Hero of Darkness

Inside the western area of the innermost parts of the capital Rathna, a flourishing city full of mansions, luxurious hotels and well maintained market was situated. To normal citizens, it would appear like a high-class society residential area where the top 1% lived. 

But in reality, it was just the main headquarters one of the strongest clans of the empire.. The Mikealson Clan of the Neutral Faction. 

The amount of influence, power, authority, money and manpower this clan held was no lesser than the Vandereich Clan of the Pureblood Faction. 

Although this clan didn't have a seventh stage saint or led the faction as a figurehead, it was one of the strongest clans of the faction and the clan leader himself was a 6th stage saint despite being nearly 70 years old and that too while belonging to the human race which had least life expectancy and potential to grow and breakthrough to saint rank. 

In the northern region of this city, was a pearl white castle that felt like it touched the sky if anyone saw it from below and this towering castle itself felt like it was part of some fairy tale. 

A lake surrounded this beautiful castle and waterfalls at the other end of this piece of great architecture gave it a majestic yet soul-soothing appearance if one looked from afar. 

This was the castle where the clan leader and his closest family members and relatives lived together. 

Flocks of blue crane-like birds passed by and the vast greenery around this 5 kilometers long ginormous castle looked simply heavenly. 

[[Author : Reference Art for Mikealson Clan castle in chapter comments.]]

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In one of the towers of this grandiose castle, a young woman around the same age as Kahn, woke up and got out of her silky and king-size bed. 

Yawn! 

She yawned and stretched her body as she got out of the bed. 

Her long black and silky nightwear gave her a mysterious and exotic appearance as she walked towards the door leading to the balcony. 

As soon as she got out on the balcony, the gentle breeze fluttered her shiny black hair as she gazed at the morning with her charming blue eyes that were as deep as an ocean. 

"Ah.. Such a lovely morning." said the beautiful woman as she embraced the beauty of nature around the castle, her melodious voice complimenting her appearance. 

Her mind was refreshed as he breathed the air full of natural scent. 

Her appearance was no different than an unparalleled beauty or a princess of some kingdom. 

But what differentiated her from the so-called kingdom toppling beauties of the cliche cultivation stories was not her beauty or the alluring figure that would make any man fall for her at first glance… 

Instead, it was the mild aura this graceful woman emitted out of her body. And this aura was something only a few people in the entire Rakos had to them. 

This was the aura of a Semi-Saint rank person! 

The young woman was one of the five known semi-saints under the age of 30 in the whole Rakos empire. 

A true and talented genius of the younger generation of the Neutral Faction who was also the daughter of the clan leader of the Mikealson Clan. 

"Today is my first round of matches. But it feels like it'd be a waste of time. How cruel of my father to not even give me the Recommendation Token.. 

Now I have to fight from the bottom and waste my time on useless stuff." spoke the woman. 

Knock! Knock! 

The door of his grand bedroom was knocked from the outside and a young man's voice was heard. 

"Lady Kassandra, lord clan leader has summoned you for morning breakfast. Please be ready in 5 minutes." spoke a young blonde guy in his teenage years who clad in white and red knight armor. 

"Coming!" replied Kassandra and her voice chimed in the room. 

Creak! 

Kassandra opened the door, dressed in a black robe for noblewomen and greeted the knight who was waiting on the other side. 

"Oye Isaac.. Why are you suddenly calling me 'Lady Kassandra' and not 'big sister Kassandra' out of the sudden?" asked the young woman. 

Cough! 

"I'm no longer just your cousin who grew up together with you.. Now, I am a knight of the Mikealson clan who shall serve and protect it!" replied Isaac, the blonde-haired young knight as he looked upwards and closed his eyes with a prideful expression. 

The joy was visible on his countenance. 

"This punk!.. Do you want me to beat you again, you little twat?!" shouted Kassandra and pinched Isaac's ear. 

"Aigoo! Stop! I'm only following orders. 

You're no longer the young mistress of the clan but also the representative of the Neutral Faction in the competition. How can I still call you big sister?" spoke Isaac. 

"Ouch! Let my ear go already!" he pleaded. 

"Arrhh.. So irritating. Now I have to put up with these pretentious titles as well.." sighed Kassandra. 

"Let's go." said Isaac and their duo headed down from the stairs. 

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When Kassandra was seated on the table for having breakfast, in front of her sat two figures. A man and a woman donned in epic rank mage clothes and gears, who appeared to be in their mid-40s despite their age being more than 70 years. 

The man was none other than Kassandra's father, Damon Mikealson. Who was a 6th stage saint magician and also the clan leader of the Mikealson Clan. 

The woman was her mother, Rainina Mikealson who herself was a 3rd stage saint enchantress. 

"Greetings, father. Greetings, mother." spoke Kassandra in a hushed tone, not making direct eye contact with either of them. Her head was already down for some reason as if she was on a trial for a crime. 

"Today's your first match. Don't slack off just because you had training experience with the saints of our faction." spoke her father in an authoritative tone. 

"Remember Kassandra… you're not just representing our clan but also the neutral faction in the Emperor's Chosen competition.." said her mother.

None of them had any caring or favorable tone towards their own daughter. 

"Do not disgrace our family name. And most importantly…" spoke her father. 

But the next second, her mother spoke and continued what he was about to say in a commanding tone. 

"You have to live up to the reputation of being the descendant of the First Sage."