Chapter 913: Nutjob
Before Asher could even walk far, he already saw Malrik. The man was already within the tunnel, as though he couldn’t wait to see his brother. The moment he saw Asher walking forward, Malrik wore the brightest and biggest smile any Wargrave had ever worn as he immediately moved forward, pulled Asher into a hug, and lifted him off the ground as though he were still a baby.
Asher could feel the excitement coursing through Malrik’s face and body, the man’s joy completely unconcealed as he held his younger brother with genuine happiness.
"Big Brother, please put me down. I’m not a baby or a child," Asher spoke with an exasperated tone as he didn’t bother struggling physically, as there was simply no need.
Malrik immediately agreed, putting Asher down before ruffling his hair as he spoke, "You rascal, look how powerful you’ve become, even hiding it so deeply. You really gave all of us a scare back there. HAHAHAHAH!" He laughed loudly and spoke without a care about who was watching.
"I was only trying to do what any Wargrave would have done. After all, we don’t lose to anyone," Asher spoke as he tried to arrange his hair back to its former state.
"Indeed we don’t," Malrik spoke, a smile still on his face. "I’m proud of you, brother." He truly was proud, far prouder than words alone could adequately express, of Asher’s achievements.
Just like how obsessed he was with protecting his siblings, he was also the proudest whenever they achieved something remarkable. Hence why he was being much more expressive than usual.
He smiled again and ruffled Asher’s hair as warmth flooded his eyes, but behind that warmth lay a hidden and unbelievable coldness toward anyone who would dare make a move against his brother.
Truly, Malrik was the ultimate big brother, perfect to a fault. Brains, height, power, talent, face card, aura, love, compassion, he had it all. Although he had an obsession, it was the right kind of obsession that never affected his siblings negatively and instead only benefited them. In a ranking of brotherhood, he would undoubtedly remain at the very top.
But if Malrik ever had a child, one could only wonder how protective he would become of his own child.
"Thank you, Big Brother. Are you giving me any reward?" Asher replied and asked as though he wanted something in particular.
Malrik fell into thought for a brief moment before replying, "How about a spar? That way you can improve faster and defeat Arianna next time without needing to enter Star Form."
Asher sighed, shook his head, and simply walked past Malrik. After all, what kind of reward was that?
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Malrik laughed. "I was only joking, of course, and you won’t be getting any reward from me. The one the Inter-Empire organizers will give you will be enough," he stated as he turned and flash-stepped beside Asher’s position.
Asher arched an eyebrow. Even until now, he didn’t know what the rewards were.
"Do you know what the rewards are?" he asked, as he was simply too curious.
"I don’t. But the reward for the last tournament was also huge, and I’m guessing this round’s reward will be even better," Malrik replied as they walked. "Although I could find out if you want," he added.
"No need. The reward will be given the day after tomorrow anyway, so there’s no rush," Asher replied with a shake of his head.
Although he was curious, he could tell the organizers, or whoever was in charge of the rewards, were being extremely secretive. He didn’t want Malrik digging around and causing unnecessary trouble.
"Ahhh... I just remembered," Malrik suddenly spoke. "Father said to bring you back. He wanted to see you."
Before Asher could even speak, Malrik touched his shoulder, and together they vanished from the dimly lit tunnel. The moment they appeared again, they were now within the Luxury Viewing Box where Azazel and Azaron were sitting.
Sensing their presence, Azaron and Azazel turned their heads toward them. Seeing them, Azaron immediately smiled, having no need for his usual stone-carved expression.
"You’ve made the Wargrave Ducal Family proud," Azaron spoke as he stared into Asher’s purple eyes with his golden ones.
"Thank you, Father," Asher replied with a smile of his own.
Azaron rose from his chair as he walked forward. Stopping before Asher, he placed a hand on his shoulder as he spoke, "Sigh... it’s a pain watching you all grow and spread your wings. Very soon, you will become a complete man and leave the Wargrave Estate like your older siblings."
This time, the proud smile he wore seemed to turn into one carrying a hint of pain.
Although every parent wished for their children to grow, become a part of society, and possess the strength to stand on their own, it didn’t mean it was easy watching them mature and eventually leave. After all, these were children they had raised with love, care, and years of devotion. As painful as it was to watch them leave, sadly, that was simply how reality worked.
Although Asher didn’t know whether he would still remain at the Wargrave Estate, receive a place of his own, or do something entirely different, he still replied, "I will always come back to visit you, Father," a broad smile appearing on his face now that he and Azaron had grown much closer.
"That’s nice to hear, unlike a certain child of mine," Azaron replied as he sent a glance toward Malrik, who was standing at the side. "Hmph, it’s a good thing I’ll be disowning him soon," he added.
Malrik’s lips could only twitch as Azaron was still going on about this disowning business.
Before Malrik could reply, a voice rang out, "Aren’t you going to introduce me, Azaron?"
Azazel rose from his seat, his height and entire frame imposing as the man was simply massive. A wide grin rested on his face as he stared at Asher.
Asher raised his head slightly as he looked at the man towering over him. After all, Azazel was even taller than Azaron, although only by a little.
Azaron sighed and spoke, "This nutjob is Azazel. Don’t take anything he says seriously," he introduced him perfectly.
"Hey, who are you calling a nutjob?" Azazel snapped back, his eyes turning toward Azaron, but Azaron simply ignored him as though he hadn’t heard the man.
Seeing Azaron refuse to reply, Azazel turned his gaze toward Asher as he began to speak, "I’m Azazel Haellight, father of Arianna Haellight, the one whose face you bashed against a wall while running."
It was almost as though Azazel held a grudge over that particular attack. After all, his daughter was a beautiful young woman, yet the son of his besto friendo, whom he had been happily shipping with his own daughter, had actually injured her face.
But of course, he held no genuine grudge. Azazel wasn’t a hypocrite. He understood exactly what a battle was, and he knew people weren’t there to play around. As long as both sides fought with everything they possessed, there was nothing to complain about, regardless of how rough the battle became.
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