2025-06-18 01:36:30Chapter 95 – The Mask That Hides All Things
“This one here,” the elderly vendor said, holding up the third mask as if it held the weight of ancient stories, “takes the form of a fox. That alone should speak volumes. Foxes, in the Old Dominion myths, were seen as messengers to the spirits—sometimes guides, sometimes deceivers.”The man’s voice rasped like dry paper as he continued, eyes gleaming beneath his heavy brows. “They say these masks were used in rites of offering. To commune with gods, spirits, creatures long thought forgotten. They wore these not to hide—but to become. To become worthy of their gods' attention. Blessings came, sometimes... other times, curses wrapped in silk.”A pause.Then a grin spread over the old man’s leathery face, something like mischief dancing there. “But the other meaning... well, that’s the one most folk whisper about. It’s a fox. Cunning, clever, a liar’s face and a hero’s soul. Tricksters wore these when they
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Chapter 102 – Veil of Accusation
Chapter 102 – Veil of Accusation The atmosphere in the grand auditorium of BB City’s Dueling Grounds had thickened into a dense fog of anticipation and tension. The large crowd of students, principals, and spectators remained frozen, eyes locked on the stage where Max Vale stood with a composed, inscrutable expression. His words had just shattered the illusion the audience clung to—his question about the Slarkovs’ gifts wasn’t just a trivial test of memory. It was a masterstroke that toyed with their assumptions, a mental trap from which very few could escape unscathed. Max’s voice cut through the silence like a blade honed to perfection. “In the ancient scrolls and records chronicling the Slarkovs’ descent upon Earth, it is recorded that they bestowed a tool upon humanity as a symbol of their peaceful intentions. Yet, that tool has never been fully revealed to the public...” He paused, his eyes scanning the stunned faces b
Chapter 101 – The Silent Cipher of Intelligence
Chapter 101 – The Silent Cipher of IntelligenceThe cavernous expanse of the Grand Assembly Hall in BB City pulsated with restless energy, like a storm gathering strength before the lightning cracked the sky. Rows upon rows of young faces, each brimming with a volatile cocktail of nerves, excitement, and fierce ambition, were fixed on the polished stage at the far end, where Max Vale stood alone — a solitary figure amid the cacophony of whispered speculations and pounding heartbeats.Max’s sharp, calculating eyes scanned the crowd, moving slowly as though weighing every thought, every secret hope flickering behind those gazes. Among the sea of spectators, his focus landed on the trio representing BB City High School — Holland, Ezekiel, and Vivy. Each of them was a piece of an intricate puzzle, bearing distinct marks of mastery in their respective fields: Holland, with his methodical scientific mind and quiet intensity; Ezekiel, stoic and unyielding, a bastion of lo
Chapter 100 – Veil of the Ascendant
Chapter 100 – Veil of the AscendantThe atmosphere inside the grand hall of the Xeon Trials was thick with anticipation, a silent storm brewing in every pair of eyes. The students of Cheryl High felt an unusual tension coil tight around their chests, their gazes stretching just a fraction wider than before.How the hell does he know this? the thought hammered relentlessly through their minds.The question on the board was no mere trivia; it tangled deep into ancient history and arcane biology—fields most dared not delve into casually. No one here, except perhaps the enigmatic Holland, had the pedigree to answer such an intricate query. Yet, even Holland’s reputation didn't guarantee mastery over such obscure lore.Then, a sharp beep sliced through the murmuring crowd.“He got it wrong!” whispered a voice, tinged with relief.“As expected—didn’t even answer a single question in the first half,” came another sneer.But the
Chapter 99 — “Trust Me With This”
Chapter 99 — “Trust Me With This”Max Vale halted mid-step, pivoting sharply to fix Principal Wren with an icy glare.“Why push this? XAO Academy is your domain as much as anyone’s. You really want it to crumble beneath your feet?” Principal Wren’s voice trembled with a conflicted mix of disbelief and desperation.Max let out a dry, humorless laugh that cut through the tension like a jagged blade. “That’s rich coming from you, Principal Wren. Are you trying to be funny? Do you think I give a damn about this dilapidated excuse for a school?”A cold flicker of contempt shadowed Max’s features. Burn the whole damn place down if it means wiping away the memory of their cruelty.It was no secret how deep Max’s hatred ran—yet Wren acted as if the scars left by the academy’s neglect and torment never existed.“Please, Max... you can’t let the school’s reputation rot,” one teacher implored, her voice cracking with fragile hope.
Chapter 98 — The Relentless Mandate
Chapter 98 — The Relentless MandateThe atmosphere in the grand hall thickened with a mix of anticipation and dread. Holland, that insufferable genius from Atrihea City High, had once again dismantled a question with the ease of a man swatting flies—his voice cutting through the room with cold precision, each answer a dagger to the pride of every other school present.A male student, his knuckles whitening as he rose to pose a question, was promptly overshadowed by Holland’s swift and flawless rebuttal. The room, once buzzing with hopeful energy, now simmered with quiet intimidation.Out of the seven questions that had been volleyed around, Holland had already shredded three like they were child's play.Across the hall, Echelon Academy’s meager effort to claw back some respect was pinned on Maltida, whose two correct answers—though respectable—felt like drops in an ocean of looming failure. Draco, the usual hotshot, had only managed one correct re
Chapter 97 — Opponent in the Shadows
Chapter 97 — Opponent in the ShadowsMax Vale lounged in his seat, face carved from marble—disinterest radiating off him like cold steel. Around the hall, the intellectual battle surged onward, but he remained untouched, a ghost drifting through the storm of voices.The question volley continued, each school rising to their turn with eager eyes and sharpened minds. The pace was relentless, yet Max’s gaze skimmed the scene with detached boredom.Atrihea City High was last in line, their panel flashing the number 12 as the seconds ticked down.At last, a slight, pale figure with hair like spun silver stood up. His slim frame carried a quiet intensity. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and spoke, voice calm but edged with quiet challenge:“My question pertains to ancient spacecraft. The Slarkovs ship that landed two millennia ago—what propulsion system powered it?”Silence fell like a heavy curtain.The studen
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