Ascension of the Dark Seraph - Chapter 233

Chapter 233: Older Brother
Lucivar spent his time with formalities, bantering with students and academy hunters who were sending him praises—and cheering him on for the tournament. He even talked with several professors teaching the students, who were also showing their approval of him.

Something like this was outside his comfort zone.

He used to be the one giving praises to others and listening as others boast and gloat.

It was still new for him, being the center of attention.

But for some reason, it didn’t feel bad—if anything, he was beginning to understand why others craved the spotlight so badly. The constant praise, the admiration—it fed his ego, sending his confidence to the sky as if he was the chosen one of the world.

Even Sha came out and sat on his shoulder, basking in the praises sent Lucivar’s way.

All of the concerns he had initially when he entered the academy were gone.

Despite coming from a slave city, despite being an academy hunter, all of that doesn’t matter anymore.

As the night continues, Lucivar begins to realize one important fact.

His mother, as cruel as she was in Lucivar’s eyes—wasn’t the abnormal one.

Contrary to his belief back then, it was he who was the abnormal one.

Prioritizing his own family, his own blood above everything else—above his own life, above his pride, above power, that was abnormal. Just like these academy hunters, students, and professors showed to him, power dictates everything.

His status as someone of the lower class was easily thrown to the side because of his power.

None of them mentioned his origin anymore.

None of them mocked him.

None of them shot a disdainful gaze at him.

All because he was strong.

“Can you feel it now?” She suddenly said, forcing Lucivar to turn towards her—while she scanned the entire hall with a peculiar, sinister glint in her eyes. “This is the fruit of your labor. All of your sufferings and struggles changed your life for the better, turning a dog as you once were into a respectful person”

“None of them cared how you become strong, only that you are strong” She continued—before finally meeting Lucivar’s gaze. “Everything changed once you embraced the darkness. So don’t stop, keep on going deeper. You’re destined to overturn karma and stand at the very top. Soon, as long as you focus on being the Blessed Oracle, karma will favor those you want it to favor”

Lucivar’s eyes sparkled when he heard that.

Nothing he wants more in his life than to crush karma and bend it to his liking.

“Such an endearing revelation…” Lucivar licked his lips in delight. “I must tell her all about it tonight”

Once the night turned darker and the exhaustion took over, the party finally ended.

Even though he hasn’t made any progress today, it was a day well spent.

One thing is for sure, his bond with the academy grew.

Lucivar didn’t meet with Professor Aeldric today, which was quite weird—since he expected to see the professor as the tournament was nearing and he might want to say a few words. But then again, he was not complaining.

It’s not that he has anything to say either.

Soon, Lucivar and the rest of the academy hunters returned back to the Bastion of Blades.

Unlike the others who were exhausted, Lucivar was still brimming.

He was anticipating his room, there was a lot he wanted to tell.

Once he arrived, he instantly barged inside and went over to the drawer beside the bed.

Sabrina, who was already relaxing on the bed jumped when the door was abruptly swung open roughly.

She cursed Lucivar under her breath and watched him take something from the drawer, a phone.

Realizing that it was that particular time of Lucivar where he didn’t want to be disturbed, Sabrina went out and closed the door behind her, giving Lucivar the space he needed. She never asked the person he was talking to but he knew who she was.

Leandra once told her about it.

…

Meanwhile, outside of the Bastion of Blades.

A lot of academy hunters were still coming back from the party.

Most of them staggered down the road, swaying and stumbling like puppets with cut strings.

One nearly toppled but caught himself, laughter slurring into the night. Arms flailed for balance, bodies bumping together, their steps clumsy and erratic—reeking of alcohol and reckless joy. Clearly, all of them were drunk.

So drunk in fact that a lot of Kalvins were carrying them back.

Considering that a party such as this rarely happens, it was their time to cut loose for once.

As academy hunters who risked their lives for the sake of the future, this was not uncommon to see.

However, among the crowd of drunkards, there were a few who were only tipsy.

“Such a great day, I had so much fun today,” Mirel extended his arms skyward and stretched, finding that it was liberating to drink and have fun for the entire day—a temporary break from reality. “What about you guys? Do you have fun?”

Bakar flexed his bicep, “It’s not good for the body to drink but yes, today is quite refreshing”

“Me as well, there are a lot of sweet cakes,” Nerissa replied in delight.

Her mouth watered again as she recalled the mountain of cakes she devoured earlier.

Others are drunk from the alcohol while she is drunk in sugar.

It was surprising for her to retain quite a slender body for someone who ate that much.

All of her fat from the sugar was stored in her cheeks instead.

Just then, as they were nearing the cave’s entrance, Nerissa and Bakar noticed someone.

On the far left, peeking behind a tree was someone familiar, someone that they recognized instantly.

At the sight of him, both of them stopped in their tracks.

For a fleeting moment, their expressions shifted from normal to shock and then to nervous.

“What’s wrong?” Mirel turned and asked when he realized the two stopped. “Let’s go inside, it’s cold”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Nothing is wrong…” Nerissa offered a small smile, waving both hands—dismissively before turning away. “Sorry, Mirel, but I think you should head inside first. I just need to take a walk and breathe. Gotta let all that sugar settle, you know”

Not even waiting for a response, Nerissa walked away.

Just then, Bakar followed, “Oops, I forgot something. I’ll go back to fetch it—you go on ahead, Mirel”

Like Nerissa, Bakar too sprinted away before he could even say anything.

Now alone, Mirel stood on his spot with one arm extended forward, watching both Nerissa and Bakar disappear into the distance. He retracted his arm—and scratched the back of his head in confusion, “So sudden? For some reason, it felt like they were making an excuse. Whatever, I’ll hit the sack”

Shrugging his shoulders, Mirel continued ahead.

Several minutes later, Nerissa and Mirel peeked from their hiding spot, checking if the coast was clear.

Once both of them couldn’t find Mirel anywhere, they came out and went to the particular tree.

Going around it, the two saw the man they saw earlier—Bob.

Bob was crossing his arms, waiting for them to get rid of Mirel and meet with him.

“Come with me,” He said with a cold tone and led the way.

Nerissa and Bakar trailed behind Bob timidly—their shoulders slumped, making their presence seem smaller while their eyes were glued to the ground. It was as if both of them were turned docile in Bob’s sheer presence, fear and respect flickering in their downcast gazes.

Soon, the three reached an abandoned building used for the hunter’s inauguration.

Nobody was around, this place was secluded, perfect for a talk.

Reaching an abandoned car, Bob hoisted himself onto it with his thick hands, the metal groaning under his weight as the frame sank slightly. Seated atop it, he faced Nerissa and Bakar. His gaze was heavy and the duo avoided meeting his eyes.

At this moment, he looked like a bully who was about to extort Nerissa and Bakar.

Silence enveloped them for two solid minutes.

It was a choking silence that made the duo sweat profusely and their hearts pounded inside their chests.

Finally, Bob opened his mouth to break the silence.

“One is a two-star Acolyte rank,” He muttered, pointing at Bakar, then shifted his index finger—to the pale-faced Nerissa. “And the other just broke through to three-star. You two have been scraping the very bottom of the family ranks for a while now… seems like you’ve grown comfortable there”

“It’s… It’s not like that,” Bakar tried to argue but his voice came out meek and uncertain.

He had been dreading this moment and now, it actually arrived.

“What have the both of you been doing?” Bob asked, his voice low and demanding.

“I’ve been doing nothing but train,” Bakar answered resolutely. “I swear, I never slacked off!”

“And yet… you are still the weakest. Why is that?” Bob shot back without hesitation—disappointment etched across his face clearly. “You’re a Rampage Troll Hybrid, you draw ether from violence, whether it’s inflicted on you or by you. Your strength thrives on the battlefield, so why in the world are you still training indoors?”

Upon hearing this, Bakar clenched his jaw and averted his gaze away.

His face showed signs of fear that he tried to desperately hide but couldn’t.

“Are you afraid of feeling pain…?” Bob squinted his eyes savagely.

Not even giving a warning, Bob reached out his hand and fired a gush of black torrent that struck Bakar ruthlessly and sent him flying away—screeching and bouncing against the concrete ground. Bakar was knocked down hard, he coughed a mouthful of blood when he came to a stop.

Seeing this, Nerissa’s eyes widened as her body shivered.

“And you, Nerissa…” Bob’s voice suddenly rang.

As soon as she heard that, Nerissa turned forward again and gasped in shock.

Bob was already standing in front of her, towering like a massive boulder.

“A Two-world Siren Hybrid, an exceptionally rare Siren bloodline that belonged to a named, Queen of the Sirens. A bloodline that commands the sound and curse attributes,” He went on, his gaze dark with disdain and fury. “A bloodline that amasses natural ether from the screams and wails of its victims. Tell me, how many people have you made scream…?”

“We… We’re in an established city, I- I can’t do that” Nerissa answered stutteringly.

However, this answer made Bob’s aura turn darker and more threatening.

“Even Lucivar could reach the five-star despite needing to kill to grow stronger,” Bob said chillingly, Nerissa’s and Bakar’s failure to keep up was making him sick. “You only need to make them scream and you dare give me an excuse…?”

As he said that, Bob cracked his knuckles as the moonlight silhouetted him from behind.

Turning him into a massive shadowy figure.

“Tonight, I’ll make sure both of you understand your errors,” He said menacingly.