Chapitre 19: Contract with the Dragon Grimoire
Ashoka was shocked and amazed at the discovery of the Dragon grimoire.
The Dragon grimoire was considered one of the rarest and most powerful grimoires in the world, and only a select few had ever obtained one. Ashoka couldn't believe that this powerful item was now in front of him. He was filled with admiration for the object, and his eyes twinkled with excitement.
But as if to pour cold water on his excitement Sage Chankya provided the grimoire to Sudhatta.
"Since Sudhatta is the eldest here, we should let him have the first try", he said.
"What!! he is the eldest just because he was born a few seconds earlier? this is just discrimination"
Ashoka rebutted immediately.
"You brat! Just stay silent"
Sage Vyasa smacked Ashoka again while telling him to keep put.
"I am fine with Ashoka trying first, I don't mind it"
Sudhatta said trying to hand over the grimoire to Ashoka.
"Ah! Are you two really twins? how can you both be this different from one another? Just do as your elders say, you brats!"
Sage Vyasa sighed as he forced the grimoire back to Sudhatta.
It would be a lie if it is said that Ashoka was not sad.
Although he had 20-plus years of experience in his past life, the temptation of making a contract with the dragon grimoire was something he couldn't resist.
After all, if Sudhatta were to succeed in making a contract, then Ashoka could only dream of it.
Not to mention with how the current things were going, Ashoka was sure that his life would be in danger in near future, and he wanted to make sure that he is strong enough to take care of himself by then.
So, it was a disappointment for him that the elders were giving the first chance contract with the dragon grimoire to Sudhatta rather than himself.
However, it could also be seen as an advantage.
If he discovers something while Sudhatta is trying to make a contract it may help him with the process later.
Thinking as such Ashoka started to watch Sudhatta very closely.
Sudhatta as instructed sat in a cross-leg position with the grimoire held on his lap.
Sage Chanakya instructed him to insert mana into the book and concentrate on it.
Sudhatta soon followed his instruction and did as he was told.
Golden mana resulted from the combination of his light and fire elements started to flow into the dragon grimoire.
And it happened as soon as the mana entered the grimoire.
A strong blue-colored force emerged from the dragon grimoire and tried to slam into Sudhatta.
No one in the room except Sage Chanakya and Sage Vyasa noticed it as it happened so fast that their brains couldn't keep up with the flow of time.
Sage Chanakya instantly cast a shield around Sudhatta and Sage Vyasa tried to stop it by releasing his aura.
A Light-green mana shield enveloped Sudhatta and the aura sage Vyasa tried to fight back the force from the dragon grimoire.
But the power of the blue force emerging from the Dragon grimoire was extremely strong to be endured by their suddenly used skills.
Rather than that, the force wasn't physical.
It dashed past Sage Vyasa's aura, passed through the green shield as if it was nothing, and slammed into Sudhatta.
-Arh!
The scream of a young boy rang out.
Sudhatta coughed up blood and collapsed on the ground.
It all happened so fast that Ashoka could only see Sudhatta imbuing mana into the grimoire and the next second he was on the floor covered by a pool of blood.
"Sir Pingala, Quick!"
The real reason why they bought the royal physician to the tempest manor.
It was a movement the reason was revealed.
Pingala immediately began casting various spells and performing various acupuncture techniques on Sudhatta.
It was a gruesome sight.
Ashoka's face started to lose color.
'what the hell was that!'
Ashoka thought a cold sweat covered his back.
He didn't even see what happened but Sudhatta's state alone made Ashoka take a step back.
He didn't want to end up in such a state.
Now he was glad that he didn't try to form a contract with the dragon grimoire first.
'That could have been me'
He gulped down imagining himself in Sudhatta's state.
Although he felt sorry for Sudhatta, in his heart, Ashoka was also thankful that it wasn't him.
Naturally, his sight drifted towards the grimoire now laying on the ground.
'Do I really need to do this?'
He was rethinking if it was really necessary to go to such lengths.
"You need that more than him, Ashoka."
As if to answer his question a voice rang out.
It was Sage Chanakya.
That was true.
From the point of view of the Emperor who just conversed with Ashoka and Sudhatta, Sudhatta was a tool that he could use as a sword for the crown prince's ascension.
Whereas Ashoka was a hindrance that could make his plans go awry.
Ashoka thought about it for a movement.
Even if he didn't take the chance now, his life would be in danger sooner or later.
Ashoka didn't want to end his new life in a miserable manner like his past life.
'If I will die anyway, I want to die trying'
A determined look appeared on his face.
He didn't want to just let fate decide his life.
He wanted to be the one to be in control of that.
and for that to happen, he needs to get strong.
"I will form the contract!"
Ashoka said in a determined manner as he took up the grimoire from the ground.
With the emergency aid done and making sure Sudhatta's life isn't in danger, Old man Pingala came back to watch over Ashoka.
Chandra was sent outside to look after Sudhatta as they couldn't leave him alone.
All others took position surrounding Ashoka, once again getting ready to face the worst scenario.
Ashoka nodded at them and sat down cross-legged on the ground.
"I will form a contract with even the dragon if that's what it takes"
He started imbuing his mana into the grimoire without any delay while his thirst for power helped him with a rush of adrenaline to stay alert.
That's when he heard a voice.
[The will of the Dragon Monarch awakens]
---***---
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone