Chapter 199: Tier One Magic: Blood Empowerment

The entire sitting area fell silent as everyone turned toward Charles. The festive atmosphere that had filled the banquet moments earlier disappeared almost instantly, replaced by a heavy tension that even the surrounding music could not conceal.

Several Gnolls exchanged worried glances, while some of the Halfling soldiers lowered their cups and quietly moved their attention between Charles and Pumba. They all knew what was coming next. Charles had crossed a line that even his position as Pumba's son could not protect him from.

Bam!

The table shook violently beneath Pumba's fist. His previously amused expression vanished completely as his eyes became vicious and cold. The redness already covering his face from the wine seemed to deepen as anger twisted his features, and his gaze slowly swept across the table before finally settling on Charles, who instinctively shrank backward.

"Since we came here, we have been treated with nothing but respect." Pumba began, his voice dangerously calm. "The Gnolls have surrendered, and the person responsible for their surrender turns out to be a pro human who even took it upon himself to avenge the death of Prince Luther, a man respected even by our King. Yet you cannot observe common courtesy in the presence of these wonderful allies we have made today."

Pumba slowly rose from his seat. The movement alone made Charles straighten nervously.

"Gather your men and get out." Pumba pointed toward the endless darkness beyond the illuminated settlement. "I was a fool to bring you to such an important occasion, thinking you would gain some wisdom by observing how adults handle things. You and your men will stand guard tonight outside the village."

Buzz!

Charles's expression sank as the color drained from his face. He stared at his father in disbelief, clearly unable to comprehend that Pumba was actually humiliating him in front of the entire banquet.

"Father..."

"No buts! Get out!" Pumba roared.

Charles immediately lowered his head, his jaw tightening as humiliation and anger burned inside him. He wanted to argue, but the look in his father's eyes made it clear that another word would only make things worse.

Clank!

The sound of Ka'z pushing his seat back suddenly drew everyone's attention.

Ka'z rose to his feet and bowed toward Pumba, keeping his head lowered respectfully. "Teacher, I believe Big Brother Charles is only cautious of me as he rightfully should be. No one should easily trust a stranger. Since he has asked, allow me to clear his doubts through combat."

Pumba's red face slowly lost some of its color as his rage relaxed slightly. He stared at Ka'z for several seconds before a pleased smile appeared on his face.

"If only I had a son as wise, respectful, and patient as you, I would have retired a long time ago and left the nation's army in your hands."

Charles's face twisted.

His cheeks became red with fury, and his entire body began trembling as though he were struggling to keep himself from exploding. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles became pale, but Ka'z paid him no attention.

Instead, Ka'z lowered himself further and dropped onto one knee. The sudden gesture stunned everyone around the table.

"Teacher, I know I may be overstepping my boundaries, but allow me to formally request that you take me in as your disciple if my capabilities impress you. Despite being blessed by the heavens, I still recognize that I can only reach my full potential if formally tutored and trained by great men like yourself, who have experienced life fully and gained a wealth of experience which simple talent can never replace." Ka'z said in English.

Buzz!

Several faces twisted with surprise. Even Bao raised his eyebrows.

Wolvrac stared at Ka'z with an expression that suggested he was beginning to understand exactly what the young kobold was doing. Charles, meanwhile, was gnashing his teeth so violently that his jaw visibly trembled. Even he had not expected Ka'z to be bold enough to make such a request directly in front of his father.

"Bastard, you are going too far!" Charles screamed.

Hahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha!

Pumba threw his head back and laughed.

"Well said, child!" Pumba said, his laughter continuing as he looked down at Ka'z. "It's very difficult to see a youth your age with so much wisdom and insight. I can see very well that you take after Brother Kong'gong!"

Ka'z slowly raised his head and flashed a humble smile.

"Alright, I'll accept your request if you truly impress me. My son may be a fool, but he's not weak. He should be a good opponent for you." Pumba agreed excitedly.

Charles's breathing became rapid.

He was practically hyperventilating from anger, his chest rising and falling violently as he struggled to keep his mouth shut. The humiliation of being dismissed by his father was bad enough, but watching Ka'z turn the entire situation around and gain Pumba's approval made it infinitely worse.

Ka'z didn't care."I'll make sure to live up to your expectations!" Ka'z said passionately.

With that, the entire focus of the banquet shifted.

The tables were gradually cleared from the central area while the Gnolls began directing the crowd toward the wrestling arena. The arena was located on a sizable flat section of land surrounded by several natural high grounds, making it possible for hundreds of spectators to watch the battle from above.

One of the highest sections had been reserved for the guests of honor.

Pumba, Bao, Wolvrac, and several other dignitaries took their seats there, while the remaining elevated sections were quickly occupied by Gnolls and Halfling soldiers eager to witness the confrontation.

The festive atmosphere had transformed into something completely different. Everyone wanted to see what the mysterious young kobold could actually do.

Ka'z and Charles stood dozens of meters apart in the center of the battlefield, staring each other down beneath the light of the crescent moon. Charles stood with his sword still sheathed at his side, his eyes burning with anger as he studied Ka'z.

At the opposite side of the arena, a sheep had been beheaded and left bleeding heavily into a shallow depression in the ground.

The arrangement had been made by Pumba and accepted by everyone present. Ka'z's only known element was Blood Magic, and without a source of blood, his ability to use it would be severely restricted. Providing him with the blood of the sheep ensured that the fight would not become an unfair test simply because his opponent had access to a much larger variety of resources.

Ka'z glanced briefly toward the corpse, then he looked back at Charles.

"You sly scum... I don't know what your true intentions are, but I will put an end to all of it here and now. You will be exposed for the fraud you are." Charles said, his sword finally leaving its sheath with a metallic sound.

Ka'z's expression remained calm. "Big Brother Charles... You are truly strong and talented. But when compared to the strongest kobolds I came across, you are nothing special."

Images of Grash, Crow, and Loki flashed through Ka'z's mind. Charles did not give him the same feeling.

"Compare me to rotten goblins?" Charles's face twisted with disgust. "Alright. I'll prove you wrong. I'll give you the opportunity to make the first move!" He raised his sword and shifted into a combat stance.

Ka'z didn't answer.

Thud!

He stomped his foot against the ground. The blood surrounding the sheep corpse immediately began to move.

It crawled across the earth like a living substance before rising into the air and flowing toward Ka'z. The crimson liquid wrapped around his body and was absorbed into his flesh.

His muscles began swelling and his shoulders widened. The veins across his arms became more prominent as his body strained under the sudden increase in physical power. His crimson scales darkened and began glowing beneath the moonlight, while the pressure radiating from his body steadily increased.

But unlike before, Ka'z did not stop when his body reached the limit he had previously experienced.

He continued as his muscles bulged further and his scales expanded. His body trembled violently as the Blood Empowerment pushed his physical strength beyond what his body was accustomed to handling.

The pressure became so intense that it looked as though his own body might tear itself apart.

Ka'z gritted his teeth.

"A little more..." he hissed.

Buzz!

A crimson magic array suddenly appeared beneath his feet. The array spun rapidly, its intricate patterns glowing brighter with every rotation as red fumes began pouring from Ka'z's body. The fumes spread outward and quickly engulfed his entire figure, obscuring his body from the spectators.

The pressure coming from within the red mist became frightening. Pumba's expression changed immediately, while Bao stood up and Wolvrac's eyes widened.

Several of the elite Halfling guards instinctively rose from their seats as well, while the surrounding Gnolls stared at the arena in stunned silence.

None of them had ever witnessed a Blood Magus produce this level of power.

Ka'z's figure remained hidden within the crimson fumes as the magic array continued rotating beneath his feet. Then his voice emerged from within the blood colored mist.

"Tier One Magic: Blood Empowerment!"