Chapter 337 v 1.0 (Patreon)

I finally did it.

Gazing out over the crowd, I soak in the applause and adulation I so desperately desired for so many years. I’ve made it big now. After seven long years, with no cheat, the roughest of starts, and almost dying who knows how many times, here I am standing at the forefront of my peers, the number one talent in the Empire. While they might not all agree that I’m the strongest, no one in Nan Ping can deny I have the qualifications to stand here, having defeated my rivals in single combat for everyone to see.

So why does it feel so... empty?

Maybe it’s because you have no Baledagh to share this with. For years now, I’ve tried to pretend like this wasn’t what I wanted. This was my silly little brother’s dream, he’s the one who wanted to be a hero. Me, I was more mature about it, wanting nothing more than a nice, comfy life with my family and pets, but it turns out that’s not true. I’ve always wanted the best of both worlds. That’s why I balked at the idea of giving up on the Martial Path to focus on Healing, because I always wanted to ride in to save the day, lead armies against the dark lord, or go on a quest to save the world. To be fair, who doesn’t want to be the hero of their own story? Why else would I have been placed here, in this world with memories of my former life? Am I meant for something greater than I can imagine, or am I merely the result of some giant, cosmic mistake?

Then again, maybe you feel bad because you cheated.

Guilt compels me to check on my fallen opponent, being tended to by one of the Legate’s Healers. Poor Wu Gam, so sad and confused, sitting there in a daze and trying to figure out why he froze up during our fight while the Healer puts his intestines back where they belong. I did my best to avoid his spine, but even then it can’t feel good getting stabbed in the stomach, not to mention getting beaten in one exchange, but I had to do it. His match against Yan had me shitting bricks, wondering how I’m supposed to beat either one of them. Overwhelming power combined with impenetrable Chi-armour, how is that even remotely fair?

Then there’s Yan, whose style I can barely recognize anymore. It’s been a year and a half since her Awakening, only a few days ahead of my first, but here she is chopping up fools with wind blades while I’m spitting water for party tricks. Unfair. As much as I love Baatar and Akanai, but their whole ‘figure it out for yourself’ mindset has me more than a little vexxed. I’m sure it worked out great for them, but different people learn in different ways. What’s worse is, I don’t know any Water Blessed Martial Warriors to ask for advice, having killed the only one I ever met.

I wish Ping Ping could speak. Stupid lizard, hurry up and turn human so you can teach me your ways.

It’s a shame Yan lost, but it’s clear she was outmatched from the start. Anyone watching could see she was giving it her all while Wu Gam was happy to wait for his moment. If all he wanted to do was win, he could’ve splattered Yan across the stage during their first exchange, but he didn’t. A big old softy, I suppose, making moon eyes over Yan instead of caring about the title. That’s why I couldn’t let him have it. He wouldn’t appreciate it, and besides, I did him a favour. With his Earth-Chi armour and powerful physique, he holds a staggering advantage over his peers, but that won’t last forever. Better he learn this here and now than out on the battlefield against the Defiled.

Then again, considering the rumours surrounding his eccentric mentor, I may just signed his death warrant... Really hope that doesn’t happen, I already feel guilty enough about cheating.

Then again, it wasn’t exactly cheating per se. It’s not like I drugged his food or injured him while no one was looking. All I did was use my Beyblade Aura to make him flinch and lower his defences before the moment of impact. It’s no big deal, only honour-bound idiots like Gerel would consider it cheating. Winning through superior Aura is a legitimate strategy, like laying in wait for an ambush or attacking while your enemy is distracted. All’s fair in love and war, I worked hard to Hone my Aura, so why shouldn’t I use it? I mean, no one thinks Wu Gam using his Blessing of Earth is cheating, so why should my Aura be any different?

And it’s not like I just came up with the idea either. This is something I’ve been practising for months now, mostly with Gerel. The theory is simple: instead of shattering my opponent’s Aura, which takes too much time and effort, all I do is give it a little poke at the right time. A sharp, Honed poke, but a poke nonetheless. This way, I conserve energy and, assuming I successfully kill my opponent, take an enemy Aura user off the field all the same. Same outcome, but accomplished in a more conservative manner. As cool as it is to crush my enemies’ Aura and render them helpless with my all powerful Beyblade Aura (God I need a better name for this), it’s always a risky gamble. If I come across someone with an Aura too strong to break, by the time I realize it, it’ll be too late to give up and I’ll have squandered all my Chi.

So, after pondering on the matter for some weeks, this was my solution, using my Beyblade Aura (sigh) to catch my opponents off guard. Essentially, my Aura penetrates through their defences and renders them helpless, but only for a fraction of a second. Timed properly, it allows me to attack while they’re still reeling from my Aura, leaving them shocked and helpless. It works too, the first time I successfully used it against Gerel, I gave him a black eye and a fat lip. In retaliation, he chopped off both my legs above the knees and called me a deceitful trickster. The man has zero chill, and the lack of Spectres has not improved his mood.

I still can’t believe Baatar made him the Iron Banner’s spokesperson. Anger issues much?

When the applause finally dies down, the Crier publicly calls for me to approach the dais. Bowing for the umpteenth time today, I stand before the Legate with a nervous smile, hoping he doesn’t admonish me on my use of Aura. It’s not like my regular Aura, which spreads out in all directions, my Beyblade Aura more of a concentrated effect, and only my intended target can feel it, but considering the Legate can see into my Natal Palace, so who knows what other tricks he’s got. It’s unsettling not knowing how much he knows about me, but since he didn’t have me captured and killed, at least I can assume he doesn’t know about Blobby.

“Falling Rain,” the Legate says, his voice booming for all of Nan Ping to hear, “Congratulations on your stunning victory. Truly a performance worthy of applause.”

“Thank you,” I reply, bowing once more for good measure, “But Imperial Servant fears his victory was more luck than skill.” The Legate’s surprised expression is priceless but I keep a straight face as the Crier repeats my words. Thankfully, all my trash talk before the match went unheard by everyone except for my peers, so it doesn’t hurt to play humble. “This one was able to study his opponent in detail beforehand and switched weapons for every match. Were we to fight again, Wu Gam will undoubtedly have countermeasures in place to deal with this one’s tricks and the outcome would be much closer. Truth be told, this one puts his chances of victory at 50/50 in a fair and even fight.”

Amused by my antics, the Legate smiles and nods along. “Your weapon is intriguing, a blunt-tipped two-handed sword which transforms into a glaive, most impressive craftsmanship. Tell me, what is the name of the brilliant mind which came up with this design?”

Huh... blunt-tipped sword sounds way better than shitty axe... I’m stealing that. Glancing at the northern shore, I look for Mila among the crowd but fail to find her. I hope she’s watching because this is her moment. “My transforming weapon was crafted by my betrothed, Captain Sumila of the Bekhai, daughter of Lieutenant General Akanai and Divine Blacksmith Husolt. Not only is she a nineteen-year-old Divine Blacksmith, but she is also the reason why I say my victory today was more luck than skill. Were she standing on this stage, she would have emerged victorious as the true number one talent of the Empire, of this I have no doubt.”

My statement doesn’t have the impact I expected it to. There are no surprised gasps or indignant outbursts, only a smattering of muted, polite applause. I feel like I’ve goofed somehow, but I’m not exactly sure why. Taking things in stride, the Legate nods and replies, “Impressive work from one so young. I look forward to hearing of her accomplishments in the future.” Ah, I figured out what I did wrong. No one cares about my endorsement, Mila has to earn her reputation on her own. Shit. Well, at least people know her name now, and more importantly, that I’m taken. I feel sorry for any ladies looking to win my affection after this jaw-dropping display of strength, but trust me, it’s best for all of us if they all stay away. Mila is definitely the jealous type, and the last thing the Bekhai need right now is for her to start another blood feud over some flirtatious noblewoman who tries to win my affection.

Moving on, the Legate says a few sentences lauding my achievements before asking, “Speak. What reward would you ask of me?”

Uh oh. No one covered this during my preparations. What am I supposed to ask for? Money? Runic Gear? Or am I supposed ask for one of his gifts piled at the side? Re-gifting seems kinda crass to me, but who knows how these people thing. Plus it’d be convenient for him, I suppose, fulfilling my request just like that. I shouldn’t though, mostly because I don’t really want anything my rivals gave him. Bunch of shitty art and sculptures, worthless junk in my eyes. Hmm... I could ask for a black-maned kitty, but I kinda have too many pets as it is, and with my luck, it’ll be taken as a request for a place among his Royal Guardians or something. Bleh, no thanks. Those lion mounts are regal and dignified, but hardly cute, all serious and grumpy-faced. Aurie, Jimjam, and Sarankho are way cuter, so why settle for an inferior kitty?

Think Rain, think. You can’t leave the Legate hanging... or are you supposed to refuse the gift? That’s totally a thing right? Sometimes people do a whole dog and pony show about declining a gift before actually accepting it, but is that appropriate here? Ugh, manners are so confusing. Whatever, let’s play it safe. Eyeing the Crier to make my intentions known, the Legate smiles and signals for him to remain silent. Keeping my voice low, I say, “This one requested Marshal Yuzhen bring a matter to Legate’s attention in private. This one only asks Legate to look into the matter, and should action be taken, this one requests to take part.”

“How cryptic.” The Legate smiles, keeping our conversation private. “I will keep your request in mind, but I cannot allow you to walk away empty handed.”

Face again, probably. “Then this one will be content with whatever Imperial Legate sees fit to reward him with.”

“You are a conundrum, young Falling Rain. Clever enough to not overstep your bounds, but brave enough to risk my displeasure.” Still smiling, the Legate graciously explains, “You send a known traitor to face off against the greatest talents in the Empire and risk killing Wu Gam for victory. Do you not fear reprisal?”

Uh oh... “Um... I’ll be honest. I forgot about the whole ‘Dastan is a traitor’ thing. Truth be told, he was duped alongside many others, a man who dreams of bettering the lives of his fellow man.” I’d call him a patriot, but I’m afraid the Legate wouldn’t agree. “He was misinformed and misguided, and he’s paid a heavy price for it. As for Wu Gam,” I continue, glancing over to find him standing, hale and healthy as can be aside from the bloody robes, “With a Honed blade, the internal damage would be minimal, and I neither Amplified nor added Reverberations to the attack itself.” Technically, I failed at the first and can’t do the second, but the Legate doesn’t know that. I would’ve held back even more, but Wu Gam is straight up terrifying. I can heal broken bones but not fast enough for it to matter against him. “I aimed for a clean gut wound, which takes hours to bleed out. I was confident he would survive.” And that if he didn’t, well... the Legate wouldn’t want two young talents dead on his watch. It’d be like a bad omen or something, right?

“No reward without risk, as they say. A bold young hero indeed, and your performance certainly did not disappoint.” I’m super glad the Legate likes me, or at least is pretending to like me. I’m still not sold on his friendly manner, mostly because Ping Ping doesn’t like him much, but he’s beginning to win me over. Chuckling beneath his breath, he goes back to Speaking. “Your request will be taken into consideration. As to your reward, it shall be waiting for you upon your return to camp.” Winking, he Sends, “I daresay you’ll enjoy it.”

“Imperial Servant thanks Imperial Legate.” I wonder what he’s giving me. I hope it’s a kitty, I was lying when I called them inferior, they’re majestic as fuck. Retreating to my place, I stand and smile as the Legate congratulates us and calls us future heroes of the Empire. Weathering the displeased glares from my defeated rivals, it’s all I can do to keep from smiling as their envy and jealousy makes me feel all warm and tingly inside. What can I say? I’m awesome. Get rekt losers.

Too bad for Yan though, getting beat by Wu Gam. She seems to be taking this real hard, no more flirty smiles or fluttering lashes as she stands there hugging her arms and looking forlorn. Truth be told, if things had turned out differently and I had been matched against Wu Gam earlier, then she might be number one instead of me. I doubt Dienne could have made her show all her cards, and if I’d beaten Wu Gam, I’d probably be all confident and cocky going into our match. She could easily have caught me off guard with her crazy windstorm strike and secured the victory.

Poor Yan. I should... I dunno. Send a gift basket? What’s the etiquette here? I’ll ask Mila later.

His speech finished, the Legate dismisses us all and calls a break in the ceremony for lunch, with tables of food popping up on the streets and wagons going out to the camps, all on the Legate’s dime. Yan slips away before I have a chance to speak with her, so I lead my retinue back to camp, riding along the shoreline while Ping Ping swims in the bay beside us. Upon my arrival, Lin greets me with a dainty flying tackle as I dismount from Zabu. “Hooray! Congratulations hubby. I always knew you were the best, and now everyone else knows it too, ya?”

“Thanks wifey, but you’re the best.”

Arms crossed and lips pouty, Mila treats me to one of her patented snorts. “Hmph. Once I condense my Aura, you can be sure I’ll challenge you for the title. Foolish man, what were you thinking up there? What good comes from claiming I would have emerged victorious? Words are nothing but empty air, and now everyone think you’re a henpecked fool, currying favour from your nagging betrothed.”

“Sorry beloved.” Punctuating my apology with a kiss on her cheek, I Send, “That’s why I wanted you up there on stage with me. I figured the Legate would want us to put on a show, and who better to represent the North than my multi-talented and not-at-all-naggy betrothed? Instead, I had to settle for Dastan.” Who kicked ass.

“Ridiculous,” she retorts, pinching my sides. “You just wanted to borrow my retinue to make yours look bigger.”

“True, but it wasn’t the only reason I wanted you there.” When it comes to retinues, size does matter. Some might say I’m overcompensating for something, but that’s just the jealous mutterings of tiny-retinued individuals. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, that’s what I say.

Our alone time comes to an end as others come by to congratulate me on my victory. Taduk has no words, merely wrapping his arms around me in a warm, heartfelt hug. Fung and his father are all smiles and back slaps while Han BoHai and BoShui are equally excited, the normally dour Major General more boisterous than I’ve ever seen him and already a little drunk. Sang Ryong and Jin ZhiLan, my fellow warrant officers from the Society, say a few polite words while their elders thank me for inviting them to watch from my camp, but I can tell they’re seething inside which makes me smile.

By the time the wagons arrive, my cheeks are strained from too much smiling, enjoying my moment in the spotlight. For some strange reason though, the food wagon is guarded by a few hundred soldiers, not Royal Guardians but the infantry types, with their intense stares and boring armour. Instead of wagons of food, they’re escorting a single palanquin, a simple, wooden affair which seats one instead of the polished monstrosities the Legate had. At the head of their procession is a Royal Messenger, who hands me a scroll and a jade plaque with both hands. Confused and hungry, I unfurl the scroll and scan through it, my heartbeat rising with each passing word.

Calm down Rain. Nothing to worry about. Just a miscommunication, is all. Try to look troubled. Yea that’s it. Frown. You didn’t ask for this, and whatever you do, don’t smile.

Your life depends on it.

Sensing my inner turmoil, Mila asks, “What’s wrong?”

Okay. Here we go. Make her believe it, because it’s the truth. “It’s seems like there’s been a misunderstanding; as a reward for becoming the number one talent in the Empire, the Legate has sent me a concubine.”

You had one job: Don’t Smile.

Way to fucking blow it, dumbass.

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