Chapter 30

[Quote: "The best way to predict your future is to create it."]

Chapter 30: 2 years.

Ryoung entered his seclusion period just after passing the 5th test.

The urgency to increase his strength has risen even more than before.

After seeing the strength of a phenomenon generated by only 24 pieces of metal, that has demonic energy infused in it.

Indeed, Ryoung has contemplated this thing; after passing the 5th test, he understood why there were no splashes even in the liquid.

Because the strange creature was only a phenomenon generated by the demonic energy, it was indeed a slap on his confident face.

Ryoung has full confidence in his strength and knowledge, even if it increased more when he practically lived alone for epochs in the void.

But that arrogance or confidence has been shattered by the Imoogi.

When he was going into seclusion, all his subordinates came to wish him success in training.

Ryoung accepted their prayers with grace and let them live their lives.

From the initial 12 members in his subordination, 2 have already returned to their homes.

One was fairly expelled because of being an extra cadet without any group, and the 2nd was none other than the giant boy who had gone to inform Ryoung about the 3rd test.

This cadet had so much faith in Ryoung that he went out of the academy to do something big for his liege.

After passing the 5th test, Ryoung has gotten the news of Cheon Yeo Woon going into seclusion.

And from his knowledge, he knew that it would be a huge power-up for him.

To not get left behind by a cadet weaker than him, Ryoung also hurried to the train himself in seclusion.

After Ryoung entered his training period, some days were very quiet for the demonic academy.

But after some days, another cadet passed the 4th test; the vice lord candidate from the wise clan, Cheon Mu Yeon, was the cadet passing third in this generation.

But if we don't consider a lucky cadet, Cheon Yeo Woon, and the monster named Ryoung, then he was the one who broke the record for passing the 4th test earlier in the demonic academy.

After a week of Ryoung's seclusion, Mun Ku also passed the 4th test.

That day, she was jumping for joy, the reason being that she got a personal room for herself.

After some days, the fifth to pass the 4th test emerged; the vice lord candidate from the sword clan, Cheon Kyung Woon.

Time flew by, and two and half months later, Ryoung went into seclusion; Cheon Mu Yeon and Cheon Kyung Woon entered a seclusion chamber.

Around that time Mun Ku also felt the need to become stronger and entered seclusion training.

At the same time, Ryoung's vessels that were 10 in number became 7; they all had taken the 4th test on the same day.

Only 7 had passed it while the other 3 were lacking in experience.

3 months later, the vice lord candidate of the Spring clan also passed the 4th test. His name is Cheon Mu Guem.

And the most amusing thing was the Vice-Lord candidate of the Blade clan, Cheon Yuchan.

He has also passed the 4th test after 4 months of Ryoung's seclusion.

Cheon Yuchan's mentality was altered only after he fought Ryoung; after recovering from it, he became cautious and started to develop his strength.

He has given up on the idea of gathering talented vessels and converting them into his army by training them.

Even after passing the 4th test, he has not shown himself outside of the academy so much, always hiding in his room or going into seclusion.

After six months of Ryoung's seclusion period, Baek Yun Ji had also passed the 4th test, she could've passed it earlier with her prowess.

But her main focus was on sewing clothes for Ryoung; she sewed many clothes, some for winter, some for summer and some for autumn.

After finishing her duty she also took the test and won by a good margin.

After 10 months, all subordinates of Ryoung have dropped from the academy except Mun Ku and Beak Yun Ji.

Those cadets knew that they had nothing to gain from the academy.

As for learning martial arts from the library, their talent was not so good for them to stay in the academy and learn martial arts.

They have faith in their liege's knowledge, and they know that he will teach them some arts after passing the 6th test.

As to not become a burden on Ryoung they decided to do something significant outside of the academy for their liege.

After exactly one year of Ryoung's seclusion, Baek Yun Ji also entered seclusion to grow her strength.

Following her retreat, half a year passed, and Mun Ku returned from the training chamber to her room.

After emerging from training she took the 5th test and passed it without many injuries.

The injuries were inevitable for someone like a normal cadet; they have to only use their senses in the cave, so of course, they'll get hurt.

Even some of the cadets have died in the 5th test from previous generations.

At this time majority of cadets have ended up taking the 4th test.

Among the 122 cadets, only 70 cadets had passed, and the remaining were expelled.

The interesting thing is from those expelled cadets, there were 34 vessels of Cheon Yeo Woon.

And like that, another half a year passed; today was the day when a new warrior on par with the 5 strongest of Murim was born.

The glowing sun cast shadows on the emerging figure from the personal training chamber.

Stepping outside Ryoung breathed a fresh air, exhaling a vortex of air.

His black clothes were looking very dirty, his hair reaching to his chest and even going further.

The slightly loose robe had become so tight that his muscles outlined the clothes.

Tap Tap Tap ~

Feeling the moisture of the autumn season and the beautiful trees of Sakura blooming with pink colour.

It was a beautiful sight; walking slowly, Ryoung headed to his room.

But a thought struck in his mind, the environment was not like something that suits the academy.

It was so quiet that not even one cadet could be seen outing.

The time was the evening, so the chances of them being in their rooms were high, but even then, the silence covering the whole academy amused Ryoung.

Walking slowly for some time Ryoung finally saw a cadet strolling alone.

He thought of asking where the cadets had gone, but as Ryoung approached him, he began to tremble from the fear of something.

Ryoung didn't know why this cadet was in fear so he asked,

"What happened, I asked where the cadets are."

When the voice came, he began to tremble more like he had seen a ghost.

After the answer didn't come, Ryoung ignored him and walked towards his room.

Seeing the walking figure the cadet sighed and thought,

'My god, there are real ghosts in the academy, like my mom said when I was a little boy.'

The image of the said ghost was lingering in his mind even after walking far away from him.

Nonetheless, Ryoung reached his room and took a bath; searching for clothes, he saw many new pairs were stored in his room.

Choosing a thin blue robe and black pants with a white ribbon to tie his hair, Ryoung donned them and walked outside.

Approaching the cafeteria he saw even the cafeteria was also empty.

Only some cadets were eating there, the numbers not even crossing 15.

The quiet environment was of Ryoung's liking, so he didn't dwell on it and ordered two pairs of dinners.

Ryoung's taste buds had been messed up after eating the compressed rice ball in the form of a nutrition pill.

He had even forgotten what a delicious meal tasted like, of course not in the real sense, but the desire to eat was very intense.

After some time, the chef provided the ordered meals and returned to his work.

Ryoung began to devour the food instantly, not even noticing that another cadet came into the cafeteria.

Of course, he sensed the internal energy, but he didn't focus on it; instead, he increased the intensity of his eating.

Even then, not anyone spectating can say that he was eating like a peasant, because even if he was eating in a hurry, his manners were there.

Suddenly he lifted his head to see Mun Ku coming towards him while smiling.

'So the internal energy was her!'

Thought Ryoung while slowing his devouring speed, Mun Ku came and sat beside Ryoung.

"Welcome back, how was your training."

Asked Mun Ku while Ryoung stopped eating and answered,

"It was more fruitful than I imagined. I have now the power to even kill the director of the academy."

Seeing his confident smile she gasped, while thinking how can someone become so powerful in only two years.

Here she is, only reaching peak master prowess.

'Even after training for 2 years, I can't catch up to you.'

Thought Mun Ku while her eyes began to show a trace of competitive spirit.

"So what happened in the academy? Why are there not many cadets."

"And more importantly how much time has passed."

Listening to his questions Mun Ku didn't answer and said,

"Finish your dinner first then I'll tell you everything with peace in your dorm."

Nodding his head, Ryoung devoured the food; only 5 minutes had passed, and his dinner was finished.

Standing up, he and Mun Ku walked towards his room; she also began to tell him about everything that happened in the academy in his absence.

[Chapter end]

[A/N = Ahem..... The academy arc is about to end, and yes, the main elements of this fic are about to come in writing.

The mysteries of Murim will be revealed in the next arc.

That'll be after 33 or 34 chapters, I think. So enjoy the peaceful time till some more days.

See ya 😊 👋]