Despite their instincts warning them otherwise, the temple's soldiers and trainees couldn't stop themselves. The moment Nova insulted them, something snapped.
Their pride, carefully molded through years of discipline and worship, burned with fury at the outsider's audacity.
The bulky man, who had first challenged Nova, picked up his sword again and pointed it at him.
"You're going to regret that."
He snarled.
Nova didn't respond. He simply watched, holding the wooden sword lightly in his hand, not even shifting his stance.
He had already evaluated the man's strength. There wasn't enough aether in him to make this a challenge.
But he also knew something else—these people wouldn't stop unless they were humiliated.
So, he waited.
The man charged again, roaring louder than before.
This time, Nova didn't counter. He ducked, let the man's sword whistle through empty air, and brought the blunt edge of his weapon up into the trainee's ribs.
