《Cosmic Land》


 Chapter 1: The Victor House

    It''s a pretty pleasant day amid the chaos outside the forest. The leaves were rustling, and the animals were playing in harmony.


    In the middle of the forest, a boy plays around the forest. He leaped from one tree onto another, following an escaping boar.


    His purple eyes were akin to a predator, coldly staring at his prey.


    When the boar was cornered to a cliff surrounded by dense trees, the boy took this chance and smirked.


    [Aurora Frost]!


    A large gust of cold wind began heading towards the boar. As the cold air passes through, it freezes everything on its way.


    Thus, when the wind struck the boar, it instantly got frozen.


    The boy took the dagger from its sheath in the boy''s waist and prepared his stance.


    [Eternal Sword Burst Style: First Burst: Astute!]


    The boy moved at an insane speed, leaving an afterimage behind. The air around the boy splits and pierces through anything in the way, killing the boar in the process.


    ''Ugh. My sword style is still not enough! I could now pierce a target and damage everything in the way of my sword art, but the range is still short!'' The boy frowned, disappointed from his slow progress.


    ''Well, at least father would compliment me by hunting a wild boar myself, right?'' The boy silently chuckles as he nullifies the ice in the area.


    ''Though, I am now proficient at using my ice. For these past years, father considered me as a genius!'' The boy proudly laughed as he took the boar''s corpse and rushed back to the mansion.


    The boy heads to the west, where a medieval-style mansion with traces of modern-style design.


    When he arrived there, he was greeted by his butler, Kaye, "Good morning, young master." Kaye politely bowed his head as he gently smiled.


    "Good morning, Kaye! Did father come back?" The boy excitedly asked, expecting his father would arrive since he left for an S-rank mission.


    His father is a [Cosmic Master], a profession respected by the people. They come into various fields: bounty hunter, guild wizards, and rogue masters.


    Bounty hunters hunt monsters for money. They even assassinate a target for an insane amount of money.


    Guild Wizards are the Cosmic Masters that join a guild and take a task for a reward. But the money they gained for each mission was only 50-90% lower than the bounty hunters.


    Lastly, the Rogue Masters tend to explore more than stay in one place. They take commission rather than missions and bounty.


    The boy''s father is a guild member of the [Ode of Resurrection]. It''s the 2nd strongest guild in entire America.


    Last month, his father took a mission on exterminating a level 75 evolved mutant in Texas. And now, they got the notice that he would come back anytime soon.


    "Yes, master Zelios already arrived, young master." Kaye chuckles.


    The boy''s eyes widened in joy, and he quickly ran inside the mansion.


    The boy was greeted by the cleaning maids. He only nodded in response and rushed towards the living room, where he believed that his father was resting.


    When he arrived in front of the living room''s door, the boy excitedly opened it, earning a loud bang, and alerting the people in the room. Subconsciously, he left the boar''s corpse at the entrance.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Dad! You''re also here, mom!" The boy jumped into a man in his 20s.


    "Locke! Haha! I missed you!" Zelios laughed as he tightly embraced his precious son.


    "Where''s my hug, Locke?" A woman named Selene sulks.


    "Here, mom!" Locke pulled himself from his father''s arms and jumped onto his mother.


    "How are you, honey?" Selene gently patted her son''s hair.


    "I''m alright, mom! I hunted a wild boar today!" Locke looked proud and softly chuckled, pressing his head in his mother''s chest.


    "You already hunted a boar?!" Selene accidentally raised her voice in disbelief. Most kids could only hunt a bunny or fish, but their seven-year-old son hunter a wild boar!


    His father stared outside the opened door and saw a dead boar lying on the ground. He turned his head towards his son and enthusiastically laughed, "There''s a hint of cuts in his body! How could you kill an agile wild boar, son?"


    "I used my [Cosmic Ability: Snowfall] and used my skill [Aurora Frost] to freeze the boar! I also used the dagger arts you taught me, dad!" Locke only told a half-truth. Indeed, he used his cosmic ability to freeze the boar, but the decisive kill wasn''t due to the dagger arts he learned from his father.


    The art is called [Eternal Sword Bust Technique], a short-ranged technique suitable for daggers, swords, and gauntlet-type weapons.


    It''s a technique he learned from his previous life.


    Locke was reincarnated, living for the second time alongside his skills and knowledge.


    He could still remember every skill and knowledge he had from his former world, but he couldn''t remember how he died.


    "Is that so?! You''re really our son! Haha! You got my talent in blades while you got your mother''s talent for control!" Zelios proudly laughed as he gently stroked Locke''s back.


    "Well then! What reward do you want?" Selene whispered, spoiling her precious son.


    "Hm. go outside the forest!" Zelios and Selene froze in place, surprised by their son''s response. They understand the reason, though.


    Ever since Locke was born, he never left the mansion or the forest. The forest became his backyard. He never had the chance to meet any kid the same age. So, it''s totally normal for Locke to travel outside the forest.


    Zelios and Selene looked at each other and sighed. They knew that they couldn''t keep Locke away from society forever.


    The society outside the forest is unsafe for a pure kid like him, so Zelios and Selene were keeping him pure.


    On top of that, Selene doesn''t want to expose her son to the clan. Many people will take advantage of Locke''s pureness if she discloses her son''s identity as the seventh young master of the Elfiau Clan.


    "Alright, little devil. We''ll let you go outside the forest. If you want to go again, remember that you''ll leave the forest every once a week, alright?" Zelios reminded. Zelios also doesn''t want exposure for his son. But he is aware that sooner or later, Locke would choose the path of being a Cosmic Master. It''s every guy''s dream, after all.


    "Really?! Yey! Can I meet my grandmother and grandfather there?" Locke excitedly jumped and stared at his parents with an excited expression.


    Selene''s father, the patriarch, and Zelios'' mother knew Locke''s existence. They supported them to hide Locke from the public, but they would still tell everyone that there''s a seventh young master.


    Locke loved his grandfather more than his grandmother. The patriarch took care of Locke whenever Zelios or Selene was away. Meanwhile, Locke also loved his grandmother for spoiling him with his favorite foods!


    "Of course! You would also probably meet your nephews! He is also like you, a young master of our clan~" Selene responded with a smile.


    Selene might look happy, but she is worried about how the other young masters look at Locke, who never communicated with them ever since his birth.


    She wasn''t worried about the first, second, fourth, fifth, eighth, and ninth young masters. They would be either always busy, training, or they are too kind.


    She is worried about the rebellious third young master and the arrogant sixth young master.


    "Is that so?! When can we go?!" Locke excitedly asked.


    Zelios and Selene looked at each other and chuckled, "We could go now~!" Zelios said as he gently stroked Locke''s white hair.


    "Really?!" Zelios nodded in confirmation, making Locke jump in excitement.


    Locke immediately rushed out of the room as he said, "Then, I''ll go change my clothes!"


    Zelios and Selene laughed at Locke''s actions and continued talking about what they were talking about earlier.


    Meanwhile, Locke is genuinely happy about the reward for taking down a wild boar. He felt like a bird in a birdcage, unable to become free.


    He also wants to see how this world properly works. His parents always told him that he was a genius, but he still doesn''t know the definition of a ''genius'' in this world.


    "I wonder if I could fight someone there!" Instead of becoming nervous, he is enthusiastic about meeting new people in the clan.


    ''I''m always fighting monsters alone and training with Kaye, a stage 5 Cosmic Master. I want to fight someone else!'' Locke removed his top and wore light blue-colored clothes and pants with a Victor family crest in them.


    "Let''s go!" Locke excitedly asked as he dragged his mother with him out of the mansion. Zelios and Kaye followed them with a gentle expression and observed Locke''s actions.


    They always thought that Locke was odd since he was so intelligent and mature at his age. But seeing his excited reaction, they shrugged those suspicion and continued supporting Locke.


    Locke immediately jumped into the wagon and sat with a broad smile. Selene sat next to him, and Zelios sat on the other side. Kaye sat in the wagon''s front and began traveling.

 Chapter 2: The Strauss City

    After an hour of traveling and conversing, the four of them, Kaye, Zelios, Selene, and Locke, arrived at Strauss City.


    Locke stared at the modernized world in awe. He didn''t expect that the world he lived in was different from the martial arts world he once lived in. The world where he was one of the greatest martial artists.


    Locke was once a martial emperor who stood at the pinnacle of the martial arts world. But unfortunately, the world wasn''t ready to accept him to reach godhood, so his cultivation killed him.


    Locke noticed a commotion nearby, "What is happening there, dad?"


    "Hm?" Zelios stared at where Locke pointed and recalled an important event, "That''s where the competition is being held. The event was a friendly battle between two clans. Everyone can join and show off their skills and abilities to government officials." Zelios continued as he solemnly smiled, reminiscing from the past.


    "It was held every year, and the last person who stood above all would receive a generous award!" Selene chuckled as she remembered a funny memory.


    "Hm? What kind of rewards?!" Locke''s curiosity was piqued! He might be a kid, but he is thirsty for generous rewards!


    "Well, every decade, a participant could receive a spirit seed! It is a seed that could enhance one''s elemental affinity! Sometimes, the rewards were also spirit-grade artifacts, which everyone is dying for!" Zelios smirked.


    Spirit seed is an item for everyone to become stronger. Spirit seeds come into various elements, and it could enhance that affinity to a different level.


    Elemental affinities could tell what elements a person could use. Most of the time, a person has 2 or 3 elemental affinities.


    Locke had an affinity for all elements: fire, water, wind, earth, plant, lightning, dark, light, lightning, poison, ice, metal, space, time, and other more. So, he can use any element, and any spirit seeds could significantly increase his strength!


    ''I already know how valuable the seeds were. My mother''s [Snowflake Seed] increased her affinity. It also changed her ice''s property. The average ice-related skills had a light-blue color, but her ice turned darker blue after absorbing the seed.'' Locke inwardly thought.


    "As I''ve heard, the reward for this year is a rare spirit weapon, right?" Selene asked in a questioning tone. It''s already been more than 2 decades since the last time they participated in such an event. Somehow, they missed those times of struggle.


    "Since most of the participants were 12 years old, a rare spirit weapon is enough for them to be fired up. When you turn 12, it should be the end of the decade, right? Then you''re fortunate if you win since the reward would be standard to a sky-grade spirit seed!" Zelios enthusiastically said to Locke, whose eyes shone brightly.


    Locke hoped that the reward for the end of the decade would be a sky-grade spirit seed!


    Every item has the same grades. Even if they were pills, skill books, martial arts, or weapons, their qualities were still the same.


    The grades were ranked: standard, rare, mortal, sky, heaven, immortal, and legendary.


    A single sky-grade spirit seed could increase anyone''s elemental affinity by five folds! With that thought in mind, Locke began more excited. He can''t wait to hit his adolescence!


    Locke looked out the window and amusingly watched the people in the city.


    Along the way, Zelios explained the other occupations related to the Cosmic Masters.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Locke listened carefully and widened in eyes. He didn''t expect that there are occupations that use their cosmic abilities.


    He wanted to ask more, but unfortunately, they arrived at the clan residence, where the clan members of the Elfiau Clan reside.


    The residential area is undoubtedly covered in loud crowds.


    "Locke, we''re going to meet your grandfather first. Can you stay here in the meantime?" Zelios gently asked as they hid their faces with the cloak they brought.


    "Sure, dad!" Locke enthusiastically replied. He watched his parents enter the hall area and began inspecting his surroundings. Locke observed the people while examining the food. He began deducing how they work. He''s learning many things, making him a curious kid in front of the shopkeepers, who immediately got immersed in his cuteness.


    He saw several potions and pills. These objects look similar, but he could feel cosmic energy rather than qi energy from his former world.


    ''So there''s still alchemy, huh? I could do alchemy, smithery, and enchantment--but is the process different?'' Locke said as he subconsciously stared at the stall nearby. There''s a lot of food in the shop, so he rushed there and bumped into a young man. The young man has purple hair and red eyes, making him scary to look at.


    "Hm? A kid? Where''s your mom and dad?" The young man indifferently asked. Locke strangely felt a familiarity with him.


    "M-my mom and dad left to talk with my grandparents." Locke wasn''t scared of the stranger in front of him. He''s just hesitant to talk to him.


    "Who''s your grandparents?" The young man asked. He noticed that Locke''s face was new to him. He hadn''t seen him in the residential area for over a decade, so he was sure.


    "Hm? Why do you ask?" Locke innocently asked.


    The young man''s heart melted as he looked at Locke''s precious innocent-looking face. He replied, "I just want to know since I might know them..."


    Locke didn''t feel any malicious intent coming from him. Then he politely replied, "I''m sorry, but mom and dad said that I should not just trust any strangers..."


    "They taught you well. But you can trust me!" The young man gently smiled.


    Before Locke could respond, two voices rang.


    "Locke! I told you not to leave at that spot!" Selene worriedly scolded. They were focused on Locke that they even forgot the third party''s presence beside them.


    "I''m sorry, mom..." Locke hangs his head down, feeling bad for disobeying them.


    "Uncle Zel, aunt Selene?" The young man muttered as he stared at Locke with his mouth opened agape after hearing the word "mom" and "dad" coming from him.


    "Hm? Tyler? It''s been a long time!" Zelios widened his arms, offering the young man, Tyler, to hug him.


    Zelios embraced him and pulled him away in a few seconds. Zelios turned to Locke and introduced, "Locke, this is Tyler Hugh. The Victor''s third young master!"


    Selene began worrying since Tyler was a rebellious kid. He always fights with his other nephews or siblings and disobeys the clan elders.


    "Uncle--he called you dad earlier. Is he--?!" Tyler was struck by a realization.


    "Yes. This talented kid is my son, Locke Victor, the seventh young master!" Zelios proudly introduces. Tyler was speechless as he stared at Locke in disbelief.


    Tyler snapped out of his thought and gently patted Locke''s head. "Nice to meet you, Locke. You can call me a big brother or brother Tyler, alright?" Tyler gently smiled, surprising the couple behind him.


    ''Is he really the rebellious kid I know? He is soft!'' The two of them thought.


    "Okay, big brother!" Locke broadly smiled, melting his heart for the second time.


    "Anyways, where did you run off to again??" Zelios asked since it was peculiar for Tyler to leave their home near the hall area.


    Tyler hesitatingly replied with a questioning tone, "I met with one of my classmates, and we hanged out for a bit?"


    Zelios helplessly sighed and said, "Do you know that the patriarch was about to give up on you? You are talented, but you neglect your responsibilities as a young master! Fortunately, your first and second brother begged for reconsideration..."


    Tyler looked down, making Locke frown a bit. ''Are you seriously going to talk about this stuff in front of me, a kid?''


    "I''m sorry, uncle. You must''ve understood my stand too. I won''t give up my own dream for the responsibility I haven''t sworn upon into!" Tyler said with determination.


    "Mom, dad--what''s the responsibility of a young master?" Locke curiously asked.


    Zelios, Selene, and Tyler subconsciously stared at Locke, forgetting that they were discussing an important thing in front of a child.


    "Locke, the responsibility of the young masters will be introduced to you when you turn 10. For now, you must train your abilities more!" Zelios replied with a big smile on his face.


    Tyler looked at Locke with an awkward smile, weakening his heart after staring at the curious Locke.


    "Let''s go to the hall! Let''s introduce you to the young masters and elders!" Zelios immediately turned around. "The patriarch already gathered the elders and young masters. We must not make them wait!"


    Locke happily nods as he begins following his father with his mother. Tyler joined them since he was also visiting his and Locke''s nephew, the first young master.


    Their group began heading to a medieval-style castle, where the general clan assembly was held. The hall, the awakening site, the training ground, the young master''s private room, and the ballroom were in this single castle.


    Locke saw that two people were sparring. One of them has blue hair, holding a sword, using a water-related cosmic ability. The other has green hair, holding a dagger. He also uses a wind-related cosmic ability. He immediately noticed that the two of them weren''t holding back their attacks.

 Chapter 3: The Ice Prince

    Zelios, Selene, and Tyler also noticed the duel of two young men. They immediately recognized them through their hair color.


    The blue-haired kid is Fritz, the first young master. He is a skilled cosmic swordmaster with a water-related cosmic ability called [Oceanid]. It allows him to control anything related to water.


    The green-haired kid is Gerald, the second young master. He is also a talented cosmic master with a wind-related cosmic dagger ability called [Agile]. He controls the air around him to enhance his speed.


    With their specialization of weapons, Fritz pursued the path of a swordmaster while Gerald decided to become an assassin.


    They continued watching the two of them, still in their battle.


    Fritz retreated a few meters back from Gerald to prepare a stance. He gathered water molecules in the air and instantly released them.


    [Geyser]!


    Gerald noticed the attack and saw how fast the attack was. He quickly used his cosmic ability and disappeared from his spot.


    [Cloud Sneak Attack]!


    Gerald appeared behind Fritz and attacked him. But unfortunately, Fritz already made some preparation in sneak attacks, where Gerald specializes.


    [Softening Armor]!


    Gerald noticed that his attack bounced like it struck a dense and buoyant object.


    ''Their execution of cosmic abilities was amazing! They are so fast! On top of that, Fritz could probably control the water molecules in the air, which is already an imaginable achievement! He can also manipulate its property!'' Locke excitedly continued watching, observing how they fought.


    Gerald landed on the ground and began having a blade battle with Fritz. They skillfully used their cosmic ability during the combat, satisfying Locke with their talents in the fight.


    But when the battle continued heating up, Gerald destroyed Fritz''s foothold. This caused a series of events, misguiding his [Geyser] towards Locke''s location, subconsciously adding more energy to the attack, and making it faster than the attack earlier.


    Tyler saw how fast the attack was. It''s like an attack that he can''t dodge. But Selene and Zelios saw it coming at an insane speed, but their body wasn''t fast enough to use their skills. Their mind, soul, body, and cosmic energy were still exhausted! Even after resting for two or three hours, their body is still tired after accomplishing the S-rank mission!


    On the other hand, Gerald and Zelios widened their eyes as the attack was about to hit Locke.


    But suddenly, the air temperature dropped. Everyone noticed the attack freeze in place in front of the kid. They subconsciously stared at the kid while raising his hand, facing his palm towards the [Geyser].


    [Instant Freeze]


    Locke was calm even after that fast attack. If he were a kid without his former life skills and knowledge, he would get hit by that attack. But since he wasn''t, he saw the attack coming, and his reflex was enough to react.


    Locke used [Instant Freeze], one of his cosmic skills from his cosmic ability: [Snowfall]. His cosmic power grants him the ability to turn anything into ice, create ice, and manipulate ice.


    So he used the advantage of turning the air into a cold breeze, freezing the water, and manipulating its temperature to be chillier.


    Everyone who witnessed Locke opened their mouths in agape. Locke immediately noticed it and turned his head to his mom with pitiful eyes. Locke''s eyes teared up, and he immediately hugged his mother. Locke doesn''t want anyone to know that he''s that confidently good at controlling his cosmic ability at such a young age. Selene wrapped her hands around Locke to calm him down with a worried expression on her face.


    Locke''s parents only know that he could turn air into a cold breeze and freeze something. But it broke their expectation, and they couldn''t believe that he could use his ability to such an extent.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Locke immediately decided to act scared to prevent anyone from knowing that he was confident earlier. He behaved like that to let them think that it only happened at the spur of the moment.


    Fritz and Gerald snapped out of their thought as they saw Locke sobbing. Fritz immediately bowed. "I-I''m sorry. I lost control at the moment..."


    Zelios was slightly pissed at Fritz because of the accident, but he kept his cool. He coldly said, "You''re lucky that my son managed to freeze and stop that attack. If he got hit by that, you''re dead meat to me..."


    Fritz gulped in a tense but snapped out of it after hearing the word "son."


    "Son?" Gerald also noticed what Zelios had said and stared at Locke in awe.


    "What''s happening here? I sensed a wide-ranged cosmic ability nearby and thought someone might''ve attacked!" An old man with blue hair asked. Several elders appeared behind him, as well as some guests and friends. Locke immediately noticed the old man and rushed to him.


    "Grandpa!" Locke rushed to the man while sobbing.


    "Oh! What''s the problem, Locke?! Who made him cry?!" The old man coldly asked, confusing everyone around them. Fritz and Gerald trembled after hearing the angry tone of the old man.


    The elders behind him, except for an old woman with ponytailed silver hair, immediately asked the old man hugging Locke, "Who was that, patriarch?"


    "He''s my grandson, can''t you see? Now, who the hell made my precious boy cry?!" The patriarch was still pissed. Fritz and Gerald''s face was filled with cold sweat, doesn''t want to invoke an angry patriarch.


    "Calm down, Shiatsu. Locke was also scared of your yelling..." The silver-haired elder said.


    The patriarch immediately looked down at Locke, slightly trembling. "Oh. I''m sorry, Locke..."


    "Selene, what happened?" The patriarch, Shiatsu, asked her daughter.


    "Well, forget about what happened, father. Fritz and Gerald were training earlier. When the battle heated up, Fritz suddenly lost control due to losing his balance. So, the attack that was supposed to be for Gerald headed to Locke..." Selene calmly says before his father erupts like a volcano.


    "Then what? It''s the reason why Locke cried, but I don''t see any injury around him. There''s also a large block of ice nearby. Did you stop it on time?" Shiatsu nodded in understanding.


    "No, we couldn''t move fast enough to block the water with our cosmic ability because we are still recovering. So when the attack was about to hit Locke, he subconsciously released his cosmic ability, instantly freezing the skill..." Selene explained with a hint of proud tone to it.


    Shiatsu and the silver-haired elder widened their eyes. The elders, guests, friends, and the other young masters in the area opened their mouths in disbelief.


    "Haha! Since Locke managed to freeze your attack, he didn''t get injured. I won''t punish you, Fritz. But if something like this happened again--I would punish you immediately, alright?" Shiatsu threatened Fritz as he lifted Locke, who kept sniffing, and tightly embraced him.


    "So, who exactly is this kid?" An elder asked.


    Shiatsu proudly introduces his grandson with a smug expression, "Locke Victor, the seventh young master of Elfiau Clan. My talented grandson who immediately learned the footwork I showed him before..."


    Fritz and Gerald froze on the spot after their patriarch claimed that Locke learned the patriarch''s footwork technique, which they still struggle to do so.


    The elders were too shocked that they couldn''t react to the little kid''s ability anymore.


    "So the reason why you called us here..." A guest muttered, connecting the dots of the events occurring.


    "Yes! It''s to officially introduce Locke to the public!" Shiatsu proudly laughed, making everyone in the hall sigh at the shamelessly laughing patriarch, who lost his persona because of Locke.


    The long and exhausting day continued. Locke introduced himself to everybody, surprising them how well he formally talks to everybody. Then, everybody introduced themselves.


    In the clan, there are 12 elders to which his grandmother, Elfiosa, belonged. There are also eight other young masters: Fritz, Gerald, Tyler, Zephir, Alfred, Brian, and Charles. There''s also the unofficial young master, Kaede, who is still 5 years old.


    Fritz is the first, followed by Gerald, Tyler, Zephir, Alfred, Brian, Locke, Charles. and Kaede, a total of 9 young masters.


    Then, the clan''s business partners, friends, and acquaintances also introduced themselves.


    Locke subconsciously imprinted them with his behaved nature, gentle smile, and naive thinking, constantly melting their heart in bliss.


    "If Locke is so talented, I wonder what soul form he has! His soul form must be related to ice, right?" An elder enthusiastically asked.


    "We still don''t know yet, Elder Yvalin. Locke has two cosmic abilities. One of them controls nature while the other completely control ice. If our guts were correct, Locke should have a twin soul form--a nature and ice-related one..." Zelios gently smiled.


    Soul Form is unique to every cosmic master. Their cosmic ability and talent were related to their soul form.


    Most people awaken their soul form at the age of 10-12, and when it awakens, it can recognize their talent for various things.


    If the light emitted by the soul form is bright, they''re talented. It was called [Streak].


    Affinity and aptitude would also be measured through the beam coming out of a person''s body. It would be covered by colored rings, representing their affinity based on their colors, and their thickness was how talented they were in that respective element.


    Soul Form is the foundation of the cosmic masters. They strengthen their soul form and raise their ranks to reach their apotheosis.


    "Well, let''s wait for him to turn 10! For now, let''s celebrate the arrival of the seventh young master! Our ice prince!" Shiatsu raised his cup, cheering and offering them a cup of celebration.


    "For our ice prince!" Everyone smiled and drank their drinks.

 Chapter 4: The Monstrous Talent

    After the gathering, an elder suggested letting them see how talented he was. They already know that he produced such large-ranged cosmic ability at such a young age.


    But it only happened in the spur of the moment, so they weren''t much convinced even if his parents, the patriarch, and an elder supported each other''s claim.


    The elder suggests such a thing because of how the sixth young master coldly stared at Locke, who suddenly appeared before them.


    Most elders and young masters agreed, and the guests thought it was such a great idea.


    Locke agreed and began deciding how Locke could prove his talent. Meanwhile, the sixth young master, Brian, an eight-year-old Elfiau young master, suggested a duel between them.


    The elders thought it wouldn''t be a big deal if they would fight each other since they only have a one-year age gap.


    Locke didn''t complain and immediately agreed. He saw the smirk on Brian''s face but shrugged him off since he already knew he was planning something. For Locke, it''s not a big deal since he''s more powerful than him, and he''s confident in his ability.


    It''s not arrogance. It''s trust and confidence in himself.


    His confidence was supported by his combat knowledge from his former life. Locke, who stood on top of everyone, was once undefeatable! Why would he lose to an 8-year-old arrogant kid? The kid has a weak foundation and control over his cosmic ability. On top of that, he has no combat knowledge at all! Locke already knows because of how he walks and moves! Every time he moves, there are so much unnecessary movements, showing that he didn''t master <u>any</u> technique yet!


    ''Hmph, let''s see how far your arrogance brought you, you brat?'' Locke inwardly sneered as he kept an innocent smile on his face, unbeknownst to everyone that he''s already plotting something against the sixth young master.


    ''Though, I wonder who was the one who made him arrogant?'' Locke inwardly chuckled, observing the face of an elder, smirking under his mask. Locke saw the elder''s smirk under his smirk through his technique [Truth-Seeking Eyes], a technique that grants him the ability to see through everywhere.


    Locke coldly thought, ''I found you. The corruption of the clan~...''


    Locke and Brian began heading towards the training grounds, where many people were sparring. They noticed the elders and patriarch coming, so they immediately stopped. They were already used to giving the training ground to the young masters, elders, and patriarchs.


    Before letting Locke enter the training ground, Zelios pulled him and whispered, "Showcase your talent, Locke. If you have proven yourself, many people will respect you. You''ll also gain more benefit!"


    ''He''s really a benefit-grubber...'' Locke inwardly frowned helplessly. He only smiled at his father and nodded as he held the grip of his dagger in his sheath.


    The patriarch then said, "How about let''s begin? Locke, Brian, go to your positions!"


    "Yes!" Locke and Brian immediately went to the middle of the grounds. The people who stopped sparring sat down at the side of the training ground and curiously observed the two young masters.


    Frankly, many people don''t like Brian! Even the patriarch hates him due to his arrogant nature, which bought them misfortune several times.


    He''s only 8 years old, but he''s already annoying and arrogant!


    If he''s not only the son of the patriarch''s second son, he should''ve been banished from the clan at 7!


    ''Beat his arrogant face!'' Most people thought, secretly cheering the kid fighting against Brian. They were still unaware that he was the seventh young master. Even if they knew, they would still cheer him.


    "Now, let the duel between Brian Gaius, the earth prince, and Locke Victor, the ice prince, begins!" The patriarch announced, surprising the crowd with the unknown kid''s identity.


    As expected, Brian, the arrogant one, decided to move and rushed towards Locke, smiling at him innocently. Locke''s innocent smile pisses Brian off. He tightly held the sword in his hand and slashed Locke.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Locke easily dodged it with a single step backward and inwardly scoffed, ''He doesn''t even have a proper technique. Oh no, even if the basic knowledge of holding a sword is too sloppy...''


    Locke unsheathed his dual daggers from his sheathe and attacked his sword, changing the sword''s trajectory, losing Brian''s balance. When he fell out of balance, he looked miserable. The crowd snickers, humiliating Brian.


    Brian hatefully gazed at Locke and used his cosmic ability.


    [Earth Hand]!


    A large hand appeared from the ground, grabbing Locke''s feet.


    Locke frowned at how fragile the earth he could create. He could feel that he could break it anytime, so he shook his feet and casually removed the ''dirt.'' Locke frowned at how dirty his pants were now.


    Seeing how Locke acts and destroys Brian''s technique, Brian get pissed more. Brian''s veins popped out of his temple and dashed at Locke, positioning his arm to a piercing stance.


    Locke was too disappointed. He could easily dodge pierces, notably if it was executed by a kid! ''This kid is really arrogant. He''s only powerful in words and attitude but weak at everything...''


    [Phantom Footwork Technique]


    Locke stepped and dodged the attack, leaving an afterimage behind, surprising everyone.


    The young masters opened their mouths agape, thinking the same thing, ''That''s the patriarch''s footwork technique!''


    The [Phantom Footwork Technique] imitates the movement of phantoms or ghosts, leaving an afterimage behind while moving fast. It''s an excessively complex technique since it''s imitating a monster! The monster''s movement and attacks were the hardest things to learn!


    Locke appeared behind Brian and opened his palm.


    [Aurora Frost]!


    The wind turned cold, instantly freezing everything ahead of his palm. Locke was merciless! He instantly froze Brian.


    Everyone was stunned and amazed by Locke''s performance. Even some 12-year-old cosmic master-in-training can''t defeat Brian, yet a kid younger than him overpowered him! The people felt a vast gap between Locke''s talent between theirs!


    ''It''s not that Brian is weak. He''s considerably fast, but he was focused on adding momentum. That''s why his strikes must be heavy. But Locke is faster, he could easily dodge his attack...'' The patriarch grinned.


    "Locke, unfreeze him. I announce that Locke victor is the triumph!" The patriarch announced. Locke vigorously and innocently nodded.


    Locke obediently placed his palm on the ice and melted it. He doesn''t necessarily need to have a fire-related ability to melt it. He only needed to increase the ice''s temperature, letting nature melt the ice.


    When the ice melted, Brian heavily panted. He hatefully stared at Locke, who turned around and slowly walked back to his parents.


    Brian couldn''t accept his loss. He felt that Locke cheated because he froze him! He feels that his loss wasn''t acceptable since he couldn''t even attack back!


    It''s an unreasonable belief.


    Brian secretly touched the ground and sneakily used his cosmic ability. ''Take my strongest skill!''


    [Quicksand]!


    Locke instantly noticed the changes in the ground while the young masters, elders, and the patriarch saw Brian''s action!


    "Stop this in an instant, Brian!" The patriarch was angered!


    Locke heard the patriarch and immediately understood what was happening.


    [Instant Freeze]!


    Locke froze the entire ground, freezing Brian''s feet and hand on the process. Since his feet were stuck in the ice, he raised his daggers and slashed the ice around his feet.


    [Mad Dagger Technique: Cutting Reinforcement]


    It''s a technique cutting everything around his body, protecting the user from getting hit or stuck. It''s a perfect technique for getting stuck in ice.


    Locke turned around and coldly stared at Brian, getting more annoyed. He wanted to attack back. But since his arms and legs were already frozen, the patriarch would do the rest.


    He regained his composure to smile innocently and turned his head at a specific elder, looking frustrated.


    ''Hm. The elder should''ve done something for Brian to get humiliated at his loss. Why? He''s just an elder...'' Locke was suspicious but kept a straight smile, heading back to his family.


    Brian wanted to move, but he couldn''t move due to the restrictions on his arms and legs. He shouted at Locke, "Fight me directly! You''re just an asshole that wanted to become the heir! You won''t become the heir! Your mother and father are weak, and so are you!"


    Locke stopped walking. Everyone was surprised by Brian''s arrogant claim.


    Everyone knows how prestigious the Victor family was!


    The Victor family was the mightiest family due to their ice abilities. Even if the ones who provoked them were their relatives, they wouldn''t hesitate to destroy the provocateurs. That''s how the Victor family acts.


    Locke also knew that very well. He coldly stared at Brian, giving him a killing intent.


    "Boo! You''re just the son of the weakest family, and you dare provoke the strongest?" Tyler shouts, making the crowd snickered.


    Everyone is surprised since it was rare for Tyler to support someone, but that wasn''t their focus in this situation.


    The patriarch, Shiatsu, immediately thought, ''Knowing my son-in-law''s personality, he should''ve told my grandson to destroy someone provoking their family. Well, it''s not that I''m going to stop Locke from destroying that brat. He''s unimportant, and their family was already isolated from the clan. Their family was fortunate enough that I allowed their son to be a young master. They knew they were walking on thin ice due to their betrayal during the second world war. Now that their arrogant young master provoked the Victor family below the belt, their Gaius family might now disappear from its existence.


    Though, I''m worried about how angry Locke was. He might lose control...''


    Brian trembled as he stared at Locke''s intimidating dull gaze.


    ''I-I''m dead...'' The elder watching behind watched, frightened to the possible consequence of the sixth young master''s provocation.

 Chapter 5: The Clan Affairs

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    ''The first, second, fourth, and fifth were the only ones here. There are also no elders besides the grandmother. I wonder what''s going on?'' Locke confusingly sat beside Alfred, the fifth son, a genius at using his wood-related cosmic ability. He''s three years older than Locke.