Edward returned to Exsul’s base in the 17th District a little after Night fall.

He quickly asked some members about Miko's whereabouts. He easily found out from them that he was still inside the virtual reality room.

He decided to disturb him and made his way to the where the virtual room was located.

He opened the door and walked in.

*Boom!*

He heard an explosion the moment he entered.

“Huh?”

When he looked in front of him he saw that he was in a world filled with erupting volcanoes and seas of lava.

There were barely any places with land and even then they were red hot.

“Of all the places why did the don chose this one?”

Edward asked as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

This world was no mere illusion, it was an illusion created by MYTH. Everything in this world felt as real as it could get. Edward knew that if one fell into the lava they would feel like their skin was melting off their bones.

In worst case scenario, the person could die from shock.

Of all the worlds this room could create, this world of lava was one of its harshest.

*Boom!*

He heard another explosion and saw a volcano explode. What caused it to explode was something crashing into it.

Edward stood in shock as he saw a figure covered in lava stood up in the volcano's core.

*Boom!*

With an explosion the lava was blown away and revealed Miko's appearance.

His body was covered with wounds both severe and minor, but what was strange was that Edward could clearly see his wounds healing which freaked him out.

Miko who was covered in gold aura glared at the person in the sky.

“Damn, you trying to kill me Ishma?!”

He shouted.

Ishma was hovering in the air using her wings.

“You're the one who wanted an all out fight. It's not my fault that you're still trying to comprehend your new powers.”

She said with a smirk.

“Fine!”

Miko's body was immediately covered with a black and white aura which mixed with the gold one.

He was using demonic, Ruler’s, and Heavenly Qi all at once.

“Lets go, you brat!”

He focused his Qi at his feet and shot into the air.

“The brat here is you!”

Ishma got mad and charged at him.

*Boom!*

The two met midway and a huge explosion was caused by them clashing.

Miko spurted his dragon wings and charged at Ishma again.

Ishma did the same and the two started a slug fest in the sky.

Edward watched in wonder as the two of them started crashing through volcanoes and diving into sea of lava, all while still fighting.

“Oh? If it isn't Edward?”

Edward heard melodious voice call his name. Just hearing the voice made his heart feel enchanted.

He looked up and saw two persons sitting on a floating platform. They were Tiamat and Regis who was sitting in her lap.

The moment he saw Tiamat he was so shocked it felt like his soul left his body.

She was by far the most beautiful person he's ever seen.

After being in a daze for a while, he immediately got to his knees.

“My apologies, Your holiness. I was rude for staring.”

“Ah, that's fine. I'm used to it.”

Tiamat answered with a small laugh.

“Anyway there's no need for you to be so formal. You're Miko's friend and comrade. You helped him so much the last few months so I'm grateful to you as well. I would also like to be friends with you.”

“Yes! It would be a pleasure!”

Edward has always been a good reader of people. He could tell that just like Miko Tiamat was someone who hated pleasantries and people who unnecessarily tries to suck up to her. Because of this he didn't put on a façade and accepted her proposal.

Tiamat smiled because Edward lived up to her expectations and was able to discern her preferences when dealing with people.

‘This boy could help Miko boast the kingdom's economy to a whole new level.’

“Tiamat.”

“What is it?”

Tia was slightly surprised that Edward had no problem calling her directly by her name. Her impression of him was getting better by the minute.

“What are Miko and Ishma doing?”

As he said that Ishma was thrown into a volcano with Miko stepping on her head to keep her in the lava.

“Well, they were training to help Miko get accustomed to his new found strength, but….”

She looked and saw Ishma holding Miko by his legs and swinging him with a spin before throwing him into the distance.

She then created a trident out of green demonic aura and threw it at him.

*Boom!*

The trident exploded when it hit Miko and caused him to fall into the sea of lava.

“As you can see, it got a little out of hand.”

She said with a laugh.

“For you to interrupt him even when he said you shouldn't, did something happen?”

Regis asked as she landed beside him after jumping down from Tiamat's lap.

Edward nodded.

He then explain everything he found out about Bloody Justice and what Jin did at the hospital as well as his theory for the reasons behind his acts.

“…..Sounds like a big mess.”

Regis said after listening to Edward.

“It's highly likely that the pillar who ordered Jin to massacre the hospital isn't Gear who's supporting Andre Bernard. Reason being, the actions by Andre Bernard and Jin Makoto contradict each other. Bernard kills only criminals and persons he deemed as scum, Makoto killed innocents and brutally displayed their corpses. One was an act to cleanse society while the other killed to cause mayhem. So unless Gear has this grand plan that none of us can comprehend. I'm pretty sure that he isn't responsible for the hospital massacre.”

She explained.

“I agree. I also can't think of a reason why my brother would order the massacre of innocents and make a public display of it. He might be a bit of a prankster, but even he has his limits.”

Edward agreed.

“It isn't Sebas either. After his defeat he won't be making any big moves for a while.”

He added.

Regis nodded.

“Even though I'd only met him once I don't believe it's Jun Mizune. Even though I feel that he's an old fox, I don't see a reason for him to do this; especially since this negatively affects Infecteds and his academy is full of them. Hurting them is like hurting himself.”

“That only leaves Luna Isabel.”

“I don't know much about her. Whats she like?”

She looked at Edward and asked.

“She loves money, and I mean LOVES money. Everything she does is motivated by money.”

“If suppressing Infecteds was profitable in any way, would she do it?”

“In a heartbeat.”

Edward answers almost immediately.

“Also.....There were rumors of Luna being a racist who hated Infecteds a few years ago.”

“Then it can't be anyone but her.”

At this moment Miko and Ishma finally seemed to have finished venting out their anger on each other and came walking back while arguing.

When Miko saw Edward he ignored Ishma and walked towards him.

“Yo, what's up?”

“Just some troublesome issues that popped up, but don't worry it's nothing that you need to get involved in.”

Edward didn't want Miko to get involved in this whole mess because he knew that it could lead a lot of unnecessary bloodshed which could make the situation worse.

“…I see. Then whatever it is I'll leave it to you.”

Miko realized what Edward was trying to do so he just went with the flow.

“By the way, I've decided to return to the academy for a little bit so Exsul will be in your care for a bit.”

“The academy? Why?”

“Well, I still want to gain the number one spot there even though I can't be any more famous than I'm already am.”

Miko admittedly said.

“Basically it's an ego thing. I already declared that I would take the top spot so I want to follow up on it.”

There was also the matter of wanting to test his new strength on multiple people from all over the continent to get a better scope of his current limits.

To him the best candidate for that would be the Thrones, more specifically the top 10 that Kaido and Bloom belonged to.

It was four months since Miko came to the city and a month over the appointed time for the restart of the ranking tournament. He thought that it was the perfect time to return since a new tournament should be starting soon.

There was also the issue of Bloom.

Miko obviously still wanted her and thought that it was time to take their relationship to another level.

However if Bloom firmly rejected him then that's that. He’ll stop pursuing her and leave her alone. Of course he’ll ignore any advances she made after that because he would consider them nothing but a pretense.

Miko had no intention of being put into the friend zone.

“I see. Then don't worry, I'll be sure to keep everyone in check.”

Said Edward.

Miko nodded in approval and then turned to Tia.

“So what do you say? Do you want to act like a sexy school girl for a while.”

Tiamat laughed for a bit before shaking her head.

“While it does sound fun, I'm afraid that if I were to go I would draw too much attention and get special treatment which I find annoying.”

“Well, you're right about that. You would cause a huge uproar.”

“Right? I'll just lay back here for a bit. I'll come find you if I get bored.”

Miko nodded.

“Okay. Tia will stay here with you, Edward. Just to be clear, try to make a move on her and I'll kill you. And if I don't, she will do it herself."

Miko said with a laugh but his eyes were serous.

Edward could only silently nod in response.

7th District, Grim Academy.

It was a normal day in the academy. With the ranking tournaments so close, the students were busy completing their final preparations for the death battle.

30 geniuses died from the last tournament, including Thrones, so everyone was eager to state their claim in this bloody generation.

However all of that came to a halt when they heard a shout from who knows where.

“I'm back, bitches!”

The voice echoed through out the academy and made a lot of people tense up. They all recognized the voice as Ishma's.

If Ishma was here then it meant that Miko was also here!

Outside the academy gate Miko, Regis and Ishma stood with mischievous smiles on their faces. If any of the students were to see these expressions they would run for the hills.

“Why did you have to ruin the surprise? I had a grand entrance planned and everything.”

Said Miko.

Ishma laughed.

“I couldn't help it. Being a boss was so fun that it awoken my love for conquest. I can't wait to conquer this place!”

“The one who's doing the conquering is Miko. We're not suppose to join the tournament remember?”

Said Regis.

“Tournament? I think you're misunderstanding something here. I'm taking this Academy by force! We're already criminals, so what's the point?”

She was about to charge in but was stopped by Miko grabbing her shoulder.

“Edward worked hard to get our criminal status revoked, so don't let his hard work go down the drain over something as stupid as this.”

He pulled her back and approached the gate.

“Let me in.”

After a while a computerized voices echoed out.

“Student identity confirmed. Entry approved.”

The gates slowly opened and Miko could see the familiar scenery of the academy spread out in front of his eyes.

“I'm surprise that Gaia still considers you a student here.”

Said Regis.

“Not surprising. If Jun Mizune was serious about not wanting to become my enemy then he would definitely hope that I would return to academy and prepared everything for my return.”

Miko answered.

“Sound like quite the politician.”

Regis said with a laugh.

They entered the academy while laughing.

The moment they entered they could feel hundreds of gazes locked on them, but for these three it was nothing special.

They walked and ignored the cowards who were hiding their presences and looking at them from a far.

“Don!”

At that moment they saw two persons approaching them.

Miko frown at them and spoke.

“I thought I told you not to call me that here.”

He spoke to Sola and Yota with a stern tone.

“We apologize.”

Sola quickly apologized with a slight bow.

Miko sighed and gave up on a casual relationship with them at the academy.

“Look! It's the 10th and 9th Throne Mad Bull Yota and Toxic Flower Sola!”

Miko picked up on some whispers from the hiding students.

He smiled.

“You two were successful in entering the top 10 I see.”

One month ago after the war with Sebas ended Miko ordered Yota and Sola to return to the academy to become Rulers.

Yota who was a 5th Year was previously ranked 25th, and Sola who was a 4th year was ranked 21st.

The two of them were students at the academy when Miko just arrived, but because of their lack of interest they never took the ranking tournaments seriously. However after Miko arrived, the two who were childhood friends thought that the academy would become an exciting place; but Miko soon left and became a wanted criminal.

After discussing it between each other they decided to leave the academy as well and join Miko.

Of course their feats in the war against Sebas was broadcasted, so everyone in the academy were able to see their true abilities and realized that the two were playing around before.

After they returned to the academy they realized that a lot of people had grudges towards them because they were apart of Exsul.

It got so bad that the two were isolated and targeted many times during the ranking tournament.

Instead of sitting down and taking a beaten the two took a page from Miko's book.

If someone blocks your path destroy them with everything you had. Show no mercy and be as brutal of possible.

The result of this was them stomping everyone under their feet. They even killed a couple Rulers to prove a point.

“We're sorry. We weren't able to get a higher rank.”

Sola immediately apologized.

“We had some bad luck and ran into the Gravity Queen and The Chimera one after the other.”

Said Yota.

Miko laughed.

“Well if it's Kaido and Bloom then it couldn't be help. They're both outside of your leagues, so don't take it to heart.”

Miko spoke with a comforting tone.

To him Sola and Yota couldn't hope to beat the likes of Bloom and Kaido. Even he would have a some trouble fighting Bloom.

As for Kaido…..even he didn't know if he could win without putting everything on the line.

He smiled as he patted their shoulders.

“Anyway, lets go.”

A cold smile appeared on his face.

“It's time to fuck shit up!”