Episode 22
The mention of an Elder Dragon made Duke’s face harden.
Arthur spoke slowly, his voice steady. “No matter what happens, we can’t let that artifact fall into the Emperor’s hands.”
Duke nodded in agreement.
Arthur rose from his seat. “While I’m away, I need you to keep an eye on the Emperor for me.”
“You always give me the most troublesome tasks,” Duke grumbled.
“At least it’s not physical labor. Stop whining and pay attention.”
Duke clicked his tongue and shook his head. Being merely strong wasn’t enough to maintain the position of head of the Draker family for long. The man before him had held the title longer than any of his predecessors. Though excessively calculating, it was this trait that allowed him to handle numerous adversaries.
Duke finished his whiskey and stood up. “I won’t see you off. You know your way out.”
With that, Duke’s figure vanished.
Left alone, Arthur Draker sipped his whiskey, then suddenly turned his head, sensing something. ‘Did I imagine that?’
Arthur couldn’t fathom that there might be a presence capable of deceiving his senses.
“An artifact of the Elder Dragon?”
After his meeting with Arthur Draker, Zeke lingered near the main building, not straying far. Outside, he used his unique ability, “Listening,” to eavesdrop on the conversation between Arthur and Duke.
The intense focus left Zeke dizzy. Since absorbing Bahamut’s heart, he could use his ability, but the side effects hadn’t completely disappeared. He closed his eyes, waiting for the dizziness to pass, and steadied himself.
His ability allowed him to listen in on the conversation between the two black knights, as it utilized the power of the soul rather than aura.
As Zeke returned to the Platinum Floor, he replayed the conversation in his mind. Knowing the future, he was well aware of how cold and calculating Arthur Draker could be. He wasn’t a naive thirteen-year-old anymore. Having experienced countless battles, Zeke wasn’t easily swayed by a moment of kindness. He suspected Arthur had ulterior motives, which is why he eavesdropped on the conversation with Duke.
Zeke pondered Arthur’s mention of the “Elder Dragon’s artifact” and the “Ice Mountains.” It seemed to refer to the black dragon statue he had found before his death. The problem was, Zeke discovered that artifact in the Ice Mountains 19 years from now. He hadn’t realized the Emperor of the Rom Empire was searching for it even back then.
Zeke recalled the time he found the artifact before his regression. ‘Even as the head of the Draker family, finding that hidden artifact would be impossible.’ He had stumbled upon it through a series of coincidences. Considering that, it made sense that the Emperor hadn’t found it in over 19 years.
Reflecting on this, Zeke opened his status window and read his title: [Blessed by the Ancient Dragon]. It confirmed that the artifact he discovered was indeed connected to the being known as the Elder Dragon. However, he couldn’t understand how the system he saw and the Emperor’s desire for immortality were related. It seemed the Emperor was chasing a mirage.
‘At least I’ve gained a clue about the artifact’s true nature.’
As Zeke left the main building, he mulled over Arthur Draker’s words. The head of the family had dismissed him as trash, incapable of awakening his aura. Zeke clenched his fists. He no longer felt fear or tension towards Arthur Draker. He resolved to use the Draker family as a stepping stone to become the strongest, ruling over the entire continent. He aimed to become the supreme ruler, not just of the Central Continent, but also the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Continents.
‘I’ll make both the head of the Draker family and the Emperor kneel before me.’
After Arthur Draker’s visit, the academy was abuzz with activity for another reason: the semester evaluation period was approaching. As an institution founded on strict competition by the Draker family, the academy was filled with various evaluations. Among them, the semester evaluations were crucial for advancement. Without excellent grades, progressing to Valhalla was impossible. Graduating from the academy alone guaranteed a good position in most kingdoms, but it was nothing compared to being a Valhalla alumnus. Simply entering Valhalla was considered a ticket to success.
Even the cadets of the special class, who had an advantage in entering Valhalla, were busy preparing for the semester evaluations. Those with family support often received private tutoring from family knights. This was why Reina had suggested Zeke accept her family’s support. With experienced knights providing guidance tailored to the evaluation criteria, managing grades and surpassing Valhalla’s entry threshold became easier.
However, for Zeke, this wasn’t much of a concern. “Damn evaluation exams. I know all this, but having to take them again is annoying.”
Unable to awaken his aura, Zeke had been relentlessly harassed by the instructors. They deliberately gave him more difficult additional exams, pressuring him mentally. As a direct descendant of the Draker family, they couldn’t expel him outright, so they pressured him to drop out voluntarily. Despite the bullying from students and instructors, Zeke endured and refused to quit. Eventually, the headmaster, Howard, personally expelled him from the academy.
Recalling those times, Zeke gritted his teeth. “This time, it won’t end like that.”
In his private training room, Zeke tirelessly practiced swordsmanship with a training claymore. The swordsmanship he honed consisted of eight basic techniques of the Dragon Slayer style. Having practiced it consistently in his past life, it was the swordsmanship Zeke was most familiar with. As he executed the techniques, he infused them with mana, overlaying his unique ability.
Whoosh!
The mana imbued with the intent of “Cut” enveloped the sword as Zeke performed the first technique, the Sky Slash. Whoosh! However, as he executed the technique, the mana dissipated from the sword. Zeke looked at his weapon. “It’s still not working.”
He had tried to see if the Dragon Slayer techniques, meant to be executed with aura, could be performed with mana, but it was impossible. The mana dissipated before he could properly execute the technique. Zeke tried again, overlaying his intent on the sword. Whoosh! When he performed a simple horizontal slash, the mana didn’t dissipate. Zeke lowered his sword with a sigh.
He had learned his unique ability from a master in the Forbidden Forest of the Forgotten Ones, but having broken his vow and left the restricted area, he hadn’t learned all the techniques. As a result, he only knew a partial version of his ability, limiting his ability to perform advanced swordsmanship without the Sun Sword Gram, which converted mana into aura.
The problem was the semester evaluation. Without the ability to use aura, Zeke needed the Sword of Gellion for the evaluation, but there had been no word of it for months. If he took the evaluation now, he would likely fail, just as he had before his regression. Yet, to access the secure archives of Terracan Draker, he needed to enter Valhalla. As it was a restricted area for outsiders, the only way in was through admission.
“It’s one hurdle after another.”
Zeke abandoned the idea of using his unique ability for the Dragon Slayer techniques and resumed his sword training. Having grasped the basics of the Gale Technique, Zeke had already reached the level of a Purple Knight. In his past life, he had achieved the rank of a Red Knight, and he was determined to regain his former prowess as quickly as possible.
After finishing his training, Zeke returned to the floor, where Decker approached him. “Young master, a fellow student is here to see you.”
Zeke, who had no friends at the academy, was puzzled. He went to the reception room, curious about who it might be, and was surprised to find an unexpected visitor waiting for him.
“Liam Stone.”
The future mercenary king, Liam Stone, stood up stiffly, clearly nervous. He approached Zeke and knelt before him.
Zeke looked at Liam, puzzled. “What are you doing?”
Liam raised his head and spoke earnestly. “Please take me in.”
Caught off guard, Zeke asked, “Take you in? What do you mean?”
“If you accept me, I will pledge my loyalty to you.”
“Are you saying you want to become my subordinate?”
“I wish to serve you as my lord.”
Zeke was taken aback by the idea of a mere thirteen-year-old speaking of loyalty and servitude. He looked at Liam and said, “Do you even understand what a pledge of loyalty means?”
“I understand your concerns. Though distant, I am also of Draker blood. I know the weight of a loyalty pledge.”
Zeke silently chastised his past self for lecturing Liam Stone. He hadn’t expected Liam to come to him with a pledge of loyalty.
“Is this because of Leon’s group? If there’s been continued unjust violence…”
“It’s not because of fools like Leon Conrad. I can endure beatings and insults.”
“Then why come to me?”
“I want to go to Valhalla.”
In his past life, Liam hadn’t been able to go to Valhalla.
It was because Jaken Valdeck, who had been backing him, had turned his back.
In terms of skill alone, there was no reason Liam couldn’t make it to Valhalla. He was capable of breaking through the wall of the Red Knights without anyone’s help.
“You know my reputation at the academy. Swearing loyalty to me to get to Valhalla is absurd. Do you have something in mind?”
“It’s my intuition.”
“Intuition? You’re willing to pledge loyalty to me based on something so uncertain?”
“I’ve always had a good sense about things. Even though I wasn’t satisfied being by Jaken Valdeck’s side, I felt like there was something to gain from it.”
“But that intuition was wrong, wasn’t it? Are you sure it’s reliable?”
“If it weren’t for the duel with you, Jaken wouldn’t have abandoned me.”
Jaken pretended to be bold, but he was the most petty among his cousins. The fact that he cast Liam aside immediately after losing to Zeke in the pankration was proof enough.
Zeke pondered as he looked at Liam kneeling before him. ‘Should I take him in?’
Zeke had secrets he couldn’t reveal to anyone. If those secrets were exposed before he was fully prepared, he could be eliminated without a trace. Having weathered the storms of a harsh life, Zeke had every reason to be cautious.
At that moment, Liam spoke, looking up at Zeke. “If you want me to be mute, I’ll be mute. If you want me blind, I’ll be blind. If you want me deaf, I’ll be deaf. Please, just take me in.”
Zeke sensed a desperation in Liam. It wasn’t just intuition that drove the proud mercenary king to plead like this.
“Stand up,” Zeke commanded.
Liam flinched and looked at Zeke.
“I said, stand up.”
Liam sprang to his feet.
“Follow me.”
Zeke led Liam to the training room and handed him a sword. “If you can withstand my attack, I’ll take you in.”
Liam was taken aback. “You mean I just have to endure?”
Liam had awakened his aura and developed his lower dantian with exceptional talent. He had heard that Zeke received individual training from high-ranking knights, but he didn’t think the gap between them would be that significant, given they were the same age.
Without another word, Zeke picked up a claymore and activated the dragon skill, “Dragon’s Majesty.”
Swoooosh!
The oppressive force and killing intent nearly made Liam drop his sword. He gritted his teeth, struggling to hold on against the overwhelming pressure.
Zeke advanced, sword in hand.
Whoosh!
He executed a high-speed movement skill, blending the essence of the Gale Technique. At the same time, his sword, heavy with energy, descended toward Liam’s crown.
Liam forced his frozen muscles to move, raising his sword to block Zeke’s strike.
Clang!
But the moment their swords clashed, Liam couldn’t withstand the pressure and lost his grip. The oppressive force vanished instantly.
“Hah, hah…”
Liam, his palms raw from the brief clash, was drenched in cold sweat and gasped for air. He looked at Zeke standing before him, trembling with fear. Even without using aura, an insurmountable wall stood between them.
Zeke spoke to Liam. “Pathetic.”