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Chapter 9: The Lord's Trial
Part 3 – Legacy Awaken & Battle Style
Jefel felt explosive power erupt from deep within. His wounds knit back together, bones humming with raw energy. He flexed his fingers, and the sound of cracking joints echoed through the chamber. His gaze locked onto the Direwolf and he grinned.
"This isn't enough for you, is it? Then let's make it more interesting… one more push, shall we?"
The Direwolf stiffened, instincts screaming danger. But it was already too late.
Tink!
[System]
—All accumulated points converted into Core and Attributes.
—(Total: 55 points, Experience: +10).
Tink!
[System]
—Breakthrough possible. Proceed? {Yes}/{No}
"Yes," Jefel whispered, his smile widening.
Tink!
[System]
—Congratulations on your breakthrough!
BOOOOM! 💥
A fiery orange aura exploded outward, shaking the cavern. Dust and stone rained down.
Robin's eyes widened, his face pale.
"What?! Two breakthroughs… at once? Even if it's only Minor Realm—his foundation is monstrous! Roland, my friend… what have you brought to life?"
The Direwolf growled and retreated a step, its violet aura flickering. It had never seen such a thing.
Jefel threw his head back and laughed. The sound echoed like rolling thunder.
"Hahahahaha! This… this power… I think I'm in love with battle itself!"
Tink!
[New Legacy Unlocked]
Battle Heir — You are born of battle. You grow through battle. You are battle.
Jefel's laughter deepened, shaking the beast's resolve. Even Robin shivered, his expression tightening.
"No… not this soon. He's awakened his legacy—Battle Heir. Short description or not, it means one thing… he's no longer fighting battles. He is battle itself."
Jefel's eyes gleamed like molten gold. "Now… it's my turn."
BOOM!
He vanished, leaving an afterimage.
Robin shot to his feet in alarm.
"An afterimage? In Minor Realm?!"
The chamber quaked as boy and beast collided once more. Fists clashed against claws, growls against roars. Every strike shredded Jefel's skin, yet each wound hardened his body further, tempering his core beyond its limits.
The Direwolf's eyes widened as realization struck—this boy was mirroring its every move. Each slash, each lunge, reflected back with brutal precision. But Jefel's counterstrikes carried something more: the weight of the tiger's dominance fused with the feral cunning of the wolf. His body had grown tougher, harder to pierce, while every blow of his landed deeper, breaking through even the Direwolf's thick hide.
Robin's lips trembled, then curved into a smile.
"He's… copying and learning as he fights. No—he's evolving. Roland, I thought I was repaying a debt, but your son… he's giving me a gift. Even in death, I'll cherish him like my own."
The Direwolf staggered, violet sparks hissing around its fangs. It crouched low, eyes narrowing in desperation.
But Jefel no longer trembled.
His aura burned bright—an orange inferno laced with emerald and silver. The beastly roar within him steadied his stance. His movements flowed like water, yet struck with the force of lightning. The Predatory Beast Art had taken form.
Robin's grin widened.
"So… wolf's savagery and tiger's dominance. Interesting."
The Direwolf lunged, claws like lightning.
Jefel blurred. Pupils slitting into gold, his body twisted with wolf-like agility. His leg swept low, sending the beast stumbling. In that heartbeat, Jefel roared:
"Predatory Beast Art—Rending Strike!!!"
BANG!
His fist, glowing with golden-green light, crashed into the Direwolf's chest.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The beast's ribcage caved in as it flew into the wall, blood spraying from its mouth. Its violet aura shattered, trembling before the boy's feral dominance.
"Awooohhhh!!!"
The Direwolf writhed, coughing blood, eyes wide with fear.
Jefel staggered, chest heaving, but the fire in his veins only grew hotter.
"This… this power—it's mine."
Robin's voice was low, almost reverent.
"Good. He's bent the art into his own technique… but can he finish it?"
The Direwolf rose once more, bloodied yet unbroken, silver fur matted with crimson. Jefel's body shook with pain, but his spirit burned brighter than ever.
The trial was not yet over.
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