Chapter 157: Final Exams (6)

Bloodline of the Progenitor.

Carl mulled over Rachel’s words.

‘So Origin was a group that originated from vampires who inherited the Progenitor’s bloodline?’

It was honestly hard to believe.

Like demon humans such as Besha, they could blend into certain organizations, but this wasn’t some dark mage or demon worshipper — it was an actual demon race establishing power in the Middle Realm.

If that were really true, the Holy Nation wouldn’t have stayed idle.

They were the kind to tremble at the very mention of demons.

“From what I know, Origin’s activities have lasted over ten years. Are you saying they’ve evaded the Holy Nation’s gaze all that time?”

“The Holy Nation knows. They’re just leaving it alone. In the end, if they can’t capture Origin, it’s all meaningless. You’ve never seen Origin in person either, right?”

Carl nodded.

The only one he had seen was Ascalon, whom he believed to be the leader.

He hadn’t expected there to be someone above him.

‘I didn’t think he was the type to work under someone.’

Then again, during his Unkillable days, he had also been bound to a group called the Killing Veil.

He was indeed the top assassin of the Greatest Assassin of the Central Plains, but within the organization, he was still ranked below the Head of the Killing Veil.

Of course, that wasn’t how he was treated in practice.

“I left Origin because……”

“Rachel? Who are you talking to so intently?”

“……”

At the voice from behind, Rachel turned her head.

Seira had appeared, tilting her head in curiosity after coming from the library.

“I came to find you since you weren’t coming even after waiting. What are you doing all alone?”

Rachel glanced behind her.

The spot where Carl had been standing just moments ago was now completely empty, with no trace of his presence.

It hadn’t been a dream.

A masked intruder had definitely approached her and asked about Origin.

‘This is going to be a hassle.’

Rachel scratched her cheek.

If Origin found out she was here, they wouldn’t leave her alone.

“……Just talking with the night for a bit.”

“What nonsense are you spouting again? Come on. We’ve got a mountain of studying to do.”

“Ugh.”

Even as Rachel was dragged away by Seira, she glanced back at where Carl had stood.

After a brief two-day break, Bayern had once again entered exam season.

Having finished all the major exams, including Understanding of Combat, all Carl had left were the general education subjects.

At the moment, he was taking the test for the Application of Practical Magic lecture.

The format was simple.

They had to demonstrate how much their mana control had improved over the semester by defeating another cadet.

However, it wasn’t a direct magic duel.

It was a game called ‘Blue Wave’ — a mage’s entertainment modeled after chess.

“Alright, you’re all sovereigns now. Everyone starts with the same force. Whether you can defeat your opponent’s pieces and dominate the field depends on how precisely and delicately you control your mana. I believe those of you who have practiced your techniques over the semester will produce excellent results.”

Two cadets sat across from each other over a small chessboard.

Carl’s opponent was a second-year cadet, one year his senior.

“Hmph.”

With the resolve to never lose to a junior, the senior reached forward.

As the test began, black and white pieces appeared on the board and began to move slowly.

What set Blue Wave apart from chess was that it didn’t require specific rules to move the pieces.

Actions could be taken at any time without turns or limitations, and as long as one could, they could go straight for the opponent’s king and claim victory.

Tap tap tap─!

The senior cadet, seemingly not wanting the match to drag on, launched a full-scale assault.

He intended to overwhelm the frontline at once and seize victory through superior piece control.

But Carl had no intention of backing down either.

‘This class partially includes theory scores too.’

The momentum of top-ranking cadets like Nerian, Laysis, and Louis was no joke.

They had scored nearly perfect marks in every subject, and were continuing that streak now.

If he got careless, Carl might have to start worrying too — so he planned to take the remaining exams more seriously.

“……Huh?”

That was proving to be the case even now.

The senior, confidently charging with all his forces, let out a sound of confusion.

Carl wasn’t flustered and retreating as expected; instead, he had expertly set up a barrier to block the assault.

“Excellent, excellent. Cadet Carl, truly impressive control. I’ll be awarding bonus points.”

The professor scoring the test as he moved around the room beamed as he praised Carl.

The senior cadet gritted his teeth and tried to stop Carl, but having poured all his energy into the start, he quickly hit his limit.

“……Ah, aaaah!”

Smash, smash, and smash again.

All they could do was watch as their pieces were crushed.

Soon, Carl’s color blanketed the entire field, and Carl stood up, leaving behind the senior cadet who sat in shock, dazed.

“Thank you for the match.”

“……Yeah.”

A gloomy reply returned, but the world of competition was merciless.

Carl didn’t offer sympathy and quietly searched for his next opponent.

“……”

Everyone avoided Carl’s gaze.

Even though theoretical rank and mana control weren’t strongly related, being top of the class gave the impression of something special.

Most avoided facing Carl, as they had to challenge weaker opponents to earn points.

“Laysis.”

“……!!”

Laysis, who had just finished her match, flinched at Carl’s call.

The cadet who had faced her fled immediately, and Carl stepped in front of the now-empty spot.

“What do you think? Will you face me?”

The exam required battling a total of five opponents.

Most had just finished their first match, so there was still plenty of time.

But Laysis, unlike usual, was sweating profusely and showed visible hesitation.

“Well, Carl, it’s not like I’m avoiding you, but……”

“I’m joking. I can’t risk lowering your score. I can’t afford to lose ground in this subject either.”

“Ah.”

Laysis visibly relaxed and let out a sigh of relief.

Not just in swordsmanship but also in mana control and magic, she had no confidence in beating Carl.

Wasn’t it just plain unfair for one person to be so good at everything?

“Since I’m giving up my turn, you must make sure to claim the top rank.”

“Yes, absolutely.”

Having secured her first win, Laysis clenched her fist and nodded.

With the current gap between her and Nerian expected to be slim, every single point counted.

In truth, Carl wanted to help fulfill her goal and earn some goodwill, but he didn’t intend to do it intentionally — he also needed to manage his grades.

“Hm.”

Carl left Laysis and wandered the test arena, looking troubled.

No one seemed willing to face him.

Some were completely pale and lying flat, while others looked at him with desperate, pleading eyes.

‘At this rate, I might not get in all five matches.’

He scratched his cheek and stood idly when someone approached him.

“Carl junior.”

“Oh, Senior Hannes.”

It was a third-year cadet he had been teamed up with during a previous practicum.

Moreover, he was one of the potential NOX scout candidates.

‘They said he’s more of a thinker than his appearance suggests.’

He had always performed well in class.

He might be a worthy opponent.

“What do you say? Will you face me? Like you, everyone’s avoiding me.”

“Gladly.”

Carl nodded without hesitation.

That didn’t mean he intended to win at all costs.

If the opponent exceeded the limit Carl had set for himself as Carl, he was ready to recognize that and yield the victory.

‘At this age, that might actually help earn more favor.’

Hannes was more than worthy of such a gesture.

Of course, if that happened, he’d have to flawlessly ace the remaining exams to keep his top rank.

“Black or white — your choice.”

“I’ll take black.”

Perhaps due to having lived in the shadows in his past life, he instinctively rejected white.

Carl chose black, and naturally, Hannes took the white side.

The war that soon began flowed with a markedly calmer tone than before.

Neither Carl nor Hannes attacked hastily; both examined each other’s level and looked for openings with careful strategy.

‘This is why I like Bayern.’

Carl narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled faintly to himself.

Back in the Central Plains, the Heavenly Righteousness Academy, where promising junior members from each sect gathered, felt more like a social club than a real educational institution.

Few genuinely studied or honed their martial skills seriously like they did at Bayern.

He had even sighed inwardly, worried for the future of righteous martial arts, despite being an assassin.

‘But Bayern is different.’

This place had the pride of being the Empire’s top academy.

Not only did it possess that pride, but it was also overflowing with a desire to maintain and advance it further.

In terms of current level, the Heavenly Righteousness Academy might still be higher, but in one or two years, Bayern would surge ahead and claim the lead.

The difference between the Central Plains and Artenia was apparent even here.

Of course, that didn’t mean one world was superior or inferior to the other.

‘……Hm.’

While Carl had briefly been lost in thought, Hannes launched his assault.

Like an assassin lying flat and observing a target while waiting for the perfect moment.

The approaching army struck under the chest like a volley of arrows.

‘He certainly understands tactics well.’

Hannes came from a military noble family, with all its members serving in the Imperial Army.

However, their status wasn’t particularly high.

At best, they were a branch from one of the mainstream families, entrusted with a segment of the army.

Unlike the rest of his family, Hannes chose to study at Bayern instead of becoming a soldier.

Not being the eldest and being far down the line of succession, his position wasn’t one the family paid much attention to.

It made him an ideal candidate for NOX.

‘Excellent grades, good temperament. The only question is, what’s his goal?’

For recruitment to proceed, his personal goals needed to align with NOX’s direction.

Brainwashing and suggestion came after that.

If he wasn’t someone to use and discard like Dirsen, then he had to be cultivated into a follower with loyalty from the heart.

‘That’s why I also invested considerable effort in recruiting the other NOX executives.’

Each of them had their desires, goals they wanted to fulfill, and voids they needed filled — all of which NOX provided.

That way, they would grow to feel some affection for the organization and fulfill their roles.

Of course, even then, there were plenty who betrayed or stabbed them in the back.

‘They all died.’

No matter how talented, the moment someone betrayed trust, there was no hesitation.

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