As she did, Malakai turned back to the Sovereign and bowed once more before shakily rising to his feet.
Descending the stairs was far easier than ascending. Step by step, the oppressive aura pressing down on him lessened, and with it, the weight on his body.
The moment his foot touched the bottom of the stairs and the pressure vanished completely, Malakai wasted no time.
He began absorbing Vita rapidly, drawing it into his body and manipulating his blood to heal and relieve his injuries.
He knew he wouldn’t be at full power before the fight, but at the very least… he had to restore what he could.
The large doors to the hall opened again, and every head turned.
Khana walked back in, followed by Jorge, who looked visibly rattled.
Jorge felt like his entire body had been doused in icy water. His hairs stood on end.
‘What is happening?’ he thought in dread.
Just a second ago, he’d been outside laughing and joking with the other guards. The next, Khana had come and delivered a devastating piece of news.
Jorge wasn’t frightened about fighting Malakai. Not at all. In fact, in every one of the hundreds of scenarios playing out in his mind, Malakai never came out as a threat.
No, what terrified him… was fighting in front of the Highbloods and the Pulses.
Unlike what most would assume, this wasn’t good news. Not even close.
There was no scenario where defeating Malakai would raise his standing in the clan. He was already under a Pulse, Varnel. There was only so far he could go.
Instead, this fight placed him squarely on the radar of predators. There were only two outcomes: either it would bring him down permanently… or leave him exactly where he was.
Khana silently stepped away and returned to her position behind Varnel.
Jorge made his way to the bottom of the stairs and instantly dropped to his knees, bowing low in respect.
“All blood flows to you, Sovereign. May your will shape the veins of the world.”
Then, the Sovereign finally spoke.
“We will wait thirty minutes before the fight begins.”
The eyes of the Pulses and Highbloods narrowed, visibly taken aback.
Even Malakai’s eyes widened.
There was no one who didn’t know the current condition of Malakai’s body. He had just withstood the Sovereign’s aura.
While that was an impossible feat in itself, it didn’t change the fact that he would be beyond exhausted, his Vita reserves low, and his state far from stable.
That was why they were shocked. Those thirty minutes would benefit Malakai greatly. For a Genesis, it should’ve been impossible to absorb enough Vita to be fully charged in such a short span, but even a partial recovery would boost him tremendously.
Yet, that wasn’t where the real problem lay.
It was the fact that the Sovereign himself had suggested it.
Favoritism was a trait the Blood Sovereign had never shown, especially among the direct descendants. And there was good reason for that.
Showing it had more bad than good. While the favored might gain temporary benefits, it painted a long-term target on their back. It made them the center of attention. The object of scrutiny. The symbol everyone else would aim to crush.
The eyes of the Pulses, Veins, and Highbloods narrowed even further as Malakai bowed his head to the Sovereign… then calmly sat on the ground, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes.
He was… meditating?
Malakai was currently in the presence of the most powerful individuals in the clan, the pillars of the Sanguine, and was about to engage in a battle that could very well decide his future and…
He was meditating?
The pressure resting on him intensified. Coldness radiated from the stares of the Pulses and Highbloods.
Still, Malakai didn’t even flinch.
It was as if all their pressure, their aura, their intimidation, meant nothing.
His mind had already left the hall.
Normally, there was no way Malakai would fully close his eyes and let his guard down like this. But this case was different.
The Sovereign himself had given the order.
Malakai didn’t trust anyone in this hall. But he trusted his grandfather’s ego.
So, he chose to use the time well.
To prepare.
‘Um, Malakai, I have a question—’
‘Shut up.’
At Valentine’s voice, Malakai instantly cut him off.
‘I need to prepare. Don’t talk to me.’
Valentine fell silent.
Malakai centered himself again. Focused.
During the thirty minutes he had been given, while his body fought to recover, Malakai centered his mind on two things.
The first: Jorge. His opponent.
He had watched the man spar during his limited time in training before he failed to evolve and was tossed out.
Those flashes of memories were what he held onto now, playing them over and over, analyzing every movement, every weakness.
The second: Vaelira actions.
Malakai didn’t know her well. Only that she was playful, unpredictable, and dangerously clever.
‘She probably did what she did to pressure her competitor.’
Malakai’s thoughts froze at Valentine’s remark.
He wasn’t angry at the interruption. He was more surprised.
They had reached the same conclusion.
‘How did you…’
‘I wasn’t sad about the lack of TV for nothing,’ Valentine replied. ‘I watched every political drama ever made. Even the bad ones. When it comes to political intrigue, I’m your guy.’
Malakai hummed. ‘Then let me hear your thoughts.’
Valentine brightened. ‘That 6th Pulse, Vaelira, she’s playful, yeah, but also sharp. From what I’ve seen, she probably knows something about Khana that the others don’t. She’s trying to use Khana to get to her husband. Pretty smart move, if you ask me.’
Malakai’s voice was low. ‘What about me?’
‘I don’t have enough data to form a conclusion. What’s your relationship with her like?’
‘Nonexistent.’
‘Hmm… then it’s possible you’re just an extra piece of cake.’
‘Extra piece?’
‘Yeah. You know, just something she added for flavor. She seems like the type who might do it just for the fun of it. Yes, there are people like that.’
Malakai fell silent. Then…
‘What about Khana’s husband?’
‘That one? He probably already knows what his wife did and is trying to cover it up. His question earlier looked like a deflection tactic, trying to steer the conversation away. You made the right call not to respond.’
Malakai remained silent. He was honestly a bit shocked.
Valentine… was insightful.
It didn’t show from his appearance or his actions. Not until now.
Time passed by quickly.
And the thirty minutes of rest time that the Sovereign had given… ended.