CHAPTER 42: NONE WANTED TO BE LEFT BEHIND

The sky was gradually blessed by the setting of the sun, illuminating a four-wheel cart bearing the burden of a metal carriage covered in frost, which would be accompanying my companions and me. And by its side was the sapphire crest of Seafrost.

I stood before the carriage, keeping myself as calm as possible to avoid getting worried thoughts.

Behind me, the leader, Milton Von Quadraxis, stood with three guards prepared as knights, pride shimmering in their eyes.

Even though that of the guards might be genuine, I could spend any coin on me to prove that this acting leader of ours was only putting up an act of pretense.

’Wasn’t he the one who tried to discourage me? Why put up an act as if he’s proud of me? Tch.’

But that’s by the way.

"I can see you’ve decided to take them with you," Milton asked, his voice calm like settled waves.

I looked to my side and recognized what he was talking about.

Within the one week left for me to complete my training, the topic that I was keeping demons with me was raised in the meeting hall of Seafrost.

Milton had invited me as the Leader, but after a few considerations best known to him, he decided to let them be.

But on one condition: that they would never in any way cause any form of chaos or even in any way raise attention that could result in confusion.

That was a pretty simple promise to keep. So, he was able to send the message across to every mage.

A first problem was solved. I will be able to have the trio with me as long as they don’t act rashly.

However, Milton left his position and came forward to me, whispering into my ears.

"I warned you never to participate. I even had to stop you from being able to get an Entrance Form, yet you paid adamant ears to my concern," he complained.

I shifted from his close reach and signaled my companions to enter the carriage.

Muna, who seemed to hold grudges against this acting leader, rushed to stand between us.

"You’d better stand back. Don’t even think of attending the test," she roared, pointing her fingers at the leader.

With a smile, Milton waved his hands and turned his back against Muna.

"I almost forgot you were participating too," he let out a brief laugh. "Don’t let your brother die, you get."

Then, turning sharply, he added. "If he died anyway, don’t feel bad about it." Placing his right index finger on his lips, he finally said. "And for attending, my presence is needed, of course."

With that, he let out that same brief laugh and began to work back towards the gate.

Something about how he recently acted now felt clearly suspicious to me.

First, it had started when he tried to discourage me from getting the form, calling my little performance ’weak’.

Now, he thinks I wouldn’t be able to make it in the Academy Test.

Pausing for a while in front of the carriage’s silver door, I let Muna enter before me.

"Hmm. Since he would be attending, surprise is only what I should offer," I murmured and joined the others inside.

...

The palace of the Quadraxis Empire was tall, rising like a shard of dawn, cast, prismatic and humming with unseen power. Its towers were spears of glass and metal that caught the golden light of the sun and scattered it in rivers of color across its surrounding region of the imperial city.

At both sides in the middle, approaching the palace building, were two waterfalls of light with the statue of the Emperor standing tall in between them.

Foot clicked against the cobalt floor of the assembly ground, approaching a horde of stairs built in the open to carry a platform stage.

On this platform, the Emperor, plumpy and average in height, with his cold eyes and shabby hair, watches as his daughter approaches with confidence.

"Here comes my baby," he said, spreading out his hand as if he were about to practise Cinderella’s dance. "Sandra, come on, hasten your steps."

Behind the Emperor, two young men, one having almost the same features as Sandra, while the other having those of his father, grunted.

"When will you stop pretending to care about her, father?" the one who has black hair, who framed one of his eyes, said.

"Not like you will ever give her the chance to do whatever she wants," the second included.

The Emperor became serious after hearing these words, and his mood changed.

He turned immediately to them and asked. "What if granting what she wanted also meant giving the throne to her?"

The young men were about to defend what they meant when they made their utterances when Sandra finally approached below the stage.

"Father, I think I’m prepared now," she said, her silver hair flowing under the strange cool wind.

"Very well, my baby girl," the Emperor said, collecting his hands back and began to climb down the stairs.

Once the Emperor reached where she was standing, with her maidservant flanking her side, he pulled her forward and began to demonstrate with his hands.

"Look around you," the Emperor said, motioning his hands around to lead Sandra’s eyes to observe her surroundings in the empire capital.

"Your younger brothers have opted to forfeit this property to you," he said, with every ounce of sarcasm in his tone.

The two young men, still standing on the stage, stretched their hands as if they would be able to stop their father from speaking.

"Isn’t that going to be the right decision?" Sandra keyed in to the game her father wanted to play. "Isn’t it going to prevent future bloodshed between the twin brothers?"

The Emperor flicked his index finger on her forehead and clicked his left eye.

"That won’t happen in my regime," he said, suddenly letting out a laugh as he left Sandra and walked to climb the stairs, back to the stage.

"If you think it’s going to be a dream come true to become the Empress, dream on," the Emperor said, switching his mood to that of seriousness so quickly.

’Tch. You sure have a mood swing, and so do I. Who told you I would need your permission to become an Empress? If not now, one day. Just one fateful day.’

Sandra was called out of her daze by her father’s voice.

"Okay. Before you leave, I will make it clear to you that your engagement will be called off today," the Emperor announced. "I will brace that event for this particular purpose."

Then he looked by his opposite sides at the younger brothers of Sandra.

"Please, tell my baby girl that this is an opportunity to get a suitable husband for herself," he turned back to Sandra.

"Many strong, noble male mages will be participating. Choose wisely. Remember, the heiress of those three Duchedoms will also see today as an opportunity to choose husbands for themselves."

"You understand why you can’t be with that Mobix guy, don’t you. He is Doom! A future Villain."

For some reasons Sandra couldn’t grasp unto, she wasn’t comfortable with how I was referred to as a doom.

In a moment, she visualized what had taken place in the grave hall. How Muna had been the aggressive one, and this boy, referred to as Doom, tried to calm the situation.

’I wonder how being a doom will fit him,’ she thought.

Looking up to her father, she prostrated before him. "Sure, Father, I will find myself a suitable suitor."

Then, with a look of defiance, she let out a mocking laugh and turned, signaling her maidservant to join her as she left.

...

The dawn of Purity Academy loomed on the horizon.

Anticipation filled this horizon, patiently awaiting the arrival of the year’s candidates.

This year’s candidates have been murmured to hold such strength and power that has never been witnessed in the Entrance Test in recent times.

The Academy was, however, not just for humans. Technically, not for ordinary humans.

All Purifiers were prepared for a risky task ahead of them, and so, weakness was never an option.

Due to this fact, their selection process was tough, and tougher — even more than that.

Yet, calibers of Mages sacrificed all they could to participate. Even those unknown to many.

Why?

Well, their reasons are all best known to them.

There was only a certainty — none of them wanted to be left behind.

They all moved. To embrace the Purity Academy Entrance Test.