Adopted Soldier

Alex who was shocked at first by Matthew's sudden movement was still able to react on time. When Matthew had pointed his rifle at Alex's face, Alex was able to do the same and was pointing his two guns at Matthew's face and heart.

Matthew seeing the reaction of his rival and so-called friend made him smile a very joyous smile. Alex pushed the rifle using his left hand, while his right handgun still pointed at his opponents face. Matthew then changed the position of his rifle and pointed it downward evading Alex's hand, and pushing it to the side. While his free left hand pushed Alex's handgun that was pointing at him.

Alex seeing the moving hand of Matthew and followed it, by pushing the rifle downwards. While backing up the right handgun and changing the direction of where his handgun was pointing at.

The two of them didn't move from their spot as they kept changing the position of their guns and pushing the opponent's weapon to the side. Neither of the two made a shot since they only wanted to shoot if they were sure they would hit. Wasting bullets against an opponent near one's level was asking for death. This exchange kept on going for a few more seconds until finally the two of them heard someone yawning.

"This is more boring than I thought. When I saw the Matthew kid, I thought I will get to see a good fight. But what do I see here, it's just two kids jerking off."

The one who spoke was none other that Lyner the strongest merc of Berdonia. He was standing on the fence at the edge of the rooftop while smoking. The two fighters, Alex and Matthew didn't even notice his arrival.

Alex wasn't that surprised to see Lyner here, Matthew, on the other hand, was stunned. He wasn't expecting to see someone like Lyner in this kind of school. Lyner exuded a presence that reminded Matthew of his own master.

The moment that thought pass through Matthew he knew who the man standing before him was. It was none other than the youngest SS rank merc, that made some mercs shiver in fear by hearing his name.

Lyner looked at the two boy's thinking that maybe they weren't able to fight properly since they were in school premise and they didn't want to make a commotion. So Lyner decided to bring them to the place he was training Niel every now and then.

LYner jumped upwards and landed behind the two young mercs that were fighting. He grabbed their collars and carried them on his shoulder like a bag of rice. Matthew who was suddenly manhandled started to resist. He even went into the state that was like the RELEASE. Yet no matter how hard he struggled he couldn't free himself.

"Oh, that's cute. You're trying to release the potential of your body by making the blood circulate through your body faster. You do know that would strain your heart, and the way you're using it might actually kill you... Well, I guess I can understand wanting to be stronger at your age, but there's a proper way. Didn't your master tell you this?... I wonder was he trying to test you, or did he really not know?... I hope he did, seeing as he is considered to be on the same level as me."

When Matthew heard what Lyner said he got very angry. Lyner was bad mouthing his teacher, but he couldn't do anything against the man. Lyner had actually pointed out the flaw in this technique, Matthew wanted to refute him, but he couldn't. His master knew of this flaw and most probably this was a test of sorts for him. Since his master has never specifically said to not use this technique.

Once Matthew stopped struggling and kept quiet as he was thinking about something, Lyner suddenly jumped downwards. Even though Lyner was considered to be beyond human understanding, falling from this height would surely kill them. Alex was still calm as they fell because he knew Lyner won't do something he couldn't handle. Matthew, on the other hand, thought Lyner was crazy, since not even his master would remain unscathed from a fall from a six-story tall building.

As they were falling down, they suddenly stopped at the third floor. Lyner looked like he was floating in mid-air but in truth, he was standing on some wires. After which he gently jumped from on wire to the next. Once he was down on the ground he sprinted towards the place he wanted to go.

...

All throughout the trip, none of them spoke as they waited to see were Lyner would take them. When Alex saw a familiar mountain, he figured out that he was taking them to Ken's place. Lyner sped up as he brought the boys to the top were Ken's house was located. At the moment it was empty as Ken was in school training the Kendo club.

Once they were on top Lyner drop the two boys and spoke.

"Now you can fight seriously since there's nothing here to disturb you guys." Matthew who was finally released by Lyner stood up and stared daggers at Lyner before sighing.

"I don't feel like fighting anymore. I guess I'll try again next time." After Matthew said that, he was about to leave but before he could do so, Lyner blocked his path.

"You do know you suddenly break in my school try to attack one of my students and you want to leave just like that?" Matthew wanted to retort that weren't you the one who wanted me to fight? But he couldn't do so since Lyner was now directing his bloodlust at Matthew.

This was the first time he has been at the receiving end of this kind of bloodlust. Unlike Alex, Matthew has never trained in real battle. He didn't even have a merc rank since he hasn't registered. He had always fought people that were on good terms with his master.

Alex was the only one he ever fought that his master didn't scout for him. Yet Alex never directed any killing intent or bloodlust towards him. That's why the moment Matthew felt Lyner's bloodlust he couldn't move as he shivered in fear. Matthew's legs finally gave out and he stumbled backwards. When Lyner saw this he looked at Matthew disappointed.

"Is that it? Is that all the famous holy son is worth? You're nothing more than a baby... I see, even if you do fight Alex, you won't be able to win."

When Matthew heard this he snapped. He didn't care about the difference in their abilities. He didn't care that right now he was in a total disadvantage, but Matthew couldn't let go of his pride. He couldn't accept what Lyner was saying. So he gritted his teeth and stood up, he then pointed his rifle at Lyner and started shooting.

The accuracy of his shots wasn't like his usual shooting. He was shooting like a child, just blindingly holding down the trigger without even properly aiming. Lyner didn't even move from his spot since none of the bullets seem to be heading his way.

"Now you're throwing a temper tantrum. You really are a baby, aren't you." When Lyner said this, it just made Matthew angrier, he went into the same state as RELEASE and charged at Lyner, who easily dodged his telegraphic punch.

Matthew was so angry right now, that there was no sign of technique or skill in his way of attacking. He was just trying to trample on Lyner with power alone. Of course, this wouldn't work on Lyner who was faster and stronger than Matthew even in the state he was in.

"I already told you, that technique is going to kill you if you keep on using it like that." Lyner who was simply dodging all of Matthew's attacks once again reminded him. Seeing Lyner wasn't even considering him a threat, made Matthew even angrier.

"AAAAHHH!!!" Matthew screamed at the top of his lungs, as he kept on repeating in his mind that he needed to go faster and that he needed to at least scratch Lyner.

Alex who was watching on the side felt sorry for Matthew. If he fought Lyner in a more calm manner, he still wouldn't be able to win, but at least he would've been able to do better than this, sorry display.

Matthew who was trying to make his heartbeat go faster, to pump more blood. He then finally felt the backlash Lyner was talking about, his chest suddenly started to feel like it was burning as his it tightened.

Matthew stopped using the technique and started panting. He looked at Lyner full of hate and irritation.

"Well you did better than I thought you would, but that's it. I don't understand why they praise you as the next upcoming SS rank merc. You're nothing special, even my own apprentice that hasn't been training for long is doing better than you."

Hearing Lyner's words made Matthew even angrier. He was still having a hard time and he still couldn't move properly, but once he was able to he decided to attack Lyner again. It doesn't matter if he dies today, as long as he gets to punch that person that keeps on looking down on him.

"I can pretty much guess what you're thinking. Face it kid no matter what you do, you won't be able to even touch me. Your body might have been trained beyond human limitations, but your mind hasn't been trained at all. You're easily taunted, you're emotionally unstable, and you don't seem to know your limitations. Your nothing but a bore, go back to your master and retrain from scratch. Also tell him this for me, if he wants to avenge you, he knows where to find me."

Matthew started grinding his teeth in anger. This was the first time in his life that he was being looked down upon so much.

"I don't need my master to come and help me deal with someone of your level. I just underestimated you, that's all. Once I'm done resting for a bit, I'll show you what I can truly do."

"You got guts kid, and a lot of pride I'll give you that." Lyner turned around and was about to leave. Seeing Lyner about to leave, Matthew wanted to say something. He didn't want it to end like this. He didn't want to feel like a loser, same as before.

"Are you running away? So much for the strongest of Berdonia. I can't believe many people fear you, seeing as you're nothing but a coward." Lyner who was about to leave stopped. The air surrounding him seem like it was heating up.

The pressure he was emitting was unlike before, and the killing intent he was releasing was suffocating. The animals in the mountain started to run away, the birds in the mountain all flew almost blocking a portion of the sky.

"What did you say?" Lyner spoke, not in his usual I don't care tone of voice, but in a much deeper menacing tone. It was frightening and all of this was directed at Matthew. At this moment Matthew wanted to answer back, but he couldn't speak.

"Did you just call me a coward?" Lyner asked full of anger. This was the one word no one was supposed to say to him. It was the word he hated the most. Lyner knew that the kid Matthew was just lashing out and taunting him, but hearing the boy calling him a coward, even if it's not true made Lyner mad.

"I was going to wait until you fully matured before fighting you, but you said something you should have never said. Tell me your final words kid, and I'll remember it."

Lyner who eased up his bloodlust waited for a reply from Matthew.

"Bite... Me." Matthew even in the face of overwhelming strength spoke in defiance. Once Lyner heard Matthew's final words he moved. Alex who was standing by moments ago also moved and blocked Lyner's outstretched arm that wanted to crush Matthew's head.

"Don't get in my way Alex. I'm not in the mood." Lyner then directed his killing intent at Alex. Faced with Lyner's overwhelming bloodlust, Alex still remained ever stoic.

"Sir Lyner.... I ask of you just this once, please forgive him."