The Spirit Veins Awakening Ceremony was scheduled to begin in less than an hour. Because of this, a large number of people had already gathered at the location where the ceremony would take place. They were here to participate in the ceremony as they were unawakened wizards looking to grasp a chance at a better future.
When the carriage pulled up at the site of the spirit veins awakening ceremony, numerous heads turned in its direction, attracted by the prominent Khaleji family symbol it displayed.
In Serphendale, the name 'Khaleji' held significant weight and prestige. Everyone wanted to curry favor with them. However, when they recognized the individual stepping out of the carriage as the so-called 'trash' of the Khaleji family, their interest waned as swiftly as a bird's droppings plummeting through the sky, and they quickly looked away.
Valerius's emotions didn't sway in the face of the crowd's indifference.
He wasn't hurt or offended by their behavior.
Instead, he felt glad.
Their lack of attention meant he could scan the crowd for the protagonist without unnecessary distractions!
However, within the very next heartbeat, Valerius's relieved expression vanished, only to be replaced by a penetrating ice-cold glare, as a jeering and unmistakably familiar voice rang out from behind him, saying,
"Brother Valerius! You shouldn't be here. This esteemed ceremony is meant for the physically and mentally strong, not for someone like you, who's as fragile as a freshly fallen snowflake, crumbling apart with just a touch. Seriously, participating in this ceremony will do nothing but subject you to public ridicule. Let me offer you a piece of unsolicited advice: spare both yourself and our illustrious Khaleji name from further embarrassment and return to the hole you crawled out of. Believe me, you're infinitely better off doing nothing than tarnishing our family's reputation."
The voice was loud enough to attract the attention of the crowd nearby. They started pointing fingers at Valerius, making rude remarks about him.
Valerius took a deep breath to contain the rising fury within him before he turned around to face the source of that scornful voice.
Before him stood a robust figure with a face that was youthful and handsome, but its appeal was diminished by the arrogance radiating from it.
The haughty young man was 190.5 cm, had black hair meticulously trimmed in a neat soldier cut, and wore a purplish-black robe paired with black pants, and boots adorned with a golden insignia. Lastly, his muscles were so pronounced that they were almost outlined beneath his clothes.
Currently, his piercing eyes were looking down at Valerius with evident disdain.
A glance at this hateful figure was enough for Valerius to recognize him as Elrik.
Elrik was his older cousin
This cousin of his wasn't particularly gifted himself and, much like Valerius, was also an unawakened wizard, but he was never shunned for being an unawakened wizard as not only was he from a branch family of the Khaleji, but his robust physique practically guaranteed his success in awakening at least one spirit vein during the ceremony, meaning he would become a wizard one day for sure.
Of course, the Khalejis had their fair share of prodigies in this generation too who had naturally opened the entrances of their arcane hearts as early as 10 years old. Most notably, the son of the Khaleji family head was born a wizard as his arcane heart entrance miraculously opened up when he was in his mother's womb. Thus, he was considered a once-in-a-millennium genius!
In the presence of these gifted individuals, Elrik would always display a facade of humility and act humbly, never daring to slight or cross them.
However, when it came to interacting with those he perceived as being 'below' him in terms of talent or status within the family, his true colors would emerge.
He reveled in belittling, taunting, and making a spectacle out of them.
On this particular day, Valerius had become the unfortunate focus of Elrik's twisted desires.
It's important to know that Elrik had chosen Valerius as the target of his verbal abuse after careful consideration.
He was incredibly cunning and knew how to navigate the rules and laws of the Khaleji family.
Physically harming a person from the main family of the Khaleji was strictly off-limits for any members of the branch families.
Such an act would undoubtedly lead to severe repercussions.
However, Valerius wasn't favored within the House of Khaleji. It was quite evident from the fact that the Khaleji did little to dispel the negative rumors about him that were spreading in Serph.
Thus, he found it safe to assume that he could verbally abuse him without fear of retribution, and there was another reason why he targeted him.
In his twisted psyche, there was a certain thrill, a perverted pleasure, in belittling someone from the esteemed main family house of the Khaleji family, especially when he couldn't confront or challenge them in any direct way, and he was ready to get high on it.
'When a dog barks at you, it's best to not bite back.'
Since he had the memories of the original owner of the body, Valerius could tell what kind of character he had. Elrik wasn't just a cheap person; he was a total sociopath who felt delight in causing pain and misery to others.
In Valerius's experience, the most effective strategy when dealing with such individuals was to ignore them, to not give them the satisfaction of a reaction.
He had every intention of ignoring Elrik when an unexpected monotone voice rang in his mind.
The monotone voice said, "The main Quest 'Teach an Unforgettable Lesson to the Bully' has been issued by the Quest Book. Description: Elrik of the House of Khaleji has gone unpunished for his misdeeds for too long. It's time someone did the world a favor and took the initiative to introduce him to the harsh realities he has so long been shielded from because of his status and loving parents. If you successfully complete the quest, you will gain a magic artifact called the Shielding Glove. If you fail to complete the quest, you'll be punished."
With these words ringing in his ears, Valerius's mind completely changed.
This time he wasn't asked if he wanted to accept the quest. It was forcefully assigned to him. He guessed that the Quest book had two types of quests. The first was a regular quest, and the second was a main quest. He could choose to accept a regular quest, but he had no choice when it came to a main quest. He had to do it whether he liked it or not!
Valerius didn't know what the punishment for failing the quest would be, but he was not interested in finding out.
He was determined, now more than ever, to see this quest to its completion, even if it meant pushing Elrik under the bus. Elrik had it coming, and Valerius was ready to ensure he received his just deserts.
Moreover, the reward for completing the quest was far too enticing to simply brush aside.
In Serphandale, there existed items that could bestow unique attributes and abilities upon their wielders.
These items were called magic artifacts.
Magic artifacts were categorized based on their effects into various ranks.
Valerius didn't know the rank of the Shielding Glove as it wasn't mentioned but even if it was the weakest magic artifact at the very bottom of the magic artifact hierarchy, possessing it was significantly better than not having any at all.
Moreover, for someone like him, who wasn't even a wizard, such an item was undoubtedly invaluable.
'It could potentially be a game-changer for me in my future battles! I must acquire it,' Valerius thought as a glint of determination flashed in his eyes.
He looked straight into Elrik's eyes and calmly said, "I also have some advice for you, cousin Elrik. If you don't open your mouth, no one will know you're stupid."
At his words, Elrik's face turned a shade redder as he bristled with indignation.
"You dare to scold me?" he spat out, voice dripping with venom.
Valerius raised an eyebrow playfully, "Is there another person named Elrik here?"
Elrik, in a burst of anger, raised his hand to strike Valerius, but Valerius stood his ground, unflinching. He was confident that Elrik wouldn't dare lay a hand on him, especially in public. As expected, Elrik hesitated for a moment before lowering his hand, still glaring fiercely at him.
Armand looked amused as he watched them bicker like little children. He had no intention of interfering in their matter.
"You think you'll succeed?" Elrik said.
"Not only am I certain I'll succeed in this ceremony, but I am also confident I will outperform you," Valerius retorted.
"You're delusional," Elrik sneered.
"The delusional one is you. Since you seem so confident in your beliefs, how about we make it interesting? Let's make a wager." Valerius proposed.
Elrik leaned in slightly towards him and said, "Consider me interested."
"Let's bet on who awakens the most spirit veins in the ceremony between the two of us. The loser will have to kneel before the gathered crowd, on all fours, and bark like a dog. What do you say?" Valerius, with a confident smile playing on his lips, laid out his challenge to his cousin.
"Very well, cousin. I accept your little wager. Prepare to embarrass yourself in front of the gathered crowd today," Elrik replied arrogantly before rudely and intentionally bumping into Valerius's shoulder and walking away.
'Childish,' Valerius cursed him in his mind as he nearly toppled over when the big man-child bumped into him.