"Dino used a bloodthirst pill to temporarily increase his energy core to level two. He has disgraced our tribe. The aristocrat will also relinquish his position," the chieftain said.
Even in my weakened state, my mind was busy thinking about how huge the gap was between the first level and the second level. Dino was laying lifelessly on the ground. His skin was shriveled up and his face wore a petrified expression. His skin was a ghastly white color. Two orcs entered the battleground to carry his body. I had to get stronger and I had to do it fast. I dragged my legs and returned to the fighter's chamber. The three orcs ran to meet me and to congratulate me.
"You have no idea how important it is that you received the eighteenth rank," Quincy said.
"What's the importance?" I asked out of curiosity.
"You get access to the tribe library, training puppets and elixirs! Its practically the dream of every young orc," Jasper said.
"What's the bloodthirst pill that the chieftain talked about?" I asked.
"When someone consumes the pill, their blood will be converted into energy and will force their core to expand. However, the aftereffects are devastating. Their energy core will be shattered and they will look like a corpse because of the blood loss," Jasper replied.
"Well for now let's return home. Tomorrow morning, father will summon you to the castle," Grald said.
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[In the stands]
"I did not think that your fighter would use such disgraceful tactics in front of everyone," the chieftain said.
"I'm s-sorry sir, I did not know that he was going to do that."
"You'd better pray that I don't find any connection between you and the bloodthirst pill!"
The elderly orc was shaking like a leaf. He did not want to slip up in front of the chieftain. He left shortly after.
"How will you reward Luke?" Axel asked.
"I have just the thing in mind. It is something that will prove to be useful in the future."
-----------------
"Father did you kill that human?" the injured orc asked.
"I've lost everything," his father replied with a blank expression.
"What do you mean? you said that you would punish both the human and the orc who brought him into the tribe."
"YOU IDIOT. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO PROVOKE HIM."
"THE ORC WHO BROUGHT HIM WAS GRALD. WE CHALLENGED LUKE TO A FIGHT AND HE BEAT DINO," he added.
"I have lost my title as an aristocrat," the man said while holding his head with his hands.
The injured orc was in a state of shock. He could not believe what he was hearing. He extended his hand in an attempt to comfort his father, but the elder pushed him away.
"Father-"
"Don't you dare talk to me! That brat will pay the price for offending me."
---------------
On our way back home, every passer-by kept staring at me like I was some sort of circus attraction. From that day on, the orcs gave me a nickname that would be stuck with me forever. They called me 'The Cripple'.
"You can go take a dip in the hot spring and then go rest. Needless to say there will no training this afternoon," Jasper said.
Without wasting any time, I sprinted towards the body of water and removed my clothes. I threw them to the side and jumped in. A large splash was formed as my body sunk into the pond. I closed my eyes and relaxed my muscles. I could feel my strength replenishing with every passing moment. I heaved a sigh of relief. I was thinking about how proud my family and friends would have been after my victory today.
My eyes suddenly widened in shock. A thought suddenly flashed across my mind. My strength was replenishing! What if I could take advantage of this hot spring while practicing energy arts. Would that make me progress faster?
I sat cross legged inside the hot spring and thought about the scripture that Drago implanted. The draconic energy arts appeared in my mind and I followed every instruction. Increasing ones core size required them to have accumulated enough energy and the person should have also achieved enlightenment.
The sentences were advanced and were not easy to understand. While trying to decipher the words and comprehending the underlying meaning, I absorbed the purple particles in the water. The body of water had twice as much energy as the surroundings. As soon as the energy entered my body, the hot spring would replenish itself. This was practically cheating!
After a while, wrinkles appeared on my forehead and I was squinting my eyes. The energy arts required a lot of effort and even if I was not physically tired, it took a mental toll. Veins began bulging out of my skin and thirty minutes later I stopped. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly to calm myself. I was only a fifth of the way to the second level, but I had already begun understanding more about energy. I lifted myself out of the water and dried myself using a towel. After putting my clothes on, I went to my room.
Even though Jasper told me to go to bed, I simply couldn't. I had become an addict to training and my being was craving it. I was beginning to wonder if this was a good or bad thing. I unsheathed my sword and began swinging.
"Congratulations Luke!" Diablo said.
"How did you know about my victory?" I asked.
"My mind is connected to yours, so I know everything that happens."
"You're really creepy you know that."
"Twist the blade slightly when you strike," Diablo said.
"How do you know about sword fighting?"
"My first master was a genius at martial arts, so I still remember his movements."
"What your master like?" I asked.
"He was always serious, but he was exceptionally strong."
"How would he compare in the tribe?" I asked.
"He would be as strong as the chieftain."