Stepping into the manor, Leini was neutral when it came to seeing the grand splendor of it all. Ahead of her was a maid assigned to guide her to the meeting room but Leini's eyes were elsewhere, admiring the pce she was now walking through. She passed by paintings of rge-scale battles and self-portraits of other royals in the history of the empire who had used this estate as their own before the current occupant. The Valkyrie Kaiserreich was a proud nation indeed and it showed by how it expressed its militaristic culture in the style of the architecture and in the design of the manor as she continued through it. After a few minutes, she followed the maid to one of the rger meeting rooms and entered it, inside, the room itself was rge. There was an array of windows on the opposite end that was letting in the light and right before her was a set of couches and a coffee table between them, behind the furniture to the right was a grand piano and to the left by the wall was a set of bookshelves, all of them stacked with books that she quickly glossed over and saw were history volumes about the empire and the continent it was on.

  Then, she looked at the man who had wanted to bring her here via kidnapping, he was a tall man, standing at a ft 6'0 ft (182.88cm) with a full set of bck hair, his beard and mustache were well-trimmed and it covered the entirety of his chin and lower half of his face. Though it looked like a well-kept shrub instead of a bloated mess like most nobles do. His fair skin glistened a bit in the pouring sunlight the bck military coat and dress he was cd in had golden trim and a rapier holstered to his side.

  "I assume you are Prince Adalbert, the 4th Prince of the Valkyrie Kaiserreich" Leini said as she moved towards the bookshelves on the left, turning her back to him as she looked at the books with a curious eye, even picking up a few and using her blessing to quickly read through them and store their information

  "That is correct, Miss Leini...the Dean of Imperia Academy, an Academy that is known across the world" Adalbert answered, his deep voice sounding like a man who had seen a lot of things that would make others go mad

  "Mhmm, Imperia really is. It is a lovely thing, for myself and for the students and staff" She replied after pcing back a book and then turning to him and looking at Adalbert directly who had now turned to face her, his bck eyes looking at her without a hint of fear

  "I assume that you are here on your own accord. Seeing as there are no marks on you of a scuffle nor was I informed by the guards that the mercenaries I sent out to...persuade you to come, are in this very room restraining you" The 4th Prince said as he moved to the closest couch before him and sat down, gesturing for her to do the same which she did

  "Simply convinced them to just let me do it, less of a hassle for all involved" Leini said with a small smile as she leaned back into the couch she sat on

  Adalbert chuckled dryly as he nodded at her words, giving her an assessing look before he took a deep breath and then sighed as he picked up a teapot on the table and pouring out it's liquid contents into two cups for the two of them.

  "I must say first that I do apologize that I had to reach out to you the way I did, when I heard that the first team I sent never reported back, I already assumed the worst. I was hesitant even to send the second party that had brought you here, though I take it from your statement that was not the case" He began as he took up his cup and took a sip of it that made him smile slightly

  "Well, considering that the first party wanted to capture me because you wanted to use me, I thought I would pay you a personal visit before another welcoming committee arrived at my doorstep" Leini stated as she took a sip of her own cup and was surprised by the warm chocote drink she just had

  "I would like to apologize for that yet again, it was the only way I could contact you in my mind that would grab your attention immediately, I may have miscalcuted how long it would take, but that doesn't matter now since you are here" Adalbert added as he once again took another sip

  "Sure, but a simple letter would have sufficed and would have spared the lives of the first team you sent" The Dean of Imperia shot back

  "Hmmm, they were a more vicious band of mercenaries and would have been a problem down the line, hence why they were sent first" The 4th Prince replied with a small nod

  "Anyways. Mind expining to me why you want me here, I could have read it from your mind right now but that would take out all the fun away. So, what is it then"

  Adalbert smiled as he rose from the couch and moved over to a cabinet on the far end of the room behind him, moving to a safe that he opened with a magical key tucked away in the middle of a hidden panel next to it. He grabbed several cream-colored soldiers filled with papers and then moved back to the couch and gently pced them to his side as he took the top one and opened it.

  "Originally, I had wished to use your reputation to assist me in furthering my position to become the next in line to the throne. Due to me being the head of the Kaiserreich's Department of Education. However, the more I wanted to know more about you and Imperia, the rger a painting began to form. Rulers of nations great and small, figures that are spoken of in legend, teachers of local universities of various schools who are masters at their craft, nearly all of them can trace their adolescent and young adult lives in Imperia"

  "That is an open secret" Leini said as she crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head slightly, not knowing where this was going

  "An open secret sure. But one that has been fueling several sects all poised to strike against you and what you have built" The 4th Prince said as he looked at her with a small smirk

  "Expin"

  "Well, during my findings through hundreds of proxies in the underworld and across continents, I have learned that there is a massive web of alliances and retionships between powerful and normal people across the world all tied back to Imperia"

  "Well yes, these retionships stem from being cssmates and friends with one another during their time in the academy, your point?"

  "My point is, there is a growing web of alliances against Imperia. Many rulers who wish for territorial gains find themselves with few allies due to the fact that many rulers across the world are acquainted with one another and fear that if they invade one such nation that has this alliance, others will come to their aid" The 4th Prince answered as he looked at her with a serious expression.

  "Hmm...I will not pretend that I didn't know this was happening. In fact, I have for some time now known that Imperia is becoming a more recent topic for those who have not studied within its walls. But, it is not my duty to interfere with those outside my walls unless they do something that forces my hand...to be honest, I believed you would do the same here and now" Leini said with a small dry chuckle as she finished the chocote drink in her cup and then pced it down on the table

  "Well, the older me would have. But after the many things I have learned in trying to figure out who you were, including finding tax records of various donations from an unknown benefactor to a lot of our universities and schools, I have since let that go...but, what will you do Miss Leini? Besides learning all of this, I have also been privy to the conversations of many who wish to assassinate you to further their own ambitions and perhaps take Imperia for themselves"

  Leini smiled at those words, something buried deep inside her had surfaced once more, a feeling of knowing that regardless of the enemy's efforts, she would come out on top every single damn time for there was no being in history that could match her.

  "Let them come" She said with confidence in that smile

  "Many have already tried and failed in the past, none have succeeded. Plus, if I were to somehow die, there would be more trouble to deal with once news of my death spreads across the world" She added as she leaned back on the couch, both of her arms stretched and resting atop the piece of furniture

  "You seem very confident...there must be something that allows such confidence" Adalbert said with an astonished expression on his face, clearly not expecting this sort of creation

  "There is...though, I will not tell you Your Highness" Leini said with a small smirk

  Prince Adalbert nodded as he gnced down at the several folders he had yet to open, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he gave out a sigh.

  "I honestly expected more resistance coming from you trying to brush off these threats, though I think I shouldn't be surprised by this point. Although, I will caution you to be a bit more careful Miss Leini. I know it may mean nothing coming from a man who has spent most of his life in war and has not been a student of yours, but if it means that I get to warn someone who has the world in a state of practical peace with level-headed leaders who will rally to her name should something befall her and hell comes running, I think I would have done my duty as a Prince for my nation"

  "I must admit Your Highness, you are not what I was expecting. I was expecting more of a brash, arrogant, and pompous man hellbent on ciming the throne, but here I am, sitting before you and finding a man humbled by war and wanting peace. I guess life is full of surprises sometimes" Leini said with a small smirk and a nod of approval

  "I thank you for that perception of me. But before we part ways, I must warn you that there is a growing coalition inside the Kaiserreich that currently whispers in the ears of my father advocating the use of the empire's feared 'Dolchbrigade' to try and assassinate you" Prince Adalbert said with a slightly cautious tone

  "Then let them come, I will personally send them to meet with their ancestors" Leini replied as she stood up and nodded at him

  "Thank you for your concern Your Highness and I do hope you win that race for the throne, if you need backing, you know where to find me, but do send a letter when you do"

  Prince Adalbert gave a dry chuckle as he also rose to his feet and outstretched his hand for a handshake and Leini accepted, the two of them locking eyes for a moment

  "Of course Miss Leini. And who knows, one day I may ask for a special course to study at your university" He said with a small smile

  "That could be arranged, but at a ter date"

  {!}

  Just then, there was a knock on the door and one of Adalbert's servants entered without waiting for the response of his master. Both of them looked quite surprised as the servant moved over to the 4th Prince and whispered something in his ear. Though Leini was supposedly out of earshot, she could perfectly hear what they were saying, and suffice to say, it was enough for the 4th Prince's expression to change to worry as his eyes widened in confusion and surprise.

  "I must apologize Miss Leini, but I think it would be best for you to leave right now for your safety-"

  "I know, I heard it all despite your attempts to whisper it and I must say, they acted quite quickly once they heard I was here in person. I suggest you find out who that rat of yours is" Leini said as she got up from her seat and smiled at him

  "I see. Then you know that-"

  "A certain group of highly trained assassins are on their way to make sure I don't leave this pce alive. Yes. I do know"

  "We can hold them off, the 'Dolchbrigade' may be fearsome, but I doubt they will be strong enough to stand against the likes of me and my estate's staff" Prince Adalbert stated as he unsheathed his rapier and gave it a fine flourish

  Leini chuckled as she mentally reached into her item box while outstretching her left hand before Augusta materialized in a fsh of splendid sparkling effects that left the 4th Prince surprised as he admired the beauty of the technique and the sword in her hands, watching as Leini flourished her personal sword forged by Fortuna herself in a dazzling dispy that left Adalbert wishing he could be just as good. The Old Schor rolled her shoulders as she finally wore the overcoat that was hanging on her shoulders and adjusted her sleeveless vest above her white polo, she tapped her ft dress shoes on the ground and then took a deep breath as she looked at the 4th Prince with a fire in her eyes that always came when she was ready for a brawl.

  "I admire the offer to defend me dear Prince, but I would like to deal with this group personally. It has been far too long for me to have a good reason to kill and I have had this itch on the back of my neck ever since arriving in the Kaiserreich" Leini said with a small smile on her face as she felt something change in the air

  "Ah, seems that they are here. Around a dozen of them by the looks of it"

  "Wait, how did you-"

  {!}

  At that moment, Leini snapped her fingers and the entire estate was shrouded in a vast darkness both inside and out that left everyone confused and in shock as to what was going on. Prince Adalbert and the rest of his staff were transported back into the former's personal study while Leini was now walking in the darkened hallways of the estate, heading straight towards the assassins that had made it deeper into the pce, she had to give them credit though for being able to get here so fast and even enter the building and got as far as they did, but that was about it.

  Said assassins meanwhile, were busy trying to find their target, hearing only the footsteps in the dark that while they were able to partially see through, was still hard for them to make out any solid shapes that weren't moving as they themselves moved to try and look for the woman they had come here to kill. Soon, they were able to navigate into one of the estate's rger hallways with only two entryways. The sounds of the footsteps ended here and all twelve assassins could feel the presence of one another and an extra inside this hallway. Smirks underneath their usually expressionless faces formed as they then locked the door behind them and one of them quickly threw a barrier device that struck the door on the other end which ensured that unless they died, the door would not open.

  "We know you are here Miss...There is no use in hiding any longer" The lead assassin's deep and authoritative voice boomed out as he and the rest of his cadre of killers drew their bdes, slowly inching forward to the other end of the hallway and their target

  "Oh, I see. I admit that I guess there is nowhere to run" Leini's voice replied as her widening smile was hidden by the dark

  {!}

  Suddenly, Leini's weapon glowed a menacing crimson, the length of the bde was coated in a crimson fire that was designed to cut through anything and everything she desired. It gave off a menacing hum as the light from the bde coated the entire darkened hallway in its ethereal glow, making the assassins stop in their tracks as they looked at her.

  "Unfortunately for you. I won't be the one trying to run"

  Without saying another word, Leini closed in on the nearest assassin faster than anyone expected and swiftly cut the hooded figure down with a single stroke that split the assassin in two with a neatly made diagonal cut. Before the body hit the ground, Leini moved to kill the rest.

  "Kill her!' The head assassin shouted as he lunged forward intent on slicing her open

  The melee that ensued inside the hallway was one-sided as Leini was able to weave and bob through the attacks of the assassins and their bdes. The sound of their bdes being deflected by her own and the grunts and groans of the assassins as they were kicked, punched and even tossed around the hallway gave Leini something to smile about as she was enjoying this release of her pent-up anger and dishing out some pain on bastards who were here to kill her. The assassins couldn't even rely on their strong magic as the Old Schor had pced a magic-dampening barrier within the confines of the hallway to ensure they couldn't even fire a shot at her, she even used that barrier to reinforce the ceiling, walls, floor, and doors to ensure they didn't escape this deathtrap.

  After she killed the first assassin, she was able to strike down another, using Augusta to swiftly disarm her opponent by slicing upward, cutting off the assassin's hands before another follow-up ssh cut her from shoulder to hip in one smooth motion. She then stepped back as another assassin lunged forward, thrusting a dagger forward that would have struck Leini's head had she stood still, the assassin turned to strike her again but Leini ran her sword through his chest and then quickly pulled it out as she marched on the rest who were still charging at her.

  A fourth assassin unleashed her own attack as she fired off precise swings with her dual short swords at her target, Leini however, was able to deflect these blows and reply with a sidekick that struck the hooded figure in the abdomen and sent her crashing to the other end of the hallway before the Old Schor turned her attention to the fifth and sixth who tried to attack her at once from two sides, their arms already outstretched as they lunged at her with their short sword while the seventh was leaping high to stab her in the head as he flipped over her.

  The Dean of Imperia smiled as they performed this maneuver and didn't move one bit, instead, she used her own magic faster than any of them could match, causing a pilr of fire to shoot out from where she was standing, the fmes searing heat causing the fifth and sixth to recoil back while the seventh who was flipping over her, burnt to a crisp before his charred body crashed behind. her. Then, with a moment to lose, she swiftly cut down the other two with a single clean diagonal ssh that cut them both at the waist.

  Seeing his group decimated, the head assassin moved to the fourth who was still groaning on the ground next to the door

  "Get up! We have to get into a more open space if we want to survive! Help me with the door!" He ordered as the two of them began trying to unlock the door but found no success despite their attempts in trying to punch it or break the doorknobs.

  Meanwhile, what was left of the rest of the assassins charged directly toward her trying to kill her with superior numbers but Leini lifted her hand and snapped her fingers, causing a few of them to drop dead as their internal organs were crushed by a barrier she made inside them while the others swung at her and were cut down as she easily parried their sshes and thrusts with simple deflections and then countering by running Augusta through them.

  Now it was just the head assassin and the fourth who now returned their gaze to the menacing woman who had just decimated their comrades who were the pride of the empire's assassins. They couldn't get a word in as Leini lunged forward, decapitating the fourth in a ssh faster than ever, and then whirled around and ran her sword through the belly of the head assassin who choked up blood as his hands rested on the crimson bde searing with heat. Leini leaned forward, her mouth to his ear

  "Thank you for this" She whispered in a hush tone that made the assassin's eyes widen in confusion before she pulled out her sword and decapitated the man in a single stroke

  After this, Leini returned the light back to the darkened manor and released Prince Adalbert and his staff who had already located the rat in their midst, one of the sous chefs of the kitchen who was also part of the 'Dolchbrigade'. Leini brought him to the hallway where she killed the others and did the same before once more meeting with the 4th Prince in his personal study.

  "I must say, I was not expecting you to be so...brutal" He said with a hint of fear after he saw the hallway where she had killed the rest

  "I am efficient though, and I had my fun. Anyways, I believe I shall be going now before more are dispatched, are you sure you are all right to handle all of this, Your Highness?" She asked as she made her way to the door, gncing over and back at him as he sat on his couch

  "I am Miss Leini. Once I get to speak with my father and talk him out of plunging our empire into a war with other powers who have retions with one another unseen on the public stage, he is going to make the right decision. And I will personally punish those who convinced him to send these assassins to kill you"

  "Thank you for that, one less headache for me to worry about. Tata!" She said she then left the pce

  When she returned to Imperia that day, she smiled as she sat down behind her desk, a part of her was actually impressed that Prince Adalbert gave such a good read of the position she was in, acting as a sort of 'guardian of the peace' as it were. She couldn't directly interfere if wars broke out across the world which they still did on several continents, but she could keep most of the world in check thanks to her retionship with those leaders who had come here to Imperia to learn.

  "A smart man, I hope he wins the throne" She muttered to herself as she looked out of the window of her office and down to the courtyard below where students were doing their own things from studying to practicing, making her smile before she took a deep breath and let out a contented sigh

  A/N: I AM FINALLY FREE FROM SCHOOL FOR A GOOD WHILE BEFORE MY NEXT TERM WOOO! MORE TIME TO WRITE!