Bastards Ascension: A Playground of Gods-Chapter 124: Drex

Kieran could only stare wide-eyed as the space around them rippled. The pod’s white coating seemed to resonate with the strange energy of the approaching anomaly, and the air around them began to cleave.

As the space split apart, the ancient behemoth finally materialized before his gaze: the mothership of the Ravenspare family.

The ship appeared as a white, pyramid-shaped cloak in the void. Its pristine body was covered in intricate, ancient carvings that seemed to brim with supernatural energy—making Kieran question if the vessel was the product of advanced technology or sheer conjured magic.

Just as they neared the massive hull, a bright white light bathed their pod. Before Kieran could even blink, his vision was replaced by smooth white walls; they had instantly appeared inside the mothership.

Surrounding their pod were about five individuals, all dressed in the usual white attire of the Ravenspare family, staring at their craft with expressions of deep reverence.

"Princess, welcome back. Sir Galand, Miss Vesha, we humbly welcome you back," they all intoned, crossing their arms over their chests in a respectful, synchronized bow.

Kieran couldn’t hide the look of surprise on his face. The discipline and rigid hierarchy of the Ravenspare members were genuinely startling.

"Moth, please retrieve Drex. Tell him we have a mission for him," Karin commanded with a dismissive tone, clearly tired of the unnecessary greeting.

"Yes, my Princess," the man standing at the front of the group—presumably Moth—said before turning sharply to carry out the order.

"If you don’t mind, can you wait here for a bit?" Karin said, glancing toward Kieran.

"Of course, I can," Kieran replied calmly, crossing his hands over his chest.

Surprisingly, he didn’t wait long. Moth returned quickly, another figure walking close behind him.

Drex had jet-black hair styled with a slight edge and looked distinctly more rogue than any of the other Ravenspare members Kieran had encountered. Seeing the confident, almost insolent smirk on his face, Kieran instantly pegged Drex as a troublesome fellow.

’Yeah, I’m definitely getting expelled if it’s this guy who’s meant to take my place,’ Kieran thought, a weak, cynical smile forming on his face.

’I doubt you have to worry about that,’ Alexa’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"What do you mean by that?" Kieran asked her back, confused by the cryptic comment.

"The name was familiar, and I was distracted at first, but I’ve confirmed my suspicions," Alexa said, her tone serious. "Drex is not human... That is a Beast."

The reveal left Kieran stunned. From what he could see, the person standing in front of him appeared perfectly, indisputably human.

’I can’t sense any distinct beast aura around him,’ Kieran conveyed to Alexa internally, his surprise genuine. Since activating Ultra Sense, his perception toward Beasts, humans, and other races had increased tremendously. He could note subtle differences normally impossible to perceive.

For instance, he knew elves walked lighter than humans, didn’t sweat in the same way, and carried a scent similar to aged trees. Similarly, every true Beast had a peculiar, ferocious presence that permeated their surroundings, its intensity tied to the Beast’s type, strength, and diet. The aura around Alexa, for example, carried a stronger hint of blood compared to a herbivore like Bethar—the same core scent, just mixed differently.

But Drex smelled human, looked human, and moved human. Nothing about him gave off a beastly energy. Even if Alexa took her human form in front of him, Kieran knew he could still tell she was a Beast. With Drex, there was nothing.

"Obviously, there will be no way for you to tell," Alexa responded confidently. "I couldn’t tell until I focused on the name. I just happened to remember now, and considering they said it was for mimicking you, then I’m sure it’s the Drex I’m thinking of."

"Wow... What does it do?" Kieran asked.

"Well, the Drex is a very interesting, very loyal species. They can only ever bond to one master... though I wouldn’t really call it a master, as the relationship is a bit awkward. Regardless, the Drex is a very dangerous species. If I’m to advise, I wouldn’t want that thing copying you," Alexa’s voice turned low and dark on her final words.

Kieran knew there was definitely something more about the Drex.

"If a Drex mimics you, it’ll gain all your abilities and possess the same mana reserves as you," Alexa continued. "Which it can then donate to its master."

’If it copies me, it’ll have my powers, its mana reserves will grow, and it can distribute mana to its master?’ Kieran’s eyes widened with genuine surprise. He couldn’t imagine how powerful and dangerous such a Beast was. He also couldn’t help but wonder, ’If I had a Beast like that, how incredible would that be?’

He didn’t block the thought from Alexa, who scoffed instantly. ’If you can handle being the master of one in the first place....’

’If I could be your master, is there really any Beast I can’t manage anymore?’ Kieran countered, puffing out his mental chest.

’Obviously, having me means you can tame all the others,’ the Phoenix’s ego flared with pride. Kieran smiled, feeling like he had finally reached the creature’s good side, but the next line quickly shattered his fantasy. ’But it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to handle them.... You can’t even handle me.’

Kieran felt a mental bolt of lightning strike him. ’Tch, at least this once she was smart,’ he thought, letting out an internal sigh.

Kieran settled down, waiting calmly as Drex walked to a stop in front of the group.

Drex glanced toward Karin, a wide, challenging smile on his face. "Princess Karin, you called for me? That’s quite the surprise."

"Drex, I need your help," Karin stated firmly, staring at him with a cold, professional gaze.

Drex walked closer to her—so close that she would surely feel his breath against her skin. A predator’s smile formed across his face, his eyes gleaming with unsettling admiration.

Kieran watched the interaction closely, and the very next thing that happened made his lips part in utter shock.