Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 233: Presentation

"Before anyone makes final decisions, I believe you should understand exactly what they would be rejecting."

He nodded toward Shen Lao, who had been standing quietly at the edge of the demonstration area throughout the entire speech.

"Honored families," Shen Lao said while stepping forward "allow me to demonstrate the abilities your children could achieve through proper dedication and training."

The dragon’s voice carried to resonate in the listeners’ bones, immediately commanding absolute attention from every person in the amphitheater.

"What you are about to witness," he continued, "represents basic techniques that any committed student can learn within six months of proper instruction. These are not advanced abilities—they are fundamental skills that separate the trained from the untrained."

Parents leaned forward eagerly, while students watched with expressions ranging from excitement to apprehension, depending on their position in Grim’s earlier categorization.

Shen Lao moved to the center of the demonstration area, his movements becoming more deliberately ritualistic as he began to circulate mana through his body.

"First," he announced, "breathing techniques."

The dragon inhaled deeply, and the air around him began to shimmer. When he exhaled, brilliant blue flames erupted from his mouth—not the orange-red fire of normal combustion, but intense azure flames that burned with supernatural heat and light.

The flames danced in the air for several seconds, forming intricate patterns before dissipating into wisps of glowing vapor that continued to glow faintly as they dispersed.

Gasps echoed through the family seating as parents witnessed something that defied their understanding of natural law.

"Dragon fire," Shen Lao explained calmly, as if breathing supernatural flames was perfectly ordinary. "Temperature sufficient to melt steel, controlled through precise mana manipulation and proper breathing technique. Students with fire affinity can learn this ability within four months of dedicated training."

Several parents in the crowd exchanged glances that clearly questioned whether their children possessed the necessary commitment to achieve such extraordinary abilities.

"Second," Shen Lao continued, "elemental construction and manipulation."

The dragon extended his hands toward a large stone basin filled with water that had been placed at the edge of the demonstration area. Without any visible effort, the water began to rise from the basin, forming a perfect sphere that hovered in the air above his palms.

But the demonstration was far from over.

The sphere of water began to elongate and reshape itself, flowing like liquid silver as it took on increasingly complex form.

Within moments, it had transformed into a detailed water sculpture of a dragon—complete with scales, claws, and wings that moved with lifelike precision.

The water dragon danced through the air around Shen Lao, its movements so fluid and realistic that several observers gasped in amazement.

"Elemental shaping," Shen Lao explained, his voice remaining conversational despite the extraordinary display. "Water manipulation combined with artistic visualization. Students with water affinity can achieve basic versions of this technique within three months."

The water dragon continued its aerial dance, growing more elaborate in its movements as it circled the demonstration area.

"And third," Shen Lao announced, "elemental combination and combat application."

The dragon gestured sharply, and the water sculpture suddenly froze solid, transforming from flowing liquid to crystalline ice in the space of a heartbeat. The ice dragon maintained its shape perfectly, becoming a sculpture of stunning beauty.

With another gesture, Shen Lao sent the ice dragon hurtling toward a wooden training dummy positioned at the far end of the demonstration area. The frozen sculpture struck with devastating force, reducing the dummy to splinters and leaving a crater in the ground where it had stood.

The silence that followed was absolute.

"Quite the spectacle is it not," Shen Lao explained, as if the destruction of the training dummy was merely an academic exercise. "Students who master both water and temperature control can achieve this level of combat effectiveness within six months of proper instruction."

Parents sat in stunned silence, processing what they had witnessed. The abilities demonstrated were beyond anything they had imagined possible for their children to achieve.

"These techniques," Grim said, stepping forward to address the crowd, "represent the foundation of what your children could become. Not the pinnacle of their potential, but the beginning of their journey toward genuine power."

He gestured toward the students who had been classified as strong and dedicated.

"Some of your children will master these abilities and advance to techniques that make today’s demonstration look elementary. They will become individuals capable of protecting themselves, their families, and their Empire through strength that cannot be challenged."

The pride on the faces of parents whose children stood in the "strong" category was unmistakable.

"Others," Grim continued, turning toward the students who had been classified as weak, "will choose to return to ordinary lives. They will watch from the sidelines as their former classmates achieve extraordinary things."

The shame on the faces of parents whose children stood in the "weak" category was equally unmistakable.

"The choice," Grim concluded, "is entirely yours. But understand that this choice will define not only your children’s futures, but their families’ positions in the Empire’s changing landscape."

A woman in the family seating stood up, her voice carrying across the amphitheater. "Lord Ambrose, if our children choose to remain, what guarantee do we have that they will actually achieve these abilities?"

"The guarantee," Grim replied with cold certainty, "is that those who demonstrate genuine commitment will receive genuine instruction. Those who do not will be removed before they can waste additional time and resources."

"And will the training regimen continue as it has been?" a student asked.

"The training regimen will intensify," Grim corrected. "What you have seen this week is merely the foundation. True power requires increasingly demanding discipline."

"Do not forget that your children are learning Ambrose techniques. They are regarded and feared as the strongest in the Empire. There is a reason that’s always been the case."

The implications were clear—conditions would become more challenging, not less.

"However," Grim continued, "those who persevere will find themselves among the most capable individuals in the Empire. They will have opportunities that others cannot even imagine."

Parents began turning to look at their children, seeking some indication of their intentions. The students themselves seemed to be experiencing a mixture of emotions—pride at the possibilities, fear of the demands, and acute awareness of their families’ expectations.

"The demonstration concludes our presentation," Grim announced. "Families are welcome to speak with their children privately before departing. Final decisions about continued participation are due tomorrow at dawn."

As the crowd began to disperse, Grim observed the interactions between families and students with calculating interest.

Some conversations appeared to be encouragement and support, while others clearly involved pressure and disappointment.

[A rather effective use of public shame and family honor,] Caius observed with approval. [Nothing motivates young people quite like the prospect of disappointing their parents in front of their peers.]

"And nothing clarifies commitment quite like witnessing what they would be abandoning," Grim replied silently. "By tomorrow, we’ll know exactly who belongs here and who was merely curious about power without being willing to pursue it."

[And Julius, you think that is settled?] Caius asked.

"Yea it’s settled for now. The next step is to kill him after all."

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