'It's not over yet,' Malakai thought.
He could see it, many of them had contemplative looks. While the logic was clear, there was still one issue…
Darkness creatures didn't normally abandon prey once they had locked eyes on it.
Drennos, naturally, brought that up.
And Malakai t it with a simple response.
"I don't know."
Drennos' gaze sharpened. "That's not enough. We need concrete proof that your mysterious evolution isn't what caused this."
"I don't need to prove anything to you," Malakai replied, his voice cold. "I only answered the Sovereign's question."
Drennos' eyes flashed red.
Had this child just…?
His aura surged out violently, pressing down on Malakai like a storm. But Malakai didn't even blink. He'd said nothing but the truth.
The air grew colder. Drennos was no longer smiling.
The disregard… Malakai had just made it clear, he didn't even acknowledge him. Only the Sovereign mattered.
As Drennos wrestled with this disrespect, Varnel spoke up, choosing to take a different route.
"You used an external force to hunt darkness creatures," he said, gesturing toward the core in Malakai's palm. "Sovereign, this is a direct violation of the rules. His points should be revoked."
Gasps spread through the courtyard. He was right.
Using external tools or forces to hunt darkness creatures was strictly forbidden. If proven, it could result in a heavy penalty, even complete disqualification.
Eyes turned back to the Sovereign, waiting.
But it was not the Sovereign that spoke. Instead, Malakai's rang out.
"The rules stated that external forces, aside from weapons, should not be used to hunt darkness creatures. I didn't use anything other than my weapon to kill them."
Hearing him, Varnel's gaze narrowed, so did Drennos'. They had both assud they could convince the Sovereign that studying Malakai was more beneficial to the clan than allowing him to remain free.
But that had failed when Malakai responded with pure logic. And worse for them, his steady heart rate had backed his words. There were no lies.
Now, having failed there, Varnel had shifted tactics. If they could get his points revoked, they could spread the rumor that the Ninth Vein had cheated in the hunt and use the updated rankings as proof. But that, too, was falling apart.
The rules were clear. Using other weapons aside from your main one was forbidden. But Malakai hadn't broken that.
The darkness creatures had been attracted by the Grade Three Vita Core. He'd hunted them all with his weapon alone.
"But—" Varnel began to speak, but the Sovereign's words cut him off.
"That's enough."
Varnel went silent. Everyone did.
The Sovereign's gaze swept across the gathering.
"The Ninth Vein has made his case, and his words have been proven true. We will not reward greatness with scorn."
"First Pulse. Third Pulse."
He turned toward Drennos and Varnel, who instantly bowed. "Yes, Sovereign."
"You will leave this matter be. The Ninth Vein has shown courage and finesse, traits so have failed to show."
Varnel's fists clenched. It was subtle, but he understood perfectly, the Sovereign was referring to his children. Julius. Aurelia.
"Yes, Sovereign," they both said.
Then the Sovereign turned to the crowd. "Now, let us proceed to the selection process."
The expressions of the captains shifted. It was finally ti.
Rhett had already gotten to his feet and was being quietly reprimanded by Laila, but the mont he heard that the selections were about to begin, his gaze sharpened.
What was about to happen was arguably the most important part of the hunt.
After the competition concluded, youths from all across the region were granted the right to join the Blood Knights.
Usually, there were two ways this happened: the first was being poached by a captain and falling under them. The second was joining the general public program.
Only the best were taken by captains. The rest usually joined the general route.
Still, many captains had gathered here today for one reason, the veins.
Four out of five would be joining the Blood Knights this year.
Participation in the final hunt granted them the right to enlist, but many, especially the veins, always waited until after their last hunt to maximize the benefits.
Now, all of the veins, aside from Octavia, would be joining. And the captains were ready.
"As per tradition, I will remain until the first ten selections have been made. We begin with the first rank. Malakai Von Sanguine, stand."
At the Sovereign's words, Malakai stood up instantly and faced the captains.
So looked at him coldly, especially those under Drennos and Varnel. But not all. So looked at him with interest.
'The Second and Sixth Pulse,' Malakai noted. He could see their faction insignias etched onto their clothing.
'They're interested in .'
The Second Pulse had already made her interest clear. The Sixth was a surprise.
'What's she up to?'
While the Second was more straightforward, the Sixth wasn't. The worst mistake would be trusting her.
Still, Malakai's gaze continued to sweep across the crowd, until it landed on a figure.
'What… isn't he…?'
He blinked, confused.
While the other captains looked at him with serious or cold expressions, one of them was grinning widely.
He recognized him.
'Rhett?' The sa man who had just defended him monts ago.
'Who is he?'
Malakai felt a hint of wariness. He didn't know this man. The fact that he had suddenly stepped forward to defend him was suspicious on every level.
But then Malakai's gaze dropped to Rhett's chest, and froze.
'That sign…'
Rhett's right hand was pressed against his chest in what looked like a simple gesture. Harmless. Most people wouldn't think anything of it.
But as Malakai's eyes locked onto it, his heart skipped a beat.
The Sovereign's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Any captains interested in being his ntor should signify. The Ninth Vein shall pick whoever he wants."
Not even a second passed before arms shot up.
Gasps echoed from the youths as they saw it, every single captain had raised their hand. Even the ones from the First and Third Pulse factions.
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