Before Aiden even got the mark he was a Monster Corpse Harvester. The pay was lousy and the work was tough but it was the only way for Aiden to get money. But all the harvesting sessions he had managed to be apart of gave Aiden a rough idea of monster anatomy.
So where he was weaker and slower then Thyrum he still managed to strike several weak spots in Thyrum's defence.
But there was only one problem as he stared at his twin daggers that had already begun to break.
'It's scales are too tough! There has to be a better chance somewhere on its body. I just have to find it!'
Aiden felt like days had passed since he and Thyrum began their fight. But even after every attack Thyrum was still in perfect condition.
"Is this the extent of your power? You are not worthy of becoming a Dragon Slayer! Lava Mountain!"
Following Thyrum's roar Lava began spewing out of the ground like an active volcano only instead of the balls of lava firing off in random directions they started targeting Aiden.
Everyone and anyone would be jaw dropped but Aiden was too busy trying to stay alive.
"Now I got to deal with self targeting lava balls too?! This is cheating!"
Anyone who could watch would say that Aiden's challenge went from being impossible to certain death.
But Jacob knew there was a chance and Aiden was beginning to see why as he saw the bottom of Thyrum's chest glowing blue.
But Aiden paid close attention to the scales themselves and noticed a patch of scales in the opposite direction then the other ones.
'That's it! That's his weakness! I need to hit his reverse scales!'
Most Reptilian monsters have a vital weakness, reverse scales. Aiden knew this after dismantling over a thousand Lizardman.
A dragons scales are their armour to contain and protect their immense power but sometimes a dragon needs to vent its power and so its reverse scales act like a cooling vent.
But behind a Dragon's reverse scales was its most vital organ, a Dragons Heart.
Dragons were like mages in one aspect alone, Magic Cores. Mages control their magic by refining raw natural mana to use for their spells but Dragons were different. They didn't refine raw mana but instead they used it in it's purest form because they had the strength to withstand the effects.
If a human were to use raw mana then they would almost certainly die.
And although Thyrum wasn't a real Dragon he still had a partially complete Dragon Core in his heart.
This was Thyrum's weakness that Jacob deliberately made so that any challenger could achieve victory.
'I'll only have one chance to strike! I'll need to use that to get close.'
Aiden knew he would only have one shot to kill Thyrum and so did Jacob as he watched.
"It is time to bring this battle to an end!"
"Your right Thyrum… this has to end. But when I kill you im going to drag your head back to your creator then make him eat it!"
Aiden didn't know it but his mark started flickering just like Thyrum's thanks to Jacob to see if he could withstand its power.
Jacob started slamming his staff on the ground in rhythm with the thunder as Aiden and Thyrum prepared their last attack.
"Only one of us will live… HERE I COME! MISTY STEP!"
"FLAMES OF OBLIVION!"
Jacob watched as a cloud of smoke covered the entire area where Aiden was before an equally violent explosion occurred where Thyrum was.
But Jacob could already tell who was victorious and was left unimpressed as Thyrum limped out of the smoke missing his arm and half of his reverse scales intact.
"My lord… I have prevailed… but not without cost… he is quite special…"
With a simple wave of his hand Jacob healed Thyrum like his wounds never happened all while Aiden had third degree burns all over his body and a missing leg.
"Indeed he is… I only hope that he will do better the next time."
Jacob didn't lie to Mara when he said there was a chance of death. But he didn't say Aiden would perish for eternity.
"I doubt you can hear this Aiden stone… but if you can then I'll say that the pain you suffered today was just a taste. You will continue to live but your life will be changed… forever."
Jacob copied a fraction of the power he gave Thyrum and poured it into Aiden's Mark.
But its power was still too much for Aiden to bare so Aiden once again felt like he was being roasted alive as he cried out in pain or at least he tried even though his voice box was burned to a crisp.
As his body turned to ash his Soul remained behind as Jacob began remaking Aiden's body anew. Normally Jacob would have let Aiden keep his memories of the battle and that would mean remembering all the pain he had suffered.
But Jacob was human now so as one final gift he erased Aiden's memory of his battle with Thyrum.
"Now his mind will not break but his soul will need to adjust to the changes."
Once Aiden's new body was made Jacob inserted Aiden's soul inside before throwing him out of the Tower's gateway.
"How many tries do you think it will take him my lord?"
Thyrum knew his death was enviable and accepted it gladly and he knew his purpose was to simply help Aiden evolve.
"As many as it takes… I must go. Continue your duty and help him become worthy of my mark."
"Yes my Lord… I live to serve you."
As Thyrum slept Jacob walked out of the Tower to see Mara pacing back and forth.
Only after seeing Jacob did she stop and and realize that Aiden was still alive and tried to pass through the ward again but remain unsuccessful.
"Aiden! What happened?! Is he hurt?"
Jacob stood over Aiden outside the ward just as he started snoring.
"He failed the challenge and died… but was reborn into something new. By human standards he is now the equivalent of a Rank 4 Hunter."
Mara had thousands of questions but was stopped when Jacob raised his hand to stop her.
"In my Tower know that it means certain Death to fail but also a rebirth into something greater."
Even Gaia wondered what Aiden would become and what exactly happened inside the Tower.
But Mara was too busy making sure Aiden was okay to realize that Jacob had vanished before she felt a piece of paper in her hand and saw that Jacob had left a note.
-Off to save your brother. P.S make sure Aiden is well rested.-
Although Mara wanted to witness Jacob save her brother she knew Aiden needed help.