"No."
Rion's answer came without a pause. Valienne sighed a little louder, as if she already expected what Rion would say before even asking the question.
"Rion Ren, one of the seven famous masters from Liebu Mountain. From our fight today, I can see you are not a stupid person. I'm certain at this point you had realized that the half-blood won't be able to live in the human realm any longer, hadn't you?"
Rion's jaw clenched. "Ruby's home is in Liebu Mountain in the human realm and nowhere else."
"And how would you hide her there, exactly?" Valienne raised a brow at him. "Don't tell me you would just keep her in the mountain and fought off whoever wanted to take her?"
"You can stop talking and let us go if that concerns you so much," Rion answered sharply. He ran out of energy, and he run out of time. All he wanted to do was just to get away from here as soon as possible, as far as possible.Valienne shook her head slightly. "Had you really thought about your apprentice, Rion? Had you really thought about what is best for her? Do you think it would be more merciful for a half-blood in the human realm than in the demon realm?""You want to kill her," Rion spat. "And how would that be more merciful than any other choice she has?"The celestial ice demon scrunched her nose in distaste. "I want to kill her? Why would I want to kill her?""Then what else is your intention of taking he
Ludriev jumped in front of Rion, slashing her sword down harshly right a mere second after the portal Valienne used had closed. Valienne and the other person she held hostage - which Ludriev quite sure was Rion's dearest apprentice from her appearance - were nowhere to be found.The War Goddess looked around her once, making sure there was no other demon that could be a threat to their safety at the moment, and then turned around to face Rion with her brows pinched in bewilderment."Why did you let them go? Why did you let the demon take your apprentice-"At the time, Ludriev's eyes finally flitted away from Rion's bloodless face to his body. Her eyes widened almost comically when she saw Rion's clothes had been completely soaked in blood.
Liebu Mountain Academy was the biggest, most renowned place for those who wished to learn swordsmanship. There were seven reputable sword masters who taught those young talents in this place. From a young master to a beggar on the road, Liebu Mountain didn't look at their background, but at their aptitude and moral conscience.In the middle of the large training grounds, many apprentices crowded the place. Some of them had obtained their spirit sword, while some younger ones still holding their training sword. All of them were equally amazed watching two of their masters sparring in the arena.One of those two masters swung his sword down hard. He smirked when his opponent withstood the blow with her own sword. The impact was so strong that sparks flew from the collided metal."Come on, Lulu. Tired already?" he asked, teasing. Even when he himself was panting lightly.The man was Rion Ren, one of the masters from Liebu Mountain. He was strong and his moves were fast and agile. Many pe
Rion and Ludriev were about to enter the front yard of his bamboo house when he heard a shout from ahead of the pathway."Master!"A young girl ran in his direction cheerfully. Her face was flushed, maybe from running all the way here, as she smiled at him. Rion was about to warn her to slow down and be careful when her feet slipped and she fell forward right into Rion's arms, who was fast enough to catch her."Ruby, what did I say about no running around carelessly like that?"Ruby immediately pulled herself back from his arms. She flushed even harder. "I- I'm sorry, Master. I was too clumsy."Honestly, Rion got worried about this apprentice of his. Ruby was too clumsy. She often stumbled around like that and fell into his arms. Even more so when he taught her a sword move. He even gave her an extra hour for a private lesson because she had difficulty learning it.She stumbled and fell on him over a hundred times in their last private lesson.Rion felt like he should invite Lin over
"Get down!" Rion shouted harshly. Everyone complied with his order and immediately laid flat on the ground.Fire burst only one foot away above them. They could feel the heat on their back through layers of clothes. All those apprentices were frozen still and didn't dare to move.Rion took a brief pause after the demon finished spouting fire to bark another order at those youngsters. "Back off, all of you! Now!""Master Rion!""Master!"They were all shouting his name in relief and obediently rushed to retreat. Most of these apprentices were still too young. Ron only spot two of them who had their spirit sword, while the rest were still carrying their training sword. They were like stalks of bamboo shoot, still too young and too green.They must've gone down the mountain to see the festival, too. Rion felt bad for them.They had no time to dwell any longer here. He instructed, "Help to evacuate the common people. One of you, go back to Academy and tell Recuperation House about the sit
"It's better if we go back to the evacuation place," Ludriev said after the situation calmed down.Rion hummed his consent and crouched down in front of the little girl who didn't dare to look at any of them the whole time. He used his most gentle voice to talk to her. "Hey, Little One. Let's go to the safe place, alright? Everything is fine now. We will protect you. Don't be scared anymore."The little girl slowly raised her head. Her face was red and tears stained her cheeks. "Mama...." she whimpered. More tears were falling from her big doe eyes."We will find your mama," Rion promised, carefully holding her hands. "Would you like to come with us?"The little girl nodded. Rion opened his arms, letting the girl hug him tight and bury her teary, snotty face in his shoulder. He held her so gently before slowly carrying her in his arms."Don't cry anymore. Look, the big sister is stopped crying. So, you stop crying too, okay?" Rion smiled teasingly at Ruby, who lowered her head in emba
Rion didn't think he was playing the favorite. It would be an awful thing to do as a teacher. So, absolutely not. He loved and cared about all of his apprentices equally.They were already back to Liebu Mountain after ensuring everyone in the town was safe and those who were wounded already gotten their wound tended to. There were still several senior apprentices patrolling in the town who stayed guard in case the demons launched a second attack.He was sitting on the floor. In front of him, some reports and grades about the students in his care, and also a list of those potential apprentices he needed to choose to attend the Immortal Apprentice Competition."Master."Ruby came through the front door holding a tray of still steaming breakfast. Her eyes were bright and her fair face flushed slightly. There were still little remains of baby fat on her cheeks. It made her even more charming. Like a little bud of a flower, innocent and pure.She changed so much from how she was when first
Ruby had slain three small monsters and five big ones by midday. She wasn't sure how the other contestant was doing and how much more she needed to hunt to be in the first rank. Ruby didn't meet that many other contestants along the way. By far, she only met three from another academy she didn't know. They only exchanged glances and small nods as they passed by each other. Ruby didn't feel like making friends or enemies in this competition. She only had one goal: to be the strongest and reach the first place so she could make her master proud. She arrived in a big cave slightly hidden by vines and bushes. The inside of the cave was very dark. Ruby couldn't see anything from where she was hiding and watching outside. What kind of demon could occupy this place? It would be a disadvantage for her to go inside and fight the demon because the cave was its territory. Walking in there would be the same as walking willingly into a trap. Ruby was still thinking of the way to lure the monste