Juno moved her legs and said, “They’re fine. I fully recovered a long time ago. Stop worrying about my legs and just wait to see me perform.”Adrian nodded and asked, “Will you regret it if you don’t make it to the finals?”Juno smiled. “I’ll still try my best. I won’t regret it if I don’t make it into the finals. Wyvern Peak’s leader is supposed to be a capable person. If I’m not capable enough, I’ll give the worthy one my blessings.”“It’s great that you think that way. Have you thought about your future?” he asked. She nodded. “I already thought about it. If I don’t make it to the finals, I’ll do my best to score well in my exams and join Wyvern Peak for six years. Then, I’ll go home and take care of Mother.”“Are those really your thoughts?” asked Adrian smilingly. Juno nodded and replied, “Of course. Why would I lie?”Adrian smiled. “Great. I can set my mind at ease now that I know what you’re thinking. Let me give you some advice, just do your best. Don’t force it if you
Adrian approved of these six candidates. They had a much higher probability of entering the finals as compared to the others. Adrian’s intention was clear. He did not wish for these six to encounter each other during the prelims and challenger rounds. If they did, one of them would be eliminated and the quality of the finals would be affected. This was the last thing Adrian would do for Wyvern Peak. He had trouble identifying which one of them would become the new leader of Wyvern Peak, but he knew that these six had the highest probability.The elders understood Adrian’s intention. The first elder said, “In that case, we’ll divide the regions according to these six. However, the final outcome will depend on them.”Adrian nodded. “Thank you for taking the trouble to do this. One more thing. Do you still remember Hannibal’s Heroes of Wyvern Peak?”The elders exchanged glances. “Are you talking about where Juno is predicted to end Wyvern Peak’s reign and establish Apotheosium? It
The baby was named Jerome, meaning sacred, because he was found in the War Legate Shrine of Vanglesville. The cleaner raised him until he was five before passing away from an illness.Jerome was once again orphaned. Gorgonshire’s Vangles Orphanage took Jerome in, and he attended elementary and junior high in Vanglesville. Due to his extraordinary talent, photographic memory, and excellent academic performance, he ranked first in the entire Gorgonshire. He was accepted into the best high school in Gorgonshire—Gorgonshire High. However, Chase was conducting internal reforms within the country at the time and Jerome’s life was affected. The orphanage was shut down and he became homeless.At the age of fourteen, Jerome sustained himself by trash picking on the streets at night and studying hard at school during the day. The principal of Gorgonshire High, Saul Cassidy, took notice of Jerome’s plight and decided to take him under his wing. Jerome then became Saul’s student, bringing an
For the first time, Adrian was filled with so much anticipation. He looked forward to Juno, Sage, and also Jerome’s performance. This year’s legate selection would be the most exciting and powerful throughout Wyvern Peak’s history. Society progressed, technologies advanced, and people moved forward. The candidates became more outstanding as the years went by. The current students might even easily break Adrian’s past records.Adrian and Raquel flew to Gorgonshire that very night. Adrian wanted to meet Jerome in person.***Many people were gathered at the Gorgonshire Academy of Gorgonton. There was news that the elderly principal, Saul, was deathly ill and would pass soon. The orphans he had adopted over the years, the people he had helped, and his numerous students came as soon as possible to see him one last time.Saul had been a military advisor of Wyvern Peak many years ago, serving the legate two offices before Adrian. He had helped War Legate Achelous lead the troops to two
Saul started calling out. The people in the room panicked. Saul’s son got up and shouted, “Call Jerome! Find out where he is now!”“Jerome’s back!” A voice came from outside the room. A nineteen-year-old young man ran into the room. He made his way to the bedside and dropped to his knees, his hands clutching Saul’s hands. It was Jerome, the babe found in the War Legate Shrine who had encountered countless hardships while growing up yet never gave up hope. “I’m back, sir,” said Jerome shakily, clutching tightly to Saul’s hands. He trembled and tears blurred his vision as he gazed at his esteemed mentor who was at death’s door. Saul turned and stretched out a hand to cup Jerome’s face. “You’re back, my child.”“Yes, I am,” said Jerome with tears. He felt powerless in the face of his mentor’s failing condition. He could only watch with tears in his eyes, but there was nothing he could do. Saul said weakly, “You’ve seen War Legate Draco, right?”Jerome nodded. “Yes, I have, si
“Father!”“Mr. Saul!”A cacophony of cries followed Saul’s passing. His two children and the students he had supported broke down in tears.He was gone. Saul had enjoyed telling people that he was a commoner who wanted to live an uncommon life. He joined Wyvern Peak at twenty and he attended Azure Creek University for two years. He was then transferred to Wyvern Peak and given the position of military advisor for the Leo Squad. Within a year, the legate promoted him to Wyvern Peak’s chief military advisor, he led the organization to numerous victories.His health then deteriorated and he left Wyvern Peak. However, Saul did not become sluggish because of this. He founded a school, financially supported poor students, and educated many people. He had trained numerous talents for Wyvern Peak every year. There were currently at least seventy Wyvern Peak members who used to be Saul’s students.“Father!” Saul’s children bawled. Jerome clenched his fists tightly. He remained kneeling
Raquel was acquainted with Saul and even attended one of his lectures. Though it was only an hour, it benefitted Raquel for the rest of her life. She never expected to see the day such a highly-respected scholar and military advisor leave this world.“I still recall Saul’s lecture from when I first joined Wyvern Peak. I found it enlightening, and his words still affect me up to this day.”Raquel shook her head, feeling rather powerless. It was inevitable that Saul would pass away one day, but it was just too sudden “Is that Jerome?” she asked. Adrian nodded and gazed at the person holding an urn in the frontmost car. “Yes. Jerome gives me the impression of a very calm person. He’s rather mature and his mentality has far surpassed his peers due to lack of parents.”“He exudes a kingly presence that not even you had when you first became legate.” Raquel had been there from the moment Adrian became Wyvern Peak’s leader. She was merely stating the truth. She turned to him and said
It was Adrian. He wanted to guide Jerome on the final path. Jerome failed to notice Adrian, simply standing quietly by the river and gazing out at the darkness ahead, feeling the wind in his hair. Adrian stopped in his tracks and said, “Have you ever considered that the darkness ahead you can’t perceive is your future?”Jerome was startled upon hearing the voice. He whipped around and took two steps back upon noticing Adrian. “W-War Legate Draco? What brought you here?” said Jerome in astonishment. He had just returned from Songton, so theoretically, the legate should be there. How was Adrian here right now?Jerome scrutinized Adrian and was convinced that it was indeed War Legate Draco who was standing before him right now. He recalled Saul saying that everything had been arranged by War Legate Draco. It was War Legate Draco who opened this path for him and brought him to where he was today while Saul was just the person who guided him down the path. Jerome said in shock, “W