Emperor's Reckoning

With blood escaping from one edge of his lips, Faust glared at the man who shamelessly trapped him with a disgusting sin he didn't commit. He was the little brother of the former ace champion but now he was viewed with ridicule in the spectators' eyes. His blood slowly boiled each time he saw someone covering their nose. However, before he managed to channel his anger, the bald overseer attracted the crowd's focus with a single clap of his hand.

"Alright, alright, let's start for real this time. I'm warning you though, just because I'm a beastmaster does not mean that I lack hand-to-hand combat and the like."

The members on each team furrowed their eyebrows before one of them suddenly had their pupils shrunken as the man suddenly leaped toward him before stopping with a smile.

"Impossible! How did you suddenly-"

"Hahaha, one down."

Van lightly hit the chest before sending him out of the arena. The crowd was instantly stunned before they roared in excitement. It was not an everyday occasion that one would see a master in action albeit it was less than five seconds.

The inexperienced participants instantly tensed up after seeing the result of the overseer's action. Like a prey eyeing its hunter, they didn't let any of his movement escaped their eyes since they couldn't outrun him. The only best thing they could do now was to stall and regroup.

"Very good!"

The shout was coming from the principals' seats. He stood up with his hands applauding as his perfect set of teeth reflect the shining sun.

Luna already had black lines over her head with the rest of the team. The man in question was no doubt the worst of the five principals, Argeon from Nostria's Academy.

The other four principals showed various emotions on their faces but dare not to say it. Some of them thought that this was a shameless act to curry favor one of the overseers, but then again the fact that the team who won the first round was his, made this more complicated than it should.

"Hmm? Principal Argeon, please don't disturb the second round by your intend to fawn," said Old Dan with a smirk on his face. After seeing his future-in-law being humiliated by his ace, his hidden anger need to be quenched in some way.

Argeon squinted his eyes before giving a polite bow toward him. Though his intention was misinterpreted he had no choice but to take it in, for now, since whatever he said would be against his favor.

(Ugh, my friend, you chose the wrong time to praise me) thought Van as he shook his head.

He knew how sly that old man was. A bit of history was unveiled to him about Dan's past in one of his adventures and how he raised to a power that he currently in.

(Hahaha, look at how powerless you are! Soon the granddaughter of mine will marry Faust and once again, a rise in my status will leap me to a more vast resource! However, the ultimate prize is still) Old Dan glance at the woman beside him who sat and enjoyed the show nonchalantly.

He opened his arm as he said, "Please, Van, continue the-"

"And, one down."

Van felt a gentle yet powerful force behind him before his vision got closer and closer to the wall in front of him. "Eh?"

The crash was inevitable and the sound was loud and clear before absolute silence followed. Every word was stuck on the crowd's throat, even the two overseers had their mouths agape.

One young man stood proudly despite the disbelieving eyes upon him and the broken wall. The smirk over his face proved his haughtiness and arrogance yet it also proved his bravery and cunningness. A smile that was impossible to hate and only draw more support from others around him.

"I-impossible... he...he did it again."

"He won again, they won again!"

"An underdog? No at this point in, they are the favorite! At least my favorite!"

The crowd started to chant 'Nostria' one by one before half the crowd sang its name. Smiles and hopes were basking the rest of the students as they follow suit. This was why they were here in the first place. To prove that they were more than something, they were a strong competitor and deserve the same respect as the others.

The young man suddenly put out a piece sign with a grin on his face toward Old Dan.

"Thanks, can't do it without you hahaha!"

"Ngh!"

His blood immediately rose before the handle on his chair broke by the loose control of his power. His vein almost popped as he gritted his teeth. It was too much for even the experienced Old Dan to hold his emotion as it was clearly painted on his face.

(How dare you! How dare you use me against.. ME!).

"Blasphemous!" shouted Old Dan before he continued, "That win is to be annulled! That act of shamelessness is not fit for this competition!"

Luna shook her head as the irony deluded that old man's wrinkled eyes. A hint of the might of white tiger encompassed her before her heart became calm and fearless despite the surging aura from Old Dan.

"That's a little unfair overseer, he won it fair and square."

Luna was surprised since the word didn't come from her mouth but rather the man whose responsibility was always questionable.

"What is the meaning of this principle Argeon?! Are you doubting my judgment?" asked Old Dan deeply before he swiftly put pressure on his presence.

"Yes, principal Argeon, are you sure you have better judgment than the overseer?"

(Khafai, you! Of course, I should know better, there is no other person than you to back him up!).

"Are you sure we are going to discuss the act of shamelessness?"

With his hands already crossed, he nonchalantly faced the old overseer with a smirk.

"Oooh! Big brother got that look on his face!"