Apex Star

Chapter 40: Departure

After the initial staring contest between Nova and Imperia ended, blue flames covered Imperia.

'Blue Flames of Creation' was a unique Ability born from the Vientienne family's Bloodline, it was so rare that less than ten people in the Vientienne family awakened it in the last millions of years.

Nova was surprised to see this because he didn't know too much about Imperia's real strength as even in the dungeon she was suppressed and couldn't use her bloodline at full strength.

He still remembered her Gravity Domain Ability that almost touched delicate space concepts.

Without looking flustered in the slightest, Nova used Blazing Fire, that quickly started taking shape.

BOOM...! The two flames one blue and one golden clashed against each other. Even space was affected by it as it started deforming from the hot temperature in the air.

Right when Nova wanted to increase the flame's output he felt a pressure descend on him. He was surprised when he felt the true power of Imperia's gravity ability as the ground beneath his feet cracked from the pressure.

When he looked at Imperia he saw blue flaming wings form at her back and she started flying above him. A blue sword with a gem stuck in its handle started glowing fiercely in Imperia's hand.

'All-Blue' said Imperia somewhat fusing her sword energy with her blue flame ability before swinging at Nova.

Nova's pupils constricted at this as he didn't expect Imperia to launch an attack so powerful.

It was even more powerful than Reus's attack.

Still being pressured in Imperia's domain and facing an attack like that Nova started grinning.

'Apex Index: Apex of Time', said Nova in a slow voice.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! The entire stage was destroyed by Imperia's attack. Everyone was shocked by this, even Elura felt that she wouldn't get out of this attack without suffering a few injuries.

After the dust cleared, they only saw a hole 50 meters in diameter with burning blue flames around it. There was no sign of Nova.

This attack was almost as strong as a Peak Evolver's strongest attack. With materials made from the 9th Realm, how could it not collapse?

Seeing no sign of Nova, Imperia's heart was turning a little bit cold as she thought she accidentally killed him.

Clap! Clap! Sounds could be heard behind Imperia's back. She was stunned by this and turned around to see a golden-black sword pointed at her neck by an unscathed Nova.

Not to mention her, no one saw how Nova moved, maybe only a certain man standing on a throne a few meters above them...

"You lost." Said Nova with a grin.

"What... How did you do this?" Imperia couldn't believe her eyes. 'How could he not even have a few injuries and appear behind me like that?!'

In the Space-Time Shrine's booth, the Old Shrine Head muttered. "Time energy is present..." He was confused as even he didn't feel it at first but only after Nova appeared again, for a powerhouse like him to not feel anything it truly surprised him.

Nova's parents and the other elders were surprised to hear their Old Shrine Head saying something like that as they couldn't feel an ounce of time energy even after Nova appeared again.

Lowering her sword Imperia accepted her loss and just like that Nova was crowned the champion of the Regional Youths Tournament, wrecking every possible competitor and even the leader of a superpower with ease.

-----

After the tournament was over, Nova and the others from the Star Sect recruited a few people, like Selena the Silent Reaper, Toby, and Celia, but even a few youths from the other superpowers, Karla and Julian were among them.

At the Star Sect guest rooms, there were a few people gathered; Nova's parents, Imperia and Orion, Elura and the others from the Star Sect, and the recruited people from the tournament.

They all chatted and laughed for a few hours before Elura announced their departure.

Imperia was coming to the Star Sect with them and was even offered a Core disciple position by Elura, which she gladly accepted.

Nova finally spoke what was on his mind for a while stunning all of them. "I don't think I will come back with you lot to the Star Sect."

When they heard that everyone was confused, especially Imperia and Elura.

"Why is that so, do you want a few days off? It's not a big deal." Asked Elura probingly.

Nova shook his head and look around the room.

Seeing this Elura knew that he wanted to talk to her alone. She beckoned the others to leave, even Nova's parents.

Imperia remained in the room as she was his girlfriend and he was still holding her hand not letting go.

"So it's like that. When I was touring the city after we arrived here I met a strange beggar..." Hearing him say that the two girls were confused as they couldn't make a connection yet, so they let him continue telling the events.

"He told me some things related to my Bloodline that no one could have ever guessed and he said that he was going to train me after the tournament was over.

I tried to look for him again, but he was gone as if he never existed in the first place."

After Nova finished his speech he looked at them and waited for their reaction.

"Wait you said he disappeared? And you didn't discover even a trace of him?" Asked Elura wearing a serious expression.

"Indeed, I don't want to brag but... not even a Peak Evolver could escape my senses if he wanted to run away." Said Nova matter-of-factly.

Hearing this, Elura thought of something and her expression changed. "Immortal Stage!" She suddenly exclaimed and took them by surprise.

"Only an Immortal Stage could have appeared in the 9th Realm so freely, before the Immortal Stage there is no way to bypass the Universal Laws and enter a lower realm like that.

Or maybe it was a Peak Evolver that could have an escape-related ability, but I doubt that..." After Elura finished speaking she looked at Nova again.

"Maybe you encountered a passing Immortal and he took a liking to you? No that can't be true too...You said he knew things about your bloodline that no one else knew. It's like he was attracted to you..."

Barely finishing her words, Elura, Nova, and Imperia were all stunned to hear a clapping sound coming from a seat behind them.

There stood a middle-aged man that exuded no aura or pressure as if he didn't exist. For a reason he didn't know, Nova knew he was the 'beggar' he previously met.

"Your analysis is almost 100% accurate young miss, even though you're shackled by your bloodline and low-tier ability at least you're going to attain the Immortal Stage before you exhaust your potential." He praised Elura.

The sudden appearance of the man still surprised her and Imperia. Elura quickly recovered from her surprise before bowing to the man.

"Thank you senior for praising me! Can I ask two questions senior?" She hesitantly asked.

"Haha, to respond to your first question, yes there are ways to rise your bloodline to a higher level.

When you have 100-star points request your sect master to take you to the Star Sect's Evolution Cave. I'm talking about the real Star Sect, not this little branch.

As for your second question, yes, I am above the Immortal Stage." The man ended up answering Elura's questions before she even asked them.

Elura's mouth opened but before she could say anything the man spoke again. "I just rewinded time a bit, no big deal."

Elura was speechless and she closed her mouth not wanting to ask something anymore as she couldn't even fathom what level this man was.

"Now are you two ready?" Asked the man to Nova and Imperia.

Nova was surprised to see the man asking for both him and Imperia as he thought he was going to go alone. Still, he was overjoyed about this as he could be together with Imperia.

Without saying anything, the man took Nova and Imperia with him, leaving a stunned Elura alone.

When the others saw her getting out of the room alone they asked about Nova and Imperia. Elura only told Nova's parents and Orion about what happened and told the others about a master that was passing around here.

-----

Being teleported like that Nova and Imperia were surprised to not feel any discomfort at all and wondered what method the man used.

Looking at the man sitting on a floating throne they were about to speak when they were both drawn in by a picture that took their attention, it was depicting 10 majestic stars.