"DIE YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!!"
Alex opened his hands and a large sword made from sword energies as well as mana, expanding nearly 10 metres in length, formed above his hands.
Vasari frowned and his smile was replaced by solemness. This was one hell of a technique and he knew it.
'So we bringing out the big boys, huh?'
Before Alex could fire off his technique, the 100 open meridians in Vasari's body circulated the 50% of Mana in his Dantian through his body and with an inaudible mutter, he announced his technique.
This technique would be the start of a legend and would be spoken about for many years to come, not because of how powerful it was but because of what it signified.
For the first time in 30 000 years, a technique used by that 'barbaric' race will once again make an appearance. A technique only used by the Generals of that vicious army.
The Spartans.
"Savage Spartan Sabre Art: Discipline!"
A stifling pressure enveloped the hall and everyone inside, it was oppressive and commanding. Everyone in the hall unknowingly straightened their backs and stood tall, their breathing was all in sync and their eyes wide in awe as they watched Vasari, unable to take their eyes off his figure.
He lifted his sword above his head before slowly swinging it down, at the same time, Alex unleashed his attack and the 10-metre sword shot towards Vasari. A dark eerie light escaped from Vasari's sword and collided with the huge sword.
The dark light and the sword, made from sword energy and Mana, exploded upon contact and a loud boom echoed throughout the school grounds. A dense cloud of dust and smoke from the explosion obscured everyone's vision and before the cloud of smoke could dissipate they heard the low, deep voice of Vasari.
"Savage Spartan Sabre Art: Obedience."
------
Elder Equus was casually viewing the ongoing battle from inside the Cloud Stables, but when he felt the energy being generated from Vasari's technique, his old body shivered as it remembered the familiar feeling.
This was the technique that had nearly killed him 30 000 years ago and if it wasn't for the Sect Founder saving his life, he would have long since succumbed to it. Elder Equus also knew what move came next and he couldn't help but lament Alex's misfortune.
'So this is what he gained inside that castle.'
Elder Equus' suddenly turned his head when he felt an aura he knew very well, start to make a move.
"You shouldn't involve yourself in the squabbles of youth." He softly said before vanishing from the spot.
------
Alex felt like his body was being pressed down by a heavy weight. He felt like something was forcing him to kneel and he resisted it with all his willpower.
Many others in the hall could not resist the weight pushing them down and under the pressure of Vasari's technique, they dropped to their knees, bowing down like obedient servants. Only those extremely talented and with strong willpower could resist the pressure, although even they were struggling.
'What is happening!' Alex screamed in his head, he was unable to even open his mouth to speak due to the heavy pressure. He was the main focus of this tyrannical pressure so he was feeling it more than the others, yet he was still able to remain standing, a true testament to his talent.
"Savage Spartan Sabre Art: Courage."
Alex's eyes widened to an impossible degree when he felt the feeling of death envelop his being. He tried to surrender, he tried to apologise, he tried to beg, but the pressure weighing down on him persisted.
'Please, no! I don't want to die! Please don't kill me!'
Tears fell uncontrollably from his eyes and the black suit pants he was wearing became a shade darker around his pelvis region.
'Please save me, Master!
*Shing!*
The smoke impeding everybody's vision suddenly vanished and they could finally see what was happening again.
They saw the tip of Vasari's sword press against the forehead of Alex. Blood was dripping down the bridge of his nose and his eyes were rolled back in his head, leaving his white sclera for all to see. Clasping the sharp blade of Vasari's sword was a strong, callous hand stopping it from penetrating any deeper into Alex's head.
"Young man, killing a fellow disciple is against the rules of the Sect and is punishable by death."
Vasari heard the voice of a male beside him. It was a voice he had heard before but couldn't remember where he heard it. It was only when he heard the familiar voice of Elder Equus coming from his other side did he remember where he heard it from.
"Elder Di Nicola, you should know that it was your disciple that initiated the fight and even threw the first punch. Vasari over here was just protecting himself."
The two Core Haven Elders glared at each without backing down. The appearance of these Elders instantly dissipated the pressure Vasari was emitting and many regained themselves. The students and the idols couldn't believe what was happening right now. Two Core Haven Elders in the same building. It was such a rare sight that many rubbed their eyes in disbelief, not daring to believe their luck.
Elder Di Nicola was a handsome man with sharp eyebrows and grey shoulder-length, straight hair tied into a ponytail. His dark eyes exuded profound sword energies and a gaze that could kill. His body was lean, just as you would expect from a swordsman, and two swords were sheathed on his hip.
"Elder Equus, I don't know what you are talking about, I felt that my disciple was in danger and acted. This young man attacked with the intention to kill, therefore it can no longer be considered self-defence."
"I think you are confused, Elder Di Nicola. Vasari was just teaching your disciple a lesson, isn't that right Vasari?"
"Oh yes, of course, the old m- I mean, Elder Equus is correct. Can't you see I stopped my movements just before inflicting serious damage to Alex. There is no way I would attempt to kill a fellow disciple."
Elder Di Nicola was left speechless by the shamelessness of this aesthetically contradictory duo. He had obviously stopped the sword from impaling his disciple's head yet this young man had the gall to say he had willingly stopped his own movements. And with Elder Equus showing up, there was nothing he could do to Vasari if the old man had taken the young man's side.
"Is that so…then there is nothing we can do about this situation and we can write it off as a youth disagreement. Farewell Elder Equus." Elder Di Nicola said through clenched teeth before picking the unconscious Alex up with his free hand and crushing Vasari's sword with his other. He vanished from the hall straight after. Now it was Elder Equus and Vasari who was left speechless by his pettiness.
"My sword..."
"Agh man, are you forgetting how rich you are now, you can buy thousands of better swords than that?" Vasari's pouting face brightened after remembering the 10 000 Cloud Points in his Cloud Badge. "Anyway don't forget to choose your techniques, oh and also don't forget to visit the blacksmith."
Elder Equus didn't wait around to chit-chat and left the hall since he had no other reason to be there.
"Vasari!"
Vasari turned around to catch the human throwing herself into his embrace.
"Vasari, that was so cool! Where did you learn that technique you just did? You should've seen Alex's face, it was so hilarious."
Vasari smiled while holding Witney in his arms and hearing her talk non-stop. Talia, Jiang Xia and Gia soon approached them, joining Witney in conversation.
"Why don't we go home for the night? We can continue catching up there." Vasari suggested and the girls agreed. All the students were watching them and it was starting to get uncomfortable.
Once Vasari and the girls left the hall, Asher and the boys left soon after. Timo obviously had to first get the autographs of the beautiful Idols and he even used the 'I'm actually best friends with Vasari so if you give me your ManaPhone number I might be able to hook you up.' card, which never failed to not work.
"Did nobody record that fight?"
"No, I thought you were doing it."
"Dude, I was still taking down notes when the fight started."
"Fuck! You're telling me nobody recorded that fight or at least took a picture of that jerk's face at the end?"
"Nah bro, I was too enthralled to even think of that. At least it will forever be imprinted in our memories.
"I guess so...anyway now that Vasari's back, we can start our operation again."
"Hehe..."
"Hehehe..."
"Hehehehe..."
"Hahahaahha!"
"We're back in business baby!"
------
Flying above the streets on the back of a black Cloud Pegasus, Vasari and the girls enjoyed the view of the bright and busy streets of Outer Haven below them. Vasari, of course, could only imagine what it would look like with the help of the descriptions they were giving out.
Soon Otis landed just outside student residence 87. As soon as Vasari jumped off and landed on the ground, he was attacked by 4 large shadows.
"Oomph!" Not expecting the sudden sneak attack, he was sent crashing to the ground, landing hard on his back. He then felt four large, wet, rough and almost rubbery objects continuously scrape against his face.
The girls watched in amusement as the four problem children assaulted their father with their tongues.
The cubs whined in excitement and their tails frantically wagged back and forth, a clear indication of how happy they were.
"Okay, that's enough, you boys have grown a lot since I left." Vasari wiggled himself out of their entrapment and the wolf pups obediently lined up in front of him. Their tongues dangled out their mouths and their tails swept the ground behind them.
When sitting, the wolf cubs were around the same height as Vasari, but their heads were massive compared to his. These wolf cubs still had a lot more growing to do.
"I trust you boys protected the girls while I was gone?" The wolf cubs howled in confirmation and Vasari patted their heads one by one.
"Let's go inside. Otis watch over them tonight and make sure they don't cause too much trouble."
Vasari and the girls entered the house and Otis glared at 4 cubs as a warning not to give him a hard time. The cubs shivered and decided it would be best to just sleep until morning. With Otis keeping an eye on them, their midnight plans were ruined anyway.
Inside the house, Vasari and the girls sat on the couch in the lounge while telling each other about their time apart.
"So when do I get to meet these Joanna, Adele and Hiromi women?"
Of course, he told them about that too.
"Ahem, forget that for now, I'm more interested in what type of exams you had to do."
Vasari tried to change the subject, but he could feel the judgemental glares of not just Witney, but the other girls too. Succumbing to their joint assault, he ended up telling them more about Joanna, Adele and Hiromi.
"So Hiromi, her mother and her sister are currently staying in a hotel nearby while Joanna and Adele are part of the Church of Prasufis?"
"That's right. You're so smart, Jiang Xia." Vasari said while patting her head. "I'm kinda tired after the long trip and the exhausting night, so I'm gonna head to bed."
"Don't forget to shower first." Witney reminded him and he nodded back.
Once Vasari left the lounge, the girls formed a small circle and started whispering to each other.
"Witney, what do you think about these new women? What if every time he goes on a mission he comes back with another girl or two or three!" Gia loudly whispered. She seemed nervous which was very unlike her usual self.
"I'm more concerned about when you three are going to make a move. The more you wait the lower down the pecking order you will be." Witney said, her tone was provocative, but it was purposefully done so to encourage her friends.
The girls had knitted eyebrows, but they soon relaxed as they came to a decision that would change their predetermined destiny, whether it would be for better or worse, only time would tell.
"Well, it's been a good chat, but I'm also tired so goodnight ladies," Witney said before walking to her room.
–––––
What greeted Witney when she entered the room was Vasari climbing into her bed. He was wearing blue pyjamas and his blindfold was not on his face.
A beaming smile adorned Witney's face and she quickly stripped naked before jumping into bed with him. Vasari opened his arms and caught her before turning on his side and laying with the naked Witney snuggled comfortably against his body.
They said nothing and just enjoyed each other's warmth. Vasari was the first to fall asleep. After using a lot of his converted Mana and energy during the fight with Alex, he was exhausted and needed a good night's sleep.
Witney stared at his perfect face with an obsessive smile that only those hopelessly in love could show. She had been waiting so long for him to return and now that he was back it felt like a dream.
She gently kissed his forehead before whispering 4 words into his ears that were only meant for him and him alone, before she too, fell asleep.