Evolution of the Ruined Heir - Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Glory [GT Bonus Chapter]
‘It affected my whole body too.’

Despite the focus being around his heart, he could tell that his physical strength had increased, even if slightly.

‘And my perception…’

Malakai spread it outward. What once covered twenty meters now reached twenty two. A small improvement, but an improvement nonetheless.

‘I can’t wait to use my blood powers.’

He suspected the true change would be in this aspect, his blood. The node didn’t just improve his mastery, it enhanced its effectiveness.

‘I’ll test it when I return to the clan.’

After a while, Renlo finished his celebration and finally settled. With the veins still staring at Malakai in silence, time passed quickly, until a loud, blaring horn echoed across the dark forest.

As soon as the remaining youths heard it, a collective sigh escaped them.

The hunt was finally over.

In the next second, darkness swept across the forest as a massive platform blocked the late morning sun.

Several ropes descended from above, stopping just before they touched the ground.

Malakai was already on his feet the moment the horn sounded.

“Let’s go,” he said to Renlo, who instantly nodded and followed.

They ignored the piercing glares from the veins. As they grabbed onto one of the ropes and tugged, it began to rise, lifting them high toward the platform above.

Seconds later, Malakai and Renlo pushed through the massive crowd gathered on the platform.

While many still arrived from below, most here were the ones eliminated during the hunt, especially those who had fallen during the army of darkness creature’s march.

Because they had left the competition early, they’d been able to witness everything that followed.

Some had seen Malakai’s duel with Julius. Others, his clash with Aurelia. But the majority had watched the final act, Malakai, the ninth vein, standing alone against an army of darkness creatures.

Even now, mouths were left wide open. Disbelief filled the air as countless eyes locked on Malakai.

He ignored them.

With a tense Renlo in tow, he finally reached the corner of the platform where the Sanguine group had been dropped off. There, a Skeldrith stood, waiting to retrieve the clan’s youths.

Seconds later, Malakai walked into the glass dome, only to pause at the entrance.

“Blood flows where you walk. May your blood burn brighter than the sun.”

Malakai calmly met the gaze of the Iron Saint bowing before him, fist against his chest.

“As it should.”

The Iron Saint, Caelum, struck his chest once more and straightened, a proud smile on his face.

“You made the clan proud, Ninth Vein. Amazing work,” he said with admiration.

Malakai nodded.

“Thank you.”

He was about to walk past when Caelum’s next words made his eyes sharpen.

“Prepare yourself for when you return to the clan.”

It was a whisper, but Malakai heard it loud and clear.

He nodded seriously and walked toward a quiet corner, a bewildered Renlo trailing close behind.

Malakai hadn’t been the first to enter the glass dome. The other Sanguine youths who didn’t remain in the hunt till the end were already inside.

Most of their eyes were fixed on him. Even they had seen everything he did.

However, among them, one gaze burned hotter than the rest. The Sixth Vein, Aurelia.

She stood alone in a corner, fully healed. But ever since Malakai entered, her eyes hadn’t once left him.

Still, Malakai’s focus wasn’t on any of them. His mind had drifted into deep thought.

‘I was right. It’ll be a problem.’

The Iron Saint’s warning echoed in his head, and Malakai knew exactly what it meant.

More than a thousand darkness creatures had converged on a single location, and many had seen how they all ignored the other youths high in the trees, going straight for Malakai.

The clan wasn’t run by fools. There would be questions. And questions needed answers.

Renlo noticed that Malakai was lost in thought and wisely chose not to disturb him.

More Sanguine youths filtered into the dome, and with them, more eyes turned toward Malakai.

Especially a now healed Eighth Vein, Julius.

‘Shit, shit, shit, shit!’ Julius clenched his jaw as he glared at Malakai, but he couldn’t stop the trembling in his limbs. The pain Malakai had inflicted on him was still fresh in his mind.

But right now, Julius was more concerned about his father’s reaction.

‘Zero points.’

Unlike Aurelia, Julius had been saved by a Blood Guardian before the darkness creature army could claim him.

But it had been registered as a death by creature, and all his points were forfeited. He ended up with zero.

Julius tried to steady his racing heart.

‘What can I do?’

The ride was filled with whispers about Malakai’s feats. But Julius didn’t care. He was deep in thought. So were Aurelia, Octavia, Maximus, and even the center of it all, Malakai.

The ride back was uneventful, and after another thirty minutes, they reached the city of Vitaemora.

But unlike before, they didn’t head for the main gates. Instead, they stopped in front of a long crimson path where ten massive Gravethorns waited.

As they disembarked, the Iron Saint’s voice rang out, finally addressing everyone.

“This is called the Walk of Glory. You’ve all gone out there and represented our clan with pride. The city of blood, Vitaemora, welcomes its champions.”

He gestured ahead, where a massive crowd had gathered on both sides of the path that led straight to Crimson Hold.

As the youths began to understand, Caelum continued,

“Only the top ten Sanguine youths are granted a Gravethorn. Number one will lead the walk, and the rest will follow in descending order of their ranks.”

“I’ll see you later.” Renlo waved at Malakai as they moved toward their assigned mounts. He was a bit shaken.

He’d be marching alongside veins and geniuses of the clan. Still, he steeled his resolve and mounted the Gravethorn.

The others soon followed, and then all eyes turned to the one at the very front.

Malakai.

He was still covered in black ichor, but that only made him look even more imposing.

Malakai gently pulled the reins, and as his Gravethorn took the first step…

The city of Vitaemora roared.