The Weight of Amethyst Clouds

"How can the princess of the Drake Empire become your student..."

The Prince of Blue Empire frowned deeply, the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes tightening as suspicion and unease flashed through them. The blazing sea of fire around the ruined plain crackled softly, but the atmosphere had become colder than winter.

Leon stood calmly amidst everyone’s stares.

His midnight robes fluttered lightly in the scorching wind, the thin amethyst embroideries shimmering faintly like flowing stars beneath moonlight. His long black hair rested against his shoulders, unmoving despite the raging heat, while those purple eyes carried an indescribable pressure—calm, distant, and impossible to see through.

He glanced indifferently at the Prince of Blue Empire.

"And why," Leon replied slowly, his tone neither hurried nor angry, "can’t she become my student?"

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

Yet every word seemed to carry invisible sword intent that pressed against everyone’s hearts.

"She sought her own path. I accepted her. That is all."

Leon’s gaze swept across Tommy briefly.

"As for royal status..." a faint smile appeared on his lips, though it carried no warmth, "in Celestis Academy, whether one is an imperial prince or a wandering beggar makes little difference."

The moment those words were spoken, silence spread again.

Tommy’s expression became uglier and uglier.

The Prince of Blue Empire’s face darkened as well.

They had crossed half the Drake Empire with great fanfare for this marriage alliance, yet now they were suddenly told that the woman they came for had already entered Celestis Academy and become the student of a terrifying expert.

This was no different from slapping the Blue Empire across the face in public.

Prince of Blue Empire’s fingers tightened beneath his sleeves.

Veins bulged faintly on the back of his hand.

His cold eyes immediately turned toward Kai.

Why didn’t the Drake Empire inform them beforehand?

If Rias had already entered Celestis Academy, why allow them to continue this marriage journey openly?

Was this not humiliating them intentionally?

Tommy’s chest rose and fell violently.

The more he thought about it, the more humiliated he felt.

Especially when he noticed Harry trying hard not to laugh nearby.

Meanwhile, Kai himself looked genuinely stunned.

He truly did not know about this matter.

However, after the initial shock faded, joy slowly surfaced within his heart.

A smile unconsciously curled at the corners of Kai’s lips.

"Looks like..." he muttered softly, almost to himself, "Rias has found good support."

His voice carried obvious relief.

During this entire period, the pressure surrounding the marriage alliance had nearly suffocated him. As the crown prince of the Drake Empire, he understood better than anyone how powerless royal families could sometimes be before political interests.

He had secretly helped Rias escape because he knew exactly what kind of fate awaited her after marrying Tommy.

Now...

Everything had changed.

Leon’s attitude was already obvious.

Protective.

Unyielding.

And absolute.

Kai raised his head slightly and looked toward Leon again, his blue eyes carrying deep gratitude.

From Leon’s tone earlier, it was clear that he had no intention of allowing this marriage to continue.

Once a figure like Leon spoke publicly...

This marriage alliance was practically dead.

The Blue Empire might be powerful, but Rias was no longer inside the imperial palace.

If they truly had the courage—

They could climb Celestis Academy’s premises themselves and try to snatch her away.

Kai almost laughed at the thought.

Who in the entire Forsaken Domain would dare?

The blazing flames around the wasteland swayed violently as wind swept through the battlefield.

Kai suddenly felt the heavy stone in his heart disappear.

For months, he had worried constantly about Rias.

He had secretly personally search for traces of her.

Again and again, every report came back empty.

No clues.

No sightings.

No news.

Even he had begun wondering if something terrible had happened to her beyond the borders.

But now...

Not only was she safe, she had even become the student of such a terrifying expert.

Kai slowly exhaled.

For the first time in a long while, he truly relaxed.

Leon calmly looked at Tommy and continued, "This matter ends here. If you’re not convinced and want to snatch her, feel free to look for me."

The words were plain.

Yet the terrifying sword intent hidden beneath them instantly caused the surrounding air to tremble.

Tommy’s face turned pale.

Snatch her?

Look for him?

Even standing near Leon already made Tommy feel like his neck rested beneath an invisible blade.

How could he dare?

Prince of Blue Empire’s expression became extremely serious.

He cupped his fists respectfully and asked in a deep voice, "May I ask who you are?"

Leon did not even turn his head.

His tone remained indifferent.

"Celestis Academy, Amethyst Summit Division’s Head, Leon."

"What..."

"Celestis Academy..."

Kai’s expression instantly became solemn.

Even Prince of Blue Empire revealed open shock.

"Celestis Academy! This person is actually from Celestis Academy and is even the Teacher of Amethyst Summit Division..."

The moment the academy’s name appeared, the atmosphere changed completely.

Even the experts behind Kai narrowed their eyes sharply.

Celestis Academy.

An ancient orthodoxy that stood above countless powers.

A true giant.

Tommy looked around blankly.

He had clearly noticed the sudden fear in everyone’s expressions.

"Uncle... is this Celestis Academy very strong?" Tommy asked uncertainly.

Prince of Blue Empire slowly nodded.

His voice unconsciously became heavier.

"Yes. Very strong."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"The Celestis Academy is one of the ancient Principal lineages of the Forsaken Domain. It exists outside the control of any empire and has endured for countless years. Its foundation is unimaginable."

"Their students travel freely across the world, and even emperors treat them with respect."

As he spoke, Prince of Blue Empire’s gaze gradually filled with fear and remembrance.

"Back then, Celestis Academy once produced a supreme expert..."

"The previous Teacher of Amethyst Summit Division—Respected Zeon."

The moment that name appeared, even the surrounding air seemed to grow heavier.

Prince of Blue Empire voice unconsciously lowered.

"That man... was a peak existence in the mortal world. His swordsmanship reached a divine level."

"You must have seen the terrifying Inferno Swift Bird that appeared last night."

Tommy immediately nodded.

How could he forget?

That monstrous beast alone nearly caused endless chaos.

Prince of Blue Empire inhaled deeply.

"Back then, it was Respected Zeon who personally drove that beast into the uninhabited regions."

Harry’s eyes widened slightly.

Even Kai looked visibly shaken.

They had all witnessed how terrifying the Inferno Swift Bird was.

Yet someone had once expelled such a creature alone?

Prince of Blue Empire’s eyes dimmed further.

Even now, merely recalling that era filled him with pressure.

Back then, Respected Zeon’s sword overshadowed an entire generation.

Nobody dared provoke Celestis Academy openly.

After his death, many believed Amethyst Summit Division would gradually decline.

Yet unexpectedly—

Another monster had appeared.

And perhaps even more terrifying.

Prince of Blue Empire slowly looked toward Leon again.

The more he sensed Leon’s aura, the colder his heart became.

Peak sage realm.

Half-step pinnacle realm.

Such cultivation at this age was simply horrifying.

Could Celestis Academy truly be producing another existence comparable to Respected Zeon?

Just the thought alone made Prince of Blue Empire scalp tingle.

Tommy finally understood everything.

His heart sank completely.

His marriage...

Was truly over.

Even if he refused to accept it, what could he do?

Would the Blue Empire dare challenge Celestis Academy for a marriage alliance?

Impossible.

In front of ancient lineages like Celestis Academy, even imperial dynasties appeared insignificant.

This world had always belonged to the strong.

And Leon—

Was precisely one of those people.

Meanwhile, Kai quietly leaned closer toward the elder behind him.

"Elder... have you heard of him?" Kai asked softly.

The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"I have."

His aged eyes carried visible admiration.

"Leon of Amethyst Summit Division has become famous recently."

"I heard that with a single strike, he nearly killed three elders from Sky Breaker Academy."

"Even now, the story is still spreading throughout the Forsaken Domain."

Kai’s heart trembled slightly.

One strike against three elders?

How terrifying was that?

The elder continued slowly, "It seems becoming his student is far better for the princess than this marriage alliance with the Blue Empire."

"Your Highness... this is a blessing for the Drake Empire."

"We may even use this opportunity to improve our relationship with Celestis Academy."

The old man sighed inwardly. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Who could have imagined that the little princess who ran away from the palace would suddenly bring such an enormous surprise?

Kai naturally understood this logic immediately.

He nodded slowly, his eyes becoming brighter.

"Yes..."

"I need to discuss this with imperial queen mother after returning."

"With her wisdom, she’ll definitely understand the advantages and disadvantages here."