Sacred Arts

25. The Stranger

"It's been a long time, Edward," spoke a mysterious stranger in a commanding manner. Headmaster Edward, Master Jacob and Master Shawn all stood up, emanating their powerful auras. In a cold tone, Headmaster Edward asked, "What are you doing here Virgil?" "Let my students go this instant!" He continued with anger. Virgil, the mysterious man in the black robe that had red runic symbols all over it, glanced at the two young boys standing on both sides of him. "Oh, these two are your students?" He asked sarcastically, with an evil grin on his face.

He let the boys' fists go and quickly tightened his grip around their wrists. Virgil smiled wickedly, and forcefully spun them around before letting them go in opposite directions, causing them to collide with the walls, leaving small craters. "Now that they are out of the way, let's discuss more important matters," Virgil demanded. Both Headmaster Edward and Master Jacob, along with Master Shawn, landed on the stage. "You think you could barge into my school, harm my disciplines, and expect to have a conversation?" Headmaster Edward said furiously.

"I let them go at your request," Virgil responded sarcastically. "Perhaps you should calm yourself down," Virgil suggested with a smile, warning against any reckless actions that could endanger everyone present. Everyone in the crowd sat silently, too afraid to speak or make a move against the intruder. "I want you to join me, just like in the old days," Virgil said to Headmaster Edward. "All this just for me to align myself with you?" Headmaster Edward asked, infuriated.

"Don't be foolish, you know what I desire from you." Virgil answered. "How about this?" Virgil asked. "I'll give you three days to make a decision, and by the third day I expect an answer that will satisfy me." Virgil continued. "Think it over carefully," Virgil said before stepping into a black ripple that seemed to emit space-time attribute energy.

Curiosity filled Master Jacob's voice as he asked, "Is that the Virgil you have told us stories about Headmaser?" "Yes it is, and I fear he is much more powerful than what he used to be," Headmaster Edward confirmed. "So what do we do?" Master Shawn inquired, concerned. Headmaster Edward replied with determination, "We need to come up with an escape plan." "I'll hold him off long enough for both of you to escape with the rest of our students," Headmaster Edward declared, addressing the other two masters.

"We are your teammates, we will fight alongside you and stand by you, even if that means sacrificing ourselves!" Master Jacob interjected. Headmaster Edward smiled softly and instructed the other masters, "take the boys and ensure they receive medical attention immediately." Masters Jacob and Shawn quickly took Amon and Matthew to the healers, ensuring their wounds were tended to. Headmaster Edward addressed the assembled warriors in the crowd with a grave tone, "Alright everyone, our tournament will have to be cut short this year." "I fear we are about to face a catastrophe," he continued.

"I need the top ten warriors from last year's tournament to step forward and lead for me in three days." "I will personally confront Virgil, the man you saw appear here on this stage today." "My goal is to buy enough time for the remaining top one hundred warriors to help everyone escape." Barry voiced his confusion, "Master, why can't we just defeat him?" "He isn't alone," Headmaster Edward replied.

"None of you were able to sense the others due to the huge gap in power," he continued. "Everyone with Virgil is at or above my level of cultivation, and luckily he wants me alive." "Once I am certain that all of you are safe, I will try my best to flee as well," Headmaster Edward said. Headmaster Edward outlined his plan further, "I need each of the top ten from last year to lead a group of fifteen students from the first part of the academy who are not yet cultivators." "The top eleven to one hundred will assist in the evacuation of the weaker cultivators."

"Train them and keep them safe." "You all will be responsible for teaching the next generation if, Jacob, Shawn, or I cannot," Headmaster Edward continued. "I will inform the top ten of the place you all will gather and lie low tomorrow," he concluded. The next day arrived. Matthew and Amon regained consciousness.