The Head Elder of the Lotus Academy had aged decades in the last few days. First, the Crown Prince of Darkmoor Kingdom arrived and disrupted the students with an 8 on 1 battle using Lind Frey. The unexpected outcome made many question the edict from Darkmoor and the Emperor's orders of the Lotus Empire.
If that was all, he would actually hope that things could improve, but then a spirits cursed Sky Realm arrived not a few days later from the Heavenly Maiden Sect to negotiate with Ryu about his challenge to Lind Frey.
The stress from that had barely settled when a representative from the Kingdom of Altair arrived to discuss the current situation of Lind Frey being challenged and isolated at Lotus Academy. Technically they were not allowed to talk to Lind, but they could talk to anyone else. That loophole was causing him all kinds of headaches as Altair seemed dead set on making a commotion.
He was unsure why, though.
Altair set the condition that Lind successfully breaks through to World Realm before being officially the heir, yet they were acting as if that was a given. Politics were not his specialty, he had become the head of the Academy to avoid such backstabbing problems but was now in the middle of one.
The once silver hair seemed far whiter as he looked into the mirror in his office. The many vials and books strewn around his office showed his pursuit of knowledge never stopped despite his current responsibilities.
Just as he was reviewing the arrangements for the new negotiations, a knock on his door drew him to look up. His aura swept past his wards and a frown creased his face. Of all visitors, this was not a welcome one.
"Come in and state your business." The kindly old man he normally displayed was replaced by his low Gold Tier aura. He had spent 300 years of his life mastering his cultivation to this point and did not intend to have more stress added to this issue.
A lithe woman entered his office with bright blonde hair framing her now tanned face. Princess Astrella had entered the peak of the Soul Realm in her nearly 2 years at the Academy. It was a testament to her talent to have come so far so fast.
"Head Elder, I have come to talk about Lind Frey." He felt his hair turn whiter with those words but bade her to continue. "My father does not want an international issue caused by Lind Frey but as he is a citizen of our Empire, we would like this matter resolved quietly."
If he could, the Head Elder would curse for the next burn of incense or until the end of time. He would love for things to end peacefully, but ordering it did not make it so. He stared hard at the 2nd Princess as she was currently his student more than she was royalty. He enjoyed seeing her squirm.
"If I had my way, your highness, I would banish the lot of you from my Academy and teach the good seedlings under my charge without interference. As we do not live in my personal heaven, and the spirits seemed driven to drive me mad, I will allow negotiations to continue." It was not like he had a choice and the Emperor knew it. Darkmoor and the Heavenly Maiden Sect were far more powerful than the Lotus Empire, but Altair had a legitimate claim to Lind Frey he could not overturn. Thus, he stayed in his office and simply arranged a place for them to meet.
"I know, Head Elder, I am simply relaying my father's wish. I would rather Lind Frey, himself chose his path." The haughty look faded from the girl and she offered a mint stick to the old man he gratefully accepted. The treat was slowly enjoyed as it melted in the mouth and was a relaxing resource for a stressed mind. "How are the negotiations going?"
"Sigh, if it was just Crown Prince Ryu and the Heavenly Maiden Sect, I suspect everything would work out, but you know Altair." A deep frown crossed her face as she nodded and they both offered a prayer to the spirits to Lind Frey. The Kingdom of Altair was wearing thin on them long before this, but now it was clearly making noise because it could to powers that could ignore them normally. What price would it take to make them go away?
****
"Are you insane?!" Gorn was heavily breathing as he stood in for his prince at the negotiations. Crown Prince Ryu had to recuse himself to calm down due to the current idiot in front of Gorn.
He was a human with a sniveling smile that almost demanded to be hit, but Gorn had resisted. Anyone else from his group would have killed this man just for that, but the demon was tempted due to his current stand.
"I am quite sane. Our royal family has suffered unfortunate circumstances and our current crown prince is being challenged by our lord Ryu. We think it is not right to cut off all routes of inheritance by attacking our heir." Both men flinched as Sky Realm aura flared briefly but Tyr remained silent as the 2 men bickered.
The fact a woman was here seemed to irritate the Altair fool, but Gorn actually welcomed her at this point with open arms. They had almost reached an agreement after only a week of talks but then this idiot horned his way in.
"For the last time, Lind Frey is in no mortal danger. This challenge is about him having the mark of our future queen consort." If looks could kill, the slim man would be dead many times over. Gorn looked to Tyr but she quietly sipped her tea and seemed to just observe as she had for the last 3 days.
"Our Crown Prince is currently at the peak of the Soul Realm but his highness is only at tier 6. How can you possibly think this is an honorable challenge?" Gorn had a vein throb on his forehead as his knuckles cracked loudly in the room. Lady Tyr also seemed to stare starkly at the Altair representative.
How were they going to make this fool go away?
"Enough." A new voice brought all 3 to stare at the doorway to their room. There was supposed to be guards to prevent any entry, but the person at the door made them all realize the guards would not stop the subject of discussions.
Lind Frey was in crimson robes with a black emblem on his right breast of a bird of prey in flight. It was not the robes of the Lotus Academy but of the Frey Clan in the Southern District. The statement was clear, he was here for himself alone.
"Lind–" Tyr spoke but he held up a hand.
"I truly thank the friendship and care of the Heavenly Maiden Sect, but I will not allow the charade to continue to waste your time." The boy walked forward and bowed towards Gorn but he noted Lind did not even glance at the representative of Altair. For that alone, Gorn was ready to promote this human with all the resources he could muster.
"Your High–" A flare of emerald was followed by a staff whirling at the slim man. Lind looked coldy at the representative as if he was a bug.
"Never speak from this moment on." Lind then ignored the man once again. "Senior Gorn, I accept that I did not understand what a demon mark meant but I have no ill intentions towards Princess Cyntilla. She is my friend. Will Crown Prince Ryu now consider this?"
Gorn took the time to bow and smile at Lind as he saw it infuriated the slim fool behind them. Lady Tyr seemed much more focused now but remained silent.
"We know the truth, but our Lord's honor is on the line. We cannot simply ignore it. As you are human I know you do not value the mark as we do but–" Gorn was stopped by a flare of Soul Realm aura from Lind Frey. The dark green eyes were fierce and the demon stumbled to complete his thought.
"I know what it means now. I have never taken advantage of Cyntilla. Are you telling me her opinion does not matter?" Gorn felt sweat break out on his back. He could feel Lady Tyr boring into his back and knew this was dangerous ground. The heart demon might be tied to this question so Gorn took his time to answer.
"On the contrary, my Lord values her opinion but he will not give up. He wants an open chance to win her favor. You have her mark due to an oath." Gorn said nothing wrong but now he felt pressured by those dark green eyes. How could a Soul Realm pressure him?
"Sir Gorn, surely there would be better ways?" Lady Tyr finally spoke but he wished she had not as Lind looked to him to see if that was so.
"We are demons. This is a mark against our honor and must be met with a duel." Lind seemed to take Gorn's words seriously which surprised the demon. Humans normally tried to deny reality, but this one did not ignore their code. Gorn increased his estimation of Lind Frey.
"What exactly does his highness expect of a duel between us?" Lind's question was actually quite welcome.
"My Lord will restrict his realm to yours and fight you openly for the chance to win Princess Cyntilla's heart." Gorn expected acceptance but the mood in the room changed. Lind Frey seemed to be shaking in rage as he stared at Gorn.
"Let me see if I understand. You expect me to fight for the affections of Cyntilla as if she had no thoughts in her head about the matter? Is she simply sitting in a corner waiting for us men to decide between us who is worthy? Do you think I am an idiot?!" Lind Frey's aura blazed but only the tier 3 representative blanched at it. Gorn and Tyr only stared at Lind.
"Calm yourself." Lady Tyr offered those 2 words and nothing else but Gorn felt it. The flash of a heart demon had flared for a moment even to his senses.
Lind took a breath but continued to stare at Gorn. All the reports and personal observations seemed to be lacking to Gorn. He realized there was a final line in this human he would not allow to be crossed.
"It is not as simple as that, but the mark can only be removed willingly by Princess Cyntilla. If she finds my Lord worthy, is that not her right?" Gorn changed tack but he was surprised to see Lind get angry again.
"Is that the only measuring mark you need? Crown Prince Ryu beats the crap out of me so Cyntilla will choose him? I would rather just ask her but your edict prevents me!" Gorn felt a flush of shame finally. His Kingdom had done wrong by this boy, but it was not entirely their fault. The honor of the Kingdom demanded honoring its promise to the powers under it. A glance at the slim man showed he was smiling.
Suddenly, a staff appeared and the slim man was sent flying across the room.
"You have no say here! Leave this place and never return or I will let the nearest person beat the crap out of you!" Lind's rage practically manifested in the room as blood flowed from the mouth of the slim man as he lay on the ground. He stood up and bowed to Lind before leaving the room.
"Finally." Lady Tyr spoke but Lind glared at her as well.
"I am done waiting for you all to decide my fate. I appreciate all you have done but this cannot continue. I accept Crown Prince Ryu's challenge. Have him set a date and he need not reduce his tier either. All I ask is that he actually talk to Cyntilla before this inane fight!" The boy whirled around and marched out of the room.
Gorn actually bowed towards him out of instinct. Lady Tyr frowned but did not comment, yet Gorn knew she disapproved. It was true, however, that things were going nowhere due to Altair's interference. If talks resumed, it was likely a stronger representative would be sent to interfere.
"Remember what you just saw, demon. Lind Frey does not indulge what he perceives as ignoring the will of others." Gorn stared at Lady Tyr but then realized his mistake. He had not once stated Princess Cyntilla's desire in the conversation. His Lord's stance was known, but not one person had asked about her.
"Perhaps we could learn from him in the future. May your honor be strong, Maiden Tyr." Gorn bowed and left once he was dismissed. It was all in Crown Prince Ryu's hands now.