Chapter 280

Chapter 280: Seabirds and Swimmers

What is the meaning of life? What are we truly living for?

Once humans gain wisdom, they inevitably ponder this question.

Different people will have different answers, and even the same person may have varying answers at different times.

Darsi’s childhood was not happy, but he still had a strong desire to live. Although he couldn’t quite explain why he was so eager to survive, he ultimately did not want to die.

It must be said that rejecting and fearing death is the reason most people continue to live. This has nothing to do with nobility; it is merely a life’s most basic instinct.

Death means everything becomes silent, no longer able to feel the wonderful world, no more changes, absolute unknown bringing absolute fear. This fear lashes out like a whip, driving life towards survival and progress.

As his body gradually became numb and cold, the shadow of death slowly spread over Darsi’s body and consciousness. The remaining awareness was gradually enveloped by fear.

Will I die here?

Will the school teachers save me?

I’m just a student from the slums. Will those masters really care about me?

Is there someone who, because of Velin’s background, is waiting for my death?

I don’t want to die here.

Will anyone really come to save me?

I dare not bet on it.

I think, I want to live.

The coldness of death, like black weeds, wildly spread in his heart. He began to fear, fearing that this was not just a competition but truly the end of his life.

A drowning person cannot remain rational. They will frantically grab onto anything they can.

The remaining consciousness began to violently stir, like a fish frantically swimming in icy water, refusing to let the only place of refuge freeze and solidify.

The students on the high platform watched below, holding their breath, nervous yet expectant.

The calm Jingyue Lake, Darsi sank to the bottom, silently. Velin, exhausted, fell onto a rock protruding from the water. Her demonic features dissipated, scales receding, horns vanishing. She breathed heavily, her overburdened body constantly trembling, occasionally streaked with blood, emitting painful moans from her throat.

Who will win this match?

Such fear and despair filled the air.

The thought arose in the minds of the students; some hoped it would be Verlin, because she was indeed very beautiful and the young lady of a noble family with excellent bloodline. She had thrown herself into the fray without reservation, fighting with everything she had for victory. This desperate spirit was hard not to admire.

Others hoped it would be Darsi, because he was born in the slums and had achieved his current status through his own efforts. If he could succeed, couldn’t they too? Thus, a tiny hope unconsciously blossomed in their hearts.

In the cold winter night, the chill wind blew, carrying a few ice particles that fell onto the lake under the moonlight. The water was calm yet dark, as if time had momentarily blurred and solidified.

Whoosh—

A pale, thick hand stretched out from the lake.

Carrying the icy lake water, that hand pressed against a rock in the middle of the lake. The knuckles were prominent and distorted, scars covered the back of the hand and wrist, red flesh turned outward, and veins bulged.

Slowly, accompanied by the sound of dripping water, a dark and pale figure crawled out of the water.

The once agile and strong body now felt so heavy. Each movement drained every ounce of strength, struggling to emerge from the water, then falling back onto the gravel, chest heaving as he took in the ordinary yet beautiful air once again.

Every cell in his body seemed to cheer for this moment. Although the pain still echoed throughout his body, telling him how much he was suffering, at this moment, he felt a genuine happiness. At least he could feel pain, right? This was the symbol and meaning of being alive.

Darsi supported himself with his hands and slowly stood up again on the gravel, while the spectators on the stone platform watched the final confrontation approach quietly.

He spotted Verlin in the distance, looking at the girl lying on the ground, convulsing and moaning pitifully, and slowly moved toward her.

The battle continued.

Darsi’s steps were unsteady, moving slowly, sometimes needing to hold onto something to avoid falling. A distance that used to take half a second now took nearly the time of a pocket watch, clearly showing how terrifying Verlin’s attacks and toxins were.

But even so, he reached her.

Holding a rock he had picked up, as he got closer, he gradually saw the disheveled noble girl more clearly.

He threw the stone.

Velin endured the pain and suppressed the chaotic magic power within her body. She kicked out one foot, creating a red streak that deflected the stone away. Then, she swung her arm again, five claw marks tearing through the air and striking Darsi’s body, causing blood to spurt.

But that was all she could do. The weakened attack barely broke the surface of his skin, unable to advance further. As Darsi approached closer to Velin, ready to strike with his knee and fist, a faint red light barrier blocked the attack, making it feel like he was hitting a soft surface.

“Darsi wins.”

The judge’s announcement finally came from the sky, as Velin’s body could no longer withstand any more attacks.

A tidal wave of cheers erupted from the sky, congratulations echoing across the earth. Darsi finally fell to the ground, satisfied, gazing up at the colorful fireworks rising into the sky.

How beautiful this world is.

—

The night before the Winter Festival Banquet, the grand competition of the academy concluded.

Darsi won the championship this year, becoming one of the ten champions, known as the “Unique Crown.” Velin came in second, Xing Liu third, and Bu Youdao fourth. After nearly thirty years, Qiaodun Academy had a student win the title of “Unique Crown” again, making Darsi a hero of the academy.

This year’s competition was thrilling, with the final round being particularly entangled and difficult. The top contenders began to include commoners, not just Darsi. Nana, Feili, and Lingxin were mostly from ordinary backgrounds, with no notable family connections.

Although individual effort couldn’t match the vast trends and historical context, as technology advanced and civilization slowly progressed, knowledge gradually spread. When the schools of fish in the sea grew larger, eventually a few would leap out, reaching toward the sky.

These small miracles emerging from the ordinary, though still a small percentage, also signaled changes in this world.

Like birds flying in the sky starting to descend and fish swimming in the sea beginning to rise, perhaps one day they will collide head-on.

Special thanks to the reader “This Is All An Illusion” for their support.

(End of Chapter)