Rising up of Loris: the Legendary Gunner

Chapter 7

The room in the hall became a little noisy. They were all looking at each other and talking about Loris in whispers. Even so, their voices reached his father's ears.

Loris clenched his fists, but the sharp look in his eyes could only make them pause. He then looked at the elders, "I stand my ground. I refuse this compensation." Loris' firm voice echoed in the hall.

"He must be crazy," Leon chimed in calmly. Everyone agreed with Loris' attitude, which they considered to be humiliating the Federico family in front of Academic teacher Morne.

"Loris! Get your head out of your ass." one of the most respected elders reprimanded Loris with widened eyes. He even pointed at Loris and signaled the young man to return to his seat immediately.

He did not care about anything other than Federico's reputation in the eyes of Academic teacher Gunner Morne. He was a very strict elder and always maintained the good name of the extended family.

"After this meeting, you must repent for the family's sake. You were too spoiled by your father to behave at the meeting table. Sit down!" the elder commanded once again after giving a piercing advice.

Suddenly, the third elder, sitting next to the first elder could be heard chuckling, then looked at Loris mockingly. "You should listen to the elders this time, Loris. Stop being so egotistical and think of the Federico family occasionally, you selfish brat."

Hearing that scorn, Sir Federico immediately pounded the table. He was the only adult on his son's side, despite Loris' decision between black and white.

Seeing Sir Federico frowning with anger, the elder rebuked him this time. "You too, fellow adults, don't fuss about things that don't matter. After all, Miss Remuel has the right to decide, don't you think, Sir Federico?" the first elder asked.

Sir Federico finally felt defeated and chose to be calm. But not Loris. He insisted on saying no for the third time, not caring about the elders' threats.

"I don't care about any compensation that Miss Remuel has offered. My answer is still the same, a refusal to the end."

Listening to Loris' defense, some of the young men in the Federico family joined in blaming Loris. "You selfish, insatiable boy!" scolded one of Loris' eldest uncles.

He was a friend of Remuel's father, and this time, he was trying to curry favor in front of Remuel for some reason.

Loris's uncle's remarks provoked some of the family, and they called Loris a troublemaker.

They were too worried that the Federico family might start a feud with Academic Dean Gunner Morne if they could not agree to Remuel's request.

"Seriously, all the trouble always starts with that cripple," whispered one of the Federicos who disliked Loris.

"He's the culprit, the troublemaker." Added another Federico family member.

Ridicule after ridicule was like a storm that hit Loris mentally, making Remuel, who was listening, smile happily.

Besides Sir Federico, there was Arturo, who continued to support him in the background. The woman silently noticed Loris' spirit that everyone else couldn't see. "Brother Loris... you're so great, I'm sure you'll be able to silence them later!" Arturo praised Lorios in her mind.

While listening to the Federico family's scorn, Remuel folded her arms across her chest as she watched Loris. "Let's see how strong you are against your own family." She whispered.

Remuel cleared her throat, and that drew the attention of everyone in the hall, "I'm beginning to understand your situation, Loris. As an only child, you are trying to protect your father's reputation. But stop being so childish. Are you that desperate?" asked Remuel in an icy tone.

At the look in the cold woman's eyes, Loris initially wondered, but when he saw Remuel's grinning smile, se finally knew what the sharp words meant. Loris clenched his fists and wanted to accuse Remuel of silence, but before he could say anything, Remuel spoke up again.

"I'm sorry about your awkward position. What if I give you a second chance? You take that E-class magic firearm and fight me." Remuel said casually.

The woman even smiled and shook out her long hair, the look of pity she threw in front of everyone, including Loris, who knew the humiliation best.

"What?" Loris spontaneously asked back. He made sure his hearing was valid.

The people in the hall were equally surprised by what Loris had heard. The three elders even looked at each other in disbelief.

"Yes, I said fight me in three years. You can start practicing with that level E magic firearm." Remuel once again said in a cold tone.

"If I lose, I will break the marriage contract without complaint. I also guarantee I will make sure not to cause you any trouble. You just need to avoid my three shots." Remuel added lightly.

The genius young lady said and looked at all the Federico family with a generous face, but Loris knew Remuel's haughty nature best.

While the whole room, including Sir Federico, was silent, they were silent after hearing Remuel's statement.

Gaze after gaze was cast at the stunned Loris, and then they started looking at Sir Federico and whispering to each other.

"I feel sorry for the clan leader. He only has a disabled child who can't even take care of his mother." Said one of the Federico family who sat closest to Sir Federico.

Sir Federico clenched his fists hard. He was furious. He felt like slamming the table before everyone if he didn't remember his active position.

Loris, annoyed by Remuel's challenge, saw his father's expression, which made his blood boil even more. He also clenched, "Now." he said with emphasis.

Loris showed the veins in his neck. He, who had been downcast, then looked at Remuel sharply with red eyes. "No need to wait three years. We can duel now."

Loris made a statement with a stern tone with a furious look at Remuel. His emotions were peaking above the crown like a volcano, ready to erupt.

Remuel was initially surprised by Loris's expression as he stared at him with bloodshot eyes and then turned grimacing. He responded by showing a smile.

"Lame bastard! You think I'd be scared if it was done now?!" Remuel grumbled inwardly, then grinned at Loris.

"Fine," Remuel said casually.

Everyone watching didn't scoff at Loris anymore. They were now frowning slightly. Some probably scoffed at Loris in their hearts. Some felt sorry for believing Loris would give him a defeat.

"If the boy loses, that means the defeat will affect the Federico family name as well." a long-bearded elder frowned on his forehead.

Their gazes could not believe that Loris, a crippled boy, would be able to fight a genius from Gunners Morne's academy.

Remuel then took out his weapon. He stared at the Master, and that's when the teacher gulped.

"Well, I will agree to us having an official duel." Said the teacher, who was hesitant at first.

He then discussed with the elders of the Federico family and Sir Federico. However, during the discussion, Sir Federico retreated early to meet Loris in the crowd.

Now, they were all in a special place for the duel. And Loris stood again in the same place he had tested for his magic some time ago.

"Loris!" a loud voice came from behind the crowd.

His father came with a troubled face in front of Loris, "Hey, son!" he called. He was running and stood before Loris with his breath taken away.

Sir Federico patted the shoulder of Loris, who was a little taller than him. "I don't understand why you chose this. But can't you stop? You don't need to get on the stage to duel with Remuel. Father will find a way to resolve this conflict."

But Loris just smiled, "I can't stop, father. I've already decided on this. And I will bring this victory to us." He said with confidence.

Behind Loris, Arturo nodded when she heard Loris' conversation with his father. She was one of the people who believed in Loris' decision.

"I'm sure you can do it, brother Loris!" Arturo said out loud in her flowery heart.

Loris looked at Arturo and his father before going up. He smiled and nodded confidently at them. Arturo gave a proud smile as Loris walked onto the stage.

Arturo then returned to the audience. She chose a more secluded place, her hand then took out a gun from her pocket slowly without the surrounding people knowing. "If Remuel wants to kill Loris, I will kill her first."