Conquering The Novel

The Next morning, I was sitting in the private room of the archery course grounds with other faction leaders to organize our ideas regarding tomorrow's meeting.

The archery ground was less crowded as it was Saturday and there would be no lessons today.

Most importantly, the Archery ground is under Diana's control; even the professor didn't say anything when Diana used the professor's private office as our meeting space.

"This is Fucking bullshit! Why am I not mentioned anywhere in the news? I even assisted in evacuating and dealing with some of that terrorist's thugs," Kevin exclaimed.

As we were sitting on the sofas after our meeting discussion, watching the news on the massive hologram.

"Perhaps it's because you're not as handsome as Ares," Diana commented as she sipped her tea.

"What are you complaining about? There is only Ares, Lucas, Ayla, Ziona, and Diana on the news everywhere, and even I am not mentioned despite I dealt with lots of them," Claude replied.

"Nope, there's mostly Ares everywhere in the news and on the internet, and his slaughter of the majority of the terrorists in the vicinity in a flash went Viral on the internet," Ayla added.

"Yeah, his fame has even surpassed that of several well-known celebrities," Ziona stated.

"...But I'm not on any social media," I replied.

"Literally? But, I do follow you on social media, and you are the only one that I am following as I don't even follow my brothers," Diana spoke quickly.

"...Me too, I follow you as well," Ziona stated.

"...."

Ayla brought out her phone and displayed to me, my social media account, which I had never made,... and even I was startled by the huge number of followers on it.

But after seeing the posts on it, I didn't have to think twice about who created that account.

Because the majority of my posts were of me exercising and dressed up when I went out to relax with Mika and Aegis on weekends.

"Of course, it has to be Aegis' doing," I muttered to myself.

"Is that the fake account?" Diana questioned.

"...It must have been created by my master's acquaintance," I said.

"It's alright then, you can ask her for the account information and use it yourself, right?" Ayla stated.

"...Certainly," I responded, but I have no intention of doing that for the time being.

"What about you, Livia? Don't you use social media?" Ziona asked, while Livia was busy enjoying her new favorite chocolate milkshake.

"...I'm on social media as well," Livia replied nonchalantly as she carried on sipping her milkshake.

"She is on social media, but it appears to be managed by her parents," Ayla said.

"Yes," Livia agreed.

"How did you find out about that, Ayla?" Ziona enquired.

"You can tell just by reading the captions on her posts,...that says 'My Beautiful Princess,' and all," Ayla said.

"And she was also the most followed youngster until Ares came along and now surpassed her by a huge margin," Diana added proudly.

"...."

"Why are you so proud of that?" Ziona asked.

"...Because she was and always will be second to Livia," Claude commented.

Hearing Claude's surprising remark, everyone fell silent and just stared at him.

"A-Ahem, now that the meeting is over, I'm leaving because I have other things to do," Claude said as he hurriedly exited the room.

'His situation is even more embarrassing than mine because everyone knows about Livia's feelings for Ares,' Kevin pondered.

"I'll be leaving as well," Kevin stated as he followed Claude.

And just as I was about to get up from the sofa to depart as well, we noticed a hologram broadcast of a Conference with Tania Elizabeth.

[First and foremost, I want to congratulate you on your victory over Mika Amami] One of the conference journalists said.

[...Thank You.] Tania replied with a straight expression.

[Everyone wants to know why the conflict started and this fight took place, so could you kindly explain why?] The journalist inquired.

[Sorry, that information is confidential.] Tania stated.

...

Tania continued the conference for a few minutes, answering several of their questions without divulging much information.

[What do you think about the terrorist attack on the floating island?] One of the journalists suddenly inquired.

[Yeah, I heard about it and saw a lot of videos about it online as well, and I believe the ones behind it are the demon cultists.

But I'm delighted with how the event was handled with minimal harm.] Tania answered.

[Are the Demon Cultists truly responsible for this?] The journalist queried, a little cautiously.

Tania glanced at her assistant as if to inquire whether she was permitted to reveal the information.

But after seeing her assistant shake her head, she realized she couldn't.

[You will learn more about this when the Hero Association holds a press conference.] Tania replied.

[The incident was brought under control by Soreh Academy students until the active heroes and adventurers were dispatched; what are your thoughts on the students who displayed bravery and came forward in times of emergency?] One of the journalists questioned.

[I was extremely impressed by how they handled everything, and there is no doubt that the Soreh Academy had never failed to produce great heroes, as many of the active heroes have also graduated from that academy.

And I knew a couple of students of the new generation from that Academy as well, I also intend to take them as my disciples to pass down my martial arts skills.] Tania declared.

Everyone was surprised to discover that Tania had chosen someone to be her disciple.

[Can you provide me the names of the students you're intending to accept as disciples?] The journalist enquired.

[I believe it is time for me to make it public.

The students I will be taking on as disciples are ...Lucas Eugene and Ayla Eugene, whom I have known since they were children as their parents are good friends of mine.

And I also believe that they are extremely talented for their age and have the potential to outperform previous generations.] Tania made an announcement.

[But, I've heard that Ayla Eugene is merely a support type.] One of the journalists enquired.

[She is a support type, but is there any rule that states support types can't learn martial arts? I considered it for a long time and believe she should be able to protect herself without always relying on others.] Tania responded firmly.

[How would you rate Ares Von Rosthstaylor? He was given the moniker "Ares The Executioner" and is extremely well-known online.

Do you believe that his fame is only an exaggeration?] One of the journalists inquired curiously.

Tania remained silent for a short while before responding.

[I don't believe that his fame is simply an exaggeration...

And if he receives the right guidance, I have faith that he will forge a new route for succeeding generations to follow, exceeding everyone—including me—in just a couple of years, and leaving his records in the history books.] Tania reacted.

The journalists went crazy and bombarded Tania with questions after hearing her exaggerated response.

Tania spoke forward after observing the journalists' relentless questioning.

[I can only respond if you ask each question individually.]

The reporters eventually relaxed after hearing her.

[Have you previously met him? And why don't you accept him as your disciple as well, if that's the case?] An interested Journalist asked.

[Yeah, I've met him before. It was after my battle with Mika, and that was also the time that I realized how formidable he was and can be in the future.

Have you ever seen a youngster who could endure the aura of an SS-Rank? No way, right? I can't fathom someone as young as him withstanding even an S-Rank aura.

If only he weren't Mika's disciple, I would have done everything in my power to claim him as one of my disciples.

As we all know, Mika is completely insane with—]

Tania's statement was cut short when her assistant rushed in and smashed the table that was in front of her.

"What are you up to?" Tania confused, inquired of her assistant.

They heard the uproar from the press before her assistant could respond.

[Wait! Is Ares Von Rothstayler, Mika Amami's pupil? Please respond, Miss Tania.]

[Miss Tania...]

...

Tania recognized what she had done wrong after hearing the journalists' queries.

"...."

***

"How come she didn't reveal her disciple's identity?" Tania asked her assistant with an embarrassed expression as she exited the Conference, leaving the journalists in a frenzy.

"I believe she kept his identity a secret because she didn't want her many enemies to find out because they might go after him. So, not many people knew Ares was Mika's pupil." While sighing, the assistant responded.

"...Yeah, she does have some enemies that fled alive from her," whispered Tania anxiously.

"...."

"So, I screwed up, didn't I? Mika will believe I did it on purpose and will pursue me again, right?" Tania asked, a worried expression on her face.

"As the saying goes,

'The breath of a wounded monster is far more threatening than its roar'.

So you'd better be wary of her now that her disciple is involved because if anything happens to him, you'll be up against a completely different Mika," Tania's assistant had forewarned her.

"...."

Upon hearing her statement, Tania gasped aloud.

***