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Chapter 155
The road to the Ashworth estate was long.Three days of travel through forests and farmland. Draven could've hired a carriage, but he wanted the time alone. Time to think. Time to prepare.His team had left a day earlier. They'd be in a town near the estate by now, out of sight but close. Just in case.Draven walked at a steady pace, his pack light. The weights were gone for now. His body felt quick and strong after six weeks of training.But his mind was heavy.Every step brought him closer to his father. To Garrett. To the expectations and games and everything he'd left behind when he came to the academy.He didn't want to go back.But he didn't have a choice.The first two days passed without incident. Quiet roads. Small villages. Normal travel.On the third day, everything changed.Draven was cutting through a section of old forest. The kind with trees so thick they blocked the sun. Ancient. Untouched.He heard the sound first. Like tiny bells ringing in the wind.Then he saw the
Chapter 154
Draven woke before dawn.He dressed quietly, grabbed his sword, and headed to the training grounds before anyone else was awake. The academy was silent. Dark. Just the way he wanted it.He stopped by the equipment shed first. Found what he was looking for in the back corner.Training weights.Heavy iron bands designed to strap around the waist, wrists, and ankles. Old school conditioning. The kind that built real strength, not just magical power.Draven picked up the waist belt. Twenty pounds of solid iron. He strapped it on and felt the weight settle against his hips.Then the ankle weights. Ten pounds each.Then the wrist weights. Five pounds each.Fifty pounds total. Every movement would be harder. Every swing slower. Every step heavier.Perfect.He walked to the training grounds and started with basic forms. The sword felt different with the extra weight. His arms burned faster. His legs protested.But that was the point.Draven worked through the first form. Then the second. By t
Chapter 153
The letter arrived three days after Garrett left.Draven recognized the seal immediately. The Ashworth family crest pressed into dark red wax. Official. Formal. The kind of letter that demanded attention.He took it from the messenger without a word and walked back to his room.The door closed behind him. He sat on his bed and stared at the envelope.He already knew what it said. Garrett had warned him. But seeing it made everything real.Draven broke the seal and unfolded the paper.The handwriting was his father's. Precise. Military. No wasted strokes.Draven,The Ashworth family gathering will take place in seven weeks at the main estate. Your attendance is required. Representatives from allied families will be present, including the Thornspikes, the Valerons, and the Drakes.You will arrive three days before the main event for preparation and briefing. Appropriate attire will be provided. You will be expected to demonstrate your progress at the academy during the exhibition portio
Chapter 152
Garrett found Draven alone on the third day.Not by accident. Draven could tell from the way his brother walked up. Calculated. Purposeful."We need to talk," Garrett said."About what?""About why I'm really here."They were in the library courtyard. Quiet. Private. Garrett sat on the stone bench and gestured for Draven to join him.Draven stayed standing.Garrett smiled. Not the warm smile he showed others. This one was sharp. "Still stubborn. Good. You'll need that.""What are you talking about?""I wasn't just visiting, Draven. Father sent me."The words hung in the air between them."To check on me," Draven said flatly."To assess you." Garrett leaned back. "The family's been hearing stories. Draven Ashworth destroying the Dragonfire Sovereign Art. Surviving impossible tombs. Making a name for himself. Father wanted to know if the stories were true.""And?""And they are. You've gotten stronger. A lot stronger." Garrett's eyes were calculating. "That's a problem.""For who?""For
Chapter 151
Garrett woke Draven up at dawn. "Come on, little brother. Training time." Draven groaned and pulled his pillow over his head. "It's too early." "The sun's up. That means we're late." Garrett yanked the blanket off. "Up. Now." "I hate you." "I hate you too. Get dressed." "if you hate me then why do you want to train? You've hated me my whole life," There was silence. "I was given an obligation to do this, don't make me more angry than I am," Five minutes later, Draven found himself on the training grounds while the rest of the academy still slept. Garrett was already stretching, looking far too awake for this hour. "Why are we here?" Draven asked. "Because I want to see what you can do. Really do. Not the stories. Not the legends. You." "You could've waited until after breakfast." "Breakfast is for after training." Garrett tossed him a practice sword. "Show me what the tomb survivor can do." Draven caught the sword and rolled his shoulders. Fine. If Garrett wanted to see
Chapter 150
Draven found a quiet spot behind the library.A stone bench tucked between two trees where no one really went. Perfect for thinking. For processing.He sat down and let himself breathe.The pendant was warm against his chest. Not calling. Just present. Waiting.Draven closed his eyes and let the memories surface.Pyrion's tomb. The trials. The Dragonfire Sovereign Art burning in his hands before he destroyed it. The weight of that choice still sat heavy sometimes.King Aldrich's soldiers. Their memories flowing into the pendant. Centuries of loyalty and service. Knowledge that made him stronger but also more aware of his limitations.The mill. Running through the forest. The jump into the ravine. The cold water. The failure.Draven opened his eyes and stared at the trees above. Leaves rustled in the breeze. Birds called. Normal afternoon sounds.So much had happened in just a few months. He'd gone from a nobody student to someone people whispered about. The man who rejected power. The
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