Season 1 Episode 26: Disagreement

Claude immediately took a bath and selected a relaxing outfit to wear. Without further ado, he walked towards the second elder's residence.

Although he didn't rush, he still arrived outside the second elder's residence in no time. When he got there, he saw that there were nine people; two girls and seven young men, standing around.

Everyone's gaze turned to him.

"Are you Claude Rayforth? The newest member of the Flying Sword Faction?" one of the young men asked as he strode over to Claude's side, as he smiled faintly. 

Claude nodded his head and said, "Yes, I am Claude Rayforth. Rank Seven of the Earth Realm. I imagine you all are part of the Flying Sword Faction as well?"

The young man's face broke into a faint smile. "That's right my junior! We're all members of the Flying Sword Faction!" He stretched his hands forward as he continued, "The name's Wilfred Beldon. I look forward to working with you!"

Claude shook his hand, and Wilfred suddenly looked at him and said, "By the way, I heard you killed two of the outer disciples as soon as you became an inner disciple. Is that true?"

Claude frowned slightly, but soon regained his composure. "Yes I did," He replied while shrugging his shoulders. "One of them sent people to kill me while the other tried to harm me during the inner disciple contest. I'm not someone who likes to give people second chances. So I just finished them off before they can cause any more problems to me."

Claude was calm. He had an arrogance that generated from within.

"Ha ha ha… I really like this kid!" All of a sudden, Wilfred started laughing heartily. "You're pretty good, kid. I like your way of thinking. I have a feeling we're going to be good friends."

"Thanks, senior!" Claude smiled at the young man standing in front of him. Even though he was probably older than the young man when you consider his previous life, he was still polite. Making enemies left and right was a completely reckless move. One that may work for a short term problem, but not for long term.

"Always trying to get people to join your side… Why don't you stop being such a snake, Wilfred?" One of the young ladies spoke with a somewhat cold expression on her face. She then glared at Claude as if she were extremely displeased. This caused Claude to furrow his eyebrows.

'Why was she looking at me like that?' Claude now had a bad impression of this lady.

"That's Senior sister Ashley Winter. Apparently, she doesn't think killing people is right." Wilfred moved closer to Claude and whispered in his ear.

"So she hasn't killed anyone?" Claude asked. 

"No, she has." Wilfred shook his head. As he spoke, he straightened his back and looked at Ashley with disdain. "But whenever she does that she always has an excuse ready for it."

"It's not an excuse. And don't phrase it like that. I never said you shouldn't kill. I just don't like people who kill others without showing any remorse!" Senior sister Ashley said coldly. "Also, the people who I've killed were all evil people. And even then, I've always felt bad about killing them. But people who kill others like they are insects or something, they're just the worst."

"So you're judging me based on just that?" Claude said as he narrowed his eyes at the young lady in front of him. 

"You just spoke about killing two outer disciples like it was completely normal," She said as she stared at Claude. "I don't know about you, but that kind of indifference towards life doesn't sit well with me."

"Seems like it's just a way for you to feel good about yourself. To feel like you're somehow better than the rest, even though you're literally doing the same thing. If that's the case, I'd recommend drinking alcohol. At least you'll be less of a pain in the ass."

Claude had initially planned on being as polite as he can, in order to make as few enemies as possible. But when someone's already hostile to you the moment you meet, he felt that there was no point in trying to reconcile. He didn't mind having different and conflicting opinions. But if there wasn't any leeway to come to a mutual understanding, then it just wasn't worth his time.

And remorse? In the martial world, where the strong rule over the weak? Was she joking?

Claude couldn't help but scoff at her naive world view. The martial world was rough. Sooner or later, you'll end up killing someone over something. It was just a way of life. Feeling remorse over such a mundane action will only make your life miserable, and will eventually lead to your downfall.

 "You-" Senior sister Ashley was left speechless by her junior's harsh words. She simply hadn't expected that. Every time she met someone, they'd usually try to make a good impression in order to impress and win her trust. But this young man didn't! Not only did he not try to get on her good side, he even insulted her! Ashley was so surprised that she didn't know what to say.

"You don't even know me!" She glared at Claude, who simply shrugged his shoulders. 

"And you don't know me either. And yet you still formed an opinion before even talking with me. So why on earth can't I do the same?" Claude replied.

"That's-" Ashley wanted to rebuke him, but she couldn't think of anything to say, so she just glared at him in the end.

"Ha ha ha.. well said lad!" Wilfred let out a laugh, as his hand landed on Claire's shoulder. "I like you even more now! Although I'd have to disagree with you on the alcohol part. Already tried it. Unfortunately, she only got more annoying."

"Hahaha… "  

The rest of the faction members finally let out their laughter. 

Ashley's fists were clenched tightly. She stared at both Claude and Wilfred with hatred in her eyes. She felt completely humiliated.

"Alright, calm down everyone!" Suddenly, a clapping sound reverberated across the courtyard, and everyone instantly turned silent. Footsteps were heard, and the doors opened slowly, as the second elder appeared in front of them. He looked around, and found Claude standing behind, and nodded his head.

"Now that we're all here, why don't we begin?"