The sound of the cheers blurred in Paul's ears. He turned, staring at the boy at the other of the arena.
He seemed lifeless
Had he punched too hard?
He had tried to hold back even by a little but it was already too late.
That punch would be enough to take down an elephant if they still existed.
Just as the announcer reached to hold his hand, he dodged and turned, a stern look on his face.
This wasn't the time for accolades, especially if someone's life was currently in danger.
His life five years ago had seen so much of that. It was strange though.
As the world progressed, he had regressed.
Looking around, he realized no one was coming to the attention of the boy.
They had all cheered him from the beginning, thinking he would win but now the results had been decided and they turned their backs.
Humans…
The image of the red man appeared in his mind, and that face. That face of scorn or pride when he watched them running away, knowing that he could kill them in a flash if he wanted. The strong trampling on the weak.
Somehow, he didn't want to be that, or feel like that.
His legs carried him forward until he came to a stop.
"Are you alright?" Paul said, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder, he could feel the peering gaze of the crowd.
However, his hand was slapped away.
The boy raised his head, staring above his black hair, "You mocking me? Tch, I don't need your pity." He scoffed, raising himself up, despite the ache in his body.
Paul blinked but a warm smile appeared on his face.
"I am not mocking you. In fact, I envy your strength, never expected you could make swinging such a giant sword look so easy." He commented, glancing at the sword in the middle of the field
The boy raised himself from the floor with a soft grunt, and a glare appeared on his face.
"I said get lost. Don't come here to flaunt your win in my face, lowlife," He let out a harsh grunt, "Don't think life in the academy would be easy for you just because you won here. Let me be."
"Ah…"
Paul was speechless, he should have minded his business.
He simply nodded and turned around... Maybe the people here were not as easy-going as he thought. Could they be corrupted?
His orb would not be able to sense a corrupted trail due to its current damage.
The announcer coughed, everyone had watched the display and they all had one thought in their mind.
'Who goes to make chit chat with someone they had utterly defeated?'
Wanting to ease the tension, the announcer raised his hands.
"We have our first winner, and it's time to get the next four worthy champions who would pass through the gates of ASCENSION PEAK Academy!"
With a loud applause, the next match began.
Paul jumped to his seat beside Reith, ignoring the number of eyes that wanted to stare into his soul.
"How did I do?"
Reith looked at him, before returning his focus back to the arena.
"Honestly, you surprised me. I want to say more but we aren't in a good place." He muttered.
Paul nodded. They were done, it wasn't as hard as he thought.
His eyes moved to his fallen opponent but he realized the boy was no longer in his usual spot.
A screen appeared in front of him, words floated above his head.
[Congratulations Champion, You have displayed compassion, and gotten your first Divine Aura point.]
[Divine Aura: 1]
Paul read the words, and he smiled. The system was watching his every move.
The first time was when he subconsciously made a goal and the next was rewarding him a Divine Aura point.
It was a bit confusing but he would make sure to keep a closer watch on this game's functionality.
"Divine Aura…" Paul murmured, there had to be a reason for this element in his abilities, and he was going to find out.
He never had anything like Divine Aura during his prime so this was new.
In five years' time, there must have been an improvement in the world's power system and he was eager to know it. Maybe he could find out more about this new skill.
Paul thought for a while until something struck him, and he turned to his side, "Reith, no one recognizes me."
The sentence was like a hit on the head, and the silence after was stiffening. During his training, he had thought about it.
He did a lot for Yevendra. Other cities sent warriors to fight him, and he triumphed. Even when Yevendra was on the brink of losing a war, he was able to claim victory. Were his works that insignificant?
"Let's head out." Reith's voice floated to his ear, and they passed through the tight seats and walked out of the arena.
Standing outside the large field, Reith looked at Paul.
"Everyone thinks you are dead." He confessed.
"Oh." Somehow, he expected it. But even the dead were also celebrated.
Reith was hiding something, and he wouldn't push it, at least not now.
"Yes, they all heard of the attack five years ago. They all tried to find you but at your state, you'd be prone to attacks from enemies so I covered you up." Reith stated, closely watching Paul's reaction.
He had not expected this conversation to come this quickly.
Paul shrugged, "Alright then. It was disturbing though. At least they could still be searching for me. I did a lot for Yevendra, you know." He sighed.
Reith could only nod "Yes, you did." Right now, he didn't understand the champion's feeling.
The competition ended an hour after they walked back to the arena, it was time for the winners to get their student applications.
Paul walked into the line, his eyes wandered to the academy building behind the gates. It was magnificent.
It was the first time he had seen such a building as its long walls wrapped around it, and even from where he stood, he could feel the pristine and ancient aura emanating from within those walls.
His body itched to step in.
Before he could admire more of the building, someone gave him a hard shove.
"Get moving. You are delaying the rest of us."
The young man said in a rush, and Paul had no choice but to ignore his admiration.
"Your name?" A boy in a blue uniform with golden stripes stood behind what looked like a small wooden store with a forced smile on his face. He had probably been ask to do this job against his will.
Paul moved forward, "Paul Veritas."
The student gave him a hard look. He recalled the name from the first person who won his competition with a single blow.
The glance went as simply as it came. It doesn't matter how you won or who you were, the academy was able to humble anybody.
"Here's your card. It takes you everywhere and anywhere. Do not lose it." The student gave a stern warning, and his eyes looked behind Paul.
"I don't see any of your luggage so I'm guessing you might go out to get things later. You can leave the school to get some things but you need your ID for permission." Despite his initial hard look, he was dutiful in handling out the necessary information, even if not all.
Paul bowed, "Thank you."
Before he could pass through the gates, he needed to see Reith.
Just a couple of steps away the gates, Reith stood akimbo, waiting for his companion.
Did this guy forget him after getting enticed by the academy?
"Hey!" Paul called out, weaving through the large crowd of guardians, parents, and watchers.
The most of them stood a few distance away from the gates, waiting for their children or at least, wanting to see what happened next.
Reith turned around, his eyes on Paul, from afar, they both looked like a father and his son, but looks can be deceiving.
"Here are your things." Reith handed Paul a shoulder bag, causing the boy to raise a brow
Holding the bag, Paul realized it was heavier than he expected. It was probably filled to the brim.
"How did you get them?" He whispered harshly, looking at Reith with a narrowed gaze.
They both knew they had nothing when they got here so it wasn't adding up.
"I did a few walking rounds. You weren't the only one who had work to do." Reith chuckled.
He decided to get a few things for Paul so it was easier to fit him.
"Just a few clothes and some money. Please use it sparingly. I spoke with the nurses, and I'd be leaving the orphanage, and probably the city."
Paul looked up, "What?" He hoped he didn't hear it correctly.
Reith smiled at him, his mind was already made up so he might well come out with it. "I tested my strength while you were away and I realize I would be able to work in some adventurer teams."
Adventurers? Paul had never heard of such a word and it seemed like there were also teams of them.
"But you don't have a core." Paul eyed Reith, though his divine orb was damaged, he was able to sense a person's core if they were within a good distance from him.
Now Reith was speaking about strength, and from the good time he had spent living, Paul knew strength came from a person's core.
"Yeah… but I beat you that time." Reith chuckled and he raised his arms, flexing his biceps.
"I don't know how I am able to use such strength so I want to put it to use. Also," He pulled Paul closer, whispering his words.
"We came with nothing. Living off the orphanage is wrong so I want to use the opportunity to gather some footing here for us, especially for your academy fees"
Paul's eyes trailed the students that were walking into the gates before he brought them back to Reith, "You know more about this place than me, so if that's your decision, then I have no obligations to stop you." He commented, before stopping to think.
"About the money. The academy would provide most of my needs, keep yours. I can fend for myself. I need to go." Paul turned around without waiting for a response.
He clenched his fists as he strode towards the wide gate.
There was a bitter feeling in his heart, and somehow he still couldn't stop the feeling that Reith was hiding something from him. Especially now that the man was going to leave him.
"Maybe it's for the best." He muttered, entering into the gates.
Later would be the appropriate time to sort out Reith's sudden departure, but right now, he needed to survive in this place.
With a destroyed core, no powers, it was obviously a hard feat.
"Stay hidden, get information, train, and leave." It had become a formula in his head.
This was how he could stay focused, and then he could get his clue to finding her.