Chapter 23: Lightning Chronicles
Zain took several cautious steps back, every instinct screaming danger.
He didn't possess mana or an aura core—yet the pressure radiating from Dax was suffocating, a force that made the very air tremble.
How is he mustering this much destructive strength?
In a blink, a powerful spear materialized in his hand—its presence oppressive, alive, like a coiled beast ready to strike. The shaft was forged from blackened adamantite, etched with faint crimson runes that pulsed with restrained fury. At its tip, the blade gleamed wickedly, the faint outline of a snarling wyvern etched into the metal as though the creature itself had been sealed inside.
"Impressive blade you have there," Dax said, voice laced with genuine curiosity. His eyes locked onto the beastly figure carved into the weapon. "Such powerful refining. An excellent spear—preserving the very presence of the creature used to make it."
Zain's pitch-black arm spread—dark energy flowing like liquid shadow, covering the left half of his body in a sinister symbiosis. His presence changed instantly—turning wholly demonic, the spear and master merging into a single, terrifying entity.
Gently, his left eye turned blue—glowing with cold, predatory brilliance.
He threw the spear upward in a smooth arc—then caught it as it descended, crackles of lightning taking form around the shaft. Once again, he hurled it skyward.
He stretched his hand out.
The spear hovered—suspended in midair.
One second it was there.
The next, it vanished—making no sound.
Blink.
It appeared before Dax's eyes—a hair's length from his pupils.
The sound followed a heartbeat later—then destruction.
Rubble exploded outward as the spear struck an invisible barrier—Dax's telekinetic dome—shattering stone and sending shockwaves rippling across the arena.
"You need to put in more effort," Dax stated calmly, as Zain's spear strained against the invisible wall.
Just when Dax was about to counter, Zain punched the end of the shaft—driving it forward with explosive force, trying to break through.
The spear didn't pierce.
Zain pulled it back—rotating it with insane speed, the blade blurring into a violet storm.
"Flashy moves," Dax said, smiling faintly.
He raised his leg to kick—then paused.
In that brief second, he noticed something strange.
Boom.
Zain's palm connected with Dax's torso—sending him flying backward.
But Dax balanced himself instantly—telekinesis stabilizing his flight midair.
Insane. He moves with the flow of the wind. How strange.
Zain analyzed Dax—searching for an opening, eyes narrowed.
In a flash, he closed the distance—holding his spear like a dagger, stabbing toward Dax's head.
Dax was faster—hand snapping up to block.
In that split second, Zain retracted—stabbing instead at Dax's torso.
It didn't sink in.
Why is his body so strong? It makes no sense.
But Dax's eyes were locked on him—watching, dissecting, waiting.
"I really don't understand how you are keeping up," Zain said, face serious. "But I've noticed something. I can't do anything to you without the intention to kill."
The runes on his adamantite armor began to glow—gray energy pouring into his eyes, darkening them.
"Hahaha! That's what I want," Dax said, releasing a beautiful, chilling smile. "Try to kill me. That is the only way to keep your seat."
Danger.
Zain's mind screamed at him.
What is this?
He felt a cold hand press against his soul.
This boy… did he get his talent back?
Arg! Genuinely, I don't care anymore. I will not be trampled on.
"I will not lose my seat to this brat… I will not kill you, Dax, but I will really devastate you."
He pointed his spear skyward.
"Lightning Chronicles," he whispered.
Instantly, the sky rumbled—crackling with intense thunder.
A bolt dropped—striking Zain dead-center.
All the runes in his armor flared with blinding intensity. He stretched his spear outward as thunder streamed through it—transforming the weapon into a purple lightning trident, arcs of electricity dancing along its length.
Killing intent surged from his body—cold, focused, lethal.
Back at the Godfall mansion, the entire clan was on edge.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
He's been hiding his strength.
The clan had known nothing about Dax. Since his talent was stolen and his father departed, he had been isolated—a forgotten child, pitied and overlooked.
The elders turned to the Ancestor—eyes filled with awe.
"The Ancestor is great," the Fifth Elder praised quietly. "If I may ask, Ancestor, how is this child this strong? We know his predicament."
"Why don't you ask him when he returns?" the Ancestor replied, not bothering to glance at him.
Suddenly, the crowd's voice rose in awe.
"It seems Lord Zain is getting serious."
They watched the fight intently—some cheering, some criticizing, some simply stunned.
"My god! See the squad captain—he's using his ultimate skill!"
The students of the Ayala Magic Academy watched the projection with rapt attention.
They understood the magnitude of Dax's feats.
To them, Dax was a regular human keeping up with a Rank 7 Aura Master.
It was unheard of.
"But now that the Wyvern Squad Captain is this serious—using his Curse Mark and his ultimate 'Lightning Chronicles'… what can Dax do?"
Instantly, one of the guys dropped a bag of mana stones onto the table.
"Let's make a bet," he said, grinning.
They all drew close—excitement crackling in the air.
"Okay. What's the bet on, exactly?" The girl who seemed to be their leader smiled—stunning the men in her group.
"Dax will die to that attack," he continued, smug. "I can't even believe anyone thinks he stands a chance. That technique shattered a Rank 7 Earth-Drake's hide! What's a mortal's body compared to that?"
"Ryan, you're so silly," the Second Lady said, shaking her head. "This is not a death match. Take a look—if that was truly dangerous to Dax, the Ancestor would have definitely made a move."
She glanced toward the throne.
"This fool doesn't see it, but I see the favor he has for Dax."