"If you used this technique correctly and take your opponents by surprise as you did with me, I am sure you can kill Amletus, and even Alcimus Woods, the third Strongest Emperor."

Nux's raised his eyebrow in shock and astonishment.

His technique was that strong?

He didn't know…

To be honest, when Astaria deflected his technique, he realized that his technique may not be as strong as he thought it was.

However, he forgot something when he came up with that judgment…

Astaria Skyfall, this woman standing in front of him, was the strongest being in this world.

No one… absolutely no one could defeat this woman…

The fact that he managed to injure this woman…

It was a great feat that many wouldn't dare to believe.

A small smile appeared on Nux's face.

Then, a small frown appeared on his face as she questioned,

"What about Herms Lizander?"

Hearing his question, Astaria smiled and then answered honestly,

"That old man is different."

"Why is that?" Nux questioned.

"He is not like the other two Emperors.

Herms Lizander, before I became an Emperor, he was known as the strongest being in the world."

"Oh?"

"Indeed. Unlike Amletus and Alcimus, that man didn't become an Emperor based on his talent alone. He has participated in countless battles, he possesses an unbreakable will, and his mastery over his skills is strong.

He is a formidable opponent that I respect from my heart."

"That is quite a high praise coming from you."

Nux commented.

"Well, he deserves it. There was a time when he was the man I looked up to, after all." Astaria replied with a smile.

"I don't get it." Suddenly, Nux frowned.

"What is it?" Astaria questioned.

"If Herms is so strong, then why was the Solid Earth Kingdom called the weakest? Shouldn't it be called the Second Strongest?"

"Ahh, you must have heard that the rank of a Kingdom is judged by how strong the Protector of that Kingdom is, right?"

Nux nodded.

"The truth is that the rank is the combination of the strength of the protector and the strength of the Kingdom itself.

Skyfall Kingdom has the strongest army, and obviously the strongest protector, which is why its rank is undisputable first.

Solid Earth Kingdom, on the other hand, is different. Its protector is strong, however, its army… its army is incredibly weak…

Well, at least that's what the people thought before… but as you can see, with Herms interference, their army is a lot stronger than before.

So you can say if the Kingdoms are ranked again, then the Solid Earth Kingdom would be ranked at 2nd place."

Astaria explained and Nux nodded in understanding.

"I have another question."

"Ask."

"You placed Amletus Skadi and Alcimus Woods in the same category, however, when you talked about Amletus, you seem oddly… repulsed? Is there a specific reason?

Do you have some sort of enmity with him?"

Nux questioned.

"Well, if I am being honest, I am repulsed by that man," Astaria admitted.

"Why is that?" Nux questioned.

"He is weak."

"Huh?"

"He is weak, and he is conceited.

It is a combination I hate the most."

Astaria spoke with a disgusted look on his face and continued,

"That man continued to make fun of me even before I became an Emperor.

'A woman becoming an Emperor? Hahaha~ What a joke! Girl, can you even take this huge responsibility on those tiny shoulders of yours? Hahaha! You should rather go cook for your husband and be a good mother.'

He used to say that whenever we met.

Of course, I always ignored him and didn't react.

He was an Emperor, he was strong and the strong had the right to do anything, therefore, I couldn't react.

I continued to train and soon, I become an Emperor.

When he heard that, he rushed and challenged me to a duel.

He was trying to take advantage of the fact that I had just recently broken through and was trying to 'show me my place'.

Of course, I accepted the battle and that's why I realized…

That man was pathetically weak…

He wasn't even a worthy match…

After speaking all highly and mightily like that and then showing that much strength…

To be honest, I don't hate that man, rather, I hate myself that I allowed that man to talk down to me so many times. It hurt my pride."

Astaria shared the shortened version of the story.

"…"

Nux didn't know what to say…

This woman…

Just how badly did that Amletus perform for her to act like this?

If anyone heard her say these words, they would feel like even they could defeat that so-called emperor…

"Anyways, we are not here to talk about all this. We are here for your training, so stop thinking about all this useless stuff."

"R-right." Nux nodded.

"Your real training will start tomorrow,

Today, I will tell you about Mana."

"Mana?" Nux frowned.

Suddenly, a small smile appeared on Astaria's face and she spoke,

"Let me tell you a secret Nux,

When it comes to raw strength,

You are stronger than me."

"Huh!?"

Nux's eyes widened in surprise. Content is © by .

What was she talking about?

He has fought with this woman.

She was someone who somehow affected him, passing through the defense of [Mirror] with just her raw strength alone.

Nux knew that although he was strong, there was no way he could possibly do something like that.

"What we emperors use to strengthen ourselves is Mana."

Astaria revealed.

"Mana?"

Nux frowned.

Suddenly, Astaria walked towards a thick wall, she took a battle stance and punched the wall.

A few cracks appeared on the walls.

Astaria then walked towards another, a similar type of wall,

"Watch carefully."

She spoke.

Nux narrowed his eyes,

"Trust your senses more than eyes," Astaria spoke.

Nux frowned, then suddenly, he realized that the Mana in the air was moving strangely,

*Bam*

*BOOM*

Astaria punched the wall and,

The wall burst into pieces.

"!!!"

Nux's eyes widened in surprise.

He realized what Astaria was talking about.