Hiroshi City is vast and stunning, full of incredible places to explore. Klaus, his friends, and Aoi had wandered to many amazing places until they finally entered a club only available to warriors, a place meant for young fighters like them. The atmosphere inside was lively, and designed for everyone to have a good time.
They drank, laughed, and even had a few rounds of hard liquor. Despite them being warriors, the drinks hit them enough to leave them a little tipsy, but they didn’t care, they managed to chart in the top 1000 out of the 12,000 youngsters in the whole of the Eastern Region. They deserved all the fun in the world.
Klaus spent most of his time flirting with Anna and Lily but as the night reached its peak, Klaus found himself alone with Aoi. She seemed to fit in just fine, mingling effortlessly with the group. But now, it was just the two of them.
“So,” Klaus began, not giving Aoi any time to process the sudden moment alone moment. “How many pictures of me do you have in your room?”
It was the most shameless question he could think of, and he knew it. He couldn’t help but smirk, remembering the last time they were at the Hiroshi Mansion. Mio and Miki, Aoi’s older sisters, had let it slip that Aoi was a huge fan of his. That tidbit had stuck with him, and now he saw the perfect opportunity to tease her.
As expected, Aoi’s face turned bright red, and she quickly covered it with her hands. In the academy, she is very respected due to many factors but mostly because of her sword skills. She is very good with the sword.
“Klaus stop that” she mumbled through her fingers, still too embarrassed to look at him. Klaus grinned, knowing he had already cracked through her composure.
“By the way, thanks for making sure I didn’t lose face during our duel.” He knew that without Aoi subtly holding back, he would have lost that match.
It wasn’t something he could easily forget. That small gesture had meant a lot to him, and it solidified Aoi’s place as someone he could trust. Some friendships are built through little acts of kindness, and Aoi was one of those.
Aoi shifted slightly regaining her composure.
“No need,” she replied. “Just make sure you get into the academy and join the Yin-Yang Palace.” Her face held a small smile, but Klaus could tell she meant every word. It was more than just a casual suggestion—it felt like something she truly wanted for him.
“Yin-Yang Palace?” Klaus raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. He didn’t know what it meant, but he could tell it had something to do with the Celestial Mountain Academy. Since he was eager to learn more, he focused intently as Aoi explained.
“Yin-Yang Palace is one of the eight factions at the academy,” Aoi began. “The eight factions are Yin-Yang Palace, Fire Dragon Hall, Thunder Blade Sect, Celestial Wind Pavilion, Iron Fist Clan, Aqua Spirit Sect, Earth Shadow Guild, and Sky Phoenix Sanctuary.”
Klaus didn’t say anything, he just sat there listening attentively.
“Since I’m in the Yin-Yang Palace, I’ll talk about that one,” Aoi continued. “Factions are like classes. They’re designed to group warriors with similar talents and affinities so they can learn together and build stronger foundations.”
“The Yin-Yang Palace, as the name suggests, is made up of warriors with diverse talents, especially those who don’t quite fit into the other factions. Some joined because they didn’t want to be in the other factions, and some were here because the other factions rejected them. Yes, we’re at the bottom of the list, but that’s because of how broad and varied our group is.”
Aoi smiled softly, knowing what Klaus might be thinking. “But that doesn’t mean we’re weak. In fact, it’s the opposite. We have access to a wide range of resources due to the sheer number of different classes we accommodate.
However, because we don’t reject anyone, our ratings are always lower when it comes to competing for resources. But remember, in the Yin-Yang Palace, every warrior is treated like a friend and family. If you want to be with people who will stand by your side without the threat of getting stabbed in the back, this is the faction for you.”
She hesitated briefly before adding, “Also… I want you to join because I want to stay in the same faction and practice the sword with you.”
Klaus couldn’t help but smile at that last part.
“But you’re an inner disciple,” he pointed out. “How can we practice together?” He didn’t know much about the structure of the academy, but from what he had learned from Lucy, once someone climbed the Stairway to Heaven, they would join the Inner Area.
Aoi smiled knowingly. “That’s true. Normally, once you become an inner disciple, you’re focused on more advanced training in the inner section of the academy, away from the outer disciples. But,” she paused, her expression softening, “I still make time to help those who mean something to me.”
Klaus raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Meaning?”
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Aoi shrugged, trying to appear casual, but the bashfulness on her face said it all. “Let’s just say I’ll find a way. The Yin-Yang Palace is big on helping each other, no matter the rank or status. We’re family. And besides,” she added with a playful smirk, “I can’t let you go around slacking off just because I’m not there to keep an eye on you.”
Klaus chuckled. “So, you’re my personal drill sergeant now?”
Aoi’s smile, her shoulders held high. “Something like that.”
“How cute,” Klaus muttered, watching the playful look on Aoi’s face. She blushed lightly, caught off guard by his words. Klaus knew well that it wouldn’t be simple for an inner disciple like Aoi to come down to the outer area of the academy, but he didn’t care much about the details. He didn’t know enough about the academy’s structure to be concerned. All he could do was smile and reassure her.
“Don’t worry, Fairy Aoi, I wouldn’t mind joining your prestigious faction,” Klaus said
Aoi’s blush deepened at his words, but she quickly composed herself. “Good,” she replied, trying to hide her flustered expression. “Just make sure you keep up. I won’t go easy on you just because we’re in the same faction.”
Klaus chuckled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“By the way, know that my brother Taro won’t be causing you any trouble anytime soon,” Aoi said.
Klaus smiled. ‘Oh he wouldn’t dare try anything stupid after he realises I haven’t only taken the girl of his dreams, his sister is also caught in my net’ Klaus smiled slightly thinking that.
He wanted to say that out loud, but he didn’t, instead he just smiled and nodded. He had already clashed with Taro once and knew the guy wasn’t a match for him. The idea of Taro trying to cause problems now was laughable.
At the very least, Aoi could slap him back into place if he tried anything.
That thought made Klaus smirk even more. They spent a few more minutes talking before Anna and the others returned. After a few more rounds of shots, they all headed back to their hotel.
Klaus first wanted to spend the night with either Anna or Lily, but he decided against it knowing he had other plans for the night. The kind he doesn’t want anyone knowing about it, at least not just yet.
He waited for everyone to fall asleep. Once the suit was quiet and still, he dressed in dark clothes and slipped out into the thick of the night.
[A/N: Not the very best chapter, but it contains some of the best details I’ll expand on in the coming Chapters]