General Cao’s residence was a stark contrast to the grandeur and opulence often associated with the high-ranking officials of the Pace Setter Academy. Located on the outskirts of the academy grounds, it was a secluded area surrounded by tall, ancient trees that seemed to stand as silent guardians of the property.
The residence was built into a rocky hillside, blending seamlessly with the natural environment.
As Kaelen and General Cao appeared at the entrance, the first thing Kaelen noticed was the simplicity of the place. The stone path leading to the main building was lined with meticulously trimmed shrubs and small lanterns that gave off a soft, warm glow.
The building itself was a modest structure made of dark wood and stone, with a sloped roof covered in moss, giving it an earthy, almost rustic charm.
The entrance was marked by a large, reinforced wooden door with iron studs, sturdy and practical. Above the door, a small, unadorned plaque bore General Cao’s name in simple, elegant script. The surrounding area was quiet, save for the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant sound of running water from a nearby stream that wound its way through the trees.
The interior of the residence was just as unassuming. The main hall was spacious but devoid of unnecessary decoration, reflecting General Cao’s no-nonsense personality. The walls were lined with wooden beams, and the floor was made of polished stone, cool underfoot.
A few pieces of functional furniture were arranged around the room—a large wooden table, sturdy chairs, and a few shelves filled with books and scrolls.
To the left, an open doorway led to a small but well-maintained training area. Kaelen could see various weapons mounted on the walls, each meticulously cared for, their edges gleaming in the dim light. The training area itself had a floor of compacted earth, and in one corner, a small rack held a set of practice dummies.
On the right side of the hall, another door led to General Cao’s private quarters. Though Kaelen did not venture inside, he could imagine the room was as austere as the rest of the house—perhaps with only the bare essentials needed for rest and contemplation.
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The air in the residence was cool and refreshing, carrying the scent of pine and earth from the surrounding forest. Despite its simplicity, there was a sense of order and discipline permeating the place, a reflection of the man who lived there.
General Cao’s residence was not just a home; it was a sanctuary where he could train, meditate, and prepare for the responsibilities that came with his position at the Academy.
As Kaelen stood there, taking in the surroundings, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. This was a place of quiet strength, a retreat where one could focus entirely on honing their abilities without distraction. It was clear that every aspect of the residence had been designed with purpose, much like the man who called it home.
"But wait, why did we appear in front of your residence, aren’t you taking me to my lounge?" But not long after, Kaelen suddenly thought of something which prompted him to ask.
"Unfortunately, you can’t live without any supervison due to your role in this world and Kelvin that is on a loose" General Cao replied with a solemn expression on her face.
"Welcome master" Right at this moment, both Kaelen and General Cao heard a voice from the entrance of the General Cao’s residence which made them to turn towards that direction.
What they saw is a girl that can be seen as an embodiment of fire. The girl stood out like a beacon, her presence exuding an intense, almost overwhelming energy. Her hair was a cascade of fiery red and orange, resembling the tongues of flames, dancing and flickering with every movement. It seemed almost alive, catching the light in a way that made it look as though her head were ablaze.
Her eyes were a vivid amber, glowing with an inner heat that gave the impression of molten lava just beneath the surface. They were sharp and piercing, filled with a fierce determination that made it clear she was not someone to be trifled with. Her skin was a warm, sun-kissed bronze, as if she had absorbed the very essence of the sun itself.
She wore a close-fitting outfit in deep reds and golds, the fabric shimmering like embers in the wind. The patterns on her clothes seemed to mimic the flickering of flames, shifting subtly with every step she took. Even her movements were fluid and swift, like fire spreading across dry grass—unpredictable and unstoppable.
The air around her seemed to crackle with heat, and those near her could almost feel the warmth radiating from her body. Her very presence demanded attention, like a roaring fire in the heart of a dark forest. There was a wildness to her, an untamed energy that made her seem both dangerous and mesmerizing, as if she were the living embodiment of fire itself.
’Is this General Cao’s disciple?’ Kaelen thought with a surprised expression on his face. As for General Cao, he now has a warm smile on his face as he replied.
"We have a new guest that will be staying with us, Guinevere"
"Huh?" The girl muttered in surprise before she shifted her gaze towards Kaelen. When he saw that Guinevere was looking at him, he quickly had a friendly smile on his face as he waved and said.
"Hello"
But all of a sudden and without warning, Guinevere’s amber eyes locked onto Kaelen, a fierce determination burning within them. Her fiery hair whipped around her as she raised her hand, a wave of searing heat emanating from her palm.
In an instant, the calm of the courtyard was replaced by a surge of blazing energy as she unleashed a torrent of flames toward Kaelen, her attack sudden and without mercy.
Kaelen’s instincts took over. His hand shot to the hilt of the Blade of Eternity, and with a swift motion, he unsheathed it, the steel glinting in the afternoon sun. The moment the blade was drawn, a powerful aura surrounded him, its protective energy clashing with the incoming flames. He held the blade firm, its power resonating with his will as he braced himself against the onslaught.
The flames collided with the protective aura, and for a moment, it seemed as if Kaelen would be engulfed. The heat was intense, like standing at the heart of a furnace, and the force of the flames pushed him back a step. But Kaelen gritted his teeth and held his ground, focusing his energy through the Blade of Eternity.
The sword began to shimmer, its own power flaring to life as it absorbed and redirected the fiery assault.
The courtyard was bathed in the light of their clashing energies—orange flames against the radiant blue of Kaelen’s aura. Sweat beaded on Kaelen’s brow, the effort to withstand Guinevere’s attack immense. Yet, with a final push, he channeled a surge of energy through the blade, dispersing the flames in a burst of light. The heat dissipated, and the air returned to its previous calm.
Guinevere paused, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Kaelen, who now stood resolute, his blade still drawn, a determined look in his eyes. The two faced each other, the tension thick between them, the echoes of the battle still resonating in the air.
"What are you doing Guinevere!?" General Cao suddenly reprimanded with a displeased look on his face. But Guinevere didn’t seem to hear what General Cao said as she suddenly spoke up.
"Why aren’t you using your dragon mana?"
"My what?" Kaelen asked back with a confused look on her face. When General Cao heard her, a deep frown quickly appeared on his face as he asked in questioning tone.
"What do you mean Guinevere?"
"I can sense dragon mana in him master" Guinevere quickly answered with a wondering look on her face. But when both Kaelen and General Cao heard her, they were both confused and bewildered as Kaelen asked.
"What do you mean by dragon mana?"
But Guinevere didn’t answer him immediately as an item appeared on her palm.
This item is a small, intricately crafted talisman that exudes an ancient and mystical aura. The amulet is forged from a rare, dark silver metal, giving it a muted, almost ethereal sheen. At its center lies a gemstone the color of molten gold, with flecks of crimson swirling within, reminiscent of dragonfire.
The gemstone pulses gently with a soft, rhythmic glow, as if alive, and when it is near dragon mana, the light intensifies, brightening and pulsing faster. The amulet’s chain is made of finely woven strands of the same dark silver, lightweight yet unbreakable, designed to be worn around the neck or carried discreetly.
Engraved along the edges of the amulet are ancient runes, each symbol representing the different aspects of dragons—strength, wisdom, fire, and flight.
"Wait let me just confirm" Guinevere suddenly said as she activated this amulet.