WTA Chapter 114

(Extra 13) Poem of the End [2023] -END-

Posted by April Fox, ? Views, Released on August 9, 2024

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Chapter 114 – Sentinel and Guide Project: Poem of the End [2023] (Extra 13)

Title: 谁把谁当真 (Winner Takes All)

Author：水千丞 (ShuiQianCheng)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists ：黎朔 (Li Shuo), 赵锦辛 (Zhao Jinxin)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“Have you ever met the Knight of Dawn?”

“Yes, the Knight of Dawn is as gentle and strong as the legends say.”

“I hope I can meet him soon.”

At the age of thirteen, Zhao Jinxin was forcibly sent to the Sanctuary after his differentiation. He hadn’t yet memorised the route to the cafeteria but had already remembered the name ‘Knight of Dawn’, frequently mentioned by the young sentinels. At that time, he was full of resentment. As the son of the Duke of the Golden Tower, he could have enjoyed a life of nobility instead of being locked up and tortured here. So he despised everything about the place, from the bland food to the simple accommodations. Not to mention the harsh training. He even scoffed at the highly anticipated grand mentor—Knight of Dawn.

That was until the day he actually met that person. He would never forget that moment, as if a holy light accompanied that person’s arrival, illuminating his increasingly dim world.

In that moment, he found a faith far stronger than duty, responsibility, and mission—he wanted to possess the Knight of Dawn and make him his guide, exclusive to himself.

Most sentinels and guides differentiate during puberty and are then forcibly sent to the Sanctuary for 5 to 7 years of training. They can leave only after completing all the training. But this doesn’t mean they regain their freedom. They are simply no longer confined to the Sanctuary and will be assigned to various functional institutions, mostly in the military. Whether they are children of commoners or nobles, such a fate is unavoidable once they differentiate.

Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for Zhao Jinxin, the only son of the Duke. He recently left the Sanctuary—he has completed his training and is eligible to be matched with a guide, becoming a mature sentinel. The high-profile banquet suggests that the Duke wants to choose a guide for him, with many suitable candidates on the invitation list.

Knight of Dawn, Li Shuo, who also works part-time at the Sanctuary and has nurtured countless children, came to congratulate Zhao Jinxin. However, when he entered the banquet hall, it felt somewhat like he stole the show.

Many young sentinels and guides greeted Li Shuo. He was trusted and admired by everyone. Every child who had suffered in the Sanctuary once longed to be illuminated by the Knight of Dawn’s brilliance.

The Duke walked over with Zhao Jinxin: “Li Shuo, hello. Please send my regards to your father.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Li Shuo bowed in a knightly manner, “I also would like to convey my father’s greetings.” From a distance, Zhao Jinxin’s gaze had been fixed on Li Shuo. He was staring boldly: “Laoshi, it’s been a while.”

Li Shuo smiled, “Jinxin, congratulations on your graduation.”

“What a pity,” Zhao Jinxin sighed lightly, “It seems I’ll have fewer opportunities to see you in the future.”

“Not necessarily. Maybe we can become colleagues or comrades.” Li Shuo said this. But he recalled the cunning, clingy, and troublesome young sentinel Zhao Jinxin had been in the Sanctuary. He often caused him headaches. Many times, he suspected Zhao Jinxin’s rebellious behaviour was just to get his attention. He sympathised with these children, giving them as much care as possible. He even forgave Zhao Jinxin’s numerous outlandish acts.

“Laoshi, may I invite you to visit the garden?” Dressed in a luxurious suit, Zhao Jinxin looked like a perfect gentleman, “I’m still adjusting to life outside the Sanctuary and have some questions I’d like to ask you.”

“Alright.” It’s common for those just leaving the Sanctuary to need some time to adapt.

When they were alone, Zhao Jinxin said seriously, “Laoshi, I apologise for my selfishness, immaturity, and ignorance, which caused you trouble over the years. I’m sorry.”

Li Shuo spoke kindly, “You’ve really grown up. And that makes me happy.”

“I know that you are a light for everyone and cannot just shine on me. There’s nothing special about me compared to your other students.”

Seeing Zhao Jinxin’s dim eyes, Li Shuo felt a complex mix of emotions: “Jinxin, you are different. You are exceptionally gifted and may become the strongest sentinel of the Golden Tower.”

“But you only care about my talents, not my feelings,” Zhao Jinxin lowered his head. “I’ve grown up. I’m even taller than you now. Yet you still treat me like a child.”

“When you were separated from your family at a young age and felt lonely and fearful in an unfamiliar environment, it’s easy to develop a dependence on the adults who cared for you and misunderstand those feelings.” The emotions of the young are fleeting. For a student he had nurtured from a young age, he couldn’t allow himself to entertain any inappropriate thoughts.

“The others might be like that. But not me.” Zhao Jinxin took a step closer to Li Shuo. His gaze became sharp, like a beast stalking its prey. “They respect and fear you. They dare not offend you. But my thoughts for you… are all ‘offensive’.”

“……”

“If I say that I haven’t regretted forcibly kissing you last time, and even intend to do something more outrageous than just a kiss, would you forgive me?”

Li Shuo frowned and unconsciously took a step back. When did it start that he felt increasingly unable to control Zhao Jinxin? This young man’s abilities were growing daily. And that kiss stirred up emotions he had long suppressed. But he dared not delve into them. He said in a deep voice, “Jinxin, you need to match with a guide as soon as possible.”

“Alright, please be my guide.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Zhao Jinxin gritted his teeth. “I know what the elders are planning. They will definitely match the Knight of Dawn with a mature, steady sentinel with military achievements. It will never be my turn, a young brat like me.” His breathing became heavy. Such intense emotional fluctuations were dangerous for a newly graduated sentinel.

“Jinxin, calm down.”

“Laoshi, have you let your guard down? Or are you underestimating me?” A surge of powerful energy swept through the garden. The scene transformed into an old photograph being renewed, with vivid, unusual, and highly saturated colours radiating from their centre.

Li Shuo was astonished.

Zhao Jinxin had deceived his senses, silently bringing them into his mental landscape, making reality appear as an illusion. This ability to turn reality into a mirage was Zhao Jinxin’s unique combat method—Narcissus’s Mirror! He could cause those who entered his illusion to lose themselves and be controlled. This strange ability had once shocked the entire Golden Tower, known as the power of a demon.

Li Shuo was trapped in a transparent ‘cage’. He cautiously reached out, pressing his hand against Zhao Jinxin’s through the invisible barrier. He couldn’t distinguish how much of himself and Zhao Jinxin was real.

A Nubian black goat stood silently in the shadows. Its massive horns resembled the shoulders of an armoured warrior. It was calm and composed, like Satan controlling everything from the dark. Meanwhile, Li Shuo’s spirit animal—an Akhal-Teke horse emitting a holy light—was anxiously stomping the ground.

“Jinxin, stop this. You can’t bear the consequences by doing this.”

“Laoshi, I can’t control myself right now. Only you can calm me down.”

“Bullshit! You’re doing this on purpose!” Li Shuo snapped angrily.

Zhao Jinxin’s hand passed through the mirror. His fingers tightly gripped Li Shuo’s hand. “A newly graduated sentinel going berserk in a crowded place would be sent back to the Sanctuary or prison, ruining their future. I’m your proud student. And our families are old friends. Would you bear to see that?”

“What exactly do you want?”

Zhao Jinxin smiled slyly. His fingers teasingly stroked Li Shuo’s palm. “Laoshi, please help me complete my coming-of-age ceremony and make me a real man.”

“You!”

Zhao Jinxin held Li Shuo’s hand tightly. “I will only accept you as my guide. Otherwise, I’d rather go to jail.”

Li Shuo felt a splitting headache. He had underestimated Zhao Jinxin’s capacity for causing trouble. How could anyone be so audacious?

“I’m serious.” Zhao Jinxin pressed Li Shuo’s hand to his chest. “I love you, ever since the first moment I saw you.”

“I need time to think. Let me out of the illusion first.”

“Only if you agree. If you try to force me out, I’ll lose control.” Zhao Jinxin smiled seemingly innocently. “If we return to reality and I have to watch you be taken away by someone else, then let’s stay trapped here forever.”

“Zhao Jinxin—!”

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*Translator’s Note: Whoa! I like this ending. Hahahaha! Let them be trapped forevaaaa… Many thanks to acquiesceu for the raw files! -K

*GLOSSARY:

Laoshi = Teacher / Master

☝🏻From Weibo’s post

☝🏻Translation for above:

Poem of the End · Zhao Jinxin

Sentinel and Guide

◆ Affiliation: Golden Tower · Eosphorus

◆ Attribute: Sentinel

◆ Spirit: Nubian Black Goat

◆ Identity: The only child of a noble duke. The family exclusively controls the economic power within the Tower. President of the [Glowing Phosphor] Guild.

☝🏻Translation for above:

Poem of the End · Li Shuo

Sentinel and Guide

◆ Affiliation: Golden Tower · Eosphorus

◆ Attribute: Guide

◆ Spirit: Akhal-Teke Horse

◆ Identity: Previously held the title of [Knight of Dawn] in the Tower. The youngest financial officer since the establishment of the Golden Tower.

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You can read these other translations by me on Knoxt. The (🟥) with Red-flag Seme/Gong and (🟩) with Green-flag Seme/Gong: