28 Third Test Finished

After the fight with Xue Mo, Dio entered the city lord's mansion, followed by Trevor. Seeing no one around Dio's face paled as he spat mouthful after mouthful of blood.

Trevor was surprised and immediately checked Dio's condition. He saw Dio's chest filled with wounds. It appears that Xue Mo did indeed hurt him, and badly at that, it's just that not to seem weak, Dio didn't say anything and held himself back.

Cough

"No. cough word of this shall get out!" Dio's words weren't soft or loud, but Trevor trembled upon hearing them. Trevor nodded his head fervently and said: "Don't worry, Sir Dio, I am not crazy enough to tell anyone about this!" The severe tone Trevor used assured Dio as he finally collapsed.

'Is that Xue Mo truly that strong?' Trevor thought with a shudder, thankful that he wasn't offended when he cursed him at the start.

"I should go get some herbs for Sir Dio, his condition is bad!" Trevor muttered to himself before leaving the room.

Back in their Inn room Xue Mo and Lu Yao were talking about the fight they just had with Dio. Although it was boring, they didn't mind as it was a good warm-up for Xue Mo, but Lu Yao thought something else.

"Won't he notice that you are stronger than him with the wounds you inflicted?" Lu Yao asked carelessly, not caring in the slightest if they were exposed or not.

Haigh

Xue Mo sighed as he thought of the previous battle and answered, "If I held anymore back, even with my acting, he would have suspected something."

Although she looked asleep back then, Lu Yao had perceived everything that happened, so she knew what he was talking about.

"Oh, right. Your acting... I was wrong before; you know how to perform." She said.

Remembering how he played with Dio back then, with his fake expressions, weak attacks, and even suppressing his black fire to seem stronger than normal only, Lu Yao was amazed. As she finally saw Xue Mo's acting, proving that he could, and he wasn't lying to her.

"I took a quick look at him before he left, although he appeared alright he wasn't. His wounds were internal and serious; if he doesn't get treated, he will die." Lu Yao said in an uncaring voice, obviously speaking to pass the time.

"Not my problem. I held back as much as I could; Dio will probably think this is the aftermath of the last attack. He won't suspect a thing." He analyzed the situation taking Dio's reactions and thought process into account while he concluded.

What had happened had happened. Neither Xue Mo nor Lu Yao cares about what happened to anyone as long as it doesn't concern them, they wouldn't care. Even if the world, Universe, existence ceased to be, as long as they were okay, to hell with it.

'Am I greedy?' Xue Mo suddenly had a thought.

For him, this situation he was in now was the best time he spent in his long life. Other than cultivation Xue Mo didn't care about anything, however. For the first time in his life, he felt happy.

This year that he spent with Lu Yao had made him feel brighter, happier, and more... complete? He didn't know how or what he felt. The only thing that he understood was that this feeling was great. So great that he wanted it to last.

But, he understood that he couldn't. Even with these new feelings, emotions, and sentiments that he developed, something never changed. He strived for betterment, power, and to fill the thing that had made him even start cultivation. He knew that to do that even if he was happy, even if Lu Yao was with him, even if he had achieved the peak of life, this void would never fill.

Although that's how Xue Mo felt, he knew that he was changing, and the most significant evidence was how he was acting. Previously, he wouldn't joke, have fun, or even talk.

However, now, he could do that and more. Though Lu Yao also had changed and maybe even more than him, Xue Mo believed that he did more as he sometimes gets the feeling of freedom, something that he never felt before but somehow recognized.

Xue Mo shook his head to clear his thoughts before leaving only one idea. 'Greedy? So, what? The world is greedy, and no one complains. Is it greed if I want power? The answer is: NO. Nothing shall stop us in our rise of power. I will take Lu Yao to the top, and if there isn't one, then we have to keep getting stronger.'

Xue Mo hadn't realized that he turned me into us. It seems Lu Yao had left such a deep impression that he unknowingly started including her with him, something that would have been impossible before, had just happened.

"Well, who cares. Let's suck this Academy of all it's resources." Lu Yao said, getting Xue Mo back to reality. The look in her eyes was fierce, evil, and greedy. She licked her lips in anticipation while her mind thought, 'I have been too lenient nowadays. I might be able to exercise once we get to the Academy.'

Several hours had passed when the last test had arrived. It was a one vs. one between Axel and Kyle. A grueling battle happened as they gave their all not to disgrace their friendship. In the end, Kyle managed to win as he was a little stronger than Axel.

"I now announce the end of the Battle Mage Academy trials.

In the first place comes Xue Mo. As the person who got first place in the first two tests and even contended with Sir Dio, everyone agrees that he is the most qualified to get number 1.

In the second place comes Kyle Campbell. Thanks to his win on Axel Skeicherou, Kyle Campbell was able to obtain second place, paving a path for a bright future in the Battle Mage Academy.

In third place comes Axel Skeicherou, someone who could give us a good fight and someone who would find himself a position in the Academy.

Last but not least, we have my precious daughter Lara, who was able to obtain a good result in the trials and, with her buff magic, pique the interest of Sir Dio, allowing her to gain some footing in the Battle Mage Academy.

And, finally, Deckim. Someone who against all the odds got his chance of entering the Battle Mage Academy. His loyalty unmatched and excellent potential to boot, He is the most worthy to join the Academy, unlike that rune user Amro.

Let's congratulate them all as they truly deserve it. They are the pride of our Jade Wood City, and they will be the reason when we become famous one day." Trevor finished his speech with a round of clapping as the audience joined him in cheering, making the four present people blush and bow their heads as if saying, 'We won't let you down.'

The rest of the day passed in celebration before the night came, making the party end, as everyone went to sleep preparing for the departure of the new Battle Mage Academy students.