"That was a good attack," the Core Elder said. "You're making your title as Core Disciple proud!"
The Core Disciple became a bit red in the face.
"Thanks," he quietly said as he quickly hurried back to the other Core Disciples.
Naturally, the TV broadcast had been stopped as soon as the Core Disciple Trials ended.
The Core Elder didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the members of the Array of Stars. At least, not embarrass himself more than he had already done.
Only the Highman's Club would see the Core Disciple Rankings.
The Core Elder called for the next Disciple, who quickly attacked the Core Elder before leaving just as quickly.
They couldn't handle as much shame, humiliation, and embarrassment as the Core Elder.
However, a few of the Core Disciples felt admiration for the Core Elder.
Yes, the Core Elder was embarrassing himself publicly, but he was doing that for the Highman's Club.
He was probably just as embarrassed as they were, but for them, he was willing to embarrass himself.
He was throwing away his own dignity to save theirs.
As the Core Disciples grew stronger, the Core Elder took more steps back.
Eventually, it was the turn of the top three Core Disciples.
The one ranked in third place made the Core Elder move five steps, while the other two made him move eight and nine steps.
The difference between third and second place was so big since the actual third-ranked Core Disciple was currently being an Inner Disciple.
"Nine steps," the Core Elder shouted with pride in his voice as the first-ranked Core Disciple finished his strike. "Truly outstanding! You are a rarely seen genius! This is a new record amongst Core Disciples! Amazing!"
The Core Disciples did their best not to shout in anger.
New record?!
The old record for Core Disciples was to move this guy ten centimeters!
Nine steps?!
Four and a half meters?!
When the first-ranked Disciple was done, the Core Elder grandly pulled off the top half of his robes, revealing a chiseled and bulky body.
His aura shot through the roof as dense Energy gathered around his body.
From a casual stance, he changed into a battle stance.
His eyes narrowed as he looked at Kyle.
"Exchange Seeker. It's your turn," he said with a serious voice.
The Core Disciples looked away.
The Core Elder wasn't even pretending anymore.
Earlier, he stood there like he was waiting for the barista to finish his coffee.
Now, he stood there like he was in a fight for his life.
Kyle arrived in front of the Core Elder.
Naturally, he had already realized what was going on…
Somewhat.
'He's still scheming against me, huh?' Kyle thought in annoyance. 'You still want to take my job?'
Meanwhile…
'I'll just let myself be pushed back enough so that my foot touches the edge of the circle,' the Core Elder thought. 'I can't possibly act like he's weaker than my Disciples. Nobody would believe me.'
'But what I can do is to make him just barely win.'
'We can't get his position anyway. I can only save my Disciples' dignity.'
Of course, the Core Elder was planning to let Kyle win, just not by too much.
Sadly, Kyle believed that the Core Elder was still trying to play tricks on him.
'You wanna fuck around?! Sure, I'll make you find out!' Kyle thought.
"You can just launch a fist or a kick at me," the Core Elder said. "I won't fight back."
Kyle narrowed his eyes. "You're not allowing me to use my weapon?"
The Core Elder's eyes widened in realization.
"Excuse me, I was under the assumption you were fighting barehanded," the Core Elder said. "You are allowed to use your weapon."
He had been so distracted by Kyle's performance that he hadn't even considered that he also used a weapon.
Kyle's display had been so dominant that the Core Elder hadn't anticipated that he could improve his performance even more.
'He has a weapon, right...' the Core Elder thought. 'Let's just hope it's a sword or a bow.'
The next moment, Kyle pulled out his hammer.
The head of the hammer hit the ground, and the entire arena shook.
The eyes of the onlookers widened in shock and horror. Several of them even gasped.

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