Aurelion's final words cracked like a whip in the air.
His golden eyes scanned the face of each clan leader around the table, gauging their reactions.
For a moment, a silence fell over the room. Only the howling of the wind outside and the crackling of the torches could be heard.
A mixture of anger and astonishment tensed the features of the experienced leaders.
Captain Roric, however, remained seated, his elbows on the table, fingers interlocked, watching the audacious show with a faint smile.
Clan Leader Viggo, trying to regain control of the situation. The calmness in his blue eyes had cracked ever so slightly, but his voice, surprisingly, still held its wise tone. "What are you trying to say, son?"
The smirk on Aurelion's face widened. "It's very simple, Clan Leader Viggo. The only truth in this world is power. If you want to bring me to heel, to incorporate me into your precious clans," his gaze pierced each leader at the table one by one, "then show me the power of your clans."
He looked in turn at Viggo, Morwenna, Einar, and Urson. "If Ylva, Elara, Lyra, and Kael, challenge me in the future, I will accept those challenges. And if they can defeat me... and these children will be trained with the unique techniques of your clans... then I will acknowledge your power and join the clan of the one who defeats me."
This unexpected proposal seemed to dissipate the tense atmosphere in the room.
The leaders fell into deep thought. The anger on Einar's face momentarily vanished, Urson's growling ceased.
A complex expression appeared in Morwenna's eyes. The child's insolence annoyed her on one hand, for no one spoke to the White Frost Clan Leader in such a manner. But on the other hand, this little Elf's value had just increased tenfold in her eyes, her desire to possess him was further stoked.
Just then Valka, cut through the silence. She looked at Aurelion with a rare expression of interest on her face.
"You've got some balls, child. Count me in on this challenge."
Before Valka's words had even finished, Silas, chuckled from his seat. He made a waving gesture towards Aurelion. "Count me in too, little one! I wouldn't miss this fun."
The smirk on Aurelion's face now transformed into pure excitement.
His laughter echoed in the room as he slammed his hand on the table. Tiny, white-blue sparks flew from the point of impact, leaving a faint scorch mark on the wood.
"FANTASTIC!" he shouted. "Then I'm raising the bets!" His gaze swept over all the leaders again. "As long as they are my age or at the same Core level, I will accept the challenge of anyone from your clans!"
He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, his voice now trembling with an ambition.
"Ahh," he sighed, as if a long awaited moment had finally arrived. "I'm begging you, provide me with a real challenge, I'm serious. Please, bring forth those who can push me and let me smash those poor idiots' heads in!"
"But," he said suddenly, his tone shifting back to that calculating one, "this deal has become very disadvantageous for me."
The clan leaders watched in amazement at the child's sudden mood swings and unending audacity.
Aurelion continued, "I will accept all challenges and join your clans if I am defeated, yes. But," he said "if I win, you will teach me one of your clan's techniques."
This final demand re-electrified the air in the room. Einar's and Urson's brows furrowed again, while a thoughtful expression appeared on Viggo's face. Morwenna seemed even more interested in this new offer. She was pleased to see that the child was hungry not only for raw power but also for knowledge and growth.
Aurelion, as if anticipating their potential objections, added, "Don't worry. I won't try to learn your most secret, most ancient techniques right away. I'm sure we can agree on some common ground."
"But," he said, "be careful."
His gaze turned directly to Viggo Silverfang. "Ylva Silverfang recently challenged me, and I defeated her without using a single drop of energy." Viggo just stared at Aurelion, his expression unreadable.
Aurelion went on. "Then, as you already know, I can control my energy." He placed his palm on the table, the faint mark of the Scale Seal visible. "I've started to figure this out too. I can hold my energy inside those stupid balloons without popping them. I can channel my energy into my weapon and blend my techniques with my energy."
He slowly raised his left hand. Starting from his fingertips, white-blue sparks climbed up his arm. "And yes, I can perform lightning manipulation."
He extended his spark covered hand towards the clan leaders.
"The person that your poor clan members have to defeat is someone who can do all this at this age."
"Now tell me," he said, his voice low but just as sharp. "Do you have the courage to accept my challenge?"
Silence once again filled the room. The faces of the clan leaders showed a complex mix of astonishment, anger, curiosity, and even a faint trace of admiration.
This seven year old Elf whelp was challenging the leaders of Ulfgard's six most powerful clans, dictating his own terms.
The first to break the silence was, once again was Clan Leader Viggo.
Though he had paused for a moment at Aurelion's words about Ylva, an almost joyful smile now appeared on his face. The nails on his normally smooth hands had slightly elongated, resembling sharp claws.
"So this was your plan from the beginning, son. You've truly surprised me. And not just me, I think all of us."
His eyes locked onto Aurelion's gleaming ones. "The next time Ylva challenges you, you must be very careful, son." His smirk widened.
Upon Viggo's words, Roric finally spoke. "Clan leaders. This arrogant brat's Core is still maturing. For these fights to be truly fair, I believe these challenges should begin after the Talent Tests."
This proposal seemed to soften the air in the room somewhat.
Einar's furrowed brows relaxed slightly. "No problem, Captain," he said.
He shot a sharp look at Aurelion. "If this arrogant little shit is so brave, we can wait a little longer to even the odds, can't we?"
Ursine Clan Leader Urson let out a booming laugh at Einar's words "Yes, Clan Leader Einar!" he said, leaning towards Aurelion. "We can wait a little longer! When I get this kid into my clan, I'll break every single one of his bones until he learns our techniques!"
Valka, just shook her head at these threats. "Don't be so hasty, Clan Leaders."
Silas interjected with a light laugh. "I'm sure everyone has plans for this kid, but you heard the terms of the challenge. The first one to beat him gets this fun little whelp."
Just then, Morwenna, who had remained silent until that moment, leaned slightly towards Aurelion.
"Absolutely," she said, "He will be mine."
Morwenna's clear claim caused the other leaders' brows to furrow again, while Aurelion just smiled at this possessive statement and the leaders' bickering amongst themselves.
"There's one last thing I forgot to tell you," he said suddenly, drawing all attention back to himself.
After a moment of silence, he added. "None of you will succeed in getting me to join your clan. I made this offer to learn your precious techniques. Don't get your hopes up for nothing, Clan Leaders."
Faced with this final, act of insolence, all the clan leaders in the room, after a moment, perhaps at the absurdity of the situation, perhaps at the child's unending bravery, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Urson looked at Roric through his laughter. "Captain," he said, his voice still choked with laughter. "Train this kid well! Train him damn well!" And with these words, he rose from his seat with heavy steps began to exit the meeting room.
The other clan leaders also nodded in agreement with Urson's words and rose one by one.
Einar shot Aurelion one last glare and left. Viggo nodded, that thoughtful smile still on his face, and followed him. Valka and Silas also left the room, muttering something to each other.
The last to leave was Morwenna. Just as she was about to pass through the door, she paused, turned back, and approached Aurelion.
The smirk on her face was gone, replaced by that piercing expression. "Don't you dare let yourself be taken by this idiots, Aurelion," she whispered, "Or I will never forgive you." And without another word, she glided out of the room.
When the door closed behind her, only Aurelion and Captain Roric remained in the room.
Aurelion, with a smile on his face, slumped into the empty chair right next to Roric. He crossed his legs, lacing his hands behind his head.
"I think that went rather well, Captain,"
Roric looked at the boy's relaxed posture for a moment.
He had maintained that faint, smile on his face until now. But with Aurelion's words, his lips curled up even further, and a rare, genuine laugh, coming from deep within his chest.
Aurelion, for a moment, surprised at the Captain's reaction. He had never seen Roric laugh like that before.
Roric's laughter slowly subsided. He shook his head, looking at Aurelion.
"You... are a complete pain in the ass, brat."
Aurelion just shrugged at the Captain's comment. "Whatever you say, Captain."
Roric's face turned serious again. "Brat," he said, "All the clan leaders, especially Einar and Urson, seem to be eagerly awaiting those Talent Tests. And there's a high chance that you'll be get your ass kicked by those kids."
Aurelion smiled faintly. "I know, Captain. I want best to challenge me."
Roric raised an eyebrow. "So you've accepted that you'll end up in Urson's or Einar's hands?"
"Of course not, Captain," Aurelion said instantly, the smile on his face now more cunning. He leaned towards Roric. "I'm counting on you. I know you'll train me mercilessly, day and night, for these two years."
"Are you trying to use the same provocation on me that you used on those clan leaders, brat?"
Aurelion just shrugged and smiled.
Roric slowly rose from his seat. "Get up, brat," he said. "For the next two years, I'll give you a training that will make you curse my name." And without another word, he began to walk towards the exit of the room.
Aurelion quickly got to his feet as well. He followed behind Roric, and together, they left the room, where the future was uncertain but just as full of promise.
On the slopes of the mountain that Ulfgard leaned against, darkness reigned.
Below, the countless lights of the city glittered, contrasting with the moonlight hitting the snowy peaks.
Captain Roric was climbing up a narrow, steep slope.
As he neared the peak, the sounds of explosions and the faint tremors coming from beneath the ground.
Roric knew exactly the source of these sounds.
Finally, with one last effort, he reached the peak, and before him stretched a flat area covered with bare rocks.
And there, in the middle of the area, stood War Chieftain.
He wore only simple, dark colored trousers. His muscular, broad chest and arms were bare, with black, tattoo like markings now glowing more prominently. The moonlight illuminated his silvery hair and tense muscles.
Varkas was swinging his claws at the massive rocks with a savage fury. With each strike, sharp, bright silver energy waves shot out from his claws, making a deafening sound as they hit the rocks.
The countless rocks around were filled with deep cut marks from previous training sessions.
Roric stood a few steps away, waiting for the training to end.
Varkas, after sending out energy waves with a final roar, stopped. He was breathing heavily, steam rising from his bare chest.
"War Chieftain," Roric said, saluting by striking his right fist over his heart.
Varkas didn't turn around, just slowly began to rub his wrists.
His voice was a deep growl. "You wouldn't disturb me unless it was important, Captain. Report." And he slowly turned towards Roric.
"I've come to report on the Elf child, Aurelion, War Chieftain,"
"The last time, I told you to report every significant development concerning this child to me. You haven't come to see me in a while, Captain."
"I didn't want to interrupt your training, War Chieftain," Roric said respectfully.
Varkas gestured with his hand for him to continue. "Very well, Captain. Present your report."
Roric thought for a moment, then began to speak. "The child can use his energy, War Chieftain. He has also begun to explore the Seal on his palm, and with its help, he can control his energy much better. He has succeeded in the balloon training, he can channel energy into his weapon, mix his techniques with his energy, and... and he can perform lightning manipulation."
One of Varkas's eyebrows rose noticeably. This was an unexpected development. "When were you planning on telling me this, Captain?"
"Most of this happened while I was at Ashstone Village, War Chieftain. And some significant events have occurred in the last few days. I was only able to come to you now to present the report."
"Most of this happened while you were away?"
"The child discovered lightning manipulation and the basic control of his energy on his own, while I was gone, War Chieftain. The child is not only intelligent, but also very ambitious and incredibly determined."
Varkas made a gesture with his head as if to say, continue.
"After discovering his Seal, he openly asked me what it was. He is very skeptical and doesn't trust anyone easily. If I hadn't given him a clear answer, he might have grown cold towards us and this city. That's why I told him he was a noble High Elf."
"And what did he do then, Captain?"
"He is aware that this is the reason for the attention shown to him, War Chieftain."
"And?" Varkas said. "Does he want to find his family? What did he ask you about that?"
"He sees his family as weak for not being able to protect him. He has absolutely no intention of contacting them."
Varkas's other eyebrow rose slightly. This child was truly different.
Roric continued. "The child is vengeful, War Chieftain. But, he is not ungrateful. The day I took him in, he thanked the orphanage director, Mistress Linnea, and said that if I truly made him stronger, he would never forget this favor." Roric paused for a moment.
"We don't need to make an extra effort to bind him to our culture, to this city, War Chieftain. The child has a very free spirit and reacts extremely to restrictions. But, just by supporting him, by not hindering his development, we can make him feel a sense of belonging to this city, to Ulfgard."
Varkas had listened Roric's words. He slowly nodded his head. "I trust your judgment, Captain." Then his eyes drifted to the glittering city lights below. "This child still has things he hasn't revealed, Captain."
"So, Captain. Is that all for your report?"
At the War Chieftain's question, Roric summarized in detail the plans Aurelion had made against the clans, what had happened in the meeting room.
As the War Chieftain listened to Roric's account, the stern expression on his face slowly dissolved, replaced by a guttural laugh.
"Good. Even if he used my name, he played those tricksters well. Besides... that's what we needed. Competition is good."
He looked at Roric. "Ensure that child does not lose any challenge, Captain."
"Understood, War Chieftain," Roric said without hesitation.
Varkas looked again at the city of Ulfgard.
The smile on his face was gone, replaced by an expression of deep thought.
"This peace... it won't last long, Roric."