novelraw Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
A Skip Exam at the Lunar Eclipse Training Ground—something without precedent for years, no, for decades.
Even for Zak, who had served as head instructor of the Lunar Eclipse Training Ground for decades, it was his first time witnessing such an event. As such, even he had no way of knowing what lay within the Exam Room. The only clue was a single note left behind by the room's creator.
—The underground Exam Room of the Lunar Eclipse Training Ground is truly an indispensable place, crafted to hone an assassin's energy sense. To navigate through dense darkness, evading Mechanisms and Formation Arrays, and retrieve the Token. Is this not the ideal test for an assassin?
An Exam Room built to cultivate an assassin's energy sense. That was this room's purpose.
Zak had agreed with that sentiment.
Dodging Throwing Needles in the dark was, at the very least, useful for sharpening one's energy sense.
Yet the room's creator seemed to have found that insufficient.
—And yet those blasted Family whelps have absolutely no intention of actually using this room. Why in the world would they not put this masterpiece to use? Decades have already passed and not a single one has cleared it. At this rate, what I so painstakingly prepared will never see the light of day!
The handwriting grew more erratic toward the end.
The rest of the note was filled to the brim with grievances about the Family and the Training Ground.
All things considered, this person seemed to have been quite the madman.
‘More than enough to read.’
There appeared to be nothing further of use in the note.
The reason he had read it in the first place was to gather information about the Exam Room. That way, when the boy emerged, he would be in a position to discuss the evaluation.
But…
‘He's taking considerably longer than I expected.’
Feyr's return was running later than Zak had anticipated.
He did not believe for a moment that someone like him would be caught by a mere trap.
If the boy were that soft, the mountain's lord would have devoured him long ago.
Zak closed his Pocket Watch and stood with his back to the door.
‘About 1 minute left now.’
If the boy failed to return even after the allotted time ran out—
‘Then that's as far as your luck stretches.’
Once 10 minutes elapsed, that door would not open. That was how it had been designed.
And so Zak intended to take his leave precisely when 10 minutes had passed.
But at exactly 9 minutes and 21 seconds—
Boom——
The door Zak had his back to swung open, and at last, a silhouette emerged from the darkness.
"How many minutes did it take?"
The question left Feyr's mouth the instant he stepped through the door.
***
Feyr produced the Token even as he posed the question.
3… no, he laid out 4 Tokens in total—including the one he had retrieved after destroying the Automaton.
Zak glanced at his Pocket Watch and answered first.
"9 minutes and 21 seconds."
9 minutes and 21 seconds…
It had taken longer than he'd thought, owing to the Automaton.
Not a satisfying result. But what mattered was that he had come back with all the Tokens.
Zak himself could not tear his eyes away from the Tokens rather than the time.
"……Where in the world did you find the 4th Token."
Zak spoke as if at a loss for words.
He had been told to retrieve 3 Tokens—and the boy had come back with 1 more.
Unable to believe the situation, Feyr began recounting what had happened.
"The moment I seized the 3rd Token, an Automaton dropped from the ceiling. When I broke it open, there was another Token inside."
Zak narrowed his eyes at Feyr's account.
"You destroyed an Automaton in a place where you could barely see and traps were everywhere?"
When Zak spoke in disbelief, Feyr gave a calm nod.
Zak seemed to have much to say in response to Feyr's composed demeanor, but Feyr got there first.
"I managed it through energy sense."
At Feyr's reply, Zak's eyebrow twitched.
It might have been a stretch, but as an assassin's answer, it couldn't have been better. Judging by his reaction, it seemed that was the right answer.
‘The truth is it was thanks to Serpent Sense—but knowing Zak's disposition, this is the right answer.’
One of the people he had known the longest in his past life.
In that regard, one could say he understood him better than almost anyone.
Zak turned away, pressing down the corners of his trembling mouth, and spoke.
"You pass the exam. We'll discuss the reward once we've moved elsewhere."
"Understood."
With that said, Zak turned and headed off first.
Feyr followed in his wake, and before long the two had left the underground and made their way to the Head Instructor's Office.
The 2 of them returned to the Head Instructor's Office.
Zak settled into his seat and immediately brought up the matter of the exam reward.
"Since you retrieved 2 or more Tokens, your promotion is confirmed."
It was an abrupt and one-sided declaration.
But it was already expected.
Feyr asked with composure.
"Is that all the reward amounts to?"
At Feyr's question, Zak gave a small shake of his head.
Then Zak opened his mouth again.
"Retrieving only 1 Token means survival itself is the reward; retrieving 2 means promotion to another Training Ground. And retrieving 3 is something that has never happened since the Lunar Eclipse Training Ground was established. As for 4—even more so. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I don't."
"It means I cannot immediately specify what reward to grant you."
Since retrieving 3 Tokens—let alone 4—was unprecedented, Zak himself was in a position where he could not determine the reward.
Amid that situation, Feyr found a question forming in his mind.
"Then why is the promotion still proceeding as is?"
"The promotion itself is a Family tradition, so it proceeds regardless."
The promotion was still happening as planned—and on top of that, he would receive a separate reward as well.
Bringing all 3 Tokens back had indeed been the right choice.
Satisfied with that fact, Feyr nodded repeatedly.
Having conveyed all the relevant information, Zak looked at Feyr and said:
"That's enough for today. If you have any belongings to pack, go and see to them in advance."
"Understood."
Belongings to pack…
He had no luggage, but one person came to mind that he needed to see to.
‘Beheli.’
That loyal pup of his.
Once he left this place, Beheli would have to face everything on his own until they met again.
Of course, the boy had raw talent above all else, so he would manage well enough on his own.
But managing well enough was not sufficient.
Feyr thought even in his absence, Beheli needed to be thinking of ways to escape this place.
Even if not right this moment.
Therefore, before departing for the next Training Ground—the Crescent Moon Training Ground—he needed to inform Beheli of the Skip Exam in advance.
‘The most ideal path would be the Skip Exam, but…’
In reality, that was close to impossible.
No matter how exceptional Beheli was within this Lunar Eclipse Training Ground, an exam that came around once in several decades would not be repeated again so soon.
Nor would the Family simply leave him be.
So if Beheli intended to chase after him, then one way or another, he would not remain here.
The moment Feyr was deep in thought about Beheli, Zak's irritated voice cut through.
"Why is someone who said they understood still standing there without moving?"
At Zak's voice, I dipped my head slightly and replied.
"My apologies. I'll be on my way."
The instant the words left his mouth, Feyr stepped out of the Head Instructor's Office.
In the quiet stillness, Zak silently gazed at the report on Feyr he had written earlier.
"…"
***
Having left the Head Instructor's Office, Feyr made his way to the Training Ground in search of Beheli.
Beheli was in the corner of the Training Ground, alone, doing push-ups in a handstand.
His body was already drenched in sweat from the workout.
Just how long had he been at it?
Feyr stopped briefly and watched Beheli, thinking to himself.
‘I really has nothing to worry about.’
Beheli worked harder than anyone else to compensate for his own shortcomings.
Putting in effort for the sake of a goal is only natural, but most people only think about it without actually following through.
That was why, watching Beheli push himself without being told, Feyr felt no concern.
After observing him for a moment, Feyr strode toward Beheli and called out.
"Hey."
"……?"
Beheli lifted his head at the sudden voice.
Recognizing the voice as Feyr's, Beheli came down from the handstand and spoke.
"You're back, Feyr."
"Yeah. You were working out?"
"I was. Something you need? What for?"
At Beheli's question asking what he wanted, Feyr cut straight to the point without preamble.
"I won't be here starting tomorrow. That's what I came to tell you."
"……? What are you talking about?"
At the sudden news, Beheli narrowed his eyes with a look of bewilderment.
Just yesterday everything had been quiet, and now out of nowhere he was saying this.
For Beheli, who had no knowledge of the circumstances, it was truly unexpected news.
So Beheli asked Feyr:
"Where are you going, if not here?"
"The Crescent Moon Training Ground. I'm being promoted there."
"Promoted?"
The word caught Beheli off guard, and he tilted his head.
It wasn't that he was unfamiliar with the term.
What puzzled him was that someone like themselves—of slave origin—would be given such an opportunity.
Yet even so, there was a reason it made sense.
And that reason was Feyr.
But even so, it was still just as sudden.
Beheli was about to ask for a reason, but Feyr spoke first.
"Anyway, that's how it turned out."
Feyr deliberately glossed over the details without offering an explanation.
Beheli was trustworthy, but there was no need to go around talking about orders handed down from above.
At the vague response, Beheli clicked his tongue and said:
"Mmmm. Is that so."
Not hearing the reason, Beheli could not quite accept Feyr's news.
Even so, he did not push for one.
He trusted that there was a reason for Feyr not saying.
Instead, Beheli asked something else.
"Then. What do I do going forward?"
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you say it?"
Beheli paused briefly, then continued.
"Revenge. That we'd do it together. If you just up and leave, what am I supposed to do?"
Hearing all of that, Feyr finally understood what Beheli was asking.
What to do, left alone at the Lunar Eclipse Training Ground.
That was what Beheli was asking.
At that question, Feyr made an expression of utter disbelief and answered.
"What kind of stupid thing is that to say?"
"……?"
Beheli blinked in surprise at the reply.
To that reaction, Feyr let out a small sigh and continued.
"What do you mean what to do. Obviously you should be thinking of how to follow after me by any means necessary."
"F-Follow after you?"
At the sudden sharp response, Beheli couldn't help but be taken aback.
But that surprise turned to understanding as the words that followed reached him.
"Of course. Or what—are you going to give up on your revenge and stay here?"
"……! I won't give up. Not ever!"
"Then remember this. Even for the sake of revenge, you cannot stop here."
At those words, Beheli stared blankly down at his own hands for a moment.
‘What in the world have I been doing here?’
‘What had I been cultivating my strength inside the belly of my enemy for?’
Right.
The answer had been revenge from the very beginning.
Revenge against the Family that slaughtered his people.
Was it not for that reason that he sought strength, that he pressed forward?
Grind-
Having recalled the purpose of his revenge, Beheli ground his teeth.
He lifted his head, looked at Feyr, and spoke like a vow.
"I won't give up. I will absolutely tear Beilhart apart."
"Right. For the sake of your goal, use whatever means necessary. To chase after me, wring out everything this place can offer before you leave. Walk the same path I walked here. If you claim the top rank in every exam from here on out, you'll eventually walk beside me."
"Got it. From now on, top rank—all mine. I'll become stronger than anyone and follow Feyr."
Only then did it seem a satisfying answer had been given, as Feyr nodded with contentment.
Just as he was about to turn and leave after the conversation—
Beheli asked 1 last thing.
"……Feyr. When will we meet again if you leave now?"
"Who knows. Probably about 2 years."
"2 years…"
At the sight of Beheli looking somewhat deflated, Feyr gave a small laugh and said:
"If you have the energy to spare, cultivate the power of Ryeong as well."
At those words, Beheli jolted and his whole body trembled.
"H-How do you know about that! You, Feyr!"
"I know—why wouldn't I?"
In his past life, he had handled a vast amount of information on foreign tribes.
He had stained his hands with the blood of countless such tribes.
He also knew the information on the Cliff Wolf Tribe, the tribe that Beheli had belonged to.
Even the power they were said to possess.
‘Was it like this?’
Feyr traced his memory for a moment, then began forming a specific hand seal with his hands.
Foreign tribes form hand seals when using the power of Ryeong, if I recall correctly.
‘Beheli watched Feyr's actions with suspicion, then soon recognized what it was.’
"……! Th-That's!"
Why Beheli was this shocked.
It was none other than the hand seal unique to his own tribe's members.
Staring in a daze, Beheli watched as Feyr released the hand seal and spoke.
"You haven't forgotten it, have you?"
"I have not forgotten it. Not once."
At Beheli's serious expression, Feyr gave a small laugh and said:
"Do well."
As he said so, Feyr extended his fist toward Beheli.
Beheli stared at the fist blankly for a moment, then, as if renewing his resolve, met it with his own.
‘In his past life, he never used the power of Ryeong until the very end.’
He did not know why.
Because he never spoke of it, right up until the end.
But this time is different.
Even for the sake of his own goal, he would use every card available.
Only then would there be reason to stay by his side until the very end.
***
Afterward, Feyr returned to his quarters.
He was being promoted first thing tomorrow, so he needed to pack what little belongings he had.
Having finished packing, Feyr lay flat on the floor and stared up at the ceiling.
‘The Crescent Moon Training Ground……’
Going to a different Training Ground—this was the first time across his entire past life.
It couldn't be helped.
In his past life, he had always been at the Lunar Eclipse Training Ground, or else sent out on missions outside for most of the time.
But that didn't make him anxious or worried.
After all, the Crescent Moon Training Ground, at the end of the day, would amount to nothing more than children-level.
‘That place was where the collateral line and the children of the Vassal Families were gathered, if I recall correctly.’
In Feyr's memory, the Crescent Moon Training Ground was a kind of knight-training institution.
In particular, most of the children gathered there were from collateral and Vassal Families, and every now and then there would be those of orphan origin like Feyr.
Those ones were, for the most part, children who had been adopted by members of the collateral or Vassal Families.
Otherwise, they would all have gone straight to the Lunar Eclipse Training Ground together.
‘In a way, those kids could be considered the lucky ones.’
No—could you really call being dragged into Beilhart lucky?
Thinking that, Feyr let out an empty laugh.
Whether slave or collateral, it made no difference.
Either way, to the Family, they were nothing more than a single cog.
‘Even as I head to the Crescent Moon Training Ground, I remain a replaceable part in the eyes of the Family—and that will not change.’
No, it isn't only about going to the Crescent Moon Training Ground.
No matter how high a position one rose to, the fact that one's circumstances did not change was the same.
To them, my existence was, in the end, nothing more than a highly efficient tool.
And so, if he wanted to deny that reality, there was only 1 choice left to him.
‘Kill or be killed.’
Outside of that, there were no options.
Whether to spend his entire life as their hound and die, or to kill them and claim his freedom and liberation.
In the end, that was all there was.
For Feyr, who had already lived that life as their hound, there was only 1 path left if he wanted to survive.
Kill them all and seize his freedom.
That was the only path available to him.
There was no option of escaping the Family and living out his days in quiet obscurity.
Because even then, the lingering echoes of memory would follow him to the end and torment him forever.
Feyr recalled those truths once more and steeled his resolve all the more firmly.
That this time, he would absolutely not live like a fool.
That he would survive without fail and claim his freedom.
With those thoughts, Feyr drifted off to sleep.