“But it's really late now," Mya said. "We have a helicopter, don't we? Let's use that.”"Okay then." Songton headquarters had three helicopters for emergency situations. Adrian and Mya got onto one of them and headed to Cawthorn County that very night.***The pair arrived at nine in the morning, landing somewhere near the venue, and hurried off to find Vincent. The candidates were having their breakfast and preparing for two more exams that afternoon. Some of them were going through their notes, while others were huddled together to discuss the possible questions.Meanwhile, Vincent was sitting on a bench alone. He looked as though something was weighing on his mind."War Legate Draco's here!" A few candidates instantly recognized Adrian when he and Mya showed up. Dozens of gazes turned toward the pair, but Adrian gestured for them to continue what they were doing.He stopped before Vincent and asked, "What were you doing during your last exam?"Vincent, whose head was in
Vincent did not know how to answer, but the fact remained he was worried about his grandmother.Of course, Adrian understood he was just being a filial grandson. Knowing it would be difficult for Vincent to calm himself, he asked, "Have you spoken to her?"Vincent shook his head. "She's in ICU, so I haven’t managed to talk to her. Grandfather's been hiding her illness from me. It was a friend of mine who told me about what happened.""What's your grandmother’s name? Which hospital is she in?" Adrian asked. "Mara Mitchell. She's in Trinity Hospital at Northrive.""Okay. Come to headquarters in half an hour. Mya will get in touch with the hospital by then.""Yes, sir." Mya then went to make the arrangements.Adrian patted Vincent's shoulder. "I understand you're trying to be a filial grandson but you have to remember that your grandmother's an old woman. There will come a time when she has to leave you. You, on the other hand, are still young and have your whole future ahead of
The video call was made to the headquarters of Cawthorn County. When a staff member saw the incoming Joy's video call request, he turned around and said, "Sir, we’re getting a call from the hospital.""Bring Vincent here," Adrian replied. "Yes, sir.” The staff walked out of the room, finding Vincent sitting in the hallway with his head lowered. "Vincent, come in please." He rushed to his feet and entered the room, where the video feed was being projected onto a screen. Mara looked weak and exhausted."Grandmother!" Vincent cried the moment he saw her. "Are…Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Vincent? I heard from Joy that you aren’t focusing on your exams. What are you doing, boy? Don't you remember what you said to me before you left?"Vincent wiped his tears. "I’m just so worried about you, Grandmother. How are you feeling? I'm sorry I can’t go home to take care of you.""Have you forgotten what you said, Vincent? You said you want to become a hero who protects hi
The woman and her grandson were so close, yet so far…Vincent saluted Mara for a few moments before lowering his still-trembling hand. Tearfully, Mara bid her grandson farewell before the video call cut off. Mya walked over and patted Vincent's shoulder. "Listen to your grandmother and focus on your exams. War Legate Draco traveled all the way here from Songton just to see you, so you can’t disappoint him."Vincent turned toward Adrian and bowed. "Thank you, sir. I won't let you down." After Adrian nodded in acknowledgment, Vincent took a deep breath and walked out of headquarters with a newfound determination. He was going to give his all for his grandmother and himself. He was going to do his best for the rest of the selection. Looking at Vincent’s receding back, Mya sighed. "Such a filial boy… I hope he does well and becomes a respectable person in the future. So, what now?"Adrian got up. "We're heading back to Songton.”The pair returned that very same day. Adrian once a
"Hey girls!" Sage walked over and greeted Juno, Elize, and the others. Juno waved back and smiled. "How did you do in your exams, Sage?"Sage smiled. "I think I did well, but I'm not sure what my results will be like. What about you?"Juno nodded. "The same as you. We'll find out the results tomorrow. Still, I can't shake the feeling that this year's selection is really different. There are so many strong candidates in the running.""What do you mean?" Sage seemed curious. "Do you see that handsome guy over there? That's Jerome Yahn. Many people have been talking about how capable he is. I even heard that he's the reincarnation of five war legates or something like that. Did you hear anything about that?”Jerome was standing on the far end of the lake away from them. When Sage looked in his direction, she said, "You're right. He does give off a very different vibe. I also heard from Uncle Garret that he's someone War Legate Draco handpicked. I'm sure he's a formidable opponent.
The next time they met would probably be as rivals.They went their separate ways after their little chat.***Lake Solunar was a beautiful place with breathtaking scenery, but Adrian was still sitting in his office. Mya could no longer hold it and asked, "Will you please come out and get some fresh air? You've been cooped up in here for a few days now. There are a lot of people hanging around Lake Solunar tonight. I'm sure it'll be fun."But Adrian had no time to take a leisurely stroll, not when his entire focus was on the selection. He refused and said, "You go ahead. I want to stay here and go through these answer sheets. Oh, could you make me a cup of coffee before leaving please?""Fine, whatever! You've never seen what Lake Solunar looks like at night, have you? We've been in Songton for so many days, and I was thinking of taking you outside for a break…" Mya said helplessly while brewing a cup of coffee."We'll have all the time in the world for stargazing once the new le
Kieran seemed to be in a maddened frenzy.Victor snorted. "You f*cking piece of sh*t. How dare you hit me.""I'm going to kill you, you b*stard!" Blinded by rage, Kieran pushed the two men trying to hold him back before charging at Victor once more. His fist went for Victor's head, but Adrian managed to catch it before the blow connected.Adrian lifted Kieran off the ground and asked, "Do you have any idea what you're doing right now?"Kieran looked at him and cried, "Please let me do it, sir. I'm going to fight him to the death. That b*stard's a tumor that should be eradicated from this world. It'd be an insult to Novemton and the world if someone like him gets chosen to join Wyvern Peak!" Judging by Kieran’s outburst, the two seemed to have a deep grudge.Adrian released him and said, "Mya, take them to headquarters. I'll talk to them individually."He then left while Mya frowned and said, "Well done, you two. You're probably going to get disqualified after putting up such
Adrian arrived in the other room, where Kieran, swollen in the face, was sobbing. He looked pitiful and failed to notice Adrian walking in. "Ahem!"Mya cleared her throat, startling Kieran. He hastily got up when he saw who it was and said, "Sir. Ms. Mya.” Mya sounded a little frustrated as she asked, "Why are you crying like a baby? Do you think you’ll become the legate of Wyvern Peak with that attitude?"Kieran wiped his tears. "I never once thought of becoming the legate. I came here to fulfill my brother's dream of working here. He always thought of Wyvern Peak as a sacred place where heroes are born.""Is that so?" Adrian asked. Kieran said nothing in reply. His eyes were reddened and his face swollen. "You say you're here to fulfill your brother's dream. Is that why you're in the selection?" Adrian asked.Still sobbing, Kieran replied, "My brother always dreamed of this. He would watch the news about Wyvern Peak and desperately wanted to stand at the frontlines as a s
The scene was utterly horrifying, a sight that would chill anyone to the bone.Renee’s expression turned cold.Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!It was as if a violent gale was tearing through the area.Renee's expression was laced with murderous intent, waves of killing intent radiating from her. Despite borrowing Adrian’s power, she was uncertain of how much longer she could hold out. Although she could sense the fluctuations of his power, her body was already reaching its limit under the relentless assault of this endless, divine thunderstorm.While the power itself wasn’t an issue, her physical body wasn’t as sturdy as Adrian's. The unending barrage of divine lightning combined with the might of the formation made her feel excruciatingly uncomfortable.As for Adrian, his hands were covered in countless afterimages which were actually the results of him deducing the formation. Renee was utterly shocked. She had witnessed Ciawales formation experts deducing formations before, but that wa
Adrian was truly astonishing. If Renee failed to protect him properly, the mysterious forces within the formation could strike him down, leading to his death and obliteration. The thought weighed heavily on her, filling her with worry. Despite her capabilities, Renee doubted her ability to safeguard Adrian who possessed overwhelming power far beyond her own. He probably had three times her strength.Feeling helpless, she said, "I'm afraid I might not be able to protect you. If something goes wrong, we could both end up buried here."Adrian responded coldly, "Don’t worry about that. If I asked you to help, it’s because I’m confident." He then commanded, "Begin." He waved his hand, and a grand formation materialized in the void. He instructed, "Step into the center, Renee. This formation will enhance your strength by allowing my power to flow through you.""What?" Renee was stunned, her eyes filled with shock. She couldn’t believe Adrian’s abilities were so vast. The sight was extra
Waves of violent tremors surged through the heavens and earth, shattering everything before them. Adrian's entire body pulsed with a surge of wild energy that erupted outward."Break!" Adrian roared, his voice piercing the skies. The sword in his hand sliced through the air, shattering everything in its path. The sheer force was both intimidating and terrifying.Boom!“Go to hell!” he shouted.Boom, boom, boom!A terrifying wave of power exploded forth. A yellowish aura emanated from Adrian's hand, catching Renee’s attention. Her eyes widened in surprise."What kind of power is this? Why does it feel so powerful? I’ve never seen anything like it before," Renee muttered in astonishment. Despite her vast knowledge, she had never encountered such a force.Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!The arcane power in Adrian’s hand rapidly sliced through the air, tearing apart the air itself. The scene was overwhelmingly frightening.Crack, crack, crack!Suddenly, the space around them collided and
Adrian hadn’t anticipated that there would be a formation awaiting them up ahead. This certainly added a layer of danger. Whoever had set this up was quite cunning.Renee glanced around, her eyes filled with surprise. It was clear this wasn’t an ordinary formation.“The formation around us is rumored to be an ancient one. It’s said to be extremely terrifying, capable of unleashing boundless power if we’re not careful,” she warned, her gaze fixed intently on their surroundings.Adrian paused for a moment, slightly taken aback. An ancient formation, was it? It sounded formidable. It seemed that the place they had entered was far from simple.He scrutinized their surroundings without a hint of panic or anxiety. Instead, his eyes flashed with a sharp killing intent.Boom!Before Adrian could make a move, the formation began to activate. White lights surged from all directions like an unstoppable tide. He and Renee were now trapped within a confined space.Boom, boom, boom!Violent
Adrian had rushed into the lightning storm, not because of recklessness or a desire to play the hero. The truth was simpler—he wanted to become even stronger.These lightning bolts might represent a deadly force to others, a hellish trap. But for Adrian, they were the perfect nourishment to temper his body.Boom, boom, boom!The terrifying energy rippled through the sky, causing the entire world to tremble. It was a fearsome sight. The unending waves of power distorted the air, making the scene look unimaginably frightening.Crackle, crackle, crackle!Inside the heart of the storm, Adrian stood still, allowing the lightning to strike him mercilessly. It was a shocking sight. Renee watched, frozen in disbelief.‘What is he doing? Will he die? And if he does… What will happen to me?’ Renee felt a strange pang of sorrow.Unconsciously, she realized she had become deeply concerned about Adrian. Although he had called her his servant on this journey, he had always treated her with re
When Adrian spoke, Renee was left speechless. This guy was truly exasperating. The fluctuation of the mysterious force was known to be deadly. Many powerful warriors had perished here. It was a notorious region where even the strongest could meet their end.Boom, boom, boom!Up ahead, waves of energy surged violently. Renee’s eyes widened in shock as she watched Adrian’s calm expression. This man was either insanely brave or utterly reckless.It seemed Adrian’s luck wasn’t the best as the mysterious force had become active. Normally, if the force remained dormant, they could safely pass through. However, when it stirred, everything would be thrown into chaos.Crackle, crackle, crackle!Suddenly, countless bolts of lightning appeared in the air, writhing like serpents. The crackling energy split the sky and thunder boomed, filling the surroundings with terrifying, earth-shaking power.Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!The energy tore through the sky, causing the world around them to trembl
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!The sound of rushing winds filled the air as Adrian and Renee sped toward Death Valley without a moment’s pause. Their speed was astounding, and Renee watched the landscape blur by, her eyes filled with astonishment. She couldn’t fathom Adrian’s incredible strength. Even while dragging her along, he moved with the swiftness of a warrior at the Integration Stage.“Up ahead is Death Valley. We need to slow down. They say you can’t fly here or the mysterious force within will strike you down instantly,” Renee quickly warned Adrian.Adrian paused briefly, then chuckled calmly. “Oh? Is that so? How interesting.”This was the first time Adrian had heard of such a dangerous place. Although he found it intriguing, his expression turned serious and he decided to land. However, he didn’t remain idle. He immediately raised his hand and unleashed a strike toward the sky.Whoosh!A surge of wild power erupted, piercing the heavens. The energy was so intense that it see
“Feeling calmer now?” Adrian asked with a faint smile as he looked at the Azure Naga. This creature was clearly seeking its death. Now, under Adrian’s relentless assault, it was suffering immensely.The Azure Naga’s furious roars echoed through the air, sounding terrifying. The once-mighty beast now appeared pitiful, its entire body battered and broken, with no intact parts remaining.Renee couldn’t bear to watch and covered her eyes. The naga’s fate was too tragic. Adrian, who now seemed like a daemon incarnate, had tortured the creature to within an inch of its life.“Die!” With a swing of his sword, Adrian unleashed a strike that tore through the sky, obliterating everything in its path. The sword’s force was like a radiant rainbow, cutting through heaven and earth.Renee stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend how Adrian could accomplish such a feat. His power was simply too frightening.Boom!The energy surged and pierced the heavens. The sword strike sliced through
Adrian’s punch was ferocious beyond measure, and the enormous beast before him radiated a terrifying power, looking incredibly fearsome.Boom!The immense force surged through the air. Adrian’s expression remained calm and indifferent. To him, this Azure Naga was simply courting death. Despite being on a similar level of strength, the beast relied on its status as a monster, believing itself invincibly powerful. It underestimated humans, which would be its fatal mistake.In the human world, not all were physically formidable, but there was always someone stronger than the last. Adrian was an anomaly, and the Azure Naga was destined to suffer for its arrogance.Thud, thud, thud!The massive naga was sent flying by Adrian’s strike, crashing heavily into the distance, looking pitiful and battered. The naga’s enormous eyes widened in disbelief. It couldn’t fathom Adrian striking it down so easily. It realized it was utterly powerless before this human.Adrian didn’t let up and presse