The Sinful Young Master
Chapter 263 - 263: Dark magic of Rax'ashs - 3

"The Old Empire lacked vision," Lodawg replied, stretching his massive arms as if testing their range of motion. "They feared true power. We embrace it."

"This is called evolution!"

The bronze skin rippled, shifting to accommodate his movements more efficiently. The dragon heart's magic had clearly refined the crude transformation, granting him conscious control over his new form.

"And now," Lodawg continued, golden eyes fixing on Jolthar, "I believe we were in the midst of something."

He moved forward, each step leaving deep impressions in solid stone. His bronze form glowed with deep crimson light from within, pulsing like a heartbeat—the dragon's heart, now part of him.

Jolthar felt the realization settle in his mind. The dragon had been formidable, but its mind was bestial, its attacks predictable.

Lodawg combined that raw power with human cunning and magical knowledge.

"I didn't want to resort to this," Lodawg said, gesturing toward his transformed body. "The process is... unpleasant. And permanent. But you left me no choice, boy. Your power grows too quickly."

"And that silver energy, it is quite unpleasant and unsettling."

Jolthar glanced at the dragon and towards the men behind Lodawg. So that was the reason they didn't come. He didn't know how many numbers of men were present in the forest. But he needs to stay sharp and fast, too.

He looked at Johamma and asked, "Will you be all right?"

Johamma's face softened hearing him, and then she replied with a firm tone, "I will be. But are you sure you can take on him? He is now tier 10, the peak of human power limits, and at any moment, he would be able to step into the deity realm. If the tribulation is triggered. And if that happens, he will be even more stronger."

"Well, I just need to kill him before he becomes one."

"Be careful," Johamma said softly.

Jolthar nodded.

She had seen him fight, and he was capable enough to take on him, but there was still a hint of doubt in her, especially seeing the transformed Lodawg.

Lodawg's metallic features twisted into a scowl. "Now what is this? When did you get back with your family, boy?"

"Why the fuck do you care?" Jolthar scoffed, trying to keep Lodawg talking while he assessed the situation. His aura was recovering, void power and the green energy rebuilding slowly.

The voidwrath power seemed effective against the golem form but not decisive.

"Eh! Sensitive one, aren't you?" Lodawg laughed, the sound like metal striking stone. "I don't care if you are from Kaezhlar or whatever. You are going to die today and become food for me."

"Do you think they will let you live?" Johamma interjected. "After they learn of what you've done here."

Lodawg's golden eyes gleamed. "Who? Those deities, they wouldn't be able to touch a hair on me or my family," he laughed out loud as he advanced another step. "They are just a bunch of fools playing deity just because they have power."

Jolthar chuckled, seeing the arrogance of a fool. What's the point of arrogance if you don't have the power to back it up?

"The dragon," Jolthar said casually. "So it was your meal."

"Yes, it was," Lodawg nodded, bronze features approximating a smile. "I needed its heart for the final transformation. And it was just precaution, just in case."

His golden eyes narrowed. "Though I admit, I underestimated you. I thought you were just some lucky brat who got lucky with power."

Jolthar raised an eyebrow. "What the fuck do you know about me?"

"It doesn't matter," Lodawg continued, raising one bronze hand. Crimson energy gathered around his talons, coalescing into a sphere of malevolent power. "Your journey ends here."

He hurled the sphere toward Jolthar with blinding speed.

Jolthar's telekinesis reacted instinctively, and green energy formed a shield before him. The crimson sphere struck it with devastating force, shattering the telekinetic barrier and sending Jolthar skidding backward.

"Your powers are depleted from the dragon fight," Lodawg observed, preparing another attack. "Mine, however, are only just awakening."

Jolthar turned to Johamma and said to her, "You should move back."

Johamma sensed the shift in his demeanour. He seemed too determined to take on him.

Johamma moved away from the confrontation to safer ground. Her old eyes remained fixed on Jolthar, concern etched into every line of her face. But there was something else there, too—a flicker of hope she hadn't dared feel moments before.

Jolthar stepped forward to face the transformed Lodawg, his stance betraying none of the exhaustion that coursed through his limbs.

He flipped Knashii in his hand, examining the once-brilliant blade. The runes that had run along its midnight surface were faded now, some completely extinguished after channelling the silver energy. It had been some time since he gave the sword the care it deserved.

The blade won't last much longer if I push it further, he thought grimly.

I'll need to visit old Smitty for maintenance when this is over.

Yet, despite facing a magician transformed into a draconic golem monstrosity, Jolthar showed no fear.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Knashii simply vanished from his hand—not dropped, not sheathed, but disappeared as though it had never existed.

Gasps echoed across the clearing.

Johamma's eyes widened.

Even Cleora, who was far away, watching with Maelruth from their hidden position at the edge of the battlefield, couldn't suppress her shock.

"She's seen me fight before," Jolthar would later reflect, "but never had I needed to reveal this."

In the distance, Cleora's face had gone pale at Lodawg's transformation.

Now, seeing Jolthar's blade vanish into nothingness, she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to retreat further or advance to help. She could see the strange creature standing before Jolthar, and it seemed grotesque and maliciously powerful.

Jolthar didn't care to hide anymore. He didn't feel the need to. Those mages in the forest couldn't believe what they just saw, and a suspicion rose in their minds.

Is Jolthar a deivruta too?

Wasn't he just a child of Kaezhlar?