***Hyperion Empire***

***Imperial Academy***

“You could have shown a little more remorse with them.” Arthur stated as both heirs watched guards arrive and rush the injured students to the Medical Building. Men in full-metal plate bearing the silver and violet tabards of the Royal Family moved around the duo and assessed the area. To the young Soltain, it seemed a little overkill to have so many guards here. His family’s soldier’s could probably secure the entire Academy with only a fraction of the troop’s he’d seen. Though in hindsight, if the corruption and bribery was as bad as it appeared, then they could probably do it with even less.

Max scratched the back of his head. “You’re right. I could have.”

“Showing passion in battle is fine, just don’t overstretch yourself. You know Kana and I would help you with anything.”

Max pat his friend’s shoulder and smiled. “Oh come on Arthur I know my limits, and those student’s couldn’t be considered a warmup.”

Arthur lips also lifted until he heard the sound of plated boots approaching the pair. The lead guard was older, and had a bald head as shiny as the helmet under his arm. He was also sweating, and gave off the feeling of anxiousness. The guards behind him wore there full helm’s, a precaution Max guessed would get annoying when protecting a school of children in the capital of an Empire at peace.

“As he’s the only other boy currently conscious, we’ve interviewed student Julien and he has admitted to starting the fight.” He then glanced at the daze boy wobbling side to side and staring towards the sky. “Though I would like to ask you two some questions as we conduct our investigation.”

Arthur peeked to the girl standing nearby and writing while Max scoffed. Both remained silent.

“Was there a reason the eight students would want to attack you?”

“No.” Max replied.

“They just… just walked up to you and attacked?”

“Yes.” Arthur stated with no further elaboration.

The sergeant coughed into his hand continued. “Right. The other students were very badly beaten, while you two appear to be no worse for wear besides blood on clothes.”

“Which they will pay for.” Arthur interjected.

“Of course. We will contact the administration to have new uniforms sent out to you. But the willful injuries of your fellow students must be addressed. As stated in the student Code of Conduct, ‘Any unsanctioned physical altercation between students-’”

“‘Will result in immediate classroom suspension until the case is reviewed by the Academy administration.” Arthur interrupted again.

The guard frowned but continued. “Ah right again. I was going to say we would be willing to overlook this break in the Code of Conduct as you two are new students and acted in self-defense. The perpetrators will be questioned when they awake and punished accordingly after the investigation is concluded. We ask that you not speak of the incident in the future a-”

Max spat at the guard's feet. He had heard enough, and could see where this was going. “I think not. Let us all go to review.”

The flagrant disrespect made by a child had caused the older guard’s blood to boil. He moved closer and stood right in front of the boys, aiming to use his larger size as a means of intimidation. “May I remind you student’s that the review will be a lengthy process, and will result in you two missing a numerable days of class and will leave a permanent mark on your educational records. You can avoid this, just keep your mouths shut and go to class like good little children.”

If there was one thing Arthur appreciated about his friend, it was that Max could easily anger others and lead them to thinking irrationally. He could play on other people’s emotions just as effectively as any other Satele. The guard sergeant was losing his good sense, easily. Arthur again peeked at his subordinate recording everything being said and smiled.

“Max! Arthur!” The entire group didn’t even notice Kana until she was in front of boy’s checking their bodies. Her voice marked the entrance of several more teachers and guards all being led by tall blue-haired woman and a far taller dark-skinned guardsman beside her. Kathryn stood behind Mrs. Joyce Prentis as they led a procession of teachers who were eating lunch until they had heard about a fight nearby.

Arthur lightly pushed Kana to Max and activated his eyes, he then turned up to the guard and out of view of the incoming new party. “What was your name again?”

The older man’s brows furrowed but the name just slipped off his tongue. “Daniel Lockenfell.”

The young Satele proceeded to deactivate his eyes, nodding to the girl who was documenting the conversation nearby. She winked at him and closed her journal, stowing it away and disappearing into the large crowd encompassing the area.

Kana observed the interaction with keen interest. “Who was that? Kathryn said there were bullies and a fight, where did they go?”

The older sergeant now known as Daniel Lockenfell approached the large guardsman beside Mrs. Prentis and completely ignored the two young heirs giving him so much trouble. Sergeant Lockenfell’s thought on how this job was supposed to be easy, clean up the fight before it got out of the hand and intimidate all witnesses to silence. It had always worked before, but these students were giving him far more trouble than he expected. Now a guard captain was here, so there was no chance he would be able to bury the fight and cover for the Society’s whims.

The guard captain was a large man, and had rugged features Max thought were very similar to Knight Captain Drake. His hair was short, and he looked like he hadn’t shaved for awhile. He stood well over six feet, and towered above everyone else in the area.

Guard Captain Iago Prentis surveyed the scene with visible anger. There were blood stains on the ground, and way too many guards in the area then needed. This was a clear mismanagement of Academy security, and someone was going to answer for it. He then noticed three House heirs he had worked to memorize since their arrival. The fact they were even involved was surely going to cause him a headache if not now then in the future.

“Maximus Soltain? Why am I unsurprised to find you here? I could tell you would be trouble from the first day of class.” Joyce Prentis announced, strolling leisurely by her large husband and approaching the trio. Said boy stood a little taller at the sound of his name, and Iago thought he saw the beginnings of an air spell form in the boy’s hand until it just as quickly dissolved. Joyce proceeded to circle around the trio and scan their bodies. She ruffled Max’s hair, and squatted down in front of the three heirs, her head angled slightly upwards to look each of them in the eye.

Iago dismissed his wife’s actions to focus on the task at hand. She appeared to have a closer relationship to at least one of the kids, and perhaps she could get more information out of them than himself. He tapped his plated boot in impatience as an older guard marched in his direction. The man was moving slowly, as if trying to buy as much time as possible until he would be forced to speak to his superior.

“What is the meaning of this sergeant?” Captain Prentis questioned in a perfectly even tone, effectively masking his anger.

The smaller man rigidly stood at attention and looked anywhere but towards Iago’s eyes. “What do you mean sir? My men and I were securing the area after we stopped a physical altercation between students.”

Captain Prentis scratched his cheek languidly as he looked behind the smaller man with narrowed eyes. “Sergeant…”

“Lockenfell, sir.” The man quickly supplied.

“Sergeant Lockenfell, while it is well and good to secure the area and investigate what had occurred, you wouldn’t need more then five men to complete the task.” He then eyed the few dozen armored guards in the area. “We are dealing with children, any way you look at it. This is an obvious misuse of the Empire’s guardsmen and women. Who is your commanding officer?”

Sweat trailed down the older sergeant’s face as he hesitated his reply. Daniel Lockenfell now knew he was going to be punished for something, he could only now work to mitigate the damage. “Captain Yvel, sir.”

Iago Prentis practically snarled at the mention of the name. Guard Captain Yvel was a pretentious pig in Iago’s own humble opinion. A woman who did her job lazily, if she even did it all. He was well aware she relegated most of her duties to her attendants, and was known for drinking during all hours and sleeping with her subordinates. She was the living incarnation of a person you did not want around the young minds that made the Academy.

Yet, she’d been here longer than himself, and they both oversaw different parts of the campus. There was simply nothing Captain Prentis could do about her station except lodge a formal complaint up the chain of command, which in this case would be the Headmistress herself. There was no physical proof of her shirking on her duties, so the Headmistress did nothing to amend the uncertain situation.

Iago shook his head of his more negative feelings and gestured to the scene around them. “Well what happened? It better have been pretty important to require all these men.”

“When we arrived… the fight seemed to be at its end.”

“I thought you said you stopped the fight?” Iago prodded.

“Well, technically w-”

“We stopped the fight, Captain Prentis.” Max interjected, walking alongside Arthur. Joyce stood behind the boys next to Kana.

“Go talk to the boy over there.” Joyce pointed at Julien. “He say’s that he started it and appears his friends were following him.”

Iago glanced at the boy and then turned back to the sergeant. “I will be taking over this investigation. You will give all pertinent information you have gathered to my corporal right here and have you and your men return to your duties. You’ve wasted enough resources as is.”

“But sir-” The sergeant attempted to argue.

“I am well aware of quadrant boundaries, but my order stands, if you have a complaint you can bring it to your inept Captain. You’re dismissed.” He then completely ignored the sputtering sergeant and stood over the two House heirs.

“We take unsanctioned physical altercations at the Academy very seriously, I’ll have this matter brought to the Board of Discipline for it to be reviewed, until then you two are suspended from all classes.” Iago said.

Joyce smiled and ruffled Max’s hair again. The boy tried to swat her away but she had already moved passed him. “Even if you're missing my class I still expect you to be able to perform the weekly spell Max.”

“Well what is it?” Max asked.

“Just ‘Air Slash’, you can do that correct?”

Max snorted. “At this rate I might never need your help.”

Joyce’s smile remained as she winked at him. “Oh I am sure there will come a time when you’ll need my assistance. And as a teacher guiding young minds, I wouldn't hesitate to help.” She then patted her larger husband’s arm and sauntered towards the confused Julien. “This way dear, the boy has plenty to say.”

Captain Prentis watched her gracefully move away for multiple seconds and then abruptly snapped out of his reverie. Glancing down to Arthur and Max, he said, “You will eventually be summoned to a hearing by the Board of Discipline, until then remain out of trouble.”

Before the man could move away, he found himself blocked by a crimson haired fox girl. He recognized Kana Kumio just as well as the other two heirs and raised an eyebrow. “Can I help you Ms. Kumio? Even if they are your friends, rules are rules.”

Kana’s long crimson hair slowly moved to the side as a breeze ran by, and she blew one her bangs away. “No I understand Captain. I was just wondering if they would be permitted to go to the club gala with me this afternoon? It isn’t a class.”

The taller man lightly nodded and peeked at the young boys. “That shouldn’t be problem. Just keep them out of trouble.”

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***Soltain Province***

Crystal clear rivers and streams were prevalent in the Soltain Province. Stemming from formation high in the Elotl mountains, these waters spanned across the area. Cold mountain water in Soltain was just as common as the trees that covered the landscape itself. The passage of time only further proved the abundance of water, with large valleys tearing deep into the countryside and scaring the province.

Almost a dozen miles east from the capital of Soltain marked one such valley. The area was as green as the eye could see and held a deep plain encompassed by steep cliffs to both sides. The plain was broken by a river of its own, one clear and shallow yet fast moving. The southern cliffside plateau was dotted by large tents, with an innumerable amount of soldiers and civilians moving about.

Men, women, and children alike all relaxed next to each other as they gazed down to the epicenter of the valley. Down below stood two women, hardly visible but distinguishable enough to be identified. Yet compared to the grand scale of the valley, the women couldn’t even be considered more than specks.

People were eating and talking around fire’s as troops of soldiers moved through the area to keep order. Griffins were strewn about, some flying in the air and others resting on the ground near their own companions. Carriages circled the area, carrying supplies and food for the people as the horses grazed in an enclosed plain. Men and women were drinking and singing, while children ran in groups around the fires playing games of good knights fighting against evil.

Today was a day for celebration. The heir apparent and beloved daughter of House Soltain has returned to the province from years away, and would be fighting Lady Soltain herself in no-holds magical combat.

Jacob Soltain sat in the middle of four armored men as they all faced the valley below. Even the four Knight Prefects and their families had come to celebrate the return of their future Lady commander. Like everyone else, they were in a jovial mood as they discussed the affairs of the province and its citizens.

“Are you sure this is a good idea milord? I can’t help but think the Young Lady may be over her head.” The armored man sitting to Jacob’s left confessed. Knight Prefect Endel was a man of average height, and a very large upper body. He had a shaven head and a prominent mustache, with a distinct double chin sculpted into his facial features. He looked over the cliff with visible unease, only spurring on Jacob’s own reservations.

“I am sure of nothing Lawrence, I was against this from the beginning. Having the two women I love most in the world fighting to their utmost abilities does more than just unsettle me. Yet, Skylar was adamant about proving herself to her mother the moment she returned, and when those two decide on something I am left with my hands tied.” Jacob answered, squinting his eyes at the sight of his father landing between the two combatants facing off.

General Soltain sat on his griffin partner as he stood directly between Skylar and Sophia Soltain. In his right hand was a rather ordinary wooden spear, and he lifted it above him for everyone to see. Glancing at both his daughter-in-law and granddaughter, he spoke just loud enough for the two combatants to hear him. “This is a no-holds magical duel. Anything goes, but please try not to kill each other. I will be flying above to ensure that you two survive, and will perform the necessary healing needed as you attempt to maim one another. This spear…” He gestured to the wooden weapon in his hand. “When it hits the ground you can start.”

The general’s griffin then shot into the air at unbelievable speeds shocking and receiving applause from the numerous spectators. The men, women, and children all grew silent as the general eventually dropped the spear back towards the earth. Both women didn’t even take their eyes off each other as the spear eventually landed inside their peripheral views.

Sophia Soltain stood still with a light smirk on her face. Dropping her usual black with gold fur-lined overcoat, she revealed her her apparel for battle. She was wearing rather light clothes, with her bare arms exposed to the shoulder. Her legs were covered all the way up to mid thigh by long leather boots and a blouse that just passed the top of said boots. All her clothes were black, an almost exact match to her own shade of hair. Her choice of clothing looked to provide absolutely no physical protection, and no weapons were visible on her person besides a single dagger attached to a black belt emphasizing her curves.

While Sophia seemed exposed, Skylar looked the opposite. Standing as tall as her mother only a couple inches shy of six feet, she was a force to behold. Her attire was more akin to the most efficient use of materials for both maximum protection and flexibility. Shining plate armor covered her arms and shoulders, all engraved with beautiful etchings on the metal. A prominent metal breastplate covered her torso, one bearing the insignia of the Soltain House crest. She wore a leather skirt, one padded across for extra protection and support. Her silver plated and heeled knee-high boots only completed the ensemble, giving others the impression of a beautiful warrior goddess in the flesh.

Sophia’s attire seemed to leech the light out of the day, while Skylar’s only highlighted it. If spectator’s weren’t aware beforehand, they would never guess these women to be mother and daughter. They much better resembled the rivalry of dark versus light.

Skylar observed her mother's smirk and mentally shook her head. Her mother may be called Lady Soltain now, but she knew Sophia Soltain exemplified the Satele family better than anyone else. Manipulating emotions and thoughts was their specialty, and Skylar was well aware her mother wouldn’t hold back just because she was her daughter.

Skylar immediately summoned her own exotic looking mithril spear from her hard-earned spatial ring. She had spent more than three years of her life training and adventuring to acquire the ring, eventually being forced to buy one from a Guildmaster deep in the Magic Union. Her party's rise to A-ranks adventurers had been difficult, but not impossible for a House heir and her compatriots. She had payed alot, and was now going to get her money’s worth. Shifting to a more aggressive spear stance from the numerable Soltain House katas, she prepared to charge straight at her mother.

Sophia's smirk remained as wind rushed through the valley. The wind was at Skylar’s back, and through proper element utilization, was a subtle advantage she could certainly use in her own favor. Sophia lazily unsheathed her one visible dagger and dexterously moved it through her fingers. “How about we make a wager?”

Skylar raised a golden eyebrow but otherwise remained quiet.

Sophia continued, knowing she had her stubborn daughter’s attention. “A few days before you arrived, we received a letter from my friend, Queen Ariel.” Sophia then pursed her lips in faux-recollection. “An invitation actually. I was planning on just going with your father to pay our respects and see Ariel, but now that you’re here…” She let the end of the sentence trail.

“An invitation?” Skylar quickly asked, staying on guard.

“For the prince, its his birthday.” Sophia supplied.

No male or ordinary mortal woman would have recognized the millisecond shift in Skylar’s eyes at Sophia’s statement. Though for the former Satele House Leader, it was more than enough. Sophia was fishing, but both the prince and her daughter were powerful adventurers with House blood, from the same empire no less. They were both gone for multiple years, and it wasn’t too outlandish to think they at least knew of each other. Her daughter’s deviation presented an opinion, that much she knew. She smiled. Sophia Soltain always loved a little drama.

“I know normally you would rather stay here with your grandfather and train, but if I can force you to surrender today then I would like you to attend the celebration with us. You also need to dress up.” Sophia then covered her mouth with her hand, if she could even get her daughter frazzled than all the better.

Skylar recognized her mother’s plans for what they were and choose not to overly invest herself. “And if I win?”

Sophia’s smile dropped as she spun her dagger around her hand. Her daughter honestly thought she could win. She may have been training and growing over the years, but Skylar was still decades too young to beat her in magical combat. “I hadn’t thought about that possibility. What would you like?” Sophia asked.

“You do whatever I say one time in the future.” Skylar answered.

Sophia nodded and activated her eyes. “Then you best not hold back, or this is going to end quicker than either of us would prefer.”

Skylar channeled mana through her legs and moved. Using her affinity to break air resistance and bolster her forward approach, Skylar crossed the hundred feet between them in the blink of an eye. Her plan was to use her polearm weapon against her mother, staying close enough to prevent her from using long-range magic but far enough to stay out of the range of her daggers.

Her mother had yet to move, so Skylar used the opportunity to channel light magic through her spear and lunge at Sophia’s shoulder.

Sophia observed the inhuman speed’s her daughter reached and mentally applauded, she was fast. Her mastery of the air element had obviously approved, and she was even using the light magic to not only strengthen her weapon but reduce her own visibility. Though with the power of her eyes, Sophia could already project where Skylar would attack and when. Summoning a second dagger out of her own spatial ring, she lowered her right shoulder and caught the spear between her crossed weapons.

Skylar used her mother’s block as a means of attack. Twisting her spear out of Sophia’s grasp while her arms were still above her chest, Skylar’s mana-charged leg shot through the air and trained into her mother's side. Or at least that was the plan.

The former Satele recognized her daughter’s attack and dodged accordingly. Skylar aimed her foot towards her chest, and the extra reach required provided ample time for Sophia to duck under the crushing kick. Poising for a counterattack from below, Sophia channeled mana into her own legs and kicked her foot around into her daughter’s shin.

Skylar grimaced but used the force pushing her shin to flip away from her mother and land with a stumble supported by her spear. She immediately channeled light magic through her leg and focused on her bruised shin. But received no time to assess her situation when three small silver daggers flew towards herself. Skylar managed to use her spear to deflect two of the projectiles before the third hit her plated shoulder and bounced off.

“Do not hesitate to try to kill me. Again, you need to give this you're all.” Sophia demanded, her emerald eyes bursting in a flash of green as she launched two more daggers from her back.

The spectators on the plateau above watched in awe as their provincial Ladies continued to show off impressive feats of strength, dexterity, speed, and constitution. Jacob sat at the edge of his seat as minutes passed by with both women not showing any signs of attacking spells. They simply relied on their bodies and weapons, and were tearing into each other.

At the beginning, he thought his wife would easily beat his daughter but now he was not so certain. Skylar was fighting with an unrelenting aggression, and was able to take attacks as easy as she could give them. She had the advantage of being able to heal any physical injury, and as long as she had mana and was conscious, that wasn’t going to go away. Jacob was even surprised to see his daughter land a very powerful blow from the butt end of her spear straight into Sophia’s chest, sending her flying back.

Although he was impressed, he was anything but comfortable with the situation. The fight was only getting more and more intense and he really didn’t want his girls hurting themselves.

After receiving the blow to the chest from Skylar, Sophia decided to switch the fight to a magical battle, her true speciality. Sophia stood up from the ground and raised both of her arms. Not only did the river near them start to rise rapidly, but floating droplets of water began to materialize around the older woman.

Skylar grimaced and calculated her options. Sophia was using the distance against her, and was forcing a battle of spells upon her. If she risked rushing her again, Sophia would recognize the attack and counter, also use the rising river behind her against herself. As more and more droplets around Sophia began to appear, Skylar started sprinting as far away from the river as possible.

The young Soltain then thrusted her left palm forward and casted two ‘Light Flares’ towards her mother, following with a ‘Greater Light Beam’ that would hopefully interrupt Sophia.

Though Skylar efforts went unrewarded as a dome of clear water condensed around Sophia and absorbed her attack. The ‘Light Flares’ Skylar used to blind her mother became irrelevant as the protection dome covered Sophia completely. She had no need to identify her daughter’s attacks and defend. Although the ‘Greater Light Beam’ did create a massive hole in the dome, it was quickly reformed only after a few seconds.

Spectators applauded as they observed the entire valley’s landscape change to that of an ever rising lake. Skylar continued to rain down attacks on her mother as water began to pass her ankles. Panicking, Skylar propelled herself to a tree and out of the water. She watched in frustration as her mother and her stupid bubble rose with the ever growing tides covering the area.

The young Soltain was also running low on mana, and now realized that although she could fight, she hadn’t had many battles with mages in a while, least not mages of note. Though Skylar would not give up. She still had a chance here, but she also knew she needed to stay out of that water. Wearing plate armor and trying to swim were a lethal combination, and getting caught in the moving tides would lead to disaster.

Skylar decided it would be all or nothing. Channelling mana into her legs, the blonde Soltain propelled into the air. Aided by her air magic to sustain a longer drift time, she angled herself almost directly above her mother. Pushing the last of her mana into her arm and her spear, Skylar used one of her most popular finishing attacks against monsters.

A brilliant golden light covered her mithril spear as she charged it with every bit of mana she had left. Cocking her arm back and then propelling her spear through the air, she threw it with every ounce of strength she could muster. After releasing it, Skylar felt the ever familiar wave of exhaustion that came after losing all her mana. Yet, she was use to it, and stared with hope that quickly turned to anger as her spear pushed through the dome but her mother simply moved out of its path. The spear then tore a hole through the currents and disappeared under the water.

Sophia made it look like it was so easy, and also had Skylar realize she had a long way to go. As the young Soltain lost upward momentum and began to plummet towards the moving currents below, she let out a squeal of excitement. Even though she lost, at least she could enjoy the feeling of moving through the air. “I give up!” She yelled as gravity continued to push her towards the ground.