Chapter 8: Hans Flamesmith, the Traitor
Leon reached the training ground in the clan. There were a few stages for duels and turning battles, then there was a space for target practice and finally there was a place with a few boulders placed.
"Lets check how much my strength has improved. Those strength measuring boulders should be able to tell me."
Leon walked up and pulled his arm back ready to punch. But stopped and turned as he heard a laugh.
"What are you doing? Do you want to break your hand, those stones are for beasts to measure their strength how could it measure your low level of power."
Leon didn't bother and punched. The stone lit up and showed number 10. It wasn't a big number but it told Leon that he was at the level of an adult mortal.
The fifteen year old kid and laughed. He walked up to the stone nearby and gave a quick punch. It showed the number 39.
"Leon, have you been practicing a body strengthening art, I guess that's the art a mortal can cultivate. That will probably be the only art you'll be able to ever cultivate. So sad that cultivators have there bodies naturally grow stronger without even putting in any effort."
The boy taunted Leon.
Leon didn't pay any attention end started walking away. "So my strength increased a lot. If I continue to gain with the rune I should be able to reach around 50 on the stone. If I want to go to the desert again I'll need to be able to crush a stone by a finger at least."
The boy was annoyed that Leon ignored him. He punched towards Leon. The punch wasn't particularly strong but enough to launch Leon away.
The boy was confident but before he could say anything the world started rising and his chin hit the floor as he felt someone sit on him.
The two kids next to him had their jaw drop. They saw Leon dodge the punch and move behind the kid. He used his foot to punch off balance and then used his body weight to push him to the ground as he landed on top of the kid.
The kid was surprised while Leon was about to get up the kid launched himself up trying to throw Leon off
However Leon used the force to hold himself up on the head of the kid with one hand while doing a handstand. The kid didn't see Leon and felt something heavy on his hand.
Before he could think Leon landed around his neck and tightened his hold on it. It took a few seconds and the kid collapsed as Leon landed off him.
As Leon walked away like nothing happened the two kids stared at the body and asked
"Did-d you kill him?"
Leon turned and looked at their horrified faces and almost laughed.
Leon could see that the boy was still breathing but thought there faces were hilarious.
He made his face looked solem as he looked at his hands. Like a murder contemplating the blood covering his hands he had deep fear fill his eyes. He then looked at the boys with absolute seriousness.
"I think I did..." Leon's face grew more horrified as if the crime was settling in.
The two kids faces filled with horror as they got up and ran while screening.
Leon laughed and walked away. As he was walking he saw Pace and Pace saw him.
"Leon come here! I have something to show you." Pace shouted.
Leon nodded and walked toward him. As he reached he saw Hans walk towards then as well.
"How are you two doing?" He said with a smile. If you didn't know his real personality you would think he was actually kind.
"Hans, What do you want?" Pace moved forward and stood in front of Leon. It looked like he was protecting Leon from Hans. Which he was doing.
Becuse of him winning and taking the young clan head position from Hans, Hans decided to get back at Pace. However he didn't have many targets to begin with.
If he got back at Pace, it would end badly as he himself was the young clan head, he would easily able to ruin his reputation. Pace didn't have siblings or many friends. So the only person he could really bully was Leon.
Obviously he wouldn't bully Leon himself. He had paid others to do it for him.
Leon's younger self couldn't tell Pace that he was bullied. Because pace would get angry and likely beat them up. If that happened Hans could use it to convince the other half the elders that didn't support him into removing pace from the young clan head position.
Other then that Hans had taunted Pace, and made fun of Leon many times. That was why Pace was so protective of Leon. At the moment he was still unaware of the things behind the scene. But he wasn't dumb enough to believe that nothing was happening. He had asked Leon many times and even had people spy on Leon and Hans. But they all were unsuccessful attempts in revealing the truth.
Leon didn't have all his memories from this life they were still sealed off so by something. So he deduced the situation quickly. And started acting his part. He hid behind Pace Bd watched what would happen next.
"Pace, aren't you being a little too defensive? I won't eat you or anything." Hans said with a laugh. "Just wanted to tell you my father was asking for you to come visit soon. He needs you for something."
Hans then walked away. As he did his smile was removed with an expression of disgust as he walked away.
Pace sighed and turned to Leon. "I was going to show you my new ability but let's leave it for later."
Leon nodded and watched Pace walk away. He then went back home as well. He didn't have anything better to do now. He had done most things he needed to do. He now just had to train for the next few days and then leave to find a place to awaken.
As Leon thought about the situation
"Not a single art focused on cultivating the body. Hopefully they'll have one in town."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone