****(POV)

I wipe the sweat off my brows. All around me a room full of target dummies. All of them skewered completely.

This is my newest technique. Moonlight dance. All of it started as a way to merge a formation technique in a way that would let me use it by myself.

Use shadows to confuse and restrain enemies while the moonlight reaches them for the very last time in their existence.

All this time I have been keeping tabs on news about my lord. The more time passes the more restless I get. There is no sighting of him at all. He went toward a disaster zone and hasn't exited yet. Part of me knows that he is not one to go down easily, but I still can't help but be worried.

I use that feeling of helplessness to fuel my training. Every single waking hour spent perfecting this technique. Many versions of it in fact. There is the small scale one that is suited for single opponents and surprise attacks. The one that consumes more energy but allows me to easily deal with a group. Finally when I give it my all I can gather all of my maximum mana to launch an extremely wide assault allowing me to potentially turn the tide of even a battlefield.

Today I have finally mastered it. With a single swipe of my sword, I can send countless projectiles accurately and annihilate any group below rank 4.

*clap clap clap*

"Young mistress, very impressive. I'm glad I did take a detour on my way to the meeting room."

The old warden is there, how long he has been watching is a mystery.

Wait, did he say meeting room?! That means news!

"Where is he!?"

"Haha, I do not know yet. Want to join me?"

I exit the training room as swiftly as humanly possible. Finally, I will know what he has been up to. I wonder If he has stayed safe. I wonder if he's been thinking of me at all.

I wonder how strong he has become. He was already going to extreme lengths to increase his power. Always working on something without ever explaining much of it.

A few instants later a double door stands in front of my way. Behind await all the higher-ups of the sect. The very room they met in the last time. I can barely contain my excitement.

I push it open. The usual members are all seated. The Eagle of Massacre, Grey the Necromancer, my father the Sectmaster, now with the old warden everyone is here. In theory, I would not have the credentials to assist such a meeting, but I will crush the first one that even suggests me leaving the room.

It does not matter to me if they are strong enough to resist my attacks. I have been waiting for long enough already.

"You both are here; shall we start the meeting?"

"Sectmaster if you don't start already, I'm afraid there will be patricide happening today haha."

"How is my disciple doing?! Is he making a name for himself with the sword I gave him? How many bards are signing about his exploits already? A few dozens, a few hundred?"

"Hurry up and share what you know otherwise I'll make a special drink just for you should you keep toying with our feelings."

I look intently at my father.

"Hum, all of you, did you perhaps not get the memo? I have no idea what is happening to the true champion. None whatsoever."

"WHAT?!"

"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!"

"Not a single news?"

"This is concerning."

*sigh*

"I have no clue what he is doing. All I know is that for the past month he's been inside the savage archaic forest. For some reason, we cannot get any info about that place. It is to the beasts what we are to the humans. An extremely strong faction now defeated. We might be able to get reliable information on this continent, but not there."

This can't be. It's already been a whole month and we know nothing?! There is no way he would be living properly in a desolate forest. Is he eating well and sleeping enough? I've never seen him cook for himself the whole time he was at the Moon Keep.

"Fair enough, time to go back to meditating it is."

"How infuriating. Arg fine back to sword training."

"Oh? Then I guess I'll go tinker around with some new poison combinations."

"Wait up all of you?! What is up with that attitude?! I convoked you all for serious business!"

Serious business. Serious business my ass! What can warrant all of the higher-ups gathering besides news about him? Even us getting sieged would not warrant such a lineup.

I can't help but grumble.

"Was there a need to get everyone here then?!"

"Of course! Wait, aren't you supposed to support your own father in such a situation? Why is everyone sporting such an aggrieved expression?!"

"Tch"

"Whatever"

"*Shakes head*"

"*sigh* Fine what is it, father?"

"Our fake champion has recently been assaulted. Some second-rate sect formed a coalition to target us. Or more accurately target the one they believe our representative. They don't have the guts to challenge us directly and are nothing but small fries. Still, it is concerning. People used to fear us and would utter our name reverently. They seem to think we are sleeping dogs only because we've been laying low for a while. It is time to teach them a lesson!"

"Not it, I guess!"

"Not me either I'm busy training!"

So this is what we are doing. I understand I got my hopes up for nothing. This is obviously a one-person job. Maybe it would have been different had it been a first-rate sect. The thing is the sects here are …newly created to say it in a positive light. They don't have as much history as ours. Even if we are only exiles, or so I heard.

"I'll do it. Who knows I might just meet the young master while I'm at it."

Wait?! What?! The warden is chuckling? Does he know something?!

"You! Speak now!"

"You are overthinking this young mistress. I'll just try my luck at finding him on the way back. I have no clue whatsoever myself."

Ah…this is disappointing. Guess I'll join and ….

"You should remain here. You might have created an ultimate attack, but you can only use it once. You need to increase your raw magical capacity. Work hard I believe in you."

Fuck! He has a point. Wait until I am stronger my Lord, I will find you! This much I promise myself.

What about the sect that is facing annihilation?

Does anyone really care about them? I mean obviously not, right?

Ah, I wonder what amazing adventure my Lord is having right now...