There is a primal instinct that every living thing in the world has: Fear of death.  Some animals are reigned by the fear of death, the need to survive.  Others, have enough intelligence to bury it slightly under logic and reason.  Humans, can bury this timeless instinct so deep, it might never be found in their lifetime.  Besides logic, humans have faith, love, courage, bravery, or numerous other feelings to hide fear of death.

Nonetheless, when alone at night, in the middle of a dangerous wilderness, or surrounded by enemies, there is not a single person that is able to stop the terror that wells up from their very soul.  This inexplicable dread was completely triggered in most of the students surrounding Garth, though some were able to push it back down, and bottle it deep inside.  Even Adeline, who was partially protected due to her friendship with Garth, felt strength disappear from her limbs.

Everyone within the VIP booth held shocked expressions on their faces.  Finally, the Headmaster regained his composure and laughed.

“Bwahaha!  No wonder this kid was so confident.  Not only has he done that, but he’s also cultivated an aura!”

The two types of fighters had different key points.  Control type fighters cultivated a domain, and bent the enemy to their will.  Within a domain, the opponent was forced to abide by the laws of the domain.  Berserker type fighters cultivated an aura, and enforced it on the enemy.  An aura would be used directly, often making the foe unable to do anything.  But of course, auras and domains were only able to affect those close in cultivation to the fighter, and Garth’s was unable to affect anyone but the students.

Although he was still farther than a hundred meters, Merlin was able to feel his own sense of danger rise in his chest, making his limbs heavy and his mind dull with the sound of his racing heart pounding in his ears.  Slowly, Garth rose from his chair and started walking toward the stage.  Tap… tap… tap….  The seven year old’s footsteps rang across the quiet coliseum, and each one seemed to grow increasingly louder to the boy waiting on the stage.

Before, Merlin had been entirely confident.  Naturally, he had investigated Garth, who had joined the Academy later in the year with the last name of his family’s nemesis, and found that Garth was only the foster grandchild of the now dead Mo Franklin.  After the old man had died, Garth hadn’t even had the chance to meet with any of the elders of the family and immediately rushed to Imperium.  So, although he had access to the valuable resources of the Academy, Garth didn’t have any of the key resources that set the high ranking families apart from the school.  This was especially true when concerning the Twelve Great Families, even the Franklin Family that had already recessed from their position former glory.

Merlin’s Lightning Fist Gorilla Technique was also one of the Tesla Family’s valuable skills, which was another reason why the boy was so confident in facing Garth.  Once mastered, one would have the strength and ferocity of the beast named, and would be able to level cities with a few swipes of the hand and make mountains crumble with a roar.  The beasts were also lightning attributed, which was great for the Tesla Family, which was greatly known for its prowess in the element.

Merlin finally awoke from his thoughts after Garth had stepped onto the stage.  For every step Garth took, Merlin took a step back.  Garth glanced at the judge, who had an amused and slightly impressed look in his eyes.  Understanding the unspoken meaning, he quickly started the match.  At the wave of the judge’s hand, Garth took off like a rocket and quickly appeared before Merlin.  Shocked into silence, all the seven year old could do was stumble backwards.  But before he could get very far, Garth’s foot shot out and effectively tripped his opponent.

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“Indeed, the Lightning Fist Gorilla is powerful, but you do not understand the essence of being one.  In this world, all things can be separated into two categories: The predators, who take, plunder, and display dominion.  They are the kings, the heroes.  But people like you won’t get very far.  You are the dust underfoot, the pebble in the way:  An annoyance.  You, are the prey.”

By this time, Garth was standing high over the fallen Merlin.  To him, Garth seemed like an unreachable mountain, and the chilly atmosphere had long invaded his very bones, causing him to shiver.  And yet, in the midst of his fear, deep down, in the very core of his soul, Merlin felt something he had never felt before: Admiration.

In his short seven years of life, Merlin had never felt admiration for anyone.  Everything given to him was taken for granted.  His father was simply there to give him wealth, food, and other resources.  His mother was only some woman who gave birth to him.  Merlin’s elder brother only had a higher status than him because he was older, and his younger sister was just a pain in his side.

Before now, everything had been about himself, and everything was seen through the same guise.  Merlin’s father, Merlin’s brother, Merlin’s lackey, Merlin’s enemy.  Merlin’s toy, Merlin’s bed, etc.  Everything had been seen in relation to him instead of what they truly were, yet now Merlin was forcefully shocked into awe of the boy standing over him.  This was not Merlin’s nemesis, nor his stepping stone.  This was Garth Franklin.

Why was I messing with this guy? He wondered to himself.  And why do I feel this competitive feeling rising?

And it was true, the admiration inside Merlin had ignited a burning fighting spirit in his eyes.

“Oh?” Garth muttered to himself, surprised.

Then, a smile crept up his face as he understood that Merlin must have had a change of heart.  Otherwise, it would be impossible for someone whose foundations came from a shaky, spoiled lifestyle to fight against his Predator Aura. 

“Nice,” Garth said approvingly.  “You have my respect.”

Garth was very impressed, especially since the opposite party was Merlin, whom he had no good impressions of whatsoever.  But it took a lot of determination to have a sudden change of temperament, even in the face of fear.  This showed Garth that, underneath the boy’s upbringing, was an originally good soul that wasn’t completely gone yet.

Again, Merlin froze.  Looking back on his life, this was the first time he had ever been respected by someone, and it was another new feeling.  Granted, due to his family and father, no matter where Merlin went, there were an excess of people who feared him, sucked up to him, and other things, but he had never felt respect before, from anyone.

Quickly, the dazed Tesla shook his head to regain his wits, then launched himself at Garth who put his hands up in a defensive stance.  Blows were exchanged, and yet even Merlin’s Electric Blade Hand, his most powerful move, was overcome by Garth.  In the end, Merlin could only admit defeat, but knew he had gained something worth the loss: maturity.