"Do you know the reason for being called out of the blue?" Zor'kyrell asked, looking around with fiery eyes and maintaining a faint smile. His voice was deep and old, yet dominant and commanding.
Then the only woman, who was sitting on a flying throne—Vera Hakui—spoke up. "Is it something related to that boy named Armaan?" she asked politely and with professionalism, though her voice remained strong and confident.
Zor'kyrell smiled and said, "Yes, it is."
Then a man, who carried glass bottles all over his attire, chimed in. "Your Highness... can you make it clear what the purpose of calling us is? We are busy people," he said in a wicked yet respectful manner.
Zor'kyrell looked at him and sighed. "As direct as ever, huh, Greed? Anyway, the main purpose of this meeting is to announce that Armaan, the inheritor of Xarthos—the Deepsea Bloodshed Dragon—has cleared the fourth stage with record-breaking speed."
Eyes widened across the court, even if only for a fraction of a second. The news was surprising to all the Thanes, but especially to Vera.
"But according to Zykarith's report, wasn't he supposed to finish the fourth trial in about fifteen days? It hasn't even been a single day yet!" Vera Hakui said, her voice carrying surprise and curiosity.
"Reports are not always right, Thane of Wind," Greed interjected. "Or is it that you are jealous because this boy just broke your record for passing the trial the fastest in history?" he asked with a touch of mockery, maintaining his wicked smile.
"Aren't you a little too concerned with my reaction rather than your own, Thane of Venom?" Vera replied with a smile, though it seemed dangerous and sharp.
Seeing the tension rise in the court, Zor'kyrell struck his foot against the floor—neither too lightly nor too hard, but with enough impact to momentarily terrify everyone present.
"S-sorry for the disrespect, Your Highness," Vera said politely.
Zor'kyrell's expression grew serious. "Back to the main topic..." Everyone nodded in silence. "Looking at the speed and strength he has shown so far, we need to send a strong contender as his opponent in the final trial, 'The Battle'," he declared in his deep, resounding voice.
"Do you mean the initial plan of sending the General of the Draconic Army, Crizal, is canceled?" asked Mreed, a man clad in full armor. His deep voice was loud and resonant.
"Yes," Zor'kyrell answered. "General Crizal would be a weak choice to fight someone strong enough to defeat Zykarith."
Eyes widened across the court once again, save for two or three individuals.
"The Thane of Wind's lieutenant was defeated by an Earthling!?" a boy with silver hair exclaimed. Vera shot him a glare before Zor'kyrell intervened.
"You should not underestimate him, Zagros," Zor'kyrell said in an indifferent tone. "If you can become a Thane at such a young age, he can certainly defeat lieutenant-ranked officers." Zor'kyrell looked coldly at Zagros, who quickly lowered his gaze.
"Your Highness," a man with long white hair and an unreadable expression finally spoke, his voice calm and deep. "Let me send Raiden for the fifth trial."
"And why do you think your lieutenant is better, Thane of Eclipse, Sylus?" Mreed asked with a smirk.
"Because I don't need to explain how strong Raiden is," Sylus stated expressionlessly, not even glancing at Mreed.
Zor'kyrell pondered this for a moment before speaking. "That's a rather wise choice, Sylus. Raiden is arguably one of the strongest lieutenants in the entire Draconic Court."
All the lieutenants standing behind their respective Thanes turned toward Zor'kyrell but remained silent.
Zor'kyrell smiled and tapped his foot on the ground again. "Then it's decided. The lieutenant to the Thane of Eclipse, Raiden Sel Roff, inheritor of the Electric Dragon, will be the opponent for Inheritor Armaan in the final trial, 'The Battle'. Any objections?" he announced. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Meeting dismissed. Sylus, prepare to send Raiden to Mount Draugr' Volen right now. Zagros, you will broadcast their battle to the court and to his friends." Both Sylus and Zagros nodded silently and set to work.
Soon after, Zagros used his staff to project a live broadcast into the center of the court, as well as one in front of Zykarith, Samar, and Roumit.
"Whoa, isn't that Armaan? He looks exhausted," Samar exclaimed as he saw Armaan resting against a large rock, his face covered in sweat and his hair disheveled.
This trial was way easier than the last ones... Armaan thought while leaning against the boulder, taking in the view around him.
The scenery was actually quite a sight. Even though he was high up on a mountain, the terrain around him had a gentle slope. Small hills dotted the landscape, and the black hole in the sky seemed even closer now, as if it were watching him.
Then, suddenly, the same vacuum gate from which he had arrived in the Draconic Realm opened in front of him.
Armaan's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before his expression returned to neutral. From the gate stepped Raiden, his lean physique standing perfectly straight and his expression unreadable.
Before Armaan could speak, Raiden broke the silence. "If I am not mistaken, you are Armaan, the inheritor of the Deepsea Bloodshed Dragon, Xarthos."
Armaan grew serious. He looked directly into Raiden's eyes and asked, "And can I know who you are?"
Meanwhile, Samar, Roumit, and Zykarith watched the live broadcast in surprise. "Hey! Who is this guy?" Samar asked, his eyes glued to the screen.
But when he turned to Zykarith, his eyes widened. She looked completely shocked, struggling to form the words. "W-why would they send him?"
Roumit turned to her, concern etched on his face. "Who is this person, Zykarith?"
"He is..."
"Raiden Sel Roff, inheritor of the Electric Dragon, Noir, and lieutenant to the Thane of Eclipse, Sylus," Raiden announced to Armaan.
Armaan's eyes widened slightly. Sylus? Isn't that the guy Zykarith mentioned? he mumbled to himself.
"I don't want to waste time, so let's get straight to business," Raiden said, maintaining his neutral expression. "I am here as your opponent for your final trial, 'The Battle'."
Armaan didn't flinch. "So, you're going to fight against me?"
"Yes. This is how you will gain your Draconic Powers. And remember..." Raiden trailed off as he drew a long, double-edged sword. "I will not go easy on you."
"Will you guys even let me rest?" Armaan sighed with a faint smile as he finally stood up. "Fine. The quicker, the better." Armaan drew his void-black katana, the blade seemingly absorbing all the light around it.
Raiden started powering up, and a sparkling yellow aura surrounded him.
Yellow prana? Quite interesting, Armaan thought. He also began powering up, and his shadow-black prana erupted around him.
SNAP
Suddenly, Raiden disappeared from Armaan's sight, leaving behind only a trail of electric current.
Armaan's eyes widened. "Thunder!?" he gasped. The very next moment, Raiden was right behind him, mid-slash.
Armaan barely dodged the strike. He spun around and swung his katana, but Raiden vanished again, reappearing right beside him. Raiden threw an electrified punch, but Armaan's instincts flared, and he leapt backward to create distance. He landed with wide eyes, breathing heavily.
"Why—" Armaan began.
But Raiden cut him off. "Why? I think you didn't hear me properly, Armaan," Raiden said, his sparkling yellow prana crackling with fierce electricity. "I am the inheritor of the 'Electric' Dragon."