Worries

In a safe zone that connects three organizations that rule, the Ash Expanse was a small building. The building's infrastructure seemed to be new, and inside it currently sat the rulers of these organizations.

"Darak wants to know when the plan will start?!" A red-skinned man that had a larger body than other orcs said loudly.

"Soon, we just need to finish the preparations. My subordinates said another month is needed." A black-haired man with a crown on his head answered. He was William, the seventh king of the Udanem kingdom.

"Darak, listen to the human and wait!" A woman that looked like a kobold intercepted.

"You don't order Darak. Darak does whatever Darak wants! I don't need you, Savara, to tell me what to do!" Although the orc's retort was impolite, the woman didn't get mad as if she's used to it. She sighed lightly and turned to William.

"Should we use them?" Silence arose after she asked that.

All three of them knew who Savara meant when she said 'them.' Even though the ones gathered in this meeting were rulers of millions of citizens, they weren't the rulers of the Ash Expanse.

The Trazar Empire, Udanem Kingdom, Battle Mage Academy, and Upreba were just superficial rulers that could do what they wanted as long as the real ruler wasn't affected. This was also why they dared to have eyes on the Battle Mage Academy.

"The Assassination Academy, the true sovereign of the Ash Expanse. They don't care about anything and are strong. Their methods are cruel and heartless; they are assassins that would gladly do anything if it meant they get resources. As long as no one specifically targets their members, they won't care if one of them died." William reported with dread, his voice was calm, but his eyes narrowed. Even for schemers like them who would dare fight the Battle Mage Academy, they would never consider going against the Assassination Academy.

"If we pay them enough money, they will do anything, and even though they are assassins, they don't mind doing mercenary work. Let's use this month to prepare. If we can't defeat the Battle Mage Academy on our own, we will ask for their help."

"Darak also agreed. Darak will not mind emptying his treasury if we can use the Assassination Academy to take the Battle Mage Academy down." Unlike before, Barak's eyes focused, and although he still talked in the third person about himself, he was calmly analyzing the situation. This was how he could be a ruler other than being an orc lord.

"So, we all agree? If push comes to shove, we will utilize the Assassination Academy." William asked while checking for answers.

"Darak agreed," Darak said while Savara nodded.

"Then let's discuss the plan of attack now…"

***

After separating from Xue Mo, Deckim, Lara, and Axel blended into their environment. They didn't know why the Academy chose them, but they didn't complain. They wanted to join the Battle Mage Academy to become strong but learning that they joined an even better organization, they didn't have any complaints.

Through this time, Xue Mo had let Myzer and Hiari keep an eye on Deckim. They didn't know what was special about him, but they did as Xue Mo ordered. In their opinion, Axel was the better talent. He had high potential to cultivate the Academy's dark assassin art, and with it, his Cultivation is slowly advancing.

The two agreed to shift between improving, learning what Xue Mo asked for, and look after Deckim.

On this day, it was Myzer's turn. He was relaxing on top of a tree while watching Deckim meditating. The technique that Deckim chose to Cultivate was a water attribute method called Serenity is calmness. Xue Mo recommended this method, and as someone, he respected Deckim practiced it.

Water Arch energy particles were moving erratically around him, as described in the method. After shaping it in the form of a small, barely discernable sword, he absorbed it into his dantian. This method, although had a beautiful and peaceful name, was dangerous and life-threatening.

Deckim had to turn the Arch Energy into a weapon's shape, but this is something way above his level. Even Xue Mo was barely able to make a weapon even with his experience. Yet, Deckim did it. Although the sword was barely a nail length, he shaped it.

Sweat trickled down Deckim's soaked body as he huffed in exhaustion. Anyone other than him would have given up or stopped. This method expended a vast amount of mental energy concentration, which would either let someone faint or die. Still, Deckim persevered.

He had been practicing this method for nearly a year and had gotten used to it. At first, he had fainted and had blood seep through his eyes, yet now he feels exhausted. His will and stubbornness helped overcome this obstacle.

WOOSH!

Myzer looked in the sound's direction and saw Hiari with a bag on his shoulder come. He sat next to him before looking at Deckim, "he's still at it? Master has an eye for talents. Even that Axel that we keep praising wouldn't have lasted this long."

"That's true," Myzer nodded. "He also reached the fourth level of Qi Condensation not long ago. Although, his talent hadn't shone as Axel's talent isn't everything. The experience, will, perseverance. These are the ways to survive in the Cultivation world."

"Yet, I feel like he hadn't unlocked his full talent yet. Master wouldn't have chosen him just for this; something is missing…" Hiari contemplated. His hand was holding his chin as he focused on the meditating Deckim.

"Let's not think about useless stuff. Master knows what he's doing."

Both went quiet as they watched the practicing Deckim. He was one of them, after all—someone chosen by Xue Mo.

"Another month till we move," Hiari said while still watching Deckim.

Myzer didn't say anything. He silently clenched his fist and, with burning eyes, thought, 'we will survive. We will prove that he wasn't wrong! He picked right, and we are worth it?!'

They kept on observing the practicing Deckim as usual without him knowing, not knowing that he will participate in a war soon.

***

Deep in the Assassination Academy, inside Hesroth's hut, a fox opened her eyes. A cold light flashed as light and dark energies assimilated into her dantian. On her paw, Mana danced as she easily controlled it.

"Mana is deep, yet not complex. Mana is life, yet also death. Mana is energy but also purity." The eyes of the man next to her were staring at the Mana while saying. His weird eyes that strangely doesn't disgust many were unfathomable. Wisdom, that's what they displayed.

"You are incredible," he praised. "You said you feel the barrier of the next rank? Although there are ranks for Rune Mastering, we will throw them away. There is no such thing as the peak; you will continue improving. I am sure of it!"

Xue Mo had learned how to compliment people on their achievements, and Lu Yao's talent deserved it. He was slowly changing, the beast inside him had almost opened up fully to Lu Yao, yet there was that one part of him, stopping him. Every time he remembered it, he would shut himself in.

While Xue Mo was talking to Lu Yao, a voice sounded out in both their minds, following the voice a black screen displayed in front of them.

[Mission completed.

Soul Strengthening Method: level 1]