"So, young master Cassano has come. Since you're here, how about you show us some of your combat techniques?"
When Artemis was quietly watching the training, a voice he loathed the most echoed across the field. His body stiffened. That voice… it belonged to Luke Jones, the second heir of the Jones family.
Artemis's eyes darkened. Of all people, why did it have to be him?
Luke knew very well that Artemis had yet to awaken his Cosmo and therefore could not execute any combat techniques. But that was exactly why he seized the chance. Humiliating Artemis was his favorite pastime, and he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away.
A bitter smile tugged at Artemis's lips. He had deliberately stood far from the training ground, simply wanting to observe in peace. Yet still, fate refused to grant him such reprieve. Someone had seen him, someone who always made his life a torment.
The surrounding students perked up, their eyes glittering with anticipation. A spectacle was about to unfold, and they were eager for it. Every time Luke crossed paths with Artemis, he would devise new ways to ridicule him. This was nothing new, and the students were already accustomed to the routine.
Artemis, however, did not move. He remained still, his cold gaze sweeping across the crowd. No one could guess what thoughts swirled in his heart.
Luke strode toward him with arrogant leisure, and the students instinctively parted to clear a path, their faces filled with excitement. They wanted a show, and Luke never disappointed them.
"Artemis, why are you just standing there? Are you not going to give me some face?"
Luke mocked as he reached out, grabbing Artemis's wrist in an attempt to drag him onto the training ground.
But when Luke pulled, his smirk faltered. Artemis did not budge. A flicker of alarm flashed across Luke's eyes. How… how could this useless trash have such strength?
He prepared to channel his Cosmo to suppress him, but before he could, Artemis violently flung his hand away.
The force was so sudden and fierce that Luke's arm nearly went numb. Gasps erupted around the training ground as Luke staggered back a step, his wrist aching.
"There's no need for you to go that far,"
Artemis said coldly, his voice calm but cutting.
"Everyone already knows I cannot awaken my Cosmo. If you want to mock me, then mock me openly. No need for these little tricks."
A wave of whispers surged among the students. How could this trash fling Luke away? Luke hadn't even used his Cosmo, but even so, his cultivation had already reached the peak of the Superior Grade Cosmo Initiate, just a step away from becoming a Cosmo Adept. His strength should have easily overpowered Artemis, who couldn't even awaken his Cosmo.
Unless… unless Artemis had miraculously awakened his Cosmo?
Luke, whose hand had just been thrown aside, stood frozen for a moment. His face twisted as fury consumed him.
This trash actually dared to humiliate me in front of everyone?
He forced out a cold laugh, his pride quickly stitching itself back together. For a brief moment, he had been startled, suspecting Artemis had awakened his Cosmo.
But after focusing, he sensed no trace of cosmic energy on him. No, Artemis was still the same powerless trash.
"Artemis, you truly are a one-of-a-kind genius," Luke mocked, his voice laced with venom.
"Sixteen years of age and still unable to awaken your Cosmo. In all of Kora City, no, in the entire Arthdel Kingdom, you alone have such a talent! Hahaha!"
His laughter resounded like a cruel whip across the training ground, and soon, the students joined in.
Their laughter echoed together, sharp and merciless. Even the teacher supervising the training simply stood by, offering no words, no intervention.
Artemis remained silent. His expression stayed cold, but his fists betrayed him. He clenched them so tightly that his nails cut into his flesh.
Drops of fresh blood seeped from his palms and dripped to the ground. His body trembled, not from fear, but from a storm of rage rising within him.
No one is willing to live as trash forever.
No one can endure endless humiliation without breaking.
No one should spend their life always looking up to others.
From the depths of his soul, resentment roared to life like a beast awakening from slumber.
From this day forward, I, Artemis Cassano, will erase these years of humiliation. Those who mocked me, insulted me, and trampled upon me will one day learn the true meaning of regret.
With a sharp motion, Artemis's eyes snapped open, blazing with fury. He pulled a small knife from his side and hurled it to the ground at Luke's feet.
Clang!
The ringing steel echoed across the training ground. The mocking laughter died instantly, replaced by a suffocating silence. Every student froze. They knew exactly what this meant.
"Life and death are fated. Victory and defeat depend on the heavens," Artemis declared, his voice steady and cold, carrying a weight that silenced all. "One month from now, we will fight without mercy. Only one shall remain. One month from now, our fates will be decided by steel."
His words cut through the air like a blade, striking the hearts of everyone present.
Luke's eyes widened in disbelief. The students looked at Artemis as though they were seeing a ghost. None of them had expected this.
Now, the choice lay with Luke. If he picked up the knife, he would accept the duel, a battle to the death one month from now. If he refused, the duel would not happen, but his reputation would shatter. He would forever bear the mark of cowardice.
But was Artemis insane? He hadn't even awakened his Cosmo. Without combat techniques, what chance did he have against Luke, a peak superior-grade Cosmo Initiate?
To challenge Luke under such circumstances was nothing short of seeking death.