"Welcome to the academy energy vault."

The principal of the academy politely addressed the members of the Atrexia and Sword Tribunal Societies, standing before the energy vault with surprised expressions on their faces.

"Not the kind of thing you were expecting, right?"

Several of them nodded, agreeing with her words.

Unlike what they had expected — a large chamber with a dense concentration of universe energy — the academy energy vault was literally a massive corpse of an ancient serpentine creature, which stretched as far as the eyes could see.

"Transparent universe energy gathering runes concentrate the massive amounts of universe energy pulsing out of the being of this beginner-stage Dao-level corpse, and direct it towards those who come here to use the energy vault to cultivate."

As the principal explained, the students couldn't help but marvel at her explanation.

Also, a Dao-level corpse!

No wonder the pressure radiating from the corpse was so terrifying.

Everyone had looks of awe and terror on their faces. Their horizons had truly broadened now.

"This creature was slaughtered by the founder of the Astral Empire, Sylvestos von Astral, a long time ago.

The founder of the Empire — my ancestor — fought with this creature during the olden war, the first war with the Vimodials.

This creature was a Vimodial being with terrifying prowess that threatened to destroy the empire during the olden war. However, my ancestor managed to sacrifice himself and slaughter this creature, killing the Vimodial that had taken over its body in addition.

Sylvestos von Astral, however, perished together with the creature. The Astral Empire Academy was founded to honor Sylvestos von Astral and his legacy."

A warm voice resounded in the environs, recounting these events — regal, warm, and carrying an immense weight of authority.

The students, wondering who the voice belonged to, nodded at the same time as various discussions broke out among them.

"It is common knowledge that the corpse of the Dao-level beast slaughtered by the founder of the Empire during the olden war was a Dao-level creature."

"True. However, no one really knew where the corpse of the creature was kept. Others also asked whether or not the creature perished with no body remaining. It looks like we have our answer."

"Did the founder of the Empire really slaughter this creature? Even in death, the beast radiates such insane and terrifying aura that it gives us chills. What sort of monstrous powerhouse was the Empire's founder?"

As the discussions rang through the hall, Lian Yu noticed that Kailen was completely silent.

"You alright, man?"

Kailen simply nodded. Although Lian Yu did not buy Kailen's response, he didn't press further — out of respect for Kailen's personal boundaries.

As for Kailen, it was as if everything that was happening — the sight, the voices, the awe — meant nothing to him.

It wasn't that he didn't want to feel amazed. It wasn't that he wasn't curious about the corpse or the founder of the Empire.

It was something else that had caught his interest.

Something that had caught Kailen entirely off guard.

The principal of the academy.

The woman was a Vimodial contractor.

The Time Dilation Artifact had just pointed it out to him.

So this was what the Crown Prince had been doing.

He had been using this woman to pull the strings of the Vimodial Society on campus.

This woman — Principal Moreau — according to what he had heard, had once been his mother's mentor.

In fact, Kailen had been trying to locate her and learn more about his mother from this woman for a while now, but she had never been available. She was a busy woman — understandable for the principal of an academy.

But the first time seeing her… had made him realize he was better off not learning anything about his mother from this woman.

He was utterly disappointed.

His mother's mentor had turned out to be a Vimodial contractor.

Had this happened before or after his parents left the academy?

Was she involved in the events that caused their deaths?

Several questions flashed in Kailen's mind.

"Is this not interesting to watch?"

The calm voice that had narrated the founder's battle echoed in Kailen's mind, laced with amusement — as if the speaker was enjoying his reaction.

"The Crown Prince…"

Kailen hissed inwardly, hatred flickering in his eyes.

He pieced everything together.

The Crown Prince had made an appearance here to observe him.

Astra Von Astral

He was here.

"Don't worry," the voice continued. "She was so devastated at your mother's demise that when I introduced her to a chance to become strong — to become a Vimodial contractor — she quickly agreed. She said she would do anything to get vengeance for your mother, even if she had to sell her soul for power. Of course, that Spectral race hybrid, Kadmen, knew nothing of the fact she was a Vimodial contractor — otherwise, he would have appointed someone else as principal in his stead"

Kailen ignored the crown prince , since he honestly didn't see the need to respond with the fellow. He was simply not in the mood for that right now.

Though he was angry, he was calm.

He simply ...ignored the crown prince .

The time would come to strike.

If only the bastard knew what end Kailen was planning for him...

Anyway , Kailen ,however , knew the Crown Prince was telling the truth — courtesy of Detective Gimmick and Emotional Resonance.

He understood from the prince's words that the principal became a Vimodial contractor to avenge his mother.

Kailen sighed deeply.

No matter who she had been to his mother prior to the events that led to her fall, she had become part of the Crown Prince's cohort — an enemy he had to eliminate.

He would make her death quick when the time came, courtesy of whatever bond she once shared with his mother — unlike how he had planned the end of the Crown Prince.

This was the best act of mercy he could give her.

At that moment, the Crown Prince stood before the students, finding Kailen's blatant ignorance of his words completely refreshing.

He was honestly fascinated. This kid , was something else.

The crown prince didn't arrive with no entourage. No guards. No grand appearance.

Just in plain-looking clothes. Yet his royal demeanor and calm authority were undeniable.

Before they could even bow, a sudden pressure descended on them — stopping them in place.

Before they could speak, another invisible force silenced their tongues.

"Please, I've grown bored of formalities. You are all proud citizens and future hegemons of the Astral Empire. It's my honor to be in your midst — to witness your breakthroughs, to see how far in strength you can climb by making use of the energy vault."

At this, the Crown Prince nodded warmly and went on to personally congratulate each of the students for their roles in the Society Wars.

Most lit up with fanatic glee — extremely honored to have the most charitable, gracious, powerful, and seemingly down-to-earth man in the Empire acknowledging them.

But Lian Yu and Kailen, knowing the bastard's true nature, couldn't help but be disgusted by his act.

"This guy could bag an Oscar," the Time Dilation Artifact muttered, seated at a beach in the shadow expanse, her words,something Kailen agreed completely to.

"Something is off about this guy," Zarek whispered through thought transmission to Kailen.

It was his first time meeting the Crown Prince in person, but something about him felt wrong. Deeply wrong.

He just couldn't place a finger on it.

Kailen sighed and sent back a thought transmission , "As perceptive as ever. After we leave the energy vault, there are some things you have to know."

Just as Zarek nodded in understanding, the Crown Prince began walking toward Kailen.

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