Ryo laid his hand on the stone slab, and as soon as his status appeared, the whole arena became filled with a silent shock. All his abilities except Limitless Regression and his titles were made public. Gasp filled the air in the crowd.
"He has the powers of two races.!"
Selena's eyes went wide with shock. She had been aware of his vampire powers, but this. this was something else. She looked at him, questions springing to her lips, but before she could say anything, a stormy voice boomed.
"What the devil is this?!" the senior bellowed. His face contorted in shock and rage. "You're a half-dragon, half-vampire? It's impossible! Oh, I see—you're cheating here too!"
Selena tightened her fists. Unlike him, she recognized that creating a status window was not possible. If the stone slab showed it, then it existed.
The elder, unable to accept truth, spat more insults. "A half-breed like you dares show your face alongside nobles?! Your very presence is an affront!"
Ryo's blood seethed, anger rising with every sentence. His Draculean Domination was triggered without him even trying, a devastating aura washing out the entire ground. The overpowering force toppled weaker classmates to the ground, their own air stolen away by the powerful aura he put out.
In the midst of the crowd, Seyra Vaelstra, the princess dragon, watched the status window intently. Her heart racing. This… is impossible. Not only did he have mastery over all elements, but much of his abilities were from a time long past. Abilities no one else in this world had. And then, when his Draculean Domination filled the atmosphere, she knew. There's no question… He has the essence of a dragon.
Ryo took a deep breath and got control over himself once more. Turning toward the teacher, he quietly uttered, "Let's begin the match?"
The teacher delayed in response, however, then turned his attention to the noble witnesses. Subsequently, having discussed the issue for a short moment with other professors, he stated, "We'll hold the duel on the Grand Stadium grounds. Several leaders of great noble houses are visiting today. We'll exhibit the match for their eyes."
The crowd burst into whispers. The senior noble's family huddled among themselves.
"When that commoner loses, we will ask the Vampire Lord to marry the princess off to our son."
Selena heard and glared. As if I'd ever agree to such a thing.
The Grand Stadium: The Duel Begins
The stands were full of nobles and students alike. The senior's family sat assured, convinced of their son's win.
The referee advanced. "Begin!"
Ryo activated Paradox Physique and created Blood Gauntlets through Blood Manipulation. Experimenting with his new powers here was the best chance he could get.
The senior struck first, firing Needle Blood Bombs at Ryo. But Ryo sidestepped with ease, moving in fluid precision.
"Don't run, you coward!" the senior growled.
Ryo smiled. "Alright, then."
A burst of energy emanated from his body as he deployed Abyssal Dragon Wings, his enormous, black as night wings spreading out. Gasps of shock rolled through the crowd. Then he turned on Bloodscale Armor, his body wrapped in scarlet dragon-like scales. His Dragonification started, his hands and feet transforming, claws emerging, and his draconic aura becoming stifling.
Lastly, his Sanguine Dragon's Wrath turned on, boosting his power manifold.
He spun to the referee. "We can kill our enemies, can't we?"
The referee stuttered, his voice trembling. "Y-Yes. but—"
That was all I needed to know.
Ryo vanished from view. A heartbeat later, a single blow sent the senior's body disintegrating into a cloud of blood.
There was silence in the stadium.
A noble had been destroyed by a supposed commoner.
The family of the senior exploded in outrage. "You murderer! You kill a noble?!"
Ryo exhaled. "He was just too weak. I didn't even use half of my strength."
The senior's father rose, his rage evident. "I demand his execution! We will kill this mongrel—"
A strong voice cut him off.
"That's enough."
The Vampire Lord himself rose, his very presence commanding silence.
The senior's father faced him. "My Lord, he murdered my son! Are we just to let this pass?! He insulted our noble heritage!"
Ryo scoffed. "Your son fully intended to kill me first. If he was not willing to die, then he should not have fought back. And do not forget, he insulted me and my family first!"
The noble white-knuckled his fists. "Does not matter! We are nobles! You are a commoner! Mind your station!"
This time, it was Selena who intervened.
"He's my fiancé. That, in itself, links him to my father, the Vampire Lord. If you offend him, you offend my family and my father. Have you forgotten that?"
The noble blanched, realizing his error. Provoking a noble was one thing—but provoking a royal mandate? That was suicide.
Selena glared at Ryo. "You could have merely knocked him out. Why kill him?"
Ryo shrugged. "I was testing my powers a bit. He was just too weak."
On hearing this, the Vampire Lord erupted in hearty laughter. "Normal vampires regenerate at an average rate. Noble vampires regenerate at a high rate, making them hard to kill. Royal vampires can even regenerate from a single cell. But you—" he smiled, "—you killed a noble in an instant and tell me you were 'testing' yourself. Really worthy of my daughter."
The noble head of the family gritted his teeth but bowed his head in submission.
Ryo was about to leave, but a voice halted him.
"Wait."
He turned and saw Seyra Vaelstra standing in front of him. Her silver hair glimmered under the stadium lights, her sapphire eyes full of conviction.
She took a step closer and stated, "I, Seyra Vaelstra, claim Ryo as my fiancé."
Ryo stood still. Déjà vu washed over him.
Author's Note:
Well, things escalated quickly, didn't they? Ryo not only obliterated a noble in one punch but also showcased his overwhelming abilities to the entire academy. And just when he thought he could finally get some peace, boom!—another fiancée enters the picture. Poor guy just can't catch a break.
This chapter is a turning point, as Ryo's draconic personality is finally made public to the world, along with his horrifying potential. The Vampire Lord appears very happy about it, but the nobles? Not so happy.
What comes next? More political intrigue? More duels? Or perhaps an exploration of Ryo's dragonic powers? Wait and see in Chapter 19!
Leave me your thoughts in the comments! Whose your favorite fiancée yet?