SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant Chapter 489: The God of War [IV]

"First, you stop thinking only about survival."

Dravok uttered those words, his gaze locked onto Trafalgar.

Trafalgar met his eyes firmly, refusing to yield. "Then speak plainly."

Dravok sipped slowly from his glass before placing it back down. "Something I plan to set up requires time. Two years if all goes smoothly. Three if obstacles arise."

"For what purpose?" Rhosyn questioned immediately.

"For what follows next," Dravok answered. "And for the necessities when the seal grows even weaker. I won’t reveal everything right now. Not out of a love for secrets, but because it’s pointless to expose every detail before the groundwork is solid."

His gaze shifted from Trafalgar to the rest of the group.

"Rhosyn, your assistance will be essential."

Surprise barely flickered across her face for a moment. "With precisely what?"

"Your class," Dravok explained. "Your class proves perfect for my intentions. The power to interact with dimensions, transitions, and similar elements is precisely what I require."

Silence gripped her briefly before she inquired, "How did you learn about my class?"

Dravok’s face showed little change. "I knew you back then, so I hold knowledge of many things about you. Put that aside for the moment. I’ll cover the specifics soon. Right now, I don’t want Trafalgar distracted by this when his focus should stay on his own affairs."

Trafalgar interjected before Rhosyn could respond. "You needn’t fret over me."

Dravok turned his eyes back to him. "Is that so?"

"Yes, it is." Trafalgar kept his tone steady. "What you’ve requested from me is straightforward enough. It aligns with what I’ve been pursuing already. I just need to press on as before. So no, don’t trouble yourself over it. I ceased merely aiming to survive a while back."

Genuine astonishment crossed Dravok’s features for the first time since the topic arose.

Next to Trafalgar, Rhosyn shot him a quick glance, while Caelvyrn’s lips twitched slightly, betraying more satisfaction than he cared to admit.

Moments later, Dravok’s attention settled on Caelvyrn.

"I’ll require your aid too."

Caelvyrn exhaled softly through his nostrils, a hint of amusement in it. "You disappear for centuries, and upon reuniting, you hand me tasks right away."

"If I sought ease, I’d have summoned another."

A smile played on Caelvyrn’s face. "Excellent. I’d begun fearing you’d softened."

Dravok paused before replying, his fingers brushing the glass’s edge briefly. "My preparations won’t be commonplace. They demand time, accuracy, and trusted allies. That’s why I seek both of you."

Once more, his eyes fixed on Trafalgar.

"Thus, as the three of us ready what’s essential, you’ll pursue your path just as you described."

Trafalgar locked eyes with Dravok a beat longer, then posed, "And afterward?"

Dravok held his stare without flinching. "Once all is set, I’ll train you personally."

True shock registered on Trafalgar’s face for the first time in ages, subtle though it was. "You’ll train me yourself?"

"Yes."

"When exactly?"

Dravok drank once more before responding. "Not yet. It’s too soon. First, Rhosyn and Caelvyrn aid me in gathering what’s required. Meanwhile, your duties remain unchanged. Complete the academy. Build your reputation. Exploit the current world rather than spurning it like an idiot."

Trafalgar absorbed his words in silence.

Dravok pressed on with unwavering calm. "The academy holds weight in these times, like it or not. Influence counts. Visibility matters. Your standing in others’ views is crucial. You’ve got two years remaining there. Make them count."

Trafalgar eased back a touch. "So, in two years then."

"Roughly." Dravok’s fingers tapped the glass lightly. "If my plans proceed without hitches, that suffices. If not, maybe three. It hinges on crafting a suitable space for my vision."

Rhosyn’s eyes sharpened subtly. "A place?"

Dravok glanced her way. "A sealed realm. Isolated from normal space. That’s all for now."

Rhosyn fell quiet momentarily, then probed, "And that’s the reason for my class?"

"Precisely."

Her demeanor grew gravely serious. Clearly, even she recognized this wasn’t some idle centuries-old whim. He’d deliberated deeply, schemed meticulously, assessed his gaps and needed allies.

Caelvyrn emitted a soft hum, his initial spark of true intrigue since the preparations talk. "That does sound challenging enough for you."

Dravok met his look. "Refuse if you wish."

Caelvyrn’s grin resurfaced instantly. "No. Phrasing it so only piques my interest further."

"It ought to," Dravok stated. "For me to request your aid after so long, it’s no small matter."

Caelvyrn pondered briefly before offering a tiny nod. "Very well. Allies we are, this time."

"This time," Dravok replied, "act like it."

Caelvyrn huffed lightly, blending mirth and resignation. "Quite the order."

Dravok’s gaze swung back to Trafalgar.

"Indeed. When preparations finish, I’ll claim you for training." His pale green eyes bored steadily into him. "By then, ensure those years yield real value."

Dravok tilted his head faintly. "And you."

Vivienne snapped to attention instantly.

Dravok regarded her as he had the others, yet with a warmth born of years, not mere moments. "You’ll attend the academy too."

Vivienne blinked in shock.

Caught off guard for once, she stammered, "What?"

"You heard correctly."

She gaped at him, anticipating a punchline that never came.

Dravok savored another deliberate sip before elaborating. "You’ve stuck by me since I found you. Your social graces are practically gone now. You require company. And discipline too. I’ve already signed you up. You begin next year in second year."

Vivienne’s expression shifted abruptly.

"There’s an issue..." she murmured, displaying real anxiety for the first time in the bar, unrelated to Void Creatures or Primordials.

Dravok kept his eyes on her. "What issue?"

Vivienne parted her lips, then shut them tight.

Reluctance etched her features plainly.

Trafalgar eyed her briefly before stepping in to spare her torment. "She posed as the sister of my friend to approach me. Specifically, the adopted son of the headmistress."

Vivienne appeared to wish she’d fled the room.

Dravok swiveled toward her, his prior scant patience evaporating.

"You did what exactly?"

Vivienne seemed to crave an escape hatch in the floor. "I required a method to get near him."

Dravok stared at her a moment longer.

Then, startlingly, laughter escaped him, revealing true mirth.

"After all my lessons, this is your blunder?" He reclined a bit, eyes twinkling with incredulous humor. "Your class allows identity theft. Assuming plausible forms, lives, roles that fool anyone witnessing them. Yet you picked the sister of someone tied to him. Worse, linked to the headmistress."

Vivienne dropped her gaze. "Back then, it felt like the quickest path."

"The quickest," Dravok echoed. "Indeed. And among the most bungled."

Among the table’s occupants, only Vivienne yearned to vanish elsewhere.

Dravok’s mirth dimmed gradually, though traces lingered. "No surprise you’ve been on edge."

Trafalgar glanced at Vivienne, then Dravok. "She starts next year?"

"Yes."

"Second year?"

"Yes."

That prompted a longer pause from Trafalgar. "So we match in age."

Vivienne visibly recoiled at the words voiced.

He hadn’t anticipated that. Her bearing suggested otherwise, maybe a tad more mature.

After brief quiet, Trafalgar added, "Actually, join me today."

Vivienne’s eyes snapped to him.

Rhosyn’s did too, grasping his intent quicker.

Trafalgar went on, "I’m headed out later. Rhosyn will join. Xavier as well. We can clarify the truth before this spirals further."

Vivienne wavered. "You believe that’ll smooth things?"

"Better than ignoring it," Trafalgar replied. "Since you’re academy-bound regardless, face it now rather than later."

Dravok nodded curtly. "Settled then."

Vivienne exhaled softly, tension still gripping her features.

Dravok eyed her once more. "Begin fixing your error, Vivi. You caused it. Handle it."