The portal didn’t drop them at the pit where they had expected, but right in the middle of the academy.
They saw the familiar structure and the other students. Acting principal Owen was there to welcome them, along with other professors.
"We’re back." Tiana muttered.
Elias turned to the direction of his dorm and began leaving. Kael ran after him. Haliad followed too.
"Everyone, just go to bed." Claude muttered, also walking away.
The rest of them soon went to their various rooms.
Rowen didn’t waste time in deduction of marks, based on the students’ performance as soon as he got to his office. Then he remembered that the professors were of zero help and he even forgot about them on the trip, he fired all of them.
Then, Owen applied his request for leave. He requested to return to the sound league branch in the Torzi empire where he was based, which Rowen granted.
He submitted all the files of cases and oddities that had happened during the absence of the advancement class students.
These cases also included the monastery preacher who was found dead in his house.
***
They spent the next two days after returning to sleep and lazy out their fatigue. News quickly spread. Most of the extension class students chickened out in a fight, and left a few and the students council to deal with it.
They quickly covered it up with denying that they knew about an invasion and formed up stories for their early exit.
The leading family had already returned to their posts, while Ume was handed over to the authorities and charged for related crimes. The Zaela family soon fell.
***
Tyler, on the other hand, delivered the official alliance contract to his father, then returned back to school after two days of rest.
On the third day, class resumed as usual.
It was a new professor that came in. An elderly woman. She submitted her book on the podium.
"Good morning class," she skipped to her point. "Today I’ll be making an announcement consigning the trip for the school battle. It has been shifted closer and will take place before the school trip."
The students exchanged glances.
"Before the school trip?"
"It always comes up at the end of the year."
Tyler raised his hand. "Why is that?"
"The Torzi empire decided to push it forward," the woman replied. "Since there is a rule to agree to petty demands from the hosting empire, this was their demand."
The woman cleared a cough from her throat before speaking again. "The students from all schools would be participating and..."
Elias glanced at Mimi, who earned a spot beside him. "What is a school battle?"
She smiled and leaned to him. "That’s a school activities week where many talents between the empires are displayed. Both the non-awakened school will be attending. They would do something like a quiz or an invention showcase."
"Oh." He nodded and returned his eyes to the professor.
Mimi smiled and looked back, only to find Rolarza staring at them. She simply folded her lips, feeling guilty for no reason and looked away.
"The black empire trip took longer than a usual trip, so the school battle is nearly on us." The professor continued speaking. "We’ll depart in a week."
The student council all slumped over the table, murmuring inaudible curses, while Elias just stared at them.
"Rest well, and prepare for the trip in a week." She gave her final announcement before walking outside.
The students began to mumble in excitement. Although they had chicken out in the fight in black empire, they got something else. They had spent several days rotating their energy to coat themselves until they could now do it subconsciously.
Their energy control was at its peak. It was a huge gain.
Tyler raised his head and glanced at Elias.
"Can we get veil academy to attend?"
Elias stared at him with a poker face. "Why are you asking me?"
"Wait, Jordan can come too?" Tiana raised her head.
"You’re the heir. Why won’t I ask you?"
"Let’s be honest," Quil spoke. "Does he look like heir material?"
They all shook their heads.
"So Jordan is taking over after your father?" Tyler asked.
"Yes."
"That does seem like a lot of work." Fayera shrugged. "But he’ll manage. He’s already doing a great job with it."
"Yeah. Jordan is awesome." Tiana grinned.
"Ain’t you getting too obsessed with him?" Tyler frowned.
"Not your business, brother."
"How are you going to contact black empire?" Lane asked. "Dived back into the hole?"
"I’ll use a communication device."
Tiana leaned against the table. "Do you know that technology in black empire is far more advanced than ours? I saw phones and earphones and even things I didn’t recognise when I hung out with Jordan. Apparently, they just don’t fancy using them."
"I kinda agree." Fayera shrugged. "Black empire is a charm. Too many changes would ruin their normal lifestyle."
Claude yawned and stood up. "I’ll take a leave for home. See ya all in a week."
He walked out, dragging his feet behind him.
"I didn’t see Claude fight in black empire." Anya muttered. "Did anyone see it?"
"I only heard about the seizure after the fight." Lane shrugged.
"No one was there." Tiana said. "It’s just odd why he had such an insane seizure after the fight."
Davon, Kael, Quil or Fayera didn’t say anything. They saw no reason in tattling out words that Claude didn’t want to say himself.
They all took another break and went home.
Mimi, Haliad, Carlel, Quil and Elias went back to Grandmother Lan’s home. Rolarza returned to the Quora empire. The rest went to their respective homes. Soon, all the extension class students disappeared. While Tiana and Brin returned to the palace, Tyler was left behind. This was because he was specifically instructed not to leave.
In the morning of the second day, he visited Rowen’s office. The man was seen sitting down, sorting out the piled up files on the table.
"Good morning uncle."
Rowen didn’t raise his head. "Hmm."
Tyler glanced around. He waited a few seconds before he spoke.
"You called for me?"
Rowen then raised his head. "You saw it right? The flame label."