Chapter 420 - Theus Mercea (Patreon)

Croix was talking with one of his guests. Some noble from somewhere. There had been so many that Viers got tired of trying to match faces with their names. While Croix dealt with him politely, his smile had become quite stiff. Must be because he was smiling too much; his facial muscles became cramped.

“Might I inquire about your experience at the Sinclair Academy, Your Highness? From what I gathered, you’ve been doing momentous deeds during your studies.”

“Whatever it is you hear, Viscount, it’s surely an exaggeration,” Croix said.

A youth interjected with a condescending voice.

“Exaggeration? That implies you actually accomplish something. How mighty bold you are.”

“...Theus,” Croix said to the newcomer.

“Ah. That guy,” Boram seemed surprised.

“Who is he?”

“Theus Mercea. Someone from our academic year, Master. He and Prince Croix are classmates. In some classes, mine too. Simply put, I don't like him. He’s a bully.”

“Mercea? That’s one of the four duchies.”

“Yes, he’s not from the main line, but he’s one of the most talented among their young generation.”

Viers now had met three scions out of the four duke houses. Ciel Valentine, Solany Lucan, and the latest addition, Theus Mercea.

While Viers and Boram were whispering, Theus continued addressing Croix.

“Oh don't look so surprised. I might not get a grand announcement for my coming like you did but I am a Mercea. I have a place here,” the youth then turned to the viscount. “My apologies for interrupting.”

“Not at all. You young people do what you young people do,” the man smiled and stepped back as if waiting for a grand show.

“So you’ll be entering the Grand Prix as well?” Croix asked.

“Sure am. In case it missed your attention from your place oh so-up-high up, Prince, there are other people competing in the Prix besides those with royal blood,” Theus scoffed.

“I didn't forget. I am well aware. Those entering the competition will show their honed fangs to be the first in their generation. I expect there will be many formidable people. But the one who wins will be me,” Croix declared.

“No, I will. Princes or princesses, I’ll triumph over you all. I'm really grateful for the opportunity. Soon, witnessed by the whole Latias, I’ll finally prove I’m better than you,” Theus raised his chin.

“Go ahead, if you really can,” Croix took a step forward.

Murmurs came from the surroundings.

“So, is that what I think it is?” Viers whispered to his disciple.

“I don't know what you think it is, Master, but the two are what I call rivals. They have been butting heads since year one.”

“It's been three years then. And who do you think is better?”

Ah, rivals… A crucial ingredient in every shonen story. Goku and Vegeta, Naruto and Sasuke, those are the great ones. Though, there are plenty of others.

“Still act like you're better than me, hm? Even though your grades are all below me?” Theus continued.

“Do continue flaunting your grades in the competition, Theus. See how it helps you,” Croix traded barbs.

Viers raised his eyebrow. It was unusual seeing Croix being prickly like a porcupine. It was like he was so averse to taking a step back in front of a Draco Malfoy. Viers realized the reason the next moment. They were teenagers.

They were eighteen, the same age as high schoolers in the modern age. The age where they were no longer kids but not yet adults. The time of heightened ego, when their hormones played a great deal in their behavior.

Even though in this world the age of adulthood was fifteen, it didn't change the rate of their mental maturity.

Boram was approaching that age too, Viers realized. He made a mental note to teach Boram better. The teenage years are when kids are prone to make bad life decisions.

Gotta make sure Boram grew up right and proper. God, I feel like I’m like a responsible dad.

“Still surrounding yourself with low lives, eh?” Theus’ attention shifted from Croix to the ones behind him, namely Viers and Boram. “Hello little Bo, did you get taller? Drink a lot of milk from your mama giant’s tits?”

Boram frowned a bit but didn't talk back.

“Theus, any further insults towards my vassals and I shall not keep silent,” Croix was angered.

“What, little Bo can't speak for himself?” Theus sighed. “I suppose I expect too much from a subhuman.”

“Is pure human blood truly that superior, Mister Theus?” Viers said.

“And who are you?”

“Avel of Javia. Returning on, just by virtue of having a giant race’s ancestry, Boram is born with a stronger body than most humans. It is a fact that many human Pathseekers tried to grow stronger by changing their bloodline into something stronger. The many Schools and Profound Codices are proof. Makes one wonder what so great about having a 100% human bloodline is. If your remark is not based on ignorance, may you give a satisfying reason?”

Theus thinned his eyes as he looked at Viers.

“So you’re Avel, Boram’s famed Master. You know, you’re famous in our classes. Every time Boram excels, he accolades you for his accomplishments,” Theus casually ignored Viers’ earlier question as if it was the wind.

“A commoner,” Theus looked at Viers from head to toe like one appraising vegetables at a market. “The way little Bo talks about you is as if you’re the greatest Pathseeker who ever lived. Never believed it myself, but it makes me wonder… Say, are you actually little Bo’s dad? Have you laid with a giant woman? Can you tell me what it's like?”

“Theus!” Croix raised his voice.

“That's enough!” Boram did too.

Theus looked at Boram with a ‘gotcha’ in his eyes. Viers caught that. He would have facepalmed himself if he could. Boram was caught in a trap.

“That won't do, little Bo. We’re not in the Academy anymore. Out here in the real world, the likes of you can't speak to me with that kind of tone. Now I’ve got to punish you,” Theus said with a sinister smile.

“And you forget your place. I claim slights for your slander of my vassals. I demand justice,” Croix challenged.

“You’re right,” Theus said to Croix. “I propose a duel to settle our justice.”

“You against Boram? Eager to reenact your spectacular defeat from your last match?”

“I magnanimously gifted him a victory out of pity. I could give little Bo a lesson about social hierarchy but a lesson from a Mercea is too good of a boon for him and unfitting of meself. Sir Hayn!”

“I await your command,” a young man, at least twenty years old, came forward.

“Be my champion and defeat the little giant. Do try not to make him cry,” Theus said. “He; pitiful enough as he is.”

“As your will.”

Croix looked at Boram who gave him a nod.

“We accept the duel,” Croix determinedly said.

***

Duels had a high significance in Latias culture. It could be used to settle disputes pretty decisively. It could also be a way of young stags showing off to young does.

After agreeing to the duel, both parties went to the outside of the ballroom, just a window away and into the illusion-filled scenery. There were already people doing duels before Boram and Hayn even started. It wouldn't be proper to make a mess in the party venue.

There were already Pathseekers standing by to act as umpire. They were the people of the organizer of the Emerith Grand Ball. They wouldn't take sides.

Boram and Hayn took to the stage. It was like a stone arena emerged from the walkable water under a starry sky where all manner of fantastical beasts flew freely.

Viers joined along with Croix and Alfred. He didn't say anything even when Boram looked to him for guidance. Taking the silence as he was to deal with this on his own, Boram roused his fighting spirit. He could endure it if they insulted him, but he wouldn't tolerate someone doing that to his Master.

The umpire explained the rules of the duel and raised a barrier around the arena so the destructive force of their duel wouldn't spread. This place was only an illusion after all. The real thing was surely a normal garden or grand hall or whatever.

There were surveillance magic items everywhere, plus surveillance methods. Viers sensed he was being looked at from all directions.

The people in the ballroom were facilitated to witness the things happening in the duel space. Viers even felt some very strong attention in their vicinity. One or more Level 5s had cast their direct gaze here.

Without unnecessary delay, the duel soon began.

Viers guessed that Theus aimed to injure or main Boram so Croix would lose a valuable team member. This was a very common development in other stories.

As for the duel itself, Viers wasn't worried. When he picked Boram, he picked him for one reason only: to be his hammer. It meant the raw material was there, the potential. It needed to be forged and shaped until he could become a hammer that struck absolute might onto Viers’ enemies.

Boram and Hayn were both Level 3 peak, most of the upper-tier combatants would be at that Level for the Grand Prix considering their age limitation under 25. The Level 4s would be the cream of the crops among them. Unashamedly, Viers was one of them, though he was now lowering his cultivation to Level 3.

Boram won.

True to his analysis, seeing the two fight was like seeing a person trying to assault a living castle, futile. Viers built Boram to be a strength-type fighter, simply raw power. Yet, his defense was as solid as the bedrock of the earth.

Hayn was good. Viers could see how Theus picked the knight as his champion to fight Boram and a teammate for the Prix, but it wasn't enough. The raw material that was Boram was refined by the deft hand of Viers. It wasn't to the degree of the Viers at the height of his Level 3 yet, but Boram had taken further steps than other people thought possible.

Theus looked like he was directly punched in the face when the umpire declared Boram’s victory. Not only because of the humiliation of defeat, but because of the state of Hayn.

Boram did what they wanted to do unto him, he broke Hayn’s knees brutally and deliberately. Nothing short of a top-tier healer or medicine could heal Hayn in time for the Grand Prix a few days away.

Boram clearly demonstrated his power for all the Latias upper caste to see. This brought prestige to Croix too as his superior. There were some people in the ballroom saying they could see why Croix took someone like Boram under his wing despite the lack of status.

With the duel’s end, Viers was the first to jump onto the arena and walk towards his disciple. Boram thought he would be praised as he greeted him.

Viers slapped Boram on the cheek.