The Scum Emperor's Redemption System

[Ongoing Editing]

The palace training grounds were bustling with activity. Birds chirped in the trees, palace staff occasionally wandered through to steal glances, and Argider sat awkwardly on a bench, nibbling on a piece of fruit. She was flanked by Elira, who was busy flipping through a book on advanced mana theory, and Kian, who clung to her side, clearly enjoying the impromptu sparring session that was about to unfold.

Out in the clearing stood Faeralys and Fialova, both crackling with magical energy. Faeralys's flames flickered around her hands, an extension of her growing frustration, while Fialova's lightning sparked intermittently, a testament to her barely contained amusement.

"I don't see why this is necessary," Faeralys muttered, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I've already proven my capabilities."

Fialova, in stark contrast, smiled as she stretched her arms, her movements fluid and confident. "Oh, but training's important. Besides…" She gave Faeralys a playful glance, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "You wouldn't want to fall behind, would you? Especially not when Argider's watching."

Faeralys flushed instantly, her flames flaring brighter. "I-I'm not trying to impress anyone!"

Fialova tilted her head, pretending to consider the statement. "Hmm, sure you're not. But, you know, it's cute how flustered you get when she compliments me."

"I do not get flustered!" Faeralys snapped, her flames surging in a wild arc.

"Of course, of course," Fialova replied, stepping aside as the fire harmlessly dissipated. She rolled her shoulders and drew her training blade, its edge sparking with electricity. "Alright then, Faeralys. Show me what you've got. Unless, of course, you're scared?"

"Scared? Of you?" Faeralys scoffed, stepping forward with renewed determination. "Prepare yourself, Fialova. I'm going to wipe that smug grin off your face!"

The First Exchange

Their magic clashed almost instantly. Faeralys launched a barrage of fireballs, each one streaking through the air with deadly precision. Fialova, however, moved with practiced ease, deflecting the flames with her blade and weaving between the attacks with an almost lazy grace.

"You call this an attack?" Fialova teased, sidestepping another fireball. "Come on, Faeralys. I thought you'd at least try to hit me."

"I am trying!" Faeralys yelled, her frustration mounting. "Stop dodging and fight me properly!"

"But dodging is part of fighting," Fialova replied, twirling her sword in a showy manner. "Besides, you're the one who keeps missing. Maybe you're distracted? Thinking about someone special, perhaps?"

Faeralys's face turned crimson, and her flames flared dangerously high. "You're impossible!"

From the sidelines, Argider couldn't help but chuckle nervously. "Should we, uh, stop them?"

"No," Elira said without looking up from her book. "This is surprisingly entertaining."

Kian tugged on Argider's sleeve, looking up at her with wide eyes. "Mama Faera is scary when she's mad…"

"She's not mad," Argider reassured him, though the massive fireball Faeralys was currently hurling at Fialova suggested otherwise. "She's… passionate."

Turning Up the Heat

The fireball roared toward Fialova, but she countered with a crackling wave of lightning, the two attacks colliding in an explosion of sparks and embers. The shockwave sent both women skidding back, their faces lit with a mix of exhilaration and determination.

"That's more like it," Fialova said, brushing some soot off her uniform. "Now we're having fun."

"This isn't fun!" Faeralys snapped, launching herself forward with a burst of flames. Her fists were wreathed in fire as she swung at Fialova, who blocked each strike with her blade.

"You know," Fialova said between parries, "you're really cute when you're angry."

Faeralys's next punch faltered for a split second, her flames flickering. "W-What?!"

Fialova took advantage of the momentary distraction, stepping around Faeralys and tapping her lightly on the shoulder with the flat of her blade. "Point for me."

Faeralys spun around, her flames reigniting with renewed intensity. "Stop teasing me and fight seriously!"

"I am fighting seriously," Fialova replied, though her grin suggested otherwise.

A Growing Audience

By this point, the commotion had attracted a small crowd. Palace guards, servants, and even a few curious nobles had gathered to watch the duel, their whispers adding to the atmosphere.

"Did Lady Faeralys just miss again?" one guard muttered.

"She's trying her best!" another whispered back.

"Five gold on Lady Fialova," a servant said, earning a round of chuckles from the group.

Argider groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Great. Now we're the palace's entertainment."

Elira smirked, finally closing her book. "I told you this would be fun."

Back on the field, Faeralys was clearly losing her composure. Her attacks were becoming more erratic, her flames licking at the ground and scorching the edges of Fialova's uniform.

"You're getting sloppy," Fialova said, sidestepping another fiery punch. "Is it because you're thinking about Argider again?"

"I am not thinking about Argider!" Faeralys shouted, though her reddening face said otherwise.

"Oh, so you admit you think about her sometimes?"

"I—! You—! Shut up!" Faeralys stammered, her flames surging wildly.

The Tables Turn

In a desperate move, Faeralys gathered all her energy into a single, massive fireball. It burned with an intensity that made the spectators take a collective step back, and even Fialova's teasing expression faltered. Read exclusive chapters at empire

"Alright, that's impressive," Fialova admitted, raising her sword. "But can you actually land it?"

Faeralys hurled the fireball with a triumphant roar, but at the last second, Fialova stepped aside, letting the fireball sail past her and explode harmlessly in the distance.

Faeralys froze, staring at the charred patch of ground where her attack had landed. "I… missed?"

"You always miss," Fialova said, stepping closer and tapping Faeralys on the forehead with her finger. "Point for me again."

That was the final straw. Faeralys let out a frustrated scream and tackled Fialova to the ground, her flames extinguishing in the process.

"Stop mocking me!" she yelled, pinning Fialova's arms to the ground.

"Alright, alright, you win," Fialova said, though her smile hadn't faded. "But you know, you're kind of cute when you're on top like this."

Faeralys's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she scrambled to her feet, brushing herself off. "I hate you," she muttered, though the lack of conviction in her voice was obvious.

Fialova stood up as well, dusting off her uniform. "Hate me all you want," she said, patting Faeralys on the shoulder. "But you're getting better. That fireball was impressive."

Faeralys blinked, taken aback by the genuine compliment. "Y-You think so?"

"Absolutely," Fialova said, smiling warmly. "You've got a lot of potential. You just need to learn to control your emotions."

"I… Thanks," Faeralys mumbled, her flames flickering softly.

A Moment of Peace

As the crowd dispersed, Argider approached her two wives, a smile tugging at her lips. "That was… something," she said, trying to find the right words.

"Did I do well?" Faeralys asked, her voice uncharacteristically timid.

"You were amazing," Argider said, her smile widening.

Faeralys's face lit up, and she looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I-It was nothing…"

Fialova chuckled, wrapping an arm around Faeralys's shoulders. "See? Even Argider thinks you're amazing."

"Shut up!" Faeralys snapped, though there was no heat in her words.

As the three of them made their way back to the palace, Argider couldn't help but feel a warmth in her chest. Despite the teasing and the chaos, she knew she was surrounded by people who cared for her—and that made all the difference.