The whole banquet hall was so quiet that it was almost unnatural. You could hear even the sound of a needle dropping on the floor.
May was being held down on the ground, unable to move. Her expression was broken, and her eyes were full of pain and regret.
Elyra, on the other hand, was wearing a torn evening dress, with messy hair. She no longer looked beautiful like she did at the beginning—she looked like a homeless person.
As for Kael, he was on his knees, his fists clenched tight, and his eyes were full of anger as he stared at Aiden.
"Kael, stay strong. Don’t accept his challenge." Ronald whispered to his son, his voice low. "You’ll have another chance later."
Aiden smiled, a dark and evil smile, and said slowly:
"You see, even your own father doesn’t believe in you."
It’s true that if you don’t kill the root, the grass will grow again in spring.
Kael was now an enemy. If Aiden let him go, there might not be big problems for now, but he would always feel uneasy.
So Aiden wanted to try—whether he could take care of Kael right now.
A life-or-death battle was a special kind of fight. After the data world came to life, all kinds of conflicts had started between different types of warriors.
Some conflicts can be eased, but others just get worse and worse.
A life-or-death battle is the best way to deal with the second kind of conflict. Of course, there’s another way—kill the other person in the wild.
Inside the city, there are many rules that keep things safe and stable.
But in the wild, it’s all about survival of the fittest. Didn’t Aiden get attacked by bandits when he first went out to level up?
Right now, Aiden really hoped that Kael would accept his duel. Otherwise, he’d have to find another way to deal with Kael and his father for good.
Only then would there be no more dangers left.
Like in movies or anime, where someone is too kind or careless and lets the enemy go, only to have them cause big trouble later.
Aiden wouldn’t let that happen.
"An Epic-class profession, every level up in the early game gives you 100 points of stats. That’s really strong," Aiden said slowly.
Kael’s breathing suddenly became faster. His chest rose and fell as he said in a low voice: "You... you’re just an Iron Rank profession."
Kael slowly lifted his head, staring at Aiden with intense eyes.
"Iron Rank is garbage!"
"Only High-tier professions are the hope and future of humanity!"
"Aiden, I want to fight you in a life-or-death duel!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ronald’s face turned pale. He took two steps back and muttered: "Oh no, oh no. How could Aiden be just an Iron Rank? He’s already killed a National-Class Red-Flagged boss!"
At that moment, Luke, the vice chairman of the Sovereign City Reclasser Association, suddenly spoke up.
"Young man, you’re wrong. Being a High-tier profession doesn’t mean you’ll become a real strong person in the future."
"There was once a genius in the Sovereign City who woke up as a Legendary Rank profession. Unfortunately, he was tempted by the Evil Demons Guild and betrayed the empire in the end."
Luke slowly walked over to Aiden’s side and said seriously: "An Epic-class profession is already a genius. It’s a shame for someone like him to die here."
Kael suddenly widened his eyes. He hadn’t even started the fight, but already, Luke was saying he was going to die.
Aiden looked at Luke and said calmly: "It’s my own problem."
Even if Luke was the vice chairman of the Sovereign City Reclasser Association, Aiden didn’t fear him.
Luke slowly shook his head and whispered a few words in Aiden’s ear. Aiden thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
Then Luke walked over to Kael and Ronald and said: "That’s it. You’re lucky you met me."
At that moment, Vespera, Vivi, and John looked at Kael with pity in their eyes.
Ronald was very happy and kept thanking him.
Kael, however, wasn’t satisfied. He clenched his teeth and said: "Even if my level isn’t high, Aiden isn’t strong enough to beat me!"
Luke said calmly: "You’re ignorant. He has more than one Epic-class item on him. And even his four main stats combined are stronger than you could ever be, even if you reached level 10."
Epic equipment, and four stats that are stronger than an Epic-class profession at level 10?
This shocked everyone on the spot. Luke probably wasn’t lying. But how could a mere Iron Rank profession like Aiden be so powerful?
Someone whispered: "Could he really be a genius from one of the top families, coming to The White City just for training?"
"An Iron Rank Magic Apprentice is stronger than an Epic-class Paladin? Is that even possible?"
"Exactly because it’s impossible, that’s why Aiden must be from one of the top families."
"Wow, The White City has someone so amazing."
"Scary. We must never annoy Aiden in the future."
May stopped struggling. She looked at the floor, full of regret. If she hadn’t been fooled by Elyra, Aiden would have been her student.
The city champion is already a sure thing. The provincial champion should be easy too. Maybe even the national champion is within reach.
But she was blind! She missed this chance!
Regret filled her.
May screamed: "Elyra, you bitch! This is all your fault!"
Elyra said nothing. She slowly lifted her head and looked at Aiden, who was talking with Vespera and the others.
Vivi and Vespera—two geniuses from the top families of the Sovereign City—had completely crushed her.
Was her brain full of water?
If she hadn’t said those crazy things when Aiden first awakened, if she hadn’t been so full of herself and had supported him instead, then the person by Aiden’s side now would be her!
"I’m sorry... I was wrong. I really was wrong." Elyra said to herself.
Aiden completely ignored Elyra. To him, the moment she said they were breaking up, they were already strangers.
If you don’t cut your losses, you’ll just get more trouble.
"Really, Aiden? The Epic Demon’s Heart can increase the chance of rising to a higher class. Are you sure you don’t want it?" Vespera’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
She hadn’t expected Aiden to agree so quickly.
"Aiden, are you giving up your own interests for Vespera?" Kelsey’s eyes were wide, full of curiosity about the gossip.
Aiden felt a bit helpless. It wasn’t like that at all. The Epic Demon’s Heart wasn’t that valuable to him.
At that moment, Lysander ran over to Aiden’s side, full of excitement, and whispered:
"Mr. Aiden, my teacher is here!"
Suddenly, everyone’s eyes turned to Lysander. John thought for a moment and said hesitantly: "Master Lysander, are you also in The White City?"
At first, he didn’t pay much attention to anyone else. In fact, except for Aiden, no one else was worth his attention.
It wasn’t until Lysander came up to him on his own that he realized the man looked familiar.
Lysander waved his hand and said: "Long time no see. But I’m not a master anymore. I’m just someone who brought shame to my teacher’s name. Thank you, Mr. Aiden, for giving me a chance to start over."
John nodded. He knew a lot about Lysander, and he definitely knew who his teacher was.
The strongest Artificer in the Sovereign City, Sean. Even the Empress herself treated him with respect.
John whispered a few words, and Vespera, Vivi, and Kelsey suddenly looked shocked.
They didn’t expect Aiden to help Sean’s student. And Sean, who was always so busy, actually came all the way to The White City.
"Luke, come on, let’s go out and meet Sean together!" Kelsey shouted without hesitation.
Her mother respected Sean a lot, so she definitely couldn’t just sit there waiting for him to arrive.
Going out to greet him was a basic sign of respect.
Plus, she was really curious—what could have made the strongest Artificer in the Sovereign City show up here?
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the banquet hall.
"Kelsey, no need to come out. Hmm, I didn’t expect you to be here in The White City too."
A tall old man, over two meters tall, with a strong build, white hair, and a long white beard, slowly stepped into the hall.
Kelsey quickly lifted her skirt and ran over to Sean, smiling sweetly:
"Sean, I’ve missed you so much! I’m so happy to see you here, Sean!"
Sean bent down and gently patted Kelsey’s head. Then he tossed her a necklace and said,
"You’re always so smooth with your words. This is just a necklace I made recently—Diamond Rank. You can play with it."
At once, the people in The White City all took a sharp breath. They didn’t know who the man was that the princess called Sean, but someone who could hand out such precious equipment so easily had to be very special.
Luke bowed deeply and said: "It’s an honor to meet you, Sean."
Vespera, Vivi, and John also bowed.
Lysander, however, had red eyes. He took a deep breath and said: "Disciple Lysander, I’ve come to see my master."
Sean sighed slowly and nodded. He said: "You’ve already been able to make Epic-class equipment. Have you finally understood what happened back then?"
Epic equipment!
Everyone in The White City opened their mouths in shock. Lysander, who was by Aiden’s side, could actually make Epic-class gear!
But before they could fully process this, Sean turned to Aiden and continued:
"So this is the Aiden you mentioned. Where is that broken Legendary-class staff?"