Emperor's Reckoning

Behind a lofty serrated mountain that was covered by the mist of clouds, stood a building with superb craftmanship. The place was almost as big as a small kingdom, but the atmosphere felt more like the academy in Nostria.

Alchemist students were seen walking around the yard with various emotions. Some were running with an ingredient in hand, some were reading books while they walked, and some were chilling under an oak tree.

The azure cloak mostly occupied the place but there were also gold ones. However, they all immediately bowed their head as a formal greeting when a dark cloak alchemist passed by.

Under one of the oak trees in the yard were three beautiful women sitting and chattering with one another. They all wore the same azure cloak and seemed to be roughly at the same age.

The one sitting in the middle had brunette hair. Her eyes were hash-brown and she was slender like the other two. Her brows were sharp and shaped like a sword. She appeared to be superiorly articulate than her friends.

"I've heard that Renduval was tasked to escort the winners from that tournament in First Heaven hahaha!" the brunette laughed obnoxiously.

"Luvia, don't be so mean on your crush," the blonde one chuckled.

"Beh!" Luvia made a puking motion. "As if he could reach my level. You know it yourself why he was chosen to be the escort, Cyril."

Luvia rolled her eyes before ending up looking at the black-haired alchemist beside her. "Jiji, you know why don't you?"

"Because he is a trash of an alchemist," answered Jiji with a smile

"That's right! Hahaha!" Luvia laughed as she crossed her arms. "Hah~ He is so pathetic."

Cyril shook her head, "He should know where he stood and stop following us."

"Yes he should," Luvia smirked.

"Hey, Lulu, I've seen you locked arms with senior Ark yesterday," Jiji tugged Luvia's elbow with a smile.

Cyril chuckled, "I've heard the same."

Luvia's lips pointed upward with her cheeks turning red. "I-I guess, I should tell you guys, huh."

"Of course, Lulu!" Jiji frowned. "But, well, you did it when he was away."

"Hm? Who is he?" asked Luvia. "Oh, hahaha! You mean that loser."

Cyril raised her eyebrows, "Who else?"

The three laughed wholeheartedly.

"Senior Ark is dreamy," muttered Jiji as her eyes turned into stars.

"Sadly he is occupied," Luvia crossed her arms and raised her chin.

"You're so lucky Lulu," said Jiji as she pouted.

"Hahaha! Envy me more," Luvia laughed as she faced the sky.

Cyril smiled, "Senior Ark has recently ascended to gold cloak alchemist, right? Wow, he must be really influential in his life outside the academy."

"Absolutely," Luvia nodded.

"But, I also heard that Renduval was taking the exam as well, but, we know how that turned out."

Jiji laughed, "Of course that would turn out! How can senior Ark be compared to him? That's like comparing dirt against the sky."

Luvia looked at Cyril with a smirk, "Is he now? I've never heard of it."

"But poor Renduval," said Jiji before she put her hands behind her head, "His heart would be broken to pieces if he saw you with senior Ark."

"Let him, why would a frog want to eat a swan," Luvia snorted.

Cyril and Jiji chuckled before the latter said, "The uglier the frog, the more he wants to eat the beautiful swan."

"Hahaha~" The three of them laughed.

*Tap!

The sound of footsteps was heard before the three women turned their heads.

It was a man with handsome features. His figure was slender. He had straight brown hair with blue eyes. He wore a golden cloak unlike the three of them used. He caught the glance from the group before raising his eyebrows then smiled afterward.

"Luvia," the man called out with a slight enthusiastic tone.

Luvia immediately stood up and smiled. Her face turned more radiant as she saw the man's genuine smile. She immediately ran up to him and left her two friends behind.

Cyril smiled before she stood up, and Jiji shrugged before she did the same

"Senior Ark," Luvia slightly tiptoed back and forth with a grin on her face. "What brings you here today? Oh, are you going to the library?"

"Oh no, I was there before," Ark smiled, "Oh and you can just call me Ark."

"A-Are you sure?" asked Luvia.

"Of course," Ark caressed her blushing cheek.

"Ark," she mumbled as she touched his warm hand.

"Okay lovey-dovey, I guess we didn't exist," said Jiji.

Ark laughed before he put off his caressing. "Why don't you introduce me to your friends here?"

"What? Oh, right!" Luvia hurriedly positioned herself between Cyril and Jiji. "The one with the blonde hair is Cyril, and the one with the blue hair is Jiji."

"Ehem! My hair is black, it's my eyes that's blue, Lulu!" Jiji pouted.

"Oh right," said Luvia.

Ark laughed before Cyril said, "It's nice to meet you, senior Ark. I hope you can give us guidance."

"Nice to meet you, senior Ark," said Jiji as she nodded. "You must be a pretty busy person, huh."

"Oh? Is that what you've heard about me?" Ark chuckled. "As much as I hate to admit it, yes. I'm most of the time busy with alchemy."

"Then this must be pretty rare!" exclaimed Jiji.

"Haha, not really, I always have time to stroll to get a piece of mind and most importantly, to rest my senses," said Ark as he smiled.

"Ah, then you are here to take a break?" asked Luvia.

"That's right," Ark nodded. "And it's even better than my usual break because I found you and your friends."

"Y-Yes yes, please join us," said Luvia before pointing at the oak tree behind her. "That's our usual spot. We are taking a break as well, so, would you join us,... Ark~" she blushed.

"Of course, I would love to get to know you and your circle better."

"Splendid!" said Luvia.