bookpower Chapter 143: Old Friend
Chapter 143: Old Friend
Kalivas returned to his personal residence outside the capital city of Eroa. The area around the capital was flush with jungle trees and wildlife. Many trees were hundreds of feet in circumference, which led to many buildings being built off the ground.
His personal home was a massive complex with around ten buildings spanning several trees, with both covered and uncovered walkways between them. His training area was an open clearing he had made by cutting down a section of the forest so he could practice unimpeded.
Though his power was not likely to decrease by simply enjoying life, the way his cohort, the Empyrean Ranker that lived in the middle of nowhere, did... Kalivas did not feel right when he did not move his body.
By letting not training and practicing every day, his sword, or rather his axe, would rust away. Power was well and good, but expertise could overcome it.
Perhaps there was no better example than his own son. In his first test match against Lucius, he realized that the boy had spent a large portion of his life training on how to fight. He did not rely on pure power because he lacked it for most of his existence.
To make up for that shortcoming, he mastered the sword, the spear, fists, and many other weapons. Though he did not have the Arts to supplement his lack of strength with those weapons, knowing how to use them allowed him to understand their fighting styles and react to them quicker in battle.
On top of that, Lucius' Mana Manipulation and Pseudo-Channeling closed that gap even more. It reached the point that he could easily fight against experienced opponents a rank above him. Or even two ranks if the idiot he fought relied only on power, not skill.
While thinking about fond memories, Kalivas swung his battle ax at a massive tree, cutting through it completely in a single swing. He was admiring his handiwork when he realized someone was approaching.
Two familiar people appeared from the jungle. The first was Kalliope, the girl he treated as a niece, and the second was her father, Atil. Atil was the leader of the Gray Wolf Clan and Kalivas's sworn brother.
"Atil! What a surprise to see you here. You rarely make your way towards the capital! I figured you thought yourself too cozy in your leisure palace near the border you made for yourself." Kalivas called out.
Atil chuckled and walked up to him, giving him a massive embrace. The two brothers held each other momentarily before separating and putting one hand on each other's shoulders.
"My Kalivas, it has been years! To think you would see your son alive and breathing. When I heard the news from Kalliope, I was beside myself with joy!" Atil said, nearly wiping a tear from his eye.
"Speaking of, how about we make her your daughter-in-law! Then we can truly consider ourselves brothers! But don't think I will lose to you as the favorite grandpa!"
Kalliope's ears perked up, and her eyes became excited.
"Woah, girl. Calm down." Kalivas gave her a placating gesture. "You know as well as I do that Lucius is his own person. Whether or not he accepts you is his prerogative. You know he is smitten with that Rena girl."
Kalliope's mood calmed slightly, but there was still a fire in her eyes. "Do not worry, Uncle, Father. I will win Lucius' heart. I know I will not be the first wife, but I will be his strongest wife!"
Atil grinned widely. "Yes! Though your children will not be members of my clan, but Kalivas' house I am excited to see the bloodline grow stronger."
"Atil. You know as well as I do that they cannot wed. Her children will be members of no one's house or clan. The king would have to personally acknowledge them, and I doubt he would do so. He only just..."
His dear friend narrowed his eyes at him. "If they would not be children of your illustrious house, I will take them into the Gray Wolf Clan myself. The clans follow ancient blood laws that predate these kingdoms and 'houses' so they will be treated as family no matter what."
Kalliope's face blushed, likely due to thinking about having children with Lucius.
"Well, first, Kalliope has to get him to agree... so far, she has had no such luck, so let's not put the cart before the horse, yea?"
Atil thought for a moment and nodded. "Kalliope! You are to seduce Lucius and give me no less than five grandchildren. Consider this a direct order from the clan leader."
"Yes, father!"
"Good luck, son..." Kalivas muttered, barely containing a grin.