"Are you, his bodyguard?" the giant monkey shot daggers, staring at Jaxon in an attempt to intimidate him.
Jaxon smirked, nodded, and returned the question. "So, I assume you are too."
"Pft." All the monkeys snorted, my forehead wrinkling as they sneered at Jaxon. "You're a bodyguard? With the puny body, you have? What can you do that my bulging muscles can't? Nothing!"
The monkey bodyguard might have been bigger than Jaxon, but considering our age, Jaxon had a commendable physique. Fit at the age of 15 to 16, anyone would think he was already twenty, if not for his scar as well.
Well, there wasn't anything to worry about right now.
"Laugh all you want. Try me, let's see who would look puny by their strength."
Blonde monkey, Polus, glanced around at our surroundings, where it seemed others had noticed our commotion. I didn't want them to ruin my night. I turned around, heading towards the corridor leading to the vacant hall just beside the grand hall.
"Follow me. I don't want to humiliate you that much."
The people who had noticed our small commotion turned their attention to us but didn't move from their places. Curiosity must have been the reason they watched us, but they must have thought we were just playing.
As we arrived at the vacant hall, I faced everyone with a smug look. Of course, I already knew it was my victory.
"You're really afraid of losing face, huh? Alright, I will give you some respect since this is your debut." Blonde monkey snorted, with the bodyguard in front of him, facing Jaxon.
"Hey, what's your name?" the bodyguard monkey asked Jaxon, but he remained silent. He continued staring at them, his menacing aura darkening the atmosphere around him.
Of course, I had commendations for Jaxon. In the nine months he had been under me, I had already seen half of his skills. He could kill monsters with ease, seeming like a graduate from the academy.
I didn't continue my studies at the academy because I wanted to enjoy my time before making my debut. After this, I planned to return to the academy, shocking everyone with the skills I honed from multiple experiences fighting monsters. Despite Jaxon covering for my flaws, I learned a lot from him.
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Don't you have any respect?" The bodyguard monkey raised his fist and launched it straight at Jaxon's chest. My eyes widened as Jaxon remained still. The fist hit his chest, creating a crisp sound of air and impact.
I was baffled. My eyes couldn't believe what I saw. Jaxon didn't move? How could that be possible? He could dodge any attack. I knew this bodyguard had skills, but that didn't mean Jaxon was beneath him.
"See, Oliver? Why are you keeping such a funny bodyguard with you? Or is this all you're capable of recruiting? Well, I already knew it, but I was a little surprised, you know."
I couldn't make a sound. My eyes darkened at the sight. Jaxon was defeated by just that?
"This puny bodyguard couldn't even move from fear. What makes you think you can work in this field? You don't deserve to be a bodyguard. You should work as a clown." The bodyguard followed his master's sneers.
The rest of the henchmen joined in the mockery, pinning me down with their words.
This wasn't fair. There were six of them and I was just alone with Jaxon. Now, with Jaxon frozen in fear, I didn't know what to do.
"That was only a small portion of my strength, yet he's already become a statue. Funny!" They laughed, the monkey enjoying the sight.
Shit! Why did this happen? Jaxon, do something!
"Are you wetting your pants, huh?" A monkey snorted, glaring at Jaxon with scornful eyes.
"Who's wetting whose pants?" I flinched at what I heard. Jaxon retorted. He hadn't been defeated yet.
Hmph! Why did I even underestimate Jaxon? Of course, he wouldn't be defeated by just one punch.
"Oh…" The bodyguard looked amused. "You withstood it? I guess you have some skill."
He clenched his fist, slightly leaning back. "Let's see if you can endure my full strength!"
A huge explosion of impact echoed through the whole hall, forcing me to step back from the force of the punch.
Fuck! If I had received that, I didn't know if I'd survive.
Everyone anticipated Jaxon's reaction, but as before, he stood still, unfazed. "That was all?"
Excitement reached its peak as I watched the scene unfolding before my eyes. Jaxon remained unruffled by the bodyguard monkey's attack, despite it being his full strength.
The monkeys' eyes widened in surprise. They couldn't believe what they were seeing, could they? Of course, Jaxon was the best bodyguard, even though he was younger than me. Fate had given me Jaxon as my fighter!
My blood boiled with exhilaration, my grin widening so much that when the blonde monkey saw it, he couldn't have been more irritated.
"What are you doing? I didn't hire you to be weak! Do something!"
The bodyguard lowered his head, his demeanor contrasting with the rest of the monkeys. "He's a bodyguard, so it's expected he has some skills. With your permission, young master, I'd like to use my mana."
Upon hearing this, it seemed the blonde monkey realized something. A smile returned to his face, and he regained his smug look at the bodyguard's suggestion.
"Do it!"
The bodyguard charged straight at Jaxon, who remained steadfast, protecting me behind him.
"There's a recent discovery involving pure mana. You, a kid, would never be able to grasp that knowledge. I'll give you a taste of your doom. So, stop boasting and accept this with honor."
Jaxon smirked. Despite remaining silent until now, it seemed he had already said much.
"Honor? You should feel honored that I haven't moved an inch. I'll evaluate you. Go ahead."
The provocation hit its mark. Veins popped on the bodyguard's forehead as he unleashed a surging energy, each pulse pushing me back.
What was this? I didn't know this was possible. It was as if the bodyguard monkey was evolving into an ape. Or was it just my imagination?
Jaxon remained cool, breathing deeply before sighing in disappointment. "Is that all you can do?"
I… didn't know what to expect. Jaxon seemed arrogant at this moment. I knew he was strong, but facing such strength and energy, I wasn't sure if he could withstand it. Despite wanting to trust him, my instincts told me to give up.
"Don't worry. This is nothing," he mumbled just before the bodyguard monkey unleashed his punch, trembling with the energy he had packed into it.
I could only close my eyes, bracing myself for the inevitable defeat. Even if Jaxon fell, nothing would happen to me; this was my estate, and they wouldn't dare make enemies of us.
Upon impact, I stepped back, preparing for the overwhelming force. When I cautiously opened my eyes, the expected scene hadn't unfolded. I anticipated Jaxon lying defeated, yet it was the bodyguard monkey who lay on the ground, coughing blood.
What had just happened?
Questions raced through my mind as I processed the astonishing events before me. I regretted closing my eyes, but had braced myself to avoid falling apart.
"W-what is this? H-how is this possible?" The blonde monkey's trembling voice filled the hall, but my grin returned at the sight.
"Who's the clown now, monkey? Look at your bodyguard. Do you think he's okay?"
The blonde monkey's expression darkened. I reveled in it. That's how he should look and feel!
"Who are you? How did you do that?" The bodyguard monkey questioned, escalating the blonde monkey's fury.
"Useless!" With that, he stormed out of the hall, his henchmen trailing behind him.
Wow… this sight was refreshing…
A/N: I want readers to enjoy the novel, so before finishing the first arc, I invite you to experience its brilliance. Give me power stones!