As Asher opened his mouth to voice the reward he truly desired, Azeron’s voice rang out first, interrupting him before a single word could leave his lips.
"But since you have demonstrated what a true Wargrave should embody during the True Awakening, choosing to face danger head-on rather than flee, I shall grant you a special request. You may substitute anything of your choosing in place of the three techniques initially offered," Azeron declared with a soft, subtle smile hidden behind his otherwise composed expression as he stared at his son.
He already knew Asher had stolen two techniques from Hillary. There was no point in bringing it up again. Given that techniques were gradeless, Azeron was confident that, with Asher’s prodigious talent, he would be able to refine and elevate those techniques on his own.
This gesture was merely a means to offer his son the opportunity to ask for something else, perhaps something he truly needed, if he didn’t genuinely desire the techniques.
’This couldn’t get any better,’ Asher thought with a concealed, mental smile as Azeron’s words echoed in his ears.
"I will forgo the techniques, Father. I wish for something else," Asher said as he stood upright, his posture firm with conviction.
"What is it?" Azeron asked, his tone level as he listened intently.
"I request the highest possible quantity of blood you can grant me, from Myth Class, Void Class, and End Class monsters," Asher stated, his face calm and neutral, his voice devoid of any discernible emotion.
’Since I was going to receive three techniques, I might as well request three different classes of monster blood instead,’ Asher reasoned internally.
At his request, a heavy silence settled between father and son as they locked eyes.
"Do you understand what you’re asking for?" Azeron finally asked, his golden eyes narrowing as they emitted a subtle but dangerous glow.
The Myth, Void, and End Classes were the three highest classifications of monsters in Crymora. Any creature within these categories possessed enough destructive capability to annihilate millions with relative ease.
Before Asher could respond, Azeron continued, his voice deepening.
"These are not beings one simply decides to face on a whim. We don’t engage such entities without purpose, without meticulous preparation and strategy."
"I understand, Father," Asher replied.
"I don’t believe you do," Azeron countered, his gaze still fixed on his son. "Malrik has already briefed me on the limitations of Virelass’s Crimson Pact ability. I understand that this is the reason behind your unusual request for such rare blood. However, you must learn to think before speaking, especially when making demands of this magnitude," Azeron continued, his voice now laced with a restrained, paternal reprimand.
Void and End Class monsters were not entities one simply went after for sport or experimentation. These apex predators were not only individually powerful, they had the capacity to control entire hordes of lower-class monsters, effectively commanding legions of beasts. With a mere thought, they could launch world-wide invasions and reduce empires to dust.
Despite this, the various Empires across Crymora allowed these creatures to live, and that tolerance existed for one reason only: these monsters were, for the most part, dormant.
Void Class and End Class monsters were perpetually in a state of slumber. They hardly moved, even when awake, and only ever stirred when driven by overwhelming hunger. They were the epitome of indolence, supreme beings so far up the food chain that they deemed everything else beneath their notice.
If you left them alone, they would often do the same, unless, of course, you possessed something they desired.
Because of this, the Empires refrained from provoking them. Even so, elite surveillance forces were permanently assigned to monitor all known Void and End Class monsters, in case of emergencies or whenever one of the ancient beasts awoke.
It wasn’t that Asher had failed to consider any of this, rather, he lacked the complete depth of knowledge regarding these monstrous entities. In his mind, he had imagined something closer to a straightforward one on one battle. The reality, however, was far more complex and dangerous.
"Thank you for the wisdom, Father," Asher responded with a respectful nod.
’Looks like I won’t be getting the blood after all,’ Asher thought to himself, sighing inwardly.
"However," Azeron said, his voice softening slightly, "I will procure for you the blood of a Myth Class monster. As for the Void and End Class... abandon such thoughts entirely."
"Thank you, Father," Asher responded with a touch of genuine gratitude. He knew all too well that obtaining even Myth Class blood was no trivial feat.
’Smart child,’ Azeron thought to himself. ’He deliberately avoided specifying the exact quantity, leaving it to me to determine how much to provide. Clever.’
"You can expect it by tomorrow or the day after," Azeron added. "Zarek will contact you when it’s ready."
Asher nodded in acknowledgment, a faint smile forming on his face.
"Oh, and your room will be changed," Azeron stated suddenly.
Asher’s smile faltered as a look of confusion crossed his features. "A change of room? Why?"
"I know you’ve been training in your current room, and even your bathroom, after your daily sessions at the First Training Ground. The new room will be equipped with a dedicated training space, which will allow you to increase your training efficiency even further," Azeron explained.
Azeron’s senses covered the entirety of the Wargrave estate. He had the ability to observe anyone within its boundaries if he so chose. However, he refrained from unnecessary intrusions. In Asher’s case, it wasn’t spying, he had simply heard the crackling of lightning from a distance. His senses were sharp enough to pick up even the subtlest disturbances from afar.
At those words, Asher’s mind ground to a halt, fixating on a single thought: ’Has he been watching me?’
Truthfully, Asher didn’t mind if Azeron had observed him. He hadn’t committed any wrongdoing, after all. But his thoughts raced regardless, sifting through memories from the moment of his awakening in this world, combing through every detail in search of anything suspicious.
His mind briefly drifted to the system, but he had always communicated with it internally, never aloud. After a few moments of analysis, he determined there was nothing out of place.
"I truly appreciate this, Father," Asher said with a genuine smile. And indeed, he meant it. His previous training locations, his room and bathroom, though spacious, had never been designed for such a purpose.
"Is there anything else you need to discuss with me?" Azeron asked, his tone returning to its usual calm cadence.
Asher paused for a moment of consideration. He had only come to request the blood, there was nothing else on his mind. "No, Father."
"Then you may leave, Youngest," Azeron said, his gaze drifting back to the stack of papers on his desk.