The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

Page 1933

　Robert's eyes were filled with excitement and fervor.

　Although this was merely a trial world that did not exist in reality, he was still extremely excited to have accomplished such a feat.

　He raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and high-fived Roggle Void, who was positioned to his right.

　This battle to slay the dragon was not a victory for one person alone, but a victory for both of them.

　After this battle, a sense of mutual respect and appreciation arose between the two.

　"Snapped!"

　After clapping his hands in mid-air, Robert lowered his hands, grabbed the "Dragon Slayer Sword" in his left hand again, and charged toward the black dragon with an astonishing roar.

　The blazing white sword light illuminated the town, and the dragon's neck, covered with fine dragon scales, looked like a rotten piece of wood before the "Dragon-Slaying Holy Sword".

　With a loud "boom," the ferocious and terrifying head of the black dragon crashed to the ground, kicking up countless specks of dust.

　A genuine smile appeared on Robert's face. Although he felt a little reluctant, he knew he was about to leave.

　This "Knight Academy" trial mission may seem difficult, but it's actually not that hard.

　Everything went very smoothly, and having successfully completed his mission, he was immediately rewarded with the "hero" destiny.

　From then on, he might also have the opportunity, just like today, to join forces with Victor, who is also a "hero," to save the world.

　However, the task completion notification did not appear.

　All I could hear was the cheers of the entire town.

　Although Robert was immersed in joy, a very strange feeling quickly arose in his heart.

　He turned his head slightly and saw that Durog was walking towards him with a big smile, holding the huge holy sword "Immortal Glory".

　He smiled and raised his hand, ready to wave.

　As Roger walked past the head of the black dragon, he also raised his hand. Robert quickly prepared his praise in his mind; he was quite adept at "boasting and exaggeration," and he was sure he could make Roger feel very comfortable.

　But in his field of vision, the dragon's eyes, which had been closed, had quietly opened at some point.

　The pitch-black gaze, now materialized, shone like a searchlight on Roger.

　"Hero" Rogge immediately straightened his steps, and his expression instantly froze.

　Robert's ominous premonition surged to its peak. He suddenly realized the problem, his eyes widening instantly as he roared, "Watch out, it's not dead!"

　Even though it had been beheaded by the holy sword, the black dragon was not dead. With the release of its final power, the black dragon's soul entered Rogge's body.

　Rogge's own strength was already inferior to that of the Black Dragon, and the gap in mental and magical power was like an insurmountable chasm.

　He was completely unable to resist the black dragon's soul possession, and his body was taken over in the blink of an eye.

　Immediately afterwards, Rogge's eyes turned completely black, the power of darkness clashing fiercely with the power of light, constantly driving the power of light out of his body.

　Robert finally understood why this trial mission was still incomplete.

　The battle resumes.

　Robert's physical strength was already inferior to Rogge's, and if he waited until Rogge's body was completely taken over, he would be doomed to defeat.

　So he gritted his teeth and charged at Roger. Then, in just one exchange, he was sent flying by Roger! There was a difference in skill between them, but it hadn't been that great to begin with.

　However, after being possessed by the dragon soul, Rogge actually gained a portion of the dragon's power, and his physical strength almost doubled.

　As Robert was sent flying, the nearby adventurers quickly noticed the strange occurrence.

　Many adventurers immediately rushed over to kill the "hero" who had been possessed by the Black Dragon's Soul.

　But they were all blocked by Rogge's remaining companions.

　However, the adventurers were in high spirits, and just like that...

　The two of them couldn't stop them at all.

　When faced with the rampaging black dragon, they only knew how to flee. But upon seeing Rogue, possessed by the black dragon, they forgot their previous fear, as if the possessed black dragon was no longer a black dragon, and Rogue was no longer a hero.

　Rogue's remaining companions were pushed aside, and the adventurers surrounded him. Then...

　"Roar!"

　A terrifying dragon's roar emanated from the small human body. The black dragon, which had successfully possessed Rogue's body, released a dense aura of darkness, blasting the crowd away.

　As the black iron greatsword spun and swept horizontally, all the adventurers were sent flying.

　But the adventurer quickly got up after being knocked away, throwing various flying items and unleashing a variety of ranged skills at the black dragon.

　The black dragon was instantly overwhelmed by countless attacks.

　However, half a minute later, it emerged from the group unharmed. It scorned the swarm of small fry and stared intently at Robert in front of it.

　Robert severed its dragon wings, its claws, and its head, filled with hatred for it.

　With its arms outstretched, dark power coalesced behind it into jet-black dragon wings.

　It flapped its wings and flew over in an instant, its blackened "holy sword" slashing towards Robert's body.

　Robert was no match for him at all, and was repeatedly killed and forced to retreat, his injuries increasing.

　The black dragon's maniacal laughter grew louder and louder, and the force with which it swung its sword increased, but it never aimed for a fatal blow.

　It not only wants to kill Robert, but also torture him to death!

　This is the revenge of the Black Dragon!

　But this trial couldn't possibly end so easily. Robert was already covered in wounds and could no longer withstand the black dragon's continued attacks.

　A struggle suddenly appeared in the black dragon's eyes, which were filled with dark power.

　From its mouth came the voice that belonged to Rogge himself.

　"Kill me, Robert!"

　Black Dragon stopped abruptly, his sword-wielding hand trembling violently, but he couldn't bring himself to swing it.

　Robert suddenly looked up at the black dragon and saw the shadow of Roger in its eyes.

　His inner thoughts suddenly became extremely complicated. Things had developed to this point.

　Using the "Dragon Slayer Sword" to kill Rogue, who is possessed by the black dragon, seems to be the only solution to this quest.

　As a "hero," this was a decision he had to make. To protect the townspeople, he had to kill Rogue. This was his only chance!

　Robert's mind was filled with images of fighting alongside Roger, and he slowly raised the "Dragon Slayer Sword" in his hand.

　"what!"

　His mind seemed to have been thinking for an extremely long time, but in reality, time would not wait for him.

　He was well aware of this, and driven by his reason, the "Dragon-Slaying Holy Sword" swiftly pierced towards Rogge, who stood motionless.

　"Pfft!"

　The tip of the "Dragon-Slaying Holy Sword" pierced Rogge's chest.

　However, it was not implemented.

　Robert stopped moving.

　He can't.

　In that moment.

　He finally grasped a bit of the truth.

　If faced with this situation in reality, he simply wouldn't be able to do it.

　If Werther is possessed by the Demon King, and the only way to kill the Demon King is to kill Werther, then he probably wouldn't be able to do it at all.

　To become a hero, one must bear heavy responsibilities.

　The resolute act of drawing the holy sword at such a moment is something a hero must bear.

　Robert realized this once again after failing the hidden trial last time.

　He can't be a hero!

　After a brief hesitation.

　Rogge's light faded in those dark eyes.

　Having regained control of the body, the black dragon swung its giant sword down at Robert without hesitation.

　"Pfft."

　Death itself is not frightening. What is frightening is the weakness of the human heart.

　After recounting his experience in the hidden trial, Robert covered his face and lowered his head.

　What is a hero? What is a hero?

　The hidden trial seemed to be a message to the trial participants: some are destined not to become heroes. "Don't give up, Robert."

　Dak patted Robert on the back, unsure of what to say for a moment.

　Robert's two trials were both very difficult, perhaps largely due to his own mental state.

　After failing the previous hidden trial, Robert shamelessly came to ask him for the secret to passing it.

　This time, I guess they won't ask again.

　Robert may be brave, but he is not suited to be a "hero," at least not the kind of "hero" described in the hidden trials.

　As for what he should do after that?

　That's up to him to decide.

　After all, Dak wasn't his nanny, so he couldn't make arrangements for him.

　However, both of Robert's trials were classic and thought-provoking.

　After listening to his story, the students all fell silent.

　Honestly, what choices would they make in the same situation? "What's wrong with you all?"

　Teddy Dorron, who had just emerged from the hidden trial, pushed open the door and his face, which had been full of joy, froze instantly.

　"Nothing much, probably just contemplating life," Dark casually asked. "And you, Doron?" "I...I definitely cleared the game!"

　Doron became smug for a moment, his gaze occasionally sweeping towards Heidi Euphemia.

　But Heidi didn't even look at him.

　Vanessa Bolt, however, asked with great curiosity, "Doron, what trial did you trigger? Did you encounter any difficult choices?"

　Doron's lips curled into a smile, and he immediately said, "You won't believe it, but I triggered the Knights Academy's hidden trial. As for the trial mission, it's roughly about punishing evil as a dragon knight. The mission is quite simple. If anyone wants to hear about it, I can explain it in detail."

　But when the students saw his appearance, most of their curiosity vanished. "Next one."

　Dak then took out the list and called out the name of the next student.

　Doron's successful completion of the level at least lifted the somber atmosphere again. The third contestant took a slight breath, then took "Scody's Quill" and activated it.

　Soon after, guided by "Scody's Quill", she found the location of her hidden trial.

　Tonight's tasks began to proceed in an orderly manner.

　As time passed, the sounds in the banquet hall on the first floor gradually subsided.

　After eating, drinking, and making their fill, the students either moved on to the common room to continue their celebration or went straight back to their dormitories to sleep.

　The entire castle visibly quieted down. By 10:30, the banquet hall was completely empty. After a few minutes, canteen staff came in to clean up. Meanwhile, on the upper levels of the castle, students who had completed their trials were also leaving one after another.

　Following Doron, second-year students Vivian and Cecilia also passed the hidden trial, but Jon and Joey failed.

　Dark had assumed Jon would most likely succeed, but an unexpected incident occurred.

　Joey's failure, however, was entirely expected and not surprising at all.

　The entire trial was progressing faster than expected.

　Dark deeply suspects that this "hidden trial" system is too perfect, and that the current trial tasks are already different from the ones he has passed before.

　There are quite a few subtle differences.

　But it seems that this "hidden trial" system has never hosted so many trial participants in such a short period of time in all these years.

　Different situations require different responses.

　The trial participants completed the trials much faster. However, the time they spent in the trial world did not decrease.