Asura Conqueror

Hedi scoffed "Your cockiness astounds me. Make sure to back it up with your actions."

Marcus took his stance and readied his weapon. His breath, steady. He drew the bowstring and aimed. The people on the side were quietly and intently looking at him.

Marcus fired. The arrow streaked in the air and soon found its target.

The first part of the challenge, complete.

Marcus pulled an arrow from the ground as the crowd recovered from their slight amazement. He glanced at Hedi before taking a stance and did the same thing all over again.

The arrow once again pierced the target that was being carried by the drone. This time it was 240 meters.

The crowd's slight amazement turned into bewilderment.

"Dude!" Reno smacked Nedo's upper back.

"Shit!" Nedo cursed as he not only felt the strong impact from the slap but also from the slight stinging pain that followed.

Hedi's brows furrowed. He was pretty calm when Marcus made the first shot, but now he felt making this deal was a bad mistake.

'There's still the last shot, there's still the last shot." Hedi repeated the same sentence in his mind like it was a mantra.

Marcus got another arrow that was perched on the ground, the last arrow he'll use. He did the same thing all over again, but this time he closed his eyes for a brief moment before firing.

He and his weapon were one.

As Marcus was about to release the arrow, the crowd gulped. Hedi's still repeating the same mantra in his head.

Marcus didn't wait for the arrow to find its target. He already faced Hedi and said, "I guess I passed your test."

The arrowhead pierced the center of the target as he finished his sentence.

"Holy balls of Christ." Nedo and Reno were awed.

A full 450-meter distance. This was not something normal teenagers could do.

Of course, Marcus is far from normal. He is, after all, an Asura.

Asuras have an innate talent for using bows and arrows. This weapon was practiced by every Asura ever since they could properly stand up and talk.

Marcus, as a royal prince, was trained by the best royal archers of the empire. Before he even held a spear, he was already skilled in archery.

"I guess I passed your little test." Marcus walked towards the others.

Hedi stood, frozen. He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it.

The crowd stared at Marcus, they were looking at him like he was a monster.

"You're not going to go back on your word are you?" Marcus asked. He didn't like people who won't fulfill their end of the bargain.

Hedi sighed. "Don't worry, I might be strict but I am a man of my word."

Marcus smirked and went to the back of a column just behind Nedo and Reno. He looked at the two of them and chuckled having heard a couple of their exchanges.

What caught his attention though was what Reno said about a new nightclub that's opening this weekend.

'I guess news already spread around quite a bit.' Marcus didn't really mind, it can even be considered a blessing getting this kind of free publicity.

"Ahem," Hedi moved to the center, in front of the students. "Now that our little intermission is over, let's start our class."

The crowds immediately quieted down.

Hedi surveyed the students "As you know there are seven known cultivation ranks. First, we have Spark, then followed by Recognition/Warrior, after that we have Elite. Let me ask you, what follows after Elite?"

A couple of students raised their hands.

Hedi shook his head "Put your hands down. I'll be the one to call you."

This was all quite basic so none of them were afraid to get called. Actually, they want to get called to receive a couple of points, if Hedi was giving.

"You" Hedi pointed.

A tall student spoke, "There is Commander Stage, Preparation Stage, Transformation Stage, and the legendary Enlightened Stage."

Hedi slightly nodded indicating that he was correct.

"What stage are you able to use your own mana to fly?" Hedi asked another question and threw it to a nearby student

"Preparation Stage, sir". He answered.

The class went on and the students just stood the whole time. They were not even given any weapons to practice.

----

While Marcus was under the heat of the sun, Nexus, Eva, and Leo were in the building where 'The Corner' will be established.

"We could probably finish everything by tomorrow afternoon. I already have workers ready and all that's left is to choose the suitable furniture." Leo, who was standing in front of Nexus and Eva, said. He wanted to repay his debt to Marcus for saving his life which is why he has no qualms in placing a bit of effort into this.

Eva looked around. They already planned everything. There will be four places where drinks would be served. By going in the front door, the places would be to the east, north, west, and lastly a circular bar in the center of the dance floor.

A couple of meters away from the front door were stairs on the left and right side. They still have to destroy the flooring on the 2nd floor so that people who'd stay there could overlook the 1st floor.

"Are you sure everything will be finished by tomorrow?" Eva was quite doubtful. This was a 4 story building, and each floor has its functions.

"Yes, but since we won't be opening tomorrow, we don't need to do the finishing touches right away," Leo replied.

Eva nodded "That sounds great. I guess our meeting with the others tomorrow afternoon will proceed as planned."

Tomorrow, not only will there be a lot of important papers to be signed so it would be best if everyone was present.

"I won't have classes tomorrow afternoon so I'll definitely be available." Leo is still in his third and last year at Estra University. He only had a few classes left that's why he's free today.

"Oh? You're still a student?" Eva asked.

"Yes, but I feel more like an employee due to me having to work in my father's company." Leo dryly chuckled.

Eva suddenly remembered something. "Marcus did tell you that you and your dad will be the only one investing and not Flavus right?"

Leo nodded "It was me and my dad's own money. I am also quite sure that my family won't invest in unknown businesses."

Marcus didn't want the whole Flavus family in on his company due to their situation. For Loo and Zoey, it was different since they didn't have any internal struggles.

Marcus did make sure that Leo's dad will be part since he is quite a big player.

After settling things pertaining to the nightclub, they went to their headquarters and told Leo everything about building a factory underneath.

Leo thought for a while "That's fairly simple. Around one and half days before it'll be fully functional. We could order the machine now."

The three finalized everything and went their separate ways. Nexus and Eva got contacted by Maya so they went to meet her. Leo had to deal with other matters so he already went back to his family's company.

----

Hedi clapped "That will be all for today. I'll see you tomorrow."

'Too bright' Marcus sighed as he turned towards the building where Emily was teaching.