Chapter 32: Architecture
After a few minutes, an aged voice emerged from the other side of the door, calling out Lucifer's name as the door opened slowly.
Opening his eyes, Lucifer looked at Perenna before walking up and entering the hall of admission of the Dawn Academy.
Similar to the rest of construct, the hall of admission was designed according to the application of the plates of Sun Gold as it acted as a natural coolant in this underground city while seven aged men sat on the raised platform with their legs crossed.
Their long white beards and trimmed moustaches perfectly matched with each other's and they all wore the Elder's get-up of the academy.
The only person different from the rest of the six elders was the one wearing a beautiful golden robe with a purple embroidered wings on the upper regions.
The Director.
Walking inside the silent hall, Lucifer stood in the middle of the room and waited for the elders to speak their minds.
"Lucifer, right? What is your last name?"
One of them finally spoke up. The old man rubbed the tip of his moustache and spoke with a dignified tone.
"I don't have any surname. My master decided to grant me one after I accomplish a major contribution in his name."
By including Gloria into the equation, Lucifer immediately removed all the strange enquiries in the mind of the elders and finally induced them to conduct the official admission.
Since Lucifer and Perenna were joining the rank of elite disciples without compliance to any of the required conditions, they both had to go through the seven elders and gain their appreciation for an easier life in the academy.
Of course, Lucifer's main goal wasn't any of the Rank 5 Elders, but the Rank 6 Director himself.
"Lucifer, your master, the founding ancestor must have informed you about your attribute and its capabilities, correct?"
One of them started the official questioning.
"Yes, Master told me that I am blessed with a natural talent in Darkness Element. Being one with the darkness, I am can be training into a hidden knife commanded by my master to pave the path for his glory once again."
He spoke with a humble expression and yet his words made the seven of them frown. With a few sentences, Lucifer had already proclaimed that he would be choosing the profession of assassination and would attune his skills to assist this dreadful path.
"Have you considered a mellower path? The one that can assist in flourishing the empire further."
Another Elder suggested. Since Lucifer was selected by the ancestor himself (herself), they held no doubt for his talent and being one of the rare elements in the Rising Sun Empire, the Darkness Element could really assist the growth of the Empire through many other means besides the path of assassination.
"Master's words are of absolute importance."
Lucifer spoke softly.
The third elder nodded and suggested once again.
"There is no doubt that the ancestor wishes for your better future and the growth of the empire, but the ancestor still needs to understand the true situation of the current generation.
I am sure that a smart lad like you understand my concerns."
Lucifer bowed and spoke solemnly.
"I understand the elders' concerns but I won't defy my master's expectations for me. But I would still like to request the elders to place me in the more productive department of the academy— The Architecture Department."
His words silenced the hall and finally, the director spoke up.
"Is that your master's advice?"
Lucifer shook his head.
"Master only made me join the academy and advised me to walk my path alone. He only wished to show me a path to walk onto.
How I journey through the path solely depends on me."
The director nodded and spoke with a mild smile.
"Then let's forget the esteemed ancestor for a moment and discuss you.
Why would you want to join the architecture department? How would it aid your growth as a warrior of darkness?"
"The thought is quite simple— Planning."
Lucifer didn't explain further while his response gained appreciative glances from all the six elders and even Director's eyes held a dignified brilliance.
Just a single word reply from Lucifer explained the seven of them the path he wished to follow. Of course, Lucifer's hidden agenda still remained a mystery to the world.
"Good, you will join Architecture Department under the name of the honorary elder— Rani Dawn, her highness, the Empress."
In the entire empire, only this old man of a director held enough power and status to address the Empress by her name.
"I am extremely grateful."
Lucifer simply nodded while the group of elders finally noticed his strange actions. From the beginning till the end of the questioning, Lucifer did not bow to any of them even once.
Not wanting to let this matter go, one of the elders finally spoke up to regain the face for the entire group while also currying for the Director's favour.
"Lucifer, I believe that you are orphan as stated by her highness. But even then, you should've been taught about the basic etiquettes of showing respect to your elders, right?"
Lucifer plainly smiled and gazed at the elder who spoke with a serious expression. His frown contorted the wrinkles on his face and he let his fingers run through his beard while he silently gazed at Lucifer.
"My parents didn't abandon me. Our relation simply couldn't last long and ran its course a little early. As for my respect, aside from my master, none deserve my deference.
If you wish my admiration so badly, please take this issue to my master. I am sure she will help you out with the matter."
The elder's hand stopped running through his beard while his eyes narrowed. Before he could speak further, a low chuckle escaped the director's lips.
"Clever and Bold. A wonderful mixture indeed. Lucifer, I shall be teaching you the way of architecture alongside my other personal disciple. Of course, I am merely your teacher while your loyalty and respect will always belong to your master and our esteemed ancestor.
Do you agree."
With a polite nod, the devil spoke up.
"Yes."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Broughtwaorld
Broughtwaorld Hey guys, if you enjoy the novel then be sure to vote your powerstones for this novel.
Chapter 33: Sacrifice is Eternal
"Perenna Moriah, correct?"
One of the elders appreciated Perenna's beauty and asked lightly while others held a similar appreciative gaze. After all, they all had already devoted their entire life to their cultivation and shallow concept such as beauty is no longer able to stir their aged heart.
Perenna's soft voice resounded in the admission hall as she nodded politely.
"Yes, elders. This disciple's name is Perenna Moriah."
Even though she did not bow, the elders were already expecting such a behaviour after having a talk with Lucifer.
"Do you understand the importance of the element graced upon you by your good fortune?"
One of them asked gravely.
"Holy element is only supposed to be wielded by the legendary holy army to smite the lowly infernal creatures.
As a human, wielding the holy element may cause a lot of unrest and this disciple is aware of all the implications of this natural talent."
The elders nodded while the director sat with his eyes closed. From the moment Perenna stepped into the hall, he had never opened his eyes even once.
"Perenna, would you like to share anything about your parents?"
The ears of other elders perked up. It would be a lie if they never thought that the origin of Perenna's talent may lie in her parents, her blood parents to be exact. After all, the emergence of a human with a natural affinity to holy element could lead them to the remnants of holy force existing on the continent.
While the holy forces were said to have retreated back into the Heaven, nobody could verify that claim even after all these years.
"My parents? My past does not matter. The only thing that matter is my goal and the expectations of my master when I was given my name."
She spoke calmly as her purple eyes glittered in incomparable brilliance.
"And what would that be?"
The director opened his eyes and asked solemnly. After meeting Lucifer, the old man felt that this new disciple of the Ancestor must be tricky, too. After all, if he were to choose a personal disciple, then natural talent and affinity would have been one of the various factors.
The only thing that could catch an experienced master's eyes isn't talent, but motivation and character of the disciple.
And if his own standards were sky-high, then their ancestor's standards must have already pierced through the Heaven's gate.
As the director fell into his own thoughts, Perenna looked at him and smiled softly.
"Sacrifice is Eternal."
The moment she spoke up, the elders' minds buzzed with shock while the director couldn't help but look at Perenna with his eyes wide.
If Lucifer's answer showcased his bold and clever personality then Perenna's answer showcased her undying determination and motivation for an ethereal goal that may consume her but even in that instance, she won't flinch and sacrifice herself with a hearty laugh.
Sacrifice is Eternal!
Three words that contained the truth of the world.
The director thought for a moment before speaking up.
"Do you agree with this meaning... this expectation when you were given this name?"
Perenna bowed her head as her gaze flickered. All this time, she has always pondered on the meaning bestowed upon her by Lucifer.
As she started thinking over the phrase— Sacrifice is Eternal, she found that this statement doesn't only apply to business and goal achievement, but also the way of life.
If you choose to do something else, you are unconsciously sacrificing other things that could have been achieved during the same interval of time.
Though the entire concept can be applied to the whole world and all its glory, every single living being unconsciously rejected this thought.
They rejected the thought of sacrificing something, they rejected the thought of themselves being incapable to hold onto something.
While Perenna wasn't a moral person, she wasn't hypocritical enough to deny such a concept. After all, she had to sacrifice her district and even her gender including her freedom as she gained an opportunity to cultivate and also found a wonderful master.
Collecting her thoughts, she looked up and gazed into the greying eyes of the director that shone in splendor.
"I believe that my belief in this concept won't change a thing because this is the truth. Just like time won't cease to flow and just like living beings will one day cease to live, sacrifice is the truth alongside the flowing time and the impending doom."
The director closed his eyes after hearing her honest reply and relished the aftertaste of her concept.
Opening his eyes, he smiled with gratification that contained a tinge of envy.
"The Ancestor has a good taste in disciples.
Which department would you like to study in?"
"The Entertainment Department."
Perenna replied in a heartbeat.
"Good. You and Lucifer will be my personal students as I will impart you both my knowledge of entertainment and architecture.
Please take your leave."
Being the director of the academy, the old man was already a master in each and every subject taught in the academy. Imparting some core knowledge to these two special disciples wouldn't hurt him.
And personally, even the director wanted to observe their own concepts and growth.
Her request granted, Perenna took her leave and walked out of the admission hall gracefully. If the elders appreciated her beauty in the beginning then now, they appreciated her knowledge and wisdom.
***
As the duo walked out of the central region, Perenna immediately jumped on Lucifer's right and interlocked her arm with his.
"That was a good concept... the concept of sacrifice being the truth itself."
Lucifer finally spoke after a long time. As he spoke, his arm gripped by another soft arm and a deep valley shook lightly as Perenna gazed at Lucifer's profile.
"I know, master. If I can't even scratch on the surface of the expectations you have for me, then I am simply unworthy to grow by your side."
"As long as you know."
Lucifer nodded and revelled in the soft feeling brought to his right arm as he led Perenna to the imperial waiting room and finally dropped her off as a good and merciful master he was.
"Master, are you sure you don't want to shop?"
Perenna asked once more with a hopeful gaze. She even put on a cute puppy expression even though she knew that such a technique might have absolutely no effect.
"No, I have something to do."
Perenna's shoulders hung low in defeat and she finally left in the imperial elevator with an indignant pout.
As she left, Lucifer looked at a certain direction and couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
"Sacrifice accompanies every decision. Now that you have decided to teach us personally, I am sure you wouldn't mind sacrificing your granddaughter and daughters to me, right?"
His crimson eyes glowed and his face held a heart-melting devious smirk.
Evidently, a secret storm would raze the whole Empire to the ground.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Broughtwaorld
Broughtwaorld
I hope you like the chapter,
If you do, be sure to vote for the novel.
If we can reach 400 powerstones by the end of the week, then I might bestow a mass release.
Yes, this is your choice, now.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment