[Beep! Leylin Farlier. Rank 3 Warlock | Bloodline: Giant Kemoyin Serpent | Nascent Knight. Summons: Black Horrall Snake (Rank 2), Vanguard of the Requiem (Rank 2), 61 Rank 1 Magi. Strength: 43.8 | Agility: 38.7 | Vitality: 49.5. Spiritual Force: 208 | Magic Power: 208 (Magic Power in synchronization with Spiritual Force)]
As the innate spell of his Nascent Knight path molded into Spirit Aura semblance, it neutralized the world's law suppression, Leylin felt the weight fade until it vanished entirely.
With his own body freed, the spiritual burden on his contract summons dissolved alongside it, restoring their full capabilities.
Over the past several months, Leylin had also conducted extensive biological breeding experiments within his laboratory. By injecting his own Kemoyin blood into local snake-type beasts, he searched for shared trace ancestral markers.
He successfully bred a mutated hybrid species; however, the it was biologically defective and incapable of reproduction.
Leylin cared nothing for their longevity, he raised the hybrid serpents in containment till their full potential and slaughtered them, extracting their soul essences to strengthen the Black Horrall Snake.
This targeted refinement pushed the summoned entity past its developmental wall, officially elevating it to Rank 2 status.
"A.I. Chip," Leylin commanded internally, "scan the database and cross-reference the beast-life cultivation techniques deduced from our collected manuals against the my Kemoyin Pupil."
[Beep! Calculating data and projecting...]
A complex three-dimensional graph materialized before his vision, displaying many equations, energy channels, and comparative force vectors.
Leylin reviewed the data, a small smile appearing on his face.
'It is just as I hypothesized,' Leylin thought. The Beast Tamer path operates on principles far more refined than simple physical training.
In fact, the cultivation manuals distributed through this academy and even those held by the empire's high nobility are merely low-tier or mid-tier derivations of a larger framework.
More importantly, the layout of these techniques shared undeniable similarities with Warlock bloodline methods, albeit in a crude, unrefined form.
During his reign over the South Coast, Leylin had collected every meditation technique within reach.
He had planted covert operatives inside nearly every major Magi organization worth monitoring.
While obtaining basic Acolyte-level techniques was trivial, acquiring high-tier Magi methods was notoriously difficult due to the Trial's Eye, an entity summoned by major factions to witness binding loyalty oaths and expose traitors.
Leylin had found the solution to that obstacle inserting mini-chip into those spies, even the spies weren't aware that the techniques they earned were being scanned and sent Leylin and as for access to more strictly protected technique, he found a solution after executing Cabourn, the leader of the Dark Magi organization Thousands Meddling Hands.
From Cabourn's assets, Leylin extracted and synthesized a chemical solution derived from Nefarious Filthbird feathers, allowing his spies to temporarily neutralize oath-tracking mechanisms.
Though this method could only safely yield techniques up to Rank 2 since the Trial's Eye summoned by Rank 3 Magi operated on an entirely different level, still it had flooded his database with advanced meditation models.
Among those records were several obscure Warlock methods and now, comparing those ancient texts against the native manuals of the Beast World, the parallels were unmistakable.
The following morning, Lucian Alistair or Leylin in disguise sat in his private faculty office near the academy's primary lecture halls.
He was sipping a cup of hot tea across from an attractive woman draped in dark pink robes. She wore subtle makeup that complemented her brown hair and warm, dark skin.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of a morning visit, Teacher Lita?" Leylin asked smoothly, pouring her a cup.
Lita Raiz was one of the rising star instructors at Rose Petal Royal Academy and while her personal combat strength was average at best, her political connections extended into the imperial palace, making her a figure to watch within faculty circles.
Lita accepted the cup, her fingers lightly brushing against Leylin's hand in the process. Leylin smiled faintly, acknowledging the subtle flirtation without reaction.
"Teacher Alistair, must I have a reason to pay a visit to a colleague?" Lita asked playfully, puffing her cheeks slightly.
Having watched Lucian's rapid rise within the academy, Lita had initially been drawn to his striking appearance and as his talent and authority became undeniable, her interest had shifted from casual curiosity to a calculated effort to build a close relationship. Being well-connected herself, she was not looking for financial gain; she was simply drawn to a capable man who had caught her attention.
"Not at all," Leylin replied, taking a sip of his tea. "Sharing your company is a privilege, and I would gladly spend the morning discussing some theory with you however, as both of us have lectures scheduled shortly, I assume something specific brought you to my door?"
Leylin kept his demeanor polite, though internally his interest in local campus figures had largely evaporated. Now that his primary objectiv countering the world suppression was complete, his reasons for remaining at the academy were rapidly shrinking.
'I should schedule a meeting with Principal Henry, to gather updated intelligence on the border skirmishes, and prepare to exit.' Leylin considered privately. 'There is little left for me to gain here.'
Lita's playful expression settled into a serious posture setting her teacup onto the desk, she leaned forward. "Teacher Alistair is as sharp as reported, the truth is, I came to give you a warning."
Leylin raised an eyebrow and waited for her to continue.
"I have confirmed intel that Senior Teacher Wright Reel recently visited his family, the Blazing Fox clan," Lita explained. "He is mobilizing his network of colleagues, alumni, and former students to pressure Principal Keith Henry into stripping you of your position. Furthermore, he learned that you unleashed your Spirit Aura inside the Elite classroom to intimidate the students. Under Vedcan academic conduct regulations, using physical pressure against un-contracted students is grounds for disciplinary action. He intends to use that violation to revoke your teaching license entirely."
Leylin remained calm, though he quickly deduced the source of the leak. 'The arrogant boy I disciplined in class must have complained to his family to get revenge.'
Internally, Leylin found the attempt laughable however, his thoughts briefly shifted to the silver-haired girl who had sat beside that boy. 'She is likely the primary reason Wright Reel is so desperate to control that specific classroom. I should look into her identity before I depart.'
To Lita, Lucian appeared to be a talented young scholar backed by an influential patron within the Greg family who had managed to earn the Principal's favor.
She was also aware that the Greg family had recently consolidated its power, purging internal opposition and absorbing several smaller households to position themselves for a rise in noble status.
Taking Leylin's silence as concern, Lita added, "While Wright Reel is petty, he carries significant weight among the senior faculty. The chances of him successfully forcing you out of the Elite Class are quite high even if he fails to terminate your employment entirely."
Leylin stood up and walked around his desk, stepping into her personal space. He leaned down slightly, catching the light scent of her perfume.
"Is that so?" Leylin asked, his tone low and composed. "That would indeed complicate things. But tell me, Teacher Lita... surely you did not come all this way simply to deliver only bad news?"
Lita's breath hitched slightly at his proximity, a faint flush appearing on her cheeks, but she maintained her composure. "There is a way to neutralize his influence entirely and ensure he faces repercussions for stepping out of line."
"I am listening," Leylin murmured.
"I can introduce you to a powerful figure," Lita said, looking up into his eyes. "She can secure your position at the academy, provide you with rare cultivation resources, and grant you access to a High-grade Cultivation Technique even. In exchange, she requires your allegiance."
"A generous offer," Leylin said, feigning mild surprise. "And who might this benefactor be?"
Lita smiled subtly, prolonging the reveal. "Someone you will certainly recognize."
Leylin inwardly remained unimpressed, to a Rank 3 Warlock, regional human politics were trivial.
"Her name is Crista Felineca," Lita revealed smoothly. "My aunt."
Leylin's gaze sharpened slightly as he repeated the surname. "Felineca... as in the royal bloodline?"
"Precisely," Lita confirmed. "She is the First Queen of our current sovereign, King Austin Felineca."