Is that a Wisp?

"Well, have you talked with her before?" Krune gazed at Chen Xue, watching her shake her head in response.

"I've only exchanged some words of pleasantries with her. Nothing beyond that," Chen Xue replied. "She's pretty reserved. Plus, I didn't wish to alert her of the fact that I've been investigating her family. So, I didn't bother with her."

"Fair enough. I'll take care of that side after this," Krune said in response. "Also, how is the strength of the County Arms wielders?"

"Pretty great, to be honest," Chen Xue told Krune, nodding as she continued, "Some of them have become pretty attuned to using them. So, they're able to erupt with greater power. Plus, as they continue to train, their stamina reserves are continuously increasing."

"Good." Krune sighed, saying in worry, "The number of Demons is increasing. Even though they're weaker than typical Nightmares at present, they'll grow stronger in the future. Not only that, but it would also mean an increase in the number of Demon Arms wielders."

"How many Demons are there right now?" Wang Hao asked, frowning.

"Seven," Krune sighed as he replied. "And the number's still steadily increasing. So, that's where elites like you would come into play."

"What do you mean?" Wang Hao asked, failing to understand.

"Well, you can say that a Nightmare and an Imperial Meister are evenly matched. They weren't before, but with the addition of the County Arms, they could fight evenly. Those with the County Arms would force the bulk of our army in fighting against the Yin Beasts and the Demon Arms wielders," Krune spoke.

He then said solemnly, "But, what about the elites? The top powers of both sides? Only a Star Imperial Meister can fight against a Demon. However, there are just two of us in this Empire. The Emperor has to be on guard against that insanely terrifying Demon sealed within the capital. So, that just leaves me as the sole power that can contend against the Demons."

"But, what if I die?" Krune said solemnly, causing the two to shudder. "There won't be another Star Imperial Meister to replace me since, in the Daxia Empire's history, there had only been one per generation. There were even times when there wasn't a Star Imperial Meister. So, in such cases, our Empire was pretty weak."

"And that's where you'll come in," Krune stated, making eye contact with the two. "As Imperial Warlocks, your children would inherit your powers upon your death. As long as your family line isn't broken, there would always be two guardians defending this Empire."

"Guardians…" Wang Hao muttered.

"Family…" Chen Xue glanced at Wang Hao, blushing in response. Even though she had been aware of it all along, hearing it from Krune was still embarrassing.

"Is that the identity that we would have in the future?" Wang Hao asked.

"Yes." Krune nodded. "You'll be accompanying the Emperor in secret, only taking action when the Empire's at risk of collapse."

"Can you do it?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Wang Hao thumped his fist on his chest in response. "My grandpa exchanged his life to create our identities. All he wished was for the peace of the world. It's our duty to uphold it."

Staring at the serious visage of Wang Hao, Chen Xue tried her best to prevent herself from blushing, daydreaming a little before snapping back to reality.

"Xue!" Suddenly, a girl shouted before rushing towards Chen Xue, panting a little before saying, "I'm hungry. You promised you would accompany me for lunch today."

"Haha, alright," Chen Xue said before looking at the other two. "Once you finish placing your luggage, come to the cafeteria."

"Alright," Wang Hao nodded as he slumped hands over Krune's shoulders, bringing him to their manor.

Staring at Krune's back, the girl was in a daze, only snapping back to reality after Chen Xue called for her many times. "Y-Yes?"

"You okay?" Chen Xue asked, noticing the girl's eyes darting towards Krune from time to time, unconsciously.

'Interesting.' She smiled, her eyes arching into crescent moons as she teased, "Seems like our fair maiden's heart has been stolen."

"As if!" The girl shrieked, complaining, "I wasn't staring at him, Xue. I'm not interested in any man."

"Hoho?" Chen Xue laughed, smiling derisively. "Hong Lian, your mouth is saying something different from your face. I can see a hint of blossoms in your fate, in the alignment of your star…"

"No!" The girl addressed as Hong Lian closed her ears, her face beet red as she turned around, unable to look at Chen Xue.

Grinning devilishly, Chen Xue didn't miss the chance to tease the heck out of her friend. In the past year, the two of them had bonded pretty well, becoming close.

She was Chen Xue's sole friend in the Imperial Academy. The rest were just those she was on good terms with.

"So…that…boy…" Hong Lian's voice turned meek after that, asking under her breath, "What's…his name?"

"It's…" Chen Xue stretched her words, her eyes darting to the side, face tilting while a smile bloomed on her.

"It's…?" For some reason, Hong Lian repeated the stretched words, waiting in anticipation. Though, upon realizing what Chen Xue was doing, she stomped her foot in anger and ran away.

"Haha, wait for me!" Laughing in response, Chen Xue chased after her, catching up immediately after.

"Why are you so fast?" Hong Lian complained, pouting as Chen Xue patted her head.

"You'll probably hear his name countless times in the future." Chen Xue said, smiling, "He's the scion of the Liu Clan, Liu Heng."

"Liu Heng…? You mean... that Liu Heng?" Hong Lian was shocked.

"Of course, who else would it be?" Chen Xue laughed, patting her friend's shoulder. "If you wish to capture his heart, you'll have to make a move first. You'll have my full support."

"I… didn't say that I would be pursuing him." Hong Lian gazed at the ground, her face reddening even further.

'Cute.' Laughing, Chen Xue pinched her cheeks.

Unbeknownst to their little exchange, Krune and Wang Hao were fully serious, staring at a scroll containing all the information that the two Imperial Warlocks had investigated for the past year.

"This is bad, really bad," Krune said, staring at Wang Hao's gaze of confusion. "I'll explain it to you later. But if this is as I feared, then it's in danger."

"The seal is in danger."