The group left the Imperium Ward and went to the Commercial Area to find a place to eat.
“Damn, I’m so hungry.”, Luiz complained.
The rich aroma of food wandering outside in the streets made it worse.
“Poor Iria. If she can’t wake up by the 29th day, she would be forfeited from the skirmish event.”, Kaela sighed.
“Skirmish event?”, Zachariel was confused.
“Uh, yeah. We forgot to tell you this. Iria and Teddy are part of the students who will participate in the event. It’s just that things have come to this and we don’t know if Iria could make it out or not.”, Luka explained.
“Even if she does wake up, her strength wouldn’t be optimal to compete against the eldens.”, Kaela added.
Zachariel interfered, “I see. Let’s eat here.”
The guilt in his heart was affecting him each second the more they talk about Iria and her current condition.
“The Wandering Restaurant?”, everyone gasped in astonishment.
This restaurant was one of the finest restaurants in the city. No, in the entire Imperium itself.
“It’s my treat today. Order as you wish.”, Zachariel told them.
His behavior put suspicions in everyone’s heart. After all, Zachariel was the cold and indifferent type of classmate.
After lunch, they practiced in the public training area without Iria.
The dampened mood distracted them, prematurely ending their practice session and went back to their dormitory rooms.
`Making her my servant put her in such a disadvantageous position now. If she can’t participate in the skirmish event, it will be my fault.`, Zachariel cursed himself.
To think that his good intentions went awry.
“Wraith, how long will it last again?”
“A week or two, marked one. But, considering her talents are far worse…”
“It will be two weeks or so.”, Zachariel finished.
“If it succeeds, how far will her talents go?”, he worriedly asked.
“On a scale of 100, you would be the 100, and she would be in the 90.”, the wraith told him.
“That high? What about the elden prospects, or the humans?”
“Somewhere between 60 and 75. Except for those two beautiful eldens. I would grade them both 85.”
“Thessalia and who?”
“The angel, marked one.”
“The angel?”
…
Two days have passed and Iria was still asleep.
They noticed, however, that her aura was changing and her strength was getting stronger as well.
`Looks like she had survived.`, Zachariel was relieved.
He would have a lot of explanation to do when Iria wakes up after a few more days.
On the other hand, Zachariel had completely forgotten about Anastasia.
The little girl’s sadness worsened every day Zachariel didn’t go over and meet her.
“What is brother doing?! Why can’t he just come over here and spend his time with me?”, she said while clutching at her teddy bear.
“Even if it’s only a minute. I wouldn’t mind it. He is my brother, after all.”
…
Public Training Area.
Knock! Knock!
Luka opened the door.
“It’s you again. Do you want to challenge Zachariel this time?”, Luka provocatively asked.
It was the angel who went to them three days ago, asking for Zachariel to accept their challenge.
Her eyes were still closed, “No, I am here to talk to him.”, she calmly replied.
“Talk?”
“Let her in.”, Zachariel’s voice resounded.
Luka had no choice but to follow Zachariel. There was hostility in his eyes.
The angel stepped inside, drastically affecting the mood in the room because of her aura.
“All of you should get out for now.”, Zachariel advised.
The others left the room.
Luka took a look one last time before closing the door.
`That elden. Her aura is strange.`
“What’s this all about? Befriending me all of a sudden?”
The angel softly gasped, aware that her ulterior motive was found out.
Despite this, she smiled.
“No wonder His Highness Thalanil is very obsessed with you.”
“Should I be flattered? Or should I be concerned about you turning hot into cold or vice versa?”, Zachariel said.
He noticed that on his left, the temperature was getting cold. On his right, however, it was the complete opposite.
“My, my. What great eyes you have. Nobody knows of this secret of mine, until now.”
“Yes, what great eyes I have. What about yours?”, Zachariel secretly glanced at her beautiful face.
“My eyes… aren’t for everyone to see.”, the angel said mockingly.
“Only the one fated for me could see what’s hidden beneath. A beautiful, yet dark world.”
Zachariel was astonished by her sense of imagination, “Is that so? Then it is unfortunate on my part to never see the world you are talking about.”
The angel suddenly turned somber.
Zachariel sensed that the atmosphere became joyful out of nowhere. Fortunately, his cold heart protected him from any sudden emotional fluctuation.
He looked at the angel and saw a depressing look on her face instead.
`What’s this? The atmosphere’s mood is a reverse of hers?`
“You look quite sad. Did something happen?”
His toneless words shocked the angel, “You-“
Zachariel sensed it again.
`The atmosphere turned gloomy this instant. What’s this girl’s other secret?`
The angel smiled, turned around, and left without saying anything.
Zachariel became confused, `What happened just now?`
Moments later, his classmates returned to the training room.
“Damn, I feel so gloomy when that angel passed by us earlier!”, Luiz scratched his head.
“Yeah, me too. I kind of remember the nightmares I wished to never remember again.”, Lia added, holding both of her hands in fear.
Zachariel overheard their conversations and was sure of one thing.
`That angel seems capable of adjusting the atmosphere based on her mood. Everyone around her would be happy if she is sad, and the other way around if she is happy.`
One question remained on his mind.
`Why did she come here, and why now?`
The group continued their training.
This activity repeated until the 20th Day of Okton.
Today was Emperor Marcus’s birthday.
The streets were filled with shouts and praises for Emperor Marcus. Guards controlled the peace, strictly monitoring each individual that passes on the streets.
Banners were hung high. Bards would sing here and there.
It all looked pleasant and peaceful on the surface.
As night dawned, the nobles readied themselves by wearing extremely luxurious wears.
Necklaces, braces. Swords, wands, and other quality equipment they could take or wear with them.
Every year, such was the tradition as each noble sought to receive praise or impress the emperor through these means.
Imperium Palace, the Great Hall.
Well-dressed humans and eldens flooded the great hall, filling it with noise as the servants made their way of delivering food and drinks to everyone present.
The guards patrolled every part of the Imperium Palace, tightening the security during this important event of the Great Human Imperium.
In the edges of the Great Hall, Zachariel was solemnly sipping on his glass full of wine.
It felt distasteful to him.
His frowning expression was the complete opposite of his attire.
A black tux and long black pants. He didn’t care much about appearances, but at the very least, he wanted to fit in the occasion as well.
He combed his hair backward, unlike the other days in which his hair would almost drape over his shoulders because of how long they were.
Beside him was Sabrina who was wearing a white lace dress with sleeves that reached to her elbows.
Her blooming appearance wouldn’t be without her ponytailed hair, displaying the entirety of her fair-skinned face whose radiance is almost comparable to a pearl.
“Zachariel… Anastasia’s been looking for you.”, Sabrina softly said.
Her words made Zachariel realize something.
`Damn it, I’ve been too busy these past few days. I have to make it up to Anastasia.`
“I see. I’ll go over tomorrow.”, Zachariel replied.
Sabrina was irritated by his reply.
“It’s not that, Zachariel. Your sister is missing you. She’s crying all day, waiting for the time you would come in and grab her or hug her.”
Zachariel sipped on the wine glass, not replying to Sabrina.
“Zachariel, she is lonely! Why are you not so worried about her? What’s in your mind right now, huh?”, Sabrina asked in a hostile manner.
Zachariel still didn’t say anything.
Sabrina understood.
“Okay, I see.”
She left with teary eyes. Sabrina couldn’t believe how Zachariel could be this heartless and uncaring.
Zachariel remained still.
The huge doors on the entrance were opened.
Emperor Marcus entered the Great Hall. He was escorted by two Imperium generals, one being General Astrid herself.
The other was a burly bald man whose intimidating look could infer fear on anyone who stared at his dark eyes for a long time.
Everyone shut their mouths, parting their way as Emperor Marcus made his way to the elevated platform in the center.
The two generals stationed themselves right below the platform.
Emperor Marcus then gave his speech.
“People of the Great Human Imperium, I am pleased that you have come here today to celebrate one of the most important days of us.”
“Although we have been facing quite a few setbacks during the past months, your emperor will not back down to such challenges. As the Emperor of the Great Human Imperium, I will fight against the injustice, and the ruthless that lurks amongst our lands.”
His eyes then caught Kane, his beloved son.
Tenderness flooded his heart. After all, Kane was the only thing he treasured in this world, besides his wife.
“As my child, Kane starts his life as a student this year, I hope that everyone would welcome him amicably in the world of cultivation. As you did when I started in the past few years as well.”
The nobles laughed and affirmed to their emperor that they would take care of Kane well.
“Enjoy the night. Let the food and drink wash away all your worries. For the Imperium!”
He toasted.
“For the Imperium!”
Everyone followed suit.
They drank their drinks and shouted again, “Long live the emperor!”
The discussions continued.
Emperor Marcus walked down the platform, noticing Zachariel among the crowd.
He approached him. His actions gathered the attention of the nobles.
Zachariel was currently sipping on his glass full of wine. He found it rather distasteful.
Beside him was a silent Sabrina.
“Zachariel Strom.”, Emperor Marcus called out.
“Your Imperial Majesty.”, Zachariel bowed and formally greeted the emperor.
“I am very sorry to hear about your family. I will compensate you for the losses and for what your family had done over the years.”
Emperor Marcus tapped his shoulders.
“I will make sure that their sacrifices on the battlefield wouldn’t be in vain.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty. This young one is honored by your benevolence and magnanimity.”, Zachariel replied.
Emperor Marcus nodded and left.
On his way out, his temperament changed.
He leaned over the burly general and whispered.
“Is the plan ready?”
The burly man nodded.
Astrid wondered what orders did the two meant by the plan is ready.
Emperor Marcus was satisfied.
“Carry it out. Make sure no one notices.”
After saying that, Emperor Marcus turned around and returned to the Great Hall, exchanging greetings and formalities with the nobles.
He didn’t notice Astrid hearing his final words.
`Plan? What is His Imperial Majesty going to do today?`, she was alerted.
Zachariel’s cold eyes stared at the figure of Emperor Marcus.
`You think I didn’t overhear your words just now, Your Imperial Majesty?`
All of his senses were improving at an unimaginable rate that he could control how far he could hear, and distinguish the voices and words of every individual in his vicinity.
`It was worth it to ignore Sabrina like that earlier. I wonder what this emperor is going to do today.`
He didn’t want the innocent girl to be implicated in his problems.
In any case, Zachariel wouldn’t blame Leonardo for abandoning him. The old man didn’t have the responsibility to do so.
Moreover, he has his household to look out for as well.
Someone suddenly tapped Zachariel’s back.
“Hey brat, why are you sulking alone in the corners? This is a time to be happy. Don’t be acting like some emo right now!”
It was Edward.
He was dressed similar to Zachariel, except that his tux was colored red.
“Senior Edward. Are you not worried about senior Cody?”
“Why should I worry about him? He can take care of himself.”, Edward snorted.
Deep inside, he was really worried and frustrated over what happened to Cody’s Household, however.
“Anyway, stop acting like you’re lonely in this world, brat. Come with me, let’s join with the others.”, Edward gestured.
He led Zachariel to the group of Prospects gathered around the other side of the Great Hall.
“Hey, everyone. How’s it, huh? Did you miss your senior daddy?”, Edward gloriously proclaimed as he made his way to them.
The rest ignored him and greeted Zachariel instead.
“Oh, Zachariel. Glad you’re here.”, Rainald took the first step.
“Senior Rainald.”, Zachariel bowed.
“Oh, who are they, senior?”, he noticed other Prospects whom he didn’t know.
“That busty young girl is Scarlet Amber. She’s a blacksmith and a freshman like you. Alongside her is Jean Anders. He’s from the Great Historic School, and also a freshman.”, Rainald introduced.
Zachariel noticed Jean’s aura.
`That Jean, he gives off the same vibes like that elden I fought before.`
“Hello there, Zachariel!”, Scarlet excitedly introduced herself. This made her boobs bounce around.
Jean was nervous in seeing Zachariel up-close. After all, he was the only person whom his golden eyes couldn’t properly observe.
He extended his hand. Zachariel grabbed it and they shook hands together.
Rainald was satisfied with this friendly exchange between his juniors.
“Those four are your other seniors. That gloomy guy is Rudy Willis, that muscular girl is Zara Gibson. That innocent-looking girl is senior Yasmin Dixon, and the last fierce-looking bearded guy is Gale Todd.”
Zachariel nodded, acknowledging their identities.
The other four, however, were stuck in their worlds. Arguing and shouting against each other’s faces.
The freshmen’s lips twitched in disbelief.
“So, how’s the party, Zachariel?”, Rainald changed the topic.
“It’s fine, senior. Though I hope I wasn’t invited and trained instead.”, Zachariel remarked.
Rainald chuckled, “You’re really the hard-working type, eh? Ease up, Zachariel. It’s not good if you keep on training all-day.”, he advised.
“Senior, why do you still treat me like I’m a Prospect?”, Zachariel asked.
“I’m not treating you as a Prospect, Zachariel. I’m treating you as my junior, and a friend.”, Rainald replied.
His words enlightened Zachariel.
`As a friend, huh?`
Scarlet jumped at him and offered, “Zachariel, I see that your polearm is good for you but you’re having problems when swinging it around. How about I modify it for you for free, huh?”
She clasped her hands and put on her watery eyes, pleading to Zachariel in accepting her offer.
Jean panicked, `Oh no, that girl’s on her mischievous self!`
“Sure, why not?”, Zachariel agreed without hesitation.
“Yes! Thank you, Zachariel!”, she hugged him.
Jean cursed himself for being too slow.
`Damn the Elders! I hope Zachariel’s weapon would survive!`
Meanwhile, Scarlet’s bust was pushing closely on Zachariel’s chest.
This gathered the attention of Edgar and Zito, signaling each other of a drama about to ensue.
Everyone knew of Victoria’s feelings for Zachariel. The girl would unconsciously whisper his name at times during practice.
The two boys nudged the innocent Rainald who was having a good time with Cassia.
This series of actions caught the attention of the rest of the Prospects.
`Oh, that brat is something.`, Edward remarked, raising his eyebrows in reverence.
Although he was handsome and talented, he wasn’t like Zachariel during his first year.
“Just give it to me tomorrow! I’ll wait for you at the entrance of the Great Ancillary School in the morning, okay?”
Zachariel nodded.
Her words brought a misunderstanding to the minds of the Prospects. After all, they didn’t hear what the two talked about earlier.
`Gi-give it to her? What is Zachariel going to give to that busty chick?`, Zito choked in disbelief.
“Hey, they’re not going to have sex, are they?”, he ‘whispered’ to Edgar, though his voice ‘accidentally’ reached the ears of the rest of the Prospects.
Edgar’s eyelids twitched.
`Isn’t this a bit too early?`
Victoria sent a cold gaze on Scarlet after hearing Zito’s words. The busty girl shivered in fear.
Jean noticed this and was left dumbstruck.
`Is this a sign of jealousy?`, he thought.
Victoria approached them, “Zachariel, how are you?”
“Victoria, I’m fine.”
“Oh really? It looks like you could use some help…”, she slowly turned her gaze on Scarlet.
Scarlet realized that the cold gaze was coming from Victoria. She tilted her head and thought of many reasons why.
“Victoria, are you jealous?”, she asked with hesitance.
Victoria didn’t expect that Scarlet could see through her, “What? No…”
`That busty girl! She’s audaciously challenging Victoria in public!`, Zito and Edgar thought at the same time.
Edward face-palmed and was about to settle the situation when he heard Scarlet’s next words.
Scarlet grinned. She knew one was jealous when she sees one.
“I know you’re jealous.”, shouldering Victoria with her left arm.
Victoria sweated.
If Zachariel knows of her feelings, she might go crazy in the scene.
“You want me to modify your weapon too, don’t you?”
