The echoing silence in the Dragon's Maw was broken only by Liam's ragged breaths. Sword Sovereign Eldrin had vanished as silently as he'd appeared, leaving behind a chilling pronouncement and the weight of an impossible expectation. Liam ran a hand through his sweat-dampened silver hair, the euphoria of survival warring with the crushing exhaustion.
An elderly Oulbeck healer, his movements economical and practiced, stepped forward from the shadows where he'd waited. He began tending to Liam's myriad cuts and bruises with deft, cool fingers. The healing was efficient, the salves potent, but it lacked the almost painful empathy, the warm, living light that had emanated from Sarah's touch. The contrast sent a brief, sharp pang through him – a longing for her presence, a reminder of the simpler, yet no less vital, connections he fought to protect.
Sir Lucas arrived then, his weathered face a mask of relief quickly hardening into stern concern. "Boy," he rumbled, his voice low as he dismissed the healer with a nod, "you've not just won a trial; you've caught the eye of a titan. Eldrin the Unbroken doesn't bestow his attention lightly. Do you have any idea the kind of game you're playing, whether you intend to or not? The expectations… the scrutiny…" Lucas shook his head, his gaze heavy. "This path you're on, it's fraught with more than just tournament rivals."
As Liam absorbed the knight's grave words, the familiar translucent panel of the System flared in his vision, overriding the lingering aches. The "???" beneath Dragonheart Vigor's description shimmered, then resolved into clear, glowing script.
[Dragonheart Vigor Trait Unlocked: Draconic Manifestation (Rank SS+ - Latent)]
Description: Allows the user to consciously channel draconic mana to manifest partial draconic features, visible only to the user and those with exceptionally high draconic or ethereal senses. These manifestations are fueled by mana and offer temporary enhancements.
Current Manifestations:
Obsidian Scales: User can summon spectral, obsidian-like scales across chosen parts of their body for enhanced defense. Durability scales with mana invested and user's Endurance. (High mana cost for full coverage).
Adamantine Claws: User can transform their hands into draconic claws, imbued with mana, capable of tearing through mundane defenses. Attack power scales with mana invested and user's Strength.
Dragon's Gaze (Passive - Upgrade): The user's Vision (Rank A) skill is permanently upgraded. [Skill Upgraded: Vision (Rank A) -> Dragon's Gaze (Rank SSS)].
[Dragon's Gaze (Rank SSS): Allows the user to perceive the detailed status, potential, hidden talents, and even brief emotional states/intentions of any individual, regardless of their rank. Extremely powerful individuals may possess means to partially obscure their information, but a fundamental reading is always possible. Enhanced perception of mana flows and magical auras.]*
Liam's breath caught. Dragon's Gaze… SSS-Rank? The ability to see through any façade, to understand the true nature of anyone he encountered – this was a power that could shift empires. He subtly flexed the fingers of his left hand, hidden beneath his torn tunic. A faint, dark shimmer, almost invisible even to his own eyes, flickered across his skin – the phantom sensation of hardening scales. Then, he focused his will, activating his newly enhanced sight.
The world resolved into an intricate tapestry of flowing mana and unspoken intent. He looked at Sir Lucas.
[Status Window]
Name: Lucas Valerius
Age: 52
Race: Human
Class: Knight Commander
Title: The Steadfast Shield, Veteran of the Northern Wars
Stars: ★★★★ (Expert Knight)
Affiliation: House Lithia (Unyielding Loyalty)
Potential: A-
Emotional State: Proud, Deeply Worried (for Liam), Resolute
Intent: Protect Liam, Uphold House Lithia's Honor
Attributes: Strength: 38, Stamina: 35, Agility: 32, Vitality: 100, Endurance: 120, Mana: 350
Talents: Swordsmanship (S), Leadership (A), Tactics (B+), Defensive Combat (A+), Teaching (B)
Skills: Lithian Sword Style: Iron Fortress (Passive - Rank A), Aura of Command (Active - Rank B+), Shield Bash (Active - Rank A), Unyielding Resolve (Passive - Rank A), Veteran's Instinct (Passive - Rank S)
The depth of information was staggering. He saw the knight's stats, his unwavering loyalty a palpable aura, but also the deep, gnawing worry, a paternal fear for the boy who was rapidly becoming something far more than human. This new sight was overwhelming, a torrent of information that would take time to master.
Later, once Liam had been given a fresh tunic and a moment to collect himself, the remaining competitors were gathered. A herald, his voice resonating with forced cheer after the brutal Gauntlet, announced the names of the eight finalists. Liam's name echoed, met by a wave of hushed awe and nervous glances. Lady Elara Voss, her expression unreadable, and Kael Thorne, looking characteristically grim, were also called.
Then, a name was announced that made Liam's senses sharpen: "Glen Forhimer." His eyes immediately sought out the individual. A young man of unassuming build, with plain features and a quiet demeanor that seemed designed to blend into the background. But Liam knew. Arthur Razakia, he thought, the name a cold echo from his bloodstained past. The Fifth Prince. Cunning, ambitious, and a swordsman of no small skill even at this age. Here, under a commoner's alias? He's gauging the field, or perhaps his true purpose is far more intricate.
Liam focused his Dragon's Gaze on the supposed "Glen Forhimer."
[Status Window (Partially Obscured by Concealment Art)]
Name: Arthur R— (Alias: Glen Forhimer)
Age: 16
Race: Human (Royal Bloodline - Latent)
Title: The Hidden Serpent, Scheming Prince
Stars: ★★★ (Adept Knight - Suppressed)
Affiliation: Razakian Royal Family (Covert)
Potential: S
Emotional State: Calculating, Amused, Intrigued (by Liam)
Intent: Observe, Test Strength of Rivals, Achieve Undisclosed Objective
Attributes: (Significantly higher than his displayed persona would suggest; True Strength: ~30, True Agility: ~32)
Skills: [Royal Sword Arts (B)], [Concealment Mastery (A)], [Strategic Mind (A)], [Shadow Step (B - Latent)]
S-Rank Potential. And already an Adept Knight, suppressing his true strength, with skills suited for subterfuge. Liam's jaw tightened. The tournament had just transformed from a test of skill into a political chessboard with deadly pieces.
Grandmaster Orin then announced a week of rest for the finalists, a period for recuperation and preparation before the ultimate duels.
Despite the proclaimed rest, Liam's days were anything but idle. He trained relentlessly with Sir Lucas, pushing his body and his mana reserves, secretly experimenting with the Draconic Manifestations. The obsidian scales felt like a second skin when summoned, the adamantine claws thrummed with a primal power that was both exhilarating and terrifying to control. Crimson Fang seemed to respond to these draconic echoes, its crimson fuller pulsing with a deeper, more resonant light.
On the eve of the final duels, as Liam and Lucas concluded a particularly grueling sparring session in a private Oulbeck training yard, Grandmaster Orin Oulbeck appeared, his presence as solid and unyielding as the ancient stones of his keep.
"Your display in the Gauntlet was… noteworthy," Orin stated, his voice a low rumble. "But raw talent is unrefined ore. True strength is forged in the hottest fires. Tomorrow, the real test begins. Before that," his piercing gaze fixed on Liam, "we talk."
Orin led him to a secluded meditation garden, the air still and cool. Liam instinctively used Dragon's Gaze.
[Status Window]
Name: Orin Oulbeck
Age: 78
Race: Human
Class: Sword Saint
Title: The Iron Patriarch of Oulbeck, Guardian of the Spear Pass, Eldrin's First Disciple
Stars: ★★★★★★★ (Sword Saint / Knight King)
Affiliation: House Oulbeck (Patriarch), Eldrin's Lineage
Potential: S (Nearing Peak)
Emotional State: Scrutinizing, Hopeful (for Liam), Stern, Burdened (by responsibility)
Intent: Test Liam's Uttermost Limits, Find a Worthy Successor/Hope for the Future
Attributes: Strength: 75, Stamina: 70, Agility: 68, Vitality: 250, Endurance: 300, Mana: 1200
Talents: Swordsmanship (SS+), Spearmanship (SS), Leadership (S), Teaching (S), Battlefield Command (S), Indomitable Will (SS)
Skills: Oulbeck Mountain Breaker Style (Passive/Active - Rank SS+), Aura of the Saint (Passive - Rank S), Wisdom of Ages (Passive - Rank S), One with the Blade (Passive - Rank SS), Eldrin's Scrutiny (Passive - Rank S)
The sheer power radiating from the Sword Saint was almost a physical force.
"You carry yourself with a weight that doesn't match your years, boy," Orin began, his voice softer now, yet no less intense. "Eldrin sees a fire in you, a will that burns fiercely. Tell me, Liam Lithian, do you know why so few reach the heights of 7-Stars, and why the realm of an 8-Star Sovereign is almost mythical?"
Liam considered, then spoke carefully. "Talent and dedication are crucial, Grandmaster. Resources, lineage… they play their part. But I suspect it requires something more… a breakthrough, a profound understanding that eludes most."
Orin nodded slowly. "Insightful. But incomplete." He paused, his gaze distant.
"Firstly, The Weight of Will. Talent is a spark, found in many. Dedication fans it. But an unbreakable will, a spirit that refuses to yield to despair, to pain, to the crushing weight of expectation – that is the mountain few can scale. Most spirits are brittle, boy. They shatter long before their bodies give out. Eldrin, my Master, seeks a will of diamond, a spirit that can face annihilation and not break." Liam felt his own latent draconic resolve, the core of his being that had endured one death and clawed its way back, resonate with Orin's words.
"Secondly," Orin continued, his voice dropping further, "The Plateau of Mortal Limits & Transcendence. Every warrior, no matter how gifted, eventually strikes a wall. Mortal effort, raw training, it can take you to the peak of 6-Stars, perhaps, if fate is kind. Beyond that lies a chasm. To cross it, to become a Saint, a Sovereign, one must find a key to unlock a deeper wellspring within or without. A profound understanding of self, a unique connection to the world's essence, an enlightenment that redefines one's very being. Some find it in absolute devotion, others in stark solitude, some in the heart of unending conflict. Many search their whole lives and never grasp their key." Orin's eyes seemed to pierce Liam, as if sensing the dormant draconic power that was Liam's unique, terrifying key.
"And finally," Orin's voice was somber, "The Burden of Legacy & Purpose. Power for its own sake is a wildfire, destructive and aimless, consuming all in its path, including the wielder. Those who truly ascend, who reach the sacred peaks, carry more than just their own ambition. They bear a legacy, or forge a new one, driven by a purpose that transcends the self. It is this purpose that fuels their will through the darkest trials, that gives meaning to their strength. What drives you, Liam Lithian, beyond the desire for victory in this arena? What will you do with the strength you so desperately seek?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and profound, forcing Liam to look beyond the immediate horizon of revenge and survival, towards the vast, uncertain future he was trying to shape. Before he could formulate an answer, Orin gestured. "Enough talk. Show me if you've understood anything at all."
The "spar" that followed was less a contest and more a brutal lesson. Orin didn't try to overwhelm Liam with sheer power. Instead, he moved with impossible precision, neutralizing Liam's speed with subtle shifts in footwork, deflecting Crimson Fang's hungry edge with seemingly effortless parries that sent jarring vibrations up Liam's arm. He forced Liam to rely on pure technique, on the nascent Draconic Manifestations. Once, anticipating a disarming strike, Liam instinctively channeled mana, and spectral obsidian scales flickered across his sword arm, deflecting Orin's wooden practice sword with a dull thud that surprised them both. Orin's eyes glinted with a dangerous understanding before he pressed his attack, testing Liam's mental fortitude, the very core of his "Dragon's Will," with feints and mana pressures designed to break his concentration.
Liam returned to his quarters late that night, his body a canvas of aches, his mind alight with Orin's wisdom. He found Lady Elara Voss waiting near his door, her usual sharp demeanor softened by a thoughtful frown. "Lithian," she said, her voice low. "That Gauntlet… you're more than you appear. If we face each other tomorrow, I won't hold back. May the best warrior win." She paused, then added, her eyes narrowing, "And may the true warriors be the only ones left standing. Some of us are beginning to wonder about the 'accidents' in this tournament." She gave a curt nod and was gone.
Later, Kael Thorne passed him in the corridor, pressing a small, crudely wrapped package into his hand without a word – a potent, earthy-smelling healing salve. A silent acknowledgment of a shared, dangerous path. From across the common room, Liam caught the eye of "Glen Forhimer." Prince Arthur's gaze was cool, appraising, and Liam's Dragon's Gaze picked up a flicker of heightened calculation, a sense that Arthur now recognized him as more than just another noble scion.
Sir Lucas found him staring out at the moonlit grounds. "Elara Voss tomorrow, then," Lucas said, his voice steady. "She's fast, cunning, and her archery is unparalleled at this level. She'll try to control the distance. You'll need to be decisive, close the gap quickly." He clapped a hand on Liam's shoulder. "And Liam… Eldrin and Orin are watching every move. Discipline. Control that power of yours. Don't let it master you."
The morning of the final duels dawned bright and clear. The eight finalists were summoned to the Oulbeck arena, now transformed. A single, massive dueling circle dominated the center, its perimeter marked by shimmering runes. The stands were packed; nobles, merchants, and commoners alike held their breath, the air thick with anticipation.
Grandmaster Orin Oulbeck stood upon a raised dais. "Finalists! You have proven your mettle, your courage, and your skill. Today, you fight for honor, for glory, and for the ultimate prize!" Attendants unveiled the Ring of Azure Depths, its sapphire glowing with an inner light, captivating all eyes. "The final trial is The Champion's Duel! A series of one-on-one confrontations. Yield, incapacitation, or ring-out determines the victor. Let the duels begin!"
A hush fell as the pairings were announced from a ceremonial scroll. Liam listened, his heart a steady beat.
"First duel of the quarter-finals!" the herald boomed. "From House Voss, the Hawkeye of the West, Lady Elara Voss! Versus… from House Lithia, the Wolf of the North, Lord Liam Lithian!"
A roar went up from the crowd. Liam met Elara's fierce, determined gaze across the pristine dueling circle. He activated Dragon's Gaze one last time before the fight.
[Status Window]
Name: Elara Voss
Age: 16
Race: Human
Class: Archer Knight / Ranger
Title: The Hawkeye of House Voss, Tournament Hopeful
Stars: ★★★ (Adept Knight - Specialized Archer)
Affiliation: House Voss (Heir Apparent)
Potential: S-
Emotional State: Determined, Competitive, Wary (of Liam), Slightly Intrigued
Intent: Win the Tournament, Uphold House Voss's Honor, Prove Her Skill
Attributes: Strength: 22, Stamina: 25, Agility: 35, Vitality: 70, Endurance: 65, Mana: 450
Talents: Archery (S+), Stealth (A), Tracking (A-), Trap Setting (B+), Swordsmanship (D)
Skills: Voss Piercing Shot Style (Passive/Active - Rank S), Ranger's Guile (Passive - Rank A), Elusive Shadow (Active - Rank B+), Focused Intent (Passive - Rank A)
He felt the almost physical weight of Sword Sovereign Eldrin's attention from the highest balcony, a silent, unyielding demand for excellence.
Liam took his stance, Crimson Fang held ready, its crimson fuller seeming to drink the morning light. Elara nocked an arrow, her longbow already drawn, her own S-Rank Potential a clear indicator of her prodigious talent. The air crackled.
The herald raised his hand. "Begin!".