“How was the dinner?” asks Master A.
“Ended up fighting a few kids from the higher powers, talked to the Bisuke Emperor, made friends with his daughter. And met a few other talented kids.”
“Sounds fun,” replies Master A.
Raja Kint heads up to his room. Spending his last days casually walking around with Kyoot Kint, Rhode Kint and Exochos Kint. They saw new sights and experienced some of the empire’s best food.
The morning for selection has arrived. Raja Kint opens his eyes to see the sun was higher than normal. Seems I’ve slept longer than usual. Must’ve been more tense than I realized. He heads downstairs to eat and then cultivates until it’s time to leave. Everyone meets downstairs and heads out toward the arena. On the way Empros Kint fills them in on what to do when they arrive.
Once they reach the arena the four break off and head toward the arena. Stepping onto this place of battle they’re greeted by men with talismans. One of the men approaches Raja Kint.
“Ah, the victor of the competition.” He glances over to see Exochos Kint. “And a top four finisher as well.” He turns toward the other men. “I’ll deal with these two.”
The other men nod their heads in understanding.
Raja Kint and Exochos Kint follow the man to the edge of the arena. He points toward a spot. “Exochos you’ll stand here.” He points toward another spot. “Raja you’ll be standing here.”
Raja Kint stands in his position. He looks behind him to notice the two girls are somewhere in the crowd of contestants.
“You’ll be right there.”
Raja Kint looks over to see the king technique boy stepping beside him. The boy nods his head and Raja Kint returns the nod. He looks around at the people seated. He notices Josho Fenix in the crowd beside his master. After some time passes the announcer comes forward.
“Alright everyone, it’s come time to see who gains a new master and who gains a new disciple. Haha, even I’m a bit sorrowful that the competition ended so soon.” He glances toward Josho Fenix. “Especially with the absence of Josho Fenix.”
Many in the crowd respond in agreeance with cheers and raised fists.
“Haha, now let’s get to the selection of those who placed between 128 and outside the top four. If there’s anyone you have interest in approach that group over there.” He points toward the biggest collection of people.
Many people from the crowd come down to talk to kids. Raja Kint stretches as he yawns. He closes his eyes expecting this to take some time. Not long later he hears a voice directed toward him.
“Hey Raja. Haha, you're really incredible. Don’t tell anyone I said this but I think you’re stronger than Josho Fenix.”
Raja Kint looks over to see a boy he had beaten. He smiles and shakes the boy’s hand. “I also know I’m stronger than him.”
“Haha, I look forward to any chances at working together in the future.” The boy walks off.
Raja Kint sees other kids who were also chosen by a master approaching those whom they’ve also faced and are being chosen. Seems another aspect of the competition is to foster friendships between us. Although, I wonder if that’s intended? Raja Kint doesn’t dwell for too long as the righteous girl walks over to him.
She haughtily says, “I admit that you’ve bested me today, devil. But the road is still long and I’ll only improve.”
Raja Kint furrows his brows. “Why are you still being like this? Is this a routine you pull with guys you like?”
“A devil will attempt many methods to sway the minds of people. Alas, I must hold the fort.” She begins walking away. “I await the reunion of my fist pummeling you devil.”
The king technique boy says, “You have a weird relationship.”
The chameleon technique boy says, “I think she likes you. I’ve experienced the hard-to-get types before.”
The king technique kid says, “If you focused more on cultivation you might’ve made the finals.”
“I would’ve made it here if HE.” He staggeringly points his finger toward Raja Kint. “Hadn’t decided to make a breakthrough.”
“You helped me complete a technique, what else can I say?” Raja Kint raises his hands.
Raja Kint notices someone else approaching him. The tan boy whom he faced during the battle royale.
“We weren’t able to face off in the main tournament. But to face off against your brother was truly just as fulfilling.”
Raja Kint replies, “We’ll have plenty of chances to face off some other time.”
“Haha, indeed. The strong are bound to clash.” The boy takes Raja Kint into a tight hug before walking to Exochos Kint.
Raja Kint talks to a few more people when Rhode Kint approaches. She lightly punches him on the arm. “You’d best watch yourself or else I may very well overtake you.”
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“Just as mortals have no chance against a cultivator. So do you have no chance against me.”
“As if,” replies Rhode Kint as she walks off.
A few more people approach Raja Kint before Kyoot Kint appears.
“I really got the chance to become stronger Raja. But I can’t take all the credit for myself. You helped me as well.” Her eyes started becoming glossy. “I’ll keep becoming stronger so you have to continue becoming stronger as well.” She hugs Raja Kint.
Raja Kint looks at her and then at his hands. He slowly raises his hands and lightly embraces her. Once he finally brought himself to a light embrace Kyoot Kint let go.
“Alright, now that I'll be experiencing the wide world I have to become even stronger. After all, even Master A has no standing in the world at large. The limbo realm that’s considered the peak of where we’re from. Is just a starting point for the rest of the world.”
Raja Kint nods his head. “Indeed, we’ll have to become far stronger than Master A.”
After a bit more talking she leaves and there are no more cultivators seeking disciples.
The announcer says, “All who haven’t been chosen. It’s time to step down from the arena.”
Raja Kint looks back to see crestfallen faces and faces of despair. He hears the echoing cries and the sniffles of those trying not to cry. He sees the eyes of kids who have lost their sparkle. He turns around. Of course, where one succeeds another must fail. Guards go onto the stage to escort the kids away until only the top four remain.
The announcer says, “Now for the elite four of this generation. I’m sure anyone here would agree that any of these four are capable of winning a competition hosted in a different year. Something not frequently agreed upon. So let’s begin with the semi-finalists. Go ahead and get yourself a disciple.”
After the word ‘disciple’ multiple figures stepped through the air to land in front of Exochos Kint and the Chameleon technique boy. Minutes passed as the sky devourers sent snide remarks toward each other as they verbally battled for a highly talented disciple. In the end, Exochos Kint went under the wing of a Bisuke military commander. While chameleon techniqueboy went under the wing of a powerful female wanderer who has roots in the Cardinal Region.
The chameleon technique boy lightly hugs Raja Kint. “Let’s see who’s stronger when we meet again.”
“How could it be anyone but me?”
Next, Exochos Kint approaches Raja Kint. “Didn’t think I’d meet anyone I would consider a rival in my own sect. Yet here you are. You know I won’t slack so let’s have a real fight when we meet again.”
“I look forward to a full-out battle between us.”
Finally only Raja Kint and the king technique boy remain. They spread out from each other a bit. The announcer speaks.
“Quite a show for multiple well-known late-stage sky devourers to fight for a single disciple. Now let’s see who wants to take in the second strongest of this generation.”
Multiple sky devourers walked through the air in anticipation of having a strong disciple. From their perspective the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place could’ve been switched in any order and no one would have complaints. All three of them are worthy enough to place in a random competition and probably win their year. Or at the worst place second in an extremely close bout.
King technique boy eventually decides to join a sky devourer who also uses kingly techniques. Giving him the best chance to take his current path as far as possible. Raja Kint and the boy exchange a few words as Raja Kint is now alone.
The announcer says, “We finally have our winner of this competition. Even in such a strong field he’s cemented himself as the undeniable number one. And possibly a threat to Josho Fenix's position as the agreed upon number one?” The announcer smiles. “It’s time to decide who the victor will take on as his master.”
Multiple late-stage sky devourers rushed over. Suddenly a powerful ki pressure descended. Forcing even these late-stage fifth realm cultivators to look back. A man with sharp eyes, long hair and gave off the feeling of a beast in man’s skin walked forward. He wore a uniform with multiple badges attached.
One of the sky devourers says, “To think the general himself had time to come over. But that doesn’t mean you can use force to bully us out of such an opportunity.”
“Bullying? I’m merely making sure you lot uphold your manners around me. As the strongest I should get the first chance to speak.”
Their faces sunk upon hearing his words and seeing his actions. He was obviously prepping himself up as a clear choice.
A female cultivator annoyedly says, “I thought you didn’t want disciples. Now you have time to come here and snatch a disciple from our grasps?”
The man doesn’t even glance at her as he looks at Raja Kint. He steps before Raja Kint and is about to speak when laughing sounds out.
“Can’t you spare this old soul a second disciple?”
The general responds, “You would fight me for my first-ever disciple?”
“Is it your choice or the boy’s choice?”
Raja Kint’s pupils narrow as he notices an old man calmly floating through the air. Sea devourer! When the other sky devourers saw the old man their faces sunk further as they just walked off. Not willing to be backdrops to such figures.
“Does such a question need an answer? As an elder you can make your proposition first.”
“Don’t count me out.” Another older male with salt and pepper hair floats over.
The general calmly states, “To think I would have to battle sea devourers not just in battle but for a disciple.”
“Cut us some slack general. We’re old while you’re still in your vibrant years.”
“Vibrant years? Go ahead and talk to the boy.”
The general stands in the middle as the first sea devourer stands on the right. The salt and pepper-haired sea devourer standing on the left.
Raja Kint thinks about what Calanthe Cardinal told him and cups his hand. “Junior Raja Kint pays respects to seniors and would like to know seniors names.”
The salt and pepper-haired old man says, “Akarui Fenikkusu.”
The general says, “Sora Doragon.”
The old man says, “Trelos Mythos.”
Raja Kint’s heart jumps a beat. It’s him. On his face no emotions were displayed. “Junior thanks seniors for their introduction.”
“Loosen up lad,” says Akarui Fenikkusu. “We know Sora seems like a hardass but with us older folk around he won’t act harshly to a bit of arrogant behavior.”
Raja Kint smiles. “Well if that’s the case.”