The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

After Aiden lowered his hand, a black mark appeared between his eyebrows.

Naturally, the others didn't know the meaning behind the mark, nor would they really care about it. After all, this was nothing worth getting shocked over. If it were, then Wally's earlier moves would've been downright earth-shattering.

With that said, those who were in the know were anything but calm, and Lionel was one of them.

"It's hard to believe that there's something you don't know about, Lord Lionel," Mira said teasingly.

Lionel responded solemnly, "Do you know about it already?"

"I don't. I was merely a little surprised. It looked like Mr. Hoffman shouldn't have spared that old coot's life all those years ago."

The Shadowdragon Warlord was stunned for a moment before something shifted in his gaze. "It sounds like Dr. Hoffman knew about it. I'll wager that was why he sent you here to oversee the competition."

Mira giggled. "That's where you're wrong. I'm no match for that old coot. My fellow apprentice could hold her own against him, though."

Once the bell rang, Aiden made the first move. He raised his hand and pointed at Felix, shooting a wave of energy, which the latter effortlessly swatted aside.

"Are you still testing my strength?"

Aiden's lips curled into a grin in response. At the next moment, he vanished into thin air.noveldrama

"Glacial Strike!"

Felix thrust both his fists out and firmly met Aiden's attack, and a frigid power immediately coursed through his veins.

"A melee strike? You've been hiding your true powers, huh?"

Felix leaped into the air and somersaulted. He clashed with Aiden countless times, taking the latter's attacks head-on every single time.

Most of the audience couldn't exactly see what was happening, but they could hear the resonant sound of the two competitors trading blows. It felt as if the fierce battle was happening right next to them, and it got their blood pumping.

A small cluster of martial artists could see what was happening, but even they were overwhelmed by the intense battle.

Was this how powerful Boneforging Realm martial artists were? The speed and strength Felix and Aiden demonstrated were simply inhumane. It was a good thing that the stone stage could withstand the magnitude of their fight. An ordinary stage would've crumbled much earlier.

"Solar Strike!"

Several minutes later, Aiden adopted a completely different move. He was still attacking with both his palms, but it was no longer the same as the technique he had just used.

This time, Aiden's attacks were soft yet firm. Although he dished out the attack at a ferocious speed, it seemed so slow to the naked eye, creating an illusion that would mislead his victim.

When Felix first took on Aiden's Solar Strike, he felt a blazing heat coursing through his veins. It was inherently different from the latter's Glacial Strike.

"Aiden has employed both Glacial Strike and Solar Strike. There's no doubt about it now. He's definitely Kevin Beasley's apprentice." Lionel's expression darkened. It looked like he was seething with rage. "What's the matter? Are you going to seize Aiden after this?"

"There's no seizing him!" Lionel

scoffed and continued, "Kevin might've committed countless atrocious deeds, but Aiden hadn't done a darn thing that was illegal. At least, none that I am aware of. So, how am I supposed to seize him?

"I don't get it. Why did Dr. Hoffman spare Kevin's life all those years ago?"

Mira shook her head. "I'll do you one better. Mr. Hoffman is fit and healthy, and he has spent nearly ten million dollars on spas. Why is he still lying low and not showing himself?

"There are questions in the world we don't want the answers to."

Huh?

Lionel's expression turned extremely strange. It turned out Gerald liked going to those places.

Then, he decided to drop it and pretend he hadn't heard a word. Otherwise, he might get himself into unnecessary trouble.

Minutes came and went. Aiden realized he still couldn't defeat Felix with his attacks. The knowledge made him impatient. They were both Boneforging Realm martial artists, but there were gaps between different martial artists.

At the very least, Aiden wouldn't

claim he was the strongest fighter among all Boneforging Realm martial artists. Be that as it may, no ordinary martial artist was his match. It genuinely surprised him that Felix could effortlessly keep up With him.

"Is that all you got?" As fate would have it, Felix spoke up. His taunting tone infuriated Aiden beyond words. If he could spare the time to say something like this during the he fight, it only went to show how easy the whole thing was to him.

"At first, I thought it was just dumb luck that you could fend off my attacks. However, it would seem that

you are quite capable.

"Fine, it's time to end you."