The Empires Rise

Flailing my arms, I push the semi-condensed ball of mana right into its chest. As it impacts, a burst of light blinds me. The force of the blast launches me backward; I roll for what feels like a dozen meters before my back impacts a hard wall. Lying there, I wait for something to happen as my sight clears. It doesn't take too long, and when I do look up from my position, the goblin that was coming after me is also lying on the ground with a gaping wound in its chest.

Confused, I looked at the rest of the battle and found the succubus standing not far from where I was. When it took me to get my bearings, she finished it. There is a brief moment of my brain to realize I am safe, and there are no more attacking monsters before I turn my entire attention onto the succubus.

"What was that all about? I thought you had everything under control!" I shout at her.

"Well, obviously, I did have everything under control, unlike what you think. The monsters are dead, and you are well. That is all I could ever hope for." She responds, her tone betraying a lack of concern for my life.

"You know exactly what I mean. You could have easily kept that goblin away from me, but you let it charge right at me instead. Don't you think that was a bit too much?" I demanded, with my anger just below the surface.

"No," she says with a tone of finality. Before I can raise my hackles further, she continues, "There is one thing that I have learned from watching you. While you are studious regarding simple topics, you struggle once you get to the more advanced topics. Take mana manipulation, for example. You have been able to get the mana to gather for so long, but you were never pushed to get it that one step further."

Looking at her, I consider her words. I had been stuck at the condensing portion of external mana manipulation for several sets of enemies. "Does that give you the right to have such a large enemy come at me?" I asked my anger at the situation slowly abating.

"Sometimes, there will be a breakthrough at the cusp of life and death. And honestly, do you think we left you to your devices?" Gesturing, I follow to see Ritotorous flying not far above me.

"Why didn't you tell me then?" I asked, betrayed that they hadn't told me their plans.

"If we had told you, you probably wouldn't have progressed, knowing you had a fallback in case something happened and you weren't successful. Young noblemen always get a big head about how well they can manipulate magic in a safe environment. It takes putting them onto a battlefield to see how they genuinely react so that they can realize the folly of their ways. Typically, this is done without the careful gaze of a protector. This does lead to a lot of deaths, but so what? They shouldn't be noblemen if they couldn't handle a little pressure." Her tone of finality for the fates of those she has put in the same positions echoed in my ears.

Paling at how callous she has become, I carefully consider what I will say next. "So, you have done this before?"

"Several times, I have needed to see if the person I work for can learn. Thankfully, you are one of the few who have passed my initial tests." Her tone teased that it wouldn't be any easier for me later.

Gasping that she still has more tests, she wants to put me through to figure out if I am still worthy of leading her. Getting off the ground with a wince at the pain in my back, I head back into the command tent to review the battle results.

- You have received resources:

Total Tiles Claimed: 68

Tiles Lost: 0

Total Resources Received: 68 -

Sighing with relief that the initial battles have been completed, I figure it is time to return to the settlement. Pulling up the menus, one more option has become available.

- Would you like to return to your settlement? Yes/No -

"Finally," I exclaim, "I have had enough of this tedium. It is time to head back. Are you ready, Ritotorous?" I ask just in case.

"Yes, let us get back. I'm curious about how long we've been in this realm."

After receiving his consent, I decided to return it. A small countdown timer appears with ten seconds on it. Being a bit cheeky, I decided to ask the succubus one more question. "Doesn't finishing one of your tests result in me getting a reward?"

8 seconds

"You are right, considering you did well on my test. What would you like?"

5 seconds

"I don't know. What do you think would be appropriate as a reward?"

2 seconds

A devilish smile reaches her eyes, "My name is Lilith."

With that final statement and with wide eyes, I am brought back to the settlement.

- Lilith's POV -

Oh, that look of shock on his face when I told him my name would give me shivers for a long time. I can't wait until he comes back. Until then, I hop onto the bed and start to meditate.

- Drake's POV -

Shocked at what I had just heard, I didn't even realize that I had returned to the settlement till I was grabbed from behind and dragged back.

"We are going to have a long talk about what you have done, and when I am through with you, there won't be any more of this reckless behavior. Do you hear me, young man?" This is the point at which I zoned into what was being said around me. Coming back to myself, the first thing I notice is that I am tied up like a hog and on the back of Rhenriqi with my mother scolding me from right beside her.

"Umm," I try to defend myself.

"None of that. You will wait until we are back at the manor before you can talk. And until then, you need to think about what you have just done," she declares while continuing to walk.

Reaching out to Ritotorous, I ask, "What is going on?"

"Oh, you weren't privy to your mother's entire rant about how you scared them all and such. It seems like you are going to be getting more than just a small earful from her then," he chuckles at me and flies off to do what he does.

I first tried to figure out how long I had been gone. From what I can gather, it hasn't been too long since everyone hasn't been up in arms about resources, and no one seems to be rushing to get things ready for those going to the auction. Lowering my head in defeat, I try to make myself as comfortable as possible as I lay on Rhenriqi's back, slightly embarrassed as to how I look for those that we pass. There is one person we pass with a look of abject horror on his face. Giving him a small smile, I can only hope that Vranjaya doesn't figure out how to convince our lovely Arachne of her schemes of courtship.

It took longer than I would have thought to get back to the manor, which I figured was because my mother was guiding Rhenriqi on the longest path with hopes that all of the people of the settlement would see me in this predicament. Once we arrive, my mother and a very reluctant Laxreal manhandle me into the manor. "Just listen to what she has to say and nod. Don't fight her on this, or you will just drag out the punishment." He tries to give me some advice.

I nod along with what he says, and I am brought to the meeting room on the first floor. Rhenriqi skillfully cuts the webbing holding me from moving and then sets me down in one of the chairs.

Seeing that everyone with words for me is seated in the meeting room, I pluck myself up and prepare for the longest afternoon of my life so far.