Chapter 21

[Evolution Menu]

[Juvenile Wyvern]: (Requirement) Stamina = 10, Strength = 15, Toughness = 15

[Juvenile Drake]: (Requirement) Stamina = 20, Strength = 30, Toughness = 30

[Juvenile Wyrm]: (Requirement) Stamina = 30, Strength = 50, Toughness = 40

[Juvenile Dragon]: (Requirement) Stamina = 50, Strength = 70, Toughness = 50

[Juvenile Dragonborn]: (Requirement) Stamina =50, Toughness = 20, Dragon Heart

'Huh, four options… I am obviously going to aim for the strongest option… but the requirements for a dragon is way higher than what I can do right now… and going by the trend of the list, the further down we go, the stronger the options get so… Dragonborn is my best shot huh…' Nathan took a look at his status,

[Name: Nathan Netherstar]

[Species: Wyrmling]

[Title: Crown Prince of Darkness]

[Level 5]

Energy Cultivation Technique: None

Soul Cultivation Technique: None

Divine Abilities: [Eighteen Gates of Hell](Locked)

[Stats]

HP: 70/70

Strength: 6

Agility: 4

Stamina: 7

Toughness: 3

[Skills: None]

[Passive Skills: Blessing of Darkness (Lv Max)]

Stat Points: 60

Skill Points: 16

[Items: Moon Rock Necklace]

[Soul Bound Items: Sigil of Authority(Crown Prince), Mark of Inheritance(???)]

'Fortunately, Dragonborn's requirements are barely within the range of my stats… but since the stat requirements are lower there is a much harder requirement…'

'WHERE THE HELL AM I GOING TO FIND A FREAKING DRAGON HEART!?!?'

Nathan was completely freaking out here. How was someone as weak of him who was in hiding going to find a Dragon Heart…?

"Something troubling you young Prince?" Nathan was startled out of his thoughts by the voice of Grandpa. He liked to call him Prince when they were alone…

"Grandpa… I'm having a huge problem here…" 

"Hoho, and what matter can cause our young Prince so much distress that he stays up late at night after such a harsh training?"

Nathan explained about the evolution options and their requirements as he completely trusted this Grandpa. As said before by The Heart of Darkness, every member of The Path was just one big family.

"Hmm… a Dragon Heart… young Prince is truly exceptional to have such an option available to you. If you manage to evolve into a Dragonborn then your future is boundless."

"Grandpa, you know of Dragonborn?" Nathan was surprised he knew of such a reclusive Race.

"Indeed. The Dragonborn are the special offspring's of Dragons with Either Elves or Humans. They inherit the best of both worlds. The strength and wisdom of a Dragon and the flexibility and adaptability of Humans and Elves. They are very few Dragonborn alive, as many think them extinct, but many Dragons still roam around this world. That alone should give you a clearer picture of how rare and powerful they are. There has never been a case of a Dragonborn falling in battle in Everguard! But there are many famous Dragon Slayers out there." Grandpa explained patiently.

"Wow… That powerful! But! Where am I going to find a Dragon Heart…?" The more Nathan learned of the power of The Dragonborn, the more depressed he got…

Grandpa put a hand on his small shoulder that carries the burden of many lives on it, "Leave that to this old man. It may not look like it, but these old bones are still of use."

"Alright. I will trust Grandpa. But! If you come back hurt I will punish you personally!"

"Hoho, these old bones are fragile and can't endure your wrath young Prince, I'll make sure not to get hurt"

"Hmph, you better!" Nathan was truly acting his age. Looks like his soul was affected by his body.

"One more thing young Prince, what do you think of Sophie?"

"She is my friend that has been with me from since I could remember, why?" Due to the presence of Spiritual energy, children grew up to be incredibly intelligent by the age of 2, so Nathan and Sophie can already be considered little adults.

"Have you considered recruiting her to our Path?"

"I don't think Aunty Solina would be happy if I did such a thing…" 

"Little Sophie is my niece. I promised my Brother to take care of her. I can't think of a better future for her than following you. Please, talk with her first and if she accepts, try convincing her Mother." Grandpa was trying to secure a brighter future for Sophie while also giving Nathan someone to rely on.

"I'll talk to her… and tell her the truth… the rest is up to her…" Nathan also wanted to reveal himself to Sophie. The longer he hid his identity the less she will trust him when she eventually finds out.

"This servant is honored to serve you, young Prince."

"Hmm… when will you leave for the Dragon Heart?" Nathan was slowly getting used to the traditions of The Path of Darkness. Everyone is a big family but the hierarchy was also extremely strict. Those of the lower rank must treat those of the higher ranks with absolute respect, although they can reject their orders with a valid reason as every individual is a valuable member.

"At dawn. I must make haste to not get discovered. Worry not. I shall return soon."

"Very well. You may leave. Goodnight Grandpa. May Darkness guide you on your path."

"Goodnight young Prince."

After seeing Grandpa off, Nathan went back to sleep.

'I hope Sophie won't react too badly to my identity…'

He glanced at the notification in front of him…

[Quest: (First follower) Recruit Sophie into the ranks of Darkness.]

[Difficulty: Very Easy]

[Reward: Level +2, Stat Points +10, Skill Points +1, (Trial of Darkness) Skill]

***

The next morning Nathan woke up freshened with a bit of pain, but that also disappeared as he moved around a bit. He exited his room and saw Sophie waiting for him, "Good morning Nate! Are you ready to beat some sense into those evil men!?" She was overly eager to beat the men who 'helped' train her yesterday.

"Haha, of course! Let's beat them till they can't stand!" Nathan found her little prank funny so he played along.

As they were going to the training ground Nathan decided that he shouldn't delay revealing his identity for too long, "Hey Sophie, let's go see your Mother after training. There is something I must tell you."

Sophie's eyes lit up with overflowing curiosity, "What is it!? Tell me! Tell me now! I can't wait till the training is over! My curiosity will kill me!" She jumped up and down like a rabbit.

"Nope~" Nathan turned around and completely ignored her pleas.

"Ehhhhhhh!?!? Don't be so cruel! Nate! Nate!!! Wait for me!" She ran after him, still pestering him about his little 'secret'.

Soon they reached the training grounds with the six men waiting for them. They moved over onto the wooden planks with their practice swords in hand.

"We're ready!" Nodding their heads, the men started throwing rocks at random times and tricky angles.

They two could barely dodge a few rocks before they lost balance and fell off. But inspired by each other, they rose up almost immediately and tried once again.

After a few hours of falling or being hit by rocks, they finally managed to last at least a minute without falling off. Nathan and Sophie silently made eye contact and laughed evilly. It was time to start their plan!

Sophie jumped back on her plank and prepared herself, focusing intensely as her topaz blue eyes shone with determination.

She dodged the first rock by moving her head to the side and dodged the second rock by lifting her foot. When she saw that the third rock was a perfect opportunity she slammed her foot back down to regain balance and swung her sword with all her might.

*Clang!!!*

*PANG*

"OUCH!" The man who got hit by the rock totally didn't expect such a sneak attack and got hit right in the side of his face.

He turned to Sophie and before he could open his mouth-

*Clang!!!*

*PAAANG*

"Guhah" Nathan redirected his rock with even more force, hitting the poor man in the back of his head. The man fell with a dull sound. He was knocked unconscious by two five year olds. It was something that would haunt him for the rest of his life!

His friends turned to look at the man on the ground speechlessly. They didn't expect to be counter attacked by two five year olds. Although they were small fries, they were still considered cultivators after all!

"HAHAHAHAHA! Come on! Throw harder! HAHAHAHA" Sophie was laughing so hard while taunting them that she started crying! She somehow managed to stay on the plank and not fall off while laughing so hard.

Nathan only smiled mildly. Sophie's laughter filled the training ground with such a cheery air that even infected him.

"You asked for it Young Miss! Don't complain to boss later!"

"Come on boys! Young Miss and Young Master seem to have improved a lot. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we increase the difficulty a bit right?" The excitement in his eyes said something else though, Nathan grumbled inwardly.

"Wake up this idiot and let's continue 'educating' them!"

That evening, Nathan and Sophie were left with even more bruises on their little bodies but they felt refreshed. Sophie was grinning from ear to ear as she managed to score a few more hits on them, along with Nathan. The men also improved their dodging skills, making the boring training useful for everyone.

Nathan turned to Sophie, both of them panting hard, 

"Let's go… see… your Mother."