Chapter 147: The Imperial Plaza

The second glass vial sat firmly in Kale Ardentis’s hand, its dark grey earth essence pulsing with a heavy mineral density. He unsealed the brass cap with a precise twist of his thumb.

He guided the dark fluid into the Terra Shell container sitting on the workbench. The turtle-like chimaera absorbed the essence instantly, filtering the raw friction of the Ancient core.

Through their shared taming bond, Kale routed the refined earth stream into Neo’s internal pathways. The grey energy spread across the hydra’s dark scales, strengthening its bone structure.

’Keep your pathways open, Neo.’

Kale murmured, his green eyes watching the energetic flow with sharp precision. The three-headed hydra let out a low, satisfied trill as the grounding warmth settled deep.

Blue text windows flickered across Kale’s retina, displaying the rapid integration data. The system logged the increase in earth affinity and the physical reinforcement of the beast’s frame.

[The Nemesis Hydra has absorbed refined Ancient rank, Earth Essence.]

[Earth Affinity increased by 3%. Current Earth Affinity: 88%.]

[Physical Defence and bone density increased.]

Kale set the empty second vial aside and reached for the third container. The serene azure liquid inside cooled the surrounding air the moment the brass seal was removed.

He poured the azure stream through his water filtration matrix, allowing his mana to stabilise the thermal friction. He guided the liquid essence into Neo’s central core through the bond.

The azure energy washed over the hydra’s internal channels, balancing the intense fire friction. Neo’s three heads arched as the cooling water essence settled smoothly within its chest.

[The Nemesis Hydra has absorbed refined Ancient rank Water Essence.]

[Water Affinity increased by 4%. Current Water Affinity: 85%.]

[Thermal friction reduced. Core stability increased.]

Without pausing, Kale picked up the fourth vial containing the howling light green wind vapour. He activated his Lesser Mana Manipulation, compressing the gas into a dense fluid stream.

He guided the wind essence toward the wing nodes along the hydra’s back. The light green energy integrated with the flight muscles, causing Neo’s wings to flutter rapidly.

[The Nemesis Hydra has absorbed refined Ancient rank Wind Essence.]

[Wind Affinity increased by 4%. Current Wind Affinity: 86%.]

[Flight agility and aerial propulsion capacity increased.]

Finally, Kale targeted the fifth container holding the radiant light elemental fluid. Light essence was delicate, so he used his Hexarion physiology as an energetic bridge to filter the stream.

The golden fluid poured through the taming bond, settling directly into Neo’s mind space. The hydra let out a quiet, harmonious trill that resonated through the quiet laboratory.

[The Nemesis Hydra has absorbed refined Ancient rank Light Essence.]

[Light Affinity increased by 5%. Current Light Affinity: 85%.]

[Mental Bastion stability increased by 20%.]

Five empty glass vials now sat in a precise arc on the stone table. All five refined elemental streams were harmonised within Neo’s marrow without triggering a single genetic rejection cascade.

The hydra’s scales glowed with a subtle, multicoloured radiance before settling into a deep matte black. Neo had successfully anchored all five elemental affinities.

Lazek Oberon watched from his seat, nodding in deep approval as the energy settled. The Fleshcraft Grandmaster took a slow puff of his pipe, blowing a ring of bitter smoke.

’The multi-elemental integration is complete, disciple.’

Lazek noted, his dark eyes shining with quiet satisfaction.

’Now you must consolidate your rank. The victory ceremony at the Imperial Plaza takes place in thirty-six hours.’

’Understood, Master.’

Kale replied, adjusting his grey headband over his hidden gold mesh seal. He spent the next thirty-six hours in deep meditation, locking every energetic stream inside his pathways.

The morning of the Grand Victory Ceremony arrived with a clear, golden sky. The entire capital of Emberheart was draped in red and gold imperial banners celebrating the Zenith Competition.

Kale dressed in his gold-trimmed Master Artificer robes, his light green hair tied back neatly. He checked his spatial pouch, confirming his credentials and tools were secure.

Lazek inspected him closely, verifying that no trace of the black heretical mark could be perceived through the gold mesh seal. The disguise was absolute.

They descended to the tower courtyard, where an imperial escort waited. Prince Renard had fulfilled his word, dispatching twenty heavy gold-armoured guards to form a protective wall.

The heavy gold carriage carried Kale and Lazek through the crowded streets toward the central sector. The Imperial Plaza was already packed with tens of thousands of cheering citizens.

A massive stone stage stood at the centre of the plaza, surrounded by elevated balconies for the noble houses, the Association grandmasters, and the royal court.

Kale stepped out of the carriage under the tight perimeter of the twenty golden guards. The heavy clatter of their iron boots warned off any curious onlookers or covert watchers.

On the high royal balcony, Prince Renard sat beside Princess Aria. The prince raised his golden goblet toward Kale with a broad, confident grin, while Aria tapped her golden fan.

Kale and Lazek walked up the marble steps toward the central platform where the High Council of the Association waited to bestow the official victory honours.

Suddenly, a chilling draft swept across the warm plaza, causing the imperial banners to snap violently. The crowd’s joyful cheers faltered as heavy iron steps echoed from the main avenue.

High Inquisitor Luke marched into the plaza, surrounded by fifty fully armoured paladins of the Dragon Church. His blood-red robes trailed across the stone, his pale face tight with cold rage.

The golden sunburst medallion on Luke’s chest hummed with a harsh, searching resonance that caused the air to vibrate. The paladins formed a wide ring around the central stage.

Luke raised a sealed crimson scroll bearing the High Cathedral seal, his raspy voice carrying over the silent plaza.

’By holy decree of the High Cathedral, this ceremony is suspended!’

Luke announced, his colourless eyes locking onto Kale with predatory hatred.

’We demand an immediate, public audit of candidate Kale Ardentis before any awards are presented!’

A loud wave of murmurs erupted across the spectator benches. The noble ministers and grandmasters shifted uncomfortably in their seats at the Church’s open overreach.

Grandmaster Kraul stepped forward to the edge of the platform, his heavy voice booming with thunderous fury.

’You exceed your authority, Luke! The Zenith Competition is governed solely by the Association and the Crown!’

Prince Renard stood up on the royal balcony, slamming his goblet onto the wooden railing with a cold, royal authority.

’Stand down, Inquisitor! My imperial override legally seals Master Kale’s registry!’

Luke offered a stiff, insincere bow toward the royal box, his raspy voice remaining completely unyielding.

’The Crown’s override protects civil registration, Your Highness. But holy law permits the Church to inspect any individual suspected of carrying heretical resonance.’

Luke pointed his thin hand toward Kale, his colourless eyes gleaming with absolute malice.

’If the candidate has nothing to hide, he will step forward and submit to the Divine Mirror in full view of the capital!’

The tension in the plaza reached a dangerous boiling point. The twenty golden guards surrounding Kale drew their broadswords, their shields interlocking to block the paladins.

Kale remained completely unbothered in the centre of the golden ring. He looked at Luke with unblinking, cold green eyes, his hands resting easily by his sides.

Beneath his high collar, the gold runic mesh hummed with a stable, self-sustaining cadence, the Terra Shell and Ignis Core maintaining perfect equilibrium.

Kale took a calm step forward, his voice carrying clearly across the quiet plaza.

’I accept your audit, Inquisitor. Bring forth your mirror.’