The Challenger's Return: Rebirth of the Rainbow Mage

At a dingy bar near the military encampment, a tall, slim boy with brown hair who looked no older than 16 sat at a round inn-style table, surrounded by four other youths.

A lightly-clothed woman showed off her incredible figure as she danced on the table next to them, rousing shouts, jeers, and whistles from surrounding patrons.

There were two young men, one with blonde hair, the other with black hair, sitting on Jason's immediate left and right.

Their faces were slightly flushed from the alcohol, as they conversed amongst themselves and enjoyed the women 'on display.'

The other two seats slightly further away held two young women, both on the plumper side, one with short red hair, and one with long luscious locks.

They did their best to hide their discomfort as they raised their voices to be heard above the general din.

"You really trying to do this on [Hard]?"

"Dang, man. That's gotta be rough."

"Look at us, we might be having trouble clearing a [Basic] mission."

The four of them glanced at each other, then laughed loudly at their joint incompetence.

Jason just smiled and replied,

"I'm sure you'll all be fine. I've seen how hard you work!"

Jason idly thumbed the pages of the book he carried under the table as he spoke.

Anyone else who read its title would be shocked.

It was a healing spell!

[Lesser Heal]

Light Element

Level 1

Instantly heal one target for health equal to (200 + 1% magic power) damage.

Mana Cost: 5

Cast Time: 2.8 seconds

Cooldown: 90 seconds

This spell tome was one of the Noira Church's most prized items!

Unfortunately, Jason's new prize came with a drawback.

The church hadn't bothered to hide the fact that Jason carried it in his possession.

He didn't have the ability or wherewithal to make a deal with Head Priestess Eleina like Otto had done, to force the nobles into fighting the wolves.

Eleina had instead given it to him as a reward for his 'valiant contribution to Bront.'

It was because Jason had killed a powerful wolf general.

The church had even wanted to spread the news.

It's purpose was twofold.

First, to use a reward to motivate the nobles to act against the wolf invasion.

Two, to provide hard evidence of their benevolence by giving a valuable book to a mere kid who had demonstrated exceptional courage.

Jason thought back to his fight with the Wolf General, and grinned lightly.

Honestly, it was a tough fight.

Even with his greatly enhanced attributes.

Near the end of the fight, Jason breathed sharply through his wounds while a final [Mana Bolt] split the general's brain open.

But it had been a close call. Alas, Jason didn't have access to Otto's big bag of tricks.

At the same time, he felt a slight fear, deep in his bones.

Before entering the [Tutorial], Jason had imagined that the wolf king would be as strong as the general he'd fought.

But...for a mere wolf 'general' to be so powerful, just how strong would its leader be?

Still, Jason pushed away his worries and felt somewhat gladdened at the sight of his four new friends.

He'd met them coincidentally in the forest yesterday while out on 'patrol' with the other soldiers.

Strictly speaking, Jason didn't need to do such tasks.

His only real mission was to take down the wolf king.

The problem was…Otto hadn't told him how to find the monster!

So Jason's first thought was to curry favor with the military commander Zeller.

If anyone knew where the king of wolves was located, it would be him…

After the first encounter between them in the forest, Jason kept bumping into them again and again.

All four challengers warmed up to him, even to the point where they were inviting him out for drinks and to share information.

But soon, a commotion from the entrance to the bar shook Jason out of his thoughts.

An arrogant voice drifted over to his ears.

"How dare he make me, Peter Vessily Brenner, enter this kind of filthy establishment."

"I swear I'll teach him a good lesson if I see him. Hmph."

The speaker made no effort to lower his voice.

It was as if he wanted everyone to know exactly who he was and that a personage such as himself would never frequent such an establishment.

His words drifted throughout the bar before reaching the ears of the serving girls and the owner of the establishment.

All of them initially looked angry. One girl prepared a retort before her mouth was covered by a large hand.

The rest all unanimously lowered their heads and immediately escaped from view once they saw who it was.

Nothing good would come from being seen by a noble with a temper.

Especially this particular noble, the irascible grandson of the man considered the strongest in the city.

"Where is he? Bring him out!"

An elderly man stood next to him. His legs trembled faintly as he did his best to control his shaking voice,

"W-who would you like to meet, my lord?"

"That young fellow! Grandpa Darius asked me to fetch him, what was his name? Hmm, wasn't it… J something."

"Jalen? Jared? Err…"

Peter scrunched his brow, evidently deep in thought.

It was clear to everyone that he wasn't the brightest crayon in the box.

Of course, none dared to show it on their faces.

Just as Jason was preparing to quietly slip out the back of the bar, he heard his own name.

"Jason! That's it! Yes, bring me Jason!"

Jason was surprised, but not too shocked.

Could this Peter be after his book?

Jason stood up and approached the golden-haired noble with long, easy strides.

To his surprise, when he turned around and prepared to motion for the other four to leave, he noticed them standing behind him in a gesture of support.

His heart relaxed slightly.

"You're Jason?"

"Hello. I'm Peter Vessily Brenner. My grandfather Darius Brenner asked me to fetch you."

"He wants you to have a meeting with him."

Jason nodded, feeling slightly puzzled.

He knew who Darius Brenner was, from the incomplete information Otto had provided.

But why would such a person want to meet with him?

Could it be...they knew about the book?

Jason quietly pondered making sure to keep up his amiable smile before cautiously asking,

"May I know what this is about?"

Peter's anger flared.

Some random kid wanted to negotiate with him, a member of the most powerful family in the entire city?

And at an establishment that looked no better than a whore house?

Peter's instinct was to lash out right away, but upon remembering that this was a task his grandfather had specially left to him, he refrained.

Of course, Peter had no way of knowing that his assignment was because his grandfather understood his terrible temper, not in spite of it.

He would be a sacrifice, and an excuse...

Peter looked around to spy on the expressions of the customers.

Most sat stock still, doing their best not to look over at Peter.

But Peter suddenly felt that their downturned eyes held a malicious spirit of mocking.

The target of their jokes? Could only be himself.

Peter's face flushed, and his expression twisted.

Suddenly, one of Jason's new friends, the man with black hair, stumbled slightly onto a nearby table.

The woman dancing there was instantly knocked off the table. Her small bra came undone as seh fell, revealing a milky white breast.

Her hair fell inches away from Peter's foot.

She gasped in fright.

Peter didn't think at all.

His anger burned wildly in his chest.

He didn't want to go against his grandfather's instructions and make an enemy out of Jason.

But this woman wasn't related to him, right?

Peter instinctively reached out his foot, and kicked the woman's head as hard as he could.

His metal boots connected with the side of the woman's head.

THUD

CLICK

The ominous sound of a skull breaking echoed cleanly throughout the bar.

Blood trickled down from the crack, pooling onto the wooden floor.

Her breathing slowed, then stopped.

Jason watched on in horror as she died directly in front of him.

Why didn't he move? Why hadn't he saved her?

He saw red.

His eyes glared straight at Peter, killing intent suddenly lacing the atmosphere.

To actually kill someone over such a tiny offense like this?

His understanding of these nobles' self importance was greatly refreshed.

Jason instinctively punched out. He needed to give vent to his fury.

But in his rage, Jason forgot to hold back.

And Peter wasn't very strong himself; he was a mere Level 2 Fighter who couldn't even think to avoid Jason's fist.

The blow landed directly on Peter's nose.

CRACK

The sound of bones and cartilage breaking reverberated around the walls for the second time.

Peter's face even caved in slightly from the force.

The sound of a pin drop could be heard in the room as the patrons watched on, horrified.

Someone HIT a noble!??

All hell broke loose.

Screams and shouts comparable to when meteors bombarded the city erupted from the bar as everyone scrambled out as fast as they could.

What a joke!

If Darius saw them watching as Peter was hit, all nine generations of their families might face his wrath…

Jason's breath began to slow and the rage slowly receded from his eyes.

He looked at the bloody mess of a person lying on the floor.

And froze in shock.

His eyes shook.

Peter's chest wasn't moving!

It took Jason a full three seconds before he woke up to what he had just done.

Had he…just killed a person?

His hands trembled.

His body wobbled unsteadily on his feet.

Jason quickly ran over to a corner of the bar, face lowered.

The scene of Peter, lying in his own blood, face deformed from his punch replayed in his mind over and over again.

The contents of his stomach emptied themselves into the barrel full of alcohol in the corner.

The short-haired woman to his left cautiously followed him, her expression worried.

She patted him on the back, whispering comforting words into his ear,

"It's okay honey, the first kill is always the hardest. You know, you get over it, and you move on. Sometimes…"

She sighed and ran her hands through her hair, though her eyes met those of her companions.

"We do what we have to do to survive, or if we're lucky, to thrive in this environment."

Rather than a new challenger, she sounded more like a veteran of the [Tower].

"It'll get easier and easier as time goes on…"

Then, before Jason had even finished vomiting his stomach out, he felt a sudden pain in his back.

As if he had just been stabbed.

The woman behind him whispered words into his ear,

"I'm sorry."

A beat passed. She stepped backward and stopped supporting him.

But contrary to her expectations, Jason's body didn't slump to the ground.

He...was still alive?

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