The Kingdom Zahka…

Towards the night's end, Lord Oberon had arrived at Zahka's main palace with a little envoy.

He then was ushered into the main throne room, with a group of warriors in black clothing walking behind him.

Standing in front of a throne seat was a lady with silver hair and wearing black armor over a black dress that revealed her well-rounded cleavage. She was dressed as a samurai would.

This was Lady Selene, the new ruler of Zahka.

She had taken over as the new ruler after her uncle, Cithron, and his family had died a few days ago at the King's Palace.

She was also Katherine's sister.

Standing to her right and below the heightened platform she stood on was a middle-aged man wearing a Kimono.

This was Zahka's Supreme Asura. He had a grim look on his face and remained silent.

Lady Selene addressed Lord Oberon respectfully, "Welcome to Zahka, Lord Oberon. I apologize that there are no servants to announce your entrance. I had not foreseen your arrival."

"That would have been of no need seeing as this was intended to be a quiet arrival. Moreover, I understand that the Kingdom is in mourning. Accept my condolences. Lord Cithron was anything but a disloyal friend," Oberon offered his condolences, although with a straight face.

"What is done has passed. I don't suppose you came all this way to offer kind words on a dead man, Lord Oberon."

The death of her uncle and his entire family in fact hurt Selene the most, but right now she was being a leader.

Oberon's demeanor softened into a soft smile, "Of course, Lady Selene. I came here to discuss the prospects of war."

Selene had a startled expression on her face after hearing that, but the Supreme Asura remained as he was. Silent and lacking any reaction whatsoever.

Conversations between the two rulers ensued in a more private chambers with the Supreme Asura still standing within close proximity.

Oberon had told her of how he planned to proceed with the war, especially as their greatest obstacle had been confirmed by his Grand Magus to not even be within the nearest sightings of Dragonhold.

"What of the other Kingdoms? Of course you see with certainty that they'll have reactions if they hear of this," Lady Selene said to Oberon, to be sure he had accounted for other rulers.

Even though she was being enticed by the thought of revenge, she was only just a new ruler who had practically no experience and would rather not be in a situation where she would be warring against other Kingdoms as well.

Oberon replied confidently, "If the others somehow heard of the war before it happens, I'm certain they would sit back and do nothing. Of course, with the exception of Arnarra who we all know is in bed with Jarius. The rest will only try to take opportunity as I do right now the moment they discover the dragon is not there anymore. So you have nothing to worry about."

"Hm…" Selene muttered, then added this, "I must still ask, Lord Oberon. Why involve Zahka when you know we would definitely bargain to share in the spoils? Xathia has the highest number of Mages and given the circumstances should be able to take Dragonhold alone without external help."

"Like I said, your uncle was a loyal friend. Besides, let's not act like you do not want revenge for the death of your extended family," Oberon had this grin on his face as he spoke.

Selene's expression then contorted into a devious smirk as she raised the cup of wine in front of her to sip from it.

For Oberon, this was a calculated move. It was true his kingdom could comfortably take on Dragonhold alone, but he was certain that would affect his forces, putting them in a sour spot when another kingdom decided to take opportunity and invade at the weakest point.

Employing Zahka's help in the situation guaranteed him a lesser amount of casualties and somewhat solidified them as allies should another Kingdom invade.

-----

The next morning came along, and the initiates qualified for the Magic Apprentice Rank were all standing before the Grand Magus in the exam hall.

Out of the 30 mages that attained the rank of initiate this year, only 12 of them were present for this test, and Ravens Grave had the most number of initiates present.

The Grand Magus began by automatically passing Aiden.

"Initiate Aiden, you have an automatic pass. I am well informed of your prowess with supplementary spells. Move this way," Thamoryn gestured her hand to the corner and Aiden walked towards that direction.

This automatic pass evoked different reactions from the mages. Arianna and Laela looked genuinely happy for him, and Kayden of course hated this.

The rest stared at Aiden or spoke to each other, except Ambrose who didn't seem like he cared enough for it.

The Grand Magus then continued, "We'll get to this quickly. Once I call to you, walk towards me and show me a display of any supplementary spell."

The process began. Laela was called first, and she showed the usage of Goddess Embrace healing spell.

She cast the spell on herself, and even if she had no wounds to heal, she felt this soothing relief wash over her.

The Grand Magus passed her and called on to the next. One by one the other mages came forth and cast a supplementary spell that made the Grand Magus pass them.

Then it was Ambrose's turn.

"With your permission, Grand Magus, I would request that someone use their regular magic or show a bit of it. The supplementary spells I want to display require a spell from another in usage," Ambrose said. This was a similar gutsy move he pulled during the Initiate exams.

"I'll volunteer," Kayden obliged, lifting his hand and moving out from the corner where the successful candidates of the spells showcase stood.

This was deliberately done by Kayden, but only because he wanted to size himself against this Ambrose fellow who always topped him on every list so far.

The Grand Magus nodded and asked them to carry on.

"Use any spell at all," Ambrose gestured at him to proceed.

"Are you asking me to use a spell against you?" Kayden raised his eyebrow, not entirely sure where Ambrose was going with this.

"Not necessarily, but if you choose to, that's fine too," Ambrose replied back, and now his lips arched into a smirk.

Kayden looked at him a bit, then used his Lightning Body Enhancement spell which made blue lightning course through his body and his hair flare up.

Ambrose extended his hand out towards Kayden, whispering "Dispel Magic."

Instantly, Kayden's spell went off. Deactivated without warning.

Everyone had shocked reactions to that.

"What did you just do to my spell?" Kayden demanded, sounding brash about it.

Ambrose, deviously smirking, replied "I canceled your magic spell."

"Normally Captains are overprotective about the god level spells that have been allotted to their guild. Cassian must see a great deal of potential in you," Thamoryn spoke from the elevated platform she stood on.

"You pass. You both can return now," she gestured back to where the rest stood at.

Kayden returned with a grudge. He wanted to size up with Ambrose, but somehow it felt like Ambrose had just put him in his place.

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