Supreme Ruler: Reincarnated as the Emperor's Bastard Son

In the meantime Ashoka and Karguel were talking, Paul put out the aura covering his wooden sword.

However, his face wasn't dyed in fear anymore. He seemed dispirited yet furious.

"Is this what you truly wish to happen, Young Master?"

"So you are able to use aura. In that case, you shouldn't hold back and make the most of it."

Ashoka versus Paul.

The two of them had a short staredown. The cadets who were complaining all shut their mouths and watched the inevitable clash as cold sweat ran down their cheeks.

Paul was the first to make a move. He instantly zoomed across the field and appeared before Ashoka with surprisingly agile movements.

Crash!

Ashoka blocked Paul's heavy wooden blow.

As their swords got tangled, the battle came to a standstill as it became one of strength. The veins on their arms bulged as their muscles contracted, and the wooden swords trembled under the equal pushing forces.

"If you wanted to duel me, you've made a grave mistake, Young Master."

Scrrrrrt!

Ashoka's wooden sword began slipping and cracking as Paul coated his sword in an aura once again.

"You should've challenged me… before dueling the others!"

Snap!

Ashoka's sword broke under the pressure. Immediately, time slowed down for Paul and the other cadets during the short instant when Paul's shining wooden sword dug into Ashoka's shoulder.

The wooden sword had completely cut through the shoulder and was about to reach Ashoka's heart. As he saw the blade dig deeper and deeper, Ashoka caught sight of Paul's expression twisting into despair.

Despair for having gotten on the wrong side of the prince.

In addition, despair for cutting down Young Master Ashoka who had taken good care of him for so long. Paul's innocent eyes were filled with such hopeless thoughts.

"As if I'd let you!"

Bang!

A sudden heavy blow hit the side of Paul's sword. The Palm Technique he learned from Ahmed in the tempest manor hit Paul.

It was Ashoka's strong palm.

As the sword flew away, the recoil shook Paul's body. Having lost his balance and footing, Ashoka swiftly grabbed him from behind and choked him.

"Keuk!"

The other cadets didn't realize what had happened in that short moment, omitting a few top-class cadets like Merina.

'The fuck?! Are you for real? He's nuts!'

Merina couldn't believe what she saw. Although her spar with Ashoka had astonished her earlier, it couldn't compare to the shock she received from seeing Ashoka's current superhuman movements.

"Urgh!"

Paul couldn't do anything but struggle for air as he got choked from behind. As the other cadets stood up to stop him, Ashoka released his arms on his own.

As he coughed and gasped for air, Paul turned around to face Ashoka with a displeased look.

"Why did you stop? You said you wouldn't go easy again. Don't stop, Young Master! You won this fight, have you not?! Are you satisfied now? Is it fun messing around with others, huh?!"

Paul's pent-up anger all burst out.

Ashoka shook his head.

"It's not."

"If it's not fun, then why…!"

"Having to push you beyond your limits is also unbearable for me. Unbearable and agonizing."

"What do you even know about me? Why do you torment me like so?"

"I don't know much about you. But there's one thing I know. Being considerate… is something you can only afford once you've become an extremely powerful figure."

Paul froze. He then recalled the words Ashoka had told him before the start of the fight.

—You cannot survive in this world if you continue acting like that.

"You've probably realized just now, but you're weaker than me. You're also kinder than me. I like that aspect of you. But you cannot survive in this hellhole by being a bootlicker."

As Ashoka spoke, the other cadets couldn't even utter a sound.

In consequence, Paul's weeping and tearful sobs echoed around.

"Paul. Jean Paul. Look at me. Lift your head and look into my eyes."

He raised his head and their eyes met.

"I truly wish from the bottom of my heart that…"

Ashoka paused and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"You gain enough power and strength to protect that good-natured and kind heart of yours, along with the others here. Lastly, I'm sorry."

Paul nodded at his words. Actually, it looked more like he was shaking his head. No, never mind. It was a mix of both movements.

Thus, Ashoka couldn't figure out whether it was an affirmation or a denial. The boy with tears running down his face walked towards the other cadets.

Suddenly, the servants carrying large pots of crude dishes appeared at the training ground.

"Eh…? The atmosphere seems a bit… Should we come back later, Instructor Karguel? Prince Ashoka?"

As the servants hesitated on what to do, Paul spoke up.

"Please go get your serving on your own today, Prince Ashoka."

Ashoka chuckled awkwardly.

"Alright. In fact, I'll bring your portion too today."

As lunchtime came to an end, Karguel quietly approached Ashoka before the afternoon training session began.

"So, you've awakened Jean Paul. The boy has outstanding talents, but his heart and mind were a bit weak due to the hardships he faced as a child, so I wasn't sure what to do… I am grateful to you, Young Master. It must've been a great stimulus for him."

"Karguel."

"Yes."

"Don't run your mouth thoughtlessly. Awakened him? His heart and mind? No matter what my intentions were, it must've been a traumatic experience for Paul."

"Your actions and behavior today were befitting of the Mauryan name. Please do not worry too much about that. He is but a Secret knight cadet. He is not worthy of your pity, his soon-to-be master."

Ashoka stared at Karguel, before letting out a small sneer.

"Swordsmanship Instructor of the Secret Cadets, Karguel August. The only field you are allowed to judge and evaluate me in is swordsmanship. Do not overstep your boundaries and keep those impertinent opinions to yourself."

Karguel felt his stomach drop as Ashoka stated his point.

'The Secret knights that escorted him back to the royal palace once described him as a young overlord… and sure enough, he's one terrifying predator.'

Karguel smirked and immediately lowered his head.

"My sincere apologies, Young Master."

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