After his meeting with Diana, Levian and his father returned to the family estate.
Levian struggled to keep the smile from his face.
Not only had he achieved significant progress within his system, but he also bonded with his future wife.
They had spent hours in the Emberbury Estate, talking about everything, and nothing at the same time.
His Father Odin was happy to see this.
Everything seemed to be going right for the youngest son of the Bladeblessed family.
Until he reached his chambers and opened his door.
There, he found his oldest brother Malachi sitting atop his bed with a sickening grin on his face.
The giant man held a familiar item in his hand.
One that shined red like blood.
"Who would've thought?" Malachi laughed. "You're a fucking bastard child."
It was the red awakening stone, the one used only by those with elven blood.
Levian felt his heart sink in his chest.
His body struggled to move.
"Might want to close that door so we can talk." Malachi taunted with a shrug. "Unless you want the estate to know that you're part elf?"
Levian did as he said, closing the door quietly behind him.
His lips managed to move.
"I'm not an elf."
"Of course not. I just happened to find this in your room, on the same day that you miraculously awakened." Malachi retorted sarcastically.
Levian was stunned once again.
A thousand thoughts ran through his mind, but he struggled to filter through them.
Everything was going so well...
Malachi placed the stone on the bed and crossed his arms. His large muscles bulged with the movement, visible even through his suit jacket.
"I don't know how, or why you're an elf, but from your reaction, it's obvious that you're one of those freaks. Regardless, I don't give a shit, and I'm willing to keep this secret between the two of us."
Levian knew that his brother was lying.
He would never let this secret go, and although he suspected that someone within the family had to know that he was an elf, he didn't want to risk the secret spreading further.
His mother would be excused of being a cheater, and both of them would be killed.
Levian didn't know what the truth was.
He contemplated calling for Nyx and cutting his brother down then and there.
But then, he'd have to explain himself. And was he even strong enough to pull off such a feat?
Malachi was a high-gold. Even with Nyx, the gap between them was clear. Not to mention the fact that he already had a legendary weapon for himself.
So for now, he decided to listen.
"I've heard about your talent, the ability to create legendary weapons out of things air," Malachi announced, slightly incorrect.
"But I've also seen and sensed your black blade. I know you have a method that allows you to create mythical weapons."
His eyes then glared into his little brother's, a twisted smile on his face.
"Bring me a mythical greathammer, and I will forget everything that I know, and don't spout that rubbish about only being able to use that talent once a year. Everyone knows that's a lie."
There it was.
The catch.
Levian kept his cool, or tried his best to.
He had sworn to never use his talent for theatrics.
Never use it simply to please others.
Yet Malachi hoped to use it as a form of blackmail, to obtain power.
"Everyone will want to know where you got it from," Levian stated.
Malachi shrugged his burly shoulders. "A gift from little brother. Nothing strange about that."
Levian wanted to slice him in half then and there, but he held back his rage.
After all, a plan began to form in his mind, or rather a decision had been made.
He gritted his teeth and spat."Okay. Three days, and I'll bring you what you want."
Malachi's smile split wider, and his eyes lit up.
"You'll meet me in the fields nearest to the gardens, that way I can test the weapon first and see if it's to my liking."
Levian almost let a grin creep onto his face.
Perfect...
His brother had suggested exactly what he wanted. For them to meet outside of the estate.
Levian had already come to a decision on what he wished to do.
Not only was his life and dreams at risk, but he had also been made a fool of by the man he hated most.
His older brother, Malachi.
So he would cut him down in the field, when his brother was expecting to be delivered a weapon.
Afterwards, he would break free Cassius and escape the Bladeblessed family for the time being.
It was a dangerous decision to make in such a short time, but he could think of no better option.
Malachi slipped the glowing stone into a towel, and then back into his suit jacket.
Afterwards, he made to leave the room.
"Three days, three days and then I bring this to father if you don't get me what i want."
And with no more words, he left Levian alone in his room.
The young man cursed beneath his breath and slammed his fist into the wall.
Rage washed over him.
He didn't want to be forced into such a situation. He wanted things to play out naturally.
But he had been given no choice.
Three days.
He had three days to prepare for a battle against the high-gold, Malachi. A Knight set to become the head of the family in the future.
Levian looked at his own stats again.
He had the mythical blade Nyx, which already put him at a giant advantage. However, he was only low-silver.
At the bare minimum, he needed to break through to low-gold to receive the unique rank trait gifted to them.
Then, he would be ready to take on his brother.
He let out a sigh, and instead of heading to bed, began making his way back towards the great hall to find his father.
If he wanted to become stronger, he needed to take on more dungeons, but gold dungeons would not be enough.
Instead, he decided that he would take on a platinum dungeon, in hopes of ranking up at the fastest rate he could.
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