Chapter 78. Pinnacle

“Thank you Mrs. Fleming for taking care of me every single day! I know you don’t lack money so I really don’t know what I could do to repay you for all the energy you spent healing me.” Ken said sincerely on the final day of his stay in Kirksawald.

“It’s been great having the pair of you here! The house has been quiet for many decades now without the children and grandchildren running around but you two made it lively the past 4 months!” Helen replied happily while the group gathered for breakfast.

“Osmar, thank you for everything you have done for me! When are you two coming to Dragonspire?” Ken asked as the group enjoyed their final breakfast together.

“We will come the day before the open tournament starts, so in 3 days.” Osmar replied.

“We should get dinner together! I will introduce you two to everyone.” Ken said happily.

“I hope they aren’t all as feisty as Lovetta here or I might be in trouble for putting you through what I did the past 4 months.” Osmar replied with a laugh.

“If you put it like that, I will have to survive first! I am sure I will not hear the end of it for not going back for 4 whole months and having you reject every attempt they sent to come for an exchange.” Ken replied, not sure how he would face the girls after spending the entire semester training with Osmar.

After chatting some more, Ken thanked the pair once again for everything they did for him and after leaving Dragonspire and being away for 4 entire months, the young man and wolf girl finally teleported back the day before the biannual tournament started.

“KEN! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!” Genesis shouted before Ken could even open his eyes.

“4 ENTIRE MONTH! ONE SIMPLE LETTER! ALL EXCHANGE REQUESTS DECLINED!” Genesis continued screaming as Ken tried to calm the girl down.

“Genesis! I was literally training to death and I didn’t want any extra distractions. Sorry I neglected everyone but I had to do what I had to do.” Ken replied as he hugged the fuming girl.

“I take that as you succeeded and we aren’t asked to pack up and go into hiding?”Clare asked, her tone also hostile.

“I always live up to expectations! But for my health and longevity, I think I will take it easy from now on.” Ken replied with a smile and tried to placate to the elf princess.

“How were you able to improve that drastically? Let me in on the secret!” Cecilla asked as the girls wouldn’t let Ken catch his breath with a bombardment of questions.

“Every day, Osmar beat him to near death where he would end up with most of his bones shattered and bleeding until unconscious, and Osmar’s wife Helen would heal him back up to health every night so he could get beaten to near death the day after.” Lovetta answered to the shock of the rest.

“What if Osmar went overboard and accidentally killed you or his wife couldn’t heal the injuries because they were too severe or fatal? How could you be this crazy reckless to follow through with such a training!” Alice yelled.

“Exactly why I didn’t want more of you there! I wanted Lovetta to come back after the first month too but she refused to leave and kept on stopping Osmar during the fight! If she wasn’t there and so overprotective, I bet I could have gotten to holy level even faster.” Ken complained while Lovetta defended her actions as the rest commanded her for keeping Ken in one piece.

“Congrats on reaching holy level!” Seraphina said happily as she grabbed Ken and spun him around.

“I am only letting this happen because I am trying to apologize.” Ken replied as Seraphina happily twirled the young man around.

“I am happy that you were able to reach holy level but I am sure we would rather go into hiding with you than have Lovetta return alone with the news of your death.” Emma added as she checked over Ken to make sure no permanent damage was done.

“We could have just gone and lived in Althanica instead of you needing to try this hard and suffer so much pain.” Indra added, concerned about how much Ken had to suffer.

“LOOK AT ALL THOSE SCARS! Didn’t you say a healer healed you every day?” Genesis shouted as the group returned to their suite and the girls inspected Ken’s body.

“Genesis! If you actually paid attention in class, you would know how healing magic worked. She isn’t magically erasing any wounds.

Helen was simply speeding up my healing process. Be thankful Osmar never targeted my handsome face and most of the scars are so light because Helen is an even more powerful healer than Professor Aleheart!

She might not have the stamina of a dwarf but her ability to mend bones and close wounds are second to none. Osmar is so lucky to have her around!

I think I need to find myself a cute healer girl as well.” Ken commented jokingly while none of the girls was amused by his comment.

“Sorry, I came back at such an awkward time. Some of you have finals today and shouldn’t be distracted by my sudden appearance.” Ken continued with an apology.

“You think any of us had the time to worry about school or studying this entire semester? We were all acting like Genesis and were just staying around doing nothing while worried about you!” Alice added.

“Well! That’s all behind us now! It wasn’t easy and I no doubt suffered a lot of pain but it’s all worth it! We can finally relax and be together without having to worry!” Ken said happily after some more placating trying to make up for his 4 months of total absence.

Since none of the girls were at any risk of having to drop out, Emma asked headmaid Agnes for a day off and the group headed into town to spend the day relaxing and catching up instead of worrying about taking the finals.

With the tournament starting the day after, the small town was packed with visitors and tourists as the normally relaxed slow streets were filled with wealthy families from all over the world already in the festival mood, getting ready to enjoy the excitement of the tournament.

“I’m glad you won’t be taking a job yet and will be staying in school. I’m still aiming for that number 1 spot.” Cecilla commented as the group enjoyed dinner after spending the day together.

“After all the time I spent training and studying, I am not settling for anything lower than the top 10. We don’t have to worry about money, especially since I can just conjure some gold instead of spending all my energy training so I’m not in a hurry to find a job.” Ken replied as he shoved food into his mouth.

With their stomachs full of delicious food. The group left town and returned to their suite as the girls bickered and argued, each trying to pressure Ken into agreeing to spend the night alone with them while the young man pleaded the fifth to avoid escalating their argument even more.

After an eventful night, Ken was able to relax and enjoy the tournament for the next 3 days without any pressure or anxiety as he simply cheered and enjoyed the show with the rest of the audience.

“Congrats on winning again Ryo! You are having a pretty firm lead over everyone else in the first year! Osmar! Ryo here self-taught himself how to boost at like 10 years old!” Ken said happily as he invited the young vampire to join his dinner with Osmar so Ryo could start building some connections for his future.

“Impressive indeed! And as a vampire, he’s got those natural advantages in his favor as well. I can see this young man going far!” Osmar replied happily as Ryo shyly thanked everyone for their congratulatory remarks.

“Mrs. Fleming! Genesis here was able to conjure space magic after only 3 days without training! Everyone told me she is probably the most talented person to ever be born!

I would have to disagree after becoming the youngest person to reach holy level but maybe you can talk to her about trying to learn healing magic so she isn’t just wasting away her talent.” Ken said, trying to get Genesis to do something with her immense talent.

“The open tournament bracket was released and you will be facing off against Zishell if you can make it to the final match on day 2. My father said to go all out against Zishell and hold nothing back.

Zishell will be letting him know after the match if you have achieved holy level or not.” Clare added after she and Cecilla showed up to join the group.

“Great! Time for me to test my abilities out against the best of the best! After getting repeatedly beaten to half death over the past 4 months to get to where I am now, I should fare much better now compared to my match against Julius.” Ken replied happily as the outcome of the match mattered not since he had reached holy level and could just use this opportunity to test out his abilities against the strongest person alive.

After enjoying an extravagant dinner as thanks to Osmar and Helen for everything they did, Ken thanked the tiger beastman and his wife once again before heading back to the academy to turn in for the night so he could get ready to finally fulfill his promise.

“Wake up Ken! Today’s the big day.” Seraphina said happily as she shook Ken awake.

“It really isn’t all that special. I have obviously reached holy level so there won’t be any surprises. It’s more of a formality than anything else.” Ken replied as he yawned and got ready for the second day of the open tournament after he easily won his matches from the day before.

“What if you accidentally lose a match before you face off against Zishell?” Genesis asked with a smirk.

“Genesis, I doubt that’s going to happen but even if I do end up losing to someone else. My promise to the king has nothing to do with fighting Zishell.

I will easily prove to him I’m at holy level with a simple test.” Ken replied as the group headed for the stadium.

After parting with the girls, Ken greeted his two friends backstage as Vincent and Fernard were already busy discussing strategies when Ken arrived.

“Morning Ken. Hope all 3 of us make it to the final match today!” Fernard said happily as he greeted the young man.

“As envious as I am that you have reached holy level before me. After thinking it through last night, I don’t think I have what it takes to get beaten to half death over and over just so I can speed up my growth.” Vincent added as he greeted Ken as well.

“For sure Vincent. I would have rather taken an extra year or two of training to get here rather than going through what I did.

But that’s what I get for making a promise on a whim without knowing just how impossible of a task I signed myself up to.” Ken replied with a smile as the trio chatted while waiting for the matches to start.

“Good luck against Osmar, Fernard! Even though you are a great friend of mine, I have to be honest in saying that I don’t think you can beat Osmar just yet and I will be rooting for him for at least a few more years for helping me get to where I am.” Ken commented as Fernard laughed before heading out for his final match.

“Great job reaching the final match Vincent. Nolan was crazy fast wasn’t he.” Ken said to Vincent who had just returned from his match against Nolan, the first time Vincent had reached the final match against a hero.

“I have no idea how the top heroes deal with his speed. I could barely follow his movement, much less do anything about it! The top 10 really are in a different class and I have a ways to go before I can catch up.

Good luck against Zishell! You will have the spotlight on you once again for having the final match for the day.” Vincent replied, wishing Ken the best of luck before heading to the stands to watch the final few matches with the cheering audience.

After watching Osmar handle Fernard and Julius easily taking out another regular of the tournament, Ken walked onto the stage and waved to the cheering crowd to face off against the one and only, Zishell Yelvaris. The current number 1 hero, the strongest person alive in the entire world.

Tall, handsome, with flowing white hair and deep blue eyes, Zishell was the definition of elegant. Waving at the cheering crowd, the hero stood opposite from Ken as the pair got in position for the final match of the day.

The moment the match began, Ken utilized everything he had learned in the past 5 years and charged at the top hero.

Fully enhanced physically with holy level enhancement while also double boosting, Ken disappeared from the view of the general public.

If it’s not for the magic of the mirrors that slowed down the action and Zishell’s ice shields that kept getting shattered from every direction, those watching live without utilizing the mirrors would feel how Ken did when he first joined Dragonspire and failed to understand how anyone could move so fast.

Combining his physical attacks with his elemental enhancement while swinging with his broadsword. Ken became a phantom in the arena as he pulled out his teleporting ability for the first time in actual combat.

While the mirrors were great at slowing down the action for the average viewers, with Ken teleporting around to random spots, only the top tier could keep up with his movement while most of the audience could only watch the stationary Zishell who’s calmly deflecting and blocking every attack with ease.

Putting all his energy into offense while draining his stamina rapidly with boost, Ken showcased everything he had learned while trying to do all he could to see if he could grasp just how powerful Zishell was.

Combining his physical slashing with elemental properties, teleporting around to add in feints, and attacking from unpredictable angles, Ken put everything he had learned on display and did everything in his power to get through Zishell’s defense.

Attacking with so much force and energy, the entire stadium trembled with each strike as the crowd watched in awe at the power that was on display.

“Even when Julius and Zishell fight each other, you don’t get this level of clash where the whole stadium is trembling. Is Ken really getting that strong?” Emma asked as the girls watched in awe at Ken’s growth in power.

“As balanced as Ken thinks he is, he likes to be flashy and definitely focuses on offense way more than defense.

Pure raw power-wise, I think he is already on par with most of the top 10 but Zishell and Julius are definitely holding back if what Osmar told us is true and those two are at least 10 times stronger than anyone else in the world.” Lovetta replied, offering Emma some insight on the training she also received from Osmar.

“You really did get strong too Lovetta! I can’t believe after 5 years, you were able to beat both Clare and Luke and win the tournament for your class!” Seraphina added, happy for Lovetta’s accomplishment.

“My father is a great warrior and I feel he is on par in strength with Osmar but he is no teacher and his ways of explaining things have always been tough for me to comprehend.

Osmar on the other hand is a great mentor who was able to explain things even someone like me could understand. The 4 months of training with him has definitely helped me improve greatly.” Lovetta replied, happy that she could come out on top against Luke and finally took revenge.

“Did you see Luke’s face after the match? He was so angry I thought he was going to snap! I love it!” Genesis added happily, showing some rare emotion that didn’t involve Ken.

“Clare has been down though. Must be hard for her to go from the top in the class to now have so many of her classmates overtake her.” Indra added as the group turned their attention back to the match.

With full-out boosting draining his stamina rapidly, after 5 minutes of nonstop onslaught throwing everything he had at Zishell, Ken was on the brink of collapsing from exhaustion and the small detail didn’t go unnoticed.

Changing from a purely defensive tactic of simply nullifying everything Ken threw at him, Zishell suddenly drew his bow and fired an ice arrow toward an empty location.

Moments later, that single ice arrow split into thousands as Ken teleported to this exact location unaware of what Zishell had done.

Shocked to see thousands of ice arrows raining down on his face, the young man got totally destroyed and was frozen in place to the cheering crowd as Ryder announced Zishell, the pinnacle of power, the winner of the match.