Pitiful State

Everyone was surprised to the response of Shay from the questions of Hawks.

Maya hugged Shams to comfort him.

While Shams was completely surprised and confused from the things he heard from Shay.

Hawks lowered his gaze and contemplated if it was right to challenge Shams and question their master.

For others, they started to empathize and feel sad for Shams.

But for Shams, the empathy and the attempts of his fellow disciples to comfort him was simply just … pity for him.

It did not feel too well after hearing Shay regarding the possibility of dying due to unstable control of ki.

Shams requested for space which others gladly complied and gave it to him.

And other disciples started to reprimand Hawks for his insensitivity.

So, as Shams got alone in one area …

He loudly thought to himself.

'I do not need your pity! What bull crap about me dying again and possibility of what ?? DEATH?? PFT! I refuse to die … They can tell me what they want but I will refuse to die. Worst of it all … the look on their eyes! It is as if I am in such a pitiful state. I hate that look in their eyes!'

Shams never liked how others viewed him as pitiful.

Back in his previous life, he endured all kinds of pity that others gave him.

His smiles and nods just covered his true feelings.

Taking everything deep within.

Though, the truth is … he never liked being seen as a pitiful one. For him, it worsen or lowers him further to such a state where it is worse than the pitiful state he was.

Viper could hear the thoughts of Shams and there was no right word would come out in his mind to comfort Shams.

Because the mythical beast also feels the same way. The same with Shams, Viper hates being viewed as a pitiful one.

'They can shove their pity towards me in their ass!' Shams was completely in a foul mood.

Kicking pebbles …

Throwing small rocks to the small pond near the cottage …

He was doing his best to shake off his agitation about the idea of possibly dying again and being in a pitiful state.

'I will not let anyone think of me like I am some poor old boy. Been there and I will not be that weakling who others think they can feel bad for. Sometimes pity is a poison that distorts someone's spirit. And I refuse to let their pity weaken my own resolve.' Shams told to himself.

Clenching his fist as he look upwards to the sky.

'Just watch and I will set everything ablaze! Then everything will be under my palm!'

A resolve that was fueling someone's determination to succeed.

Meanwhile …

Ruh grabbed Shay and had a private talk with her.

"What was that about? Master did not say anything closely or even remotely close to what you said? Why did you lie to Hawks and especially to Ryoku?" Ruh demanded an answer from Shay.

Instantly, Shay did not hesitate to give her reason to a fellow {Apprentice-Ranked} disciple.

"First of all, I had no choice but to come up with something which will not cause further dissent amongst our juniors. Imagine if I did not give them a convincing reason. Grudge or envy between them may foster in their hearts. Or worst, rebel against our master just like how Narcisso left us. I cannot let our junior fall into the same pit as Narcisso. If we can avoid the same fate then I will do it in a heartbeat." Shay elaborated her intention.

She continued, "Lastly, if I did not use that reason … the rivalry between Hawks and Ryoku would only get worst. Like Feilong and Narcisso. Friendship can still be preserved if someone feels compassion towards the other."

Unfortunately, Ruh disagreed with Shay.

"I think you did the wrong thing Shay …"

Shay was confused to what Ruh uttered.

"What do you mean I did the wrong thing? Didn't you see, Hawks calmed down and Ryoku stopped being arrogant for a moment. Making him feel that he is not that great may peg him a little bit and maybe humble himself a little." Shay looked confused.

"I doubt you successfully did that … Shay! I think … the way I saw in Ryoku's eyes … you just fueled his fire for determination to be even greater than the others. No matter what it might cost him. Since you told him about the possibility of death, I feel you just pushed him further to validate his intentions to do what it takes … just to gain power. That's the danger there!"

Ruh even continued,

"Then, do you think compassion necessarily becomes the outcome once you paint someone in a pitiful state? Sometimes … it breeds pride and arrogance. Because that person may think highly of themselves over the others."

Silence fell on Shay.

Upon contemplating on Ruh's words, Shay wondered.

"What should I have done then?"

"Only the truth … Shay! There is nothing better than truth." Ruh emphasized.

Unexpectedly, Ganki intervened the talk between the two.

"No! Sometimes truth also can drive wedges between two pure souls. Look at what happened to our master and his brother. Truth set them apart and created a conflict between the two. There is no right move or right answer … Only faith and hope … That maybe our intentions would be enough to set things right." Ganki expressed his view on the matter regarding their juniors.

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Somewhere in the dungeon where the semifinals round was held,

Specifically to where the team of Hawks was designated …

Master Wushu was discreetly investigating the unusual situation.

He was able to perfectly hide his presence from anyone.

And went to clear his suspicions through his own investigation.

When he reached the private holding of the armored titans, a group of staff members from the organizing committee was being cornered by armed men from the Jade Clan.

He wanted to intervene but he observed and assessed the situation first.

Then … there it was, a revelation he was not surprised at all.

"Our headmaster warns each of you. Better not saying anything. Or else your life will be forfeited. We know that you have found out what happened with armored titan incident. So better cover it up and not let anyone find out. Or else … there will be no future for the bunch of you." The captain of the armed men from the Jade Clan threatened the staff members who were present.

In unison they all replied stuttering, "Y-yes … we will!"

The captain's last words were …

"Now, you better give us the information about the grandfinals … And we want you to help us to accomplish something!"

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