The outpost was built around the blood heart tree, not as if there were fences around, camping a portion of the wilderness, but formations were set in different parts, creating a tightly sealed shield that wrapped around the place and completely cut it off from the wilderness.
The outpost itself was built as an arena, and already different people from Kragthar were arriving, nobles under House Vorrakyn with their children. Although they could not participate, they were still there for the show.
The bastards were marched into the arena, over two hundred children between the ages of seven and six, all of them wearing white robes with their red eyes glittering.
Vacuse followed beside Drenvar as he walked to the special throne built at the top of the arena, on a raised platform specifically made for him.
Drenvar sat down, and his family members arranged themselves at the platform below his feet. Including Vacuse, he sat beside Lyra.
The family Head began to speak, his voice echoing across the entire arena. "Welcome to the new batch of the Vorrakyn blood heart rites and the final bath for my generation!"
The fact that Drenvar and the Vorrakyn family were looking for a prodigy was not a hidden fact. In fact, people joked about it behind their backs and called them the family of bastards and that their family Heads were always stallions.
"You all know what this is about, so I will not go into details. Make your way to the blood fruits and get your hands on at least one of them. It will be the thing that will determine your future."
There are few things in the world that could expand the soul space of a Soulbearer, but the blood fruits are one of them. Although Vacuse's soul space was already advanced due to his past life and death, he still wanted to get his hands on all the opportunities he could reach because, this time, he was aiming for the top. His goal was to at least be able to bond with an A-ranked beast, and with the help of the forbidden technique that he knew in his past life, it was something achievable.
Drenvar continued, "Use any opportunity to get your hands on it. There is nothing like cheating once it has started. There is nothing like unfairness. Everything is fair once you go in."
"Monsters will be introduced into the outpost wilderness, and there will be no interference. You do not need luck; your strength will speak for you!"
And that was that.
The spectators settled in their chairs as projections rose into the air, showing different sections of the wilderness outpost. The children were then led out of the arena and into the wilderness to await the signal.
Vacuse and the twins also joined the other children, but immediately it was like oil and water.
The eyes that turned toward Vacuse and the twins were as venomous as a snake, but even more cautious.
There was a slight pause, as if something might happen; tension coiled the air like a serpent. Vacuse's hand went to his sword, but in the end, it was Zephyr who stepped forward.
He snorted and took several steps toward the bastards. "Well, I am stronger than you lot, but I do not want you yapping behind me when I am fighting tough monsters."
"So, those of you strong ones who want to join forces with me should come forward now before it is too late, and I promise to at least share two fruits among you all!"
That immediately changed the atmosphere as the children looked at each other. It was not a bluff when Zephyr said he was strong; he was born a mild prodigy, a very low one, and he had been training since he drew breath.
Among the children, there were many who wanted to join him, but Zephyr was not done. He raised his hand. "I want twenty of you!"
Just like in his past life, Vacuse watched as a brief but bloody fight happened, followed by four bodies dropping lifeless to the ground.
And twenty bastards joined Zephyr.
In his past life, the twenty children became lifelong followers of Zephyr, and they helped the asshole commit all the things that he did, including cutting off his hand and then other humiliating bullying that followed before eventually choosing him as a sacrifice.
Vacuse did not let his anger consume him as he turned to Lyra. "Are you not going to form a faction of your own?"
Lyra carried a long sword that was almost as tall as her, compared to the short swords that everyone had. Many people might not know it with her cute and innocent face, but Vacuse knew that the girl was born with abnormal strength and was the strongest of the two twins.
For some reason, she also preferred to fight in the background.
But when she did fight, it was to totally destroy her opponent.
She shook her head. "I lack the leadership my brother has. It is better for me to fight alone."
Then she smiled. "Although it is said that the blood tree is at the center, it is not that easy. It is not something that can be reached just by rushing head-on."
"Also, you should be careful of my brother. He does not seem to like you."
Vacuse nodded. "Thank you."
The signal came in a burst of fire that lit up the sky, and the children rushed into the wilderness.
Vacuse did not rush; there was no reason to. The distance between the starting point and the blood tree could not be crossed like that, and just running would not get them anywhere.
He began to walk calmly toward the wilderness with Lyra behind him.
Suddenly, he whirled, and his sword slashed up and smashed into the sword that was trailing a downward arc at his head.
Bam!
The two swords collided, and sparks flew in the air.
The sword above his head pressed down hard, but Vacuse easily held it back with one hand. He smiled. "The snake finally showed her fangs!"