Nuo, the Fourth Princess

"If you mean your apology, go find me some healing pills or potions. And be quick about it." It was the only thing he could think of to help him recover from the internal injuries he had just suffered. The Asura technique wasn't healing him like it had the previous day. Maybe it was because he hadn't activated it to its full potential in fear of being discovered.

He had to complete the task given and leave the sect, or stay and face the challenges before becoming strong enough to overthrow Shihan. Either of them would be a difficult path. But he had already had a taste of pain and constant practice with little outcomes.

"Yes, Master."

Azron hurries off the ground and rushes away as the other disciples marvel at the scene that had just unfolded.

They eyed Surrdon with both fear and awe, relating to his difficulties while astonished by his mountainous courage. If only such a man was their Chief or representative.

"What are you still looking at?" He roars at the eyes behind him without turning his head. "Get lost!"

They gasped before darting away, deserting him by himself by three benches backward as if he was in the VIP section...if they even had those.

A distance away, Shihan wore a crossed expression. Her nails dug deep in her palm till they tore the skin there. A little blood... She glared down at it, why wasn't it Surrdon's?

And why was she so angry with him for not being humiliated? Why was she paying so much attention to him?

He had to be the first useless man to infuriate him even in her sleep. It was growing so terrible that she dreamt of him. Dreamt of his shirtless...

'Sooner or later, I'll make you spit out the heavenly art.'

She swore, her fiery eyes now fixed on the young man seated by himself. He looked up and accidentally met her scorching gaze. Surrdon's face contorted, daring her to take action herself if she was so desperate for the divine art. He wondered how she would react if she knew he had also learned another heavenly art, one more precious than the ice skill.

For the moment, she would make sure he didn't succeed. Not like he had any promising power to win the duels. But just in case, she had paired him with three of the best core disciples, against the rules. Today, she'd witness his destruction with a satisfied heart. He'd wish he accepted her deal.

She could already see him on the ground, all bloody and clothes torn, crawling to her feet...calling her name. Ooh, what a beautiful sight that will be.

Her attention shifted to the elder who had been waiting for Shihan's permission to begin the duels. She gave a slight nod and the female elder flew down to the open space in the arena to announce the start of the most anticipated duels of the year. All because of... Surrdon.

"And now, let the monthly duels BEGIN!" She announced from her sword which levitated above in the air, raising the tension of the disciples grinding each other with their eyes.

Within two seconds, loud blasts of mana and displays of beautiful sigils caught the attention of every eye in the arena. The energy being radiated from the disciples fighting crept its way into Surrdon, slowly awakening the devil within him.

His exhaustion did not help curb the devil yelling to devour the mana from down there. It filled his stomach with an ugly type of hunger. Hunger, that no food could satisfy.

His hands balled up into firm fists, his throat ran dry, and his eye color flicked between gray and red to the fierce battle raging inside him.

'Control it. You own this body and everything in and on it. You own its shortcomings and its strengths as well.' Surrdon groaned in his head when he felt the devil was about to win.

How did his predecessor live with this power-hungry devil?

Ah, yes. The spirit from the previous night must have been his way of draining his body of the devil's energy and suppressing it. What a pitiful life. Would this be his new fate?

'I need something to help me suppress this evil in me. I cannot allow myself to move around sucking other people's life, even though they deserve it. If only he had left behind a-'

"Whoa! Who is that?" One of the disciples near Surrdon let out a half shout.

He looked around, searching for anything else to distract his mind from the evil thoughts. When his eyes lifted, he caught the young woman riding on a carriage being dragged through the air by two winged horses. The sight was jaw-dropping to the inexperienced Surrdon. Black horses possessing white wings had to be the most beautiful beasts he had seen in Ozath.

Majestic and light, they pulled the carriage at a steady pace, dominating the sky, and casting shadows on the shocked disciples gazing up.

The ones still dueling felt left out in the show for distraction would mean, destruction.

As the carriage approached the high seats, the young woman inside got up and jumped into the air. The action raised a few surprised gasps for she had no flying sword or talisman to support her body.

The shock intensified when she began walking on the air like it was nothing more than solid ground.

To those who were more enlightened, they could feel her gathering the natural wind and using it as her stairs as she descended straight for the high seats.

Shihan hid her frustration.

'What is she doing here again? Are there any other instructions from the Emperor?!' she wondered getting off her seat along with the elders.

"Welcome, Fourth Princess," they greeted simultaneously, sinking their heads enough to show their utmost respect.

Nosy stares were directed at the higher section hosting the Chief, but they could not hear a thing due to the sound barrier around them. But one thing was certain, whoever the young-looking woman was, held a significant position, one above the chief herself.

"Please Shihan, rise. Don't mind me," Nuo said, finally setting her foot on the wooden floor. She let a friendly smile surface on her lips, assuring the tensed group that her appearance meant nothing but a casual visit.

"Is, is there any-"

"Shihan, don't be too formal around me. We've almost grown up together."

Shihan displayed a nervous smile. She knew she was one cruel evil woman, but the Fourth Princess was the mother of abuse. Her sweet innocent-looking face was used to deceive strangers. But one slight mistake and she would behead them and nobody would bat an eye.

A spoiled ruthless princess.

Surrdon's heart gave a double beat as his memory aided him in remembering the adorable face up there. He had seen her only once. And once had been enough to leave a mark on him.

He had been wondering when he would have the chance to see her again, and here she was, looking so majestic in the daylight.

Her black hair radiated with life from the pins holding it up. Her beauty put Shihan to shame along with all the female disciples Surrdon had encountered so far.

She was an attractive young lady, but he knew his chances of getting close to her again were as impossible as him going back to Earth.

In the end, she was meant to be admired from afar. Entangling himself in romance would derail him from his goals.