Chapter 28 - Competition

"Alright, we'll do that. I'll call Elder Oro later for a meeting. All of you will be coming with me except for Kein." Kai announced making Rem frown, but he shrugged it off afterwards. He doesn't need to interfere that much for now, since nothing major will happen.

"Thank you for your suggestions, my son. We'll try to do those things as much as we can." Nie patted Rem's head while smiling at him.

"Thank you, mom." Rem smiled.

"We should go and train then, Kein. We should take all the time we can get before I leave." Sean stands up and walked away making Rem follow behind him with Spike.

--

As that was happening on Mount Garou, Rem's clone at Cheve was fighting with Wallace. Fernand and the others were watching the match with amazement on their faces. They can't help but be shocked by the fast growth of Rem. The little monster was growing by an insane amount of speed. This was happening because of the Ascendant Replication and Paragon combo. With those skills, Rem has a faster speed in growing stronger than others.

At the moment, Rem was fighting Wallace at an even ground. They are constantly clashing with each other's axe but no one was getting pushed back. This was the thing that shocked the audience, it was because Rem just started training for a few months compared to Wallace who trained for almost 2 years.

"You're really a genius compared to us, Ian. I can't help but feel this spark of competitiveness in my heart. I won't allow myself to lose!" Wallace quickly stepped back then spun his axe with great dexterity. This was a difficult technique to accomplish, even Rem has not mastered this yet. Wallace has solely focused on mastering this technique ever since he started training in the Academy.

"Have a taste of my Spinning Axe! Ha!" Wallace run after Rem as he threw the spinning axe towards him. Rem saw this and inhaled deeply, the axe was coming at a fast speed. He stood still and waited for the perfect timing to redirect the spinning axe by hitting it at a perfect angle.

'Now!' The axe was at only a few centimeters before his face, and he slashed his axe in an upward vertical slash on the blade of the spinning axe making it spin up to the sky. The force behind the spinning axe pushed Rem a bit but he quickly stabilized his footing afterwards. Wallace though was prepared for that and jumped to catch it. He then spun the axe again and shot it towards Rem.

'Annoying' Rem thought as this time he didn't try to intercept it but dodge the attack. Wallace smirked at this making Rem feel alarmed. He heard a chopping sound behind him and saw that the spinning axe was flying back at him.

"He actually mastered the spinning axe at this stage!" Fernand shouts as he can't believe what he was seeing.

"Well anyone can do that sir if one is solely dedicated to a single technique." Warren replies as he knows how much his brother spent training on this technique.

Rem saw the spinning axe and bend his back to dodge it again. Wallace caught the spinning axe and threw it again.

"This technique has a weakness." Rem muttered as he dodged the spinning axe again. This time he runs after Wallace, the weakness of this technique is the owner having no weapon for a few seconds. Wallace saw Rem running towards him making him flustered. He didn't know what to do as his axe was still flying around the stage.

"You're finished." Wallace tried to run away but it was already too late as Rem was already in front of him with his axe pointing at his face.

"Alright, you win." Wallace pouted as he raised his hands.

"Well done, you two." Fernand praised.

"Ian did a great job in finding the weakness of the technique. That is how one should do when facing an opponent with unknown moves. As for you, Wallace, you've done a great job in mastering this technique. It's a hard thing to master and only a few people have done that. But! You should not be too reliant on that technique and learn other techniques too. I wish that this sparring has taught both of you a valuable lesson." Fernand says as the two nod.

"Now then before I let all of you go, I have something to announce. The upcoming yearly academy competition is about to come. Like every year, there will be two separate competitions, one for the younger students and the other for the older ones. The Seed Trainee Competition is for students that are ages 10 and below. The Sprout Trainee Competition is for those ages 11 and above. Let me know tomorrow if you would like to join." Fernand announced.

"When will this event be held, sir?" Axel asked.

"It will be held by two months from now."

"How about prizes? Do they have one?" Alen followed up.

"Yes, the prizes though varies every year. Last year, one got a chance to request a piece of custom equipment, and even be eligible to be a scholar for the Major Academy." Fernand explains making them excited.

"Don't be too excited about this. Remember that every department will be participating in this event. We can't underestimate the other department mostly those from the Sword Department, they got an advantage in our weapons." Warren says making the group be dejected.

'I should join in this event. I'm only facing some kids and I'll surely be able to win this if I'm not restrained in using my other skills.' Rem thought.

"Can we use other skills in the competition, sir?" Rem asked. He wasn't afraid of showing all of his skills since even if this clone dies then he'll just create another one. He can just change his plans since he can still do many things besides staying and learning in this Academy.

"Hmmm... yes." Fernand answers but he was curious if Rem has other skills that he might be hiding. He was not believing in this possibility though since Rem was already talented just by his growth.

"I want to join in then, sir." Rem replied.

"You sure? You can't back out after this."

"Yes, I'm sure. Even if I lose, it'll be okay. It's a learning experience that only comes rarely."

"Alright!" Fernand was smiling from hearing Rem's reply. The other's was motivated by Rem's words that they also wanted to join.

"I want to join too!"

"Me too, sir!"

Everyone asked for it making Fernand laugh. 'This Ian has a charm in him, he actually gave the others the guts to join in the competition.' Fernand thought as he gives an approving nod to the group.

"Good! Show them the might of our department! Don't disgrace me, you brats!" Fernand walked away after that.

"The old geezer thinks he's cool with that exit." Geen chuckled while looking at the old man's retreating figure.

"Idiot! He might hear you!" Warren smacked the fool making Geen howl in pain.

"Why be so violent!?"

"Because you're being dumb, duhhh." Wallace chuckles making Geen grumble at them.

Rem and the triplets can only shake their head at Geen.

"Let's go back!" Alen energetically hops as he walks towards their dormitory.

"Wait up!" Alex and Axel run after him with the same energy. The triplets have become more energetic compared to before. They are already able to lift the axe easily unlike before, and they are even training harder since they have Rem as a motivation. This made Fernand lessen his scolding sessions with the three.

"Those three really changed a lot." Warren whispered as he looks over at Rem.

--

"This is goodbye then, Kein. We'll see you again before your birthday." Nie says as they are at the gate of the tribe.

"Look after the young master, Hane. Don't ever let him starve, and please take care of yourself also." Ven held back her tears from falling.

"It's so unfair that you can come along, and I can't!" Hane complained. She was worried for Ven since it was her first time being out of the tribe. She can't help but feel anxious that something bad might happen to Ven during the expedition.

"Don't look so worried about me, Hane. I'm the careful and mature one between the two of us, so I should be the one who should be worrying." Ven joked to calm the tense atmosphere.

"Just... just be careful out there." Hane hugs Ven as she can't stop her tears from falling. This was the first time that they'll be apart, but she knows that this should be done.

"I-I will."

"Make sure to come back, Ven. I and Hane will prepare lots of food when you return." Rem says making the two chuckle. He was also worried about Ven since she was basically a parent to him. Even so, he knows that this was for the better. Sacrifices will need to be made for the betterment of their tribe.

"I can't wait."

"Kein, don't forget your training. Once we return, I'll surely test your progress." Sean says.

"Yes, sir!" Rem jokingly replied.

"As for you, Hane. Make sure to do some exercises for your breast, I research that it can grow bigger if you fondle it." Hane turned red as she hears this.

"You pervert!" Sean run away as Hane chased after him.

"The lovebirds haven't changed." Ven and Rem chuckle.

"Kein, be a good boy and I'm sorry I and your mother are not always here. I promise to make it up to you." Kai hugs him.

"It's okay, dad. Just return safely. I'll miss you both."