1081 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 1081: The Northern Rabbit - Chronicles of the Peerless Friend** “Baek Yangcheon, you say...” “Isn't he the one the Overlord wanted to take as a disciple?” "He's much younger and frailer than I expected. Did the Overlord truly show interest in that youth?" "I heard he scored full marks on a test related to mystical creatures." "What...? I heard this exam was considered the hardest in history." "That's not all. In the first test, believe it or not, he went toe to toe with the examiners...” The whispers grazed my ears. Having reached such a transcendent state, hiding wasn't enough to suppress the heightened senses that came with it. As the whispers of those interested in me reached their peak, I stepped up onto the platform. Creak. I lightly stepped up, attuned to the creak of the wood, and faced the front. A crowd had gathered, all eyes on me. Amidst those curious gazes, I spotted the man I'd been conversing with just moments ago. Was his name... Doyoon? ‘And he said he's from the Mountain-West Clan.’ Coincidentally, he’s from the same region. Mountain-West Clan... It's not a name I'm familiar with. ‘Must not be from a renowned family.’ No matter how much I racked my brain, he didn't come to mind, so I left it at that. It was amusing to observe his reactions. Even now, he stared at me in disbelief, as if he had been dealt a huge shock. ‘Amusing.’ It had been a while since I encountered someone entertaining to tease. I allowed myself a slight smirk at his expense before refocusing on the situation. At that moment... “Baek Yangcheon.” A voice calling my name caught my attention, and I turned. A familiar face. It was the proctor who had managed the second exam. His gaze upon me was skeptical, probably filled with suspicion. ‘He likely thinks I bribed my way in.’ A perfect score on the test. Rumor had it that the test was the hardest in history. It’s no wonder my perfect score drew suspicion. ‘It's just an assumption, really.’ The issue is, my background as a member of the lesser Baek family. Would someone from such an unremarkable background have bribed the examiners? Given this, they probably find it a dubious matter. “Yes.” As I responded, the man furrowed his brows slightly. “...Congratulations on passing. You are the top scorer.” “Thank you.” Being the top scorer... I've had this experience before in the Divine Dragon Academy, but here... ‘...Even here...’ It didn’t stir much emotion. Then. “The Lord will be here shortly. Please compose yourself.” “...!” At the mention of 'the Lord,' my eyes widened. If they're referring to this place’s lord, they must mean... ‘...Sword Saint.’ He is the grandfather of Wi Seora and one of the current Three Supreme Beings of the martial world. ‘A man closest to being the world’s greatest.’ People say if a new world’s greatest were to be picked, it would undoubtedly be the Sword Saint. A great figure who brought about the Golden Age and peace of the Martial Alliance. ‘Such is the current state.’ The notion that the Sword Saint would appear filled the air with a tense anticipation. “The Lord is approaching!” A loud voice came from afar. Not that I needed to hear it to know. ‘Presence...’ Something immense was steadily approaching from a distance. Its presence was sharp and ferocious. The air felt like it would shred the skin like blades. Intense tension. The sheer pressure flattening the air was the very essence of an absolute ruler’s dignity. I turned my gaze. I could see him. An old man advancing from within the building toward us. Tiny and frail. His hair was predominantly white, with sparse black strands, and his physique was extremely skinny. ‘...He’s different.’ Looking at this old man, I could hardly believe he was the same person I had known. The aura was completely different. When I knew him, he had a gentle and kind demeanor. But now, this was not the Sword Saint I knew. ‘A finely honed legendary sword.’ A human embodiment of a sword. Merely looking at him was enough to take one's breath away. ‘Completely different from before.’ Though I knew nothing of his past as a Lord, I was familiar with his demeanor as an attendant. In his current state, he felt entirely different. Raising my tension, I steadied my aura. To not be discovered. I poured all my strength into that thought. Despite reaching the level of the Three Supreme Beings, the true strength of the current Sword Saint was unknown. I held back my power as much as possible. Yet, I kept it reasonably open. Closing off completely would appear suspicious; I adjusted to a perfected peak level. “...” Soon, the Sword Saint halted before me, and as our eyes met, his sharp golden eyes pierced through me. “Are you Baek Yangcheon?” “Yes. It is an honor to meet you, Lord.” “...” His golden gaze scanned me thoroughly. Meanwhile, I couldn't sense any outward aura. However, for the Sword Saint's level, simply observing was surely sufficient. “...A new star has risen in the martial world.” Those softly spoken words sent a shiver through those gathered around us. They knew the weight of the Sword Saint's words. Furthermore... “Does he fancy this newcomer?” Beside him, an elderly figure spoke, making me slightly frown. ‘...Mook Yeon.’ Once a strategist of the Martial Alliance and considered the brain behind Wi Hyo-goon's master plans. In the world I was from, he had re-assumed his position as a strategist. ‘Of course, he’d be here at this time.’ Nothing surprising. Just another figure to keep an eye on. “I hear you've become the new top. I hope for your support.” “...Thank you.” With the exchanges between the strategist and the lord complete, the Sword Saint continued his speech to the multitude gathered there. “We welcome and celebrate those who have decided to become a part of the Alliance’s strength.” His words were simple. An address one could hear anywhere. Half-listening to the chit-chat, I subtly dispersed my aura around me. The Sword Saint could notice if I wasn’t careful, so I did it lightly and slowly. ‘There are quite a few unusually sharp gazes.’ How many in this crowd are observing me with discomfort? Recalling those observations, the number of people watching was considerable. Is this the filtered number? ‘Hmm.’ I nodded in understanding. ‘This should be... doable.’ It didn’t seem overwhelmingly challenging. With that realization, I nodded, organizing my thoughts. As I was doing so, the Lord’s speech came to an end. * * * After the speech concluded, I, along with the other participants, headed to the square. Everyone who had been in front of the platform was guided toward the central gathering point. The reason was straightforward. “It is time to announce your assigned squads.” They intended to place the successful candidates into their respective squads. Upon joining the main clan, naturally, one must belong to a squad. It was just how things worked. Everyone remained in a tense silence, keenly observing those at the front. Six figures stood before us, representing the respective squads. There were eight squads within the Martial Alliance. Or at this time... ‘There should be nine, including the Divine Dragon Squad.’ Though there were nine squads, only six had shown up. This could be explained easily. ‘The ones that didn’t come are likely the Divine Dragon Squad, Wind Dragon Squad, and the Guardian Squad.’ The Divine Dragon Squad only selects the elite, so they're unlikely to be recruiting newcomers. The Wind Dragon and Guardian Squads are special units, so they wouldn’t be needing new recruits either. ‘Thus, the remaining squads are taking in new members.’ Perfectly reasonable. “We shall begin the roll call.” A voice rang out, and names were announced. “Jin Seokhyun, Wyvern Squad.” As each name was called, individuals stepped forward, moving toward the veteran leaders of their assigned squads. “Bang Hyunyeon, Golden Dragon Squad. Seok Horong, Iron Dragon Squad.” The call progressed swiftly. It seemed they’d already organized the selections within each squad. As names continued to stream out. “Do-yoon, Blue Dragon Squad.” An unfamiliar name stood out. “...Baek... Yangcheon.” My name was called. “Blue Dragon Squad.” “Oh!” At the moment of my announcement, Doyoon, standing behind me, reacted enthusiastically. “We're in the same squad again!” “...” “Wow! To be in the same squad as such a remarkable person…! This is truly an honor.” Since gathering in the square, this man had been chatting endlessly. It was starting to wear me out. Perhaps because he’d learned about my identity, he seemed even more talkative. ‘...Of all places, the same squad?’ Moreover, the Blue Dragon Squad. My ears were already suffering just thinking about it. ‘But it's somewhat fortunate.’ I brushed off Doyoon's chatter and focused on confirming my placement in the Blue Dragon Squad. ‘I got what I wanted.’ I had really been hoping for this outcome. With my desire to join the Blue Dragon Squad fulfilled against the odds, it was a satisfying result. ‘...Where my father is.’ The current leader of the Blue Dragon Squad was said to be Shinryong Gu Cheolwoon. It was the squad my father belonged to when I last met him, so I had hoped to join there if possible. It seemed fortune favored my intentions. “Hahaha. I look forward to getting along well with you.” “...Ah, yes.” With the overly enthusiastic Doyoon in tow, I made my way toward the Blue Dragon Squad. Their prominent blue banner stood out even from a distance, making them easy to locate. As Doyoon and I reached the designated spot for the Blue Dragon Squad... “Welcome.” ‘Hmm?’ I instinctively turned my gaze towards the melodic voice. There stood a woman with an elegant and graceful appearance. She exuded a noble refinement. Additionally... ‘A floral scent.’ I recognized the familiar fragrance that wafted over me. ‘...Ah.’ Seeing her, I realized. Here too, I encountered familiar faces time and again. The woman who gazed steadily into my eyes smiled. “I look forward to working with you. My name is...” Her name, or rather her title. “I am Soo Yi of the Blue Dragon Squad, though embarrassedly called the Sword Blossom. Please take care of me, juniors.” “...” It was the younger version of the Plum Blossom Sword Master, Soo Yi.