Time passed quickly, and the day of the challenge was fast approaching.
During the two days before the challenge, Matthews was practicing his combat skills in the little courtyard when he heard that someone had come to visit.
"Old friend, Lucas is here to see you!"
Matthews knew at once that it was the fire mage who had been auctioned off alongside him. After welcoming Lucas inside, the two exchanged pleasantries.
"I heard you accepted Kane's challenge. Are you confident?"
Matthews nodded calmly. He had now comprehended the Laws, so dealing with Kane would be no problem. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. But how did you hear about the challenge from so far away?"
Seeing his friend's confidence, Lucas continued, "I came to the Imperial Capital this time to report to the church. That's where I heard about it. I happened to find out!"
"Do you know anything about Kane?"
At Lucas's question, Matthews realized he didn't know anything about Kane at all, so he shook his head. All he knew was that Kane's family had a Saint Realm powerhouse and that Kane was a Level Nine mage.
Seeing his friend shake his head, Lucas decided to tell him a little about Kane.
"He's a wind mage. He has a Level Nine Magical Beast, an Earth Giant Ape, that excels at defense..."
Matthews took note of the information his friend shared; it would be very helpful for the challenge. Only then did he remember that Lucas served in the Divine Beast Sect and probably had more connections than he did.
He asked, "Do you happen to know any necromancers?"
"Are you hoping to learn Necromancy?"
Matthews shook his head and explained, "A member of my family has a talent for necromancy, and I want her to learn more about it."
Lucas thought for a moment, then said, "I can ask around for you!"
After that, Matthews and Lucas chatted about recent happenings. Matthews invited him to stay and enjoy a simple meal.
It was the day of the challenge. Since Matthews and Kane hadn't set a specific time, many spectators had gathered outside the Imperial Capital at East Mountain the night before.
With so many people gathered to watch, the Furio Empire had no choice but to send out its troops to maintain order and prevent any unrest.
Because of the Patton Family's influence, Kelly and her best friend had seats in the front row. Not far from them, on an elegant viewing platform, the Furio Empire's emperor, the Level Nine powerhouse Gadon Furio, sat calmly beside his beloved consort, waiting.
Matthews rode through the crowd on Pal, the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, with Mia and the others. Someone stepped forward to stop them.
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"
Winter came over to Matthews and explained, "This is a personal attendant of Gadon Furio, the Furio Empire's emperor and a Level Nine powerhouse."
The attendant spoke respectfully as well. "My lord, His Majesty would like to see you."
Matthews thought for a moment, then said, "Lead the way!"
When they reached a spot near Gadon, Matthews saw him approaching and dismounted from Pal, the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion.
He gave the customary noble greeting of this world and said with a smile, "Hello."
Gadon smiled and greeted Matthews as well. After a few pleasantries, the emperor made it clear that he wanted to recruit him. Matthews knew the Divine Beast Sect held sway here and that the pope's authority exceeded the emperor's, so he gave a vague answer and politely brushed him off.
As he passed Kelly and Nina, Kelly asked, "Have you been well lately?"
Matthews nodded calmly but didn't reply. He simply walked past them and headed to the Winter Family's viewing platform. Mia and Fiona stayed there, and Matthews left Asolun with Mia as well.
Matthews rode Pal up the mountain and settled on a platform, closing his eyes as he waited for Kane to arrive.
After a while, Matthews heard a commotion rising from the crowd. Many people were loudly shouting Kane's name, while others were shouting his as well.
Once Kane reached a nearby platform, he addressed Matthews arrogantly. "You're nothing but a crude country bumpkin. I'll show you the might of the Patton Family."
Matthews shook his head. How could someone so caught up in the hollow reputation of his family have reached the level of a Level Nine mage? Kane probably hadn't even realized that the Patton Family's glory came from their Saint Realm ancestor. Once that ancestor fell, Kane might be nothing at all.
"Come on. I don't have much time to waste talking with you."
As soon as Matthews finished speaking, Pal roared and charged forward. Kane's Level Nine Magical Beast had clearly been carefully selected too; it was rich in combat experience.
"Gravity!"
Kane instantly cast the Level Eight Gravity spell, immediately slowing Pal's charge.
With lightning-fast movements, Matthews darted into the spell's range. He could clearly feel his speed being restricted, but the effect was minor.
"Hmph!"
Kane had already gathered information on Matthews. He gave a cold snort and instantly cast a Level Eight wind spell.
"Vortex Wind Blade!"
Countless tiny wind blades sliced at the Battle Qi around Matthews, slowing him down once more.
Taking advantage of the opening, Kane quickly put more distance between them.
Matthews didn't use the Laws he had comprehended to speed up and close the gap. Instead, he planned to use his latest insight—to harness the force of the world with his blade force and break through everything in his path with sheer power.
"Dominating Blade of the World!"
A forty-meter blade phantom, crackling with lightning and imbued with the force of the world, cleaved toward Kane.
"BOOM—"
Kane's Level Nine Wind Blade spell collided directly with Matthews's attack, unleashing a deafening roar. Though Kane's Wind Blade spell would become the forbidden Dimension Blade once he reached the Saint Realm, he hadn't yet comprehended the force of the world or the mysteries of the wind-type Dimension Laws.
This move, infused with the force of the world, quickly shattered his Level Nine Wind Blade spell. The Level Nine Magical Beast, the Earth Giant Ape, which had been fighting Pal, the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, abandoned its defense at that moment and raised an Armor of Earth before Kane.
"THUD—"
The blade force easily carved a thirty-meter-deep gash into the mountain. Wounded and unable to fight, Kane lay in the pit, disbelief written all over his face.
"Impossible! You only just broke through to Level Nine. How can you be this strong?"
Matthews shook his head. Seeing Kane in this state, he called Pal, the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, back before it could continue fighting.
After passing the Winter Family's viewing platform, Matthews left with Mia and the others.
"Brother, did you give that annoying guy a good thrashing?"
Matthews nodded. As he passed Gadon Furio, the Furio Empire's emperor and a Level Nine powerhouse, he exchanged greetings with him, then left without stopping.
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