Emperor's Reckoning



( I can't sense her at all, even when she is standing right in front of me, amazing ) thought Rayus as his eyes didn't belie his true emotion. He could reach her with his hands and touch her with her finger, however, cultivation-wise, he couldn't sense her at all like a ghost.

"Hmm?" Kesya tilted her head whilst raising her brows in full turn curiosity. "I'm asking you guys a question here."

"Ah," the three students snapped back into reality.

"Y-Yes, Teacher Lyon wielded this javelin as he fought against Drogan," said Noah as his cheeks showed signs of embarrassment.

"Drogan?" Kesya tried to recall the name. "Sounds familiar, but I can't remember that name, now where do I have heard that name before..."

"Err... Drogan is a bad guy," said Reinhard with his best effort.

"Oh? Oh... I think I remember, there is this one guy that we tortured back and forth, he was first threatening with this Drogan will do this, Drogan will do that, but it quickly changed to pleading," Kesya chuckled. "I think his name was Niamh or something, but he got away though, being summoned by this Drogan guy, I presume, but mind you, I was ready to delete him right there and then as he turned into a ball of red."

The revelation of Niamh's torture by Kesya sent a shiver down the spine of the three students. They had known Niamh to be a formidable enemy, one who had served under Drogan and posed a significant threat. However, seeing him now, weakened and tormented, raised questions about the true power dynamics in their world, the Mortal World.

"Niamh is dead," said Rayus.

"Oh?" Kesya crossed her arms as she leaned back a bit. A shock was clearly written on her face. "Are you sure that he is dead?"

"Pretty sure, we looked at the corpse, and presumably, he died from this very javelin," said Rayus as he held it right up. "Teacher must have killed him."

"Oh?!" Kesya raised her brows. "I just remembered, he did get an offer a job before Empress Selena took him away toward Second Heaven, yeah, it was a job to become a teacher, oh my! So you're his students?! You have no idea how lucky you are!" said Kesya as she proudly laughed.

"Yes but..." Noah had his head hung down and solemness washed his face. 

"What's wrong?" Kesya frowned. 

"Our teacher went missing," said Rayus.

Kesya's demeanor shifted drastically as she heard about Lyon's disappearance. Her voice, once filled with playful jest and confidence turned cold and rigid. The jovial expression she wore moments ago dissolved into a mask of seriousness, and her eyes gleamed with a mix of concern and determination.

"What...?"

The three students' souls immediately shook. Death accompanied them simultaneously, grabbing their shoulders and laughed at straight to their ears.

"Y-Yeah, after the huge fight with Drogan, he went missing, Madam Selena also went missing," said Reinhard.

Kesya's demeanor shifted once more, her previous concern replaced by a bright smile that seemed to light up the area around her. "Ah, don't worry too much!" she exclaimed, her voice back to its cheerful tone. "Knowing him and Empress, they're probably off on some thrilling adventure together," her tongue licked over her bottom lips, "So thrilling I bet..."

Her words brought a mix of relief and confusion to the three students. They couldn't help but wonder if Kesya's nonchalant attitude was merely a facade to hide her worry for their missing teacher and his wife.

"Older Sister, are you sure you're not concerned about them?" Noah asked cautiously.

"Well, she is a swordmaster at her own level I think she can manage a four-month-ish session," said Kesya as she pondered. "Yeah, she should be fine."

The three students were confused at first before their faces turned together. They looked at each other, realizing together what Kesya meant by her words.

Kesya sighed as she sat down on a nearby vacant chair, "When will the tournament begin? It's so boring watching an empty stage."

The three students immediately sat beside her with Rayus being directly by her side. He asked, "Older Sister, are you here from the Mortal World?"

"Hm? Of course," said Kesya.

"Are you here alone?" asked Noah.

"No, the others are enjoying the festive outside, food and stuff," said Kesya. "Ah, how boring, I thought I would meet him here, but he's not here yet."

( The others? ) thought the three students as silhouettes of the other two monsters that Lyon taught in Mortal World emerged inside their imaginations. The gangs here.

"Honestly, it's amazing that Big Sister Cecile could predict that he won't be here, is that a wife's intuition?" said Kesya, "I swear to ancient gods, if she were to be reborn a second time, she definitely should be a seer instead."

Kesya's smile faltered, and her cheerful demeanor gave way to a more serious expression as she realized her slip of the tongue. She glanced at the three students, her eyes filled with a mix of regret and concern.

"R-Reborn, w-what a weird thing to say, there is no way that kind of thing existed right? RIGHT? Hahaha... shit," said Kesya as her eye twitched.

Though the reborn part was a sensitive matter, the three of them had their attention on the mention of a lady's name. Cecile, the one name that they heard from mentions Lyon and Selena's lips. Their anticipation burgeoned, they wondered after realizing how Selena was a masterful craft with her sword— far beyond the realm of a master —to this lady that they had not seen yet.

The crowd hushed as a gentle melody filled the air, drawing their attention to the entrance of the courtyard. A young woman stepped forward, her visage as alluring as the ethereal notes she played. Her face bore an enigmatic charm, adorned with captivating violet eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of a thousand stars. Strands of lustrous silver hair cascaded gracefully down her shoulders, framing her enchanting countenance.

As she continued to play, the soft folds of her indigo robe swayed with each motion, accentuating her elegant figure. Graceful and poised, she exuded an aura of refinement that captivated the hearts of those who laid eyes on her.

In her hands, she held an instrument as unique as she was – a musical masterpiece known as the Harmonia Heartwood, carved from the heartwood of the ancient song wood tree. Its design was exquisite, its form resembling that of a feathered bird, and its strings seemed to hum with an otherworldly resonance.

Her melody gradually transitioned, and the crowd found themselves swaying along to the rhythm, their emotions dancing like marionettes to her tune. It was as if she could reach into their souls and pluck the chords of their deepest desires and fears.

Kesya felt a strange sense of familiarity as she watched Lyra perform. She became melancholic as there was something about the song that stirred memories of a figure from Kesya's past – a figure lost within time, just like the elusive lady that ruled an empire beside Lyon, Selena, and Cecile. However, Kesya pushed the thought aside, knowing that the chances of Lyra being connected to that incredible figure were nil.

Finally, the music came to a gentle conclusion, and the young woman lowered the Harmonia Heartwood with a serene smile. Her presence alone was enough to infuse the atmosphere with an aura of serenity and allure. She was Lyra, the songbird of the Harmonia Clan.

All young masters stood up with the other cultivators of the courtyard, but Kesya and Esmeralda were aloof in their seats.

"Truly magnificent," Azleid stood up and applaud her performance.

Lyra smiled and nodded.

"Oh, Lyra... I don't bring any money, today, no way that's performance is free right? I was captivated," said Mavis as he grinned.

"Your jest is always soothing," said Lyra, "However, don't worry, this time is free."

( This time eh... ) Mavis had her brows twitching.

"Wonderfully done, Lyra," said Ning as she smiled behind her applause. "I think you have just reached a deeper mastery."

"Thank you for your kind words," said Lyra before her eyes hovered over to the enigmatic Esmeralda who remained seated.

The two exchanged glances but Esmeralda still give credit when it was due. The latter nodded and applauded, "I can't play a sound with that feather, but I can use it as a base of poison if you want."

Lyra smiled, "No." she proceeded to sit right beside Esmeralda as if she was not aware of her poisonous skill.

The atmosphere in the courtyard buzzed with anticipation as the five young masters finally gathered. Their distinct personalities and unique abilities were evident in the air, creating an aura of excitement and tension. Each young master exuded a presence that demanded respect, and their reputations preceded them. However, one more seat was bound to be filled.

Mavis looked at the empty seat left before he sighed inwardly. ( I wonder if Yuri will show up or not ).