"You… What did you just say?" In the spacious courtyard of the Royal Palace, a middle aged man stared at the person that stood before him, his eyes revealing intrigue as he spoke.

"Yes, Minister Burne! I said that Minister Frederick Hammer has been murdered!" The Royal guard who brought the news went slightly pale and couldn't refrain from taking two steps back, afraid that the Minister would attack him in a fit of rage.

However, contrary to his expectations, the Minister didn't explode out of anger. Instead, he seemed to have a pleasantly surprised expression on his face.

"Tell me, what happened? How did Minister Frederick get murdered?" Minister Burne looked at the Royal Guard, and his eyes were filled with a dense, cold light.

"I was informed of the news just now. We found the body about an hour ago. From the initial word, it looks like a revolutionary got close to the Minister and blew himself up. The Royal Guards on duty say that the perpetrator was a student of the Trinity Academy. A Victor Hannibal," the Royal Guard caught his breath and responded.

"Do we know what he used to blow himself up?" the Minister asked, shifting around the table as he spoke.

The Royal Guard shook his head. "No. The results are going to take time, Minister. His body is being checked as we speak. We believe that it might be the drug Domperixin or something similar to it, but it's much too early to draw conclusions. The Royal Army have the place under control for now, and we've recovered just over fifty bodies-"

"Okay." the Minister interrupted him before he could finish. That information may have been important, but right now, it was irrelevant to him. "Anything else that we know?"

The Royal Guard handled that one with a shake of the head once again. "Nothing else, Minister. I'll notify you if we do find out anything important!"

"Thank you." Minister Burnes dismissed the man and the door opened as though by magic to let the Royal Guard out. The next one in was a young and rather earnest-looking man, who bowed his head in front of the Minister as he said, "Good morning, Minister Burne."

"General Ivan," the Minister began. "I assume you already know why I've called you today."

"Of course, Minister Burne," the young man, Ivan, spoke in a whispered tone. "When do we start?"

"For a start, we'll have a country-wide mourning and funeral planned for Minister Frederick's death. The Prince will prepare an official statement regarding the incident when he returns to reassure the people."

"And then?" General Ivan asked.

"And then we'll launch a full investigation on the three academies; headed by you, of course," Minister Burne said bluntly. "We couldn't do it before because we didn't have a reason. Now we have one."

"Good job on baiting the Revolutionaries," General Ivan said with a smile on his face.

"We knew the Revolutionaries would bite. They've gone crazy for freedom. Too impatient. They would've never missed out on such an enticing opportunity to get back at us," Minister Burne pointed out. "A student of the Trinity Academy murdering a Royal Family representative? That's a good enough reason to launch an investigation, and it also gives us an opportunity to put a stop to this rebellion, once and for all!"

********

Warm sunlight shone down towards the Golden Avarice Academy, warming Dawsbury City and its inhabitants.

Presently, the carriage that carried Claude and the Flying Sword Faction disciples had entered Dawsbury City before quickly arriving in front of the academy.

"We are back," The Second Elder spoke, as he exited the carriage followed by Claude and the rest of the disciples.

When he entered the academy, Claude noticed that there was a group of people waiting for them near the entrance.

His personal servant, Randall Garton and his helpers stood at a side, waiting for Claude to arrive.

And in the middle of the group stood an elderly man wearing an embroidered robe, his eyes flickering with a sheen of wisdom and emitting a majestic presence. This was of course, the Academy Headmaster.

"A thousand blessings, Headmaster." Second Elder stood before the Academy Headmaster and slightly bowed his head.

"You may forgo the formalities, Baron." the Headmaster's eyes flickered before slowly opening his mouth. "Why don't we go somewhere private? It appears we have a lot to discuss."

"Right." The Second Elder nodded his head in agreement, as he left with the Academy Headmaster.

"Young Master!" a voice was heard from behind him, and Claude turned.

"Young master, welcome back! What are your orders?" Randall looked eagerly at Claude with a smiling expression.

Before answering Randall's question, Claude turned his gaze onto Senior Beldon, who was talking with his own servants.

His eyes cast a glance towards Randall and said. "Randall, prepare a bath for me. I'll arrive at my room in a few minutes. You can all leave for now."

"Don't worry young master. I'll prepare the perfect bath for you." Randall's eyes brightened as he began walking back towards Claude's courtyard.

Claude then began walking towards Senior Beldon as bewilderment painted his face. Before the fight with Victor Hannibal, Senior Beldon had warned him to be careful of the young man. The same man who was responsible for the murder of Minister Frederick Hammer. Which had Claude thinking; did his Senior also know that Victor was going to blow himself up and murder the Minister?

"Senior Beldon," Claude walked over, and as he neared, he could sense a strong aura emanating forth from his Senior.

After noticing Claude however, the strong aura disappeared, and a familiar smile appeared on Senior Beldon's face as he turned around to greet Claude. "Well if it isn't my favourite junior. How are you feeling?"

"Better. After the tournament and the incident concerning the death of the Minister, I now realize that I have to get even stronger if I wish to control my fate," Claude smiled, and he glanced at Senior Beldon's servants who were standing behind him, their faces showing neither happiness nor joy.

It was only for a second, but Senior Beldon noticed his glance. With a smile, he turned towards his servants and said, "Wait for me at my home. I have something to discuss with my junior."

The servants nodded their heads and departed without speaking a single word.

"Don't worry junior Claude," With a gentle expression in his clear eyes, Senior Beldon turned his gaze towards Claude and continued, "I'll explain everything to you!"