(Author: Hello! The inter-academic competition event has begun. Remember. Only fifteen people are chosen per stage. From the fourth stage to the seventh stage. That is already sixty people. The exception to the rule are the twenty first years, ten of which will join the Practitioners while the other are mages. Sixty mages are chosen based on specialization and mastery over spell casting, spell theory, and spell manipulation. Summons and rituals also apply. Their grading criteria is different. It is more intellectual than it is physical. The only injuries or deaths are caused by spells, summons, and rituals gone wrong. As you have read, Black Lotus Academy is the top academy of nine schools. Evidently, it is ranked first and a lot of other academies are jealous and aim to take them down. Well, enjoy.)

----------Chapter 9: The Capital of Jakkom--------------

On the morning of departure, all eyes were on the giant, emerald dragon with its master on top. Strands of golden hair could be seen beneath a crimson hood as a mask covered the lower part of his face. They could only see those glowing, orange eyes. As they looked upon them, they felt as if they were seeing through the eyes of a good, seeing the marvels of the universe in his eyes. What's more, he openly cultivated in front of them. They could see giant strands of blue green energy rise from the ground and enter his body.

One seventh stage student, not chosen to compete, did not like that Ivy talked to him. When he attacked Shu earlier, all that remained was his broken body in a pit next to the dragon. Seeing the seventh stage student defeated so easily, none of the other students dared to anger or disturb him. Even the principal seemed to favor him. There was no doubt that he was the strongest first year. They could only watch, enviously, as Ivy joined Shu on Bahamut's back. They also saw five of the other first years join Shu. Even Hinako, another member of the ancient clans joined them. The even saw her cousin, the rank 9 beauty Hailey Sano, also sit on Bahamut's back.

"We're getting a lot of attention," Joey laughed.

"It's not us. It's Ivy, Hailey, and Shu. Really, Shu. We haven't even left and you already beat someone up," Hinako sighed.

"He attacked me. What? Did you think I would just knock him out? In the real world, it is much better to actually kill the guy. You must kill to win all future battles. If you let even one of the enemy live, there will be unforeseen consequences that will make you wish you didn't," Shu shrugged. "He's just lucky we are at academy grounds. If we were already at the sky, I would have broken his limbs and watch him fall to death."

"We are now leaving for the capital of Jakkom! It is known as the Black City. Countless millennia ago, immortals returned to the Mortal Realm and created the kingdom of Jakkom. They left their descendants here, as they were too weak for the Immortal Realms. The entire city is appears as if it were made of black glass. Like obsidian glass. He head to that city now, to maintain our position as the number one academy in Jakkom! The top of the nine academies!" the principal roared as he rode a shining white phoenix that was even bigger than Bahamut.

It was a Saint level magical beast known as a Radiant Cloud Phoenix. If a student did not ride their own a magical beast, or that of another student, they rode on the backs of rank 6 magical beasts known as Blue Crown Sand Eagles . They were large eagles as powerful as a Spirit Knight with a circle of blue feathers on their heads. However, it was way too crowded and people had to sit, too close for comfort, and the eagle would have to slow down if they began to slip. Ivy and the others were glad Shu already had a magical beast. It was even a flying magical beast. Most students haven't bound a magical beast as the first is always the most important one. It had to have the most potential in order to control the other magical beasts.

Some could even call it a hierarchy. If a magical beast was stronger than the one bound before it, most of them end up killing each other. Higher classed magical beasts usually had a higher intelligence and did not do such things. However, it was rare to find such an intelligent magical beast at the lower, more affordable, ranks. Most people buy their magical beasts. It was just easier, safer, and had a higher success rate of making it obey.

After three hours in the air, they could finally see Black City. It really was as the principal said. The whole city was black and light reflected off the surface of the buildings, as if they were made of glass. The capital was seventy five miles long. Despite the black buildings and towers, the people wore bright colors, like white and sky blue. Each of the guards wore a full suit of gold armor. However, their armor was enchanted and they were all Spirit Knights. Even though the Yan Dynasty and the Kingdom of Kasara had the most Spirit Knights, they could only claim as such in their continent. In Jokkam, there were not a few hundred Spirit Knights. There were a few ten thousand Spirit Knights. However, compared to the Yan Dynasty, they had little Spirit Sages and Spirit Masters.

"Holy shit!" Joey said as he could not sense the spirit energy of all the guards. "They're all Spirit Knights."

"Yeah, man. Holy shit," Daniel agreed, shocked as well.

"This is the most powerful, and largest, nation in the entire planet. While Spirit Knights guarding cities are rare in most of the other continents, they are plentiful in Jokkam. They all belong to the Black Guardian Dragons, a powerful sect in charge of guarding the country from mages and Practitioners who are not representatives of an army. By creating a sect separate from the army, Jokkam is protected from all kinds of people, no matter their cultivation or lack of. The main branch is situated in the balley to the east of the capital," Hinako explained. "If the Hyperion dare come to Jokkam, they'll already be annihilated before they set on shore as there are several branches on islands going south east. In the Jokkam Empire, the nobles and clans fear no one. Well, they fear the imperial family."

Shu gazed around, with his special eyes, observing all the cultivations of the life forms in the city. While there were many guards in sight, there were far more hiding in the shadows. They landed in the palace courtyard. The palace, alone, was ten miles. They all looked around as knights in gold armor, with golden horns on their helmets, walked toward them. Each of them walked in military formation, shields raised and swords drawn. They only lowered their shields when the principal, and all his students, had their identities verified.

All the contestants were shown to their tents as they were set up in front of a segregated part of the city. Within was a large forest with rivers and a waterfall. There was also a large, outdoor stadium, similar to three times the size of a football field. These areas were the ones the Practitioners would have to compete. On the other side of the city, closer to the palace, were several buildings and clearings for the mage competitions.

Shu and Ivy said goodbye to the others as they headed to the tent where the sixth stage Practitioners of Black Lotus Academy would be resting. Inside, Shu and the regular fifteen members were waiting. After an hour, a man in a lavish, dark blue tuxedo walked in. He was accompanied by many maids and servants. He smiled and bowed his head as they gathered in front of him.

"Welcome to Black City. In our fair city, it is our great pleasure to host the inter-academic competition once again. It is customary for our city to host a feast. Tonight will be the feast for those of the fifth stage participants and all the mages will be the next day. The third day will be for the sixth and seventh stage participants. The fourth stage participants will not be allowed to join the feast. After the day of your designated feast, your competition will begin. Each day, the stages will participate in different areas of this section of the capital. I hope to see you all at the feast on the night of after tomorrow," the man smiled. "Feel free cultivate and prepare your mind and body for the competition. Farewell and good luck."

Shu spent most of his time sleeping. He had always been hunting and training. Sometimes, the body needed rest to adapt to the changes. When the night came for the feast for the sixth and seventh stage Practitioners, Shu was told to take off his hood. People would stare at him as he entered the palace. Shu narrowed his eyes as he saw some people who also had inhumane characteristics. He made sure to remember their faces.

"What's wrong, Shu?" Ivy asked as she appeared with a tray of fruit.

"There are a lot of powerful people here. Some are clearly hiding their power. Some have their intentions obvious, by the looks on their faces. They're trying to gauge our spirit force," Shu grinned.

"You're pretty assertive," a beautiful girl noted as she walked up to them. "Hi. My name is Rian Hong, a member of one of the ancient clans. Nice to see you again, Ivy. Who's the boy? He seems strong."

"This is Shu Lu. He's from the Yan Dynasty's Lu Imperial Clan," Ivy said. "Shu, this girl won first place amongst the fourth stage Practitioners. She's a true Archon who studied the Titan Creator technique."

"Just like you," Rian smiled, causing Ivy to stare at Shu.

"I see. You have a high sensitivity to spirit energy, but what you are sensing is not my spirit energy. You're sensing the planet's life force," Shu realized. "Now that I think about it, I sense it within you as well. Did the tattoo form on your back as well?"

"Yes," Rian nodded. "I don't really like it though. However, my clan's main branch cultivates the Titan Creator true Archon body technique. I have a single spirit reactor, but I have two kinds of energy in my body. It's very difficult to cultivate as the spirit reactor can't change the planet's life force into two kinds of energy all the time."

"It's different for me. I have two spirit reactors," Shu nodded. "It is quite convenient."

"I heard, from my clan's intelligence reports, that you gained a second spirit reactor by absorbing it from a Mystic Stone you ripped out of a spy of the Drakon clan. It looks like a skull, right?" Rian asked.

"Yeah. Does the type of spirit reactor have a special purpose? I haven't read a book about spirit reactors," Shu asked.

"First, are you a seventh stage Practitioner?" Rian asked.

"No. I am a first year sixth stage Practitioner," Shu answered.

"First year?" Rian gasped, seeing Ivy nod silently. "I'm impressed. Most people who are that strong, at thirteen, are scions of the ancient clans, like Ivy and me. I'm thirteen too. However, I was at the peak of the fourth stage. Ivy was just at the beginning of the fourth stage. I can see her spirit force, but I can't sense yours. Either you are hiding it, or your power is too high among Practitioners of the sixth stage."

"HAHAHA!" Shu laughed, as Ivy walked over to Isabella and Miguel as they beckoned to her.

"Well. Their true purpose is different per person. They reveal their hidden characteristics when you reach the peak of the ninth stage of Spirit Shaman cultivation," Rian answered as they sat down on a table after getting some food. Some boys stared at her dark brown hair as it curled down her shoulder. Her pony tail fell onto her left shoulder and she had blue green eyes that glowed as well.

"Your eyes, is it an effect from your transformation upon gaining a true Archon body?" Shu asked.

"Yes. I was afraid I would gain horns or wings," she said. "Besides a bias towards magical beast meat, the only other inhumane change was my eyes. I can see the life force of the planet. My sensitivity to it allows me to see past any methods to conceal it. However, I can only see it emanate from your Mystic Crystal. You are not absorbing it, but signatures still exist in the body as well as the tattoo on your back."

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"Interesting," Shu said. "Thanks. I hope you get a good rank in the competition."

"Wishing luck on the opponent? I am a student representing Gold Crow Palace," Rian teased.

Shu smirked and said, "You're not mine."

That girl had left a good impression in Shu. She was knowledgeable and had many interesting features. It was a pity they were on opposing sides. Shu sighed and went to talk with Miguel, Ivy and Isabella. Ivy seemed a little sad, but Shu didn't notice it as he asked about the other eight academies. Six academies did not really stand out. From the fourth rank down, they were Iron Bull Academy, Red Dragon Temple, Blue Phoenix Palace, Green Hare Tower, White Lion Temple, and Violet Jade Academy. These six always competed against each other, not challenging the top three as they had blood debts to each other. Their Practitioners only cared about killing each other.

"Why?" Shu asked. "Their ranking might be different if they stopped and consolidated their strengths."

"Each of the six schools lie in the outskirts of the continent, like a six star-point formation. Their schools existed first, after Black Lotus Academy. They're like warring tribes, each one fighting for dominance. If someone from another school ventured into the self-proclaimed territory of another school, that person would be dismembered and have his head sent back to his family. Even now, the only reason they are only glaring at each other is because the empire does not allow their in-fighting in certain cities. The empire tolerates it because they provide protection from foreign nations," Miguel answered.

"I thought Practitioners at the Spirit Knight stage, and above, could not interfere with mortal affairs. They can't kill the army or the ruler of the royal house," Shu frowned.

"That rule only implies if they're the ones attacking. If it's defense, the rule only applies to not killing the ruler. The only exception would be if the ruler personally killed a relative of the person in question, or gave the order," Isabella answered. "Usually nations employ academies and martial sects to take care of others, avoiding the rules altogether. Since each of the academies want to kill each other so badly, they obviously train to become very powerful. The more powerful they are, the less likely the empire will be attacked."

"This is good for us as we can focus on our real competition. They are far more powerful than the six other academies. They alternate between the second and third rank. The third ranked school is Steel Horn Temple. Last year, Gold Crow Palace took the second rank back after four years of defeat," Miguel said. "One of them, Rian Hong, even beat our Ivy Shao for the top rank. Ivy got third because she was lost and had to face the loser of Rian's next opponent, who became second place. I expect you two to get the top spots for the sixth stage Practitioner division. Our school is ranked first. We like to keep it that way."

"Tomorrow, our competition starts. Let's all do well," Isabella shouted. "Black Lotus Academy is number one!"

The other eight schools stared at Isabella as she released a spirit force of someone at the peak of the seventh stage. She was a competitor to beat. Some looked at Miguel, Ivy, and Shu. All of them took a mental note to remember the four of them.  Some boys and girls envied some of the other Ten Beauties of Black Lotus. Over half of all fifteen spots were taken by them. The only one who was not there was one of the ten who was at the fifth rank. Ivy was there, but she was not at the seventh stage. Hinako and Hailey nodded as they joined Isabella's cheer.

"So we compete at last, little sister," Elizabeth Hong, ranked third of the beauties, smiled as she saw Rian approach them with some members of her school.

"Second sister," Rian bowed. "I can finally challenge you. Hello Shu."

"Hello Rian," Shu said as Elizabeth stared at her.

"You joined Gold Crow Palace to defeat me. At the age of seventeen, I am embarrassed to be at the same cultivation stage as my fourteen year old sister," Elizabeth laughed. "However, don't expect to fight me so soon. We don't know what the capital will throw at us tomorrow."

"We will be the ones to knock down the Undefeated Black Lotus Practitioners," a group of students declared.

"My, my. So many challengers," Isabella smiled. "I don't know about the fifth and fourth stage divisions, but the sixth and seventh will be ours."

"Ha! Like hell it will!" some of the Gold Crow students roared, sending out their spirit force. As they were a collective group of Practitioners of the seventh stage, many students fell to their knees. Most of them were students below the beginning of the seventh stage. Only the peak students of the seventh stage were unaffected. Hailey and Hinako were on their knees. Even Ivy was on her knees.

"Something smell's good," Shu said, shocking everyone as he seemed unaffected. "It's meat! Magical beast meat, but what is it from?"

Everyone stared at Shu as he got a plate and began piling it with meat. He narrowed his eyes as he saw a group of students from Steel Horn Temple block him. They were at the seventh stage and resisted the spirit force. They saw Shu as a threat to their sixth stage classmates and barred his path. Annoyed, Shu appeared behind them in a flash, their bodies halfway in the ground. No one had seen him move and instantly paled. The Gold Crow Palace students were so shocked, they dissipated their collective spirit pressure.

"That looks good," Rian noted as she sat next to him. "Oh. No wonder it caught your attention. The magical beast that meat came from is not powerful, but its flesh is truly delicious."

"Want a bite?" Shu asked as he held a piece of meat out to her with a pair of chopsticks.

"It is good!" Rian cried as the crowd could not believe how relaxed they were. "This meat is surely the meat of a Two-Headed Magma Hound. What cultivation stage, I don't know. However, their meat is indeed a delicacy in itself."

"Oh? Do you know what other magical beast meat taste good?" Shu asked as he took out a jade slip and began recording what Rian told him by using his spirit energy. "Man, I really want to have a taste of these things."

"For now, let's eat," Rian smiled as she brought another plate and the two ate, oblivious to the other students.

"Well, we are at a feast," Miguel said, easing the tension as everyone knew the matter was settled. "Let's settle our disputes in the games. For now, let's eat."

"Who was that?" one student asked. "He buried three seventh stage Practitioners of Steel Horn Academy in a flash. I didn't even see a blur."

"According to our intel, he's Shu of the Lu Clan, the imperial clan that rules the Yan Dynasty," another whispered.

"I heard a Spirit Sage of his clan will be watching from the stands," a student from another academy gossiped.

"It's the famous ancestor, Lu Feng. Feng Lu here. He's the very Spirit Sage who single-handedly wiped out the tenth ancient clan. He's a living legend. A paragon to those the ancient clan bullied in the past," another sighed with praise.

"Ancestor Feng is coming?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes. I guess your clan did not tell you," Miguel answered as he, Isabella, Elizabeth, Ivy, and the Sano cousins all sat around the same table. "Our elders said to do nothing. I'm sure the scions of the ancient clans were also told not to antagonize Ancestor Feng. Since we go to the same academy, we are explicitly told not to harm Shu. I'm sure the other academies will target Shu."

"He's certainly more powerful than I expected. To bury seventh stage Practitioners so fast, not even I saw it," Isabella nodded. "If you bother enter the top eight, Ivy, then I don't know if you will win."

"So long as I place in the top three and get to choose an item in the Vault of Kings, I don't mind," Ivy answered.

"You're still young. It's not yet time to consider a love interest," Elizabeth said as she saw Ivy stare at Shu. "Remember, the ancient clans must grow stronger to invade the Hyperion lands and take back the world from them. We might even see them in the Pantheon of Devils, if our cultivation reaches the requirements. All of them are sure to be their top members in the future. Talented cultivists are nothing but good seeds. It matters not if they are dead."

"We are all competing against each other too," Hinako reminded them. "However, it does not matter. So long as we take all the top three spots, our clans are sure to have a chance in surviving the floors of tests of the Pantheon of Devils."

"Victory!" Hailey cried, and they all toasted to that as the night of the feast ended.

"You nervous?" Shu asked Ivy the next day, his mask spirit materialized over the lower half of his face as his hood covered his head. Supaiku and Bahamut were left in the tent for different reasons. Bahamut was prohibited altogether. Supaiku could not fight alongside its master unless he were in the top eight. That was the three round elimination to decided the top three positions, with the losers of the second round fighting for third place. Shu was the only first year at the sixth stage. With fifteen people representing each of the nine schools, the total number was one hundred and thirty five regular competitors and one exception to the rule.

To enter the top eight, one hundred and twenty eight had to be eliminated. Of all four categories, the fourth had the most first years will the seventh had none. These were the most competitive as they either numbered too many or represented the elite of their schools. There was no doubt that the ones to look out for were the scions of the ancient clans. However, the Practitioners of the sixth stage included Shu as they witnessed his tyrannical speed during the feast.

"Let's go," Shu said, and the other fifteen students nodded as all the Black Lotus Academy representatives headed toward the forest. It was there that the first of the games would begin. It was a known fact that the principals of all the academies told their students to eliminate anyone who was not a fellow student. If they entered the top eight, the alliance is broken as they would have no other choice. The less outsiders who entered the top eight, the better their school's ranking would be.

Each of the students wore the same black jacket, save for Shu who had one with a hood. Over the chest and at the back of their jacket, a giant, blooming lotus was floating over a pond. These black jackets were their school's colors. This would help the students, and the spectators, to know how each school fared. All the spectators would be in the stadium, but they could watch how the students fared through the Spirit Knights on flying magical beast, each holding a magical item which would broadcast the events below.

Shu had his moon blades strapped on his back and Arctic Emperor at his right side. He was ready. ivy and the other competitors already had their Practitioner weapons at the ready. No one knew what the first game was, but they could not let their guard down. All the academies would want to eliminate the top academy's students. Even if they had grudges, some would still target them.

"I think the tournament for the top eight of the fourth stage competitors is today," Ivy said as they all waited for the other students to arrive. "Joey was the only one of our students not eliminated. Our school pretty much has one shot to get one of the top three ranks of that division."

"He'll, at least, get third place. That, I'm sure," Shu said. "For now, we dominate our division. We can't be stopped here."

Everyone nodded as they saw all the wary stares from the other students. Soon, they would all be assembled and the first of the games would begin. There was not time to worry how the other divisions did. They would have to survive their own games first.