SUNDAY

Today the school is not open and Argius is enjoying his reading, his legs is on his comfy bed, while the wind from the windows slowly and carefully moves inside the room.

‘Haa’ Argius said breathing deeply his face is calm and tranquil.

Argius is enjoying the peace and tranquil moment now that Leia is going outside for something. Argius don’t know what that something is but thank god she has something to do.

Because that allowed Argius to enjoy this peace.

Then in half an hour later, the tranquility and peace, the quiet day on Sunday, the plamn of Argius to laze around, is shattered. The door opened and Leia entered and with it her screams.

Her face is happy and smiles can be seen on her face.

‘Will!’ She yelled. And Argius sighed.

‘I’m on the bed!’ he yelled back.

Today is supposed to be the day he is lazing around the bed, reading and maybe some stroll on the park during the evening.

Or maybe asking Sarah to go watch a movie. ( If he ever got the courage) Or accompany Sleepy Will to the Shack again. Maybe even go to his uncle shadow company.

Trying to plot the destruction of the largerst empire that has ever ruled the earth is stressful and time consuming. He deserves at least one day of rest.

Leia entered the room and jump to the bed landing right next to Argius. Argius put down the book on the table beside the bed.

‘Guess what?’ Leia said, her face is happy, smiles all around.

‘What?’ Argius said, putting down the book beside him

‘I got a job.’ She exclaim and hold Argius hand, swinging it with him. And that surprises Argius.

‘A job? Who would hire a clumsy girl like you?’ And Leia give him a knock on the head.

‘Ouch’ Argius cried.

‘Ok seriously, what job did you get?’

‘Model.’ She said smiling

‘Model?’

‘Model.’ Leia repeated again. Argius look again and he understands. Leia is……beautiful. She has smooth white skin, a pretty long blonde hair, her beautiful hazel eyes and her voice is enchanting.

That innocence unadorned voice, not too high nor too low, a pleasant voice and an affable personality.

‘Hmm’ Argius said.

‘So? What that has got to do with me?’ Argius said.

‘Hehehe.’ Leia said.

‘I want to update our agreement.’

‘Update?’

‘Yes. An update.’

‘On which part? Argius ask.

‘On the part where I work as your Interior Manager.’

‘You mean maid.’ Argius said reminding her.

‘I.N.T.E.R.I.O.R.M.A.N.A.G.E.R.’ She said spelling it.

She won’t contend being called a maid. That is cute. Argius mused.

‘Fine. Also what do you want to change?’

‘I got an advance of my fee after working there last week. The company trusts me enough.’

‘And?

‘And I want to rent my room’ She said, her eyes determined. Argius almost laughed out loud.

‘Do you really hate listening to my orders?’

‘Yes, so I want to change that. I’m no longer your maid and our relationship is no longer employee-employer relationship. It’s….roommate.’ Argius laugh this time.

‘Hahahaha. Do you think it is cheap to rent a house like this?’

‘You can rent it why can’t I?’ Leia said.

‘Rent it? The land on the Hills belongs to my uncle. I did not rent this. It was given to me.’ Argius said.

‘Hish. Rich guy. So what, you are showing off?’

‘You are a noble right? Aren’t you rich too?’ Argius asked

‘That’s my parents money, idiot. Not me. And considering I’m the one who runs away from home how could I pathetically go home and ask for their money. It defeats the purpose of me running away from home in the first place.’

Argius look at Leia and sighed.

‘Fine you want to rent it. Give me the money and I’ll allow it. Now our relationship is not roommate it is between a house owner and the one who is renting on his house.’

‘You are really particular and hung up with what constitutes a relationship. It is one of the things I hate about you Will.’ Argius just ignored her complain.

‘Ok, so how much the rent?’ Leia asked

‘3000 gen.’

‘What? That high?’

‘Look around you Leia. Top security system. A huge lawn, double story and all around here is the private property of my uncle which means your privacy is guaranteed. The view is good, it is close to the city and everything is provided from the room, to the bathroom, to the private library on the basement. Not to mention the large yard.’

Leia look at Argius with unbelieving eyes then she softens a look and her voice changes to smooth tone activating her persuading mode.

She wraps her hands on Argius arms and begs in that cute manner, her eyes blinking and her voice become sultry.

‘Come on, Will. Have I ever told you look handsome? Because you are. How about a friend discount? Or I do anything for a day coupon from me? I could even persuade Sarah to date you.’

If I could get close enough to her. She mused

‘No.’ Argius adamantly said.

But Leia continues her assault and she tightened her grip on Argius arms and Argius could swear he could see fire on her eyes.

Thinking that Leia would not give up, Argius faintly shakes his head and sighed.

‘Alright, then. Friend discount. But I want that coupon.’

‘Fine.’ And quick as lightning Leia release her grip.

‘How much is it now?’

‘1200 gen. How about that? It’s reasonable right?’

Leia is doing a mental calculation and she smiles.

‘Of course, roommate’ she said smiling from ear to ear.

‘Homeowner’ Argius corrected.

‘Roommate’ she said insisting.

Argius just smile.

‘Whatever you say. I never could win against you.’

Leia is still on the room as Argius grabbed the book he put down and started reading again. Leia is still lying on the bed.

After a few minutes Argius finally realized she is not yet returning to her own room.

‘What are you still doing here?’ Argius asked, staring at Leia

‘Just cause.’ Leia said looking at Argius, her eyes is full with feelings, and Argius felt it then, like he connected somehow with this girl.

Ancient scripture said that the descendant of Arial is of divine blood, and when there is someone whose fate so tightly woven with them appear, they could feel it.

Like a spark, a fire that burns, the water that soothes.

But what Argius felt was not the heat of a spark, or the flames of fire or even the fresh coldness of water but a shock to his core when he look at her eyes at that moment.

He doesn’t know why. He doesn’t know what it is about. But he knows. They are connected……..somehow. Or will be.

‘Just cause?’ Argius asked again shaking of the feeling.

‘Yes. Your bed is really comfy.’

‘You’re not going to say that you want my room right?’ Argius joked

‘What do you think of me to think like that?’ She said pretending to be offended

‘If not, get out.’ Still she lays her head on the bed while looking at the white ceiling.

‘Thank you Will.’ She said, not looking at Argius face, her cheeks are blushing.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Hmph…she’s shy Argius finally understand. Then finished saying what she want to say she got up and exit the room.

Argius look at her leaving and slowly he smiles.

At least she is not leaving. Argius mused. He is used to Leia presence in the house and he could not think it would be the same if she left.

Then he resumes his reading.

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MOONDAY 1 MOURN 1500

Today finally the teachers going to teach us and explain about Qi and magic. People who have magic, interested in magic, can do magic, will go to the magic teacher to hear magic explanation and studies while those who wanted to hear about Qi and those who practice Qi will go to the gym.

After all not everyone has chosen their path yet.

Argius chose to go to the Qi mostly because he is not capable of using magic.

When Argius reached the gym he could see many people in the gym but not more than 30 people.

After all not everybody want to walk the path of martial art practitioner. Some people just wanted to become a lawyer, or maybe doctors or maybe hundreds of other profession.

Those who enter the path of martial arts usually end up in the military or the Peacekeeper and some ended up in the Imperial Services.

Sounds prestigious right?

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some people got stuck at the bottleneck and could not breakthrough to next level and the only fate left for them?

Mediocrity.

Only the best crop is chosen. The survival of the strongest. That is the path martial artists have to walk.

Why risk your life and future then when you could just study hard and become successful in other area?

You could learn medicine and be praised for saving people or become a lawyer and protect the innocent using the law.

Martial artist fights.

And only the strongest gets recognition. Like the 5 Saint Lion. There is no one that Argius recognize in the gym.

Mostly the people from the other classes.

In the center of the gym is one old man but even though he is old everyone could feel the power that emanated from him.

‘Sit down, students’ he said, a clear voice that reverberates around the gym and slowly the students find space to sit down.

‘Today, I will explain to some of you what is Qi and its studies.’

The student nodded.

‘You are all young, 15 years old but in old times training started at an early age, at 8 and sometimes ten. The great Emperor is said to have started his training at 6. Anyway, I will begin my explanation. First I will explain about the ranking. There is Flowing Power, Novice Understanding, Junior Reflection, Senior Enlightenment, Expert Martial, Matchless Saint, Deity, and of course the legendary and unattainable God rank.’

And the student listen with attention. Some people do not know this. After all not everyone have to choose this path.

It is like the orientation ceremony. The teacher job is to explain and then it is up to the student whether to pursue the path or not.

‘Each one has ten levels to reach the next rank. We have to thank the Fifth Emperor and his scientist who have developed a way for us to rank the power level. As many knows there is only a handful of people who broke thought that legendary rank of God and it is doubted that anyone will ever again reach that rank.‘

‘Why not so many people broke through?’ one student held up his hand and asked..

‘Simple. Those people that reached that rank live in an era where war is everlasting, wars that stretch hundreds of years, and there is no long period of peace. If you are weak you die. They train since young and with what hangs in the balance they couldn’t really slack off and their motivation is high.’

‘What stake?’ the same students ask.

‘What motivation?’ Others ask.

‘Survival, student. Survival. The weak couldn’t choose how to die. Look at Great Savior Levitia. His era was one that is fill with wars and bloodshed, cruelty and persecutions. Look at the Great Emperor. Even his name is an indication of his chaotic era. Arial the Conqueror. War is almost synonymous with his name. This is why it is doubted for anyone to step their foot to that realm of power in our peaceful era. God rank. And deity rank. Not many people have even reached Matchless Saint. These three Great Ranks as it is called could not be attained through eating pills or consuming herbs. These three Great Ranks can only be achieved by having an understanding of the universe and gaining an enlightenment of your own body and soul to breakthrough. Anyway that is the overview of the rankings. Any question?’

‘What is the ten levels for each rank?’ one student ask.

The student nodded.

‘The ten level is divided into three stages. Level 1 to 3 the elementary level, ranks 4 to 7 are of the intermediate level, ranks 8 to 10 are of the peak level. For example a Novice Rank intermediate level means he is Second Rank and then he will say whether his level is 5 or 7. Like this. My name is Bert, Novice Rank, level 7. It is the normal way of introducing oneself in a tournament.’

‘Are your name Bert?’ one of the students says. The teacher chuckled.

‘No, I’m not. I came from Daming Continent and I have been the citizen of the Empire for ten year now so I’m the Emperor Citizens. My name is Xiang Feng. I am Senior Rank level 7.’

‘Ohhh’ the other students express their awe.. Nearly expert level. For people who are Senior rank they could jump high and climb mountains without using any equipment’s.

‘Any more questions?’

‘Tell me about the schools, Sir Xiang Feng.’

‘Call me Teacher Xiang. The schools huh? Someone seems like an eager student.’

‘I want to sign up’ the student said.

‘Interested in martial arts or do you want to enter the army?’

‘Interested in the art, Teacher.’

‘Hahaha. Good! Good! Fine, I’ll tell you about the schools. There are two types the sponsored schools and the unsponsored schools. Sponsored means that most school have its branch and most of the sponsored school for martial art training is usually large and full of students and they usually cooperate with the ministry of Education to provide people with training whether to pursue the art or to find jobs in the Imperial Army.’

‘Can you tell us the sponsored schools?’

‘Of course I can, though I don’t remember every school that is registered with the Ministry. Hundred Thousand Blade School, Jade Palm School, Illusory Fist School ,House of Blades and Knives, Elusive Shadow School this is the few I remember and all this school is offered in this school.’

There is murmur of excitement broke out among the students.

Then Argius raised his hand

‘What about unsponsored school?’

The teacher reply ‘Unsponsored school is usually elite schools.’

‘All Conquering Sect, Linzi Temple on Old Eden, Ermeishan Sect, and Yilin Temple is known as the 4 Great Schools.’

‘All Conquering Sect’ one of the students yelled.

And the teacher understood.

‘Yes, it is the School which the First Emperor founded and still remains one of the strongest schools in the Continent. One of the 5 lions is also the disciple of All Conquering Sect and he is the youngest person to reach the Senior Enlightenment rank. But there is a reason they are called elite schools. All Conquering Sect only receive one disciple per teacher. When the teacher retired or died or the teacher has acknowledge the student power above his own, only then can the students can take another students. Ermei on the other hand only accepts woman, Linzi has written exam and reciting exams based on the Analects and the Three Teachings while Yilin has strict rules that need to be adhered.’

Argius nodded.

There is a reason why they are called elite schools. Their requirements are hard but no one could deny that anyone who comes out of those schools surely would have their name resound in fame and glory.

Especially All Conquering Sect.

‘For anyone that decided to attend Qi learning next week please go to the Hall of Qi training to get your energy watch. And that’s it. Any question?’

The other students clamored around the teacher asking question while Argius slowly get out from the gym…thinking.

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Ok, 3 releases in one day!