I Reincarnated as the Bastard Prince? Well, At least I'm OP!-Chapter 30: A secert cult

The final stage exam was a written test.

None of us could believe it. After everything we’d endured—all those lives lost, all that bloodshed.

It all came down to this. A written test?

I was expecting something worthy of the trials we’d survived. But this? This was just a huge letdown.

It felt like an insult.

Of course, Raven was the first to protest.

"That’s it?" Her voice was sharp with fury. "A written exam? You made us go through all that hell, risking our lives just for a written test?"

Chancellor Elysia didn’t say anything. She allowed Raven to vent her anger and frustration.

"We faced an undead army," Raven went on, trembling with rage. "I witnessed children my age and adults get slaughtered by undead knights. Not to mention, we barely survived Frosthelm Mountains."

"We fought off Snow eagles and Ice Giants. Lives were lost. Good people. And all for what? Some written test?"

Elysia’s expression remained composed. "Are you finished?"

Raven clenched her fists, straining with an effort not to go off in a fit of rage. "That depends on what kind of explanation you’ve got."

"Very well," Elysia cleared her throat. "Before the exam began, I gave a clear warning of the dangers you all would face. That includes dying. Each one of you were given the option to walk away. From the moment you stepped through that portal, your lives became your responsibility."

Her eyes met Raven. "You of all people knew that, Raven, after all, you were the first to rush in."

"That doesn’t make this right," Raven retorted. "It’s an insult to those who died."

"That itself may be true," Elysia stroked her chin. "But look at it this way: only three of you will be accepted into our prestigious academy. There are seven of you. Would you rather prefer another challenge that could kill you all?"

She let her words sink in.

"You’ve all come this far. You’re exhausted, your bodies are bruised, and your spirit are stretched thin. The final stage shouldn’t be life-threatening, don’t you think?"

A still silence fell over the courtyard.

I hate to admit it, but Elysia was talking sense. We were too young, too tired and worn out to take on anymore life-threatening trials.

No matter how unfair it was to the other candidates that lost their lives, anymore of this would send us to our graves.

Our willpower might’ve gotten us this far, but it won’t be enough to help us in the long run.

We need a break.

Raven slowly unclenched her hands, her facial expression relaxing. She glanced around, saw the tired, haunted looks on our faces and realized Elysia was right.

Elysia smirked. "Now you see the truth. With that being said, you’ll all have three day’s to rest, freshen up and prepare for your final exam."

She paused, her gaze sharp. "I must warn you, this exam won’t be a stroll in the garden. Study hard. Learn whatever you can. Because when it’s over, only three of you will be accepted."

Hardy raised his hand, his eyes filled with nervousness. "What happens to those who don’t pass?"

Elysia tilted her head thoughtfully. "They’ll be allowed to sit for it again next year. You’ve all made it this far and proven yourselves worthy of a second chance."

That means out of seven of us, only three were going to be accepted into the academy.

I wouldn’t be seeing some of these faces again. The thought sat heavy in our chests.

"That would be all," Elysia said. "A custodian would escort you to the guardians chambers. It’s been five days. Make sure you have enough rest."

Then she turned and walked away, her cape sweeping behind her. "Good luck, diamonds in the rough."

* * * *

After Elysia left, a custodian led me to the guardians chambers.

"This is your room, Archer," he said, gesturing to the door. "The academy would provide whatever you need. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything."

He took a step back and walked down the hall without waiting for a response.

I reached out and opened the door. Gwyneria jumped on me out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around me.

"Master," she cried out, her eyes filled with excitement. "It’s been five days since I last saw you. I’ve missed you so much."

I felt her squeezing me tightly. "It’s good to see you again, Gwyneria, but could you ease off a bit, you’re suffocating me."

"Oh, master, you still looked so adorable," she said, easing her arms but still not letting me go. "I hated this place. It’s so boring. How was the exam?"

"About that, I’ll gist you later," I said, escaping her grip. "I had been through a lot. Right now I need a rest, food and quiet."

"I thought you might say that," Gwyneria opened her portal. "I prepared you a bath and a delicious feast. Should I indulge you in it?"

My eyes lit up. "Oh, good job, Gwyneria. What would I ever do without you?"

We walked through the portal, emerging into the Red Dragon’s Domain.

It felt good to be back here. It was like a second home to me. Gwyneria led me to the bath which shocked me.

"Wait a minute, is that a hot spring bath?" I called out, my eyes threatening to bulge out of my sockets. "How did you build a hot spring bath in the sky?"

Gwyneria laughed. "Being your familiar, I went through your memories for a bit. The hot spring bath is just one of the many memories you have that interested me. I had it built in advance using magic."

I could only stare at her in awe. "You are unbelievable, Gwyneria. I’m impressed."

Gwyneria smirked at me. "Can I wash your back for you, Master?"

"No!" I replied sharply.

* * * *

Later that evening, Gwyneria and I dined in the dinning hall, surrounded by my orc warriors. The long table was occupied with roasted meats, steaming bread, and flagons of spiced wine. freёnovelkiss.com

This was a feast fit for a warlord.

The orcs laughed and boasted, their deep voices rumbling through the hall as they recounted their training exploits in my absence.

Gwyneria sat beside me, sipping from a goblet. "Master, while you were busy with the selection exams, I took the liberty of exploring the academy," she said casually.

I tore into a leg of roasted fowl, raising an eyebrow. "Exploring? I thought I told you to stay put."

She waved a hand dismissively. "And miss the chance to gather intelligence? Please. I was careful—no one saw me." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But I found something... disturbing."

The chatter of the orcs faded into the background as I focused on her. "Disturbing how?"

Gwyneria’s expression darkened. "There’s a secret cult operating within the academy. I sensed their presence—whispers in the shadows, hidden meetings in the dead of night." She hesitated, then added, "And one evening... I felt a demon."

I nearly choked on my food.

"A demon?" I exclaimed, then I lowered my tone. "That’s impossible. Luminis City’s barrier wards off demons. They shouldn’t be able to enter, let alone hide within the academy."

Gwyneria nodded grimly.

"I thought the same. But the energy I felt was unmistakable." She tapped her fingers against the table. "Which makes me wonder... if a demon has infiltrated the academy, then the barrier must have been compromised. Or worse—someone let it in."

A chill ran down my spine. If demons were involved, then this was a serious matter. "You think the cult is connected to this?"

"Almost certainly," she said. "And if they’re operating under the academy’s nose, then they have powerful allies. Which brings me to my next concern..." She met my eyes. "This selection exam? I think it’s being coordinated by the secert cult."

I froze. "What are you saying?"

Gwyneria’s voice was barely audible now. "Think about it. The life-threatening trails. What if the cult is using this exam as a cover for something else?"

My mind raced.

If Gwyneria was right, then we weren’t just competing for a spot in the academy—we were being filtered out.

Elysia mentioned the academy only wants the strongest mage. They are willing to accept only three initiates.

Is the cult gathering strong mages for a different reason?

I set down my fork, my appetite gone. "I want full investigation on this cult. Mobilize the orcs. Whatever information they can dig out, l want them before my desk."

* * * *

Elysia strode into her office, the heavy oak door shutting behind her. Her eyes burned with excitement, and her lips curling into a triumphant smile.

On the balcony overlooking the academy’s sprawling grounds, Raul stood with his back to her, his hands clasped behind him.

"You’re late," he said, his voice low and measured.

Elysia’s smile widened. "Patience, Raul. Some things are worth waiting for."

He turned then, his souless eyes locking onto hers. "Any news?"

The moment stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension. Then, Elysia exhaled.

"I’ve found the child."

Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience