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Childhood Friend of the Zenith (Web Novel) - Chapter CH.1076: The World of Ascension (6)
Chapter CH.1076: The World of Ascension (6)
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After the storm passed, I began preparing alone in the midst of everyone’s silence.
I could feel eyes on me constantly. Damn it, it wasn’t easy to ignore, even if I tried.
Whispers echoed around me, a buzz of voices.
Curiosity, jealousy, envy—those emotions were all too familiar.
“Who is he?”
“He looks young. Which family does he come from?”
“...Maybe he’s from a family of the Seiga.”
“What is it about him that Paejon would want him as a disciple?”
“He doesn’t look like much... oh, but his face is kind of scary. Hiiik—!”
When I glared at the man who spoke disparagingly, he flinched.
This was really getting on my nerves.
I let out a long sigh, a rare feeling resurfacing within me.
‘Damn old man.’
Of all times, this had to happen just when I was trying to figure things out quietly. Could this really be a coincidence?
I didn’t think so.
“Ha...”
I ran my fingers through my hair.
‘What did Paejon sense?’
What exactly did Paejon feel when he looked at me? He couldn’t have sensed my Tua Pacheonmu, I made sure to hide it.
As soon as I felt the resonance, I concealed it. Paejon definitely didn’t pick up on it.
So, it wasn’t about the resonance. That leaves...
‘The body due to reverse aging.’
I looked young, and my body had undergone reverse aging after shedding its limitations. That was what Paejon had been searching for so desperately.
That was probably why he worked so hard to make me his disciple.
If so...
‘Could this be happening again?’
I didn’t know how Paejon had figured it out, but it seemed like that was why he had suddenly approached me and started feeling my body.
However...
‘Can he really figure it out just by feeling my arm?’
What could he possibly discern from just touching my arm? He didn’t even send any energy.
He was just feeling it, but Paejon must have sensed something.
‘Tch.’
This was troublesome.
If Paejon started obsessing over me, things would get really complicated.
‘What should I do? Should I change my identity again?’
I could easily change my face and body, and using my powers, I could continue to change my identity as needed.
That part wasn’t a problem.
‘The timing is the issue.’
The Martial Alliance entrance exam. That was the problem.
I heard the exam was today, and it was the last chance. Missing it meant I wouldn’t be able to join the Alliance until next year.
Changing my identity now would be difficult.
‘Or...’
Could I steal someone else's identity within the Martial Alliance and disguise myself?
That would be a possible solution.
I briefly contemplated the idea when—
“Next. Step forward.”
I heard a voice from the front. Looking up, I saw someone on the sparring stage with a disinterested expression.
That was the first round of the Martial Alliance entrance exam.
There were several others standing on other stages too.
The first part of the exam was simple.
You spar with the examiners up there. After a few exchanges, the examiner decides whether you pass.
It was an absurdly simple exam.
And—
‘A disgustingly easy exam.’
The exam wasn’t designed to be fair. The best way to pass was through bribery or connections.
‘I wonder.’
If it were the Martial Alliance I knew, bribery and lobbying would already be rampant.
What about the current Alliance? I was curious.
‘But would it be different in the days when Jukcheon was in charge?’
During the heyday of the Martial Alliance, when Jukcheon was the leader, perhaps things were different back then. With that hope, I looked at the sparring stage.
‘Huh?’
I didn’t realize at first, but—
My examiner.
‘Wait, I know that face.’
It seemed familiar. Whose face was that?
I narrowed my eyes, trying to place it, but it didn’t come to me right away.
As I stared at the person, they suddenly looked at me as well. When our eyes met, the man’s face contorted, and he spoke.
“Step forward.”
‘Ah.’
Was it my turn? I stepped onto the sparring stage.
Then the examiner looked at me with an odd expression.
That look was unmistakably one of disbelief— “This guy caught Paejon's attention?”
“Ahem.”
He cleared his throat and then spoke.
“I am Bumdong from the Azure Dragon Division.”
“Ah.”
I widened my eyes upon hearing the introduction.
No wonder he looked familiar. Was it him?
He was the guy who used to mess with me and got beaten up for it.
“What’s wrong?”
Bumdong, in his younger years. He looked around the age of early twenties.
Noticing my strange reaction, Bumdong asked with a puzzled look.
“Ah, nothing. He just reminds me of someone I know.”
“Hmph. Is that so? It’s hard to find someone who looks like me. But if you were about to mention Ji Yeon, you better watch your tongue.”
Bumdong said indifferently, his tone carrying a sense of finality. He was making it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate any form of bribery.
Interesting.
‘Was he like this back then too?’
In my memory, Bumdong was someone who had already fallen far from grace, but now he seemed strangely different.
As I stared at him curiously,
“Don’t get too scared.”
Bumdong drew his sword and spoke to me.
“I’ll go easy on you. I don’t plan on doing anything to someone of your level.”
With that, Bumdong seemed to be around my age.
Considering he mentioned being from the Azure Dragon Division, he must have been part of it since then.
His level...
‘Peak stage.’
He had just crossed the peak level, if I had to guess.
For his age, it was truly impressive.
Even the Bumdong I knew was a Hwagyeong warrior, so his talents should be extraordinary.
“What weapon do you use?” “I don’t use those things.” “You’re a martial artist then. Good.”
Bumdong slightly shifts, aiming the tip of his sword at me.
“Come at me anytime.” “......”
I silently stare at the sword.
“I’ll give you a head start.”
Thud.
Bumdong, who had been speaking, collapses to the ground.
“Huh?” “......What?” “What the...?”
The people watching the sparring react with wide eyes. I casually kick the fallen Bumdong away, sending him flying.
“You said I could come anytime.” I approach and strike his chin, ending it.
As much as I wanted to smash his face, there were too many eyes on us.
Smirking, I push Bumdong aside and turn to look at the examiner.
“Do you need further confirmation?” “...Uh...uhh.”
The examiner, flustered, speaks to me.
“Baek Yangcheon of the Baek family from Guangdong. Y-Yes... you’ve passed...” I passed the first round.
It was expected.
**********
I went straight to take the second exam. Fortunately, it wasn’t too extravagant.
When I arrived at the next destination, those who had already passed were sitting and doing something.
Upon closer inspection, papers were laid out on the desk, and most people seemed to be deep in thought.
“Are you here for the exam?” A voice from inside asks.
“Yes.” “Please sit here.”
I moved to the indicated spot. There was a paper and a brush on the desk, just like before.
Sitting down, I examined the task.
‘This.’
It was literally an exam.
There were questions about demonic beasts written down.
“Write down your answers to the questions. You have half an hour.”
“......”
I quietly stared at the letter. Most of the questions were about green and blue demonic beasts. Occasionally, there were some about red ones.
But the number of questions was extremely small.
Of course.
‘It’s because red demonic beasts aren’t appearing at this time.’
The demonic beast raids had stabilized, and relatively systematic measures had been established.
With that issue resolved, this was the time when humans began fighting amongst themselves more and more.
“Hmm.”
I quietly stared at the problem.
But...
‘This is too easy.’
The questions were too easy.
‘I did get first place in the Shinyong Hall exam.’
For the first-place in Shinyong Hall, this was nothing.
I picked up the brush and swiftly wrote the answers, and before long, I raised my hand to signal to the examiner.
“Hm?”
The examiner chuckled lightly as he saw my raised hand.
“Try a bit harder. If you give up already...”
“I’ve finished.”
“What...?”
The examiner’s eyes widened at my response.
“...You’ve finished everything?” “Yes.” “...That’s nonsense.”
They gave us half an hour, but I hadn’t even taken half of that time.
But still, I claimed I was done, and it seemed the examiner was rather surprised.
“Don’t just jot down random answers.” “I didn’t do that. You can check it.”
“......”
The examiner suspiciously grabbed the letter and checked it.
After a brief pause...
“Hah...”
The examiner let out a short, exasperated sigh.
“...They’re all correct?”
None of the answers were wrong.
“Can I go now?”
“No...”
How is this possible? After a brief thought, the examiner nodded as if he realized something.
“...I see. So who exactly are you?”
“Pardon?”
“...Never mind. It’s pointless to ask. Go on.”
The examiner spoke with a somewhat eerie expression.
He seemed displeased. Looking at him, I realized.
‘Ah, this guy.’
Because I finished too quickly, he seemed to suspect that I had asked someone to help me with the answers. It seemed like he thought I had cheated.
Considering his words...
‘Who else would have done this?’
It seemed like someone else had caused trouble.
‘Hmm.’
It’s absurd to be misunderstood like this, but... anyway, I passed.
I turned around and headed out immediately.
‘The third one...’
Once I finish the last exam, I’ll finally join the sect, right?
‘Really...’
In my previous life, I’d been so reluctant to go, yet here I was, taking tests to step into that place again.
It was absurd.
Scratching my cheek as I was about to leave...
“Excuse me.”
“Hm?”
Someone called out to me.
I turned my head.
“Are you the one who just passed the exam?”
It was a woman with a low, cold voice. Wondering who it was, I looked at her.
And then...
“...Huh?”
Upon seeing the person who spoke to me, I couldn’t help but react strongly.
She was a beautiful woman.
With somewhat cold eyes and an aura that exuded iciness, she was the type of beauty that would surely be called a beauty wherever she went.
She looked to be just past her teenage years, and in my mind, she reminded me of the charming daughter of the Moyong family.
But beyond that, I knew this woman.
“If that’s the case, I have a proposal for you-.”
“Mi... Madam...?”
“...What did you say?”
At my words, the woman, Mi Horan of the Baekhwa Sect, frowned.
