Chapter 537: Empire's Glory

Chapter 537: Empire's Glory

Before this, apart from 'Red Queen' Menya, Reginald, and Luther, most of the high-ranking nobles and Empire's powerful figures in the stands believed that the seasoned Dragon Knight, 'Storm Cloud' Pantoskoc, had a significant advantage in this battle.

However, to the surprise of most nobles, Pantoskoc was utterly defeated by the young Rayne!

As the saying goes, laymen look for excitement, while experts look for the deeper meaning.

The dozen or so Imperial Guardians in the Vip stands could discern far more than the Empire's nobles.

The buzzing sound that cut through the toxic clouds was none other than the Dark Silver Metal Disk. Its fleeting speed and the power to instantly crush Pantoskoc's dawn spell, 'Rage of the Storm,' clearly indicated that the young Sir Rayne possessed a formidable dawn spell.

"Was that a rare metal dawn spell just now?" Paxton asked, his throat dry.

He had naturally lost his bet with Reginald. Not only was he pained by the loss, but he was also astonished by the seemingly bottomless strength of the young man.

"Yes! From the wizardry fluctuations, it was indeed a metal dawn spell! But as far as I know, the Empire doesn't have any metal dawn spells."

"It seems that Sir Rayne must have gained a great deal during some site exploration."

To master a dawn spell at such a young age?

One must understand that even among Epic-Level Warriors, there are different tiers.

Ordinary Epic-Level Warriors, who haven't mastered any dawn spells, haven't bonded with dragons, and don't possess rare epic-level battle constructs, are considered the lowest tier of Epic-Level Warriors.

For example, the Tricolor Dragonfolk Bostaff and Querut, whom Rayne had previously slain, were of this tier, the lowest rung among Epic-Level Warriors.

A step above them are those who can harness the power of their dragon companions, seasoned Dragon Knights, or Dawn Wizards who have mastered dawn spells. This is the threshold for becoming an Imperial Guardian.

The next tier consists of Mid-Dawn Wizards, whose dawn spells become even more powerful as they advance to the Mid-Dawn stage. With the additional support of their dragons, both Reginald and Pantoskoc were at this level.

The fourth tier is on par with the 'Red Queen' Menya, a Late-Dawn Wizard who has mastered multiple dawn spells and has more varied combat options. Alternatively, a Dragon Knight with an Ancient Dragon companion, whose own strength is no less than a Mid-Dawn Wizard, can also be considered this tier.

Pantoskoc, with his green Hazas ascending to the Ancient Dragon stage, barely fits into this category.

Rayne's victory over Pantoskoc implies that most of the Imperial Guardians present are no longer a match for him.

Moreover, many of the Imperial Guardians looked serious, as they pondered whether what they had just witnessed was Rayne's full strength.

In the center of the arena.

Pantoskoc's face alternated between red and white. He wanted to fight again, but the wound in his abdomen and the struggles of his green dragon companion, Hazas, reminded him not to act. Another move could truly be fatal.

Furthermore, Hazas's Sleeping Poison Cloud had no effect on Rayne, which left Pantoskoc utterly baffled.

If his strongest attack failed, how could he possibly fight Rayne?

Most importantly, Rayne did not press his advantage, showing mercy. Continuing further...

"Ah, Sir Rayne, I concede!" With these words, Pantoskoc seemed to age ten years in an instant.

As Pantoskoc conceded, an unknown noble was the first to clap, and soon, applause echoed from all sides of the royal arena, merging into a thunderous roar that filled the entire venue.

Even the dozen or so top-tier Empire powerhouses in the Vip stands began to clap along.

In the central royal stand, 'Red Queen' Menya clapped and smiled, while Crown Prince Everton, though his face was dark, forced a smile and clapped a couple of times to echo his great-aunt's gesture.

But in his heart, he silently roared: Rayne, you're smug now! Unfortunately, I know your secret. Don't think that you're safe just because Great-Aunt is protecting you. Once Father recovers from his injuries... Multi-Headed Dragon Bloodline... Heh heh!

In the stands.

Seeing her husband's moment of glory, the beautiful woman Jenniffer clapped so hard that her pale hands turned red, disregarding her ladylike demeanor.

Duke Drum, however, sat like a statue, his face ashen, staring blankly at the scene before him, lost in thought.

Despite his dazed expression, his heart was in turmoil!

"Why, why did our ancestor lose?"

"Thirty percent of the shares in the main branch of the Axeon Auction House, worth nearly a hundred million empire gold coins, and a pillar industry that accounts for about half of the Drum Family's income, is about to be completely handed over!"

"Greatly weakened doesn't even begin to describe it!"

"Our ancestor is severely injured, and the reformist faction's bastards will certainly oppress us heavily."

In the center of the arena.

Rayne looked at the pantoskoc and the prostrate dragon before him, the continuous applause echoing in his ears, and he felt a myriad of emotions.

Half a year ago, he might have killed the pantoskoc during the match, claiming it was an accidental injury. But since fusing with Menya, he gradually changed his mind.

The greatest enemies in this world are the eldritch deities and the Awakening Colossi.

As an imperial guardian, if the pantoskoc can avoid major mistakes, Rayne doesn't mind giving him a chance. Of course, if the pantoskoc had refused to concede just now, Rayne would have sent him back to the goddess's embrace directly.

In fact, during the fight just now, he didn't use his full strength, only about fifty percent of his combat power.

In his eyes, the pantoskoc is not even a worthy opponent. Moreover, with his current strength and the speed of his improvement, the pantoskoc will only fall further behind.

Acknowledging the pantoskoc's concession, Rayne nodded and prepared to leave the arena. A carriage was already waiting for him at the entrance; he needed to visit the headquarters of the Empire Wizard School Federation.

Previously, in the Cyrodiil Highlands, the head of the school, Moria, had asked him to complete the school advancement examination.

As for the bet, he was confident that even if the Drum Family had a hundred more hearts, they wouldn't dare to renege.

Meanwhile.

In the enthusiastic stands, the beautiful lady Jenniffer excitedly held the hands of Claire and Lagrelle, unable to calm down.

"Are you Mrs. Jennifer? I am Duke Davis. I heard that your Hammer and Rose Guild is currently looking for a partner in the Imperial Capital?" Duke Davis, who had been sitting in the back row of the stands, approached with his wife, smiling warmly.

"Oh, Duke Davis, it's an honor to meet you!"

"Yes, I have been looking for the right partner recently." The beautiful lady, seeing the elegantly dressed old man before her, was initially surprised. Then, she immediately lifted her skirt and performed a ladylike curtsy.

At the same time, a thought she had never considered before sprang to mind. Could it be that Duke Davis is interested in...

"That's wonderful. Coincidentally, my Laurel Trading Company is also looking to expand its business. I wonder if it would be an honor to collaborate with your guild?" Duke Davis spoke politely.

The surrounding nobles looked at Duke Davis with envy.

He really knows how to seize the moment. And is your company just looking to expand? This is like offering money on a silver platter!

Who doesn't know that the Laurel Trading Company almost monopolizes the entire empire's high-end spice market? Collaboration? Is that necessary? Don't joke!

"It would be my honor to collaborate with the Laurel Trading Company." Jenniffer's beautiful face flushed with excitement as she replied.

"Beautiful lady, you are too kind. It would also be an honor for the Laurel Trading Company." Duke Davis smiled and responded courteously.

After a few pleasantries, Duke Davis left with his wife.

Immediately, over a dozen high-ranking nobles followed, each representing a well-known guild in the Imperial Capital.

For a time, even with Claire's help, the beautiful lady Jenniffer was kept busy.

Meanwhile, Rayne boarded the carriage waiting at the entrance of the royal arena, arranged by the Sword Bearers Headquarters.

"Lord Rayne, I heard the enthusiastic applause from outside. I knew you would win", the usually rational and efficient Olena said, her face slightly flushed with excitement.

But her beautiful eyes glanced at her lord's perfectly unwrinkled wizard's robe and the sweat-free forehead, her surprise deepening.

He looks too clean!

It's as if he just changed into a new robe, not like someone who just finished a match.

When Rayne told her it would take just a few minutes, she was initially taken aback. Now, calculating the time, it hadn't even been ten minutes from start to finish.

"Thank you. It went as expected. Let's head to the wizard federation headquarters."

"Yes, my lord."

At the same time.

Two strikingly beautiful young women were in the wizard federation, speaking excitedly to a late-stage second-tier liquefaction wizard.

"Lord Ronan, although the scheduled time is at nine in the morning, I've already told you that the head of the school, Moria, went to the Cyrodiil Highlands. Lord Rayne will come a bit later."

"An advancement to the Grand Wizard School is a major event, and your head of the school doesn't come personally? Could it be that the empire has summoned him?" Ronan said, displeased.

He was the wizard responsible for the school's advancement, and over the centuries, the wizard school advancement process had become standardized. But this was the first time he encountered a situation where a school sent only two first-tier mist wizards for such an important event.

This is far too disrespectful to the headquarters and the matter of the school's promotion.

"Sir, this..." Audrey couldn't help but be at a loss for words.

She remembered that it seemed to be Lord Rayne's request that the Head, Deputy Head, and Mentor, along with other department heads, immediately head to the Cyrodiil Highlands. If one were to investigate, this wasn't actually an administrative order from the Empire.

Moreover, precisely because the school's core members were all in the Cyrodiil Highlands, there weren't many people left at the Imperial Capital school's headquarters. In comparison, she had become the most suitable point of contact.

"But Sir Ronan, Lord Rayne will come over immediately after his duel. Can't you make an exception?"

"Lord Rayne? I know he defeated 'Carver' Harold, which is indeed impressive. But rules are rules. No matter how powerful your Lord Rayne is, the promotion of a school requires the Head to handle it personally", Ronan couldn't help but smirk.

According to the rules, the promotion should be handled by the Head of the school in person. He was following the regulations, and there was absolutely no problem with that.

"By the way, you mentioned a duel? What kind of duel could be more important than the promotion of a major school?" Ronan, recalling something, asked.

"It's... a duel with the Imperial Guardian, Storm Cloud."

Since Rayne had been making the Mechanical Tyrant Dragon in the Bishu Construct Guild's hall these past two days, Audrey, who was also in the school, had naturally heard about his duel.

However, Ronan, being at the Liquefaction Wizard level, hadn't heard anything about it. After all, only those at the Imperial Count level or above were eligible to watch, and the news had only spread among the higher nobility in the Imperial Capital.

"A duel with the Imperial Guardian?" Ronan couldn't help but be taken aback.

He had heard that the Bishu Construct Guild had produced a young wizard who was very powerful, and had defeated 'Carver' Harold. Now, just two months later, he was going to challenge the Imperial Guardian, Storm Cloud?

That seemed a bit too far-fetched, didn't it?

Ronan's face showed a mix of surprise and suspicion as he repeatedly sized up the young woman before him, muttering to himself: Such a beautiful young woman wouldn't be a fool, would she? Could it be true?

But he quickly thought of another issue and asked:

"Even if what you say is true, would Lord Rayne still have the energy to participate in the Grand Wizard School promotion examination after battling Storm Cloud?"

"Um..." Audrey and Alicia exchanged glances, not knowing how to respond.

"Audrey, why are you still here? Is there a problem?" A young voice came from outside the hall.

"Lord Rayne!" Audrey and Alicia turned around, overjoyed.

Ronan, on the other hand, sized up Rayne, his expression turning serious. The psi energy fluctuations from the other party were unfathomable. Indeed, he was a rare young genius. However, remembering that he was just following the rules, he met Rayne's gaze and said:

"Lord Rayne, according to the regulations, the school's promotion examination must be handled by the Head in person."

Before he could finish, a furious voice came from the headquarters' gate: "Ronan, you idiot! How dare you speak to Lord Rayne like that!"

An elderly man in a green wizard robe hurried in.

"Mentor?" Ronan's eyes widened in shock.

He usually only saw his Mentor once or twice a year, and his Mentor had always been kind to him because of his father. This was the first time he had seen his Mentor so angry!

"Lord Rayne, I am Paxton. Your performance at the royal arena was truly breathtaking!" The newcomer was none other than Paxton, who had just bet with Reginald.

As soon as the duel ended, he remembered that today was the day of the Bishu Construct Guild's promotion. Considering Rayne's status, he had rushed over.

"Ah? Lord Paxton was at the royal arena just now?" Rayne smiled slightly.

"Yes, Lord Rayne."

After some small talk, Rayne asked: "Lord Paxton, it's getting late. Shall we get to business?"

"Business?" Paxton looked puzzled for a moment, then suddenly realized and said, "You mean the school's promotion examination?"

"Exactly." Rayne looked at him somewhat unhappily. What was he up to?

"How can you even joke about needing an examination? It's completely unnecessary. You just need to sign a document", Paxton took a document from the sweating Ronan and handed it to Rayne.

"Sign a document? That's all?" Rayne was taken aback. Was the promotion examination really that casual?

"Of course!" Paxton nodded emphatically.

Ronan, standing to the side, bent over and mumbled a few times, but didn't dare say a word. In his heart, he was shouting: Mentor! You always taught us to follow the rules, but...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end