Chapter 1659 Crimson Eyes <TOC> Chapter 1661 Rewards
Translator: SumTLMan
The final violent scene of Onassis sent chills down everyone’s spine who witnessed it.
Especially those who had previously dueled with Onassis felt it most deeply. Judging by the strength Onassis displayed just now, defeating them would be a matter of mere moments. Looking back at their seemingly evenly matched duels with Onassis, it seems now that perhaps Onassis was merely sparing them out of pity?
Even Jiebo, recognized as the strongest apprentice and ranked first on the Potential Seed list, didn’t think he could effortlessly defeat the Sea Troll as Onassis did after watching the match.
It’s as if Onassis had entered another realm altogether.
Therefore, everyone present could understand Trom’s concession. Being in the same era with such a contestant might be a blessing, but sharing the same competition field with him is truly a sorrowful matter.
After Trom conceded, the audience was immersed in silence, seemingly reminiscing about the match and perhaps feeling a bit sorry for themselves.
It wasn’t until the commentator’s voice echoed that everyone was awakened, “The match is over, and the winner of the Novastar Competition is the Philosopher from Uto Academy! Congratulations to him!”
“Although it’s a pity that the Phantom Moose didn’t make it to the final step, his performance was undoubtedly splendid. At the same time, congratulations to him for securing the second place in the Novastar Competition.”
As the voice faded, the stands erupted in cheers. Even though the end of the competition was somewhat unexpected, it must be said that the match had left a profound impact on them.
Amidst the cheering audience, a refined-looking man stood at the far end of the Boundless Arena, looking at this jubilant ocean with a complicated gleam in his eyes.
“Former Philosopher, how do you feel seeing an old acquaintance win the championship?” A cool female voice reached his ears.
The man, adorned with glasses, dressed in an elegant manner, resembling a collegiate professor, was none other than the ‘Philosopher Scholar’ Suyatutai.
Upon seeing the face of the newcomer, he bowed gracefully, “Sanye, the Golden Umbrella Witch.”
The visitor was indeed ‘Golden Umbrella’ Sanye. She looked Suyatutai up and down with a curious gaze, “You haven’t answered my question.”
Suyatutai paused for a moment, “I have no feelings on the matter. He is not me, and I am not him.”
“Oh? But I recall the last time you competed against him; he seemed to hold you in high regard,” a mysterious glint flashed in the Golden Umbrella Witch’ eyes.
“Onassis never respected anyone. He only respected philosophy,” Suyatutai murmured.
Sanye mused, “Philosophy, you say? I remember you too had a fondness for it.”
“That was once, out of trust for Mentor Labore. My interest in philosophy was different from his… from Onassis’s.”
“While your initial intent may have differed, don’t you still carry a philosophy book every day? Perhaps, give it another try.”
Suyatutai remained silent, but a look of sorrow passed over his eyes. He once loved philosophy, but when he didn’t derive power from it, he turned to other pursuits. However, Onassis, through his actions and competitions, showed him that philosophy did have power — a power grand enough to stand tall among peers. This made him feel as though he had been part of a farcical play, showcasing the absurdities of life.
Golden Umbrella Witch waved her hand and turned to leave, “I believe you know what’s in your heart. Moreover, now that you’ve returned to ‘Song of the Deep Sea,’ it might be best not to refer to Labore as ‘Mentor.’ Or perhaps, are you thinking of returning to Uto Academy?”
Golden Umbrella Witch Sanye, though seemingly puzzled, did not await a response from Suyatutai. Her silhouette vanished from the arena, leaving Suyatutai alone, his head bowed in contemplation, his thoughts unknown.
The emotions of Suyatutai were, perhaps, beyond anyone’s comprehension. Trom, who had just stepped down from the Boundless Arena competition stage, was likely feeling emotions that no one could truly fathom.
Initially, Trom believed he stood a great chance of clinching the championship. However, the final events took an unforeseen turn.
Yet, Trom acknowledged the formidable power of Onassis.
Having personally experienced the constraints of battling the Sea Troll, Trom gained a lucid understanding of Onassis’s tremendous strength.
Had he not conceded willingly towards the end, Trom reckoned that in a mere matter of seconds, he would have suffered a fate similar to the dismembered Sea Troll.
What baffled Trom, however, was why Onassis, with all his formidable strength, hadn’t showcased it directly from the start. Why had he prolonged the contest?
Trom couldn’t help but steal glances towards Onassis, who was on the other side.
They were currently in the infirmary. Once rested and fully recuperated, they would proceed to the final segment of the Novastar Competition: the coronation ceremony.
Medical personnel were tending to Trom, addressing his numerous injuries. There were people around Onassis as well, but from the conversations echoing from that side, it appeared he was unscathed.
What seemed off, though, was Onassis’s emotional state.
His eyes remained eerily red, and every so often, he’d let out a chilling, sinister smirk.
This baffling demeanor left the medical staff attending to Onassis in a state of bewilderment. However, their responsibility was to address physical injuries. As for Onassis’s psychological state, it was beyond their purview.
However, this made Trom feel rather odd.
There’s always been this nagging feeling that when Onassis was battling the Sea Troll, he seemed as if he had become an entirely different person. What in the world happened to him?
“What in the world happened to him?” Whispered Farina from a corner of the adjudication room, posing the same question. She turned her gaze to Hydra nearby, “Does the Observer know?”
After a lengthy silence, Hydra responded measuredly, “Why do you feel something occurred to him? He remains the same person as he always was.”
“Indeed, he is still him,” Farina recollected, “but the impression he gave me has notably shifted. When I first encountered Onassis, he seemed like someone straight out of the academic… well, a bookworm. However, just now, he gave off the aura of a madman.”
Hydra replied, “In my eyes, he remains unchanged. Although his demeanor might feel slightly different, his essence remains the same.”
After a brief pause, Hydra’s skull slowly turned to the other side, suggesting, “Instead of asking me, perhaps you should inquire with the Super Dimensional Wizard. He might have a deeper understanding of Onassis than I do.”
Following Hydra’s hint, Farina looked towards Angel, seated nearby, and questioned, “Wizard Pat, what’s your take on this?”
Pensively, Angel replied, “If even the revered Observer is in the dark, how could I possibly know? However, I can offer you a line of thought.”
Farina curiously asked, “A line of thought?”
Angel elaborated, “The last moment Onassis made his appearance, he was repeatedly murmuring a particular phrase.”
Farina nodded in agreement, recalling the words once spoken by Onassis.
“In every inconsequential darkness, lies hidden within the shadows of light. Even the most admirable character is highlighted by its contrasting flaws. Only by indulging in the depths of darkness and depravity can one truly savor the beauty of the light.”
“This quote comes from an autobiographical novel titled —The Long Journey of Day and Night—. The author is also the protagonist of the story, chronicling his entire life through his writings.”
“Typically, autobiographical novels don’t garner much attention. However, this particular one is exceptional. It once sparked a sensation and was even adapted into plays in multiple countries due to the distinctive nature of its main protagonist.”
“He possessed a dual personality.”