Chapter 87: The Dragon Who Challenged the Wrong Human.

Ivan was a descendant of the Great Red Dragon. He hailed from the distant Red Mountains of Sylvara, just like the rest of his kin.

The Draconians were an isolated people and rarely mingled with outsiders, living apart from every empire and kingdom, owing allegiance to none.

But even then they understood the importance of maintaining alliances, especially when demons and devils threatened their livelihood.

That was why, every year, one or two young Draconians were sent to the Arcanum as students to socialise with future generations of other races.

This year, Ivan was the only one chosen.

Unlike the others of his kind, he wasn’t indifferent, nor was he content with simply observing and staying isolated.

He had grand ambitions.

One day, he intended to dominate the entire world, just as their ancestors, the legendary Great Red Dragon once had.

So how could someone like him ever bow his head to a few humans and giants inside an academy?

He fully intended to establish his own faction and rise above those arrogant fools who dared look down on him.

Others called him delusional but Ivan preferred the term visionary. His sheer charisma had already earned him four loyal followers.

Now, he intended to recruit a fifth.

A human noble who had caught his attention during the banquet a few days earlier by refusing to acknowledge the authority of the senior students.

Ivan had quietly kept an eye on the boy ever since and the more he observed him, the more convinced he became that Zenith belonged under his banner.

Today, he had finally decided to recruit him and he was ready to use force if persuasion failed and just as he had expected, the boy openly challenged him.

"Something tells me you are not exactly popular among your peers." He glanced at the contract before looking back at him. "But sure, if you really think you can make me sign it... be my guest."

Ivan’s expression twisted almost immediately.

His subordinates stepped forward, ready to move but before any of them could, Zenith spoke again in the same calm tone.

"But, you know, you seem like a strong and capable guy. So I have an offer of my own." An eerie smile slowly spread across his face. "I don’t know how you managed to gather these four followers but personally? I have no interest in following a weak leader."

"So, prove yourself by fighting against me alone. If you win, I will follow you. However, if I win, you have to follow me. We can even get the soul contract ready with these terms if you so wish."

Zenith’s gaze swept over Ivan’s four followers.

"Naturally, you can try to overwhelm me with your lackeys but you already know how that will end. Even if you somehow force me into an unfair Soul Contract with that scroll, you will never earn my loyalty."

"Hell, the first chance I get, I will betray you without a second thought."

A grin tugged at his lips.

"So, what will it be?"

Ivan barely hesitated before nodding.

"Alright. I accept."

He wasn’t the kind of leader who hid behind his subordinates. If he wished to stand at the front, then he had to prove he deserved to.

Besides, the thought of losing never once crossed his mind. He was impressed by Zenith’s display during the banquet.

He had even watched the fight against that pitiful second-year student but Ivan didn’t even acknowledge that fool as a real opponent.

A second-year who was still only in the Awakened Rank?

That was nothing short of pathetic in his eyes. Ivan himself was in Awakened Rank currently but he was sure he would enter at least Enlightened rank by the start of second year unlike that pathetic fool.

So even if Zenith had defeated him, Ivan couldn’t bring himself to consider it much of an achievement.

And more importantly, forcing a Soul Contract onto someone was an incredibly dangerous thing to do since such a Contract was meant to be accepted willingly and bound by the other person’s soul.

If Ivan tried to force Zenith into one, he knew it wouldn’t last for long and when it broke, it could have adverse effects on Ivan’s own soul.

Meanwhile, Zenith looked at him calmly.

"Alright. Tomorrow, at five in the evening we will have an honorable duel right in this spot and the loser will become the winner’s subordinate."

"Why wait until tomorrow?" Ivan frowned. "Why don’t we settle it right now?"

Zenith merely smiled.

"Well, if I am going to fight someone as strong as you, I should at least prepare myself mentally, shouldn’t I? Otherwise, I will be defeated far too easily."

His voice appeared to be carrying genuine respect as Ivan’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

"For someone so overconfident, you at least know how to show respect. Very well. If you wish to prepare yourself, I will grant you that time."

He folded his arms across his chest.

"I will be here tomorrow and I expect you to be here as well because if there is one thing I despise, it’s cowards and liars."

"If you break your word, I won’t just give up on recruiting you, you will become my enemy and I will make sure you regret it."

"I trust I have made myself clear."

Zenith simply nodded.

"No worries. Then I will be on my way. Since, I still have electives to choose, after all."

Zenith waved Ivan a casual goodbye before turning around and walking away as a cold smile still lingered on his lips.

Ivan had no idea what he had just signed himself up for.

Meanwhile, the four followers standing beside Ivan exchanged silent glances as if they had all reached the same unspoken conclusion. Without saying anything more, they bid farewell to their... leader and left one by one as well.

Now alone in the eerie garden, Ivan let out a quiet chuckle.

"I just hope you are strong enough to make tomorrow’s duel worthwhile, Zenith Von Ruinbringer."