Lucky Riot And The Mystic Dragon

"My master, the honored Guru and Tower Master, has arranged a personalized trial for each of you. To make it to the end will depend on your skill, wit, and willpower!" said Fierce Storm proudly to the crowd of eager students. He was clad in crimson light armor and black robes covered in golden lightning. Next to him were two teachers, one was a lovely woman, and the other was a refined scholar. Below the platform they were standing on, the students all looked towards them in awe.

In reality, only thirteen of these students qualified for the trial before the last day of registration, the same day where Lucky signed up at the last minute. That did nothing to prevent several of these students' friends who had heard of the trials from showing up.

"The fifteen of you will exit the county with me as the guide, while the instructors of class 57, Ms. Hemingway and Phenomenal Maze, will act as protectors this time around."

The crowd burst out in low murmurs the moment they heard the number '15'. There were actually 15 youths who had awakened their spirit power this year? Last year the number was still at 5! This meant that between last year and today, 10 students had awakened their spirit power.

"Do not worry, if there ever comes the point in time when you sense danger, just communicate with one of the teachers," Fierce storm didn't want the students to think that he would allow any harm to come to them. Still, he also didn't want to coddle these young warriors, "However, if it is not related to your life or death, then I expect you to take care of yourselves. Anyone who cries wolf will be fed to the mystic beasts."

The low murmurs in the crowd all died down at these words, as Fierce Storm's big eyes coldly observed the group, like a might eagle perched atop a mountain. The students couldn't help but feel that there was a mighty gap between them and that existence on the stage. This was a phenomenon known as the suppression of realms.

Only eight students in the small crowd remained unaffected, including Lucky Riot and six other trial takers. As for the seventh student, it was a tall and aloof young man wearing vermillion armor. He stood alone in the center of the crowd, and everyone gave him sufficient space. It was as if there was an invisible barrier preventing anyone from entering within 10 meters of himself. Behind him, a gaggle of teenage girls swooned at every second. Lucky was shocked to find that this young man was actually at the peak of the Hard Body Stage!

"Vermillion... he's the direct student of one of the deans?" Lucky pondered, as this man had caught his eye. Lucky felt strangely connected to this fellow, even though he was seeing him for the first time. Merely, this young man didn't seem to be participating in the trials.

Meanwhile, Brenda Hemingway was inwardly astounded. Four of these students were in her class. The new students Tori Kappa, Caine Sinatra, and Kasino Riot. Plus, her long-time student Arthur Heru. Arthur's indifference to the pressure didn't surprise her at all, and she even felt Tori was a genius on Arthur's level. However, the last time she checked, the other two were both seventh level warriors with little to no magic power. Brenda realized that she had not actually seen through these two students of hers yet. She could still accept not understanding Kasino, who had astounding pot-breaking talent, but the Sinatra brat hid far too well.

After all, he was from the mysterious Sinatra clan. While the other brat was the direct-student of her senior sister. She naturally didn't understand them fully. After thinking like this, Brenda was able to calm down.

Fierce Storm also raised a brow. To think so many of these children were able to withstand his pressure. Even though he suppressed it to be at the level of the initial Profound Orb realm, this was still rather impressive! After all, the most influential student in the trial only possessed the tenth level Hard Body. That meant that these youths were indeed geniuses that could jump ranks to battle! He glanced at his direct student Justin Long and felt gratified. A pure genius could only develop amidst fierce competition!

Such talent in the school was an excellent thing.

"Okay, trial participants line up! We'll be heading out in fifteen!" Fierce Storm flung his robes as he turned and departed, his voice booming out one final command, "Remember, if you are only taking the mystic beast trial, you want to line up on the east! Dismissed!"

Hearing this, the students didn't dare to delay. They all scattered and returned to their respective activities. Lucky glanced around at the remaining students, memorizing their profiles, as well as those of their acquaintances. This was a simple task with his psyche perception. Lucky didn't know what kind of event this so-called Spiritual Trial would be, but it was better to be prepared for anything.

Lucky noticed that Aubrey was already next to Magus Brenda Hemingway, following behind her only half a step back, "It seems that the teacher has taken a liking to class president. Perhaps she's already a direct student?"

Having a professor was different from just being in a teacher's class. This was true discipleship. The only reason professors weren't called masters was that they assumed no real responsibility for the student's life outside of the institution. This was mandatory via the rules of the school. That was the significant difference between a school and a sect.

Schools were safe areas that were protected by the governing body they belong too.

Sects were their own governmental force, and far more powerful in comparison.

For example, the Sect his eldest sister belonged too governed an area equal to this entire county! That one sect had long since accomplished what the combined forces of Nibiru City currently still struggle to keep in balance. The difference was evident from this alone.

"Choosing a powerful master is very important, little Luck," said Meri Riot to Lucky more than two years back. "Remember, do not ever honor anyone as your master unless their strength has reached a height you cannot even fathom! Otherwise, you will live to regret it, or outright outgrow them! Then they may be jealous and attack you! It happened at my sect. One time, this girl had..."

Of course, women were often more chatty than men.

In spite of their closeness, Lucky's older sister hadn't always had insane amounts of confidence in him either. However, once she turned 16 years old, her disposition changed considerably, and she suddenly treated Lucky like unrefined gold. She taught him many things he couldn't hope to fully understand, and slowly encouraged him to never stop believing in himself.

Of course, this was completely unnecessary. Lucky simply didn't know how to do this 'stop believing in yourself' thing in the first place.

How could he not be the greatest warrior alive one day? The stars had written it the day he was born, that's all he had ever known. This was like an intuition he couldn't shake or forsake. Before, when he was weak, his confidence in himself almost wavered. He even considered dropping out of school! However, now that things had begun changing so rapidly, Lucky wholeheartedly believed in this familiar and mysterious intuition.

"You seem to not be lost, Riot. You're headed to the Tower of Woe as well, huh?" at this moment, a silhouette appeared next to Lucky, startling the group of girls that was still near him. A beautiful young lady with purple hair's entire body shook when she heard the name 'Riot,' and she looked up in shock when she heard a familiar voice respond.

Her friends stopped their chatter in shocked surprise. Was this guy trying to sneak up on them?

If Lucky knew their thoughts, he wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry. Not only did he not sneak up on anyone, but he had also already been standing here for a few dozen breaths.

"Sinatra." Lucky Riot was not at all surprised to see Caine Sinatra. In fact, he didn't even bother to turn his head to respond, "If you will enter the tower, how could it be that I would not also enter the tower? There is nothing on you that eclipses the talent of the young I."

"Shameless boasting. Not even I dare to say that I'll pass the first level, no one passes it in the first year. This year is all about the experience," came the indifferent voice of Caine Sinatra. He seemed to not take the competitive nature of the trial seriously, as if the competition was meaningless to him here.

This made Lucky inwardly curious, and a little furious. Why was this guy so confident? What trump cards did he possess?

"Just because others have not achieved it, does not mean it can not be achieved," replied Lucky sagely, catching Caine Sinatra off guard. He had taken Lucky Riot as more of a brute than a thinker. He certainly hadn't expected any level of eloquence. Lucky ignored this reaction and continued, "My professor has tasked me with not only participating in this trial but completing it."

"Pfft," Caine Sinatra burst out in laughter, "Completing? As in passing both levels of the trial? The Tower of Woe has a total of twenty floors, and each level of the trial involves ascending these floors! With the destructive death power in the Tower of Woe, ascending to the second level is impossible unless you reached the tenth level of the hardbody stage as a minimum! In my opinion, you'll never make it past the fourth floor, let alone the first level."

Lucky's eyes flashed with the light of understanding, as Caine had just informed him of many things he hadn't known. However, Caine's condescending tone was quite irritating, causing Lucky to quip, "Oh yeah? Then from the fifth floor and up, if I see you, I will fight you."

Caine Sinatra was startled by Lucky's declaration, but a thick battle intent swelled in his eyes in the next instant. An open challenge? Finally, this was a man! Caine looked Lucky deep in his eyes and no longer saw this youth as a mere lucky commoner but as an actual opponent! "Fine, Riot. I will be waiting for you. Try not to die before then, yeah?"

"You're sweet, but there is no need to worry for me," smiled Lucky sarcastically. Caine frowned and was tempted to fight Lucky right here and now, but ultimately he walked away towards the teachers. Lucky glanced to his right and locked eyes with a pair of pink eyes that seem to pierce deep into his psyche.

Lucky was momentarily stunned, but adjusted in an instant.

"Leave me," Violet Mercy walked elegantly out from the circle of her friends and approached Lucky until she was only a few inches away. As the two stared at each other in their eyes, there were so many unspoken feelings being transmitted. Violet's eyes grew a bit watery, and she bit her lip. Lucky wanted to look away from this traitorous woman, but from the moment he saw those dazzling pink irises, he was caught.

One of the girls looked bitter and reluctant. She was about to speak up to stop Violet. However, Violet slowly turned around and stared at that girl in the eyes. The girl's body shuddered, and she fell two steps back. Violet spoke calmly still, "Leave me, Vanessa."

The girl bit her lip and then turned to lead the other girls away.

"Kasino, listen. We are from two different worlds! How could we ever…" Violet Mercy turned back to face Lucky's handsome but emotionless face. However, her words became stuck in her throat the moment her eyes met his. Her heart wrenched as she saw the pain and loss reflected in those big hazel eyes.

"Kasino?" Lucky Riot shook his head in disappointment. She hadn't called him Kasino once for more than ten years. His eyes suddenly became a little colder than before as he spoke, "Okay, finish your story. Tell me, what is it you wish to inform me of, third young miss Mercy? About our difference in heritage? About your status as imperial property?"

"Lucky!" Violet suddenly lost her composure a bit when she heard the term 'imperial property.' Violet had always hated every existence that referred to her in this way. Lucky was well aware of how she felt about those people, so for him to dare and use the same manner of address was a big blow to her.

How could he be so petty? Was it because she addressed him formally?

"Oh, so you suddenly remember me now?" Lucky Riot leaned down and whispered in Violet's ear, making her body shiver. "For how many months Violet? How long has it been? I mean, did Capp and I ever even cross your mind? Were we not all best friends? No, it should have been a burden to you, right? We have made it further than you ever imagined we would. Are you so much better than us? So impressive? Who was it that used to take beatings to defend you from harassment or embarrassment?"

"Lucky, just stop it! Uh. Don't you see…" Violet slammed her fist against Lucky's sturdy c.h.e.s.t and was shocked that it made little to no impact. After all, she had intended to push him away with that blow. No matter what, Lucky should not be able to combat her eighth level Hard Body's strength, right? Unless…"That's the reason why… oh? Kasino, are you…is your Hard Body at the eighth level?!"

Lucky suddenly lifted Violet's chin and sealed her lips with his own, making her feel like she was floating where she stood. Violet's entire world turned white, as the sweetest and most passionate feeling she had ever felt in her life seemed to fill her up like a glass of steamed milk. After half a breath, Lucky stood up straight and turned his back to Violet, letting it towered over her. Violet's mind was now a mess as she stood frozen in place.

That kiss was everything to her.

It was like electricity! Even though it was still a kiss and she had been kissed nearly every day for more than a year, it was somehow completely different from the heated and impassioned kisses of her lover. It made her feel far more enthralled and secure. Violet's heart trembled as she was suddenly so confused. Her body seemed to react so positively to Lucky. So much so, that she was only just now becoming aware that it hadn't ever done so with Jim.

Why was that?