The battle of commoners started the next day. The turnout of the audience was also huge as many experts came with their retinue. The elves had opened their doors for foreign experts and audiences as well. Thus, many people gathered to view the opening of the matches.

The huge arena was opened and the audience was given sufficient time to get their seats. As a lot of participants had gathered for the battle of commoners, the people were divided into groups to make the processing in the round easier. The different groups were all given different platforms to battle and find their champions.

The entire preparation was extremely thorough with very few reasons to complain.

Ashley sat on a grand elevated stage that was the focus of the main attraction. She could see countless people occupying the stands waiting for the competition to begin. Nicholas was sitting beside her. He looked at the crowd with indifference in his eyes and said:

I am Nicholas Lislechis, the emperor of elves. I have opened the wedding challenge for the royal princess of elves in this generation - Ashley Lislechis. I thank you all for coming all the way here from across the plane to fight for the chance to marry her. I will now introduce the champions of my family.

As he said so, on the elevated stage - several people appeared. They had cultivation base ranging from saint-realm to the immortal-realm. Ragnar too was standing between the champions. Ashley remembered Ragnar's letter that he sent yesterday.

You might be thinking that you have achieved what you always wanted but you should be prepared. I will kill anyone that wants to take you away from me. You are bound to be my property and no one can change that! As for your young lover - Michael, he will die the most miserable death in Aterna's history.

Ashley could only hope that one of the experts who had appeared would win her hand. It was then that a young man who had covered his face and frame leapt from his stage and shouted:

Your Majesty, the princess is still young and vibrant with her beauty unparalled. You have opened a competition where immortals themselves are participating as challengers and defenders. How will young people like us stand a chance?

The man's words were not wrong. Many people shouted in support. Suddenly, a middle-aged barbarian leapt to his side and said:

Kid, you want to marry the elven royal princess, the most beautiful woman in the plane without any background? Grow some hair down there first. Before you say anything else, I will take care of you.

The barbarian attacked after saying so. He was at the peak-emperor realm making him fairly strong among the commoners. But before he could hit the young man, he counter-attacked. His arms snaked around the barbarian's and he cracked his shoulder! Following that, he blasted away the barbarian. But the barbarian was powerful as well. In the last moment, he attacked from his other hand. The man reacted late but still managed to dodge a clear blow. Only the hood of his robe was torn.

It revealed an extremely youthful face - at most 16 to 17 years old. Looking at that gave a shock to almost everyone in the crowd. After all, the age was clearly too low for someone who could throw a peak-emperor barbarian warrior so effortlessly. The elven emperor looked at him and said:

You are indeed telling the truth. But strength is paramount in this world. Even the main challenger is a youth like you. But he has still not raised any objections.

Youth : I know, Your Majesty. But, I don't speak for others. Michael Rageberg may just be doing this for publicity. But I have truly fallen in love with the princess at the first site. Please give me a chance. While these immortals are powerful, they are also very old. They have had too much time to train. I may be powerless at the moment but I have a greater potential than any other princes. I, Mero am the greatest genius there is. I am only 17 years old and am already a saint. Who here can match that? I again beg you your highness, please reconsider!

Elven king Nicholas found it hard to refuse this kid. After all, his claims were valid and his talent was indeed otherworldly. Nicholas had only heard of one other genius that could match the same - Michael Rageberg. The crowd seemed to be praising this young hero for his courage. They too started shouting in his favour. It was a weird thing - alone, none of them would dare to even speak a word in front of Nicholas. But with the numbers, it seemed like they felt that they could take on an immortal! Their chants caused pressure on Nicholas to answer.

But before he could say anything, Ragnar had already leapt off the stage and held the throat of the young man holding him high in the air. The young man was trying to get away but how could he do anything to an immortal. The crowd could Ragnar smirked and said:

You see this kid. This is known as power, strength. The power to hold anything one wants. You and someone else should learn that being talanted is not the same as being powerful. Many talents have died before they could grow. And not everyone can come back from the dead either.

When it seemed like he was going to snap Mero's neck, a booming voice came from the crowd:

Stay your hand Ragnar. Nicholas, what is the meaning of this? I may be old but I am not weak enough to be bullied! To use immortal-experts to bully a kid, are you not ashamed?

The entire crowd which was already stunned by the events taking place got even more excited. Then, someone appeared next to the two glaring hatefully at Ragnar. Nicholas' expression changed as well. He said:

To think that Lord Bluewind is here. I apologise for Ragnar's conduct. But you know the rules of wedding challenge. I really can not do anything.

Bluewind : Humph! Register this old man as a participant as well then. Since my disciple wants someone, he shall have her!

The crowd drew gasps at the mention of that name. Bluewind was an independent expert and was known for his power. His martial arts were claimed to be the best in Aterna! He was comparable in strength to Karslon Dumbledore. Thus, Bluewind was very respected everywhere. He was an independent expert, not part of any race. His race was already extinct. Bluewind usually never got into battles but he did have a terrific battle record. As Bluewind accepted publically that the youth was his disciple, everyone started feeling that the kid might even win this competition.

Nicholas said:

Very well. You can fight the battle of immortals and win the bride for your disciple. Ragnar, leave the kid alone.

Nicholas' tone clearly said that there was no room for negotiation. Ragnar let the kid go. Mero turned and said:

You are indeed an immortal, someone extremely powerful and domineering. But mark my words today Ragnar Lislechis, I shall humiliate you as well. In just the next hundred years!

This challenge was like thunder that quietened the entire crowd. This was blatantly challenging an immortal. Ragnar's expression grew even more fearsome as his killing intent soared. But he did not say anything and went back to his position in a flash.

Bluewind seemed to be proud of his disciple's courage and confidence. After this episode, several people began discussing Mero. No one knew of his background or even his race. It was likely that he was from a small race. But Bluewind was incredibly famous. Thus, the interest in him mounted. As he was also the same age as Michael and had comparable cultivation, people were constantly debating who among them was the greatest genius of Aterna.

After this disturbance, the Battle of Commoners began. To many people's shock, Mero still participated in the battle. The battles were held on several stands and many people were constantly fighting. But none of them could even get close to Mero. The entire battle was pretty much his one-man show.

His swift and gracious moves were the topics of discussion of many experts. His young and handsome face attracted the attention of many ladies. Soon, as the battles progressed, his support kept on increasing.

Mero was an ideal hero. Someone born to lead. People naturally liked him. Men admired him. Girls fell for him. Even Ashley was very interested in this teenager who seemed to be suited to her tastes. His prospects were not bad and his teacher was a powerhouse. In fact, except for the support of a race, Mero almost had the same profile as Michael.

But Michael was not there. He had not been seen at all. People were thinking of several theories on his late arrival. But no one seemed to think that he would win - not unless Karslon himself participated.

What they did not know was that Michael was already there in the crowd. His eyes seemed to shine with a terrifying light as he saw Mero.

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The battle of commoners had the greatest number of participants. Thus, even after separating groups, it took an entire three days for the competition to come to a close. All the participants had a great experience. While there were still many problems as this kind of event was organized for the first time, the cultural and martial exchange between the races left a good taste in everyone's mouths.

Many people became friends across the races. They started respecting the strength and talents of other races as well. It was as if martial arts and cultivation were uniting the myriad races of the plane.

Mero emerged as the champion of commoners. He was allowed to join the battle of nobles.

The number of nobles participating was much lower. In fact, there were only 200 original participants. Adding the 100 commoners, there were only 300. Only 50 of them would proceed to the next round.

The battles continued as usual but suddenly, one of the commoners who had not particularly shined killed one of the nobles on stage.

The battles were meant to decide a winner and a loser. Death was not a necessary condition. But it could not be avoided entirely. But this time, anyone could see that it was deliberate. A human noble was dead.

There was some outrage but nothing happened after the investigations.

It was as if there was a shadow of someone powerful over that commoner. Mero denounced him publically challenging him to a life and death duel. But, the person did not show any interest in him. This incensed Mero even further. The noble that had died was one of the sons of the Atrexia family. Two Atrexia brothers had joined this tournament to gain some experience. They had treated him particularly well and it was not wrong to say that they had become friends.

That night, the other Atrexia brother told Mero:

The investigators are not doing anything! They said that they did not find any evidence of misconduct! You saw what happened. That bastard kiled my third brother. I will kill him for sure. I will get him one way or another!

Mero : Raynold, don't get too worked up. I will kill the guy if I get to fight him. I will help you get justice.

But that night, Raynold Atrexia was attacked. The culprit was the same commoner!

Mero too was living in a nearby location. That night, Raynold Atrexia came up to his place huffing and coughing blood. He reached Mero's room and shouted:

Mero!! Save me! He is going to kill me!

Bluewind who was meditating in the nearby room quickly came out. He had known that there was a battle going on but did not know that the guy would come calling his disciple. Mero too came out a moment later. But before he could help the noble, a dart pierced his neck and Raynold Atrexia fell down and died instantly!

Mero could see the same guy there. He did not listen to his teacher as he chased the guy. Their battle happened for a while but while the commoner was slippery and had several tricks - he was no match for a saint. But as he was dying, he said:

The Deces will remember!

Mero, covered in blood looked at his teacher.

Bluewind : I could have saved your friend but this guy was an assassin from The Deces. That noble was going to die for sure. The Deces is a very fearsome assassination organization and at its head is an immortal-slayer - Lord Grimjoy. This is why I did not interfere.

Mero : But why? These guys were not evil! They were kind and well behaved. They were good people! And they were my first friends! Why did The Deces kill them?

Bluewind : The Deces is just the tool of murder. I will talk to Lord Grimjoy personally over this so there will be no further problems. As for who are the enemies of Atrexias, the entire world knows. The Atrexia couple had four children. The eldest died many years ago as he was assassinated. The second one died after living a full life as a saint. These two were their last children. With them dead, the Atrexias now have no heir. The populace will no longer support them. So their chances of taking back the kingdom throne as also over.

Mero : Are you sure teacher? Was this act committed by the Ragebergs?

Bluewind : I am not too sure. But it very probable.

Mero : Good, good, good! I Mero, will see to it that the perpetrators are brought to justice. This Michael Rageberg is my antithesis! I will kill him in battle!

Bluewind : You should calm down. That guy has quite the solid background. Don't go overboard in the fight against him.

Mero : Why are you afraid, teacher? Karslon can not beat you by himself. And the humans are not worth anything. Don't worry! I will definitely judge him first. I will definitely not kill him without finding out the truth!

As this happened, not even Bluewind noticed a shadow standing on top of a nearby building!

Suddenly, the shadow figure received a voice transmission:

It is done!