46. Emperor’s Order.

Hiro smiles trying his best in keeping his eyes from twitching. "How did he…?"

"If you were at the core formation realm, you wouldn't have gotten into the academy," Tanji's voice interrupts Hiro's thought. "So relax, I didn't see through whatever method you used to hide your realm. And you don't have to worry, I don't turn on those I consider a member of my circle."

"That means you turn on others."

Tanji looks him in the eyes. "I would turn on anyone for any member of my circle. As long as you aren't related to anyone in my circle, I don't mind turning on you to save their life."

Hiro blinks at Tanji as Tanji continues. "My circle is my stronghold, touching any member of it means touching me. I'll hurt anyone to make sure it doesn't fall."

"Elder brother, that's so sweet. Am I in your circle?" Mia asks.

"Of course, you, Hiro and Shin… hmm, if Rue decides to stick to Hiro, then yes I consider him as a member too."

"As long as elder brother doesn't kick me out, I'll stick to him," Rue says with a smile.

"Let's eat," Hiro says.

"Yes."

"Hm? Alright."

"Is it just me, or does the energy here seem to be increasing?" Mia asks.

"It's not just you, but mind your business and eat," Tanji replies and started eating.

On the other hand, Hiro smiled wryly as he ate. "I forgot to put the orb away," he thought.

They ate quietly together. From time to time, Tanji threw glances Hiro's way. On the other hand, Hiro returned them with a wondering expression on his face.

"Sorry, allow me to ask," Tanji finally says. "Are you cultivating as you eat?"

"Oh, that's why," Hiro mutters. "Yes I am."

"No way!" Mia covers her mouth in shock. Rue on the other hand continued eating happily.

"Wow, how are you able to split your concentration like that? You aren't even in the core formation realm."

"Depending on what I'm doing, it is quite a tedious task. By the way, how did you notice?"

"The flow of energy around you is abnormally different from around the rest of us."

"What do you mean?" Hiro tilts his head.

"Most of the Yuan Qi in this courtyard is gathering around you. I'm quite sensitive to the movement of energy."

"I see," Hiro says and thought. "You could have just said that."

"How are you able to do it? Who taught you?"

"Hmm? My grandfather told me to cultivate while walking and I just did as I was told."

"What?" Mia frowns at him.

"You are kidding, right?" Tanji asks.

"I'm being serious. Is there something wrong with that?"

"To do something like that, you need to be able to split your concentration equally among the various task you are doing."

"Oh, equally?"

"Well, depending on the strength of one's mind, yes equally. You must have a strong mind."

"That's good I guess."

"Will you be taking a soul cultivation class?"

"I believe that elderly woman mentioned something about that. Hmm, it was history class, soul cultivation class and um… something about artifacts."

"Artifacts refining class?" Mia asks.

"I don't remember Hiro becoming an artifact master," Tanji says in his head. "Well, I wasn't close to him before. Perhaps he was and it wasn't publicly known."

"I think so. Right, is there any punishment for failing to attend a class?"

"As long as you attend each of your classes twice a month, you don't have to worry about anything," Mia replies.

"Really? I like that. What about leaving the academy's ground?"

"Sixth stages and above are free to whenever they want. Anyone below that has to request to leave at the administration hall."

"Oh."

"That's for those going out on their own. You don't need to request if you are accompanied by someone above the sixth stage."

"Mind me asking what realm you guys are on?" Hiro asks with glittering eyes.

"Elder brother and I are both on the eighth stage," Mia replies.

"Yes! I'll depend on you two when I need to leave."

"Sure. You look so cute when you are excited," Mia mutters. "What's your realm?"

"I'm at the second stage," Hiro replies. "My final question. Is there a mountain or forest nearby? One where I can train by fighting beasts?"

"Yeah, there's the beasts' mountain owned by the academy. It's where most disciples go to train."

Tanji watched quietly as Mia answered. "Don't tell me you are feeling jealous, Tanji. Why the hell are you?" he asks himself as his lips curls down and his eyes go dull.

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.

.

"Where the hell are those two?" Shin sighs. "Should I just go back?"

After gaining an easy victory against Moz in the arena, Shin made his way to Tanji's place. Unfortunately, Tanji and Mia were not around, so he had to wait.

"I should get going," he mutters and stands to his feet.

"Oh, Shin is here," Mia's voice sounded. Shin looks up to find Tanji and Mia walking over.

"So sorry for keeping you waiting," says Tanji.

"Where have you guys been?"

"At someone's place. Let's go in so I teach the method of converting monster energy to Yuan Qi."

"Okay," Shin says hiding the smile that tug at the corner of his lips. He had totally forgotten the time he spent waiting.

…

(Main Hall - Academy Central Region)

"You called headmaster," the vice master says. He wasn't the only one present. The headmaster was before him and several dozen others were behind him.

"Yes, everyone take a seat," the head master says and remained standing.

"Yes sir."

"I received orders from his majesty the emperor. Before that, the foundation realm ranking contest will be drawn forward. It will take place in a week's time and will last for two days."

"Headmaster, we just accepted a few disciples into the southern region, having the ranking contest just after seems…"

"It's because of the emperor's order," the headmaster interrupts. "Third elder, how many disciples were accepted to the southern region?"

"Fifty eight," the third elder replied.

"And how many disciples are there all together?"

"In the southern region? Three hundred and thirty six."

"Alright. And in the western region?"

"Currently there are eighty five disciples."

"That's good. The emperor feels the disciples we sent to the battlefield from the western region, are quite weak when compared to those from the eastern region. Yes it is known that the average strength of those in the eastern region has always be stronger than that of the western. However, this time it was too much."

"That's embarrassing to hear," the vice master said.

"Yes it is. Well, at the emperors orders, we will be sending the first one hundred and sixty disciples of the southern region and the eighty five disciples of the western region to the Jewang's beast field for two months."

"What?"

Several people in the hall gasps at the headmaster's words. They all knew the meaning of sending disciples there.

"Forgive me headmaster, we hardly send disciples from the northern and eastern region there? Why are we sending those from the southern and western region?"

"Fourth elder, this is his majesty's order, not mine."

"If we look at things from the majesty's perspective, the southern and western regions' disciples don't know how scary the battlefield is," the vice master said. "Yes, we don't usually call on them to join the battlefield, but when the situation turns dire we call on them. So they should learn what it's like."

"Yes, and what better way is there, than to experience it?" the headmaster asks.

"Well, we better start getting prepared, our disciples will be sent there more often. And it won't only be two regions but all regions," says the vice master.

"It also means, a day will come when we have to return to the battlefield. So you all be prepared."

"Yes headmaster," everyone replied.

"You all may leave."

One by one they all got up and made their way out. "Is there something you want to talk about vice master?" the headmaster asks the vice master, who had remained. He seemed to be lost in thoughts.

"Vice master!" the headmaster called out.

"Yes, headmaster."

"What's on your mind?"

"Oh, it's concerning that disciple."

"Which?"

"Enji Hiro."

"What about him?"

"I'll change his schedule back to normal."

"Right, you won't be around to watch him."

"Yeah. I'll take my leave now headmaster," says the vice master as he got up.

"Alright."

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~Hiro's Courtyard~

"Elder brother, I'm done with the dishes," Rue calls from outside Hiro's room.

"Oh, come in. Come help me out," Hiro says while looking at the bed in front of him.

"What does elder brother need?" Rue asks as he steps in.

"Is the bed okay here? Tanji helped me arranged it though I feel it should be by the window. What do you think?"

"Oh, if that's what elder brother wants, it's okay. I'll move the table and two chairs, to give you space."

"Alright, I'll move the bed."

Rue walks to the window, and moves the table. After which he moves the chairs. Hiro on the other hand grabs the bed and pulls it.

"Yeah, much better."

"Okay."

"Right, what's inside that bucket over there?" Hiro asks pointing to one side of the room.