Saying Goodbye

Janet dragged Gareth into the basement despite Lisa trying to stop her. She pulled him on the stage. Moses and the others stood beside the stage watching them. John who had been alerted by their ruckus was also there with them. He was already aware of what was going on, having already been told by the others.

"Alright," Janet said, seeming to be satisfied with the fact that she had been able to drag him here. "Let's start."

The whole fight was only going to be a test of physical strength, there were no techniques or anything else involved. It was the simple pitting of raw strength against raw strength.

This was one of the amazing things about awakening. An awakened person of high talent with little to no cultivation could rival an Awakening Realm cultivator of low talent with a cultivation just a step short of completion in raw strength. If the difference in talent was exaggerated enough, someone who had just awakened with high talent could defeat an Awakening Realm cultivator with low talent who had cultivated to initial completion, provided there were no usage of techniques involved. 

Gareth was not sure of how strong he was, or it could be said that he could not guage his current talent as he was still confused by the situation where there no flaws on either his foundation or soul. He knew Janet was of low talent and had not reached completion. Therefore, he decided to be sensible with the strength he used when fighting, he could not for the sake of testing out his strength injure a good friend of his.

Janet was the first to make a move, she limited the strength she used and attacked him. Gareth found himself easily following her blow, and he responded by throwing a punch to counter. The first exchange resulted in a stalemate.

They disengaged and moved back a bit. Gareth threw the next punch, increasing the strength he used. Janet easily blocked the blow.

The two of them became more daring, exchanging blows with more strength as time passed.

Janet got more excited the more easily Gareth blocked her blows. It was to an extent that it reached a point she no longer held back. Trying her best to hit Gareth with all her strength.

Gareth was finding the spar to be more exciting, the longer it went on. It was beyond anything he did before awakening. The feeling of the strength coursing through his being, it was magical. World energy flowed smoothly through his body like it never had.

He handled Janet's blows with ease. His senses allowing him to see through her moves with ease. She was a veteran fighter through and through, it was just a pity that he was stronger than her. A little too strong for his liking. He definitely wanted to get lost in the excitement of the fight, but he would hurt her if he did that.

The match that had continued for a while, and stunned the small audience to stupor finally ended. Janet stopped all her actions, as she stared at him, incredulous. What sort of sorcery was this. This young man that had just awakened could easily fight her to a draw. Hell, he hadn't even broken a sweat. That sheepish smile on his face. That smile, she truly wanted to slap it off.

"So, how was it?" Gareth asked. He felt he had truly gone overboard, he could taken few hits. It wouldn't kill him to do so.

Janet stomped her foot as she walked away, leaving the basement.

There was a sound of applause as Moses clapped, stepping on the stage. He had finally gotten over the shock of what he just saw.

"Bravo! Bravo! Gareth my man, that was amazing! Never seen something this wonderful in a long time. You my man, are truly talented. A child of the heavens!' Moses couldn't stop his praise.

"Wow!" John exclaimed. "Do crazier people get more talent?"

"What do you mean crazy?" Moses glared at John. "Gareth my man here is a fine young man that dares to chase what he wants. Keep it up, Gareth, the world is yours to take."

Peter was confused. Looking from one to the other. What rubbish were these two clowns talking about? Wasn't talent decided primarily by your parents and forebears. Your parents having high talents had a good chance of passing that to you at birth. While Gareth was indeed someone who chased after what he wanted in an almost extreme manner, what did that have to do with his awakened talent. He was truly confused.

Lisa got up on the stage and walked before Gareth. Before he could voice what he wanted to say, she pulled him into a tight, warm hug.

She hugged him for a while before releasing him, however she didn't move away. Her hands were still on his shoulders, and she looked directly into his eyes.

"I am truly happy for you," she told him.

She was being sincere, as this came from the bottom of her heart. She knew something was always on his heart, but seeing his lips that were now in a perpetual smile. She was sure that whatever burdened him, he had relieved a part of it. Even if it was only a small part.

*

They all returned to the room they were before. Janet was already there, and John also left the basement to join them.

Gareth would be retiring in a few days. This and other important things were what they were currently discussing. Even though a parting would be occurring soon, they were all in a jolly mood. Alcohol and meat flowed around on their small table. It was after all not a parting of death.

"Which sect are you joining? Now that you are sure of your talent?" Moses asked.

They had come to the consensus that Gareth's talent was nothing if not high. They were all there, and they had witnessed that spar with their own eyes. Janet definitely didn't hold back, especially at the end. If they hadn't known better, they would have thought that she was trying to kill him.

"One of the best sects around. The Martial Seekers Sect." Gareth replied.

"As expected. You are going to join those martial maniacs." Janet said, shaking her head.

"Not bad," Moses said. "They rather suit you well."

"When would you be leaving?" Peter asked.

Everyone was interested in the answer to that question.

Gareth smiled and answered. "In a week. I will be staying here most of the time with you guys."

"That is perfect. We would be throwing a befitting farewell party for our favorite man. The audience are going to miss you a lot," Lisa said.

"I would be leaving them the greatest show they would ever witness," Gareth said.

"Don't spoil the business for the rest of us," Janet said.

"All of us will be here for you," Lisa assured him.

Looking at everyone in the room, Gareth knew this was a moment he would never forget.