“Are you certain?” Aurelia questioned. “I won’t allow you to choose something else if you aren’t happy with the result.”
Zeke shook his head. His mind was made up. “I am certain, lady Thorsten. I pick Chance.”
Aurelia smiled. “I had hoped you would do that if I’m being completely honest. Follow me.”
Aurelia left the room, with Zeke right on her heels. After turning a few corners, he began to recognize their surroundings. This was still the town hall on ...
2023-08-16 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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Zeke woke up with a start. Where was he and how had he gotten here? This was not his bed. This was not his room. And those were not his clothes.
“Calm,” A gentle voice said.
In the next moment, Zeke felt his entire body soften. He sunk back into the mattress, completely relaxed. He could not remember the last time he had felt this comfortable. It was like his entire body was melting into the bed.
What was this? It felt like waking up after the most satisfying night, whil...
2023-08-14 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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“Both contestants, get ready,” Aurelia commanded.
Across from him, Celine merely crossed her arms as the Thunderclaw emerged from nowhere. Zeke wearily eyed the creature. Its head reached up to its chest and it was several steps long. His eyes fell on the sharp claws and vicious fangs of the beast. This would not be easy.
Zeke tried to think back to his time hunting monsters. He had fought similar beasts before, like the giant grasswolf and the stone leopard. Both were felines...
2023-08-11 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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A murmur swept through the crowd while Zeke considered how to deal with this sudden misfortune. To his further dismay, Mordred’s suggestion seemed very popular among the other guests. As a figure of public interest, it was only natural that people wanted to know more about him.
Zeke grimaced. He had only himself to blame for this turn of events. Hiding away for so long had done nothing but inflame the curiosity of the people.
Suddenly, his thoughts changed as his recent epiphany...
2023-08-09 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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Aurelia smiled warmly, a real smile, an expression Zeke had not seen once while talking to her earlier. From this gesture alone, it was clear that the woman doted on her niece quite a bit.
Zeke used this chance to scan the girl with his [Analyse] spell.
Zeke was shocked. The girl didn’t have an engraved spell yet? She was still an apprentice? Then why was she going through the ritual? H...
2023-08-07 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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Zeke remained rooted in place as more and more people streamed into the hall. For a long time, he absentmindedly watched the different groups mingle and interact as they spilled out across the different seating tears.
Why had he turned the offer down like that? He could have at least told the matriarch he would think about it, or that he would have to meet the girl first — anything to keep the conversation going. This was not like him at all. He always considered the outcome, always a...
2023-08-04 13:15:00 +0000 UTC
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Zeke cleared his throat. He couldn’t delay any longer. The only chance he had left was to avoid answering directly.
“I have many objectives here today,” he began haltingly, “and one of them is undoubtedly to observe the Ritual and learn as much about it as I possibly can. However, my interest stems from intellectual curiosity, nothing more. I also don’t plan on discussing my findings with anybody else.”
After saying this much, Zeke snapped his mouth shut. He had done w...
2023-08-02 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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The very moment his eyes blinked open, Zeke was wide awake. His entire body brimmed with energy as he went through his morning routine to get ready. Today, he would finally get to do something he had been looking forward to.
Ever since Maximilian had mentioned the Grand Rituals, he had been excited to learn more about them. He was already quite familiar with the three publicly available ones:
The first among them, Spell Engraving, he had experienced firsthand. It was what...
2023-07-31 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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“It’s about time we begin,” Zeke announced. “Don’t worry, this is not gonna take very long, and I don’t need you to do anything either — just sit tight for a while.”
Without any further words, Zeke entered his new and improved puppet mode. Instead of completely leaving his body, he only extended a small piece of his Soul. To Zeke, this conjured the image of a shy deer peeking around a tree.
His new approach was markedly different from leaving his body completely. F...
2023-07-28 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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After hours of being as still as a statue, Zeke's lashes fluttered. Shortly after, his eyes opened. With his blurry vision, he slowly began to be able to make out the figure in front of him. For the past hours, the woman had sat in a chair across from him.
Zeke smiled brightly. The gesture was not only meant to ease the nervous expression on the young woman's face. It was also a genuine expression of his delight. “Thank you so much, Petra. You were an enormous help!”
“O-ok,...
2023-07-26 13:15:02 +0000 UTC
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“Before I start with our first subject, I want you all to promise me something. Please try and keep an open mind,” Zeke said. “What I’m about to say next will probably sound disappointing at first. But if you give it a chance, I am sure you’ll see eye to eye with me soon.”
One after the other, his students nodded.
“The secret to stealth casting is… passive spells.”
As expected, the expression on his student’s faces fell. To Zeke's utter frustration, passi...
2023-07-24 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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Zeke had to pause his research, as today was the day of his second lecture. But not even this interruption managed to dampen his spirit. The discovery he had just made was far too promising. The smile stayed fixed on his face as he made his way to the shower room.
Ever since first experiencing it in Maximilian’s mansion, showering had become his favorite way to relax and unwind. As the warm water hit his face and streamed down his body, Zeke pondered what he had learned this morning. ...
2023-07-21 13:15:01 +0000 UTC
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2023-07-20 21:46:19 +0000 UTC
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“Are you ready to talk now, Dragon?”
There was no response.
“What do you even want?”
Again, nothing.
“Are you still trying to take over my body?’”
“…”
Even after waiting for several minutes, nothing but silence answered him. However, Zeke was certain that the Dragon could hear him and merely chose not to respond. Furthermore, he was certain that the heart did something to his blood, which in turn influenced his body.
From what he h...
2023-07-19 13:16:00 +0000 UTC
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Zeke sat in his study, staring down at the box before him. This was the present Tristan had given him. Even with his spacial awareness, he could not tell what was inside. There must have been a Mana-repellent layer somewhere in that container.
The thought made Zeke’s imagination soar. If such a measure was necessary, the present was most likely something valuable. With growing excitement, Zeke stripped off the first layer of cloth, then the second. The delicate fabric was soft to the ...
2023-07-17 20:17:30 +0000 UTC
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When Ezekiel returned to the front of the manor, night had already fallen. Despite the hour, the training field was still as lively as it had been when he had left.
A bevy of braziers kept the area well-lit and there were several duels being held. Zeke was certain that he would find Leo among the fighters, but to his surprise, the blonde boy wasn’t anywhere to be seen.
After a bit of searching, he found a familiar figure in the crowd — Mordred. The older boy was hugging a girl...
2023-07-16 17:10:57 +0000 UTC
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After the Druid left, Zeke remained standing in place, his Heart pounding relentlessly. Never before had it acted like this. The overwhelming sensation of his racing blood consumed him, and he felt a wave of agitation wash over him.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
As he focused solely on his breathing, a sense of tranquility gradually enveloped him. The cool breeze brushed against his face, and he became aware ...
2023-07-15 13:59:53 +0000 UTC
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Zeke’s brows furrowed. What was he even supposed to say to something like this? Undeterred by his silence, the druid leaned over. His nose twitched like that of an animal as he took in Zeke’s scent.
“Strange… truly strange,” he muttered. “My nose is warning me of danger but my other senses tell me you are just a kid… It’s almost as if you are a druid, but not quite the same… How curious!”
For some reason, Zeke was getting incredibly irritated. It was more than ...
2023-07-13 21:10:57 +0000 UTC
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Zeke tried to hide his reaction but was inwardly astounded by the way the stranger had addressed Tristan. Presumably, there weren’t many people who dared address the Bloodsword patriarch in such a way.
He studied the small gathering. Three people sat around a table. Each with a giant mug in front of them. They were all looking back at him, studying him in turn.
The first person his eyes landed on was the man who had spoken. The word ‘Man’ might not have been the best term to...
2023-07-12 11:55:07 +0000 UTC
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The surroundings had gone quiet, making the situation somewhat awkward for Zeke. He was still standing in midair, a whip hanging from each hand and a gaping wound in his side. Without quite knowing what to do, he just remained in that same position.
Mordred, for his part, had forsaken his spell the moment he heard his father's voice. The giant blood stain on the ground was all that remained of the fearsome weapon he had summoned a moment earlier.
Meanwhile, Tristan Bloodsword was ...
2023-07-10 12:24:55 +0000 UTC
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Leo’s body was primed. Akin to a coiled spring, every fiber was strained to the max. A deadly predator, ready to pounce. Mordred, on the other hand, was still in a relaxed position. However, his gaze was just as sharp as Leo’s.
Without any further words, Leo attacked. Once again, the earth assisted him. He shot out like an arrow, closing in on his opponent. Midway through his launch, he released the [Flame Spear] in his left hand. The projectile was aimed right at Mordred’s chest....
2023-07-08 01:24:33 +0000 UTC
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Leo returned to his starting location, eagerly looking around. Zeke knew this gaze; he was waiting for the next challenge. Somehow, he had completely forgotten about the cut on his left forearm.
Vanessa walked over. She grabbed his arm, inspecting the injury. Leo let her do as she pleased as she lightly probed the skin around the injury. “Don’t fight back,” was all she said.
Zeke nodded at the questioning gaze his brother sent him. Whatever she was trying to do, it would mos...
2023-07-05 20:38:52 +0000 UTC
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Zeke couldn’t see Leo's face, but he noticed that after his shout, the blonde speck in the distance paused. There was a moment of stillness before a squeak was heard. Then, out of nowhere, the shaggy blonde mane raced directly toward him.
Moments later, Leo emerged from the crowd, a disgruntled Maya held under one arm. If the boy had a tail, it would be wagging furiously right now. “Can I really?”
Zeke stepped closer, freeing Maya from her pitiful situation. He placed her on...
2023-07-04 19:51:19 +0000 UTC
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Zeke clenched his jaw. The laughter of the crowd sounded like nails on a chalkboard. It didn’t matter if there was any ill intent behind it or not. The situation reminded him too much of the first-year students at the Elementium. He would rather leave this place than allow Maya to experience the same thing today.
His eyes narrowed as he studied Mordred, the boy who had spoken. He was young, maybe a year or two older than him. From the size of his core, he was a bit ahead of what he re...
2023-07-02 17:18:29 +0000 UTC
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“Urgh! Do I really have to wear this?”
Zeke rolled his eyes. He had heard the very same question countless times over the last hour. Leo could act like a crazed beast in one moment and then like a petulant child in the next. “One more time, yes. You can’t show up to an official meeting in your training clothes, can you?”
Maya peaked out from behind Zeke with a smirk on her face. The girl was clearly amused by Leo's sour expression as he inspected his tailored suit. “I ...
2023-07-01 09:40:02 +0000 UTC
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“Wait… you’re the teacher?” Leo exclaimed.
From the reaction of the others, it was immediately clear that Leo wasn’t the only one surprised by this. More than one face contorted into a frown. Even so, nobody could easily speak up.
“This isn’t some prank, is it, young lord?” David asked.
“No, I am completely serious,” Zeke responded. After observing the other students, he gave an order. “All of you, if you have anything to say, please do so. Don’t worr...
2023-06-29 20:01:33 +0000 UTC
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Zeke and Leo were making their way along the meandering path through the estate’s garden. They had just finished their early morning spar. Over the last couple of days, they had gotten back into the habit of competing. For Zeke, there was nothing that motivated him quite as much as to see how fast Leo was making progress.
Despite the limited resources at his disposal Leo was improving every day. The lack of any new spells had forced his brother to focus on mastering his current arsena...
2023-06-28 18:42:39 +0000 UTC
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Zeke stared at the man in front of him. So far, everything had gone according to plan. Even Lara had unknowingly become an accomplice. Countless hours of research and analysis had gone into the preparation for this meeting.
With as much confidence as he could muster, he made the suggestion. “Truthseeker,” he said. “Isn’t that what you truly came for?”
The mention of the name brought forth an immediate reaction. Yet, it was not visible on the man's face, which remained as...
2023-06-23 21:43:55 +0000 UTC
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Lara cracked open one eye and lazily glanced in his direction. A smile slowly spread across her face as she looked him up and down.
“Albert?” she asked. “What are you doing here?”
Albert didn’t respond, still too shocked by the scene in front of him. Before he could get his bearings, Lara noticed how he was still holding on to the servant’s arm. Her smile turned mischievous, as she quirked a single brow. “Are you pretending to be a feeble old man again? You are a Gra...
2023-06-21 21:25:00 +0000 UTC
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Albert felt drained. He had unfortunately been forced to get used to this condition over the past year. Once again, he found himself in his horseless carriage, being chauffeured to another appointment. Ever since the threat of the invasion became known, he had not been able to relax — rushing from one conference to the next. As the ambassador for Invocatia, it had become his responsibility to manage relations within the alliance. It was a thankless job, one where he had to fight tooth and n...
2023-06-20 17:03:53 +0000 UTC
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