Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 14: Incoming Storm

Today was the selection day and the registration to apply was already open. There was another announcement from the Queen that one of the three quotas had already been given to Lyon. There was an uproar regarding this unfairness but the applicants couldn't do anything since it means they will against the Queen meaning the Nostria.

Remembering the incident back in the academy, many applicants erased their thoughts of challenging Lyon to take one of the quotas.

The applicants were not many either, they just applied because of the respect for Nostria. Deep in their heart, they knew the chances of winning the competition was still low despite the genius partook in it.

Because Poska still recuperating from the heavy injuries, in the end only Jugen and one other applicant got through the selection. Luna and Martis were not included in the selection because they were not originally from the Kingdom of Nostria.

"Big brother I only applied the selection because of my sister," said Jugen while drinking his wine. Then he continued: "The only reason I passed the selection was that all my opponents gave up before the match even began. There was one that even stronger than me by three levels and he gave up. The reason they gave up was that they don't want to embarrass themselves at the competition later on."

*gulp

"Ahhh, this wine is not bad. Then who is the other person," asked Lyon.

Jugen then laughed and continued: "That guy's luck is not better than mine, he always too late to say 'surrender' and so he became the scapegoat or the 'sacrifice' as the Nostrians say. I talked to him about the competition before and he said he will not participate on the competition day."

"By the way what is the reward about winning the competition?" asked Lyon.

"Last year it was a level 8 saint magic spells plus Spirit Fruit. But those were only from the kingdoms. You can also keep the treasures you find in the competition for yourself. There is an additional treasure if you have accumulated enough points. The points can be obtained by killing the guardian who guards the floor. By this time no one knows the depth of the labyrinth, the deepest anyone ever gone through was floor 79, and that was more than 250 years ago from the Arcana Kingdom."

"Is there any rule for the competition?"

"That's the scary part, anything goes inside the labyrinth."

"By the way big bro.." said Jugen then he continued: " What did you do to my older sister? whenever she is around you, she looks like a stern girlfriend while without you she became the tomboy I used to know and beat me up for no good reason. Don't tell me you guys are dating?"

"We are not dating, at least not yet. Hahaha," said Lyon.

"You are amazing big bro, but be careful though, she had many pursuers outside of the kingdom. her pursuers are young princes from the neighboring kingdoms."

"Even if the Gods pursued her I will not let her go haha!" said Lyon pridefully.

"Then here is a toast for you big brother in law!".

*clank.

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The Kingdom of Arcana.

Inside the throne room of the castle knelt six young men in front of the king. One of them had an athletic figure and murderous intent. He had a long hair draped on his shoulder. His eagle eyes and eyebrow were menacing. He had a saber on his back and wind element affinity on his magic. He wore a black garment of the Arcana's academy. He was Jiangnu, the genius on the monument he was at the first level of the elemental realm.

"You six remember what's your ultimate mission is right?" said the king to the six candidates of the competition.

"Kill Lyon Torga inside the labyrinth!" said the six of them in unison.

"Don't fail me Jiangnu, He will be a threat once he becomes an expert, and his threat will not only for the kingdom but for you too."

"Yes your majesty," said Jiangnu while cupping his hand.

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The Kingdom of Meistas.

Inside the park of the castle, stood five people behind the King. There were three young men and two young women. The King was tending his garden while speaking to the five of them. One of the young women had a petite figure, and a lovely face adorned with beautiful earrings on her elf-like left ear. She had a thin lip with a small pointy nose. She was wearing the academy alma mater. She used Bow and a magic arrow for fighting and dual elemental of water and sand. She was Xiaxia the genius behind Jiangnu. She was also at the first level of the elemental realm.

"What do you think about the competition?" said the King.

"I think the chances of our survival is fairly high, my only threat would be Jiangnu and probably Lyon," said Xiaxia.

"I trust your leadership, however, try to kill Lyon if you can or at the very least befriended Jiangnu. I had some information that the Kingdom Arcana will launch a war against Nostria when you guys go inside the labyrinth and they have back up from the Heaven's Dawn Dynasty." said the King coldly, then he continued: "And... I got a personal letter that we are to aid the Arcana Kingdom in their conquest this time. The letter was sent personally by our Dynasty."

"This subordinate understands," said Xiaxia.

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Inside the dining room in the castle.

"I hear you were going out to the jungle with older sister Karina lately," said Sylviana.

*munch

*gulp

"Ah yes I was under her training," said Lyon.

"Oh really? well, good luck then. I heard that only a handful of people survived her hellish training hehehe." said Sylviana teasingly.

"Those are just rumors, I'm perfectly fine am I not?" said Lyon.

(ARRRGGGHH be infuriated a little will you!) thought Sylviana while twitching her mouth.

"Oh that's right, grandfather Charlie told me to ask you to see him, he said your equipment is done."

"OH REALLY?! I'm going then !! see you later!" said Lyon hurriedly.