Revenge pact

Adonis' eyes widened in astonishment as he witnessed the giant of a man being thrown on the mat like nothing more than a limp rag doll.

'She sure is something...'

"S-she's a monster!" The boy next to Adonis exclaimed.

"The winner of the bout.. is Luna Triksta!" Professor Avitus said, sounding slightly surprised.

Before he stood up, Tarzy let out a low, pained groan as he tenderly massaged the back of his neck.

"How the fu-"

As he began to rise, Marie rushed to his side, extending her hand to help him stand.

"Tarzy! Are you okay?!"

"Yes, I'm okay...Sorry I lost your majesty," He looked down sadly as he took the princess's helping hand.

"It's okay, I'm still proud of you... You did well!"

***

After the huge upset of the match between number one and number two, it was finally time for Adonis to fight.

"The next match shall be between, Adonis P. Vindicta, and Maxwell Aster."

Upon the announcement of their bout, Adonis and Maxwell stepped onto the mat, positioning themselves on opposite ends and locking eyes.

Their expressions, diverged significantly; displaying their inner thoughts and intentions for the upcoming fight.

Adonis maintained a soft, neutral countenance that concealed a subtle undercurrent of curiosity behind his silver eyes.

'Number eight? I wonder how strong he is... What do you think Lord Eos?'

{He's fodder.} The deity said bluntly.

'That's pretty harsh.'

Maxwell, on the other hand, donned a resolute. wide grin on his sun-kissed complexion, his ebony hair pulled back in a tie that accentuated his determined demeanor.

'Adonis P. Vindicta, He's one of the three commoners who made the Rising Star list... He was capable of moving under the effects of the princess's spell. I also heard he defeated fifty goblins at once without the use of aura or a weapon...He's so cool!'

John, seemingly having mentally recovered from his loss against Lutz, directed his gaze toward the two contenders.

The proud noble's expression bore a nasty fusion of arrogance and a subtle hint of jealousy.

'Do the elders seriously believe these commoners are stronger than me?!'

Tarzy who stood beside the mat among the other students scowled as he watched Adonis prepare to fight.

"Begin!"

Upon hearing Professor Avitus' words, Maxwell propelled himself forward as Adonis took a casual yet defensive stance.

Maxwell's first attack was a sharp, quick jab using his less dominant hand, aimed straight at Adonis' face.

'Let's see.'

Failing to be caught off guard or surprised, Adonis gracefully bent his neck and tipped his head to the side; allowing the attack to glide past him with relative ease.

Unfazed by his adversary's adept defensive skills, Maxwell pressed on; this time employing his other arm.

Maxwell launched his right hand directly at Adonis' lowered head, intending to dislodge it from his neck with brute force.

Being further impressed by Maxwell's speed, Adonis swiftly crouched down, feeling the devastating strike brush against his tousled hair.

"Huh?"

Maxwell's growing realization that something was amiss caused a small droplet of sweat to appear on his bare forehead.

Refusing to be deterred, he furthered his offensive attempts lifting his lead leg and propelling it towards the side of Adonis' crouched head.

Adonis' gaze shifted to the boy's leg, and he raised his left hand in response.

Maintaining his composed demeanor, he calmly pushed Maxwell's incoming leg, disrupting its intended path and causing the attack to fail once more.

'Something's off.' Continuing in his assault, Maxwell executed a rapid pivot of his hips and swung his rear leg in a graceful arc towards the opposite side of Adonis' head.

WHOOSH

The velocity of his strike far surpassing his previous attempts.

Remaining undaunted by the sudden development, Adonis focused his attention on the impending strike.

With calculated precision which he made seem effortless, he took three long strides backward, effectively evading the strike.

"Why aren't you trying to attack me?" Finally realizing what was the issue, Maxwell decided to ask his adversary what was going on.

"Hm?"

"Truthfully, I'm just evaluating your performance... I'll attack when I've decided," Adonis answered honestly.

"Decided what?" Maxwell's brow curved into a confused arch.

"How strong you are." He shrugged.

"Hehe, don't underestimate me!" Hearing Adonis' words, he couldn't help but chuckle.

With his mouth curled into an excited grin, Maxwell pursued his opponent once more.

He charged at Adonis at an extraordinary pace before he launched himself into the air, transitioning into a flying kick aimed at Adonis' face.

'I thought he'd be angry... He just seems, excited?' Adonis lifted both his arms and readied himself to receive a strong impact.

BAM

Upon connection, Adonis surprisingly didn't budge from where he stood.

"Huh?!" Stunned by the ineffectiveness of his previous attack, Maxwell executed a midair spin preparing his next attack. In a swift motion, he endeavored to strike Adonis' abdomen with the heel of his leg, seeking a new angle of attack.

Shifting his attention to the new attack, Adonis lifted his other arm in response, preparing himself to defend.

SLAP

The sound of flesh meeting flesh reverberated throughout the whole training hall, causing dozens of spectators to wince in response.

Determined in his pursuit of victory, Maxell's leg plummeted towards the crown of Adonis' head, posing a serious threat of causing a critical injury.

Seemingly unbothered by the looming threat above him, Adonis took a sharp step backward, narrowly evading Maxwell's barefoot.

{Ewww, his feet are dirty!}

Unaware to the face that he was being insulted, Maxwell charged forward, his clenched fists shooting in various directions as he aimed to deliver a series of rapid blows to the fellow commoner.

"Get ready Vindicta, I'm turning it up!"

With a bead of sweat forming on his glistening forehead, Adonis shifted both his head and body appropriately as he swiftly evaded each of Maxwell's blows.

When Maxwell punched his face he tilted his head.

When he initiated an uppercut he swerved.

And when he threw a hook he tilted his head slightly down.

Punch, dodge.

Punch, dodge.

Punch, dodge.

This pattern persisted for numerous more attacks until Maxwell eventually accepted that this endeavor was going nowhere.

At last, he decided to diversify his combo by flinging his leg at Adonis' calf.

{Thank me, that was getting boring.}

'Thank you?'

{Yeah, thank me. You, mortals, say thank the gods... When you should be saying thank me, The Almighty Devil God.}

'Your ego knows no bounds.' Adonis let out a light giggle, just before he skillfully avoided the upcoming attack. Gracefully, he took one brisk step backward. Maxwell's outstretched foot narrowly missed Adonis' leading leg.

"Get back here!" Maxwell demanded happily.

Maxwell twisted his hips, gathering the strength in his lower body, preparing to propel himself towards Adonis.

With frightening precision he executed a perfect 360° taekwondo kick, tracing a graceful arc with his extended leg. The elegance of his maneuver is evidence of his hard work and discipline.

Adonis raised an eyebrow, a hint of realization flickered across his face.

He smoothly lowered his upper body, allowing the attack to evade him.

'Hmm... He's good.'

{Good? Oh please, he's mediocre at best.}

'You should lower your standards, Lord Eos.'

Immediately after his foot made contact with the mat, Maxwell raised it back up again.

With a burst of controlled force, he shoved it forcefully toward Adonis' upper chest.

Responding to the fierce onslaught, Adonis employed both his arms to intercept the trajectory of Maxwell's attack aimed at his chest.

The impact from the blow pushed Adonis back a couple of feet causing a satisfied grin to tug at the corners of his lips.

"Aster...I've seen enough. " His voice was stern and dedicated.

"Hm?"

"Here I come!"

"Finally, come at me with all you've got!" Maxwell's grin broadened, stretching to the edges of his cheeks. Stepping back a few paces, Maxwell poised himself, preparing to counter Adonis' first strike.

"Very well then, I promise I won't hold back."

{Do you mean that?}

'Yes... He deserves the respect, he's fought all out so far... I should do the same.'

Adonis lifted both his arms from their previous position, commencing a deliberate stretching routine to ward off any potential cramps in his well-defined muscles.

"A punch to the solar plexus using my right arm." Speaking in a nonchalant tone, he maintained his stance, his arm still fully extended.

"Telling me where you'll attack next? Seems you still underestimate me, Vindicta!"

"Here I come..."

THUD

Launching himself off his left leg, Adonis surged forward towards Maxwell. His arm pulled back, muscles coiled with tension, and the power stored within them eager to be unleashed.

Adonis' sudden acceleration caused Maxwell's eyebrows to reach for his hairline in sheer shock.

Instinctively he raised his arms to protect Adonis' target, his solar plexus.

"Huh?"

In one fluid motion, Adonis crouched before his opponent and harnessed all the might in his muscles, shooting his clenched fist at Maxwell's guard.

SNAP

Upon impact, Adonis' fist produced a bone-chilling sound that reverberated throughout the training hall.

The sheer weight of Adonis' blow shattered Maxwell's guard, treating the bones in his arms like dry brittle twigs.

The trajectory of Adonis' strike did not halt its journey at Maxwell's guard; rather, it maintained its velocity, hurtling towards its intended target.

In a frightening display of power, his fist plunged into Maxwell's abdomen, contorting Maxwell's form as if he were a harmless piece of paper being folded.

The intensity of the strike lifted Maxwell off the ground, a fusion of blood and saliva involuntarily escaping his mouth.

"Argh!" The whites of his eyes were the telltale sign that Maxwell's consciousness had abruptly halted, a result of the overwhelming amalgamation of shock and excruciating pain.

Chapter 35- Meet the Stewarts

John van Ani's mouth fell agape as he witnessed the scene before him unfold.

"Impossible?!" he exclaimed, struggling to come to terms with reality.

Attempting to comprehend the pain Maxwell was going through, Marie Jupiter's pitiful eyes threatened to leak.

"Poor thing..."

Jerald Cecil, his countenance concealed by his overgrown hair bore a detached expression save for a faint quiver of his lower lip.

"..."

As if in a daze, Lutz van Alexia's eyes remained fixated on the spectacle, and a soft sound of arrogant annoyance escaped rosy lips.

"Hmph..."

The surprising manner of the conclusion of the bout caused Amber Shine's prepossessing face to contort into a mask of skepticism, her eyes refusing to believe the apparent reality.

"?"

Observing the unnerving display of power, Luna Triksta's eyes broadened in revelation, her lips curving into a mischievous radiant smile.

"Not bad Grape."

Even the number one Rising Star, Tarzy Goliath froze in astonishment due to the power exhibited by Adonis.

"What?" his hushed whisper carried a note of disbelief.

Regardless of the varied expressions and personalities of the top ten first years, a single question echoed in their minds.

'Could I beat him in a fight?'

'Did I overdo it?' Adonis questioned as he slowly retracted his fist which found itself comfortably lodged in Number-Eight's gut.

As soon as his arm left the embrace of Maxwell Aster's contorted stomach, Maxwell's body fell to the ground resulting in a soft thud.

"The winner of the bout is... Adonis P. Vindicta, seventh Rising Star." Professor Avitus proclaimed, his face displaying an impressed smile on his usually solemn expression.

***

Following the harrowing match between Adonis and Maxwell, the medical team intervened. They carried the battered Maxwell off the mat, transporting him to the infirmary.

Both he and Wendy Carter received medical attention, which consisted of the use of herbs and magic potions.

As Adonis left the mat, he couldn't escape the multitude of reactions that rippled through his classmates.

Some held expressions of astonishment, others of respect for his prowess, and a few masked their discrimination towards the talented commoner.

The reactions that stuck out the most to him were those tinged with mortal fear.

Adonis' display of power had left an indelible impression, one that lingered in the air like a permeable aura.

'I don't like this...'

{Get used to it, power invokes fear! Kukukuku.}

"The next bout shall be between Vera Stewart and Veda Stewart, may both participants please enter the mat."

Following his words, two identical short girls entered the mat; the only differences being their eye color, hair color as well as demeanor.

Vera Stewart, the girl on the left was characterized by her untamed crimson-red hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. Her scarlet red eyes held a blend of curiosity and timidity.

Moving with a certain awkwardness, the shy girl carried an air of reluctance and shyness. Her skin, a delicate shade of ivory, possessed a luminous quality that added to her clumsy elegance.

On the right stood Veda Stewart, distinct with her meticulously arranged white hair gathered at the back into a tidy ponytail.

Her baby blue eyes exuded a mix of self-confidence and determination, ironically igniting an inner fire. Moving with a pronounced poise, the younger of the two radiated an aura of fierce overprotectiveness. Her skin was like her sister's, akin to delicate ivory that underscored her graceful yet assertive demeanor.

"Pretty..." A subtle whisper escaped Jerald's lips, evoking an impression of enchantment.

"B-but Veda, I don't wanna fight you..." Vera's voice emanated softly, a gentle and tremulous quality indicating her evident hesitance. Her words carried a delicate timbre, a reflection of her internal struggle to fight against her younger twin sister.

"Would you prefer to fight someone else?" Veda asked, her voice infused with a notable irritation.

"N-no..."

"Then fight!"

"Begin!" Professor Avitus commanded.

Without wasting any time, Veda lunged forward, propelling herself toward her sister, who stood in a clumsy defense stance.

The twin with the beautiful blue eyes launched a swift precise kick, aimed directly at her sister's less-than-sturdy guard.

Veda's attack landed with force, sending her sister crumbling several feet back. The impact painted Vera's slender arms with a faint blue hue, mirroring the color of her sister's eyes.

"Ah!" Vera struggled to suppress a surprised exclamation.

Acting mercilessly, Veda advanced once more, her determination to defeat her sister unwavering. This time, she initiated a sweeping motion directed at her sister's ankles.

Instinctively, Vera tensed her muscles and leaped slightly, her eyes filled with nervous anticipation.

She observed as Veda's foot grazed the mat beneath her. To her surprise, the opposite leg, like a lightning bolt, soared upward in a sharp arc toward Vera's chin.

BAM

{That was quick.} Observing Vera's body collide with the mat, Eos' voice echoed in Adonis' head in the complaint, a tone infused with a sense of boredom and disinterest.

'I know right, talk about tough love.'

***

2 hours later.

The duel between the Stewart twins was the last bout that managed to hold Eos' fleeting interest.

Following the conclusion of the remaining bouts within Class A, Adonis pieced together a rough understanding of the power dynamics within the class, particularly in terms of physical strength and martial prowess.

'In terms of sheer strength excluding me, it's Tarzy, Jerald, Luna, Lutz, Maxwell, John, Amber, and Marie... Due to Wendy's unfair matching, it's difficult to assign her to the list. Martial ability is even harder to rank, because of the various styles, Martial arts utilized and the durations of the bout, but roughly put, excluding me... Lutz and Luna stand at the pinnacle while Marie is the bottom seat... Although in terms of hand-to-hand combat, Amber and Marie are the least capable; this is justified because of their far superior magical ability, so disregarding them would be ignorant.'

On his way back to his room, Adonis' thoughts were flooded with his brief analysis of each of the Rising Stars.

{Such a chatterbox!}

'I should be familiar with the abilities of my peers Lord Eos, especially since they might become my adversaries down the line...'

{Pessimistic, but correct... I'm proud.}

A cheerful smile graced Adonis' lips as he firmly grasped the door handle to the dormitory. 'Really?'

{Of course not!} The Devil God chuckled.

The smile fading from his face as quickly as it came, Adonis entered his abode and proceeded to disrobe, beginning with his white training tunic.

{You better not be sulking!}

'Of course not.' Adonis pouted, as he continued the process of removing the rest of his clothing, carelessly tossing his garments in various directions before making his way toward his bathing chamber.

{Aghhh!!! At least give me some warning before you strip.}

'You know this is your body too?' Adonis teasingly remarked, a hint of satisfaction evident in his tone as he playfully got back at the deity for hurting his feelings.

{Kukuku, my body would never have something THAT small.}

"It's average!"

***

Following a long, hot shower, Adonis plopped himself onto his bed, prepared to recharge and face the challenges of the upcoming day.

When he shut his eyes to slip into his slumber, Adonis' vision transitioned to a dark scene.

Perched atop a towering tree, a tall teenage boy with long, curly brown hair surveyed a familiar scene that sent shivers down his spine.

Before him unfolded a chilling tableau, with the familiar shrieks of his bredrin piercing his ears.

"AHHHHH!"

"HELP!"

"GODS!"

Tears welled up in his beautiful brown eyes, cascading down his majestic face as he comprehended the familiar heart-wrenching scene unfolding before him.

The once-humble abode of the Hermes clan now stood engulfed in menacing flames, Driven by a surge of urgency, Oizys attempted to leap from the tree, eager to help his family.

However, a strange force gripped his body, akin to the pull of intensified gravity. Although no supernatural forces were at play; instead, it was fear alone that held the boy captive.

"Help us!"

"Please!"

Amidst the unending cries of the fallen, Oizys found himself rooted in place, a prisoner to his fear. His mind was a maelstrom of divergent thoughts, and a poignant ache gripping his fragile heart.

"H-how am I going to help... You're already dead?" A faint mutter managed to escape the boy's lips, and in response, the malevolent flames plaguing the house contorted and molded into a massive skull

The eerie visage's mouth moved, opening and closing with an unsettling rhythm.

"HELP US OIZYS, HELP US!" Its voice a chilling fusion of all the fallen Hermes family members.

Oizys' heart felt as if it might leap from his chest upon hearing the skull's words, his head throbbing with a sharp agonizing intensity.

"A-anything...but how?"

"Revenge, avenge us Oizys..."

"B-but revenge isn't right." He spoke hesitantly, his voice trembling as he searched for the strength to break free from the terrifying tableau.

"Are you saying you don't love us, Ozzy?" The fiery skull divided itself into two separate heads, each having its distinct voice. The left head bore the sweet distorted voice of Pan Hermes, while the right head carried the corrupted gentle voice of Eurodos Hermes.

"Yes Ozzy, don't you love us?"

"I-I do!"

"Then hurry up and avenge us!" His parents spoke in unison, amplifying the chilling atmosphere.