Wild interest parte II

"Attention! The leader of the Three Mountains sect and his direct disciple are present. Show your respect!" Kaina exclaimed seriously, and the last 14 candidates straightened up in response.

"Izuru, why aren't you showing respect to the leader?" Kaina asked with disapproval.

"It's not necessary, Kaina. I'll discipline him later," Liu said, observing Izuru, who remained seated, unfazed.

"I don't want you as my master," Izuru replied, standing up and adopting a soldier's stance.

"Another thing from your world?" Sae asked, curious about the unusual stance.

"Yes, something like that," Izuru replied.

"What's going on? Did they already know each other?" Kelly wondered, noting the familiarity between Liu and Izuru.

"What do you think, Rin-Rin?" she asked with a smile that vanished upon seeing the look of hatred Rin directed at his brother.

"Oh, seems like we have some family drama…" Kelly murmured, amused, toying with her fingers.

"Master Liu is interested in some of you, but it's up to you to accept him as your master," Kaina said, casting a serious look at Liu.

"Izuru Kamubura and Hyu Park, I want you both as my direct disciples," declared Sae, searching for Hyu.

"Sorry, I don't want to," Izuru replied firmly.

"Are you aware that being trained by me is the best thing that could happen to you?" Sae asked, confused by the rejection.

Izuru nodded, recalling:

Flashback:

"Power lies in knowledge, Izuru. The more you know about this world, the more raw power you possess," explained Reiji as he read from an old, coverless book.

"What's raw power?" Izuru asked, intrigued.

"It's like brute strength. Raw power means that knowledge itself gives you power, but knowing how to use it makes you truly powerful. A good teacher is someone who shows you how to use what you already know."

"I understand…" murmured Izuru, and Reiji closed the book. "Come on, it's time to eat."

End of flashback.

Izuru looked at Sae and added, "Among everyone here, there's only one person who can truly bring out my abilities. But I see your intentions, Sae. I don't want you to live out your dreams through me. So please, help me convince Elder Hu to be my master!"

Before anyone could respond, a voice interrupted:

"That won't be necessary."

A portal, blue with purple hues, opened, filling Liu with worry and leaving Sae stunned. From the portal emerged Rain, and both Liu and Sae took a defensive stance, while Kaina averted her gaze with nostalgia and sadness.

"You haven't changed at all, still making such grand entrances as the first day," Kaina thought.

"It's been a while, Liu Shun."

"Protect the children," Sae ordered, keeping his eyes fixed on Rain.

"Which kid are you planning to kidnap this time?" Liu growled, preparing himself to face the divine threat once again.

"Why do you all see me as the villain? I'm merely giving them the chance to taste the power of the gods," Rain replied, conjuring figures of Izuru, Sae, and Kaina with his miasma.

"I wouldn't oppose you if you'd at least give a warning before taking them. These kids have families too, don't they, Izuru?" Liu said, glancing at Izuru, who responded by raising his middle finger.

"I guess I chose wrong…" Liu muttered. "What do you want, Rain? If you're here for your new kid, just take him and stop wasting our time."

"Who do you think you are to speak to me like that, mortal trash?!"

Rain moved in close, standing face-to-face with Liu, and the showdown between the man closest to God and "God" himself was about to erupt, and Sae knew it perfectly well.

"Everyone back! Kaina, get the remaining disciples to safety!"

"Understood!" Kaina replied, but before she could snap her fingers and teleport the disciples to the third mountain…

"No one is going anywhere."

With a simple command, Rain nullified all hope of survival for the aspirants and any chance for Master Liu to unleash his full power.

"Why the hell can't I move?!" Sae thought in terror, seeing the overwhelming amount of miasma Rain emanated.

"Gulp… How could he have become this powerful? It's only been five years since he was released, and I've never felt fear like this. If only I could move, if only I could defend myself…" Sae thought helplessly, swallowing hard.

"Is this what our King is capable of?" Rin thought as he watched his brother look at Rain with hatred in his eyes, but before anything else could happen…

"I apologize for speaking to you so disrespectfully. What do you require, Your Majesty?" murmured Liu after sighing heavily.

"That's more like it," Rain replied with a smile as he withdrew his miasma. But the moment Sae regained his mobility, he lunged at Rain with incredible speed, using his elemental control to create ice daggers, slicing through Rain's head without hesitation.

"I don't understand, Sae. Why do you hate me so much? I trained you, cared for you, taught you, and gave you the chance to have a future close to the gods," Rain said, his form turning into water.

"He's not dead, right?" Kelly wondered, watching the puddle that formed after Rain's supposed demise.

"Even after seeing what a simple command did to all of us, do you really think that's enough to kill a god?" Rin said, watching as the puddle of water began to reform. Before it could fully take shape, Sae attacked incessantly, first attempting to freeze the water, which failed, so he continued with all his might. But his efforts were in vain, and Rain made sure to show him that.

"Do you think you can kill God? Did you forget that I am your King?" he said, surrounding Sae with miasma, who responded by creating an ice dome.

"Enough, both of you," Liu commanded, looking sternly at Rain. "You've caused enough chaos for today. Tell us what you want and then get out of here. I'm in no mood for the games of a childish god."

He said as he approached the ice dome protecting Sae.

"You act like a mortal with the power of a god," Liu added, touching the dome and instantly teleporting Sae outside as Rain shattered it effortlessly.

"I only want you to comply with my new disciple's demands as much as possible. Besides, I wanted to see an old friend."

"I'll fulfill your whim, but if the boy demands too much or causes trouble, I'll have no hesitation in expelling him, regardless of the consequences. Understood, Your Majesty?"

"There's my old friend; it's been a long time, Liu Sheng."

Rain said, reminiscing about Liu's bold attitude in his youth.

"Aspirants Hyu Park and Izuru will be trained by Sae—"

"Actually, they'll be trained by me," interrupted Elder Hu as he approached the platform.

"I accept your request, Izuru, and Hyu asked me a few hours ago as well."

"It's been years since you last took on a disciple. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"It'll be a piece of cake, don't worry."

"Then I have no complaints. Robert, Kelly, and Rin Ikari… would you like to be instructed by me?"

"I accept!" said Rin and Robert in unison, as Kelly watched them with a smile.

"What about you, Kelly?"

"I…" All eyes were on Kelly, and with everyone's attention on her, Kelly gave her firm response.

End of chapter.