Chapter 5 - Crimson Bloodline

" i'm the one who's educating " Drake said while smiling.

He felt every muscle in him brimming with power. His thoughts, his perception, everything was faster.

That red energy bubbling up inside him was bringing his primal instincts to the fore. He felt that if he had his head just a little out of place, that feeling would overwhelm him.

Gripping the hilt of the sword tightly in his hands, he felt the force exerted by his grip. He felt that he had double, if not more capacity than his original strength.

Drake pointed his sword at Claude and said.

" Get ready, dear brother "

Claude still wore an expression of disbelief, watching the unfolding in front of him. His brother who was an ordinary human being, had received his aura-enhanced attack. Not only did he survive, he awakened the Crimson bloodline. Thing that not even his older brother had done.

--

Vance, who was looking into the distance. He cracked a smile upon seeing Drake's current state. He felt 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 none as young as Drake.

It made him laugh.

--

Drake with his sword pointed in front of him. He slammed his feet into the ground, exploding into a charge towards his opponent. His sword took a common but precise trajectory towards Claude.

Clang

Claude caught off guard, barely able to block. Making him take the full brunt of the impact, forcing him to take a step back. His grip was numb, the bones in his arms seemed to creak, causing him slight pain.

Unfortunately for Claude, Drake had barely begun.

After his sword bounced off Claude's block. Drake's feet spun, making his body spin. Utilizing the inertia of its swing, the sword formed an arc, while building up kinetic force. Soon, their blades connected.

Clang

A loud sound of clashing metal could be heard throughout the training ground.

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 at a dead end. Proud as he as, he wouldn't allow him to give up, making his only option was to fight.

Again, the sword was progressing on its trajectory for the next strike. Claude, who was using his partial aura, managed to pull himself together and respond with his snake-shaped saber.

Clang

Clang

Clang

With every strike, every impact. Claude was being pushed back, pushing his body and mind to the limit. Causing drops of blood to fall from his grasp.

Drake grinning, as his feet again spun. 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 the clear path to Claude's neck, which he knew, not to defend himself. 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 gripped the hilt and blade of his saber, preparing for the blow that was to come.

With the sound and something slicing through the wind, the sword surged forward, while making the sound of a strong gale.

Crack

The sound of something shattering can be heard.

Drake's sword sliced through the saber like tofu as it followed its path toward Claude's neck.

His blunt sword connected with Claude's neck and continued his strong advance, dragging Claude's body with it. Which was sent flying through the air for a few meters, before it landed kicking up dust.

Claude was lying on the floor, his body unconscious. Blood and foam came out of his mouth. His neck was purple, looking like there was a fracture, as he had periodic spasms.

Drake who realized he was the only one standing. He felt an inexplicable sensation, at the same time all his strength seemed to leave his body. Making him sit in the middle of the arena.

His breathing was heavy, there were bruises all over his body. There was pain, but there was something else. All those sensations seemed small compared to the satisfaction of being the only one standing after a confrontation. He felt that this sensation could easily become his reason for living.

Raising your head and looking towards the blue sky. Drake roared like a beast.

AARHHHHHHH"

His victory cry echoed throughout the training ground, causing his spectators to wake up from what they thought was a dream. From the confrontation of the younger sons of the next patriarch. Drake emerged victorious.

Vance, with heavy steps, approached Claude. Placing his hand on his injuries, feeling some parts of his body, he concluded.

"He'll be fine after being treated by Condis" Vance snapped as he followed.

"You put on quite a show huh Drake, HAHAHA" his laugh echoed through the silent field.

Drake, seeing Vance's carefree tone, smiled. His family, which was made up of monsters, had now gained another member.

"Vance, was it the Crimson bloodline?" Drake asked.

" That's right, congratulations, you awakened your lineage! " Vance shouted as he continued.

"Thanks to that, we'll be able to move on to the next part of your training HAHAHAA" This time his laughter brought shivers 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 coming from your left arm." Vance said as he pointed his finger at Drake.

" I'm sure by tomorrow you'll recover, at least 70% " Vance concluded.

Drake looked down at the floor as he thought about Vance's words. He was trying to absorb mana into his bones, so that it would speed up his recovery, as described in the book.

Not counting his organs, which after being pushed to the limit by his lineage. They seemed to be stronger and more resistant, leading him to conclude that he had probably completed the organ refinement stage.

Causing the temper of bones to separate it from the Knight rating. He was eager to create his aura core and join the path of power.

Drake sighed as he got to his feet.

"Vance, can you take my brother to the infirmary?" Drake asked.

"Of course, I would anyway," Vance said, picking up Claude and draping him over his shoulder like a rag doll.

"Thanks" Drake said and turned around.

Looking at the crowd staring at him with varying expressions. Drake felt a slight satisfaction, but there were still a few odd looks. People who despised him and doubted his strength. Drake grinned as he planned to beat each of them up afterwards.

He started to walk, with crooked steps and a drooping arm. He headed towards the castle. He was physically tired, it seemed that the bloodline's power had exhausted all of his energy stores. Making your stomach rumble.

As he walked through the castle, the servants gave Drake strange looks. It could be his ragged appearance, or the news about the duel's outcome has already spread....

Looking up 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 it felt like he hadn't slept in weeks.

He dragged himself through what he remembered to be the kitchen, getting there. He grabbed as much food as he could carry with one arm and went back to wandering to his room.

Closing the door, he threw himself on the bed, munching on his last bite.

His conscience that was at its limit, soon moved away, giving way to the comforting emptiness.

----

In an office in Crimson Castle. A man sat at the table as he listened to the reports of a man who resembled a bear across from him. Which happened to be Vance.

"Brother, you had to see it. Drake looked like a little demon as he spanked his son HAHAHA" Vance had the same carefree personality, even in front of this man who had a somber expression.

The grim-faced man had a strong build. His dark hair was slicked back, a wispy beard could be seen on his sharp chin. His eyes held a sharp gleam, which seemed to pierce the soul of anyone who stared into it.

That man was Dante. Father of two legitimate children and a bastard son.mThat man was Drake's father.

His expression was heavy. He who had been neglecting his son for a long time, felt 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 about his defeat," Dante said as he followed.

"It's actually a good thing 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 cleaned his ear with one finger.

Dante was a cold man. He didn't know how to deal with emotions, especially when the issues were sensitive.

Turning his head so that his combed hair flowed down, he looked out the window. he said slowly.

"I think it's about time I had a word with him."