Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 192: Brother...

Chapter 192: Brother...

When Grim and Gongfu returned to the amphitheater, they found the other Dragon Kings arranged in a formal semicircle around the central platform. The atmosphere had shifted during their absence.

"Ah, you return," Ao Guang observed, his eyes moving between his son and Grim with obvious curiosity. "I trust your private discussion was... illuminating?"

"It was," Grim replied, taking his place at the center of the formation. He could feel the weight of Gongfu’s revelations still settling in his mind, but now wasn’t the time to process them fully. The Dragon Kings were clearly prepared to proceed with their offerings.

"Before we continue," the Dragon Emperor’s voice resonated through the chamber, though he himself remained in his deeper sanctum, "I want to ensure that young Grim understands the significance of what is being offered."

Ao Shun stepped forward. "Multiple contracts with dragon royalty are unprecedented. Even among the most favored humans in recorded history, such arrangements have been rare."

"Which is precisely why they’re necessary now," Ao Run added, his scales shifting from red to deep amber. "The challenges ahead will require abilities that no single contract can provide."

Ao Qin, the youngest of the Dragon Kings said. "And the political implications alone—having contracts with all four sea realms will make you a bridge between our realms in ways that haven’t existed since..."

"Since Axem," Gongfu finished quietly, his words carrying through the chamber despite their soft delivery.

An uncomfortable silence followed this statement. Grim noticed the subtle glances exchanged between the Dragon Kings, the way their postures shifted almost imperceptibly.

"Yes," Ao Guang said finally. "Since Axem. Though we hope for a different outcome this time."

The Dragon Emperor’s voice came again, thoughtful and measured. "Grim van Ambrose, before my sons proceed with their offers, you should understand that accepting multiple dragon contracts will fundamentally change you. Not just in terms of power, but in terms of your nature itself."

"What kind of changes?" Grim asked, though he suspected he already knew part of the answer.

"The dragon essence within you will grow stronger," Ao Shun explained. "The red mana you carry will serve as a foundation, but each new contract will add its own influence. Your lifespan will increase dramatically. Your physical capabilities will be enhanced beyond normal human limits."

"And the drawbacks?"

"You will become less human with each bond," Ao Run said bluntly. "Not in appearance, necessarily, but in thought patterns, emotional responses, fundamental ways of viewing the world. Dragons and humans think differently, process information differently, and value different things."

"Is that what happened to Axem?" Grim asked. "Did the contracts change him too much?"

"Among other factors, yes," the Dragon Emperor’s voice carried regret. "The binding we created was... aggressive. We were facing a crisis that demanded immediate action, and we didn’t fully consider the long-term psychological effects."

Ao Qin stepped forward, his youthful enthusiasm tempered by obvious concern. "That’s why we’ve modified our approach. These contracts will be more gradual, with built-in safeguards to preserve your essential humanity."

"What safeguards?"

"Limitations on how quickly the changes can occur," Ao Guang explained. "Regular check-ins to monitor your mental state. And most importantly, the ability to modify or even dissolve the contracts if they begin to adversely affect your judgment."

Grim considered this, appreciating their caution even as he wondered if such measures would be sufficient. "And you believe these contracts are necessary?"

"Given what we know about Malaxis and his plans, yes," Ao Shun said. "It’s essential for survival."

"Then let’s proceed," Grim said, his decision made. "But I want to understand each contract fully before accepting it."

Ao Shun was the first to step forward, ice crystals swirling around his body as he began manifesting his contract scroll. Unlike Ao Guang’s scale-like parchment, this one appeared to be made from crystallized ice.

"This bond will grant you resistance to extreme cold."

He paused, his expression growing more serious. "It will also grant you access to what we call ’Ice Heart’—a state of emotional detachment that can be invaluable in combat or negotiation, but dangerous if overused."

"Dangerous how?"

"Extended use can make it difficult to reconnect with your emotions afterward," Ao Shun explained honestly. "It’s a powerful tool, but one that must be used sparingly."

Grim nodded, appreciating the warning. "What would be my obligations under this contract?"

"Service to the North Sea is available when required."

The terms seemed reasonable, similar to what Ao Guang had offered. Grim placed his hand on the ice scroll, feeling the cold energy flow into him like winter wind through his veins. Unlike the warm integration of the water contract, this one felt sharp.

Ao Qin stepped forward next, his scroll manifesting as what appeared to be sheets of hammered metal. "This will grant you resistance to extreme heat and enhanced physical durability."

"This will strengthen your body" Ao Qin explained. "Your bones will become harder, your muscles more resilient. You’ll be able to withstand impacts that would cripple normal humans."

"And the obligations?"

"Protection of the South Sea realm during times of crisis."

The integration of mana felt like molten metal flowing through his veins, hot but not painful. Grim could sense the way it began to interact with the mana, the two forces finding a balance that enhanced rather than canceled each other.

Finally, Ao Run stepped forward with a crystal in his hand. "This will be a communication link. My gift to you."

"Communication link?"

"You’ll be able to contact any of us directly, regardless of distance or dimensional barriers," Ao Run explained. "It’s a power that has never been granted to a human before, but given the scope of what you’ll be facing, we believe it’s necessary."

"The obligations?"

"No obligations, just a gift to you."

"How do you feel?" Ao Guang asked, studying Grim’s face carefully.

"Different," Grim replied honestly. "Like I can sense things I couldn’t before. The balance between the elements is... interesting."

"It will take time to fully understand all the abilities you now possess."

The Dragon Emperor’s voice resonated through the chamber once more. "You now carry a power that wasn’t within you before. This makes you unprecedented among humans, but it also makes you a target for forces that would seek to exploit or corrupt that power."

"Malaxis will sense the change," Ao Shun warned. "Your mana signature will grow stronger as you grow and eventually he’ll be able to detect across dimensional barriers. He’ll know that you’ve become a serious threat to his plans."

"Good," Grim said with quiet determination. "Let him come. I have debts to settle with him."

"Revenge is not the purpose of these contracts," Ao Run said sternly. "They’re meant to protect the realms, not to fuel personal vendettas."

"My personal vendetta and the protection of the realms happen to align," Grim replied. "Malaxis destroyed my family because of our connection. Eliminating him serves both purposes."

"Just remember," Gongfu said quietly, "power changes people. Stay connected to who you were before all this began. Don’t let the contracts define you entirely."

"I’ll remember," Grim promised, though he could already feel subtle changes in his body.

"What happens now?" he asked.

"Now you learn to use what you’ve been given," Ao Shun replied. "The contracts have granted you the potential for great power, but potential without training is useless."

As the formal ceremony concluded and the Dragon Kings began to disperse, Grim found himself alone with the weight of new power and responsibility. The contracts had changed him—he could feel it in the way he processed information, the way he perceived the world around him.

But Gongfu’s warning echoed in his mind: Stay connected to who you were before. As the dragon essence continued to integrate with his human nature, he made a conscious effort to remember his origins, his family, and his original purpose.

The contracts were tools, means to an end. He would not let them become his defining characteristics.

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When Grim sat alone in the amphitheater, the Dragon Kings gathered at Ao Guang’s throne room.

"Brother," Ao Run said. "Do you think it was wise not to reveal everything to him."

"And you wish to tell him the power that could come from these contracts?" Ao Guang said.

"He’s right," Ao Shun said. "If you told him about the secondary effects that will happen down the line, he would solely focus on obtaining it."

"Yes, it’s better if he doesn’t know. The boy wants the power to end the one who scarred his face. I can see into his heart. He still has humanity, but a large portion of his heart wants revenge." Ao Guang said.

"And would that be so bad? If you simply told him and taught him I’m sure things would be fine." Ao Run said.

"Brother, we all gave him contracts with the eventual hope that he’ll gain more power to help us. One day he will ascend to being close to a god." Ao Qin said.

"Brother," Ao Guang went on. " We all gave him contracts but you didn’t. Are you afraid he’ll become like Axem or Caius? Do you not want Malaxis’s tyranny to end."

"Of course I want it to end. I have also seen the end. But, lying to the boy will only make him angry in the end. He needs to grow stronger before he gains power." He paused for a moment.

"I’ll offer him a contract when I believe his body and mind are ready. Unlike you three, I believe he will surpass Caius one day and I will make sure of it."