Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 275: Round Three

“How do kings typically manage their young cultivators?”

Looking away from the shivering badger, Kraz laid down his large head and torso. “I think most regions let their territories handle that. The few regions I’ve visited were rarely as hands-on as my dad.”

“Is that why you three get along so well?” asked Oli.

“You have a lot of questions... But I guess that’s to be expected.” Kraz chuckled and briefly explained, “Rot Region is very selective with the most prominent youth. Every ten years, the most powerful youth of each territory is sent to live in Bore City. We spend everyday training for battle and cultivation, but never to the brink of death, like what you see over there.”

Taking a moment to think, Oli laughed to himself. “So I’m the candidate representing Trighton Territory?”

“Yup.”

“I see...” Oli shook his head, remembering his one-time opponent with four affinities. “What a guy, hiding like that...”

.....

“It took a while to coerce the Trighton Leader, but he finally sent you just before the deadline,” added Kraz. “Too bad you didn’t come sooner. You might have switched rankings if that had happened.”

Holding up one hand and laughing, Oli replied, “Well, I’m here now. I’ll be in your care.”

“Don’t expect easy treatment for training. Showing up late only made it harder on yourself.”

“I’ll deal with it, I’m sure... Hey, Kraz?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. But do you know about that gorilla that Lord Treeda mentioned earlier?”

The wyrm tilted his head. “I’m not sure... I know Tempest had someone go on to the finals not too long ago, but I don’t know who it was. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious I guess... I like studying gorilla species since it works well with my current techniques and arts.”

“Riiight... I’m sure we can ask my dad after this is over. He’ll know more about it.”

“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”

Since both had been eliminated already, Oli and Kraz enjoyed the time to chat and get to know one another. They mostly talked about food. Kraz went on and on about the one-of-a-kind cuisine of his hometown while Oli raved over the last time he had his mother’s cooking. And before the conversation could dwindle to the topic of Oli’s parents, Lady Inka was already standing in the arena.

“Here are your new numbers.” Inka and the kings exchanged tiles with a few tosses, grabbing the attention of the representatives. “We’ll be moving on to the third round. Numbers 1 and 2, please.”

Calmly, Korvik stood and bowed to Jeminine. He was proud to descend the steps and stand before the large, golden dragon. As for Drogat, he arrived first with the help of his wings and eager attitude. Finally, he would be able to fight to his heart’s content.

“Are you two ready?”

“Of course!” laughed Drogat.

Nodding, Korvik replied, “I am.”

“Then begin.”

A mighty flap of Drogat’s wings kicked up a light cloud of dust. He didn’t charge Korvik just yet. Instead, Drogat took to the skies while the human retrieved his two shortswords. “Come at me!”

“Hmm... All bark and no bite? That’s what Lady Jeminine said would happen,” Korvik scoffed with a playful snicker. Flames poured out of one blade and icicles formed around the other. “I thought you were strong, not just a husk of thick skin?”

The dragon’s mighty laugh echoed through the arena. Drogat eyed Korvik and was prepared to relish what was to come.

‘Make sure to watch carefully. But I don’t need to tell you twice...’

Oli’s head jerked around. His breathing and expression suddenly shifted, showing surprise and confusion.

Noticing the weird look, Kraz asked, “What’s wrong now?”

“Nothing...” Oli blinked and let his eyes return to the fight, though his mind was hung up on that familiar voice for a moment more.

Completely unaware of the additional audience member, the dragon and human exchanged their first attacks.

For Korvik, steam was leaving his body rapidly. At first, Oli was unsure of what was going on, until he noticed the nearly invisible flow of that steam. It was essence, ebbing and slithering around the swordsman’s body. Korvik’s essence nature was drastically different than anything Oli had seen before.

However, Drogat’s essence was all too familiar to Oli. He didn’t know what it was called, but Oli recognized it as a lesser version of Brak’s technique from long ago. But Oli then noticed one more thing that was both new and familiar.

“Kraz, is that–”

“Yes, that’s the same technique that I use.”

“But how?”

Glancing back at Oli’s strange look, Kraz shrugged. “I got it from my father the moment I started cultivating. I know it’s from King Brak originally, but I’m not sure how dad got it.”

“I’ll have to ask him?”

“Yup.”

“Great...”

‘Watch. Don’t get too distracted.’

Swallowing what he was about to say next, Oli shook his head and focused on the fight below. Without realizing it, he had looked away from the first exchange. Lucky for Oli, the fight had only just begun.

Drogat roared and dove with incredible speed, meeting his leaping opponent mid-air. The dragon’s gaze was filled with confidence and joy, an expression Oli hadn’t seen from the dragon until now. The gold, sharper-than-razor scales clashed with Korvik’s blades. Embers and ice particles scattered with each clash, along with a few shreds of earth essence spikes. Both combatants were letting loose and were glad to a worthy opponent.

Then, something new captured Oli’s attention.

For the next collision, the steam gathering around Korvik changed form. The hot vapor suddenly solidified and froze over. Ice shards scattered from the clash but more bits of earth essence broke off as well.

“How is he doing that?”

“Who?” asked Kraz.

“Korvik.”

“Doing what?”

Again looking at Kraz like the wyrm was crazy, Oli stated, “How can his essence nature change like that?”

“Korvik has a dual nature.”

“A what?”

“A dual nature. Just watch and see for yourself,” Kraz sighed, chuckling in somewhat disbelief. “Have you been living your entire life under a rock? I thought you studied at Trighton Institute?”