Chapter 23: A Realm of Difference

“Isaac, is there a point in making Oliver bully his juniors?” The beautiful woman sighed.

“Since they are too weak to have a chance against him, we would not see what they are really capable of. Nor would we be punishing Oliver for being so slow with making Victoria his.”

Isaac sneered before turning to the woman.

“Chloe, you should know that we aren’t really testing the strength of the soldiers. They are cannon fodder at best. We are just seeing how obedient they are. After all, a pawn that goes against orders or is too weak-minded… is better discarded.”

The short man clicked his tongue. “Waste of time if you ask me.”

Isaac laughed wholeheartedly before patting the man on the head. “Then it’s good that no one is asking you, Austin.”

Austin clicked his tongue again but remained silent.

“Just because you are my junior, don’t expect mercy from me.” Oliver said coldly. He had beaten numerous soldiers up until now, yet for the first time a smile was forming on his face. Seemingly happy that he would get the chance to roughen up this cadet in particular.

Thanks to his superior senses, Grandmaster Isaac noticed this immediately.

’So now you enjoy bullying the ones weaker than you? Sick bastard.’

Despite the harsh words, he was actually happy. Isaac firmly believed that the strong held the right to dominate the weak, free to push them around without consequence.

“Here I go!” Oliver’s smile turned into a large grin before beginning his assault.

’Judging by the spiritual energy he is giving off, he is an Early Expert. According to rumors, he doesn’t specialize in close combat, but that doesn’t mean I can afford to underestimate him. The gap between us is simply that big.’ Michael judged before activating Berserker.

Since this was a fistfight, he added the points he had been saving up until now to his strength. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to harm Oliver.

Name: Michael

Soul Realm: Late Apprentice

Cybernetics: Indomitable System, Berserker, Dash, Perfect Vision, Spirit Flow, Blink

• Strength: 660 (160)

• Agility: 620 (120)

• Stamina: 520 (20)

• Spirit: 3,500

• Mind: 1,000 (1,500)

Skill Points: 0

Saving Dash and Blink as a trump card, Michael met his opponent.

Boom!

Deciding to test each other’s strength, their fists collided. Michael was sent a few meters back.

Oliver clearly had the advantage in strength, yet he and the observers of his faction widened their eyes.

“Wait, why isn’t the cadet’s arm broken? He clearly just exchanged blows with Oliver, who is an Early Expert! There is more than a whole realm of difference!” Chloe exclaimed, deciding to pay more attention to the handsome cadet.

“You are overthinking it. Oliver must not have used all of his strength… Not to mention that he is a coward that hides at the back with a sniper, so he isn’t exactly known for his strength.”

Oliver’s eyes darkened even more when he heard Isaac’s remark behind him.

’Fuck! That was the full extent of my strength! Don’t tell me that the lowly barbarian thinks he can keep up with me?! Preposterous!’

With a roar Oliver sprang forward once again. Now he wasn’t just aiming to roughen up Michael. He wanted to kill him!

’Short fuse.’ Michael chuckled, dodging his foe’s strikes.

Oliver was clearly enraged, making mistakes along the way.

Once he saw his chance, Michael used Dash, increasing his speed by 500% for a second.

Boom!

His fist collided with Oliver’s abdomen, sending him a few feet back.

Silence.

Everyone was surprised by the sudden increase of speed Michael displayed. Not just that, but the fact that he had made Oliver go backwards was even more unexpected.

However, that didn’t mean Oliver was defeated. Just before he was hit, he activated one of his techniques, forming a thin layer of protection around his body using spiritual energy.

“YOU!” Oliver’s face went red after being embarrassed once again.

’This strike had my full power behind it.’ Michael frowned before meeting Oliver’s assault that seemed to have gotten even faster.

’This will be harder than I thought.’

While the duel was on its way, Ava had finished with her personal affairs and began searching for Michael but couldn’t find him anywhere.

“Where could he have gone?” She pouted. “If he was going to go somewhere, he should have at least told me so!”

Eventually she overheard the conversation of two soldiers nearby.

“Hey, did you hear? Oliver was beating soldiers left and right, but it appeared that he was having trouble with one now. Moreover, he is still fighting him. Let’s go see if the rumor is true!”

Ava’s face paled.

“He is fighting Oliver?!” She had a very bad feeling about this. While Michael was someone she considered to be a genius with no equal, he was still just a Late Apprentice while Oliver was an Early Expert! This kind of difference was simply too big for anyone to overcome, no matter how talented.

“What should I do?” She instinctively touched her head, a wave of worry washing over her. It was a strange sensation for her, considering that before she met Michael, she didn’t really care for other people.

At the end only one person came to mind that could help. With gritted teeth she sped off.

’Please don’t let me be late!’

Following the familiar route she would take whenever she had to be disciplined, she entered the general’s room.

“Little junior, is something the matter?” Victoria, who was busy reviewing paperwork, was surprised to see Ava coming alone. Usually when she appeared, it would be beside Oliver, who would demand she be punished.

“Victoria!” Ava’s voice was filled with worry, alarming Victoria even more. Whatever was happening was clearly a big deal.

“I… Michael needs our help!”

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