2026-01-28 02:46:09
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 14: The Plan
Marcus spread a hand-drawn map on the table. It showed the imperial capital's tournament arena. Grandfather Octavius, Lydia, and Julian gathered around to look."The tournament has three stages," Marcus explained. "Preliminary matches, semi-finals, and the final. Cassian's assassins will strike during the chaos of the preliminary rounds when hundreds of fighters are competing.""How do you know this?" Julian asked."Diana told me. She has sources inside the capital." Marcus pointed to different sections of the arena. "Assassins will be disguised as competitors, guards, and spectators. They'll attack from all sides when I'm focused on my official match."Octavius stroked his beard. "Twenty trained killers against one boy, even a talented one. The odds are terrible.""That's why I'm not fighting alone." Marcus looked at each of them. "I need you all to enter the tournament with me."Lydia's eyes widened. "But I'm only first class warrior. The tournament requires at least second class to
Chapter 13: The Tracker Arrives
Marcus woke before dawn as usual. His body still ached from yesterday's training, but he ignored it. Pain meant progress.He dressed quietly and headed to the forest. Even though Grandfather Octavius was training him now, Marcus still practiced alone in the mornings. Some habits were hard to break.The forest was peaceful at this hour. Birds were just starting to sing. Mist hung between the trees like ghosts.Marcus began his sword forms, moving slowly and deliberately. Octavius's lessons had changed how he practiced. Every movement now had purpose. No wasted energy. No flashy techniques."You're improving," a voice said from behind a tree.Marcus spun around, his sword ready. A woman stepped into view. She was young, maybe twenty, with short black hair and cold gray eyes. She wore tracker's clothing, all browns and greens that blended with the forest."Who are you?" Marcus demanded."My name is Selene. I'm here to observe you." She moved closer with confident steps. "King Cassian wan
Chapter 12: Training Begins
Two weeks passed since the assassin's attack. Marcus's wounds healed completely, faster than normal. The academy healer said it should have taken a month, but Marcus recovered in days."Your body is strange," the healer told him. "It's like something inside you speeds up healing. I've never seen anything like it."Marcus knew it was the golden energy. The same power that saved him in the river three years ago. But he still didn't understand what it was or where it came from.Now he stood in a private training ground behind Grandfather Octavius's residence. The old man had cleared this area specifically for Marcus's training."Your foundation is good," Octavius said, watching Marcus practice sword forms. "But you've been teaching yourself. That creates bad habits.""What kind of bad habits?" Marcus asked."You rely too much on raw power and speed. Against weaker opponents, that works. But against someone truly skilled, you'll lose." Octavius picked up a wooden practice sword. "Attack m
Chapter 11: The Spy's Mistake
Felix ran through the dark streets toward his rented room. His heart beat fast with excitement. The information he had was worth a fortune.The lost prince was alive. He was at Iron Sword Academy. He was already an Earth King warrior at ten years old. King Cassian would pay anything for this news.Felix reached his room and locked the door. He lit a candle and took out paper and ink. His hands shook as he started writing.Your Majesty, I have proof. The boy Marcus is your nephew, Prince Marcus Aurelius. He has reached Earth King level and plans to attend the tournament. He wants revenge for...Someone knocked on the door.Felix stopped writing. Who would visit this late? He hid his letter under other papers."Who is it?" he called."A friend with information," a woman's voice said.Felix relaxed a little. Maybe another spy? He opened the door slightly, keeping the chain locked.The scarred woman from the forest stood outside. Before Felix could move, she pushed hard. The chain broke a
Chapter 10: The Truth Revealed
The academy healer worked quickly on Marcus's wounds. The knife cuts were deep but clean. Nothing vital had been damaged. Still, he'd lost a lot of blood."You're lucky," the healer said, wrapping bandages around his torso. "A few inches to the left and that blade would have pierced your lung. What kind of training accident causes knife wounds?""The dangerous kind," Grandfather Octavius answered from the doorway. "Leave us. I need to speak with Marcus alone."The healer bowed and left. Lydia tried to stay, but Octavius shook his head. "You too, Rouxi. This is between Marcus and me.""But Grandfather...""Please. Trust me."Lydia left reluctantly, closing the door behind her. The room fell silent except for the sound of Marcus's breathing.Octavius pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down. For a long moment, he just looked at Marcus. His old eyes seemed to see everything."I've suspected for a while now," Octavius finally said. "But I wanted you to tell me yourself. So I'm asking
Chapter 9: The Assassin's Choice
Marcus barely dodged. The dagger grazed his shoulder, cutting through cloth and skin. He rolled backward, putting distance between them."Not bad," the assassin said. "Most people don't dodge my first strike."She attacked again, both daggers moving in a deadly dance. Marcus blocked with his sword, but the impact sent shocks through his arms. She was much stronger."You just broke through," the woman continued, circling him. "Your energy is unstable. You can't control your new power yet. This fight is already over."She was right. Marcus's body felt strange, like wearing clothes that didn't fit properly. His energy surged unpredictably, sometimes too much, sometimes too little.But he couldn't give up. If she reported to Cassian, everyone at the academy would be in danger."I don't need perfect control to beat you," Marcus said, trying to sound confident.The assassin laughed. "Brave words. Let's test them."She moved like a shadow, appearing beside Marcus in an instant. Her dagger th
You may also like
World Evolution
Zero_writer51.2K viewsReturn of the S-class Young Master
IceFontana1818.7K viewsPaths of Extinction
TheCrow34.1K viewsWake Up With Super Villain System
Oceanna Lee13.6K viewsA Cat's Tale (The Secret Desires of Hotaru Nyanko)
Apollo Zen1.9K viewsThe Last Moon of Eldervale
FelconLee293 viewsThe King of the Vampire Island
G. SAROWAR1.3K viewsSystem: Ordinary Schoolboy's Level-Up
Mc - Xav217 views