--
"Those things don’t add up."
"The math isn’t adding up."
"Are the systems okay? Because how is that possible?"
"That’s got to be a lie, right?"
"No way, bro! How can that be?"
**
The crowd were losing their minds, and they couldn’t be blamed. So many things in what they saw on Ren’s profile don’t conform to their known reality.
His records and feats suggest that he should have talent beyond epic grade, yet what’s listed on his profile is entirely different.
Him having a common grade 1 talent was already shocking enough considering his feats; him having an aberrant martial physique on top of that? That’s just crazy.
They couldn’t believe that someone this...unlucky was the same guy who beat the living crap out of the Flood Dragon King. Everything they’re seeing looked fake, a forgery, all of a sudden.
Adrian, Lucian, and Elena, who were amongst the crowd, could honestly relate to them. Even though they already knew this information, the impact doesn’t soften at all. They could only smile wryly and empathize with their fellow finalists.
Lily, seeing Ren for the first time, was also shocked. But beyond that, there was a trace of recognition in her eyes.
’Marek. It’s him.’
’That’s him. I’m certain of it. Their fighting style’s the same.’
Her feelings were conflicted now that she saw him in person. She realized that his online avatar and his real-life features weren’t really that different from each other.
His avatar’s skin tone was just a shade lighter and its face less angular. The main difference was the dense tattoos on his arms; his VR avatar doesn’t have those.
But the rest? The mannerisms, his gait, the way he easily slots into any space he’s at, the way his eyes stare at some, even down to his smirk—all of it is the same.
The other seeded participants were impressive; she won’t deny that. Even she will admit that she might not be able to defeat any of them.
But considering that gap between them and Marek? They fall behind by a lot. Not because they’re less talented than him, no. It’s the opposite, actually.
Lily wasn’t stupid. Marek’s records can’t be faked. Anybody with common sense can confirm whether his details were true or not. And with how public this whole tournament was, the organizers wouldn’t dare to fake anything because they would risk immense backlash for that.
This means that, despite Marek’s deficiencies, he clawed his way to this position. Had he been just a hit luckier, perhaps none of them would even see his shadow today.
That makes him far more impressive.
Lily’s heart throbbed in admiration. As expected of the person who helped her escape the cage built around her.
She placed a hand on her chest in attempts to calm her beating heart. Then, Sieg’s face flashed in her memory, and her expression hardened.
’There’s hardly any difference in their starting point.’
’If anything, Marek’s luck is even worse than Sieg’s.’
’Yet it is Marek who sits in that throne, not Sieg.’
’Comparing them was fair and unfair at the same time, a conundrum, certainly. And Sieg loses that comparison at any given day.’ She sighed as she thought of this.
The more her eyes were opened to the truth of this world, the more she saw Sieg’s flaws.
Shaking her head, her attention returned to Marek. And once again, her pulse began accelerating.
’He will advance to the finals, I’m sure of it.’
’I must be there, too. I’ll be in the top 10; I’ll make sure of it.’
’...I just hope he recognizes me when we eventually fight. And hopefully, he’ll recognize my growth.’
**
Aria stared at the four seeded participants sitting on their thrones before her and her fellow finalists.
Deep down, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of shame and envy.
She had seen their profile. As impressive as they were, her talent was way ahead of theirs. If she had made an effort, she could’ve been one of those four sitting on the thrones right now.
Not only would it feel right, it might also impress her beloved even more. Oh, she could only imagine the kind of face he’d make if he saw her sitting on those thrones, too.
Alas, she chose differently. Now, she’s debating whether participating and experiencing this tournament as a whole with Sieg was a better experience or if becoming one of the seeded participants would’ve been better instead.
Setting this aside, her parents’ faces suddenly flashed in her thoughts, and she couldn’t help but grimace a bit.
Oh, she’s almost certain that they’re watching right now. And there’s no doubt they’ve seen the reveal of the seeded participants.
She could almost hear her father’s disappointed remarks at this point, telling her that she could’ve been one of them instead. Then, he would drag her relationship with Sieg in this, telling her that he’s holding her back. That she’s disappointing not just them—her parents, her clan—but also herself.
Aria could almost hear her father’s voice. She could even predict the exact words he’s going to say.
’It’s the same old shit, every single time.’
’When will he realize that I just don’t care about opinions not coming from Sieg? ’
Aria shook her head. The people around her just don’t realize that her whole world revolves around Sieg. And that without him, her life was meaningless.
They don’t understand how lucky they are that her man was merciful and that she’s a dutiful wife, because if Sieg told her that he wanted them dead, she wouldn’t have hesitated at all.
She would burn the world if that were his wish. That’s how much she loves him.
As for the seeded participants, well, she didn’t care much. They’re impressive, sure, but she couldn’t see them defeating her.
All except for that guy, though. That one that looked like a thug.
’This one is dangerous,’ Aria declared the moment she saw him.
Aria’s eyes were special. She could see through people’s intentions without any difficulties or drawbacks. She could almost read their minds. The effect varies depending on the power gap between her and her target, but even against those much stronger than her, she could still see hints.
But that guy? Soren? None.
Not a single whisper. Not a single stray thought. He was blank to her. And no matter how much she concentrates, or glares at him because that’s really what she’s doing from an outside perspective, she comes up with nothing.
She couldn’t read him at all. And that immediately makes him incredibly dangerous to her.
But still, defeating him shouldn’t be impossible, right?
Now she wonders if Sieg will praise her if she defeats him.
**
’Ah, it’s one of those days where I’m reminded that I’m old.’
’The Banished Arms Clan, oh, how nostalgic. I had the pleasure of making friends with one when I still walked this earth.’
’They may look like thugs, but they’re good people. Humble, funny, and loyal.’
’But I’ve got to say, this is most impressive. I never expected that a descendant from this clan could actually grow so strong and so complete, too! ’
’Those fellows are finally having a moment under the spotlight. How delightful! ’
Sieg hears the pleased ramblings of his master, but his focus is not on those at all.
His eyes were locked on that very man whose name undoubtedly shook the whole kingdom just now—Soren Marek Vire.
’What does the Banished Arsenal Martial Physique do, master? ’ he asked.
’Ah, that aberrant martial physique. A strange one, truly.’ The old man rambled and was undoubtedly stroking his long white beard right now.
’I prevent the user from using anything that the world system identifies as a ’weapon.’ If they insist, they will feel pain. If they insist on holding a weapon longer, lacerations will appear on their arms, and they will start bleeding heavily. If they insist longer, their arms will fall off. Once that happens, no amount of healing or any miracles will be able to reattach or regrow their arms. The curse will permanently sever them.’
’There is no known cure for this aberrant physique. The friend born from the same clan I knew in the past left precisely searching for clues, and he spent the majority of his life in this mission. His knowledge about curses surpasses even mine, and yet he’s never able to find a solution.’
’Well, judging by the fact that one of his clan descendants now stands here still suffering the same curse, I believe he failed in his mission.’
Sieg heard the sadness and regret in his master’s voice, but again, that’s not where his focus was.
’How...’
This was all he could think. How?
How did this person attain all these achievements with this kind of start?
How was he able to be this impressive?
How was he so strong?
How was he stronger than him? Did he sell his soul to the devil to get to where he’s at right now?
And why?
Why not him? Why not Sieg?
Why is Soren Marek Vire sitting on that throne with his name shaking the whole kingdom? Why not him—Sieghart Augustine Fletcher?
’That’s wrong.’
’It should’ve been me, instead.’
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