Chief Knight Zero joined other candidates as they walked past the imperial field into the scholars temporary quaters westward of the palace.
The scholars temporary quaters had been moved to the Northern side of the palace which was occupied majorly by imperial academia buildings.
But some offices of teachers and trainers at the imperial academy for some reasons remained at the old site along with rooms which stored old important documents of old students of the imperial academy.
Zero could recognize some candidates mostly Chief Knights along with very few generals from across the six realms,but there were barely a few above middle ages.
He didn't know generals could take but he wasn't supposed surprised as the emperor's Knight was paid much better than some newly reinstated generals in some parts of Delvin.
Everyone wanted a better life,and the fame and respect that came from just one position.
They walked in silence for a while under the sun's scorching heat till they arrived at the largest building in the quaters.
Two lines were formed by the candidates with high rank generals and a prime minister on each side.
Zero stood by the prime minister of Edor when it was his turn watching his outstretched arm.
"Your letter"
"What letter?"Zero asked puzzled.
"Your letter of summon!"the prime minister snapped,his gaze hardening.
"Ohh that?"The Chief Knight grinned widely scratching his head."I....lost it?"
"You shouldn't be here without one"the older demon grunted.
"Good then I can just_"Zero paused as a younger demon with a district officer badge walked up to the prime minister holding few sheets of paper.
He whispered shuffled the sheet before showing one of them to him,when the prime minister nodded,the Chief Knight suspected a telepathic information had been exchanged,it was evident the paper held his name and details in it.
"Your name!"the prime minister demanded.
"Zero...zero Jager_"
"Pass"the demon cut in before turning his attention to the person behind him.
Zero stepped in and took the seat a district officer of Urah he knew showed to him.
His eyes scanned the room as more candidates walked in,till he watched Athena been given a seat just behind him.
The candidates occupied the seats in the large hall with two district officers in every row.
In the five Seat upahead sat three prime ministers, the two unoccupied awaiting the duo checking in candidates for the exams.
With papers distributed, the rules of the exams was read out along with the penalties for breaking them.
"It is my utmost desire to be tagged a rule breaker at this point"Zero whispered to Athena, cranning his neck backward.
"Don't sweat it...summons are excluded that is why they do well in written exams more".
"Then why tight security if they are not being fair with the rules,Why the rules?why block our telepathy? and these prime ministers aren't they here to ensure a fair exam?"
"I can assure you_Jager,they have their orders,who and who not to punish at this point_"
"Shut up!"the female district officer standing few paces ahead snapped.
The sudden sound of a whistle filled the hall cloaking it with a tensed atmosphere as candidates turned their sheets over, quickly dipping their quil pen in ink and letting it dance on their sheet as fast as they could.
Zero watched them for a while before returning his gaze to the district officer.
"You shut up!"he snapped,loud enough to let the officers around hear him.
Various candidates around shot quick glances his way while their pens continued it's swift motion on their sheet but to his amazement the officer didn't move an inch.
She averted her gaze pretending not to hear.
"What right have a young inexperienced officer like you to shut me up!... you've got some nerves"
The district officer shot him an angry glare which assured the Chief Knight he had gotten through her.
His broad smile only seemed to flare her anger as she stalked towards him,just what he wanted.
She grabbed the collar of his shirt and locked a raged widened almond eyes with him.
"You might not be so interested in these exam but I believe someone behind you is"She paused before glancing Athena's way.
"Say that again and she can kiss the exams goodbye,besides I caught two talking candidates not just one."
"The exams just started"
"But that's your own part of the story not mine..You owe me a sincere apology after this exam".
She freed him and returned back to her position with her gaze fixed up ahead.
Zero swallowed and sunk into his chair,he opened the exam sheet, glaring at the questions, resisting a strange impulse to tear it,but that would cause another scene.
He slammed the sheet shut before resting his head on the desk,in a short while,he had drifted off to sleep.
**************************
"I think I've had enough"Tyran said,gently dropping his goblet.
Seriah eyed him closely as he stared at the wall upahead.
On his own command she was already on the quickest route to ensuring the success of her mission and here he was suddenly refusing liquor again.
He was still sober,she could tell and the liquor in the wine pot wasn't halfway gone,somehow she had to make him drink more.
From his gloomy facial expression she was certain memories of his late wife swarmed through his mind.
"My love what ails thee?"Seriah said in her calmest tone."You seem bothered for some reason,I am afraid my presence displeases you".
"Not so"Tyran said glancing her way.
"Forgive me your imperial majesty....I remind you so much of her....you must miss her so much"Seriah said bowing her head.
A broad smile broke through his face as Tyran placed a hand to her chin,slowly raising her head to his eye level.
"You have my thanks...of letting me see Fiona one last time..young maiden"
"But such memories sadden you my love".
"Yes at the same time fills me with joy,that I had known someone like her,that she is the mother of my heir,along with the sadness of her absence comes happy memories of the good times we once shared...so,I don't regret it".
"It is said that liquor drains one's pain,empties your mind while freeing your soul of it's burdens_"Seriah said drawing the jar closer to pour him a drink but the Emperor stopped her with a palm.
Tyran chuckled.
"Yet only for the moment,it never truely takes the pain away,you drowse and awaken and there your devils are once again staring back at you"
Seriah dropped the jar and stared up ahead.
"You are indeed correct my love".
"It appears you intend I take more liquor...you remind me of someone I met few years back".
Seriah looked interested.
"Who your majesty?"
"Aponia is it?...A maid servant who fancied me,she got me drunk and made me get her pregnant,she bore my first child".
Seriah gasped covering her lips with her palm.
"Your imperial majesty but that's awful...how can a maid servant...."
"She belittled me and...."Tyran paused turning to Seriah.
"If you were me,how would you have her punished?"
First of all you got into her and planted your seed.Consciously or not, copulation is enjoyed by both parties I admit she wronged you but attempting to take her life or thinking about such would be too extreme,Seriah thought to herself.
Within her she knew Aponia had committed an unforgivable sin but she could never side with a murderer of her own sister.
"I...I don't know"She said doing her best to control her voice on the verge of shaking as she clutched her fists tightly beside her.
"What was your judgement my love?"
"She deserved much worse than she got"Tyran said."But now,I couldn't care less I have even more pressing issues at hand.
Seriah watched the emperor's gaze harden as he picked the goblet.
"Pour me another drink"he ordered.
She gladly moved closer to pour him a drink and watched him fondle with the goblet, gently shaking it's content.
"Liquor is unable to rid one of his pain permanently then how do you suggest one rids himself of pain".
Seriah shrugged,puzzled at the question.
"You either befriend it or if unable to befriend it...you can choose to get rid of it... permanently".
"How your_"Seriah paused as she felt strength leaving her.
She touched her moist face and gazed at her blood stained palm.
As blood welled up in her mouth,she turned to the mirror and watched blood flow down her eyes,nose,mouth,ears and in-between her legs.
She dropped to the ground, slowly feeling her conciousness draining away.
Seriah watched a blurry image of Tyran come into view.
"I don't know who you are but the huge amount of magic energy emanating from you is one any commander tire wouldn't miss,also your existence as Fiona's lookalike poses a distraction to me,what right have you to bear that face?"
Tyran sipped his wine and cliqed his tongue as he watched her lifeless body.
"There can be only one Empress and sadly,she left me you filth...even if you shared the same blood as her twin,I would have killed you nonetheless"he kicked the body before walking away.
"Now where in the world is Maximilian"