Mystery Tales Under the Moonlight

Chapter 39: Category Determination Exams at the Academy (16).

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His white hair fluttered in the breeze.

The golden eyes flashed as he remembered what Leon had said.

"Class (D), huh?" A smile was on his face.

This boy was none other than Logan Hermes.

Leon had simply told him, "I'm going to class (D), do what you want with that information."

Saying that with a laugh, he parted ways and entered one of the halls alone.

Looks of confusion, complexity, and disdain surrounded him, yet everyone made way for him.

Many pieces of the puzzle fell into place with those few words.

In the two days he had been secretly following Leon, he had been gathering information.

Many things were tangled, and he didn't understand the meaning behind them.

But when Leon stated his goal, everything became logical.

As the saying goes: you won't know which path to take unless you know the destination—!

Why did he want to go to class (D)? What was his purpose in going to the class of the flawed? Was he actually one of Cairo or Nanman's pawns?

His intention was unclear, yet it wasn't hard to understand one thing.

A pawn for Cairo? Or perhaps Nanman? Hehe, that's impossible!

His flamboyant behavior did not resemble the style of those old men holding power.

They had simply been overwhelmed by the long peace and did not like flamboyance and random actions.

The rulers of this continent loved order and enjoyed the feeling of controlling everyone.

Leon's behavior would simply cause them more harm than good.

He had offended all the factions gathered at the academy since the day he arrived—!

Clearly, with his unrestrained behavior, this mysterious person did not belong to anyone.

In the past two days, even with his offenses to many people, including the beloved princess of Cairo, why had no one attacked him?

"Hahaha!" Logan laughed disdainfully.

Simply—because they were weak in comparison!

Click–!

His thoughts were interrupted by a sound resembling a gate.

Logan stared at the massive door before his eyes.

At that moment, the door swung wide open.

A black-haired boy with fierce features, looking like a tyrant, entered.

His long black hair and golden eyes resembled those of a tiger.

His eyes carried disdain for the world, as if everything in life was boring.

His calm demeanor, while his eyes flashed with cruelty, immediately caught Logan's attention.

He was sitting comfortably, his white hair fluttering gently, while his eyes bore a faint trace of enjoyment.

The black-haired boy was none other than Baik Kang Woo.

As the sleeves of his robe and his hair fluttered with the wind, he slowly approached the boy sitting before him and watched him with curiosity in turn.

Both had their own thoughts about each other.

For Logan, when he had closely followed Leon, he had seen him talking to this black-haired boy, Kang Woo.

From what he understood, his relationship with Leon was not just a superficial acquaintance, but he didn't care much.

However, that was only in the past.

After learning Leon's goal and hearing vaguely about Kang Woo's talent, doubts began to creep in.

"Most clans and families refrain from mentioning the talents of future sprouts and prefer to hide them, and in more cases, they train their younger talents until they reach seventeen, as that is the best age to extract full potential, and anything less is risky."

While sitting with one hand on the ground and the other on his thigh, Logan thought to himself.

Many clans do not prefer the outside world to know about their children's talents.

Why? One could say, small sprouts grow to become trees that support the forest.

And considering each clan as a forest, naturally, the big trees must provide the best environment for the small sprouts to thrive.

Talent was a dangerous thing to extract, and it was better to keep it under wraps and not boast excessively.

What is the concept of talent, and how does it affect a person?

Let's consider the body as a vessel, while magical energy is like the water poured into that vessel.

Regarding talent, let's consider it the pressure exerted by the water inside the vessel.

The greater the talent, the more water there is in the vessel, and the vessel must withstand the pressure from the water more difficultly.

As the vessel, when a person grows, their body—depending on how they take care of it—becomes stronger or weaker.

When water is poured into a fragile and small vessel but the amount of water is large, the water will leak, and over time, the vessel will break.

When the vessel is strong and large, but the amount of water is small, the water will not be enough for the vessel, and over time, the vessel will dry out and become parched.

Even if a person is born with a large amount of magical energy, that is not necessarily good, as a person is not born with a strong body and mind.

In that way, immense magical energy resembles a sword carried by a child.

They must understand it and grow to handle it well, and know how to use it.

Therefore, a person who has not extracted their talent resembles a situation where a dam is placed in front of the outlet of a raging river, extracting it little by little.

What makes the vessel strong—which is the body—is training.

Whether it is training physical strength and reflexes, or mental clarity.

Whether it is by making the body accustomed to magical energy through exposure to wild raids.

Where there in forests, caves, ruins, and many unknown areas, monsters overflow with malicious magical energy.

And there is an expensive but safer way, which was represented in elixirs and pills.

Magical techniques possessed by a specific family or clan can also be used to speed up the acclimatization process.

But still, these methods were exclusive to martial arts sects and prestigious clans, and families refrain from using magical techniques to attract others carelessly.

A person had to prove their worth to obtain those things—elixirs and magical techniques, what does their worth consist of?

Is it money? Fame? Honor? Connections?

No, it is—potential!

Even if it is not possible for a person to extract their talent before their body is ready, there are things and hints about the extent of a person's talent.

Some people, from a young age, show great wisdom or unique behavior, and some may have a photographic memory that allows them to memorize a lot easily.

And others show symptoms in the form of physical conditions, such as strength that does not match their age, or the ability to use fire or ice.

And some have strange abilities, and the best example of that was none other than the second princess of Cairo, Lucia Hardian, with her unique insight.

The mental state, like experience, traumas, and aspirations also affect.

And finally, perseverance and willpower.

Even if you are strong, even if you are wise, so what?

Let's assume, for example, that you are in a desperate situation.

If you had to sacrifice your arm for immediate survival, would you do it without hesitation?

What if—to achieve your goal, you must suffer alone in a dark cave, unable to know when you will finish enduring or persevering?

What will you do? Can you continue?

What if the world is gathering against you?

What will you do?

Can you move forward, regardless of the circumstances?

Can you face the whole world alone!

Neither talent nor strength can give you perseverance or willpower!

What does perseverance mean?

Finding hope amidst despair, when there is no solution, regardless of how impossible your goals are.

Perseverance means going through despair, and yet, continuing to progress, even if you know you will fail, you keep going!

What is willpower?

Patience, patience, and patience, then patience!

Going through all the suffering, tasting it and feeling it, and yet, you endure!

Not everyone can say with certainty that they can do that.

After the ancestors' attempts for many years, and after countless failed experiments, they concluded one thing.

The body is at its best when it is seventeen.

And thus, it was agreed that this age is the safest for extracting full potential.

Baik Kang Woo, a tyrant-like character and a ruthless genius.

Logan felt some doubts.

How could this simply be a coincidence?

Kang Woo was the center of attention and bore high dreams, hopes, and expectations.

The boy carried enormous responsibilities on his shoulders.

Whether in Cairo or in Nanman, the boy was known among the young talents.

And with this kind of background, facing the hopes placed upon him, what did Kang Woo do?

He did not take the first test in the same hall as Leon and the others.

Yet, his action was simply as strange as the surprise in the hall where Leon took the test.

When he was about to surpass the threshold of talent grade (C), what did he do?

At that time, while he didn't even break a sweat or show any signs of fatigue.

The boy laughed coldly, saying, "Hehehe, hmm, now now, this situation is truly boring, what a pathetic situation."

After saying that, just seconds before surpassing the threshold of medium talent, he withdrew.

At that time, the conflicts happening in the examination hall filled with silence, as if time had frozen.

Confusion, bewilderment, and lack of understanding.

Many of the boy's supporters felt shock and concern immediately, and their minds went blank.

Many of the boy's opponents were initially shocked, not understanding what was happening, before they began to mock.

Many tried to dissuade him from that sudden decision, urging him by saying that family honor and many hopes were resting on him.

What was his response?

Under such pressure from others, regarding the hopes and honor of his family, what did the boy say?

As if the boy heard a joke, he scoffed disdainfully, "Even if the dog hates you or loves you, so what? Will you feel bothered? If the dog tries to bite, it must be disciplined; if that's not enough, then it should be beaten until it learns!"

"Everyone can think what they want about me, for all I care!"

Saying that, he went on his way.

Others' hopes? Hehehe, yes, as if such a pathetic thing had anything to do with me.

The hopes others place on a person are nothing more than chains they place on themselves to not leave their comfort zone.

If someone disappoints my hopes, wouldn't I have an excuse to vent my emotions and weak self?

This mentality is held only by the weak!

How can an ant understand the mind and ambitions of a tiger!

At that time, many had a strong impression of Kang Woo's character.

"In the past, I wouldn't have put a thought into it, but now after knowing Leon's goal… this is not a coincidence," Logan thought.

Leon and Kang Woo met a day ago and talked about something.

Then Leon's result, and then Kang Woo's result too… and finally Leon's goal in entering class (D).

There is no such thing as coincidence in this world.

Logan's curiosity immediately heightened.

How could he, as a thrill-seeker and someone who loves to satisfy his curiosity, not feel interested immediately?

That was impossible!

As he sat, Logan's eyes flashed, staring silently at Kang Woo.

At the same time, Kang Woo's thoughts raced like lightning.

While he did not take the first test in the same hall as Leon and the others, rumors had already spread.

And they were about the talented son of the Hermes family entering a deadly and crazy competition with the unidentified boy, Leon Evenius.

In this short period, everyone was shocked.

Because in this test, many talents had shown their potential, yet the biggest shock was not there.

Rather, it was about Leon and Logan, and Dio,

Dio Antarius, the talented young swordsman.

While the words about Dio did not resonate as strongly as Leon's, in fact, he too became the center of attention.

The flash of the sword he displayed was stunning, not to mention when he faced and dueled the son of the Nicola family, Fernando, and the stunning girl, Chai Nayun.

One could say—at the very least, his swordsmanship was of high caliber.

That person, in the end, was just a talent of grade (C)? That was simply something they couldn't believe!

Unfortunately, the shock was not one or two.

Leon Evenius, the red-eyed devil.

A title circulated throughout the entire academy.

A ruthless tyrant, whether it was women or men, he treated them equally, even his behavior towards commoners or nobles was the same.

Eccentric, in one second, his behavior was provocatively comedic, and in the next second, you see him become harsh and ruthless, cunning without limits to his malice and rudeness.

A new icon of the academy, many paid special attention to his behavior and actions.

Due to spies, who were students here and there, many knew about his business dealings in the shops, and how he openly deceived merchants with his sweet words.

Contrary to expectations, he showed no fear or submission towards the professors, and displayed blatant hatred towards them.

As if his punishment was unjust.

That was funny, he dared to disrespect the second princess of Cairo, and dares to be annoyed, he is lucky not to have had his head cut off already!

From this alone, they knew how rude he was, hmph, arrogant, deserving of his punishment!

Public opinion was divided, between those who admired him, those who hated him, and those who did not care.

Yet, there was an important point.

Leon's status.

From what it seemed, his identity was unknown, and he was not from a prominent family.

There had not been in the past years about a declining noble family hiding a monster like this.

Therefore—with the biased mentality of the public, they naturally thought he was from the common people.

Not from a noble clan, he had no noble blood.

In just two days, public opinion was established and solidified.

Leon Evenius was from the common people.

In this world, those in high positions are treated like kings, while those who are not are treated like cattle.

A person's life without support is like grass in the field.

It can be picked or left, that depends on the person themselves.

No one cared.

Yet, Leon's situation was special, he was incredibly strong.

To be able to suppress the geniuses of Cairo and Nanman like this, simply, that is unrealistic—!

Therefore, being a medium talent, not even (B), but (C)? How could they accept this!

Doesn't that mean that a person with medium talent defeated the geniuses? That is something no one would believe.

Their pride would not allow this to happen!

How could they lift their faces in front of others if it became known that a person with medium talent humiliated them?

And thus, before the second test, there was a commotion about Leon hiding his talent, and the academy was questioned and doubted in their abilities.

While he was unconscious, as the academy director was busy and had no free time, he was examined by Professor Dios personally, and no errors were found.

Student Leon Evenius was merely a medium talent.

Many insisted that he was deceiving, but with the evidence appearing publicly, there was nothing that could be done.

Finally, Logan Hermes.

Kang Woo's eyes flashed as he watched the sitting boy.

Only a few breaths of time had passed since Kang Woo's entrance.

[ Student Logan Hermes, student Baik Kang Woo, in a few moments, the fight will begin ]

[ The fight ends with one side being subdued, or when one of the students surrenders ]

The mechanical voice broke the silence.

The battle would begin in moments.

This, at least, was what was supposed to happen.

As his black hair fluttered, Kang Woo walked calmly towards Logan.

Logan's face showed no tension, and he remained seated as if he were at home.

Kang Woo sat beside him comfortably.

The fight that was supposed to start… did not happen.

"I wonder how the audience will react to our situation, hehe."

"Haha, unfortunately… I can't see their faces at this moment, it would have been great."

The conversation between the two began with a random topic.

Then, Kang Woo thought a little about something.

"What do you think?" He opened his mouth as he said calmly.

"… Hmm?" Logan inquired with his gaze.

He wanted to speak in turn, but Kang Woo beat him to it.

Kang Woo smiled lightly, "About that devil, I mean, what do you think about Leon's act of joining class (D)?"

Logan was silent for a moment before answering, "Hmph! I don't know, I don't care, as if I have any interest? What does that have to do with me?"

His voice was cold as he stared at Kang Woo.

"Hehehe, you might fool those fools with this performance, but it won't work on me!" Kang Woo snorted disdainfully, as if he were watching a farce woven by a child.

"Even if you know how to use that thing in your head a little, don't get ahead of yourself," his tone became cold as he spat.

"Hahaha" Logan laughed unaffected by Kang Woo's tone and said, "Alright, alright, let's forget that, I have a question first."

"Ask, and yet, I may answer, or I may not," Kang Woo shrugged as he lay on the ground of the arena, "it depends on what the question is."

Logan laughed and didn't really mind his position.

"Regarding Leon's punishment, although it was harsh, his act is still unforgivable for many, do you think some people will seek revenge?"

Kang Woo, trying to comprehend his words, after analyzing them, his first reaction appeared.

"Heh." A light laugh escaped.

"Hehehehe haha—cough! cough!" Kang Woo laughed while holding his stomach.

He laughed until tears came out, it was indeed a joke worth laughing at, and he started coughing.

Logan didn't find his reaction strange, but felt it was a bit exaggerated.

Revenge? Who would do it?

Against whom would they seek revenge? Against him?

"Revenge? Haha, that's a strong word to use against them, can the situation of a mosquito hitting a mountain and trying to sting be considered revenge?"

How could it? With its kind heart?

Hahaha what nonsense!

Imagining a mosquito trying to sting a mountain, Logan felt the absurdity of the situation.

"When these words come from you of all people… that's unexpected."

"Hmph, do you think I'm blind not to see what's in front of me? Even I know my limits, arrogance is just a cover people use to get something or to hide something."

A true arrogant and conceited person would not survive in this harsh world.

Logan could only agree with his words.

He lay on the battlefield in turn, while waving one foot over the other.

What about the battle?

Logan wanted to quote Leon's words.

In these tests, isn't it more fun to make things interesting?

Logan didn't want to simply go along with the rules of the tests.

As long as a person is strong enough, should they care about such things?

Not to mention… Logan thought of something.