Chapter 16: Levaerûn: Challenging the Faction Leader Prt 1

The morning finally arrived at the lawless town of Levaerûn. I was conversing with Cherubim to discuss our tactics in case we faced one of the leaders of a faction. 

I can use some common elemental magic, but Hesphaetus is out of choice. It will drain my mana. During my self-training, I somehow managed not to collapse upon using all my mana. Maybe common magic will do because I don't trust my ability. 

I turned my head down while walking through the huge crowd gathering at the side of the street, gazing at me.

"Tsch, another one? They will never learn, will they?"

I heard the voice of one of them, but I didn't even try to look at him and just continued towards the location of the faction's main base.

I just decided to challenge the faction leader because I thought it would be cool.

Good luck to me, I guess?

I felt the grip of Rafaela's hand on my hand. I tried to leave her in the inn with Mister Heizou and Lina earlier because I didn't want her to see me get beat up to a pulp, but for some reason, she insisted that she wanted to go with me.

And my kind heart couldn't refuse her adorable plea.

We stopped right in front of a huge building with a front part full of patched scrap metal and wood and found someone standing in front of the huge metal double doors.

I immediately saw recognition in his eyes the moment he saw me.

Xin smiled as he waved his hand at us. "I'm gonna be honest, and you are the last person I'm expecting to see here."

"What a coincidence, we're thinking the same thing, even I still can't believe that I am here trying to challenge a person who defeated a freaking living legend."

Xin chuckled. "I see, so you've done some investigation."

Yes, just a little talk to an old man who owns an inn…

"Yeah, a little bit."

For a person who founded one of the factions ten years ago, he looks way too young and looks like he's just a few years older than me.

He started to walk towards me. "What's the sudden reason you just decided to challenge Leo?"

"It's a little bit... complicated."

He nodded. "Really?" He stopped in front of Rafaela and bent his knees. "Leo will come out soon. For now, let me take care of this adorable little one for you."

Rafaela stared at me as if she was asking for my approval; I responded by nodding my head. 

I don't know, for some reason, I feel like I'm very comfortable with this guy's presence. He looked gentle and kind, making me feel like he didn't belong in this place.

She grabbed Xin's hands and walked with him towards the crowds that had been gathering in the huge area around us.

I just gazed at them as they joined the crowd at the same time; the banging sound of the metal doors took our attention, and a silhouette jumped out from the building.

His jet-black long hair swayed as he landed a few meters away from me. He raised his hands as he laughed, grabbing everyone's attention.

He's wearing a brown sleeveless tunic under a black blazer with black pants and black combat boots.

He put his hands down, wandered his jet-black eyes, and instantly locked on me. His lion ears instantly twitched as his face turned serious.

He is probably a lion-type beastfolk; however, just like Xin, the only animal part of him is his tail and ears. Besides it, all of his features are human; even his sun-tanned rough skin has no sign of lion fur in it; he has a pair of sharp fangs, though.

It must be him, Leo, the invincible.

"So, you are the bonehead who dared to challenge me?"

"Yep."

And Cherubim, I wanted to tell him. 

A smug emerged on his face. "Have you lost in a dare, my friend? I'll let you slide if you say so. I'm going to be honest with you: even without looking inside that delightful robe of yours, I can already say that you're definitely the weakest-looking fellow who has challenged me this week, and I'm not even exaggerating it." 

Gah! To tell you the truth, I'm still new to your world, and I can use elemental magic. My desire to have peaceful, equality and unison in this town drove me to challenge you. 

The laughter of the crowds echoed around the area.

I exhaled.

"You can do it!" Rafaela's voice emerged from the crowd.

Well, at least I have my lovable cheerleader with me. 

Leo's eyes shifted to Rafaela and immediately shifted back to me while narrowing while he put his hands on his waists. "Why bring your daughter here? So someone could plead for your life once I'm about to wipe the floor using your adorable face?"

This fight needs to start immediately before it becomes a roasting game.

"It's quite the opposite, to tell you the truth, and I brought her here so someone could nurse you once you cried like a kid once I'm done beating the shit out of you." I removed my robe and threw it a few meters away from me.

However, the laughter coming from the crowds suddenly stopped, along with synchronized gasping; all of their eyes widened while looking at me.

What? I haven't done anything yet.

I veered my eyes toward Leo and found him smiling while slowly nodding.

"That's a fancy pair of clothes you've got there. I heard stories about it before. Simple white shirt and balloon-type pants, are they even real?"

Unfortunately, yes, it is indeed real.

"Why? Do these clothes look familiar?"

"More like very surprised, and here I thought that type of clothing, along with its wearers, were wiped out fifty years ago; well, it turns out there are still some of your people left."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you don't know about the legends behind that clothing?"

"Not really," I replied. 

Rudolf bargained for my costume with these clothes; maybe he knew something about it. I remind myself to visit Rudolf's store when I return to the Capital.

He cracked his knuckles as he tilted his neck. "Well, if you could wear such clothing, it appears that I underestimated you. Silly of me to make such a mistake; with that said, may I know your name, Challenger?"

"Troy Hercules."

"Troy, I see." He assumed a battle stance. "The name is Leonidas Bartomeu, the leader of the Fang faction. I heard that people wearing those clothes were strong. I hope it's not just a rumor and you won't be a huge disappointment. Show me what you've got because I won't hold back, especially to a foe like you."

Ahm... I don't know what he's expecting from me, but I came here to win anyway, so I'll do my best to make it happen.

Cherubim-san. I'll leave the rest of you once I'm out.

[Roger]

The crowd roars upon us to indicate what kind of battle I will have.

"No weapons and battle stance? A mage." Leonidas said as he bent his legs and jumped towards me. "Let's get this started, Troy!"

Yep, here we go!