The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Chapter 871.1

The Continental Martial Arts Tournament

There weren’t many participants from the Rowane Kingdom. While they had a considerable history of participation in magic or swordsmanship competitions, they didn’t have many people involved in martial arts specifically.

The grand arena, filled with spectators, showed just how much Terraria Kingdom cared about the event.

"Davey! We're cheering for you!"

"Davey! Now that it's come to this, you must win!"

Winley and Baris were cheering, fists together in the same pose. It reminded him of the past—more than two years ago, he had taken Winley and Baris to participate in a tournament in the Duchy of Felicity. Although, it was Baris who was participating back then, not Davey.

"Alright."

Participants began to gather at the arena. Each of them had unique characteristics, all exuding a different aura compared to ordinary teenagers. Most of them were at least at the expert level, with some beyond.

These kinds of international competitions often became a matter of pride for each country.

"Welcome! I extend my greetings to all those who've come to the Terraria Kingdom."

Once all participants had entered the arena, a man dressed in flamboyant clothing appeared from above.

"I, Bavis von Terraria, bless the successful hosting of this tournament. I hope each of you uses your full potential, displaying your talents openly and fairly!"

It was a typical ceremonial speech. However, neither the audience nor the participants seemed to pay much attention to his words. Instead, they focused on sizing up their fellow competitors, fighting spirits rising.

"Now, let the tournament begin!!"

The matches began immediately. Since Davey’s match wasn't until later, he left the arena and returned to the participant guests’ spectator area, where he saw Baris, Winley, Perserque, and Illyna.

"Davey, the first match has one of the tournament favorites—the Twelfth Prince of Terraria."

"Maximus, huh..."

"Well, nobody's sure what exactly you’re capable of, so I’m not too worried.”

Using magic or holy power was strictly forbidden in the tournament—no matter how skilled a mage was, they wouldn't be able to fully showcase their abilities here. As a result, very few people actually knew what his relevant capabilities were.

It was only natural for all attention to be focused on Maximus, who was considered the strongest contender to win apart from himself.

The first match was between Truvasia Reipen, the eldest son of the Marquis of Vasil Kingdom, and Maximus, the Twelfth Prince of Terraria Kingdom.

Truvasia, who was the first to enter the arena, waved his hands around to boast his presence to the cheering crowd. However, his expression soon soured as his opponent, Maximus, made his entrance.

"Wowww!!!"

"Kyaaaah! Prince!"

Maximus had entered nonchalantly, and the cheer of the crows was incomparably loud—unlike when they greeted Truvasia. Truvasia frowned, feeling overshadowed, while Maximus just made a gentle smile and waved toward the crowd with his short gray hair ruffling.

Maximus then walked toward Truvasia while maintaining his smile, and extended his arm forward.

"Let's have some fun."

"Hmph!"

Smack!

Unimpressed by his offer of a handshake, Truvasia swatted his arm away. With a smile still on his face, Maximus said,

"I don't know about being the favorite to win, but you’ll be defeated here today."

"Oh, I’m so scared."

Watching Maximus back away so casually, Truvasia clicked his tongue.

Since the first match featured one of the favorites—Maximus—the atmosphere in the arena was electrified. The two contenders briefly warmed up. They then distanced themselves as they saw a nobleman approach, who soon informed them of the rules.

He then readied himself to declare the start of the match and blow his trumpet. Truvasia crouched slightly, clearly planning to rush forward. His mana exuded an aggressive aura. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

On the other hand, Maximus remained relaxed, arms crossed without even releasing his mana.

"Start!!"

Braaap!! Boom!!

With the commencement of the match, Truvasia smashed the ground and charged at Maximus. He launched a kick with uncanny speed, but the prince effortlessly dodged it, casually bouncing back with his feet to stay out of range.

Bang!! Bang!

Truvasia wasn’t flustered despite missing his first attack. He continued his fierce assault. Maximus, however, still dodged each attack without any attempt to counter. The crowd began cheering for Truvasia, thinking he was stronger than they had expected.

With Truvasia repeatedly throwing a series of powerful, air-splitting attacks, and Maximus dodging smoothly without countering, he seemed to have the upper hand.

"Davey, Truvasia Reipen is pretty good, isn't he? He's fast and threatening," Baris said, seemingly impressed, while Winley nodded.

However, Perserque and Illyna coldly dismissed him.

"The match is over."

"He's pretty good, with that smug gray hair... but he's too arrogant."

"What? Perserque and Illyna, what do you mean...?"

Boom!!

Before Baris could finish speaking, a massive shockwave echoed through the arena, causing both Baris and Winley to turn back in surprise.

Maximus was mocking Truvasia by yawning, and the furious Truvasia muttered something under his breath. But before he could do anything, Maximus, his arms still crossed, delivered a single arrogant kick that knocked Truvasia out cold.

The massive shockwave caused Truvasia, who had been apparently superior just moments ago, to collapse without even being able to make a move. Silence fell over the arena.

He hadn't even practiced, yet he was so strong. To achieve such a level purely through talent was impossible by common standards.

"It's not just talent; it's karma,” Davey muttered.

"Karma? Talent? Are they different?" Illyna asked while tilting her head.

"Talent is something you're born with."

“Karma, on the other hand... is something that’s accumulated over time. Whether it’s your soul or your body, it's stored somewhere. Of course, karma is usually erased upon reincarnation, but..."

If the power of Maximus that he saw was indeed karma, then it wasn't something accumulated over a year or two. It was at least a hundred years' worth.

Considering that most of the participants were at least equivalent to experts, the sheer difference in power was enough to make the spectators cheer.

There was bound to be a gap from the start. Even when underestimating his power, his abilities were enough to make master-level participants tense.

"Wow, just now... What was that...?"

"Still, for having such a depth of karma, he's too weak,” Davey said calmly with an indifferent expression.

Maximus looked left and right to analyze him smiling and waving at the crowd. At that moment, they met each other’s gaze.

He smiled brightly and waved his hand directly at Davey.

* * *

Maximus and Davey were placed on opposite ends of the bracket.

Perhaps it was to avoid any unnecessary complications, but at least for now, there was no chance of them clashing.

“I’m L-Lillia Offenmu, the second daughter of Count Offenmu! It’s an honor to meet the Saint and Hero of the Continent!”

The second daughter of the Offenmu family bowed deeply, her flushed face practically glowing. Davey returned her gesture with a slight nod.

She was a girl with a cute appearance, her brown hair tied into a single ponytail.

“Likewise, Lady Lillia.”

“I’ll do my best!”

Despite her small frame which made her look like a little animal, she wore a pair of crude, straight-line metal knuckles on her hands. The contrast between her appearance and weaponry was extreme, but Davey could tell immediately from her movements that she had a body optimized for infighting.

Infighting—unlike an outfighter who darted in and out to out-range an opponent’s attacks—relied on closing the distance to engage in raw, brutal power struggles.

Her movements and mana flow were completely different from the fighters that relied on hit-and-run tactics. Instead, she exuded the grit and determination of an infighter who mercilessly crushed her opponents.

Davey figured she could’ve been a strong contender for the championship if Maximus weren’t competing, despite her looks suggesting she couldn’t even hurt a fly.

The crowd’s attention was focused on Davey.

It was already puzzling enough that someone known as both a Saint and mage had entered this tournament, so many were curious to see what level of skill he possessed.

Meanwhile, Davey also noticed Maximus standing off to the side with arms crossed, watching him intently with an intrigued expression.

‘Should I make things a bit more exciting?’

Braaap!!

Once the sound of the trumpet marked the start of the match, Lady Lillia shot forward like a cannonball.

Boom!!

A deafening explosion shook the surroundings as she moved at an incredible speed. It seemed as if she was going after a quick and decisive victory.

Boom!!

Her knuckles streaked through the air, going after Davey’s solar plexus with startling precision. Her tough and aggressive opening, in contrast with her appearance, made the audience gasp.

But—

Thud!!

“Huh?”

She struck nothing but air, having missed Davey entirely. To be precise, her punch was on course, but Davey had redirected it mid-flight, making her swing at an empty space.

Ssshhh!!

At the same time, Davey slipped in front of her like flowing water, gathering a deep blue energy into his palm.

It was a form of internal energy entirely different from the Blood Demonic Attack.

Davey condensed the energy in his hand in an instant, then rotated his palm and drove a punch into her abdomen.

[Heavenly Tai Chi]

[Cloud Step]

Booom!!

A formless shockwave erupted, and cracks spread across the arena floor with Lady Lillia at the center. She was suspended in midair for a moment before being thrown backward, crashing into the ground as the shattered floor finally gave way.

She didn’t move.

A heavy silence fell over the arena.

The match had ended in an instant. Davey had showcased an overwhelming difference in power.

“T-The match is over! We will now confirm whether magic was used!”

Amid the stunned confusion, the examining mages quickly shook their heads.

“There are no traces of magic! Prince Davey O’Rowane is the winner!” a flustered noble officially declared after rushing out.

Unlike Maximus, who toyed with his opponents before finishing them off, Davey had given Lady Lillia no openings or opportunities, bringing her down without the slightest mercy.

It wasn’t that she was weak...

It was simply that Davey was overwhelmingly stronger.

He had no intention of holding back or taking it easy on someone who was giving their all.

“Ugh... ugh...”

Davey approached Lady Lillia on the ground and cast a healing spell on her before reaching out to help her to her feet.

“My apologies for being so rough, my lady.”

“N-No, it’s fine,” she mumbled, still stunned as if she couldn’t fully grasp what had just happened.

“The arena floor is completely destroyed.”

Davey then called over a nobleman acting as the referee and whispered something to him. He then activated magic and the broken floor of the arena quickly returned to its original state as the audience cheered.

With a small bow, Davey escorted Lady Lillia off the stage.

Waaahhh!!!

The arena roared with excitement once again.

However, Maximus, who had been watching with arms crossed, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Baris and Winley waved at him enthusiastically from the stands.

“You could’ve gone a little easier on her,” Perserque said as she hugged him and patted his back.

“Going easy on her would’ve been even more disrespectful,” Davey replied.

“Well done. You did great, Davey.”