Black Phoenix Heir

Chapter 14: Chapter 14 — Zack Vs Alex

Chapter 14 — Zack Vs Alex

Victor watched the boy standing in front of him, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. His body felt like it had been pushed past its limits. Every muscle was tense, and his legs were still trembling slightly from the effort of dodging Alex’s attacks. He had relied on instinct more than thought, allowing his bloodline to take over whenever his mind couldn’t keep up. Even then, it had barely been enough.

If he hadn’t blocked that final sword strike, Victor would be dead. There was no point denying it. Victor’s gaze remained fixed on the boy’s back as Alex’s voice broke through his thoughts.

”Zack, this is none of your business. Back off.”

Alex’s face was twisted with anger, his crimson eyes burning as he glared at Zack. Zack slowly turned his head toward him, a faint grin appearing on his face.

”Why don’t you play with me for a second, Alex?”

Alex’s expression darkened.

Zack’s robes suddenly began to flutter. There was no wind in the market, yet the yellow fabric moved as though caught in a storm. Spiritual energy began gathering around him, first faintly, then with increasing intensity. The pressure spread outward from his body, pushing against everything nearby. Dust and loose fragments of stone skittered across the ground, while Zack’s feet dug nearly a centimeter into the stone beneath him.

Victor felt the pressure against his skin and instinctively held his breath.

Zack slowly raised his sword.

”Let’s see how long you can last.”

His spiritual power surged.

A wave of invisible force exploded outward.

Alex was pushed backward several feet, his boots scraping violently against the ground as he fought to keep his balance. His eyes widened for the briefest moment.

Zack smiled.

”Fury Slash.”

He disappeared.

Victor’s eyes widened.

He hadn’t seen Zack move. There hadn’t even been enough time for him to blink. One moment Zack had been standing several feet away, and the next, he was already in front of Alex.

His sword came down from the right.

Clang!

The collision rang through the market.

Alex’s arms bent beneath the impact, and his feet slid backward across the stone. He managed to hold the blade, but the force behind the strike was far greater than he had expected.

How is Zack this strong?

Alex gritted his teeth.

He had known Zack was talented. Everyone in the Tower who paid attention to the younger generation knew it. At thirteen, Zack was already considered a prodigy in swordsmanship. His skill with alchemy was respectable, but his sword was where his true talent lay.

Still, Alex had not expected this.

Before he could recover, Zack disappeared again.

Alex’s pupils contracted.

He turned sharply.

Zack appeared at his left side, his sword already descending toward his shoulder.

Alex twisted his body and parried the strike.

Clang!

The impact sent another shock through his arms. His feet slid nearly a foot across the ground before he managed to stop himself.

Zack disappeared again.

This time, he appeared on Alex’s opposite side, his sword flashing toward him once more.

Alex raised his weapon and deflected the blow, but the force behind it drove him backward. His breathing had become heavier, and his arms were beginning to ache.

Zack raised his sword.

Alex tightened his grip.

Zack vanished.

Victor’s eyes strained to follow him, but once again, there was nothing.

Then Zack appeared to Alex’s right.

His sword was raised above his shoulder.

For the briefest instant, he paused.

A strange ripple of spiritual energy spread from his body.

Victor’s eyes narrowed.

The energy wasn’t simply surrounding Zack anymore. It was condensing around him, gathering into a faint circular pattern that seemed to distort the air itself. Victor had never seen anything like it. The spiritual energy was so dense that it almost seemed tangible.

Zack’s eyes sharpened.

Then the sword fell.

Alex’s expression changed.

He poured every ounce of spiritual energy he could into his weapon and raised it above his head.

BOOM!

The two swords collided with enough force to shake the ground beneath them.

Alex’s arms immediately buckled. His knees bent, and his entire body trembled beneath the pressure. For one moment, he managed to hold.

Then the force became too much.

Alex was launched backward.

His body slammed into the stone and rolled again and again, his expensive robes becoming covered in dirt. He finally came to a stop several feet away, lying motionless for a moment.

”Young Master!”

His two followers rushed toward him.

Alex slowly pushed himself up, breathing heavily as they helped him to his feet. His face was dark with humiliation, but he didn’t attempt to raise his sword again.

”I’ll remember this, Zack.”

His crimson eyes shifted toward Victor.

”You might be safe now.”

Victor remained silent.

Alex’s expression hardened.

”But Zack won’t always be there.”

His voice became colder.

”Make sure you watch your back. You will atone for your sins.”

With that, Alex turned and walked away, his two followers following closely behind.

But before they disappeared into the crowd, both of them glanced back at Zack.

Victor noticed the look in their eyes.

Respect.

Zack watched them disappear into the crowd with a faint smile before turning toward Victor.

He began walking toward him.

Step by step.

Victor remained where he was, still trying to understand what had just happened. He was grateful. There was no denying that Zack had saved his life.

But gratitude didn’t erase caution.

People didn’t usually save strangers for no reason.

Especially not someone capable of overwhelming a Body Tempering Rank Eight cultivator.

Zack stopped in front of him.

Then his expression suddenly became much lighter.

”I’ve got to say, that was impressive.”

Victor raised an eyebrow.

Zack looked at Victor with a grin.

”Saving a damsel in distress at exactly the right moment? That’s usually my move.”

Victor stared at him.

Zack chuckled.

”But you beat me to it.”

There was an almost genuine disappointment in his voice.

”Anyone who appears at the perfect moment to save a damsel in distress is someone I’d like to call a friend. The name’s Zack.”

He stuck his hand out in front of Victor for a handshake.

Victor looked at the offered hand for a moment before taking it.

”It’s a pleasure. My name’s Victor.”

They shook hands.

It was only then that Victor finally got a proper look at Zack.

He was around thirteen years old, perhaps close to Victor’s own age, but there was something unusually refined about his appearance. His blond hair was neatly kept, framing a remarkably handsome face. His blue eyes were bright and clear, while his sharp jaw and balanced features gave him an almost flawless appearance.

His yellow robes stood out among the darker clothing of the market. They weren’t overly extravagant, but their clean design and quality made it obvious they weren’t cheap. A sword rested at his waist inside a simple, well-crafted sheath.

Despite everything Victor had just witnessed, Zack looked completely relaxed.

As if throwing Alex across the market had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Zack released Victor’s hand and smiled.

”So, Victor.”

Victor looked at him.

”Why don’t we go get something to eat?”

Zack’s grin widened.

”It’s my treat.”