“Wow!!” Vesperine exclaimed, her voice ringing with astonishment as she peered down into the abyss below.
The valley was so dark and so deep, that it seemed to stretch into an endless void, swallowing all light.
The carriage they were in soared through the air, drawn by a powerful dragon that beat its wings with effortless strength.
From their vantage point, the students could see towering mountains, sprawling cities, and countless dragons soaring or perched on cliffs. The entire empire seemed to be teeming with these majestic creatures.
“Hisss~” Snowflake hissed, a mix of awe and fear reflected in her trembling form. Victor noticed her unease and gently rubbed her head, his touch calming her as she relaxed into his hand.
[+4000 AP]
“C-Could you stop holding him?!” Ashara Nightfire stammered, her voice tinged with panic as she watched Kyra clinging tightly to Victor’s arm.
Kyra shot Ashara a wide-eyed, fearful look, “B-But this height… it’s terrifying!” she cried, hugging Victor’s arm even tighter as if it were her lifeline.
Ashara’s lips twitched in annoyance, mirroring the expressions of Selene and Aria, who watched the scene with growing irritation.
Meanwhile, Helena couldn’t stop glancing at Aether, who sat beside Aqualina…
Aqualina frowned as she caught Helena’s furtive glances, ‘What’s going on…?’ she wondered, her eyes narrowing as she turned to Aether, who remained blissfully unaware, fast asleep.
As this light-hearted drama played out in one carriage, a far more intense conversation was unfolding in another….
Inside the costly carriage where only the Dragon Emperor and the Principal sat, the air was thick with tension.
“I cannot believe you threatened your own representative professor just to get us here!” the Principal snapped, her voice laced with anger. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and fury.
Due to the Academy’s situation, the Principal had actually decided to postpone their visit. However, the Dragon Emperor— the same man who had initially agreed— was furious.
He had wounded his representative professor and threatened him, saying he must honour their agreement or else he would kill him and never allow the students to enter their Empire again.
Ever Again!!
This was the reason the Principal hurriedly and urgently arranged the visit. It wasn’t that she was pushed by the Dragon Emperor; rather, she understood his nature. She knew that killing his representative wouldn’t change his mind or anyone else’s and would only complicate things further for her.
The Dragon Emperor, unfazed, leaned back on his cushion, a smug grin playing on his lips. “Promises must be kept, Sovereign,” he replied with a prideful tone. “That’s the foundation of our empire.” His chest swelled as he spoke, as though his words were absolute law.
The Principal’s expression twisted with disgust. ‘Tsk, once this trial is over, I’ll deal with this bastard myself,’ she thought bitterly. All she wanted was for her students to complete the trial safely…. Afterwards, she had every intention of putting the Dragon Emperor in his place.
Suddenly, the Emperor’s demeanour shifted, his gaze becoming sharp and focused. “You have an interesting disciple… Tell me, who is he?”
The Principal’s face hardened, her voice dangerously low as she warned, “I’m telling you now—don’t you dare touch him.”
The Dragon Emperor’s lips curled into a predatory smile. “It seems you’re quite fond of your disciple… I wonder if someth—”
Before he could finish his thought, the entire carriage shuddered violently.
Trrrr!
The dragon pulling the carriage roared in distress, struggling under a sudden, immense weight that seemed to press down on it from nowhere, forcing it into a steep descent.
The Principal’s voice was cold, almost indifferent as she spoke, “I warn you, brat, lay a hand on him… and I’ll remind you of the past you’ve so ‘conveniently’ forgotten.”
The Dragon Emperor’s blood ran cold, his instincts screaming at him to flee. He clenched his teeth, blood seeping from his lips as he forced out, “You haven’t changed at all, Isa…”
…
….
Thud!!
The carriage landed with a heavy thud before a colossal black castle perched atop the tallest mountain.
The castle loomed like a dark sentinel, its massive silhouette etched against the sky, commanding the landscape with an aura of ancient, indomitable power. Every inch of its exterior was a testament to the otherworldly craftsmanship that had gone into its construction.
The black castle was not merely a fortress… it was a masterpiece. The walls were made of a mysterious black stone that seemed to drink in the light around it, giving the entire structure a surreal, almost ethereal quality. Yet, despite the darkness of its facade, the stone glimmered with a faint, inner radiance.
Intricate carvings adorned every surface of the castle, each depicting dragons in various forms…. Flames, wings, and scales were meticulously etched into the stone.
Despite its ominous appearance, the black castle was breathtakingly beautiful, a structure that transcended mere architecture to become something more… an embodiment of the empire’s pride, its history, and its unyielding strength.
The Dragon Emperor disembarked first, his presence commanding the attention of all. The maids and servants lining the entrance immediately dropped to their knees, their heads bowed as they chanted in unison,
“All hail the Dragon Emperor!”
Without a backward glance, the Dragon Emperor strode into the castle, his arrogance palpable.
As he entered, the maids and servants rose, turning their attention to the guests and guided inside…
Despite the dark colour, the marble seemed to radiate a soft glow, banishing shadows and creating an ethereal atmosphere.
“Surprised?” Leon asked, a hint of pride in his voice as he noticed the awe on everyone’s faces.
“This is the finest material in our empire,” he continued, his chest puffing slightly, “Mined from the deepest valleys, forged in the hottest volcanoes, and designed to never absorb light. Even at night, it illuminates the surroundings.”
“Wow!!” The awe was unanimous, everyone marvelling at the wonder of the architecture.
Victor, however, was more analytical, his fingers tracing the walls as he mused, ‘It seems to absorb light energy and release it slowly… intriguing.’
Soon, they arrived at the throne room..
The room was nothing short of magnificent. Every pillar, every wall, every crystalline ceiling that allowed a direct view of the sky was a testament to the genius of its architect and above all….. the Deep Black Throne was the most magnificent one!!
No words could truly capture its magnificence, for it was more than just a seat of power…. it was a work of art, a symbol of the Dragon Emperor’s absolute authority.
The throne’s most striking feature, however, was the dragon that coiled around its base, its body sculpted with such precision that every scale, every curve, seemed to ripple with life.
The group was guided to a long table set before the throne, where they took their seats. The Principal, ever the leader, sat at the center, with the students flanking her. Their attendants and servants stood respectfully behind them.
Outside, the guards’ voices rang out as they announced the arrival of the Emperor.
“The Dragon Emperor, the one and only Emperor, has arrived!!”
Everyone in the room rose in respect… except for the Principal and Victor.
The Dragon Emperor entered, now clad in opulent robes adorned with golden patterns. His every movement exuded regal authority, his presence overwhelming as he ascended the steps to his throne. With a graceful wave, he motioned for everyone to sit, his voice filled with honour as he addressed them.
“I am pleased to welcome the chosen ones of this era,” he declared, his tone grandiose, “Now, tell me what you seek here.”
Meanwhile,
Victor, leaning back in his chair, appeared uninterested, his eyes wandering as his mind drifted, ‘I wonder if there’s an Empress…’ he mused, a smirk playing on his lips. But then his eyes widened in horror as he caught himself. ‘What the fuuuccckkkk?, what the hell am I thinking?!’
