Chapter 58
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Last Interview (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Just before facing Raiken.
Roin had anticipated it to some extent.
Whether in a good way or a bad way.
Raiken could see through any falsehoods and perceive only the truth.
That was why he had once wondered.
I wonder if Raiken can tell that Im Rodri.
Roins prediction hit the mark.
The moment Raiken saw Roin, he mentioned the name from his previous life.
Rodri.
It had been quite a while since hed heard anyone call him Rodri, aside from those who knew his true identity.
Roin did not deny Raikens words.
As expected. You knew.
-I am one who sees the truth. No matter how the appearance changes, I can clearly distinguish the shape of the soul.
Roin smirked at those words.
How long are you going to keep up the solemn act? Your voice is all low and gravelly, and it doesnt even suit you. Just act like your true self already, you damn old fossil.
Roin was already facing Raiken for the third time.
Perhaps that was why.
Roin knew even Raikens true personality.
-.
The dragon statue fell silent.
Then, its low, grave voice suddenly shifted to a high pitch.
-Eh, you rascal. I have some pride, you know. Cant I act a little dignified?
You can do that in front of the other trainees. I already know exactly what kind of person no, what kind of personality this statue has. Do you really need to put on an act?
-Kekekeke, no need, I suppose.
A remarkably light laugh escaped.
Others wouldnt believe it.
But this was Raikens true nature.
No, more accurately, it was the original form of the soul dwelling in this statue called Raikenthe Great Sage Mirhon.
Mirhon was from the generation before Rodri.
So Rodri had never actually met the predecessor Great Sage Mirhon in person.
He had only met him like this, as a statue.
-By the way. What the hell is with that appearance?
I prayed to Goddess Ashutar, and she turned me into this.
-What wish did you make for that?
You already know, even if I dont say it myself.
Raiken let out a hollow chuckle at Roins words.
-No respect for elders whatsoever. Same as always, past or present.
A rock calling itself an elder.
Bickering.
This, too, had been quite a while.
-You wished to be handsome and got reborn, huh.
You know it.
-Yeah. Has becoming handsome changed anything for you?
It has. A lot.
First off, he gained confidence in every action.
Even when walking, shoulders back.
When facing others, showing his face boldly.
No need for the black helmet anymore. Its convenient.
-Kekekeke. I can still picture how annoyed you got every time you wore that black helmet to hide your ugly mug.
Annoyed was an understatement.
Hot in summer, poor visibility.
And above all, uncomfortable.
But it was still far better than showing his ugly face to others.
His body might have been uncomfortable, but at least his mind was at ease, so he kept wearing the helmet.
But now was different.
-Looks like youve gotten popular. Exactly the type women go for.
Yeah, pretty much.
Roin didnt deny it.
This speech alone exuded his confidence in his looks.
But being handsome had its downsides, too.
It takes a ton of effort to maintain this face.
Hed once agonized for over a week over a single pimple.
Being too handsome was a problem.
Appearance.
It was a hugely important issue for Roin.
Raiken knew that well.
-Then I guess Ill have to grill you with that fancy appearance of yours.
Do whatever.
The catch-up talk ended there.
Now it was time for the real process to check if Roin had the dignity and character befitting a knight.
-No matter how close you and I are, I have to do what needs doing. Right?
Yeah, sure.
Roin had no real complaints about that.
Hed expected it.
If anything, he was waiting for the test to start quickly.
Begin.
-Alright, first question.
Raiken posed the first question.
-Are you satisfied with your current life?
Immensely, insanely, no need to say it, tremendously, extremely to my liking.
What was there to say.
Being handsome was always fresh and thrilling.
A handsome life was far better than an ugly one.
Raiken smirked after hearing Roins answer.
-Your sincerity is overflowing to the point of sickness.
Youre slipping, old man. Ask something sharper. You did better last time.
-The problem is youre too consistent inside and out. If it were your past life, I couldve kept nitpicking your ugly looks and broken your mentality easily.
But now, Roin had perfectly fixed what was once seen as his only flaw: his appearance.
So Roin was confident.
-Then second one. The peace of this world or your lookspick just one. What would you choose?
A normal person would wish for the worlds safety and peace.
That was the basic quality of a knight.
But,
Hed asked the wrong person.
My looks. Whether the world ends or not, none of my business.
Raiken burst into laughter at those words.
-Kekeke! Youre always so entertaining!
Is this an interview for fun?
-As if. Im still evaluating properly, so dont worry.
Raiken looked at Roin with interest.
His questions were nearing the end.
-Then last one how about this.
Go ahead.
Roin brimmed with confidence.
No matter how much Raiken tried to attack his mentality, Roin wasnt shaken.
With his looks perfected, Roin had no weaknesses left.
So he parried Raikens sharp questions with ease.
-Question: If your past ugliness was due to someones scheme. What would you do?
.
Roins eyebrow twitched.
He was already pursuing a mage who could use restraint magic.
Because of Belvs opinion that the restraint might have affected Roins appearance.
If.
Really if.
If, as Raiken said, someone had maliciously turned Rodri ugly.
Id grind them to dust.
-Then let me add one more.
Raikens voice suddenly changed.
-If. Your ugly appearance wasnt human doing. Would your resolve still hold?
What do you mean?
-I dont take questions. Remember, I am one who asks for truth, not one who answers.
.
Not human?
A different race?
Or.
You saying the one who messed with my looks is a god?
Raiken didnt answer.
Roin shrugged.
Soon, his expression returned to normal.
My answers the same.
Hed return what was given, no matter what.
Even if the culprit transcended human realms.
Raikens eyes and voice returned to normal.
-Kekekeke. I get your will loud and clear.
You seem to know a fair bit about my past life.
-Well, who knows.
Raiken looked at the stern-faced Roin and said.
-If you want to uncover this matter, and learn the hidden truth. Bring the related party before me. Ill reveal the truth theyre hiding from you.
Roin nodded heavily.
One person came to mind already.
The mage who cast the restraint on Roin.
Ill drag one bastard here for you.
-Kekeke. Ill be waiting.
With that, Roins turn was over.
Was it an interview?
Roin emerged after endless chit-chat unworthy of the main exam, feeling dazed.
Come to think of it, what if that damn old fossil fails me for my rude mouth?
Then Roin would have to retake the Mid Knight exam.
Starting the Mid Knight challenge from scratch.
Just imagining it is horrifying.
Not even cold.
Yet he shuddered involuntarily.
Shouldve played it safe if I knew.
Belated regret.
If only hed practiced a bit of that elder respect Raiken mentioned.
Sigh, I impulsively ran my mouth again.
Roin slowly parted the black curtain, arms full of anxiety.
Stepping out on his own two feet, he saw the trainees expressions at a glance.
They looked at Roin with as expected faces.
The great Roin wouldnt be shaken by Raikens mental attacks.
Their eyes said as much.
Roin turned to Bermin.
Instructor. Result out yet?
He didnt care about other trainees impressions.
Only the result mattered.
Hold on.
Bermins expression hardened.
Somethings off. Raiken wouldnt deliberate this long.
Raiken was currently deliberating.
Truth be told, Roin couldnt argue even if he got rejected.
World peace and safety vs. his own looks.
Roin chose his own looks without a second thought.
For such a Roin, passing or failing both made sense; no complaints either way.
Shouldve answered normally.
But that wouldve been lying to himself.
Raiken demanded only truth.
Fool himself, fool others.
Fool Raiken, and hed unerringly judge personality issue.
So Roin answered honestly.
However,
Too honest, and now Im worried.
The result would tell.
Soon after.
Results out.
All eyes focused on Bermins words.
The top troublemaker of this batch, Roin.
How did Raiken judge him?
The result was
Roin Leyden, barely passes.
Roin never imagined barely could feel so joyous in his lifetime.
Roin safely cleared what hed seen as the biggest hurdle: the interview with Raiken.
His scores so far were unrivaled first place.
Unless something major went wrong, Roins Mid Knight passing was all but confirmed.
After all training ended.
Barton gathered the trainees.
Youve all worked hard enduring tough training under the instructors this year. Mid Knight exam results come next month, so until then, stay in the dorms or go home and rest. Spend the time however you like. Got it?
Yes!
Then, see you in a month. Dismissed!
The moment assembly ended, Roin hurried to his dorm room.
Finally done with this damn school life!
Joy seeped from every step.