The training area was silent. Xaidon couldn't understand how a creature could be so powerful—able to conquer lands, destroy kingdoms and empires. It didn't make sense, but at the same time it did. It made perfect sense. His father, after all, was the most powerful man in the empire. He could cut mountains with a simple wave of his sword. That was true power. Xaidon calmed himself and listened to his master.
"Now that all that has been cleared, let me tell you about us humans." Eleven sat on the ground, studying his wounds. Then he looked at his subordinates and continued, "We humans use Environmental Qi, or true Qi as you know it. We use this Qi to strengthen our bodies or perform magic. But of course, there are steps. In the beginning, a person who learns Qi becomes an Awaken, then advances to Elite. From there to Master, then Lord. After the Lord, we have the King, and finally, the Emperor."
He paused, making sure the information sank in. "Now, I don't really have to explain how you are as an Awaken because you've already passed that stage and are all Elites. Elites are better controllers of their Qi. Masters, as the name suggests, are masters of Qi, with the Qi in their bodies bound to them. Lords are controllers of Qi inside and outside their bodies—they can use the Qi in their surroundings to strengthen and heal themselves. Kings are true overlords. Lords can control Qi around them to some degree, but Kings are supreme. The more powerful a King, the larger the distance they can control. And finally, we have the Emperor. I know you've heard stories of the former Emperor's deeds, so you can guess how powerful they are."
"There are no Emperor ranks in our empire anymore—only Kings. This includes our leader. The fifteen knights also have a few Kings, but even we, the Demons, are just a group of Lords. Maybe the five old men are Kings, but I have my doubts."
Skylar raised her hand. "How would you compare humans' ranks to beasts?"
"Never make such a mistake." Eleven replied with a cold expression. "Even among beasts, there are ranks. Never be surprised if a rank 5 beast kills a group of Lords. At the same time, a Master-ranked can kill a rank 5. Do you know why that is?"
Slowly, Xaidon opened his mouth and said a single word, "Intelligence."
"That's right. Not only intelligence but also bloodline. The purer the bloodline of the beast, the stronger they are. Some are called mystical and legendary bloodlines. I'd say the legendary ones are more powerful. Anyway, with their intelligence and bloodline—when these two are combined—they can become deadly weapons." Eleven paused. "We humans have breakthroughs from time to time. Some of these breakthroughs increase our ranks, and some give us a better understanding of Qi."
The three subordinates remained silent for a while, letting every word from their master sink in. They now had a new perspective on the world they lived in. After some time, Eleven got to his feet, walked to the side where his weapons and shirt were, and studied them for a moment before signaling for them to follow. They left the house and traveled to the other side of the base. They reached a building as large as a mansion but not built as one—this was the base's administration.
They entered amid many respectful bows. They climbed to the top floor, where a lone door stood. Eleven opened it and entered, with the three following close behind. It was a spacious office filled with books and beast skulls adorning the walls. At the far end, a man was asleep on an office table. Eleven, using his hand, sent a gust of wind that turned the table. The man was awakened and immediately stood up, looking scared at Eleven and bowing. His fat, short form was also revealed.
"Lord Eleven. To what do I owe this visit?" the man asked in a trembling voice.
Eleven looked down at him with disgust, then turned to the three. "From this day onward, you will be in charge of the base."
The man's face paled as he slowly looked up at the three. "My Lord, don't you think you are being too rushed?" he asked nervously. Eleven turned and gave him a cold look.
"Do you dare question my subordinates' strength?" he said.
Immediately, the base commander's blood ran cold. "Well, there is a simple way to end this." Eleven said with a cold smirk.
On a large stage, four people stood surrounded by a crowd of men and women shouting praises. On one side was a fat man in light black armor, looking determined. Opposite him, three figures each wearing brown light armor. In the middle was Xaidon, sword beside him. To his left, Skylar stood with bow and arrow in hand. To his right, Peter looked directly at the base's leader.
"That bastard." Xaidon cursed as Peter sighed. They had long realized why their master had done this—it's because he wanted to test them. The best way to do that was to battle a foe strong enough to challenge them. The base's leader was a Master-ranked, while they were Elites. Even with the numbers advantage, it was going to be a tough fight.
Skylar readied her bow. "Let's do this, I always hated this bastard." With that, she shot the fat man. The arrow sped swiftly, but before reaching him, it stopped mid-air and fell. The man raised his hand, sending a sudden wave of air their way. The three separated and attacked.
Xaidon moved with great speed, trying to close the gap. The base's leader constantly sent wind swipes his way, which Xaidon avoided or blocked with his sword, but he was always pushed back because of the pressure.
Arrows shot from all directions aimed at the leader but would unpredictably turn elsewhere.
Peter finally closed in, manifesting fire from his palms toward the leader. The fire, just about to hit, was blocked by some sort of barrier.
The three of them jumped and landed side by side, steadily eyeing the leader, who was out of breath. His form was unsteady, and he had been sleeping in his office most of the time. Xaidon studied him briefly before turning to Skylar. He charged at the man again, with Peter close behind, attacking from all sides in an effort to bypass his wind manipulation. Peter attacked from above, Xaidon from below. The leader planted his feet, drew his Qi, and with a burst, pushed Xaidon and Peter back. Taking deep breaths, he turned and looked at Skylar.
Her bow was pulled, arrow ready. She realized it was aimed at the leader. He raised his hand, but in the next moment, the arrow pierced his heart. He looked down at it, then at Skylar before collapsing dead.
The leader had risen to the top through battles and victories. He had grown into a Master and was entrusted with this small base, which he managed well. He had even gone on a mission just for fun, but then he realized he no longer needed to fight. Comfort had taken over; he ate and slept for years, not remembering the last time he fought. Today, he died not at the hands of another Master, but at the hands of three young Elites.