Behind the small door stood the simple scene of the inside of the small hut it was attached to. It was completely unlike what Damien expected.
But that expectation was met only a second later when the Head Guard led him to the hut's backdoor and walked through it.
What lay beyond was a massive room completely dichotomous with the small hut. Ornate platinum and silver decorations lined the walls, which were painted with beautiful murals emanating profound auras. Each of these murals told the tale of a different hero, each of these heroes having made immense accomplishments in their tales. Just looking at them made one feel incredibly fighting spirit and killing intent.
The floor was a similar platinum color to the wall ornaments, completely reflective and allowing Damien to see his own reflection from below.
Centered halfway between the walls and the center of the room were two rows of thrones, six in each row. And finally, a single throne sat at the head, as if clearly delineating its owner's importance.
'Wow…the ceiling is…'
Damien didn't pay any mind to the scene on the floor. His attention was drawn to the beautifully carved and painted mural on the ceiling.
It was a single monster taking up the entire ceiling. With the head of a tiger, the wings of a dragon, the legs of a hawk, the tentacles of a Kraken…this astronomical beast seemed to hold a characteristic of every beast race in existence. Even its mere visage was enough to send shivers down Damien's spine. He couldn't imagine the power of the beast the mural depicted.
And he couldn't imagine the power of the man sitting atop it. His long black hair flowed and fluttered in the wind, his crystalline blue eyes shining with a light of ferocity and power. In his hand was a beautifully crafted sword that carried the universe's will within its blade.
As Damien's attention turned back to the other murals, he realized that every hero painted on the walls was showing reverence to the one on the ceiling.
"Curious of his identity?" An aged voice rang out.
"Should I not be?" Damien answered.
"Ohoho, nothing like that. It's just, even if you're curious you'll never understand who he was. There is nobody present that can answer that question for you either." The voice replied.
"Well, that's a shame then. This man truly feels worthy of these heroes' reverence. I would like to hear his story."
"If you wish to do so, then explore Death Emperor Star to finality. After all, this mural came into existence well before our group of old men arrived and founded the academy."
Damien finally turned his attention away from the mural and looked at the throne at the head of their formation. There, a sagely old man now sat with a smile on his face.
And it wasn't just him. All of the 12 remaining seats were now filled with both men and women of unknown origin.
"So this is the perpetrator?" A man asked coldly. "Why are you being so friendly to him, Director? Let's just expel him and get it over with."
"Calm down, Alphus. The boy has only just arrived here. Can't you let him at least explain himself before jumping to the verdict?" Another man questioned the previous.
"Hmph! Those who do not follow the academy's rules must be punished. Am I wrong for thinking so?"
"Of course not. But since when did we ever expel someone for a crime of this level?"
"H-hmph. The past is the past. This is the present."
"Both of you be quiet." The sagely old man snapped coldly.
"You're quite the interesting boy," the old man said as he turned to face Damien. "Many have come before you, but none were so composed. You are aware of your current position, no?"
"You mean the fact that I'm standing before the Thirteen Zodiacs of Hidden Death Valley; the Demigods that rule over it all? I'm well aware."
"Amusing," the old man said in reply.
"Then, do you know why we called you here?"
"It probably isn't because I broke such a petty rule. If it was, there'd be no need for the 13 Zodiacs to congregate. Is this matter related to my provocation of the Bloodbitch Clan?"
"Brat, I suggest you watch your tongue." Another man spoke from the side. His throne was third from the central throne on the right side.
"For what reason should I do that? If someone wants to provoke me, they shouldn't expect me to sit quietly and take it."
"And you shouldn't expect yourself to be able to handle it. How arrogant of you to even think about challenging the Bloodlock Clan, and even more than that, how presumptuous of you to speak to us in such a tone?!" The man roared, his aura flaring to suppress Damien.
However, another aura burst forth at the same time, completely dispelling the man's momentum.
"Behave yourselves. Both of you." The old man warned. "Instead, student Damien, why don't you tell me your side of the story? There must've been a reason for you to act so recklessly even while knowing the rules."
"Does telling my side change anything?" Damien asked.
"It might," the old man admitted. "We still haven't decided on your punishment yet."
Damien furrowed his brows. If that biased Elder got his way, he could easily be expelled from the academy due to this tiny incident. If he wanted to survive this situation and even obtain some connections and rewards from it…
He needed to turn the rest of the elders to his side.
"The academy enforces both a rule to keep students from harming each other outside the duel arenas and one to keep students from oppressing each other with status and backing. I'm here for a minor offense to the former rule due to someone else's minor offense to the latter. If you want to punish me for my actions, then bring the other person here so he can face the same."
Damien's words were those of provocation. He was well aware of the Bloodlock Clan's influence, and despite Hidden Death Valley being a neutral organization, it wouldn't be strange if multiple of its elders were bought out by other clans.
Damien wanted to know just how many of these people would be against him regardless of what he said, and the best way to do so was through provocation.
"You brat…!" The earlier man said. His name was Silcerin, Scorpio of the 13 Zodiacs. Though he wasn't a member of the Bloodlock Clan, he had deep ties with the Wellspring Family through the marriage of his sister and one of the family's elders. His grudge against Damien began long ago with Julius' crippling.
Damien ignored the man, knowing he was suppressed by the Director, and poured mana into the All-Seeing Eyes. His gaze moved through slowed spacetime to study every minute change in these elders' expressions.
But…would they allow him to continue?
"Quite bold of you to think you could read us so easily, don't you think?" A woman said teasingly. Her words sent an invisible tremor through space, interfering with Damien's skill.
Damien shrugged in response, not taking it to heart. He'd expected this to happen. He was standing against a room filled with Demigods, after all.
He remained bold against them even while knowing they could kill him with a single breath because he was banking on a single fact.
His gaze turned to the Director. The things he'd heard about this man…
If there was anyone Damien needed on his side from this point forth, it was none other than him.
