The weight in the man's voice was palpable.
Spineus couldn't help but stare at his father for a few seconds without saying anything. This was the first time he was seeing him this serious.
But then, after a few seconds, his words seemed to register in his head. Their family had been the rulers of the bone race in the past?
"We were the rulers? Wait, doesn't that make me a prince? How come I'm just hearing of this now?" Spineus asked with a baffled expression.
"Because you were not ready."
"And now I am?" Spineus' confusion just kept on increasing as his father spoke. What was different between now and then? He just couldn't understand this man today.
The man turned, faced Spineus, and spoke, "Now, you have to be."
Turning his gaze back to his front, he continued, "Your sister was the most talented youth to ever appear in her generation. I was absolutely elated when I found out about this, immediately putting her under intensive training. Do you know why?"
Seeing Spineus shaking his head, he continued, "Because I had seen a road, a path to realize our long-lost dream of regaining our power. A path to put our family back to its rightful place. And just for a fail-safe, I had her marry into the royal family."
The man clenched his hand, his voice turning cold, "But I would have never imagined your sister would be the biggest mistake I had ever made. Decades spent in the palace as the queen, and yet she has done nothing despite my persistent requests!"
Spineus could feel the anger coming out from his father's words, the pain.
"So I'm the replacement?"
The man broke into a small smile, "In essence, yes."
A small breeze blew through the area, making their clothes flutter.
He continued, "Words could not begin to describe how happy I felt when I found out about your talent. I found the path that I had lost sight of, the path to put our family in its rightful place."
"The reason I went through all this trouble to train you is because of this," the man turned and locked his intense gaze with his son's.
"To make sure a repeat of what happened with that mistake doesn't occur again, I shall ask you directly. Are you willing?"
Hearing the man's question, Spineus entered a deep state of contemplation. 'Am I willing?'
If he had to be honest, he hadn't thought about what he wanted to do. He had started intensive training since his childhood due to his father's instructions, and that had basically become his life. He had never really thought about doing anything else.
Spineus suddenly smiled, meeting his father's gaze. "Although I've never mentioned it and even if it was for your personal agenda, I'm thankful for everything you've done for me."
The man had been strict when training him, but never once had he treated him badly or forced him to do anything.
Even though he wanted to use him to achieve a goal, he still acted like a father.
A frown appeared on the man's expression. Those words were the same thing one would say when they were about to give a rejection.
Seeing the frown, Spineus chuckled. "Calm down, father. Your heart is barely managing one disappointment; I doubt you can take another."
Rubbing his hands together, he continued, "I'm in! Where do we start?"
"Hahaha! My boy! Now, this is my seed," he placed his palm on Spineus' bald head, patting it a few times.
"Good," the man said before reaching for his communication artifact, clicking it a few times.
Spineus suddenly felt something vibrate in his pocket.
Upon grabbing and clicking it, an image of Atticus displayed in front of him.
"Wh-"
The man spoke before he could even ask,
"Who he is doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that he would be what we'll use to kickstart our journey."
"'Spineus Ossara, a 16-year-old defeated the same human who defeated Prince Zekaron.' This would be the highlight."
Spineus stared at the image of Atticus intently for a few seconds before he spoke, "So you simply want me to fight and win?"
"Yes. I want you to win effortlessly and this must be done in public, where our people will be watching. You will battle with him one on one."
"I see. A human, huh," Spineus muttered under his breath. This was the first time he was seeing a human.
Seeing as Spineus focused on Atticus's image, the man continued,
"He was amongst the human youths sent here for some kind of training. His powers are currently being restricted to the intermediate+ rank, but that might have changed when you meet him."
Seeing Spineus' somewhat shocked expression, the man nodded in approval. "Yes, he defeated Zekaron while still being in the intermediate+ rank."
His father's confirmation made Spineus raise an eyebrow in shock. Jumping sublevels was completely different from jumping ranks.
Each rank increase brings about a qualitative change to the composition of said individual. But not only had this human done this, he had jumped a rank and one sub-level!
"I only mentioned this so you'll be careful. But regardless, you'll most definitely be fine. Your talent and fighting prowess are nearing those of the apexes of the other races."
"Apex," Spineus muttered under his breath. His father had already told him about the title apex, the greatest geniuses of each race.
Spineus clenched his fist, raising it up. 'I want that title.' He had never really thought about his future, but if there was one thing he knew, the word apex kept resonating within him, making his heart tremble.
He wanted that title.
The man smiled seeing his son's determined expression.
After a few seconds of talking and after informing Spineus about receiving the tracking device later on, Spineus retreated back inside the building, leaving the man standing on the roof.
The man turned his gaze towards the large skull in the center of the city, his gaze turning icy as he spoke.
"I shall reclaim what is rightfully ours and raise the family back to its original position. I, Vertebrea Ossara, swear on my name."
The man, Vertebrea, hit his fist on his chest, the sound of hardness meeting hardness resounding across the area.