Nova pov
I took a deep breath as I appeared just outside the castle gates. The barrier surrounding the castle prevented unauthorized teleportation inside, but I was among the select few—countable on one hand—who was allowed to enter directly.
Yet, I deliberately chose not to teleport directly in. Because I knew. My master and Emperor Rudra was 90% likely to send me to investigate that anomaly. And I had no intention of going.
My reluctance wasn't just laziness—though that was part of it. The real reason? The energy surge from earlier was terrifying. The sheer amount of magic essence released had been around 40% of my master's full power.
That wasn't something you ignore. That was "run away and pretend you didn't see anything" levels of power.
My mind buzzed with insane thoughts.
"Maybe the reincarnator was created from the leftover magic essence of Lord Veldanava's dead body?" After all, it is the trend in Tensura fanfiction. "Or maybe he is a True Dragon or something even more powerful," I thought to myself.
"Maybe he broke Veldora's seal and that energy was released from him just breaking a seal cast by a Unique Skill?"
"Maybe he wants to conquer the world?"
Either way, I had no desire to find out.
As I reached the final grand gate, the servants opened it without question. I stepped inside, where two figures awaited me.
Seated on the Imperial Throne, Emperor Rudra looked at me with an amused smile. Standing beside him was Velgrynd, her arms crossed, giving me a piercing glare.
"You can teleport directly inside, you know?" Velgrynd said, her eyes sharp.
I smiled.
"Well, I thought it wouldn't be wise to suddenly appear in a room where only two lovers spend their time, you know? You two could be doing all sorts of… things alone."
Silence.
Then a gust of wind.
Before I could react, Velgrynd appeared before me in an instant, her fist rocketing forward.
BOOM!
My body shot through the room, slamming into the very doors I had just entered through.
The doors shattered.
Cough. Cough.
I clutched my ribs, coughing up a bit of blood. I looked up with grievance in my eyes.
"Master, that hurt…" I groaned.
Velgrynd's response was merciless.
"Not my fault you're weak. And who told you to spout nonsense from that mouth of yours?"
I groaned but quickly countered, "I'm not weak! You're just too strong!"
And it was true.
I was among the strongest people in the Empire. Probably the third strongest, if I were to rank myself honestly, and in this era, there were not many powerful people.
But Velgrynd?
She was on another level.
Compared to her, my greatest achievements felt like child's play.
As I dusted off my clothes, Rudra clapped his hands together.
"Alright, let's begin the meeting," the Emperor announced.
I immediately felt nervous.
"My lord, let me remind you—I am no longer a General of the Empire," I said quickly. "I am just an ordinary teacher in the Academy, so I—"
"First of all," Rudra interrupted, his tone amused, "thanks to you, my soul shattering has stopped, and I have realized my love for Velgrynd. So you don't need to call me 'my lord.' Secondly, I called you here for—"
I cut him off.
"I got it! You called me to arrange a grand wedding for you two! Understood!" I spun around dramatically. "I'll start preparations immediately! First, invitations! Who should I send them to first—Velzard or Guy?"
A sharp whoosh sliced through the air.
I froze.
A sword embedded itself into the floor just in front of me.
Sweat ran down my back.
Slowly, I turned my head.
The weapon belonged to Rudra.
Not his main sword, but his second most powerful one—meaning the Emperor was serious.
"I am not going to that forest," I said to him.
"I did not call you to send you to that forest. Although the magical energy released is high, I feel like it was the last bit of energy released by Veldora as his life came to an end," Rudra said.
"Really? You're not sending me to Jura Forest?" I asked, confused.
"Do you want to go there?" Rudra asked.
My eyes widened, and I shook my head. Then a wild thought came to my mind.
"Don't tell me you two are actually getting married?!"
WHACK!
Velgrynd smacked me on the head.
"Stop acting childish and listen to him," she scolded.
I clutched my head in pain.