area51novel Chapter 29: The Complete Epic
Chapter 29: The Complete Epic
Qilan was staring blankly at her drawing paper, which contained only some messy lines and symbols. Zero—the Russian girl who always had a blank expression—had precise geometric shapes and mathematical formulas on her drawing paper. Most of the other freshmen were the same; some drew blurry dragon shapes, some drew symbolic symbols, and some simply left their drawings blank.
Only he drew the complete epic.
Lu Mingfei suddenly realized that he might really be... very special.
"Time's up." Professor Manstein pressed the stop button, and the tape recorder slowly came to a stop. "Now, rewind."
Nono stood up, took a metal folder, and began collecting the rolls from the first row. She walked slowly and carefully, glancing at each roll she collected before tucking it into the folder.
She stopped when she reached Lu Mingfei.
Her gaze fell on the eight paintings spread out on Lu Mingfei's table. Her eyes, which always held a sly smile, were wide open now, filled with shock.
She looked at each one carefully, one by one, for a long time.
Then, she raised her head and looked at Lu Mingfei.
Eyes facing each other.
Lu Mingfei saw a lot of emotions in Nuonuo's eyes: shock, confusion, inquiry, and a hint of... awe?
"Did you draw all of these?" Nono asked softly, her voice a little hoarse.
Lu Mingfei nodded.
Nono took a deep breath and carefully put the eight paintings into the folder, her movements as gentle as if they were fragile treasures. She didn't leave immediately, but stood in front of Lu Mingfei's desk, looking down at him for a long time.
As time went on, Lu Mingfei began to feel uneasy.
"Ricardo," Nono suddenly spoke, her voice soft but clear, "You really are..."
She didn't finish speaking, but Lu Mingfei knew what she wanted to say.
You are truly S-class.
You are truly special.
You really are... a monster.
Nono ultimately said nothing, only gave him a deep look, then turned and walked toward the next examinee.
Lu Mingfei sat in his seat, watching Nuonuo's back, a complex emotion welling up inside him.
He passed the exam.
He proved that he was not of the White King's bloodline, but a true, pure Black King's bloodline.
He painted an epic.
But he wasn't happy at all.
Because he knew that from this day forward, his life would be completely changed. He would no longer be the loser who could hide in a corner; he would stand under the spotlight, watched by everyone, anticipated by everyone, and feared by everyone…
The sunlight outside the window is lovely, and the sky is a beautiful blue.
But Lu Mingfei only felt cold.
---
Beyond the Golden Screen: The Real World - Kassel College Square
The image on the light screen was frozen on Lu Mingfei's eight unfolded paintings.
The square was deathly silent.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the paintings—Nidhogg devouring the World Tree, Ragnarok, the Death of Fafnir, St. George slaying the dragon… Each one was as exquisite as a museum piece, each one as magnificent as an epic illustration.
Then, a deafening uproar erupted.
"Holy crap! He drew that?!"
"Eight! All eight!"
Everyone else only drew fragmented symbols! Only he drew a complete scene!
"What the hell level of spiritual vision is this?!"
"S-rank... no, this isn't just S-rank anymore! This is monster-rank!"
"No wonder the 'Emperor's Word of Power had no effect on him! His bloodline purity has exceeded the testing range!"
"Professor Lu Lincheng is telling the truth... his bloodline is directly inherited from Nidhogg..."
The professors were also engaged in a heated discussion. Professor Guderian was so excited that he was gesturing wildly, Professor Manstein looked serious, and Professor Schneider stared at the paintings, seemingly lost in thought.
Principal Angers stood quietly, his silver eyes reflecting the epic scenes on the light screen.
"Nidhogg is gnawing on the World Tree..." he muttered to himself, "Ragnarok... Lu Mingfei, what you're seeing isn't the memory of the dragons, but... a prophecy?"
At the edge of the square, Chu Zihang gripped Cunyu tightly.
He looked at the paintings on the screen, at Nidhogg's burning golden eyes, and suddenly remembered his father's dying words:
"Zihang... hurry... go find... Lu Lincheng's son..."
"He is the key...and the lock..."
"He can usher in a new era... or he can bring... Ragnarok..."
It turned out to be the case.
Chu Zihang raised his head and looked at the eastern sky.
There, dawn had arrived, and the first rays of sunlight pierced the darkness, turning the sky golden red.
Just like the flames spewed out by Nidhogg on the light screen.
Destruction is also rebirth.
---
Behind the Golden Screen: The Real World - Beijing Capital International Airport
When Nono dragged her suitcase out of the terminal, it was already broad daylight.
In July in Beijing, the morning sun was already quite scorching, and the air was filled with a complex mix of car exhaust and the smells of breakfast stalls. She stood by the roadside, looking at this unfamiliar and vast city, and took a deep breath.
Her phone vibrated. She took it out and saw the latest post on the forum:
The 3E exam results are in! Lu Mingfei has drawn the complete epic! S-rank confirmed!
Photos from the scene have surfaced! Eight paintings have stunned the audience!
Professor Lu Lincheng announces: Lu Mingfei is a direct descendant of the Black King!
Emergency Meeting of the Board of Trustees: How to Deal with This "Monster-Level" Freshman?
Nuonuo scrolled down the list one by one, looking at Lu Mingfei's paintings in the photos, at his bewildered and lonely face, and at the comments in the forum that were either admiring or fearful.
Her heart was pounding.
Lu Mingfei passed the exam. He proved himself to be S-rank, a true descendant of the Black King. He drew the epic.
But Nono knew that this might not be a good thing for Lu Mingfei.
From this day forward, he will no longer be just an ordinary loser. He will become the focus of Kassel College, the target of the Secret Service, and the target of those forces lurking in the shadows.
"Wait for me, Ricardo," Nono said softly, putting away her phone and hailing a taxi. "I'll be there soon."
She got into the car and said to the driver, "Go to Binhai City, near Shilan Middle School."
The car entered the morning traffic, heading towards that small town, towards that boy.
Behind her, the sky over Beijing was cloudless and the sun was shining brightly.
Like the calm before the storm.