Ares used the King's Eye on Bufo, and what he saw truly shocked him.
> Name: Bufo
Titles: The Legendary Blacksmith (Every weapon he forges is destined to be remembered in history) / Son of the Mountains (As unyielding as the mountains themselves)
Occupation: Warrior
Rank: Star
Talent: SS (Iron Fist — has the ability to forge all kinds of weapons)
+5 Respect
At that moment, Ares remembered the most famous blacksmith from his previous life.
Bufo, known as the Master Dwarven Smith, had forged many weapons and pieces of equipment that made even the mightiest knights and warriors fight each other for just a single piece of his craftsmanship.
He had even forged one of the most remarkable weapons ever — a Final Grade Sword.
There are only four weapons of the Final Grade:
"Ryan" possessed the Sword of Light,
the Vampire King wielded the Sword of Blood,
and two others had never appeared, though they were mentioned in historical records.
These four swords are said to be part of the universe itself, holding terrifying destructive power.
But this dwarf created another sword of the same grade — thus, there became five Final Grade weapons in total. After that, he vanished, and the sword was found thrust into the peak of a towering mountain. Many tried to pull it free… yet none succeeded.
---
"Begin!"
The instant Professor Mei's command fell,
both Ares and Bufo launched into action!
Though short in stature, Bufo was incredibly fast, swinging his massive hammer with tremendous force.
The attack was so strong that the ground quaked beneath his feet.
But Ares moved his sword with breathtaking agility, and the two blows collided with explosive power.
BOOM!
A shockwave burst outward, scattering dust and making the training arena tremble with thunderous echoes.
Bufo shouted with excitement,
"Ares! You're truly strong!"
Ares smirked slightly, replying with a teasing tone,
"Haha… and so are you, Bufo. You truly live up to your race of iron and fire."
Bufo's face lit up with pride at those words. Both fighters leapt back, catching their breath.
Then, in a blink, Bufo jumped high, raising his hammer above his head as sparks danced around it.
"Shockwave!"
He slammed it down with devastating power.
A thunderous roar filled the air as a massive shockwave rippled through the entire training ground.
Dust exploded into the sky, walls shook, and the echo of the blow resounded everywhere.
Yet Ares stood unmoved, firm as a mountain, the swirling dust spinning around him like a faint storm.
As Bufo descended from the air, Ares vanished — and reappeared behind him in an instant —
delivering a brutal punch that sent the dwarf hurtling like a cannonball.
BOOM!
Bufo's body crashed into the ground, a cloud of dust erupting around him.
Outside the arena, the students watched in awe.
Kai, observing intently, murmured,
"Hmm… why isn't the boss ending the fight quickly?"
His expression was serious; it was clear Ares was holding back.
Professor Mei replied calmly, her eyes sharp and focused on the battle:
"Ares is showing respect to Bufo — he accepted the sacred duel."
Selina asked curiously, eyes wide with interest,
"Professor, what is a sacred duel?"
Mei explained gently,
"For the dwarves, a sacred duel is a sign of respect between warriors. It's not fought for victory, but for acknowledgment of strength."
Scar interjected coldly,
"And does Ares need anyone's respect?"
Kira immediately retorted mockingly,
"Of course the boss deserves respect, you overgrown cat."
Scar's face flushed with anger. "You—!"
But Mei raised her voice sharply,
"Enough!"
Silence fell instantly. She continued firmly,
"Ares understands the meaning of a sacred duel — and that alone deserves respect."
In the arena, Bufo struggled to his feet, trembling, sweat dripping down his forehead. Sparks flickered from his cracked hammer.
He lifted his gaze to Ares and said weakly,
"You're… not fighting at full strength, are you?"
Ares shrugged lightly, replying in a calm, cold tone,
"Who knows?"
Bufo growled stubbornly,
"You're an arrogant man!"
Ares smirked, "Thank you. But fighting seriously against someone weaker would be bullying."
Bufo roared furiously, his face red with anger,
"Really? What about those three brothers you crushed earlier? Wasn't that bullying?!"
Ares' eyes glinted with icy amusement.
"You're different. This is the least respect I can show you — in a sacred duel."
Bufo's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
"Ares! Fight me with everything you've got! I won't be ashamed to fall — but I'll be humiliated if you hold back!"
He roared like a furious bear. A dangerous smile spread across Ares' lips.
His voice dropped low — deep as thunder:
"Very well… but don't regret it."
Before anyone could react, Ares vanished and reappeared before Bufo.
He grabbed him by the helmet with one hand — and smashed him into the ground with terrifying force.
DOOOOM!
The entire arena shook. Dust shot high into the air.
Bufo's head hit the ground with a metallic clang that echoed like a massive bell.
He lost consciousness instantly.
Crack… crack…
Hairline fractures appeared in his helmet — then it shattered into countless metal fragments under Ares' iron grip.
Ares stood silently, breathing steady, dust swirling like fog around him.
He lifted his gaze to the audience and said in a cold, calm tone:
"So… who's next?"
The medical team rushed in, carrying Bufo away.
Outside, the students watching the live broadcast erupted in excitement.
> "Ares is insanely strong!"
"Yeah! I heard he's the top student this year!"
"Hahaha — and the best part? He's from the commoners! He's one of us!"
"Ares is our hero!"
"Yes, our hero!"
"Ares is the Lord of Darkness!"
"No, no… that sounds too evil. He needs a special title — something worthy of our champion!"
They began to argue excitedly, each trying to come up with a title that would suit the man who defied and humiliated the nobles.
"How about War Lord?" one of them shouted. "Since he's crushed everyone he's faced!"
The crowd went silent for a moment, then the voice spread:
"Yes! The War Lord!"
"War Lord!"
"War Lord!"
The chants grew louder and louder until they rolled like thunder through the academy:
"WAAAR LOOORD!!!"
At that moment, Ares, standing in the center of the arena, turned slightly toward the direction of the chants.
His expression froze — eyes widening faintly.
That title…
"War Lord."
It was the very same title he bore in his past life.
Memories surged through his mind like molten fire —
memories of the man who stood at the pinnacle,
the one whose name alone made entire armies tremble.
A faint smile curved his lips. He raised his head and shouted in a voice that echoed like a dragon's roar:
"Neji! Get up here… I want to see how you'll kick my ass!"
A heavy silence fell before murmurs spread through the students.
Neji, who had been standing proudly among them, lifted his chin with pride — but his body betrayed him.
He instinctively stepped back, a chill crawling up his spine, as if his instincts screamed a warning.
Realizing what he had done, his face burned with rage.
"I'll make you regret that… I'm not like them!" he roared, his voice shaking with humiliation.
Ares smiled coldly at him, then raised his hand and flipped his middle finger — in front of everyone, live on broadcast.
Most didn't understand the gesture, but from his expression, they knew it definitely wasn't polite.
"Damn you, you filthy elf," Ares said quietly, his tone dripping with disdain — like a king looking down on an insect.
Neji's eyes blazed red with fury, magical energy erupting from his body in crackling red sparks.
He leapt into the arena, the air around him thick with his rage.
Professor Mei watched tensely from afar, realizing immediately that Ares was using overwhelming psychological pressure — driving Neji into blind anger.
"He can't think clearly anymore…" she muttered, biting her lower lip.
Ares raised his hand lazily and said mockingly:
"Come on then, elf-boy. I have a question for you."
But Neji didn't respond. His fury only grew — his aura flickering wildly.
Ares' grin widened, full of wicked amusement.
"What's the matter? No manners? I thought nobles were taught to respect those stronger than them."
Neji's rage spiked, the ground beneath him trembling.
Sensing disaster, Mei quickly shouted in a sharp voice:
"The duel… begins now!"
The instant her words rang out, Neji unleashed two blazing arrows at once toward Ares.
But Ares moved with serpentine grace, weaving effortlessly between the projectiles.
The arrows sliced past him, hissing through the air, and struck the back wall with a flash of sparks.
Ares looked up at him, his smirk ice-cold.
"Is that all you've got, you damn elf?"
Neji gritted his teeth, growling,
"Damn you, bastard!"
Ares chuckled softly — a laugh colder than steel — his eyes filled with scorn so deep Neji could almost feel his dignity being crushed underfoot before everyone.