The incoming third quarter school festival was an annual year celebration meant to put more interaction between the first years and upperclassmen. At this time, parents and guardians are free to enter to watch their children participate in games and events. This festival was also meant to release the stress for the upperclassmen since the second quarter was the hardest part of their year, so the festival was for them to loosen up.

    This year''s festival was also the academy''s way of fixing the current rift between the seniors and the first-year students.

    "Jeremiah how is the hunt on the church remnants"

    [According to what I got from the archduke library, it seems they had gotten most of them, our spies were also on the move so we should just wait]

    "And the missing part of the tree?"

    [Still missing]

    "And Nero is still in a coma. Did I hit him too hard?"

    After Apollo had his rest, he recast Clonis and continued his search over the word tree''s missing research results.

    "I should just do what I told you before"

    [You plan to massacre people again?]

    "Well, I don''t really plan to kill them, only marking their location; *sigh* speaking to the location, I wonder where they put Nero. I should probably pay a visit and just search his memory"

    [I''m already looking to it, Creator]

    "Keep me updated" Experience exclusive tales on empire

    [I will]

    The exams had started, but Apollo''s thoughts were still flying here and there. But even so, his name came on top, although it wasn''t a surprise for the first-year students; the upper-year students wondered why the rankings hadn''t changed yet, especially with Apollo being in the lower class. Some thought he wouldn''t be able to keep up with the other High-class students. However, contrary to their expectations, Apollo secured his rank one position, and all his classmates were able to secure a spot in the top 50. It was a very good position considering their rank on the previous exam. While some accepted the rank, others were skeptical about it. They were expecting Apollo to be ranked first, but they never knew his lower classmates could actually climb into the rankings. Somehow, some selected people grew hateful and jealous of the growing strength of the class.

    "What''s this? Why the hell is a lower class seated at the top of the rankings?" A voice filled with amusement was heard, and this made some first-years frown. However, they couldn''t voice their opinion since their professors told them to respect their seniors. More seniors came and saw the ranking board and most of them were aghast to find out that the top 50 were filled with lower class students.

    "Midas will not like this," mumbled one of the second years while the third years were confused about why a Lionheart was placed in the lower class.

    "Apollo, Eros'' little brother?"

    "I think so"

    "This is a bit complicated"

    Some rushed back to their dorms to discuss it with their friends, but some remained to watch the situation. They felt interested in the current situation, not until their presence made them all look back. A group of fifteen students leads by a beautiful black-haired girl with ruby-like eyes. Her aura was overwhelming definitely not an ordinary person.

    "Who is that girl?"

    "Don''t know it seems she is from a noble family"

    They began speculating until their eyes landed on the boy walking right at the very back of the group. Red orange hair and eyes that will remind you of the sun, aloof and cold to some but warm to his friends, Apollo Lionheart made his appearance shutting those who speak ill about him.

    "What''s with the noise?" he mutters, about the buzz-like noise of a murmuring crowd.

    "Sorry"

    "Don''t be I know whatever you did, you did it with good intentions. But next time don''t take the burden all to yourself, you know you can always share it with me and with your friends"

    She reminded him because aside from her, there is still the tower and classmates who are ready to help out.

    "Oh, wait, I almost forgot you already received a different mission from the emperor, right?" She suddenly asked while only a nod was Apollo''s answer.

    "He told me to keep an eye on the upper-year students here"

    "And here I thought Edgar was the main person that was causing the havoc"

    "Nope it seems there is something else that is hidden deep within the walls of this academy, he wants me to investigate it"

    "That should keep you occupied right?"

    "Actually I was planning on continuing a long overdue plan, but you know the emperor''s orders are my top priority"

    Alicia suddenly has a complicated look on her face upon hearing those words. "Obeying the emperor is something you can''t deny, after all," she weakly said, making her friend speculate if she had any idea about the oath.

    Apollo wanted to ask, but before he could, a notification from Jeremiah attracted his attention.

    [I have news, Creator]

    "Have you found it?"

    [I did, I have been spreading my senses across the empire, particularly to the archduke''s side, and it turns out it was them who found the research results; that is why we can''t find it. The weapon is already given to the emperor and sealed away but unfortunately, I could not find its location]

    "That''s okay how about Nero?"

    [According to what I heard from Archduke Nero should be locked inside the inferno palace underneath the capital]

    "Alright then we should pay a visit but keep an eye on any information you can gain from the archduke"

    [I will]

    "Thank you"

    A sigh of relief escapes from him, knowing that the part of the word tree that can be used to infinitely supply mana has been seized by the emperor.

    "If it''s him, then I don''t have to worry, right?" he asked himself before suddenly hitting himself.

    "Damn it is this my real thoughts or just the influence of the oath!" He thought hard, but Alicia, who was still with him, was worried when he suddenly hurt himself.

    "Hey, what''s with you? What''s with the sudden hitting?" Worry is evident in her voice as she says that.

    "It''s nothing I just got certain thoughts in my mind"

    Alicia could only shake her head as she saw the bruise Apollo inflicted upon himself.

    "Don''t do this again"No?v(el)B\\jnn