The carriage ride across the border was nothing like the nightmare the boys had envisioned.

Instead of a desolate wasteland of ash and bone, the transition into the Dragon Empire felt like passing through a veil between a dying world and a blossoming one.

The moment they crossed the rift, the oppressive, biting chill of Benz Town was replaced by a gentle, magically regulated breeze that smelled of blooming jasmine and rain.

​By the time the skyline of the Imperial City of Dragonia appeared on the horizon, Kael, Jace, and Milo were pressed against the windows, their mouths agape.

​"That... that can’t be stone. Those buildings are hundreds of feet tall. They look like they were grown from white obsidian and glass. How are they not collapsing under their own weight?" Jace stammered, his scholarly mind fracturing as he looked at the massive towers.

​"Look at the roads!" Milo pointed toward the ground. "There’s no mud. It’s smooth and dark, like polished stone."

​Floating above those roads were sleek, metallic carriages that hummed with a low, rhythmic vibration. They had no horses. Instead, they glowed with a faint violet energy at their base, gliding through the streets with a terrifying, silent efficiency.

​Isabella Frostbite sat in the corner of the carriage, her arms crossed over her chest. Her aqua-blue hair shimmered as she took in the sight.

Even she, a master of ice and ancient laws, felt like a primitive relic in the face of this.

​"Ether-integrated vehicles," Isabella whispered to herself, "He didn’t just conquer them. He gave them a future they didn’t even know was possible. Adonis, you magnificent bastard."

​The carriage came to a halt at a sprawling terminal where people of all races mingled. They saw massive Beast-kin in tailored suits, humans in silken robes, and Sky Serpents gliding through the air with satchels of documents. There was no sign of the "slave collars" the Church had preached about. In fact, the people looked more alive than anyone the trio had ever met.

​"Welcome to Dragonia," a serpent-woman said, handing them a series of glowing pamphlets. "If you are here for asylum, please head to the Integration Bureau. If you are here for tourism, please enjoy the Floating Gardens. All glory to the Emperor."

​"Hey, did she just say tourism? "But the Priest said they ate tourists!" Kael asked, looking at a nearby street vendor who was selling steaming meat pies to a vampire and a human child who were laughing together.

​"I don’t think they eat tourists, Kael.That pie smells like heaven." Milo said, sniffing the air hungrily.

​They walked through the central plaza, passing a massive stome statue of Adonis. It was towering and majestic, his violet eyes seeming to watch over the city with a gaze that was both protective and absolute.

​"Look at them. They don’t look like they’re being brainwashed. They look... loyal. Terrifyingly loyal."

​"Excuse me, sir!" Jace stopped an elderly man sitting on a bench. "Are you... are you truly happy here? Is the Emperor not a tyrant?"

​The old man laughed, shaking his head. "A tyrant? Boy, six months ago I was digging in the dirt for roots while the King of Halveth took my only cow for his ’war tax.’ Now, my granddaughter is studying at the Grand Academy on a full scholarship provided by the Dragon Throne. We have light at night, clean water in our homes, and a God-King who actually protects us. If this is tyranny, I hope I never see freedom again."

​Isabella turned away, her heart hammering against her ribs. She had come here to demand an audience, to confront the boy she had once taught, but the reality of his achievement was making her feel small.

She then marched toward the Imperial Palace, which was a structure of black glass and gold that pierced the clouds.

​At the gates, she was met by two Imperial Guards. They weren’t skeletons, but elite human knights in armor that glowed with runic power.

​"I am Isabella Frostbite," she announced, "I am a former professor of the Emperor. I demand an audience with Adonis immediately."

​The guard on the right checked a glowing tablet in his hand. He didn’t flinch at her power.

"Your name is in the archives, Isabella Frostbite. However, the Emperor’s schedule is absolute. He is currently overseeing the integration of the Southern Territories. Your request for an audience is denied."

​Isabella’s eyes flashed with a dangerous blue fire.

"Denied? Do you have any idea who I am? I taught him the very foundations of the magic he used to build this place!"

​"Then you should know better than anyone that the Emperor follows his own laws," the guard replied calmly. "If you wish to see him, you must go through the proper channels like any other citizen. We do not make exceptions for ’old acquaintances.’"

​"You’re ruthless..." Isabella bit her lip, her pride stinging.

​She turned on her heel, marching back toward the plaza where the boys were waiting. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Her mind was racing. Adonis had ignored her. He had relegated her to a footnote in his archives. It was the ultimate insult from a student to a teacher.

​"He won’t see me?" she hissed under her breath. "Fine. If you want me to play by your rules, Adonis, I’ll play them better than anyone else."

​She stopped in front of a massive crystal board that displayed city announcements. One particular notice was glowing brighter than the rest.

​[ CHAOS ACADEMY: FACULTY RECRUITMENT ]

[ The Dragon Emperor seeks Grand Mages to instruct the next generation of Imperial elites. ]

[ The final selection and interviews will be conducted personally by His Imperial Majesty, Adonis. ]

​Seeing this, a predatory smile spread across Isabella’s face. She looked at the boys, who were currently sharing a meat pie and looking at a passing hover-carriage in wonder.

​"Change of plans," Isabella declared.

​"What happened, Lady Elara?" Kael asked. "Did you see him?"

​"No," Isabella replied, her eyes fixed on the Academy notice. "He’s too busy being a god to see a ghost. But he’s looking for teachers. He wants the best of the best to train his army of mages."

​"And you’re going to apply?" Jace asked, his eyes widening.

​"No, I’m not going to apply, Jace. I’m going to dominate the trials. If he won’t give me an audience as a former lover and teacher, then I’ll force him to look at me as his newest Grand Mage. He thinks he can interview me? I’d like to see him try to keep his composure when I’m standing in front of him again."

​She looked up at the palace.

​You want to play the Emperor, Adonis? Then I’ll play the candidate. But don’t think for a second I’ve forgotten that exit exam. By the time I’m through with your academy, you’ll be the one begging to have me.

​