(Author: Hello! Students at last! Liao and the rest of the Knight Destroyers were the only party to succeed without a member at the Spirit Sage stage. Marcus Locket, the trial proctor, declared himself their personal teacher, no doubt drawing the attention on our five heroes. Not only that, all of them sealed powerful mythic beasts. They survived in the mountain range full of mythical beasts. Now they must survive among other talented students in the academy. Enjoy.)

Chapter 8: Jealousy and Envy

Marcus led the Knight Destroyers to a clearing with several trees in the background. Small cabins were also in the clearing and each student each had their own cabin where they would sleep with their mythic beasts. Marcus laughed as they asked why they didn't study at the white marbled buildings of the academy. He told them that his teaching methods were superior to the others and faced them.

"Here are the Twin Star rings," Marcus Locket said as he gave each of the Knight Destroyers a black metal ring with an amber engraving of a star. "These rings will automatically fit on your finger and people will recognize you as a student of Twin Star Academy. These rings are special compared to the other Twin Star rings given to the other students as their emblem is made of gold. Amber is fossilized tree sap and the head master uses a mysterious crafting method to change the properties of the amber. You, as bearers of the amber rings, can store qi into the amber of the ring. This gives you an edge over others as you can tap into that qi when you are in need of it. Spend a little time before you sleep everyday pouring small amounts of qi into it. As far as I know, there is no limit to the amount of qi the amber rings can hold."

"Thank you teacher," the students said as they bowed and accepted the rings.

"It's only right for you to receive it. The most talented party of every year of recruiting gets those rings," Marcus nodded, satisfied. "You also get a steel sword with a sapphire at the bottom of the hilt with an image of two stars inside a small inside, but you probably all have your own weapons. Tell me what weapon style and qi you use and I will train you accordingly. Be warned though. My nickname is Devil Locket for a reason. Expected training harsher than any other as well as the best results. Having talent is one thing. Harnessing that talent and polishing it into something extraordinary takes just as much hard work. None of you are at Spirit Sage level. This puts you at a disadvantage compared to other students. Why? It is because mythic beasts are prohibited during tournaments. In official duels and the outside world, having a mythic beast at such a young age might save your life. Now tell me what you wish to learn as well as what type of role you want to be in the party."

"There are roles in a party?" Richard asked.

"Even armies have battalions created with different roles," Liao answered. "Take the Wei imperial army. I'll just tell you the common tactics all armies use. The battalions directly in the frontlines are usually armed with a shield and spear. The shields are meant to block archers who deal the greatest threat and have the most range. The shields also exist as a means to create a wall between the enemies and their own allies. The spears are used to stab at the enemy to halt their advance. The weakness of the infantry is a cavalry, a squad or battalion made of elite soldiers on horseback who assault the enemy with sheer power and speed."

"The cavalry is meant to break the formation of the infantry and create an opening in their defense. Some cavalry even have chariots where one person directs the two horses while the other people in the chariot stab with their spears or shoot arrows," Cao continued. "The cavalry's weakness are archers as the cavalry move in a predictable direction and the archers can predict their path and kill many members of the cavalry before they can stop and change directions."

"There are also different levels of command such as squad captains, battalion commanders, and generals," Liao grinned. "Their jobs are to lead the soldiers in their formations and have them act as a single, solidified unit. Each unit will have its own orders that make up the grand picture of the commanding general. Therefore, roles are very important in a party as well as there are many different roles."

"As expected of countrymen from a warring nation," Marcus praised. "It is exactly as the two kids from the Wei dynasty said. I can only teach you how to fight. It is up to you to make yourselves a unified unit of death on the battlefield. Compared to a party, a single fighter's power is insignificant unless they are exceptionally powerful. You all know your qi affinities. Tell me the roles you want and leave the training method to me."

Liao and the others quickly gathered together and began talking. Meanwhile, their mythic beasts relaxed under the trees in the clearing. They all had wondered why the academy was so big and now knew that each party would have their own designated training areas if they were the cream of the crop. They could still enter the white marble buildings for eating at the cafeteria or visiting the library. The only difference was that each member of the party would have a specialized training method instead of a generalized teaching method that wouldn't bring out their as much of their potential.

"We made a decision," Liao said as they returned to Marcus.

"Tell me the qi affinities you possess, the weapon you prefer to use in combat, and the role you wish to take," Marcus said. "We'll start with the girls. Let's hear it. How high the affinity no longer matters as you are to learn qi techniques as well as gained a new qi attribute after soul binding a mythic beast."

"Sakura Nimbus, second stage Spirit Knight. I have qi affinity for wind and water," Sakura began. "I prefer using longbows and arrows. I will be take a support and attacking role with my long range and using water to heal my allies."

"You can use healing techniques?" Marcus shouted, shocked. "Wait, did you say Nimbus? I have heard of a famous clan to the east that specializes in healing techniques. You must be a member of that clan."

Sakura nodded and the others were amazed. She already knew qi techniques and they are healing qi techniques at that! Healing yourself is something anyone can do, but healing others made you the most valued asset of any party.

"I am Ling Drake, first stage Spirit Knight," Ling said, determined as she knew she had the lowest stage of qi cultivation and did not want to be underestimated. "I have affinity for light and water. I specialize in agile attacks with my rapier."

"Cao Xu, third stage Spirit Knight," Cao said with pride. "I use fire and wind qi. I prefer being a tank and attacking head on with my halberd."

"My name is Richard Mathis," the blonde-haired kid said. "I am a fifth stage Spirit Knight after soul binding my mythic lion turtle. I specialize in using earth and wood qi. I prefer using a mace as my element is best suited to blunt weapons. I plan on taking a defensive support role."

"Good plan," Marcus agreed. "Having you in the back to support Sakura as she uses her longbow is a sound formation. With Cao at the front, taking the brunt of the assault, as well as the agile Ling for support. I assume you are the leader of this party Liao? You are the one with military experience so having you lead is my recommendation."

All the Knight Destroyers looked at Ling except for Liao. They saw a scowl on her face as Marcus made his suggestion and knew she didn't like Liao as he felt nothing as he took a life. Marcus also noticed her expression when he mentioned Liao's military experience and had come to the same conclusion as the others as he thought of her background.

"Liao Lu, fourth stage Spirit Knight," Liao said, oblivious to Ling's reaction. "I have affinity for thunder and ice. After soul binding Hunluan, I gained access to fire and destruction type qi but I have no idea how to use them. I am learning how to use the nine-ringed blade my father made for me. I guess my role now is crowd control. Considering my fire and ice qi, I guess I am the most suited for it."

"Four types of qi!" Marcus said grimly. "This will make it harder for you to reach Spirit Stage, but you have more power at your disposal to make up for it. I know how to wield all the weapons except for the blade as I learned how to use a sword and rapier. I can teach everyone a qi cultivation techniques and help you develop your own, unique qi technique save for the destruction type qi as well as the light and wood qi. They are two of the ancient types of qi so you will have to develop qi techniques on your own for those Richard, Ling, and Liao. Come. We have much preparation to do. Let your mythic beasts focus on their own methods of training as they are not human."

Marcus than gave them weapon manuals and qi cultivation scrolls. The first few days were hard as Marcus taught them a martial expert does not need to eat or drink during meditation as the qi would provide the body's necessities. To train them as a team, Marcus told them to give him permission to command of their mythic beasts and he tested their teamwork as they were attacked by the mythic beasts at random intervals. Marcus told them that the fastest way to level and get used to fighting as a party was through life or death situations.

Due to the constant attacks, Sakura and Ling both quickly advanced to the third stage of Spirit Knight and even Cao and Richard were able to break the bottlenecks and advance to their respective stages. Liao was able to freely use fire qi and secretly practices the Heaven Sundering Force techniques with his blade, Meteor Fang. The rest of the academy had heard of the Knight Destroyers but had never seen them as they remained at their training ground, only seeing Marcus on occasion going to the cafeteria to collect their meals.

After a month of constant training without rest, Marcus was finally satisfied and gave them the day off. Constant training would drain a martial expert and might hinder their growth instead. Training in moderation was the key to success. Break your limits a few times successively and than take a break before resuming once more. Those were words of their teacher as he trained them mercilessly.

"Finally, a day off," Cao shouted happily as they headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. "Now I can eat all I want and not be nagged about my nutrition."

"I thought you liked all the training?" Liao asked as they walked inside and looked for the food.

"I like fighting, not training," Cao said as he grabbed a plate and pondered on what to eat.

"The master is training us for the newcomer tournament at the end of the month," Richard said, as he grabbed some chicken barbeque on a stick. "He wants to hide our capabilities and shock the whole school next week. You know our master, he loves being the best. He personally trained us instead of some other teacher. He is at fourth stage Spirit Emperor. That's two stages higher than the head master."

"Don't mind him," Sakura said laughing. "He thinks with his fist and his gut. He doesn't know about nobility and etiquette. They'll see him on the stage and his actions will speak for themselves. Everyone might not understand tactics but everyone understands power."

"If only I could ride Huilong into battle. Picture it: me and my mythic tiger wrecking havoc and blasting enemies left and right," Cao said dreamily. "Now that's the life."

"People are watching," Ling said as she finished gathering her meal. "Quickly find a seat. We don't want to attract attention."

"Speak for yourself," Cao muttered as the others gathered their meal and sat down. "You're practically invisible."

"Yet she can kill you before you land a strike," Sakura said as she poked a broccoli with her fork.

"Yes, yes. Pick on the tank of the group," Cao laughed. "You'll see me in a new light during the tournament. You'll see. You'll thank me for being awesome."

"Those two are at it again," Richard said as he nudged Liao. "Want to bet on who confesses first in the future? I got my gold on Cao."

Liao grinned and said, "Sure, I'll take that bet. Sakura will be the one to confess for sure."

"Boys," Ling said as she rolled her eyes, yet she quietly stared at Liao.

"If it isn't the Great Knight Destroyers," a tall, muscular boy mocked as he entered the cafeteria. "The mighty party finally joins civilization at last?"

"Who the hell are you?" Cao asked, spitting his pieces of ribs on the table. "I don't see you wearing an amber engraved Twin Star ring. You must be a member of one of the four LESS powerful parties."

Cao and Sakura laughed while Ling and Richard tensed, their hands on their rings in case they need to use their weapons. Liao didn't care and ate his food, knowing Cao wouldn't start a fight as long as the opponent didn't make the first move. The whole cafeteria stopped eating and became quiet, wondering what the commotion was about. Many of the second to fifth year students watched as they wanted to see the power of the new students. Members of the other three parties of first years just watched, hoping the two parties fight and weaken their fighting strength before the tournament.

"My name is Bull Warner," the tall boy said. "Second stage SPIRIT SAGE. Your party doesn't have any Spirit Sages despite the powerful mythic beasts. Too bad you can't fight alongside them in the tournament. You have quite the beauties in your party. What do you say boys? Want to have some fun with them later?"

Bull's members laughed while the rest of the cafeteria silently scorned them. Many of the girls had to held down by their respective party members upon hearing Bull's words.

"You want me to change your name to Ox you beast," Richard said, standing up with rage. "I'll make it so that your family line ends here!"

Ling and Sakura stood up and focused their qi into their hands and feet. Cao almost took out his halberd and revealed his weapon to the competition. Tournaments required the party to reveal their qi cultivation stages, roles, and affinities. The weapons and tactics a party used would be hidden so as to have all the parties fight on equal grounds.

"What are you doing Liao?" Cao shouted as Liao's eyes widened upon seeing the cafeteria door opened.

"Is that you Liao? I was wondering when you might show up?" a familiar voice cried and the cafeteria turned its attention to the feminine voice. Many gasps were made as they saw it was one of the ten beauties in the school, Yueying Weiss. How did she know the name of the new student? A lot of the people began whispering as Yueying walked over to Liao.

Liao stood up and bowed a little in greeting to the senior student. Both Bull's party and Cao's party were shocked as Yueying took a seat opposite Liao. Her party members, consisting of four other girls, sat beside her as they gathered their meals. They didn't seem surprised as they also brought Yueying's breakfast consisting of two pancakes and an egg muffin with orange juice on the side.

"Where've you been over the last month? I was worried you'd miss the tournament?" Yueying asked as she cut her pancakes.

"Training most of the time under Master Locket," Liao said, oblivious to the cafeteria's stares.

"Devil Locket?" Yueying gasped. "Must have been rough. My party was also the best and had isolated training. but even my teacher is shocked at Devil Locket's training regiment."

Cao grinned evilly and said, "So how did you two meet? Did he save your life in the ravine? That's the only time we didn't see him during the trial."

"I saved him actually," she answered and Liao's face turned red with embarrassment. "I saw him drifting, unconscious, in the river and brought him to shore. I did basic resuscitation and he survived."

"So that's why you didn't tell us everything that happened in the Ravine," Richard said, joining Cao in teasing their friend. "Cao, is it just me or is the cafeteria suddenly a brighter place?"

"No, I see it too. It's so bright it's starting to hurt my eyes," Cao said and the duo began laughing uncontrollably.

"SHUT UP!" Bull roared as he slammed his foot, his earth qi shattering the ground beneath him. "I don't care if you got one of the ten beauties by your side! My party and I will destroy you and you will know your place!"

Bull grunted loudly and stormed out of the cafeteria after he and his party grabbed their breakfast.

"I better leave too," Yueying said as she noticed the stares. "That tall boy is right. You guys need to be stronger for the tournament next week. Use the reserve qi in your rings to break through to the next stage or try to get your hands on mythic beast meat. Bye Liao! See you later!"

Liao's eyes opened as he had forgotten about the corpses of the monsters he collected and waved happily at Yueying. Thanks to her suggestion, he and his friends could eat the monster meat and break through to Spirit Sage easily. He was also shocked as Yueying's party members were all at third stage Spirit Lord qi cultivation. Yueying was even at the fourth stage! They were as strong as students at the end of their third year and a few fourth year students!

First year students were usually at fourth stage Spirit Sage at the end of the year. Second year students ranged from fifth stage Spirit Sage to first stage Spirit Lord. That alone explained how difficult it was to cultivate qi normally as the more powerful you got, the more qi you had. This meant that even greater qi had to be cultivated to break the bottleneck to the next stage. Unless you took special foods, medicine, and qi formation techniques that is.

Liao was the only one who didn't break the bottleneck of any stage as the destruction type qi was too powerful and different than his other qi elements. All the others had managed to make at least one qi technique for each of their qi affinities. He might be one of the more powerful members of his party of monsters, but his growth was the slowest.

"They are definitely feasting on monster meat or taught some high level qi formation technique by their master. Yueying was on the bottleneck of fifth stage Spirit Sage when I met her at the ravine," Liao thought. "I need to get stronger."

Liao didn't know what he was feeling as he had those thoughts and had confused them for awe. The whole cafeteria buzzed about the Knight Destroyers. Since there were five parties, one of the parties had to fight three times and they all knew it was the Knight Destroyers as they didn't have a Spirit Sage and had to prove their worth.

"Let's go guys," Liao said as he finished his food and grabbed a bowl full of chicken vegetable dumplings.

"It's our DAY OFF," Cao moaned and grabbed a bowl of tater tots and bacon strips.

"He just wants to impress Yueying," Sakura smirked as she followed the boys. "Still, I didn't expect them to know each other. Does he even know her background?"

"Probably not," Richard said as he put their plates away in a neat pile in the specified area. "If he did, he would not be so relaxed."

"Right?" Sakura laughed as she and Richard, besides a few others, knew Yueying's background.

Ling bowed apologetically to the rest of the students in the students in the cafeteria, afraid they might have made a few enemies. Ling remained silent as Liao told the others to follow him to the clearing as he remembered something important.

Chapter 7: The Mysterious Saviour MAIN PAGE Chapter 9: Baleful Blade Aura