Chapter 240 - A Clash Of Egos
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In response to Apollo's words, Grayson became further incensed. In front of all of the new freshmen, he was being made out to be a fool. Even under normal circumstances, this was a matter that was unacceptable to him. Thus, a throbbing vein appeared on the side of his forehead as Grayson clenched his fist.
"What did you just say to me?" Grayson muttered through clenched teeth while glaring daggers at Apollo who, of course, didn't pay this development one mind.
"I said, it is a known fact that fools are known to covet beauty. Could it be all the shit you've instigated has rotten your brain? If so, I suggest you pay more attention to cultivating and recuperating your mind instead of focusing on acquiring mindless followers to serve you," Apollo retorted.
His remark caused a growing chuckle and murmurs to fill the atmosphere as he stood at leisure. Once again, Grayson felt like his pride was being attacked. By now, he felt there was only one way to settle their differences. The aura surrounding him suddenly turned extremely sharp and dangerous, a complete opposite of his feigned gentle aura.
"You have a very reckless mouth, however, I know just the treatment to teach someone like you," Grayson muttered while holding his hand forward. The ring on his finger flashed as a silver rapier appeared in his grasp. "I will cull that disrespectful attitude you possess, in fact, I will sever your vile tongue."
But, Apollo didn't pay this much attention. All this did was make Reiner at Grayson's side seethe as well. However, something else took place. Since he was already heated by the fact his cultivation was disturbed, Typhir entered the mix as well.
"Hoh? Since we're all being disrespectful, let me engage in the most disrespectful, I want to smash some heads! Not to mention, you there," Typhir bellowed, pointing his greatsword at Reiner, "Your eyes need to be gouged out. That is not the way you look at a lady!"
Meanwhile, as the situation grew out of hand, Fuhrer inside of Apollo's shadow chuckled, "What comical lads. For something as small as the appearance of beautiful women, they go insane. However, this brute seems to have some loyalty to him. If you look closely, most of his attention is focused on you. I believe he sees you as a friend, my lad."
Due to Fuhrer's words, Apollo looked in his direction and examined Typhir's posture, it was true. Most of his attention fell on Apollo and Grayson. Based on the aura Grayson was exhibiting, something told him that Apollo may not be able to handle the situation.
However, when Odessa looked at Grayson, she frowned. She finally remembered where she had seen this person before. It was at the gathering of the Supreme Families. It was during an event that they held; the purpose was to find orphan children with extreme potential. And, Grayson was one of those kids.
He was adopted by the Braum and trained in the ways of the rapier. Furthermore, he showed accelerated talent in it as well as an obscure personality. It was unknown what he experienced before coming to the Braum Family, but when he got angry, it was as if he became another person, a sick twisted individual.
"Apollo, watch yourself. This youth is a snake, I think it's better you withdraw yourself from this battle. The last time I heard about his progress, he was already well within the Zul Knight Realm. Moreover, he had contracted a Spirit. Keep in mind, this was two years ago. While the progress may slow, I'm sure he has made some worthwhile advancement," Odessa warned with a whisper.
Upon receiving this information, Apollo raised an eyebrow. 'The Braum Family? Hoh, that's Sapphyr's family. This is interesting, they utilized resources to train someone like him yet couldn't spare some towards one of their born children. It's truly a sad situation for her.
As he shocked his head, Grayson misinterpreted the action. In his eyes, he thought Apollo was once again belittling. Thus, without any further hesitation, he dashed toward. However, time suddenly slowed for Apollo, or rather his cognition was sped up to ungodly levels. During this period, Fuhrer talked to him.
"Don't worry about the increased perception, I simply want to ask you a question. Have you ever trained in the sword before?" Fuhrer asked while appearing next to Apollo.
"I haven't, but I have witnessed enough people utilize it to have a sense of understanding, why do you ask?" Apollo answered.
"Well, would you like to utterly destroy this young lad's ego? Typically, these are the type of individuals who take a devastating blow when you use the same means they utilize, in order to destroy them. So, what is your answer?" Fuhrer inquired before placing his hand on Apollo's back.
Needless to say, the question was very enticing to him. The sound of the sentence was like music to his ears. Hence, he verily agreed, "Of course, but how exactly do I go about doing that?"
"It's quite simple, in fact. I'll just let you use this copy of Brynhildr. As a Monarch, anything you touch should be utilized to the height of its capabilities. While this may be an insurmountable task for you at the moment, you will very well accomplish it in the future," Fuhrer said. Afterward, a stream of energy flowed into Apollo's back.
In real-time, numerous black sparks flickered around Apollo's palm. Subsequently, a slender obsidian blade appeared in his hand. Due to Brynhildr's innate abilities, the weapon felt perfect in his grasp. Despite never training in the sword, Apollo felt as if he could sever the world.
A moment later, Reiner made his move after Grayson moved. Immediately, Typhir reacted as well. He performed a wide-arc slash towards Reiner. As a result, Reiner conjured his ax and knocked away Typhir's strike. When the two weapons collided, Typhir's eyes widened.
'How the hell did he handle this strike? Don't tell me his body's strength surpasses mine already? But I sensed his fluctuations earlier, they haven't even entered the Zul Knight Realm yet. His growth is obscene,' Typhir thought to himself.
He then used the force generated from the collision to spin around and execute a hastened horizontal slash. However, Reiner defended with ease by holding the ax by his side. The moment after the sword struck his ax, Reiner retaliated with a forceful swing, launching Typhir far away.
When he landed, Typhir activated his Heavenly Bronze Body without a moment's hesitation. Before doing so, his hand throbbed uncontrollably. On the other hand, when Reiner saw him activate this technique, he nodded, "So you come from the Estrada Family. This piddling technique is inferior."
Boom!
Reiner's body dripped magma as all his orifices ejected sweltering flames, "My Magma Diety Body is much stronger than your Heavenly Bronze Physique." Once he activated this technique, not only did his explosive strength increase, so did his speed. Every strike that landing on Typhir caused a piece of his bronze physique to shatter.
Similar to Reiner's technique, Typhir's technique possessed levels and with his current utilization, it was merely at the second level. Meanwhile, Reiner could already utilize his technique at the fourth level. The disparity between the two was larger than he previously thought.
It was now that Typhir understood why they were all warned to discard the preconceived notion of background in this place. You never know when an unknown person possesses extremely rare talents. Thus, it was always best to tread carefully, especially against those existing at the top of the rankings. After all, they were there for a reason.
Nevertheless, like Apollo, Typhir wasn't one to give up. He staggered back to his knees whereas Apollo finally clashed with Grayson. When their two slender blades met, at first, there was no reaction. But, shortly after, Apollo's feet began to be pushed back.
"Hmm, it appears this lad is stronger than he seems. He utilized an unusual form of force," Fuhrer stated while leaning close towards Grayson. Walking circles around him, he sought to understand what this power he had never seen before was.
"That energy is Gravity Manipulation," Apollo uttered. He had read about this recently, it was the prime form of the Earth Element.
"I have never heard of this thing, but I think you can overcome it. Explode with Ira," Fuhrer responded with an amused smile.
Apollo obliged and released some Ira. Instantly, he stopped being pushed back but he also couldn't get Grayson to move an inch. As of right now, their power was at a standstill. But, when Apollo continued to allow the amount of utilized Ira to increase, his aura took on a demonic form.
Every slash he executed could be said to be on par with a minimum consumption Demonic Massacre Wave. However, when Grayson retaliated, a dark wind collided with Apollo's attack. Be that as it may, this battle was growing in intensity.
With each swing of the sword in his grasp, Apollo started to understand it further. As a result, traces of his Dominance Intent started to peek through. Moreover, when it did, it made Grayson squint, 'His strike seems to be changing fundamentally, what is happening right now?