CHAPTER 14: DAWN OF TITLE BEARERS

 One week had passed, and Hazel summoned everyone for a meeting.

The hall was filled with individuals radiating newfound power. Almost everyone had reached elite status, and many elites had ascended to become title holders, their forms visibly transformed.

Oscar, now the Flame Bearer, had flames dancing on his shoulders and the edges of his coat. His drawn sword was perpetually wreathed in fire, and he possessed a new, potent skillset.

Shadow had become the Demiser, gaining the ability to transform large areas, even entire buildings, into safe havens within his shadow.

Blossom was now known as All Blossom, adorned in striking pink and black leather attire that revealed her midriff. She, too, wielded powerful new abilities.

Ashton, the Time Jerker, had no change in clothing but was imbued with a remarkable array of temporal powers.

Darwin, now titled Flash, sported permanently yellow hair and a jacket emblazoned with a thunderbolt. His speed had increased exponentially.

Mia's title was the Sin of Pride, a surprising designation for someone who outwardly seemed humble. However, beneath the surface, Mia harbored a fierce ambition and a drive to surpass even Hazel, who was the first person she acknowledged as stronger.

Alexa, the Assassin's Creed, now wore a stealthy assassin's outfit that could change color at will. She wielded a unique pair of medium-sized assassin's blades and possessed a comprehensive set of assassin-related skills.

The combined aura of everyone in the hall was intense, causing Hazel to smirk, a low, evil chuckle escaping his lips.

Disbelief and anger rippled through the crowd. They had pushed themselves to their limits for the past week, and their reward was their master's laughter.

"Our master is a complete monster," Ashton muttered under his breath.

As Hazel continued to chuckle, Darwin, in a burst of speed, hurled Thorax, his axe, towards Hazel. Hazel casually caught the speeding weapon. "Now isn't the time to test if you're stronger than me, Flash," Hazel said, his tone nonchalant.

With a flick of his wrist, Hazel threw the axe back with incredible force and speed. Even Darwin, with his enhanced reflexes, couldn't fully track it as Thorax embedded itself in the wall beside him.

The shock on Darwin's face was too much for Hazel, and he erupted into louder laughter.

"Seriously?" Oscar said, shaking his head in disbelief at Hazel's antics.

Suddenly, Alexa emerged silently from Hazel's shadow, attempting a surprise attack. But Hazel casually caught her mid-air and tossed her towards Darwin, who, flustered, caught her, a blush creeping onto his face.

Hazel's laughter only intensified.

"Hey, you a$$hole! Are you trying to kill her?" Darwin shouted, still holding Alexa awkwardly.

"It's been a long time since I've seen him laugh like that," Blossom said, a soft smile on her face.

Without warning, Mia launched a direct attack, her sword aimed at Hazel. With effortless ease, Hazel caught the blade between his index and middle fingers.

"What?" Mia exclaimed in disbelief, struggling to pull her sword free. Hazel's laughter echoed again, fueling Mia's anger. A dark aura began to emanate from her body, and the ground around them cracked. Hazel's expression finally turned serious, though he still held her sword with just two fingers.

"Enough," Hazel said, his voice firm. But Mia didn't relent, pouring all her power into the sword. Hazel raised his free hand as if to strike Mia.

Fear gripped the others. "Noooo!" Darwin yelled, still awkwardly holding Alexa, unable to move quickly to intervene. It seemed like the end for Mia.

Mia fell to her knees.

"You b*stard!" Darwin shouted, dropping Alexa to rush to Mia's side. "Mia!"

"I'm fine," Mia gasped, looking up at Darwin.

"But he just—" Darwin began, confused.

"I'm fine," Mia repeated, looking at Hazel. "Master Hazel just helped me get rid of the demon."

"What do you mean?" Darwin asked, bewildered.

"My title, the Sin of Pride, came with a backlash," Mia explained. "A demon that dwells within me that I have to overcome. Master Hazel is helping me with that."

Hazel began to laugh again, rubbing under his nose with his index finger, a gesture of boastfulness.

"Are you f*cking kidding me?" Darwin yelled at the still-laughing Hazel.

"Everyone settle down," Hazel said, his tone finally serious. "Moving on to the reason I called you here. I have information to share." Silence fell over the hall, the previous tension replaced by anticipation.

"Firstly, congratulations to all of you who were able to level up so significantly," Hazel said, his gaze sweeping over the transformed group. "And just so you know, some of your friends are absent because they are facing punishment for not leveling up quickly enough. You will see them again after their…re-education." A nervous murmur went through the crowd.

"Now for the information," Hazel continued. "Everyone who is now an elite must go out and level up to become title bearers. And everyone who is a title bearer must go out and level up to become Elite masters."

"What the F*ck?!" the collective shout echoed through the hall. In unison, the empowered group surged towards Hazel, their newfound strength and frustration boiling over. But Hazel moved with a speed that defied their enhanced senses, easily dodging their combined attack.

"Do it," Hazel commanded, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "Or you will face punishment."

With a speed greater than even Flash's, Hazel vanished from the hall, leaving the stunned and disgruntled group behind.