Classless Awakening; My Dragon Is Legendary-Chapter 9: A Destiny Ahead

Gasps filled the air, even Lancel and Klea had put their stupid rivalry aside, the king’s words came as a shock to everyone.

"I thought the witches had been rendered powerless?" a member of the crowd asked, confused.

"The dark emperor’s powers have long been extinguished," another person voiced.

There was fear and panic on all of their faces, they didn’t want to believe it.

Just like humans had magic, there was a select group of humans whose powers didn’t come from the gods, but from the dark emperor.

The dark emperor was the first of the corrupt, and the creator of the dark beasts that plagued this world.

Those who cultivated the dark magic of the dark emperor were referred to as witches and warlocks.

"Your suspicions are still being confirmed," the king said, trying to control the spread of panic.

"I have sent the necessary troops to check if the dark Emperor remains in his cage," the king said.

"And what if he is not in his cage?" A peasant screamed, "The ancient grandmasters are either dead or nowhere to be found." The peasant voiced.

The dark emperor had been imprisoned by the most exceptional warriors, those who awakened grandmaster talents.

"There is one more grandmaster among us," the king said confidently.

He wasn’t going to let Derrick just get overlooked. Derrick was his favorite son, and he’d rather give up his crown than let people belittle him.

Everyone in the crowd went silent, the same thing all going through their minds, but they didn’t dare to voice out.

How would they tell the king that his powerless son could do nothing for this kingdom?

"That weakling?" A confident male voice echoed and everyone turned, including Derrick.

Derrick knew that voice, it was the voice of the man who had relentlessly tried to make his life miserable when he was younger.

"I mean, if he can’t even awaken a magic, how would he face the dark emperor?" A tall green-eyed man, surrounded by knights spoke.

"Ivan, this is not the time or place for this." The king said, tired.

Ivan always had it out for Derrick as soon as Derrick was born.

He was the king’s oldest son, and awakened a master talent.

Before Derrick was born, he was the golden boy of the kingdom, the first chosen one.

Ivan resembled the king down to the last strand of hair. Despite this, he was the king’s least favorite son.

Ivan was widely known for his cruel streak and his pursuit of women who wanted nothing to do with him.

"No, if this ogreshit can’t defend himself, how can he defeat the dark emperor?" Ivan voiced, and many nodded in agreement.

Derrick could feel his anger rising, he wanted nothing more than to rip Ivan’s heart out right there and now.

"And who says he can’t defend himself?" Royal Knight’s voice traveled across the hall, silencing everyone.

"Oh please, he has no magic, what can he possibly do?" Ivan asked arrogantly.

"I can defeat you without using magic," Royal Knight said truthfully.

Royal Knight wouldn’t even need to use his Varyn, all it would take was one second for him to kill Ivan using his sword.

"If he can defend himself, then let him prove it." Ivan took off his glove and threw it Derrick’s way.

Gasps filled the air once more, Ivan had just challenged Derrick to a duel.

All eyes were on Derrick, he could either accept it and get brutally beaten, or he could decline like a coward.

The king had just praised him before everyone, he couldn’t let him down.

The king was about to interfere, say something, stop this madness, but he was too slow.

"I accept," Derrick said confidently. His response shocked everyone, except Royal Knight. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Under Royal Knight’s helmet, there was a smile on his face, he couldn’t be more proud.

"Three weeks from now, this same place," Derrick demanded. He bent down and picked up the glove, raising it above his head for all to see.

"My king, it’s all up to you," Royal Knight said confidently.

No duel could be held without the permission of the king.

And knowing the king, Royal Knight knew he was most likely to reject.

The king stared at both his sons, one driven by jealousy, the other driven by blinding anger and a will to prove himself.

The king didn’t know what to say. On the one hand, he didn’t want Derrick to die; on the other, he didn’t want people to lose faith in Derrick.

He was the one who told everyone Derrick was their hope of defeating the dark emperor. He had been put in a tight spot.

"I shall make my decision before another night is upon us," the king said confidently.

He needed to know just what Royal Knight was thinking, and if there was even a remote chance of Derrick surviving.

In his mind, there was no chance of Derrick winning, he just wanted Derrick to live through it.

These types of duels were only won by death or surrender, and the king knew Derrick would never surrender.

"Very well," Ivan said confidently. If he beat Derrick, then everyone would see him as the golden boy once more.

As the most powerful and firstborn prince of the king’s first wife, he felt it was his birth right.

’What have I gotten myself into?’ Derrick’s mind finally calmed down, and he realized the damage his anger caused.

"Do not falter, never let your faith in yourself wane." Royal Knight placed his hands on Derrick’s shoulder.

He saw the worried look on Derrick’s face, and he couldn’t have that.

If Derrick began to fear Ivan now, then his chances of winning the fight would be snuffed out.

"My father is yet to approve of the duel," Derrick voiced.

"Knowing him, I don’t think he will." Deep down, Derrick hoped his father wouldn’t.

"That is why we would go to convince the king ourselves, and show him that you will win," Royal Knight said confidently.

Derrick sighed, he was about to reject and pull out of the challenge, but a system message stopped him.

[Task received.]

[Info: Defeat your half brother in a duel.]

[Reward: +3 new skills, +50% EXP, +3 physical ability.]

Derrick stared at the rewards. They were too juicy, too tempting for him to forfeit.

"Very well," Derrick said confidently, there was enough time for him to train.

Derrick and Royal Knight returned to the palace. Royal Knight had already set up the meeting with the king, and it was only a matter of time.

Derrick waited, his mind ran multiple scenarios, scenarios in which he either lost, or by some miracle came out victorious.

While he was lost in his thoughts, he heard Royal Knight’s rhythmic knocks and instantly knew what he was here for.

"It is time," Royal Knight said, his voice serious and stern.

"We must not waste the king’s time," Royal Knight added.

The fact that the king made time to see them on such short notice was already impressive on its own, and showed just how much he loved Derrick.

Royal Knight snapped his fingers, and both of them appeared in the throne room.

This time, the king sat on his throne alone, the other members of his council were nowhere to be found.

"Derrick, what were you thinking?" The king said, his voice slightly raised. He was trying his best not to shout to avoid hurting Derrick’s feelings.

"I need to restore people’s faith in me," Derrick said confidently. He wasn’t backing away from this duel.

"You are aware of how dangerous Ivan is?" The king asked.

Of course, Derrick was aware, how could he forget? Ivan had terrorized most of Derrick’s childhood.

Countless direct and indirect assassination attempts, even on the day of Derrick’s birth.

"Yes, and I believe I can handle him," Derrick said, his confidence unawavering.

"Ever since I was seven, I have trained my body and mind every day, trying relentlessly to live up to my destiny." Derrick took three steps forward, willpower burning in his eyes.

"I want this duel to hold," Derrick said. His will and determination touched the heart of the king.

"Are you sure you will survive?" The king asked. He wasn’t ready for a world without Derrick.

"No, he won’t just survive the duel." Royal Knight stepped in, "He is going to win." Royal Knight said confidently.

The king stared at both of them, the prince he held dear, and one of his oldest friends.

The look on Derrick’s face, and the determination in his eyes, was too much for the king to deny.

"Very well," The king said. If Royal Knight assured him that Derrick would win, then he was going to give them the chance.

"Thank you, Father." Derrick spoke, his face full of smiles.

"Now, I have something to discuss with your teacher." The king’s words prompted Royal Knight to snap his fingers.

Once again, Derrick found himself inside his room thanks to Royal Knight.

Back in the throne room, the atmosphere had gone from calm to serious.

"The warlock who killed the knights has been found." The king’s voice was serious, and his eyes held something that tethered on the brink of fear.

"He refused to give any information, and has been killed." The king didn’t believe in a trial or imprisonment for dark magic users. The best way to punish them was straight death.

"And the dark emperor?" Royal Knight asked, dreading the words that came next.

"He..." The king felt the words hang in his throat, the weight was too great.

"He was nowhere to be found." The king’s voice cracked, and his heartbeat quickened.

Royal Knight’s eyes widened, even he, who had always been indomitable and confident, didn’t know what to say.

"I know what you want to say, and he is in no condition to fight." The king’s words further demoralized Royal Knight.

"Very well, then we train Derrick," Royal Knight said confidently.

"It took three grandmaster talents to put him away the last time. Derrick is just one man." The king was scared, not just for himself, but also for Derrick.

"Did you forget Derrick holds the dragon spirit, he is the chosen one?" Royal Knight’s words made the king sigh.

"I know how the ancient prophecy goes, but the stars are not aligning in our favor." The king was hoping Derrick would awaken magic when he awakened the dragon spirit, but things didn’t work out the way he thought.

"Believe in your son my king, I do." Royal Knight said, pride filled his voice.

"Increase his training." The king ordered, he knew it was harsh, but the dark emperor would never hold back against Derrick.

"If that boy does not become formidable soon, we are all doomed."