Chapter 149: Beating Up My Teammate

Chapter 149: Beating Up My Teammate

As the banquet reached its peak and some guests were already tipsy, standing on tables and preparing to dance, Luk was compelled by the Ancient One’s gaze to approach Odin and request a duel with the two princes.

“Luk, you seem to have a fondness for combat, don’t you?”

Odin furrowed his brow, clearly surprised by Luk’s request.

“This...” Luk glanced at the Ancient One, who was sipping tea and looking elsewhere, seemingly oblivious to the situation.

Luk gritted his teeth and nodded. “Yes, I believe combat is the best means of communication. The clash of bodies is also a clash of souls, and by throwing a punch imbued with my beliefs, I can convey my thoughts.”

“Combat is how I seek friends, and I very much want to be friends with Thor and Loki!”

“Wise words.”

Odin’s expression relaxed, and he smiled, standing up and raising his voice to be heard throughout the banquet hall.

“Thor, Luk the Sorcerer wishes to engage in a friendly duel with you. Will you accept?”

The crowd’s eyes lit up at the prospect of a fight, and they began to cheer. The Asgardians’ warlike nature was deeply ingrained, especially among the warriors present.

“Accept! Accept! Accept!”

The chant grew louder, and the atmosphere became electric.

“Of course!”

Thor drained his cup of mead in one go, slamming it to the ground. His golden hair was wild and untamed, and he rose with the spirit of a young lion.

“I never refuse a challenge!”

The Ancient One seemed to come to her senses at this moment, waving her hands in protest. “This won’t do, this won’t do. Today, I and Luk the Sorcerer are here to celebrate Thor’s achievements. How can we engage in combat?”

“Combat is Thor’s way of celebration. Supreme Sorcerer, there’s no need to decline.” Odin’s lone eye regarded the Ancient One, who was feigning concern, with a calm demeanor.

The arena chosen for the duel was a training ground in Asgard, constructed of unknown, incredibly durable stone. A massive protective magic array extended beneath the ground, reaching up to an unseen sky. Scattered throughout were stone pillars in the Asgardian style, giving the place a Roman coliseum-like appearance.

Thor was clad in a sleek suit of armor, wearing a conspicuous red cape and wielding Mjolnir. His presence was formidable, radiating a fierce combat spirit.

Mjolnir was made of Uru metal, with its head forged from the core of a dying star. The hammer’s handle featured a loop of special leather, highly attuned to magic, enhancing its striking power.

The uninitiated were there for the spectacle, but the experts could see the true value. With just one glance, Luk recognized the extraordinary nature of this artifact. Beyond its rare materials, the craftsmanship was exceptional, especially the circular symbol on the hammer’s face, which concealed intricate magical runes.

Luk slowly entered the arena, and the two combatants faced each other from opposite ends.

The stands were packed with spectators, cheering on both sides, but most believed Thor would win.

“Go, Thor! Show the Midgardian sorcerer your strength!”

“Luk the Sorcerer! Go, I support you, win or lose!”

Loki’s expression was complex. “Father, Luk wants to challenge both Thor and me. Why are you only letting Thor fight?”

This was blatant favoritism. As a son, should he be treated differently just because Thor was born first? He acknowledged that Thor was more beloved by the people and more legitimate, but why was he not even given a chance to compete?

“This is for your own good, Loki.”

Odin’s face remained unchanged as he looked at his younger son. “Even if you joined, it wouldn’t change anything.”

“But I want to try! Please, give me a chance.”

Loki’s voice was tinged with sorrow. Seeing Thor about to inherit the throne, he felt a deep sense of injustice. Even if the duel held no real significance, he wanted to try.

The throne represented more than just power; it symbolized the hopes of many, the attention and guidance of their father. While Loki admitted he had a desire for power, it was not his sole motivation.

Odin sighed and waved his hand. Loki vanished from his spot and reappeared in the arena below.

“Loki, what are you doing here?”

Loki ignored his brother’s question, his face alight with joy as he drew two daggers and charged at Luk. “Luk, I’ll be careful!”

Luk: ...

"Careful with Mjolnir!"

With a slight flick of his finger, a portal materialized. Loki, mid-stride, stumbled and found himself falling from the sky.

A terrified scream escaped Loki’s lips as he shielded his face. Before he could hit the ground, another portal opened, aligning with the first on the Y-axis. Gravity caused him to bounce between the two portals, his speed increasing with each bounce.

Thor’s expression grew serious, and he threw Mjolnir at Luk. The hammer whistled through the air, striking Luk, but it passed through him as if he were a mist.

Loki, still bouncing between the portals, tried to maintain his balance and shouted out a warning.

"Alright!"

"Yes!"

"Phantom!"

"Shadow!"

"I can tell!"

Sol stubbornly muttered, then watched as Luk waved his hands, and dozens of identical phantoms appeared behind him.

He widened his eyes and mumbled, "Okay, now I can really tell!"

But he could only see that they were phantoms; he couldn't distinguish which one was the real Luk...

Each phantom lashed out with energy whips, and Sol powered through, constantly dodging and weaving around the arena. However, the sheer number of opponents still managed to ensnare him with an energy whip.

The energy whip wasn't particularly strong, but the moment he broke free, dozens more wrapped around him. In the next second, Sol was immobilized, his feet slipping out from under him, and he met the same fate as Loki.

The sky suddenly darkened, and thick clouds enveloped the entire arena. A bolt of lightning struck, disrupting and dissipating the energy of the teleportation portal.

Amidst the intense lightning, Sol flew out, wielding the hammer of Thor, his eyes crackling with electricity.

Boom!

Sol raised the hammer of Thor, and several bolts of lightning struck, instantly filling his body with electrical power. He then slammed the hammer into the ground, causing a violent explosion that sent countless tiny bolts of lightning surging across the surface.

The phantoms seemed to have anticipated this and flew up, rendering the attack ineffective.

"Help!"

"Help!"

"Me!"

Loki, still falling, tried to call for help.

With the hand signs of the phantom Luks, golden energy blades appeared in their hands. Dozens of phantoms charged at Sol, leaving him no time to assist Loki.

The Holy Blade of Vasant!

This spell was as sharp as the Vatu magic blade and had special effects against dark creatures. Although Sol wasn't a dark creature, the blade's sharpness was enough to cut through him.

Surrounded by lightning, Sol swung the hammer of Thor rapidly, shattering the phantoms one by one.

Even a single person can't fight against many, and although the phantoms' attacks weren't aimed at vital points, Sol's face and body were still cut in many places, blood flowing from the wounds, making him look utterly disheveled.

This can't go on!

Sol steeled his resolve, ignoring the phantoms' attacks, and raised the hammer of Thor once more. A pillar of lightning shot from the center of the arena straight into the sky, the thunder roaring and surging.

Boom!

The rolling thunder passed, and the sudden flash of lightning stung their eyes.

This time, the quality and quantity of the lightning striking Sol had increased several times over. The terrifying thunder, further amplified by the hammer, exploded with a deafening boom, covering the entire arena.

Thud!

A half-charred, dark green figure fell from the sky. Loki lay on the ground, spitting out a black mist, feeling as though he was half-dead. He managed to lift his head, his gaze meeting Odin's in the stands, who looked a bit helpless.

I told you not to go up there. Now look at you, you haven't accomplished anything and have been severely injured by your own teammate.

The phantoms were swept away by the intense lightning, but a few disappeared when they touched a certain figure, revealing the real Luk.

Sol glanced warily at Luk, then ran to Loki's side, tears in his eyes.

"Loki, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to."

Loki weakly pulled out a dagger and aimed it at Sol's waist, but he lacked the strength to stab him, only glaring at Sol in frustration.

"Do you still want to fight? No, you're too injured!"

Sol shook his head, taking the dagger from Loki and helping him to a pillar.

"Just rest here, and I'll avenge you!"

Loki: ...

Then why don't you just stab yourself?

After settling Loki, Sol picked up the hammer of Thor and glared at Luk.

"Luk, I commend you for not taking advantage of me, but you've injured Loki so badly. I must avenge him!"

Luk's lips twitched. "Let me remind you, the one who injured him was you."

Loki's resilience was quite strong; he had fallen for half an hour with Strange and hadn't been badly hurt. The main reason for his injuries was clearly Sol's lightning.

Lightning is a highly destructive force, and Sol had used all his strength to turn the tide. If Loki hadn't been accustomed to electricity from a young age, he would probably be half-dead by now.

Sol opened his mouth, but he couldn't come up with a counterargument. He couldn't blame Luk, and he didn't want to blame himself. Who else could he blame?

"Loki told me to save him."

After some thought, Sol decided it was best to blame Loki, as someone had to take the fall.

"Ouch~"

Luk, seeing Sol innocently blame the injured party, suddenly understood why Odin had decided to pass the throne to Sol.

Seeing Sol charge at him again, Luk waved his hands, and dozens more phantoms appeared behind him.

"Why are you using this move again?"

Sol was a bit frustrated. The last move had drained him significantly, and he wasn't sure if Loki could survive another round of whipping.

Luk shrugged. "Do you think a useful skill in battle can only be used once?"

Sol's eyes widened. Wasn't that the case?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end