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Heir of the White Lotus (Web Novel) - Chapter 2114: High Expectations
Chapter 2114: High Expectations
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Inside a vast underground chamber below the Rabbit Hole, Adam lay sprawled on his back.
His chest heaved up and down as he gasped for air. Fresh scars littered his body again—some from whips, while others from blades.
Blood pooled beneath him, flowing out of his wounds. But the sanguine liquid mysteriously returned inside his body as though time flowed in reverse.
Adam gritted his teeth in agony. His injuries burned and itched. But all he could do was pant for breath and allow his regeneration ability to work its magic.
Nearby, Hannibal sat cross-legged on the ground. Unlike Adam, who bled profusely, the eccentric tavern owner did not bleed. He had not even broken a sweat. On his lap lay the Viper in its whip form. He examined the artifact with marvel.
"The Coil is generous with its Summoners," he said as he traced his fingers across the dark weapon. "Makes sense since they’re so rare."
"Gener—" Adam wanted to curse, but ended up coughing blood.
He nearly choked and was forced to turn sideways. Moments later, he pushed himself off the ground and sat on his knees. His blood had almost returned inside.
"They certainly dole out death sentences generously, I’ll give you that." He scoffed.
Hannibal turned his gaze toward Adam, amused. "They are snakes. Apex predators. What did you think was going to happen when you decided to lie in bed with them?"
Nothing. Adam had thought and planned for nothing.
When he received Syvarin Ven’mir’s memories, he had recklessly teleported to the Coil, eager to sign a contract with them. Had it not been for Lord White, Adam didn’t know what would have happened to him.
"I was very reckless in my youth," he murmured to himself.
"Was?" Hannibal raised a brow. "You still are."
Adam did not reply. Perhaps he still was. He didn’t doubt the eyes of a master like Hannibal.
"Something has changed," Hannibal said, tossing the Viper back to Adam.
Adam reached out with his hand. The Viper curled around his hand as if it had a mind of its own. In the blink of an eye, it had transformed into a tattoo.
"You seem different," Hannibal continued.
Adam shrugged.
"There’s fear in your eyes," Hannibal said. "Tell me. What happened?"
Adam hesitated for a moment, then told him about the Sacred Trials.
Hannibal’s expression was thoughtful. At last, he said, "Doesn’t sound like ordinary darkness. Perhaps a product of magic."
Adam shrugged. "Perhaps."
"No matter," Hannibal said gently. "Fear will always be there. The question is whether you will stand above it or let it stand above you."
He gazed as the last of Adam’s blood returned to his body. How fascinating the boy’s regeneration ability was. It allowed Hannibal to train him in ways that he had never trained his other students.
Adam’s training was intense. It also helped that his pain tolerance was exceptionally high, allowing Hannibal to exert far more pressure.
Noticing that the youth was still silent, Hannibal asked, "What’re you thinking?"
Adam shook his head. "Nothing, just... I never thought I’d be afraid of darkness, you know. What would happen to me in space?"
"And that is why you must overcome it while you still have time," Hannibal said.
"While I still have time?" Adam’s gaze focused. "What do you mean? You sound ominous."
"Did you plan to spend the rest of your life on Myrrandor?"
"Not really, no."
"How old are you now?"
"A hundred and forty, I think." Adam stroked his chin. "Maybe, a hundred and forty-one. I don’t know. I stopped keeping track after I hit a century."
Hannibal nodded. "In my estimation, you will become a Transcendent in another two hundred to two hundred fifty years."
"Mmm." Adam squinted in thought. "Sounds about right."
The prodigies of the Greater Universe advanced to Transcendent Magi or Paladins before the age of four hundred. Hannibal had recognized Adam as one of those prodigious talents.
"That is more than enough time to conquer your fear," Hannibal said. "And I advise you to find out the details of your seventh trial. The more you know, the more equipped you will be in fighting your enemy, which in this case is your fear."
Adam nodded. A moment later, he couldn’t help but ask, "But why Transcendent, though? That seems oddly specific."
"The Institute," Hannibal said frankly.
"The Imperial Military Institute, huh." Adam nodded.
Genevieve had told him about it. Said how every child of the Great Noble Houses joined the Institute before participating in the wars of the Imperium.
"For enrollment in the Institute, age does not matter. Only your station does," Hannibal explained.
"You need to be a Transcendent to join the Institute. Children from all across the Imperium apply for admission. Needless to say, only the best of the best are selected. And you must be one of them."
Hannibal paused for a moment, then let out a chuckle. "All of my students have enrolled at the Institute and graduated summa cum laude. So I have high expectations of you."
"Summa cum laude?" Adam asked.
He found the Great Noble Houses’ culture strange. So foreign. Even their names. Genevieve had said so herself. He had never come across any other human cultures even remotely similar.
Hannibal nodded. "It means the absolute highest distinction."
"Ah, I see." Adam nodded in understanding. He smirked. "Any other expectations you have of me so I don’t drag your name through mud?"
Adam had asked it as a jest, but Hannibal surprisingly had an answer to that as well.
"Yes." He nodded matter-of-factly. "You must participate in a Star Fall. That, I believe, is a great test of courage for any human."
"Star Fall?" Adam frowned. He’d never heard of that term before.
Hannibal had a reminiscent look in his eyes.
"When the Imperium invades a world, the assault begins from orbit. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers descend from the heavens, raining down upon the planet like falling stars. From the surface, it appears as though the very stars are falling from the sky, bringing with them the God Emperor’s judgment."
Hannibal’s eyes met Adam’s stunned ones, and he smiled.
"That is Star Fall."
