In an instant, the battle was over. Alex, now at the age of fourteen, had peers who had reached the sixth or even seventh level, except for his poison resistance. The chance of him being defeated by Steve in a direct fight was certainly nonexistent. However, in a regulated competition, all he had to do was lure him to the edge of the platform before throwing him out.
Alex left his opponent to ponder what had just happened and jumped off the platform, heading toward the girl who was supposed to be his next opponent. She asked, "Where are you going? You won your first match."
"The first one. And who said I want another match? I came here to defeat him, and I did. My work here is done."
"Wait a moment. The nobles want to speak with you." This time, it was the village leader who halted him. Alex turned around and walked back.
The noble youth fixed Alex with a half-eyed gaze and said, "They told us that you found Mr. Monroe dead. What were you doing with him?"
The village leader intervened to respond, "He was one of Mr. Monroe's convicts. He was there to settle his debt."
"In that case, can you pay me? How much was the amount?"
"Oh... Mr. Monroe, it's you. And I thought you were dead. You seem to be in good shape and even younger. Have you even prepared your hair?"
Alex's sarcastic response embarrassed the noble youth, and anger flashed in his eyes. The elder stepped in to calm him down, "There's no point in bringing up the Monroe matter. His servant killed him. But tell me, young man, where did you learn the Autumn Leaf skill? And why do you refuse to participate in the competition?"
Alex shrugged nonchalantly, "I'm not obligated to tell you where I learned that, and I have no intention of joining a second-rate institute."
This time, the noble youth exploded, raising his fist. "You audacious brat! Don't you know your place? How dare you respond insolently to us?"
"Insolence? Everyone knows that students from second-rate institutes will just end up as servants with a few combat skills. And yet, you hold a competition for them, then come and lecture me about insolence."
The village leader, drenched in sweat, jumped between the two, hoping that his age might make the noble youth reconsider attacking Alex. He yelled at him, admonishing, "Young one, did you forget the days of feudalism and how to address those higher in status than you? Apologize and ask for forgiveness."
Despite everyone hearing the village leader's scolding shouts, Alex could clearly see the pleading and fearful look in his eyes.
"He seems to be cut from the same cloth as the old Monroe. If only I still had my strength..."
Alex turned towards the elderly servant, trying to avoid the quickly angered noble youth. He was too lazy to get involved in a fight that wouldn't benefit him in any way. "Why is everyone so angry with me? All I meant to say is that I won't waste my time in a servant competition. I'd rather test my luck in the Starry Sky Institute's student test a month from now."
**Ha ha ha ha...**
The noble youth burst out laughing. This boy thought he could enter a first-rate institute? Truly amusing.
"Lord Blackstone, if you find this amusing, care to bet on it?"
"Why not? But what can a beggar like you offer me?"
"What if I bet my Autumn Leaf skill against your red cube on your belt?"
The red cube, inclined towards blackness, wasn't an ordinary spatial cube. It was an infinite-dimensional cube, and its owner had to be at least a primary sorcerer to use it. Although the young lord lacked any magical talent, he wasn't willing to give up his precious cube for a feminine skill. However, his confidence in winning changed his mind.
"Autumn Leaf skill? I could charm some beauties with that." The young lord pondered before speaking.
"I am Lord Daniel Blackstone. I bet the young boy Alex on my cube against his feminine technique... We'll meet at the institute a month from now." The elderly servant sighed; he wasn't pleased with the idea of betting. Although the Autumn Leaf skill was originally a feminine skill, it remained a high-ranking skill due to its difficulty. Staying composed under your opponent's attack capable of killing you in one hit required courage. He saw that courage in Alex, making him a good follower.
"Young Lord, you don't need a feminine skill. And you, boy, despite your audacity, have some good attributes. Stop dreaming of the impossible and I'll take you under my wing as my follower. Just from one glance, I can tell you've never tasted the Elixir of Development. You need to understand that people aren't born with the same status or luck."
Becoming a follower of a noble person was certainly better than joining a second-rate school, especially since the success rate at the Dragon Earth Institute didn't exceed twenty percent. Among the wealthy young men who enhanced their bodies with expensive elixirs and strengthened their skills, the chances for commoners to succeed were almost nonexistent.
Alex shook his head, thinking about the noble's offer. "People aren't born with the same status, that's true. So, are you suggesting I give up the bet and abandon my dreams like the young men in this village? Should I be content with wearing your golden collar and becoming your servant?" He raised his head high and spoke resolutely, his voice echoing in the surroundings.
"I will rise to the pinnacle of this world, or die trying. This is my answer."
With that, Alex said his piece and left the scene with his sister. Whispers started circulating behind his back, some calling him crazy, others saying he didn't realize the extent of the heavens and earth, and various other words that could weaken his determination. However, all the voices fell silent when the dark-skinned boy, Steve, raised his hand and said, "I too will no longer wear any collar from today. I'm withdrawing."
At the dinner table, Alex continued to gaze at the unexpected guest, who seemed to be enjoying himself completely and continued speaking comfortably. "Mrs. Erin's cooking is more than wonderful. In addition to her beauty, it's no wonder young Ronnie wants to marry her."
*Cough cough* Alex coughed heavily, spitting out his food. But Steve continued speaking, unfazed. "I'm Steve. I was affected by what you said today and decided to become your companion. Of course, if your mother agrees to marrying my uncle, we'll become relatives."
"Stop mentioning marriage, or I'll kill you."
"What marriage are you talking about?" At that moment, Erin entered the room and asked if they needed anything, but she overheard their conversation and was puzzled. "Steve, they're talking about your marriage, wanting to marry you to your uncle. I rejected that idea since I've already chosen a suitable spouse for you."
Steve smiled, feeling embarrassed. Although his uncle's story was real, he had brought it up in jest. The situation was taken seriously, though, and he realized it was foolish to expect children to accept their parents' marriages. He thought for a moment before exclaiming,
"What? What are you talking about? Are you really going to do it "
"Have you both gone mad? How could two children be discussing adult matters, and who said I'm interested in getting married after your father?"
The unexpected conversation left Erin flabbergasted, and she made it clear that she had no intention of remarrying.
"Stop mentioning marriage, or I'll kill you."
"What marriage are you talking about?" At that moment, Erin entered the room and asked if they needed anything, but she overheard their conversation and was puzzled. "Steve, they're talking about your marriage, wanting to marry you to your uncle. I rejected that idea since I've already chosen a suitable spouse for you."
Steve smiled, feeling embarrassed. Although his uncle's story was real, he had brought it up in jest. The situation was taken seriously, though, and he realized it was foolish to expect children to accept their parents' marriages. He thought for a moment before exclaiming,
"What? What are you talking about? Are you really going to marry your mother?"
"Have you both gone mad? How could two children be discussing adult matters, and who said I'm interested in getting married after your father?"
"Mom, does that man really deserve this sacrifice?" His question implied that he knew things he shouldn't have known, which left her flustered.
"Listen, you're still young and have your whole life ahead of you. I've already chosen the right man for you, someone who will take care of you and your daughter."
"But..."
"There's no 'but.' I've already given him my blessing. Don't forget that I'll be leaving soon, so please don't be stubborn." Throughout this conversation, Steve couldn't help but shift his gaze between the ordinary mother and son. Usually, a person in his shoes would feel embarrassed and leave, or at least stay silent. But his reaction was the complete opposite, and he began to shout again,
"What madness is this? Have roles reversed? You're the son, and she's the mother, not the other way around. And what do you mean by giving your blessing and checking on him before you leave? Anyone listening to you would think you're an old man arranging a marriage for his daughter before he passes away."
"Hey, these are family matters. In what capacity are you getting involved?" Steve's outburst jolted his mother out of her shock. "What he said is true. I'm the son, and she's the mother. How can you treat me this way and plan something like this behind my back?"
"What does being an adult mean? Don't adults make mistakes? Meet the groom first, and we'll continue this conversation later."
"As for you, you haven't told me yet what you want from me exactly." Seeing his mother divert the topic, Steve left the room muttering, "Crazy, years of being in the family have affected his mind. What child in the world marries his own mother... crazy. I should consult a doctor about him. There must be something wrong in his brain."
*******
"There is an update on the information page." (first chapter)