After felicitating the Tiger Beastman and the Elf, it was Luke who went up on the stage and the Emperor’s smile instantly returned.
“Ho? Aren’t you the one called SkyLion?” The Emperor asked in a pleasant surprise, as Luke felt mildly intrigued as to how the Emperor knew his name.
“Have you heard about me, my Lord?” Like asked curiously as the Emperor looked towards his counselor and nodded.
“What do you say counselor? Do we know the child Principal Wood has been describing as the best talent he has seen in the last 20 years?” The Emperor asked jokingly, before looking towards Luke and laughing.
“Your Principal talks very highly of you…. He expects you to uphold the honor of the Royal Knight Academy by winning the Grand Tournament, so do your best!” The Emperor said, as he awarded Luke with his token and prize money.
“Of course my lord, I’ll try my best,” Luke said, accepting his award with grace and smiling at the Emperor before walking off the stage.
Just like Leo, he also did not dally for too long to have a chat with the Emperor as after thanking him he also politely took his leave.
As Luke descended the steps of the stage, the announcer introduced the next candidate to step up who was one of the three NPC human candidates that had made it to the quarters.
While Leo and Luke were weirdos, who did not try chat with the Emperor longer, when the NPC stepped up, the crowd got to witness a scene they were more used to, in the form of new candidates being tongue tied and awe-struck in the presence of his majesty.
As he approached, the Emperor’s smile widened, as he had already been briefed about the script that he was to use with this one by his counselor.
“Ren, the mind of steel!” Emperor Julien D Evanus exclaimed, his voice booming yet warm. “Your strategies have woven through the tournament like threads of silk—finely crafted and deadly efficient. What’s your secret?”
Flattered and a bit amused by the Emperor’s grand description, Ren leaned forward slightly, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “Just a lot of games with my sisters, Your Majesty. They’re the true tacticians of the family.”
The noble crowd laughed along with the Emperor, who clapped his hands in delight. “Well, remind me to never challenge your family to a game of strategy,” he joked as he handed over the token and prize. “I expect great things from you in the quarter finals, young man.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll bring my best game,” Ren replied, his voice full of pride and veneration.
Receiving his award, he chatted with the Emperor for a few seconds more, before the counselor put a hand on his back and politely asked him to keep moving.
As he made his way down, Lin Mu stepped up, her presence commanding silence from the crowd.
Her movements were fluid and precise as she walked with the spring in her step only assassin’s could have, as while the Virex operative who was lurking in the background did not intervene in the chat between the Emperor and any other candidate, when Lin Mu made her way to the stage, he suddenly appeared behind the Emperor, seemingly prepared to save his life should Lin Mu try anything funny.
The Emperor’s expression shifted as Lin Mu walked upto the stage, reflecting genuine curiosity and respect, as he already seemed to have an inkling about Lin Mu’s true background, yet chose to say nothing about it.
“Lin Mu, the grace of your blades is matched only by the poise of your spirit,” he said, showering her with the same fake compliment that he showered other candidates with.
“Each duel you fight is like a dance. Tell us, how do you prepare for such performances that seem almost choreographed? Are you perhaps skilled in practical combat? Have you actually taken an opponent’s life? ” He asked, his smile turning mischievous as he tried to put Lin Mu on a tough spot.
Lin Mu’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “Your Majesty, each battle is a dance partner I must learn to lead. It is about anticipation and rhythm. Training is rigorous, but the true preparation happens in the quiet moments before the storm.”
“Beautifully said,” the Emperor mused, handing her the token of progression. “May your blades continue to strike true and your dance captivate us all.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I hope to continue to honor the grace of the duel,�� Lin Mu responded, her voice sounding very smooth as she did not seem afraid of the Emperor at all.
She bowed deeply before turning to leave, her departure as graceful as her entrance, leaving a trail of murmured approvals and nods of respect from the audience.
The Emperor watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face as his interest was piqued.
While the others had no idea about Lin Mu’s real identity, after she approached the counselor before the start of the Royal Gala, begging to be saved from the desperate situation she found herself in, the emperor felt curious about the kind of life she had led uptil now and her future ambitions.
As Leo watched Lin Mu walk down the stage, he decided to take this opportunity to finally talk to her as he slowly began walking towards her.
Thankfully, Lin Mu spotted his approach and signaled him to follow her, as the two walked out of the stuffy Gala hall and into the adjacent balcony area with fresh air made outside.