A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 310: How About You Find Out?

Chapter 310: How About You Find Out?

Avelina continued, her brows creased in concern.

"You don’t know what Ryan could possibly be planning for him to throw such a challenge in your face. I mean, a death duel means that either one of you has to die before it can come to an end. So it’s either you or him."

Draven was quiet for a second, simply inhaling her scent with closed eyes. He ran his fingers through her hair and blinked his eyes open, both hanging low as though he were tired.

He inquired, "Do you know the extent of my strength, Avelina?"

"Huh?" Avelina was taken aback by his question. She batted her lashes, shaking her head. "I’m not...sure." The only time she had gotten the opportunity to gauge his strength was during the time he killed those masked assassins. Other than that, she had not gotten the opportunity that would allow her to assess his strength properly. But even so, she could tell that he was strong.

Also, considering that Ryan was old master Lenort’s bishop, she believed that he must be very strong. Old Master Lenort surely wouldn’t make a weakling his bishop, even if it was his own son. He was a man who held one in high regard based on his or her strength; he made this clear to her during her marriage ceremony.

Thus, for him to leave Ryan as his bishop, there was no doubt about it; Ryan was strong!

Draven chortled against the soft skin of her neck. "Do you think that perhaps Ryan is stronger than I am?"

Avelina slightly turned her head with the intention of looking at him, but she could not seem to do so, for his head rested against her shoulder. All she could do was glance at him with the edge of her eyes.

She answered, "I do not know. But I suppose you might be stronger." He was a man who had managed to live this long despite his family constantly being at his neck.

"However, that cannot be enough of an assurance, can it?"

Draven slowly smiled, his eyes narrowing into a thin line.

"How about you find out?" he whispered into her ears, kissing her cheek in the process and poking the tip of her nose.

"I’ll be fine."

Avelina did not say a word but stood in the room, locked in his tight embrace. Her eyes were fixed against the clock on the wall, which was ticking nonstop.

Will you really be okay? She shut her eyes, taking in a deep breath.

____

Ryan stood at the desk before his father, who sat with his legs crossed and his hands interlocked.

"Father, you called for me."

Old Master Lenort silently gazed at him with a serious expression. He took a deep breath and asked, "Why did you make such a request?"

"I do not understand what you mean, father." Ryan shook his head.

Old Master Lenort stood up from his seat and approached him. He stood in front of him and grabbed his left shoulder. "Why would you ever challenge Draven to a death duel?"

Ryan took a moment before answering. "It is the only way that I can get my revenge, father."

Old Master Lenort cocked an eyebrow. He blinked before suddenly cackling, heavy on amusement.

"Son...are you joking?"

Ryan furrowed his brows. "Father, I am aware that under no circumstances am I allowed to kid you. So no, I am not joking."

Old Master Lenort scrutinized him from head to toe and shook his head. "Do you think you are stronger than Draven?"

"I am." Ryan nodded confidently.

Old Master Lenort’s lips curled into a grin. "So you believe that in a death duel, you will emerge victorious?"

"Absolutely, Father." Ryan nodded. "I would never issue a duel if I’m not certain that I would win."

Old Master Lenort’s expression fell at this statement, and unbeknownst to Ryan, he lifted his hand, mercilessly slapping him across the face.

"When did you become this stupid and ignorant?" he bellowed, suddenly angry.

Ryan, whose palm was cupping his bruised left cheek, looked at him with a look of shock, confusion, and disbelief in his eyes. "F-father...?" Why had he been slapped? What did he do wrong?

Old Master Lenort scowled at him and furiously sent a kick to his stomach, causing Ryan to fall back to the floor, his face completely red in pain.

Ryan clutched his stomach and struggled up to his knees. He groaned in deep pain and agony, unable to catch his breath. As strong as his father was, his attack was no joke at all. And not to mention the fact that he had left himself unprotected due to not expecting his father to hit him.

He flickered his eyes, and no longer able to hold it in anymore, he coughed, spurting out a mouthful of blood.

"Father, what have I done wrong? W-why are you punishing me?"

Old Master Lenort gazed down at him with contempt in his eyes. He squatted down in front of him and gripped him harshly by the chin. He tilted his head, forcing him to look him in the eyes.

"My boy, I trained you better than this. I taught you better than this, so why are you behaving so ignorant?" he asked, his voice suddenly gentle.

Ryan stared into his eyes, genuinely confused and unsure of what he had done wrong.

Old Master Lenort shook his head in disappointment. "What made you think that you were stronger than Draven?"

Ryan blinked in bafflement.

"But...I am."

"No, my boy." Old Master Lenort smiled pessimistically at him. "...you are not. You are too far behind him in terms of strength. Draven is stronger than you are. He’s the devil’s son, after all. Or have you forgotten?"

Ryan quickly shook his head. "N-no. Not at all."

"Good boy." Old Master Lenort patted his cheek.

"Before you decide to go against your opponent, you must gauge his or her strength. There is a reason why I haven’t attacked yet. His strength grows more and more, and I certainly feel there must be more to it."

"You do not go into a fight blindly, do you understand?" he questioned.