ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 137 DANGER FAST APPROACHING

"We are finally here"

After days of relentless travel, Kaelen and his companions finally approached the towering gates of the Pacesetter Academy. The familiar sight of the academy's grand spires and bustling grounds filled Kaelen with a mix of relief and uncertainty. The journey had changed him and his friends, each of them having grown stronger through their trials, but the weight of what lay ahead still lingered.

As they crossed the threshold into the academy, they were greeted by the sight of General Cao waiting for them. His posture was firm, arms crossed, and his sharp eyes took in each of them with a discerning gaze. The school guards at his side stood in disciplined silence, their presence reminding Kaelen of the academy's ever-present vigilance.

"Welcome back," General Cao said, his deep voice carrying both authority and warmth. "I've been expecting you."

Kaelen stepped forward, nodding in acknowledgment. "Thank you, General. It's good to be back."

General Cao's gaze flickered over to the others—Eldric, Sofia, Guinevere, Morris, and Ethan. He could see the changes in them; the strength that radiated from each of them was palpable, especially Morris, whose newfound elemental aura made the very air around him seem to shimmer. Ethan, though cloaked in shadows, was felt more than seen, his presence elusive.

Guinevere stood with the fierce grace of a phoenix, while Eldric's electric energy crackled faintly in the air.

"Your journey has clearly borne fruit," General Cao remarked, his gaze settling on each of them in turn. "The academy has been preparing for your return, but I fear your presence has stirred something in the shadows. We'll speak more in private."

He gestured for them to follow as he led the group through the academy grounds. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows as students and staff went about their daily routines, unaware of the storm brewing behind the scenes.

Kaelen noticed the subtle changes in the academy's atmosphere—more guards stationed at key points, and the air was thick with magical wards meant to protect against unseen threats.

They soon arrived at General Cao's residence, a large, stately building with a view of the entire academy from its upper floors. The interior was simple but elegant, reflecting the General's disciplined nature. Once inside, Cao dismissed his guards and gestured for Kaelen and his companions to sit.

"You must be tired from your journey," General Cao said, pouring himself a cup of tea. "But I'm afraid there's little time to rest."

"What's happened since we've been gone?" Kaelen asked, leaning forward in his seat.

"The Vice Chancellor has briefed us on your situation," Cao began, his tone serious. "Your connection to the Dragonyx family and the Blade of Eternity has put the academy in a precarious position. The Dragonyx agents have been seen moving closer to our grounds. We've increased our defenses, but I suspect it won't be long before they make their move."

Kaelen's heart sank. He had expected trouble, but not this quickly. "So, they know I'm here."

His eyes burned with a cold fire, and his very presence seemed to distort the air around him.

The girl, in contrast, was like still water—calm, yet with a dangerous depth lurking beneath. Her presence, though silent, was no less menacing. She moved with an almost predatory grace, her yin-like energy perfectly complementing the boy's yang-like chaos. Together, they created a balance, a deadly harmony of destructive potential that hummed ominously in the air around them.

While the aged man had his hands clasped behind his back and gazed down at the distant form of the Pacesetter Academy, a cloaked person who seems to be in the same group as the people who went after Kaelen in the ruin suddenly appeared behind him and whispered something into his ears just for a brief moment before vanishing out of that area like a mist.

After hearing what the cloaked person said, his sharp eyes narrowing in thought. After a long pause, he spoke, his voice low and gravelly, yet filled with authority.

"It's confirmed," the aged man said, his gaze fixed on the academy below. "He's there. The one who wields the Blade of Eternity."

The boy clenched his fists, his chaotic energy rippling outward as he spoke, his voice tinged with impatience. "Then why are we waiting? Let's go now and drag him out. He's just one person. Those puny flys he keeps around him are just mere decorations"

The aged man turned his gaze to the boy, his expression hardening slightly. "Do not underestimate him, Aron. He's not just any person. The Eternal Blades recognize him, which means he is far more dangerous than you assume. Patience."

The girl, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling calm, nodded in agreement with the old man. "We can't risk failure. The Family Head will not tolerate any more mistakes. We must proceed with utmost caution and should be prepared to face the worst situations."

The boy, Aron, scowled but said nothing further, his chaotic energy flaring for a moment before settling down.

The aged man turned his gaze back toward the academy. "Your mission is clear. Retrieve Kaelen. By any means necessary. He has the Blade of Eternity, and that makes him a target for us all. We cannot allow him to fully awaken its power.

It would upset the balance."

A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes as he spoke, but it was gone in an instant. "Go. And remember, failure is not an option."

Without another word, the two younger figures nodded, their forms blurring as they launched themselves toward the academy, their energies intertwining as they moved like a twin force of chaos and calm.

The aged man remained behind, his gaze locked on the distant academy. His thoughts were unreadable, but the faintest flicker of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips before disappearing into the cold mask of solemnity he wore.

"Kaelen Dragonyx..." he muttered softly to himself, the wind carrying his words into the emptiness of the sky. "Let's see if you're truly worthy of the Blade of Eternity."