Somewhere in an elite district of the City of Nine Suns, in a luxurious manor a few young people were gathered.

They relaxed in a large, hot bath, the air steamy, with scantly clad boys and girls delivering delicacies.

Naturally they were the youngest masters of the aristocratic families.

Kalmin held a sweet drink in his hand, gently swaying his glass as he let out a chuckle:

“What’s so funny, Kalmin?”, asked another youngster. Although he was from a side branch of the Redswan family, he had a good relationship with Kalmin from the main brain.

“I was just thinking of Corian.”

“Ahh!”

Overhearing Kalmin’s words, a few of the other youths couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

“Really, how could the Gold family produce such an idiot? It’s a miracle that his dad hasn’t disowned him already.”

“Tzz. It’s only because of his mother’s background.”

“Right, the Gold family has been doing their best to increase their influence in other worlds. Instead of disowning Corian, they have to protect him at all cost.”

“Well, at least they have to pretend to protect him.”

Right. I’m sure those old foxes know that we have been doing our best to get Corian into trouble, creating enemies for their family.

But secretly they acquiesce our actions, hoping to get Corian killed in a way where they couldn’t prevent it.”

“Right. But honestly, I think this time we will fail. This Tepo doesn’t look like someone who easily gets into fights.”

“Right. He and his friend seem to ignore us for the most part.”

“Well, I guess we can only bet on Corian’s unlikable personality!”

Loud laughter stirred the air as the youths continued to plot openly.

***

Meanwhile the confrontation between Tepo and Corian was still ongoing. The aristocrat had a mocking look in his eyes as he looked down on Tepo.

“What? Did I say something wrong? Haha.

You poor beggar, without your invitation you couldn’t even afford to be here. Don’t think no one knows that you have been fighting in tournaments for money!

What a joke! A monkey dancing for others’ entertainment.”

“Are you done?! I don’t understand what your problem is. Is your brain damaged? Why are you so invested in my matters?!”

“Shut up! You don’t belong here! You are not worthy!

You don’t even dare to fight back if your best friend is in trouble!”

A heavy frown formed on Tepo’s face. He thought about Yerive’s situation. His friend mention that the aristocrats were making trouble, but it seemed Inurol’ah and Droa’va helped him.

Was the situation bigger than Yerive let on? Have I been too passive…?

Seeing Tepo’s pondering look, Corian suddenly understood something.

“Could it be that you don’t even know?

Hahaha, this is too funny! You really are a joke! You don’t deserve to be called a warrior!

You know what, I herby challenge you to a fight to the death! Do you dare accept it?!”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Corian Gold had a mocking look in his eyes, obviously not expecting Tepo to accept it.

It must be said that the aristocrats indeed had a good eye for people. They expected Corian to make trouble, but also guessed that Tepo would avoid it.

And Tepo had no intention to fight to the death over a few words. In his mind his actions were dictated by the threat brought by ‘outsiders’. Even if he was confident, the risk wasn’t worth it for no reward at all.

But still, seeing Corian’s eyes irked him.

“You only want to get rid of me, right?”

“Of course. You’re a parasite taking precious resources without contributing anything.”

“That’s rich coming from someone in your position…”

Corian didn’t understand Tepo’s mumble.

“What?!”

“Whatever. Let’s do it like this. You will get your fight, but it won’t be to the death.

If you win, I will never set foot in the forum again. And if you win, I want 200.000 credits.”

“Haha. Indeed, a coward and a beggar.

Whatever, getting rid of you also has its merits. I accept.”

“Good.”

“Let’s fight one month from now! And don’t you dare to chicken out!”

“Don’t worry.”

The two young men exchanged one more taunting look before separating.

The timeline of one month was agreed upon smoothly, as both opponents were eager to engrave their forbidden spells.

After taking a few spells, Tepo immediately calmed down as if his earlier anger was only an illusion. He wasn’t bothered by the fight. Even if he lost it wouldn’t matter too much.

However, Varei appeared extremely agitated as he popped out again:

“Tepo! How can you let someone talk to you like that?! If a lowly being dared to say such words to my face, they would lose their head the next moment!”

“Hmm? He’s just some brat. Why should I care about him? In fact I pity him, as his entire worldview is challenged simply by the invitation in my hands.”

“But, but… Don’t you have some pride? This guy was looking down on you!”

“I have confidence, not pride. I know what I can do and what I have to do. Some dancing clown can’t affect me.”

“But who can take you seriously like this? If you want to make it to the top, you need the mindset of someone at the top!

In the future if you fight with others for status, you have to put them in their place, or you will be left behind.

For example, if you always behave weakly, others might be promoted to elder why you will be stuck as senior teacher.

They might even be weaker than you, but it doesn’t matter if you never show off your strength!”

Tepo listened to Varei’s logic, nodding calmly. He could understand the spirit’s perspective, but felt like it didn’t apply to him.

His goal was never some ethereal status. He wanted to strengthen himself, travel around, find clues about the ‘outsiders’ and either destroy them himself or bring them to light so others would help him eliminate them.

Until then, there was no use in climbing within another organization but the Web. And trying to form his own organization and convincing others of his cause might even be dangerous, since gods, his potential enemies, were highly respected everywhere.

Thus, Tepo continued to shoulder the burden alone, not even telling Varei.

The little spirit continued to chatter for a while, trying to convince Tepo of his perspective. But he didn’t make much progress until the duo reached the portal.

“Wait.”

“Hmm? Why?”, Varei cocked his head as Tepo suddenly stopped.

“Do you think we need to hide you?”

“I… don’t know.”

The spirit’s voice sounded nervous. Just now he was still in a good mood because of the forbidden spell, but now Tepo reminded him of this issue, dampening his spirits.

“But the last time I went out, not everyone could tell that I’m a spirit. As long as we don’t come face to face with some high-ranked warriors we should be fine…”

“But one of them is sitting close to the exit…”

The two partners fell silent. Tepo racked his brain to come up with a solution.

“What If I try phasing through the wall?”

“Forget it, if this really works, I’m looking down on the forum. Let’s rather try to get the elder to leave. But then you need to be fast. As soon as he moves, you have to sneak out.”

“Alight…”

Elder Trang was still busy at his desk. He cursed inwardly, as his name hasn’t been circulating in public for a while. He was too caught up in work, his own advancement suffering because of it.

Suddenly a door was pushed open swiftly, a stream of air ruffling the papers.

The elder was already used to it and continued his work. But he was quickly interrupted as a student clamored next to him:

“Elder, elder! Someone just challenged me to a fight! In YOUR storage! Can you believe it?”

The thin man wrinkled his brows as his eyes turned to Tepo.

“Student, don’t cause a commotion here! I don’t care about your fight! Go to the arena to register and let me do my job!”

“But elder, how can you say this? What if they don’t believe me? No, I need you as witness!”

Suddenly a sharp pressure let Tepo’s body shiver.

“I said. I don’t care. Now leave, before I ban you from this place.”

“But elder, that… whatever… Gold… has entered the storage. What if he hides there and doesn’t come to the fight? Only with you as witness could I feel reassured.”

Elder Trang raised his brow skeptically.

“Gold? Corian Gold?”

“Yes, yes. Exactly.”

Corian Gold is involved in a fight? This might draw quite some attention. Maybe I can also get a piece of the pie…

The more Elder Trang pondered, the more he felt it was feasible. He eyed Tepo, standing up and entering the storage.

“You stay here. I will confirm your words.”

Tepo had to suppress a bright grin. The elder was out and the other workers in the room weren’t powerful. This was the perfect chance.

Although even he couldn’t see Varei, he felt the spirit moving through their connection.