Chapter 314: Festivities

Chapter 314: Festivities

The Exidian Emperor had appeared out of nowhere in the sky above, which was actually just the ceiling.

[Mage - Lv. 500+]

Not emperor class like the Red Winds Emperor?

Three level 500+ in the same room. The air is getting sticky just from the mana theyre releasing. The mana from Erredis true form was more impressive though.

The Emperor slowly descended, his thick cape and flowing white hair billowing behind him. His figure was not particularly imposing, he looked like a regal and dignified young man in long flowing robes which only partially concealed a heavily enchanted armor beneath. The two curved horns on his head were the support for a thin silver crown which surprisingly enough seemed to be purely decorative and non-magical. He held a scepter taller than himself which Sofia couldnt identify no matter how she tried, but she somehow managed to get a read on the catalyst built into it.

[Basilisk heartstone] : A spell catalyst sculpted from the remains of a certain Basilisk. Magical projectiles cast through it will lock-on to their target and follow them, avoiding obstacles, until the spell either runs out of mana or hits their target.

Item level : 500. Grade : Legendary.

So his spells always hit, is what this says?

Not bad

A wave of mana hit the students. They all kneeled at once, except for Saria, and a single Exidian boy, who both awkwardly followed and kneeled once they realized what had just happened.

Whatever trick that was, its not good enough to bypass Sarias immunity. It got Alith though, so no Hypnosis, Confusion nor Domination I suppose.

Sofia completely zoned out of the mundanities at the start of the emperors speech, too busy that she was comparing the pros and cons of her own legendary catalyst against the Emperors. Her attention was only caught again when it was time to announce the details and the prize of the student competition.

Citizens of our great Empire. Students who have come from far and wide to educate and better yourselves in this place. Throughout the year, you will compete to earn Strength tokens.

The emperor raised his staff, and a small red coin with a hole in the middle appeared above each student, waiting to be taken.

Each of you starts with one. You will be able to earn more both during the trials we have prepared for you, but also in great parts according to your academic results. The entire process will be overseen by Sir Tartaros, Saint of Strength, the emperor announced letting the scaly Saint advance from the teachers ranks and stand near him.

So thats why this guy is here when the level 500 of the capital should have only been the Emperor and Beligenus. Saint of Strength Strength must be a pretty powerful God I imagine.

The saint stood silently beside the emperor who continued with his speech. Whoever has the most tokens on the day of the graduating ceremony will be offered the position of a court mage and be awarded this prize, he declared, raising a sleek white sword. It looked more like a fancy decoration than an actual weapon.

Above the Emperor's head, in a gigantic system window, the swords description was shown for everyone to read.

[The first Key] : This living sword is the first Key, once wielded by Admin |REDACTED|.

Oh, alright. No ones ever touching this pouch. Pareth, heard that? Protect this thing like youd protect my head.

Tartaros took a step forward. May Strengths blessing be upon you all.

Finally, the headmaster made the closing statement. While the classes start tomorrow with no change to the planning; the first event of this contest will take place at night in two weeks. Good luck to you all, may you make the Academy and the Empire proud, and may the three thousand years festivities begin!

The emperor, headmaster and Saint of strength all disappeared. The illusion around the ceremony hall making it look like it was in the sky faded. In the hall were left the teachers on stage, illuminated by bright lights on one side, and the many students on the other.

The same words coursed through Sofias head and the students.

By any means necessary.

Most students were young and inexperienced kids barely starting on their journey to power. Most. That left about one or two hundred students who were already strong, people like Alith and Saria.

For them, the contest had already started. For the teachers of relatively low level and no renown like Sofia and Astelia, they would be the primary target for all the students in the same filter.

Most of the other, more experienced teachers had already teleported away, leaving only a handful of them on the stage.

Shit.

The ceremony hall's previously calm but tense atmosphere instantly succumbed to chaos.

Magic rained.

Sofia had no time to even reunite with Astelia, she fled, as countless magical projectiles were aimed at her. You could have warned us before! She cursed at the Emperor who was already gone as she blasted through the back wall of the ceremony hall to escape. Sensing the mana movements behind her, she could tell at least thirty students were on her tracks.

A quick glance behind as she flew up within the Academys barrier confirmed her prediction.

[Mage - Lv. 196] [Warrior - Lv. 225] [Mage - Lv. 206] [Supporter - Lv. 249] [Mage - Lv. 83] [Warrior - Lv. 181] [Warrior - Lv. 230]

Some of them are quite ambitious, eh? Level 83. DO I LOOK SO WEAK?

Wait. Im not forbidden from attacking them back, right?

Sofia stopped fleeing and turned around, facing the large part of the flock of students that had been able to follow her up in the sky. She activated the skull choir in the sphere formation.

Come, kids! My singers will make you dance!