Episode 85
There was a reason Zeke remembered the brothers, Al and Jeff.
“In my past life, those eccentric guys developed a cure for the Red Plague.”
As the Red Plague spread, claiming countless lives, the continent was thrown into chaos. While no one else could find a cure, it was none other than the brothers Al and Jeff who succeeded in developing one. Even more astonishing was that these quirky twins shared the formula for free, spreading it across the continent. Thanks to them, the plague was swiftly eradicated.
Zeke had also remembered the cure from his past life and taught it to Melissa Alencia.
He recalled the information he had heard about the brothers in his previous life.
“After the Red Plague cure, they received a lot of funding and developed many things, but being the eccentrics they were, most of it was useless.”
The brothers were so absorbed in their own interests that they ended up creating potions that were more like pranks than practical remedies. Potions that stopped hiccups instantly, eye drops that cleared away sleep crust, or a remedy for those who got stomachaches from drinking milk. They made hundreds of new potions, but only a handful were ever commercialized.
Zeke asked Feynan, “How skilled are those twins?”
“They’re a bit peculiar, but there’s no doubt they’re excellent alchemists.”
If Feynan, whom Zeke acknowledged for his skills, said so, then their alchemical prowess was genuine.
Zeke continued, “So, what are their demands?”
“They’ve requested various alchemical materials, but many seem unrelated to their current research. I’m not an alchemy expert, but I can tell when materials don’t match. There were quite a few unrelated ones.”
Knowing the brothers, they were likely using the new drug research as an excuse to create whatever they fancied.
“Do you have any idea what they’re trying to make?”
Feynan shook his head. “I couldn’t guess at all. So, I cut the budget for what seemed like unnecessary expensive materials, and they immediately went on strike.”
Zeke quickly grasped the situation.
“Provide Al and Jeff with the materials they requested.”
Feynan was taken aback. “Are you serious? That could cost a fortune.”
Zeke hesitated, then asked, “How much are we talking about?”
“Roughly around a hundred thousand gold…”
“A hundred thousand gold? What kind of materials are they asking for to reach that amount?”
“Various things. Like the droppings of a golden hawk from the northern ice mountains, the dung of a golden Komodo dragon from the swamps, and the excrement of a Kraken King from the deadly southern seas…”
Zeke’s expression twisted at Feynan’s words. “Why is it all… dung?”
After some thought, Zeke nodded. “Get whatever you can. But make sure they know they must complete the new drug using Soma.”
Feynan’s face brightened at Zeke’s approval. “Understood, Master.”
Nearby, Kay looked worried. “Are you sure it’s wise to invest a hundred thousand gold in those oddballs?”
“If they produce a proper new drug, a hundred thousand gold is worth it.”
Zeke clenched his fist with a crack. “If they don’t deliver, I’ll have to pay them a personal visit.”
Kay broke into a cold sweat, and Feynan gave an awkward smile.
“The quarterfinals of the Draker Martial Arts Tournament are about to begin!”
The grand stadium in Atlas was packed with spectators. At the front, banners of the sponsoring families supporting the participants were prominently displayed. Among them, the large banner of the Agamemnon family cheering for Zeke and the extravagant banner of the Graham family stood out the most. On the opposite side, the Siemens family’s allied families, along with a military band, were cheering for Edward.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, the participants made their entrance. Zeke and his companions, along with the other eight quarterfinalists, stepped into the arena and greeted the audience. Felix, who had initially refused to participate, was now the most enthusiastic, waving to the crowd.
Soon, Gareth appeared to announce the first match.
“Felix Valencia versus Morton Heros.”
Felix was startled to hear his name called first and glanced around nervously. Zeke gave him a firm pat on the back.
“Ouch! That hurts, Master.”
“Stop dawdling and get up there. If you lose, you’ll be doing closed-door training.”
Grumbling, Felix made his way to the arena. His opponent, Morton Heros, smirked at him. Morton was a retainer of the Siemens family, a prestigious name in the eastern region. Seeing Felix, an unfamiliar name, as his opponent, Morton felt confident.
“The quarterfinals are as good as mine.”
“Begin the match!”
With the referee’s signal, the tournament began. Morton approached Felix slowly, sword in hand, grinning as he swung at Felix.
Whoosh!
It was a clean slash, befitting a noble family. Felix deftly sidestepped, avoiding Morton’s sword. Morton chuckled.
“Not a complete pushover, I see.”
He adjusted his grip and charged at Felix.
“Haah!”
With a shout, Morton swung his sword with the intent to cut Felix in half. But Felix easily deflected Morton’s sword. Morton stepped back, a sly smile on his face.
“Just lucky, huh?”
Felix didn’t respond to the taunt, taking a step closer to Morton. Despite his usual lighthearted demeanor, there was an inexplicable aura of intimidation about Felix as he held his sword. Morton involuntarily flinched and retreated.
“What… what is this? Am I really intimidated by this guy…?”
In that moment, Felix surged forward, executing a vertical slash. It was a textbook-perfect strike.
“Gah!”
Morton barely managed to block Felix’s sword, his wrist aching from the impact. Felix continued his relentless assault, swinging his sword in all directions—vertical, horizontal, diagonal down, diagonal up. Though simple, the continuous barrage left Morton overwhelmed.
“Huff, huff.”
He panted, trying to steady himself. His hand trembled from the strain.
“Am I really struggling against this nobody…?”
Meanwhile, Felix took another half-step forward. Morton, feeling cornered, retreated further, eventually finding himself backed into a corner of the arena. Seeing Morton’s position, Felix raised his sword, his body bending like a bow as he launched himself forward, swinging his sword with force.
Whoosh!
Morton tried to block, but Felix’s strike sent him flying out of the arena.
“Felix Valencia wins!”
As the match concluded, Felix lowered his sword, returning to his usual expression.
“Whew, lucky he was weak. I almost had to do closed-door training.”
In truth, Morton Heros was no weak opponent. Felix, having trained among strong individuals alongside Zeke, hadn’t realized just how much he had improved.
The next match was between Reina and Liam, two rivals who had often competed for the top spot at the academy.
“Looking forward to it, Reina Draker,” Liam said.
Reina nodded in response. As the bell signaled the start, the two faced off, weapons in hand, neither making the first move. Having faced each other countless times at the academy, they were well aware of each other’s tactics. The audience watched the tense standoff in silence.
Finally, Liam broke the stalemate.
With a swift movement, he aimed for Reina’s legs. Reina leaped into the air, attempting to strike Liam’s back. But Liam’s long arms twisted at an odd angle, blocking her attack.
Clang!
The two separated, resuming their cautious dance. Without the use of aura, they relied solely on physical strength. Reina, with the unique strength and agility of the Turn family, and Liam, with his long reach and flexibility, were evenly matched.
This time, Reina took the initiative, attacking with the elasticity of her entire body, as Zeke had advised.
Whoosh!
Her strike was so sharp, it was hard to believe she wasn’t using aura. Liam retreated, quickly parrying her attack, then swung his long leg in a low kick.
Thud!
Caught off guard, Reina staggered from the unexpected kick. Liam seized the opportunity, closing in.
With a swift motion, he aimed to slash at her waist. At that moment…
In an instant, Reina’s eyes flashed, and her entire body surged with energy, pushing beyond her physical limits.
To Reina, it felt as if time had come to a standstill.
“What is this sensation?”
Liam’s sword seemed to approach her in slow motion.
Reina deftly dodged Liam’s blade, spun around, and slipped into his guard.
With a swift move, she hooked his leg and sent him tumbling to the ground.
Whoosh!
Time resumed its normal flow.
Liam lay on the floor, a bewildered expression on his face, unable to comprehend how he had fallen.
Reina felt a searing pain coursing through her muscles, as if they were screaming in protest.
Ignoring the pain, she steadied her breath and placed her sword at Liam’s throat.
“Reina Draker wins!”
Reina panted heavily, trying to calm her racing heart.
“I’ve found a new path.”
Her duel with Liam had become a stepping stone for her growth.
Watching from the sidelines, Zeke smirked.
“The Flash Technique. A genius is a genius, after all.”
In his past life, Reina had been known as the Knight of Flash, and Zeke could see her technique taking shape.
Just then, Felix turned to Zeke and said, “Master, since Liam lost, it’s time for him to train in seclusion, right?”
Without a word, Zeke gave Felix a light smack on the back and slowly made his way to the arena.
It was his turn next.
“Zeke Draker, Edward Siemens!”
Zeke eyed the spear Edward Siemens brought into the arena.
“Ha, this guy. He brought a magic spear.”
Edward had slyly brought a magically enhanced spear, despite the rule against using aura.
Zeke, who could sense mana, the source of both aura and magic, immediately recognized the enchantment on the spear.
Edward smirked at Zeke. “Remember this well. Strategy ultimately overpowers brute strength.”
Edward’s attempt to justify his underhanded tactics was laughable.
Without a word, Zeke raised his sword, Bahamut.
The gong sounded, signaling the start of the match.
With a battle cry, Edward charged at Zeke, spear in hand.
“Haaah!”
The spear, enhanced with haste and strength magic, moved with a speed and force comparable to aura.
But Zeke, unfazed, swung Bahamut at the incoming spear.
Slice!
“What?”
In a single stroke, the spear’s blade was cleanly severed.
Edward stood there, dumbfounded, unable to grasp what had just happened.
In the next moment, Zeke swung his sword at him.
Whoosh!
Edward tried to block with the remaining shaft of his spear.
But Zeke’s sword was faster.
Instead of the blade, Zeke struck Edward with the flat of his sword.
“Squawk!”
Edward let out a strange noise as he was hit squarely on the back and collapsed.
The audience gaped in astonishment at Edward, who had been knocked out cold by a single blow from Zeke.
The referee, finally regaining his composure, shouted, “Z-Zeke Draker wins!”
Medics rushed in to carry off Edward Siemens, who was foaming at the mouth.
Edward’s carefully laid plans had crumbled before he could even execute them.
Zeke sheathed Bahamut and calmly descended from the arena.
“Wowww!”
“Zeke! Zeke!”
The arena erupted in cheers.