The Return of the Betrayed Heir

31

Alex Pov

Morning light broke across the horizons. I stepped out of bed and changed into my training attire. 

'Good morning,' Tessarion sent a telepathic message into my mind.

"Good morning to you as well," I replied. The golden dragon was not resting within my shadow as usual. "Where are you currently?"

'Outside in the courtyard.'

"How did your massive frame even exit this tiny chamber?" I asked, genuinely baffled.

'Rouge taught me how to traverse from shadow to shadow.'

"That is an extraordinary ability," I mused.

Stepping outside into the crisp morning air, I found the training grounds already buzzing with activity as soldiers conducted their daily drills.

"Young Master Alex!" A familiar voice called out.

I turned to see Master Cain approaching. Hurrying over with a warm smile, I greeted him. "It is wonderful to see you, Master Cain."

"I should be saying the very same to you," Cain replied, his eyes assessing me approvingly. "Your name has been on everyone's lips lately."

I chuckled softly. "I have simply been spending a bit more time on the front lines."

"When you first arrived, rumors preceded you, but now there is hardly a Blood Knight who does not hold your martial prowess in high esteem," he noted. 

"What are your plans for today?" Cain asked.

"I intended to train for a while before visiting my uncle," I answered.

Cain smiled, drawing his training blade. "In that case, how about a sparring match?"

"With pleasure." Drawing my three-eyed black sword, Greed, from my dimensional rune, I stepped onto the dueling grounds. "I am ready when you are."

We lunged toward one another simultaneously, the collision of our blades ringing out across the courtyard. 

"You are even faster than before," Cain remarked as he parried my strike and forced me back.

Using Wind Steps, I instantly reappeared behind him. Cain reacted without hesitation, blocking the follow-up strike flawlessly. Charging my blade with Blood Flames, I unleashed three rapid slashes, yet Cain deflected every single one with practiced ease.

"Your technique has refined considerably," he praised.

Gathering the surrounding wind, I launched three sharp wind blades toward him. Cain dissipated them instantly with a swift arc of his sword. I could feel that he was no longer suppressing his power as heavily as he used to; he was now operating at nearly half his true capacity.

Activating Wind Steps once more, I closed the distance and unleashed a barrage. Cain manipulated the earth beneath us, raising massive stone spires to block my advance. 

"Dragon Blaze!" 

Dragons formed of Blood Flames tore through the stone structures, filling the air with dust and debris. Flashing behind Cain, I executed my piercing gale technique. Cain pivoted sharply, evading the thrust by a hair's breadth.

Panting heavily, I paused. Cain clapped his hands in genuine admiration. "At your age, possessing such strength... You may very well surpass the Patriarch himself one day."

"I appreciate the compliment, but I have yet to land a decisive blow on you," I replied, breathing heavily.

"I am afraid this match is over," Cain smiled faintly.

"What?"

"Those high-tier techniques consume far too much mana, do they not?"

He was right; my reserves were nearly depleted. Yet I forced a defiant smirk. "I am still standing."

"Are you certain?" Cain released his overwhelming aura and killing intent. The sheer weight of it made the air feel heavy, causing my knees to tremble. I forced the remaining mana from my cores throughout my body to keep from collapsing, but with every step Cain took forward, the pressure multiplied.

Swallowing hard, I felt my strength giving way until Cain abruptly suppressed his aura. "You truly possess remarkable fortitude."

I sank to the ground, taking deep gulps of air as sweat dripped from my forehead. Cain offered a hand to help me up. "One day, you will stand above all others."

Applauding erupted around the courtyard. I looked around in surprise to find a large crowd of Blood Knights watching us. 

"How much of his power did Master Cain actually use?" one soldier marvelled.

"I utilized just over half my strength," Cain admitted plainly, leaving the surrounding soldiers in stunned silence.

'That man is a monster,' I muttered mentally to Tessarion.

'He is formidable indeed,' Tessarion agreed seriously. 'However, your uncle is a true calamity. If Lord Corlis possesses such power, I can scarcely imagine the full extent of the Patriarch's strength. Furthermore, if you master the ancient serpent rune upon your arm, it will yield power far beyond your current expectations.'

"Where is my uncle?" I asked, mounting Tessarion as he emerged from my shadow.

'He awaits in the training cavern.'

Taking to the sky, I leaned against Tessarion's saddle, taking a moment to rest. Gazing at the endless sky, my thoughts drifted back to Gerard and Sally, wondering how their escape plan had unfolded amidst the onset of war. My cores throbbed with a familiar ache—the volatile mixture of magical energy and pure mana within my stars continuing to strain my physical limits.

Upon arriving at the mountain cavern, I found my uncle standing amidst dozens of high-grade mana crystals gathered from our previous mission.

"What are these for?" I asked, stepping inside.

"Ah, you have arrived," Corlis turned with a smile. "These crystals contain immense mana density. By exhausting your current reserves through intense combat and simultaneously absorbing this external energy, your body will naturally demand the formation of your next star, rendering the process far smoother."

He lifted my right arm, indicating the glowing mark. "And this serpent rune will serve as your greatest catalyst."

"I cannot wait to forge my next star," I said, clenching my fist.

Corlis immediately drew out the last remnants of my mana, triggering the activation of the serpent rune. We clashed instantly, fists and strikes echoing like thunder through the cavern. Corlis delivered a powerful counter-strike to my midsection, sending me skidding across the stone floor as a few ribs cracked under the impact.

Yet, the serpent rune glowed brilliantly, drawing vast amounts of mana from the surrounding crystals to rapidly heal my injuries and sustain my body. Magical energy and pure mana surged inward toward my heart, coalescing into the threshold of a brand-new star.

Corlis watched the phenomenon with visible excitement. "Remarkable... You are on the very verge of forming it."

As the rune faded, I wiped the blood from my mouth and stood tall, feeling the surges of power taking root within me. With every trial, I was drawing closer to surpassing my past limits.