Inside the study, my father closed the door firmly and turned to face me with his arms crossed. The warm father from dinner had been replaced by the calculating Duke who commanded armies.

"Speak," he said simply.

"I know about your trip," I stated directly.

My father's expression remained carefully neutral. "I don't know what you're referring to. I have various duties throughout the duchy—"

"Father, please. I know the King has ordered you to eliminate the monster threat that's taken control of the town. I know about the Transcendent forces you have to fight against."

His composure cracked, shock flooding his features. "How could you possibly know that? Royal orders are classified at the highest level. There's no way that information could have leaked to the academy."

"How I found out doesn't matter," I said, refusing to explain the Book of Hints. "What matters is that you're walking into a death trap."

My father's expression hardened. "Adrian, this is not your concern—"

"Do you know the full extent of the threats?" I interrupted.

He paused before answering carefully. "The King's intelligence reports indicate numerous Transcendent-rank creatures. With the three guards he's providing as backup and our own troops, it should be manageable."

I frowned deeply. "And what if there are Commander-level beings that the reports don't mention? What if the intelligence is deliberately incomplete?"

My father's jaw tightened, and he nodded slowly. "It's a possibility I've considered. But I must fulfill my duty regardless. Refusing a direct royal command would bring consequences far worse than the risks of this mission."

Without another word, I reached up and removed the Typhoon Pendant from around my neck, placing it on his desk.

My father stared at the rare-rank artifact in complete shock. "Adrian... where did you get this? I paid an enormous sum to commission that rare-rank sword for you, yet somehow you've acquired a rare pendant as well?"

He didn't ask for details about its origins, clearly understanding that I wouldn't reveal such information easily. He reached for the pendant to return it. "I can't accept this. You need protection at the academy—"

"I refuse," I said firmly, pushing it back toward him. "You need every advantage you can get. This pendant has offensive capabilities that could save your life in critical moments."

My father looked at the artifact, then at me, conflict evident in his eyes between paternal concern and tactical necessity.

---

After he reluctantly accepted the Typhoon Pendant, I didn't stop there. I reached into my storage ring and withdrew the Royal-rank secret art manual, placing it deliberately on the desk beside the pendant.

My father's eyes widened as he immediately recognized what he was looking at. His shock was unmistakable - he understood exactly how incredible this item was, how rare and valuable Royal-rank techniques were in the entire kingdom. The fact stood that my father didn't have one, and he was a commander-level warrior.

"Adrian... this is..." He picked up the manual with trembling hands, examining the authentic markings that confirmed its rank. "Where did you get this?"

"From the examination. There was a hidden shrine that contained it as a reward for completing the trials," I explained simply.

My father immediately tried to hand it back. "No. Absolutely not. This is yours - you earned it through your own efforts. You need this for your development."

"You can return it to me when you're done with the mission," I countered, pushing it back toward him.

"Adrian, I can't—"

"Father, listen to me," I interrupted, my voice carrying more intensity. "You've been stalled at the peak of commander rank for years. I know you've been searching for an opportunity to break through to Royal rank but haven't found the right catalyst. This might be exactly what you need."

His expression showed conflict between duty to himself and responsibility to his son. "You need this technique. It will help you grow stronger much faster. You're still only at Elite rank - I won't steal opportunities from your future."

"And what good is my future if you're dead?" I shot back. "This mission has a ninety-five percent mortality rate based on the intelligence I've gathered. You need every possible advantage."

"Where did you get that number?" he demanded.

"My sources are reliable. Father, please. Take the manual."

He stared at me for a long moment before shaking his head firmly. "No. A father doesn't take from his son's future to preserve his own life. That's not how this works."

The stubbornness in his voice told me that rational arguments weren't going to work. He was too principled, too concerned with being a proper father to accept what he viewed as stealing my opportunities.

I sighed deeply, recognizing there was only one way to convince him. "Then we settle this the Blackwood way. I will show you that i'm not the same Adrian you always knew, father...I have a mythical-rank bloodline."

My father's eyebrows rose but he accepted it, not thinking much of my words.

"I'm aware of the difference. But if I can prove that I'm capable enough to not need these items immediately, will you accept them?"

He studied my face carefully, searching for something. Finally, he sighed heavily. "Fine. If you can demonstrate sufficient capability in combat, I'll accept your gifts. But understand, I won't hold back completely just because you're my son."

"I wouldn't want you to," I replied.

We left the study and made our way to the estate's personal training area - a large enclosed space designed specifically for high-rank combatants to practice without damaging property or endangering servants. The reinforced walls could withstand attacks up to Royal rank, and privacy enchantments prevented observation from outside.

My mother appeared in the doorway as we entered. "What's going on? Marcus, why are you both heading to the training area at this hour?"

"A small matter between father and son," my father said calmly. "Nothing to worry about, dear."

She looked between us sceptically but nodded. "Don't hurt each other too badly."

Once the doors closed behind us, my father moved to the centre of the training area and drew a training sword.

I drew my own sword, channelling my Blood Enhancement immediately. The crimson aura surrounded my blade as I prepared to face the strongest opponent I'd ever confronted.

"Rules?" I asked.

"First significant injury or surrender ends the match," my father stated. "I'll suppress my power to early Transcendent level, but my technique and experience remain unchanged."

"That's acceptable."

We settled into ready stances, the air between us crackling with tension. My father's eyes carried the calculation of a seasoned warrior who had fought in countless battles, while I relied on my enhanced abilities and unconventional techniques.

"Begin," he announced, and launched himself forward with speed that made my previous opponents look sluggish by comparison.

CLASH! STEEL ON STEEL!

My father's blade descended with devastating precision, targeting my shoulder in what should have been a fight-ending strike. I barely managed to parry, the impact sending shockwaves through my arms despite my blood-strengthened muscles.

Scrape! Sparks!

He immediately followed with a horizontal slash that forced me to twist away. His footwork was flawless - decades of combat experience evident in every movement. Even suppressed to early Transcendent level, his technique was overwhelming.

Whoosh! Dodge!

I activated my enhanced reflexes fully, channelling blood enhancement through my entire body. My perception of time slowed slightly as adrenaline and supernatural power flooded my system. His next strike came fast, but I could track it now.

CLANG! Counter!

I deflected his thrust and attempted a riposte toward his midsection. My father's eyes widened fractionally - my speed had increased beyond what he'd anticipated from an Elite-rank opponent.

Block! Slide!

He parried my counterattack effortlessly, but I could see the calculation in his expression shifting. He was reassessing my capabilities in real-time.

"Impressive enhancement," he acknowledged, pressing forward with renewed intensity.

Slash! Slash! Thrust!

A three-strike combination came at me with brutal power. I enhanced my sword simultaneously with my body, the crimson aura strengthening the blade's cutting power as I met his attacks.

CLASH! CRACK! RING!

My sword clashed against his, sparks flying as steel met steel.

Leap! Distance!

I created space and activated my Stone Armor Echo. The familiar protective coating spread across my body, creating layers of hardened magical defence that gleamed under the training room lights.

My father's eyes widened genuinely. "A Transcedent Echo ability!? At your age and rank?"

He didn't wait for explanation. His mind had already adapted to the new variable.

BOOM! STRIKE!

His next attack targeted my Armor directly, testing its durability. The impact sent tremors through my body, but the Stone Armor held firm, absorbing most of the force.

Thrust! Parry! Slash!

I pressed my advantage, using the Armor's protection to take calculated risks. Where before I'd been purely defensive, now I could trade blows more aggressively.

CLANG! CRACK! THUD!

His blade caught my shoulder, but the Stone Armor prevented serious damage. I countered immediately with an enhanced slash toward his ribs that forced him to give ground.

Breathing heavy... focus...

My father wasn't having an easy time despite the rank difference. The combination of blood enhancement, weapon strengthening, and defensive Armor had created combat effectiveness approaching true Transcendent level.

Whoosh! Feint! Strike!

I executed a deceptive manoeuvre, feinting high before striking low with enhanced speed. My father read it and parried, but his counter came slower than before. I was forcing him to work for every exchange.

CLASH! SCRAPE! SPARKS!

Our blades locked briefly, and I could see sweat on his brow. He wasn't suppressing his power anymore - the fight had become genuine.

"Your combat instincts..." he said through gritted teeth. "They're far beyond your experience level."

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