The Invincible Young Master

[A/N: It's getting colder out here, and I'm feeling bit unwell, so excuse me for missed chapters]

When the headmaster arrived at the courtyard, the scene before her was one of utter destruction.

Deep cracks spider webbed across the stone ground, some wide enough to swallow a man's foot. Pillars that once stood tall and proud now lay in crumbled heaps, their jagged remnants jutting like broken bones.

The air was thick with dust, carrying the acrid tang of scorched earth and the faint metallic scent of blood.

Scattered around the courtyard were the elders and even the high elder, their robes tattered and stained with dirt.

Their faces, pale and drawn, bore expressions of exhaustion and disbelief as they struggled to catch their breath.

Some leaned heavily on fragments of debris, while others sat slumped, clutching at bruised ribs or trembling limbs.

At the center of this chaos stood the boy. His clothing was torn and dusted with grime, and his hair was disheveled, but he remained upright, unshaken.

His sharp gaze swept across the courtyard like a predator surveying its defeated prey.

Though his aura was restrained, it carried an oppressive weight that pressed on those nearby, silencing the crowd that had gathered around.

The headmaster entered with swift steps, her emerald robes billowing behind her.

The girl trailed close at her side, her hands clenched tightly in front of her chest, and the immortal master followed, his golden glow casting an ethereal light over the ruins.

The headmaster's stride faltered as she took in the devastation, her usually composed face stiffening with shock.

Her gaze darted to the battered elders, figures of authority and power who now lay broken like discarded dolls.

The girl, her pale complexion even whiter in the sunlight, raised a trembling hand to her mouth. Her wide eyes locked on the boy, disbelief and a flicker of something deeper flashing in her expression.

The immortal master, however, appeared unfazed. His radiant form strode forward, his golden eyes sweeping across the wreckage with detached curiosity.

His gaze lingered on the boy, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"Interesting," he murmured, his voice calm yet resonant with intrigue.

The headmaster regained her composure, though her mind churned with questions.

This boy... Was he truly the same outer sector student dismissed so easily before? How could he, from an outer sector, overpower even the high elder?

Drawing herself up, she addressed the group with a commanding tone. "What has happened here? explain this madness."

The high elder groaned as he pushed himself to his feet, clutching his chest. His face was ashen, and his voice came out in strained gasps.

"Headmaster... This boy, this outer sector student, has gone mad. He crippled inner sector student out of petty jealousy. When we sought to discipline him, he... he attacked us."

The other elders nodded weakly, their faces etched with frustration and humiliation.

The headmaster's sharp eyes fixed on the boy, her expression unreadable. If not for the immortal master's presence, she might have struck him down where he stood.

But now, she had to be reasonable. She softened her tone, though it remained firm and authoritative.

"Is this true?" she asked, her voice cutting through the silence. "Speak, boy. Explain yourself."

The boy stood his ground, unyielding. His gaze unwavering as it met hers.

"I crippled them, yes," he admitted without hesitation. "But it wasn't out of jealousy. They were sent to kill me, acting under orders from one of the elder."

A ripple of gasps spread through the crowd, their murmurs growing louder as disbelief and outrage filled the air.

"Lies!" one of the battered elders shouted, his voice hoarse but furious. He pointed an accusing finger at the boy, his face contorted with anger. "You're trying to twist the truth to justify your crimes!"

Another elder stepped forward, his tone laced with indignation. "Do not believe him, Headmaster. He's slandering the school to excuse his actions."

"I have no reason to lie," the boy said, his voice like tempered steel. "They attacked me first, and I defended myself. If you wish to question me further, why not investigate the elder who sent them to kill me? Or do you fear what you'll uncover?"

The air seemed to grow heavier as the boy's words hung in the silence. The crowd shifted uneasily, their whispers blending into a murmur of doubt and disbelief.

As the elder kept on defending back and forth, the headmaster once again silenced the crowd.

"Enough," she said sharply, her voice cutting through the tension. She turned to the high elder. "We will investigate these claims thoroughly. Until then, no one is to act without my express permission."

Her gaze shifted back to the boy, narrowing slightly. "You will remain under close watch. Do not think for a moment that your actions will go unanswered."

The headmaster's gaze flicked between the boy and the elders. And questions flooded her mind.

Could it be true? Could one of her own have acted so recklessly, putting the school's honor at risk?

Amidst the escalating argument, a sudden ripple of energy surged through the air, sharp and powerful.

Heads turned toward the horizon, where shadows appeared in the sky, growing larger and more distinct as they approached.

Gasps echoed as the flying silhouettes came into view.

These were no ordinary creatures; they exuded a primal, oppressive aura. Their forms were a blend of regal majesty and feral menace, their powerful wings stirring the dust below.

At the forefront was a massive figure, its mane flowing like fire, its eyes burning with fury.

When the leader spoke, its voice boomed like thunder, shaking the very air. "Immortal! Why did you kill my people?"

The crowd froze in shock, their murmurs falling into silence. The headmaster's face went pale as she turned toward the radiant figure beside her, her lips parting to speak but no words coming forth.

These beastly figures had descended from the celestial world alongside the immortal master. Their power was undeniable, perhaps even rivaling the immortal himself.

The immortal master remained calm, his golden glow intensifying as he stood unmoved by the accusation. His voice was even, carrying a quiet authority. "I did no such thing. Be mindful of your accusations."

The beast leader's mane flared, its anger palpable. "You told us to participate in your little play and you would only scare them away. Yet my kin lie dead in the wilderness! Was your pride so great that it demanded their lives?"

The boy stiffened. His mind raced, recalling the scene in the forest: the disciplined march of beasts.

It wasn't random. That immortal...

From the group of beasts, one of the smaller creatures moved closer to its leader, whispering urgently.

"The human… him…he is the one,"

The tension in the air grew thick as the beast leader's face darkened upon hearing the whispers of his subordinate. His gaze, blazing with fury, locked onto the boy.

"So, it was you," the leader snarled, his voice low but carrying the weight of an impending storm.

Before anyone could react, the massive figure vanished. In the next instant, a thunderous crack filled the air as his claw-like fist buried itself into the boy's chest.

The impact sent the boy hurtling through the courtyard, shattering stone pillars in his path. His battered body finally slammed into a wall, leaving a deep impression before crumpling to the ground.

The boy staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his lips, pooling on the shattered tiles beneath him. His chest throbbed with pain, and the imprint of the beast leader's claw was a vivid reminder of his vulnerability.

He leaned heavily against the broken wall, his breathing ragged. Despite his resolve, his body felt as though it was on the verge of collapse.
Your journey continues at empire

The crowd remained frozen in awe, their expressions a mix of terror and disbelief. Just moments ago, this boy had faced elders and even high elders with strength that defied their expectations. Yet now, before the overwhelming might of the beast leader, he seemed like a frail candle flickering in a storm.

The beast leader, his fiery mane crackling with energy, turned his gaze to the headmaster.

His voice was cold, like the edge of a blade. "This boy killed my people. I'm taking revenge for their lives. I trust you won't interfere."

The headmaster's face paled, her lips trembling. She managed a shaky nod, her voice a faint whisper. "Y-yes… Of course, I wouldn't dare."

Even if she wanted to intervene, she knew it was futile. The power radiating from the beast leader was leagues beyond her comprehension. Standing against such a being would be akin to an ant challenging a dragon.

The boy's bloodied hand pressed against the rubble as he straightened, swaying slightly. His chest bore a grotesque claw mark, his ribs shattered beneath the force of the earlier strike.

He coughed, blood splattering onto the ground. Yet his eyes burned with defiance, a faint flicker of light refusing to be extinguished.

So this is the true gap between mortals and beings of such power,

he thought bitterly.

I've come so far, changed so much, yet before them, I'm still… nothing.

His mind raced. He had to think of a way out, a plan, anything. He couldn't match this being's speed or strength.

His options were slipping away like sand through his fingers. But just as despair threatened to take hold, he noticed movement, a familiar figure approaching him.

The girl.

Her delicate frame seemed fragile amidst the chaos. She knelt beside him, her worried eyes scanning his injuries.

"Take this," she said, her voice soft but firm. She held out a pill, its faint glow radiating warmth and vitality. "It will heal you."