Chapter 337

Chapter 337

Gazing out at my adoring fans, I soak in the applause and adulation I so desperately desired for so many years. With no cheats, the roughest of starts, and almost dying countless times along the way, Ive finally made it big. Its taken me seven long years to get where I am, standing at the forefront of my peers as the number one talent in the Empire. While even I dont believe Im the strongest person under twenty-five, no one in Nan Ping can deny I have the qualifications to be here, having defeated my rivals in single combat for everyone to see. This is my moment of glory, my time in the spotlight, the acclimation and renown Ive dreamed of for so long.

So why does it feel so... empty?

Probably because Baledagh isnt here to share this with.

I miss him...

For years now, Ive tried to pretend like this wasnt what I wanted. This was my silly little brothers dream, hes 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 thats not true. Ive always wanted the best of both worlds. Thats why I balked at the idea of giving up on the Martial Path to focus on Healing, because I 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 doesnt 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 to win.

Guilt compels me to check on my fallen opponent, being tended to by one of the Legates Healers. Poor Wu Gam, his fox-ears droopy and jaw slack, sitting there in a daze and trying to figure out why he froze 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 cant feel good getting stabbed in the stomach, not to mention getting beaten in one exchange. I had no choice, his match against Yan had me shitting bricks, wondering how Im supposed to beat either of them. Wu Gam has overwhelming power combined with impenetrable Chi-armour, how is that even remotely fair?

Then theres Yan, whose style I can barely recognize anymore. Its 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 Im spitting water for party tricks. Unfair. As much as I love Baatar and Akanai, their whole figure it out for yourself mindset has me more than a little irked. Im sure it worked out great for them, but different people learn in different ways. It doesnt really matter, I dont know any Water Blessed Martial Warriors to ask for advice, having killed the only one I ever met.

I wish Ping Ping could speak. Hurry up and turn human so you can teach me your ways.

Its a shame Yan lost, but shes a big girl, she can handle the disappointment. She did a real bang up job though, I thought she won for sure when she slashed his throat, but Earth-Chi is too OP. Sadly, its clear she was the underdog from the start. Anyone watching could see she gave it her all while Wu Gam was happy to wait for his moment, because frankly, he could afford to. If all he wanted to do was win, he couldve ignored Yans attacks and splattered her across the stage during their first exchange, but he didnt. Hes a big old softy I suppose, making moon eyes over Yan instead of caring about the title, but knowing her, she wont appreciate his chivalry.

Anyways, after he broke Yans arm, he looked more worried than happy, and thats when I decided I couldnt let him win. He wouldnt appreciate it and I did him a favour. With his Earth-Chi armour and powerful physique, he holds a staggering advantage over his peers, but that wont last forever. Fung beats him through superior range, Zian through martial superiority, and BoShui... well, BoShui probably loses, and so does Dastan, but its okay. Better he learn his failings here and now than out on the battlefield against the Defiled.

Then again, considering the rumours surrounding his eccentric mentor, I may have just signed his death warrant. I really hope that doesnt happen, I feel guilty enough about cheating as it is...

To be fair, it wasnt exactly cheating per se. Its not like I drugged his food or stabbed 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. Its 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. Alls fair in love and war. I worked hard to Hone my Aura, so why shouldnt I use it? I mean, no one thinks Wu Gam using his Blessing of Earth is cheating, so why should using my Aura be any different?

I understand the general mindset is that, in battle, there will always be multiple overlapping Auras, so crushing one persons Aura is pointless and more effort than its worth, but my Honed Aura is different. Its not like I just came up with the idea either, this is something Ive been practising for months now, mostly with Gerel. The idea is simple: instead of shattering my opponents 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 takes much less effort and Chi than breaking an Aura and, assuming I successfully kill my opponent, it accomplishes the same goal of removing an enemy Aura user from the field. 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), its always a risky gamble. If I come across someone with an Aura too strong to break, by the time I realize it and give up, Ill have already squandered significant amounts of Chi powering the Beyblade.

So, after pondering on the matter for some weeks, this was my solution, to use my Beyblade Aura (sigh) for a brief, infinitesimal moment and 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 theyre still reeling from my Aura, leaving them shocked and helpless before me. Its pretty fun, 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 cant believe Baatar made him the Iron Banners spokesperson. Hes not exactly what Id call friendly customer service. Then again, maybe thats exactly why Baatar made him the Iron Banners spokesperson...

His speech finished, the Legate dismisses us all and calls a break in the ceremony, with tables of food popping up on the streets and wagons going out to the camps all on the Legates 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. As I dismount from Mafu, Lin greets me with a dainty flying tackle. Hooray! Congratulations hubby. I always knew you were the best, and now everyone else knows it too, ya?

Thanks wifey, but youre the best.

Arms crossed and lips pouty, Mila treats me to one of her adorable snorts. Hmph. Well fought, but once I condense my Aura, you can be sure Ill challenge you for the title. Her red-panda ears cease fluttering as she switches gears, but her tail keeps lashing about. Foolish man, what were you thinking? No good comes from claiming I would have emerged victorious, words are nothing but empty air. Now everyone think youre a henpecked fool, currying favour from your nagging betrothed.

Sorry beloved. I wanted people to know about how strong you are. Punctuating my apology with a kiss on her cheek, I Send, Thats why I asked you to come on stage with me. I figured the Legate would want 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. I need to work harder so I dont fall behind.

Ridiculous, she retorts, pinching my sides. More like you wanted to borrow my retinue to make yours look bigger.

True, but who says I cant have more than one reason for doing things? When it comes to retinues, I believe size does matter. Some might say Im overcompensating, but thats the jealous mutterings of tiny-retinued individuals. If youve got it, flaunt it, thats what I say.

Our alone time ends as everyone else floods in to congratulate me on my victory. Taduk has no words, merely wrapping his arms around me in a warm, heartfelt hug, while Tate and Tali skip about, laughing and yelling in sheer delight. Alsantset and Charok both tell me how proud they are, and I cant help but tear up as I thank them for everything theyve done. Song stands off the side and puffs her cheeks, giving me a grudging nod of approval as I stop by to say hi to my furbabies. Fung and his father are all smiles and back slaps while Han BoHai and BoShui are equally enthused, the normally dour Major General more boisterous than Ive ever seen him and already a little drunk. My fellow warrant officers from the Society Sang Ryong and Jin ZhiLan say a few polite words while their elders thank me for inviting them to watch from my camp, but I can tell theyre seething inside which makes me smile.

By the time the food arrives, my cheeks are strained from too much smiling, enjoying my moment in the spotlight. For some odd reason though, the procession is guarded by a few hundred soldiers, not Royal Guardians but the infantry types, with their intense stares and boring, black armour. A little overkill for guarding food, but I soon realize there are no wagons of food, only a single palanquin, a simple, wooden affair which seats four instead of the polished monstrosities the Legate used in his parade. At the head of their procession is a Royal Messenger, who bows and hands me a scroll and a jade plaque with both hands. Confused and hungry, I accept the plaque and unfurl the scroll, eyes widening and heartbeat rising with each passing word.

Bad news. Bad, bad news. This is not good. Shit. Oh god. Breathe. In and out. In. And out. Okay. Calm down. Theres nothing to worry about. This is a simple miscommunication, is all. Look troubled. Yea thats it, frown. Sigh a little too, but not too much. Remember, you didnt ask for this, so whatever you do, Do. Not. Smile.

Your life depends on it.

Sensing my inner turmoil, Mila asks, Whats wrong?

Okay. Make her believe it, because its the truth. Its seems theres been a misunderstanding; as reward for becoming the number one talent in the Empire, the Legate sent me a concubine. Milas darkening expression sends a chill down my spine, and I do my best to appear nonchalant. What a wacky mix-up, right? Haha.

God dammit, you had one job: Dont smile. Way to fuck it up.

Welp, we had a good run buddy. Better luck next life.

Chapter Meme

- End of Volume 18 -