Chapter 99 - An Interesting Boy

When Nerun and Elijah got back to Elijah's quarters, Elijah asked, "Did you fail your tests?"

Nerun simply looked at him, and smiled back while saying, "What do you think?". Elijah saw Nerun's smile and started guffawing and patted Nerun on the back while going to his study.

"Don't worry about the Military School. Don't let this bother you. Perhaps, it's for the best. However, you should have let me punish that girl, Cynthia. I know that you did not want to create trouble for me. But the fact that you didn't stand out for yourself will make people think that Cynthia was actually right, and that I was simply defending my face… Sigh." said Elijah.

Nerun, however, kept smiling and replied, "Do I really need to care what other people think. Whether they think I'm useless or not, is something that they need not care. Eventually, they will realize the truth. After all, I will not remain hidden in your quarters. Beisdes, by making them talk about me behind my back, most people might underestimate me in the near future. They could also think that I'm your breaking point. This can be used to our advantage in the future."

Elijah simply nodded and went to his study, leaving Nerun alone to go to his bedroom. Even though Nerun had said this, his clenched hand spoke otherwise about his true feelings. I would be a lie, if he did not feel aggrieved and despondent about this. However what was done was done, and there was no room, nor time for regret. He quickly put his mind at ease and understood that in such an environment, growing stronger might have been difficult, especially with the bias against him in existence. That being said, saying it was one thing, and actually starting to feel like that, was another matter.

All of a sudden, Nerun heard a voice next to him, once he entered his bedroom. "What do you think?"

"Ego Sum! I'm so sorry. I did not live up to your expectations, and did not become the Seed of the Super Soldier" said Nerun while feeling quite sad.

"How did you fail? Did I tell you to become the Seed of the Super Soldier?"

Nerun was a bit taken aback by this comment, and was about to reply, when he recalled Ego Sum's words to him. Ego Sum had said that he would like Nerun to give his best to be chosen. Never to actually get chosen.

"So you expected this to happen?", asked Nerun hesitatingly.

Ego Sum did not give a direct answer, but only replied, "I could make a supreme expert out of you even if you were in a wasteland. That was my promise to you. That being said, you will discover that in your path you will find those that will try to hinder your path, and those that will try to help you. In the end, your path is yours to make. You gave your best at being chosen, and went even beyond what was requested. Did you manage to discover anything about yourself?"

Nerun thought about the whole experience of being tested and after calming down from the whole deblace, he noticed that he had actually gained some incredible experience and knowledge about himself.

He had not studied his limits as much as now, and he discovered the maximum output of power he could muster. He also studied the limits of his endurance, his stamina, his reflex, his defense and whatmore. Nerun then felt even more annoyed at Cynthia, not because he wanted to actually become the Seed of the Super Soldier, but because he did not manage to undergo the third test and get to fight to his heart's content with Praetorian Level enemies, and actually see where he stood among his peers. After all, both Elijah and Rafal were not real praetorians, and his only battle so far with a true one had been with Sombra, who was more of an expert in assassination and subterfuge.

Also, Nerun had made some gains in the understanding of the use of both his energies, Qi and Mana, as well as breaking through in his Qi Technique, <Flash Walk>. So Nerun, without any prompting, started to meditate and digest his gains in the series of tests. He did not only see his advantages, but his shortcomings as well. After several hours of meditation, he felt more refreshed, he had recovered his energy, and felt that he had become more powerful. Also, he started to get over the fact that the whole testing was a sham, and stopped brooding about it.

So, Nerun went out to look for Elijah, to let him know he was feeling better already, and discuss things about his future. Unbeknownst to Nerun, however, the repercussions of his testing were not yet over.

…

Elijah knew that Nerun had not failed his test. That was not the same for others though. The rumour that Elijah had sent his little brother to be tested to become a Core Disciple and a Chosen one of the Royal Military School, was somehow known to most of the nobles and military officers in the capital in a very short notice. After all, this was no real secret.

However, no one actually knew what had transpired, but all of them heard that Nerun was ultimately rejected from the position, after which Elijah No Rademia, the new Dragon General went ballistic over Cynthia Dai Morena, the Vice Dean of the school, and nearly killed her on the spot.

Many of those that heard this could not help but disdain both Nerun and Elijah, and started to badmouth Elijah, the new Dragon General, for what was thought as a clear case of nepotism, and started to blame Nerun for simply being inferior and not knowing his place. This could have been considered a great victory for Cynthia and his brother Reno. Nevertheless, as the populace and nobles had come to know of this, there were some who actually got to know some more information.

Like Rafal Sen Buran, the Titan, who had also recommended Nerun, and simply asked the Military School to produce the results of Nerun's two tests. Although his name had not been mentioned alongside Nerun and Elijah, he was a man true to his heart, and quite noble, and he had actually vouched for Nerun's potential, and he could not believe that he had failed at something as simple as the tests for the Seed of the Super Soldier.

That very same day, the results were out for Rafal, who as a Dragon General had the prerogative to ask for them. When Rafal read them, he could not help but scoff, and sent a copy to his attendant, who had them sent to Elijah, as well as the Intelligence Department in the service of His Majesty, after all, the Royal Military School's Grand Dean was His Majesty himself. The Seed of the Super Soldier was the crown of the projects enacted by the School, the resources provided plentiful, and the School and the Military both hoped that it could lead to the creation of a grand expert for the Kingdom in the future. So, albeit it only being a project so far, it was not completely irrelevant for the nobles and the royal family.

When His Majesty read the report, he could not help but make an ugly smile and say: "Nepotism indeed… Hmph. Send this to Berial and Salazar. They just need to know that I am not happy. Ask Elijah for his intentions, and make sure to appease Lord Rafal as well. Send my regards to the guests from the Mainal Temple, do invite Young Lord Karel to rendezvous with some of the talents from our kingdom. You can ask Old Man Corena for his help on the matter, his daughter might be of use".

"Understood. One more thing. Lord Rafal's assistant has also told me that on the night that Lord Elijah's brother came, he sparred with both Elijah and Lord Rafal".

"Oh… And how did that go?", asked his Majesty, raising his head with a modicum of interest.

"The boy won. Both Lord Elijah and Lord Rafal limited their power to that of a Grandmaster and then a Praetorian/Scholar and the boy managed to overcome their tests." said the shadow with the same impassive tone.

"Interesting. Such an interesting young man. Go do what you must." ended his Majesty. The shadow next to his Majesty quickly vanished to fulfil his chores.

Cynthia was healing her face with several resources from the Academy. Even though it looked as if nothing had happened at all, she could still somewhat feel the pain of Elijah's hit, and the fear she had felt afterwards. "Just wait Elijah…", she said silently. In any case, she was feeling quite pleased with everything that had transpired so far, and was about to put it all behind, when she was called to the Headmaster's office.

While wondering for the reason for the said call, she quickly went over. After arriving at Berial's office, she noticed that his countenance was quite stern, and he was clearly quite displeased, as he was reading a note and report on his desk over and over.

Cynthia thought that Elijah had sent a formal complaint to the School, however, she was already prepared for it, and besides, with the circulating rumours, she knew that Elijah would find no footing, nor support amongst many in the Military, especially with the Council of Generals as their main backer. In fact, she had thought that he would not even dare to complain, because this could quickly be used against him. She was about to speak, when Berial saw her and said,

"Do you acknowledge your mistakes?"

Berial's words were like a brutal bucket of cold water and her thoughts, and she understood that the matter seemed to be a bit more complicated than she initially surmised.

"Lord Berial. If that Elijah has sent a complaint, then let me assure you that he will be vilified for his petinness and…", but she was rudely interrupted by Berial, who sent her the documents he was reading with a face that had a no nonsense attitude.

Cynthia received the documents and noticed that it was a report. The report was the results for Nerun's tests. When she read them, she noticed the same first page with the ridiculous distribution of energy by Nerun, as well as some of his data. Seeing Berial's ugly face, this time, however, she did not stop at the first page, but kept reading the next part of the document. As Cynthia read, her hands started trembling somewhat and the pupils in her eyes constricted.

"This… This can't be true. It's all a lie Lord Berial, those examiners were surely afraid of that boy Elijah going after them and falsified the documents." said Cynthia with a flustered tone.

As Berial heard Cynthia's accusations, he stood angrily and started to exude his full might, "SHUT UP! Not only do you not admit to your mistakes, you are even trying to slander the examiners of my School. The examiners, I myself selected, so I guess I'm a bad judge of character, is that what you are implying?"

Cynthia started sweating profusely. She knew that she had made a huge mistake trying to justify herself, and she did not know what to do. "This is still unknown. We might be able to…"

"The Titan has seen this report. Do you plan to silence him as well?", interrupted once again Berial.

Cynthia felt like a rope was quickly circling her neck, and she had difficulty breathing. She could not believe the results from the report whatsoever. How was it possible for that waste of a boy, the orphan brother of Elijah, that upstart to have so ridiculous results. The regular attack power of a Praetorian, the maximum attack power close to that of a General. Reactions on par with the very best of praetorians, speed that exceeded any lower rank warrior, a close to unbreakable defense, and he had even entered an epiphany during the bout, which allowed him to break past his limits, which was the reason for this tiredness when the second test was over, since he had long passed it. The fact that Cynthia had also increased the difficulty for his tests was also known to Berial.

"Lord Berial, I apologize. It seems that I was rash when judging the boy. Still, even with these results, it's not certain he would be a better candidate than Reno to become the Seed of the Super Soldier, much less Young Lord Karel."

"Perhaps. But that was not your call to make. You were not only rash. You made it conspicuously clear that you wanted to expel the boy before the could finish his tests, you seeked to humiliate him and Elijah, and made him lose decorum with this Royal Military School."

"We don't need that…'' This time, before Berial could lash at her once more, Cynthia stopped herself. She noticed that by calling Elijah names she was putting herself deeply against one of the highest ranked officers in the Kingdom. She might do it in private, but being so open about it could be very detrimental for her and her family as whole.

"Even if we had no use for Elijah given his limited experience, what about the Titan. Would you dare say the same thing about him? If what truly happened is known to the Kingdom, what do you think will happen to you, and your associates? What will they say about the neutrality and impartiality of this hallowed School? You think I have not heard the rumours that have spread throughout the noble families, the military and the populace. You have soiled the name of a Dragon General and his family. And the worst part is that as a Military Officer in charge of intelligence gathering and planning, you did such a lousy job against your enemies by not uncovering the true information first. In a battlefield, things like this can cause your and your platoon's death."

Cynthia had her head lowered. She could only wait for her punishment and hope that things did not escalate badly. Her hopes were quickly shattered however.

"His Majesty has also seen this report. He only sent some words to me and your father. He said that he was deeply disappointed."

Cynthia's knees buckled and she fell on her knees. She felt her sight had gone dark.