"I told you, I don't care who you are... Get out," Christopher repeated, his voice firm and unwavering.
"Um... Son, this is Mr. Alex. The Master Tamer of the South... And that man you struck is Mr. Rayon Danzig, the boss of the underground... Please, apologize quickly," Amara interjected, her voice filled with concern.
"Apologize?" Christopher turned to his mother, then back to Alex. "Sorry, Mum. But I don't know how."
"What are you saying, Son? We can't afford to offend them... You've already injured Mr. Danzig. We don't know what happened outside, but with Master Alex's help, he may let it go," Ethan added, his tone pleading.
"If he has the power, let him come at me... And you, get out," Christopher retorted, refusing to back down.
Adonis and Katherine, standing behind him, were frozen in fear. The two individuals before them were powerful figures, commanding their own forces and wielding significant influence. Messing with either of them would place their family in a precarious position, let alone both.
Katherine tugged at Christopher's academy uniform. "Brother, I think we should let this go and apologize."
Christopher smiled and patted her hand. "What are you saying? Someone can't insult Dad and get away with it."
'He's doing this for me?' Ethan thought, his expression softening. After a moment, he said, "Don't worry, Son. I'm not offended, so you can let this matter go."
"Okay, Dad." Christopher turned to the man who had risen from the floor. "You aren't offended, but we, your children, are... I want this man's cultivation to be abolished. That way, the insult will be cleared."
"You!" Alex exclaimed, his patience finally snapping. "You're just a spoiled rich young generation! And you dare say one of my personal guards should have his cultivation abolished?!"
Red energy waves erupted around his body. Christopher sneered and activated his own energy. The two energies clashed in a silent battle, and after a few seconds, Alex sighed inwardly.
'How can such a young man possess such a powerful life force? Almost on par with mine?' he wondered.
'You think this is my full strength? Dream on,' Christopher thought.
"Okay... I will apologize for my man, but—"
"—I don't want 'buts.' Are you doing it or not?" Christopher interrupted again.
"You insolent young man, who do you think you are?!" Danzig snarled, walking towards them, clutching his lower abdomen. Blood stained could be seen on his lips.
'You! This competition is crucial... And I have eleven more bodyguards.'
Alex turned to the guard and pointed a finger at him.
WHOOSH!
A beam of light shot from his finger, striking the Man's chest. He collapsed on his knees, vomiting blood.
"Done," Alex said, turning back to Christopher. "Now, will you hear me out?"
Danzig, Adonis, Katherine, Amara, Ethan, and the bodyguards stared at Alex in stunned horror. Had Christopher just made Master Alex destroy one of his bodyguard's core?
"Hmm..." Christopher nodded, walked to the couch, and sank into it, crossing his legs and resting his arms on the headrest. Alex raised an eyebrow, while the rest of the group looked at him as if he had grown two heads.
"Start," Christopher said with a smile.
'You think because you're now a Master Level Tamer and the Master of the South, everyone will bow to you? Don't worry, when I obtain the Water God Soul and break through the Supreme rank, you and those four fools will know true terror... To the world, the Supreme Level is the highest level of tamer, and Divine Stage beasts are the highest level of beasts... Let them think so... When the time is right, I will make you all wish you were dead,' Christopher thought.
"Okay," Alex said, sitting on the other sofa and looking at Christopher. "I want to recruit you for my team. You will participate in the international tamers competition... Think about it, you don't need to partake in the academy competition to qualify. Moreover, anything you win is yours."
"Okay... What do you gain from this?" Christopher asked.
"Well... I will gain the title."
"Will you participate?" Christopher asked again.
"No."
'You think it's beneath you to participate, but you fools are looking for people to join in your name... If we win, you gain the recognition and title as our trainer and master... Truly ambitious,' Christopher thought, shaking his head. "Sorry, but if I join you... I won't be able to help the academy, and I don't want that... So I refuse."
His words stunned not only his family but also Alex and Danzig.
"Why don't you think about it? The competition is still months away," Alex suggested.
"There's nothing to think about... You can leave now."
'This bastard!' Alex hissed inwardly, clenching his fists. 'I will have to take the bull by the horns.' He turned to Ethan.
"Mr. Ethan, you know you gain nothing by going against me... My man already lost his powers. Why don't your family show me some face?"
"This?" Ethan turned to his wife, completely lost.
The Valhalla family is a peaceful family who never overruled their children's decisions, especially regarding their own lives. So...
"Didn't you hear my brother? He said no," Katherine said, her brow furrowed.
".....!!"
Everyone was speechless.
"Insolence!" Alex stood up, unable to contain himself any longer. "Ethan! Will you sit there and listen to this?!" he demanded, his voice laced with killing intent.
Ethan turned to his children, his gaze lingering on Christopher for a moment, then back to Alex. "That is his decision. We can do nothing about it... I just hope Master Alex forgives his previous actions. I know as a just and righteous man, you won't go beyond your principles," he said.
'This old bastard! Well... I promise you, I will make you lose this competition, and your family will pay for this humiliation!' Alex vowed inwardly, turning and walking away with his guards.
'Another enemy... Well, I don't mind. I would have faced him later anyway. This is even better... But what about my family?' Christopher's gaze shifted to the worried expressions on Ethan and Amara's faces.
'They supported my decision even knowing they'll be going against two powerful factions...' He smiled.
'I love my family.'
*
*
*
Characters images out... More will be revealed as the book progresses.