EPISODE 18: A CLASH OF IDEALS 1
-Edryan Queendom. Year 7290, Season: New Beginning
“Ade Travax Oni against the Crown Prince? That guy is dreaming if he thinks he’ll win.”
“Why is he even trying to fight the Holy Son, by Madris’s Grace.”
“Ade Oni? Challenged the Crown Prince? Holy Son of Edryani? That Crown Prince? The one with all the stories of his fantastic achievements? That Crown Prince???”
“Why would a scion of the Greater Six, all families closest to the crown, challenge the Crown Prince?”
-Chatter heard around Imperius Academy.
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It is never a bad day to spill blood.
Days flew by as the students of Imperius Academy settled in. Before we knew it one full month had gone by. That meant several things, but first and foremost IP could now be used and earned freely. IP or Imperius Points were what the students collected and determined their rank in the school. It was also a form of currency and could be used to trade for various objects. Things such as body tempering potions that could enhance your six attributes before the system unlocked or after. Crafting materials for those in that sort of profession, whether it's rune smithing or traditional blacksmithing, it doesn’t matter. IP points can get you access to anything you need to succeed. As long as you’re willing to pay the price. I was not running a charity.
IP could be earned in various ways. For showing up to your classes you would receive 10 points daily. Creating a new function using an item or material like Lawryn Adel did with the CGB would allow a number of points to be allocated to you by your bracelet. More would be given if you submitted the design to the academy and allowed it to be used elsewhere. Others could not steal your work because here at Imperius Academy I implemented the basics of a copyright law. Crafters would earn a commission every time someone brought their item from the student market even if someone else made the device and sold it. They would still receive a small dividend. It was one of the various ways students earned points.
Those in a more combat orientation class could earn points by traveling to the surrounding forest or grassland outside of the capital and hunting beasts and monsters. These jobs were extremely lucrative in order to balance out how crafters could earn from commissions and such. While selling the beast parts to the academy or other students would earn you a hefty profit. That didn’t even take arena gambling into account.
I walked to Class 1 with a confident smile on my face and a wave to the nearby students. My fan club was on official duty today. Just one of several established in the past month. The fan club girls marched behind me in a formation with their leader in the front shouting a chant that the rest responded to. Magic rang in their voices that made your blood heat up with excitement and fighting spirit. It seems the leader was training herself to be an [Enchantress]
“WHO DO WE WANT TO WIN?”
“CROWN PRINCE.”
“THAT LOSER ADE ONI CAN’T STAND UP TO OUR?”
“CROWN PRINCE.”
“WHO DO WE CHEER FOR?”
“CROWN PRINCE.”
…
How did this happen…? Internally I was palming my face in exasperation but a little part of me couldn’t help but beam in pride. When the Crown Prince Fan Club first came into existence, I was flabbergasted that they were actually approved. Plus they could get a teacher to be the advisor for the club. Club requirements on campus were simple. Three members minimum and a teacher to serve as an advisor for the club. The club didn’t necessarily have to do much besides that and have an objective they were working towards. Once it was known the CPC was allowed to become an actual club on the academy grounds. Several more dozen of these club types popped up overnight. With most of the high noble scions in Class 1 holding one.
Once I finally made my way into Class 1 the chanting paused. The girls finally hurried their way to their own classes. I scanned the classroom and my eyes met those of Wil Silverhand. His pointy ears were twitching as a smirk made its way over his face. His bright blue eyes looked at me and the fading noise from the CPC then burst out laughing. Doubling over as I made my way to my seat.
“Good morning, Madria and Amaya,” I said with a wave. Making my way between the girls and taking my seat.
“Good morning Lawruthian,” Madria said with a smile and a smirk.
Next to her Amaya was giggling while constantly eyeing me. When I finally turned to stare at her she lost control and her giggling turned into a full-blown cackle.
Now I was glaring, not only at her but at Wil Silverhand and Madria as well. The latter continued to smirk at me before I finally was irritated enough to speak.
“What!?”
“Who do we cheer for,” Madria said. Her smirk broke and out came a giggle of her own. Her eyes turned into crescents as her hand came up to cover her mouth. The sound was clear and beautiful. Showing me a new side of the young woman I’d never seen before.
“CROWN PRINCE,” Amaya and Wil Silverhand shouted.
As the rest of the class filed in the three continued with their obnoxious behavior. I wasn’t willing to stoop to their level.
“Don’t you all have developing fan clubs of your own,” I asked with a smirk at the two girls.
As the two girls finally came down from their laughter. Madria put a hand on her temple while giving her head a slight shake. Her bob moved in sync with each shake.
“Isn’t this your school? Can’t you do something to make them quit?”
“Imperius Academy is a new and innovated school that allows students to express themselves in a multitude of different ways,” I sniffed. “If students wished to express their interest in this sort of manner, then who am I to halt them?”
Time continued to pass until the final members of Class 1 filed in and the homeroom period began.
“As many of you know, today is the first day on which challenges, whether through combat or crafting, can officially begin. These challenges must usually be approved by a teacher or higher member of the staff,” Wil said with a nod in Ade and then my direction.
“I approve of the challenge between Ade Travax Oni and Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani.
The wager will be the 300 IPs you’ve both earned to this date. The winner will receive another 50 points awarded by yours truly as I admire the way you’ve officially started the school year with a bang!”
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“WHO DO WE WANT TO WIN?”
“CROWN PRINCE.”
“THAT LOSER ADE ONI CAN’T STAND UP TO OUR?”
“CROWN PRINCE.”
“WHO DO WE CHEER FOR?”
“CROWN PRINCE.”
I stood on my end of the arena as the cheers of my fan club did their best to drown out all other noise. Yet on the other side of the arena the cheers for the crowned ‘dark horse’ were able to challenge the fan club filling the stands behind me.
“ADE”
…
“ONI.”
…
“ADE”
…
“ONI.”
Behind Ade Oni were plenty of the men on campus and those who loved the story of a dark horse. Shirts were off and muscles were being flexed which caused me to smirk and smile. Seeing the Edryans, my people happy… was nice.
I took a long deep breath of the fresh spring air. The dry dirt underneath us and the setting sun that gave off a bloody reddish-orange glow set the theme of today's main event. These challenges were hosted in Darius Battle Hall and at the end of the first month of school. IP or Imperius Points were now able to be used and traded for various things.
Combat was the first of them.
Ten thousand freshmen students were studying for their profession here at Imperius Academy. Slightly over half were here for one purpose and one purpose only. Each believed in their own strength and was ready to put their IP where their mouth is. By the end of the week, rankings would change.
Mine would not.
I stood there in silence, a single double edge short sword strapped to my waist, while a dagger remained strapped on my lower back. My stance was neutral and seemingly unbothered. While my gradient-ebony hair remained in a braided ponytail. Across from me, Ade Oni stood with his arms crossed, large metallic gloves covering his hands, While on his shins, knees, and feet was regular armor. His fighting style was clear and concise.
For several moments we waited in silence until the referee appeared from nowhere. One moment there was no one between us and the next A figure appeared breaking our focus and drawing all attention to herself. One of the high-ranking combat instructors of the academy titled [Sword Saint Aurora]. She turned and looked at both fighters, checking us over once before being satisfied with what she saw.
“Begin.”
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The moment the instructor spoke she vanished. Both fighters moved into ready stances yet one was slightly faster and that made all the difference as he dashed forward. Closing the distance between them in the instant after Sword Saint Aurora disappeared. In one moment, both of the fighters were staring at the Sword Saint, yet in the next each other. They took their stances and she disappeared. Not even the cheers of the arena could pull the fighters' concentration from one another.
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A sword was drawn as a metal-covered fist hurriedly parried. The attack aimed for Ade Oni's neck and was barely blocked. Lawruthian didn’t hesitate to push his advantage. The Crown Prince drew out the dagger from his waist with his left hand. He aimed to stab Ade in his side and towards his kidney.
‘(Imperius Combat Arts: Form Breaker).’
Ade Oni’s armored hand barely grabbed the dagger in time. The tip just slightly broke into his skin as the roar of the crowd went wild. For the briefest of moments, the fighter's eyes met with so much being spoken in so little time.
Ade Oni displayed his confusion, yet a hint of excitement was deep within his red irises. The rising excitement for battle ignited the primal urge to dominate within him. Ade Oni could feel his bloodline responding to his excitement for battle. The young noble scion of the Oni could feel his strength beginning to rise.
Lawruthian Edryani's eyes were as far from the same as they could be. His eyes display a cold, cold, calculating Intent. To him, this was no battle his red-gold irises seemed to say to Ade Oni. This was war.
Before Ade Oni could contemplate his next move, his thoughts, and rising battle lust were broken as a forehead bashed into his nose. Blood gushed from the appendage as Lawruthians forehead broke through. The Crown Prince used his opponent's disorientation to break his weapons free with a ruthless kick to his opponent's chest. Knocking Ade Oni to the ground as he stood tall.
For several moments Lawruthian stood there his opponent seemingly knocked out. The Crown Prince turned his body and looked into the silent crowd before speaking.
“Who is next?”
*****
I stood there; my body half turned away from Ade Oni as the silent crowd stared in shock. Blood was dripping down my forehead and onto my battle clothes, but it was not my own.
Ade Oni held a bloodlust in his heart and the strength to satisfy it.
Yet not with me.
“I am Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani, and I ask again.
Who. Is. Next?”
Ade Oni held a conviction in his eyes. One that would not reach me. One that I had seen long ago at one of my birthday parties.
The conviction to walk next to me.
*****
-Edryan Queendom. Year 7278, Season: New Beginning
“Remember there is never a bad day to spill blood.”
Ade Travax Oni listened to the words of the Crown Prince. His young mind was excited and curious at the young boy sitting on the throne in front of Queen Titiana. The three-year-old clenched his tiny fist in excitement and whispered the words to himself.
“Remember there is never a bad day to spill blood.
…
So cool!”
His red eyes shined with admiration as he looked at the boy no older than him yet seemingly much more mature and developed.
Ade felt a large hand cover his head and gently pat him. The young boy looked up to see his smiling father. The [Red Oni] smiled down at his son.
“Remember those words, child. For the Queen has understood the context of that phrase the best. For the crown prince to say them shows the early stages of his character…
Later show him your character.”
Ade nodded seriously at his father. Taking his words to heart as the events of the birthday party continued. The red-gold eyes of the Crown Prince scanned the hall. Never pausing on one subject for too long before gazing at another. The events and ceremony continued for another hour before the celebration truly began. The children of the various nobles in attendance were escorted to their own private hall following the footsteps of the Crown Prince. It was here they would be given a chance to interact with one another and perhaps make friends.
Ade walked into the grand hall following the various children as they made a cacophony of noise. As he walked a blonde hair boy bumped into him. The young boy missed a step as the group came to a halt and Ade help steady him to his feet.
“Thank you,” the green-eyed boy said. His bright excited eyes met Ade’s own. “I’m Lorde Drumian, and you?”
Ade was partially taken aback by the boy's excitement but his own quickly added to the growing chattering. “I’m Ade Travax Oni,” he said. Sticking his chest out with pride.
The two continued to chatter as they waited. It wasn’t long until the doors opened, and the children rushed into the bright hall. It took a moment for Ade's eyes to adjust but what he saw amazed him. Gadgets and trinkets of all different sizes were spread throughout the hall. With the aroma of food permeating everything. At the center of it all, stood a single boy who seemed to hold a haughty expression on his face as he looked at the wide-eyed children of the 33 high noble families and a few of the subsidiary families with enough influence to be present.
Red-gold eyes met Ade’s own bright red eyes before they moved on. Never stopping on one thing or person. Once those red-gold eyes finished their survey of the group it seemed to dismiss them all. Leaving the children standing as the Crown Prince turned and began to serve himself food.
After several moments of hesitation, Ade Oni stepped forward and followed his example. His small hands doing their best to try and keep the food steady and properly distribute it. Just as he saw the Crown Prince did. Around him, chaos began as more children attempted to make themselves plates of food. With spills and bumps interrupting everything.
The chaos settled down as the children held a semblance of plates filled with food after following the Crown Prince’s example. These children were each noble scions of high noble families or those of comparable reputation. High Noble Houses were houses that stood a step above the more common noble house. They either held some sort of great political, military, economic, etc., might that made them stand a step above the rest. Many of the children there were unsure of what to do and what table to sit at as their parents and caretakers were nowhere to be seen. It was the children and them alone who would dictate their next actions.
Ade Oni, having been one of the first to build a semblance of a plate of food. Mustered up his courage and headed for the table the Crown Prince sat at. Quickly taking one of the seven remaining chairs. His new acquaintance Lorde Drumian barely hesitated before he followed suit.
Two small twins soon joined them and a girl with large reading glasses and a book underneath her tray of food followed suit. Finally, two girls, one with twin afro puffs, and the other with streaks of gold in her all-black hair settled themselves down in the final seats. Leaving the rest of the scions to sort themselves out.
Ade Travax Oni was the first to speak.
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Lawruthian, Crown Prince of the Edryan Queendom, stood there facing a near-silent crowd. Most were still in shock over the apparent defeat of Ade Oni. Yet as the Crown Prince called out his challenge many of the hot-blooded young men and women felt something in their hearts ignite. As they stared over at the towering figure above Ade Oni. Some couldn’t help but clench their fist. Madris knows only if it was in excitement… or defiance.
“ADE”
…
“ONI.”
In the stands, one person seemed to break the spell the Crown Prince cast over his audience members. As a blonde hair greened eyed teenager stood and yelled. The number one student in the academy shouted, and the response came almost instantly.
“ADE”
…
“ONI.”
As if the first was not enough he shouted once more.
Repeating the chant and building it to a crescendo.
Several seconds passed in rapt anticipation as the excitement from the event built until Crown Prince Lawruthian looked down in surprise. The still body of Ade Oni was emitting steam and the young man's body shifted. Taking a few seconds before he slowly rose to his feet. The blood had long since halted its leak from his nose, yet the damp substances was still on his face and teeth as he reveal his stained pearly whites. Grinning as he made his way to his feet to face his opponent.
“Didn’t think I’d be down so soon,” Ade Oni said. Standing up as he cracked his neck and shifted his shoulders. “Let’s try this again.”
Imperius Academy held a few simple rules when it came to battle.
1. Once you enter the battlegrounds. Your life is on the line.
2. Only an admission of defeat or severe injuries could stop a fight.
Imperius Academy only encouraged the best to come and show their skills here. Thus students used real weapons provided by the school in battles. This was by design and under the intention of the Crown Prince. The second rule could only be intervened by the instructor in charge. In this case, it was Sword Saint Aurora. The Saint had yet to leave her seat as she sat near other instructors present.
Ade Oni held his fist up as Lawruthian turned to face him. The fighters only stared at each other for a moment before Ade made the first move. Steam still rose from his body as the dreadhead dashed in. Yet Lawruthian didn’t wait for his opponent to reach him before he reacted. Reversing his grip on his dagger as he began running left, heading for the far wall. While moving slightly away from Ade’s approach. That didn’t stop the Oni as he increased his speed and in a quick burst of movement, the noble moved to be only a few feet away. The steam from his body quickly increased a level as Ade thrust his right arm back before releasing it faster than a blink. Yelling out the name of his move as he did so.
Lawruthian eyes widen as Ade Oni closed the distance between them. The movement he did seem like it was a skill available to the various fighting classes. Yet the Crown Prince knew that all first year’s Systems had yet to be activated. This could only mean Ade Oni began using his mana to increase his bodily speed, reaction, and most likely his thought process. A skill that Lawruthian had grown familiar with once when he fought the Jackalope and plenty more since.
Lawruthian felt the pull of his mana from his heart and spread it to the rest of his body. His mind became clearer, his thoughts faster, and his movement quicker. Right in time as Ade Oni launched a powerful blow.
“(Fire Fist)!”
Flames erupted and shot toward Lawruthian, whose red-gold eyes widen in surprise. Yet the Crown Prince remain calm as the roar of the crowd encouraged the fight. Lawruthian pulled at the earth, as the young man's connection to said element had always been the strongest. Dust pulled up quicker than the launch of (Fire Fist) at the expense of a significant amount of mana from the prince. Lawruthian lacked time to cast a proper spell. He more or less used his mana to force the dust to rise. The skill impacted the dust cloud between the two fighters and the elements reacted against one another… violently. An explosion of power flung the fighters back and away from one another.
Lawruthian was the first to stand and emerge from the black smoke that charred the ground. The articles of his clothing were tattered and burnt in places. Yet the fighter never let go of his weapons. His face was slightly charred, yet a light seemed to enter his red-gold eyes. Lawruthians grip tighten on his weapons as he waited for his opponent to emerge from the black smoke.
“Is this your resolve? Is this as far as you go?”
The Crown Prince called, raising his arms to the side in a come-at-me gesture.
Out of the smoke emerged a similar charred Ade Travax Oni. The young man now had licks of red-orange flame dancing over his body. Yet the youth didn’t seem harmed by the fire spreading over him. His red eyes were glowing, and he took another martial stance as he faced Lawruthian.
The Crown Prince smiled. Their actions spoke to one another more than words ever could.
Come! Fight! Challenge!
In this third exchange, Lawruthian was the first to make a move. Using the (Imperius Combat Arts: Form Breaker) to move within range of Ade Oni. Attempting to disrupt his form once again as he did in the beginning.
Ade Oni seemed to be more prepared on this occasion as he moved away from the original destination of the Crown Prince. Not allowing his form to be disrupted as the Crown Prince arrived about a meter and a half away. Ade Oni instantly reacted, two (Fire Fist) launched one after the other. One from the left hand and the other right. Large projections around 2 feet in width headed for Lawruthian. His approach was far different from the first. The Crown Prince was no longer surprised after the first attack. As his body seemed to flicker past both (Fire Fist) and into the close domain of the Oni.
‘(Imperius Combat Arts: Flash Step).’
Grip still reversed on his dagger, Lawruthian stabbed forward and toward Ade Oni's right arm and chest. As he did this, the hand gripping his short sword came up as a fist aimed directly at the Oni’s head.
Ade Oni's eyes glowed brighter and his arms moved to stop Lawruthians own. His right arm and specifically his arm guard blocked the stab. Sparks flew as the two metal objects violently joined. While Ade's fist stopped Lawruthians just in time before it connected. His glowing red eyes widen in surprise at the level of power within Lawruthian’s blows. Each forcing him back a step that the Crown Prince followed. With both fighters, arms occupied Ade realized his dangerous position. His eyes met the Crown Prince as both fighters slammed their heads forward. Skulls connected in a loud bang. Yet even in this contest of strength, Ade Travax Oni was forced back. The Crown Prince's strength seemed endless and inexhaustible. The red-orange fire on Ade Oni seemed to have no effect on the Crown Prince, even as the young man watch the tattered remains of Lawruthian’s clothes burn away. His skin remained unmarred and unaffected by the element.
Ade Oni kicked off Lawruthian forcing the young man back and creating some distance between another. Before he launched himself back in, the two exchanged several blows. Ade Oni came out as the loser in each clash.
The crowd had grown stable, and the members present watched the ongoings with an intense gaze. Some were ready to fight themselves. After watching several battles they understood how Imperius Academy worked a bit better. It was one thing hearing it. It was another watching the experience of other students at their school. Blood was being spilled and the academy instructors truly remained impassive. Long cuts and several minor stabs crossed Ade Oni’s body. His opponent remained unmarred despite the loss of his upper body clothes and the charred marks spread around his body.
It was here that Ade Oni took a good look at the Crown Prince. His ideas on who and what the young man represented were shifting. Several scars covered the body of the youth. Scars Ade Oni knew the Crown Prince could have removed but kept anyway.
“Why?”
System Unlock:
390 Days
18 Hours
10 Minutes
19 Seconds