Contest of Supremes

After sending off Guardian Wen, Dean Ion gives Mateo the responsibility of researching all there is to know about Sapphire Flame Dragons. He also had Mateo send the decree to his home, to be kept by his family to share his power with them. He also advises him to start or join a faction to help his standing in the academy. Before doing so however, Mateo decides to make a name for himself first. The Lilac List is one of a few ways he decided on. This list ranks the amount of successful filed missions done. Bronze Missions are simple, so they are worth 5,000 merits for completion. They are the most sort after and most recurring. 

The Silver Missions are more difficult, but some still accept them for higher experience. Unlike Bronze Missions, Silver Missions are only accessible to Inner Disciples and are worth 10,000 merits. Gold Missions can only be done by Core Disciples for its high difficulty and are worth 100,000 merits. Completing one Gold Mission is enough for bragging rights, so not many have attempted more than that. Above the gold level are the legendary Lilac Quests. If completed, you would not only receive 500,000 merits, but you will also have the chance to become an Honorary Elder of the academy. 

Merits are a type of currency paid by the academy that can be earned in all academies in the June Empire. Students can also use them as credit outside of their academies that the academy will cover. A faction is given a monthly allowance of 2,000 merits per non-graduated members for collective use. Merits can also be converted to true currency at any Imperial Bank. Mateo spent several months in closed door cultivation, with momentary visits to the Combat Palace for training. He had now been a student of the Kanry Academy for a year and 4 months, but made no active contributions, so he made no merits. It was time to take missions. 

Despite not having much experience with the outside world, he takes a Silver Mission as his first mission. While he was in seclusion, Sani and Felix went on various Bronze Missions and one Silver Mission each. They saved some merits for him, but he did not accept. As he arrived at the Lilac Palace, he was mesmerized by the stunning foliage and bright lilac flowers about. Unbeknownst to him, he was being watched rather closely the moment he left his cultivation room. He was completely focused on finding an attendant to acquire his mission and be on his way, so he paid no attention to his surroundings. Though given the chance to read the missions before accepting, Mateo chose to pick at random and read on the way. 

His mission led him to a small-town with no name. As such, many unsavory figures frequent the little town, often terrorizing the residence at will. Its remoteness has led to very little imperial recognition, often having to rely on themselves to solve their problems. In fact, this mission was only posted two weeks prior to Mateo claiming it. The town's people can no longer fend for themselves and have had enough, so they decided to seek help from the closet power, the Kanry Academy's Lilac Palace. However, they themselves did fully understand their own situation, so Mateo's mission is to investigate. 

Arriving at the border of the town, Mateo is met with a strong killing aura. Someone or a group of people are truly bent on killing somewhere in town. With his incredible speed, he raced to epicenter, discovering a woman and her son at the mercy of a gang of women. At the scene, were various people looking on, with a mixture of horror and excitement. Above their heads, an active formation spun, created by that gang of women. From between the mob of people, a young man emerged fist high, putting some distance between the women and their victims. One of the women ululated, "how dare a lowly creature interfere with our matter? Get lost!" 

However, the young man stood his ground, keeping the women at bay. While the women were bold enough to insult and reprimand him, the crowd did not dare make a sound any longer. From a distance, a man's voice bellowed, "don't dare!" A yellow palm attack fell from the formation, about the size of an elephant. The women became quite happy, as the man now hovered above the formation, poised to dominate. Yet still, the young man held his ground, combating the powerful attack. The man above was an early-stage Golden Core Master, which made his attack all the more deadly. The young man was the same, but he clearly lacked proper training. 

While he was able to accept the attack, he would not last long with his inferior defensive technique. As the power of the formation increased under the man's control, the woman he jumped in to protect, pleaded with him to leave and let her accept her fate. However, he would not budge. Before it got too much to handle, Mateo stepped in, shattering the palm with his War Body. Fist formed, he shot one hand in the air, releasing a burst of spiritual power, to destroy the formation with ease. The pressure from his body was both enlightening and oppressive. He said calmly, "please stop here. Let us talk nicely." The man laughed, unwilling to entertain what called, "bullshit!"

Mateo shook his head and awaited the man's next move. The man mocked, " a Foundation Stage brat can sure act big. Die!" He reignited the formation, but this time, it was a tier 4 formation. A red palm fell from the formation, with the mass of 10,000 kg. (kilogram). The mass was not the only matter. The property of the palm consisted with the power of decay, which can kill even a peak stage Golden Core Master. Fortunately, Mateo's own body is a vessel for the Death Omen, making him immune to the Decaying Palm, an ancient technique. Mateo smiles and remarks, "decay? I walk with death." 

Mateo not only stopped the palm, but he also took control of the formation, turning the palm against its conjuror. Before he attacked, he changed the behavior of the decaying power. He then asked jokingly, "any last words? Before the man could speak, he is struck by the palm, falling to the ground. "Scram!", he says to the man and the gang of women. The crowd disbursed, leaving the four alone. "Thank you for intervening. Master...", the young man said in amazement. Mateo took a deep breath and responded, "I am Mateo Son from the Kanry Academy's Central Palace. I was sent by the Lilac Palace to investigate your town's plight. I am no master. Just a student with some luck in cultivation. You are also quite gifted."

The young man took Mateo, the woman and her son to his house to continue their conversation. He lived in what appeared to be the town's Head Manor, which he made into a shelter. There was also a tier 7 formation on the manor for protection. The young man explained, "my family has owned this manor for 250 years. It was here before the town itself and was treated and the head of the town as it slowly formed around it. The formation was setup by a visiting Transcendent Master who made my grandfather his disciple. After my father died, all manner of folk came in and began causing trouble."

"How are you able to hold on under such threat?", Mateo asked. "The five women I faced off today are the wives of the five brothers who moved here 25 years ago. While they are all shady folks, the oldest brother is a lot more reasonable and respectful. When he is present my family's status is considered and respected. I am well aware that it is all just a play, but it allows me to keep safe the people of this town. While the people fear his wrath too much to disrespect me, he is not too harsh with his brothers. In his absence, they are become bullies. I had no master to teach me cultivation. I only had scrolls left by my father." 

Mateo became even more impressed with this young man's talent. He is self-taught and well principled. The young man continued, "Oh sorry. My name is Julian Dyl, but my father's name was Marc Archen. I was adopted by my father after he found me on his doorstep. There was a note from my birth family, but it is sealed until I become a peak stage Golden Core Master." Hearing his name, Mateo was slightly shocked, but also a little happy to find his family. However, considering his own situation and Julian's, he kept it to himself for the time being. This now became a different kind of mission for him. Now, it became personal.