The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

The five faction leaders were looking at Klaus with apologetic expressions.

“Before the warning, you all should know the dean himself sanctioned this meeting. But aside from him, Overlord Queenie has also enforced it, and Overlord Nari will be acting as our guardian.

So listen well.” Klaus looked at them closely.

“The fact that you all joined hands with Duncan just so you could torment one faction shows how unqualified you all are to be faction leaders.

Instead of focusing on the strength of your faction, you chose to side with those idiots. I am disappointed in your five.

Now, I won’t tell you what to do, but I will say this: the next betrayal means death.

Earth needs capable warriors, but it also needs warriors that can be trusted. So feel free to go against me and this alliance that is about to be formed.

How you died will remain a mystery.”

Klaus used the power of the Soul Eater Ice, so his voice was rather cold, and thanks to the power of the ice, his voice entered their souls, making them feel how serious his warning was.

They all knew from the very moment that they had to change.

Though they had kicked out Hunter and his cohort, they still feared Klaus would retaliate. But hearing his warning, they knew some hope was still left for them.

“We promise not to go astray ever again,” Soejin Choi, the leader of the then second-ranked faction, the Celestial Wind Pavilion, said with an earnest expression.

“I hope so,” Klaus didn’t say much and instead focused on what had to be said.

“I called you all here mainly for two things. The first is to give you all an assignment, or more like a mission of importance, and the second is to tell you about the faction I am forming.

Now, before you all raise your eyebrows, this faction is not something that will be confined inside the academy. This faction is more like a military unit that will house smaller units within it.

This means I will be forming this faction from the 8 factions already in the academy. But that won’t be all; warriors from other academies and those in the houses can join, provided they have the potential I am after.

And when I say potential, I mean dedicated and disciplined warriors.”

He paused to let the people in the room absorb his words.

What he just said wasn’t something they hadn’t heard before; it was the same pitch most of the legacy families and great clans sold to them when they were admitted to the Celestial Mountain Academy.

However, while they had heard it before, they knew what Klaus meant was going to be different from what they knew.

“I won’t waste anyone’s time, so I will start with the structure of what I am going to do.” Klaus raised a finger.

“First, I will only need 506 warriors from this academy, and then there will be 100 slots for anyone outside the academy. This means I will only be needing 606 warriors.

People will frown upon hearing that, but I don’t care. There will be only 606 warriors since this number is not only my favorite but also the only number I can work with.

I know you all are wondering how I plan to select these 606 people. The answer to that is simple: I have created a trial inside the Oracle that will run for all disciples of this academy.

There is another one that will run for those outside the academy.

This trial is designed to fish out the people I want, and they will be people I will personally look after and ensure they are raised into beings worthy of being called warriors.

Second, you all here are leaders of your various factions, meaning you are the most talented by the academy’s standards.

I can also see you have potential. However, I am not after your position. I am more interested in what you can offer.

So, I will assess your potential and see if I can make warriors out of you.

Third… you will all have to select new leaders after I am done with my selection. We will begin our training when I am done, and it won’t be inside the academy.

So, find new faction leaders.

Of course, while I would like to say this training will be easy, I am afraid it will take your all, and when I say your all, it will take your body, mind, and soul.

Also, aside from me, the Overlords and the Grand Elders will be joining me to train you all. So be ready and, of course, be prepared.

However, if you don’t want to join, then be sure not to regret it later, for there won’t be a second chance.”

Klaus had much more to say, but he didn’t want to get into the technicalities just yet. He knew the coming days would involve him and the 606 he would be picking having the real talk.

“You can go and inform your faction members that in the next three days, the trial will go live, and everyone is qualified to join. Those who emerge as winners in the end will be informed on what to do next.”

The faction leaders nodded, and the meeting ended with none of them asking any questions.

They knew that if what Klaus had said was the real deal, then things would be much more serious than he had described.

After they left, Klaus sighed and fell onto Lucy’s waiting lap.

“So, when are you going to tell us your plans?” Lucy said, brushing her hands through his hair.

“Soon, my dear. What I have planned will be made known soon. But for now, know that I will be working you all to the bone—and when I say to the bone, I mean through and through.”

Lucy blushed, knowing the hidden meaning behind his words.

“Then, can you alone handle all of them?” Lucy asked.

“Not even in the slightest, but I am not alone. I have you and the others, plus my five uncles will be joining us, so things will be managed well.”

“Then what about those who won’t qualify to join the faction you are forming? Would they be thrown to the side?”

“I have a different arrangement for them. It’s the academy, after all. This place was meant to turn them into capable warriors, so I will make sure it does.”

Klaus spent the day with Lucy. They spent some quality time together. Three days later, the trial went live, and Klaus made a world-shattering announcement through Controversial News.

The next two days were spent running the trail, selecting the 606 people he wanted. A week later, all 606 were gathered in a large hall.

The Paragon is about to meet the warriors who will one day strike fear in the universe’s heart and face the heavens with him.