Chapter 106: The Undisputed Monster
In the great hall, once again, almost everyone present stood up involuntarily, expressions of astonishment stamped across their faces. The silence lasted for a long time, as if all the sounds in the world had completely disappeared.
In just a few minutes, Priam destroyed the three fire Golems and then gravely injured Fyovu with a single blow. All of that without even using a weapon!
The conclusion that had seemed inevitable was completely reversed as soon as Priam’s seemingly suicidal Magic Art was activated to the maximum. It was a complete turnaround, something no one would ever have imagined witnessing... and yet it happened.
Fyovu lay on the floor with half of her face carbonized and the other half pale as a sheet. Despite her serious injuries, she had not lost consciousness. Her eyes remained open and widened to the extreme; it was as if her soul had abandoned her body because of the shock and trauma.
The reactions of everyone from the Sun of the Underworld Clan were practically the same. They could barely believe what they were seeing, because the instant Fyovu revealed the Obsidian Corruption Sword, they had been absolutely certain that Priam would admit defeat or even die. No one expected this to really be the result.
At the back of the hall, Flaris was silent, but her eyes were shining, and a faint smile was frozen on her face.
She remembered the days when she and Priam had fun as children, and the abrupt change when his "mediocre talent" was discovered. Now... he had changed completely once again, seeming like someone completely incomparable.
She felt relieved and happy, because this little brother of hers really would accompany her in the Divine Plane, and the two of them could support each other. That way, she would have someone she could truly trust, and she would not need to live afraid of everything and everyone in that frightening place.
As for Shione and Lumiere, they looked at their mother, and seeing her expression, they laughed quietly.
The astonishment was obvious on Orlaith’s face, and only after some time did she recover her composure. Even so, she could not understand the commotion unfolding in her mind.
She looked at the seats of the alliance clans and, without exception, from the humblest youth to the noblest Leader, all of them had complex expressions. Even Grand Elder Ladomi was standing still, deeply thoughtful and clearly frightened as he stared at that young Vanculari at the center of everything.
Orlaith could barely believe that this young man, who had shocked the entire audience so many times and impressed everyone, was actually someone from her own clan.
Her previous worries had been completely unnecessary. Remembering Priam’s confident posture and unshakable gaze, she nodded lightly.
"This brat... where exactly does his true limit lie..."
After a few seconds, the people from the Sun of the Underworld Clan approached Fyovu and supported her. She was badly injured, but that was not the most serious part.
Seeing the light gone from her eyes, and feeling her chaotic fluctuations... it was clear that the psychological damage she had suffered was something almost irreversible.
She would definitely never forget the lesson of that day.
"I always thought my talent could already be considered genius-level, but compared to Junior Brother Priam... *Sigh* It’s not even worth looking at."
The words came from a young man of a mid-ranked clan. He put into words exactly what 100% of the young people present were thinking. Soon, everyone sighed in a strange synchrony.
For them to be present at that banquet, they were undoubtedly the Supreme Geniuses of their clans, and naturally, extremely proud. However, after witnessing Priam’s consecutive victories, that pride disappeared without leaving a trace; their hearts were now filled only with respect and admiration.
"!"
At that moment, Priam’s eyes changed to shock and excitement.
He was seeing the green screen, indicating the same post-fight message, confirming that he now had four consecutive victories, when another one appeared.
[High increase in "Morale" with a relevant audience identified]
[+2,000 GP]
Priam read that and felt his heart speed up.
At that instant...
*Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap,*
The clear, rhythmic echo of clapping awakened everyone from their stupor, interrupting any conversation. Instantly, all eyes were drawn in the same direction.
A figure was slowly rising from his seat.
"Magnificent. Truly worthy of applause!" His voice was clear and melodious, but it cut through the air like a blade.
"My uncle sent me here only to congratulate the new Grand Elder of the race. I never imagined I would get a spectacle of this level as a bonus. Seeing this fierce clash between lions and tigers would already have made the trip worth it, but witnessing the birth of such a bright star in the alliance? That is truly a blessing for my people, the Aether-Wood Deer."
The young man began walking toward Priam, wearing a radiant smile that, at the same time, seemed strangely sinister.
That was because he was not a humanoid and was using a fake body. Any more attentive humanoid would notice a strange discrepancy in him, immediately feeling an uncomfortable sensation.
He appeared to be fifteen at most. However, there was not even a trace of immaturity there. His posture exuded an innate nobility, a pride so dense it made the environment claustrophobic. Every calm word that left his mouth carried an invisible pressure, making the chests of those present feel suffocated.
Priam snorted, seeing the reaction of the young ones in the hall. He had already studied this in the clan before.
This was a natural suppression coming from the Primordial Chaos Beasts. Humanoid races were usually the most affected, but demons also felt it a little. When these creatures were stronger than someone, merely their fluctuations in the environment prevented people from using their powers properly.
Fortunately, those at the same level and Rank felt almost nothing. But in a large-scale battle against the Primordial Chaos Beasts, this suppression became a huge problem. In the middle of chaos, it was impossible to have only those of equal level fight the enemy.
As that young man advanced, the hall sank into sepulchral silence. No one dared breathe loudly.
After all, that was Hahho. The undisputed monster of the new generation of the Aether-Wood Deer.
When he arrived at the banquet, everyone noticed him. But after that? No one dared fix their eyes on him anymore.
Even when Priam arrogantly challenged all the young people in the place, no one even considered mentioning Hahho’s name.
For one simple reason: he existed in another dimension. Placing him in the same category as those prodigies of the alliance clans would be a grave insult to him.
At only fifteen, Hahho had already broken through to the fifth level. He was one of the youngest present and, at the same time, the owner of the highest level among all the young people there.
Throughout the entire event, he remained silent at one of the central tables, watching everything with the boredom of someone observing children playing. Neither Priam’s abilities nor the despair of his opponents had moved a single hair on him. Until now.
"Priam Ylisse, correct? You may simply call me Hahho," he said in a gentle tone, almost friendly. "We, the Primordial Chaos Beasts, don’t care about clans or pompous surnames. We are a single race. And all Aether-Wood Deer are my allies."
Hahho stopped right at the center of the hall, his eyes fixed on Priam, letting his imposing presence completely dominate the space.
The heart of everyone in the hall beat like drums.
Could it be that...
He was going to...?