“Tang Xian.”

Momo looked at Tang from head to toe.

(Is this kid really a student? This isn’t the presence of someone who’s been studying at school.)

She could feel a powerful aura emitting from Tang’s body.

(This kid has seen his fair share of death battles. He feels like a veteran soldier.)

“Why did you do this?”

Momo asked while indicating the large crater Tang had created.

“I saw everyone fighting and thought that I would join the fun.”

“Always the same crazy bastard…”

Tang turned around and saw Kaido get to his feet. It wasn’t just him, Zora and Klaus got up as well.

“As I expected from my peers, you got back up pretty quickly.”

Tang greeted them with a smile.

“We’re not the only ones.”

Miko popped up behind Tang wielding his swords. He swung them with a cold look in his eyes.

*CLANG!*

His strike was blocked by Tang lifting his arm. Tang’s arm was covered with azure dragon scales.

“Hm? And who may you be?”

Tang looked at Miko and asked.

“Your killer.”

Miko pulled back his swords and thrust them one after the other at Tang’s eyes. Tang moved his head to dodge both attacks and took a step closer to Miko. He place his hand on his chest.

“I find that highly unlikely.”

*Bam!*

“Guah?!”

Miko felt a powerful force enter his body and attack his organs directly. His body was propelled back. He could see a small smile on Tang’s face. Miko showed a smile of his own.

“Huh?”

Tang looked down. A black chain was wrapped around his neck.

“Get over here!”

Miko pulled the chain and dragged Tang towards him. He slammed his knee in his face.

*Bam!*

“Ugh?!”

Tang’s head flew back with a bloody nose while Miko landed on his back.

“Impressive counter.”

Kaido praised.

Tang stepped back, wiped his nose, and looked at his bloody hand. To everyone’s surprise, he didn’t get mad at all.

“That was pretty good.”

He even laughed despite the bloody nose. He pointed two fingers at Miko, who was still on the ground.

“I guess it’s my turn.”

“I think not.”

Someone grabbed Tang’s hand.

“Tiana, it’s been a while.”

Tiana smiled at Tang.

“It has.”

*Crack!*

Tiana snapped Tang’s wrist with a smile.

“Huh? What was that for?”

Tang asked like what Tiana broke wasn’t his wrist but a toy. He held his arm up and looked at his hand that was dangling to the side.

“That was for destroying school property.”

Tiana looked at the Dragon Stars.

“You all seem so eager to fight but at least wait until the tournament. Otherwise, you’ll receive the same punishment as this maniac.”

She pointed at Tang who was playing with his broken wrist.

“Tsk. Then we’ll meet at the tournament.”

Klaus was the first to leave. Zora stared Kaido down before leaving as well. Kaido helped Miko up and whispered something in his ear before leaving.

“I guess I’ll leave too. I won’t be able to eat if you snap my other wrist.”

Tang disappeared in a bright flash. When the Stars left Tiana looked at Miko and then at everyone else who was laying out in the crater.

“Looks like this year’s tournament will be a fun one.”

Around an hour later, most of the students had left to treat their wounds leaving Miko’s group.

“Ugh….”

Miko laid on the ground while groaning.

“Does it still hurts?”

Momo asked while looking down on him.

“Yeah. That bastard hit my organs directly. He pierced through my defenses like they were paper.”

“So my treatments weren’t any help? It seems that he used Vita to harm your internal organs. It might take some time to heal.”

“That guy was insane. I can’t believe he took us all out like that.”

Ace said.

“The other Dragon Stars were no joke either. They all deserve to be at the top of the academy.”

Sora said.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Luka, Kaido helped you out right? Do you know why?”

Hina asked.

“I don’t know but if it wasn’t for his help I would’ve struggled against Zora.”

“I have an idea.”

Miko sat up.

“Before he left Kaido whispered something to me.”

“What?”

“He said he wanted to meet to discuss something regarding his boss.”

“Boss? So you’re saying he was instructed to help us out?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Miko got up.

“Are you going to meet him?”

Momo asked.

“Yeah, I want you to come with me. I’m not that confident with these injuries I’ve sustained.”

“I was planning on going with you in the first place.”

“I want to come too. I want to properly thank him.”

Luka said.

“Well, the fact that he helped you must mean that his boss values you too, so why not?”

Miko looked around and locked eyes with Robin.

“Bring your apostles to back you up. It will also show your status.”

“I agree with that suggestion.”

Robin said.

“Then we’re coming as well?”

Sora asked.

“Yeah. But give me a moment.”

Miko took out a phone and made a call.

“Kristen, I’m sure you must’ve heard by now but things have become a bit heated. I want you and your sister to stick together at all times. I’m pretty sure that you guys will start to be targeted again…..No, you can’t tie her up and hide her in a trunk somewhere. Just stay on your toes.”

He hung up the call.

“In the six months I’ve been here I’ve discovered that the one behind attacking my siblings was one of the Four Dragon Stars, the biggest suspect was Klaus. He might’ve wanted to make the twins his followers but considering their personalities, it’s obvious what the response was.”

“So he had his lackeys harass them. And after today he’ll start targeting them again?”

Miko nodded.

“I made a promise to myself that if anyone touches my siblings, I’ll burn this place to the ground. I intend to fulfill that promise. As it stands, I might go to war with the Dragon Stars but that’ll wait until I hear what Kaido has to say.”

The academy had many places for the students to conduct recreational activities. This was because the board acknowledged that school life was very stressful, especially in an environment like this where you can be killed if you slip up. The instructors also needed places to unwind after a stressful work day. There were cafes, bars, sports centers, amusement parks, clubs, game centers, etc. Miko and his group went to meet with Kaido who was at one of the cafés in the academy. When they arrived they naturally drew the attention of those inside. They just clashed against the Four Dragon Stars after all.

“There he is.”

Hina pointed to a corner of the café and saw Kaido sitting in the middle of a large group of students. It was obvious that they were sucking up to him. Miko approached the group and immediately caught Kaido’s eye.

“As popular as ever I see.”

Miko said. He then looked at all the students who were looking at him funnily.

“Should I tell them to leave or will you?”

Those around Kaido instantly started frowning.

“Could you guys give me a minute alone? I want to discuss some important issues.”

The students looked at Kaido and got up one by one. They all gave Miko dissatisfied looks before leaving. Miko ignored them and sat around the table with his group.

“You didn’t have to treat them so crudely.”

“I’m not in the mood to keep up appearances or be kind to others.”

He looked at Kaido.

“You….You don’t like being smothered do you?”

Kaido’s eyes widened for a bit.

“How did you know?”

“Body language. You have a smile on your face but I can tell from the way you sit and your dull reactions that you’re uncomfortable.”

“I’m surprised. You don’t know me that well, yet you can already tell.”

Kaido smiled.

“Why do you surround yourself like that if you don’t like it?”

“My boss….You see she has a policy about dealing with people. You should always show people courtesy, even when you don’t particularly like them. She says it will carry you a long way in life. It took me a while, but I’m finally able to do this. However, it seems that I’m too good at it because a lot of people started flocking toward me. I’m a more reserved person.”

“I see. So that’s why you’re so different from when you just came here.”

Luka said.

“Back then I was still learning. That’s why I was a bit wild.”

“A bit is an understatement.”

Robin added.

“You were like a hurricane blowing away everything in your path.”

Kaido only laughed in response.

“I wasn’t doing it with Ill intentions, believe it or not. I was raised in a special way. For most of my life, I thought the best way to get to know someone was through battles. That was because all I could do back then was to fight.”

“And you’ve learned to socialize like a normal person?”

Hina asked.

“Thanks to my boss sending me here, Yes.”

“Speaking of your Boss.”

Miko leaned over.

“Who is your boss and what do they want with me?”

Kaido showed a sly smile.

“If I were to say Newgate Country who would come to mind?”

The eyes of everyone started widening one after the other as they all thought of the same person.

“The Gravity Queen, Bloom Newgate?”

Kaido nodded.

“I’m one of Bloom’s closest aids and one of the country’s assets. She ordered me to keep an eye out for talent and contact her if I found anyone special. I told her about you and Luka and your respective groups.”

“Now this is a coincidence.”

Miko sat back.

“I was planning to go to the Newgate Country myself in the near future. And now, its leader is interested in me. I might need to visit sooner than expected.”

“Why were you going there?”

Kaido asked.

“I have my reasons.”

Some time ago when Miko consulted Aeon on how to create an effective information network and covert organization, he responded like this:

“What you’re searching for can be found in the Newgate Country.”

According to Aeon, the talented people Miko desired could be found there.

“…….”

He looked at Kaido again.

“Then the Gravity Queen wants to recruit us or something?”

“…..Before I answer, could you do something about him?”

Miko turned around. Ace was glaring at Kaido as if he was planning to kill him.

“You can ignore him. His pride is just hurt from your previous altercation.”

“Ah.”

Kaido coughed and cleared his throat.

“Of course, we know you’re the leader of your own organization and country so we only wish to establish a friendly relationship.”

Miko started smiling.

“Well, considering that you help us out, I’ll think about it, but there’s one thing I want to make clear.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m going to destroy the other Dragon Stars. I don’t want you to get involved anymore. We’ll handle our business ourselves for the time being.”

“You don’t want to owe us anything?”

“There’s that, but it’s more about our egos. I hope you understand.”

“Of course. I’ll stay out of your fights, but at least allow me to share some of my information with you.”

“I would only be a fool to refuse valuable information.”

Kaido nodded.

“Zora and Klaus are childhood friends from two powerful nations on the Night Continent. They’re both descendants of powerful demon dragons and later became those dragons’ Proxies. Zora is the proxy of Nidhogg, the sinister dragon of the Norse mythos. Klaus is the proxy of Vritra, the Asura King and the dragon that robbed the Hindu world of all of its rivers, enemy of Indra.”

“Nidhogg and Vritra huh? Two great evils.”

Luka said.

“Klaus and Zora are incredibly strong as you now. Klaus is more of a technique-type fighter while Zora is a power-based fighter, but be warned they can switch it up if they want.”

“Sounds like fun.”

Miko said.

“And Tang?”

“….I think it’s best you avoid him. Getting involved with him won’t end well for anyone.”

“Meaning?”

“He’s like a walking ball of chaos. Most times his actions have no meaning, but they cause a massive impact on his surroundings. When they do have meaning, you’ll never figure them out until you’re already defeated.”

Kaido paused for a bit.

“Again, it’s best you avoid him at all costs.”

“You just insisting will make me wanna get involved more.”

Kaido sighed.

“Tang is the proxy of the dragon god Shenlong. Meaning that he’s the proxy of someone with similar abilities to Tiamat. He’s an all-rounder fighter with few imperfections and a prodigy at Vita.”

“Then he’s a bit similar to me.”

Miko mumbled.

“So, What about you?”

“Me? I have the power of Fafnir, the dragon of greed from Norse mythos.”

“Is that it?”

Miko leaned forward.

“After being around you this long, I’ve started to detect a strange feeling from you. It’s like I’m looking at a literal beast than a dragon.”

“Everyone has their circumstances.”

Kaido answered.

“I guess you’re right.”

Miko smiled and sat back.

“Thanks for the info. Tell the Gravity Queen I’m open for friendly relations and of my plans to visit her in the future.”

“I will.”

Miko and the others stood up and then left the table after saying their goodbyes.

“What do you guys think?”

He asked.

“He’s hiding stuff most likely concerning himself.”

Luka said.

“I think so too. What are you going to do with the Gravity Queen’s proposal?”

Momo asked.

“Making connections is one of the main reasons why I came here. I’ve just gained a connection to the woman who runs the most technologically advanced country on the continent. There’s nothing better than that. I’ll keep my promise and visit her after this ordeal.”

“And the Dragon Stars? If you want, I can hunt them down for you?”

Ace said. It looks like he was holding a grudge against Kaido.

“Nah. It’s not necessary right now. Let’s do what Tiana Draxler said and wait until the tournament. But if they attack first, then it’s on.”

Miko suddenly stopped.

“I forgot to ask him about Tiana Draxler….I’ll ask him later.”

Meanwhile, Kaido was still sitting by himself. He looked at his watch and tapped it and a digital interface appeared.

“I’ll send Bloom this recording of our conversation and see what she thinks.”

He did as he said and operated the watch. He then looked in Miko’s direction with a somewhat concerned look.

“I hope he takes my advice to avoid Tang. Otherwise, he’ll definitely suffer.”