Fighting Back
"An additional ability?"
Ashoka immediately opened the status window.
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Status Window
Name: Ashoka Maurya
Title: None
Mana Attribute: Umbra (Shadow and dark)
Trait: Resistant against all attributes (Level 2), Heart of Iron.
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Strength: 15
Agility: 15
Stamina: 12
Energy: 20
Perception: 15
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The question marks that occupied the first slot of the trait were replaced by Wrath.
But that wasn't the important part. There was new information under the trait section.
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<Heart of steel>
You will be able to better control your emotions.
________________
The explanation was straightforward.
There wasn't anything special either, but the fact that he could now control his emotions better made him gain upper hand against the will of Dragon which continuously tried to incite his emotions.
Ashoka smiled and further evaluated his status.
The abilities, such as strength and agility, were evaluated in numbers.
But he got no time to check on them as currently, he was standing in front of the dragon will.
{Y-You really do have the status window!}
Hot flames spilled from Drakorinith's mouth. It seemed that he couldn't see the contents of the status window, as he murmured that he could only see the silhouette.
"What is this status window and the message?"
{…It's a system, A power exclusive to the dragons}
"System? For what?"
{I have no reason to tell you.}
"To accelerate growth?"
{How… How did you…?!}
"I knew it."
Like a reflex, he responded as soon as he felt him out. Just like his name suggested, The king of Wrath couldn't hide his feelings.
'It's as I expected.'
Ashoka nodded. He thought it was weird that he got a system as soon as he accessed the dragon grimoire.
At first, he thought, it might be due to his reincarnation but now he realized that wasn't the case.
The system was the result of his contract with the dragon grimoire.
{Give it back. Your body, my power, give them all back!}
Drakorinith started to throw a tantrum. He looked like a baby sitting on a massive throne.
"I don't know how to give them back, nor do I have any intention to do so."
It was the way to accelerate his growth as well as a system where the dragon's power lays, Ashoka had no intention of giving it away.
He obtained the ability to grow faster, to a higher peak. There was no reason to give it back to the madman that tried to take his body.
{It's not yours!}
"And you tried to take my body, which is not yours."
{Th-The King of wrath heard your wishes…}
"I did the desire for power, but that is something I will achieve myself. It's meaningless if I realize it by giving up my body to something I don't understand—like you."
{Kuh…}
Drakonith ground his teeth but couldn't open his mouth, as he had nothing to say.
"Go away, now."
Ashoka turned away as he finished the conversation.
{I can't go. I won't leave until you give me back my power!}
Drakorinith screeched and assaulted Ashoka. The moment Ashoka clenched his fist, thinking he would cope with it as much as he wanted, Drakonrinith's body started to shine blue.
The blue flame flowed like water to wind around his hand.
Ashoka prepared for the incoming pain, but it didn't hurt at all.
Zoom.
The blue flame around his hand disappeared and a ring appeared. It was a flowery ring made of blue ember-like rock.
{I'm going to stick with you until the day you die!}
Drakorinith provoked him by shaking the flower hanging on the ring.
{It hasn't been long since I woke up, but my power will soon return. When that happens, you won't be able to stop me, no matter what you do.}
"Sure."
Ashoka tried to take off the ring, but just like when he tried to touch the flame, it just dispersed instead of being caught.
{Hmm…}
But it didn't look completely ineffective as the ring vibrated, and Drakorinith stopped talking each time he touched it.
{Kuh, it's useless. This monarch will never be chased away!}
"Let's try it, then."
Ashoka tried to scratch, pull, rub it against the wall, and trample on the ring. However, it didn't disappear.
He was very tenacious.
"Tsk."
He tutted. The flowery ring didn't disappear, no matter what he did.
'Even though I do want to remove it…'
It might be better just to leave it be.
The system could disappear if he forcefully took it off, and there was a chance that the dragon's will would transfer to his brother, Sudhatta.
Like the saying goes, keep your friends close, and the enemies closer. It would be better to keep him nearby, instead of having him plotting somewhere unseen.
So, Ashoka decided to keep Drakorinith under control.
"If you aren't going to get off, then change your appearance at least. A ring with flowers doesn't suit you."
Ashoka frowned.
He could at least understand if it were a skull, but he didn't want to wear a flowery bracelet.
A massive majestic dragon hiding as a flower bracelet! What a weird concealment.
{Respect my tastes.}
"Haaah…"
He was at a loss for words at how the taste of this violent and impatient guy was a flowery ring.
{This monarch has never let go of his prey. Your body and mind are mine.}
"I'd better ignore it."
{Kuh! You damn brat!}
Ashoka blocked his hearing and concentrated on getting out of the space he was in.
It didn't take much effort as the space soon distorted and he was once again back in his chambers still sitting in a cross-legged position.
Seemed like it was only his soul that was interacting with the dragon.
Sage Chankaya, Sage Vyasa and old man Pingala were all watching him from the four sides preparing for any situation.
Ashoka slowly opened his eyes and greeted them with a smile.
"It's a success"
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