Chapter 71: The Whispering Sage

Days had passed since the Renald faction's victory over the Basil faction, and the news was the talk of the academy.

Oasis Volacris was the name on everyone's lips.

Even students who had never met him had created their own imaginative visions of what he looked like.

"It's been a month already since the Renald faction won," Seraphina remarked.

"That brat again made a name for himself," Great Instructor Leonardo replied.

"Sir Graymare, who is really this Oasis Volacris?" she asked.

"Oh, you're curious, aren't you?" Leonardo teased.

"Aren't you also curious?" she retorted.

"I'm only curious about his bloodline, but I know a few things about him," he replied.

"Seraphina, do you know about the Whispering Sage?" he asked.

"Everyone knows about him in the whole of Verdantia," she replied.

"What if I told you that Oasis's master was the Whispering Sage?" he said.

"Impossible!" Seraphina exclaimed, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping in shock.

"I heard his master died not long ago at the hands of Barnabus the Slayer. The Whispering Sage was way stronger than Barnabus could handle."

"Let me tell you something," Great Instructor Leonardo began.

"About 100 years ago in Verdantia, the great families were not united like they are now."

"Each family was interested only in its own welfare and territory, fights and wars between families were common."

"More like each territory under the great families is as big as a kingdom."

"so it would not be exaggeration saying Verdantia is an empire."

"Back then, there were ten great noble families, including the Evergreen and Lumina families. Some were allies, others sworn enemies."

"But then the Shadowrealm invaded Verdantia."

"Third, second, and first-class families were being wiped out, regardless of which great family they belonged to."

"They realized they needed to unite to fend off their common enemy."

"That was when they united, and the strongest families were the Evergreen and Lumina families."

"One of these families needed to lead the united families against the threat."

"To decide between the Evergreen and Lumina families, each family brought out its strongest disciple, not the family leader."

"The Lumina family brought forth their strongest warrior, Belenus Lumina, the current leader of the Lumina family."

"The Evergreen family brought their ace, Elpis Evergreen, the current King of Verdantia".

"As you know, he has been in secluded cultivation for more than 50 years now."

"Belenus was defeated in a duel within two moves, and the Evergreen family became the leader of Verdantia."

"The Lumina family became the balancing figure of the power struggle between the great families, keeping the Evergreen family in check to prevent them from abusing their power."

"The war between the Shadowrealm and Verdantia continued, but there were fewer casualties in Verdantia since it was now united."

"The former leader of the Evergreen family led the united families, but the war reached a stalemate. One wrong move meant defeat."

"Verdantia was the one invaded, so a loss was never an option."

"Most of the leaders of the great families, including the previous leaders of the Lumina and Evergreen families, were heavily injured."

"But one man changed the outcome of the war: 'Elias'. When he showed up, he called himself Elias."

"No one knew where he came from, but his appearance was simple, and his aura was something else."

"He made a storm during daylight, wiping out the enemies from the Shadowrealm."

"No one knew what spells he was casting, but all we could hear were whispers."

"Back then, I was at the Tabula-Rasa stage, and just by watching the fight, I broke through to the Awakened realm."

"It was the greatest enlightenment ever seen."

"Not only me, but everyone present, including most, if not all, of the current leaders of the great families, made a breakthrough."

"That was when Elias became known as the 'Whispering Sage'."

"He was above the Enlightened realm; he was at the Peak of the Saint realm. He is the only Saint realm cultivator I have ever met."

"Despite eliminating all the enemy forces and making most of them retreat, he was poisoned by the enemy's dark mana."

"Despite winning the war, his mana heart was damaged, and his conscious realm was affected."

"He managed to control everything, but his cultivation level reduced significantly."

"He disappeared after the war, which became known as the 'Enlightening War.' "

"At least, that's what everyone believes. He disappeared," Leonardo said.

"What do you mean everyone believes that? It's the truth known throughout Verdantia, and I'm sure in other kingdoms too," Seraphina said.

"Because Elias became my friend after that."

"When his cultivation level was reduced, his appearance aged, and he then went by Elias Hawthorne," Leonardo explained.

"So the Elias Hawthorne who was killed by Barnabus was the Whispering Sage?" she asked.

"Yes, but you're wrong about one thing. He wasn't killed."

"He died because he forced himself to use some of his former strength by sacrificing his vitality," Leonardo said.

"And that man was Oasis's former master, Elias Hawthorne, the Whispering Sage," Leonardo revealed.

"I saw Elias during the Whispering Exam."

"He asked me to look out for the brat, but I never knew I would have to look after that little monster," Leonardo said with a chuckle.

"Do you know what cultivation realm that brat is at?" Leonardo asked Seraphina.

"No, Sir. I can't peek at his level for some reason. I thought he was using an artifact," Seraphina replied.

"Even I can't peek at his level. It's either he's using an artifact or his conscious realm is way higher," Leonardo explained.

"But Oasis is somewhere in the intermediate layer of the Tabula-Rasa realm."

"What!" Seraphina exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. "A nine-year-old?"

"My head hurts. Let me go and rest," Seraphina said as she left Great Instructor Leonardo's office, still processing the incredible revelation.

After Seraphina left Leonardo's office, he stood up from his cushion and looked outside through the large window, lost in his thoughts.

"Only if you had the affinity for Light mana, I would make you my direct disciple," he chuckled softly.

"Who would have thought that the last daughter of Master Belenus is in the same faction with that brat," he mused.

"I wonder what the future holds for them," he added, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and anticipation.