1
" Well, I’ve got a duel tomorrow.” Einen, despite having to fight a disciple of the inner circle, looked eerily calm. “Isn’t it funny, my friend? We were originally going to have you do this.” “That’s right,” Hadjar said, smiling. “A battle between a fully-fledged disciple and an inner circle one will bring in less bets, though.” “Profit is still profit, my barbarian friend.” “Are you already aiming for victory, my bald friend?” “Of course! We should come up with a plan. We’ll have to be cunning.” “I’ve already forgotten the last time we had a fair fight.” “The world of martial arts is ruthless, my barbarian friend.” “And we’re even more ruthless, my bald friend. "
― Kirill Klevanski , Land of Magic (Dragon Heart, #6)
7
" You dare to keep staring at me, servant?” The offended young heir (whatever that title meant) roared. “I think I should teach you a lesson…” Hadjar bowed sharply at the waist and saluted in the manner of the Empire — he struck his chest twice with his fist, “My apologies, young heir of the great Predatory Blades clan. I, an unworthy ant, dared to accidentally stain your clothes. Let me take them and return them to you in their purest form.” For a moment, there was utter silence in the hall. Hadjar didn’t look like a man who could apologize to anyone. There was far too much confidence and pride in his eyes, in his gestures and posture, in his whole appearance. “I beg your pardon, most worthy heir,” Einen also bowed. Both friends maintained serious expressions on their faces, but in fact, they could hardly keep from laughing out loud. If a teenager endowed with the terrifying power of a true cultivator considered soiled clothing a reason to get insulted, then the thirty-year-old warriors who’d witnessed the horrors of piracy, wars, and the Sea of Sand… "
― Kirill Klevanski , Land of Magic (Dragon Heart, #6)
8
" I think you’re right,” he finally agreed. “But if this hypothetical fight was between an ordinary disciple and the youngest heir of one of the family clans, I would pay twice as much to witness such a spectacle, just to laugh at the poor fool.” “What do you mean?” Hadjar’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Despite the depth of Einen’s life philosophy, his past as a smuggler and pirate would sometimes stir in him. Hadjar still remembered his trick in the Sea of Sand, when he’d deceived Tilis and made a whole performance out of making a false oath. Even Hadjar hadn’t thought about trying something like that, and he’d once been called the ‘Mad General’. “You are in love with Anise. Perhaps you consider her to be your destined partner on the path of cultivation. So, it’s only a matter of time before you end up fighting against Tom Dinos. When that time comes, it would be better if, in addition to his blood, you and I also reap some more tangible benefits.” Hadjar looked at the calm Einen. The islander’s face was expressionless. “Holy fuck, my friend,” Hadjar swore, shocked. “You frighten me sometimes! "
― Kirill Klevanski , Land of Magic (Dragon Heart, #6)
