I created my own system

The dark wood doors of the Archduke's private chambers creaked open, Apollo and Alicia stepped inside, bringing with them the news of their mission. The Archduke, seated behind an old mahogany desk, looked up as he shifted his gaze from the piles of reports to the two visitors who came after burning a warehouse.

"You're back," he said, his voice calm but expectant. His light emerald eyes flicked between them as if searching for any sign of success or failure. "When I received your message young Lionheart I immediately dispatched a few of my men to help out, in case the two of you were to need it.

However as they try to approach the place where the warehouses are, they are obstructed with multiple eyes gazing at the paths headed there. And so they decided not to continue forward since it would definitely arouse suspicion. I really want to apologize for not being able to help in a very difficult mission. If my men were to continue at that time it would have added burden on your part.

However putting those aside, I trust you two have very important news for me"

Apollo and Alicia exchanged a glance before stepping forward. Apollo cleared his throat, his mind was thinking about how to compose the events at the warehouse, without involving their usage of authority. As much as possible he wants to limit the archduke from what he knew about their skills.

"We've eliminated the vessel," Apollo began, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "The lab was destroyed, and we made it look like an accident. The Church won't suspect our involvement."

The Archduke's brow furrowed, and he leaned forward, his fingers interlaced. "Good. But I sense there's more."

"There is," Alicia said, stepping in. Her tone was serious, although it was emotionless like usual. "We've confirmed that the Revolutionary Church has succeeded in creating at least one vessel, but that's just the beginning. They're running experiments in other locations, and their goal is to challenge the empire"

The Archduke gestured for them to continue, his expression unreadable.

Apollo took a deep breath before speaking again. "The Church is trying to mass-produce these vessels—living weapons capable of channelling the power of gods. They've set up hidden labs in multiple locations. We've identified one in the mountains north of the empire"

The Archduke's eyes darkened. "And how far along are they in this plan?"

"Far enough to be a serious threat," Alicia said. "The experiments we saw were unstable, but they're getting closer to perfecting the process. The real danger comes from an artifact they're searching for—something that can stabilize the magic used to bind gods to human vessels. If they find it, they'll be able to create an army."

As soon as they ended their report an uncomfortable silence filled the room as the Archduke absorbed the information. His fingers drummed against the desk as he processed the situation. The thought of an army of vessels, each capable of wielding the power of a god, was not something to be taken lightly.

Even though they weren't real Gods, their power was said to be almost on par with them according to the old records three hundred years ago. They must destroy anything that can keep their power from growing.

"This artifact—do we know where it is?" the Archduke asked, his voice low and controlled, though there was a hint of unease beneath his calm exterior.

Apollo shook his head. "We don't have specifics, but from what we've learned, the Church is getting desperate. They need the artifact to stabilize the vessels, and without it, their experiments will eventually fail. But if they find it, we'll be facing an entirely new kind of threat."

"So the reason for a sudden demand for artifacts was for these, they were looking for the right material that can help them stabilize their weapon" he realized remembering the fiasco that occurred regarding artifacts and dungeons not long ago.

The Archduke stood, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the room as he paced behind his desk. "So, they're closer than we thought. We can't afford to let them succeed. If they manage to mass-produce these vessels, even the empire's armies might have a hard time stopping them."

Apollo nodded. "Which is why we need to act quickly. We have a lead on one of the hidden labs. It's heavily guarded, and it's likely where they're focusing their efforts now. We'll need to move soon before they can relocate."

The Archduke stopped pacing and turned to face them. His expression was calm despite the current situation that might occur, but deep within his calm exterior Apollo could see the growing bloodlust inside him, the archduke was mad and it seemed a battle was the solution to satisfy him. "I'll assemble a strike team. You two will return to the academy.

I know you two have given such important information, however you are still kids who should focus on yourselves. At least let me protect the little time you have as children. I trust that you two will understand me"

"We understood but we were already involved in this task, can't we see the end of it?" Apollo tried to reason wanting to see the power of the archduke's strike team.

The Archduke's gaze lingered on them, as though weighing the risks and rewards in this mission. "I know however I can no longer put the two of you at risk. The consequences that will happen if ever the two of you got gravely injured are much worse than a church running havoc, I know that the two of you should be aware of this"

He said emphasizing every word he said.

"And that also includes your friends that are currently listening in our conversation"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

{Eh?}

{What!}

The Lower-class students suddenly jolted at the archduke's words, they were confident not to be discovered since their equipment was made by Apollo.

"Sir, what do you mean by that?" the boy feigns ignorance as he tries to slip through the situation, after all, he knows the information that is being revealed is not something anyone can hear. It was supposedly only him and Alicia.

"Enough young Lionheart, how can you explain to me the fact that you two were able to bypass the people guarding the path to the warehouse? I am certain someone uses the authority of space, and knowing the background of your class, I am certain it is one of your friends that teleport the two of you right to the outskirts of the city"

The entire students of the Lower class felt a sudden embarrassment from getting caught in their actions. So Alicia the president of the class decided to speak. "I would like to apologize, your Highness, I do know the contents of the information today were confidential yet it was easily revealed to other people"

Your journey continues on empire

"Ah, lady Alicia please do not apologize it did not upset me, instead it delights me knowing the power of the true and supreme Gods are helping in this mission. I was also relieved knowing the two of you weren't alone in this mission, so it's okay" the archduke reassures them putting their mind at ease.

"For now returned to the Academy...Oh! Wait was it the tower instead? I finally remember the entire first-year students were given a three-day vacation"

"Yes, we were given that" Apollo answers to confirm the archduke's information.

"Then I suppose your task ends today, don't worry about your doubles I will take care of them, you can hurry and ask your friend to send you back to the tower"

Apollo and Alicia just nodded so immediately Aaron, who was suddenly nervous after gaining the archduke's attention, hurriedly got the two towards the tower's airship.

"That was intense," Mckenzie said as he sat down on the floor, tired of the suspense event that happened.

Right after teleporting Alicia and Apollo the tower mages already began travelling to return to their headquarters. So while the two toured around the city their classmates were already inside the airship with the mages.

Back at the dumbfounded kids, their faces hadn't recovered from the shock of being discovered.

"Um....let's eat? I'm hungry" Apollo suggested wanting to change the mood of his friends.

"Yeah, why not we actually brought some snacks from our trip at the marketplace let's eat that" Alicia seconded trying to ease their mind with food.