Mercenary God: Reborn with a talent for fighting.-Chapter 33: Ch Siblings.

Gilhunt’s defeat had been nothing short of crushing.

When it officially began, even the elders expected somewhat of an equal verdict, just so they could overlook how monstrous Abel was. But to their dismay, the moment that boy abandoned his sword, all it took were two hits to end it all.

Even from the confines of their chambers, they felt the impact and the force ecah of Abel’s punches held. They were SS class — each hit enough to knock out their weakest members and damage even Camilla herself.

"That boy, even his father wasn’t this strong at their age."

Camilla had grown alongside Klaus and Kain. Before life took over, they had been glued to the hip, so she knew better than anyone how powerful Klaus had been in his twenties. He had been an S rank alright, but his output wasn’t as devastating as the one Abel displayed.

"I thought Klaus was a monster... well, this boy — calling him that would be an understatement."

Lloyd made a haughty remark while leaning against the walls of the chamber. None could refute his statement; even Kain, who dreaded the boy more than anything, had to admit — he was strong. Too strong.

"It seems the points have been returned to a standstill then."

In the wake of such discovery, Holi, the only one lively in the room, shot Kain a glance, the latter keeping his cool and returning it with a fake smile.

"Then under the witness of the four Elders of the Bladeheart, the duel between the two combatants has concluded. The victor being Abel."

Declaring the already known results, Camilla disappeared from the chambers and reappeared on the destroyed stage beside Abel. She then went on to grab his hand and pushed it into the air, confirming his victory to the masses.

Cheers erupted, screams echoed, and camera shuttered. Everyone who had witnessed the battle, who had seen how Abel had won fair and square, accepted his victory without question — even the likes of Kain, where bi expectations.

"You weren’t so much of a disappointment after all."

Muttering to himself, he stared at the medics who came for Gilhunt, who now lay collapsed beside the wall of the coliseum. He was out cold, and yet so at peace.

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With the declaration of his victory, Abel exited the stage.

As he entered the changing room, he noticed Alex was still training with his dart rope. His movements were fluid and with his precised guidinace— the rope snapped swiftly toward the wall, and just as it struck, his fingers coiled around it and tugged it back before catching the returning dagger at the end of the rope with his palms.

He had been informed Alex’s unique skill basically made him great at using any or all weapons. So seeing it in action, he was quite impressed.

Alex should have been strictly a sword master — that was his path and uniqueness — but now Abel could no longer see that path. And he was glad, because this unique ability would allow Alex to forge a different path of strength so he wouldn’t be lost in the upcoming events.

"Oh, big brother, you’re back."

Having just noticed him, Alex, having lost track of time, glanced behind him. His expression seemed to be asking if he won, and Abel nodded.

"I guess the first is up to me then."

Abel would disagree with that because he knew Kain was still planning something. And depending on the outcome of the duel between Alex and Selena, said plan would come into fruition.

"You’re prepared enough, little brother. Why not go and rest until it’s time for you to fight."

Alex didn’t want to, but if he had been in Abel’s place, he might have said the same. So he agreed and placed down his weapons before going to search for Umbra or at the very least Selena for one final conversation. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

After Alex left, Abel sat on the bench, his expression masked with worry.

"Of all the missions, you left him the hardest of them all... Klaus Bladeheart, what a man you are."

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On the other side of the coliseum, a lone girl, having chosen to isolate herself, sat on the ground of the expanding hallway, her knees raised and her back against the wall.

Selena, having opted for a simple red and white tracksuit in contrast to the traditional tunic, suddenly raised her head to find a woman draped in a dark cloak and a hood that hid the upper parts of her face.

She also leaned against the wall, a knowing smile forming on her delicate lips which parted as she looked down on Selena.

"Abel won, just as we all expected."

At her declaration, tears threatened to spill out of Selena’s eyes.

"Now the fate of the Bladeheart family is in your hands, child. Defeat Alex, and Kain will not pull the trigger. Lose, and hundreds of lives will be lost because of you."

"Me..." She blinked, her eyes red with tears.

"Why don’t you stop being a hypocrite and say it’s because of that man’s envy?"

"....."

Orchid offered no response. Her duty, after all, wasn’t to defend the crime her husband would commit, rather it was to make sure no one intervened and everything went as planned.

"Remember this, child. Alex is no longer the boy you tried so much to shelter."

No matter how much Selena wanted to deny it, Orchid was indeed right — Alex was already far stronger than her. His abilities and the experiences of the past had led to a strange growth, one she couldn’t comprehend.

"If you use your normal stage, you’ll lose over time, but if you use that, victory will be yours. Kain will inherit the title of Patriarch; he will abolish all his connections to the Demonic Sect."

"What will become of my cousins then?"

For Abel and Vanessa, she expected they would be able to protect themselves, but Alex and Alice — those two were children. She had sacrificed so much to make sure Kain never touched them, and yet that man abolished all morals and went against their agreement.

"My husband merely wants the title. If those children never become his obstacle again, he will not harm them."

"Heh... he said the same thing when he planted that accursed soul into my body."

"....."

"He went behind my back and tried to kill Alice even after I did everything he told me. So why should I trust him now? Tell me, Aunty Orchid, why?"

Orchid was taken aback by the child’s demands, but her response was rather simple.

"It’s because you have no other choice."

Saying so flatly, she walked away, leaving Selena staring blankly at her disappearing figure.