Randolf was quickly carted off to the medical tent, still bleeding from his extremities.
The amount of damage that Arthur did wasn't exactly fatal to Randolf, but if any more holes were put in his body, then he might die from blood loss rather than anything else.
One of the referees completely enveloped his body in ice, so as to lower the temperature of his internals, causing a thick blanket of steam to rise up and out of Randolf's body.
Forcibly using the Conflagration Fae still cause severe damage to his hands and forearms, but something like that could be healed over time. Injury was relatively easy to heal in comparison to disease or mental illness.
The problem was that the heat from the conflagration fae had raised Randolf's internal body temperature to a point where even a Rank 2 Fae Master couldn't withstand. He was probably running a fever about now, and out be out of commission for a week at the earliest.
"This"..... was what Arthur was disappointed about.
Randolf had decided to walk the demonic path, and become a Demonic Fae Master.
That itself wasn't problematic, it was that Randolf couldn't control himself quite as easily.
Arthur, in his previous life had lost control over himself plenty of times, quite a few after the possessor of the Formless Night Shadow had passed in fact.
The difference between the past him and Randolf wasn't their cultivation, nor their justifications for walking down the path of the demon, it was their temperament, and their control.
Arthur had only decided to walk the path of the demon, after his friend was killed, and vowed to himself to get revenge in order to avenge him. Later in life, he had adopted the demonic path as his own and started accumulating his own fate and karma.
Randolf on the other hand.... had no such trigger.
It might be some inferiority complex, or some sort of memory from his past life, but his lack of control was.... disturbing, to say the least.
He literally went from 0 to 100 within a matter of seconds.
It didn't concern Arthur what he was thinking, or what he had done that affected Randolf, but he lost control, with little to no trigger.
And that.... was what Arthur was disappointed about.
He rested his chin on his fist, and leaned back into the chair as he heard several steps come towards him.
Just from their gait, as well as their breath, Arthur could already tell that it was his two elder brothers.
His eyes flickered open, and he turned his gaze towards Leon and Dominic, whose smiles were unable to be hidden, despite them trying to suppress it.
The pair both had proud expressions on their faces, as if they were both proud to be Arthur's older brothers.
They had just seen their younger brother, create a pseudo Attribute Control Skill, comprehend a Spatial Law, in addition to absolutely destroying a Rank 2 Fae Master, with just a Rank 1 Fae Master cultivation.
Of course, Leon and Dominic knew better, but this was the first time they had seen it for themselves.
Despite their innate talents being better than Arthur, they firmly believed that his cultivation would exceed theirs in the future. That together, the three of them could take the future of the Kovacs Clan to even greater heights, and that no-one could stop their path to domination.
Arthur showed a small smile before nodding at both of his brothers.
"I'm afraid that I don't have much origin essence left, so I am feeling a little bit weak at the knees right now".
He had about 70% of his 300% left, although from their perspective, Arthur must've been at around 1% to 3% origin essence.
And that was 1% to 3% out of 201%.
Dominic shook his head, smiling as he patted Arthur on the shoulder.
"Don't even think about it! You just performed something amazing Arthur! You have created a pseudo Attribute Control Skill, comprehended a Law and even defeated someone whose cultivation exceeded your own! That's incredible!".
Leon nodded.
"We know that you've had a hard time, especially since the beast tides. You've been, distant lately, but we hope that you will come home to celebrate".
Arthur showed a gentle expression, the smile on his face.... was one that neither of his brothers had seen in a while.
"Perhaps.... after I get back from the Origin Essence Pond. I should be able to reach Rank 2, even with only a weeks worth of time. But definitely. I would like that very much".
Both Dominic and Leon glanced at each other and smiled, before walking away.
Several more steps entered Arthur's ears, before the figures of three certain Elder descendents entered his view.
All three of them had slightly fearful expressions. Although, the glint of anticipation could be seen within their eyes.
Arthur glanced towards Borik.
"I told you I'd win".
The muscle headed young man nodded.
"I see now where your confidence lie. Your Attribute Control Skill.... it is different from Elder Vova and Elder Anatol's, isn't it?".
Arthur didn't try to hide it.
It was only a pseudo Attribute Control Skill after all. It might be something powerful and rare within the Kovacs Clan, but it was nothing special in the scheme of things.
"Their Attribute Control Skills are much too..... complicated. They rely on way too many different Fae, although, the reason why this is the case is because the two Elders don't have the required Fae to simplify it. They might not even appear within Winter Rain Mountain".
In their eyes, Arthur was leagues ahead of them.
None of their grandparents had comprehended a Law, and yet, this sixteen year old young man right in front of them had done something that even after a lifetime they had yet to do.
It was slightly embarrassing, but the resulting appearance of this monstrous genius would only end up benefitting the Clan more.
Arthur's Attribute Control Skill didn't need that much origin essence, and its offensive power was enough for a Rank 1 Fae Master to kill a Rank 2 Fae Master.
If these three could comprehend and perfect the usage of this Attribute Control Skill, then wouldn't they also be able to kill a Rank 2 Fae Master?
Maybe...
Of course, it wasn't particularly useful for them, since once they all had the potential to reach Rank 3 within their lifetime.
Each of them were probably only a few months away from reaching Rank 2, perhaps quicker for Alina, and once that happened, they would want to develop their powers using Rank 2 Fae.
Using the "Silver Waning Moon" was a good base, but if they wanted to further their own strength, they could only use it as a foundation upon which to grow.
Needlessly focusing on it would result in stagnation, and that.... was disappointing.
Gesturing for Arthur to walk with them, the four descendents of the upper echelons of the Clan walked up towards the main stage, under the watchful eye of every other man, woman and child within Parachenko Village.
They all felt a well of pride spring forth from within their chests, as all of the Elders, as well as the Clan Leader started clapping for them.
Even Zoya, who still hated Arthur for what he failed to do, still gazed up at Niklos, an expression of adoration could be seen on his face.
Seeing every single person within Parachenko Village clap for them did wonders for their self-esteem, even if they did lose in the first round.
Of course, quite a number of eyes were on the four in the front row, but still, it was nice to be included.
Niklos raised his hand, and the sounds of clapping and cheering came to a halt, the jubilant atmosphere in the air subsided, as Niklos gazed down proudly at this generation of Kovacs.
"Another year has come to an end! And as a result, group of Fae Masters have matured, and completed their required studies! Every year I say this, and every year I am even more proud of what this Village has accomplished!".
His eyes gazes slightly towards the landscape of the Village. It had changed significantly, but it still felt like home for every single one of the people down below.
Well.... almost every single one.
"We've had a difficult year, and lost many loved ones. But this Tournament! And the next new Fae Master Tournament in a couple months is proof that we are all still alive! We are all capable of feeling, and are all capable of achieving greatness!".
"All of those who have turned fifteen will be able to participate in the talent awakening ceremony, and all those that do awaken a Fae Master talent, will be allowed to become a member of the Kovacs Clan!".
Arthur already knew this, but a vast majority of the mortal population didn't yet.
Their eyes widened, and their minds went blank the moment they heard the words leave the Clan Leaders lips.
'They could.... become a Fae Master?'.
Is what most of the young teens heard.
Their eyes shone brightly, and their fists clenched tightly as they gazed up towards the Clan Leader.
This was their chance! This was their opportunity!
Niklos smiled, noticing the slight looks the mortal population were giving each other.
It was exactly as he and the other Elders had planned it to be.
But Niklos waved his arms and gestured towards Arthur and the rest.
"But for the time being, we must honour the victors, and the powerful who managed to prove themselves against all of their peers".
"Everyone below the 20th position will receive 20 origin essence stones!".
Everyone, including Zoya, felt their eyes widen even further.
This was more than double the normal amount. Why was the Clan so generous this year?
It was mainly because of the Fae Master population that they lost. And their origin essence stones weren't going to be used otherwise, so Niklos suggested more be given out this year.
"Those who placed 20th, to 11th will receive 50 origin essence stones each!".
Those who placed in said category, felt their eyes become watery as they puffed out their chests proudly.
"Those who placed 10th to 7th will receive 75 origin essence stones, in addition to a single Rank 1 Fae".
"Those who placed 6th, to 4th will receive 90 origin essence stones, in addition to a single Rank 1 Fae".
Many gulped at the rich and generous rewards the Clan Leader was giving out, and quite a number of the Fae Masters in the stands cursed that they didn't have the opportunity to receive such things.
They were smart enough to know that it was due to the beast tides, but still, they could admit they were just a little bit jealous.
"Third place will receive 110 origin essence stones, and two Rank 1 Fae of their choice".
"Second place will receive 140 origin essence stones, and three Rank 1 Fae of their choice!".
Many Fae Masters were drooling at the sheer amount of rewards that were being given out, but then, all eyes slowly turned towards Arthur, who was the victor, and first place spot.
It was already so generous, so what would the winner of the Tournament get?
Niklos eyed his third born son, a slightly familial tone could be discerned in his voice.
"The victor, and first placed in the second new Fae Master Tournament will receive 200 origin essence stones, a Rank 2 Fae of their choice and the opportunity to spend ten days in the Origin Essence Pond!".
Everyone in the crowd felt their eyes try and burst out from their sockets.
What the fuck!?