Afterwards, Felix and Krisha decided to leave the beast sync arena early. Krisha wasn’t challenged by any inner disciple, so she planned to officially issue a challenge to them starting tomorrow.

She was, after all, rejected by any inner disciples present, so she planned to challenge past Top 10.

Felix and Krisha’s departure was only delayed for a bit as the outer disciples continued to cheer for Felix’s victory, asking him for pointers.

Felix patiently answered their inquiries before Krisha herself had to stop them after sensing he was getting impatient.

Along the way, after Felix stored Moon to his beast space, Krisha finally asked, "So, why aren’t you happy after winning?"

Felix sighed for quite a long time. "I almost killed Isaac."

Krisha halted. She stared at Felix with widened eyes.

Felix smiled and waited for Krisha to process her thoughts.

She contemplated deeply, trying to recall the part where Felix almost killed Isaac.

After a while, she sighed.

She said, "So, that’s why, you didn’t follow up with another sword technique again. Couldn’t you control it?"

"I could." Felix furrowed his eyebrows. "But the first time I struck, I didn’t control it and just intently attacked at his blindspot. I only just realized later that what I did jeopardized Isaac."

Krisha frowned. "So, what’s there to worry about? If you try to control it next time, then you’re good."

Felix shrugged. "Even if I control it next time, if it won’t successfully land on their blindspot, the duel won’t end."

"You don’t need to target their vitals, right?"

"That’s the problem. Their blind spot are mostly their vitals, as well. It’s intended."

Krisha pondered in silence.

After a while, she glanced at Felix and asked, "So, what does this mean? Will you be having a difficulty reaching Top 1 now?"

Felix contemplated in silence. To reach Commander Rank 3 required more than week of cultivation. He couldn’t hasten it either as it would affect how his body was supposed to progress at the healthy speed.

The Top 1 surely reached the Commander Rank 6. Top 2 himself should be at Commander Rank 4.

By restraining himself in using the River Strike would definitely lessen the chances of him winning.

Felix din’t reply immediately and Krisha was a bit worried now, witnessing Felix having quite a heavy problem for the first time.

This would be his first obstacle he had to overcome.

She said, "Take your time to contemplate. You’ve already decided to reach Top 1. I doubt this simple matter will stop you."

Felix nodded and thanked her.

She smiled and they finally changed their subject as they continued to the Residential Wing, having a dinner together.

...

For the rest of the night, Felix visualized the battle earlier, where he constantly used the River Strike without killing Isaac.

When dawn arrived, he frowned. He was displeased by the result.

He grumbled. "I indeed avoid killing Isaac the moment the River Strike struck, but just an hour later, he would be dead.

Don’t I really have a choice?" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The nape was one of the most, if not the most, vulnerable and fragile parts of the human body. The compressed water energy made out of the River Strike sword technique was not only sharp, it was impactful, as well. Hence, having the River Strike striking at the nape was perilous.

After a while of meditating to simmer down his agitated mind, Guide said, [You were only visualizing Isaac, having executed the Rooted Horizon sword technique. Obviously, his blindspot on his upper torso was his nape if not his back.

If you try to control the River Strike and subconsciously made it believe that there was a blind spot on his lower torso, then you’d only disabled them.]

Felix was dumbfounded. After a while, he said, "You made it seem that being disabled is less of a problem than dying."

[Isn’t it?]

"I’d rather die than being disabled."

Felix sighed.

[What do you mean? At this age, the humanity has developed advanced technology where they can re-attach a missing limb, provide prosthetics to those disabled, and any solution so long as your neck is fully attached. So, being disabled doesn’t really mean you’ll be insignificant for the rest of your life.]

Felix fell silence.

"Anyway, I don’t want to disable my opponent."

[Not, if they use Rooted Horizon.]

Felix’s eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?"

[Didn’t you notice? The Rooted Horizon for inner disciples means channeling their energy on to their limbs and to the ground, rooting themselves completely. In other words, their legs would be enhanced with energy as it already did after reaching Commander rank.

At most, they would receive lacerated wound, even if they channel most of the energy from below to their sword.]

Felix’s eyes sparkled.

He chuckled and thanked Guide deeply.

Afterwards, Felix and Guide had a brief discussion while Felix returned to his abode after returning Rain and Moon to their personal quarters.

He woke up, asked Krisha to have a lunch together, as they finally ate in silence, while the inner disciples would gaze at them with mixed reactions from time to time.

The change of their emotion amused Felix and Krisha.

But, they didn’t raise the topic as they were more focused on the matters of dueling, which the inner disciples tried to listen.

Krisha asked, "Will you be fighting later? I didn’t hear you issuing a challenge, though."

Felix shook his head.

He said, "I’ll try again the day after tomorrow. That way, after the duel, Ben can interview me."

Krisha nodded. "I have also issue a challenge to Top 8. He didn’t refuse me as he did into you."

Felix could hear the displease on Krisha’s tone, causing him to chuckle.

Krisha grumbled. "I swear I’ll humiliate him later."

"Calm down," said Felix. "You can’t kill your opponent."

Krisha rolled her eyes. "I’m not like you."

Felix laughed.

They ate heartily before strolling around the Azure Cleave Dojo again.

He met quite a lot of outer disciples, who asked if he wanted to duel later, to which he explain he wouldn’t.

Eventually, Instructor Frank arrived in the Beast Sync Arena and discovered that the first round was a duel between Krisha and Edward, another anticipated match.

===

A/N: Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to show your supports by giving golden tickets, powerstones, and reviews! It means a lot since this is participating for WSA.