**Loki POV**
"I can help? I doubt I'd be able to handle a Kobold General in a one on one, much less being able to damage the King." While Kobolds were right alongside Goblins for being some of the weakest monsters, a King monster should never be underestimated after all just their presence allows those under them to go berserk at times. Even assuming he could get a few more levels he didn't see how he could function even as a support unless the assumption was he could provide troops.
"Nya? Father said your dark magic or whatever would work if I'm around." Loki had furrowed his brows as he wasn't buying it especially considering that incident with the bersek goblins. Eurys took this silence as an opportunity to speak.
"Now I understand what I felt Your Highness. This Ria carries a special darkness bloodline." The mention of a special bloodline brought Loki's focus back to a lesson on bloodlines.
**The lesson on bloodlines.**
"Bloodlines or the idea that strength to a degree can be passed down aside from matters of race is something we learned about through the Status System. During the time since the Status System has come about, we have broadly categorized bloodlines in the following ways." Scyren had unfurled some parchment scrolls for the sake of this lesson and had it hanging on the wall.
Common: People with higher stats and potential will produce offspring with the relevant higher stats. A child born to two mages will generally have more magic talent than a first generation mage.
Special: A heritage that boosts the affinity with a single element to the point that stats are slightly weaker and other elements are unusable. This increased affinity will have a person with the relevant affinity be able to more freely manipulate spells and cast higher ranked spells with little to no practice and in addition to that it would cost less mana. Furthermore, if they focus they can amplify spells of their element or lessen the resistance enemies have towards that element.
True: A bloodline that distinguishes those who awaken it as a separate race with the High Elf Ancient Blood being an example. As such it is most commonly called Ancient Blood with a majority of True Bloodlines being those of Ancient Bloodlines.
"Of course there might be people who speak of more classifications though these are the main categories that are more widely recognized. This is part of the reason why the Verdant Council might become rather persistent at times with Your Highness." For a second it looked like even Scyren dreaded such a situation despite all his years.
**Loki POV**
"A special bloodline? Doesn't that make her feat of winning all the more ridiculous then? ... Wait ... did she do something like use Shadow Nail to stop them? Or did she cloak her presence? Though at the minimum one would need B rank dark magic for that ... Are special bloodlines truly that wondrous?" Loki hadn't put that much stock into special bloodlines seeing them at most as playing a supporting role or just being inferior, though he was reevaluating that assumption due to a potential living example currently cuddling with him despite his attempts to escape.
"Nyaaa! Correct~ You really are a smart cutie like the cloaked guys said! Is it because they said the sparkles you made once represented a hidden something?" Loki's struggling had actually died down for a few moments as he digested what Ria had just said.
(Hmm, so the special bloodlines really should be considered for large battles especially something like fire or wind I'd imagine. I feel like she just admitted to her tribe having spies and ones that were fairly deep at that? I'm pretty sure I was only announced as a unique after all. Surely, I heard things right? Right?)
"Considering how Demi-Humans traditionally tend to have less mages, would you want me to use Deprivation Whip perhaps? Hopefully turning the Kobold King into a moving target?" That was the first thing that had come to Loki's mind after recalling some of the abilities special bloodlines were said to posess.
"Nya! That's right! Chief's plans are to leave it helpless and widdle it down. Some other tribes will help as well though it sounded like he was quite wary of them." Those words were both reassuring and worrying for Eurys who was thinking of Loki's safety as his top priority.
"We can talk about the specifics of this later. Ria could you please not get in front of my eyes? It is my duty to at least watch these matches if nothing else." It was more embarrassing than anything else especially with what Loki felt like was an odd mix of Deference and an adoration for his cuteness at the current moment from Ria.
Ria had nodded her head as if asserting to his request though Loki for his part was rather doubtful of how much she would hold back even if he could see the fights more often now. The matches within the Adult Division were either rather underwhelming or something that had the spectators on the edge of their seats.
There was a trend that Loki had noticed and he looked over at Eurys who with a wry smile once he noticed the trend began to explain. "As you might have summarized Your Highness, many of the contestants that appeared to be more well trained often have spent time at the Yulian Academy. It is after all an institution supported by most all nations and safeguarded by the Yulian Theocracy."
Monsters and more specifically the Monster Kings let alone the Monster Lord that might follow being the threat they are often require the summoning of a Hero and those who are strong enough to support them. A number of entry slots are reserved for the higher born of the supporting nations as a way to compensate for the funds and resources provided to the Yulian Academy.
Unlike the Imperial Zoval Academy which exclusively focuses on nurturing the future generations of the Empire, the Yulian Academy's sole focus is to raise those who will resist and hopefully one day repel Monster kind. This is both for direct matters such as physical and magical combat training as well as the strategists, administrators and other roles which would provide the relevant support.
One clash of wooden weapon against another could be heard with shouts ringing out as the contestants fought. Oohs and Aahs from the audience were practically a staple and Loki's eyes were gleaming whenever he would see the way some of them utilized whatever magic was allowed by the rules. One contestant was using wind blades to extend the reach of their sword fighting like a spellblade while there was an earth mage in another fight who had made mud golem to fight for them. Sadly though from what Loki noticed pure mages rarely received applause even if they won a crushing victory in these matches though perhaps he had been getting his hopes up for expecting it to happen otherwise.
One particular match-up had earned a special announcement from the host. "On one corner we have the Rose Berseker, Thylia, An A-Rank Adventurer! A half-elf whose other half of her heritage is shrouded in mystery! In the other corner we have Wein, the Spearmaster of the Imperial Guard! Both of these individuals have won numerous championships! Who will prevail under the watchful eyes of His Highness Prince Loki Drai Zoval!!"
(The Rose Berserker and the Spearmaster of the Imperial Guard is it? Both should by their titles and ranks be practically equivalent or on the same level for a fight.)
That thought in his mind, Loki inquired with Eurys and it didn't take past a few seconds for an explanation to start.
"Thylia, as you can see is wielding a greatsword and Sir Wein is using a spear as his title suggests. I'd say the core of this match will be who sets the pace. Going by the weapons alone I'd say Wein will focus on trying to have a battle of attrition. A greatsword shines when a battle can end sooner and the shape will become more of a pain the longer a fight like this goes on."
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The spear was practically moving in a blur occasionally leaving behind an afterimage as it clashed with the greatsword that Thylia was wielding. Of course there were plenty of dust clouds being kicked up and cracks appearing in the floor whenever Thylia would attempt to finish the fight in a single blow. Both fighters had sweat dripping down constantly as despite this not being the finals, all of the other contestants were a notch below these two.
The change in the fight came from Thylia's end as she threw her sword with enough power to cause it to shatter the ground of the stage like it never existed, though it also ruined her weapon. In the time that Wein had jumped to dodge she closed in with her fists managing to connect a solid blow pushing Wein back several feet and almost out of bounds.
Her gamble having been rendered null Wein stirred himself in a counterattack and won after pressing his spear against at her throat. "This victory is mine, though it apalls me that one like you can possess such strength." Thylia had a scowl on her face though she accepted her defeat to the old member of the Imperial Guard.
That of course prompted another round of droning from the announcer which Loki was tuning out and while slightly uncomfortable he had started to meditate not wanting to waste time. If he could win his first succession ranking match, then he would be in a position where he can make a request of his Father. He had a request in mind that he wanted to make above all else for the initial plans he has in mind.
As expected Wein had won the tournament earning more recognition for the Imperial Guard despite some people berating an old man who stole the spotlight. Like that Loki led Ria, Eurys, the Silver Guard, and the Elders of the Verdant Council back to the Palace as the Servants were darting back and forth with last minute preparations for the Succession Ranking Match.