The Medallion novel Chapter 57

"You've really changed a lot! You've appear much stronger now and I hardly even recognized you. The traces of that frail little boy that you once were is completely gone!" Lena gushed as she surveyed Rocky from head to toe. Although Rocky had changed greatly in the recent months, it only took Lena a short while after stepping out of the carriage to recognize him. She was aware that the new royal spirit manipulators would come visit to celebrate the Dragon Birth Festival, Rocky included.

The young nobles and spirit manipulators watched as Rocky socialized with Lena, talking, laughing, even holding hands and acting close towards each other. They all grew jealous of him. They were all surprised when they witnessed Rocky acting intimate with Marcia last time. Now, he was socializing with Lena, a Witch from the Holy Dragon Empire. It was all unexpected. Their brows furrowed as they tried to figure out how Rocky seemingly became so charismatic and attractive in the eyes of the two stunning beauties.

"I thought you'd say that you missed me." Rocky pouted and pretended to be disappointed.

Lena lightly chuckled and played along. She shook Rocky's hands and said, "Alright, fine. I missed you a little bit and I've been worried about you all the time. How have they been treating you at the dragon field? Are you being bullied over there?"

"Am I being bullied? Are you kidding me?" Rocky quipped. He then turned around to face his teenaged companions and shouted, "Hey! This beautiful girl is asking whether you guys have been bullying me! Is that right? Have you been bullying me?"

The teenagers' eyes widened in fear. They all hurriedly shook their heads. None of them dared to offend Rocky.

"You see? I'm the boss here!" Rocky said, glancing back at Lena with a big grin on his face.

"Oh my goodness. What luck has befallen you? You're so imperious now." Lena put her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. Lena noticed that Rocky had morphed into a different man. He was energetic and even his personality had become bright and outgoing.

"Bah, don't talk nonsense! I'll have you know that I've kept a pretty low profile and stayed away from trouble," Rocky responded, cheerfully smiling. He then fell quiet and examined the beautiful girl in front of him. 'Lena is so tender and caring towards Basil, but he didn't know enough to appreciate her. Ugh! I will not let this blockhead squander his chances with Lena! I will win her over for Basil!"

Rocky thought to himself and smirked.

"Well, I hear you're already at grade two of the Mortal Stage. That's quite impressive! Keep up your efforts! After all, your cultivation practice is closely linked to the Holy Dragon Bead," Lena encouraged.

Rocky could not help but smile. Had Lena known that he had already reached grade seven of the Mortal Stage, she would have given him a kiss right then and there. However, Rocky did not want to give himself away by showing off his skill.

"Your Royal Highness, it's almost time for us to step into the square. The representatives of the Magic Phoenix Empire and the Holy Dragon Empire will soon arrive," Lena's handmaid reminded her.

"Ah, yes," Lena responded, feeling somewhat disappointed. She had not seen Rocky for a long time and wanted to spend some time with him to have a little catching up. However, she had other responsibilities and had to give top priority to her work. "You have to excuse me, Basil. I have to go now. Take care of yourself!" she told Rocky. With that, she left with her two handmaids.

"I never expected that you knew Her Royal Highness very well…" Flint said as he walked up to Rocky.

"Indeed, she was my childhood sweetheart." Rocky longingly gazed at Lena.

"I think you're the only one who has ever won the favor of Her Royal Highness." Flint had frequently heard about Lena but had seldom met her. He knew that Lena had become a Witch in the Holy Dragon Empire when she was still very young. Like a princess, Lena had been coddling by the emperor and loved by thousands of people. Coupled with the fact that she had a special identity, very few people could come near her. However, once Flint saw that Lena was actually very approachable and considerate towards Rocky, he started to have a better impression of her.

"Hey, are you feeling okay? Could it be that you lost your heart to her at the first sight? Back off, pal. She's mine!" Rocky sarcastically exclaimed as he began to suspect that Flint might be harbouring feelings for Lena.

"Alright. Bye," Flint rolled his eyes and sneered at Rocky. He then turned around and began to walk away.

"I was joking, Flint!" Rocky loudly said, laughing as he approached his friend.

A few minutes later, the teenagers, including Rocky, were led to the makeshift resting shed where Mia was already eagerly waiting for their arrival. Mia then ordered them to bring their war beasts to the stable to be fed while they rested in the shed.

Rocky and the rest of the teenagers had just returned to the makeshift resting shed when they suddenly heard a commotion coming from the direction of the passage that lead to the square.

Rocky hastily looked around and soon found the emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire, Lena, and the Priest Dean walking alongside two women in brocade phoenix robes. The woman on the left seemed to be about forty years old. She had arching eyebrows and red phoenix eyes. She was aging but she had a well-maintained beauty. She also exuded an aura of powerful authority, being a spirit manipulator at the Divine Stage. She was Felicia Feng, the imperial preceptor of the Magic Phoenix Empire. She was leading a delegation to the Holy Dragon Empire to celebrate the Dragon Birth Festival. The delegation was composed of several phoenix spirit manipulators who represented the Magic Phoenix Empire.

The woman on the right was much younger, probably in her early twenties. She looked divine in her white brocade phoenix robe that made her eyes look as clear as a spring. However, as beautiful and exquisite her face was, it showed no emotions.

She was the one who was causing all the commotion. She had stolen everyone's attention and became the sensation of the Dragon Birth Festival. She was none other than Erica, the best spirit manipulator among the young generation in the Magic Phoenix Empire. Young as she was, she had already reached grade nine of the Heavenly Stage. Felicia was Erica's master.

Most of the young nobles and spirit manipulators who came to celebrate the Dragon Birth Festival were fervent admirers of the exquisitely beautiful Erica. It was quite natural that her arrival at the square would cause an uproar.