Silent Crown

by Feng Yue

  76 Jianlan Underground Palace

  Six days later on Friday, the hot afternoon sun shone down from the sky blindingly. Brian and Dominic stood in the shade of the ancient building’s entrance, quietly watching the students that had gathered at the square.

  “There are quite a few new students this year.” Dominic looked into the eyes of the boys and girls. “It’s clear that they’re more troublesome too.”

  Brian smiled and went along with Dominic’s words, “Maybe they want to hurry and see how the real musician world is. That would all depend on Mr. Dominic’s guidance.”

  Dominic stayed silent, raising a hand to feel the scar under his mottled white hair. Maybe it was the hot weather, but he felt pain stretching from his forehead to the scar on the back of his head. But hearing “real musician world” made him want to laugh.

  “If they really want to see how the musician world really is, why don’t they go to the battlefield?” His mouth cracked open and his hoarse laughter was like a wheeze, full of unhappiness. “See some blood, see some corpses, learn the color of bone and organs, get used to the smell of blood, and then you can say you’ve seen the world. These weak challenges and fights only give you the right to talk at banquets.”

  In the silence, Brian felt a chill down his spine. He did not know if it was the eerie coldness from the ancient building behind him, or because of the old man’s laughter. He leaned back in fear and suddenly became angry, wrinkling his nose in disgust. It was brash on his part to talk to an old guy from the battlefield. Other than killing people, he could only guard the door like a dog.

  Suddenly, Dominic turned his head and stared at Brian with an eye covered with white substance like a nebula. A faint smile ghosted his wrinkled face. “Are you angry? I smell anger…”

  Under the gaze of an eye that had witnessed the underworld, Brian’s face paled and he stepped back subconsciously. He forced out a smile. “It must be a misunderstanding.““This d*mned battle dog has such sharp senses even when he’s this old…” Brian thought to himself.

  “Ha, really?” Dominic laughed and decided to stop playing with this frightened ‘child.’ He said in his hoarse voice, “The school board has nothing to do with me. I’m just a guard, and I don’t care about anything else. Since they know that I’m stubborn and sent me an assistant, you can take care of everything else.”

  “Including class?” Brian’s face changed, mixed between uncontrollable happiness and shock. He thought it would have taken some time to take the power from that guy who did not even care about the school board. But he had never imagined that his dream would come true on his first day.

  Was it really that easy?

  It seemed that even this stubborn man knew to watch the wind. Seeing the principal fall out of favor, Dominics had cleverly decided to give in.

  Brian tried to keep a stern expression and asked humbly, “Is that okay?”

  “Why not?” Dominic murmured. “Isn’t that what you’re here for?” He looked back at the teacher’s assistant under the blinding sun. With his back to the sun, Brian couldn’t see his face clearly. But the eye covered in with the white nebula emanated a corpse’s coldness. It was like a tide that crashed over Brian’s joy. “Work well since you’re here.” He raised a scrawny finger. Hooked on it was a rusted old key. “It’s time. Open the door.”

  It was clearly a command, but Brian, who had never followed any commands, took the key without hesitation. He was in awe of the might in that voice. His emotions battled. For the first time, he felt that his mission from the school board would not be so easy.

  The rough key, at least two finger’s width wide, scraped in the keyhole. The sharp sound pierced Brian’s ears. He used all his energy, twisting it bit by bit.

  The towering bronze door opened with a shudder, as if woken up by the turning wheels inside. Powerful shaking came from the bar and keyhole. Every shudder made Brian feel as if his bones were rubbing against each other. Finally, the ancient door cracked open. Behind the door, the world was pitch black. An eerie breeze blew out of the darkness, bringing with it the smell of something rotting.

  Brian stepped back, as if shaken by something in the darkness.

  “Don’t just stand there. Bring the students in.” Behind him, Dominic leaned on a cane and passed him. “It’s almost time for class.”

  —

  All students let out a breath when they finally made it to the end of the long tunnel. The entire time, the darkness all around them almost suffocated them. The hidden underground palace emanated an ominous feeling from every corner, at every second.

  Very few people knew that there would be such ancient architecture hidden under the verdure of the academy. It looked like a church, about to collapse any second. But the Church would have never built something so sinister. They always had sharp turrets, like swords pointing up to the sky.

  Like in an abandoned building built from scraps and metal, there was a long tunnel behind the bronze door. Silence weighed down on everyone’s whispering. There was only the sound of heavy panting and footsteps, and the sound of Dominic’s cane hitting the ground.

  “Stop here.”

  They were on a vast square, at the entrance of a different palace.

  Dominic’s footsteps halted, and he looked at the crowd behind him. “All public practice classes will be held here. Remember your location. This is still within the proximity of the entrance. If you keep going forward, you will stray.” He paused and laughed hoarsely. “If you get lost here, no one will be able to find you, or find the pieces of your body and put you back together.” He raised a hand and grasped the rope of an alarm. He pulled, and the alarm went off instantly. The sharp ringing pierced everyone’s eardrums.

  But then, some people yelped in shock. The aether in the air suddenly woke up and became active. As if freed from its shackles, it started accepting its sense and control again.

  Following that, light appeared in the darkness. Silver flames ignited above the dome, and the ancient candles glowed. The growing light chased away the darkness, and also illuminated the menacing statues and faded art.

  When these half-human, half-snake, or otherwise mutated statues became visible, everyone gasped. They were not in an underground palace.

  They were in a tomb!

  —

  It was a tomb—a tomb that had buried a legend.

  Brian stared at the darker places and his breathing quickened. The legends were true.

  Legend said that after King Arthur died, his famous Sword in the Stone—the one that killed the catastrophe Red Dragon and created Anglo—and the armor and weapons of the Round Table Knights were sealed in the deepest parts of the academy. Apparently, the sword was still active every night, even after losing its owner. The soul of the Red Dragon sealed in its blade still howled during the dark nights.

  It was a weapon that had combined the skill of all Eastern and Western alchemists at the time. After losing its owner, it became a ‘creature’ that preyed on men.

  The Royalty could not bear to destroy King Arthur’s only relic, and could only seal it in the deepest part of a tomb-like underground palace. It was guarded by the armor of the Round Table Knights. Someday, a new king would be born and take control of it.

  There were more legends than one could count. But this was the only legend that was a secret every major family passed down. Brian had worked hard to win this position, just so he could add something bold to his resume. This was also why he had been so upset with Dominic. The resource that could help him win the world had always been taken by an old thing that needed a cane to walk? Such blasphemy!

  “What are you still waiting for?” Dominic’s hoarse voice sounded behind him like a ghost that could read minds. “Start the class.” The old man hobbled away into the dark shadows. Only his eerie laugh remained. “I heard that the kids have prepared something. I’m so excited. Can the gentlemanly elites learn to fight like dogs too?”

  Seeing his backside, Bria
n’s expression turned dark. He was starting to find this old dog an eyesore.

  —

  Brian stood before the crowd, starting to lecture the rules and important points of musician battles. But in the crowd, Bai Xi hopped around in impatience. Everyone around them had an idea of what was going to happen that day. They sent over troubled and pitiful gazes. The more they did so, the worse Bai Xi’s temper got.

  “What are you looking at? I’m going to gouge out your eyes!” Bai Xi stuck her middle finger up at everyone. “What? Not happy? Then fight me. I’ll teach you a lesson!”

  They looked away, but Bai Xi was still pissed. “How long has it been? Why isn’t he here yet?” she asked, stepping on Charles’ feet. “Why did you sneak out this morning? How come only you came back?”

  “Maybe because there are a lot of scrolls,” Charles said mysteriously. “Don’t worry, he promised to come back in time. It hasn’t started yet.”

  “Music History?” A dramatic voice sounded from the crowd. Bart gazed mockingly at the emblem before Charles and Bai Xi’s chest and asked his friend, “What department is that? Do we even have that in our school?”

  “Oh, I’ve heard of it before.” His friend giggled. “It used to be part of Revelations, but it was too much of a failure, so we kicked them out. They host our academy’s infamous failure too. How have they not been eliminated yet?”

  “Say one more thing!” Without waiting for Charles, Bai Xi walked over to the student. She looked up at him, her eyes full of anger and coldness, like a frosted dagger.

  Her eyes were different from Ye Qingxuan who always looked at others with pity in his eyes, as if he was looking at an idiot, and would not react no matter what. But Bai Xi did not care about getting on the same low level as those idiots. Once she was angry, she was willing to fight no matter what.

  When she stood in front of the boy, a full head taller than her, and looked up, he actually stumbled back. No one could believe that such a fierce glare came from that little girl.

  “A failure? Even if he is one, he’s a failure I’m protecting.” She reached out, jabbing at the boy’s chest, forcing him to stagger back. “Say one more word and I’ll rip your lips off. Just try…”

  77 I’ll Fight Ten

  “A failure? Even if he is one, he’s a failure I’m protecting.” Bai Xi reached out, jabbing at the boy’s chest, forcing him to stagger back. “Say one more word and I’ll rip your lips off. Just try…”

  “Useless trash!” Bart thought angrily. He pushed the idiot away and stood before Bai Xi. He smiled, looking like a gentleman as he gazed down at the little girl. He could not help but glance over her white skin, lowering his gaze to her beautiful face and delicate neck. He wanted so badly to reach into that collar.

  But Bai Xi’s eyes pierced him, causing his smile to go stiff, turning into a cold grimace. “What use are your words? Where is he?” Looking behind Bai Xi, and not seeing the white-haired youth, he could not help but snicker. “I bet he’s too scared. We’ve prepared an amazing show today, but it’s a pity we met a coward.”

  “What does this have to do with you?” Bai Xi side-eyed him. “You talk like you’re the boss. If you’re so powerful, why are you still Edmund’s dog? Do you bark when he ignores you to get attention?”

  “You!” Bart’s face darkened and he glared at Bai Xi. Looking at the delicate beauty on her young face, and her slightly protruding chest, his eyes became angry and greedy. That stupid b*tch was willing to offend him over a mutt? He had even resisted his savage urges so many times! He studied the girl, wanting to find panic hidden in her eyes. But greeted by her stubbornness, Bart’s heart actually skipped a beat. His gaze softened, filling with pity and lust.

  Reaching toward her shoulder, he said gently, “Do you still believe that he can protect you? Do you know just how many people he has offended? Come with me. As long as you’re obedient, I won’t let anyone touch you…”

  “Too bad she’s with me.” A hoarse voice sounded behind him, causing his hand to freeze. Bart turned around like he had seen a ghost. Behind him, a tired white-haired youth smiled toward Bai Xi. “Sorry, there were a lot of tests and it took some time.” Finally, his gaze landed on Bart’s frozen hand, and his eyes became cold as if he were looking at a heap of garbage. “Can you take your dirty hand away now?”

  “Didn’t you know you had the guts to come.” Bart suppressed his fury and smiled without moving his facial muscles. “Hopefully you won’t be scared. We prepared a long show and I promise it’ll be fascinating.” He slit his neck with his finger. “We’ll see.”

  “As you please.” Ye Qingxuan bent over and wrapped an arm around the girl’s shoulder to taunt Bart. Smiling, he watched as fury filled Bart’s eyes, and the boy stormed away.

  And then his smile stiffened because Bai Xi had stepped on him where no one could see. “I’m going to bite you if you don’t let go,” Bai Xi said through clenched teeth in a voice only the two could hear.

  Ye Qingxuan chuckled quietly. “I’m just playing with him. It’s so interesting.”

  “How come you get to hug me?” Bai Xi glared at him. “Next time, you stand in the front and I’ll carry you bridal-style. How about that?”

  “…Cousin, with your strength…how about no.” Ye Qingxuan stroked her hair tenderly and Bai Xi nearly exploded.

  “I’m gonna kill you!”

  —

  “Okay, that is all for the general rules. Next, we can begin practicing.” At the front, Brian had finally finished explaining the rules and paused. His gaze swept past Edmund and, seeing the boy’s expression, he nodded, revealing a chilling smile. Raising his voice, he looked around the crowd. “Next, which student will voluntarily demonstrate a duel between musicians?”

  He emphasized the word ‘voluntarily.’ It was clear that Edmund had talked with him beforehand. Nothing could be said, even if Ye Qingxuan was injured later.

  “Sir, I want to challenge the student beside me. I believe he will voluntarily demonstrate for everyone,” Bart said, raising his hand.

  The crowd split immediately, forming two separate circles around the two. Whispers spread throughout. It was clear everyone knew what would happen.

  Bart looked back at Ye Qingxuan. The youth stood quietly and just nodded, not revealing anything else. “I will make sure you lose your dignity in front of everyone.” Bart talked as he smiled, his voice menacing and deep. “Something like Music History should never have existed in the Royal Academy of Music.”

  “Don’t brag about things that you have no control,” Ye Qingxuan said quietly. “My father taught me this when I was three years old. It seems that elites start their education late.”

  “It seems that you want to die.” Bart wiped the smile off his face.

  —

  “Please come forward.” Before the crowd, Brian stood in the center of the square. A carving of a snake was under his feet. The long snake eating its own tail wrapped around the heart of the square, the fierce struggle displayed on the stone floor. The exaggerated yet detailed design made it seem not like an inanimate object, but like the corpse of a terrifying creature, its pain preserved in the stone.

  “Do you have anything else to say?” Brian stood between the two and asked, seeming fair and just.

  “No need.” Ye Qingxuan shook his head. “I don’t like trouble, so if we can solve this in one blow, then let’s do it.”

  Bart blanched. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that today, I’m going to fight ten students.”

  The entire square fell silent at that. Ten?

  In the shadows, Dominic thought of something and laughed. “I thought it would be boring to see a bunch of kids play around, but I didn’t expect that there would be a wolf today. Challenge to be the concertmaster in the first practice lesson?”

  —

  “Concertmaster challenge?” When everyone finally processed what Ye Qingxuan meant, chaos erupted like boiling water.

  “He�
�s going to challenge to be the concertmaster within the first ten days of school? This is too much.”

  “Is it possible?” The person behind the speaker shook his head.

  “Probably just go big or go home,” someone murmured. “At least he’ll lose with more honor this way.”

  Even Brian, as the judge, was shocked. “Concertmaster challenge?”

  He turned to look at Ye Qingxuan, carefully studying this quiet youth for the first time. Humble clothes, lack of alchemy equipment, no elite emblem, an Easterner. He furrowed his brows, as if he was looking at an idiot.

  “You?” Someone in the crowd snickered and laughter scattered throughout mockingly. Clapping, someone said, “Maybe it’ll work and Music History is going to make a comeback! The day of reunification is here!” His voice was full of mockery.

  Edmund’s expression was twisted. He clenched his fist, running a finger over his thumb. His evil eyes said, “If this guy is allowed to speak freely, he might cause more trouble.”

  “We can’t keep a curse like him around,” said a cold youth beside him.

  Edmund shivered at the voice and finally set down his determination.

  —

  “Student, you need to pass the school office’s assessment to qualify for the concertmaster position.” At the front, Brian finally resisted the urge to laugh. With slight mockery, he said, “It’s always good to dream big, but it’s most important to focus on reality.”

  Laughter rang through the crowd again, but Ye Qingxuan did not move.

  “Really? Here’s the pass from the school office. Take it.” Ye Qingxuan pulled out a certificate stamped by the school office from his pocket. “It took so much work and there were a bunch of tests to take. I was almost late.”

  Brian’s face turned as white as a sheet. Looking at the certificate in his hands and seeing the red stamp, he felt as if he was hallucinating. How many days had it even been? Someone passed through the school office? What did they even do all day? They just let a downtown redneck pass the tests? Little did he know, the school office was upset too.