Isaac took a deep breath. The day had not been good for the master. Not in the least.
The moment Zay had arrived, Isaac had abandoned any hope that he would have a few days to rest. He knew that, as always, the dragon was right. If a sect war was approaching, there was no time to lose.
Still, all Isaac wanted was some time to meditate. To put his mind in the right place, away from that pit of darkness that came with grief.
"Don't stand there blaming yourself. You know it can only have been one thing," Amelia said, gently placing her hand on Isaac's shoulder. The master resisted the temptation to snuggle into that soft skin, which reminded him of his late beloved.
"Traitors," he said, his voice showing all the anger he felt. That was the only explanation. There were several protocols for a similar situation, and none had been activated during the attack. All communication went wrong. As a result, the clan's graveyard was even larger.
Amelia looked at Isaac with narrowed eyes. She sympathized with his situation. Of all those present, she was the one who best understood those feelings. Absence was a burden carried by the nurse as well. "We will find the culprits, you know that. Now we have to be strong for the disciples. They will arrive in the city at a very weak stage. The adjustment period will not be easy.
Isaac chuckled. "Those little monsters seem to attract all kinds of trouble. In fact, I believe that from the individual point of view of those four, the advance will be good. Soon they would outnumber the underground monsters."
Of course, the problem with every class was that advancement would have to be done from the bottom. There was also the fact that it was usually unjustifiable to overspend on a mere school. Thus, the four of them would probably soon overcome the challenges of school. With the new situation, they would be pushed to new limits.
"I know that. Still, Isaac. You and I will be indispensable as tutors," Amelia said, as she walked toward one chair. "Don't let guilt eat away at you again. You have carried too much of other people's weight on your back. Try to get up and look forward."
Isaac lifted his gaze and met those of the nurse. Her, of all people, saying those things. One of the most promising healers in history in an inferior world because of some trauma. And she still had the audacity to talk about him.
Still, he kept quiet. Isaac knew he had no right to criticize her. Not in this subject.
"Marco, Isaac, Amelia and Fang. I'm afraid you know why I called you here. We originally feared some kind of attack, but it seems it was something much more complex than that. Now we will have to take drastic measures." The dragon's voice echoed through the empty room. Of the seats, only three were occupied.
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The dragon and Fang were standing.
"Those bastards have crossed the line. Stealing a part of your soul, just to provoke us." Fang punched the table, making the wood crackle. "We should attack immediately. Not just kill them, but cripple their entire new generation."
Marco sighed, waiting for Fang to calm down. "You know that this is not the way. Let not waste time responding to such a childish provocation. We should prepare ourselves for what is coming."
"All in the right time, Fang. I have already sent the champion to warn our enemies that we are ready for combat. The best thing to do now is to properly nurture the next generation," said the Dragon.
"The champion?" Isaac said. "That's sure to make them take a while to take the next step. Zay, where do we stand now?"
After all, Zay had sent Isaac to watch how Dante would react to Phoenix. That monster was too valuable a resource to waste.
"You will all go to the sapphire world. With the attack, I will advance the end of the first phase in other schools, where I see potential. So, we will have a great need for competent teachers," Zay said softly. "Any objections?"
After everyone agreed, the meeting was adjourned. Soon, Isaac and Amelia would leave for the sapphire world.
The sect's strategy was, no doubt, efficient. It worked like a funnel, searching for the real diamonds to be cut.
First, there was the first selection, which took place with a minuscule amount of resources. Soon after, those selected from schools all over the worlds would gather for the second year. At this stage, the sect would act more like a guild, handing out quests and offering proper mentoring.
Still, it separated the good from the best. Isaac could not help but smile as he remembered the last stage, where only the best would compete. The true test to be a Slayer.
Anyway, there was still time left. For now, he would continue to play his role. He still owed Dante knowledge, and a righteous path in martial arts.
It was the least he could do. Not only towards Dante, but also towards the others. Although he suspected that the others would have more suitable teachers soon, Isaac would always be on hand.
After all, what good would a master be, if not to nurture the next generation?
–
The dark dragon looked at one of his sects through the mist. A single man, carrying a sapphire bulwark, had completely decimated his men. The disciples were spared, but each Slayer was killed.
It seemed that his foolish brother still had some guts left. Zay had been on the defensive for so long that he didn't even remember the sapphire dragon's powers.
"Zombie," the dark dragon called out.
"Yes, master?" a figure replied. The being possessed no human features, nor physical ones. It was as if smoke had come to life.
"Make sure the preparations are finalized. We can't take too long. Soon, they will increase their defenses."
"Of course. Everything will be according to your wishes."
The dark dragon looked once again at his now destroyed world. When those sapphire idiots least expected it, the Onyx Sect would attack.
With the blues out of combat, the only challenge would be the diamonds. He was not yet strong enough to face that challenge alone.
Yet.
Soon, everything would change.
And a new era of darkness would ravage the realm of humans.