Chapter 8: Guests

— And what made the ruler of Dormund and the director of Aladen Academy come to this modest port? — Klaus asked, looking at the two uninvited guests in a neutral tone, with a faint smirk.

When Orlan and Edora heard his words, their eyes widened in surprise.

Standing before them were two of the most influential figures on the entire continent.

— That, — the woman said, pointing at Nor. — I was near the border with your empire when I felt mana gathering in one place at an incredible speed, so I decided to check what was happening.

She spoke calmly, but there was still a trace of surprise in her voice.

— My situation is similar, — said the man beside her. — I was simply bored at the academy. Then I felt the same thing and thought it would be interesting to take a look. But if my arrival has offended you, I am ready to leave.

He bowed slightly.

— Honestly, a minute ago, I would have asked you to do exactly that, — Klaus said. — But now the situation has changed a little.

He pointed at the protective dome he had created around Nor.

Thin cracks were already spreading across its surface.

And with every passing second, there were more of them.

— How?.. — the woman with purple hair muttered, and for the first time, an expression of horror appeared on her face. — What kind of power is this, if even an Emperor cannot contain it?

— And if your field collapses… — the director of the academy said slowly.

— The entire city will be destroyed, — Klaus finished for him. — Possibly even the next few hundred kilometers will be wiped out. That is why I am forced to ask for your help in containing this problem. In return, I will owe you a favor.

The woman frowned.

— Why don't we just throw him somewhere far away?

— I already tried, — Klaus answered calmly. — I cannot break through the dense layer of mana around him.

— Even that doesn't work… — she muttered, narrowing her eyes as she stared at Nor.

— No problem, — the academy director said, waving his hand. — I would have helped even without the favor. I was bored anyway, and this looks entertaining.

With a smile, he raised his hand and cast a reinforcement spell over Klaus's protective field.

The cracks on the dome began to spread more slowly.

But they did not disappear completely.

The director raised an eyebrow slightly.

How is this possible?

Two Emperors were already holding back what seemed to be an ordinary awakening, yet the pressure of mana continued to grow with every second.

After a minute of silent thought, the woman also raised her hand and placed her own protective spell over the first two.

Her barrier was stronger.

Only after that did the cracks on the dome finally stop spreading.

— Well, now you owe me—

She didn't have time to finish.

The pressure suddenly increased.

In the very next second, new cracks spread across the dome.

Even larger than before.

What?!

That thought flashed through all three of their minds at the same time.

They could feel it.

The density of the mana had already surpassed the level of an ordinary Emperor.

— Damn it! — Klaus cursed.

In the next second, all three of them began using their full power to hold the barrier together.

But the cracks did not stop.

They only grew wider.

If the barrier falls, half the empire could be destroyed… Klaus thought.

And just as the barrier was about to shatter completely…

All the mana suddenly vanished.

The pressure disappeared.

Silence fell.

Nor calmly exhaled.

For the last half hour, he had been in a trance and had no idea what had been happening around him or how much time had passed.

Slowly opening his eyes, he saw six people floating in the air in front of him.

Everything inside him froze.

They're flying?

But his surprise did not last long.

For some reason, the world around him began to tilt.

Only a second later did Nor realize it.

He was falling.

Thud.

Nor collapsed flat onto the ground from complete exhaustion.

— Roy, — Klaus said quietly.

In the next second, a man in a completely tight black suit appeared beside Nor.

Without saying a word, he lifted Nor and threw him over his shoulder.

That weirdo again… the Empress of Dormund thought.

After that, Klaus turned his head toward Edora.

— Edora Grey.

— Yes, sir! — she answered quickly.

— Is this your branch?

— Yes, sir!

— We will stay here while we investigate the situation.

— Yes, sir!

Then Klaus turned to the two guests.

— And will you be staying, or is it time for you to leave?

— We will stay! — they said at the same time.

The woman lightly cleared her throat.

— Ahem… I have been meaning to visit you for a while. And now something like this has happened…

But the whole time, her gaze remained fixed on the unconscious Nor.

— Well, I am not busy right now either, — the academy director quickly said with a smile. — The academy is on break, and my deputy can handle the paperwork for a while.

— Fine… — Klaus said slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Orlan and Edora silently exchanged glances.

And these are the main figures of the continent?