"........ You will have to take over his classes." A gaunt old man sternly spoke, a trace of anger in his tone. His hair was bone white, eyes sunken, wrinkles and spots all over his skin which seemed to sag of his bones. He wore a simple white shirt and black pants instead of the traditional golden Guardian armour. The old man sat behind a solid slab of metal comically being used as a desk, an addition by Guardian Anvil that his predecessors found too annoying to throw out. Across from him sat a bald middle aged man wearing black, slightly baggy clothes. He had an average face with tanned skin, no other part of his body was uncovered however as he even wore thin black gloves.

"Whose classes? And why? At this time I'll already be late to my first class as an instructor due to this meeting Guardian Cloud." The man in the black Tang suit calmly spoke showing no reaction. He reached foward for the cup of the cold water placed in front of him. They were in a large room made of the same white stone like the rest of the town. The room was bare besides the shelves of thick tomes on the walls and a Golden plate armor in the corner. There was only one large window directly behind Guardian Cloud, but this window was made entirely from think glass.

"........ I know it wasn't you, but I also know you knew beforehand..... He wasn't a Guard but he was still a Templar and I need to know why Need." Guardian Cloud glared hard.

Needle did not like his Guard name but now was not the time to complain. He could tell from Clouds stare that he was seconds away from a serious beating if he didn't open up.

"Haaaah honestly I don't know why either.... But I can guess." Cloud simply nodded for Needle to continue.

"As I traveled to complete my research I made a friend with one of the Empire's Inquisitors." Guardian Cloud raised a brow at this but said nothing. "He told me the Starved Immortal was stirring, the Inquisitors are trying to figure out why and stop it but last I heard they have no clue." Cloud was extremely surprised but continued to solemnly listened without saying anything. Needle continued, "There's been no word from the last northern 'expedition', the free tribes in the jungles of Gaia continent have all gone dark, the nomads and slavers on the Labyrinth continent have allied. Lastly the Cross has been recalling their priests while those with connections to the Cross have been dieing...... I expect the other kingdoms and powers to start moving within a year or two."

"Mmm........ Coincidences?.... or is the board is being set up, but who are the players. You are dismissed Needle, someone will find you to show you to your class."

"Sir." Needle got up to leave but he could see Guardian Cloud already deep in thought. He had probably already heard most of this besides the news of the immortal stirring. Any well informed idiot could see a storm was coming. Needle closed the solid metal door respectfully behind him and made his way to the Academic building. As he crossed the plaza separating the Temple and academy a handsome man in a white robe intercepted him.

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"Deathguard Needle, I am Lifeguard Petal. Please follow me." He was brief and concise, but there was a hint of disgust that was very well hidden. Petal then quickly turned around and walked briskly towards the academic building seemingly indifferent as to whether he followed or not. Needle smirked and followed. Lifeguards who generally operated in the light to defend people deeply despised the deathguards preffered stealthy assassination and would do anything to kill their targets. Most would never see a Deathguard due to their few numbers and the fact that most maintained tight secrecy even from fellow Guards. Almost all the Lifeguards teaching at the temple were against allowing a Deathguard to teach despite a few in the past having done so. He would probably be the first Deathguard instructor in at least half a century mused Needle.

They quickly arrived at the classroom and entered. The conversations quickly stopped as Petal made his way to the podium. Needle stood to the side observing his students. There were 23 young boys and girls, most as expected were either temple trainees or acolytes of the cross. There were gasps and quite murmurs amonst the students as Petal introduced him as a Deathguard. The few transfers he saw sat together in the far left corner of the classroom along with a blonde haired acolyte. There was a clear gap between them and the rest of the class. 'Bullying? No most likely fear by the way the other students refused to look in their direction' Needle thought.

Petal quickly finished up and excused himself before leaving. There was a heavy silence once he had left. Needle sighed as he saw the curious gazes begging to ask him questions. "You can all just call me teacher, I'll answer some of your questions first and in return you will answer mine during classes, agreed?" Happy and excited murmurs began to spread as the students began talking to one another about what questions to ask. Needle grabbed a chair and slouched back as he waited for the first question.

"Are you really a Deathguard?" "Stupid question, of course I am."

"How many people have you killed?" "A lot."

"Where are you from?" "Here."

"Why is a bloody killer teaching kids here?" Everyone turned silent at that. Need didn't immediately answer back and looked at the one who asked that question. The kid had black hair and black eyes. Probably an assassin from the guild thought needle. Needle locked eyes with the kid who didn't shy away as he spoke, "Because I'm smart and as a favor to a friend. If you have any other questions you can come find me later but let's start class."

"Now who can tell me all the foundation powers currently known?" One of the students confidently stood up and spoke, "Teacher I am trainee Henry head of this class. There is Mana for the mages, qi for the cultivators, divine faith for the priests, spirits for shamens. Rumors says the Empire's Inquisitors also have a secret foundation power they use."

"Good, now can you or anyone else tell me why you can't train in more than one?"

The student Henry frowned but refused to sit back down. He hesitantly spoke out, "Sir? Because you just can't. It's a well known fact."

Needle just sighed and sat up a bit straighter. "Yes and I asked why that is. Why can't someone train in more than one?" Henry frowned deeper and sat back down.

"Teacher according to the most widely accepted theory it's because the different powers conflict with each other."

Needle looked at the kid who spoke. He had a slightly pudgy face and body to match, his hair was a messy orange mop, green eyes showing curiosity. "Stand up and introduce yourself."

"Teacher I am Jack Song a mage from the Fable Kingdom."

"Good, but you're wrong. The reason is because it's all the same power."