“Hello, Professor Kim.”
Professor Kim, who was undergoing treatment for the wounds inflicted by the Dragon Emperor, flinched as he turned to see Victor standing before him, an intense look in his eyes.
“What is it?” he asked, a deep frown creasing his brow.
Victor’s gaze drifted over Professor Kim’s wounds, “Did he threaten you?” he inquired, his voice low and urgent.
Professor Kim frowned, confusion clouding his features. “Who are you talking about?”
Victor quickly scanned the infirmary, noting the old woman nearby, scribbling furiously on her notepad, oblivious to their talk.
He leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper as he smirked, “Of course, that Shitty lizard Emperor.”
Suddenly, Professor Kim’s expression transformed, fury igniting within his core. He caught Victor by the neck, his voice dripping with venom as he spat, “How dare you! You lowly human! You have the audacity to defile our mighty Dragon Emperor with your filthy mouth!”
Victor, however, remained unfazed by the outburst. He calmly grasped Kim’s wrist and leaned closer, whispering urgently into his ear, “I know… about the Origin Emperor.”
At that revelation, Kim’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief!!
No one outside the confines of the Pyra Fulgur Empire knew about the Origin Emperor; it was a closely guarded secret, one that everyone was expected to take to their graves. The horror of this revelation washed over him as he stared at Victor, a mixture of fear and killing intent reflected in his eyes.
His hands trembled uncontrollably as he finally released Victor.
Victor then patted down his clothes with an air of professionalism. “Shall we discuss this matter in private?” he suggested a hint of determination in his voice.
Professor Kim nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
Meanwhile, the elderly woman in the infirmary sighed, ‘I think I’ve overheard something I shouldn’t have…’ She inserted earplugs, trying to block out the tension, and resumed her work.
…
…..
After what felt like an eternity stretched between them,
Victor stood before Professor Kim, his expression serious. “Please relay exactly what I just told you to your Lizard Emperor,” he instructed a smirk playing on his lips, “And for the love of all that’s sacred, do not embellish it with your frustrations… Okay?” He winked playfully at Kim before turning to leave.
Professor Kim could only stare at Victor, caught in a mix of frustration and fear, ‘The Dragon Emperor will kill me if I dare to share what Victor said…’ he thought, dread pooling in his stomach as his mind raced with possibilities.
As he stood up, he steeled himself, making the decision to leave.
“Hmm? Where are you going, Professor Kim? You still haven’t healed yet!” the old woman shouted, her voice rising, but Professor Kim walked out, his dreadful expression rendering her words meaningless.
Sighing deeply, she thought, ‘Even the professors don’t respect me anymore… Should I just pack my things and leave this place?’ A deep frown settled on her face as she contemplated her options.
Meanwhile,
Professor Kim hurried through the halls, the urgency in his steps echoing his internal turmoil. He ignored everyone around him, desperation pushing him forward.
Transforming into a dragon, he soared toward the teleportation station, a blur of scales and determination…. Upon arrival in the Pyra Empire, he travelled at breakneck speed until he reached the imposing black castle of the Dragon Emperor.
Inside the throne room,
“Y-Your Majesty!” Kim cried out, kneeling on the ground, his forehead pressed to the cool stone floor, a gesture of deep respect for the figure seated on the throne.
“Hmm? Kim?” An authoritative and indifferent voice sliced through the air, emanating from the handsome blue-haired man seated regally upon the throne. He regarded Kim with piercing blue slit eyes, a smirk playing on his lips, “Did Isa finally decide to obey my order?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Kim replied, nodding fervently.
The Dragon Emperor smiled, a look of satisfaction flickering across his face; in moments like this, he revelled in the power to push Sovereign like his plaything…. feeling a thrill of triumph!!
“But…”
The Emperor’s smile faded, and his brow furrowed. “What is it?”
Kim hesitated, the words stuck in his throat like a stone, fear coiling in his stomach.
“Tsk, tell me before I annihilate you!” the Dragon Emperor snapped, irritation lacing his tone.
At that threat, Kim flinched, bowing his head deeper in submission. “T-There is… an-another thing I-I dis-dis-discovered…” he stammered.
The Dragon Emperor frowned deeply, irritation flashing in his eyes, “Why are you stammering? Is anyone threatening you? Greater than me?” His tone dripped with haughtiness.
Kim gulped hard, his throat dry, “O-O-Or-Or… ‘Gulp’ O… Oo… O…”
“Fucking tell me already, filthy lowborn!” the Dragon Emperor roared, his voice echoing through the chamber as a sudden pressure enveloped Kim, forcing him down onto the cold stone floor.
“O-ORIGIN EMPEROR!” Kim shouted in terror, barely managing to withstand the crushing weight that threatened to consume him.
Suddenly, the pressure lifted, and he dared to glance up, only to see a profound fear etched across the Dragon Emperor’s face.
The Dragon Emperor’s slit eyes narrowed as they fixed on Kim, his voice cold and commanding, “O-Origin Emperor? What is this about? He died Thousands of years ago at the hands of my ancestors, That traitor!!”
Kim gulped again, fear constricting his throat.
Rising from his throne, the Dragon Emperor glided toward Kim with an intense, stern expression, “Tell me everything,” he demanded, his grip tightening around Kim’s neck.
Kim coughed, struggling to catch his breath before stammering, “I-It’s a boy named Victor from the Academy—Sovereign’s direct disciple. H-He said he wanted to deliver a message to you.”
“Me?” The Emperor released his grip, allowing Kim to breathe. Kim coughed again, trying to gather his wits. “Y-Yes, cough, he is the one who spoke of the Origin Emperor.”
The Dragon Emperor’s frown deepened, “Someone outside our Empire knows this… Tell me everything.”
Kim hesitated, dread pooling in his stomach.
“Don’t worry; I won’t kill you. Just deliver the message,” the Dragon Emperor said calmly, though the underlying tension was palpable.
Kim gulped once more, nodding nervously, “H-He said, ‘Hello, Mr. Shitty Lizard…'”
The Dragon Emperor flinched, anger flashing in his eyes. He glared at Kim, who raised his hands defensively, “T-This is what he said! Really!”
With an impatient motion of his hand, the Emperor urged Kim to continue.
Fear etched across Kim’s face, he pressed on, “He said, ‘I know a person who is a direct descendant of the Origin Emperor… the only person that your entire Empire fears… and I know why you are scared of them—'”
“WHO SAID WE FEARED SOME LOWLY BEINGS?!” The Dragon Emperor erupted in pure rage, his voice reverberating through the chamber.
Kim trembled at the sight of the Dragon Emperor’s blue horns glowing ominously, the power radiating from him palpable and terrifying.
“We are not afraid of anyone!” the Dragon Emperor growled, baring his teeth. He looked at Kim, motioning for him to continue, but Kim remained silent, paralyzed by fear.
“Do I need to kill you?” the Emperor threatened, his tone icy.
In a desperate move, Kim lowered himself to the ground, grasping the Dragon Emperor’s foot, tears welling in his eyes, “P-Please don’t kill me!”
“What the…?” the Dragon Emperor frowned, taken aback by the display. “What did he say?”
But Kim could only shake his head.
“What did he say?!” the Emperor demanded, his horns glowing brighter, the room vibrating with his fury. Kim finally forced the words out, “H-He said, ‘Did you scream like a bitch? You claimed you weren’t scared, yet you nearly peed yourself at the mention of that name, Bitchy~ Hehehe… Anyhow, I will share the details only if you agree to my terms, Lizard!!
I will come when necessary and do pull some stunt to force My Principal!!.. First, let her finish her job in the reconstruction!….. And make sure to act like a human next time, rather than a mindless Lizard~'”
The entire black castle trembled under the wrath of the Dragon Emperor, “A lowly human… protected by a mere bitch!” he seethed, his teeth clenched in fury.
Meanwhile,
Aether stood before a particular door, his heart racing. Slowly, he pushed it open.
“Helena?” he called softly.
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[+10000 AP]
Aether just smiled with longing eyes.
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