Emperor's Reckoning



Old Gu's presence commanded respect and attention, and as he stepped onto the stage, the crowd fell into a hushed silence. His long, flowing robes billowed slightly in the breeze, lending an air of majesty to his figure. His eyes, sharp and perceptive, scanned the sea of onlookers, acknowledging their presence with a nod of his head.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed cultivators, and honored guests," Old Gu's voice carried with it a sense of authority and wisdom. "Today, we have gathered to witness the exceptional talents of our young masters. The battles you have witnessed so far are a testament to their dedication and training."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the audience, and many nodded in acknowledgment of the young masters' prowess.

Old Gu continued, "But the main event is yet to come. We are about to witness the culmination of years of hard work, determination, and camaraderie among these talented individuals. They have honed their skills and forged unbreakable bonds, and today, they will showcase the true extent of their power."

The crowd's excitement grew, and all eyes were fixed on the young masters who stood ready on the stage, their determination clear in their expressions.

"Before we begin, I must remind you all to appreciate the battles with respect and admiration for the effort each cultivator has put forth," Old Gu's voice rang with authority, ensuring that the audience would uphold the decorum befitting such an important occasion.

"As you watch these battles unfold, remember that the spirit of competition is not merely about triumph or defeat. It is about pushing oneself to reach greater heights, to discover the untapped potential within," Old Gu's words held a touch of inspiration, igniting a flame of ambition in the hearts of the spectators.

However, as Old Gu spoke about the essence of battles and the meaning behind them, Lyon's patience seemed to wear thin. He couldn't bear the formality and flowery language any longer. With a sudden burst of emotion, Lyon's voice cut through the air like a thunderclap.

"Don't bullshit me with that halo of words you just used, old man!" Lyon's sharp words rang out, drawing everyone's attention towards him. Standing up from his seat, he crossed his arms, his piercing gaze fixed on the principal. In that moment, he exuded a raw and commanding presence that demanded respect.

The crowd fell into an uneasy silence, taken aback by Lyon's boldness. The young masters were surprised, but they also understood that this was the same man who had dealt with Drogan, a notorious bandit leader. They couldn't help but admire his fearlessness, knowing he had the strength to back up his words.

Old Gu, however, remained unfazed by Lyon's outburst. Instead of reacting with anger or frustration, he simply regarded Lyon with a calm and knowing expression. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes as if he saw something deeper within Lyon's reaction.

"Lyon," Old Gu addressed him with a composed tone, "Your passion and determination have always been a driving force in your journey. I understand your desire for straightforwardness."

"Culmination of years of hard work, determination, and camaraderie... where did those words go as you let Rayus swallow the bitterness of the world with his broken meridian? Did you seek justice? No, you old fucker, you let Ferece roam freely!"

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd as Lyon's voice boomed across the stage. He spoke of Ferece, the former teacher who had been responsible for the near-death experience of Class Six, the very class that Lyon now taught, and the three students under his wing. The young masters, along with the rest of the audience, listened intently as Lyon called out Old Gu for letting Ferece escape with minimal consequences.

The murmurs grew louder, and uneasy glances were exchanged among the spectators. It was no secret that Class Six had faced significant challenges and difficulties under Ferece's guidance. The revelation of Old Gu's leniency towards the disgraced teacher and the injury of one of his own students stirred controversy within the crowd.

In the midst of the charged atmosphere, Esmeralda, the young mistress of the Ouroboros Clan, turned her attention from the stage to the three students. She observed the turmoil written across their faces and sensed the burden that now weighed heavily on their young shoulders.

Mavis, ever the energetic and eager young master, leaned forward, his curiosity piqued by the unfolding drama. He exchanged glances with Azleid and Ning, who also seemed intrigued by the confrontation.

Yuri, on the other hand, maintained his composed demeanor, but his eyes flickered with a mix of admiration and concern as he watched Lyon's audacious challenge to the school's authority.

Lyon's voice cut through the tense silence, his words laced with determination and righteous anger. "I don't care about your excuses, Old Gu. You let Ferece walk free after all the harm he caused, and you turned a blind eye to the suffering of your own students! That's not leadership—that's cowardice!"

Old Gu's expression remained stoic, but a flicker of unease crossed his eyes. "You speak boldly, Lyon, but you don't understand the complexities of running a school like this. Sacrifices must be made for the greater good."

"Greater good?" Lyon scoffed. "What greater good could justify leaving students to suffer and a corrupt teacher to roam freely? Is that the legacy you want for Nirvana School?"

Esmeralda, who had been observing the exchange keenly, finally chimed in with a sly smile. "Oh, but Lyon, perhaps there's more to the story that you don't know. Secrets and hidden agendas have a way of shaping destinies."

Lyon's eyes narrowed, but he didn't back down. "I don't care about secrets or agendas."

Old Gu's voice took on a tone of paternal concern. "Lyon, I understand your passion, but you must also understand the delicate balance we must maintain here. It's not as simple as you think."

"I've seen enough to know that it's not right," Lyon retorted. "But I won't let you use your authority to protect the wrong people anymore."

Ning couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. "Stop arguing, both of you! This is about more than just your personal grievances. It's about the reputation of Nirvana School and the faith the students put in it. We deserve better than this."

The crowd hushed, feeling the weight of Ning's words. Even Old Gu seemed taken aback by the young mistress' assertiveness.

Noah, Rayus, and Reinhard's faces darkened as Lyon's words stirred memories. They recalled the chilling moment when they had faced Ferece, the disgraced former teacher, on the brink of his execution.

"Tch!" Rayus clicked his tongue.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Rayus decided to take matters into his own hands. With a swift motion, he launched something toward the center of the stage, capturing the attention of everyone present. The object landed with a thud and rolled a few times before revealing its true nature. To the shock of the crowd, including Lyon, it turned out to be the severed head of Ferece, their corrupt and once-powerful teacher.

As Rayus's throw came to a halt, the expressions of the other teachers who had returned to their designated seats revealed a mix of shock, astonishment, and even a hint of approval. Their eyes widened, and some of them involuntarily gasped as they saw the severed head of Ferece lying before them.

Cini, the female teacher, covered her mouth in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. She was not expecting such a dramatic revelation at the graduation event. Rokh, the male teacher, clenched his fists, seemingly torn between outrage and admiration for his students' boldness. Marak, another male teacher, raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the audacity of the three 

Vina, the other female teacher, shook her head slightly, as if in disbelief at the sight before her. Han mumbled, "Impossible..."

Gasps echoed through the courtyard as the sight sent waves of disbelief and surprise among the spectators. Even Lyon, who had seen his fair share of battles and surprises, raised his eyebrows at the unexpected turn of events before allowing a sly smirk to creep onto his face. It was evident that the three students were making a powerful statement, expressing their discontent with Old Gu's handling of the situation.

Lyon's eyes met those of his students, and a small smile played on his lips. "Impressive," he said, his voice carrying a mixture of admiration and amusement. "I didn't expect to see such a bold move today, but I must say, you've certainly made a statement."

Mavis couldn't help but chuckle as he saw the fearless spirit of Lyon's students on full display. He was amused to see that they had inherited his trait of daring to defy. He had expected that Lyon would do Class Six good, but never to this extent.

The head of Ferece lay as a stark reminder of the darkness that had plagued the school, a testament to the past that the three students were determined to leave behind.