Entrance Exam

In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

Xenon stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his new luxurious robe. After feeling satisfied, he stepped out of his bedroom.

As he walked outside, he paused for a moment when he saw Iris. Shaking his head, he smiled. This girl is really beautiful, he thought.

Over the past two months, the two of them had grown closer, though in their own way. For Xenon, a cold and heartless man, it was unusual—he now cared for Iris, even if just a little. It was still an improvement. For Iris, she had grown comfortable around him. Even though she was a maid, she saw Xenon as a friend. He was the second person she had spent the longest time with. Back in the Narhan Clan, Karina was the only one she was truly close to. She had no friends among the other clan members, as she spent most of her time studying and rarely socialized. Despite that, she deeply cared for her clan.

"Let's go," Xenon said.

Today was the entrance exam for Tazar Academy, and Iris would finally be attending. Xenon planned to drop her off before continuing his tour of the city.

He had a few things in mind—visiting a blacksmith to find a sword, stopping by a tavern, and perhaps… checking out a brothel pavillion?

They left the inn and walked outside.

"There are so many people!" Iris exclaimed.

Indeed, the city was packed, which was to be expected on a day like this.

Beside them was Tarra, while Gustav, Venom Fang, and Chain blended into the crowd, secretly watching Xenon from a distance, ready to step in if anything happened or if he commanded them.

"It's pointless," Xenon remarked. "You should just focus on becoming a martial practitioner."

"For me, being a scholar is better! I don't want to become a martial practitioner—it's too violent," Iris replied.

Xenon chuckled but didn't continue the conversation.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the flying boat station. Paying the fare, they boarded the vessel bound for Tazar Academy.

Iris was thrilled by the experience, gazing at the vast city below, while Xenon remained indifferent, finding it all rather dull.

The journey took ten minutes before they arrived at the northern base of Tazar Academy.

Nearly 100,000 people were gathered there, forming ten long lines as they waited for their turn to take the exam.

"Xenon, can you help me talk to that old man in the center?" Iris asked, pointing toward an elderly figure overseeing the crowd.

Xenon followed her gaze and saw the old man. Many people around them were looking at him with admiration and respect.

"Young Master, that old man is at the Martial Warrior Stage 1 realm," Tarra informed him using Voice Transmisson. Upon reaching the Martial Warrior stage, one could use it to transmit messages.

Xenon was slightly surprised to learn of the old man's strength. He turned back to Iris.

"Do you know him?" he asked.

"That's Sage Daros, one of the Five Sages of Tazar Academy," Iris explained. The Sages were second only to the Grand Sage in authority within the academy.

"So… you have connections with the sages of Tazar Academy?" Xenon questioned.

"I don't know… My uncle just told me to hand this letter to Sage Daros," she replied.

Xenon nodded and didn't press further, but he could tell that this little maid of his had an identity she hadn't revealed yet.

Xenon and Tarra accompanied Iris as they approached Sage Daros, but after a few minutes, two men in white uniforms carrying spears blocked their path.

"Dare to block my way?" Xenon sneered.

"If you're here to take the exam, you must get in line and wait," one of the guards stated firmly.

Sensing the tension, and knowing Xenon's temperament, Iris quickly intervened. She retrieved a paper along with a medallion engraved with water and sword symbols, showing it to the two guards.

Upon seeing it, the two exchanged glances.

"Our apologies for the misunderstanding. You may proceed," one of them said respectfully.

Iris sighed in relief and turned to Xenon.

"I guess it's fine now. I'll just hand this letter to the Sage, and then I can take the exam," she said.

Xenon looked at her, truly surprised. This little maid of mine… she's really not ordinary.

"Alright, I'm leaving now. Just make sure to return to the inn later and wash my clothes," Xenon said.

"Yes."

Without another word, Xenon walked away. He had many questions about Iris, but for now, he chose not to ask.

Iris watched Xenon's back as he left, then turned and made her way toward the platform where the Sage stood.