Before Wesley could react, Jon grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up like a rag doll.
Pah! Pah! Pah! Pah!
Holding him captive, he began landing strike after strike across his face, turning Wesley's cheeks red and swollen like the butt of a baboon.
Pleased with his handiwork, Jon nodded in satisfaction before turning to face the crowd.
"Today, I'm not in the mood to listen to the barking of dogs. So keep your mouths shut… unless you want a free makeover like our dear cousin here."
If he were alone, he naturally wouldn't have bothered lowering himself to their level. But since that wasn't the case, he didn't hesitate to make a strong point.
He looked at them so coldly it felt unreal.
His peers shivered under his gaze.
However, not everyone in the crowd was all bark and no bite like Wesley.
A young man with a clean shaven face stepped out. He was over six feet tall and his body was packed with muscles. He looked at Jon with an annoying and challenging gaze, "Elder brother, that was not nice of you. Apologies and let go of Wesley."
At his words, Jon smirked, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Make me. But I doubt you have the strength. Despite being raised with all the love and care our parents can offer, I bet you are weaker than me."
The tall and burly youth was none other than Nathan, Jon's half-brother.
"You asked for this. Don't blame me for what I am about to do." Nathan rushed towards Jon as if he had been waiting for this moment his whole life.
Jon smiled, called him an idiot, and casually flung Wesley in Nathan's direction.
Nathan actually bothered to catch him and immediately regretted it.
Jon took advantage of the moment he was distracted, leaping off the ground and dropping down from above like an eagle, planting both his boots squarely into that handsome face which resembled their father's with such force Nathan was forced off his feet.
Nathan fell onto his back and Wesley landed right on top of him, knocking the air from his lungs and forcing a painful groan out of his mouth.
With a look of disgust, he shoved Wesley off and sat up in anger, only to be met with Jon's unrestrained laughter.
He glared up. "What are you laughing at?"
"You. I am laughing at you. You look like someone used your head to clean the floor. Your face… it's covered in boot prints," Jon said, chuckling.
"Motherfucker, isn't it because of you?!" Nathan snapped, veins bulging on his forehead.
Jon shrugged with a smirk. "Everyone knows my mother died giving birth to me. So if I'm a motherfucker, it can only be yours I'm fucking."
Nathan rose up like an enraged god, ready to fight Jon to the death, but before their battle could continue, an authoritive voice broke the tension, "What's going on here?"
A handsome middle-aged man appeared, sporting a goatee and a barren wasteland where hair should've been.
Jon turned towards him with a pleasant smile that would make anyone feel relaxed, "Someone dared to offend and someone took offence, righting the wrongs that had been done to him. That's all that happened here, Elder Mordgeist."
"You did all this?" Mordgeist asked, pointing at the clear signs of abuse on Nathan's and Wesley's faces.
Jon nodded without hesitation.
"Why?" Mordgeist asked.
"I've already given my reason," Jon replied flatly.
Perhaps Mordgeist was satisfied with the answer, because after a moment of silence, he spoke,
"Since it's a scuffle between the younger generation, let's end the matter here."
The conclusion didn't sit well with Wesley.
"But elder! He was too cruel when he struck! Look at me! My face is ruined! How can you let him go without punishment?!"
Mordgeist turned to Nathan.
"You think the same?"
Nathan nodded quickly, hoping to get Jon punished.
"Since that's the case, something has to be done."
Upon hearing his words, Nathan and Wesley felt excited. It seemed like they would get what they wanted, and Jon would be punished.
Contrary to their expectations, Mordgeist puckered his lips, gathered phlegm, and spat twice. One glob landed on Nathan's shoulder, while the other smacked Wesley square in the face.
"That's all you'll be getting from me," Mordgeist said coldly.
Nathan and Wesley stood frozen, wide-eyed.
Did he just…?
"Why humiliate us like this?" Nathan asked, voice low and shaking.
Wesley had the same question screaming in his head.
"You two deserve it," Mordgeist replied, his tone devoid of even the slightest warmth.
There were two of them, yet they got beat up by a young man who wasn't even built as sturdy as them. Now, they were trying to involve him in their childish banter to get him punished. He hated shameless people like them.
Without sparing them another glance, he turned and began walking away.
Seeing him go away, Jon gave him a respectful bow. Mordgeist was cold but at least he wasn't unreasonable like the adults in his life.
"The awakening trial will now begin. Anyone who dares cause trouble from this point on will answer to me," Mordgeist announced loud enough for everyone to hear as he passed between the stunned onlookers.
Wesley, whose mind had been filled with thoughts of revenge, immediately laid his plans to rest after hearing what the elder said.
The same went for Nathan. He didn't dare seek Jon out for trouble, knowing even his parents' protection wouldn't save him from the wrath of Elder Mordgeis, who was infamously known as the murderous spirit, and had the blood of lot of people on his hands.