章 247: Exchange Program II
Moyong Jeong was among the most powerful figures not just on the Eastern continent but in the world. As head of the Moyong family—one of the East's five great houses, renowned for their unmatched swordsmanship—and a formidable Immortal-ranker, he was accustomed to being the most daunting presence in any room.
But the man across from him unsettled him in a way he hadn't felt in years. Unconsciously, Jeong found himself swallowing, as if his body were reacting to an instinctive understanding of the force he was facing.
Magnus Draykar. The Martial King.
It had been many years since Jeong last saw Magnus in person, and the aura that radiated from the Martial King now was almost beyond comprehension. Magnus sat with an ease born of unchallenged might, yet his very presence was as imposing as an unscalable mountain—a peak separating Radiant-rank from Immortal-rank and, somehow, stretching even further into a rarefied space beyond.
Jeong could feel the weight of Magnus's power, a latent energy that hinted at something nearing transcendence itself.
"I didn't expect someone of your standing to join us," Jeong remarked, his voice level. Though aware of the gulf between them, he still spoke with the dignity that befitted his own rank. Deference did not mean servitude.
Magnus allowed a small, knowing smile. "I had to come. My disciple is here."
That, Jeong understood. Magnus Draykar was well known, but so was his apprentice—Arthur Nightingale, the rising prodigy who had stunned the world with his meteoric ascent.
The Moyong patriarch inclined his head slightly. "Disciple…" he muttered, the weight of the word lingering.
Arthur Nightingale, the greatest talent of his generation. Even Jeong, who rarely concerned himself with youthful upstarts, couldn't help but feel a spark of intrigue. Arthur had been absent from the public eye for nearly a year. Rumors swirled, as they always did, but Jeong himself had witnessed the young man's progress just earlier that day.
That sight had not disappointed him.
"That boy has achieved a monstrous level," Jeong admitted, nodding. His own awe at Arthur's progress was clear in his tone. A young man, barely seventeen, who wielded powers that many seasoned warriors only dreamed of mastering. Two Gifts, as well. Even with such latent talent, Arthur's level of control and skill was rare.
Magnus's gaze softened just slightly, pride unmistakable in his eyes. "Talent alone doesn't explain it. His drive—the willingness to surpass what others consider limits—that is what makes him formidable."
Jeong watched the Martial King carefully. Few spoke so openly about another's worth, yet it was evident Magnus considered Arthur not just an apprentice, but a rarity in his own right.
"Your daughter is remarkable," Magnus acknowledged, his gaze steady. "And you know I don't give praise without reason."
Jeong inclined his head. "Thank you," he replied, accepting the compliment with a quiet pride. Seol-ah Moyong was indeed exceptional—a talent ranked among the finest of her generation, likely within the top ten, perhaps even the top five.
Magnus gave a sly grin. "So, I trust you've planned some tough training for them?"
Jeong's eyes gleamed as he met Magnus's gaze. "Naturally. We intend to give them more than drills—they'll be joining real missions."
Magnus's smile widened in approval. "Good. They need that kind of experience now." He lifted his glass, and Jeong followed suit, their eyes meeting briefly over the rim in mutual respect.
With a nod, they toasted, each downing their drink in a single, fluid motion—a moment of camaraderie between two titans, one grounded in unshakable tradition, the other quietly crafting the future.
__________________________________________________________________________________
"Wait, what did you just say?" Ren asked, his purple eyes narrowing as he stared at Seol-ah as though she'd just announced a national tragedy.
Without so much as a blink, Seol-ah pointed toward the hill looming ahead. "Climb," she repeated. "No mana allowed."
I tilted my head back, taking in the rugged peak that clawed its way up toward the sky. It brought back memories of Mount Valos, the brutal ascent I'd faced while training under the Martial King a year and a half ago.
"Climb that?" Ian spluttered, pointing a shaky finger at the hill. "Without mana? And seriously, why is there even a hill this close to the Academy?"
Seol-ah didn't waste words on an explanation. She simply clapped her hands, her expression calm and unyielding. "You Mythos students get a head start since you're likely… unaccustomed to this. Starcrest students will follow ten minutes after you begin climbing."
Without hesitation, Seraphina darted forward, her movements swift and sure, as if scaling the rugged incline was second nature to her. Watching her, it was easy to picture her as a child scrambling over rocks and ledges in the mountainous terrain of Mount Hua, her home.
And just like that, the challenge began.
Climbing the hill wasn't much of a challenge for me. Back when I scaled Mount Valos, I'd been barely at White-rank, far weaker than I was now. Even without mana, the strength I'd developed still lingered in my muscles, bones, and reflexes. My body had adapted to rigorous demands, from heightened muscle memory to a finely-tuned nervous system, each sense sharper than it once was. As a result, scaling the cliffside now felt almost routine.
I soon overtook Seraphina, who, despite her natural agility, hadn't yet reached Integration-rank. She was close, though—another month, and she'd likely break through. I watched her graceful, careful movements and felt a flicker of pride in her progress.
Yet, there was more to this exercise than just getting to the top. I recognized the value of training the body itself, even in a world where mana dominated. Physical strength wasn't a relic; it was a foundation. The raw force of the body, when combined with mana, increased the power of every strike, every leap, every defensive stance. For close-combat fighters, it was essential, but even for ranged fighters like Rachel and Cecilia, the physical edge could be an unexpected advantage, sharpening their agility and stamina.
And so, I kept climbing, sensing how each foothold and handhold was part of something deeper—another step on the path of resilience, refining the strength that would become essential for what lay ahead.
Seraphina and I reached the peak first, with the others arriving in staggered waves. The Class A students—save for Rachel and Cecilia—held their lead over the Starcrest students, but the rest of Mythos Academy's contingent hadn't fared as well, gradually falling behind.
"I never expected you to be such an expert mountain climber, Arthur," Seraphina remarked, a small, amused smile gracing her lips.
"Well," I replied with a grin, "it's a handy skill to have."
She chuckled softly. "Even when you can fly?"
"One never knows what life might throw at them," I said, shrugging.
Seraphina stepped a bit closer, her gaze soft and playful. "You know, a kiss at the top of a mountain is rather romantic."
I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe so, but technically, we're still on school time."
She pouted and turned away, but a hint of amusement lingered in her expression.
Before long, all the students had made it to the top, catching their breath and eyeing the descent ahead.
"Good," Seol-ah announced, clapping her hands briskly. "Now we're going to do this climb ten more times today."
A few groans escaped the crowd. Cecilia muttered a curse under her breath, and Rachel made her way over to me, leaning into my side.
"Arthur, I'm exhausted," she murmured with a theatrical sigh. "Carry me down?"
I chuckled, flicking her forehead lightly. "Nice try, but no. You need to get used to it like the rest of us."
She glared at me in mock outrage, rubbing her forehead. "I'll remember this."
"Well, you're not carrying Rachel down, because obviously you'd only carry one person—and that would be me, right?" Cecilia interjected, elbowing me with a smirk. "Right?"
I shook my head, grinning. "Good effort, but no."
She let out a dramatic sigh. "You used to be such a sweet kid," she lamented as we all began the descent, bracing ourselves for the fact that we'd be making this climb nine more times before the day was done.
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