Chapter 316: Probing for Information
For the rest of the way, Layra conversed with Keeper Seliza—asking her questions revolving around the AAA’s role as an organization. She was doing it to occupy Keeper Seliza, so that Kai could have space to calm his nerves.
It was a miracle that he managed to hold it in earlier.
And she decided to step in to help.
Regardless of her reasoning, she now understood the AAA better.
Based on Keeper Seliza, the AAA’s main role within the First Sky was as the regulator of all academies, making sure that their quotas were met and the standard of Angels was maintained at an acceptable level.
Additionally, the AAA was also the main organization regulating resources.
Depending on the rank of the academy, the resources they would get from the AAA vary.
Resources are directly tied to the growth of the students within the academy. In high-ranking academies, High Angels or even Angels are given legal mana ores in their weekly Accolade—not only the champion.
Rewards from completing missions in the factories are also far better.
Due to the abundance of resources, maintaining the top rankings became far easier.
No fear of not meeting the quotas. No need to worry about deteriorating Angel graduates.
Such a better environment also spread to the hive tied to the academy, allowing the family of the Angels to live in far better circumstances than most. And most importantly, the privileges for the people working within top-ranking academies are also generous.
Other than that, the AAA was also the main communication channel between different skies.
Latest information from the upper skies was obtained through the AAA.
Keeper Seliza didn’t explain how that worked exactly, but Layra could assume that those who served the AAA had a faster route to the higher skies, allowing them to move up or down to deliver information.
As she had seen earlier, the Headquarters itself was tied to the upper skies.
So, there was no need for them to go up using normal means.
"Wait here. Someone will address you soon." Keeper Seliza said—gesturing for them toward the waiting area, a formation of white sofas, within a spacious spherical room with a tall ceiling. "Once you’re done, you can come find me again."
"We’ll do that." Layra nodded and bowed her head a little.
From her observations earlier, Keeper Seliza seemed to have some standing.
Most people who saw her saluted or bowed—which meant she was a high-ranking individual within the AAA’s Headquarters. Layra watched as she walked back out, and only then did she straighten again and breathe easily.
"Being beside her is unnerving..." She mumbled inwardly.
Just then, she snapped her head to the side, remembering that Kai was still distraught.
She saw him already sitting down on the sofa, reclining on it as he stared at the tall ceiling.
Kai stared at the massive crystal chandelier and the painting of lightning swirling around the entire ceiling—and then went into an open box. Or perhaps the lightning had escaped the box and was now fleeing away.
Either way, he stared at it absent-mindedly.
"Are you feeling better now?" Layra sat beside him and asked.
She took his hand again—but this time, she was not gripping his hard knuckles. His hand had softened, opening to hers, letting her fingers slip between his and intertwine. His palm was a rough landscape now; worn from everything he had endured as a Lesser Angel.
It made her feel sad for him.
But then again, she was glad that the Blood Rite happened.
As wicked as the First Sky was, that test allowed Kai to adapt and make him stronger.
Strong enough to go through what awaited him in Eventide Academy.
"Yes..." Kai nodded and squeezed her hand. "I wouldn’t be fine had it not been for you."
Earlier, had Layra not occupied Keeper Seliza, Kai wouldn’t be able to hold back his anger.
It was simply impossible to hold. Only a matter of time until he exploded.
And Layra seemed to notice that, so she quickly averted Keeper Seliza’s attention away so that Kai could calm his burning nerves. He was an inch away from losing control, but Layra’s quick thinking saved him.
Layra flashed a small smile, "I’m glad that I can help."
She was happy that she could help, especially after Kai had been the one helping her.
About time she started to return the favour.
And then, she gently lifted the edge of his mask, enough to peek beneath. The ceramic material resisted, but she was careful, her fingers light against his chin. Inside, she saw the damage—his lower lip was torn, split clean through, and the wound was still glistening.
Only the dried blood remained, a dark crust that clung to his skin.
It was the reminder of the anger he had swallowed.
Layra didn’t say anything.
Instead, she pressed her fingertip to his lip and let a thread of her mana spread across his chin. She couldn’t heal him, not that she needed to, as the wound was already healing on its own—but she could wipe the smears of blood.
A soft gold mana wrapped around the blood and wiped it away.
Only then did she fix his mask back into place.
Her touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary, which Kai didn’t mind.
Both waited for about five minutes.
And then, a figure emerged from beyond the spacious chamber. Another woman—but unlike the armoured legionnaires or Keeper Seliza, she was draped in a simple white uniform, utterly unadorned, with a white robe over her shoulders.
Her face was hidden behind a white dove mask.
But she was radiating with a comforting air as the eyes behind the eyeholes seemed to sparkle.
She moved with lightness that seemed almost unnatural.
"Red Prince Kai? Emerald Princess Layra?" She asked—her voice was mellifluous.
"Yes." Layra nodded and rose, and Kai followed her right after. "That’s us."
"My name is Vassa—and I’m going to be the one in charge of attending to the two of you. You are here to register, correct?" Her gaze moved from Layra to Kai, waiting until they nodded. "Yes. Good. In that case, follow me to the Test Hall."
She led them out of the chamber and around the back of the headquarters.
Kai and Layra expected a backyard, something ornamental or decorative.
Instead, the path opened onto another road, flanked by lush greenery and flowers that readily bloomed at their approach in magical colors—that he had never seen before. The road wound past multiple buildings, each one distinct and marked by a statue or a symbol.
Along the way, Vassa explained to them what they needed to do to register.
"Since the AAA requires your data to gauge the level of this year’s champions, the two of you will need to undergo several tests." She glanced back, ensuring they were following. "The tests shouldn’t take long, and they’re quite accurate. But I have one favor to ask—don’t hold back your strength. Doing so would only put you on the AAA’s radar, and we don’t want that now, do we?"
"Are there any particular reasons for why we’re being tested like this?" Layra asked curiously.
"Of course," Vassa nodded. "As you already know, starting from the Second Sky and above— it was a battlefield. Sky Gates could appear anywhere—and anytime. Fail to address them fast enough, the Star Beasts would descend to the First Sky and even the surface.
"Each Sky Gate carries different circumstances, and they were listed in priority order. Some needed to be handled immediately—and some had years of error. So, it’s really important for the AAA to track the future graduates."
Layra nodded her head in understanding.
She believed gathering enough information about how things work would help her survive.
Kai, on the other hand, set his mind on something else.
"Vassa, may I ask—who exactly is Keeper Seliza? Is she a high-ranking official here? And are there others besides her?" Kai kept his tone light, probing for information without putting too much pressure. "Of course, only if that’s not too much to ask."
"Well, Keeper Seliza is indeed a higher-ranking officer. She’s tasked with overseeing all things related to the Headquarters in the First Sky." Vassa nodded. "Each sky has its own Keeper, so you can say her authority in the First Sky is unmatched. As for the other higher-ups, they visit on occasion, but most remain in the higher skies."
"Is... Is Archangel Morriva here?" Kai asked hesitantly.
"Archangel Morriva?" Vassa stopped mid-step and turned to face Kai. For a fleeting moment, she simply stared—then the tension broke with a chuckle. "Of course, she isn’t here. She’s one of the pillar Angels. A Demigod. She spends most of her time in the Third or Fourth Sky, but she does come down sometimes." She paused, and then pointed at Kai. "What? Are you a fan of hers?"
Kai scratched the back of his head, pretending to be embarrassed.
"S-Something like that."
"Stop dreaming, little boy. She has many suitors."
Vassa turned around again and continued as she laughed humorously at what she learned.
She wasn’t expecting the Red Prince to be bold enough to fancy Archangel Morriva.
Or even have the gall to ask her whereabouts.
"S-Something like that," Layra repeated Kai’s words in a mocking manner; her upper lip lifted into an annoyed snarl at how he was acting. And before Kai could even say anything, she went ahead with her arms crossed.
"What?" Kai was stunned at her reaction. "Did she really think it was real?"
Soon, Vassa stopped at the first building on the left.
It was marked by a statue of a man in a cuirass and plumed helmet. He was raising his arm in triumph, lifting the severed head of a bull. The craftsmanship was masterful—every muscle, every line of the hero’s face carved with such precision—that it seemed he might actually step down from his pedestal at any moment.
Kai and Layra recognized him instantly.
Hero Theseus. Son of Poseidon.
His divine bloodline didn’t have a high rating, but close enough to the likes of Hero Heracles.
After ascending the staircase, they entered through the doorless gate, stepping into a spacious hall that stretched before them in three distinct sections. To the left, the largest area, was a test course—a sprawling obstacle course filled with walls to climb, gaps to leap—barriers to break through, and even traps.
Obstacles that were designed to push a body to its absolute limit.
To the right, two big structures stood—strength tests.
And at the far end of the hall, floating midair—was an orb. It radiated a shimmering light that pulsed gently like a heartbeat, casting soft shadows across the room. Kai and Layra could tell already that it was a mana test.
"Now," Vassa turned towards them. "Let’s begin.’