The Invincible Young Master-Chapter 207 - Lina Moon

The moment the ships descended, the atmosphere shifted. The air, once filled with tension from the standoff between the three forces, now grew reverent stillness.

A single figure stepped onto the ground first, his steps slow. An aged elder, his presence alone carried the showed mark of untold years of wisdom.

Behind him, four men descended in unison, clad in robes of deep green and gold, the insignia of the Emperor Academy’s Elders embroidered upon their chests. They were the elite protectors from the ascendants.

Though they were only a handful, none among the gathered forces dared to think of them as lacking. Each of these ascendants held power vast enough to command the battlefield, their strength alone capable of holding back the entire army. Even those from the most distant empires knew of the Academy’s unparalleled reputation in nurturing ascendants, many had crossed vast lands just for the chance to be recognized by them.

As the group from the academy approached, the three leaders of the assembled armies, Princess Elize, Princess Ling Yan, and Prince Vearos, turned to face them.

Without hesitation, the generals and commanders lowered their heads in respect. Even Prince Vearos, usually indifferent to authority, inclined his head slightly.

The aged elder returned the gesture with a slow nod, as did the men behind him, their expressions unreadable.

"Thank you for joining us on this expedition," Princess Elize was the first to speak.

"It involves a student of our academy. It is only natural that we take part." Replied the elder.

Then, with a heavy sigh, he shook his head, a mixture of exasperation and fondness in his expression. "That foolish girl… always causing trouble wherever she goes."

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As if on cue, he turned to glance at the ship behind him. His voice, though calm, carried authority that could not be ignored.

"Stop hiding and come greet the prince and the princesses."

All eyes turned toward the ship’s deck. At first, nothing happened. Then, something odd appeared, a staff, Y-shaped and slightly unsteady, rising hesitantly into view.

A long pause followed before a small head peeked over the railing.

She was small in stature, her green hair framing a delicate face. Her ears, pointed and unmistakably elven, twitched slightly as her wide eyes darted around, scanning the assembled warriors.

Slowly, hesitantly, she stepped fully into view.

She stood frozen, gripping her staff like it was the only thing keeping her from vanishing into thin air. Her fingers tightened around the worn wood, her knuckles pale against its dark grain.

Countless stares bore down on her, making her shift uncomfortably from foot to foot. She wanted to run and disappear into the crowd, but she knew there was no escape.

"Lina, Hurry up," the elder’s voice cut through her hesitation, firm yet patient.

"Y-yes," the girl stammered, before scurrying down to stand beside him, head bowed, ears twitching with unease.

Despite her timid demeanor, the moment her name was spoken, a ripple of recognition spread through the crowd present.

Princess Elize stepped forward, lowering herself into a graceful curtsy. "It is an honor to meet you, Lady Lina."

Princess Ling Yan followed suit, her bow just as respectful, and one by one, commanders, and guards echoed the gesture.

Lina’s eyes widened at the sudden show of respect, her head darting left and right in flustered confusion. Her hands trembled, barely managing to hold onto her staff.

She swallowed hard and dipped her head, her voice a whisper. "Th-the honor’s mm-mine."

Despite the show of respect, skeptical glances flickered across the crowd. She was so small, so timid, nothing like the great Ascendant and leaders who had gathered here.

To those who judged by appearances alone, she seemed completely out of place.

But the ones who truly knew the Emperor Academy, the ones who understood what it meant to hold a seat among its ranks, knew better.

Lina Moon.

The Third Seat among the students of the Emperor Academy.

If she proclaimed herself as the most powerful arcane ascendant present here, not a single person would dare challenge her.

As the greeting finished, the elder took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the assembled forces.

"Is everyone prepared?"

A hush fell over the groups as they stood at attention, waiting for the final decision.

Princess Ling Yan stepped forward.

"Elder, before we proceed, there is still one matter left unresolved." She cast a glance toward the other leaders before continuing. "We have yet to determine who will lead this vast army inside."

The elder’s lips curled into a knowing smile, as if he had anticipated this very question. "That’s easy."

He turned his gaze toward the small figure standing beside him.

"Lina will guide everyone."

A ripple of surprise ran through the crowd.

"M-Me?!" she gasped, her grip tightening around her staff. She looked up at the elder, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and sheer panic.

The elder remained steady, completely unfazed by her reaction. "You said you would help."

"T-That’s because Senior Sister is in t-trouble," she stammered, shifting uncomfortably under the gazes of the dozens of eyes bow focused on her. "I-I can’t lead an army."

The elder exhaled, neither impatient nor amused. His tone remained level, unshaken.

"That’s fine," he said simply. "You don’t need to lead."

Lina blinked, confused.

"You only need to guide them along the safest path," the elder continued. "There’s no one here who can sense danger better than you."

Lina hesitated, her expression torn between anxiety and duty. She bit her lip, glancing at the faces watching her, some curious, others doubtful, yet none daring to speak against the decision.

"T-Then, s-sure…I…I’ll try." she relented, her voice barely above a whisper.

The elder nodded approvingly before turning to the three leaders. "Is that acceptable?"

For a brief moment, silence hung in the air. His words settled over them, and though no one openly objected, an unspoken hesitation lingered.

Some found it difficult to accept that a seemingly timid girl, one who had stammered her way through introductions, would be the one guiding them through unknown dangers.

But challenging the Emperor Academy’s decision was out of the question. In addition, the Academy had no political ties and no hidden motives. Its reputation for fairness was unshakable.

One by one, the leaders exchanged glances before offering slight nods of acknowledgment. It was decided.

With the matter settled, the leaders turned back, ready to return to their side.

Princess Elize was just about to return to her side of the army when a small, hesitant voice called out to her.

"P-Princess?"

She turned to see Lina approaching, clutching her staff tightly. The girl fidgeted slightly, her gaze flitting between the soldiers as if searching for something, or someone.

"Go ahead, Lady Lina," Elize said patiently.

"I-I don’t see Senior Spark," Lina murmured, her eyes scanning the field as if expecting to spot a familiar figure.

Princess Elize’s expression softened slightly. "That… we sent word to him. But Lord Spark was outside the state at the time."

Lina’s shoulders drooped. "That’s a shame… I wanted to show Senior my new magic."

Despite her timid nature, Lina Moon was more than just the Academy’s Third Seat. She was a genius magic crafter, a prodigy whose arcane arts had left even the elders struggling to replicate her spells.

Among her many achievements was a unique magic that allowed her to read magical energies and sense dangers unseen by others. At an early age, she had mastered the art of magic manipulation, developing an efficient way to control explosion magic, earning her place among the Academy’s elites.

Elize added. "But Lord Reynold is present."

Lina perked up at that, her green eyes widening with surprise. "Senior Reynold is here?"

Princess Elize nodded.

"C- Can I go see him?" Lina asked.

Elize gave her an approving nod, and without hesitation, Lina quickly boarded the carriage.

Meanwhile, the aged elder and the four protectors turned their attention toward the towering dome of magic in the distance.