Chapter 5: Bet
Inside the Vance Clan Manor.
"I heard you gave Alex some cultivation resources?" Victor Vance, the head of the clan, stared at Elara, questioning her.
"Yes," she replied, her tone cold.
Victor opened his mouth as if to say more, but eventually swallowed his words.
"Fine. It's just some resources. Consider it repayment for the debt we owe the Whitefield couple for saving the Vance family years ago."
What did it matter if they gave Alex a few handouts?
These meager resources were nothing compared to the full-force grooming the Vance Clan had invested in Elara!
In his eyes, the result of the duel in three days was still a foregone conclusion!
Hearing her father's words, a strong wave of nausea rose in Elara's heart.
How could these resources possibly equate to the lives of the Whitefield couple?
But he was, after all, her father...
"I'm going back to my room," she said coldly, turning to leave.
"What's the rush?" Victor raised his volume. "The Five Great Academies just called. They will arrive in Riverdale City in three days to personally offer their recruitment conditions to you. Coincidentally, that is also the day of your duel with Alex. I hope you perform well during the fight and show the representatives of the Five Great Academies your true power!"
The recruiters would undoubtedly watch the duel between his daughter and Alex before tabling their offers.
"Mhm. I will."
Looking at his daughter's indifferent demeanor, Victor couldn't help but sigh. "Don't blame your father. Since ancient times, families must be of equal standing. Alex is just an orphan; how is he worthy of our Vance Clan? Even if the Whitefields saved us, giving him extra resources in the future will be enough to settle the score."
Elara closed her eyes, her face filled with disgust. "Filthy. I don't want to hear it."
"Filthy or not, it doesn't matter if you hate me. I just want you to have better options. In the duel three days from now, you are the protagonist, and our Vance Clan will be the protagonist too!"
When his daughter defeated Alex in front of the Five Great Academies, her fame would skyrocket!
And the Vance Clan would use this opportunity to build connections with powerful factions, ascending to the next level!
Elara didn't speak again. Keeping her eyes closed, she turned and walked away.
Regarding the duel in three days, her heart was filled with confusion. She didn't know whether she should intentionally lose or go all out and treat it seriously.
Watching his daughter's retreating back, Victor shouted, "Someone! Go publicize the news that the Five Great Academies are arriving for recruitment in three days, as well as the match between the Young Miss and Alex. Invite all the major factions to come and watch!"
On that day, his daughter would be the center of attention, and so would the Vance Clan!
At the City Gate, people bustled to and fro.
"James, getting ready to head out for a hunt?" Kane Blackwood saw James Whitefield and his team of four and called out.
"What is it, Kane? You taking your team out too?"
"Yeah, James. Why don't we team up? We can look out for each other," Kane said with a fake smile plastered on his face.
James frowned. "I don't think so. We'll hunt on our own; it's more convenient that way."
Kane's expression instantly changed, his tone turning nasty. "James Whitefield, I call you 'brother' out of respect. Don't be ungrateful!"
"Watch your damn mouth!" A team member behind James immediately stepped forward, furious.
"Ooh, I just like talking this way. You got a problem with that?" Kane put his hands on his hips, acting high and mighty.
"Fine. Talk however you want!"
James signaled his team with his eyes, turning to wait for Alex in a different spot.
Pick your battles. There was no need to conflict with this kind of person; if you can step back, step back.
"Hey! Don't walk away, James!" Kane shouted hurriedly. "I lost the bet to you last time. How about we bet again? You aren't scared and planning to be a cowardly turtle, are you?"
James hesitated, but finally turned back. "Spit it out! What's the bet?"
He had planned to let it slide, but since the other party was pushing his luck, there was no need to endure it any longer!
"Let's bet on which of our two squads hunts a higher total value of beasts before sunset. As for the stakes, I'll put up a Top-Grade Bone Tempering Pill. You put up that weapon I lost to you last time. Deal?"
As Kane spoke, he pulled out a golden pill, weighing it in his hand.
James looked at the pill, a flash of desire in his eyes. A Top-Grade Bone Tempering Pill... If he could get that, his third round of bone tempering might succeed.
But when he looked back at the three team members behind him, his eyes dimmed, and his heart filled with hesitation.
The overall strength of his team was a large cut below Kane's. The probability of winning was almost zero.
"Uncle, accept it."
Alex arrived beside James, patting him on the shoulder.
Seeing Alex, James felt a burst of joy. "Alex, you're here?"
"Yeah. Uncle, agree to it. Trust me!"
Seeing the firm look in Alex's eyes, James gritted his teeth. "Kane Blackwood, I accept! It works out perfectly; you have five, and we have five!"
If his nephew wasn't afraid, what did he have to fear?
At worst, he'd just lose a weapon.
Kane looked at Alex with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, speaking sarcastically. "Oh, isn't this little Alex. So, what low-level ability did you awaken?"
"Oh, I awakened the 'Moron Detector' ability. Whoever I look at turns out to be a massive moron!" Alex stared directly at him.
Luckily, this moron didn't know his true ability.
If he knew, he might not want to bet!
Since he didn't know, Alex decided to raise the stakes and scam him good!
"Not bad. That ability sounds interesting." Kane said, but suddenly realized the implication. "Wait, who are you calling a moron?"
"I didn't say a name. I just look at morons." Alex spread his hands, looking innocent.
Kane was momentarily speechless. Did Alex make sense? No wait...
He quickly flew into a rage. "Damn it, don't play word games with me! Are you asking for a beating?!"
"Kane, that's enough! If you want to touch Alex, you have to get through me first!" James immediately took a step forward, blocking Alex.
The atmosphere instantly became tense, swords drawn and bows bent, ready to snap.
Alex, however, spoke unhurriedly. "Whoa, look at that temper. Why so angry? How about this: let's raise the stakes. If you win, I'll not only kneel and apologize, but I'll also hand over this precious Storage Ring with both hands. How about that?"
Kane's gaze was drawn to the ring on Alex's finger, his eyes filling with greed.
Even the most basic Storage Ring started at a million credits. This would be a massive profit!
"Done! It's a deal!"
Alex sneered. "What's the rush? Don't look so desperate. What about your side? What are you adding to the pot?"
Kane pulled out two Mid-Grade Bone Tempering Pills. "I'll kneel and apologize to you too, plus these two pills. That enough?"
"Not enough!"
Kane's face turned the color of pig liver. He pulled out a D-Rank Combat Weapon.
"Is this enough now?"
"Fine. That's more like it. The bet is on!"
The corners of Kane's mouth curled into a smug smile. He said gleefully, "Heh heh, I'm going to make a killing today! Boys, let's go! Let's give this prodigal son his first life lesson!"
James's team was full of the old and the weak, plus a greenhorn Alex who had just awakened. There was no possibility of them winning!
When he won tonight, he would humiliate this stupid Alex thoroughly!
He'd teach this kid a harsh lesson!
James looked at his nephew, his eyes full of worry and confusion. "Alex, what exactly are you planning?"
"Uncle, didn't I tell you? I awakened an S-Rank ability. This win is in the bag!"
James still looked skeptical. "Alex, did you really awaken an S-Rank ability?"
(To be Continued)