Chapter 3: So We Meet, Brothers Once More (3)
Chapter 3: So We Meet, Brothers Once More (3).
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Moonlight Academy, a land where one seeks knowledge, a land where cowards are trampled, a land where the one seeks to find himself spreading his wings high .
Far away from a huge continent, with no leader to rule or guardian of their country to protect them from the evil destruction, relying on themselves to struggle .
But they didn't isolate themselves from that continent .
That continent was: the Ego continent .
The major powers on this continent are divided into eight factions, each two ruling their own land with many countries intertwined .
North: The Ancients Land, most of its people are half-humans, they rarely get along with pure humans, they are strong and tough, born with their blessed bodies, they hate cities so much that they impose their control over the wild environment of the north, Sky Island, Eternal Snow River and other areas .
Beast Tamers, Beast Tribes, Giants, Mermaids, Dragons and Phoenixes, Elves and Ogres, many are their people .
The West: The Wizards Land, people who are sometimes eccentric and sometimes wise, dedicated to understanding the wonders of this world, whether monsters or humans, the essence energy or forests and mountains, whatever arouses their curiosity they want, and soon you see them studying it .
Their social environments are like strange tales, huge towers shared by all people, moving houses, some of which float on water, the fallen city lake, the moon clown maze, wonders behind wonders .
Mercenaries and adventurers, explorers ruled by a Swordsman wizard, their order is guilds, schools of learning and towers .
The East: The Pure Land, of unblemished lineage, as they claim, The glories of the ancestors continue to be inherited by the descendants, Kingdoms after empires, Knights obey their masters and nobles rule their people, despising beasts and their half-brothers .
The Hollow King's Castle, The eternal light sky, tales and struggles, simple people who perish and some who rise, knights, magicians and soldiers, merchants and killers, all under the banner of an all-seeing king who watches over their epics .
South: Jianghu Land, clans and sects, martial arts passed down through the ages, battles between factions, righteous and evil, one rules one day and disappears the next, the survival of the strong is the law .
Wandering Dreams mountains, Desert of Bloody Twilight, Enemies and Allies, Wandering Warrior, Ninja, Samurai, Ghost Swordsman, Ronin, Mysterious Legacies and Faded Legends .
In this world, life was difficult, and for the sake of survival, conflicts arose, Some people ruled and some were subjugated, from ancient times and through forgotten ages, through the era of bloody war to the present day .
Chains that hold everyone back and break, until new chains come to hold them back .
The chains of this time were the Blue Moon Alliance, an alliance of the eight factions that ruled the continent .
Despite their name as the rulers of the continent, most of the lands were forgotten ruins, cities buried by time whose dangers were unknown, not to mention the monsters who despised what was near them .
In some ominous places, forests are the danger, soil that preys on everything it treads on, rivers that swallow every living creature, mountains that move in unknown times and destroy everything, a valley that converges and crushes everything until it's flat .
Days that bring rain of blood or flames from an ominous sky, nights of unknown madness under the lights of a hollow moon, minds whose understanding disappears and a person kills his loved ones and perhaps himself .
Everyone is in conflict, wanting to belong to someone strong to protect them .
But the moon Isle was different, far from all tha, They lived on their island and their people cooperated to survive and develop .
Moon Island, East Coast: Blue Glow Beach .
Swoosh ~
Leon took his steps in the sand of the beach, and what the eye saw captured the heart's attention .
The sand was strangely blue, a dark but shiny color, the scarlet trees were beautiful, and on them were fruits like jewels .
The morning light fell on the beach sand, the dim light of the sand rose, reflected off the crimson trees, the winter snow was like a roof on the tree branches and flower petals gently .
Sometimes the waves sweep up sea creatures, sponge shell crabs, clawed snakes, and even purple fin fish that breathe above the water for a while …
Leon held the sponge shell crab as he examined it .
Squish !
When he pressed it, the crab's soft shell made a funny sound, and then a yellow substance came out of its red body .
Swoosh !
When the crab's body became slippery, he took the opportunity to escape, quickly digging the beach sand and then hiding .
" This stings ."
Leon watched his hand covered in the yellow substance, feeling the corrosive sensation.
This was the sponge shell crab poison .
Although the poison is not fatal to humans, it is effective against the small fish it catches and, of course, predators of its own size .
The skin on Leon's hand was disintegrating very slowly, and as the sweat flowed from his hand, the erosion rate increased .
" That's why this crab isn't easily preyed on, Its venom increases in intensity when mixed with liquids, making it a difficult prey to consume, But there's a counterpoint to everything, like the crab's natural predator, the transparent shell squid ."
The transparent shell squid was a tiny creature, even smaller than a sponge-shell crab, but its tentacles could strangely extend, enabling it to inject its many shell poisons into prey .
When this squid catches a sponge crab, it absorbs it into its shell while it dissolves inside its body.
During this time, the squid becomes vulnerable because it cannot use its toxins and cannot move at its usual speed .
With the essence energy moving through his body smoothly, the poison was expelled from his hand along with the corrupted blood .
There was no need to use his healing ego, his natural body healing was enough to restore his skin .
Leon lost interest in the crab and focused on the other creatures that had washed up on the waves .
" Without a doubt, unlike the mainland, marine creatures here are abundant …"
A smile spread across his mouth as he contemplated his future plans .
" After disappearing for years, far away from everything and nowhere, after tasting the disappointment of time, it's time to spread my wings: it's time, hahahaha !"
Undeterred by the crowd, Leon raised his head to the sky and laughed boldly, causing people to stare at him strangely .
Of course, he wouldn't have cared or noticed .
Entering the academy, taking control of its students, and then gradually expanding that scope …
Until that day comes, holding everything in my arms, I will be the sole ruler and guardian .
Only then do the pieces fall into place .
This era will only bring destruction, and in that destruction I am victorious .
Since the academy has a clear class structure, he must choose a class to enter .
These categories were divided into four : (A), (B), (C), (D).
Obviously, class (A) is the highest and class (D) is the lowest, making the division between classes very clear .
With people of different classes and races present, it can be said that the competition was not only fierce, but brutal as well .
Of course, there was no rush, let's see the environment first .
" For now, I have to say goodbye to Lilith and meet up with my brothers, No one would care if a common student suddenly disappeared, not to mention that my time to meet the old man hasn't come yet. "
The image of a smiling man flashed through Leon's memory, who he had seen on the ship, but he hadn't taken the initiative to talk to him, The best time to do so would be after he had met the others .
" It's your fault for spying on me, hehe "
After organizing his thoughts, he walked towards the people gathered around a white-haired girl .
" ya, I think it's time to part ways, It's been fun hanging out with you ."
Saying that with a wave of his hand, Leon walked away .
Although it was best to follow the crowd to reach the academy, there was still a meeting with his brothers .
That was the most important thing .
The people around Lilith were surprised by this young man's strange statement, but they dismissed it as just the nonsense of someone trying to get the attention of the Princess of the Kronos Merchant Guild, not to mention his strange laughter earlier .
Lilith felt a little disappointed, but waved her arm back, then walked off with her servants who shooed the people away .
" I hope we meet at the academy if neither of us gets expelled ."
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Northern Forest, Dancing Trees Zone .
Hmm~ hmm~ wooooow ~
The winds made harmonious sounds, as quiet as whispers, soothing to the mind like the beauty of snow when it melts, soft sounds, light on one when hearts touch .
Whoosh ~ whoosh ~
As if the trees were responding to those notes, the branches swayed and their leaves moved in a joyful rhythm .
The soil is purple, the trees are sky blue, the remains of the fallen snow melt quietly, announcing the arrival of spring .
Huge flower petals held small animals that seemed to be sleeping and swaying happily .
Peace and quiet, even the birds sang peacefully .
And in the middle of the blue decorated grass, there were two people .
What brought them ?
Desire for peace from the difficulties of life, perhaps .
Or contemplate the beauty of nature .
Kwang! Kwang !
… Or maybe not.
The answer that came was full of noise .
Kwang! Kwang! Kwaaang !
The sword and spear clashed relentlessly, the sound waves clashing with the whispering wind, making the notes become a howl .
" Lloyd, is that all you got? Just keep your distance ?"
The tiger-eyed swordsman sneered as the sword moved towards his opponent quickly, delivering several stabs in a row .
Quack! Quack! Quack !
The spearhead, the spearman's wrist, and the lower part of his body .
All stabs were aimed precisely at the vital points in the flow of battle .
The first stab was ready to achieve that vision .
Swoosh !
Just as the first stab almost deflected the edge of Lloyd's spear, a light gust of wind passed through the point of impact, causing the sword to miss its path .
" This bastard ?"
Despite deflecting his initial strike, the swordsman did not hesitate to touch the flow .
When the sword missed its target, the swordsman immediately loosened his grip .
The moment the hand was about to leave the sword, the muscles of the shoulder, forearm and wrist tightened, and then the flow of the blow changed !
Whoosh !
The misdirected stab was changed into a swing, the sword quickly swept to the right and like a crescent moon curve, the sword edge slid towards Lloyd's torso forcefully !
" Tch! Dio! I know we haven't seen each other for years, but you're getting overly excited, bro !"
Quack !
The base of the spear rotated to block the sword, Lloyd took advantage of the impact force and jumped into the air .
Swoosh !
The executioner didn't let him rest and rushed towards him brutally .
Bam! Bam! Bam !
On the ground and above the trees, among the dancing tree branches and large flower petals, the black sword and the green spear clashed relentlessly .
" You bastard! To say this after you used the winds against me, there is such a thing in the world as shame! Shame !"
Bam! Bam! Bam !
The sword and spear collided violently, causing nearby trees to be uprooted !
After a barrage of blows, the two jumped backwards in a somersault .
The swordsman, Dio, smiled, and lightning sparks accumulated slightly on his sword .
His initiative was answered by the rising winds on Lloyd's spear .
Feet apart, steady as mountains, arms relaxed, soft as rivers, shoulders upright to bear the load .
Whooof …
The essence energy flowed through the body from the core essence, then to the veins to the entire body, and the cycle repeated .
The will at the source of the mind sets the energy in motion like the flowing blood, and one's imagination forms the image, after imagination the illusion is linked to reality .
Within the limits of illusion, distractions are broken, making the brain clear .
One hit
Towards the opponent, the force is transmitted .
Power comes from the lower body to the rest of the body, and when pushing forward, the arms take the lead in everything .
Thus the essence energy comes outwards, from within the imagination, to the medium, to the body and then outwards .
Thus the will to strike was transferred to the sword and spear .
Dio lowered his posture slightly with his sword in front of him, his left foot moved back, and the sword was raised high .
Lloyd's long spear was pointed directly at Dio, arms spread wide in grip, stance low to the ground, and bottom flexed to its utmost .
Lightning sparks and wind whispers as if different concepts collide .
Hence ;
Sword and spear touch .
Swoosh !
Booom —!
The explosion happened in an instant .
Swaying trees, burrowing animals, insects, grassy soil, everything was uprooted .
In the roar of the explosion, dust rose up, the crushing sound traveling across the entire area .
whoosh !
The wind that passed was cold and warm .
" Oh? That's too much excitement ."
The voice was deep but a little sarcastic, yet the person sounded amused .
The owner of the voice was immediately revealed, after all, dust couldn't block out the flames .
The sword was fused with the extended arm, the arm covered in a shiny black color, as if the hand was made of metal and not flesh, and sparks rose between them .
The golden flames and blue lightning clashed as the two people who emitted that tremendous pressure smiled .
" Dio, I know we haven't seen each other in a while and haven't sparred since we came here, but hold yourself back, you almost destroyed this place ."
The owner of the voice, while covered in flames across his body, spoke with his golden eyes flashing .
" Ragna, there are limits to meanness… After you almost burned my body, you advise me to restrain myself? You villain !"
Despite the words, the smile did not leave the faces .
On the other hand, the magnificent ice covered the entire explosion area, preventing the imminent fate of the forest .
"… I didn't come out of that damn place to clean up some idiot's mess, damn it ."
The dual swords completely blocked the spear's path, one blocked the spear, while the other sword smoothly made contact with the black hand protecting the neck .
" Calm down Loki, we're not in a fight, do you have a grudge against my neck or something? Put your sword away, that's scary !"
Staring at the white-haired man with displeasure, Lloyd retracted his spear and retreated .
Wind, lightning, flame, and ice, those four elements flashed through one area of the forest, while the brothers stood above the ice wall quietly .
" Where is Leon now ?"
Dio grabbed a small towel and some black oil, then sharpened and cleaned his sword while asking .
Loki was slowly melting the ice so that nothing would break, and at the same time he tried to use his Ego to communicate, but there was no response .
" I don't know, we've lost contact with him since he entered the island, we have to look for him after we're done with this place ."
Ragna's expression was serious, "Maybe he's robbing some people ?"
" Stop kidding, he's not that kind of person ."
Huh? Lloyd, I know your mind is in some trouble, but to the point where you forget who Leon is …
" Instead, he might steal them and then take them to the authorities for attempted murder, and suddenly the case turns into government corruption and a claim for his rightful right. "
"… Lloyd "
Everyone looked at him with new eyes .
Our little one has grown up …
" Get your evil eyes off me !"
" Oh I forgot, which city will we register to the academy from ?"
The others fell into deep thought at Dio's question .
" There are many regions on this island indeed, but the main regions are simple: the Northern Forest, the Eastern Mist Region, the Southern Black Moon, the Western Domain split between the Doctor and the Lunatic, and then the Moonlight Academy in the middle. "
Many villages and regions are under the rule of these, and there are independent regions, the Small Mountain, the Red Frost Sect, the Oblivion Flame Sect, the Red Metal Volcano, the Thousand Poison Swamp …
Their relationships were intertwined, allies and enemies, close and strangers .
"… Although I hate those damned, corrupt, sons of bitches bastards, it's not wise to leave our affiliation truly unknown ."
As Loki said, the others nodded in agreement .
Since Moonlight Academy is only accepting 300 seats this year, there were auditions that included areas in nearby countries and within the island itself, where the number of vacant seats is limited .
Loki stroked his beard...or the barren desert on his chin .
" This division is more political than natural, as the region a person comes from represents the highest faction of that place. If that person is talented, the faction will try to bring them to their side or simply destroy them so that others cannot obtain them. "
Since there are limited seats, the greater the political distance between the island and the rest of the countries, the fewer seats will be available .
Therefore, only a certain number of people took the academy examinations, and among those who registered, of course, there were no ones who had tasted the awakening ceremony, and they were just ordinary people .
This group had come from far away on the continent, which meant that they had either stolen someone's seats or taken them with their abilities .
" We came without vacancies or permits, so we are considered strangers to the place, illegal immigrants, without a special occasion, and we can be prosecuted for that before the law," Lloyd said .
Dio snorted in disdain at the prospect, "Heh, I'd love to see them try, I really do !"
Such measures only made sense when the guilty party was weaker .
But in front of power ?
The law becomes immediately irrelevant .
Anyway …
Since the reason we came here was to control the place, it would be foolish to get into a political entanglement right away, even entering under the banner of our allies might restrict us somewhat .
Choosing a simple but unobtrusive place was the best choice .
The problem is that unless we find that place quickly, it could get annoying …
While others fell into thought .
" No, why should we even think about that ?"
Dio suddenly spoke .
" What do you mean?" Loki asked .
" First of all, we all agreed to leave such annoying matters to Leon; Since he's the leader, isn't he the one who thinks about it? We're just doing what we have to do. "
"… Coming to think of it, you're right. "
" What we have to do is simple, guys, isn't it?" Ragna gave a malicious laugh .
" Do you mean what I'm thinking ?"
" what's else ?"
The three, Dio, Loki, and Ragna, looked at each other as they smiled .
What they have to do is simple .
" We will disrupt his work to the end !"
Hahaha !
With loud laughter, they enjoyed the whispering notes of the wind on the flower petals, while watching the wall of ice melt at Loki's will .
" you guys "
Lloyd smiled brightly .
Weren't we just about to look for him? Huh ?
You evil deceivers .
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Black sand village .
Inside the simple-looking village, a black-haired young man walked with a smile, his bloodshot eyes calmly observing the people .
There were only Ego warriors on the First Moon, and they were very few in number .
Ordinary humans didn't even dare to approach the Ego Warriors, and trembling eyes stared at the black sand .
"… the situation doesn't seem that bad, maybe there is slavery, but it's not very common, unlike some places on the rest of the continent, maybe because this is just a simple village ?"
Young Leon's eyes flashed with a cold gleam as he expanded his essence Energy perception across the city .
One hundred in the first moon, only one is the strongest, and he is a warrior in the second moon .
While sensing where that person was, he walked around until he found what he was looking for .
Unlike the other modest houses, this building was a bit luxurious, and there were guards on the premises .
The metal fence of the building indicated how private the place was, as the only gate to the building was surrounded by three guards, while the rest were scattered here and there .
" now … "
While observing the place for a while, a sinister smile suddenly made its way to Leon's mouth .
" it's Time for the joy "
Skillfully weaving through the crowd, Leon reached a slightly inconspicuous side of the wall surrounding the place .
Leon put his hand on the wall, the metal was smooth to the touch, but harder than regular steel .
" There are obvious remnants of essence energy flowing from within the metal; It's not that strong, but the First Moon warriors are unable to generate such intensity ."
No doubt about it, this was most likely Ego's defensive ability on the second moon .
In this world, just as there is a ranking as one advances, there is naturally a ranking of ego as well. Since there are eight moons of warrior, the same is true for ego .
Defense, Attack, Healing, Movement, Detection, Storage, Evolution …
There are countless types of egos, from common ones like fire ego, to strange ones like jelly clown ego, and even terrifying ones like self-harm ego .
This wall was just one effect among many .
" Well, for now, this wall is unnecessary ."
With his devilish smile still on his lips, Leon looked at the wall .
Bam !
Without warning, a brutal kick smashed through the metal wall .
" What ! "
Swoosh !
" Who dares !"
The sudden noise startled the people, and naturally the guards became angry and immediately jumped to the spot .
Amidst the scattered remains, Leon stood silently against the destruction behind him, then stared at the guards with brutal killing intent .
" Dare you? This bastard doesn't recognize his masters !"
In an angry voice, he suddenly cursed the cautious guard in front of him .
" Huh ?"
This corrupt caterpillar, what does he guide ?
The guards looked at each other in momentary confusion, but they weren't about to back down .
" You devil! How dare you! To break down our sacred walls, even a thousand deaths won't be enough for you !"
The eldest guard among them stepped forward, trembling as if his anger had reached the heavens .
The other guards stared at him in momentary confusion, but then started shouting after him as well .
" That devil dares to desecrate our sacred land! Perhaps it is a plan from White Lake Village, we must cut off his head immediately !"
" We are with you, our brave leader! Show them the strength and power of our people !"
" We support you, leader !"
What what? Holy land? bullshit, what a bullshit !
The same place where dogs defecate its shit at dawn ?
Hehe, what a holy place indeed !
Everyone knew that the guard's words were just nonsense, but his followers supported him. Why ?
Loyalty? Impossible .
What he was doing was simply putting on an act in front of people, just so others could see his dedication, and thus put himself in the position of a loyal officer of his country. So even if he didn't get any extra pay, praise was still better than insults, right ?
They will also get some residuals when people see them, albeit a small profit .
" Look at these bastards ?"
On the other hand, the senior guard was annoyed by how rude they were .
Instead of helping, they showed their sincerity by encouraging him to take the initiative to get rid of this boy instead of them !
If he refuses, his prestige will be reduced a little in front of people, and if he agrees, others will see him as a listener to his followers, and that depends on the situation, whether good or bad .
" Humph !"
The guard snorted coldly on the outside, in contrast to the joy inside .
He walked with swagger and stood in front of Leon arrogantly .
We could have engaged in a brutal battle with this boy right away, but it would have been useless .
The metal wall confirmed that this brat was strong, not weak .
Maybe close to my strength .
That guess wasn't absurd .
In fact, this wall had been broken more than once, and only the guards had the right to do that .
If someone else did that ?
He would be executed for insulting the honor and prestige of the village chief, that was the law .
The village chief made the wall's strength a bit weak in order to make people think of the building as a place that unconsciously brings death to the sinner, and thus their fear of him unconsciously increases .
As the elder guard was talking nonsense, his eyes cautiously watched the hole in the wall, comparing the extent of the destruction with his own strength .
Thus he concluded that the boy in front of him was weaker .
He wouldn't have attacked immediately and killed randomly .
Only fools kill for no gain .
Now he has to establish his heroic image in front of the people .
" you devil! Surrender to justice immediately, or don't blame me for what I will do !"
The crowd watched silently, not daring to interrupt .
" Justice? You bastard! After everything my family has done for you, you blaspheme your masters like this? Come here, you bastard !"
" What nonsense is this— "
Slab !
The guard did not finish his words when a strong slap touched his cheek .
What? This bastard, did he just slap me ?
When he was about to be consumed by rage and use his ego to kill that damned brat, he strangely noticed that the essence energy in his body was sealed .
" What's going on ?"
" silent ! "
Slab !
His confusion was answered with another slap .
"….."
" You scoundrel! This is my land, I can do whatever I want! Where did you get this courage ?!"
Slab !
And another .
" Spit! Who ordered you to do this! I will execute him in front of everyone !"
Slab! Slab !
As he vented his anger, Leon slapped him relentlessly .
Each slap was so quick, that the crowd felt it from afar, and some avoided looking .
Leon sighed in satisfaction after seemingly venting his anger, leaving the guard's swollen face .
The guard fell unconscious .
" I come back from traveling after years, and I find my father's people turning against me; What the hell is this bullshit? Aaaah, I'm angry again !"
Bam !
His returning anger was directed at the unconscious guard in the form of kicks .
Bam! Bam !
Sir ... he's about to die, anyway, isn't a guard's duty to guard? Why are you angry ?
The words were spoken in the guards' minds, but fearing becoming victims, they simply watched .
Since their strongest lost like a miserable pig, what can they do ?
" What are you looking at? Is this a circus? Go away if you have nothing to do !"
Leon roared at the crowd, which they did too .
There were rumors that the village chief had a son from a faraway land, when you tied the events together, the conclusion was clear .
For this reason, and for fear of being beaten as well, the crowd quickly dispersed .
" You ! "
Leon pointed to one of the guards, then told him to come closer .
" Come on, take me to my father right away. "
The said guard cursed his luck and smiled bitterly, but he advanced tremblingly .
So, Leon strutted past the guards as they made way, then entered through the hole in the wall into the luxurious building .
And in that place, a middle-aged man stood, watching Leon with a complicated look .
"… son…son …"
His trembling voice almost broke his welcoming smile .
" dad ! "
Leon ran towards him and hugged him lovingly .
In contrast, the middle-aged man's body trembled .
The reason was simple .
This damn bastard threatened to kill his daughter if he didn't go along with what he said .
The big problem ?
He is stronger than everyone here .
" It's been so long, Dad! Mom misses you so much! She even cries when she remembers you !"
This damned liar! What mother are you talking about! I am an honest person, I have never spent a day with a woman other than my wife, why is he accusing me now !
Just what grudge did we have to do this to me !
As Leon continued to spit out bullshit with the expression of a filial son, the middle-aged man cursed as hard as he could .
He did his best to hold back the tears that threatened to come out .