Even though Emery only knew the man for a few weeks during his second year in the Magus Academy, the man had quickly cemented himself in his life and became a very important figure for him and his friends.
"Emery! What an unexpected surprise!"
The man was so happy that the next thing he did after breaking the hug was to start talking to his invisible friend.
"Look who's here, Ekindu! It's our boy, Emery!"
Seeing how excited and friendly their commander was, it confirmed that Emery was not a threat, therefore all the people standing in the hangar quickly dispersed, leaving only those who had actual business in this place.
One other figure remained standing still. It was the female magus, who Emery immediately recalled where he had met her after seeing Lord Izta. She's one of Lord Izta's wifes, the one called Rosia.
After bantering with the always invisible Enkidu, Lord Izta turned his attention to Emery again and scanned him from top to bottom. A cheeky smile appeared on his face after he did the inspection.
"You have definitely improved a lot since the last time I saw you. That aside, now tell me why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the academy at this time?"
Emery quickly introduced Annara, who was still shocked by what she had just seen. She couldn't believe there was such a coincidence in the world. Fortunately, her thoughts quickly returned to her and the two then began to explain their situation.
"So will you let us go, Senior? We really need to get back to the academy as soon as possible," the red-haired girl said, anxiety showing on her face.
"Let you go? No, absolutely not! I absolutely cannot allow that!" Annara's facial expression turned pale, when she heard Lord Izta's words, but it quickly changed when she heard his next words. "I haven't seen my junior in such a long time! How could I let him off so quickly?!"
After saying that, Lord Izta patted Emery's shoulders and told the two of them to follow him.
As the two were led through the battleship by its commander himself, Emery saw that the interior of the battleship was actually not as he expected. There were so many surprises that for a moment he even doubted he was inside a ship.
Inside the battleship looked like a massive military base, with heavily armed fighters moving around the various parts of the battleship.
Emery and Annara walked past the training hall, armory, living quarters and, finally, Lord Izta brought them to a place, where the security should be of the highest level: the command center.
When the group of three entered the command center, Emery's gaze was immediately drawn to the two figures emitting an aura as strong as Lord Izta and one grand magus among the others present.
Lord Izta introduced the two, who were as strong as him, as someone of the same rank as him, a commander. A middle-aged man dressed in a classic military suit whose body exuded authority was introduced as the captain of the battleship. Meanwhile, the grand magus was introduced as the guardian, who was deployed by the alliance to safeguard the battleship.
"My friend, let me introduce two young friends I have here. They are privileged acolytes of the Magus Academy." Patting Emery's shoulder again, Lord Izta smiled broadly. "This particular one is my junior from my homeland, while this one beside him is… err…"
Annara quickly continued Lord Izta's words by saying, "I am his girlfriend, Senior. I am Annara Vermont"
Lord Izta became visibly surprised when he heard that. He immediately let out a cheeky smile. "Hoho! Junior, why didn't you say so earlier?" Turning to Emery, the man continued, "I really thought you were loyal to that Egyptian beauty… Well, I guess you are trying to follow my path… I approve!"
Emery was caught off guard by Annara's unexpected words. But he quickly understood why she did that. Claiming to be his girlfriend would definitely put her in a favorable position in Lord Izta's eyes.
Not willing to make it more awkward than it already was, Emery decided not to respond to Lord Izta's teasing and just stayed silent.
After another round of teasing, Lord Izta proceeded to carry out his reason for coming here. He displayed a projection of the battleship's current location. Emery watched as he had a discussion with the captain about their destination - to the point of forcing the ship to alter course, all so he could stay with Emery longer apparently.
"Done!" Lord Izta smiled broadly, as he turned around under the captain's helpless gaze. "We will take you to one of the main outposts, which is a day away from our current position. There you can access the main portal gate."
With his status of privileged class' acolyte, Emery could use the portal to immediately return to the academy.
"This means I get to keep you for 24 hours," Lord Izta said with a smile.
This was certainly good news for Emery. Not only did he get to hang out with Lord Izta, they could also return to the academy faster than they previously thought.
"Are you feeling hungry, Emery? If so, let's go and eat something. Of course, your girlfriend is more than welcome to join us." Lord Izta beamed a wide smile.
Inwardly, Annara was happy seeing her little scheme seemed to be working. On the other hand, Emery nodded his head at the man's offer, as it had been several days since he had a proper meal.
They, under the lead of Lord Izta, quickly made their way to what seemed to be a lounge. Emery's guess was proven correct when Lord Izta explained this place was usually where he and the other commanders ate.
The three of them were having a pleasant meal with many exquisite dishes being served, when Emery suddenly thought that he couldn't waste 24 hours time like this.
When they finally finished eating, Emery quickly looked at Annara, "I am sorry, Annara. But I really have important things to discuss with my senior. Can you please give us some privacy?"
When Lord Izta heard this as he wiped his mouth, he was quite surprised.
"Oho! A man who knows to separate work and pleasure, I see you have grown up, Emery."
After Annara begrudgingly left the place, the pleasant meeting between senior and junior quickly turned into a serious conversation.
Emery proceeded to tell Lord Izta about what had happened, not only in the last 4 months when he was in the Ouroboros Planet, but also from three years ago when they separated ways from each other.
The first thing Emery talked about was obviously the attack that took place on the Magus Alliance headquarters, which left the proposal regarding the caretaker of Earth hanging as the one who said to support it - Headmaster Altus Dreyden - was kidnapped.
The second significant matter was about the situation with the Nephilims on Earth; his meeting with the Abbot and King Fjolrn and the last time he managed to stop Hades' plot.
The third was the situation he and his four friends were in now, with him successfully entering the privileged class.
And finally, a recent matter about the faction invitation offered to him, which had honestly been on his mind ever since the incident with Ouroboros. Emery even showed Lord Izta the [Soul Contract] that was still with him.
"Lord Izta, did I choose correctly?"
The renowned combat magus did not right away answer. The man was silent for a while, before he suddenly stood up from his seat, "Let's see how much you have improved first."
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