CHAPTER 45- Changed Situation

"Let me go to the Academy," I said, my voice firm and unwavering. My father's body stiffened, his sharp eyes narrowing as he regarded me with a mix of surprise and suspicion. For a moment, his mask of stoicism slipped, revealing a flicker of vulnerability before he regained his composure.

"The Academy?" His voice was deep, laced with a grim undertone. He rubbed his temple with his thumb, a habit he had when he was either furious or uncertain. I couldn't tell which it was this time.

"Why do you want to join the Academy, Selentia Amaris Nyxveil?" His gaze bore into me, intense and unyielding. Even with his power tightly controlled, the faint pressure of his aura was suffocating. But I held my ground. I had to.

"Because I want to grow stronger," I replied, meeting his gaze without flinching. My voice was steady, but inside, my heart raced. This was a gamble, and I knew it.

Father's eyes turned icy. "Are you saying the Nyxveil sword techniques and my guidance are not enough to make you strong?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and loaded. My answer would change everything, but I didn't have the luxury of hesitation. I needed to grow stronger—not just for myself, but to protect Nyxveil from the shadows closing in around us.

"Your Grace," I began carefully, "your guidance and the Nyxveil techniques are invaluable. But they won't be enough if the Emperor decides to attack me again, like he did yesterday."

Xavier, perched on my shoulder, flinched. "What? That bastard tried to attack you?" His voice was sharp, laced with anger. I could feel Master's gaze burning into my back from across the room.

I had forgotten to tell them about the incident. They would come back to haunt me later.

Father's expression darkened. "What do you mean, Selentia?"

"If you hadn't arrived when you did," I said, my voice low but clear, "the Emperor would have found some excuse to lock me away or turn me into his puppet." The words seemed to strike a nerve. Father's jaw tightened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—anger, guilt, or perhaps both.

"So, you believe I can't protect you from the Emperor," he said, his voice softer now, almost... hurt. It surprised me. I hadn't expected him to take it personally.

"Nyxveil is powerful," I admitted, "but not powerful enough to stand against the Emperor alone. You've used your intellect and our economic influence to defy him, but it's not enough."

Father's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. "Do you think Nyxveil will fall if we cross the Emperor?"

I hesitated, glancing at Xavier. His voice echoed in my mind, soft and reassuring. *"Your father is strong—stronger than you realize. His aura rivals the Tower Master's mana. And he's not a demon worshipper. Not even a trace of that darkness in him."*

Relief washed over me. At least one thing was certain. I looked back at Father, my resolve hardening.

"Nyxveil has too many enemies, both within and outside the Empire. If they ally with the Imperial Family, we won't stand a chance. Do you truly believe we can survive if they unite against us?" I hoped he would read between the lines, that he would see the danger lurking in the shadows.

Father's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as if piecing together a puzzle. "Did you hear something in the Imperial Palace yesterday, Selentia?"

I flinched slightly. I knew he was sharp, but not this sharp. What could I tell him without revealing too much? I couldn't trust anyone in the mansion, not even the walls.

"I didn't hear anything specific," I said carefully. "But the Emperor's behavior told me enough. He's desperate to break us apart. Why else would he suggest sending one of your children as an envoy to Astra?"

" Sharp like a fox indeed," Master complimented me in the middle of nowhere.

Father's jaw tightened, and he glanced at Master, who was pretending to browse the bookshelves. "Aren't you getting too interested in my family matters, Edwin?"

Master turned, his expression innocent. "Just admiring your collection, Zaphry. You have quite the taste in literature."

Father let out an irritated sigh, shaking his head before turning back to me. "You're right. If our enemies allied with the Imperial Family, it would have been difficult to counter them." He paused, his gaze distant. "But things have changed."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Father's eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw a glimmer of pride. "You happened, Selentia. You manifested the Crimson Abyss."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. My heart skipped a beat. The Crimson Abyss—a power feared even by the Emperor.

"Even untrained, you caught the Emperor off guard yesterday," Father continued, his voice darkening. "And there's something you need to understand about him. The only thing the Emperor worships is power, and the only thing he fears is power."

He stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "The power within you terrifies him. After all, it's no secret to him just how dangerously distructive powerful Crimson Abyss is."

" In that case, won't it be better to just kill me?" I lifed my eyebrow. Father shook his head, "You can't be killed by other people."

I found it hard to understand father's words but he was fast to explain.

". Its not common knowledge among people yet. However, The head of 5 families and Imperial Family are well aware of the power of Crimson Abyss. Even in the words of books, we have learnt how dangerous, destructive Crimson Abyss can become. And killing the wielder of Crimson Abyss isn't also an option."

I frowned, " Huh? But, wasn't Lunaria Nyxveil killed?" 

Father nodded, " What happened after she was killed was more terrifying. According to the book which is only allowed to be read by the head of 5 families and Emperor, it is recorded that the moment Lunaria died, her entire body turned into Crimson Abyss itself. It was so destructive that the battlefield of Cataclysm of Dawn and Dusk turned into red flames, burning a huge fraction of demons and demon cultists. Including the dragons and elves which sided with the demons."

My eyes widen. This was my first time hearing about it. It was both terrifying and awe aspiring. Just how powerful the power within me is. Could it be that's why Emperor never dared to kill me or pull anything funny within my life?

" Because you as my successor have proved to have both wits and power, they won't mess with us." Father smiled confidently, yet, there was doubt within me. " What if they pull something when I am still weak? " I looked at him, little anxious and unsure.

Father went silent for a while before grinning darkly, " Then, they will face the Warth of Nyxveil."

I felt chills in my spines. I guess I won't have to worry about father being clueless about the plotting surrounding us. Yet, I should find some more concrete proof... wait, what's there to find proof when a living proof is living right under this rooft.

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me.

I nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. But there was still one question burning in my mind. "What about the Academy? Will you let me go?"

"Are you sure? The Academy is far more different than you can imagine. There—" Father began, his tone serious, but his sentence was abruptly cut off by Master's teasing remark.

"Just because you're an antisocial hermit, Zaphry, doesn't mean you have to turn the kid into one too," Master interjected, his grin wide and mischievous. He leaned casually against the bookshelf, his arms crossed, clearly enjoying himself.

Father shot him a glare that could freeze fire. "Don't you have better work to do, Edwin?"

Master shrugged, unfazed. "I'm on vacation. Oh, and your daughter might not be aware of this little tidbit." He sauntered over and slung an arm around Father's shoulders, ignoring the daggers being glared in his direction. "Your father also attended the Academy, Foxy"

My eyes widened. *Father went to the Academy?!* This was news to me. I stared at him, trying to reconcile the image of my stern, reclusive father with the idea of him as a student.

"He was the second best student, of course," Master added with a smirk. "The first was me."

Father's fist moved faster than I could blink, landing a solid punch to Master's stomach. Master doubled over, coughing but still grinning like a madman. 

Master also went to the Academy?! My mind raced. *Don't tell me this is some kind of school-life rivalry between these two? Oh heavens, I didn't know any of this!*

"What? Are you embarrassed to admit you were second?" Master wheezed, still smirking despite the punch.

"I'm going to rip you apart, Edwin Ronald," Father growled, his aura flaring dangerously. The room seemed to darken as his bloodlust surged, but Master countered it effortlessly, his own mana protecting him like a shield.

"This... this is the power of two men who've reached the pinnacle of magic and swordsmanship," Xavier murmured in awe, his voice barely audible over the crackling energy in the room.

The clash of father'a attack and Master's defence, sent a shockwave through the study. Books tumbled from shelves, furniture rattled, and the air itself felt heavy with power. I stumbled back, my heart racing as I realized the sheer magnitude of their strength.

"Oho, looks like you haven't gotten rusty after sitting in Pyrexia for 16 years, Zaphry," Master taunted, his smirk never wavering.

"You'll see just how rusty I am when I rip you apart, Edwin Ronald," Father shot back, his voice cold and deadly.

*Oh no.* If these two decided to fight for real, the entire Nyxveil mansion would be reduced to rubble. I couldn't let that happen. Summoning every ounce of my strength, I stepped between them, my own aura flaring as I created a barrier to separate their clashing energies.

"SNAP OUT OF IT, YOU TWO!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room.

Both of them froze, their auras receding as they turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of surprise and irritation.

I could feel the strain of holding them back—my aura was draining rapidly, and I wasn't even sure I was using it efficiently. *I have so much to learn... and so much to get stronger.*

"That was reckless, kid," Master said, rushing to my side. He grabbed my hand, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Did you really think you were strong enough to come between me and that bull?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Then why did you unleash your mana in the first place?"

Master let out a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Just feeling nostalgic about the past, I guess." He released my hand and stepped back, his usual grin returning.

I glanced at Father, who was watching us with a cold, unreadable expression. *Oh no. Did he get suspicious?*

"Your Grace, about th—" I started, but Father cut me off.

"You can attend the Academy," he said, turning his back to me. My eyes widened, and I looked at Master to make sure I'd heard correctly. He nodded, his grin widening as he mouthed, *"I'm the head of the magic department, by the way."*

I covered my mouth in shock. WOAH. That was unexpected.

"Selentia," Father's voice pulled me back to the moment. "Once you go to the Academy, your safety will be your responsibility."

I nodded, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and determination. "I understand, Your Grace."

"I hope that in the next four years, by the time you return," he said, turning his head slightly to glance at me, "we will be able to wield a spear together."

My heart fluttered at his words. Four years... by then, I'd be twenty, and I was certain I'd be far stronger than I was now. I smiled brightly and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle. "I won't disappoint you, Your Grace."

"I'll speak to the Headmaster and let you know when you can join. You may leave now," Father said, his tone final. He turned his back to me once more, signaling the end of the conversation.

I looked at Xavier, who winked at me. "Congratulations," he said softly.

I smiled and gave him a nod, my mind already racing ahead. *So, I'm really going to the Academy.* But before that, I needed to ensure Father was cautious of the Demon Cult and avoid any traps the Emperor might set. 

I won't be rest assured cause things went down the year I turned 18. The current me have no power to defend Nyxveil against the demon cult. However, its not the same case for father and Uncle. If I can just make them suspicious over the situation...

I smirked realizing a not so well- intended plan in my mind.

May you serve your purpose right, Dain Nyxveil.