Chapter Eleven: Kidnapping
[Activating passive innate ability: Omniscient God's Eye]
[Locking on target…]
[Target locked.]
[Revealing accessible information…]
[Name: Alice]
[Innate Name: Flames of Sorrow]
[Race: Human]
[Potential: S+]
[Cultivation Base: Fifth Stage Magic King]
[Lucky Information: A young child born in grief, raised in hate, and helpless to define her fate. Once a weakling, now an overlord. Driven by vengeance, she slaughtered all who usurped her parents' throne.
After the bloody war, she left her twin brother to rule the empire their parents had built. Now, however, she is merely a woman who has lost all expectations for life, teetering on the edge of aimlessness.
Alice is also known as the Flame Empress. When battling her, beware of her flames, for they bring sorrow to all they touch. And be wary of her temper—she is short-fused and often acts before considering the consequences.]
Twilight's heartbeat quickened.
Alice's information revealed she was far more extraordinary than she seemed.
It was common knowledge that the Flame Empress possessed a rare A-grade potential, yet his innate ability had exposed the truth—she actually had an S+ potential, beyond the S-grade, but below the SS-grade.
She had hidden it so well that even the world had been deceived.
Not only was she talented, but her cultivation was terrifying. It was no wonder she dominated the Red Dragon Empire.
Then there was her 'lucky information.'
To Twilight, nothing about it seemed lucky. Perhaps the term simply referred to the information his Omniscient God's Eye could unravel after a thorough analysis.
Twilight felt a pang of sympathy for Alice. His innate ability had laid bare her entire past with the events flashing through his mind, making him feel as though he had lived through it.
However, unlike Wilson, there was no glimpse of her future—only a vague hint. Twilight had caught a fleeting vision suggesting that if he chose Alice as his sponsor, his future would be limitless.
He couldn't understand why or how, but he wouldn't let his ability dictate his fate.
'Why do I feel like some kind of oracle?' Twilight thought, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips.
His thoughts were cut short by a cold, piercing voice.
"Little child, you dare try to inspect me?"
Though faint, the pressure in Alice's voice alone made Twilight's legs go weak.
His heart clenched in panic, and cold sweat dripped down his back.
When he had analyzed Wilson, the assassin hadn't noticed a thing. But Alice had sensed his inspection instantly.
The sheer disparity in their awareness and power levels was horrifying.
'Damn it! Why did my Omniscient God's Eye have to scan her of all people?' he cursed inwardly.
Unlike the representatives, Alice wouldn't hesitate to kill him—even if he had an M-grade potential.
Hell, even his ability's own analysis warned him to be wary of her temper. She acted before thinking.
Alice's amber eyes bore into him, scrutinizing his every move.
"What an interesting technique," she mused. "I can sense that the information you obtained wasn't ordinary."
Frowning, she continued, "Even though you're a mere mortal, you had radiated killing intent and wield an ability strong enough to see through me. I can't let you fall into the hands of the others."
Her gaze shifted to Lillian, the azure-eyed representative of the Fiery Phoenix Sect.
"Lillian. Take him to our headquarters. A genius like this must belong to us."
Twilight's eyes widened.
Before he could react, Lillian instantly appeared beside him.
"Yes, Master." She bowed, then grabbed Twilight, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished.
--
"W-what just happened?!"
"The genius just vanished into thin air!"
"Then why the hell are we still calling our superiors?!"
"The Flame Empress stole the genius! Everyone, after her!"
A wave of uproar swept through the representatives.
Many had been distracted, focusing on contacting their superiors. After all, it wasn't like Twilight could simply disappear.
Yet that was exactly what had happened.
Realizing that the infamous Flame Empress was behind it, they were left stunned, furious… and humiliated.
Her actions were a blatant insult—she had snatched Twilight right before their eyes, not even bothering to hide it.
The short, bald man, still fuming from his earlier exchange with Twilight, roared, "If it's a fight you want, Flame Empress, then we'll gladly give you one!"
Alice sneered. "Shut up and come at me, baldy."
The short man's veins bulged as he prepared to charge…
But then, dozens of figures suddenly appeared in the sky, all surrounding Alice and sealing off any escape.
The representatives immediately recognized them.
Their sect's upper echelons had arrived — or rather, decided to show up.
Excitement surged through them.
With their strongest forces gathered, the undefeated Flame Empress would finally face defeat.
An aged man with long white hair, clad in silver robes, stepped forward. His expression was unreadable as he locked eyes with the flame empress.
"Alice, you've crossed the line this time." His voice was steady, calm. "Return the genius, and I'll let this go."
The entire crowd stiffened.
Calling Alice by her name was a privilege no one else dared claim.
Yet this man had done so without hesitation.
Only one person had the authority to speak to her that way.
Patriarch Lee of the Mystic Tiger Clan.
Alice's sneer deepened. "I stole him. So what?" She crossed her arms. "If you have the capability, fight me and take him back. Or don't you dare?"
Patriarch Lee let out a slow sigh.
"Don't say I didn't give you a chance, Alice." His gaze sharpened as he ordered: "Everyone. Attack at once!"
Immediately, spiritual energy surged as dozens of powerful cultivators prepared to strike.
But before they could unleash their attacks,, a voice, thick with authority, boomed across the area.
"Daring to gang up on my sister in my empire?"
All movement stopped.
A young man with long red hair, clad in a crimson robe, appeared beside Alice.
"Patriarch Lee, I demand compensation."
Murmurs erupted among the crowd.
The representatives' eyes widened.
Immortal Rain.
The Emperor of the Red Dragon Empire.
Alice raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn't have come, brother. Even without you, I can handle them."
The emperor chuckled. "How could I let my senior sister have all the fun?"
Alice clicked her tongue. "Stop making me sound old. I was only born a few minutes before you, for heaven's sake."
"Haha, doesn't matter." He smirked. "Let's stop bantering and get serious."
"…fine."
The gathered cultivators fell silent.
They had come to challenge the Flame Empress.
Now, they had to face both the Flame Empress and the Emperor.
Their expressions darkened. The battle had just become far more dangerous than they had ever anticipated.
Grinding their teeth in frustration, they unleashed their power, preparing for war.
From a distance, the representatives trembled.
This was a battlefield far beyond their level.
Patriarch Lee, seeing the shift in tides, barked a new order.
"What are you fools waiting for?! Chase after the genius and capture him!"
---
Meanwhile, Twilight was still reeling from his sudden abduction.
"Let's go."
Lillian's voice snapped him out of his daze.
"O-okay…"
Twilight took in his surroundings.
They were now before a massive gate, its entrance exuding an imposing aura.
Engraved into its towering frame were two words:
"Starlight Academy."