Winners and Losers - 716

As he sat there taking in the view, the servant came up behind him. 

"How do you like it, Sir Skymender?"

The image in his head seemed to shatter like glass, replaced by darkness.

Skymender chuckled. "It would be great if I didn't have to imagine it."

Naturally, as he was blind, it was completely impossible for him to see the Imperial Capital. He could only imagine how it looked from what he knew. But even that was enjoyable enough.

More importantly, the wind blowing in his face let him truly understand the feeling. 

He only wished that he had come before being blind. Actually seeing it would be a sight to behold.

Skymender ordered off the menu, which he could read due to the seeing through vibrations technique, and got his food rather quickly.

As he ate, he compared it to Chef Master Garb's food. It was very good, but not at that level. The whole point of it being worth 100 points was the view and the peace. It didn't necessarily mean the food was better. 

Skymender soon left. There wasn't much there for him. Over the next week, his complete dominance became commonplace and predictable. Everyone, besides Charles, was simply vying for third place.

After all, Charles was also doing incredibly well. Provoked by Skymender, he pushed himself to the limits. Unfortunately, even with a photographic memory, it wasn't enough. Skymender was in a different world. The only person above him at this point was the Imperial Scholar. 

Skymender's performance did not lessen as the final week of the Imperial Scholar passed.

The Imperial Scholar stood on the stage, leaning on his cane, speaking. "In second place is Charles. Well done. Finally, in first place, is Skymender, with the maximum attainable score of 200 points."

Everyone looked at the Imperial Scholar seriously, waiting for the inevitable announcement that would be written in history books. 

"In that case, it seems that the future role of Imperial Scholar is Skymender's."

The room was silent, but everyone felt anticipation as they looked at Skymender. In the future, they could tell their children about the legendary Imperial Scholar Skymender.

"Class dismissed." With that, the final Imperial Scholar Camp came to a close.

Most people walked out, but two people remained. One was Skymender, who walked up to see the Imperial Scholar. The second was Charles, who sat in his seat with a resigned look on his face.

As Skymender began to help the Imperial Scholar walk down the stairs of the stage, Charles spoke. 

"Was this anything but a sham?" 

The Imperial Scholar glanced at Charles before ignoring him. 

Skymender, however, turned and spoke. "This was the proper process. But yes, it was decided that I would be the Imperial Scholar long before this Imperial Scholar Camp."

"My life's pursuit, my hopes and dreams, ruined before I could even truly compete. I've only recently matured fully, but I lost long ago." 

Charles was speaking to himself, taking a deep look at his entire life.

Skymender did not feel sympathy. There were losers and winners. Skymender was a winner. Charles was a loser. 

However, just because he had lost to Skymender did not mean that he was worthless. 

Skymender needed to stop thinking like a child of the Sky Barony, and more like the Imperial Scholar.

Therefore, he did not completely ignore Charles.

"You may not have become the Imperial Scholar, but it is only because I was born in this era. Let me ask you a question. Do you truly care about the Empire?" Skymender asked.

Charles looked around for a moment, clearly thinking before speaking. "Yes. I am thankful for everything I have been given."

Clearly Charles had some sort of backstory, but Skymender did not bother asking about it.

"In that case, become my right hand man. If I die, you can replace me, and if I live, you can assist me. All for the sake of the Empire." Skymender said.

Charles, who seemed completely in admittance of defeat, nodded.

However, Skymender did not need someone with the mindset of a loser.

"Stop being down. Are you really going to give up your ambitions so easily?"

Charles looked up at him in surprise.

"You were blessed with a natural memory greater than any other, and yet you sit here moping around. If that's all you are, then it is not surprising you lost."

Charles brows furrowed, anger appearing on his face.

"In fact, if I knew you were such a loser, I would have never spoken those words before."

Charles finally snapped. "Shut Up! I only lost because you cheated! You colluded with the Imperial Scholar! Don't believe me? I'll show you. Now that you've reached this point, where the Imperial Scholar can't teach you much else, you'll see what it's like to be inferior!"

Skymender nodded. "Then accept my offer with some more energy." 

Charles shouted. "I will join you, and I will surpass you. The Empire doesn't need some cheater to be the Imperial Scholar, so when I surpass you, I'll take that position myself."

"Good." Skymender said.

He turned around and left the room with the Imperial Scholar.

"Well done." The Imperial Scholar said.

Skymender nodded. He had learned from experience that it was best to have someone who could temporarily take over your position.

Both Li Youcai and the Fatty had done this for him, and in the future, Charles would most likely do so.

As Skymender and the Imperial Scholar left the Imperial Scholar Camp, rumors spread across the entire Imperial City, moving even further beyond it.

"Did you hear? Apparently, the next Imperial Scholar will be Skymender of the Sky Barony."

"The Sky Barony? Do you mean that ancient clan far away from here?"

"Exactly. A child born there is to become the next Imperial Scholar. How incredible!"

Rumors spread, some truer than others, but it all came to a peak when papers were posted all over the Imperial City.

Tomorrow, the Emperor would be announcing some important news. It was not hard to put two and two together.