Challenges could be issued by students to others amongst them. It could also be issued to seniors as well.

The academy encouraged such challenges, and they took place in the rings located in the training facility.

A student could challenge another at any point of time and if the other agreed, then the match would take place. A wager could also be made between the parties.

The wager could range from items won in events held in the academy, money, pills, weapons and even rankings!

The rankings were earned in tournament and determined the monthly stipend given to a student for his or her personal expense. It could also be used as a wager.

The audience could also bet on the fight as well. James decided to challenge Riley to a fight, during lunch in the cafeteria. In front of a crowd, it would be difficult for Riley to turn the challenge down.

To a cultivators respect and honor mattered greatly. Using this he was sure to get Riley out in the open. Gus had also decided the same for John.

The wolf mission was supposed to earn them 10 gold and they wished to put a similar amount as wager to earn it back.

Mission records sadly could not be wagered and so they could not get the record on their names through wager. So they decided to try earn the gold back instead.

During lunch, James and Gus stood in the cafeteria scanning it to find their targets. They found the three sitting in the back on the right side along with a few other students.

James clenched his fist and walked towards the table. Seeing him approach, Riley smiled. He wanted to to make it tough for James in the academy and wanted revenge for that punch.

He decided to use this moment and embarrass James. He started talking to his friends in a loud voice,

" Guys yesterday me, Blake and John, we beat the crap out of that James and Gus while we were in the forest"

" Haha! I punched those dogs so hard that they'll never forget! "

" Haha those two think they are some genius when all they have is just luck, nothing else! " said one amongst them.

Some students inside the cafeteria turned to look at the commotion. James knew that Riley was doing this on purpose. He was angry, but he was sharp. This situation was better as now, challenging Riley would be easier.

He motioned Gus and decided to play along by faking an angry expression. He came near them and said,

" Being happy by performing a sneak attack. You think you are so tough huh? Why don't we find it out in the arena? I challenge you Riley! "

" And I challenge you John! " said Gus.

" What proof do you have that we did a sneak attack? Just plain excuses. Hah, you think you are worthy enough to challenge me? " said Riley.

" We will find that out soon." said James.

" And why should I bother with you commoners? " replied Riley as he looked at them mockingly.

James smiled and said,

" If you are so sure of your strength then why don't we make a wager? Let's bet 10 gold. I am sure that for a noble it won't be a problem right? " He had taken the bait and outplayed Riley in his own game.

Riley was taken aback. He never thought that they would want to wager. Everybody in the cafeteria had heard them. Backing off now wont look good.

Hearing the wager figure, he realised that James was after the mission reward for the wolf kill. Ten gold wasn't a huge figure, but since he has just started out his cultivation journey, every earning was important.

The academy didn't allow the family to send over three gold with their child, another reason why students fought for resources and funds.

Riley couldn't back out. To him reputation and pride mattered the most. It was the reason he gloated about yesterday's events.

He wanted to raise his standing amongst his group, embarrass James and to make his worth known to Luke.

Luke had heard about everything before. He knew what had happened. But he didn't mind this as he wanted to see the strength of James and Gus. Riley and John were good pawns in measuring their abilities.

Being a part of the royal family, he had various connection and so he could also get help from his seniors in the academy.

He knew that everyone around him wanted his attention and favor, and he also knew how to take advantage of this fact. He looked towards Riley and nodded.

" We will accept your challenge. " said Riley after some hesitation and continued by saying,

" It'll be a good opportunity to show you your place. "

" Heh. We will see about that. Each match will have a wager of five gold. " said James.

They agreed to it and the group left for the facility. John felt like he got dragged in all of this, but was helpless considering the situation.

In the facility inside a room, the group of nobles stood on one end of the ring while James and Gus stood on the other. There were some students who came to watch as well.

The first match was decided to be between Gus and John while the second would be between Riley and James.

They called for a referee amongst the academy staff. The academy provided a representative to act as a referee to judge fairly in such challenges.

Each side put their wagers in and the contestants took their positions.

James and Gus had received a total of seven gold for completing the fallow deer and four petal Lilly gathering mission.

They had two gold and fifty silvers each from before which totalled their wealth to twelve gold. They were able to afford the wager.

Gus took his position and looked at John fiercely. He wanted to rip his body apart as revenge.

John wasn't a very cunning person like Luke or prideful like Riley. He was more of an introvert and a timid personality. Looking at Gus's stare he gulped, his shaking hands showed his lack of confidence.

" Begin! " said the referee and with that Gus charged at John with his spear. John who used a gun, jumped sideways to maintain a distance and fired a qi bullet at Gus.

But Gus did not stop. He closed in the gap, the qi bullet hit him on the chest leaving a mark, his body was much stronger after the effects of the pellet. He didn't slow down. He was angry and wanted to tear apart John no matter what.

Seeing Gus taking on the qi bullet directly and closing in, John became flustered and couldn't react in time.

Gus charged and struck him with his spear on his stomach. John fell on the ground, holding his stomach. Blood could be seen on his hands. Gus looked at him angrily albeit a bit satisfied.

John was terrified, he knew he couldn't beat Gus who was way powerful and ruthless than he had thought he would be.

" I give up! " said John.

" Winner Gus Light! " said the referee.

Riley clenched his teeth angrily. They had not only lost the wager but also lost face. John was completely dominated by Gus to the point that he admitted defeat so quickly.

Gus was a bit unsatisfied by the victory as he got off the stage. James was feeling the same as well. He decided to take a risk and said,

" Riley why don't we increase our bets to fifteen gold for our match? "

Riley was taken aback by this sudden increase in wager. Fifteen gold was a lot, specially at this stage. His total wealth didn't add up to fifteen gold.

" What happened? Weren't you sure about your victory? Or are you scared? Or maybe you are poor than this commoner" taunted James.

Gus was amused by James's taunts. He now felt better. Adding the wager their wealth was now seventeen gold and he had trust in James's capability.

Riley's face turned red with anger.

" Who said I don't have the money? Fifteen gold is just change for me. I accept " he said as he glared at James. He got the rest of the gold from Blake who looked couldn't do anything but agree to it.

James smirked and went up on inside the ring. Taking his position he readied himself. Riley took out his gauntlets and gave James a menacing look. In contrast James did not take out his sword.

" You won't draw your weapon? " asked the referee.

" I don't need it. " replied James as he looked at Riley with a sharp gaze.

" Hahaha this kid thinks too much of himself. I'll teach you a lesson today, which you will never forget. " replied Riley.

" Begin! " said the referee.

James infused qi in his fists and charged at Riley throwing a punch while Riley met it with his gauntlets.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

They struck at each other head on continuously and moved back. Surprisingly James was able to keep up even without using his weapon.

His body's toughness and strength had increased from before making it possible to contend against Riley bare fist by strengthening it with qi.

This made Riley even more angry. He couldn't accept the fact that James could fight him without his weapon. It would bring great shame if he lost this match.

He decided to use his ' Stone Force' technique. It strengthened the gauntlets by using qi increasing its attack power.

" Not bad but let's see how you hold up against my Stone Force Technique" said Riley. The gauntlets had light glow to them suddenly.

James decided to use his maximum strength. He applied Wind Enforcer, increasing his speed and force. He infused qi into his fist and struck at his opponent.

Riley used his ' Stone Force' technique empowering his gauntlets and struck at James. He was confident in winning the trade and breaking his bones.

Bang! Came a loud sound.

But neither were pushed back. James again held up against Riley even though the latter used his strongest attack. He was able to contend against him with the extra boost of force he received from Wind Enforcer.

He quickly moved and threw an undercut punch at his opponent's chin.

Riley who was taken aback by James's strength. He couldn't defend in time and fell to the ground. James did not give him time to react, he picked him up and threw him to the ring's side.

He placed Riley on a corner of the ring and punched his face hard.

" You said who will make you pay right? "

" Well I will! " said James and threw a barrage of punches at his face and body.

" Look how this commoner child messes your entire 'noble' face. " said James.

Riley was getting beaten up the same way he had beaten Gus. He didn't have the strength to even forfeit the match. His face was swollen and his body ached with pain. He couldn't fight back and only take the hits.

" Stop! " said the referee as held James back.

" That will be enough. The winner of this match is James Walter!" announced the referee.

The entire room was silent. The nobles group was stunned by James power and ruthlessness. He had beaten Riley without using his weapon stating a fact that he wasn't to be messed with.

" Do not show me your face again. " said James as he walked back down. Gus smiled giving him a thumbs up.

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Notes - Here is today's chapter! Just completed writing it. If you find any mistakes please do comment and tell! I would like to inform you all that from 20th April I have my exams coming up. So I will be studying from today and won't be able to upload chapters on a daily basis.

I can't guarantee a chapter a day from tomorrow till the next week's Saturday which is the 23rd of April when my exam ends. Starting from 24th the schedule will resume again:) I am really sorry and I hope you all understand. Thank you and enjoy!