Born in Blood

As soon as the Mayor announced the requirement for teams, Liam let out a long sigh.

'This'll be fun to watch.'

All that was missing was a bag of popcorn to watch the carnage unfold.

Firm glances were spread from one person to another. 

Of course, there had to be one person on each team that dictated the locations of each individual.

Otherwise, it'd just be chaos.

Of course, the Mayor could just relieve them of that duty and grant one of the positions to someone strong.

…But everyone was strong!

Plus, if he gave one person the authority to choose, then another could be offended.

Even a raffle or random pick was dangerous. 

What if it was one of the new powerhouses? 

Wouldn't that offend the older, stronger, more experienced cultivators? 

…However, it was clear that not everyone was meant for the leading role.

The two new powerhouses were definitely not fit for it. 

Spirit of Nature wanted no part in it. 

Neither was Liam or Rin, since they were the weakest present.

Eyes of Knowledge and the Sage didn't seem like they cared too much about it, yet the former had a pensive, distant look on his face.

He was already constructing a plan of some kind! 

That made him dangerous… and also a valuable asset for whoever wanted him on his team.

The Adjudicator didn't want anything to do with a position of authority, either.

She was standing by herself, separate from the groups… with Kuan by her side.

'Wonder what they're talking about,' Liam thought. 'They're having a mental conversation, aren't they?' 

In fact, judging by the tense silence, everyone was having a private conversation with each other. 

Alucard approached Liam with a bitter, slightly annoyed look on his face. 

"Must be nice being able to speak telepathically," Alucard said with slight annoyance. "Saves one the embarrassment of asking." 

Alucard sighed as Liam smirked a little.

"I disdain pissing contests like these, but I must say, the reward for this little game has intrigued me. Same team? I won't haggle or anything if you win." 

Liam nodded with a smile.

"Of course."

Then, Liam looked at Spirit of Nature, who had a strange look on her face. 

"Would you care to join us, Miss Naomi?" Alucard said nicely. "You could choose any Position you'd like." 

It didn't take much to convince her.

Spirit of Nature instantly gave a thumbs up. 

"I'll go convince Reiner and maybe the Adjudicator and Hand of Light to join," Alucard said as he turned around. "Try to pick a Position you'd like until then." 

Then, Alucard left.

Looking around, Liam could tell what the lineups would consist of.

For starters, Rin and the Queen were obviously going to be together.

Obviously, Liam was on Alucard's team, with Spirit of Nature together.

Thus, five of the remaining seven were already fixed.

Queen Thyress was already on the move. Her, the Dragonmancer and the Sage were near one another.

It looked like they were having a mental conversation. 

'Yeah…' Liam thought, just a little disappointed. 'This is tamer than I thought it would be.' 

He expected a fight!

A war!

A massive argument!

Yet, the Queen's group already had four.

The Dragonmancer, the Sage, Rin, herself.

Just two more remained for her entire team to form!

Meanwhile, Alucard was speaking with the Adjudicator and Kuan, convincing them to join.

From that distance, Liam couldn't hear anything.

His powers and senses were still sealed off, after all, and their lips were unreadable.

Just then, the Adjudicator snuck an eerie side-glance at Liam during their conversation. 

Then, she looked back at Alucard and nodded.

'That makes five, if Kuan isn't coming,' Liam thought, looking at the other groups. 

Except…

The General was still in neither team.

The Shadow Weaver was to his side, a disappointed, slightly disdained expression on her face. 

Queen Thyress obviously didn't approach these two.

And the General was too prideful to approach anyone.

Obviously, the Shadow Weaver was his right hand, which made them a dangerous duo to have on either team.

'If they and the Queen get together… then I don't think we'll be able to last.'

Just then, Liam chuckled under his breath as he saw the Adjudicator and Kuan walking over.

They had joined the team, completing six.

'But it's inevitable.'

It was clear what the teams were, now. 

Alucard, Liam, Spirit of Nature, Kuan, Eyes of Knowledge and the Adjudicator were going to be on the same team.

…And the General, Queen Thyress, Rin, the Dragonmancer, the Sage, and the Shadow Weaver would be in the other team.

That lineup was just… stupid! 

Two of the strongest powerhouses in one team was just overkill. 

The General paused for a second, then grinned mischievously, spreading his arms. 

"The Bloodsuckers and the Rag-tag Royalists!"

Hearing his exclamation of fitting team names, Liam hid a chuckle. 

It really was a rag-tag group. 

An Albino, a magical beast hybrid, a Queen and a Dragonmancer.

It was almost a bar joke.

No one else was laughing, though.

Alucard and Queen Thyroid's face was void of emotion. 

The General's mocking smile deepened.

But no one responded to him.

It appeared as though this wasn't the first time this happened.

A moment later, he proudly walked over to the Queen's side, with the Shadow Weaver behind him.

A brief silence descended.

'Their lineup is powerful,' Liam thought. 'But they're just regular joes now.'

'As long as there are no powers involved, I'm the same as them!' 

It was winnable!

"Oh, right," the Mayor said under his breath, raising his fingers to snap them. "Before I forget…"

CLCK!

As soon as the Mayor snapped his fingers, a surge of power shot across Liam's body.

Slowly… his powers were being unsealed!

His King's Eye gained back its sharpness, but not all of it. Spirit Sight was still locked.

Most of his Transfiguration was back, along with his distinct physical strength. 

However, his mental waves were still sealed, remaining in his mental sphere.

But he could use Mind Edge.

However, he couldn't use his darkness or spells. 

Slowly, Liam raised his head.

He sighed.

From the looks of it, Liam wasn't the only person who had his powers unsealed.