since birth? But, it was too late to back down now.
Uncle Acacia smiled, deciding that since the result might be the same regardless, that he’d choose an unbiased topic, “since we’re here today to celebrate the choosing of campaign leaders for the Elvin Kingdom, how about a topic that’s deeply ingrained within our culture? The debate topic will be on wills. Picking a winner in such a case is unnecessary, however, I’m sure it’ll be clear to everyone who listens.”
Dyon found this topic interesting. He had spent many days thinking about this topic. In fact, he had spent much of his 6-month training period thinking about wills. But, what threw him off was the fact Uncle Acacia said that this was a deeply entrenched part of Elvin culture. Was this because of their belief that the soul was most important in understanding wills?
Zaltarish say leisurely, as though he couldn’t see the table Ri had broken in front of him. Dyon was just as relaxed. In fact, Dyon had wrapped his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky as though this had nothing to do with him.
Dyon knew more than anyone that there was a tacit understanding that only he and Zaltarish would be speaking, but he didn’t mind letting the atmosphere stew.
A calm smile rested on Zaltarish’s face as he took the initiative to start speaking.
“Wills are a perfect debate topic Headmaster Acacia. With it being such an integral part of the Elvin Kingdom, what could be a better topic for campaign leaders?”
Uncle Acacia smiled, reclining comfortably in his chair and patting Ri’s head lovingly.
Dyon smiled, still looking up at the sky, ‘it seems I’ll get a chance to embarrass this annoying guy… and here I thought I wouldn’t get a chance to put him in his place.’
Looking over, Dyon chuckled as he noticed the beauties looking at his exposed torso, “I almost forgot that I ruined my shirt.”
Ri rolled her eyes as the beauties blushed, a bit ashamed that they had been caught.
Celine giggled, “hasn’t anyone ever taught you to give beauties a mile even when you get none?”
A mysterious glint flashed in Dyon’s eyes, “I can give a mile anytime, but do you dare take it?”
Opal, having seemingly understood the double meaning in Dyon’s words blushed furiously, causing a light laughter to fill the room and alleviate the pressure that had been building.
Jade rolled her eyes, “your fiancée wouldn’t be very happy with you right now. Who’s this beauty, by the way? Would we know her?”
Ri listened intently for Dyon’s answer. She too was curious about the answer to this. It seemed like everyone forgot a debate was meant to be going on. But, even the crowd seemed to find this interaction as entertaining as anything else.
Dyon smiled, “if I told you, you either wouldn’t believe me, or you’d be jealous beyond belief. Would you still like to hear my answer?”
Jade smiled. She was fully aware that Dyon knew it was impossible to lie to her, and yet he said this anyway. Which only meant one thing: she’d feel inferior should she know the answer.
Celine leaned forward in anticipation, “just tell us. Who is this outstanding beauty?”
Dyon chuckled, “Madeleine Sapientia.”
BOOM!
The crowd erupted with discussion. Some were disgusted by Dyon’s lies. Others were curious as to whether he was really telling the truth. Even the elders within the box turned their serious expressions towards Dyon. They all wanted to know a single thing: is he telling the truth?
Dyon raised an eyebrow at the commotion the name caused. Just a year ago, Madeleine had been basically unknown, living day after day in Libro’s control room. Yet, her name now caused such a stir?
Celine broke the tension with a laugh, “you can’t be serious, Dyon. But, I guess if you planned on lying, you might as well go big.”
Dyon sighed, “denial is the first stage of grief fairy Celine, I understand your reaction to my being a taken man.”
The quiet Opal finally voiced her concerns, “how would a boy from the human world capture the heart of the first in line genius of a God Clan as powerful as the Sapientia family? Worst yet, she’s among the 6 top beauties of not this planet, but this universe. You really know how to dream big…”
All this time, Jade was looking into Dyon’s eyes. Only she knew that there was not an ounce of doubt to be had in his words. His thoughts were so pure that she shivered. Even when someone told the truth about something, there would at least be a bit of doubt, even within them. But, Dyon had 100% faith in Madeleine and himself.
Dyon didn’t seem too bothered by it all, “so my Madeleine’s become famous,” a faint smile could be seen on his face, “I’m glad.”
The purity of his eyes made even Mithrandir waiver in his doubt of him, ‘could he really be with such an outstanding woman?’
In the year Dyon hadn’t been with Madeleine, her progress was frightening. Her suitors had surpassed this planet long ago, stretching out into the universe and even into that of others when she appeared on the battle fields of the gates. Her beauty and power had become so outstanding that she stood at the top of it all. However, despite the grandeur of some marriage proposals, or the esteem of those presenting it, Madeleine had never shown interest in any of it. And yet, here stood a boy from the human mortal realm, claiming to be the one in her heart.
Jade bit her lip, although she didn’t doubt Dyon, she still had to say, “the Sapientia God Clan is the only God Clan in this universe that has multiple branches at the level of a main branch. And yet, only Madeleine has earned the title of first in line genius. No one of the younger generation has earned such a title from the other main Sapientia branches,” suddenly Jade smiled, displaying her own dazzling beauty, her purple-blue eyes shining with unparalleled clarity, “you pick your women well.”
The crowd went silent. There was not a single person here who didn’t understand the manifestation of the Eostre family. There were only two reasons Jade would say what she just said. Either she wanted to protect Dyon as a friend… or, Dyon was truly the fiancée of such an outstanding beauty.
Darcassan’s black eyes raged, “Jade you’re much too soft hearted. If he wanted to embarrass himself so much, you should have just allowed him to fall flat on his face.”
Jade smiled, seemingly not intent on explaining. Dyon could only smile bitterly, ‘why are women so complicated?’
Kymil chuckled, noting Jade’s reaction, “Jade you’re too gentle of heart. If you weren’t, how could you not be among the top beauties of this universe as well? If you were willing to step onto the battle field, everyone would know your name.”
Kymil and Darcassan took this opportunity to shamelessly hit on Jade while slandering Dyon. But, he didn’t mind. Wouldn’t they all know the truth come the world tournament?
Dyon laughed lightly, “women aside, shouldn’t I give the esteemed members of the major families the opportunity to start off this debate? I think we’ve idled long enough.”
The crowd took this as Dyon trying to change the subject and escape his shameful boasting. But, he couldn’t be bothered with this. What was he supposed to do? Get Madeleine to come here for such a petty reason? He’d be sure to become famous enough that no one would be able to deny him his woman again!
Zaltarish’s eyes sharpened as he noticed the change in Dyon’s aura, ‘it seems he’s prepared… come then. Let me crush you in the most demoralizing way possible!’