Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

It was a bright morning. The remnants of winter still hung in the air which made the air a little chilly. But even with that, the students of Praiji Empire’s Imperial Academy were going about their business. Some were training in the open arenas, a few were in the library (laboratories in the alchemists’ situation) and others were just lounging around after their intense training session.

It was peaceful and everyone had smile on their faces, until a sudden pressure showed up which made everyone stop and wonder. It was a very powerful pressure caused by the clashing of two similarly powerful people and those who could not stand it just fell to their knees in shock.

Inside the Headmaster’s office, Professor Tresde was delivering a report concerning the incident last month. She was asked by Archduchess Celestine to convey to the Headmaster of the progress of the report. But the moment the overpowering and suffocating magical energy surged, the two immediately noticed it and stopped what they were doing.

‘This energy signature… Luna Hysi?’ thought Professor Tresde. ‘Since when did she become even more powerful?’

Meanwhile the Headmaster was wondering who could release such pressure and immediately sent the teachers to investigate.

***

Ever since I enrolled in the Imperial Academy, I had never faced an opponent that could make me run for my money. Well there was Torii but I knew her even way before then so she did not count. Freya was okay too but she did not meet my expectations yet. I did look forward to her improvement.

I had always thought my skills wouldn’t reach their full potential and would only become rusty of I stayed in the Imperial Academy. Fighting Senior Trent changed that. Apparently, the high ranking seniors could give me the fight I wanted.

His lightning attacks, coupled with his speed and his use of the halberd made him a very interesting opponent. I couldn’t help but go all out with my abilities. It even came to the point where I focused on using my fox fire as my offense while maintaining the necessary skills in <Mystic Arts> to defend myself. I used internal energy to strengthen my body and then used external energy to increase my speed. Doing four things at once was quite taxing for my mentality but I was too excited that I did not mind it.

In the real battlefield, utilizing all one’s assets would help one survive. Enemies wouldn’t care if you’re focused or not, after all, it’s a battlefield. It was a kill or be killed situation. And I had already experienced that, both as Nyxtriel and Luna.

Back to the fight…

My eyes widened as Senior Trent threw his halberd at my direction. It was coated in lightning so its speed and power was deadly. I managed to escape it at a hair’s width. The blade did not hurt me but the force around it did. A few strands of my red hair got blasted away as well as the entire cloth of my right sleeves. This exposed the skin on my right shoulder and sooner or later, my red mark started showing up.

I produced a ball of fox fire on my left arm and decided to throw it at him. It caused quite an explosion but he escaped it and was about to punch me. Thankfully, I was quick on my feet and parried his fist with my blades. A few maneuvers later I was behind him. One of my blades was on his neck while the other was pointed on his back.

I won.

I was breathing hard and so was he. We fought quite well if I said so myself.

“So, I guess I’m the winner.” I whispered to his ear. I was behind him so it was easy. And even though I was shorter than him I forced him to kneel just a while ago.

“I guess you are.” he snickered. “Torii wasn’t lying.”

I released him and watched him check his neck where a small amount of blood was present. My blade was able to cut through his skin causing a shallow wound.

“You’re a good opponent Senior Trent.” I said and bowed a little. “Thank you for the good match.”

“You’re wel-“

I was a little puzzled of his sudden pause. I looked up and saw him frozen in place. No, not in a way where someone froze him, more like he was frozen in shock. And his gaze was stuck on the red mark on my skin which was getting more crimson by the second.

“Senior Trent?” I called.

“Junior Luna, can I ask you a question?” he suddenly said, his voice a little edgy.

“Sure.”

“That crimson mark on your shoulder, is the whole mark a nine-tailed fox?”

I’m a person who could hide my emotions well. Well at least I think I do, but when I heard him ask that, I stiffened, and shock was probably obvious on my face.

-How does he… How does he know that?

I was then debating whether to tell him the truth or not. Apart from Kai, nobody else knew about my mark. But Kaidid not know it was a fox either, he only knew I had a red mark on my chest, right upper arm and right shoulder. Aunt Zaira probably knew but she never mentioned anything about it, I wouldn’t let that past her. She just seemed to be someone who knew everything.

I steeled myself. I had always wondered what the mark was about. I, well Luna’s body, had always had it for as long as I could remember, but I had no one to ask about it. The village where she used to reside was now gone, massacred by the demons. I tried to find my answers in books, but I did not find anything. It was like such marks never existed in the first place. It had me debating whether the information was deliberately erased by someone or no one just really recorded it in the first place.

And then all of a sudden, someone asked me about it. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass.

“It is. It is a nine-tailed red fox.” I answered. “Do you-“

Before I could even finish my question, Senior Trent fell on one knee. His head was bowed with his left hand in a fist, placed on the ground, while his right hand rested on the knee that was touching the ground.

-Is this some sort of greeting or something?

“I am very sorry for my transgression! I never thought I would find you and dared challenge you! If you want to punish me, please go ahead!”

For the record, I was confused and at the same time panicking at the situation. I did not know what was going on. I also did not know what the deal was with Senior Trent apologizing and asking me punish him!

“Uhm… Senior Trent, please calm down. Please lift-

“Please accept my apology and give me a proper punishment, Your Majesty!”

“Excuse me, what?”