章 16: Strength of a Hachiman

Jason looked at the man in front of him, he was middle-aged; that much was obvious from looking at him.

He hadn't worn a mask even though he was infiltrating the Hachiman main clan compound, Jason assumed he was either a rookie or found no reason to wear one.

"What are you here for?" Jason asked the man.

The wind blew in his ear, for some reason the still night had suddenly turned into a windy one.

"Never in my life would I allow someone like you to order me." He said, his voice firm.

"Then you must be a real dummy, do you really expect anyone in the clan to be weak?" Jason asked getting ready to fight.

Clark didn't respond, he watched in amusement as the boy in front of him got into a fighting stance.

[Name: Clark Watson

Age: 50

Physical – Early stage 1

Mental – Late Stage 1

Mana – Early Stage 1

Skills: Wind Magic, Air cutter.]

Jason was somewhat disappointed when looking at these skills, it seemed like he wouldn't be able to get any talents from him. That means the upcoming battle wouldn't reward him with anything except experience.

"I might just play your games, breaking your bones seems like an interesting game." He said bringing out a sword.

The sword had an attribute with wind, meaning that wind magic had an increased effects when combined with this sword.

Jason stood still waiting for his opponent to make the first move, but the old man seemed patient as he calmly stood in place.

'If he's not going to attack first I will.'

Jason held back his strength limiting it to one-fourth of its original in fear that one attack of his would kill the man too early.

In Clark's eyes Jason shot forward with a burst of speed equivalent to his own, he barely had time to list up his sword in defense before Jason was in front of him.

A single punch sent Clark skidding backwards, he managed to stop his movement before he hit the wall.

Clark's eyes went towards the cause of this, this young man of the Hachiman clan.

He couldn't comprehend what had happened, it was known throughout the world that anyone born dark-skinned would never be able to use mana, they're bodies couldn't absorb mana and as a result they were weaker than the average man.

His sense of rationality told him the boy was probably using a treasure of the clan to boosts his strength to an unbelievable height.

Clark was now more alert, before he wasn't taking Jason seriously but now he had to finish him off quickly.

As soon as he got a hold of himself the air around him surged as a burst of orange flames appeared on his hand.

He was using fire magic.

Clark knew he wouldn't get another chance as the fire floated above his hands, he grasped his hands together before releasing them and directing his palms towards Jason.

A continuous wave of flames emerged from his palms, he directed the flames toward the boy in front of him aiming to kill him.

Jason dodged by rolling to the side but Clark could still control it, he moved his palms aiming to burn the boy in front of him.

Then suddenly he vanished from sight, Clark was too weak and his eyes weren't train to see such speeds, the only thing he saw was a blurry figure.

He abruptly stopped his attack and looked at his opponent's blurry figure, on instinct he put his hands up to catch a blow.

Surprisingly he caught the blow, it was aimed at his head and was meant to take him down.

Jason knew that if he used his full power to punch this weak assassin not only will he die on contact but he would also break the walls.

It could cause suspicion and immediately put him under surveillance, something that would hinder his freedom by a large margin.

Even though he had caught the blow he was still affected by it, his hands felt numb and if he didn't know better he would think he was fighting a rank 3. Even though he was weak to any rank 3 he valued himself as one of the strongest rank 4's, yet he was being pushed back by a child.

Members of the main family were known for being rank 0, their lowest ever rank 1. Was it even possible for such strength to show in someone like this boy even when using a treasure!

Was this the strength of a Hachiman?

If his future self told him that this event was going to take place he would have murdered his future self on the spot, such exaggeration.

"Do you mind telling me the treasure you're using?" Clark asked to stall for time, he needed to get his strongest technique ready.

Jason looked at him as if he was looking at an idiot, the question caught him off-guard and he jumped backwards while assessing what his opponent meant.

'He thinks I'm using a treasure.' Jason thought. 'Should I tell him the truth or let him believe his delusions?'

"What rank are you?" Jason asked.

Clark knew he couldn't react out of the anger he was feeling, the only thing that comforted him was the Air cutter skill that he was sure to use to slice this kid into several bits and pieces.

"I'm a rank 4."

"Have you peaked already?"

"Yes I have."

"Wow, then I guess it would hurt you more than I expected, but it's not like I cared in the first place. In truth I am not using any treasure nor have I gotten anything special potion to increase my capabilities.

You see, when I was born into the clan they didn't care about him and sent me here, why do you think there are no guards here. If I was truly important there would be guards, strong guards, but judging from the way you are it seems like you encountered only easy prey.

In truth I was born like this, no dependence on mana and yet stronger than those who have it. It must be pretty painful for you, I might even be damaging you psychologically; a man who peaked at rank 4 being beaten by a young 13 year old boy who doesn't even have mana." Jason finished his piece.

At that moment Clark let out a roar, he had forgotten that he was supposed to be quiet to finish this, he forgot that the brat was just getting on his nerves, he only remembered his past.

In dungeons he often met young people who awakened rank 3 and sometimes rank 2 and were just climbing their way up in the rank 5 and 4 dungeons where he was stuck at.

Most people he met in the dungeons either died while in the dungeon or surpassed him.

And then a small boy who isn't able to use magic or give his body basic strengthening with mana is stronger than him!

Clark concentrated air-type mana into sword, it glowed for some seconds as he pumped more mana into it. Jason didn't even bother stopping him, he was interested in the capabilities of this technique.

Even though he couldn't copy a talent that didn't mean he wasn't interested in it.

"I'll kill you!" He yelled in rage.

By now the sword was covered in a blinding white light.

The light was very bright even causing Emily who was sleeping to wake up, she rubbed her eyes tiredly as everything was blurry.

He slashed the sword at Jason, the previously blinding light leaving the sword.

Clark felt that the boy would be dead, his instincts telling him to grab the girl and run while the other side of him claimed that he should watch the demise of the boy. Clark grinned as he watched.

Normally when something traveled at a pace that could be seen with the naked eye the speed couldn't be too impressive.

But if the sitting room hadn't been very wide due to the fact that before it was one of the places where the clan stored their resources Jason would have long been hit.

The air cutter moved towards him at an incredible pace.

But Jason only uttered one word.

"I see."

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