Zack observed the arena, it was the sixth round, the one that Zaroth had already gone through.
Truthfully, Zack didn't feel worried as he was confided in his abilities to win, even if he was forbidden from using his powers.
Even if he couldn't make weapons and armor from blood, it didn't mean that he couldn't make his body stronger by making his blood run faster through his veins.
It wasn't like his uncle or anybody from his family was going to notice—
Zack's spine ran cold as he noticed a certain individual sitting at the very back of the arena, watching with his crimson eyes the fight that was about to take place.
It was Alexander, or in other words, Zack's uncle.
He had come to watch his match.
Zack wasn't dumb enough to use his powers before his uncle's gaze, meaning that in this match, he wouldn't be able to use his powers at all.
At the moment, only a single thought ran through his mind,
'Fuck.'
*****
Taking ragged breaths, Zack looked at the blooded opponent before him.
His opponent was able to use wind attacks and make them sharp as a sword.
It was a hard fight, but he was somehow able to win without using his powers at all, as he didn't want to risk it, considering that he was being watched by his uncle.
Who seemed to have already left, seeing that Zack had managed to win without using his powers.
Zack had a bad feeling. He didn't have evidence, but he was sure that the raven he had noticed watching him had actually been an assassin sent by his uncle.
Despite the numerous wounds that Zack bore, he couldn't help but smile.
His uncle, despite being so powerful, didn't want to attack him directly. Even if it was because of political reasons, he couldn't help but find the situation funny.
It was like Alexander was scared of him despite their difference in strength.
*****
"We had a deal," Alexander spoke as he stared at the eyes of the emperor.
"You were supposed to send an assassin to get rid of nephew."
The emperor closed the book that he was reading and met Alexander's gaze.
Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire
"About that, I received word that your nephew has turned out to be much more powerful than expected, so it will take longer than planned."
Before Alexander could respond, Draconis added,
"But of course, we have a deal with the head of the White Fang Clan, as such the deal will be honored." He reassured.
Alexander scoffed, "Good. Considering that we have so many of our men on the border, I will expect the assassination to happen sooner."
Draconis smiled. "We will do our best. You can be sure about that."
The talk was over, so Alexander left the grand room.
Draconis watched him leave. Once the man was gone, he grimaced.
"Ah… I could kill you and your clan, but it is not wise to do so right now," he muttered in frustration.
He had to rely on the clans for a bit more. Each one of the clans had a formidable military of their own, and thanks to deals he had made, their militaries were stationed at the borders, slowing down the advancement of the Crimson Sun Empire as much as possible.
Draconis needed to stall for just a bit more time. Once his plan was complete, he would simply get rid of any clan that didn't swear undying loyalty towards him. Even if killing the clans weakened the Draconian Empire's military power, it wouldn't mean much. At that point, no one would dare to attack his empire, and he would be able to start conquering the whole continent for himself.
After all, who would dare to face a god in battle?
No one sane, that was for sure
*****
"Okay, day three," Zaroth muttered as he walked towards the academy.
It was still early, and the sun hadn't fully set, meaning that it was still hard to see. Yet he was able to—even slightly—see better in the dark. There was no doubt now, this was the Darkgaze skill that he was being taught from Midnight alongside the Darkveil skill.
It seemed that she was correct, that beating it into him was the best way for him to learn the skills.
After all, his body felt pain, and that was something that would subconsciously want to avoid, meaning that his focus had slowly shifted to learning that skill.
'I am able to use fireball and breathe out fire, I have a dragon under my command, as well as a pack of dangerous wolves that no matter how much are damaged would simply get up as they are already undead. And now I am learning skills that are supposed to be exclusive to demons and vampires…' he thought, as a menacing smile appeared on his face.
'I… am slowly becoming a formidable individual, aren't I?' he asked Luna.
'Becoming? Don't underestimate yourself. You already are,'
Hearing Luna's words echo in his head, he raised an eyebrow.
'Am I?'
'Yes. The reason it may not seem that way is because you've surrounded yourself with powerful people,' she explained.
He had to agree with her. After all, Elysia, Zack, Roran, Lily, Midnight, and the people he met once—David, the salesman, and the thing wearing human skin—were all very powerful. They weren't what he would consider the pinnacle of power, but they were close.
"Actually, Elysia may be at the pinnacle of power…" he muttered under his breath.
A second later, his eyes widened as he was startled by Luna's laugh.
'What is so funny?' he asked.
'Well, they're pretty strong alright, but nowhere near the level you will reach in time,' she proclaimed.
'After all, you have a mythical dragon… and a certain mission, no?'
"That is right," he shifted his gaze to the sky, seeing that the sun was finally showing itself from the horizon.
He was alive thanks to his mother and her words, so he had the duty to kill the bastards that had created the curse that spelled her doom.
No matter if it takes him years, decades, or a lifetime. He hadn't and would never forget his original goal.
He will kill the gods.