Chapter 56. Declaration

When Ken’s double boost activated. To Luke and the entire crowd, Ken suddenly seemed like he had stopped moving and as the clock ticked down to 10 seconds. Lucia was ready to freak out as Ken stood motionless.

With only 10 seconds left, Luke suddenly decided to enclose himself with layers upon layers of shields made out of ice, earth and everything else he could think of, realizing that Ken was probably setting up for a finishing blow.

“Ultra explosion slash!” Ken shouted. But before his words could form or be heard. The young man disappeared from the view of everyone except for the most powerful of fighters.

As the timer ticked down to 9 seconds, suddenly, the arena started exploding and just as the confused crowd wondered what had happened, the protection around the arena to protect the audience suddenly shattered with 6 seconds left.

With staff suddenly rushing into action casting shields to prevent the explosion from reaching the screaming crowd, many people grasped in shock and wondered what had just happened.

With 3 seconds remaining, Lucia shouted over the confused crowd that the match was over.

“Ladies and gentlemen and viewers at home! I have just got confirmation from the referee! Winning by protection break with 3 seconds remaining. KEN!!!” Lucia shouted as the confused crowd burst into cheering waiting for an explanation to be provided.

With his dominant arm hanging lifeless and the bones shattered in his dominant leg, Ken did his best to smile and pretend to be good as he waved to the crowd and those at home with his left hand while doing his best to balance on one foot and not show any sign of weakness or injury.

Using his boardsword as a crutch, Ken quickly escaped the arena while Lucia was explaining what had happened in the final 10 seconds of the match. As Ken limped backstage and slumped into the first available seat, a staff member rushed over to check on his condition.

“Shattered right wrist, broken right shoulder, your left ankle is also in pieces and the femur bone is broken too. I can’t believe you could get this reckless. Full power double boost without ever getting proper training. You are lucky you aren’t dead after pulling that crazy stunt” The staff scolded Ken while casting a healing spell on him as the intense pain started to lessen.

Soon after Ken returned backstage, Lucia happily announced that the student tournament was now officially over and for everyone to tune in for the remaining days for the open tournament, and the excited crowd, most of which had never seen a protection break for the audience began to dissipate.

“KEN! What happened!” Genesis screamed as the girls went backstage when they didn’t see Ken return from the backstage.

“Overdid it. I thought a full out double boost wouldn’t be that much different from just using a single attack but looks like my body totally freaked out. Broke quite a few bones.” Ken replied with a smile.

“You could have easily won if you just used regular boost for the entire match couldn’t you? I know you have built up enough stamina to boost for at least 15 minutes.” Lovetta replied as the girls checked out Ken’s injuries.

“Yep. After sparring for a few minutes. I realized I was much stronger than Luke is now. But it’s about sending the message, Lovetta. I wanted to show him that he won’t ever be able to catch up to me ever again but I guess proper training is really needed for boost, I didn't expect to get hurt this badly.

Glad I managed to obliterate his protection before totally crashing into the general barrier and almost killing myself. It would have been embarrassing if I didn’t manage to hit him and KOed myself instead.” Ken chuckled while none of the girls found it funny at all that their lover almost killed himself just to prove a point.

“What message are you trying to send? You are so dumb you would kill yourself to show off rather than just win?” Genesis scolded as she poked Ken while the young man complained in pain.

“All I can do is mend your bones together. Please refrain from putting any weight on the broken parts. If you want your body to heal naturally it would probably take at least half a year. There are obviously very powerful healers here in the academy but it won’t be cheap with how severely injured you are.” The staff said as he finished up with the healing spell.

After wrapping Ken up with a cast to prevent movement, the group thanked the staff and Seraphina easily carried Ken like a princess as the group headed back to the academy.

“Let’s go find Lucia to get my gold back. I hope when they say the healing won’t be cheap, it’s not cheap for a commoner and not a noble.” Ken wondered just how much it would cost to heal 6 months worth of broken bones.

“Hi Lucia. If you don’t mind, I need some cash to get my broken bones healed so I don’t get carried around like a princess for the next few months and have Luke see me in this pitiful state.” Ken asked with a smile as Lucia opened her door to greet Ken and his girls.

“I should penalize you for almost giving me a heart attack. But looking at you in such a piss poor state and how much money you made me, I will let it slide. Here is your share. Go see professor Aleheart tomorrow, she should be able to heal you up.” Lucia suggested while tossing a bag of gold to Lovetta.

“Thanks Lucia! Oh one more thing. For the end of tournament interviews, can you interview me last please. I want the full attention of the entire world.” Ken asked nicely.

“You know. Just because you made me some money and we had sex once, doesn’t mean we are close enough for you to demand so much from me.” Lucia replied but didn’t refuse the request.

After thanking Lucia, Ken and the girls returned to their suite where Ken was left alone to get a good night of rest without distraction or have someone accidentally injuring him and for the first time in forever, Ken was alone as he wondered how he could carry out the next stage of his plan and what would be the repercussions.

Early next morning, with Seraphina carrying Ken once again as the group headed to the staffing room on Lucia’s instruction to look for a professor Aleheart. After explaining their needs, one of the staff led the group to a tiny old lady sitting in one of the corner desks reading a book.

“Hello, you must be Genesis. I have wanted to talk to you ever since you were able to conjure space magic without any sort of training.” The tiny old lady said suddenly, ignoring everyone except Genesis.

“Sorry professor, I am not interested in whatever magic. We are only here so you could heal my Ken.” Genesis replied, showing no interest whatsoever in any sort of magic.

“That’s such a shame. I have never heard of anyone in all of my years who could learn space magic the way you did. You are letting a great gift go to waste.” Professor Aleheart said while still having her attention fixated on Genesis.

“Hi professor Aleheart! Do you happen to be a dwarf? Lucia told me you are the best healer around! If you can heal me, I will talk some sense into this silly girl who’s wasting away her talent!” Ken interrupted, trying to get healed as fast as he could.

“I saw your match. You are lucky to be alive, young man. To go double boost without proper training, you are one ambitious kid.” Professor Aleheart commented as she finally turned her attention away from Genesis to check over Ken and all of his injuries.

After being told the spell would take 3 hours and agreeing to pay 50 gold coins to have the healing performed after the event tonight. Ken thanked the professor as Seraphina continued to carry the injured young man as the group headed for the arena to watch the open tournament.

The first day of the open tournament wasn’t all too exciting for Ken to watch and he spent most of the time just relaxing in Seraphina’s lap until Alice, Cecilla and Clare showed up and freaked out to see Ken in cast with all of his broken bones.

“I knew you looked weird when you were waving to the crowd and didn’t show up when we waited for you! Don’t ever do something so stupid again!” Alice scolded as she chatted with the rest to see just how bad the injury was and how the recovery process will go.

“I had to put on a show and let Luke know to never mess with us ever again!” Ken replied with a smile.

“Yea, he definitely won’t mess with us if you are freaking dead! He will just laugh at us for loving such a dummy!” Cecilla jumped in with the scolding.

“Ken. I am glad you won but that was too dangerous. Please never do it again.” Clare added with a concerned look.

After promising the girls that he won’t act so rash again, the group enjoyed the afternoon fights before Ken eventually got carried back to the academy by Seraphina to meet up with professor Aleheart.

Placing Ken in the middle of a rune circle, professor Aleheart told the girls to leave so she doesn’t get distracted while performing the 3 hour long spell.

“I know dwarfs are known for their stamina, but for 3 hours? I am impressed!” Ken commented as the girls said their goodbyes unwillingly but had no choice but to leave.

“Silly boy. We dwarfs have 10 times the natural stamina compared to the normal human, similar to the power of a giant. 3 hours is nothing for me.” Professor Aleheart boasted as she started the spell.

“We are done boy.” Professor Aleheart smacked the dozed off Ken on the head to wake him up.

Startled awake, Ken unconsciously stood up forgetting that he had a broken foot. By the time he remembered and looked down, of course, the broken bones that should have taken 6 months to heal naturally had all been fully healed.

“Thanks professor! Healing magic sure is powerful and amazing! But that was way too expensive!” Ken said happily as he moved around freely a single day after shattering many bones.

“Regarding Genesis. I know you are talented and will eventually achieve greatness if you stop acting so reckless. But what she was able to achieve is unprecedented. Please convince her to not waste such an absolute gift.” Professor Aleheart commented as Ken promised her he would try and after thanking the elderly dwarf, a fully healed Ken happily returned to his suite to be with his girls.

“Ken. I know you said you got a plan and I trust you but can you please let me in on your plan.” Clare pleaded with a concerning voice as she showed up during the lunch intermission for the final day of the tournament with Alice and Cecilla where the three girls were at least happy to see the young man fully healed.

“All I ask is for you, Alice and Cecilla to show up and be with me before Lucia does the closing interview with me. I will announce my plan to the entire world. I don’t know how it will go but this is the only resolution I could think of to keep you.” Ken replied as Clare looked at him full of doubt.

The afternoon matches eventually ended with the top 10 once again showing the world of their dominance and Zishell ended up winning once more to the surprise of no one.

After 3 years, Ken was starting to get bored of the never changing matches without any drama at the very top. But today is not the day for him to question about the tournament as his heart started pounding louder and louder as Lucia began her interviews.

Soon, all of the girls gathered around Ken as they waited for Lucia to approach, not sure what to expect or what Ken was about to do and Clare who was the center of all this was obviously the most nervous out of them all.

“Last but not the least! Let’s have a talk with Ken! Hi Ken! While I am from Darrumburgh, as a fair commentator, I got to say that the match was not going in your favor at all and even now I wasn’t sure how you managed to pull it off! Would you like to explain to our audience just what you did to win the match in such a crazy fashion?” Lucia asked excitedly as she finally approached Ken to conclude the interviews and the finale of the tournament.

“Hi Lucia! I am more than happy to explain what happened during the match! As you all remember from half a year ago when I lost to Clare even after dominating for the majority of the fight while using boost.

I came to a realization that with protection, one only has to defend from major blows as hits won’t actually do any physical damage so there is no point trying to protect against small hits since it’s not like I would risk losing a finger.

With that said, I came to the understanding that it’s much easier to defend rather than attack and it takes a much stronger attack to overwhelm your opponent. Instead of making the same mistakes as last tournament, I decided to focus all my energy and use a double boost at the end to finish the fight in one swing while Luke was weakened from all of the previous fights and being on the offense for all of ours.

Obviously it was not an attack I have ever used before or could practice so I wasn’t prepared for just how much power and speed I ended up gaining and I apologize for destroying the protection for the audiences and I want to thank all the instructors and staff for the quick response.” Ken replied as Lucia nodded in understanding.

“Why overwhelm and not just fight to win? I understand your reasoning but that would only apply if you are trying to get a victory by destroying your opponent’s protection correct? If you just boost and fight it out, wouldn’t you have won simply by just doing more damage?” Lucia asked when she obviously knew why Ken had to win by destroying the protection even if she couldn’t understand his real intentions.

“You know Lucia. 3 years ago when I first got selected. I got a zero on the entrance exam. I am an orphan with no education, no connection, and no power. I was nothing, I was no one, the bottom rank out of 1022 students but in the 3 years, I have risen to the top of my class. The reason I wanted to end it with a protection break is because I don’t want anyone to have any doubt who is the top of this class.” Ken replied confidently with a smile.

“WOW! I never knew just how much of a climb you had to make! Is that why you sat out the tournaments in the beginning?” Lucia replied, happy to get more content.

“Sure is! During the first few tournaments, I was just trying to pass the beginner classes so I wouldn't get expelled and had no desire or the ability to even enter the tournaments.”

“Now that you have won the tournament for your class. Is there anything you want to say? Anyone you want to thank?” Lucia asked, giving Ken the exact situation he was looking for to make his declaration.

“I don’t know if you remember but Seraphina here declared she wanted to marry me a year and half ago when you first interviewed her.” Ken asked with a smile, trying to direct the conversation in the direction he wanted.

“I sure do! To have such a powerful and cute girl confess her love to you! You sure are a popular guy aren’t you!” Lucia replied.

“At the time, I couldn’t give her a reply before I didn’t feel like I was worthy but right now. I want to let the world know. Even with her father not giving us his blessings, I do fully intend to make Seraphina my wife.” Ken said as he pulled the dragoon girl close.

“What a declaration! To profess your love to the entire world. Is there anything more romantic?” Lucia replied happily keeping her professional face on, but not sure where this is going since she obviously knows about Ken’s lovelife and his multiple lovers.

“Unfortunately, the reason that Seraphina’s father disapproves of my relationship with her is because I am in love with not just her. For me to be where I am today, it’s all thanks to the girls I have met along the way and they all mean the world to me.

Emma here is also someone I love fully. Cecilla Yelwraek, a princess of the Yelwraek, is also someone I will make my wife.

Alice Vespera is my soulmate who I love dearly while Lovetta is also someone I could no longer live without.

I could no longer visualize a world where I don’t have Genesis by my side and last but not the least, I am in love with Clare Yelwraek as well.

I am sure everyone is aware that Clare is a princess of the Yelwraek and as such, her father has decided that an arranged marriage with Xandrian Nafluica would benefit the kingdom at the cost of her own happiness.”

Without saying another word, Ken pulled Clare in and a second later, a compact explosion happened around her midsection as the protection spell dissipated.

To most of those watching at home, they had no idea what had just happened but those that did, they knew to break the protection of a princess without the permission from the king is no different than signing a death wish.

“I know Xandrian is a noble and someone who could benefit the kingdom of Yelwraek, but I will pledge my allegiance to the Yelwraek kingdom once I overtake one of the current top 10. If Xandrian thinks he could be my equal, I will happily face off against him in the next tournament.” Ken proclaimed to the entire world while Lucia watched in shock and disgust.

Never expecting Ken to pull the stunt he just pulled, Lucia had to do her best to remain calm and cheerful so she could close the tournament while the entire world was already going wild over Ken’s declaration.

“What do we do now?” Clare asked quietly, not fully understanding what had just happened.

“Now, we go back to the suite and I will make you mine and hope your dad doesn't send an assassin to take my life.” Ken answered as the group left the arena in a rush before staying long enough to see if anyone would stop them from leaving.

“Ken, how did you go from I don’t want any trouble just a simple life to this reckless crazy psycho! You basically just asked the king of Yelwraek to take your head if he doesn’t want to be disrespected!” Genesis shouted as the group headed back to the academy.

“I couldn’t think of another way. I know Clare and Cecilla’s father value strength from what they have told me so I took a gamble that he would believe I could one day make it to the top 10 and by having me as an ally is more beneficial than Xandrain. I obviously don’t have a backup plan if that fails and just did what I felt is the only resolution. I guess all I can do now is wait for Cecilla to talk to her father at the banquet.” Ken replied as the girls tried to process what exactly took place.

After reaching the suite, Ken took Clare to the bedroom and told the rest to give them some privacy and to get ready and go to the banquet and gather the general consensus so he could know if tonight is the last night he will be alive.

“Even though you don’t see me as a potential lover. If things go south, you can come with me and live under the sea. My father will protect you from any possible danger.” Indra offered, feeling both sad and disappointed at herself that after more than 2 years, she hasn’t gotten close enough for Ken to view her the way he does for the rest.

After thanking Indra, Ken returned to the bedroom to be with Clare while the rest of the girls got ready and left for the banquet where they hoped this reckless plan would somehow work out.

“Well, do you want the good news or bad news first?” Cecilla asked after the girls returned from the banquet.

“Just give it to me all at once.” Ken replied, not sure what he should expect after finally making love with Clare and now is waiting to see if his head is on the chopping block.

“Ava spoke to my family and was fully supportive of you so I guess on my end, as long as you do keep your promise of becoming a top 10 hero, my family will not object. So not bad news from my side.” Alice said, offering Ken a ray of hope.

“You know my father would probably kill you if you ever show up to my home again but I doubt he will actively hunt you down so you are good with me!” Seraphina added cheerfully not at all bothered by the dilemma Ken is facing.

“Our father is obviously not happy but I guess you were at least smart enough to make it a public announcement to the world where if you were to suddenly disappear, he wouldn’t be able to escape questioning.

Believe it or not, that doofus Xandrian actually helped you out by complaining and going crazy saying how he will destroy you in the next tournament so I think at least for the near future, your life is safe.

I do think my father expects Clare to return home so I’m not sure how you want to deal with that.” Cecilla added as the pile of things Ken had to deal with kept on growing.

“No, I can’t let Clare go back to Yelwraek alone. If he asks, tell him I will be back with Clare in two years to face him properly. I can’t risk him taking Clare away from me. If I don’t see you first thing at the start of next semester, I will be raising hell too so hopefully your father doesn't give you a hard time instead.” Ken replied.

“We saw Rose, she was pretty sad that she couldn’t talk to you and her father is both upset that she is sad and at you for what you pulled at the tournament. Lucia was also in a foul mood and didn't want to ever speak with you again.” Genesis added.

“I guess there are a lot of people that want me dead.” Ken replied with a sigh, not sure what he has gotten himself into or how he can dig himself out.

“You should have expected it, pulling a crazy stunt like that. That was way too reckless. What did you expect will happen? You are literally taunting the king of Yelwraek by saying he is wrong. You are lucky to still be alive.” Alice added frustratedly as she got ready to head home to keep her family in their current neutral mood.

“Well, what else could I have done? I am not going to let him take Clare from me. Oh well, the only thing I can control is getting stronger I guess.” Ken replied, not sure what else he could have done to prevent Clare from being married off to Xandrian.

“Stopping falling in love with every cute girl you meet will probably also help your cause.” Clare added.

“To be fair, I don’t think I have gotten a new lover in forever so that’s just a false accusation at this point. Besides, it’s all your fault Clare! Why did you have to be some fancy princess!” Ken added defensively.

After saying goodbye to Cecilla and Alice as they teleported home early. Ken and the rest spent the last night together wondering what would happen and if there is anything they could have done differently or how to go forward from this point onward.