"When will he be out?" Selina asked impatiently while stretching her upper body. The sight was a seductive one. The Student Council President ogling at her with his mouth slightly opened was enough proof of that. It was almost certain that in that dirty mind of his, she was doffing her clothes. Fortunately, he was the only on that took notice of her charm. The others were too young to understand how alluring the sight was.
"Do you think it is easy to reduce your wielding energy?" Abe sneered upon seeing Frederick's uncouth appearance. To think that the Student Council President could be reduced to such a slobbering mess because of one girl was in his opinion, plain disgraceful. Though to be fair, Abe was a bit too young to make such a judgement. Maybe in a few years' time, he'd realise why.
"For instance, even though you are currently in the mortal realm, if I ask that you reduce your energy to maybe the first or second stage, would you be able to?" Abe continued, not remaining idle in the process. He was performing some shoulder stretches while waiting.
"That is true. He must have an amazing understanding of wielding to accomplish such a feat." Selina exclaimed, ignoring Frederick's disgraceful appearance.
"Of course he does. Brother Mane is very strong." John said with a facial expression that seemed to scream, 'don't you already know this'.
"Can I ask a question?" Selina orated, staring at the young Western Empire prince.
Abe gestured for her to go ahead. To which she gladly obliged. "Who is Mane's master?"
Her question snapped Frederick out of his perverted look. The older boy looked at the trio who seemed to know Mane better than anyone else.
"I am also very curious about this. For him to know so much, and come this far, he must have a very amazing mentor. We know it isn't anyone from the Academy. For starters, none of them are even half as strong as him. This includes the hidden figures. Also, every well informed member of the Academy's upper echelon knows that he has rejected some of the best the Academy top brass has to offer." Frederick stated while grabbing his chin, seemingly in deep thought.
"I am sorry that I cannot answer that. Only Mane can. When he wants to, he will tell us." Abe said with his focus elsewhere. It seemed that Frederick's earlier display still had him disgusted with the older boy. His disgust wasn't hidden. So Frederick noticed it. He smiled wryly whilst telling himself that the young prince would understand when he hit puberty. As for the twins, they had no idea what was going on. And it was probably better this way.
"Us? You mean you haven't met his master either?" Selina was quick to catch on to the discrepancy in Abe's words. It was something that Frederick had failed to notice in the shame of his previous conduct.
"We also haven't met Brother Mane's masters. But Brother Mane has promised us that he will introduce them to us when we are ready." Jake's voice had a hint of excitement. He couldn't wait to meet his 'masters'.
"Masters? You mean he has more than one?" Selina rubbed her temples in exasperation over the kind of information she was receiving. The twins nodded their heads in response, confirming her words.
"It does make sense though. A genius like that would have more than one mentor. For him for have more than one teacher and not be overwhelmed is very impressive." Frederick analysed in admiration. Though if he found out that there were nine teachers in total, he would be shocked for days.
"He's out. Looks like we can start now. I wonder what level of strength he'd use this time"
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"Are you sure about this kid?" the voice of the 6th was laced with concern. The reason? Well, that was yet to be discovered.
"I am. I have been progressing fairly well in wielding. My understanding concerning the art is at its peak. Yet I feel that there is something missing. This feeling had only appeared once before today. When I attained the peak of the mortal realm years ago, I had this same feeling. It was this feeling that drove me to seek the limits of my strength. It was because I chose to listen that I've come this far. I would have broken into the above-mortal realm anyway. But my combat strength would not have taken such a drastic leap." Mane's words were calm. Unlike the 6th, the person in question did not seem to have such concern over his own wellbeing. He calmly sat on the rock placed before his 5th master, as he addressed them in his mind space.
"The boy is right. Remember that he is a Supreme. That call may very well be his instincts talking. Do what you must kid. Just be careful."
The strong and commanding voice of the 1st left no room for argument. It was unknown whether the others agreed, but at least they were silent.
"I'd be fine. I promise. Don't worry too much okay?" Mane spoke softly, his consolatory tone directed at the 2nd and the 3rd.
"Alright", "Be careful", said the 3rd and the 2nd respectively. In the unusually silent mind space, their voices were particularly loud.
"I'm the one always speaking to you, yet I don't even get half of the treatment those two get", the 6th grunted in displeasure. His words elicited a soft chuckle from Mane. The voice of the 2nd could be heard soon after threatening to deal with the 6th if he wasn't silent.
"Besides, they can't be the only ones to benefit from the training. This is the only way I can improve as well." Mane said while standing up and stretching. It was an odd thing to witness in the mind space which only housed one's consciousness, not the body. The masters did not seem to mind this strange action though.
"I agree", the 7th said. His emotions were unreadable as usual.
"It is just a spar. Nothing serious is going to happen to me." Mane stated.
"Kid, when you deplete yourself of all your energy, choosing to fall even below the 1st level of the mortal realm and becoming a non-wielder, then no spar, is just a spar." The 6th stated, his voice unusually somber.
Ah, so that was the reason for their worry. Mane had decided to fight as a non-wielder.