As Theo sauntered to Lennox and Kira, excitement bubbled within him. This is going to be fun. he had, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Despite the tension of the upcoming tour, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. 'It's about time Lennox got a taste of what the Nexarc Grade has to offer,' he mused, eager to show off his knowledge of the academy's secrets. With each step, he quickened his pace, a glint of excitement dancing in his eyes. "Hey, you two! Good that we all mange to explore each other powers. We're its time to give Lennox tour of the Nexarc Grade," he announced with a grin.
"Hey, you two!" Theo greeted, his voice laced with enthusiasm. "Good that we all managed to explore each other's powers. It's time to give Lennox a tour of the Nexarc Grade," he announced, his grin widening with each word.
Lennox's response was equally animated, a smile spreading across his face. "Alright, sounds good. Happy it's with you guys and not some randoms," he replied.
As they strolled towards the east side of the academy, Lennox couldn't help but wonder about their destination. It seemed like a dead end, and he hadn't explored much of this area before. He recalled how certain parts of the academy remained uncharted.
'Still, with the level of technology here, there's bound to be a hidden entrance, just like Nadia's training room,' Lennox mused silently.
Approaching with the others, he scanned the seemingly solid brick wall, searching for any telltale signs of a hidden door. Lennox's pulse quickened his senses on high alert. 'This feels different,' he thought, Yet, before he could voice his suspicions, a powerful shove from behind sent him hurtling forward. His heart raced as he struggled to regain his balance, the unexpected shove sending a surge of adrenaline through his veins. The last thing he heard was Theo's laughter before everything around him shifted, and he tumbled to the ground, his senses reeling.
As Lennox regained his bearings, his breath caught in his throat as he took it all in, he found himself surrounded by towering, futuristic buildings pulsating with Nexus energy. Thousands of Nexarc students bustled about, adorned with gear that spoke of their adventures across realms.
"This, this is...Everything's so different here... the Nexus energy practically crackles in the air," Lennox exclaimed, awe evident in his voice as he rose to his feet.
"That's because there's a massive Nexus formation covering the entire academy here," Theo explained.
"And there's a whole array of activities to dive into combat, exploration, you name it," Kira added.
"Come on, hurry up. Let's check out those towering structures," Theo urged, extending a hand to help Lennox up.
Kira's gaze flitted across the bustling Nexarc Grade, her heart pounding with excitement. 'I've missed this place,' she thought, a sense of nostalgia washing over her.
Lennox eyes alight with newfound curiosity. "I can't believe this has been right under our noses this whole time," he remarked.
"That's the beauty of the Nexarc Grade," Theo chimed in. "You never know what you'll stumble upon. There's always something new to learn, someone new to challenge."
Walking alongside the others, Lennox couldn't help but notice a tall wall adorned with tech and stone, its imposing presence marked by three imposing stone heads atop metal poles. Curiosity piqued, he questioned their significance. "What are those heads for?" he inquired.
"They represent the four past Nexarchs, left to right is from the oldest to the most recent," Kira explained.
Lennox's thoughts wandered, contemplating the absence of Nexarch Valarian from the wall. 'Hmm, Valarian isn't there... must mean his position hasn't been filled yet. I wonder how long he's been the Nexarch,' he pondered silently, suddenly he felt that the third Nexarch head look similar to him a tinge of loneliness creeping inside of him but he decided not to dwell on it as he reflected on his own upbringing without parents as he always had none beside his sister.
As he continued his tour with Theo and Kira, they encountered various buildings and occupations tailored to the diverse needs of Nexarc alchemists, healers, formation masters, and voidspawn sealers, among others.
Suddenly, footsteps approached, halting their progress. Looking up, they were confronted by two figures blocking their path. The woman, with light brown skin and long purple hair cascading down her back, midnight black eyes as she exuded an air of mystery beneath her shimmering cloak.
Beside her stood a man of Tall and lean, standing at 6'2"., with sharp features, Deep, piercing blue eyes, Wavy, chestnut brown hair, styled in a relaxed yet polished manner he .wears a black tailored suit and a confident demeanor as he held a folding hand fan fanning himself.
As Gabriel watched Lennox, Kira and Theo, a smirk played at the corners of his lips. 'Ah, the usual suspects,' he thought, his eyes flickering with amusement. Despite the facade of indifference, a sense of superiority lingered within him. They have no idea what's coming in his mind already plotting his next move. With each step, he relished the opportunity to assert his dominance, eager to remind them of his power within the Nexarc Grade.
"Well, well, look who's returned Kira and Theo. Seems like you've found your way back to where you belong," the man, Gabriel, remarked with a hint of amusement. "Funny, I wasn't aware you two even knew each other, let alone belonged together."
"The clown duo strikes again," Theo said out.
"Considering you two snobs are inseparable you guys are nothing without us, it's no surprise were back," Kira retorted, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Lysandra's expression darkened, her irritation evident as she prepared to rebuke Kira.
'It seems the four of them aren't quite fond of each other... I wonder why,' Lennox mused silently.
Gabriel gaze locked onto Lennox, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Sensing an underlying tension, Lennox couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss What's his problem? he was wary, prompting him to stay vigilant.
'Interesting.' Gabriel thought, his curiosity piqued. "Who have you brought along?" he inquired.
Lennox met Gabriel's gaze head-on, his expression unwavering despite the subtle tension in the air. "I'm Lennox," he replied evenly, refusing to back down under Gabriel's scrutinizing stare. "Just getting acquainted with the Nexarc Grade."
Gabriel's smirk widened slightly, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Ah, a newcomer," he mused, his tone dripping with condescension. "Well, welcome to the grandeur of the Nexarc Grade, Lennox. I trust you'll find your time here... enlightening."
Lennox's jaw tensed at Gabriel's patronizing tone, but he maintained his composure. "Thanks," he replied curtly, his gaze flickering between Gabriel and Lysandra, sensing an unspoken tension between the two.
Gabriel aimed his folding at Lennox, unleashing a powerful wave of yellow Nex that sent him staggering, an unfamiliar pressure bearing down on him like a mountain. Despite the intensity, Lennox managed to maintain his footing, though he felt the strain coursing through his body.
"Kneel" Gabriel said in cold tone.
"Gabriel, enough," Kira interjected, her voice ringing out with authority. However, Gabriel disregarded her plea, intensifying his assault on Lennox, forcing him to the brink of collapse so Kira shot back her Nex at him as the clash sending debris flying bhut she barely mange to push him back.
Lysandra, fueled by defiance, retaliated, causing Kira to stumble backward. Lennox, on the verge of collapsing to one knee under the immense pressure, refused to yield. Through gritted teeth, he proclaimed his unwavering resolve.
"I will never kneel to anyone, no matter their strength, background, bloodline, or even if they're gods or demons. I kneel to no one," he declared, struggling against the crushing force bearing down on him as he felt his bone were about to shatter.
Suddenly, Theo unleashed his Nexus power, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. The force of their combined Nexes colliding created a resounding clap that reverberated throughout the vicinity, drawing the attention of nearby Nexarcs Is this a power play?
"Stop!" A commanding voice echoed through the air, accompanied by a surge of Nexus energy that enveloped everyone present make it instantly disappear.
When everyone looked to side as everyone saw a old white hair man with ancient robe i"Elder Alaric" Lysandra voice trembled Elder Alaric was an top Elder in the academy Eternal Elixir Sect.
"Do you think your status as Dragon List candidates gives you a reason to act as you please?" the Elder Alaric admonished sternly, his gaze piercing. Gabriel faltered, his smile faltering, as he offered a feeble explanation.
While Lennox, still reeling from the intense confrontation, struggled to catch his breath, his muscles aching from the strain of Gabriel's assault.
"Yeah... we were just planning to give him a tour and demonstrate the power of the Nexarc Grade," he stammered, annoyed Elder's Alaric intervention.
"Right, sure," the Elder Alaric responded skeptically, causing Gabriel and Lysandra to exchange uneasy glances. "Do you think I'm a fool that I'm oblivious to the rivalry between you four?"
Gabriel had always clashed with the Elder Alaric due to his abrasive demeanor and mistreatment of fellow Nexarcs, some of whom were even beaten to the point they couldn't practice again from while others disappeared over night some were simply swept under the rug by his influential family.
"No, no, Elder Alaric. Why would I ever doubt your wisdom?" Gabriel responded, attempting to placate the Elder's ire.
"Move along, all of you, before I have to involve law enforcement," the Elder Alaric commanded sternly.
At the Elder's Alaric words, Gabriel shot Lennox a disdainful look before retreating with Lysandra. Kira quickly pulled Lennox away, urging them to leave the tense situation behind.
"What's his deal? What did I do to him?" Lennox wondered aloud, perplexed by Gabriel's hostility.
"Don't worry about it. He's like that with everyone," Theo reassured him as they walked away.
...
After Gabriel departed, he and Lysandra's went their separate ways. Gabriel made his way to a mansion owned by his family, who had sponsored the academy on numerous occasions. After a brief wait, a man arrived at his summons, his demeanor tinged with fright.
"I'm here, Gabriel. What do you need?" the man inquired cautiously.
"I need you to burn someone deep enough to leave a scar," Gabriel instructed with a sinister smirk. "And don't you ever question me like that again."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the man acquiesced, his tone subservient.
"The target is someone associated with Kira and Theo. You will know when you see them just wait until he's alone, then strike," Gabriel ordered. "And perhaps afterward, I'll consider keeping your secret safe."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the man replied obediently from behind the door, the sound of bones cracking as he clenched his fists tightly.
Gabriel's plan unfolded in his mind with chilling precision as he watched the man depart, a twisted satisfaction curling at the corners of his lips. With each step, he relished the thought of orchestrating chaos within the ranks of his rivals, eager to assert his dominance once more.
As he entered the opulent halls of his family's mansion, Gabriel's thoughts turned to Lysandra. 'With their friend beaten beyond recognition, they'll be forced to confront me, potentially hindering their progress,' Gabriel mused, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Then surely Lysandra will notice my strength."
Despite their differences, he knew that she would prove to be a valuable ally in his pursuit of power. With her by his side, there was no limit to what they could achieve within the Nexarc Grade.
'But first, I must deal with these pests,' Gabriel thought, his gaze hardening with determination. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his Nex, the familiar rush of power coursing through his veins like liquid fire.
With a final smirk, Gabriel set his sights on his next unsuspecting target, his mind already plotting his next move.