As Jonathan had expected, thanks to Ashton, the relationship between Transylvania and Lycania had gotten a lot better. Although Ashton had the bigger part to play in it, there was no denying that Michelle's sudden closeness with Kai had helped form the relationship as well.
Kai returned to continue his studies in the reconstructed academy, along with Ashton and Michelle. But they were the only ones making their way to Lycania. To everyone's surprise, Alucard allowed both of his daughters to attend the academy as well.
Even though there was absolutely no need for them to train in an academy that couldn't offer them anything new in terms of knowledge or skill. But soon Alucard's intention behind proposing such an arrangement was clear.
He wanted them to stay close to Ashton and play the perfect matchmaker for them. Much to Ashton's dismay, there wasn't anything he could do to stop it from happening. After all, how could he stop someone from getting educated?
Also, he had a lot of things going on in his life and he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the slightest inconveniences in his life. It was still a miracle that he was functioning as usual after what Avalina had told him.
He was sure if, given the chance, she might have been able to explain it all away. But in his state of mind, it was for the better if they did not interact for some time. Ashton had thought by meeting his mother he would gain some clarity, but in the end, the meeting messed him up even more.
But with that, Ashton said a bittersweet goodbye to Transylvania and headed back to Deja to report to Jonathan.
"Well done my boy, you have continuously proven your worth to me." Jonathan laughed heartily, "Maybe it's time for you to take a small break. What do you think?"
"I haven't done anything praiseworthy, your highness. Not till I find those Conundrum bastards anyway." Ashton respectfully replied, "As far as taking a break is concerned, I don't think that would be necessary. With your permission, I would like to continue climbing ranks till I become a Gold-ranked adventurer."
Jonathan nodded and Ashton headed towards his home. There were a lot of things he needed to accomplish in the town before heading to his region and start building it from the ground up.
***
A few minutes later...
"I wasn't expecting you to be here." Ashton sighed as soon as he entered the hall, only to be greeted by Mera's familiar sulky face.
"What have I been hearing?" Mera sternly asked him.
"Sorry to disappoint you mistress, but I do not possess a skill that could provide me with foresight. Or else I would have definitely known what you have been hearing all these days."
"Please, spare me from your idiotic jokes. What is this engagement that everybody is talking about? Why was I not informed about it beforehand?"
Ashton sighed. This bitch was still thinking he was someone beneath her feet. Too much for being a master strategist, ain't it?
"Oh that, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it at an opportune time." Ashton dismissed her question and began walking toward his room only to be pulled back by her.
"Can you? Do you even know what playing with fire feels like? The overlord is someone who was willing to wage war against Lycania for his nephew. What do you think he'll do if someone breaks the heart of his daughters?"
"Kill them, of course," Ashton replied matter-of-factly with a poker face.
"..."
Mera was stunned for a moment, not knowing whether the kid in front of him was the same kid she had known for a few months. Something had definitely changed in him. It almost felt as if he wasn't scared of her or anyone... and it wasn't a feeling she liked.
She was finally realising how wrong she had been for ignoring him for this long. No matter what, the brat had to be under her feet at all times, starting now.
"Don't forget your place, Ashton. Just because you're a Baron now doesn't mean I can't put you in your place."
"Believe me, I wouldn't want to cause you any inconvenience either. So please, feel free to leave whenever you'd like to."
That was it. Mera had had enough and wasn't going to let the brat disrespect her anymore. that being said, Ashton wasn't scared of her in the slightest. Not after what Astaroth had informed him regarding the secret behind the levelling system on earth.
Throughout the weeks after becoming a tribrid, there was a question lingering in Ashton's mind. Just how was he able to take on stronger opponents than himself? How was he able to overcome the odds no one should have been able to?
Pulling off such a feat was definitely not easy at his level. But for the others who were at the same level as him, it was impossible. No two ways about it.
Thankfully, Astaroth had the answer to his question. Basically being a tribrid or even being a hybrid had its own privileges. One of them being innate abilities the genes granted the host and the second one being the advantages in terms of levelling.
In other words, the common mutants can only level up one type of gene. Meaning, that whatever stats and powers they have, come from the only gene. That's why their levels directly reflected how strong or weak they were.
However, in the case of hybrids and tribrids, their strength comes from the blend of two to three genes. Therefore, they are able to take on opponents and monsters that usually someone of their level would not be able to.
However, in the beginning, the increment in different levels did not show much difference. It was only after a certain threshold was crossed will the genes start complimenting each other and finally reveal the true strength of their host. That was also the reason why Aston's recent growth had been explosive.
That was why the Xyrans had a different way of measuring the strength of hybrids and tribrids, known as Cumulative levels. The cumulative level could then be used to compare the levels of those singular gene beings.
The process of counting the cumulative level was complex but Astaroth was kind enough to do it for Ashton. And it came out to be around level 41. Which meant he was almost on par with the mistress in terms of level... but only when he had all of his genes activated.
Otherwise, if he had only one gene activated, his power would be proportional to the level of the gene only.
That being said, even though Ashton had not evolved into a higher rank, his cumulative level was more than enough to challenge those newly evolved beings without much trouble. This list included Mera who was on level 45.
However, Ashton was not intending on revealing his secret to her just yet. But he did have another trick up his sleeves. A trick, not even the fabled mistress could predict or defend against.
Mera lunged at him but the moment she took a threatening step toward him, half a dozen royal knights rushed inside the building to stop her in her tracks.
Even though Ashton was important to Jonathan, he wasn't as important to let him have 6 bodyguards in the form of royal knights. Well, that was until the boy got under the patronage of Alucard, who personally requested Jonathan to look after his future son-in-law's weel being.
Honestly, it was more of an order than anything else. But Jonathan wouldn't like anyone talking about it.
"Baron Ashton is under the direct protection of his highness King Jonathan. Hostility towards him is comparable to hostility towards the king." One of the knights announced, "This is your last chance to back off, or else suffer the wrath of the king."
Mera's face turned red with anger. Blood trickled out of her fist as her razor-sharp nails dug through her skin. She had never felt this angry even when Donovan had betrayed her. Also, unlike then, she had no outlet to get rid of her pent up anger.
Also, even if she was strong, she was nowhere near strong enough to fight six, level 30 Royal Knights. But she could not get past the smirk on Ashton's face.
"Look, as much as I want to see you try to get past them and try to 'put me in my place', I do not have time for this." Ashton shook his head and walked back to his room while Mera did the only thing she could... stare at his back.
She could not contemplate where her plan went wrong. How could she have gotten played like a fiddle by a literal child! There was no possible way. Her blind trust in someone had once again fooled her.
'You will pay for this humiliation. You will pay...' After swearing her vengeance on him, she walked out of the mansion.
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