The day had finally dawned, the long-anticipated moment when Kaiho would step into the prestigious Orchid God's Academy. A sense of excitement and anticipation lingered in the air as they prepared for the journey.
"So, how are we gonna get there, Koshiro?"
With a nonchalant grin, Koshiro replied, "Oh! About that, I can just teleport us there."
"But wouldn't it be weird for us to go together?"
Kaiho questioned the potential repercussions, "Since you're the Omni king, won't they think you're playing favorites and I'm cheating?"
A thoughtful pause, then Koshiro suggested, "How about this? I'll send you there first, and a few minutes later, I'll arrive at the scene."
"That sounds reasonable."
"Okay! So, let's go."
[Last night]
As the night enveloped the surroundings, Kaiho reflected on the past six months of intense training, gearing up for the entrance exam that could change his destiny. The regimen of 100 push-ups, 100 sits-ups, 100 squats, and a 10 km run seemed ridiculous initially, but it became a testament to his dedication.
"It's been a while since I came here, and tomorrow is the entrance exam. I have to win this, the only chance to get stronger, protect those I love, and repay the debts I owe them," Kaiho contemplated.
The daunting challenge of adding 10 kg weight each week pushed him to his limits. From 50 kg to 59, he may not have bulked up significantly, but he felt a newfound strength. Night after night, he immersed himself in relentless study, knowing the entrance exam awaited.
"I'll teleport you in 3...2....1."
Kaiho found himself instantly transported, his foot touching the ground, triggering an intense, demonic energy that swept through the area. Some succumbed to unconsciousness, others struggled to withstand the aura, and a few sought to eliminate the source.
"Wait, you mean me!?"
Hundreds of blades surged towards Kaiho, stopping abruptly at his neck. He grinned, an eerie smile playing on his lips.
"Everyone, stop."
Just as panic set in, Koshiro appeared, teleporting onto the scene. However, one blade managed to break through.
"Aren't you strong?" Koshiro remarked, glancing back.
"Well, well, you would have been dead, kiddo, if I was a single second late," Kaiho replied, releasing the ominous energy that had enveloped the area.
the brewing conflict. Koshiro's sudden appearance disrupted the impending danger, yet a lone blade managed to break through, aiming for him.
The would-be assailants, initially poised to strike down Kaiho, shifted their focus towards Koshiro. As they moved menacingly, Koshiro effortlessly soared into the air, announcing his presence with an air of authority. The confrontation between powerful forces was set to unfold, the academy grounds becoming the battleground for a clash that would determine the fate of these extraordinary individuals.
In the midst of the escalating tension, Kalki whispered, "To think there was a formidable opponent like this here. What's his relationship with the Omni King for him to talk so casually with him?"
Far away, Kaiho voiced his concern to Koshiro, "You never said there would be people after my life. What kind of test is this?"
"Chill, cool down, Kaiho," Koshiro reassured.
As Kaiho regained composure, Koshiro sternly remarked, "Now that you have calmed down, you should know you may die. The only way for you to win is to beat all odds. I cannot help you until any contest's life is in danger, so you are on your own."
"Yeah, I came here knowing that. I am gonna win this."
"That's my son," Koshiro said, patting Kaiho's head.
The crowd buzzed with speculation. "Did I hear that right? He's the son of the Omni King?"
"What? Wasn't he supposed to be dead?"
"How is he back?"
"Now, I gotta get back, okay?"
"Yeah."
As Kaiho prepared for the daunting challenge ahead, Koshiro took a moment to lay down the rules that must be adhered to at all costs.
"Rule number one: you are not allowed to kill a participant."
"Rule number two: no outside help."
"And rule number three: follow the rules."
Koshiro continued, explaining the pivotal task awaiting Kaiho. "To pass, you must climb the mountain full of magical beasts and traps. The instructors will intervene if your life is in danger. But remember, only 12 people will be selected out of 1200."
"What?" Kaiho exclaimed, realizing the fierce competition.
Koshiro clarified, "The higher you go up, the mana density decreases, making it harder for you to use magic, Qi, or chakra." The challenges ahead seemed even more formidable, setting the stage for an intense and unpredictable journey up the mystical mountain.
"Let the exam commence," Koshiro declared, and in an instant, the participants surged towards the mountain.
Kalki marveled, "Where is he? Is he that fast that even I couldn't see him go off?"
Meanwhile, Kaiho grumbled, "What the heck? How are they so fast? Half of them already reached the mountain, and I'm the last one."
Observing the situation, Merlin expressed concern, "Lord, do you think Kaiho will be able to pass?"
"I am sure he would," Koshiro affirmed.
"But, my lord, he's so slow."
Koshiro acknowledged, "I know, but you've heard the story where slow and steady wins the race."
"Yes, my lord, but in that story, it was a race against a turtle or a rabbit. He is against Demi-gods. He's just a few meters from the starting line while others have started climbing."
Inwardly, Koshiro contemplated, "Yeah, he's right, but I still believe in you, Kaiho." The odds may seem overwhelming, but Koshiro held onto faith in Kaiho's abilities to overcome the challenges ahead.
A few hours later, Kaiho gasped, "God, I finally reached—"
Huff Huff Huff
—
Wait, this is just the foot of the mountain, and I still have to climb all the way up. Kaiho's exhaustion echoed in his heavy breaths.
Suddenly, a curious sound caught his attention. "What is that sound?"
"Oh, it's my stomach. It's time for a lunch break. Let's find some food."
While wandering around, Kaiho discovered some fruits and decided they were better than nothing. As he savored his makeshift meal, a rustling noise emanated from the bushes.
"My stomach? Wait, the sound is coming from the bushes."
Kaiho stumbled upon a sight that tugged at his compassion—a tiger cub trapped in a bear trap.
"Ffffff, I know I'm gonna regret it if it bites me later, but I have to help it."
As Kaiho moved to assist, he acknowledged a stark realization, "At this point, I know I'm not gonna win."
The tiger cub, startled, attempted to bite Kaiho, but Koshiro's reassurance calmed the anxious creature.
"Now, let's get you out of there," Kaiho determinedly declared, his hands starting to bleed in the process.
"F, that hurts."
The tiger cub, seemingly understanding Kaiho's intention, licked the wounds, creating an unexpected moment of connection.
"Buddy, you're not trying to get me, are you?" Kaiho mused, grappling with the unforeseen challenges of the magical mountain and the unlikely companionship with a tiger cub.
Suddenly, Kaiho collapses to the ground, his consciousness slipping away. "What? What happened? Poison? I can't move my body. My consciousness is fading."
Amidst his struggle, Kaiho hears a distant roar. "Not now, of all times."
As his vision blurs, a larger tiger approaches Kaiho. Desperation fills him as he whispers, "I guess this is it for me. Someone help." His voice barely audible.
The tiger cub, once trapped, now stands before Kaiho, determined to save him. Despite Kaiho's fading consciousness, the young tiger bravely attempts to assist.
In the shadow of uncertainty, Kaiho loses consciousness and faints
"I'm alive, and I can move again? Where am I?"
"Oh, hey, buddy!" The tiger cub bites him from happiness.
"Good to see you too."
Kaiho hears a roar and sees a larger tiger approaching. In a scared voice, he stammers, "You might be his mother. Please don't eat me. I don't even taste good."
The tiger jumps on Kaiho, bites his shirt, and drags him. "Hey, buddy, tell your mom not to eat me! Help!"
As they reach a mysterious place with an upward-flowing fountain, Kaiho marvels, "What is this place? A fountain flowing upwards? Well, after getting killed by demons and all that, what happened doesn't surprise me."
The tiger grabs a rock with its mouth and throws it into the waterfall. It flows upward.
"What? It's going upward and with crazy speed!"
Roar, roar.
"What are you trying to say?"
Hummm...
Ting, ting, ting...
"I get it now. You want me to use this to go up. You guys are pretty smart for tigers. Huh, I guess I am gonna win this." Kaiho grabs some food and jumps into the waterfall.
As he descends, the tiger cub frantically bubbles, "Wait! They bubble, bubble, bubble... tell me, bubble, bubble, bubble... how to, bubble, bubble, bubble... stop, bubble, bubble, bubble..."
Writers note :
So I know it took a while but my exams were going on and they are still not i got one exam left but I am still writing so I hope you like this episode can you pls share this novel with your friends and comment if you liked it or any changes in the writing