"That's not how you do it," Fighting Beauty instructed, watching Mark swing his sword in a random direction. After a while, he stopped, frustrated:
"What should I do to learn that skill?" he asked.
"It's not a skill, it's about how hard you can balance your aura," she explained, walking closer to him. She helped him hold the sword properly:
"For now, just learn how to use any sword skill. They take years to master. Close your eyes, lead your Aura to the sword, and then you can do the simplest sword skill."
Mark nodded and did as she instructed. He directed all his aura into his sword:
"Done, what else?" he asked.
"Aim at a direction, then slash what you aimed at," she said, moving away.
Mark looked around the room and spotted a punching bag. He aimed at it:
"Here I go!" He held his sword tighter, then swung it with all his might.
"Is nothing supposed to happen?" he asked, feeling confused.
Fighting Beauty chuckled. "How much energy did you put into the swing...?"
"Uhhh..." Mark grunted, and the room blew apart, A huge slash wave destroyed everything in its path, parting the clouds and gouging a deep gash in the ground where Mark had aimed. Fighting Beauty looked on, her eyes wide with terror:
"What was that, you only had to put a little of your energy, do you see the mess you've created" she asked surprised and angry.
"It was only a little bit, I think," Mark said, looking around at the destruction.
"You call that a little?!" Fighting Beauty exclaimed, her voice incredulous.
Just then, Zico came running into the room, his usual calm demeanor replaced by shock and concern:
"Wait, don't tell me you did this much damage!" he said, his eyes fixated on Mark, who was still holding the sword.
Mark looked worried:
"What's wrong, did I kill someone?"
Zico's expression was grave. "If that slash had made contact with anyone, it would have incinerated them to nothingness!"
Mark looked unsure:
"Is it good or bad?"
Zico shook his head:
"What do you think? It's messed up! You're way too overpowered, Mark!"
"Ah, guys, so what are we going to do about the damage created?" Fighting Beauty asked, surveying the destruction.
Zico scanned the area once more and said:
"They will take care of it. Anyway, Mark, let's go. Old Man Ginger wants you to meet someone."
"Is it a male or female?" Mark asked curiously, momentarily forgetting about Emily.
"Female," Zico replied,
"and I heard she's our age." He walked away, gesturing for Mark to follow him.
Just as Mark was about to leave, he felt a hand grab him. He was terrified and slowly turned to face Emily's angry face.
"Haha, she must be ugly compared to you," Mark awkwardly laughed, trying to diffuse the tension.
Zico watched, feeling scared, as Fighting Beauty forcefully hugged Mark and whispered in his ear, "Try anything funny, and I'll castrate you."
Mark awkwardly smiled and pulled away from the hug, following Zico. "I won't... I promise," he said, quickly pulling Zico along and escaping the tense situation.
"From today onwards, I pray. Thanks for saving me, God," Mark said, feeling grateful.
Zico looked at him and asked:
"Your dad is the god Slayer, and you're praying to God?"
Mark replied:
"Go back to her, and you'll also be praying to God." Zico nodded, remembering the intimidating gaze of Emily.
"Amen," he said with a chuckle.
'she doesn't even agree to be recognized as my girlfriend why did she... Nope these thoughts will get me castrated' mark thought.
Zico and Mark opened the door to the third level chiefs house and went inside. The interior looked like a modern home, and Mark's eyes widened in wonder as he took in the sights and sounds of electricity and modern amenities, something he hadn't seen in a long time. He ignored the people in the house for the moment, too distracted by the unfamiliar surroundings.
Zico grabbed Mark and pulled him to the couch, whispering in his ear:
"You're embarrassing me."
Mark apologized:
"Sorry, it's just been a while." He sat up straight and looked forward, his eyes widening in surprise as he saw the person standing before him his fiance, Asami. The third level village Chief noticed Mark's reaction and remarked:
"So you know each other."
Asami's face mirrored Mark's surprise, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with a blush. Mark awkwardly laughed: "Haha... she's my fiancée."
Zico's eyes widened in alarm as memories of Emily's intimidating gaze flashed through his mind, thinking:
'This guy's balls are gone, he's going to miss them'
"I don't need to introduce you to each other, then," the Village Chief said with a knowing smile:
"So, you won't mind taking her to the Level Four village, since she's your fiance."
Mark's eyes widened in surprise, thinking to himself:
'Five thousand pupils came here, and luck just decided to bring her here... damn. I'm going to have to avoid Emily from now on.'
The Village Chief looked at Mark and Asami, then turned to Zico and said:
"Let's leave the two of them alone for a while." Zico stared at Mark with a sympathetic expression, thinking:
'Goodbye, comrade.' He got up, and he and the Village Chief left the living room, leaving Mark and Asami to an awkward but intimate moment.
"How have you been? I've missed you," Mark said awkwardly, trying to break the silence.
Asami blushed and looked away, fidgeting with her hands:
"I'm fine," she replied softly.
"How are you?" She struggled to keep her eyes away from Mark's, her mind racing with thoughts:
'What am I doing? After he saved me on the bridge, I feel different about him... I feel so awkward.'
Mark noticed her blush and raised an eyebrow:
"Wait, are you actually blushing... I thought you hated me?" he said, a little confused.
Asami quickly regained her composure:
"I still do," she said, trying to sound convincing.
Mark chuckled. "That's one hell of emotional damage. Anyway, what brought you here?" he asked in a serious tone, his eyes locked on hers.