There were three major academies in the Verdant Empire. It might seem like a small amount for an Empire, but it wasn't. Each academy was the best of what they could be, with all the latest technologies and teaching staff of high level.
There is the Clover academy, an academy for Warlocks. It was said that they only accepted warlocks with a potential of at least three stars.
Unlike obscure things like talent and constitution that couldn't be discovered until they were awakened, one's potential can be determined from the moment they awaken their cores.
There was an orb used to measure the degree of resonance between the human and their environment, things like bloodline were also factored in to make it possible to estimate one's potential.
Although it wasn't a hundred percent accurate, it was at least eighty percent accurate and the people of Verdant Empire have come to rely on this method.
Then there was the Holy sanctum academy, a school for knights. It was the knight counterpart of clover academy and although the competitive tension between them was high, they had a lot of similarities.
One such similarity is the fact that they both only consider those with a potential of at least three stars.
But there was one last academy, the most prestigious academy in the whole of the Verdant Empire. Most of the greatest figures in verdant empire are alumni of this academy and a lot of them ranked rather high on the golden and silver rankings.
Imperium, the imperial academy.
Unlike the other two academies, the Imperium academy was opened to Knights, warlocks and even imperial censors. It was on a whole other level.
Those from the Clover and Holy sanctum academies looked up to those from Imperium and they took them as a goal.
Unlike the other two, Imperium only took in those with at least a 4 star talent, this was the reason why most of their graduates were assured to be on the golden and silver rankings.
And just like many high ranking noble families, the children of House Leonis were students of Imperium.
Well, at least almost all of them.
Within one of the many training facilities in Imperium.
A young man with short grayish-silver hair moved about, a wooden sword in his hand as he alone faced three other students.
His movements were quick and decisive, his body twisting with amazing grace as he always seemed to be one step ahead of his opponents.
This was none other than Julien Leonis, the first born of House Leonis and the heir to the Marquis. He was also a rather talented student who, despite being a second year, was ranked within the top 100 on the bronze rankings.
Clack!
Julien parried an attack from one of his opponents, a brown-haired boy who used a spear. His strike was neat, his parry more of a skim as his wrist immediately twisted to strike the second opponent, a young lady with orange hair, who had arrived behind him.
She was the fastest of the three and she wielded a pair of wooden daggers. Her movements were on a whole other level than the other two, she seemed to be able to keep up with Julien.
"Tch, is this all you've got? It's basically a one versus one at this point." The young lady yelled at the other two guys who were supposed to be assisting her.
Julien didn't mind, his expression was one of extreme focus. He took steady breath, using his mouth to support his nose as he moved, leaving behind a trail of wooden scent from his deodorant.
The third student, a bulky male with dark hair who wielded a sword and a shield charged at Julien, his goal was to slow the latter down enough for the lady to catch up.
Julien saw it coming from a mile away, he deftly took a step aside, his body bending as he used his leg to sweep the charging guy off the floor.
With surprising strength, he grabbed the bulky student by the collar before he landed on the floor and without looking behind him, flung the body.
Bang!
The sound of two body crashing against each other echoed through the training room,
"Uhh…."
"Aah…."
Followed by groaning sounds. Julien halted his steps before turning around to face the lady. She was the last one standing.
"I guess it's time to end this charade." Julien spoke in a nonchalant tone. He wasn't even paying attention to the orange haired lady before him.
"You…." The lady was furious. Her name was Isabella and she was the daughter of a Viscount. She was very talented, being a Tier 3 knight of the basic grade.
She took pride in her skills and thought a friendly spar with Julien would be beneficial to them both.
'I was highly mistaken. Unlike the façade he shows others, he's extremely arrogant and condescending…'
Isabella was shocked to see that Julien didn't even pay attention during the fight. Although he looked focused at first, it wasn't until later she found out that he was actually absent-mindedly battling the three of them.
'Although he is very skilled, that doesn't give him the right to look down on us. Even if I lose, I'll be sure to deal in a good blow.'
Isabella took on a better stance, her body bending as she took in a wide stance that made it look like she was crouching.
"You'd better pay attention to this, or your face might match your ugly attitude…"
Julien's eyes narrowed as he looked at Isabella for the first time. The latter immediately felt a shiver run down her spine.
'This…..' she was stunned. She thought that if she egged him in a little, she would be able to get a decent fight before the sparring session ended but she was wrong.
All she felt was shivers down her spine as she looked at Julien.
'I heard he was on the same level as the Jarith, I guess they weren't baseless rumors.'
"What are you waiting for? Won't you attack?" Julien asked but Isabella couldn't reply.
She could tell, the moment she attacked, that would be the end of the spar.
Her body suddenly relaxed as she stood up,
"Fine, I surre—"
Fwoosh~
"Not a chance…."
Isabella's eyes widened as she felt a cold breath on her neck. Julien's voice directly entered her ears, only then did she realize that he wasn't even standing in his previous position.
'Shit!'
Whack!
It was over as soon as it began, with one heavy hit to the back of the head, Isabella immediately passed out.
"You bastard! How dare you do that to Isabella!" The bulky guy yelled. He wanted to stand up to confront Julien but one look from Julien made him think against it.
Julien flung the wooden sword to the side, picked up a towel and headed out of the training room. He began to head to his dorm when his Fluctlight Bracelet vibrated.
"Yes?" Julien's voice remained cold. There was a slight pause before a feminine voice sounded from the bracelet,
"Young master Julien, the head butler sent a message."
The voice was a bit shaky, it was obvious the person on the other end was trying her best to keep her voice steady.
"He said that the family head, the Marquis, has called for a meeting for all members of House Leonis. I was asked to inform you and tell you to inform your siblings."
Julien paused his steps for a bit, his eyes narrowing.
'I guess it's true that a rupture has appeared in our territory…..'
"Contact Edwinn and Elyisa, tell them about it." Julien said as he continued walking towards his dorm.
"...."
There was a pause on the other end. Julien knew what the maid wanted to ask, he also knew she didn't dare to and would instead, remain silent on the other end.
"Tch…. Contact that bastard and tell him too. But…"
Julien's lips suddenly curled into a cruel smile a she added,
"Tell him a day before the meeting, don't you dare tell him earlier. I'll know."
"Yes, young master…"
Julien disconnected the line.
'Although the everglade manor is not that far from the main manor, it's still almost thirty kilometers. Even if he leaves immediately he receives the message, it will only be able to arrive at the main manor by nightfall the next day,'
Julien chuckled inwardly, one could tell he was really pleased with himself.
'By then, the meeting would have long ended. I can't wait to see his expression when he arrives…'
Julien suddenly remembered a few days ago, during the coming of age ceremony when Emris called him inferior.
His gaze immediately turned sour and he clicked his tongue,
"Insolent brat, I'll show you who's inferior."
As Julien walked through the hall, his expression was dark and he had a palpable aura around him. Everyone made sure to avoid him.
Meanwhile, unknown to Emris, a plan aimed at his downfall was brewing.