My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

”I know, my daughter. I know. I heard about it... and I’m really proud of you,” Alara said, clearly happy to see that her daughter had grown this strong.

”After all, you are the granddaughter of the Human Emperor, Caelan, himself,” Alara added.

Maira ignored her mother’s words and asked, ”Who brought me here?”

”Your grandfather’s men did. You were captured by that treacherous bastard, the Supreme Leader of the Twilight Order,” Alara replied.

”What happened there while I was unconscious?” Maira asked.

Of course, the entire Human Continent knew what had happened in Vaunis, as the incident had been broadcast across the continent.

Alara had also watched the entire broadcast and had been terrified when her daughter was taken hostage.

Alara then explained everything she had seen from beginning to end. As Maira listened, her expression changed again and again, as she was shocked by what her mother was telling her.

Then Alara showed her the entire recorded broadcast projection. Maira watched it carefully, completely baffled.

It wasn’t the part where Nyxara had saved her from Darius that shocked her the most. She was far more shocked by how much the Slaughter Monarch’s power had grown since the last time she had seen him.

More than that, his name was Nova as well.

And he was a demon... before transforming into a dragon.

After watching the entire projection, Maira fell into deep thought. The suspicion she had about Nova in Frostholme was now becoming a reality.

She had watched him during the tournament, and now she had seen him in this projection. The fact that he was below twenty years old and his name was also Nova couldn’t be a simple coincidence.

She didn’t care about Nyxara’s relationship with Nova. What she wanted to know was how Nyxara, the famous and most powerful Demon Princess from the Abyss, had such a relationship with him. When had Nova gone to the Abyss, and how had they even met?

Still, everything was adding up.

Even if no one could prove that the two were the same person, having the same name and a similar age obviously wasn’t enough evidence. It sounded absurd.

But Maira was sure now.

And for the final confirmation, she had a way to find out the truth. For that, she would have to meet Nova soon.

”Mother... did the winners of the tournament receive their rewards? And what about the champion?” Maira suddenly asked.

Alara tilted her head but still answered, ”Ah, yes. It was announced a few hours ago that they will be coming here. They’ll have their reward ceremony here in the palace, and the Emperor himself will reward them.”

”And, of course, Champion Nova Valencrest is also coming here... Hmm, so do you know him?” Alara asked.

Maira shook her head and said, ”I don’t know him. And when are they coming?”

”One week later,” Alara replied.

She didn’t understand why her daughter was asking such questions, but she didn’t think much of it. She had been away from her daughter for so long that her habits and behavior had changed a lot. It would take time for her to get used to her again.

Still, she was sad that she would be spending more time in the Light Temple, as she was now the High Priestess.

Maira was relieved that Nova was coming here by himself. She wouldn’t have to go looking for him. She would confirm it in one week, without a doubt.

Although, deep down, she was already ninety-nine percent sure that the Slaughter Monarch was Nova.

As she was lost in thought, a maid arrived at the door and knocked twice.

Maira and Alara turned around and saw a maid standing there with her head lowered.

Alara asked, ”What is it?”

”The Emperor has sent word. When Princess Maira wakes up, he wants to have a word with her alone.”

Alara raised her eyebrows. On the other hand, Maira wasn’t surprised. She had a guess about what this was about.

”Tell him I’m still sleeping. I’ll see him in the morning,” Maira answered.

The maid bowed and said, ”As you say, Princess.”

With that, she left.

Alara didn’t pay much attention to it either. It was probably related to the incident, so for now, she simply wanted to spend more time with her precious daughter, who had always been a little rude to her.

....

Somewhere on the borders of the Elven Continent...

A spatial rift opened, and a beautiful figure stepped out. Her silky blonde hair shimmered under the moonlight as she stood in the sky.

She was wearing a veil that covered her face and passed over her beautiful, elegant, long elven ears. She then removed it. If anyone saw her face, they would instantly fall in love with her. Her beauty was truly otherworldly.

Her mature figure was draped in a green dress that highlighted all her curves, making her look sinful yet angelic at the same time.

Her clear blue eyes shone as she looked toward the vast stretch of greenery before her. Far in the distance, she could see a giant tree that reached the clouds.

”Mother... why do you say that?” Aurora spoke, her melodious voice echoing through the surroundings.

”@)#)#_-@/)#￡+###@(”

The ancient voice said something that wasn’t clear, and only Aurora could hear it.

”Yeah, I know who he is... but I don’t know if he’s evil or good. He seems neutral to me,” Aurora replied.

”##-￡-￡)@###(#(#@(@”

”I don’t want to force anyone. That’s not my style, and it goes against my morals... as I know he hasn’t committed any evil yet.”

”@+#-￡#+####”

”I know he has many secrets that even you are surprised to see and hear... which makes me curious about whether it’s a good idea to make him an enemy.”

”@+￡-#&#&#￡@”

”I can do that... but it would look weird for me to personally invite him, as that would basically be saying that I believe he’s the Slaughter Monarch. He clearly wants to hide it.”

”@#+￡-@￡##++￡”

”MOTHER!! He is just a boy!” Aurora sounded angry by something the voice had said.

”Sigh... Please don’t say vulgar things, Mother. It doesn’t suit you. Anyway... Big Brother will be attending the meeting in a few days in Everhart City. I’ll be joining him.”

”@+#-#&@@@#￡-”

”Yes, I know. I’m not an idiot. I won’t do it in front of everyone, and he must also want to meet me, since I know his secret.”

”@@￡-#&@+#@”

”Hmm... yes, I’m practicing the Space Law, but... it’s not as good as the Human Emperor’s, Demon Lord Kharos’s, or Brother’s.

”As I have to take many intervals, and I can’t open long-distance rifts like they can yet.

”Still, I’ll be entering the Secret Realm as well this time, so I’ll be able to improve it inside. And I’m working on my other Laws as well.”

”@##@+￡-###@#”

”Hmm... I know that would be a good chance, and I also realized he won’t be willing to come before the Secret Realm, so we can only invite him after it.”

”@+#-@##￡￡”

”It will be hard to look for him inside, but I’ll do my best. If not, I’ll do it when he gets out. And don’t make me sound desperate. You’re the one who’s interested in him, not me.”

”@#+##&###￡!!”

”Sigh...”

Aurora talked about a few more things with the ancient voice, and after some time, she left the area.

....

Dragon Continent, Drakthar...

In the Imperial Capital of Drakthar, an enormous palace stood at the heart of the city.

Unlike the elegant palaces found across the Human Continent, this one possessed a unique and intimidating style that made it look less beautiful and more like a fortress built by dragons.

The entire structure resembled a colossal dragon’s castle. Its massive dark walls were reinforced with enormous stone pillars shaped like dragon claws, while countless sharp spires rose toward the sky like the horns of an ancient dragon.

Huge dragon statues stood along the outer walls, their wings spread wide and their eyes glowing faintly with magical light.

Massive gates decorated with the image of a roaring dragon guarded the entrance, while enormous banners bearing the crest of the Dragon Emperor fluttered above the towers.

Everything about the palace radiated strength and intimidation. It didn’t need to be beautiful. It was built to make anyone who approached it understand one thing—

This was the castle of a dragon.

Inside the throne hall, a tall, sturdy figure sat upon the massive throne. He had dark blue hair and looked almost exactly like Draeven.

He was none other than Draeven’s elder brother—and someone many times stronger than him.

His presence was heavy, and his powerful dragonic aura leaked from his body without control. Yet the throne hall didn’t shake or crack under the pressure, as the entire palace had been specifically designed to withstand the aura of powerful dragons.

He held a communication stone in his hand and spoke.

”Do you also think he and that boy are the same?”

”I don’t know... but I am suspicious. Not only me, but everyone is. However, he is also the champion of the tournament, and he is obviously a human,” Caelan replied.

”Don’t think too much about it. We can’t show any incompetence now, or we’ll lose our chance. That bastard Kharos is now with Zeon, and they have made contact with them as well.”

”You know what that means,” Valdrake spoke.

”I know, but... can you believe them?” Caelan asked. ”I feel like they’re just using us.”

”Don’t you know their power? It’s the only way, so don’t worry about it too much. And get that boy killed when he arrives in your city,” Valdrake ordered.

”Alright... you’re right,” Caelan replied.

**

Thanks for reading...