Capítulo 45: Endless Talent
"Hah…"
Alberad reflexively covered his mouth with his hand, but he couldn't hide his wide-open mouth.
'What's this now?'
The duel between Ashoka and Ahmed was something he had originally planned.
He expected that Ahmed or other noble children would object when Ashoka took first place, which would be solved with their duel.
Alberad wanted to teach the overconfident Ahmed a lesson, and display Ashoka's excellence to everyone.
However, Ashoka had changed everything.
In fact, the outline was the same, but the details were too shocking.
Instead of using his strength, agility, and skill to defeat Ahmed, he sent him flying using the essence of the revolving Tiger palm.
'This doesn't make any sense…'
Despite not using any aura, Ahmed's revolving Tiger palm was by no means weak, thanks to his talent.
However, Ashoka saw through the flow of Ahmed's fist and reversed its flow right back at him.
If a drunkard claimed a child that had never learned martial arts was capable of such a thing, he would've been slapped across the face for spouting such nonsense.
"Hmm…"
Alberad swallowed and looked around. Just like him, everyone around them was shocked as they stared blankly at them.
'Even the emperor is surprised.'
Bindusara Maurya, who had been as expressionless as a statue, was now frowning in surprise.
"Ashoka."
Alberad swallowed again and approached Ashoka.
"Yes, instructor?"
"What did you just do?"
There were many meanings to that simple question. He was asking whether he really copied the revolving Tiger palm from watching it, or if he learned it from somebody, or if it was a completely different technique.
"I saw the rotation of Ahmed's fist. It was spiraling like a tornado."
That was true, since the revolving Tiger palm's particularity is the spiral rotation.
"The rotation was fast enough to push back my defense, hand and fist alike. So, I figured I shouldn't keep fighting normally."
Alberad nodded. He'd planned the duel because he wanted to see how he would overcome that, so he obviously realized that.
"Since I'm confident in my stamina, I considered running around. But as I watched his fist, I could feel something."
"You could feel?"
"Yes. The flow created by his fist was clearly visible. It somehow felt like I could do the same thing, so I reversed the rotation to cancel out Ahmed's."
"Ah!"
Alberad unconsciously exclaimed.
'This guy is the real deal!'
His heart pounded like a drum. Someone capable of understanding the flow of a martial art just by observing was clearly a genius.
However, Ashoka was even more excellent.
He managed to use the opponent's flow as if it were his own. It was an endless talent that he had never seen before.
"Bullshit!"
Ahmed's father—One of the three dukes of the empire— Mir Khan stood up.
Dark flame was burning in his eyes.
The title, 'Lion of the East' didn't seem to be there for decoration.
"No matter how sloppy Ahmed is, it's not humanly possible to understand the revolving Tiger palm at a glance!"
"But he did."
Alberad shrugged, pointing at Ashoka.
"He must have learned it from peeping at Ahmed's training! That, or he was taught by someone else!"
Mir Khan's savage gaze was directed at Albread himself and Ashoka.
"Well, I'm too lazy to teach something like that, and who would've bothered going to the tempest manor to teach him the revolving Tiger palm? It doesn't really make any sense. And Ahmed isn't the type of person to let others steal his technique."
"Hmm…"
He notably grimaced. He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't, as the emperor was also watching.
"So, is there anyone else who wants to challenge Ashoka?"
Alberad raised his head, looking at the children. No one raised their hand after what had just happened.
"Vikram?"
"…"
He was silent.
It was true that Vikram felt competitive towards Ashoka, but he had no intention of making a fool out of himself when everyone was watching.
"Tishya?"
Alberad gaze turned towards Tish.
Others may have not realised it but alberad knew that if anyone here was close to Ashoka's level then it would be Tishya herself.
But Tish shook her head.
She went next to Ashoka and started to copy the reversed revolving Tiger palm that he had performed.
"Hup."
Alberad smirked and turned away. The situation was different from his expectations, but the end result was way better.
"Ashoka, it's your victory."
"Thank you."
Alberad smiled and Ashoka bowed lightly.
"There's nothing to thank me for, it was all you. As for issuing the reward, the emperor will take care of it."
"Alright."
Alberad glanced through Ashoka as he responded.
'This is so ridiculous.'
He sighed and turned around.
"My lord, the event is over."
Bindusara nodded, then stood up. After briefly looking around the children—including Ashoka, Ahmed, and Sudhatta—he left the training ground with the royal escorts and Justin.
"He could've given a piece of advice before he left."
Alberad licked his lips and called out to the children.
"Those who've passed shall return here next Monday, after resting for the rest of the week. Those who failed shouldn't be too disappointed, as there will be another chance for you. Now, dismissed! Have a nice time with your family."
Alberad clapped his hands and left the training ground by jumping over the wall.
"Ashoka!"
"Young master Ashoka!"
As soon as he left, Chandra and Hema ran up to Ashoka and hugged him.
"Wh-what happened while you were gone?!"
"Young master, are you hurt anywhere?"
The two were the same as always. They didn't ask how he did what he did, instead worrying about his body over and over.
"I'm completely fine."
Ashoka smiled and shook his hand.
"Let's go back now. I miss your cooking Hema!"
" A-alright! Let's go!"
"I'll return first and prepare it!"
Hema trotted out of the training ground, and Ashoka followed her while holding Chandra's hand.
"Haa…"
"What the hell happened during the last six months?"
"Ashoka Maurya…"
"I never thought that kind of talent existed…"
The people remaining at the training ground just stared at Ashoka and Sylvia's backs with blank expressions.
"Kuh…"
No one was paying attention to Ahmedd, who was just staring at the ground, biting his lip until it bled.
* * *
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