Chapter 420 - 415 — Not Judgement

Chapter 420: Chapter 415 — Not Judgement

Nourald suddenly grew serious, fixing him with an unusually intense stare. "Brother, I’ve been meaning to ask. That rock you grew up under... was it just an ordinary rock, or something valuable? A gemstone, perhaps? Because with how little you know, I can only assume it was a very comfortable rock."

As Nourald broke into a mischievous grin, Zephyrion merely gave him a deadpan look.

"...Just answer the damn question."

"Haa, you can’t blame me for being curious, brother! We learned all this back at the academy. What in the world were you doing during lessons?"

"Sleeping, mostly."

"By the Breath, seriously?!" Nourald burst into laughter. "Ha! And here I thought I was the most unserious student in the empire! Brother, I knew there was something special about you from the moment we met. We’re practically brothers separated at birth!"

Still chuckling and shaking his head, Nourald finally decided to address his question.

"Anyways, if everything goes well, we should be able to leave in about a week. A week and a half at most."

’A week?’

"A week?" Zephyrion immediately perked up.

"Yeah! That’s actually one of the reasons everyone’s drinking themselves stupid tonight. Tomorrow’s going to be stressful, so we might as well enjoy ourselves while we still can."

"What’s happening tomorrow?"

"The selection trials."

Seeing the blank look on Zephyrion’s face, Nourald chuckled and shook his head.

"I swear, brother, at this point I’m starting to wonder if you even attended an academy." Nourald chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. I’ll explain everything from the beginning, just like I would to a newborn. You saw the commander and masters earlier, right?"

Zephyrion nodded.

"Well, tomorrow, we’ll get the chance to choose which master we want to train under. And believe me, brother, it’s a pretty big deal. The master you end up with can make your service years either a blessing or a living nightmare. Some will keep you cooped up in this bastion training for months before they even let you breathe the air outside, while others might send you out after barely a week."

"How do we choose?"

"Hmm, it’s not quite that simple. You see, the masters will be watching us during the trials, and if any of them like what they see, they’ll make an offer. Of course, if you’re talented enough to catch the attention of several masters, then congratulations! You get to pick whichever one you like. Not a bad deal, eh?"

’So it all comes down to performance.’

Zephyrion thought for a moment.

’Then I need to find out which masters are likely to let me leave early, and more importantly, what I have to do to catch their attention. But first, I need to know exactly what these trials involve.’

"Then—"

"Lord Nourald! What the Breath are you doing hiding all the way out here? Come on, the party’s this way!"

Before Zephyrion could react, several Aerelith came rushing over and promptly hauled Nourald off the boulder.

"Guys, guys, hold on! I’m in the middle of something here..."

Nourald let out an awkward laugh, but they weren’t having any of it.

"Oh, come on! You can talk tomorrow! Tonight’s for drinking, dancing, and making terrible decisions! Let’s go!"

Nourald could only give Zephyrion an apologetic smile as he was whisked away. A few of the others attempted to drag Zephyrion along as well, but immediately stopped when they met his icy glare. Clearing their throats awkwardly, they quickly withdrew and hurried off to rejoin the party.

’It’s just one damn problem after another.’

Zephyrion sighed, shaking his head.

’Whatever. I still have tonight to find out everything I need. Tomorrow, the trials begin.’

...

"Falsely accusing and defaming one of your brethren without a shred of evidence. Openly disobeying a direct order from your superior. Either offense alone is enough to warrant expulsion and imprisonment. Tell me, Wing Lariat Sinclair, what exactly do you have to say for yourself?"

"Heuk!"

Lariat could barely breathe beneath the overwhelming pressure emanating from Chief Commander Kons. Though he was the ruler of this bastion, that was far from his only identity.

He was also the Head Chief of the Kusner Colony, one of the four colonies of the Aerelith Empire, and the head of the Deens Clan. Kons Hu Deens.

"C-Commander... I know what I saw! That man is a Ferran! I’m certain of it!"

"Are you seriously still going on about this?"

"Commander, please, you have to believe me! I’ve spent my entire life studying Ferrans. I know how they look, how they fight, what they’re capable of! I-I don’t know how he managed to manipulate air, but there must be some kind of trick involved. If you would just let me—"

"Enough."

"Hurk!"

The words died in her throat as the air was suddenly forced from her lungs. Lariat desperately struggled to draw a breath, but no matter how hard she tried, it was futile.

"It seems you still haven’t grasped the severity of your situation." Kons casually flipped open a file on his desk, his eyes scanning its contents. "Lariat Sinclair. Born a commoner. Lost both parents during a Move, an incident that was conveniently swept under the rug by someone with considerable influence. Since then, you’ve developed quite the hatred for the elites. And, of course, the Ferrans, whom you despise even more."

"...!"

"So, you’ve spent your entire life clawing your way up the ranks, hoping that one day, you’ll have enough power and influence to change the very system you despise. Quite an admirable ambition, wouldn’t you agree? Have I gotten anything wrong?"

’I... How much does he know about me?’

The shock on Lariat’s face was unmistakable.

"I thought not." Kons closed the file and looked at her calmly. "Now, here’s something I believe you ought to consider. How would it feel to lose everything you’ve spent your entire life working for? All those years of effort, all those sacrifices, gone in an instant. Because, unfortunately for you, that is precisely what your little outburst has earned you."

Lariat gritted her teeth, her fists clenching so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. After all the blood, sweat, and tears she’d shed to get this far, was she truly about to lose everything?

’Wait... No. Something isn’t right here.’

Forcing herself to regain her composure, she began to analyze the situation. Chief Kons was staring at her with an unreadable expression, but there was a sharp, almost expectant glint in his eyes.

’I see...’

So that was why he’d brought her alone to his office and listed out her crimes. This wasn’t a judgment. It was blackmail.