"Please dispel any Infused Complex Laws involving your Law of Body," the Head told Kyle.
"Sure," Kyle said as an Essence came out of him before dispersing.
Kyle's body changed shape quite drastically.
He became a bit darker, and his body became significantly bulkier. At the same time, the slightly holy aura around him also vanished.
When the Disciples saw Kyle without his Complex Law, they felt like they saw his true self.
His different physique made him seem like a chilled-out gymbro.
Earlier, he had seemed like someone who was very confident in their intellect, while now, he seemed like someone who was very confident in their physique.
Kyle's demeanor did not change, but when put into context with a different body, it elicited a different impression.
The silver needle flew over to Kyle, and it stung the Cluster in his right arm.
The next moment, the needle showed a slight golden light.
The other Disciples were not surprised.
This needle reacted to the specific Energy of a Cluster.
If it remained dark, it meant not even a little bit of a Cluster was unlocked.
If it shone in a bright golden light, it meant that the Cluster had been unlocked.
Yet, the needle was only completely dark on Primals who had just advanced.
Even if a Primal didn't focus on a specific Cluster, with time and physical activity, some of them still started to unlock slowly.
This bit of golden light showed that Kyle had made a bit of progress in unlocking this Cluster but not a lot.
When the Disciples saw that, they became a bit suspicious.
People usually started with their legs, but sometimes, they also started with their arms.
If his arm showed such a reaction, it was possible that his legs had been fully unlocked.
With practiced ease, the needle entered Kyle's other arm, and the golden light showed the same intensity as before.
Then, it entered his right leg.
Same intensity.
When the needle had gone through all seven Clusters, the Disciples were surprised yet again.
All of his minor Clusters had the same intensity!
Either he was working all of them at the same time, or he was not working on them at all.
However, one thing was clear.
He was a 0/12 Primal.
Meteor Hammer had not lied.
"Happy?" Kyle asked, looking at the Disciple who had complained earlier with a smirk.
The Disciple grimaced. "Sorry," was all he said before floating into the background.
After the Head was done with inspecting Kyle's body, he went to the Disciples with the needle to confirm their stated advancements from earlier.
Nobody had lied.
When the Head was done, he nodded. "Everyone did a great job within the last century," he said.
The Disciples didn't seem happy, but that wasn't surprising.
After all, they didn't like their Core Elder.
Kyle noticed.
"Hey, can I interject?" Kyle asked.
The Head looked at Kyle. "Yes?"
Kyle took a deep breath before looking at the Disciples.
"I noticed that there seems to be a bit of a conflict going on," he said.
The Disciples didn't react except for maybe believing that Kyle was getting involved in things that didn't concern him.
"I also noticed that all of the Disciples have been focusing on comprehending things related to Realm advancement."
"Frankly…"
"I think that's stupid."
Almost immediately, the atmosphere turned sour.
"Bold words coming from a 0/12 Primal," one of the top Disciples said with a snort.
"Bold words coming from an 8/12 Primal that has to consider a battle with a 0/12 Primal a True Battle," Kyle countered.
The atmosphere became even tenser.
Kyle's words had struck a nerve.
It was like Kyle had said that an adult man was so weak that they had to use all of their power to win against a four-year-old in a wrestling match.
And the worst part was that Kyle was right.
That's what made this comment sting so much.
The Disciple gritted his teeth in hatred and wanted to talk back.
"Chill out," Kyle said as his Essence fused back into his body. "I don't want to have a verbal battle. I know that I won't get through to you."
"So, how about we make a bet?" Kyle asked.
The next moment, Kyle pointed at the top Disciple. "Right now, I believe a battle between us could go either way. Do you agree?"
The top Disciple narrowed his eyes.
He could win against the Disciple Kyle had fought against just as easily as he.
"I'm pretty sure I would win," the top Disciple said, "but I can confirm that winning against you wouldn't be easy."
"Good, so we're in agreement," Kyle said.
"Somewhat," the top Disciple answered.
"Alright," Kyle said with a smirk, "so, how about this? In 80 years, we are going to spar. My bet is not that I will win. No."
"My bet is that I will win so handily that it won't even be a True Battle."
Several pairs of eyes widened in disbelief.
Sure, they believed that Kyle would most likely win. Unlocking a single Cluster in 80 years wasn't that difficult, and it would most likely give Kyle the edge.
But winning so easily that it wasn't even a True Battle?
That was unachievable in 80 years.
The top Disciple felt underestimated and disrespected.
Yet, he only took a deep breath through his nose.
"Fine," he said. "What are the stakes?"
"If I win the bet, you and your colleagues have to listen to a couple of my words," Kyle said.
"And if you lose?" the top Disciple asked.
"If I lose," Kyle said with a confident smirk, "you can take my place in the Array of Stars."
The Disciples became shocked once again.
Meteor Hammer was that confident?
The top Disciple narrowed his eyes. "Deal."
"Good," Kyle said before turning to the Head. "Did you hear all of that?"
The Head nodded. "I am witness to the wager," he said. "I will send a message to the Array of Stars with the contents of the wager."
"Sure," Kyle said.
Then, he turned back to the top Disciple. "Frankly, this isn't even a wager for me," he said. "I am absolutely confident in my abilities. I could also bet on my life, and I wouldn't mind."
Most of the Disciples were disgusted with Kyle's arrogance, but luckily, he would be humbled in 80 years.
"In fact," Kyle added, "I am so confident that I won't even train in private. All the training I do will happen in public. You may watch me while I train."
Several of the Disciples shook their heads.
This guy was way too arrogant.
How could someone this deluded join the Array of Stars?
Finally, Kyle looked at the Head. "There's just one thing I need."
"If your request does not exceed the average amount of resources a Core Disciple receives, I can grant it," the Head said.
Kyle lifted one finger. "I just need one thing."
"A big cube of Medium Crusher Metal or stronger, and I don't even need to keep it. I just need access to it for 80 years. Afterwards, I will gladly hand it back."
The Head furrowed his brows. "We can provide that, assuming you will return it in full after 80 years."
Kyle nodded.
"Do you need anything else?" the Head asked.
Giving someone such a cube would be far too much, but just lending it was no issue. That didn't even really count as asking for resources.
"Nope, that's all I need."
Then, he looked at the Disciples with a smirk. "Anyway, I have to go train. See you in 80 years."
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