The Vermillion Phoenix soared high above the world, its great wings cleaving the clouds like a ship through waves. Each stroke of its crimson feathers shimmered with heat, leaving faint trails of golden sparks that quickly faded into the sky.

Below, the land unfolded like a painted scroll—patchwork fields in greens and golds, rivers winding like molten silver, and distant forests so vast they looked like emerald oceans. Mountain peaks jutted through the clouds like the spines of some ancient beast, their snowcaps catching the sun in blinding flashes. The wind was sharp, carrying the cold bite of altitude, yet tinged with the faint fragrance of wildflowers carried up from valleys far below.

Luca leaned forward slightly, raising his voice over the rush of air.

"Your Majesty, this isn't the route to the academy. Where are we going?"

Celestia's golden hair streamed behind her, dancing in the wind like strands of sunlight. Without turning, she answered simply, her voice clear and calm.

"To the Imperial Palace."

Luca blinked in surprise. "Why are we going there?"

His thoughts flickered with mild panic. She's not… going to kill me for the few times I disrespected her, right?

Celestia's head tilted slightly, her profile serene. "You will know once we are there," she said, her hair rippling in the wind like a royal banner.

That was answer enough—or rather, a sign there would be no further explanation. Luca shut his mouth and leaned back, letting out a small sigh. Fine. If nothing else, the view was worth enjoying. He let his eyes wander over the vast beauty below, letting the moment's silence stretch.

Before long, the Imperial Capital came into sight—a sprawling city of white stone and gold-tipped spires, arranged in elegant rings that radiated from a magnificent palace at its heart. Sunlight glinted off its rooftops, casting a dazzling aura over the entire city.

The Vermillion Phoenix banked smoothly, bypassing the main city gates entirely. They descended toward a grand archway suspended high above the palace—an entrance in the sky itself, reserved for the most elite of arrivals. Two elderly men in long, formal robes stood at the platform's edge, their posture straight as spears despite their age.

As the Phoenix landed, both men bowed deeply.

"Welcome, Your Highness," they said in unison, their voices calm but carrying the weight of authority.

Their gazes flicked briefly toward Luca—measuring, evaluating—but not a word was spoken to him. Even so, he felt it instantly, like an invisible hand pressing against his chest.

These two… they're no less powerful than the Iron Duke.

Celestia dismounted first, her movements smooth and dignified. Luca followed a step behind, schooling his expression even as his instincts told him to tread carefully. Together, they passed under the archway and into the heart of the palace.

The palace corridors stretched endlessly before them, a labyrinth of polished marble and towering columns. Shafts of light poured through high arched windows, casting long patterns across the floor that seemed almost too perfect to be real. The air here was different—crisp, faintly perfumed with incense, and carrying the quiet hum of power that came from being at the heart of the empire.

Luca walked a step behind Celestia, his gaze wandering over the intricate tapestries that lined the walls—scenes of ancient battles, celestial beasts, and emperors long gone. Each step echoed faintly, swallowed quickly by the vast halls.

The Imperial Palace is as grand as ever… he thought, his eyes lingering on the gilded carvings along the ceiling.

"Now can you tell me why we're here?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Celestia's lips curved into a faint, almost playful smile. "You'll see soon enough."

Luca blinked. Huh… she's not immediately shutting down my question? His mind clicked with mild amusement. Well… that's progress, I guess.

Instead of heading toward the throne room or the more public wings, Celestia led him down a narrow side corridor. The light here dimmed, the walls stripped of ornamentation, until they stopped before a plain, heavy door of black wood reinforced with golden patterns that pulsed faintly with enchantment.

Luca's brow furrowed. This… isn't somewhere the average noble would ever set foot in. Still, he followed without protest.

The door opened silently, revealing a spacious yet dimly lit chamber. At its center, seated cross-legged upon a circular mat, was an old man—his presence alone heavier than the two guardians at the sky entrance combined. His hair was white as snow, his back straight as steel, and even at rest his very being radiated an aura of restrained dominance.

The moment his eyes opened, a wave of pressure rippled through the room—neither hostile nor welcoming, simply overwhelming. Luca felt it settle over his skin like a mantle far too heavy to wear.

Celestia stepped forward and inclined her head.

"How are you, Uncle?"

Luca's eyes widened. Uncle? As in… the previous emperor's brother?

Forcing himself to move, he lowered his head in a respectful bow. "Greetings, sir."

The old man's gaze shifted to him for a brief moment before returning to Celestia.

"Are you sure?" he asked simply, his voice deep and even.

Celestia nodded once.

Without another word, the old man reached into his cloak and withdrew a scroll bound in crimson thread. It floated effortlessly through the air toward Celestia, who caught it with practiced ease. She laid it flat, and with a small motion of her fingers, a second blank scroll appeared. Golden script began to copy itself across the parchment in smooth, fluid strokes.

When the copy was complete, she turned to Luca, holding it out.

"Take it."

He blinked. "Huh? What's this, Your Majesty?"

Her expression remained unreadable. "It's the complete Moonslayer… and the next technique."

Luca's hands trembled as he accepted the scroll, his eyes widening.

"Y–Your Majesty…?"

His thoughts churned. I thought Moonslayer was a technique with no known origin… but if this is from the Imperial Family… even ordinary noble houses guard their arts with their lives. Giving this to an outsider…

Celestia's tone softened slightly, but her eyes held steady. "Take it. You've proven worthy by mastering Moonslayer at the Core Compression stage."

At that, a flicker—small but undeniable—passed through the old man's eyes.

Luca swallowed, glancing between them. "A–are you sure, Your Majesty?"

"Take it," Celestia said, her voice carrying the finality of command. "It's an order."

He tightened his grip on the scroll, bowing slightly. "…Yes."

Celestia nodded once. "Go and wait outside. I'll be there in a moment."

Luca hesitated only briefly before stepping back, the weight of the scroll in his hands making him feel as though he carried something far more than paper. With one last look at the chamber and the old man seated within, he turned and left.

As Luca stepped outside, the faint echo of the closing door seemed to seal off the dim chamber behind him.

Inside, Celestia turned her back to the old man, her long, golden hair swaying slightly with the motion.

The old man's eyes narrowed, deep lines creasing further as he said, in a voice both calm and heavy,

"You know that's not an ordinary family technique that can be shared with outsiders, right? You are aware what this means?"

Celestia's chin lifted a fraction, her face unreadable, the faintest shimmer of light catching in her crimson irises. She nodded once—precisely, without hesitation—neither defensive nor apologetic.

The old man studied her in silence for a moment before his shoulders eased just enough to release a small sigh.

"What did you find?"

Her gaze sharpened. "We are too far behind."

His lips pressed into a thin line, and he gave a slow, knowing nod. Then, with a faint rustle of his robe, he shifted his weight, closed the worn leather satchel at his side, and lowered himself back to his cushion. His eyes slid shut, as though withdrawing from the world again.

Celestia turned and walked out, her footsteps quiet yet deliberate.

Luca was still there, standing just beyond the threshold, his eyes unfocused, as though his mind was a thousand miles away. When she emerged, the sudden flicker of light in her presence pulled him back to the moment.

She glanced at him once, her expression calm but her movements measured.

"Follow me. There is one more thing I have to give you."

One more? Luca blinked, his thoughts taking a turn. Wait… did Her Majesty…. fall for me or something?