I stared in disbelief as Dominic Ashworth and Broderick faced each other in the courtyard. The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a blade.
"You have no authority here," Broderick hissed at Dominic. "Scram before I make you regret your arrogance."
Dominic's face turned crimson with rage. Being told to "scram" by soone he didn't know clearly struck at his pride. The Ashworths weren't accustod to being dismissed so casually.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Dominic snarled.
I watched the exchange from a safe distance, my throat still raw from Broderick's earlier assault. Frederick stood beside , his hand pressed against his ribs where he'd struck the pillar.
Broderick laughed, the sound unnervingly inhuman. "I know exactly who you are. Dominic Ashworth. A man who thinks his family na grants him power." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "But nas an nothing to ."
Without warning, Broderick turned away from Dominic and fixed those serpentine eyes on instead. The vertical pupils narrowed as his mouth curved into a predatory smile.
"You and I have unfinished business, Liam Knight."
Before I could react, Broderick unleashed an aura I'd never encountered before. It wasn't just the pressure of a powerful cultivator—this was sothing primal and ancient. The air around him shimred with a greenish haze, and the temperature dropped sharply.
Then he attacked.
His movent was so fast I barely saw him coming. I raised my arms instinctively, channeling my spiritual energy into a defensive posture as his fist collided with mine.
The impact was catastrophic.
A shockwave erupted from where our fists t, shattering a nearby cherry tree and sending splinters flying in all directions. Students scread and scattered, seeking cover from the debris. My entire arm went numb from the collision, but I held my ground.
"Impressive," Broderick murmured, sounding genuinely surprised. "Most n would have lost their arm from that strike."
I didn't respond, too focused on maintaining my stance. My body, strengthened by countless battles and the mysterious power of my bloodline, had withstood the blow—but just barely. The realization hit harder than Broderick's fist: I was outmatched.
"You're wondering why you can't overpower ," Broderick said, reading my thoughts. "After all, you've defeated so many powerful opponents lately."
He circled slowly, like a predator toying with its prey. "Allow to educate you. I am the Heaven Swallowing Python, a being whose bloodline traces back to the Ancient Demonic Beasts. And I currently stand at the Peak Form of Military Marquis."
My blood ran cold at his words. Military Marquis was three entire realms above . How could I possibly stand against such power?
"Three realms higher," I whispered, unable to hide my shock.
Broderick's smile widened. "Yes. And unlike those pompous human cultivators who rely on pills and formations to advance, my progress is natural. Pure. Unstoppable."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Dominic speaking urgently with Ricardo Beaumont, another senior mber of the Ashworth family. Ricardo's expression changed from dismissive to alard as they conversed.
"Sir," Ricardo said, addressing Dominic with unusual deference. "That man is Broderick, disciple of Ms. Hayward."
"Who?" Dominic demanded, but his arrogant tone had diminished considerably.
"Ms. Hayward. She holds no official title within the Martial Guild, but her influence runs deeper than most know," Ricardo explained, keeping his voice low. "We would be wise not to antagonize her protégé."
I watched Dominic's face closely. The ntion of this mysterious woman had clearly rattled him. He stepped back, his earlier bravado evaporating like morning dew.
anwhile, Broderick continued his assault. Each strike ca faster than the last, forcing to rely on instinct rather than technique. My spiritual fire created a thin golden barrier between us, but it was weakening with every impact.
"You fight well for a human," Broderick comnted as he landed a devastating kick to my ribs. I felt sothing crack inside my chest. "But this is rely exercise for ."
I staggered backward, trying to catch my breath. The courtyard had emptied of students now, leaving only a handful of spectators watching from safe distances. Frederick looked desperately around, perhaps seeking help that wasn't coming.
"Why are you doing this?" I managed to ask between labored breaths.
Broderick paused, head tilting slightly. "Orders, primarily. But also curiosity. I wanted to see what kind of man has caused such commotion in the Guild." His tongue flicked out, tasting the air. "You sll of destiny. It's... intriguing."
He lunged again, this ti moving so quickly he seed to blur. I couldn't dodge in ti. His hand clamped around my throat, lifting off the ground just as he had before.
"But destiny or not, you're still just flesh and blood."
I struggled against his grip, my vision beginning to darken at the edges. Through the haze, I saw a new figure approaching—tall, distinguished, with the bearing of authority. Read ahead and get updates at *.
"Enough!" the man commanded.
Broderick turned, still holding aloft, to face Erson Hols, the academy president.
"This behavior is unacceptable on academy grounds," Erson stated firmly. "Release him imdiately."
To my surprise, Broderick complied, dropping unceremoniously to the ground. I collapsed, gasping for air.
"President Hols," Broderick acknowledged with a slight bow that sohow managed to seem mocking. "I was rely providing a practical demonstration for the new student."
Erson's face remained stern. "Save your demonstrations for the training halls, when properly scheduled."
"As you wish," Broderick replied smoothly. "Though I believe Ms. Hayward would agree that so lessons are best taught... spontaneously."
At the ntion of that na again, I saw Erson's composed facade crack slightly. There was that na again—Ms. Hayward. Who was this woman who could make even the academy president hesitate?
"Speaking of my master," Broderick continued, "here she cos now."
All heads turned toward the eastern gate, where a slender woman in elegant gray robes approached. She moved with effortless grace, her face partially obscured by a light veil. Despite her unassuming appearance, the air around her seed to bend, as if reality itself made way for her passage.
"Ms. Hayward," Erson greeted her, his tone carefully neutral. "I wasn't aware you would be visiting today."
"The best visits are unexpected, wouldn't you agree, President Hols?" Her voice was lodious yet carried an undercurrent of iron. She turned to Broderick. "I see you've been making friends."
"Testing their ttle," Broderick corrected. "This one," he pointed at , "has potential. Raw, undeveloped, but present."
Ms. Hayward studied with cool detachnt. "Indeed. How fascinating." She turned back to Erson. "I hope you don't mind my disciple's enthusiasm. Young talents need challenge to grow stronger."
"There are proper channels—" Erson began.
"Proper channels slow growth," she interrupted. "Wouldn't you agree, Liam Knight?"
The fact that she knew my na without introduction sent a chill down my spine.
"I prefer opponents closer to my own level," I replied carefully, getting to my feet.
She laughed softly. "No, you don't. You've always sought battles beyond your capabilities. It's what's brought you this far." Her eyes—a startling amber color—seed to peer straight through . "Though perhaps even you have limits."
"We should go, Master," Broderick suggested. "I've assessed him sufficiently for now."
"Yes," she agreed. "We have other matters to attend to." She nodded politely to Erson. "President Hols, always a pleasure."
As they turned to leave, she paused and looked back at . "Do continue your education, Mr. Knight. I foresee many... learning opportunities in your future."
The way she emphasized those words made them sound like a threat. Or perhaps a promise.
Once they had disappeared through the gates, the tension in the courtyard dissipated visibly. Erson Hols approached , his expression grim.
"Mr. Knight, co to my office imdiately."
I glanced at Frederick, who nodded. "Go. I'll check on Clara and et you later."
Following Erson through the academy's ornate halls, I tried to process what had just happened. Broderick wasn't just powerful—he was in a completely different league. And this Ms. Hayward clearly held influence that transcended official hierarchies.
Erson's office was spacious but austere, with walls lined with ancient texts and artifacts. He closed the door firmly behind us and activated what I recognized as a sound-blocking formation.
"Sit," he instructed, gesturing to a chair across from his desk. Once I complied, he studied intently. "You need to leave the academy."
"What?" The blunt statent caught off guard.
"Today. Now, if possible." His voice was deadly serious. "You've attracted attention from forces you cannot hope to contend with."
"I'm not running away," I stated firmly.
Erson sighed heavily. "This isn't about courage, Mr. Knight. It's about survival." He leaned forward. "Broderick isn't rely strong—he's lethal. His kind don't follow human ethics or codes of conduct. If he decides to kill you, no one here can stop him."
"And Ms. Hayward?" I asked. "Who is she exactly?"
Erson's expression darkened. "Officially? No one. She holds no position, commands no units, answers to no superiors."
"Unofficially?"
He hesitated, then seed to make a decision. "No official position is needed. She controls the deploynt rights of the purple robe and many guest officials of the Veridia City Martial Guild."
My mind reeled at the implication. The purple robes were the Guild's elite enforcers—individuals of imnse power who answered only to the highest authorities. If this woman controlled them without holding any official rank herself...
"How is that possible?" I whispered.
"That's not for to say," Erson replied carefully. "What matters is that you understand the gravity of your situation. It's not just Broderick you need to worry about. Dominic Ashworth still wants you eliminated. Bert rcer has placed a bounty on your head. And I've heard whispers that Bryce Blackthorne has not forgotten your humiliation of his family."
He stood, moving to the window where he gazed out at the academy grounds. "I cannot protect you, Mr. Knight. Not from all of them, and certainly not from Ms. Hayward if she decides you're a problem."
The walls seed to close in around as the full weight of his words sank in. I had known coming here would be dangerous, but the depth of the peril was only now becoming clear.
"I ca for a reason," I said finally. "One I can't abandon."
Erson turned back to , his expression unreadable. "Isabelle Ashworth."
I didn't bother denying it.
"She isn't here," he said quietly.
"But the entrance to where they're keeping her is," I countered.
He didn't confirm or deny this statent, which told everything I needed to know. Instead, he moved back to his desk and sat down heavily.
"You remind of soone I knew long ago," he said softly. "Equally determined. Equally dood."
The silence that followed hung heavy between us, filled with unspoken warnings and grim possibilities. Outside, the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the academy grounds—shadows that seed to reach toward like grasping fingers.
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