Chapter 624: The Emperor's Prophecy - 624
Like on their way to the Imperial Capital, a ten day journey ensued.
This time, they were coming back with more than they came with.
However, not everyone was so lucky. Skymender's intelligence had allowed him to not only prevent loss, but to gain. In the Imperial Capital, with countless hidden undercurrents, it was a truly impressive feat.
As the carriage departed, at the top of the Imperial Palace, the Emperor and the Imperial Scholar looked out the window.
"You truly value him that much?" The Emperor asked.
"Indeed. If he does not become my successor, then there is less than a ten percent chance I will find someone else I am satisfied with before the end of my life." The Imperial Scholar said.
"He is indeed talented, and still young, but to value him to such a level seems excessive, no?"
The Imperial Scholar laughed. "Naturally, the talent and potential to grow make me like him more, but most importantly, he is ruthless."
The Emperor did not understand. "How exactly? He has done nothing of the sort."
The Imperial Scholar laughed again. "The fact that even you can't find a hint of it is what makes him even better. I can tell you something, but you have to promise to forget about it completely."
The Emperor nodded. "I doubt I'll care."
The Imperial Scholar did not laugh, though he could have once again.
"You don't think it was a coincidence that he saved the Duchess's daughter, do you?"
The Emperor stayed silent. His expression did not change, but deep inside, he was putting all of the pieces together.
Naturally, there was not any evidence pointing towards Skymender, but it was possible to form speculation. However, even that had been thrown out on account of his age and background. There was no reason for him to have done such a thing. He had grown up peacefully with a loving family.
However, with what the Imperial Scholar said, the Emperor could put two and two together.
"I see."
The Imperial Scholar smirked as he looked out the window, though the Emperor did not see it.
From now on, the Emperor would be wary of Skymender, just as he was wary of the Imperial Scholar.
Qualifying to make the Emperor wary at such a young age was terrifying.
In fact, even the Imperial Scholar wasn't 100% sure that Skymender had done it. Everything had simply been handled too cleanly.
He was only 10% sure, but that was enough for him. He had a feeling that Skyender had done it, and he would trust nothing more than his gut.
The Imperial Scholar muttered to himself. "You owe me a favor, brat."
He then turned to the Emperor. "If that boy matures before I die of old age and we can work together, the chances of success can be higher by at least 5%"
The Emperor's calm eyes snapped open. "You're sure?"
The Imperial Scholar nodded. "At least 5%. Maybe more."
The Emperor took a deep breath before calming himself. "I see."
His wariness had transformed into something much more important, desire. From now on, he needed Skymender to grow and become as intelligent as his potential would allow.
Because even a 5% increase could change the future of the world. For the sake of his Empire, his people, and most importantly himself, he would not even let a 0.1% increase slip by without grabbing it.
He looked into the distance, where the sun stood high.
"First, the house. Second, the kingdom. Third, the Empire. Finally, the World."
The Imperial Scholar unnoticeably shivered.
The prophecy of the current Emperor was known to very few, but those who understood it would feel fear just looking at him.
Because he was the one fated to rule the world.
Nobody knew how it came about, or where it was found, but those words seemed to take form and travel through the brains of everyone around.
First the house. Because the current Emperor was not born of the Imperial Family. He was not born of a royal family. He was not born of a noble family. He was not even born of a wealthy commoner family.
Known to less than ten in the entire Empire, the current Emperor was born the homeless child of the lowliest of commoners.
That was until he took the house. The house referred to a noble family. Then, the Kingdom. The Ergen Kingdom's king was nothing more than a subordinate at that time. Finally, the Empire. He ascended to the Imperial throne, silently and without noticeable change.
Every step was fraught with danger and the risk of failure. Every breath could have been his last. His journey was the most legendary ever confirmed to be true. Every moment marked by blood and sacrifice.
The Emperor could not be manipulated or underestimated, for anyone who truly knew him respected him, and they knew that if anyone could rule the world, it must be him.
The Emperor left the room, and the Imperial Scholar thoughtfully looked out the window.
"The sky doesn't move, but the world still rotates. Will you truly stop at the world, fated one?"
The journey back was even more boring than the one to the Imperial Capital. After all, he had once been going to a land of mysteries, but was now returning to the place he knew the best.
He wasn't sad to return, there was just not much anticipation. After all, he could have stayed in the Imperial Capital if he had truly wanted to, but hadn't.
He now had Hope in addition to Li Youcai. Honestly, he didn't care much, but he had indeed gained a new personal servant.
Looking at his bag of books, he had basically read them all. Good thing he was going back. it would have been hard to buy them if he was in the Imperial Capital, despite the fact that they should have been easier to find.
There were no interruptions or surprises on the way back. There were no bandits or passed out future servants.
The most interesting thing to happen was hearing a nearby wolf howl.
Chapter 625: Returning - 625
As expected, after ten days, Skymender saw the familiar fields. He once again felt at home.
Before long, he arrived at his house. Not long after his carriage pulled into the gates, a bunch of people came outside.
Skymender stepped out of the carriage and was greeted by most of his family, or whatever was still living here.
An old lady specifically stood out. "How was Skyless and her kids doing?"
This was Skymender's grandaunt, Aunt Skyless's mother.
"She and her children were doing well. She helped me a lot." Skymender said.
His grandaunt nodded. "Good. Good."
His sister, Skytear, also greeted him. She was now 12 years old and growing steadily.
"Welcome back, brother. How was Eldest Sister?"
Skymender responded. "She is doing good, even better than we could have imagined."
Next, his brother, Skymerge, spoke.
"How was your reading?" He asked seriously.
"Very good." Skymender chuckled.
Skytore was also there, though it was his last day. He was going to the royal capital to enter the royal school.
"I heard that you didn't participate in the contest of strength at the noble gathering. I'm disappointed."
Skymender laughed and shook his hand.
Finally, his sister, the fourth child of the Sky Barony, greeted him. "How expensive were things at the Imperial Capital."
This was the 2nd daughter of the Sky Barony, a girl obsessed with makeup and expensive clothing. However, there was no doubt that she was the best looking in their family.
Her name was Skyhue.
"More expensive than here, but there were also more things to buy." Skymender said.
Skyhue spoke again. "Did you perhaps bring any gifts?"
Skymender smiled. Of course he had.
He got some servants to bring out a few boxes.
One was given to each person.
Skytear got a fancy blanket that was so soft it was hard not to fall asleep with it.
Skymerge got a book, one with a blank cover on the outside. Though hard to get in the Imperial Capital, it was not impossible.
Skymerge, understanding, nodded.
Skytore received a dumbbell with a fancy design. It had customizable plates and was made out of a denser metal than most.
He smiled and began to lift it immediately.
Skyhue opened her gift and was excited to see fancy clothes and makeup. She smiled with glee.
Skymender received appreciation from everyone, but this was not all. His mother and father, who had been silently waiting, also got gifts. He greeted them.
"Hello Father. Hello Mother."
Both his mother and father smiled, clearly aware of his actions in the Imperial Capital.
They opened their gifts. In his mothers was a small drawing of Skybelle and him. In his fathers was a mug. This mug could hold hot drinks inside of it. On the side, the words "Number One Dad" were written on it.
They both smiled, his mother with appreciation, and his dad with amusement
"Alright, welcome home. Let's go inside." His Father said. Skymender nodded and entered the house.
From then on, everything fell back into normalcy.
Skymender quickly readjusted, and before he knew it, school was starting yet again.
The night before school started, Melly returned. She was greeted with excitement as well, for she had essentially become a part of the family.
The next morning, Melly and Skymender set out to the school together.
Although they didn't live in the city where the school was present, as the nobles of this land, they were naturally rather close.
It was a ten minute ride on their carriage to arrive at the school gates.
Skymender sighed and stepped out, followed by Melly. They talked, but none of it was really important. Although they were to be married upon reaching 18, it felt more like they were friends than anything else.
They had most of the same classes since the majority were standard classes, but there were a few that could be chosen before the year started that they did not share. These classes reflected interests.
Skymender attended a few science classes, the most interesting thing he had been able to find on the list. Meanwhile, Melly took classes such as etiquette, despite being trained from a young age, and fashion.
The first day of school passed, but Skymender did not leave. On the first day, he had registered to create a club. Naturally, as the only noble family in this area, the Sky Barony had absolute say.
There was not even the slightest chance of it being rejected. The only person in this club was Melly, though it was open to everyone at the top of the school's intelligence.
Naturally, Skymender had no interest in nonsense such as clubs. The club was just an excuse to use the school's lab after hours. Although it wasn't even slightly as advanced as the Imperial Research Institute, it was the best around.
Before school started, he had even paid a bit of his parents money to upgrade it. It still didn't come close to the Imperial Research Institute, but it was acceptable.
He had brought his cauldron for this sole purpose. Taking out a notebook, writing utensils, and a bunch of materials, he got to work. Melly was only here to watch, so she sat off to the side.
Skymender began to mix the blood of two animals from a dangerous region known as the poisonous swamp. The swamp itself was not poisonous, though it used to be mistaken as such due to the fact that walking through it caused itching, but there were many poisonous animals there and plenty had died to explore it.
Luckily, Skymender had been able to get ahold of the blood and corpses of some of the creatures.
Most of the creatures in the poisonous swamp were too small to collect their blood, so he would just use their corpses.
Scuh animals included variants of mosquitos, butterflies, and flys.
He began to note down everything and slowly put it all into the cauldron.
This included the corpse of a poison mosquito species, a corpse of a poison butterfly species, and the blood of a poisonous frog.
It all fell into the cauldron as a fire burned under it. As the heat made it mix and bubble, a mist began to be released.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
121 Power
stone 
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