Requirements

"Where?" Cedric's voice sharpened as he turned to the maid, a frown already forming.

"To the rooftop, sir," she replied with a polite bow.

The blond prince clenched his jaw. It wasn't because Rinne was going to the rooftop that bothered him—it was because it is the same place where that redhead bastard spent most of his time lately.

Cedric keeps track of his friends. But his enemies? He stalked them.

And Hades—that filth-suckling gutterspawn—was someone he'd been watching closely. It was only a matter of time before Hades realized the truth. That all of this—the disgrace, the setup, the downfall—had been Cedric's doing.

The redhead might be a fool when he wasn't on the battlefield, but even fools could connect the dots.

Cedric hated him. Not just dislike—pure, burning hatred.

That man stole everything that should've been Cedric's. The praise. The glory. The title of the Alpha Team's leader. And worst of all… Rinne.

She was the only girl Cedric had ever truly wanted. And even though he was strong, respected, and far more handsome—she looked at Hades. Always him.

He was supposed to be the hero of this world. But whenever disaster struck, it was Hades who stood tall. Hades who saved the day. Hades who got the credit.

Cedric's hands trembled. His vision blurred from the heat of his fury.

"Babe, why are you so tense today?" A soft hand cradled his cheek.

"Not now, Kayla." He shoved her hand away. "I'm not in the mood."

She had been smiling at Hades just a week ago. And now she sat in the chamber of another man, wearing a dress that barely covered anything.

Kayla sighed, crossing her arms. "You already destroyed him… so why are you still this angry?"

Cedric's eyes blazed. "You don't get it. I didn't just want him crushed—I wanted Rinne. All of her."

He had planned it all. Make Hades look like the villain. Break him. Then Cedric would be there—calm, kind, gentle. The shoulder to cry on. The man who stayed behind when everything else fell apart.

He imagined her sobbing in his arms, broken by betrayal. And he'd comfort her… whisper to her that he was there. That he always was.

But now? Now she wouldn't even look at him.

And today—she was seen going to the rooftop.

Did they meet? Did they talk? Did Hades tell her the truth? Did she believe him?!

"Agh!" Cedric snarled, raking a hand through his golden hair, pulling at the strands in frustration.

He stormed to the door.

"Mary," he snapped. "Plant someone outside Hades's room. I want eyes on him at all times. Have him followed, everywhere he goes."

Mary hesitated, her voice timid. "But... my Lord, won't that be risky?"

Cedric turned, his eyes full of cold fire. "I don't fucking care! If that idiot gets caught, we'll replace him! I'm a fucking prince! I can buy a hundred more!"

His voice thundered through the chamber, and both women flinched.

Whenever it was about Hades, Cedric lost control.

The rage in his chest was heavy and constant. Hades… was the only one who ever stood in his way.

And Cedric had no intention of losing. Not to him.

Not now. Not ever.

....

"This is evil..." Hades muttered to himself as he thought of the plan Rinne had formed. Their first step is to destroy Cedric.

They were going to use the secret which Cedric only told Hades and Graham...well, not like he told them, rather, they found out and he didn't deny it. 

They are going to use that secret to destroy his image in the school and possibly, get him out of the Alpha Team. Truly, an evil plan. 

[I mean after what you have suffered from, this much is nothing.] 

Came the inner voice. Naturally, the dragon would support the evil. 

But it was necessary. Killing Cedric directly wasn't possible so he must follow Rinne's plan.

"Okay then, tell me... what was this system?"

{Ding!}

{The system helps the Host track progression in different fields. It keeps a record of the Host's skills and spells. The system also provides quests to help the Host achieve certain goals.}

Hades hummed, "Can you let me know what my current status is?"

{Ding!}

{Status:

Strength: 35

Speed: 40

Endurance: 49

MP: 350 / 350

HP: 150 / 150}

{Note:

The average physical stats of an Awakened lie between 20 and 25.

The average magic points for an Awakened ranges from 200 to 250.}

Hades studied the numbers. Strength, speed, endurance… all above average. His magical power was also among the best.

Still, something nagged at him.

'Is this my limit?'

{This is your lower limit. Once you awaken your first Core, that mana point bar will no longer be needed.}

Hades tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

[You will absorb mana infinitely from a void that does not lie on this plane. Unlike human warriors who generate their own mana, you will not be like them.

You will become stronger, better—so you can face those who are coming for you.]

Hades didn't bother asking who was coming. He knew the Dragon wouldn't tell him.

So he asked something else instead. "How do I unlock the first core?"

{Core Awakening Requirements:

Have a near-death experience – Completed

Feel despair and helplessness to the verge of collapse – Completed

Push physical stats to the limit – Not completed

Break your limits by fighting an impossibly strong enemy – Not completed

Drink ancient dragon blood – Not completed

Bond with a strong dragon mate – Not completed}

Hades frowned. Only two out of six were done.

"First, how can I push my stats to the limit?"

{You must raise your Strength, Speed, and Endurance to 100 each.}

That seemed doable with effort. Training could solve that part.

Next question. "What about the enemy I need to fight? How strong are we talking?"

{A Duke-ranked dragon.}

"..." That wasn't just difficult. That was madness. Even if he maxed out his mortal stats, defeating a Duke-ranked dragon alone was nearly impossible.

{Remember, Host.

Follow the list in the order shown for the best results.}

Of course.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.