“Alright,” Marissa responded nonchalantly. She harbored a certain satisfaction in dealing with these ex-fiances who had either gravely hurt Tiffany or demeaned her in some way. Although she hadn’t planned on confronting them tonight, the unexpected presence of three ex-fiances provided her an opportunity to casually teach them a lesson. However, her primary focus tonight was on Aelfric. She vividly remembered the slap he had delivered to Leila’s face and was intent on avenging her this evening. But before Marissa could confront Aelfric, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside the hall, accompanied by enthusiastic calls. “Chief Instructor! Chief Instructor!”
The two had altered their look significantly since the last time they were with Connor. They swapped their distinctive black suits, reserved for bodyguards, for black uniforms emblazoned with Doomsday Base’s logo. In an instant, Marc and Terry burst into the hall. They had also showered and gotten fresh haircuts. It was clear they had gone to great lengths to prepare for this meeting with their idol, the Chief Instructor
Upon seeing these two endearingly foolish figures, Marissa couldn’t help but let the corners of her mouth twitch with amusement. She questioned, “Why are you here?”
Excitement lit up Marc’s face. “We heard that the Chief Instructor was visiting Doomsday Base’s branch here in Blebert. We just had to come see you.”
Terry chuckled and added, “Chief Instructor, we’ve missed you so much.”
Feeling a rush of embarrassment, Marissa coughed discreetly. The adoration from the two men made her somewhat uncomfortable. To mask her discomfort, she sat down and took a sip of tea before remarking, “I heard you’ve been working for Connor?”
“Yes,” Marc and Terry confirmed in unison
Before Marissa could continue, Aelfric interjected. “Chief Instructor, I recommend you instruct Marc and Terry to disassociate from Connor.”
“Why?” Marissa inquired
“You must be aware of the fierce conflict between Connor and Amiri,” Aelfric explained. “Amiri’s power has grown rapidly over the last few years. It’s hard to say how many advantages he holds. If Marc and Terry continue working for Connor, it could potentially bring trouble to Doomsday Base.”
Marc responded defiantly, “Mr. Warren, Doomsday Base has a policy. After trainees leave the base, they are free to choose their paths. Working for Mr. Connor Daniels is our decision, and we don’t involve Doomsday Base’s name. How could this possibly bring trouble to Doomsday Base?”
As soon as Marc concluded his remarks, Terry added, “Mr. Connor Daniels is a legitimate business mogul. We serve as his chief bodyguards and have never done anything immoral or violated a single regulation of Doomsday Base!”
Aelfric narrowed his eyes fiercely. He hated anyone who didn’t follow his words. Without Black Mallow holding the position of chief instructor, Aelfric would have been the uncontested force in Doomsday Base, second only to King. He would have surely disciplined Marc and Terry sternly. However, Black Mallow’s presence in Doomsday Base, especially with her high status, forced Aelfric to restrain himself. He quietly suppressed his anger and scolded Marc and Terry once more
“You may not have broken Doomsday Base’s rules or tarnished its reputation, but your actions could still draw enemies to us. What if Amiri starts to resent Doomsday Base because of you? Are you prepared to handle that? Having trained in Doomsday Base, you should prioritize the organization’s interests over your personal benefits, right?”
Marc and Terry felt unjustly treated. “Mr. Warren, you are being unreasonable. Doomsday Base is merely the facility where we trained. Our future careers are ours to shape independently, and they shouldn’t reflect back on the training ground. Everyone knows this. How could Amiri possibly blame Doomsday Base for our actions?”
“Many top graduates from Doomsday Base are now bodyguards for prominent figures, and all of them have enemies. Should we resign simply because our employers have formidable enemies? If word gets out, who would dare to hire graduates from Doomsday Base? We’ve been employed by Mr. Connor Daniels for years, earning a yearly salary of a million dollars. Now that Mr. Connor Daniels needs us, how can we possibly abandon our positions? To be honest, we’re prepared to lay down our lives for him.”
“We believe our jobs won’t cause trouble for Doomsday Base. On the contrary, we see it as a chance to enhance the legacy of Doomsday Base. We aim to show the world that those trained at Doomsday Base are courageous, not cowards.”
Marc and Terry’s impassioned plea left Aelfric without words, his face turning a shade of deep red. It was clear Aelfric couldn’t persuade Marc and Terry. He then turned to Marissa, hoping she might influence them to sever ties with Connor
Marc and Terry were among the elite from Doomsday Base. Though they were not on par with formidable warriors like Black Snake and Lone Wolf, their strength was undeniable. Losing them would be a significant blow to Connor
However, Black Mallow, the chief instructor, raised her hands and clapped for Marc and Terry. Her deliberate, resonant applause clearly conveyed her steadfast support. “Marc and Terry perfectly embody the spirit of Doomsday Base. They are absolutely right!” Marissa commended them
Aelfric, clearly upset, attempted to argue, “But…”
Marissa quickly cut him off, saying, “Aelfric, you’re the deputy chief instructor of Doomsday Base, trusted by King to run this base. Is that the extent of your bravery?”
Aelfric was visibly embarrassed by her question. Marissa scoffed and continued, “Doomsday Base trains the finest international warriors in ancient martial arts. If they crumble in fear because of Amiri, what will their future influence be? Aelfric, I’m beginning to question your suitability to manage the base.”
At this, Aelfric, fearing the loss of his position, promptly acknowledged his mistakes. “I’ve been overly protective of the base. I see my mistake now. Please, don’t be upset.”
Considering his long tenure at the base, Marissa wasn’t about to dismiss him outright; his high standing there made her cautious. She needed a solid reason to remove the bad apple without causing disruption. Marissa responded calmly, “I’m glad you recognize your mistake. I’ll forgive you this time.”
Aelfric exhaled in relief. However, before he could fully relax, Marissa stood and suggested, “Aelfric, today seems like an ideal moment for a sparring match between us. Shall we?” Though she couldn’t kill the troublemaker just yet, it was necessary that she taught him a lesson!
Even though it was a question, Marissa flexed her wrists decisively as soon as she finished speaking, leaving Aelfric no chance to decline. Aelfric was taken aback. A spar with the chief instructor was never just a friendly match; it usually ended in a humiliating defeat for the other party. He feared losing face
If the time and place had been different, perhaps it wouldn’t have felt as dire. But they were at the Doomsday Base branch in Blebert, a place Aelfric had founded. Here, he was revered by the new recruits. Derek and Dennis, in particular, looked up to him almost like a god, hanging on his every word. Being defeated here, in front of his followers, would be a devastating blow to his prestige. These thoughts made Aelfric hesitate for a long while
Marissa, however, was impatient. After a few more gestures with her wrists, she approached Aelfric menacingly. Caught off guard, Aelfric sidestepped and blurted out, “Wait!” He was just about to concoct an excuse to dodge the spar when Marissa’s second punch was already flying towards him, forcing him to engage
Before anyone could blink, they had exchanged three sets of blows. Marissa was the aggressor in each exchange, launching a series of attacks, while Aelfric dodged clumsily. By the end of the third exchange, he nearly stumbled to the floor due to a misjudged maneuver. Marissa, however, was holding back her true strength. Overpowering Aelfric with a single punch would have been too simple; she preferred to toy with him, humiliating him before delivering a decisive blow later on
During those initial rounds, Marissa moderated her strength skillfully. Her attacks were designed not to injure Aelfric seriously but to keep him on his toes. After the third exchange, Marissa stopped momentarily and remarked to Aelfric, “It’s been a while since we last met. You’ve improved quite a bit. Not bad. Let’s continue!”
With that, she launched into her next attack. This time, Aelfric seemed to catch on to Marissa’s strategy, yet he knew he couldn’t be too embarrassed here. As the leader of the Doomsday Base branch, he needed to assert himself. Thus, he began to engage more and initiate his own attacks. Despite this, Marissa continued to restrain her full capabilities, and their battle intensified
As the chief instructor and the deputy chief instructor clashed with vigor, everyone else in the hall swiftly moved back to give them space. Derek and Dennis, too, stepped aside, their nerves taut as they watched the spar unfold. They secretly rooted for Aelfric; his victory over Marissa would reinstate him as the chief instructor. By serving under the chief instructor at the base, they would naturally enjoy more prestige and respect compared to serving under the deputy chief instructor
While Derek and Dennis were overwhelmed with unease, Marc and Terry were the exact opposite. They buzzed with excitement while watching Marissa in action. In their eyes, her every maneuver was flawless. It was not just because they were the chief instructor’s fans. They also secretly hoped the chief instructor would incapacitate Aelfric, eliminating a significant rival for Connor
As the battle in the heart of the hall escalated, chaos unfolded. Tables and chairs were hurled through the air, teacups shattered, and the hall quickly descended into disarray. Initially, everyone believed that Marissa and Aelfric were closely matched, which suggested a prolonged and uncertain fight. However, as the fight progressed, the reality of their skill gap became starkly clear. Aelfric exerted his utmost effort yet continued to be overwhelmed, his clothing torn and disheveled. In contrast, Marissa appeared effortless and composed, as if she were merely toying with him, capable of ending the confrontation at her whim
At first, the onlookers speculated that Marissa was deliberately extending the fight to train Aelfric. It soon became evident, though, that she was actually making him embarrass himself publicly. The disparity in skill between the first and second ranks at the Doomsday Base was profound; Marissa was in a league of her own, akin to a deity, while Aelfric was merely mortal, clearly outmatched. In a sudden and unexpected move, Marissa delivered a powerful kick to Aelfric’s waist. With a resounding crash, he was sent flying out of the hall
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Aelfric burst through the main hall’s doors, accompanied by a resounding crash outside. The sound was so thunderous that it left everyone in shock, momentarily frozen in place. Marc and Terry, familiar with the chief instructor’s skills, were less taken aback. Their eyes sparkled with admiration. As always, their chief instructor was unmatched!
Marissa dusted off her hands and strolled out. Marc and Terry followed her, one of them exclaiming, “It’s been a long time, chief instructor! Yet, you’re still as formidable as ever!” Back in her Doomsday Base days, Marissa had grown accustomed to such flattery from these two admirers. With them by her side, she exited the hall. It was only then that the others grasped what had transpired and quickly filed out
Derek and Dennis looked visibly shaken. The chief instructor’s actions were over the top. Could Aelfric possibly survive such a forceful kick? Unwilling to ponder the grim possibilities, they joined the exodus from the hall
In the courtyard’s center was a large pot filled with lotuses and fish darting between the lotus leaves. When Aelfric was ejected, he landed right on it, shattering the pot. The pot shattered into countless fragments, and as the mud seeped out, fish floundered across the ground. Aelfric lay in the mud, struggling vainly to rise. His face, once adorned with vibrant paint, was now smeared with mud, adding to the chaotic blend of colors. Once neat and tidy, he now resembled a beggar
As the deputy chief instructor, his pride had been shattered by the chief instructor. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t manage to stand. Eventually, Aelfric ceased his efforts. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and, with a pained expression, pressed his face into the muddy earth. Aelfric had been King’s first disciple, having joined Doomsday Base at the tender age of five. After years of rigorous training, he was on the verge of becoming Doomsday Base’s successor. But then, Black Mallow appeared and snatched away his chances
If not for the Mad Reaper, he would have been the chief instructor of Doomsday Base, poised to inherit King’s mantle. Yet, Black Mallow had ruined everything. How he longed to skin her alive! He had always been clever, feeling superior to others. Yet, he constantly faced adversaries he couldn’t surpass. In Blebert, he couldn’t defeat Connor. In Doomsday Base, he was completely outclassed by a girl, his dreams of supremacy dashed. He despised everything about this world
Marissa was aware of Aelfric’s deep resentment during their time at Doomsday Base. However, she chose not to confront him then. She had two reasons for teaching him a lesson today. One was to avenge Leila, and the other was to help Connor neutralize a lurking threat. Aelfric had reached out to Black Snake, and it was certain he would connect with Amiri next. They would likely join forces to eliminate Connor. This made Connor’s upcoming trip on the Sunrise even more perilous
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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