Emperor's Reckoning

The early morning soon came and greeted the kingdom of Nostria. Unlike their usual easygoing life, the people were tense albeit they didn't show it. The looming of war days was coming and they feared defeat.

*tap

The sound of a horse's hooves tapping the paving way stopped their activities as their curiosity was caught. One by one, either they were demi-humans or humans or something else, they hurriedly packed the roads only to leave the space in the middle leading up to the west gate.

"Excuse me, excuse me!" one little girl appeared to be struggling to pass-through the masses.

*tap

As soon she got a clear view, her face was graced with a majestic scene. "Uwaah..."

Twelve horses were present as they took in the departing walk. Glamoured with their custom-made armor these four-legged beasts themselves gave about a dominating yet graceful feeling. However, what's even more amazing was the ones mounting it.

They were the very figures that turned around the situation when the Arcana Kingdom attacked. Each with their own characteristic, nobody dared to question their capabilities. Awe was an understatement as they powerfully yet gracefully brought about confidence in their heart. The lots of them only smiled at the masses, though this was not a parade it did look like one.

"Ah! It's teacher Vale! Teacher Vale!" said a female student from the academy.

It was no question that his handsome feature would unintentionally make the young ladies lovestruck. His wolf ears had a unique attraction to the frail heart of young maidens.

Vale smiled wryly as he waved his hand as he recalled what Fei said during the meeting.

-------------------

"Vale, I would need you to be in the frontline," said Fei with her commanding tone.

Even though the people in front of her was without a doubt stronger than her own. Her pride as the sole general of Nostria exceeded their strength.

"I believe you already know why," smiled Fei as she went on with the next plan.

-------------------

Vale pulled back to reality as he thought (Moral is really the fundamental of war if one's own people were in distress, the enemy would easily manipulated them against their own, the result would be devastating).

First, plant the seed of trust to the people only then the war would have a chance of victory.

"Oi, is that Jugen?" asked one of the student on the side road.

"Hey you're right!" said a friend of his.

"Huh? Why is he there? I doubt that he could do anything, mine as well take me in," said a newbie.

"Huh!?" both of them looked at the newbie with veins on their forehead.

"What's that rookie?! You dared to mock him?!" said one of them as he pulled up the newbie by his collar.

"Oi, don't you know why our academy suddenly got a massive load of Soul Spells?!" said the other.

"Eeek!" the rookie squealed as he shook his head.

"It's because of him! He was the number one in the last Labyrinth of Simak. The only one since the history that could reach the top floor, the treasure vault!"

"Yeah! What's more, he is the sole brother of the Golden Demoness!"

"Now fixed your tone and attitude!" said the senior as he let down the newbie before both of them turned his back against him.

The newbie was coughing as he tried to catch a breath before he heard, "You are lucky you enrolled at this time, otherwise we already beat you up for mocking the number three student!"

"That's right, you should thank the number one student for that," said the other as respect planted on their face when a mere title was mentioned.

(N-number one student...) thought the newbie as he stared at the ground.

"I hope that rookie know what's good for him,"

"Yeah, I mean we were once bullied by that son of a bitch Ponska or whatever,"

Both of them stood tall as a figure that might as well be compared with the heavens appeared in their mind.

Jugen was riding his horse in the last line with his quiver and bow behind his back. Though he was the least powerful in the lined up, his feats spoke something else.

It was an understatement to say that he was nervous. Who could have known his fate would escalate to this. Even his father was more in disbelief rather that he was proud.

(Man, this actually feels quite nice, but I wonder where Big bro and Big sis have gone to? Oh, don't tell me they are eloping?! How could they! Even though we are about to have a war!) thought Jugen.

-------------------

"It's time for us to depart miss," said Fei.

Sylvianna nodded at her before she faced four old men, "I'll be going, grandfathers! I'll leave Nostria to you for the time being."

She turned around firmly as she took one swift movement to mount the already prepared white horse. Her red royal cloak fluttered as she sat on the saddle. Her face was filled with a queenly bearing as she lightly kicked the horse.

With Fei guide her from the front, both of them strode toward the light.

"Ah, there she goes," said Zitian.

"Yeah, don't worry, I put all my effort into making her equipment," said Charlie.

"With Fei being her guide, I have no doubt in victory even if the enemy is Heaven's Dawn," said the retired commander Chun.

"Ah crap, I forgot to give her my recent potions!" said Crux as he hurriedly tried to follow them.

*pat

His shoulder was gripped by the three others as he couldn't move any further before he heard their shout, "DON'T YOU DARE GIVE HER YOUR EXPERIMENTAL BULLSHIT!"

--------------

Back in the lakeshore of Undine, her golden hair was already tied up to a ponytail as she faced her own student.

Lyon smirked as he said, "Do teacher really think that a peak Heaven Realm is enough?"

"You'll never know unless you try right?" said Karina with a smile.

"Then come here!" taunted Lyon with his hand.

*bang

It took Lyon a single blink before a palm already struck his chest. His eyes opened in disbelief as he saw the soft hand that concealed enormous force already made a hit. He couldn't help but took a couple of steps back.

"Hmm, looks like it's not enough," said Karina before she turned her back against him and sat down cross-legged.

*splurt

Lyon silently puked blood. (What the, she negates my True Dragon Blessing!).

Wiping the blood from his mouth he smiled as he stared at this teacher of his. Even with his body reinforced like that of a true dragon, he still puked blood from a simple palm, not to mention the gap of their cultivation level.