Chapter 187 Final Words; The Entrance Exam's Wane
As the sun began to drift below the horizon, Lyrian, Leon, Alten, and Rylan made it back to the transparent blue dome--the epicenter of the Tasnan Wilderlands--in one piece.
They all cracked jokes and laughed while returning, enjoying what they knew would be their last moments in the exam. They all looked normal, except, Lyrian had a black headband on. They stepped inside, feeling the vibe of the quiet center. Many kids still lurked around.
Some were full of anxiety, too scared to go after the Golden Tiered Monster. Others confident instead, finding safety in their number of cores and knowing that they will pass the exam indefinitely.
Nonetheless, many examinees had been knocked out. In total, 20 of them were left in the center...
"Guys..."
Lyrian stopped as they arrived at the main hub of the center, where the smell of food lingered in the air. Suddenly, the sound of a stomach rumbling could be heard, as the other three looked at Lyrian with smirks on their faces.
"Damn it... I'm hungry! Let's eat!"
Although he loved meat jerky and meat in general, sometimes, nothing could beat a fresh hot meal. The four got their food, before sitting down at one of the tables nearby and feasting away as they conversed.
***
Back in Anaviotis, the examiner's room, silence filled the air. It had been this way for multiple hours by now, ever since the events at the black stone tower.
*Tap tap tap*
Yesan's nail uncontrollably tapped on the tabletop. His other hand held the feather that covered his irritated expression. He was a bit flustered, but on top of that, surprised.
'Theageld... Theageld? Hmm... why is he here? A bird that snuck into an eagle's nest... and declared himself a Pheonix.'
His eyes darted across the room before landing on Julius, who had a bright smile on his face as he stared at the mana orb. Yesan looked down to see what he was chuckling at so joyfully, only to see a vision of Lyrian and his friends laughing with each other.
This annoyed him even further. He abruptly pushed his seat back and stood up, looking around for a second while clenching his teeth before beginning to walk towards the exit.
"Hey... aren't you going to stay to see the finaly of the exam?"
Julius called him out, as the others quickly changed attention to Yesan and him.
Yesan put on a fake polite smile behind the feather, squinting his eyes.
"My... what is there left to see? All there is left to do now, is to wonder. To calculate, and to react."
Yesan dropped his fake smile as he turned and left the room, leaving the door swinging open. His footsteps turned into heavy stops as they could be heard echoing through the halls as he got further and further away.
After a short pause, Julius spoke to the entire table of examiners.
"The boy is a wildcard. We all know who I am speaking about. However... there are many others out there with similar, less, or even greater levels of potential. How did the kids in the Veridrake region do?"
He said, calling out to another examiner. The one in charge of the Veridrake began to speak.
"Yes, we have a good number of potential prodigies here."
Another examinee, one in charge of the Yuun region, also replied.
"The same here. This year is looking fruitful."
Julius sat back in his seat, taking in a deep breath of fresh air as he exclaimed in genuine excitement.
"From all three kingdoms nearby, we have new talents! This academic year seems like it's going to be fun."
***
"Haha! Yep! I used so much mana I freaking passed out! If it wasn't for that Kang guy, both Alten and I would have been toast."
Rylan exclaimed as the group laughed.
"Hey, I saved both of you too."
Leon said, as Alten swiftly replied.
"All hail you!"
He bowed his head and submitted his arms comedically.
"No, actually, all hail all three of you! You guys have not just been great friends, but have saved me countless times. I wouldn't know how I could ever repay you all."
Everyone laughed again, as Lyrian replied after taking a chunky bite out of a piece of meat.
"Hey! After we all enter the academy, just treat us to some dinner. Food always gets the job done."
As they continued to laugh, Rylan stopped. He disengaged himself from the conversation to think for a moment.
'Enter the academy huh...'
Suddenly, he interjected with a more serious, somber tone than the jolly one that was currently in stock.
"Guys... you know, about that."
He looked down nervously, as the other's slowed their laughter and quieted down for him.
"I don't think... I'll be joining Anaviotis."
Alten immediately stopped smiling. Leon and Lyrian were slightly confused, forcing themselves to be a little more serious and listen to Rylan. Lyrain still quietly ate his food though.
"What!? Why not? What about your family!? Your parents are ill, you have to take care of them! No one else can do it but you."
Alten suddenly retorted. He continued, his tone growing even more somber.
"Last time I visited them, they were... more ill than I remembered. You have to be there for them. You have to make their life worth living. Without the academy, you can't do that."
Lyrian and Leon looked at each other. They didn't a say word, and looked back at Rylan, who paused for a moment.
"You are right, Alten. My parents... they don't have much longer to live."
Saying these words was enough to make his stomach feel like it twisted and turned, but he knew that this was the only option for him moving forward.
"And that is precisely why I am not going to the academy. If I go there, I won't be able to return for a long time. And I know that I will be okay without seeing my parents, but I don't know if they will be."
Alten began to understand Rylan's point of view.
"I came this far thanks to you guys, but I know I won't last long in the academy with what skills I've got. I can't rely on luck forever..."
He paused as tears jerked to come out of his eyes, and his breath became shaky. He gripped his pants, as a few droplets trickled down his face.
"I...I don't want my parents to die alone... without me in their presence."
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