Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 342

The tension was almost palpable, each soldier evaluating their counterparts with cautious glances, measuring strengths, anticipating possible aggressions.

Inside the tent, the discussion was already advanced. A circular table, another symbol of fictitious equality, perfectly divided the delegations. On one side, Kharzan and his four newcomers; on the other, Julius, Sirius, Selphira, Ignatius, and Arturo. Victor had remained at the academy, supervising the detained and maintaining an additional line of defense.

"Let me see if I've understood correctly," said Kharzan, resting both hands on the table with feigned calm. "You intend to return only one of them to me?"

Julius and Sirius nodded simultaneously, maintaining impassive expressions.

"The younger one," clarified Selphira, her voice soft but firm. "The one who seems to bear no guilt in this entire matter. Kassian, on the other hand, has explicitly broken the rules that all families agreed upon before the start of our King's journey."

Kharzan narrowed his eyes, the contempt barely contained in his gaze. The corrupted energy beneath his surface stirred, responding to his emotions. "Klein is barely a small child. Kassian is my first heir and carries much more political weight."

"For that very reason," responded Julius, leaning slightly forward. His Qilin briefly manifested, its antlers forming something akin to a crown of light. "An heir should better know the consequences of experimenting with abyssal energy on one of the members of an academic precinct. The implications of it being his own relative are... concerning, to say the least."

"Concerning?" Kharzan let out a dry laugh, the sound harsh in the tense atmosphere. "What I find concerning is the ease of mind with which you try to interfere in my family matters. My eldest son must return to me to complete his training."

"His training," repeated Selphira, "or his transformation?"

The tension in the tent increased.

♢♢♢♢

In the main building of the academy, specifically in the room where the first negotiation had taken place hours earlier, Klein and Kassian awaited their fate. A group of guards led by Victor remained stationed outside the room.

Klein observed his older brother with a bit of both, nervousness and confusion. Since they had been placed together in that room, Kassian had barely acknowledged his presence. Instead, he concentrated on manipulating those strange purple threads that now Klein could see, moving them between his fingers in seemingly significant patterns.

At least he's not trying to get revenge for what I said to him, thought Klein, watching the hypnotic movements of the threads. His golden lion remained curled protectively within him. I prefer being ignored to him "teaching me a lesson".

As if he had captured his thoughts, Kassian abruptly stopped, his expression transforming into a grimace of frustration. The abyssal energy briefly surged, manifesting as darker patches on his skin.

"Tch," he clicked his tongue, letting his hands fall to his sides.

Kassian stood up, turning toward Klein with an intensity that made the younger one instinctively tense.

"You're lucky, little brother," he declared, his voice strangely distant, as if part of him were elsewhere. "But unfortunately, I cannot allow your luck to dictate the future of this situation."