1357 Telor Xon Navak

Telor Xon was a dull student who didn't have much going on for him. So as he walked down the campus road, enjoying the beautiful scent of exotic flower beds on either sides, no one approached.

Some pointed their fingers at him. Some whispered while snickering. Some sneered in contempt.

'Not a single friend in so many years? This guy is really, really crazy!' Varian's lips twitched as he struggled to maintain that indifferent expression.

Pala Academy was a higher education institute where only the finest of geniuses of the kingdom were eligible to step in.

It's similar to the academy that he once attended. But instead of three years, it had three grades.

Every grade had necessary courses to complete—applied or theoretical knowledge. And the really important part—missions.

Unlike the ones given out by Earth Academy, the Pala Academy's missions would take years, if not decades to complete.

Funnily enough, Telor joined the academy almost three hundred years ago, when he just entered rank 6.

Three full centuries passed. And he still hadn't graduated.

'Fuck! This guy is still a student for what, five generations? Six? Outrageous!'

All those that joined alongside him had long left the academy, pursuing their own goals. Even most of the ones that came after him graduated.

But Telor remained. He's like that vase in the room that someone kept in a corner and just forgot.

From the memories, Telor, who was once 'normal' and 'outgoing' eventually turned into a dull and silent.

'And that's why I picked him.'

Forget fellow students, even the faculty didn't bother speaking to him. They wanted him gone as soon as possible.

'So I don't have to worry about maintaing his relations to keep up the facade of his identity.'

Since this mission was important, Varian didn't want to risk any suspicions. If he picked any popular cadet, others would easily notice the changes and raise questions.

But for Telor, it wouldn't matter.

In fact, Telor changing drastically would be in line with his recent experience.

Varian's ears perked and the whispers of the students sounded clear.

"Why is he still alive?"

"Didn't someone see him buying the rainbow mushrooms?"

"Is he a coward who can't even die?"

"Hey! He's still our senior!"

"My foot! My first brother, second brother, third sister—all entered after him and graduated already. Is he going to wait until I have kids and send them here? That guy is a loser!"

Varian's lips twitched. These juniors were merciless in their taunts. He could understand their mindset though.

In a society that valued strength, being weak was considered a sin. If you happen to be weak, then you need to step down and behave. You're not supposed to waste the academy's resources and be in the spotlight.

Even the academy wanted Telor to drop out already. So, it acquisced the behavior of the students.

'But seriously! To spread rumors about his death…'

When he infiltrated Telor's temporary residence, he was already on the verge of death.

Before he took his life, perhaps the introvert in him wanted to scream at the world. So, he scribbled down a few words in those precious seconds.

[I didn't wish to be born like this! It's not my fault!

I hate you! I hate you all!

And I hate you, Robert!]

It was written in blood.

An outburst from a pale, sickly and kind-looking man who apparently always maintained a decent expression.

"Dying like that, he wouldn't rest in peace, would he?" Varian muttered to himself as he reached a large purple meadow.

This was the lowest area of dormitories.

It's also where Telor's dorm room was located. The Academy had been more than generous to each of its students. Some rooms were obviously better than others.

But even Telor's, arguably a low-tier dorm room, still screamed comfort and elegance. The term 'room' was misleading. It's more or less a luxury cottage.

When Varian reached Telor's dormitory, he found the lock to be broken and the luggage to be strewn all around.

There were various writings on the wall, written in black and green ink.

[This is the accursed room!]

[The loser's residence!]

[Newcomer, beware! A waste lived here once!]

[His ghost might haunt you!]

They already decided that he was dead and wrote things to scare off the freshman that'd occupy this cottage.

Varian exhaled deeply and waved his hand.

A pulse of time swept everything in the cottage and then a burst of energy locked onto the things that were recently messed with.

If someone saw his usage of powers, they'd cry foul.

The delicate power of time was used to detect all the changes that took place after Telor left his dorm.

Other than the writings, strewn out clothes, academic materials, there were a few certificates, medals and photos broken or torn.

Varian raised his hand and a broken photo pieced itself together before landing in his palm.

In his freshman uniform, Telor Xon was smiling brightly. His eyes were full of optimism and passion.

"What a sad fellow."

With a snap of his fingers, a letter floated in front of him.

It was the declaration that Telor had signed before the duel with a freshman who recently joined.

[If I lose, I'll admit I'm a trash who is wasting the resources of the academy and the kingdom by existing.

But if he loses, then he must apologize for calling my efforts useless.

I hereby swear not to intentionally target his life during the duel.

I hereby swear to honor the code of warrior morality.

I hereby swear to stop when it's necessary, be it on the verge of a victory or defeat.

Telor Xon Navak

Robert Xayn Kyses.]

The most popular freshman of recent times.

A close younger brother of crown prince candidate Prince Rudolph.

An out and out genius with dual natal treasures and two very good natal treasures at that. It wasn't just rare, it's nearly impossible to find anywhere in the Pala kingdom.

Robert, who was valued for his genius, noticed Telor who was passing one unfortunate evening.

After learning about this infamous senior, Robert started verbal bullying.

It wasn't new for Telor. He chose to bear it without complains.

Weeks passed. Then months.

Robert, who grew up with having everyone bending backward to please him, felt annoyed to see Telor not break.

After some deliberation, the genius prince decided to strike where it hurt.

He began mocking Telor's efforts, his talent and ultimately, his future.

"Give up."

"People are born at different starting points. You have already lost there."

"Even if you work your hardest, you will not even reach where they begin."

"You can pour your blood, sweat and tears, but the best you can do is run. And I, I am the one who flies. We are on different trajectories all together."

"Your hardest effort for an entire year still can't come close to my casual efforts for a week."

"Give up."

"You are destined to lose."

"When you are born, you already lost."

When experiencing Telor's memories, Varian felt exactly how Robert's incisive words dug into the man's insecurity and then bit by bit, pushed him into the pit of despair.

At the end of the day, Telor believed those words deep in his heart.

What was he working so hard for?

Even if he did his best, he still wouldn't be able to amount to some people who were barely starting out.

As he said, their lives were on different dimensions altogether.

But the persistance that developed in Telor's long life didn't back down without a fight.

Unfortunately, the duel was a disaster.

Not only did he lose to a man more than 300 years younger, he lost so badly that it was laughable to even call it a fight.

Telor was crushed.

If he had been aware of Prince Robert's natal treasures, things might've been different. But it didn't matter anymore.

The battle was the final straw that broke him.

Telor took a sudden leave, went out and after a lot of struggle, took his own life.

"What a fucking tragedy," After tidying up the dorm with his powers, Varian shook his head.

Since he too had such dangerous thoughts in that year, he could sympathize with him to a certain extent.

"Oh, Telor? You're really Telor!" 

An unfamiliar male voice exclaimed.

Varian turned around while maintaing a dull expression and saw a young man in first grade uniform.

"…Prince Samatv?"

"Just call me Sam! We're cousins, a bit distant but hey, blood is blood!" The young man chuckled and observed him like a doctor checking out his patient.

Varian raised a brow.

'Isn't this guy also a big genius of the first grade? He goes toe to toe with Robert. Why would he see Telor of all people?'

Not taking offense to his silence, Samatv grabbed Varian's shoulders and said in a passionate tone. "I only recently learned what happened to you, it's unacceptable! Don't worry, I'll protect you from now on."

"Eh, uh, but—"

"Trust me!" Prince Samatv's grip tightened and since Varian had to act properly, he temporarily downgraded his strength.

So, his bones began to crack under that strong grip.

"I have a cure for your problem. To awaken your own natal treasure!" Samatv looked into his eyes with a burning gaze. "But you…you just have to risk your life a bit, okay?"

"…What?"