The foolish kobold

Nathan didn't react even after hearing what Xue Mo said. It seemed that his time with Hesroth had done some damage to his psyche. After all, he got tortured for a long time in methods only Hesroth knew, so he must have received some mental injuries.

Hesroth watched from the side. He started respecting Xue Mo more and more after observing him; he even wanted to become his follower.

Xue Mo's dedication, astute mind, seeing the big picture, and, most notably, his ideas such as culling the weeds from the precious, all of these built a figure deserving of his service in Hesroth's mind.

Furthermore, Xue Mo, not caring about blooding his hand, also affirmed that he fit in quite nicely in the Dark Arts Sect. 'We might even be able to get back there with his leadership.'

While Hesroth got lost in thought, Xue Mo had already left the hut with Nathan following him. It appeared as a servant following his young master, yet that young master only looks young, were in fact, he was older than most people in the Universe.

"Mo, I just thought of this, but shouldn't we go to that main sect and look? Hesroth said he has a portal that can send us there directly." Lu Yao yawned while asking.

"That's true, but I had a better thought in mind." His reply was ominous. It seemed the Assassination Academy might go through a hard time,

Xue Mo and Lu Yao didn't waste more time and increased their speed, which allowed them to arrive at the Assassination Academy in no time.

Once they arrived, one of the teachers that Xue Mo taught was there. Seeing Xue Mo come, he went on one knee like a knight and said, "Teacher Mo, Teacher Yao. It's been too long!"

The man was too respectful to Xue Mo and Lu Yao. After all, these two had helped them and the Academy too much. Xue Mo gave them tips about Cultivation while Lu Yao helped them in Mana training and even gave some advice to Teachers that dabbled in Rune Making.

These two's fame was known everywhere, making them have a higher place than even Dominic, the principle, in the Academy's mind.

Xue Mo wouldn't usually remember someone like him, but he easily did because his memory went through an upgrade.

"Rosa, how have you been?" Xue Mo's voice was kind. He even had a small smile on his face. This was how good he became in acting. His kind act could fool anyone these days!

"Thank you for asking. I am good. Thanks to you, I was able to breakthrough my bottleneck." Rosa's excited voice was unmistakable; it looked like he would go and hug Xue Mo if he could.

"That's good. I am glad I could help."

"I came here to make an announcement," getting tired of small talk, Xue Mo went to business. "You probably heard of the oncoming war, right?"

Rosa's expression saddened, hearing that. He knew that some of the students would die, ones that he had nurtured, or even had personal relationships with. However, his training as an assassin made him suppress these emotions.

"Yes, I have."

Xue Mo nodded, seeing how quickly adapted to the situation, and continued, "that's good. Then you and the other teachers should know that you will be joining it!"

Rosa didn't react for a couple of seconds. They were teachers who had reached the Qi condensation realm; they would have to join the war.

Although Qi condensation Cultivators are more potent than normal Magic Masters, they still weren't 100% capable of defeating them. The war would likely include Magic Master's, so Qi condensation Cultivators' presence was a must to balance sides.

After all, even if there were among the students' someone who could fight someone higher than him, it wouldn't be possible to fight someone at the end of the Magic Master level.

Rosa nodded his head after understanding the situation. As Xue Mo ordered, he went to relay the information to everyone. Dominic and the others knew that would happen, but the confirmation assured them.

***

While many other forces were preparing for the war, the defending party and the one who was opposed, the Battle Mage Academy was no different.

Although it received this information late, they were quick to act and make plans for retaliation. They knew that the war was about to begin any day now, so the whole atmosphere in the Academy was tense.

In the office of the Academy's dean sat four old looking people. They were making plans and predictions of how the enemy was going to attack them.

"Sakamoto, can we win this war?" A white-haired old geezer asked the man in the main seat.

"Giorno… I am not sure." The main seated white-haired man with the blue eagle tattoo replied. His voice quaked, and his eyes were drooping.

"What are you two talking about? We are the Battle Mage Academy! We are the strongest organization on the Ash Expanse. Just because some deranged guys declared war on us, you look like this?" A middle-aged man that appeared in his 40's screamed. His build was muscular as he wore a silver armor seemingly ready for battle. He was a kobold.

"Tamos, sit down!" The last man spoke. He had a long beard while and white hair that was tied in a topknot. He was sipping tea calmly. "

Tamos shut up after hearing that. He knew that he didn't deserve to sit with these men and only because they allowed it. He was hot-tempered, but this attitude of his always led him to threatening situations.

"Ren De, do you possibly have a solution?" Sakamoto asked, seeing how calm Ren was. Giorno was also curious as he was looking at him with a hopeful expression.

"Unfortunately, I don't," the reply was fast. "However, if we asked for their help, we might survive!"

Sakamoto and Giorno knew who he meant. There was only one power on the Ash Expanse that could save them.

"Assassination Academy…" Giorno whispered, but everyone heard him.

"Assassination Academy? What are you talking about? That place is a myth! Right?"

"Tamos, you are ignorant beyond compare." Giorno jabbed scoffing. "Myth? Those guys are monsters and are the real ruler of our world! Their power is immense and mysterious. They use Magic and another weird power."

"Do you know, Dio?" Sakamoto asked, receiving a nod.

"Not many know this, but Dio didn't go on a vacation." Ren continued. "He was killed by the Assassination Academy. They took the students he was supposed to transport. If my guess is correct, then they attacked to get these students."

"If what you are saying is true, then shouldn't we retaliate?" Tamos ignorantly asked. "They dared kill one of our own?!"

"Fool!" The three old men yelled, looking at the idiot. "Have you not been listening to us; we can't do anything to them. Compared to them, we are frogs in a well!"

Hearing what Giorno said, Tamos deflated and remained silent. The men with him were the strongest of the Academy, yet they were afraid of this Assassination Academy. Even a dumb person would understand how difficult this situation was.

"Anyway, Ren, are you sure?" Sakamoto and the others ignored Tamos and conversed.

"Even with our power facing three combined organization is too much." His expression was calm as he stroked his beard. "However, they are Assassins, and the other Nations would use them. So, shouldn't we do the same?"

"Ren is right!" Giorno agreed.

"Then it's decided we will initiate contact with the Assassination Academy immediately!"

As soon as Sakamoto announced, a letter flew through the wall and landed in front of Sakamoto. In the letter was written, 'contact details' with great and heavy calligraphy.