Far from the Heaven Realm, a mature beauty with long raven-black hair stood at the center of a grand chamber. She wore an elegant black dress that fit snugly on her hourglass body. Despite the tension-thick air and numerous eyes staring at her from the podium, she wasn't fazed in the slightest, casually admiring her surroundings as she waited to be called.
The chamber was truly an architectural masterpiece. Pillars carved from obsidian rose high, supporting a vaulted ceiling where a living fresco of shifting galaxies played out. The ground was made of an otherworldly marble, its surface swirling with colors no mortal had ever laid eyes on. Torches with cerulean flames stood at intervals, casting a gentle glow over the vast space.
The podium captured her attention the most, its whole structure carved from a single piece of white stone. At the back, on a raised dais, stood a singular throne surrounded by five seats on each side. Each chair was ornately carved with intricate patterns, but none of them were as eye-catching as the golden throne. The beast's head was sculpted atop the throne, its large jaw threatening to swallow anyone who went against the crown.
"Emi, you must be joking. It has only been a month. What can this child possibly have learned in such a short time?"
The ten Elders sitting beside the throne didn't mind the large audience as they discussed their matters openly.
"To make it worse, you didn't even inform us earlier and just used your authority to force everyone to attend your showcase," Elder Lysandra scoffed again, her voice dripping with condescension. "You know very well we are busy preparing our disciples for the Soul Test and you dare waste our time."
Elder Caelia, a woman with piercing blue eyes and silver strands running through her ebony hair, chimed in, "Many of our own have taken decades to master even the most basic of the Soul Arts. You bring this... outsider and expect us to believe she's special? It's unacceptable."
"And to involve the Queen in this farce! The audacity! Do you have any idea of the consequences?" Elder Nyx added.
Emi's lips curled into a slight smirk, her confidence unshaken. "I assure you, esteemed Elders, that your skepticism will be put to rest soon enough."
She was about to receive another range of complaints when the large doors swung open, drawing everyone's attention. A statuesque figure with crimson hair cascading down her back stepped into the chamber with a commanding presence. Her violet eyes scanned the room and all the conversations died down, everyone standing up to bow in respect.
Many felt their Souls shiver as the woman walked towards the podium, each of her steps sending waves of invisible Soul Power throughout the room. The only unbothered individuals were the ten Elders and the lone beauty in the middle of the chamber. That fact alone seemed to anger the Elders as they lashed out, picking on her rude attitude.
"Preposterous! How dare you not bow to the Queen?!" Elder Lysandra cried out, her sharp nails growing into shiny claws. "Emi! If you won't discipline your pupil, someone else will do it for you!"
Emi only laughed as she waved her hand indifferently, "Be my guest."
Elder Lysandra was taken aback for a second, but she didn't let this opportunity go to waste. Her claws swiped directly at the target, piercing through the space between them with deadly precision. The crowd gasped, but the result was anticlimactic.
All they heard was a sonorous hum that echoed the whole chamber, a familiar sound created when a Soul Art clashes with an invisible Soul Barrier. Everyone looked back at the podium to check Elder Lysandra's reaction only to widen their eyes seeing blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.
"That's impossible! How can you deflect my Soul Claws so easily?!" she called out in disbelief. "You are just a brat!"
She swung again, attempting to try a stronger attack, but someone stepped in to grab her wrist mid-way. "That's enough. You are embarrassing yourself in front of the Queen," Emi commented as she squeezed Lysandra's arm before jerking her back onto her seat. "None of you are strong enough to discipline my Wu."
Murmurs began to fill the chamber. No one had expected one of the Elders couldn't handle a junior who was supposedly an outsider and a novice. Even though she only used one of their weakest Soul Arts, it would be enough to defeat almost anyone in the crowds.
Elder Caelia, who had been ready to assist Lysandra in putting Wu in her place, now hesitated, clearly re-evaluating the situation. Elder Nyx, however, let out an appreciative chuckle. "Well, this certainly promises to be entertaining."
Wu wasn't even paying attention to the Elders this whole time as her gaze was locked on the Queen who stopped just outside of her reach. "Your Soul is very powerful. No wonder you are the Queen of this race," Wu praised in a soft voice, silently nodding in approval.
Everyone erupted again at how casually she talked to their ruler, but the Queen raised a hand, silencing the Elders instantly. With a grace and majesty that only she could muster, she spoke with a hint of amusement, "You stand before the sovereign of this Realm and do not bow. Is Wu your name?"
Wu met the Queen's gaze unflinchingly, her posture relaxed yet confident, "I am indeed called Wu. I have come to this Realm under the guidance of Elder Emi, who has been imparting the Soul Arts to me over the past month."
The Queen's eyebrows arched slightly. "I am aware of your tutelage under Elder Emi. What I seek to understand is why you chose not to bow like everyone else when I entered. Do you not recognize the authority of this throne?"
Wu took a moment, her gaze unwavering, "I recognize and respect authority of foreign rulers. My actions were not out of ignorance or disrespect. In the world from which I hail, we bow only when our hearts genuinely feel the weight of another's greatness, not out of mere tradition. I would rather show my respect through my actions and my words, rather than an empty gesture."
The chamber was silent, the audience and even the Elders holding their breath, waiting for the Queen's response.
After what felt like an eternity, the Queen broke into a smile, "Your attitude is refreshing. While traditions are deeply rooted in our Realm, I value authenticity and sincerity above all. You are excused from bowing from now on."
The collective gasp echoed in the chamber as the Queen gracefully ascended the steps and settled on her throne. All the Elders were speechless at the sudden exception but none of them complained. Whatever the Queen declared was a new rule and no one dared to question her.
"Emi, come forward," the Queen ordered as soon as everyone sat down. "You called us all here to showcase your disciple's progress, correct? Judging how she was able to block an attack from an Elder, I am quite interested in her potential."
Emi bowed respectfully as she stepped before the Queen, then gestured towards Wu. "Your Majesty, that is indeed correct. I have been fostering Wu for the last month and I'm confident she has an immeasurable potential. The purpose of this showcase is to secure additional funding that is appropriate for her talent. I'm sure your Majesty will grant my wish after witnessing what she learned in just a single month of practice."
"That's quite the confidence you have," the Queen replied with a smile. "Let's see it then."
"I think the best method to showcase Wu's skills would be a duel, so I propose she faces the Legacy Disciples of other Elders," Emi suggested, her gaze sweeping across the seats. "Judging how she was capable of defending against an Elder, I don't think that would be an impossible challenge."
The Queen approved with a nod, following Emi's gaze. "Just tell me which Elder you want to challenge and we will call their Legacy Disciple over."
"Tch…" Elder Lysandra snickered as if already expecting to be chosen, but Emi surprised even the Queen herself.
"Oh, there is no need to choose anyone. Just call everyone over. My Wu will face them all at the same time."