Is that a Wisp?

"It's possible for me to arrange a meeting with the Emperor. Though, are you sure? Is this what you need?" Daxia Ting asked in concern. "You could have taken this chance to gather wealth, status, or even a bride from the most prestigious of families in the Empire. Even a princess from another Empire isn't impossible."

"Do we lack wealth or status?" Krune laughed, saying, "No, right?"

"As for a bride, I have no plans as of now. Dealing with the Empire's threat comes first," he added.

"Fine." After a good whole minute passed, Daxia Ting's voice resounded, concealing mild disappointment as she said, "I'll arrange a meeting and inform you about it."

"Alright." Nodding in response, Krune entered the County Arms Division, noticing a group of servants prancing about, arranging the things at place. 

He looked around the entire place, smiling as he liked it very well. 

…

The afternoon of the next day, once Krune's position had been declared, everyone was informed to assemble at the training grounds of the County Arms Division. 

There were no other teachers around, allowing Krune to do whatever he wanted. Standing on the platform before everyone, Krune noticed that everyone had arrived, speaking, "Alright, let's start with the basics."

"First, summon your County Arms and keep it activated all the time while making a lap around the training grounds." 

"That's it?" Someone among the crowd was confused. 

"Are you mocking us?" Someone from the fifth term stepped forward, glaring at Krune. "Running a lap is easy for us. We have been training to become generals all our lives."

"Yes. normally, a single lap is nothing for you." Krune nodded, summoning his Star Hammer to make it produce an intense hum. Immediately, more than half of the assembled students prostrated on the ground instinctively. 

As for the rest, they resisted for a couple of seconds before doing the same. 

Seeing the expressions of shock on everyone, Krune told them, "There's a lot that you have yet to unlock in your County Arms. Well, it's nothing surprising since you have just obtained it. Anyway, run a lap first. You'll understand what I'm talking about." 

He then pointed at the first row, retracting his Star Hammer. "You'll be the first batch. Now, start running."

His actions instantly established a hierarchy as the students no longer saw him as a fellow student but the director of the County Arms Division. In response, the first row of students got up, dusted their clothes and began to run. 

They had their respective County Arms activated, running as they felt strange all of a sudden. They had only run for 200 meters when they began to gasp, noticing their County Arms had been deactivated. For some, it returned to their bodies already. 

"What's happening?"

"How come I'm only able to use it for so little?"

"I could use it for longer before!"

Upon seeing the perplexed expressions of the running students, Krune smiled. "Until now, while using your County Arms, you've either been standing still or had done minimal exercise. You also haven't pushed yourself to the limit. You have to note that for a full-fledged activation of the County Arms, your stamina is consumed like a torrent."

"So, you'll have to get used to this sense of exhaustion and build up your stamina reserves accordingly." He then continued, "Though, don't worry. As you continue to push yourself, your stamina reserves would only continue to increase."

He motioned for them to return to their positions, making the second row of students run next. In this way, he made everyone run a lap, though hardly anyone managed to finish it properly. 

He then began to train them in various ways, also supplying them supplements from the cafeteria during set intervals. It was a tonic that he had prescribed to them. It would be what would allow them to develop their stamina the fastest. 

Of course, it was his invention. Once he became the director, Krune obtained access to many things that he hadn't had before. One of them was a private cafeteria within the County Arms Division. 

As the students finished drinking their herbal concoction, he made them unleash the entirety of their County Arms' might, making a lot of them faint immediately. 

On top of that, just to increase their training efficiency, he condensed the Cloud Whale in its maximum size, hiding it nearby, allowing the effect of peace it emanated to keep the minds of everyone pure. 

This way, they concentrated on their training without harboring any negative feelings. There was an immediate spike in training efficiency, causing many to be shocked. 

"This is going great." He nodded, concluding the day when it was dusk, returning to his new home, a manor in the County Arms Division. 

Five days later, Krune left the Imperial Academy, hailing a carriage as he headed towards the Imperial Palace, showing his identity as the director of the County Arms Division of the Imperial Academy, also showing proof of his invitation by the Emperor himself.

After entering the palace, he made his way towards the throne room, entering once his name was announced aloud. 

He glanced once, noticing many ministers seated along the sides, thinking of something as he bowed. "I greet his Majesty the Emperor."

"You've come, Liu Heng. I was pretty surprised when you had directly requested for a reward." The Emperor smiled in response. It was pretty much impossible for him to be angry at Krune. 

Not only was the other party the only other Star Imperial Meister, but he was also the creator of the County Arms that elevated the standing of their Empire on a major scale. 

Even though he was only 15 years old now, Krune's influence was already on par with the Emperor. Among the younger generation, it had long since surpassed the Emperor. 

"I was informed that you wished to be rewarded with Nightmare Cores," the Emperor spoke after a moment of pause, noticing the eyes of countless ministers widen in shock at his words, "Why do you want Nightmare Cores instead of even greater rewards."

"I'm not interested in any wealth or the likes." Krune stood up, emanating his imposing valor, stating with pride. "The only reason I request for the Nightmare Cores is that they are useful in making the Empire more peaceful.. Nothing more, nothing less."