Affinity: Chaos

1775  Alone In The Inner Court

Sir Astarot looked at Void with great curiosity. Of everyone present, it was the only one that had spent some time with Grey, yet this was the first time it was seeing Void with him. A hint of confusion flashed across its eyes as it stared at Void. It could sense that Void was extraordinary, but it didnʼt know anything about him. Sir Astarot wasnʼt the only expert whose interest was piqued by Void. The other Magical Beasts present also all focused on Grey and eventually Void. While under these gazes, Grey sensed one that was filled with hostility, turning in the direction of the gaze, his eyes met with that of the Toad Clan Leader. He was taken aback, but he quickly flashed a smile in its direction. The Toad Clan Leader felt disgusted as it saw Greyʼs smile. To it, it was better if Greyʼs face was ripped off and his tongue was burnt. It hated Grey with its life!

Grey could care less about what the Toad Clan Leader felt towards him, he followed behind his father not forgetting to show his respect to the experts present here, after all, he was the only youth here. Well, taking into account the age of these Magical Beasts as well as the old man from the Vaergahl Family, Lucas could also be said to be a child to them, but since their strengths were equal, their seniority had little to no part to play again. Lucas walked close to the old man from the Vaergahl Family and stood close to him. Grey stood by his side, making sure not to keep his gaze on anyone any longer than he should. ”Since everyone is gathered, then Iʼll begin…” Sir Astarot didnʼt delay and started the meeting outright. They gathered today for a purpose, a purpose theyʼre all already aware of. The only reason for their gathering today is for them to plan out a strategy to increase their overall strength before the war begins. These Magical Beasts were all aware that theyʼd also have another gathering with humans to plan out how to counter the enemy. Grey didnʼt have any thoughts about the meeting and only chose to come because he wanted to at least experience the sight of such a gathering. All he did throughout the time was secretly communicating with Void as they spoke about most of these Magical Beasts. There were a few strange ones that Grey and Void found very interesting. Grey thought the interesting Magical Beasts had some special abilities, Void, on the other hand, just felt that theyʼd taste delicious.

There were so many Magical Beasts present, even a large Ox. Void could almost swear on his life that the flesh of this Ox isnʼt something to take lightly. If cooked by a skilled cook like Grey, then this Ox will surely make a great delicacy. ʼI wonder if itʼll agree to shave off a few kilos of flesh?ʼ Void wondered as he looked at the giant Ox, he couldnʼt even stop himself from salivating, which almost got him in trouble if not for Lucas who reacted quickly. Lucas already knew a bit of Grey and Voidʼs personality and knew from the little contact he had with Void that this little cat was a bit troublesome. Other than Void almost getting himself in trouble, nothing significant happened during the rest of the meeting. The leaders of each Magical Beast Clan that came forth all came to an agreement to open a small world that was filled with opportunities for the Magical Beasts of the Inner Court. Like the human territories, the Magical Beastʼs Forest also possessed these strange small worlds, and once in a while, itʼll be open for the weaker Magical Beasts to head in a train. Less than a third of the Magical Beasts that enter these small worlds make it back alive, which shows the dangers within. With that said, the greater the danger, the greater the opportunity. As long as these Magical Beasts could survive, they tend to always grow to become top experts. Some of the leaders here today are a product of these small worldʼs tempering. With the meeting completed, Lucas took Grey to meet up with Sir Astarot. After exchanging a few words with the latter, he told Grey to behave properly before leaving him under the care of Sir Astarot. He believed that the other party wouldnʼt hurt Grey since it had given its word, so he didnʼt have to worry about his safety. The old man from the Vaergahl Family left with Lucas, leaving only Grey in the Inner Court. Grey didnʼt know what to expect from Sir Astarot, all he could do was wait to find out. He got his wish later that night as Sir Astarot summoned him. When he got to Sir Astarotʼs cave abode, he was slightly taken aback. The size of this caveʼs entrance is a complete contrast to Sir Astarotʼs massive size. A look of realization soon dawned on him after entering the cave abode. Sir Astarot, who is usually always in a gigantic form, was currently only about three meters long. Sir Astarot looked at Grey and after a short silence it asked with a bit of doubt, ”You refined a Dragonʼs blood essence?”

Greyʼs pupils shrank after hearing this question, and although he hid the change well, it was still impossible to hide it from a master of Sir Astarotʼs level. ”So you truly did refine a Dragonʼs blood essence.” Sir Astarot was shocked by this discovery. Although it had guessed, it wasnʼt a hundred percent certain, and if Grey didnʼt show any reactions and denied it, then it wouldʼve never been able to tell if he did or not. When it asked Grey the question, its full focus was on him, hence the reason it caught notice of the change in Greyʼs eyes. Even if it was just for a quarter of a second, it still didnʼt escape its eyes. Grey wore a pensive look before hurriedly explaining, ”I got it by accident. I…”

”Thereʼs no need for you to explain how you got it. Since you managed to acquire it and even refine it, whatʼs the point in me finding fault with you?” Sir Astarot stopped Greyʼs explanation mid-way.

”No wonder I felt a strange connection from you.” Sir Astarot suddenly said, its eyes showing clarity after its doubts had been quelled. ”Kid, it canʼt be that you only got a stronger physique after refining the blood essence. The resonance wouldnʼt be this much if you just got a bit of better physique than usual.” Sir Astarot still felt like Grey hadnʼt told it everything. Hearing Sir Astarotʼs words, Grey knew that he couldnʼt hide it, so he moved the sleeves of his top to show the skin of his arm, before bluish silver scales appeared on his body. Sir Astarotʼs eyes flashed with a soft glint as it nodded, ”So thatʼs how it is.” It now understood why it felt this way towards Grey. When it first saw Grey, it felt this strange feeling and was only a bit curious about him, but not enough to want to speak with him about it. Despite not originally having such intentions, Greyʼs performance with the Toad Clan Leader made it become very interested in the former and it decided to keep Grey with him for the time being. It didnʼt want to hurt him, and actually wanted to present him with an opportunity. ”Did you acquire any other abilities?” It asked after a while. ”I awakened my water domain at the time.” Grey explained, but then a frown appeared on his face as a look of confusion appeared. Seeing Greyʼs confused look, Sir Astarot chuckled, ”Speak, if itʼs something I can assist with, I will surely help you out. As long as itʼs within my abilities.”

Sir Astarot already knew how bold Grey was, if he dared to tell him that itʼd surely help him out with something and then he went on to request for something that is impossible to achieve, wouldnʼt that be the same as setting himself up for embarrassment? With this thought in mind, it made sure to let Grey know that he shouldnʼt dare to go overboard with his request. Contrary to Sir Astarotʼs fear, Grey didnʼt request for anything, rather, he asked a question about something troubling him.

Over the past few years, he noticed that for some reason, his ice ability is superior to his use of water. Of course, he wasnʼt on the same level as Klaus. What he found a bit confusing is that for some reason, he was better with using ice than water. It was as if his water was the inferior one among the two. There were special cases like Klaus whose water and ice abilities were top notch. Grey on the other hand, could demonstrate far more superior strength when using his ice ability compared to when he uses normal water.