19 The Dual Cultivation of Magic and Martial Arts

"It seems you've come prepared?!" 

Vickery III glared at Leo, his eyes filled with anger and even a murderous intent.

Yes, anger!

In his view, Leo was nothing more than a cockroach, and thus, he should always remain a cockroach!

Now, this 'cockroach' dared to defy his own understanding and even challenge the decisions he had made?

Did he also aspire to the crown prince's position? 

How audacious! 

Courting death!

"My dear father, this is just a little surprise I brought for you. Are you pleased?" Leo bowed slightly, his expression cold.

"I am very pleased," Vickery III nodded slowly.

He continued, 

"However, this little surprise seems hardly enough, doesn't it? A lowly reptile, even with wings, is not a true dragon! You don't think you're now in a position to negotiate with me, do you? Hah!"

Vickery's voice was cold enough to calm everyone down.

While awakening a magic talent was no easy feat – indeed, one might say it was one in a million – none of the heirs in Lionara's history had ever awakened such a talent. 

But now, both princes had awakened their magic talents, with the elder, Prince Horn, even being a divine knight!

In this context, simply awakening a magic talent was not a strong bargaining chip.

Moreover, Leo's humble origins were a disadvantage.

Even Prince Rain, of noble birth and much beloved by Vickery III, had not been made the crown prince, so naturally, Leo stood no chance.

"Leo, you don't think becoming a basic magus is something remarkable, do you? You don't believe this makes you worthy of being a crown prince, do you? How ludicrous!" 

Horn stepped forward, his words laced with scorn and mockery.

Leo looked at his father and brother, his face betraying little emotion.

Suddenly, Leo smiled, then said, "If it were just this little surprise, of course, it wouldn't be enough to please my father and brother. However..."

With that, Leo drew his longsword from his waist and swung it forward!

With a "crack!", a fissure about a foot long suddenly appeared on a nearby pillar. 

Simultaneously, wood chips burst forth, scattering energetically.

"Aetherforce?!" someone couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

"Prince Leo is also a knight?!"

"Magic and martial arts dual cultivation!? In the history of Lionara, only the founding emperor, the great Vickery the First, possessed such a dual cultivation!"

"The forces of elements and aetherforce inherently clash. Across the continent, there are but a few geniuses capable of such dual cultivation!"

"Has Prince Leo truly awakened such a talent?"

"..."

Every face was etched with astonishment, their voices tinged with a sharp edge.

Horn stared intently at Leo, his face a mix of shock, anger, and a hint of unease.

At this moment, he finally realized that Leo, once considered a waste, could indeed become his rival.

Magic and martial arts dual cultivation, a rare talent Lionara had seen only once in a century!

Every genius capable of such dual cultivation had become one of the few strongest on the continent!

According to the traditions of Lionara, even as the youngest divine knight, his position seemed suddenly unsteady.

"Leo..." Rain's mouth twitched, his eyes brimming with an immensely complex mix of emotions.

Leo's secrets ran deeper than he had imagined, his revealed trump card not only posed a threat to Horn but also instilled fear in him.

At this moment, Leo appeared both mysterious and terrifying in his eyes.

He realized that Leo was not someone he could control or even ally with.

"When did you awaken to aetherforce?!" Vickery the First stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly.

He instinctively refused to believe what was unfolding before him, yet the reality was undeniable.

The child born to that lowly woman turned out to be his most talented offspring!

Why would a bloodline of commoners give birth to such a genius?

Vickery the First shook his head, his body quivering slightly.

"Father, brother, is this surprising enough?" Leo lifted his head, asking with a bright, innocent smile, like a young boy earnestly inquiring about something.

Neither Vickery III nor Prince Horn immediately responded.

Now, the situation had entered a contradictory phase. Vickery III had already announced Horn as the crown prince.

Yet, the talent Leo had just displayed was undoubtedly the first of its kind in a century, a rare find across the entire continent!

So, should Vickery III rescind his decision?

Or...

All the ministers and nobles turned their gazes towards Vickery III, awaiting his response.

"Leo..." After a long pause, Vickery III finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

"Father, you are getting old. When people get old, they tend to die soon," Leo interjected Vickery III's words, smiling.

Vickery III's expression froze for a moment, then slowly turned ashen. 

Leo's words were not just rebellious, they were outrageously venomous!

He was still the king of Lionara. 

What did Leo mean by this? 

Was he cursing him, wishing for his death?

"Leo, how dare you! Do you realize whom you are offending?!" Horn couldn't help but roar in anger.

The smile on Leo's face remained unchanged.

He looked towards Horn and said indifferently, 

"My dear brother, I think, when Father announced you as the crown prince, you too were eagerly anticipating his death, weren't you? I saw the impatience in your eyes."

"You... What are you talking about?! Absurd! Malicious speculation!" Horn was furious.

He drew his sword from his waist and pointed it directly at Leo.

Leo's smile persisted, unthreatened by Horn.

Turning slowly, Leo again faced his father.

He bowed slightly and said, 

"Father, today's meeting with my elder and second brothers, and you, truly epitomizes filial piety and paternal kindness."

Vickery III and Leo locked eyes, the mockery in Leo's gaze was unmistakable.

He was mocking him!

Mocking his favorite son for his lack of wisdom and abundance of cunning.

His appointed crown prince, in his presence, harbored only the ambition to control the nation and could barely conceal his murderous intent.

His most despised son possessed the most formidable talent...

Indeed, it all seemed quite absurd.

"You are mocking me?!" Vickery III finally spoke, revealing his anger.

He resembled a lion with its mane bristling, his gaze icy, aura emanating murderous intent.

No matter what, he could not accept this bastard insulting him!

So what if he had the talent for both magic and martial arts? 

He was still the king of Lionara, and at his command, this bastard would still be executed!

"I am merely stating facts. Why would you consider it mockery?" Leo shrugged nonchalantly.

Vickery III's eyes narrowed, his breathing heavy.

For a long moment, he composed his emotions, then lifted his head, surveying his surroundings. 

The atmosphere in the palace was still fraught with tension. 

His sons, the ministers, and the nobles were all waiting for something. 

Whether it was a change of decision, ignoring Leo, or even punishing Leo, they needed Vickery III to make a choice.

"My decision remains unchanged. Horn is still the crown prince of Lionara and will be the next successor!" 

Vickery III declared his decision. 

Then, turning towards Leo, he spoke in a voice icy cold and laced with a hint of murderous intent: 

"Whether or not you can become a powerhouse on the continent, the decision still lies with me! Do not presume you now have the standing to negotiate with me!"

A subtle smirk appeared on Horn's lips, but it quickly faded. 

He bowed his head slightly, murmuring, "I respect Father's decision."

Rain's brows were tightly furrowed, hesitating to speak, but ultimately remained silent.

Some ministers and nobles appeared disappointed, while others heaved a sigh of relief, their minds eased. 

However, their initial excitement had vanished, replaced by a sense of unease.

Magic and martial arts dual cultivation...

Such a talent, once fully realized, would be formidable, regardless of whether he was a king or not.

"I too respect Father's decision," Leo bowed slightly.

Raising his head, Leo smiled and offered his father a blessing: 

"May you live forever, wielding the royal power eternally, in everlasting... peace and health."

Vickery III paid no heed to Leo's blessing. 

With a cold glance at Leo, he lifted his head: 

"The ceremony will take place tomorrow morning. I expect the entire capital's residents to come and bless my children."

"Of course!" 

The Minister of Internal Affairs immediately stepped forward, nodding with a smile.

With a smile still on his face, Leo slowly straightened up.

Turning, he made his way through the crowd, heading towards Lilith.