Boy with the bet ears

Vacuse's frown deepened as he came out of the carriage. "I am simply sad that I won't have the opportunity to apologize, but then again, you are the one that killed him."

The knight stared at him with confused eyes, but he soon shrugged, his eyes turning cold, and he raised his hand that was filled with the deadly acid liquid to rub his chin. "You are the only red-eyed bastard here."

The other three knights came to join him, and they all stared at Vacuse. There was no smile or amusement in the way they looked at him; there was only hostility.

Vacuse raised his hand, his face in a grimace. "Is there something wrong with the carriage? Is that why you called us out?"

One of the knights looked down at the body on the ground, blood and fleshy mush still dripping into the leafy floor. Then he looked at Vacuse and snorted coldly. "I heard you are a cold bastard, but I didn't think you would be like this.

"You Vorrakyn are always like this. We will take care of you soon enough."

Vacuse's eyes sparked with curiosity, and he asked softly, "You will? Who?"

All the while, his heartbeat started to peak faster as he stared at the four knights, his web of force energy slowly intertwining with the candidates even tighter.

A sneer. "Won't you like to know? But then you'll be dead anyway. I can tell you, but then I'll have to kill all of you. After all, we need to keep some of you alive to send news back of the death of the bastard."

Vacuse smiled bitterly. "That's most gracious of you. But really, tell me why I need to die. At least, you owe me that much."

One of the knights shrugged. "You are showing some promise."

Vacuse understood, and his brows pulled together slightly. In his past life, Zephyr was also attacked in the palace just days before the second rites, but they failed to kill him.

But things had changed now. It was him that was getting attacked.

'....so they don't want the Vorrakyn to rise...it will benefit them if the number of potential Soulbearers who can bound a Dragon appear...even an A-ranked beast will slightly elevate the Vorrakyn family at this point...'

Vacuse smiled and pointed. "One of your captives is trying to escape!"

One of the knights whipped his head backwards while the others kept their eyes on Vacuse, as if he was using the oldest trick in the book: distraction.

But everyone, especially the candidate that was trying to run away, was shocked that Vacuse actually ratted him out.

"Wait... is this really a Vorrakyn? Why's he treating the subjects of his family like this?"

"I told you... the Vorrakyn are too ruthless. Have you heard the rumors of what they do with breeding more children?"

The lead knight gritted his teeth, his green hand flared even brighter, and more acid dripped into the ground. His gaze on Vacuse hardened. "Kill the guy."

The knight that was holding the candidate that tried to run gripped him by the neck and held him up.

Vacuse's eyes twitched. "Wait! Don't kill him!"

"Oh? I thought you are all ruthless and cold. You're nothing but a boy that's still wet behind the ears. You might have learned some tricks to keep your face calm, but I bet you are shitting yourself already!"

Vacuse looked at the knight holding the boy by the neck. "Please don't kill him! I beg you! Don't kill... Aden!"

The knights grinned coldly and snorted at the helpless tone coming from him.

But the other candidates revealed confused looks through the panic on their faces. Who the fuck is Aden? There is no Aden between them! The boy that was getting squeezed to death didn't have a name like that.

Did Vacuse just make a name up from his head?

Meanwhile, Vacuse began a countdown internally.

'....10...9...8...7...'

The lead knight's gaze sharpened, and he leaned closer. "Tell us about Drenvar's plan. Tell us how he plans to fund the war he's provoking!"

Vacuse blinked. "Drenvar is provoking a war? With who?"

'...6...5...4...'

"Stop this pretense, or I will kill all of your friends."

Vacuse raised his hand. "Wait! Wait! Let me think. I might know something!"

'...3...2...'

"I told you. A kid that's not been tested by the world. I bet he already saw his life flash before his eyes."

'...1...0...'

Vacuse yawned. "I was only joking. I don't know shit."

The expression of the knight changed in an instant, and fury filled their faces.

Crack!

The candidates flinched as the neck of their friend was broken. Their gazes were filled with horror, and they shivered as the body hit the ground with a dull thud.

"Do you think we are joking here?" A dangerous glint entered the knight's voice.

Vacuse's eyes turned solemn, and he bowed. "I know you are not."

Then he raised his eyes to the candidates. "If I was to rewind time, I still wouldn't have spent a minute of my time with you guys because it's not worth it.

"But know that I would have learned your name at least if I knew a day like this was coming. Anyway, thank you for your services to the great house of Vorrakyn. You will be remembered."

Then he gave a short bow.

Everyone showed confusion at Vacuse's words. What was he talking about? Is this guy a lunatic?

But they soon understood.

A rippling wave of force exploded out of Vacuse, blue light flaring out of him, showing the force energy around him... and the web of blue light that was drilled into the bodies of the candidates.

The knights turned to trace the lines, confusion on their faces.

But Vacuse was already on the move. With his back against the carriage, it was easy for him to dart inside and out through the window.

He whispered as he ran, "Forbidden technique....."