Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Inside the mansion. The library of the Grand Duke of the North, where no light penetrates.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

In that dark space, the only sound was the tapping of the table.

For a while.

What will you do?

A figure rose from the darkness.

The attendant of the Grand Duke of the North, Han Sen.

He kneeled before the Grand Duke of the North.

Preparations are complete. Most of the nobles are gathered in the assembly hall. With many awakened ones present, we should be able to gather thirty years worth of blood power.

Thirty years

If you absorb it well, you should be able to hold it within your grasp in no time.

Being one of the thirteen esteemed figures atop the pyramid of the Bloodstone Cult.

Among them, being in the top five had a special meaning.

Finally being able to face the Bloodstone Cult Leader, it was also why the Grand Duke of the North, Richard Pierce, had dedicated himself to the Bloodstone Cult.

The eyes of the Grand Duke of the North glowed with a deep crimson color.

He closed his eyes wearily.

A chilling aura spread from him.

When he opened his eyes again, they were back to their original blue.

Have you examined the assembly hall?

That child is there.

Master Herman? Shall we give him a warning and extract him so he wont be sacrificed?

The Grand Duke of the North shook his head too easily.

No. They were raised for this purpose from the beginning.

Referring to his own offspring as them, the Grand Duke of the North was infinitely cold. It was something Han Sen was accustomed to. Rather, he was curious about what the Grand Duke of the North feared.

So its about the Blackangers bloodline.

The silence now would be affirmative.

Han Sen knew there was an interest in the child named Ian Blackangers, but he didnt expect the bloodline to be beyond ordinary.

The Grand Duke asked.

Can we reach the blood demon?

It seems difficult.

Then theres no need to challenge Lord Seven.

In the end, could it be because Ian is receiving attention from Lord Seven? Han Sen asked cautiously.

Why why is Lord Seven showing such interest in that child?

I do not know.

The Grand Duke of the Norths response was cold.

Wow!

Semifinals.

The tremendous cheers erupted from the spectators witnessing Ians glorious victory.

What was that! It was so flashy!

Ive never seen anyone use basic magic like that!

Not only the participants of the tournament but also those watching had some basic background knowledge.

And Ian was far different from what they thought of as a mage.

Usually, mages tend to be distant and pursue extreme damage from a distance.

But Ians fighting style was completely new.

As an Earth Elemental Mage who fought in close quarters, his main form of damage was physical.

I couldnt help but be excited by the emergence of a promising talent that I had never heard of or seen before.

Furthermore, the magic Ian actively utilized this time was the most basic skill of Earth Elemental Magic, Earth Bind.

The situation couldnt help but erupt in cheers. This was a situation where even children around ten years old, whose magical talents were just budding, or usable magic, had managed to outsmart a guardian knight of a noble family.

Click.

Capturing Ians image through the magic lens, Schwab smirked.

Look at that, they said hes different.

The high-ranking nobles seated in the front rows, who had previously ignored Ian and Schwab, were undeniably quiet. You didnt need to turn around to know that.

How satisfying.

Schwab suppressed the cheers that kept bursting out due to Ians performance.

Ian Blackangers would soon be recognized as one of the Empires most promising youths. However, Schwab had no intention of using Ians exploits for journalism right away.

With that level of ability, even without making him a knight, rumors would spread like wildfire.

And the moment Ian became famous and peoples attention was focused on him.

Ill start revealing these things one by one.

Thats how his genius would shine even brighter.

Of course, Schwabs evaluation of Ians genius was his own, as someone who recognized it from the start.

It seems luck is truly on my side at times.

To have randomly sat next to Ian on the Express and forged a camaraderie with him. Such luck was rare indeed.

.

Meanwhile.

That pathetic b*stard!

Count Limmkshs blood pressure soared as he clenched his teeth.

Even knowing that Herman Pierce was sitting next to him, he couldnt hold back the curses bubbling up.

Of all things, it was the familys Guardian Knight.

How much effort did he put into finding a young and talented individual to win this tournament!

The money invested in that guy alone was worth hundreds of gold.

And the center of the wave is the arena.

Ian stared silently at it.

Blood droplets were scattered around.

He just thought it was the result of the previous combat.

Thirteen.

Thirteen drops of blood.

Ian understood their significance.

Ian unconsciously took a step back.

Are you afraid now?

Herman spoke.

With his casual and self-assured face, Ian was taken aback.

Even someone who reached that level of strength didnt sense this?

Someone who had reached the late phase of a 4-Star.

It was hard to believe that such a person couldnt sense this chilling wave.

Then is it an illusion?

No. Ian had a gut feeling.

This was something more sinister and powerful that someone like Herman, someone who could be called such as, was unleashing.

Sssaaaah

Once again. Its that wave.

This time, it passed through the skin like a snake slithering.

Ian hastily looked around.

The bewildered spectators gazing at him.

No one knows.

No one else feels this sensation.

Why only me?

Is it an illusion?

The waves frequency increased.

This time, it pierced through the skin, reaching the mana circuit.

In that moment.

Tsuz!

His ability, Dishwashing, activated automatically.

A clear signal that something was wrong.

Damn it.

Ian turned and ran.

He paid no heed to the murmurs around him.

Where is Danya?

Pointed ears caught his attention.

Danya!

He grabbed her hand.

W-why are you like this?

We need to get out of here. As soon as possible Ugh!

Tsuzuzuzuz!

Once again, the wave collided with Ians ability.

A convulsion that felt like his body was being turned inside out.

Th-there, Lina is there too!

Lina! Run for now!

Okay!

People in Ians sight were panicking.

If they stayed still, they would become sacrifices.

Everyone, get out of here as soon as possible!

With that shout, Ian grabbed Danya and Linas hands.

He was planning to use [Leap] like that.

Its uncertain whether its safe or possible to move with several people, but theres no time to consider such things.

Hold on tight.

Ians body floated lightly.

Just as he was about to be propelled forward with a slight static charge.

Tsuzuzuzuz!

The twelfth wave pierced Ians body.

The balance of mana collapsed, causing [Leap] to fail and stagger.

Damn it.

No more waves were felt.

Instead.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heart beat roughly.

Ddududuk!

A chilling sound was growing louder from behind.

Ian turned around as it grew louder.

Ggududududuk!

Space was being swallowed by darkness and crumpling.

Richard, you insane b*stard.

A curse escaped his lips.

Then, darkness enveloped his vision.