Chapter 129: Chapter 128 : Again?

The next day…

[Never let it be said that Ralf Fawkes doesn’t have any firepower. With a literal bang, Ralf concludes the match. And what a match it was folks, unbelievable stuff….]

Hearing the praise Vostel was dishing out, Ralf couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

This was not a case of patting himself - rather…

*Pat*

“Big respect, you guys were awesome,” Ralf said with a bright smile as he patted Erec’s shoulder before him.

His praise was sincere. Of every batch of competitors, Match 4’s batch had impressed him the most.

Ralf decided to go gunslinger mode for this match. Armed with two pistols, he blasted away, redirecting attack after attack, using both barrel and bullet. The crowd were amazed by the skill and precision he showed.

The opening twenty seconds of the match saw Ralf show off his gun kata skills. His opponents had seemingly no answer to his performance, but this was just the surface.

Just as he was, they too were performing a show. On the twenty-first second, all were in position and they made their move.

There were two circles of five, one close range and the other long-range. The long-range fighters suddenly closed in, then materialising long and thin Psi spears, thrust the tips through the torsos of their brethren.

This came as quite a shock to the audience watching. However, while they were stunned by the happening, Ralf wasn’t. This tactic was the most standard type of tactic used by the Zeroes. Not only that, the way the group implemented the tactic made recognising it even easier.

The way this tactic worked was like this:

Those on the receiving end, those pierced, would shift and coat their internal organs in hardened Psi so that the spear, in this case, could pass through the body without doing any major damage.

Where to pierce through was prearranged by the group. To make sure the spear entered where it should, the close-range five opened up a gap in their Psi Armour at the last moment.

It was this action that tipped Ralf off on what was going to happen. He mapped out the spear’s future trajectory in his mind and dodged accordingly.

Still, while the tactic wasn’t impressive by itself, Ralf was greatly impressed by the group’s decision to use it. Being stabbed hurt after all, and from the expressions on the faces of the five in the aftermath, he reckoned quite a lot…though, he believed that the frustration of failing must have also played a part.

The tactic’s failure hit them hard and reduced their numbers by half, as those stabbed had to leave the ring. From there, Ralf knocked them out one by one as usual, and against his final opponent, he used Salamander’s Touch. The resultant wisps of smoke continued to linger in the air around him.

“Aha, thanks. We really thought we’d finally get you with that one aha, guess it wasn’t meant to be.”

The bear-like man’s face broke into an awkward but joyous smile at the praise.

Ralf nodded. “Guess not, It was pretty close though. It was a good try.” He gave the other another two pats before removing his hand. Then, with that same hand, he reached into his coat and pulled out a candy, which he then handed over. “Here, you deserve this.”

Erec didn’t reject the offer, in fact, upon receiving it, the smile on his face widened. To receive candy or praise from Ralf had become an honour of sorts to the Combat Arena fighters. Leading up to the match, he had been seeking either one, so receiving both filled the bulky middle-aged man with incredible joy.

Ralf smiled as he caught the giddy expression before turning around. “See ya around. I don’t have enough sweets on me for all ten of you, so I’ll bring them along with me next time,” he said while striding off towards his gate.

Watching his backside, Erec was filled with admiration. “We’ll hold you to it then.”

“Of course.”

“Also,’ Erec added, “good luck on the next match. It’ll be very tough.”

“Thanks, luck accepted.”

Responding casually, Ralf continued onwards with boisterous cheers sounding out all around him. Entering the corridor, the gate slowly closed until Ralf’s figure was fully swallowed up.

Still rooted to the spot, Erec’s gaze remained fixed on the gate. His mind drifted back a day’s time. After finishing a practice session with his group of fighters, he had roamed the White Hawk compound in boredom.

While doing so, he heard that the Match 5 batch was practising. Interested to see what they were preparing, he had a look…

Erec’s expression twisted up as he remembered what he saw yesterday.

‘Very tough - no more like impossible. I can’t believe Vincent gave the okay on that. There’s no doubt that Ralf and Ray have been holding back, but unless they’re actually a hundred times stronger, the next match will conclude this Challenger Series.’

***

*Step*

Just as the next match was on Erec’s mind, so too was it on Ralf’s. Walking through the corridor, he naturally brought it up.

[[Any second thoughts on it?]]

[[Nope, we’ll go through with it. It’s a trade-off but it’s worth it at this point. Hiding the technique to use in future combat situations is pointless because if it ever comes to that point, we’ve already lost. With things not going according to plan, we have to take drastic steps or else things can get really bad. Revealing it is our drastic step.]]

Ralf nodded. [[True. With it, most will believe we’re fakes and won’t dare to get close. And those that are certain we’re not fakes, won’t, out of fear of the unknown.]]

[[...That is the hope. As long as there’s a bit of doubt, those on the fence will stay on the fence. We don’t need forever, just until Micheal shows up.]]

Until Micheal shows up?

Truthfully, the duo expected the legendary Ascendant to appear before them already, believing that he would show up within a day of the first anime premier His absence till now greatly confused the duo.

Given his reputation and supposed connections, they found it hard to believe that Micheal would be ignorant to the commotion they had been stirring up in Zudrad. Aside from feeling confused, the absence caused the duo a great deal of apprehension.

They didn’t need to hear it from the Duke to realise that several powerful characters were roaming Popleigh. During their walks, the duo could sense them, with one, in particular standing out above all. This was why they chose to arm themselves.

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They were playing it cool but in truth, they were very worried. It wasn’t even like they could ask the Duke for help. The power at his disposal wasn’t sufficient to stop true elite powerhouses. They had to deal with it on their own.

The method they chose, the only effective one they had, was to use the power of ideas. Thus, Ray chose to have Match 5’s conditions be what they were.

[[Hmm, he could be here though. Micheal’s ability to transform into anything is famous. Maybe he’s lurking in the vicinity for some reason.]]

[[That’s a possibility…but don’t you think he would have at least communicated that he was here by now. With his powers, he would have many ways to do so.]]

[[Yeah, I guess - oh…]]

Ralf’s attention flagged as someone moved into his line of sight. Turning the corner, a well-dressed man, around sixty years old, strolled to the centre of the corridor. There, he turned his large frame towards the duo and showed a look seeking their attention.

Seeing it, Ray squinted. [[Looks like another recruitment.]]

Ralf agreed but unlike before, didn’t mind. The old man was very different from Lawrence.

Looking into his light green eyes, Ralf found a gentle warmth within. The old man exuded a feeling of a friendly grandfather, the type who heavily doted on their grandkids. His hair’s half-black half-silver colour scheme also earned him points in Ralf’s book.

Also…

[[Ray…]]

[[Yeah. This guy’s a psionic and I reckon a pretty strong one at that.]]

It was just a faint feeling but the duo trusted it. The old man before them felt like someone important. The way he walked, his expression, everything about him radiated a sense of dignity, authority and power.

[[Do a bit of pond hopping.]]

At the request, Ray did just that. As expected, nothing came up amiss.

[[Good, can never be too careful.]]

Satisfied by the result, Ralf returned his focus to Sigurd, whose lips had just begun moving.

“Ralf Fawkes, greetings” the elderly man started in a friendly tone.

At the address, Ralf came to a stop.

“Greetings,” Ralf returned with an equal amount of friendliness. “How shall I address you, mister?”

“Sigurd Lund, that’s my name. Just call me Sigurd.”

At the mention of the name, Ralf’s eyes couldn’t help but flicker. He recognised the name as one belonging to the current Head of the Psionic Association.

He squinted. “You’re Sigurd Lund, the Head of the Psionic Association?”

Sigurd smiled then patted his chest. “I am, yes.” After the declaration, his Ascendant aura ejected from his person, engulfing his figure and forming a golden blaze.

In the presence of the aura, Ralf felt his soul tremble. It was immense, mountain-like.

It took a few seconds for him to shake off the feeling of being overwhelmed and return to his previous calm. He felt quite embarrassed at his awestruck reaction.

Sigurd though, felt the opposite.

‘Already recovered, he really is something special,’ he thought before retracting his aura.

“You can keep it out,” Ralf said. While he appreciated the gesture, there was no more need for it.

Sigurd’s eyes lit up with approval. Not arguing the point, he had his golden Psi continue its disorderly dance.

“As you can see, I am the real Sigurd Lund. I’ve heard many interesting rumours concerning you and your faction and made the trip over to see if they were true. I was quite shocked at the findings. Since learning of your existence, I’ve been wanting to meet you and your other selves in person. I have many questions to ask and also an offer to make. I’ve come here today to set up a meeting to fulfil these two goals of mine. Ralf, what do you say, will you humour this old man’s request?”

“Mmm…”

Sigurd placed his arms behind his back. “We don’t have to do the meeting immediately, today or at all if you don’t want to. I’ll respect any choice you make.”

[[Ray?]]

Even when his mind was made up, Ralf never failed to consult his other self’s opinion.

[[Agree to it. He’s not Micheal, but he’ll suffice.]]

Ralf returned his attention to the outside world and gave his reply. “I’m all for it. Just give me a few minutes to inform my companion. Afterwards, let’s find someplace quiet and trade words.”

“Excellent.” Sigurd’s eyes sparkled at the words. He rubbed his long mismatch beard in approval. “I’ll be waiting at the entrance then. Take as long as you need.”

Ralf nodded.

Three minutes later, he would link up with Sigurd. The pair would then head to a hill just outside Popleigh and begin their meeting.

It wasn’t long, just fifteen minutes. However, the matters discussed in it were life-altering.

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