章 7: How Is That Even Possible

Xenoback said, "So, what are you gonna teach me?"

Zhang said, "I am a swordsman."

Xenoback smiled and said, "But I already know swordsmanship."

Zhang said, "Then let's duel. But it will be only about swordsmanship. Okay?"

Xenoback smiled and said, "Okay."

Zhang is 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) tall and weighs 55 kilos (121 pounds). He was wearing a white kimono. He has a round face and small downward-facing eyes. He has long hair and doesn't have a beard. He doesn't look older than thirty-two.

They drew their swords. Xenoback attacked Zhang with a quick attack. Zhang dodged that attack but didn't attack back. Xenoback realized he is even weaker than the time he fought with Andre. Every time Xenoback attacked, Zhang easily dodged it.

He was sad, but not because of Zhang. He was sad because the air pressure that comes from his swings isn't a big deal anymore.

After ten minutes, Zhang tripped up Xenoback. He fell, and Zhang put the sword to his neck.

Zhang said, "You don't know anything about swordsmanship. The only thing you know is how to hold a sword."

Xenoback said, "Heh, Why?"

Zhang said, "Your vertical cut isn't vertical."

Xenoback said, "What does that even mean?"

Zhang said, "We will start from the basics."

Zhang said, "Stand up and put your feet like this."

Xenoback did. "Now hold the sword like this and swing." He did that too. "Good, at least you don't have any bad habits."

Next two hours, Zhang was shocked. He thought, "How is that even possible?" He learned the basics in just two hours. Normally, it takes three months to five years.

Xenoback said, "Well, you were right, Master. Just look at that." He swung his sword, and the air pressure cut the mountain sixteen kilometers (ten miles) ahead. He thought, "If I continue, I will get stronger."

Zhang said, "Normally, it will take three months to learn the basics, but for you, it will probably take two months. And after that, Lin will teach you how to fight in the air."

Xenoback said, "I understand, Master."

Zhang said, "To be honest, you are a genius."

Xenoback said, "Thank you, Master."

Zhang thought, "This man's basics will probably be better than mine in two months. I understand why Lord Ao wants me to train him."

Xenoback said, "Can I ask a question, Master?"

Zhang said, "Yes, please."

Xenoback said, "Is the leader of this place Ao?"

Zhang smiled and said, "No, he isn't a leader, but surely he is the strongest."

Xenoback said, "Then who is the leader of this place?"

Zhang said, "Why are you interested in it?"

Xenoback said, "It is just curiosity, Master."

Zhang said, "Okay, for now, this place doesn't have a leader."

Xenoback was surprised. He said, "Why?"

Zhang said, "The Queen died three days ago. The Prince didn't take the throne yet."

Xenoback said, "Oh, sorry for your loss, Master."

Zhang said, "I wish she would rest in peace."

Xenoback said, "Rest where?"

Zhang said, "Well, probably in Heaven."

Xenoback said, "But Heaven doesn't exist."

Zhang said, "So you are a nonbeliever. This is your idea, but I chose to believe."

Xenoback "??????? Never mind. But you look loyal to Ao?"

Zhang "I can be loyal to two people at the same time."

Xenoback said, "Does it work like that?"

Zhang said, "I am not dating them, ahh. What is your name? I forgot to ask you before."

Xenoback said, "My name is Xenoback, Master."

Zhang said, "I guess it matches your exotic look."

Xenoback said, "Am I looking exotic?"

Zhang said, "Yes, pretty much."

Xenoback said, "Never mind. I want to ask you a question: why is this place called Agar?"

Zhang said, "I don't know. I never thought about it." They continued to train.

Meanwhile,

Atlas got out from the asteroid to go to Mercury.

Atlas thought, "Well, why the hell do we need Cerberus blood."

After he landed on Mercury, he smelled a fishy smell. "A smell of a human. Here in Mercury. Ah damn, he saw me, right? I should be more careful."

He saw blood on his feet. He smelled it. "Ork blood. So I didn't kill him already." He shouted, "Get out from the place you're hiding! I know you are here."

A man showed up.

He was 1.85 meters (6 feet) tall, and he was fit. He had knuckledusters on his hands. He was blonde and had blue eyes. He had a diamond-shaped face. His lips and eyebrows were thin, and most importantly, he had a big nose.

Atlas shouted, "You have only two chances. First, you will come with me to Eden. Second, I will kill you right here."

The man said, "I guess I will choose the third option."

Atlas said, "There is no third option."

The man started running towards him. Atlas hit the ground with his foot. The man felt like the entire planet was collapsing. He realized his feet were not on the ground anymore. When he looked up, he saw the last thing he saw in his life. Atlas blew fire at the man from his mouth. The man's entire body disappeared with half of the planet.

Atlas thought, "I guess I overdid it. Now it will be hard to find Cerberus. And I need to be quick, or someone will definitely come to see what happened."

After an hour, he found three Cerberus and flew back to Eden.

Paul was watching the scene from the start. He thought, "I should send someone stronger. Andre could do that too. And is this huge creature one of the strongest dragons or a random one? Probably not. He is the only one who got out from the asteroid since three days. He can't be a random one."

He started walking into the room. He said, "Jessica."

A bodiless voice answered, "Yes, Paul?"

Paul said, "Prepare Hercules and send him when one of the dragons gets out from this asteroid."

Jessica said, "Okay, I am doing it right now."

Meanwhile,

Noir was angry. At the start, he thought this mission would be hard but still possible. But after reading the paper, he wasn't even sure if he could come back alive.

He thought, "Does the council leader Byron want Isidro dead?"