Your Monocle Is Ugly as Hell

"For the competition, choosing a soul skill that doesn't quite suit him... that's practically gambling with his entire life." Amon nodded knowingly, understanding Romier's concerns.

"Yes, this concerns his future... Unlike noble soul masters, commoner soul masters do not have so many choices.

"But the Soul Master Tournament is also an opportunity that can determine one's fate, so he did not reject it outright."

Vidal looked at Amon, hesitated for a moment, then continued:

"Actually, I don't think he's a suitable candidate. He's quite annoying... largely thanks to the fact that he has a mouth.

"You can think of him as an upgraded Bateman. He's not good for team unity."

Amon adjusted his glasses and chuckled. "I understand."

He rose to his feet, returned the book to its place, and walked outside.

Vidal scratched his head, not intending to stay any longer either.

Just as he was about to get up and leave, a beautiful girl with golden hair approached him. With a smile on her lips, she spoke softly in a voice like silver bells:

"Vidal, interested in having a chat?"

"Aria? Put away that disgusting smile of yours. I know exactly what kind of woman you are. What is there for us to talk about?" Vidal replied coldly.

"I merely wanted to ask, are you still the one calling the shots in your team?" Aria's smile did not change.

Vidal closed his notebook, leaned forward slightly, and spoke with a more solemn, serious attitude:

"When did I ever say this was my team?"

Aria's smile faded slightly. "As expected, you have no way of controlling someone like that. I heard about what happened during that assessment too.

"The freshmen in your class, Yan Jin and Lei Yin, displayed strength that is likely no weaker than yours, and they clearly regard that person named Amon as their leader.

"Based on what I know of you, you would never allow such an easily uncontrollable little group to exist within your team. Unless... you are not the leader of this team.

"I'm very curious about who exactly Amon is, to make someone as proud as you willing to submit to him.

"I investigated. None of the prominent noble families in Northland have a descendant like him. I also asked Zhu Youzhi, but he said nothing.

"That only makes me more curious."

Vidal smiled. "It seems Brady and Hai Shan are not as meticulous or well-informed as you. They still see me as their hypothetical enemy. So, you came to find me because..."

"Would you mind telling me more about your captain? Perhaps he could become 'our' captain..." Aria smiled sweetly.

Vidal stared at her in surprise and spoke with a measure of wariness:

"You're willing to give up your own team? Willing to abandon the hard work of all these years?"

Aria shook her head and said with slight helplessness:

"Leading a team to victory in the selection trials can certainly prove one's ability, but that assumes you can win.

"The captain is the core of a team, and also the one who receives the greatest glory after success. If possible, who would give that up?

"But when the gap in strength is so great that no amount of effort offers even a glimpse of victory, lowering oneself and joining the other side is not an unwise choice.

"That can likewise prove that a noble possesses exceptional foresight and accurate judgment."

Vidal suddenly chuckled. "Very much in keeping with your usual style... Then allow me to introduce my captain."

Romier walked along the path by the lake, gazing at its rippling surface.

A group of Black Swans glided leisurely across the lake. Two adult Black Swans were leading a flock of cygnets.

They looked so at ease, so carefree.

Romier picked up a small stone from the ground and threw it at one of the adult Black Swans.

Watching them panic in fright at the sudden attack, a malicious smile appeared on his face.

"This is interesting, isn't it?"

At some point, a young man dressed in a black Classical Robe, wearing a black Pointed Soft Hat, and sporting a Monocle over his right eye had appeared beside him.

"Hm? Who are you? I don't think I've seen you at The Academy before." Romier raised an eyebrow.

"My name is Amon. I just enrolled." Amon answered softly.

"You came specifically to find me? Is something the matter? Oh, and one more thing, your taste is terrible. That Monocle is ugly as hell."

Amon's hand paused as he was about to adjust his glasses, and a smile curled across his lips.

"Did your teacher never teach you that before provoking prey, you should first choose an appropriate target?"

"No, he never got the chance... He only taught me how to provoke wild boars." Romier grinned mockingly.

Amon snapped his fingers and pointed at the family of Black Swans on the lake.

"Look, they are swimming in the water, so leisurely... Therefore, we can draw a conclusion: soaking in lake water can free one from worries.

"Since you have hesitation, anxiety, and troubles in your heart, why not go down and calm yourself? Perhaps you will find a solution."

Romier's thoughts were affected, and his thinking slowed to a crawl. Amon's words seemed very believable.

Under that inexplicable trust, he nodded. "Perhaps that's not a bad idea."

He walked toward the lake step by step, but at the last moment, he came to his senses.

"What kind of bullshit logic is that?"

But it was too late. He stepped into empty air and fell into the lake.

The icy water washed over his head, making him shudder.

After swallowing several mouthfuls of water, Romier surfaced and cursed under his breath:

"Shit!"

He wanted to climb ashore, but the moment his hand grasped the vegetation by the bank, Amon snapped his fingers again.

And so he fell backward into the lake.

Climbing up.

Falling down.

Climbing up.

Falling down...

After several repetitions, when he saw Amon about to snap his fingers again, he finally could not help shouting:

"Stop, I surrender."

Romier struggled up onto the shore, panting heavily. He was soaked through, water streaming down his face and dripping from his chin.

He wiped his face and said with a hint of fear:

"Damn it, what kind of ability is that?"

"Just a trivial little trick..." Amon said with a smile.

Romier wrung out his clothes, squeezing out a great deal of water, and said naturally:

"The sun was too bright just now, so my eyes were a little dazzled. Looking carefully, you actually have quite good taste...

"Look at that Monocle, so elegant. Only the most handsome and refined gentleman could wear it... I mean, it suits you very well."

The ability to affect another person's mind and control their actions, that was simply a demon's power! Romier muttered inwardly.

The mockery vanished from his face, and he asked with the brightest, gentlest smile:

"So then, fellow student, what did you want to see me about?"