Chương 82: EXAMS AND SCHEMES

The text only said, "I'm busy." Jimin stared at the screen for a moment, but didn't feel disappointed at all. In fact, he chuckled.

"As I figured," he murmured. Lee Hyun-woo was the type of person who would train until the last possible second before an important event. That response honestly sounded exactly like him. Jimin was already about to put his phone down when another notification suddenly appeared. Beep. A new text had arrived.

"Come watch me at the central arena. I'll show you something special." Reading that, a grin slowly formed on Jimin's face. Trying to play cool as usual huh? He could practically imagine Hyun-woo's confident expression while sending that message. He had always been like that. Straightforward. Competitive. And ridiculously confident in his own abilities. Let's see what you have to show me.

The Unified Academy Entrance Exam took place twice a year. It was one of the most important events for newly awakened Manaborns throughout the country. The reason was simple. Awakenings occurred every month. If the exam happened twice annually, Manaborns awakened each month would get a quick and somewhat fair chance. At the same time, it ensured a steady flow of talented Manaborns into the academies. The examination itself wasn't simple either. Multiple evaluations were conducted over several stages.

Written examinations, offensive power tests, defensive capability and endurance tests, etc. And several other specialized categories depending on the role of the examinee. Several additional factors were also taken into consideration. Initial level, current level, time since awakening, skill ability, skill rarity, skill potential, etc. All of these variables influenced the final evaluation. And then came the stage most people actually cared about. The Arena Duels.

Candidates who successfully passed the earlier phases entered a series of arena battles against one another. The main stage was even broadcast nationwide. And it was extremely popular. Millions watched every year. Everyone paid attention. Especially guild scouts, corporate recruiters and prestigious families. Support and special-type Manaborns naturally had different evaluation systems.

Hyun-woo was simply so confident that he would not only reach the duel stage but also shine there. After all, Hyun-woo had always been talented. Still- This wasn't some local competition. This was the Unified Academy Entrance Exam. The best talents from all over the country gathered there. There would be noble heirs. Guild-sponsored candidates. Rare skill holders. Teenage monsters. Even among talents, there were levels. Yet somehow, Jimin still couldn't picture Hyun-woo performing poorly.

If it's Hyun-woo, he'll definitely reach the final stage. Jimin quickly typed a short reply.

"Sure." Then put the phone aside and prepared to go to sleep. There's time before that happens... I'll just focus on clearing the Rift before that. He lay down on his bed and let out a sigh. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. My combat power is almost the same as yesterday. I've spent all of my LP on a bunch of support and utility skills. Clearing it alone would be difficult tomorrow… There will be other Rifters as well.

That lowers the chances even farther. Jimin closed his eyes. I should take it slow for a few days. Maybe after I get a bunch of LP and my party members adapt… His breathing gradually slowed. Then I will for sure. Eventually, fatigue overtook his thoughts. And he fell asleep.

Somewhere in the world- A person in an aristocratic black-red hooded robe was sitting in front of a holo-screen. The room was quiet. It looked as if it was a modernized interior of a castle. Ancient stone walls blended seamlessly with futuristic technology. Decorative chandeliers hung from the ceiling while expensive artifacts and paintings rested throughout the chamber. The lighting remained dim. Only the pale glow of the holo-screen illuminated the room.

The screen showed six similar people, a digit from 1 to 6 visible under each. They were in a meeting. Each of them wore the same style of black-red robes, their faces concealed beneath deep shadows.

"That's it. Don't disappoint me," the person said with a heavy voice and an authoritative tone.

"Yes, Supreme Shadow," everyone answered in unison.

The Umbral Six

"Hail Umbra!" they shouted. The call cut immediately afterward. The meeting was over. Silence returned to the room. The person remained motionless for several seconds. Then slowly, he took his hands out of his robe. The skin looked extremely pale and wrinkled. Almost corpse-like. His fingers were thin and bony. The figure slowly pulled the hood back. A pale, skinny, old-looking man appeared from underneath it. He had no hair. Not even eyebrows. And his black eyes looked lifeless. His face had a bitter expression.

There was no one in the room. But suddenly- A husky and dissonant voice spoke to him, in a whispering tone. It was completely devoid of human warmth. It was speaking directly to his subconscious.

"Are you sure about this plan, Maxime?" A faint blackish-red energy slowly wrapped around him. Like shadows. Maxime didn't even bother looking around. He already knew who it was.

"I think you're rushing it," the voice continued. Maxime let out a dry laugh.

"Nothing is a rush for a man... who only has a few days left to live." His breathing sounded heavy and painful. The voice sounded noticeably angrier now.

"But this will jeopardize our purpose. Everything we did for the last twenty-one years." Maxime's eyes narrowed.

"Your purpose. Not mine." The old man leaned back slowly. A twisted grin appeared on his face.

"I just want to see... the world burn." His black eyes seemed to glitter.

"It will be the day... I've been waiting my whole life for." His grin widened.

"The reason... I made a contract with you... Umbra." The voice was completely silent. For a moment, the room had become completely still. Then-"What about that Robert?" Umbra asked. The name immediately changed Maxime's expression. His grin vanished. Umbra continued regardless.

"If you go through with the plan, it will expose our existence to the world. He will definitely take action. And if he does-""Don't mention that name!" Maxime suddenly roared, his voice filled with pure hatred. His voice echoed through the room. The nearby glasses trembled.

"I wish I could shove a stake through that motherfucker's heart." His face twisted with rage. But his breath became heavy right after. He continued, "Yours too… if you had a body, bastard." Then, he started laughing hysterically. But only a few seconds later, the laughter changed to coughing. Violent coughing. His body bent forward. The sound grew harsher. Then suddenly, he covered his mouth with one hand. The coughing finally stopped after a final violent cough. Maxime slowly looked at his palm. There was blood.

Dark red blood stained his hand. His gaze lingered on it quietly. Then, he chuckled.

"He destroyed my body." His voice sounded hoarse.

"But you… Drained my lifeforce." The smile disappeared.

"All these years... like a parasite." His breathing became increasingly uneven.

"I'm thirty-seven… But I look eighty… I can't even appear before my slaves." His fist clenched. The blood smeared across his palm.

"All because of you two." Umbra remained silent. The black-red energy slowly floated around the room. Like it was contemplating something. Then finally-"So this is your final decision?" Umbra said in a serious tone. Maxime leaned back in his chair. His exhausted body slowly relaxed.

"Of course," he muttered. A faint grin returned.

"It doesn't really matter to me anymore… Who does what… I'll be dead soon anyway." Umbra didn't say a word. The silence lasted several moments. Then Maxime spoke again.

"You didn't approve… Harvest Day." His voice carried obvious dissatisfaction.

"I couldn't do anything." Then, the grin on his face became twisted. His eyes sharpened.

"But now… I'll do whatever I want… You can't stop me." Maxime let out a small laugh. Umbra still remained quiet, swirling around him. Then finally-"All right..." The black-red energy slowed. The voice sounded strangely calm.

"Do whatever you want."

Maxime Vox, The Veiled Monarch Supreme Shadow, Umbral Shadow Rank: S-8 Umbra Maxime Vox's Contracted Entity???????