12 Asserting Dominance, Marked

The arrogant voice rang in Miguel and Marcel's ears.

Miguel felt that it was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

He and Marcel turned to look at the source of the voice.

The door opened with a bang as a muscular youth wearing a tight-fitting outfit entered their view.

Looking at the youth, a sigh could only escape Miguel's mouth.

He finally knew why the voice felt familiar.

'Turns out that it's him.'

The number one bully in Peach Village, Gasper.

Gasper has also turned 18 years old this year. He was one of the seven newly awakened youths in the village. He awakened a few months ago and was over the moon about it, bragging and broadcasting his 'accomplishment' to the whole village.

Unlike Miguel, Gasper was a direct descendant of the Red Family. He was the direct nephew of Marcel and was respected by the other youths because of it.

Gasper has already formed his circle of bullies in Peach Village, with the fool Miguel being one of the victims of their childish actions.

Being the branch leader's nephew, who dares to get on his way?

"Gasper, have some manners and knock before you enter." Marcel's strict voice was heard as Gasper turned a deaf ear to his scoldings.

"So, it's really true. You have truly awakened. What a lucky fool!" Gasper remarked coldly upon seeing Miguel.

Miguel shook his head inwardly after hearing his remarks. He obviously knew his reason for being here.

Gasper must have been afraid of Miguel overtaking him now that he had awakened a grimoire. Hence, it was obvious that he was here to assert dominance while it was still early.

And Miguel was proven right as, the next second, Gasper closed his eyes and summoned his grimoire after dozens of seconds.

His grimoire was dark bronze in color and was vastly different from Miguel and Marcel's grimoire.

His bronze grimoire glowed for a few seconds before a creature was summoned in front of him.

It was a wolf that had its fur coated with a blazing fire.

"Trash, take out your grimoire and fight with me!" Gasper bellowed as he tried to initiate a fight.

Humans, Beast and Grimoire have the same process of advancing their strength or level. Aside from some special circumstances, they must participate in a battle and accumulate 'experience' through it.

The experience gained would vary depending on the 'evaluation' that will happen in every battle. This evaluation was always strict and thorough. People who tried to stage a battle to obtain 'experience' would even be punished by it. 

Sometimes, practice matches would also earn experience points, but only if a user made an outstanding performance would they gain experience.

As for the wolf that Gasper has summoned, Miguel determines that it has already leveled up.

According to Marcel, the beast's levels were completely independent of their grades.

The grades were a categorization that depends on the beast's life levels or value. Of course, having a higher life value also meant that they were stronger compared to beasts of the same level.

Normal Grade that was the most common; Bronze Grade that was relatively rare; Silver Grade that was considered an Elite beast; and then the Gold Grades that were considered as King Beasts. 

As for the level, it determined the beast's strength. The higher their level, the greater the difference in power between them.

Marcel stated that a Level 4 Normal Grade beast could definitely overpower a Level 1 Silver Grade beast in a battle.

Staring at the wolf, Miguel knew that it had at least Level 2 strength already. After all, he recalled from his memories a few weeks ago that Gasper broadcasted to the whole village that his beast had leveled up.

A Level 2 Normal Grade Fire Wolf versus his newly acquired Level 1 Bronze Grade Volcanic Tortoise.

Their powers and raw strength should be similar, so it was only a matter of who had a better summoner to determine the winner.

However, although he was itching for a fight, Miguel knew how to hold himself back.

Being able to cultivate that technique was still more important than a momentary fight. What if he won and was 'evaluated' as excellent, making him level up on the spot? Won't he lose his qualification to cultivate that technique if that truly happens?

Miguel ignored Gasper's provocative words as he turned to look at Marcel, who clearly had a dark expression on his face.

"I'll go on my way now. I'll return later for what you've promised." Miguel smiled and bowed slightly to Marcel before walking towards the door, ignoring Gasper completely as if he were a mere decoration in the room.

Of course, Gasper's rage went to the roof after seeing that Miguel tried to ignore him.

"Fire Wolf, attack with Fire Claw!" he ordered with rage in his voice.

The Fire Wolf's eyes glowed before it dashed and ran towards Miguel. It lunged in mid-air as its front claw started to flare up, just like its fur.

A smile surfaced on Gasper's face; Miguel's demise was already in his sight.

'Hmpp! Blame yourself for ignoring me! Haha, truly a fool. He did not even notice that an attack was already coming his way! ' 

However, contrary to Gasper's thought, Miguel had actually felt the dangerous attack behind him. However, he did not bother turning or dodging the attack, as he continued to walk forward without care.

"ENOUGH!" 

Just then, a loud bellow rang in Miguel and Gasper's ears.

Affected by the shout, the Fire Wolf's attack halted in mid-air as it dropped to the ground, covering its ears with its paws.

"Are you thinking of me as a decoration? How dare you ignore me! Have I been lax towards you these days that you dare to ignore my words? Huh? Gasper!?" 

Marcel stared at Gasper with glaring eyes. This nephew of his has truly gone overboard this time. He even dared to attack his 'investment' right before his eyes.

This kid was definitely asking for a beating.

"Keep your puppy away and face the wall while kneeling to reflect on your actions. Do you hear me?"

Miguel smirked and did not bother looking back to witness what was happening on his back.

He was not interested in what was going to happen next.

However, Gasper's actions in wanting to kill him were not something that could easily be forgotten.

Gasper, who was being punished by his uncle, has already been secretly marked by Miguel right at this moment. 

'You're going to be the second one, then! ' 

At this moment, Gasper was still oblivious to the fact that his days were already numbered.