"I can't stop now!" Drake said while smiling.
He felt all of his muscles brimming with power. His thoughts, his perception, everything was flowing faster.
The red energy that was bubbling inside him was bringing his primal instincts to the surface. He felt that if he had his head even a little out of place, this feeling would overwhelm him.
Holding the hilt of the sword tightly in his hands, he felt the strength exerted by his grip. He felt like he had twice as much, if not more capacity than his original strength.
Drake pointed his sword at Claude and said.
"Get ready, dear brother"
Claude still had an expression of disbelief, seeing the unfolding in front of him. His bastard brother, who was an ordinary human, had received his Aura-boosted attack. Not only did he survive, but he awakened the Crimson bloodline, something only those with a strong bloodline could achieve.
--
Vance, who was looking into the distance. He made a wild smile upon seeing Drake's current state, feeling that in the near future, this boy would bring surprises to everyone.
Awakening the Crimson bloodline at the age of 12... Even among the few members who awakened, there was no one as young as Drake.
That made him laugh.
--
Drake with his sword pointed in front of him. He stamped his feet on the ground, exploding into a charge towards his opponent. His sword took a common but precise trajectory towards Claude.
Clang
Claude caught off guard, could just block. Causing him to receive the full impact, being forced to take a step back. His grip on his hands was numb, the bones in his arms seemed to creak, causing him a slight pain.
Unfortunately to Claude, Drake had barely started.
After his sword ricochets off Claude's block. Drake's feet spun, twisting his body. Utilizing the inertia of its rotation, the sword formed an arc, while accumulating kinetic force.
Soon, their blades connected.
Clang
A loud sound of metal clashing could be heard throughout the training field.
A partial aura could be seen on Claude's arms, but still. The impact power of the attack he received almost made him drop his saber, which was pushed away, making his guard completely open.In his eyes it all seemed so unreal. His good-for-nothing brother was suddenly completely dominating him. Leaving him in a dead end. Proud as he were, he wouldn't allow himself to give up, making that his only option was to fight.
Again, the sword was progressing on its trajectory for a next attack. Claude, who was using his partial aura, managed to compose himself and respond with his Snake-Shaped saber.
Clang
Clang
Clang
With each attack, each impact. Claude was being pushed back, pushing his body and mind to the limit. Causing drops of blood to fall from his grip.
Drake smiled, as his feet spun again. The centrifugal force seemed to bend his sword straight. From the arc his sword was making, this attack was definitely the most powerful.
His sword followed a clear path to Claude's neck, which he knew would not be defended. It would certainly be a possible fatal injury.
The saber was placed in a blocking position, in the path of the sword's trajectory. Partial aura could be seen on Claude's arms, his hands that held the hilt and blade of his saber, prepared for the blow that was about to come
With the sound and something cutting through the wind, the sword rushed forward, while producing the sound of a strong gale.
Crack
The sound of something shattering can be heard.
Drake's sword passed through the saber like tofu as it continued its trajectory towards Claude's neck.
His blunt sword connected with Claude's neck and continued its strong advance, dragging Claude's body along with it. Which was sent flying through the air, flying for several meters, before he landed raising a trail of dust.
Claude was lying on the floor, with his body unconscious. Blood and foam came out of his mouth. His neck was purple, appearing to have a fracture, while having periodic spasms.
Drake who realized he was the only one standing. He felt an inexplicable sensation, at the same time that all his strength seemed to leave his body. Making him sit in the middle of the arena.
His breathing was heavy, there were bruises spread across his body. There was pain, but there was something more. All of these sensations seemed small when compared to the satisfaction of being the only one left standing after a confrontation.
He felt that this feeling could easily become his reason for living.
Raising his head and looking towards the blue sky, Drake roared like a beast.
"AARHHHHHHH!"
His victory cry echoed throughout the training field, causing his spectators to awaken from what they thought was a dream. From the confrontation of the youngest sons of the next patriarch, Drake emerged victorious.
Vance, with heavy steps, approached Claude. Placing his hand on his wounds, feeling some parts of his body, he concluded.
"He'll be fine after he's taken care of" Vance shouted as he followed.
"You put on quite a show huh Drake, HAHAHA" his laugh echoed across the silent field.
Drake, seeing Vance's carefree tone, smiled. His family, which was made up of monsters, had now gained another member.
"Vance, what I used, was it the bloodline?" Drake asked.
"That's right, congratulations, you've awakened your bloodline!" Vance shouted as he continued.
"Thanks to this, we will be able to advance to the next part of your training HAHAHAA" This time his laugh brought chills down drake's spine.
"Training... Let's take it easy Vance, I still need to recover from my broken arm" Drake replied, with an innocent expression.
"Boy, don't think you can fool my senses. I feel a high concentration of mana being absorbed from your left arm" Vance said as he pointed his finger at Drake.
"I'm sure in a few days you'll recover" Vance concluded.
Drake looked at the ground as he thought about Vance's words. He was trying to absorb Mana into his bones to speed up his recovery, as described in the book.
Drake sighed as he stood up.
"Vance, can you take my brother to the infirmary?" Drake asked.
"Of course, I would do it anyway," Vance said, picking up Claude and placing him under his shoulders, as if he were a rag doll.
"Thank you" Drake said and turned around.
Looking at the crowd that stared at him with varied expressions. Drake felt a slight satisfaction, but there were still some strange looks. People who despised him and doubted his strength, Drake smiled, as he planned to beat each of them up later.
He began to walk, with crooked steps and a drooping arm. He headed towards the castle. He was physically tired, it felt like the bloodline power had exhausted his entire energy supply, making his stomach growl.
As he walked through the castle, the servants gave Drake strange looks. It could be his ragged appearance, or the news about the result of the duel has already spread....
Looking at the sun rising high in the sky, Drake thought it must be around eight in the morning. He had only been awake for 3 hours, but the tiredness he felt made it feel like he hadn't slept for days.
He crawled through what he remembered to be the kitchen, getting there. He grabbed as much food as he could carry with one arm and wandered back to his room.
Closing the door, he threw himself on the bed, while chewing his last food.
His consciousness, which was at its limit, soon moved away, giving way to comforting emptiness.
----
In an office in Crimson Castle. A man was sitting at the table, as he listened to reports from a man who resembled a bear in front of him. Who happened to be Vance.
"Brother, you should have seen it. Drake looked like a little devil while beating your son HAHAHA" Vance had the same carefree personality, even in front of this man who had a dark expression.
The grim-faced man had a strong build. His dark hair was combed back, a sparse beard could be seen on his sharp chin. His eyes contained a sharp gleam, which seemed to pierce the soul of whoever looked at him.
That man was Dante. Father of two legitimate children and one bastard son.
This man was Drake's father.
His expression was heavy. He, who had been neglecting his son for a long time, felt a slight discomfort being informed of his progress. Not to mention that the main problem would be dealing with his wife.
Sighing he said.
"Claude was arrogant and proud, his own ego brought his defeat" Dante said as he followed.
"It's actually a good thing, that he learns this outside of a real battlefield."
After a brief silence after his words he said.
"Vance, do you think the boy hates me?" Dante said as he looked at his desk.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to destroy this family," Vance said, as he wiped his ear with a finger.
Dante was a cold man. He didn't know how to deal with emotions, especially when matters were delicate.
Turning his head causing his combed hair to flow, he looked out the window as he said.
"I think it's time for me to have a word with him"