Part 43 – Tom's Return
Tom's POV
I was rushing through the forest path.Thanks to Manuel, I had memorized the forest route perfectly—as if I had grown up here.
I still didn't understand what Manuel was doing in this forestor why no one knew he existed.If the Black Church knew about him, they would definitely use him.Manuel was the strongest person in the Empire of the Walls.He alone could defeat Master Ziar, the Court, and the Church.
He was famous for defeating a ten‑thousand‑man barbarian army alone.
These thoughts kept coming back to me,but the exam was more important.I had disappeared, and surely rumors had spread.
I hoped that while I was outside the Walls,Ziar had stayed either at the Church or the Academy.If both of us disappeared at the same time,Lucas would definitely claim I was being trained secretly by Ziar.
And then there was something else—the skills of my three main rivals:
Henry FlorDen HyperAdriana Flor
They had trained hard.They were definitely stronger than meand eager to defeat me.
Maybe I could beat Den with a proper strategy,since he fought without thinking.But Henry? No.And Adriana, with her dual swords that disrupted mana flow—my magic would fail against her.
My wind magic matched Den's,but clashed and lost against Henry and Adriana.
I was going crazy thinking about all this.I pushed the thoughts aside and focused only on reaching the exam grounds.
Something caught my attention—the corpses of many rats scattered across the forest.Several trees were burned.
Had the Church's army tried to purge the forest while I was gone?They hadn't attempted that in sixty years after their disastrous failure.
Were they searching for me?
I reached the broken wall.I saw several Church soldiers.I froze.
One soldier saw me—his eyes widened in shock.He looked terrified.Suddenly he knelt.
Church Soldier: "Greetings, Chosen One."
Chosen One?What was he talking about?
"What are you doing here?"
Church Soldier: "Sir, we are searching for you."
"What do you mean? Explain properly."I gestured for him to stand.
Church Soldier: "Since your disappearance, many things have happened.The Church accused the Court of kidnapping you and plotting against you."
The Court hated me,but this time they were innocent.
He continued:
"The Church threatened the Court with civil war and destruction.The gods' wrath was invoked because you vanished.Many believers prayed for your return.Soldiers from both the Church and Court gathered in the Central Wall, ready for battle.All political factions sent forces to search for you.They gave a deadline—if one week passed after the exam and you were not found,the Church would destroy the Court."
I asked in panic:
"How long have I been gone?"
Church Soldier: "One month, my lord."
One month.A whole month.
Impossible.Had I failed?Had all my effort been useless?
But wait—he said the Church gave one week after the exam.So two weeks had passed.
"What about the exam?"
Soldier: "It is being held now, after a two‑week delay."
"Today? Right now?"
Soldier: "Yes, my lord."
I had to hurry.
"I'm going to the exam.Tell everyone that Tom has returned—and he's here to claim first place."
…Oh God, why did I say that?First place?Me?
With Den Hyper, Henry Flor, and the Ice Princess Adriana present?I'd be lucky to get fourth.
Why do I say things without thinking?
I ran through the Central Wall, entering from the market side.Most shops were empty—everyone had gone to the exam grounds,even the merchants.
Then I saw Sister Patolina standing in the middle of the market,as if waiting for someone.
I stopped immediately.
"Sister Patolina!"
She saw me and gasped,placing her hand on her chest, breathing heavily.She was as beautiful as ever.
Sister Patolina: "W‑what are you doing here, Tom?"
She wasn't worried about me.She didn't ask how I was.I had been missing for a month.
I felt a little hurt.
"I'm fine. I finally returned." (sarcastically)
Sister Patolina: "I know. But what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean? Why?"
Sister Patolina: "You need to go to the exam. If you're late, you can't enter."
At that exact moment,the exam bell rang.
Oh no.I was doomed.
I quickly said goodbye.
"Goodbye, Sister Patolina!"
I ran at full speed.I was upset—my kind, gentle crush was acting cold.It was strange.She had given me that gift…she had always been kind…why was she cold now?
Why was she here instead of at the exam?
I pushed the thoughts away.The exam mattered more.
I reached the arena.It looked like a Roman amphitheater,but far more magnificent.
The imperial emblem—a golden lion—decorated the golden pillars.Statues of gods and goddesses made of goldstood atop the columns.The entire structure was white marble.
Look at me—I'm late and analyzing architectureas if I'm trying to sell the place.
I had a big problem:How would I enter?
Students were summoned into the arena by the judge's teleportation spell.What was I supposed to do?
I was panicking, breathing fast.My heart was racing.
Then I saw the last door—the soldiers' entrance—about to close.
I gathered all my hope,all my strength,and sprinted.
The door was almost shut when—
I slid under it.
I expected to be crushed,but I slipped through.
Sliding under the doorand falling in front of the soldiers happened at the same time.
They didn't recognize meand pointed their spears at me.
Soldier: "Hey! What are you doing here?!"
Then I heard the announcer's voice.I almost had a heart attack.
Ignoring the soldiers,I ran toward the exam grounds.They chased me,but they couldn't catch me.
With one burst of speed…
Narrator's POV
Everyone held their breath.
The spectators,the examinees,the king and his council,the High Bishop and his followers—
All waited to see if Tom would come.
If he didn't,civil war and mass slaughter were inevitable.
The judge, a forty‑year‑old bald man with a scarred face, began speaking:
Judge: "I hope all of you have prepared your best for this exam.As you know, in the first stage, you must finish within the given time.If you fail, you are eliminated."
All examinees swallowed nervously.
Judge: "Now then…"
"Are you planning to start without me?"
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.
Tom had arrived.
He was panting heavily,hands on his knees.
The judge tried to speak,but Tom raised his hand.
Tom: "One moment."
He took a deep breath,stood straight.
Tom: "I, Tom Breach, am here to say—you don't need to hold the exam.Because the first place is already decided.It's me—Tom Breach."
He smiled.
The announcer, shocked and excited, shouted:
Announcer: "I can't believe what I'm seeing!Tom has returned!Tom has returned!"
Everyone looked at the boywearing simple clothesand smiling confidently.
King Harold exhaled in relief.He couldn't believe he was relievedto see his enemy.
Adrian Flor smiled.The High Bishop's face remained neutral,but inside he thanked the gods and the Great Pope.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Just by entering,Tom revived their hope.
Lucas was furious—that bastard Tom had returnedjust to steal attention.But Lucas was certain Tom wouldn't pass the first stage.He smirked.
Den Hyper sighed in relief—the Chosen One had returned.The gods would not be angered.Civil war would not happen.The burden on Den's shoulders vanished.
Henry Flor was glad too—Tom's return meant innocent people wouldn't die.
Adriana Flor smiled,hoping she could defeat Tom herself.
Rose Tarin didn't react much,but she saw Tom differently—everyone wore the finest clothes,but Tom arrived in simple yet striking attire.
Hardy was happy too.
And William—the only one who was furious.His plans were disrupted.But they had to be executed—with or without Tom.If Tom caused too much trouble,he would have to be eliminated.
The judge said coldly:
Judge: "Before I disqualify you, go to the back of the line."
Tom, embarrassed in front of everyone,could feel the students laughing at him.
With a serious face,he walked to the back.
End of Part 43