Aileen stepped out of the portal. “Whew, wait.” She held her head and then closed her eyes. The world was spinning. She pressed her eyeballs. Sometimes that helped, but this time it didn’t. “Ah, grakking…I think I’m going to vomit.”

“Maybe we should have flown here,” Darl said in a concerned tone.

“I’m fine. I’m not going to puke after all.” With deep breaths, her headache went away. Damn this mana of mine.

“I swear, Aileen. Someday, I’ll find a way that you won’t get dizzy from teleporting,” Jel said as she followed Aileen. “That is if I won’t forget about it.”

“Her mana gets jumbled up every time she gets displaced, right? And she’s going to Milla?” Darl said.

“It’s not my choice I’m going to Milla.” Aileen folded her arms and closed her eyes. Her world was still spinning lightly. The further the distance traveled, the more her mana gets scrambled inside her body. It probably had something to do with tunneling through space which bypassed the natural flow of elemental essences and how it reacted to one's mana. This wasn’t a problem for most people, even those powerful mages. But it was a huge problem for her because of the sheer size of her mana pool.

To make matters worse, Milla Lyceum has one of the few remaining ancient long ranged targetted gates and has someone who could operate such archeomagetech.

It was common knowledge for the noble families with high-priority Bloodlines and thus have high chances to have their children enter Milla, that the school used the portal to send the students to dangerous places all over the country, and even abroad. It wasn’t unusual for a student to die, because, technically, they were already soldiers of the empire once they enrolled so that was an occupational hazard. Milla was sort of like the academy for officers in the army, only this one was for the elite of the elite mages of the empire. So, one problem was that she would get teleported a lot and probably vomit every time she steps out of the gate.

I’ll beat up any other Milla student who will comment if I vomit, she thought with her eyes narrowed.

“I’m sure you’ll be a great puking mage!” Jel said, laughing.

Aileen snorted. And that was the other problem. She would become a mage. Not that their own family didn’t have mages. However, if she went to Milla, she would be under the banner of empire’s army, not under the Fahllyrs, as an independent martial unit operating with the army. She would be a ‘product’ of imperial teaching.

To the average citizen, they probably wouldn’t be able to distinguish what it meant being trained by the Empire itself or being trained by the Fahllyrs, which was also part of the Empire. But to Aileen, that was a very big deal.

Her sister was a high-ranking officer in the army, but she was trained in the Fahllyr’s stronghold. Her brother was also obviously stuck in that Devastator Armor, given only to a few chosen by the Emperor himself. But Elverius was also trained by the family.

She wouldn’t have that Fahllyr ‘stamp’ on her!

Jel caught a look at her troubled face and put her arms around her shoulders. “I know what’s bothering you,” she said. “You had a talk with your father?”

“Her dad’s here?” Darl said.

Aileen said to Darl, “Yes. He’s going to sit with the Emperor.” And to Jel she said, “I asked him if he could give me at least a couple of years to train in the stronghold in the frontiers. At least get a beaststone. I mean, what’s a couple of years to our lifespan.”

“Hey, people with normal lifespan will get offended by that.”

“That’s like rule one of dealing with normal people. Don’t forget they live shorter than us,” Darl said. “You probably need to bring a manual on manners when you go to Milla. Most people there don’t live as long as we do.”

“Sorry ‘bout that. But you know what I mean. At least have me there with the family. And I want a beaststone as well. All of you will have one, at the least. Maybe a few.” Her shoulders slumped down and she wrinkled her nose. "It's just that...ugh." Aileen let out a low growl.

“What was that? You’re mimicking the beasts on the frontier?”

“That’s the closest thing I could do to having a beaststone. They won’t allow dedicated mages to have one. Messes up spell construction and essence synchronization.”

“Your father said no?” Darl said.

“Obviously.”

“Oh, I thought he would agree to that one.”

“You have to understand where your father’s coming from,” Jel said. “There’s no other place in the Empire other than Milla where your full potential could be realized. I’m sure your father has considered our mages teaching you, but no one can beat the mages of Milla. And beaststones are not advisable for people who want to cast spells all the time. Well, you could cast spells compatible with your stone but you have to train hard for it.”

“I know, I know,” Aileen said, slightly annoyed.

“And there’s a chance for you to become a Devastator Knight someday,” Jel said. “You can’t deny that Milla has produced several Devastator Knights. Your brother’s a genius so no wonder he became a Devastator Knight. Even if he was trained in a normal school, he still would become one. You, on the other hand…need all the help you can get. It's not just being strong”

Aileen held up her fist at Jel. She was jokingly threatening Jel. She knew that in a serious fight, she would lose to Jel. Jel would quickly analyze her weaknesses and use it against her using ingenious seals. Aileen predicted that Jel had a chance at being a Devastator Knight someday. Aileen said, “I can do that even without their help. I think.”

“Don’t be stubborn, Ai. That attitude will get you killed,” Jel said, showing her wisdom which was always hidden behind her playful façade. “Although, you’ll probably be too stubborn to die.”

Aileen said, “Let’ just take a seat.”

Darl and Jel looked at each other and smiled. “Aileen, we’ll still be in the capital. Just visit us.” Darl said. “Although, Jel will leave soon.”

“Yeah, she’ll leave soon to go to our stronghold,” Aileen said dryly. “Thanks, guys. That’s really helpful,” she said sarcastically.

“You can still visit us,” Jel said. “That’s what portals are for. Haha.”

“Oh, Dad’s already there,” Aileen said, looking at a projection in their floating sitting box. All the orbs were focused on the entrance of Emperor Mauvehaven and his wife. Her own father was behind them. His looks could pass for an older brother of Aileen. He was tall, even taller than her brother, and had broad shoulders. Following him were the other heads of the Five Martial Noble Families.

Aileen scanned the other floating boxes. There were many familiar faces, her acquaintances in the other noble families. There were also boxes filled with diplomats and dignitaries from other countries.

It was the same boxes that floated above the arena in the city. Originally, the plan was to broadcast everything that happened on the mountain where the fights were held to the city. However, many of the nobles wanted to watch it personally and were willing to pay for it so they brought the floating boxes here. They even added force fields around the boxes to prevent the cold winds of the mountain from discomforting the occupants.

Aileen didn’t know why they wanted to watch it here rather than watch a broadcast. They wouldn’t even understand what was going on in the fight, especially if the contestants were moving fast. At least, with the broadcast, the orbs could zoom in and even slow down the fight for their viewing pleasure.

Jel leaned from her seat. "Are those people from Van Garrin?"

"Woah, you're right." There were two floating boxes that were occupied by bronze-skinned people.

"They came for the princess' ceremony. I think that's a nice gesture to show that our countries are at peace now."

“Where’s your brother?” Darl asked. Elverius was the Devastator Knight assigned to the capital. He was usually with the Emperor and his family.

“I don’t know if he’ll be there as well. It would look bad for him to hang around dad and act all chummy. They’re supposed to be all independent and stuff.” Aileen didn’t say that she was slightly disappointed that she didn’t see her brother. She was really proud of him and hoped to beat him someday.

“The princess is not there too,” Darl said. “Maybe she’s preparing for her ceremony later. Your brother's mostly been by her side these days.”

“Hey, there’s nothing between them.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“There’s Aileen’s guy!” Jel said, pointing at the mountain below them. Sure enough, Aya just stepped out of a tent outside the large area that was to be the arena fenced off by magical protections. From the other side of the arena, Garett Berklaw stepped out from his tent.

His tent was surrounded by his peers. Fellow warriors from the Church. They should just get integrated to the military. Aileen looked back at Aya’s tent. No one was around to give him support. There was one person, an attendant from the arena, but besides that, no one else. Which wasn’t surprising since Aya seemed to be a lone warrior wandering Forkspear. Aileen already knew what Jel would say next.

"You should go down there," Jel said. She grabbed Aileen's arm but Aileen held fast to her seat. Jel was only joking because if she wasn't she could have yanked Aileen along with her chair. "Hehe, you're shy."

"Jel, I don't even know anything about him. But I'd rather support him than Garett."

Before they could bicker some more, a horn sounded. It was a majestic sound that sent shudders through one's heart. The Imperial Horn. From the emperor's box, several sparks of light shot off. Emperor Mauvehaven cast magical fireworks from his fingertips. He chuckled and then stood up.

"The real fireworks are set for when my daughter transforms. It might be too much if we also have fireworks now so you have to make do with my own fireworks," Emperor Mauvehaven said with an unusually happy face.

"He's really happy that his daughter is going to transform," Aileen said.

"That's normal for a father to be proud when your daughter reaches her full potential," Jel said.

"Don't bring my dad into this."

"I didn't say anything about that."

Emperor Mauvehaven looked at the Van Garrin delegation. "I welcome our neighbors to this joyous occasion and display of martial skills."

"Heh, he used the term neighbors," Aileen said with a smirk. Technically, Van Garrin and Krysperia were separated by a small string of 'independent' city states. This was due to the Treaty of...something. Aileen always forgot what that treaty was. She sucked at history and anything that didn't include fighting. But they were not neighbors during present times, but they were neighbors during the time they waged war against each other.

"Lord Malkus. Inter Praetas Malkumin. High Lord Van Galkus." The Emperor individually greeted the members of the Van Garrin delegation. He knew them all by name even though most of them met for the first time.

"Ugh," Aileen said. She sat low on her chair and closed her eyes. "He's going to mention all the important people here. This is going to take awhile."

“Why are you grinning?” Garett asked. They stood in the middle of the arena with the Emperor droning off names in the background.

“Nothing. Just remembering something.” Aya looked around. “This place sure has changed.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“A long time ago.”

Garett raised his brow. “How long ago was that? And how old are you anyway? You keep on talking about things like they were in the distant past. You look younger than me, but I seriously doubt your appearance reflects your real age.” He was certain that his opponent was older than he looked. Very much older. He glanced up at the Emperor's box. The Head of the Fahllyr family should be there. That man even looked younger than this Roghinian but he was older than Garett; it wasn't surprising that people didn't look their age.

Although the Roghinian had strange antics that made him look immature, Garett was sure all of those were simply a façade to trick everyone else. Or maybe Aya had a different perception of the world given his age. The way this Aya thought when they discussed in the coach the previous day, it was as if he was a bit detached from everything. Maybe that is just how wandering geezers who are secretly powerful are.

“You won’t believe me if I told you anyway.” Aya gave him a look over. “Why are you dressed like that?”

Garett gestured at his clothes. “This is more relaxing. Less cumbersome than wearing armor.” He wore plain white linen shirts and pants. No armor, no weapons. “I wouldn’t need armor in this fight.”

“That’s right. You transform. So you’ll rip apart your clothes. You should get clothes like mine. They repair holes and are very durable.”

“Where did you get those?”

“Some underground chamber, maybe a tomb? I always end up in weird places.”

Garett laughed. He imagined the Roghinian, if he was a real one, traveling all over the world, stumbling in unexpected places and somehow surviving. Garett also had that desire to travel the world, but his duty to the Church, to the First Emperor, and to the God Paximillon would come first. Maybe, someday, when he was old, he would also travel.

They stood there until the Emperor finished greeting everyone. After that, the announcer for the fight stepped up.

"From the faraway land of Roghinia, hails the mysterious warrior calling himself the BasketSlayer. With his trusty basket by his side, he felled opponent after opponent all the way through the last fight of this tournament. Who is he? We may never know. Dressed in black, he joined the tournament and despite all of the powerful contestants who joined, surprised everyone with his prowess..."

Garett said to Aya, "You should put your basket at the edge of the arena. I don't use destructive spells. All of those explosions, I hate those. I'm sure your basket will be safe there." He reminded himself that he would ask Aya what the basket was about after the match. Perhaps, he could make him answer truthfully about the basket if he beat him, but this time, for the first time, Garett wasn't sure of victory.

As Aya walked away, the announcer started introducing Garett."Facing him will be the pride of the Draconyx Discipulus. The man touted as having near full synchronization with his beaststones..."

Garett didn't mind what the announcer was saying but instead focused on starting his transformation. His clothes started to rip as he became taller and larger. Maybe I should take off my clothes next time. But then I'll be naked before transforming.

His vision clouded over as thick gloopy paste seemed to have covered his eyes then he lost his sight. Slowly, new senses were activated, senses that normal humans would never imagine. He could "see" the world based on feeling the distortions of threads of elemental essences connecting all things in existence. His hands melted and formed into long blades. His feet lengthened, his ankles going up to knee height while his knees went further up his legs, shortening his upper legs, giving him speed. His feet also became curved blades that pointed slightly upward.

"You already transformed," Aya said as he returned.

Garett's mouth was not transformed so he could speak. "Might as well. It is going to start." Both of them looked at the Emperor for the signal, which he gave by shooting off more fireworks from his fingers.

Aya laughed instead of attacking.

“What?” Garett said. He wasn’t offended. He was sure that this man had a reason for laughing. And he wasn’t showing his cards just yet. He shouldn’t fall for the mind games of Aya. It was obvious from his fights that he had plenty of experience, lending more credence to the theory of Garett that Aya was older than he looked.

“I just thought of something,” Aya said, wiping the tears off his eyes.

“Pray, tell me of it so that we may set that aside and begin the battle.” Garett crouched low, his bladed feet dug at the ground, ready to spring any moment. The long blades that were his arms were crossed in front of him.

“If I knock you out, you’ll stop feeding mana to the beaststones in your body, right?”

“Yes. That is, if you are able to knock me out.”

“If that happens, then you return back to normal?”

“Yes.”

“So you’ll end up butt naked unconscious for all of Krysperium to see if I knock you out?”

Garett laughed despite himself. Both of them laughed. He was sure that the people viewing them were puzzled and were wondering what possibly they could be talking about. He said, “Aren’t you going to transform? Maybe you have a variant of beaststones that isn’t well known in this part of the continent.”

“Nah, I’m quite confident of my body.”

Garett grinned. “Prepare yourself.”

Aya charged forward. Garett released all the energy from his coiled thigh muscles, pushing himself forward the moment he noticed Aya’s heels raised.

Through his senses, Aya’s movement seemed to be slowed down. Too bad. I was expecting a long fight.

They passed by each other.

After several seconds of silence, as the audience tried to make sense of what happened, there was a sudden roar of cheering.

Garett grinned despite himself. Now he has found an opponent worth fighting. He looked up and saw that even the nobles were cheering mightily.

"Huh," Aya said. He raised his arm that was partially cut through, it was hanging by the skin. He held his arm that was about to fall off with his other arm. Then he glanced down at his chest. There were two deep cuts that formed a cross, showing his flesh. It even slashed through the powerful fabric of the mysterious black clothes of Aya.

His blood started to drip through the cuts. It was thick, several times thicker than normal human blood, and it was bright red. It started to fizzle and then it evaporated. Because of his evaporating blood, he had a small red cloud enveloping him

The flesh of Aya began to mend themselves. Garett observed how he was healing. There was no healing spell cast. He was simply rapidly healing. Even his arm was getting reattached. The clothes weaved themselves together and mended the tears.

Garett could hear the commenters for the fight over the din of the cheering crowds.

"For the first time, Berklaw failed to put down his opponent after the first attack. And for the first time, the BasketSlayer received injuries in this entire tournament. His magical clothes were even torn!"