Rising god-Chapter 141: Red Sun

The Red Sun.

The Solaris Empire’s most elite force stood as a bulwark against external threats like the current situation happening across the empire. Their strong army was a thousand-strong, never increasing or decreasing in number.

Each soldier was at least a sixth-star who was a magic swordsman, led by the Sun Sword Saint, a ninth-star imperial commander. Their ten divisions, each a hundred strong, were housed in ten castles on a sprawling, fortified plain, distant from the Sun Palace’s golden spires.

The castles’ sizes reflected their hierarchy, the tenth castle being the smallest and humblest, squatted in the shadow of the first’s towering ramparts, its stone etched with runes that glowed faintly under the glowing sky.

Baines arrived and was led directly to the first division’s training ground, a vast arena of packed earth, encircled by obsidian pillars pulsing with mana.

Today, soldiers from all divisions gathered here. It was the only time it was ever allowed, when a new soldier was entering their ranks.

Tradition demanded that the newcomer select an opponent from the fourth to the tenth divisions to claim their rank. By accumulating achievements, one could obtain enough merits to challenge for a higher rank. Meaning, in this place, there was no place to slack off. Either one progressed or got demoted to the Golden Knights.

Except those on official assignment, all divisions were to appear. However, with the empire’s turmoil, only about five hundred soldiers assembled.

And with the first and second divisions absent on assignment, the third division leader, a figure in crimson armor whose presence radiated authority, officiated.

Baines had already shed his Kirk Barns disguise, revealing his true face, sharp, unyielding, with eyes that screamed rage.

"Recruit Jin," the third division leader’s voice boomed, his voice echoing across the arena, "you are to challenge any numbers from 401 to 1000. Whose position will you take?"

Eyes turned to Baines, naturally, they were curious about him. Until recently, all they had heard was his name. Now, what will he say? What was his choice? However, they masked all their curiosity beneath their faces. fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm

"I challenge number 1000," he said calmly.

Silence gripped the arena. The lowest rank? Was he mocking them or trying to prove something?

From the tenth division’s corner, a lithe woman with steel-gray hair, though initially stunned, quickly regained her composure and leaped to the center, her crimson robes billowing.

"Myra Slyat, last seat of the tenth division," she said, saluting her superiors.

"Myra Slyat, you fight to forfeit your position," the leader declared.

"In honor," Myra replied, bowing.

"Begin."

’Jin, 6th star in aura; however, a 3rd star in mana, I am confident in my magic, but I should still tread carefully.’ Her robes fluttered as two magic circles flared beside her, their runes glowing with fiery intent.

Before she could cast,

[ANALYSIS COMPLETE]

Eye’s voice hummed in Baines’ mind. His aura surged a bit, cutting force slicing through the air.

Shatter...

The circles shattered into shimmering dust, scattering like embers.

Myra froze, eyes wide as saucers. ’How?’ Before she could react, Baines’ blade was at her brow, its edge gleaming with deadly promise, showing no sign of stopping.

Clang!

A slim sword intercepted, its wielder a blue-haired man with a calm, striking presence. "Killing isn’t allowed," he said coolly. "We heard you were dead."

Baines ignored him, facing the third division leader, then he announced, "Jin is the winner."

Myra collapsed, gasping, her pride shattered. She had lost without even putting up a fight.

Without hesitation, Baines turned around to leave.

The match was over, but no one left. They wanted to see what else unfolded.

"I’m speaking to you," the blue-haired man said, frowning at the slight ignorance he received. He reached for his sword, about to draw it.

"Number 605, you know the rules," the leader barked.

The man nodded, calming himself, and announced. "I, Wills Lindell, fifth chair of the seventh division, challenge you, Jin, last chair of the tenth division."

Eyes widened, the arena buzzing. Even the leader seemed surprised. Then he added a condition, "If I win, you answer my questions, and if you win, you take my seat. How does that sound?" He spoke like he was doing Baines a favor.

Baines glanced for confirmation. "Wills Lindell, you fight to defend your position," the leader said.

"In honor," Wills replied, clasping his sword and smiling faintly.

"Begin."

As if he hadn’t understood from the first match, Wills summoned five massive magic circles, their runes blazing with intricate patterns.

[ANALYSIS COMPLETE]

Eye intoned. Baines’ aura flared, tinged with cutting force, and the circles shattered into dust, motes raining like ash.

Wills froze, stunned, just like his former opponent.

The achievement of Baines as a magician, after reading almost all basic books on magic. With Eye, he could analyze the magic of the enemy and break its weak spot with cutting force.

Wills snapped out, drawing his sword and charging at him.

Baines took his stance,

Destructive Technique, First Move: Black Cross.

Channeling destructive sword style and will of destruction, he unleashed a massive black cross, encircled by a violent ring, exploding from his sword.

BOOOOOOM!

The attack collided with Wills’ blade, hurling him backward, his feet skidding across the soil. Blood sprayed from a lacerated chest, his blue hair disheveled, his composure gone. Humiliation and anger, now across his face.

’He survived?’ Baines clicked his tongue, holding the sword’s tip. He was satisfied with the result, even though it didn’t directly kill; it was his very own technique.

’Well, I’ll just use another one.’ He raised his sword, a ball of violet aura forming, its destructive hum shaking the air.

Wills’ face twisted in shame, disbelief, and fear, ’Another attack?’ How did Jin still have the energy to release another attack?

"Wills has surrendered. Jin wins," the leader announced.

BOOOOOOM!

Baines released the attack anyway, the orb cratering the ground meters from Wills, its force rippling through the arena. He gave Wills a final, piercing glance and walked away. The crowd was awestruck as Baines claimed the fifth chair of the seventh division, just like that.

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