Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 391: Inka’s True Form

Looking up to Slazza, Brak sighed, “The tiger wouldn’t be able to contend with my nephew, but the tiger deserved to come in second without a doubt in my mind.”

A glimmer of excitement began to swell inside of Slazza’s eyes. “Truly? And that fox bested the mid-elder Tundra Tiger as an early-elder? How is that possible? I find it hard to believe.”

Vloz raised his tail, getting Slazza’s permission to speak. “Would you prefer that I explain how, for Netra to demonstrate personally, or for her participation in the exhibition-”

“I choose who participates in the exhibition!” Isaac roared, leering down at Vloz while leaking some essence to shut up the leopard. “And the exhibition is still unofficial, so don’t expect it to happen.”

“I wish to see her in action.” Slazza’s statement irked Isaac, but Slazza continued regardless, “Lord Draco, would you prefer that I call upon Netra right now, or agree to let her in the exhibition should the motion be accepted?”

“I... Why must I-”

“By orders of God Toseko, I am to evaluate her potential as a candidate. I trusted your earlier evaluation but it seems you’re intentionally concealing her true potential from the quadrant... So. I repeat my question. Will you bring her to me now, or will you be entering her in the exhibition? Choose. Either let me test her directly or take your chances in the exhibition.

.....

“Or are you defying the orders of the Noxious God?!”

“I wouldn’t dare to defy the Noxious God,” Lord Draco declared, bowing his head to Slazza.

Slazza took a calming breath and asked, “Then, would you prefer that I test her in secret, or would you prefer to display her strength and abilities in the exhibition? If what they claim is true, she would increase your chances to walk away with the region and the magicite.”

“... You’re willing to test her in private?”

“Yes. I’m willing to,” answered Slazza. “In that case, take me to her. I’ll test her now, outside of the presence of Lady Inka and the others here.”

“Very well...” Lord Draco sighed, gnawing on his tongue in rage.

As those two left, Zelsh turned his attention to Lady Inka and Brak. “You heard that. You’re not the only prefecture with a perfect candidate!”

“If that’s true, then I hope to see her abilities in the exhibition...” Inka sighed, shaking her head with a tinge of disbelief.

“I’m curious, will your nephew be making an appearance?” asked Zelsh.

Brak shrugged without a word.

“That depends...” Inka gave Zelsh a warm smile. “He’s already publicly known, so he would make a fine addition to the line-up. However, I believe he’s already become a high-elder... How many of your pupils will be entering, Zelsh?”

Chuckling, Zelsh replied, “I’m not sure. Lord Treeda will likely include Tilgron. But she might stack the lineup as well. It depends on how badly she wants Rhyner Region.”

Inka’s grin thinned out as she asked, “And, what do you know of Draco’s candidates?”

Zelsh shook his head but still smiled. “I know very little. The only candidate I know about is Netra. And, though she’s only an early-elder, I’d say she’s got as good a chance as anyone to win our little exhibition.”

“How so? She’s got to have some tricks up her sleeve.” Turning to Brak, Inka gave an abrupt order, “Leave. Go meditate and finish your recovery.”

Silent, Brak followed her orders and left the council building with slow, gradual steps.

Inka opened her mouth to speak but waited a few minutes while staring at Vloz, teetering her head from side to side. Finally, she asked, “What’s different about Netra compared to most cultivators?”

Vloz sighed, “That, Lady Inka, I don’t believe I’m allowed to say. Revealing that would endanger our territory, given Lord Draco’s temper. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“Oh? Not intimidated? ... You’re a fine subordinate. And an assassin as well. Perhaps Tempest can hire you for some jobs,” Inka replied.

But Vloz shook his head. “Again, I’m sorry, but I have bad blood with many people in Tempest Prefecture, so I’ll be staying here.”

“Hmm... I wonder. What differences would exist between common instruction and the teachings of an assassin? It really gets me bothered...”

Suddenly, Lady Inka’s arms and legs grew and her spine became more feline. She teasingly growled while getting up from her seat, sauntering over to the Blood-spotted Leopard. “You know... I haven’t been with another cat since... I can’t remember. Perhaps, you can help me with that?”

Vloz’s gaze staggered. He blinked time and time again.

Inka presented her light green fur while taking her time to waltz around Vloz. She was covered in dark green, leaf-shaped spots. And as Inka rubbed up against Vloz, it became obvious that some of those spots were actual leave growing out of Inka. It matched her tail, which appeared to be a thick jungle-like vine.

“An Ivy Jaguar...” Vloz, for the first time in a long while, felt nerves bubbling up in his throat. “... Lady Inka, I-”

“Shh... It’s rare that I meet a cat as rare as me, one with a strong, divine bloodline...” Licking her lips, Inka sat up directly in front of Vloz with all the confidence in the world. “We have time. Why not spend the day together. What do you say?”

It took a moment for Vloz to recompose himself. He was caught up staring at the white freckles hidden within Inka’s fur and leaves.

Noticing his distracted gaze, Inka leaned in closer. “You know, Vloz, my husband isn’t an issue... Not only is he on house arrest, but we’re fairly open with our love lives. And though I have a few available partners, all chosen by him, I’d be lying to say that yesterday’s little demonstration of skill didn’t get me excited.”

Stammering, Vloz withheld his response while looking at the others in the room. Ania and Rhyner were dumbfounded, almost as shocked as Vloz. Bradok was laughing under his breath, the same way Rathe would be if he was there. Zelsh, however, was shaking his head with a defeated smile.

“... Lady Inka. May I ask you something?”

“Yes, Vloz. Go right ahead,” Inka replied in a sultry tone.

Vloz inhaled sharply and put on his usual, stoic demeanor. “To what end would starting such a relationship entail?”