Forced to Challenge

Fatty was only repeating what Shui once told him, but it had astonishing results. Even he thought he would barely be able to pass with his explanation, but in the middle of his speech he noticed more than a few disciples actually achieving enlightenment and making breakthroughs.

Fatty's eyes twitched at this scene but he kept speaking without breaking character.

'What the hell!'

Perhaps the one who was most shocked was Tico. Even if his speech was actually pretty good, he was planning on making up something to criticise, but there was no room for that here. Even he felt some of his questions regarding the topic clear up.

'When did this piggy get so smart?'

As Fatty's speech went on, more and more spectators appeared until they made the largest gathering in the school. It was so big that Sheila, along with other members of the disciplinary department, had to come to see what was going on.

"Excuse me but wha-"

"Shhh!"

One of them tried to politely talk to one of the spectators, but was shushed instead. The disciplinary department was normally feared so this would normally never happen. Most of them were angered by this response, but Sheila, who noticed her little brother was in the spotlight, stopped them.

"Wait, let's just listen and not cause a fuss. Elders are here too."

As Sheila pointed it out, the rest of her team noticed the elders who silently appeared in the sky and were paying attention to Fatty.

"Understood."

In this situation, it was actually not Tico, but rather Elder Marco, who was originally the instructor here, who felt the most humiliation.

He prided himself on being impartial, unafraid to use the rules to judge even those brilliant members of the influential clans. Therefore, when he saw a junior like Fatty making trouble, he thought for sure that he was another arrogant wastrel. However, he couldn't have been more wrong in this case.

If Fatty's understanding was on par with his students, he would have still brought up the fact that it didn't give him the right to act superior. But the contents of his speech were so high level that Marco couldn't claim to give a better presentation even though he understood what was being said.

Without a doubt, Fatty had won this time.

"...I suppose that should do it."

"Aw man, it's done already?"

"Why did I come so late?!"

"Can't you go for a little longer?"

By the end of his speech, Fatty was recognised as a top genius in the inner section. He was naturally glad about the attention, but his stomach hurt as he thought about how he would have to continuously evade any requests for another lesson.

"Ah, well though I wouldn't mind I'm normally really busy so..."

Fatty acted humble while trying to leave the area, but he didn't expect to be let go anytime soon. However, since he was enjoying the soft touch of several women who came on to him, and receiving night-time invitations he couldn't say this period was time wasted.

But at some point, a path was suddenly opened in front of him. As Fatty started wondering why, a polite-looking gentleman with the badge of the sect on his clean white robe approached.

"Who's that guy?" A disciple asked.

"Idiot! That's Elder Fredrico. He's the most influential of the inner section elders and could kick someone like you out in a minute." someone nearby replied.

The gentleman seemed like a kind person, but as someone who had heard many stories about him, Fatty couldn't help but gulp in fear as he approached. There was even one that spoke about a time when he had a disciple's genitals cut off because he raped a female disciple.

'I didn't do anything wrong, did I?! Did my face look creepy?'

Fatty tried to keep acting calm like Shui would, but his expression was faltering. As Elder Fredrico was merely three steps away from him, Fatty felt ready to drop to his knees in an instant.

"Young man."

"Ye-yes!"

"Come to my office later to receive merit points for that brilliant lecture of yours."

"....Huh? No, I mean I didn't do this for the rewards."

Once he realised that he wasn't in trouble, Fatty felt relieved and put on his usual self-confident smile.

"Oh? So you don't-"

"But, of course I will gladly accept anything the sect has decided to offer me."

"Good."

Fatty's true nature started slipping out but no one except Serina took notice of this.

As Tico saw Fatty enjoy this wealth of attention, he sent out a message though an artifact.

[Prepare for 'that' plan.]

Since 'that' plan would force him to bear some responsibility whether it failed or not, Tico had been reluctant to use it. But now, he threw away such concerns.

'I'll definitely get my revenge, no matter what.'

After the crowd dispersed and Fatty and Serina could leave the area, they planned on checking out the mission centre and training temple. Neither of them had any plans to take a mission or test out a spell they learnt, so this was merely to pass time.

Along the way, Fatty was warmly greeted several times by people who had listened to his lesson. While looking at Fatty who enjoyed this attention, Serina had a wry smile. She was happy that he was in a good mood, but she also thought that he was letting it go to his head.

"Remember, you were fine this time but it's best if you don't try that again." Serina reminded.

"I know, I know. I can't compare to Boss after all. Just let me enjoy this popularity for now."

"Hmm."

Serina shook her head and sighed in exasperation, but like the big sister she was, she allowed Fatty to have his fun. Unfortunately, his fun time was abruptly cut short.

Out of nowhere, a small group of disciples subtly surrounded them and blocked their path. They didn't block the route itself, but any time Fatty tried to move they would stay in front of him. Fatty wondered if they were just aggressive fans, but then he heard Tico's voice.

"Did you think I would let you go so easily?"

Fatty and Serina turned around to see Tico approach them with a dark expression. Both of them had hoped that Tico would have retreated at least for today, however that proved to be too optimistic.

"What are you planning, Tico?"

"Hey, look at this piggy. Getting a big head already. Have you forgotten what the motto of our sect was? 'Power is the one true rule'."

"Hmph, even so I do remember two of our core values being fairness and pride. Do you expect to be praised for ganging up on us?"

"Kuku, if it was before it wouldn't matter, but I have to admit, you surprised me there."

Tico's dark expression disappeared as he wore a small smile, but that smile only made Fatty's stomach hurt more.

"What? Are you impressed by my talents?"

"Yeah right. I just didn't expect that you had memorised something you heard from one of your senior clan members."

"Hehehe, fine, I'll let you believe whatever crap you want to settle your heart. Can we go now?"

Tico's expression turned ugly for a moment before he replied.

"No, I want to issue a challenge."

"A challenge, you want to get beat again?"

"I was caught off-guard that time! I could never lose to you. And the one I'm challenging is that girl."

"What?! Tico, you bastard! Have you no shame? Besides, what makes you think she'll accept a stupid challenge like that?"

In the Burning Mountain Sect, disciples were required to fight each in the form of challenges at least three times a month. However, they could also refuse a challenge, especially one as unfair as this.

"Really? Little girl, would you refuse my challenge, even if I had this piggy's arms broken?"

Tico focused his gaze on Serina so Fatty quickly blocked her from his sight.

"Hmph, what a bold claim!"

"I can't guarantee my current group would be enough, but what if I call big brother Gin?"

"..."

'Gin', at the mention of that name Fatty trembled. He hadn't seen him since returning but he heard that Gin had become a core disciple with a peak Soul Realm cultivation. Someone who could actually carry out Tico's threat.

Fatty still didn't back down, but Serina stepped out from behind him.

"I accept."

"What?! Serina, why-"

"Good. I'll see you on the challenge stage in three days. Don't worry, I won't kill you."

As Tico left with his group, Fatty grabbed Serina's shoulders and shook her.

"Why did you accept the challenge? There's no way you can beat that guy!"

"I know, but I can just surrender as quickly as possible. It won't end as badly as you're imagining."

"And how can you be sure?! Do you really think he'll make that happen?"

Serina bit her lips but the determination in her eyes hadn't disappeared.

"I've already accepted, there's nothing we can do to change that."

Fatty was much stronger than her, but Serina easily brushed off his hands and walked away.

"You, idiot."

Fatty tightly clenched his fists. For the second time, she had to protect him.