Strength and Rivalry 1.106

-Ha!- said Kain in a mocking tone. It was five o'clock in the afternoon and they were still gathered under the apple tree. He stood next to Jason, Odysseus, and Achilles as they all watched Viggo master the touki as if it were a reddish aura around his body. Kain looked at Jason who was the only one who dared to bet with him -what do you think?- he asked

-It's cheating- Jason said while pointing his finger at him -you knew something and that's why you were so sure-

-Of course, what kind of father would I be if I don't know what's wrong with my son?- replied Kain with a sneer -but that's okay, I'll let you overlook this bet. I think you will lose enough when the fight between Viggo and Ottar takes place-

Jason pursed his nose looking at him full of resentment, but a pat on his shoulder deconcentrated him. He looked to the side and saw Odysseus.

-Leave it, the master is bragging- Odysseus said in complete calm -he may have achieved full-body touki, but that does not mean that he has enough density or strength-

Jason froze thinking about what Odysseus told him, and then smiled as if he had already won. He stretched out his hand to Kain and said -Pay me-

-Hey, hey, didn't I just forgive your defeat?- asked Kain.

-Maybe you can afford to give away ten million valis, but I can't-

-Gambling debts?-

-Ugh!- said Jason as if something had gone wrong with his stomach.

Kain let out a sigh and looked at his eyes. Jason looked at the ground as if he were a child and avoided making contact.

-Jason- Kain said -What do we talk about the betting thing? As a hobby it is fine, but if it takes away everything you have up to dignity, it ceases to be a game-

-I have not lost my dignity- Jason replied in a strong tone, then under his voice a little and looked Kain in the eye -it just happens that I owe a lot of valis and day by day they add the interests-

Kain covered his mouth and looked at Odysseus and Achilles. They both looked away, as if it wasn't their problem. Kain didn't think they were abandoning Jason; it just must happen that they must be tired of telling him to stop betting what he doesn't have. Kain nodded understanding the situation better and looked at Jason -I will take care of your debt- he said.

-Old man, you don't have to- Jason replied.

However, Kain denied and continued -I will take care of your debt, but betting is prohibited- then looked at Odysseus and said -Odysseus, word spreads that whoever places bets with Jason, I will kill him-

-Old man, that's too much- said Odysseus in surprise.

Kain denied -if I don't do this, a certain idiot will go around looking for where to bet-

Odysseus let out a sigh, looked Jason in the eye as if reproaching him for his lack of seriousness despite his age, and nodded to Kain -okay, I'll pass the information- he said -regarding the debt, I can talk to Lady Hera-

-No, I'll see it with my finances- Kain replied, looked at Jason and said -your debt is to me boy, I hope this is the last time you sink so much into the mud-

Jason frowned, but in any case, he bowed his head and nodded. In the end, no matter how many years pass, his master kept taking care of him as if he were a child. On the one hand, he wanted to reproach him that he didn't have to mess with his affairs, but on the other, Kain was right, and the issue of gambling was getting out of hand.

Once the issue was solved, the four dedicated themselves to looking at Viggo who was boxing hitting the air and moving around the yard. Kain smiled at seeing him develop so fast. Even it took him several months to understand how to use touki armor. However, as Xiao and Kiara had informed him, Viggo had good instincts. Kain in an involuntary act, brought his hand to his face and with his thumb, he stepped to scratch his nose in a quick and petulant gesture. Just as Bruce did at the time. After all, thanks to his idea of making Viggo feel the difference between touki and magic reinforcement, Viggo was able to find the right feeling. However, Viggo's inability to control his energy was noticeable, as the reddish energy emanated from the body as if it wanted to escape, spreading sideways by more than ten centimetres outside his body. Instead of being serene and sticking to the skin as if it were a full-body bandage.

Finally, ten minutes later, Viggo lost all the aura and fell to the ground panting and breathing into the seas. Kain along with Jason, Odysseus and Achilles approached Viggo. He had his eyes closed and his chest went up and down too hard trying to catch his breath, as if he had run for hours without taking any rest.

-How do you feel?- asked Kain with a big smile as he extended a hand to him.

Viggo opened his eyes and took his father's hand, so that he would lift him up in one fell swoop. Viggo was built on his feet, but he still rested both hands on his knees and said -it's terrible-

Kain let out a sinister giggle that froze the skin of the four of them. Viggo looked up and saw that his father was looking at him with a certain cruelty in his gaze.

-Viggo, my boy, you don't know how far you are from even putting your new ability to the right use- Kain said, extending his left arm to the side and a sphere of water began to form on his palm. Jason, Odysseus, and Achilles stepped aside and Kain kept feeding the water with more mana and making the water sphere grow. Ten seconds later the sphere of water levitated in the air and moved as if there were small waves inside. Viggo looked on in amazement at his father's control over magic, without enchantment or catalyst. However, to his surprise and wonder, his father moved away from the sphere of water and is on its own in the air. Viggo was still panting from exhaustion, but the spectacle alone was enough for him to forget his tiredness.

-Okay, next step- Kain said.

-Huh?!- Viggo said without understanding. However, Kain didn't wait for him to understand. The best thing for people like Viggo was to use the shape of the eagle. Throw it down a ravine to see if him flies or crashes into the bottom. So, Kain walked to where Viggo was, bent down and grabbed him by the ankle. At the same time, Viggo remained confused, but when he suddenly saw the world turned upside down, he knew something was wrong.

-Well, now try to wear the touki armor and hold your breath- Kain said and threw him into the water sphere.

Viggo hit the water and sank inside as he struggled to get out of the sphere. He could see through the water the faces of Kain and the three idiots. However, the strong currents inside the sphere pushed him inside. Kain pointed something at him with the index and then hugged himself. However, Viggo did not know what his father meant and continued to struggle to get out of the sphere, until in the end, he fainted from the lack of oxygen.

-Wow, it was going so well- Kain said as he stroked his chin. He stared as Viggo circled inside the water sphere and when noticed that he was no longer responding, he made a gesture and Viggo's body levitated outside the sphere.

-You're cruel- said Jason next to him, looking at him with a grudge.

Kain looked at him in disregard as Viggo's body levitated into his arms -it may be- he replied -but this is the best way to perfect touki's armor-

-But it's your son-

-I know, Jason, but that doesn't make him invincible or protect against the rest of the world while I'm not seeing him. I'd rather be the cruel one than let my son die just for giving him a gentle treatment. You have experienced it too; when you are on the battlefield, the enemy does not wait for you to be prepared or attentive to his attacks. Just attack, you die, or he dies, it's that simple-

Jason bent his gaze without nodding or denying the words.

Kain smiled and said -from tomorrow, each of you will have to train Viggo. Each one will occupy the strength of a level 7 to attack him and in that way, he will get used to the touki, regulating his energy, and perfecting his technique. They will have to be tough on Viggo if they don't want him to lose pitifully against Ottar-

Jason, Odysseus, and Achilles looked at Kain in surprise.

Kain turned around holding Viggo's body in his arms and continued -you are old too; you need to leave disciples and it's time for you to get one. This will be your chance for them to harden your heart a little-

The three of them grimaced full of discomfort but nodded anyway. Each had a young appearance, but little by little they noticed the signs of aging in their bones and muscles.

-Just hand-to-hand, right?- asked Jason looking at the back of Kain's neck as he moved forward.

-Just hand in hand, idiot. I told you to be strict, not that you will kill him- Kain replied.

-Okay, we'll do it as you say-

Kain nodded and waved his head to follow. They walked to the house and when Kain was going to use his telekinesis to open the door, Tatsumi opened it inside.

-Otsukaresama, Oto-sama- Tatsumi said and bowed a little bow.

Kain smiled and replied -thank you-

Tatsumi stepped aside and Kain entered the door carrying Viggo. Tatsumi accompanied him all the way to the second floor and opened a guest room for him. Kain took Viggo to a bed and laid him down. Then he stroked his forehead and with a small smile on his lips, he said -rest, you did well-

Kain left Viggo sleeping and Tatsumi walked out of the room with him. Tatsumi looked at Kain as if looking for the right moment and Kain noticed the intentions. Kain stopped in the middle of the hall and waited for Tatsumi to say something to him.

-What do you need, boy?- asked Kain in a kind voice.

-Well, Oto-sama, I, you know, I would like us to go and train in the dungeon- Tatsumi said in a worried tone of voice.

Kain smiled at him and said -no problem, why so shy?-

-Well, oto-sama is busy with Viggo. So, I thought you wouldn't have time-

-Don't worry, I have already laid the foundation for Viggo, so from now on he will train with Jason and the others. On the other hand, I've always had time for you, Viggo won't change that-

Tatsumi smiled and nodded happily. Kain gave a chuckle and messed up his dark hair just like his mother's.

-Come- Kain said -let's see what your mother did to eat-

Tatsumi nodded and followed his father. Once they went down the stairs, Kain saw Flora lead Jason, Odysseus, and Achilles to the exit. Kain raised his hand to dismiss them, and they responded with the same gesture. At the same time, Kain noticed how Flora was indifferent to his presence and only looked at Achilles with blushing cheeks, as if he were the only one in the world. Kain let out a sigh and thought that surely the children grow up too fast.