Ashoka returned to the building where he stayed in the tempest manor along with Sudhatta after the end of the test.
And spent time with Chandra who returned shortly after since she wasn't permitted to stay there.
He didn't talk a lot, but because there were many things Chandra was curious about, the conversation kept going.
Not to mention the crybaby Sudhatta who hung onto Chandra like a chameleon.
They only returned to their respective rooms after talking for over six hours.
'I'm tired.'
Ashoka sighed as he closed the door.
Time spent with Chandra was comfortable, but it was also more exhausting than training.
{Ahem. Finally, a satisfying meal after such a long time. From now on, you should eat here every day.}
Draco wasn't angry for once. It looked like he was satisfied with Hema's cooking and especially the dessert since he kept talking about it.
{The meals at the training ground were like dog food. I can't even stand the sight of it anymore.}
"I'm sorry to break it to you, but we have to keep eating till the training ends."
Since he'd become an official trainee Knight, he had to stay there for years.
{Damn it!}
Draco ground his teeth. He was a parasitic dragon king that wanted tasty food. It was ridiculous.
{Anyway, I had something to ask you.}
"Ask me?", Ashoka was curious as to what the self-centered lizard want to ask him.
{Ashoka Maurya, who the hell are you?}
Draco, who was hanging on his wrist, returned to his blue flame form.
{This Monarch has seen countless humans, and also lived as a human for hundreds of years. However, this Monarch has never seen anyone like you.}
Draco's flame burned up explosively. It was even more fierce than the first time they'd met.
{This Monarch could feel it. You are hiding something special. Now tell me your true identity…}
"Hey, Draco."
{A mere human shouldn't dare call this Monarch by some short name!}
"There's something more important than my identity or your name."
{What…?!}
"Your memory is worse than I thought."
The corners of Ashoka's lips lifted as he looked down at Draco.
"Our bet is over. Stop saying silly things and give me my reward."
"Don't tell me you forgot about it."
Ashoka tapped Draco, who was floating on his shoulder.
{This monarch is the one who ruled over dragons in the past.}
Hot flames radiated from Draco.
{This monarch has not lied once since it came into existence.}
He said proudly.
{Me and you are bound by a contract called 'bet'. The rewards will be given, even if you don't want them. So don't worry about it.}
"Then give them to me already."
{I'm asking you one thing before that.}
"What?"
{How did you pierce through the pointy-eared bastard's pressure, and how did you copy that arrogant guy's martial art?}
Draco's question was exactly what Ashoka had expected.
"Give me the rewards first."
{Hmm… Alright.}
Draco gave in unexpectedly fast to Ashoka's demand than usual.
Once Draco's blue flame fluttered like a butterfly, messages appeared in the air.
[You have won the bet against Draco.]
[The rewards are being handed out.]
[All stats have increased by 2.]
Ashoka bit his lip in ecstasy as the increase in stats washed over his body. However, there were still more rewards.
[A random trait of Drakorinith, the dragon monarch is being generated.]
[The 'Omni-Perception'(proficiency-F) has been generated.]
"Omni-Perception?"
Ashoka tilted his head as he looked at the trait's name.
{A trait too good for your insignificance has been chosen.}
"What does it do?"
{It's an ability that increases the range of your perception. Since it's proficiency is less, you will only be able to increase your perception by it.}
"Increase perception...?"
{To be precise, the skill increase your senses, at current proficiency, you can increase your perception by 10%.}
"Ten percent…"
If Ashoka could perceive ten meters around him, then it would become eleven meters with that trait.
It didn't look like much, but if the range of his perception increased, then the trait's use would increase accordingly.
{This monarch could perceive ten times more than his original perception. Besides, if you achieve high proficiency, it is possible to create illusions by manupliting other's senses}
"Oh...I see."
When he thought about it, the also had (Proficiency-F) attached to it. That signified that the trait was going to develop in the future.
"That's pretty good."
Ashoka nodded. As a fan of fantasy novels he knew perception will be more important than power to survive. As such, he was satisfied with a trait increasing his perception range.
{Since the bet with This monarch is over…}
As Draco was about to approach him, a new message appeared.
[You have achieved your first victory in a bet with Draco.]
[The title 'First Victory' has been created.]
[The title's effect has increased all stats by 1.]
"Eh?"
{Damn!}
Despite being unable to see the status window, Draco could see the messages. His jaw dropped.
{You damn rat! How dare you steal This monarch's stats once again!}
"I didn't do it, your system did it on its own. Also, isn't one point nothing compared to your main body's abilities?"
{Of… of course!}
"Then it doesn't really matter."
{That's true, but…}
Draco awkwardly rolled his eyes, then sighed.
{Haa, alright. It's fine. It's your turn now. Tell me your identity.}
"Don't wanna."
{What? What did you just say…?!}
"I don't want to."
Ashoka shook his head with a straight face.
He had no intention of telling his secrets to the lizard which is waiting to take over his body.
{Are you mocking this monarch? You said you would reveal your identity…}
"I didn't say anything like that. I only asked you to give me my rewards first."
{Eh…}
Draco's jaw dropped as he recalled exactly what happened.
"Isn't that right? I never told you I would answer."
Ashoka slightly smiled.
'I shouldn't tell him about the reincarnation.'
Ashoka had no intention of giving any information to Draco to begin with.
'Because he is an enemy.'
They had gotten a bit closer, but Draco was still aiming for his body and soul. He couldn't give him any information, no matter how small it was.
{You made a fool of this monarch!}
Draco couldn't hold back his anger anymore and radiated blue flames. Ashoka felt the pain of tens of thousands of knives piercing his skin.
'But I can endure it.'
Suppressing Draco's flames, which was filling his heart with emotion, Ashoka smiled.
"You never learn. Attacking me when nothing else is happening will only result in your loss."
{Shut up!}
Draco's flame became even more fierce. The flamess penetrated his bones, and his limbs started to tremble.
Whap!
The mana in his mana circuit was agitated by the excessive external stimulation, making it extremely painful.
"Huu…"
Inhaling slowly, Ashoka used his 'Enhance art of mana circulation'.
The pain began to subside.
{What a brute! How are you even withstanding it?!}
"Willpower."
He casually responded, though his insides weren't the same.
It was difficult to hold on, despite having the 'Enhance art of mana circulation' and 'Resistance against all attributes'.
Gritting his teeth, he endured it with everything he had. At that moment, a blue window appeared in front of his eyes.
[You have displayed extreme willpower in facing Drakorinith's attack.]
[Agility and Stamina have increased by 1.]
When the messages announcing an increase in stats appeared, Ashoka's mind and body were filled with vitality. The hot flames pressing down on his mana circuit also started to subside.
{Damn it!}
Draco cursed and left his body. His anger was the same, but he realized he was hurting himself by doing that.
{Just who the hell are you?! This monarch has never witnessed a human like you, not in the entire history of humanity.}
"I'm not sure, either."
It wasn't a joke.
Why was he reincarnated? Why was he born as the son of the emperor, and why was he paired with Draco? He didn't have the answer to any of those questions.
{Don't underestimate this monarch, who will reveal your identity at all costs and consume your body and soul!}
"As I keep saying—do it, if you can."
Ashoka smiled and sat on the bed. The goose that laid the golden egg did an excellent job, once again.
"By the way…"
Ashoka's eyes, directed out the window drew a half-moon arc in happiness.
_______________
Name: Ashoka Maurya
Title: First Victory.
Mana Attribute: Umbra (Shadow and dark)
Trait: Resistant against all attributes (Level 2), Heart of Iron.
Mana circulation method: Enhanced art of mana circulation.
-------
Strength: 25
Agility: 26
Stamina: 23
Energy: 25
Perception: 28.6(26+2.6) ->due to passive skill<-
------
Skills:
Active: Revolving Tiger palm.
Passive: Omni-Perception.
_______________
Seeing the result of the six-month training and the rewards from the bet, Ashoka felt as if eating honey.
"That's sweet"
He gleamed in joy going through the status and Draci groned inwardly.
Without realizing he was slowing taking steps towards becoming a true 'Chakravarthi'.
---***---
--Sunday Surprise--