Ascension of the Nephilim - Chapter 650: Star of Combat
“Emeros!”
The school principal, Pedagog Xilar Burner, cried as they arrived in the alchemy room Emeros had reserved. The entire room was a mess, and Emeros was on the floor, unconscious and with many wounds.
Behind him were six men of power. The Star of Combat, as they were called on the Continents Above the Sky, followed after the Principal. With a massive investigation underway and the arrest of Jezael, there were many loose ends to investigate. Naturally, when Alistair wanted to rescue the Emeros, many followed to chase after this investigation.
As a Pedagog, Xilar was one of the several people in the continent who had the rank and respect to be talking to them. As a Pedagog, he would be equal to someone of the One Star Rank.
Alistair followed behind Xilar but kept his distance from the others. He was only brought in here as he was the clear ally of Emeros.
Alistair did not make any scene or cried out in fear. He knew little about the Continents Above the Sky but knew that putting up a fake act would even be more suspicious.
A magic energy of great life energy appeared and began to nurture Emeros as Xilar cast his light spell.
“Impressive alteration of energy. The Plant Life as Life, and Water for Death Energy.” One of the Knights praised.
“It’s as potent as my Holy Heal.”
Rupert watched from behind as he did not have the arrogance to show off against various families.
“That is the new teacher? So young.” One of the Star Knights asked.
Emeros began to open his eyes.
Without warning, he sprang up and triggered an Energy Conversion Circle that suddenly lit around the room.
A vine moved swiftly and connected the missing dots.
“SEAL!”
A powerful gold force field suddenly appeared that enveloped almost everyone.
KZZT! KZZT!
“Impressive. Truly worthy of being a teacher!” One of the Star Mages praised.
“What was that?! That was a powerful and quick formation deployment! It’s even faster than what I can muster!” A Star Swordsman turned to his companion.
“You dabble on energy conversion circle and are treated as a genius. But this is a genius who does not dabble in it. It seems that little Alistair has taken someone who has drawn the attention of one of us. It seems that the report is more plausible than I think. Spit it out, Rupert.” The Mage laughed again.
“A skilled youth. It’s most likely that this boy already had the backing of one of us.” Another man wearing a different coat of arms from the swordsman and mage answered.
He was a Star Battlemage and continued to observe the formation.
Emeros kept a guarded and confused expression as he held his staff.
“Stay away! Who are you all?! Who was that… assassin?!” Emeros shouted.
“Emeros! It’s us!” The Pedagog Principal called out.
“Emeros! It’s me! It’s OK!” Alistair also called out.
KZZT!
With a single press of his staff, the Battle Mage quickly disabled the energy conversion circle and caused Emeros to stumble.
Emeros was shocked. And he was genuinely shocked.
“So… even with what I know and Valler’s memories, I’m still far from them? It seems their knowledge surpasses the teachings of the First Level of the Library.” Emeros thought. He had used this as an excuse to test and see the reactions of those who were Star of Combats.
And while Emeros impressed them, it was nothing more and nothing less. He was only at the level of someone who could catch the attention of someone from the top.
The Star Mage continued to discuss his theories with the rest.
“So it seems that someone up there is truly involved here apart from the Crow. Most likely, the Crows are right. Someone is revealing the Crows to move.” The Mage explained.
“…And what of those claims that Valler made?” Pedagog Xilar asks.
“Xilar, you are the Pedagog of these lands. Surely, you can guess which is truth and lies?” The Mage laughed.
“Then there is no plot… to kill us all?”
“If there was, and someone did manipulate this Valler, why claim to make a plot that will destroy all of the Floating Continents? That will cause suspicion and fear among you all. And no doubt, the likes of Alistair will have his fears…” The mage glanced at Alistair, and Alistair did not hide his glare.
“I know what I heard, Star Mage of the Above. That didn’t seem like lies to me.”
“It’s the perfect lie. You see, solely blaming the Crow family for this plot of destruction is unbelievable. No family can have such power up there. It’s better to make a claim that implicates all. But a lie is a lie. In any case, I do not need to tell you what is true or false. You have your master to tell you that, Floating Pedagog.” The mage laughed it off.
“Hey, kid…” The Battle Mage held his staff.
“Tell me the truth. Which family took you in?” The Battlemage suddenly cast a spell that surprised the other Star of Combat, and they quickly moved.
But it was too late. The light had reached Emeros.
“He-”
BOOM!
A strong blast shot at Emeros’s chest and blew him back.
“Ahhh…!” Emeros screamed in pain as his chest burst open!
“Emeros!” Alistair shouted.
BOOM!
The Battle Mage didn’t even turn to the side and raised his staff as a fireball disintegrated on his team.
“I didn’t attack him!” The Battle Mage shouted without turning to the side.
“My spell worked, and it created a reaction. Whoever took him in made ample preparation and operated a spell inside his body! If he were to leak out the truth, it would kill him before it happens.” The Battle Mage explained.
“He was about to say it too… Interesting. Could it be the Herach family? The Hellion family? The Hembros family. Or the Herus family?” The knight turned to one of the Star of Combat, who frowned.
The Battle Mage tossed a potion toward Alistair.
“Heal him with this. We need him alive.”
Alistair quickly bent down and gave Emeros the potion to drink.
Alistair was trembling. Emeros was close to death from the spell and couldn’t understand what happened.
But as he fed Emeros, a daring thought surfaced.
“Prince Emeros tried to kill himself to deceive these men!” Alistair thought.
“With the memories of Valler, my Prince knows that the four families above have the same two letters at the start. And the four were divided into three kingdoms! The Herach and the Hellion served one kingdom, while the others were of different Continents!”
Alistair could see the miraculous potion working within him.
“A Second Life Potion. At least you know how to apologize.” Xilar had rushed to Emeros to heal him.
“If he dies, the other culprit that trapped the Crow family will never be revealed. He must remain alive. Besides, while we know that the family secretly helping Emeros and Alistair is one of four families, it complicates things.” The Battle Mage had a severe expression as he glanced at the Star Archer.
“…Are you suspecting me, Montgomery?”
“Of everyone here, you were the least disinterested of the boy and his abilities.”
“Is that your basis? So the boy is young and can do some neat formations. I can break that formation as easy as you can.”
“Get him healed. Our investigation is over.” The Battle Mage turned.
“I need to collect everything in this room for evidence.” The Star Mage laughed.
“No! Do not overstep your boundaries, Star Mage of Combat! Emeros is a teacher, and I would be laughed at as a Principal if I let someone steal his prized works while I am present! You all may mock me! But I will bring this up so much so that my Pedagog Master will take action! He owes me that!” Xilar burned with anger.
“Hahaha. So serious! Relax, old coot. I was just joking!” The mage left as he gave another glance at the room.
The groups left, and Emeros was rushed to the Hospital as school members ran to heal the teacher.
The Star Mage of Combat and his companion, the Knight, went this way, while the other Star of Combat went their own paths.
“Well…?” The Knight asked.
“That kid… is the real deal. He must be someone nurtured in secret by someone up there! While that Battle Mage didn’t notice, I could see the intricate works at hand. He knows a letter of the Lost King!” The mage lost his laughing and playful expression and, this time had a very dark and solemn one.
“Tell our masters to watch that boy closely. We have to send our spies here!”