The Weight of an Ancient Name

Tommy stood there in silence for a long time.

The evening wind swept across the stone path outside the Drake Empire capital, carrying with it the faint scent of dust and distant rain. The atmosphere had long turned heavy after Leon’s declaration. Even the guards stationed nearby did not dare to breathe too loudly.

After little think and then he finally nodded silently and said nothing. He gave in.

Although unwillingness burned inside his chest like a poisonous flame, Tommy understood one thing very clearly now—there were some people in this world he could not afford to provoke.

And Leon... was one of them.

His fingers tightened slowly inside his sleeves until his nails dug into his palms. The pain helped him suppress the humiliation boiling inside him.

He hated this feeling.

Hated this helplessness.

More than anything, he hated himself for not being the eldest son.

If he had been the crown prince of the Blue Empire instead of merely the second prince, perhaps his father would have fought for him. Perhaps the empire would have pressured the Drake Empire harder. Perhaps no one would dare rob him of his marriage partner in front of countless witnesses.

But reality was cruel.

A second son was still a second son.

One mistake... one humiliation... and countless people in the imperial court would use it against him.

Prince of Blue Empire sighed quietly beside him.

The old prince looked at his nephew with complicated eyes. Beneath his calm expression was genuine heartache. Tommy had grown up under his watch. He knew this child’s pride better than anyone.

But what could he do?

Who could have predicted that Rias would suddenly become Leon’s student?

Even now, Prince of Blue Empire still found it unbelievable.

Logically speaking, shouldn’t a royal princess remain inside the palace walls, protected by layers of guards and political schemes? How could she possibly become connected to the outside world’s legendary academies?

And not just any place...

The Amethyst Summit Division of Celestis Academy.

That name alone carried terrifying weight.

Prince of Blue Empire eyes dimmed slightly.

Years ago, the entire Eastern Region had trembled beneath the sword of Respected Zeon. Back then, the Amethyst Summit Division stood at the peak of prestige. Its sword intent once cut through mountains and terrified ancient beasts into exile.

And now...

Another monster had appeared there.

Leon.

Prince of Blue Empire slowly exhaled.

"Alright! Let’s end this matter here. I don’t want to say anything else. I don’t care how your two dynasties get married or allied. However, my student will definitely not become a bargaining chip for your diplomatic relationship. If you are unconvinced, feel free to look for me..."

Leon’s voice was calm.

Too calm.

There was no arrogance in his tone, no deliberate pressure.

Yet every word landed like a mountain pressing against the heart.

The surrounding air itself seemed colder the moment he spoke.

Tommy lowered his head slightly, his jaw tightening hard.

Unconvinced?

Of course he was unconvinced.

But what could he do even if he was?

Fight Leon?

The moment that terrifying sword intent descended earlier, he had already understood the gap between them. It was not a gap of talent or cultivation alone.

It was the difference between prey and predator.

Leon originally had no intention of interfering in this matter. If it had merely been a conflict between Harry and Tommy, perhaps he would have remained a spectator.

But the moment Rias became involved...

Everything changed.

Leon slowly turned and walked toward Kai.

His midnight robes fluttered lightly beneath the wind, thin amethyst embroideries glimmering faintly beneath the setting sunlight. His long black hair moved gently behind him, and those deep purple eyes remained calm from beginning to end.

Kai instinctively straightened his posture.

The closer Leon approached, the clearer Kai could feel the terrifying mana fluctuations hidden beneath that calm exterior.

It felt like standing before a silent ocean.

Still.

Vast.

Unfathomable.

Leon stopped before him and observed him quietly for a few seconds.

He could feel it.

The aura of the Drake household bloodline flowing within Kai’s body was extremely stable. His foundation was solid, his mana circulation smooth, and more importantly...

His temperament was exceptional.

Not arrogant.

Not reckless.

Very few young rulers possessed such composure.

Leon nodded slightly in satisfaction.

Rias had once told him about her elder brother.

The reason she successfully escaped the palace was largely because Kai secretly helped her. Otherwise, escaping the imperial palace under the empress’s watch would have been nearly impossible.

"You’re... not bad."

Kai’s eyes widened slightly.

Praise from someone like Leon carried enormous meaning.

He immediately cupped his fists respectfully.

"Kai greets Respected Leon."

His tone was calm and respectful, neither servile nor overly proud.

Leon glanced at him for a moment before smiling faintly.

"Yes, Rias told me about you. You’re indeed a handsome young man born to become a ruler. Very good."

Kai lowered his head slightly.

"Senior, you flatter me too much. How can I withstand your praise?"

Leon’s eyes flickered with surprise.

Interesting.

Even after being praised directly, this boy still maintained his composure.

Ordinary princes would already reveal excitement or pride by now.

But Kai remained steady.

Leon suddenly spoke again.

"Your foundation is stable, but your mana circulation pauses slightly every time it passes your left shoulder meridian. Did you forcefully absorb too much mana during your breakthrough into the 4-Star Onyx Realm?"

Kai froze completely.

Even The elder behind him—looked stunned.

How did he know?

Kai slowly raised his head, disbelief flashing through his blue eyes.

"Senior... you can see that?"

Leon answered casually, as if discussing the weather.

"It’s obvious."

Kai almost choked.

Obvious?

He had hidden this issue for nearly seven years. Even imperial physicians only vaguely sensed something wrong.

Yet Leon noticed it with one glance.

Leon continued calmly.

"Your cultivation method is too aggressive. It suits battlefield combat, but not long-term stability. Every night at midnight, circulate your mana through your spiritual core three times before sleeping. Don’t force absorption during full moon cycles for the next three months."

Kai listened seriously.

Every single sentence felt like priceless guidance.

"Also..." Leon added lightly, "don’t suppress your killing intent too much during cultivation. Your Drake household technique relies on momentum. Over-restraint weakens your flow."

Kai’s pupils shook.

That was exactly the issue he had struggled with recently.

For a moment, genuine gratitude appeared in his eyes.

"Thank you for Senior’s guidance."

Even elder looked emotional beside him.

An expert capable of identifying flaws with one glance...

Such figures were terrifying.

Leon merely waved his hand casually.

"It’s nothing."

But to Kai, it was not "nothing."

A few simple pointers from someone like Leon could save years of wasted cultivation.

At that moment, Kai understood something clearly.

Rias truly had obtained monstrous fortune.

Leon finally stopped speaking.

He turned around calmly and said to Harry, "Let’s go."

Harry instantly grinned.

The earlier fear vanished completely now that Leon was present.

He deliberately looked toward Tommy with open disdain before raising his chin arrogantly.

"Tsk. Weren’t you acting impressive earlier?"

Tommy’s expression darkened instantly.

Harry continued shamelessly.

"What happened now? Why so quiet?"

Prince of Blue Empire face twitched slightly.

This brat truly deserved a beating.

But Harry immediately hid half his body behind Leon afterward like a cowardly fox borrowing a tiger’s authority.

Tommy nearly coughed blood from anger.

Leon did not bother stopping Harry.

Instead, the corners of his lips curved upward ever so slightly.

Interesting child.

Harry followed behind Leon proudly as they slowly departed beneath countless gazes.

The pressure in the area finally weakened after Leon left.

Only then did many people secretly release the breath they had been holding.

Kai watched Leon’s departing figure silently.

The wind brushed past his red hair as his eyes flickered with admiration.

"How domineering..."

He could not help but praise softly.

"The past Teachers of the Amethyst Summit Division were all legendary figures. I wonder if this Respected Leon can break Respected Zeon’s record and reach the legendary Martial Sovereign Realm?"

Kai truly held extremely high expectations for Leon.

Because Leon was still young.

And youth represented limitless potential.

A peak Sage Realm expert at such an age was already terrifying enough.

Given another few years...

Breaking into the Pinnacle Realm would likely not be difficult.

Perhaps...

He might even shatter the ten-thousand-year legend of the Eastern Region never producing another Martial Emperor.

Behind Kai, elder stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Your Highness..."

Kai turned slightly.

The old elder’s eyes shone with meaning.

"We might be able to use the princess’s identity as a student of the Amethyst Summit Division to establish contact with Celestis Academy. If we handle this properly... the Drake Empire may obtain unexpected support."

Kai’s eyes brightened instantly.

This suggestion was immediately approved by Kai.