Nobilis of War

Elsa was startled by Darren's strength. It was completely beyond what she could have imagined.

"Darren, how could you..." she stammered, still grasping with the reality of the situation. "How could you become so powerful?" Elsa's eyes were wide open with astonishment and perhaps even admiration.

"Elsa, let's find a place to have a conversation," Darren said calmly. "I also have some questions for you." He was not surprised at Elsa's shocked expression as she watched him.

"Sure." Elsa responded. She kept her eyes at Darren as if she was looking at a god that had just flown down from heaven.

They walked slowly and sat down in a relatively quiet place where no one would bother them.

"Darren, you surprise me. Normally, you would have been seriously injured by now with your training. You were supposed to discontinue cultivating once you ate those seeds. However, you have grown stronger. Have you found some kind of counterbalancing method?"

Elsa continued without waiting for an answer, "Not to mention, those disciples rescued by a master of Wonder Realm in the Barren Wasteland said that you were killed by a fiend. How did you manage to escape safely?"

Elsa looked at Darren eye-to-eye. Somehow Darren was mysterious to her. Where did his power come from?

"Those two seeds injured my meridians. But as for the reasons why my strength improved..." Darren paused. He was unwilling to say more, for he could not afford to disclose his secret to anyone.

"I understand," Elsa said and did not push him for the answer. "You must have travelled your own journey. But the blade intent seed and the sword intent seed are still threatening your life, aren't they?"

"Maybe." It was challenging to explain everything explicitly. There were many reasons for this, not least of which was the need to keep his secret safe. So Darren chose to give an answer that would sound believable.

"They like to talk irresponsibly when it comes to fiend killings," Darren said. "I also managed to escape from the fiend's cave with the help of a master of Wonder Realm. Then I returned home to heal myself. That's why I returned to Ilmen Sect late." He watched her, checking to see if she would accept his lie. He would not tell the truth about his fiend feature, his transformation and the bronze coffin.

seemingly reasonable explanation. It was pure curiosity that drove her

details about the dangerous moments when the fiend chased after him. Elsa was frightened upon hearing

Else could imagine how horrible it

I have survived it. No reason to dwell on the past," Darren said with a calm smile. "Elsa, now let me ask you. How could those idiots harass you like

smiled bitterly, and her expression froze upon hearing this.

cares about talent and capability.

a misunderstanding between you and Elder Thomas, Elsa? Could you tell me about it?"

talking about. Darren, you should know what he is like. He examined your talent

a higher rank than the ninth

breath and looked up at Darren with a nod. It seemed she had not intended to reveal

others would have taken the opportunity to complain about my father. Yes, I was treated the same way as you were. He

to her. "Could you tell me how that happened,

continued. "Alright. Let us talk about it then, since we've already come this far. Do you want

nodded. The two began to chat.

hours upon hours until the sun dropped below the horizon and the

describing his childhood and the many humiliations he suffered. The bitter past was especially touching on such a silent and peaceful night. Elsa, normally a strong-willed girl, could

was equally tragic.

she had been unable to regain her standing ever since. There were

How could she fight a diabolic beast when she