5. Immortal Apprentice Competition

Rion didn't think he was playing the favorite. It would be an awful thing to do as a teacher. So, absolutely not. He loved and cared about all of his apprentices equally.

They were already back to Liebu Mountain after ensuring everyone in the town was safe and those who were wounded already gotten their wound tended to. There were still several senior apprentices patrolling in the town who stayed guard in case the demons launched a second attack.

He was sitting on the floor. In front of him, some reports and grades about the students in his care, and also a list of those potential apprentices he needed to choose to attend the Immortal Apprentice Competition.

"Master."

Ruby came through the front door holding a tray of still steaming breakfast. Her eyes were bright and her fair face flushed slightly. There were still little remains of baby fat on her cheeks. It made her even more charming. Like a little bud of a flower, innocent and pure.

She changed so much from how she was when first came to Liebu Mountain to become a sword master. Ruby was around nine or ten years old. She was very thin and covered in grime and wounds. A little kid was very pitiful to look at.

Ruby told him she was an orphan after losing her adoptive mother a few weeks prior. She moved from town to town, doing everything she could to survive. She heard people talking about Liebu Mountain Academy accepting any youngster who wanted to be a sword master, and Ruby admitted that at the time she only wanted to have a place to sleep.

Rion could see Ruby had an excellent aptitude, but his heart still twisted in his chest when saw the little child's eyes looking up at him as if this was her last hope. Looking at her pitiful state, even if Ruby didn't have any aptitude at all, he still would take the child into his care. She could still attend an extra class, after all.

So, in honesty, Rion was quite proud of himself to see how much Ruby had changed into this beautiful little maiden who yet reached into a full bloom flower.

Ah, the sentiment! He felt like an old man witnessing the growth of his own daughter and felt touched by it!

"Master, please rest a moment and eat breakfast."

Ruby's gentle voice carried over. He hummed lightly and moved to the table where Ruby was already sitting. She was still arranging the dishes on the table as Rion sat in front of her.

It took Rion a few months to reassure her it was okay to eat together with him. The breakfast was cooked by her after all! It would be cruel if he ate everything by himself.

Liebu mountain provided breakfast for all those who lived here. But Rion always found the food was a little too bland to his liking. When Ruby offered to cook for him one day, Rion didn't really expect the food would taste good. It was more like he didn't have the heart to deny his apprentice. Turned out, Ruby really was an excellent cook.

From then on, she always cooked meals for him whenever possible. Rion told her it was unnecessary to burden herself like that, and it would be better if Ruby spent more time in her lesson. A week after, Ruby came to show him she got first place in every class she attend and asked if she kept this on, would Rion allow her to cook for him (with such a big, hopeful pair of eyes. How could Rion deny her?)

"I was thinking," Rion said, halfway through their meal. "Immortal Apprentice Competition is coming. What do you think about it, Ruby?"

Ruby lowered her head respectfully as she quietly finished swallowing her food before she answered, "I think Master would certainly choose senior apprentices who wouldn't disappoint our Academy."

Rion watched her closely for a moment, before asking, "I do plan to send the most capable apprentices we have. So, what do you think about the competition, Ruby?"

"What do I think?" Ruby asked, a little confused. And then she answered a little uncertainly, "I think it would be great for our Academy reputation?"

Rion laughed. "For sure it would. But I'm talking about you as an apprentice. What do you think about joining the Competition?"

"M- Me...?" Ruby surely didn't expect the question.

And it wasn't her fault. Immortal Apprentice Competition was a big event where these young little seedlings had a chance to make a name for themselves. If they do well in the competition, it would be a big stepping stone to being renowned sword masters in the future.

Rion thought it was a good opportunity for Ruby's talent to shine. The kid really is very talented, and Rion wanted the world to see it, too. But maybe this is too soon for her. After all, she was still sixteen years old. She might not feel ready yet.

"If Ruby is feeling not ready yet for such a big event, I completely understand. We could try whenever you are ready, alright? I will choose another candidate for the upcoming competition," Rion reassured her so she wouldn't feel bad.

Who would've known Ruby would immediately reply with a firm, "No!"

Rion blinked, a bit taken aback.

"I- I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean to shout!" Ruby hastily fell to her knees and process to knelt in front of him. "But... But I want to go to the competition. Master, please allow me to go. I will definitely make you proud!"

"Alright, alright. Get up already. What are you kneeling for? If you really want to, of course, you can go. Sit down and finish your breakfast."

"Yes, Master!" She replied cheerfully.

.

.

Immortal Apprentice Competition was held once every three years. In this opportunity, apprentices from all over the world would come and show their talent and ability.

The competition was in the form of demon hunting. They prepared a large ground for hunting surrounded by a powerful barrier. Selected beasts and demons were released in this area. It varied from small and easy ones, to the strong and quite difficult to handle. But the demons were never something above the capabilities of the apprentices' level.

Each contestant was given flare signals they could use if they encountered a dangerous situation they couldn't handle. The rescue team would immediately come and fetched them. Besides, all sword masters could watch the competition and everything happened within the barrier through Mirror Transmission Devices that spread throughout the whole hunting area.

Rion was standing in front of one of the big mirrors that functioned as a screen that would show the course of the competition. He watched Ruby make her way to walk alongside a river. The apprentices needed to kill demons to get points, but this area was large, so they also need to find where the demons were possibly hiding.

"You really dote on that apprentice of yours very much, don't you?"

Rion turned to the side and found Shiori staring at him with one eyebrow raised. The most beautiful master of Liebu Mountain had a fan opened in her right hand and she waved it slowly under her chin.

"I don't dote on anyone. Stop spreading rumors. You know I care for every one of them."

"Oh, of course I know," Shiori agreed easily. "But I also know you care even more about her." She tipped her chin towards the screen, gesturing to Ruby, who now was climbing a small hill.

"She is the youngest. Naturally, I worried more about her." Rion protested, couldn't help being defensive.

Shiori was about to quip him, that's what I mean.

Rion sent Ruby here, fully aware of her being still young. But he still applied for her in this competition. He must've been really certain of her capability. And yet, he still looked as if he would rush right into the hunting area if Ruby was as much as stumbling on her own feet.

"Oohh, if this is not Master Rion and Master Shiori from Liebu Mountain."

An old man approached, interrupting their conversation. There were several people following behind him. "It really is a good opportunity to see so many famous masters gather in one place."

They were all currently staying in the guest pavilion provided for those masters who wanted to accompany their apprentices. There were seats and a lounge available for them to rest. There were also snacks and drinks (only teas, no alcohol) if they feel like eating.

Most immortal masters practiced inedia, where food and drinks weren't necessary and more like an enjoyment. Same as how Rion actually didn't need to eat to keep on living, but it just felt nice to taste and eat a meal.

"Master Rexa," Rion greeted the old man. "It is indeed nice to see a legendary person like you here."

Master Rexa laughed out loud. "What legendary? Are you trying to mock me right now? I'm just an old man with a back problem. What legendary are you talking about? Hah... you just want to sweet-talk me right now, didn't you? Quit it already! I'm just an old man."

Master Rexa was a sword master from Frozen Lotus Pavilion. He was a senior sword master, well-known for his skill and vast experience. Even famous masters like those from Liebu Moluntain had high respect for him. He was truly an honorable master with a glorious reputation.

"Who's sweet-talking? I'm sincerely praising Master. No one is sweet-talking here. Master Rexa is a legendary sword master I'm looking up to a lot. It really is an honor to be able to greet you here." Rion said with a smile.

Master Rexa laughed out loud. His dark eyes were gleaming with joy. "Master Rion really is a humble person, just like I heard of. I'm really just a moderate old man. You don't need to be too formal with me."

He turned to the screen with his hands behind his back. "Besides, this day is not about us. Rather it was about our prides who are fighting over there right now, isn't it?"

"Master Rexa is right." Shiori smiled over her fans.

"We are currently opening a bet for the competition. If the masters here wanted to put a bet on your own apprentice, kindly let us know." One of those masters behind Master Rexa took the opportunity to bring up the bet that was currently going on. From the yellow color and embroidery of his clothes, Rion guessed he was a master from Sun Dew Temple.

Holding a bet in this competition was not an uncommon thing. Sometimes, it was even counted as a prideful thing if a master was willing to bet a considerable amount of money for their apprentice.

"Is that Master Rion's apprentice?" Another master chimed in, gesturing at the screen. "She had quite an aptitude."

"She is very talented, but there were definitely a lot of things she still needs to learn," Rion said, couldn't hide the pride in his expression.

"Then why wouldn't Master Rion put a bet on her?"

"Sure. I'd like to bet five thousand gold coins on her. Where should I assign?" Rion answered lightly.

"Five thousand?!" that man exclaimed.

Everyone who heard it was surprised as well. Five thousand gold coins were not a small amount of money after all!

Even Shiori raised both of her brows now, quietly wondered since when Rion had so much money on him.

Master Rexa laughed, amused. "Master Rion must favor and trust this apprentice of his very much."

Rion gently said, "She is a rare talent. I'm very certain she would make Liebu Mountain proud."