Mariah and Markah frowned at the sight.
They had a hunch that the masked man and the black-haired youth didn't have a good relationship.
''Hey, Azura, you look lovely as always.'' Avery smiled underneath the mask and did a small bow at the lovely-looking girl.
''Avery, did my beating give you a head injury?'' Ichiro finally turned around to look at Avery, ''You should keep her name out of your disfigured mouth.''
Avery's eyebrow twitched, and everyone around him turned to look at his face; most of them wondered whether he was really disfigured.
''That's not very nice.'' He replied with an innocent tone, ''We are, after all, best friends.''
Ichiro innocently smiled and nodded, ''That's true; let me fix your head injury by hitting even harder this time; no worries, I am a doctor.''
''Very nice of you.'' Avery replied and chuckled, ''Remember the motto. Best Friends share everything. Food… Money… Women.'' He looked at Azura and winked.
Azura almost vomited but did managed to keep a straight face.
''Very funny.'' Ichiro smiled and started walking.
His first step made the ship tremble; his second step made the sea restless; his third step pushed Avery back by a single step.
''Ohh…'' Avery looked amazed and started clapping, ''Nice one!''
*Clap* *Clap*
He kept clapping, and soon, Ichiro was right in front of him, looking down on him with his usual gaze.
''How does it feel to be an orphan?'' Ichiro suddenly asked.
''Eh?'' Avery widened his one remaining eye in shock, ''What do you mean?''
''Well, your family abandoned you, probably wiped your name from the family register by now.'' His words pierced Avery's heart, and the pain that he was hiding resurfaced.
''All because… You were too weak and lost to me.'' Ichiro innocently smiled and patted his shoulder, which lacked the strength and confidence it had before, ''I can't even imagine how you are feeling currently.''
Avery bit his lip and glared at him with hate, ''Be careful of your following words.''
Ichiro leaned closer and whispered, ''You must feel pathetic… Weak… Useless… I lied when I said I couldn't imagine it when actually I can… But, I can't imagine myself being someone like you, who won't do anything to change it.''
''Ohhh, you have become more confident, I see.'' Avery scoffed and whispered with hate, ''How is Sariel? Was his death painful?''
Ichiro smirked and patted his shoulder, ''He survived; you are so fucking useless that you can't even kill properly, but oh well, you can't be good at everything, right?''
''Impossible!'' Avery exclaimed, ''You are lying!''
''Am I?'' Ichiro smiled and turned his head towards the island, which was less than a hundred meters away.
''Good luck on the Test.'' He turned away and walked back to Azura, who was nervous after seeing the confrontation between the two titans.
''Ichiro…'' Ichiro stopped as he heard Avery's voice.
''I don't care about Azura, so no need to worry that I will do something to her.'' Avery pointed at him and said with a cold tone, ''This is between you and me; I will defeat you, and I will crush you.''
''Well… Good luck with that.'' Ichiro grabbed his bag and left with Azura.
The ship soon docked at the island's harbor, where four equally massive ships were already docked.
Soon, everyone departed the ship and took their first steps on the island's soil.
Avery ignored everyone and, with cold eyes, entered the forest, where a stone path was waiting for them.
The path takes them straight to the temple.
''Are you fine?'' Azura asked after seeing Ichiro looking at Avery, who disappeared into the forest.
''Yeah.'' Ichiro replied and grabbed her soft hand, ''Let's go.''
Azura nodded cheerfully and entered the stone path with Ichiro.
Soon, the rest of the young men and women entered the stone path, and many looked excited about the upcoming Test.
But, Ichiro felt it was strange.
Seeing the number of young men and women behind him made him think. Not all of them looked strong, and it was a place where Geniuses gathered.
He can't remember everything Sin said, but it was said to be the place where the greatest geniuses gather.
But, most of the young men and women behind him doesn't exactly look like genius should look.
After walking for an hour.
They reached the end of the stone path, and in front of them were stairways that led to the top of the mountain.
Azura wiped her sweat and sighed after seeing that there was still a long walk ahead.
Ichiro looked behind them and saw that they had left most of the people behind because they walked a little bit faster than the others.
He strapped his bag on his back and also swiftly took Azura's bag and put it on his back.
''What are you doing?'' Azura asked after seeing Ichiro carrying the bags on his back.
''This.'' Ichiro moved behind Azura and swept her legs away.
''Kyaa!'' Azura thought she was going to fall down on the ground, but soon she felt two muscular arms under her butt and back.
''Eh?'' She looked with surprise at Ichiro, who was carrying her in a princess carry.
Ichiro started walking up the stairs.
''What'cha doing.'' Azura put her arms around his head and asked with a cute tone.
Ichiro smiled and leaned closer, ''We are being watched…''
Azura widened her eyes in shock, ''Enemies?''
Ichiro chuckled and shook his head, ''No… Some curious kids.'' He glimpsed at the trees, where kids from 8 to 12 looked straight at them.
There were in total, three boys and two girls.
The boys looked excited after seeing the strong-looking young man while the girl blushed at the intimate display.
To them, it was very intimate; even hand-holding would be something that they couldn't handle.
Azura giggled and waved towards the kids, who waved back.
Ichiro slowly started moving up the stairs, effortlessly, even though he was carrying two bags filled with all kinds of items and a certain girl in his arms.
At the top of the stairs, he could see the shadows of buildings and many powerful presences!
Ichiro's face started having a small smile as he felt like he was being watched by a Godly being!
On top of the mountain.
Shinu opened his eyes and smiled, ''He is here…''
In front of the temple.
Hundreds of young men and women had gathered, all of them kept standing without moving, and their looks were filled with excitement.
The Test was about to begin!
