Leroy had taken several tests in the last few weeks. Proving the material was something he understood already. As such he was excused from those classes and had several months to do other stuff instead. So he increased the number of classes to teach just to earn money as well as set up Missions for resource gathering.
As for his adopted kin, Leroy made sure to teach them diligently and make them quite proficient in everything they studied. As well as making sure they did not skimp on Body Tempering and did not rush their Cultivations in Qi Refining Realm either. In such a short time, the children were bright-eyed and displayed stronger noble character than actual noble children.
The villagers from the Valley were hard to treat medically but with the right guided hand, they turned into happy people who only became sad when thinking about the fate of their town and former family. But the news was still a hard pill to swallow.
But the hits just did not stop coming.
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Imperial Edict-
.
Leroy was currently drinking some juice as he lounged in his courtyard. The sound of buildings getting erected didn't bother him in the least as the sooner it was done the sooner he could move stuff indoors. Some of the Formations he learned and improved on require.. certain patterns that painted unusual pictures.
He didn't think he would enjoy teaching so much and despite the threat that he had to deal with he used this time to hone his skills more and sharpen his fighting abilities. He needed more resources to cultivate the Flame Vortex into the Foundation Establishment Realm.
However, he must have been having too much fun as an entourage led by Proctor Constance and Acting Principal Itsumi made their way over. The members of the Imperial Army looked ready to cause trouble but if they were smart it was not with him. The casualties from the full-blown Rebellion had made that very clear.
"Teacher Leroy, sorry for the interruption but a problem has arisen." Handing over an edict of the Akademy and that of the Empire she really did look reluctant to do so. "This is for the good of us all.."
It was a slight mumble to herself as she had no real choice if the Akademy was to keep its current standing.
Grabbing them both with the use of Qi, he looks at one and then at the other. A deep scowl on his face on which one to read first since it would determine what choice he would make next.
"Proctor Constance... what Sect are you from really?" Looking at her, he did not break eye contact at all. "I believe what I am about to read will piss me off and the notion of joining another Country or Sect is starting to sound good right now. So before I read either of these would you like to say something?"
Grinning internally the woman was actually quite happy but she couldn't show it no matter how bad she wished to. Ignoring the looks given to her by the others she spoke neutrally to him.
"I am part of no Sect, it long since perished but I have friends to recommend you to if that is what you really seek. As for another country, I know several that would betrothed several sons or daughters to you."
"Haa, well I gave you a chance but too bad you didn't take it." Opening the Akademy Edict first he was right about not liking it. "Well, this is really shitty. I just built this nice expansion and have a beautiful tower and bathhouse getting built."
"There are not enough Instructors to spare and you are the most diverse." Acting Principal Itsumi tilted her head slightly down upset she couldn't offer him something better. "Old rules of the Akademy as they are will not allow me to leave or any of the higher teachers to lead the students for a Trial."
Not learning from the last time he wanted to say, Leroy stopped himself as the Trials getting canceled was good for safety. If they wanted the students to grow weak and timid it would be bad. Having it despite what was going on invoked a type of control and safety to the students and populace.
Opening the Imperial Edict, Leroy's eyes became bloodshot with the first few lines read and he lost control of his emotions a little. Murderous Qi started wafting off his body along with Fist Intent and Sword Intent further than either were at before.
*Sching!* Countless blades condensed from a fire before cutting the air and exploding.
*Bam!* Numerous fists punched out in every direction before crackling away into sparks of lighting.
Miniori and Kaitori were over a second later with weapons at the ready. The imperial guards were already defensive now they took a step back ready to fight in a formation.
"Officer Shentai, it is a grave offense to kill citizens without just cause." A voice he hadn't heard for a while echoed in the courtyard. Tang Xuan came over garbed in Imperial clothing with a strong retinue behind him. "Surely you have not gone crazy in all this time."
It was not a question but just a statement to diffuse the situation.
Except the two were not on good terms and Leroy hoped the other would have been killed in some cover mission. But he was not that lucky it seemed.
"Now now, the Empire has enough infighting lets not add another." This voice was someone he was glad to hear and help calm Leroy down. "It is good to see you are alive hopefully you have not forgotten your coworker Doctor?"
It was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator that helped during the Operation with the Dark Nether Drake Family. His charge, Nessie the daughter of his Lord and head of the household Lord Lachlan was with him. One more person brought up the rear with some bodyguards.
"Yes, I doubt he has Nigel, good to see you despite these troubling times Lord Shentai." Lady Geneva spoke the same as before but her eyes were a little softer looking at him. "Our.. grandfather is right as rain now but that is a talk for later. I see they have already delivered the news before we could get here."
"Yes..." Leroy handed one to his adopted sisters each. "..a very calculated move that makes me think they are trying to kill me." Waving off any protests, he was not willing to listen to it. "I will carry out the Trial in my own way with the students and make sure to handle my new duty as a Medical Officer to deal with the troops. Whether that is kill them if they are a threat or set them up for treatment."
"That is the best any of us can do at this time." Acting Principal Itsumi took her leave as she needed to go and report. "Proctor Constance do not linger to long."
"I am coming right now as well as the army. Leroy make time to speak in private before you leave." It was not a request as the woman walked off with the Imperial Army. "Lady Geneva come with, it would not do well for a person of your standing to be here at this time."
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Late Night Visitor-
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Elder Booksun arrived in Leroy's room while he was cultivating. Thanks to a Talisman that ignored Spatial fluctations she was able to get inside his defenses. Unfortunately for her he was completely naked and that startled the century-old virgin.
"Gah!" At least she didn't shriek as she calmed herself seeing he was not doing anything indecent but just cultivating something with a lot of metal. "Haa, well guess you know I am here."
"Yeah.. felt your presence then I didn't." Leroy frowned as if she wanted to kill him he was fucked. It really sucked a lot of powerful people were dicking around him like this lately. "
So why did you sneak into my room?"
His tone was cautious but not fearful. It was evident he could not beat her as before she was weak and sick. With enough chances and all of the formations he had in his courtyard, there was a chance.
But now, not so much as the refinement for the Metal Seed was at a part he couldn't have interrupted unless he wanted to die.
"I have to thank you for your treatment option, Constance was able to help me greatly with the help of several others. Not only did I make a fast recovery the last few weeks but even have improvements in my cultivation." The woman's voice was pleasant, not something he was pleasant after the last few encounters with hearing her. "I also heard you wanted to change to another Sect and Country, I could help with that."
"Too late, I already made plans now and I have gone through all the chances I have allotted to Constance."
"And myself?"
"You have one more after this stunt." He had to try really hard not to scoff at the question. "To trust and to be lenient will only bring pain to myself and those I care about."
"What about making threats to those you cannot beat?"
"Haven't lately but in the end.. I can only blame myself for not being flexible enough." Pushing the Metal Seed faster and the refined liquid metal more through his body he felt an increase in his pain as he had to make sure he did not cover certain vessels to thickly. "What is that you seek from me?"
"Nothing, but how can I help you? I am a Soul Severing Cultivator fully." The smile she gave him was beautiful if not extremely dangerous. "I heard you are in the Foundation Establishment Realm with a very deep cultivation, my insights can help with breakthroughs now and in the future."
"..." Leroy was very tempted to take that offer but every intuition he had was screaming that he would be giving too much. It was nothing more than stupid pride part of him thought but then he thought about how she acted before and the treatment of his adopted sisters. "Kaitori and Miniori.. what you did to them I can not just let go and it would be an absolute disgrace for me to do so easily."
"I.. see.." Somewhat ashamed that he went so far for them and that she did treat them badly she offered no excuse. This however also made the woman respect him a little more. ".. Many people don't know this.. but my sister never really wanted to be a cultivator. She wanted to get married and have children of her own."
Moving to the window, she activated the Talisman and waited for just a moment. A feeling she hadn't felt in a long time fluttered through her heart as the image of her sister flashed briefly. The surfacing of dormant emotions was heightened to a point they could not be ignored.
"Whether you want it or not.. you will be paid." Elder Booksun took a small sliver of her Qi and flung it toward the Metal Seed. Her control and power latched onto his use of Spatial Sense as she forced her will upon him. "After this, we are clear of all debts and if I hear you treat those two badly I will find you."
"Ughhh!" Unable to resist, Leroy had to prevent himself from deviating with his cultivation as he made sure he didn't also die. 'This crazy woman!'
As Leroy twitched in agony and anger, Elder Bookun did not stop as she took pieces of him from various parts of his body. The biggest chunk was from his heart as she cut off the entire outer layer of the vital organ.
With such precision, the inscriptions he placed on himself were copied and became known to her. Booksun was at the point where she would risk a war to take Leroy back to her Continent to the Unlimted Sect to work at his leisurely safety.
"Grow strong Leroy!" With those final words, she vanished just as easily as she came when finished. Despite how things turned out and what she did, the Elder of the Unlimited Sect flew straight to Constance to tell her what she just did. 'I saw a man naked then assaulted him after talking... I am not ok!'