CHAPTER 32: MARKED

Even before the Emerald Awakening Ceremony, Caden’s name was already known amongst the successors.

News about the supreme kingdoms could not be hidden, no matter what.

The fact that Caden Ryder had cleared a beast tide on his own as a Sword Level, Sword Apprentice.

This made him known.

But to the other successors. This was mere rumor; it was something they hadn’t seen with their own eyes.

Goblins were the weakest amongst the demonic variant humans. Although Trolls aren’t the strongest.

But they’re definitely not weak.

The fact that Caden singlehandedly wiped out this many Stone Trolls on his own. It was extremely shocking.

This confirmed the rumors, proving for a fact that he deserved his fame.

Prince Hetu couldn’t help but smile "His S-Ranked Innate Skill was merely the finishing touch"

"Even without amplifying his physique with Mana. He was strong enough to crush Trolls with his fists"

"What the hell is Caden Ryder.....how could he be so strong?" Prince Hetu mumbled.

No one moved from their spots as they watched.

Prince Caden wasn’t done with the corpses. Naturally, since he was the one who slaughtered this many trolls.

Their Mana Cores belong to him, but this isn’t Morningstar.

He has to give the Red Crescent Kingdom some shares in his kills. He only took a total of two hundred Mana Cores.

Leaving the rest for the Red Crescent Kingdom.

He approached his horse, seeing that he turned his back on them. A Stone Troll charged out of its hiding place.

With determination in its eyes, it attacked Caden.

"If you had wanted to fight me properly. You should have done that and died with your buddies then" Caden paused for a second.

[S-Ranked Skill: Future Sight is active]

He activated his S-Ranked Skill: Future Sight. Granting him the ability to see ten seconds into the future.

A time path skill that records all future possible movements within a time interval of ten seconds.

To the Troll’s eyes, it was charging towards Caden, closing in but to his eyes, it was extremely slow.

Caden’s lips curled into a faint smile, he slowly tilted his head, his hand and eyes flickered for a second.

"You’re quite unlucky aren’t ya?" Caden slowly turned, "I was thinking of finishing you off with my S-Ranked Innate Skill but to think few seconds ago"

"My Mana Core was unsealed" Caden’s Mana Core was exposed. Revealing a Mana Aptitude of 16.98%

House Ryder’s Runed Soul Technique-3rd Form.

Burning Soul!

Every mana style technique needed the Mana Core to be exposed. Channeling Mana.

Caden was unable to perform any House Ryder’s style techniques because his Mana Core was sealed.

The agitated Stone Troll closed the distance between itself and Caden. Aiming to crush him.

But Caden was quick. He struck the Troll in the chest, using a palm strike which sent the Troll crashing to the ground.

But before the Stone Troll could even stand. Its internal organs were set ablaze, exploding one after the other.

Even his soul was already decaying at a fast pace. Within a few seconds, it had already died.

It wasn’t that the Runed Soul Technique of House Ryder at his sword level was this strong but Caden’s Mana was more destructive.

He isn’t a human after all.

Possessing a Dragonman’s Mana, it packed more power than anyone could even imagine.

[You’ve slain a Stone Troll]

[You’ve received 2exp]

Caden waited for the notification before turning to leave. He mounted on his horse and left the scene.

Caden hadn’t slaughtered every Stone Troll in the mountains, there were still hundreds left.

He didn’t want to be greedy. After all, this isn’t his supreme kingdom.

Others quickly went straight into the battlefield to slaughter the Stone Trolls they could find.

But they were no fools. Even though Caden had treated the trolls that they were weaklings.

They knew how strong a troll could be.

They simply weren’t Caden Ryder.

They had to fight in groups; the Knights and soldiers joined in as well, and so did the Stark princes.

Prince Viktor had separated from his brothers as he went up against a group of trolls. He unsheathed his blade.

Exposing his Mana Core. Revealing his Mana Aptitude of 7%

House Stark’s Sword Valley Technique-6th Form.

Great Slice King!

Channeling his Mana and amplifying it with his blade, his blade was sharpened to the core.

A single swing of his blade tore through a Stone Troll’s tough skin, if he was still a Sword Level Sword Apprentice.

This would have been an impossible feat but he has advanced to become a Sword Level, Sword Knight.

His speed, as well, has increased, just as he fought against the Stone Trolls. His brother Kaid was also fighting.

Prince Viktor was known for his love of the blade, and Prince Hetu was renowned for his body modifications.

But Prince Kaid was known for his hyper speed. He had created a technique on his own.

One which he could use to amplify his speed ten times just like Prince Hetu’s inflation technique.

His movements were extremely fast, taking out Stone Trolls before they could even realize it.

But it wasn’t too fast that Caden wouldn’t be able to see his movements. Caden was naturally even faster.

If Caden were Kaid’s opponent. He would be at a disadvantage because he’s weaker than Caden.

And Caden is even faster.

Other successors who were invited as well were playing their parts. Within a few minutes, more than two hundred Stone Trolls were killed.

While they struggled, seeing it’s men dying like flies. The D-tier Boss Monster decided to intervene.

Not having one target, it clashed against everyone but the three princes attacked simultaneously.

Even while knowing this was a boss monster, Caden didn’t attack. This wasn’t his kingdom after all.

The Boss Monster was meant to be killed by the three princes.

But while they were all busy.....

Caden was the only successor sitted on his horse, watching the entire show from where he was.

His actions had boosted the morale of the successors. Three knights had remained behind.

Not joining the expedition team. They were all Sword Level, Sword Masters.

They’re role here is to only protect the young masters of House Stark, no matter what.

If the three young masters were in any form of danger. They would quickly intervene.

But there were no signs of danger.

While Caden watched, one of them decided to engage him in a conversation "Prince Caden, just as the princes will be leaving for the royal academies in a few weeks"

"Would you also be attending a royal academy?" The Sword Master level knight asked.

Caden softly exhaled "It’s a tradition for all royalties who has gone through their Awakening Ceremony"

"Whether they failed the Awakening Ceremony or not, they must complete their education in any of the thirty royal academies, right?" Caden asked.

The knight nodded.

He paused for a second, "I’ve received invitations from all of the thirty royal academies"

"I think I have an idea which academy I will be joining," Caden said.

The three Sword Master level knights widened their eyes in shock. They were left stunned.

Although every royalty must attend one of the thirty royal academies and complete their education.

The royal academies were founded by the Supreme Council in an attempt to train the future generations.

Guiding them to success, but it’s extremely hard for one to be enrolled in the royal academies.

It doesn’t matter if they failed or passed their Awakening Ceremony. For them to be enrolled in an academy.

They must go through some written examinations and physical tests.

When they pass, they will receive an enrollment letter.

But Caden didn’t even need to go through all that. He was given a straight admission ticket.

Being invited by all thirty royal academies is an incredible feat on its own.

Despite that, there isn’t even any hint of excitement in Caden’s eyes as he kept on watching.

"Uhmm if by any chance, would you accept the invitation of the Valor Royal Academy?" One of the three Sword Master level knights asked.

Caden slightly tilted his head "I could, but why tho?" He asked, "Is that where the quadruplets would be attending?"

The knight nodded "Yes, the quadruplets were invited by the Valor Royal Academy, it’s the best amongst the best"

"And even successors within the top ten supreme kingdoms will be attending as well" The knight added.

Caden softly exhaled "Well I’ll check it out and consider it when I return back to Morningstar"

"And speaking about returning.....I’ll be leaving tomorrow"

While the three Sword Master level knights were discussing amongst themselves.

They had no idea that they were being watched.

Standing atop a mountain peak, was a mysterious figure.

Draped in a black leather trench coat, his face was completely hidden under the cover of the black mask he wore.

He glared down at Caden, who remained on his horse, not hiding his murderous intent.

He suddenly placed his hand on his right ear. "Agent 68, reporting.....I’ve locked in on the target. Should I proceed with the assassination phase?" He asked.

A voice answered "No, stand down Agent 68... we’ve received a command from the Mothership"

The mysterious figure’s eyebrows furrowed "A command from the Mothership?" He curiously asked.

The voice answered once again "Yes, that’s correct. A direct order from the Lord General"

"Caden Ryder has been marked for death. But the time is not now" The voice paused for a second, "When the academic session begins and all successors make their way into the royal academies"

"Caden Ryder will surely die" the voice declared, "For now, return to your position"