"Mother, Father, I want to go to Mars."
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"No. Absolutely not!"
Calanthe screeches as she cleans the dinner table.
"He is not going to that godforsaken place. The dangers are all too real!"
Ambrose helps her clean while pleading with her on Godfrey's behalf.
"Darling, we cannot clip Godfrey's wings. He is a bird meant to soar way past the sky. It would be an affront to all we stand for if we do not let him go."
Calanthe turns to Godfrey with tears in her eyes.
"Can you not wait for at least 2 more years? Why not let your power grow to greater heights before putting yourself in danger??!"
Godfrey eats his cake as he explains his reasoning to his mother.
"My strength stagnates mother. I've outgrown the machines in the academy and require a more combative lifestyle to improve."
Calanthe finishes cleaning and stares at Godfrey.
"You want combat? I'll give you combat! To think I had to teach my prodigy son the meaning of humility!"
Ambrose steps in between them and calms Calanthe down.
"Honey, you know what he speaks is the truth. Didn't we go up there when we were his age? Their resources are far more abundant, and life there is conducive to growth. Please, let us believe in our son like we always have."
Calanthe looks long and hard at Ambrose and releases a sigh.
"So this is what my mother felt like when I asked her the same thing. Godfrey, you know that you have to stay there for a whole year at a time and can only return for the final exams, right?"
Godfrey devours his cake and nods to his mother.
"I am mentally prepared mother."
Calanthe sighs and caresses his hair.
"Ok my sweet child, I believe in you. Forgive your mother. I'm just so worried."
Godfrey gives her a hug, and Ambrose joins in.
"Worry not mother. It's just Mars hahaha!"
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"MY BABY IS GROWN UP!! WUUUU!"
Godfrey just laughs and excuses himself. As he lay on his bed, he uses his Divine Sense and scans his body. His scan reveals that only 36% of his cells have been suffused with lightning energy.
"1% in one year...I must push myself further."
He exits his room via window and flies once more within the clouds. Godfrey floats and meditates for a while to enter his peak state. He opens his eyes and lightning pours onto his large form.
*CRACK* *CRACKOOOM*
Godfrey doesn't repeat the same mistake, as he slowly increases the lightning energy instead of bombarding himself. A few minutes later and Godfrey is at full capacity. He scans his body and finds that he is at 36.5%.
"Incredible. It actually moved. At this rate it will only- woah!"
A large spear flies past Godfrey's head as he corrects himself in the air. He looks up and sees someone he has studied for the past year. 1.8 meters tall, built like a warrior, short black hair, eyes as black as coal, high cheekbones, prominent chin, and red lips. This man was proud, and his appearance was as domineering as his name.
"Long Aotian, why do you attack me?"
The man in question, merely looks at Godfrey and replies arrogantly.
"You gathered copious amounts of lightning energy near the city that I had a meeting in. Is this not a direct challenge to my sovereignty over the sky? Prepare yourself!"
Godfrey quickly dodges to the side as the previously thrown spear turns and pierces towards his back. It finds its way back into Long Aotian's hand and Godfrey looks at it.
'That spear- damn he attacks quick.'
Godfrey is forced to stop his internal musings as he dodges and weaves. He parries a sweep with the palm of his hand and delivers a quick heavy jab that stuns his opponent. Long Aotian snaps with a sidekick and fractures Godfrey's ribs.
"Oof. Damn."
With distance created, his opponent stabs his spear rapidly. With a twist of his body, Godfrey dodges a thrust and is within striking range once more. He delivers a punishing elbow to the head. Long Aotian merely tilts his head to dodge and pierces forward. Godfrey then kicks towards Long Aotian's chest after parrying the stab.
His opponent blocks with the spear's shaft but is blown back dozens of meters. Godfrey decides to take the initiative, and rushes towards Long Aotian. He clenches his fist and throws a mighty punch that impacts the spear shaft once more.
Long Aotian's hands become numb and his head is dizzy after taking successive titanic blows. He shouts as lightning strikes his spear.
"ENOUGH!! Taste my lightning!"
Long Aotian then points the spear forward and a torrent of lightning dragons rush towards Godfrey.
Godfrey merely opens his arms and absorbs them. He lightly smiles and calls forth lightning that strikes his palm. A spear gradually takes shape and Godfrey drops into a stance.
"Let's continue."
Long Aotian laughs and twirls his spear. He rushes forward and Godfrey goes to meet him as they both swing their spears. They stab, sweep, parry, dodge, and block as their fight takes them to the skies.
Godfrey repels a strike to his leg and slams the butt end of his spear on Long Aotian's chest, that pushes him away.
"You are good, Godfrey! Come let us battle again."
Godfrey stops and stares at him. Suspicion lacing his voice.
"You know who I am?"
Long Aotian slightly panics and looks away.
"I umm. Don't know what you mean.
Suddenly a voice bellows in rage.
"YOU DARE STRIKE MY SON?!!"
A beam of energy suddenly hits Long Aotian, and a catastrophic explosion clears the night sky. Long Aotian hurtles through the air injured and hurriedly shouts at a floating figure.
"WAIT CALANTHE! I WAS MERELY TESTING HIM!"
A large orb of destructive energy the size of a small mountain suddenly descends from the sky.
"TEST MY FOOT!!"
Godfrey becomes annoyed and envelops his entire body in lightning. He flies towards the large ball of destruction at his fastest speed creating multiple sonic booms.
With fists outstretched in front of him, he pierces through the large ball of energy.
A massive explosion shakes the very air, and the night sky is lit up as if the sun decided to wake up. The clouds are blown away and the stars are once again visible. Godfrey's body is burned and marred with wounds, but he gradually heals and adapts.
"Mother please. A clash between the both of you would level the forest below. I am fine. I could tell right away that he was simply testing me."
Calanthe looks at Godfrey's body and gasps at the damage she caused. Godfrey assures her that he'll be fine after a little rest. She huffs and looks at Long Aotian.
"Well come on to our house then. Might as well get some refreshments before you go. I swear. You men and your need to fight all the time. I'll never understand it."
Long Aotian merely smiles sheepishly and turns to Godfrey as they all start flying to the Gallahad mansion.
"Young man! Where did you learn to fight like that? It felt as if I was fighting lightning itself. Your blows were fast, sharp, and heavy."
Godfrey smiles at the praise and easily replies.
"I created that style myself. I designed it to divert damage and return it with ruthless intent. Though I noticed that my blows were somehow weakened when I made contact with you."
Long Aotian puffs up his chest and proudly answers.
"My control over electrical energy is so precise, that I'm able to create an invisible barrier of electricity around my body that can repel and electrocute my enemies. Though it could only dampen your blows and nothing else."
Godfrey nods and attempts the skill. A barrier is erected but it is visible to the naked eye.
"Hmmm it needs more work. I've noticed some glaring differences between the way we handle lightning. We'll talk more later."
A few minutes later, they arrive at the mansion and see Ambrose glaring at Long Aotian. He massages his forehead as they land.
"Didn't I say that you need to curb that battle lust of yours? Calanthe would have bombed you and you would've had to defend yourself. The battle could've reached the city!"
Long Aotian just laughs.
"Hahaha, but your boy radiates so much power that he could be in the top 10! He is rapidly catching up to your strength Ambrose. His blows feel like it could crack a mountain. Give it a couple of years and he will surpass you. Amazing!!"
Ambrose simply sighs then laughs and slings a hand around Long Aotian's shoulders.
"Haiiii of course he will. He's my son after all HAHAHAHA!!! It might even take less than a couple of years!"
Godfrey then sees his father and Long Aotian conspiratorially whisper to one another.
"Ambrose...what do you feed your child? I'd really like my son to try some."
Ambrose crosses his arms and whispers.
"Old friend. I've been telling you for years. Moose meat. He eats it twice every week, no more than that."
Long Aotian merely nods his head.
They all head into the mansion and make themselves comfortable on the couch. Ambrose speaks first.
"To what do we owe the pleasure, old friend? This is most likely not a social call."
Long Aotian's face becomes serious.
"I'm afraid not. My son will be making his way to the mars base in a month's time. I'd like to ask if your son is planning to go. If so, then please form an alliance with my child."
Long Aotian's face is marred with worry as he discloses his concerns.
"Information rarely escapes from the Mars base, but a friend working there revealed some startling information. The natives have been seen getting closer and closer to our borders. It may be nothing, but I don't want to take any chances. You know we're not allowed on there unless there is an exceptional situation."
He stands and motions to kneel down, but Godfrey rushes to his side and keeps him standing. Long Aotian looks to Godfrey and earnestly speaks.
"I had seen the videos Godfrey. I had heard the rumours, but I had to see for myself. You truly are mighty."
Godfrey shakes his head and smiles.
"There is no need to say more. I will make an alliance with your son when the time comes. In return, you must teach me that barrier technique."
Long Aotian beams and laughs in joy at Godfrey's words.
"Wonderful!! I promise to teach you my technique before you have to go off planet. Thank you Godfrey."
Soon after, Long Aotian bids the Gallahad's farewell and goodnight. Calanthe sits next to Godfrey on the couch and breaks the silence.
"You must promise me to stay safe. Remember to eat and keep up your strength. Have at least 8 hours of sleep."
Calanthe goes on and on, while Godfrey merely listens with a smile. He will miss her voice. After an hour, his mother retires and Godfrey lays on his bed.
He thinks of the opportunities that Mars will provide and the notion of greater strength gets his heart pumping.
"Mars. Here I come."
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END