The Supreme Level Up System

"Come to think, Aion; you said that you fought a girl yesterday, right?" Artemisia asked while they were having breakfast. "Was she pretty?"

"Pretty? I don't really remember…" Aion said since he could only remember the random expression of someone angry.

"I guess you are the type who would like calmer girls," Artemisia said. "Tell me when you find someone you find cute, okay?"

Aion sighed… while he had lived twenty-five years before and more than ten now, having that kind of conversation with his parent still was a bit weird. He didn't feel that troubled while talking with the captain that practically his uncle… but it was probably because he felt more like a partner in crime than a parental figure. In any case, Aion could tell that his mother really liked that type of talk, so he ran away before he would open his mouth and reveal the truth that he preferred a more mature woman. That would be awkward to say to his mother…

When Aion headed to the garden the next morning, he found his father waiting for him there. Since Aion headed to the garden every day no matter what in the last seven years, it couldn't have been helped, but his father didn't have to follow a such a strict routine.

"Congratulations on winning until now," Lexus said. "If you continue winning, we might fight for real finally. Still, there are some things that I need to warn you about."

"It is about the prince, right?" Aion said. "I know what will happen if I go too far."

"Do you know what will happen if you push him too much as well?" Lexus asked. "He doesn't like to do things half-assedly, and he dislikes to lose in everything. He will be a difficult opponent. Considering your positions, he will be pressured by many not to lose."

"Well, if he is the type of opponent that will let others define how willing he is to win, this will be easy," Aion said.

"If you are willing to say that much, then perhaps my warnings will be useless," Lexus said. "Regardless, I didn't predict this situation, but if you achieve your goals, you might also be causing problems in your future. I want you to keep that in mind."

"No matter what happens, I won't change my mind or regret my decisions," Aion said.

"Then that is fine," Lexus said. "I wish you good luck today."

When it comes to him, Aion wasn't so sure if Lexus acted the same way with the other of his children, but that was a given. Aion was too much irregular to begin with, that without including his behavior and the fact that he was Artemisia's son. Still, that was fine. Aion already had a fatherly figure that he would never forget. Besides, Lexus already had eight other kids.

After Lexus left, Aion confirmed that, once again, only a few servants and his mother were left at home. The entire family was out to enjoy the festivities. Since the boys and the girls had their own things to do most of the year, it was rare for them to spend time together as a family, so that it couldn't be helped.

In any other situation, Aion wished that his mother could enjoy such an event as well, but since she was in enemy territory, that couldn't be helped. Regardless, after spending his free time at home, Aion departed to the arena after lunch. He managed to think of some ways to deal with the prince, but none of them were definitive with the skills in his hands.

At that point in time, it was impossible not to recognize Aion even while seeing him from afar, and wherever he passed, the area grew silent for some time while the people stared at him. Truth be told, he was counting the seconds to leave that annoying place with his mother.

When Aion reached the arena, he found his brothers walking around with their mothers and sisters. Unlike most women, those had lived quite the sheltered life, and they still didn't feel much while watching people beating the crap out of each other. It was pretty surprising… In any case, Aion decided to avoid them since he needed to focus. Aion reached a point where he had to study all of the opponents, but there wouldn't be much merit if he lost.

Although Aion was trying to focus and everyone left him alone, the prince still approached him. Aion felt really troubled, and then he sighed before opening his eyes.

"Let's have a good match," Vangel said while offering a handshake.

"... yeah," Aion said after accepting the handshake.

In the end, Aion didn't have to antagonize him just because of his bloodline. His father was the one who turned his mother into a prisoner and then married her to his father. While that gave birth to Aion, it wasn't something he could forgive that easily… she was treated like an object.

Aion returned to his focus when Vangel. It didn't seem like he had come to bother him and break his concentration, but it was hard to get a good read from his facial expressions.

Eventually, they were called to the arena, and he stopped to get his weapon. The hand axes still were his option, even though something like a club or a thicker weapon would be a better option. In any case, when the prince showed up, the audience began to make even more noise, to the point that he even felt compelled to wave to them. Still, when Aion showed up, everyone went silent.

The eyes and anger of everyone didn't affect Aion. It only gave him even more reason to shut them up by beating the crap out of the prince. As if he knew that Aion was planning to end that as soon as possible, the prince assumed his stance first, even before the referee could tell them to fight.

Aion lowered his stance and moved his legs a bit away from each other. He had to change his plans a little, but that was only a small issue. When the referee told them to fight, Aion didn't move from the spot, but the enemy charged at them and swung his sword toward his head…