Provoke

I studied the giant from afar, to get an understanding of its traits. I had read a book describing a giant, they were humanoid creatures with immense power and vitality. They weren't very intelligent and extremely tribal but there were always exceptions. Where there is a will, there is always a way.

Some of them gain incredible amounts of wisdom and remedy their weakness in speed. This giant seemed to be of that type, I thought as I watched him defeat a saber tooth tiger. It was logical to call him an oversized human, he was even bigger than Pektog.

He was at around 10 meters tall, truly the epitome of physical condition. Even my perfect muscles couldn't compare with his, well at least at their current level. From his combat I estimated him to be at the peak of inner reformation. Not regular reformation but at least a near-perfect physical foundation.

But his combat skills were well below, Pektog at most they could outclass my trained goblins at this point. He had high speed, it was just a little higher than my current speed. It seemed to be about 50% of Mach 1, which for a giant was absolutely abominable. My heart ignited with ambition and greed, a giant of this caliber would be a great addition to my forces.

I had goals in the cave of horrors, and that would require greater power. But at my current level, my power is insufficient as soon as I leave I plan on going into closed-door training. At least until the start of the tournament in 4 months, I will train until then. The sad thing about the tournament was I couldn't use my magic at all.

No true qi, no shadow force, and definitely no spatial energy. I could only rely on my sword to cut through my obstacles. But to become the best I have to brave crucible after crucible. So I was not only ready but I was motivated to refine my sword intents. I for a moment considered fighting the giant, but I gave up because it would be futile.

I couldn't find the source of death Qi until I subjugated the giants. I had already given Pektog and Dazkieht their training regimes and instructions. I am having them train a Shadow Corps with Dazkieht as the leader. Ulbrag is training Void Archers, and Pektog is training Death Knights. I had nothing of direction import now.

'Drrak let's go.' I said in a relieved voice

The pressure of remaining hidden was removed so I felt a little better. Drrak's dragon form appeared from my shadow, he consumed me and disappeared. We shuttled through space, and I was back in my body. I looked behind me and people were gathered they were looking at a board near the platform.

It had a listing of people, and the moment, I woke up the 976th listing changed it became Lucas Aizel. It was written using a powerful sword intent to match the position. People around me were quiet as some tried to examine me, I used my sword intent to deter any attempts.

"He reached the top 1000 rankings, and he's only a first year." A person said from the crowd in a daze

"....No way, how could he someone that?" Someone introjected with doubt

"They couldn't it takes someone close to level 15 to even hope to reach top 1000 rankings. Even then you would need strong attacks." A person said in explanation

I listened quietly and noticed some of the dazed looks quickly changed. They became looks of hostility and of hate very quickly. I even noticed some of them had disdain.

'Ultimately, everyone cares only about themselves, that will never change.' I said to myself with pride but there is nothing wrong with that. If anything it makes them predictable, and reasonable.

"He's a rookie, how could he even possibly be anywhere near level 10. Let alone level 15 which itself isn't so simple to reach." A young man with amber eyes said.

I recognized those amber eyes, he was one of the sword dukes that disdained me. I didn't bother responding instead I wanted to see what he was trying to childishly orchestrate.

"Only by cheating could someone, reach the top 1000s." He said in schadenfreude

Then I noticed a tint of jealousy in his eyes and I realized why he was annoying me.

'He's jealous I received the attention of the sword king and not him. How utterly pathetic is he subordinate to the sword king? Since when am I at the level of some subordinate?' I thought in annoyance

'You're right about one thing, a talent shouldn't subordinate themselves. If they want to succeed they must never surrender their will.' Drrak said to me

'We agree there, without an indomitable will; life is utterly pointless.' I thought in sadness, I never had an indomitable will, not until I was reborn.

My will shook for Lewis, for Anna, and even for sadness. I was weak to so many things and never fought back, I didn't even allow myself to hate. I don't care what the situation, I never want to feel that way again. Even if I live a short life, I want it to be one of my wills. Not of one without any, otherwise, I much rather die.

"Yeah, only by cheating could he have done it." Someone said in anger from the crowd.

"Call a teacher, this kind of behavior can't be tolerated." Someone else said even louder.

That's when I realized it would be annoying, I had the goblins kill most of the Orcs. Then I claimed basically the kill for Graklak because I bedeviled him. The bedevilment registered as a kill, and that meant I received the points. The points for killing a level 15 Orc even if old were most likely high. A level 15 Orc can fight a human warrior 2-3 levels higher just based on stats.

Making my kill that much more terrifying, but the scarier part was I didn't lift a finger to defeat Graklak. I just left it to Pektog and Dazkieht and I powered them up. So I raised my medallion with the symbol that I was Elton's disciple on full display. A few people edged back, warriors had trained bodies and enhanced eyesight.

None of them didn't see what was on my medallion, other than my authorizations and sword marks. Which were in a way terrifying themselves, there was my official ranking. A few edged back in fear at the revelation of my status, it was one thing to suppress a talented unknown. It was stupid to suppress a talented person with a fearful background.

"I am teacher Elton's only disciple, and Grandmaster Isaiah's legacy disciple. Would you be dumb enough to provoke me." I said in an icy tone to the crowd.

This was the power of status manifested, a few of the crowd were utterly dumbfounded. Elton had no disciples and news of me becoming his disciple was limited. So the revelation crushed a few hearts that hoped to be the first and made others fear me even more. I looked at the sword duke who's countenance had turned ugly.

He knew my status, but he hoped to still suppress me. So that he could get his moment to shine, but sadly he instead made an enemy. A few of the people tried to quickly leave, so I don't remember their faces. But they didn't have to worry, I didn't care about their faces.

Even If I forgot who pissed me off, I would just kill indiscriminately until I felt satisfied. But they made a fundamental mistake never let an enemy escape. Once you are in, you are all in and that means no half measures.

Only full measures are allowed if you want to live, and clearly, they don't want to live. I didn't say anything to the sword duke, I just smiled a silent smile and quietly walked away. I knew I couldn't beat him now, but soon he would be on his knees begging for my mercy.