One More Time: Rebirth

Chapter 15: Challenge

After the test, I was walking towards Gerard and Eri, and as I was walking the others who watched my test started murmuring in low voices. They were looking at me with fear, admiration, and contempt.

When I reached Gerard and Eri, Gerard suddenly patted my back with on strong strike. "Incredible Edge I never expected you were that good! It was a fun fight to watch! We need to spar sometime." Gerard was grinning at me, in which I responded with my own vicious smile.

"Sure let's do that."

"It's a promise then." Gerard looked at me happily and two of us did a manly handshake. Afterward, I looked at Eri and saw that her expression changed a little bit. It looked like she was pouting.

"Liar" she suddenly called me a liar, why?

"Um... Eri why are you calling me a liar?" She looked at me still pouting, which surprised me. I thought she was that kind of character that remained stoic all the time.

"You said I was a true genius unlike you. But it looks like you're the genius, not me." I see so that's what it was, it's not like I really lied or anything. The only reason I'm this good is because of my past memories and this body's constitution. Now that I think about the constitution of my body in my previous life was also better than most. Not the time to be thinking about that.

"I guess you're right, and I'm sorry about that. But you really are a true genius, I really do think that." I bowed my head in apology. Eri patted my head I looked at her face which turned back into being expressionless again.

"It's alright Edge, I forgive you. But you must promise me that you'll practice with me from time to time."

"Is that all? Alright then, I promise that I'll do just that." Eri nodded her head as she looked away but before she did I thought I saw her blushing. While I was thinking about what I saw somebody came rushing towards my group.

It was the loud person from before, what was he called again?... Oh right, he was called Roland. The boy called Roland started shouting at me, what's his problem this time?

"Hey, you! You rigged the test, right?! Your family must have paid the examiners to give you a good rank. Come on guys do you think a seven-year-old will be that strong with all the styles? He must have done something." The boy started shouting at the group of people who stayed to watch. Is this guy an idiot? I heard he and his goons were ten years old, in fact, he was actually eleven years old. I understood that most of the participants today were in fact not seven years old, but older children. You can get a rank when you reach seven years of age, but that doesn't mean you have the capability to do so. Basically, most of these kids didn't take the exam the moment they became seven years old, they waited until their skill reached a level they were comfortable with. Of course, there are people, like me, and Eri that took the exam the moment we turned seven years old, Gerard just turned eight two days ago.

Everybody else reacted differently to what Roland was saying, some didn't care about what the loud idiot was saying. Some agreed, while others just thought he was stupid. Some just wanted to watch a show.

Yet despite the various looks he was getting the boy called Roland continued his loud banter. "So how much did you pay them?" Roland asked me with a look that was saying I was beneath him.

Gerard and Eri started looking at Roland with hostility in their eyes. It felt like they wanted to attack, but I signaled them not to do anything as I answered the boy.

"I didn't pay them anything. I passed the test the same way you did. You saw the fight, do you truly think I cheated?"

"You really think you can fool me? Sure, if you really didn't do anything then you won't mind having a little duel with me?"

A duel with this guy, why should I? It's not like I gain anything by having a duel with him. Perhaps... Was that speech earlier supposed to provoke me? Well, that level of provocation might've affected a seven-year-old but seeing as I contain my past memories my emotional maturity was higher than him. Even though I was kind of unstable back in my past life.

So I answered him by saying, "huh? Why must I have a duel with you?"

"You don't want to have a duel with me. Is it because you're scared or is it because you're really weak and you don't want everyone to see that you cheated."

Hearing what the kid was saying, I couldn't help but sigh. This kid is he really trying to provoke me, or is he simply saying what he really feels? Either way, I don't care.

"You can believe whatever you want to believe. So is that all you wanted to say?" After giving my answer to Roland's taunt, I looked back at Gerard and Eri who were still showing hostility. Well, no matter might as well try to cool them down for now. When I started ignoring him, Roland once again spoke. "I knew it, you're a cheat. I'm sure that even your parents must have cheated the same way. You and your whole family are cheaters!"

When I heard that line I used [wind step] to get close to him. He looked at me shocked, it seems like I was unconsciously emitting a great deal of killing intent that was aimed at him. My bloodlust was on the rise as anger was swelling within me. I wanted to kill the fool that was in front of me. He was trembling in fear, his face was turning blue. Not only him but everyone around Edge was trembling in fear.

Gerard's POV:

What the hell is this I'm trembling in fear? Edge what is he doing?

Eri's POV:

Danger! I smell the scent of death on Edge. Is this fear? Am I scared?

Loud boy's POV:

What is this it must be a trick? Yeah, that's right. this must be a trick. He's nothing more than a cheater

Edge POV:

"Oh, you're telling me that my parents' cheated? Who are you anyway?" I smiled cynically at Roland. He was still trembling fear as he was struggling to answer me.

"I... I-I'm Roland Gestard the son of the Guard Captain... Yeah, I know you cheated, and since you're a cheater your parents must be cheaters as well. I know, that's why you're avoiding a duel with me. It's because you have no real skill." As he was speaking Roland's voice grew more confident.

"Oh is that so?... I think I'll accept your duel invitation with one condition. If I win then you must bow down to me and say to everyone 'I'm sorry I'm a worthless pig that didn't know my place.' On the other hand, if you win I'll not receive a rank and become your servant for a year. How about that do you agree?" I was smiling but my bloodlust was still leaking.

Roland was still visibly trembling when he gave his answer. "I agree to that condition. You better keep your promise in being my servant."

"Don't worry I'll keep my promise, but this does seem unfair... Hmmm, I guess I can allow you to get your friends to help you it doesn't matter how much you bring. It's just fair since my rank is higher than you after all."

Though Roland was still trembling he started smiling "Sure, but don't regret this."

Roland went to his group of friends to ask for some help. Hearing him, agree easily made my anger subside a bit. This kid might truly be an idiot. First, he claims that I cheated and my skills aren't real. Now he doesn't deny that he needs help facing me. Are kids really like this, or is he just a special case?

I returned to Gerard's and Eri's side as my bloodlust cooled down. As I approached I saw Gerard and Eri looking at me in worry.

"I'm sorry guys but if you don't want to be my friends now I can understand." Gerard slapped my back and answered with his usual cheerful smile.

"What are you saying Edge? I'm not so weak that I would back off from being your friend because of this kind of thing. I actually think you're awesome, also if you didn't do that I would have done so myself." Eri nodded her while showing me a determined face. She didn't say anything but I think I understood that she had the same opinion as Gerard.

These guys are great... I couldn't stop my lip from curving a little bit upward as I bowed my head and said. "I'm sorry, but I'm about to do some things that are not nice in this duel. I hope you can forgive me for what you're about to see... But that guy said something that he should never have said." I once again couldn't help but emit my bloodlust as I remember what the Roland said. Gerard and Eri nodded their heads in acknowledgment.