Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 117: Questioning at Bladepoint

Aren stepped carefully through the curtain of the Reverse Waterfall, the column of water briefly swallowing both him and the small drake in his arms as they emerged back out on the other side.

The little drake barely stirred. Curled comfortably in his arms, it had fallen asleep almost immediately after asking its question. Every time it snored, small sparks would come flying out before disappearing the very next second.

"...You fall asleep way too easily," Aren muttered as he glanced down to the bundle in his arms.

He shifted his grip and began slowly walking back toward the edge of the lake. His mind, however, was nowhere near as calm.

"Bad people catch mama’s friends."

The words replayed in his head again. At first, the explanation that immediately came to mind was the Defilers. There weren’t many groups in the world insane enough to hunt powerful magical beasts for cultivation materials.

And he knew they’d been snooping around the area...so it wasn’t completely far-fetched of a guess.

But the more he thought about it, the less certain he became. The drake had said its mother told it to hide...until a dragon arrived.

Aren glanced down at the sleeping creature again.

"...How long ago was that supposed to be?" he murmured quietly.

Drakes weren’t like humans, even lesser dragonkin could live on for centuries. If the drake’s mother had told it to hide here and wait for a dragon...

That instruction could literally have been given a week ago, or it could have been three hundred years ago, and Aren would have no way of knowing.

"...Great."

Because if the timeline leaned toward the latter, then whatever conflict the drake was talking about might already be long over.

...And the ’bad people’ might’ve already won.

"...Still," he muttered.

Whether the story was from yesterday or centuries ago, he was glossing over an important detail. What if the dragon this little guy was waiting for...wasn’t actually him, but someone else?

Aren exhaled and slowly stood up with the drake in his arms.

"If you’re wrong," he murmured quietly to the sleeping bundle, ’that’s going to be very awkward later."

Then Aren heard it...a noise, coming from the clearing. It was unmistakably the sound of people arguing.

Aren’s eyes narrowed as he shifted the drake more securely in one arm and moved toward the source of the commotion.

At first, he assumed it might just be Daniel calling out again. The senior had been yelling his name earlier after all. But the closer he got to the rainforest, the clearer the voices became.

More than one, huh?

Aren slipped quietly between the thick trunks and pushed deeper into the trees until he slowed to a stop and carefully peeked at the situation from behind a tree.

Daniel stood in the middle of the clearing with both hands raised calmly above his shoulders. A blade rested just beneath his throat.

A young woman stood directly in front of him, holding the weapon. Her blazing red hair was a sharp contrast to the white blouse and relatively darker jacket she was wearing on the outside.

She looked about his age, maybe a little older, but the way she held it looked clumsy at best, and boorish at worst.

Behind her stood several others, each armed and watching Daniel carefully.

At first glance, the situation looked bad.

But Aren knew Daniel. The senior didn’t look the slightest bit pressed. If anything, he looked mildly entertained...mostly because the girl was quite attractive.

Though by the look of things, the group didn’t look like they were fully ready for an expedition. If Aren were to guess...this was a Young Lady’s hasty decision, and the group was dragged into the mess. And from Daniel’s reaction?

He probably knew the same.

Aren shifted slightly behind the tree, careful not to rustle the leaves. The drake in his arms stirred faintly at the movement but remained asleep.

"...Alright," she said finally. "Let’s try this again."

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"Was the first attempt not clear enough?"

"Who are you," she asked flatly, "and why are you here?"

"I already told you," he replied calmly. "Training trip."

The blade inched closer.

Daniel immediately stiffened and leaned his head back a fraction.

"Woah, woah—relax there!" he said quickly. "You keep doing that and this conversation is going to end very abruptly."

The girl didn’t lower the weapon. "Answer the question properly."

Daniel studied her for a moment, then shrugged lightly.

"Fine," he said. "Daniel Lancier. Imperial Mystic College."

For a split second, nothing happened. Then the blade pushed forward another inch.

"...Ah," he said carefully. "That reaction tells me you’ve heard of it."

"Imperial Mystic College," she repeated slowly. "So you’re from the Eastern Dominion."

Several of her associates shifted their footing, raising their weapons while taking a step forward as well.

The blade under Daniel’s throat pressed forward again. The senior leaned back as far as he could without actually stepping away.

"Woah—hey! Let’s calm down a little," he said, lifting his hands a bit higher. "Let’s be civil, shall we?"

Aren’s eyes narrowed at the scene before his brain dug up the memory he’d been keeping.

Bright red hair, unmistakable and blazing even under the bright lagoon skies. For a moment, he had thought it was just a coincidence.

But now that he could see her properly, the realization settled in immediately. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The Mars Family from the Western Dominion. Which means she’s—

"Fine," the girl said, still keeping the blade close. "Stella Mars, now answer the question."

Stella’s eyes narrowed as she studied him, clearly waiting for the answer she had asked for earlier.

"...You said you’re from the Imperial Mystic College," she continued. "Which means you should know what you’re doing out here."

Daniel tilted his head slightly.

"That depends on what you think I’m doing out here."

Stella didn’t bother entertaining the remark. Instead, she leaned forward just enough for the edge of the blade to press lightly against Daniel’s throat.

"Since you’re apparently so experienced," she said coldly. "Then tell me something useful."

"...Where is the Miracle Herb?"