Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1559 - 537: Empire’s Rise to Fame
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
Prior to this moment, excluding the ’Red Queen’ Menia, Reginald, and Luther, the majority of high-ranking nobles and powerful Empire figures in the spectator stands assumed that the seasoned Dragon Rider dubbed ’Storm Cloud,’ Pantoscoke, held a massive edge in this clash.
Yet, the complete thrashing of Pantoscoke at the hands of the youthful Rein caught most nobles off guard.
As the old proverb states, spectators enjoy the spectacle, but true masters observe the finer details.
The group of Imperial Guardians in the elite players’ viewing area, of course, perceived far deeper insights than the Imperial Nobles.
That sharp hum slicing through the toxic mists moments ago came from the dark silver metallic disc, its lightning-fast passage and the sudden force that shattered Pantoscoke’s Dawn Killing Move, ’Storm’s Fury,’ all pointed to the fact that the young Lord Rein standing there had command over an extraordinary Dawn Killing Move.
"That technique earlier... it looked like a scarce metallic Dawn Killing Move, didn’t it?" Perkins remarked, his voice a bit hoarse.
His wager against Reginald had clearly gone awry, and beyond the sting of the lost fortune, what stunned him even more was the apparently bottomless power of that young fellow.
"Yes! The magical ripples confirm it’s a Metal Series Dawn Killing Move! However, as far as I recall, the Empire lacks any known Metal Series Dawn Killing Move."
"Looks like Lord Rein reaped huge rewards from venturing into some ancient ruins."
...
So youthful, yet already wielding a Dawn Killing Move?
It’s worth noting that even within Epic level powerhouses, clear ranks exist.
Take typical Epic level powerhouses, for example: without a mastered Dawn Killing Move, without bonding a Giant Dragon, or without possessing rare Epic level combat Demon Statues, they rank at the very bottom of Epic level powerhouses.
The three-colored Dragon-men like Bostaf and Quirut, whom Rein had slain before, fell into this category, scraping the lowest rung among Epic level powerhouses.
The next level up features experienced Dragon Riders who can harness their Giant Dragon companions’ combat might or Dawn Wizards skilled in a Dawn Killing Move—this marks the entry point for becoming an Imperial Guardian.
Climbing another step leads to Dawn Middle Stage Wizards, where the Dawn Killing Move grows stronger upon reaching the Dawn Middle Stage, and when paired with Giant Dragon aid, both Reginald and Pantoscoke occupied this rank.
The subsequent tier once represented ’Red Queen’ Menia’s standing, as a Dawn Late Stage Wizard commanding multiple Dawn Killing Moves for varied fighting options; or backed by an ancient dragon-tier Giant Dragon, with the Dragon Rider’s personal prowess at least matching a Dawn Middle Stage Wizard, which just squeezes into this level.
The Green Dragon Hazas, elevated to an ancient Dragon Roar and linked with Pantoscoke, scarcely fit into this tier.
Rein’s success in overcoming such a foe implied that nearly all the Imperial Guardians there couldn’t measure up to him.
What’s more, numerous Imperial Guardians displayed grave expressions since a nagging doubt filled their thoughts: did the display of skill they just witnessed represent Rein’s full capabilities?
...
At the arena’s heart.
Pantoscoke’s complexion shifted from flushed to pale; he yearned to resume the battle, yet the gash in his belly and the writhing agony of his Green Dragon ally Hazas warned him against it, lest he meet his end for real.
On top of that, Hazas’ soporific venomous fog had bizarrely failed to touch Rein, leaving Pantoscoke utterly baffled.
If even his mightiest strike proved useless, how was he supposed to challenge Rein?
Above all, Rein refrained from pressing the advantage fiercely, already extending leniency, so pushing onward would only...
"Sigh, Lord Rein, I concede!" As he uttered this, Pantoscoke seemed to wither a decade older in a flash.
Once Pantoscoke yielded, some obscure noble started clapping, and quickly the ovation swept across the Royal Arena, building into a roaring wave that echoed through the whole coliseum.
Even the cluster of supreme powerhouses from the elite stands joined in the applause.
Right in the core of the arena’s seating, within the Royal Family’s section, the ’Red Queen’ Menia grinned and applauded, while beside her, the Second Prince Everton, despite his grim visage, managed a strained smile, lifting his hand for a pair of claps to match his aunt’s motion.
Deep inside, though, he fumed quietly: Rein, savor your victory! But too bad, I’ve already uncovered your hidden truth, don’t assume aunt’s shield keeps you secure, the moment my father heals from his wounds... Multi-Headed Dragon Bloodline... heh heh!
...
Up in the stands.
Witnessing her partner basking in such splendor, the stunning Jennifer abandoned her typical refined poise, her delicate hands turning faintly red from the vigorous clapping.
Duke Drum, meanwhile, sat rigid as stone with a deathly pallor, eyes fixed on the unfolding drama, his mind a mystery.
In stark contrast to his vacant look, turmoil raged within his chest!
"How, how could the ancestor fall?"
"The thirty percent stake in Axon Auction House’s main branch, valued at close to a hundred million Imperial Gold Coins, a key support providing roughly half the Drum Family’s revenue, now fully surrendered!"
"This isn’t just a drain on our strength!"
"With the ancestor so severely hurt, those cursed Reform Faction members will surely ramp up their attacks."
...
Back at the arena’s core.
Rein stared at Pantoscoke and the collapsed Giant Dragon in front of him, the ceaseless cheers ringing in his ears, a swirl of emotions stirring inside him right then.
If this were half a year prior, he might have slain Pantoscoke by feigning a duel mishap, but after uniting with Menia, his perspective had started to evolve.