Emperor's Reckoning

The headmaster's feet reached the ground before he looked at the crowd with a gentle smile on his face.

"I must have made quite a scene here, sorry, but please disperse," said the headmaster with a smile.

"E-Eh?" The alchemists were stupefied by his words. They clearly saw how that young man held him up against the bookshelves. It was blatant offense as far as they were concerned.

"C'mon then," the headmaster smiled.

The alchemists begrudgingly turned around with confused looks except for Renduval and Hilde. Chatters were heard among them as they left the second floor.

"Hah~ safe~" Hilde let out a sigh as she closed her eyes. A disaster didn't erupt as she thought it would be. Lyon was still a wild card, an untameable beast that could turn one's fate with a flip of his rage. Alchemy Union was something that they couldn't offend so casually.

"Ah, your name," the headmaster pointed out at Renduval, "Renduval, yes?"

"Y-Yes! My name is Renduval, is an honor to meet you, headmaster," Renduval bowed immediately.

"Hehe, please drop the pleasantries," the headmaster chuckled before he averted his gaze toward the young woman that was standing by him. "And you are?"

"Oh? My name is Hilde, I'm the princess of the Bolg Kingdom," Hilde nodded with a smile. "It's good seeing you well, headmaster."

"Oh, the Bolg Kingdom, ah, it's been such a long time since I came to visit there, I hope the delicacy is still the same as I was young," the headmaster chuckled.

"Absolutely, we would be honored to welcome you there," she nodded.

"Then," the headmaster turned around. "Hmm?"

Lyon was sorting the book he had dropped back toward the bookshelves they were in. His face was neither smiling nor aggravated. He was calm like an untouched lake in the rain. However, his eyes were clearly a bit vacant.

"There is no need for you to do that, my dear friend," said the headmaster with a smile.

"This is not for you," said Lyon without even taking a glance at him. "This is for me."

"Oh? Intriguing," the headmaster chuckled.

"Ah! This young man over here is called Lyon Torga, he is the winner of the tournament in First Heaven," Renduval immediately added.

"Oh, I know," the headmaster nodded. "That rookie tournament right? I can see that for he or you, didn't wear your alchemist cloak."

"However, I must say, I do indeed intrigued by your wild demeanor, young friend," the headmaster smiled before he added, "But before that, I need to once again apologize for my error. If only I didn't let my door open, you wouldn't have to endure that hallucination."

Lyon put the last book inside the bookshelves before letting out a sigh. "It's an honest mistake I guess, forget it."

The headmaster smiled, "Well, thank you for your forgiveness."

"Oh no, don't misunderstand, I didn't forgive you," said Lyon as he crossed his arms and smirked at the headmaster.

Hilde and Renduval opened their eyes wide. They couldn't believe someone would dare to talk back against such a high-esteemed person. He was the headmaster of the Alchemy Union, not even the elders knew how wide his network was.

"Oh?" the headmaster raised his brows.

"L-Lyon!" Hilde called out with a wry smile. Nevertheless, the young man didn't bat an eye.

Lyon shook his head, "I'm in need of something that you might be able to help me with."

(T-This guy!) shouted Renduval inwardly. He couldn't believe that Lyon would have the audacity to ask for a favor at this time.

"What would that be?" the headmaster smiled.

"I need to strengthen my soul," said Lyon.

"Your... soul?" the headmaster creased his forehead. "That's an odd request."

"It doesn't matter if it's odd or not, right?" Lyon laughed. "I have my own reason to do it."

The headmaster nodded. "Indeed, you have your own reason, but in what way can I help you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Lyon.

"To cultivate your own soul, you must do it by your own," the headmaster smiled wryly. "Anything that I may add, may or may not hinder your own growth."

Lyon smiled. "Don't you have a pill to make my soul burn more than ever? Make it cutproof."

"Making the soul cutproof?" the headmaster frowned. "I don't think I ever meet a blade that could cut souls directly."

"Then you simply haven't met one," Lyon shook his head with a smile.

"Indeed, the world is vast and the origin of it has yet to be uncovered. I may need to step outside a little bit more," the headmaster chuckled. "Oh, where are my manners, this discussion shouldn't be discussed in an open place like this, come, my room is just right over there."

(An invitation?!) thought Renduval as he couldn't believe his words.

"I'm not sure if I want to go inside an old man's room alone," said Lyon as he scoffed.

"Oh? Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything that would dishearten both of us," the headmaster chuckled. "You are a pretty careful young man despite the hidden fire in your deep endless eyes, I've seen people, but you, you are indeed amongst the powerful."

"I-Is that true?" Renduval blurted out his mind.

"Indeed," the headmaster nodded. "This young man is not ordinary if not extraordinary, come, you have nothing to fear, young friend."

Lyon snorted with a smile before he said, "Lead the way."

"Absolutely, haha!" the headmaster laughed before he walked in front of Lyon and led him to his room.

"What just happened?" Hilde smiled wryly. "The last time I was here, I don't even get to see his face in person. Now, he just invited him over."

"Who is he?" asked Renduval. "The more I spend time watching him over, the more enigmatic he becomes."

"You and me both," Hilde shrugged her shoulder. "However, he is confident enough to enter the headmaster's office, or room he said, that's because of those three lying around on the first floor."