Chapter 119

Forget The failures

Keep the lessons

-Dalai Lama

“Long time no see Sebastian, how is the little lass doing?” I smirk when I hear the voice of my childhood best friend Mu Cheng. His father is a first rank general and has a lot of merits under his belt after he defeated the Tsuyoi Akuma people. He takes after his father when it comes to fighting and strategy.

Mu Cheng is 17 years old this year. You would think that because of his seniority, he would be a bit mȧturė, right? However, he is a unique case. Mu Cheng behaves like a five-year-old on most days. "She is well. Cheng, her name is not lass; it is sister-in-law to you."

He erupts into a fit of laughter, sheathing his glowing sword and placing it in its holster. "What brings you to the academy?" I question.

He appears laid back. Nonetheless, from the tenseness of his muscles and the hidden look in his eyes that he tried to hide, I recognize that his arrival is not so simple as he may want it to seem.

"Word of what is going on in the academy has made its way to a few high-ranking officials. I suppressed it for now, but it will not take long before rumors spread like wildfire. The academy has had a pristine reputation for centuries; however, murders so close to where future rulers currently study is not a good look. Do you have any leads?"

I had an inkling that therefore he came. "I do. There are two scenarios. One, a dark arts cultivator has gone berserk, but the second is that those beasts have found a hole."

Winston school's principal is my father's junior brother, because of this I have a deep bond with the school. It is one of the reasons why I am on this case. The principal is wary, so he needs a capable subordinate to handle the investigations; since I am a dark Elementalist, I am naturally sėnsɨtɨvė to others who use it.

A dark shadow covers his face, like a bow, his lips pull to a straight line.

"Your accusations are serious. Do you have any evidence to support them? Otherwise, they are groundless claims."

Mu Cheng leans against the door frame, a sigh escaping his lips.

"I guess I will be tagging along then. That Preceptor is a tricky one."

I shrug my shoulders. "It's up to you. Now please leave, I was cultivating before you disturbed me."

His eyes bulge out of his head like a bug, "What! How can you send me away; I just arrived!? Best friends will not treat each other in such a way. I'm telling the empress!"

"Go ahead, I'll tell your father. Let us see who can survive their punishment then!"

He gapes like a fish at me, eyes filled with disbelief. General Mu Hao's a giant of a man. Some compare him to the spirit beasts that lurk the caves up in the mountains. He has a stern aura, and most people think twice before daring to offend him.

He is extremely strict when instructing his kids right and wrong. Mu Cheng has always been the one to withstand the worst of his extreme disciplinary actions, whether it be Shoveling horse manure from the stables and washing the horses or kneeling outside during the winter for three days straight. If his father knew that he dared to snitch on the crown prince to the empress I wonder what creative punishment he will produce to torture his firstborn son.

"Melia will also be joining us on this trip. Since this will be your first time meeting her, make a good first impression."

"Brother leave it to me. Who knows maybe by the end of the trip she'll be infatuated with my god-like features."

"Hehe, I was only joking bro. There is no need to take me seriously I'll let you be."

He leaves my room and closes the door. "Finally, serenity."

I close my eyes and go into the lotus pose. The candles alight around me, and a mysterious wind blows; there are no windows.

I focus on absorbing the energy from the atmosphere. The spiritual gathering array formation that I bought, aids me in the process. I can feel the rich energy flowing through my veins. My dantian swell with an insurmountable amount of power. My mind is calm, and I slowly draw a stable path for the spiritual energy in my body.

I am on the verge of a breakthrough!

My eyebrows scrunch together in seriousness as I absorb more energy in the air. I chant scriptures to keep my mind clear. This stage is dangerous, and I must have peace of mind if I want to escape unscathed.

The golden hue around my body suddenly expands becoming brighter, it even penetrates my closed eyelids. My dantian shakes; it is unstable. My heart lurches to my throat. I can feel myself just on the tips to breakthrough to the Body construction stage, however, with my dantian unstable I will surely suffer if I were to forcefully breakthrough.

Disappointed I gently pull out of my meditative state. My thoughts drift towards Melia.. I wonder how she is doing right now.