Hecates wanted Tatsumi and Ame to join the Transcendent Academy but he had to be satisfied with them promising to join once they graduated from high school. He wanted them to stay in the Thebes Independent Kingdom but was politely rejected.

But the group was staying for a few days so Hecates was satisfied. He then suggested that the group visit another part of the Transcendent Academy, the classes.

Tatsumi and Ame were interested, so the group went to the Transcendent Academy to watch how the classes went.

Yesterday, they went to the museum section as well as the test site but not the classes.

But now, they were around the classes. Tatsumi could see that some of the classes were done outside, where he could see something that could be called training dummies.

“A good physical condition allows you to absorb and refine the transcendent energy. Don’t slack off!”

He could hear the teacher shouting and the students yelling something. But he could also see that the students were determined to be Transcendent.

“Is this the new generation of transcendent?” Tatsumi asked Hecates.

“Yes, some of them have Necromancer’s Trait but most of them are just ordinary people. They are planning to take the Ether as their energy source and we are planning to monitor their development.” Hecates replied.

Tatsumi understood that there was a need for the Ether to become the universal energy source that could be used by everyone. That was why the Transcendent Academy had this current program.

“But then will they be deployed to the battlefield in the Star Battle?” Ame interjected with her own question.

“They will be at the rear since their power is small and not affecting a large-scale battlefield. But they are part of our power in the future Star Battle so their presence is necessary.” Hecates answered with a serious tone.

Tatsumi and Ame then coincidentally looked at each other. They could see the determination in each other’s eyes, so they turned their head away from each other.

Then they walked to the nearby rectangular building where the classroom was located. They heard a teacher explaining the basics when they came near one of the classrooms. The classroom was not completely closed so some noise could be heard from outside.

“Since the Second Star Battle, our civilization has discovered a transcendent energy source. We all refer to it as undead elements and those who can wield this kind of energy source must have the Necromancer’s Trait, otherwise, they will suffer from the energy corrosive and draining effect.

"Along with that, we also discovered that the people mentioned before absorbed the energy source and gained power from it, even transcending their mundane bodies. Those people are called Transcendent!”

Tatsumi smiled as he heard the teacher explain it. The student was around the same age as him and Ame, so this was inspiring to Tatsumi.

‘To think that they would teach such knowledge to my peers. Looks like my decision to study here is not a waste.’ Tatsumi thought.

Ame, on the other hand, was listening to the explanation with a renewed focus. She knew that this was the beginning and wanted to at least hear something new from the teacher.

The teacher did not disappoint Ame’s expectations as he explained some concepts further.

“Some of you may not know this but to reach even the first heavenstage of the Nothingness Realm, the entry to become a Transcendent is not that easy. You have to understand the pathway of the transcendent energy in your body and also know the characteristics of the transcendent energy before attempting to store it in your body.”

Ame understood that clearly and was amazed by what Tatsumi had done to accomplish that. She sneaked a glance at Tatsumi and saw him in thought.

Tatsumi then got out of his thoughts and sensed Ame’s gaze. He, in turn, looked at her and gestured for her to listen to the teacher.

“The teacher’s right, Ame. You have to know the pathway of the energy and the characteristics of the energy itself before you let it enter your body. I am just lucky that I have the reference in this regard. If you want to become a Transcendent, this is the step you must take.” Tatsumi said.

‘Experiences from a dozen of the first Transcendent are what caused me to be able to refer to the energy pathway in the body as well as recognizing the difference between Ether and undead elements. Ame does not have this knowledge so she has to go through a process, unlike me.’ Tatsumi said internally.

Ame saw that Tatsumi had a serious expression, his eyes focused on her. She knew that Tatsumi was not joking and nodded her head in agreement.

“Listen to what the teacher said. Our predecessor has gathered this precious knowledge and can be useful for reference.”

Tatsumi said this because he had found out the theme of the class for today. Ame listened to his advice and focused her attention on the voice of the teacher in the classroom.

Hecates did not interrupt because he knew that the two were good seedlings with high potential. Even he did not know their upper limit so he had to make sure that they were interested in Transcendent-related things.

The teacher then explained that along the blood vein, there were also veins used by transcendent energy to flow in the body. Then the teacher explained the different characteristics of the undead element and Ether, focusing on its characteristics in general.

Ame felt like she had gained so much more than just receiving news from the family’s intelligence agency. She did not waste any of the teaching and absorbed it to be used when she needed it.

-

 

While Tatsumi and Ame were enjoying their tour to the classes in the Transcendent Academy, Long Wu and Mikazuki Yamaguchi had a meeting with the headmaster of the academy.

“You’re here for more than a day but only this time you have the time to visit me, how sad.” In front of the two was a desk and a chair and on that chair sat the headmaster of the Transcendent Academy.

She had a youthful vigor, long red hair that reached her waist. She exuded a slight pressure that Long Wu could feel so Long Wu shielded Yamaguchi from that. The headmaster noticed this action but did not comment on it.

She curled up her mouth slightly as she continued speaking, “A messenger from the Father God Congregation and an Imperial Tutor of the Qin Empire. What a combination. So what is it that you need from me?”

“First, I have to thank you for allowing us to participate in the operation involving the three gods.” Yamaguchi was an experienced speaker so he spoke about the other party’s generosity.

Then he continued, “I am here to inform you about the latest situation regarding the previous plan.”

Yamaguchi knew that the headmaster was busy with the plan and so he cut to the case immediately.

The headmaster frowned but soon relaxed as she retracted the pressure that bore down on the two.

“It is going smoothly, but now that we have made a sudden move, they become interested and start scouting around. Is there anything you want to convey?” the headmaster asked with a plain tone.

“There is this letter which the Archbishop wanted to relay to you before the operation to awaken the consciousness of the planet. Please accept this.” Yamaguchi grabbed a letter from his pocket and gave it to her.

The headmaster opened it and saw the content. Her gaze was focused before she sighed.

“My side will prepare the necessary part for the Star Battle. I trust that your side will be doing the same. Thank you for bringing me the letter.” The headmaster then slowly used her transcendent energy source to make the letter crumble into small pieces as she threw it into the nearby trash bin.

Yamaguchi went back to Long Wu’s side after he handed the letter.

“Now, what about you, Mister Imperial Tutor? What is it that you want from me?”

Long Wu narrowed his eyes at the provocative tone in her voice but he composed himself.

He said, “I want to know, can the relationship between a teacher and student be established despite the person involved learning in the Transcendent Academy?”

The headmaster felt that there was something important in what Long Wu had said so she thought about it.

“Your student is that child, I see.” The headmaster understood what was going on. She did not expect that the strongest transcendent from the Heavensend Continent to have a teacher-student relationship with one who potentially would become a student in her academy.

“Perfect compatibility with Ether, that is not something that Our Transcendent Academy is willing to let go easily.” The headmaster commented.

She continued, “You don’t need to worry, though. Our Transcendent Academy does not limit the students so much. He can have you as his teacher and we will not care much. You can teach him your way and we will teach him our way. See, there is no conflict!”

The headmaster even clapped her hands as if the idea was acceptable. Long Wu breathed a sigh of relief. The biggest burden in his mind was the condition for Tatsumi to learn. If Tatsumi could only learn from one of them, then it would be a loss.

The headmaster was able to see this, so she gave Long Wu a simple solution.

“Thank you!” Long Wu was someone who knew when to be grateful and he expressed it directly.

“No need to thank me. It is what we should do as someone who can guide the next generation.” The headmaster said solemnly.

Yamaguchi and Long Wu nodded their head. They both knew that the headmaster was someone who had both power and influence, someone who had great power in them and held it for a long time was definitely wise.

 

-

 

Dian retracted his gaze from a certain panel where it showed Tatsumi strolling around in the Transcendent Academy.

He had to check the progress of both the Star Child and the civilization as a whole. Currently, every single powerhouse on the planet was mobilizing its military in preparation for the Star Battle.

Dian could also see Tesna organizing several paperwork to be done, Charlene who was checking the specification of the device alongside Annie, Bruce who was coordinating with his subordinate about the potential location of the rift, and the headmaster of the Transcendent Academy giving the signal for the teachers to be prepared to be deployed.

He could see all of this scene in different panels, projecting their activity.

Then Dian sent a whisper to Tatsumi.

“Thank you for your cooperation. As someone who manages the planet, I extend my utmost heartfelt feelings to you…Star Child.”

Tatsumi, who was in the middle of listening to the teacher, shuddered. He had a complicated feeling and that showed on his face. Then his expression returned to normal as he took a breath and resumed his activity.

‘You are welcome. If it helps those around me to be safe, I am willing to do your bidding!’ Tatsumi sent his thought, which he knew would be felt by Dian.

This child, he only cares about those he is close to. But when a part of the civilization seed and the planet’s fortune are extracted from him, it must be painful and he managed to endure such a thing…

Dian had to respect people like that since their upper limit would be quite high. He then looked at the main panel that the system had shown. There was the main interface of the Planet Master where they could see several of its utilities.

One of its utilities was to initiate Star Battle. Dian finally returned to see this after some time.

He put his hand under his chin, wondering what kind of opponent he would be facing.

His gaze was focused on the panel in front of him. He kept glaring at the panel but he felt hesitation crept slowly into his entire being, as if he gained something from his race interaction but lost something else.

But it did not matter to him as he was ready; he prepared all he could and improved what could be improved. His civilization was also reaching a bottleneck which meant that the Star Battle was initiated out of necessity, not out of helplessness.

Then Dian willed for the Planet Master System to let him participate in a Star Battle.

“Initiate Star Battle!”

[The Planet Master has initiated Star Battle]

[The Planet Master has entered the Second Rank, adjusting…]

[Matching with a random opponent of the same rank…please wait]

[Adjusting the condition to be more balanced….]

[Match found!]

[The opposite Planet Master has accepted your challenge!]

[Star Battle for the Second Rank Planet Master is commencing…]

[There will be a rift that connects the planets of the two battling Planet Masters during the Star Battle on the first and second rank Planet Master]

[The win condition is to subjugate all the occupied territory of the opponent, or if the Planet Master of the opposing side surrenders.]

[The Universe Council wishes every participating Planet Master luck.]

The familiar yet unfamiliar prompts in front of Dian’s eyes were proof that the Planet Master System was working well. He did all he could and now he had to see the result of his work.

Dian was sitting on his throne while Leif, on his left, and Ghylea on his right, were standing there. Then the Planet Master space shook as if facing a massive earthquake. Wild colors flashed in the space before another figure appeared opposite Dian’s throne.

This time, the space for the Planet Master in Star Battle shifted directly to where I am. I need to take note of this.

Dian thought as he looked at the newcomer’s figure with much interest. He had seen something similar on the [Forum] but to think that its civilization would be the opponent for his civilization was quite interesting.

“Hehehe, here comes the great Metamorphic God!” The figure was soon revealed. From the voice, Dian could hear a feminine touch in it.

Dian could describe her appearance as humanoid, with wings behind her. That wing was incomparably sharp, like a refined blade ready to cut anything the figure wanted. She also had violet-colored skin covering most of her body, with brown limbs underneath the skin, including the appendage of her wing.

Her face was oval-shaped, Dian even knew that it was good-looking in human aesthetic, and had three black lines covering her cheeks, like whiskers. Her hair was made from various smaller beings who hissed at Dian.

I did not expect that the Glings were going to be my opponent. This is progressing so fast!

But the surprise did not end there as Dian, Leif, and Ghylea could see another figure emerge. Actually, it was more correct to say that the two Planet Master Spaces were now connected. It was a race that even Dian could tell at a glance.

The form was humanoid as the so-proclaimed Metamorphic God but more resembled a human with the exception of their long ears. The figure was devastatingly beautiful with a crown made of glittering wood on her head.

An Elf too? What is their relationship?

Dian’s thought process went faster but he still had to see the reaction from the opponent to know the relationship between the two. But Dian had a feeling that the relationship between the two was more of a Master-Servant than a subordinate one.

Seeing the Elf figure defer to the Metamorphic God, Dian’s guess about their relationship spiked high, it almost became an inevitability.

“Heh, to think you also have your own servants. How envious…if I can take it, it will be more enjoyable!” The Metamorphic God’s eyes glinted with excitement upon expressing her desire.

“Well, you first have to win the Star Battle. All talk is nothing if you can’t win.” Dian replied from his throne.

Dian realized that the Metamorphic God did not care about his race. Her thoughts were clearly filled with obtaining more servants for herself.

“Big talk! My Glings and the slave race will be victorious…eh…ah…” The Metamorphic God then realized something that she had overlooked before. Beside the figure who was speaking to her on his throne, there was a figure she was familiar with.

To be exact, familiar with the race that Ghylea represented.

Dian smirked. He realized that even the infamy of the Undead Race reached his opposition. It was a good time to weaponize the undead elements against his opponent. Dian knew that the Metamorphic God probably did not develop some countermeasures against the undead element and, by extension, the Undead Race.

The Elf who was slightly behind her had a contemplative look plastered on her face. Dian knew that the Elf figure was probably thinking on behalf of the Master.

Dian had already checked the situation of his opponent’s planet, and as expected, it was covered with Fog of War. At least one of her Auxiliary Cards had been known to Dian and that made things easier. Combined with her Glings race, Dian could practically recall the best combination possible for that race.

The planet’s diameter was as big as his own, making this quite fair in the superficial layer. But Dian knew that the opponent was no slouch either, since she also became a Second Rank Planet Master.

But at the same time, the Metamorphic God also knew about one of Dian’s cards as well, since the planet’s view for her was obstructed by the Fog of War.

Both sides started off by using the Fog of War to not let the other know about the exact deployment of their races.

“Will this be alright?” Leif nervously asked.

“What, you are nervous already Leif. You shouldn’t because the one with the disadvantage here is those two.” Dian explained.