Seeing the encouragement in Elder Godfrey's eyes made Fane even more nonplussed. 'What the heck are you encouraging me for? I never wanted to be your last disciple or get anything out of you!' The more he thought about this, the more gloomy he became.
If he backed down, he would no doubt be looked down even more by others. Thus, he stood up a little straighter, looked evenly at Oliver, and said, "You wouldn't have said all that if he didn't hold a grudge against me! Stop trying to slander me. Besides, Elder Godfrey is the one who’s choosing the last disciple now, not you! So you should just keep your mouth shut!"
Everyone gasped when they heard this, but quickly their eyes began to sparkle in anticipation of what was going to happen next. Never in a million years would they think that a nobody would dare to speak to Oliver in this manner.
This was the first time Oliver was ever humiliated by an informal disciple. His mouth twitched and his eyes filled with anger. Wesley, who was still standing at the front of the line of informal disciples, was so angry that he almost rushed up to beat Fane senseless, for humiliating his big brother.
"How dare an informal disciple speak so blatantly toward a formal disciple? Don't you know what it
means to have respect for your seniors?" shouted the First Elder.
Anyone would have already gotten down on their knees to beg for forgiveness by now, but Fane was not just anyone. He remained impassive and did not even bother to turn to face the First Elder while answering," Of course, I do but I was just saying it like it is. Was I wrong in thinking that it is Elder Godfrey who's doing the choosing today?"
Oliver nearly exploded with anger. 'Who the hell does he think he is? Does he think that he can say and do whatever he wants just because he has been chosen to
be the last disciple? Trash will forever be trash!' His hanc himself. "Why should I listen to you? You're nothing but an informal disciple..."
Fane cut in before he could finish. "You're right! I am an informal disciple! But so what? You were once an informal disciple too! What makes you so certain that I don't have what it takes to be Elder Godfrey’s last disciple?"
Oliver was so angered by his words that he started to laugh. He pointed at Fane's face, and said, "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out! All of the last disciples were chosen from the formal disciples. And you're right, we formal disciples were once informal disciples too but we got to where we are right now through our talent and hard work! Not to mention you didn't even get accepted through our standard procedures. You, of all people, have no right to tell me
to shut up!"
His words were exactly what many of the spectators were thinking, and the disdain in their eyes intensified.
Some of them even began to shout out their displeasure at Fane.
"Did you hear that, you punk? Do you really think you're a match for us formal disciples? You don't even deserve to breathe the same air as Brother Oliver!"
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