Jaune Mercer: Volume 1

Chapter 36: Lazarus

"First off. The last name's Mercer," He said with authority in his voice.

A few members gulped at his voice.

"Secondly...What can I do to prove myself worthy to wield Tao?"

"Nothing."

Shiki, Maro, and the others emitted some ki and killing intent.

"You will die here."

"Going to kill me? Don't even want to hear out my proposition?" Jaune asked.

"Proposition?" Maro asked.

"I guess I neglected to talk about that. My bad. I guess I was just having a lot of fun learning about Tao firsthand with the traps, flying insects, and insect warrior."

"Yes. In exchange for your knowledge and training of Tao, I will reimburse you and your clan for your services."

"What? You'll pay us?" Maro asked.

"Only seems fair if I wanted to learn Tao."

"We don't want your money."

Jaune shrugged.

"Alright. If not money, what about dust? Technology? Land?"

The part about land had some of the Taoists interested.

"Enough. You think you can bribe us for the Tao?" Shiki asked.

"Bribe? No. No. This is more of a transaction."

"We're not interested in what you're selling."

Shiki took out another Fuda and Maro's hands glowed purple. The other Taoists followed through pulling out weapons or their hands glowing with ki.

"Heh. Ki and Tao. Arts that have been forgotten to time," Jaune said before his hands had an icy haze to them.

"But hey. History has always been my favorite subject."

Jaune put his hands out, freezing the Taoist's legs. They were shocked. The blonde leaped back, putting distance between him and the spiritualists.

The Taoists emitted ki out of their legs, shattering the ice. They stared at Jaune, surprised by what he had just done.

"It can't be!" Shiki yelled, instantly recognizing that energy.

Jaune pulled down his coat sleeves, revealing green wristbands. With a quick motion, Jaune removed them.

Soon, Shiki, Maro, and the other Taoists could sense the other energies in Jaune. They were flabbergasted at how Jaune had that. They didn't think it was possible.

"Answer me!" Shiki shouted.

"How do you have magic?!"

Jaune smirked.

"Now. Now. If you're not going to share the knowledge about Tao with me, I don't feel inclined to share with you how magic is around in this day and age."

Jaune looked at the Taoists. Some of their expressions read as fear, while others like Shiki and Maro were of fury.

"Take him down!" Shiki ordered.

"We'll get the information another way!"

The rest nodded in agreement. They quickly scattered, surrounding Jaune from afar.

One Taoist, a young girl, put her hands together. Soon, six fireballs formed beside her. She fired them at Jaune. He formed a sphere of wind in his hand.

"Wind Make: Wind orb," Jaune thought.

He threw it out. Once it reached the fireballs, they were dispersed.