Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Start of the Entrance Exam

Chapter 185 – Start of the Entrance Exam

Cassius and Océane sat comfortably inside the flying carriage, facing Sirius Wolf. The man was still holding his suitcase even as he sat, as if unable to let go of it even if he wanted to.

His legs were crossed, and in his left hand was a cup of coffee he sipped from time to time.

”Now, young master Cassius and Miss Océane,” he said in a friendly tone, ”I ought to tell you some things before we reach the testing ground, which is about...” his eyes lifted to the clock hanging behind him, ”...fifteen minutes from now.”

Cassius and Océane nodded in unison.

Cassius did it only as a formality, he already knew everything Sirius was going to say. And honestly, it wasn’t anything mind-blowing.

It was just the basics of the Academy.

So while Sirius explained, Cassius gave him a reasonable amount of attention while letting his thoughts wander.

’Even in the game, I always wanted to ride a flying carriage.’ He thought with quiet excitement.

To think the day had finally come.

The flying carriage was essentially like an airplane from Earth, but more comfortable, more flexible, and certainly more powerful.

It was well known that these carriages were crafted from rare materials barely found anywhere in the world anymore, and could only be built by the Academy’s Architect.

They were the only way to reach the Elysia Academy. After all, the Academy did not exist on the ground as most people imagined.

It existed in the Skyland high above the Badur Kingdom — where the oxygen thinned out completely and barely existed — hidden within folded clouds and barriers erected by the teachers, invisible to anyone below.

It was nearly impossible to find the Academy without the Dean’s permission, and impossible to enter without having cleared all the required conditions.

Conditions that no one knew except the Dean herself.

The Academy was a heavenly place, beautiful beyond description. It was no wonder to Cassius that people from distant lands also came to participate in the Entrance Exam.

For those, there was an entirely separate test to undergo, different from the Scholarship Exam, before they were allowed to take the Official Test.

’A heavenly place, yes. But only in appearance.’ Cassius thought as he nodded at something Sirius said. ’Inside, I will come across so many Chosen Ones. And where there are Chosen Ones, there are gods. And so many gods will be involved in the Academy this year.’

And anyone knew that when too many gods converged in one place, there was nothing to follow but disaster.

’The luxury of hiding my power will not be granted to me. Not that I planned to do so anyway. And beyond my own ambition to be Palatine for the sake of it, I need that spot to access more of the Academy’s knowledge, its facilities, and greater freedom.’

Yes, the Academy functioned completely differently from the outside world. The higher your rank, the more freedom and opportunity you could claim.

For example, the top three of the ranking had the right to choose a teacher to guide them personally.

Cassius was in deep need of one. And he was planning to take Emrys’s teacher — a Master — for himself.

As those thoughts swirled through his mind, and sensing Sirius was nearly done, he used that window to speak with his Goddess.

’How will I fare, Queen?’

[Are you still worried?]

’Not really. I am asking because you are the Queen of Fate. You must have something to tell me.’

[If you do not carry Fate affinity, knowing the outcome of anything would make you completely unable to change it.] Ananke said. [So it is better not to chance it, and leave yourself a window for Luck to slip through.]

’Luck is far too unpredictable to rely on. I love it, but I hate irregular things.’

[It is, indeed. But that is what you must do. There is no other option. However, I can tell you this much, Cassius.] the Goddess said, then continued swiftly. [You will need to go wild if you wish to claim first place and obtain the Echo of the Desdemona left behind. You are up against awfully talented people.]

Cassius smiled subtly. ’How wild are we talking?’

Ananke mirrored his smile. [The kind no one would ever expect.]

’Count me in.’ He thought, just in time for Sirius to wrap up.

”And finally,” Sirius said, his eyes now completely serious. ”The Academy does its absolute best to remain impartial among students. Of course, I need not tell you that achieving that is completely impossible when we have...”

He didn’t finish, only looking at Cassius, who smiled innocently as though he had no idea what Sirius was referring to.

Océane smiled wryly at her young master.

Sirius continued. ”Well, you understand what I mean. But it is not solely because of your background, I stress. It is also because stronger students are more worthy of being protected and groomed. However, we must be clear, if either of you dies during the Entrance Test or during your five years in the Academy...”

Océane’s body shuddered slightly at the cold words.

”...we will not be held accountable for your death. This has been communicated to every student and their family beforehand. The Desdemona have already accepted this condition. I already know your answer, young master Cassius, however, I must ask for formality’s sake.”

He paused. His suitcase trembled more violently, the chains around it creaking, then he continued as if nothing had happened. ”Do you accept this condition?”

”I do.” Cassius said immediately.

Sirius nodded without surprise, then turned his brown eyes to Océane. ”What about you, Miss Océane? Let me give you a special warning: people of your type die the most during the test. And those who do not die tend to suffer the worst of fates inside the Academy. What is your choice?”

Océane instinctively looked at Cassius, hoping for some indication of what he would say. However, her young master didn’t even glance at her, as if completely indifferent to her decision.

And that was indeed the case.

Cassius had brought Océane only to give her an opportunity to become more than a maid. To forge her own identity inside the Academy and learn things she never could have otherwise.

He would not force her. He knew the danger.

And he knew Océane could die even with him there. He was neither omniscient nor omnipotent.

Océane, however, did not hesitate for long. Even though she had briefly entertained the thought of giving up and returning to Valor — who, despite her going to the Academy, still wanted to keep talking to her — and simply living a quiet life with him, she did not dare to betray her young master’s expectations.

So she straightened her back, hardened her expression and spoke firmly. ”I accept, sir.”

Sirius stared at her for a moment, then leaned back in his seat, looking more comfortable than ever.

”Perfect. We are exactly on time.” He said with a smile, and immediately Cassius felt something was wrong.

But before his mind could identify the source of that feeling, Sirius’s next words landed in both their minds like a sledgehammer.

”And so this is where I wish the two of you, Cassius Desdemona and Océane Terre...”

”Wait, wh—!”

”...good luck for the Entrance Exam. Please try not to die, alright?”

Instantly, the floor beneath them parted like a curtain being pulled away, and both Cassius and Océane plummeted from the flying carriage faster than thought, their minds blank.

”Queen’s skirt!”

”Young master!!!!” Océane cried out, flailing wildly, as they fell through clouds and plummeted straight toward the ground.

They were so high up that hitting the ground would mean instant death. And on top of that, they could barely breathe.

”WHAT THE FUCK! MOMMYYY!!!”

”HEY HEY HEY! HOW IS THIS THE START OF THE TEST???”

”CRAZY BASTARDS!!!”

Cassius looked around in a daze, trying to breathe steadily, and saw hundreds of other participants in the exact same situation: falling with nothing to catch them.

Océane was panicking completely, all composure gone, instantly regretting her answer. Tears clustered around her eyes as she struggled to draw in what little air existed — the wind so fast and sharp it was cutting against her skin.

Below them was a strange landscape divided into four distinct parts: a thick yellow forest, a stony mountain range, a silver frozen river, and black dunes.

And even from this distance, those with sharp eyes could make out the numerous monsters wandering below, seemingly waiting with fury for whatever fell their way.

Around them, winged eyeballs began flying in circles. They were runic cameras broadcasting the test live to the entire Kingdom.

In other words...

”>

A voice boomed all around, loud and all-encompassing.

”>

And Cassius finally grinned wildly, his thoughts confirmed.

”>

This exam was certainly nothing like the game.

”Queen, shall we?” Cassius said as the wind sent his overcoat snapping wildly, his red eye bright with amusement.

POP! POP! POP!

Already, dozens of students were exploding from lack of oxygen.

”>

—End of Chapter 185—