“Let me explain more about the Bloodline Trial,” Alphox groaned, his voice low and rough, “You’re going to need the details since you’ve got the items anyway.”
“Right,” Alex nodded, standing firm despite the unease creeping up his spine.
Alphox snapped his claws, and the air around them shifted.
The shadowy void of the [Shadow Pet Space] disappeared, replaced by a massive battlefield drenched in chaos.
Experience tales at empire
“What the… since when can you do that?” Alex blurted, looking around.
“I’m level 750 now,” Alphox said nonchalantly, his claws flicking as if dismissing the significance, “My shadow pet space upgrades alongside me. But that’s not important. Look at this.”
The scenery before Alex was overwhelming.
Dragons of every color and size clashed against countless warriors and beasts.
The ground quaked with every strike, and the sky was a frenzy of fire, lightning, and darkness.
“What is this?” Alex asked, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
“A memory,” Alphox explained, watching the carnage unfold, “This is what a usual Dragon Bloodline Trial looks like.”
Suddenly, Alex found himself immersed in the scene.
The roars of dragons, the screams of warriors, and the ground splitting beneath their feet made it feel far too real.
“Shit! Shit!”
“What the hell is this trial?!” Alex heard someone scream in the distance.
“I shouldn’t have come here!” another shouted, their voice trembling with fear.
Instinctively, Alex reached for his staff and activated [Bleeding Claws], ready to defend himself.
Alphox chuckled, “Relax. This is just a flashback. You can’t interact with it.”
As if to prove his point, a massive meteor rained down on them, passing harmlessly through Alex.
The warriors around him screamed as it crushed their bodies, but Alex felt nothing.
He exhaled, slowly calming his racing heart.
“Look up,” Alphox said, his voice suddenly serious.
Alex did, and his breath caught in his throat.
In the sky above, ten colossal dragon heads loomed, each radiating a distinct, terrifying aura.
One of them, cloaked in shadows, looked hauntingly familiar.
“Alphox?” Alex asked, pointing at the shadow dragon among the ten.
“Yes, that’s me,” Alphox said, a trace of pride in his voice, “I told you I used to oversee these trials as a primordial dragon, didn’t I?”
Alex could hardly believe it.
The Alphox he knew, his shadowy ally, once sat among the most powerful beings in existence.
The battlefield below was nothing short of apocalyptic.
Dragons unleashed their fury, their breath weapons and skills tearing through everything.
Warriors fought valiantly but were hopelessly outmatched.
“This is insane,” Alex muttered.
“It’s only the beginning,” Alphox said ominously.
“What do you mean?” Alex asked, still trying to process the chaos.
“These trials are far more ruthless now than they were back in my time,” Alphox explained, “The goal is simple: the dragons only want the strongest. Only one or two participants pass each year. The rest die.”
Alex’s gaze returned to the battlefield.
He watched as a dragon swooped down, obliterating a group of participants with a single swipe of its claw.
Survivors were few and far between.
“What’s the objective here?” Alex asked, pointing to the chaos.
“This particular trial was a battle royale,” Alphox replied, his tone neutral, “The last three standing were granted the chance to be judged for the bloodline. But even then, only one of them was deemed worthy.”
Alex’s stomach sank.
It wasn’t enough to survive.
You had to prove your worth through strength and courage. Running or hiding wouldn’t cut it.
“And,” Alphox continued, scratching the back of his head, “I should probably mention the most important thing.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “What now?”
“The Dragon Bloodline Trial only happens once a year,” Alphox said, his tone almost casual.
“What?” Alex blinked, the weight of the information sinking in.
“Oh, and only 1,000 participants are allowed each year,” Alphox added, “Anyone who shows up but doesn’t meet the criteria? They’re killed on the spot.”
“What the fuck?”
“It’s ruthless, yeah,” Alphox admitted with a nervous chuckle. “But don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”
Alex ran a hand through his hair, sighing, “I need to get stronger. A lot stronger.”
If only 1,000 warriors were allowed, and all of them were likely around level 1,000 or higher, Alex knew he was nowhere near ready.
The battlefield around him, filled with screams and destruction, made it abundantly clear that even reaching level 1,000 might not be enough.
“Based on what I know…” Alphox trailed off, closing his eyes as if searching his memory.
Suddenly, a shadowy panel appeared in front of Alex, its edges rippling like waves.
“What’s this?” Alex asked.
“The countdown to the next trial,” Alphox said, nodding toward the panel.
Alex read the timer:
[Next Dragon Bloodline Trial: 2 Months 26 Days 12 Hours…]
Less than three months to prepare for a trial that could end his life.
The battlefield around them faded, and they were back in the dark void of the [Shadow Pet Space].
Alphox stretched his wings, the tension in his posture palpable.
“Oh, one more thing,” Alphox said as the space began to tremble, signaling Alex’s impending return to the real world, “The trial has a minimum requirement. You must be Tier-7 to participate.”
Alex clenched his fists.
Tier-7 meant reaching level 700 and completing the advancement task. If he didn’t make it in time, he’d have to wait another year, a delay he couldn’t afford.
“Alright,” Alex said, his voice steady but firm. “I’ll deal with it.”
“Good,” Alphox grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. “We’ll take our revenge.”
The space around them shook violently as Alex’s consciousness began to fade.
Alphox’s final words echoed in his mind as the darkness enveloped him.
Alex woke up with a start, his heart pounding.
The familiar surroundings of his room in Alera’s house were a stark contrast to the chaos he had just witnessed.
He sat up, leaving his eyes closed to think.
The path ahead was clear.
He needed to reach Tier-7 in less than three months.
He needed to prepare for a trial that could pit him against warriors and monsters far stronger than anything he’d faced before.
Most importantly, he needed to win.
For now, though, he got out of bed, the determination in his eyes burning brighter than ever.