Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Towards the Entrance Test

Chapter 184 – Towards the Entrance Test

Two weeks had passed, and today was Monday, the day of the Entrance Test.

Cassius had spent those two weeks doing nothing but training, training and training. He couldn’t remember going this hard since he had been reincarnated into this world.

With his Innate, Snake of Adaptability, he had managed to obtain a First Adaptation in Chains Wielding which, in return, increased his mastery of his Second Skill, Chains of the Accursed.

Added to that with his improved blood and flame control through Bloodflame, his battle power had increased by leaps and bounds.

However, even after two weeks of relentless training, he still hadn’t achieved a perfect fusion of Fire and Blood. He had managed a partial one, but it was so volatile and unstable that it would explode after only seconds, and the explosion made no distinction between him and his opponent.

Because of that, Cassius was quite reluctant to rely on it, knowing better than anyone the dreadful power hidden within it.

Beyond that, the Last Born had tried to learn more about his left draconic eye, and in a broader sense, the concept of Characteristics itself.

It intrigued him because he had never encountered it during the game, despite it being a fairly well-known concept. Not something common people would know, nor even some Tier Three families, but it was established knowledge for families like his own.

A Characteristic, as described in a book he had read, was obtained by consuming and refining the exotic monsters that existed across Sunu Gaal.

It could be dragons, as in his case, or Children of the Red Moon like those encountered during the Royal Event, or void monsters, Irregulars, and even Spirits.

In short, it could be almost anything.

However, consuming those monsters without first refining them meant certain death. And the refinement process for each one was completely different.

Legend said the first Refinement Technique ever discovered concerned a Void category monster on the Wisdom Path called DomuNiit — a creature made entirely of brain matter.

And it had been found in a ruin. Not a Fractured Land, but a ruin. Which made it even stranger, for the number of Ruins in Sunu Gaal could be counted in one hand.

Arriving at that point, Cassius had become deeply interested, and learned that no one in recorded history had ever discovered a Refinement Process without first reaching the famed realm of Master. And how they had managed to do so was completely unknown.

Some said they had researched for years. Others said they had somehow come to understand the process by deeply studying the beast itself. Others still claimed it had been whispered to them.

All manner of answers. But one thing was certain as Cassius read more about it: this was also a Path to Strength.

One that didn’t rely on talent at all.

Just the luck to find a Refinement Process, the beast, and the materials.

Cassius had been fortunate to inherit directly from his ancestor, Amate Desdemona, but under normal circumstances, obtaining even a single Characteristic would have demanded far more.

After learning that much, he had stopped there, realising that only by entering the Academy would he be able to learn more.

After all, the greatest Library in the Kingdom — and one of the finest on the Khatab Continent — was inside the Elysia Academy.

Aside from training and expanding his knowledge, Cassius had gone through two Origin Store days.

He had managed to obtain good items thanks to the OP he had accumulated from being ranked first on the most beautiful man of his generation list, above Emrys and all the other Chosen Ones.

That list had made him exponentially more famous, and only the Goddess knew how many women had quietly fallen for him.

Rumours said a fanclub called ’The Beautiful Devil’ had been founded, where women entranced by Cassius met regularly to share things about him.

Cassius didn’t know whether that was true, but if it was, those women had better make sure Isolde never learned their location.

Regardless, thanks to all of that, he had managed to obtain truly interesting items: Greenflower Sun (Tier 3), Special Pen (Special Item) and Sealing Mark (Tier 4).

All of them were ridiculously expensive. The Greenflower Sun was an important alchemical item and the core material for a Tier 4 Potion called Sunblessed Insight.

The Special Pen had been created by, unexpectedly, MasterOfPaths himself, after growing tired of constantly buying new pens while researching, writing his books, films and random thoughts he felt deserved to be recorded.

The pen would never run dry, using essence as fuel.

The Sealing Mark was a token capable of sealing anything up to Tier 4 rank.

After spending on those items, Cassius was left with only 33,000 OP.

All of that without even counting the time he had spent visiting several Fractured Lands to train further.

And so, after all of it, Cassius was finally ready to depart for the Academy Entrance Test.

”Ready, my baby?” Sefira asked, looking fondly at her son.

They were outside the mansion, in the open air, waiting for whatever was coming to bring them to the Academy.

Cassius stood tall, wearing a noble black suit with a silver overcoat that fluttered like a wave in the wind — the wide Snake-Eating Symbol of the Desdemona perfectly inscribed in purple on the back. He wore matching black gloves with silver stripes.

His left eye was still hidden behind the black-and-silver eyepatch, leaving only his crimson right eye visible. His white, immaculate hair was neatly cut, and on his right hand was his white and purple cane.

The Last Born looked very much like a prince from an empire that oversaw an entire world.

The surrounding servants felt blessed to be able to witness their young master this closely.

At his right side stood Océane who, for the first time, was not wearing her maid’s clothes beside Cassius. She wore a simple crimson skirt with black leggings and a black sleeved top. Her right hand was gloved, her left bare. She was oddly charming.

The two of them looked at Sefira and Aldrin standing before them, Cassius nodding with a smile.

”I think I am ready, mother.” He said. ”Will you watch from home or go there directly?”

”How could I possibly be satisfied watching my son from so far away?” Sefira laughed. ”I must be there. I have to mock all the others when you beat their children senseless. Just like every time my children compete. Hahahah!”

Sefira laughed loudly. It was true, not one of her children had ever lost the Palatine spot. Morgan had started it. Dorian hadn’t disappointed. And the twins had made sure the legacy held.

By now, in the Academy, the Desdemona were known as the Palatine Family.

Only Cassius remained.

”I don’t doubt you, Cassius.” Aldrin said, placing his large hand on his son’s left shoulder. ”Just do your best. No need to be stressed about anything.”

”Yes.” Sefira nodded. ”In any case, you will enter the Academy. It doesn’t matter whether you pass or fail.”

Aldrin and Sefira smiled devilishly in unison. ”If they refuse, we just need to pay them a visit.”

Océane’s lips twitched. She said nothing. Cassius chuckled.

”Hopefully you won’t have to do that. Though I admit it would be entertaining to watch.” He said. ”What about Morgan and Dorian? Will they come? The twins must already be inside the Academy.”

”Oh, they called.” Sefira nodded. ”They will be with us to watch you. And honestly, it has been a while since I have seen Dorian. That boy doesn’t care about us at all, darling. It’s your fault. You spoiled him.”

Aldrin’s left eye twitched. ”I have done nothing of the sort.” He defended himself, then all of them stopped and raised their heads.

”This...”

Cassius smiled crookedly, watching an enormous crimson carriage with wide, long wings flying directly toward them.

He and Océane stepped aside, giving the flying carriage room to land softly on the ground, sending wind and dust howling upward.

A tense silence settled over the surroundings before the door of the carriage — bearing the insignia of a crouching eastern black dragon — opened with a hushed sound.

A man stepped out wearing a black suit. He had a fine black moustache and brown hair and eyes.

In his right hand was a large black suitcase, with crimson chains that seemed to move on their own wrapped around his hand and wrist, linking him to it.

He descended the metallic steps and looked at the watching Desdemona with a benevolent expression.

He bowed slightly. ”Greetings, Desdemona. It is an honour to meet you. I am Sirius Wolf, a representative of the Elysia Academy, here to escort Mr. Cassius Desdemona and Miss Océane Terre to the Entrance Test location.” He said, then lifted his head and looked at them. ”Is everything ready?”

Cassius nodded, drew a slow breath, and turned to look at his parents and the servants standing behind them.

He smiled, his face bright and easy. ”Well, I suppose I will see you there...when I am about to be crowned Palatine.”

They smiled back.

”Of course, Cassius. We will depart right after you.” Sefira said, then looked at Océane. ”And you too, Océane. Do your best.”

”Y-Yes, my Lady!”

After that, Cassius and Océane turned toward Sirius and walked toward him.

”We are ready.”

Sirius nodded, his suitcase trembling softly, his smile unwavering.

”Then, shall we?”

—End of Chapter 184—