Emperor's Reckoning



Mavis, the young master from the Sky Clan, cast a keen gaze across the sea of faces gathered in the courtyard. As his eyes roamed, they landed on the empty seat that had been reserved for Lyon, their esteemed teacher. A furrow formed between Mavis' brows as he realized Lyon's absence from his designated place.

He couldn't help but wonder about Lyon's absence. Had Lyon encountered unexpected circumstances? Was he embroiled in another battle that demanded his attention? The questions lingered in Mavis' mind, leaving a void in the otherwise vibrant atmosphere of the event.

Thoughts raced through his mind as he weighed the possibilities. Lyon's penchant for arriving late was well-known, at least to his knowledge. The more significant the occasion, the higher the likelihood that Lyon would make a dramatic entrance.

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Mavis' lips as he recalled the countless instances when Lyon had materialized at the eleventh hour, effortlessly stealing the spotlight with his presence. Lyon possessed an uncanny ability to command attention, to make an entrance that left an indelible mark on those who witnessed it.

But this was no ordinary occasion. It marked the culmination of years of hard work, training, and personal growth. Lyon's absence on such a momentous day felt peculiar, leaving Mavis torn between his expectation of a grand entrance and a niggling sense of concern.

"Hmm..."

The three young masters immediately looked up in the same direction above the stage.

As the crowd eagerly awaited the arrival of the next young master, a hushed silence fell over the courtyard. Suddenly, a figure emerged, striding confidently into view. Gasps of surprise rippled through the onlookers as they laid eyes upon her.

Her face, concealed partially by the veil of her obsidian tresses, held an air of mystique. The gentle curve of her brows hinted at a mind sharp as the fangs of a venomous serpent, while her emerald green almond-shaped eyes, shimmering with a glint of secrets untold, seemed to hold the depths of a dark abyss. Long lashes, like delicate tendrils, brushed against her flawless, porcelain skin, framing eyes that held a hypnotic intensity.

Her nose, slender and perfectly sculpted, lent an air of regality to her countenance, while her lips, painted a deep shade of crimson, carried an enigmatic smile that danced between allure and danger. With every breath she took, the soft rise and fall of her cheeks hinted at the grace and composure that lay beneath her alluring facade.

Her figure possessed a tantalizing grace that demanded attention. Standing at a moderate height, she exuded an aura of poise and confidence, as if she were born to command the space she occupied. Her slender yet well-defined frame showcased a balance of strength and femininity, with every movement she made exuding a sense of controlled elegance.

As she stood before the crowd, a vision of elegance and allure, it was clear that she was not just a woman of captivating beauty, but a force to be reckoned with—a predator in the guise of a seductress. Her figure spoke volumes of her skill and determination, a deadly dance of seduction and deadly precision.

Then it was her hands that held their attention, for within them, she wielded a pair of gleaming metallic circles. At first glance, they appeared to be ordinary chakrams, their edges sharp and glinting, however...

With a flick of her wrists, the chakram seemed to come alive, twisting and contorting in her grasp. The metal shifted and coiled, taking on the shape of two sinuous snakes. The crowd watched in astonishment as the serpentine forms slithered and slinked, encircling her arms.

Only as she completed her mesmerizing display did a name finally ripple through the crowd. It was the name that would forever be associated with her lethal prowess, the bright master of poison and mesmerizing presence—Esmeralda of the Ouroboros Clan, the mistress of the Serpentine.

Esmeralda approached the other three young masters with a confident stride, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. She extended her hand to each of them in turn however, none of them dared to touch her hand despite looking so innocent.

"Ah, the illustrious young masters of Teardrop, Red Lotus, and Sky Clan," she said, her voice dripping with a hint of amusement. "It seems fate has brought us together on this auspicious day. Allow me to introduce myself, though I'm sure you've heard whispers of the serpent in the shadows."

She paused for a moment, letting the weight of her words sink in before continuing. "I am Esmeralda, the venomous vixen of the Ouroboros Clan. Known for our mastery of poisons and our cunning nature, we bring a touch of darkness to the realm of cultivation. But fear not, my esteemed counterparts, for I do love a good game, and I assure you that our interactions will be nothing short of entertaining."

"I'm quite surprised that you are out of your famed cave, Miss Esmeralda," said Ning as she maintained her composure and elegance despite the contrast inward.

"I will have to entertain the Second Heaven with my presence, otherwise, with my poison," Esmeralda grinned wickedly before she pulled her tone light, "But we don't want the latter now, would we?"

"Hahaha, I hope that's a joke," said Mavis.

"Mavis... you're always the most mischievous of all of us, but you never play with me, I'm sad," Esmeralda feigned her innocence.

"Heh, there is a difference between playing and killing yourself," muttered Mavis.

"Azleid," Esmeralda raised one of her brows with a tease. "Stop being so wisdom-like, it helps your stiff shoulders."

"I don't have stiff shoulders," Azleid smiled but Esmeralda already walked away and took the farthest seat from the three of them.

Esmeralda's gaze shifted to the crowd seated behind her, her piercing eyes scanning the faces with a hint of warning. A sly smirk curled on her lips as she leaned back in her chair, her voice laced with a tinge of darkness. "You'd better keep your distance, for one wrong step and you might find yourselves gasping for your last breath," she declared, her words carrying an unsettling undertone. As if to emphasize her point, the snakes coiled around her chakrams hissed menacingly, their sinuous forms writhing in a mesmerizing display. The sight of the serpentine companions sent a shiver through the onlookers, reminding them of the danger that lurked within her presence.

As she settled into her chair, her face immediately transformed into an expression of boredom, contrasting with the vibrant and jubilant atmosphere of the festivities. Her features remained calm and composed, but her eyes betrayed a glimmer of disinterest as if the grandeur of the event failed to captivate her attention. She seemed to be lost in her own world, disconnected from the surrounding merriment and the conversations happening around her. Her aloofness and indifference created an aura of mystery, leaving others curious about the thoughts and motivations hidden beneath her stoic facade.

Mavis, noticing Esmeralda's evident boredom, couldn't resist the opportunity to tease her. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he leaned towards her and playfully remarked, "You seem quite bored, Esmeralda. But fear not! Someone interesting might make an appearance later. You'll just have to exercise a bit of patience." He couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, knowing full well the effect his words would have on her. 

Ning and Azleid exchanged intrigued glances, their curiosity piqued by Mavis' teasing remark.

Esmeralda's eyes narrowed playfully as she responded to Mavis with a hint of sarcasm. "Oh, Mavis, you always have such grand tales to tell. Perhaps you're right, and someone truly interesting will make an appearance. But forgive me if I don't hold my breath in anticipation," she said, her voice laced with amusement. She glanced around at the other young masters, her gaze lingering on each of them before returning to Mavis. "Let's see if your words bear any fruit, shall we? I'm not one to be easily impressed, after all." Her playful smirk spoke volumes, conveying a sense of confidence and a touch of mischief.

As the three students were engrossed in observing the interactions between the young masters, they were caught off guard by a sudden presence behind them. A mischievous voice accompanied by a slight nose twitch made them turn around to see a beautiful woman that had the top half of her hair blonde but the other half black. Her eyes mesmerizing blue just like the elves had.

"Hmm, it seems you have something quite interesting hidden beneath that cloth, something my master used to hold and throw," Kesya remarked, her tone playful yet filled with curiosity.

( Master... she said master, didn't she?! ) The three's mind raced back to the words Lyon had once spoken, describing his powerful students who possessed incredible skills in the Mortal World.

Kesya's connection to Lyon now became clear, and the three of them couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation and reverence in her presence.