Chapter 54: Chapter 54 : Unwanted Attention
"This is boring" Zeres yawned, his gloved hand covering his mouth.
"Be ready, you’ll be called soon." Professor Elyssa rolled her eyes, her heels kicking him in his calf.
"Ouch! " he hissed.
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Helize yawned while the man before him announced her rewards.
After listening from his ramblings, she took her rewards then headed straight at the corner.
’How ridiculous, why do I have to do this? ’ she groaned.
’I want to slap those elders.’ She mumbled, her voice groggy.
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"Next, cadet Feilres the imperial prince. " the man announced.
’Fucker.’ Zeres sneered.
The man’s tone went 180 degrees from the way he spoke, he even bothered to announce his title.
Feilres stood from his seat, multiple nobles bearing their family’s insignia applauded at him.
They all wore sophisticated fabrics, luxurious dresses adorned with Jewelries, suits carefully tailored on their sizes.
He wore a white suit adorned with golden embroidery, the crest of the Royal family hanging in his chest proudly.
He crossed the hall elegantly, gazes locked on him, but his head was buzzing with thoughts he couldn’t erase.
’Am I lacking in talent? ’
’Am I incompetent?’
’Or am I nothing but a pampered brat that hides behind his family’s power?’
’How embarrassing, I’m only at rank four.’ He thought bitterly.
His brother must be dying out of laughter by now the moment the result of the Trial was reported to him.
He clenched his fist tightly. ’From the way things are, I’ll lose to that bastard on the succession war.’
"The second prince future looks bleak."
"You’re right, he might die on the succession war."
Nobles started talking behind his back. He could hear them all, clearly, vividly.
But he remained calm, it was normal.
His relationship with the nobles on his faction wasn’t because of a genuine bond, but the same motive, interest and gains.
"Cadet Feilres, as a reward for the achievements you’ve accomplished with this trial, you will be granted a chance to enter Henoras."
The crowd went silent.
After all, Henoras was the forest of sentient monsters that the headmaster made, after catching countless sentient monsters, he made that forest himself.
Feilres being granted that permission means he will be able to form a bond with one of the monster residing in there.
’This might be my chance’ he thought, his fist clenched tight.
"Thank you" he bowed politely before taking the golden plaque.
"Whoa! " the crowd erupted into cheers as he went down the podium.
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Moments passed, and Feilres was now stepping down from the podium.
"Next, cadet Aeliz—ranked third. Come forward." The man said loudly, his voice drifting across the entirety of the banquet hall.
She wore a dark blue dress adorned with ever embroidery. A sapphire pendant hung on her neck, white silk gloves lifting her dress slightly as she stood up.
"That’s the heiress of the Azure tower right? "
"Yeah, she’s beautiful."
Multiple praises echoed from everywhere as she walked on the red carpet.
Zeres stared at her figure quietly. His expression unreadable.
"For your accomplishments, you are to be given this golden plaque, the same with cadet Feilres—you’ll be given permission to enter the forest of Henoras.
"Thanks~" Aeliz took the rewards, though her face says it all: she was not satisfied.
’That girl really isn’t satisfied.’ Professor Elyssa shook her head weakly.
Aeliz seems to be trying to catch up to both Zeres and Saelyz.
"Well it’s not a bad thing, as long as you improve." She smiled softly.
"What’s this? Isn’t this all the class-A? You’re telling me no one even among the class-B managed to ranked higher? "
"It’s the class-A we’re talking about after all."
"Next, cadet Zeres, ranked second."
"Who’s that? "
"Heard he’s a vampire."
"Really, I thought only humans have enrolled this year."
"The church must be seething with anger." The nobles chuckled, glancing at the table where the servant of the god was seated.
"This damn nobles." A paladin with blond hair gritted his teeth.
"Calm yourself, this is just a trial from the god himself." The bishop said calmly, his hand touching the surface of the golden cross hanging on his necklace.
"So, Haslien, did he make any suspicious movements? " a woman paladin asked, her voice low but tinged with annoyance.
Haslien stared at Zeres crossing the red carpet. His long white hair fluttered on his back, crimson eyes half lidded as if he’s bored.
He wore an exquisite white suit, and a tailcoat hanging on his broad shoulders.
Staring at him, a certain memory resurfaced. His interference on the moment she was trying a risky spell.
’Does he know that spell is dangerous? ’
’I’ll help you, so illy considere us even.’ She thought.
"He hasn’t made any suspicious movements that we can use against him." Haslien answered, her expression calm.
"I see." The paladin nodded her head.
Reaching the podium, the man snapped his fingers as a table moved towards them.
Then his eyes read the parchment in his hand. The man’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze going back to the boy before him.
"Cadet Zeres, for your accomplishments, you are to be given the right to ask anything." He said slowly, still tasting the words that felt impossible.
"What? "
"Anything?!" The crowds erupted.
"Only what is right basing from his accomplishments, the headmaster himself will decide." the man raised his hand, cutting amidst the complains of the people who attended the banquet.
Meanwhile, Zeres remained rooted at his feet. Cold sweats fromung behind him.
’I’m certain, the headmaster have watched the battle against me and Saelyz! ’
He clenched his fists.
He didn’t think he’d be found out that quickly.
’Then how about professor Elyssa? ’ his head snapped towards the corner.
And there she is, staring straight at him, her eyes glinting with mischief, a teasing smile tugged at her lips.
’Fuck’ he cursed under his breath. ’I forgot she’s the Fire witch.’
"Cadet Zeres, you can return now, the headmaster will call you himself when the time comes. " the man smiled softly.
’This boy will be flocked with peoples wanting his potential.’
He could already see it, the boy before him having troubles to receive all of the identity cards being given to him.
