“Like a  brown or dull green. Those colours,” Arthur replied as he was completely focused on all his senses as he wanted to watch their features to detect a hint of dishonesty. 

When Arthur was talking he noticed that Madly’s small nose started to twitch when he mentioned the colours. 

When he mentioned brown he looked at her searchingly as he noticed that she emanated that colour of her body slightly when she attacked him. 

As for the green colour, Arthur noticed that Ron didn’t react as he must not have been aware of the green that was vibrating his body slightly when he defended Arthur. 

Ron was not like Madly, this little strong girl here knew what she had. Arthur narrowed his eyes at Madly as he realised that she could be useful especially as she is aware of her power, and his notice of her reaction didn’t slip by grandpa Regil’s keen eyes.

“I can tell you if you want to know, these colours represent the primary form of the innate talents for any mage.” The words came from grandpa Regil’s mouth as he replied before anyone else spoke. 

He wanted to put an end to this feud between his beloved granddaughter and this dangerous child of the head family. 

He knew that Arthur had nothing to do with the horrible crimes done by his family, or family members to be precise. 

He also didn’t want his granddaughter to get entangled in a conflict with such a mysterious kid, or else the future might be darker than expected.

Wisdom came with age and his wisdom was way beyond others. Grandpa Regil once wanted revenge against the whole golden lion family, however, he realized later on that revenge would cost him more than just his life. 

Regil decided to  grieve in silence and buried his pain, waiting for the day when the monstrous killers of his son and his wife would end up being killed, and this day was getting closer and closer with time.

Arthur was not aware of the full details of what happened to Regil’s family and he didn’t really care. 

But, he did know that he would have to promise justice if he had any hope of getting what he wanted, he could always use force but he doubted that Ron would be happy about that. 

Arthur started to admire Ron as he wasn’t a simpleton as Willy and Arthur did admire Madly’s courage as it did take balls to go after the next in line for the leadership of the Golden Lion clan.

“If you help me and fulfil my requests, I will help you get what you desire most in the world,” Arthur said as he looked towards Madly who just sneered at him.

“What is your request, young master?” Regil questioned politely as he hoped that the request would not be too big.

“I want to borrow the wild brat for a while,” Arthur said and when he noticed the strange look take over  Regil’s face as it twisted in repulsion. Arthur  hurriedly added, “don’t misunderstand me, I just want a mutual benefit here and I will not hurt her.”

“No way in hell!” Madly exclaimed in agony like the idea of being with Arthur was such torture to her.

“I know you have a grudge, can you just listen to me just for a minute?” Arthur spoke calmly when Madly began to head towards the door as she didn’t want to hear what he was going to say.

  Madly stopped as she turned and faced him with her sword directed towards him, ” why should I listen to you? Besides, you are weaker than your butler. How are you the future leader?” She said harshly to Arthur but he did agree with her.

“So if I proved you wrong, and made you kiss the dirty floor would you follow me?” Arthur questioned her with a provocative smile.

“In your dreams!” she ferociously said. Her wild untamed nature was something that  Arthur liked very much, as she reminded him of those female, hot-tempered cultivators back in the days.

“I’m not joking, do we have a deal?” he calmly asked

.

“And what if you fail?” she replied with the same ferocity.

“I will help you to get revenge on those who killed your parents,” Arthur replied.

“Even if he is your father?” she asked with a serious look.

“Yes,” Arthur simply replied without showing any hesitation.

“Master…” Ron was about to interfere and stop this madness however Arthur looked at him as he said:

“Calm down, I know what I am doing.”

“No you don’t,” Madly said with a wide grin from ear to ear as she added, “what guarantee do I have that you will stick to your words?”

“I give you my word, my honour depends entirely on that,” Arthur replied.

“Not enough you might be persuaded to change your mind,” she said while giving Ron an unforgiving betrayed glance.

“What do you propose?” Arthur asked, as back in the cultivation world, an oath to the heavens or a swear over one’s honour was enough to clear all these troubles.

“Hmm, what about we go outside and let everyone witness? I believe if you are truly sincere then you wouldn’t find any problem with that, right?”

Ron started to shake with anger as he couldn’t stand by and watch Madly kill Willy without even trying to put an end to this delusional deal. He grabbed the arm of Arthur as he whispered,” have lost your mind?”

Arthur knew that Ron was trying to protect him, however, this kind of protection was harmful to him right now as it just proved to everyone that he was a weakling. 

Arthur needed to be challenged to show everyone that he has changed, he is not weak, and desperately needed to win against the girl no matter what.

“Listen, this is a rare chance that I have and I don’t plan to let it slip by.”

Ron looked at Arthur with more disbelief as he muttered in confusion, “What chance? Oh god, I didn’t think your injury was this serious, did it take all your lick of sense?”

“It’s a chance to obtain the loyalty of a mage,” Arthurs words startled Ron as they made his mouth drop open in disbelief. Arthur slipped from his grasp using this moment of confusion as he moved outside the shop.

The people in the market stopped and stared at Arthur as he whistled to gain their attention. He commanded them to move out of the way and to bear witness of him winning his challenge against his opponent Madly.

“You are still daydreaming, but that’s fine for me. Just don’t be bitter when you lose,” Madly said as she confidently faced Arthur as the people moved out of their way. 

They boxed Arthur and Madly into a square so they would have room to fight. Arthur felt his heart beating erratically as he realised if he lost he would never win the respect of the clan people. 

Over the relentless chatter in the market, Arthur could hear clear as day Ron speaking to Regil.

Madly began to explain to the crowd the terms and conditions of the fight whilst they were screeching her name as they wanted her to win.

“Do you have anything to add to our mighty strong master?” Madly asked with a sarcastic tone.

“No, can we start?” Arthur calmly replied. His calmness started to irritate Madly the most, but she didn’t say anything then as her sword was raised and she moved towards him like a bullet.

However, when Arthur looked at her she was moving as slow as a snail.  He had no power at all, however, he still had his tricks and leg movements that was enough to make this arrogant little girl taste the dirt. 

Madly, started to emit a faint brownish halo that no one in the crowd detected but Arthur could see it as clear as day. He was truly curious about the origin of this light and how it was developed.

Although, he first had to evade this incoming attack, which he did simply by using one of his footwork tricks. 

Quickly, he moved his legs to the right side of Madly while effectively moving his sword to clash with Madly’s sword while his body was turning. Madly, looked at Arthur with pure hatred.

  Once he evaded her sword he didn’t stop as he dropped his defence to circle behind her as he knocked the sword out of her hand by knocking her finger repetitively with his hand to make her fingers sting with pain. 

As Arthur was behind her he forcefully grabbed her hair when she tried to retrieve her sword. Arthur used all his might, breath becoming shallow, as he pulled her backwards with his leg tripping her ankles. 

The crowd was yelling obscenities as Madly thumped onto the hard ground. Arthur then went lower to the ground so he could turn on her back. 

Hurriedly, he twisted her arms behind her back as he put his knee on her spine. 

She started to thrash in discomfort and rage but he didn’t let her up. Sweat from Arthur’s head was plunging onto Madly’s back. Tired muscles were throbbing in pain.

Do you admit defeat?” Arthur breathlessly asked as Madly went still on the floor. Arthur’s cold voice spread in the market with the people going deathly quiet as they were surprised that Arthur had won. 

They had looked at Arthur’s footwork with interest as it was new and strange. Many looked with disgust towards Arthur as he used tricks and didn’t fight with honour. 

Some of the mages that saw the fight were repulsed as they believed only power can keep you alive and that you shouldn’t rely on cheap tricks. 

But, others looked at this trick with burning desires, as they were the type who would do anything to win and were not above using trickery to get what they wanted. 

They would force Willy to show them his tricks, willing or not as they were not above forcing someone’s hand to get what they wanted.

Madly started screaming that she submitted and when Arthur let her go she ran to her grandfather’s shop. Her tear soaked face started to make Arthur feel remorseful for the humiliation he caused her.Everyone kept staring at him, starting to feel uncomfortable, he sprinted after Madly.

When he entered the Regil shop he found Madly sitting silently at the table with her gloomy face glaring at Arthur as soon as stepped inside the shop.

On her side,  Regil sat with a pitiful look over his face as he knew that everyone out there had witnessed the miracle this young master had pulled.

Arthur sat down next to Ron, he moved slowly as when the adrenaline left his body he started to feel a terrible agony in his weak and fragile arms. 

Ron was looking at him weirdly as he gave him a sly smile that showed all his crooked teeth.. Arthur knew Ron was proud of him as not only did he prove to the clan’s people that he was worthy but he did it through kicking Madly arse.