THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The crimson orbs, denied their initial target, detonated against the fountain's base with a deafening roar. Half the structure crumbled in a cloud of dust, marble shards raining down like razor blades. As the dust settled, a figure materialized above.

Cloaked in a shadowy robe that seemed to devour the moonlight, he descended with a fluid elegance that belied his imposing size. This newcomer, shrouded in mystery, landed beside Orkler and Stripe, who watched David's display with a mixture of astonishment and dawning concern.

"He dodged even that!" Stripe exclaimed, a tremor of disbelief running through his voice."Indeed," a smooth, contemplative voice echoed from the newcomer. This was Mace, his tone betraying a hint of respect for David's unexpected prowess.

"He seems more than a mere nuisance."Orkler, however, bristled with barely contained rage.

"Skill means little against brute force!" he bellowed, hooves digging into the ground.

His massive horns thrust forward, an image of raw, unyielding power. "I'll crush him like an insect!"The earth trembled as Orkler charged. His massive form, a blur of muscle and fury, tore gouges into the ground with his horns. With a deafening crash, he obliterated the remnants of the ancient fountain, his monstrous roar echoing through the courtyard.

But David, a phantom in the chaos, was nowhere to be seen.

A split second later, a bone-crunching impact resonated through the night. Orkler, jaw agape in a bellowing roar, staggered back, a hand clamped to his face where a brutal kick had landed. David, a whirlwind of motion, had materialized above the Minotaur, evading his charge with an agility that defied nature itself.

An arrow, a streak of deadly metal, tore through the air, aimed unerringly for David's head. He twisted like a dancer amidst flames, the fletched death narrowly whistling past him. Without missing a beat, he used Orkler's dazed form as a springboard. With a graceful roll that belied the brutal kick he'd delivered, David landed in a crouch several meters away, a predator surveying his prey.

Orkler shook his head violently, trying to clear the daze from David's powerful kick.

"You missed too," Mace, the enigma in black, muttered a surprised curse. Stripe had taken advantage of David's skirmish with Orkler, launching an arrow that seemed impossible to dodge mid-air. Yet David had shattered their expectations.

"Slippery bastard," Stripe, usually a picture of stoicism, let out a frustrated growl. David's unpredictable movements had outmanoeuvred them once again, leaving them scrambling to anticipate his next move.

Before Orkler could unleash another thunderous charge, Mace's voice boomed through the courtyard: "Orkler, stand down!" The Minotaur, a mountain of muscle and fury, skidded to a halt, irritation flickering like a dying ember in his eyes. Mace, his shadowed form radiating a strange authority, turned his gaze to David.

"You," he boomed, his voice surprisingly light compared to his imposing stature, "Join us!"The air crackled with disbelief. Stripe, ever the pragmatist, was the first to erupt.

"Are you mad, Mace? This intruder attacked our base!" His voice, usually a low hum, rose to a near-shriek. Mace met Stripe's outrage with an unwavering gaze. "Have you not seen, Stripe? The boy anticipates our attacks with an uncanny ability. But that's not all," he continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"I cannot sense his mana."The revelation hung in the air, a silent explosion that left all three of them reeling. Orkler, his previous rage melting into confusion, echoed Stripe's question. "What do you mean, Mace?"The cloaked figure straightened, his posture turning serious.

"He is unawakened," Mace declared, silencing his comrades with the weight of the statement. "We are facing a mortal."

David, caught in the crossfire of confusion, felt a knot tighten in his gut. The system within him hummed, a constant reminder of his supposed mana. But a seed of doubt had been planted.

The system displayed his class – Ascendant – yet, his rank remained frustratingly absent. This, too, was a revelation that sent a tremor through David's understanding of his own power.

David channelled the [Celestial Wheel], he shifted into a stance, grounding himself with a wide, stable base. His knees bent slightly, providing both flexibility and power, ready to spring into action. His weight was evenly distributed, giving him the ability to move swiftly in any direction.

His feet were positioned shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly forward. The back foot was angled outward, creating a solid anchor. David's torso twisted slightly, presenting a smaller target while keeping his core tight and balanced.

His fists were up, guarding his chin, with elbows tucked in close to protect his ribs. One hand hovered near his face, ready to block or deflect incoming strikes, while the other hand stayed poised for quick jabs and counters. His eyes focused intently on his opponent, tracking every movement with laser precision.

His entire body exuded a black aura, a perfect blend of tension and readiness, prepared to unleash a flurry of attacks or defend against any onslaught.

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A/N Hello guys, I really enjoyed writing this chapter, come on, David is a goat at mockery.

I would like to thank Jane_Dungo for the golden ticket

happy reading