Chapter 3 - The participants have arrived at the Azure Stone Empire.
Under the blazing sun and gently breeze, 4 horse-drawn carriages rolled through a dirt path. The carriages bumped and jumped from the speed as if they were running late.
The journey started slowly and easily, the participants were laughing and chatting with one another with the exception being Lilith. But as time continued, their speed gradually increased in an attempt to make up for the lost time.
Now the ride was fast and uncomfortable. The participants no longer wished to talk, they only sat in silence hoping to ride into the empire any moment now.
Despite these challenges, the journey to Azure Stone Empire was relatively swift. They arrived through tall gray stone gates 20 minutes before the scheduled ceremony. Lilith’s mind was admiring the scenery and beauty of the empire as they slowly rolled in.
The empire was significantly larger than the village. The buildings were tall and made of stone, towering over them like stone giants.
The streets of the empire were lively and joyous. Chatter and laughter could be heard through the carriages. Natives of the empire could be seen walking toward vendor stands, giving in to their promises while others were talking among a group, walking to God knows where.
Lilith spotted young kids around 8 or so playing with a blue ball down the road. Their innocence and enjoyment caused her to smile.
The carriages slowly rolled down a stone road and made a right turn. Everything appeared unfamiliar.
The carriages eventually stopped Infront of a large stone building, looking no different from its counterparts.
The riders of the carriages made their way down from the vehicles then called out loudly, “Azure Stone Empire!”
The participants began to pour out of the carriages with excitement. Lilith carefully stepped out.
The air was warm, and the smell was nice. The aroma of baked bread, cooked fish, and strange hint of lavender tickled her nose.
“Azure Stone Empire.” Lilith thought to herself.
During her previous life, Lilith couldn’t visit the head empire of the south, Azure Stone. She had heard amazing things about it though, being the home to some of the strongest class fighters.
It even managed to maintain peace and stability among the classes. If Vasto Brim was the strongest empire in the world, Azure Stone would be next in line.
A few minutes passed before a tall, burly man made an appearance, exiting the large building that they had parked Infront of. He was tan and bald with a strange engraving on top of his head.
He wore relatively light clothing, a navy-colored robe that bagged from his limbs. He held a strange book close as he approached.
“Greetings, young ones,” He spoke warmly with a soft expression. “Welcome to the Azure Stone Empire, we are pleased to have you.”
When the man spoke, silence fell over the participants as they gave him their full attention.
To Lilith, it was clear who this man was.
“Thank you for opening your gates to us.” She bowed to the man and thanked him.
“Ah, some manners in this young lady,” The man smiled. “You were raised well.”
By what the man wore, the strange marking on his head, and his lack of hair. There was no doubt in Lilith’s mind about who this stranger was.
It was one of the Empire Seniors!
A senior of an empire is a very strong Class Fighter (1) who was chosen directly by the emperor. A senior is one of the closest people to the emperor and is responsible for directing and teaching the future Class Fighters.
With this analysis, it was best that Lilith showed respect as upsetting a senior was equivalent to throwing stones at the emperor.
The confused students followed Lilith’s lead, hoping to receive the same praise as her. The senior smiled insincerely.
“Now, now young ones. Welcoming you into our empire is nothing.”
The senior waved his hand and directly everyone to look at him. He cleared his throat and spoke.
“You arrived quite earlier than expected but no matter, we shall just prepare. As you may know, you are going to participate in The Struggle for Heaven’s Blessing Ceremony shortly.”
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The participants grew excited at his mere words, he raised his hand and silenced the commotion.
“Before we begin, how many of you are from… ahem. Azuri Village?”
Out of 31 participants, about 5 participants raised their hand, including Lilith.
Azuri Village is the real name of Azure Stone’s Failure. The senior’s pause was probably an attempt to not call it by its nickname.
The Ceremony is open to multiple villages so it's not unusual for half of the participants to be from another village.
The senior gazed over the risen hands, examining their faces. Once his gaze met Lilith’s his expression staggered then returned in an instant.
“Interesting,” the senior said. “Now then, how many of you are from Cerulean Village.”
This time 6 people raised their hands, the senior took his time examining them.
“Psst, hey,” A voice directed at Lilith whispered.
She turned her gaze and was met by a pale boy having spiky hair whispering to her. His hand wasn’t up.
“Are you really from Azure Stone’s Failure? You are far too pretty to be from such a place. How about you marry me?”
Lilith stared blankly at the boy, her violet gaze petrifying. She turned her attention away and spoke.
“I’m not interested.”
“Hey, come on do you know what village I'm from?” He continued to press.
Lilith didn’t respond.
“I’m from-”
“Okay!” The senior called out, drowning out the boy’s voice. “And how many of you are from Sky Shade Village.
“Oh?” Lilith said to herself.
19 participants raised their hands, including the lovestruck boy.
He noticed Lilith’s stare and smirked. “My name is Cassius Aeneas if you change your mind.”
Lilith looked away.
Sky Shade Village. Lilith had heard of them; they were the fastest growing village in the South despite being one of the most recently established villages. It is said that they could quickly become a new empire in about 20 years.
Lilith didn’t think they would be participating in this ceremony with her village. Sky Shade Village was incredibly larger than normal villages so it's right that they made up many of the participants.
The senior seemed happy at this turn out.
“Yes, yes, the emperor is looking forward to your results Sky Shade.”
The Sky Shade participants held an arrogant expression like they were nobility.
Lilith’s previous years of life helped her figure that the emperor is trying to wrap his hands around the Sky Shade village and harbor their progression secrets for himself.
The village must have something in order to grow at more than double the speed of other villages. The emperor must know this as well, so Lilith theorized that the emperor sought them out and is trying to brand their prestigious youth as his own.
This wasn’t unheard of as empires are known for taking in villages with potential and engraining them into their empire.
After examining their faces, the senor continued.
“If I am counting correctly, that is only 30 participants, who’s village did I not call upon?”
A small boy raised his hand. He was pale in complexion and frail in figure. His expression was timid, but his features were soft and feminine. Accompanied by his long black hair, at first glance Lilith thought he was a female.
“Ah, my apologies young lady, what village are you from?”
“I’m a boy…” the boy muttered.
“I’m sorry I failed to hear you. Could you speak a little louder, you are in the presence of a senior after all.”
“I’m from the Cobalt Sapphire Village, Senior!” The boy projected his voice loudly, no room for mishearing.
“Cobalt Sapphire Village, hm?” Lilith thought some more.
The Cobalt Sapphire Village has little information about them according to Lilith. The only thing she could recall about the village was that it raised a very strong Tamer-Class fighter long ago. The fighter’s name was a blur in Lilith’s memory.
“And what’s your name young lady?” The senior asked the boy again.
“My name is Roman Caius, senior!’
“Caius?” Lilith expression hardened.
“Very well,” The senior began, clasping his hands together in formality. “Since we are all acquainted, follow me and I shall explain the rules of this ceremony.
The senior turned and began to step toward the stone building he exited earlier. The participants and Lilith followed close behind.
Lilith pondered over some of the participants with eyes as calm as the ocean.
“Cassius Aeneas from the Sky Shade village… what an interesting boy. I theorize that he has high talent and from his demeanor, he could be a Warrior-Class fighter. Marriage wouldn’t sound too bad if I am correct…”
Warriors, although being destined for death, are highly fantasized in society. Being a Warrior-Class alone was enough to make you sought after. In a way, they live a short but prosperous life.
“And Roman Caius, what a familiar name. From the Cobalt Sapphire village, I cannot form many theories from that alone. He was the only participant from the village, however, so maybe he has high talent. Or possibly the village is very small, I cannot be sure. He is frail and timid, not quite ideal of a Warrior-Class fighter. Maybe a Wizard-Class would fit him best.”
While Lilith thought, she absently stared at Roman. He felt her glare and turned around, exchanging a curious gaze.
His eyes were brown as the earth and skin as fair as flowers. His features were soft as a female, causing the old Apollyon to resurface.
Lilith looked away from the boy. Roman confusedly turned away as well, continuing his steps behind the senior.
“He is very interesting...”
1 - a Class Fighter is someone who receives a class-type after The Struggle for Heaven’s Blessing ceremony. In the next chapter, I plan to go over the majority of the class-types if you’re still confused.