Ancestral Lineage

Chapter 33 A Tyrant.

A silvery black machete flashed through the air with blinding speed and nearly perfect precision, cleaving a 4-meter-tall pangolin in two. The creature, with its shimmering silver scales, fell to the ground, split cleanly down the middle. Ethan stood over its massive, lifeless form, breathing heavily but satisfied. His training and expeditions in the Beast Plane had paid off.

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Level Up!

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It had been a few days since Ethan's duel with Leon. In that short span, he had grown stronger, thanks in part to the quests and battles he fought in the Beast Plane.

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System Update

Name: Ethan Smith Junior@@@@

Race: Mixed Human

Rank: Novice (Peak)

Strength: 43.0

Speed: 43.2

Stamina: 41.3

Perception: 38.0

Willpower: 100

As soon as Ethan descended the staircase, Harley gasped in awe. "Woah!" she exclaimed; her wide eyes filled with admiration. Ethan looked like a prince descending from the heavens to greet his beloved, a dazzling figure that seemed to outshine everything around him. Harley felt her heart flutter; she was falling for her brother all over again.

"Wow, my baby looks so dashing," Madeleine, his mother, beamed as she emerged from the kitchen, holding a bowl of porridge. Her face lit up with pride and joy as she admired her son's transformation. Petra, Harley's mother, followed close behind, her expression a mirror of shock and amazement. She had always known Ethan was a handsome young man, but today... he was beyond that.

They all sat down together for breakfast, chatting lightheartedly about the upcoming ceremony and little things that made them laugh. The atmosphere was warm, and Ethan's heart swelled with affection for his family. They had always been his strongest support, and today, they would witness one of his biggest milestones.

After the meal, Amor, Harley's father, offered to drive them to the academy. They all piled into his Tundra, and soon they were on their way.

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The academy grounds were bustling with people—students, staff, and family members all gathered for the graduation and initiation ceremonies. Amor parked the Tundra in the designated space, and together they made their way toward the auditorium.

As they walked, passersby stared at Ethan, mesmerized by his appearance. Clad in his ceremonial Tyrant uniform, he exuded an aura of authority and charisma. People who knew who he was—students and faculty alike—couldn't help but marvel at how perfectly he embodied his new role. Even those who didn't recognize him, particularly the senior students and visiting guests, were left wondering about his background. His uniform alone was enough to signify his importance.

Amor led the way, walking confidently with his wife Petra beside him. Though they wore simple clothes, their natural charm didn't go unnoticed. Amor, tall with a muscular build, wore his hair tied back in a ponytail. Petra, cute but mature in her own way, walked gracefully at his side. Madeleine, dressed in a long black dress that accentuated her curves and contrasted beautifully with her red hair, looked elegant, her green eyes glowing with pride. Harley, in a white shirt with gold buttons, a tight black skirt, and simple sandals, radiated a kind of devilish but comforting charm. Together, they formed an impressive family unit, drawing admiring glances as they made their way through the crowded grounds.

Despite the throng of people, Ethan's uniform acted like a VIP pass, allowing them to move through the crowd without much difficulty. Soon, they reached the auditorium. The ceremony was set to begin in five minutes, and all the to-be graduates were seated in the front rows, directly facing the stage.

Ethan escorted his family to their seats, then made his way to the front, where his friends Trevor and Clara were waiting. Trevor had saved a seat for him right beside Clara. Ethan, preoccupied with his own thoughts as he approached, didn't notice the eyes following him. To the onlookers, he appeared calm, confident, and in control, his every step exuding quiet authority. Some saw him as the perfect gentleman, while others, driven by jealousy, perceived him as arrogant. Not that it mattered Ethan couldn't read their thoughts, and he had too much on his mind to care.

He sat down, greeted his friends, and took a moment to admire Clara. She, like the others, wore her ceremonial uniform, but on her, it seemed to have been made specifically to highlight her ethereal beauty. Her light makeup gave her an aura of innocence and grace, and when she smiled at Ethan, she looked like an angel descended to earth, pure and perfect.

The host soon took the stage, beginning the formalities of the ceremony. After a few introductory remarks, the principal, Miss Carmen, was called to give her speech.

Miss Carmen was a sight to behold, as always. She wore a uniform similar to Ethan's but more extravagant, with additional medals and details that marked her as a figure of authority. Her face, as usual, was veiled, adding an air of mystery to her already captivating presence. Her flawless figure and commanding presence stirred the hearts of many in the audience.

After her speech, Miss Carmen moved on to the next portion of the ceremony.

"Now, we move on to the initiation ceremony of our new Tyrant, before we continue with the graduation. I therefore call upon Ethan Smith Junior of Year 1, titled the strongest first-year student, to come up on stage."