Chapter 13 The Noble Clan of Huangdi And the Prestigious Western Imperial House of Caesar

And then he saw it, due to the formation that the Aurors were taking around Zhāng a few of the Aurors had run through the cliff face, obviously after seeing that the wall must be fake or two it was magically possible to actually go through it, Zhāng had calmed down after that revelation.

After a few seconds, Zhāng had also gone thru the wall, but despite him knowing that the wall was passable he still couldn't help but close his eyes and turn his head away a little. When Zhāng reopened his eyes he could see a small city, with walls and everything, because they were on a hill they could see into the city proper.

It was filled with Pagodas and ponds, large towers extending beyond even the tower in Mófǎ qū, it was only after the walls started to obscure everything that they really began to slow down. In Front of the city was a giant line of people, almost every single one of them were around the age of Zhāng but none of them were even remotely as large in stature as he was.

"Alright everyone you may leave" The Imperial guardsmen at the front of the formation yelled, in reaction all of the Aurors split off of the group and circled around going back to where they came from.

Passing the line on the side they slowly rode down the street, gaining the disapproval of everyone that looked, when they had seen what they looked like they instantly looked away or got rid of the look of anger they had when Zhāng's group cut to the front of the line while they had to wait for anywhere up to an hour. This once again put a fog of mystery on the Imperial Guardsmen for Zhāng as they also had the fear or respect for them which he couldn't truly understand as he had yet to see their power.

Once they had gotten to the front of the line the two dozen guards all looked at the group who didn't even look like they were considering stopping in shock. A younger man was about to yell at the group but an older man had covered his mouth before he could say anything.

Yet again did Zhāng see the awe the imperial guardsmen had, but this time he was sure that, unlike the regular people, these guards only feared them. And when they had seen Zhāng look at them they began to bow to him even though they didn't know who he was, most likely due to the simple fact that the Imperial Guardsmen were escorting him.

"Alright, kid you will be safe here" The imperial guardsmen on the right of Zhāng had said, he didn't look Chinese and had a giant lumberjack beard and mustache along with a giant frame, as opposed to the clean-shaved companion at the front and the petite woman to the left "let's go".

Watching the three people still on horses leave through the gates they had just passed, a man came from the side of the group of guards. This man wasn't dressed like any of the guards, nor did he share their bigger-than-average stature.

"I'll be taking your horse to the stable, please show some identification, and tell me under which name it will be housed," The man said in a monotonous voice, a voice so boring that it threatened to put Zhāng to sleep.

"Zhāng" Zhāng replied while handing the man an identical stone circle to the one that Liu had when they were shopping "And that is my identification".

"Ohh, Mr. Huangdi it's a pleasure" He Gawked in a more exciting way before turning and whistling to a group of people sitting in a box to the side of the gates "Get over here".

"This is Mr. Huangdi, you three will take his horse to the nobility section of the horse stables, additionally you will get the stable hands to care too it" the lithe man spat before turning to the now standing Zhāng "Now let's get you to the ceremonial courtyard, here is your identification stone".

While being ushered down the street he noticed the foreign unusual architecture dotted around, of course, most of the buildings were pavilions with terraces already filled with students being instructed. While looking at the impressive buildings lining the streets a man, a very rugged man, who was very out of place was looking out of the window at the passing students, and every once and a while he would press a bottle against his lips for many seconds simply drinking out of it.

"Who is that man?" Zhāng questioned the man who had a shit-eating grin for absolutely no reason other than that he walking next to 'nobility'.

"He was an Advanced Dueling Instructor, but due to his unusual use of Apparition in the style he taught which had caused many injuries to students, he hasn't been assigned any students".

"Apparition?".

"Its a form of instant travel, Students learn it in their Fifth year, the problem with it is that if an unskilled user uses it then it can cause injuries called splinching" He Replied calmly "Now, that is the courtyard where all ceremonies will be held, including the one for new students".

Turning to the right there was a massive flat tiled surface which was filled with at least two or even three thousand people the same age as Zhāng, at the back of the courtyard was a thin bridge heading to a circular plaza with a Dozen different statues all pointing at the center of their circle. On the right of the giant platform was an equally giant Chalice most of solid stone, with hundreds of gems encrusted like stars into said Chalice.

Seeing that the lithe man who had brought him there was nowhere to be seen he simply prepared to join the other students in standing in the courtyard, except when he took the first step he instantly noticed the change in scenery, being at the front of the plaza.

All of the students in the back section were clumped into groups of what could be assumed as friends or people trying to make new ones, as for the section where Zhāng had found himself everyone was standing in a specific manner, the same way Liu had instructed 'Legs shoulder length apart, hands behind back, a straight back with feet straight forward.

After an excruciating 40 minutes under the hot sun, a group of people appeared at the elevated part of the courtyard to the left.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Commoner and nobility alike welcome to The Imperial Academy, Fenghuang" A woman to the left of the old man in the center of the line of adults shouted with a Sonorus Charm "In a Short minute we will begin calling students who will find themselves in front of 12 impartial judges every last one of them will judge your character, your desires, your heritage, and your strengths; additionally once you have been chosen a flame will light under the judge which has chosen you, walk into said flame and you will be transported into your new residence".

"The twelve judges are The Rat, The Ox, The Tiger, The Rabbit, The Boar, the Snake, The Horse, The Goat, The Monkey, The Rooster, The Dog, and Finally The Dragon".

"We will now begin with Changying Biyu of Clan Biyu".

A woman from the front walked out onto the bridge, once she was on the platform only elevated two steps high, she froze completely, and after a mere 10 seconds, a flame had exploded under the snake-shaped statue behind her.

Once the flame had exploded alight a Snake had appeared onto her robes, while a five white aiguillette had threaded itself together starting at the left shoulder part of the ceremonial robes and ending on the left breast section.

Walking to the flame she had faltered a little due to the crackle of the flame, but she quickly touched the flame before disappearing.

"Next we Call Zhāng Huangdi Caesar, Of The Noble Clan of Huangdi and the Prestigious Western Imperial House Of Caesar".