Didn't You Say to Strike?

“What’s wrong?” Li Yue looked around, sensing the tense atmosphere. “It’s Royal Court magic, but she isn’t a Royal Court magic user.”

Blan had already put some distance between himself and Li Yue. However, considering their interactions so far, nothing seemed particularly out of the ordinary. If she had wanted to strike, she’d had countless opportunities to do so.

“The Royal Court and the Academy had their conflicts in the early years, but things have calmed down a lot since then, especially since the Royal Court is currently dealing with internal disputes,” Mende said calmly. He had just tried to hide his presence, only to realize that he couldn’t escape this young lady’s perception no matter what he did.

“I see,” Li Yue nodded, already contemplating how she would hide her magic once they reached the Academy.

“According to the Academy’s rules, magic users from the Royal Court can enroll normally...” Sharon also walked onto the deck, swallowing hard as she spoke, looking somewhat nervous. “It’s just that, for them, there usually isn't much point in doing so.”

“Your documents and tokens are all authentic...” Mende waved his hand, signaling the others to return to their duties. “We shouldn't doubt our companions before a battle.”

“Aren’t you afraid these things are fakes or stolen?” Li Yue had intended to explain herself, but she found that everyone seemed convinced by Mende’s words.

“The Academy is very thorough in this regard. Tokens are soul-bound to a specific person. Your token was applied for by an insider within the Academy, and the magical signature on the documents matches your own,” Mende explained calmly. “All the magical security seals are intact, so it couldn’t have been stolen. The cipher key is also correct, meaning it isn't a forgery.”

“I was wondering why the magic on those documents had a faint scent of blood; so that’s the kind of magic it was,” Sharon sighed, returning her focus to steering the ship.

Li Yue was stunned. She hadn't expected the things Clo had prepared for her to be so practical, saving her a great deal of suspicion and explanation.

In reality, Clo had issued them herself. As one of the Five Staves of the East Academy, her authority was equal to that of the Academy's Director. For a document and token she personally requested, there was no need for extensive inspections; those in charge of the process simply followed her orders.

“I’ve heard that the Royal Court’s own Ministry of Magic has even deeper research into this branch of magic. Magic users who study the Royal Court’s style of magic usually go to their own Jormungandr Academy for advanced studies.”

“Jormungandr?” Li Yue blinked. Wasn't that her own name?

“Also known as Jormungandr. They named their magic academy after that deity who governs death,” Mende explained patiently. Looking at Li Yue, she seemed to be someone from the Royal Court, yet her knowledge of it was surprisingly shallow.

She had never seen any of this in books. The texts describing the Royal Court were filled with nothing but myths and legends, or perhaps tedious administrative systems. Though those systems were indeed complex, they were practical, efficient, and stable.

She let out a breath, sensing the morale of the crew rising. She found a place to sit down. Her magic wasn't particularly helpful for sailing—unless she were to manifest the Death Abyss and simply transport everyone through it.

There was no need for that. In the time it would take to spread the Death Abyss all that way, she could have already used the Blood Moon to turn everyone on that island into ash.

They were so weak; what was the point of their evil? To be struck down by the virtuous who were slightly less weak? It couldn't possibly be just to survive. With so many paths available, why choose one so saturated with sin?

The answer was simple: because it was easy. Because it was comfortable and offered the fastest progress, even if it led to a narrow and limited existence.

The ship had reached a point where it could no longer go unnoticed. The pirates on the island had spotted the spray from the hull. They hurriedly manned their cannon batteries, but by the time the first round of shells was fired, the ship was already nearing the shore.

The island’s defenses were crudely constructed—one could even say there were almost no defensive mechanisms at all. Most of the structures were tall buildings and luxury villas situated near scenic spots, built to mimic the architecture of major metropolises like Parvati. They seemed designed solely to satisfy the tastes of the visiting elites.

The rest of the area was connected by well-paved roads lined with greenery. The island looked lush and vibrant, appearing less like a pirate fortress and more like a resort island for travelers.

Under Sharon’s command, the prepared sailors leapt overboard, landing steadily on the ground with the aid of wind currents. Colorful magic began to flash across the island. Li Yue watched from the deck for a moment; while the spectacle was grand, there seemed to be very few casualties.

With a sudden flicker, Li Yue appeared in the center of the battlefield. An aura of death radiated from her, causing everyone around her to feel a sudden, piercing chill.

“Captain of the Bridal, do you have any idea what you’re doing!” a loud voice boomed. Several firebolts slammed into the ground alongside a figure that moved like a flame. The man was dark-skinned, wearing black sunglasses, a floral vacation shirt, and matching floral shorts.

He looked quite relaxed, blending into the resort-like background of the island. This man was likely Cook’s confidant, stationed here as a guard.

The scorching heat wave burned those nearby. Sharon adjusted her pirate hat and hovered in mid-air, surrounded by swirling currents of wind.

“I’m telling you, leave now, and I might consider advising Captain Cook not to hold your actions against you!”

Sharon frowned and didn't respond to his words. She simply said one thing in a flat tone.

“Strike!”

“You—” Before the man could say another word, countless blood-red gashes instantly appeared across his body. His frame, along with the fireballs in the air, was sliced into tiny pieces by fine, blood-red threads.

His body burst apart instantly, spraying blood everywhere. Li Yue flicked her fingers, ensuring not a single drop of the man’s blood landed on her. While she didn't find blood repulsive, she still thought it was a bit dirty.

Several men standing nearby with swords were also swiftly cut apart. Their heads were separated from their shoulders, and their bodies were hacked into pieces, leaving behind a massive pool of blood and a dense web of slash marks on the wall behind them.

The crew members who had been about to join the fray froze. Both sides were stunned. Li Yue’s fingernails glowed a faint red; the tiny blood lines had been released from her fingertips.

“Why have you all stopped?” Li Yue shook her hand, looking at the dumbfounded crowd with a hint of surprise. “Didn't you say to strike?”