Chapter 31
Chapter 31
A pale sun rose on the horizon, casting a golden light on the capital of the Kingdom of Sky. The royal palace stood atop the central hill, overlooking the paved streets and stone houses of the kingdom. Flags adorned with the black phoenix symbol fluttered in the wind, symbolizing the new era that Elion Skyless had established since his ascension to the throne.
In the training yard, the metallic sound of weapons colliding echoed through the cold morning air. Two rows of soldiers in silver armor competed in a rigorous exercise. Every spear or sword was precise, controlled - the result of severe military discipline established by Elion for several weeks.
Eridan watched the fighting from a wooden platform, his arms folded, his gaze sharp following the slightest movement of the soldiers. At his side, Veyla looked silently, his expression neutral.
"They're making rapid progress," whispered Eridan.
Veyla nodded slowly.
"The Ki starts flowing properly in their bodies." Their mastery of elemental magic is still weak, but the basis is laid."
Eridan squinted as he saw a young knight using a level 2 technique with ease. A fire blade roamed his sword, cutting his opponent's weapon in an explosion of sparks.
"Impressive." said Eridan, smiling slightly.
"That's a start," Veyla answered.
A silence fell as Elion appeared in the courtyard, dressed in his black armor decorated with silver threads. The dark cloak floated behind him, and his piercing gaze swept the soldiers lined up in front of him.
- "Training!"
Immediately, the knights stood at attention, fists on their chests. Silence fell like a leaden screed.
Elion advanced slowly, his steps echoing on the stone paving stones.
"Show me your progress."
Eridan raised his fist.
- "Alpha Section, before!"
Five knights came forward with their weapons in hand.
- "Elementary Ki level 1: activation!" ordered Eridan.
An aura of light and fire enveloped the soldiers. The Ki, visible as trails of colored energy, flowed around their bodies.
"Attack!"
The knights simultaneously charged Elion.
Elion raised his hand. His dark aura spread around him like a wave.
- "Black Ki: Barrier of Nothingness."
A wall of dark energy formed in front of him. The knights' blades struck the barrier, but they were instantly repelled. Elion disappeared into a black mist and reappeared behind the first knight.
- "Ki sharp: Spectral blade."
A black flash of lightning roamed the court. Elion's blade split the air at lightning speed. The knight's blade was cut in two in a sheaf of sparks.
The knight collapsed on his knees, his breath cut off.
"Insufficient." said Elion coldly.
The second knight attacked with a series of quick blows, his sword covered with a blue flame.
- "Elementary Ki level 2: Flame of the Wind!"
A firestorm bursts from the blade, spinning around Elion.
Elion closed his eyes.
- "Black Ki: Devouring."
The dark aura around him absorbed the flame, dissipating it in a dull rumble.
The knight widened his eyes.
"Too slow."
Elion teleported behind him. An elbow threw him to the ground with brutal violence.
Three other knights charged simultaneously. One of them wields a spear with a white flash of lightning.
- "Elementary Ki level 3: Lightning Spear!"
An electric shock bursts from the tip of the spear, targeting Elion.
Elion raised his hand.
- "Black Ki: Deviation."
The lightning bolt was instantly redirected to the sky in a deafening detonation.
With a quick motion, Elion appeared before the knight, kicking him in the chest. The knight was thrown against the stone wall in a thud.
The last knight raised his sword, trembling.
Elion approached slowly, his cold gaze plunged into his.
"Too weak."
The knight fell to his knees.
Elion looked at the five knights on the ground, his gaze piercing.
"You are the elite of the kingdom of Sky. Your present strength is pitiful."
The knights lowered their heads, shame marking their faces.
Elion raised his hand.
"Get up. Next time, I won't hold back my shots."
The knights straightened up, short-breathed, but determined.
Eridan smiled faintly.
"He pushes them to go beyond their limits."
Veyla looked at him from the side.
"It doesn't just train them to become stronger. It breaks them to rebuild them."
Elion turned his back on the knights.
"War is coming. We have to be ready."
Later that day, Elion stood in the throne room. In front of him, an emissary from the kingdom of Velka, dressed in a red cape decorated with gold, bowed deeply.
"King Elion, the king of Velka asks for an audience."
Elion looked at him coldly.
"Velka is a weak kingdom. Why should I give an audience?"
The emissary hesitated, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Velka wants... to propose an alliance."
A cold smile stretched over Elion's lips.
"An alliance?"
The beasts of the North are beginning to descend to the lands of Velka. The king asks for Sky's military support."
Elion rose slowly, descending the steps of the throne.
"Velka has nothing to offer Sky."
The emissary turned pale.
"Then... the king of Velka will be forced to seek an alliance with the kingdom of Aldar."
Elion stopped, his gaze becoming icy.
"Aldar?"
The emissary nodded.
The king of Aldar has already sent a delegation to Velka. If they agree... Aldar and Velka could join forces."
Elion squinted his eyes.
" Aldar "
Veyla entered the room.
"Aldar is getting stronger quickly. Their army is composed of high-ranking mages. If Velka joins them... it could unbalance the forces."
Elion smiled coldly.
"In that case... we'll visit Velka."
Veyla looked at him, intrigued.
"A declaration of war?"
Elion crossed his arms.
"A show of force. If Velka refuses to submit..."
His gaze darkens.
"Then we will crush their kingdom."