Chapter 173 (1/2)

“I heard this story from the current patriarch of the Crashing Wave Style, which is an offshoot of the Endless Sea Style, based in the Capital of the Central Region. He told me that for a long time, before more information came out… Shal was widely idolized by the young elites in the Capital for his heroism in defeating the Devourer. But by the end… they just ignored him, like everyone else. Still, that comes later. First and most importantly, there was a man who would become the Spear Phantom, Aemont. Because Shal’s story is only a small part of following in the footsteps of his father.

“No one really knew Aemont’s family, but he enrolled in a small, two-bit Style, and worked hard to learn it. So hard that the people around him were shocked. After all, this was the Capital of the Central Region. There were thousands of Styles fighting viciously over the new recruits that came to the capital, seeking their fortune, putting their life on the line with just their spear. Those that had talent and dedication would go to the larger Styles. If this boy was here, and had such an excellent work ethic, there could be only one explanation; he had no talent with the spear.

“Which was true, in a way, Aemont was serious, but clumsy. The Spear was not his weapon. But he did have two things very early on in his career, while most others might train for years to obtain. Those were two skills: Battle Intent, and the very amorphous Struggle. And Struggle Aemont did.

“There were rivalries and duels, grand challenges and tumultuous relationships, but for our purposes, going into that might be a bit tedious. It is enough to say that by the time he was 25, Aemont’s name was known throughout the Capital, although it was only whispered. After all, Aemont refused to participate in the rather gaudy ‘Exhibitions’ hosted by the powerful and affluent Styles of the Capital. He was a poor man, even then with his success with the spear, and his Tassle was a threadbare, red piece that was so worn it almost seemed to be grey.

“But Aemont did fall in love, with a woman who was one of the chosen disciples of the Endless Heat Style. Luckily for him, she liked him too. Slowly, this very poor man from a Style that didn’t even have a skillset was hanging around a woman who would inherit an Ancient Rarity Skill Set. At first the elders thought it was just children playing around, and thought nothing of it; then the woman became pregnant. Now, the head elder at the time was furious, but he knew the female disciple was a stubborn sort, so he had a genius idea. To set the terms of him being allowed into the Style as an honorary disciple, to legitimize the relationship.

“To set impossible terms.

“So Aemont was brought before the elder, and the elder told him the wonderful news about the pregnancy. Aemont, a normally stoic man, smiled like he would be satisfied dying right there and then, if it came to it. Which was exactly what the Elder wanted.

“Then the elder continued to explain that there were some negative rumblings about Aemont and the female disciple from the other elders. That they weren’t a proper match, due to their difference in social status. And as Aemont began to frown, the Elder told the much younger man that he had an idea; perhaps if Aemont were to accomplish a seemingly impossible task, the elder could help Aemont sway their feelings. If there was irrefutable proof of Aemont’s abilities, even those stubborn elders would be able to do naught but give in.

“‘What sort of task?’ Aemont asked, and the elder said, ‘well, how about going to the frontlines and slaying a @90932njk2389?’”

Randidly blinked, aware of how the words had twisted midair and reverted briefly back to a language he couldn’t understand. He wondered what sort of secret the system was trying to hide from him this time. Something from the frontlines, huh…? A war with who, Randidly wondered.

But Artisan Dwei continued to speak, and his words once more became understandable, so Randidly didn’t do anything other than file the information away for later. “At first Aemont was dubious, but the Elder shook his head sorrowfully, and asked if there was anything else Aemont could think of that would be irrefutable proof of Aemont’s strength. Aemont could only remain silent.

“The frontlines were much more active in those days, and the @#%@#$kldsa; were lousy with @90932njk2389, so obtaining an opportunity wouldn’t be difficult. What was difficult was the task. But Aemont had gotten this far by relying on his two skills of Struggle, and Battle Intent, and this was no exception. Aemont went and spent a year at the frontlines, despite the female disciple’s pleas. A year later, he returned. Older and stronger, and tired, but without accomplishing his goal.

“But now his resolve was set. He visited his now several month old son and spent time with the woman he wanted to marry in front of the world. Then, after a week, he returned to the frontlines. To the Elder’s horror, the female disciple was once more pregnant. Now it was extremely difficult for them to ignore the relationship between the two of them, because two sons had been made, and were staying in the Capital, on their property. But there was nothing they could do, all of the younger disciples were enamored with the children, showering the babies with affection.