The day of the fifth test began with a bright sunny sky. Ethereal Forge Academy was entering the final stage of this exam. The school year was starting in a few months, there was much to do. The old man was in a VIP room with another woman. She was aged yet beautiful. Her white her flowed down her shoulders like water down a waterfall. Her curves were voluptuous and full. She was dressed in a simple gown that had the academy's name on it.

She was facing the test grounds while the old man we have come to love so much sat next to her.

"Didier, do you have any idea the kind of favour you called in just to have fun?" said the angry but charismatic old lady.

"Shut up, witch! You do not understand my eye for talent. Brace yourself for the boy hasn't shown his true abilities, hahaha."

Didier Laporte, Grandmaster of the Spiritsmith Association in the Pazhe Empire. The organization was intercontinental and had a headquarters in every country run by someone of the Master level at least. This one was led by a Grandmaster, showing the quality of the country's smithing! Didier Laporte was mostly responsible for this and the Laporte family's rise in nobility rank.

12 noble family's ranked according to influence. The Laporte family's rank rose from 8th to 2nd in Didier's lifetime. So he held power in the Laporte Family, The Spiritsmith Association and Ethereal Forge Acadamy, after all, he is one of the founders and a Professor at the school. This was the best Spiritsmith Academy for miles on end, thanks to his efforts.

The woman next to him was the current Dean, a former faux disciple of his. Her talents were noticed by another Grandmaster and became a true disciple, eventually becoming a Master herself. She was only a few steps away from being Grandmaster!

She had agreed to be the Dean due to the sheer resources she would be allocated. Allowing her to speed up her training. Smiters were expensive, and so were the ingredients used to make them.

Fay Bronze was her name. ����Teacher, this is not a joke!"

The old man gave her a sideways glance, "Oho, so now you respect me! The deed is done, now, shut up and watch! Hmph!"

Fay slumped into her chair as if she was a teenager. Only Didier, her former master and Grandmaster could do this to her. Even the Emperor had to be courteous with her. Such was the prestige of a high ranked Spiritsmith!

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Two doors opened down below. Lara and Darius got out. This test was starting quite early, so she hadn't had a chance to do much besides bath and eat. She was iron-willed and ready. Yesterday she seemed calm, but she was stunned.

Forget vassal! Was she even worthy of being his equal? No!

She allowed her royal inferiority complex to grow until she looked at Darius. Today he was…different.

His steps were steady and silent. He body seemed a tad bigger compared to yesterday in terms of muscle mass. He had long activated Imperishable and Nodded at Lara. As looked at Darius walking, she felt something she rarely ever felt from another human. Comfort, safety…

"Bah!"

She spat on the ground and stomped onwards.

'I will not be some damsel in distress!'

The duo saw a large door on one side of the dome.

"Today's test is simple. Protect the door from spirit beats. No assistance until 24 hours is reached. Begin!"

The duo ran to the gate and got themselves ready.

"It looks like it's going to be a spirit wave test. They send weak spirits at you in hordes, increasing their power until they are strong enough to make you give up."

Lara was annoyed because this was a difficult task but on the other hand…

"Darius, please let me fight until I can't before you enter! I want to test myself."

She looked into Darius' keen eyes and saw him nod. He leaned against the gate and laid down his hammer. Lara was only a few meters from the entrance. This was as far as she could get according to her own estimation.

Darius walked to her as if he forgot something.

"Go get them, tiger!"

With a palm, he sent her flying a few meters and walked back to his gate nonchalantly!

"What is that peasant doing! He should be protecting my daughter! If anything happens to her, I will wipe out three generations of his entire-"

Before the Emperor could continue his rage, he was interrupted by James.

"Dad, focus on the point of impact."

The Emperor then focused on her stomach. A bright palm bright started glowing on her stomach.

"Argh"

With a flip, Lara collected her swords and composed herself, as if she was waking up to a nightmare. She remembered what Darius had done, and was now feeling the effects of it.

"HuUURRRRGHHHE!!!!!"

She bellowed some odd sound as she held her head.

Fiery energy was coursing through her veins. It caused her to become bloodthirsty and more sensitive, but it brought a nasty kickback with it.

"Lara!"

She turned back huffing and puffing like a cavewoman with a vendetta.

Darius looked her in the eye and said, "Will you control it, or will you let it control you?"

Darius' words were like some sort of trigger.

"AH!!"

She screamed once again, this time only to turn to Darius, her expression looked a bit more…sane.

"Darius' what the fuck did you do to me?"

As they talked, a racoon-like spirit sped past her. It was a quick little bugger, and it aimed its claws at the seemingly defenceless Darius who only frowned slightly. Then when it was 3 meters from Darius' face, it was split in two vertically. The remains missed Darius and splashed either side of him.

The princess was already in front of Darius with feral disposition about her.

"I don't know what you did to me but,"

She quickly turned and stabbed into the ground. Resulting in blood spilling from the earth.

"I like it!"