Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 326

Kharzan Goldcrest rode at the front, his imposing figure enhanced by the golden light as he led his men.

Behind him, in perfect formation, advanced one hundred elite warriors. Each was a Silver 2 level tamer or higher, their beasts partially manifested creating an intimidating spectacle of power. Scales, claws, horns, and wings merged with their bearers in a display meticulously planned to inspire fear.

At the academy gates, a smaller but no less impressive group awaited their arrival. Julius, Selphira, Victor, Arturo, Ignatius and Sirius stood in the front line, backed by several dozen warriors from their respective factions.

Kharzan absorbed his lion mount mere meters from the gate, silently evaluating his opponents. His eyes, the color of pure amber, swept over each face with deliberate slowness.

"Selphira," he finally pronounced, inclining his head slightly in a gesture that seemed more mockery than respect. "It's been some time since our last encounter."

"Kharzan," she responded with a perfectly controlled voice. "I see you still confuse quantity with quality."

A tense smile appeared on the Goldcrest patriarch's face. "And you still confuse custom with power."

Victor stepped forward. His normally composed features hardened as he spoke. "Enough false courtesies. Your son used abyssal energy. That violates every acceptable level of conduct."

"Serious accusations, and ridiculous ones," Kharzan responded with apparent calm, though a dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes. "Where are my sons?"

"Under observation," Sirius intervened, his voice devoid of inflection. "Where they cannot cause harm while we determine their degree of contamination."

Kharzan's eyes narrowed dangerously. The golden patterns beneath his skin intensified, spreading further across his visible flesh. "My sons are not 'contaminated'. I demand their immediate release."

"Your son," Selphira stepped forward, her presence suddenly seeming to expand, "administered a potion with abyssal energy to his brother. That was the statement from your other son... A Goldcrest. Do you deny these facts?"

A tense silence descended over the group. The air itself seemed to grow heavier, charged with the potential for violence.

The warriors on both sides tensed, their beasts manifesting more prominently in anticipation.

"I propose," Kharzan finally said, his voice deceptively soft, "that we continue this discussion in a more... private environment." His gaze swept over the soldiers present. "Unless you prefer to resolve this misunderstanding in another way."

The implicit threat hung in the air like a storm cloud, dark and ominous.

"Of course," Julius agreed, recovering his diplomatic composure upon seeing that the Goldcrest leader was 'kindly' relinquishing his numerical advantage. "The academy has prepared a hall for negotiations."

"Negotiations," Kharzan repeated, a leonine smile forming on his lips. "Interesting word."

He gestured to his men, who remained in formation as he advanced alone toward the gate. Despite appearing to come unarmed into enemy territory, his confidence never wavered.

"After you," he indicated with false courtesy, sweeping his arm in an exaggerated gesture.

As the group headed inside, Victor exchanged a significant look with Arturo. Both Dravenholm brothers discreetly positioned themselves on the sides, forming a barely perceptible defensive triangle.

Selphira walked with the calm grace of one who fears no confrontation, while Sirius and Ignatius closed the march, their eyes never leaving Kharzan's figure.

The academy doors closed behind them, leaving the warriors of both sides in a tense state of waiting. The sunset painted everything in blood-red hues.

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The academy's negotiation hall that Ignatius had prepared was a circular room with a chair in the center that resembled an interrogation setting more than a diplomatic venue. Ancient tapestries decorated the walls, showing scenes of the city's foundation and the construction of the first cultivation school.

Kharzan Goldcrest settled into the central chair without waiting for an invitation, his golden aura reflecting the light from the crystals suspended in the ceiling. His posture was relaxed, almost indolent, but his eyes remained alert, evaluating every movement of those present.