It wasn’t long before several familiar figures took to the skies appearing before Ace with warm and cheerful smiles.

  Seeing Arianna and each of her disciples, an expression of sincere gratitude and appreciation appeared on Ace’s face.

  “Thank you, all of you,” Ace said early as he cupped his fist and bowed his head respectfully.

  After 15 years in this new world, Ace had long since learnt the s of the people here, it was just that as the free spirit he was, it was rare that he personally used them, but after everything they did for he and his mother, he couldn’t think of a more fitting time to start.

  “I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you take a bow,” Lauriel teased.

  “Me too,” Lazerim added, stroking his beard and pretending to curiously study the dark-haired teen.

  “Maybe he hit his head before he went into the a,” Kimika guessed, looking at Ace as though he were an alien.

  “I’m not sure I like this ‘new and improved’ Ace,” Mathias sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t think it suits him.”

  “What are you lot talking about?” Wukong excimed. “It’s about time this brat shows this king his respect!”

  Ace’s brows couldn’t help but twitch at their nonse was rare that he went out of his way to show thanks and appreciation, and this is how they act when he does.

  “Respect? Who could respect you, you shitty ape!” Aorted.

  “There he is!” Mathias smiled.

  “It was fun whilst it sted,” Lauriel sighed, feigning helplessness.

  “You old farts were the ones who used to pin about my not showing manners,” Ace rolled his eyes. “Make up your minds already!”

  “I think what my disciples were trying to say,” Arianna said softly before the group could tinue bickering. “Was that we were worried about you and that we’re gd you’re okay.”

  “This king wasn’t!” Wukong snorted. “This king said what he meant a what he said!”

  “Thank you,” Aodded respectfully, pletely disregarding the ape-like young man’s attempts at riling him up before looking around with a hint of fusion. “Where’s the old man, by the way? I ’t sense him anywhere.”

  “Your master retly felt a slight opening in his bottleneck,” Arianna expined. “He’s goo isotion to prepare for a breakthrough.”

  Ace was fully aware of the ditioing Aiden from being a saint; he also uood that his master’s only way of increasing his strength was by increasing the power of his soul using [Imposing Devourment].

  Aiden’s soul had long since surpassed anything a saint should be capable of; if he reparing to attempt a breakthrough, it was so that his soul could reach the deity level.

  This was Aiden’s self-created teique, so he khe risks better than anyone.

  Still, having used the teique once already and uanding hile the soul was pared to the body, Ace couldn’t help but worry.

  The fact that Aiden hadn’t actively attempted to make a breakthrough i tury spoke volumes about how challenging a task this was. Especially when remembering he was still suffering the pain of his st ‘successful breakthrough’.

  “Is he sure?” Ace asked with .

  “Your master’s path is unchartered territory; as such, there be no guarantees,” Arianna expined helplessly. “But your master is anything but stupid; he wouldn’t be attempting this now without some sort of assurance.”

  Ace was still worried, but he knew Arianna was right. At this point, all he could do was believe in his Master.

  “What about Kil and the others?” Ace asked. “Where have they all gone?”

  Aside from those before him and the youngsters staring up at him with glistening stars in their eyes from the peak of Yin-Yang Mountain, there was no one else around.

  “Ooh, they went to the City of Gol to support Land Cirulus with the upi tide,” Mathias expined casually.

  “City of Gol?” Ace asked weirdly.

  “It’s the new name of the city that subordinate of yours took over on your behalf whilst you were taking your extended beauty nap,” Wukong expieasingly.

  “Is this what you were talking about before?” Ace asked as he turned his attention baira.

  “Why are you asking me?” Amira poked her to adorably. “Won’t you know when you ask him yourself?”

  “Whatever,” Ace shook his head helplessly, knowing how stubborn Amira could be. “What’s this about a beast tide anyway?”

  “The city he and Laook over was one of the ones b on the Forest of Darkness,” Lauriel expined. “As such, it has to face a beast tide once every few years.”

  “Like Silverlight City!” Ace excimed as he remembered the ses from that shog battle from almost eight years ago.

  “Exactly,” Kimika nodded. “Speaking of, my husband wanted me to pass on his best wishes to you and thank you again for everything you did back then.”

  “I almost fot you and Venerin were married,” Ace replied. “How is he and Silverlight City?”

  “They’re good,” Kimika nodded appreciatively. “When you get some time, you should take that disciple of mine and pay them a visit. I’m sure everyone would love to see you.”

  “I will,” Aodded. “But before that, I think I’ll go to this City of Gol and stretch my legs a bit.”

  “Who’re y to kid?” Lauriel rolled her eyes. “We all know you’re just looking for some excitement with the beast tide.”

  Ace didn’t reply, but the grin of anticipation pstered on his face said it all. Still, no one said anything to dissuade him. With Ace’s current strength, unless a magical beast at the middle stages of the saint realm, like Yasha – the bck dragon from st time – were to make an appearahere would be nothing capable of posing a threat to him.

  “This king will e too,” Wukong added. “It’s about time this king got some fresh air.”

  “Why do I feel like the two of you going out unsupervised is a bad idea?” Lazerim sighed whilst scratg the side of his head.

  “Don’t worry,” Amira said proudly. “I’ll be there to keep them from doing anything foolish.”

  “For some reason, that does nothing to put my mind at ease,” Mathias added.

  “Ace,” Arianna called out. “Take your mother with you – I know how much she’s been dying to reuh Lance.”

  “That’s perfect!” Lauriel nodded. “With sixth sister there, none of you barbarians will dare to go overboard.”

  Ace could only smile wryly at that. Judging by the cautious expression on Wukong’s face, it appeared he wasn’t the only oimidated by his mother’s new aura.

  “What about you, Fatty?” Ace asked, quickly ging the subject. “You wanna e with us?”

  “I ’t,” Julius shook his round and oversized face whilst sitting on Leo’s back. “After breaking through to the eighth rank, I’ve officially gone from a disciple to a dea here at the pavilion. It’s my job to support Elder Lazerim during the kid’s mage lessons.”

  “Dea? Elder?” Ace asked, nnising the terms.

  “Ah, right; with the pavilion officially opening its doors, I decided it was finally time to create a strict structure that future disciples uand,” Mathias expined. “No ges were made to the structure of the disciples, but after reag the eighth rank, students either bee a serving dea like Julius or if they want to pursue a life outside the Pavilion, they bee an apostle.

  Should you choose to remain an active part of the Pavilion, you would bee a dea at the eighth rank; then, when you break through to the saint realm, you would bee an elder.

  As for the paths of apostles, like I told you when you first joihe pavilion will never restrict your freedom. If you choose to bee an apostle, you will really only ever be tied to the pavilion in name only.

  All I’d ask is that you not fet your alma mater, and if one day the pavilion needs your help, you do everything in your power to assist us.”

  Ace didn’t o say anything; everyone already khat as soon as he reached the eighth rank, he would uantly choose the path of an apostle. He values his freedom too much to be bound by the pavilion.

  But at the same time, everyone also khat with Ace being who he was, there was absolutely no ce that Ace could sit by and watch as a tragedy befell his alma mater.

  Mathias could already see it – should such a day e, he had no doubts that Ace would be the oo protect them.

  “Alright, that’s enough of that,” Mathias announced. “Julius, you have a css to finish teag.”

  Looking down, Ace could only smile helplessly at the looks of adoration and near veion he was receiving.

  They may not have been able tnise him, but there wasn’t a child on the ti who hadn’t heard of the legendary child of heaven – Gol D. Ace!

  The moment they heard Julius’ excited shout, each of the kids silently looked up at the young man who had been dubbed the leader of his geion.

  “As for you four,” Mathias sighed when he looked at Ace, Mira, Leo, and Wukong. “Don’t cause too much trouble whilst you’re out! We won’t be able to take su active role in helping you if things go sideways iure.”

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  Book 12: Part 7 – Ace Humiliates the Augusta