Chapter 464

Chapter 464: Core Disciples Challenge

Knowing Veyna well enough, Midi realized her refusal of the Ice Lotus potion indicated she sought something far more valuable.

By agreeing, he’d likely uncover more secrets about Crystal Dragon Fortress through her.

Yet Midi remained aware: anything desired by Death Scorpion family’s Black Dragon High Priest wouldn’t come easily.

Beyond the challenge of conquering Crystal Dragon Fortress’s ruins, competition between elite geniuses from major families demanded caution.

A single misstep could cost him everything.

He’d make no promises until learning every detail.

“I’ll be blunt—no answer until I know all specifics,” Midi stated evenly. “But first, defeating Kanis takes priority.”

“I trust you won’t fail me there,” Veyna replied, flashing another charming smile.

The Black Dragon High Priest vanished from the Alchemy Workshop, leaving Midi alone with his thoughts.

By dawn, the long-anticipated core disciple challenge began.

The rules were straightforward: with a black dragon priestess overseeing the blood oath, combatants entered the arena to settle matters.

But this duel decided Mososbury City’s fighter recommendation rights—a prize tangled with hidden interests.

As a human alchemist excelling in potion making and Mechanics, Midi’s sudden rise and closeness to Veyna drew dark elves’ scrutiny.

Kanis’s own pursuit of Veyna added fuel to their rivalry.

Though few expected Midi to win, Master Hawke’s endorsement suggested he’d survive several rounds against Kanis.

The stakes and drama ensured a packed arena long before the fighters arrived.

“Didn’t expect such a crowd,” Midi murmured upon entering.

Most faces were strangers, but potent auras revealed key figures: the enforcement elder hosting the event, his alchemist elder superior, the enforcement elder hoping for his downfall, and Veyna’s commanding presence.

Two unfamiliar yet formidable auras gripped his attention from a nearby box—a dark elf woman with a hand cannon and a blade-hidden assassin. Their isolation and predatory stillness chilled him.

“Who?” he muttered.

“Core disciples,” Veyna answered lightly. “Nym, fourth-ranked assassin. Akdina, third-ranked gunner.”

Core members of the family usually remained elusive, either training in regions with intense Dark Magic concentrations or completing dangerous missions for contribution points. Even an arrogant guy like Kanis rarely stayed in the cavern except when lingering around Veyna.

Yet this time, the third and fourth ranked core disciples appeared together just to watch this Challenge. The fourth-ranked assassin had reached Level 64 mastery, while the third-ranked gunner stood at Level 65 small success…

Midi swiftly gauged their strength. Both surpassed Kanis significantly, and levels clearly weren’t their only advantage.

"Are these core disciples here to test my skills?" Midi muttered aloud.

But Veyna’s sneering expression instantly corrected his assumption. The spectators weren’t here for a Level 62 human – they’d come to observe Kanis, their fellow core disciple.

"Didn’t expect you here, Akdina," pale-faced assassin Nym taunted, eyeing the gunner ten meters away.

Akdina snorted. "I’m curious how far Kanis’s Steel War Scorpion bloodline has awakened. At this rate, he’ll overtake you soon."

Nym’s already unpleasant expression darkened further. Among the five core disciples, rankings dictated strict priority. The fifth-ranked must always yield to the fourth. If both wanted the same magic vein, Nym could monopolize it indefinitely while Kanis waited. This merciless hierarchy kept lower-ranked disciples perpetually one step behind.

Since Kanis’s true power couldn’t be measured by level alone due to his bloodline, Nym had rushed to assess him firsthand. But seeing Midi’s mere Level 62, disappointment flooded the assassin.

"I heard Hawke recruited someone formidable," Nym scoffed. "Turns out he’s just some Demon Swordman. Surviving the Shaded Realm is impressive… but challenging a Death Scorpion core disciple? Kanis will crush him."

"Not necessarily." Akdina smirked. "He’s an alchemist who brewed level seven potions, and even earned Buck’s praise in the mechanical workshop."

"So?" Nym frowned. What use were non-combat skills here?

"So the elders won’t let him die. Not that he can win." Akdina concluded, "You won’t learn anything about Kanis today."

Her perspective mirrored the Death Scorpion higher-ups’ calculations.

"Midi can’t defeat Kanis, but we must prevent his death," the elder attendant warned via magic communication. "When crisis comes, we three elders must intervene together."

The alchemist elder nodded eagerly – Midi’s skills boosted his workshops’ prestige. The enforcement elder reluctantly agreed, personal dislike outweighed by family interests.

"Consider this an opportunity," the elder attendant added. "Saving him builds more favor. We’ll own his future alchemy and weapon designs."

"I’ll act when needed," the enforcement elder growled. "Just hope the human lasts longer than one strike."

The audience craved spectacle. The core disciples sought insights into Kanis’s power. The elders plotted gains from Midi’s loss. Countless schemes swirled through the arena like a shadowy net.

None concerned Midi. With sword in hand, he’d cut through any obstacle.

"Ready?" he asked calmly, standing on white gravel opposite the Black Dragon Knight’s armored bulk.