he young man brow arc as he scanned oliver from head to toe, from the previous oliver memories
He knew who this youngster is, one of the adept hired to escort the workers home at night after the days job
This guy had barely talk to anyone in the mine aside his two companion, so it surprise everyone around. His two companion came over too but stood a bit to the side watching what could have picked their friends interest
"Ann, do you see anything special in him, I don't know what about him spike Dan curiosity" the male amongst both companion said with folded arms scanning oliver just like the lady beside him
"I don't know for sure but you should believe Dan, he got the sharpest sense amongst us. If he say something ain't right about this guy the moment he walked over
Then there had to be something wrong with him" the lady answer in an uninterested tone as this seek boring to her
Dan called the foreman over asking him to bring the storage bag to him, being a commoner before a second class noble, he dare not disobey
After all the young man before him has the nobility title of a Baron, one confined on the lowest adept the moment the step in the path of cultivation.
They directly and indirectly holds a level of power, connection and influence in the empire political standard.
Dan went through the content of the storage bag and could help but widen his eyes in surprise, he scan Oliver standing before him once more before throwing the bag back to the foreman.
"I don't want to know how you mine that much ore in one day all by yourself, neither I'm I interested to pursue this issue. I only have one thing to say"
Everyone ears peak to hear the Baron judgement when it look like a thunder bolt had struck them dumb when they heard his next words
"Fight you" Ann didn't know when she blurt out the words she heard again as if her hearing were faulty
She wasn't the only one, the foreman and others still had their jaw wide open, same for the youngster beside the lady.
Dan ignored their reaction as he continue, "don't worry, its n hand to hand combat anndd I'll hold back too if you want" he isn't going either
He wouldn't be acting like this if he didn't sense a fierce foreign energu subtly emanating from this guy the moment he walked in
He had a acute sense for energy and immediately felt Oliver foreign energy presence, an energy he can't quiet tell what it is
It similar in nature to qi but isn't qi, neither was it ophoria either though it still have a striking resemblance to it.
"Aren't you just looking for an avenue to beat the hell out of me?" Oliver asked playfully, at this moment he really don't want to get involved in a fight
"It depends, why don't you tell.... me....e" Dan figure dashed toward Oliver without any prior notice, throwing a punch at him
Though he held back the force of his Punch not to kill a worker incase his presumption were wrong, it's still fast and powerful enough to leave the other with blur sight of his move except for his two companion.
They watched with anticipated breath as Dan fist drew so ever closely to Olivers face who seem to have been taken aback or caught in fright due to the overwhelming speed and power of an adept
Ann closed her eyes not wanting to watched the scene of a worker losing a few teeth's, but the reaction she expected never came
When she open her eyes again, the young man beside her almost had his eyes poking out if his socket, eeire silence filled the air
She trace his gaze back to the scene and was blown away just like everyone else, she didn't see it but from the look of things
Dan had missed and it was intentionally as he still haven't fully regained his center of gravity due to missing his target
A frown arch on his face as he finally regained his footing, a look of disbelief hang on his face before it broke into a crazy smile
"You were actually able to dodge that and easily too, it seems I want wrong at all. More like I underestimate you but now"
He took a fighting stance, those around pilled back, battle field of adept isn't one commoners want to get involved in
"What the hell just happened Brian?" Ann couldn't hold in her curiosity anymore, the missing lapse in her head is killing her
Brian didn't know how to explain either, just like Ann, he expected this guy to he dine with but for some unexplainable reason when Dan fist were to land on his face squarely
The other just fluidly evade the fist like it was some easy fit to achieve, side stepping, leaving Dan to lose his center of gravity as his weight were pulled in by that punch.
He was thinking of how to explain when the show down began again, its exactly like before. Dan moved without any prior notice, arriving before Oliver in a blink throwing another fist with his true strength.
"Damn it, he was holding back this much" oliver curse to himself seeing Dan speed and force had shot up considerably
Still it was still slow for him as he seem to have improve speed and agility, if his memory serve him right. That is naruto forte
He Dodge every of Dan moves easily, side stepping, docking or using his movement against him to out maneuver him. None of Dan attack touched him as he easily evade them without breaking a sweat
The longer the spar the more fluent his move and precision becomes a he felt Adeline racing in him
At the other hand Dan is getting more frustrated and his companions could tell why, amongst the group Dan bust of speed due to his cultivation techniques but here it looks like child's play before this mine worker
Who is he and why have he being hiding as a mine worker, most importantly, whey have they not notice such a genius up till now?
Back at the sparring ground, Dan kicked the ground, distancing himself from Oliver as his hands fell on his sword but before he could unhealthful it
A figure appeared behind him stopping Dan in his track, his move were so fast Oliver didn't notice him till he arrived behind Dan
"That is enough sparring for the day Dan" his voice were stern, leaving no room for rebut, Dan had to give up and biw his head to this figure
"Yes master"
The man Dan referred to as master turned to Oliver, gave him a slight bow that sent another round of lightning bolt in everyone's Brian as he said
"honourable sire, please forgive the negligence of this viscount who couldn't control the barons under him
How may I address you Sir Marquess" his tone filled with respect, not because oliver is stronger than him but because of the structure of power in this world
Gift and first rate nobles, offending one is offending all, unless you want to go against the entire association of gifted, you better show respect.
"Marquess?" All three adept screamed when they heard the world of this leader, he wouldn't be pulling their legs with the level of attitude he is displaying right now
Everyone knew Marquess title is giving to the lowest gifted, the conferment of this title is not just for the privileges it gives alone but like a bind that keeps everyone tied to the empire
Every gifted is conferred the title of a Marquess but might remain that all their life, raising through the ranks depends on ones merits and contribution to the empire, by it political or other aspects.
Everyone else hearing this had to show the appropriate respect to Oliver immediately, including the trio. "Just call me Oliver, you can save the title for later"
Oliver answer awkwardly, not used to getting people respect him this way. He didn't want to waste time here anymore either
Just seeing those respectful gaze almost want to make him pee himself, "I'll be leaving for now, you can put all that quota to old mans spot" Oliver said to the foreman
Being a noble means he didn't really have to work straps anymore, so why not gibing that old guy a favour of saving him some time of trouble
With that said, oliver rushed out of the mine, arriving at the peripheral of the woods he drew in a deep breath of relief. This atmosphere was extremely choking for him.
He bask himself in the bright moon light filtered through the canopy of the trees, casting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor,
The soft breeze caress his face, as heart raced with excitement and feeling of the unknown, his otaku instincts tingling with the thrill of adventure but his predecessor remnant warning of foreboding
He calmed his Stormy mind for a few moment before taking his first hesitant step into the unknown, a ripple surged through him, marking the beginning of a journey in this mystical world
Hoping up the branch in a tree like a typical ninja, Oliver took a look at his tattered clothing and couldn't help but shake his head
Luckily for him, he can fix that now with just a thought.
In an instant he had a casual and comfortable attire on, wearing jeans, hoodies, and sneakers with a touch of retro style that reflects his love for classic pop culture.
Just so he wouldn't look too out of place, he added a stylish futuristic blend of ancient robe and felt he was good to go. With that he sprint through the woods leaving his silhouette fading off in the distance
At that same time the viscount from earlier and Dan just came out of the mine and happens to caught sight of his fading figure in the woods
Dan had an unjust look on his face when he saw Oliver's silhouette at the distance, he clench his fist starring hard at that direction.
"Give it up Dan, you are of his match. He was holding back pretty much in that spar of yours
I bet he would be a tough nut even for me a tier two adept to crack easily, that kid is a monster hiding behind those fake smile
I bet you felt it too, the untapped strange energy that seems to be sealed inside of him
Its higher than what a tier one gifted should have, my guess, it was sealed away for a reason
Don't give it a reason to be unleashed, I don't want to find out first hand what that strange energy sealed inside of him can do"
With that said he turn and left Dan to his device as he ushered the people to get ready to depart
They were ready in minutes and was prepared to leave when he turned to see Dan still gazing at the same direction, he decided to help him out
"You aren't seeing the bright picture are you?" Dan was confused as his master question when the other beams him an helpless smile shaking his head
"You didn't see the path he took back to town" Dan eyes widen when this subtle detail came to his notice as his body jolt back from the recoil reaction
"He took the woods, isn't that..."
"Dangerous yes, I wouldn't dare to venture it myself but he did. It speaks more we aren't his level from the onset" he too had a conflicting look at this time
This kid seems to over daring, he just hope his action are act of boldness and of overwhelming foolishness.