D Rank and Sleight of Hand (1)

Tartarus, Courtyard.

A week passed quietly.

"Haa!"

In the courtyard, in the martial arts field, two people were fighting on the corner while four other imposing figures watched them.

Pow! Bam!

Elias delivered a high kick, but Taurus body wasn't even the least affected, as though an immovable iron fortress.

However, that didn't deter him. Elias kept on his advances, using the special martial art technique Way of Castellano in his attacks.

A punch, a kick, an uppercut…

Tauros calmly stood as he let the attacks hit him. No matter how many grazed him, he calmly received them. However, his eyes flashed a genuine glint of admiration from the attacks.

'As expected of young master… He's talented at hand-to-hand combat like the Godfather.'

Although Elias' attacks didn't show any discernible damage, for the five veteran experts watching, they could see through the natural talent their young master held.

Not only that but as the fight continued longer, Taurus could feel a sense of accumulation of damage.

That was right.

It was as though the longer the fight went on, the more damage was accumulated and Elias' continuous strikes became faster and stronger.

'This must be the young master's innate talent.'

Taurus thought before finally reacting. He moved his hands to catch an upcoming strike. As soon as he did so, Elias' pupils shrank as he couldn't react in time.

Pow!

Taurus slightly smiled, holding his young master's hand. He raised his other arm and closed his hand into a fist.

"Young master, I'm about to strike."

He warned abruptly. However, he didn't need to do so as Elias sensed it and quickly kicked him, using the recoiling force to leap back slightly.

As Elias retreated, his pupils shrank once more. He hurriedly raised both of his hands and crossed it Infront to guard his body.

Woosh!

At that moment, Taurus body flashed in speed. He arrived at Elias' front and immediately striked with his closed hand.

"Urg!"

Elias gasped as he was hit by the hand. He retreated slightly from the immense force, feeling soreness all over his hands.

After that, Taurus didn't attack anymore. He clapped his hands and smiled.

"Young master, you're improving quickly."

"...That's to be expected."

Elias replied lightly, shaking off the soreness in his arms. Since he had already eliminated the anti-mana collar's negative influence, he was no longer suppressed by it.

When he was in E-Rank, the anti-mana collar didn't suppress him much due to how weak he was, it only prevented him from using mana.

However, when he reached D-Rank, the anti-mana collar began to suppress his actual strength by a rank.

But now he was able to fully exert his strength and capabilities. But as expected, it did nothing at all to Taurus.

Elias silently pondered while staring at Taurus.

Although the 'Five Musketeers' were not comparable to Swain in strength and fame, they were still strong and famous.

They each had their titles and strengths, being known throughout the Ranker community. Taurus 'The lron Fortress', Donato 'The Old Death', Alexus 'The Cold Mastermind'...

In particular, Tauros was known for his great physical strength and sturdy body. It was normal for him to not be able to shake the man off.

Of course, if Elias used mana it would be a slightly different matter. But he didn't dare to use mana in the courtyard where hundreds of security personnel were gathered.

'I'm about to advance to D-Rank… I can't slow down.''

After resting for a few minutes, Elias deeply breathed.

"Alright. I'll do a few sets of workouts."

Every morning he would divide his training into two, working out and training his fighting skills. He didn't slack off one bit ever since the start of his transmigration.

Both helped him grow immensely fast to quickly reach D-Rank.

And now he was about to reach it. As he estimated, he was about to reach middle D-Rank as the month approaches its end.

As soon as he said that, he immediately began to work out in front of his subordinates.

Towards his actions, the five subordinates had amazed expressions as they looked at each other before shaking their heads and sighing with complex emotions.

It was impossible to stop a dragon from rising.

Back when their young master proclaimed he had planned to escape, the five of them were deeply shocked and stunned.

Of course, this was a prison, so everyone could say they wanted to escape. However, deep down everybody knew it was impossible.

Tartarus was located on an island far away from human society. In over a hundred years, no one has ever managed to escape.

Even Donato and the rest simply gave up deep down. Even if they still had mana, there was no chance they could escape from scratch.

Donato even personally explained the dangers and impossibility of it.

But despite knowing that, Elias didn't show any intention to give up and continued to work hard the following days. They always wondered why their young master was working out so intensely, but now they knew and were in awe and ashamed.

What makes a man? It was the heart of never giving up.

When Elias proclaimed his intention, they didn't feel doubt but instead felt his resolution—a burning flame of passion that made them believe that it was possible.

It was unexplainable.

If any other person said it, they would be treated as a fool that didn't know their own limits. But when their young master said it, it seemed like it was possible.

At that moment, they saw the figment of the Godfather in Elias' figure subconsciously. It made them feel excited.

Watching their young master work hard, Galilei subconsciously sighed.

"Although the Godfather already died, he shall rest in peace in heaven or hell. His son would succeed him as he dreamed."

"Hard times make great men, and through great men… a legend will rise above and grasp the world."

However, he had a premonition—a myth, surpassing a legend, will be born. And as a person witnessing it, he was faintly expectant of the future.

'The Five Families…. they underestimated the young master.'

***

After a while, the prison courtyard finally closed as noon arrived and Elias took a break, subsequently taking a shower and eating in the cafeteria.

However, soon after, he left the cafeteria and explored some of the facilities, covertly stealing some of the items.

And as soon as the end of the day arrived, Elias sat on the bed of his cell, looking at his hand in serious silence.

[Sleight of Hand — To execute the act of theft a thousand times.]

[Status: 1,000/1,000 (Complete)]

He had finally accomplished the requirements for the skill he was working hard for.