August spent his weeks in the ocean.
He'd actually never seen it before with his own eyes, but he knew how instrumental it was in Qinglong's rise.
He didn't truly realize his power until he found his way to the ocean and spent years studying within.
Now that August had free access to one, he was naturally going to explore.
Azure Dragons could be born with or without wings. It didn't really matter to them either way. After all, regardless of their wings, they thrived most in water.
Once August got into the sea, a territory unregulated by the kingdom of Arulion, he was able to use his dragon form freely and embrace his most prominent qualities.
It was wonderful.
There weren't any oceanic dragon clans near the island that Damien chose. August would need more than two weeks if he wanted to make contact with them.
However, the ecosystem of the ocean, the power of the waves, the unique qualities that it possessed that rivers and lakes couldn't mimic…
When he was exposed to these things, August had another chance to thrive.
Two weeks. By the end of it, August was mad that it was all the time he had.
He was given so many chances to become stronger, but with such a time crunch holding him back, he couldn't take any of them.
He had to focus on what was necessary.
The techniques that he'd found flaws in during the elimination round, the techniques he was inspired to create by the same event; August could only make minute changes before the heir wars began.
And, he was still stuck at the cusp of 4th class, unable to find his way to his Baptism.
August had no say in the matter.
He noted down everything he learned and everything he was saving for later.
Once the first round ended, he could come back and truly put his entire soul into his training.
But, of course, the heir wars were equally as important as his training. August didn't let himself get too down since he knew that the competition was just as much of an opportunity as what waited for him in the sea.
And, it wasn't like he made no progress.
August's bar was high so he didn't realize it, but the power he had now was completely different from what he entered the elimination round with.
He just needed some opponents to use it on for him to realize what he'd accomplished upon discovering the ocean.
Competitors had to be present in the arena early in the morning, though the event only began in the afternoon.
Since they'd have to teleport to the arena immediately upon waking up and getting ready, August and Valerie decided to hold a small celebration the night prior. Naturally, Melania had also come out of her private island, where she'd been spending most of her time, for the occasion.
She couldn't be in the arena directly to watch them, since she never bought a ticket, but she'd definitely be watching them on one of the many screens that would be broadcasting their struggle.
August had plenty of money. The three of them were Shadow Lounge members as well, so they had access to some of the best entertainment that the city had to offer.
In fact, that privilege extended beyond the walls of Fort Halleya, but the three of them wouldn't learn about that for a while.
They ate well, enjoyed everything the city had to offer, and when night came, they slept while bearing all of the anticipation in their bodies.
This was the moment.
A lot had happened, so it felt like another passing memory in their would-be-long journeys.
However, the heir wars were everything. This was the moment where they fought to dictate their own fates.
If she failed here, Valerie would have to return to her clan to practice in silence for who knows how long.
If he failed here, August would lose everything he strived for. A path that should have taken decades at most to tread would turn into one that spanned for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Anticipation and sleep didn't go well together, but both of them eventually managed to rest.
And when the rays of sunlight awakened them the next morning, they brought their emblems out with confidence.
After one final goodbye to Melania, the two of them walked through their exclusive portals and arrived at the arena grounds.
Only a few hours separated them from that moment.
They had to be spent wisely.
***
August and Valerie were separated the instant they arrived at the other end of their portals.
They were in their own exclusive rooms. They didn't get many amenities, but it was more than enough to entertain them for a small amount of time.
Along with some light snacks and drinks and appropriate furniture, there was a screen that showed them what was happening outside. The arena was already filling up with people, and many reporters were talking about the event.
They'd procured information about all of the participants involved in the round and were presenting the facts to their audiences. Never did they believe that the geniuses themselves were watching their broadcasts to gain information about their opponents.
Most of the nobles already knew each other. They were a tight-
knit and relatively small society, after all. The prominent members of every clan had met each other at least once or twice.
In the heir wars overall, only twelve geniuses were from the Holy Clans. Aside from the fifteen commoners, everyone else was from a noble clan.
There was only one genius from a Holy Clan participating in the first event, but that was already enough to make August, who just found out, wary.
'Eris Noct, they said…?'
If she was from the clan of Dark Dragons, then August had neither inherent disadvantages nor inherent advantages against her. In a battle of pure talent and power, would be fare well?
'I'll just have to hope I don't run into her. It would be better if they told us what the event actually is, but I guess even the reporters couldn't figure that out.'
The geniuses were all present at this point. There had to be a reason. August didn't believe that it was anything good.
He had become quite paranoid after learning about just how much corruption-riddled the kingdom. He doubted everything and somewhat believed that he would only see the worst in people.
But, in this case, it was just an overreaction on his part.
This was the first event of the heir wars, so naturally, there would be a ceremony preceding it.
The geniuses here for the first round would represent all of their peers in this ceremony and thus needed to be present.
They had to learn about what they needed to do, rehearse, and then go on stage with the announcers to carry out the actual ceremony.
It was outside of August's assumptions entirely. He was still new to this world, so he had never seen a highly televised event like this before.
Though he had grown so much, he still did have a bit of naivety brought about by his age.
Nevertheless, with four hours of tiring press work ahead of him, August was about to learn about the side of an emperor that he had yet to see.
The side of an emperor that stayed at a desk for days on end handling paperwork and administrative duties.
And, as expected, his reaction really was a sight to see.
August spent his weeks in the ocean.
He'd actually never seen it before with his own eyes, but he knew how instrumental it was in Qinglong's rise.
He didn't truly realize his power until he found his way to the ocean and spent years studying within.
Now that August had free access to one, he was naturally going to explore.
Azure Dragons could be born with or without wings. It didn't really matter to them either way. After all, regardless of their wings, they thrived most in water.
Once August got into the sea, a territory unregulated by the kingdom of Arulion, he was able to use his dragon form freely and embrace his most prominent qualities.
It was wonderful.
There weren't any oceanic dragon clans near the island that Damien chose. August would need more than two weeks if he wanted to make contact with them.
However, the ecosystem of the ocean, the power of the waves, the unique qualities that it possessed that rivers and lakes couldn't mimic…
When he was exposed to these things, August had another chance to thrive.
Two weeks. By the end of it, August was mad that it was all the time he had.
He was given so many chances to become stronger, but with such a time crunch holding him back, he couldn't take any of them.
He had to focus on what was necessary.
The techniques that he'd found flaws in during the elimination round, the techniques he was inspired to create by the same event; August could only make minute changes before the heir wars began.
And, he was still stuck at the cusp of 4th class, unable to find his way to his Baptism.
August had no say in the matter.
He noted down everything he learned and everything he was saving for later.
Once the first round ended, he could come back and truly put his entire soul into his training.
But, of course, the heir wars were equally as important as his training. August didn't let himself get too down since he knew that the competition was just as much of an opportunity as what waited for him in the sea.
And, it wasn't like he made no progress.
August's bar was high so he didn't realize it, but the power he had now was completely different from what he entered the elimination round with.
He just needed some opponents to use it on for him to realize what he'd accomplished upon discovering the ocean.
Competitors had to be present in the arena early in the morning, though the event only began in the afternoon.
Since they'd have to teleport to the arena immediately upon waking up and getting ready, August and Valerie decided to hold a small celebration the night prior. Naturally, Melania had also come out of her private island, where she'd been spending most of her time, for the occasion.
She couldn't be in the arena directly to watch them, since she never bought a ticket, but she'd definitely be watching them on one of the many screens that would be broadcasting their struggle.
August had plenty of money. The three of them were Shadow Lounge members as well, so they had access to some of the best entertainment that the city had to offer.
In fact, that privilege extended beyond the walls of Fort Halleya, but the three of them wouldn't learn about that for a while.
They ate well, enjoyed everything the city had to offer, and when night came, they slept while bearing all of the anticipation in their bodies.
This was the moment.
A lot had happened, so it felt like another passing memory in their would-be-long journeys.
However, the heir wars were everything. This was the moment where they fought to dictate their own fates.
If she failed here, Valerie would have to return to her clan to practice in silence for who knows how long.
If he failed here, August would lose everything he strived for. A path that should have taken decades at most to tread would turn into one that spanned for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Anticipation and sleep didn't go well together, but both of them eventually managed to rest.
And when the rays of sunlight awakened them the next morning, they brought their emblems out with confidence.
After one final goodbye to Melania, the two of them walked through their exclusive portals and arrived at the arena grounds.
Only a few hours separated them from that moment.
They had to be spent wisely.
***
August and Valerie were separated the instant they arrived at the other end of their portals.
They were in their own exclusive rooms. They didn't get many amenities, but it was more than enough to entertain them for a small amount of time.
Along with some light snacks and drinks and appropriate furniture, there was a screen that showed them what was happening outside. The arena was already filling up with people, and many reporters were talking about the event.
They'd procured information about all of the participants involved in the round and were presenting the facts to their audiences. Never did they believe that the geniuses themselves were watching their broadcasts to gain information about their opponents.
Most of the nobles already knew each other. They were a tight-
knit and relatively small society, after all. The prominent members of every clan had met each other at least once or twice.
In the heir wars overall, only twelve geniuses were from the Holy Clans. Aside from the fifteen commoners, everyone else was from a noble clan.
There was only one genius from a Holy Clan participating in the first event, but that was already enough to make August, who just found out, wary.
'Eris Noct, they said…?'
If she was from the clan of Dark Dragons, then August had neither inherent disadvantages nor inherent advantages against her. In a battle of pure talent and power, would be fare well?
'I'll just have to hope I don't run into her. It would be better if they told us what the event actually is, but I guess even the reporters couldn't figure that out.'
The geniuses were all present at this point. There had to be a reason. August didn't believe that it was anything good.
He had become quite paranoid after learning about just how much corruption-riddled the kingdom. He doubted everything and somewhat believed that he would only see the worst in people.
But, in this case, it was just an overreaction on his part.
This was the first event of the heir wars, so naturally, there would be a ceremony preceding it.
The geniuses here for the first round would represent all of their peers in this ceremony and thus needed to be present.
They had to learn about what they needed to do, rehearse, and then go on stage with the announcers to carry out the actual ceremony.
It was outside of August's assumptions entirely. He was still new to this world, so he had never seen a highly televised event like this before.
Though he had grown so much, he still did have a bit of naivety brought about by his age.
Nevertheless, with four hours of tiring press work ahead of him, August was about to learn about the side of an emperor that he had yet to see.
The side of an emperor that stayed at a desk for days on end handling paperwork and administrative duties.
And, as expected, his reaction really was a sight to see.
