Chapter 25: Friends... With Benefits (2)
It seemed the Academy of Veils was either exactly as unremarkable as its reputation suggested or simply far too confident within its own walls.
Either way, it made Akasha’s journey all the smoother, as, much like with Instructor Veylan, he easily charmed the other guards as well.
As they walked further up the Main Peak, Luna floated gracefully beside him, her voice light and curious in his mind.
"So, how exactly do you plan to handle this negotiation you have in mind?"
Akasha glanced at the path ahead, his steps unhurried as they began ascending the wide stone steps leading toward the Main Peak.
"Well, since this is the first stop, I might as well make them allies to the Dreamer’s Peak... that is, if they’re willing. Even though I’m probably stronger than everyone here, I don’t plan to force them.
At the end of the day, my true purpose here are the ruins."
Although Akasha had only come here to find the Ruins and complete his evolution task, as he had mentioned to Luna when he first made his wishes, he also wanted a family who could share in the rewards of his hard work.
To make that possible, he figured he’d at least need to get to know people.
So, since he was already here, he thought it would be courteous to extend an invitation to his peak.
As they continued, the path wound upward in a gentle spiral, ancient stone steps smoothed by countless feet over the eras.
Tall, dark-barked trees with glowing leaves lined the sides, their branches forming a canopy that filtered the light of the seven suns into soft, shifting patterns on the ground.
The air grew cooler and thinner as they climbed, carrying the crisp scent of pine and mountain stone
Luna smiled beside him, her pink and purple hair swaying in the breeze.
"Just remember, don’t get arrogant or cocky. I’ve told you before, the world of power is far more mysterious than either of us realizes."
Hearing her words Akasha nodded as they had reached the entrance to the Main Peak—a grand door literally carved into the massive mountain itself, towering and imposing, with heavy stone frames etched in glowing runes.
"Well, I’m the last to move arrogantly..." Akasha said as he prioritized his safety above all things else.
There was no way anyone or anything could make him risk his life.
’Tsk, the only way I’m getting into any chaos if it’s from my own hands.’ he thought as they stepped through the door.
While he wasn’t afraid of the outcomes, but he was determined to only move forward when he knew exactly what he was getting into.
----
Inside the grand meeting hall of the Main Peak, the atmosphere was tense.
Harlan Steele, the Headmaster of the entire Academy of Veils, stood near one of the grand windows, hands clasped behind his back.
He was a Human who appeared to be in his mid-40s despite being over five centuries old—tall and dignified, with neatly combed white hair, sharp intelligent eyes, and a calm, calculative presence that radiated quiet authority.
Behind him, the Peak Masters were engaged in a heated discussion.
Victor Black’s low, grim voice rumbled as he clenched his fist.
"Can’t you all see? They’re reigniting the competition!" he said, knowing they hadn’t been blind to the shifting forces across their continent.
Much like Akasha had observed, the Southern Nova Dragon Clan was definitely up to something strange—something The Academy had certainly taken note of.
"Hell, with ninety years left before that damn envoy shows up again, we’d be fools—and just as weak as they claim—if we sat around doing nothing!" Victor went on, his frustration boiling over.
Serena Hale slammed her fist onto the heavy oak table, her emerald eyes blazing with raw frustration.
"It’s not just those damn Dragons.... large numbers of disciples from the Academy of Revelations have already begun moving south in force. If they’re pushing this aggressively... they’re preparing for war."
Dexter Shaw leaned forward, his massive frame casting a long, devouring shadow that seemed to swallow the lantern light around him.
His growl rumbled deep in his chest, vibrating through the floorboards.
"The Nova Dragon Clan should be the main priority at this point." He said, "They are mobilizing near our borders."
BANGGG!
Marcus Kane slammed his fist onto the table with a loud crack, splinters flying as his wolf-like ears flicked in barely contained fury.
"This is no mere coincidence. The Golden Era has arrived, and every major power stands ready, eager to seize the initiative with a decisive move.
It would hardly be unexpected if those two were, in truth, united in their objectives!"
The statement lingered in the tense air, each syllable laden with the gravity of impending change, pressing upon the minds of all presents like the forewarning of an inevitable storm.
And as they went back and forth, there was a single Peak Master who said nothing at all.
Liliana Salvatore sat quietly at the far end of the table, her blood-red eyes half-lidded but still glowing with a dangerous intensity.
She took in everything without speaking, her mind wandering to obsessive thoughts, yet remaining keenly aware of every subtle, threatening shift in the conversation.
Harlan finally turned from the window, his movements slow and deliberate, the quiet authority in his presence instantly pulling every gaze toward him.
His voice, when it came, was calm but edged with steel.
"Then we have no choice but to prepare for the worst."
The words had barely left Harlan’s mouth when he moved to take his seat at the head of the long table.
CRREAAAK!!!
At that exact moment, the grand doors to the meeting hall swung open with a low, resonant creak.
Akasha strolled in casually, hands tucked loosely into the pockets of his loose, baggy black attire that draped comfortably over his frame.
His crimson and white hair swayed gently with each unhurried step, while his blood-red eyes drifted over the room with lazy confidence.
A small, easy smile played on his lips, as though he had simply wandered into a relaxed gathering.
"Well, Nice to meet you all," Akasha greeted, voice relaxed and surprisingly light. "Hope I’m not interrupting anything too important."
HUMMMMMMM!!!!!
The reaction was immediate.
The moment the Peak Masters registered his presence, their auras exploded outward like a violent pressure wave.
Comments