Blood Soldier Captain Hall froze for a heartbeat when he stepped into the training grounds. His boots scraped on the stone. His breath caught in his throat.
Vanguard Vice Captain Zed also stopped at his side.
They stared straight ahead. Neither of them could process it.
The same name slipped out together.
"Master Cain?"
Cain was already there. Calm. Waiting. His hair moved slightly in the cold wind. His clothes were untouched.
Behind him stood a line of blood soldier recruits. Most were kneeling. Some were lying flat on the ground. Many held their ribs. Many shook on their legs. Some had eyes rolled back. All of them looked like they had been dragged through a battlefield.
The ground was full of shoe marks and fist dents.
Hall's eyes widened. "What the hell is this… what did you do to them!?"
Zed stepped forward and pointed at the soldiers behind Cain. "These are recruits! They are new blood slaves! William is a new Captain recruit too! Why did you take it out on them again! Is it because they are Captain Cedrick's recruits?"
Their voices rose. Their faces reddened. Their bodies shook with anger.
Cain only tilted his head. "What does it look like I did? You can see it."
Hall shouted again. "Don't joke with us! Look at them! They can't even stand! Why did you do that!?"
Cain shrugged. "Why not?"
The answer made Hall's jaw clench so hard that veins showed on his temples. Zed slammed his boot on the ground.
"In the past you did the same thing!" Zed shouted. "You used a high level Blood Mana scroll! We all knew it! We all knew it but none of us could do anything because only nobles can use those things!"
Hall followed. "You bullied recruits with that scroll! You think we forgot!? That scroll almost killed half a squad! You think we forgot how Madam Cornelia scolded you in front of everyone!?"
Zed nodded. "She warned you never to use a blood magic scroll again. And ever since that day, you stopped. You behaved. We never saw you do anything like this again. So why!? Why tonight!? Why now!? Why did you use another spell on them!?"
Cain blinked. His face was blank. He looked like a man listening to a boring story.
Hall stepped closer with anger in every breath. "Did you use another spell on them? Tell us right now. Tell us what you did."
Cain looked bored. "You want to know? You really want to know?"
Hall shouted, "Yes!"
Cain pointed behind him with his thumb. "I beat them up."
Both Hall and Zed stared at him.
Then Hall exploded. "Don't play games with us! There is no way you can beat that many at once! Indeed, they are new recruits, but they are still blood soldiers!"
Zed roared. "You used a scroll again! Admit it!"
Cain gestured lazily. "You want to believe that I used a scroll because the truth hurts your pride. That's all."
Zed leaned forward, face burning hot. "You brat… what did you say?"
Cain smirked. "You heard me…"
Hall sucked a sharp breath. "Zed… look behind him. Look carefully."
They both stared again at the unconscious recruits scattered on the ground. They looked at the bruises, the swelling, the broken weapons, the shattered training dummies. They both whispered.
"He used a spell again, right…?"
"It must be. There is no other way…"
"He used it… he cheated again…"
Cain heard them. His eyebrow twitched. "You think that pathetic? You think I need to cheat?"
Zed threw his arms wide. "Yes! Because you always cheat! You used scrolls in the past to surprise attack us! You used scrolls to bully recruits! Now, you did it again! You lied to Madam Cornelia too! Why would we trust you now!?"
Cain stared at them. There was a moment of silence.
Then he spoke slowly. "You think I need a magic scroll… to beat you insects?"
Hall stiffened. "You say what?"
Cain stepped forward. His shadow stretched on the stone. "I don't need blood aura. I don't need blood magic. I don't need magic scrolls. I don't need anything to beat all of you."
Zed's body trembled with anger. "You're shameless!"
Hall shouted. "You think we're fools!? You definitely used something!"
Cain raised his voice. "Why would I bother using spells on weak pawns like you!?"
The blood soldiers behind Hall and Zed all reacted at once. They were shaken. Their faces twisted with rage. Their hands reached for their weapons.
One soldier shouted, "You used a scroll again!"
Another shouted, "Demon! You cheat every time!"
"Shameless noble!"
"Use your fists if you dare!"
Cain blinked a few times. "Is that what you all think of me?"
Some soldiers shouted, "Yes!"
Cain nodded. "Maybe."
Everyone paused.
Cain continued. "But I don't feel like cheating today. I wanted to exercise."
The soldiers all shouted even harder.
"You liar!"
"You definitely used one!"
"We're not stupid!"
Cain's patience snapped. He raised his voice so loud the ground seemed to shake. "Shut up!"
Everyone fell silent.
Cain stepped forward again. His eyes sharpened. "Listen well. I won't use blood aura. I won't use blood magic. I won't use scrolls. I will only use my hands and feet. Why? Because you're all weak. That's why."
Their faces turned red. Their bodies shook.
Zed shouted, "You insult us again!?"
Cain nodded. "Yes."
Hall stomped toward him. "You brat…"
Cain raised a hand. "How about this. If you want, I can make it easier for you."
Everyone stared.
Cain smiled. "If all manage to force me use a magic scroll, I will give each of you ten blood magic crystals. Even if one of you injures me, I will give each of you ten blood magic crystals. How about that?"
Silence spread. Every soldier froze. Every soldier stared at him like he was crazy. Even Hall and Zed widened their eyes.
Ten blood magic crystals each was a massive treasure. It was something even their captains would struggle to gather. It was enough to raise their strength. It was enough to move a squad.
Hall whispered, "Is he serious…?"
Zed whispered back, "Where would he even get the money…?"
Cain smiled in his head. I don't need money. I won't lose anyway.
But Hall did not drop his guard. Zed also stayed silent.
Cain spoke again. "Fine. I'll make it even easier. If even one of you grazes me… one tiny scratch… I will give every single one of you ten blood crystals."
The soldiers froze. Their hands shook from temptation. Their mouths were dry.
But Hall sensed something. A danger. A trap. Something that told him not to accept.
Zed felt the same. His instincts screamed. His skin crawled. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
So they remained silent.
Cain waited. No one spoke. No one moved.
His smile faded.
"You don't want to attack?" Cain asked.
No one answered.
Hall held up his arm. "No one moves."
Zed also raised his hand. "Stay still."
Cain's patience cracked again. His eyes narrowed. His breath grew colder.
"Fine," he said. "If you don't want to attack…"
He leaned forward. His muscles shifted under his shirt.
"…then let me make the first move."