"No. But I know someone who is. And they are one of the closest persons to me and if you two ever meet, I would hate for you two to be at odds." Markus explained
Amy visibly exhaled with relief
"Oh thank the spirits. Don't worry Markus– I won't tell. I really thought it was you but it was just someone you care about. That's really sweet." she said
"Haaaa- thanks. Now onto the main topic… I think I really like you and I'm at a surprising ease in your presence, you know? So I'd like to ask if you'd consider going out with a lowly commoner such as myself?" he asked jokingly before holding his breath
"... you really take a girl for a rollercoaster… yes Markus Windwave. I do want to go out with you. You hold sway over my heart… and I'm glad you feel the same." she said
"Uhm– great?" he said unsure
"It is… so are we… like boyfriend and girlfriend?" she asked
"Uhhh- I guess? I'm not exactly an expert on this…" he said awkwardly
"Good." She said with a smile before grabbing his face and kissing him on the lips
The moment however could not really be enjoyed because Markus lost complete focus and his construct disintegrated.
They both fell and because they were both emotionally flustered— their essence control was in shambles.
The ground was fast approaching— or rather it was the other way around.
Markus' heartbeat slowed as he looked down and felt the wind shift. Faint traces of wind appeared in his vision however before he could even process it, Amy managed to create a shell and break her fall with control before making a whip and wrapping it around Markus, slowing down his fall.
They both descended and finally landed on the ground.
As they landed next to each other, they shared a look. Then laughed at how they almost broke a few bones
"Dumbass—" Anax exclaimed
"Haaa- let's turn in for the night before we do something stupid." Markus said
"Sure. But one more thing now that we're dating. If you approach a girl or look at one for too long I will blind you." She said in a sweet and happy voice
"Huh— wha—" Markus said baffled
Amy simply got up and walked away with a smirk on her face.
Markus went to his room.
"Well— you did well." Anax said
'… it could have gone better. I could have actually said the truth and she could've accepted me… but she is a noble after all. I doubt she'd report me but still… the fact that she upholds the decree to vessels of destruction…' Markus thought
"You are fundamentally different Markus. But I do understand your pain. She accepts and loves your mundane side but is probably repulsed by the imperial side. The problem is that both sides shape you. So you feel rejected— but also consider that you do need to act emperor to her. You can be just you. Don't throw anything away because of it." Anax said
'You're right… thanks Anax…' Markus replied
"What are previous emperors for." Anax said jokingly
'Ha—' Markus said as a reaction to that
A few days passed and it was now Tuesday. Amy had checked the paperwork and sent it to Crimson City, so all they had to do was wait.
As Helen, Amy and a few others of the council were in the chambers, a tall woman walked in. She was 190 cm tall with tan hair and a muscular figure. She wore a double breasted black suit. Her hair was tied back in a short ponytail and her eyes were brown.
"I'm looking for Markus Windwave." She said
"He is not here. We can take a message—" Amy said
"Where is he?" She asked interrupting her
"We don't know. On campus most likely. Do you mind telling us your name?" Amy asked politely
"Bring him to me." She commanded
They all shared a look.
"I'm sorry but we do not know who you are or how you got here. We must ask you to leave the chambers." Helen said
"Silence Acquabourne. Do as you are told." The woman said coldly
"Go tell the headmistress. Then go find Markus." Helen whispered to Amy
Amy walked to the door.
"The others are afraid of me. You are afraid for him. You will stay— I have a feeling you mean more to him. The acquabourne can go." The woman said
Helen sighed and left.
Going to the headmistress' office, she saw plenty of staff around.
Without knocking she went in.
"There is a powerful woman who barged into the council chambers looking for Markus. If I had to guess she is a master. What do we do—" Helen summarised and asked
"Find your president and bring him." The headmistress said bluntly doing paperwork
"… so you allowed that woman in?" Helen asked
"I did not allow anything. It's beyond my power to do anything except comply. If you want her out without anyone getting hurt— I suggest you find your president and comply." The headmistress said
"… alright." Helen said before turning around to leave
Helen looked around the academy campus before finding Markus breaking up a fight.
"Stop punching each other—" Markus said as he held back two upperclassmen, placing himself between the tall figures to no avail as punches still flew at each other's faces
"Don't get involved pres— consider this a spar between friends—" one of them said
"Like hell it is— now back down before I break your knees—" Markus said
Both young men were taller than Markus but they did not use essence. So Markus was at a slight advantage with his augmented body but still… it was awkward to fight taller opponents without using constructs or weapons.
"Markus! You're needed in the council chambers!" Helen said
"Give me a minute— I'm dealing with something—" Markus said
"It's a brutish tall woman and she's turned Amy into a hostage." Helen said
Not a moment sooner power coursed through Markus' body as he pulled the two guys down whilst lifting himself up and uppercut them both with his knees at the same time. They both landed on their knees, holding their bleeding noses. Markus extended an essence shell and created two massive hands. He smashed them bluntly into the ground, just enough to incapacitate them.
In the next moment however, he ran with all his speed toward the chambers. He once again saw distorted traces of wind in his vision but did not care to think about them. He simply ran and quickly reached the room. Opening the unguarded door where a guard usually was, he felt uneasy.
"There you are—" the woman said
Markus froze in the doorway.
"I know you… you were there…" Markus said as he was stunned
She was the one who had 'rescued' him from his recent kidnapping.
"I am— now come with—" she began to say but Markus interrupted her
"Amy, are you alright?" Markus asked with a grim expression on his face
Amy reluctantly nodded. Everyone was unharmed.
But that would soon change.
"How dare you interrupt me worm." The woman said as she stood up with her tall imposing figure.
Then with all her focus and skill as a master, she extended her essence around Markus and put immense pressure on his body and soul.
Markus' body grew heavy. And he collapsed to the floor. He forced himself to get up and whilst he was on his hands and knees— she kicked him with all her physical force. Which for a master…
Markus crashed into the wall and then through it. He landed straight into the courtyard where he incapacitated the two upperclassmen.
Helen who had just arrived saw him fly through the wall.
Before she could even do anything the master was already moving at inhuman speed and was on Markus. She gave chase and Amy was not far behind.
Markus slowly got up but he soon felt the oppressive force of her presence and essence descend upon him like a mountain. He could never defy a master. The natural laws commanded someone of a significant lower rank had to obey someone of a substantially higher rank.
But there were things in this world which defied nature itself.
A blueish aura exuded from his skin as he defied the pressure and stood up. He stood before the tall woman who looked like a predator about to slaughter her prey.
"You're not half bad. But you're too weak." She said as she punched him in the stomach.
He instantly dropped to the ground in pain and gags, throwing up the damned balanced breakfast he ate in the morning as opposed to his regular toast.
Helen and Amy instantly got into battle stances.
"Oh? You want to get involved too?" She asked them
"Dont— her business is with me alone. Evacuate the area and stay at bay—" Markus said
"But Mark—" Amy said
"No! Don't do anything stupid. We cannot win this." Markus said as he defiantly looked up
"Be good little girls and do as he told you." She said
Right then the headmistress made an appearance.
"Get away from here— you've done enough. Both you and your president have already done something stupid. Let's not add on top of the pile alright?" She said as she approached
'Ah— so that's why. It seems the consequences have caught up to me…. I am so fucked—' Markus thought as he looked between Charlotte and the brutish woman