Way of the Knights

Chapter 830: Wordplay

—

It was an all-out war for the participants of the Grand Youth Meet. 

The Young Lord wasn't lying when he said that he will send and endless wave of enemies their way. 

Within the few days since the challenge started, some of the participants were already eliminated. What's funny is that majority of them were the ones who formed large groups, entering a temporary alliance to pass the first phase, yet even with their numbers, they were unable to survive. 

The goal to pass the first phase sounds simple in words; Survive and reach the Dawn Council Headquarters within the pseudo-Divine Realm. 

It does sound simple…but…

"Shit! There's no end to these things!"

"These are Abominations? Why are they so strong?" 

"Why are there so many?"

"I fucked-up my leg! Somebody please cover me for a bit!"

"Motherfucker! These things are relentless. Don't they get tired?"

"It's like they're perpetually in berserk stage! How are we going to survive this!"

"If you guys have the energy to talk, use to it to fight instead."

"I'm drained. I don't think I can go on."

"I'm beat. Go on without me."

"It's useless."

"This is so damn hard."

"We're not going to make it." 

…the Abominations were there to seemingly suck their hopes up. They don't stop, don't get tired and are extremely strong. 

Some people were able to fight their way out. Unfortunately, the number of Abominations around are way too many, they just can't catch a break. Simply put, the Abominations were forcing them out of their comfort zones. One week certainly wasn't enough to prepare them for this. 

However, not everyone was hopeless. 

Amidst the storm, the ones who were truly capable are starting to get noticed.

Again, the goal here is to reach the Dawn Council Headquarters in order to participate to the next phase. Plain and simple. 

Raven did mention that there were treasures and inheritances scattered around the world, waiting to be found out. He did say that there are peak experts observing them and he also encouraged them to let their hot-bloodedness explode – their youth to burn bright. 

…yet he didn't say that those were the requirements to pass the first phase. 

"So what? We're just going to avoid them?" 

"Well, mostly yes."

"…isn't that cowardly?"

"Not at all. If anything, I'd say that we're doing this the smart way."

"That's right. The Young Lord said that our goal was simple. Reach the headquarters and we pass. He didn't force us to fight."

"We get that but…I don't know…I feel slightly distressed about this."

"Well, it's not like we can avoid fights entirely. After all, there will be endless waves of them. I'm sure that we will be forced to fight them every now and then. I'm just saying that we don't have to fight all the damn time."

"Our energies are limited while our enemies aren't. They are greater in number and they don't get tired. We do. Sure it'll be fantastic if we could engage in a heated battle to prove something to those who were watching us but we're wasting this chance by doing that."

"They want to see how can handle ourselves under pressure. They won't pay attention to cannon fodders who just throw their lives away, they seek future leaders and geniuses to raise."

"At least, that's what I believe." 

"We'll pick our battles carefully. We will reach the headquarters before or on-time. We will get to the next phase of this event. If any of you doesn't agree to this arrangement, tell me now so we can part ways peacefully."

Once again, the goal was simple. Reach the Dawn Council's Headquarters within that pseudo-Divine Realm. Plain and simple. 

Nothing more…

Nothing less…

—

Within the Dawn Council in the real Divine Realm. The peak experts are busy discussing amongst themselves.

"…at least some of them uses their brains."

"Thank god for that actually."

"Seriously. But believe me when I say that if we were on their shoes, we'll probably do the same as the reckless ones."

"Oh, don't expose us like that." 

"I mean, we can't blame the kids. Young Lord Raven did rile them up good. As he said; 'The hot-bloodedness of youth'. Ah, how nostalgic. We're really getting old." 

"Yeah. We were so stupid and naive back then but it was too damn fun. Now, it's just most boring. I can't believe I was reduced to being a paper-pusher."

"Oh! Look at this kid right here! Doesn't he remind you of someone?" 

"Who? Ah, him! Yeah, I know that kid! Hahaha, interesting!"

"Who is he?" 

"He's the heir of Old Man Dark Star! He's adoptive son I heard." 

"Shut-up! No way? That scrooge adopted a son?"

"You guys know I can hear you right?" 

"We do and that's the point. Anyways, when and did you manage to raise such a talented kid? He's going solo too!"

"Hmph, that little runt is a show-off! He's just being prideful. Thinking he's the hot shit and whatnot." 

"Well, he kind of is, isn't he?" 

"Oh, don't let him hear that. Especially coming from you. His ego is already inflated as is, you'll just make it bigger." 

"…are you sure he's adopted and not actually yours?"

"Is it just me or you just indirectly called me arrogant?" 

"Look, I'm not saying that's what I meant…but that's precisely what I meant."

"Fuck-off."

"Damn, alright."

"He's adopted. I made sure of it. But it doesn't matter."

"How old was he when you adopted him?" 

"Five months old." 

"Oh, then I can see why you're attached." 

"Hmph."

"Hey, look at this lass over here. She's not bad."

"Dream Laws right? How rare. Wait, is she where I think she is?" 

"She is! Oh, that Old Pervert sure is lucky. He's going to have an Heir finally."

"Bold of you to assume that she'll accept him in the first place. Let's bet on it actually. I bet my 10,000 year old aged wine that she's won't accept him." 

"Oh, somebody's willing bring out the real goods. Uh, I bet my Spatial Ship then. For her accepting him."

"10 acres of Divine Roses that she will but will end-up hating his guts." 

"One block of Timeless God Stone that she won't accept him and give him the middle-finger." 

"Damn, you people really hate this Old Man's guts huh? You're bets are ruthless." 

"You deserve it, Old Pervert." 

Raven smiled to himself as he heard the casual comments of the crowd. He can tell that they were having a good time watching the events unfold. He himself is entertained by this event as well, this is a good way to relax and take his mind off of things. 

'As expected, the event is a success…'

'It's a success but…'

Raven sighed helplessly. 

'I guess it's really hard to pass down my legacy huh?' 

Raven felt really bummed-out. In all aspects, everything was going well. The only thing that kind of makes him upset is the fact that he can't pass down his legacy for some reason. 

He already left his legacy back at home. Waiting patiently for someone to pick it up and that someone his Legacy Heir. Unfortunately, nobody in his home was worthy to be acknowledge. 

Raven also left it within the pseudo-Divine Realm. He even placed it at a very common spot. If these kids would just stop and look around carefully, they will see it but unfortunately, it seems that he's out of luck. 

The kids just flew past it like it wasn't even there at the first place. 

This is already as low as Raven could get. No matter what, Raven's pride won't allow him to just casually toss his legacy around and force it to someone since that defeats the purpose. 

What he needs for an Heir is the intervention of fate. He didn't want a follower since he has a lot of those already. What he wants is someone worthy to pass down the work he's worked so hard to create. 

It'll be a damn shame if he didn't pass it down. His knowledge of runes and seals surpasses everyone in this room. It is also the same reason why he remained untouchable all this time. 

Sure, Raven has Vanessa and if he really suggests it, she might actually pick it up. Unfortunately, Raven doesn't want to impose fate onto his own daughter. He wanted her to make decisions for herself since she deserves that. 

Kyle is good, he's his disciple already and learned a lot from him. Unfortunately, his path diverges from Raven's personal inheritance. Raven doesn't want to lead Kyle astray so he didn't gave it to him. 

Same goes for his twin sisters. 

This is why it has to be someone else. There should be someone out there who will be acknowledge by his inheritance right? 

Raven did left it to fate after all so only the fated person would have it. 

He thought that he'll find his Heir amongst the people here but alas, he's unlucky. Well, it's not like he can force these things anyways. He just needs to wait for the right time and the right person. 

Raven's Immortal anyways, he has time.. He can wait.