18 The Banque (2/2)

”This is actually something I've been studying the most for the past few days. I can't be with you all the time, so I thought I'd make something that could alleviate your illness all the time. It partially incorporates an array and also has part of my aurora flame. It should leave you in comfort for as long as I live.”

Madeleine smiled, tears glistening in her eyes as she placed the flower onto her hair bun. It perfectly complemented her hair pin, magnifying her beauty even more.

Although they weren't paying attention to everyone, it didn't mean that they weren't paying attention to them.

Akihiko has blood dripping down the corner of his lips as he bit the inside of his mouth. It was one thing for him to get beat up. But it was an entirely different matter to find out it was the same person who had, just a few days prior, almost lost their life to someone who could barely be considered a member of the pillar families. And to then show up with the girl he had loved for most of his life? Akihiko was as close to blowing up as a human could possibly be.

Oliver was the first to go greet them. A wide smile was on his face, ”when were you going to tell me you found a husband little sister? And to make us wait so long for you to come here? You worried us to death. Why don't you introduce me?”

Madeleine blushed, not able to look her brother in the eye. Dyon had a smile on his face as he looked at the tall young man, 'he's strong, thought Dyon.'

Just as Dyon was about to extend his hand to greet Madeleine's elder brother, a booming voice radiated through the roof.

”I've seen a lot of things in my day, but to see such shit stuck to a pure flower is a first for me.”

It was Darius. He was sneering in Dyon's direction. He was brimming with confidence. He could do a favor for his seniors by get rid of this eyesore, and it would be easy. Although many of the seniors here were a bit apprehensive about his story because they thought there was no way their goddess could be with such a weakling, he was the most certain about this truth behind it.

Oliver faintly smiled. It would be easy for him to protect Dyon as a favor to his little sister, but even if Dyon was weak, he had to have the disposition of a man. If Dyon was a coward, even he wouldn't allow his little sister to be with him.

He had heard the stories from his Uncle Libro and his little brother Pertinacis, but seeing was believing, and this was the perfect opportunity.

Dyon understood Oliver's intentions and nodded, ”I'll be right back,” he smiled faintly at Madeleine.

Madeleine, understanding Dyon's personality, nodded and let go of his arm.

Dyon slowly walked past Oliver. His every step seemed to dictate the beating hearts of those around his. A dense killing intent permeated the air as he found Akihiko blocking his way.

His voice was faint but it carried throughout the whole banquet, ”are you going to move aside yourself, or should I help you?”

Oliver was a bit stunned by what Dyon said. He was at most a first year, and from what he could see, he had no cultivation. Was he ignorant to Akihiko's strength? But before he could step forward to mediate the situation, his eyes widened as he saw Akihiko tremble. It was almost imperceptible, but it was there.

'Akihiko's… afraid?'

”why isn't Akihiko saying anything… with his temper, he would have flown into a rage already,” said Meiying faintly.

Akihiko steadied himself with great struggles, ”don't joke around brother Dyon, I just happened to be here when you came, I don't mind moving. This is a friendly event after all.”

The banquet went silent with shock.

Ava's mouth was hanging open and even the playful Tammy didn't know what to think.

Was this really the Akihiko they knew?

'I can't risk getting beat again, I have to find out the limit of his strength first.'

Akihiko shifted to the side and Dyon continued to walk, their shoulders barely touching. Dyon didn't spare Akihiko another glance, causing Akihiko to go red with a next level of vigor.

Dyon walked up to Darius whose sneer was frozen, ”cousin…” he said weakly.

He was sure he had beaten Dyon to an inch of death before, but something was different today.

”don't worry, with me here, what could he do,” Caddell said with a sneer.

This seemed to give Darius renewed confidence. Although Akihiko was talented, Caddell was much older and therefore much stronger. Even if Akihiko was afraid, it didn't mean Caddell was too.

Dyon ignored Caddell and stood half a meter in front of Darius, ”it seems we meet again. I'm sure you remember what I said last time,” Dyon said faintly.

”I've actually been working on this new array. I used it earlier today to glide through water, but I think it might have another purpose too,” waving his hand, a sphere of golden light with complex symbols appeared around Darius.

”W-what is this,” Darius trembled, ”cousin! Save me!”

Caddell smirked and sent a punch at the sphere packing the full might of a practitioner at the 7th layer of the foundation stage.

BANG!

Small rippled filled the sphere, but other than that, there was nothing.

”haha, this is a 4th common level array, how could it be so easy to disperse. Especially since I layered it by at least 10. Good luck with that.”

Caddell was fuming in anger and embarrassment. How could he not destroy something made on a whim by a 13-year-old?!

Darius was inside the sphere as it slowly shrank. He was crying out and slamming against the walls. But if a 7th layer could do nothing, how could he at the 3rd?

Darius was already on his knees by the time people started to understand what was going on.

”hmm, I think if you want to survive, you'll have to strip naked and kowtow to me 10 times. I think that's about the going rate on your life.”

Darius trembled as he remembered those were words he had once spoken to Dyon.

”okay, okay. I'll do it, I'll do it!” Darius started ripping his clothes off.

”you coward! You disgrace the Storm family! And you! I'll kill you!”

As Caddell was charging at Dyon, Darius was already kowtowing, ”I'm sorry, I'm sorry”

But, before Caddell could reach Dyon and Dyon could retaliate, a graceful figure appeared before him, blasting him away.

”Madeleine?” Dyon shook his head chuckling, ”I could handle him you know,” Dyon said with a smile.

”Madeleine is so powerful?”

”I've never seen her fight”

”Neither have I”

”She's definitely way stronger than me,” muttered Ava who was in a constant state of surprise since the Dyon had arrived.

”He was annoying me. What right does he have to comment on a man I chose, hmph.”

Dyon turned a gaze of humor towards Madeleine, 'she says she wants me to be stronger, but she isn't willing to let me get bullied. What a woman.'

Dyon waved his hand and released the now naked Darius who refused to raise his head due to embarrassment.

”The next time you cross my path, I'll kill you. In light of today's festivities, I'll let you live for now. But, you'd better understand that I don't speak my words lightly. Watch your mouth, or I'll watch it for you.”

After he was finished, Dyon took Madeleine's delicate hand and walked back towards the shocked Oliver. On his way, he smiled towards Meiying and Delia.

”Do you want to stay here?” Dyon whispered to Madeleine.

”Not really, I just wanted to see my big brother. I haven't seen him in a long time. Let's go,” Madeleine said with a gentle smile, leaning into Dyon.

Dyon walked to Oliver before putting his hand out, ”I'm Dyon Sacharro, nice to meet you.”

Oliver's hearty laugh filled the roof top again, ”good man,” he said grasping Dyon's hand, ”you two can go, I'm sure you don't want to be here anyway. I'll see you when the world of the central tower opens, I'm sure you'll make good gains there. Uncle Libro was adamant on getting you a spot, and considering your talent, there should be no problems.”

Dyon smiled and nodded, waving his hands, the crowd looked on in awe as another phoenix appeared. Dyon and Madeleine faded into the distance, the cries of the Phoenix filling the skies.

Back on the ground, Akihiko had a sinister look on his face, 'you can enjoy this victory for now. But, I'm coming for you. The central pillar open world isn't a joke. Once news spreads of you and Madeleine, it won't be hard to get hundreds of people attacking you together. I wonder what you'd do then? Madeleine will be mine. Her potential will be mine. I'll rise up the ranks of the martial world and conquer everything.'

Tammy was scanning the people remaining in the banquet with intelligent eyes, 'the central pillar open world, huh? That brings back memories…'

The rest of the guests were still in a daze when Oliver's claps filled the silence again, ”Alright! Sorry for the liveliness. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Let's work hard and motivate each other! If something isn't the way you want it to be, fight for it! You just may win,” Oliver smiled a bright smile, his handsome face making it impossible for the crowd to stop nodding at his words.

”Everything by absolute power or absolute sympathy!” Oliver roared.

”Everything by absolute power or absolute sympathy!”

”Everything by absolute power or absolute sympathy!”

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