Chapter 24: Fighting an Elite-Rank Beast
Inside the lavish chambers of the Ashblade estate, a servant knelt on the expensive rug, his head bowed respectfully before Lady Vivienne Von Ashblade.
"Lady Vivienne, the bastard child has entered the common-rank Swift Gate," the servant reported, his head lowered before Vivienne.
Lady Vivienne’s eyes narrowed dangerously as she processed this unexpected development. She had been expecting news of Draco’s departure from the estate, Glade had assured her that the matter would be resolved today. But this... this was something entirely different.
"When was this?" Vivienne demanded, a subtle smile appearing on her face.
"Approximately three hours ago, my lady."
Alone? The bastard thinks he can enter a gate by himself? His B-rank talent must have gone to his head. After being unawakened for so long, it seems he’s lost what little sense he had.
She rose from her velvet chair and began pacing across the ornate rug, her silk gown rustling with each agitated step. The servant remained kneeling, not daring to move without permission.
"Has he emerged yet?" she asked, though something in her tone suggested she already suspected the answer.
"No, my lady. Several experienced hunting parties have entered and cleared the gate multiple times since his entry. He has not been seen exiting."
A slow, cold smile began to spread across Lady Vivienne’s face.
Perhaps the problem will solve itself after all.
"And Glade? Does my son know about this?"
"Not yet, my lady. I came to you first, as per your standing instructions regarding any matters concerning the bastard."
Lady Vivienne nodded approvingly. Her network of informants throughout the city had proven invaluable once again.
Three hours in a common-rank gate without emerging. Most solo students who attempt such foolishness are never found.
"Excellent work. You may go, but..." She paused, fixing the servant with an intense stare."Keep an eye on the gate, I need to be updated on this issue."
"Of course, my lady."
As the servant departed, Lady Vivienne moved to her window overlooking the estate grounds. The afternoon sun was beginning to set.
If the bastard doesn’t return by tomorrow, the inheritance question resolves itself permanently. No more threats to Glade’s position, no more reminders of that woman’s hold over Lucas.
She touched the cold glass of the window, her reflection showing a beautiful woman who had learned to be patient in pursuit of her goals.
Perhaps I should send flowers to that gate. After all, it would be inappropriate not to mourn the tragic loss of a family member.
The thought brought another smile to her lips as she began planning her next moves.
...
Inside the gate, Draco was still locked in his deadly dance with the elite fox.
Sweat poured down his face as he maintained his defensive position between the boulders, his agility the only thing keeping him alive against the evolved predator.
Growl!
The fox’s deep rumble indicated another imminent attack, its eyes burning with undiminished rage.
Three previous exchanges had taught Draco something crucial about his opponent’s attacks.
"Zephyr! It’s going to attack again. Once it’s midway into its pounce, feint an attack. It will try to counter-attack you since you’ve been doing all the offensive moves, it’s marking you as the main threat. It should ignore me since I’ve only been dodging!"
[Yes, Master!] Zephyr called out from his position hovering above the boulder cluster.
The elite fox coiled its powerful muscles, preparing for another devastating pounce to shred the human in front of it.
Its previous attacks had been focused on overwhelming Draco’s position, but its combat instincts had been tracking the small aerial threat that kept darting in for strikes.
Draco gripped his sword tightly, positioning himself for the critical moment when the fox would be committed to its attack trajectory and focused entirely on Zephyr’s feint.
The beast launched itself forward with terrifying speed, its claws extended and aimed directly at Draco’s current position behind the boulder.
[Now!] Zephyr dove toward the fox’s head as planned, but instead of committing to the attack, he pulled up at the last second, a perfect feint that looked like a real assault attempt.
Just as predicted, the elite fox’s instincts kicked in. Mid-pounce, it twisted its body and lashed out with its front claws toward Zephyr, completely focused on eliminating the aerial threat that had been harassing it throughout the fight.
With the fox’s attention entirely on Zephyr and its body twisted awkwardly in midair, Draco saw his opening. He stepped out from behind the boulder and raised his sword, all his enhanced agility and strength focused on this single, decisive strike.
As Draco raised his sword for what he believed would be the decisive strike, something chilling happened that made his blood run cold.
The elite fox’s lips pulled back slightly, revealing its fangs in what could almost be described as a grin.
While he had thought he’d outsmarted the cunning predator, he had completely forgotten one crucial detail about fox behaviour.
Foxes weren’t primarily known for their raw power or overwhelming strength; they were legendary for their cunning, their tricks, and their ability to deceive prey and predators alike.
How could I commit such a mistake?
He had remembered this trait when planning his ambush against the female fox, using her own hunting instincts against her. But the sheer overwhelming power of this elite-ranked beast, combined with the life-or-death pressure he was experiencing for the first time in his life, had made him forget this fundamental characteristic for a critical moment.
The fox’s "counter-attack" on Zephyr had been a deliberate misdirection. Since missing most of its attacks on Draco due to the terrain disadvantage, the fox had been watching Draco, learning his tactics and waiting for the moment when the human would finally commit to an aggressive move, leaving himself exposed.
[Master, it’s a trap!] Zephyr cried out in alarm as he realised the deception, but his warning came too late.
Draco was already committed to his attack, his momentum carrying him forward into what he now realised was perfectly orchestrated positioning.
The fox had manipulated the entire exchange to create this exact scenario. Draco exposed and unable to retreat, believing himself to be the smarter one when he was actually the prey walking into a snare.