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“Just how eccentric are the experts you managed to gather?” Noah’s emotionless tone rang out from behind Elder Ezra who floated before him, ascending higher and higher into the clouds that surrounded the resplendent city.

Something existed within that vast environment, but Noah remained unable to properly bypass the many tier 5 defenses placed all around him aiming to hide the being’s presence. He determined that it was a magical beast, however.

It had been three days since he laid eyes on the elder. She had asked for his presence at some point and he immediately knew what she desired.

Now they were on their way to the said habitation within the clouds, it led them away from the city.

Noah soon found dark crackling clouds existing all around him but elder Ezra’s existence pushed all those energies away.

“They’ve managed to survive the brutality of this war, you should expect certain types of personalities,” she responded not bothering to glance back at him His expression remained calm as ever. Nothing new there.

Noah simply nodded, understanding what she meant. It mattered not how extreme they were, he would humble everyone with power.

Their journey didn’t last too long since a cleared-out area unfolded in their eyes and a blue building appeared in Noah’s silver gaze.

The duo arrived before the building and its front door opened to allow their entry. A living room unfolded in his eyes. It would seem the experts lived together like roommates.

The moment elder Ezra entered it however, the walls moved and the furniture disappeared as the building took a new layout.

The entire building turned circular, allowing a wide space at its centers while the rooms of the experts were embedded in the walls.

The black doors flung open and a few figures walked into the wide space at the center.

“There isn’t much time, but I have brought someone as an addition to your group.” Elder Ezra immediately started even if not all the experts were present.

Noah felt light gazes fall on his figure, he inspected the individuals around him in return. They numbered a nice number of 12. He would be the 13th.

‘Six men, six women,’ Noah counted inwardly. ‘Not much, but a large group would be too troublesome. Their power also stands at impressive heights within the middle stage.’

“Introduce yourself,” Elder Ezra turned towards Noah while the eyes of all the gathered experts were now on his figure. He felt dangerous.

“I am Aiden,” Noah started “I will be the leader of this group.” His rather short announcement put surprise in the mind of his audience.

“From today onward you’ll answer to me when I call for you. If you have any objections speak up now,” he further explained, gazing into the eyes of every single one of them. He could already feel their anger. Especially the males.

“Is he fucking serious, elder?” One of the males present directed his question to a partially stunned elder Ezra.

The said expert had the features of a man in his early thirties.

Sported long, black, spiky hair. His skin being tanned, told of his history as someone who had trained extensively beneath the sun. And lastly his brawny physique. Even with clothes on, that feature remained too obvious.

Standing at an impressive height of 6ft 3, he stood even taller than Noah. He was a skyscraper of a man. His eyes were orange and they shone with a wild light.

Elder Ezra glanced at Noah, and her consciousness moved to interact with his.

“Don’t forget they are doing this voluntarily. They can decide to leave. Do not be harsh,” She reminded him, even if Noah made no reaction.

“He’s the one I see fit to lead you. He doesn’t bear the oath even if he belongs to the guild. It’s a long story.”

“So due to your connection to the guild, you believe you’re entitled to leading us?” The muscly expert frowned, now addressing Noah.

The stunning man before him radiated silent danger, but he had faced death too many times in his long life. It wasn’t new anymore.

“Mere things like connections don’t matter to me in such instances. Only strength matters. I’m your leader simply because I’m stronger.” Noah tilted his head to the side. Eyes emotionless. Daring.

“This must be a joke!” Another male exclaimed, genuinely pissed. “Elder, tell us this isn’t true. This clown’s arrogance will be the death of him.”

Ready to address the issue, Elder Ezra found herself stopping when Aiden suddenly raised his left arm.

“I asked if anyone has an objection. If you do, then raise your hand, please.” His actions were a tad bit confusing, but he watched 10 experts raise their hands while the two males frowned deeply.

They would not be ordered around.

“I assume you don’t object to my leadership if your hand isn’t raised,” Noah stated, scratching an itch in his silky hair.

His casual actions and tone further infuriated his audience. The willingness to fight seeped out of their figures and Noah revealed an unfeeling smile.

“Since none of you support my leadership, why don’t I make a bet of sorts?” He started, cutting to the chase. Humans were so simple. 𝑜𝑣𝘭.𝘯𝑡

“If any of you manage to land a hit on me before I decimate you then I’ll not be your leader. But if none of you do then you’ll have no reason to object anymore.” His words were outrageous, and even put shock on the faces of the angry men and women.

“Yes, yes. If you agree simply nod for me,” he nodded, but they hesitated.

“Are you scared? Its twelve against one, and yet you hesitate. That’s disappointing,” he shook his head with a disappointed gaze, baiting them.

They all nodded at that point, and Noah turned to Elder Ezra.

“Give me a bit, I’ll be done with this quick. If you may, please be our countdown.” He pushed the plan forward and Elder Ezra nodded, beginning to float. She somehow trusted him to fulfill his words, despite how crazy his claim was.

‘It’s like he wants to lose. But his confidence…’ The elder spoke to herself unable to deny the power she had witnessed. ‘What is he?’

Noah’s immediate decision to start the fight startled the experts, but they composed themselves and were ready in no time.

“Three… Two… One!” Elder Ezra announced, allowing that room reach its widest point.

A tense mood befell all 12 experts, as Noah bent his knees to sprint toward them with all the strength his knees could provide him.

The sound barrier shattered the moment he accelerated. His motion generated life-like afterimages that appeared before all twelve experts at once to deliver a mighty punch to each of their faces.

All twelve cultivators found their bodies barreling backward at the same pace. Regardless of their level, his attack knocked them out cold. They had not even seen it coming.

The entire building shook violently as a result of his unleashed power.