《Rise of Tyrus》


 Chapter 1- Fateful Encounter

    Tyrus weaved through the cobbled streets, battling against the mob of people as the chilly air burrowed into his lungs. The effort to break free from the masses left him drained, but he persevered. Stopping at the side of the road, he stole a glance behind him, spotting two figures closing in. He stuffed a stale piece of bread deeper into his tunic and resumed sprinting.


    He skirted between wagons and carriages, earning shouts and curses from red-faced men. Tyrus paid no attention to their words and fled, motivated by the fear of being caught. By successfully maneuvering past the treacherous wheels and hooves, he made it back to the lively sidewalk without a scratch.


    A delightful aroma of cooking meat and freshly baked loaves filled the air. Tyrus¡¯ belly rumbled, as though rebelling against the exertion, but he pushed his growing hunger aside. When he glanced over his shoulder, looking for his pursuers, he noticed they were closer than ever, shoving through the crowd with scowls.


    One of them was a broad-shouldered man with a beard as bushy as a lesser hound¡¯s fur. Another was skinny yet clean-shaven, with a black cap that obscured his eyes. Tyrus sucked in his breath and increased his pace. He escaped the bustling marketplace and entered the residential area, now close to the hideout; the outskirts were accessible through a small alley at the end of a large lumber building. As long as he made it there on time, he¡¯d lose his pursuers.


    As he turned the corner, he unexpectedly bumped into a figure. Tyrus winced in pain as his nose took the brunt of the impact, causing him to stumble and land on the ground; his hat slipped off his head. In a hurry, he snatched his hat and jammed it back onto his head. Raising his gaze, he briefly locked eyes with the individual who stood before him.


    The figure had a black cloak draped along their rigid frame. Their hood obscured half of their face, but Tyrus glimpsed a small scar on their cheek. What stood out the most was the familiar atmosphere they projected. A flowery scent caught his attention, but he couldn¡¯t quite remember where he¡¯d smelled it before. The figure extended their hand, causing Tyrus to jerk and abruptly stand up.


    ¡°Excuse me...¡±


    Tyrus didn¡¯t wait for a response; instead, he dashed past and refused to look back. Just up ahead was a short wall that even a child could hop over. He effortlessly jumped over the wall, landed on the soft dirt, and dashed ahead. Outside of the town lay a small forest bustling with beasts. At a remote location, there was a small shack where he had been dwelling for some time. It was far enough to not get spotted, yet near a settlement, making it easy for him to gain food and clothes, if necessary.


    While Tyrus was nearing the forest¡¯s outskirts, he heard whistling from behind. His instincts kicked in, and he ducked his body as low as he could. Mere moments later, a small blast of orange light veered past him, striking a tree. Shortly thereafter, the tree burst into flames, the crackling fire dancing gracefully along the bark, until it consumed the entire tree.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re headed, runt?¡±


    A powerful hand gripped his collar and lifted him off the ground. Glancing behind him, there stood the broad-shouldered man from before. When ferocious eyes glared back, Tyrus felt an icy shiver seep into his bones. He squirmed and thrashed, but the man¡¯s vice-like grip made it nearly impossible.


    Only one option came to mind-one that Tyrus wanted to avoid expressing. His nails transformed into knife-like claws, and his vision grew sharper while his fangs grew in. In one swift motion, he swung at the man¡¯s arm. He felt flesh, and the man¡¯s grip slackened. Tyrus squirmed and finally released himself.


    His freedom regained, he channeled his energy towards his legs and was prepared to bolt towards the forest. However, a sharp, agonizing pain shot through his backside. As if he was lying on top of a bonfire, Tyrus screamed out in agony, dropping to all fours as his vision blurred.


    ¡°What are you, a weakling? Why¡¯d you drop the runt from just a little graze?¡±


    The orc-like man¡¯s companion sauntered into the fray, frowning as he smacked his friend on the head. The big man scowled, yet stayed quiet as his companion lit his finger aflame and lowered it onto his wound. He endured the flames without displaying any sign of discomfort until they ceased and left black marks on his skin.


    ¡°The runt grew claws and slashed away at my skin,¡± he said. ¡°He might be one of them, Otto.¡±


    Otto strutted forward and pulled the cap off Tyrus. A pair of tufted, rounded black ears greeted him. The claws of Tyrus shrunk back into dirt-filled nails and his fangs disappeared. Because of the excruciating pain, Tyrus had subconsciously retracted them away.


    Otto smirked at the sight. ¡°He¡¯s a damn Demi-human. Hybrids with Beastfolk blood serve only one purpose.¡±


    At his own remark, the man delivered a swift kick to the boy¡¯s stomach. Tyrus sucked in large gulps of air as he clutched his belly, curling into a ball from hard blows all over.


    Just what did he do to deserve such a beating? All he did was nab a piece of stale bread that the storekeeper was about to throw out just because it had fallen to the ground. When he was about to take a bite, he witnessed the pair eyeing him with bottomless greed. Danger had displayed its despicable colors, leading Tyrus to flee.


    After Otto had his fill, he slinked away. Quivering, Tyrus felt bruises and knots already forming, and his breathing had slowed. However, despite his battered state, he stubbornly persisted in trying to escape. Struggling to his knees, he huffed as he clutched at his sides, glaring at the men in front of him as his nails transformed once more. That only seemed to anger them more.


    ¡°Still got some fight in ya?¡± Otto snarled. ¡°You must be wondering why we¡¯ve singled you out amongst the others. You see, we were looking for some wanderings kids to sell and whatnot. It just so happens that you caught our eye. Tough luck, kid.¡±


    The man smiled as he snapped his fingers. Otis shuffled forward and lifted his hand. One of his fingers boasted a silver ring with an embedded green gem. Tapping it once, out came a pair of handcuffs. He handed the pair to Otto. Tyrus stepped back, growling.


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    There was no way he was going to let himself get caught and sold. Because of people like them, he found refuge in the forest. Whenever he went out and explored the village to appease his curiosity, he always made sure he had his hat all the time. Tyrus knew he differed from the rest. Everyone else lacked his characteristics, that being ears that sprouted from the top. In their eyes, he was just an animal.


    The two men crept toward Tyrus, smiling wickedly. He would gladly turn around and run from his pursuers, but that attack from earlier dealt a heavy blow. It took all his strength just to stand up. His legs trembled like he¡¯d been standing for days. When he couldn¡¯t take it anymore, he dropped onto one knee, yet his pale face still lingered on the two.


    Orc-man was about to force the cuffs on Tyrus¡¯s arm but paused immediately. Tyrus wondered why the man stopped, but that curiosity washed away almost instantly when something astonishing happened.


    The man dropped the cuffs onto the grass and abruptly stood up. He turned around and shambled toward his confused partner. Cocking his arm as far as he could, he hurled a fist at his companion¡¯s jaw. A sickening crunch enveloped the air, and the struck man collapsed.


    Looking at him closely, the man¡¯s eyelids were half-closed, and his eyes dazed. He reached into his own tunic and brought out a hidden dagger. To Tyrus¡¯s horror, he had thought the man had changed his mind and would plunge the cold steel into his chest. However, contrary to expectations, the orc-man brought the blade down into Otto¡¯s skull. Blood sprouted forth, staining the floor red. Then, without warning, he brought the dagger to his neck and sliced it in one fluid motion. He too crumbled.


    Tyrus was too shocked to even speak. Right in front of him lay two corpses spilling out crimson, the light in their eyes gone, and their life extinguished. He just sat there, watching with wide eyes as his fingers trembled. Yet, as soon as he took his first blink, the bodies were no longer there. The same flower scent from before filled his nose.


    ¡°I humbly apologize for letting you witness that gruesome display.¡±


    At the sound of the soft voice, Tyrus whirled around to see a cloaked figure standing before him. He acted on reflex and moved away, drawing out his claws. The figure simply shook her head and strutted forward. A few meters away, she kneeled and rummaged through her cloak. Out came a stick of bread sitting in her gloves.


    ¡°This item seems to have fallen from you during our encounter. I committed myself to finding you and returning the bread. When I noticed your troubles on the outskirts of town, I thought you needed some help. These men should no longer be a bother to you.¡±


    Tyrus stared at the figure, scooting away. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ not with them?¡±


    ¡°I have no connections with such abhorrence, therefore you can be certain that I am not a threat to you. I am merely a nomad. You may address me as Wanderer.¡±


    The figure pulled away a part of their cloak, revealing a leather belt with many pockets. From within it, she retrieved a cylindrical container. After opening it, an earthy scent drifted all around. Wanderer placed the jar in Tyrus¡¯s hand.


    ¡°That right there is a healing salve. It will heal your cuts and bruises at the drop of a hat. Apply the salve onto your fingers and gently spread it over your wounds.¡±


    Tyrus gaped at the item in his hands, hesitant to use the healing salve. He still didn¡¯t trust the stranger, even though she saved him from a terrible fate. Moreover, why were they being so kind to him? The person standing ahead of him didn¡¯t show any hostility or disgust, despite having his ears uncovered.


    Before he could open his mouth, a shriek from behind pierced his ears. Twirling around, there stood a group of kids from beyond the walls, pointing their stubby fingers at the pair. They all turned and ran, shouting for help.


    Panic settled in Tyrus¡¯s gut as plenty of scenarios raced through his mind. If the village guards were to see him alongside the bodies, they would surely capture him on the spot! He had to get away as fast as possible.


    ¡°It appears we¡¯ve been seen,¡± Wanderer said. ¡°It may not be the most prudent decision to stay behind and apprise the guards of the situation.¡±


    The figure reached forward and grabbed the fallen cap. She also grabbed the ring of the fallen and stashed it away. And in one fell swoop, picked up Tyrus with no trouble. He was about to scream out in protest until Wanderer turned to the forest and took off running.


    The sudden burst of speed was appalling; Wanderer moved as swiftly as the quickest of horses. The forest scenery rushed by in a blur of green streaks, and his hair flapped wildly in the wind, obscuring his vision. Tyrus didn¡¯t know where Wanderer was taking him, and he didn¡¯t want to say or do anything that could endanger him any further.


    Some time had passed, and Wanderer¡¯s pace reduced drastically to a walk. As if handling a baby, Wanderer placed Tyrus on a nearby tree and grasped the healing salve in his hands. Wordlessly, she applied the medicine to his wounds. Despite the initial discomfort, Tyrus felt relief as the pain faded and the benefits kicked in. The swelling around his body was gone, and the cuts and bruises were no more. He even felt it had replenished some of his energy. Wanderer, now satisfied that Tyrus had recovered, tucked the healing salve away.


    ¡°With your wounds healed, you ought to move with little difficulty.¡±


    Tyrus rose, inspecting his body all around. The medicine had truly worked. He experienced no discomfort and felt fully rejuvenated. The mental fatigue still lingered, but it could be recovered with a good day of rest. Who was Wanderer, with such a small miracle tucked away in her pockets?-Thank you for your help,¡± Tyrus said. ¡°You went out of your way to help a lowly Demi-human like me¡­¡±


    ¡°It was no trouble. Children like you should do their best to stay away from heavily populated places. Orphans, especially Demi-humans, are highly sought after throughout Dharmere.¡±


    Tyrus stepped forward. ¡°B-But why is that? Don¡¯t they feel bad for taking kids away from their friends and family?¡±


    The figure¡¯s eyes locked onto his, and neither of them spoke a word. With a small sigh, Wanderer lowered herself to Tyrus¡¯s height. With the cap still in hand, she gently placed it on top of his head. ¡°The world is a cruel place; you should know that much. From the state of your garments and the way you cling to that stale piece of bread, it¡¯s clear that you live a hard life.¡±


    Pursing his lips, Tyrus looked away. Wanderer took that chance to continue. ¡°You were, unfortunately, fated to live a hard life. Condemned to live in places that are deemed too unappealing or unsuitable for habitation. The gods deemed it appropriate to put you under such circumstances. In spite of the unfavorable future, keep your hopes high.¡±


    ¡°Hope?¡± Tyrus repeated.


    ¡°Struggle for a better life. Do not be content with a life of mediocrity. Take whatever actions are required to ensure a secure and prosperous future for yourself. This knowledge is of great significance to those who have faced hardships. I assure you I have personal experience with these types of things.¡±


    As if finished speaking, the person rose, their cloak fluttering gracefully.


    During their entire encounter, Tyrus found it weird that Wanderer abstained from revealing her identity. The complete coverage of her body made it challenging to determine their physique. Only a partial part of their face was exposed, with that being their hairless chin and glossy lips. As for their voice, it sounded like a weird mix between man and woman, but he assumed they were a woman with that kind of voice. His suspicions about the character grew.


    ¡°That is all I impart upon you, child. May Sthito¡¯s fortune blow your way,¡± Wanderer finished. Just as it seemed like Wanderer would leave any second, Tyrus pulled on her cloak.


    Tyrus swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He was still skeptical and afraid of the person before him. Wanderer effortlessly killed two men in front of him and didn¡¯t bat a single eye at her work. She acted as though taking the life of another was commonplace. While he was in the presence of a dangerous figure, Wanderer still took the time to help him and even offered some advice. Following that logic, they must have some good in their heart. Aside from that, he was also curious about the magic they used earlier.


    Taking in deep breaths, he muttered a single sentence. ¡°Can you teach me magic?¡±

 Chapter 2- An Agreement

    A dilapidated shack occupied a small section of the forest. The builder responsible had disowned it long before, leaving it open for any living being to become its holder. During Tyrus¡¯ travels between villages, he made certain that there was no evidence of recent usage when he first discovered it. Believing it was free, he settled there. It did its job to protect him from heavy rain and beasts.


    Approaching the front, he carefully opened the door, taking his time. Inside the cramped space, all that greeted him was a simple straw bed and a worn-out desk. Scattered across the surface were a handful of items, including a wooden box and bowls with spoons. Tyrus checked carefully and didn''t see any signs of a break-in, so he felt relieved.


    ¡°Okay, you can come in now,¡± he said. The two of them leisurely entered the abode, and Wanderer positioned herself in the corner quietly. ¡°You can lie down on my bed if you want. It''s not much, but...¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the kind offer, but I shall stand. I am a guest of your home, and I would deem it rude to sit in your place of comfort.¡±


    Tyrus did nothing about it and sat on the pile of straw. It was mostly uncomfortable just laying on it because of the straw pricking the skin, but he got used to it. The bed provided him with warmth and some level of comfortability. He had never slept on a more convenient bed and resolved to never take it for granted. Sleeping on a wooden floor with no protection had given him an awful ache in his shoulders that took many moons to get through.


    Instead of stalling more than he needed to, Tyrus thought it was best to just say what was on his mind. ¡°That was magic you used on those two, right?¡±


    Wanderer averted her gaze away from the table and peered at Tyrus. ¡°Are you perhaps interested in becoming a sorcerer?¡±


    Tyrus enthusiastically nodded his head, his curiosity piqued by the ways of magic. It reminded him of the first time he had witnessed such a spectacular event just last year.


    He pursued shelter in a small, abandoned village to rest from his travels. It was there that he heard a commotion outside, prompting him to climb up a ladder inside a barn and peer through the second-floor. His eyes widened as he caught sight of a cluster of carriages, their surfaces gleaming like white pearls. What caught his attention even more was the unfamiliar crest adorning their sides: a black snowflake against a pristine white backdrop. The presence of armored guards on horseback surrounding the carriages only heightened Tyrus''s suspicion that someone of great importance must be inside. Only those with money rode carriages, from what he remembered.


    The group was being attacked by a pack of beasts, specifically lesser hounds. The creatures were wolves possessing tangled black fur and eyes that gleamed like rubies. Tyrus had a run-in with a pack before and barely escaped. It required climbing a tree and waiting until the lesser hounds lost interest.


    The men in front of him had opted for the opposite approach and brought out their swords to deal with the threat. Just as they were about to run forward and fight against the lesser hounds, the door of the carriage flung open, and out came a snow-white hand. What emerged from the vehicle was not a person, but a luminous light emitted from their palms, which ejected a plethora of ice shards. The crystals bombarded the lesser hounds, and their pained yelps slashed the air. Once the beasts flopped to the side, the white hand retracted and the carriage door shut.


    From that day on, the beautiful display that brought to mind snowflakes descending gently amazed Tyrus. He even dreamed of commanding such power. His life would be much easier if he could use magic. With just a flick of a finger, he could create his very own fire or drinkable water!


    Wanderer watched Tyrus for a moment, unmoving, until her lips curled. ¡°Your enthusiasm is commendable. How well-versed are you in the subject of mana?¡±


    ¡°I know nothing about it.¡±


    Wanderer nodded and sank to the ground to sit. Tyrus could¡¯ve sworn he heard the jingle of jewelry. ¡°Mana is an omnipresent natural energy. It is a divine power that a goddess, Sthito, has blessed us with; a power none take lightly and a gift that allows one to channel mana and allows the user to use magical arts. The predominant type of sorcerers are the Elemental Sorcerers, those who possess the ability to manipulate elements, including fire, water, earth, air, and others.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s eyes burned as he had forgotten to blink. He was not aware that there were different sorcerers, other than simply manipulating an element. Interest on the subject catapulted, and he asked Wanderer a question.


    ¡°I saw someone shoot ice out of their palms. Were they an Elemental Sorcerer?¡±


    ¡°If they can control ice, then it can be assumed that they have fine control over water. Other elements exist apart from the common four.¡±


    Tyrus scooted closer. ¡°How do I use magic, then? I feel like it¡¯d be cool to summon fire out of my hands!¡±


    The figure chuckled at his eagerness. ¡°If you want to become a sorcerer, you must first be fortunate enough to be blessed to harness such power. There are many methods to verify such trivial matters. An experienced sorcerer like myself can detect Sthito¡¯s blessing with a single touch.¡±


    Wanderer beckoned Tyrus forth with a gesture. At first, he flinched, but his anticipation of learning magic had overcome his senses. He extended his arm slowly, palms upward. The cloaked figure nodded and placed her hands on top of his. They both sat there in silence.


    While Wanderer was busy, Tyrus¡¯ thoughts drifted. He wondered what element he would awaken to if he had the blessing of Sthito within him. It would be preferable to be a water sorcerer. Getting drinkable water wouldn¡¯t be a concern for him. There was also fire to think about, too. No need to manually labor to create a working fire whenever the nights grew cold¡­


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    ¡°As expected,¡± Wanderer said as she pulled her hand back.


    Tyrus shot up, face etched with worry. ¡°Expected? What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°¡­What I mean is you have the blessing of Sthito.¡±


    Upon hearing the good news, Tyrus¡¯ lips trembled. It was the first time in a while good fortune had fallen on top of him. He heard whispers from townsfolk that those who become well-known sorcerers were usually well-off, living in manors and swimming in wealth. They lived leisurely, as they held no fear of running out of sil and gold. Sleeping in beds as soft as sheep¡¯s wool and wearing a range of clean garments that provided comfort. Best of all, however, was that famed sorcerers lived in the capital of Lethos: Valis.


    Valis ranked among the wealthiest cities in Dharmere, a place envied for its towering marble buildings and intricate architecture. It was a city most commoners dreamed of inhabiting, hoping to steal a singular glance at the esteemed city. The townsfolk¡¯s description had enthralled Tyrus, and he had always wanted to see the city up close. Knowing there was potential to be a sorcerer, the dark tunnel he wandered through had a faint, mesmerizing light at its end.


    That light faded quickly after Wanderer spoke again. ¡°Becoming a sorcerer isn¡¯t easy, child. I have simply stated that you have received the blessing of Sthito. Though the news is excellent, I advise you not to raise your expectations for widespread recognition. I am afraid that your blood might lead to ostracism and hinder your skills from matching those of your peers.¡±


    Tyrus immediately pulled his cap down, nearly obscuring his eyes. A suffocating air permeated throughout the shabby building. For a few moments, Tyrus had already forgotten what he was. His heart grew as heavy as a sack of rocks as he thought back to those men from earlier. They had been so cruel as soon as they caught sight of his ears and claws. If those two treated him like dirt, then what about the rest? Much worse would be done to him, unless¡­


    The fire in his heart rekindled once more. ¡°As long as they don¡¯t see my ears, it¡¯ll be okay. I¡¯ll just have to be careful of my actions and everything will be all right. It¡¯s just as you said: do whatever is necessary to secure a safe and bright future for yourself. I don¡¯t want to live like this anymore. I want to be treated the same as anyone else! If becoming a sorcerer will accomplish my goals, then hiding my ears is easy compared to what lies ahead.¡±


    Wanderer smiled. ¡°I can see your iron-clad resolve through your eyes. The sight of those eyes reminds me of... Nevermind. Very well, young child. Rest assured that I will do all that I can to assist you in your struggle.¡±


    Tyrus smiled from ear to ear. ¡°T-Thank you very much! When will we start?"


    ¡°There is a necessity for things to be arranged in order. The first step to embarking on your journey is to awaken to mana. Different creatures exhibit diverse patterns of awakenings. Certain people awaken early, whereas others require a lengthier period. Your hybrid status makes it particularly difficult to determine your awakening. How old are you, child?¡±


    ¡°¡­Tyrus,¡± he said under his breath.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°My name is Tyrus. You didn¡¯t know my name, so I thought it¡¯d be easier than calling me child¡­ If you don¡¯t want to call me that, then it¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Wanderer nodded slowly. ¡°Okay, Tyrus. It¡¯s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Although I would be pleased to reveal my name, I am unable to do so for personal reasons. I hope you understand.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You¡¯ve done so much for a stranger like me. I wouldn¡¯t dare overstep my boundaries. Also, to answer your question, I think I¡¯m around nine.¡±


    ¡°Hm¡­ I estimate you have met the threshold. Beastfolk awaken at seven, while for humans it¡¯s at eleven. Given your Demi-human status, we can infer that the age range falls within those parameters. Please lie on your back, Tyrus.¡±


    He complied with the request and reclined on his straw bed. Wanderer shuffled over and sat right in front of Tyrus, looming over him. ¡°I would like to verify something before we begin. Have you encountered or sensed mana yet? The energy is as white as snow and evokes a tingling sensation all over the body.¡±


    Tyrus shook his head. Mana was something he never felt. Until now, he was not familiar with the term. His knowledge was extremely limited to that sort of topic. He was a kid who lacked a formal education and had been solitary for as long as he could recall. Regarding that, it¡¯s a wonder he survived for so long by himself. His past was a complete mystery to him, yet he didn¡¯t dwell on it too much. Figuring out how to survive the next day took most of his brain power.


    ¡°It¡¯s important to know the procedure you are about to undergo may cause significant discomfort, if not pain. Typically, those blessed would naturally perceive mana. In your case, we will hasten the process. As a result, there is a possibility that your body may incur damage, and your chances of becoming a sorcerer diminish. Do you wish to continue or delay?¡±


    Tyrus nodded at Wanderer¡¯s warning. The decision was made upon the discovery of his potential. No amount of persuasion could sway him. ¡°I want to start as soon as possible. I¡¯m ready, Wanderer.¡±


    Without being told twice, the figure lowered her arm and placed a palm on Tyrus¡¯ chest. The room gradually fell silent, and Tyrus could only discern external sounds as he kept his eyes closed.


    Leaves whistling in the faint breeze and birds crying out from the tops of trees echoed through the walls. He could even hear Wanderer¡¯s breathing, one that was calm and rhythmic. After a few moments had passed, a numbing pain occupied his heart. That feeling soon turned into a pinch, and then one akin to a slap on the cheek. His fingers trembled, and he clenched his jaw. He felt his own skin heat up as the bumping of his heart increased. Some parts of his tunic had even felt damp. Besides the discomfort and agony, he sensed something different. He experienced a strange power taking over his body.


    A blazing pain that he had never felt before hit his chest. Tyrus wished to plead with Wanderer to halt, feeling he had made a terrible error that made him want to cry. Though he wanted to yield, he bit his tongue in retaliation. He promised them he was ready- that he would commit to whatever was necessary.


    Shaking away negativity, he redirected his thoughts to something else. The benefits of learning magic were on his mind. If he became proficient enough, he¡¯d be able to earn sil from hunting beasts. With enough money, he¡¯d be able to purchase his own fresh goods without worrying whether it¡¯d make him sick. The sweet, tantalizing taste of fortune was on the tip of his tongue, and he wouldn¡¯t let some pain deter him. Tyrus tried to think of more positive thoughts, but the pain was too much for him. It had spread all throughout his body. He felt himself losing consciousness- briefly fearing death before becoming a sorcerer. At the very moment he was about to faint, a soothing voice snapped him awake.


    ¡°You can open your eyes now, Tyrus.¡±


    Immediately, his eyes flung open, and he sat upright, clamping his chest. Tears streamed down the corners of his eyes, and black spots danced along the edges. When he glanced up, a breathtaking sight befell him. Surrounding Wanderer were a pillar of white particles as blinding as peering into the sun. To save himself from becoming blind, Tyrus looked away. The burning sensation in his chest subsided and replaced with a soothing sensation that poured through his veins. Amidst all of that, a new feeling had crept into his body, one that contained a power he had felt before.


    ¡°The fact that you turned away your gaze shows you see the mana revolving around me. Congratulations, Tyrus. You may now begin your journey as a sorcerer.¡±


    Tyrus would love to jump up with glee and thank the figure profusely, but a splitting headache had prohibited him from moving. Unable to bear it any longer, he collapsed onto the straw bed as his eyelids became heavy. The last thing he saw was the smiling face of Wanderer, and a hand caressing his forehead.

 Chapter 3- Specializations

    Tyrus had a different kind of dream, unlike his usual ones that involve summoning sheets of snow and throwing out fireballs. He felt small and frail in his body, squirming as he was wrapped in a thick blanket. Unable to move due to being swaddled, he had no alternative but to peer upwards. His peripheral vision was hazy, like he was straining to look through white lights. Someone was looking straight ahead, but fog obscured their face.


    Tyrus tried to speak, yet no words came out, only a small cry. The enigma finally looked down and mouthed words unintelligible. Immediately after, he felt a tugging in his brain. The tugging intensified until he saw nothing. Suddenly, he lifted his body and held his head in pain as colors returned to his view.


    Just what was that dream from earlier? It seemed too real, as if he was there himself. Whenever he dreamed, usually his senses dulled, but this time everything felt so clear. Just who was that person holding him?


    He shook his head, wanting to suppress his curiosity for a later time, and glanced around. The shack was as empty and shabby as ever. A gentle ray of sunlight filtered through the cracks of the door, and on the desk was his cap. It took Tyrus a few tries to stand on his feet.


    ¡°Wanderer?¡±


    Tyrus was unsure if everything that had happened yesterday was fake. It would trouble him greatly if that were the case. As he stumbled towards the front, grabbing his hat on the way, his hopes for a better life were fading away. Tyrus stepped out with a gentle push and felt a fresh breeze sting his cheeks. When his eyes adjusted to the light, a wave of relief washed over him. Up ahead was Wanderer, stoking a fire with a big stick. Near them was a boar¡¯s corpse. When he approached, Wanderer spoke.


    ¡°You awoke just in time, Tyrus. I have your share of stew ready. You will need the energy later. I used your utensils without asking, and I apologize. I wanted you to rest.¡± Wanderer held a wooden bowl filled with brown meat and a bubbling, reddish liquid. When Tyrus sat right next to her, the bowl was placed in his hands. He stared at the contents quietly.


    It was the first time someone had whipped up a meal for him, let alone shown him such kindness. Picking up the spoon with trembling hands, he felt his chest burdened. He scooped up some liquid and a piece of meat, then chewed it. Relishing in the stew''s juicy and sweet flavor, an obscure thought came to mind. The stew tasted familiar to him, which should be impossible. As far as he knew, this was his first-time eating stew.


    Tyrus lowered the bowl as he gazed at the kindled fire. ¡°Have we met before? I caught a familiar scent from you when we first met. That same scent popped up again when you saved me from those two men. The stew also¡­ I can¡¯t figure it out. It¡¯s like I¡¯ve had it before.¡±


    Wanderer tilted her head to the side, watching Tyrus. ¡°As far as I am aware, this is our first meeting. Since I am a nomad, I don''t have a permanent place to stay. It is possible we crossed paths during our travels. Beastfolk noses are very sharp. As for the stew, you might have consumed it when you were younger.¡±


    Subconsciously, Tyrus rubbed his forehead. ¡°Sorry for asking a stupid question. This is the longest I¡¯ve ever spoken to someone. I just wanted to confirm something¡­¡±


    ¡°In that case, we can start immediately after you finish the meal. Following the events that occurred yesterday, it is safe to say you are now a sorcerer. It remains to be seen what kind of sorcerer you are. Do you remember when I spoke of Elemental Sorcerers?¡±


    By the time Wanderer asked, Tyrus was already finished. Despite the scorched roof of his mouth and tongue, the deliciousness had him craving more. He swallowed down the contents and released a content sigh. ¡°Yes¡­ You mentioned Elemental Sorcerers can manipulate elements, and that they are the most common. When you say common, do you mean there are other types of sorcerers?¡±


    ¡°Good, so you have been paying attention. Elemental Sorcerers are one of the three specializations. From descending order, it goes from Elemental Sorcerers, Augmentation Sorcerers, and Conjuration Sorcerers in terms of populace. To bring forth these specializations, mana is necessary.¡±


    While talking, Wanderer extinguished the fire. ¡°Augmentation Sorcerers can strengthen themselves and allies with mana, thus increasing their offensive and defensive capabilities. And Conjuration Sorcerers have the power to summon elemental spirits and minions. Summoners can control minions, whereas spirits cannot be controlled. It is a double-edged sword because of that fact. Even then, Conjuration Sorcerers possess more abilities than mere summoning.¡±


    Tyrus watched as the last embers flickered out and were replaced by the ashes of the firewood. He had to pinch his nose from the overwhelming smell. ¡°How do I find out which specialization I belong to? I really hope I¡¯m an Elemental Sorcerer.¡±


    ¡°In Lethos, the common approach is to schedule a meeting with an Advanced Sorcerer to evaluate your capabilities through a sequence of assessments. Opting for that route will surely result in your identity being exposed by their observant eyes. Due to us wanting to avoid such a scenario, I will serve as the replacement. During my travels, I have seen and learned many things. This will not take long.¡±


    Wanderer held her arm out, waiting for Tyrus to grab hold of it. Tyrus accepted the gesture and stood up. Before they could begin figuring out his specialty, Tyrus had raced back to the shack and placed the bowl back on the table. He¡¯d have to wash it later, as he was busy.


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    Once he was finished, he sprinted out and plopped himself right in his previous spot. Just a while ago, he felt exhausted, but now he felt full of energy after a good meal. Did Wanderer put something inside the stew?


    ¡°Are you ready to begin?¡±


    He gave her the thumbs-up as he straightened up his posture. Wanderer nodded and said, ¡°Excellent. Now, we will first check if you have an affinity for conjuration. One way of knowing is by summoning a spirit. For Fledgling Sorcerers, you simply envision in your mind the type of spirit you wish to bring forth. The strength of the spirit is closely tied to the strength of the summoner¡¯s mana.¡±


    Tyrus waited for Wanderer to delve deeper into their explanations, but the person simply stared at him expectedly. He was at a loss for what exactly to do. Wanderer mentioned envisioning the type of spirit he wanted to summon, though he did not know if that would work in the first place without a clear understanding of mana. His knowledge of it was rock-bottom. He wanted to say something, but bit back his tongue.


    What if there was nothing else to be said because the concept was easy? Wanderer didn¡¯t seem like the type to hide information intentionally. She''s been extremely helpful in Tyrus¡¯ endeavors, even going so far as to help him experience mana early on. Upon completion of the process, he could perceive and experience the energy firsthand. Even now, he could feel mana flowing through his blood, as if it had been a part of him this whole time. It was a feeling similar to whenever he underwent Beast Transformation.


    When his thoughts drifted to Beast Transformation, a revelation had smacked him across the face. What if using mana worked similarly to transforming? Whenever he transformed, an influx of energy would swell within him, threatening to burst forth. Maybe he was using mana this whole time without ever knowing it. It would explain why he felt his energy being sapped every time he underwent Beast Transformation.


    The answers will come to me when I test it out, Tyrus thought.


    Closing his eyes, Tyrus took a deep breath. Before he tried summoning a spirit, he wanted to take a minor detour. First, he thought back to the white light that surrounded Wanderer and tried to visualize it in his mind. Soon after, he felt a familiar tingle that raced throughout his body. His body became more energized, and his heartbeat thrummed faster. A soft white light illuminated the black canvas of his mind. It grew until it was the size of his palm.


    The process really was like Beast Transformation. Now that he got the hang of tapping into the feeling, he tried to summon a spirit as asked. Since he was in a forest, Tyrus thought it¡¯d be simple to call forth an elemental spirit in that regard. In his mind, he called out for any spirit willing to show itself. After a minute of waiting, none came forward. He tried again, this time using his own mana as a sort of lure-kind of like he was fishing. Tyrus would usually use lures whenever he went out hunting. When even that didn¡¯t work, he simply shrugged and opened his eyes.


    ¡°¡­No spirit came forward,¡± Tyrus said with a frown.


    ¡°In that case, you are not a Conjuration Sorcerer. Fledgling Sorcerers usually succeed in their first attempt at summoning low-ranked spirits. Do not get discouraged, Tyrus. We still have two more specializations to go through. The next one is augmentation. Through the use of mana, Augmentation Sorcerers can toughen their bodies to be as hard as iron or as quick as a blood-thirsty hound.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯ ears perked up and interrupted Wanderer before they could continue. ¡°Does that mean I¡¯m an Augmentation Sorcerer? With Beast Transformation, my body grows stronger and faster.¡±


    ¡°¡­I am pleased you have made the connection on your own. I was hoping you''d catch on before I continued. It is as you said, you are an Augmentation Sorcerer. Your blood is the reason for that. Beastfolk blessed with mana are more inclined to the specialization than humans due to their animalistic attributes.¡±


    "If I am an Augmentation Sorcerer, then that would mean I cannot control an element¡­"


    At the dire realization, Tyrus¡¯ shoulders drooped as his face turned crestfallen. Wanderer¡¯s voice drifted away. His dreams of becoming an Elemental Sorcerer had just shattered in front of his eyes.


    Though he was saddened by the news, he was still thankful he at least had something. Becoming a sorcerer was preferred to not becoming one. He still had the chance to become something in the future. This was all so that no one could bully him any longer. Tyrus'' determination renewed; he puffed out his chest and refocused on Wanderer.


    ¡°¡­We will now begin the final test.¡±


    He was taken aback by her words and did a double take. ¡°Final test? I thought I was an Augmentation Sorcerer?¡±


    ¡°You are an Augmentation Sorcerer. I have not mentioned it before, but a sorcerer can have more than one specialization, though it is uncommon. It''s mandatory for all Fledgling Sorcerers to complete the three tests to ensure no Multi-Specialist goes unnoticed.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a chance,¡± Tyrus began slowly, ¡°that I may be a Multi-Specialist¡­ Even if the chances are low, I want to see it through so that I won¡¯t regret it. What should I do?¡±


    ¡°One''s lineage plays a major role in determining the element of an Elemental Sorcerer. External factors can sometimes have an impact. Identifying your controlled element is comparable to that of a Conjuration Sorcerer. Search deep inside and find your inner strength. Let your instincts guide you. Only after succeeding will you gain the power to advance on your own.¡±


    As he did before, Tyrus¡¯ eyes were closed, and he tried tapping into the energy that was mana. It really was as simple as he thought. From the bits and pieces of information he absorbed, he came to one conclusion. How one used mana depended on the user¡¯s imagination. In all of Wanderer¡¯s explanations, there was a heavy emphasis on tapping into the person¡¯s mind and manifesting their powers through thoughts alone. It was the same as Beast Transformation, except he didn¡¯t have to think about it. It was as easy as breathing or controlling a limb he had since birth.


    Before long, the same white light appeared in his mind. Slowly but surely, it changed color- turning from pure white to a shade of light blue. Instinctively, he reached out, unfazed by the sheer power emanating from it. As he touched the light, he experienced a ticklish sensation that quickly traveled along his hand and converged into a single point above his palm. Tyrus woke up to a crackling sound in his ears. Flickering gently on top of his open hand was a pale blue phenomenon he had never seen or heard of.


    Pride swelled into his heart as Tyrus closed his hand into a fist, snuffing the power out instantly. ¡°I¡­ I did it! Wanderer, I-¡°


    When Tyrus looked up, his voice trailed when he noticed Wanderer was no longer there. Where she stood was a pile of crushed leaves and blackened logs. Confused, he spun on his heels, searching for any traces of Wanderer, but he couldn¡¯t pinpoint their location. He even removed his cap and paced around the area. All he heard were his own footsteps and the rustling of branches.


    Before he knew it, a silver light from above had already overtaken the forest floor, and Wanderer was nowhere to be seen.

 Chapter 4- Test Run

    A few days have passed since Wanderer went missing.


    Tyrus searched tirelessly, his legs giving out and his breaths becoming ragged gasps. Sweat and dirt had turned his clothes into a second skin. He collapsed onto a nearby tree, and the rough bark scraped against his back as he clutched his sides and wheezed for air. No matter how many times he wiped his eyes, the lingering sweat in the corners continued to sting.


    What made Wanderer leave so suddenly? Did she leave because she couldn''t handle Tyrus''s constant presence and overbearing behavior? No, that couldn¡¯t be it. He remembered Wanderer called herself a nomad, and that she didn¡¯t linger in one place. Tyrus also guessed she didn¡¯t hate his guts or found him unpleasing, given her actions. Her abrupt departure without a farewell meant they overstayed their welcome.


    Tyrus didn¡¯t expect to grow fond of Wanderer so quickly. Just like others he met, Tyrus was on guard, gauging how they would react and whether they were a threat to his well-being. On their first meeting, his body had told him Wanderer wasn¡¯t dangerous-not to him, at least. Nonetheless, he had to be careful. One wrong move and he¡¯d have been caught. He shuddered when he remembered what happened to those brutish men.


    Tyrus remained motionless for minutes, absorbed in thought until a rumbling jolted him back to reality. Senses on high alert, he scanned the area, searching for the source of the noise. Just when he thought it was his fatigued mind playing tricks on him, he heard another, this time coming from down below. It was his stomach that was making all the racket. Tyrus just now realized how long it had been since he had eaten.


    Using the tree as support, he stood on his wobbly legs, stretching as his joints popped. It was about time he started searching for food. The reason Tyrus could survive for so long in the forest was because of hunts. He would explore and scavenge for food, mostly animals and avoiding mushrooms and unknown plants. Not that it was hard of an activity to do. In fact, it was quite easy. He got the hang of it in just a few days when he first started out. Maybe it was his instincts that helped him. But first, he had to go back to the shack before he could start.


    Tyrus strode toward the home, taking only ten minutes to reach. Sighing to himself, he walked in, his eyes already set on the table. Instead of the usual wooden bowls and box, there was a familiar ring in the middle. Tyrus knew instantly what it was. He rushed over to the item and inspected it all around. Within the metal, there was a gem that glowed green. Tyrus had never taken the ring off of those two goons. The only person who did was Wanderer. Did she perhaps leave it as a parting gift?


    He tapped on the green gem. A dagger popped right out, clattering onto the table. He clutched the weapon, feeling the leather press onto his skin.


    At a glance, Tyrus knew where it originated from, yet he felt nothing when he saw the dangerously sharp tip. It wasn¡¯t heavy at all, and he swung it a few times. After he finished testing it out, he laid it on the table and wore the ring. At first, it was too big, but out of nowhere, the ring shrank, fitting snugly on his finger.


    Thank you, Wanderer. I¡¯ll use it to the best of my abilities, Tyrus thought. He altered his gaze over to the box and clicked it open. Lying dormant was a white orb. Scrawled on its exterior were symbols Tyrus had trouble understanding. He did not know what they meant or what purpose they served. Since he found no use for it, he just kept it tucked somewhere safe. He discovered it in his pocket one day, long ago, without any knowledge of how it got there.


    Tyrus grabbed the orb and hovered it over the ring. It gobbled the object in seconds. He smiled at the ring¡¯s feature, excited about how it worked.


    The thing obviously had to work through magic. What else would allow it to store objects twice its size? What he wanted to know was what type of magic specifically and if he could replicate it himself.


    Though he was curious, he quickly gave up and grabbed the dagger, returning to the outside. Once there, his stomach growled again. He paid no attention and grasped the dagger. Now that he had a weapon, hunting would be easier. No more did he have to rely on Beast Transformation and sap more energy than needed.


    On the topic of energy, it was wonderful that he became a sorcerer, but he did not understand the element he awakened to. It definitely wasn¡¯t the common four elements or ice itself. Thinking back to that pale blue light he emitted, it carried the same color as water; it was much weaker compared to the fire attack that hit him. Tyrus feared he was given a weak element to use.


    ¡°No¡­ weak or not, I¡¯ll improve it. No one starts off strong.¡± If he wanted to improve his element''s strength, then he would have to train diligently to where it¡¯s as strong as the others- if not more. Wanderers¡¯ words repeated in his mind: Struggle for a better life. Do not be content with a life of mediocrity.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    A fire rekindled in Tyrus¡¯ heart, and his determination was as vast as the skies themselves. With his goals set in stone, he headed deeper into the forest, looking for prey to catch. If he wanted to grow stronger, then he¡¯d have to train his body alongside his magic. No more will he rely on Beast Transformation. Tyrus had only used the transformation because it made hunts easier. He was forced to use an ability- a crutch- he despised with all his heart. Though it had its uses, the negatives were far more detrimental, and he would limit its usage.


    Without meaning to, he gripped the seams of his hat. When he realized he still had it on, he removed it and stuffed it inside the ring. It was a mystery how many items the ring could carry. If he was right, there were two items stashed inside. Tyrus thought to make it a priority to figure it out later. Right now, he needed to focus.


    Tyrus'' ears perked up at the sound of fluttering wings and the light scampering of a creature across the forest floor. Leaves rustled and crunching against the creatures that dominated the night. Thanks to nightfall, the forest was quieter than usual, making it easier to pick up sound cues. He wandered through the forest with careful steps, swiveling his head around, dagger in hand. Seeing in the dark was child¡¯s play. In fact, his vision worked much better when the moon was in control of the sky.


    A few more steps later, a new sound emerged. He heard a continuous trickling noise and some splashes. Following the noise, Tyrus dashed toward the source, all the while avoiding branches and dry leaves. Pushing through a wall of shrubs with red flowers, he finally located the source. A shallow stream of water marched through a bed of pebbles and rocks. At one end was a makeshift bridge of boulders with green moss growing on top. Some trees hung over the natural formation as if shielding it from the moon¡¯s glow. What caught Tyrus¡¯ attention wasn¡¯t the water, but the creature drinking its contents leisurely.


    A black boar three times the size of Tyrus was licking the stream on its outer edges. Its backside had fur with gray markings, while their gigantic head was free of it. Two small tusks with an upward curve protruded from the corners of its mouth. Gaze set firm on the beast, Tyrus slinked closer behind bushes, stalking it. Whenever the boar seemed like it was aware of his presence, Tyrus would stop moving until the boar returned to its usual routine. They were animals that had a good sense of hearing. Patience was a requirement in these situations.


    Moments later, Tyrus was directly behind the beast. As soon as the boar finished refreshing its gullet, he acted. Tyrus jumped out from the bushes and leaped at the boar. The movement of the bushes scared the boar, and it sidestepped, narrowly avoiding steel. Tyrus regained his balance and faced the boar, glaring at it with hungry eyes. Immediately after locking eyes with him, the boar turned and trotted away.


    ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t!¡±


    Tyrus never let his prey escape, and he would not break that record now. He did not want to go back to the village fishing for scraps again. He ended up there only because he couldn''t find food in the forest earlier that day. It would be a while before he returned for any reason after his previous encounter.


    Tyrus chased after the boar through the forest, jumping over fallen trees and passing by slumbering animals. Much to his dismay, the boar he was chasing was extremely fast. Now that he thought about it, this was his first time chasing such an animal. The boars he hunted were smaller and had black hair- free of gray. This beast differed from the others. For a quick moment, Tyrus thought of using Beast Transformation. He quickly dismissed the thought and clenched his teeth, mentally berating himself for thinking about it.


    "This is the best time to test out the element."


    Digging deep within himself, Tyrus called forth the mana living in his body. The power instantly came to life in his left hand, crackling and casting a blue hue across the area. He raised his arm, pointing his palm at the beast, and imagined releasing the power from his body. Nothing happened. Tyrus tried it again, this time closing his eyes. The same result followed suit. He scowled and called it off, disappointed by how useless it was. Was there a missing detail or was the element only applicable to his body?


    While Tyrus was trying to wrap his head around the unruly magic, the boar suddenly stopped and spun around. He followed along and halted, scanning his new surroundings. The boar had led them to a small clearing barren of trees. What lingered was grass that reached his knees, making it somewhat difficult to run through. A loud cry captured his attention while he was inspecting the area.


    The bizarre boar stomped its feet, lowered its head, and charged. Tyrus was shocked by the display briefly, but held his ground. When the boar was a few steps away, he leaped to the side and brought his dagger outward. He felt the dagger penetrate through tough flesh and a warm liquid stained his fingertips. A beastly roar emanated from the wounded animal as it paced around Tyrus. The dagger worked just as well as using his own claws, if not better. It was practical and cleaner than using his own. He was not fond of blood getting on his hands.


    Tyrus dared not let the animal rest and lurched forward. Rather than fleeing, the boar charged once again. Tyrus opted for a change and reactivated the magic. He was hell-bent on figuring out how it worked, no matter the cost. Right as the boar¡¯s tusk was on the verge of piercing his chest, Tyrus stashed the dagger away and pounced on top of the beast. He grabbed a fist¡¯s worth of prickly hair, hanging onto dear life as the boar kicked and reared. In a desperate moment, Tyrus unleashed his magic, silently pleading for it to be effective.


    The element spontaneously crackled, blanketing a wide area of the beast¡¯s backside. The air was thick with the smell of burning flesh, and he could hear popping and sizzling sounds coming from below. A squeal unlike anything he heard had him almost bleeding in his ears. The frantic thrash increased in power, yet Tyrus clung on. He summoned the dagger and plunged the blade right into its neck. Blood splattered all over his chest and trousers as the thrashes grew weaker. Another few stabs and the creature stopped. Soon after, it fell lazily onto its side. Tyrus leaped off the creature and lay flat on his back, taking in large gulps of air. A smile crept on his lips.


    He just figured out one use for the element.

 Chapter 5- Trial and Error

    Battling the boar had given Tyrus a deep understanding of his element''s properties. With enough mana, he could burn his opponents almost the same way a fire sorcerer would. However, for that to happen, he had to get up close to his prey, unlike the other elements. Because of that glaring fact, he¡¯d have to get more used to close-quarter combat alongside the dagger as well.


    Despite his victory over the boar, Tyrus lacked the physical strength necessary to transport the massive carcass back to the simple shack. Stuffing the boar into his ring didn''t work, leaving him with one option. So, with a dagger in hand, he shuffled toward one of its hind legs and sliced a part of the hide.


    The blade glided across the surface, carving a lengthy line that extended toward the creature¡¯s exposed belly. The thought of continuing the cut all the way to the shoulder fleetingly crossed Tyrus¡¯ mind, but a sense of urgency compelled him to reconsider. Time was of the essence, for he knew other predators would soon catch the scent of the kill, eager to claim it as their own. He decided settling for a smaller portion of meat would be wiser.


    Since the corpse kept on shifting from Tyrus¡¯ movements, he had some trouble with cutting, but he finished a few minutes later. He peeled a section of the boar¡¯s skin, revealing a swath of white on its enormous belly and sides. Tyrus wiped a bead of sweat on his forehead and cracked his neck. He hated the entire process with a burning passion, yet still did it anyway for survival. Looking down at his dirtied fingers, some meat and blood got into his nails.


    After cutting both its hind legs, Tyrus smiled at his handy work. The large hunks of meat felt heavy in his arms. When he hovered the ring over them, this time the item stored them, causing him to arch an eyebrow.


    There must be a weight limit placed on the device. Anything over this limit makes the storage useless.


    With his task complete, Tyrus rose from his crouched position and cast a lingering gaze upon the remaining lifeless boar. Frustration knotted his brow, for leaving behind such a substantial amount of food gnawed at his conscience. Tyrus had to pinch his own arm to snap himself back to the present. He left the corpse all alone, leaving it for whatever lucky passerby came across the pile of resources. He broke into a light jog, searching the path back to the shack.


    Even after finishing a tough battle against the boar, he still had the energy to spare. Tyrus found it odd his stamina hadn¡¯t depleted even after searching the forest for Wanderer. He didn¡¯t expect to exert so much energy chasing after a beast. Maybe using mana as an Elemental Sorcerer could restore stamina?


    After thinking about it some more, an important detail had already slipped his mind. He totally forgot he was a Multi-Specialist. Recalling back to Wanderer¡¯s words, she mentioned Augmentation Sorcerers could strengthen their bodies with mana. If so, then the mana he triggered while chasing after the boar was actively replenishing his stamina reserves. Using magic while on the boar resulted in the same scenario. As long as he¡¯s consciously using mana, then he can replenish stamina.


    Following that logic, why stop there? Increasing one¡¯s offensive and defensive capabilities would also apply to strength and speed. He¡¯d be as strong as an ox, yet as nimble as a fox! Just why did it take him that long to gauge the potential of augmentation? His head swelled with thoughts as he snickered to himself all the way toward the shack. Tyrus located the campfire Wanderer used and replaced the items needed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s use magic this time.¡±


    Tyrus extended his hand and gently touched the weathered surface of the dried logs. Focusing his will and drawing upon the depths of his magic, he invoked the power of his chosen element.


    Like a sinuous serpent, the magical energy snaked its way through the logs, toward the heart of the makeshift fire pit. Tyrus stayed motionless, waiting for the smoke to rise. When nothing appeared, Tyrus poured more mana into the element. But as he devoted more energy to the spell, he was hit with a sudden wave of dizziness and stabbing pain in his chest. He teetered on the edge of canceling the magic altogether and continuing.


    But then, a distinct aroma filled the air¡ªan unmistakable scent of burning oak. Tyrus¡¯s eyes widened in awe as he watched the smoke ascend from the pile of logs. His heart swelled with delight as, a few moments later, a tiny spark ignited, swiftly transforming into dancing flames that began to weave and lick at the dry wood. Slowly but surely, Tyrus was learning.


    At first, Tyrus thought he¡¯d learn at a snail¡¯s pace, due to the absence of books and a teacher like Wanderer. But ever since he killed the boar, he was itching to continue. His thirst for power- particularly in mastering his element- felt as bottomless as the ocean. Even then, Tyrus knew that over-exerting himself would do him no good. Just like how depleting one¡¯s stamina would cause them to pass out from sheer exhaustion, mana was the same. He just felt it and knew right away what would go down if he ran out of mana while practicing or fighting.


    A contented smile graced Tyrus¡¯s face as he retrieved a slab of meat from the ring, eagerly placing it over the crackling flames. The raw meat gradually transformed; the hues shifting and intensifying until they settled into a delectable crisp brown. Its tantalizing smell wafted through the air, enveloping his senses in an intoxicating embrace. It was as if he had quenched his thirst with fresh water amidst the scorching heat of a desert.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    As the meat cooked, Tyrus waited for it to cool down to a more manageable temperature. His tastebuds screamed, mingling with the growling hunger that had plagued his stomach in frustration. Finally, the moment arrived, and with a deep sense of satisfaction, Tyrus dug into the succulent meal.


    The taste of his hard-earned labor surpassed even the juices themselves. Each bite soothed his rumbling belly, while a comforting warmth spread throughout his body, gradually replenishing his waning energy reserves. In no more than five minutes, he devoured the meal, savoring every mouthful.


    Now that his belly was full, he thought it was about time to bathe and wash his clothes. Running around in with a sharp stench punching his nose was not enjoyable. Not only was his sweat practically imbued within his fabric, but there was also blood and dirt, too. After that, he would get a long-awaited slumber.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Wanderer. I will not slack off. The next time we meet, I won¡¯t be the same weak little boy you saved.¡±


    Upon delivering his declaration, Tyrus extinguished the campfire.


    ****


    When Tyrus arose from his slumber and tried to stand, his legs began to spasm, and he tumbled down in fits of muffled screams.


    This was the first time his muscles had turned on him. When he thought of why it felt as if he dipped his lower half in a fire, he could only sigh. That he had been moving constantly for the past three days slipped his mind. Given that he fought against a fierce boar and used up a lot of mana, it was understandable that his body gave up. He should make a mental note to take better care of his body.


    A good ten minutes had passed until he was good to go. After massaging his legs just in case, Tyrus stepped out of the shack. He breathed in the morning air and climbed to the top of his home. What awaited him there were his garments. He donned them and patted them, just for good measure.


    ¡°Today''s the day I start to train.¡±


    Tyrus had made training and strengthening his magic and body his priority. If he stayed the way he was and slacked off, then earning enough sil to experience the wonders of Valis would be a pipe dream. He also didn¡¯t want to stay weak. Experiencing the same fear when those two men were insistent on kidnapping him had given Tyrus a wake-up call.


    The blessing of Sthito shall not be wasted on him.


    With a resolute nod, Tyrus directed his attention to the flickering manifestation of his magic. There were countless areas he needed to improve and master. His mind buzzed with a list of goals: expanding and replenishing his mana capacity, enhancing his physical strength and magical power, and the limits of his elemental abilities. He had his work cut out for him, but he didn¡¯t mind. That was the true beauty of magic. Learning and growing so that one can be satisfied with their efforts. Tyrus aimed to replicate the stunning display he had witnessed in the barn.


    His major worry was how long the magic would stay active. Tyrus only used it in short bursts, never for an extended period. Curious about his limit, he stared at the brimming power fluctuating in his hand. The harsh sunlight was beating down on his skin as seconds slowly turned into minutes. Simultaneously, he felt his mana reservoir being drained, as if someone had poked a hole inside a water-filled bucket. When he reached the three-minute mark, he waved the magic away, falling backward into coughing fits as he clenched his chest.


    ¡°Three minutes is my limit,¡± Tyrus said through wheezes. ¡°I thought I could go on for longer. I¡¯ll need to find a way to increase the timer¡­¡±


    Next on his list was replenishing his mana reservoir. Tyrus had found out that simply taking a break allowed a sorcerer to recuperate the amount of mana they used up. When a full day passed, he felt refreshed and good as new- disregarding the pain in his legs, that is. He figured the reason for that is because of Wanderers¡¯ claim about the energy being everywhere all around. It was essential for magic manifestation, so without it, you''re no different from an ordinary person. To replenish it, he¡¯d have to take in the ample mana currently swirling all around him. He¡¯d have to figure out the best way to restore it without needing a full day to recuperate.


    Tyrus sat cross-legged, stroking his chin as he contemplated. At that moment, he could feel his body slowly absorbing the ambient mana, although it was faint. If he had to describe it, it was like an itch he could never scratch. When he thought some more, an obscure thought crossed his mind: just where was the mana being stored? His lessons with Wanderer were very short, and she wasn''t here to instruct him. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he got.


    He ran a hand through his jumbled hair and sighed. ¡°Just when I thought this was easy. If the answers won¡¯t come to me, then I¡¯ll have to brute force my way to find them myself. Finding out how it¡¯s stored and ways to absorb it faster are the steps needed to increase my mana reservoir. Once I figure that out, only then will I tackle increasing my magical strength.¡±


    Adamant on solving the puzzle, Tyrus''s hand buzzed once more. Not even ten seconds had passed before his body swayed. He stopped just before he could topple over the roof. Once he regained his composure, he smirked.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is¡­¡±


    Tyrus thought back to all the times he had experienced pain when his mana reservoir was depleted. Every time would his mind go foggy, and his chest constrict. He thought it was only pure exhaustion, but a single detail had wormed its way inside. When Wanderer sped up his awakening, his heart was the first to experience a change. A rapid beating, the skin heating, and a pain unlike any other; the heart was the source of his mana reservoir, and the power flowed through blood.


    Now that he had figured out that mystery, another had already taken its place. If the heart handled mana storage, then what would happen if it were to beat faster or slower? Would that influence his mana reservoir? Spending the power resulted in heart pain and increased beats. If he wanted to figure it out, then only two options came to mind- holding his breath and exercising.


    Tyrus closed his eyes and held his breath. He sat there, motionless, for around a minute, until he couldn¡¯t resist the temptation anymore. He exhaled and gulped as much air as possible.


    One key detail he discovered was that the rate of absorption was noticeably slower. The mana reservoir could still be replenished even without breathing. A slower heart rate led to a slower rate of absorption- that one fact was true for Tyrus. If he were to do the opposite, then it would make sense a higher heart rate would increase the absorption. Those two details all pointed to a common habit, all thanks to how plentiful mana was.


    ¡°Even then, I¡¯ll have to be careful. There must be a balance to these things.¡± Tyrus solved two mysteries, and he wasn¡¯t planning on stopping anytime soon. The prospect of learning magic practically filled all the ample time he had.


    No matter what, he would learn to master his element.

 Chapter 6- Valier Forest

    Fiona walked in a daze, shifting most of her weight onto a staff as she trudged through Valier Forest. With every step she took, a sharp pain would shoot through her feet. Not only were her legs aching, but it was extremely hot too! Someone or something must have pissed off the sun to the point where it wanted to scorch everything in its wake. She was sorely regretting accepting the contract from Aunt Selena.


    Fatigue finally took over, and Fiona leaned against a tree. ¡°Yep, we¡¯re taking a break. I don¡¯t want to hear any refusals from you guys.¡±


    One party member she was traveling with stopped and craned his head at her. A young man dressed head-to-toe in plated armor sighed and marched over. ¡°Fiona. I thought we settled on scheduled breaks. We still have more ground to cover.¡±


    Fiona scowled. ¡°Well, Grant, my feet are killing me! Just give me a minute, will ya?¡±


    Grant knew there was no use in trying to persuade her, so he shrugged and turned. "Reo, do you feel fatigued?¡±


    Reo, a short and lean figure, was crouched down, absorbed in stroking the dirt with a bare hand. It was only when Grant called out his name once more that he gradually turned, his disheveled, brown hair swaying.


    "Hm? Why are you shouting my name? You''ll attract the attention of the beasts."


    ¡°Never mind that," Grant said. "You go on ahead and use that nose of yours to track down the two-tusked boar. I¡¯ll watch over Fiona until she is ready to continue.¡±


    Reo stared at her with an arched eyebrow, as if to say¨Creally? Fiona just smiled and waved him off. The short man stood up and jogged away, grunting and mumbling the whole time. She watched him until he was only a distant blob in the forest. Fiona turned her attention to Grant.


    ¡°I can watch over myself. What if Reo finds the boar later and needs your help?¡±


    Grant shook his head. ¡°It is my responsibility to protect the party leader of Blue Dawn. As the shield of this group, I cannot leave you all alone.¡±


    ¡°And yet you left Reo on his own?¡±


    ¡°His nose for danger is impressive, and he is clever. I am confident that he will quickly escape the situation if he encounters any trouble.


    Fiona chuckled at his assurance and dropped the issue. She turned to the copper badge hung around her neck and fiddled with it.


    The sooner they gained the reward for hunting down the two-tusked boar, the better. Climbing the ranks quickly is essential for Blue Dawn to access more challenging contracts and greater benefits. Because she accepted a low-ranked contract, she wouldn''t receive much sil as a reward. Nonetheless, it was a step in the right direction.


    Regaining some of her energy, Fiona stood up with the help of her staff. She pushed aside a strand of her hair. ¡°This is our first contract together as Blue Dawn, Grant. We must climb the ranks so that we can prove those cackling hyenas back at the academy wrong!¡±


    Grant narrowed his eyes. ¡°Oh Sthito¡­ Don¡¯t tell me you''re still hung up about¨C¡±


    Suddenly, Fiona and Grant heard rustling above them. The pair snapped their heads, armed and ready. Fiona held her staff high, ready to unleash havoc upon the unfortunate soul while Grant brought out his armaments: a sword and a shield. When Fiona was getting fed up with waiting and was about to chant, a figure descended from the tree, landing right between the two.


    ¡°We have a problem,¡± Reo said, brushing off leaves.


    Fiona rolled her eyes and lowered the staff. ¡°What made you think sneaking up on us was a good idea? You¡¯re lucky Grant¡¯s perceptive or else you¡¯d be kissing the ground!¡±


    ¡°Reo, what do you mean by problem?¡± Grant asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see when we get there. Follow me.¡±


    Reo broke into a jog, following the same path he had taken before. Fiona and Grant glanced at each other momentarily and followed along. After traveling a good distance away from their resting spot, they caught up to Reo, who stopped. Grant joined his side while Fiona staggered forward, wheezing. When she looked past their shoulders, she clamped a hand over her mouth and gasped.


    A large corpse sat in the middle of a clearing. Feasting on its belly was a pack of lesser hounds all tumbling over each other as they ripped and shredded through white meat. A pool of dried blood and entrails had stained the grassy field. Spectators¨Cbirds and other animals¨Cstayed back and watched as they waited for their turn to come up. When Fiona inspected the corpse further, saw the curved tusks at the forefront.


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    Grant stepped forward and ushered Fiona and Reo behind him. ¡°That must be the two-tusked boar from the contract. It appears that it has already been slain."


    ¡°Did the lesser hounds do this?¡± Fiona whispered.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what killed it," Reo said. "We just need to show proof it¡¯s been killed, and we¡¯ll complete the contract. Fiona, your orders?¡±


    ¡°O-Oh, right!¡± She cleared her throat and raised the staff high. ¡°You two just hold your ground. Kill anything that attacks us. I¡¯ll disperse the beasts away from the corpse.¡±


    They both nodded at her command and got into a defensive stance. Grant held his shield near torso level while Reo had two daggers equipped. Fiona summoned the mana from her heart and visualized the spell she wanted to create. A tingling sensation coursed through her body. In a clear voice, she uttered the words: Fireball!


    A fiery sphere formed as mana gathered above her staff at a single point. The spell was thrown into the pack''s midst. One of the beasts sensed the danger approaching, but was too late to flee. The sky emitted a low roar, and the group exploded into a pit of flames.


    As the intense flames engulfed the unfortunate wolves caught in the heart of the spell, their pained cries filled the air. Desperate to quell the merciless blaze, they rolled and writhed upon the ground, their bodies a futile attempt at extinguishing the consuming fire. However, their efforts proved in vain, and their lives were snuffed out in a matter of seconds, their agonized squeals silenced forever.


    The remaining wolves, fortunate enough to be outside the spell¡¯s devastating range, sustained only minimal injuries. Fear surged through their bodies, their tails tucked between their legs as they swiftly retreated from the scene of their torment. Instead of instinctively charging toward the source of their troubles, survival instincts took precedence, compelling them to flee the area with haste. In the battle''s aftermath, as the triumphant flames subsided and the cries of the defeated wolves faded into the distance, Fiona took deep breaths, her chest rising and falling in an attempt to steady her racing heart.


    ¡°That was easy,¡± she mumbled. ¡°We should be safe for now. Grant, go ahead and cut the tusks. They¡¯ll serve as proof. Reo, check the beast for any mana cores. If we¡¯re lucky, we could sell it on the market.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get to it.¡±


    ¡°As you say, oh glorious leader.¡±


    The three cautiously approached the two-tusked boar, roving their eyes for any sneak attacks. Once there, Grant and Reo began their missions as Fiona kept watch, pinching her nose from the abysmal smell. Her mind wandered to her Fireball spell.


    Not only had it proven highly successful in eliminating a few of the hostile creatures, but it''s devastating impact had sent the remaining beasts fleeing for their lives. The immediate danger had been averted, at least for now. They¡¯d have to work quickly, or else something worse than lesser hounds appeared. Aunt Selena mentioned goblins and trolls were frequently seen in Valier Forest. She was not in the mood to fight such creatures.


    On second thought, how much sil did each ear of a goblin go for again? If it pays well, then I don¡¯t mind meeting them¡­


    Lost in her thoughts, Fiona hadn¡¯t realized Reo was signaling to her. He was standing on top of the beast, gliding his fingers over its matted fur. She circled around and looked up. ¡°Well? Did you find the mana core?¡±


    ¡°No, I feel no core inside this beast. While there is none, I found something interesting.¡± He reached out his arm, waiting for Fiona to take it. She grabbed hold and hoisted herself on top. Reo pointed at a particular spot that had a large black mark on top. ¡°This marking right here looks awfully like a burn mark, doesn¡¯t it? Your spell''s range was too limited to harm the beast''s back when you aimed for the smaller hounds.¡±


    Fiona tapped her chin thoughtfully. ¡°¡­Are you implying a different fire spell had caused this? And that an Elemental Sorcerer most likely slayed the beast?¡±


    Reo nodded. ¡°And that¡¯s not all. There are multiple holes embedded within the beast¡¯s neck. They look like wounds from something sharp¡­ like a sword or a dagger. I also want to add it is missing both of its hind legs.¡±


    ¡°That would mean an Elemental Sorcerer used magic against this beast. Once it was weakened, they repeatedly stabbed it until they could no longer move. The only spoils this sorcerer claimed were its legs. It''s unlikely that the lesser hounds tore them apart. The Elemental Sorcerer probably hunted this creature for food. Why else would they need its legs?¡±


    Her comrade stared at her briefly before averting his gaze. ¡°Hmph. I forget even you can be smart from time to time.¡±


    Fiona¡¯s cheeks turned red as she gripped her staff. ¡°How dare you! Just what do you take me for, Reo?!¡±


    Instead of replying, the man shrugged his shoulders and hopped down, walking toward Grant as he watched him store the tusks in a storage ring. Fiona¡¯s thoughts briefly danced with the idea of igniting the man¡¯s oily hair into a smoldering inferno, a mischievous notion that elicited a fleeting smile. Yet she shook it off. It''d be funny, yes, but Grant would give her an earful for being frivolous. That would then lead to her feeling guilty about her actions. So, as any sane and reasonable person would do in her stead, she resorted to glares.


    ¡°We should inform the branch leader about what happened here,¡± Grant said. ¡°We were not the ones to slay the beast¨Csomeone else did.¡±


    Fiona frowned. ¡°Hey, wait a second! If we do that, then the reward money might be penalized!¡±


    ¡°We cannot omit any details. Think about the oath we swore when we entered the Explorer Guild.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, dishonesty and integrity of the business and all that junk,¡± Fiona said with an eye roll. She had repeated the pledge way too many times to count. It was practically embedded within her brain. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here already and turn in the contract. Since you''re so fond of losing money, you¡¯re paying for our meals this time around.¡±


    Grant nodded and walked past, taking the lead. With everything all said and done, the three of them began their trek back toward Valis, chatting amongst themselves about what they planned to do after completing the contract.

 Chapter 7- The Trio

    It took Tyrus two days to discover an efficient way of mana absorption without the need for deep gulps like a fish. He also discovered a way to expand his mana capacity. Through deep meditation, his body experienced remarkable improvements.


    A calm mind and heart were the requirements for a steady flow. He not only experienced a continuous flow of mana into his body but also felt a tiny but significant strengthening of his bond with his element. It was progress either way. After draining most of his reservoir and refilling it, it took him thirty minutes for it to come back.


    Strengthening his heart was necessary to increase his mana capacity. Just like any other muscle, it would need constant training for its efficiency and output to increase. He likened it to doing push-ups every day to build strength. To boost the heart''s strength, it had to be put through lots of activity. Tyrus was relieved he didn''t have to commit to anything extravagant in that matter. The reason for that was that he could increase his mana reservoir and body strength. Since he was technically an Augmentation Sorcerer also, he was building the strength of both specializations. It was killing three birds with one stone.


    Slowly but surely, Tyrus had made a mental timetable on specific days for training and rest. It would do him no good if he were to contract an illness from overworking his body. He had no one to care for him and his lack of medical expertise may result in certain death. He had to be careful from here on out.


    ¡°Would the healing salve help those who are sick? If so, I would love to have some on me in case of emergencies.¡±


    Tyrus mentally shrugged and shook off the thought. It did him no good dreaming about the medicine. He emerged from his shack and stretched every muscle. Once that was done, he checked his gear¨Cwhich he had little¨Cand got into position. At three, he broke into a jog. Running serves as both an effective exercise and a great way to strengthen the heart. It enhances the leg muscles and endurance too.


    Though he ran through the forest, Tyrus couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit bored. He always found running to be a dull activity unless he was chasing his food. One was left with their own thoughts as the wind hammered their face and ears. It was a mindless activity, yet he persisted, knowing it would be worth it in the end.


    It didn¡¯t take him long to finish his non-stop hour run. He leaned against his shack, watching his sweat drip onto the floor as he gasped for air. It had been a while since Tyrus ran that much, not since his hunt for Wanderer.


    Because of his lineage and years hunting in the wild, his stamina was decent. His strength, on the other hand, left much to be desired. What kind of Augmentation Sorcerer, a specialization that mainly focused on increasing the body¡¯s capabilities, would be as weak as a lamb? Tyrus believed that if he found himself in a situation that required physical strength or speed instead of magic and suffered the consequences, then he would have only himself to blame.


    Wiping his brow, Tyrus headed toward the nearest tree. He climbed it until he reached a branch that was sturdy enough to support his weight. As he took humongous deep breaths, he lowered himself until he hung on to it with both arms. After he strengthened his grip and was comfortable, he wasted no time and pulled himself up.


    The phrase ¡®don¡¯t stop¡¯ repeated every time his chin surpassed the branch. Once he did ten pull-ups, he''d have a tough time going any further, and his muscles would be screaming in pain. Suddenly, his hold on the bark weakened, and he lost his grip. Instead of losing his balance and crashing onto the ground, Tyrus landed on his feet. He breathed a sigh of relief and watched his trembling arms.


    ¡°Ten is my limit? I thought I could do more¡­¡±


    He was disappointed, but that feeling was fleeting as he waited for his arms to recover. Leaning against the tree, Tyrus absentmindedly twiddled his thumbs. Time passed, and he felt the ache of his muscles. He decided it was time to take a break and continue later. When he could move his arms again, he stood up and gathered the materials needed to build a fire. With just a single thought of magic, flames burst to life, and he retrieved the other leg from the boar.


    ¡°This ring is amazing!¡±


    As it turns out, the ring had another feature that he found extremely helpful. It was just a hunch, but Tyrus had wondered if items didn¡¯t age once inside the ring. Despite being days since hunting the boar and cutting off its legs, the meat still looked and smelled the same as it did on the very first day. He found no blemishes or signs of it spoiling. It took little for meat to spoil, and the one in his hands was in perfect condition.


    ¡°Should I risk it? I really don¡¯t want to get sick¡­¡± Tyrus sat there for a good minute, pondering, until he shrugged his shoulders and started up the fire with magic. He placed his trust in the ring¡¯s feature. If he actually became ill, he would deal with that hurdle then.


    Fast-forward after the meat was cooked, and he finished his helpings¨Cwhich he found just as delicious as the last time. He licked his lips and got into a push-up position. Though his muscles still ached and begged him to stop, Tyrus ignored them and began. Just like the pull-ups from before, he reached the tenth mark and stopped.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s it for today,¡± he groaned. With only a few uncomplicated exercises, Tyrus established his strength limits. He can keep adding more little by little until it feels just right.


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    Unbeknownst to him, Tyrus hadn¡¯t realized he had been smiling the entire time. Even the drumming beat of his heart had escaped his attention. He sat motionless, fixated on the sky until it was time to go.


    ****


    The next day, Tyrus was sitting upright on his straw bed, eyes closed, and his legs crossed. He steadied his breathing and focused on one aspect of his body¨Cmana. Every time he completed a cycle of breaths, his blood circulation would increase, and more mana was injected into his mana reservoir. Tyrus felt his mana reservoir expand in tiny increments.


    He opened his eyes after exhaling for the final time. Although Tyrus wanted to press on, he knew it was not advisable. Just like any other reservoir, too much of a substance and it would overflow. The mana within his heart had a limit, and pushing that limit would lead to consequences¨Cconsequences he dared not think about. He would have to continue where he left off later in the day.


    Tyrus left the shack and positioned himself in front of the door. Soon, the magic on his palm crackled to life, and he pointed the element at the sky.


    ¡°Release!¡±


    The same scenario happened before; no magic was emitted. The element remained stationary in his hand, seemingly mocking him. Tyrus shouted again and again, even going as far as using both hands to emit a spell much similar to Fireball. Alas, no meaningful results had shown itself. For the first time that Tyrus had started his journey as a sorcerer, he had encountered a wall not easily surmountable.


    He chewed at his fingernails as he mumbled. ¡°What do I do¡­? I thought all I needed to do was imagine the magic I would like to use. Didn¡¯t Wanderer say something about the mind and all that? Have I done all I can on my own?¡±


    Tyrus scowled as a scenario popped into mind¨Cone he had wanted to avoid as long as possible. Was it about time to search for answers related to magic in a village? He''s already understood the nuances of mana, such as its storage location and other aspects. He hit a slump when it came to casting spells.


    ¡°If I want to learn more, I¡¯ll have to enter a city or village," he muttered, walking circles in the shack. "But that would lead to having to interact with other people. I might need to find a teacher or a place with books! Wait, that¡¯s a problem on its own. What should I do?¡±


    Tyrus held onto the side of his head while ruffling his hair. For what felt like hours, he stayed in that position until his stomach grumbled.


    ¡°I can¡¯t think on an empty stomach,¡± he said finally. He summoned his dagger and took one last glance at his shack. Tyrus shifted his eyes in the general direction of the village. ¡°I can¡¯t go back. They¡¯re probably looking for those responsible for the killings.¡±


    Head shaking, Tyrus walked away. The creek where he came across the boar was his primary destination. Animals tend to flock areas with a dependable water source, thus he designated that location as his hunting grounds. When he arrived at his destination, he was expecting to see some deer or boars in a relaxed state. However, something else had taken their place. Tyrus halted his movement and scaled the tallest tree, surveying the newcomers.


    A group of three- two men and a woman- engaged in conversation next to the creek. One of the men was equipped with a suit of armor that left only his head uncovered. The shield strapped to his back would have been difficult for Tyrus to manage alone. The other man standing next to him was shorter by a head and had a smaller build. Fastened to his leather belt were two daggers that were currently sheathed. The last person was a woman of small stature who grasped a staff. Her wardrobe was a stark contrast to the others. She was dressed in a black cape with red stripes and leather protection that covered her chest and arms.


    ¡°Reo, where did you say the goblin hideout was?¡± the woman said.


    ¡°So, you haven¡¯t been paying attention. I¡¯m sure I told you it¡¯s north of this creek.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? It feels like we¡¯ve been running around in circles.¡±


    Reo rolled his eyes. ¡°Just leave the navigation to me, Fiona. I know how to read a map.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like it,¡± Fiona muttered. She turned to the other man. ¡°Grant, what about you? Do you think Reo got us lost?¡±


    ¡°I highly doubt it,¡± Grant said. ¡°Reo has an extraordinary sense of direction, even among scouts. If we were to depend on him to navigate even the foulest of places in Dharmere, I would trust him with my life.¡±


    ¡°Not the answer I was looking for, but whatever. Let¡¯s just keep moving. The longer we stand here, the more time we waste. Those goblins will not kill themselves.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who stopped us,¡± Reo said as he took the lead. Fiona refrained from responding and stationed herself in the middle, with Grant covering the rear. Tyrus kept his eyes on the trio, refraining from moving until Fiona came to an abrupt halt.


    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s weird¡­¡±


    Grant''s hand went to his sword''s hilt. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Fiona surveyed her surroundings without responding. She angled her head and glanced at the canopy. ¡°I guess it was nothing? Must have been my imagination.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s finally losing it,¡± Reo added.


    ¡°On Sthito''s name, I will poke your eye with my staff if you say another word.¡±


    Reo didn''t want to test her bluff, so he continued at his pace and the others followed suit. The forest returned to its usual self as their chatters faded away into the distance. After they left, Tyrus emerged from hiding. He took in large swigs of air while gripping his chest. ¡°T-That was close! If I didn¡¯t hold my breath, that girl would¡¯ve found me out¡­¡±


    When Tyrus knew Fiona was conscious of his presence, he panicked internally and held his breath. He prayed his plan would work, and it did. At a glance, he knew she was a sorcerer. Fiona had the same ethereal light gliding around her, yet it was drastically less than Wanderer''s. If he had to compare them together, it was like a blizzard competing against a snow shower on who would release the most snow.


    Typically, he was inclined to avoid human interaction whenever possible. He became used to navigating the world in his own way, improving himself at his own pace. However, this situation was unlike any he had encountered before. He had crossed paths with a sorcerer other than Wanderer, a rare and valuable opportunity.


    Tyrus found himself at a crossroads in his magical development, a point where progress had grounded to a halt. It felt as if he had come up against an impenetrable wall, hindering his growth and leaving him yearning for more. But now, an unexpected glimmer of hope emerged. His magical understanding had some gaps, but they presented opportunities for expansion and breakthroughs. Those gaps weren''t too wide to pass through or too strong to crumble.


    There was also the possibility of hostility from the group, as Tyrus recalled his experience with the two thugs. The chances of finding people as generous and kind as Wanderer were slim. Taking risks was an essential part of making progress in his pursuit of magical knowledge and understanding. He was unwilling to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.


    Slapping his cheeks lightly and adjusting his hat, Tyrus steeled himself for what lay ahead. He leaped off the tree branch and ran, his footsteps falling in sync with the trail left by the trio.

 Chapter 8- Goblin Hunting

    The three led Tyrus to a place he''d never seen before.


    Trees stripped off most of their leaves stood in scattered disarray among rocks and boulders, their branches reaching out like skeletal arms. A heavy fog obscured the surroundings akin to mirages. Even worse, a horrid stench, which reminded him of rotten eggs and caused his senses to recoil inwardly.


    Taking cover behind a formation of rocks, Tyrus cautiously peered around, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings. As he followed the explorers he trailed, he noticed their path treading a treacherous terrain plagued by murky waters and discarded planks that seemed oddly familiar to the ones used to building homes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to be extra careful from here on out,¡± he said. Weighing the potential risks, Tyrus abandoned the idea of trailing the trio along the unmaintained path. The loud splashing he would inevitably make in the murky waters could alert them. Instead, he opted for a different approach.


    With a nimble leap, Tyrus propelled himself onto a small ledge that flanked the pathway. This would not only grant him higher ground, but it also provided some cover from the scattered trees that dotted the area. The misty fog that enveloped the marsh further played to his advantage. He only needed to watch out for the sorcerer. She seemed like the most likely person to detect him.


    A pair of ravens suddenly screamed out in alarm, their cries echoing through the stillness of the marsh. Startled, Tyrus silently cursed his luck, fearing that the noise would alert the trio to his presence. He anxiously glanced towards them, relieved to see that their attention remained fixed ahead, undeterred by the disturbance.


    Once the coast was clear, Tyrus maneuvered through the mist-shrouded environment, his movements reminiscent of a nimble rat scurrying through the shadows. He maintained a safe following distance, careful not to draw attention to himself.


    Why are they hunting goblins? Tyrus thought to himself. Was the nearby villagers'' request the reason for their help? Unless you wanted to make some sil or exterminate them, there was no point in hunting goblins. Another reason Tyrus could think on the top of his head was for training, but that seemed unlikely. Wouldn''t it have been wiser to train in a safer location instead of the outskirts? Tyrus assumed that was the case for those sorts of people.


    Despite his hidden pursuit, Tyrus was constantly fighting off the blood flies that surrounded him. With each smack against his face and exposed skin, he attempted to fend off the persistent insects that seemed to view him as an irresistible feast.


    To his surprise, the sorcerer within the group shared his dislike of the blood flies. She, too, expressed her displeasure with the conditions, her complaints carrying through the air. Taking matters into her own hands, she resorted to using her staff to swat away the bothersome insects.


    Through the oppressive warmth and persistent swarm of insects, the trio arrived at a sight that demanded their attention. Before them stood a rudimentary gate, its weathered wooden structure covered in a thick layer of moss. The ropes that once held the wooden beams in place were now torn into separate pieces, and the gate, although open, leaned dangerously.


    ¡°Well,¡± Fiona gulped, ¡°we made it to Salithia¨Cnow home of the goblins.¡±


    Reo unsheathed his daggers. ¡°And you thought we were lost. You owe me an apology once we¡¯re done here.¡±


    ¡°I will do no such thing. Rather bite my tongue off.¡± Fiona inspected her gear and staff before facing her comrades. ¡°Are you guys ready? Do I need to go over the plan?¡±


    The first person to reply was Grant. ¡°Once we enter the abandoned village, we will take our battle positions, as you suggested, and slay every goblin that has inhabited this place. After we finish, we will gather as many goblin ears as possible and bring them back to the guild. We''ll retreat if the situation becomes critical.¡±


    ¡°You could have just said yes instead of detailing the entire plan word for word," said Fiona.


    ¡°There''s no harm in repeating plans. The most important thing is to be cautious.¡±


    Rolling her eyes, Fiona aimed her staff at the gate. ¡°Whatever. We better start or else the goblins will find out we¡¯re here. I want to return by sunset.¡±


    Following the sorcerer¡¯s command, Grant took the lead, guiding the trio through the gate and into what appeared to be a desolate town square.


    The sight that greeted them was one of destruction and abandonment, as ruined homes encircled the square. Among the remains of the village stood a ravaged wagon, surrounded by piles of barrels and overgrown shrubs. Arriving at the center, the explorers'' boots made squelching sounds with every step. Right past the center was another gate¨Csmaller than the previous one¨Cthat led to the next section. Lying on a sloped roof nearby, Tyrus watched with fervent eyes. He breathed shallowly, hoping not to be found.


    They halted near the wagon rather than continuing on. Tyrus wondered why they weren¡¯t continuing ahead until he heard snarls coming from below. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the source. Emerging from the shadows of the ruined shacks were six repugnant creatures, their grotesque forms sending shivers down Tyrus¡¯ spine.


    Each creature wielded a motley assortment of weapons, ranging from rusty daggers to rocks, clubs, and even a wooden doll. If the circumstances were different, the sight of the mismatched weaponry and surreal situation would have been amusing. However, the weight of the situation left no room for laughter.


    For their features, they were downright hideous to look at. They were much shorter than the average human, and skin which resembled dark-green mucus. Their noses were flat and possessed ears strikingly similar to bats. The creatures¡¯ eyes, a vivid yellow akin to the color of piss, glinted with a mixture of rage and aggression. Tyrus, for a moment, felt sorry for the people below.


    ¡°Grant, take the four on the left while Reo takes care of the right. I¡¯ll provide backup!¡±


    The moment she finished speaking, the two men nodded in agreement and charged into the fray. With his shield in hand, Grant took a defensive stance, preparing for a goblin''s dagger strike. With precise timing, he deflected the attack, causing the feeble blade to shatter upon contact with his sturdy shield. The goblin, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, barely had time to comprehend what had happened before Grant unleashed a powerful swing of his sword.


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    With a resounding impact, the blade cleaved through the air, finding its mark and severing the goblin¡¯s head from its body. A gruesome splatter of blood painted the surface of Grant¡¯s previously pristine shield, while the lifeless goblin collapsed into a gray puddle. Another goblin tried to whack him in the head from behind, but Grant was aware of this. In a display of remarkable agility, Grant swiftly spun around, his movements defying the expectations set by his size and armor. He drove his weapon into the goblin''s chest, ending its life in an instant.


    Throughout the entire skirmish, Grant maintained a calm and stoic demeanor, seemingly going through the motions of combat. The way he remained composed in the face of danger surprised Tyrus, who couldn''t stop watching. The two remaining goblins, seeing their comrade''s quick defeat, ran away in fear. Their panicked squeals reverberated through the air, but their escape was short-lived. Attentively listening, Tyrus heard the sorcerer utter a spell and sensed an immediate gathering of mana above her.


    ¡°Dual Shot!¡± Fiona shouted, pointing her staff at the fleeing goblins.


    Tyrus''s jaw dropped as he witnessed the manifestation of two balls of flame. Immediately, the magic sped forward, quickly striking the inattentive creatures. As their bodies were lit ablaze, they cried out in agony. Tyrus stared until they were only charred husks.


    "After yelling out Dual Shot, she was able to release a fiery ball¡­ Is that the incantation I¡¯ve been looking for?"


    Tyrus inadvertently muttered the incantation before he realized it. He felt mana surge through his fingertips, and unexpectedly, two spheres of crackling blue light the size of his palm launched upward. Dread consumed him as the two orbs detonated into the foggy sky. With his heart pounding, Tyrus looked beyond the roofline to see if the adventurers had spotted him. Three pairs of widened eyes stared at him.


    ¡°Uh-oh,¡± he squeaked. Tyrus quickly slid down the structure and began sprinting away, following the same path they had taken, hoping to avoid getting caught. Just as he approached the gate, the twin-dagger man appeared and blocked his path.


    Woah! That was quick!


    ¡°What¡¯s a beggar doing here?¡± Reo mumbled.


    Clicking his tongue in frustration, Tyrus attempted to climb over the wall. However, he was stopped when something grabbing onto his collar. Peering over his shoulder, he saw Grant had a tight grip on his tunic. No matter how hard he tried to push forward, the man wouldn¡¯t budge. He looked down at Tyrus with a frown. Fiona was the last to arrive. Grant was brushed past by her as she plopped herself to the side, her eyes watching intently as Tyrus struggled.


    ¡°Seriously, what¡¯s a little boy like him doing in this abandoned village?¡± Fiona asked. ¡°Is he a straggler?¡±


    Reo shook his head. ¡°Impossible. The village has been abandoned for many years. This kid wouldn¡¯t have survived here for that long, let alone a day. The area is infested with monsters and beasts.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. This is a bizarre situation¡­¡±


    While they were engaged in conversation, Tyrus''s mind was racing, contemplating various escape strategies. He realized he had made a serious mistake¨Che had underestimated the strength of the incantation, which had immediately triggered the magic. He had assumed it would fail, just like his previous attempts.


    Wait, don¡¯t give up yet. I still have my hat on, and it seems like they¡¯re too busy trying to figure out why I¡¯m here. If I want to get out safely, then I need to avert their attention elsewhere.


    Tyrus relaxed and took a deep breath. The bickering pair fell silent as they turned to stare at him. Tyrus beat them to the punch and spoke before they could ask him anything. ¡°I-I saw you three leaving town and followed you guys. I thought you guys looked cool, so I hid on a rooftop to watch you fight monsters¡­¡±


    A look of shock crossed Fiona''s face as she gaped at him. ¡°Hold on¡­ Are you saying the lightning magic we saw earlier came from you?¡±


    It was now Tyrus''s turn to be curious. ¡°The what¡¯s-it-now?¡±


    The marsh reverberated with a series of snarls, capturing everyone''s attention. Their gaze immediately turned towards the gate, the pathway leading to the next section of the village. Stepping out from the structure, a band of goblins appeared, armed and ready.


    Simultaneously, the sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears, originating from the outskirts of the village. Another group of goblins emerged, this time wielding even more formidable weapons. Among them, several were equipped with shields and swords. Inside the village, there were twelve goblins, while fifteen remained outside.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Fiona whispered. Glancing between the groups, fear took hold of her expression. ¡°This is not good. Grant, let go of the kid and protect him from the goblins! Reo, help me deal with the ones outside! We¡¯ll cut a path so we can escape!¡±


    Grant obeyed and let go, positioning himself in front of Tyrus, holding his sword and shield. ¡°Do not leave my side. Stay close. I shall not let no harm come to you.¡±


    ¡°Stop acting high and mighty and start fighting!¡± Fiona snapped.


    She and Reo had already engaged in battle. Fiona wasted no time unleashing a Fireball spell that found its mark, striking a goblin square in the face. The creature flailed and clawed at the flames, running in a panic before ultimately succumbing to its fiery demise. Undeterred, Fiona seamlessly transitioned between spells, casting her magic with finesse. Explosions of vibrant red lit up the already gray sky, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.


    Meanwhile, Reo opted for a more physical approach, engaging in close-quarters combat with three goblins. He stabbed one of the goblins right through its skull, ending its life instantly. Reo dodged a swing from another attacker and responded with a quick and powerful kick to the knee, rendering his opponent helpless. He acted quickly, taking advantage of the opportunity to stab the goblin in the eye with his dagger, effectively removing it from the battle. Without pause, Reo smoothly moved to the next target, using a swift and deadly motion to slit the throat of another goblin.


    Grant had successfully maintained his position against the oncoming wave. His strength and defense were akin to that of a boulder. In one fluid slash, he cut through the torso of three goblins. Undeterred by the remaining foes, two goblins attempted to flank Grant from his left side, swinging their clubs in an attempt to overpower him. However, their efforts proved futile against Grant¡¯s indomitable defense. With a straight face, he effortlessly parried their blows, deflecting them with ease. Not a hint of a grimace crossed his face as he effortlessly neutralized the goblin¡¯s attacks. They too fell to his blade.


    All around Tyrus was the sound of blood splatter and yelps of goblins, and the grunts of the explorers. The air reeked of flesh and smoke, and Tyrus was actively sweating from the build-up of heat.


    They were in this mess because of him. The spell he cast must have alerted every goblin in the vicinity. Even with all the fog, it was impossible to miss how bright it was. Had he controlled himself and stay hidden as planned, the adventurers wouldn''t have been in danger.


    No¡­ Instead of leaving everything to them, I should do something!


    Instead of being idle, Tyrus stepped up. He tapped on his ring and retrieved his dagger. Taking a deep breath, he charged at the nearest goblin. A quick glance at Tyrus made Grant falter. He cut through the head of a goblin and chased after him.


    "Think of this as a hunt¡­ Think of this as a hunt!"


    He repeated those words over and over as he lunged at a creature¡¯s chest. The being released a snicker aimed at him, as if to criticize his unintelligent decision to attack. Tyrus guessed that because he was small, the goblin thought he was fragile. With cackling laughter, it drew its own dagger, displaying a willingness to directly confront the attack. That action proved to be a fatal mistake on its part.


    In a burst of speed, he spun around the green creature and stabbed its heart. Shock spread across its face before collapsing face first. Confirming it was dead, Tyrus went for the next goblin. Sweat poured from its gaunt cheeks as it rushed at Tyrus desperately. He side-stepped and thrusted his weapon under its chin, killing the last goblin.


    Within a span of two minutes, the battle was over. Other than the buzzing of flies and the pulsing of his ears, the village was eerily silent. Tyrus absent-mindedly gazed at his red dagger, turning it over in his hand. He was so absorbed with the weapon that he only looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He faced the trio, their clothes stained with blood and sweat, and was met with disapproving frowns.


    ¡°You have a lot of explaining to do,¡± said Fiona.

 Chapter 9- New Arrival

    In a ruined home, Tyrus sat on a chair, stiff as a corpse and screaming internally. He stared at the floor, feeling the adventurers'' eyes piercing through his skin.


    They figured they needed a break to get their energy back. More beasts were lurking within the Wasteful Wetlands, making it unwise to return at the moment. Tyrus assumed they were avoiding the possibility of encountering more creatures on the path.


    Occupying a creaking chair, Fiona crossed her legs. ¡°I still cannot believe this kid is an Elemental Sorcerer at the age of nine. Although not rare, most children blessed with Sthito awaken to mana at eleven years old!¡±


    ¡°Also, he has told us he¡¯s an orphan,¡± Reo added. Leaning against a wooden post, he stood in the far room with a nonchalant demeanor. ¡°I don¡¯t know about you guys, but have you heard of an orphan who¡¯s already at the stage where he can cast spells? That would mean he¡¯s developed enough to be a Fledgling Sorcerer.¡±


    Grant, who had been standing at the entrance, added his voice. ¡°Orphan or not, he has shown considerable skill and mettle. Throughout the journey, he has evaded detection, is an Elemental Sorcerer, and has displayed a certain level of proficiency in wielding a dagger. In the presence of danger, he valiantly fought the goblins toe-to-toe rather than succumbing to fear. And... his eyes tell me he is accustomed to slaying beasts.¡±


    Silence ensued after Grant made his commentary. When the volume dropped, Tyrus didn''t dare to raise his head. He counted the dust settled on the mangled planks. Crates and vases were strewn everywhere in the building, which had crumbling stone walls. It was a grim place that matched his situation. He fidgeted with the ring as his lips remained closed.


    Fiona''s sudden gasp broke the silence in the house. ¡°He¡¯s the one I sensed back in Valier Forest!¡±


    ¡°So you did feel something back there,¡± Reo muttered.


    ¡°Cut me some slack, alright? I just wasn''t focusing on my mana sense. Anyway, I felt a person¡¯s mana only for a split second. When I found nothing, I shrugged it off. It was you, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Tyrus slowly nodded. There was another short period of silence before the sound of shuffling broke it. A pair of leather boots entered his view. Fiona was there when he looked up. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, can you show me your primary element again?¡±


    He regarded her skeptically. What''s the reason behind her desire to witness his magic? What was she scheming? Tyus initially considered refusing, as he didn''t want to reveal more than necessary, but he changed his mind. Even if she asked rudely, he couldn''t refuse. Because of his actions, they found themselves in a dangerous situation that could have turned fatal in an instant.


    From the snippets of information he gathered when he traveled, villagers would often speak of explorers. It was a profession that accepted contracts from all over the land. In addition, he learned they received benefits because of the job''s hazardous nature. One of the advantages was the ability to connect with those in power, including members of the nobility. Tyrus had no exact understanding of what it meant, but he knew it could be harmful to him.


    Without words, Tyrus channeled his mana and materialized his magic. A dance of blue light lit up the already dreary shack. With wonder in her eyes, Fiona gazed at it. ¡°It really is the lightning element! I never thought I¡¯d see such a rare element in these conditions.¡±


    ¡°You said this is lightning?" Tyrus asked.


    When he locked eyes with Fiona, he detected glee in those brown eyes of hers. ¡°People consider it to be a more potent element than fire. Actually, I think it¡¯s better to say lightning is a higher version of fire. You probably already know this, having defeated the two-tusked boar and all, but infusing enough mana into the lightning element can scorch your enemies like fire!¡±


    Tyrus¡¯ body went rigid at the mention of a boar. ¡°H-How do you know I killed the boar?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh please. It had burn marks on a section of its skin and shallow stab wounds around the neck. You are an Elemental Sorcerer who carries a dagger.¡±


    ¡°¡­That doesn¡¯t mean it was me. Someone else could be responsible.¡±


    A sigh escaped Fiona''s lips as she rested her hand on her hip. ¡°Aren¡¯t you cautious¡­ Look, there¡¯s no need to keep denying it. What¡¯s your problem, anyway? It¡¯s not like we¡¯re going to hurt you or do anything nefarious.¡±


    ¡°You should always be careful of your surroundings,¡± Tyrus said with a frown. Her words had triggered painful memories that he wished to erase. Although she comes across as blunt, Tyrus was still thankful for the information that led to solving another mystery. On two occasions, she called his element lightning. It never occurred to him he held a power that came from storms. To his knowledge, lightning was white, but the power he wielded was blue.


    Fiona noticed his facial expressions and sighed again. ¡°I can see you¡¯re having trouble believing me. Frankly, I have no reason to lie. Back to the topic of elements. Lightning is considered a superior form of fire because its spells possess more raw power. Lightning and fire result from the immense heat they create. Past sorcerers have concluded that it is one of the rare elements to acquire. So basically, your primary element is incredibly powerful!¡±


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    Tyrus was completely engrossed, with his jaw almost touching the floor. He made an effort to process each set of information individually before reaching the end. Fiona''s use of straightforward language helped Tyrus understand it quickly. When he repeated it slowly in his head, a question had arisen. ¡°You said primary element twice. What do you mean by that?¡±


    Weirdly enough, Fiona smirked at the question. ¡°Man, your knowledge of sorcery is very limited. Well, it can¡¯t be helped. You should be thankful I, Fiona Lockhart, will impart to you my immense wisdom¨C¡°


    ¡°Fiona¡­¡± Grant warned.


    ¡°Okay, maybe I got carried away¨C¡°


    ¡°Not that,¡± he interrupted. Gathering his weapons, he marched out of the home. ¡°We have guests.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The three left the house, leaving Tyrus all by himself. He wondered what had gotten their attention and scratched his head.


    The idea of escaping crossed his mind for a moment. Already he was treading on thin ice, and it was only a matter of time until they discovered his secret. Tyrus heard two different voices inside him, one urging him to leave and the other whispering sweet nothings. The words were mostly about listening to the sorcerer. He was eager to learn more about sorcery and what she meant by primary element. Tyrus had just gotten a taste of casting his very first spell, and he needed another. One sip of water from the barrel wasn''t enough to sate his thirst.


    He was craving to devour the whole thing.


    With his mind made up, he summoned his dagger and sprinted right outside. Immediately after, he stopped in his tracks and almost dropped his weapon. The explorers were standing near the damaged wagon, facing the front of the gate. Stomping inside of Salithia was a goblin much bigger than the rest.


    The creature possessed identical external features, but stood a full head taller than Grant, who was already quite tall. Instead of being slim, their body frame was large and muscular. They carried a sword that was too heavy for an ordinary man to lift, while a loincloth was strapped to their hips. Their piercing yellow eyes brimmed with rage as they surveyed the bloodied field. Suddenly, a deep guttural roar erupted from them, causing Tyrus''s ears to throb.


    ¡°These monsters had a hobgoblin leading them?¡± Reo said.


    The hobgoblin snarled as it took a menacing step toward the three. When Grant and Reo were about to initiate an attack, Fiona stopped them. She then whispered into their ears, and both men nodded along as they kept his eyes on the approaching creature. When Fiona finished, Grant and Reo separated and charged at opposite ends of the hobgoblin, catching its attention.


    Each time the hobgoblin swung their greatsword down at Grant, he would meet it head-on and force them back. Reo, with his rapid agility and nimble footwork, evaded the hobgoblin¡¯s onslaught with ease. He moved in and out of its range, delivering precise strikes that landed with deadly accuracy. When he retreated, the wounds on the hobgoblin had healed incredibly quickly. It growled as it swung at Reo, who dodged gracefully.


    The confrontation had Tyrus so absorbed that he only now sensed an outpouring of mana. He whipped his head to see Fiona in deep concentration. A swirling vortex of orange flames formed around the tip of her staff, growing brighter and larger with each surge. Tyrus felt drawn towards the astonishing raw power emanating from her. Time seemed to stand still as the buildup of mana reached its peak, and Fiona¡¯s focused expression gradually softened. She opened her eyes, revealing a determined glint within them.


    ¡°Move it!¡±


    Grant deflected another slash from the hobgoblin and ran in the other direction. Reo stepped back and nodded in Fiona¡¯s direction. Once they were away, she released the magic that brimming with energy.


    ¡°Flame Breath!¡±


    A torrent of flames erupted from Fiona¡¯s staff, hurtling toward the unsuspecting hobgoblin. The searing heat and blazing intensity of the spell swallowed the lifeless bodies of the fallen goblins, reducing them to ash in an instant. The puddles of muck that had tainted the ground hissed and evaporated, transforming into tendrils of steam that mingled with the already dense fog.


    The hobgoblin, caught off guard and unable to escape the inferno, was engulfed entirely by Fiona¡¯s spell. A gut-wrenching wail pierced the air, a desperate cry of pain and anguish as the creature flailed its arms in a futile attempt to extinguish the consuming flames. With each passing moment, its cries grew weaker, and its strength faltered. The hobgoblin sank to one knee, its body wracked with the torment of the scorching fire.


    As the flames licked at its flesh, the hobgoblin relinquished its grip on the greatsword it had wielded; the weapon clattered to the ground. Weakened and overwhelmed, it ultimately succumbed to the relentless blaze, tumbling onto the dirt with a final, feeble gasp. The fire continued to burn, consuming everything in its path until nothing remained.


    Everything reeked of burnt flesh, hitting Tyrus''s nose as he watched everything happen. Fiona''s spell unleashed such sheer power his eyes widened with a mix of awe and admiration.


    As Fiona wiped the sweat from her brow, she turned toward Tyrus and, with a playful wink, waved. ¡°Pretty cool, right?¡±


    Overwhelmed by shock, Tyrus once again experienced deep gratitude for the opportunity to observe. The magic performed by Fiona was as beautiful as the ice shower.


    To create a reenactment or mimic the spells, Tyrus would need to learn the incantations to summon their power. He couldn''t accomplish much by himself. To truly learn about his element and its capabilities, he must search for sources that are linked to it. Fiona gave the impression of being knowledgeable about the matter during her lecture. Since she seemed like a powerful and educated Elemental Sorcerer, maybe she could help him with his troubles.


    As he approached Fiona, Tyrus clung to his cap. He knew he was walking on a rope over a cliff. He had no choice but to push his luck, or he''d have regrets forever. Tyrus had resolved himself to learn as much as he could so that he could rise from the bottom. With a sorcerer in front of him, he planned to use her as a stepping stone to success. Tyrus believed he could do it as long as he concealed his true identity. Fiona expressed interest in his abilities, so he decided to test the waters and see if he could push it even further.


    What¡¯s the worst that could happen?

 Chapter 10- Talk Between Sorcerers

    The collective decision was for everyone to leave immediately rather than stay. The remaining goblin corpses had their ears cut off and placed in a storage ring Fiona owned. Afterward, they approached the hobgoblin and sliced off its ears as well; goblin ears were necessary as evidence to be sent to the Explorer Guild, as told by Fiona.


    As soon as they were done, everyone left Salithia and headed back to Valier Forest. Grant and Reo were at the front, while Tyrus and Fiona were at the rear. The two men were silent while Fiona was the opposite.


    While walking, Fiona brought up that they took on a contract to exterminate goblins in the Wasteful Wetlands. Nearby villagers reported increased goblin activity in Valier Forest, suspecting a possible nest in the vicinity. Goblins had been attacking merchants and travelers by following trade routes. Upon hearing about the rewards, Fiona rallied her friends in Blue Dawn and headed to the marsh.


    "Thanks to the hobgoblin, the Explorer Guild will have no choice but to increase the reward!" Fiona said with a smirk, rubbing her hands together. "I can feel the sweet sil in my hands already!"


    "Sil¡­" Tyrus repeated.


    "By the way, if you''re worried about us hogging all the rewards, don''t be. Those who participate in commissions are given a fair share. We split them all equally! Well, I can''t say the same to the other explorers."


    Tyrus stared at her. "You''ll give me a share of the rewards? Does that mean you don''t mind giving me money?"


    "Instead of running away, you assisted us. I''d feel guilty if you didn''t join us in accepting the reward. And besides, with the arrival of a hobgoblin, the commission increased from low-rank to medium-rank for copper ranks! Man, I love compensation¡­"


    A brief curl appeared at the corner of his lips. If Fiona was being truthful about her words, then this would be Tyrus'' first time earning money from hunting beasts. His pursuit of a lavish lifestyle took another step forward. How much sil would he be earning was the burning question. Would it be enough to buy himself a meal? He was considering trying stew again, or possibly something similar.


    In his peripheral vision, he noticed Fiona watching him with a smug smile. After arriving at the stream where Tyrus spotted them, she spoke again. "Hey, I didn''t get to ask your name. Can you tell me? Or are you going to keep quiet about it?"


    "Fiona, you''re going to talk his ear off if you keep it up," Reo said.


    "Quiet you! This is a conversation between Elemental Sorcerers. What''s wrong with getting to know him?"


    "Your intentions are glaringly obvious," he retorted. "What you''re up to is obvious to anyone with half a brain."


    "I will have to side with Reo on this," Grant said with a nod.


    Fiona pouted as she folded her arms. "What''s up with you guys? Can''t a girl be nice these days?"


    Tyrus wondered if saying his name would matter at all. They know what he looked like and are aware he''s a sorcerer. Refusing to provide his name, would that result in severe consequences? He could attempt to flee from the explorers if necessary, but even with Beast Transformation, it''s unlikely to help him.


    Reo has displayed remarkable speed, whereas Grant has immense strength. As for Fiona, she might have more devastating spells brewing in her mind. Regardless of his strategy, Tyrus'' chances of escape have disappeared. Also, what did Reo mean by her intentions? Was she pretending to be nice to get him to lower his guard?


    He let out a sigh and said his name directly. Fiona seemed happy with his response and nodded cheerfully. "Tyrus? That''s quite the name you got there. I''ve never met a person with that name before. It sounds oddly¡­ eastern."


    "Eastern?" Grant inquired. "Are you saying his name originated from the Beastfolk Kingdom?"


    "Sounds like it. Most Beastfolk names end with rus. I just thought the connection was funny."


    Mentioning Beastfolk caught Tyrus''s full attention. He realized he had to say something fast to divert the conversation from the current topic. "Can we continue with what we were talking about earlier? I want to hear more about sorcerers."


    Fiona''s eyes sparkled, and her smile stretched to the point of being unsettling. "Oh, I would love to! I was hoping you would bring it up. Where did we leave off?"


    "¡­Primary¨C"


    "Primary elements! Or better known as a primary affinity if you want to get all formal. As previously stated, your primary element is lightning, which is viewed as an excellent affinity to have."


    "When you say primary affinity, does that mean I can control others?"


    Fiona scoffed. "Please don''t tell me you thought Elemental Sorcerers can manipulate only one element? Those who have the blessing of Sthito and specialize as an Elemental Sorcerer awaken to their primary affinity. It is deemed primary since sorcerers perform the bulk of their magic there. It''s similar to being average at many tasks but excelling in one."


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    Tyrus nodded at her explanation. It was quite surprising to know Elemental Sorcerers contain that much power. All this time, he had false knowledge swimming through his brain. Moments like these bring joyous tingles to Tyrus''s brain. It''s only solidifying the fact that he truly knows nothing at all. What would have been the time frame for him to understand it had he not been informed soon? Years? Maybe never.


    "I should send a request to have an Advanced Sorcerer look you over," Fiona mumbled.


    "N-No! There''s no need for that to happen," he blurted out. All three explorers looked at him with raised eyebrows. Tyrus glanced downwards and fidgeted with the edges of his hat. He made an effort to come up with convincing excuses that would decrease their suspicions, but his mind went blank. Wanderer''s warning instantly came to mind.


    Fiona let out an uncomfortable laugh and adopted a soothing voice. "Hey¡­ I''m sorry for bringing up a sensitive topic. I won''t mention it ever again."


    An apology was made, and the group continued their walk in complete silence. Before he realized it, Tyrus arrived at a familiar place. At the edges of Valier Forest, a path emerged that led to a small wall that many could easily hop over. One guard stood at the front, holding a spear. Seeing the village send out a gatekeeper was a new experience for him. Guards were usually stationed inside the village, mainly patrolling the marketplace in search of thieves and criminals. Wanderer killing the kidnappers must be the reason why one was stationed outside. If they were to see his appearance¡­


    Something soft touched Tyrus, and he was enveloped in darkness. He had a robe draped over his head. Looking up after freeing himself, he caught Fiona winking at him. Tyrus understood the gesture and put on the robe correctly, moving close enough for their arms to touch. Without saying a word, she kept walking. Upon seeing them approach, the guard stepped forward and blocked their path.


    "Are you the explorers sent from the Valis branch?"


    From around their necks, Grant, Reo, and Fiona retrieved a necklace with a copper tag. After careful inspection, the guard nodded in approval. Then, his gaze landed on Tyrus, who was looking ahead, avoiding eye contact with the man. He lifted his shoulders and stepped aside. "Thank you for your service, explorers. We are grateful for all that you''ve done for us!"


    "It is our duty to help those in need," Grant said.


    Each person was bid farewell by the guard as they strolled into the village. With distance between them, Tyrus could finally relax a bit. Surprisingly, the guard didn''t object to a hooded figure entering the village. Was the reputation of the explorers so impressive that they could gain access effortlessly? Must be nice to walk wherever and whenever you please.


    The cobbled streets were both lively and neat. People roamed around carefree, shifting from one place to another. Giggling children passed by; their cheeks were crimson and their garments caked with grime. Tyrus snapped out of his intense stare and quickly redirected his attention forward. There, his eyes were set on the marketplace, swimming with people standing in front of wooden stalls. When the smell of roasting meat caressed his nose, his stomach released a growl as loud as a hobgoblin''s roar.


    "It seems the little warrior is hungry," Grant said, peeking over his shoulder. "Tyrus, was it? Why not join us for a meal? You deserve it for fighting alongside us."


    Tyrus''s eyes brightened. "Really? Is it free of charge? I don''t have any money on me."


    Reo tilted his head. "Don''t worry about it. We don''t mind paying."


    Knowing that refusing their offer to pay would be rude, he surrendered. "Okay, I''ll follow."


    Tyrus wasn''t certain if his eyes were tricking him, but he thought he saw Fiona giving her friends the thumbs-up. He disregarded it and altered his attention elsewhere. As the sun was setting, its orange color was transforming into a darker shade. Tyrus estimated that within an hour, it would already be nighttime. After finishing his meal with the explorers, that''s when they will part ways. Only after he questions Fiona about her knowledge of sorcery will it happen. He wasn''t leaving empty-handed.


    Speaking of leaving empty-handed, how was he going to receive the sil?


    He was so lost in thought that he didn''t realize the group had stopped. Tyrus collided with Grant''s armored body, which went unnoticed. He rubbed his nose as he looked up. Looming over him was a large two-story tavern. Tyrus heard a faint melody coming from the door as yellow light flickered through the many windows. He sensed a hand on his shoulder. Fiona winked at him and motioned forward. Grant and Reo stepped up and opened the wide doors, entering with a brisk walk.


    "Come on, kid. Let''s get something to eat." With a gentle shove, Fiona ushered Tyrus into the building.


    The moment his foot entered, an intoxicating scent overwhelmed him. The smell of freshly baked bread and meat was practically calling his name. Moreover, Tyrus detected a stronger scent. It brought to mind one of the drunks he came across occasionally. People sat on chairs and tables, chatting happily with mugs in hand and cheeks puffed out. In the corner, someone was playing a stringed instrument. He sang a sweet melody that removed any sort of tension inside the bustling tavern.


    Tyrus trailed the explorers to an unoccupied table by the entrance. Fiona and he were on one side, while Reo and Grant took the other. The lively atmosphere was not lost on Tyrus as he looked around in a daze. A woman with a bright smile approached them. "Hello, weary travelers! What can I get you to soothe your appetites?"


    Grant raised his arm and said, "Goat stew with cheese and bread on the side."


    "Wild boar meat seared on top with wild mushrooms," Reo said.


    Fiona waved at the server. "I''ll take the goat stew also! What about you, Tyrus?"


    "¡­The same thing."


    The server nodded and asked one last question. "Before I forget, what would you like to drink with your meal?"


    Fiona spoke first. "Your best alco¡ª"


    "We will all take water," Grant interrupted. "A beverage as refreshing and healthy as water would be an ideal thirst quencher."


    Grant received a glare from Fiona as she grumbled and leaned back. "Don''t tell me you''re still hung up about that."


    "You have been warned not to drink during a contract again. Reo and I do not wish to have a repeat of that."


    "It was only one time! It''s not like I did anything particularly bad."


    Reo and Grant shared a glance, as if communicating without words, before turning to the unhappy woman. "You almost burned down an establishment¡­"


    The three explorers got into a heated argument as Tyrus paid close attention. The server had left a while ago and was now taking orders from a new group of patrons. His companion''s voices went up a notch as Fiona slammed her hand onto the table, which caused him to flinch. Seeing Tyrus'' nervousness, she softened and let out a sigh.


    "We''re getting too noisy. We''ll continue that conversation later."


    "You''re the one whose voice was ringing," Reo said, picking at his ear. "Has anyone told you you''re as loud as a harpy?"


    She ignored him and shifted her focus to Tyrus. Fiona fell into an uncomfortable silence, occasionally opening and shutting her mouth as if grappling with something on her mind. Tyrus kept staring at her until she couldn''t resist any longer and ran her hand through her hair.


    "So¡­ What are your plans after today?"

 Chapter 11- A Decision

    When their food arrived, Fiona''s question became secondary.


    Tyrus''s stew emitted steam that hit his face while he sipped. In under a minute, his plate was empty right after he tasted the food. Not even the poor bread and cheese were spared. He emptied his mug and let out a contented sigh.


    The three explorers were giving him a piercing look.


    Reo smirked and whistled. ¡°Damn kid. You must¡¯ve been starving. You gobbled it up in less time than a hungry hound.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten since this morning,¡± Tyrus said meekly. ¡°This stew is delicious, too. First time having it.¡±


    Fiona gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder. ¡°And there¡¯ll be more on the way once we arrive at Valis¨C¡±


    Tyrus launched upward, throwing the sturdy chair and mug aside. The noise was so loud that he caught the attention of everyone in the tavern. Embarrassed, he pulled the cloak tighter around him and cleaned himself up.


    ¡°We... are going to the imperial capital?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Reo began slowly, ¡°to earn our reward from the contract, we have to turn in the spoils at the nearest Explorer Guild branch, which is in Valis. Your portion of the reward can be earned from there. Tomorrow, Grant, Fiona, and I will look around for a carriage to catch a ride on. It¡¯ll take two days at most to reach the imperial capital.¡±


    ¡°But if you¡¯re worried about following three strangers around, you can stay here!¡± Fiona hastily added on. ¡°I¡¯ll personally make time to bring your share over to you. I don¡¯t want to force you or anything.¡±


    Her friends let out a deep sigh and smacked their foreheads in unison. Grant peered at her through his fingers. ¡°Fiona, this is unlike you to beat around the bush. Please stop stalling and get on with it. You¡¯ve been itching to ask Tyrus a question, right?¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine! Don¡¯t rush me, okay?¡± Fiona took a swig of water and faced Tyrus. ¡°I¡¯m just gonna give it to you straight, Tyrus. Do you have any plans to become an explorer?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± he said without missing a beat.


    ¡°That was quick. Any reason in particular?¡±


    Tyrus had multiple reasons to aspire to be an explorer like them. To live the life he envisioned daily, he required both strength and money. Fiona has repeatedly mentioned that members of the Explorer Guild receive benefits. In addition, they are given rewards for completing contracts, such as sil. Joining the Explorer Guild was the first step to achieving that.


    Money and strength weren''t the sole motivators in his mind. Apparently, the Explorer Guild was located inside the imperial capital¨Ca place Tyrus dreamed of visiting. That dream came sooner than he anticipated. A lot of his goals were close to becoming a reality. There were numerous positive results from joining the group, and he would be dumb to pass up the opportunity. Also, he was clueless about Valis'' whereabouts and lacked transportation because of insufficient information.


    Despite the positives, he knew better than to get tunnel vision. He had an aversion to sharing a carriage with strangers. His skeptical nature made him mostly guarded in unfavorable conditions. There was a possibility that the explorers were kidnappers who sought vulnerable children, using a warm meal as a way to win their favor before selling them for dishonest reasons. Killing him would do nothing for them. Being a sorcerer is also something they are aware of, so it must have some value.


    Even with several scenarios on his mind, Tyrus would still jump at this rare opportunity. Taking risks was necessary to improve himself. It was an arduous climb for him to escape poverty. Tyrus was sick and tired of it. The best part, however, was the magic that would gleam from Fiona. While Tyrus was uneducated, he wasn¡¯t stupid. A trove of information sat in front of him, and only a fool would turn away.


    ¡°Money and sorcery,¡± he said with a straightened spine. ¡°If I earn enough sil, then I can live in the imperial capital instead of a run-down shack. In Valis, I can learn more about sorcery, elements, and the world. Someone advised me to not settle for an average life, and that phrase resonated with me. Nobody would mess with me if I become powerful.¡±


    Reo snickered as he laid down his spoon. ¡°I like the way you think. For an orphan, you sure got big goals.¡±


    ¡°While that is great, do not let it corrupt your mind,¡± Grant said with a frown. ¡°Lust for power can corrupt even the purest of minds.¡±


    Fiona waved him off, chuckling. ¡°Come on, Grant. There¡¯s no way this kid is thinking about something that dark. You think he¡¯ll be the next Mad Sorcerer? Please.¡±


    Mad Sorcerer? Who¡¯s that? Is he some terrible guy?


    Grant sensed Tyrus¡¯ restlessness and reassured him. ¡°Fiona was merely teasing. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°If you say so¡­¡±


    ¡°Good. Now, let us finish so we can rent a room and cleanse ourselves in a public bath. Walking around with a terrible odor is bad manners to those around us.¡±


    Everyone agreed and began shoveling down their food. Tyrus remained seated and listened to their conversation. Once they finished eating, they left their server with two silvery coins. As for the entire meal, it was twelve in total. Tyrus asked the group about the currency system during their walk to the residential area.


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    ¡°First off,¡± Fiona started, ¡°you know how different countries across Dharmere have their own currency system, correct?¡±


    ¡°¡­Maybe?¡±


    ¡°Sil is the official currency of the Lethos Empire. There¡¯s also royal sil, and that¡¯s used mostly by¨Cyou guessed it, royalty! Or just people with a lot of money.¡±


    ¡°I did not know that. Thank you, Fiona.¡±


    The woman grasped her heart, as if she was struck by an arrow, and rolled an arm across his shoulders. ¡°That¡¯s the first time you called me by my name! I can tell we¡¯re going to get along just fine~¡±


    Reo appeared by his side and pointed at Fiona. ¡°That¡¯s your cue to run. This harpy will make your ears bleed if you aren¡¯t careful.¡±


    ¡°Keep testing me and I will light your ass on fire.¡±


    ¡­They sure do like to argue. They must be close friends if they¡¯re still together. Would I be like them someday?


    Thinking back to the rosy-cheeked kids playing, Tyrus''s heart grew heavy. He imagined himself joining the joyful group¨Cplaying games until dawn and laughing until you couldn¡¯t breathe. It¡¯s a wonder if he¡¯d be able to make friends his age at all.


    A short while later, they reached an inn situated deep within the residential area. Connected to the inn was a public bath. The inn they walked into had the layout of a tavern, but with a fireplace, paintings, and other decorations that added a homely feel to the atmosphere. An innkeeper was waiting at the front desk. Grant went ahead and paid for a one-night stay for two rooms. The males would occupy one while Fiona used the other. Tyrus didn¡¯t mind the arrangement. He would feel guilty for having them pay extra for him to sleep separately.


    Upstairs, the innkeeper showed everyone their sleeping arrangements. Luckily, the rooms were right next to each other. Each room consisted of two beds, a desk, and a large chest. Grant placed his armor and armaments in the chest and finally relaxed. Now free of his load, he stretched and flexed his fatigued muscles. Tyrus and Reo watched until he was ready to bathe. Fiona was waiting near her door as they left their room. Tyrus handed her the robe she lent him.


    Fiona pinched her nose and said, ¡°Yeesh, Grant. You smell like a pile of dung. Walking around in armor must be sweaty and tiring.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. Carrying some metal on my back is nothing.¡±


    ¡°Alright, tough guy. Come on, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The public bath was owned by the innkeeper. It was also free for everyone who wanted to wash off the grime. They separated the bath into three compartments¨Ca male bath, female bath, and mixed bath for families. Fiona separated from the group and happily trotted to her respective place. At the entrance of the male bath, there was a little area where a man was quietly reading. When he glanced from his book and noticed them approaching, he set it down and got straight to business.


    He provided each member with their own towel, soap, and robes after finishing. He also took their smelly garments to wash later, which Tyrus appreciated. Who knew a public bath was nice enough for that? Once they received the items, the group was ushered into a new room with a fragrance of plant-based soap. The interior, made of wood, was lit by hanging lanterns. Large bins filled with clear water were arranged in a row, each separated by dividers. Next to each bin was a bowl and stool. On the floor was a small funnel that led to a hole.


    The man bowed and left the group on their own. Grant and Reo had already started washing while Tyrus watched the man leave. Not wanting to lag, Tyrus took his spot and started the cleanse. First thing he did was store his hat into the storage ring. For whatever reason, no one questioned why Tyrus still carried his hat to the bath. Although it was odd, he was relieved not to have to give an explanation. They either didn''t care or assumed he would remove it, eventually.


    He checked for observers and then hastily used the icy water and soap to clean himself. Tyrus put on the hat as soon as he finished drying himself, shivering occasionally. Exiting the bathhouse with his robe on, he quickly made his way to the booked room and shut the door.


    ¡°Why was that more stressful than fighting goblins?¡±


    During his bath, Tyrus stayed alert and listened for any unusual sounds. Whenever he couldn''t keep his eyes open to prevent the eye stinging, he would use his acute hearing. Following that, it was a glimpse through the blinders. A clear view of his ears would mean no trip to Valis.


    Exhaustion set in, causing him to wander to the bed farthest away. The white fabric and pillow beckoned Tyrus forward, and he stared at them. With a gulp, he tapped the bed gently. His palm sunk through the surface like it was as light as a cloud. He entered silently and lay down, his arms and legs spread out like a bird, gazing at the ceiling.


    ¡°So this is what it feels like. Way better than a bed of straw! I can get used to this.¡±


    The comfort was divine, and it had a pleasant scent, as though it had been washed recently. The pillow wasn¡¯t lacking behind either. If the nobles slept on beds like this, Tyrus would need to gather as much sil as possible and buy the best one. He could see himself purchasing lavish meals and residing in one of the legendary manors he''s heard tales of with no financial concerns.


    ¡°What about a palace? Nah, too big. I might get lost in one. I¡¯ll start off small and work my way up.¡±


    He whistled a soft tune, thinking about good fortune blowing his way until he heard multiple footsteps approaching¨Cprobably from the explorers. Tyrus waited for their arrival, until the sound of footsteps dissipated. Soon, he heard muffled whispers from beyond the door. Just as he was getting curious and ready to leave, the door was propped open. Fiona poked her head through the cracks. She had her hair pulled back into a bun.


    ¡°Hey, Tyrus! Good thing you aren¡¯t sleeping yet. Can I talk to you for a bit? It won¡¯t take long¡­ Probably.¡±


    With nothing better to do anyway, he nodded. She sauntered in, gave him a warm smile, and plopped herself right on the bed next to him. ¡°Remember how I asked you if you wanted to become an explorer and you gave me a long answer?¡±


    ¡°I remember.¡±


    Out of nowhere, her face turned serious. ¡°You know, becoming an explorer isn¡¯t easy in the slightest, right? I just want to be absolutely sure you¡¯re serious about it.¡±


    Tyrus returned her hardened stare and adopted a firm tone. ¡°I became sure of myself when I first found out I could become a sorcerer. To reach my goals, then I would accept that profession in a heartbeat, even if it costs me my life.¡±


    Fiona held her gaze, looking for any doubt in his eyes. ¡°Okay, so you are serious about this. Great! Now that I¡¯ve confirmed your intentions and all that, I¡¯ll just set it straight. Join Blue Dawn alongside Grant, Reo, and I. If you do, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯ll never regret the decision¨C¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll join,¡± Tyrus interjected. He sat upright and flashed a smile. ¡°I feel like I¡¯ll learn a lot if I¡¯m with you guys. Also, you don¡¯t seem like bad people so fa¨C¡°


    This time, it was Fiona to interrupt him. She jumped forward and wrapped Tyrus in a bear hug. He immediately held his cap with a firm hand, afraid it might fall off. A moment later, her burst of happiness ended; she stood up and extended a fist.


    ¡°It¡¯s unofficial right now, but welcome to Blue Dawn, Tyrus. With an Elemental Sorcerer of your caliber, our group will surely get to the top in no time.¡±


    Grant and Reo burst in at the end of her sentence. They stood over Tyrus and joined Fiona¡¯s gesture. He rose and followed along. A strange sensation grew in his heart. He couldn''t determine if it was the adrenaline, the fear of his future, or just happiness. He knew one thing for sure¨Cthey welcomed him.


    For now, that was all he was satisfied with.

 Chapter 12- Carriage Ride

    "Has he fallen asleep, Fiona?"


    Fiona sat herself on the edge of a bed. "The moment his head touched the pillow, he went as limp as a basilisk''s victim."


    "Good. He will need his rest for tomorrow. The ride to Valis will not be easy on him. I''ve heard whispers of bandits causing problems nearby."


    Reo scoffed. "Nothing he can''t handle, I suppose. Bandits and beasts are easy."


    "And besides, he''s a sorcerer like us," Fiona cut in. "You of all people should know how difficult it is fighting other sorcerers. That doesn''t mean I''ll let him join the fight. In a battle, beasts and humans are entirely different."


    There was no response from Grant, only a shake of his head. He was a man that was too measured for his own good. Although Fiona liked that aspect of his personality, it could become excessively burdensome. From time to time, the guy should unwind. She hoped Grant would take a few days off once he returns. Though it would most likely result in the opposite.


    In order to not disturb Tyrus''s sleep, the three of them were chatting and relaxing in her room. For a kid like him, ample rest was necessary. Otherwise, his growth would be hindered. From the studies she read, lack of sleep and nutrients during childhood could lead to learning disabilities and other mental issues. With a promising sorcerer like Tyrus in their midst, she would not let such blooming talent wilt.


    "What do you think about him?" Fiona said.


    Reo scratched his chin. "Tyrus? I think he''s hiding a lot of information from us. That much is obvious."


    "I''m sure he has his circumstances," Grant said. "From birth, he has lived a tough life. His appearance resembles that of a beggar and he lives in a shabby shack, as he''s told us."


    "For an orphan, he sure looks healthy. Most beggars I come across look weak and fragile from lack of food. He contradicts that title. Tyrus is small, yes, but he isn''t skin and bones. I noticed some muscles in his arms and legs."


    "He is a hunter, after all. Hunting a two-tusked boar at his age is an astonishing achievement. Take in the fact he has some skill with the lightning element too. His future is bright."


    Fiona chuckled. "That''s why I had to take him in. Leaving an Elemental Sorcerer that young and talented all by himself is akin to spitting on Sthito''s face. He deserves a proper education in Valis so that he can be cultivated into a fine sorcerer."


    And once he blossoms into a powerful sorcerer, he''ll become an indispensable ally to the Lockhart''s. The Family Head will be quite pleased with the results, I''m sure.


    Giggling to herself, Fiona relaxed on her bed. She turned to her friends. "It''s too bad, though. He won''t be permitted to join the Explorer''s Guild."


    "And for good reason." Grant said. "The minimum age requirement is eleven. Allowing kids who lack the necessary skills into the guild doesn''t feel right to me. Ah, and before I forget. Fiona, will you be responsible for young Tyrus? He hasn''t a lick of sil on his name and he cannot join the Explorer''s Guild."


    "Don''t worry about it. I got it all figured out."


    "And what is your plan?"


    "It''s a secret. All I will say is deceit will be involved."


    The man squinted at Fiona and just grunted as he rose. She stopped him just as he was about to leave. "You and Reo can sleep on the beds here. I''ll sleep in the other room alongside Tyrus. Might as well use all the four beds given to us."


    "If you say so," Reo said. "Don''t freak him out with your loud presence."


    Fiona made a scowling face and left the room to enter the one Tyrus was in. Closing the door gently, she tiptoed and plopped herself onto the sheets. She turned her body and faced Tyrus briefly. He was enveloped by his blanket; a mole in its burrow. There was the unmistakable heaving of soft breaths that filled the room. When she was certain he was asleep, she smirked and looked elsewhere.


    An Elemental Sorcerer with a primary affinity for lightning... Fortune has fallen onto my lap. I''ll need all the help I can garner on my own. I''ll show them I have what it takes.


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    With determination coursing through her blood, Fiona tucked the sheets closer to her skin and closed her eyes.


    ****


    Fiona and the rest were waiting in the back of a covered wagon as they were driven towards Valis. A breeze as soft as a cat''s paw blew across the path. On the right were grassy plains that seemed to stretch over the horizon, while the left was composed of Valier Forest. Grant was using a cloth to wipe his sword and shield, while Reo was skillfully twirling a dagger on his fingers. As for Tyrus, he had been in a meditation pose for the past hour. Thanks to mana sense, it allowed her to perceive the subtle nuances of energy flow around her.


    Typically, sorcerers who did not actively steady their mana would exhibit an erratic pattern, with the white energy flowing aimlessly until it was directed for spell casting. Without sufficient mana to fuel a spell, the resulting firepower would be weakened significantly. However, when the mana was steadied, the spell cast would benefit from the proper allocation of mana, resulting in increased strength and efficacy. Apart from that, meditation had other benefits.


    I knew I wasn''t mistaken. He figured it out on his own.


    By the time she felt giddy, Tyrus opened his eyes. He noticed Fiona watching him and tilted his head. "Did you need something from me?"


    "I''m curious about your progression. What have you learned so far?"


    "I don''t think I learned much," he said. "Ever since I met you, I feel like what I know is a drop of water in a vast sea. All I can do right now is manifest the lightning element with my palms. And to increase my mana reservoir, I would meditate every other day. I recently found out breathing exercises are key to developing mana."


    Fiona nodded every so often until Tyrus finished. "Amazing! I''m guessing you learned all of that in a few days?"


    "It''s been a week since I awakened, so a little longer."


    "And you''ve already learned how to cast one spell with just a glance. It usually takes a Fledging Sorcerer a few days to even see results. The reason being is that they acquire spells during their adjustment period. You need to establish a connection with the ambient mana in your surroundings and from within. A closer connection to your element leads to greater control."


    A look of realization crossed Tyrus''s face as his mouth hung open. "I see¡­ so that''s what it was."


    Fiona was curious, but didn''t ask for clarification. If he considers it important enough to talk to her about, he''ll do it eventually. She had an aversion to making people do things they were not ready for, especially if it harmed them. In fact, she loathed such actions.


    Tyrus''s sudden manifestation of an element ignited her curiosity. The crackling energy of lightning flowed through his palms, intriguing her. She pondered what he had in mind as he sat there, appearing to be lost in deep concentration.


    Minutes passed, and Fiona watched with growing concern as Tyrus''s magic faltered. The flickering sparks of lightning grew dimmer, eventually dissipating into nothingness. His breathing became labored, and he clutched his chest in distress.


    "Three minutes¡­ and ten seconds this time," he said.


    Grant looked up from his polishing. "Diligently training your magic, are you? Fearless and a hard worker. Exceptional qualities to possess at a young age."


    "He really is determined to become a powerful sorcerer," Reo said.


    "A future like that is imminent for him, given his current state. His resolve dwarfs most kids his age-----------¨C-and dare I say, our seniors at the academy."


    Tyrus wiped his forehead and glanced at the group. "Academy? Seniors? You guys go to school?"


    Oh right¡­ He doesn''t know, Fiona thought. She cleared her throat. "Grant, Reo, and I are students of Valis Academy of Sorcery. We''re actually in our sixth year."


    "If you''re still in school, then how old are you guys?"


    "We''re sixteen," they said in unison. Tyrus was so shocked by the reveal that he snapped his head back and bumped his head onto the wood. He yelped as he rubbed his head carefully.


    "I thought you were way older than that," Tyrus mumbled.


    Fiona was unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed by that comment. Did she really look that old for a sixteen-year-old? Compared to others her age, she could say with confidence she was way above average. There wasn''t a wrinkle or a blemish in sight because of her youth. Maybe the stress was finally catching up to her!


    Amidst her internal dilemma, Tyrus snapped his head directly at the coachman. For a moment, his gaze lingered, and his eyes scanned around as he cupped his ears. Strangely, he even sniffed toward the backend of the carriage a few times.


    "I think I hear voices?"


    Everyone in the carriage lurched forward as the wagon came to a screeching halt. A horse neighed, and the coachman shouted curses at it afterward. Grant moved his sword aside just in time as the kid collided with him. Reo quickly regained himself and leaped out of the carriage. Grant and Fiona followed along. Tyrus was about to exit also until Fiona stopped him and shook her head. Before he could protest, she had already joined the others.


    Their eyes were immediately drawn towards Valier Forest as they spilled out. Like rodents from a sewer, armed men with smirking and detestable faces came out from the area and circled the carriage. Fiona identified the greed spilling out of their eyes and the hostility emanating from them.


    "Why is it always bandits?" Fiona grumbled. "Always targeting travelers or merchants. They should get an actual job."


    "You know damn well they don''t have the brains for another job," Reo sneered.


    That comment from him got some bandits riled up. They began inching forward, their smirks replaced by scowls. When Fiona looked back, she noticed an arrow sticking out of the horse''s eye socket. The coachman was also lying there with an arrow in his head. She shook her head and focused her attention elsewhere.


    "Thanks to them, our trip to Valis will be delayed! Let''s deal with them quickly for Tyrus'' sake."


    At her command, Grant and Reo pushed forward as Fiona prepared a spell, ready to burn her enemies to ashes.

 Chapter 13- A New Element

    "And once again, I''m told to do nothing."


    To be frank, Tyrus was growing slightly frustrated with Fiona''s desire for him to stay. He understood why----¨Cdon''t let a kid fight a bunch of grown adults.


    Nevertheless, he needed some combat experience. What Tyrus wanted most was to use his magic on moving targets. He had to gauge his magic''s strength against humans, who are more intelligent than beasts. There was also the new spell he learned. If he were back in the forest, he would already be starting his training and hunting. Inactivity was unfamiliar to him.


    Tyrus watched the scene unfurling in front of his eyes. While the bandits outnumbered the explorers twelve-to-three, they weren''t making any headway. Three of them stayed behind and aimed their arrows at the explorers, but missed all three times. It was no challenge for Grant to block the projectiles. If one were heading toward Fiona, he''d deflect it too.


    The bandits tried to strike him with their swords, but came out unscathed. For the other, Reo was way too fast, similar to a hurricane. His agility was so impressive that Tyrus suspected him of being an Augmentation Sorcerer.


    "Wait a minute¡­"


    He remembered Fiona''s comment from earlier, when she spoke of conversing with Tyrus among only Elemental Sorcerers. Following that logic, and with Reo''s fast movements and Grant''s strength, the only conclusion was that they''re Augmentation Sorcerers. If he was wrong-¨Cwhich was unlikely¨Cthen he would reveal his ears to them. That last part was a joke, but he made his point.


    Fiona was casting the Dual Shot spell at the throng of enemies. Their fear of the sorcerer''s magic made them pay more attention to the Fireball. Because of that, Grant and Reo dispatched the inattentive bandits easily. It took only three minutes for all of them to be defeated. Grant withdrew his sword from the chest of a bandit, causing Tyrus to wince.


    "If you can defeat a group of goblins and a hobgoblin, then bandits are easy," Tyrus mumbled.


    While Tyrus frowned, Fiona walked up to the carriage with a glistening face. "Okay, we got good news and bad news. The good news is that the bandits have been handled. The bad news is that we''ll have to travel by foot and hope to find other carriages along the way."


    Traveling by foot was not a problem for Tyrus. This gives him a perfect reason to do some physical exercise. He couldn''t say the same to Fiona. She seemed to have less endurance than her friends. In addition to her commanding tone, she was the opposite of Tyrus. Progress towards Valis would slow down.


    Stepping out of the carriage, he inspected the scene further. A ring of bodies surrounded Grant and Reo as they glanced around.


    "Are they all dead? I don''t see them moving," Tyrus asked.


    Fiona blinked. "You''re not freaking out?"


    I could say the same to you guys, he thought, but he reserved to keep quiet about it. "Well, I do feel uncomfortable right now. But this isn''t the first time I''ve seen a dead body. I''m also used to seeing blood."


    "¡­Hearing that from you is deeply concerning. I would like to say more, but we shouldn''t linger. Grant, Reo!"


    The two men emerged from the front of the carriage. While Tyrus and Fiona were talking, they went to check on the coachman and the horse. Standing over Tyrus, Grant spoke first with a somber expression.


    "I''m afraid they have perished. Their wounds were fatal; we will have to continue on foot."


    "Great¡­ more walking," Fiona muttered. "It might be cruel to say, but we will have to leave the bodies alone. Let the beasts and crows do their job. We''ll have to find a suitable spot to make camp before sundown. Any objections?"


    Everyone shook their heads, eager to get moving. With a nod, Fiona stepped up and started the trek. Tyrus glanced at the destruction left behind by the explorers one final time. A shiver ran down his spine, and he averted his gaze as he jogged to catch up.


    ****


    The group walked a reasonable amount of distance from their carnage and decided it was a great time to make camp. The slanting rays of the setting sun gave a warm orange tinge to the sky, and the icy chill of night encompassed the land.


    Twigs crunched, echoing in the quiet Valier Forest as Tyrus sprinted across the sparse underbrush. His breathing grew shallower the longer he ran. It was a bit challenging to find prey that could feed four people. Hunting in an unfamiliar area further increased the difficulty. Tyrus had to move slowly and take note of his location to avoid getting lost.


    Actually, there wasn''t really a need to hunt. Fiona stored provisions in her ring that would''ve lasted the entire trip to Valis. Tyrus had the option of remaining still and eat up the bread and cheese by the campfire.


    Yet he refused to do so.


    Tyrus had been idle for too long. All he could think about was improving his body and magic skills. When the chance came, he embraced it. Thankfully, the three explorers didn''t refuse and left him to be. He suspected they were aware of his plans and didn''t mind, as long as he came back unharmed. So really, his real reason to ''hunt'' wasn''t for food, but for training. The moment Fiona told him that Elemental Sorcerers could control multiple, he became restless to break free.


    He felt more alive than ever now that he distanced himself from the group. The unfamiliar location in Valier Forest didn''t bother him due to the calming scenery. He located a patch of grass free of shrubs and sat. After scanning the place using his eyesight and ears, he knew no danger would come to him. Taking in a deep breath, he assumed a meditation pose and accessed his mind.


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    Tyrus had never seen mental images clearly, only shimmering into view, whenever he used this method to delve deep into his mindscape. Nothingness surrounded him, but soon flickers of blue light illuminated the darkness. It would crackle, mimicking the sound of his lightning element. No, it was the lightning element, but it was taking a while to form a concrete image. What was once hazy was now crystal clear to him. A power he had used multiple times before during training. The relationship was deepening, reminiscent of a trainer''s bond with their pets.


    This time around, he opted for a different action. This time, he wanted to manifest a different element. Just like before¨Cwhen he used thoughts alone to access his primary affinity¨Che imagined a candle wick that had been lit. Tyrus believed that attempting to manifest something beyond his capabilities would result in minimal or no outcomes. Starting small was necessary for him to grasp the concept.


    A slight constriction in his chest was felt as the image came into view. The mana inside quickened, causing a stabbing pain to engulf his mind. His mana reservoir was also dwindling. Ignoring it and gritting his teeth was all he could do to focus on the task. The seconds ticked by, but he continued to redirect the energy flow to his hands as usual.


    Just as the mana appeared, he opened his eyes and stared at the tip of his index finger. A spark briefly caught his sight, and it disappeared immediately. Instead of feeling glum, Tyrus clenched his fist and grinned.


    "So it is true! Elemental Sorcerers can manifest more than one element¡­"


    Despite its abrupt appearance, he successfully summoned the fire element for the first time. Standing up, he felt a surge of joy as he looked up at the sky. He paused to let his accomplishment sink in before moving on to the next phase. Of course, he wouldn''t let it stop there. Who in their right mind takes a break after a breakthrough? The thought of continuing tomorrow would keep him up all night.


    He wondered what more he could do.


    Excited, Tyrus sat right back down and entered the mindscape once more. He repeated the known steps he had taken with the other elements, bracing himself for what was to come. Unfortunately, when he tried to call forth the water element, things went awry.


    Suddenly, Tyrus''s eyes snapped open as his heart was consumed by a searing pain. The pain was so intense that tears welled up in his eyes. He felt like his head was on fire, and his thoughts were swirling around in a maelstrom. Agony gripped Tyrus, and he clawed frantically at the earth beneath him, hoping for any relief from the torment. The sensation was reminiscent of the jolting awakening he had experienced before, amplifying his distress.


    Curled into a ball, Tyrus endured the torment with a quivering body. Minutes stretched on, each one feeling like an eternity as tears streamed down his face. But then, as if a threshold had been reached, the pain gradually receded. It was a slow and arduous process, but after about five long minutes, Tyrus found some respite.


    Another five minutes passed, and the agony that had consumed him dissipated further. The sharp edges of pain dulled, allowing him to regain control of his trembling body. Slowly, he uncurled himself and wiped away the remnants of tears and snot from his face, his breathing returning to normal. Tyrus gathered the strength to rise from his huddled position. He sought the support of a nearby tree as he gathered his thoughts.


    "Never again please¡­"


    Only after he tried to summon a third element did his body give out on him and cruelly experience unparalleled pain. Back then, he felt as if his mana was a raging fire, burning him from the inside out. What made this time stand out from the others? Manifesting the fire element was fine, but water was entirely different. What was the cause?


    "I''ll have to ask Fiona," he mumbled. Unconvinced he was truly fine, Tyrus waited some more. When he felt no more pain, he cautiously rose to his feet. His legs wobbled, but he stood up. The sore throat lingered even after the headache and nausea had disappeared. As for his mana reservoir, a portion of it was missing.


    "No-¨CIt''s fine. I can refill it later. While my body is still okay, I''ll train my magic. Figuring out what the heck happened on my own will be a waste of time."


    He looked over at his left hand and tried to summon the fire element again. A tiny spark appeared just like the last time, but it was quickly extinguished. He tried it repeatedly, and the same results followed. On his right hand, he summoned lightning. While it was still activated, he summoned fire on the left.


    "It''s possible to use two elements at the same time? That''s amazing!"


    It was sad he couldn''t use the other elements, but at least he learned something new. For now, he''ll give his attention to the two he has available.


    When he thought of commanding two elements, an obscure thought wormed its way in. What should he focus on specifically? He can''t do much with fire since it''s as weak as a candle in a storm. More time and effort are required to match the potency of lightning. There was also the issue with his mana reservoir. He''d be neglecting his primary element while wasting time and mana on a weaker one.


    "Yeah, I''ll focus most of my attention on lightning. I''ll still train fire, but not as much. Maybe one or two days each week." It was a flimsy plan, but it was better than nothing. Tyrus would craft a better one later. The fire problem was no longer a concern, and he could focus on one of the main parts of his journey to become a sorcerer: spells. The Dual Shot spell was burning a hole in his pocket, and he wanted to recreate the spectacle at the Wasteful Wetlands.


    Tyrus wasted no time and extended his arm above. With a clear mind, he summoned the power of lightning by uttering the incantation.


    Two blue spheres of light appeared at the tip of his palm, leaving him feeling drained of his energy. The magical ball crackled with lightning as Tyrus aimed it at a patch of grass. With a burst of magic, the emerald blades were enveloped in a cloud of dirt as they blackened and fizzled. His breathing increased rapidly as he watched his handiwork.


    The price of using Dual Shot was no laughing matter. Fatigue was already settling in from just one spell. If Tyrus had to guess, he could probably cast one more until his heart pondered to end it all. Comparing it to his previous experiences with elemental manifestations, Tyrus sensed a distinct disparity. While summoning lightning and fire in his hands required little mana, the act of casting spells demanded more of him. Uttering the spell and casting it depleted his mana reserves significantly.


    He leaned on the tree, concentrating on replenishing his energy, letting the mana slowly refill. A single purpose consumed his mind: to engrave the essence of spellcasting deep within his being.


    For Tyrus, mastering the art of spellcasting required an understanding of the behavior of the mana inside him. He yearned for it to become as natural as his Beast Transformation ability, an innate skill that required only a thought to activate. Just as effortlessly as he could transform, he believed that sorcery could become an extension of himself.


    In his mind, there was a connection between the two¡ªa similarity that felt like flipping a lever. If he could grasp the intricacies of Beast Transformation so instinctively, he believed the same could be achieved with sorcery. The key lay in the level of dedication and effort he was willing to invest.


    And effort wasn''t a problem for Tyrus.

 Chapter 14- Augmentation

    Following the completion of a meditation session, Tyrus restored a portion of his mana. He could have stayed longer, but the moonlight was fading, and he didn''t want to worry the explorers with his absence. If he lingered away for too long, he wouldn''t be surprised if they came looking for him, especially Fiona. Among the group, she appeared to be the most likely to be upset. Thanks to her hospitality, Tyrus had the opportunity to go to Valis. She was also more than willing to impart her knowledge to a Fledgling Sorcerer like him.


    After one more test, he''d return. For what the test was, it focused on the one specialty he had put off using in favor of elements: augmentation.


    His fascination with elements had caused him to overlook his other specialization. The former had captured his interest, making the latter appear weak in comparison. Augmentation was just like Beast Transformation¨Cit was a matter of increasing strength and speed. Well, that''s what Tyrus assumed from Wanderer''s description. To avoid missing any crucial details like last time, he tested it out.


    Before anything else, he had to learn the fundamentals. A key concept was that Augmentation Sorcerers fueled their bodies with mana to boost their offense and defense. For defense, the meaning was obvious, but the other intrigued Tyrus. The concept of offense meant attacking, so he could amplify the impact of his punches and kicks. After some reflection, an Elemental Sorcerer employs mana to create spells that are meant to attack their enemies. Did that mean he can strengthen a spell''s power with augmentation?


    Thanks to his meditations, Tyrus knew exactly what to do. Closing his eyes, he relaxed his body and tapped into his mana reservoir. An image of his mana circulating through his body like a river came to his mind. He could feel the pulsing of life in every part of his body, from his heart to his fingertips and toes. Serene and beautiful as a pearl, a white light flowed calmly.


    Tyrus directed the energy outward. He imagined himself as unbreakable as a fortress, with skin and bones like the walls that protected those important. As he felt a pinching sensation in his heart, Tyrus worried he had overexerted himself and drained his mana reservoir. Thankfully, he was wrong about his assumption. That pinch only served as a sign that it was actively being used. Soon, he felt his body swell with power. Once he retreated into the real world, he instantly felt a change.


    A soft, lustrous glow emanated from his skin, like the glow of moonlight. Tyrus walked up to a tree and pulled his arm back. Making a fist, he lurched forward and struck the bark. He winced at the sound of splintering as he pulled his arm, leaving an impression the size of his fist. Tyrus chuckled as he switched off the augmentation.


    It was unbelievable he had put off augmentation for that long. Laughing off his stupidity was the only thing he could do. Strengthening his body with mana would have made catching the boar easier. By directing mana into his fist, he could deliver a powerful enough punch to create a hole. The best thing was that it didn''t use up as much mana as spells. Spells demanded a burst of mana, while augmentation needed a trickle, comparatively.


    He could easily punch a tree, but needed a substantial mana reservoir. Excessive usage would inevitably exhaust him. Tyrus considered mana to be like stamina, and draining it could have negative consequences.


    Through his meditation sessions, he was able to enhance his connection with his primary element and mana. Who knows what could happen if he kept going? He''d have to increase the length of time so that he could strengthen the bond. And also for his mana reservoir to expand to cast more spells. The larger the reservoir, the longer the mana lasts. This would mean using augmentation for extended periods.


    The more he trained and experimented, the more excited he became. His head was filled with so much info, he thought his brain would turn to mush. He accomplished learning a new element, augmentation, and Dual Shot spell in just one night. The question of whether spells can be made more powerful through augmentation, even minimally, is a mystery.


    "Let''s try it out," Tyrus whispered. There was enough mana in his reservoir to cast a Dual Shot spell, which meant he wasn''t at risk of overexerting himself. So with that, he activated his augmentation with a mere thought and muttered the incantation. Almost immediately, two orbs of lightning formed above his palm. This time, there was an obvious difference.


    They were slightly bigger than the previous batch. In addition to that, he sensed his mana decreasing much quicker than he expected. Only one second had passed before his heart and brain throbbed. Tyrus'' nostrils flared as he threw the orbs right under the blackened patch of grass. Tendrils of blue light exploded, momentarily illuminating the area. The flash vanished as quickly as it materialized. Tyrus fell to one knee, gasping for breath and clutching his pounding heart. He slowly tilted his head, examining his work.


    In comparison to the previous patch, the affected area was bigger. Some blades of grass even caught fire. Tyrus ignored the pain and stomped on the embers. Once it was extinguished, he sighed and sat down to control his breathing.


    His suspicions were confirmed; the abilities of an Augmentation Sorcerer and an Elemental Sorcerer can be used in combination. Even though it''s supposed to be good news, it can be quite demanding on the body. One''s mana can hit rock bottom and cause extreme physical stress if careless. It wasn''t a big deal to Tyrus as long as he was cautious. Armed with a basic understanding of augmentation, he had the freedom to explore various possibilities.


    When the pain went away and he got some mana, Tyrus stood up and inspected the forest. To ensure he wouldn''t get lost, he marked the trees on his journey. He found one after a quick search and started jogging. With each passing minute, Tyrus grew happier, satisfied with the progress he made. He would have to tell Fiona about his findings and ask for her input.


    The moment he thought about Fiona, he encountered a problem. She had no idea he was a Multi-Specialist. As far as he knew, he was just an Elemental Sorcerer. Was it wise to tell her he was also an Augmentation Sorcerer?


    He slowed his pace. A key detail he overlooked before just came to his mind. When Wanderer was talking with him about specializations, she mentioned those who receive the blessing and carry Beastfolk blood are more likely to awaken as an Augmentation Sorcerer. If he revealed he was a Multi-Specialist, would she and the others make the connection he might be a Beastfolk?


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    No, that''s dumb, Tyrus thought. There must be other Multi-Specialists that are only human. No way would they instantly think he''s a Beastfolk. It was already a stretch. They also had no evidence or suspicions of his lineage, anyway. There was no need to worry about his identity being exposed.


    Tyrus laughed off the possibility and noticed he was nearing the camp. Up ahead, he spotted three figures sitting near a campfire. When Tyrus approached them, they all turned their heads.


    "Told you he wasn''t hunting," Reo said with a yawn.


    "It was obvious enough," Grant said. "We all knew he was waiting for a chance to be alone and train."


    Fiona got up and stretched her limbs before approaching Tyrus. "Are those splinters all over your body? Just what were you doing?"


    Tyrus looked down, perplexed, and saw wood shavings covering him. Some of it even touched the ends of his hair. They disappeared after a quick rub and shake.


    "I have to tell you guys something," he said as he sat down at the fire. "After training, I just realized I haven''t told you this yet. I''m¡­ also an Augmentation Sorcerer."


    The only sound was the faint rustle of leaves in the distance. From time to time, the crackling of the fire would break the eerie quietness. Tyrus glanced up, and the orange and red hues on their faces caught his attention. They all stared at him with unreadable expressions. A feeling of panic welled up inside him as he realized he had made a grave mistake. Was he supposed to keep it a secret, after all? Were Multi-Specialists rarer than he assumed? Tyrus swallowed down the lump forming in his throat and mentally prepared himself to escape if things went badly.


    The silence was broken when Fiona spoke first. "Oh wow¡­ He''s actually serious about this."


    "I find it hard to believe, but this is Tyrus we''re talking about," Reo said. "So far, he hasn''t said a single lie."


    Grant grinned broadly as he released a hearty chuckle. "It appears that our newest member is more exceptional than we believed. It''s surprising to know that he was an Augmentation Sorcerer like Reo and I. We got ourselves a Multi-Specialist."


    "What made you realize you were an Augmentation Sorcerer? And how did you know its official title?" Reo asked.


    The last question surprised Tyrus momentarily, but he bounced back quickly. "I punched a tree with my bare hands and was strong enough to leave a mark. For how I know what an Augmentation Sorcerer is, I heard people speak about it when I traveled from place to place."


    "Sounds like it. People tend to blabber about sorcerers. According to some senior students and teachers in the academy, ordinary people perceive us sorcerers as a more advanced form of life. I mean¨Ccontrolling elements and having the power to move boulders? I don''t blame them."


    Fiona frowned at Reo. "What are you blabbering about? That''s just a bunch of nonsense. Don''t boost the egos of people in the academy. They''re big enough already."


    He gave Fiona a shrug, then went back to playing with his daggers. She sighed and faced Tyrus. "Thank you for telling us. The fact that you went out of your way to tell us means you trust us to some degree. Also, congratulations! Only one in a hundred sorcerers are Multi-Specialists. Man¡­ you possess the lightning element and you are a Multi-Specialist. Aren''t you just lucky?"


    Tyrus had to mentally smack himself from cracking a smile. "Speaking of element¡­ I just used fire for the first time." To make sure they believed him, he stuck out his finger and imagined a flame on the tip. The element obeyed, and it flickered. Fiona''s eyes shone as she leaned forward.


    "You learn way too fast. Are you sure you just awakened? A certain amount of mana connection is required to use an element that is not your primary affinity."


    "If it''s just establishing a connection, then I see nothing wrong. Thanks to meditation and Bea¨Cer¡­ thanks to living outdoors, I feel like I''ve been around mana all my life. Learning to use it has been somewhat easy. What''s not easy is the burden I have to experience when I use spells and mana."


    Fiona''s expression turned serious. "You''ll have to be careful in preserving your mana. Too much usage and you''ll experience mana deprivation. If you don''t know what that is, it''s a phenomenon when the use of mana has reached critical levels, and the mana heart is or will reach its limit. You''ll experience a rapid heart rate, sweating, and a splitting headache. It''s like being poisoned. The risk factor of the symptoms increases the stronger the sorcerer."


    "¡­Oh. I may or may not have experienced it a couple of times."


    When Tyrus looked away in embarrassment, he heard the flutter of a cloak and witnessed a shadow looming over him. Taking a knee, Fiona grabbed both of his shoulders. "Tyrus, I will only say this once. Never put yourself in that position ever again, you hear me? It''s not a joke in the slightest. Promise me you won''t purposely undergo mana deprivation."


    Looking at her sad yet stern expression, Tyrus immediately nodded his head. "Okay, I understand. I''ll do my best to keep my mana levels at a stable level."


    Fiona stepped back and let go of him. She reached over and tapped her storage ring. Her ring was slender and boasted a golden hue, a departure from the silver design of his own ring. However, the most striking difference was the red color of the gem embedded within Fiona''s ring. What came out of the ring was a stick of bread, cheese, and a mug. With a snap of her hands, she summoned a stream of water above the mug and filled it to the tip. Tyrus couldn''t believe what he was seeing; his mouth hung open in disbelief.


    "Now that you''ve finished your training and decided to join us, have something to eat. Nothing tastes better than a meal after a good workout!"


    Fiona handed him the meal and mug, and Tyrus took it as he thanked her. "You used the water element without an incantation? How come whenever you use fire spells, you chant, but this time all you needed to do was snap your fingers?"


    "Higher forms of spells require a firmer control of mana, thus incantations are used to stabilize the flow. Simple uses of the elements require little concentration and control. Incantations are a safety measure for sorcerers to avoid harming themselves or others. Not needing incantations for stronger spells only comes with confidence and mastery in your element."


    Tyrus took a large bite of bread and cheese and continued chewing. Fiona received the mug after he had eaten and drunk. "I tried to shoot lightning out of my hands when I first started out. Are you saying I need a lot of control and concentration for that to happen without incantations?"


    Fiona squinted at Tyrus with skepticism emanating from her eyes. "Tyrus¡­ Are you thinking about mastering lightning with no incantations? If so, it will take you a long time for that to happen. Your knowledge of sorcery is minimal as a Fledgling Sorcerer, and it''s even more challenging to master your primary affinity for an element outside the main four."


    "That shouldn''t be a problem for Tyrus," Grant said. The sudden intrusion caused Tyrus to jump and turn around. He had forgotten that both he and Reo were still present. Grant was polishing his armaments once more while Reo moved further away and lay on his side.


    "With continuous and diligent training, he could make incredible progress within two years."


    "Two years?" Tyrus asked. "Why two?"


    Fiona cleared her throat and interjected. "My point is to keep your expectations low to avoid disappointment. Keep training, and you will become strong."


    Standing up, she dusted the hem of her robe. "It''s about time I get some shut-eye. Despite my dislike for sleeping outdoors, I have no alternative. We have a lengthy walk ahead. Grant, you take night watch. Wake me or Reo in a few hours to switch."


    She found a suitable place to rest promptly and covered herself with her robe. Grant resumed his polishing duties nearby.


    Initially, Tyrus entertained the thought of engaging in some further training, eager to push his limits. However, Fiona''s cautionary words echoed in his mind. Not wanting to disappoint her, Tyrus pushed aside the idea of additional training and instead gravitated toward the comforting warmth of the nearby fire, dozing off to the popping flames.

 Chapter 15- Foot of the Royal Capital

    The journey to Valis had been relatively easy for the group. Well, most of them.


    Despite Tyrus, Grant, and Reo being able to walk for hours without stopping, Fiona needed to take breaks every few hours. The constant breaks didn''t bother her friends at all. Almost as if it was a daily routine for them. Tyrus didn''t care all that much. He took advantage of her rest time to do some training.


    Rather than going back on his promise to Fiona, he focused on improvement and reflection. Tyrus had to conserve mana until they reached Valis. If he trained excessively and ran out of mana while facing a pack of beasts, what would be the outcome? He''d have to fight with his dagger in a weakened state. Fighting while sick sounded like a pain to experience.


    Before resting, Tyrus would activate augmentation and continue walking until they stopped. Then he would meditate and replenish his mana reservoir¨Cor more specifically, mana heart, as Fiona told him. It was a cycle Tyrus had undergone until sunset arrived. On their journey, they used the same path as the coachman, hoping to come across a passing carriage. Sadly, they encountered none on the way.


    With a displeased member of the team calling the shots, everyone stopped and made camp in the forest once again. To avoid an ambush by bandits and beasts, it was unwise to rest by the side of the dirt path. Living in the forest provided more chances to detect them because of the abundance of vegetation. The snapping of a stray branch or the rustling of bushes were common sounds. They were especially louder to Tyrus, making it almost impossible to get snuck up on.


    The same routine happened from yesterday, with Grant taking overnight watches and the others sleeping. Tyrus would lean against a tree and train his lightning element and augmentation. After that, some more meditation. What may seem like a tedious routine to others, it was quite the opposite for Tyrus. Every time he made progress, he felt more determined to continue. Sorcery became his burning passion.


    While meditating deeply in his mindscape, Tyrus stumbled upon a fascinating revelation. He realized he had the option to alternate between fire and lightning manifestations. It was as if he were manipulating the very essence of the elements within his mind.


    In his introspective exploration, he visualized the representation of the elements. A tiny fire burned steadily, emitting warmth and flickering flames, while nearby, arcs of lightning crackled and wriggled with energy. Connecting both manifestations was a network of white mana, resembling the intricate roots of a tree. The mana spread outwards, fading into the dark backdrop of his mental canvas, with the intensity of light diminishing as it extended further.


    As Tyrus focused his attention on either the fire or the lightning, he experienced a tingling sensation throughout his entire being, as if the element was resonating within him. Shifting his focus to the other element elicited the same response, demonstrating his ability to switch between the two at will. When Tyrus finally opened his eyes, the vivid images of his mindscape faded, and he returned to the physical world.


    He glanced around and found Fiona and Reo slumbering. Grant was busy with his usual duties. Tyrus stood up and walked toward the man.


    "Is something the matter, Tyrus?" Grant asked.


    "When I was meditating, I saw something weird inside my mind. Fire and lightning stood side-by-side, and connected to the elements was a white light. Like roots, it stretched on into the darkness, and a tree with naked branches was there."


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    Grant nodded and set his shield to the side. "It sounds like you''ve made your way into the Sorcerer Plane. In the mind of a sorcerer, there exists a mental plane. Once trained enough, it can be accessed."


    "What is it exactly?"


    He pondered the question for a few seconds. "My knowledge about it is limited as it''s mostly used by the other two specializations, but I learned at the academy that it''s akin to having a clear visual of your thoughts. It''s not just a clear visual, you can also engage with them. Did you experience a tingling sensation while focusing on one of the elements?"


    "Now that you mention it, yes. It was a weird feeling."


    "Then you definitely entered the Sorcerer Plane. The progression of your element is reflected in its shape. Relating to fire, if the flames take the appearance of a candle, then it''s weak. If it''s as big as the campfire in front of us, then it''s stronger. Do you understand?"


    Tyrus nodded at the simple explanation. Thinking back, the strength and size of the lightning element was much bigger than the other. If he wanted to have a real-time assessment of his progress and understand the extent of his abilities, relying on the Sorcerer Plane would be crucial. It would serve as a guide, offering him a solid measure of his growth and an avenue to monitor his increasing strength.


    "Thank you very much for the information. If I stayed back, I really wouldn''t have known about it."


    "It is my pleasure to be of assistance. Don''t be afraid to ask any more questions from now on."


    Tyrus gave him a quick nod and stood up. His heart racing, he found a spot on the hard soil to lie down. The endless thoughts and pulsing in his ears kept him awake, but after a while, he felt drowsy. Soon, darkness was the only thing in sight.


    ****


    As the sun ascended and bathed the surroundings in its warm light, the group ventured off the beaten path, finding themselves standing on a small cliff. It was at this moment that something captivating in the distance caught Tyrus'' attention. His eyes were drawn to the awe-inspiring sight before him.


    There, in the backdrop of scattered clouds, stood a towering white structure, reaching high into the heavens. Overwhelmed by the sight, Tyrus couldn''t contain his astonishment as he stepped closer. His gaze fell downward, and he involuntarily let out an audible gasp.


    Perched wonderfully on a jutting cliff, a palace exuded a captivating allure, its flawless facade gleaming like polished marble in the gentle sunlight. Its grandeur was only matched by the glistening sea it overlooked. A cascade of smaller, yet similar buildings tumbling down the cliff side.


    Looking from his advantageous position, Tyrus watched a lively scene taking shape beneath him, as miniature figures, carriages, and birds navigated the expansive streets crisscrossing the scenery. The entire place was enclosed by a sturdy wall, and the stone bridges extending from the gate entrances were packed. The neighboring landscape exhibited rolling green hills, embellished with patches of verdant grass that swayed like emerald waves in a gentle breeze. Amidst the expanse, one could observe solitary trees scattered, punctuating the scenery, with their gnarled branches extending towards the heavens in a quest to touch the firmament.


    In the embrace of nature''s abundance, Valis found its place, nestled harmoniously within a luscious valley. The valley gifted the palace and its surroundings with profound stillness and reverence for the thriving land underneath, forming a tranquil and nurturing sanctuary.


    While taking in the beauty, he was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. When he looked up, he saw Fiona smiling at him. A breeze was approaching and her chestnut hair elegantly swayed. "Welcome to the capital of Lethos: Valis. It''s also the place where I, Grant, and Reo were raised."


    Over her shoulder, Grant and Reo nodded together. Tyrus averted his gaze back to the beauty, unable to keep his mouth closed. Thoughts of finally arriving at Valis consumed him. Tales of towering structures of marble and architecture that would blow a commoner''s mind came to mind. To think he would step foot into such an esteemed city so soon¡­


    "Don''t start tearing up yet," Reo said with a chuckle. "You haven''t even seen it up close."


    Fiona giggled and let go of her hand. "Then what are we waiting for? Tyrus must be dying to get a closer look. We can''t have him waiting."


    As if they had planned it, everyone turned and made a beeline for the path to Valis. Tyrus followed them so as not to be left behind.

 Chapter 16- Entrance to Valis

    An unsettling feeling settled deep within Tyrus as he gazed upon a staggering spectacle. The massive caravan that stretched out before him on the bridge completely blocked the path to the grand gates of the city. The overwhelming magnitude of people and sounds bombarded his senses, leaving him feeling dizzy and disoriented.


    Troop after troop of individuals dressed in their best attire stood in organized queues, eager to enter. Children were playing both inside and outside wagons, unaffected by the mounting chaos. Their innocent gestures were filled with joy, be it pointing excitedly at the shimmering sea or engaging in carefree games with one another.


    Amongst the masses, adults adorned expressions etched with weariness. The weight of luggage rested heavily upon their weary backs. Conversations hummed among them, attempting to make connections in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Some even tended to the loyal horses that accompanied their expedition, their hands soothingly caressing the steeds.


    It wasn''t only horses, either. Among the traditional horses, a select few travelers perched atop magnificent feathered creatures that stood tall on their elongated legs. They possessed large bodies and a sleek, black coat that was groomed. Around their long necks was a harness. When Tyrus stared at one directly into its beady, yellow eyes, the beast would crane its head and move elsewhere, as if disturbed by his presence.


    "Do we really have to wait in this long line?" Tyrus asked.


    "Of course not," Fiona said. "This line is reserved for newcomers wanting to visit Valis for their own personal reasons. Believe it or not, there are many more city gates around Valis. And they are just as packed."


    "Okay, so how are we going to get inside?"


    Fiona directed her finger to the left section of the bridge. A barricade separated the two structures. "Only nobles, envoys, and Explorer Guild members may use the left side of the bridge. We''ll be using that path instead. Come, follow me."


    They left right away. Tyrus glanced back at the caravan and followed. Walking down the path, Tyrus felt the weight of the stares from the people on the right, making him uncomfortable. Children were pointing at the group and bombarding their parents with questions. A few adults turned their focus elsewhere, shaking their heads.


    They arrived at the entrance shortly after. Up ahead, a group of lightly armored guards stood, their swords safely fastened and sheathed on their belts. As the group neared, one of the guards took a step forward and extended their arm.


    "May I see some identification? You don''t look like wealthy folks¡­ Are you perhaps explorers?"


    Fiona rolled her eyes and pulled out her copper tags. Grant and Reo had done the same thing. The guard assessed everyone and gave a nod of approval. Then, he noticed Tyrus. Skepticism washed over his face.


    "What about you, kid?"


    Tyrus did not know what to say. He wasn''t an explorer, and he had no tag he could show him. Was he going to be denied entry? Lying could work, but what could he say that would sound believable?


    He didn''t have a chance to make up a lie before Fiona sighed and showed him her gold ring. The sight of the jewelry made the guard rigid, and he looked at it closely. "My apologies! I was not aware I was in the presence of a Lockhart! Please excuse my foolishness and pass¡­"


    The guard, still stiff as a rock, bowed to Fiona and instructed one of his comrades to open the gate with iron bars. A metallic creak pierced the air, and the structure slowly opened. With a wink to Tyrus and her friends, Fiona walked forward with a regal presence that she hadn''t shown before. She walked confidently¨Cposture straightened and not a hint of doubt or fear on her face.


    "Why did his tone change, Fiona?" Tyrus asked.


    "It''s because I''m a Lockhart," she said matter-of-factly. Tyrus expected her to say more, but she and her friends carried on. He just shrugged and followed. His focus was then shifted to the more important matters.


    Everywhere he looked, the colors that dominated the stone buildings were white walls and blue-shingled roofs. The explorers stumbled upon a wide street teeming with wandering merchants and scattered stalls. Standing in a lively setting, a young couple stood out as they energetically called out to people passing by, making their voices heard above the noise. Their animated gestures and passionate words sought to capture the attention of the bustling crowd, enticing them with an enticing arrangement of vibrant fruits and vegetables.


    Adjacent to the couple, another group of individuals engaged in a different tactic to attract customers. With friendly smiles and outstretched hands, they offered free samples, hoping to tantalize the taste buds of hungry onlookers. Their stalls were decorated with delectable treats and aromatic delicacies, a tactic to convince patrons of the allure of flavors and scents to entice their hunger.


    The group pressed through the busy streets until they reached a bustling plaza even busier than the last. The expanse was brimming with a sea of people, their presence creating a dynamic display of movement and commotion. Among the hustle and bustle, a grand fountain stood firm as the central feature of the plaza.


    The fountain, a work of art in its own right, spouted crystal-like waters that flowed with a mesmerizing elegance. The glistening liquid sparkled under the sunlight, creating a captivating play of light and reflections that drew the eyes of onlookers. It offered a serene focal point amidst the chaos of the crowded plaza.


    Surrounding the plaza, a diverse array of shops beckoned passersby with their tempting offerings. From the aromatic allure of bakeries, the tantalizing displays of butchers, to the rhythmic clanging of blacksmiths'' tools, each establishment boasted its unique charm and purpose. However, it was one particular shop that captured Tyrus''s attention, pulling his gaze like a magnet.


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    A magical aura emanated from a shopfront adorned with a captivating sight. Instead of the conventional sign that would traditionally display the shop''s name, ethereal white words floated in mid-air, spellbinding in their appearance. The words fused, forming the phrase "Erza''s Magical Collection" before his eyes, as if scribed by an invisible hand. And just as the last stroke was complete, the words exploded into fine sparks, creating a brief spectacle of magical splendor. Within moments, the letters reappeared, recommencing their enchanting dance.


    Tyrus was so absorbed in the sights before him he failed to notice Fiona grab his hand and pull him along. In order to avoid losing his hat, he clung to it and allowed her to lead him. His attention was drawn to the palace in the distance; a foggy memory took shape. He attempted to concentrate on it, aiming to recall the memory, but a headache emerged. Tyrus buried it deep in his mind and shook his head.


    Fiona''s measured steps came to a gradual halt, and Tyrus followed her gaze, his attention immediately captured by the sight that lay ahead. Towering above the surrounding structures, a grand three-story building loomed with an imposing presence. The shops beforehand looked even smaller in comparison to the massive size of the building, which became the center of attraction in the busy surroundings.


    The architecture of the building was a spectacle in itself, decorated with shimmering blue spires that soared toward the heavens. At the entrance, sturdy columns stood tall, lending an aura of strength and solidity to the building''s facade.


    Drawing closer, Tyrus observed a steady stream of individuals filing in and out of the oak doors. Clad in a variety of attire, they bore the unmistakable markers of explorers. Many of them carried an assortment of weapons, their choice of arms ranging from swords to formidable spears, and some even wielded bows.


    "Welcome to the Explorer''s Guild," Fiona said with a wave of her hand. "Soon, this will be the place you''ll frequent a lot if you want to make money."


    "Or forge relationships with the other members and staff," Grant added in. "Let''s hurry and go inside. I''m sure that Tyrus would be interested in seeing the interior."


    A wave of excitement racked Tyrus''s body at the thought of entering the amazing structure before him. They each entered one by one. When he stepped inside, a cooling sensation swept over him. It was as if he had plunged into a lake after enduring the scorching sun. Not only did he notice the air was cool, but the interior of the Explorer Guild had a cosy feel to it.


    Although it had the same layout as a tavern, it was much nicer and built on a stone foundation. Explorers chattered at most tables while a crowd huddled in the room''s corner. Tyrus saw the unmistakable outline of a large board, and on it were pieces of parchment splattered all over the middle. His eyes shifted from the mob to a lengthy counter brimming with vases of diverse flowers.


    A receptionist, her wheat-colored hair tied back in a ponytail, was standing behind the counter wearing a white dress shirt and a black bow tie. She was busy conversing with an explorer. Just as she finished her conversation, Fiona, Grant, and Reo approached the counter.


    "Ah, if it isn''t Blue Dawn!" she said with a lovely smile. "I take it you finished the contract?"


    "Of course," Fiona said. In one motion, she released all the spoils to a box the attendant had grabbed from below. In the box, there was a disturbing sight of green ears stained with blood. One ear that stood out the most was the one from the hobgoblin, which was bigger than the rest. The attendant picked it up without so much as a grimace.


    "Oh? Is this the ear of a hobgoblin?"


    "I''m glad you noticed! After we killed all the goblins at Salithia, the big oaf marched in and attacked us! You know what that means, right Celeste?"


    Celeste was bombarded with winks from Fiona until she dealt with the disgusting thing and dropped it. "Due to a sudden rise in the danger level, the contract has been elevated to a medium-ranked status."


    "Does that mean there''s been an improvement in the rewards?"


    "Yes, the monetary reward has increased. Please wait a moment while I gather them."


    Celeste pivoted on her heels and entered a door to her left. During the wait, Reo redirected his gaze to Fiona. "Aren''t you forgetting something?"


    She gazed at him with a puzzled expression. "Am I? We''re getting our rewards, so what''s the problem?"


    He pointed his thumb at Tyrus. "What''s this so-called plan that''ll get Tyrus in Blue Dawn? I hope you didn''t forget he''s two years off the minimum age requirement."


    Fiona wagged a finger and said, "You should stop being so impatient. I wasn''t lying when I mentioned a plan. As long as I can get Aunt Selena to agree to help, it shouldn''t be a problem."


    As if the realization finally dawned on him, Reo scowled at her. "Selena? Don''t tell me you''re thinking about¨C"


    "Who''s Selena?" Tyrus cut in.


    Reo sighed while scratching his head. "She''s a branch leader of the Explorer''s Guild in Valis. She''s responsible for almost everything that occurs here, including entrance exams, contracts on the messenger board, and more."


    "She sounds very important. If she''ll be able to help me, then why did it sound like you thought it was a bad idea?"


    "It''s her personality that''s the problem. It''s almost impossible to know what she''s thinking in that head of hers. For all we know, she might be a¡­"


    Reo saw the stairway and immediately stopped talking. Curious about what frightened him, everyone looked in his direction. Gliding down the stairs was a beauty whose appearance could only be compared to that of a blooming rose.


    "Well, well¡­ Do I hear a little lamb bad-mouthing me, or is it just my imagination?" Strutting toward the group was a woman with locks as dark as a viscous pool of blood. It wasn''t just her hair that shared those colors; her pupils did too. Her eyes were so mesmerizing that Tyrus couldn''t look away, even though they sent an icy shiver down his spine. When their eyes met, a mischievous grin spread across her lips. Tyrus''s heart rate quickened as he instinctively took a step backward, his mind telling him to escape.


    "Would you mind telling me who that boy is, Fiona? You don''t seem like the type to interact with beggars."


    Upon hearing her comment, Tyrus felt a twinge of irritation. He showed little reaction when the others commented on his appearance, but he did not like hearing it from that woman''s mouth. He opted to stay quiet and observe instead of vocalizing his thoughts.


    "Greetings, Branch Leader Selena! What a lovely day it is, don''t you think? Do you have a moment to chat privately? I''d love to speak with you."


    Selena''s gaze swept over every member, but she lingered longer on Tyrus. "Come now, Fiona. You''re always welcome to speak to me casually. Formalities were never your forte."


    "Oh, but I insist! I could never be rude to someone as valued as you."


    "You have never used my full title to address me before."


    Fiona gave a forced chuckle. "Haven''t I? I don''t remember¡­ Anyway! I need to grab our rewards first. Can we speak in your office afterward?"


    "I would love to, but with a condition. You must only bring the boy."


    "Don''t have to tell me twice," Reo said as he turned. "I need to get back home and see my family. You guys can tell me what happened and drop off my share tomorrow."


    "And I shall see my own too," Grant said. "My siblings are excitedly waiting for my return. I hope to hear good news from you two."


    Goodbyes were exchanged as Grant and Reo left the building. Following their departure, Selena snapped her fingers. "Once you obtain your reward, come to my office. I''m expecting to hear some entertaining news from the two of you."


    The branch leader made her departure and sauntered up the stairs; Tyrus and Fiona looked at each other with concern.

 Chapter 17- Tensions

    Tyrus squinted against the blinding ray of light that seemed to focus directly on him as he faced the woman before him. On a cushioned velvet chair, Selena sat in a regal posture. She commanded attention with her presence, and a slight smile played on her lips as she gazed intently at Tyrus and Fiona, who sat on wooden chairs in the lavishly decorated room. The walls were lined with bookshelves and paintings, while a compass emblem was painted on the floor.


    A flicker of movement from Selena made him turn his eyes back to her. She wore the same attire as the receptionist, except she wore a jabot that matched her hair color. Selena would tap on her desk, waiting for her guests to speak. When Tyrus looked at Fiona, he noticed she was visibly sweating. At that moment, he thought whatever plan Fiona had was doomed to fail.


    ¡°Ah screw it!¡± Fiona grumbled. She straightened her back and stared right into the woman¡¯s eyes. ¡°Although I would love to have Tyrus in Blue Dawn, he is not yet old enough to meet the requirements. I was hoping for your assistance, being a branch leader and all.¡±


    Selena put on a fake innocent expression and requested, ¡°Please enlighten me. What was your desired action?¡±


    "Create some fake documents," Fiona said in a rush.


    Leaning back, the branch leader smiled. ¡°Forgery? Do you understand the outcomes of such actions? There''s a chance that I might lose my position, assets, and prized connections. The imperial family might even behead me. Asking such a thing applies to you as well.¡±


    ¡°Come on, it''s not like they''ll ever find out. You''re among the most crafty people I know. Forging documents for someone like Tyrus, who has no records, is a simple task for you. Even if they discovered it was you, why would they behead you? Why bother about a kid with no background or achievements?¡±


    Selena''s smile transformed into a frown as she leaned forward. ¡°Fiona¡­ Are you currently aware of the predicament Lethos is facing?¡±


    Confusion crossed Fiona''s face as she furrowed her brow. ¡°Yes, but what does that have to do with¨C¡°


    ¡°Tensions are high in Dharmere. Rumors suggest that the imperial family and Great Lineages have been the subject of assassinations worldwide. Did your father tell you about this?¡±


    Fiona''s eyes betrayed a hint of pain, which Tyrus noticed. Her eyes briefly lowered before meeting Selena''s gaze at eye level. ¡°¡­I have heard no word from the family head for weeks.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because he¡¯s extremely busy nowadays,¡± Selena said with a shrug. ¡°The family heads are busy dealing with assassinations and protecting their land from various threats. My stance is that there needs to be a highly convincing reason for me to provide aid in this instance. For all I know, he could be an assassin from Ethia¡­ or daresay¨Cthe Beastfolk Kingdom?¡±


    The temperature in the room had plummeted to where it felt like a tundra. Though he had been quiet, Tyrus couldn''t help but gasp at the end. He rose from his seat, shoving the chair out of the way, and fixed Selena with a deadly stare.


    She definitely knew that Tyrus was a Beastfolk. There was no other explanation. The mischievous grin and the alarm bells ringing in his brain had revealed it. Now suddenly, she speaks of Beastfolk while glancing his way? Only an idiot wouldn¡¯t know something was up.


    Despite Fiona''s worried look, Tyrus ignored her. He continuously scowled at the branch leader as he sat on the chair he picked up. Tyrus remained silent and waited for her to proceed. Unpleasant words would be spoken if he opened his mouth.


    ¡°It is reasonable for you to feel upset about my belief that you are an assassin. There are ample reasons for me to exercise caution. Having been informed of the circumstances, do you still hold the view that you can persuade me?¡±


    Once again, an unsettling silence filled the room as the three stared at each other. Tyrus glanced at Fiona and saw her getting up and shuffling towards the desk. ¡°Even with everything I heard today, I believe that forging documents won''t be an issue for you. I can confirm that Tyrus has no intention of assassinating the imperial family or the Great Lineages. He''s a young boy who has been surviving on his own in the Valier Forest.¡±


    ¡°We came across him following our group in the Wasteful Wetlands and questioned him on his motives. It was then that we were ambushed by goblins and a hobgoblin. He didn''t use the chaos as an opportunity to escape; instead, he stood firm and battled alongside us. What motivates an assassin to put their life in danger for a group as insignificant as ours?¡±


    ¡°It is a common practice for assassins to conceal their true power until the opportune moment arises. Does it not strike you as suspicious that a young child is living alone in Valier Forest? I''m curious as to how he can live on his own with no aid.¡±


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    ¡°That¡¯s because Tyrus is a sorcerer just at the age of nine.¡±


    Selena sighed and waved Fiona off. ¡°You''re stating something I already knew. At first glance, I knew that boy possessed mana within him.¡±


    A sudden shock overtook Fiona''s expression. ¡°You knew? If you¡¯re still skeptical about him, then what should we do to convince you?¡±


    The branch leader tapped her chin thoughtfully and pointed at the door. ¡°Would you mind giving us some alone time, Fiona? I''m interested in asking him some questions.¡±


    ¡°B-But¨C¡°


    ¡°You can relax. I won''t lay a finger on him.¡±


    Fiona held her tongue and slowly backed away from the front. She tapped Tyrus on the shoulder, giving him a comforting look before silently leaving the room.


    ¡°You can show them,¡± Selena said suddenly.


    I knew it, Tyrus thought. Selena truly knew that he was a Demi-human. He figured there was no point in hiding them any longer and hesitantly removed the cap. His black ears shook in appreciation of their newfound freedom. When Selena spotted them, she let out a snicker.


    ¡°A special pup has just wandered into my territory! What¡¯s a Beastfolk like you so far from home? Was I actually right that you were an assassin sent from the Beastfolk Kingdom?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going to happen to me now?¡± Tyrus asked. ¡°Removing my hat must have a purpose for you.¡±


    ¡°What will become of you?¡± she repeated. ¡°It''s hard to say. Why do you seek to join the Explorer Guild?¡±


    Tyrus narrowed his eyes while contemplating his response. Was she seeking a particular answer from him? She suspected he was an assassin. Child assassins were a completely new concept to him. On the other hand, he was unaware of the situation in Lethos and other countries. There must be some kind of plan Selena had in mind.


    Tyrus thought it over many times, but nothing came up. Since testing his luck with lying was no good and he needed to earn some sort of trust, speaking the truth was the only option. ¡°I want to join the Explorers Guild so that I can earn the money to live the life I want. To reach that goal, I need the Explorers Guild.¡±


    ¡°Might I ask what is preventing you from waiting for two years? If it is indeed true that you are nine, then you must wait until the age of eleven.¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°The wait is too long for me. I''m sorry, but the sooner I start, the better.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    Selena drummed her fingers along her desk, glancing Tyrus up and down as if sizing him up. A cloud slowly passed by the building, casting a dark shadow that crept across the room. The branch leader''s blood-red eyes glared through the veil, like a sinister demon emerging from the darkness. From near the door, Tyrus heard scuttling, which he assumed was Fiona waiting for him. When the cloud had vanished, Selena extended her arm abruptly.


    In that moment, Tyrus found himself completely engulfed by the overwhelming torrent of mana emanating from Selena¡¯s palm. The sheer force of the energy had him gasping for air. With increasing pressure, he found himself sinking further into a dark abyss, unable to move under the heavy burden of mana.


    With time dragging on, his body was begging for air and panic overwhelmed his mind. The sensation of being buried alive, trapped and unable to breathe, sent his heart pounding in his chest. His eyes bulged as he gazed upward at the woman.


    Calm down¡­ Don¡¯t let her intimidate you.


    Instantly, Tyrus realized the woman had no intention of killing him. Unless she was the type to relish in the kill, it wasn''t happening yet. Her suppressive mana was being used to make Tyrus yield to her. He had the option to remain motionless and wait for her to finish, but something within him prevented it.


    Attempting to control his breathing, Tyrus struggled to calm his mind despite the staggering pressure. Though with effort, he willed mana to course through his body and activated augmentation. The beginning was tough, but he was gradually experiencing some relief from the pressure. On one knee, Tyrus pushed out as much mana as possible. Soon, he stood, yet his knees felt like they would snap like twigs.


    Tyrus battled to suppress the familiar ache in his chest, but frustration engulfed him. He knew the dangers of going beyond his limits, so he gritted his teeth and willed the augmentation to stop. His desire to join early was crushed, and he felt like a toddler taking their first wobbly steps. He couldn''t stand, but he still gave Selena a glare that mixed with anger and pain.


    ¡°Hm¡­ I¡¯ve seen enough.¡±


    The mana build-up receded slowly after she uttered those words. The suffocating atmosphere vanished before long. With a heave, Tyrus got up and held his throat.


    ¡°It seems unlikely that you are an assassin, and the statements made by Fiona have been demonstrated to be valid. While you are undoubtedly a sorcerer, I sense you are a Multi-Specialist. You¡¯re an Augmentation Sorcerer, but the other¡­¡±


    After taking a deep breath, Tyrus spoke a few words through his wheezing. ¡°E-Elemental Sorcerer¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh? And what¡¯s your primary affinity?¡±


    Tyrus raised his arm and activated his lightning element. The element danced on his palm before he turned it off, and Selena smiled in amusement. ¡°A Demi-human that¡¯s a Multi-Specialist with a primary affinity for lightning? You would be a valuable addition to the Explorer Guild.¡±


    His lack of fondness for Selena made him unable to feel happy despite hearing those words. He wore his cap and scowled. ¡°Does that mean you¡¯ll do what Fiona asked?¡±


    ¡°Tsk, Tsk. Little cub, don''t be too hasty. In order for me to commit forgery, you''ll need to run a small errand for me.¡±


    Oh, I do not like where this is going¡­


    As conflicting thoughts swirled within him, Tyrus realized he stood at a crossroads of decisions with far-reaching consequences. Refusing Selena¡¯s offer was tempting, driven by a desire to retain control over his destiny and to avoid the unknown that lay ahead. However, the temptation of being an early joiner, the chance to achieve his objectives faster, pulled at his emotions with an irresistible strength. He recognized he could not turn away from this chance. To reach his aspirations, he needed to seize every opportunity that presented itself, even if it meant stepping into the uncertainty that awaited him.


    Tyrus sighed and said, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±

 Chapter 18- An Errand

    Tyrus believed it was impossible to hate anyone as much as he hated being poor and weak. That witch left Tyrus feeling insignificant and small. Her might was so overwhelming that he couldn''t even lift a finger. Augmentation was the only option that allowed him to stand, but it was still meager. He was ignored like a filthy cloth on the road. The witch''s comparison with Tyrus only reinforced his glaring weakness, like a pebble in the face of a boulder.


    "In time, I''ll be just as strong as her, so long as I keep training," Tyrus muttered. With a fire blazing in his heart, Tyrus released a puff of air through his nostrils. He lowered his gaze to focus on the item in his possession. A leather badge with a blue compass stitched on the front was held in his hands.


    After giving him the badge in the office, the witch provided him with general directions. Alone, he would leave Valis through the eastern gate and make his way to the Emerald Hills. Following about ten minutes of walking, he would reach a designated cave in the forest. His objective was to enter and reach the end. When he asked for more explanation, she shooed him out and shut the door, leaving an angry Tyrus with Fiona.


    He told Fiona what happened after he calmed down and left out the part about Selena using her mana on him. The news of the errand made her feel relieved. She offered to secretly assist him in completing the errand quickly, but was interrupted by an arm pulling her into the office through the ajar door. Fiona reached out in surprise as the door was closed with a loud click. Rather than knocking and potentially angering the branch leader more, Tyrus concluded it was best to depart.


    The moment Tyrus left the Explorer''s Guild, he encountered a serious problem. The eastern gate''s location was unknown to him. In fact, he didn''t know where anything was at all in Valis. With so much activity, it was difficult to keep track of all the alleyways and buildings, and using his ears was nearly impossible. There was only one option left for him, and it was something he had dreaded for some time.


    Tyrus took a deep breath, trying to quell his rising anxiety before approaching the nearest explorer. He spotted a bald man with an enormous axe strapped to his back. "Excuse me¡­ Do you know where¨C"


    Disregarding him, the man entered the Explorers Guild. Tyrus''s shoulders sagged as he gazed at the next person, who had a patch of hair on his chin. "Sorry to trouble you, sir, but do you know where the eastern gate is?"


    He paused and inspected him thoroughly from head to toe. "Head to the fountain and take a left. There, you should find a shortcut that''ll take you there. It''s an alley and shouldn''t be hard to miss."


    "T-Thank you for your help!"


    Fortunately, someone took a moment to stop and listen to him. Armed with the information, Tyrus headed straight to the fountain with knowledge of its whereabouts. He broke off with a quick jog and waltzed into the busy plaza. Tyrus found the alley the man had spoken of by shoving his way through the crowd.


    The shortcut was being used by some travelers. Besides them, it was quite empty. At the edge, there are some discarded items like rucksacks and wrappers. Tyrus walked in and hastened his steps, not wanting to linger for too long. Alleys were a prime location of kidnappings and stolen items, as he had heard before. He decided against verifying the theory and sped up.


    Luckily, he didn''t come across anything like that and passed. A couple of guards, resembling the ones outside, passed by right after he left. One of them acknowledged him with a quick nod. Tyrus lowered his hat and continued, nearing the outer walls. The eastern gate must be nearby, if that was the case.


    As he expected, a line of people was filtering in and out of a wide area in front of the presumed gate. The guards stationed at the front were shouting commands to the travelers, directing them like livestock. Tyrus presented the badge to one of them. He gave it a careful look and then glanced at Tyrus. Suspicion appeared on his face.


    "Where did you get that badge, kid?"


    "Branch Leader Selena gave it to me," Tyrus blurted out. "She sent me on an errand to the Emerald Hills and enter some kind of marked cave."


    The guard snorted and said, "She sent another one to that blasted cave? What is that woman thinking in that head of hers¡­ You can go on ahead. Just be careful out there."


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    Tyrus thanked the guard and jogged forward. The bridge was the same layout. Where it led, however, was toward unfamiliar territory. He stood at the bridge''s edge, away from the merchants, and gaped at the landscape.


    The Emerald Hills truly lived up to its name with its rolling hills and jutting yet sparse trees. The blades of grass, up close, were as vibrant as an emerald gemstone. Whenever the breeze swept in, they would sway like reeds. Red bison, which were large creatures, could be found scattered throughout the landscape. The beasts had a thick, reddish hide that looked like it could withstand anything, and horns that measured the length of two adult arms. A shaggy mane of black hair surrounded their necks.


    Underestimating the red bison was a death sentence, even as they grazed peacefully. Getting too close to those beasts without proper preparation was akin to inviting danger. Their massive size and strength, combined with their territorial nature, made them formidable opponents to the unprepared.


    Tyrus equipped himself with a dagger and entered the Emerald Hills with caution, knowing it was better to be safe than sorry. He increased his speed and journeyed towards the outskirts of the terrain. Whenever a red bison turned its head in his direction, Tyrus would either hide behind the trees or duck his body as low as possible. The moment the red bison got back to their work, Tyrus stood up and sprinted away. The deeper he entered the Emerald Hills, the closer he got to the mountains that surrounded the entire area. A woodland area linked to the Emerald Hills was situated at the bottom of a mountain.


    Standing before it, Tyrus surveyed the area. The grass was a lighter shade than its neighbors, and the trees in the area were tall and skinny, with leaves sprouting on top like a delicate crown. The air carried a familiar scent, reminiscent of Valier Forest. However, there was a noticeable increase in a distinct manure stench that lingered in the background.


    Despite this, there was also a sweet floral scent that gently wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy aroma. At a distance, he caught sight of a patch of purple flowers. The scent must have come from there.


    "I should get moving. Can''t waste any more time," he said. "The cave must be around here."


    With his eyes squinted, he inspected the area again. In no time, he found what he was looking for. Embedded within the mountain on the left was a big hole. Beside the hole was a tree that had an unnatural line down the middle. When Tyrus got closer, he realized that someone had marked it with something sharp.


    He turned and faced the entrance. The structure resembled an arch but was more primitive. Thanks to his vision, the place wasn''t dark and he could make out everything inside. Tyrus entered carefully with his blade drawn, despite the apparent emptiness, and peered around the surroundings.


    The ceiling had sufficient height to allow five men to touch its surface if they were stacked on top of one another. By taking a closer look, small shapes were found hanging upside down. Mixing with the damp air, there was also a bit of urine gnawing at his nostrils. Tyrus covered his nose and proceeded.


    "Just what does she want me to do here?"


    Doubt started creeping in about his decision to not ask for more information. He was told to find a cave and enter it, nothing more. Was he supposed to search for something? It''s possible the witch wanted him to harvest some materials growing at the end. Perhaps he was hunting a beast, if not collecting something? Tyrus had no faith in his collecting skills, so hopefully it was the latter.


    The cave expanded as he continued walking. Echoing footsteps reverberated off the walls, and the presence of living creatures grew stronger. The bats resting on the highest part seemed to be the common blood-sucking bat. When Tyrus was directly below one of them, a bat unfurled its wings and swooped down. It snarled and unhinged its mouth, locking eyes with him through its beady, red gaze.


    Tyrus aimed his dagger and swung it at the creature, hoping to cut it in half. Just in time, it changed direction and swerved away, its hairy belly narrowly avoiding the blade. Watching the creature return to its nesting spot by soaring high above, Tyrus stepped back with a frown.


    I''ll have to be extra careful from sneak attacks, he thought. He resumed his trek with the dagger still in hand. After approximately twenty steps, he sensed his body dropping. Glancing at the floor, there was a slight incline. Entering deeper into uncharted territory made Tyrus hesitant.


    He was still in the dark about what the witch was really after. He thought he might walk into a trap that would silence him, but he wondered if she was capable of doing that. Given her actions, she appeared to have a close relationship with Fiona, but it''s possible that it was all an act. Not even a little did he trust her. Fiona''s request was not a guarantee for Selena to fulfill it, even if he accomplished his mission. Too many unknown variables were present. Should he just take a few steps back and wait the two years?


    Tyrus stumbled upon something odd while deep in thought. He shifted his focus below as his thoughts wandered away. He strained his ears to the maximum and heard slapping, a sound resembling someone puckering their lips and creating a noise. The noise grew louder as he advanced a few steps. The moment he was near enough, a voice became audible.


    "Yuck!"


    Tyrus couldn''t resist his curiosity and dashed forward. He was surprised to hear someone else in the cave. Then again, upon recollection, he remembered the guard''s words. According to him, Selena sent someone to the marked cave before him. If his assumption was accurate, then his task had to be connected to that person in some way. Only when he meets them will he comprehend her intentions.

 Chapter 19- Infested Cave

    The cave started expanding outward and replaced the darkness with a faint orange light. Orange mushrooms with thin, downward caps were the origin of the light. Tyrus accidentally stepped on one and felt it squish beneath his feet. He watched the mushroom spring back to its original form, unaffected by the pressure applied. Although he found it neat that it remained undamaged, he put it aside when he realized he had more pressing matters to attend to.


    Tyrus came to a stop as he saw where the noise was coming from. A precarious and intriguing scene unfolded before him, just beyond a small gray puddle. Facing off against a moving blob, a lone girl stood, her expression a mix of fear and caution. The creature, a squirming and squishy blob, seemed to move with an eerie fluidity, inching closer to the newcomer who had stumbled upon it.


    The girl backpedaled, trying to maintain a safe distance from the enigmatic blob. The creature, seemingly undeterred, lurched briefly before launching itself toward them, a strange display of intent.


    A yelp of surprise escaped her lips as she bent her body forward, just enough for the blob to soar overhead. It splattered onto the floor behind them with a loud squelch, only to reform quickly, as if the impact had barely affected it.


    "I hate cave slimes!" she whimpered. "Why did teacher send me, of all people? She knows I hate these things¡­"


    Tyrus cleared his throat and gestured. She gasped and turned her head. Tyrus managed to recognize their features after a long stare-down.


    The girl appeared to be his age, or maybe a year or two older. A strand of golden hair partially covered her spectacles. She dressed in a way that made her look like a member of the Explorer Guild, wearing shorts, boots, gloves, and even a cape. By her foot, there was a large sack.


    Tyrus sank into a gray liquid as he took a step forward. "You don''t know me, but¨C"


    In a frantic manner, the girl raised her arm. "That''s a slime you stepped on!"


    Before Tyrus could react, the puddle of gray liquid beneath his foot came to life, transforming into long, sinewy tendrils that snaked their way up his leg, ensnaring him in their squishy grip.


    Panic surged through him as he desperately tried to free himself, but the tendrils were unyielding, firmly latching onto his body. He struggled to raise his leg, but it was as if the creature had him in an unbreakable hold. The flare of pain that followed had him wincing, feeling an excruciating pressure coursing through the trap that ensnared him. He quickly shifted his focus to the dagger at his side while grimacing.


    To break free, Tyrus brandished his dagger and swung it at the fleshy creature, hoping to cut through the tendrils that bound him. To his dismay, his efforts seemed futile, as if he were trying to slice through gelatin with a rusty knife. The creature seemed impervious to his attacks, its fleshy mass showing no signs of damage.


    With the burning pain subsiding through the power of augmentation, Tyrus regained his ability to move and lifted his leg off the ground. However, the stubborn slime still clung to him, refusing to let go. Leveling his arm near the retreating blob, he focused his mind and channeled the power of lightning. The surface of the slime responded with bubbling and writhing as an energetic surge crackled across it. The creature thrashed about, trying to free itself from the electrifying assault.


    Parts of the slime''s surface fizzled and melted away, leaving behind a trail of sizzling residue. With another burst of lightning, the creature finally relinquished its hold on Tyrus, slinking away as it attempted to reform itself. But he wasn''t about to let it get away that easily.


    "It''s able to shrug off my dagger, but not lightning?" Tyrus mumbled. Moving quickly, he used his arm to tear through the slime. Then he watched the magic crackling with renewed vigor within its body. In a matter of seconds, the slime turned into an unmoving puddle of goop. Tyrus frowned as he studied his body.


    His right shoe was melted off and his trousers were completely ruined. Using augmentation had allowed him to resist the slime''s acidic effects. The arm remained safe, but the skin on his lower half was red. Next time he battled a slime, he''d need to steer clear of direct contact unless he had augmentation activated.


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    After lifting his head, Tyrus noticed the girl standing directly in front of him, their noses nearly touching. Leaping backward in surprise, he fell right onto his butt.


    "Woah! How''d you sneak up on me?"


    Peering at him, she tilted her head. "You look like you''re around my age, yet you''re an Elemental Sorcerer? Are you an elf? No, that can''t be. You have normal ears, that and they only exist in fairy tales."


    "An elf? What''s that?"


    The girl arched her eyebrow and inspected every nook and cranny of his body. Her eyes, the color of the sky, held a sense of curiosity. "You look poor. Did you wander into this cave by accident?"


    Tyrus scowled at her remark. "Never mind that. The witc¨Cuh, Selena, sent me here to look for you, I guess. I think I''m supposed to check up on you and help."


    "Teacher sent you? That must mean you''re my bodyguard!" She clasped her hands happily and rose. Picking up the sack, she swiftly moved her legs and trudged towards Tyrus. Half of it was filled with the mushrooms plastered all over the cave. "I''ve been collecting glowing mushrooms under teacher''s orders. She told me they aren''t edible because of their poisonous nature but are harmless when touched. Teacher also said that they''re mostly used in concoctions and¡­"


    While she prattled on, Tyrus scanned the area, not fully engaged. Behind the girl, there was a tunnel big enough for a carriage to go through. It emitted a weird, scraping noise, like rocks rubbing against each other. The ceiling was decked out with pointed stalactites staring at him menacingly. He even spotted a few more blood-sucking bats snoozing. Cave slimes were etched onto the exteriors of certain stalactites. One of them descended the structure and hit the cavern floor with a splat. It saw the duo and approached them.


    "A slime is coming this way," Tyrus said. "You can collect the mushrooms while I protect you. Once you''re done, we can leave."


    "Sounds good to me!"


    The girl, with the sack strapped to her back, shuffled to a nearby patch and began picking them by the stem as she hummed. He stood up and faced away from her. As the cave slime neared, he activated his element and used his palm to strike it. It was immediately turned into a small pool. As more slimes appeared over time, Tyrus grew ever more skeptical.


    The errand was surprisingly easy to complete. Selena had expressed her dislike of Fiona''s plan in a showy manner. Committing forgery for Tyrus was deemed not worth it, emphasizing heavily that the negatives outweighed the benefits. If all it took was to protect her student and bring her back safely, then what was the point of her actions? Did she find him untrustworthy, and this served as a test? He didn''t believe that one bit. There had to be a hidden motive.


    Selena''s student shouted with delight. "I finished! That should be more than enough."


    She let out a mighty groan as she hoisted the sack onto her shoulder and stumbled toward Tyrus. Her face was already beginning to redden. While shrugging, he walked up to her and snatched the sack. His knees buckled slightly from the additional weight, but it was manageable. Augmentation came to his mind, but he would only use it if the sack became too difficult to manage.


    A smile spread across her face as she lowered her head. "T-Thank you very much! It would''ve been hard carrying that over to the Explorer Guild."


    "It''s no problem. What made her send you for such a burdensome task? I don''t see a storage ring on you."


    "There is a limit to the space of storage devices," she blurted. "What to store depends on the grade level of the item. Small, valuable items such as potions and rare ingredients are usually stored in weaker ones. Since I was tasked with collecting a lot of glowing mushrooms and lacked a high-grade storage device, a sack was the logical choice for transportation. Manual labor is necessary when gathering a large amount of items."


    "Huh¡­ That''s nice to know," Tyrus said. The two turned in the direction of the cave entrance, having finished their task. "We should get moving before it gets late. Hopefully, your teacher is worried about you."


    "Hopefully? Of course she''s worried. Why else would you be here?"


    Tyrus looked away and mumbled, "And what would happen if I weren''t here?"


    "Did you say something?"


    "I just mentioned that it''s dangerous to stand around doing nothing in an infested cave."


    She crossed her arms. "Yeah, you''re right. We should move before we wake up the spider beast."


    "Did you say spider beast?" Tyrus asked, craning his neck.


    His heart pounded in his chest as he witnessed the horrifying turn of events that happened in mere moments. From the depths of the cave tunnel, an unseen thread had struck with deadly precision, ensnaring the girl in a web and pulling her with terrifying force into the darkness.


    The shock on his face mirrored the terror etched across the girl''s features as the thread whisked her away. Her piercing screams echoed through the cavern. With each passing second, her cries grew fainter, swallowed by the depths of the tunnel.


    Tyrus clenched his jaw and dropped the sack of mushrooms. He sprinted toward the tunnel and activated augmentation. Infusing more mana into his legs, Tyrus catapulted himself forward, chasing after the beast that had taken Selena''s student.


    If something happened to her, Tyrus would probably be blamed and targeted. His chances of becoming an explorer would turn to smoke, and Selena would take his head. The only way he could avoid the scenario was to bring the girl back safely. Failure was something that filled him with fear. No matter what it took, he would succeed. Handling a few spider beasts should be easy for a sorcerer.

 Chapter 20- A Spider Nest

    Tyrus increased his speed, afraid of every passing moment. The noise of his quick steps was blasting his ears, so he had to keep adjusting his cap to prevent it from being blown away. The pathway appeared to stretch on forever, with each step feeling like a weight pulling him down, as if he was walking through a sticky swamp.


    After some time, Tyrus suddenly found himself in a colossal cavern illuminated by an eerie blue light from glowing crystals. The unusual illumination revealed the true nature of the place¡ªa web-filled domain, intricately woven by an unseen architect of terror.


    The webs stretched in all directions, forming intricate patterns that connected one pillar of rock to another, creating a network of tightrope walkways leading to many miniature nests. Wherever he looked, he saw webs of various sizes, some as small as a bed, others large enough to hold a red bison captive. As he squinted harder, his eyes fell upon countless cream-like eggs nestled within the webs.


    "This is bad¡­"


    Just what did he get himself into? Why would the witch send her student off to an area so close to a beast''s nest? Was she not aware of the consequences if she were caught? Tyrus held a negative opinion of the branch leader, but he now understood that she was truly cold-hearted. She showed no concern for her student''s well-being. He had a twinge of sympathy for the girl.


    Rather than berating the branch leader, Tyrus moved forward. He steered clear of the spider-webbed spots on the floor. Stepping on one could trap him. Although his senses were heightened, he couldn''t see the spider beast that took the girl. Nevertheless, he heard the identical noise of rock scraping. Curiously, Tyrus looked up to discern the source.


    In a state of panic, he almost dropped the dagger.


    Suspended on a thread, upside down, was a beast he had never encountered before. A giant spider almost twice the size of the two-tusked boar was dangling overhead. Unlike a regular spider, it was entirely constructed of inky-black stone. Six piercing red eyes shone from its pincered head, and the creature had eight spindly legs with sharp tips.


    Tyrus sucked in his breath as the spider slowly descended, landing a few arms length away from him. The ground trembled under its weight. His arms shook as he leveled his dagger at the beast. The creature''s pincers emitted a high-pitched chittering sound as it observed him trembling.


    Is it laughing at me? Does that mean it''s intelligent?


    There was a milky cocoon next to it, with an exposed head poking out. Tyrus quickly recognized the head as Selena''s student. She didn''t move, and her head was askew. Her face showed no evident marks, but her eyes would occasionally twitch. At least she was alive, for now.


    The question was, what would Tyrus do? The odds were stacked against him. He had entered the lair of the spider beast, and it appeared much more formidable than the two-tusked boar. Not only that, but if he were to move recklessly, the girl may get caught in the battle and sustain damage, either from Tyrus himself or the spider beast''s dangerous legs. He had to somehow lure it away from her¡­


    Tyrus examined the area once more. Webs, rocks, and blue crystals were the only things visible. In his possession was a possibly ineffective dagger, magic, and a hopeless dream. He had to delay the use of magic and come up with a plan to rescue her from the cave. The safety of Selena''s student took precedence. The first step was to lead it away.


    Like the wind, he reached down and picked up a stray rock big enough to fit his palm. He took a step back, gauging how the spider beast reacted. It didn''t budge at all. Tyrus cocked his arm back and threw the rock as hard as he could. It harmlessly bounced off its head. This time, it released a loud screech and lunged forward. After finishing his job, Tyrus turned around and ran as far as he could.


    Instinctively, he lurched his body forward and rolled under the beast''s immense body, narrowly evading one of its deadly legs that grazed his shoulder, leaving a painful wound. Fueled by determination and fear, he sprinted towards the cocoon where the trapped girl was, ignoring the blazing pain.


    Tyrus bit down on his dagger, the taste of sweat on his tongue, and activated his augmentation ability. Enhanced strength surged through his body, allowing him to hoist the girl over his shoulder with newfound ease.


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    Securing the girl, he spared a glance up and saw the spider rapidly closing in on them, its pincers clattering menacingly. To avoid the monstrous creature''s attention, he had to act quickly and decisively.


    By summoning his power and infusing his legs with energy, Tyrus was able to jump over the spider''s path. He executed the daring maneuver with his heart pounding in his chest. As he landed safely on the other side, he didn''t waste a moment. Bolting for the exit with the girl still over his shoulder, he ran with all the strength and speed he could muster.


    The taste of freedom was on the tip of his tongue the longer he ran. If they survived unscathed, then his chances of becoming an explorer would catapult. It all hinged on whether the branch would follow Fiona''s plan.


    Just as Tyrus was going to enter the tunnel, a sticky sensation crept up his heel. His heart sank as he felt the strong force yank at him, sending him tumbling over and crashing onto the ground. The girl beside him emitted a pained groan.


    Whirling his body around, he saw the long thread connected to his foot, the source of the sudden force that had tripped him. The spider had an imposing abdomen, and it was pulling him closer with the intent of ensnaring him, just like its previous victim. The realization that he was caught in the spider''s web filled him with panic.


    He scowled, desperately trying to resist the relentless tug, but the spider''s strength was overpowering. Against his will, he slid across the cavern floor, his movements restricted by the web that bound him. As he struggled against the inexorable force, his mind raced with thoughts of how to escape this dire situation. He couldn''t afford to get caught in the spider''s trap, not when he had already come so far to save the girl!


    Desperation surged through Tyrus, and he summoned every ounce of strength he could muster. He activated his augmentation ability once more, hoping that the enhanced strength would aid his escape. Yet, because of the thread''s stretchability and stickiness, it only made the situation worse. Tyrus clicked his tongue, knowing he had one option left. With palms facing the spider, he mentally switched to his lightning affinity and opened his mouth.


    "Dual Shot!"


    Nausea swept over him like a raging sea as two orbs of lightning manifested and sped forward. The spider, too slow to react, bore the full force of the magical attack. A cacophony of buzzing roared across the cavern as the lightning struck the spider''s stony body. The creature recoiled and screeched in agony, temporarily stunned by the powerful assault. The pull that had ensnared Tyrus ceased, allowing him a moment of calm.


    Wheezing from the strain of the battle, Tyrus quickly summoned his knife and skillfully cut away at the shackle that had bound him to the spider''s web. Having been released, he struggled to his feet and made his way clumsily towards the tunnel. Whether or not he had killed the beast, he didn''t care. Evacuating was the main focus.


    When he lowered himself to pick her up, he heard scuttling behind him. Tyrus'' face hardened as he watched the spider beast regain itself and charge at him like a raging bull. Half of its rocky face was blown off, revealing black skin that oozed with purple liquids.


    At that moment, Tyrus understood running away was futile and accepted it. Unless he slayed the spider beast now, it will keep chasing them. He thought it would be a challenge to do any damage, but a Dual Shot spell proved him wrong. He had misjudged his own abilities in the presence of a hazardous event. Instead of testing whether he could defeat the enemy, he resorted to fleeing.


    If he wanted to become strong just like the witch, then he''d have to face challenges head on. In the future, cowering away wouldn''t benefit him. Once he joins the guild, he''ll accept contracts more challenging than a simple spider. Tyrus viewed the creature as a challenge to conquer, without more or less significance.


    Mentally noting his mana heart, he was running out of steam. The extended use of augmentation had drained him, and using Dual Shot took a significant portion. Another spell would surely exhaust his mana. If that were to happen, then he''d undergo mana deprivation. A few of the symptoms had already crept up, but what else could Tyrus do in his situation? It was now or never.


    The spider beast closed the distance rapidly and released another wave of webs. Tyrus sidestepped from the attack. Sweat caked his entire body, and his heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. The cavern seemed to shrink around him as he braced for the next onslaught. The spider shot out a rapid fire of small webs toward his limbs. He raised his dagger and blocked the attack with the blade portion. Even though he was dealing with the webs, the spider was only a few steps away. Tyrus growled as he chanted the spell once more.


    "D-Dual Shot!"


    Another burst of power crackled forth, and Lightning Bolts streaked through the air like an arrow. It squarely hit the spider beast in its already open wound. Sizzling and screeches filled the cavern, and a burning stench enveloped the air. On falling to his knees, Tyrus felt a liquid trickle from his nose. When he wiped it away, he peered at a smear of red.


    The beast took its final breath and succumbed to its fatal wound, just as shadows danced before him. It shivered and fell onto its side, convulsing as its legs tensed up under its large body. Soon, the only sounds in the cavern were his own groans and heavy breathing. The aching made Tyrus''s head swim, causing him to collapse like his foe, and his eyelids became as heavy as a sack of rocks. Before passing out, he heard footsteps in the distance, and a woman''s voice calling out to him.

 Chapter 21- Fragmented Memories

    A dream that felt real again visited Tyrus. Instead of being wrapped in a thick blanket, he found himself standing in a field of purple and white flowers. If he had to guess, he was taller and more able than last time. The flora had grown up to his hips, and the sweet scent was overpowering. His nose started itching, and he sneezed so hard that it felt like a horse had kicked his lungs.


    ¡°Bless you,¡± said a soft voice. Startled by the voice, Tyrus looked over and saw someone standing right beside him. A clump of fog veiled their face, yet their body was clear. The attire included stainless plate armor and a black cape. Why were they wearing armor in an open field? Tyrus found it strange but didn''t investigate any further.


    ¡°We should continue moving. If I recall correctly, you said you wanted to visit the meadow?¡±


    Tyrus nodded involuntarily. The figure smiled and took a leisurely stroll, holding his hand. Their strong, calloused palms felt like rough leather against his skin. They were obviously holding back their strength; he noticed. In his mind, he could vividly recall the figure''s arms wrapping around Tyrus in a bear hug. His body quivered in response.


    Tyrus was at a loss for what was happening. He felt like he was reliving a familiar dream, but had no memory of it. Instinctively, he knew that these weren¡¯t fake memories, as his body remembered the sensation all too well. A headache would come up every time he tried to reminisce, and he couldn''t remember anything. No matter how hard he tried, the memories would always slip away. They were simply a nuisance in his mind.


    The experience felt too real to have been a dream. Was he under an illusion spell so powerful that it made everything seem real? Or were fake memories implanted in his brain? Tyrus didn¡¯t know whether the two outcomes were possible. Since sorcerers have many ways to manipulate the world, it could be true. If it were fake memories, then he would love to know why go through the trouble.


    Tyrus wracked his brain, trying to remember what occurred before his dreamlike state. After defeating the spider beast, he lost consciousness because of an empty mana heart. That would mean his body in the real world is experiencing mana deficiency¡­ a condition Fiona had warned him about. Yeah, she was going to give him an earful once he wakes up. Well, that¡¯s if he manages to wake up. According to Fiona, the condition is comparable to poisoning, which poses a risk in itself. There was a chance that his body was in critical condition.


    His mind shifted to the focus at hand. Despite the strangeness of it, Tyrus was aware of everything happening around him, from the delicate breeze that felt refreshing on his skin to the flowers that tickled his arms. The sun was at its zenith, however it wasn''t too hot. Yet, amidst the sensory awakening, a strange and unsettling feeling settled over him. He could feel each footstep, each movement, but it wasn¡¯t he who was in control. A sense of detachment washed over him, as if he were merely an observer in his own body.


    His child-like smile, so incongruent with the gravity of the situation, remained fixed on his face, despite his attempts to regain control and convey his authentic emotions. He tried to frown, to show his frustration and confusion, but the muscles defied his commands.


    Even though his current predicament was unsettling, Tyrus found a semblance of calm amidst the chaos. This wasn¡¯t the first time he had experienced such a phenomenon, and he knew from past encounters that it would likely be temporary. It was only a matter of time until he woke up if nothing drastic happened to his actual body. All he could do was watch patiently. He would be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t curious about how things played out.


    As the pair entered the middle of the meadow, the enigmatic figure spoke. ¡°Tyrus, have you been practicing the Beast Transformation like I told you to?¡±


    ¡°Every day!¡± he said joyfully. ¡°I can now extract two claws out of ten.¡±


    A chuckle slipped out as they playfully ruffled his hair. ¡°Good. Diligent practice is necessary if you want to master the form. Only then will you reach the pinnacle of power a hybrid can grasp.¡±


    ¡°The¡­ pinnacle?¡± Tyrus asked. ¡°Can I really achieve that?¡±


    ¡°With diligent training, Tyrus. Those who work the hardest can attain power equal to that of the Family Heads or even the King of Beastfolk. You always expressed your desire to meet him in person, despite knowing that he doesn''t respect the weak.¡±


    A pouting Tyrus faced the figure. ¡°But I¡¯m not weak! I can hunt animals all on my own, like the white rabbit!¡±


    ¡°I apologize, but you are weak. To move forward in your desired direction, you must first accept yourself. The King of Beastfolk treats hybrids with the same disregard as we treat ants for being inferior.¡±


    ¡°Why hybrids specifically? Does he hate them?¡±


    The figure stopped and let go of Tyrus¡¯ hand. They turned and kneeled, placing a firm hand on his shoulders. ¡°Those answers will come naturally. Your knowledge will increase with age. I wish to share more, but I am bound by an unbreakable oath. Do you get what I''m saying?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes,¡± he said with a head bob. ¡°I¡¯ll stop asking questions. I don¡¯t want my favorite person getting hurt.¡±


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    ¡°Good. I¡¯m glad we have reached an agreement.¡± They stood up and glanced around the field. ¡°It¡¯s about time we head back. You must be hungry after all this walking and talking.¡±


    Just as expected, Tyrus¡¯ stomach growled. Holding out his hand, he smiled shyly. ¡°I really enjoyed that one meal you made. You should make it again. What was it called?¡±


    The figure took his hand and said, ¡°Stew is the name it goes by. I¡¯ll fix one up for you since you¡¯re so fond of it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much! The flavor of the juices and meat are delicious.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pleased that it meets your expectations. If we hurry now, you¡¯ll be able to finish your meal before your training and studies.¡±


    ¡°What are we waiting for? Let¡¯s go!¡±


    As the pair strolled through the meadow, laughter still lingering in the air, Tyrus¡¯ world began to warp and distort. Encroaching darkness replaced the vibrant colors of the meadow, and a feeling of weightlessness engulfed him. Panic threatened to rise within him as he felt disconnected from his body, as if he were adrift in an abyss. In the midst of his panic, fearing his body had completely given up, a faint light pierced the darkness. Gradually, he regained the feeling in his body and his eyes opened.


    The first thing he glimpsed was a bare ceiling. Suddenly, he felt a pounding in his head. Rising took a substantial amount of effort. He groaned and realized he was lying on a bed. Next to it was a stool propped, and a small person was sitting on it. Smooth, blond hair was sprawled on the edges like scattered hay, and their soft exhales soothed his ears. Tyrus recognized them as Selena¡¯s student. If she were here, it would mean they had made it out of the spider beast''s lair alive.


    Tyrus¡¯ eyes flickered to the table nearby that contained a bowl of water, an empty vial with some drops of blue liquid, and a plate of bread and cheese. His body felt a deep yearning for sustenance, and the sight of the bread and cheese made his mouth water. The journey he had been through had surely taken a toll on his physical strength, and the nourishment before him seemed like a much-needed respite.


    However, before he could even make a move, the girl suddenly sprung to her feet, her actions unexpected. A dribble of spit at the corners of her mouth and a dazed gaze gave her a disoriented look. Through her spectacles, she squinted at Tyrus, and a loud gasp escaped her lips. In a flurry of movement, she fled the room.


    ¡°T-Teacher! Fiona! He¡¯s awake!¡±


    Tyrus listened to her receding steps until they were no more. Now alone, he sighed and retreated into his blanket. The headache had lessened just enough for him to think. What he experienced was no mere illusion or a dream, but something he actually experienced.


    He did not know about his past life, to start with. Obviously, someone had to have taken care of him when he was an infant, or else he wouldn¡¯t be alive. The enigmatic person in his thoughts was likely his caregiver or a person with a comparable role. Their tone was gentle, and it seemed like they had known Tyrus since he was a baby. Considering that they knew he was a Beastfolk and was encouraging his abilities, it''s no surprise he was comfortable with Beast Transformation.


    In addition, he has tasted stew in the past. No wonder his tongue was so familiar with the meal. Was it a coincidence that Wanderer made a meal that had close ties to his dream? The more he pondered, the weirder Wanderer¡¯s identity became. When they first met, they gave off a familiar scent. And instead of ignoring his wishes, they complied. They had done so much for a stranger that their motives were peculiar. Did they do it out of the kindness of their heart or was there more?


    ¡°What if Wanderer was actually the person in that dream?¡± Tyrus muttered out loud. ¡°They were forbidden to disclose their identity for personal reasons. A sense of familiarity and mysterious air around them? There must be a connection.¡±


    Tyrus wanted to understand such a puzzle, but he knew he¡¯d be wasting his time. Wanderer vanished into thin air, and he had a feeling he wouldn''t be seeing them anytime soon. They left no evidence behind except their clothing, a small scar on their cheek, and their remarkable strength. Two men were killed with no physical effort, and a dazzling amount of mana was emanating from them¡­


    ¡°If you scowl harder, wrinkles will form at a young age.¡±


    Standing in the doorway was Selena, her head raised. Sauntering forward, she wore a blatant smirk on her face. ¡°From what I can tell, my treatment was effective. Your ghastly appearance gave us quite the scare. You were practically soaked in your clothes, and your skin felt hot to the touch. Your encounter with Sthito would have been inevitable if I hadn''t restored your mana with a potion on time.¡±


    ¡°¡­You left your student to collect mushrooms near a beast¡¯s lair,¡± Tyrus growled. ¡°What kind of teacher risks their student¡¯s life like that?¡±


    ¡°Her life wasn¡¯t at risk, though? Ivy has a spell implanted on her that would activate if her life was in danger. Furthermore, an alert is sent to me if she''s captured by dangerous men or beasts. Having a safety net is essential for being a responsible teacher. I have a feeling that you have a strong aversion towards me.¡±


    ¡°But¨C¡°


    A newcomer interrupted him when they skidded past the entranceway and poked their head through the door.


    ¡°Tyrus! Oh thank Sthito you¡¯re safe!¡± Fiona pushed Selena aside and wrapped him in a warm embrace. Tyrus blushed a light shade of red when he tapped her on the shoulder. Fiona backed off and sniffed as she comprehended the meaning. ¡°I felt a sinking feeling in my heart when I saw Selena carrying you to the medical bay of the Explorer Guild. I truly thought you died! Seeing you in good health puts me at ease.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Fiona. I really tried to avoid using all of my mana, but the situation forced my hand. If I¨C"


    Fiona hugged Tyrus again, leaving him speechless. ¡°That''s not relevant right now. Just be happy that you¡¯re alive. You¡¯ll just have to be extra careful from now on. Perhaps this can be a helpful lesson to someone who sends an unprepared sorcerer to a rock spider nest!¡±


    She shot Selena a dagger-like glare before finally freeing Tyrus. ¡°Don¡¯t you have something to say, oh branch leader?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten,¡± Selena chuckled. ¡°Your performance exceeded my expectations, and I''m thrilled to accept you into the Explorer Guild. I mean, I was going to do so regardless, as I find it quite difficult to refuse my lovely niece. She''s eloquent with her words.¡±


    Tyrus''s eyes flitted between the two women while his mouth hung open. Fiona and Selena were related? There was absolutely no similarity in their appearance or behavior. He thought his ears were deceiving him and scratched his head in response. It wasn''t a fabric that he touched, rather something furry and soft. He patted his head and unmistakably felt his ears.


    He could only manage an "Uh-oh" as he recognized that his identity had been revealed.

 Chapter 22- Results

    Fiona stared at Tyrus curiously. ¡°Something the matter? You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±


    He formed a thin line with his lips while lowering his arms. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t see them?¡±


    ¡°Them? Oh, you mean your ears? I must say, they''re quite lovely.¡±


    ¡°Lovely?¡± Tyrus repeated just in time for Ivy''s entrance. She took a quick glance at his ears and joined Fiona without making any odd faces. The response he received differed from what he had in mind. Where''s the name-calling and disgusted looks? Tyrus would get it if they were pretending to not give away their actual thoughts. But when he gazed into her eyes, he saw nothing of the kind. Their shoulders were at ease and their faces were kind as they looked at him.


    Maybe not everyone hates Beastfolk hybrids, Tyrus wondered. To prevent disappointment, he had to double-check. ¡°Now you know I¡¯m a Beastfolk, you guys don¡¯t feel disgust or hatred?¡±


    Fiona let out an exasperated snort and crossed her arms. ¡°Why would I have that kind of feeling towards you? Did you do something deserving of such emotions?¡±


    ¡°No, but I thought everyone hated Beastfolk. When I traveled from town to town, I heard some adults speak poorly of them. They were called barbarians and blamed for ravaging the land. I even witnessed hybrids like me being mistreated, which was one of the reasons that led me to live in Valier Forest.¡±


    Her face softened, and she directed her gaze to Selena. The branch leader shrugged and motioned at Tyrus. Fiona turned after nodding. "The Beastfolk aren''t hated by everyone. People who lost their friends and families to them are the ones that do. Tensions are rising throughout the land, and it won''t be long before things take a drastic turn.¡±


    ¡°The King of Beastfolk has been acting strange as of late,¡± Selena cut in, brushing aside a lock of hair. ¡°The non-aggression pact signed between Lethos and The Beastfolk Kingdom many years ago appears to be deteriorating. Hostilities are ongoing at the border, and Lethos are mustering more soldiers. As a result of that, I had to ascertain that you were not an assassin sent to infiltrate our kingdom.¡±


    Selena sauntered to the foot of the bed and bent her head suddenly. ¡°I acknowledge your hatred towards me and do not expect your forgiveness, but I wish to express my deepest apologies. In an effort to ease my skepticism, I sent you on a mission that was potentially life-threatening. Although it may not be substantial, I will adhere to Fiona''s suggestion and grant you entry into the Explorer Guild with a recommendation. I''ll also forge records about your background. I will do my best to get anything else you need if it''s possible.¡±


    Her apology caught Tyrus off guard, resulting in his mouth splitting open. Selena was capable of apologizing and showing empathy? The world must be ending. Accepting her apology was harmless, either way. Well, only because he didn¡¯t want to make Fiona sad. She had done a lot for him, and he still had a lot to repay.


    ¡°I accept your apology. And thank you for accepting me into the guild despite my age."


    Raising her head, she smirked before returning to the doorway. Ivy, who was standing nearby and looking meek, came forward and wiped the corner of her eyes. ¡°Thank you for saving me, Tyrus. You took on a beast that even most solo coppers struggle with! I want you to know that I will forever be grateful for everything you''ve done for me. If there''s anything you need help with, I''ll be there for you, just like you''ve been for me.¡±


    Another wave of tears came, and Ivy took off her spectacles to wipe them away. Once she composed herself, she stepped into a corner. Tyrus didn''t know what to say and examined his palm. Previous battle images danced in his thoughts, making him smirk. He could finally savor his success now that he was alive and well.


    His heart swelled with pride when he thought of Ivy''s words. Taking down a spider beast single-handedly would mean he¡¯s at the level of a copper. Although he almost died due to a lack of mana, it could be prevented in the future. To increase his mana heart, he needed to keep meditating and explore alternative methods.


    ¡°I''m sorry to bring you down, but you shouldn''t let it get to your head.¡±


    Tyrus lifted his head gradually and stared at the person who spoke their thoughts. He mistook Selena for the one who said it, but it turned out to be Fiona. He gave her a perplexed look as she frowned directly at him.


    ¡°It may sound harsh, but you haven''t reached that level yet. Luck was the main reason you took down the rock spider.¡±


    He narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°¡­I don¡¯t see how I got lucky. I defeated it with my own two hands.¡±


    ¡°Rock spiders typically group together with other rock spiders. The defeated creature''s solitude indicates recent completion of its egg-laying process. Rock spiders experience a momentary weakening afterward. The rock spider you defeated was alone and weakened. To put it simply, the situation was heavily in your direction. There''s no guarantee that such luck will happen again in the future.¡±


    In the wake of Fiona¡¯s candid assessment, the room fell into an uneasy silence. The weight of her words bore down on Tyrus, deflating the pride that had momentarily swelled within him after his victory over the rock spider. He understood that Fiona¡¯s intentions were not malicious; she was genuinely concerned about his safety and well-being.


    However, despite her good intentions, the words had struck a chord, stirring a mix of emotions within Tyrus. The notion that his success might have been merely a product of luck and the spider¡¯s weakened state left him feeling vulnerable. He couldn¡¯t help but interpret her words as a suggestion that he still had much to learn and that he might not be as skilled or capable as he had hoped.


    It was true, all of it. There was so much he had yet to find out about the world. The world was vast and filled with countless creatures, each with their unique traits and behaviors. The rock spider was just one example of the many mysteries that lay before him.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The realization that he had encountered a weakened and solitary rock spider made him ponder what might have occurred had the circumstances been different. The thought of facing multiple fully powered rock spiders within the confined space of a cave sent a shiver down his spine. Escaping their onslaught of webs and attacks would undoubtedly be a daunting and perilous task.


    ¡°Luck or not, he still defeated a beast,¡± Selena cut in. ¡°Even in a weakened state, coppers should not underestimate a rock spider. One must possess the necessary skills and battle sense to avoid their webs and penetrate their defenses effectively. Tyrus, I believe you have performed satisfactorily with the resources that were available to you, particularly considering your young age.¡±


    The praise from Selena had indeed warmed Tyrus¡¯ heart, and he savored the moment before turning his attention to the food on the table. Despite its lack of exquisite taste, the meal served its purpose in satiating his hunger and restoring some of his energy. He gulped down the bread and cheese, savoring each morsel, even if they were kind of stale. With his stomach satisfied, Tyrus released a contented sigh and rose from his bed.


    Tyrus momentarily lost his balance and almost fell over, but he regained his footing and stood. During a stretch break for his sore muscles, he faced the others. ¡°What happens now that I¡¯m able to become a member? I am very new to this type of stuff.¡±


    Selena gestured at Ivy and pointed at the door. Tyrus observed Ivy¡¯s actions curiously as she rushed out of the room and then returned with a clenched fist. When she placed a white crystal shard into his hand, he felt an immediate surge of warmth and power emanating from the object. His eyes widened with surprise, and he looked up at Selena, seeking an explanation.


    ¡°Is this mana I¡¯m feeling? Tyrus asked. ¡°It looks and feels like it.¡±


    ¡°What you are looking at is a mana core. It¡¯s a crystal of condensed magical energy a beast has accumulated over time. The beast that you killed luckily had one forming in its body. I merely extracted it. As you have been successful in hunting it, it is your prerogative to decide its fate. Upon discovering such an item, individuals typically sell it for financial gain. If you don''t want to keep it, you have two choices: consume it to make your mana heart bigger or use it in potions.¡±


    At hearing the benefits, Tyrus had thought he found treasure. The prospect of increasing his mana heart and unlocking greater magical potential was undeniably enticing. With a larger mana heart, he could cast more powerful spells and withstand longer battles. On the flip side, the enticement of gaining money was just as tempting. Money could provide him with the means to acquire better equipment, secure resources for his journey, and fund his duties as a member of the Explorer Guild. It could also offer him a sense of security, knowing he had a financial cushion in case of emergencies. Tyrus knew that money comes and goes. At the tavern, he witnessed Fiona and her friends spending a lot of sil.


    ¡°Is it safe for consumption?¡± Tyrus said, squinting at the shard.


    ¡°I sense no impurities, so it is safe,¡± Selena reassured.


    Tyrus''s attention was drawn to the shard and the branch leader. With trust in the woman''s words, Tyrus ate the crystal by popping it into his mouth. As he was about to swallow the crystal, Fiona intervened and tilted his head downwards. She forcibly opened his mouth and took the wet crystal.


    With a stern expression, Fiona scolded him gently, ¡°Tyrus, you can¡¯t just swallow a mana core like that! It¡¯s not meant to be ingested directly.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Tyrus mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed by his hasty action. ¡°My first thought of consumption was to eat.¡±


    ¡°Placing your hand over the crystal is all it takes to absorb the mana. Picture the crystal''s power fusing with yours.¡±


    He nodded at her explanation and did as she instructed. He gripped the item and imagined the mana flowing from the crystal and into his hands. The power immediately obeyed his wishes and slowly transferred into his own body. The pristine light from the mana core was losing its luster, and a few moments later, became a dull gray.


    Tyrus felt the new mana flowing through his vessels and making its way to his mana heart. At first, he felt a constricting sensation in his chest, a momentary tightness that made him hold his breath. It was a sensation he had never experienced before, and he wondered if something had gone wrong. But as quickly as it came, the feeling subsided, and he exhaled a breath of relief.


    He glanced at Selena, who was observing the process with an approving smile. ¡°Well done, Tyrus,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯ve successfully integrated the mana from the core. Your mana heart has expanded, which means you can now hold more magical energy. With this newfound capacity, your spells will become more potent, and you¡¯ll be able to perform more complex magic.¡±


    In order to check the results, he got into a meditation pose. Entering the Sorcerer Plane was a quick process for him. The fire element¡¯s lack of progression didn¡¯t surprise him, considering he hadn¡¯t used it in quite some time. However, he made a mental note to practice with it more regularly to keep his skills sharp. There might be a time when he¡¯d need the fire element.


    His attention shifted to the lightning element, and he was pleased to sense its increased power. The additional arcs that appeared and flickered indicated that his continuous use of the Dual Shot spell had indeed contributed to its development. Tyrus understood the importance of practice and repetition in honing his magical abilities. The more he used an element or spell, the better his control and mastery over it would become. Before long, he¡¯d be able to figure out how to cast spells without uttering a chant¡­


    When those thoughts drifted away, he let out an exasperated gasp and opened his eyes. ¡°Branch Leader Selena, do you know how to cast certain spells without saying them out loud?¡±


    The tapping of Selena''s foot followed a rhythm. ¡°Such simple tasks are easily doable by me. Holding this position is not my right if I, as a branch leader, cannot do such a thing.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s not too much to ask, can you give me a demonstration?¡±


    She examined his face with an expression that was impossible to read. ¡°I am able to, I suppose. This is the least I can do to make up for what I did to you. Unfortunately, it will have to wait until tomorrow. Regarding your circumstances, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll be busy from here on out. Unless you intend to retract your proposed course of action.¡±


    ¡°No, I would very much like for you to continue,¡± Tyrus said nonchalantly. ¡°The sooner the better. I want to start earning money as fast as possible.¡±


    The branch leader smiled wryly and turned. ¡°I request your presence at my office tomorrow at noon. Following a conversation, I will lead you to the training center. I will deliver a demonstration that will remain unforgettable, courtesy of a Lockhart. Ivy, come along.¡±


    Selena exited the room, swishing her luscious hair. Prior to her departure, Ivy bowed to Tyrus and hurried after her teacher. They walked, their footsteps echoing until they disappeared. Once they were gone, Fiona faced Tyrus.


    ¡°You need more rest, so I''ll leave you alone. I''m going to Grant and Reo to distribute their portion of the rewards. Let me give you this before I forget.¡±


    Fiona unstrapped a small pouch from her belt. It jingled as she set it in Tyrus''s hands. ¡°Enjoy the 10 sil, Tyrus. It might seem little now, but as we accept harder contracts, the money will skyrocket. Together, we can reach the pinnacle of the Explorer Guild and attain the most coveted rank - adamantine. I¡¯ll make sure of it.¡±


    She left the room with a graceful heel turn and shut the door, leaving behind her prideful claims lingering in the air. With an intense stare, Tyrus opened the pouch by pulling apart the string. Chuckling, he climbed into bed and gazed at the ceiling. ¡°You count this as little? And here I thought it was a lot¡­¡±


    Left to his thoughts, Tyrus repeatedly threw and caught the pouch of coins while whistling.

 Chapter 23- Worry

    In the hallway, Fiona hastened her stride to catch up with Selena. ¡°Let me come along!¡±


    Hearing her voice, Selena stopped and turned. ¡°Fiona? Did you need something else?¡±


    ¡°Do you mind if we chat for a bit? It¡¯s very important.¡±


    ¡°Does it relate to my behavior with Tyrus?¡±


    ¡°That too, and there are other things I¡¯m curious about.¡±


    Selena spun on her heels and said, ¡°We can talk in my office. Our conversation can¡¯t be heard by others so casually.¡±


    Fiona acknowledged with a nod and matched her aunt''s steps. Each floor of the Explorer Guild''s three-story building was designated for their own use. The front office was situated on the first floor, with the second floor being where the spare rooms were kept. Resting was permitted in the bedrooms, whereas the offices were designated for pre-examinations and meetings. A stairwell at the end of the floor provided access both up and down. They ascended the stairs.


    They found a room with wide double doors at the end of the hallway. The door easily swung open as Selena pushed it, and the sound of squeaking filled the space. As they entered, a stream of light illuminated the room''s colors and textures. The branch leader casually made her way to her chair and gestured for Fiona to sit down, and she followed suit.


    "Refrain from doing that ever again," Fiona warned. ¡°Aunt, your thinking was really reckless.¡±


    ¡°I admit that there was a more effective approach that could have been taken, and I deeply regret pushing him beyond his limits. My intention was to personally assess his character, capabilities, and limitations.¡±


    Fiona placed one leg over the other. ¡°You¡¯ve been watching his fight against the rock spider? For how long?¡±


    ¡°Just as he arrived at the nest, I too arrived. Upon being alerted to Ivy''s peril, I hastened to the scene and discovered him in combat with the beast.¡±


    ¡°Is that so¡­ Well, how was he?¡±


    Lacing her fingers together, her aunt frowned. ¡°Remarkable as he is, it comes as no surprise, given his lineage. And considering his age and experience, he exhibited exceptional performance. Interestingly, he solely depended on his lightning element and augmentation. At no point did he use his Beast Transformation. As a result of that, I found it quite unusual since it would have simplified matters for him. He has a considerable amount of work to do, particularly regarding his imprecise footwork and inadequate weapon proficiency.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s only nine years old,¡± Fiona said with a sigh. It''s not reasonable to expect him to have skills that match those of an Adept Sorcerer or even an apprentice.¡±


    ¡°Fiona, I was being sarcastic with my remark. Nobody starts off as an exemplary. Unless you¡¯re the prot¨¦g¨¦ of a Family Head or a prodigy. Speaking of prodigy, have you heard of what Igneal is up to¡­¡°


    Selena stopped talking when she realized Fiona''s change in mood. Her face twisted into a scowl as she clenched her fists. ¡°Let¡¯s change the subject. What are you curious about to discuss with me? Are you perhaps finally willing to switch¨C¡°


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t plan on switching my focused element,¡± Fiona interjected. ¡°I don''t mean to be impolite, but I don''t want you making my choices for me. My decision is final, and nothing you say can change that.¡±


    ¡°I understand, but I urge you to give it careful consideration. Your future and well-being are important to me. I''ll repeat, if you persist in your current path, you''ll only hold yourself back. Blue Dawn''s goal of reaching adamantine will be farther than necessary. There is only so much time a sorcerer can put in for an element. It''s unwise to focus all your attention on training a non-primary element.¡±


    Stolen story; please report.


    Despite her reluctance to admit it, Fiona knew she was right. Limiting oneself can result in harm to the individual. She was struggling, much like fighting with a handicap. Nevertheless, she had to conquer her limitations and prove the Family Head wrong. Even after all these years, she still remembers his words vividly.


    A Lockhart without the primary affinity of fire is but a flawed reflection of our greatness. To acknowledge a defect in the Lockhart name is to betray generations of honor and prowess. It is especially disrespectful when your affinity lies on the antithesis. Leave my sight and never return to the ancestral halls.


    Fiona pushed away her anger and let out a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m getting sidetracked. The thing I wanted to ask you is about Tyrus enrolling in Valis Academy of Sorcery. What are your thoughts?¡±


    The branch leader arched an eyebrow. ¡°You seem to be focusing too much on the boy, don''t you think? I advise you to reserve that for yourself.¡±


    ¡°I''d appreciate it if you didn''t make it seem like I''m obsessed with him. He has great potential, and our goals align with each other. The most important thing was that I didn''t want him to be alone in Valier Forest. I just felt¡­ sad for him.¡±


    ¡°Are you driven by compassion for him or are you motivated by your own self-interests to use him?¡± Selena asked. ¡°As I previously mentioned, you never showed such sympathy towards beggars from what I can recall. Your treatment of him resembles that of a farm animal being cultivated for its yield.¡±


    At her aunt''s accusation, Fiona''s face turned stern. Just before speaking, Selena surrendered by raising her arms. ¡°I''m reminding you to be attentive to your actions. If the benefactor only saw the boy as a means to her ends, it would shatter his heart.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re making me seem like a villain¡­¡±


    Based on her actions and demeanor, did it appear that she was using Tyrus for her own personal gain? She truly cared for Tyrus and thought it was appropriate to bring him along, but she acknowledged that not everyone, including Grant and Reo, would understand her reasoning.


    To Fiona, it wasn¡¯t about using Tyrus for personal gain, but rather about recognizing his potential and wanting to offer him an opportunity for a better life. She had seen his skills as a sorcerer and felt a genuine connection to him, empathizing with the hardships he had faced. Bringing him into the world of exploration seemed like a way to empower him and provide him with a chance to grow and thrive.


    However, she recognized that others may not see things the way she did. Grant and Reo might have their own interpretations of her actions, and she couldn¡¯t be certain of their thoughts unless they expressed them openly. She wondered if they might be thinking she was using Tyrus for his magical abilities, or perhaps viewed her decision as driven by some ulterior motive.


    She had only thought that Tyrus would be a great ally to the Lockharts, and that was the end of it. His desire for money and strength was communicated, and she simply presented him with a way to achieve them.


    Yes¡­ There¡¯s nothing else to it. No need to think it over deeply.


    Fiona stood up abruptly and gave a weak slap to her cheeks. She walked over to one of the bookcases and brushed her fingers along the smooth leather. Not even a pinch of dust-stained her fingertips. ¡°I just want to double-check; are you giving him a recommendation for the Explorer Guild? If the other parties found out, do you know what would happen? The recommendation of a branch leader carries significant weight.¡±


    ¡°If things went awry, then you and your friends will surely handle it. I can¡¯t be playing favorites,¡± Selena said with a smile.


    ¡°Their reaction might not be positive. A small kid receiving such an honor? Blinded by jealousy and greed, they may commit harmful actions. Members of the Explorer Guild tend to be prideful. The fact that Selena Lockhart recommended a child would be a hit to their ego.¡±


    Selena paused for a moment, leaning back in her cushioned chair. A satisfying crunch emanated. ¡°You''re taking this seriously. If that''s what you''re worried about, how about we do something to ease their doubts?¡±


    Pausing her inspection, Fiona turned. ¡°You¡¯ve thought of something already? I thought it would¡¯ve taken you longer.¡±


    ¡°Who do you take me for? Come closer so that I can share with you what I have in mind.¡±


    Fiona shuffled behind the desk and adjusted her body to level her ear with Selena''s mouth as she listened to her aunt. As she whispered, her shock deepened with each passing moment. After Selena finished, Fiona stepped back and rested her chin in her hands.


    ¡°There''s a strong possibility it will work if that''s the case. I knew that confiding in you was the best decision I could make! When will you begin?¡±


    A glint of excitement crossed Selena¡¯s eyes. ¡°The day of the monthly examination for new members.¡±

 Chapter 24- Contemplation

    Near the walls'' edge, Fiona stood facing a robust building. She was in a residential area of Valis, which is one of several. There wasn¡¯t that much space separating the buildings, and the tenants would hear their neighbors if they were loud enough.


    The area was devoid of people other than an old woman hobbling along the cobbled streets with a cane. She looked back at the old woman and listened to her cane tapping rhythmically. The lady gave Fiona a beaming smile and continued her stroll. Fiona reciprocated the gesture and shifted her attention towards the building ahead. Three gentle knocks on the door were followed by her stepping back.


    A stern voice yelled out immediately after, and light footsteps were heard from beyond. Reo emerged with a sour face as the door swung open. He was dressed casually in brown trousers and a gray tunic with string tassels at the collar.


    The moment he recognized Fiona, his face transformed. He moved out of the way for Fiona to enter and said, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. Did you wrap things up with Tyrus? I figured it would take longer, so I thought you''d be here tomorrow. Damn sun hasn''t even set.¡±


    ¡°My aunt gets things done quickly. Besides, a lot went down during those hours and I don''t feel like repeating myself later to Grant. How about we swing by his house and talk?¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry about it. He''s in my room, relaxing. We can talk there.¡±


    Fiona gave a nod and followed Reo into his home. They passed a spotless kitchen and a large carpet in front of a fireplace. The aroma of cooked meat and incense saturated the air. Fiona wondered momentarily if his family had just finished a meal. After climbing the stairs, they entered the first room they stumbled upon. He tenderly opened the door and brought Fiona inside his bedroom. The room was dull and confined, containing the usual furniture of a bed, table and chair, and chest. Seated at the table was Grant.


    ¡°Afternoon, Fiona. Your visit to Reo came as a surprise to me. Are things well?¡±


    ¡°Everything went along smoothly¡­ for the most part,¡± Fiona said, sitting at the edge of the bed. ¡°We faced some difficulties at my aunt''s end, but we resolved it later. Here, take your share of the contract.¡±


    She took out two sacks of coin-filled bags from her belt and gave the money to her friends. They opened the bags and examined what was inside. Grant put it back on the table gently after tying it, while Reo frowned and tossed his into the chest.


    ¡°A hobgoblin''s ear is worth five sil, whereas a goblin''s ear is valued at one. With the hob and the 33 smaller ones we killed, the total is 38 sil. Guild takes a 10% cut from every completed contract¨Cdamn thieves¨Cso we¡¯re left with¡­¡±


    ¡°They gave our group 34 sil in total,¡± Fiona finished. ¡°Both of you, as well as Tyrus, received 10 sil for the job.


    Grant scratched his chin. ¡°Only 4 sil would be left for you. Are you fine with that? I thought we agreed to share it equally.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. My sil reserves have grown thanks to Aunt Selena. We should be grateful for the amount of sil we''ve been given as a group of coppers.¡±


    Plunking himself down on the chest, Reo let out a snort. To Fiona, he reminded her of a lean dwarf¨Cbut a bit more appealing and less hair¨Cprotecting his secret stash of alcohol. ¡°Fiona was willing enough to give away her own share? That¡¯s surprising. Did a doppelganger swap with you?¡±


    Fiona couldn¡¯t resist a mischievous grin as she conjured a small bubble of water in front of her with a simple snap of her fingers. With a single thought, she directed the magic, sending the water bubble hurtling toward Reo¡¯s face. The water splashed on impact, catching him off guard and eliciting a spew of colorful curses from his lips. ¡°That¡¯s enough out of you,¡± she taunted. ¡°Now shut up and listen to what I have to say.¡±


    As Fiona settled into a comfortable position, she began recounting the events of the day to her companions. She started by sharing the conversation she had with Selena, her aunt, and how it had been dominated by her worries and suspicions regarding Tyrus. Selena had expressed skepticism about Tyrus¡¯s origins, questioning whether he might be an assassin sent from either Ethia or The Beastfolk Kingdom, two distinct lands with their own political tensions and agendas. Fiona''s description of her aunt''s worries caused Reo and Grant to shift from interest to concern.


    "I¡¯ll be honest; I don''t blame her for questioning him," Reo admitted.


    Upon receiving a glare from her, Reo just shrugged it off. ¡°I mean, come on. The kid awakened early as a sorcerer¨Chighly likely because of a forced awakening¨Cand was living in Valier Forest, a place near the imperial capital, all alone. She has reason to be distrustful of him. Our trust in him is somewhat restricted. Tyrus is not a bad guy, but he''s incredibly odd. We were discussing his odd behavior of wearing his hat in the bathhouse just before you walked in.¡±


    ¡°I assumed the hat was of great importance to him, given how he persisted in wearing it,¡± Grant said. ¡°It could be a keepsake from his late parents or a dear friend.¡±


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Reo folded his arms and took a stance against the wall. ¡°So I told Grant he was definitely hiding something underneath. I placed a bet on either horns or ears.¡±


    Fiona adopted a deadpan expression and gave a steady look at the pair. She could say Tyrus was a Beastfolk and was hiding his ears in fear, though that was for him to reveal. Revealing his secret with no fault of his own made her uncomfortable, and she believed he would share it if he was ready. She wouldn''t betray his trust and turn into a scumbag under any circumstances.


    As she pondered, Reo continued. ¡°It''s strange that he keeps it on, isn''t it? He chose to sleep with his hat on during our time in the forest. And back at the tavern, we found him burrowed in his sheets.¡±


    ¡°I will be honest with you,¡± Grant began. ¡°You are overthinking this. Directly ask Tyrus if you want answers. I''m not bothered as long as he''s not causing any trouble, and I''m confident he''s not.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask him next time,¡± Reo grumbled. ¡°All this talk about assassins, Tyrus, and The Beastfolk Kingdom got me thinking about the brewing confrontation at the border. I came back only to find out my dad had been called back onto the field. Mom and Lars went to see him leave.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why this house is empty,¡± Fiona said. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be back soon. Your father is very tough.¡±


    Reo avoided eye contact and remained silent. Fiona took the opportunity to proceed with her summary and recounted how Tyrus was sent to get Ivy. Biting the corners of her lips, she was hesitant to talk about the events Tyrus experienced, but eventually spilled the words out. Fiona observed a change in her friends'' facial expressions while telling them what Selena had said. Grant''s face went stiff as Reo shook his head every few seconds.


    Without going into too much detail, Fiona briefly talked about how he convinced Selena and would receive a recommendation from the branch leader. The report ended with a mention of the upcoming monthly exam and Tyrus''s participation. After she finished, an eerie silence filled the room.


    ¡°So¡­ What do you think?¡± Fiona asked.


    Reo''s eyebrows shot up. ¡°What do I think? Your aunt is a demon, no doubt about it. Frankly, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she was replaced. Only Sthito knows what she¡¯s thinking. I tried to warn him about her personality¡­¡±


    ¡°It does not surprise me she went that far for mere curiosity,¡± Grant mumbled. He spoke with a scowl on his face and a hint of anger in his voice. ¡°Her speculations went beyond reasonable limits. Tyrus should not have been allowed to fight a rock spider on his own, even with safety measures and supervision in place. The only good thing that happened was that he was able to overcome it by himself. Did Selena express genuine remorse for her actions, Fiona?¡±


    Fiona nodded. ¡°She won¡¯t do it ever again, that I¡¯m sure of. She assured Tyrus that she would do anything in her power to help! To my knowledge, my aunt has never said anything like that and she''s not a liar.¡±


    ¡°I still consider her a demon,¡± Reo said with a shrug. ¡°Anyway, you said Tyrus will take part in the monthly examination? I¡¯ve totally forgotten about that. It hasn''t been that long since we did one ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Just last month,¡± Grant chimed in. ¡°An underage sorcerer''s attendance at this event would be unprecedented since the guild''s inception. The response will vary, some curious, others excited, but many will assume the branch leader has gone crazy. The Explorer Guild¡¯s reputation might be tarnished if a child is permitted to take part.¡±


    ¡°Aunt Selena is well aware of the fact and has already devised a plan! You should come to the guild tomorrow at noon, if you''re curious.¡±


    Doubt was apparent on the faces of the two men as they shared a glance. Fiona was unfazed by their skepticism and chuckled, knowing exactly what would happen next. Although it would attract a lot of attention, if Tyrus demonstrates his worth during the recruitment process, he could alter the opinions of the public and members as a nine-year-old participant. The issue was the uncertain content of the entrance examination. The previous time she and her friends entered one, they had to hunt a weak beast by themselves. It was impossible to ask her aunt as the exam components were confidential to avoid cheating.


    The room went quiet as the news settled in. Fiona observed the two men and a quick thought occurred to her. The longing to listen to Grant and Reo''s opinions contradicted her anxiety at possible revelations about herself. She had conflicting feelings - a part of her was open to hearing their input and concerns, but another part was scared she might be unconsciously using Tyrus in a negative way. If they expressed a thought similar to that, it would completely crush her. The only thing it would demonstrate is that she and the Lockhart Family Head had one thing in common: control.


    She was so deeply lost in thought that she failed to notice Reo waving a hand in front of her face. Her body flinched, as if stricken by a bolt of lightning, and she waved his hand away.


    ¡°I know that look anywhere,¡± Reo said, stepping back. ¡°Your face tends to turn uglier than usual when you¡¯re deep in thought. Reminds me of a goblin.¡±


    ¡°Reo¡­¡± Grant warned.


    ¡°Was trying to lighten the mood,¡± he replied with a shrug.


    Fiona blinked slowly as she looked at the two, then giggled. ¡°I¡¯ll ignore your comment about my beautiful face and just laugh it off. Say it again and I will really light your ass on fire.¡±


    He gave her a playful smirk and propped himself back on the chest. Fiona remained silent for a moment before opening her mouth. ¡°Do you guys think I¡¯m using Tyrus?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Grant said in a heartbeat. He interrupted her before she expressed any emotion. ¡°When you use someone, you exploit their lack of knowledge and situation with no concern for their welfare. You want Tyrus to succeed and care about his well-being. I see it as a mutually beneficial agreement between you two, built on a good foundation.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, whatever the righteous guy said,¡± Reo said. ¡°You were thinking of something dumb if that''s what you had in mind. Don¡¯t think too deeply about it. In case you feel like you''re taking advantage of him, just ask the kid directly. On second thought, we all have something to ask him. All this dancing around is kind of pissing me off.¡±


    I guess we do have a lot to talk about, Fiona thought. She changed her gaze and peered out of the glossy window. A flock of birds soared through Valis, passing by the white tower that loomed over the capital. Its dazzling ocean-blue peak was merely a drop in the vast sky. Steady and rich mana was emitted from the structure in a pulse. An inkling of a smirk appeared on her face as she conversed with her friends.

 Chapter 25- Sneaking at Night

    Tyrus leaped from one rooftop to the next, feeling the wind rush over his skin. A thin glow of moonlight illuminated Valis¡¯ marble architecture, resembling that of an esteemed sculpture. He paid attention to the streets and their activity while he traveled, noting the landmarks. Patrolling guards were more noticeable than during daylight hours. There were still many civilians taking a stroll, despite the drastic reduction. Tyrus caught the distant chatter of a few people walking by.


    As to why he was out, he didn¡¯t feel comfortable staying cooped up in the Explorer Guild. The lodging was comfortable, but the walls made him feel trapped and suffocated. In a city filled with unknown dangers, he felt vulnerable knowing the others knew of his identity. Not only was his identity exposed, but his hat was also missing, as if darkness had consumed it. Tyrus had searched the entire room and found no signs of it. He emptied his ring but still couldn¡¯t locate his hat.


    The cave seemed to be the only place he believed it could be. It must have slipped from his head when unconsciousness overcame him. The idea of leaving the safety of the city to retrieve his hat beckoned him, but the risk of getting caught was too great. The capital¡¯s watchful eyes were everywhere, and slipping away unnoticed seemed an impossible feat.


    He pondered climbing the towering city walls, a daring plan indeed, but one that seemed like a fool¡¯s errand. The sheer magnitude of the task taunted him, and the odds stacked against him were overwhelming. The risk was too great, and everything would come crashing down on him. He didn¡¯t just want to leave the Explorer Guild for freedom, he also wanted to find a new hat. Or maybe something to block his ears.


    Perched inside the chamber of a clock tower, the structure overlooked the plaza. Metal poles with orange lights at the tips dotted the streets; Tyrus assumed they worked from an element as he sensed mana from the structure. The particular element was unknown to him. It wasn¡¯t fire for sure because the color and form were different. To him, it resembled a small sun, but without the searing temperature.


    He surveyed the area, taking his time to appreciate the scenery. Since he always dreamed of entering Valis, he intended to take his time and explore the city now that he was there in person. His time has been immensely enjoyable so far, aside from the fact he almost died. The cheerful laughter of the citizens, the rich scents that flowed through the air, and the occasional sound of hooves and carriages on smooth cobblestone were all things he liked.


    The absence of bugs spared him from constant annoyance, and the guild provided him with a pleasant temporary lodging to heal his ¡®wounds¡¯. Additionally, he had some money with him, allowing him to purchase a light meal. With only 10 sil to his name, he had to be frugal in his spending. After some thought, he pondered what 10 sil could get him. When it came to money, he was clueless and had very little knowledge about the value of items.


    ¡°You really do need money for a lot of things,¡± he mumbled absent-mindedly. Tyrus¡¯ eyesight drifted over to the tower staring down at him, a structure with a peak that oddly resembled a pointy hat. His heartbeat thrummed momentarily before returning to its original pace. There was a subtle energy emanating from the tower that he could feel. What was that place and why was it emitting mana?


    Tyrus sighed and kicked his legs over the ledge. From his vantage point, he estimated he only explored a small section of Valis. From where he was currently at, the only notable landmarks were the Explorer Guild, the plaza that served as a marketplace, and the clock tower. The pointy tower was a good distance north, alongside the palace that lay on the northwest hill.


    Traveling further was an option, but another section of the city was closed off by a much smaller gate than the outer walls. And just like the rest of the gates, guards patrolled them. He could do the same thing as before and show them the badge with the Explorer Guild insignia¨Cas he was told by Selena¨Cbut to do that, he required concealed ears. Tyrus wouldn¡¯t feel safe without some form of cover.


    Grunting to himself, Tyrus rose and scaled to the nearest rooftop. His knees buckled from the drop, but he shook it off and continued leaping. He kept his eyes peeled onto the streets, specifically the alleyways, as he searched for anything suitable.


    There were a few rats scurrying about in the alleyways, but other than that, it was clean. Scattered trash or debris and overpowering stench were absent. The discovery of slumped individuals revealed mostly middle-aged men. One of them was even told to leave by a passing pair of guards. They mumbled some nonsense and hobbled away. No one had a hat or disposed of one.


    ¡°Is it really that difficult to find a simple hat?¡± Tyrus murmured. Buying a hat was out of the question; losing even one sil would weigh on him heavily. Also, he did not know the price of garments. He¡¯d have to ask Fiona and the others some other time.


    Tyrus came to a screeching halt as the overwhelming smell of alcohol burned his nostrils. He stood there in the shadows, his keen eyes darting from one person to another, focusing on those wearing hats. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to remain inconspicuous, ducking as low as he could on top of the tavern. He knew that stealing someone¡¯s hat wasn¡¯t a noble act, but he had his reasons. To explore the other section, wearing a hat would help him conceal his identity.


    As the lively music and laughter continued to spill out from the tavern, the atmosphere became livelier. Patrons stumbled out, some laughing heartily, others swaying on unsteady feet. Tyrus carefully studied their movements, looking for the opportune moment to strike. He saw a lean man stumble out of the bar wearing a cap that resembled his old one, obviously drunk. It seemed like the perfect chance to attempt his plan.


    As the man stumbled towards a nearby narrow alleyway, Tyrus followed at a safe distance, keeping his eyes firmly on the hat. His heart raced with anticipation, hoping that fate would favor him with the perfect opportunity to acquire it without resorting to thievery. If he were able to obtain the hat with no one noticing, he pondered how the man might react.


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    Moments later, a gust of wind swept through the streets, causing the man¡¯s hat to wobble precariously on his head. Hoping to catch the hat, Tyrus held his breath. However, luck was not on his side, as the man adjusted his hat just in time, preventing it from being lost to the wind. Tyrus grimaced as he continued to follow.


    ¡°Come on already¡­ Pass out or drop it! I got things to do¡­¡±


    Frustration crept in as he continued his pursuit. They walked at a slow pace, and the smell of saltwater became more potent. Tyus was on the verge of activating augmentation and swooping down until an impressive sight befell him.


    From beyond a set of downward stairs sat a dock of immense size. The docks stretched like a serpentine artery along the water¡¯s edge, a labyrinth of sturdy wooden planks that interconnected and formed an expansive platform with tall constructs. Weathered and cracked wood dominated the foundation, and it was clear that a replacement was underway. A pile of timber sat on the stone platform, and many large houses were still. Barrels, boxes, and sacks were also present in the place.


    Majestic ships, adorned with painted motifs and fluttering flags, stood tall like floating fortresses. Sturdy merchant ships displayed their precious cargo laden with goods. Simple fishing boats bobbed gently in the undulating waters, waiting to be used the next day. The creaking and clanging of boats alongside the rocking of waters crowded Tyrus¡¯ ears.


    ¡°I know Valis has a lot of money, but how much exactly?¡±


    Tyrus had to clamp his mouth shut and shook away his entrancement. He looked around the docks, searching for the man¡¯s whereabouts until he finally spotted him entering one of the big houses. Embedded within the top front was a weird structure with a rope dangling from a beam. With one look around, the man vanished. Tyrus waited a minute or two before finally descending the steps. Pinching his nose, he weaved through the scattered containers. Once he arrived at the large house, he glimpsed gray mold and cracks on its exterior.


    This thing must be old, Tyrus thought. He stood at a crossroads, pondering whether he should give in to his gnawing curiosity or leave. Did he really have to go so far just for a single hat? Not really, as there were many more chances to get one in the city. The man''s decision to enter such an empty place far from the tavern intrigued him. It didn¡¯t look like a typical living space. Just before he entered, he searched around hurriedly¡­ as if checking if he was followed.


    ¡°Only one way to find out.¡±


    Surrendering to his desire to learn, Tyrus inspected the building once more. He found a good foothold for his limbs, and he stealthily climbed the building and leaped to grab the suspended rope. Now that he was resting on the beam, he activated augmentation and jumped upward again, landing on the roof. To his left was a balcony that wrapped around the entire upper floor. He squatted down and lowered himself as far as possible.


    At the third-floor entrance, a creaky wooden door stood ajar, and Tyrus ran inside as quickly as he could, wincing as he shut the door. A flickering torch, mounted on the adjacent wall, offered dim illumination, creating flickering patterns on the dusty floor. As he took his first steps, the wooden floorboards groaned underfoot, as though awakening from a deep slumber. Cobwebs hung in intricate patterns from the rafters above, their silk-like threads glinting like silver in the torchlight.


    The vast expanse of the warehouse stretched before the docks; rows upon rows of wooden crates and barrels stacked haphazardly. The faint scent of aged wood and musty leather wafted through the air. Dilapidated windows, adorned with stained glass that had long lost its luster, barely allowed stray moonbeams to seep through.


    A group of five stood in the center of the warehouse. A floating sphere of light, similar to the ones on the street, was between them. The guy he was following was among them, and he had an aloof expression on his face.


    ¡°What is this¡­?¡± Tyrus mumbled. ¡°Why do I get a bad feeling from those guys?¡±


    Sitting by and watching, was it a wise decision? Their actions made it obvious they were up to something. The choice of a run-down building on the outskirts was a deliberate attempt to maintain secrecy during the meeting. The reason behind it was a puzzle screaming to be solved.


    Based on their conversation, he¡¯d have to consult with Fiona before taking action. Tyrus might get a reward if it turns out to be something ominous that she has to tell Selena. The thought of earning more sil made him drool.


    If the situation leaned negatively, then it was possible his life was in danger. They might capture him if they discover he was snooping around. Tyrus was confident he could escape now that he was a sorcerer. In a difficult situation, he would break the door and run as far as possible.


    Lowering his body, Tyrus poked his head through the railing and watched intently. Thanks to the darkness surrounding his current spot, it was almost impossible for them to spot him. Their only source of light was on the first floor, and he was on the third. For good measure, Tyrus slowed his breathing and hid as much mana as possible. One of them must be a sorcerer if they could manifest a floating ball of light.


    There were five, including the drunkard. One of them stood out because two cloaked figures accompanied him. Guards accompanied a man with shoulder-length brown hair and a silver necklace that clinked with every movement. On his middle finger was a ring that looked exactly like Tyrus¡¯.


    Finally, the last member was¡­ peculiar. They covered their shoulders with a cloak, and they hid their face underneath a black mask. They wore high boots and leather leggings that seemed brand new.


    ¡°Ugh! You smell of booze!¡± said the one with jewelry. He squeezed his nose and faced the masked figure. ¡°Start the meeting already, now that the drunkards made it. You better have a good reason for this.¡±


    ¡°Patience, Sezor. Speaking as a businessman to another, I¡¯m certain that what I say will spark your interest.


    ¡°Does that have to do with the imbecile standing there? Hate to break it to you, but that spark is gone.¡±


    The drunkard grimaced and got up from his seat. ¡°Imbecile? I¡¯ll have you know I am perfectly sober!¡± He took a step forward that was unsteady, and he nearly fell. ¡°Sober, but stumbling around. Oh, how foolish these legs of mine are!¡±


    Sezor was ready to throw a punch, rubbing his knuckles and scowling until the figure snapped their fingers. A powerful wave of mana that extinguished all the torches plunged the warehouse into darkness. Tyrus¡¯s hair stood up as he panted. The guards had pushed back their cloaks and unsheathed their swords. Sezor and the drunkard stumbled back, their faces turning pale.


    ¡°I will only say this once,¡± it said, their voice dripping with venom. ¡°Unless you pull yourselves together, I¡¯ll personally make sure that I wipe both your businesses out and not a shred remains. Do I make myself clear, Sezor, Doyle?¡±


    The threat worked, and the duo sat down and kept quiet. Continuing on, the figure in the mask nodded. ¡°We will discuss a development that has caught my master¡¯s interest. I have a specific reason for gathering the two of you. But before I go into detail, it seems a little rat has broken in.¡±


    The masked figure directed their attention towards the third floor immediately after the words were spoken. Fear flooded Tyrus¡¯s heart, prompting him to rapidly ascend and break through the rickety door. In one swift motion, he activated augmentation and fled the area.

 Chapter 26- Learning Experience

    Tyrus was growing to hate his time in Valis. Selena''s behavior almost cost him his life, and now he''s in danger again. The last part was entirely his fault, but sometimes a curious person can''t resist snooping.


    While racing across rooftops, Tyrus looked back to see Sezor''s guards pursuing him. They were incredibly speedy, outpacing Tyrus by far. In seconds, the pair closed the gap, wielding their terrifying swords in sync. Tyrus¡¯ augmentation usage went from a trickle to a raging river, and even that wasn¡¯t enough to outrun them. The clock tower loomed in the distance, and beyond it, the Explorer Guild, but he knew he wouldn''t reach it in time. He furrowed his brow as he thought of what to do when he suddenly heard an unfamiliar phrase from one of them.


    ¡°Wind Bolt!¡±


    A sudden, ear-splitting sound like a whistling arrow filled the air, followed by a minor explosion in front of him. As the dust cloud swirled around him, Tyrus pressed on across the roof of the house. As he burst through, he checked behind and saw that a small piece of the ledge was missing.


    ¡°I would¡¯ve died if that landed!¡±


    Refusing to stop, he persisted in his frantic sprint. The guards emerged from the cloud and lifted their arms. At the same time, they cast additional Wind Bolt spells toward Tyrus. He failed to recognize it earlier, but the sorcerers were intentionally targeting the location they believed Tyrus would descend upon. That disturbed him; why not aim at him directly?


    Tyrus opted not to stay and investigate further, concluding it was better to depart from the rooftops. After touching down on the succeeding one, he sprang off and hurried through the confined spaces. He navigated the terrain without a fixed route, randomly crisscrossing through any available path. He thought he was doing well since he hadn''t spotted the sorcerers and assumed he had lost them... until he remembered sorcerers can track others via their mana signatures.


    Right before he could mentally criticize himself for omitting such a pivotal detail, a figure approached one end of the alley gradually. Tyrus made a clicking sound with his tongue, then quickly spun around on his heels, only to find another person at the opposite end. Upon raising his gaze, his heart pounded in his eardrums. He was getting ready to climb the walls when a deep voice suddenly boomed.


    ¡°Jump and I¡¯ll slice your head off before you make it to the top, you Beastfolk.¡±


    The initial guard was the one who spoke. As he inched closer, he dragged his sword against the stone buildings, generating a screech that made Tyrus wince. He had an impression that the man was trying to be threatening by using that tactic, but all he did was make Tyrus want to rip his ears off and throw them at him. His current review of Valis is moving in the opposite direction.


    Tyrus was unsure of how to proceed. Dual Shot was the first option he considered, but memories of the rock spider fight deterred him. Until he enlarges his mana heart, he should be mindful of his usage. Even if he used the spell, would it even hit the target? The cloaked figures were faster than the rock spider, and they were also smarter. They would hear him utter the incantation and be on high alert. Using Dual Shot was out of the question.


    The guards were only a few steps away and ready to strike. Tyrus surveyed the area for the last time. In the alleyway between two shops, he noticed high windows that only a small child could fit through. A dangerous plan came to mind, and Tyrus wasted no time in executing it.


    In his mind, he summoned Beast Transformation, growing claws and fangs. He combined augmentation with Beast Transformation and launched himself through the window by kicking off the opposite wall. The moment his body contacted the glass, he experienced searing pain in his back. He bit his tongue and crashed through the window, shattering glass all over. Falling onto the hardwood, Tyrus collided with several glass objects. Shards of it rained onto his messy hair. Tyrus wanted to take a quick break and clamped his chest.


    But fate seemed to have other plans, for in that moment of vulnerability, a powerful swell of mana enveloped him. His surroundings shifted, and he stood in an otherworldly workshop like none he had ever seen.


    Before him floated an array of fantastical tools, suspended in mid-air. Swords glimmered with white light, quills bobbed as if guided by unseen hands, and an unloaded crossbow pointed its imaginary bolt directly at him, its form simultaneously menacing and mesmerizing. The sight left him momentarily stunned, wondering if he had stepped into a dream or some enchanting illusion.


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    As his eyes darted around the room, they landed upon the pristine, white shelves adorned with vials of mysterious liquids¡ªeach one emitting a soft glow of its own. The colors danced before his eyes, evoking a sense of wonder. Green, red, and blue vials, their contents holding secrets and power beyond his understanding.


    Adjacent to the vials, he spotted a collection of metallic objects in an assortment of shapes and sizes, each one gleaming with a craftsmanship that bespoke a master¡¯s touch. His eyes landed on an assortment of rolled-up scrolls and leather-bound books.


    At the front desk, beneath a glass covering, an exquisite assortment of swords, daggers, and reagents were arranged meticulously, each item pulsating with a vibrant hum of mana. The air seemed to shimmer with the raw energy emanating from these objects as if they yearned to be touched and wielded by a worthy hand.


    Tyrus¡¯s heart pounded even faster as he realized that this was no dream; the workshop was alive with animated objects that now seemed set on his demise. His instincts kicked in, and he had to act swiftly to survive the onslaught.


    As another sword hurtled towards him, he reacted with lightning reflexes, narrowly avoiding being impaled by the weapon as it lodged itself into the wall. But there was no time to celebrate his close call, as more objects awoke from their slumber, each one seeming to possess a malevolent intent.


    Ducking and weaving, Tyrus danced with death as he dodged a quill with a wickedly sharp ink tip that aimed for his eyes, a curved dagger that sheared a sliver of his bangs, and an inexplicable miniature dragon that unleashed actual flames. The heat from the dragon¡¯s breath singed the edges of his clothes, making him acutely aware of the genuine danger he faced.


    Without hesitation, he lunged forward, seeking cover behind a nearby shelf, as the objects continued their relentless pursuit. The workshop seemed to have turned into a battleground, with Tyrus as the unwilling target. He looked toward the entrance and saw the two guards standing firmly outside, waiting for him.


    ¡°And I¡¯m trapped¡­ Great. What do I do now?!¡± To answer his question, another sword had stabbed through the shelf, right under his arm. A dagger appeared out of nowhere and hurled itself at Tyrus''s head. He swooped down and ran to another shelf, panting.


    ¡°They know my exact location? How is that possible¡­¡±


    Tyrus glanced at the instruments and back at the awaiting figures. An idea came to mind, one that he did not know if it would work or not. He jumped to his feet and bolted for the entrance. Tyrus rammed through the door and launched himself back onto the roof. As soon as he jumped, the magical instruments shot through the opening like water in a broken dam and sped toward the guards.


    ¡°What the!?¡±


    One of them brought up their weapon and defended against the flying sword. His comrade sidestepped and sliced through a metallic orb. Though it looked like they were holding themselves well, more objects poured out and assaulted the men. Tyrus smiled at his work, but then heard metal clanging and hooves in the distance. From down the street and past a few stalls, he saw a plethora of armored men riding horses.


    ¡°Uh oh, time to leave¡­¡±


    He gave his pursuers one last look before heading toward the Explorer Guild. Tyrus had to make it there quick or else he¡¯d pass out on the street. He used up way too much mana and was not looking forward to experiencing mana deficiency again. If Fiona were to be aware, she would most likely take drastic measures to prevent it. Tyrus speculated that his mana heart was the size of a small crate, all thanks to his meditations and mana core. Compared to when he first started out, in which it was a size similar to a bottle, he made great progress. Yet it wasn¡¯t enough when it came to long battles. That was a problem that would need correcting.


    ¡°If that wasn¡¯t enough, I still didn¡¯t find a hat,¡± he grumbled. ¡°I¡¯ll just have to ask Grant and Reo if they have one lying around.¡±


    While today was the worst experience of his life, there was some good news. In a stroke of luck, his pursuers were gracious enough to shout out their incantations for the air element. Wind Bolt, as he had gathered, was a spell that harnessed the very essence of air, enabling the sorcerer to conjure a devastating force capable of tearing through stone. The best part was that it was a single-shot spell, unlike the Dual Shot spell.


    Just to test things out, Tyrus extended his arm and shouted, ¡°Wind Bolt!¡±


    To his expectations, nothing happened. He hadn¡¯t learned the air element yet, so he couldn¡¯t summon spells related to it. Lighting and Fire spells were the only magic he could use. With that thought in mind, he took a deep breath and aimed his palm at the sky.


    ¡°Lightning Bolt!


    An attack similar to Dual Shot burst forth, but much smaller and consumed less mana. The power streaked into the night, erupting in an explosion of sizzling light. Tyrus watched until the light show ended, and a wide smile appeared on his face.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it works! Now I don¡¯t have to rely on Dual Shot!¡±


    The cost to use Lightning Bolt was significantly less than Dual Shot, yet weaker in power. That was to be expected, as higher levels of spelling would use more mana. If true, then Lightning Bolt was a spell meant to be weaker than Dual Shot. To his excitement, he had found a reliable spell that he could cast without worrying about bottoming his mana heart.


    ¡°But why do I have to add lightning to the incantation? I didn¡¯t have to do so for Dual Shot¡­¡±


    Tyrus was drawing a blank, but suppressed his thoughts for later when he was nearing the Explorer Guild. He leaped off from a nearby roof and landed on top of the guild¡¯s roof. He glanced around the area, expecting the cloaked figures to swing from the shadows, yet no one came forward. All he saw was some folks passing by without a care in the world. Since the front door was locked and mostly everyone had left, Tyrus sneaked to the edge and scaled downward where an open window was waiting. After one glimpse around, he jumped in.

 Chapter 27- Fortunate Discovery

    Now out of immediate danger, Tyrus could finally rest his exhausted body. He looked down at his arms and noticed they were shaking uncontrollably. For how long, Tyrus guessed it had occurred during the whole chase. Thanks to the Beast Transformation and the deadly floating tools, he could escape with his head still on his shoulders.


    Once the adrenaline went away, a flare of pain seared his back. A warm sensation greeted Tyrus¡¯s fingers as he brushed against his backside. His ripped clothes clung to the wound, like a wet cloth on skin. With a grunt, Tyrus shuffled forward after standing up.


    ¡°How should I fix myself up?¡±


    When the moon rises, the Explorer Guild locks their doors, and the building becomes empty except for Tyrus. Albeit the presence of bedrooms in guilds to support injured members during a contract, their occupancy is notably rare. Chances were, they¡¯d heal their wounds somewhere else and be back to normal. In case someone uses the facilities during their recovery, Celeste or an assistant will remain present to monitor them periodically. Additionally, they receive extra payment for the job.


    Those words were just a repetition of what Celeste had exclaimed before closing the guild for the night. She was told about his race in advance and didn¡¯t react to his ears. To him, she had an indifferent expression, as if they weren¡¯t there at all. Though surprised, Tyrus later thanked her for the information.


    Above all else, she stressed one thing. Behind the front desk was a storeroom of sorts. The branch leader implemented a lot of safety measures to prevent intruders, let alone unauthorized touching of its surface. Celeste or the branch leader would find Tyrus¡¯ lifeless body if they caught him in a prohibited area and faced the full force of the security measures. The threat from the receptionist lingered as she walked away, leaving a stunned boy by himself.


    ¡°Thinking back to the magic shop, I¡¯ve seen firsthand the type of measures sorcerers implement. I¡¯ll grab the bowl just in case.¡±


    Tyrus seized the bowl from the table and left the room, shuddering to himself. Walking, he found the hallways deserted, as he expected. Tyrus stepped lightly, taking in the thick, somber air with each breath. It didn¡¯t help that the jabbing pain left him scowling with each step. He needed something to clean the wound to avoid it getting worse. Perhaps the guild has something that could be useful.


    Stopping at a stairwell, Tyrus looked down. ¡°I don¡¯t remember anything that can help me down there. Since the storeroom is locked, it¡¯s useless. If it was open and had something I could use, then I would¡¯ve left sil in place of it¡­¡±


    He turned his eyes away and concentrated on the stairs that went up. There were only additional rooms and Selena¡¯s private office. The third-floor rooms were a mystery, but he had a good handle on what was in the boss¡¯s office. The contents of the room were limited to a desk and a bunch of books.


    ¡°Maybe I can find something in there? If there¡¯s nothing there, I¡¯ll check the other rooms and floor.¡±


    It was a long shot, but it was better than nothing. Tyrus climbed the creaky steps and strutted forward, arriving at the office. Before he entered, he checked for anything unusual.


    A quick look revealed that no mana was being released from the room. The moment he was convinced, he flung the bowl at the door. It ricocheted off the exterior and clanged onto the ground on par with a thunderclap. After waiting a good few ticks, nothing happened.


    Then he proceeded to hold the bowl and slowly opened the door to a visible crack. Once it was wide enough, he chucked the bowl into the middle of the room and shut it quickly. There was no scratching or mana to be felt as Tyrus pressed his ear to the door. He sighed in relief and stepped in.


    ¡°Okay, so far so good¡­ Nothing out of the ordinary here.¡±


    Tyrus left the door open and peered into the office. Everything was how he remembered; two chairs stationed in the middle, facing the desk. Selena¡¯s comfortable seat looked ahead and perfectly symmetrical between the large window. Nothing of importance caught Tyrus¡¯s eye until he fixated on a specific spot on the desk. An enormous book was resting near the edge. It wasn¡¯t the book itself that caught his attention, but the title Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals by Aric Thorn.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    To make sure the crash did not affect his brain, Tyrus repeatedly rubbed his eyes. As soon as he realized his eyes were not playing tricks on him, he rushed to the desk and ran his finger along the cover. It was smooth to the touch, and it emanated no odor. He picked it up with trembling fingers. ¡°This isn¡¯t an illusion¡­ right? Why is such a book out in the open? Maybe Selena didn¡¯t put it back in its place?¡±


    A quick glance at the bookcase told him he was right. At the bottom left, a small section was missing an item. Tyrus chuckled at his good fortune and carefully opened the contents.


    He treated the book delicately and went straight to the first chapter. The pain from his stinging wound seemed to fade into the background, overshadowed by the thrill of this newfound treasure. Once he confirmed the words were legible, Tyrus absorbed the information like a rag.


    The first chapter was a long-winded explanation of how the world revolved around the elements. The foundations of sorcery lie deeply rooted in a timeless tradition. Beyond the unblessed themselves, those blessed by the goddess Sthito are bestowed a profound connection to sorcery, channeling raw mana through their very essence. At the heart of the craft lies a sacred bond with the elements. Prior to wielding elemental spells, sorcerers must first establish attunement with mana.


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    Yet, mastering the elements alone is not enough. Sorcerers develop the practice of meditation and contemplation at the core of their being. Through rigorous study and oral tradition, they endeavor to unravel the enigmas of age-old manuscripts inscribed by the sage of antiquity, and decode the intricate symbols embedded on parchments as ancient as time. The attainment of expertise over these inscribed enchantments confers upon them the capability to alter actuality and twist it to their volition.


    The journey towards sorcery is filled with obstacles, and its pursuit necessitates unwavering discipline and restraint. To access the wellspring of mana that exists within and around them, sorcerers must learn to harmonize their minds, body, and spirit. Through innumerable hours of dedicated practice, they refine their focus and develop the ability to navigate the ever-changing tides of mana that course through nature itself.


    Despite their vast wisdom and knowledge, sorcerers must also adopt a humble attitude. Sorcery, though potent, is a force that commands respect. A single misstep or moment of arrogance could result in their spells spiraling out of control, potentially leading to calamity rather than the intended outcome.


    As a result, incantations were developed and extensively examined to reduce the potential risks. Incantations not only save the sorcerer from danger, but to make the art of spells easier to cast. The alternative, which involves casting without verbal enunciation, is a challenging and potentially life-threatening skill that few are willing to master.


    The basis of the practice of sorcery for sorcerers remains steadfast, comparable to the roots of the most ancient oak. A delicate balance of power, reverence, and self-discovery forms the bedrock upon which the journey of a sorcerer into the unknown begins.


    ¡°The book, Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals, is a must have for beginners so that they can safely begin their journey¡­¡± Tyrus finished. He frowned at the long introduction and flipped through. ¡°Don''t care about the beginning at all. They need to cut back on the tough words. Show me the incantations!¡±


    After much huffing and puffing, Tyrus finally found what he was looking for in the next chapter, titled Incantations for Fire Sorcerers. The chapter featured a summary of the fire element, a list of incantations, and information about each incantation. One of them was the fireball spell, an incantation he heard Fiona shout before.


    Curious about the next pages, he continued flipping until he reached the next chapter, titled Incantations for Water Sorcerers, and a fresh wave of incantations appeared. Each new chapter repeated for the last two common elements: earth and air. When he landed on another chapter, his heart skipped three beats.


    ¡°Incantations for Light Sorcerers¡­? There¡¯s a light element?!¡± Before he knew it, he had already made himself comfortable in Selena¡¯s chair. He dug his nose into the book, eagerly reading the element he stumbled upon.


    The book portrays the light element as being able to cast radiant beams that light up dark dungeon corners or warm illumination for travelers on moonless nights. Light sorcerers can create orbs of light, which float and hover around them and act as loyal guides or gentle companions on their journeys.


    Apart from its illuminating function, light can also act as a source of healing and rejuvenation. It had the ability to mend wounds and calm ailments as their hands glowed with restorative energy. Whether it¡¯s healing broken bones or curing illnesses, the light¡¯s touch embodies vitality and restores strength to the wounded and sick.


    Its capabilities extend beyond healing and lighting the path, as it carries an overwhelming power that can obliterate, surpassing even that of fire. Because of the lack of sorcerers in tune with it, the element is one of the most challenging to teach and learn in its later stages.


    To reinforce the statement, only three incantations were present on the page: Healing Touch, Illumination, and Light Bolt. It was significantly smaller than the other elements. Tyrus set the book down and leaned to the side.


    ¡°If I use Healing Touch, will my back wound heal? I¡¯ve only acquired two elements in the Sorcerer Plane. The last time I tried to earn another, the pain was unbearable. Though that was when my mana heart was a lot smaller and weaker¡­¡±


    Tyrus debated the risk, tapping his chin in thought. The book noted that mastering the light element was problematic. That would mean there¡¯s a higher chance of failing to unlock it. Or did it mean that learning to use the spell was difficult? Unlocking it may not be worth his time. Checking his attunement with the light element was impossible.


    The longer he thought, the more pain he experienced. The wound had worsened when he was deeply engrossed in the book. His shirt was becoming more stained with red, and the world swirled.


    ¡°Ah, whatever! Not like I have a choice!¡±


    Rising from the chair, he planted himself firmly on the floor and accessed the Sorcerer Plane. Awaiting him were the unlocked elements. Fire had no noticeable changes, while lightning had a bit more racing arcs and was a tad bigger.


    Furthermore, the root-like background of mana had grown much brighter than before. Did the act of absorbing mana from the mana core play a role in that? In that case, the mana heart itself was the root-like mana! Or was it the heart? Bah, he¡¯d figure it out, eventually.


    Though he wished to appreciate it longer, he had more important matters to deal with. Like last time, he pictured the exact thing he wanted to bring into being. The sun was the first thing that came to mind, considering it offers a cost-free source of light to all. Afterward, he contemplated something of lesser importance, such as the way a torch would brighten the path within a dark cave or passageway. Even smaller than that, Tyrus recollected the shimmering orbs of light that populated the streets of Valis.


    In no time, his skin became hot and a trickle of sweat slid down his back. In the Sorcerer Plane, popping into existence right next to lightning, was a light as small as a coin. When the light stopped, Tyrus opened his eyes and gripped his chest as it rose. He immediately moved his arm over his shoulder and pressed his palm over the wound.


    ¡°He-Healing Touch!¡±


    To his dismay, no light appeared from his fingertips. Flaring his nostrils, Tyrus tried again and again, to no avail. Negative thoughts muddled his brain as desperation clawed at him. The whispers of his failure made him believe he was too inadequate to use the spell. Sinister chuckles from the emotion taunted him, making him feel like he had set his expectations too high. Tyrus bit down on his tongue and dismissed the cloud.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try one more time¡­ A calm mind is required to use sorcery, incantation or not. An unstable mana flow will not bring results¡­¡± A few deep breaths later, Tyrus closed his eyes and muttered the incantation once more.


    ¡°Healing Touch.¡±

 Chapter 28- Future Plans

    The damp floor didn¡¯t stop Sezor from tapping his foot repeatedly and grumbling. The twins were supposed to return with the intruder, dead or alive. If those idiots haven''t come back yet, chances are they''ve either been caught by the patrols or the rat killed them.


    The twins couldn¡¯t have been defeated that quickly unless the enemy was very skilled! They¡¯re Adept Sorcerers! If they truly have fallen, then I would have to find more men of the same level¡­


    ¡°Damn it all! I knew it was a bad idea to come here! I demand compensation for the men I lost.¡±


    Without saying a word to Sezor, the suspicious figure turned towards the door. ¡°I assume the little rat followed Doyle to our meeting place. No matter, I will make our time here brief, so I expect you both to stay quiet and listen like good dogs unless I request an answer. If not, I don¡¯t mind leading the patrols here¡­¡±


    Sezor scowled and motioned for them to continue. Without the twins present, the intimidation factor he was intent on displaying had diminished. With no one to match up, the figure held all the power in the palm of his hands. With just a single gesture, killing him would be as easy as ripping parchment. The unblessed have no hope of winning against sorcerers. Best to keep quiet and listen to the offer.


    ¡°Sezor, to my knowledge, a cloaked figure has killed two of your men in the town Valiedge, correct? And a black-haired boy was among them?¡±


    ¡°How in Yutar¡¯s name did you find that out? Only those in Scourge should have knowledge of that information.¡±


    ¡°I have my own methods. It would be prudent to refrain from inquiring any further. Ignorance can be a blessing or a curse. Based on your reaction, may I assume that the information is accurate?¡±


    Sezor¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s correct alright. I sent some members of my division over and they were told a rumor. A group of kids saw the bloodshed and ran for their lives. They claimed a person draped in a cloak took the shitty kid and fled to Valier Forest. My men are still looking for them as we speak.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯d be best to stop, Sezor. It is possible they are¡­ long gone and have made a home elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°And how do you know that?¡± Sezor said, fiddling with the ring. ¡°I¡¯ve already caught heat from the higher ups of Scourge. If my men slip up again, then a royal knight from the capital might come down here and investigate!¡±


    Doyle, who has been silent throughout, emitted a hoarse chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s hilarious! While I love the entertainment presented to me, when are we going to end this? A bottle of booze is waiting for me.¡±


    The figure nodded and advanced a step. ¡°If you¡¯re concerned about getting caught, Sezor, you can earn a hefty amount of coin and shift their focus elsewhere. This applies to you too, Doyle.¡±


    A glint of greed flashed across Sezor¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hefty, you say? Spit it out then!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be blunt. To transport beasts into the Wasteful Wetlands, I¡¯ll pay you fifteen royal sil each. Doyle will be responsible for the transportation of these creatures, while Sezor¡¯s men will lead them to the Wasteful Wetlands. The men will ensure smooth transport while providing security. Your reward for finishing the job is a bag full of coins, which you can take and go.¡±


    Silence fell over the room after the figure spoke. Sezor and Doyle exchanged a stunned look. It was only upon closer inspection that Sezor noticed the enigma¡¯s pair of piercing green eyes. Those twin orbs that held an air of mystique were unlike any he had encountered before. A piercing shade of green, they bore an uncanny resemblance to glimmering emeralds, vivid and intense.


    Sezor¡¯s gaze delved further into the enigma¡¯s eyes, triggering a disquieting sensation within him. It was as if he had unwittingly stumbled upon a predator in the heart of its lair, a feeling akin to staring down the coiled menace of a horned snake poised to strike.


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    He chose his next words carefully, gauging their reaction. ¡°Why in the blazes do you want to transport beasts to the Wasteful Wetlands? Such an insane plan could only come from the mind of a demon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll join,¡± Doyle said. ¡°Can¡¯t refuse that much royal sil. Might be able to get my hands on Wyvern¡¯s breath! Heard it¡¯ll leave your stomach aflame for a few days.¡±


    A furrow creased Sezor¡¯s brow as he leaned forward, his fingers intertwining in a display of deep contemplation. The offer on the table, while tempting at first glance, sparked a flurry of concerns that demanded his careful consideration. Fifteen royal sil for transporting a band of beasts¡ªundeniably an enticing sum, yet the very nature of the task raised a perplexing array of questions.


    The Wasteful Wetlands, a destination fraught with mystery and perhaps danger, was an unsettling choice for such a venture. Why that dangerous place specifically, and what manner of beasts were they to transport? The implications gnawed at his mind like persistent whispers of caution.


    Someone described the Wetlands in a vivid and grim way. A treacherous expanse plagued by muddy roads that threatened to swallow even the hardiest of travelers, and spongy soil that seemed to conspire against any attempt at surefooted movement. The uneven terrain, as if the land itself was resisting change, constantly challenged progress.


    Sezor¡¯s mind conjured images of beasts and man-eating plants lurking in the shadows, their presence a constant reminder of the danger that loomed in every corner. In such an environment, the line between hunter and hunted blurred, and even the most cautious traveler could find themselves prey to the cunning inhabitants of the Wetlands like the cold-blooded lizardmen tribe.


    But perhaps most unnerving was the description of the thick, oppressive fog that cloaked the land. It pressed down upon everything like an immense weight, reducing visibility to a few arms length. Navigating through the fog was like traversing a world that was half-hidden, where danger may prowl beyond sight, waiting to attack like a predator sensing vulnerability.


    The very air itself held a putrid quality; it was a place where discomfort clung to your garments like a persistent shadow, an environment that tested the limits of endurance and resolve.


    Sezor¡¯s thoughts unfolded like a map, laying out the potential risks and rewards of the enigmatic proposition. Although he was drawn to the allure of riches, he understood nothing was more important than his safety.


    ¡°If you¡¯re worried about more of your men dying, then I will send a guardian, courtesy of my master,¡± said the figure. ¡°Your answer, Sezor? We do not have all night. I sense dense mana approaching rapidly.¡±


    ¡°Dense mana? Is it a royal knight?! Damn it all¡­ Fine, I accept! What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, we¡¯re out of time. I¡¯ll tell you later. They¡¯ve just arrived.¡±


    As if a prophet, everyone¡¯s heads snapped toward the entrance. Sezor¡¯s shoulders slumped as he struggled to rise, but his legs felt like lead. Drops of sweat rolled down his cheeks and fell onto the unforgiving floor. Beside him, Doyle¡¯s countenance tightened, his normally steady demeanor betraying a subtle hint of apprehension. The masked figure sighed and pointed in the opposite direction.


    ¡°I am curious as to why you¡¯re still seated. Should you desire to perish at their hands, then you are welcome to remain. I can gather other pawns. If not, then take the escape tunnel through the sewers.¡±


    Just like a golem coming to life, both men¡¯s bodies stiffened and they stood up. One after the other, they scurried to the end of the warehouse and stopped at the corner. They came across a wooden plank that Sezor lifted effortlessly.


    Beneath the masked figure¡¯s directive lay a hidden passage, a gaping hole that beckoned them into its depths. It was a portal to the unknown, an invitation to traverse the labyrinthine enigma that lay beneath the surface. Doyle wasted no time, assuming the lead as he leaped into the abyss with fluid grace, disappearing from Sezor¡¯s sight.


    Sezor¡¯s heart raced as he prepared to follow suit, his resolve steadfast. But an echoing bang that reverberated through the air like a beast¡¯s roar abruptly halted his intentions. His attention snapped toward the source of the disturbance, his senses honed to a razor¡¯s edge.


    The air itself seemed to contract, as if drawn inward by an invisible force. And then, propelled by some unseen momentum, an object hurtled through the air, colliding with the wall in a splintering explosion. Wood shattered into fragments, a cacophony of destruction that echoed through the chamber.


    ¡°Is this the place?¡± a deep voice rumbled. ¡°It reeks like a red bison¡¯s shit... The appearance matches the stench, too. Quite a fitting grave for those foolhardy enough to disrupt the peace.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that,¡± Sezor mumbled. ¡°Like hell I¡¯ll stay and watch.¡± By grabbing the plank, he lowered himself and closed the hole. Sezor blindly extended his arms, feeling the coarse soil scrape his hands. He stamped and swore to himself, shuffling toward the sewers.

 Chapter 29- Lessons From a Lockhart

    Looking up at the ceiling with a distant expression, Tyrus frowned. He rubbed his eyes¨Cstopping briefly to yawn¨Cand smacked his lips. Getting up from bed, he had droopy eyes and sagging shoulders. A new beam of sunlight entered through the window, blinding those unready.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ It¡¯s time already?¡±


    Yesterday''s events went by in a flash. On his first day in Valis, he didn''t expect to stumble upon a group of people having a meeting in an abandoned warehouse and then being pursued by sorcerers. There was also the incident involving breaking into a magic shop. Is there a chance that they would recognize Tyrus as the person who broke through the window and caused a commotion? What if they made him pay for the damages? Obviously, he was broke. They might even send him to work somewhere far away!


    Thinking about the future soured his mood further. All he could do was hope that they didn''t have the capability to trace his location or solve the crime. It was probable that sorcery would assist them in succeeding. If the owner can make objects float and target intruders, it could lead to the discovery of evidence.


    Maybe it¡¯d be best to lie low for now and forget about exploring the rest of Valis. That would have to come much later. Moreover, he was unsuccessful in his attempt to find a hat or something comparable to obscure his ears...


    The failure of his primary goal of yesterday finally settled in. Tyrus scowled more intensely, struggling to get up and relying on the wall to steady himself. Nausea crashed into him like a runaway carriage. After waiting for it to pass, he moved towards the window. To the left, a trickle of explorers had entered the guild¡¯s open doors. Selena, Fiona, or her friends weren¡¯t among them.


    Leaving the office saved him from being stuck reading until noon. By constantly reminding himself of the consequences of his actions, he had to forcefully pry his eyes away from the book. Intruding into a branch leader¡¯s office was probably a big deal and would have him kicked out, or something like that.


    While he watched the explorers come and go, footsteps from beyond the door alerted him. The door creaked open as Fiona peeked in her head.


    ¡°Tyrus? You awake yet¨C¡° Her voice trailed when her eyes landed on Tyrus¡¯ backside. Fiona¡¯s jaw dropped as she slammed the door open. ¡°What the hell happened to your back?!¡±


    Oh, I forgot about that, Tyrus thought. Despite this, he had no extra garments, making it unavoidable for her to find out. Speaking of his back, he was positive the wound healed. Was it the rip in his tunic she was referring to or the scar it left?


    ¡°My clothes got caught on something and it ripped,¡± he said casually.


    Fiona knitted her eyebrows. ¡°Why does your voice sound like that? You know what? Forget it, I''ll hook you up with clothes and new footwear. We can¡¯t be late!¡±


    Before he could ask Fiona what she meant, she spun on her heels, shut the door, and walked away, the sound of her shoes diminishing with every passing second. Tyrus turned and observed the fast-moving woman leaving the building.


    Now that he was alone, it was time to get started. Tyrus took up the corner and assumed a meditative posture. In a quick manner, he entered the Sorcerer Plane and looked upon his innate domain with envy.


    Next to lightning was the light element, something he never knew existed. It got him thinking about what other element besides light he was unaware of. The book he read covered only the four basic elements, and light as well. Following the completion of his back wound''s healing, he observed several remaining pages, which he eagerly turned to. Not only was there the light element, but of course, darkness.


    According to his reading, the primary function of the dark element is to exercise control over shadows and darkness. Once an individual attains a certain strength, they possess the power to manipulate the actions of others, deplete their life force, or even create the undead. It made sense that it¡¯s the opposite of the light element. As the saying goes, light and dark are two sides of the same coin.


    A spell listed on the page was Shadow Bolt, which let the caster throw a projectile of dark energy at a target, sapping their strength. Similar to the light element, there were only a handful of incantations accessible compared to others. By few, there was only one, and it was¡­ well, Shadow Bolt. Adding a chapter for the dark element with only one incantation listed was extremely odd. The useless information didn''t matter to Tyrus, so he moved on.


    Anyhow, the light element in the Sorcerer Plane was about the size of a small ball. Weirdly enough, it was still bigger than the fire element, which showed no changes at all. This intrigued Tyrus; why was an element he had just recently used larger than an element he unlocked days ago? One guess came to mind, and that would be that his attunement with the element was greater than fire.


    I still have three elements under my belt either way, he wondered. One thing he was worried about was the time it would take to train them separately. His priority was to train lightning first, but the progress has been sluggish. It got him thinking just how long it would take an Elemental Sorcerer to master every element. Twenty years? Forty? Or maybe never. From the book, light is considered hard to train in its later stages.


    Furthermore, he remembered what Fiona had said about primary affinities. Elemental Sorcerers use most of their spells with their primary affinity, and that you can only be average for the others. Complete mastery is definitely better than average. Would that mean training light and fire be a waste of his time?


    Tyrus frowned at the swirling question in his brain. When he was about to meditate to ease the queasiness, he heard light but rapid footsteps approaching. Instantly, he knew who it was and rose. Three knocks from the door later, Fiona emerged holding a bowl of food.


    ¡°I¡¯m back~ I got you some breakfast and a new pair of clothes!¡±


    She put the bowl down on the table and held out her ring finger. A black tunic, trousers, boots, and a wool hat emerged.


    ¡°Ho-How much did this all cost?¡± Tyrus asked, afraid of the answer.


    Fiona scratched her chin. ¡°Not much, I suppose. One sil for the trousers and hat, and two each for the tunic and boots. So about six in total. Ah, and the breakfast was two sil, so actually eight in total.¡±


    Tyrus glanced at the bowl and clothes. He then settled on the money pouch resting on his table and sighed. ¡°If it¡¯s only eight sil¡­ then you can take the same amount from the pouch. I can¡¯t accept all of this for free.¡±


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Think of it as my goodwill, or a gift,¡± Fiona insisted.


    ¡°Please take the eight sil. Fiona, I don''t want to owe you any more than I already do.¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine. I¡¯ll take the eight sil,¡± she grumbled, taking her share from the pouch. ¡°I¡¯ll leave and let you finish your business and meal. After that, I¡¯ll take you to the training facility in the guild. When you arrive, my aunt will show you how to do silent casting. Let''s not forget you asked her for a demonstration.¡±


    The meaning of what Fiona had said finally dawned on him. He completely forgot that he had requested Selena to demonstrate spells without an incantation! Having knowledge of what the day had in store, Tyrus smiled.


    Skipping over to the table, he picked up an apple from the bowl. Soon, he would take another step to learning all he could about sorcery. As he took a bite of the crunchy apple, thoughts about his harrowing escape evaporated.


    ****


    An open field filled with stone dummies and circular targets painted red lay behind the Explorer Guild. Selena stood in the middle, facing one of the dummies with a smirk plastered on her face.


    ¡°I was not expecting an audience,¡± she said, glancing to the side. Tyrus, Fiona, Reo, and Grant, all dressed in their outdoor gear, were watching from the sidelines. There were also some more explorers watching from the inside, peering through the windows curiously.


    When Tyrus was ready, Fiona brought her friends to watch Selena with him. Although Grant was looking straight ahead, Tyrus saw Reo giving him a scowl. His intense gaze seemed to penetrate his own flesh, making it impossible to disregard him. The fact that he overheard him mumbling about confirming his suspicions once and for all worried Tyrus greatly.


    ¡°Since that¡¯s everyone, I would like to begin,¡± Selena said. ¡°In order to please Tyrus, I''m focused on teaching him the skill of silent casting. It is the practice of casting spells without using verbal incantations, as you know. Before I get into the details, I want to give a quick lesson to our new sorcerer.¡±


    ¡°To begin with, I shall use a spell that necessitates an incantation. By employing a specific set of words, an Elemental Sorcerer can conjure spells using this method. Pronouncing the words acts as the catalyst for invoking the spell in this manner."


    She extended her arm towards the dummy and exclaimed, ¡°Fire Bolt!¡± A spherical flame emanated from her palm and propelled forward, striking the dummy directly in the chest. The moment the flames made contact, it dissipated into nothingness. Selena smiled and lowered her arm.


    ¡°Through an incantation, I have cast a spell known as Fire Bolt, which has a rank 1 classification. By reciting an incantation, the spell can easily manifest with minimal concentration. However, to bring the spell to fruition, it is crucial to have a satisfactory amount of mana and the activation of the fire element in your Sorcerer Plane. Tyrus, are you familiar with what that is?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a few days since I¡¯ve entered it, so yes. Right now I have three elements unlocked: lightning, fire, and light.¡±


    When Tyrus finished speaking, an uncomfortable feeling raced across his neck. He cast a sidelong glance to see the three explorers staring at him.


    ¡°You already learned three elements?!¡± Fiona cried out. ¡°How the hell did you accomplish that?¡±


    Grant gave him a quick nod. ¡°It seems Tyrus is quite the proficient sorcerer.¡±


    ¡°What a monster,¡± Reo said with a chuckle. ¡°The guy¡¯s a quick learner, I¡¯ll give him that.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯ face reddened as he pulled his cap down. ¡°I-It¡¯s nothing much¡­ As long as I have enough mana in my mana heart, I can learn an element easily. Training every single one is what¡¯s difficult.¡±


    ¡°That is a problem all Elemental Sorcerers experience,¡± Selena said, catching everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Elemental Sorcerers have a reason for prioritizing their primary affinity. Time is a fickle concept for us humans, yet an indifferent one for other races with long lifespans. Human Elemental Sorcerers invest the majority of their time and resources in mastering the element they are most attuned to. They select a few essential spells to learn from the other elements.¡±


    ¡°Achieving complete mastery of one''s primary element demands decades of practice, while the mastery of another requires twice the effort. In the event that you ignore that, you also encounter the issue of performing worse in one aspect compared to the rest. It is recommended to prioritize one''s area of expertise as opposed to pursuing tasks where one is likely to struggle.¡±


    It was just as he thought back in Valier Forest; spending most of his time on lightning was the effective choice. Fire wasn''t necessary for him currently, since he already had the lightning element. Light, on the other hand, carried more promise. Being able to heal wounds with a single spell is an incredibly powerful ability.


    In case of an injury and the nearest town being a day''s walk away, Tyrus could heal the person or himself with ease as long as he had enough mana or if the wound wasn''t too severe. It was a crutch that he was glad to stumble upon. Compared to the other elements, it would be beneficial to focus on training the light element alongside lightning.


    ¡°Now I will begin silent casting,¡± Selena announced. Tyrus shook off his thoughts and eagerly watched the woman. ¡°Silent casting is a method of spell-casting that allows the user to execute spells with no verbal trigger.¡±


    ¡°In order to cast spells without chanting, the sorcerer must possess exceptional mana control. The act of casting a spell will require that you create a mental image of the desired outcome and then allow the mana within your mana heart to accumulate. ¡°


    ¡°Should you wish to discharge it from your body, it is imperative that you prevent the mana from dispersing prior to deployment. Only when mastery over control is attained can we release the energy outward. The method requires the utmost concentration, owing to the considerably greater risks involved.¡±


    Once again, Selena elevated her arm and instantly discharged the Fire Bolt spell. The magic struck the same spot and fizzled away. ¡°Using silent casting allows for a more efficient and effortless process, saving you more time. Moreover, you must possess the mana needed to cast the spell of your choice. While it brings more creativity to your magic, it also increases the risk. Similar to a blacksmith protecting themselves from burns while working in their fiery forge.¡±


    Twirling her neck around, Selena approached the group and halted in front of Tyrus. ¡°Your request for me to demonstrate silent casting is driven by your desire to learn it, isn''t it? If so, you should know one important detail. The body limits your strength to avoid damage to your bones and muscles unless it''s confident you can handle it.¡±


    ¡°It also applies to sorcery, too. Casting silently without enough mana can be harmful to your body. Your body is ensuring that the user doesn''t experience unnecessary harm. The limit can be surpassed if your life is at risk or if you have the mana heart and concentration necessary to cast such spells.¡±


    Without a hint of forewarning, a sudden gust of wind materialized out of thin air, sweeping through the training yard with an unsettling force. The once-temperate atmosphere was swiftly transformed into an oppressive heat, causing beads of sweat to form on brows and foreheads, and turning the air stifling and uncomfortable.


    Despite the climatic shift, Selena remained steadfast and observed her surroundings. But it wasn¡¯t long before an ominous spectacle unveiled itself behind her. Emerging from the ground at the very heart of the training yard, a flicker of crimson light sparked to life. What started as a mere ember soon evolved into a blaze, akin to the size of a fireplace, tendrils of heat and fury licking at the earth.


    As if possessed by an arcane dance, the flames began to twirl and curl. Its form twisted and writhed, growing in stature with each passing second. In a matter of moments, the firestorm reached a towering height, rivaling even the clock tower that loomed nearby.


    The temperature escalated to an almost unbearable degree. Waves of intense heat radiating outward in a pulsating rhythm. Observers who had gathered to witness the spectacle instinctively retreated, their faces etched with astonishment and awe. Their skin prickled with the scalding touch of the raging inferno, and they shielded their eyes from the searing brilliance that illuminated the scene.


    It roared and raged with a ferocity akin to a tempest, swirling and spiraling like a vortex of destruction. The very air seemed to quiver in its presence, and the ground beneath trembled with each thunderous surge of suppressive energy.


    Selena laughed at their fear and crossed her arms. ¡°If you have aspirations to reach this level or higher, then training is a must. Time shows mercy to none, and you never know when it will slip away.¡±


    She snapped her fingers, and the firestorm slowly vanished. ¡°Now that you''ve seen a bit of my power, what are your thoughts on the lesson?¡±

 Chapter 30- Restlessness

    That was the coolest thing I¡¯ve ever seen¡­


    Time seemed to freeze. The soaring birds seemed to move at a sluggish pace. Something abruptly snapped clasped attention when he sensed a hand placed on his shoulder. Looking up, Fiona was beaming with joy.


    ¡°What do you think? Pretty cool, right? She''s one of the most powerful people around!¡±


    Selena let out a warm chuckle. ¡°You flatter me, Fiona. When compared to several others, I am just a small fish in the ocean. There are countless individuals who possess an immense strength that is beyond your imagination. Some can even level the entire city of Valis with one spell.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s crazy,¡± Tyrus mumbled. To accomplish such an achievement, the amount of mana required would be insurmountable. Casting Dual Shot was a struggle for him as he almost lost consciousness because of his depleted reserves. The destruction of a city as large as Valis would require a sorcerer who had undergone constant training throughout their long life.


    ¡°Yeah, Elemental Sorcerers are crazy strong,¡± Reo grumbled behind Grant. He revealed himself as he wiped his glistening face. ¡°It''s surprising that the specialization with the most sorcerers carries a power that can cause so much destruction. It''s a good thing Augmentation Sorcerers are meant to be a direct counter to them.¡±


    ¡°Direct counter?¡± Tyrus asked. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    Arms crossed, Reo wore a frown. ¡°Valis academy teaches a diverse range of subjects, counting sorcery. That includes the strengths and weaknesses of each specialization. Elemental Sorcerers typically lack close-range defense because of their focus on mid to long-range attacks. You also have to think how long it takes to cast a spell, and every second matters in a fight. The outcome depends on multiple variables.¡±


    ¡°Elemental Sorcerers must keep a keen eye on their mana heart, the time it takes to cast spells, whether it will hit their target, and more. Dodging an anticipated attack is easy for Augmentation Sorcerers who boost their body''s capabilities and five senses. If surprised and approached closely, the Elemental Sorcerer is done for.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ that makes sense,¡± Tyrus said. Many instances exist where an Elemental Sorcerer can be caught off guard, he thought. Even with a head-start, Reo quickly caught him during his escape in the Wasteful Wetlands. Alongside Grant¡¯s strength, the chances of escaping fizzled away.


    ¡°But,¡± Reo continued, ¡°since you¡¯re a Multi-Specialist, you have the potential to excel in long-range and close-range combat. That is if you''re skilled with blades or martial arts. Honestly, your work is cut out for you.¡±


    ¡°Is it because I have more to work on?¡± Tyrus guessed.


    ¡°Yep. To succeed, you need to learn spells, train your mana heart, and be proficient with a sword. You have two options: either test your luck by trying everything or focus most of your time on one specialization. Don''t forget that selecting both options might come with a high price tag.¡±


    Expensive? That¡¯s not good. If the costs to train both specializations were to be too much, then he¡¯d have to accept contracts sooner rather than later and save up. Procuring food in the wild is an easy feat, but getting lodging could be an issue.


    Also, learning solely as an Elemental Sorcerer may be the best option, given its wide range of uses. However, after hearing Reo¡¯s input, what if he came across a situation where he needed to get physical? Beast Transformation and basic augmentation could solve it, but contracts would get increasingly difficult in the future. There was no harm in learning how to wield a sword, but he might need a teacher for that.


    The notion applies to Elemental Sorcerers'' learning as well. Tyrus committed to memory the incantations in the book for light and a few for fire. He also knew the first few for water, yet completely disregarded earth. There was also Shadow Bolt, which was impossible to forget, as it was the only one.


    Wait a minute! That¡¯s it! If I can get the book in Selena¡¯s office, then I can read it over as much as I want. There''s no way she''ll say no. She promised to help me with anything she can.


    Tyrus cleared his throat and approached Selena. ¡°Excuse me¡­ Do you remember what you said yesterday? About how if I needed anything if you''re able to?¡±


    Selena stared at him strangely. ¡°Indeed, those words came out of my mouth. I''m true to my word. Your contemplation of Reo''s words makes me wonder if you have an interest in grimoires.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s a grimoire?¡± he asked.


    ¡°In simple terms, it''s a book about magic. It contains incantations, various spellcasting methods, and instructions on specific topics. It is rather costly, as it is quite difficult to acquire one.¡±


    His hopeful spirit vanished as he stared at the ground. ¡°Oh¡­ I didn¡¯t know it would cost a lot. I¡¯ll get one later.¡±


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    Selena held up a finger and wiggled it. ¡°Not so fast. Although I don''t possess a grimoire, I do have a textbook in my office. I will mention I am not the owner; Ivy is. If you''re interested, I can get in touch with her and ask to borrow it for you.¡±


    ¡°Really? I will gladly accept the offer,¡± he said with a smile.


    ¡°Lovely. Let''s depart from the premises now. It appears that we''ve drawn quite a crowd.¡±


    People came in large numbers to the field, particularly explorers who were eager to witness Selena in action, as she mentioned. The branch leader greeted them with a brief wave before leading the group inside. After passing through the doors, the onlookers situated inside rushed towards them.


    ¡°What¡¯s the occasion for displaying that terrifying spell?¡±


    ¡°Why is there a bean sprout among them? Is he lost?¡±


    ¡°Holy shit! The middle of the training field is completely black! The branch leader is as scary as always!¡±


    The group, including Selena, disregarded the comments and led everyone to the third floor. They eventually arrived at the office, and she walked towards her desk. From there lay the book, right in its exact position. Tyrus made sure it faced the same direction. The book was in pristine condition, with no crinkled pages, stains, or related markings. He kept his face neutral and watched as she picked it up.


    ¡°Hm? Has Ivy forgotten to put her book away again? It''s better to avoid developing bad habits, even if her mother could provide another one.¡±


    Shaking her head, she crouched down and opened one of the cabinets. Following a significant amount of noise and commotion, a metallic sphere emerged that bore a striking resemblance to those found in the magical shop. ¡°Within my hands lies a magical tool. This one specifically functions as a communications device. It¡¯s able to link and form a connection with other similar magic tools. The activation process simply requires a single drop of mana.¡±


    With little to no effort, Selena released a minuscule of mana into the orb. It shook slightly, and the exterior glowed white. Following shortly after, a screen that was both translucent and white in color appeared above the item. Initially, there was no image visible, however, after a brief lapse of time, the screen flickered, and a face emerged.


    ¡°Teacher? Is that you?¡± the screen said in a muffled voice. Blue jeweled eyes and blond locks alongside a childish face appeared. The head of Ivy, clear as day, emanated from the hovering phenomenon. The sight of the two conversing long distance left Tyrus in disbelief, his jaw dropping with surprise.


    ¡°Hello, Ivy. Have you been well?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Thank you for asking. I can¡¯t say the same for Mother, though.¡±


    Selena frowned. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s the matter with Erza?¡±


    There was a pause, and what followed was a torrent of curses in the background. ¡°Someone broke into her shop and left a big mess around. There¡¯s a lot of glass, gashes, and punctures along the walls and shelves. They entered through the side window, but from what Mother has told me, they took nothing from the collection. What kind of thief enters a shop and steals nothing? Either they were terrible at their job or mother''s remarkable defenses frightened them away.¡±


    As the conversation dragged on, Tyrus''s calm facade crumbled. Despite his urge to shrink to the size of a mouse and scamper away from the room, he kept his eyes fixed straight ahead. Losing his cool right now would probably make them suspicious. If there was no means of tracking him, he was fine.


    ¡°Once the alarm went off, nearby guards rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they saw two suspicious individuals fleeing from the scene. Luckily, Geroth was among the guards, and he dealt with them! I think they were the intruders that broke in.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad nothing of value was stolen,¡± Selena said. "As soon as I''m done with pressing issues, I''ll proceed to the location and provide help if I''m capable of doing so.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, teacher! I¡¯m sure mother would appreciate it. Is there anything else?¡±


    ¡°Why yes there is. Tyrus is here with me, and he wanted to borrow Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals temporarily. Is that alright with you?¡±


    ¡°O-Of course!¡± Ivy said quickly. ¡°It¡¯s the least I can do for my Savior. It''s his choice to keep it for as long as he desires. Thanks to Mother, I have a much better book.¡±


    Selena turned to Tyrus and winked. ¡°You hear that? The book is all yours.¡±


    Tyrus plastered on a grin and spoke. ¡°That¡¯s great¡­ Thank you, Ivy. I¡¯ll take good care of it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing at all! If it¡¯s you, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll learn a lot from it. Anyway, I gotta go! Mother needs my help with sweeping. See you later!¡±


    The floating screen vanished, and the magic tool''s luminance diminished until it resembled a mundane orb. Selena stored it for safekeeping and placed the book in Tyrus¡¯ hand. It just occurred to me that I forgot to ask; can you read what¡¯s written? I''m uncertain if you''re literate."


    ¡°Oh, I can read just fine. I think someone taught me how to do it a long time ago, but I can''t remember.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, Tyrus noticed Reo''s scowl deepen, and heard him muttering under his breath. Grant saw it and shook his head in a way that suggested he knew the reason. He definitely held suspicions about him. Fiona showed her annoyance by rolling her eyes and then gave Tyrus an apologetic smile. Just what were those three up to?


    Selena remained oblivious to their antics and strolled toward her desk. ¡°If you would excuse me, I have a lot of work to do. You''ll be encountering me less frequently until the upcoming monthly examination that allows new explorers. The event is a week from today, so prepare accordingly. You may now leave.¡±


    Fiona bowed curtly and said, ¡°Thank you for all you¡¯ve done, aunt. You can be confident that you won''t regret your decision.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure I won¡¯t. I expect excellent results from Tyrus in the future.¡±


    ¡°You can count on it!¡±


    Everyone promptly left the office after bidding goodbye to Selena. Now out of earshot of the branch leader and descending the steps, Reo leaned over and whispered to Tyrus just as he stored the book in his ring. ¡°Hey, I got a question for you that¡¯s been chewing on my brain. Lying will result in a loss of trust and rejection from Blue Dawn, regardless of others'' opinions.¡±


    Tyrus slowly nodded. ¡°¡­What¡¯s the question?¡±


    Immediately, the lively atmosphere of the room immersed them as they stepped onto the first floor. Like yesterday, explorers filled the tables, mugs in hand while many crowded the board. Celeste was at the front desk, accepting contracts and handing out trays of sil to guild members who took it with gratitude and smiles. After pushing through the wave and exiting the building, Reo led the group to a spot where they wouldn''t be overheard. He glanced around once more and stared at Tyrus.


    ¡°Tell us what you¡¯re hiding under the hat.¡±

 Chapter 31- Brief Separation

    Tyrus gave Fiona a sidelong glance, assessing if she informed them about his ears. She understood the message and shook her head. Since she had revealed nothing to him, Reo developed suspicions on his own. The issue was finding the right words.


    The possibility of lying crossed his mind, but Reo''s message about detecting lies put him on edge. Losing his trust didn''t seem like a good idea, especially since they would be teammates. And being prohibited from joining Blue Dawn did not sit right with Tyrus. Accepting and completing contracts independently would be his responsibility. The offer seemed appealing initially, but he was unaware of the risks and time involved in completing a contract. Knowing as much as he could like customs and such was a requirement, and learning from them was the best option.


    Another problem was joining an unfamiliar group. Until now, the explorers he had seen were all adults. One of them treated Tyrus as if he was invisible, implying that he wasn''t worth speaking to. Many of them would treat him, a little kid, as insignificant as an ant.


    Telling the truth was also a problem. Reo and Grant seemed like nice guys around him, but their perception could change if they found out he was a Beastfolk. The likelihood of things going wrong left him with two options: lying or being truthful.


    Instead of shaking her head, Fiona nodded and smiled when Tyrus spared her another glance. Taking it as a sign of reassurance, he assumed that if Fiona approved, Reo and Grant wouldn''t mind much.


    A deep sigh escaped him as he uncovered a section of his hat, revealing his ears. Reo scratched his chin and smirked. ¡°Hmph. I hit the nail on the coffin. My intuition was telling me it was ears and not horns, and I was correct.


    ¡°What if you were completely mistaken?¡± Grant said. ¡°Suppose it was actually a sentimental object from his departed parents or a beloved friend?¡±


    ¡°If that had been the case, I would have apologized for asking. Not that big of a deal, tough guy. We don''t need to talk about that anymore. From the transmission between Selena and Ivy, it sounded like your dad did a good enough job cleaning things up.¡±


    Grant scoffed. ¡°Good enough job? Good enough is not satisfactory for my father. To qualify as a royal knight, you must put in 200% of your effort.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re only saying that because you want to become a royal knight yourself; carrying on the family tradition and whatnot.¡±


    ¡°There''s no greater honor than to protect Lethos and the imperial family. Reo, I suggest you aspire to join me.¡±


    Reo rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll pass on that. Don¡¯t feel like taking orders from that damn captain or the imperial family. They give me the creeps.¡±


    The two quarreled with each other, ignoring entirely the disclosure made by a certain person. Generally, one would be surprised when one can easily ignore a matter and introduce a new topic, but Tyrus simply disregarded it. It was fortunate that Reo and Grant held the same views as Fiona.


    He sighed and tapped his ring, which brought forth the incantation book. Fiona observed as he flipped through the pages until he reached the chapter on the light element.


    ¡°You know¡­ That¡¯s a very popular book around Lethos. It is mandated for every first-year Elemental Sorcerer from different academies to examine it and gain knowledge from it.¡±


    ¡°I can see why,¡± Tyrus said. ¡°There are so many spells in this book. It sucks there aren¡¯t that many for light. Healing Touch is the first one I learned, and it¡¯s already helpful. I care little about earth, and dark only has one incantation.¡±


    ¡°Your words suggest that you have already used Healing Touch.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because I have,¡± he replied calmly. The moment the words left his mouth, he felt regret as Fiona gave him a skeptical look.


    ¡°Already? In spite of having just received the book? Shouldn¡¯t this be your first time looking at it?¡±


    Tyrus''s brain gears turned. ¡°Uh¡­ I mean, Healing Touch is the first spell I want to learn. The description makes it sound quite useful, and I want to master it.¡±


    She looked at him doubtfully, squinting her eyes. ¡°Sure¡­ Whatever you say.¡± She turned to Reo and Grant. ¡°You guys done arguing like an old married couple? What¡¯s the plan for today?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about time we look for another contract,¡± Reo said. ¡°Classes will resume soon. Grant and I need to prepare for the big exam. Besides, aren''t we almost at the point of advancing from copper? That hobgoblin should¡¯ve boosted us up a sizeable amount.¡±


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    ¡°Yeah, we need a couple more contracts,¡± Fiona muttered. ¡°But what about Tyrus? Is it fine for us to continue when he¡¯s just about to join?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? The Explorer Guild monthly exam is approaching, and our journey to bronze will take a week or two, depending on the contracts. He¡¯ll be fine. All he needs to do is to succeed. In case he doesn''t, we''ll have to abandon him.¡±


    Fiona glared at him, dissatisfied with his half-hearted reply. Despite the hurtful appearance of Reo''s words, they were not intended to be malicious or have any hidden meanings. It appeared that way, at least. Reo, just like the others, had no problem accepting Tyrus into Blue Dawn. Provided he didn''t impede their progress or place them in danger, they had no objections. By asking a sudden question, Reo was testing Tyrus''s character.


    One week away from the monthly exam and with Selena''s preparation tip in mind, there was no room for slacking off. The contents were a mystery, and he must be ready for whatever is thrown his way. Conversing out in the open used up important seconds that could have been used for meditation or training. Tyrus had a good handle on what to improve after gaining a lot of insight in the past few days.


    Staying cooped up in Valis would probably do him no good. Moreover, he had nowhere to live since he was all better. And he also didn¡¯t want to ask Fiona and the others for money or intrude into their own homes. It just didn¡¯t feel right to him. Although it was pleasurable to sleep on a comfortable bed and eat stew, getting back that luxury would have to be postponed. It was back to the outdoors.


    ¡°Um¡­ You guys can go ahead and continue with your contracts. I¡¯ll just train near the Emerald Hills for the time being.¡±


    Grant agreed with the suggestion. ¡°Excellent choice, might I add. An explorer, especially a warrior, shouldn¡¯t doze off training. The mountains and Emerald Hills offer an excellent opportunity to further your skills. The area is rich with wildlife, which includes beasts and common animals. If you''re cautious and choose your battles wisely, you''ll surely make significant progress.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Fiona said. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with studying in the safety of Valis. Or you could come along with us! Traveling isn''t exclusive to explorers.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m okay. I want to inspect the outskirts to familiarize myself.¡± There were many other reasons too, like finding food and such, but he¡¯ll keep it to himself.


    Reo shrugged and said, ¡°If he wants to be alone, then let him; can¡¯t change his decision. I¡¯ll be inside the guild searching for contracts. Once you''re ready, come find me. See you later, Tyrus.¡±


    With a brief gesture of farewell, Reo departed from the group and entered the guild. Grant placed his hand softly on Tyrus¡¯ shoulder. ¡°Be careful of the red bison. Also, the forest near the mountains and the Emerald Plains is called Wildwood. Lesser hounds and caves are something to be wary of, if I were in your shoes. I eagerly await your return.¡±


    A few pats on the shoulder later, Grant followed Reo and was gone in a flash. Fiona released a heavy sigh and frowned. ¡°The idiot forgot to mention another thing. Whatever you do, do not, under any circumstances, approach an area filled with claw-marked trees.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but why though? What¡¯s over there?¡±


    ¡°A beast recently designated its territory there. The emperor allowed it to continue since it posed no harm to travelers or trade routes. It''s better to be cautious than regretful.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±


    ¡°Great! Now remember; the monthly examination is in seven nights. If you¡¯re not here, I¡¯ll hunt you down and drag your ass back here. Don¡¯t die on me, okay?¡±


    Tyrus smiled. ¡°I lived alone for a while. I can handle a few days on my own.¡±


    Fiona stood still for a while, looking at him with a sad expression. After giving him a pat on the head, she whirled around and rushed inside the guild. Tyrus waited a couple more seconds, keeping an eye out for her return. When she didn''t, he chuckled and twiddled with his ring.


    ¡°I better get started. I¡¯ll leave through the eastern gate. They should let me pass like last time.¡±


    Memorizing the route made finding the gate quick. The crowd outside the gate shrunk from an enormous size fit for the Explorer Guild to just a small tavern. The scene was typical: merchants, traders, and carriages.


    There was a fresh sight to behold as some individuals arrived wearing outfits that looked like it was caked in mud. Among them were a mother and son pair, both with sunken cheeks and dead-shot eyes. Tyrus looked away and focused on something else as his stomach churned at the sight.


    Walking up to the gate, Tyrus recognized a familiar face and jogged to him. ¡°Hello there, mister. I want to leave for Wildwood. Here¡¯s the badge from last time.¡±


    ¡°Hm? You again? What did Selena send you to do this time?¡± he said with a grumble. While the badge was being inspected, Tyrus caught sight of a lock of raven-black hair peeking out of the helmet. ¡°Looks legit. You can get on through.¡±


    ¡°Thank you again, mister.¡±


    ¡°Call me Wade, runt. Since you enjoy leaving the city, I''m assuming we''ll be meeting often. Now get out of here. I got work to do.¡±


    Tyrus extended his thanks once again before dashing out of Valis. He gave the travelers one final look and then turned his attention to the Emerald Hills. The red bison roamed around and nibbled on the plentiful grass, as usual. The breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and seawater, making the warm temperature even more enjoyable.


    Valis was beautiful, but the feel of the cool breeze and the smell of the fresh air in the natural surroundings were refreshing. In stark contrast, the open expanse of the wilderness held no such limitations. Tyrus was only accountable to his own pace and stamina, with the open sky and boundless horizon as his backdrop. The outdoors offered freedom, where the journey was determined by the user''s path, not by barriers like the walls of Valis.


    After a quick jog around the Emerald Hills, evading the territorial beasts, Tyrus followed the route he used to find Ivy. Upon locating the marked tree and pinching his nose from the unpleasant odor of manure and other things, he halted in front of the cave. Deftly, he retrieved his dagger from the ring. It appeared slightly damaged, with a few scratches on the blade, but overall it was okay. A good scrubbing in a nearby pond washed off the blood and grime.


    ¡°Maybe I should get a sword instead,¡± he said. ¡°Or a new weapon. I¡¯ll think about it once I get more sil in my pockets. First thing first: training. The bats will do just nicely.¡±

 Chapter 32- Seclusive Training

    Tyrus crept through the cave, swiveling his head around. Besides his echoing footsteps, there were faint skittering and scratching sounds. Initially, he assumed a rock spider inhabited the cave, but upon further investigation, he discovered only sleeping bats and insects. Because he was close to the entrance, there were many creatures. It was those creatures that he wished to encounter.


    The first goal of his training was to find out the effectiveness of two spells: Lightning Bolt and Light Bolt. Determining their strength and mana usage was a top priority. Accuracy and speed were important too. The bats would be a good test subject for it.


    Drawing a deep breath to steady his nerves, Tyrus carefully scanned the cavern¡¯s ceiling, his gaze fixed upon the elusive creatures he sought. His focus sharpened as he tracked their movements amidst the intricate formations of stalactites and shadows. And then, like a silent sentinel guarding the depths, he spotted one of them¨Ca bat slumbering upside down upon a lengthy stalactite.


    He spoke the Lightning Bolt incantation with practiced precision, each syllable spoken purposefully. Simultaneously, his arm rose, the motion of fluidity and carefulness. The power of the mana heart coursed through Tyrus'' veins and into his outstretched hand. His control over the element was on display as he made the essence of lightning crackle and dance at his fingertips.


    A heartbeat later, a minuscule sphere of electrical energy materialized before him. Its luminous glow illuminated the cave, casting a radiant blue light that contrasted starkly with the darkness that enveloped it.


    In a mere span of seconds that felt like an eternity, the charged sphere had reached its apex. It shot forth like a bolt of divine wrath, hurtling unerringly toward its target. Tyrus¡¯ heart raced as he timed the spell¡¯s trajectory, his gaze unwavering as he counted the moments it took for the electric missile to make contact.


    One, two.


    The spell targeted the bat, just like the calculations predicted, and hit it after two seconds with a dazzling gleam. The cavern seemed to quiver in response to the surge of energy, and the air was rent with a crackling symphony of power.


    The bat convulsed and sizzled in the wake of the attack, its once-upright form plummeting from its stalactite perch. It tumbled toward the cavern floor, its flight erratic and uncontrolled. The flicker of lightning danced upon its wings. A few agonizing heartbeats later, the bat came to a motionless rest on the ground.


    ¡°Okay, it takes two seconds for the spell to form and another two to hit a target from the ceiling. That will obviously change depending on how close or far apart the targets are. There is also a noticeable change in mana usage compared to Dual Shot. I feel just fine after casting it once!¡±


    If he cast Dual Shot once, he would use up around a third of his mana reservoir, while Lightning Bolt consumed very little. Tyrus could probably use Dual Shot twice without undergoing mana deficiency, but he could use Lightning Bolt six times in a row. Now it was time for the other element.


    Tyrus cleared his throat subtly and shifted his gaze towards another inhabitant of the cavern, his resolve still strong. His arm extended with a practiced motion, aimed at the target that lay before him.


    The incantation for Light Bolt rolled off his tongue. Much like the previous spell, the process of spellcasting unfurled over the span of two heartbeats, the energy within him coalescing and manifesting into a spell of radiant power.


    Instead of the usual azure brilliance, it filled the air with a striking golden light. The sphere of energy that formed at his palm seemed to pulsate with an ethereal radiance, casting a warm and inviting glow that danced along the cave¡¯s contours.


    As the spell was unleashed, a remarkable and unexpected phenomenon transpired. The golden orb of light hurtled forth with a swiftness that defied comprehension, reaching its target a full second ahead of the Lightning Bolt spell. The bat, once again caught off guard, endured the spell¡¯s impact, its form jolting in response to the onslaught of magical energy.


    Yet, unlike the previous instance, this bat¡¯s reaction was markedly different. Instead of succumbing to the overwhelming force and falling lifeless, it displayed a resilience that surprised him. The creature emitted an indignant snarl, its wings unfurling as it fought to maintain its precarious perch. In a display of sheer determination, it attempted to flee, though its flight was marred by erratic movements as if the magical onslaught had sapped its strength. Soon, it disappeared deeper into the cave.


    ¡°So, Light Bolt''s speed comes at the cost of its power. That would mean Lightning Bolt is a strong spell with decent speed while Light Bolt is weak yet extremely fast. Is it faster because it¡¯s light?¡±


    Either way, he discovered a lot of things in minutes. Making progress so soon made him want to learn more. And he had an entire week of trial and error to seek questions and find answers. Thanks to Selena¡¯s and Fiona¡¯s help, he had much work to do. In order to proceed, he must consult the book of incantations and test the alternate spell: Illumination.


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    As for fire, he would spend some time increasing its strength. Armed with a list of incantations and the unlocked element, it was only natural to take action. He would still spend most of his time on lightning and light. Maybe an hour at most would work for the element.


    During his stroll through the cave, Tyrus stared at his palm and said Illumination. A pale light emanated from his hand and rose slightly to eye level. The luminosity was only enough to light a few paces ahead. It served no other purpose other than to serve as a beacon to light the way, just as the book described. As for mana usage, it drained the same way he¡¯d activate lightning with no spells, so he could use it for long periods of time.


    ¡°Why is it so dim and small? It¡¯s not even at the same level as the ones in Valis. Do I need to train it more or does it need more mana?¡±


    When the thought of infusing mana entered his mind, he paused his steps. Why didn¡¯t he think of the concept sooner? If you have the mana to make a spell stronger, it wouldn''t make sense for it to remain at the same strength. Also, if two sorcerers used the identical spell but one was significantly more powerful than the other, wouldn''t their spells differ?


    To solve this problem, Tyrus snuffed out the light and tried again. This time, he muttered Illumination while also willing the mana to conjoin into one point above the palm. He watched the light flicker to life.


    ¡°¡­Wait a minute. What happened?!¡±


    The previous light and the current one had the same luminosity and shape. The extra mana he poured into the spell showed no results. Did he do the process wrong? No, he was sure the mana flow was plentiful in his hands. Tyrus attempted once more, envisioning a powerful flow of mana through his hands. The same result happened.


    ¡°So I was wrong? No matter how much mana I try to infuse into the spell, it¡¯ll stay the same? That¡¯s so dumb!¡± Not wanting to give up, he repeated the process, but for Lightning Bolt this time. And just like Illumination, the strength and size stayed static like previous attempts.


    ¡°I¡¯m just wasting time and mana at this point.¡±


    Pouting to himself, Tyrus continued his descent into the cave, pondering deeply about what went wrong. Were his skills as a sorcerer that lackluster, or was that just how incantations worked? If they need a certain amount of mana to cast an incantation, a sorcerer cannot surpass or decrease it, despite their efforts. They would have to resort to learning more powerful spells if they wished to cause damage, and vice versa.


    ¡°¡­Wait a minute,¡± he mumbled. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m that dumb. There¡¯s a book of incantations for a reason!¡±


    Thinking back to Fiona¡¯s spellcasting, she continuously flung Fireball spells at the goblins. The size of the spell was bigger than Firebolt, and the strength could kill a goblin in one blow. Selena also mentioned Firebolt was ranked 1. It would imply that Fireball was superior to Firebolt and if you desired more firepower, you would use a spell with higher mana cost.


    Tyrus nodded at his deduction, somewhat persuaded that had to be the case. When he escaped from his thoughts, he noticed the area he stepped into. All around him were the familiar orange mushrooms and their usual appearance. And alongside the mushrooms, the slimes were its neighbors. Many of them took refuge in the darkest corners of the stalactites, while a few were content with the ground. With each wet slap following along, a slime slid across the floor, as if wandering aimlessly.


    ¡°Lightning Bolt.¡±


    A streak of power collided with the gelatinous creature. It fizzled and bubbled into goop a second later. Tyrus walked over and inspected his handiwork. From now on, he wouldn¡¯t have to tear through their bodies with his own limbs or touch their surfaces. Safely slinging spells from afar would do just as nicely. So far, the bats and slimes can be felled with just one Lightning Bolt.


    Even when he used a few spells, no fatigue or nausea crept up. Losing some of his mana did not hinder Tyrus from feeling entirely fine. Fortunately, everything can be refilled over time. Once he leaves the cave, he¡¯ll have to find a safe place to meditate.


    Having completed his task, what remained was the rock spider''s den. The long tunnel greeted him with its foreboding darkness. In contrast to the rock-scraping sound he had heard from the rock spiders'' movements the previous day, there was now only silence emanating from the passageway. The slapping of slimes and the quiet cries of distant bats filled the cavern. Tyrus''s heartbeat thrummed as he took his first step inside.


    Compared to using augmentation and Beast Transformation to close the gap rapidly, Tyrus took his time, conserving his mana. Although it took him much longer to cross, he arrived at his destination on time. The wide expanse of the cave expanded, and a chilling sight filled his vision.


    Everywhere he looked, black residue stained the walls messily. What used to lay mosaics of spiderwebs filled with eggs was a barren and lifeless landscape. Using his nose, there was a hint of smoke coming from everywhere. Prying his eyes away from the outer edges, his eyes settled upfront. A splatter of purple liquid surrounded a heap of rocks. When Tyrus edged closer, the liquid had dried, clinging to the floor like blood.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this where I killed the rock spider? If so, then where¡¯s the corpse? Selena must¡¯ve done something to it.¡±


    Upon reflection, Selena had gifted him with a mana core, and because it came from the rock spider he killed, then Selena most likely did something to it. The black residue and smell of smoke that lingered around was her doing. She must have used a potent spell to burn everything since there were no spiderwebs or eggs. Tyrus already knew she was powerful, but to set everything on fire in a cave as big as this?


    Tyrus couldn¡¯t stop his lips from trembling. The potential of utilizing a power akin to hers in the future had him enthralled. In his view, sorcery was a fascinating force that could be summoned with a mere thought and a few words. However, achieving Selena''s level of strength would require a considerable amount of time. Slowly but surely, he would close the gap.


    Following the inspection, he searched the surrounding area for his fallen cap, which lasted approximately five minutes. When he found no trace of it, Tyrus gave up and turned. ¡°Well, that¡¯s gone entirely. Doesn¡¯t matter anyway since I have a brand new one. It doesn¡¯t smell, and it has more room. The clothes are great, too.¡±


    Having fulfilled his objective inside the cavern, he was on the verge of embarking on his journey into Wildwood. But before that, Tyrus needed to regain the mana he lost and slowly increase his mana heart. Once he was sure he wouldn¡¯t be interrupted, he leaned against a rock spire and began his meditation.

 Chapter 33- Living Trees

    The scent of Wildwood was reminiscent of Valier Forest''s floral fragrance, as one would expect from a forest. Nevertheless, the divergence between them was primarily because of the differences in the flora and fauna. Most of Valier Forest comprises dense thickets, towering trees, and crisp soil while Wildwood had soil as hard as a rock and plenty of trees as skinny as a famished beggar.


    The feeble branches would sway back and forth with the slightest breeze, nearly hurling themselves toward the closest living organism. Dominating the floor were sections of red and white mushrooms, with the grass sporting a color akin to that of a light fall. Given the rapid approach of fall, it was to be expected. Tyrus would have to get a coat-¨Cand gloves¨Cto garner some warmth from the brutal winter. Surviving another chilling season should be easy enough.


    Following a two-hour meditation session, Tyrus''s mana heart experienced a moderate expansion, albeit not to the extent desired. One hour of meditation has a correlation with one hour of physical activity. Like running or lifting weights, improving strength and efficiency took time.


    To check progress on how his mana heart was faring, Tyrus had to resort to accessing the Sorcerer Plane and gazing at the mana tree¨Cthe root-like image of mana in the background. They weren¡¯t actually roots, more like dull branches. He found it easier to think of it as a tree.


    There were many branches, and the ones in the middle and top had no glow, like muddied pearls. The ones that did glow were at the very bottom of the canvas, and only two were as bright as the sun. Each time he completed a meditation session or used mana, a branch would brighten up with a bit of light.


    It was like drops of liquid falling into a vial, and it would continue until there was no more space left and move on to the next. When he finished meditating, he had two complete branches and a new one. It was safe to assume that the more shining branches, the bigger his mana heart.


    Opening his eyes, Tyrus took a deep breath and exhaled. ¡°The mana tree is just way too big; there were at least a hundred of them! I understand why sorcerer training takes so long.¡±


    A funny thought occurred to him¨Cwhat would Selena¡¯s mana tree look like? To conjure a firestorm without breaking a sweat must mean she has significantly more than his. Her range would probably be in the thirties or forties, taking her age into account. Actually, how old was Selena? Despite her youthful looks, she''s likely old since she''s Fiona''s aunt. To reach that strength, would he be her age? Or is it possible to become that strong with enough training?


    Tyrus grinned. ¡°That only motivates me even more! I¡¯ll just train twice as hard as she did.¡±


    After rising from his sitting position, he stretched his dormant muscles. Once finished, it was time to exit the cave. The slimes and bats had fulfilled their purpose and thus were no longer necessary. Paying no attention to them, Tyrus exited the cave, protecting his eyes from the glaring sun. He then peered into the Wildwood stretched before him.


    ¡°What should I do in the meantime? Push-ups? Sit-ups? Or maybe a jog?¡±


    In any case, performing all three was inevitable. It has been quite some time since he last trained his body''s strength and stamina. Too much going on caused basic training to be neglected, which was not a good thing. A body that tires easily or is weak; what is its usefulness? Focusing solely on the mana heart and spellcasting during training appeared unwise.


    Keeping that in mind, Tyrus determined that beginning with a jog would be the best course of action. Since he was already planning to go deeper into Wildwood, jogging would fulfill two purposes. Following another stretch of his legs to prepare them, Tyrus immediately began jogging through Wildwood. He noted the scents and fauna living here, vigilant of any dangers lurking.


    Brown squirrels with horns on their foreheads scurried by, either by climbing on trees or hiding inside bushes. Near a mound of rocks, a mole with reddish fur almost his size had poked its head out of the dirt. Its narrow peach snout twitched for a moment before the beast disappeared into the ground.


    Tyrus watched the scenery in silence; each step taken aligned with his beating heart. He kept jogging until his legs grew burdensome. Once fatigued enough, he slowed his pace tremendously and leaned over, gathering his breath. He was unaware of the distance covered or the duration of his run, but he sensed the opportune moment to halt. Running until he couldn¡¯t walk anymore would probably jeopardize his life if a beast were to come forward. Fiona¡¯s warning was still fresh in his mind, and he was actively searching for any trees marked with claws. Thankfully, he found none.


    A few minutes of deep breaths later, he leaned against a tree bigger than the rest. Waiting for his heartbeat to slow, he meditated. Meditating served as a resting period for Tyrus, and he¡¯d take advantage of conducting the session after a workout.


    I¡¯ll have to find food around here, he thought. While the place was unfamiliar, food should be plentiful in these parts. The problem would be what¡¯s edible and finding the most efficient hunting spots. There was also the case of what beasts were prevalent and if he¡¯d need to avoid them at all costs. Lots to do and ponder¡­


    Amidst the tranquility, an unexpected disruption shattered it. A rickety and unsettling noise reached his ears, like the creaking protest of falling trees. Slowly, he opened one eye, his senses attuned to the source of the disturbance. What met his gaze were branches, their forms resembling gnarled fingers that seemed to reach out from the shadows.


    The creaking persisted, growing in intensity and urgency. Tyrus¡¯s instincts flared to life, a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. His heart quickened its rhythm, and his muscles tensed as he braced himself for whatever was to come.


    As the noise grew nearer, a sense of foreboding settled upon him. Something was definitely wrong, and he couldn''t shake the feeling of unease. The branch-like appendages moved frighteningly fast towards his exposed neck, just as his intuition forewarned him of danger.


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    Reacting with lightning reflexes, Tyrus¡¯s instinct merged into a seamless motion. His hand shot forward, fingers closing around the hilt of his trusty dagger. The harsh metallic ring cut through the air as he swung the weapon with precision, the blade colliding with the wooden assailant.


    The dagger¡¯s bite tore through the branch-like fingers, the blade cleaving through the wood with a satisfying impact. A shower of splinters erupted into the air, the fragments borne on the momentum of the strike, and a ghastly wail occurred. Tyrus propelled himself forward, evading the remnants of the lurching appendages, and thwarted the attack. With an agile slide and an instinctive twist, he distanced himself from the threat and landed near a few rocks.


    He gasped at what stood in front of him. The tree he was leaning on had uprooted itself from the ground, sending a cloud of dust into the air. A tree-like figure emerged and rose to full height, glaring at him with its piercing yellow eyes. Long humanoid limbs of tough bark and a jagged mouth of sharpened wood greeted him. Tyrus craned his neck upward at the creature.


    ¡°A tree coming to life? Never heard of you before. It¡¯s one thing after another¡­¡±


    Tyrus stood up and gripped his dagger, staring at the tree creature. Despite the absence of its left hand, the tree did not seem to be concerned. The creature focused its ominous gaze on the boy, waiting for him to make a move. Another wail emanated from its mouth, and it charged forward with earth-shaking steps.


    Instead of cowering from the daunting creature, he smirked at the challenge. A mightier opponent than bats and slimes had shown up. It was the perfect time to test out his skills against another creature. The last time he had trouble against a creature was the boar, and that was when he was starting out as a sorcerer. It was uncertain how much stronger the tree was than the boar, but it was worth investigating.


    ¡°Lightning Bolt!¡±


    The power from his palm whizzed past, hitting the tree square in its chest. Even though a small part of its chest had blackened, it continued its pursuit without slowing down. It roared and lunged forward with its other arm. Tyrus infused some mana into his legs and sidestepped the attack.


    A Lightning Bolt hadn¡¯t done as much as he hoped, which meant the creature¡¯s trunk was sturdy enough to shrug off the spell. Using Light Bolt against it would only tickle, so using that wasn¡¯t an option. The idea of fire came to mind, as it was a tree after all, but it was still feeble. What remained was Dual Shot. One Dual Shot would suffice, given the abundance of mana in his mana heart. If it could break through a rock spider''s exterior, then it could definitely deal with a mere tree.


    Tyrus backpedaled from the creature, gaining some distance as he raised his arm. Once the incantation left his lips, two orbs formed seamlessly above him. The spell was in the process of being prepared when the tree had already barreled toward him. As soon as they were in proximity, the orbs shot forward. Tyrus''s legs grew heavier and heavier as he depleted his mana heart.


    Tyrus presumed that the moving tree would not learn its lesson and receive the attack head-on, yet its next action left him bewildered. It grasped pointed stones in the free hand; it must¡¯ve picked them up without him noticing. In a display of swift precision, it launched two projectiles directly at the Lightning Bolts, resulting in their simultaneous explosion in mid-air. A frown formed on Tyrus''s face when the spell missed the tree.


    ¡°Yeah... Way smarter than the rock spider and boar.¡±


    The creature propelled its arm forward, skillfully avoided by Tyrus, who leaped upward and landed on a nearby tree. The branch shuddered from the extra weight, but it held on. In the depths of his heart, he hoped that the tree he observed below was just the usual tree.


    It looked around in a daze, wondering where he had gone before looking up. It squinted its yellow eyes as it lumbered forward. ¡°Pitiful human!¡± It rumbled, its voice as loud as trees rustling in a storm. ¡°Leave our territory or encounter the fury of the Wildwood treants!¡±


    Tyrus''s mouth opened as he surveyed the fuming treant. ¡°A talking tree?! Did I fall asleep from meditation?¡±


    ¡°The stench of blood and death surrounds you!¡± it said. ¡°It saturates every fiber of your being. There will be no further trespassers who will put my brethren at risk!¡±


    ¡°Another trespasser? What do you mean by that?¡±


    Rather than responding, it hurled another barrage of stones toward him. He nimbly jumped onto a nearby tree, deftly dodging every attack as it pelted bigger rocks around him.


    ¡°Hey! Can¡¯t we talk this out or something?¡± Tyrus shouted. After realizing it could converse intelligently, he wished to avoid any conflict if possible. Not only had he just completed a tiring run, but his legs were also shaking, leaving him completely drained. He couldn¡¯t dodge the rocks forever.


    Casting Dual Shot didn¡¯t help either, and it shrugged off the Lightning Bolt attacks. Getting in close to unleashing lightning from his hands could work, but that would take a lot of time and effort, and he did not know what else the treant had under its sleeve; or would it be bark in that case?


    ¡°Leave the Wildwood or face the consequences,¡± the treant said after another slew of rocks. ¡°Elder Treant is burdened already with the escalated number of beasts to deal with because of you humans!¡±


    An amusing thought wormed in. Once the treant had depleted its stash, Tyrus cleared his throat. ¡°Hey, I have an idea. If you let me live and train in Wildwood for a week, I¡¯ll help deal with your problem. This Elder Treant wouldn¡¯t refuse such an offer, right? You¡¯ve seen what I¡¯m capable of.¡±


    Tyrus was unfamiliar with the Elder Treant, leaving him uncertain whether he would agree. He made a speculative offer, hoping the treant would take the bait. If the problem involves only weaker beasts, such as lesser hounds or boars, he could easily handle it. However, if the situation proved too challenging for him, he would train elsewhere. Fiona''s warning of the beast had him hoping it wasn''t the same one.


    Standing still, the treant watched Tyrus intently. Tyrus feared his plan had failed and the treant would keep attacking with more rocks.


    ¡°I concede,¡± it boomed. ¡°In these desperate times, it''s highly likely that Elder Treant would accept your proposal. You possess¡­ considerable power for a human.¡±


    ¡°So if I drop down, you won¡¯t attack? Can you swear it?¡±


    ¡°I vow solemnly on Mevena, the deity of nature and health.¡±


    There¡¯s another god besides Sthito? Must be a treant thing. Still don¡¯t trust it; I¡¯ll have to be careful from here on out.


    Though hesitant, Tyrus descended from the tree and began moving toward the treant. ¡°Okay, what now? Where¡¯s this Elder Treant?¡±


    It raised its wooden arm over Tyrus''s shoulder. ¡°The Elder Treant can be found in the depths of the Wildwood, where the powers of Mevena are most potent. The root of our problem can be found there. To be of assistance, I suggest you follow me, human. If not, it is not too late to leave Wildwood. My brethren can be called upon to eject you by force...¡±


    Suddenly, it raised its body towards the sky and let out a wail of such magnitude that Tyrus had to cover his ears. Hundreds of trees seemed to have joined forces to strike each other with their twigs and frail leaves. Following the termination of the cry, a deafening sound of trees being uprooted in the distance ensued.


    The quivering ground caused a shudder to run down his spine, and a mob of treants materialized from various locations, effectively encircling Tyrus. He counted ten of them, all of whom were equally tall and unsettling. At that moment, he felt a sense of relief for not having killed the treant, as doing so could have exposed him to a potential ambush by the others.


    ¡°Lead the way,¡± was all he could muster up.

 Chapter 34- Elder Treant

    Were an onlooker from afar to witness Tyrus walking with a cluster of walking trees, they would think that they took him captive as an offering to nature. Seeing the small boy grimace with every step would further support that notion. The fatigue was really settling into his entire body. Fortunately, he found a solution; a sorcerer could use the mana in their mana heart to replenish a portion of his stamina.


    The downside was that replenishing a small amount requires a significant quantity. After using a combination of spells and augmentation against the treant, he could cast a few Lightning Bolt or one Dual Shot, having replenished his stamina. The aching pain in Tyrus''s legs temporarily subsided as he straightened his posture. He¡¯d have to rest his body wherever the treants were taking him.


    Tyrus looked sideways, observing the armless treant. ¡°Uh, sorry about your arm. You really scared me back there. Is it going to regrow or¡­¡±


    The treant''s bark face contorted into a frown. Just how was it moving solid wood like that? ¡°It will regenerate in its own time. By planting ourselves back into Mevena''s embrace, treants exhibit regenerative abilities.¡±


    ¡°Right, the goddess of nature and health,¡± Tyrus replied. ¡°What are you treants exactly? A group of walking, intelligent trees that love to eat people?"


    All the treants nearby shuddered, their branches whipping in unison. Tyrus felt stabbing glares all over his body.


    ¡°How dare you refer to us as mere trees? We are treants, human! We treants are bestowed with the breath of life by the divine Mevena, who imparts to us her will to protect forests from all surrounding dangers! Intruders who are not welcome must be dealt with promptly if they refuse to depart.¡±


    ¡°Since the founding of Wildwood, we have been present and watched for several decades. The treants that you observe here have been entrusted with the responsibility of defending the heart of Wildwood, shielded from any unauthorized intrusion. You''re the first human to tread this deep in many moons.¡±


    Ah, that makes sense, Tyrus mused. The outskirts of Wildwood were relatively fine; he spotted no treants. His jogging led to this situation, unaware of the existence of walking trees! Fiona''s failure to caution him about treants suggests she didn''t have any knowledge of their existence in Wildwood.


    ¡°Does that mean no one knows there are treants living here?¡± Tyrus asked.


    ¡°Our inclination is to avoid human contact and civilization. It is of no benefit to us to engage with nature''s bane.¡±


    Whatever that means. Clearly, they hate humans and all that.


    Tyrus witnessed a bird flutter on the abundant branches of the treant. The creature moved its head in a bobbing motion and occasionally pecked at the wood. Despite the situation, the treant maintained its pace, with no signs of concern. Scanning his surroundings, he noted that the other treants had turned their gazes forward, paying no heed to his presence. He shrugged and continued walking.


    The more they walked, the more apparent the differences became. The air quality shifted from a combination of floral fragrance and dung to that of aged wood and spiciness. In addition, the slender trees have disappeared, and broader, denser trees with green and reddish leaves have taken their place. More thickets and brambles made navigating through Wildwood tougher. Tyrus even spotted a few lesser hounds sniffing around.


    There was a growth in both the quality and quantity of mana. His mana heart recovered at a faster rate than usual, as mana was as plentiful as air and absorbed naturally through his body. It was around twice as fast when he was in Valier Forest or in the cave.


    ¡°Is there something different about the mana quality here?¡± he inquired, taking in more gulps of air than usual.


    ¡°You have sharp senses,¡± the tree said. It surprised Tyrus that it continued to answer.


    "Mountains, rivers, forests, and swamps possess distinct appearances and surroundings. One might perceive a salty taste in the air or experience varying temperatures. This also holds true for the great blessing of mana. Certain regions may possess a greater abundance of mana than others, while some may be devoid of it altogether. The more mana that circulates, the more habitable and appealing the environment will be to beasts.¡±


    Before Tyrus could pose another question, one of the treants let out a soft wail to the armless one. Following that, they started a conversation through trembling branches and varied pitched cries. Tyrus''s lips formed a narrow line as he watched the entertaining scene.


    ¡°We have arrived,¡± said the armless treant, pointing ahead.


    Tyrus followed its line of sight and arched an eyebrow. There were no exceptional trees ahead, only regular ones. Nevertheless, when he was encouraged to proceed further, an unusual sensation overtook him. His stomach dropped, and he felt as if he stepped over a steep cliff. The feeling was short-lived as he drifted his focus to the ground. When he raised his head, he let out an audible gasp.


    Before him lay a vast clearing, encircled by trees with lush leaves that shimmered in the sunlight. The grass on the ground was lush and as vibrant as the grass in Emerald Hill, and there were delicate purple flowers scattered throughout the outskirts. A flowery and sweet scent wafted through the air easily, mixing with the already plentiful mana entering Tyrus¡¯ skin.


    In the center of the clearing stood a tree that was twice as tall and more imposing than the others. A crown of star-shaped leaves adorned it, producing a swath of orange and glossy green reminiscent of summer dipping its toes into autumn. Unlike the typical treants, it lacked a jagged mouth or eyes, but instead, it had a humorously enormous nose capable of sniffing out a rat in Valis.


    With every stride, Tyrus took next to the treants, an imperceptible weight pressed upon his shoulders. His pace slackened, almost dragging his feet along the perfect grass. It was comparable to the time when Selena exerted her mana on him, albeit with even greater force.


    Apart from the enormous tree, there were also green wisps fluttering around its crown, similar to fireflies. As a matter of fact, there were numerous ones, causing Tyrus to squint at the sight. The moment he drew near the massive tree, all the treants present dropped to their knees and rustled their branches in synchrony.


    ¡°We greet the Elder Treant of Wildwood!¡±


    Tyrus swiveled around perplexedly, unsure of whether he should assume a kneeling position like the others, until a voice as resonant as the ocean spoke.


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    ¡°Hrm? What is this now?¡±


    He thought the tree had no eyes, but Tyrus was sorely mistaken. It was merely hiding underneath circular grooves that served as eyelids. When he opened his eyes, he was met with piercing blue eyes that looked like the clearest of skies. Tyrus was oblivious to his own behavior and kneeled down. His fingers trembled as he hung his head low, mouth shut.


    ¡°A member of the Tiger Tribe has been brought to Mother Mevena¡¯s Wildwood sanctuary? One that is a black tiger as well? That has not occurred in a long time¡­¡±


    Another shuffle from the armless treant filled the air. ¡°Apologies, Elder Treant. The juvenile has shown interest in aiding Wildwood in its efforts to fend off the wave of beasts that are defiling our homeland. He too is a being endowed with the power to manipulate the elements.¡±


    The pressure on Tyrus''s shoulders intensified. A sensation of needle-like prickles ran across his skin as he stared at the soft sheet of grass. Silence befell as a slight breeze swept through the treants, and the tender rustle of trees resonated throughout the atmosphere, producing a mellow harmony that could pacify a restless spirit. The Elder Treant spoke again after a seemingly endless amount of time.


    ¡°Upon closer examination, it appears that you are a hybrid. How interesting. What is your name, black tiger cub?¡±


    Scowling to himself, Tyrus attempted to respond, but a constricted throat hindered his speech. Whatever was prohibiting him from moving on his own or speaking was way too strong for him to resist. There was no issue with his thinking, and he was attentive to his surroundings. The moment he stepped into this unusual place and communicated with the Elder Treant, his body behaved differently. Was the mana it¡¯s radiating from its hulking body the cause?


    ¡°Do not be afraid,¡± said the Elder Treant. ¡°Treants, you may return to your positions and continue protecting the sanctuary from further passersby. It is important to maintain the secrecy of your identity from humans and similar beings. Only disclose yourselves if you deem it necessary. May Mevena''s grace shine upon you.¡±


    Following another noisy rustle of their branches, they collectively rose with their creaking bodies and departed, eventually vanishing from sight. Tyrus worked to suppress the lump in his throat and bit the corners of his mouth.


    ¡°I-I,¡± he began, realizing he could speak now. ¡°My name is Tyrus. The reason I came to Wildwood was to train my body and magic. I didn¡¯t know you guys existed and were keeping this place safe...¡±


    ¡°Training you say? If I may say so myself, you have made an excellent choice of location. Unfortunately, I fear that you have arrived at an inopportune moment.¡±


    Gradually, the control of his body returned to him. Tyrus raised his head, staring deep into Elder Treant¡¯s eyes. ¡°Is it because of the sudden rise of beasts? The armless treant mentioned that before. I was only let in because I promised to help and train here with no interruptions. It also said that you would accept my help.¡±


    A chuckle as smooth as silk emanated from the tree. After giving it some thought, Tyrus wondered how it could speak without a mouth. The tree emitted an old man''s voice, which was undoubtedly coming from its direction. It wasn''t a direct entry into his brain, but a common way of speaking through the mouth. It was a very off-putting experience, but he shrugged it off and listened.


    ¡°You¡¯ll assist us strangers so long as you can train? Your words bear the hallmarks of a true Tiger Tribe member. Although I''m enjoying our conversation, we have more urgent matters to attend to.¡±


    Suddenly, the Elder Treant shut their eyes and remained quiet. The radiant dots revolving around his crown grew increasingly brighter, eventually becoming blinding. Tyrus covered his eyes and waited until the light show had stopped. Once it was safe to do so, he opened them and recognized a difference; their luminosity drastically reduced to half.


    The tree opened its eyes and let out a profound sigh. ¡°The barrier surrounding the Wildwood sanctuary has grown weaker. An ecological imbalance has been caused in the eastern part of Wildwood because of an increase in the population of lesser hounds and goblins. Their actions are causing disruption to the order, much like a plague spreading throughout the land. The Wildwood treants should have no trouble handling those beasts, however, a stronger creature makes the removal of the disruptors more challenging.¡±


    Tyrus''s knees went numb from kneeling, so he excused himself and sat firmly on the ground. ¡°So lesser hounds and goblins aren¡¯t the main problem? What''s the beast that''s causing the big trouble?¡±


    Elder Treant paused. ¡°High temperatures and fire are known to be the bane of treants. The creature is a juvenile lesser fire drake. As much as it pains me to say, we are not fit to deal with such a creature. Had it been any other creature lacking the ability to exhale flames, this would have been a non-issue. Its fiery breath and razor-sharp talons have toppled a considerable number of the treants. The earth spirits, who are in a state of disarray, have even sought refuge in the sanctuary.¡±


    One of the green wisps descended and landed in front of Tyrus with a gentle touch. A figure as small as his fingers was panting. A flower wreath hung on their delicate, braided hair, and a pair of glowing green wings sprouted from their tanned back. It inclined its head and noticed Tyrus staring. It stood up and flew back to the Elder Treant without even nodding.


    ¡°Thanks to their aid, the barrier has held for many moons. Given the increasing number of treants and spirits that succumb to its wrath, it is only a matter of time before the barrier disperses and the drake arrives here. If it senses the dense mana in this area, I am concerned that it will become frenzied and establish this place as its abode.¡±


    Tyrus nodded at Elder Treant¡¯s words, scratching his chin. The beast Fiona warned him about was definitely this lesser fire drake the tree speaks of. If he missed the scarred trees, it''s likely that they''re mostly on the other side of Wildwood. In that case, the drake came from that direction; either that or the mountains in the north. It was reasonable that he hadn''t laid eyes on the thing yet.


    Actually, he had never seen a drake before. There are many creatures and beasts he isn¡¯t aware of because of his limited knowledge, but he does know quite a few, like the popular dragon and wyverns. If he remembered correctly, drakes are reptiles that are like dragons, but way smaller and less powerful. Apart from its fire breath, its ability to fly was also problematic. Would he be able to win once he encounters it?


    There were two options spread out in front of him: leave Wildwood to save his skin or help the treants. Others would probably flee if they found themselves in his situation, as they have no chance of winning against a drake. Their scales are hardy, their talons as sharp as swords or better, and they can spew fire. Considering he''s a nine-year-old learning sorcery and is quite unusual, the odds are against him.


    On the flip side, he uncovered a gold mine that deserves attention. The sanctuary''s mana quality was the best he had ever absorbed. Despite his short stay, his mana heart was nearly full. In any other place, he would have taken only a few hours of meditation to recharge it at most. With a way to rapidly replenish his mana heart, his training would be twice as fast! All he had to do was complete his side of the deal and they¡¯d allow him to train undisturbed. Hopefully, the treants were true to their word.


    ¡°You said the drake is young?¡± Tyrus asked. ¡°Is it stronger than a rock spider?¡±


    ¡°Correct, but not as much. Drakes are aggressive and smart creatures. Their fire-breathing capacity and talons are their most treacherous characteristics. I recommend avoiding them to the fullest extent possible.¡±


    Tyrus frowned as he pulled out his dagger. ¡°Okay, so the drake is the biggest problem. If I were to beat it first, then would it be easier for the treants to handle the others?¡±


    ¡°It would be like planting a sapling,¡± Elder Treant rumbled. ¡°Nip the bud and we will deal with the rest. The Wildwood would return to its proper form.¡±


    ¡°That sounds simple enough. Where is the drake?¡±


    ¡°One of the earth fairies will lead you to it. Meadow, if you would?¡±


    The fairy from before descended gently from the top and landed right on Tyrus''s shoulder. The tips of her wings grazed his cheek. A voice as soft as wool tickled his ears. ¡°Nice to meet you, brave warrior. As instructed by Elder Treant, I will take you to the ferocious beast responsible for the deaths of my dear friends!¡±


    Her face transformed into a scowl as she brought up a shaking fist. Tyrus nodded and turned to Elder Treant. "Don¡¯t forget about our agreement. Once I defeat the drake, I¡¯ll come back here with one of its talons as proof."


    ¡°I await your safe return. Meadow, guide him to the lesser fire drake.¡±


    Meadow''s small arm pointed to the east, just like Tyrus had expected. He nodded in that direction and removed his hat, storing it inside the ring. There being nothing else to do, he took off running.

 Chapter 35- Lesser Fire Drake

    With the help of Meadow, who made a specific mention of being a fairy, departing from the Wildwood sanctuary was effortless. As a resident, she provided proficient guidance and imparted knowledge about Wildwood''s plant and animal life.


    One piece of information she issued was that the purple flowers that emitted the lovely scent were called nepora. They are highly favored because of their frequent incorporation in incense. The flower is so plentiful that someone can find almost everywhere it.


    Besides a brief clarification regarding nepora, the dense mana that lived in the sanctuary disappeared abruptly. The air had resumed its usual state, leaving Tyrus feeling somewhat dispirited.


    In order to return, he had to handle the drake quickly. To him, the experience of abundant mana was akin to a thirsty man quenching his thirst at a crystal-clear pond. Although he hated admitting it, he wouldn''t criticize the drake for residing in the sanctuary if it happened upon it.


    Tyrus threw away the discouraging thought and surveyed the view. As he ran and felt a slight breeze on his neck, his expression became stern upon coming face to face with a startling scene. The ground was engulfed in trees, blacker than the night, that were strewn about like felled logs. There were multiple gashes in their bark and a few appeared to have a piece removed, almost as if they had been bitten. After a thorough examination, he discovered that there were not only trees but also treants present.


    Some areas on the forest floor had scattered little black dots. When Tyrus drew near, Meadow shrouded her mouth and averted her face.


    "It was the drakes'' work," she glowered. ¡°T-Those small dots are the other fairies that couldn¡¯t escape its rampage. They¡¯ve been scorched beyond recognition¡­¡±


    Narrowing his eyes, Tyrus''s eyes swept over the area. ¡°We can save the rest as long as we make it on time. Letting the drake do as it pleases in a place that doesn¡¯t welcome it would be bad.¡±


    If it continued using its fire breath, then a forest fire might ensue, Tyrus thought. It was miraculous that one hadn¡¯t started yet. Even more astonishingly, Valis was willing to let the beast roam in Wildwood. Did they realize a drake was causing a mess, or are they unaware? Anyone would find it hard to miss the clear image of smoke rising from Wildwood. Adding to the strangeness of the situation was the fact that the drake had defeated numerous treants.


    Fiona stated Valis opted not to disturb the creature, mentioning its non-interference with trade routes and travelers. A forest on the verge of burning to its foundations seemed like a substantial reason to deal with the threat, as the smoke would definitely bother travelers or have them steer clear. Something suspicious was occurring, but it was hard to pinpoint.


    Tyrus lowered himself and sniffed one of the treants. There was a subtle firewood smell. Following a brief pause, he grunted and touched the coarse bark. The temperature was lukewarm to the touch. The treants and the fairies must¡¯ve died sometime yesterday.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Meadow asked. She was peering through the crevices of her fingers, grimacing. ¡°Did you find something?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I was just thinking about something else. Not as important as saving the forest from further danger. Allowing a drake to do as it pleases doesn¡¯t sit right with me.¡±


    ¡°If so, then we should continue moving. I know where the drake was last seen, thanks to Elder Treant.¡±


    Following Meadow¡¯s lead, Tyrus rose and began walking the path. As he hiked, he tossed out a question. ¡°How long has the drake been in Wildwood?¡±


    ¡°For five nights, it¡¯s been present and hasn¡¯t gone away. Elder Treant was the first to notice the beast¡¯s arrival in Wildwood and sent a spirit to warn the others. With the arrival of the drake from the east, most of the damage occurred in that section. Many lives were lost¨Ctreants, fairies, nymphs, and even the poor horned squirrels!¡±


    ¡°Although lesser fire drakes are known for their aggression, this level of devastation is unusual! Elder Treant suspects it has become agitated by the growing tension between the humans and the Beastfolk Kingdom.¡±


    With a frown, Tyrus took a left turn. In the distance, the terrain changed. As the elevation increased, slabs of rock replaced sections of the floor. After climbing over a small ledge, Tyrus sprinted.


    Lately, he¡¯s been getting a lot of updates about the conflict between the two countries. First, there were doubts about him being a spy, and now a drake may have fled from the battlefield to settle elsewhere. Just what the heck was going on over there?


    Absorbed in reflection, a warm fingertip nudged his cheek. Meadow''s stare turned curious as she looked at him. ¡°We¡¯re almost there. The drake was last seen slumbering in a cave embedded within the mountain. It may or may not be there, so be on guard, black tiger¨C¡°


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that,¡± Tyrus interjected. ¡°Just call me by my name.¡±


    Meadow nodded slowly. ¡°S-Sorry. I did not expect such a harsh reaction. Beastfolk tend to wear their tribe¡¯s name with a smile.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not exactly proud of that title and wish to never be referred by that, thank you very much. How can I smile about it when it makes life more complicated? If the wrong person knows what I am, I¡¯ll be in big trouble.¡±


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    ¡°You¡¯ve given it a lot of thought, haven¡¯t you? Are you afraid of humans, by chance?¡±


    Before Tyrus could say anything, Meadow sprang up and floated on top of his head. ¡°There¡¯s the cave! That should be the drake¡¯s temporary nest.¡±


    From afar, a cave appeared beyond a rugged trail lined with small clusters of rock. Its external appearance was a disorderly amalgamation of green and gray, reminiscent of a plant''s stem smeared carelessly over its surface. Squinting closely, it wasn¡¯t all that deep or big to begin with. Its size closely resembled the first floor of a small house. No creature was inside at the moment, only a few twigs. Yet when he took a step forward, a disgusting stench assailed his nostrils.


    Meadow gagged behind her mouth. ¡°Ew! What is that terrible smell?!¡±


    ¡°There are some goblins and lesser hounds in the corner,¡± Tyrus grumbled. ¡°Lot of bones tossed around and¡­ blood. You can leave if it¡¯s too much for¨C¡°


    ¡°No,¡± she said firmly. ¡°Allow me to be of help in defeating the drake. It killed my friends and is actively destroying my home! I might not seem much, but as an earth spirit, I can use the elements, too.¡±


    ¡°What can you do? I¡¯ve never seen a fairy in person or in action. I¡¯m guessing you can manipulate earth?¡±


    ¡°Compared to humans and Beastfolk, earth spirits have a greater degree of control over the earth element.¡± Her hands emitted a luminous green glow, resulting in the ground whiffling thereafter. Thick root tendrils emerged from the ground beneath them, stretching towards his footwear. A handful of flowers also blossomed.


    I expected something more interesting, Tyrus pondered. Controlling roots and plants didn¡¯t seem that strong of an element to command. Flowers are easily manageable, requiring only the bottom of your shoe to cause damage. Roots, depending on their thickness and size, could have their uses - such as trapping or squeezing people. But compared to the other elements, earth just seemed¡­ boring. Though he wouldn¡¯t say that out loud.


    ¡°I¡¯ll gladly accept your help, Meadow. Just be careful of the drake, alright?¡±


    The fairy gave him a curt salute. ¡°No problem here!¡±


    Tyrus smiled and trudged through the track, watching his surroundings. The soil beneath him made a crunching sound while the trees swayed playfully in the breeze. As he approached the cave, the thumping of his heartbeat eclipsed all other sounds. When he came close to the den, he noticed a branch snapping to his right. Turning, he felt his senses on a bladed edge.


    A gargantuan silhouette loomed above him, and he discerned a razor-sharp claw homing in on his neck. At the brink of the talon slicing his neck, Tyrus swiveled and shifted his body to the side, escaping death by a hair¡¯s breadth. Shooting an angry look at the origin of his problem, he rubbed his neck.


    ¡°I almost died there! That thing is way too quiet for its size¡­¡±


    Even though it was a lesser fire drake, the creature''s traits strayed from the typical. Rather than exhibiting a vibrant red hue reminiscent of lava, the scales appeared drab and marred with scars. On its back, there were two stumps where membranous wings ought to have existed. A thick collar encircled the neck of the beast, with a chain that had been cut off protruding from it. When Tyrus lowered his arm a tad, the smoldering amber eyes flared up.


    That proved to be a mistake he¡¯d regret.


    Taking advantage of his disorientation, the drake pounced by thrusting itself forward and raking its talons toward his face. Tyrus watched a portion of his bangs being snipped as he backpedaled, eliciting a disapproving click of his tongue. In spite of his endeavors to regain his stability, the drake pursued unrelentingly. It persistently slashed away, causing the air to buckle under the swiftness of its strikes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here!¡±


    In response to Meadow''s statement, thick tendrils emerged and encircled the drake''s four limbs. A howl escaped as it took note of being ensnared and peered downwards. It aggressively bit its razor-sharp jaws at the constructs, munching on them successively. Tyrus sprang into action, recognizing the ideal moment to strike, and with augmentation activated, aimed a blow towards one of its eyes.


    Let¡¯s not waste time trying to pierce its scales! Aim for the soft parts!


    With its eyes almost within reach, the drake twisted its head towards him and parted its jaws. Its throat was emitting an orange light, resulting in a temperature increase in the nearby vicinity. In no time, the drake ejected fiery flames right ahead of it. Tyrus knitted his brow while exerting himself to evade the attack. Enveloped in a wave of excruciating pain, he stumbled backward and landed heavily beside a boulder. He swiftly brushed at his clothes to ease the discomfort.


    ¡°Meadow! Are you okay?¡±


    He shifted his eyes to the left and observed Meadow settle on his shoulder, wiping her brow. ¡°I-I moved away at the last second once I saw it open its mouth. Those flames are no joke!¡±


    ¡°Joke or not, at least we made it out safely¡­¡±


    Tyrus surveyed his right side, concerned about the damage he had suffered. Owing to his sharp reflexes and prompt decision-making, he successfully evaded being burned to a crisp. It reduced certain sections of his tunic to ashes, while a handful of portions of his skin appeared slightly pink. Every time a breeze passed, he felt an overwhelming sensation akin to putting his hand over a campfire.


    The drake, despite being a juvenile, had proved to be more challenging than expected. Its reflexes were just as good as Tyrus¡¯, if not better. Its speed was nothing to scoff at and it has an arsenal of dangerous weapons. With no armor to protect him and his garments proving futile, the creature''s talons would make short work of him. He had to carefully evaluate his next course of action.


    Eying the drake, Tyrus slowly took a step back, assuming a defensive position. The moment had arrived to test the effectiveness of his lightning against its scales. Though he fretted over its efficacy, hesitation would prove a costly mistake. Should that prove unsuccessful, channeling all of his mana into augmentation would become the next alternative. And if push came to shove, he¡¯d have to rely on Beast Transformation.


    ¡°Meadow, how many times can you use those tendrils? And are you able to do other things besides summoning flowers?¡±


    She pouted and answered in a sour tone. ¡°The earth element is just as capable as the others. It¡¯s all about imagination. And to answer your question, yes, I can do many other things. I can sling rocks at fast speeds and can even manipulate wood. Just say the word and it¡¯ll be done.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say that before? We¡¯re surrounded by wood and rocks.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s basic information. Everyone knows about that.¡±


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t. Now that I know what you can do, I think I have a plan.¡±


    Meadow regarded him. ¡°Does it involve chucking rocks at the drake?¡±


    ¡°That, and more. You¡¯ll understand as we fight. Right now, I think it¡¯s done waiting.¡±


    The drake had restlessly wandered around them, hoping for a chance to reveal itself, but none materialized. The silence made it restless, so it snarled and attacked the pair with bloodlust-filled eyes.

 Chapter 36- Shocking Finish

    It wasn¡¯t unusual for a person to become paralyzed and tremble when faced with a fire-breathing drake that was only half the size of a carriage. Tyrus was both shaken and fearful of the situation. The slightest error would plunge him into darkness. In a moment, his ambition to become one of the strongest in the land for a life of grandeur could evaporate.


    To play it safe, it would be wise to follow Fiona¡¯s suggestion of learning in a quiet place. He had the choice to do it, however, he showed hesitation due to a particular reason. It was a gut feeling that instinctively rejected the idea. It all began with a boar, fighting goblins, observing bad guys scheming in the dark, and battling a drake with Meadow.


    Tyrus had many opportunities to avoid danger, but he took the opposite approach and threw himself into harm¡¯s way. Did his drive to do it stem from a desire to better himself? Probably. Without fail, he made a breakthrough every time, whether in gaining a fresh perspective of the world or acknowledging his limitations in the art of sorcery. All breakthroughs resulted from his life being on the line and a sense of danger. Considering his age, it was quite appalling.


    But he didn¡¯t care at all. Why not capitalize on the possibility if putting his life in danger would bring him closer to his desire for strength and fortune? He¡¯s still up and moving, after all. Regardless of what was thrown his way, whether self-imposed or from others, he remained standing until the end. And he would continue remaining victorious so long as he didn¡¯t bite off more than he could chew. Risk can be a driving force for further development. Suppose Fiona found out about his thoughts; what would be her reaction?


    Like that matters. Knowing her, she¡¯d probably pass out.


    The drake emitted a hiss and pounced at Tyrus with its limbs extended and eyes full of malice. By a close call, he sidestepped the strike and landed on a solid block of stone. While staring at the disgruntled drake, he straightened his back and surveyed the area. Bundles of trees and sporadic rocks encircled them. The arena proved to be the perfect setting for taking on the drake, and Meadow''s most productive fighting space.


    ¡°Fly towards the trees, Meadow, and strike when the time is right.¡±


    She angled her head. ¡°Okay, but are you sure you¡¯ll be fine?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll manage, somehow. It¡¯s only focused on me because I¡¯m a bigger targe¨C¡±


    Like a lion, the drake sprang onto the rock slab and interrupted Tyrus. He watched Meadow fly past the drake¨Cwho paid no attention to the little fairy¨Cand brought up his left palm. In that restricted window, he had already prepared the chant as the beast was approaching.


    ¡°Lightning Bolt!¡±


    A thunderous orb crackled and smashed into the drake''s face. The drake came crashing down to the ground, let out a piercing screech, and slid next to Tyrus. Down on its haunches, it vigorously shook its head and emitted a menacing snarl. Tyrus capitalized on the opportunity and lifted his arm.


    ¡°Dual Shot!¡±


    Two dazzling spheres materialized above him, each measuring twice the size of a Lightning Bolt and with more intricate arcs in their shape. The downward surge of energy rushed towards the bewildered drake, whose eyes widened in shock as it witnessed the force hurtling in its direction.


    Employing nimble movements, it veered to the side, just in time to evade the orbs that crashed onto the rock, creating a haze of dust and scattering fragments. With a cough, Tyrus swatted away the distraction and moved away from the scene, clenching his dagger.


    He squinted at the cloud, alert for any motion of the drake. Shortly thereafter, crackling noises emanated from inside and a shimmering illumination twirled. Something hastily surfaced from the smoke and made a beeline towards Tyrus. A scorching ember of equal magnitude to Lightning Bolt hurtled towards his chest.


    Panic engulfed his chest as he smoothly rolled away from the sneak attack. More was being ejected as he glanced upward, similar to arrows from a skilled bowman. Like any sensible person, he sprinted from the line of fire. The blasts didn''t make contact with him but collided with a tree in the vicinity, which subsequently burst into flames.


    That thing really doesn¡¯t care about setting the forest on fire! Unless we put a stop to it soon, the damage from our battle will be beyond repair. The drake has no intentions of holding back one of its weapons, and it probably won¡¯t listen to reason.


    Besides, what was the explanation for its battered appearance and chains? The item coiled around its neck brought to mind a just-freed prisoner. If Tyrus didn¡¯t know any better, he would think the drake purposely donned it. Yet, the scattered scars on its body and the lack of wings implied otherwise. Every time he recollected its appearance, he would feel a weight in his gut.


    After the motes of fire came to a halt, Tyrus paused and surveyed the gradual dissipation of smoke. When it dispersed, there was no drake hiding behind it. He gaped in surprise as he twirled his body, dialing his senses up to the maximum to detect its location. He caught wind of a rustling noise emanating from the woods and peered over, only to discover that it was simply the falling of leaves.


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    ¡°Above you!¡± Meadow warned.


    A wide-open mouth loomed just a step away from Tyrus''s face as he looked up. Without delay, he raised his dagger and thrust it forcefully just beneath the creature''s neck, but instead of penetrating flesh, he heard a clink and saw a piece of metal fall aside. Abruptly, he opened his eyes as one of the drake''s teeth sliced his cheek.


    As the beast charged into Tyrus, they both tumbled across the grass, with him letting out anguished cries. Tyrus gave up attacking and activated augmentation and Beast Transformation, pouring in as much mana as possible once the drake had the advantage.


    Droplets of spittle landed on his face as a maw snapped at him incessantly. Owing to a sudden outburst of strength, he briefly repelled the drake, however, his energy and mana were waning. The drake''s eyes bore into Tyrus, and he could sense its ferocity as it fixated on his ears with a look of unbridled hostility. That only magnified his uncertainty, but he couldn''t gratify his desire to know.


    He relied on his legs to push against its neck and his arms to block its swipes every few seconds. Superficial gashes appeared over his arms, and specks of fabric fluttered above him. A foul stink emanating from rotting meat overwhelmed his sense of smell, leading to watery eyes.


    ¡°Any day now, Meadow!¡±


    At his bidding, roots as massive as his torso burst forth and ensnared the drake''s neck. The snapping of its jaws lessened as it attempted to lift one of its forelimbs to tear it off, but something impeded it. A weighty rock launched with the force of a man¡¯s average throw hit its eyes.


    A viscous white substance spurted out of the wound while an agonizing scream rattled his bones. The drake flailed about, thrashing its tail in a frenzied manner. Regrettably, the tail landed precisely on Tyrus¡¯ left arm. Upon the collision, a sickening crunch that almost caused him to black out from the intensity of the pain overcame him. His arm dangled limply by his side as he clutched it with bleary eyes.


    At that exact moment, the idea of retreating consumed his mind entirely. The prospect of sustaining further injuries, particularly in places that could prove fatal, prompted him to reconsider the situation. Blood dribbled down the corners of his mouth as he watched his arm slowly turn color.


    ¡°Tyrus!¡± a voice screamed from behind. Meadow fluttered from her vantage point and floated above his arm. ¡°Run away while you still can; I¡¯ll finish this.¡±


    ¡°N-No,¡± he said weakly. ¡°I can do this¡­¡±


    ¡°How? With how you¡¯ve been fighting so far, it looks like you can only¡­¡±


    A weak, honey-hued gleam radiated from his palm and diffused onto his arm. The pain had only slightly eased despite the passage of time; even breathing was difficult. The mana heart was close to being exhausted, leaving him with a chest full of flames. To make matters worse, the healing had stopped working its magic, no matter how many times he used Healing Touch. He still couldn¡¯t move his arm and its color was still changing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t heal broken bones,¡± he muttered. Recognizing the futility of continuing, he halted and rose with unsteady legs. Advancing a step, the world whirled around him, and he crumpled onto his good arm.


    Meadow, with a sad look in her eyes, entered his view. ¡°Tyrus, you¡¯re in no condition to fight. Your arm is shattered and I¡¯m sure your mana is nearly gone. I think it¡¯s best to run and let me¨C¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he growled. ¡°I know the drake killed many of your friends and ruined your home, but I want to be the one to finish the job. And look at what the drake is doing.¡±


    He signaled towards the drake, presently contorting like a vexed steed. In response, it expelled flames and rubbed its incapacitated eyes. In a moment of desperation, it emitted a shrill cry. The moment it caught a whiff of the air, it swiftly turned toward the pair''s direction and charged ahead, readying another burst of fiery breath.


    ¡°One hit from that and you¡¯ll die,¡± he said. ¡°Summoning p-plants will not work against the fire.¡±


    ¡°As long as it¡¯s dealt with, then I¡¯ll gladly offer my life,¡± she replied. Meadow raised her arms, ready to unleash another barrage of rocks until a hand wrapped around her tiny frame. ¡°Hey! What are you doing?¡°


    Placing the fairy at his back, Tyrus stood up and rotated to confront the charging beast once again. Inhaling deeply, one breath after another, to replenish even a smidge of his mana, he raised his arm against the creature and gave it a fierce glare.


    A regular Lightning Bolt in his current condition would do him no good. If a previous spell when he was in his best condition had done minimal damage, then a spell at his lowest would do nothing. He knew spells had a fixed strength strapped to them, needing only a specific amount of mana to cast.


    Adding more mana had no effect, and he could not decrease the mana because it was unchangeable. He needed finer control of inputting mana into a spell, and he had just the idea: silent casting.


    Visualize the spell you want to release and gather mana from the mana heart. Before dispersing it outward, preventing dispersal requires great control. A spell more powerful than Lightning Bolt, yet weaker than Dual Shot. Not too much and not too little¡­ A fine control of my primary affinity!


    Even with the searing pain, Tyrus clenched his teeth together and pictured a Lightning Bolt exploding from his hand. It would have a strength and size that fell between his two most used spells, allowing him to exert himself without experiencing mana deficiency. That same image appeared in the depths of his mind, and he felt a rush of power from his mana heart forming at his fingertips. A pathway of mana materialized in his mind, but each particle shook uncontrollably.


    An ill-formed azure sphere manifested in front of him. Its corporeal shape flickered like a submerged object. Tyrus tried to stabilize the mana flow, but the drake was already a few paces away. It unleashed its fiery breath on him; an attack way bigger than its predecessors.


    Ah, forget it! Release!


    At his command, the messy sphere jutted forward, colliding with the flames. Rather than being overpowered by the drake, the orb forged ahead, cutting through the flames with effortless precision. Instantly, the energy entered the beast¡¯s mouth and detonated upon impact. In a split second, before the flames could engulf Tyrus, he seized Meadow and propelled himself as far as possible from harm''s way.


    In his vision, he observed the drake convulsing violently with its tongue protruding from the side. There was a howling sound, which gradually subsided as time passed by. It toppled sideways and lay still as its eyelids sagged. Tyrus monitored it warily until his legs became feeble and gave in. Black spots clouded his vision as he stared vacantly at the blue sky, slowly transforming to gray.


    ¡°It¡¯s finished¡­¡±

 Chapter 37- Hero of Wildwood

    With his hair brushing across his moistened face, a thought filtered into Tyrus¡¯s mind: Why did every battle end with him severely injured? Whenever a significant battle unfolded, he was either recuperating from severe injuries, utterly drained, or entirely unconscious. It just occurred to him; When was the last time he fought something that matched his abilities? Most of the time, his enemies were weaker or much more powerful than him.


    He grumbled and watched the scenery pass by in a blur. A tiny fairy perched on his nose, gazing into his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t die on us, Tyrus! Elder Treant will patch you up, that¡¯s for sure!¡±


    One of Tyrus''s eyebrows arched upwards. ¡°Pretty sure I¡¯m not dying. I do feel a lot of¨COw!¡±


    A treant was actively carrying Tyrus into its arms as it rushed to the sanctuary. Its brief stumble made Tyrus¡¯s limp arm collide with its hardened exterior. He twisted in torment as the scorching pain raced through his arm like liquid fire. The sheer intensity of his scream caught him off guard, leaving him quivering. It was almost as bad when he tried to achieve an additional element in Valier Forest!


    Tyrus shuddered with his face becoming pallid as Meadow looked on in horror. ¡°Treant! What¡¯s the matter with you?! Apologize to him this instant!¡±


    The treant nodded solemnly and said, ¡°My mistake, Hero of Wildwood. I will be careful from now on.¡±


    ¡°H-Hero of Wildwood?¡± Tyrus whimpered. ¡°Is that my t-title?¡±


    ¡°Anything less would be blasphemous,¡± Meadow said. ¡°You saved Wildwood and its inhabitants from doom. Elder Treant will be overjoyed to hear the good news.¡±


    Tyrus remained silent and centered his attention on his breath. After the battle ended, Meadow zipped around the vicinity, calling out for any treants. She also called out any remaining spirits to help minimize the fires before they grew out of control. Besides earth spirits and treants, a handful of water spirits also made an appearance - specifically those fairies with a natural affinity for water. A treant had hurried over and scooped up Tyrus in its rough arms and darted to the sanctuary per Meadow¡¯s orders.


    As they journeyed, Tyrus made every effort to ignore his arm, which was beginning to manifest an unsightly shade of purple. ¡°Seeing stars now¡­ Why is the sky so bright?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t follow the light and stay conscious!¡±


    ¡°I might actually die,¡± he said, but Meadow ignored him.


    After an excruciating amount of time passed while Meadow soothed him with her silky voice, the surrounding air changed. He felt the replenishment of his mana heart as the rich mana entered his skin. The white-hot pain transformed into prickling needles. Ahead of him, he sighted Elder Treant directing commands to a legion of treants and spirits alike.


    ¡°The lesser fire drake has been vanquished. It is imperative that we extinguish the fires it has left behind. Afterward, we will address any remaining issues. Go, before it¡¯s too late. May Mevena¡¯s grace shine upon you.¡±


    Accompanied by a deafening roar that shook the nearby trees down to their very foundations, the army of creatures rushed past Tyrus. But along the way, every single one of them acknowledged him with nods, words of encouragement, and heart-warming greetings. There were a lot of thank you¡¯s in the mix, which elicited a smirk from him. His smile disappeared when his arm acted up again on its own.


    ¡°Elder Treant!¡± Meadow yelled, levitating in front of the broad nose. ¡°Our hero direly needs swift medical care to recover from their injuries. You must use your magic to heal him.¡±


    The transporting treant delicately placed Tyrus on a bed of grass enveloped by nepora, drawing the notice of the Elder Treant. His clothes stuck to his skin, and his entire body felt like it was hurled into a blazing inferno. Still, the delightful fragrance partially soothed his ache and unease. Although he was still feeling the chills, his body gained a certain level of purity, even though it was wracked with agony.


    ¡°I will begin at once,¡± Elder Treant whispered. Its gleaming eyes locked onto his arm, and illumination from the summit of the tree¡¯s foliage started to radiate. An awe-inspiring beam of resplendent jade-green light emanated, as though Mevena herself was descending.


    The downward cascade of light enveloped Tyrus in a comforting and tranquil embrace, alleviating his trembling. The pain in his arm gradually eased to a sensation of numbness, and his breaths became slower. Over time, he could move his fingers steadily and raise his arm without shaking. After a period of time, the light faded away, and Tyrus stood up, rotating his arm in a circular motion.


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    ¡°It¡¯s healed,¡± he drawled. ¡°The pain and chills are gone! What kind of spell was that? Not even Healing Touch could heal my broken arm, let alone deal with the pain.¡±


    The Elder Treant let out a breath of relief. ¡°I am delighted that you are in good health, Savior. The winds have brought me news of the passing of the drake. The moment I heard you had conquered it, I instructed all those in the vicinity to work on the fires. It would be a melancholic outcome if Wildwood were to incinerate after your conquest.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t beat it alone,¡± Tyrus stated, stretching out on the velvety grass to relax. ¡°With Meadow by my side, we dealt with it quickly. I can¡¯t receive all the praise.¡±


    Fluttering over him, Meadow bobbed her head. The spectacle of her soaring resembled that of drifting flower petals. ¡°Your words of admiration are appreciated, but the credit belongs to you, not me. As I held back, unharmed, you bravely faced the drake head-to-head. In spite of a clear power imbalance, you persisted in your fight despite a broken arm. I have never observed a child exhibit such bravery and resolute decision-making.¡±


    She paused for a moment, lifting her gaze upwards. A wistful smile appeared on her lips. ¡°The forest was saved from a crisis thanks to you, Hero of Wildwood. The fallen can now have peace of mind knowing that Wildwood has been preserved.¡±


    ¡°It was¡­ no problem,¡± Tyrus replied, fumbling with his ring.


    Elder Treant chuckled in amusement. ¡°Embarrassed, are you? Well, no matter. Your service to Wildwood has been invaluable. You admirably met the challenge, embodying the spirit of the Tiger Tribe.¡±


    His mood took a sudden plunge, as if someone had flipped a switch. From his ring, Tyrus pulled out his cap and placed it on his head. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to be rude¨Cand I already told Meadow this¨Cbut I prefer to be called Tyrus. Not really feeling the whole Tiger Tribe and black tiger thing.¡±


    The two shot a perplexed look at each other, as if at a loss on how to continue. Meadow raised her shoulders in a shrug and gestured towards Elder Treant to take the floor. ¡°It seems that I have stumbled upon a thorny matter. My mistake, Tyrus. I shall refrain from bringing up this matter again.¡±


    Its somber words led Tyrus to scratch his head, averting his gaze from the tree. Notwithstanding his displeasure of being referred to as a Beastfolk, it wouldn¡¯t be damaging to listen to some snippets of information concerning his tribe. Never had he heard of a Tiger Tribe before, and since he was a black tiger, he was from that same group. There must be other titles among the Beastfolk, other than his own.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind hearing about the Tiger Tribe and all that,¡± he mumbled. ¡°I would be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t curious about them. And since you seem like you know a lot about them, you don¡¯t mind if I ask about them from time to time?¡±


    The look in Elder Treants¡¯ eyes changed instantly. ¡°I would be delighted to impart some of my wisdom. Should you have any inquiries, do not hesitate to ask me and I will endeavor to provide the best possible response.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nice to know.¡± Tyrus rose with a grunt and brushed aside blades of grass. ¡°You sent out the treants and spirits to deal with the remaining problems, correct? That would mean the goblins and excess lesser hounds. I would like to help everyone else if you¡¯ll allow me.¡±


    Meadow frowned. ¡°Tyrus, have you forgotten about your dagger? It broke when you tried to pierce the drake¡¯s scales. And are you sure about going out again when you just recovered?¡±


    It was as though a red bison had stamped all over him. His dagger splitting in half had completely slipped his mind. He shattered the dagger that Wanderer had presented to him before they parted ways and absentmindedly forgot it at the corpse, looking like a fool! Tyrus incessantly rubbed his face while pacing in circles.


    I should head back and retrieve the hilt. Maybe get it repaired somewhere. But to do that, I¡¯ll need money, and that¡¯s something I don¡¯t have a lot of. I now regret giving Fiona my sil¡­


    In the middle of his dilemma, a cough alerted him. When he looked up, he saw that Elder Treant was staring straight at him. ¡°Given that you have vanquished the drake, why not enjoy the spoils? The ingredients of a draconian species like the drake are extremely valuable. Humans have a tendency to disassemble beasts for many purposes. I can summon one of the treants to procure the corpse and the dagger and bring it to this location.¡±


    Relief washed over Tyrus. ¡°I would like that very much. You really are smart, Elder Treant.¡±


    ¡°Oh ho! Quite the tongue you have there! I shall refrain from further wasting your time. Meadow, I urge you to approach the corpse and implore one of the treants to move the drake.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get right on it,¡± she said with a salute. Shortly thereafter, she sped away, leaving behind a sparkling trail of green particles.


    ¡°Elder Treant,¡± Tyrus began. ¡°With the job finished, am I allowed to train here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, of course. As the Hero of Wildwood, you possess the liberty to act as you desire. Rest assured, the sanctuary will always greet you with open arms.¡±


    That title still feels weird, he mused. He¡¯ll just have to get used to it over time. The noteworthy factor was that he encountered a spot to train with a wealth of mana. With the Elder Treant¡¯s goodwill on his side, he can now work without hindrances. The training would be twice as efficient. Despite its sloppiness, he successfully executed the technique of silent casting! After experiencing such enlightenment, it only seemed rational to uncover what else he could do.


    Tyrus paid no heed to Elder Treant¡¯s sparkling gaze as he smiled to himself.

 Chapter 38- Concerns

    Following the brimming of the mana heart, Tyrus carried out some light stretches to uncover any issues with his body. Thanks to Elder Treants¡¯ healing, nothing was out of the ordinary. He had fully regained the use of his left arm and experienced no adverse effects. A slight sensation of weariness occurred, but he could overlook it. Whatever spell Elder Treant used, it was way better than Healing Touch.


    "With what element did you use to restore my arm? The green light fixed me up in no time."


    "Earth, but it requires a certain proficiency to accomplish that task. I employed it to mend your bones. In addition, I channeled some of my life force to remedy any supplementary physical injuries."


    Tyrus contorted his forehead and massaged his arm. ¡°It sounds like you did something terrible to heal me.¡±


    ¡°A trifling amount to honor the Hero of Wildwood. Each element has its own set of limitations in terms of its healing capabilities. Mending a broken bone will not remedy the consequences of illnesses such as fever and important fluid depletion, such as blood. To act as a replacement for those things, I have imparted a portion of my essence for this purpose. It is a task reserved for those who are attuned to the earth and its symbolic significance in representing the constancy of life.¡±


    Earth is more amazing than I thought, Tyrus pondered. It could manipulate plants, rocks, and even heal broken bones; abilities he had underestimated. It was a powerful reminder that no element is worthless or less capable than the rest. Depending on the user, all elements can have the same strength. He¡¯d have to think twice about badmouthing things he didn¡¯t understand.


    ¡°Just remember,¡± Elder Treant continued. ¡°Giving your own life force is no laughing matter. The extent to which you offer it will dictate the number of years it saps away from your life. One can not only give life force, but also extract it through force. Beware of those who have a proclivity for the dark element. In my view, it is one of the most sinister practices, as it can unleash wickedness and unspeakable terrors.¡±


    Tyrus rubbed his jaw, reflecting, until the realization dawned on him. The book solely documented one incantation for the dark element. He considered it odd that the others had significantly more, yet Elder Treant''s depiction of the element suggested it could be a spell that many shun. The most fitting word he could use to describe it was taboo. A kind of craft that sorcerers steer clear of, longing to have no connection with it.


    ¡°No wonder there¡¯s only Shadow Bolt,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Someone must be hiding the spells. Learning those things could lead to a lot of damage if it were an evil sorcerer doing it. But that makes little sense. Fire can cause a lot more damage, and there are many spells to choose from.¡±


    He locked eyes with Elder Treant, who promptly answered. ¡°Have you heard of the Mad Sorcerer?¡±


    ¡°Only once by some people,¡± Tyrus replied. ¡°They didn¡¯t go into detail about them, only mentioning their name.¡±


    ¡°That is because of its infamous reputation that instills fear in many, even presently. Being one of the oldest entities, I possess a vague remembrance of the occurrences that unfolded. The Mad Sorcerer was a figure with a primary affinity for the dark element, identified as the first in existence. While their beginnings remain a mystery, their activities have become widespread.¡±


    The tree''s attention turned skyward, observing a massive cloud drifting by. A vast shadow glided through the sanctuary, impeding the comforting light.


    ¡°Over the years, they have gained significant power through the exploration and honing of their element. Naturally, upon deducing the potential of the element, they turned to live experiments.¡±


    ¡°In the beginning, they would control the victims'' shadows to compel them into executing actions against their volition. Then, they opted for sapping their life force, observing how they responded to the gradual decay of their corporeal existence, writhing in excruciating pain while confined in a pitch-black room.¡±


    ¡°The Mad Sorcerer, after countless attempts and failures, unearthed a chilling truth that would leave other sorcerers aghast. Through precise and noiseless spellcasting, the Mad Sorcerer could potentially generate a zone that incapacitates mana: nullification.¡±


    Shortly thereafter, the ominous shadow dissipated, and the sun''s warm glow resumed. The scowl on Tyrus'' face deepened as his neck grew warm, replaying what he had just heard.


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    In order to not frighten him, the Elder Treant avoided bringing up additional atrocities committed by the Mad Sorcerer. He also noted that it only grazed the surface of a lot of information. When did the battle take place and who put an end to it? It would be hard to fight a person who could disrupt mana that easily. Also, the sorcerer could cause that much damage with silent casting alone? Elemental Sorcerers can be quite scary¡­


    When Tyrus was seated, on the verge of asking the pressing questions, a figure in the distance caught his eye. Following some rustling shrubbery, a treant materialized, toting a sizable carcass. Meadow was floating near the treant''s face.


    ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± she announced. She and the treant ambled towards Tyrus and deposited the creature beside him. They splayed the drake out, its eyes devoid of vitality. Meadow held a hilt in her hands and placed it on Tyrus''s lap.


    ¡°Thank you. I didn¡¯t have the chance to place the corpse and hilt in my ring because of the pain.¡± He paused for a moment, remembering the boar. ¡°On second thought, I don¡¯t think the corpse would¡¯ve fit.¡±


    Puffing out a grunt, he stood up and strode over to the drake, circling it. He examined the dull-colored scales that were covered in wounds of different sizes and even gave a gentle tap on the collar. The surface was marred with scratches and grooves, while the protruding chain appeared to be severed in two. The more he fixated on the collar, the more his stomach weighed him down.


    It was unmistakable that the drake had been imprisoned, but by whose hand? Its aggression and hatred were impossible to ignore during the battle. As soon as it saw his ears, the anger escalated. The creature targeted him first, which left Meadow alone and suggested that it had a strong dislike for him¨Cor he was just a bigger target.


    The drake''s hostility towards Tyrus allowed Meadow to save him from serious injuries frequently. If he had faced it alone, he would have surely perished. Allowing the fairy to stay with him turned out to be a smart decision.


    ¡°I think the drake was a slave,¡± Meadow spoke up. ¡°A shackle, scars all over its scales, and more aggressive than usual? No wonder it was so agitated and caused bloodshed in Wildwood.¡±


    ¡°Slave or not, it shouldn¡¯t have done so much damage,¡± Tyrus said. Despite his sympathy towards the drake, it should not justify its actions towards others or their lives. Whether the drake was smart enough to know that remained a mystery.


    Would I have been like that if Wanderer hadn¡¯t saved me?


    What could have been his future had him shuddering. Picturing himself toiling for someone else with no semblance of freedom. Bearing scars as nasty and plentiful as the drakes just for disobedience, and wearing suffocating shackles that dug into his skin.


    Tyrus resorted to deep breaths to pacify his nerves. He needed something else to think about. ¡°About helping with those goblins and lesser hounds,¡± he uttered slowly. ¡°I¡¯m fit enough to deal with them even without a blade. I am a sorcerer, after all.¡±


    In a sudden flight, Meadow settled on his shoulder. ¡°And I¡¯ll be joining you, Savior. Well, if you grant me permission. I am determined to lend a helping hand to Wildwood in every way I can.¡±


    ¡°After seeing you in action, I want to see more. Also, you don¡¯t have to ask, Meadow. You live here, but I''m a stranger.¡±


    ¡°Stranger? No, you¡¯re the Hero of Wildwood! This is practically your home now.¡±


    Tyrus''s cheeks reddened as he chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s nice to know. Elder Treant, are you fine with that?¡±


    "I do not object to your decision. Keep an open mind about what you may encounter. Although we welcome all kinds of beasts as long as they do not disturb the balance, we will not hesitate to reduce the difficulties."


    Even though Elder Treant''s tone was menacing, Tyrus maintained his composure and gave a nod. Swiveling, he complied with Meadow''s instruction as before and sprinted towards the regions with the highest concentration of creatures. He intended to ease Wildwood''s problems out of the goodness of his heart, but the primary benefit was using the slaying of goblins and lesser hounds as training. Mimicking the sensation of silent casting was essential, and the creatures would be used as targets to deepen his understanding.


    He would prioritize learning silent casting, dedicating himself to its mastery with his primary affinity. The ability to exercise full control over a spell''s strength was far more helpful than a rigid level, and saving mana would be a resourceful approach. Knowing its limitations quickly would help him identify what he could or could not do, and there were several positives he could draw from it.


    He¡¯d still further the fire element, that he did not forget. Additionally, he aimed to investigate the chance of silent casting fire and light spells. Until now, his attention should be silent casting, enhancing the might of fire, training his body, and bolstering his mana heart. Lots to do in a short amount of time¡­


    ¡°Sorcerers do spend most of their time training and studying,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Meadow asked over the rushing wind.


    ¡°Nothing. Just talking to myself.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡± She glanced to the side. ¡°By the way, have you considered getting a haircut? It looks way too uneven and wild.¡±


    Tyrus played with his limp bangs. ¡°It never really mattered to me. Occasionally, I''d trim it with whatever I could find, but lately, I''ve been forgetting.¡±


    ¡°I can help with that. I''m rather proficient at it, if I may say so myself.¡± To emphasize her point, she swung her warm brown hair around like a cord. The flower wreath clung tenaciously.


    ¡°You would? I would appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a deal then. Once we¡¯re finished, I¡¯ll provide you with the most exceptional haircut you''ll ever experience in your lifetime.¡±


    Tyrus nodded at her excitement, quickening his stride as he jogged through the forest; thoughts about the Mad Sorcerer still fresh on his mind.

 Chapter 39- Silent Casting

    It didn''t take long to reach their destination. Here, a scene of chaos unfolded before them. A company of goblins, with their gross skin and malicious grins, that were in stark contrast to the peaceful woods, engaged in a skirmish with the treants and spirits. The air was thick with tension, and the sounds of battle¡ªclangs of metal against bark, snarls, and shouts¡ªechoed through the clearing.


    Tyrus raised his hand, indicating to Meadow to come to a halt and take cover behind the thick and sturdy trunks of the trees. He analyzed the situation before them. The treants, colossal wooden creatures, bellowed furiously while thrashing their enormous limbs, hurling goblins into the air like puppets. The earth spirits weaved through the chaos, hurling rocks from a distance and trapping the unsuspecting beasts with tree roots. It was an entire battlefield, and the denizens of Wildwood were winning with little to no effort.


    "I''m now finding it hard to believe you guys struggled against the drake," Tyrus said. "The earth spirits could have done what you did earlier and threw rocks from a distance while the treants fought up close."


    Meadow frowned. "You''ve seen first-hand how sneaky and smart the drake was. You almost didn''t sense the drake until I warned you. Also, mere rocks and a treant''s bark couldn''t penetrate its scales. Your dagger snapped in half when you thrust at it."


    "Yeah, but I still feel you could have overwhelmed it in due time."


    "Savior¡­ I don''t mean to be rude, but it''s a lesser fire drake. We are terribly weak against fire and had to be careful with fighting the drake. One misstep and Wildwood wouldn''t be standing as it is now."


    Tyrus said nothing and peered at the unfolding scene. It wouldn''t be long until the treants and spirits finished the remaining goblins. As their bodies exploded from the bludgeoning, they would drop their weapons. They bore weapons akin to those of the goblin troupe in the Wasteful Wetlands. He discerned daggers, clubs, and even wooden shields. Though armed with deadly weapons, their garb was distinctively dissimilar - only soiled scraps.


    When he shifted his gaze to his right, in the distance, he spotted the lesser hounds prowling around, watching. The onyx shade of their fur clashed with the green vegetation, and their gleaming ruby eyes narrowed as they breathed in the air. Tyrus glanced at the goblins. Because of the treants¡¯ overwhelming might, most of them were fleeing in the opposite direction. They met the deserters with snarls from those who had stayed behind for various reasons. Nevertheless, when their focus was diverted, their skulls would burst.


    Tyrus winced as he advanced. "Meadow, you can join the treants and spirits. I''m thinking about grabbing one of the weapons on the ground to replace my dagger."


    "Good thinking. What are you going to do in the meantime? There are only a few goblins remaining."


    "Target practice."


    Without delay for a reply, he dashed towards the scene and arrived in less than a minute. The treants and earth spirits had successfully cleared out the remaining goblins. Separate piles of corpses littered the floor alongside the strewn armaments. As Tyrus neared, the creatures all revolved and opened up a passage for him. The earth spirits appeared much like Meadow, with floral wreaths adorning their heads. Though their faces and hairdos differed, they possessed wings of the same hue. No water spirits were among them; they were probably putting out the fires.


    The treants reverently bowed down and inclined their crowns, emitting tender wails and rustling branches. Tyrus greeted the onlookers with a wave and crouched down to examine a dagger with a few blemishes on its edge. Although it appeared flimsy, it was better than having nothing. Goblins typically steal their weapons from settlements or travelers. Without the means or know-how to create and upkeep arms, they were fortunate enough to obtain some blades.


    As a precautionary measure, he seized another one, this time with a black leather hilt and significantly fewer blemishes. He concealed the former in his ring and clung onto the latter. Ultimately, he fixed his eyes on a small, round wooden shield. Although he was initially hesitant to get it, his battle with the drake came back to him. Even if he had a shield, it may not have been completely effective against the creature''s talons and teeth, but it was a preferable option to having no protection. It wouldn''t hurt to have some form of defense.


    The shield''s exterior teetered on the brink of damaged and functionality. If Tyrus had to guess, then one good swing from a sword would break it in half. He raised his ring and assessed if it would be drawn towards the shield, shrugging as he did so. The ring gobbled it up, disappearing from sight.


    "What a wonderful find," he smiled.


    He rose and searched around. A plethora of eyes landed on him, all teeming with admiration and fascination. Few of the earth spirits exchanged whispers. The dialogues he overheard revolved mainly around his bravery, his disheveled appearance from a brutal fight, and whether he¡¯d accept a handshake. While he didn''t mind their attention, he was thankful they weren''t swarming him. Also, it felt nice to be praised for a hard day of work and his efforts.


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    Tyrus''s cheeks blushed slightly, yet he cleared his throat and rapidly departed. He revolved the dagger in his palms, familiarizing himself with the handle while surveying his surroundings. For a short while, he watched Meadow blending with the earth spirits and communicating with them. They held each other briefly, and a few wiped their misty eyes. He smiled as he turned his attention back to his goal.


    Adjacent to the woodland, on its left side, was a range of mountains and hills featuring snow-covered summits. Tyrus questioned the kinds of beasts that roamed the peaks. He had heard that dragons usually roost at places with a high altitude since they were solitary creatures. Giants and trolls also occupied the place. So many beasts lived around him, yet he had never seen them before.


    Tyrus withdrew his gaze from the mountains and turned to look elsewhere. Immediately following were vast plains dotted with occasional clusters of trees. Lakes and rivers occupied the land, and more rolling hills further downward.


    Up ahead, the lesser hounds were near the outskirts of Wildwood. Due to the swift conclusion of the goblin conflict, they were primarily idling about, resting or engaging in leisurely activities with each other. With a hushed movement, Tyrus vaulted onto a nearby tree and examined the area. In total, he tallied five, each one of them smaller than the Two-tusked boar.


    "What to do?" he said to himself.


    He had to tread carefully, as many mistakes would send them fleeing in the blink of an eye. Beasts had a natural sense for detecting lurking danger, and even the faintest sign would jolt them. A snapped branch or rustling brushes? They''re already on the other side of the forest.


    A hunter always had to be mindful of their steps to not disturb them. There was also the case of camouflaging his intentions until the last moment. The more formidable the creature, the more prone they are to bloodlust.


    Tyrus sighed and stared at his hand. To use silent casting, he needed to conjure up a mental picture of the specific type of power he wanted to unleash with his chosen element. That proved to be a trivial matter. The problem he might encounter was in precisely fine-tuning the mana within his body and establishing a stable flow before being released.


    While it was difficult when he was under extreme stress and pain against the drake, he could see it becoming difficult in later battles. There was an abundance of elements that required attention, such as monitoring the enemy or prey''s position, keeping track of the location, being aware of the mana heart, and devising strategies.


    In all his battles, knowing his incantations proved to be helpful. Silent casting provides increased flexibility in adjusting the strength and shape of spells, whereas verbal incantations simplify matters. All it took was an adequate mana heart and completing the incantation.


    Between the two options, Tyrus would rather follow the path of silent casting. It played a part in defeating the drake. He shaped the spell he desired and made adjustments in the heat of the moment. Overextending with a spell like Dual Shot would have led to negative repercussions, while Lightning Bolt wouldn''t have done anything. The advantages of the former method far outweighed those of the latter.


    "Okay, enough stalling. Let''s start¡­"


    Tyrus sealed his eyes and felt the mana stream throughout his being. It remained steady, like his pulse. At times, it would exhibit erratic movements for half a second, but it was nothing serious. He imagined a Lightning Bolt floating above his palm, but instead of the usual size, he wanted it to be the size of a marble. A brief surge of mana flowed through his hands, producing a soft popping sound and a slight sensation of warmth. At the moment he opened his eyes, a swell of levitating energy crackled.


    He gazed in awe at the spell, but its appearance soon twisted as if he were molding a piece of pliable bread. Tyrus focused on stabilizing the structure to prevent it from moving unpredictably, but it was mentally exhausting. The longer he sustained the form, the more his head pounded. Unable to bear it any longer, he hurled the orb at the closest lesser hound.


    The spell charged ahead and hit the creature on its snout. It whimpered and leaped upward while rubbing its face. Clutching his head, he watched as the hound bounded away from the pack, who watched it with tilted heads.


    "Maybe I''m still not recovered," Tyrus mumbled. Maybe the fight drained him mentally, which could have affected the spell.


    He bore the pain with a frown but did not let it deter him from his next objective: casting spells silently and using both light and fire. Was it only applicable to his primary affinity, or could he perform it for the others? He should have asked Selena if it was limited to the most in-tune element, but the question never came up. Being by himself, he had to determine without help.


    Tyrus wasted no time and duplicated the procedure, but visualized a radiant orb instead. He calmly waited for any fluctuations in his mana current, but none came to pass. When he opened his eyes, nothing appeared in his hand. He made another effort, directing his complete concentration toward the task at hand, but to no avail.


    "Not looking good so far. What about fire?"


    He repeated the method for fire, yet no result occurred. Tyrus converted to lightning and instantaneously brought forth the tattered sphere. After that, he tried for light and nothing popped up. After contemplating, it finally dawned on him what was happening.


    Because of his attunement with lightning, silent casting was much easier compared to the other elements. It was also beneficial that he invested more time into it while the others remained unimpressive. Fire continued to be as feeble as a candle while light was just recently obtained. No wonder nothing happened between the two. If he wanted to use the two elements, using incantations was necessary.


    I don''t mind it that much. Maybe I''ll be able to use silent casting for them in the future.


    It was another positive development, and he uncovered it solely through his own efforts. A feeling of triumph arose within him as he tightened his fist. Now that he had more freedom with lightning, Tyrus was itching to find out what else he could do. The only thing restricting him was his mana heart and his intelligence. Learning through trial and error was a wonderful process.


    As the monthly exam drew near, Tyrus was eager to reveal what he had learned and observe the reactions of his peers. He aimed to prove that he was serious about becoming an explorer and wouldn''t slack off, one step at a time. To prove his capability, he had to persuade them that his age was not a limiting factor. It was only a matter of time.


    But before that, he should actually start training fire by the end of the day.

 Chapter 40- Reminiscing

    Selena slouched in her chair, feeling the cushion mold to her body. The sun was slipping below the horizon in the west, and the sky was slowly transforming colors. She deduced it was about time to take a temporary pause from her responsibilities. Her gaze scanned the documents haphazardly scattered on her desk. The name of the Stonepath Orphanage flickered before her eyes, and several rows down was the name Tyrus.


    ¡°I should be able to finish in a couple of days. Stonepath is an excellent choice due to its proximity to Valier Forest and Valiedge. It''s neither too sequestered nor exclusive, and they have an open-hearted approach to accepting many orphans. Because of my acquaintance with the director, having some sort of affiliation with the boy would not appear questionable.¡±


    Everything was progressing without a hitch. The only necessary action was to speak with the director about the matter, albeit with some selective omissions. Although Greysen wasn''t prone to prattling or double-crossing, it wouldn''t hurt to be cautious. The essential concern was whether to veil the track that led to her or leave it exposed. If she were to accept Tyrus with no prior reason, it would raise suspicion. A certain connection was required between them.


    "Well, I still have a chance to reflect on it."


    Selena rose to her feet and stretched her fatigued limbs before retrieving the communication device from the cabinet. As she descended the stairs, she caught the sound of hearty laughter and animated conversation from the explorers below. No sooner had she dropped onto the first floor than a few heads shifted towards her.


    They inclined their heads, and Selena responded with a friendly smile and a wave. She ambled past the contract board and stood in front of the counter. A receptionist with a cheerful smile greeted her the moment she finished her dealings with an explorer.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Branch Leader Selena,¡± Celeste said with a curt bow. ¡°Are you perhaps heading out?¡±


    ¡°Correct. I''m headed over to Erza''s shop to see how she and Ivy are doing. It''s unfortunate that it has been broken into.¡±


    Celeste nodded. ¡°Valis has been buzzing about it; it''s quite the hot topic. Who in their right mind would dare enter a magical shop, let alone one owned by Erza? The two men stopped by Geroth were fortunate that Erza wasn''t the one to catch them. Their end would not have been¡­ pleasant.¡±


    Tapping her chin reflectively, Selena recollected all the troublesome situations Erza had been involved in. One memory resurfaced, in which she almost drowned a group of kobolds, merely because one of them grazed her cheek.


    The group found it highly entertaining, as they witnessed her losing her composure and adamantly insisting on completing the eradication contract alone. The leader, Talia, put a stop to her with a single swat when they had had enough. It was a challenging feat for her to quell her emotions, and Talia was the solitary one who could restrict her. Nevertheless, after having a child, her temper decreased.


    ¡°Watch over the guild while I¡¯m gone. Contact me through the communication orb if you need my help.¡±


    ¡°I''ve got everything handled. Wishing you well, branch leader.¡±


    The two exchanged farewells and disappeared from each other''s view. After departing the building, Selena began her leisurely saunter through the bustling capital. She seamlessly slipped through the lines of individuals, passing by the vendor booths and fountain. Smoked red bison meat and fish filled the vibrant air with a bustling energy. Although she wouldn''t say no to a helping of purple-finned snappers, there was a more pressing matter to attend to.


    After sauntering for a moment, she halted in front of a store that had experienced better days. The once gleaming windows adorned with white floating letters now lay shattered, leaving behind a colossal cavity. Glass shards littered the front, and the pristine walls had holes and gashes.


    The interior was in utter disarray, with shelves carelessly tossed and instruments scattered about with no regard for order. A few spots had a mix of spilled liquids that brought to mind a vomited rainbow. A small crowd stayed rooted upfront, daring not to approach, settling with only hushed whispers from the mess.


    Selena gently moved through the crowd and took a step inside. The moment her foot contacted the hardwood, she was alerted to a sudden surge of mana emanating from the counter. A massive orb of water raced forward, nearly splashing onto her face, but she raised her arm in defense. Flames flared to life as the sphere of water and fire made contact. A shrill hiss echoed through the room, followed by steam wafting towards the ceiling as the water disappeared.


    ¡°Hello to you too, Erza.¡±


    A woman with lustrous golden tresses and innate beauty stood behind the counter. Selena was met with a piercing gaze of oceanic blue that seemed to delve into her very being. ¡°You shitty excuse of a teacher! How dare you submit my poor Ivy to danger? I¡¯d ought to cut off your head and shove it up your¨C¡°


    ¡°Mother!¡± said a frantic voice. Behind the counter was a door that led to the storeroom. Ivy leaped out with a broom at hand, darting her gaze back and forth between the two women. ¡°Please don¡¯t be too harsh on teacher. I''m certain that she would''ve rescued me from the rock spider just in time.¡±


    Erza brushed off her daughter and strutted forward with a scowl. Her cerulean dress rippled to the side as she faced Selena. Ivy timidly glanced over the counter, observing the two women glaring at each other. Arms crossed, Erza faced Selena who rested a hand on her hip.


    ¡°Why in the blazes did you send Ivy to pick orange mushrooms near a beast¡¯s lair? Did being a branch leader cause brain damage? You''re fortunate I didn''t slap you on the cheek earlier, Selena. My daughter changed my mind in the nick of time.¡±


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    "It''s a step in the right direction," Selena said casually. ¡°Ivy wouldn¡¯t have sustained any injuries, that I¡¯m sure. By the time she was pulled, I¡¯d already arrived at the scene. A little boy rescued Ivy, so my involvement was unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that heap of shit,¡± she spat. She produced a plethora of bubbles and crafted them to take on the shape of a short spear. Following that, the water solidified, leading to a drop in temperature within the room. Icicles hung menacingly over Erza as she gave Selena a withering stare. ¡°What''s stopping me from adding more holes than you already have?¡±


    Despite Erza''s active threats of violence, Selena remained untroubled. As a matter of fact, she was inwardly beaming at the shopkeeper''s protective nature towards her daughter. A parent ought to display such vigilance towards their children. It was a refreshing experience to witness. Sadly, some children have to settle for merely wishing to be shown such a quantity of love by their parents. It''s unfortunate that she had a close relationship with one of them. If only Fiona wasn¡¯t so focused on that unreasonable father of hers¡­


    ¡°S-Stop it, mother!¡± Ivy set aside the broom and hugged her mother from behind. ¡°If you do anything to teacher, I¡¯ll ignore you for an entire week!¡±


    The little girl''s words seemed to have a persuasive effect as Erza''s eye twitched. She clucked her tongue and scattered the ice away. ¡°I¡¯m warning you now, Selena. I won''t hesitate to take you down if you pose a threat to Ivy, despite our long-standing acquaintance. Try that again and I''ll make sure you suffocate underwater.¡±


    ¡°I will keep that in mind,¡± she said. ¡°Now that it''s settled, let''s have a little chat, shall we? I''d be overjoyed to lend a hand in the cleanup, provided that''s alright with you.¡±


    Erza took a quick glance behind her and signaled towards the broom. ¡°Make yourself useful and start cleaning up the mess outside. Don¡¯t want any kids cutting themselves out there. We can chat after we¡¯re done here.¡±


    Selena was content with her instructions and picked up the broom. She also grabbed a small bin from the corner. Once the items were at her disposal, she began the clean-up, disregarding the gazes of the onlookers and pedestrians. It took little time to clear away the majority of the glass shards from the front and deposit them into the bin. After concluding the outside work, she made her way into the shop to start the cleaning of the inside.


    Ivy and Erza were diligently sorting and rearranging the shelves. The family members talked jovially, beaming with cheerfulness. Erza''s wrath dissipated as she laughed with her daughter. Selena tore her eyes away and carried on with her duties. Time had elapsed, and the moon''s glow was taking over the sun''s rule.


    The moonbeams seeped in, and the boisterous hubbub of the streets was notably hushed. As the stalls were closing down, residents were either making their way back home or venturing out to the closest tavern. The rhythmic sound of hooves from several carriages diminished in the distance.


    ¡°Alright, I think that¡¯s enough for today.¡±


    Selena raised her gaze and watched Erza wiping her forehead with a satisfied expression. Under her mother''s instructions, Ivy inspected the storeroom once more. Following the completion of her cleaning responsibilities, Selena ambled up to Erza and enveloped her shoulder with a friendly arm. Despite her scowl, the shopkeeper didn''t deter her.


    She seems to have regained her composure. Erza''s character has undergone a drastic shift over the years, becoming much more subdued. Ordinarily, she would attempt to bite off the arm of anyone who approached her too closely.


    ¡°Why did you come down?¡± Erza asked.


    Selena withdrew her arm and reclined against the wall. ¡°I''ve come to apologize for my actions. I take responsibility for letting Tyrus fight alone while your daughter was in harm''s way.¡±


    Erza''s brow creased, yet she pinched her eyes closed and released a sigh. ¡°Tyrus¡­ I heard from Ivy that a kid saved her. She''s not someone who lies, but is what she said really true? It''s difficult for me to believe that a kid barely ten defeated a weakened rock spider.¡±


    ¡°I witnessed the entire event, and he did it all by himself. I''ve seen what he can do and am thinking of recommending him for the Explorer Guild with my endorsement.¡±


    The expression on Erza''s face was one of shock. ¡°You? Making a recommendation? That¡¯s never happened before. Is he really that special?¡±


    Selena nodded affirmatively and glanced upward at the ceiling. Tyrus was an early bloomer in terms of mana awakening. Whether it was due to his lineage as a Beastfolk or a violent awakening, she remained clueless. She was conscious of the fact that hybrids could harness mana before humans, albeit the specific reason was elusive. At best, she could hazard a guess.


    His encounter with the rock spider left a profound impression on her. Owing to his solitary survival in Valier Forest and being a Beastfolk, he had an excellent physique and innate abilities. He exhibited exceptional senses, instincts, and a strong moral compass. His chief concern was to escape alongside Ivy, not to retreat alone. When backed into a corner, he fiercely fought off the beast. Tyrus showed courage and was ready to risk his life.


    Those traits weren''t the sole factor that led to her acceptance of him. From the instant their eyes met during their first encounter, she had regarded Tyrus as a carbon copy of Talia. They both had striking, ash-hued eyes and a slender, tapered nose. However, upon closer inspection, she discovered he possessed animal ears concealed under his tattered hat. He was a blend of Beastfolk and a human; doubt was already creeping in.


    She veiled her amazement with a smile and instantly resolved to probe into it. It was crucial to find out his origins, so she masked her desires with a set of inquiries. In a short time, she uncovered Tyrus did not know of his origins. Selena raised the bar by asking about his primary affinity, to which he exhibited lightning. Immediately, her expectations were dashed, and she deduced he was a mere youngster who had a similar appearance to her.


    Notwithstanding, she commanded him to retrieve Ivy in order to demonstrate his worth of receiving her aid. Fortunately, his work didn''t let her down and she accepted him into the Explorer Guild. It would be false if she claimed his looks played no role in her acceptance of him.


    ¡°Are you done staring at my ceiling or do you want to help me clean it? I don''t have an issue with unpaid labor in my business.¡±


    ¡°Do you think Talia is still alive?¡± Selena said out of the blue.


    Erza scoffed and said, "That''s a name I haven''t heard in years. Why are you bringing her up?¡±


    ¡°I was simply curious. The final time we encountered her, she told us she was on a special mission authorized by the imperial family.¡±


    Erza flicked away a strand of hair. ¡°Because of her primary affinity for dark and her duty as a royal knight. I remember it well. To say I don''t miss her would be a lie.¡±


    ¡°Does it make you wonder if she''s still out there? It''s difficult to believe Talia didn''t make it back from her mission alive. After all, she was the strongest among Nepora and a top student in the academy.¡±


    ¡°Yes, to answer your question. If it''s that woman, then there''s no doubt she''s still alive. Somewhere.¡±


    They stood there, quiet and motionless, peering out of the store as recent rays of moonlight flowed in. Selena found solace in the fact that she wasn''t the sole believer in Talia''s existence. It was highly unlikely that someone as resilient as she would succumb to death, no matter the hardship. Nevertheless, it would have been desirable to seize any hints regarding her whereabouts or status.


    A mellow buzzing noise shattered the hushed pause. Selena plunged her hand into her belt and retrieved a shimmering communication device from a pouch. Upon answering, a screen appeared, displaying a stern face that addressed her.


    ¡°Good evening... sister.¡±

 Chapter 41- Lending a Hand

    Oh, this should be interesting. What''s his motive this time?


    Selena donned a radiant, professional smile and greeted him with a wave. "Hello there, Kleine. I''m surprised to receive your call at this late hour. You missed your dear sister a lot, didn''t you?"


    Kleine''s eyes became slits as he ran his hands through his smooth, slicked-back hair. Similar to Selena, his hair was as red as roses and their eyes burned bright like a flame. It was a characteristic inherent to members of the Lockhart family whose primary affinity with fire is potent. That trait was additionally among the reasons her imprudent brother disregarded Fiona.


    Due to not possessing a primary affinity for fire like the Lockhart family, she has come under scrutiny for primarily inheriting features from her mother''s side. It was most severe among the younger faction of the family. Selena had a hunch that Fiona was encountering some difficulties at the academy, primarily caused by her cousins and siblings, but she couldn''t confirm it.


    "Selena," Kleine stated, "I am giving you advance notice that I will be traveling to Valis for important business purposes. My expected arrival time is at least a week from now."


    "Fulfilling your obligations as the family head, are you? I gather you were called upon by His Majesty to attend the Imperial Palace."


    "In the company of Family Head Crohn and Family Head Aduna. The contents of the summons are to remain confidential, pursuant to the orders of His Majesty."


    Selena laughed. "I''m not a simpleton. It unmistakably concerns the assassinations and increasing tensions. His Majesty will presumably disclose the next course of action, and I have a hunch why."


    The Crohn, Aduna, and Lockhart lineages belong to the distinguished families of the Great Lineages and are the sole ones within the Lethos Empire. It was an exceptional occurrence to convene all three family heads at the Imperial Palace. The very notion that His Majesty sought their attendance suggests they are being readied for the worst-case scenario.


    Since the remaining families of the Great Lineages originate from distant lands like the Sacred Greenland or Ethia, Lethos had to proceed with prudence. It remained unclear whether a family of the Great Lineages in the Beastfolk Kingdom would solicit aid from the others. Catastrophic events could occur in Dharmere because of the warfare between households. The balance of the land would be upset and broken like a fragile stick. Whether His Majesty pursued peace or war was determined by the resolution of mounting tensions at the border.


    "Your intuition is as astounding as ever," Kleine said with dripping sarcasm. "That is all I wish to speak with you about. Continue with business as usual, Selena."


    "Ah, hold it right there. Aren''t you forgetting something?"


    He took a brief pause. "There is nothing more to add. I have spoken my piece. I''ve conveyed to you the purpose of my trip to Valis, as mandated by my role as the family head. The remaining members were also given notice and instructed to defend Lockhart''s land. If you are mentioning how I am coping with the assassins, then you must hold a contemptuous view of me. Nothing remained but ash after I dealt with them."


    "You know perfectly that I wasn''t indicating that. Wouldn''t you like to know how Fiona is faring? Remember your daughter?"


    Kleine sighed heavily and dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Undoubtedly, she is doing well at Valis. There is no necessity to be inquisitive about her well-being. Now, if you''ll pardon me, I must attend to more pressing matters. Igneal needs to be fully trained to succeed me in the future."


    He cut off the transmission without hesitation, prompting Selena to roll her eyes. Faced with Erza''s disapproving glare, she clandestinely pocketed the tool.


    "I know I repeat this a lot, but I truly despise that worthless thing," said Erza. "He always rubbed me off the wrong way back at the academy. Each time we walked by each other in the halls, that guy would give everyone a look of superiority. Constantly sneering and preaching about the Lockhart name."


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "When you''re aware of being next in line for an influential position, the power may go to your head," Selena added.


    Erza''s jaw tightened, as if ready to unleash a barrage of curses about Kleine''s lack of attention until Ivy emerged from the storeroom, positively beaming. "Everything is in order! I reorganized the nepora extract, orange mushroom caps, siren''s tears, fairy dust, and more. Is there anything else I can do?"


    "That will be all for today," Erza smiled. "I''ll wrap things up and we can go on our way back home."


    "Okay! While you do that, I''ll go back and check one more time."


    Ivy scurried off into the storeroom, humming audibly as the door clicked shut. She had a strong enthusiasm for inspecting potion ingredients and gathering them as often as she could. Her talkative and investigative character must have arisen from her father, who operates an apothecary. She was a complete contrast to her mother in her youth.


    "Did I overstep by listening to your family''s business?" Erza questioned. "Considering how heartless he is, he would probably berate you for not informing him about the presence of others."


    "He should have asked; it''s on him," Selena said with a shrug.


    "What''s his issue with neglecting to ask about Fiona''s situation? I cannot bear the thought of not asking about my precious Ivy or worse, ignoring her, that I would rather cut out my tongue."


    Selena couldn''t help but chuckle. "Once again, your brashness is showing. You''re different, but still the same."


    "Care to say that to my face? My offer still stands."


    "It was nothing but a compliment. Being bold every now and then can be beneficial." With arms outstretched, the branch leader faced the door. "I''ll be leaving now, Erza. I must return to my duties. Once again, I apologize for my actions, and it will never happen again. You have my word."


    Erza stared in silence with an expressionless face. Selena''s fingers tapped out a steady rhythm along her arm as she waited for the shopkeeper to speak up.


    "Your apology seems sincere, so I''ll accept it. Even if Ivy forgave you, it doesn''t mean that I will. If I find out even a lock of her hair is missing, I''ll come to your office and make you suffer."


    "¡­I''ll remember that. If that is all, I''ll be off."


    Selena pivoted and strode out of the structure while Erza called out to her yet again. "Bring that Tyrus kid over some time. I''ll need to personally thank him for his actions. Not many kids would have accomplished the same thing."


    "I''ll inform Tyrus once he returns to the guild. I''m sure you''ll grow to like him once you get to know him. He may remind you of a certain individual."


    Erza wore a perplexed expression, but Selena declined to satisfy her curiosity. With a dismissive wave, Selena trudged out of the store, navigating her way back to the Explorer Guild. During the journey, she brought out the tool and rolled it across her hand, all while her mind drifted to the monthly examination.


    She was looking forward to Tyrus''s performance, expecting the boy would not let her down. Her credibility would be somewhat tarnished if someone she vouched for couldn''t pass the exam. Considering his Fledgling Sorcerer status and young age, her position may be at risk.


    Nevertheless, she remained fully assured that he would triumph over any impediment hurled his way. Selena could discern his intense determination and diligence in just a single glance in his eyes. His primary affinity and Beastfolk lineage serve to quantify his character, forming a fusion of innate aptitude and diligence that predicts great accomplishments. Yet, a bit of chance and cleverness is also a must. In the event that he chose an improper method and strayed from the right track, the things he constructed would fall apart.


    That being said, that only holds true if the foundations were fragile, to begin with. A feeble straw house would inevitably succumb to strong winds, while a sturdy stone and brick edifice would endure for years. Tyrus''s growing foundations in the world required a more durable material to endure.


    Selena figured she''d go the extra length regarding Fiona¡¯s wishes. She would extend her assistance to Tyrus in fortifying his fundamentals. What could be a more effective approach than the monthly examination? It would be his first introduction to the harsh world, and he would have to form associations with the other explorers.


    Developing hostilities at a young age would not bode well. Those with superior intelligence and strength than him would capitalize on his ignorance. Fiona and her friends may be present with him now, but it won''t be perpetual. He was in urgent need of knowing that fact, and Selena would guarantee it.


    Extending a helping hand to uplift Tyrus, she hoped he would prove to be a valuable ally not only to the guild but also to Fiona. Understanding that her niece is on a complex path, it would be advantageous to have another ally.


    As she approached the Explorer Guild establishment, a momentary idea enveloped her. Was she undertaking all of this on behalf of Fiona, or with Tyrus''s interest in mind? Perhaps his likeness to her friend contributed to it. It was uncommon to invest so much consideration in supporting a boy she had no relation to. His current offerings to the table are non-existent, but that could alter in due course.


    ¡°It makes no difference. Regardless of what I want, I''m helping him. His success or failure in the exam depends completely on him. I''m simply giving him the resources to excel and demonstrate his abilities to the other members.¡±


    Selena stowed away the orb and her introspection as she stepped into the building, exchanging pleasantries with Celeste in the course.

 Chapter 42- New Spells

    In just a few hours of training, Tyrus gained a lot of knowledge. With the help of his willing participants, the lesser hounds, he made many lightning-related discoveries. With enough magical power, he could momentarily stun his enemies. Their bodies would freeze, creating an opportunity to finish the job. He was still weak, so the time window was only one second, meaning he had to work quickly. It was only after growing tired and sick of the beasts eluding him he opted for a more proximate approach.


    By activating augmentation to provide a boost, he pounced toward one of the lesser hounds and entwined his arm around its coarse neck. While it thrashed about like a wild stallion, its companions growled and inched nearer. Considering the dogs'' tendency to be easily frightened, Tyrus emitted a few unsteady Lightning Bolt. Their purpose was not to cause significant harm to all of them.


    As he had predicted, the spell caused them to scamper away, abandoning their struggling companion with a single boy. Because of augmentation, it was a breeze to subdue a lesser hound. Although the lesser hound was twice his size, Tyrus compelled it to submit by pinning it onto its back and pressing his arm against its throat.


    It remained thrashing, making it uncomfortable to restrain. In his view, it was akin to clutching a wriggling fish out of water. Once Tyrus had reached his limit, he simply frowned and wished that it would stay still.


    It was as though Sthito had listened to his entreaties, for lightning promptly emerged from his palms and ensnared the lesser hound. Its irregular movements promptly ceased, and its physique became rigid as blue sparks continued to race around. Its eyes still moved, and a sense of dread flooded over them. One second later, the light flickered away, and the hound regained its movements slowly.


    ¡°What was that¡­?¡±


    Tyrus''s confusion allowed the beast to take advantage of his slackened grip and escape. It swiftly bolted away on all fours, following the same path as its allies. Its escape didn''t bother Tyrus, as he was too focused on what happened. When he imagined the lesser hound remaining motionless, his magic kicked in and carried out his wish. It was a much different feeling back then with the boar.


    For the boar, his magic was meant to harm it, and he managed to wound the beast severely with hot temperatures. But for the lesser hound, it was the complete opposite. The smell of burning flesh didn''t invade his nostrils, and the beast was fine. There were no marks, burns, or visible white flesh to be seen. The crucial factor was its restricted range of motion. One scenario had the intention of harm, while the other had the intention to subdue.


    ¡°That means if I want to subdue them, I just think about the intent to stun? But if that were to happen, then little to no damage would occur.¡±


    Tyrus needed more information before drawing a conclusion. A flutter caught his eye, a bird of medium size that perfectly blended with the tree bark. It was named a flutter because it flaps its wings rapidly. While it was looking around on top of a branch, Tyrus aimed his arm at the bird and thought of stunning it like last time, but with a twist. He shot forth a bolt the size of a marble. It sped forward and hit the creature square on its wing. The bird twitched and went rigid, dropping like a stone.


    Upon inspection of his work, the creature emerged unharmed. When he counted to three, the bird regained its movements and flew away safely, which was not the case before. He remained unsatisfied and then he saw a horned squirrel near a bush. Another spell was shot forth, causing its body to harden. In just five seconds, it stood up and scurried away.


    In no time, Tyrus discovered a crucial detail. Different creatures were immobilized for varying amounts of time depending on their size. Tyrus was half the size of the lesser hound, and it took three and five seconds for the remaining beasts to recover from the stun while the smaller hound took only one second. The smaller the creature, the more time it was stunned, and vice versa.


    Realizing he could use his lightning magic in a new way, he decided to name it something unforgettable, such as Lightning Bolt. Tyrus chose the name Thunder Stun because it accurately represented his ability to stun his opponents. Thunder Stun was an ideal choice as loud noises had the potential to disrupt an animal''s senses and make them tense.


    Another revelation he made was that he could manipulate the form of his element with unwavering focus, fashioning it into basic shapes such as spheres or tendrils. Given his limited control and comprehension, more intricate shapes were unfeasible. That didn''t faze him considerably as something more fascinating grabbed his attention.


    The sphere operated similarly to a Lightning Bolt or Dual Shot, therefore, he didn''t give it much heed. Regarding the others, they were the ones that stimulated his curiosity. Now that Tyrus could shoot lightning magic out of his hands with silent casting, he quickly found out what purpose tendrils served.


    In his quest for another creature to hone his skills on, he stumbled upon another horned squirrel and began his work. Lithe tendrils of power surged forth, racing across the earth like undulating snakes. The moment the tendrils contacted the creature, it ensnared its tiny limbs and neck. It put up a struggle and chattered in response to the new threat, but the tendrils remained resolute. Once he had seen enough, he lifted the spell.


    This time, he called it Lightning Snare, a spell meant to trap enemies in a vice grip. He gained inspiration from Meadow¡¯s earth magic against the drake. Locking its limbs and stopping it from attacking his throat helped him survive, and he learned about her magic from how she used it. Limiting an enemy¡¯s movements and allowing himself and others an easier chance in fights seemed like a useful benefit. Most importantly, it keeps him out of immediate danger and reduces the risks of severe injuries.


    Like his other spells, the efficiency of this one was determined by his strength. Anything less powerful than him would struggle to get away, whereas anything stronger would cut through it like stems with a knife. It was currently useless except for causing annoyance, but it would carry out its task.


    In a short time, Tyrus learned a lot and showed it with curled lips. He extended his limbs as he watched the serene moon. Dappled rays broke through the leaves as he retraced his steps to the sanctuary.


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    In the course of his journey, he made a switch to fire and ignited a flame atop his index finger, letting it persist. He had to use it repeatedly to strengthen it before he could focus on spells. Whenever he had some spare time, he would do the same thing, but he had to be cautious of his mana heart. Passing out in the middle of a forest would¡¯ve been embarrassing.


    Almost at the end of his trek, he encountered the earth spirits near the sanctuary outskirts. The fairies¡¯ hands were caked with dirt while slender humanoids called the wood nymphs each carried flowers. Bark made up their skin, while their hair amalgamated branches and leaves. They attired themselves in dresses made of leaves and other flora. When Tyrus got close, he recognized Meadow blending in with the crowd. She quickly spotted him and rushed forward, stopping a few steps away.


    ¡°Greetings, Savior. I see that you have completed your target practice.¡±


    Tyrus examined her and observed that her hands were also dirty. ¡°Did something happen? Why are your hands like that?¡±


    Over her shoulder, she took a quick peek. ¡°We are covered in dirt because we just finished the burials. As for the flowers, it is our way of paying our respects to the dead and sending them to paradise. Our bodies are almost entirely composed of mana, meaning that when a spirit dies, their body becomes one with nature.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh. I¡¯m sorry to hear that. It¡¯s really kind of you guys to go out of your way like that.¡±


    ¡°Although we find it hard to accept the death of our friends, we find comfort in the thought that they have gone to a better place.¡±


    Tyrus said nothing, only shifting his gaze back to the spirits. They wore frowns, but it didn''t create a negative mood. Typically, negative emotions are projected when people frown, but he sensed neutrality from them. They didn¡¯t see it as an entirely sad or happy event.


    Without warning, the earth spirits moved in a line away from the sanctuary. Meadow noticed and gave Tyrus a half smile. ¡°We¡¯re heading to a pond to wash up. Do you want to follow?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. You guys can go alone. I need to speak with Elder Treant about something, anyway.¡±


    Meadow shrugged. ¡°Is that so? Well, I¡¯ll be off then. When I¡¯m finished, I¡¯ll be giving you that haircut. Bye!¡±


    She waved goodbye and flew off to join the others. A couple of them waved at Tyrus, but the majority just kept moving. After the spirits vanished, Tyrus entered the sanctuary. The moon¡¯s glow was at its zenith, embracing the clearing with its gentle waves. He spotted Elder Treant in the usual place, eyes wide open as it stared at the celestial body above. Once Tyrus got close enough, the tree took notice of his arrival and greeted him.


    ¡°Good evening, Hero of Wildwood. Have you finished what you sought to do?¡±


    Tyrus put out the fire and proceeded to lie down on a nearby patch of nepora, far away from the corpse. ¡°Hello to you too. And yes, I did what I wanted to do. I learned a lot from my little journey and discovered new ways of using lightning magic. Fighting that drake really helped.¡±


    ¡°That''s a delightful thing to hear. Gleaning wisdom from past experiences shapes one''s future. The more wisdom you attain, the greater your mental and physical strength. Based on my current understanding of you, I am confident you will cherish this knowledge and strive to enhance it.¡±


    With a nod to himself, Tyrus gazed at the moon for a while before he spoke. ¡°What should I do about the drake corpse? I can¡¯t carry it inside my ring, and it¡¯ll go bad in a few days. If I were you, I wouldn¡¯t like a smelly corpse right in front of me.¡±


    Elder Treant chuckled. ¡°Abandoning it for the creatures to devour remains an option, albeit an unfavorable one for you. A drake''s body is commonly used for materials and reagents, such as crafting armor from its scales or brewing potions. Additionally, there is the matter of utilizing its flesh for culinary purposes or incorporating its heart into ceremonial practices and the like.¡±


    ¡°What about a mana core? Does it have that? I can sense some mana from the beast, but I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s something else.¡±


    ¡°A mana core? Ah, you mean the soul of a magical beast. Perhaps you''re contemplating assimilating and incorporating it into your own?¡±


    Tyrus abruptly stood up and cast a wary glance at Elder Treant. ¡°Soul? I¡¯ve been consuming souls this whole time?¡±


    ¡°In order for a creature to wield mana and control the elemental forces of the universe, they must bind a fragment of their essence to a mana core, a crystalline substance that takes shape and expands over time with sufficient contact with an element. The mana core amplifies and stabilizes the beast¡¯s elemental abilities.¡±


    ¡°Starting from that moment, they are viewed as magical beasts, more powerful than usual. Unlike a lesser hound, a drake is considered to be a magical beast. If given enough exposure and time, they can develop into a magical creature.¡±


    ¡°I absorbed a mana core from a rock spider nearby. Is there anything bad about consuming a part of a magical beast¡¯s soul?¡±


    Elder Treant deliberated on it momentarily. ¡°The key is moderation. Absorbing its mana core will enhance your abilities, but repeated consumption of soul fragments may cause alterations. A soul is a valuable entity that represents the core and uniqueness of a living organism.¡±


    ¡°If there is an overabundance of something, the body can only handle so much. By absorbing a piece of a soul, a living being''s behavior and identity can be altered. Depending on their quality and quantity, the mana cores absorbed by the consumer may impact their traits. There is the possibility of the mana core granting the consumer some of the creatures¡¯ magical abilities and other attributes. You''ll be safe from the consequences as long as you don''t absorb too many cores.¡±


    Elder Treant''s explanation ended, and Tyrus''s focus shifted to the corpse. He wanted to maintain control over his behavior and identity, with no changes being forced upon him. The idea of becoming a totally different person was intimidating. On the other hand, the positives were quite tempting. Would consuming enough drake mana cores enable him to breathe fire? And would his affinity with fire increase?


    ¡°Elder Treant, if it has a mana core, I¡¯m going to absorb it,¡± Tyrus announced.


    ¡°If that is what you wish, then so be it. I am simply giving you information about what to expect.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll keep your words in mind.¡±


    Tyrus rose to his feet and ambled over to the lifeless body sprawled before him. It was still fresh, and the body had yet to go bad. He removed two daggers from his ring and evaluated them. His old dagger shattered from careless use, so he had to consider his next move. It would be important to cut where there were fewer or no scales noticeable.


    Looking around, Tyrus quickly found what he was looking for. The joints around its elbows and knees were unprotected, alongside where its wings used to be; it was all just flesh. To conduct a trial, Tyrus probed the area without wings with his dagger, and the tip was able to penetrate through. He smoothly maneuvered the weapon with delicate force until it reached a scale.


    Using precise cuts, he severed the bond from skin to scale, listening as the dagger¡¯s blade met the beast¡¯s skin with a sinuous hiss, like the whisper of silk against glass. There, the blade found its rhythm, its progress marked by a series of soft, deliberate clicks. After a minute of concentration, with the scale becoming loose with every click, the scale finally relinquished its grip. He felt the rough item in his hands, surveying its pale red color with a smile.


    His inability to use every part of the corpse as he wanted meant he had to make do with only a few scales, some meat, and the mana core. Following that, he would ask one of the treants to transfer the body to another spot where the beasts could partake in the feast. It would make him sad, but there was nothing else to be done. Tyrus would have to shrug it off and continue on.


    ¡°Okay, time for the next one.¡±

 Chapter 43- Impure Mana Core

    Tyrus'' arms and shoulders felt heavy and weighed down as if he had been carrying a heavy load. Ten scales and droplets of blood were scattered on the ground after he finished. As he sat down and leaned back, he wiped away a bead of sweat from his forehead. His right arm quivered as he observed it with a quiet intensity.


    "Disassembling appears to come naturally to you," observed Elder Treant. "Do you engage in skinning and disassembling your own game?"


    ¡°Yeah, it wasn''t easy for me to get the hang of it. At first, I had to watch some hunters and memorize their actions. There was a lot of trial and error, resulting in spoiled meat and blood all over the place. Although I can eat raw meat, it tastes metallic, so I prefer it cooked. That led to me skinning and all that.¡±


    Tyrus meticulously recounted the ten scales and deposited them individually. The fifth one caused his finger to feel weighed down immediately. As the other scales vanished, that sensation grew at a leisurely pace. Initially, he harbored suspicions but dismissed them as mere fatigue. A long day was over, and a good night''s sleep would help.


    He scuffled his feet and positioned himself in front of the drake''s head. The feeble mana readings he had been picking up were originating directly from its head, which held nothing but a brain. The mana core must¡¯ve been hiding somewhere in there, and he¡¯d have to get it out quickly. Luckily for him, he was able to get there through the drake¡¯s eye sockets.


    The dagger stabbed into its left eyeball, piercing through tough skin and soft tissue. A visceral sound¡ªa wet, tearing noise¡ªfilled the air as the dagger¡¯s edge scraped against the eye¡¯s protective layers. The drake¡¯s body reacted, muscles twitching involuntarily. The once-fierce eye, now lifeless, stared into the abyss.


    His grip tightened as he withdrew the eye, the sensation of cold blood and gelatinous fluid staining the blade. He turned his attention to the second eye, a mixture of determination and revulsion churning within him. The process repeated¡ªanother thrust, another violent tear, another eye rendered lifeless. Finally, both eyes were in his possession. He stuffed the wet objects inside the ring with a grimace.


    Without pause, Tyrus re-entered and squatted, plunging his dagger into the socket on the left, where the flow of mana was strongest. He continued to burrow inside as the wet slapping and squelching sounds filled the surrounding air. It sounded to him like someone was eating with their mouth open and making a revolting noise. That endured for a brief period until the tip of his dagger met with something sturdy. He lifted the hilt, looking for the bottom until he felt a soft feeling. Slowly, he withdrew the dagger and the mana core from the socket.


    The mana core was way different from a rock spider. The item was double the size of a rock spider core, yet it wasn''t completely white in color as over fifty percent of it was covered in black spots resembling ink drops. There was some blood here and there, but that was expected of his surgeon-like actions. As for its strength, it was much more powerful; as expected of a cousin of the dragons.


    ¡°The mana core is about to be contaminated,¡± Elder Treant stated. ¡°The fact that a mana core holds a fraction of an animal''s soul suggests that the soul was strained. It must have experienced grueling hardships if it transferred over to the core. The black spots visible indicate impurities. Mana, like breathable and unbreathable air, follows the same principle.¡±


    Tyrus frowned. ¡°Does that mean it¡¯s too late to absorb it?¡±


    ¡°While the mana remains absorbable, one must exercise caution regarding the impurities. Ingest the untainted mana, and ensure to avoid the corrupted mana. It is up to you to select what you wish to assimilate into your body. Take heed that the more potent the mana core, the greater its resistance to absorption. Despite being fragmented, souls still carry strength. A weak soul will rescind to the powerful, but a sturdy soul won¡¯t bend the knee.¡±


    Selena never told me this. Is it because she didn¡¯t find the need to or that I¡¯ll learn on my own? Now that I think about it, she¡¯s the type to hide information and let others find out on their own. She did hide the fact there was a beast hiding nearby¡­


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    Moving on to significant issues, Tyrus confirmed Elder Treant''s explanation and held onto the core with a firm grip. Just as he had done, he imagined the thrumming power flowing into his hands. Everything was going well for him; the flow of mana coming from the core was entering him like a steady stream, and he was methodically casting away the impurities like a child refusing to eat vegetables. Since he was doing two things at once, absorbing the core took a lot longer.


    As Elder Treant noted, there was some resistance, but it only resulted in a mental tugging sensation. Gradually, the strain escalated until it felt like a barrage of punches to his skull. That feeling swiftly transmuted into something more critical, like being hammered. A groan escaped Tyrus''s mouth as he fell to his knees. Abruptly, without warning, his mind was inundated with a flurry of unfamiliar images.


    It was difficult to monitor all of them, but he jotted down the most notable ones. One of them depicted a dimly lit cellar filled with gruesome tools and restraints. Tyrus recognized whips, glowing swords, and a collar.


    Another was a region of rolling, grassy hills and distant mountains. Next to a towering hill stood a settlement of tents adorned in white and blue. Armored soldiers were stationed at the forefront, and one among them was bearing a tall flag with yellow, dual swords embroidered on blue fabric.


    The last image exhibited the fringes of a thicket, and Tyrus rapidly discerned it as Wildwood. Before he could grasp the situation, the flashing images subsided, and he was jolted back to reality. He was staring intently at the core, devoid of its white luminescence and enveloped in pitch-black impurities. Tyrus immediately clutched his pounding head and dropped it. As he shook his head, Elder Treant¡¯s deep voice alerted him.


    ¡°I see you have returned.¡±


    Tyrus whipped his head toward Elder Treant, who was staring at him with sad eyes. ¡°H-How long was I out for?¡±


    ¡°About one second, I suppose. Your distant stare signaled to me that you had entered the memories of the mana core. The drake''s reality was reflected in what you have perceived.¡±


    ¡°Really? It felt a lot longer than one second. How come this experience is different from the last? Absorbing a rock spider mana core didn¡¯t allow me to see memories.¡±


    ¡°The fragmented soul of the drake exhibited immense strength compared to the rock spiders and was in a state of active struggle. Its memories slipped through despite the struggle and were involuntarily displayed to you. The view you witnessed is what the drake observed firsthand.¡±


    If what I saw was true, then the dark cellar with all those items must¡¯ve been where it was kept. And the people I saw must be in battle against something or someone¡­The only place I know that has rising tensions are Lethos and the Beastfolk Kingdom. The blue and white tents must belong to Lethos. Was the drake part of the battle if it was there itself or was it passing by? No, that couldn¡¯t be it because it had shackles. Did it belong to the soldiers of Lethos or the Beastfolk?


    ¡°No use thinking about it,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°It has nothing to do with me. I have better things to think about.¡±


    After reducing the throbbing pain to a dull ache, Tyrus meditated and pushed away what he had seen. When he accessed his Sorcerer Plane, he saw that his third branch was halfway full. He couldn''t complain about it not being completed since the mana core was contaminated, but he did feel glum.


    For his elements, the candle-like size of fire increased slightly, and so did lightning and light. In the end, there was little progress made. Tyrus would have to keep on diligently training to see any substantial progress. He would simply need to train his mana heart in the usual fashion and trust that he stumbles upon another magical beast similar to the rock spider.


    A magical beast like the rock spider¡­


    As though a blaze had been kindled beneath him, Tyrus sprang up abruptly and exclaimed, "A magical beast like the rock spider!"


    Confusion befell the Elder Treant this time around. ¡°Pardon me? What of the rock spider?¡±


    ¡°I fought against a rock spider a while ago and earned myself a mana core. If I want to increase my mana heart quickly, then I¡¯ll have to hunt them. Improving myself as much as possible in a week would better my chances of succeeding in the monthly examination! Elder Treant, are there any places where I can go hunting for them tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about this, Savior? Rock spiders tend to aggregate in colonies of significant size. Regrettably, it is beyond your capabilities to single-handedly vanquish them all.¡±


    Tyrus shook his head. ¡°It¡¯ll be alright. My plan doesn''t involve going alone or battling an entire colony. I¡¯m not stupid enough to do such a thing.¡±


    ¡°If you''re not keen on fighting alone, then who do you plan to have as your companion?¡±


    Just as Tyrus was about to speak, he spotted a shining green light hurrying towards him. After narrowing his eyes at the tiny figure, he nodded in realization.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Elder Treant. I got the perfect person in mind.¡±

 Chapter 44- One at a Time

    Meadow squinted at the vast cave, its sides draped with cobwebs. ¡°Are you sure this is a good idea? I know we''ve discussed the plan countless times, but is it truly worth it? Returning after becoming stronger won''t cause any harm.¡±


    Together, Tyrus and Meadow faced the entrance of a cavern, their eyes fixed on an unrelenting watchfulness. Elder Treant, in a display of kindness, revealed the cave''s location to Tyrus, citing that certain spirits had sighted spiders going in and out of the structure. The tree also hinted that the place may contain more than just rock spiders, potentially even more magical creatures lurking inside.


    The prospect of encountering different creatures stirred excitement in Tyrus. He was secretly hoping he would hit a treasure trove of mana cores as he trained himself with the beasts inhabiting the place.


    ¡°Meadow, you¡¯re always welcome to leave. I don¡¯t want to force you to do something you wouldn¡¯t like.¡±


    ¡°You''re not making me do anything against my will. I accepted, aware of the dangers. I''m determined to repay the Hero of Wildwood for his efforts.¡±


    Tyrus rotated and confronted the levitating spirit. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you one more time, and this time I want you to forget about what I did for Wildwood. Will you help me out without feeling indebted or not?¡±


    Meadow¡¯s response came not in words, but in action. With a bold expression, she charged forward like an arrow from a bow, daring to explore the depths of the cave. Tyrus followed her lead with a casual shrug from behind. The mouth of the cave devoured them, enveloping them in its icy, melancholy embrace. The odor that welcomed Tyrus was clammy and musky, making him wrinkle his nose in distaste.


    Inside, the cavern stretched open, a subterranean space that could have comfortably housed twice the Valis plaza''s size. The landscape was uneven, featuring an assortment of rocky boulders and dusty nooks, which worked together to blur his view. A ledge beckoned on the left, a precarious path leading somewhere beyond. Leaping across it would necessitate a running start, Tyrus realized.


    In the cavern¡¯s heart, a small pit had been carved, its depths echoing with the rush of water that tumbled downward, disappearing into some unseen abyss. To the right, an impassable dead-end loomed, the ground littered with the remnants of those unfortunate enough to have met their end here. Among the skeletal remains were humanoid forms, both bipedal and quadrupedal. Pinching his nose, he stopped in front of the ledge where Meadow was waiting for him. Then, he uttered the incantation Illumination.


    "My vision isn''t impaired, but everything seems like a cloth folded over a lantern," she stated. But just in case, he kept the light on so that they missed nothing along the way.


    Tyrus stole a quick glimpse at the ledge behind him. An unsettling feeling encompassed his gut the longer he stared. A tingling sensation coursed through his legs as his heart thrummed faster.


    "I''ll jump over it since the other side isn''t too far," he told Meadow.


    Before she could voice her opposition, Tyrus hastily retreated, took a deep breath, and vaulted himself across the ledge. He flew a considerable distance, almost tripping on the stony surface before re-establishing his balance. He grasped his throbbing heart while glancing back, observing Meadow''s graceful glide along the ledge.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be nice to fly,¡± Tyrus mumbled.


    ¡°It is quite a pleasant feeling. The feeling of wind on my face and skin is refreshing.¡±


    Tyrus shifted his stance and cast a glance over his shoulder at the expansive pathway. Thick layers of spiderwebs covered the walls, and a few were placed on the floor. Thus far, he has not detected any living organisms or eggs.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving and avoid the webs. They¡¯re really sticky and we might get trapped in them.¡±


    Tyrus felt a rush of air as Meadow flitted by and settled delicately upon his shoulder. With the miniature companion in place, he embarked on the journey through the cavern¡¯s depths, each step accompanied by the sound of gravel and debris crunching beneath his boots. His cap was securely stowed within the confines of the ring, while his firm grip embraced the hilt of the dagger held in his dominant right hand.


    Guided by caution and a watchful instinct, Tyrus inched forward, the duo moving as one entity. Attuned to the surroundings, dim light enveloped them and heightened their senses. Shadows played tricks along the uneven walls, and every drip of water echoed like a distant whisper. Meadow¡¯s keen eyes and Tyrus¡¯s trained perception combined, scanning for signs of life or danger that might emerge from the darkness.


    The cavern was extensive, with its twisting trails, rugged crags, and overhangs. When he raised his eyes, he detected a multitude of bridges constructed from white webs. Every structure interlinked the ledges, with many of them entwined.


    ¡°How old is this place?¡± he asked Meadow.


    ¡°Hard to say,¡± she replied. ¡°I have never been here before. My guess would be around fifty years. The size of this place and the multitude of paths available suggest that a beast handled the excavation. Perhaps it was multiple cave worms that created this much space. They do love to excavate for food and shelter.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ what I¡¯m hearing is to watch out for cave worms also? Are they big and threatening?¡±


    ¡°They might be big and long, but manageable as long as you''re not taken by surprise. Underground burrowing is their main activity. In case they are hungry or disturbed, they''ll use their sharp teeth and gaping mouths to grab anything nearby. You¡¯ll know one is coming when the ground vibrates.¡±


    Tyrus momentarily glanced at the ground. His interest in the cave worms decreased upon discovering they lacked a mana core, although it would be neat to see their physical characteristics. Nonetheless, he had more crucial concerns to address, such as the rock spiders. Getting sidetracked when he and Meadow¡¯s life would be on the line would be stupid. Staying aware of your surroundings is always the best approach.


    The journey through the cavern unfolded as an eerie odyssey, shrouded in an atmosphere of unsettling mystery. Yet, aided by the radiance of Illumination, the duo¡¯s passage revealed a series of disquieting sights. As the light pierced the gloom, it unveiled a collection of unsettling scenes that sent shivers down their spines.


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    Dangling like grim ornaments from the cavern¡¯s ceiling and clinging to rocky ledges, silk cocoons adorned the shadows. The cocoons weren''t just above; they were hidden in darker corners of the room, too. From diminutive forms like Meadow to towering ones surpassing even Tyrus'' height, the sizes varied dramatically.


    As silence prevailed, the continuous rush of water broke through and cascaded against the stone walls with a steady rhythm. Moreover, the gentle sound of sediment falling from the top made a quiet percussion against the chaotic terrain underneath, resulting in a disturbing harmony in this underground world.


    They progressed deeper without encountering any rock spiders, and the natural light emanating from clusters of white crystals illuminated the area. It tempted Tyrus to flick away the spell to save his mana, but he thought it to be better to wait a little longer.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to climb a ledge to get a better view,¡± he said.


    Bending his sinewy legs, Tyrus summoned his strength and propelled himself onto a conveniently positioned ledge, his palms securing a firm grip on its jagged edge. With a controlled effort, he hoisted himself upward, the motion fluid as he regained his footing upon the ledge. Sweeping his gaze across the expanse that lay before him, he absorbed the details that lay revealed in the pallid glow.


    An alternative path beckoned to his right, a bridge crafted from intricate webs stretching toward an enigmatic structure beyond. Despite that, his concentration was seized by the end of this path, where a cocoon of dimensions similar to his own bulk clung suspended. As his eyes delved deeper, however, a disconcerting revelation dawned upon him. A large shadow stretched its limbs over the cocoon, its ominous presence casting a pall of unease.


    Suddenly, the spooky notes of chittering and unsettling scuffles shattered his astonishment. From the cave wall above, the shadow descended swiftly, driven by motives known only to the abyss. Emerging into the sphere of Illumination¡¯s reach, the truth was unveiled: a rocky exterior enshrouded the creature, its form an amalgamation of darkness and stone. Six crimson orbs gleamed with an intensity that pierced through the cavern¡¯s shadows, each eye fixated upon Tyrus with an intent that resonated deep within the bones.


    Instantly, Tyrus raised his palm and shouted Light Bolt, aiming directly at one of its exposed eyes. A brilliant light that manifested struck one of the creature''s glaring eyes and burst forth with terrifying speed. As soon as it was hit, it emitted a loud screech that had Tyrus wincing from the volume. Spewing out spittle from its mouth, it dug its elongated legs into the ground and bounded forward with fury. Tyrus spun on his heels and leaped off the ledge, retracing his steps.


    To make sure the rock spider didn''t lose interest, Tyrus quickly spun around and shot another Light Bolt every so often. That evolved into more screeching and a ramped-up pace. Confident that it wouldn''t run away, Tyrus kept running away. With each step, the sound of water roaring grew louder until he returned to the pit. He made another leap over the ledge and sprinted towards the exit, with the rock spider still on his tail.


    ¡°Meadow!¡±


    ¡°On it!¡±


    She took flight from his shoulder and quickly zoomed ahead into the open space. Tyrus exited soon after and peeked over his shoulder. Sure enough, the rock spider was there, but instead of exiting the cave, it stood at the edge, as if what stood between him and the creature was a chasm. Though it was quite surprising, Meadow and he would have to continue with their plan, anyway.


    Anticipating the rock spider''s attempt to flee, Tyrus extended both arms and employed his magical abilities to immobilize the beast. Thunder Stun was activated instantaneously, and instead of a small marble-sized burst of energy, a cannonball-sized sphere erupted from his hands. He used a significant portion of his mana heart, but he still had more reserved.


    The spell slammed into the creature''s fortified exterior, and its impact was swift. Its body contorted as its legs curled tightly, and it quickly swerved to the side. Upon impact, kicking up dust, tendrils from the surrounding soil quickly ensnared its body. Meadow was hovering nearby, sweat pouring from her face as her hands glowed.


    ¡°It¡¯s pinned down! Hurry before it escapes!¡±


    Once the words left her mouth, the spider had already regained control of its body. It emitted a spine-tingling hiss as it endeavored to gnaw at the roots while it ascended. Meanwhile, while it was in the process of doing so, Tyrus had already expected the next move. With augmentation activated and a dagger in his hand, he raced forward.


    ¡°Dual Shot!¡±


    Globes of sparking force appeared above him and zoomed towards the climbing rock spider. Sensing the impending force, it shattered its earthly restraints. In a single bound, it endeavored to vault over the two spheres but didn''t escape unharmed. The spell connected with its front limbs, shattering its defenses and rending fifty percent of its vulnerable flesh. Immediately after touchdown, it faltered again, momentarily unsteady. Tyrus took that chance to press his attack while it was distracted.


    Once again, he used another Dual Shot. His head started spinning as the power crackled forth and bombarded the beast¡¯s head. Following additional hissing and chittering, purple blood gradually seeped from its charred visage. Tyrus vaulted onto the enfeebled creature, thrusting his dagger into its exposed wound. He relentlessly stabbed it, feeling the warmth of its fluid splatter his body while the creature underneath him trembled. In the absence of any resistance from the rock spider, the body convulsed and toppled over.


    With his chest heaving, Tyrus descended from the beast and took a step back, gazing at the defeated opponent. ¡°Phew! That was a lot more difficult than I thought. I assumed it would be way easier with another person and a lot of traps¡­¡±


    He propped himself against the wall as he regulated his breathing. Meadow flew in and circled the corpse.


    ¡°To be honest, I had my doubts about your plan. Entice the creature with weak attacks, isolate it outside the cave, and restrict its movement. There was a chance for everything to go wrong in a matter of seconds, but it all worked out.¡±


    ¡°We had to make sure we lured one of them at a time,¡± Tyrus said. ¡°If there were too many of them packed together, then the plan would be ruined. If there was only one of them, the plan would continue. As long as they¡¯re separated, then there¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±


    With Dual Shot packing a lot of power, breaking through a rock spider¡¯s defense was easy as long as the spell hit its mark. Using silent casting when his control was still subpar wouldn¡¯t have done much. If the control is not excellent, the spell''s power weakens as the stream of mana scatters instead of tightening. Since a weakened spell wouldn''t penetrate its rocky exterior, he opted for incantations.


    The factor behind utilizing Light Bolt rather than Lightning Bolt or silent casting to decrease mana consumption was a matter of both quickness and strength. He aimed to hinder the creature from eluding his assaults or escaping with severe harm and rallying its allies. Achieving the perfect balance, he tried to capture its attention without causing much harm and hitting the spell.


    Taking one last glance around, Tyrus assumed a meditative posture. ¡°Meadow, can you monitor the area while I meditate? I need to replenish my mana heart. After that, we can continue.¡±


    Her salute to him was quick. ¡°On it! I¡¯ll tap you lightly on the cheek if there¡¯s a disturbance.¡±


    With a reliable watcher keeping an eye on him, Tyrus''s shoulders relaxed as he began his meditation. For how long he¡¯d continue fighting against the rock spiders, he had little idea. Though his and Meadow¡¯s safety was one of their top priorities, so was gaining strength as quickly as possible.


    If circumstances were favorable and depending on the nest''s size, collecting all of their mana cores didn''t appear to be an unattainable goal. Although there was much to gain in his endeavor, he had to be careful. They had barely explored the nest, despite the danger to their lives. What other creatures could have been hiding in the cavern, aside from cave worms and rock spiders? Tyrus was adamant about not letting carelessness result in the deaths of himself and Meadow.

 Chapter 45- Spider Hunt

    The aftermath of his first rock spider hunt unfolded swiftly. Ignoring the sun''s glare on his neck during the meditation, Tyrus was able to replenish most of his mana. After leaving the Sorcerer Plane, Meadow had apprised him of the surge in rock spiders that were wandering around when she went back to the cavern to inspect things. The shrill cries of the defeated one must have alerted them. Apart from that, nothing out of the ordinary occurred during his meditation.


    Immediately, Tyrus began working on the corpse. Chipping away at the rock spider''s body was an easy task since its armor was inferior to scales. And with Tyrus being able to sense mana, locating the mana core was easy. The head was where the flow of mana was most powerful, similar to the location of the drake. Although there was a similar pattern, it was still too early to draw a conclusion.


    Despite the arduous work with a chipped dagger and Meadow''s constant gagging near his ear, Tyrus quickly found the mana core by cutting through flesh and blood. He made a face of disgust and retrieved a tiny crystal by using the tip of the blade, then placed the mana core onto his stained hands.


    The core''s size, as predicted, was notably smaller than the drakes and roughly on par with the last rock spider. No impurities stained the pristine crystal, which shimmered with a white brightness fueled by a soft hum. Wasting no time, Tyrus went to work and absorbed the power through his hands. His chest constricted briefly, and he felt his power growing at a snail¡¯s pace. Once the color faded to a dull gray, Tyrus tossed the item aside.


    ¡°That was the most disgusting process I have ever witnessed,¡± Meadow said with a scowl.


    Tyrus snorted. ¡°You¡¯ll have to get used to it, sadly. It¡¯s gruesome, but I see no other way in extracting the cores¡­ unless you know of one.¡±


    ¡°If I knew one, I would have informed you about one long ago. Just thinking about staining my pretty hands with that horrendous liquid has me feeling queasy!¡±


    While Meadow was hugging her stomach, Tyrus entered the Sorcerer Plane just to be sure. Pinpointing his sights on the third branch, the progress barely moved from its halfway point. That was to be expected since the mana core was small to begin with. He¡¯d just have to find more and absorb them.


    To fill up the third branch, just how much would he need? His first core of the day had barely made a dent, and with how long it took to kill one rock spider and refill his mana, taking on a few more now would take him until the moon had risen. A full day out of his week had already gone by, and while he learned a lot, filling up his third branch would be nice. Just how was he going to accomplish that?


    Tyrus released a heavy sigh and turned to Meadow. ¡°You said the rock spiders are wandering the cavern now, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They aren¡¯t at the entrance just yet. I¡¯ve seen them near the place where we first encountered the one here.¡±


    Tyrus nodded and glanced at the carcass. Luring them one by one had just gotten a lot more difficult if they were swarming the cavern, but that was to be expected. When one of your own brethren is making quite the racket and just outright disappears, the others would be curious about its whereabouts.


    Fighting them all at once was a death wish as they had the numbers and strength advantage. There was also the case of their webs. The moment his arms and legs were bound, he was as good as dead.


    To combat a group, only one idea came to mind, and that was isolation. He and Meadow would have to isolate one from the main group and lure them away somehow without alerting the others. For that to happen, he had to find a good enough bait that would catch its attention. It was similar to fishing, except it was done on land and with giant spiders instead of fish.


    ¡°Meadow, do you have any idea on how to lure a rock spider without grabbing the other¡¯s attention?¡±


    The fairy crossed her arms and pondered. ¡°For that to happen, you would need something to attract it, but it has to be subtle. Subtle enough that it can catch the attention of one rock spider and not alert the others. Magical beasts are drawn toward mana like flies near a dead animal.¡±


    Tyrus tapped his chin, staring at his hands. He remembered a passing conversation with the armless treant; the more mana that circulates, the more habitable and appealing the environment will be to beasts. Following that logic, the rock spiders making their nest in the cave would mean they habituated a place that appealed to them, and that may have been mana. But he didn¡¯t really feel any power emanating from the cave like how a mana core would. What was the deal with that?


    ¡°Anyway¡­ If magical beasts are attracted to mana, using my lightning will work, right?¡±


    Meadow nodded. ¡°You¡¯ll have to be careful of the output. If you expel too much mana, you¡¯ll stand out, so you have to minimize as much as you can while also grabbing one¡¯s attention.¡±


    ¡­That means I need a lot of control for that to happen. It shouldn¡¯t be difficult since I¡¯m not actively using spells.


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    "If that''s all, let''s get a move on. Are you able to keep on going, Meadow?¡±


    ¡°I can call upon roots a few times more before running out of mana and needing to recharge. Other than that, I¡¯m ready when you are.¡±


    After inspecting his weapons and body one more time, Tyrus gave her the thumbs up and stepped forward, returning to the cavern.


    ****


    Having gone back and found the way to the cavern, Tyrus let out a small gasp at what he saw before him. True to Meadow''s description, the area was teeming with rock spiders, nearly indistinguishable from one another except for a single vital distinction. The formation of their rocky armor looked random as if someone grabbed a sack full of rocks and tossed them around each time for different results. Each one of them towered at the same stature and was equally intimidating up close. Hunting them one by one was truly a smart decision.


    The crawling or stationary rock spiders contaminated the cavern. Some would exude webs from their abdomen, further adding to the disarray of the already plagued cave. Just watching them from afar was nerve-wracking. Tyrus felt as if millions of ants were crawling all over his skin.


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to have second thoughts about this,¡± he murmured.


    Meadow peeked over his shoulder. ¡°It is as you say, as long as we are careful, the plan will be successful. If you get nervous now, there¡¯s a higher chance of failure.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. I can¡¯t get nervous, or a lot of mistakes will appear.¡±


    ¡°If you need me to wake you up, I¡¯ll happily oblige. A slap or two on the cheek should help if you permit me to do so.¡±


    Looking away, a quick scan revealed their tight position. They were hiding behind a pillar, out of view of the rock spiders, and near the entrance. Using Illumination or any spells for light was out of the question, so they had to make do with their own eyes. With how many dark corners and pathways there were, they had to be careful of where they walked, especially with the spider webs littering the ground. They had to take things slowly.


    Taking a deep breath, Tyrus psyched himself up and was about to turn the corner until Meadow hissed at him.


    ¡°Savior, wait!¡±


    He slinked back and crouched. ¡°Is something the matter?¡±


    ¡°My apologies, but I forgot one crucial detail. Since magical beasts are attracted to mana, I¡¯m afraid my presence would alert them. Spirits are practically made of mana because of our tight affinity with the elements and the world. I might as well be a small beacon of light in this cavern. I¡¯ll be waiting at the entrance.¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, Meadow leaped off and fluttered away, leaving behind a trail of light. Tyrus was left dumbfounded as she vanished from sight.


    I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t think of that! If she didn''t say anything at the last second, things could have gone bad.


    After mentally berating himself for his ignorance, his focus shifted back to the matter at hand. He left his cover and crept through the cavern slowly. Without Meadow watching his back, he had to proceed slowly.


    Looking for an isolated rock spider proved to be difficult. Many of them were a stone''s throw away from each other, congregating like rats in a sewer. Tyrus had to hide behind cover every few seconds just to not get spotted. Once the coast was clear, he¡¯d continue his search for a stranded rock spider.


    As his search went on, he began thinking to himself that what he was doing may have been dumb. He wasted a lot of time that could have been spent doing other things, like meditation or training his element. Though hunting beasts would result in those things, the concern is not utilizing his time efficiently.


    Absorbing a mana core proved to fill the branches in his Sorcerer Plane quickly, but actively slinging magic and refining his spellcasting and control was invaluable. At the same time, his fighting skills were sharpening, and his body was getting some much needed exercise. Hunting beasts had more benefits, but it was the most perilous method. Yet even through all that, he persisted. As Wanderer had mentioned before; struggle for a better life. So far, he was doing a good job.


    After a period of time, Tyrus''s luck finally improved. Concealed in a hole that was equal to his size, he eventually stumbled upon a solitary spider situated placidly on a cliff. There was enough distance for his magic to only attract the beast, and he could safely lure it away without running into another. Not only that, but its rock body had noticeably thinner areas than the others. Breaking through its armor should prove to be an easier feat.


    Tyrus looked around last one time before raising one of his arms. A slight charge of power flickered on his palm, summoned by the power of his mind. It possessed a few particles of mana, and only a beast with a keen sense would know its presence from afar. Tyus figured if none of the spiders sniffed Meadow out even when she was close, then their sensitivity to mana was lackluster.


    Gotta think of this like I¡¯m fishing near a lake, he thought. Just as people hunt in woods and forests, many people fish with equal or greater enthusiasm. A memory of men clad only in trousers, fishing near vast water bodies with intense concentration entered his mind. They would sling their wooden rods with sturdy strings attached at the end and wait patiently for fish to bite. It was a mundane and boring experience to watch, so Tyrus didn¡¯t enjoy sticking around and finding out whether they had caught something.


    But that was all he needed.


    Tyrus pictured a sole, gaunt tendril growing out of his hands. Hastily, he slapped his palm onto the ground and desired the ability to swiftly sprint along the earth. The emanating arcs of power obediently followed his hand''s command, gracefully dancing across the rocky terrain and at the unsuspecting creature. Upon the tendril''s close approach, the rock spider promptly redirected its focus toward the origin, intrigued by the sudden manifestation of mana. Instead of locating Tyrus there, there was nothing to be found. He had already departed from the area.


    Skillfully weaving through the natural cover, Tyrus made his way toward the entrance, creating a mana trail that was only faintly pulsating with energy. The twisting tendril played the role of the fishing gear, and his mana was the attractive bait. His idea was good in theory, but it all depended on no other spider discovering it. If they did, another beast would follow the bait, and he¡¯d have to face more than one.


    To his amazement, he succeeded in his plans. Upon emerging from the cavern with a chest that throbbed, the rock spider halted just before exiting. Tyrus pivoted to face the beast, but Meadow was already channeling her earth magic. Following her lead, he used his own entrapment and executed the required steps to immobilize it. From there on, it was only a matter of extermination.


    They managed to hunt the beast in less time than the last.

 Chapter 46- Pressing Questions

    A stark twilight enveloped the forest as dragging feet traveled its bare soil. Tyrus wanted to rest on a cozy bed with a cushiony pillow, given that his arms felt akin to the body of a slimy creature. He desired to enfold himself in cozy covers and slumber till daybreak. Now holed up in Wildwood, he couldn''t enjoy such a delightful thing, even if it was offered to him with open arms. It was his own desire for strength that led him here, anyway.


    Meadow regarded Tyrus with a mournful expression. His stare was emotionless, and his face seemed a tad ashen. He ambled with a noticeable limp and stared straight ahead while passing by swarming flies and preoccupied spirits. The duo had recently departed from a brook to cleanse their exhausted bodies and belongings. Following their departure, it was effortless to dry themselves using a campfire that Tyrus constructed. The tough part was arriving at the sanctuary without passing out from sheer exhaustion.


    "Come on, you''re almost there! Can''t you feel the rich mana rejuvenating your body?"


    By virtue of being an Augmentation Sorcerer, he had the capability of employing his own mana to regenerate his exhausted body to a certain degree. In line with Meadow''s comment, he noticed a sense of weightlessness and a decrease in his bodily discomfort. Who knew hunting rock spiders and disassembling them for their cores could be this tiring? All he could do was trust that the process would be more streamlined when tomorrow arrived.


    "Oh man, the aches are going to be the worst tomorrow," he muttered. Earlier, Tyrus attempted to apply Healing Touch to ease the suffering, yet it proved to be ineffective. The pain in his limbs persisted, and his fatigue remained just as exhausting.


    At that point, it became apparent that Healing Touch was intended for a singular purpose: superficial injuries. It was futile for his arm in the past and it was meaningless for the present. Discovering an incantation more potent than Healing Touch would be a challenge. Presently, he will have to clench his teeth and deal with it.


    In the absence of pain, your body won''t adapt and grow.


    Tyrus stopped dead in his tracks. "Where¡­ have I heard that phrase? I''ve never said that before¡­"


    Shortly after, he resumed walking with a throbbing head. It was a sensation he had encountered previously, one that arose after he had woken up with the memory of that person in the meadow.


    By then, Tyrus had already settled on the conviction that these memories of unknown things had to be genuinely true. They were experiences he had undergone, but cannot recollect. The perplexing aspect was the reason behind their sudden return to him. Being a sorcerer has exposed him to many experiences in a brief period, and he has been learning as he goes.


    He drew two deductions: either his brain had suffered damage resulting in memory loss, or some external factor was impeding his recollection. For a long time, he thought it was peculiar that he couldn''t remember what he had been doing before he was on his own. It was like a massive lock had been placed on a section of his brain, leaving him with no idea how to recover his memories. Without help, it''s impossible for babies and children to survive on their own.


    Judging by what he saw, a mysterious figure took care of him. A person with calloused hands and battle-worn armor that suggests they were a warrior, yet a gentle and charming voice that contradicts that persona. They not only had familiarity but also an energy that his body couldn''t ignore. With just one touch, he knew he was secure in their presence, and losing them would devastate him.


    One of the most shocking revelations was that they informed him to keep on practicing Beast Transformation. It was a form he didn''t really like using, as he saw it as something to avoid unless it was really needed in certain situations. Instead of training the form as the figure had asked, his sole attention was on his status as a sorcerer. Shocking of all was that they said that mastering the form would mean he reached the pinnacle of power a hybrid could attain.


    As of now, he''s able to grow fangs, claws, and a bodily boost. Despite everything, has he still not mastered it? Unless this was all he could achieve, he didn''t feel like he had reached the pinnacle of power. The form proved to be ineffective in stopping the kidnapping carried out by the two men. What''s the use of training if that was the best he could do with that form? Even then, what else was there to do? Was there another level he was unaware of?


    Aside from Beast Transformation, the figure''s identity was a mystery. The only lead he has is that Wanderer could have been the one taking care of him. Both of them looked powerful, yet their identities remain mysterious. Wanderer couldn''t disclose their identity because of special reasons, and the other revealed little information. There was also the case of stew. They were way too similar.


    Why else would Wanderer go through all that to help him? Although they were strangers, Wanderer still risked themselves for him and helped him become a sorcerer. Strangers typically wouldn''t do that for one another unless they were friendly or had a connection. Tyrus was 70% sure they were the same person. If Wanderer was truly his caretaker, then why did they hide their identity and pretend to have just met?


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    "Maybe I''ll know more if I ask Elder Treant some questions," he said to himself. "It''s about time I ask him about the Tiger Tribe. The answers may lie somewhere there."


    Meadow and Tyrus arrived at the sanctuary in short order. Once there, he saw Elder Treant engaging in dialogue with a familiar treant who was on their knees. As they approached, both trees stopped their conversation and turned.


    "You''ve arrived," Elder Treant said. "I take it things went well on your hunt?"


    Tyrus acknowledged with a nod as he came to a stop near the treant, peering intently at it. "Are you the armless treant? You look¡­ refreshed."


    The treant looked far more hale and hearty than he recalled. Leaves were beginning to crowd around its branches, and its bark had a healthier look to them. As for its missing arm, there were signs of it regenerating. It had grown considerably larger than earlier.


    "Greetings, Hero of Wildwood. I am gratified that I am still in your memory. My regeneration is in its final stages, and shortly I''ll be entirely recovered."


    "That''s nice to hear. Once again, I''m sorry about your arm."


    "Your pity is misplaced, Hero of Wildwood. Now if you''ll pardon me, I must resume my duty."


    The treant rattled its branches toward Elder Treant and stood up from its place. Afterward, it commenced lumbering away, its boisterous footsteps reverberating across the ground until it disappeared from view. Tyrus discovered a grassy area and took a seat, facing Elder Treant, once it had vanished. The individual gazed at him inquisitively, on the verge of speaking, until Meadow suddenly appeared holding a green, uncurved leaf.


    "Did you forget about the haircut?" she asked, moving closer. "Now that our hunt is over, I should be able to do it."


    "You can, unless Elder Treant isn''t busy. Are you busy?"


    There was a chuckle from the Elder Treant. "I suppose you have something important to discuss with me. As an old tree, my only purpose is to keep the Wildwood sanctuary safe. Conversing with you to pass the time would be much appreciated."


    "You heard him, Meadow. Also, are you going to cut my hair with a¡­ leaf? Is that thing even sharp enough?"


    "Of course! The edge is almost as sharp as your dagger. ''Nature''s blade'' is a common name for it because of its sharpness. Step foot into a group of them and you can kiss your foot goodbye."


    "Are you sure that''s safe? What if you¡­ you know?" He made a slicing motion across his neck.


    Meadow''s shoulders hunched as she stared at the soil. Tyrus gave the leaf one last fleeting glance before letting out a sigh.


    "If you''ve been using it for a while, then you know what you''re doing. I trust you won''t nick me and have me bleed out."


    Her facial expression changed into a delighted one as she darted forward. "You can count on me, Savior. I didn''t lie when I said I''d give you the best haircut around. I''ll be careful around your ears."


    Without any delay, she promptly began her work. Strands of his raven hair were whisked away like hay caught in a gust. So far, he felt no discomfort or any leaking liquids on his skin, which was already promising. He might as well talk during his haircut.


    "Elder Treant, I think it''s about time I ask you about the Tiger Tribe. Can you tell me about them?"


    A strange gleam passed through Elder Treant''s eyes. "It would be my pleasure. First off, I would provide a bit of context about the Beastfolk Kingdom before I delve into the Tiger Tribe."


    "The kingdom boasts a diverse topography of jagged rocky terrain and vast fields teeming with vitality. Tranquil and limpid lakes mirror the vivid hues of the adjacent wildflowers, whilst concealed grottoes and subterranean streams conceal secrets. It is a bountiful terrain brimming with nutritious and prized harvests that are favored and exported globally."


    "The Beastfolk Kingdom is located in the eastern region and shares borders with several nations, including the Lethos Empire, Ethia, and Askalid. There are copious Beastfolk dwelling there, partitioned into tribes based on their likeness. Three examples of them are the Tiger Tribe, Wolf Tribe, and Snake Tribe. Every tribe has a chief who oversees the tribe and represents their culture and principles."


    "Ruling above all is a time-honored clan that has existed since a bygone era, affiliated with the Tiger Tribe and held in high esteem as one of the Great Lineages. Interestingly, they lack a surname like their peers and other nobles."


    Tyrus blinked sluggishly as the surge of information permeated his mind. The nations he had a vague familiarity with, owing to Selena''s interrogation, yet he was stunned to learn that there were likely many more clans than those identified by the three Elder Treant. His unfamiliarity lay with the Great Lineages.


    Selena merely implied that Tyrus could be an assassin hired to eliminate them, leaving him uncertain about their identities. Their title alone suggested their importance, and they were listed alongside the imperial family. In addition, a family from the Great Lineages belongs to the Tiger Tribe and governs over the remaining tribes in the Beastfolk Kingdom. Does that imply that the Great Lineages are individuals who possess significant authority, like the imperial family, and possess comparable power?


    "What are the Great Lineages exactly?" Tyrus asked.


    "They are ancient bloodlines that carry the blood of notorious sorcerers known throughout history. Those affiliated with these lineages bear a potency beyond the ordinary, viewed as inherent gifts amongst sorcerers at large. Each family is unique from one another, as they each excel in one element that dwarfs others."


    "For instance, the ruling family in the Beastfolk Kingdom exhibits a primary affinity with an element that falls under the common one, fire. Ice magic falls under the shade of water magic, so understanding the latter enables one to wield the former. However, if your primary affinity is a subcategory of a common element, there is no requirement for rigorous training to use that element."


    Tyrus furrowed his brow in response to Elder Treant. "So? What are you trying to get at here? All this talk about subcategories and elements and I don''t get the point you''re trying to make."


    The ancient tree fell silent as it watched Tyrus with impassive eyes. The occasional whisper of leaves and Meadow''s grunting would momentarily break the silence. Tyrus was on the brink of speaking until the tree interjected.


    "The primary affinity of the dominant family in the Beastfolk Kingdom, a faction of the Tiger Tribe, is dominantly lightning. With that in mind, I ask you: Has the family forsaken you? Or have you fled from the kingdom?"

 Chapter 47- Answers Revealed

    It was as if a rampaging red bison had rammed into Tyrus, chewed him up, and spat him out. A wave of pure disbelief crashed over him, causing his mouth to gape and flap like a fish. Initially, he suspected that Elder Treant was playing a trick on him or testing him with lies. Something became clear to Tyrus as he continued to stare into the old tree''s eyes.


    Elder Treant wasn¡¯t lying in the slightest.


    That can¡¯t be right, Tyrus thought. He was a member of a distinguished family in the Beastfolk Kingdom that possessed a primary affinity for lightning? So many holes in the reasoning made it sound unbelievable.


    How could Elder Treant be certain about Tyrus''s relation to them? Just because he shares similarities with the Tiger Tribe in terms of appearance and affinity, it doesn''t mean he''s part of a prestigious family like the Great Lineages. As far as he knew, obtaining the lightning element was a fortunate coincidence. Who said that being part of the Tiger Tribe and having a primary affinity for lightning was exclusive to them?


    Playing along with Elder Treant''s assumption wouldn''t help him understand why he was abandoned. That would mean he was loathed and dismissed. It didn''t explain why the person in his dreams stated Tyrus wished to meet the King of Beastfolk. He struggled to believe that he actually wanted to see the person who left him for being weak. Then again, he didn¡¯t know what he was like beforehand, so it might be true.


    Alas, as Tyrus sat there lost in thought, a passing idea entered his mind. Technically, he wasn¡¯t a Beastfolk, but a Demi-human because of his hybrid status, but he¡¯s referred to as a Beastfolk, regardless. Although the situation was unexpected, he was determined to get answers. In order to confirm something, asking another family-related question was necessary.


    ¡°As you know,¡± he began, ¡°I¡¯m not fully Beastfolk because of my human side. Because of that, I want to know if they¡¯re a family just like me or¡­¡±


    Elder Treant went silent once again; a slew of emotions passed through its blue eyes. ¡°Do you recall what I said when we first met? About how it¡¯s been a long time since a black tiger entered the Wildwood sanctuary?¡±


    Tyrus hesitated for a moment. ¡°Yes¡­ I remember. Are you saying the family are black tigers?¡±


    ¡°To be precise, they are a pure-blooded family of black tigers. Regarding my knowledge of this matter, a black tiger family member divulged the information to me in person. Throughout their visit, I attentively listened to their words. My perception of detecting insincerity is keen, and the person spoke only the truth. Owing to that, it was a shock to come across someone of your prestige in Wildwood.¡±


    Tyrus shivered as a cool breeze tickled the back of his neck while he examined the ground. The more Elder Treant explained, the more he found the situation believable. If they¡¯re a family of black tigers with the same primary affinity as Tyrus, then it would make sense to be a part of them. However, if he was involved with a family with that much status, then why was he in Lethos? Was he really forsaken?


    Reflecting on it, there might have been a few things that could be linked. Selena called him a special cub when he showed her his ears, which may indicate she knew his identity or something else. In one of his dreams, he was being carried while wrapped in thick blankets as a toddler. Their neck didn''t resemble that of a Beastfolk, even though fog concealed their face. In the following dream, the person he was with seemed human as well, although it was difficult to discern beneath the armor.


    ¡°If I may speak my mind, I have a feeling as to why the family has ''neglected'' you. It may be because of your Demi-human status. They banished you from the kingdom because of your mixed blood. Harboring a Demi-human in a prestigious family was likely an unfavorable circumstance.¡±


    ¡°A prominent rule of law in the kingdom is that the mighty are favored over the weak. Your human side might be a hindrance for you to be a member of that family. The laws of the wilderness are deeply intertwined with the customs of the Beastfolk Kingdom, yet more structured.¡±


    ¡­The more I hear about the kingdom, the more it makes sense, Tyrus thought. Weak individuals were not worth the king''s attention, only the strong. A custom that closely mimics how animals behave in the wild where only the predators are feared and the weak scurry away. And Tyrus¡¯s situation was a product of those customs, all because he was a Demi-human.


    "So, I''m the son of the King of Beastfolk?" he asked quietly.


    ¡°While it''s possible, the probability of you being someone else''s child is higher. You''ll be related, but you could be the offspring of his siblings or even their offspring. It is hard to say. Has your mother not told you anything about your roots?¡±


    Tyrus''s ears sagged. ¡°Never met her or my father. I lived alone in hiding for a while because I always felt like my life was in danger; and because I¡¯m poor at the moment. My small size and Beastfolk heritage make me a more noticeable target. Aside from that, someone took care of me when I was a baby, but I don¡¯t know who exactly it was or if they¡¯re real. If they are real, then that person may have been my parent, or someone closer.¡±


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    There was a high chance Wanderer was that same person given the clues, but he wouldn¡¯t get his hopes up. Deep inside, he found it unfair that he was born in an unpleasant situation. The more he reflected on it, the more vexed he became.


    What kind of heartless person throws away their own kid because of their blood? It was quite stupid unless he was missing a key detail. But the real question is, why did it happen to him? Life was really cruel in handing such a bizarre situation to him. Though he wouldn¡¯t wish it upon others, he still felt like he drew the short end of the stick.


    Wanderer''s bestowed words to Tyrus were still ablaze in his mind. Fated to live a hard life because of the gods was what Wanderer said, but it wasn¡¯t the gods that did so but the black tigers. They disliked him because they were under the assumption he was weak because of his human blood. Although he was just a baby, they still went ahead with it. It all stemmed from because he was weak.


    ¡°The King of Beastfolk treats hybrids with the same disregard as we treat ants for being inferior,¡± Tyrus said slowly.


    That was what the person in his dreams said to him back then. It was all coming together like a singular key, finally finding the correct lock. His strength was the primary reason he was in this mess. Changing the view of others was the task of a person who was seen as inferior. They had to work hard to earn the respect they deserved, relying solely on their own abilities. Proving the king wrong about hybrids being inferior would also prove him and the family wrong if he were strong enough to do so.


    Strength really dictates his path, Tyrus mused. With so much information presented to him, he couldn¡¯t help but feel like everything being said was truthful. Believing most of it, even without solid evidence, wouldn''t cause harm. If everything was determined to be untrue, then let it be. It would sting a bit, but there was nothing else he could do. He¡¯d just have to continue climbing the ranks of power and fame so that no one would call him weak or walk all over him.


    Also, it would be humorous if he disproved a family similar to the imperial family of Lethos. The boy who was discarded for his blood became one of the most powerful people in the world and returned to taunt them. What would their expressions be like? Anger? Confusion? Or even admiration? Meeting a family member or traveling to the Beastfolk Kingdom is the only way he would know.


    ¡°Elder Treant, how strong was the black tiger before me? I want to know how far apart we are in terms of strength.¡±


    ¡°I require a moment to deliberate. It has been many years since we met. Comparing the amount of mana swirling in your body to his¡­¡± Elder Treant gave it thought for three long seconds. ¡°To put it plainly, you are a small seedling compared to a mighty tree. You have much work to do if you wish to reach their strength.¡±


    Instead of feeling even more dejected, Tyrus only smiled. It was an answer he expected and didn¡¯t have a problem with. He already knew he was weak, to begin with. Training his body and mana would only shorten the gap, he¡¯d just need time. As long as he didn¡¯t slack off, he¡¯d make it there.


    Once I¡¯m strong enough, I¡¯ll show those black tigers they made a mistake. Meeting with the King of Beastfolk? Sure, why not? It won¡¯t be now, but I¡¯m definitely giving him a piece of my mind for making me live like this. If the mighty are favored over the weak, then so be it. I¡¯ll force that darn family to see me as part of the mighty.


    Tyrus stood up abruptly, fist clenched tightly to his heart. Alongside his goal of gaining strength and money for a life of luxury, another was made. Depending on how things played out, it would take time to achieve the goal. He would train himself to become stronger than them. If the system was like the wild, those who were weaker feared or respected the stronger ones. He¡¯d be the one to stand above them all.


    There was also the choice of ignoring them completely, but he felt as though that was almost impossible. As much as he didn¡¯t want to admit it, but they would always be on his mind. The family that wronged him were all living well, while he was the opposite. Besides, if he were to suddenly show up in their lives as a better version of himself, it would be immensely satisfying to observe their reactions. A hybrid which they deemed weak was way better than they were and came for payback.


    Engrossed in his thoughts, a smile playing on his lips, he remained unaware of the angry fairy buzzing in his vicinity.


    ¡°Tyrus!¡± she said into his ear. The boy''s face fell as he idly played with his ear. Calling him by his own name instead of Savior? Though he gave up on correcting them, it was quite surprising.


    ¡°Sorry, I was thinking about something. Did I ruin my haircut?¡±


    ¡°Thankfully, no; I finished just before you stood up. While you were snickering to yourself, I tried to get your attention, but you ignored me, so I had to shout out your name. I''m sorry for what I did and it won''t happen again.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± he said while feeling his new haircut. Meadow trimmed his bangs straight above his brows and his locks fell short of his shoulders, grazing his human ears instead. Washing and drying it would be less annoying from now on.


    ¡°If I kept thinking about them, I would¡¯ve gone crazy. A lot of information was slammed into me, and I now know I have people related to me out there. They¡¯re over at the Beastfolk Kingdom, living well while I¡¯m here on my own. It¡¯s a bit frustrating, but I can¡¯t do anything about it now.¡±


    Meadow puffed out her chest and pouted. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been listening and keeping quiet about your whole situation. How dare those Beastfolk treat the Hero of Wildwood like this? You aren¡¯t weak in the slightest! Taking on a drake all on your own at your age is no laughing matter. Those fools made a mistake and underestimated you before you could even walk! Don¡¯t let them get under your skin.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the kind words, but I won¡¯t let it get to me now. There are more important things to worry about. Improving my magic and body is a must, and now I have to think about Beast Transformation as well. I think there¡¯s more to it than I previously thought.¡±


    ¡°Beast Transformation?¡± Elder Treant inquired. ¡°If I may ask, what stage are you in terms of the transformation? Partial or full body?¡±


    Tyrus whipped his head toward Elder Treant. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°There are two stages of Beast Transformation for a Demi-human: partial and full body. Partial transformation is the ability to change specific body parts, while full body transformation involves changing into a beast. It is a challenging and intricate process to enhance the form. Full body results from acknowledging and accepting oneself fully.¡±


    Overcome with shock, Tyrus dropped to his knees with his jaw hitting the floor as the realization hit him.


    So I¡¯ve been using an imperfect form this whole time? I think I¡¯m going to go crazy. It¡¯s just one thing after another¡­

 Chapter 48- An Easy Day

    Restlessness overtook Tyrus on the second day of residing in Wildwood, as he replayed the events in his mind. The fact that he was potentially a member of a prestigious family left a sour taste on his tongue; he didn¡¯t like the idea of being left behind like a defective toy. It gave the impression that they were evil people, and he might¡¯ve been born of those same people.


    After musing for some time, he was quickly overcome by exhaustion like a rampaging horse. He didn''t envision anything particularly remarkable, just the customary daydreams he longed for. Afterward, as his slumber ended, he awoke with the usual ache all over his body.


    His neck was rigid, and his limbs felt as if they were being repeatedly punctured with knives. Without delay, he implemented Healing Touch and augmentation to alleviate the pain. The former did nothing while augmentation eased it somewhat, but he stopped it soon after since he was wasting mana.


    Tyrus would lay there in silence, waiting until his neck was feeling alright. In the meantime, he would use fire magic on his left hand and continue to let it burn while lightning was used on the right. Before his mana would empty, he¡¯d stop before the nausea set in. Following that, he would meditate and restore his mana when the neck pain subsided.


    Later, the customary morning habit of informing Elder Treant of his departure, hunting for food, and washing in a nearby brook would begin. Tyrus would hunt small rodents like the horned squirrels or gray rabbits instead of the big game like boars or deer. Eating a large meal before his workout would slow him down and make it difficult to digest the food. Walking around with a bloated belly during rock spider hunting would be a life-threatening situation for him. Only when his work was finished for the day would he eat more.


    He returned to the nest once everything was said and done. On his journey, he waved at some fairies and water nymphs frolicking in crystalline waters. They gestured a wave and a radiant smile towards him, which he reciprocated with a nod. Continuing his trek, he saw lesser hounds and animals rushing through the woods. As usual, they paid him no heed, their focus set on their own well-being.


    Soon, Tyrus arrived at the nest. Waiting for him at the entrance was Meadow. Without much inspection, he noticed no rock spiders or living creatures, implying that the treants had done their duty.


    Since none of them had the strength to move them, Tyrus had to ask the treants for help last night. When he found a group of them with the help of Meadow, they were instantly on board with the idea and decided to help him out from now on. He had himself a reliable system going on that he felt proud of.


    With all things set in order and no irregularities to speak of, Tyrus started the third day of the hunt. Similar to the previous occasion, Meadow remained behind as he proceeded towards the spider''s lair. It was the same as usual with the darkness and musk. As he approached the region of many passages and small precipices, he noticed the rock spiders.


    In typical fashion, they were either idle or scurrying by with their haunting forms. What he also noticed was that there were relatively fewer than yesterday. Either he and Meadow hunted a lot more than they thought, or the nest was small. Tyrus shrugged it off and got to business. He quickly located an isolated rock spider nestled on top of a heap of webs. Like last time, he brought forth a tendril of energy and coerced the spider into following it.


    It tracked the bait as expected and headed towards the entrance where it faced a barrage of roots and magic. A series of swift thrusts in its exposed head were enough to kill the beast. Once the mana core had been extracted and absorbed, Tyrus would enter a state of meditation, with Meadow acting as the lookout. The process would repeat itself until sunset after he finished.


    As soon as the treants arrived to dispose of the corpses, Tyrus expressed his gratitude and left them to their work while he and Meadow headed to clean up. The fairy went ahead while Tyrus searched for food, which he found in the shape of a typical boar.


    He dispatched it effortlessly, using only his speed and dagger. The next step involved making an incision in its abdominal area and letting the blood drain out. Then came the skinning of its legs and storing it for later use. The storage ring weighed almost as much as a mug; he¡¯d have to check its contents later. It was definitely on the verge of maxing out its space.


    Having finished with the corpse, Tyrus left it for the wolves and proceeded to a nearby pond to clean up. During his bath, he would look at the gleaming water with a vacant stare. His primary thought was not training, it was the Beast Transformation.


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    It was quite appalling that he¡¯d been using an imperfect form the entire time. In order to use full body transformation, it would require him to acknowledge and accept himself. Being aware of his identity as a black tiger and having already accepted it, there was no trouble for him. Though he felt out of place because of his Beastfolk lineage, it was a truth he couldn''t change. Sucking it up and soldiering on through was all he could do.


    Ah, maybe that¡¯s why I haven¡¯t tapped into this ¡®full body transformation¡¯... if it even exists. Is it because I¡¯m too nervous to show myself to others that I can¡¯t use the form? That could be it, but I still want to limit my identity as much as possible. The wrong people would see a weak, lonely kid like me walking around and think of me as easy prey.


    Perhaps he''ll travel the world in the future without concern for his identity. But to do that, becoming strong enough that only a few people could defeat him would be one of his goals.


    Let¡¯s take small steps, Tyrus thought. There was no need to rush things about Beast Transformation. Since he didn¡¯t have solid proof that full body transformation really existed, he¡¯d have to find out on his own, either by accomplishing it himself or somehow asking other Beastfolk or Demi-humans about it.


    Furthermore, with the monthly examination looming, concentrating on his employable skills took precedence. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t use Beast Transformation in front of others if he could help it. If a situation arises where he needs it to survive, then being forced to use it would happen. The fewer people that knew, the better.


    ¡°And since there aren¡¯t any humans or Beastfolk around here, I¡¯m able to show my ears no problem. My tail, on the other hand¡­¡±


    Concealing his tail proved to be a formidable task as it was more conspicuous than his ears. Thankfully, it was small enough that he could tuck it away. To ensure maximum secrecy, he always had it encircled around his waist. Sometimes it would be an unruly body part and move on its own, but it was subtle. Nobody has uncovered the secret; however, that may soon alter as he interacts with others more extensively.


    Using Beast Transformation more often in his hunts crossed his mind, but using it sapped his stamina like how using magic drained mana. Only in emergency situations would he use it until he built up his stamina. Given the amount of physical activity he has engaged in over the past few days, the day would soon be upon him. Maybe using Beast Transformation a lot more would have him a step closer to achieving full body.


    Ah, I¡¯ll have to get some new trousers and make a hole for my tail. When I¡¯m all alone in the wild, I¡¯ll use those instead.


    Tyrus left the pond with a purpose and promptly used fire magic to dry himself. Prior to leaving for the sanctuary, he said his farewells to Meadow, and they went their separate ways. Their plan was to meet at the nest the next day and begin anew.


    Surrounded by his musings, he had already made it to the sanctuary and was received by the view of Elder Treant conversing with another treant. Instead of the armless treant, it was someone else he didn¡¯t recognize. In order to avoid disrupting them, Tyrus simply nodded and went to a peaceful area to practice his lightning and fire techniques once again.


    Every so often, he would generate a lightning marble and concentrate on perfecting its form as it remained stationary. It required his utmost concentration to prevent the spell from becoming wobbly, but that would only last a few seconds before the mana dispersed. A prickling sensation in his head grew the longer he spent time in control.


    Afterward, he¡¯d focus on fire. When he first attained the element, it was as weak as a candle. It still was, but it was thriving. There was a noticeable intensity whenever he poured more mana into the magic; the more mana he inputted, the hotter the fire became. The size was not something he could guarantee, but he expected it to improve over time.


    His magic training concluded when he cooked a boar''s leg over a fire with the permission of Elder Treant. Tyrus savored each bite as his fatigue washed away with the meal. With his belly now full, he released a content sigh as he leaned against a tree. His focus shifted to his ring.


    In one motion, he threw out all the items he had in his possession. Among the items are two daggers, a hilt, one shield, a meat leg, the scales, and the white orb inscribed with runes. Instantly, the ring felt as light as a feather, and Tyrus came to a conclusion; the closer it arrived at the limit, the heavier the burden. At least he knew about it before it got too crazy.


    Silently, Tyrus grabbed the weird orb and surveyed it. He had totally forgotten he was lugging it around. Moreover, he still had no clue what it was. The absence of mana flow from the object indicated it wasn''t a mana core. He tried to absorb it too, but it was unsuccessful. As of now, it was just a useless item. Initially, he thought about disposing of it, but ultimately decided not to. There''s a chance that the item was unique, but it required an activation.


    When he disclosed it to Elder Treant, the tree was just as stumped as he was. The runes scribbled on top were unreadable and the orb didn¡¯t respond to his or Elder Treant¡¯s mana. Even with Tyrus shooting a series of spells at it, the thing did not move, nor was there any sign of damage. After trying all the options, Tyrus left it alone and added it back to the ring with the other items.


    Propped against a tree, Tyrus fixated on the sliver of the silver moon until drowsiness overtook him. Shortly thereafter, he let his body drift into a restful slumber to revitalize for tomorrow.


    Little did Tyus know, the once effortless journey would take a turn for the worse. In contrast to the second and third days, four and five proved to be the most grueling periods he had ever experienced, resulting from his own decisions.

 Chapter 49- Double Trouble

    The fourth day arrived with relatively no hiccups. Tyrus stood in front of the cavern, doing light stretches as Meadow watched.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired of all the hunts you¡¯ve been doing? A rest day should be in order for you, Savior.¡±


    Tyrus angled his body and stretched his legs to the farthest extent. ¡°That comes before the day I leave for Wildwood. Unless I lose a limb or get sick, I¡¯ll continue. No way I can stop when I¡¯m improving.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but don''t push yourself too hard. Although our bodily structures differ, I know you are feeling discomfort. If you continue, you may face an injury that not even Elder Treant can heal. Didn¡¯t you say you have something extremely important to do in a few days that determines your future? What happens if you can¡¯t make it because of a battered body?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re worried about me and all, but it¡¯ll be fine. After tomorrow, I¡¯ll stop hunting. The last few days I¡¯ll just stay in the sanctuary and train mana. Nothing is going to happen as long as everything keeps running smoothly. And even if I have an injury Elder Treant can¡¯t heal, I wouldn¡¯t have accepted it anyway if it came at the cost of life force.¡±


    He was still pensive that Elder Treant used life force to heal him, but that ship had sailed. Elder Treant wanted to do it, and Tyrus couldn¡¯t fault him. In the event of a future opportunity, he would decline as he did not want the old tree to die because of him.


    ¡°You know what to do when you see the rock spider near the entrance. Keep a watch over things while I¡¯m gone. If I don¡¯t come back in a while, then I¡¯m either trapped inside a web or dead. That¡¯s when you don¡¯t go looking for me.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± she said impassively. Her emotionless answer had him skeptical, but he shrugged it off and turned.


    Now positioned towards the entrance, Tyrus meticulously inspected his belongings one final time as a precaution. Waving goodbye to Meadow, he trudged forward, entering the cavern. The thunderous sound of water greeted him with open arms as he walked by with even breaths. Every footfall caused the gravel to spear into his footwear. From afar, stones cascading down from the obscure heights above would plop onto the floor and indoor stream.


    As he leaped over the ledge and penetrated deeper into the cavern, he knew instantaneously that something was awry. Typically, the rock spiders would be carrying out their tasks in the immense expanse, however, Tyrus observed none of them. Despite his ability to maneuver in the dark, he remained limited in his visibility. It was an even more arduous task when he was ignorant of the exact number of foes surrounding him and had no backup.


    Tyrus walked gingerly across the desolate area. The further he traveled through the twists and turns, the more ominous the atmosphere became. He had yet to locate a rock spider, let alone catch the clicking of its unyielding pincers. Beads of frigid sweat trickled down his spine as he ascended atop a stone pillar and surveyed his surroundings.


    He had reached the zone with the white crystals, which gave vital illumination. Still, no rock spider was in sight. All that remained were the hanging cocoons, bright crystals, and more webbing.


    Okay, this is way too weird, he thought. It was a similar situation to when he first appeared at the nest. It took a substantial amount of time just to locate one of them, which was disguising itself within the shadows. Aided by the crystals, he detected no gargantuan silhouettes suggestive of a concealed rock spider. The more he reflected, the more burdensome his gut became.


    ¡°Should I just leave and come back later? Or do I just shoot out a Lightning Bolt in hopes of attracting a beast? To be honest, the first option sounds enticing¡­¡±


    As he pondered what to do, Tyrus glimpsed something odd in his vision. Further ahead was a glowing tunnel smacked between two rock pillars. It was hard to miss because growing on the tunnel walls were the white crystals all around him.


    ¡°Was that always there?¡± he said with a hand on his chin. ¡°Actually, this is the first time I¡¯ve traveled this far, so it¡¯s likely. Should I enter and inspect the tunnel? Either the rock spiders are hiding beyond that tunnel or it¡¯s a dead end. But what if there¡¯s some good stuff in there, like treasure!¡±


    The prospect of encountering treasure at the end was a thought that didn¡¯t seem all that impossible. Treasure came in all forms; ancient books, gold, artifacts, or even weapons. Depending on its rarity or strength, he could give it to Fiona and have her sell it for him or keep it for himself if it¡¯s beneficial to him.


    Naturally, there was the possibility of no treasure, with the culmination being the discovery of the absent rock spiders. The large chamber could very well be a place where the beasts just roam freely, like a play area or feasting grounds. With so many cocoons of all sizes, it was highly likely that they kept their prey and saved it for consumption later. It would explain why there were no blood-sucking bats, slimes, or any other creatures.


    Even if the rock spiders are at the end of the passage, if it was a one-way, then he¡¯d easily be able to outrun them with his speed. So long as he¡¯s careful with their sticky webs, escape was pretty easy.


    With a sound plan in mind, Tyrus hopped off the stone pillar, his sights set on the path calling out to him. The path ahead became less obstructed, transitioning from a cluttered space filled with columns and stones to a flat terrain with sizable boulders scattered around. Still creeping forward, he looked sideways, just in case. Thanks to the light, he caught nothing out of the ordinary.


    Until he heard whistling high above him. Alarmed by the sudden noise, Tyrus looked up to see a terrifying sight unfolding before him. Two large heaps of darkness descended from above and crashed right next to him like stones. Dust cloaked the area in its unrelenting grip as twelve crimson eyes glared right at him from opposite ends. Tyrus immediately realized that he was trapped between two rock spiders; one was guarding the entrance to the tunnel while the other broke off his retreat.


    An ambush?!


    Without even giving him a second to breathe or let the dust settle, the rock spider cutting off his retreat turned with deafening steps and ejected a thin line of web straight at Tyrus¡¯ feet. He avoided the fast attack, observing as the web caught the other spider in its webbing.


    Disregarding the obstruction, the spider blocking the tunnel barreled towards him just as the dust cleared. Its pincers made a rhythmic click as it lunged toward Tyrus. Given the lack of superior options, he bent his knees and sprang over its trajectory, landing a considerable distance from his starting point. Both rock spiders glared at Tyrus as they menacingly crawled forward.


    It was rather astounding that the rock spiders possessed the ability to employ tactics, but that sentiment was swiftly dispelled. The first time he met the beast, he recalled its intelligence. However, ambushing him from above was something he never would¡¯ve expected to happen, especially by two of them! It seemed like they knew the tunnel would tempt him and prepared to ambush him. Fortunately, he caught sight of them just in time and mostly foiled their plans.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Tyrus glanced over his shoulder. As far as he could tell, the tunnel was empty, but he couldn¡¯t be sure. His way out was obstructed, and he was uncertain if there were more rock spiders hiding. Moving around them would be simple because the area had few obstacles, but the chance of more ambushes prevented him from proceeding. On the other hand, if he were to enter the tunnel, then he¡¯d probably encounter more of them. He was stuck between two options that didn¡¯t seem favorable.


    Expecting Meadow to help him would do him no good since he specifically told her to leave him if she heard no news of him. Even now, he didn¡¯t regret his decision. She would stick out like a white flower in a field of red caps because of her mana. If something bad were to happen because of him, he¡¯d feel guilty. He¡¯d rather take the brunt than have her face the consequences.


    The first option seemed to be his best shot. He¡¯d have to pray that the two rock spiders were the only available beasts. While he wasn¡¯t sure if he could handle one on his own, he was positive that taking two on the same was nearly impossible. Though his chances weren¡¯t too hot, he had to do something. There were still many things he needed to do and was expecting. All he can do at the moment is struggle to succeed.


    Tyrus took a step back from the approaching beasts. As soon as he raised his dagger and shield, the rock spiders began spreading out. One of them was approaching him on his right while the other, on his left; they left a straightforward path between themselves. One good start and he¡¯d be able to zip between them before they could attack, but something felt off. It was too easy a feat to accomplish, yet Tyrus was hesitant to act on it.


    I¡¯ll have to find a way to escape If I can¡¯t win. There''s no more time to waste.


    The spider on his right side attacked first, while the other spider remained behind. Rock spider number one attempted to grab its victim''s neck by lunging forward with its pincers, but Tyrus avoided the attack by leaping to the side. The moment he looked up, he saw a thread heading straight for his torso. Avoiding the attack, he crouched as low as possible and watched it splatter onto a nearby rock.


    Before he could regain his footing, the previous spider caught up and was looming over him. It lifted a front leg and slashed it downwards, like a sword thrust, aiming for Tyrus''s head. The boy injected his legs with mana and flung himself forward like a catapult, narrowly avoiding the attack. Debris exploded everywhere, kicking up a small dust cloud as he inspected the two beasts glowering at him.


    In just one minute, the pair showed remarkable proficiency and cooperation. Not one of them was letting up in their assault while the other provided backup with long-range attacks. Tyrus was facing off against a combination of precise attacks that made it difficult to dodge. Owing to augmentation, he had been capable of managing whatever was hurled at him, yet that would not be tenable for much longer.


    As he regained his balance, gazing at the arachnids made of stone, he could sense his heart thumping incessantly in his ears. He stabilized his uneven breathing whilst tightly clutching the dagger and shield. Without delay, he ought to devise a plan to strike the beasts or face defeat. He couldn¡¯t dodge forever or else he¡¯d run out of mana.


    Tyrus took a deep breath and watched the beasts carefully. They positioned themselves similarly as rock spider number one moved forward while the other held back.


    It¡¯d be troublesome to allow the one in the back to keep shooting its webs, he thought. Whenever his attention was directed towards the attacker within arm''s reach, the other would exploit the opportunity to launch an attack. The role of the first one was to ensnare his attention and rely on its companions to catch him unawares and restrict him.


    It was a clever plan that would¡¯ve worked against him if it was him just starting out at the nest, but Tyrus learned a lot about how these rock spiders operated. He¡¯s killed a few of them and knew how they worked. In fact, he¡¯s already found himself a chance of victory that would kill at least one of them. Rock spider number one had an exoskeleton thicker than the rest, while the other was almost paper thin. An idea had crept up when he noticed a few details about them.


    ¡°Here they come.¡±


    The spider that was nearby, despite its intelligence, opted for the identical attack pattern. It relied on its pincers and rushed toward Tyrus with radiating bloodlust. In keeping with his typical behavior, he backed away from it but reserved the majority of his attention for the other. Consistent with expectations, when Tyrus was not upright or well-centered, it ejected another fine thread towards his legs. He brought forth his shield and allowed the thread to connect with it. His arms slightly buckled from the force, but it held firm.


    Suddenly, he felt his body move in the spider¡¯s direction. Tyrus fiercely clung to his shield as the beast dragged him. The close-ranged attacker followed with its clicking pincers, almost as if it laughed that they caught him. He merely glanced over his shoulder, taking note of the distance between them. Each spider had a triumphant look on their faces, satisfied that they caught their prey.


    Now should be a good time¡­


    Once he was near the second spider, the first one tried to bite into Tyrus with its razor-sharp fangs, but that was when he got into position. In an instant, Tyrus rotated and directed his right arm towards its face. Arcs of power shot forth from his hand and into its gaping mouth. A blue explosion and bloodcurdling screeches reverberated through the cavern, prompting it to recoil from Tyrus.


    Without missing a beat, he channeled his lightning magic into a focused torrent of power, creating a sizzling arc that raced along the silk threads like wildfire. The web ignited, sending sparks in all directions. The bewildered spider, now exposed, recoiled in shock as the magic reached its abdomen. Smoke billowed out from its hole as it screeched alongside its brethren. With both rock spiders out of commission momentarily, Tyrus had to work fast.


    For a moment, he thought of running away from the battle and trying again at a different time. However, the intelligence of the rock spiders prohibited him from doing so. If he failed to finish them off here and now, they might learn from their mistakes and be better prepared for next time. His training against the beasts would end, and he would also leave without knowing what was at the end of the tunnel. He¡¯d be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t at all curious.


    He pocketed the dagger and shield and aimed his arms at the occupied beasts. Ignoring his thumping heart, Tyrus focused on channeling as much mana as he could to form two large spheres. Within seconds, spheres of sizzling energy surfaced, its bolts flashing like serpentine tongues. Agony shot through his head and he clenched his teeth on his lips. Soon, he unleashed the spells at their respective destinations.


    The rock spiders regained their composure and emitted a piercing cry towards Tyrus. However, the crackling of lightning and impending doom overshadowed it. They attempted to steer clear of its path in the nick of time, but the magic had already reached their circular heads.


    Simultaneously, additional explosions transpired, transforming the atmosphere into a jumble of sounds and aromas that intermingled. Screeching that could be felt to the bone, a noise that sounded like a crackling fire pit, and rocks pelting the ground. Tyrus hunched over, pressing a hand to his chest as he peered downward. Each breath intensified the pounding in his head, as though it might explode, but the reward was worth enduring the agony.


    ¡°I-I actually did it!¡±


    Each spell he shot out had power a tad stronger than a Dual Shot, so it was easy to break through the rock spiders¡¯ defenses. But in order for the spell to hit its mark, he had to catch them off guard, which he had done well. They believed they had him under their thumb, but it was quite the contrary. All he did was take advantage of their characteristics and use it against them. While he suffered a bit for that to happen, he succeeded, regardless.


    Tyrus raised his head slowly and looked to his left. A few steps away, the web-slinging spider''s corpse lay curled up. Its head was savagely beaten and discolored beyond any resemblance; purple blood surrounded its corpse like an offering. To his right, the other spider was still alive, but barely. At present, it was prone on its stomach, staring straight at Tyrus with a chunk of its face removed. One of its legs was repeatedly tapping on the ground, making a sharp racquet that made his splitting headache worse.


    Grunting, it took Tyrus a couple of tries to rise. Dragging his feet toward the rock spider, he retracted his dagger from the ring and shuffled forward. The fact that it was still alive, even though it took the full brunt of a power stronger than Dual Shot, meant that its rocky exterior was durable. Still, the spell reduced it to such a sorry state, so he couldn¡¯t complain. One good thrust to its head should do the job.


    As he steadied his breathing some more, Tyrus was a step away from the creature before he heard shuffling rocks. The spider''s remains were nearby, and it was energetically quivering for an unknown cause. When he surveyed his surroundings, locating the source, he felt his own bones vibrating alongside the others. Then came the sound of crumbling below him. Just as he diverted his eyes downwards, a gaping abyss, twice his own magnitude, suddenly materialized, engulfing him entirely.

 Chapter 50- Searching for an Exit

    Rather than a sheer descent to the unknown depths, it was a gradual slope. Like a carriage descending a steep hill, Tyrus slid down the rocky hole. As he picked up speed, the wind whistled in his ears, and rocks scraped against his bare skin like sharp twigs.


    Tyrus looked around desperately. He saw little when he thought about it for a moment. Everything was pitch black; without a source of light, he was a toddler stumbling around in the darkness. To resolve that, Tyrus uttered the words Illumination and received a faint, golden glow. As he expected, he was currently sliding down a narrow tunnel.


    It was still difficult for the weak light to pierce further downward, so Tyrus was left thinking of what was below. Was he currently falling to his death or would there miraculously be something there to break his fall? Regardless of the outcome, he had to act quickly, or he would be done for.


    With no footholds in sight and a body wracked with pain, Tyrus brought out two daggers and thrust them onto the sediment. Right after piercing, both blades quickly snapped and darted past Tyrus, nearly blinding him. His mouth parted open as horror began seeping in.


    In an instant, Tyrus mustered up his remaining mana¨Cwhich had the world around him swim¨Cand poured most of it into his fingers. The mana-created grip slowed his descent, causing sparks to fly as his fingers dug into the stone. Every muscle in his body strained against the relentless pull of his descent, but the glow of his mana-imbued fingers held fast. Before long, his body slowed down considerably until he fully stopped, left dangling.


    His arms were relentlessly resisting Tyrus''s grasp as if insisting on plunging into the chasm below. He ignored the negative thoughts swirling around as he looked up and down. Illumination was rapidly dwindling because of his reserves, and it was only a matter of time until his mana bottomed out. The longer he delayed in deciding, the more his body trembled.


    Groaning to himself, he peered upward first. Of course, he couldn¡¯t accurately tell how long or how far he¡¯d fallen, but he knew it was a substantial distance. If he had to guess, he¡¯d been falling for at least ten seconds. Judging by that time, he was way too deep, and the only way to leave was to climb up or down.


    Speaking of down, when he shifted his gaze below and willed the light to descend, he found some solace in his situation. Shorter than two adults, a patch of soil and rock offered stable ground to walk on. At an L formation at the end, the tunnel continued.


    In a heartbeat, Tyrus gritted his teeth and let go, falling as his feet crunched against the floor. As soon as he made contact, his knees buckled, and he fell face-first. He spit out a mouth full of dirt and pebbles as he wheezed. The illumination was also gone, casting the area in pure black.


    ¡°This is the worst day ever,¡± he mumbled. Laying flat on his back, Tyrus rested as he regained his thoughts and mana. He defeated two rock spiders yet at the cost of falling down a winding hole, battered and bruised. With his reserves treading on a thin line and his body aching, it¡¯d be a while until he could escape.


    His mouth churned as he spat out more unwelcome substances. ¡°Those cave worms Meadow mentioned probably made this tunnel. I don¡¯t see any around here, though. Must be an old tunnel that was just waiting to be discovered.¡±


    With his body recovering, he had to lie still and wait for his mana to fill up. What he realized was that there was noticeably less mana concentration in the tunnel than on the surface. Recovering what was lost was a slow process due to the scarcity of energy. To even fill less than a quarter would take a while.


    The tunnel was deathly silent and stuffy. His chest was rising more than usual, and his throat felt as if it was on the verge of clogging. Taking in a few more gulps of air was getting difficult. Leaving the tunnel before he ran out of air to breathe would be one of his top priorities.


    As if I¡¯ll get done in from the lack of air, he thought.


    Tyrus stayed there for what felt like hours. Sometimes, pebbles would fall from above and land nearby like drips of water. Although the ground was excruciatingly uncomfortable like lying on a bed of needles, Tyrus stayed focused on more significant concerns. Every breath he took, snippets of his mana returned. He was trapped inside a box, with nothing else to do but recuperate while devising a means of escape.


    Once he was well enough to move, there were two exits he could take. He could either use his mana to scale the wall or take the tunnel. Following the tunnel could lead him to encounter one of those cave worms. Tyrus assumed he would inevitably encounter the beasts if the tunnel was made from them unless it was abandoned.


    On the other hand, scaling the wall would require a lot of effort on his part, but it was workable. Using augmentation to boost the strength of his fingers to make footholds, he¡¯d make it to the top in no time. It came down to determining the required amount of mana. Falling to his death would be terrible if he didn''t have enough.


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    ¡°One step at a time,¡± he said. ¡°Once I¡¯m recovered, I¡¯ll just climb my way out. No need to push my luck and journey through the tunnel just to meet a cave worm. I think I¡¯m done for the¨C¡°


    The increasing sound of falling rocks halted Tyrus''s words. What was once occasionally turned into a violent crash, accompanied by whistling from above. Instantly, he activated Illumination and focused his intention to cast the light upwards. As soon as the spell was a respectful distance away, he noticed a shadow hurtling toward him.


    His body moved automatically, and he moved further into the tunnel by rolling. A thunderous explosion soon enveloped the space as the shadow smashed into the spot he was just at. Plumes of dust and speedy rocks flew everywhere as Tyrus shielded himself with mana. During his hacking and spluttering, the surroundings quaked violently, as if rocked by an earthquake. Squinting through the smoke, and with the help of the light, he saw the broken visage of the rock spider he was about to kill earlier curled up, completely blocking the exit.


    That thing slipped into the hole? But why?!


    Instead of pondering what made the beast do such a stupid thing, Tyrus turned in the other direction and ran. As he stumbled across the uneven terrain, the tunnel behind him roared with the chaos of his thrashing heart. With the light piercing the gloom ahead, he noticed the tunnel widening with every step. He didn¡¯t have time to question if it was a good thing with the rambunctious noise and fear gripping his very being.


    Before long, the tunnel¡¯s path ended, connecting into a cave chamber. Amber-colored stalactites hung like chandeliers above, glistening with moisture, and their pointed forms seemed to pierce the darkness with otherworldly elegance. Drips of water echoed softly in the cavern, creating a soothing, rhythmic symphony that echoed off the stone walls. At the chamber¡¯s center stood a tranquil pool of crystal-clear water stretched out, its surface mirroring the glittering stalactites and glowing crystals. A few shadows pierced the waters, gliding along like a serene fairy.


    Tyrus burst forth from the tunnel with a yelp as he tumbled across, crashing onto a nearby rock. Pain flared across his backside as he watched the tunnel collapse. More dust and rubble spewed forth like the maw of a dragon as his one-way ticket to freedom was snuffed away.


    He struggled to rise as he massaged his back. ¡°Ugh¡­ I¡¯m starting to think the world hates me. What kind of dying beast decides to come after their prey? Escaping this place now seems impossible.¡±


    Grumbling to himself, something flickering in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He realized his tail had disentangled from his waist. When he surveyed his rear, he detected a small tear in his trousers and tunic. Now attentive to his tail''s unbridled movements, he breathed out a sigh.


    ¡°I just got these garments a few days ago and they¡¯re already ruined. What a waste of sil. I should¡¯ve kept the old ones in the ring.¡±


    Hiding his tail was going to be a tough job without the proper fitting. Finding a fresh pair of garments out in the woods didn¡¯t seem possible, and asking travelers on the road was out of the question. They could mistake him for a thief, or something.


    ¡°I¡¯ll figure it out later once I get out of here. New garments are the least of my concerns.¡±


    His attention shifted back to the cave chamber. Now that he was out of danger and calmed down, Tyrus shivered. The only notable characteristic of the cave was the pool of water. But when he searched around some more, he found some pathways embedded within the walls.


    A lot of them were tight fits and few provided ample space. The problem would be finding out which pathway led to the exit¨Cif it even existed. That was the true horrifying part of his situation; trapped deep underground with no way to call for help as the days ticked by¡­


    Gotta get out of here fast if I want to make it on time. Missing the monthly exam because of this would seriously suck. No way will I die here.


    Determined to escape, Tyrus assumed a meditative pose. Accessing the Sorcerer Plane wasn¡¯t his intention, but to absorb the surrounding mana quickly. Each breath that escaped his lips, he counted in his head. He tuned out every external sound that wasn¡¯t important, like the droplets of water falling from above or the splashing from the pool. The eerie silence encompassed his weary body as the flow of mana seeped into his pores. Because he was deeper underground, there was a scarcity of energy.


    It was unknown how long he stood in that position. His sense of time was already ruined; for all he knew, it was probably already twilight. Never could it be true that two days had gone by since he was underground. He didn¡¯t feel or hear his stomach growl, nor did that much pass between the defeat of the rock spiders and his fall.


    Slowly but surely, his body was being rejuvenated with the fresh wave of mana. What used to be muscles that screamed with every effort was a dull pain. The dizziness had also disappeared, and his reserves were coming along nicely. Though it took a while, he was at the halfway mark. During his meditations, Tyrus was able to clearly see the flow of mana throughout his channels and how much energy he had in stock.


    After what felt like an interminable amount of time, Tyrus opened his eyes to a rumbling stomach and a replenished mana heart. Silently, he pulled out a meat leg and cooked it with fire. An enticing aroma permeated the chamber as the meat turned to a crisp brown.


    I don¡¯t have much food stocked up, so I¡¯ll have to eat sparingly, just in case. Good thing I hunted a boar and saved up the meat. There¡¯s also a water source here, so I should be fine in the meantime. Then again, I don¡¯t plan on staying long


    Tyrus consumed a good chunk of the meat and satisfied his belly. With his body fit enough for travel, he rose from his spot and wiped the rubbish away.


    ¡°About time I take one of those paths,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Depending on their length and where they lead, I should get through them swiftly with my speed. Hopefully, they aren¡¯t blocked off.¡±


    As unpleasant as it was, he would have to refrain from hunting rock spiders in order to ensure his safety. If he found himself stuck in the cave again, he would have only himself to fault. Meditation and mana training would do.


    ¡°Alright, enough delay. Let¡¯s see which one leads to freedom.¡±

 Chapter 51- Investigation Contract

    Fiona stood in front of the small town Lullin alongside Reo and Grant; it was a place rooted on top of a rocky peak overlooking swampy lowlands and beasts. The entrance was a humble bridge with spiked barricades, which were guarded by some local defenders. On top of their tunics were tiny pauldrons that offered some protection, and a helmet served to protect the skull. Strapped to their hips was a short sword.


    The town beyond the bridge lay bathed in the warm, golden light of the rising sun, casting long shadows that stretched across the pebbled streets. From where Fiona stood, she could see the thatched roofs of quaint cottages, their chimneys trailing plumes of fragrant wood smoke into the clear sky. The distant hum of life mingled with the cheerful chatter of townsfolk and the clatter of a blacksmith''s hammer.


    Fiona started, "We''re about to work on a contract that we haven''t done before. I don''t know why Reo suggested a basic investigation contract when we should be hunting beasts instead. Think of all the resources and potential mana cores we''re missing out on!"


    Reo leaned over the edge and scoffed. "If I''m not mistaken, you''re the one who agreed to accept the contract, fully aware of its contents. If you want to hunt beasts and break them apart for materials, then be my guest. There''s a lot of them over there with your name on it."


    With a smug expression, he pointed at a patch of flora with striking pink leaves and pitcher-like bodies with an opening. Its body was a gross snot green with thorns protruding like spikes in its tendrils. In addition, it makes use of its roots to move around, but it was laughably sluggish. The flora Reo was motioning over at were carnivorous plants that plagued swamps or places with lots of water.


    Positioned near the flesh-eating plants were toads with a complexion similar to the color of mud, equipped with venomous sacs on their slick skin, and dragonflies that could be heard as loud as a church bell, despite being the size of toddlers. For why there were so many grotesque creatures, Lullin rested near the Wasteful Wetlands, a place that was a breeding ground of disgust and misery. It was a mystery to Fiona of why the Lullin folks lived in such nasty conditions. If it were her, she''d pack her bags and never look back, no matter what connection she had with the place.


    She wrinkled her nose at the thought of living in Lullin. "I despise you for suggesting such a thing. And because of that, you will do most of the investigation while Grant and I watch from afar. Scouting being your specialty, you don''t require our help."


    "I''ll gladly accept if it means I get to take your fair share of the rewards. Can''t have the leader¨Cwho has decided not to contribute and therefore isn''t deserving of the rewards¨Cadopt bad habits. What if our new member were to follow in your footsteps? One of you is enough of a pain to deal with."


    Fiona clenched her jaw while approaching Reo. "I''ll have you know I am of no bad influence on anyone. Isn''t that right, Grant?"


    Instead of a brief response, she was met with silence. Fiona spun on her heels to see her comrade already walking through the town''s streets. Her mouth hung open as Reo walked past her, snickering without a word. Displaying his guild badge, he gained permission from the town guard to pass through, leaving her behind in solitude.


    "This isn''t how you should treat your leader," she grumbled. Fiona trudged up and displayed the copper badge to the men. After receiving the green light, she scuffled across the bridge. Despite the planks creaking under her weight, the structure remained steadfast. She resisted the urge to gaze over the edge as her attention was locked forward. A faint breeze rustled the seams of her robes as her feet clopped along. As soon as she crossed it safely, she hurried over to Reo.


    "Grant should be heading for the mayor''s residence," he said once she stopped next to him. "Your constant yapping may have caused the big guy to start right away."


    They stood next to a stable housing horses and feathered creatures called the arvians; a bird creature comparable to horses in terms of transportation. A middle-aged man with spectacles was tending to them, feeding the beasts apples and other fruits. In front of the stable, a two-story tavern towered, its entrance scarcely frequented by pedestrians. Although the exterior of the place had scratched paint and weathered wood, it seemed to provide a safe and clean environment. She and her friends would have to stop by and eat once they were done with the contract.


    "We better get there early if we want to make a good impression," Fiona said. Without a word, Reo took the lead and strolled by the trickling townsfolk.


    As Fiona and Reo navigated the bustling thoroughfares, their keen eyes caught glimpses of laboring men, their burly forms burdened by stout sacks that rested upon their perspiring shoulders. Beads of sweat glistened on their weathered faces, testifying to the weight of their toil.


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    Next to a blacksmith''s shop that produced plumes of smoke, a squad of guards enjoyed each other''s company. Their laughter echoed amidst the ambient sounds, occasionally punctuated by gestures towards passersby, a majority of whom happened to be women.


    When Fiona and Reo climbed up some cracked steps and turned the corner, they strolled past some stalls selling raw meat and vegetables. An aroma of fresh produce and cooked fowl filled the streets.


    Because Lullin wasn''t all that big to begin with, locating the mayor''s residence was easy. It was the only building that looked nicer and bigger than the rest of the homes. Near the entrance was a small well, and next to it was a well-dressed man with a shiny head. Next to him was Grant, holding two large buckets in his hands.


    Fiona walked up to them and smiled. "Ah, Grant, I see you found the place. It wasn''t hard, I presume?"


    He turned and nodded. "It wasn''t too hard. It was Mayor Ward who came to me when I was searching around. He asked me if I could help him carry these buckets to his place."


    Methodically, Grant lifted each bucket and emptied its contents into the well. The mayor beamed, showcasing a perfect set of pearly whites. Following Grant''s completion and bucket drop, Mayor Ward advanced toward Fiona and greeted her with an upraised arm.


    "You must be the explorers sent by the guild. I am pleased that they sent over such capable young people. With your help, I''m sure things will progress smoothly. I''m to believe you''ve gone over the contract?"


    Happily, she shook his hand. "We''ve gone over it many times, Mayor Ward. You''ve been anxious about the sudden surge of creatures around Lullin, specifically near the Wasteful Wetlands. The guards of Lullin have managed the danger with no difficulty. However, you preferred to verify if there was any significant issue and therefore dispatched a contract to the Explorer Guild. By completing the task, we''ll have six sil in total. Have I missed anything important?"


    "Er, yes, right to the minute detail."


    "Lovely! You don''t mind if we get to work quickly, right? The sooner we finish our findings and report them to you, the more at ease you''ll feel."


    Mayor Ward held up his hand. "Before commencing, let me provide a preemptive warning, given that you''re not locals. Be extremely careful when navigating the waters. The creatures living beneath its depths are hostile towards intruders. Yet, your history as explorers and your ability to handle combat lets me believe my anxieties are unfounded. Once you are finished, return to my residence and we will chat further."


    "We will finish our business before nightfall," Grant said firmly.


    "I''m sure you will. To reach the edge of the Wasteful Wetlands, you must take the south exit and travel along Toad Hollow. Be sure to be careful with the poison-sac toads. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I''ll be in my residence." Giving them each a curt nod, the mayor grabbed his things and shuffled away. Fiona waited until the man was out of sight before turning to her companions.


    "You heard the man; our job is mainly investigating, so we don''t have to fight beasts unless we have to. We''ll check the outskirts for clues and explore some parts of the Wasteful Wetlands. After that, we head back and tell Mayor Ward what we found. Any objections?"


    "None here," Reo said.


    "Good, let''s get going then. We''ll assume our regular positions once we reach hostile territory. As much as it pains me to say it, we aren''t here to hunt beasts... yet. We can do that afterward. I don''t have many potions and salves, so try not to get hurt. I''ll just tell you to suck it up and spit on the wound."


    Investigation contracts offered limited compensation owing to the type of work involved. Depending on the contract''s risk or those who commission the contracts, the rewards vary. Well, there were more reasons, but those two were the most important; contracts commissioned by a noble or the common folk would obviously have different rewards. Common folk who request help may not have the same financial resources as nobles, therefore, they may offer lower payments based on their budget constraints.


    Since contracts that deal with beast hunts, dungeon diving, escorts, or bounty hunts are the most sought after for their rewards, they are usually taken up by higher ranked explorers. Fundamentally, the greater a person''s rank within the Explorer Guild, the higher the quality of contracts they received.


    The contracts that Blue Dawn qualifies for are the bottom of the barrel. Selena''s benevolence in passing the goblin contract to Fiona was the only reason they were able to obtain it. In spite of her hesitation to infringe, her aunt affirmed her that nothing negative would occur. Ultimately, she gave in and was delighted with the outcome, for several reasons.


    Either way, Blue Dawn needed to climb the ranks in order to take advantage of the sought-after contracts. And with the help of Tyrus, who has displayed monstrous growth in his skills in such a short amount of time, it would take them a few years to hit the halfway mark. His membership into the guild hinged on his ability to prove himself to the other members. With the exam only a few days away, she was sure that Tyrus was conducting the preparations for it.


    Hopefully, he took our advice and is being cautious of the red bison and Wildwood. That kid better arrive on time or else I''ll drag him by the collar for lying to me.


    Scowling to herself, Fiona felt something hard on her shoulder. She lifted her eyes and caught sight of Grant giving her a reserved smile.


    "I thought we were to finish by nightfall. Are you perhaps scared of approaching the dragonflies?"


    "Like hell I''m scared of some overgrown bugs. I was just thinking about something else." She brushed his hand off and looked around. "He said the south exit, right? Let''s get this thing over with so I can take a bath later. Lingering around in a swamp would be bad for my skin. Can you imagine your beautiful and glorious leader growing boils all over her body?"


    Bringing out her staff, Fiona took the lead without waiting for a reply. If they were to be attacked by carnivorous plants or insects, a single spell would reduce them to ashes. She had gone through much worse things to be worried about a low-ranked beast. Getting fearful of such things would only lower her value. No matter the beast or challenge, she¡¯d take it on the chin. Only then would she prove them wrong.

 Chapter 52- Toad Hollow

    At the south exit, a small bridge led to a downward slope of the rocky peak. The exit had more guards and barricades than the front entrance. With such a good view of the place, Fiona stopped and swept her eyes over the place called Toad Hollow.


    A tapestry of craggy peaks encircled the area, as though the land itself were swaddled within the arms of these towering titans. The terrain was sprawled with scattered pools of water, beaten-down sheds, abandoned cabins, and bushes that stood as tall as a grown man. Fortuitously, there remained ample ground for wayfarers to navigate Toad Hollow, albeit with a cautious eye kept on the creatures that plagued the region.


    Lullin, nestled amid this rugged, yet sticky landscape, functioned as one of those essential waypoints where travelers sought respite during their arduous journeys. In stark contrast to the bustling vibrancy of Valis, Lullin served as a mere pause in the journey, a place for weary wanderers to catch their breath and prepare for the next leg of their expedition. The only notable places that neighbor the place were the Wasteful Wetlands and another settlement at the end of Toad Hollow called Hillbury.


    Fiona clicked her tongue as she tugged at her collar. ¡°Yuck, I¡¯m already sweating from this damn heat. Seriously, how do these people live in such a place?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called being used to it,¡± Reo said.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t supposed to answer that.¡± Fanning herself, Fiona approached the nearest guard; a clean-shaven man who looked to be a few years older than her. He tipped his head when he noticed her coming up.


    ¡°Judging by you folks¡¯ appearance, you must be explorers¨Cor some well off bandits,¡± the guard said with a toothy grin. ¡°Are you the explorers sent by the guild to investigate?¡±


    Fiona nodded. ¡°And judging by your appearance, you seem to be one of the guards protecting Lullin¡¯s rear. Fending off against beasts and other unsightly things must take its toll on someone as young as you. Because of that, you don¡¯t mind if I ask you a couple of questions regarding the investigation? Your input, no matter how small, would be extremely useful.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not really busy at the moment, so I can spare a few minutes. Especially for a beautiful woman such as yourself.¡±


    Despite Reo''s gagging noise gaining her attention, she chose to disregard it and carry on. ¡°Lovely! You¡¯ll be doing Lullin and the Explorer Guild a great service. I won¡¯t waste your time and get right to it; when exactly did you notice the peculiarities regarding the beasts?¡±


    ¡°Around four to five days ago, I suppose. Before the surge of beasts, Lullin wasn¡¯t all that worried about them. They usually minded their own business and did what beasts do in the wild. Since our small settlement rested on high ground and is adequately defended, it was nearly impossible to breach the bridge, let alone approach it.¡±


    ¡°But as the days went on, their ferocity against us increased. Just yesterday, Holden¨Cmay Sthito bless his soul¨Cgot slit in the throat by a dragonfly. Foul thing darted for the man and used its nasty mandibles. It usually spares us a glance and flies away. Let¡¯s just say we couldn¡¯t save him on time.¡±


    The guard took a brief pause, frowning. ¡°Anyway, what¡¯s done is done. We¡¯re waiting for a shipment of new armaments coming over from Ironworks, which should arrive today. Until the problem is solved, or Toad Hollow goes back to some normalcy, we¡¯ll need to gear up and expect the worst.¡±


    If their expectation was to receive a delivery from Ironworks, which was on the opposite side of the Wasteful Wetlands, then they could potentially experience a delay. It was just a hunch to Fiona, but if the problem surrounding Toad Hollow was a lot worse than she thought, a simple gear up wouldn¡¯t do them any good. Usually, whenever there was unrest among the beast, it led to some catastrophic situations, similar to stampedes. Either the beasts are frightened because of something and are relocating, or are ferocious because their homeland was invaded.


    When Fiona glanced at her friends, both sharing a serious expression, she knew they had the same thoughts. If the shipment wasn¡¯t to arrive the day it was scheduled to, then there really was something going on in the swamp, thus confirming their suspicions. Additionally, if it turned out to be something way out of their league, like the emergence of a beast, then they would have no choice but to relinquish the contract to a group better suited.


    As much as she hated to say it, the contract danger level would increase alongside the rewards. Relinquishing such a thing to another group higher in ranking left a sour taste in her mouth. Another group would receive said rewards, and with that came a positive record to use for rank promotions.


    Should I just say damn it all and have us solve the problem instead in case it grows into something big?


    Immediately upon considering those thoughts, Fiona condemned herself for her own idiocy. As the leader of Blue Dawn, the safety and well-being of her friends was her responsibility. Indulging in what-ifs at the cost of Reo and Grant¡¯s trust was such an asshole move she had to inwardly slap herself; she¡¯d rather spend time in the academy Isolatarium.


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    Control yourself, Fiona. Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself and be a proper leader. You¡¯ll need the experience later down the road.


    ¡°Fiona, are you feeling well?¡± Grant asked. ¡°Your cheeks are turning red.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m alright. I was just thinking of something unsavory, nothing to worry about.¡± She looked at the guard. ¡°I have one last question for you. Have you noticed anything unusual that we should know?¡±


    The young man folded his arms and frowned. ¡°Mayor Ward hasn¡¯t informed you about that yet? That¡¯s quite surprising. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s important, but I might as well tell you. I¡¯m sure you know Lullin is considered a ¡®rest stop¡¯ meant for travelers to rest for a day or two and be on their way to the next settlement.¡±


    ¡°A while ago, in the dead of night, a group of carriages came strolling by. Instead of taking a short break here, they instead pushed on through, as if unfazed by the mud and beasts. Weirdly enough, the ones driving the wagons didn¡¯t seem like your average traveler.¡±


    ¡°All of them donned cloaks over their bodies, along with white bandages that veiled half of their faces. And instead of horses or arvians, they used buffalo to pull the carriages. In my short years in this world, I¡¯d bet my left leg they were up to no good. From what I could tell, they were heading toward Hillbury.¡±


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡± Fiona mumbled. ¡°I think that¡¯s enough questions I have for you. You¡¯ve been a major help.¡±


    He winked and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be here if you have any more questions to ask.¡±


    Blue Dawn gave a brief nod and a wave to the guards of Lullin before trudging down the craggy summit. Upon departing the secure confines of Lullin, they abruptly halted once their feet made contact with the pliant soil, producing a sound reminiscent of crushing ripe tomatoes. Fiona knew what she was getting into when she accepted a contract that led to a swamp, but she was having second thoughts already. Cleaning her boots of mud and other grime would be a hassle. Maybe she should ask Reo to clean it for her later¡­


    ¡°Stop gawking at your boots and get moving,¡± Reo said suddenly.


    He and Grant had already started their progress through Toad Hollow. Not wanting to get left behind, Fiona rushed forward and plopped herself between them.


    ¡°What do you guys think about the whole situation?¡± she asked. ¡°Frankly, I think those weird guys he talked about might be the cause.¡±


    Grant was the first to speak. ¡°I also agree. The arrival of the enigmatic caravan sounded like it might be related to the restless creatures. One might ask why they would wear cloaks and conceal their faces in a swamp. Also, instead of taking a break or replenishing supplies in the dead of night, they kept on moving. The situation is fraught with danger.¡±


    ¡°We should check out Hillbury after we¡¯re done with Toad Hollow and some parts of the Wasteful Wetlands,¡± Reo declared. ¡°We might find something worthwhile there.¡±


    ¡°Good idea, Reo. We should approach this situation with utmost caution. If it proves too much for us, we¡¯ll have to notify Lullin and inform them more capable guild members will take over. Right, Fiona?¡±


    While the idea didn¡¯t set well, Grant was right. Best to let the more experienced members handle it than a bunch of newcomers. Blue Dawn was just freshly made, just after the last monthly exam.


    Compared to the older groups like Crimson Wolves or Shadowless, they were merely small fish in a big pond filled with sharks and leviathans. And just like any organization that has members formed into groups, you had to tread carefully about how you develop relationships. It would be unwise for Blue Dawn to antagonize their superiors, as it could damage their reputation.


    In order to secure tastier contracts down the line, she had to weigh the options of sabotage, cooperation, and networking. Above all, being referred by a gold or diamond-ranked group would have a tremendous impact on promotions. The Explorer Guild and Valis Academy of Sorcery were much alike in that regard. It dawned on Fiona too late that their peers and their aptitude fashioned a student''s image and position at school.


    While lost in contemplation, Grant extended his arm to halt the group''s progress. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and brought out his armaments.


    ¡°It appears the beasts are itching to fight us,¡± he said.


    A congregation of nine poison-sac toads had leaped over to the group. Under the sunlight, their sleek skin shone while their green sacs pulsed like sickly hearts. Fiona swallowed back her disgust as she raised her staff.


    ¡°At times like these, I¡¯m so glad I don¡¯t have to fight up close. Grant, Reo, you know what to do.¡±


    The pair nodded, weapons in hand, and charged forward as Fiona began whipping up her first spell: Inferno Wave. Gripping her staff and shouting the incantation, she swung it horizontally, as if she was handling a sword, and out came a wave of flames that swept across the field. Steam arose from the wet soil as the flame swallowed three of the toads. The beasts writhed and croaked, their poison sacs rupturing in the heat.


    Grant, clad in armor and wielding a broadsword and shield, charged forward. He swung his blade in wide arcs, cleaving through the toads that had escaped Fiona¡¯s fiery onslaught. His shield deflected a stream of poisonous bile that one of the toads spat in desperation, the deadly liquid dribbling down the sturdy armament. In another motion, he cleaved through its entire torso, severing it in half as it released one final croak.


    Reo, nimble as a shadow, moved with grace amid the chaos. He brandished his twin daggers; the blades glinting menacingly. With swift, precise strikes, he darted for the last three. For the first, he stabbed both daggers into its head and swung downward. A sprinkle of blood burst forth, yet Reo was already onto the next; the same procedure followed, and he killed the remaining two without so much as a stain on his leather braces.


    They weren¡¯t kidding at all, Fiona mused. It hadn¡¯t even been ten minutes since they left, and a bunch of toads already attacked them! There was seriously something wrong going on, but it was hard to pinpoint.


    Before she could ponder further, more croaks and wet slapping filled the area. Near a tiny shed nestled in front of a large pool of water was a large crowd of toads halfway submerged. Beady, slit pupils fixed their gaze on the slack-jawed explorers.


    They looked at their fallen brethren, whose corpses were cut in half and shriveled, and let out a loud croak that caused the water to ripple. Soon, they each bounded right out of the water and toward the group.


    Fiona turned sharply. ¡°Nope, not taking all of them head on. Get your asses moving!¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t agree more,¡± Reo replied. ¡°Can¡¯t be wasting our mana and energy on fodder.¡±


    With their mind made up, the three ran in the opposite direction, entering deeper into Toad Hollow.

 Chapter 53- Findings

    Fiona''s eyes turned misty. Not because she was about to die in nature''s cauldron or was experiencing some undesirable pain. Or even because she felt guilty about leaving her friends behind and ran the fastest she ever had in her life. No¨Cthe cause of her distress was the beating of wings that rivaled even thunder; a noise that had her bones rattling like a spasming skeleton.


    "Well, that didn''t take long for your fear of bugs to resurface," quipped Reo as he caught up.


    Grant joined the two with a nonchalant face. "Reo, I believe now isn''t the time to bring up her¡­ dishonesty."


    A legion of dragonflies was chasing Blue Dawn from the rear. Their bulbous eyes were red with anger as they rubbed their scythe-like appendages. The color drained from her face as the monstrous creatures quickened their pace.


    Currently, they were traversing a path bordered by expansive ponds. Up ahead lay a short bridge that led to another section of Toad Hollow, and directly below it flowed a channel that interconnected the two ponds. A lot of the land had scattered puddles of water and overgrown foliage that needed trimming. Additionally, there were a handful of run-down shacks and residences that remained unfinished. They were now mostly homes to the beasts that claimed Toad Hollow.


    When Fiona approached the bridge, kicking up wet dirt and water, she stopped in front of the construct and turned. "I can''t do this anymore! Screw saving up mana for later: Inferno Wave!"


    More fiery flames spewed forth from the sorcerer, rapidly approaching the bug army. Nonetheless, instead of engulfing a substantial quantity as it did before, the attack struck only a few. Most of the beasts swerved away just in time. A few charred husks plopped onto the ground, twitching as the wave of dragonflies flew forward with renewed rage.


    Reo snickered. "Got any more glorious plans up your sleeve?"


    Undeterred by his patronizing tone, she cast his words aside like leaves in the wind and charged across the bridge with determined strides. The aged wooden boards beneath their feet creaked and groaned, hinting at the strain of bearing the weight of three individuals, yet they held steadfast. Once safely across, they continued their frenzied run, the urgency pressing upon them.


    Fatigue was closing in on her with every passing moment. Her breaths grew louder, each inhalation a desperate gasp for oxygen. Fiona drew in more air than usual, her body protesting as it gradually slowed. Desperation etched across her features, she cast anxious glances about, fervently searching for a glimmer of hope that they might emerge from this ordeal unscathed.


    Alas, there was only a lot of water, abandoned structures, and more beasts that were thankfully preoccupied with their own things.


    We can''t keep running forever! Think Fiona, think! How can we escape this situation? Grant and Reo can''t do much against airborne enemies because of their flight and speed. Sure, they''re augmentation sorcerers and can take a beating, but I''d rather every member sustain little to no injuries. A dragonfly ''scythes'' is nothing to laugh at, and there are a lot of them, to boot.


    In the midst of her contemplations, they traversed through a narrow passage flanked by twin cliffs with a massive stone serving as a natural arch. Her surroundings darkened while they were underneath, and before long, sunshine returned. When she looked back at the airborne beasts, she noticed that a lot of them were still following in their footsteps. The others decided to reach them from above by flying past the boulder. An idea came to mind when she glanced at the ones below.


    "Grant, Reo, deal with the dragonflies above the archway and protect me in the process! An idea just popped into my head!"


    Without a word, they both nodded in unison and faced the oncoming creatures. The ones that split were lesser in quantity, maybe around fourteen. Since they opted for the longer route, they were slacking in distance compared to the other group. She had to work fast if the plan was going to work.


    While Reo and Grant were a respectful distance away, holding their ground valiantly, Fiona pointed the tip of her staff right at the archway. Locking her gaze at the buzzing beasts, she shouted the words: "Flame Breath!"


    A plethora of mana conjoined into one point, and a torrent of flames spilled forth from Fiona. The spell soared past Grant and Reo, heading for the narrow crevice between the two cliffs. The moment the rowdy dragonflies were within a foot of dispersing, the ruinous magic ravaged their formation.


    A cacophony of enraged buzzing and crackling clashed in a chaotic crescendo as Fiona''s formidable spell met its abrupt end. The aftermath hung heavy with the acrid scent of scorched earth, where black smoke and billowing steam mingled with the already humid atmosphere. Unfortunate blades of grass, caught in the spell''s indiscriminate path, had been reduced to charred obsidian remnants, their verdant life extinguished in an instant.


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    In the wake of her fiery assault, the ground was marred with the grim remnants of the dragonfly swarm, their jade-green forms now rendered unrecognizable. Fiona couldn''t rest for a mere moment as the next wave of dragonflies attacked the group. The first few had their eyes set on Grant, who held his shield near neck level.


    One dragonfly propelled itself forward and made a swift incision on the shield, resulting in a minor blemish. With the beast now in proximity, Grant wasted no time in attacking. He brought up his sword and sliced downward as swiftly as he could. Before the beast could fly away, he managed to cut off one of its wings. It wobbled in mid-air, unsure of how to proceed. Just as it was about to make a decision, the man swiftly cut upwards, effectively severing its body in two.


    At that same moment, the remaining ones had already flanked him. Simultaneously, they darted forward and raised their scythes. Though he couldn''t protect himself by using the shield, Grant merely scoffed at them. Only two were able to graze his armor while the final attacker aimed for his neck, which he anticipated.


    What should''ve been blood seeping from his neck or even a wound was a pale glow that disappeared when the beast retreated. In one fell swoop, Grant readjusted his grip and slashed in a wide arc, effectively severing the leftover enemies. They all plummeted to the ground, twitching until they were still.


    As for Reo, the guy had already finished killing his own group. A display of severed appendages and other body parts littered the floor. Once he confirmed everything was dead, he nodded and sheathed his daggers.


    "I¡­ think that''s all of them," Fiona said, inspecting the carnage. She shivered as she stepped over the disgusting bugs. The next time she accepted a contract and there was a possibility of insects, she was rubbing Moonlit Oil all over her.


    Regrettably, Fiona had to blabber on. Upon raising her head and glancing far to the right, she came to the tardy realization that their altercation had generated a substantial commotion. The crackling flames, shouting, and incessant buzzing, the nearby beasts were curious of the noise and had arrived to see what was going on.


    Their interest transformed from restlessness to wrath upon the bloodshed. Poison-sac toads and the carnivorous plants all surged forward like a tidal wave. At that point, Fiona was ready to call it quits.


    She rushed over to Grant and stored his shield in her ring. "Grant, do me a favor and carry me on your back. Your and Reo''s augmentation should make it possible for you to outrun them, as they are slower than the dragonflies. After that, we''ll take the path to the entrance of the Wasteful Wetland and investigate further. Getting there quickly is our top priority, and as Augmentation Sorcerers, that should be easy. If you want to disagree with my plan, then you''re free to stay behind."


    Grant just nodded and crouched down, allowing Fiona to climb on. With all the beasts he had slain, some blood splatter got on his armor. The sight of the blood splatter on his armor made her grimace, but she didn''t let it bother her. She coiled her arms around his neck, letting her legs hang from his hips. Once she was positioned, Grant had already launched himself forward.


    Her almond hair sprawled out all around her, sometimes peppering her face as the man increased his pace. The beasts that were following them were rapidly falling behind to the point where they were no longer seen.


    Augmentation Sorcerers really are something else, she thought. It was a known fact that Augmentation Sorcerers were among the strongest in terms of physical strength and speed, and it was all thanks to their close connection with mana.


    Using the energy allowed them to gain the strength to move boulders, run as fast as a horse, and have the stamina of a camel. Naturally, owing to their intimate connection with mana, they possessed capabilities beyond mere physical fortification.


    Still, being an Elemental Sorcerer is way better than augmentation.


    In no time at all, Blue Dawn had already lost their pursuers. Reo had advanced and was at the forefront, leading them toward the Wasteful Wetlands. Up ahead, the path led to an incline toward the rugged cliffs that dominated the place; at the end would be Hillbury, a hamlet of luscious farmland.


    She could already see a tall structure that served as a landmark for the place, a windmill that was dormant at the moment. Also was another bridge¨Cbut way sturdier and longer than the previous ones¨Csuspended over a river connected to a roaring waterfall.


    To the right, however, was a clearing that the three took to reach their destination. Already, the landscape widened and transformed. The familiar visage of naked trees and scattered rocks and boulders greeted them with the addition of a stench of rotten eggs and mustiness. However, what was unfamiliar to her was an ominous energy lingering in the oppressive atmosphere. It was faint but still noticeable.


    "Grant, Reo, do you feel that?" she asked as they slowed down. Leading up to the place was another rickety bridge, a common occurrence in these parts.


    Reo looked around. "If I didn''t know any better, I would think that I was getting annoyed by all the fighting and running, but it¡¯s just needless anger. This energy I¡¯m feeling¡­ is it corruption?¡±


    "Fiona, your sensitivity to mana is better than ours. What do you see?" Grant asked.


    Following his words, Fiona squinted as far as she could within the Wasteful Wetlands. By honing her concentration on detecting mana, she observed a mesmerizing exhibition of white particles emanating from the zone. However, when she increased her focus, she quickly noticed a stream of black among the white. That stream was coming directly from the center of the Wasteful Wetlands.


    "Corrupted mana," she announced.


    Her friends'' eyes twitched, following her line of sight. They too understood what that meant if corrupted mana was this potent enough to be felt on the outskirts. It would explain why the beasts nearby were going crazy and attacking the citizens. However, for the tainted mana to endure openly for such a prolonged period, can only imply one possibility.


    "I think we''ve done enough investigating. We need to head back to the Explorer Guild and tell Selena of our findings immediately. I thought about heading to Hillbury and asking them questions, but that would waste time."


    Grant frowned. ¡°I share the same opinion as you. Assuming the situation to be as we believe, time is of the essence. Someone is deliberately discharging corrupted mana into the air, aiming to irritate the creatures.¡±


    "We can talk more about it later along the way. Right now, we need to find a carriage and head to Valis. I''m afraid this is the work of an artifact."

 Chapter 54- Unsettling News

    The horses that Lullin had placed at the entrance enabled the journey back to Valis to be finished in slightly less than two days. Fiona allocated her reserve funds for unforeseen circumstances to reimburse the stable attendant, paying a total of ten sil, five sil for each horse. Grant was designated to ride alone, whereas she and Reo were to embark on the other one.


    Despite being trained to handle and ride any transportation, Fiona decided to keep the remaining money for future emergencies rather than purchasing another horse. An explorer must always have a good amount of emergency funds.


    She recalled a time when Blue Dawn went bankrupt while purchasing their gear. Grant''s entire set alone was enough to buy them four set meals! They also had to think of maintenance and repairs, and as a group of coppers, their earnings weren''t all that great. Currently, the amount of sil they had was in the thirties.


    A dark cloud loomed over the city, shrouding the entire area in brief shadows. The exquisite Imperial Palace¨Cserving almost like a watchtower among the land¨Clingered in Fiona''s view as the horses galloped onto a bridge leading to the southern gate. There weren''t that many travelers this time around, spanning only a handful. While her group traversed the left side of the section, Fiona disregarded them.


    They dismounted their horses immediately upon entering, having verified their identities with the city guards and being granted access. Some folks that were passing by spared them a glance, but quickly resumed their own business. Other than that, Valis was just as lively with the shouting vendors, swarming streets, and chatty folk. She was glad to be here and not some infested swamp.


    Fiona caressed her back as she neared her friends. "Man, I hate riding horses. Anyway, you two can take him to the stables while I go to the Explorer Guild and inform Celeste and Selena about the contract. You''re free to come over after¨C"


    "I''ll pass," Reo interjected. "I don''t want to be in the same room as your aunt. Her gaze reminds me of a lioness eyeing her next meal. I''ll just go home and laze around."


    "As for myself, I have urgent matters to attend to with my father. Today is one of his idle days, therefore I should make the most of it. I am unsure of when I will return, thus please do not wait for me." Suddenly, Grant''s horse snorted as it nudged the man''s cheek. "It appears that he is famished. Since we are on a timer, we will take our leave. You can inform us what happened later."


    "Yeah, I''ll go do that. I don''t want to keep you guys waiting, so I''ll be going now."


    With a wave of goodbye, she pivoted on her heels and burst into a light jog. Traveling through the Outer Market was a joyful experience; passing by all the different stalls and taking in the scent of fresh bread and smoked meat hung on sticks. The families arrived with cheerful expressions, discussing their plans for the exciting day ahead with their children in tow. Compared to the Inner Market, it was much louder and had a friendly atmosphere going about.


    Memories of Tyrus'' first day in Valis resurface as she watches the children pointing and scanning the marketplace. He too had an expression of awe as his eyes sparkled whenever he laid his sights on something new. The boy had expressed his lifelong desire to witness the imperial capital, and she sensed he was thoroughly content with the experience.


    Oh, that''s right! The monthly exam should be tomorrow. Tyrus should be arriving today or the next day.


    Fiona meant business as she warned him of being forcibly taken back to the guild if he didn''t show up. Just like her, he was excited about the event. Granted, he was given the chance to become a member at a young age. Considering his unwavering determination to enlist solely for financial gain and physical prowess, it would be peculiar for him to overlook it. Although they hadn''t known each other for long, she felt a bit of responsibility over him. She brought him along and offered him an avenue to achieve his goals.


    "Oh, I''m here," she muttered. The Explorer Guild building overshadowed her as she approached its doors. Every so often, a person''s silhouette would flit past through the windows, while the boisterousness of explorers echoed through the walls. Without wasting any more time, she pushed forward and swung them open, scanning the interior.


    The first thing she recognized was the long line at the front desk, manned by the receptionist, Celeste. She had a smile reminiscent of a leisurely, sunny day as she inspected the materials brought in by an explorer group. Once Celeste looked up from her work and caught sight of her, she waved; Fiona returned the favor and walked up to her.


    "Sorry to interrupt, but it''s very important; it''s about the investigation contract I accepted with Blue Dawn. I''m afraid something serious is happening in the Wasteful Wetlands and I need to inform Selena about it. Is she in her office?"


    Celeste shifted aside the fangs and crystals in her grasp. "You''ve arrived just in time. She is currently in her office, but I''m afraid she is with a few¡­ guests. From their appearance and her company, it''s clear that you know them. Branch Leader Selena hasn''t notified me to bar anyone from entering, so you''re free to go."


    "¡­Okay, that sounds a little suspicious. Few people are allowed in there. Anyway, thank you, Celeste. Don''t overwork yourself!"


    Uninterrupting her labor, Fiona progressed beyond the row of adventurers stationed at the contract board. Several people gave her a blend of stares and disinterest before refocusing on the board. During her climb up the steps, she reflected on the person Selena was conversing with.


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    People of importance were usually the ones she spoke to inside her office. Given Celeste''s statement that it was someone she knew, only a select few individuals match the description. Fiona''s circle was rather small to start with, and Grant and Reo are evidently present at the stables currently. Those who held significance to Selena and whom Fiona was familiar with¨Cit could only be them. Deep down, she had hoped she was wrong.


    In a few minutes, Fiona was standing in front of her aunt''s office. Audible to her through the door were the muted voices of Selena and her guests. Judging by the voices, she heard one female voice. Shortly thereafter, she caught wind of another voice, male in nature, that caused her body to tense up. The voice was so cold and bereft of feeling that it might as well have come from a Lich''s mouth.


    Fiona''s hand trembled as she was about to touch the knob. Irritated with her own actions, she seized the disobedient limb and drew in long breaths. After the trembling reduced to sporadic shakes, she held up her arm and gave the door three soft knocks. The muffled voices soon stopped, and a feminine voice spoke from beyond.


    "Come in."


    She followed along and opened the door slowly, poking her head through the cracks. As soon as her eyes adjusted to the new room, her eyes landed on the people occupying the space. A lump formed in her throat as she walked in.


    Selena, clad in her typical garb as a branch leader, was seated stoically on her chair. Her hands were curled together, and she stared straight ahead. Seated before her were two red-haired males in formal attire, occupying the two chairs close to her desk.


    One was a boy five years younger than Fiona. His face wore a smirk that suggested he was a troublemaker who found joy in tripping old ladies. Upon catching sight of Fiona''s scowl, he emitted a chuckle that shattered the stillness.


    As for the other, Fiona didn''t have to even look at him to know who it was. The man''s stance was unwavering and upright, with hair slicked with oil. His attention was sorely on Selena as if he was waiting for her to speak, completely disregarding Fiona''s presence.


    "Well, well, well, if it isn''t the very embodiment of failure! Who gave you the right to enter a branch leader''s office so casually?"


    Fiona scowled at the boy. "Igneal¡­ Why are you here?"


    He shrugged. "Isn''t it obvious? One good look at I and Father''s clothes should be enough even for you."


    She paused for a moment. Their regal attire indicated that they were meeting someone of high importance. Father wouldn''t give just anyone the type of day; let alone wear attire one would wear in front of those higher or equal to him. The only conceivable motive for their visit to the imperial capital was to have a meeting with His Majesty.


    "So you''re here to meet with His Majesty at the Imperial Palace? Is it because of the assassinations and the Beastfolk Kingdom?"


    Gradually, her father swiveled his head and fixed his vacant stare on Fiona. A frisson of shivers engulfed her as he parted his lips. "It''s quite bold of you to interrupt the meeting of the Lockhart family head. Have you not been instructed in manners?"


    Before she had a chance to speak, Family Head Lockhart swiftly stood up. "I think it would be appropriate for me to bid farewell. As previously discussed, Selena, I entrust Igneal to your care in the meantime. Make certain he is acquainted with Valis and properly cared for. I will be visiting to check up on him from time to time. Do not worry about his finances; I will take care of it."


    Twisting, he settled a firm hand on Igneal''s shoulder. "Conduct yourself in a fitting manner; I expect great things from you, Igneal. Display no vulnerability and crush those who have the audacity to obstruct your path."


    "Don''t worry, Father. I have not forgotten what you have taught me. I''ll make it a point to demonstrate that a Lockhart is not to be trifled with.¡±


    Appearing content with his response, Family Head Lockhart withdrew his hand and confidently walked by Fiona, not bothering to acknowledge her presence. The door shut with a hushed click, and the sound of footsteps faded into the distance. Her arm trembled again, but she clenched it and sighed.


    "Apologies, Fiona," said Selena. Regrettably, I neglected to inform you he his arrival to Valis for crucial affairs with His Majesty. It is as you have guessed; he was summoned to discuss the rising tension in Dharmere. However, his stay will be short-lived as he''s departing tomorrow.¡±


    Fiona stood there in silence. It wasn''t surprising to her that father treated her with indifference. He had always been like that for as long as she could remember. The only times he would show emotion at all is with those who are strong and have displayed immense potential, traits he did not see within her. Because of that, he tossed her aside like trash to live in Valis alongside her aunt. It was customary for him to depart without bidding farewell or even glancing at her one last time.


    "It''s alright, aunt. You have a lot on your plate, and I get that. It''s not worth bothering me.¡± To prove her point, Fiona walked forward and sat on the available chair. From the corner of her eye, she could see Igneal grinning at her. She ignored him and cleared her throat.


    "I came here as quickly as I could once I finished the investigation contract sent from Lullin. To keep it short, my friends and I discovered corrupted mana coming from within the Wasteful Wetlands. We have suspicions that an artifact inside the zone is causing nearby beasts to become more hostile. Furthermore, there were some things that we found odd."


    Fiona quickly started to elaborate to Selena about the questionable caravan that was traveling through Toad Hollow and by Lullin. Men who showed alarming actions by avoiding rest at Lullin and wearing clothing that emitted an aura of danger.


    Selena affirmed with a nod as Fiona wrapped up her report. "That is indeed worrisome. It would be fair to assume that these men might be responsible for the corrupted mana and the beasts. In fact, it actually explains some information I was given a few days ago."


    "What''s this about corrupted mana and hostile beasts?" Igneal asked. "You should tell me more, Aunt Selena. Perhaps I can fix the problem single-handedly. If Fiona was unable to take action, then I certainly can."


    "Alright, time out." Fiona turned and glared at Igneal. "Why in Sthito''s name are you still here and what did Father mean by, I leave Igneal in your hands for the time being? It almost sounds like you''ll be living here for a while."


    Instead of a definitive answer, all he did was grin maniacally. It was a slow realization that dawned on Fiona as her lips parted.


    "No¡­ Don''t tell me."


    He nodded. "Since my home is far from Valis, traveling to the imperial capital would be a hassle. So, as he discussed with Aunt Selena, they came to the agreement that it''d be best to live with her for the time being. As for why, it''s because I''ll be attending Valis Academy of Sorcery."


    Fiona was denied the opportunity to react to the dreadful news before a knock sounded, followed by an entrance. In the distance, the noise downstairs appeared to intensify to a deafening degree.


    ¡°Please forgive my abrupt intrusion, Branch Leader Selena, but this matter is of utmost importance. The young man called Tyrus came in looking quite ragged. In addition, it appears that he has encountered some difficulties with Family Head Lockhart. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to intervene.¡±

 Chapter 55- The Reveal

    Tyrus''s eyes slanted as he observed the room. A throng of adventurers encircled him, gazing upon him with an array of emotions, the majority displaying a mix of perplexity and enthusiasm. He felt as though he were a horned squirrel hemmed in by a pack of lesser hounds.


    Of all these lesser hounds, one person stood out the most with an intense pressure radiating from them. If Tyrus were to designate a beast to the man ahead of him, labeling him as a drake would be a gross injustice.


    Standing tall and resolute in front of him was a man a few heads taller than him; just to meet with him at eye level, Tyrus had to crane his neck upward. Although his features were strangely reminiscent of Selena, his eyes projected a chilly but commanding presence. At first sight, it was evident that the man possessed great strength. His strength was likely superior to Selena''s, even if he wasn''t actively showing his mana.


    Tyrus swallowed back a wad of saliva as he stared at the man. He made no movements, standing as still as a statue as he watched with an unreadable expression. It felt like an eternity as Tyrus waited for him to make a move.


    Retracing his path appeared to be a good option currently, but the red-haired man''s aura hindered him from doing it. Tyrus felt trapped in mud, unable to pull out his feet as a predator waited for him to waste his energy in struggling. If he were to take even a single step, how would the man react?


    During their stare down, the spectators would speak amongst themselves in hushed whispers. Though they were mostly background noise, he picked out a few that stood out to him among the rabble.


    "That the same kid back then when Selena was showing off out back? Don''t tell me he''s thinking about becoming an explorer..."


    "With all those scratches, tears, and dirt all over him, you''d think a thorn bear had its way with him. Nasty things, I tell ya."


    "What I want to know is why the family head isn''t budging an inch. He walked past us like we''re mere insects, but here he is staring at the kid."


    I can hear you guys quite fine, Tyrus thought. It was surprising that they remembered him from a few days ago. He doubted he left such a lasting impression on them, considering Selena caught their attention with her impressive control of fire magic. Thinking back, he was sandwiched between Fiona and the others, his presence lackluster compared to theirs.


    As for his appearance, it was the culmination of his battle with the rock spiders and his escape from imprisonment. For the few tunnels that were laid out in front of him thanks to the cave worms¨Cbeasts he luckily didn''t encounter during his time down there¨Cthe third one he entered proved to be the correct one.


    The first tunnel yielded no results, whereas the second led to a cave filled with blood-sucking bats, despite its needless length. Though he could easily handle a few of them, when they all swooped down from the ceiling, coming out unscathed was only a dream.


    His attire was tattered from the experience, and he had to use many Healing Touch spells to seal his wounds. Since he was also using Illumination to light the way, his mana drained a lot more quickly, which elicited a lot of much needed breaks to recuperate.


    When things were looking bleak as he entered the last tunnel, his worries were for naught as the tunnel gradually began moving upward, which was already a good sign. The lackluster mana he felt all that time was increasing in quality and quantity the higher he climbed.


    As his sweat dripped onto the sediment and his hands turned into a mix of black and brown, breathing became noticeably easier for him. The scent of flowers and grass that was nonexistent before came in droves, the smell almost overloading his senses. Then, as in what felt like days, a speck of light burst through some cracks.


    Frankly, his time underground was nerve-wracking. Each hour was spent thinking about how much time had passed and whether he had missed the monthly exam. There was a moment where he believed he would perish in solitude, as there seemed to be no escape. The tunnel he was flung into was shut, hence trying to tunnel through it was not an option. But fate itself had other plans for him, and his time to die wasn''t there and then.


    Immediately upon exiting, he bolted out of Wildwood, his thoughts preoccupied with the fear of failing to meet the deadline. In a short amount of time, he put on his hat and tried tucking his tunic into his pants. It was a shabby attempt at concealing his tail, and the results weren''t too great. Although he concealed it, others would notice a bump around his waist if they took another look.


    After everything that happened, Tyrus carefully navigated through Valis and waltzed right into the guild, hoping for Fiona or her friends to be there. But instead of meeting people he knew, an oppressive figure blocked his way. His mana gave off the same vibe as Selena, and even Fiona if he stared hard enough. Despite holding back immensely, his aura remained the most suffocating sensation he had ever known.


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    Considering the time pressure, Tyrus cleared his throat. "U-Um, excuse me, but¨C"


    A frigid shiver ran down his spine the moment the man before him lifted a finger. His body had unconsciously responded to the mana surge forming at the tip, triggered by a seemingly insignificant action in his eyes. Time slowed to a crawl as Tyrus ducked his body. Simultaneously, the man gestured towards his head, followed by a flash of light that propelled forward akin to a cannonball.


    Looking closely, it was a flame as small as a nail that was emitted. Usually, that wouldn''t be a problem, but it was the impressive amount of mana used to bring the spell to fruition. Shortly thereafter, the spell whizzed perilously close to his hat, hurtling through the atmosphere as it was poised to collide with the guild''s door, but was rescued by a timely explorer who opened it just in time. The spell soared past their cheek, almost grazing it as the magic fizzled into the air.


    Right as Tyrus shifted his attention back to the attacker, the man was no longer in his previous spot. Alternatively, he overshadowed Tyrus, maintaining the same chill expression. In one quick motion, he brought down his hand and removed his hat. His ears popped right out, turning as rigid as a stone.


    "A spy sent from the Beastfolk Kingdom to infiltrate the capital?" said the man. "No¡­ Murus is smarter than that. This one must be undergoing Skaura as well." Shaking his head, he stepped back and lit the hat aflame, transforming it into a lump of ashes. Tyrus stared daggers at the man.


    What kind of person uses fire magic¨Cnot to mention silent casting¨Cand burns someone''s hat without a care in the world? The action caught him so off-guard that he hadn''t even thought of hiding his ears. Additionally, his tail escaped from the sudden movement and was twitching; ears included.


    "That kid is a Demi-human! One with Beastfolk blood, too!"


    "Then the family head attacking him makes sense, given the tension with the Beastfolk Kingdom."


    "Isn''t that going too far, though? It''s not like the kid attacked the family head¡­"


    "So? Those mongrels are the ones who acted first against Lethos. Serves him right for showing his face in the imperial capital, of all places."


    Tyrus glanced at the crowd once more, unsure of their reaction. Though he expected harsh words, it was weird there were some people who seemed like they were on his side. Then again, that meant nothing when he felt dagger-like stares piercing his skin.


    He wanted to turn and run out the doors, but something deep down told him to stay put. It was as though the message was instructing to always keep an eye on the red-haired man and avoid any interaction. If he were to use a spell or try to run, he''d be dead in an instant.


    Nevertheless, after a moment, the thunderous footsteps from the building''s corner seized the notice of everyone except the man. Running down the stairs was the receptionist Celeste, and behind her was Fiona, Selena, and another redhead. Why was that particular hair color so prevalent today?


    "Kleine!" Selena shouted as she strutted forward. "What in Sthito''s name do you think you''re doing in my building?"


    Kleine, the one referred to, shifted his eyes away from Tyrus and locked them onto Selena. He glanced at Tyrus once again before striding past him. In no time, he vacated the premises, leaving a flabbergasted crowd in his wake.


    Selena shook her head and sighed. "Leaving without an explanation¡­ I''ll give you hell later."


    While taking her robe off, Fiona rushed forward and threw it at him. "Branch Leader Selena, do we have your permission to use one of the spare rooms? I think he needs medical attention."


    "Go right ahead, Fiona. In the meantime, I''ll clean things up here." She tilted her head at the unmoving explorers. Fiona nodded and brought Tyrus closer to her, shoving through the throng as they made their way up the stairs.


    I think I made a terrible mistake, Tyrus thought. Now that his identity is revealed, what will happen to him? Never in a million years did he expect some random man to come out of nowhere and burn his cap. Because of him, more people knew about him, and judging by the negative reactions he received, it was highly likely they would tell others about the events that had just happened.


    Even he knew that if something interesting were to happen, it would be hard to keep their mouths shut. The entire reason for hiding his ears and tails was to prevent himself from being a target. Now that plan went out the window. It wouldn''t be long before every explorer in the guild was informed. In his haste to arrive, another roadblock had turned up. He had to figure out what to do next¡­


    "Sorry for my father''s actions," Fiona said suddenly as they stopped in front of a door. "He does as he pleases towards those he considers inferior to him. Typically, he disregards those who hold no significance to him. He must have discerned something when he laid eyes upon you."


    Father? So that man really is related to Selena; no wonder they looked similar.


    Tyrus hung his head. "It wasn''t your fault, but partly mine. I should''ve come at a better time or waited somewhere nearby until you or your friends appeared. It''s just¡­ a lot has happened when I was in Wildwood, and I lost track of time."


    "Wildwood? What the hell were you doing in there?" Pausing for a moment, she gasped. "Wait, that means you completely disregarded my warning! Bah, forget it, at least you''re here in one piece. What I want to know is why did you arrive in tatters?"


    Before he could retort, Tyrus''s ears pricked up at the noise of shuffling by the stairs. When he rotated, he realized that the boy from earlier was walking towards him with a frown.


    Must be another relative of Fiona and Selena. Why is he looking at me like that?


    The scarlet-haired boy came to a stop in front of Tyrus with his hands planted on his hips. Judging by his appearance, he appeared slightly taller than him and projected an air of confidence that didn''t match his slender build.


    From top to bottom, he inspected Tyrus, his lips curling in the corner. "Hey, commoner. What''s your name?"

 Chapter 56- Igneals Offer

    Following the entire harrowing experience, Tyrus was perched in the room''s corner, observing the two people before him. The boy introduced himself as Igneal, the son of the jerk who was extremely hostile to Tyrus out of nowhere.


    To his surprise, he happened to be Fiona''s brother, an odd realization. They didn''t particularly look like siblings, and they certainly didn''t act like it either. Then again, Tyrus didn''t have experience with those types of things, so he brushed it aside. At the moment, Fiona and her brother were in an argument.


    "Igneal, Tyrus needs his rest. Don''t you see his appearance? You should leave, like right now."


    He rolled his eyes. "Rest? He seems fairly alert to me. Plus, who allowed you to dictate my actions? Let me give you some advice; treat the future family head with respect. In the future, I might even let you return to Lockhart territory."


    Fiona scowled and said, "Yeah, well, you aren''t the family head, so it doesn''t matter. I''m older than you, and what I say goes. Just because you''re favored doesn''t mean you''re exempt from the consequences. If you don''t leave immediately, I''ll have to throw you out by force."


    "Oh yeah? I would like to see you try." A bright flame suddenly appeared in Igneal''s palms. He grinned as he waited for Fiona to make a move.


    She sighed as she strode forward. "Unruly kids like you need a beating once in a while. If your parents won''t give you one, then I''ll happily oblige."


    Just before the two could begin their little squabble, Tyrus infused some mana into his fingers and snapped them. A crack that resembled a whip reverberated, halting the two in their steps. They both whirled their heads and stared at him.


    "Fiona, how long until the monthly exam?" he asked as he fiddled with the robe. Right now, knowing how much time had passed was his first concern.


    "Sign-ups begin tomorrow at noon. It''s a good thing you arrived early. With you here, we can begin preparing you for the exam once you''re ready."


    Tyrus nodded. If his math was correct, he was underground for at least a day. He really was lucky it wasn''t longer than that or else he''d have missed the sign-ups. Would thanking the cave worms for creating a path for him be a good thing? Then again, they were the reason he fell into the hole in the first place. Or was it because of the rock spider?


    During his contemplation, he hadn''t realized that Igneal had moved away from the middle of the room. He had made himself comfortable on the bed, sitting at the edge as he stared down at Tyrus with the same smirk. Tyrus scooted a bit further away, unsure what to do with him.


    "You guys are discussing some pretty intriguing things," Igneal said. "Don''t tell me you''re thinking about entering the Explorer Guild already? They have an age restriction of eleven and above, and you seem younger than me. Moreover, why did Father react that way to you? He only acts that way when his curiosity is provoked."


    "Your questioning is making him uncomfortable," Fiona growled. "Tyrus doesn''t react greatly to strangers, and you''re making it worse."


    Igneal ignored her and continued. "Father is a great man, and one of the most powerful sorcerers in Dharmere. He reacts only to those who are near his level or show immense potential. Father''s unusual behavior means he sees something in you, a commoner. It''s strange that he allowed you to leave despite being aware of your connection to Lethos'' present foe."


    "Aunt Selena and him are paying attention to you. But what''s most surprising is that I can feel your mana; you''re most definitely a sorcerer."


    After Igneal paused for a few seconds, seemingly waiting for a response, Tyrus narrowed his eyes at him. "Why are you asking so many questions about me? You don''t know me and I don''t know you. What are you trying to gain here?"


    "Heh, you catch on quick." Igneal''s face turned serious. I''m giving you the chance to befriend a member of the prestigious Great Lineages - a son of Family Head Lockhart. Honestly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance you can''t refuse."


    "I refuse," Tyrus said in a heartbeat. "I don''t like the idea of becoming close with someone who has a father like that. Besides, you''re way too suspicious. There must be some hidden intentions behind wanting me to be your friend."


    Tyrus was skeptical about why Igneal wanted to be friends with a commoner, as he had mentioned. His knowledge about nobility was limited but knew very well how divided commoners and nobles were, with the latter being at the top of the world. Those who were higher up looked down upon the ones beneath them; a view common in these parts.


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    He had experienced it many times before. The world was a cruel place that was infested with such things, and he didn''t like it one bit. He was in this predicament in the first place because he was abandoned for being inferior. Because of that, it was understandable for him to be wary of everyone around him, and Igneal was no different. Behind those cocky eyes of his were a slew of hidden intentions. The question was what he had in mind exactly.


    "I told you he''s not fond of strangers," Fiona said scornfully. "You''ll have to do better than that to convince Tyrus. Oh, and by the way, Tyrus and I are friends, so pardon me if I''m worried about him."


    Igneal glanced sideways, brows pinched as he stood. "So, this is a matter of trust, I presume? Certainly, it is an effortless matter to correct, and I have a flawless plan in mind."


    The boy sauntered by Fiona and wedged the door open. Before departing, he cast a glance over his shoulder, still wearing a smile. "It was nice to meet you, Tyrus. I hope our future meetings will be a little more¡­ productive. For now, I will concede, but just know I will not give up. You will come around eventually."


    Leaving his words hanging in the air, the door closed with a soft thud. Immediately after his departure, Tyrus exhaled heavily and loosened his shoulders. "That was nerve-wracking. I expected him to get all angry and start yelling, but he was surprisingly calm."


    Fiona clicked her tongue. "He''s merely imitating father''s demeanor. He might seem calm on the outside, but that kid is probably fuming on the inside. Then again, I don''t know him all that well."


    "You don''t know your brother all that well? How come?"


    "Our interactions have been limited given that we barely meet each other," she said matter-of-factly. "I lived in Valis my whole life while Igneal was raised in Lockhart territory, which is south of the Wasteful Wetlands, by the way. As I spent my life here, Igneal has spent his elsewhere. The only person in the Lockhart family I''m close with is Selena, while the others are dead to me."


    "Not even your mother, too?"


    The look on Fiona''s face darkened briefly before turning back to indifference. "Enough about my family. Tell me everything that has happened to you, and I mean everything. Don''t leave out a single detail."


    Putting aside Fiona''s abrupt change of demeanor, Tyrus began recounting his experiences. He first began with his little trip to the cave where he encountered Ivy. In there, he learned and practiced a few spells. Afterward, he explained how he remembered Fiona''s warning about claw-marked trees and didn''t venture too deep inside Wildwood.


    Regarding the treants and other creatures, he abstained from mentioning them. They seemed dead set on keeping their existence a secret, and he would not betray their trust. As a result, Tyrus had to complete the extensive gap of absent information since the majority of his exploits unfolded in Wildwood.


    So, all he mentioned was that he mostly hunted, trained his body and mana, and slept around as he counted the days left. The whole time, Fiona was nodding, but still looked skeptical.


    Lastly, in terms of his appearance, he informed her he had discovered another cavern and resolved to investigate it in the expectation of discovering riches and the like. However, as he delved further into the cave, he soon discovered that it was no ordinary cave and was teeming with beasts.


    From that point onward, he fought relentlessly, viewing the experience as a means of self-improvement. Following that, he shared how he located the creature responsible for the trees bearing claw marks and conquered it independently. That was when Fiona''s expression changed.


    "You found the beast that was living in Wildwood and defeated it single-handedly? No offense, but if you were able to vanquish it, then it must''ve been weak if it lost to a Fledgling Sorcerer such as yourself."


    Tyrus pouted and said, "The beast I fought wasn''t weak at all. In fact, I don''t think even you would''ve defeated it on your own."


    Fiona laughed. "Are you sulking right now? This might be the first time I''ve ever seen you so visibly annoyed about a person''s words. You should see your face right now. It reminds me of a baby being deprived of sweets."


    If you''ve seen everything I''ve been through, you''d understand why I''m like this, Tyrus thought. The act of hearing someone describe his daunting experience in such an unsatisfactory manner did not sit well with him. It struck a nerve he never realized existed. Even now, Fiona was still smiling.


    Silently, Tyrus reached into his storage ring and began pulling out the faded scales one by one, dropping them onto the floor. The smile on her face faded while each scale clattered onto the floor. Soon, a pile of dull-colored scales was made. Fiona''s arm trembled as she picked one up.


    "No way¡­ Is this what I think it is?"


    "These are drake scales," Tyrus remarked with a smug air. "The beast of Wildwood was a drake, which I defeated. Still think the beast I fought was weak?"


    Fiona rubbed her hands along the scale. "Not in the slightest. I commend you for fighting such a thing on your own, and I apologize for my words. I can see why you reacted negatively to my words."


    "Fighting a drake was really difficult. It required a lot of quick thinking and movement on my part. I even sustained some injuries, but healed them quickly. Either way, the good thing is that Wildwood is no longer in danger."


    Chuckling, she set the item aside and ruffled his hair. ¡°Well, well, well, aren''t you a big shot now? Went from slaying goblins and rock spiders to drakes. You''re just full of surprises. With what you''ve done so far, tomorrow should be a breeze for you. Ah, speaking of tomorrow, now that you''re here safe and sound, it¡¯s about time you prepare for what''s to come."


    "Prepare?" Tyrus repeated.


    "Yep! With the drake scales you have in possession, we might as well put them to use. Luckily for you, these things can fetch a good price depending on the buyer. Or if you want to use them for potions or armor, then that can happen too. Your call, since it''s all yours."


    Oh right, I forgot about that. While making armor out of scales sounds neat, I would rather sell them. Right now, I need money, and with money, I can buy what I need as an explorer.


    Fiona rose from the bed and pivoted. "But before we begin the shopping spree, we need to do one very important task. You, my friend, desperately need a bath."

 Chapter 57- New Weapons

    Tyrus and Fiona stood in front of a building that took up a good chunk of space in the plaza. Weirdly enough, the location was erected using wood instead of the regular stone, looking much out of place. The front windows sparkled under the sun''s reflective rays, and a box of flowers ornamented the front. On top of the building was a hanging sign that said: Merchant''s Exchange. Racks and shelves filled with breastplates and swords caught Tyrus''s intense gaze.


    "Welcome to Merchant''s Exchange," Fiona said with a smile. "Reo, Grant, and I frequent this place a lot, so it''s trustworthy. Other locations exist to sell materials besides the Explorer Guild. Given all the ruckus, I believed it best to go somewhere else."


    "Yeah¡­ I was getting a lot of stares when we left through the front doors. Felt like I was about to be hit from behind at any moment."


    "Don''t worry about that. As long as I''m here, I''ll do my best to protect you from the others. Say the word and I''ll burn them alive while you go ahead and loot their bodies."


    Tyrus expected her to laugh at her own joke, but she remained determined as she moved forward. It became clear that she was completely serious and ready to follow through.


    The thought of her going so far was frightening, especially since they were not that close. Already, she had done so much for him, and he had yet to repay the favor. Fiona had given him advice, food, and even a way to become an explorer.


    I better work hard so that I don''t disappoint her, Tyrus thought. He pressed the robes against him as he followed Fiona. Upon entering the emporium, a chime immediately welcomed them. A warm light bathed the interior of the shop through hung lanterns and chandeliers. Many ornaments were pinned onto the wall while a carpet decorated the front entrance.


    To his left and right was an area filled with armor stands that housed shiny armor pieces and leather. In the middle of the store were racks of common swords of various sizes. In addition, he saw barrels containing spears, arrows, shields, and bows. As for smells, he picked up the scent of many spices and incense. The most recognizable ones were cinnamon and an earthy aroma. There was also a hint of fruit in the mix.


    "Ah, Fiona, back so soon? What can I do for you?"


    When the cheerful tone rang out, Tyrus lifted his head to behold a smiling face at a station. A man with gray hair stood at the helm; plastered on his angled nose were round spectacles. In his hands was a quill that had ink on the tip.


    As for the station, it was wide enough for two people to leisurely do their duties. It had its own fireplace, and on top of it was the emblem of a shield. Next to the station was an area covered by two banners. Behind them was some shuffling and creaking; was there someone else in the shop? It was pretty empty other than him, Fiona, and the shopkeeper.


    Fiona strolled up wearing a smile. "Hello, Clive. I take it you and the shop''s been well?"


    "Oh, you know how it is around these parts. Setting up shop in a busy plaza like this was the best decision of my life. Well, second only to separating from Mary. A real piece of work, that woman¡­"


    "I''d love to hear about your love life, but we have something even more impressive."


    His eyes sparked with greed. "Really now? You''re not one to lie, Fiona, so I''ll take your word for it."


    Stepping out of Fiona''s shadow, Tyrus came into the shopkeeper''s view. The man arched an eyebrow at the newcomer. "Who''s this supposed to be and why is he dressed like a crook?"


    "His name is Tyrus. At the moment, I''m in charge of him. You don''t need to worry. He''s well-behaved and won''t touch anything."


    "Hm¡­ Tyrus, eh? Nice to meet you, kid. Just make sure not to wander around or touch what isn''t yours. You break it, you buy it¨Cthat''s what I always say."


    The shuffling from beyond the room grew louder and more frenzied. Soon, the pounding of footsteps echoed through the walls. Everyone turned their heads at the sound of fabric being pulled. A girl with gold hair peeked out of the folds like a mole; Tyrus recognized her.


    "Tyrus? It really is you!"


    He greeted Ivy with a wave as she jogged forward. "Hello. It''s been a while since we last spoke. I think the last time was when you allowed me to use that book of yours. Thank you for that, by the way."


    Ivy''s cheeks turned red. "I-It was no problem at all. If it''s you, I would gladly help you in whatever way I can."


    "Really? That''s nice to hear from you. If you need my help, don''t hesitate to ask; I''ll be right there for you."


    Her gaze lingered on his face before turning to a smirking Fiona. "Oops! Hello to you too, Fiona. I hope you''re doing well on this fine day."


    "Oh, don''t mind me. Please, continue with your conversation and just treat me like a ghost."


    Clive cleared his throat, catching the three''s attention. "We''re in a store, not a play area. Let me see what you have so I can evaluate it."


    Tyrus stepped toward the man and leveled his palm over the table. With just a single thought, he began releasing all the scales stored within the ring. Clive''s eyes widened as every scale dropped onto the table. Once the last scale was out, Tyrus stepped back. The shopkeeper grabbed one of them and inspected it all over.


    "Well, I''ll be¡­ How in Sthito''s name did you get yourself drake scales?"


    "That''s a secret. If you want to know, I don''t mind telling you in exchange for some money."


    Clive scoffed as he examined every single one of them with focus. A silence stretched on as the man took his time, doing an array of actions that had Tyrus puzzled. He ran his hands along the surface, tapped it gently on the table, and even gave it a quick lick. After about a few minutes, he dropped them all.


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    "They''re the scales of a lesser fire drake¨Ca juvenile at that. You can tell by its size. Unfortunately, all of them have scratches. I''ll have to decrease its value because of its condition and size. No magical properties either."


    "Of course, there is a market for scales, especially for those of a draconian species like the drake. Since there are ten of them, I''ll buy them off you for 100. If the scales were in good condition, it''d be 120, but you win some you lose some. Can''t go any higher than that."


    Tyrus stood there, wide-eyed. He hadn''t expected he would earn that much sil in such a short amount of time. Compared to the ten he received before, that was a substantial amount! Buying his own meals and living at taverns and inns didn''t seem so far-fetched now.


    All those scales I could''ve gotten from the drake if I had a sack or a better ring¡­ No, I can''t start feeling regret. I should come back to Wildwood when I have the time and search for the corpse. It''s practically a bag of money just sitting there!


    His own thoughts were interrupted by the jingling of coins in front of him. Clive had just placed the scales on a tray and had brought forth a pouch. Tyrus watched with a hung mouth as the man handed Fiona the money.


    "Pleasure doing business with you," Fiona said.


    Clive nodded. "The pleasure is all mine. If you pick up any more scales¨Cor something even better¨Cin the future, don''t hesitate to come on over. I reckon I can give you quite the bargain compared to the other sellers around here."


    "I''ll take your word for it," Fiona said. Pausing, she looked around the place. "By the way, you got any good gear around here? I''m hoping to get Tyrus a weapon and some leather armor to keep him safe.¡±


    After her declaration, a silence stretched on between them. Clive squinted at her, waiting for her to continue until he realized she wasn''t joking. "Oh, you''re serious about that. I won''t ask you for the details then. A weapon I can sell you, but protection-wise you''ll have to look elsewhere. I don''t have a size currently available for the young one. If you want, I can issue an order and have it sent here in a couple of days."


    "We''re pressed for time, so I''ll have to formally decline. We''ll just have to settle for a weapon."


    "Hmph. Just so you''re aware, I only have a few weapons a kid like him can wield comfortably. I''m guessing you''ll be looking for a sword or a dagger. You''ll find them on the right side of the store. If you can''t find anything of the sort, you''ll have to find a blacksmith to craft you one or look for a weapon through other means."


    "Thank you for the advice," Fiona said. "We''ll look around and notify you about our decision. Tyrus, you can go on ahead and look."


    Tyrus nodded at the suggestion and turned. Locating the weapons section was easy, as the racks and barrels were right there. He walked up to one section comprising of racks filled with weapons. One of them had an array of daggers laid out while the other had swords of various sizes.


    Choosing which weapon to use seemed easy at first: get the one that he was the most accustomed to, which would be daggers. Yet when his eyes lingered on the swords, he began having second thoughts. Daggers were a great weapon to have because they were small and easy to use. You just cut and thrust at whatever comes your way. He also felt quick on his feet because they were light.


    However, the downside of daggers was that they broke easily and had a small reach. He had already used three of them, and all broke in a few days. Also, with his battle against the drake, he had done minimal damage to the beast, so he had to resort to using magic. Above all, swords were much cooler than daggers. The way people fought with swords compared to daggers was a stark contrast.


    Speaking of swords, would he even be able to use one correctly? Because of their size, wielding one would be difficult. And since it would be his first time using a sword, fighting would get a lot tougher. Yes, swords were cool, but they needed much more training than daggers. Though brief, he had seen Grant and Reo fight before, and the way they used their weapons was completely different.


    "Are you having trouble picking?"


    Looking up from the rack, Tyrus watched Ivy approach with a smile. He shifted his gaze back to the rack and sighed. "I don''t know which one to pick. All this time, I''ve been using daggers because it''s what I started off with. But I want to start using swords this time around because I know they''re way better than daggers.


    "The problem with swords is that I don''t know how to properly use them. What if I''m off on a contract and can''t fight correctly because I don''t know how to swing a sword?"


    Ivy tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Yeah, swords require a lot of time and training to master compared to daggers. You also have to think about fighting styles, footwork, the length and weight of the sword; there are a lot of things to think about. If you''re unsure of your choice, why not both? Using the dagger as a secondary weapon sounds like the smart thing to do."


    "¡­That''s a great idea, Ivy. Using it as a backup never crossed my mind. You really are smart, you know that? I remember you sharing helpful information at the cave.¡±


    Fidgeting with her glasses, she stayed silent while he glanced at the weapons. They weren''t all that special, all possessing the same base design and material. The only difference was the hilts and the length of the blade. Tyrus just grabbed a dagger with a red leather hilt and moved on to the swords.


    I''ll have to get a sword that isn''t too big or too small. While I could lift it easily with augmentation activated, it won''t be on most of the time.


    Knowing what he wanted, Tyrus found what he was looking for. Immediately, he picked up a sword a little under half his stature. Its stainless blade shined under the light as he clutched it around its black leather hilt. As he expected, his muscles strained somewhat from the new pressure, but holding it was easy. Tyrus felt the urge to swing the sword but thought better. He would have to test it out at a better time and not in a store with people around.


    "You look even cooler with the sword," Ivy remarked.


    Tyrus gave her a brief smile before walking back to the counter. Clive had been scribbling some words on some paper while Fiona had been watching from a distance with a wide grin on her face. The shopkeeper looked up from his work and nodded.


    "I see you''ve made some smart decisions. Got yourself a sword you can handle and a substitute blade. Is there anything else you''d like to purchase? I got some medicine that can cure ailments such as poison, frostbite, and burns. Hell, how about a toy or a game?"


    "Clive¡­" Fiona warned.


    "I was just making some suggestions. Anyway, most of the swords and daggers you see here are mass-produced. That doesn''t mean the quality of steel is lacking. The sword is about six sil, and the dagger is half of that."


    Tyrus shuffled inside the money pouch and pulled out the required nine sil. Clive accepted it happily and deposited it into a box.


    "Pleasure doing business with ya. While I do not have the right armor size in stock for the kid, I can lead you to another store that might have them. When you leave the store and¨C"


    "There''s no need for that," Ivy interrupted. "I know the perfect place for Tyrus to get what he wants. If you don''t mind, could you allow me to go home early for the day? I''ve already reorganized the inventory around the place and have cleaned up."


    "Well, I don''t see why not. You''ve done your duties, so I''ll permit it. Come and open up your hands." Clive grunted as he dropped a few sil coins onto the girl''s hand. "Go buy something nice for yourself¨Cor for Erza. Knowing that woman, she''d be happy receiving just a rock from her kid. Maybe even a turd while we''re at it."


    "Thank you very much, Sir. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be on my way. Fiona and Tyrus, could you come with me please?"


    "I don''t see why not," Fiona said with a shrug. "Come along, Tyrus. Let''s go get you some of that armor."


    Ivy and Fiona issued their goodbyes to Clive as they stepped out of the building. Tyrus stored the weapons in the storage ring and said his goodbyes as well. Feeling utterly satisfied with his new belongings, he departed the premises with a slight spring in his stride.

 Chapter 58- Rewarded Efforts

    Tyrus had stumbled upon a predicament earlier than expected. It was a dire situation that he hoped to never cross paths with for as long as he lived. Sure, he felt guilty for what he had done, but there was no other way of escaping the chase. Someone else like him would have acted similarly if they were in his position.


    "This is the child who rescued you?"


    Standing next to her mother, Ivy was twiddling her thumbs. Leaning over the counter, the woman had her chin on her palm as she scrutinized Tyrus. It was hard to pinpoint what exact emotions or thoughts were swirling behind her piercing eyes, and the uncertainty was unnerving. Fiona''s presence and active browsing in the shop allowed him to maintain some level of calmness.


    There was also the case of her finding out he triggered the flying swords and quills. Ivy had mentioned that she, and possibly others, suspected the two people chasing him were responsible for the break-in, but as time passed, they could harbor other suspicions. Maybe through some type of magic they could find the true reason. But until he was positive Erza held suspicions of him, he had to feign ignorance.


    Well, try to, at least.


    Mentally preparing himself, Tyrus looked around as he approached the counter. Now that he could look around without his life in danger, he could gaze at the interior normally. Though it''s been a couple of days since the break in, the shop was already back to its previous state.


    Before he entered, he noticed the windows returned to their complete and shiny form. The shelves and objects were put back to their respective spots, and the floor was absolutely spotless. It was as if there weren''t signs of an intrusion at all. He hadn''t expected things to go back to normal that quickly.


    A mixture of herbs and incense scents filled the air, originating from the many flasks and containers on a shelf behind Erza. On those flasks were letters scribbled at the base, probably to identify them easily. They were quite the sight to behold, given that they were a multitude of vibrant colors like pink and blue. Other than the flasks, the middle of the shop had the expected tools that tried to kill him; quills, books, and all that.


    After a quick examination, Tyrus stopped in front of Erza. "H-Hello¡­ My name is Tyrus¨C"


    Raising her hand, Erza let out a sigh. "It''s good manners to remove the cloak when you speak to the adults. Might be a lifesaver when encountering foolish or proud individuals. Sthito knows those types always got a pole up their asses. If you''re worried about your appearance, don''t bother. Soon as you came through those doors, I already knew."


    All Tyrus could do was grumble as he removed the hood. Upon getting a good look at him, Erza''s face twitched momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure.


    "Okay, now this is getting frustrating. How did you figure it out so quickly? This is the third time someone could tell with just a single glance."


    The woman shrugged. "Since you''re still new, I''ll give you the benefit of the doubt and tell you. With enough training, a sorcerer can read another sorcerer¨Cor anything imbued with mana¨Cmana signatures. Mana analysis is the name for it, and it can track and identify mana signatures."


    "Through identification, I can tell the difference between a human and Beastfolk that are fully cloaked. A human would have a moderate flow while a Beastfolk would be jagged. Your mana signature is a blend of the two, with a steady flow and occasional spikes. Because of that, it''s natural to assume you''re a Demi-human with Beastfolk blood."


    Tyrus frowned. "No wonder Selena and that jerk noticed fast. Since they''re strong sorcerers, it would make sense they knew something was off in a heartbeat."


    So that''s why Wanderer warned me about Advanced Sorcerers, he thought to himself. The person had mentioned that with their observant eyes, they would surely figure out his identity. It had been so long that he had totally forgotten about that key piece of information.


    If an Advanced Sorcerer could tell races apart, did that mean Selena, Erza, and the jerk held that title? Or maybe even a tier above? He still had little knowledge about sorcerer rankings, so he was still in the dark about it. While he was surrounded by people who knew a lot more than he did, he never really took advantage of asking them a series of questions relating to sorcerers. Then again, other events would come barging in and grasping his attention, thus leading him to forget later.


    "Anyway, I could give two shits about your appearance long as you don''t cause trouble to me or my family. And since you saved my precious Ivy and not that shitty excuse of a teacher, a thanks should be in order."


    Erza got up from her place and softly laid her hand on Ivy''s head. The woman beamed as she briefly fixed her eyes on her daughter.


    "I, Erza, together with my daughter Ivy, wish to convey our deep appreciation. Thanks to you, Ivy remains in my company in sound health. If it were to come to my attention that a mere beast had killed my beloved daughter, I am unsure of how I would react. Well, other than getting my hands dirty, but that is beside the point. Once again, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts."


    Both ladies bowed their heads simultaneously, as if showing their respect. Tyrus could only muster a meager "no problem" as he awkwardly rubbed his neck. The sound of boots clopping behind him reached his ears as Fiona emerged from behind his back, letting out a chuckle.


    "Never thought I would ever see her bow her head to other people. Don''t get used to it Tyrus, because you might never see such an action from her ever again unless you helped Ivy again."


    "¡­That doesn''t matter as long as she''s safe," he said. "I can''t imagine a parent losing their child like that. Just from her reaction alone, I can tell that they''re very close. If one of them were to lose their life, I''m sure the other would be extremely sad."


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    She patted him on the shoulder and said, "Sad is a severe understatement. Imagine a rusty sword being thrust through your heart and you¡¯re left to bleed in a dark room. That''s what it would be like to lose a loved one."


    Fiona uttered no further words, and Tyrus received her melancholic statement with a wince. As the seconds ticked by, both ladies raised their heads.


    "Alright, enough with the sentimental talk," Erza announced. "You must be here for something related to the monthly exam tomorrow."


    "How did you know?" Fiona asked.


    "Your shitty aunt told me she would sponsor Tyrus to the Explorer Guild. Given that the monthly exam is tomorrow, I assumed you would conduct preparations today. And after what I''ve seen of the kid so far¡­"


    Suddenly, Erza shuffled toward Tyrus without so much as a sound and stood over him. She roamed around him, rubbing her chin and examining every detail of the boy''s body. For some reason, every time she looked at his face and ears, an unreadable expression would wash over her. After about a few seconds of investigating him, she stepped back and nodded.


    "So that''s what she meant by certain individual... You do look like Talia."


    "Uh, who''s Talia?" Tyrus asked.


    "If you don''t know her, then don''t worry about it. Anyway, you don''t see many children with your level of strength at your age. Because of your lineage, you practically have a head start, which is in your favor. Few children would be stronger than you, let alone match. If you were to enter the Explorer Guild and begin the contracts, you''d have many eyes on you. What¡¯s buried beneath the eyes of others remains to be seen, but I can more or less guess the most probable: jealousy and admiration."


    Tyrus arched an eyebrow. "Are you giving me a warning or advice?"


    ¡°If you care about your benefit, view it as both. Always maintain vigilance towards those around you and never allow crucial information to elude you. I''ve personally witnessed the effects of envy and admiration on an individual. It elicits either the most unfavorable or favorable traits in individuals, and their conduct carries repercussions for whoever they express it towards. Someone I knew¨Cone of the best of their class and a rising star¨Ctook the brunt of such consequences."


    Before Tyrus could process her words, Erza turned to Ivy. "Daughter, why specifically have you brought the kid here? I assume you want to pay him back for saving your life?"


    She nodded. "I came across Tyrus back at Mr. Clive''s store, preparing for the exam. While he got himself a sword and a dagger, there wasn''t any armor his size to wear. So, to repay him, I thought it''d be best to give him the enchanted coat in the storage room."


    Erza frowned. "The enchanted coat? The same one I gave you after the rock spider disaster?"


    "Yes¡­ is that something I can''t give away? I thought someone of his caliber would put it to better use than I ever could. Giving him the coat is the least I could do after all the trouble he went through to save me. The incantation book I gifted him wasn''t enough, but with the coat, it should be valuable enough to lessen the gap of what I owe."


    The shopkeeper scowled as she glanced at Tyrus and Ivy. Tapping her feet incessantly, she mulled over her daughter''s words, then raked her hand through her hair.


    "If that is what you wish to do, I will not stop you," Erza said with a sigh. Wordlessly, she spun on her heels and retreated into the storeroom at the back.


    Tyrus looked at Ivy, confusion clear on his face. "Um¡­ What''s this about an enchanted coat and what does it do exactly?"


    "Well, it''s a coat that has an enchantment embedded. By infusing magical properties or using materials that are magical, a skilled craftsman can fashion enchanted garments or weapons. Once the process is complete, the finishing product is a pseudo-artifact¨Can object much weaker than the real thing, but still amazing either way. The enchanted coat specifically has two properties: to mold its shape to whatever the user wants and minimal protection against physical attacks."


    A sharp whistle from Fiona had Tyrus wincing as she walked to the counter. "This coat sounds really useful to have. You sure you don''t want it? If it were me, I''d keep it. A pseudo-artifact is no joke of an item to have. They go for like, what, 250 sil minimum? And that''s for the lowest grade imaginable."


    Tyrus flinched at the total. "T-That much? I don''t have that kind of money on me at the moment."


    The girl shook her head. "Think of it as a gift from me to you. If you don''t accept the coat, then I would be quite sad I couldn''t repay the favor. Would you please accept it, Tyrus?"


    Ivy strengthened her persuasion by clasping her hands together, resembling a prayer, and gazed at him with eyes that shone. Tyrus''s mouth quivered as he grappled with the idea of accepting such an expensive item. He was reluctant to carry something that was worth more than twice his current amount of sil, especially since Ivy had already paid him back. To be honest, he didn''t enjoy accepting handouts like that. The action served as a reminder of his poverty.


    Yet the longer he stared at her pouting face, the more difficult it was to refuse. He would be lying if he said he wasn''t interested in the coat. It was garments that could protect him minimally while also fitting to his body. What would that look like exactly, and was it a one-time thing? It would be nice if it could continuously fit him.


    Soon after, Erza emerged from the storeroom, holding an ordinary case. "Alright, kid. Per my precious daughter''s wishes, here''s the enchanted coat."


    Once she set it down, everyone huddled around like bees swarming a hive and watched as she kicked it open. As soon as the lid clicked open, a faint pulsing from within washed over Tyrus like a summer breeze. The fully opened object revealed a folded black coat placed on a white cushion.


    The coat appeared as black as midnight, yet as smooth as butter. Moreover, the power surge he previously detected unquestionably derived from the garment. As far as he could discern, it lacked significant strength. Despite this, it had enough power to captivate someone, as though it were humming a gentle melody.


    "Never thought I would be jealous of a kid," Fiona muttered. "How was this made?"


    Ivy was the first to speak, almost instantly. "I''m glad you asked! This right here was made by an apprentice of Mr. Creswell, an artificer and Conjuration Sorcerer, known for his legendary work and research on artifacts. Some say Mr. Creswell has crafted over a thousand pseudo-artifacts, while others say it''s an unsurmountable amount! There are even whispers that his estate is an artifact itself, and even the furniture itself! It might as well be a fortress if the rumors are¨C"


    "Sweetie," Erza said in a gentle tone. ¡°You should cut back on your chatter. I know you love anything magical, but please be mindful of those around you. ¡±


    The little girl clamped her mouth and nodded. "S-Sorry, I''ll keep it down. The fabric is a special silk that is usually soft but hardens upon impact. That silk was then enchanted by the hairs of a shapeshifting spirit. To any regular person, it looks like your average coat, but to sorcerers, it''s an item that many drool at the thought of owning."


    Ivy reached down and carefully grabbed the coat out of the case. It unraveled gradually, spilling down like tresses being let down from a braid. The fact that it had a hood was exactly what Tyrus had wished for. Moreover, it looked to be the same size as Ivy, which was fortunate. Tyrus and her were about the same height and weight.


    With no notice, she gave him the item to hold. "Here you go. It is officially now yours! If you''re thinking about giving it back, we won''t accept it. I won''t accept no for an answer."


    Tyrus studied the coat as he let his hands run over the fabric''s surface. It was extremely soft, like a fox¡¯s fur. The sensation of energy coursing into his fingertips evoked a tingling sensation that resembled an electric massage throughout his hands. He also caught a whiff of jasmine in the air.


    Impatient to wait further, Tyrus shed his cloak and handed it over to Fiona. Then, as though handling a delicate rose, he put on the new garment.

 Chapter 59- Between Two Decisions

    Putting on the coat felt natural, like breathing. The sleeves were comfortable, like being enveloped in a cool blanket, without being too tight or too loose. Once he was completely inside, the coat sent out a slight pulse of mana. Before long, the sleeves dwindled down to his wrists, and the hood shrank in size. To test things out, Tyrus took a brief walk. Something felt off to him right away.


    Although I like the appearance, I dislike how the hems wrap around my legs. It would surely be a hindrance during hunts or fights, given how much I run. There''s also the case for my tail. The waist area feels tight, and the extra pressure doesn''t feel comfortable.


    As though pushed by a seamstress''s hands, the coat changed into an open one, revealing his worn-out tunic and trousers. The pressure around his midriff vanished, and upon turning his head, he noticed an unexpected hole. In no time, he unraveled his tail and let it slip out. It was actively swishing around, unburdened.


    The enchanted coat felt much easier to move around in compared to before. By just thinking about it, he made his long coat less restrictive and shortened the hems to reach his hips.


    "So, to change the shape, all I need to do is think about what I want it to become?" Tyrus asked.


    Erza nodded. "A simple activation that even a toddler can perform. Despite the limitless appearance of the shapeshifting enchantment, it has its limits. The length of the sleeves and legs'' hem must not surpass the fingers and toes. Only behind the restriction line can the coat change its shape."


    Kind of like how a container can only hold a limited amount of liquids or objects, Tyrus said to himself. Regardless, he knew how it worked and appreciated its uncomplicated and user-friendly nature. Concealing his features was a simple task that only required a thought. But that was irrelevant as he had been uncovered in the guild.


    Now that more people were aware, did it make a difference for him to conceal his tail and ears? Considering Valis'' size, it''s unlikely that many people would know about him so soon. That was also valid for any other location apart from the imperial capital.


    Although news travels quickly, he wasn''t important enough for such an event. It was possible that he was unnecessarily worrying. His anonymity was a benefit since no one knew who he was.


    Of course, that will change once I make a name for myself. Fiona said she wanted to reach the top rank adamantine. To achieve that, that would mean I have to get my name out.


    Every possible result led to exposure. The verdict on whether it was good or bad that he was discovered earlier than expected was still out. Until then, he needed to be wary of those around him and keep his guard up.


    Based on his observation, there was a mixed reaction to the guild''s perception. The negative views were no more than the positive and neutral ones. Which led to another question: what about the people of Valis or Lethos in general? If, or when he becomes an explorer and takes on contracts with Blue Dawn, how would others react to him if he were to head out as he was now?


    Concealing his ears and tails was a safety precaution that he took because of his dread of how others viewed him. However, during the past few weeks of interacting with others instead of staying hidden, he had a realization.


    Maybe the ongoing tensions with the Beastfolk Kingdom had something to do with the negative views he had received before, like the men who tried to capture him and a few guild members. After his approval to the guild, his days would presumably be spent mostly with Fiona, Grant, and Reo, who were unconcerned with his Beastfolk blood. At least they would have his back if no one else would.


    "Tyrus? You okay over there?" Fiona asked. "You''ve been staring at the ground for a while now."


    He blinked slowly. "I was thinking about what happened at the guild earlier. A lot more people know what I am now. Was just thinking about what to do and that hiding my ears and tail may be a waste of time now."


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    "Yeah, that happened. I wouldn''t be worried about it too much. Now, don''t get me wrong, you''ll get some stares here and there because Beastfolk are rare in Lethos'' territory. They are mostly huddled in the Beastfolk Kingdom, some parts of Ethia, and Askalid. You''ll be like a beacon of attention if you expose yourself."


    "However, the problem lies with your association with the Beastfolk Kingdom, a country that''s currently an enemy of Lethos. Depending on how the two proceed, so will the public opinion on Beastfolk entirely. Can''t say much about that front since I do not know what''s going on at the border or what every person thinks. The choice is entirely up to you, and whatever you choose, I, Grant, and Reo will respect it."


    "And so will I," Ivy added in.


    For a moment, Tyrus''s ears flicked. Despite feeling elated by those words, a persistent sensation lingered in his mind that concealing his features would still be beneficial. He couldn''t exactly determine it, as if a voice from his psyche was attempting to lead him.


    "I know it''s not my business to tell you what you should do, but I advise you not to cower like a rabbit."


    Everyone turned, giving Erza a puzzled look. She heaved a sigh and cast a sidelong glance. "Instead of worrying about what halfwits think of you, focus on what''s important. Those who regard you with contempt, ignore them. Those who show audacity in opposing you, trample them under your boots like bugs. If you lack the power to do so, then take pains to find the strength to battle such matters."


    When she finished, a hush descended upon the room. The occasional voices from outside would shatter the silence inside the store, like the sound of a glass cup being thrown into an empty cave.


    "What? That''s how I lived my life back then," she snapped. "As sorcerers, strength and intelligence rule all else. Who can stop you if you''re too powerful to be trifled with? Cowardice is a deleterious poison that will slowly undermine your resilience. It''s unbecoming of you to bow your head now that you''re a sorcerer; you have the strength¨Cuse it."


    Following another extended period of silence, Ivy spoke up. "¡­I didn''t know mother could dish out advice like that."


    "Of all times, this is when I least expected to hear that," Fiona said.


    Erza didn''t let her frown stop her from continuing. "Whether or not you heed it, it''s not my business. If you have finished what you sought to do here, then I suggest you head elsewhere. Judging by the kid''s attire, you would think he fought one of those damned thorn bears. It''s not fashionable to walk around in tatters.¡±


    She came to a halt momentarily, her eyes briefly flickering towards the ceiling before settling on Tyrus. "Unless you desire swift decapitation or brutal eye-gouging, familiarize yourself with the location you are entering.¡±


    At first, Tyrus didn''t know what she was referring to until the realization smacked him across the cheek. The only thing she could be alluding to was him breaking into her store and escaping by a knife''s edge.


    I knew she had some way of figuring out who intruded in her shop! No regular person would have found out since I didn''t leave any tracks. How did she find out? Was it through mana analysis? I didn''t really leave any traces of mana inside the store¡­


    There was no point in thinking about it since Erza hadn''t really exposed him. He was quite surprised that she merely hinted at it. He appeared to be the only one who caught on, which was fortunate for him because Ivy and Fiona looked confused. Would saying something appropriate for the situation be okay? Maybe he should apologize without being blatantly obvious¡­


    Right before he could speak, Erza''s expression underwent a drastic transformation. What had previously been a frown, as though she had stumbled upon a heap of dung, had now become a grimace of such severity that it etched lines into her face. Tyrus suppressed his words, sensing that speaking now would be ill-timed.


    Initially, he believed her gaze was aimed at him, but upon closer inspection, she was actually peering over his shoulder. Fiona and Ivy also noticed her change in demeanor and followed her gaze towards the front of the store. Following their line of sight, Tyrus immediately understood the commotion.


    Igneal loitered beside the plaza fountain, glancing about as if seeking something. Next to him was a person Tyrus hadn''t seen, but knew they were together with the way the new person carried themself. A man garbed in a similar outfit as Igneal''s stood behind him, his countenance frozen as he observed the boy''s actions. Strapped to his hip was a sheathe. Tyrus could more or less guess he was a bodyguard of some kind.


    What''s he looking for? Tyrus wondered. In a seemingly telepathic moment, Igneal pivoted his body, aligning his vision with Erza''s shop. His face twisted into an affirmative smirk as he strode towards the place.


    "Um, who is that approaching?" Ivy asked.


    Fiona groaned. "...It''s my brother, Igneal. Long story short, he''ll be staying in Valis for the time being so that he can attend the academy."


    "I grow tired of these Lockharts," Erza muttered. "Fiona, lead that whelp somewhere else. He''s undoubtedly just as annoying as that bastard father of his."


    Fiona nodded, already making her way to the front. Tyrus took one last look at Erza and Ivy before following her. Quickly, he willed the shapeshifting garment to change into its previous form. In time, it transformed just as he and Fiona exited the magical shop.

 Chapter 60- His Determination

    "Ah, there you are," Igneal remarked as he approached. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for you. It was clever of me to search the outer section of Valis before moving to the inner section.¡±


    Fiona clicked her tongue. ¡°You''ve only just met and you''re already on the path to becoming a stalker. A little shame might benefit you.¡±


    Ignoring her completely, Igneal targeted Tyrus instead. A chuckle escaped him as he glanced at the coat. "You''ve managed to obtain a pseudo-artifact in the limited time we''ve been apart. Did my sister plead with Aunt Selena for money like a beggar and buy it for you?¡±


    ¡°As if I¡¯d ever beg for money,¡± she scoffed. ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s none of your business how Tyrus received it in the first place.¡±


    Finally, the boy turned to Fiona. "Oh, I was oblivious to your presence. No wonder my ears have been feeling itchy. I thought a fly was buzzing around. Then again, considering your position, you might as well be one."


    Glaring daggers at Igneal, she opened her mouth, as if ready to spout out a slew of curses, until she sighed and massaged her temples. ¡°He isn¡¯t worth it¡­ He isn¡¯t worth it. Don¡¯t fall for the bait.¡±


    ¡­I should probably do something, Tyrus thought. Knowing Fiona, she was probably on the verge of cracking if her venomous brother were to sling another insult at her. Witnessing a murder right before his eyes was not an experience he desired when their time could be better utilized elsewhere.


    Besides that, there was an abundance of gazes fixed on the group. At the moment, the four of them were still standing in front of Erza¡¯s shop. A lot of the passersby were pointing at Igneal, whispering to themselves. They were primarily discussing Igneal''s striking resemblance and his apparent wealth.


    It seemed like he heard the onlookers also as a smirk was plastered on his face. Did he really enjoy the attention that much? Tyrus would have found it burdensome if everywhere he went, all eyes would hone in on him as if he hadn¡¯t showered in days. Thinking about how his skin would tingle from burning stares and the hushed whispers among the crowd would have him fleeing.


    "Now, in regard to business," Igneal stated. ¡°I have sought you out to discuss a proposition that may intrigue you.¡±


    Tyrus looked at him skeptically. ¡°I said I won¡¯t be your friend. You might as well stop asking because my answer will always be no. Your true intention of becoming my friend is still hidden, and I don¡¯t really like that.¡±


    And so far, I don¡¯t like your personality, Tyrus added. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t dare say that out loud. The amount of trouble that would bring wasn¡¯t worth it.


    Igneal shook his head. ¡°Come now, I didn¡¯t come all the way here to repeat my previous offer. Let me cut to the chase¨CI¡¯m here to request a friendly duel.¡±


    ¡°A friendly duel?¡± Fiona and Tyrus said simultaneously.


    ¡°To be quite frank with you, I feel as if, in order to build that trust you so desperately want, sparring should be in order. What better way to understand the other than to cross blades? By observing your enemies¡¯ combat techniques and conduct in various situations, you can extract a wealth of information.¡±


    ¡°Since this will be a friendly duel, we will be using wooden swords in order to minimize injuries. I have brought over my servant here to kick things off and watch over. Rest assured, he is an Augmentation Sorcerer and capable of stopping the fight if it were to¡­ get out of hand. Now, your answer?¡±


    Fiona leaned over and whispered, ¡°Hey, you don¡¯t have to accept the duel. There¡¯s a good chance he wants to use this opportunity to humiliate you for rejecting his friendship.¡±


    Though her warning was loud and clear to Tyrus, he still contemplated the matter. Now, if it were him of the past, he would reject the duel with no hesitation if there was nothing to gain from it. But, with the monthly exam tomorrow and its contents still a mystery to him, he needed to know how much he had grown since he set foot in Valis.


    Accepting the duel was quite appealing. It would be his first actual fight against another sorcerer. Him being pursued by those two air Elemental Sorcerers didn¡¯t count since he hadn¡¯t really fought back. During that time, he focused on escaping, feeling hopelessly outmatched and outnumbered. But a duel against Igneal? A person who was around his age and probably just as inexperienced would be a great learning experience. As he mentioned, they could glean much information from a simple bout. Tyrus would be able to locate what he needed to focus on and improve upon it.


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    He would also get a chance to peek at how he compared to a kid near his age. Was he stronger, equal, or weaker than Igneal? Erza had mentioned that few people would be stronger than him since he awakened early. That was all well and good, but he needed a sort of benchmark to get a good idea of where he stood.


    Most importantly, other than learning and gauging his own strength, he just really wanted to utterly crush him. Every time he looked at those prideful eyes of his, it felt as if he were looking down at him. Being seen as a weakling by a person he could probably beat in a confrontation didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    ¡°The look on your face has changed,¡± Igneal said. ¡°I assume you have reached an answer?¡±


    Tyrus glanced at Fiona, giving her a reassuring nod. ¡°You said a friendly duel, right? If so, I will accept your request. Where and when will we do it?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk more about it in front of the guild. Arrive with an hour to spare before the sun reaches its peak. I¡¯m sure someone like yourself will make it on time, yes?¡±


    ¡°No problems here; I wouldn¡¯t dare miss it¡­¡±


    Igneal smirked as he spun on his heels and began walking away. His bodyguard trailed behind him, glancing over his shoulder and clicking his tongue disapprovingly before resuming his stride. Tyrus watched the two until they retreated into the crowd. As soon as they were gone, he relaxed his shoulders.


    I hope I made the right decision¡­


    ****


    A lot of time had passed since his brief meeting with Igneal. Pristine beams of moonlight streamed into the room, casting a glistening glow onto the wooden floor that revealed layers of dust. The sounds of mugs clinking and cheerful laughter wafted through the air like fresh grass in an afternoon breeze. Mingling with the scent of roasted meat and alcohol was the smell of candle wax on a nearby table. A bright flame pierced the shadows, flickering occasionally as a a gust swept inside.


    Tyrus was sitting at the edge of a bed, twiddling his thumbs as he gazed out at the moon. His limbs, shoulders and back included, felt as stiff as a plank; It had been a long and arduous week. Days of fighting, training, sleeping, and digging had done a number on his body even while having the benefits of an Augmentation Sorcerer.


    During his outing with Fiona, he didn¡¯t feel all that fatigued when they went shopping. But as soon as he had gotten himself a room at an inn, eaten, changed into new clothes, and sat down on the bed, fatigue struck him like a tidal wave. Though he should be resting for the big day tomorrow, thoughts about the exam and the duel occupied him like a hungry mosquito.


    ¡°I hope the exam isn¡¯t too difficult,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Preferably, I wish it had something to do with hunting beasts. That, I can do easily. But if I had to collect herbs or items, then the risk of failing increases. And if it¡¯s none of those, what if I had to complete an exam that tests my knowledge about the world!?¡±


    The prospect of the exam being anything other than a confrontation with beasts frightened Tyrus. Sure, he knew some things related to surviving in the outdoors, but when it came to knowledge about certain things like magic, herbs, or even history about the land, then he might as well quit while he was ahead. Well, he wouldn¡¯t really give up. He¡¯d still try his best, but passing the exam would be nearly impossible.


    All he could do was pray to whatever god would listen to him and hope for the best. If he was destined to fail, then he would try again next time. There were other ways of making money other than joining the Explorer Guild. Hunting beasts and bringing back whatever materials shopkeepers were buying would have to do if he wanted to keep sleeping on beds and eating delicious meals like stew.


    ¡°Ah, there¡¯s also the duel with Igneal. I¡¯ll have to be careful and not injure myself. Then again, he shouldn¡¯t be too difficult to fight. I fought beasts way scarier and bigger than him.¡±


    It was still a mystery why Igneal requested a duel out of him. Tyrus could only think of two reasons. Igneal either wanted to humiliate him like Fiona had said or to gauge his strength. Igneal did say he was interested because of his father¡¯s actions and wanted to know more about Tyrus. Still, good intentions or not, Tyrus didn¡¯t see the reason to be friends with him. What would he be able to offer to him?


    ¡°Speaking of friends, I¡¯ll have to visit Wildwood when I have the chance. Elder Treant and Meadow must be worried about me.¡±


    Despite his hasty departure, he was fairly certain that one of the treants caught sight of him exiting Wildwood, considering their role in guarding the outskirts. Surely, they would inform Elder Treant about what they witnessed. If so, then the old tree and Meadow would understand why Tyrus had to leave without a goodbye.


    Sighing to himself, Tyrus glanced at his storage ring. Silently, he retrieved the sword he had just bought; the weapon appeared in his hands instantly. Like a shining star, the cold steel glittered under the light. Tyrus brought the sword closer and rubbed his hands across the flat side of the blade. A shiver ran up his arm as he stared. An idea came to mind when his hand stopped at the tip.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll use a sword instead of a dagger. I''ll take advantage of the duel and use it to improve my swordsmanship. If it looks like I¡¯m losing, I¡¯ll switch over to a dagger.¡±


    Tyrus nodded as he rose from the bed, moving toward the middle of the room. Clenching the hilt with two hands, he assumed an awkward stance. His own feet felt weird and foreign to him, so he tried shifting his legs around until he felt comfortable. With a determined look, Tyrus raised the sword, his small arms trembling slightly under the strain. After taking a deep breath, he swung the sword in a clumsy arc; the blade cutting through the air with a whooshing sound.


    ¡°¡­So, this is what it feels like to swing a sword. Way more difficult than using a dagger.¡±


    Before he knew it, he had already continued swinging the weapon around. His attention was razor sharp, focusing only on the sword as he made sure not to injure himself or accidentally strike the walls or table. Beads of sweat trickled down his cheeks and arms as his arms grew numb over time. In the space, grunts and Tyrus''s own heartbeat were the only sounds as he made adjustments to his posture and swings.

 Chapter 61- The Big Day

    Tyrus crouched down to fasten the laces around his boots. After confirming they were tight and ready, he stood up and inspected himself one last time before heading out.


    There were no stains on his tunic and trousers, and his belongings were safely kept in the ring. His belly was satisfied, and his body was brimming with energy. Despite being in good health, one issue persisted: concealment.


    He cast a single gaze at the enchanted coat given to him, pulsing with mana as it lay on the table. Tyrus strolled towards the garment and softly lifted it, grazing it with his hands. It was still a surprise to him that he acquired such a splendid item; an item filled with mana that¡¯s able to change its shape.


    Using the coat in its longer version would only be applicable when he was walking around or needed some warmth. In battles, the shorter version would be the best. Longer garments were uncomfortable in those situations, as they restricted his movements. He considered it not just from a fighting standpoint, but there was another issue to consider. Erza¡¯s words from yesterday were still fresh in his mind.


    ¡°Instead of worrying about what halfwits think of you, focus on what¡¯s important. Those who regard you with contempt, ignore them.¡±


    ¡°Cowardice is a deleterious poison that will slowly undermine your resilience. It¡¯s unbecoming of you to bow your head now that you¡¯re a sorcerer; you have the strength¨Cuse it.¡±


    Tyrus gripped the coat. ¡°Is hiding myself cowardly? I just don¡¯t want to take risks when it comes to my appearance. It¡¯ll just be bothersome if I gain all the attention and attract the wrong crowd.¡±


    On second thought, those sentiments only related to his life prior to becoming a sorcerer. Currently, he possessed greater strength than the typical person. By using augmentation, he could effortlessly split a tree in half, and his primary element allowed him to cast spells with devastating power capable of destroying stone. Only individuals stronger than him could have any impact on him.


    Given his significant improvement over the weeks, he didn¡¯t have to worry about kidnappers. And with people like Fiona, Reo, and Grant by his side, he wasn¡¯t necessarily alone. In their brief interaction, he felt confident in their reliability and ability to assist him. Good people existed, but so did their opposite, like those kidnappers, the mysterious figures scheming in the middle of the night, and Igneal¡¯s jerk of a father.


    Moving forward and achieving his goals would eventually lead to his identity being revealed. Many people were already aware of him, and considering how often he visited the Explorer Guild, delaying his problems would be futile.


    Strength wasn¡¯t the only necessity in the guild¡¯s line of work. They needed to have the guts to combat whatever situation they came across and not cower away. Hiding himself was only delaying the inevitable, and he needed to take the first steps to embrace it. He needed to come to terms with it on his own, without the interference of others; to take whatever actions were required to ensure a secure and prosperous future for himself.


    No longer would he show such blatant weakness to others.


    Determined, Tyrus donned the enchanted coat over his shoulders. In one thought, he imagined the fabric to assume its shorter version, which it did in a few seconds. Neither his tail nor his ears were trapped anymore. He gave them one last look before stepping over to the door. The moment his hand reached for the knob, he prevented himself from turning it. Even though it was slight, he noticed his fingers trembling.


    ¡°You made your decision; don¡¯t turn back now.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Tyrus opened the doors wide. Refusing to let negative thoughts hinder him, he marched out of his room and closed the door. Gradually, he lifted his head and surveyed the inn. On either side of him stood a line of doors, each leading to a room with patrons just like him.


    To his left, he saw a woman staring right at him a few doors down. Showing no clear emotion, Tyrus swiftly turned and walked towards the stairs that led to the first floor. Every stair he descended took a significant toll on him. It felt as if he was slogging through mud with a weight on his shoulders. His heart thumped loudly, resembling a million drums, as his blood grew cold.


    In the heart of the first floor, there was a throng of people feasting on their morning meal. Upon Tyrus¡¯s arrival, a portion of them ceased their chewing while the rest paid him no attention. Like the woman from earlier, Tyrus brushed off the stares and kept on moving. If they had something bad to say to him, then he would just ignore them, just as Erza advised. He had more important matters to attend to.


    Their burning stares stung his neck, but he did the best he could in pretending they weren¡¯t there at all. In a few quick steps, he had already walked past the tables and burst through the inn¡¯s doors. A beam of sunlight and chilly gusts greeted him on his journey to the Explorer Guild.


    ****


    In no time at all, the sight of the Explorer Guild building entered his view. Instead of the customary familiarity he experienced during his visits, he was met with a shocking spectacle.


    Surrounding the front entrance of the place was a queue of people, their attention shifted ahead. The common theme he recognized was that a lot of them had weapons on deck, almost as if they were preparing to go to war. Tyrus had to leap on top of a nearby building to get a better view of the place.


    ¡°What is going on here? Why are there so many people here?¡±


    As soon as those words left his mouth, he instantly thought of them as stupid questions. On the day of the monthly exam, it was expected that there would be other aspiring explorers. The amount of people wanting to sign up exceeded his assumptions. At most, he expected there to be five or six, not a whopping twelve!


    ¡°I better get in line as quickly as possible, so I don¡¯t miss my chance. What if there¡¯s a limit?¡±


    Tyrus pushed aside the thought and looked elsewhere. Close to the entrance, he caught sight of Igneal scanning his surroundings, vigorously tapping his foot on the stone pathway. Positioned beside him was his vigilant bodyguard, maintaining a towering stance and holding two swords firmly. His expression was as stone-faced as he was quiet. After a few seconds of intense observation, the bodyguard redirected his gaze, locking eyes with Tyrus.


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    Tyrus sucked in his breath. ¡°I wasn¡¯t even in his line of sight and he still knew where I was. Did he feel a pair of eyes on him or sensed my mana? I¡¯m not really suppressing myself, so it¡¯s probably the latter.¡±


    The man looked away from Tyrus and whispered something to Igneal. He too glanced in his direction, and immediately began waving as if greeting an old friend. Tyrus scowled at the action while he climbed down. Once at ground level, he hurried past the line of explorers gawking at him. It took everything in his willpower to stop himself from at least putting on the hood.


    ¡°You arrived just in time,¡± Igneal noted as Tyrus approached. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve chosen to show the world how you look! I applaud your bravery in letting go of your insecurities.¡±


    The anxiety that had plagued him appeared to vanish from his body. ¡°Don¡¯t you have something more important to tell me? I don¡¯t have all day, you know.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Yes, the duel. If you would, Sir Wayne.¡±


    Stepping forward, Sir Wayne extended the sword to Tyrus. ¡°Young Master Igneal has asked for a friendly duel with you. Do you accept?¡±


    Without missing a beat, Tyrus snatched the weapon. ¡°Already did so yesterday, and I don¡¯t plan on running away at the last second. I accept this friendly duel.¡±


    At first, Sir Wayne sneered, but he quickly composed himself back to his usual stone-faced persona. ¡°As per Young Master Igneal¡¯s orders, the duel will begin in the guild¡¯s practice grounds. I will ensure proper handling and fairness as the arbiter of the duel. If you have nothing else to say, we will now head to the arena.¡± Following their statements, Sir Wayne and Igneal promptly moved towards the arena, vanishing through the doors.


    ¡°Young Master Igneal and Sir Wayne? Are those official titles or just names they refer to each other as? It¡¯s my first time hearing them...¡± Tyrus, muttering to himself, was about to follow them when a comment from the crowd caught his attention.


    ¡°That Demi-human is going to lose to the Lockhart boy, no doubt. It¡¯s inconceivable for a nobody to triumph over a member of the Great Lineages. I¡¯d wager good money that the Lockhart will win.¡±


    A member of the audience sneered and remarked, ¡°How about we go ahead and watch? Waiting for the sign-ups was making me bored. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to witness a rising star showcase their skills by taking down scum.¡±


    The crowd erupted in laughter as Tyrus stashed the weapon and burst into the building. In spite of the chatter he had just heard, he made a conscious effort to appear calm. Ignoring them would be the optimal choice rather than giving them a reaction or feeding them. It would be a different situation if they confronted him directly or physically intervened.


    ¡°I¡¯ll show them. If they decide to watch, then so be it. They¡¯ll be surprised when I¡¯m the one who¡¯s still standing.¡±


    Now inside the Explorer Guild, the interior of the place was much more lively than usual. Every table was occupied, and even more people were standing around as they conversed with one another. The volume was as deafening as a screeching drake, and the atmosphere was more stifling than a cramped tunnel. Ladies in outfits were zooming around, offering mugs to those willing to pay for them.


    With numerous people present, Tyrus encountered difficulty in pushing through. Whenever he bumped into someone, he would mutter a quick apology and move on. Some would shout at him to watch himself, and others would just click their tongue.


    Yet, a larger number of people would spot him approaching and make way for him. Before long, he was near the receptionist''s desk. Celeste was carrying out her typical tasks, managing the front desk and discussing contracts and payment with explorers. Her job kept her too busy to even notice Tyrus, which was made harder by others blocking her view.


    Speaking of notice, where is Fiona? Tyrus wondered. They had not seen each other since yesterday, only parting ways when he had secured a room. In the beginning, he thought he would find her with Igneal, ready for his arrival. So far, she hasn''t been on the first floor or even certain areas of the second floor.


    Tyrus shrugged it off and made his way to the practice grounds. The open field stretched across the yard, dotted with training dummies and targets. Apart from the typical objects, Igneal and Sir Wayne were present, with spectators observing from the sidelines.


    An aura of confidence was practically being exuded from the Lockhart. One hand twirling the sword, he wore a smirk on his face. He stopped it mid-swing when Tyrus walked toward him. ¡°You sure took your time in coming here. Initially, I figured you were having second thoughts, but concluded you knew better.¡±


    Tyrus brought out the practice sword, adjusting his grip. It was much lighter than a steel sword. ¡°Let¡¯s make this quick; I want to save as much energy as possible today. What if I can''t register because of the duel?¡±


    Igneal nodded towards Sir Wayne, who mirrored the gesture and moved towards the center of them. Abruptly, he brandished his sword and drove it into the ground. ¡°The duel between Young Master Igneal and the challenger, Tyrus, is about to begin. Can the two participants please move ten steps backward and face their opponent?¡±


    The duo complied and retreated to their designated spots. In Tyrus¡¯ peripheral vision, he noticed the crowd growing by the minute, almost numbering in the twenties. Did they really come by just to see two kids duking it out, or were they expecting something interesting to happen?


    At this point, I just want to shrink and crawl away. Why did we have to find here of all places? I should¡¯ve asked to fight somewhere else!


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind the rabble here,¡± Igneal said with a chuckle. ¡°A gathering usually occurs when I''m out and about. The attention doesn''t bother me; it''s a natural response for the weak to look up to the strong.¡±


    Tyrus inwardly gagged. ¡°Do you hear yourself? I don¡¯t think it¡¯s right to think that way when you just started out as a sorcerer. You¡¯re weak, just like me.¡±


    Temporarily, Igneal¡¯s face morphed into a scowl before transitioning back to a smirk. ¡°Taunting already, are we? Unfortunately for you, it won¡¯t work.¡± He assumed a stance, both hands on the handle and one leg ahead of the other. "Do not worry, commoner, I''ll go easy on you. You can go all out to your heart''s content. Show me the reason behind father''s interest in you."


    Silently, Tyrus shifted into his own stance. A couple of spectators snickered at the sight of him awkwardly moving his feet around. Until he felt comfortable did Tyrus stare directly at Igneal.


    Sir Wayne glanced at the ready participants. ¡°The fighters are now ready to begin the duel. I will state the rules for this fight; no cheating or underhanded tactics are allowed. Spells and magic are permitted for use. The use of advantageous artifacts or pseudo-artifacts is prohibited. Should you be in possession of any, now is the time to extract them.¡±


    In an effort to be efficient, Tyrus quickly complied and concealed the coat within his ring. It was unfortunate that he was unable to take advantage of it. However, the enchantment that reduced physical attacks would have created an unfair advantage. Defeating Igneal fair and square would be enough to satisfy Tyrus.


    ¡°The victor will be determined when one of the participants surrenders or concedes to the opponent. Should I judge that any of you cannot proceed, the fight will instantly end. Are there any inquiries?¡±


    Neither Igneal nor Tyrus uttered a word, only engaging in a tense stare-down, their weapons aimed at each other. The growing crowd had nearly doubled from its previous amount. Other than the pounding of his heart filling his ears and the distant howls of the wind, the crowd¡¯s hollering rose to a deafening noise.


    Thanks to his increased hearing, Tyrus could make out conversations among the jumbled sentences. Bets favoring Igneal were rapidly placed, encouraged by those knowledgeable about the Lockhart. Those considered fools by the majority merely mocked the ones betting on Tyrus instead. Their excuse for betting on him was, ¡®I like to vote for the underdogs¡¯ or the most popular, ¡®someones gotta diversify the bets¡¯. He didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or ridicule them.


    Just as his mood turned sour from all the doubters, he caught wind of an ecstatic voice amidst the crowd. ¡°It''s not the time to be stingy with money, we have to fully commit! Grant, Reo, give me all the sil you got on hand!¡±


    An inkling of a smile rose from his lips. Knowing that Fiona was rooting for him, even if it was through betting, was reassuring to Tyrus. She had no reservations about making as much money as she could, regardless of the situation.


    Sir Wayne gave the fighters one last inspection before saying, ¡°Let the duel begin!¡±

 Chapter 62- Friendly Duel

    ¡°Your dear Igneal is about to begin his duel with Tyrus. Are you certain you don¡¯t want to come and support him? I¡¯m confident he would be happy to see his grumpy father backing him.¡±


    Arms folded, Kleine stood and stared out the window. Rather than responding to Selena¡¯s taunts, he simply observed the two boys with a neutral face. She joined her brother after shrugging her shoulders. Selena spotted spectators below, holding open pouches with sil inside.


    ¡°It seems that the spectators are enjoying themselves by placing bets. How about we follow their example and make a small bet ourselves?¡±


    He shot her a quick sideways look. ¡°Hmph. A Lockhart should not engage in such actions. Is the pay for the Valis branch position not sufficient for you?¡±


    ¡°Kleine, our wager doesn¡¯t involve money. I earn an adequate amount thanks to His Highness. Wouldn¡¯t it be fun to test our insight on which of the boys will remain victorious? We are merely going to wager for entertainment. Quit being so resistant and just accept the proposal, for goodness sake.¡±


    In the wake of a moment of silence, Kleine released a sigh. ¡°Engaging in wagering would serve no purpose. We are already aware of the result. What¡¯s the rationale if we¡¯re going to be placing bets on the definite winner anyhow?¡±


    ¡°Oh? And who do you plan on betting on? I¡¯ll assume you¡¯d think Igneal would win, considering he¡¯s your son and all.¡±


    Another stretch of silence accompanied the two. Just as Selena believed Kleine had let go of the topic, he reopened his mouth once more.


    ¡°Igneal has been diligently sharpening his sword skills since he became capable of wielding it. In his upbringing, I have granted him access to the most exceptional mentors, the most brilliant scholars, and my utmost guidance. Up to this point, he has demonstrated promise with the sword, but his primary talents lie elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°Considering his role as an Elemental Sorcerer, I believed it wise for him to receive training not only in magic but also in swordsmanship. Provided that he continues to strive for knowledge and strength, achieving the position of the next family head would be a feasible dream.¡±


    Family Head Lockhart shifted his gaze toward Tyrus. ¡°Regarding the black tiger, his lack of formal training is evident in his sword handling. His stance is replete with opportunities for attack, and his shoulders are overly tense. He is a fighter of the lowest caliber when it comes to the sword. A run-of-the-mill thief should have no problem breaking such feeble defenses.¡±


    ¡°Going by what you said, it seems like you''re in favor of Igneal winning the duel.¡±


    Kleine merely scoffed. ¡°You said the black tiger¨Ca Multi-Specialist¨Chas only been a sorcerer shortly, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have mentioned that before. What are you trying to get at?¡±


    ¡°Then I have nothing more to say about the matter. You should know my response regarding the ultimate victor in this duel.¡±


    He took a final glimpse outward before marching to the door. ¡°I have even more business over at the Imperial Palace. His Majesty had made a request for a final meeting with the family heads prior to our departure. Once completed, I will bid farewell to Valis and journey back to Lockhart land. Remember to honor our agreement, Selena."


    "Will you not be taking the time to say goodbye to your children before leaving?" she asked. Her words fell upon deaf ears as Kleine shut the door. Selena let out an exasperated sigh, peering out the window just in time for the bout to begin. ¡°He really gets on my nerves sometimes¡­¡±


    ****


    ¡°Let the duel begin!¡±


    Once he received the green light to start, Tyrus wasted no time in activating augmentation. A rush of strength coursed through his body as he flung himself forward, already in the midst of swinging.


    I¡¯ll end this in one hit!


    Igneal was most definitely an Elemental Sorcerer, therefore, the best course of action would be to get up close and not allow him to use any spells. If he remembered right, Reo himself had said that Augmentation Sorcerers were counters to Elemental Sorcerers because of their weakness in close-ranged fights. As long as Tyrus used his strength and speed to his advantage, then before long, he would overwhelm Igneal. He had the upper hand, and Igneal would soon find that out.


    Now a few steps from the confident Lockhart, Tyrus brought his arms to the sky and swung the sword downward, aiming right for Igneal¡¯s weapon. Since it was a friendly duel and not a real right, he had to make sure he didn¡¯t accidentally kill him or injure him too badly. It would be his first experience in fighting a human, especially one near his age. All he had done was fight beasts, creatures much more durable and stronger than humans.


    ¡°Hmph, how sloppy,¡± Igneal taunted.


    Igneal¡¯s movements flowed like liquid, his body becoming as supple as a river. He skillfully pivoted to the side, narrowly evading Tyrus¡¯s weapon as it grazed his clothing. Tyrus watched in astonishment, his eyes widening at Igneal¡¯s incredible agility.


    In the blink of an eye, Igneal adjusted his own weapon and launched it upward, connecting squarely with Tyrus¡¯s chest. A sharp pain surged through Tyrus¡¯s body as he staggered backward. To compound his misfortune, Igneal seamlessly followed this strike with a swift leg sweep that sent Tyrus tumbling to the ground. He coughed out a mouthful of grass and dirt as the sound of a chuckle reached his ears.


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    ¡°One thing¡¯s for certain, you¡¯re an Augmentation Sorcerer,¡± Igneal acknowledged. He backpedaled away, allowing Tyrus to rise. ¡°You assumed that my status as an Elemental Sorcerer would give you the advantage. You are partially right, but there is one thing you are mistaken about. Having superior physical abilities doesn''t ensure victory in a fight.¡±


    Tyrus glared at Igneal. ¡°Mind telling me what you mean by that?¡±


    He got into a different stance, now one-handing the sword. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think I will. Watching someone inexperienced in swordplay squirm is more entertaining.¡±


    Tyrus remained silent, his brows furrowed. That arrogant personality of his was just as infuriating as a thorn jammed into his fingernails. And listening to his tone of speaking was like having his brain whittled down to thin slices. Tyrus could see himself purposely becoming deaf just to never hear a word from Igneal.


    Aside from his grievances, just how did Igneal manage to dodge that swing effortlessly? The guy wasn¡¯t faster than him and he certainly didn¡¯t use any magic that could give him an advantage. There weren¡¯t any incantations or mana spewing out of him. Was it just a lucky guess that he dodged, or did he know something that Tyrus didn¡¯t?


    ¡°Let¡¯s figure that out first,¡± Tyrus mumbled. Infusing some more mana into his legs, he shot toward his smiling opponent. Instead of going for an overhead swing, Tyrus went for a horizontal slash instead.


    Tyrus adjusted his stance and took aim at Igneal¡¯s left torso, determined to capitalize on the weapon¡¯s reach this time. But, anticipating the attack, Igneal adopted a different strategy. He neatly evaded the blow by taking a few calculated steps backward, eluding Tyrus¡¯s extended weapon.


    Taking advantage of the opportunity, Igneal quickly extended his sword arm, delivering a powerful strike that hit Tyrus''s shoulder directly. The force of the impact sent a tremor through Tyrus¡¯s arm, nearly causing him to lose his grip on the weapon. Quickly, the crowd erupted into cheers.


    ¡°As much as I am enjoying this duel, It¡¯s about time that you give up¨C¡°


    Igneal''s words were brought to a sudden halt as Tyrus charged forward once more. The young man shook his head as he brought up his weapon.


    ¡°This again? It won¡¯t work.¡±


    Just as Tyrus was about to go for another strike, he immediately stopped mid-swing, only stopping his charge directly in front of his foe. A wave of confusion washed over Igneal briefly, and that expression turned to shock when a surge of flickering tendrils appeared from his palm. The tendrils raced across the ground, and in time coiled themselves around Igneal¡¯s feet. Gasps from the audience rang out.


    ¡°What in Sthito¡¯s name is that? That can¡¯t be earth magic, can it?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s the light element instead? Before anyone calls me a fool, yes, I know light is golden.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s beside the point; that boy didn¡¯t even utter an incantation at all! How is he able to use silent casting so soon? In addition to that, he''s a Multi-Specialist as well!¡±


    Jaw clenched, Igneal struggled against the restraints. Before he could escape, Tyrus had already moved on to the next course of action. He raised his weapon once more and went for a sweeping motion against his opponent¡¯s weapon. Though Igneal¡¯s legs were immobile, his arms were still free of use. He brought up the sword and defended against the attack. A grunt escaped from his mouth as he glared at Tyrus.


    ¡°I¡¯ve underestimated you. It''s astonishing to see a commoner using the silent casting method and being a Multi-Specialist. I understand why Father is interested in you. Unfortunately for you, you¡¯re not the only one who can utilize silent casting.¡±


    Out of nowhere, the scent of ashes permeated the air. Tyrus found it odd that he was detecting such a smell when there weren¡¯t any signs of a fire. When his nose picked it up, he promptly located the source and looked downward. As soon as his eyes landed on the ground, the outline of Igneal¡¯s leg swiftly approaching him startled him.


    Barely, Tyrus evaded the blow by pulling his attack and leaping backward. Once his focus returned, he witnessed an unexpected sight he had never thought of before. A swirling vortex of flames surrounded Igneal''s legs. The tendrils that had ensnared him were disintegrating, just like logs used for a fire.


    ¡°You know you can¡¯t beat me,¡± Igneal warned. ¡°While you have potential, your skills still need work. Your swordplay is downright horrible and your control over mana still needs some work. Is this all you can amount to? I¡¯m afraid to say Father¡¯s interest in you has been¡­ misplaced. Alas, to spare you from any more frustrations, I¡¯ll¨C¡°


    ¡°Hey,¡± Tyrus interjected. ¡°The way you talk really bothers me. How about you just stop talking entirely? Father this and father that¡­ I wouldn¡¯t consider him a guy worth sucking up to. Personally, I prefer Selena; she¡¯s a way better person than your dad.¡±


    Igneal¡¯s face darkened. ¡°That¡¯s not a funny joke. Father is leagues stronger than Aunt Selena. There¡¯s a reason he¡¯s family head and not her.¡±


    ¡°And I don¡¯t care,¡± Tyrus replied. To be honest, he already knew Selena was most likely weaker than his dad. He had sensed both of their mana presences before, and the family head''s mana felt more solid and refined compared to Selena''s. If they were to get into a confrontation, then the family head would be the victor. Though Tyrus acknowledged that, he just wanted to find an excuse to get under his skin. Seriously, he must not have any friends at all by the way he acts.


    "I''ll put an end to this duel as a favor to you," snapped Igneal. Flames erupted from his left hand as he stomped forward, his eyes reflecting intense hatred.


    Tyrus stared at him for a moment until he straightened up his spine. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. It is time to end this duel. I pretty much know where I stand after fighting you. You have me beat in swordplay, but mana control? No, I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Hah? What¡¯s that supposed to¨C¡°


    In an instant, Tyrus made a daring decision. He cast his weapon aside, both hands now focused on the advancing Igneal. Within his mind¡¯s eye, he visualized the three elements at his command, a volatile combination of powers.


    With a single, resolute thought, he summoned forth another Lightning Snare, a crackling web of power sizzling into existence. Then, with unwavering resolve, he shifted his control from lightning to light, uttering the Light Bolt spell.


    Like unleashed hounds, bolts of lightning streaked across the field, crackling with relentless energy. Moving even faster, a radiant mote of light shot towards Igneal¡¯s chest like a guided missile. Igneal¡¯s jaw dropped open and his eyes widened as he saw the two spells racing towards him, each second feeling like an eternity.


    In a desperate attempt to evade the incoming Light Bolt, he contorted his body, but it was an exercise in futility. Striking him in the chest, the spell exploded into a cascade of golden light, causing him to wobble.


    Following the onslaught, Lightning Snare caught up and entangled him once more. Before Igneal could fully regain his bearings, Tyrus had closed the distance, his steps quick and determined. He came to an abrupt halt, his focus intently fixed upon the still-dizzy Lockhart.


    Tyrus envisioned the Thunder Stun spell materializing from his outstretched hand. In a blink, an orb of lightning power burst forth, colliding with Igneal¡¯s face and coursing across his entire frame. The potent shockwave transformed Igneal¡¯s body, turning it as rigid as stone, a scowl etched across his features. Defeated and motionless, Igneal yielded to the spell¡¯s dominance and toppled over.


    Tyrus looked down at the fuming Igneal. ¡°What was that about my skills being left to be desired?¡±

 Chapter 63- The Exam

    A silence as cold as death enveloped the practice grounds, with Tyrus standing over Igneal. The sudden change from loud cheers and howls to a sound as soft as a mouse¡¯s scamper was unsettling. Tyrus felt the weight of twelve sets of eyes locked onto him, as a sensation similar to an army of ants traversing his body overwhelmed him. He brushed it off as best as he could and refocused on Igneal.


    Just as Tyrus was about to execute the finishing blow with yet another Thunder Stun, a shiver traveled down his spine. He felt a menacing weight press onto his shoulders, and soon after, a gust of wind swept over his skin. When he regained awareness and tried to turn, he experienced the sensation of something cold and solid pressing on his neck.


    ¡°If you have any sense, you¡¯ll lower that rotten hand.¡±


    Sir Wayne stood next to Tyrus, his blade poised a mere finger¡¯s length away, glaring at him intensely. Beads of sweat trickled down Tyrus¡¯s cheek as he cautiously distanced himself from Igneal. By waving his hand, he ended the spells.


    Sir Wayne sheathed his sword in a slow manner. ¡°As Young Master Igneal can no longer duel, Tyrus is declared the winner.¡±


    Right after that, he hurried to the fallen Lockhart. After listening to the verdict, Tyrus donned the enchanted cloak and snorted at the rising Igneal. The soothing garment effortlessly embraced him, and the magical essence within appeared to appease his raging heart. Before long, Tyrus was breathing steadily. His breathing must¡¯ve been harsh during the fight.


    Not much time passed before Tyrus heard swift, but soft footsteps coming from his right. At the perfect moment, he turned and witnessed Fiona practically skipping to him, followed by Reo and Grant approaching him casually. Once close, she brought him into a bear hug, beaming with joy.


    ¡°I knew Tyrus was going to win! And you guys didn¡¯t believe in him!¡±


    Reo reacted with an eye roll. ¡°We made it clear that we had faith in him, repeatedly. Grant and I didn¡¯t wanna bet ¡®cause we thought that guy might cheat. Surprisingly, it didn¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, keep coming up with excuses. Thanks to my smarts and Tyrus¡¯ skills, we made four times our money! Grant, show him the pouches.¡±


    Grant obliged and pulled out a few bags brimming with sil. ¡°Despite my dislike for gambling, I¡¯ll overlook it this time. It¡¯s better to avoid getting used to such activities. Like an alcoholic drinking a barrel of wine, Fiona¡¯s gambling could exhaust the rest of our funds.¡±


    ¡°That idiot would be the most likely to be an unhealthy gambler,¡± Reo added.


    Before releasing her hug, Fiona gave them a death stare. "I have more restraint than you sad bunch. Am I right, Tyrus?¡±


    He gave her no answer. In fact, his attention was elsewhere; once he was freed, he was already jogging toward Igneal. In one glance, Tyrus could see that his ¡®calm demeanor¡¯ had shattered. His eyes had hardened, and his hands were balled into fists. If he didn¡¯t know better, it looked as if he was on the verge of strangling anyone that came near him¨CSir Wayne or not. Tyrus, however, couldn¡¯t care less about the clear hostility and faced Igneal.


    ¡°I really liked our fight,¡± Tyrus admitted. ¡°If we stuck to swords, I definitely would¡¯ve lost.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t patronize me,¡± Igneal snapped. ¡°Your victory was merely a result of catching me off guard. Had we had a rematch, I would have learned not to take it easy on you and completely defeat you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Okay, but I still won. That counts for something, right?¡±


    ¡°Please, I practically let you win. I accept defeat, but realistically, you could never overcome me in a real fight. A commoner with little to no skills would never surpass someone of my status, let alone catch up.¡±


    Tyrus sighed. ¡°Still speaking like that even after a loss¡­ I¡¯m trying to say thank you for the fight. I learned a lot in this duel because of¨C¡°


    ¡°It¡¯s Branch Leader Selena!¡± a spectator shouted. Heads turned as the branch leader emerged from the building, bringing Celeste along. With a playful smile, she began clapping slowly as she approached the two boys. Tyrus couldn¡¯t suppress a groan as the woman came closer. Even her nonchalant smile continued to unsettle him, a feeling that would never fade.


    ¡°Celeste, could you be so kind as to round up our delightful spectators and lead them inside?¡±


    ¡°As you wish, Branch Leader Selena,¡± the receptionist said with a bow. After Celeste rushed on over to the explorers and began asking them to leave the practice field, Selena winked at Tyrus. A shiver ran down his spine as he took a step back.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to extend a personal thank you to you boys for bringing entertainment to this place. Sthito knows that this place can occasionally be a bit dull. You¡¯ve shown great skill in this friendly duel, especially considering you¡¯re Fledging Sorcerers.¡±


    Igneal clicked his tongue. ¡°Whatever. I went easy on him to avoid injuring him for the monthly exam. He ought to express gratitude for my courtesy.¡±


    Selena arched an eyebrow. ¡°How nice of you, nephew. Was the moment of your shocked expression and magical display also a lenient action towards him? In my view, it seemed like you were really regretting the fight.¡±


    ¡°Your eyesight is getting worse, Aunt Selena. I wasn¡¯t even breaking a sweat.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you just full of excuses,¡± she murmured. Behind Igneal, Sir Wayne stood tall, drawing her lingering gaze. ¡°I hope you weren¡¯t too burdened by watching over this duel. Had I known, I would¡¯ve brought someone else instead.¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°There is no cause for concern, Branch Leader Selena. I will fulfill any request related to Young Master Igneal. I was merely carrying out my responsibilities as his servant.¡±


    ¡°That is delightful to hear. I trust that you will unwaveringly safeguard Igneal with your life. Since neither I nor many others can be constantly by his side, it is only natural for you to assume responsibility now that he is distant from Lockhart territory. Who knows when an assassin may suddenly emerge and endanger his life?¡±


    In a fleeting moment, Tyrus noticed the disdainful gaze that Sir Wayne directed towards him. He gestured back at him with the same look but stuck out his tongue to one-up him. It seemed to work as Sir Wayne looked elsewhere. Regarding the members of Blue Dawn, they had been nearby, listening to the conversation.


    Fiona approached her aunt with Grant and Reo by her side. ¡°I thought you would be in your office until it was time to accept exam applicants. If you¡¯re present, does that mean it¡¯s time to sign up?¡±


    ¡°Precisely, Fiona. However, before my entrance, I need to have a confidential chat with the boys. I am sorry to say that you and your friends must withdraw from our presence for the time being. Sir Wayne, this also applies to you, too.¡±


    Fiona sulked. ¡°Fine¡­ I¡¯ll leave you three alone if it¡¯s that important. Just make it quick, alright? Tyrus shouldn¡¯t be kept from applying.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, it will be brief. Now, move along, or else you¡¯ll be the reason he misses it.¡±


    Fiona didn¡¯t need to be told twice; she shuffled away, sparing Tyrus a single glance before she entered the building. Before following her, Grant rested a hand on Tyrus''s shoulder.


    ¡°It is heartening to see you back in excellent health, Tyrus. Should you require any assistance with the sword, do not hesitate to ask for help. I will be more than happy to engage in a sparring session with you.¡±


    Tyrus nodded his head slowly. ¡°Really? I¡¯ll take you up on that offer.¡±


    Grant gave him a curt smile and brushed past him. As Tyrus watched him leave, Reo came up to him. ¡°Welcome back, just like Grant said. Swords aren¡¯t really my thing, but I¡¯m decent with the dagger. Not sure if you¡¯re gonna switch to a sword, but if you need help with the dagger, don¡¯t be a stranger.¡±


    Before Tyrus could answer, Reo was already jogging toward Grant. Shortly after, they disappeared quickly, leaving him with the remaining three. Well, he thought he was with three people, but he hadn¡¯t noticed that Sir Wayne had already left, so it was just him, Selena, and Igneal. How did he leave so swiftly without making a sound?


    Selena cleared her throat, grabbing their attention. ¡°Finally, a break from the noise and commotion. Tyrus, I want to let you know that I have successfully accomplished the required tasks to confirm your identity. You are now a full-fledged citizen of Lethos, no longer a ghost. I had to leverage some connections, but it was minor. Just be aware that most of your time was spent in Stonepath Orphanage, a location near Valier Forest and Valiedge. In the case of someone asking about the director, the name is Greyson.¡±


    Initially, Tyrus was oblivious to her topic until she broached the subject of identity. He lacked a true comprehension of the process and its significance, yet he expressed gratitude. Selena made an extra effort to aid a young boy with a minor problem that seemed inconsequential to her. She had the power to ignore him, despite Fiona¡¯s kind gesture.


    ¡°Gaining an identity entails that if someone were to delve into your being, only your false origins would be shown. If they investigated further for Sthito knows what, they¡¯d be out of luck. Additionally, possessing an identity will grant you access to institutions such as the Explorer Guild, various academies, and potentially hidden organizations.¡±


    She said that last part with a wink, yet received no reaction from Igneal. In contrast, Tyrus was vigorously nodding his head. If he desired, he could join an academy similar to Fiona and her friends. He was curious about what it was like inside a school.


    The way they talked about Valis Academy of Sorcery suggested they had broad resources to learn about the world. Such a life was something Tyrus would give almost anything to have. What kind of things would they teach him? Moreover, just what kind of sorcerers were lingering in the academy? There were so many things hidden from him that he wanted to rush things and experience them all at once.


    Alas, he was just a year under the age requirement to join such a thing. He would turn ten in the upcoming winter, so it was only a matter of time until he was eligible. Until then, he would have to be patient and focus on other things. Maybe along the way, he could figure out if it was possible to join the academy a year earlier. The prospect of grasping extensive knowledge was just as sweet as nepora.


    ¡°...If that¡¯s what you want, then you¡¯ll need to be cautious now that you¡¯ll be alone for the first time ever,¡± Selena finished.


    Tyrus snapped out of his daydream with a flinch. Glancing around, it seemed as if Selena had just finished her conversation with Igneal. His face had somewhat softened from his previous scowl. What¡¯s even weirder was that instead of looking at her, he was eyeing Tyrus with his lips formed into a tight line.


    Contrary to his face, his eyes exhibited an uncommon expression, one that bordered on determination and his usual cockiness. A suspicion linked to him slowly emerged, but he was unsure about asking.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s enough conversation for the day,¡± Selena announced. ¡°The time to receive applicants is approaching, and I¡¯ll have to be there to conduct a sort of speech. You two should best get going now.¡±


    Paying no attention to a reply, she swiftly grasped the shoulders of both boys and directed them back into the building. For someone who was supposed to be an Elemental Sorcerer, she was quite strong! While her hands looked as delicate as a flower and her body didn¡¯t seem all that muscular, her grip was the opposite. The formal attire she usually wore must be hiding a muscled body.


    During the walk, Igneal kept sneaking glances at Tyrus. There was no doubt that he was hiding something. Tyrus would prefer the eerie silence to continue, given that he didn¡¯t want to hear another word from Igneal, but he was at his wit¡¯s end in guessing what it could be. He was either plotting his revenge or was hesitant to ask him something.


    Selena opened the doors, unveiling a long line stretching from the receptionist¡¯s desk to spilling out of the building¡¯s entrance doors. ¡°Oh my! This is a record number of applicants for the Valis branch. I wonder why so many people are itching to become explorers this time around?¡±


    ¡°Money and prestige,¡± Igneal grumbled. ¡°They desire to change their sad and impoverished lives into something more captivating and meaningful. Rising through the ranks in the Explorer Guild won¡¯t be as easy as these people think. Those at the bottom of the ladder are there for a reason; their goals are just mere dreams and will continue to be just that.¡±


    Tyrus rolled his eyes. ¡°So, all I have to do is join the long line? Is there a limit to the number of applicants that can be accepted?¡±


    A dangerous glint flashed across Selena¡¯s eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that; remember our little agreement a while ago? About how I will recommend you to the guild?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I remember. What does a recommendation mean, anyway? I didn¡¯t really ask for the specifics.¡±


    The grip she had on him tightened. Selena''s lips curled into a sinister smile as she shoved not only Tyrus but Igneal as well to the front of the desk. A wave of confusion washed over Tyrus''s face as Selena faced the crowd.


    ¡°Attention aspiring explorers! I¡¯m sure you know of me already, but I¡¯ll introduce myself. I am Selena, a branch leader who oversees the operations of the Explorer Guild in Valis. I would like to express gratitude to every applicant for selecting this branch as their starting point in their journey.¡±


    A chorus of claps reverberated across the guild, each one sending a sharp vibration across his bones. A hard lump formed in his throat, making it extremely difficult to breathe or even speak. If he had known that Selena was going to outright place him in the spotlight like that, he would¡¯ve known to prepare himself mentally!


    Also, why was Igneal brought along to the front too? Tyrus figured he would watch from the sidelines, waiting for Selena to finish her business in the guild. There was something off about the situation, but he couldn¡¯t place his finger on it.


    ¡°In this guild, our pursuits extend beyond mere treasure or glory. We yearn for the mysterious, the uncharted, and the untamed. We explore territories that intimidate others, confronting peril with bravery and unraveling enigmas with grit and intelligence.¡±


    ¡°Valor, sacrifice, and victories are woven into the guild¡¯s rich history. We pay tribute to our predecessors and approach the future with hope. Today, you begin a journey that will challenge you, shape who you are, and ultimately determine your future. For those who pass the exam, expect an abundance of adventures and a range of challenges!¡±


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    Another surge of applause resonated from the newcomers. Smiling faces and joyful shouts filled the room, creating an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The smell of metal and sweat hung in the air, giving the surroundings an adventurous yet unnerving feeling. A certain fire had been lit in the eyes of the joyous folks; however, that fire died down somewhat by Selena¡¯s barrage of information.


    ¡°Regarding the exam, I¡¯m certain you anticipated something straightforward like hunting lesser hounds, a precise count of goblins, or even obtaining a roster of items from the wilderness! Today, that will not be the case; the contents of this special monthly exam will be survival!¡±


    Some expressions turned gloomy upon hearing the unexpected news. Selena flawlessly maintained her momentum and carried on with her speech.


    ¡°Come now, why the sullen faces? You haven¡¯t even listened to the rest of my words. In particular, the applicants will need to survive in the Wasteful Wetlands for no more than three hours. I¡¯m certain you know the location and the types of creatures there, so I won¡¯t go into specifics.¡±


    ¡°Given the presence of beasts in the exam, we have implemented safety protocols to protect you. I, together with a select group of renowned sorcerers, will supervise the examination. We will ensure that the applicants do not fall victim to mortality or sustain severe harm.¡±


    ¡°Naturally, should you remain doubtful about this month¡¯s exam, you have the option to depart and attempt the next one. But know this¨Cthose who succeed in this special exam will receive benefits that perfectly correlate with the difficulty. If that still fails to tempt you, the door is right there. Being an explorer is a challenging profession, and this exam will function as a reality check for those harboring impractical aspirations.¡±


    The room had fallen into an oppressive silence as the words lingered in the air. As the seconds slowly elapsed, Tyrus studied several individuals departing from the line and promptly making their way out the door. In the beginning, it was a small amount, but it rapidly increased to double digits. A few grumbles and curses rang out from the retreating individuals, yet none had spoken up about the sudden change. Even more left the line, yet occupied the corners of the room, as if waiting to hear more.


    Even in the face of appalling news, Tyrus kept his silence. As for Igneal, he watched the sullen folks with a smile on his face. Ultimately, the line had been reduced by more than half. The queue, once extending outside, was now indoors. Tyrus took a quick head count and ended up with sixteen people remaining. There were still a lot of people in the building, yet they watched from afar.


    After a second survey of the area, he had just become conscious of Blue Dawn and a small group of other explorers observing from the second floor. Fiona noticed him staring and gave him a little wave, which he accepted with a nod. Tyrus then shifted his attention back to the front.


    Selena gave a nod of recognition to the remaining people. ¡°It¡¯s a pity they lacked the courage to confront this new experience. An explorer should not avoid challenges but embrace them in order to gain knowledge and develop. If you lack self-awareness of your limitations and flaws, how else would you prevail over them? Recognizing your own limitations and faults is the initial stage of personal growth.¡±


    That is true, Tyrus acknowledged. In his short journey in Wildwood, he had come face to face with many of his limitations and flaws. But, in due time, he learned and devised new ways of overcoming them. His fight with the drake and his talk with Elder Treant was extremely helpful on his path as a sorcerer.


    ¡°I have one more announcement to share. Through the power granted to branch leaders, we have the power to suggest individuals who possess the capability to greatly contribute to the Explorer Guild. You see these two boys by my side? I hereby put forth Tyrus and Igneal Lockhart¡¯s names for consideration by the Explorer Guild! They too will participate in this monthly exam.¡±


    Tyrus jerked his head to the side. ¡°You¡¯re joining the exam? But why? You don¡¯t need the money or prestige.¡±


    Igneal folded his arms and scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. All you need to know is I will show no mercy to those who stand in my way of winning.¡±


    ¡°As if I¡¯d let you,¡± Tyrus mumbled, setting his eyes on the stairs.


    Selena gave them both a friendly pat on the shoulder and smiled. ¡°Do I detect a hint of a rivalry between you two? I do hope you will push each other¡¯s limits in a healthy manner. Can¡¯t have you crippled or tossed in a ditch. The possibility of my recommendations failing is embarrassing to think about.¡±


    When none of them replied to her words, she shrugged and faced the others. ¡°As there are no grievances voiced regarding the issue, I will presume you are content with it. Now that we''ve addressed that, it''s time to conclude and begin the registration process. It¡¯s time for you all to meet the other overseers of the exam.¡±


    In perfect synchrony, the weighty pounding noise penetrated the premises. Following soon after was a quiet, yet smothering pressure that had every hair on Tyrus¡¯ body standing. He instinctively hovered a hand over his ring, ready to pull out a weapon at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Where did this dense mana come from? I felt nothing like this when I walked in¡­


    The source of the powerful pressure was coming from the second floor. All eyes were affixed to a shadow drawing near the hallway. With every stomp that shook the floorboards themselves came another rhythmic click.


    After an agonizing amount of time had passed, the figure turned the corner. What appeared first was a white sleeve, and finally a face. A tall and burly man with a beard as thick as a bush came strolling in, his presence commanding the attention of everyone around him.


    He wore white military attire that looked to be on the verge of bursting apart; hanging around the neck was a dangling ornament blue in color. On a small part of his chest was the emblem of dual swords, and strapped to his hip was a scabbard with a blue hilt poking out.


    ¡°There are a lot fewer applicants than I imagined,¡± he said in a husky voice. ¡°The people of Lethos have gone soft over the years if they¡¯re deterred by that playground of a swamp!¡±


    The man stopped after he looked across from the second floor. His line of sight was directly focused on Grant, who had already begun moving forward. In no time at all, the two men clasped hands together.


    ¡°Son! I didn¡¯t expect to see ya again so soon! Are ya perhaps about to accept another contract?¡±


    Grant shook his head. ¡°Not this time, father. I am here to support my friend before their exam.¡±


    ¡°Hoh? And who would that be?¡±


    Grant tilted his head toward the alert Tyrus. When his father glanced at him, his eyes widened for a moment. Unexpectedly, a hearty laugh erupted, as loud as a hound''s howl.


    ¡°How amusing! If Selena is allowing you to participate, then there must be a good reason! You really are full of surprises, aren¡¯t ya?¡± He released another roar of laughter as he steadily climbed down the stairs. The man wiped away a tear as he stood in front of the slack-jawed audience.


    ¡°One of the supervisors will be the reputable Royal Knight Geroth, a member of His Majesty¡¯s Imperial Court,¡± Selena said. ¡°He kindly accepted my offer to supervise the next batch. Rest assured he will give his best effort. Isn¡¯t that right, Sir Geroth?¡±


    ¡°I pledge to put in 200% effort to keep ya folks safe.¡±


    Selena nodded. ¡°Thank you for the assurance, Sir Geroth. Now, will the final supervisor hiding in the corner show themselves? We need to get this over with quickly and send them off.¡±


    The branch leader motioned over to a corner near the entrance. In the beginning, it was an empty space with cobwebs and dust, but immediately the air shimmered; a tornado-like swirl of potent mana scattered in opposite directions. The once desolate corner now held a person. A few gasps from the sidelines rang out.


    ¡°Who is that?¡± one of them mumbled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t recognize them at all. Is that person well known at all?¡±


    Tyrus squinted at the newcomer. He didn¡¯t know who was well known or not in Lethos, so he was mostly playing by ear. Compared to Sir Geroth, the person didn¡¯t look all that intimidating. All they had on was a loose, sand-colored robe that completely hid their physique. A shawl draped over their face, revealing only their brown eyes, tanned skin, and nose.


    The mysterious figure gracefully moved towards Selena by gliding and simply nodded. Tyrus was in disbelief until he realized their feet were hovering above the ground. They seemed to be floating as if by magic.


    ¡°Unlike Sir Geroth, this supervisor sees no justification for revealing themselves. If you lack knowledge of his identity, then that is your concern, not his. In any case, he will fulfill his responsibilities. You may address him as Zephyr. Are there any lingering questions or preparations before we proceed?¡±


    Selena gave the room one last look over before clasping her hands together. ¡°Great! All seems to be well. Keep in mind, the exam will be held in the Wasteful Wetlands and you must endure for three hours. If you choose to leave or give up, we''ll find out when you use this tool. Zephyr, if you will.¡±


    Under her orders, Zephyr waved his hand across the air. Many objects from where the overseers came from went flying like swift arrows. Gradually, the objects descended upon each person in line, including Tyrus and Igneal. When Tyrus took a more in-depth look at the object, he discovered it to be a silver ring. Like his enchanted coat, this one pulsed with mana as well, although severely weaker.


    ¡°For those new, that right there is a magical tool called Tracer. As implied by its name, it functions as a surveillance tool with constant monitoring. Tracer periodically emits mana signals that are discernible only by us.¡±


    ¡°Not only does it possess a tracking feature, but uttering the word ''Yield'' will render you ineligible, preventing you from proceeding with the examination. Oh, and finally, your health vitals are continuously sent to us! Don''t concern yourself with the mechanics, simply understand that safety is of utmost importance to us.¡±


    Tyrus had to cover his mouth to suppress a chuckle. Despite her emphasis on safety, Tyrus completely remembered the rock spider incident. He found it a little funny that the Selena back then and the Selena now sounded entirely different.


    ¡°Selena, don¡¯t ya think it¡¯s about time for the transport? I have a schedule to maintain, and I¡¯m already pushing it by doing you a favor.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I suppose it is time for the exam to begin. I''ve expressed all the pertinent information and there are no queries regarding the exam. Without any more delay, we will now commence the monthly exam, as we don''t want to remain here all day. Zephyr, if you would kindly start.¡±


    Silently, Zephyr drifted forward. Beginning with Tyrus and Igneal, he extended his arm to rest a slender hand on their shoulders. A pinch of mana emanated from his palm, and it quickly disappeared. Once he was finished with them, he proceeded and did the same thing with everyone in possession of the magical tool. Afterward, he went back to his original position and took out a white crystal from his clothes.


    In a voice as steady as the rustling wind, he said, "Transport those chosen through the veils of time and space to my envisioned destination."


    Out of nowhere, Tyrus felt nauseous and his head started swimming. His vision turned blurry, and the corners of his eyesight blackened. Unable to contain himself, he dropped to one knee, his sight fading to darkness. But just as quickly as the nauseous feeling came, it vanished. Slowly, he opened his eyes and rose.


    The stench of rotten eggs baked in the sun for hours assailed his nostrils. Right away, he held his nose and observed the daunting setting around him. Naked trees with thin, lifeless branches covered the area, while a multitude of boulders and rocks took over the scenery. Of course, a thick fog made it almost impossible to see over the horizon, but Tyrus caught wind of muddy trails and discarded refuse.


    ¡°This is definitely the Wasteful Wetlands,¡± Tyrus mumbled. ¡°It¡¯s kind of hard to believe that magic could be this amazing. What should¡¯ve been a few days to travel to the Wasteful Wetlands was cut to a few seconds! I have got to figure out how to do that later. Pretty sure he said something about marking in his incantation and used a crystal¡­¡±


    Tyrus glanced at the magical tool nestled right on top of the storage ring. ¡°If they can track where I am, then I shouldn¡¯t have to worry about getting lost. Surviving in the Wasteful Wetlands should be easy, right? I¡¯ve fought rock spiders, a drake, and a few goblins before. I¡¯m also quite used to living out in the wild, so this shouldn¡¯t be any different.¡±


    Surviving for three hours in the Wasteful Wetlands sounded like a workable feat to Tyrus, so long as he was careful and watched his step. Even though he didn''t know the place well, the beasts couldn''t be that strong. Furthermore, he had become much stronger and had gained new weapons. He was well protected, with a bunch of supervisors keeping a close watch on him. By this point, he was an explorer.


    ¡°Yet, what is the reason behind this uncomfortable feeling? It¡¯s faint, but I feel corrupted mana deep inside the swamp. It wasn¡¯t there before when I followed Blue Dawn.¡± Tyrus stared off into the distance briefly before shaking his head. ¡°No, everything will be okay. I¡¯ll just ignore it and focus on completing the exam. It¡¯s none of my business.¡±


    He delved into his storage ring and extracted his newly acquired sword. He clenched the grip made of leather and glanced about. The sun had already reached its highest point and was gradually veering in a different direction. If Tyrus had to make an educated guess, it was already past noon.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get this thing over with. First priority is shelter, and I''ve got the perfect location in mind.¡±


    Armed with a well-devised plan, Tyrus began his course to Salithia''s general location. Ignoring the squishing beneath his feet, he remained focused on his objective.


    No obstacle would stand in his way of acing the exam. If he had to fight a few beasts, then so be it; If someone like Igneal were to stand in his way, then he wouldn¡¯t hesitate in crossing blades. Only by reaching the next stage would he achieve his goals.


    One step at a time.

 Chapter 63.5- Lurking Dangers

    ¡°Sulroth,¡± a voice, aged but smooth, rumbled. ¡°Lethos has sent forth a few of their dogs.¡±


    ¡°I too can perceive them,¡± declared Sulroth. ¡°The overall number is roughly 21, and it seems they have arrived here by means of a teleportation crystal. Most of them have weak mana signatures, so we can safely ignore them. However, three of them are exceptionally strong, notably one in particular.¡±


    ¡°Do I sense a flicker of unease in your voice, Sulroth? That is not befitting for a servant under my command to bear.¡±


    A chuckle escaped Sulroth as he shook his head. ¡°Do not worry, master. Although it will be somewhat of a challenge, the plan will still succeed. Their arrival was delayed, but it shouldn¡¯t pose any problems.¡±


    ¡°Oh? If you possess such unwavering confidence, then I truly have no cause for concern. You are truly one of the few servants I trust.¡±


    He performed a deep bow. ¡°I am not worthy of your flattery, master. With your great confidence in me, I will strive to plant the seeds of ruin. First and foremost, I must address the rabble that has waltzed into their own gravesite.¡±


    A hearty laugh escaped from the voice. ¡°Inform me after completing your tasks. We cannot let this opportunity slip through our fingers. Remember the responsibilities that were entrusted to you when you signed the blood contract.¡±


    ¡°Never in a million lifetimes. Unfortunately, I need to terminate the transmission. It would be wise to be wary of the possibility of our communications being hijacked. Once I achieve success, we will speak again.¡±


    Sulroth severed the transmission with a mere thought. In one simple gesture, he opened forth a dark mass in front of him. Delving into the murky depths, he retrieved a dark mask and donned it.


    ¡°Now, it is time to embark on the path of retribution.¡±


    Perched atop a colossal boulder, Sulroth surveyed the eerie view before him. The entire scene was shrouded in a dense fog, casting an ominous veil over a monumental, teardrop-shaped altar. The altar¡¯s surface, marred with age and scars, bore a gaping void at its center.


    White, tattered moss hung in haphazard strands from its edges, resembling shredded rags torn by claws. A malevolent ring made of bones and contorted sticks encircled the altar as though a blasphemous ritual had been meticulously designed.


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    Amidst the grim tableau, a sinister presence loomed. Suspended at the heart of the altar, a dark cube radiated an ominous aura. From its core surged a relentless stream of corrupted mana, seeping into the atmosphere like an unholy torrent, tainting everything it touched.


    Mucus-like water surrounded the entire area, littered with half-submerged dinghies and other sorts of beasts lurking beneath its depths. Only a patch of land where the altar rested was the sole solid ground. In addition, there stood a towering old tree on that patch of land, casting its shadow over the altar with ease. With an ashy-gray bark and a multitude of naked branches that had moss dangling like ornaments, one would think that the tree was on its last legs.


    ¡°Still resisting, huh?¡± Sulroth mumbled. ¡°You¡¯ve lived long enough, Elder Treant. Give up and die a dog¡¯s death. This place has been forsaken by your deity a long time ago.¡±


    The Elder Treant gave no response. It was only slumbering, preserving its energy as its life force dwindled. In due time, the tainted mana from the Corruption Cube would amalgamate within its essence and transmute it into an entirely different entity.


    It would be advantageous if the process was completed before the arrival of Lethos¡¯ dogs. If that was not the case, then it would ultimately be of no consequence; the Elder Treant wasn¡¯t a necessity, only serving as a bonus.


    The beasts Sezor had transported all those days ago were still roaming the Wasteful Wetlands. Whether they had succumbed to its inhabitants or triumphed over them, only time would reveal. The variables that were previously absent had now arrived, and it would be their obligation to observe and document the events that had taken place.


    ¡°Soon, an immense calamity will wreak havoc upon the land, serving as the prologue to retribution. The downfall of the Lethos Empire and the Beastfolk Kingdom will give rise to the birth of a new founder. Through the chaos and violence of war and bloodshed, they will rise.¡±


    Darkness enveloped Sulroth, consuming him entirely until the smoke dissipated, and he vanished.

 Chapter 64- Wasteful Wetlands

    To suggest that there was an abundance of beasts in the Wasteful Wetlands would be a gross understatement. In every corner, whether concealed behind decaying trees, scattered wreckage, or dilapidated structures, there was the presence of at least one beast. They were either lounging around or locked in combat¨CTyrus saw no middle way.


    One common type of beast was the goblin. When he first began his journey as a sorcerer, they presented a somewhat intimidating challenge during their previous clash. Now, they were as easy as squishing an ant. A single strike from his newly acquired sword was sufficient to swiftly dispatch them.


    Despite Tyrus¡¯s inexperience in wielding such a weapon, it functioned no differently than a dagger. Fortunately, the blade¡¯s edge was sharp, and penetrating through goblin flesh was easy. If he wanted to, he could sever their bodies in half if he used augmentation. Of course, Tyrus opted for the mana saving route for the most difficult events.


    He also didn¡¯t want to witness the gross display of spilled guts and organs.


    When it came to the goblins'' whereabouts, they could be found either wandering or setting up camps for a quick break. Some groups had created miniature campfires, igniting dried twigs and leaves to generate warmth and light. Initially perceived as dull, they proved their resourcefulness when the situation demanded it. That fact became even more vivid as he recalled the sight of them confidently wielding various tools.


    Tyrus watched a group of them¨Csix in total¨Clounging around as they picked their noses or slept around in their raggedy attire. By their sides were crude weapons, such as wooden clubs or even rocks to throw.


    Compared to the ones he fought in Wildwood or with Blue Dawn, they were easy enough to handle. Ignoring them was an option, but he needed to sharpen his swordsmanship with some practice. Goblins, with their clumsy movements and predictable patterns, were the perfect practice targets for a rookie like him.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this over with. Don¡¯t know what other beasts could be prowling around, waiting for the perfect chance to strike.¡±


    Muttering to himself, Tyrus approached the goblins. With his feet sinking slightly into the wet dirt, the goblins immediately tensed up at the sound of squelching. One by one, they grabbed their weapons and rose, snarling directly at the approaching intruder. Their numbers, or the sorry attempt at intimidation, did not faze Tyrus in the slightest as he pressed forward.


    As the goblins realized he would not retreat, they charged at him, their clubs swinging wildly. While the others closed the distance, one of them stayed back, pelting him with rocks. Tyrus effortlessly dodged the long-ranged attacks and kept most of his focus on the close-ranged ones.


    ¡°Five up close and one farther back,¡± he muttered.


    The first goblin, resembling a frog, lunged forward with a reckless swing. Reacting quickly, Tyrus smoothly sidestepped, positioning himself to thrust his sword as deeply as possible into the creature''s back. Before tumbling to the ground, it let out a piercing cry that echoed through the air. A pool of blood formed as Tyrus faced the remaining beasts.


    One down, five more to go.


    Undeterred by their comrade¡¯s fate, the goblins continued to push forward. Tyrus was glad that they didn¡¯t decide to tuck tail and run. Chasing after the little critters would be a waste of energy. Fighting them in one small area was the best outcome he could wish for. He was fighting them solely for the purpose of furthering his own swordsmanship, after all. Practicing against fleeing creatures wouldn¡¯t be all that beneficial to him. Through some form of danger and urgency, would he learn the best.


    Focusing back on the battle, two of the goblins opted for a smart approach and flanked Tyrus. In tandem, they swung their clubs, aiming straight for his sides. While their plan was quite clever, their moves were glaringly predictable and slow. Tyrus was already one step ahead of them and had already backpedaled. In a sickening thud, they rammed into each other, collapsing into a squirming pile of flesh and snarls. With a few stabs to their heads, they instantly ceased moving.


    Now that there were only three of them left, the goblin¡¯s situation finally dawned on them. The beasts glanced at each other indecisively, their urine-colored eyes that held hostility and wrath transformed to that of fear and hesitation. Tyrus didn¡¯t let that indecisiveness go and charged forward.


    He swung as best as he could at the nearest one, hoping to catch it off-guard. However, when he shifted his foot at the same time he attacked, he felt his foot sink deeper than usual. The sudden change momentarily shocked Tyrus, and what should¡¯ve been a strike to the neck instead grazed its belly. What made matters worse was that the blade cut through the wet soil like butter.


    ¡°Uh-oh. That¡¯s not good.¡±


    Before Tyrus could even pull the sword out, he noticed a small projectile hurtling toward him. He released his weapon and ducked as low as he could, watching a rock sail over his head. The goblin that he had just grazed was already mid-swing, aiming for a blow against his head. Even without his sword, he still had strategies to combat his enemies.


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    Infusing some mana into his arm, he stopped the attack dead in its tracks. Confusion washed over the goblin as cold steel pierced its eye socket, ending its life in an instant. Retracting the dagger with one pull, Tyrus turned his attention to the others, who looked on in horror. He charged forward, stabbed a nearby goblin in its skull, and pulled the weapon right out again. Blood spurt forth as it slowly lurched to the side.


    The final one realized the situation it had gotten itself into and whipped around. Making a sharp cry, the creature dashed as fast as it could on its little legs. However, to its dismay, its foe had already caught up with a simple push of the leg. Tyrus appeared from its side, straight-faced, as he stabbed it in the heart. A wail escaped from its mouth as it toppled face-first into the ground.


    Tyrus bent down and wiped the blade on the rags. ¡°Good thing I listened to Ivy and bought a secondary weapon. Handling them with mana would be easy, but what I need to work on right now is wielding the sword.¡±


    He glanced back at the sword still stuck in the ground and sighed. Thanks to the unsteadiness of the terrain, fighting against foes was more difficult than ever. Because he hadn''t yet mastered his movement and timing, he was at a major disadvantage. Though inexperienced, Tyrus was aware of his error in that particular situation.


    Putting too much pressure on his foot led him to be stuck. He also over-committed in his swing, causing the sword to drive right into the dirt. What he needed to be careful of was his footwork and to find the right balance for the amount of power he would use. So many things to note, yet such little time to correct them. Swords were cool and all, but he still found magic to be the best and easiest experience.


    Tyrus snapped out of his melancholy and stashed the dagger, reaching for the sword. With one effortless pull, the blade came undone. The tip was caked in dirt, yet there were no visible deformities on the blade. He blew a sigh of relief as he cleaned it to its previous state.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m about done over here,¡± he muttered. ¡°As I thought, fighting beasts is what I prefer. It¡¯s like hunting animals for food¡­except for the food part. I have way more experience in these types of things than looking for herbs and all that boring stuff. As much as I hate to admit it, I¡¯m thankful that Selena chose this.¡±


    Although there were some positives, the negatives held a slight advantage. Tyrus was used to the cold and the heat, but the Wasteful Wetlands atmosphere was on a whole different level. Even with winter approaching, the air was humid and stinky. The fog clung to him like a baby nestled close to their mother. Worst of all were the blood flies that insisted on sucking him dry while he sweats up a storm!


    So terrain sucked, the air was sticky in a bad way, there was a terrible insect infestation, and a slew of other problems that would take too long to mention. If someone wasn¡¯t careful in the Wasteful Wetlands, they would be done in by a whole plethora of other problems not related to beasts. But if he were to ignore those things and look on the bright side, he would use the exam as a way to train, much like he had done in Wildwood.


    Not only would he better his magic and swordsmanship, but learning about the different flora and fauna in the stinky environment would further his knowledge. Since him becoming an explorer was set in stone, in the future there might be a time when he would return for a contract.


    Knowing what to expect on his potential return would make his life much easier. Arriving at Salithia, a somewhat known landmark, would do wonders. Nevertheless, as much as he would desire to be in a place that offered some sort of shelter, he would be deceiving himself if he claimed to be aware of his location. At the moment, he was wandering the place, only traveling in one direction, toward Valier Forest. Well, at least he thought he was heading for Valier Forest.


    Heading west should¡¯ve done the trick, or so he assumed until he realized the way westward was guarded by a zone of beast-infested waters. Worst of all were the many reptilian eyes poking out of the surface once he threw a rock. After seeing such a terrifying sight, he spun on his heels and pretended he had never seen such a thing.


    ¡°If I had slipped in, my leg would¡¯ve been chopped off in a matter of seconds,¡± Tyrus said while shivering. ¡°Valier Forest and Wildwood look like a play area compared to here. You really need to be always aware of your surroundings. Now I know why those people left without a second thought.¡±


    After checking everything was in order, Tyrus looked around. A chorus of croaks, buzzing, and distant squawks tore through the dreary air. Squinting through the fog, it was hard to pinpoint what lingered in the distance. Though hard, Tyrus could make out the outline of thick trees almost as tall as a clock tower. This time, they were much more lively compared to their barren brothers. Insects and rodents were seen frolicking about, moving with incredible speed.


    Tyrus licked his lips at the sight. ¡°I wonder what these creatures taste like. Will the flavor differ from the beasts in Wildwood or Valier Forest? Would love to hunt one of them and roast them, but I shouldn¡¯t eat them now. And besides, fighting while heavy sucks. It¡¯ll just slow me down. Maybe I should hunt a few and save them for later¡­¡±


    Deep in contemplation about his next meal, Tyrus hungrily eyed the prey as he stood there. Yet in the vast expanse of sounds and smells that mingled like a renowned chef¡¯s cauldron, a peculiar sound from the thick trees emitted a striking sound. One that caught his ears was a movement followed by squelching, yet occasionally he would hear plopping like raindrops tumbling from the sky.


    Alerted by the noise, Tyrus raised his sword in the noise¡¯s direction. ¡°More goblins? Looks like the ones I defeated weren¡¯t alone. Hopefully it isn¡¯t an entire army.¡±


    His hopeful daydreams quickly shattered as a humanoid figure materialized in the distance. It lacked the stature of the kid-sized goblins, instead towering a head and a half over Tyrus while possessing a slender build.


    The mysterious figure walked with a hunched posture, and from behind them was something thick and long lashing about. In his attempt to identify the puzzle before him, Tyrus took a deep breath and was met with the fragrance of damp soil and a pond.


    His skepticism was quickly dispelled as the deep, ominous rumble resonated from the approaching figure. Just as the mysterious figure was on the cusp of revealing themselves, they made a surprising maneuver. With a swift motion, they produced a lengthy object from their backside, the nature of which remained hidden. In a heartbeat, they burst into a sprint, their growls transforming into warlike, menacing hisses.


    Tyrus almost dropped his sword from its hasty action. He repositioned himself and patiently awaited the emergence of his new foe from the haze, bracing himself for what was about to unfold.


    This one would pose to be far more difficult than a mere goblin.

 Chapter 65- Fleeting Victory

    ¡°A human-shaped figure and a scent that reminds me of wet soil and water. Only a few creatures come to mind, and none of them stand on two legs...¡±


    Resembling an unstoppable power, the creature forcefully sliced through the haze with its spear. A reptilian¡¯s low-slung body moved with the fluid grace of the waterlogged environment. With its mossy-gray scales that seemed to blend in with the fog, leather protected the creature¡¯s shoulders while it wore a loincloth around its lower body. A weighty, muscular tail flailed violently, projecting a ferocity mirroring its blazing eyes.


    The reptile¡¯s sharp, serrated snout bore rows of needle-like teeth, and long, sinuous fingers, each tipped with razor-sharp claws, twitched ever so slightly as it clutched what appeared to be a wooden spear with angular, bone tips. In a daring move, the creature soared into the air and brought down its spear in an attempt to skewer Tyrus.


    Instead of directly confronting the attack, Tyrus evaded to the side just as the lizard forcefully plunged its spear into the ground, as if it effortlessly sliced through butter. Hastily, it seized the weapon and rushed towards Tyrus once more.


    "Your demise shall be at my hand, wretched Beastfolk!" it roared.


    Tyrus''s jaw dropped as he lowered his weapon. During that brief moment of hesitation, the lizard capitalized on it and swiftly hurled its spear at alarming speed. Tyrus let out a yelp and swiftly tilted his head, yet he could not fully escape it as he watched a crimson liquid drip from his cheek. He didn¡¯t have enough time to find out how severe the wound was before he heard quickened steps.


    A rough hand grasped him by the throat; he desperately fought to suppress a scream, gasping for air as he kicked and writhed against the snarling reptile. When it seemed like the creature wouldn''t budge, Tyrus tried desperately to release lightning and break free.


    Like a flickering candle, a pitiful excuse of mana spurred forth, merely serving as a tickling attack. His heart pounding in his ears, his vision faded as he desperately fought off the enemy, who menacingly brought its sharp claw toward his face. As his vision slowly turned black and his heartbeat slowed, Tyrus could only think of one way to escape.


    A dagger materialized in his right hand, and with a last surge of energy, he plunged it into one of its eyes. It released a sharp howl that echoed through the air as it immediately let go of Tyrus. His rear hit the ground hard as ugly gasps filled the air. His vision gradually came back to him, and the black that occupied his eyes retreated. A pain like swallowing a large rock enveloped his throat as he struggled to rise to his feet.


    I¡­ I almost died there, Tyrus thought to himself. Weakly, he looked up to see the humanoid removing his dagger out of its eye. In one motion, it tossed to the side and whipped around, glaring at Tyrus with brimming fury.


    ¡°I was not aware your putrid kind could fashion weapons out of thin air,¡± it growled. ¡°What sort of trickery is this?¡±


    Tyrus, still struggling to catch his breath, answered with a few dry coughs. ¡°L-Like I¡¯ll tell you. You can¡¯t expect me to answer when you just about killed me¡­¡±


    The creature frowned and hissed, releasing a forked tongue. ¡°So you lot are capable of communication. Those I''ve killed could only make growling and hissing sounds, like lesser creatures.¡±


    Tyrus stood firmly on his two feet. Just what did the reptile mean by his lot? Was it referring to the others sent to the Wasteful Wetlands alongside him? If so, that wouldn¡¯t make any sense because there was no way it could¡¯ve killed them. They were all under supervision by Selena and the others. If one of their lives were in peril and on the verge of death, an overseer would save them. The method they would use remained a mystery.


    It also mentioned that the ones it killed could only growl or hiss. It didn¡¯t take a genius to know that the applicants knew full well how to speak. He could only consider the possibility that it was lying or had potentially harmed a similar creature to the applicants. Either way, that didn¡¯t matter. Because of the reptile, he was almost sent to the place above the skies! Dying could wait until after he achieved his goals.


    The reptile cupped a hand over its eye, wincing as it continued to glare. "I will have to confer with the Shaman to address the injury you''ve inflicted."


    ¡°Your fault for attacking me like that,¡± Tyrus interjected. He stole a quick glance at his sword, sitting right in front of the reptile. Judging by the distance, he was a good few arms¡¯ length away. Trying to jump for the weapon would be pointless, since the enemy would snatch it first. As for his dagger, it was even further away; grabbing it was not an option. All that remained for him was mana.


    To Tyrus''s disappointment, the reptile reached out and grabbed the sword. ¡°Rather than using fangs and claws, you rely on steel and The Gift. It''s not just that, but you also have some skills. Yes¡­ your bones will make for a very splendid weapon. Your kind has always been good at that.¡± In order to strengthen its threat, the reptile licked a small amount of blood flowing from its wound.


    Shivering, Tyrus backed away. ¡°I don''t think I have the qualities to be a good weapon. Can you explain your dislike for Beastfolk, or even me, for that matter? I have done nothing to you and your¡­kind.¡±


    ¡°Playing dumb, are you? Regardless, now that I''m aware of your ability to speak coherently, I must bring you to the chieftain and interrogate you. It is only then that we will know the reason for your trespassing.¡±


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we talk this out instead? I¡¯d rather avoid a fight with you.¡±


    The reptile crouched down, ready to strike at any moment. ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice in this matter. You wasted no time in butchering those inferior beings. This should be no different. If you choose to struggle, prepare for a painful death.¡±


    Fighting goblins is way different from a fight with a talking creature, Tyrus thought. In his view, confronting and battling beasts that operated purely on primal instincts was a challenge he had little qualms about. To him, it was akin to hunting, whether for training or sustenance. It was a straightforward, almost mechanical pursuit.


    However, engaging in combat or hunting against creatures capable of thought and communication was an entirely different matter. When they possessed the ability to convey emotions through their expressive eyes and faces, it added an unsettling layer to the situation. It was one of the primary reasons he had hesitated to outright kill the armless treant, as finding out it could talk sapped him of his desire to win.


    Only if the situation was drastic would he have no choice but to resort to killing. Relating to the enemy in front of him, that last choice may creep up if peace was not an option. If he could help it, he¡¯d rather avoid a fight to the death.


    Alas, the reptile held no concern for his dilemma as it moved, still clutching Tyrus¡¯ sword. Clicking his tongue, he squared his shoulders and stood firmly against the bounding enemy with renewed determination. If talking would not work, then he¡¯d have to resort to violence.


    The humanoid lurched forward with the blade and swung it in a wide arc. Backpedaling from its trajectory, Tyus shot forth a few Lightning Bolts, watching the tip whiz past. Shaky orbs streaked by, hitting the reptile directly on its face. It produced a hiss as resonant as roaring steam, ceasing instantly. Tyrus took that chance to let loose a Lightning Snare and more Lightning Bolts.


    He believed the reptile would not have sufficient time to recover from the preceding assault, yet Tyrus had greatly miscalculated its stamina. Despite the loss of one eye and enduring a barrage of Lightning Bolts to the face, the reptile displayed the dexterity to evade the spells with the quickness reminiscent of a slithering snake. Vibrant bursts of blue arcs and flashes erupted into the fog.


    ¡°How can it still move like that?¡± Tyrus grumbled.


    Snapping out of his surprise, he looked to where it had previously moved to. Yet when his eyes locked on its location, the beast was nowhere to be seen. Tyrus began creeping in as he whirled around, scanning desperately across the area. Sadly, it was hard to pinpoint where it was exactly because of the annoying fog. Even then, shouldn''t its outline be discernible just like before?


    ¡°Illumination.¡±


    Immediately, a golden light appeared over his shoulder. Tyrus then commanded it to circle around the expanse, hoping to catch the beast. Did it decide to run away knowing it was outmatched or was it biding its time to wait for the perfect chance to ambush him? Either way, that thing took his sword! He had just bought it and someone had already snatched it out of his hands. Reflecting on it now, he realized that maintaining a few weapons was a challenging endeavor.


    Engrossed in his thoughts, he came up empty-handed in his search for the enemy, even with Illumination activated. The spell had done a clean circular sweep of the area, yet the reptile was nowhere in sight. Just as Tyrus thought it had truly fled from the battle, he felt a crawling sensation on his neck. Then came the sound of footsteps as light as a feather, much different from the heavy plodding that usually occurred, and afterward a familiar scent.


    Upon using augmentation, a rush of mana filled every section of his body. Tyrus turned just in time to see the faint outline of a sword. Like the reflexes of a cat, he ducked below the swing in a heartbeat, glancing as it swiped across his ears. Right after, he swiftly lifted his arm to the spot he believed the creature to be and unleashed a Lightning Bolt.


    From the fog came a hiss, followed by a wet plop. A tall figure staggered backward, illuminated by a flickering light of dazzling energy. With the enemy¡¯s location now a beacon of light, Tyrus sprinted to its location with adept agility. He passed by his sword that the foe had dropped and picked it up without breaking stride. The bright lights that enveloped the beast were fading fast. If he didn¡¯t act quickly, it would slink back into the fog.


    To reach his opponent, Tyrus burst into an explosive lurch¨Call the while noting his steps¨Cand slashed his sword. He hadn¡¯t realized that Beast Transformation had activated at that moment, but he didn¡¯t care at all. What mattered was that his sword would unerringly reach the reptile.


    While the reptile had just recovered from its daze, it noticed too late the hunk of steel rapidly approaching. It tried desperately to maneuver around the blade¡¯s trajectory, but that action soon proved to be its downfall. With its attention solely on the blade, it hadn¡¯t accounted for the other attack Tyrus had been brewing in the meantime.


    Simultaneously swinging, he lifted his left arm with the palm facing the lizard''s face. At the precise moment the blade was poised to meet its torso, a surge of mana burst forth from his palm.


    Tyrus felt himself striking flesh and witnessed a shower of sparks and blood stain the ground. A screech that sounded like a garbled mess of choking and gargling water emanated from the reptile. Before long, silence ensued as it dropped to its knees. On its chest was a diagonal gash bleeding profusely from its shoulder to hip, and its face was a charred mess. Not long after, it fell face-first into the dirt.


    Tyrus, breathing heavily, stuffed his sword back into the storage ring. He briefly locked eyes on the fallen enemy, a frown etched on his face, before pivoting on his heels. Spotting his dagger sitting idly by, he rushed over to the weapon and stored it as well. His gaze lingered on his blood-splattered hands and boots.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t have to be this way,¡± he mumbled, wiping the blood on his trousers.


    When he was just about done cleaning most of it off, his body stiffened when a bone-chilling noise sliced the atmosphere like a thunderclap. Tyrus turned just in the nick of time to witness the reptile standing upright, its head pointed towards the heavens as it emitted a whistle into the atmosphere. It wasn¡¯t just an ordinary whistle that originated from joy or anger. No, it was a noise Tyrus instinctively knew after only a second of hearing it.


    His blood turned cold once it disappeared. Right after the noise dissipated, the reptile let out one last croak before toppling onto its back, remaining completely motionless once again. Not even a second later did another whistle come forward. Then another, and another. Not from the dead reptile, but from all around him. It felt as though the surroundings were sentient, audibly voicing their discontent over the demise of one of their own.


    Adding to the complication, next came a horn. After covering his ears from all the noise, he looked up in horror as a terrifying sight befell him. The silhouettes of more than a dozen humanoid figures emerged in the distance, all wielding what seemed to be spears and clubs.

 Chapter 66- Pursuers

    Just for a moment, Tyrus contemplated quitting on the spot. Shouting ¡®yield¡¯ into Tracer had popped into his mind many times. He had even uttered the first two letters before stopping himself at the last second. The thought of backing out when he was so close to becoming an explorer got the better of him, even while there was a horde of beasts hot on his trail.


    The sound of dozens of feet pounding onto the wetlands echoed through every corner of the Wasteful Wetlands. Every so often would a sharp whistle ring out, momentarily cutting through his ears like a club smacking against his skull. Adding to the problem, he was in unfamiliar terrain, struggling to navigate as the dark energy saturating the air grew stronger. It felt like he was creeping closer to it, yet he had little a choice to turn around or ignore the gnawing unease.


    Dashing through the dense undergrowth of the wetlands, his heart pounded like the war drums of old. Behind him, dozens of lizardmen, their scaled forms blending with the fog, pursued him relentlessly. The air was thick with the stench of the marsh, and every footstep sent a squelch echoing through the muck. Water seeped into his boots while his garments clung to his skin like hungry leeches. Through the acrid smell did the sun pierce through with its golden rays.


    Through low-lying shrubs and trees, Tyrus heard the hissing calls and guttural growls of the reptiles, their voices drifting through the air. When he took a quick peek over his shoulder, he caught sight of a spear catapulted from the distance and embedding itself to a nearby tree, splattering wood shavings everywhere.


    Startled by the commotion, birds took flight, their wings flapping noisily as they fled the scene. A crocodile that was lying dormant under a nearby pond had sunk into its depths and swam away. An icy shiver traveled down Tyrus'' skin as he picked up the pace.


    ¡°I messed up really bad! I should¡¯ve known that beast had more friends nearby! It must¡¯ve been some kind of scout, looking around for whatever reason!¡±


    Tyrus spared Tracer another glance before another spear arrived, this time piercing the ground next to him. His heart did front-flips as he leaped onto a dry rock floating in water. Three at a time did he hop onto the next available rock, traversing the path in under two seconds. Once across, he looked around for a possible escape.


    All that caught his eye were overgrown roots threatening to split rocks in half, twisting vines, rotting walkways, and more trees. And through the lowered visibility and amalgamation of numerous noises basking in his head, he did not know where to run or hide to. What options remained were to either continue running with augmentation and hope he loses his pursuers quickly yet drain his mana in the process, or stay and fight.


    Neither scenario seemed all that great to him.


    If he stayed and fight, there was one glaring problem he had yet to know. The specific amount of enemies chasing after him was still unknown, and depending on that amount would judge his chances of victory. Given his struggle with just one, the dozen made his chances even bleaker. But if they were to surround him and use that hiding in the fog trick? He was as good as dead.


    As for running, he would be wasting his stamina and mana when that could be used later. Sure he was in a dangerous situation that would warrant such actions, but a nagging feeling like a small thorn hiding beneath his skin pricked at him. It was hard to describe it, but Tyrus felt as if he should limit himself as much as possible. The corrupted mana he was steadily approaching only amplified that feeling. Just why did he feel that way?


    ¡°Kill the Beastfolk!¡±


    His thoughts were snapped when two more spears exploded onto the scene. This time, the faint outlines of the reptiles became clearer, and their scent grew stronger, along with the sound of their roaring footsteps. Tyrus clicked his tongue and continued his sprint through the Wasteful Wetlands. Before long, he burst through the thick foliage and returned to the skeleton trees and scattered rocks.


    Tyrus leaped over one large boulder, landing on a big puddle of water that seeped into his coat and tunic. Through twists and turns, he navigated past one particularly large willow tree rooted in the middle of a path he had taken. No matter if he hid behind or on top of the tree, the reptiles were still close.


    He slid underneath a looping branch, kicking up mud and water droplets. He passed by frogs that matched the ground¡¯s color and even sickly green slimes three times bigger than the ones in Wildwood. One even stood in Tyrus way, its body squirming as a mouth-like hole began forming.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this!¡±


    He released a Lightning Bolt right at the opening. Half of its gelatinous body exploded, soaking the ground with its remains. Instead of outright dying from the blow, the scattered pieces quivered before slithering into a pile separate from the main body. Instead of staying to find out what would happen, Tyrus had already sprinted past.


    That slime was definitely still alive, he said to himself. He was curious about what would occur next for the creature, yet he had more important matters to attend to, like running for his dear life from some ravenous beasts that hated his guts.


    Seriously, why were they so hell-bent on catching him? Probably because he killed one of their scouts, but there might¡¯ve been a different underlying reason. He couldn¡¯t really ask them or else he risked having a spear sticking out of his back.


    On second thought, wouldn¡¯t the enchanted coat protect him instead? He hadn¡¯t tested how much physical damage it could take. Mostly because he was too afraid of biting off more than he could chew and accidentally injuring himself. Could it deflect the swing of a sword or being raked by claws?


    ¡°Snap out of it, Tyrus. Think of escaping!¡±


    Those reptiles, while slower than him, were still following him with ease. Whether it was because they had terrain advantage and knew the place better than Tyrus, it was still appalling they could still find and catch up to him. Augmentation and Beast Transformation worked simultaneously, yet he still hadn¡¯t lost his pursuers. Throw in the fact that no cave or anything to hide himself was visible, it was only a matter of time before he ran out of steam.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Still, Tyrus kept on running, jumping over boulders, water-clogged areas, and even blasting a few beasts in the process. Goblins who had tested their luck against him would be met with either a Light Bolt or Lightning Bolt to the face.


    A dragonfly that was roosting on top of a branch and soared downward toward Tyrus would plummet with half of its body severed. Or a stray spear thrown from beyond the fog would do the job for him, which he was somewhat thankful for.


    Unfortunately, his run suddenly stopped when he reached a cliff. Stopping himself just in time, he skidded to a halt, his heels just a finger away from falling. A pit formed in his stomach as he gazed out into a vast lake with scattered areas of land. Occasionally, fish would leap out. Tyrus even spotted a webbed limb poking from the surface.


    ¡°At the cliff! There is the little pochatl!¡±


    Like a stampede of animals, the reptiles all grouped together at Tyrus¡¯ location, their eyes carrying a sea of wrath. Just like their fallen brethren, they too looked vastly similar to it, except there were some faint differences between the individuals. They all shared the same mossy-grayed scales, yet their height and body structure differed.


    Tyrus counted at least twenty of them, all carrying weapons fashioned out of wood, bones, and stone. They pointed a wall of spears at him, each one capable enough to pop holes into him like arrows against soft skin.


    ¡°Little pochatl,¡± one of them rumbled, stepping forward. The one that spoke was the tallest and leanest among them, sporting a skull for a helmet and a spear tucked into its left hand. ¡°Speak your last words before I take your life.¡±


    With caution, Tyrus stepped backward, his heel teetering on the edge of the cliff. A trickle of rocks tumbled to the bottom. It took only two seconds for the sediment to reach the water.


    The reptile with the skull helmet laughed. ¡°Fall, and the lurking creatures in the depths will surely rip you to pieces. Stay, and we will ensure your demise. Your chosen path won¡¯t make a difference, as you¡¯ll be dead, spawn of the Beastfolk.¡±


    Tyrus glared at the beast. ¡°Seriously, why do you hate me? I did nothing to you. That guy earlier acted the same way as you guys, and I have yet to receive an answer.¡±


    It smashed the butt of its spear into the rock. ¡°You dare lie in the face of us lizardmen? Like breeding rats, you scum have infested our homeland! First it was that masked intruder seizing the sanctuary and polluting the life here. Our brethren were killed by the savages he brought along!¡±


    Suddenly, the beasts uttered a synchronized cry, almost as if they were in mourning. Once it was over, the speaker of the lizardmen turned to Tyrus. ¡°As exterminators, we must eliminate the rats that dare to defile our sacred land. Your kind will pay for your transgressions. Warriors, kill the pochatl! One less Beastfolk here will appease the gods.¡±


    Like soldiers, the spearmen edged closer, spears pointed dangerously at Tyrus. Different scenarios flashed through his mind as he gazed at the approaching enemies. Engaging in a fight with them was absolutely out of the question, given their abundance in weapons and readiness to react to any slight movement from him.


    He was also at a severe disadvantage location wise. One wrong move and they would skewer him before he could even take down three of them. Even jumping over them wouldn''t work, as there were more waiting at the back. There was also the case of using Tracer and outright giving up. However, even if he were to use it, would help arrive on time? He found it hard to believe that an overseer would bring him to safety instantly. There had to be some kind of delay before help would arrive.


    I don¡¯t have any spells that would help me in this situation at all. Most of them deal damage, restrain them, or heal wounds. Looking at the book now in case I missed something wouldn¡¯t help either. I would just be wasting my time.


    Tyrus glanced at the water behind him. The surface somewhat rippled, but it was still, for the most part. If he were to fall with augmentation activated, surviving would be quite easy. It was the beasts lingering underneath he was worried about. What sort of dangers were hiding, waiting for any unsuspecting creature to tip their toes inside? Judging by his situation, it was better than fighting the lizardmen, at least.


    The head lizardmen sneered, as if goading Tyrus to jump. He took one last look at the water, feeling his heart threatening to burst from his chest and jumping into the water before him. His time was on the cusp of running out, and he only had a few seconds to decide. Leaping off the cliff into dangerous waters or mumbling yield to Tracer and try becoming an explorer again next month, returning to Fiona as a failure in her eyes¡­


    ¡°As a failure,¡± Tyrus whispered. The thought of being seen as a failure by Fiona, who had such high hopes for him, tugged at his heart. Being seen as a disappointment to her¨Cwho had done so much for him¨Cwas something he wanted to avoid at all costs.


    For all he knew, his inadequacies would be more obvious, and might even deter her away from him. His chances of joining Blue Dawn would be thrown into the trash. Because of his age and looks, others may not accept him, and going on adventures alone would impede his progress.


    Everything that could go wrong was highly possible in failing to achieve a measly three-hour survival in the Wasteful Wetlands. It was success, or death, and Tyrus picked the most obvious choice.


    Tyrus took a deep breath, then spun and leaped off the cliff, diving into the chilly waters beneath.

 Chapter 67- Unexpected Turn of Events

    Immediately, Tyrus regretted his decision. Amidst the murky surroundings, a shadow was rapidly approaching him. Not even a second had passed before he had gotten out of trouble and practically leaped onto the next one. At that point, Tyrus had wondered if he was some sort of lure for danger.


    Tyrus kicked as hard as he could to the side. The approaching shadow happened to be a crocodile, one that was big and showcased razor-sharp teeth from its maw. It ripped through the water as Tyrus swam from its fatal attack. He had already activated augmentation and propelled to the surface in a split second.


    Breaking free, Tyrus gasped for air and swiftly turned to where he had fallen. At the edge, the leader of the lizardmen stared at him with a sinister smirk, sending shivers down his spine. It turned and barked out a few orders to the others. Each one nodded and turned, trudging back to whence they came. The leader gave Tyrus one last look before following its men.


    It thinks I¡¯ll die here, Tyrus thought. He didn¡¯t know whether to feel offended or glad he got the lizardmen off his trail. They thought the water creatures would handle him, severely underestimating his skills. It was funny for them to think that way, considering their own inability to complete the job. They couldn¡¯t catch one measly kid while they had a dozen or so armed lizardmen. If he were honest, he felt a little insulted.


    Suddenly, something tough and sharp gripped his left foot. In one fell swoop, something yanked him underwater. The crocodile, with a leg in its jaws and a hungry look, was waiting for him again. Still latched, it swam deeper.


    Alarmed and running out of oxygen, Tyrus summoned his dagger and thrust the weapon into one of its slit pupils. The blade tore through the tissue like ripping soft paper. A stream of blood seeped into the water, and the crocodile let go almost instantly. Injured, it turned its massive body and slinked away.


    Instead of reveling in his brief victory, a powerful force squeezed at his lungs. In haste, he desperately swam upward and broke through the surface once more, wheezing and gasping as his eyes darted around.


    ¡°Land, land¡­ Where are you!?¡±


    Luckily, it didn¡¯t take long to find a place to shore. Underneath the cliff was a patch of rocky land. The rock formation above must¡¯ve shielded the place from him and the lizardmen, serving as a kind of canopy. There was even a small cave, perfect for Tyrus to take refuge and dry himself.


    ¡°I gotta get there fast,¡± he mumbled. Just as he was about to swim to the shore, he noticed a plethora of ripples in his peripheral vision. Tyrus''s eyes widened at the sight of more crocodiles making a beeline for him. Among them was the crocodile he had just wounded earlier. He glanced at the patches of blood near him.


    Tyrus whirled around and made a break for land. With augmentation, his speed in the water nearly doubled, and it took him only a few seconds to reach the safe space. His feet thumped and squelched on the shore, relieved to be on solid ground. Drips and squeaks from below mingled as well, increasing in volume as Tyrus spun on his heels, eyeing the water.


    As plentiful as there were people in a tavern at night, thin snouts were poking out of the water. The crocodiles formed a long line, like soldiers defending their land against invaders, each one staring at the morsel who escaped from their grasp.


    ¡°What? Afraid of getting on land?¡± he taunted, summoning his sword and storing the dagger. ¡°If you know what¡¯s good for you, you¡¯ll stay there. If not, I don¡¯t mind fighting you on my turf.¡±


    The surrounding air buzzed while a shaky sphere of crackling lightning manifested above his palm. He was about to chuck the power right at the legion of beasts until one of the snouts disappeared.


    More of them followed along until one of them remained, which so happened to be the one-eyed crocodile. They glared at each other for some time before the crocodile slinked under the surface. Before long, silence ensued. Tyrus''s knees gave way, and he collapsed onto his back.


    Like a bell struck by disaster, his sword clattered to the ground. The longer he stayed there, the more his muscles relaxed and his heartbeat became a soft rhythm. A body as turbulent as a chaotic wave morphed into a calmness that got him steady.


    ¡°¡­How long has it been?¡± Tyrus muttered. ¡°Did an hour, or even half of one, pass already? Feels like I¡¯ve been here for days, at most.¡±


    Slowly, he shifted into a sitting position, groaning as he patted his tunic. ¡°It¡¯s like the whole world is on my shoulders. I need to dry myself quickly; walking around all wet is not comfortable.¡±


    Tyrus scrambled to his feet and marched for the cave. So far, he didn¡¯t see or hear anything scuttling by. No lizardmen wanting to stab him in the chest or crocodiles itching to sink their teeth into his soft skin. He only managed to survive the first bite because of mana. Just thinking about what would¡¯ve happened if he hadn¡¯t activated augmentation on time had his body tinglingly, particularly on his foot. The selfsame foot where he was grasped at...


    Sure enough, a sudden wave of searing pain shot through his foot. His pace slowed as he glanced at his foot. Parts of his boots were torn, and a crimson stream of blood flowed from several puncture wounds around his ankle. Every time he put pressure on the foot, another flash of pain wracked his body. What followed were droplets of blood left in his wake.


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    ¡°Stupid crocodile pierced through my mana¡­¡±


    He averted his attention back to the cave and pushed on through, this time hobbling on one foot. Tending to the wound was his top priority or else he¡¯d risk dying from blood loss or getting an infection. Neither outcome was pretty, regardless of their differences.


    Back when he roamed around, he had heard of people cutting off their limbs because of infections. Their wounds went untreated for too long, leaving them with no alternative but to resort to amputation. With no access or money to a healer, they resorted to such disastrous actions.


    Hobbling around on one foot or having trouble completing mundane tasks with one arm probably sucked. It would probably suck more if it happened to a sorcerer. A one-armed Augmentation Sorcerer would be looked down upon because they couldn¡¯t fight properly, and an Elemental Sorcerer with one of their legs missing would be a stationary target.


    The notion worked the same way for an animal surviving in the wilderness. A bird with an injured wing cannot fly, thus limiting their chances of hunting or protecting themselves from other animals. A wolf with only three legs would not have the strength or agility to keep up with the pack, thus being doomed to starve. Although the extent of their injuries played a role in their chances of survival, the main idea remained unchanged.


    Deter an injury from becoming worse, or else the worst outcome comes crashing down.


    Tyrus arrived at the mouth of the small cave in no time. He groaned at the acid-like pain enveloping his foot. While he disliked the burning sensation currently ruining his moment of peace, he couldn¡¯t really complain all that much. The injury could¡¯ve been much worse. He should be glad that he still had a foot connected to him and not in the belly of a crocodile or floating around to god knows where. Or gods, since there was apparently more than one.


    Tyrus leaned against the cavern wall with a grunt and sat down. Quickly, he unlaced the boot and tossed it to the side. There, he got a good look at what he was dealing with. Around his ankle, there were a few holes that looked like needles were used, and blood was leaking from each one. Other than the bleeding, the pressure building up, and his wet skin, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.


    ¡°I got to do this fast,¡± he mumbled. In no time, Tyrus had stripped himself naked, placing his soaked garments onto the ground after wringing them. He gave each one a look over before lighting his palm on fire. With no beast in range, he began his work.


    ****


    Through the power of mana and patience, drying the pieces of cloth in front of him went reasonably well. Not only were they warm and dry, but none of them went up in flames, which was a huge plus. Walking around naked in a dangerous swamp because he couldn¡¯t do a simple job would make him embarrassed. He¡¯d have to hope no one saw and kept that secret to his grave.


    In addition, his foot seemed to be getting better. By using fire to clean the wound of any unwelcome germs and a little of Healing Touch, the stinging and pressure were mostly gone. The pressure was still there, and so were a few blood smears from using ripped fabric from his trousers. In the end, he achieved his goals of staying infection-free and keeping dry.


    ¡°Fire magic really is one of the best elements. The pain sucks when I use it for stuff like this, but there is no other choice. I don¡¯t really know if Healing Touch can deal with infections. Better safe than sorry.¡±


    Smiling, Tyrus donned the garments and fastened his boots. As he was lacing them, he glanced at Tracer. He was quite glad he hadn¡¯t given up yet. There were a few moments when he thought of surrendering, but an inner voice deterred him from doing so. Considering what he had experienced, it was surprising he held on for so long. Just thinking about it had him wondering how the others were faring.


    Igneal was the first person he thought of since he was the only one he knew. Despite being around the same age, his sword skills surpassed his. However, it was hard to believe he would get so far with only a sword. While Igneal¡¯s magic capabilities were still a mystery, he was probably around the same level, if not weaker than Tyrus.


    Furthermore, he was at a physical disadvantage as a young Elemental Sorcerer. It was hard enough for Tyrus to escape the clutches of lizardmen and beast-infested waters! There were also mosquitos, goblins, slimes, and toads to worry about. Honestly, was he even still taking part in the exam?


    ¡°Nah, given his personality, he¡¯s probably still here somewhere. Speaking of somewhere¡­¡±


    Tyrus eyed Tracer briefly. Selena mentioned it was tracking his whereabouts through mana pulses sent by the object. Now that he was actually examining the thing, he felt an energy similar to his enchanted coat. It was probably a pseudo-artifact as well, or maybe a weaker version of it.


    Without thinking about it, Tyrus tapped on the ring a few times. Immediately after, Tracer emitted a puff of mana, and what came out was a tiny translucent square almost resembling a mirror. He quickly recognized it from before when Selena used a magical tool to communicate with Ivy. But instead of a face, it was a tiny figure resembling a human; it kind of looked like a mannequin.


    ¡°Woah¡­ What is this? Selena didn¡¯t mention this during her speech.¡±


    What caught his eye was that while everything was marble white, its left foot was darker. Once he thought about why that would be the cause, the answer was simple. It was his figure, revealing which body part was injured. Because his foot was recently damaged, it can only be that.


    ¡°This is so cool!¡± Tyrus said with a smile. ¡°I wonder how it¡¯s able to give me a detailed look at my injuries. Clearly, it works through some kind of magic, like my storage ring or the coat. Would Selena notice if I were to keep it? She probably would if it¡¯s valuable. If it¡¯s not too much sil, I could buy it from her hands. Ah, but if I do that, then I¡¯ll have less coin than before.¡±


    As he was marveling at the ring¡¯s function, thinking about its potential price, a sharp and heavy smell drifted inside the cavern. His ears flickered, and he abruptly propped himself up. Tyrus caught the scent of ash and smoke. A sword appeared in his hands as he shuffled to the cave, weapon drawn.


    ¡°Smoke? Out here? I didn¡¯t see or smell any fires earlier.¡±


    At that exact moment, a voice he knew well, sounding both far away and filled with urgency, went through him: "Dumb beasts! Do you know who you are dealing with?"


    At first, Tyrus stumbled, but then he burst into a sprint right outside the cave. Facing the cliff he had just tumbled down, he took a deep breath and clung to the rough exterior with his fingers.

 Chapter 68- His Whims

    Poking his head over the ledge, Tyrus¡¯ heart skipped a beat. Surrounding a ring of fire was a mob of goblins, each one snarling at the phenomenon before them. What was even more surprising was the person inside of that ring of fire, a sword clasped in their hand.


    ¡°Igneal?¡± Tyrus shouted, climbing to his feet.


    He turned; a grimace plastered on his face that quickly morphed into an awkward smile. ¡°What the¡­ Still here, are you? I suppose that''s to be expected, considering you¡¯re right at home in these conditions.¡±


    Igneal looked as if he had wrestled in mud. Brown and red specks dotted his attire, and a few leaves and soot sprinkled his hair. With his face glistening and chest rising more than usual, it seemed as if he had gone through a lot.


    Wiping his brow, the boy clenched his sword. ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking, and the answer is no. I am not struggling against these inferior creatures.¡±


    The goblins maintained a considerable distance from the fire, expecting it to fade away. Igneal must¡¯ve used a spell to shroud himself in a ring of fire to protect himself. It was the smart thing to do if one wanted to regain their breath in the heat of battle. However, it would only be useful if the enemy had no means of extinguishing the flames or bypassing it. So far, the goblins had no such means.


    Speaking of goblins, they eventually noticed Tyrus standing in the distance. One of them pointed a club at him, issuing its brethren a few guttural snarls. By that point, all of them were nodding in agreement at whatever it said and barreled toward him.


    As Tyrus prepared to raise his sword, he saw Igneal confidently step through the fire without flinching and lift his arm towards the sky. Slowly, the crackling flames from the ground began swirling into the sky like a spiral staircase. In about two seconds, the fire from below had transferred into a fireball the size of a small barrel.


    Just as the goblins were an arm¡¯s length away from Tyrus, Igneal brought his arm down and unleashed his spell with a smirk. A wave of heat and smoke assaulted Tyrus as he retreated, shielding himself from the spell. The goblins, feeling the heat, turned and their eyes widened as they realized their impending doom.


    A roar of cries and sizzling came crashing as Igneal¡¯s spell slammed into the mob of beasts. The goblins all writhed and screamed, rolling onto the ground as the flames peeled and incinerated their frail skin.


    One by one, the cries died down as the goblins were reduced to flaming piles. Igneal nodded in satisfaction as he walked past the heaps. He even crushed one of their heads, yet didn¡¯t break his stride nor give the creatures a momentary glance.


    ¡°It¡¯s finally gotten quiet. I¡¯ve always despised their squealing and snickering. Anyway, I would like to thank you, commoner. You¡¯ve proved to be splendid bait.¡±


    ¡°Bait? Are you saying you couldn¡¯t handle them on your own and needed my help?¡±


    He scoffed, letting his sword rest on his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t kid yourself. I¡¯ve slaughtered a lot more on the way here. Even with silent casting, it still takes time for me to complete my magic. And before any misunderstandings arise, I did not need your help with these wretches. They mistakenly targeted the wrong enemy.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh¡­ Whatever you say,¡± Tyrus said. He didn¡¯t feel like hearing any more of his excuses, so he changed the subject. ¡°By the way, do you know how much time we have left? Tracer doesn¡¯t really tell time like a clock would.¡±


    ¡°A clock? Why would Tracer tell time? It¡¯s a ring, not a watch,¡± Igneal chided, ignoring Tyrus scowl. ¡°I could tell you, but I¡¯m afraid we have a problem on our hands.¡±


    ¡°A problem?¡±


    ¡°I find your speaking tone to be disrespectful. You should not address a son of Family Head Lockhart in that manner, or any noble for that matter. However, because I am very generous and understanding of your position, I¡¯ve been overlooking your behavior. From now on, you¡¯ll address me as Young Master Ign-¡°


    A nearby whistle interrupted his words. In response to the noise, Tyrus winced, and his muscles tensed. He knew what happened last time a whistle rang out, and it led to some unfavorable circumstances. Unlike last time, there wasn¡¯t a dying lizardmen in the midst. Just what could they be alerting each other for this time?


    ¡°We need to move to a safer place,¡± Tyrus urged. ¡°I know a great place we can camp out at.¡±


    ¡°Camp out? Are you suggesting we hide from mere beasts? It¡¯s unbecoming of someone of my status to cower away like a scared kitten.¡±


    Another whistle echoed across the area, this time sounding more urgent than the last. Tyrus sighed and faced Igneal. ¡°If you follow me, I¡¯ll think about becoming your friend. You said you wanted to befriend me, right? Or did you change your mind?¡±


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    Igneal smirked. ¡°Looks like you couldn¡¯t avoid my enticing offer after all. Who wouldn¡¯t want to be acquainted with Igneal Lockhart? I accept your conditions! Lead the way to this camp of yours.¡±


    Please don¡¯t make me regret this, Tyrus thought. Considering the danger of the Wasteful Wetlands, he opted to travel in pairs. From the lizardmen to the goblins, if he wasn¡¯t careful, then failure would be an inevitable outcome. Exhausting all his options would come first before he verbally confirmed quitting.


    Unfortunately, he was uncertain if Igneal would be open to the idea of working together for the rest of the exam. Given his prideful nature, he might even refuse Tyrus¡¯ suggestion. With the added detail of his recent loss in a duel against someone he deemed inferior, he might resort to tricks in order to get back at him. Tyrus would have to be always on guard if Igneal were to sabotage his chances. He seemed like the type to do so.


    He would just have to wait and see what Igneal was up to. Whether he was friend or foe, he¡¯d find out later. If he had to cut him off to succeed, then he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to do so. It was his future to worry about, and he wouldn¡¯t let a well-off person like Igneal ruin it for him. But before he could worry about that, they needed to get to a shelter.


    No way would he want to take another swim if more lizardmen were to come.


    ****


    Reaching the cave was a much easier time than last, even if it took longer to arrive at the destination. Because of the crocodiles and the height, they couldn¡¯t even think about jumping down the cliff, so they had to walk along the edge until they found a slope, which took little time. Even better, they had no encounters with dangerous creatures.


    The pair occupied the cave, listening to the waters slide against the rocky shore. Tyrus sat near the entrance, meditating to regain his depleted mana while Igneal paced around the cave with a bored expression. His sword was currently in its scabbard, an item Tyrus didn¡¯t know the Lockhart had possession of.


    When they were standing in front of Selena, Igneal wasn¡¯t holding a sword or possessing a scabbard. He must¡¯ve gotten them right after Tyrus was teleported. It was a mystery how he got the items since there were no swords or scabbards lying around. Either way, all that mattered was that he wasn¡¯t walking around unarmed and was only left with magic.


    ¡°This is boring,¡± Igneal said. ¡°Do you really intend to stay here? Completing the exam this way isn¡¯t fitting.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how it¡¯s completed; the goal is to survive for three hours. As much as I would like to train my swordsmanship and magic on the beasts, the lizardmen make it hard to do so.¡±


    Igneal laughed. ¡°The lizardmen? Those savages are the reason you¡¯re hiding? You¡¯re Beastfolk, or half of one. Those vile beasts shouldn¡¯t be intimidating to you. To be frank, it makes you look pitiful.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m pitiful, what does that make you? Don¡¯t forget I beat you a while ago.¡±


    ¡°That hardly qualifies as a win considering I was taking it easy on you, but believe what you want. You only won because I was considerate enough to let you do the exam without a hitch.¡±


    Tyrus sighed, opening his eyes. ¡°Speaking of exam¡­ Why are you here, anyway? You have the money to buy yourself a lot of things. I don¡¯t see why you need to become an explorer.¡±


    Igneal regarded Tyrus for a moment before strutting over to him. ¡°You¡¯re awfully talkative right now. Curious about my reason for becoming an explorer, are you? Well, I¡¯ll happily indulge your curiosity about me.¡±


    Humming to himself, he sheathed his sword and leaned against the cavern wall. ¡°I don¡¯t have a special reason for becoming an explorer. In fact, I had no intention of becoming one in the first place. What¡¯s the point of becoming an explorer if I already have money and status? It¡¯s a job designed for the masses, not for the upper class such as I.¡±


    He paused, casting his eyes upon the swirling fog, before uttering another word. ¡°Aunt Selena tried to convince me to apply at her branch, yet I refused. While annihilating beasts daily and flaunting my kills is an enticing and fun idea, the profession is beneath me. From then on, she respected my choice and never brought it up again. However, my viewpoint abruptly changed following an amusing incident.¡±


    Tyrus tilted his head quizzically, waiting for Igneal to say more, but the Lockhart just stayed silent. When Igneal said nothing else on the matter, Tyrus just shrugged and followed his gaze, watching as the fog drifted through like a cloud. The thought of asking him to elaborate on what changed his mind crossed Tyrus¡¯s mind, but he had a feeling it would just annoy him.


    During the silence, Tyrus¡¯ thoughts wandered over to the lizardmen, particularly the one that triggered the chase. Its words still bothered him greatly, especially the one about it killing his lot, whatever that meant. Considering the clues and facts, he seriously doubted it was referring to the other applicants. Reducing it to merely the ramblings of a crazy beast might be for the best, but seeking answers was like an itch that needed to be scratched.


    There were also the words the skull helmet reptile spoke before Tyrus¡¯ inevitable plunge. A masked intruder that was polluting the life in the sanctuary and the savages he brought along. The lizardmen were clearly furious at the intruder and the damage it apparently brought to the land. Maybe that¡¯s why the lizardmen were intent on killing him.


    As if an arrow struck him, Tyrus¡¯ shoulders tensed, and he muttered: ¡°Wait, a masked intruder? Could it be¡­?¡±


    Alas, before he could put the pieces together, a flicker of movement in the corner caught his eye. When Tyrus looked up, he found Igneal shuffling away, sword in hand.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Tyrus asked. ¡°If you need to let it out, I can give you some privacy in the cave.¡±


    Coming to a stop, Igneal let out a snort. ¡°I don¡¯t need to relieve myself. I¡¯ve rested enough and regained my energy. Now is the time to resume the fun. I hardly ever get the opportunity to go out and face wild beasts.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going out already? What about the lizardmen? If they find you, you won¡¯t escape and will have to resort to using Tracer to¨C¡°


    Suddenly, Igneal whipped around and marched toward Tyrus, stopping just a finger away from him. ¡°Your lack of education is painfully obvious. Do you really believe I¡¯m clueless about lizardmen? That assumption is quite insulting. I¡¯m confident I can defeat them on my own. Like many creatures, they have exploitable weaknesses. If you¡¯re skeptical, I can prove my point as we progress to the source.¡±


    ¡°Progress to where?¡± Tyrus asked.


    Igneal walked back to the entrance, stopped, and pointed at the water. ¡°Naturally, our focus should be on the origin of the corrupted mana.¡±

 Chapter 69- Teaming Up

    Stunned, Tyrus sat and watched Igneal disappear. When he finally registered the meaning of Igneal¡¯s words, he abruptly rose to his feet and jogged for the Lockhart.


    ¡°Why are you heading for the corrupted mana? I thought the smart thing to do was to avoid it,¡± Tyrus said, stopping before Igneal.


    ¡°Only if you were inadequate,¡± Igneal countered. ¡°My presence simplifies eliminating the source. From what I was told, there might be an artifact responsible for emitting the corrupt mana. I will solve this problem and bring back an artifact.¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t know what kind of danger is waiting there. According to a lizardmen, the masked intruder is to blame. What if that person is so strong that they can easily handle us using just one spell? It¡¯s better to let the overseers and Selena deal with it.¡±


    Igneal shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t be too quick to trust your enemy¡¯s words. They were probably lying to get the upper hand, or you misheard them.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m pretty sure they weren¡¯t lying. Someone really is doing all of this, and it¡¯s a person who¡¯s strong. I¡­ have a feeling that if we meet the intruder, we¡¯ll die.¡±


    Igneal stared into Tyrus¡¯ eyes for what felt like hours before brushing past him. ¡°You can continue cowering away while I stop this mess myself. I¡¯ll get it done before the end of the exam.¡±


    As if the conversation was over, Igneal continued walking along the rocky shore, humming to himself while Tyrus looked on with a frown.


    Had his words fallen on deaf ears or was Igneal that confident in his abilities? Either way, he did not know what kind of trouble he was walking himself into. If what the lizardmen had said was true about the masked intruder, then Igneal was definitely no match for him. After all, Tyrus had seen firsthand just how terrifying the person was, assuming it was the same person.


    When he had been sneaking out to look for a simple hat, he had stumbled across a masked person and eavesdropped on his conversation. Even while concealed in the corner of an abandoned building, shrouded in darkness, he was still exposed. And with just a single glare from that very person, he had been so scared for his life that he immediately fled the building without so much as a single thought of returning. Tyrus needed only that one experience to know that the person was strong, way stronger than he had imagined.


    However, there was one problem that Tyrus found odd that wasn¡¯t solved already. If he and Igneal could sense the corrupted mana as soon as they stepped foot into the Wasteful Wetlands, then Selena and the overseers are aware of it as well.


    So why haven¡¯t they already dealt with the problem at hand? They should¡¯ve already dealt with the problem at hand, given their status as powerful sorcerers who can hold their own in a battle. Additionally, with three of them present, the problem should¡¯ve been resolved a while ago. But with the corrupted mana still fresh in the air and the lizardmen¡¯s warnings, that didn¡¯t seem to be the case.


    What was surprising as well was that the exam was still going on. He figured Selena would pause momentarily so that the overseers could deal with the intruder properly, but apparently not. Because of that, it was weird they allowed it to continue. The threat of a strong sorcerer wreaking havoc in the Wasteful Wetlands must be something short of importance to them. Maybe they had already dealt with the masked intruder and were figuring out what to do with the corrupted mana. Tyrus didn¡¯t know how to vanquish corrupt mana, only knowing to avoid it entirely.


    ¡°Still, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to be careful in case he was still alive. Right now, as I speak, the son of the cap thief is heading there, exposing himself to the possibility of danger...¡±


    Tyrus bit the corner of his lip, contemplating what to do. He really didn¡¯t want to follow Igneal toward danger. His instincts were screaming at him to stay put and just focus on training his magic in the meantime. Heck, he could even slay a few beasts while he waited for the timer to run out. The goal was to become an explorer today, and not next month.


    Nonetheless, the idea of setting him free while fully aware of the impending outcome left a pit in his stomach. If circumstances were to take a turn for the worse because of his inability to persuade or accompany Igneal in changing his stance, the repercussions would gnaw at his heart. Sure, he was annoying and too prideful for Tyrus¡¯s taste, but that wasn¡¯t enough to leave him to die.


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    He needed to do something.


    Tyrus noticed his tail flickering and sighed; It soon calmed down. Before long, he caught up to Igneal and joined him. ¡°¡­I¡¯m coming with you. But if things go bad, we¡¯re following my lead and leaving, alright?¡±


    Igneal laughed. ¡°As if I¡¯d follow the orders of a commoner. However, I¡¯ll indulge in your little request if it ever comes to that for whatever impossible reason. At the very least, I can grant you that much.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, I wasn¡¯t joking about the masked intruder. There¡¯s no way we can beat him. He¡¯s too strong. I have zero idea what Selena and the others are doing, but they must know about the corrupted mana and maybe even the masked man.¡±


    ¡°Or,¡± Igneal started, ¡°everything happening now is part of the exam. What if Aunt Selena is responsible for the corrupted mana and is hoping for one of the participants to man up and rid the problem themselves? There might even be a secret reward waiting for those who succeed.¡±


    ¡°¡­Really? I didn''t know that was possible for an exam.¡±


    Tyrus did not look amused as he watched Igneal¡¯s face twist into a devilish smirk. Cracking jokes in a serious situation made Tyrus want to abandon him. It took all his willpower to stop himself from turning on his heels and returning to the cave.


    ¡°We must head for the source quickly,¡± Igneal said. ¡°Though I highly doubt it, we mustn¡¯t let the other participants, or beasts, get ahead of us and resolve the problem. With my smarts and your animalistic instincts, getting to the source should be a piece of cake. Following my instructions will make this exam easy for you.¡±


    ¡°How are we going to get there?¡± Tyrus replied. ¡°There¡¯s a body of water filled with beasts standing between the source and us. Swimming to one of the small areas of land is out of the question. I barely got out of there with augmentation.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, commoner. This is the part where I lead with my smarts. Instead of swimming, we''ll travel on foot along the water until we''re close. There''s a high chance that there''s a pathway or bridge that connects to the corrupted mana.¡±


    That sounds possible, Tyrus thought. As far as he knew, the Wasteful Wetlands had a lot of broken bridges and walkways scattered around. Someone in the past must¡¯ve constructed a path in order to reach across the dangerous waters. The problem was the high chance of that path becoming broken or blocked. If he remembered right, Fiona mentioned Salithia being abandoned, which was among these parts.


    On the chance of that happening, swimming really may be their only option¨Cthat is if Tyrus and Igneal traveled further. Hopefully, such a daunting task never reared its face or else they¡¯d die as soon as they dipped their toes into the waters. Those darn crocodiles were lurking somewhere, not to mention the other kinds of beasts that occupied the place. They would just have to be cautious as they moved.


    Tyrus slowly lifted his head toward Igneal, watching the boy walk with long strides. Through a series of events, they were now traveling buddies. It was surprising that Igneal wasn¡¯t making a fuss over the duel he had lost.


    Then again, he managed to convince himself that he let Tyrus win just because of a few circumstances. While that bothered Tyrus slightly, he was still relieved there wasn¡¯t hatred or vengeance occupying Igneal¡¯s mind. They would need all the focus and teamwork they can garner between themselves against lizardmen and other beasts. All Tyrus could do was hope everything would move along smoothly.


    ¡°And what do you know?¡± Igneal said, stopping in his tracks. ¡°As always, I¡¯m right. And it looks like there are more practice dummies waiting to be defeated.¡±


    Tyrus snapped out of his contemplation and looked at where Igneal was staring at. They were keeping their distance from the water, but the edge had curved more inward. To the far left of the land were desolate trees, tall reeds, and drifting lily pads, and up front were a few beasts Tyrus hadn¡¯t recognized before.


    Toddler-sized creatures with sleek skin reminiscent of mud were hovering around, munching on fleshed bones with crooked teeth. Their ears were small but pointy, and their noses had a curl similar to a hook. On their backs were featherless wings that looked oddly familiar to a bat. Underneath them was a half-eaten carcass that belonged to a crocodile.


    Igneal stepped forward and lit his hand ablaze. ¡°Swamp imps¨Cterritorial spirits that are as greedy as they are hungry. Perfect targets to exterminate from this world.¡±


    ¡°Should we go around them?¡± Tyrus asked. ¡°If we fight now, your magic might alert nearby lizardmen.¡±


    Igneal gazed fixedly at Tyrus for a moment, then abruptly turned and released a small burst of fire toward the swamp imps. The beasts uttered a cry at the approaching spell and veered away just in time for the attack to miss and strike the ground. They tossed aside their meals and bared their teeth at their attackers as Igneal prepared another spell.


    ¡°I don¡¯t run from battles I can win with my hands tied behind my back. And besides, I came here to enjoy myself! I cannot afford to miss out on a rare outing like this. It''s your choice - either keep up or flee.¡±


    Recognizing the futility of further argument, Tyrus let out a resigned sigh and joined Igneal. Little by little, he was coming to regret his decision. Were all nobles just like him? If that were the case, he would need to go out of his way to steer clear of them in the future.

 Chapter 70- Battle-Hungry

    Apparently, Igneal didn¡¯t need help at all. In reality, he was fully in charge of the situation.


    Although Tyrus had only witnessed a fraction of Igneal¡¯s power, his precise manipulation of fire took aback him. If Tyrus had just come across him at this moment, he would have thought Igneal had been using it his whole life.


    Like a maniac, the Lockhart rushed at the swamp imps with a grin and unleashed the spell he had been brewing. A fireball smaller than a Lightning Bolt streaked by, yet instead of the usual wobbliness Tyrus had yet to remedy, it was more defined and steadier. The spell was slower, but that didn¡¯t matter when the result followed.


    Aimed for the legs of a large, lumbering swamp imp, the fireball hit the mark with the finesse of a trained assassin. In an instant, the fire ignited the imp like a match. Tyrus watched with interest as the fire spread up and down the body of the imp. With an inhuman cry, the imp began rolling around on the ground to put out the flames. It didn¡¯t matter how much he rolled, though. The damage was done. The imp was as good as dead.


    The other imps were not happy with what had happened to their friend. In perfect unison, the imps shifted their attention to Igneal, their eyes ablaze like an active volcano and their hisses echoing like a pit of snakes. They were furious, calling for blood.


    They didn¡¯t get the chance.


    Tyrus made his move. His hand moved to his ring; a second later, he grabbed hold of the handle to a sword. He rushed to the nearest imp and was on it before it blinked.


    Before the imp could make a move, Tyrus had already placed the blade threateningly against its throat. That split second, his eyes looked around; the rest of the imps were still advancing on Igneal. Without hesitating, Tyrus pulled the blade across the throat of the imp. As blood poured out of its wound, Tyrus took a step back and watched. The imp didn¡¯t have time to even register what had happened. It perished without even realizing it.


    ¡°As expected, you fight beasts well. It¡¯s in your blood,¡± Igneal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a fireball to do the trick. Also, I¡¯m trying not to use magic because of the lizardmen, whom I mentioned before. Are you not wary of them? At all?¡±


    When Igneal was about to answer, the remaining swamp imps¨Cthree in total¨Cstopped dead in their tracks. They glanced at their fallen comrades, burned to a crisp and bleeding puddles of red, and turned. Swiftly and without pause, they fluttered their wings and zoomed towards the trees.


    Igneal snickered and said, ¡°As if I¡¯ll let prey escape my grasp. An incompetent and weak hunter allows their prey to escape. And I am neither of those things.¡±


    Out of nowhere, the Lockhart shifted his feet and bolted for the fleeing beasts. Tyrus could only shout in surprise, a step too slow in stopping Igneal from chasing. He had to follow. Even though he disliked Igneal, he knew better than to let him go alone. Who knew what kind of trouble he would get himself into?


    Igneal was already ahead, but Tyrus was a fast runner and would have no problem catching up. Right as he started moving, an odd odor filled his nose. Tyrus¡¯ body turned rigid as he flung his head toward the source¨Ccoming from the direction of the cave he was just in.


    It was a fresh scent, that much he knew, but it was also one he had smelled before. Lurking within the already acrid smell of the Wasteful Wetlands was a scent that reminded him of a cool breeze. Yet, just like a breeze, it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared.


    Weird of all was that it wasn¡¯t just the average wind that comes and goes. It didn¡¯t originate from a natural source from the sky but from somewhere else. At the least, it came from something, and that breeze latched onto that existence.


    ¡°Why was that smell coming from that direction?¡± Tyrus mumbled. ¡°And why did it disappear in a snap? Something feels¡­ off.¡±


    Should he investigate? The oddity was definitely near the cave, if not inside. Thanks to his Beastfolk nature, his senses were heightened and more refined. Still, all he was aware of was the general direction. He recognized it from somewhere, but when and where was it? It reminded him of weak winds, yet there was something more that had yet to arrive, like the calm before the storm¡­


    Suddenly, Tyrus¡¯s body trembled. The air changed once more. In the next second, a surge of powerful magical energy encapsulated him. The wave was strong, like a rampaging dragon. But the most alarming thing was that it wasn¡¯t normal.


    It was odd, like something not belonging. It differed from when Igneal and he cast magic. Usually, he felt a sense of freedom and warmth whenever he used magic. However, this time, it felt¡­ cold. Feeling trapped in a dark well, constricted and unable to escape.


    In an instant, Tyrus detected something in his field of vision. Whipping his head around, he focused on the water and then looked up. Through the thick fog, a dark mass oddly reminiscent of a black cloud had formed, swirling like a dust storm. And under that swirl was a figure that vanished beneath the layered fog.


    Not long after, the swirling stopped, and the mass transformed into spiny tendrils that shot outward like swift arrows. Akin to shooting stars, the tendrils streaked by and into opposite directions, plummeting straight for the ground far away. The sky turned a shade darker, and there was a distinct shift in the air as a constricting energy enveloped Tyrus.


    ¡°What is this?¡± he murmured. He stood there for a moment, stunned by the spectacle. He didn¡¯t know how, but he knew it was a bad sign. This wasn¡¯t normal. Something bad was happening, and the culprit had to be none other than him.


    Just then, Tyrus realized his hands were shaking. He stared down at them, clenching his fists to stop the trembling. What was this feeling he was experiencing? Fear? No, not quite. He wasn¡¯t that afraid. If anything, he was curious. But curiosity and fear were different. And yet, why was his heart beating so fast?


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    No matter how much Tyrus tried to rationalize it, he couldn¡¯t figure out why his body was reacting the way it was. It wasn¡¯t a sensation he was used to, and that he couldn¡¯t control it unnerved him. Maybe he was scared after all. The strange energy remained, enveloping him, weighing him down, and as if that wasn¡¯t enough, a growing pressure settled on his chest.


    Tyrus shook his head. Now wasn¡¯t the time to dwell on what was happening in the sky and that mysterious smell.


    He looked back in the direction the swamp imps went. If he didn¡¯t move, Igneal would be left without backup. It was dangerous for him to rush off alone, and he wasn¡¯t sure if the lizardmen had sensed the rampant mana Igneal had been firing off without a care. Tyrus was dreading another encounter with those beasts.


    He sighed and dashed off. Even as he ran, the constricting pressure persisted. Despite Tyrus¡¯s efforts with Healing Touch, he couldn¡¯t remove it.


    The more Tyrus pondered on it, the more it bothered him. Although he hadn¡¯t overexerted himself, he had the overwhelming sensation of his body being crushed by an invisible force. There was no way that was possible. Was it because of the mana he was sensing? But then again, that made little sense either. How was it affecting him when it wasn¡¯t directed at him?


    After running past trees and beasts, a burning smell lingered in the air. Knowing what that entailed, Tyrus picked up the pace and leaped off a small ledge. As soon as he landed in a puddle, the unmistakable high-pitched whistle cut through the moist air. His heart pounded even more while he sprinted.


    More whistles followed. It was then that a water-logged screech joined the whistling. Tyrus recognized it anywhere. The moment he stepped out of the area and found himself in front of a worn-out bridge, the stench of charred meat smacked him. The heat washed over him, and his ears rang from the sizzling.


    ¡°A barrier?¡± said a voice, muffled.


    Tyrus looked ahead and found Igneal standing in front of a bridge suspended over rippling water. He was looking up, his arms crossed. Behind him, three dead swamp imps were charred and smoking. Pinching his nose, Tyrus scrambled over to the Lockhart, avoiding his gaze at the cooked remains.


    ¡°We have to leave. Now. Didn¡¯t you hear the whistling? They¡¯re coming because of all the noise you made.¡±


    Igneal turned his head and glared at Tyrus. ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern. If the lizardmen appear, then they appear. It¡¯ll be good practice.¡±


    ¡°Practice? I thought the goal was to follow the source?¡±


    ¡°It is, but there¡¯s nothing wrong with training a bit before we reach our destination. Besides, if they come, they¡¯ll be nothing more than fodder. One can¡¯t miss out on opportunities like this to prove themselves.¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re being a little too confident.¡±


    Igneal¡¯s face turned stony, and his tone was ice. ¡°Are you saying I can¡¯t do it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± Tyrus rubbed his temple. ¡°Look, we can¡¯t stay here and argue. Let¡¯s just keep on moving before-¡°


    Tyrus bit his tongue as he looked off into the distance. There, a group of figures entered his view and came another piercing whistle. They were coming, and they were coming fast. Tyrus wanted to fling his arms and curse into the wind but held himself back. Instead, he focused his attention on the incoming enemies. They were still some ways off, but they would be upon them within seconds.


    Turning back from where they came from didn¡¯t sound like a great idea. For all he knew, the lizardmen had probably spread out by now and were scouring the Wetlands for intruders.


    Judging by his previous encounters with them, they seemed close-knit, intelligent, and precise with their strategies. Making it back to the other side in one piece looked bleak. And besides, who knows how far the lizardmen had traveled already? The two options present were to take the bridge and try their hand at escaping their sights or to stay and fight. Knowing Igneal, he would choose the latter if given the choice.


    For whatever reason, his actions so far were nothing short of reckless. Paying no mind to the dire warnings Tyrus had mentioned and strongly advised the noble to heed, he ignored them. He had even gone so far as to attack the imps with little regard for the pair¡¯s safety. Did he even think about the consequences of his actions? All he was worried about was proving himself to whoever. There weren¡¯t any spectators to witness his deeds and grabbing an ¡®artifact¡¯, as he called it, would be nearly impossible when a powerful sorcerer was guarding it.


    There was also that sky event to worry about. Tyrus had a lingering sense that something ominous was imminent. The peculiar air phenomenon still troubled him, and so did the blockage in his chest. Igneal didn¡¯t seem all that bothered about what had just happened. On the contrary, he seemed to be in perfect health and acted as if he wasn¡¯t receiving any pain. In addition, he mentioned something about a barrier a short while ago. Perhaps the event he had witnessed was a barrier. He¡¯d had to ask Igneal about it later.


    ¡°Look, I know you came here to fight and all, but can you just listen to me for once? I really don¡¯t want to die here today, and I don¡¯t want to fight whatever is coming toward us. And as your... friend, I can¡¯t leave you behind. Just for now, let¡¯s get out of here and find another way to the source, alright?¡±


    Before Igneal could open his mouth, Tyrus grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the bridge. The noble resisted at first, glowering at his arm but after Tyrus gave him a pointed look, he stopped struggling. With the enemy on their heels, Tyrus couldn¡¯t care less about being too rough.


    Each step they took, the boards creaked in protest. Green and gray moss had overgrown and spread over the wooden beams. The wood was rotten and had splintered. A few boards were damaged, while others were completely gone. The bridge wasn¡¯t the only thing that needed repair. The other end was no better.


    During their cross, they noticed something odd. It was quiet. Too quiet. Except for the occasional creak from the bridge and the buzzing insects, there was complete silence. What happened to all the whistling just a while ago? The lizardmen were right on their heels, yet an eerie silence replaced their presence. That bad feeling Tyrus had felt grew at an alarming rate.


    Just then, a whip-like crack resounded from below. Both Tyrus and Igneal froze and looked downward. The board Igneal had stepped on gave out under his weight, crashing alongside him into the murky waters below. Fortunately, Igneal latched onto a nearby rope just in time, hoisting himself up as he muttered curses.


    At the same time Igneal was climbing to safety, a sudden and powerful force struck the back of Tyrus¡¯s head, sending him flying. His body twitched, and the world spun as he plummeted down. The next thing he knew, his face slammed into the wooden surface.


    In a daze, Tyrus¡¯s vision spun. His body ached, and his mind was a mess. He tried to regain his bearings, but his thoughts were incoherent and scattered. His vision was blurry, and his throat burned. Tyrus coughed and choked as his senses returned. The water churned and rippled as pieces of the bridge collapsed and broke into pieces.


    Groaning, Tyrus touched the back of his hair and felt something warm stain his fingertips. Retracting his arm, a scarlet finger greeted him. And when he glanced at the side, he found a bone club lying beside him.


    A club hit me? But how? Shouldn¡¯t the coat have protected me?


    Tyrus jerked his head upward. His body was sluggish, but he pushed himself up. Standing a few meters away was a lizardman, wielding a bone club and a spear on its back. With an upturned mouth, it pitched its head to the sky and unleashed a piercing whistle that had Tyrus wincing from the noise.


    ¡°If you¡¯re done admiring the impeccable craftsmanship of this bridge, now is the best time for a tactical retreat,¡± Igneal said. ¡°Fighting in such unfavorable conditions is not the way.¡±


    ¡°...Let me catch my breath for a moment,¡± Tyrus groggily replied.


    Gradually, he stood up and grasped his pulsing head. Peering past the gaping hole, he noticed the fog shifting strangely. Not even a second had passed before a large shadow running on all fours emerged from the mist. And as the fog cleared, the figure sprang forward, fixated on the duo.

 Chapter 71- A Weird Development

    Tyrus vowed to never step foot into the Wasteful Wetlands again.


    It was blatantly clear why it was abandoned in the first place. The environment was dreary and devoid of any notable features, yet the monsters played a crucial role. The lizardmen proved to be more than just a nuisance, as the region was also home to poisonous frogs and bothersome mosquitos. Additionally, the many pools were quite troublesome to step on.


    Essentially, it was a place that one should stay away from if they valued their life. Nevertheless, there was a strange attractiveness to the land.


    Throughout his frantic escape, the unparalleled ecosystem he stumbled upon amazed Tyrus, for whatever that was worth. Despite the lack of a sun and the constant thick fog, plants thrived. Even if they were sickly looking, the vegetation could live on with no problems, and so were the beasts.


    While the experience was indeed new and breathtaking, he harbored no desire to return to it voluntarily, even if offered compensation, as much as he begrudgingly admitted. Currently, Tyrus felt the need to continue, whether it was by exploring or merely surviving. And to do that, he had to conquer the very situation his trustworthy partner Igneal practically thrust themselves into. What a great and reliable person he was.


    ¡°There¡¯s something big coming for us..."


    ¡°I can see that clearly,¡± Igneal chastised. ¡°Also, care to explain why you¡¯re magically bleeding out of nowhere?¡±


    Tyrus grimaced. ¡°Did you not see the... Nevermind. Look around; we are in a bad spot.¡±


    Behind them was a lizardman watching from afar, stone-faced, as it waited patiently from the other end of the bridge. The creature was probably waiting for its brethren to catch up once they caught wind of its distress call. And, of course, the beast bounding towards them with the ferocity of a dragon wasn¡¯t a big problem. How could Tyrus forget the most crucial factor?


    In relation to the creature, it took a leap and landed directly at the edge where the bridge had mostly collapsed. The structure jerked and swayed, causing both Tyrus and Igneal to lose their balance and stagger backward. More planks crashed into the water. If they didn¡¯t move fast, then it wouldn¡¯t be long before the entire bridge crumbled.


    The tanned creature stood tall and slender, yet its long, muscular limbs resembled those of a gorilla. A mane of brown fur surrounded its neck and pointed ears while a wicked scar ran along its face. Draped across its hips was a piece of cloth fastened by some kind of metallic belt. Worst of all was the pair of pitch-black eyes brimming with malice.


    Once Tyrus locked eyes with the creature, his chest tightened even more. No, to be more specific, it was his mana heart that was giving him problems. The few times he had felt such discomfort was when he absorbed the drake mana core and when Wanderer helped him awaken. Both times, mana and magic were involved. It was no coincidence that the barrier was the cause of his dilemma. To make things even more odd, his senses were going crazy once he caught a whiff. He couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it.


    ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for a reunion,¡± Igneal called from the side. ¡°Since you¡¯re injured, stay back and watch yours truly defeat this beast single-handled...¡±


    At that moment, the beast snarled, and it ripped past both of them with a speed that didn¡¯t match its size. The bridge groaned and swayed, and even more planks helplessly broke apart as the beast bumbled toward the opposite end. With a great howl, it leaped once more, aiming its sharp teeth at the dumbstruck lizardmen.


    Tyrus was denied the chance to shout as they plummeted into the icy depths of the land. Desperately, he swam up and gasped for air. Soon after, Igneal appeared, sputtering and spouting a few words unrecognizable to Tyrus. The two grabbed a drifting plank and rested their arms upon it.


    ¡°Ugh, this water stinks!¡± Igneal complained. ¡°Now I¡¯m all wet because the stupid beast caught sight of me and fled.¡±


    The beast that had purposely ignored them had set its sights on the lizardmen. However, unlike before, the reptile didn¡¯t stand its ground, opting to flee instead. But with its massive arms and unnatural speed, the beast lunged forward and gripped the lizardman¡¯s throat. A pitiful scream tore through the air before a loud crunch rang out.


    Soon after, a whistle close by emerged. The beast, which was huffing and puffing after its gruesome kill raised its head and stared into the fog. It sniffed the air, and its fur bristled. Without warning, it bolted, disappearing into the mist. Tyrus¡¯s gaze lingered on the corpse and then toward the beast.


    ¡°Unless you¡¯re enjoying your little bath, I suggest you come to shore,¡± Igneal called, already on solid ground. Rather than simply wringing out his clothes, glowering flames engulfed him. He looked like an evil, living torch.


    Tyrus nodded. It sucked that his clothes were completely soaked, and his hair was matted against his face once again. The only saving grace about it was the lack of crocodiles. In fact, there were no beasts in sight or underwater. That alone was an oddity. Either the waters lacked them or weren¡¯t interested in the first place. Tyrus didn¡¯t want to press his luck, so he waded to shore as quickly as possible and began wringing his clothes.


    ¡°Thanks to that hairy beast, we can leave in one piece,¡± Tyrus said between breaths. ¡°I¡¯m sure the whistling attracted its attention and is now probably attacking the lizardmen as we speak.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome for that,¡± Igneal replied with a smirk. Immediately, a distant roar sounded, and a series of rapid whistles followed. ¡°And that is our cue to leave. That beast will make quick work of them and provide us with the time we need to reach the source. I would have loved to lop off its head, but a certain someone convinced me. That doesn¡¯t mean you should test your luck and expect the same outcome.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s shoulders sagged. He didn¡¯t have the energy to deal with Igneal¡¯s attitude, so he looked off into the distance, wondering where exactly they wounded up. They could try to retrace their steps, but they risked the possibility of encountering the battling beasts. The worst they could do would be to sense the stream of corrupted mana and accurately travel around the enemy¡¯s general location.


    At best, they were fighting between them and the crocodile-infested waters. Looking out for any other beasts would be added as well. And as luck would have it, it was surprising they had encountered no toads or creatures like the swamp imps. Maybe the lizardmen drove them out of the area. Whatever the reason, Tyrus would not complain.


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    ¡°Let¡¯s get moving before it targets us,¡± Tyrus said after finishing. ¡°Oh, and if you don¡¯t mind, can you use that cool magic on me, too? I hate fighting in wet clothes.¡±


    ****


    Tyrus could only mentally shrug his shoulders whenever he peered over his shoulders.


    Huffing like a stranded dog in the blistering heat, Igneal was far behind. His cheeks were flushed red, and his brow caked with sweat. Most odd of all was that he had never let out a cough or a wheeze once. He could ask if he was okay, but all he would receive back would be a death stare. Did he not train his stamina and strength during sword training?


    For the most part, the noble was doing well enough not to lag, and his breathing was gradually normalizing even with Tyrus slowing his pace considerably. That, or he was faking the whole thing, which was a possibility considering what had just happened a few moments ago.


    Since the incident with the lizardmen and gorilla-like creature, they haven''t been seen. Sometimes, a roar that would shake the trees would come and go, and a cluster of whistling would follow suit. The combatants had been fighting for quite a while now, and it showed. The durability and strength of the creature must¡¯ve been immense if it still could go blow for blow with beasts as plentiful and persistent as the lizards. It was smart of them to take advantage of their scuffle.


    Briefly, Tyrus clenched at his thumping chest before slowing down enough to run with Igneal. ¡°You mentioned a barrier earlier. Is the black stuff that appeared called a barrier?¡±


    Igneal narrowed his eyes. ¡°Correct. More precisely, it was a barrier that divided this region from the outside world.¡±


    ¡°Separated? Outside world? What does that mean?¡±


    The Lockhart shook his head. ¡°What I mean is that it prohibits those weaker than the caster to enter or leave the affected region. In simplest terms, we cannot leave, and others cannot enter so easily.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s mouth hung open. A barrier that strong should have a great amount of power over it. And a caster capable enough to create such a thing had to be a powerful individual. His assumption about the masked man from the abandoned warehouse being the culprit proves to be accurate. But if that was true, then Tyrus could confirm that the barrier was what caused his uncomfortable pain. Not once in his life did he ever have his senses go this crazy.


    Igneal took a deep breath and continued, albeit a bit winded. ¡°There are a variety of barriers a sorcerer can cast, each one having their specialty to them. And because of my extensive knowledge and expert observation of the sky, I deduce that this is a barrier erected from that accursed element.¡±


    He paused for a moment, and clamped a hand over his mouth as he whispered, ¡°Subjugating such a sorcerer and attaining the artifact will surely increase my chances of becoming family head.¡±


    Ah, so that¡¯s why, Tyrus mused. Igneal''s behavior was driven by the family head position. His actions and attitude were all because he was desperate for the title. It was a mystery what exactly needed to be done to attain such a position and who was fighting for the current title. Either way, Tyrus cared little for his troubles and knew his brainpower should be used elsewhere.


    If Igneal¡¯s words were to be believed, a dark sorcerer made the barrier, and that man from before was one as well. More pieces of the puzzle were forming, but they weren¡¯t enough to create the full picture. And to do that, he needed to gather more information.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Selena and the overseers?¡± Tyrus mumbled. ¡°If it were me, I would¡¯ve stopped this a long time ago. Maybe the barrier denies them entry?¡±


    As he contemplated, rushing past goblins and skittering critters, a sudden scent from behind wafted into his nose, causing his muscles to stiffen. The smell was musky and carried the faint odor of iron. Immediately, he knew where it had come from and skidded to a halt alongside Igneal.


    ¡°Why... are you stopping?¡± Igneal said through a few wheezes.


    Tyrus brought out his sword and faced the scent trail. Before he could speak, the ground quaked, and a deep growl reverberated throughout the entire region. The trees bent, and the bushes squirmed. It was then that the cause of the noise and the smell emerged.


    Smashing through trees and tearing through bushes was the gorilla-like creature, this time looking much worse than before. Its fur was slick and tangled, with a disheveled mane to match. Ugly red wounds marred its limbs, and one of its joints had a bone jutting out. But worst of all were the dozens of spears embedded throughout its body, each one glistening with blood. Even with its injuries, it looked far from death.


    The creature snarled, showing off a set of blood-stained fangs, and stomped the ground. With its beady eyes set on them, it let out a deep roar that sent the hairs on Tyrus¡¯s neck rising. A roar so boisterous and filled with energy that its leaking wounds and injuries appeared insignificant.


    It was then that a chorus of whistles came from all sides. Dozens upon dozens of lizardmen stepped out from the surrounding area, armed to the teeth with bows and spears. Their stone-cold eyes stared back, their mouths curled into a frown. They were covered in scratches and bruises, but they were alive and breathing.


    ¡°A human?¡± one of them asked. Its eyes turned to Tyrus, and its mouth hung open. ¡°The pochatl still lives! Quickly, trap them! They must not leave here alive!¡±


    Tyrus grimaced. The situation was turning sour fast. The lizardmen were slowly encircling them, forming a deadly wall of flesh. Outnumbered and slow in escaping, they had their path of escape cut off on the hostile battlefield. It wouldn¡¯t be surprising in the least if the entire lizardmen tribe were to show up. Seriously, where do they keep coming from?


    If that was the case, then he was going to take the initiative and fight. Too many opponents would render a Lightning Bolt useless for him. He had too little of a mana pool to shoot forth enough spells to defeat them all in one fell swoop. Dual Shot and all the light spells were useless as well. Lightning Snare and Thunder Stun might hold a few of them at bay while he dealt with the others¡ªor ran if he and Igneal were quick enough. To do that, they had to search for the perfect opportunity for their escape...


    As if hearing his thoughts, the injured beast let out a roar and charged forward. The lizardmen screeched and readied their weapons, preparing for the incoming impact. The air thickened while the beast swiped at the nearest bunch, sending them flying into the air like mere toys. It stomped the ground and bounded for a lizardman that had an arrow notched. Before the lizard could even pull the string back, the beast snatched the reptile by the waist and tore the limb clean off.


    It was then that the rest of the lizardmen fired their arrows. Spears rained down, and the beast¡¯s roar echoed. It flailed and thrashed, its eyes wild and crazed. Blood spewed from its mouth and body, and the spears protruding out of its body grew by the dozen alongside the rising death count of the reptiles.


    Watching the display unfold, Tyrus could only scowl in displeasure. A pit formed in his heart whenever the beast received more disastrous wounds under its belt. Why was he feeling so much pity toward it? Perhaps it was because of the beast being alone, or that it was outnumbered and was struggling.


    Suddenly, Tyrus felt a prickling sensation sweep over his neck. Turning swiftly, he found a spear''s jagged tip just inches from his nose. Smoke and ash enveloped the shaft as the bone top dropped to the ground with a dull thud.


    Igneal flicked away the flames as he clicked his tongue. ¡°Watch your back next time. I would hate for you to fall at the hands of these wretched lizardmen. What good are Beastfolk senses if you¡¯re going to get stabbed in the back that easily?¡±


    He took a step forward and held out his palms. With a wicked grin, his hands erupted into a fiery inferno. ¡°It¡¯s about time I showed you some real magic. I can¡¯t let a mere beast overshadow me, right? Watch and learn, commoner. This is what I meant about that weakness these creatures possess.¡±


    The flames around his hands flickered and the heat emanating from his body intensified. He took another step forward, and the lizardmen screeched in a language Tyrus didn¡¯t know. He could see the fear in their eyes, the hesitation in their movements.


    Igneal, enjoying the skittish movements of his enemies, crouched and leveled both hands over the dirt.


    ¡°Wildfire.¡±

 Chapter 72- An Offer Revisited

    The ring of fire spread across the ground, leaving behind a trail of charred earth and a smoky haze. Igneal¡¯s fiery blaze scorched the dirt and grass, spreading and intensifying with each passing moment. Many lizardmen leaped out of the way and screamed, their spears and bows clattering against the dirt while a few¡ªthose that were lingering too closely¡ªwere unfortunate enough to be struck by the burning inferno. Their cries and yells were eclipsed by the unrelenting fire that consumed them, even as they struggled to claw and grasp at their scales. Amidst the carnage, Igneal cackled.


    ¡°Lizardmen are affected by extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold,¡± Igneal explained, a wide smile on his face. "If they get too cold, their bodies become as stiff as stone, making them more manageable. High temperatures they avoid like the plague.¡±


    The fire blazed on, its orange flames dancing and devouring all within its vicinity. All that remained were the charred remains of trees and bushes, their once vibrant colors now reduced to a monochromatic palette of black and gray. The smell of burned flesh permeated the air, and the wails faded as the last of the lizardmen on fire turned to piles of charred remains. Plumes of smoke rose high in the sky, and the remaining beasts screeched and hissed, their eyes darting between Igneal and the beast.


    ¡°You¡¯ll burn the entire region!¡± Tyrus hissed.


    Igneal glared and said, ¡°Instead of worrying about these vermin, shouldn¡¯t it be time to escape while we can? That¡¯s what you wanted, right?¡±


    Tyrus bit his cheek, disliking that the noble was correct. This was the perfect moment for them to escape, especially with the lizardmen in chaos. He could use the opportunity to cast a spell or two for good measure, but he didn¡¯t have the time, nor did he want to waste any precious mana.


    Silent and full of energy, Tyrus¡¯s body grew stronger as he heaved the noble onto his shoulder. The latter grunted in surprise, but his face twisted in disgust the moment he realized what was happening.


    In one powerful bound, he ascended over the roaring flames and the lizardmen. Using the momentum, he pushed off the nearest tree, landed on the other side of the flames, and took off again. His lead-filled legs carried him swiftly through the trees and bushes, jumping over fallen logs and swaths of water. It took a great effort to avoid craning his neck over the devastation Igneal created.


    From his perspective, the magic¡¯s radius didn¡¯t seem extensive, suggesting that the fire wouldn¡¯t spread rapidly if the lizardmen acted fast enough. But in order for that to occur, they would have to overcome the beast, which was likely given its state of injury. Dealing with it was inevitable and just a matter of time. Once they accomplished that, more reinforcements would arrive and douse the flames.


    For a moment, a dull pain pierced Tyrus¡¯ heart¡ªnot from spending his mana reserves or the effects of the barrier. Whenever his thoughts drifted to the beast, a pang of sadness crept up like spiders slowing descending from their web. He couldn¡¯t explain the reason, but a part of him wished the beast would come out victorious.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the sad look? Do you maybe regret choosing to run? We can always return and finish the job,¡± Igneal sneered.


    Tyrus looked up, his eyes narrowing. He had forgotten about Igneal for a moment there. It dawned on him in an instant that he was actually carrying another individual, leading to discomfort in his legs and causing his back to sweat. Soon, his pace had slowed down considerably.


    Rather than requesting a drop-off from Tyrus, Igneal frowned and gazed into the distance. ¡°You should train your body further. Endurance and strength should pose no challenge for an Augmentation Sorcerer. My weight should be around the same as a small sack of potatoes.¡±


    "I''m going to drop you now," Tyrus grumbled.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, commoner. Despite being a bit uncomfortable, you serve as a suitable steed, albeit a slow one.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s eyebrow twitched, and the urge to throw the noble onto the ground was growing more and more difficult to suppress. However, he settled with just stopping, placing him down gently, and giving him an icy stare.


    ¡°I am not your steed. And also, my name is Tyrus. Why do you insist on calling me commoner? You know my name.¡±


    Igneal adjusted his stance and brushed off his shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s a force of habit. I rarely converse with low-born folk. I¡¯d rather not remember a commoner¡¯s name either, but alas, I suppose that¡¯s not a possibility anymore.¡±


    ¡°Do people even like talking to you? I find it hard to believe you have any friends,¡± Tyrus said.


    "You''re one to talk, but that''s not the point. When have you become so talkative? In our first meeting, you spoke brief words and let my sister do most of the talking.¡±


    Tyrus blinked, taken aback. Come to think of it, he was indeed talking a lot more. It must¡¯ve been the adrenaline rushing through his system. His nerves were on high alert, and his blood was pumping like crazy. There was a good chance his tongue loosened up without him knowing.


    He had always made it a point to talk as little as possible to minimize his presence. He didn''t dislike talking, but it wasn''t his favorite thing. There just wasn¡¯t a need to unless it was necessary. Bottling his thoughts came naturally to him since he¡¯s been alone most of his life. There was no benefit to be gained from speaking his mind unless he risked angering those not to be trifled with. At most, people would call him odd and ignore him.


    It¡¯s always been like that as far as he was aware. Even people his age were put off by his lack of response and short answers. Tyrus recalled an incident from a few years ago when a young villager attempted to engage him in conversation by asking about his family, but eventually gave up when he offered no meaningful response.


    With how little of a memory he possessed before a specific time and hiding his identity to the best of his abilities, there wasn¡¯t much he could share. Every time he tried to remember his past, his mind drew a blank, as if memories were hidden behind an impenetrable barrier. All he knew was that someone had taken care of him, had a connection to the Beastfolk king, and Wanderer might have information about his past. Until then, he was left unaware.


    Yet, from the moment he entered the realm of sorcerers and magic, his previously bleak existence of seclusion and practice became a vibrant tapestry of novel encounters. Meeting Fiona and Wanderer and experiencing spellcasting for the first time set off a spark of inspiration within him. A bright light in the form of a sword cut through his old, dark lifestyle, leaving him yearning for more. Maybe wanting new breathtaking experiences has led to him opening up a bit more and talking more frequently.


    ¡°I guess so,¡± Tyrus said finally. ¡°I¡¯m used to being alone, but the time I¡¯ve spent so far has been great, whether good or bad. Learning about magic and improving myself is what excites me. That magic you used earlier¡ªWildfire¡ªwas amazing to see.¡±


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    Igneal stared at him quietly, fingers drumming along his sleeves. The snap of a twig and a rustle of a nearby bush mingled with the quiet air. The buzzing in the background had disappeared, though only for a moment, until it returned with a vengeance. A sharp tune from afar occupied the space, and then came a pitiful roar that only Tyrus could hear. The beast must¡¯ve finally succumbed to death at the hands of the lizardmen.


    ¡°I suppose that was the first time you¡¯ve ever seen such a potent magic,¡± Igneal started, trudging toward Tyrus. ¡°Most low-born folks are limited to basic magic or none. Most of the time, it is because they lack the resources or talent to experience higher forms. If you wish to experience a similar display, then why not revisit my offer from before?¡±


    ¡°To become your friend,¡± Tyrus recalled. ¡°What you really mean is underling.¡±


    ¡°Not underling. A friend. From all the time we have spent together, I have a solid grasp of your wants and needs. You want to become an explorer to obtain money and strength. I can give you these simple things in return.¡±


    ¡°And why would someone of your status offer that? You don¡¯t seem the type to do such favors, especially to someone who¡¯s a ¡®low-born¡¯ like me.¡±


    Igneal shook his head and turned. ¡°Come, let¡¯s talk as we walk. Might as well leave the danger zone as we chat. Don¡¯t want any lizardmen or beasts to hear us, correct?¡±


    The noble took off, his feet leaving a trail of footprints in his wake. Tyrus watched for a few moments until he shrugged and followed suit.


    There was no confusion or obliviousness on his part regarding Igneal''s intentions. All he wanted was someone to boss around. An underling who¡¯d do his bidding and follow his commands. If Tyrus just went along with it, life would be much easier for him. Money and strength¡ªall would be given so long as he pledged his allegiance to the Lockhart. If he were to be honest, the thought of accepting the offer wasn¡¯t the worst thing to occur.


    Though he knew little of the Lockharts, he knew they were a powerful and respected family given how they dressed and the conversations he had heard from Fiona, Selena, and even Igneal. They were part of the Great Lineages, one that rivaled the imperial family of Lethos. Igneal wasn¡¯t lying in the slightest about possessing the resources Tyrus seeks.


    Many people would instantly jump on the opportunity to have somewhat of a relationship with a Lockhart. However, because it is Igneal offering such a thing is what¡¯s off-putting. He wasn¡¯t sure if the noble was sincere, and it could all be an elaborate scheme. What would he gain from him, anyway? He was a nobody. Not even his name held any importance.


    At least with Fiona, her intentions were as clear as day. It also helped that he was closer to her than Igneal. Their personalities were night and day, yet both shared the thought of recruiting Tyrus into their ranks. One wanted Tyrus¡¯ assistance in reaching the top rank while the other seeks friendship. And through that friendship comes with too good to be true benefits. It was way too suspicious.


    ¡°I can tell by your expression that you think my proposal seems too good to be true,¡± Igneal said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t blame me for being suspicious. I might look dumb to you, but I know there¡¯s a catch.¡±


    Igneal¡¯s face turned serious. ¡°The catch is that I require loyalty and strength.¡±


    ¡°...Huh?¡±


    His eyes drifted to the foggy sky. ¡°There is a title¡ªa position¡ªthat I and a few others covet. A position so extraordinary that nobody can fathom achieving it. And I want that title. But for me to even consider taking it, I must prove my worth to father no matter what. You are aware of the family head position in the Great Lineages, correct?¡±


    When Tyrus nodded, Igneal continued. ¡°The family head position functions similar to the succession to the Imperial Throne. In simplest terms, once the current holder of the title passes away or resigns, the eldest son of the Emperor takes the throne. I don¡¯t know about the others, but the Lockharts go about it differently. It is more or less a competition between the children of the current family head. As of now, there are three eligible for the throne: the eldest son and daughter, and I.¡±


    ¡°Hold on... Does that mean Fiona has a chance of becoming the family head?¡± Tyrus asked, taken aback.


    Igneal snorted. ¡°She is not eligible to become the family head. One requirement to become family head is to have a primary affinity for fire. My poor sister received the short-end of the stick and received her mother¡¯s water affinity instead; she is practically the black sheep of the family. Talentless and disappointing as well, might I add. No, it is another sister of mine¡ªwho has the fire affinity¡ªthat I was referring to.¡±


    So that¡¯s why Fiona makes a face whenever her family is mentioned.


    "How does your desire for the position affect me?"


    ¡°As I mentioned, it¡¯s a competition to inherit the position to become the Family Head Lockhart. What that entails is the Lockhart land and wealth, which is considerable by itself, and the relationships fostered by previous title holders. My two older siblings will do whatever in order to achieve that power. Because they are older, they have the advantage. I need influence, a vast reputation, and competent allies.¡±


    Tyrus narrowed his eyes. Igneal¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but the intensity and sharpness in his gaze was enough for Tyrus to stop walking.


    ¡°...You want my help in achieving the position,¡± Tyrus finished.


    ¡°I wouldn''t phrase it in that way. I am merely offering you an option in taking part in something big. You can refuse, but it would be ill-advised. My father has seen something within you, that much is certain. He is the type of man to ignore those who don¡¯t warrant his attention. The fact that you grasped it for even a second means you¡¯re worth keeping around. You command quite the element, and you''re an Augmentation Sorcerer as well. I¡¯ll even throw in a bonus and fetch you a world-class instructor for swordsmanship.¡±


    Smirking, Igneal stuck out his hand. ¡°Well, what do you say? Will you accept, or will you decline?¡±


    Tyrus glanced at his palm, the buzzing growing louder with every ticking second. What greeted him were clean nails and skin that had a touch of moisture and sweat. There were also a few tiny scars, somewhat faded. He looked at Igneal¡¯s face next, a smeared yet regal visage staring back, the smile never wavering. It was as if Igneal was sure Tyrus would accept such a sweet deal.


    ¡°...I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Have you received any furthers orders from Sezor yet?¡±


    A voice from below snapped him out of his trance. Tyrus ducked as low as he could and peered over the ledge. Silently, he gestured toward Igneal to stay quiet, which he thankfully understood as he tagged along and followed his line of sight.


    A decrepit town, infested with dilapidated shacks, moss-covered rooftops, and fractured fences, stood a stone¡¯s throw away. The awkward buildings crowded together, suspended above a small lake plagued with floating garbage, tall reeds, and even boats.


    Bridges connected to the huts jutted out, all connecting to a central platform fashioned out of planks. On the platform stood a building way larger than the rest, sporting a dome-shaped roof with a large bell attached to the very top. It was the only building that seemed intact compared to the rest.


    Armed men draped in bandages across their faces swarmed the village, and from afar, the number could easily reach the twenties. A few of them wore armor that was rusted in a few areas¡ªthe rest wearing leather¡ªand a majority equipped with a weapon, be it swords, spears, shields, and daggers. Posted on the roofs of each shack like sentinels were archers, while those on the ground chatted to each other in pairs. At the far end of the village was a bridge connecting to dry land filled to the brim with carriages, cages, and buffalo being taken care of.


    Most shocking weren¡¯t the cloaked men that were standing guard at a run-down village, but what was stashed on the central platform. Bounded to poles with cracked lanterns were two people, each struggling with their restraints. There was a woman and a man, both sporting a few cuts and knots on their faces.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Tyrus whispered. ¡°I recognize them.¡±


    Igneal nodded. ¡°So do I. They are applicants who joined the exam alongside us. And judging by the bandages on their capturer¡¯s faces, I know who they are. Their connection is with the man responsible for the corrupted mana. I know this because I¡¯ve heard it from a¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh!¡± Tyrus pressed his index finger against his lips, his eyes glued to a nearby sentry. ¡°I think they¡¯re about to say something important.¡±


    Tyrus ignored Igneal¡¯s scowl and averted his full attention back to the conversation. One of them mentioned Sezor, a name he recognized after some reflection. It was definitely the finely dressed man who had those two Elemental Sorcerers as bodyguards. If his name had crept out of nowhere, then that meant the group of men were definitely related to the masked man calling all the shots. Maybe now would he glean some answers and figure out their plans in the Wasteful Wetlands.

 Chapter 73- Trouble at a Fishing Village

    Curiosity sparked, Tyrus leaned closer and strained his neck, hoping to catch an earful of the conversation unfolding below. It was difficult to decipher through all the buzzing, sloshing, and scattered conversations throughout the village. But with time and patience, his hearing would eventually zero in on the two guards.


    ¡°Are you an idiot?¡± a raspy voice growled. ¡°Keep quiet about the boss¡¯s name.¡±


    ¡°Why not? Ain¡¯t a damn soul in this fishing village other than us.¡± The other one was thinner and shorter, and from the sound of it, he sounded younger than his ally.


    ¡°I¡¯m not taking any chances. What if someone¡¯s lurking around and watching? We¡¯d be deader than dead, and it won¡¯t be from these lizardmen. You remember what happened to the last ones who messed up, right? Does the name thorn bear ring a bell?¡°


    The younger man shivered. ¡°You just had to remind me. I can¡¯t get that mangled mess of limbs out of my mind.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and you better not mention the boss¡¯s name again or you¡¯ll end up like that poor sap before. Just refer to him as boss. And to answer your question, ask Jericho about it. He¡¯s the one in charge of this sector, after all. Last I checked, he was interrogating the prisoners for any new information.¡±


    The other rolled his eyes. ¡°Pfft. We might as well kill them and throw them into the lake for the crocodiles. I just want to get out of this swamp already. This mask already smells awful and the bandages are driving me crazy.¡±


    They chuckled to themselves as they changed the conversation to a different topic, leaving Tyrus disappointed. Even though he knew the name of the group leader, they discussed nothing important. There was also the implication that there were many more of them lingering around since he mentioned a sector, meaning this was an operation happening all around the Wasteful Wetlands. But how could there be a group operating in such a dangerous place with no one noticing? Unless they were all high-leveled sorcerers, it would be difficult for a regular person to traverse the swamps without an escort.


    On the other hand, in their collaboration with Sezor and the masked man, they surely figured out a method. Knowing they were entering a den of beasts, especially one dominated by lizardmen, what kind of group wouldn¡¯t prepare? Tyrus, having experience with entering a den of beasts, understood the importance of being prepared.


    ¡°Speaking of lizardmen, the one with the bone helmet mentioned savages killed his brethren. Maybe they were referring to these bandaged men, and the others scattered around.¡± He turned to the side. ¡°What do you think¡ª¡±


    His companion wasn¡¯t there. Tyrus scanned the area, looking left and right. Igneal was no longer sitting next to him.


    ¡°What the... Where did he go?¡±


    Tyrus cupped an ear and listened carefully. He ignored the natural noise and chatter coming from the village. Soon, he heard a rhythmic plop noise from behind. When he turned and his eyes drifted to the ground, he saw a trail of footprints leading to the path they just left from. Of course, the noble had snuck away. He had been so focused on the conversation that he had not noticed Igneal¡¯s sudden departure. The problem, however, lay in where he was going exactly, if not the village.


    Rising from the ledge, Tyrus followed the footprints. The trail was rather faint, but Igneal was heavy enough to leave an imprint on the wet grass. Tracking him would be easy when it hadn¡¯t been that long since his disappearance.


    Thankfully, it was a cinch to find Igneal. Past a few dense shrubs, the noble was walking away with his hands in his pockets. Tyrus caught up to him, not caring for a stealthy approach.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you run off like that?¡° he asked.


    ¡°Hmm? Oh, that,¡± Igneal said without a hint of guilt, not breaking stride. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I left because of my complete lack of interest in the actions of those fools; they are not a threat. Our objective is to proceed towards the source of corruption. The sooner the better.¡±


    Tyrus frowned as he rushed over. ¡°But those guys are holding the other applicants against their will. Do you not care what happens to them?¡±


    ¡°Why should I care? Their lack of competence and strength led them to that situation in the first place. Aunt Selena and the rest will eventually intervene and save them. No need to meddle when the overseers are watching over us. They¡¯ll be saved if the situation goes south. Somehow. We have more important things to worry about.¡±


    Jaw clenched, Tyrus circled around and blocked Igneal¡¯s path. ¡°No, we can¡¯t pretend to not have noticed them and leave them alone. We should at least try to help.¡±


    ¡°Have you forgotten about Tracer? According to Aunt Selena, the tool emits faint mana signals at regular intervals, aiding in easier monitoring for her and the overseers. They know fully they¡¯ve been captured and are likely waiting to see the decision they will ultimately make. She is presenting them with the option to either submit or devise their own means of escape. This is an exam, not to practice being hero.¡±


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    ¡°No, that can¡¯t be right. If safety was their top priority, then why not save them now, just in case? If the overseers truly don¡¯t want any casualties, then they would¡¯ve swooped in to save them. What if a stray arrow kills one of them or the bandaged men decided they were done and just outright stabs them?¡°


    Suddenly, Igneal took a step forward, his face just a finger away from his. ¡°Given all of Aunt Selena''s warnings, they were well-informed about what they were getting themselves into. And besides, I don¡¯t see why I should risk my life to help them. What can I gain from it, hm? Nothing. Since they offer nothing, I do nothing. Leave it to the overseers.¡±


    As if that was the end of their conversation, Igneal continued onward, not bothered by the stares. Tyrus stood there, flabbergasted and annoyed by his cruelty. The noble was right in some regard, as it wasn¡¯t his responsibility to save them, but to show no concern or care was downright disgusting.


    There was nothing wrong with lending a helping hand if you had the power to do so. Tyrus would not hesitate to help someone who was in need if he had the means to do so. And since he was the one with the means, he would not turn a blind eye. He had first-hand experience in knowing what it was like to being on the receiving end.


    When he was on the verge of being forcefully taken, Wanderer was the first to come to his rescue, asking none in return. Wanderer was the reason he was standing where he was today, able to pursue his dreams of casting magic and earning money.


    Next who came along was Blue Dawn, each member offering their friendship and their own money to assist his needs. Without their help, becoming an explorer would¡¯ve taken a lot longer.


    The world had given him the chance, but the people who stepped forward had given him the means to change. So, he would repay the favor by saving others in their moment of need. Above all, purposely leaving behind those in need of dire help didn¡¯t sit right with him. By doing so, would it gave the impression that his heart had been pierced by a thousand blades. If he knew that someone who could have potentially helped them turned a blind eye, he¡¯d never forgive them.


    For the first time, Tyrus truly questioned Igneal¡¯s morality.


    ¡°All you care about is yourself, nothing else. You mentioned that the family head position is similar to the Imperial Throne. With that kind of attitude, you won¡¯t succeed your father. You don¡¯t deserve a title as grand as family head or allies. You''ll just leave them to die if it fits your interests, and I can''t be friends with such a person.¡±


    Igneal pivoted around, but before he could utter a word, Tyrus had already turned and ran for the village.


    ****


    ¡°Looks like some of the fog is lifting. Now I can see even farther.¡±


    Tyrus, perched on a tree far from the village, watched the men from above. A part of him expected Igneal to follow him. When he didn¡¯t, Tyrus felt a slight tinge of disappointment.


    It wasn¡¯t like he wanted Igneal¡¯s company, but the thought of doing this on his own got his heart doing repeated backflips near a tall cliff. Taking on at least twenty-five bandits¡ªas he calls them¡ªwas outright impossible. Not only did they outnumber him, but they had archers on standby. Even with his skills and augmentation magic, a single misstep could get him dead in a second.


    Since brute force was no good, the only option he had left was stealth, but even that was difficult. Water surrounded the village, and the only entrance to said village were the bridges. The thought of there being a secret entrance was plausible, but he doubted it. From the looks of it, the village was created and abandoned years ago, as evidenced by the decaying buildings. Then again, that was obvious when every settlement so far looked as if it hadn¡¯t been occupied in forever.


    There was the possibility of creating a diversion, but the archers would pick him off before he could get anywhere near the captives. Even if he made a distraction, the villagers would most likely take the prisoners to the carriages and flee. He did not know what their plan was, and it was impossible to eavesdrop on most conversations from the distance he was at. No matter how many times he thought of a plan, nothing other than getting closer came to mind.


    Tyrus sighed and shook his head. This was going to be tougher than he thought. If only Igneal wasn¡¯t such a terrible person, then maybe they could come up with an actual plan. Tyrus was pretty sure Igneal was way smarter than him, given that he was a noble from the Great Lineages and all that. But since it was Igneal, most of his plans would mostly diverge to them killing everyone in the village.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t need him at all. Stealth is the best plan I have, and it¡¯ll only be easier to accomplish on my own.¡±


    Tyrus leaped off the tree, landing on the ground with a splash. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the area for anything he missed. He looked at the water, the trees, and the village itself, searching for a clue or a hint of where to go.


    Water was out of the question. Though he was a great swimmer, he was not keen on entering the water again just to get wet. His entrance would also create excessive noise, especially since the lake was at a distance that would cause more than just a splash.


    From there on, he¡¯d be an easy target for the archers. By the time he arrived, he¡¯d look like a floating porcupine, but as lifeless as a log. Besides, the murky waters had a tendency to conceal creatures, and he would rather not find out what those were.


    Traveling over the bridge wasn''t a great choice either. It was far too exposed. If a bandit was looking in the right direction, he would spot him. Not to mention that the wood looked as if a single touch would collapse, meaning the boards might not hold his weight. Then again, that might not be the case when the bandits had to have gotten to the village somehow.


    And finally, he didn¡¯t have the means of outright flying to the village. He was an elemental sorcerer with the lightning affinity. As far as he was aware, lightning can¡¯t make him fly. He¡¯d need to have an air affinity or something like that. Also, the book of spells didn¡¯t showcase any incantations for flight when he checked it minutes ago, so he was out of luck there.


    ¡°What to do¡­¡± Tyrus whispered as he tapped his chin. When he went over his options one last time as his eyes roved over the land, his sights landed on a particular area he had dismissed before. It was one of the first things he had noticed before.


    ¡°It''s not the most sound, but it''s a lot better than the others.¡±


    A plan now in mind, Tyrus retreated into the forest and ran.

 Chapter 74- Trouble at a Fishing Village (2)

    As quiet as a cat, Tyrus crouched behind a rock.


    Now that he had stepped into the bandits'' territory, his heart was pounding like crazy. Entering was easier than he thought. By taking the long route, he could easily come across the dry land teeming with cages and carriages. The fog did a well enough job in masking his figure while the buzzing and distant beast noises masked his footsteps.


    Upon his arrival, he quickly spotted three bandits attending to the buffalo nibbling on grass and plants. These beasts were tame and not as hostile as the red bison that lived in the Emerald Hills. It was clear why the bandits had no trouble moving through these areas.


    Wetlands posed a problem for horses as the mud would harm their hooves. They opted for buffalo, since they were more adept at navigating swampy terrain. Despite their large bodies, they were just as light as horses on land. Even better, their four sturdy legs gave them more grip, so falling into muddy holes was less of a possibility.


    Tyrus spied around the edge of the rock, checking the carriages spread out in the clearing. Among the six carriages, one was noticeably smaller, giving it a comical appearance compared to the others. Sitting inside were a couple of empty cages.


    Every part of them was metal; they appeared heavy and tough, unusual for cages made by bandits. Either the bandits weren¡¯t your typical ruffians, or they hired an expensive blacksmith. Their appearance suggested neither; these men were not dressed to appear rich nor extremely dangerous. Not to mention, these cages had bars. From the looks of it, the bandits were more of a prison patrol.


    Now why that was Tyrus couldn¡¯t figure out. Were the cages meant to imprison people? Not entirely likely when they¡¯re posted in a place void of human inhabitants. Trapping lizardmen didn¡¯t seem that all bright or useful as well. What use would they serve, anyway? Perhaps for the sake of entertainment. Either way, the cages served some purpose, but for what?


    Tyrus gaze lingered on the bandits, his key problem. Each one of them had a bow strapped to their back with a quiver filled with arrows. Added on to their arsenal were scabbards with a hilt sticking out. Their lack of armor told him they were confident enough to not wear it, or they were just stupid. But when it came down to it, Tyrus didn¡¯t know the first thing about bandit behavior.


    One by one, they were checking each buffalo; the headcount ranging from at least five. Their movements were methodical as they circled around, inspecting their heads and horns. When one of them patted a buffalo, the creature snorted and stomped its hoof, glaring at the man with a look that said, ¡®Touch me again and I¡¯ll gore you.¡¯


    Across from them was a bridge as wide as three people. It was old, with the wood chipped and decaying, just like the rest. Not only that, but it led directly to the central platform. As long as he took that bridge, arriving at the other applicants would be quick.


    ¡°How am I going to get past them? Even if I do sneak past the three in front, what''s the plan for the rest? I can¡¯t imagine us escaping quietly or not alerting the twenty-something guards posted around.¡±


    There was also that man Jericho to be worried about. During the eavesdropping, they made it sound as if Jericho was in the middle of interrogating them. If he becomes weary of them, he might even take their lives. If so, then the time was winding down at an alarming rate.


    It was surprising that the applicants were stubborn enough to risk death, all the while shackled to a pole. It was no wonder Igneal wasn¡¯t concerned about their choices and outcome. Then again, he was a bit of a weirdo for not caring.


    Tyrus took a peak at Tracer¡ªthe silver ring worn by each applicant. If the situation turned dire, then he would have no choice but to shout yield. Both he and the prisoners would be saved. That also meant forfeiting the exam...


    Suddenly, a flash of pain struck his heart. Tyrus bit his tongue as he clutched his chest. ¡°It¡¯s getting worse as time passes. Just what is going on? Maybe Tracer will tell me.¡±


    Quickly, he tapped the ring, and the same translucent square with a human figure appeared. What he saw made him raise an eyebrow.


    Where his chest was on the device was a patch of black similar to his foot. Though the foot injury he sustained was nearly back to normal, the chest had replaced that injury.


    Before Tyrus could digest the news, a man shouting, making him shut off Tracer and turn. Peeking over once more, he noticed that the three bandits had huddled together and were talking amongst themselves.


    ¡°The buffalo should be fed well enough. Let¡¯s go an¡¯ check in with Jericho.¡± The one who appeared to be the leader of the three turned and made his way over to the bridge.


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    When the three crossed the bridge, Tyrus¡¯ mind scrambled. His eyes drifted over to the nearby huts that had a clear view of his location. The archers had their eyes set in the other direction, but when the three bandits caught their eye, they gave them a brief nod before returning their gazes outward.


    No one was looking at him, so he breathed a small sigh of relief. Tyrus waited a bit more for good measure and then made his move.


    Now was the time to proceed before the bandits returned.


    Tyrus stepped away from the rock and crept along the perimeter. The buffalo spared him a single glance and resumed chomping down on their meals. They must have grown tired of human interaction to be ignoring him this well.


    Tyrus arrived at the first carriage and glanced over it, observing the empty cages. There were scratch marks within the interior, a few straw mats that gave off the pungent odor of urine, and a few red specks that resembled blood.


    His nose curled. ¡°Yuck, it stinks! Almost smells like the rampaging beast.¡±


    Disregarding the horrible smell, Tyrus crawled along the turf like an ant. To avoid alarming the buffalo, he lowered his head and refrained from making any sudden motions. The last thing he needed was for them to go crazy and make noise. Or stomp on him as if he were a pest.


    As fortune would have it, he made it past them with relatively no issues. From there, he arrived at the foot of the bridge. The archers still weren¡¯t looking his way and the buffalo caretakers had already entered the building on the central platform. Now all he had to do was get across quickly and quietly.


    In a single thought, Beast Transformation overtook his body. Nails had grown into claws, and his tongue flickered over to fangs that appeared. Without a sound, Tyrus hoisted himself down to where his feet could scrape the water. His hand extended, digging his claws into the wooden boards.


    The bridge was so old that it took little for it to creek and rattle from the increased weight, but luckily, the sound was faint enough to not warrant the bandit¡¯s attention. If they were to see Tyrus, they would think that a huge spider was crawling underneath the bridge.


    Halfway through and his head already began to heat up, but he tried his best to keep quiet. Sweat dribbled into his eyes, stinging them as it progressed. Yet as persistent as a hungry wolf, he willed himself to press on.


    After half a minute of grueling crawling, his eyes spotted his prize. Relief came as his hands landed on the last board of the bridge. With one hand propped up, he drew himself up and poked his head over the edge.


    There was no one nearby waiting for him to pop up and whack him in the head or lodge a sword right through his skull. Tyrus stayed there and remained as still as a statue, listening.


    His heightened hearing tuned in to the distance. Inside the dome-roof building, a conversation was going on through closed doors. It was hard to pinpoint the subject or words being said as it returned as a jumbled mess of muffles, so Tyrus ignored it for the time being.


    Everything seems good here.


    Without wasting another second, Tyrus drew himself onto the solid ground and crept forward. When he confirmed nothing as suspicious, he clung to the walls and scanned the outside vicinity.


    The huts were so packed together that they formed tight crevices that an adult male would have trouble squeezing through. People could also overhear the activities happening in their neighbors'' huts judging by the walls. Although there was a significant lack of privacy, it probably wasn¡¯t a bother since they willingly lived in that location. A place more secluded and bigger was more Tyrus style.


    The small huts looked decayed, with wooden foundations full of holes and roofs that were tilted, with broken tiles scattered around. Mold grew on most surfaces, with ferns rising from the roof as if they had sprouted out of it naturally.


    Fish-filled barrels were strewn about the footpath, emitting an extremely unpleasant odor that would knock out a buffalo in seconds. Rags and clothes hung over walls and caved-in roofs while trash littered the floor. There were even a few cigars with black powder lying about.


    Tyrus scooted over to the nearest hut, pressing himself against a wall of chipped wood that had a faint blue color. His nose twitched as his eyes scanned the adjacent walkway and a hut in front. So far he spotted an archer and two posted at the front.


    Thanks to how cramped the place was, no one had a view of him unless a bandit was with the bison. All he had to watch out for was not making a sound and to dismiss his presence as much as possible, mana included.


    Jumping on top of the dome building was out of the question of how open it was. It wouldn¡¯t take even a second for someone to see him perched on top. The only remaining option was to stick with the tight crevices and to listen for any disturbances and chances to act.


    Tyrus wormed his way through the crevice, stopping just a foot away from the corner. He breathed and waited. With no signs of activity or alert, he proceeded to the next one. Again, he stopped and listened. Still, there was nothing but scattered conversations and the muffled voices growing louder.


    Before long, he came to a halt near the entrance, cloaked by some fog and sandwiched buildings. Suddenly, the voices grew louder and the clinking of chains became as clear as day.


    With just a peak, the other applicants came to view. Not long after, a door bursted open, and a man strutted forward¡ªthe spitting image of a bandit.


    His hair, which was dark and sleek, had a fresh, damp look as if recently washed. He had a broad back and scarred arms buffed by over years of dedication, giving the impression that he lived for battle. A cloak was hanging off his back, half-strapped by a brown belt tied around his waist. Fastened were two small sheathes.


    Compared to the rest of the bandits, this one lacked bandages across his face. What replaced it was a long scar running down his cheek. Eyes that forever seemed to scowl landed at the pole near the entrance.


    Tyrus knew instantly who he was. It had to be no one else other than Jericho. And if he had his eyes set on the applicants, then the time had come for him to decide; whether to keep interrogating them or to snuff out their lives.


    Tyrus would not let that happen on his watch.

 Chapter 75- Trouble at a Fishing Village (3)

    Jericho approached the other candidates, standing tall and composed. Throughout his leisurely stroll, his eyes, filled with a smile, thoroughly observed every hidden spot and detail of his prey¡¯s face. He even licked his lips at the sight of their injuries. With his hand ready and just inches from his blade, he came to a halt in front of them.


    ¡°Have the little lambs decided yet?¡± he said, his voice filled with a hint of joy. When his eyes scanned the hostages in their entirety and no response came, the last drop of patience shattered and his body moved on its own. The blade, an extension of his murderous intent, drew out of his sheath. Jericho aimed a dagger at the man¡¯s neck and stopped just a finger nail away.


    "There''s something thrilling about stubborn prey; It makes killing all the more fun,¡± he said with a bitter chuckle. ¡°Last chance¡ªWhat are you two doing here and how many of you are there?¡±


    The shackled man rolled his eyes. ¡°By all means. Just know that before the tip of your toothpick pierces my skin, you¡¯ll lose your hand first, and then your head. If you''re in the mood to die, go for it.¡±


    ¡°N-No!¡± the woman squealed, her hands cupped. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to this idiot. I¡¯ll tell you everything you need to know. Just give us your word that you''ll let us leave afterwards.¡±


    "And I''m the idiot," the guy muttered under his breath.


    Jericho retracted the blade slightly. ¡°Tell me what I want to know and I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    She bit her lip before blabbering. ¡°W-We were sent by the Explorer Guild of the Valis branch, taking part in the exam. Selena and a few others are currently watching over us from nearby, gauging whether now is the time to intervene.¡±


    Jericho raised a brow. ¡°The Valis branch exam? As if I¡¯d believe that cow shit. Why would that pyromaniac do such a thing out here? Don¡¯t know a whole lot about how they do things over there, but I know they do exams in safer places.¡±


    ¡°B-But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Look at this blade here,¡± Jericho cut in. ¡°¡®Bout just a flick away from the jugular. A quick nick is all I have to do and you¡¯ll bleed out in seconds. No amount of healing can fix such a wound in that short time, so why don¡¯t you do us both a favor and cut the crap. Selena ain¡¯t here to save you. Being chained up like that, intimidation doesn''t really work.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you we¡¯re participants of the Valis branch¡¯s exam. Our objective is to cross this swamp and reach the other side, where one overseer is waiting,¡± the woman desperately insisted.


    Tyrus frowned. What the heck was she talking about? There wasn¡¯t any overseer waiting at the end of the swamp. Assuming she was right, someone would have already handled the bandits unless they purposely left them for the participants to defeat. Knowing Selena, she was the type of person to make someone¡¯s life as difficult as possible for whatever unreasonable reason.


    Additionally, it was strange how the man remained confident despite having a blade held against his throat. Usually a person would be nervously glancing at the weapon on the verge of killing them or at least try to shuffle away. Instead, he wasn¡¯t nervous at all¡ªquite the opposite.


    Regarding the woman, although she occasionally stuttered, Tyrus didn''t sense that she was also terrified. He could tell by the body language and eyes that she was hiding something. Her sprinkling in lies only furthered his suspicions.


    Jericho, too, raised a brow. ¡°An overseer, eh? At the end of the swamp? Now that¡¯s a story I¡¯d believe. Though, what I can¡¯t wrap my head around is why there¡¯s no escort, a branch leader, or anything like that stopping me or my men.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re hiding like this oaf mentioned before. The overseer is waiting alone. But there are several parties waiting nearby, so we can¡¯t exactly say that the overseer is all by themselves. One of them is Sir Geroth, a royal knight I swear!¡±


    Jericho¡¯s hand twitched. ¡°That¡¯s quite rich. Sir Geroth and Selena? Now you¡¯re pulling my leg. A royal knight has no business in the Wasteful Wetlands unless ordered. I really should kill and throw your bodies into the lake for the crocs to feed on.¡±


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    ¡°Go ahead and try,¡± the man urged. He even tilted his head to the sky, as if inviting Jericho to cut his throat.


    Jericho stared at the two and sheathed his dagger. ¡°While I would love to indulge in your request, I find your willingness to die strange. Are you luring me into a trap, hoping I let down my guard? Maybe you have a buddy of yours waiting for some kind of signal. This story about Selena and that royal knight was a ploy to keep my attention and stall. If I were to guess, a friend of yours will pop up and attack me soon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve no clue what you¡¯re talking about,¡± the man replied. For a split second, he even glanced over Jericho¡¯s shoulder and made eye contact with Tyrus. ¡°It was only us you¡¯ve captured. Besides, Sir Geroth wouldn¡¯t let us die.¡±


    Jericho turned, scanning the area, but quickly returned his gaze to the two. ¡°So you admit that you have a friend out there?¡±


    ¡°If we had one, don¡¯t you think that they would have appeared already? Also, no one is crazy enough to infiltrate a fishing village filled with bandits unless you got the skills to. If I were you, I¡¯d get out of here quickly before the overseers lose their patience.¡±


    ¡°Like hell I will,¡± Jericho said with a chuckle. ¡°We got a job to do and our boss ain¡¯t letting us out anytime soon. You can say whatever you want and lie till your balls turn purple, but ain''t no overseer waiting for you on the other side. Only thing they''ll find is a mangled body.¡±


    Suddenly, Jericho rose and backpedaled with a smile. ¡°Because of you, I¡¯ve learned a lot. As your reward, you can live longer. Enjoy the refreshing air while I attend important business.¡±


    After his parting words, Jericho spun around and departed into the central building. Afterward, the bandits taking care of the buffalo came out. One of them broke off and took the bridge toward the buffalo while the others stayed with the prisoners, watching them like hawks. The straggler didn¡¯t return, presumably watching over the buffalo.


    Surprisingly, the bandits were silent as the dead. None of them made a sound nor did they bother communicating with the prisoners. Likewise, the prisoners were the same, except they did the occasional glare or frown. The man still didn¡¯t seem bothered by his predicament while the woman glanced at her hands every so often.


    Wait, the hands!


    On their hand would be a Tracer to show the location of the person. The man had nothing while the woman wore it in her right hand, out of the sight of the bandits. It was only visible for a half a second when her arm twitched and the flash of silver entered his view.


    ¡°If she has Tracer, then why didn¡¯t she back out? She seemed scared enough to pass out from fright, yet she insisted on taking her chances. Why is that...¡±


    As Tyrus stood there contemplating, wondering not only about her choice, but how to break them free, his ears pricked at the sound of breathing. He turned his head just in time to see the tip of a blade approaching the bridge of his nose.


    In a moment of reflex, Tyrus dropped low, allowing the weapon to fly over. While doing so, the dagger barely touched the surface of his hair. And without thinking, he pushed himself away from the crevice and out into the open.


    ¡°We have an intruder!¡± someone shouted from the roof. The same roof of the hut Tyrus was just next to.


    The bandits, upon realizing the shout, whipped their heads to the side. The two posted in front charged forward, swords drawn while the one on the roof jumped down and rushed from behind.


    Uh-oh was all Tyrus could muster now that his cover was blown. For being a Beastfolk with exceptional senses, he could only curse at his own stupidity. Being ambushed from above was one of the worst possible situations he could ever get into, but it was too late to regret.


    Because he was too involved in the conversation, he neglected his surroundings and allowed someone to get close. Now the bandits had the advantage. There was no escape. No way of retreating.


    Tyrus gritted his teeth and pulled a sword out of the storage ring. His muscles swelled with renewed energy and his palms tingled with mana, ready for a spell to be slung from.


    If he had to guess, he had around half of his mana left in storage. Using all of it now would be bad for later, but did he have a choice? Holding back would only be the death of him, especially when every bandit heard the alarm, including Jericho. First, he would deal with the first wave and free the captives¡ª


    ¡°Wait!¡± one of them yelled. ¡°Look at his hand!¡±


    The other two bandits skidded to a halt, staring at the ring with skepticism. ¡°A-Am I seeing that right?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no doubt about it,¡± the one who jumped from the roof answered. ¡°That is definitely the ring of Scourge. Why does that brat have it?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the kid a bit too young for Scourge?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re missing the point,¡± the roof-jumping bandit snapped. ¡°The kid has the ring. Not just anyone can have that. Just look at the green jewel and craftmanship. The top brass must¡¯ve given it to him¡ªor he stole it.¡±


    An awkward silence fell. Tyrus could sense the tension rise and their uneasiness by the way they were shuffling their feet. They weren¡¯t sure whether or not to attack. He could use this confusion to his advantage.


    And just like that, a plan inconceivable to him hit him like a slap across the face. He lowered his sword slightly and turned stone-faced.


    ¡°Sezor... sent me.¡±

 Chapter 76- Trouble at a Fishing Village (4)

    Tyrus thought he hit the jackpot in mentioning Sezor¡¯s name.


    At the name drop, the bandits lowered their weapons and glanced at each other, unsure of what to do. Tyrus was not expecting them to suddenly put down their weapons, but he wasn''t going to object. Better than them disregarding his attempt at buying time.


    ¡°The boss sent over a brat?¡± the roof-jumping bandit asked incredulously.


    ¡°Y-Yeah,¡± Tyrus said, nodding. ¡°He sent me here to check on the situation in this side of the sector while the... masked man proceeds with his plans. I was watching from that crevice over here, not wanting to interrupt Jericho¡¯s interrogation with the prisoners.¡±


    The roof-jumping bandit¡¯s eyes narrowed at Tyrus head. ¡°...Send him over to Jericho. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll get a kick out of this one. If he tries something, Jericho will set him right. It¡¯s his problem, not ours. He''s aware of our operations and has the ring of Scourge.¡±


    Casting a glance of confusion at each other, the two bandits approached Tyrus with a shrug. Instead of complying with their request to put away his weapon, Tyrus stubbornly tightened his grip and shook his head.


    ¡°After what happened, I¡¯m not letting my guard down,¡± Tyrus said with a glare. ¡°If Jericho says something about it, then I¡¯ll put it away.¡±


    Both of them made eye contact and then shrugged again. ¡°Fine, do whatever you want. Just follow us into the building.¡±


    Taking charge, they led the way while Tyrus followed along. He didn¡¯t mind the stares coming from the bandits as long as they didn¡¯t act out. In fact, it was surprising he made it this far! The plan was simple: pretend Sezor sent him and not act suspicious. He didn¡¯t know Sezor and the masked man¡¯s plan personally, so he made a note to sound as vague as possible.


    Now, the bandits would have to confirm his identity with Jericho, which was the tricky part. At the moment, it was taking almost all of his willpower to stop himself from shaking uncontrollably. One mistake and he was done for, but Tyrus would not give up just yet. If things turned south, he¡¯d make an explosive escape with magic and somehow free the hostages.


    Tyrus entered the building with the bandits flanking his sides. He gave the hostages one last look, but the only person to return the stare was the shackled man. Their eyes met for a moment before Tyrus walked away.


    For a second, he thought he saw the man give him a firm nod, but before his mind could mull over that nod, he steered away from a tipped chair just in time. Tyrus shifted his attention to the place he was currently walking in.


    The place was pretty much in awful shape. Stools and chairs were in a scattered state all over the place. Tossed into the mix were empty food tins and mugs. Excluding corners, makeshift sleeping quarters, fashioned from tattered blankets and scavenged straw, formed small nests.


    Alongside the mess, a rough-hewn table served as the bandits¡¯ impromptu command center. Maps sprawled across its surface, marked with hastily drawn symbols and plans that caught Tyrus¡¯ interest. He was about to take a quick peek until a rough hand gripped his shoulder.


    A bandit tilted his head forward and said, ¡°Up those stairs is where Jericho resides. Mind your tongue ¡®cause he has a horrible temper. That said, he isn¡¯t one to question Sezor, so I wouldn¡¯t worry if you are who you claim to be.¡±


    Tyrus jerked his head, tugging away. He¡¯s been through much worse than a mere bandit. A guy like Jericho won¡¯t be as fearsome as a drake or intimidating, just like Igneal¡¯s father.


    With that said, Tyrus ascended an arching, rickety staircase stashed in the building¡¯s corner. True to his expectations, the steps were in a deplorable condition, given the creaking noises and many holes.


    On the second floor came a wide, open room. Within the center was a circular table that held an unlit lantern. A few stools sat around it, and next to the wall, was a lone chair facing away from Tyrus. Barrels and crates lined the peeling walls, and a single window was boarded shut. A rusted ladder leading upward rested at the back of the room.


    The figure of Jericho came into view, back turned as he stood over the table. Slowly, he turned, holding in his grasp a familiar-looking sphere. Tyrus quickly recognized it as the magical tool Selena used to communicate.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the runt?¡± Jericho said, his voice ringing across the room. His eyes then landed on Tyrus¡¯ ears. ¡°Wait, did we miss one of them?¡±


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    ¡°No matter,¡± he interrupted. Jericho set aside the device and strode forward. His boots thumped loudly on the wooden floorboards; the sound was enough to make Tyrus¡¯ body twitch.


    Jericho stopped directly in front of Tyrus and stared down at him with an arched brow. ¡°I see you got the ring of Scourge on those baby hands of yours. Tell me, Demi-human, where did you find it?¡±


    Tyrus frowned and lifted his chin. ¡°Find? Sezor himself gave it to me. How else could I have gotten it?¡±


    ¡°Ah, but that¡¯s the thing, kid,¡± Jericho replied, tilting his head to the side. ¡°Sezor himself doesn¡¯t give those rings out like it¡¯s candy. That¡¯s a job meant for the top brass. Scourge also doesn¡¯t run a daycare for children. I don''t understand why he''d pick someone as young as you, especially considering our plans.¡±


    For a split second, Tyrus thought about saying ¡®what do you mean¡¯ before deciding against it. There was no reason to dig a deeper hole than he already was. The man firmly believed that Tyrus had no connection with Scourge.


    His daggers were within reach, and his skeptical gaze added to the tension. Even so, his shoulders stayed relaxed and a faint smile played on his lips. Tyrus had the feeling that Jericho was enjoying the little show in front of him.


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    The only way to convince him, or at least sound believable, was to show him why he was chosen. Sezor seemed like the type of person to recruit those useful to him given that he runs Scourge¡ªa businessman, as the masked referred to him.


    Tyrus stared into Jericho¡¯s eyes. ¡°He recruited me at Valiedge because I¡¯m a sorcerer. An Augmented Sorcerer, might I add. I don¡¯t have to tell you how useful having one in the ranks is.¡±


    Jericho snickered. ¡°Oh, this is rich! You? An Augmentation Sorcerer? And I¡¯m the avatar of the lovely Sthito! No¡ªI¡¯m an Apostle of Ethera!¡±


    The man fell into fits of laughter as his howls bounced along the decrepit walls. Tyrus couldn¡¯t help but glare, his anger rising to the surface. But by inwardly reminding himself to stay calm, Tyrus forced the anger back down.


    Jericho took a deep breath, wiping a tear from his eye. ¡°Man, I can''t believe how wonderful today is. I captured myself some wannabe explorers and a clown strides right in! I¡¯ll give it to ya kid, you got the talent to be a jokester. Unfortunately, you won¡¯t live to reach that dream.¡±


    Out of nowhere, the magical tool vibrated. Jericho reached for the device and tapped the surface. Soon, an image of a clean-shaven man¡ªSezor¡ªemerged, a pair of sharp eyes glancing around the room. The clinking of metal accompanied the figure.


    ¡°Finally went through, eh?¡± Jericho sneered. ¡°Just when I thought you were too busy having fun with some women while we slave away in this hellhole.¡±


    ¡°Hell if I care,¡± Sezor yawned. ¡°I do recall paying you a handsome compensation for slaving away. Now, why did you choose to disturb my free time, Jericho? Did something go wrong with the released beasts?¡±


    Jericho merely smiled and shifted his body. ¡°Recognize that runt over there, boss?¡±


    A clear view of Sezor became available, and to Tyrus¡¯ surprise, the man froze. The change was so tiny that it would have gone unnoticed by anyone else, but his high level of concentration enabled him to spot it.


    ¡°A black-haired boy with ears? You''re the shitty kid who escaped with the cloaked person responsible for murdering my men! Do you have any idea how much sil I¡¯ve lost because of you?¡±


    ¡°...I think you have the wrong person?¡± Tyrus said defensively. Just an inch did he raise his sword, ready for a fight. ¡°I don¡¯t remember stepping foot in this Valiedge you speak of.¡±


    ¡°Jericho! I¡¯m positive that I informed you to monitor those who fit the description and bring their corpse to me! How in Yutar¡¯s name did he infiltrate your outpost and reached you?¡±


    Jericho shrugged. ¡°You should know that your division isn¡¯t the brightest. Bet they saw the ring of Scourge and were convinced of the brat¡¯s lies about being a member. To be frank, the kids got guts to have reached this far. Oh, and before I forget, I have some interesting information to share.¡±


    ¡°That comes later,¡± Sezor snapped. ¡°I don¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass unless you deal with the brat and retrieve the ring of Scourge! Do what you must, Jericho, and remember¡ªno one must know who is responsible for what¡¯s to come otherwise what we¡¯ve accomplished so far will be for naught. Kiss the money goodbye if you fail. Get it done.¡±


    When the image of Sezor disappeared, a brief silence filled the air. Within the next batch of seconds, Tyrus watched Jericho swing his gaze at him. Bloodlust began seeping out of his pores as he set the device back down.


    ¡°You heard the boss, runt. Because of your half-assed attempt at infiltration, you¡¯ve walked right into your own grave. While I enjoyed this charade, you just weren¡¯t convincing enough. Want to know why, little Demi-human?¡±


    Tyrus took a careful step back. Not far were the stairs, and Jericho¡¯s gaze never left him. Now that his plan had basically gone down the drain, a fight was unavoidable. To make matters worse, he was in the heart of a village filled with Scourge members.


    Jericho had numbers on his side, and with just a single shout or call for help would the others would come running like an army of rats. Reinforcements would arrive quickly, and with his current mana supply, he would most likely be forced into a corner. There were also the two hostages to think about. Should he just leave them after all?


    No, I am not Igneal. I can save them on my own. There¡¯s something wrong with the overseers or Tracer if they still haven¡¯t been saved. It just doesn¡¯t make sense for them to wait.


    ¡°The fact that you¡¯re quiet means your¡¯re thinking of escaping,¡± Jericho stated, breaking Tyrus¡¯ thoughts. ¡°Frankly, I¡¯m excited to see what you can do! Not just anyone can be this deep within this hellhole, let alone a kid. Just make it enjoyable for me to kill you, alright? I''ll cut you some slack and not ask for reinforcements. Then again, that won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    Tyrus scowled, strengthening his grip around the sword. ¡°...You¡¯ll regret it. I¡¯ve fought and defeated way worse things than you.¡±


    The man licked his lips and raised one of his daggers, the other still sheathed. ¡°Doubt it, but I like the confidence. It adds to the enjoyment!¡±


    Jericho charged forward, snickering as he thrusted his dagger. Tyrus jumped out of the way as the weapon simply cut the air and crashed through a barrel. Wood showered Jericho and debris clung to the back of his neck. He shook them away and charged again; a smile spread across his face.


    Just from that one attack, Tyrus determined that the man was aggressive. He didn¡¯t hesitate to charge and jump at him while simultaneously not caring for defense. However, he wasn¡¯t stupid and made the necessary use of his size and speed to put strength behind every attack. Jericho was the complete opposite of Igneal.


    There was grace and no wasted movements when it came to Igneal¡¯s sword skills. He moved with purpose and carefully, just like a coursing river. Igneal rarely allowed himself to show an opening in their duel. But since he was so full of himself and clueless about his opponent''s skills, he ended up losing. That was one thing Jericho and Igneal would share.


    Again, Tyrus slipped out of Jericho¡¯s attacks as the blade simply swished and whisked the air. His movements were crude compared to Igneals¡¯ elegant actions, but the amount of bloodlust he was emitting gave Tyrus the creeps. Flashing images of his battle with the two sorcerers back in Valis came to mind. A time where death itself almost paid him a visit.


    Jericho opted for a swift kick for Tyrus¡¯ stomach. He narrowly lifted the sword just in time as the blow collided into the flat side. In response to the sudden strike, he pushed Jericho¡¯s boot away, sending him backward.


    ¡°No... no, no. This won¡¯t do,¡± Jericho said suddenly. ¡°A blade is meant to kill, not to be used as a shield, brat! If you¡¯re going to keep defending and dodging like a coward, then killing you won¡¯t be enjoyable.¡±


    Tyrus didn¡¯t reply as he stepped forward. Talking to the man was useless, so he¡¯d rather save his breath and focus on the fight instead. Jericho was trying to get into his head, goading him into making the wrong move or panic and lash out in a pathetic rage. With that being said, there wasn¡¯t any chance Tyrus was letting his guard down.


    Jericho clamped a hand over his face and sighed. ¡°Well, I shouldn¡¯t have expected much from a runt like you. Still wet behind the ears and no sign of scars on that baby-skin of yours. A far cry from the Beastfolk I''ve seen.¡±


    Suddenly, his entire demeanor changed as he let go of his hand. A cold look replaced his sarcastic expression. The hair on Tyrus¡¯ tail and back straightened as the man was coming closer, his dagger raised high.


    ¡°Tell me something Demi-human,¡± Jericho growled. ¡°Have you ever taken a human life before?¡±


    Tyrus made the mistake of replying. ¡°Of course not!¡±


    Jericho shook his head. ¡°What a shame indeed. Killing you out won''t be as satisfying as I thought.¡±


    Alarm bells rung In Tyrus¡¯ head as Jericho threw his dagger straight for the head. Tyrus quickly ducked, the metal blade scraping his scalp and shooting right between his ears. Before he had the chance to recover his footing, Jericho had already unsheathed his other weapon and hurled it right at Tyrus face.

 Chapter 77- Trouble at a Fishing Village (5)

    Tyrus narrowly avoided blindness by swiftly moving his head. Rather than piercing his eye directly, the dagger only scraped his cheek. Warm liquid streamed down the side of his cheek as a slight, tingling sensation emerged on the left side of his face.


    Without a moment to spare, a boot rapidly approached his chest. Avoiding the attack was effortless this time, even while off balance. Just like a cat, Tyrus swiftly bounded away on all fours immediately after storing his weapon.


    Once Tyrus had put some distance between them, he stood up and readied his sword once again. Breathing heavily, his chest rose and fell as he battled the stinging sensation in his cheek. Blood seeped into the old, wooden floorboards and a small drop of crimson landed underneath him. The color faded away like spilled ink, leaving no trace.


    But soon, Tyrus stopped looking at his injury and focused on Jericho. When his eyes landed on the man, he noticed that the Scourge member¡¯s hand was in a weird gesture, as if motioning for Tyrus to charge at him. However, a swish from behind changed his way of thinking.


    Glancing back, Tyrus saw a dagger flying in his direction. As always, the keen edge was aiming for his head. Luckily, his ears caught the sound just in time for him to dodge out of its way. And like a bird returning to its nest, the weapon swerved back to the exact hand that threw it.


    ¡°What just¡ª¡±


    ¡°That usually works,¡± Jericho chuckled. He retrieved a fresh dagger from his ring. ¡°There¡¯s just so much you don¡¯t understand, you greenhorn runt. Scourge is more than just a bunch of poor thieves. We have the connections and resources to utilize pseudo-artifacts such as these.¡±


    Jericho tapped the base of the flying dagger. Right away, a shining symbol materialized directly above the handle. Magic flowed from the symbol, glowing brightly, like a row of lanterns. Gradually, the glow diminished until the light completely vanished and the markings were no longer visible. The dagger returned to its usual form.


    ¡°Now, enough of me blabbering like a drunkard. It¡¯s time to continue, little lamb.¡±


    During his grating monologue, Tyrus had formed the thought; That was really cool¡ªand dangerous! He knew there were different pseudo-artifacts that served a purpose, but a flying weapon was new to him. In the end, there was no doubt the fact that those daggers had undergone modifications to accomplish what it did. And it all stemmed from the mana-filled mark.


    While he would have liked to study more or even keep it to himself, he had more immediate concerns to address, such as his own survival. Also, Jericho didn¡¯t seem like the type to share more details about the artifact since he didn¡¯t bring it up until the last second.


    Still, I should watch out for sneak attacks. Now that I know about the dagger, he lost the element of surprise. Does he have more in the ring or is it the only one?


    Jericho¡®s hand blurred before Tyrus could even finish that thought. Once again, the airborne dagger was aimed directly at his head. Arching his back, the blade zoomed past, a pinch of wind brushing the tip of his nose. This was followed by a second, then a third dagger, and then the fourth one. At first, Tyrus thought it would stop at five, but another appeared out of nowhere, its razor edge headed toward his chest. Tyrus narrowly escaped, earning himself another wound to the face. Thankfully, the cut wasn¡¯t deep.


    This time, Jericho didn¡¯t smirk or laugh. Frustration showed on his furrowed brow. Tyrus figured that even someone like him wouldn¡¯t expect him to have the reaction speed necessary to avoid those dagger attacks.


    Tyrus was astonished that he could evade the onslaught of weapons with few injuries. His feet were in constant motion, reminiscent of a rabbit, while the rest of his body trailed behind. A dagger to the leg, he would jump over, and one to his face, he would duck. At a glance, a spectator would think that the two were involved in some sort of dance, a very deadly and sweaty one at that.


    I have to get close to him! I¡¯m at a disadvantage if I have to constantly defend and keep moving away!


    Just as a plan came to mind, he felt something solid tackle his legs. He looked down just in time to see himself toppling over a stray crate. He let out a startled cry as he saw two daggers hurtling towards him, one from the front and the other from the side.


    Without thinking, Tyrus allowed himself to fall flat on his back, all the while smacking his head against the floorboards. At the same time, he shielded his head from the incoming threat, waiting for a flare of pain to shoot up his arms from the impact. Instead, a dull thunk sounded off, and the daggers fell next to him with a clink. Opening one eye and removing his hands, his coat glowed with power. The light was quickly snuffed out, and it returned to its plain and old state.


    Tyrus sat there in awe. He had forgotten all about the enchanted coat¡¯s properties. He was too busy worrying about not getting hit that such a key detail slipped his mind. Since he was so used to dodging and focusing on the fight that he subconsciously thought of using the coat to guard himself.


    Worth it, Tyrus smiled, and he got to his feet. He watched the flying dagger return to a disgruntled Jericho.


    ¡°Seems like I¡¯m not the only one in possession of a pseudo-artifact,¡± Jericho stated. ¡°It seems like Yutar himself is watching over me. Delivering a treasure straight to me must be the god of wealth way of bestowing his blessing.¡±


    As if I would give it to you. Ivy gifted it to me.


    Tyrus readied his sword and dashed forward. Now was the time to go on the offensive. So far, only one weapon had the magic to fly around, and the others were just regular daggers. Dodging it would be easy as long as he paid attention. If he couldn¡¯t evade, then the enchanted coat would protect him.


    After that, there wasn¡¯t anything special about Jericho. Tyrus didn¡¯t get the sense that the guy was a sorcerer. There was no sign of mana coming from the man, and he didn''t employ any spells or magic. He was just an unblessed, a regular human with no magical power. In order to prevent a change of plans and a request for backup, Tyrus had to bring the battle to an end.


    Tyrus closed the gap, bringing him within striking distance. Swinging his weapon horizontally, he intended to cut the man from shoulder to waist. The magical dagger interrupted the attack, causing it to change direction and soar upward right before Jericho had to move back. Tyrus gritted his teeth and swung again, intending to follow with a downward slash. This was also deflected, this time a little further away.


    Seizing his chance, Jericho thrusted the magical dagger for Tyrus¡® head. Instead of dodging, Tyrus grabbed hold of Jericho¡¯s arm, stopping his attack the attack just a finger away from succeeding. The man twisted his arm to free himself, but Tyrus held on the best he could as magical power swelled in his body. A shooting pain crossed his chest.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°What the¡ªHow are you so strong!?¡±


    Jericho abandoned his attempt to break free and summoned a second dagger, aiming for the head. Tyrus smacked away the weapon in one fell swoop. Now he had Jericho right where he wanted him, rooted in one spot and unable to use his arms.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me... You really are an Augmentation Sorcerer!?¡±


    Squirming like a worm, Jericho began bucking his body. Slowly, he began freeing himself from the hold, but Tyrus didn¡¯t care to be surprised. He had already imagined himself unleashing Thunder Stun on the unfortunate man.


    Tendrils of arcing blue light burst from his palm, enveloping the scarred arms, and surging across Jericho¡¯s chest and limbs. A cat-like hiss left his lips as drool leaked from his mouth. Eventually, Jericho¡¯s body turned as stiff as a board, and Tyrus released him¡ªnot on his own accord, however.


    Nausea and white-hot stakes pierced his head as he went staggering back and fell flat on his butt. The pain in his chest grew to a fever pitch as he struggled to stay sitting. Instead of darkness, a myriad of colors erupted from his eyelids when he closed his eyes. The scene was as pretty and distracting as it was irritating and painful.


    Mana deprivation? I still have mana to spare!


    Did using augmentation and Thunder Stun sap him that much energy? He had no problem using them together before. Using those two shouldn¡¯t have incurred that much damage when he had a half-empty mana heart.


    In his contemplation, a second wave of pain shot through him, albeit lesser than the first. If there was any solace in the pain, it was getting lesser and lesser after each attack. The sensation of heat in his chest diminished to a dull ache, and his eyesight gradually returned to normal.


    Alas, the moment he regained his senses, a boot struck him across the face, smacking his head straight against the floor. There was a loud cracking noise, and fragments of wood flew onto his face. An acid-like pain enveloped his top-half as he struggled to rise. A hole the size of his head had opened up, and a clear view of the bottom floor was in his peripheral vision.


    ¡°You fight well for a Demi-human brat!¡±


    When Jericho swung his boot again, Tyrus met his foot halfway, trapping it before the kick landed. He winced and wiggled his nose, the back-side of his head aching, but he didn¡¯t dare focus on the pain anymore. Through the swirling whirlwind that was his vision, Jericho was as exhausted as he was. Sweat gleamed off his brow and his breaths were long and labor.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve killed me when you had the chance!¡± Jericho mocked. Two daggers appeared in his hand, and another one levitating above his head. ¡°You had the choice of breaking my hands or even going for the killing blow with magic. Instead, you left me incapacitated. How soft! Because of your foolishness, you will die beneath my boot.¡±


    Jericho thrust all three daggers forward. Maintaining augmentation through the pain proved to be a daunting challenge, as it just created a constant drain of erratic mana. Forming a Lightning Bolt or summoning lightning through his hands again was pointless as well. Magic was useless without a good amount of control and concentration, two things he lacked in his desperate state.


    The flying dagger arrived first. By moving his head to the side, the dagger merely grazed his tiger ears, flying straight into the hole Jericho had made. The other two arrived just as swiftly, and Tyrus knew that dodging them was impossible.


    In that split second, Tyrus had already commanded the enchanted coat to change into a new form. A form that neglected the area below his neck and only focused on his head. In the nick of time, Tyrus angled his head just enough to where the daggers struck the fabric instead.


    Though they didn¡¯t stop, they certainly lost their power and sharpness, poking his skin more than cleaving right through him. Still, pain flared across the side of his face as fresh cuts formed. When he tried to instruct the coat once more, no pulse of mana came from the artifact.


    It was simply rendered useless.


    ¡°This is the end, brat!¡± Jericho snarled.


    Sapped of strength and options, Tyrus could only watch the sharp metal rapidly approach. In a fleeting moment, a solitary and terrifying notion appeared in his mind: death had ultimately come for him.


    Tyrus waited for the sharp steel to enter his flesh and bring forth bloodshed. He waited for the cold, cruel embrace of nothingness to consume in entirely. To be beaten by a mere bandit left a sour taste in his mouth. The loss was entirely his fault, that he was too weak and stupid to handle a battle all on his own. Because of such weakness, death was his reward.


    ¡°Light Bolt!¡±


    A flash of light blinded Tyrus, then came a spout of curses coming out of Jericho¡¯s mouth. The pressure pushing Tyrus to the floor vanished and a loud thud signified that Jericho¡¯s had met the ground.


    A golden opportunity laid itself in Tyrus¡¯ lap. Blinking hard several times, his vision somewhat returned to normal state¡ªthe swirling persisted, but not enough to deter him. Tyrus glimpsed Jericho groaning on the floor, clutching at his face.


    ¡°The hell was that!? Can¡¯t see shit!¡±


    A sword appeared in Tyrus¡¯ hands. Standing up demanded a lot of energy, yet he still stood. Tyrus shambled for the man. With just one swing, it was all he needed. Just one hit, and the fight would undoubtedly end. If he didn¡¯t kill the man now, he would make another escape and inform Sezor about what had just happened. Jericho knew his face, and he seemed like the type to hold grudges.


    Yet his body refused to listen. As simple as a simple chop or a stab to the heart would suffice, but his arms refused to rise above his shoulders. Breathing felt like a burden and his head was as turbulent as a storm.


    Why was he hesitating? Killing was not a foreign concept to him. He has hunted and killed animals and beasts alike. Heck, he even killed a lizardman before, a creature who could walk and talk like a human. Sure, he felt terrible after doing the deed, but it was him or the beast. One will live, and the other will die.


    Take whatever actions are required to ensure a secure and prosperous future for yourself.


    One eye half open, Jericho finally looked up, staring straight at the sword poised above him. For the first time, Tyrus detected a hint of fear in the man¡¯s eyes. He held up one arm, as if such a measly effort would do anything. His scarred hands trembled, and his face twitched as sweat trickled down his cheeks.


    Before he could utter another word, Tyrus plunged the sword deep into his chest, his tunic staining crimson red. Jericho gawked, looking down at the wound, then back at Tyrus with the look of pure disbelief on his face. Again, the man tried to speak, but all that came out were blubbers.


    Tyrus grimaced as he watched the life fade from his scowling eyes. Watching the light leave the eyes of a person he killed filled him with an emotion he¡¯d never experienced before. Suffice to say, seeing someone go from alive to dead was disturbing to watch no matter how heartless they were. It was an entirely unique feeling from the usual hunting of animals and beasts. All that remained¡ªwhat used to be pride and victory¡ªwas numbness.


    Exhaustion washed over Tyrus as he stored his sword. Bile flowed up his throat, but he instinctively stopped himself. A searing feeling rippled his nose and legs. He wanted to lie down and rest for a few days at most, but that would have to wait. There was still much work to be done, even after Jericho¡¯s death.


    ¡°First things first,¡± Tyrus mumbled.


    He turned toward the stairs, the place where the Light Bolt had originated. Walking up to Tyrus was Igneal, face scrunched up as his eyes scanned the place.


    ¡°This place is a mess! To be expected of a nest of bandits, I suppose.¡± Igneal shifted his gaze to Tyrus and frowned. ¡°And you look as if you fought a thorn bear by yourself. Is that the body of their leader? No, judging by his clothing, he doesn¡¯t look like he could even afford a loaf of bread. An affiliate, perhaps?¡±


    ¡°You... came back,¡± Tyrus whispered.


    ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for that,¡± Igneal interjected. ¡°We need to leave now or else it¡¯ll be too late.¡±


    Tyrus frowned. He was about to ask what Igneal meant until he took in a big whiff of air. Though faint, he detected a hint of smoke and burned flesh. And when he focused his ears away from Igneal¡¯s breaths, he heard shouting and some sort of crackling. Then came the sound of the front entrance bursting open. Soon after, two people came running up the stairs, out of breath. Unshackled and free were the hostages from before.


    ¡°Good, you¡¯re still alive,¡± the man spoke. He glanced at Jericho and then Tyrus. ¡°The introductions can come later. If we don¡¯t leave now, we¡¯ll get caught in the crossfire. I¡¯m afraid your distraction has caught their attention.¡±


    No sooner had he uttered the words, a haunting yet familiar whistle echoed through the air, sending shivers down his spine. The air turned as cold as ice and Tyrus did not hesitate to haul himself off the floor, ignoring the swirling and pain. No matter how exhausted he may be, no matter how much it hurt, all he thought about was fleeing.

 Chapter 78- Trouble at a Fishing Village (6)

    Walking in itself required an extraordinary amount of effort. The world seemed to spin and swirl, and a sharp pain throbbed in Tyrus'' head, making it a remarkable achievement for him to walk even a short distance without tripping. His movements weren¡¯t quick, far from it, and moving just sent another stabbing pang at the base of his neck as if someone was deliberately smacking him with a club.


    Today was one of the most unfortunate days he''s had, easily ranking among the top three worst experiences. Why did it feel like the exam was taking forever? Felt as if he''d overstayed his welcome.


    Someone pulled on his arm and hoisted it up; walking then felt less difficult. When Tyrus peered to the side, he saw his arm wrapped around Igneal¡¯s shoulder. Igneal frowned at the action, but he avoided eye contact with Tyrus.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Tyrus muttered. ¡°For coming back. I would¡¯ve died if you hadn¡¯t stepped in.¡±


    Igneal remained silent and kept moving ahead. Tyrus replicated the behavior, steadily moving forward one step at a time. When they reached the stairs, they carefully walked down and reached the ground floor.


    The hostages from before took the lead, with the man at the front clutching onto a blade. A grim expression appeared on his face, and his knuckles were stained with dirt and blood. Sporting dirty blonde hair in a bun, the man''s attire was typical except for the leather armor he wore on his chest and knees. Similarly, the woman wore leather, but it provided protection only for her chest and arms. Her mahogany locks were in a neat bun, tightly secured. Attached to her hip was a small sheathe, while on her back she carried a bow and quiver.


    The four of them made to the bottom floor with relatively no issue. As they inched towards the exit, the smell of smoke became stronger and more pervasive. Alongside the pungent smell, there was a blare of shouting coming from beyond the door. Judging by the increase in pitch, the fire wasn¡¯t a natural one, or one that happened naturally, for that matter.


    As the thought left him, the door bursted open, and a man came running in.


    ¡°J-Jericho! It¡¯s an emergen¡ª¡±


    An arrow immediately impaled the poor man''s head, preventing him from finishing the full sentence. His body slumped to the floor while the bow lady lowered her weapon. Tyrus couldn¡¯t help but stare at her.


    ¡°Mitha, the archer at your service,¡± she said with a sly smile. Mitha beckoned them towards her. When Tyrus finally got a good look at what laid past the entrance, he couldn¡¯t help but suck in his breath.


    Flames danced and devoured every building in sight. Tall flames, reaching the same height as the huts, billowed dark clouds and ash into the sky. Bandits scurried across bridges, frantically looking for ways to stop the fire. Some were tearing down wooden walls while some even punched parts of the building that weren¡¯t on fire, causing the burning parts to die off. Screaming and shouts accompanied the scenery, and none of them sounded like words of encouragement. A lot of them decided that saving the village wasn¡¯t worth it and bounded for the only exits: the bridges.


    To their horror, the majority of the exits were sealed off by lizardmen. Sounding off a shrill cry and more whistles, a dozen or so flocked the bridges while the rest swam through the lake, only to jump out like fish and skewer the Scourge members with spears. The lizardmen did the best they could to avoid the flames, which was expected given what Igneal had told him about heat and such.


    Chaos was the perfect word to describe the scene before him. Tyrus couldn¡¯t tell who was winning or losing. However, they were all reduced to lifeless bodies. At least the enemies¡¯ numbers were dwindling.


    ¡°This was definitely not what I was expecting when we freed ourselves, but this works to our advantage,¡± Mitha said, grabbing another arrow. ¡°With the bandits preoccupied, it¡¯s time for us to evacuate.¡±


    ¡°How did you guys escape? And how did you set fire to the entire village?¡± Tyrus asked, releasing the breath he was holding.


    Mitha laughed. ¡°It was easy, actually, and your friend over there was the biggest help. Thank Budarh for sending you two toward us! Without him sending Fire Bolts to serve as a distraction, I wouldn¡¯t have had the time to break our restraints.¡°


    Tyrus followed Mitha¡¯s line of sight, setting his gaze on Igneal¡®s face. The moment Mitha called out his name, Igneal grumbled.


    "Leave the pointless conversation until after we leave this accursed village."


    She flinched and nodded. ¡°Right you are, My Lord. Wyford, lead the way.¡±


    ¡°On it,¡± the man said, nodding to the group. Wyford brandished a sword and ushered everyone to the side. With most of Scourge¡¯s attention on the infiltrators, no one was keeping watch for survivors.


    Weaving through the burning village, Wyford pressed forward. A quick glance revealed the archer and the swordsman were ready to fend off any threats. They expected to encounter at least one enemy during their retreat, and their worries proved to be right.


    A Scourge member that had been launching arrows at the lizardmen caught sight of the four and turned. Just as he was about to notch an arrow their way, Mitha was already a step ahead and already let one fly. An arrow struck him straight in the heart, sending him careening into the lake. Mitha gestured the others forward.


    Using cover, they dashed through the smoking village, navigating around wheel barrels and shattered carts. Because the crevices were too tight for the whole group, they resorted to entering the huts with no doors and coming out the other way. Instead, there was a piece of cloth hanging where a door should have been.


    Tyus felt his balance wavering and almost collapsed had Igneal not caught him. The pain in his chest was getting worse and his head felt like it was going to burst any second now. Fatigue and the blows he suffered were finally settling in. Just thinking about Jericho kicking him through a floorboard made his temple tingle. Who thinks of stomping on a person¡¯s head with no hesitation?


    Black spots flooded his vision once again, so he closed his eyes to ease the sensation. Listening to all the commotion all around him didn¡¯t help at all, what with constant shouting and crashing¡ªnamely, burning¡ªof things. Not only that, his sense of smell was suffering now as well. Smoke and charred meat were the primary aroma in the air, overpowering everything else.


    ¡°Almost there,¡± Wyford said. Then came the sound of flesh being pierced and the thump of a body meeting the ground.


    ¡°Wyford, on your left!¡±


    Shortly after, a sickening crunch echoed through the alley, followed by a grunt from the swordsman and the clank of a steel weapon hitting the floor. When Tyrus propped one eye open, the visage of a lizardman, tongue sticking out, blew by him.


    Before long, they arrived at the bridge Tyrus used to sneak under from. The bison weren¡¯t there, but the carriages and cages remained. What replaced them were a few beasts that were attracted to the noise. Sniffing around were more of those nasty swamp imps and a couple of new creatures with swamp-drenched fur and long limbs.


    Wyford cursed. ¡°Damn it, those sons of bitches are blocking out our only path! Mitha, I don¡¯t suppose you got enough arrows in that quiver of yours to decimate them all?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for jokes. We can handle them no problem. Better to push through them than let us be stuck in a burning town. Stick close and don¡¯t die. I¡¯ll cover the rear.¡±


    They trudged along the bridge, careful with their steps so as to not to send everyone plummeting into the lake. From the immense weight of four people, the bridge swayed a lot more than usual. The splitting headache and nausea only got worse the further they ventured.


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    Stupid Jericho. Perhaps he should have blasted him to bits instead of attempting to gather more information when they first met. Finishing him early would¡¯ve been the wiser decision if he was going to sustain such damage in the end. All that and for what? Just to be ridiculed and learn absolutely nothing?


    To make matters worse, Igneal was much more help to them than he was. Because he set off a diversion that caught most of the camp¡¯s attention, Mitha was able to free her and Wyford quickly. He was their Savior, not him. All Tyrus did was fight a blood-hungry man and had to be saved like a helpless child. Seriously, how did he lose to a mere bandit when he fought things like drakes and rock spiders!?


    Thinking about his folly had him groaning and clutching the back of his skull. Through his hazy vision, he peeked over his shoulder, just to see whether there was anyone following them. He soon found that to be a terrible mistake.


    A lizardman with a familiar-looking bone helmet cut down a screaming Scourge member. It licked the blood splatter off its maw and chuckled deviously. Then came out yet another lanky yet shorter lizardmen, wearing attire strikingly different from its brethren. Black paint masked its light appearance, and it wore a feathered garb over its head alongside a necklace of various bones. In its hand was a bone staff with an amber-colored ball on the tip.


    ¡°We must cleanse Mashulahs¡¯ land from the ga¡¯tha! Only then will the plague end!¡± the bone-helmet roared.


    Whoops and hollers from the surrounding lizardmen rose in response as they raised their weapons to the sky. Their tenacity grew alongside the amount of bodies that piled up around their feet, and they pursued the Scourge survivors further and further, murderous intent radiating from their bodies.


    Mitha sucked in her breath. ¡°Pick it up Wyford! Once they''re done over there, they¡¯ll come after us too!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± he retorted. ¡°Running will only make things worse.¡±


    It was true. Running only generated more pressure on an already weak bridge, so much to where it was difficult for Tyrus to stay standing with all the swaying. Moving carefully was the only option unless someone wanted to take a dip.


    Fortunately, they made it across with relatively no problems. Unfortunately, those problems appeared almost instantly when a beast popped up from behind a carriage. A swamp imp snarled and lunged for Wyford. The man was ready for the attack and split the creature in two with a mighty swing. His gaze narrowed when he saw the same abomination from before flying towards him.


    ¡°Damn swamp imps are like sewer rats!¡± he cried, killing the other as well. Wyford turned to Tyrus. ¡°You two get out of here while you still can. Mitha and I will deal with the beasts here. Can¡¯t fight all that well protecting an injured kid and all.¡±


    Tyrus looked up, face contorted. ¡°Are you... sure?¡±


    Mitha notched an arrow and nodded. ¡°This much is no problem for me. We¡¯ll catch up to you once we¡¯re in the clear.¡±


    Tyrus pursed his lips and muttered an ¡®okay¡¯ before Igneal pressed on, his face glistening with sweat. Tyrus almost felt sorry for pushing Igneal this much, but that feeling wavered quickly when he remembered their conversation before. This was the least he could do for being difficult.


    From the corner of his eye, Mitha began her slaughter. With pinpoint accuracy, every arrow that she fired punctured a body. After she released an arrow, another would replace it in mere seconds.


    Wyford was also quick on his feet as he dodged numerous attacks and sidestepped his way towards each opponent, the blade ready to remove an arm and a leg. Whenever a swamp imp was too high, he would jump on top of a carriage and stab it in its chest. And if a swamp imp tried to attack his blindside, Mitha was there to save him.


    Their cooperation amazed Tyrus, like a stream flowing and weaving itself through various rocks and branches. Even without mana or magic by their side, they were efficient in taking down the monsters, relying only on their skills and physical prowess.


    Were those the skills necessary to become an explorer? If so, then he really was out of his league compared to them. Upon that realization, Tyrus couldn¡¯t help but think about how the other applicants were doing and if they were just as good, if not better than Wyford and Mitha.


    In his contemplation, Igneal and Tyrus reached the forest. Tyrus looked over the battling duo and set one strained eye on bone-helmet. The lizardmen had just killed the last Scourge member in the village, each one whistling and whooping their victory. Briefly, bone-helmet locked eyes with Tyrus, sending a shiver down his spine. It then barked a few orders at the others, pointing at the bridge leading to Wyford and Mitha.


    ¡°They¡¯re going after Mitha and Wyford next,¡± Tyrus mumbled.


    He pushed himself off of Igneal, hoping that he could stand on his own now, but that only made his condition worse. Not only was his head spinning faster, his legs turned into slime, threatening to drop him to the floor.


    Igneal grumbled and grabbed Tyrus again. ¡°A sorcerer beaten by an unblessed is nothing short of sad, if I say so myself.¡±


    Tyrus stayed silent. He had no excuse for his pitiful performance. If only he focused on beating Jericho instead of letting his curiosity about the situation take hold, then he wouldn¡¯t be carried like a helpless elder.


    ¡°S-Sorry about that,¡± was all Tyrus could muster.


    Might as well save his energy and focus on refilling his mana heart. The aftertaste of smoke still lingered in his throat alongside metal and a few strands of hair. If only he had a mirror, he¡¯d be able to check just how ugly his face looked from all the cuts and bruises. The back of his head felt sticky, as if sweat and blood blended together, and a large knot was gradually forming.


    Basically, Tyrus felt like shit, as one would call it.


    Healing Touch would heal most of his superficial wounds, but in order for that to happen, he needed mana and focus. Two things he desperately needed. Maybe he should ask Igneal to heal him instead. Surely he learned Healing Touch as well; he used Light Bolt after all.


    Tyrus looked at Igneal, a bit touched the noble was helping him along instead of letting go. After their argument, Tyrus didn¡¯t expect Igneal to come to his rescue. He was someone who only thought about his well-being and how he would benefit from others. Yet here he was, acting the total opposite of what Tyrus thought of him.


    ¡°Why are you smiling?¡± Igneal snapped with a hint of exhaustion in his tone.


    Tyrus tried to chuckle, but only a cough accompanied it. ¡°Was thinking about how you came to their rescue. That was nice of you to do, despite what you said about them.¡±


    ¡°I did not arrive at the village to save them,¡± Igneal said coldly. ¡°I wouldn''t have gone to such lengths for them without expecting some sort of benefit in return, regardless of any positive feelings I may have had towards them. My goal was to assist you, not them. They cleverly took advantage of my distraction, which was smart of them to do.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± Tyrus retorted. ¡°You still helped them, intentionally or not. That¡¯s good enough for me. I was... wrong. You aren¡¯t as heartless as I thought.¡±


    Silence reigned over the two, neither side not uttering a word. But through that silence, an understanding formed between them. At least, that¡¯s what Tyrus thought. Perhaps their short verbal battle convinced Igneal of something as well? Tyrus hoped so, anyway.


    Rather than running, he returned and help. Although his primary intention was to assist Tyrus, he ended up helping Mitha and Wyford as well. It all worked out in the end, no matter what he claims. Tyrus was granted the opportunity to finish the exam, even though he came back late. Thanks to Igneal, and even Wyford and Mitha, an overseer didn¡¯t need to intervene.


    As if he had been doused with cold water, Tyrus head snapped upward. The overseers! He had forgotten all about them in his battle against Jericho. Shouldn¡¯t they have saved him when he was literally about to die? Or saved him when he was getting attacked and chased by crocodiles. Selena boasted about safety being their top priority, yet no actions to show for it.


    There was seriously something wrong, yet Tyrus hadn¡¯t the faintest clue.


    Tyrus felt movement next to him. Alerted, he snapped out of his thoughts and saw Igneal raising his arm near a tree. A well of mana sprouted from his hand, and he unleashed a Fire Bolt at a mud toad on the verge of spitting some kind of green ooze out at them. The green, slime covered amphibian recoiled in shock, but not after taking a direct hit to its head. With one final breath, the toad¡¯s eyes rolled to the back of its head as its tongue fell lifelessly out of its mouth.


    Sadly, it wasn¡¯t the only one. More bounded over, each one emitting a wail that had Tyrus cringing from the added noise, adding to his already painful headache. A few were ready to spit, the sacs on their bodies glistening.


    His temple tingling once more, Tyrus didn¡¯t know where to turn. His limbs didn¡¯t work at their full capacity and it would take too much time and effort for him to heal his body. Magic was out of the question too as he was recovering his mana heart. If he pushed it even more, he would surely experience the effects Fiona had mentioned about mana deprivation.


    Well, he already has with the rapid heart rate and splitting headache. But Tyrus didn¡¯t think it was exactly mana deprivation, but something more troublesome. The words were difficult to conjure, the more his head pounded. Even breathing and blinking, the most mundane things became difficult to perform.


    Igneal scanned the beasts with a frown. ¡°Tch. Now they want to swarm us when I¡¯m lugging you around? The commotion must¡¯ve attracted them. Like moths to a flame...¡±


    Tyrus squirmed. ¡°Let me fight alongside you. I¡¯ll fight through the pain.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll just slow me down. Now pipe down and let me handle this.¡±


    Tyrus would¡¯ve argued, would¡¯ve talked back just like they would do with each other, but didn¡¯t. Maybe it was because of what he saw next.


    Igneal hurried to a nearby tree and set Tyrus beside it. Tyrus couldn¡¯t lie and say he felt at his best, but at least it was better than trying to run around the forest. But from his spot, he could see Igneal unsheathing his sword with a smile. More beasts other than toads appeared, just as nasty and ugly.


    ¡°I will prove to you why joining me is a wise choice. This time, you will no longer entertain the idea of turning down my offer.¡±

 Chapter 79- Igneals Might

    Tyrus found his erratic breathing to be the most irksome. Each breath felt like his chest was being poked by needles. However, through the chest and head pains, none of them compared to the absolute awe that he was witnessing in front of him. Fleetingly, he had forgotten about his goal of regaining as much mana as possible and healing.


    Igneal, with a blade cooler and sharper than Tyrus¡¯, cut through the toads as if they were parchment, never once hitting a tree or getting his sword caught in any foliage. Every action, whether it was the placement of his feet or the positioning of his hands, exuded both precision and power.


    In one thrust, the toads would crumble underneath him, stunned by their wounds, before being killed by the swiftest slash or a thrust that had their fluids bursting out. With a smile on his face, Igneal chuckled and moved about the battle like the deadly predator that he was. A toad would take no more than two hits before falling over with a croak.


    Not only was his swordsmanship a sight to behold, but his magical power was just as good, if not better. Even a Fire Bolt smaller than a Lightning Bolt was enough to kill them without needing multiple.


    Whenever a toad unleashed their spit at Igneal, he shot forth a Fire Bolt directly at the projectile. Once they clashed mid-air, both the green slime and the Fire Bolt dissolved until there was nothing left. Then he would follow-up with a stab to their head and quickly proceed to the next one. Or if his blade was already lodged within a beast and another was right next to him, a torrent of flames would meet the beast, engulfing and destroying it before it retaliated.


    It was marvelous, as if Tyrus was staring at an admirable battle. It had the effect of melting his worries and quenching his thirst, refreshing his very core. And even with a dwindling mana heart and aching head, Tyrus pushed the fatigue he was experiencing aside and focused on the one-sided slaughter the best he could. Naturally, he made a point to take deep breaths and replenish his mana and energy as much as he could.


    Soon, the wave of toads slowed in its endless pursuit. More corpses¡ªblazing and cut down¡ªbegan littering the forest. But Igneal cared not for the mess he had caused. Still, he avoided using his flames on the trees themselves, opting to use his sword instead of magic.


    As soon as he finished the last toad, Igneal smiled. Sweat glistened on his forehead. Dirt was visible on his legs and shoes, and blood stained his rich garments. Although it was a subtle change, the raggedness in his chest and his damp shirt had grown to a point where Igneal didn¡¯t bother to hide his exhaustion. With how much energy he¡¯s depleted helping Tyrus and fighting beasts, his eyes looked as if he was ready for more.


    Breathing heavily, Igneal nodded at Tyrus with a satisfied smirk. He took the sword by the edge and whipped the residue off, proceeding to swing his sword several times. Blood and a strange liquid splattered the ground in a messy fashion. Once he finished cleaning, he shuffled over to Tyrus.


    ¡°Usually an Elemental Sorcerer would rely on their magic to dispatch their enemies. The stupid ones wouldn¡¯t even think of carrying a blade, and the competent would. Do you know why that is?¡±


    Tyrus groggily blinked. The pain was disappearing bit by bit, and the fog in his brain slowly lifted. ¡°...I heard it¡¯s because learning and mastering magic takes time, leaving them little time to learn the blade.¡±


    Igneal stood in front of Tyrus, nodding. ¡°Can you believe that? It¡¯s a dumb reason to believe and rely on. It''s a common excuse for the weak and lazy to avoid putting in more effort into training. I see it as a slow-acting poison to one¡¯s potential.¡±


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    Igneal whimsically stuck his clean sword into the ground, the metal gently thrumming. He smiled at it as if the steel were some precious mineral and then back at Tyrus.


    ¡°However, there is some truth to it. The time spent training your swordsmanship and stamina could be used to mastering spells. With powerful magic, worrying about close-quarter combat decreases. But because they think that way is why they are stupid. Then again, I don¡¯t blame them. Only geniuses can be great at magic and swordsmanship. That is a lesson my father has imparted to me. Let me show you an example.¡±


    With little effort, Igneal removed his blade and swung at a nearby corpse. At first, Tyrus did not know what he meant by that, nor did he know what he was looking for. An example of what, exactly? All he did was swing at the air. Anyone could do that.


    That was when it happened. When Igneal¡¯s brow furrowed, mana from his palm seeped into the blade. The surrounding air heated; right after, Igneal slashed at the same corpse again. Flames burst forth in a wide frontward arc. In three heartbeats, all that remained behind was a patch of burnt grass and rising steam. A deep black gash was formed at the spot where the toad was struck.


    Tyrus gaped at the corpse of the toad. ¡°How did you¡ª¡±


    Panting, Igneal stabbed his sword into the mud and leaned into it. ¡°What I just done was use magic and the sword at the same time. All I did was manipulate my mana and push it into my weapon. To do that, you need excellent control of mana and the magic you wish to bring forth. Using magic through inanimate objects differs greatly from living beings. A lot to consider, difficult to control. Not for me, that is.¡±


    Tyrus head spun from the explanation. Controlling the mana inside your body and outputting it wasn¡¯t hard. When an Elemental Sorcerer wanted to cast a spell through silent casting, they imagine what the spell was like and infused their mana with those thoughts. For Tyrus, it came to him as easily as breathing, much like Beast Transformation.


    But using magic through a sword? That was unheard of to him. If he had to make a comparison, it would be much like using an artifact. They were items imbued with mana, after all, yet it didn¡¯t require mana to use them. How else would Jericho use the flying dagger when he wasn¡¯t a sorcerer himself?


    Just as Tyrus was about to ask Igneal some follow-up questions, the distinct sound of twigs crunching from his right side entered his ears. He recognized boots stomping against the earth, a tense conversation between people, and the smell of lizardmen. Without thinking, he used the tree as support and hoisted himself up, groaning as his bones creaked and muscles ached.


    As soon as he rose on shaky legs, Wyford and Mitha hurried over, both wearing grim expressions. Mitha had a nasty gash across her cheek and leg while Wyford¡¯s hair was let loose, speckled with dirt and blood. Other than that, they seemed fine.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming,¡± Mitha panted as she and Wyford joined the two. ¡°No time for chatter. We have to lose the lizardmen, fast! Can you run on your own?¡±


    Tyrus thought about it. His mana heart was scraping by and he regained some of his energy back. Because he was an Augmentation Sorcerer, using mana to replenish stamina was an option. In a way, it resembled a trade. To get something, one must offer something in return. In order to accumulate more mana over time, he traded as sparingly as possible. His head and chest still pained him, but at the moment he didn¡¯t have the luxury of taking it easy.


    ¡°I can run on my own,¡± Tyrus replied.


    Mitha gazed at his face before turning to Igneal. ¡°Is that okay with you, Lord Igneal?¡±


    Igneal said nothing, only motioning forward. Wyford took that as a yes and grabbed Mitha by the shoulder.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move, yes? The beasts along the way should slow them down. Unless you want to get captured again, I¡¯ll be the first to leave.¡±


    Wyford sheathed his blade and began sprinting in the opposite direction, and Mitha went after him. With a heavy sigh, Igneal made no complaints about putting his sword away, following the others. Not wanting to be left out, Tyrus started walking on his own.


    Like a hot iron stabbed into his head, Tyrus yelped from the sudden pain. Still, he gritted his teeth and ignored it as he forced his muscles to pump life through him. By solely focusing on his breath and keeping in sync with the others, the pain diminished to a mere irritation that clung to him like a bloodsucker. And despite everything happening around him, Tyrus¡¯s mind kept wandering back to the awe-inspiring magic showcased by Igneal, curious about whether such a feat was difficult for him to achieve.

 Chapter 80- Escape

    Tyrus began to believe that Igneal made a mistake when he set the entire village ablaze.


    Drawn by the noise and billowing smoke, the beasts flocked to the commotion like flies near a corpse. It started with one approaching the group, a swamp imp attracted to the chaos ensuing in the distance. Mitha would dispatch the winged beast without so much of a thought. Then came another, and another, until they numbered to five at a time. Mitha dealt with the ones that soared above, while Wyford and Igneal dealt with those on the ground. The remaining ones would quickly escape once they realized they were losing the fight.


    Everyone ran a good thirty seconds until creatures shorter than Tyrus jumped out of the bushes, holding crude weapons like wood and rocks. Instead of the usual green goblin, they had hunched postures and dark brown skin that matched the mud. Their piss-colored eyes glowered as their large ears twitched from the sounds their lips made, comprising of wheezes and angry screeches that resembled nails on stone. One of them snarled and rushed forward, swinging a plank of wood rather pitifully at Wyford.


    Wyford arched an eyebrow and smacked the plank away with the flat of his blade and kicked the goblin in the face. Plunging into a mound of mud, Wyford drove his sword deep into its chest.


    ¡°That was rather embarrassing, don¡¯t you think?¡± Wyford spat to the side and swiftly yanked out his blade. ¡°These rats deserve to die.¡±


    Tyrus, who had been taking a breather next to Mitha, pried his eyes away from Wyford slaying another goblin. His gaze shifted to Igneal, currently engaging three goblins with ease. A sweep of his legs had the left goblin smacking its head against a nearby tree and collapse. Right after, he whipped towards the second. The steel lopped off the goblin¡¯s head, and the sword carried on, eventually burying itself deep within the chest of the final one.


    Each person had a part to play, whether it was Mitha killing a few goblins from afar while Wyford and Igneal cut through the rest. They had their hands full, taking action as they fought for a path forward while one of their allies stood by doing nothing. The scene before him reminded Tyrus back when he crossed paths with Blue Dawn. It was just like before with Fiona, Grant, and Reo fighting a swarm of goblins while Tyrus stood there, watching, until he bursted into action.


    Helplessness was something he despised, watching the others working their tails off while he watched like some spectator in a theater. It was a terrible feeling that bordered on powerlessness, something that plagued him often back then. But now that he held some form of power, staying idle was out of the question. He still had arms and legs and energy to spare. So why not make use of it?


    Brows knitting together, Tyrus took a step forward with purpose, sword drawn. Just holding it felt tiresome to him, given that he had been moving around all day. Either way, no use making up excuses when he made it this far. Pushing his limits and improving was satisfying, after all.


    Mitha gave him a weary look. ¡°Sure you can fight in that condition, kid? I know the branch leader recommended you and all that but¡ª¡±


    Tyrus simply nodded and turned to the nearest group. Igneal and the others dealt with most of the goblins, leaving only two left near an overturned wagon. One goblin held a bone with a sharp tip while the other held a rusted dagger. Sensing that the person in front of them was weakened, they pounced on him without holding back.


    Despite being injured, Tyrus was far from slow, especially in comparison to a goblin. Dodging a thrust of the sharp bone, he countered with a strike, albeit a slow one. The goblin shrieked and jumped back, blood oozing from its wounded arm. Tyrus left it no time to recuperate and followed up with a stab to the chest.


    The second goblin attempted to flank Tyrus while he retracted his sword. Tyrus sensed the incoming danger and turned, kicking the goblin in the leg. There was a satisfying crunch of bones snapping and the goblin fell over, screeching. It too died with a thrust to the head. Wyford, alongside the others, trotted to Tyrus as he bent over, clutching his head.


    Wyford placed a hand on Tyrus¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You alright? Need a support? Carrying you on my back would be no problem. I''ve done it for my sister an ungodly amount of times.¡±


    Tyrus waved him off, rising. ¡°No, I can keep going. I¡¯ve wasted enough time.¡±


    Wyford spared a glance at Mitha before nodding. "C''mon, let''s keep moving. We shouldn¡¯t be the only ones battling against these beasts.¡±


    It took a few seconds for his spinning head to soothe, but Tyrus could soon jog at a decent speed. They kept running, and the scenery returned to the dead and decrepit landscape with the skeleton trees, a place festering with misshapen rocks and rock spires that sometimes looked like giant fingers. Few plants lived, not bothered by the lack of sun, and the ground became softer and more difficult to tread on.


    Each step through the muddy path flanked by mossy stone, ravens cried from above, their wings beating. Tyrus¡¯s nose scrunched from the stench of rotten eggs and flesh. Bodies of diverse beasts and animals littered the area, some torn apart while others burned or were eaten. A few were missing limbs, and even their organs. Tyrus recognized a few of the bodies, ranging from wolves, turtles, and even snakes.


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    ¡°What in Sthito¡¯s name happened here?¡± Wyford shouted up front, picking up the speed just a tad.


    ¡°Looks like someone or something was having the time of their lives,¡± Mitha said in a stuffed voice.


    ¡°Lucky them. Maybe I should have a bit of fun as well. Preferably with a beautiful maiden. Possibly a handful, if you understand what I''m getting at."


    Mitha gasped. ¡°Watch your damn mouth, Wyford. You shouldn¡¯t say those things out loud!¡±


    He glanced at a confused Igneal. ¡°Oh right. My apologies, Lord Igneal, Tyrus. Won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Sorry about what, Tyrus thought. What was so bad about mentioning having fun with someone? Mitha made it sound like Wyford had said something bad. Was he missing something?


    A powerful gust of wind blew, carrying the smell of the corpses and blood. The ravens circling the area screeched, some even going as far as to fleeing the scene. Tyrus sniffed the air, his expression changing. He skidded to a halt and motioned for everyone to stay still.


    ¡°What? Is something coming?¡± Igneal asked, sword ready. ¡°Whenever you rely on your sense of smell, you tend to become tense."


    Tyrus remained silent. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his senses. His eyes popped open, and his ears flattened. He had not mistaken the smell, and the closer it grew, the more prominent the scent was.


    Another one of those beasts was coming, but from where? No matter how hard he strained his ears, no noticeable noise like thundering footsteps or heavy breathing came to him. Nothing like feet sinking into mud or branches being trampled under. The creature was close, but why couldn¡¯t he see it?


    As the seconds ticked by, most of the ravens have scattered or flew out of sight. Those left squawked, pecking and tearing at the remains of a wolf. The group stood still, watching the birds¡¯ erratic movements, their wings flapping furiously. Even the mosquito¡¯s constant buzzing had grown silent, replaced only by a noise similar to a billowing cloth left outside.


    Just as Tyrus thought it was his imagination, a dark shadow in the air caught his attention. At first, he thought it was a cloud blocking the sun, but he quickly dismissed that stupid thought. The shape looked like a bird, but much larger. A wingspan just short of a full-fledged male.


    The remaining ravens suddenly fled. The shadow, as large as the body of a human, shot down from the sky like an arrow. Its talons, sharp and large enough to tear into flesh, aimed for Igneal¡¯s head. Fortunately, Tyrus was fast enough to push him out of the way. They tumbled, mud splattering across their cheeks and garments. Igneal shot upward and spat out a mouth full of mud.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?!¡± Igneal shouted, wiping the mud from his hair. ¡°I¡¯m dirty enough as is!¡±


    Tyrus ignored him and scrambled to his feet, scanning the area for the monster. The shadow had long disappeared. He searched for the monster¡¯s smell, but no luck. It disappeared just as quickly as it appeared.


    Wyford and Mitha joined their sides, both keeping a wary eye on the sky.


    ¡°That thing came from the sky, didn¡¯t it?¡± Wyford asked.


    ¡°No, it came from underground,¡± Mitha said sarcastically. ¡°Of course it came from the sky, idiot.¡±


    ¡°Hey, it was a legitimate question. If I wanted sarcasm, I¡¯d visit my mother, but it seems like you¡¯ve replaced her. Other than that, I¡¯ve never seen a flying beast that big before. Have you, Mitha?¡±


    She shook her head, eyes still roaming the area. ¡°No, and I don¡¯t want to find out either. You saw the talons on that thing? I wouldn¡¯t want to be on the receiving end of that. Let¡¯s move out before we end up like these beasts on the ground.¡±


    Tyrus couldn¡¯t agree more. Just imagining those talons piercing his body was enough for him to feel cold, as if he¡¯d been soaking in a freezing lake. Getting smacked around by Jericho or even a drake was probably more pleasant than facing that thing. Seriously, that thing was way too big to be a regular bird. Maybe a magical beast? It didn¡¯t release any mana traces, however.


    Man, it would be nice if it was a magical beast, or if there were any wandering around, for that matter. Tyrus would kill to get his hands on another mana core. Not only would his mana heart improve, but refill what was lost as well. While it would be nice, he couldn¡¯t get his hopes up. His luck was the bottom of the barrel, after all.


    Igneal, who had been retching for a while now, stood up straight with a twisted face. ¡°Instead of standing around like idiots because you¡¯re too scared to fight a weak beast, how about we seek shelter? Specifically, one that has a clean glass of water lying around so that I may get rid of this disgusting taste. That shack over there should suffice.¡±


    Everyone followed his gaze, spotting a single-story structure resting on a raised patch of dirt and rock. Twisting roots and strangling vines from thick trees that plagued the surrounding area had grown around the house, as if a forest itself was trying to claim it. Wagons and wheels lay scattered across the ground, and a few tree stumps jutted out from the earth. Near the entrance were rickety steps leading up to the porch filled with rotting baskets and a basin with a suspicious red color in it.


    ¡°Looks like a place reserved for the dead and diseases,¡± Wyford commented. ¡°I doubt we¡¯ll find anything there, especially not a glass of clean water.¡±


    ¡°Better than nothing, I suppose,¡± Mitha said, still watching the skies. ¡°Sthito knows we need a quick break. We can also hide out there for the time being and shake the lizardmen off our tail. Any objections?¡±


    No one raised their voice in protest, which was expected. The options were seeking refuge in the shack or taking the chance of battling the airborne creature and attracting the attention of the lizardmen. Fighting two separate enemies where one can fly and the other had numbers would be a pain.


    Igneal was in the lead, heading towards the shack, but Wyford interrupted his progress with a bow. ¡°Allow me to scout first, My Lord. I owe you one for your help earlier, and I''ll make sure to repay you.¡±


    Igneal nodded, crossing his arms. ¡°Do as you will, but make haste. I despise to be kept waiting.¡±


    Wyford saluted and moved out. His eyes, sharper than his blade, scanned the area while he inched towards the shack, stepping over bodies along the way. It didn¡¯t take long for the man to reach the shack and stop in front of its porch. Then, after prying the door open with the tip of his sword and peering inside, he signaled for the rest of the group to come. Wasting no time, the three headed for the shack, sparing the skies and their backsides glances.

 Chapter 81- Abandoned Shack

    From a distance, the shack appeared so fragile that even a gentle breeze could send it crumbling to the ground. Its decrepit roof had rat-sized pockets and walls covered in moss, dirt, and more holes. Even the door seemed like it would break under a bit of force from just a mere push by a rodent, or even from a person simply breathing on it.


    A gust of wind blew, sending a flurry of dead leaves dancing through the air as Tyrus reached the top of the steps. It took most of his focus to keep himself upright and not fall over. Walking and running was fine for the most point after absorbing some more mana, but the dull pain still lingered. A step upward sent a stab of renewed pain in his head, and each breath felt as though he was inhaling needles. After leaning against a tree, it lessened, leaving him feeling grateful.


    ¡°You alright there?¡± Mitha asked from behind.


    He nodded. ¡°Just need to catch my breath.¡±


    ¡°Just checking. Don¡¯t hesitate to ask for a hand or support. We¡¯re in this together now, thanks to you and Lord Igneal.¡±


    She gave his shoulder a soft pat and trotted to the rickety entrance. She joined Wyford, and they both gazed at the basin with the red markings. Mitha took a step back, her lips thinning.


    ¡°You think it¡¯s blood?¡± Mitha asked.


    Wyford shrugged. ¡°I¡¯d like to believe it¡¯s red wine, but what do I know? Best not to dwell on it. What matters is that I already checked the interior and boy is it a grotesque sight. Come and see for yourself.¡±


    With a raised brow, Mitha followed Wyford into the shack, the floorboards creaking under their feet. Now that both of them were gone for the time being, Igneal, who had been scanning the erratic scenery with a grimace, trotted past Tyrus.


    ¡°Walk it off. You¡¯re not in much pain. A kick from the unblessed is nothing to you, a sorcerer, that I¡¯m sure of.¡±


    Tyrus lifted himself off the tree, watching Igneal enter the shack. His tone sounded as cold and unthoughtful as always, but the contents of his words were quite weird. For a moment, Tyrus even considered that Igneal was actually a tad concerned about his well-being. It was a ridiculous notion, especially since it was Igneal, so he brushed it off as wishful thinking and a bit of brain damage. Igneal must¡¯ve been worried that a sorcerer¡¯s image was being tainted or something along those lines, especially in front of Wyford and Mitha.


    Sighing to himself, Tyrus made his way to the entrance, stepping over logs and thick roots. The stench coming from the basin was revolting, and he was positive that the red dye was blood. The rotting baskets next to it also supported the idea, even going as far as emanating a stench similar to rot. Tyrus¡¯ well of curiosity was bottomed out at this point, so he didn¡¯t dare open it and check inside.


    ¡°I don¡¯t smell any beasts in here too,¡± he muttered. ¡°Should be safe.¡±


    Entering the shack, Tyrus let out a low grumble. Animal furs and bones were strewn across the floor inside, and the furniture, like the table and chairs, was shattered. The intrusive roots from outside have made the shack their home, bursting through the ground like veins. A small bed that could barely fit a single adult rested against the wall, and on it, a few dead rabbits with missing organs. Nearby was a fireplace, the ashes of old, and the wood used turned into nothing but dust. It was a place way worse than his previous home. While small, at least it didn¡¯t reek and was somewhat cozy.


    Tyrus found an intact chair and sat. Right as his bottom touched the seat, a wave of exhaustion poured out of him. The blood that had been thundering in his ears slowed, and the pressure he hadn¡¯t noticed on his legs eased, spreading a sense of relief throughout his weary body.


    Oh, this feels amazing


    ¡°This place is worse than the slums back in Lindell!¡± Wyford remarked, pinching his nose. He walked over to an empty shelf and swept a finger over it, dust coating his fingers. ¡°At least the rats seem to have abandoned the place. Lucky them.¡±


    Mitha kicked aside a few bones and propped up a rickety chair. She tested its sturdiness by plopping down a boot, a cloud of dust billowing into the air. After a few good shakes, Mitha relaxed and plopped herself with a deep sigh. ¡°Finally, some sweet relief! So, what¡¯s the plan, Wyford? Wait it out in this dinghy of a place until the clock runs out?¡±


    Wyford found a spot for himself and sat down, leaning against the wall. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind the wait. Our best bet is to stay quiet and avoid the gazes of the beasts. I¡¯d rather not face those lizards and the flying horror outside. We can¡¯t risk getting ambushed again, Mitha. But with Tyrus and Lord Igneal on our side, completing this exam should be a cinch.¡±


    The man let out a heart chuckle until it transformed into a dry cough. ¡°¡®Scuse me. Carrying a sword while running for that long isn''t very refreshing. I¡¯m only in my twenty-fifth year, yet my legs feel like they belong to an old geezer.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because of all the alcohol you consume,¡± Mitha retorted.


    ¡°Hey now! I¡¯ll have you know I only drink one bottle a day. And I¡¯d prefer to call it a liquid meal, thank you very much.¡±


    Wyford paused, his eyes sweeping the place. Igneal was busy picking up bottles, sometimes spitting in them, as he muttered something about cleanliness. After finding a vial with a clear liquid, he took a small sniff, his lips curling in distaste. He then chucked it into the nearest corner. The cup made a rat-rat as it rolled.


    ¡°Lord Igneal?¡± Wyford called.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Igneal replied, not even bothering to turn around.


    Wyford cleared his throat, a faint trace of hesitation in his voice. ¡°Forgive me for asking, but I¡¯m quite curious about the relationship between you and Tyrus here. Branch Leader Selena has recommended you two for the exam, and it seems like you two are... close?¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s ears perked up. Is that what Wyford thought? That he and Igneal were close? He couldn¡¯t have been further from the truth. They had just met yesterday and were practically strangers. To consider someone close, they¡¯d have to share some sort of bond or be friends at the bare minimum.


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    Igneal¡¯s personality wasn¡¯t a favorable one, and Tyrus had little desire to build a relationship with the noble. He¡¯d be happy enough if they were just acquaintances, even though Igneal was an absolute pain. Igneal was a condescending, prideful, and self-centered guy. He had the personality of a self-absorbed peacock, strutting about with an air of superiority and constantly preening his feathers for admiration, oblivious to the irritation he caused others with his pompous demeanor.


    Well, that was what Tyrus used to think before Igneal saved him.


    Thanks to Igneal, he set fire to an entire village and bought the rest of the group enough time to escape. Not only that, but he saved Tyrus in the nick of time and even lent him his own shoulder! And it was his own choice as well! It was quite surprising such a thought even crossed his mind. He achieved all of that, all the while expressing a strong reluctance to assist Wyford and Mitha. It showed that he wasn¡¯t that heartless. Either that or he was carefully plotting something.


    Tyrus couldn¡¯t say for sure, and neither did he have the energy to ponder any further. It was possible that Igneal was just pretending and waiting for the right opportunity for whatever reason. Or maybe his pride was hurt and was trying to make up for it? Just thinking about it was making his head hurt!


    I won¡¯t mention any of this to them. Best they believe Igneal saved them out of the goodness of his heart.


    When no one answered, Wyford gave Tyrus a sheepish smile. ¡°Well! We can save that topic for another time. I¡¯d say introductions are in order. We promised you that. I¡¯m Wyford, Wyford from Lindell. And that ray of sunshine is Mitha from Lindell.¡±


    ¡°Tyrus,¡± Tyrus said. ¡°Tyrus from...¡±


    His voice trailed off. Where was he from? He had no clue, other than that he was probably from the Beastfolk Kingdom. Obviously, he would not mention that to them. It was weird enough that they omitted his Beastfolk nature or even spared a glance at his tails and ears. They must¡¯ve not cared in the slightest or were hiding their disgust.


    There was also him not having a permanent home, only wandering around like a lost puppy. The only place he could think of that actually made sense was Valiedge, his most recent home.


    ¡°Valiedge,¡± he finished.


    Wyford nodded. ¡°Well met, Tyrus. Of course, we already know of Lord Igneal.¡±


    "Naturally," chimed in Igneal. He glared at a pile of bones and stepped over them before walking to the group. ¡°You would rarely find a soul ignorant of my name. Unless they lived in a secluded cave.¡±


    ¡°You are the son of the great Family Head Lockhart, Lord of Flames,¡± Wyford added. ¡°A noble with a bright future ahead of him, no doubt.¡±


    ¡°A bright future is an understatement. Taking over what is rightfully mine from my father is just a matter of time. Like a sun, my future shines brightly with nothing but triumph and accomplishment.¡±


    Mitha arched an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s very... descriptive, Lord Igneal. May your path remain clear and steady as an arrow.¡±


    Igneal puffed out his chest, his arrogant grin plastered right back. Tyrus could only mentally shake his head at the display. Just like that, Igneal was back to his regular self. A simple piece of acknowledgement and he¡¯s already in high spirits. It¡¯s as if it takes little for the noble to regain his ego.


    ¡°Regardless, I would like to extend my formal appreciation to you once again for your support. Without you two, Mitha and I would¡¯ve been in the stomachs of a croc! If there¡¯s anything I can do to repay you, just say the word and I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Tyrus cut in. Slowly but surely, his health was returning to normal, minus the chest pain. ¡°Why did you guys lie to Jericho like that? And why did you goad him into attacking you? He could¡¯ve cut your throats there and then. I didn''t think you two were actually scared.¡±


    Mitha snorted. ¡°Oh that? It''s because we were playing a role. The greater the level of persuasion, the higher the likelihood that the oaf would control himself. It seemed like he was the type of person who would wait for the opportune time to harvest his crops. Also, we had to sprinkle in some lies alongside the truth. I had reservations about revealing all the details to him, you know? It was all to buy enough time for us to escape¡ªuntil you and Lord Igneal came along. From there, it was smooth sailing. Mostly.¡±


    "It''s worth noting that I came up with this idea," Wyford stated. ¡°In case you hadn''t noticed, I''m the one who brings both brains and brawn.¡±


    Mitha sighed. ¡°Once the bandits took you inside the building, I continued my work on the restraints, loosening the rope.¡± She raised her wrists, and a red mark was visible. ¡°My skin went through a lot, but the result made it all worthwhile. Following that, Lord Igneal ignited several buildings in the rear. The bandit who was watching us panicked and deserted us to go warn the others.¡±


    ¡°Shortly after, we made our getaway and pillaged a nearby hut to gather our weapons, where we successfully fought off a couple of oncoming bandits. Lord Igneal popped up from those tight slits and demanded where you were once he saw it was just us two. I pointed at the building and said that¡¯s where they took you, and he ran like a bat out of hell.¡±


    Tyrus eyes widened. ¡°R-Really?¡±


    Igneal scoffed. ¡°An exaggeration on her part. I couldn''t let someone of your abilities meet a pitiful demise. An Augmentation Sorcerer with a lighting affinity is a remarkable find. It would be a pity for you to perish without accomplishing your goals. That would be unpleasant not only for you, but for me as well.¡±


    Well, that was a roundabout way of saying, ¡®Dying sucks when you have so much to live for¡¯. Either way, Igneal was right. It would be a shame to die before getting rich and living a lavish life he always dreamed. And to summon sheets of ice and fire storms with just a flick of his hand. Achieving such dreams seemed far away, but he was determined to reach them.


    Tyrus squirmed in his seat. A prickle of pain from his face had him wince. The injuries on his face had slipped his mind. Without a mirror, he had no way of telling just how bad the wounds were. He more or less got nicked at least two times in his fight with Jericho. Now that he was out of battle mode and his thundering blood coursing through his body calmed, it felt as if he stuck his face too close to Igneal¡¯s flames.


    ¡°That Jericho fella sure did a number on you,¡± Wyford said. ¡°The cut¡¯s ain¡¯t too deep, so it won¡¯t scar. If you don¡¯t mind me asking, what happened in there?¡±


    To save on time, Tyrus summarized his encounter and battle with Jericho. He told them about his goal of learning more about Scourge and what they were up to in the Wasteful Wetlands. When his plan failed and Jericho was ordered by Sezor to kill the intruder, that was when they fought one on one. Tyrus stalled briefly, watching how Jericho fought and wondered whether he would spill any more information. Contrary to expectations, he said nothing more and was focused on spilling blood. From there, he explained his cuts, his head breaking through floorboards, and how Jericho was about to kill him until Igneal intervened.


    ¡°And through all that, all I received was this.¡± Frowning, he pulled out the flying dagger from his ring and showed it to everyone. ¡°I picked up his pseudo-artifact because, well, I deserved it after everything I went through.¡±


    Wyford was silent for a moment. He shared a glance with an awestruck Mitha. As if they were having a mental conversation, they both nodded and shifted their gaze to a frowning Tyrus.


    Mitha leaned forward, staring intently at Tyrus. ¡°...It is as we suspected. Your story only confirms our suspicions.¡±


    ¡°What?" Tyrus asked. ¡°What suspicions?¡±


    ¡°I don''t want to get into all the boring details of our capture, but basically, Scourge patrollers, with Jericho''s help, followed and caught us. Back then, we thought they were just a bunch of small-time thieves and underestimated them. We got restrained and led to the fishing village.¡±


    ¡°Well?¡± Igneal interrupted. ¡°Stop stalling and spit it out already.¡±


    Mitha''s eye twitched, yet she maintained a serious expression. ¡°What I was trying to say is that Branch Leader Selena preached about safety. Sir Geroth, a royal knight, mentioned he would give his all and then some in protecting us. I don¡¯t know about you two, but I haven¡¯t seen hide or hair of them ever since. Multiple times they could¡¯ve-no, should''ve-intervened, yet they¡¯re absent.¡±


    ¡°What Mitha is trying to say here,¡± Wyford began, ¡°is that something terribly wrong has happened to the overseers. I think it¡¯s safe to say that we might be on our own in this hellhole of a place.¡±

 Chapter 82- Short Rest

    Tyrus was glad he wasn¡¯t the only one who thought the whole situation was odd. He was wondering why Branch Leader Selena, Sir Geroth, or that Zephyr guy hadn¡¯t shown up despite the fact that the exam had officially started. One would think that they would be close enough to monitor them in case something went wrong. To see whether the applicants were worthy enough to join the Explorer Guild. And like Mitha mentioned, Tyrus had not seen or even smelled them at all.


    ¡°I think so too,¡± Tyrus said slowly. ¡°Many times I¡¯ve been in situations where an overseer could¡¯ve intervened, yet none came. I fought off a crocodile in the water, ran from lizardmen, and almost died at the hands of Jericho.¡±


    Wyford gasped. ¡°You fought a croc in water!? Good gods! You¡¯re better than I give you credit for. You¡¯re not pulling my leg, are you?¡±


    ¡°Pulling my... leg?¡± Tyrus¡®s eyebrows scrunched. ¡°What do your legs have to do with any of this?¡±


    ¡°He means if you were joking,¡° Mitha interjected, fixing her hair. ¡°A kid escaping from the jaws of a crocodile is nearly impossible unless they were a sorcerer, which you are, so it¡¯s believable. Branch Leader Selena favors you as well, so there¡¯s that.¡±


    Wyford leaned back and sighed. ¡°Anyway, we haven¡¯t seen the overseers yet and we firmly believe they¡¯re absent. To put it bluntly, that¡¯s a big problem and our chances of survival plummet. We¡¯re probably deep within lizardmen territory, there are many beasts roaming about, and we have to worry about Scourge. Frankly, the exam is the least of our problems.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re so worried about your survival, then how about we confirm if you say is true?¡± Everyone glanced up; Igneal had a bored expression as he leaned against a thick root fixed to a wall. He yawned, scratching his ear with a pinky. ¡°There¡¯s a simple way, really, and it¡¯s something we all possess.¡±


    Wyford chuckled nervously. ¡°Erm, Lord Igneal, I don¡¯t see what you¡¯re getting at here.¡°


    ¡°I¡¯m suggesting you speak the magical words into Tracer. What¡¯s so complicated about that? I thought I was being obvious enough.¡°


    ¡°I... cannot do that,¡± Wyford said. ¡°If we happen to be wrong, then coming this far would be for nothing.¡±


    Igneal snorted, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ve heard enough of your nonsense. Speak the words and get it over with. Weaklings who get cold feet in the face of danger aren¡¯t fit to be explorers of Aunt Selena¡¯s branch. Tell me, commoners, are you weaklings?¡±


    Wyford opened his mouth but paused. ¡°Wait, did you just call me a¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are you?¡± Igneal demanded, glaring daggers.


    Wyford frowned, but kept his gaze steady. ¡°No, Lord Igneal.¡±


    ¡°Good. That¡¯s what I like to hear. And since you aren¡¯t weaklings, there¡¯s nothing stopping you from completing a simple task to finish the exam.¡°


    Mitha¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°And what exactly do you propose, Lord Igneal?¡±


    A devilish grin crept across the noble¡¯s face. ¡°Simple, really. We head for the source of all of your troubles: the artifact nestled around here.¡±


    Confusion filled Wyford¡¯s face. ¡°There¡¯s an artifact around here? That¡¯s impossible. Artifacts are as rare as finding a male unicorn! Only a few people have the power to craft them as well. Excuse me for asking, Lord Igneal, but how are you so sure?¡±


    Igneal shook his head with a sigh. ¡°You unblessed are so ignorant about us sorcerers. Just as we can perceive and observe the mana in our surroundings using mana sense, the same principle applies to corrupted mana. It is like splotches of ink mixed with water. They stand out and are quite noticeable. Even now, the presence of corruption is growing stronger, meaning we¡¯ve been nearing the source during our tactical retreat.¡±


    Now that Igneal mentioned it, Tyrus could feel it as well. The presence of corrupted mana increased, mixing with the pure mana. No wonder absorbing mana was going at a snail¡¯s pace. Although Tyrus wasn''t deliberately meditating to speed up the absorption process, he could sense that the mana was sluggish. Almost reluctant to go inside his body.


    ¡°There are only a few ways that corrupted mana can occur. Creatures who carry corrupted mana cores secretes corrupted mana from their bodies, thus polluting the surroundings. Another, while extremely rare, stems from an artifact. The latter scenario is true, as the corrupted mana is rapidly escalating, with a masked dark sorcerer being responsible. Aunt Selena herself has confirmed this.¡±


    ¡°...If it came out of Branch Leader Selena¡¯s mouth, then I have no reason to doubt you,¡± Wyford replied. ¡°But I still think it¡¯s risky. How can we be sure we arrive there in one piece? There¡¯s lizardmen as plentiful as the grass and beasts that would love to have us for dinner.¡±


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Clearly, we establish our own path by eliminating them," Igneal retorted, as if the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°The swamp imps and toads are no threat, and the lizardman can be stopped with fire. Considering your claim of not being weak, this should be a straightforward endeavor. You became explorers to prove yourselves and grow stronger. Vanquishing a dark sorcerer, completing the exam, and gaining my favor is worth it, no?¡±


    Wyford shook his head. ¡°We want to become explorers to accept and complete contracts for their rewards. No offense, Lord Igneal, but I will have to refuse. We have families waiting for us back in Lindell. I¡¯d rather stay here for the time being and take our chances. The overseers will have everything under control soon. What use would I be to my family dead?¡±


    ¡°I agree with Wyford,¡± Mitha said, crossing her arms. ¡°We were supposed to complete the exam, not be senselessly slaughtered like cattle. I don¡¯t expect someone of your high status to understand our woes. We only stayed because of the special benefits Branch Leader Selena promised. It¡¯s bound to be something amazing. Playing it safe is the smarter choice. If that makes us weaklings, then I¡¯ll gladly take that on the chin.¡°


    They have a point, Tyrus mused. It was wise to stay in the rundown shack for another hour or two, as long as the lizards didn''t discover their hiding place. It was the safe thing to do. It was the exact plan Tyrus had in mind when he first step foot in the Wasteful Wetlands. The primary aim of the exam was to last for three hours, rather than prioritize killing beasts or seeking treasures. Igneal was essentially doing the opposite of what was assigned.


    To make matters worse, Tyrus was in a worse condition than he was before entering the fishing village. Recovering as much as he could should be his top priority. Confronting the masked sorcerer may not do good things for his body and could even speed up his mortality. If he meditated now, refilling his mana heart should go smoother. But before that, there was something important to finish.


    ¡°I¡¯m not in great condition to head out right now, so we should stay here for the time being,¡± Tyrus said, looking straight into Igneal¡¯s disgusted eyes. ¡°Just think about it for a moment. We should spend this break recovering our stamina and mana. Heading into battle weakened and tired is entirely stupid, a plan unfit for a sorcerer. If we were to fight a dark sorcerer unprepared, then achieving our goals won¡¯t happen if we¡¯re dead. The family head position would transfer to one of your siblings instead. You don¡¯t want that, do you, Igneal?¡±


    Igneal stared back. His eyes then roamed all over Tyrus, fixating on the several gashes all over his body. An uncomfortable silence filled the room as no one spoke. Another gust of wind passed through the crack of the door, making the whole structure rattle feverishly. The foul smells outside seeped inside the shack like a poisonous fog, enveloping their noses and clinging to their garments.


    Everyone watched Igneal, anxiously awaiting him to say something. Anything. The noble wore an unreadable expression, as his gaze never faltered on Tyrus. For a second, a twinge of annoyance flashed in Igneal¡¯s eyes before he turned his back. Igneal casually walked towards the farthest corner and sat with his back against the wall.


    ¡°You make a compelling argument. We¡¯ll sit in this stink hole for the time being. However, once I have fully recuperated, I¡¯m setting off. With an artifact and the chance to get rid of a dark sorcerer within my reach, my patience is growing thin.¡±


    Tyrus nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Igneal. We¡¯ll be out of here soon. Mitha and Wyford can stay while we deal with the threat ourselves later. We can¡¯t force them to do something they don¡¯t want to do. Remember our conversation earlier?¡±


    ¡°No need to reiterate what you''ve already mentioned. Just stop talking and focus on your mana heart.¡±


    As if the conversation was over, Igneal shut his eyes and stayed quiet. Sometimes he would take a deep breath, lying completely still. Tyrus figured he was meditating and regaining his mana back. Throughout the journey, he heavily depleted his mana reserves.


    Either way, it was ridiculous easily to convince Igneal. Tyrus immediately figured out how to handle the noble the moment he got somewhat used to his personality. Stoking his ego and using words he wanted to hear worked most of the time. So long as what Tyrus said went along with what he wanted to hear, he should be safe for the time being.


    Frankly, Tyrus was stalling as much as he could. Using the rest break was just an excuse to burn out the clock. If he went out with a heavily injured body, he wouldn¡¯t last a minute, especially if it was against that same masked man he encountered. Fleeing from enemies with the mindset he held now was the equivalent of wishing to meet his deathbed. Without confidence, without luck, his survival rate was near zero.


    Wyford was most likely correct that they were left to fend for themselves. It was strange that despite their experiences, none of them were saved by an overseer. Just thinking about how he and the others barely made it out alive made him think about the others. If Wyford and Mitha were captured easily, then the other applicants were probably dead or running for their lives.


    Lost in thought, Tyrus failed to notice that Wyford had moved away from his original position in the room and approached Tyrus.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he whispered, his face nearing Tyrus¡¯s ears. ¡°You sure you two aren¡¯t close? I don¡¯t know if you realized, but you¡¯re speaking to a noble informally. Are you one yourself?¡±


    Tyrus almost laughed. ¡°I wish. I''m just a nobody wishing for a lavish and wealthy life like a noble. Honestly, we''re not close at all.¡±


    ¡°Then how come Lord Igneal allows you to speak to him as if your equals?¡±


    Tyrus arched an eyebrow. ¡°As if we¡¯re equals? I¡¯d rather eat rat feces than refer to him as Lord Igneal. Besides, he doesn¡¯t really care what I call him. He tried to correct me before, but when he noticed I wasn¡¯t biting, he stopped and allowed it. At this point I¡¯m tolerating him, but don¡¯t tell him that.¡±


    Wyford rubbed his chin with a finger. ¡°How odd... Nobles rarely act that friendly with commoners, not even to their own associates. There''s definitely something he desires from you.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, I know.¡±


    Mumbling to himself, Wyford took a step back and brushed past a bored Mitha, inspecting the building once more. Once Tyrus found himself alone, he stood up from his seat and found a clean spot with no debris or tangled roots to settle into, where he then started his meditation. In the limited time he was given, he would have to collect as much as possible.


    It was about time he checked the Sorcerer Plane.

 Chapter 83- Brief Lessons

    Checking the Sorcerer Plane was one of the few things to look forward to. Apart from the visually captivating image of his mana as an intricate branch system, having a transparent view of one''s progress proved to be intriguing and helpful. Additionally, it offered a glimpse into the pace of his training and highlighted areas that required change.


    Aside from his mana reservoir, there were also the elements he had unlocked, the same being fire, lightning, and light. Everything in the Sorcerer Plane reflected a sorcerer¡¯s cultivation of mana and elements, offering them a mental image in clear view of their accomplishments.


    The last time Tyrus accessed the Sorcerer Plane was when he was meditating in the cave with Igneal. Light maintained its original form, resembling a small spherical shape suitable for a lantern. Fire was still at the level of a candle, yet lightning had noticeable improvements. Now, it had expanded to the size of a campfire, with lightning tendrils swirling and hissing, reminiscent of angry serpents.


    It was no surprise that his progress was most noticeable in this particular area. Many times he mentioned he would train the others, specifically light because of its usefulness, but he would always go back to lightning, what he was best at. There was also little time to train as well with all the predicaments that fell upon his lap. Once this was all over, he¡¯d have to return to what he did best.


    When he last checked, his third branch of the mana reservoir was halfway full, but now it was only a quarter away from being filled. Just another push would he reach the fourth branch. What that entailed, he had little clue, yet it wouldn¡¯t take long to find out. Using an element consistently while increasing his mana capacity and control were the most basic requirements, and he did both.


    Maybe this time he¡¯d unlock another element, but would it really be worth it? He already had his hands full with three elements, let alone lightning and augmentation. Never had training augmentation crossed his mind, yet using it had quite a lot of times. Understanding and using augmentation magic was effortless, as if finding a branch in a forest.


    In brief, there was remarkable progress made within a short timeframe. Currently, his mana heart was at around 10%, lightning had increased to the size of a campfire, and it wouldn¡¯t be long until he reached his fourth branch.


    While that was all well and good, there was one glaring problem. The flow of mana inside his blood would not calm. Adding to the problem, his mana count was further diminished by scattered black blots.


    By concentrating, one can visualize the mana pathways of a sorcerer. Mana thrumming with life course through their veins. The mana that was supposed to flow in a sorcerer¡¯s body was smooth and consistent, like a steady current of water if they exercised control. Instead, Tyrus was rough and erratic, which was odd when he had calmed the pattern many times before. Was the damage he sustained the culprit?


    Besides that, the black patches in his pathways were nothing short of dangerous; it was definitely corrupted mana. What bothered Tyrus was how it got there in the first place and how long it had been residing in his body.


    Corrupted mana was toxic to a sorcerer¡¯s body and mind, that much he knew. Elder Treant¡¯s warnings came to mind about how it would be wise to avoid them at all costs. The amount inside was small, but if left alone, he would surely feel the more devastating effects, and he would not wait and find out just how painful it would be.


    The question, though, was how he was going to expel it outward. Absorbing mana and emitting it was easy enough, but he wasn¡¯t familiar with the latter, which was to expel mana out of his body. He could opt for a reckless approach and hope for a positive outcome, but there was a risk that he might unintentionally worsen the situation, much like pushing a needle further into the skin. Where would the corrupted mana wander off to as well? There were a few possibilities, that being the surrounding air or it seeking another host. Giving another person his troubles didn¡¯t sound all that pleasing.


    Tyrus opened one eye and fixed a steady gaze on the motionless Igneal. The idea of seeking help from the noble wasn''t appealing to him, but desperate times required drastic measures. There was a high chance Igneal would decline or provide an untrustworthy answer, especially considering his reputation. Mitha and Wyford probably didn¡¯t know either, since they were unblessed.


    Why am I thinking about this? Best to get it over with and pray he doesn¡¯t hold it against me.


    Rising from where he was, Tyrus made his way to Igneal. The noble heard his footsteps and cracked one eye open, then fully opened both when he noticed Tyrus kneeling right in front of him.


    ¡°I have a question, if you¡¯re willing to answer.¡±


    Igneal snickered. ¡°I don¡¯t mind imparting my wisdom to you. Well, what is it?¡±


    ¡°How do I expel corrupted mana?¡±


    Igneal¡¯s smirk disappeared. A moment passed, and he sat up. ¡°Hmph, I expected you to know the answer. Does my sister not teach you anything? Well, no matter. How bad is it?¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t a lot, but it¡¯s enough to bother me.¡±


    ¡°I see. If it''s not a significant amount, the solution is straightforward as long as it''s not a severe issue. Releasing corrupted mana from your body demands a touch that is akin to a surgeon¡¯s touch. You must gently coax the corrupted mana out, not forcefully like what a madman would do. That will only make it worse.¡±


    Tyrus frowned. ¡°Coax the corrupted mana out? How am I supposed to do that?¡±


    ¡°Clear your mind and envision the flow of mana throughout your body, corrupted mana included. Picture it gently floating outside, like the mana wasn''t meant to be in you. It¡¯s a visualization technique Fledgling Sorcerers undergo.¡±


    Tyrus waited a few seconds for Igneal to continue, but nothing. ¡°...That¡¯s it? I thought the process would be a bit more difficult.¡±


    ¡°The severity of corruption is what makes it challenging. If the situation is grave, then the method is a bit more complex. For instance, if half of your mana pathways are corrupted, you''ll experience symptoms resembling mana deprivation, and more Your magic''s effectiveness would be halved, and your skin would feel like it had been immersed in molten lava. From there on is when you experience hell.¡±


    ¡°What happens if a mana heart is fully corrupted?¡± Tyrus asked.


    ¡°Are you familiar with the story Draknir¡¯s Folly?¡±


    Tyrus tilted his head. ¡°What¡¯s a folly and who¡¯s Draknir?¡±


    Igneal¡¯s expression soured. ¡°Sometimes, I forget of your origins. Draknir was a Conjuration Sorcerer whose curiosity knew no bounds. A seeker of knowledge, a man who yearned to unlock the secrets of mana and ultimately achieve godhood. He thought that to achieve such an impossible dream, corrupted mana was the key to it all.¡±


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°Far and wide he traveled the lands of Dharmere, searching for traces of corrupted mana and learning all he could. Many sprouts of corruption he found, storing them within common items and transforming them into magical items. Some say he created so many that his stash could fill an entire treasury.¡±


    ¡°However, his boundless curiosity proved to be his downfall. On a random day, his entire laboratory suddenly erupted into a gigantic explosion. Plumes of corrupted mana filled the skies, clouding a region of land with its virulent energy. Not only did villages and swaths of land get afflicted by corrupted mana, but animals transformed into mutated beings, and plants mutated into horrors.¡±


    ¡°The loss of many lives and the extensive destruction suffered have resulted in the area becoming forever uninhabitable for regular humans and animals. Only those whose bodies have adapted to corrupted mana can stay, otherwise, the same fate awaits them. Draknir¡¯s body was nowhere to be found. That is Draknir¡¯s folly; a man who foolishly believed he could reach the status of a god.¡±


    ¡°Not the best origin story.¡± Tyrus commented.


    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t,¡± Igneal agreed. ¡°Which is why corrupting your mana heart is taboo among sorcerers. Your heart''s corruption is probably due to mindlessly absorbing mana. It''s important for sorcerers to be mindful of the energy they absorb when around corrupted mana. When there is excessive corruption, your heart essentially stops functioning or bursts. Furthermore, there is the remote possibility of turning into a malevolent beast.¡±


    Tyrus shivered. ¡°So, you''re saying I just have to let the corrupted mana out slowly? That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, then let the tainted mana simmer. I''d be happy to have front row seats to observe its effects.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to get nasty,¡± said Tyrus as he rose and returned to his spot. He assumed a meditative pose and closed his eyes. Quickly, a visual image of his mana pathways connecting to his mana heart appeared. The usual, pristine glow of his mana pathways was not like the others; blots of inky black scattered around. A clump of them was floating near his left foot while another flowed from his elbow to his shoulder. There was even a large group hovering dangerously near his heart, where it beat erratically.


    It wasn¡¯t the most pleasant thing he saw, but at least he found it easily. The real task lay on getting rid of it. As long as Igneal was correct, then the process should be as simple as walking. It sounded easy, but if someone told him to pluck out an ant¡¯s legs blindfolded before he could kill it, he would admit it sounded impossible.


    One by one, he focused on the clump near his left foot and slowly prodded it. For a second it resisted, before it gradually floated out of his skin. Tyrus released a mental sigh of relief and continued on the next, and the one after that. The larger groups were slightly more difficult because of the clumps resisting at every point, but it eventually floated outward as the rest did.


    Treating the clumps of corruption as if it were diseased skin was like performing an operation with a small slice to the infected area and removing the rotten part before it spread further. It was tricky, it was slow, but in the end, there were no mistakes. Until he reached the one near his heart.


    Similar to punching a wall, the corrupted mana refused to budge. Tyrus tried again, this time exerting more of his will against it. Stubbornness ensued, and still it refused to move. Instead, the mana was actively resisting, as if it desired to spread further through his pathways, yet Tyrus pressed on. The thought of his skin becoming as hot as lava or an exploding heart was terrifying, yet the stubborn blot of corruption would not obey no matter what he did.


    It edged closer to his heart, which began beating even faster. A jab of pain in his chest startled him, and his visualization of his mana pathways wavered briefly before reappearing in full force. Once again, he exerted his will onto the black mass, this time pouring most of his focus on it and mentally probing the corrupted mana for any weak points.


    Fortunately, it stopped just a finger¡¯s width away. Sweat dripped from Tyrus¡¯s cheeks as he dragged the corrupted mana away. Like a boulder, it was heavy, harder to move than all the others. An ache inside his chest constantly tugged his willpower, almost breaking him away, but he persisted. The process was slow and annoying, but progress was being made. And finally, the last sliver of corruption slowly slid outward of his mana pathway, joining the rest, and all was silent.


    Tyrus flung his eyes open and slouched. ¡°Phew... It¡¯s all out. That took way longer than I thought.¡±


    Immediately, he felt the effects of removing the corrupted mana. The oppressive sensation in his chest vanished, and he felt slightly lighter. His mana ran smooth through the pathways and its flow steadied. The rate of mana absorption increased as well.


    ¡°You still have one last thing to accomplish,¡± Igneal said from across the room. He pointed above Tyrus. ¡°What will you do about the corrupted mana out of your system? Leave it to float away? Send it toward those poor commoner souls?¡±


    Wyford squirmed in his seat. ¡°Unlike you two, we can¡¯t detect or see mana. But I have heard about the effects of corrupted mana on us unblessed. Would prefer to steer clear of that, thank you very much.¡±


    ¡°Okay... So what do I do?¡± Tyrus asked.


    ¡°Usually corrupted mana would be purified by using the Milli Method, but we don¡¯t have a light affinity specialist around. The Staraz Method will suffice.¡±


    ¡°Uh, what?¡±


    ¡°Overpower the corrupted mana with your own mana,¡± Igneal said with a sigh. ¡°Pure mana tends to be more resilient and stable than corrupted mana. It is less prone to fluctuations and disruptions. If the amount of untainted mana present is significantly greater than the small amount of corrupted mana, neutralizing the corruption becomes easier. Then, it¡¯ll convert into pure mana.¡±


    Tyrus scratched his cheek and looked up at the corrupted mana drifting around like evil fireflies. To counteract the contamination, he had to use his own magical abilities. The idea of using his limited mana for the task did not sound enticing. Then again, passing on the opportunity to change mana itself was just as dumb. When else would an opportunity like this come by?


    Shrugging, Tyrus raised his arm, palm facing the clump. A Lightning bolt or Dual Shot would be a waste of mana. Better to do something simple yet effective enough. A clump of corrupted mana shouldn¡¯t be challenging.


    In the corner of his eye, Mitha and Wyford were backing away slowly.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mind us unblessed,¡± Mitha said nervously, giving him a quick smile and turning away. ¡°Continue with your sorcerer stuff.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t taking any chances!¡± Wyford scurried until he reached the opposite corner, bumping into it and flailing to find something. ¡°Found a blanket! Ugh! Smells like crap washed in sewage water!¡±


    Tyrus dismissed them from his mind and refocused on the corrupted mana. As he was about to unleash a spell from his fingertips, he froze. A sense of dread gnawed at him, which intensified when he turned for the door.


    Igneal sensed Tyrus¡¯s distress and stood up, unsheathing his sword. ¡°What is it this time? Have those accursed lizardmen finally found us?¡±


    Tyrus darted his eyes left and right, looking all over the room, and he soon realized his nervousness came from a foreign presence. It was faint, but in the distance he heard the air shift, the distant whoosh of something moving fast. But before he could process what it was exactly, something crashed through the ceiling. Rubble and debris rained down on everyone, and a fresh wave of stink slammed Tyrus¡¯s sensitive nostrils. Coughing and sputtering from the dirt he inhaled, Tyrus squinted his eyes and tried to see through the dust.


    The tall beast from before filled his vision. Its appearance resembled that of a large humanoid bird, and its plumage raven black, covering most of its body except for its limbs. Its beak, sharp and curved, was large enough to crack open his skull. Talons as long as his hand dug themselves on the wooden floor, the creature steadying itself after a devastating fall. Underneath the feathers on its neck, a brown, thick-skinned collar wrapped around the entire length. After it shook its body of splinters and shavings, it stretched its wings, nearly spanning a quarter of the building¡¯s entrance.


    Its feathers puffed at the sight of Wyford and Mitha, talons clacking and shadowy eyes glinting. Most of Tyrus¡¯s breath vanished upon laying his eyes on it. Just like last time with the gorilla-like beast, a pang of sorrow stabbed through him, and his skin crawled.


    The bird beast let out a shrill shriek before lunging at the shocked pair. Tyrus snapped out of his stupor and reached for the beast, though he was an entire second too late. With lightning-fast speed, the bird beast rammed into Wyford, slamming through the wall and back into the outside air.


    ¡°Wyford!¡± Mitha screeched as she stepped out from the hole, bow ready.


    Tyrus brought out his sword and scrambled after them, his blood already pumping in anticipation.

 Chapter 84- Aerial Assault

    Hovering above the trees, the creature had ensnared Wyford''s leg with one of its talon feet. With each passing moment, it showed no signs of stopping, carrying Wyford towards who knows where. A trail of blood followed from Wyford''s leg, each drop falling to the ground like rain.


    Firmly resolved, Tyrus aimed at the creature, fully prepared to unleash a Light Bolt, when a sudden swoosh of air brushed past him. Mitha pulled her arrow back from its motionless state and took aim once more, releasing it as the arrow followed the movement of the beast.


    The winged creature must have been aware of the attack and swiftly retracted its wings. Tyrus watched the arrow sail further than Mitha¡¯s last shot, arching ever so slightly, and then dropping. A piercing screech filled the air as the bird beast altered its path towards a line of trees. The relaxed flapping turned into panicked swooshes as it desperately tried to orient itself.


    Upon realizing they were descending, Wyford raised his sword. By letting out a yell, the man successfully grazed the creature''s leg despite its unsteady wobbling. Crying out, the creature released Wyford, causing him to collide with the trees and vanish from sight behind a formation of rocks.


    ¡°We got to help him,¡± Mitha urged.


    Tyrus nodded, and the pair rushed after where Wyford had fallen. Along the way, the beast was nowhere in sight, which meant it could be on the move. The further Tyrus and Mitha trekked, the more intense the chills that coursed along Tyrus''s back became. The air became less putrid, but the acrid smell of vomit lingered in the surrounding undergrowth. His senses whined as his stomach churned from the air lashing his face. Nevertheless, his state was far better than its previous state, leaving him with no room for complaints.


    To stay alert, Tyrus made a point of keeping his eyes peeled for anything happening above him. The fog made it hard to see, but he didn''t think the mysterious beast would bother staying nearby. However, being in unfamiliar surroundings did not provide him with a sense of security.


    After that little display of bodies back there, they were in its territory, its hunting grounds. It knew its way around, aware of every nook and cranny. Ambushes were a likely thing to occur, proven true when it tried to snatch Igneal as if he were a rodent. Adding to the problem, only Tyrus could hear the sound of its wings flapping in the distance. Given its speed, the others were easy targets without him in these conditions.


    In this uncertain scenario, Tyrus wished for Wyford''s well-being, as it was unknown who would fall victim next. Hopefully the creature decided it wasn''t worth the trouble and flew away to another location.


    Speaking of somewhere... Where¡¯s Igneal? Is he still back in the shack?


    ¡°Ugh...¡±


    A groan nearby had Tyrus stop in his tracks. Mitha and Tyrus glanced at each other briefly before they both rushed forward, climbing over a fallen log. Next to a pair of rocks and laying on top of a puddle with broken branches was Wyford. Covered in cuts and bruises, the man favored his left leg as he tried to sit up.


    Mitha ran straight to him. ¡°Wyford!¡±


    ¡°Easy there,¡± Wyford said, smiling weakly as he pushed himself up with his sword as a crutch. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Luckily for me, this ol¡¯ tree broke my fall, though I think I¡¯m going to have one hell of a nasty bruise in the morning.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s your leg?¡±


    Wyford shuffled his feet in response. ¡°Banged up, but I can manage. Thought I was a goner up there! Then again, when else would I get to fly like that? Besides that, my fate lies elsewhere.¡±


    With the help of his sword, Wyford lifted onto his feet, grunting. ¡°Yep. Definitely won¡¯t be getting up tomorrow. I¡¯ll probably have to drag my leg around like a wounded animal. Hey, I don¡¯t suppose you got some magic spell to help with this, do you¡ª¡±


    A rustling tree branch nearby interrupted him. Tyrus tensed up and turned at the noise just in time to see a shadow flitting in and out of the fog. Tyrus stepped away from the two and held his sword low at his side, tracking the noise of leaves being crunched and sticks snapping.


    Erratic shadows from above appeared for an instant, but disappeared as fast as they came. It was easy to track its brief appearance, but the worry was its uncertain next appearance. Occasionally, it appeared from the left, or from their right, and often from behind them. It appeared as though the creature was strategically circling them, waiting for the right opportunity.


    At least, that¡¯s what Tyrus would do in a situation like this. In this situation, Wyford was the injured animal, but his pack was there to defend him. Being alone, the creature''s repeated emergence from the rear showed a deliberate pattern, which Tyrus was certain it meant to outmaneuver them. It was a tactic he used most frequently during hunts, and especially when he fought against the rock spiders. However, this time they were facing an aerial creature, and time was not on their side at all.


    He glanced back at Mitha and Wyford and noticed that Mitha had her bow readied, an arrow between her fingers. She wore a grim expression, her lips pursed into a tight frown. Wyford sometimes reached for his injured leg and tried to wipe away the blood the talons had struck him. The man grimaced and muttered something about women and home, while tightly clutching his weapon.


    Tyrus looked around. All that surrounded them were trees, rocks, and overgrown shrubbery. No cave or hole to hide in, and no buildings like the rickety home from earlier to shield them. They were at risk of being picked off from the ground, so there was no chance they would make it back in time. Something would have to grab the beasts¡¯ creature while they made their escape.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Grabbing its attention,¡± Tyrus muttered. In a moment, a plan materialized in his mind, and he paused to take a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll distract the beast while you two escape somewhere.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Mitha yelled. ¡°You¡ª¡±


    Tyrus had already rushed off before she could finish, eyes set at where the creature was previously. Quickly, he climbed onto the highest boulder he could find and righted himself. Up high, Tyrus raised his arm toward the sky and unleashed a Light Bolt. It shot up into a shower of gold, a makeshift torch, but still visible in this gloomy environment.


    He waited with bated breath for a response. From behind, a soft flapping sound reached his ears. Tyrus¡¯s ears twitched, and his heartbeat pounded loudly in his chest. Every step he took on the rock wobbled him slightly, but he kept steady. He always had a good sense of balance, a useful skill in many situations, such as this.


    After a few seconds of silence passed, the flapping grew to a thunderous boom. The bird beast burst out from the fog and lunged right at him. Tyrus had little time to react as he threw himself off the boulder. Its sharp talons raked him across the back as he rolled away. His skin prickled at the assault, and he felt warm liquid run down his back, staining his clothes.


    Immediately, he stopped rolling and stood up just in time to parry its swiping talon with his sword. The force of the strike knocked him back into the mud, though he could tell its strength was not as powerful as the gorilla-like beast. With the extra effort his brain could muster, Tyrus rolled out of the way and dashed away from it.


    ¡°I can do this,¡± Tyrus breathed heavily. His sword shook in his hand and his muscles felt like jelly. ¡°I just need to attract it more.¡±


    Tyrus and the beast stared each other down, both their chests rising from the exertion. The longer Tyrus looked into its eyes, the stronger his intuition grew that something was amiss. Like the previous beast from before, its eyes were unnatural; its pupils were as black as night, piercing through the fog similar to how a lantern would dispel the darkness. There was a complete absence of emotion in their eyes, not even a hint of malice or hunger like typical beasts, or even any regular animal, for that matter.


    Levitating a few fingers off the ground, the bird stared at him. Its eyes squinted, as if preparing to attack again, but it did the opposite. Weirdly enough, it shook its head and scratched the ground with its talons, inching backward ever so slightly. Then it raised its wings and let out a cry, its voice strangely unhinged as it flew above the treetops and angled its body in the other direction.


    Did... Did it decide I¡¯m not worth it anymore? Tyrus speculated, confused by the strange behavior. Yet again, another beast in his presence diverted their attention elsewhere. Tyrus didn¡¯t know whether to feel glad or insulted that he wasn¡¯t being seen as a threat. Still, something was going on here, and Tyrus could feel it. There was a piece of a puzzle missing...


    Tyrus followed the bird¡¯s line of sight, set directly on a fleeing Wyford and Mitha. They were heading for the house, their speed sluggish because of Wyford¡¯s leg injury. Positioned to dive at a moment''s notice, the predator surveyed their every action, concealed from their view as it readied itself to initiate its attack.


    ¡°...Tch. Don''t act like I''m invisible!¡±


    With a decision made, Tyrus sheathed his sword and leaped for the nearest tree. His body swelled with power and his claws grew in as he crouched as low as he could on a thick trunk. Just as the creature began its flight, Tyrus pushed himself off and jumped in its direction. His claws grabbed onto its leg and the bird beast cried in surprise.


    It began trashing about, swinging its wings wildly at its new passenger. Tyrus latched on for dear life, feeling the air pummel him in the face. One lucky hit smashed against his head, and a nasty headache throbbed afterward. When it noticed he wouldn¡¯t let go, it twirled around like a top.


    Tyrus nearly hurled at the sensation of spinning in circles in the air. His sense of balance was on the verge of snapping and his sight turned into a blurry mess. The dizziness was so bad that he shut his eyes, but doing so only made him feel sicker than before. He had to do something before he truly hurled on it, not wanting to find out what would happen if he did so.


    Slowly, he inched up his claws further and reached for its belly. In the jumbled mess that was his brain, Tyrus conjured forth his intent to stun. The same old blue tendrils shot from his fingers and snaked across the creature, except it only covered a quarter of its body. Fortunately, that included half of its right wing, which was enough to deter its flight.


    Immediately, it let out a shrill cry while it bobbed up and down with one wing. Tyrus used its confusion and slower speed to climb onto its back, wary of the feathers stabbing him the whole time. Some of them he could push aside with his claws, others weren¡¯t so lucky.


    After successfully positioning himself on the creature, Tyrus secured his legs around its torso and wrapped his arms around its neck. The idea of either stabbing or choking the creature crossed his mind, but they were still a considerable distance from the ground. Falling from such a height would undoubtedly lead to a few broken bones. Perhaps he could minimize the extent of his injuries by utilizing augmentation, but he hadn''t actually checked its effectiveness through testing. Now that he thought about it, he could say that applied to most of his magic...


    It didn¡¯t take long for the beast to regain full control of its body. It kicked its left leg aggressively to throw him off again, thrashing its one wing at an untimed pace. Tyrus locked his legs harder as the creature dipped left and right erratically, narrowly missing a tree by a hairsbreadth. Tyrus could sense he was annoying it with how its breathing was turning hasty, a sure sign it would ramp things up. That was a good thing. It meant it was totally focused on him. Ignoring him was a big mistake, and now they''re paying for it!


    This is kind of fun...


    Thinking like this was crazy, but excitement coursed through his body like wildfire. Fear bubbled in the confines of his heart, yet exhilaration overshadowed it. His body itched to fight as well, but his brain screamed at him to control his impulses. Having a nice little flight on the beast was all fine and dandy, but that could easily change. With the speed they were going, nothing was stopping him from falling off at this very moment. The bird would catch onto his weight and twist in the air, bringing him smashing down onto the earth.


    Now that its attention is away from the other¡¯s let¡¯s see if I can steer this thing elsewhere.


    The figures of Mitha and Wyford were long gone, merely an afterthought in the fog. In their battle for control, the creature had flown away from its hunting grounds, nearing the familiar large waters Tyrus and Igneal had been following. The smell of the water calmed him in his distress, and his body relaxed considerably from the tension he was in before. Of course, he hadn¡¯t dared turn off augmentation or Beast Transformation. They were the reasons he hadn¡¯t been thrown off yet.


    After a while, the creature''s flight became steady with the extra weight, and it realized that it wouldn¡¯t get rid of its rider anytime soon. It was rapidly breathing, yet it showed no signs of fighting any longer. Apparently, he had worn it down to not resort to tricks, and Tyrus was thankful for it. Unless the creature tried lunging at another tree, Tyrus was certain it would end up crashing onto the rocks or the waters from how much it was resisting. Still, he accomplished his goal. Tyrus grabbed its attention and got them far away from the others. That was all well and good but...


    Tyrus wore a scowl as he said, ¡°Okay¡­ Now what?¡±

 Chapter 85- Revelation

    Looking back, Tyrus should have given more careful consideration to his plan.


    Eventually, this train of thought took shape in his mind. Riding on the back of this beast didn''t seem like the best or most strategic plan, but his gut feeling said otherwise. Now he found himself with a massive bird, slowly flying over unknown waters that were infested with menacing creatures. Oh, how Tyrus hated his plans sometimes.


    Need to give it my all and focus... If I release augmentation now, the bird will notice and shake me off.


    Sadly, the problem was that he had just replenished a small amount of his stamina and mana. Contrary to elemental magic, augmentation had a different nature. Remarkably, it was the one specialty that didn''t drain him excessively unless he deliberately decided so. He saw it as a leaking basket. With each new hole in the basket, the stream grew higher and higher. Luckily, it was not worse than water flowing through wood crevices.


    Circumstances prevented him from filling that gap, which was unfortunate. Not until he was confident in his safety would he disable his magic, something he was dearly missing at the moment. Tyrus just wished he had been a little smarter with the whole... latching onto the bird¡¯s leg thing.


    ¡°It¡¯s just you and me now,¡± Tyrus mumbled.


    Seconds ticked by, and the colder his face grew. The cool air chilled his hot cheeks as they flew peacefully above the water. Tyrus couldn¡¯t help but shiver at its bitter embrace. The enchanted coat reverted to its shorter form, leaving him with tattered trousers and a shirt. Such inefficient garments felt like he was marching around with his bare bum.


    Far below him were countless undulating gray waves and thickening fog. Patches of land, or at least shapes that reminded him of land, could occasionally be seen. Most of them were barren, rocky mounds where few plants lived. His eyes had adjusted well enough to notice some crocodiles relaxed on the rocky mounds, presumably napping in the moist air. Nothing stopped the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks and the wind¡¯s loud cry. Not even Tyrus.


    Despite his unease and his situation with the big bird, Tyrus actually had a surprisingly relaxing time. There were no beasts out to kill him and he was not constantly running from danger, watching every corner, waiting for the enemy to pounce and sink their teeth into him. No... He just flew on a giant bird. Until now, his life had been disorderly, and he only experienced occasional moments of calm.


    Oops, my mind wandered again. Need to stay focused. My mana reservoir is sufficient for one Dual Shot. Better stick with silent casting to limit the output.


    Pain lingered in his head and legs, but he was fine for the most part. Nothing more than a dull ache that came and went periodically. Pain was something he had grown accustomed to. That didn¡¯t mean he wanted to experience it.


    From above, there wasn¡¯t much to see other than the water and patches of land. So, with nothing better to do at the moment, Tyrus activated mana sense and looked around. Not to his surprise, the air was chaotic. It had a weaker nature than his previous encounter, however. Countless black specks bounced around from place to place, either creating its own path or becoming turbulent against the white specks.


    When he angled his head to the right, the air in his lungs nearly fell out. A torrent of corrupted mana jutted out into the distance. From what little Tyrus could see, it coagulated together, and when it didn¡¯t break apart, it traveled. Along the path, it grabbed whatever black speck was in its way and added them to its body, growing stronger and more plentiful than the pure mana.


    Where it came from, it was hard to determine because of the fog, but the general terrain was discernible. Alongside a long bridge, a huge statue kind of shaped like a raindrop stood in the middle of grimy water. Small boats as plentiful as bread in a bakery occupied the surrounding surface, their hasty movements further stirred the murky waters and disturbed the foul smell in the air.


    Almost blending in with the scenery and dwarfing the statue was a sickly tree. Its branches were barren and the trunk itself seemed more dead than alive. Piles upon piles of decayed plantlife and dead carcasses surrounded its base. The place didn¡¯t look too good at all. Tyrus also could¡¯ve sworn a jagged line at the base quivered, but he thought the shifting fog was playing tricks on his eyes.


    That has to be the source of corruption! And there¡¯s so much of it too... Getting close really is a bad idea. Looks like I was right and Igneal is the crazy one for even suggesting it.


    Though he was still a way away from the origin, his skin crawled in protest as the corrupt aura intensified by the second. To him, it looked as if a colony of ants were charging forward on a mindless mission.


    The real question was just how anyone could survive in such harsh conditions. Tyrus failed to see how the masked man could resist, let alone control the corrupted mana. Their mana heart would surely have been corrupted a long time ago. Hopefully their hearts had exploded, and no one had to deal with the dark sorcerer. One thing he knew was that he never stepping foot into that place.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t get any closer to the corrupted mana,¡± Tyrus said absent-mindedly.


    Out of nowhere, the creature¡¯s body twitched. Tyrus quickly glanced at it and heard it emit a shriek before darting ahead. With each new spin, Tyrus squeezed his fists harder and felt his throat become increasingly raw.


    The creature began flying in circles as it tilted its wings left and right, slowing its flight. Then, it spun in half of a circle and continued its flight as if nothing happened. It made no more attempts to shake him off or even peck his brain out. The wheels in his head turned.


    It¡¯s retracing its steps? And it happened so quick and weird too. Right after I said to stay away from the corrupted mana.


    Warmth was slowly returning to his face as they got further away from the corrupted mana. That wasn¡¯t the thing currently disturbing him, however. The beast definitely heard and understood his intentions. To prove that he was right, some further testing would be needed.


    ¡°...If you can hear me, get closer to the water!¡±


    Another shriek later, the beast tilted its wings up and was soon lowering itself dangerously close to the gray waters below. As Tyrus had expected, it swerved to avoid rocks and any other obstacle in its path. Soon enough, they were cruising on the waters, creating ripples as it hovered.


    Okay, this is weird, Tyrus thought. For whatever reason, this creature could understand his speech to a degree. Right now, Tyrus honestly didn¡¯t know whether to be afraid or relieved. What was so different from the two beasts he met than the rest? Swamp imps, rock spiders, and goblins tried to kill at first glance. Yet the gorilla and bird ignored him entirely, targeting lizardmen and Wyford. Actually, they ignored Igneal as well.


    Off the top of his head, all he knew was that these particular beasts display little hostility to him and differed from regular beasts. Additionally, whenever he first laid his eyes on them, a weird feeling eclipsed his heart. Almost like an invisible hand was squeezing it.


    The longer his mind wandered, the more Tyrus felt the urge to poke the bear. Curiosity was driving him crazy, and Tyrus only learned a few things from his life. First, to always ponder your decisions thoroughly because a well thought out plan could save him many times over, and to always be wary of his surroundings.


    As his thoughts consumed him, Tyrus hadn¡¯t realized that the beast had already reached the shore. They passed by a group of goblins amid a battle with some swamp imps, both sides snarling and slashing at each other¡¯s throats.


    Nearby the combatants were a familiar set of beasts with swamp-drenched fur and long limbs in the middle of a chase. Their legs moved in a blur, as if the wind itself aided them in their hunt while their coats flowed gracefully. What they were chasing was a stray swine that bobbed and weaved through overgrown roots and tall grass.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the swine to slip and crash headfirst into a large rock. The pursuers immediately caught up and shredded the swine into tiny pieces within seconds. More beasts soon descended upon the carcass. Had the Wasteful Wetlands always been this chaotic? Must be because of the corrupted mana, no doubt.


    Aside from the grueling display, Tyrus quickly recognized where he was. They had arrived at the spot where the beast had dropped Wyford; he was positive. Further down was the path he and Mitha took to escape from. The creature was definitely returning to its hunting grounds. If the others were still there, would the beast attack them on sight, or would it hold back if ordered not to? So far it had been following along his words.


    Wouldn¡¯t hurt to try, Tyrus thought.


    On the verge of testing his assumption, the decrepit home entered his view. He knew it was the same one because of the many holes, especially the gaping hole in its walls and roof. He half expected the others to be hiding inside, or at least vacated as quickly as possible. But as fate would have it, neither came true. What occupied the building instead, entering and leaving like children who had just lost their parents, were the lizardmen.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Great,¡± Tyrus hissed. ¡°Of course they¡¯re here. The fighting probably attracted them.¡±


    Were Igneal and the others caught by them? It hadn¡¯t been long since he and the bird beast flew away. Or at least he thought so. For all he knew, time had been tedious as they glided through the sky. So far, he had spotted no red hair, or a human, for that matter. Just a bunch of beasts ransacking and searching the building as they spoke an unfamiliar language to each other. Bone helmet or the one with the feathered garb was nowhere to be seen. Must be a scouting party or something similar.


    A lizardmen who stepped out from the hole looked up and pointed at the sky, shouting, attracting two more to stare in his direction. Two raised their spears as their forked tongues hissed and their eyes drenched with malicious intent. One of them raised their spear and chucked it straight at Tyrus.


    ¡°D-Dodge it!¡±


    Within seconds, it turned its body to the side and swooped sharply to the left. The spear glided by, almost grazing the beast¡¯s right wing. The commotion alerted even more lizardmen, forcing the rest to leave the decrepit home and join the crowd below. All were armed and readied their weapons at the beast, either throwing them or raising them high, waiting for the perfect moment to release.


    Shrill cries filled the air as it angled its wings down. As Tyrus¡¯s body flattened against its feathers, he readied his knees. A wave of nausea swept over him as his heart thumped. Whether it was from reckless flying or his dwindling reservoir from maintaining augmentation was irrelevant after what happened next.


    ¡°That was way too close... I need to get out of here! Er, bird beast, take us somewhere¡ª¡±


    From beyond the trees and boulders leading toward the line of trees, Tyrus glimpsed a green beam flashing out from below the shadows of overgrown grass. Something swooshed right by the bird¡¯s feathery legs. It narrowly avoided a potentially deadly blow just in time. It was lucky that the blast didn¡¯t singe its body.


    Yet, their luck had its limits.


    Something pinged off the bird¡¯s belly, another green blast from the same area. Its body became rigid as it squealed in pain. In a moment of panic, its body lost all sense of balance as it plunged straight into the earth. The impact threw Tyrus off into the tangled branches of twisted trees. As his body tore through the branches, he clamped his jaw shut and kept his eyes squeezed. A white-hot sting raced across his entire being.


    He crashed into an abandoned wagon, knocking the air out of his lungs. Time seemed to stand still for hours. Finally, he dared open his eyes, lifting his hazy gaze upward, thinking he was lucky to be alive, only to regret being alive. Tyrus groaned as he struggled to rise from the mess of splintered wood and metal.


    ¡°Ugh... My back...¡±


    It took Tyrus a good few seconds to climb over the wagon. Most of his weight shifted to his left as he tumbled out like a drunkard, not before stumbling over a boulder-sized bump protruding from the grass and wincing on his side. Eventually, after picking himself up from the filthy grass, he searched for any injuries.


    Thankfully, augmentation prevented the branches from penetrating his skin or sustaining any serious injuries. That wouldn¡¯t prevent him from dealing with aching muscles for the next few days, however. Getting tossed around for hours on end wasn¡¯t exactly his idea of a good time.


    His mouth tasted like iron seasoned with mud and his face was still cold to the touch, not including the burning bruises. Mana reservoir was reaching dangerous levels as well, given how his heart was beating faster than a drum. Aside from that, his clothes and head were fine. He needed to find a safe place to hide, fast.


    Tyrus, while taking in deep breaths, scanned around. There were no signs of a hiding place, like a hole or hollow tree, for him to find refuge. The lizardmen were nowhere to be seen as well, especially the one responsible for bringing him down. The bird beast''s whereabouts were unknown, too. Hopefully, it escaped with no harm...


    Wait, what¡¯s the matter with me? The bird beast was the reason we¡¯re separated and running again...


    His head throbbed as he pushed aside the useless thoughts and moved. Not wanting to risk confronting the lizardmen upfront, he moved towards a corner formed by the intersecting of two fallen trees and a boulder larger than him. Slowly, he pressed his back against the surface and lowered himself. It wasn¡¯t much cover, but it was the best he could find.


    Not even a minute later did the wet slaps of hurried feet come to a halt nearby. From the corner of his vision, a reptilian head poked from behind a large rock across from him, a snout sniffing the air. As if satisfied, the lizardmen stepped out from his position, and behind him came seven more. The lizardmen with the feathered garb were amongst them. They all spotted the broken wagon and shambled toward it, inspecting the debris.


    ¡°The pochatl is near,¡± said the short lizardmen, its voice raspy.


    ¡°Your orders, Shaman?¡± asked another.


    ¡°To start, we eradicate that detestable bird. It shouldn¡¯t have gotten far after taking a hit from my energy beam. Examine all potential cracks and holes where it could have hidden itself. In the meantime, scan the area for the pochatl. The Beastfolk¡¯s stench is as potent as their stupidity.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Shaman! May nature¡¯s embrace protect you!¡±


    Without delay, the lizardmen separated and ventured their own ways, disappearing into the foliage. The one named Shaman stopped, the bones clattering as it moved around in circles. Grooves in the wet dirt formed as its tail trudged along, twitching right and left. Once again, it jabbed its head up and down, nostrils expanding and receding. It glanced in Tyrus¡¯s direction for a fraction of a second.


    Tyrus¡¯ heart leaped into his throat as he dared not breathe. He retreated further behind the corner until he could retreat no more. Like a lump in his throat, he wanted to swallow so badly. Minutes passed by before the Shaman turned and follow its brethren. Tyrus waited another minute, half expecting them to return until he realized he needed air.


    ¡°Haah!¡±


    Forced to gulp down another gasp of putrid air, Tyrus couldn¡¯t get enough oxygen to satiate his boiling blood, spiking like a fire poker. Once he calmed down, his breathing returned to a steady rhythm, and he slowly crawled out of his hiding place.


    ¡°T-That was too close! I thought I was found it when it looked over here, but that does not seem to be the case.¡±


    Not wanting to stay and find out if they¡¯d return, Tyrus rose and sprinted in the direction opposite of where they went. He had no concrete plans for where he was going. Nothing seemed recognizable to him, and the whereabouts of the others were unknown. All he knew was that he was closer to escaping and to lessen the chances of encountering those lizardmen, especially the Shaman.


    That lizardmen particularly was bad news.


    It was only for a moment, but that blast it emitted was strong. Way stronger than his Dual Shot spell, and possessed more mana than he had ever accumulated. He didn¡¯t think anyone except for Selena and maybe Fiona should be capable of attacking like that. What surprised him the most was that they attacked the creature mid-air with pinpoint accuracy. If that blast had connected to Tyrus instead, he wasn¡¯t sure if he would still be alive. No, he definitely would¡¯ve died on the spot.


    Tyrus ran for as long as he could, watching and listening for his enemies. Sword in hand, he stepped over snapped roots and leaped over overgrown grass to secure a simple escape. His body, fresh with new wounds, stung like hot-iron searing his flesh and limbs, forcing him to stagger momentarily. Even if augmentation covered him completely, fatigue would consume his being eventually, and the longer he kept it running, the faster his body would reach its breaking point. It was a miracle he was still standing. Why was that? Was it sheer will, or something else?


    Huffing loudly, Tyrus spotted a crowd of swamp imps hovering over a boulder. Whatever they were looking at captured most of their attention as they completely disregarded Tyrus. And like flies crowded over a pile of dung, they spun around, as if conducting a ritual. Tyrus suspected whatever lay beyond that rock shouldn¡¯t interest him. That was until he heard the rustling of feathers and a faint screech. Then the powerful scent of blood and musk wrestled his attention.


    ¡°Could it be?¡±


    He inched closer to a tree, concealing his body as best as he could. Creeping forward slowly, he crept close to the boulder, the swamp imps oblivious to his presence. Tyrus counted five, each one licking their lips in anticipation.


    Tyrus stuck fast, stabbing the back of the nearest swamp imp. Its body went limp before it even knew what happened. Its friends shrieked as two more suffered the same fate in quick succession. When the others bolted to see what had happened, Tyrus slashed horizontally with the sword, decapitating one of them with the blade. The last one snarled and was already within striking range, bearing its bare, drooling fangs.


    Tyrus was on the verge of killing it too until a beak appeared from behind the boulder. It clamped onto the imp¡¯s stomach and bit down. More blood filled the air as the imp writhed before going motionless, leaving Tyrus and the bird beast¡¯s faces side-by-side. The creature tossed aside the morsel and spat blood.


    Still on guard, Tyrus backed away slowly, sword raised. While the beast has ignored him before, it might hold a grudge because of its current state. Tyrus was partly the reason it got hit with that powerful display of magic. But as far as his eyes could see, neither hatred nor contempt were obvious.


    Its head wasn¡¯t the only part injured, so were its wings and legs. So much crimson lathered its raven feathers one would think its original color was red. Its wings, folded to the side, were infested with leaves and pebbles. A gaping hole across its belly leaked profusely; Tyrus spotted a few entrails bursting out like worms in a corpse. A stream of grief struck him.


    Looking at its sorry state, he couldn¡¯t just leave it be. Sure it tried to kill the others many times, but somehow, someway, Tyrus felt a connection with the beast¡ªlike their fates intertwined in more ways than one. Maybe he was overthinking it. After all, it was just a beast, and there would be many more like it in the future.


    Would Healing Touch even work in this situation? The wound looks fatal...


    ¡°...Leave me, oh kin of storms.¡±


    Tyrus froze. ¡°You can speak? But how¡ª¡±


    His tongue clammed up once he looked at the bird¡¯s eyes; the shadows that cloaked them were gone. What replaced them were pupils still black, but with life and emotion this time. His skin no longer crawled when he stared.


    ¡°I have little time,¡± it said in barely a whisper. Blood spewed as if trying to claw its way out of its lungs. ¡°Heed the disciples of darkness that bends the wills of others. Only their deaths will liberate our...people. May Murus save us all.¡±


    The creature¡¯s eyes rolled, and its wings relaxed. It took one last breath before it lie still in a puddle of mixed blood. Exceedingly pale, its final words repeating themselves in Tyrus¡¯s head.


    ¡°Our people,¡± he repeated. ¡°It said our people. There¡¯s no mistaking it. The fact that it could talk as a beast means it is, or was, a Beastfolk. It also knew who and what I was, and my element when I never used it in front of it. Heed the disciples of darkness that bends the wills of others...¡±


    Tyrus kneeled in silence, his hands drawn to his chest as if praying. A bitter feeling lingered in his chest as he stood up. Now was not the time to feel sorry for the Beastfolk. As tragic as their death may have been, he didn¡¯t like the sound of its ominous warning. Disciples of darkness obviously referred to the dark sorcerer responsible, but it sounded as if there were many more. What worried him more was the last part. Bending the wills of others mean¡¯s controlling them, doesn¡¯t it?


    ¡°...I¡¯ll think about this later. Need to get out of here quickly and find the others.¡±


    Sword in hand, he took one last glance at the corpse. ¡°So that¡¯s what they look like. The gorilla beast must be one as well...¡±


    As he contemplated, a fresh breeze washed over him. As he took a deep breath, the unmistakable scent of fire and smoke filled his nostrils. He didn¡¯t think twice before running.

 Chapter 86- Sir Geroth

    ¡°Blasted thing. I¡¯ve always hated dealing with these models. The insistent beeping wears down the ears.¡±


    Geroth frowned at Tracer. It had been beeping for the past three minutes now without rest. In contrast to the participants, the overseers were provided with a distinct model that incorporated an enchantment capable of monitoring the vital signs, location, and even the names of each participant. A beep signified one of them needed saving. Should an individual yield, the ring would forcibly reveal their whereabouts, necessitating the intervention of an overseer.


    While the beeping was cause for concern and it was his duty to watch and save those in need, today was not the case. He had a much more important job, one that Branch Leader Selena purposely hid from the participants. It was the precise reason she sought the attention of a royal knight like him. A job that few could accomplish.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t know what goes in that head of hers,¡± Geroth grumbled. ¡°Why go through the trouble of conducting an exam in such a troublesome situation? Given the presence of corrupted mana and a malevolent sorcerer, I am concerned about the complications that may arise for the applicants.¡±


    Geroth stroked his beard, deep in thought. Selena and Zephyr were somewhere in the Wasteful Wetlands, conducting their own duties. From what she told him in their first meeting, her job was to search around for any other anomalies they were unaware of. In simplest terms, she was to survey the Wasteful Wetlands for anything suspicious in its entirety.


    As for Zephyr, he is doing most of the heavy lifting. To teleport individuals who have surrendered or are severely wounded, a substantial amount of mana and focused concentration is required. In addition, he must cover an area large enough to protect them at the right location. They must not be too far from the caster or else the effects placed on each participant dissipated. Of course, since its Zephyr, no one else was better fit for the job. That guy was one of the most skilled and powerful Elemental Sorcerers around.


    ¡°There¡¯s also that one odd job Selena assigned to him last minute, but who am I to judge? They must know something I¡¯m unaware of. Best not to dwell on it.¡±


    For why they have split their forces, Selena deemed it to be the best course of action. It would do them no good if the three were to move as a group, as it would only slow them down and lessen their coverage.


    ¡°Everyone has a job to accomplish. Conducting an exam in these conditions isn¡¯t my cup of tea, but trying to decipher her intentions will give me a headache. Better to just keep quiet and do my part.¡±


    Geroth¡¯s eyes sharpened as he surveyed the landscape. He stood on rocky land, surrounded by rippling waters and spires jutting up like crooked teeth. Lying in front of him was a bridge; more than half of the planks were missing, either swallowed by the lake or whisked away from birds seeking structure. At the end of the feeble bridge lay a tiny island overrun with corrupted mana.


    How long has it been since he¡¯s seen this much corruption? A decade or two, perhaps? In any case, it unfolded exactly as he had expected. The feeling of thousands of worms crawling along his skin, the dreadful knowledge that death waits around the corner, and the ever-present darkness hiding between the crevices of the dead swamp grass and scattered pieces of wood with mana sense activated. That an artifact could emit such a disgusting amount of corrupted mana was beyond him.


    An entity of such wickedness had no rightful existence in the world.


    Geroth clenched his sword¡¯s hilt and reached deep within his mana heart. The energy stored inside immediately understood his intentions and began traveling all over his body in seconds. A solid layer of mana surrounded Geroth, forming around him until it was just a hairsbreadth above his skin. Not a single vacancy was left unfilled.


    He crouched low, eyes set ahead as he mentally judged the distance. Once satisfied, he drew another sharp breath and leaped. He cleared the bridge in one bound, the structure nothing more than a blur. When he landed on the other side, droplets of water splashed the air, and his boots churned the muddy terrain like mulled grains.


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    The corrupted mana bounced off the mana shield as he strutted forward, hand still on the hilt. Geroth scanned the vicinity. All that lay in front of him were debris, dinghies that used to be transport, and a trail of skeleton remains. Most likely from a crocodile, as they were common among these parts.


    Following the trail, his eyes wandered inland, where tree stumps, and stone pillars remained. And among them was a massive altar that had seen better days. Decorating the structure were carvings depicting that of a woman and man bowing and holding up an artifact with praise. Between them was a figure wearing a cloak fashioned out of vines and leaves. In their outstretched palms appeared to be seedlings, as if they were offering it to the humans. Underneath the carvings were bowls of rotten fruits and vegetables.


    What caught Geroth¡¯s attention, hovering just an arm¡¯s length away from the altar, was a cube. A sickening black light shrouded it; remnants of the corrupted mana coursing through. The ancient markings that ran across the surface were a dialect he was unfamiliar with. The surrounding air distorted from the massive amounts of corruption it emitted, billowing out like a sea of flames from a dragon¡¯s maw.


    Geroth whistled. ¡°To think a relic of the olden era would be reborn into the world like this... Sthito be damned. If word of this gets out, it could set the world ablaze. An artifact this malevolent must be destroyed to preserve the order and safety of the populace. But, I suppose you wouldn¡¯t agree, now would you?¡±


    The air above the altar shimmered. A cloud of shadows materialized before its center. Black, bone-like limbs lashed out, giving it an almost undefined outline. From the opening of the shadows grew a cloaked man hidden underneath a mask.


    ¡°How did you know I was near?¡± he said in a smooth voice.


    ¡°Why, it is obvious, would it not? Your wicked nature burns fiercely through my mana sense. Those who possess an evil heart cannot escape from my vision.¡±


    The man chuckled. ¡°Is that so? I escaped from your grasp pretty easily in our first encounter. What would Johan think of his dregs allowing a dark sorcerer escape unharmed?¡±


    Geroth arched an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s His Majesty to you. And I¡¯ll admit, I have failed in my task of subjugating and taking you and your little friends prisoner. However, this time it will be different. I shall not let you go as freely again. As per my duty as a royal knight, I offer you this one chance. Surrender willingly, or we¡¯ll have to do this the hard way. Do the right thing and stop this madness. Maybe then you¡¯ll keep that head on those shoulders of yours.¡±


    The sorcerer shook his head, clearly amused at his request. ¡°As if I¡¯ll follow the directives of an inferior. Pull out that sword of yours, royal knight, and save what¡¯s left of your tongue.¡±


    Geroth shrugged. ¡°So be it. Don¡¯t regret your actions after I¡¯m finished with you. Once I¡¯ve beaten you to submission, you¡¯ll tell me everything that I need to know.¡±


    Slowly, Geroth retrieved the sword out of its scabbard. A magnificent sword, he might say. Made from the depths of the Ironworks. The sword he wielded was both long and thick, featuring a double-edged blade adorned with intricate carvings that extended all the way to the magnificent hilt. Similar to the gear he wears on duty, it was not constructed using regular metal. A metal only found in the mines of Ironworks.


    The masked man glanced at the sword for a second, not the least bit bothered by its appearance. Without an ounce of fear, he stepped forward, as if goading for Geroth to get on with it. Geroth happily obliged and approached with slow steps.


    ¡°Time to give this my utmost effort. May Sthito watch over my fate.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be long before your prayers fall upon death ears, royal knight,¡± the man sneered. "When the time is right, all will pay homage to the one and only God."


    ¡°Interesting! Care to reveal more?¡±


    ¡°No. It is not within your fate to know.¡±


    With the flick of his hand, a Shadow Bolt from above materialized and shot toward Geroth. Reaching his arms high above, Geroth slammed his sword downward, severing the Shadow Bolt. The magic bolt exploded violently against him, but with mana shield activated it did nothing more than tickle him.


    ¡°Hmph. This will be more difficult than I thought,¡± said the masked man.


    Geroth smiled. ¡°Already regretting what you¡¯ve gotten yourself into? It¡¯s too late to correct your mistakes.¡±


    "The only mistake I see is intervening in my master''s work. Now stop prattling and fight, worm.¡±


    ¡°With pleasure!¡±


    With the fury of a bull, Geroth charged towards his opponent. Once the dark sorcerer has been vanquished, the act of annihilating the artifact ought to be uncomplicated. He would figure out what to do with the sorcerer later. Eventually, he¡¯ll make his plans known. For His Majesty, he will not fail. For all of Lethos, he will persevere.


    As long as he put forth his utmost effort, failure was out of the question.

 Chapter 87- Sir Geroth (2)

    An artifact can come in a variety of sizes and shapes, housing different enchantments and mana capacities based on the material or magic used. Whatever the nature, no matter if its size was as minuscule as a thumb to the grand statue of Sthito that stood guard at the Imperial Palace, there was a common consensus.


    All artifacts, without exception, pose a potential threat and should be approached with caution.


    Each one possessed its own unique abilities, for in the hands of a mortal they were capable of extraordinary feats. In legends, some can bend space and time while others can heal fatal injuries in seconds. Another could come in the shape of a sword and unleash fire as hot as the pits of hell, or even as a crown that granted the wearer dominion over others.


    However, like any treasure, its contents are a lottery. But if an artifact were to be found, it is Lethos¡¯ law to immediately hand it over to the imperial council where the Keeper of Relics safeguards and contains the relic. Should it be deemed too dangerous for Lethos¡ªor for mankind¡ªsuch an object would never see the light of day, lest the world tremble at its powers.


    That is why it was imperative for Geroth to accept Selena¡¯s request. It was his sole duty to take action against those that disrupts peace and order and eliminate any threats that endanger the lives of the residents. To execute intruders who bring peril to His Majesty land, to protect the innocent and vanquish anything that may potentially cause harm.


    But most importantly, those who threaten the security of his family. He has heard the story of Draknir¡¯s Folly and the calamitous effects of unburdened corrupted mana. The thought of Grant or Lem mutating into horrific creatures hardened his resolve.


    Geroth closed the distance, thundering forward with a focus. Three spheres of compressed shadow, significantly more potent than their previous form, were launched at him from the rear. Though he had expected a similar projectile attack as before, he made no effort in evasion. That would only slow him down.


    Instead, Geroth cut right through. Darkness spread far and wide, sweeping past his boots and over his wrist as the force pushed him back by a step. Though his mana shield lessened the power of the attack, the magical blow was enough to shake his arms. Wiggling his fingers and rotating his wrists, the pain faded as he continued onwards.


    The dark sorcerer unleashed a barrage of Shadow Bolts as he hopped around like a grasshopper. Geroth sliced through each one with relative ease; They all missed their target, thanks to his speed. He was already near the sorcerer. A dozen more Shadow Bolts spawned in the air, floating menacingly around him as if waiting for his orders.


    ¡°Quite the nimble fox, aren¡¯t ya!¡± Geroth shouted. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose it¡¯s too much to ask of you to hold still?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you quite the noisy one,¡± his foe mocked. ¡°Keep barking, and you just may lure a pack of wild dogs.¡±


    Geroth frowned. He knew the battle would not be easy. Usually Augmentation Sorcerers had the advantage against Elemental Sorcerers, but this one possessed an ample amount of speed to pull away safely and conjure his magic simultaneously. Regarding his magic, the sorcerer¡¯s casting time was quick as well as packing quite the punch. In these conditions, a sorcerer lacking focus and training would lack one of those two things.


    But then again, the other party was no amateur. Even from such a brief exchange, he could tell his foe¡¯s proficiency with magic. They can attack with devastating strength while keeping the casting time low. Just the fact that a measly Shadow Bolt pushed him back a step was cause for concern.


    Another to point out was their insistence on using a low-ranked spell. From what he knew, Shadow Bolt was a projectile of dark energy that sapped the opponents¡¯ energy upon contact. The attack didn¡¯t contain a massive amount of mana to corrode his mana shield, but Geroth could more or less guess the sorcerer¡¯s goal: to overwhelm their opponent with an abundance of Shadow Bolts.


    Unfortunately for them, that tactic wouldn''t be effective on him.


    The dark sorcerer shot forth the idle Shadow Bolts. Instead of slicing through them and risking damage, Geroth leaped to the side, watching as they slammed right into the ground, cracking the solid surface into chips and splinters. The paltry amount of grass that remained turned black and shriveled like a burned corpse. Then the sorcerer threw his hand up, launching another half a dozen Shadow Blades towards the spot Geroth landed.


    He¡¯s smart as well.


    Setting his feet, Geroth faced the assault head on. His blade became infused with mana, flowing faster than ever before and creating a dense coating on the edges of the double-edged sword. In one swing, he unleashed a mana slash as thick as his sword. Just as he had planned, the attack intercepted the magic, effortlessly annihilating the conjured Shadow Bolts. Bursting out from the impact, a cloud of shadows dashed forward and completely drained the meager life energy that remained in the tree stumps and rotten plants.


    Geroth frowned, scanning the landscape. The sinister sorcerer vanished into the midst of the explosion, likely already devising a fresh strategy. He won¡¯t be that easy to fool, though.


    ¡°Above you,¡± a voice said calmly.


    Geroth quickly looked up and saw the dark sorcerer standing atop the altar, his cloak flowing to reveal bronze-colored skin.


    ¡°That skin color... Are you perhaps Askelian?¡± Geroth asked. ¡°If you aren¡¯t from Lethos, then tell me, what prompted you to take your despicable cause here? I cannot imagine despising the Wasteful Wetlands enough to rend it inhospitable. That would be an idiotic reason.¡±


    ¡°As if my masters would stoop to such an ungrand plan,¡± the dark sorcerer hissed.


    Geroth smiled. So the sorcerer wasn¡¯t working alone. Though it wasn¡¯t his main objective, it would greatly help his cause if he could figure out the foe¡¯s motivations. That, however, was a matter for later. From what he has learned, the dark sorcerer was operating under a master whom they consider superior, and their intentions are somehow linked to the aforementioned one true God. Could the master he was referring to be the ruler of Askalid?


    No, that couldn¡¯t be right. Bronze skin was a trait mostly tied to the Askelians. If their plan was to cause chaos within Lethos, it would make sense to hide their skin color from the scrutinizing eye of Lethos¡¯ knights, who would immediately make the distinction. If His Majesty were to hear that an Askelian was responsible for the corrupted mana, then his worries will split between the Beastfolk Kingdom and the Askalid Empire. A war on two fronts would spell certain doom for Lethos.


    ¡°Oh, by the way,¡± the sorcerer interjected, ¡°I¡¯m not Askelian. The bronze skin you see is nothing more than the fog playing tricks on you. Look again, royal knight.¡±


    Geroth narrowed his eyes, honing in on the man¡¯s neck. When his eyes adjusted, he noticed it wasn¡¯t skin at all, but in fact armor plating underneath the cloak. Embedded on his chest was a small design that took the form of a tiger, fangs bared. Moreover, the sorcerer slowly crept over to their mask, lifting the chin where he delicately pressed a nail into the tip, popping it loose to reveal the head of a tiger: a black tiger.


    ¡°What sort of trickery is this?" Geroth asked. "Is this some sort of illusion crafted by your foul magic? I observed your mana signature, and it matched exactly with that of a human sorcerer.¡±


    The man inclined his chin as if insulted. ¡°Why would I resort to such paltry tricks? I am a full-fledged black tiger, the kin of Murus himself. What more proof than I standing here beside you today, face uncovered, do you need? Should I use Beast Transformation as well? Or maybe unleash the fury of the skies upon you? I could, but that would simply be too much for you.¡±


    ¡°Bold words,¡± Geroth said calmly. ¡°But are you certain about that? Those who do not put in the effort will ultimately fail. Abstain from using the abilities you were born with, but don¡¯t be surprised if an outcome you expected eludes you.¡±


    The black tiger laughed. ¡°You flap your tongue as if you¡¯re wise, but you only pretend to be. You speak of effort, yet as clear as day you display the opposite. Are you a hypocrite, or are all royal knights as pathetic as you?¡±


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    The look on Geroth¡¯s face darkened, but it was only for a moment as he reined in his emotions. Losing his cool when the enemy of Lethos itself was mocking his pride was something he could not allow. To lose such composure and allow his opponent to use such as a weakness against him would be a fatal mistake. A calm and hardy mind was key to combat¡ªhis sword instructor often reminded Geroth of such things.


    ¡°It is true I am holding back partially,¡± Geroth admitted. ¡°Perhaps even more than you think, but it is for a reason, you see. I was merely loosening your tongue, biding my time until I¡¯ve learned enough in these dire circumstances. For that, I thank you for your cooperation. But now you understand, there¡¯s no use prolonging this conversation.¡±


    The black tiger rolled his eyes. ¡°So you royal knights truly are unintelligent. What can you do in this situation? In case you haven''t noticed, I hit you with one of my Shadow Bolts. Surely you¡¯re aware of its effects? Or is Lethos¡¯ education that lackluster?¡±


    ¡°Your mana should also be dwindling rapidly because of your mana shield. It won¡¯t be long until your mana heart is bottomed out and corrupted mana consumes your body. Do you finally see the situation you have waltzed into? This effort you speak of can¡¯t help you out of this hopeless predicament.¡±


    Silence filled the air for as both eyed each other in amusement and scrutiny. The black tiger was right about one thing: his mana heart was being sapped dry, and Shadow Bolt alongside the onslaught of corrupted mana only furthered the process. At some point, he¡¯ll be bereft of the mana supplied in his heart, and mana shield would inevitably break.


    However, even with all the odds against him, Geroth still failed to be bothered. A smirk rose on his lips as he gazed at the other party with interest. He met those predatory eyes and sensed the cold hostility being emitted from the Beastfolk.


    ¡°Let''s determine if this situation is truly as dire as you suggest.¡±


    Right as those words left his lips, Geroth leaped toward the altar, sword blurring. A flicker of surprise flashed across the sorcerer¡¯s face, yet the Beastfolk dexterously hopped back, narrowly evading the edge of Geroth¡¯s sword. The royal knight didn¡¯t let his chance slip by and rotated even faster, the blade singing as it grazed the cheek of the black tiger. His face shimmered briefly, but returned to its usual state.


    Though surprised, the foe descended the altar and landed on the soft ground. Geroth followed and appeared right in front of the black tiger. As soon as his toes touched mud, a spear of darkness was already hurtling his way. Rather than attempting to dodge the attack, Geroth countered with another swift and powerful mana slash, propelling himself forward like a speeding arrow.


    In a heartbeat, Geroth tore through the clash and opened the blade wide, a white crescent glow stretching across the double-edged sword. His opponent grunted, scowling as he was face to face with Geroth. Rather than retreat, the man raised his arm at Geroth¡¯s downward swing, almost as if he were about to stop the attack with his bare hands. Despite this, a cloud of darkness instantly materialized, taking the form of a slender, black sword, and blocked the attack. The two locked blades, sparks flying, before the black tiger kicked off of Geroth and bounced far away.


    ¡°Is this all your effort amounts to¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish his sentence, Geroth disappeared, leaving behind a trail of kicked-up dirt. A quick glance to his left revealed a sword''s pointed tip, barely grazing his nose, with only a few inches separating him from life and death. This time the sorcerer leaped a foot back, distancing himself away from Geroth and putting up a better guard near the altar.


    Geroth emerged swiftly from the right, his sword already in motion, like a gust of wind. The black tiger had no way of even blinking as he was forced to defend the swift lunge attack; he shifted his feet and countered the blow. His arms buckled from the sudden force. Geroth noticed the tiger¡¯s jaw was clenched, both hands gripping the hilt ever so fiercely.


    He won¡¯t last much longer, the royal knight thought grimly. Instead of pulling away, Geroth applied more force, his sword chipping through the dark blade of his foe. The black tiger furrowed his brows, as if ready to give up, until a terrible glint crossed his eyes and vanished just as quickly.


    Geroth recognized that split-second expression and looked up just in time to see dark spears raining down upon him. He kicked his opponent square in the stomach and hopped backward, dodging the attacks by a wide margin. When he glanced back at his enemy, the dark tiger disappeared in a wisp of shadows, leaving no clues where his opponent fled. But Geroth didn¡¯t have to look further as he felt a faint presence of mana behind him.


    Tendrils of dark magic and shadow engulfed Geroth as soon as he spun around. They wrapped around his heels and snaked toward his thighs, clambering up his torso like shackles. He felt his mana reserves dropping at a frightening rate and his mana shield dimming ever so slightly. Even so, that wasn¡¯t enough to alarm the royal knight.


    Geroth effortlessly broke free from the shackles, treating them as if they were no stronger than wet paper. Instantly after, the Beastfolk appeared in front of the cube, readying another wave of Shadow Bolts and spears. Just what is the extent of this person''s mana? Does the beast use an item or something to store these ridiculous quantities?


    Geroth failed to sense any weaknesses from the tiger. Fast casting time, huge mana pool, and the element of surprise with magic that few have witnessed. He should have the advantage against the black tiger, yet he seemed like he was the one running on borrowed time.


    What should he do? He was already supplying most of his mana by strengthening his mana shield to keep the corruption at bay. Enhancing his agility and strength to catch the tiger off-guard couldn¡¯t be done unless something was done against all of this corrupted mana. It won¡¯t be long before his mana heart depletes before his opponents.


    Regarding his opponent, how was he able to move freely in proximity with corrupted mana? Dark sorcerer or not, not even he should be immune to its toxic effects. Something must be protecting his body without the need of a mana shield. Was it an artifact, or perhaps the work of magic?


    ¡°This game of tag is getting stale,¡± the Beastfolk said. ¡°Facing you was more of an ordeal than I initially thought. For a moment, I was worried, but it seems it was for naught. You truly have no idea the difference between our power. All you¡¯re good for is running around and swinging that hunk of metal like a mindless barbarian.¡±


    For the first time since the battle began, Geroth chuckled. ¡°A mindless barbarian, is it? What¡¯s so bad about that if it gets the job done?¡±


    ¡°You have accomplished nothing. What is the use of a dog that cannot perform tasks for its owner? Your efforts would have been better spent toiling at the mines. At least that figure of yours would be useful there.¡±


    ¡°I could say the same for you,¡± Geroth retorted, shuffling backward. A pile of bones and rock entered his view. ¡°What would your master think of allowing an intruder to impede your progress? They must think of you as a mongrel, no? It¡¯s as they say: the pupil represents their teacher.¡±


    The black tiger¡¯s nostrils flared. ¡°You dare disrespect Master Raroan¡ª¡±


    In the blink of an eye, Geroth threw his entire weight into the closest femur he could find. With a grunt, he chucked the giant bone right at the black tiger before he could finish uttering his master¡¯s name. Geroth¡¯s gamble seemed to have paid off as his foe wasn¡¯t expecting him to throw, much less a bone, at him. The Beastfolk frowned and allowed a swirling vortex to swallow it whole.


    The moment the tiger looked past the magic, new projectiles entered his view, most of them being rocks and bones. However, all of them were glowing white, each one filled with a substantial amount of mana.


    The first rock rendered the vortex of shadows useless. Next came a bone, aimed straight for his chest. Then a bone clipped his chin, following a skull that blocked his vision. The black tiger dealt with them all with his blade. When he sliced through the skull, he immediately noticed Geroth wasn¡¯t in the same spot.


    He was above.


    Geroth swung his sword down, his form like an angel descending from the heavens. The black tiger shifted his gaze, eyes widening at the sight of sharp metal rapidly approaching him. With no time to cast magic or retreat, the sorcerer took the blow head on, crossing blades with Geroth. Much to his dismay, the dark blade Geroth cracked before snapped in half.


    In one fluid swing, Geroth cut through the dark sorcerer¡¯s armor. The blade dug into his shoulder and split apart the metal, entering his flesh and cutting even deeper. The impact forced the man into a limp as he stumbled backward and onto the ground. Geroth watched as the man grabbed hold of the gaping wound before blood pulsated out.


    Geroth approached and leveled his sword at the sorcerer¡¯s neck. His eyes narrowed at his features. Sure enough, he looked like a black tiger up close. Jet black fur, pointed, tufted ears and predatory eyes. Still, Geroth found it hard to believe that it truly was a black tiger responsible for this mess.


    ¡°Before I lop off your head, do you have any clue what your actions have done for the Beastfolk Kingdom? Once I report this to His Majesty, tensions between our countries will flare up again. Senseless blood will be shed; is that what you want for your countrymen? Our countrymen?¡±


    The black tiger laughed dryly. ¡°If that¡¯s what it takes to finally be rid of vermin like you, then so be it.¡±


    ¡°¡­It seems that you have a tendency towards insanity. A wicked and foolish heart that cannot be reasoned with. May Sthito bestow blessings upon your soul in the afterlife and grant forgiveness for your transgressions against this world.¡±


    Geroth clutched his weapon tighter, on the verge of finishing the job. When his shoulders tensed, an ominous feeling overcame him. Why was his adversary still smiling in the face of death? Was there truly something up his sleeve he was unaware of?


    All thoughts were thrown out the window when Geroth watched an ominous pulse emanate from the black tiger. The fallen foe released shadows from his body, resembling the flames of a roaring bonfire.


    Alarmed by the sudden change, Geroth swung his sword directly at his neck. However, a ghostly tendril blocked it, as tough as steel. Geroth hopped back immediately, watching as the opponent ascended from the ground as if possessed.


    The cube shook violently until a loud rumbling joined, ringing in his ears. Where once it stood a pitch black portal, now emitting a faint red light from within, reminiscent of eyes. Then, the sorcerer¡¯s body exploded into a cloud of thick shadows. The corrupted mana from the cube streamed into him, surrounding his entire body like a flicker of starlight.


    Alongside the surge of mana swirling within the cloud, what came out of the other side was a forelimb and piercing, golden-brown eyes. Geroth readied his blade, wondering what in Sthito¡¯s good name was occurring before him. Fleetingly, he thought of retreating and coming back with Zephyr to deal with the threat, but he immediately pushed away that thought.

 Chapter 88- Scent Trail

    Tyrus stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the distance with a sense of wonder.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    Massive amounts of mana would frequently erupt from a distance for a period. Tyrus immediately recognized its origin and realized it was the same island he had flown past earlier. Over there, clusters of magical energy clashed, bursting like radiant beams that lit up the night sky. Even at his current vantage point, simply observing the spectacle made his heart beat faster.


    "There has to be someone out there battling the dark sorcerer," Tyrus muttered. ¡°The question is who? Selena comes to mind, but it could also be the others.¡±


    Then again, wondering who was fighting didn¡¯t matter all that much. Finally, an overseer was doing their job and taking care of the threat, which was a relief. Tyrus could only hope that the sorcerer would be handled appropriately, and that the tainted mana would dissipate from the Wasteful Wetlands. It would also deter Igneal from running straight for the artifact.


    But besides that, Tyrus would be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t curious at all. In reality, if safety permits, he would be thrilled to be in proximity and observe the unfolding events. Who in their right mind wouldn¡¯t, though? Watching skilled sorcerers engage in a battle would be an incredible spectacle. What type of magic were they employing? Who had the upper hand?


    If Selena were involved, he would envision wildfires consuming the landscape, or towering pillars of flames. Possibly a storm that unleashed fiery projectiles and spread across a vast region! Each sounded impressive, and slightly terrifying. If it was anything else, that would be nice, too. Seeing how adults used magic in combat not only provided him with practical knowledge, but also leave him astounded in numerous ways.


    He caught a whiff of something in the distance, snapping him out of his daze. One of those four-legged swamp beasts appeared on top of a rocky ledge. If he had to compare it to an animal, a wolf seemed to fit the description, albeit bigger and if they were more suited for swamps.


    With drool dripping down its maw, the creature locked eyes with Tyrus before it and hunkered down, paws crunching on dead plants. With a growl, the creature dashed toward him in a frenzy.


    Tyrus sighed. ¡°Seriously? We¡¯re doing this now?¡±


    Tyrus waited until the last second to hop away from the incoming maw of razor-sharp teeth. Stupid thing didn¡¯t seem that smart, because once he moved out of the way, the beast slid and spun on its heels, ready for another round. That is until it was met with a sword through its head. The beast collapsed with a lifeless thud. Blood oozed from its head, collecting on dead leaves in a pool of red. Tyrus frowned and pulled out his blade.


    ¡°Beasts should really learn not to butt heads with predators. Just because I¡¯m small doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m easy to beat.¡±


    After being snapped out of his trance, his attention shifted back to the task of finding the others. The trail he caught a sniff of before definitely belonged to Igneal. He hadn¡¯t mentioned it to anyone before, but if he interacted with someone for a period, he could recognize them by scent alone. Selena, Igneal, and the hat thief both carried the scent of campfires and smoke. He hated admitting this, but he held Igneal¡¯s more memorable.


    In contrast, Fiona didn''t have the same scent as her relatives. Hers were more like a forest with a subtle hint of smoldering embers, which was weird when she commonly used fire spells. He guessed there was a reason she smelled like this, but the answer eluded him. Whatever the reason, he found Fiona¡¯s scent a lot more pleasant than the others. Too much of something would mess with his senses. As for Reo and Grant, they were probably the worst. They smelled mostly of sweat and metal. Sometimes it was wood, and other times flowers.


    ¡°I wonder what I smell like. Probably like Reo and Grant. I sweat like crazy and always end up covered in blood. I also roll around in mud and have gotten wet many times before...¡± Without thinking, Tyrus raised his arm and sniffed. A powerful stench assaulted his nose, and he recoiled away in disgust.


    ¡°Okay, never doing that again. I should really wash myself clean when I get the chance. Do I really smell like this around people?¡±


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Tyrus, while frowning about his disgusting aroma, moved with haste toward the scent trail.


    ***


    Tyrus had completely forgotten just how terrible the situation was in the Wasteful Wetlands. Even after defeating that dog-like beast, more creatures popped up, wanting to claim him as their dinner. The only benefit that came from this was that it was a distraction from his personal woes and an outlet for his pent-up frustrations. He also saw it as a chance to train his skills without the use of magic. Also, the explosions of magic he witnessed lit a fire into his heart. He wanted to reach those levels as quickly as possible.


    Without the use of augmentation and Beast Transformation¡ªtwo things that would only drain his mana and stamina quickly¡ªTyrus thought to hone his battle senses and swordsmanship while he was at it. There might come a time where he would have to rely on those two things in case he couldn¡¯t access magic or Beast Transformation for whatever reason.


    It was the same old creatures that plagued his path. Fangs and claws, shoddy weapons and green ooze, nothing he couldn¡¯t handle. Goblins were easy to defeat because of their skinny bodies and the terrible handling of their weapons. Since he was stronger and faster even without special effects, dodging and killing them in one blow was child¡¯s play. Most fell for the feint attack to their head before decapitation. For the others, a stab in their necks was effective enough. Their lack of armor made targeting other vital areas a lot easier.


    Evading the green ooze from mud toads was the easiest part of battling the swamps¡¯ residents. Though the ooze travels far, they were pathetically slow compared to Tyrus. All he had to do was sprint forward and take a step sideways until it settled and dissipated. That was usually all it took for him to close the distance. By then, his sword would meet his targets.


    He was getting better at spotting mud and finding areas that wouldn¡¯t constrict him, such as roots and bushes. Without mud stubbornly sticking to his soles, he felt lighter and quicker on his feet compared to the goblins he first fought. This came in handy, especially when his opponents shot at him using projectiles. All he had to do was run. The toads had trouble hitting him as he constantly darted about like a frog, jumping on boulders or using trees as cover. When the opportunity seemed right, he would thrust his sword right at their heads.


    The beasts he had the most trouble with were the swamp imps. Their ability to fly truly made them a pain in the butt. Unless they were close and willing to fight close-quarters, there wasn¡¯t much Tyrus could do to their airborne selves. Although he had gotten accustomed to targeting enemies on even ground, getting a hand on one was a struggle in itself. It was especially more difficult once they got a good look at him, massacring anything that posed a threat to him. Well, not a threat per se, but wanted to kill him. None of these beasts stood a chance.


    All his life, Tyrus had only known to fight, mostly because of hunting. Without a stable food source, he had to go out and find his own food, like boars and hares. A lot of times, when he isn¡¯t looking for food and taking a break, some beast would challenge him. Most of the time, it was because he intruded on their territory. Always, it would wind up with him chasing the creature off and leaving them bloodied.


    Whether it was because he was a demi-human, there was a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in these victories. Although small in the eyes of others, he took great pride in seeing his efforts be rewarded. That reward came in the form of occupying a new home, food, or even how much he has progressed when he first started out. In another sense, he held great pride in his abilities and garnering achievements.


    Maybe that¡¯s why he wanted to become an explorer. Not because he wanted to get rich and live a lavish lifestyle, but to show others he could achieve the status they held. Rather, he sought the chance to spread his wings and use his skills with no need to hold himself back. He would reach uncharted waters, explore previously unseen lands, and eventually reach heights that no other beast had previously gone before. Such thoughts have only grown when a few have seen what he was capable of.


    For the first time in his life, someone acknowledged him, and that¡¯s exactly what filled him with this insatiable feeling. The feeling of succeeding and growing his skills without worry. To show Fiona, Grant, and Reo that the chance they took on him wouldn¡¯t be a waste. And especially, to prove it to Wanderer, if they ever got the chance to meet again, that they hadn¡¯t made the mistake of saving Tyrus and allowing him to leave his cave.


    No matter what, he would struggle to better himself and secure a life worth living. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that the black tigers abandoned him. Would he have met such great people if he stayed in the Beastfolk Kingdom? For all he knew, they were probably a bunch of prideful and rude folk.


    Heed the disciples of darkness that bends the wills of others. Only their deaths will liberate our people. May Murus save us all.


    ¡°...Speaking of folk, what that bird said was weird. Bending the wills of others... Is the dark sorcerer controlling them? Clearly, it must involve some sort of magic, but what is the exact method? There must be a spell that can take control of a person¡¯s mind. What are the conditions and how were the Beastfolk able to snap out of it? There¡¯s also Liberate our people... Murus.¡±


    So many questions, yet no answers to fill them. Tyrus silently pondered, stepping on the thick roots that decorated the path. The questions circled his mind, each sparking another.


    As time passed, the scent trail he had followed wasn¡¯t that far to begin with. And before long, he caught up to Igneal in no time at all.

 Chapter 89- Expectations

    At the edge of the bridge, Igneal scowled while it swayed uncontrollably.


    ¡°Tch. Someone beat me to the punch. I know it¡¯s not Aunt Selena fighting the dark sorcerer. She would¡¯ve finished the battle sooner, and so would Zephyr. So that leaves Sir Geroth...¡±


    Igneal''s understanding of Sir Geroth was minimal, with the only known fact being his role as a royal knight of Lethos. A man who faithfully dedicated their service to Emperor Johan, the present occupant of the Imperial Throne. As per the accounts given by his educators, royal knights were regarded as individuals who could be relied upon to carry out their duties flawlessly. Those duties mainly consist of two things: guarding the imperial family and engaging in missions from orders by the head knight. Only the best of the best reached such status, not only required to hold expertise in combat and proficient knowledge of Lethos law, but also have suitable talents.


    ¡°Hmph. Apart from Father, she alone possesses the standing to obtain Sir Geroth''s support. As expected, of my aunt. I suppose I can allow him to fight my prey. All I want is the artifact, anyway. By delivering it directly to Emperor Johan, I expect earning a measure of his favor.¡±


    To secure the favor of Emperor Johan or a member of the imperial family would be highly advantageous in his pursuit of becoming the head of the family. While his siblings hurry to establish connections with nobles and gain their admiration, Igneal aspired for loftier goals. The respect and recognition from an emperor was worth more than any friendship with common nobility.


    Provided that he exercises prudence in his actions, Emperor Johan would undoubtedly support him during the succession of a new family head. Undoubtedly, offering him the artifact would serve as the inaugural phase of a challenging expedition. After that, he needed an opportunity to showcase his strength and political skills. Slowly, he would gain friends and allies of influence¡ªscouts, members of the imperial family, and those who had the potential to be outstanding in the future.


    Igneal had already come across someone who fit that criteria. Not much younger than him, there was a boy who had already become a sorcerer; he was a Multi-Specialist with a lightning affinity. Already he could cast magic through the use of silent casting and knew how to utilize augmentation well. Even better was that he had little qualms about disposing of those seeking death. They had already killed a good number of beasts and even snuffed the life of an adult man, albeit with a little help.


    Few had the willpower to do such things. The fact that someone of his age executed the act suggests their capability to accomplish what was needed. Most children would¡¯ve cried, urinate in their trousers, or cower in fear in front of evil men. While the commoner looked weak and timid when he first met him, there was no mistaking the determination and the attitude in his eyes. That look spoke volumes, telling him there was more than what meets the eye. That and the family head had shown interest in him.


    The commoner¡ªno, Tyrus¡ªwas worthy enough to become his friend. It was a shame he wasn¡¯t nobility. He lacked the etiquette and sense of sophistication, like some child who walked into a banquet wearing a potato sack. But that wouldn¡¯t stop him from wanting the boy by his side. At least with him there, Igneal could survey his progression close by. Perhaps he should appoint him as his own personal servant?


    Igneal shook his head. ¡°No, that won¡¯t do. Working under me would be a terrible decision; he strives for something more. Like with everything else, the best course of action would be to wait. I have all the time in the world, after all. No need to rush things. I have a hunch we¡¯ll make a magnificent pair. Wouldn¡¯t you think so, lizardman?¡±


    Igneal turned toward the four charred bodies blocking the path. Surprisingly, one of them still had some breath in them despite their conditions. Not that the fact was concerning. Beasts like them were the dregs of civilization, trash that no doubt needed to disappear for the sake of the planet.


    Ah, but if beasts disappeared, then how would he have his fun?


    The one still alive stirred, reminding Igneal of a clump of meat left too long over a fire. These things were quite resilient, despite them being extremely weak to fire. He should make a mental note to increase his magic power output next time.


    ¡°You¡­will not...leave this place...alive,¡± the beast croaked.


    Igneal raised a brow. ¡°That¡¯s rich coming from a half-dead beast. I¡¯m surprised you even have the strength to talk. You should at least die with your pride in check.¡±


    It tried to rise, fishing around for the fallen spear to its left. The sight was so pathetic that Igneal sighed and strolled toward the fallen. Unsheathing his sword, he stood over the groaning creature and thrust downward, penetrating its soft head. The lizardmen flopped to the floor as Igneal removed his weapon. With one swing, he shook off the red ooze splattered on his blade.


    ¡°This won¡¯t do. Father would¡¯ve killed them with one blow. I¡¯ll have to adjust my strength and do better next time.¡±


    Igneal eyed the bridge carefully. As far as he could see, the structure extended toward jagged land filled with towering rocks. To his left and right was nothing but shifting water, with scattered boulders poking out of the surface. At times like these, Igneal wished he could fly, but that required some sort of magical item or being skilled with the air element. Training could remedy that, but why should he spend precious time on air, of all things? That was beneath him. His ancestors would curse his life for straying away from focusing on his fire affinity.


    But of course, his fire magic should continue to progress. To improve was ingrained in his everyday life, from birth to the present. From the moment he could stand, he held a sword, and when he could walk, he sparred with a wooden sword. His first time channeling magic had to do with constant usage of it at the age of eleven. That was when most sorcerers would start their magical training to access their mana and channeling it appropriately. Improving his swordsmanship and magic was vital if he were to take on the mantle.


    Igneal stared at his hands, slight cuts decorating his palms and fingers. Each one he could retell clearly; remembering the fights that took place and what led to them. Like the day he accidentally cut himself with a real sword, right near his knuckle. Another near his middle finger, stemming from when he got distracted during a spar and almost lost. There were also ones deep within his palms. Mostly scratches that resulted in gripping the sword and applying a lot of force and power. While unsightly, it reminds him of what he was trying to accomplish: how much he was willing to sacrifice. They also served as a physical reminder of how hard he had to train to inherit the family head title.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be the one who leads the family,¡± Igneal mumbled. ¡°It belongs to me, not them.¡±


    He moved forward and tapped his foot against the worn-down wood. While it shook, it still held the integrity to function. Igneal pursed his lips, checking back down toward the path. There didn¡¯t seem to be any way forward other than taking the bridge. No boat to ferry across or a flying beast to take him to the opposite side.


    Just thinking about falling into disgusting waters again left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. Getting mud on him was mortifying enough. Even with nothing irritating his nostrils, he could smell and taste that dirty mixture of rotting plants and earth. If nothing better crossed his way, then he may have to play with the thought of washing it out with water.


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    ¡°Sacrifices, sacrifices,¡± Igneal lamented.


    When Igneal was about to take the first step forward, he heard ruffling behind him. A quick glance told him the cause; It was Tyrus, looking around from behind a tree until they locked eyes.


    ¡°And here comes the culprit,¡± Igneal murmured. He waited while Tyrus approached him.


    One quick glance at the boy told him he gained fresh wounds among the old. More cuts decorated his face and torso, and his garments shredded as if a pack of wolves attacked him mercilessly. The magical item he wore around him shrunk to a measly scarf. Whenever a breeze passed by, his ears would twitch and his face remained as gloomy as ever.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re finally here,¡± Igneal said, as if he was simply talking to an acquaintance he met at an event. ¡°I was wondering how long it¡¯d take you to reach this place.¡±


    Tyrus stopped near the bride, side-by-side of Igneal. ¡°Do you feel that magical energy? An overseer is finally doing their job. We don¡¯t have to walk in there, you know?¡±


    A flash of white light in the distance sliced through the thick fog. The intensity even brightened the whole area briefly before disappearing the next second. Whatever was going on must be intense. Was the foe giving Sir Geroth that hard of a time? Igneal found it hard to believe that a royal knight would lose in an unsightly fashion.


    ¡°If you¡¯re talking about the dark sorcerer, I¡¯m not worried about him anymore,¡± Igneal stated. ¡°All I want is the artifact.¡±


    Tyrus tilted his head. ¡°The artifact? Why do you need an artifact that spews out poison?¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand even if I told you. Instead, let me propose this: We seize the artifact while Sir Geroth is busy with the dark sorcerer. He¡¯ll make quick work of him, and we¡¯ll be in and out without a hassle. And then we can follow along with your plan on camping out until time runs out.¡±


    ¡°...I see that Mitha and Wyford aren¡¯t with you,¡± Tyrus said with a sour expression. ¡°Where were you when we were battling with the bird beast?¡±


    Igneal glared at Tyrus. ¡°I don¡¯t like what you¡¯re implying. If you believe that I fled like a coward or abandoned you to face the battle alone, then you truly have a diminished opinion of me. Given the chaos caused by that creature, inevitably, the lizardmen would encircle the shack, leaving us trapped inside. So to prevent us from being overrun, I led a scouting party far from you, as you can see.¡±


    Igneal waved at the pile of corpses. ¡°You should be thanking me for buying you time to escape. Knowing you, you wouldn¡¯t have died or else I wouldn¡¯t be talking to you right now. Obviously, the other two aren¡¯t as capable as you, but if they made it this far, then they should be alive. Somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the lizardmen took it over. Fortunately, I didn¡¯t see Mitha or Wyford lying around dead or captured, so I think they got away in time.¡±


    ¡°Then it worked out in the end,¡± Igneal beamed. ¡°See? It was fortunate that I thought ahead.¡±


    Tyrus grimaced and looked the direction of the bridge. ¡°About your plan... Are you sure it¡¯ll work? There are a lot of problems with it. What about protection against corrupted mana or the dark sorcerer targeting us instead?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that? Manipulate your flow of mana and prevent the corrupted mana from entering your channels, like how a farmer tosses out the rotten apples from the good. Currently, you''re doing it without even realizing it because your body instinctively knows what is beneficial or harmful to you. However, if you''re approaching a significant source of corrupted mana, it demands your full concentration. This is a technique that is often employed in such circumstances, although it can be difficult to accomplish. Well, that doesn¡¯t apply to the son of Family Head Lockhart.¡±


    ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is to create a mana shield all around me?¡± Tyrus said firmly.


    ¡°That is not what I said at al¡ª¡±


    In a few blinks, a white aura surrounded his body, slithering across until it spread like a new skin. Igneal rubbed his chin, watching as the light took hold. ¡°Right, you¡¯re an Augmentation Sorcerer as well. You can protect your entire body with mana, effectively serving as a shield.¡±


    Although it should be positive, Igneal didn''t appreciate how effortlessly he was able to achieve it. He believed that only the more experienced sorcerers could accomplish that, and not someone as young as him, especially if they hadn''t been a sorcerer for very long. In fact, it applied to his other speciality as well. Learning how to cast magic without the use of incantations already meant that Tyrus was a prodigy, just like he was. Being able to use Augmentation magic well at the age of nine¡ªfor him to learn silent casting in a few weeks, and yet be on the same footing...


    No, that¡¯s ridiculous, Igneal thought with a scoff. He was far superior to him. His magic lacked stability and his swordsmanship was sloppy. A commoner is still a commoner that lacked resources. Still, Tyrus was talented, that much he could tell. He¡¯d be a fool to disregard that aspect.


    Igneal shrugged. ¡°Well, you learn something new each day. Since you can do so, then we need not worry about a thing. Come, let¡¯s go.¡±


    He was about to take another step until he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Annoyed, Igneal shrugged it off and turned.


    ¡°You still haven¡¯t answered my other question,¡± Tyrus demanded. ¡°What about the dark sorcerer?¡±


    Igneal rolled his eyes. ¡°Sir Geroth is keeping him busy. He¡¯s a royal knight, a warrior strong enough to protect His Majesty. It seems unlikely that the dark sorcerer will find a chance to attack us when Sir Geroth is right there, but I''m unsure why he is taking such a long time to finish the job.¡±


    ¡°I... still think we should wait until it¡¯s finally over. Once he¡¯s finished with the fight, then we can go on over and take the artifact.¡±


    ¡°All I hear coming out of your mouth is that you¡¯re too scared to act¡± Igneal raised a brow. ¡°You were plenty accepting of my plan earlier.¡±


    Tyrus hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, as if he was trying to decide in his head what to say next. Igneal took that chance to continue.


    ¡°Either you follow or you wait back there. I don¡¯t care which choice you pick. You will not stop me from continuing. I will do whatever it takes to get my hands on that artifact, and I won''t delay any further.¡±


    Without waiting for an answer, Igneal whipped around and took his first step onto the bridge. It creaked instantly, the wood shivering against his soft touch. Right as he was about to apply his entire body weight, Tyrus intervened and held onto his arm.


    ¡°Release me this instant or I¡¯ll burn your hand off,¡± Igneal warned.


    ¡°I¡¯m not letting you through,¡± Tyrus said firmly, strengthening his grip.


    Igneal lowered his gaze at the hand. He tried to move, but Tyrus wouldn¡¯t budge. His eyes darkened. ¡°Your actions are highly inappropriate. Had I not been lenient, your hand would have been completely burned off. The other nobles would¡¯ve beaten you senseless or have you imprisoned.¡±


    ¡°Good thing you aren¡¯t like the other nobles, right? If you were, we wouldn¡¯t even be talking right now, let alone friendly. Seriously, what¡¯s wrong with waiting in this situation? The artifact isn¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m worried about is the artifact being destroyed in the scuffle,¡± Igneal snapped. ¡°The longer we spend in idle chatter, the more likely Sir Geroth will destroy it. Retrieving the artifact in good condition and offering it to the Keeper of Relics will give my name much credibility, thus contributing to the family head position. If there¡¯s ever a time to get the artifact, then it¡¯s now. I will politely ask you this again: release me this instant.¡±


    A tense silence ensued as Tyrus continued holding on, standing tall with a stubborn expression. Igneal reciprocated, staring down at Tyrus in contempt. He despised being told otherwise, especially by others who knew nothing. Those who knew nothing aren¡¯t aware of what was at stake. He would not let anyone get in his way, even if it meant to burn through him. The anger within him burned the longer Tyrus stood before him.


    An iota of a thought encompassed his mind, ready to unleash a spark of flames. Though Tyrus had mana protecting himself and was physically stronger, as long as a more power sorcerer used their magic, breaking through defenses was child¡¯s play. If a person¡¯s mana was stronger than the other, then all Igneal had to do was force more mana into Tyrus¡¯ so he couldn¡¯t resist. The outcome was evident.


    Before Igneal could finish his thought however, Tyrus¡¯ ears twitched, and his eyes narrowed. Without a second to lose, they both turned and sprinted away from the bridge. It wasn¡¯t a second too late, for a green blast impacted where they stood before. Rolling to their feet, they faced the direction the magic attack came from.


    Emerging from the same area Tyrus came from was a lizardmen adorned with a bone helmet. By its side was another, lankier and wearing a feathered hat on its head. Tucking away the staff the lanky lizardman held, the beast licked its mouth, displaying sharp teeth. More lizardmen joined them, each one armed and ready to attack. Igneal took a quick head count and then clicked his tongue.


    There were at least twenty of them.

 Chapter 90- Negotiations

    "For the record, this is your fault," Igneal chastised. "You probably led them here."


    "I-I didn''t hear or smell them at all," Tyrus said. "I know what they smell like, and I''m pretty sure I would''ve known if I was being followed. That is so weird..."


    "That is because you do not know us, pochatl," the one with the bone helmet rumbled. Igneal assumed he must be the leader by how the others are staying quiet. "We learned how to hunt through shadows and mist. Our scales are not a trivial matter, they have blessed us with the best camouflage in the swamps. If we do not want to be spotted, then we will not be spotted. If you will, Shaman."


    The Shaman nodded and tapped its spear on the ground. The jewel on the tip of its staff emitted a pale light, and soon it disappeared after a few seconds. The beast locked its gaze on the pair, its pupils dilating.


    "I have released the blessing cast upon us," said the Shaman. "Through our goddess, I conjured a concealment blessing that changes our scent and visual perception to that of our environment. As long as we are not seen and I maintain the spell, we can observe our enemy until the very end."


    "No wonder I couldn''t sense them," Tyrus said. "It was all because of magic. "


    "No!" the Shaman roared, shaking its bone cane. "Do not belittle the goddess, scum! These miracles are blessings, not some poultry magic you worms termed!"


    What was that lizard babbling about? That was no blessing it used, but merely magic that stemmed from mana. Mana acted as the fuel, and the strength of the individual determined how efficiently it was used. Igneal definitely felt mana coming from the green blast it emanated. Whatever the overgrown lizard was spouting was nothing more than the ravings of an uncivilized barbarian. As if a deity would personally offer them assistance.


    "You used a blessing? Is that some kind of new power?!" Tyrus asked incredulously. "I thought there were only three types of sorcerers."


    "Hold your tongue, mongrel!" the leader snarled. "Our Shaman is no sorcerer, but a devout follower that protects the great wisdoms and principles of our goddess. Do not compare the Shaman with the unhinged mages you humans have running around."


    Igneal didn''t miss how the Shaman glared at Tyrus while its leader spoke. In fact, every single lizardmen were radiating hatred, glowering at Tyrus as if he were the scum of the earth. Not even for a second did they stop looking at him. For all the attention they were giving him, Igneal would''ve assumed Tyrus did something terrible to warrant their hostility.


    "Don''t listen to these beasts," Igneal remarked. "They are an uneducated lot, unable to tell the difference between what''s magic and what''s not. It''s like throwing a rock and saying a god blessed them with that power. It''s completely stupid."


    At those words, the Shaman visibly flinched, clutching its bones staff with trepidation. Beads of sweat were leaking out from the feathered hat, wetting it as they rolled. The eyes of the lizardmen darted towards their Shaman and leader, concern written across their face.


    "You humans and Beastfolk are one of the same: dull-witted," said the leader. "What we say is truth, yet you deny it without question. You take what doesn''t belong to you, destroy and desecrate those that are sacred, and kill with no remorse. You are reprehensible beings. It is no wonder you lot are at odds with each other. How could the offspring of nature live together when hate runs deep within their veins?"


    "I don''t hate you guys," Tyrus said. "We have done nothing wrong, so there''s no reason to be hostile. That anger you have should be directed to the dark sorcerer responsible, who is right across from this bridge here. One of our leaders is fighting him as we speak. It''s only a matter of time until he wins, and when he does so, the corrupted mana will vanish! After that, we''ll be out of here so long as you don''t attack us."


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    The leader''s eyes turned to slits. "And why should we believe you, pochatl? From experience, I''ve found that many humans and Beastfolk constantly lie and attack us, regardless. Why are you any different?"


    "I-I mean... aren''t you the one who attacked us first? From what I recall, you tried to kill me many times without even hearing me out. But now I''m trying to explain everything to you and even offering to help, yet you still refuse to cooperate. Even you guys should know I''m not lying. You can feel the corrupted mana from behind me at its peak and see it for yourself."


    "...It speaks the truth," the Shaman grudgingly admitted. "I can feel two presences clashing at the origin of corruption."


    The leader turned to the Shaman. "The Beastfolk and humans have slaughtered many of our brethren! Though it may be partially correct, they still deserve our wrath for daring to ruin us!"


    "The Beastfolk were mind controlled by the dark sorcerer," Tyrus cut in. "He used his magic to bend their wills and go on a rampage, killing your people. I know this because the bird you attacked snapped out of its trance and told me before it died. Surely you''ve seen the shadows in their eyes? That meant they were under the influence of the dark element."


    After hearing his words, the leader stared silently at Tyrus. There was doubt inside, and the uncertainty of his next move made Igneal shift in his stance. But besides that, mind control? Was such a thing possible? He had never read or heard about something like that before, and coming from Tyrus, of all people, was hard to believe. Then again, not much was known about the dark element; Emperor Johan restricted information about things like that. Igneal knew this because his father said so when learning about magic.


    When reading a book written by renowned sorcerer Aric Thorn about the history of magic, one piece of information stood out to him regarding the dark element. It was an element wrought with atrocities and cruelty, and each practitioner was met with punishments unimaginable. All of that stemmed from the actions of the Mad Sorcerer and those after him. The dark element was taboo, and future sorcerers who possessed an affinity for the cursed element were forced under surveillance so that another Mad Sorcerer wasn''t born.


    With how much of a poor reputation the dark element held, mind control didn''t seem as impossible now. Now that he thought about it, In the Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals, the dark element could control shadows or the actions of others, raise the undead, or even deplete life energy. Controlling the actions of others plainly meant mind control, which the commoner had mentioned before, so what he said was no lie.


    If the dark sorcerer had been controlling the Beastfolk, then he really was a formidable foe. What''s to stop him from going after bigger targets like those high in power, like a family head or even the emperor? No wonder Emperor Johan made great strides in restricting the progression of those unlucky to be born with the element. Igneal could already think of a few ways just how dangerous they truly can be.


    Igneal glanced at Tyrus, gauging his actions. He still had his sword out, and his muscles tensed as if expecting an attack at any moment. Though his body was ready for battle, his eyes told a different story. They were doubtful, looking from side to side with dread. It seemed like they were confused about how to proceed. Or at least, that''s what Igneal assumed he was seeing.


    As for the lizardmen, the rabble were looking to their leader, waiting for a swift order. They probably knew nothing else other than killing and brute strength. If no one else was going to make a move, then Igneal would gladly be the first. He''d rather make better use of his time than to wait in silence.


    Just as Igneal was about to pivot toward the bridge, a shiver ran down his spine. Igneal felt an oppressive presence from behind, weighing on his shoulders like a giant slab of stone. Following the direction of what he recognized as killing intent, his body whipped toward the bridge.


    Seconds later, a figure as large as a wolf bounding toward them in the distance. Black, wispy tendrils enshrouded it, making it hard to identify, but Igneal recognized amber-colored eyes that pierced the gloom. Whiskers bobbed up and down, and canines protruded from the opening snout. It wasn''t a wolf, but a tiger instead with fur that blended with the shadows.


    Tyrus noticed it too and let out a ''huh'' before the beast soared through the air and landed between them and the lizardmen. A cloud of soil puffed in its wake, which provided the perfect smoke screen to allow Igneal to scramble backward. The tiger paced around, eyes scanning the audience before him. It stopped right when its eyes landed on Tyrus.

 Chapter 91- A New Use

    Whatever Tyrus expected to happen, a beast appearing out of nowhere was not on the top of his list. One minute they were waiting to see what the lizardmen would do, and then came a torrent of mana that wrestled their attention and killing intent as freezing as snow. Shortly after, a monstrous creature landed right in the middle of the battle.


    Today was quite the day for strange occurrences.


    Despite the alarming ambush, Tyrus ended up locked in a gaze with the creature right in front of him. Besides the living shadows emanating from its body, its appearance genuinely shocked him. Not only was this creature a tiger, but it was also a black tiger. However, as he continued to observe and smell, his uncertainty increased.


    Apart from that, what was the reason for the beast appearing from the direction of Sir Geroth and the dark sorcerer¡¯s battle? Unless the dark sorcerer had called upon the creature, there was no apparent reason for it to be here instead of joining its master in battle. It made little sense for it to be distant from him, and the same goes the other way around. He believed that until he caught sight of the shadows and the piercing amber eyes that were staring right back at him. Then, the realization clicked to him.


    ¡°That¡¯s the dark sorcerer!¡±


    Igneal turned. ¡°And how do you know that? The sorcerer should be human and not some beast.¡±


    ¡°...That¡¯s because it¡¯s in its Beast Transformation state,¡± Tyrus explained. ¡°Well, it looks like it, but something seems of about it. I can¡¯t really tell, though...¡±


    The lizardmen charged forward, brandishing their weapons, and came to a sudden halt just a few arms length away from the black tiger. Bone helmet advanced, its face filled with hatred, as it confronted the dark sorcerer. The Shaman stood nearby, watching with vigilant eyes.


    ¡°You are the one responsible for this mess!¡± the bone helmet roared, pointing his spear at the beast. ¡°Spewing curses that harm these lands and sending savages to pluck our ranks! Your presence here is unwelcome, kreth¡¯rn. Only your demise will satisfy nature¡¯s wrath!¡±


    At last, the dark sorcerer faced the lizardman, his eyes growing narrower. ¡°You lot will do just fine. Submit, and be useful to Master Raroan.¡±


    Bone helmet snarled and said, ¡°Men! To me¡ª¡±


    Suddenly, the shadows danced across the dark sorcerer¡¯s body, their flickering movements causing a pulsating sensation. In a sudden burst, each tendril shot forward, swiftly wrapping around the lizardmen¡¯s heads like a constricting snake. A stifled shriek filled the air, and within moments, the lizardmen collapsed to their knees, trembling until their bodies turned rigid. The dark sorcerer let out a chilling chuckle before shifting its focus back to Tyrus, who defiantly raised his sword.


    ¡°What did you do to them!?¡± Tyrus asked. ¡°Did you kill them?¡±


    The dark sorcerer let out a sinister chuckle. ¡°Oh no, their purpose goes beyond that. I must express my gratitude, black tiger, for guiding them to this place. I had assumed they would be preoccupied with eliminating the other Beastfolk, but it seems they considered you a higher priority.¡±


    Igneal confidently stepped forward, his sword at the ready. ¡°Enough with the talking. Let¡¯s fight, dark sorcerer. I should thank you for making things easier for me by presenting yourself before me. By delivering your lifeless body to Emperor Johan, I am certain to gain his favor!¡±


    Tyrus noticed Igneal preparing to rush forward, so he hurried over and stretched out his arm before him.


    ¡°And Sir Geroth?¡± Tyrus said, peering over his shoulder. ¡°Did you... kill him?¡±


    ¡°Johan¡¯s loyal dog? He still lives for the time being. Let¡¯s just say he¡¯s preoccupied with another battle.¡±


    Another battle? Who could he be fighting at a time like this? As far as Tyrus knew, he thought Sir Geroth was fighting a single enemy, that being the dark sorcerer. Perhaps there was more than one sorcerer on the same level as the one before him. If so, then how come he doesn¡¯t feel or see any flashes of mana like previously? Either the enemy was lying or he was missing something...


    In his contemplation, Tyrus made the mistake of letting his guard down. Igneal seized the opportunity, unleashing a scorching mote of flames that surged towards the sorcerer. In a daring twist, a shadowy tentacle lunged forward, its inky presence piercing through the fiery onslaught. The crackle of flames and the hiss of the shadow colliding filled the air, while the scent of singed magic lingered.


    ¡°Red hair and fire magic... You¡¯re a Lockhart, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Igneal smirked. ¡°It¡¯s only sensible that my family¡¯s reputation is known even among Beastfolk. Now you¡¯ll die knowing a Lockhart ended your miserable life.¡±


    Right when Igneal was about to unleash more of his magic, the dark sorcerer¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. Although he maintained a piercing glare towards them, it was as if his attention was elsewhere, as if he were gazing past them. Instead of staying put, he launched himself backwards, landing gracefully on a boulder that was close by.


    ¡°Tch. He finished faster than I thought.¡± The sorcerer glanced at Tyrus. ¡°Though our second meeting is short-lived once again, it was surprising to see you here again, black tiger. But know this: should a third arise, you will not live. Then again, it seems highly unlikely when Lethos bares its fangs to you.¡±


    Tyrus raised an eyebrow, but before he could say anything, a breeze blew in and the beast slipped away into the shadows. Afterwards, the lizardmen who were still kneeling gradually stood up, one by one. Tyrus had hoped that with the sorcerer gone, the lizardmen would go back to normal. However, that idea quickly changed when the shadows receded from their faces, revealing pupils as dark as the night.


    In unison, they growled and pointed their spears and axes toward Tyrus and Igneal. Bone helmet shouted a sort of war-cry and bounded forward first, and its men followed. The Shaman stayed behind and began chanting, their staff twirling and glowing a light as green as a spring leaf.


    Tyrus cursed and readied his blade. So that was how the sorcerer controlled the Beastfolk! He used his magic and entraps the head of the victims, slowly taking hold of their wills until they submitted and did their masters¡¯ bidding.


    No wonder only Shadow Bolt was shown in the book of incantations. If a sorcerer with such a terrifying affinity were to be evil, they could do many immoral acts. He assumed that magic, particularly the dark element, had the most dangerous yet influential spells. Just what else was it capable of accomplishing?


    Tyrus snapped out of his stupor when the Shaman blasted a green beam in his direction, which he rolled away from. Following the attack, two others leaped into the air and rained attacks down on him and Igneal. Tyrus dashed out of the way and barely missed them while Igneal stabbed their chests once they landed.


    ¡°They¡¯re being controlled right now! We can¡¯t just kill them.¡±


    Igneal brows furrowed. ¡°As if I¡¯ll allow myself to be attacked. Taking the life of rubbish is no issue, but you have a problem with lizardmen?¡±


    At the end of his sentence, the leader closed the gap and aimed his spear at Igneal¡¯s heart. He sidestepped the attack and swung. Unfortunately, one of its men blocked the attack with the shaft of their spear, while another came up and lunged for a clean shot at Igneal¡¯s head.


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    Tyrus gasped and quickly blocked the attack with a grimace. Blocking an attack from a lizardmen without augmentation was like pushing a thick log! He had been fighting these things with augmentation, but to think there was this much of a strength gap between them!


    Tyrus glanced up and noticed more of the lizardmen had caught up; he counted at least thirty, including the leader and the Shaman. Fighting them all at once was a fool¡¯s errand, especially when he wasn¡¯t at full strength. Even worse was figuring out a way to snap them out of their hypnotic trance.


    Slaying beasts who had no control of their actions, especially when they were on the cusp of reaching an understanding did not sit well with Tyrus. They were not like regular beasts, incapable of conversation, only acting upon their instincts. Rather, they were intelligent beings capable of thought and reason, much like humans or Beastfolk. Killing them was the same as executing a person for no credible reason.


    Igneal appeared by his side and sliced the arms of the lizardmen Tyrus was struggling against. It howled as its limbs plopped to the ground while Igneal kicked the beast away. He then grabbed Tyrus by the collar and shoved him away.


    Suddenly, flames ignited at the top of Igneal¡¯s sword. In one clean motion, he swiped it across the ground in a straight line. There was no clear intention for such an action until a split second later, a wall of flames arose and blocked the advancing lizardmen, singeing the tips of their feet. The air quivered from the chorus of screeches that followed. A handful of the lizardmen backed away from the flames, reluctant to approach.


    ¡°...Sky¡¯s Breath.¡±


    Mana swelled within Igneal, and with a sweeping motion of his hand, a gust of wind flew toward the line of fire. The flames swallowed the wind with a hiss and grew in height and length with renewed vigor in a matter of seconds. Lizardmen who already had the idea of walking around the flames or even jumping over it were too late as their bodies were lit aflame. The ones that hopped over screamed and toppled to the ground headfirst, rolling as they clawed at their blazing skin. Igneal took that as his chance to rush over and lodge his sword in their heads, silencing their screams while the others tried their hand at walking around the magic.


    Igneal stepped back, admiring his work. ¡°That should hold them off for a bit. If you¡¯re done gawking, we should run for the bridge. Now.¡±


    After his words, a faint chant filled Tyrus ears, one that only his heightened senses could pick up on. As if being yanked by some outside force, his attention was drawn to the ground trembling. Thorny vines sprouted from the ground under their feet, snaking around their ankles. Luckily, Igneal and Tyrus were quick to cut and burn away the Shaman¡¯s magic¡ªor blessing, as it called it. Once they were free, they both turned and ran for the bridge.


    ¡°You used an element other than fire,¡± Tyrus remarked as they neared the bridge.


    Igneal snorted. ¡°Why do you sound so surprised? If there is a spell that allows my fire to grow stronger, why not use it? We are only limited by our imagination, as my father would say.¡±


    ¡°Right...¡±


    They stopped talking when they arrived at the bridge, still as unstable as ever. Quickly, they stepped over the charred bodies and stopped before the first plank. Igneal took the lead and stood on top of the plank, leaping over to the next one while Tyrus looked over his shoulder. The lizardmen had already gotten past the flames and were charging straight for them. Bone helmet, as always, took the lead while the Shaman was mumbling more incantations. Instead of summoning more vines, it released a barrage of green beams that hurtled toward them.


    Fortunately, Tyrus saw it coming and avoided it by taking the bridge. The structure squeaked and groaned under their combined weight as it swung even more ferociously. He held onto the ropes for dear life, hoping the planks below him would hold out. Igneal was in front and seemed unbothered as he leaped over to the next one, no problem.


    Just why does every bridge have to be in poor condition, Tyrus mused as he traversed the bridge. Might as well not have one if they¡¯re all gonna be like this. It created the illusion that they were walkable if you had the agility, yet breaks when someone makes it halfway. Almost like the structures were playing tricks out of boredom from being abandoned.


    The Shaman¡¯s attacks came again, forcing Tyrus to move forward. One of the beams clipped his shoulder and burned his shirt and skin. He hissed, but the burn was only minor and did not affect his movement. He continued leaping across the gaps, catching up to Igneal in no time. They weren¡¯t far from reaching the other end, but the lizardmen were hot on their tail.


    Bone helmet was the first to reach the scene. Without hesitation, it set foot on the swaying bridge and pursued its prey. The condition of the bridge didn¡¯t concern it; its sole focus was on capturing its target. It was determined not to let its quarry escape, even if the bridge gave way under the weight of three individuals.


    Regarding the other lizardmen, they chose not to use the bridge and instead dove into the water, each one entering with the precision and speed of arrows released from a bow. Their streamlined bodies effortlessly cut through the air before disappearing beneath the surface, causing hardly a ripple. The Shaman, however, defied all expectations. Rather than submerging itself, it gracefully stepped over the water, its foot not sinking at all. With a raise of its staff, a burst of green light shot forth, narrowly missing Tyrus¡¯s foot as it pierced through the bridge.


    A pit formed in Tyrus¡¯s stomach, causing a wave of unease to wash over him. The scene before him was chaotic; the leader of the lizardmen was approaching rapidly on the bridge, the soldiers swam faster than they ran, and the Shaman was releasing blessing after blessing. One of those blessings almost tore a hole through his chest, but he managed to block one with the midsection of his sword. Yet blocking it almost sent him tumbling over the ledge.


    Tyrus stopped and swept his gaze around, waiting for the rocking to stop. They couldn¡¯t run forever, that much he knew. It was only a matter of time before the lizardmen caught up to them. They needed something to slow them down, or at the very least, give them a chance to catch their breath and figure out what to do.


    His eyes landed on the rope suspending the bridge, and an idea popped into his head. He turned and noticed Igneal was just a jump away from making it across. Turning back, Tyrus saw bone helmet was two jumps from reaching him.


    ¡°No time to think about it!¡± Tyrus grumbled. He raised his sword over one of the ropes and swung down, severing the fibers. The bridge immediately veered, and Tyrus clung onto the remaining rope. Bone helmet roared from the sudden shift, yet that was cut short when its body slammed into the opposite side of the bridge and bounced off the ledge. Its tail flopped around as the rest of its body splashed into the river.


    Tyrus took a deep breath and climbed as high as he could with one arm. Storing his sword back into the ring, he used both his arms to swing and climb the rope, moving as fast as his body allowed. Igneal had already made it across and was standing on the ledge, waiting for Tyrus.


    ¡°Cutting an entire bridge just to shake off one lizardmen?¡± Igneal scoffed. ¡°You could¡¯ve just fought the leader and beat him quickly.¡±


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t afford to waste our time dealing with him,¡± Tyrus grunted as he neared the rocky terrain. ¡°And besides, I can¡¯t kill a beast who isn¡¯t in control of its actions!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t kill them, or you won¡¯t kill them? You¡¯ll get yourself killed if you keep that same mindset.¡±


    Tyrus scowled once he reached the end and pulled himself up. As soon as he was on stable ground, a green flash of light collided into the rocks, sending bits and pieces flying. Tyrus covered his eyes and rolled away before one of them punctured his eyes. He stood up to his feet and confronted the waters with a grim expression. The lizardmen looked like a school of fish swimming through the waves, except their forms were bulkier and had a lot more limbs. Their tails and claws sliced the water effortlessly. Tyrus assumed they would reach the shore in a few moments.


    Igneal joined him and pointed at the water. ¡°Use your lightning to target a large area in the water.¡±


    Tyrus frowned. ¡°What? Why? They¡¯ll see it coming and dodge.¡±


    ¡°Just do what I say. Aren¡¯t you curious about what¡¯ll happen?¡±


    Knowing arguing was useless, Tyrus sighed and focused his mind and willed the lightning element to come out. Arcs of blue light lit up across his palm. He aimed his hand at the shimmering waters and unleashed just enough energy to cover a wide area and save himself a bit of mana.


    As his spell made contact with the water, a crackling sound filled the air, accompanied by sparks dancing in all directions. The water surrounding the bolt shimmered and rippled like a wave, spreading outwards. With each expanding arc, the movements of the lizardmen grew unsteady. Suddenly, their bodies froze, seized by uncontrollable convulsions. Their agonized shrieks echoed through the air as they thrashed and lashed their tails, their movements sluggish and devoid of control. Gradually, their struggles slowed, coming to a complete halt, and one by one, their bodies sank into the dark abyss. Only the Shaman remained, positioned just beyond the reach of the spell¡¯s range.


    Igneal smirked. ¡°See? You¡¯re using your affinity half-heartedly. With you by my side, I can help you grow further.¡±


    Tyrus stared at the water, stunned. He didn¡¯t even try to target the lizardmen in the back, only the few upfront, yet the element traveled across the water easily and hit them as well. If he used it for longer, would it have been able to reach the Shaman and damaged it as well? Just what else was his affinity capable of?


    I¡¯ll figure that out later, Tyrus thought. Now wasn¡¯t the time to be dazed, but to push forward. He only used his magic intending to stun, not kill, so it was only a matter of time until the lizardmen recovered.


    Until then, they¡¯d have to group up with Sir Geroth and figure out what to do next. With an overseer nearby, he¡¯d know what to do and tell them what was going on. As tired as Tyrus was, curiosity and anger overwhelmed his fatigue.


    He needed answers. Now.

 Chapter 92- Showdown

    Paying no heed to the Shaman, Tyrus and Igneal pressed on, navigating the unforgiving terrain. The landscape was a disarray of uneven terrain, with jagged edges jutting out in every direction, a terrible experience that Tyrus couldn¡¯t help but groan at. Then again, it was better than fighting beasts on a narrow bridge or being assaulted by unknown magic. Really, what exactly was the green beam the Shaman kept pouring out? Tyrus could only think of the light element, but it didn¡¯t seem logical. It would be sunny yellow if that were the case, not green.


    Even more bizarre was its belief that it received blessings from a goddess. Now, Tyrus was already told that gods and goddess existed. Heck, Wanderer mentioned Sthito blessed him with the power to use magic. Whether that was true, he didn¡¯t know, let alone care. If a deity bestowed upon him the power to use magic, he would believe it unless persuaded otherwise.


    The treants and spirits revere Mevena, while the sorcerers show gratitude and loyalty to Sthito. Jericho even made a joke about being an apostle to someone named Ethera, whoever that was. Basically, a good deal of praise and thanks were sent to the gods, so they must be real. In that case, where were they and what were they doing? Were they residing elsewhere, silently observing the people of Dharmere, or were they concealing their presence until absolutely required? Or maybe they didn¡¯t care.


    Bringing himself back to the present, Tyrus squinted ahead. Spotting another bridge, equally as battered as the previous one, prompted him to let out a groan. By now, it was hardly unexpected to stumble upon another crumbling bridge that lead to yet another stretch of land. Frankly, he was getting sick of it.


    Heavily panting and exhausted, Igneal moved past him, leaning on a rugged and sharp rock spire. ¡°We... must be... getting close to the artifact. The corrupted mana is thicker than ever. I can feel my body growing heavier.¡±


    Finally, Igneal looked ahead to see another bridge waiting for them. His mood worsened further. ¡°Let me guess: you¡¯ll destroy that bridge as well?¡±


    Tyrus ignored the jab and said, ¡°I¡¯ve been wondering about something for a while. How are we still fine in this corrupted mana? I was hesitant about that technique you told me, but its seems to work great. No tainted mana has entered my body yet.¡±


    Igneal straightened and wandered to Tyrus. ¡°Does it matter? It just means we¡¯re resistant to the corruption, so long as we keep the technique up. We¡¯re just that adept at using it, and it¡¯s all thanks to my skills and instruction.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t go a day without rubbing it in,¡± Tyrus mumbled. ¡°Let¡¯s just hurry and group up with the overseer. I want to get out of this swamp as soon as possible. If we tell him what happened here, the exam might be¡ª¡±


    When a heap of rocks shifted to the right, he accidentally caught his tongue. Igneal and Tyrus swiftly turned and readied themselves for combat, keeping a vigilant eye on the cascading rocks. At first, he assumed it was nothing but the wind playing tricks on them. That changed when a shadow in the fog l blurred behind a long rock.


    ¡°Igneal, did you see that?¡±


    When Tyrus glanced sideways, he saw something quick jump off that same rock. His heart leaped into his throat. The shadow moved fast, faster than anything he¡¯d seen in his entire life. He even noticed a faint glow gliding across its body before it crashed into Igneal, sending them rolling some place else.


    ¡°Igne¡ª¡±


    An incantation interrupted him and soon came a green beam that struck his left shoulder. Tyrus cried out as he held his wounded shoulder. Blood poured down his arm as he shambled for the nearest tall rock.


    Growling, he looked over to see the Shaman levitating near the entrance of the bridge. Not only could that thing walk on water, but stay in the air as well? From which god did it derive its magical prowess to achieve such remarkable feats? Tyrus began to question if it was still possible to switch to receiving blessings instead. If he could stay in the air, use magic that resembled the earth element, and shoot green beams reminiscent of light, he¡¯d pray and beg to whatever god would grant him such powers, and then some.


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    Unfortunately, this wasn¡¯t the moment to grumble and complain. It was crucial for him to act swiftly and assist Igneal before the situation escalated. That guy was still alive, given he could hear crackling flames sometimes, but he couldn¡¯t afford to waste any time. If he had to guess, it seemed likely that Igneal was engaged in a battle with bone helmet. That lizardman, along with the Shaman, was the only beast beyond the range of his magical abilities.


    Tyrus cast a glance at his bloodied shoulder. The pain was searing, but he didn¡¯t believe it was a fatal wound. Blood was trickling out, but that seemed to be the extent of it. He didn¡¯t catch sight of any bone protruding or feel the magic penetrating him. A swift application of Healing Touch should suffice, although he had never tested it on this type of injury before.


    Before Tyrus could attempt to use Healing Touch, the Shaman unleashed another beam towards him. The spell narrowly missed the rock that served as his hiding spot, causing a shower of sharp fragments to scatter through the air. Realizing he had no time to spare, Tyrus swiftly abandoned his position and sprinted away.


    Currently, the Shaman held the upper hand because of its ability to cast spells while floating. It could unleash spells upon Tyrus with no concern, as he could not reach it. The only way to overcome this advantage was to cast spells in return, but even that proved challenging in itself. Tyrus had not yet regained enough mana, limiting his ability to cast spells. Even if he attempted to do so, the Shaman had a high likelihood of evading them due to the considerable distance between them.


    In addition, there was the uncertainty about the lizard¡¯s other abilities. As usual, the odds were not in his favor. However, despite the grim circumstances, Tyrus did not feel powerless. He was confident that he could come up with a solution. Whenever he encountered trouble, he always managed to escape.


    He just needed a plan.


    Tyrus scanned his surroundings as he ran, dodging blast after blast from the Shaman. Thanks to the terrain, there were numerous places to hide. Sadly, they did little to protect him. The Shaman would eventually locate him and force him out of place, whether it be from sprouting thorns out from the ground or bombarding the rocks until he moved because of flying debris. Better than nothing, Tyrus supposed.


    When Tyrus rushed to a boulder and slid over it, a tendril of thorns shot up from behind. There was a pause, then the Shaman launched another beam that almost struck him in the head when he landed. Tyrus had to veer his body awkwardly, causing him to land on his bad shoulder. He pushed himself up and shielded himself again. The pain in his shoulder flared, yet he ignored it.


    ¡°Just a bit more.¡±


    He had noticed something as he fled from the lizard. While it received blessings from a deity, it still had one common problem when using incantations: casting time. There was a brief pause between each spell, meaning Tyrus could expect when it would strike next. And if that spell missed him, the lizard had to recite the incantation again. He was given much leeway thanks to his excellent hearing, so he could hear it coming ahead of time. Add in his reflexes, he could dodge its spells, mostly. What was even better was that he had gotten close enough to finally take action.


    With the Shaman levitating just nearby, Tyrus saw this as an opportunity. If he wanted to survive and defeat this creature, then it was essential that he utilize what little magic he had left in his reserves. Judging by his mana heart, he had enough mana for a Dual Shot, a spell strong enough to shatter a rock spider¡¯s defenses. So long as the Shaman had no magic that could serve as a shield, Tyrus was sure a Dual Shot would do its job.


    That was if everything went according to plan.


    Tyrus tore himself away from his spot behind a rock as he caught the sound of an incantation. The ground beneath him trembled, and suddenly a multitude of tendrils erupted, thrashing about like a writhing nest of snakes. Hastily, he made his way towards the Shaman, who was positioned at a moderate height. Just as a spell was unleashed, he instinctively dropped and rolled to avoid a green beam that sliced through the earth. The spell narrowly missed him, barely grazing his shoulder and leaving behind a faint mark.


    Gritting his teeth, Tyrus summoned his sword and swiftly activated augmentation, feeling a rush of power course through his body. With a swift motion, he hurled his sword into the air, watching as it spun towards the Shaman with incredible speed. The Shaman, caught off guard by the unexpected attack, dodged the spinning weapon, its abyssal eyes widening in surprise. As the sword flew past, the Shaman quickly refocused its attention on Tyrus, only to find him no longer on the ground, taking his place his own enchanted cost. Instead, he was perched on top of a nearby tall rock.


    The lizardman let out a hiss of anger while attempting to conjure another spell, but it was too slow to react. With a mighty leap, Tyrus launched himself off the rock, causing fragments to scatter through the air. As the Shaman prepared to take aim, Tyrus raised his arm and pointed it directly at the Shaman. A surge of mana flowed through his body as he envisioned a sphere of lightning being unleashed from within him.


    With silent casting, he carefully tapped into his mana reserves, enough to inflict damage on the beast without depleting his own supply. His heart pounded, his eyes flickered, and then the spell was unleashed. An orb of electrifying lightning, a vivid blue color, crackled through the fog, accompanied by a green beam emitted from the Shaman.

 Chapter 93- Showdown (2)

    ¡°Dumb beast! How dare you make a fool out of me!?¡±


    Flames burst forth from Igneal¡¯s hands, causing the lizardmen leader to let out a yelp and hastily retreat from the scorching danger. Smoke rose from the burnt scales as the leader regained his footing, only to swiftly launch himself forward, wielding a spear. In response, Igneal swiftly raised his own weapon, prepared to defend against the impending attack.


    A low grunt escaped his lips when the creature forcefully slammed the tip of its spear onto the fuller. The sheer weight of it caused his bones to almost creak, but he knew this was typical of a lizardman. These beings possessed extraordinary physical capabilities that allowed them to hunt a wide range of creatures. Moreover, having evolved as skilled hunters in the Wasteful Wetlands, it was only natural for them to have developed strength and agility.


    Still, a beast was still just a beast.


    The leader maintained a safe distance, occasionally thrusting the spear with a few slashes, aiming to catch Igneal off guard. Due to the lizardman¡¯s superior height and length, it was challenging to get close enough to retaliate. However, this did not deter Igneal. In fact, the more the leader slashed, the more opportunities it created for Igneal to find an opening.


    Even while being controlled, it still retains its shameful skills with the spear?


    Igneal was thoroughly unimpressed by the spear skills of the lizardman leader. In comparison, even a starving peasant displayed better proficiency. The leader¡¯s stance and form were seriously lacking, making Igneal wonder if the mind control was hindering its fighting abilities or if it simply had a natural ineptitude for weapon expertise. It was no surprise that they relied heavily on their natural abilities and sheer numbers. They had yet to encounter someone capable of defeating them in combat. Fortunately for them, Igneal was more than willing to oblige and demonstrate just how far out of their league these fools truly were.


    Finally, Igneal saw a chance to act, the tip of the lizardman leader¡¯s spear flying a little too close for comfort. The leader stumbled back with a grunt and looked down, as if noticing that a great opportunity had been wasted. Igneal dared not let that chance slip and quickly closed in, using the brief delay to launch an assault. With a thrust of his own, he aimed straight for the leader¡¯s heart.


    We can¡¯t just kill them.


    Tyrus¡¯s words rang out in Igneal¡¯s mind. In that split second, he clicked his tongue and aimed for the leader¡¯s shoulder instead. The blade sank into its flesh, drawing forth a grunt. With a hasty tug, Igneal wrenched the blade back out and tried to go for another thrust, but the reptile used the shaft of its spear to knock him aside.


    Heaving in a breath of air, Igneal rolled to the side, avoiding a swing of a scaly tail that aimed to bash into him. The lizardman leader lashed its tongue at him before hefting its weapon to swing down again, but this time, Igneal was ready. Using his hand, he aimed for the face and unleashed a torrent of flames, causing the reptile to reel back, covering its eyes with a claw.


    ¡°Kssss!¡±


    The lizardman leader swung its spear in a desperate attempt to deter Igneal from advancing. That action only led to the opposite as Igneal parried the spear away and released a mote of fire. The flames smacked the lizardman in the face again, eliciting another shriek. However, instead of staggering back, the leader spun in a circle and swatted its tail against Igneal. Pain ripped through his left arm as a pathetic cry escaped his throat.


    He struggled to hold back a grimace, yet he maintained a defiant glare at his opponent, even as it readied another spear lunge. Moving his left arm felt strenuous, so Igneal backpedaled and constructed a line of fire between himself and the reptile. This time, Igneal sacrificed height and power for length, so that the flames stretched as long as three adult men.


    The fire seemed to serve its purpose, given that the leader halted its attack and leapt over it, just as Igneal had wanted. Of course the reptile decided that jumping over the flames was better than outright running through it or walking around. They were simple-minded creatures that didn¡¯t seem to realize that there was no need for that, unable to formulate an efficient strategy to counter. That mind control only dulled its judgment even further.


    Before the leader could land, Igneal raised his blade and conjured forth Flame Arrow. Flames coalesced into the form of an arrow, painting the fog in a vivid reddish-orange before flying into the lizardman''s stomach. Upon impact, the arrow burst into a vortex of flames, swallowing the reptile in an eruption of heat. Among the crackling and sizzling, Igneal could barely make out a screech before the creature plummeted to the ground. Just for good measure, he surrounded the creature in a circle of flames¡ªthis time sacrificing length and power for height¡ªcreating a makeshift prison resembling a bird cage.


    "If I can''t kill you, then I''ll leave you trapped in my Fire Prison," Igneal said before spitting to the side. "You''ll get out of there yourself if you have the strength, but I highly doubt it."


    Now that that''s finished, he should go see what''s taking his friend so long. In his fight with the lizardman, he felt brief explosions of mana alongside green bursts of light. If he had to guess, he was probably battling that Shaman. With that lizardman subdued, there was only one more lesser being to defeat. After that, nothing should be interrupting their journey to the artifact so long as Sir Geroth hadn''t already dealt with it. Given that the royal knight was taking ages to pop out, he must be dealing with it at this moment.


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    Igneal moved his arm slightly and groaned. "Can''t believe I let that dumb lizard get a good hit on me. I''ll need more training against spearmen. Master Hulford should suffice."


    Igneal reached into his collar and pulled out a necklace with a red coin. Engraved on the front was an orange flame, the insignia of the Lockhart House. With a single tap, out came a glass vial filled with an amber-colored liquid. He unscrewed the cork with his teeth and spat it aside before downing the whole vial. Within moments, he felt a warm and soothing sensation course through him. For good measure, he tossed aside the vial and moved his injured arm. There was some soreness and pain, but soon washed away until it was no longer a bother.


    "Hmph. While I despise using potions, I can admit their benefits. "


    As Igneal approached his makeshift prison of fire, the flames receded upon command and died out, revealing the unconscious body of the lizardman. Though he preferred the creature to be dead, immobilizing it was the next best thing. Usually, sparing those that had the gall to threaten the life of a Lockhart would meet a swift end.


    Igneal failed to see why sparing their lives mattered. What would sparing these weaklings accomplish? When everything all said and done, they''d wake up and attack the nearest person they see. And who''s to say the mind control wasn''t permanent? First, Igneal concluded they were under control because of the black mist their pupils emitted and the dark sorcerer''s words before the attack.


    Nothing would be gained from holding back other than a spear through his chest. He had made that mistake before, and it resulted in him losing against a newborn sorcerer. In a friendly duel. If a father had seen their son losing terribly, their opinion of them would plummet. It was even worse with his background. Just thinking about that loss still prickled at his mind.


    Even through all that, why did he hesitate in killing the leader? He had gotten close enough for his blade to pierce its heart. And as if his hand had a mind of its own, it settled for a nonlethal blow. A lowly beast''s life ripe for the taking, to be rid of vermin that dared chase him across the Wasteful Wetlands. Running as if he were a mouse should never occur to a Lockhart. Yet that commoner''s plea deterred him from finishing it once and for all.


    Suddenly, a glare of light flashed through the air, cutting through the fog in an instant. Igneal swiftly pivoted, eyeing a dramatic show of green and blue colliding, and then disappearing. He even spotted two figures being the culprits. One of them had to be the Shaman, and the other...


    "How did he get in the air?" Igneal mumbled, watching as the two descend. "No, that doesn''t matter. Might as well check how many bones he''s broken from the fall."


    Igneal pushed his necklace back inside his collar and began making his way towards the falling Tyrus. He wasn''t that far to begin with, maybe twenty second of jogging to reach him. That damn lizard leader got him rolling around on hard rocks for way too long. The outfit he had on was as good as trash to him.


    The moment Igneal passed by a boulder, his heart raced out of his chest. Startled, he quickly moved back as he saw a spear flying straight towards him. With a thud, he crashed onto the hard ground, his body sliding across the rough rocks, all while he muttered curses to himself.


    A look of surprise crossed Igneal''s face as a lizardman suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder, its eyes chillingly cold. Another one followed closely behind, and then another. In no time, lizardmen started popping up, coming out from different rocks in the vicinity. Igneal recognized them as the ones swimming in the water earlier until Tyrus wiped them all out. Or so he thought.


    He quickly got to his feet and lifted his sword. "This many survived? Did he hold back his power back then?"


    Igneal counted at least twelve filthy lizards surrounding him. Usually, such numbers wouldn''t pose a problem for him. But as much as he hated to admit it, he was running out of mana. Using his magic throughout the exam has thoroughly drained him, and he used up a lot when he set that entire fishing village on fire. The potion he drank from only healed him from physical ailments. He didn''t have any on him that could replenish some of his reserves.


    Nevertheless, that didn''t imply he would lose. After all, what good would his swordsmanship serve if he neglected to use it? A sorcerer without mana might be useless, but a sorcerer wielding a blade would certainly be threatening.


    A spear whistled past Igneal''s ear, prompting him to spin on his heels. He brought his blade up to parry away another spear before summoning a flame to push a lizardman back. It snarled and backpedaled from the fire, which Igneal expected. Without wasting a moment, he whirled around a rock and created a fiery wall to his right, preventing any reptile that dared attack his blind spot. Then he turned just in time to see four lizardmen greet him with a hiss.


    Using his free arm, Igneal spewed forth a stream of flames to disperse the incoming attackers. His magic consumed three of them, sending them rolling around in a fit of screeches, while the last one rolled across the ground. He expected them to immediately rush forward with reckless abandon, but this was a surprising change. Instead of launching more spears at him, they decided to encircle him and prevent any escape.


    A smile slowly appeared on Igneal''s lips as he formulated his plan. Without hesitation, he swung his sword to the left of the lizardmen. As the blade sliced through the air, mana gathered at its tip, creating a powerful surge of flames that towered over two grown men. With a swift motion, he replicated the same fiery barrier to his right. Now, the lizardmen found themselves trapped within a blazing prison, their options limited to either foolishly charging through or attempting a risky leap over the flames.


    Sweat streamed down his face, and his knees buckled, yet Igneal brushed it aside. His concern lay more with the blood rushing through his ears, sounding almost as loud as his heart thumping in his chest. Creating a fiery barrier demanded more mana and energy than he expected. This marked the first occasion he had summoned such a multitude of flames in such a brief span, and it required an even greater amount of exertion. That he exerted himself to such lengths for a group of weaklings left a sour taste in his mouth, yet he couldn''t help but be intrigued by something.


    How much power was needed to bring them to the brink of death?


    The lizardmen huddled closely, resembling a flock of sheep in a pen, desperately avoiding the scorching flames. However, once they recognized the futility of escaping, their attention shifted towards the spellcaster accountable for their predicament. With a synchronized snarl, their fangs bared and they charged at Igneal with lethal determination. Observing this spectacle, Igneal merely scoffed and nonchalantly lowered his blade.


    "How simple," he chuckled as mana swelled over his outstretched hand.

 Chapter 94- Showdown (3)

    Tyrus refused to stand, perfectly content with lying on the ground until the exam was over. Or until a wayward beast strolls by and decides to have him for lunch. Though both outcomes would suck, it was better than getting up right away.


    His vision blurred as he blinked. In fact, his eyelids were rather heavy, too. Even when he tried to focus, the ground split into two, each one wavering like a puddle in a rainstorm. Whenever he tried to rise, nausea rose from his stomach like a storm, threatening to empty his insides if he so much as breathed.


    Tyrus glanced at his arm. The darn thing was entirely pink while his veins threatened to rip out of his flesh. Not to mention the sounds that annoyed him. Everything buzzed as if thousands of mosquitos surrounded his ears. That wasn''t even mentioning the scent of his own flesh, like burning pork. It was hard to tell whether he wanted to pass out or keep fighting.


    "...I miss Wildwood," Tyrus murmured.


    He missed his training sessions with Meadow and his chats with Elder Treant at the end. He also missed the rich mana that saturated the sanctuary. Mana so natural that it felt as if a simple touch of the grass would heal him entirely. Even something as simple as sleeping outside on the hard ground and waking up with aches all over was much better than here. Dare he say he also missed the rock spiders...


    Eyes half-closed, he stared into the fog-dominated skies, reminiscing about Wildwood. And out of nowhere, the face of Fiona flashed in his mind. Tyrus'' eyes flung open and he sent a quick smack to his cheek.


    "What''s the matter with you?" he scolded. "Get it together, Tyrus. Stand up."


    His limbs tingled when he attempted to raise his body. Without his sword¡ªthat he now regretted throwing¡ªgetting up was a pain. Either way, it took him about a minute to get on his knees. The world spun even faster, so he took a quick break and took a few deep breaths to calm his speedy heart and his churning stomach. Then, in a moment of pure willpower, Tyrus crawled to the nearest large rock where he could lean his back against it.


    A chorus of screeches caused him to turn, only to see bright orange lights streak across the sky. The scent of smoke rolled in before he could think about what caused the light show. Each few seconds that passed, another wave of smoke hit him, and the dancing lights that floated into the skies grew brighter and brighter. Only one person came to mind that could be the cause.


    "That''s got to be Igneal."


    That screech he heard must have been the lizardmen. Tyrus recognized their water-logged throats anywhere. Since he fought the Shaman, Igneal was probably battling the lizardmen, and with them should be their leader, meaning Igneal was at a disadvantage in terms of numbers. Though he could probably deal with them on his own because of his affinity with fire, there was nothing wrong in lending him a helping hand. Better to fight with another than alone. They were in this together at this point.


    Using the rock as support, Tyrus pressed his foot against it and slowly pushed himself off the ground. As much as his body begged him not to, Tyrus was stubborn and did anyway, despite how his muscles squirmed with every movement. That clash really took a toll on his body. His mana heart was back to scraps for mana and he felt like throwing up. Still, he had to go help Igneal.


    Tyrus took one step forward and waited for his vision to steel itself. Then he took another, and another, until he was moving at a steady pace. With the rock beside him, he continued his walk, and the screeches and sounds of battle became louder and louder.


    Nearby, he spotted the body of the Shaman slouched on a rock. The garb it wore on its head was aflame while its staff was split in two. A stream of blood flowed down one of its arms, pummeling the ground like raindrops. Tyrus was afraid that he actually killed the lizardman, but noticed that its chest was moving. That was a relief. If anything, it was a good thing that it was still alive, meaning Tyrus wouldn''t need to feel guilty when this was over. Maybe it snapped out of the dark sorcerer''s mind control now that it sustained enough damage. That happened with the bird beast, but it could''ve been an entirely different reason.


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    Resting on a puddle of blood was the amber-colored rock the lizardman carried. Tyrus bent down and picked it up, inspecting it carefully. Its surface was smooth, and it had a unique sheen to it that reflected the little sunlight shining through the fog. In it, he could feel a weird energy flowing through its core. It definitely wasn''t mana because his mana sense wasn''t picking up anything, so what could it be?


    Tyrus shook his head and stuffed the rock into his ring. He''d think about it later when his brain was about to burst. For now, his focus should be on helping Igneal and making sure he was okay.


    The closer he approached, the more potent the smell of burnt flesh became. Tyrus covered his nose as he neared a large boulder, where the sounds were the loudest. As soon as he made his way around it, a wave of heat rushed over him. Tyrus recoiled from the intensity and stumbled backwards.


    Before him was a field of charred lizard bodies, littered all over. Their corpses covered every inch of the ground, leaving nothing visible underneath; surrounding them were flames that formed a square. In the middle of it was Igneal, his breathing erratic as his chest heaved up and down. When Igneal heard Tyrus''s footsteps, he looked in his direction.


    Igneal''s face was haggard, as if he was a mere hour away from collapsing. Sweat trickled down the sides of his cheeks, mixing with the soot and mud caked onto his skin. The clothes he wore were torn and scorched, leaving a few nicks and cuts all over. Despite his condition, Igneal wiped off a smidge of blood on his cheek and smiled.


    "Good, you''re still alive. You know, I didn''t expect those things to fight so hard. Even confronted with their weakness, they still refused to back down. I was almost impressed, but then I remembered that these are just beasts."


    Tyrus remained silent and scanned the area. There had to be about twelve lizardmen corpses surrounding him, maybe more. Their bodies were blackened and almost unrecognizable, but Tyrus could hear their faint breaths.


    "Don''t worry. They''re still alive, or at least what''s left of them." Igneal gestured at the charred bodies with a wave. "Do you have any idea how difficult it was to hold back? I had to find the perfect balance between not killing them and causing a large amount of damage to incapacitate them. These wounds I''ve received are because of you, just to let you know."


    Tyrus''s eyes narrowed, and his hand turned into a fist. Why was he laughing? Did inflicting pain amuse him? There was nothing to smile about all of this. All they did was defeat those not in control of their actions. It was especially bad if they woke up and found out Igneal handled all of this damage. They would get angry, rightfully so, and express their anger toward them. And just when they were on the verge of reaching an understanding...


    But as Tyrus thought about it more, staring at the cuts on Igneal''s body and the unfortunate lizardmen, Tyrus unclenched his hand and sighed. He had no right to feel angry. It was him or them. This much force was necessary or else they would''ve sustained serious injuries and failed the exam. Asking Igneal to keep them alive was a foolish request, and Tyrus didn''t have the right to complain. At least he left them alive and not outright killed them.


    Tyrus hobbled over to Igneal and said, "I''ve already dealt with the Shaman. It shouldn''t bother us for a while. Don''t know about the leader, though."


    "Don''t worry about that weakling. It couldn''t stand a chance against my flames. He''s right over there as we speak."


    Igneal gestured towards a figure lying sprawled out not too far away, mirroring the same condition as its comrades. A dark ring encircled its body, and Tyrus even noticed a hole in its shoulder. Tyrus guessed Igneal had tackled the leader initially before engaging in battle with the rest.


    "Although I would love to share the tale of how I triumphed over these creatures, it''s time to take action," Igneal remarked, refocusing on the bridge. "We can''t just wait around here for those things to recover and attack us again, especially since the exam is still ongoing. It''s high time we seize the artifact, without any further interruptions. The longer we remain here, the more likely it is for the corrupted mana to infiltrate our bodies."


    Tyrus lacked the energy to engage in an argument, so he simply nodded in agreement. After all, Igneal was correct. There were more pressing matters that required their attention. Above all else, reaching Sir Geroth, assuming he was still present, took precedence. It struck him as strange that the overseer had not come to their aid or even observed their battle, considering his close proximity. This indicated that he was either occupied with the artifact, elsewhere, or worse, deceased. Tyrus desperately hoped that the latter two possibilities were not the reality.


    With their destination in sight, Tyrus and Igneal cautiously made their way across the scorched terrain, mindful of not tripping over the fallen lizardmen. As they progressed, Tyrus stole one final glance over his shoulder, unable to tear his eyes away from the defeated lizardmen. Soon enough, they arrived at the base of the bridge. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that most of the planks were missing. Exchanging a knowing look, Tyrus and Igneal instantly understood that they were both thinking the same thing.


    How in Sthito''s name were they going to make it across?

 Chapter 95- Hidden Relic

    Surprisingly, there was a second path available, although it was quite unconventional. Underneath the bridge were a bunch of rocks receiving a beating from the water. There was enough to be considered a path toward the other side, yet the problem lied about their stability. One misstep would send them plunging into the freezing lake.


    Though exhausted, Tyrus made it across safely, more or less. There were a couple times where he had to take long breaks, and he even slipped a couple times, but he didn''t fall. Igneal, on the other hand, had issues traversing the rocks, so it took him even longer to cross.


    Six times he slipped and had his foot into the water. Five times he overshot his jump and ended up smacking his chest against the rocks. It was funny seeing a proud guy like him have trouble on a simple pathway. The way his eyebrows twitched in annoyance and the grumbling beneath his breath were quite amusing. Of course, Tyrus kept a straight face to hide his enjoyment of Igneal''s struggles. By the time he was done, it looked as if his soul had departed from his body.


    Igneal collapsed onto his knees and wheezed, "...If I hear you speak of this to anyone, I will personally see to it that your life is hell."


    "It wasn''t that bad," Tyrus responded, biting the inside of his cheek.


    Igneal shot him a glare and grumbled something incoherent as he unlaced his boots. Once they were off, he poured the excess water out, and Tyrus couldn''t help but pinch his nose and look away. He heard the crackle of a fire for a minute, and then Igneal lacing up his boots again.


    "Once I get out of this godsforsaken place, I''m taking a bath," Igneal grumbled. He rose and looked around, and Tyrus followed along.


    The terrain, as expected, was muddy and scattered with skeletons¡ªa treasure vault size of them, in fact¡ªstumps, and shattered boats. Aside from the terrible conditions and scenery, what caught their eye immediately was a massive altar and a tree much, much larger than the structure. Its bark was devoid of color, reminding Tyrus of fire pit ashes. Still, even with the creepy scenery of skeletons and a place devoid of life, what shocked him the most was that there was a nose in the tree. When he peered closely at the tree again, he noticed circular grooves near the top of its trunk.


    "Wait... Is that¡ª"


    "There''s the artifact!" Igneal interrupted. He hurried forward, as if all signs of fatigue had disappeared. However, the more distance he gained, the slower his body moved. From a jog to trudging, as if traveling through a snowstorm. A few seconds later, he stopped.


    Igneal attempted to take another step, but his body stubbornly refused to comply. With a mighty grunt, he swung his arms and stretched his neck forward, yet his efforts were in vain as he remained firmly rooted to the spot.


    "I did not wallow around in muck and taste mud to be held back! Hey, give me a hand over here. Use augmentation and carry me over to the altar! This damn corrupted mana is prohibiting me from moving closer. It''s like I''m pushing against an invisible wall."


    "What are you two doing here?!" said a stern voice.


    Tyrus whipped his head and saw Sir Geroth appearing from behind a nearby rock spire. Eyes as sharp as a blade glared in their direction; His face was contorted into a scowl. The overseer was also had his entire chest exposed, revealing a series of burn marks. A white aura cling to his body, and in his hand was the magnificent sword Tyrus ever laid his eyes on. Besides that, why was Sir Geroth half naked?


    Sir Geroth rushed to the pair and said, "This place is dangerous! You kids should not be this close to a contaminated zone!"


    When he got close enough to Igneal, a wave of confusion washed over Sir Geroth''s face. He stopped in his tracks and looked Igneal all over. After a second had passed, he blew a sigh of relief and sheathed his sword.


    "So that''s how you''re able to withstand the corrupted mana..."


    Tyrus caught up with them and paused right next to Igneal. He looked at where the Lockhart stood and the direction of the altar. Wondering why Igneal was struggling, he took a few steps forward with no problems other than his body feeling a bit heavier than usual.


    "I can move forward just fine," Tyrus said.


    Sir Geroth nodded. "That is because your body is stronger than Lord Igneal''s. However, it will not be long until you will meet the same issue. Do not come any closer. Wait here while I deal with the artifact. I''ve only just recently finished my battle against the dark sorcerer''s minions."


    Igneal moved away from the ''invisible barrier'' and faced Sir Geroth. "What will you do with the artifact, royal knight?"


    "At first, I planned to destroy it, but that may do more harm than good. An explosion might occur, effecting an even larger part of the Wasteful Wetlands and possibly towns nearby. First, I must construct a barrier around the artifact so that its power cannot escape. Then I will deliver it to the Imperial Palace so that Curator Agnese can watch over the relic. It will buy us time for her and the court to figure out a way to destroy it or completely nullify it."


    "Okay, good. If you''re delivering it to the Imperial Palace, then that means you''ll be reporting what has happened here to His Majesty. Don''t forget to include my name in the report as well. After all, I played a vital role in protecting the artifact and the lives of the other applicants."


    Sir Geroth raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that? No, that can wait. Business comes first. Now, if you''ll excuse me."


    With a burst of energy, Sir Geroth leaped away, landing just in front of the altar. The man brought out his sword and pointed it at what appeared to be a cube. Mana poured out from his body and along the sword until it finally wrapped around the artifact.


    Tyrus didn''t understand what exactly the royal knight was doing, nor could he figure it out based on the expressionless look on Sir Geroth''s face. All he could tell was that he was concentrating on something.


    Tyrus stared at the cube again. From what he could make out, a sinister light encompassed the relic, yet it dimmed the longer Sir Geroth interacted with it. Soon he made out strange symbols on the surface. Something tugged at Tyrus''s brain. Just where has he seen those before? He had no clue what it said, but he definitely recognized it somewhere.


    Just then, his storage ring grew heavy, and his arm jerked downward. A gasp escaped him before his arm descended, crashing into the ground. Tyrus''s muscles strained as he exerted all his strength, but the weight in his hands seemed insurmountable, as if he were grappling with an immovable boulder.


    "What''s up with you?" Igneal asked, walking forward.


    "I-I don''t know!"


    The green gem on the ring glowed, and out came the orb he had stashed inside, floating near Tyrus. The realization hit him: the cube and the orb shared the same symbols! Tyrus was confused. How did the orb and the cube have the same markings on them? Was it coincidence? And what did it mean? Tyrus couldn''t wrap his head around it, nor did he have time to.


    The orb jerked and drifted toward the altar. Unexpectedly, a blinding white light emanated from the object, compelling Tyrus to shut his eyes immediately. He had to use his other hand to shield himself from the radiance, and even then it wasn''t enough. The orb had grown so bright that it felt as if his eyelids were burning. All Tyrus could make out was Sir Geroth shouting something incomprehensible and Igneal complaining about his eyes.


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    Fear swelled inside him. One thing that Tyrus dreaded was that he had been carrying around a dangerous object this entire time and would ultimately be the end of everyone nearby. If not that, then they their vision would suffer and never return.


    Then, just as the thought of him and his companions going blind, the light faded. Tyrus was able to open his eyes without his skin melting off his face.


    "Is it over?" Igneal shouted.


    "I think so," Tyrus replied. "The light is gone so you can open your-"


    His words got caught in his throat when he looked around. The air that used to be congested with a river of black particles disappeared. Now the entire space was clear and fresh, as if Tyrus had stepped out of a cave. Tyrus''s mind drew a blank as he processed the scene, his gaze fixed on the altar.


    The black glow around the cube was gone, emitting not even a speck of light. It lied on the altar, as lifeless as a rock. Hovering near it was the mysterious orb, now in possession of the sinister light. Yet not even that persisted as the orb sucked in the dangerous energy like how a person would sip a bowl of stew. Soon, it was back to its regular self.


    Sir Geroth, who was standing by in shock, strolled to the orb and snatched it away. He turned and lumbered toward Tyrus and Igneal.


    "Who does this belong to?" Sir Geroth demanded.


    His forceful tone caught Tyrus off guard, and he unknowingly raised his hand.


    "Where did you get this from, young man?"


    "I... can''t remember. Someday, I found it in my hands a few years ago and kept it close just in case I mustered the courage to sell it somewhere."


    "Are you being dishonest with me?"


    Tyrus shook his head. "I''m telling the truth. Whenever I try to think back, my head throbs and nothing pops up. So I just gave up on remembering."


    Sir Geroth peered at Tyrus for what felt like hours before he sighed. "Apologies for putting you through that test. It was necessary to ensure certain things. I asked you about this because what you currently have in your possession is an artifact. Owning just one of these is worrisome, and stumbling upon two in a single day is as rare as witnessing the birth of a dragon.


    "Uh, what-"


    The aura around Sir Geroth dissipated, and his stern eyes softened. "I''m afraid I will have to confiscate the orb, along with the other artifact. Any and all artifacts discovered in Lethos are to be sent to Curator Agnese so that she can research them. There we will decide if the artifact is dangerous and if it should be destroyed. If it is not, it will be kept in the treasury."


    Something stirred within Tyrus. "...But it''s mine, isn''t it? I don''t want to give it away.


    Sir Geroth looked at him with a surprised expression. "And why is that? What could you possibly do with the artifact? From what you told me, you don''t have a clue on how you came across it and had no idea how it worked. It''s too dangerous for someone as young as you to carry this around, especially when its use is still a mystery."


    Tyrus couldn''t argue back. The man was right, after all. He could just be rid of the artifact without knowing if it could pose a danger to him. Nevertheless, he remained adamant about not letting go of the one thing that he considered his own. Surprising and odd as it was, it was a treasure he had obtained from a past he could not remember. For some inexplicable reason, something within him was telling him to never part ways with the orb.


    Sir Geroth sighed. "If it''s compensation you want, I can arrange that with the treasury. His Majesty rewards those who help Lethos and her people. There are other options available other than sil. We can give you a better title, access to certain places like Ironworks or dungeons in Lethos'' territory. Emperor Johan is generous with his wealth, young man. An artifact can go as low as a thousand sil, or one hundred royal sil."


    Tyrus'' knees almost buckled at the mouth-watering opportunities. A thousand sil if he gave away the artifact? He''d be set for life if he managed the money carefully. Not only that, but if he for some reason declined the sil, there were other benefits in the offer. He did not know what Ironworks was or what a dungeon meant, but if Sir Geroth was offering it on the same level as that much sil, then it must be something amazing! What kind of person would he be if he refused?


    "...I still want to keep it," Tyrus muttered.


    Without warning, the relic began to tremble and vibrate. The sudden movement was so alarming that the trio froze. They stared at the relic as it shook, and it proceeded to levitate once more, yet immediately dashing straight for Tyrus, smacking him against his chest. And as if it had a mind of its own, it forced itself into the storage ring. A silence as unnerving as the relic''s behavior ensued.


    Suddenly, a sharp sound sliced through the air. A chorus of creaking and groaning soon followed, and the three immediately turned toward the direction of the noise: the tree. Its branches shivered while the circular grooves on the base of its trunk began to open. Black eyes with white pupils blinked slowly.


    "I have... awoken? That can only mean that despicable sorcerer has been dealt with."


    Taking in the scene, the colossal tree finally noticed the trio situated just a short distance from it. The eyes on the tree focused on the group.


    "You three," the tree rumbled. "Are you the ones responsible for getting rid of the sorcerer? I do not feel even a trace of corrupted mana in the air."


    Sir Geroth peered at the creature. "A talking tree? Given its size, it must be an Elder Treant and not a regular one. If there''s an Elder Treant here, then this must be one of Mevena''s sanctuaries."


    So it really was an Elder Treant, Tyrus thought. He assumed there was only one of them, but does not seem to be the case. How come Elder Treant, or the one back in Wildwood, never mentioned this to him?


    is over. Zephyr, if you will!"


    As you wish," said a distant voice. ""


    alone.


    "Take it easy," a voice advised.


    Grant released his grip on her as she dusted off her coat. Regaining her composure, she gracefully inclined her body and extended her hand to Tyrus, who accepted it with a nod. Tyrus regained his footing and finally had a chance to fully observe the scene. Near the entrance stood Igneal, who had hurriedly made his way to Sir Wayne and requested a bucket of water and a scrub.


    Besides that, there were many people watching from the first and second floor. Some wore scowls on their faces, while others had looks of shock. Tyrus felt himself shrinking under the weight of all the attention, but he did his best to ignore them. He locked eyes with Fiona and Grant, focusing on them instead.


    With a wide, beaming smile stretching across his face, he raised his hand and gave them a resolute thumbs up. The sound of their surprised gasps barely registered before the world around him transformed into a hazy blur once again. As if his body had suddenly lost all strength, he felt himself slumping to the side, his vision fading into an abyss of darkness.

 Chapter 96- End of an Exam

    Tyrus devoured the bountiful table, satisfying his hunger with bread, water, and a delectable red bison stew that had a hint of sweetness in the meat. Even a few fruits made their way in his gullet, and though he may have to vomit soon afterward, he couldn¡¯t help it. It felt as if he had not had a proper meal since forever, though realistically, it had only been a good four hours since. Why was he so hungry?


    Fiona sat beside Tyrus, watching him as he shoveled food inside his mouth. ¡°You know... You scared me back there when you passed out there for a moment. Turns out you were just dead tired and... very hungry.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Tyrus replied, his voice muffled.


    They were currently on the second floor, sitting at a table that watched over the entire first floor. There, a handful of people still sat and stood, but their attention was elsewhere. The chatter downstairs was still quite audible, so Tyrus got the gist of what was going on down there.


    Zephyr had already finished transporting the remaining applicants, thus signalling the end of the exam. Apparently, the ones that failed were transported back to the building beforehand, so the applicants that just arrived are the ones that passed, which weren¡¯t that many. Only five out of the sixteen remained, that being him, Igneal, a man with sun-kissed skin, Mitha and Wyford.


    A lick of a smile appeared on Tyrus when hearing the good news. They had been through a lot together, even if their time was brief. The two of them deserved to be explorers, more than Tyrus. Mitha and Wyford had the skills and knowledge to get the job done. All Tyrus had was a bit of experience and a lot of luck, but that was not enough.


    Compared to them and Igneal, he was a weakling. His skills with the sword were subpar at best, and his understanding of magic was mediocre compared to Igneal. The guy had to teach someone with a rare affinity how to use his magic properly. Tyrus would be lying if he was happy Igneal, of all people, had to teach him something he should¡¯ve known a while ago. Plus, he didn''t even have to mention his aim with the bow since he''s never used one before.


    Tyrus was the bottom of the barrel when faced with true talent. All he had going for him was his physique and a knack for getting out of trouble. Without Igneal, he probably would¡¯ve failed the exam at the hands of Jericho. And without Mitha and Wyford, escaping the fishing village would have been impossible with all the lizardmen and beasts chasing them. At those moments, Tyrus truly felt hopeless.


    Warm skin suddenly landed on his hand. Tyrus jumped at the touch, looking up to see Fiona staring at him, her expression a mix of worry and comfort. ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t know if you know this, but your emotions become blatantly clear, especially through your ears and tail. When you get all sad, your tail hangs to the side while your ears droop. Though cute, something must be bothering you and I have a feeling it¡¯s related to the exam. Care to tell me what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Tyrus set aside his mug and wiped his mouth. Before he could open his mouth, a gust of wind from the first floor swept across the building. Soon, the chatter downstairs quieted and turned into a series of muttering. Tyrus and Fiona glanced down, and there, they saw what had caught everyone¡¯s attention; a sphere of wind swirling at where the applicants first teleported to appeared. Afterward, the wind disappeared, revealing the three overseers.


    Selena, who appeared unchanged as usual, confidently walked forward with a radiant smile and announced, "Greetings, everyone! As you can clearly see, the exam has officially concluded! Out of the sixteen contenders, only five endured a remarkable three hours in the treacherous Wasteful Wetlands! Considering its medium danger level, this is an astounding achievement in itself. Let''s give them a round of applause as they receive their well-deserved Explorer Guild tags!¡±


    Applause filled the air as the other applicants gingerly walked toward the overseers. Tyrus finished stuffing his face with a stick of bread and bid Fiona goodbye as he followed suit. When he made his way downstairs, the stares were back, but he simply ignored them and jogged toward the overseers.


    Wyford flashed him a smile and muttered the words ''Good to see you again'' while Mitha waved. Tyrus took the spot next to Igneal; he noticed the Lockhart grabbed himself a fresh set of garments and cleaned the mud from his face. Even then, he missed a few spots as mud still speckled his red hair. Where did he find the time to dress and clean himself up? It wasn''t even that long since they were teleported back.


    Tyrus caught Selena glancing at him with a smile, and he almost gagged. He thought back to Fiona''s words about him being easily readable and made a mental note to mask expressing himself through his ears and tail. Was he really being that obvious this whole time?


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Selena started with an unwavering smile, saying, "First of all, congratulations! You have successfully completed the most challenging exam ever devised by this branch in its entire history! Your bravery and determination have allowed you to overcome every obstacle and hurdle that stood in your way. This alone speaks volumes about your skills as an explorer. Some of you even took on the formidable lizardmen single-handedly and emerged victorious. To be honest, such a feat is beyond what one would expect from a copper rank explorer."


    Tyrus''s eyes narrowed when he realized Selena was directing the last statement at him. The gasping and clapping from the audience drowned out his suspicions as Selena continued with her speech.


    "Hey, Branch Leader Selena!" someone called from near the contract board. "Why''s Sir Geroth half naked? Was he wrestling a bunch of hogs out of boredom or something?"


    A few people in the audience snickered while Selena chuckled and said, "That is a great question, Treide. You can ask Sir Geroth about it later."


    Selena gestured over to Sir Geroth, who had been staring dazedly at the roof. When he realized she was waiting for him to say something, he snapped out of it. "Oh, yes! It is a story worth telling over a few drinks! Though I would love to describe how I wrestled three tusked boars, I''m afraid I have my duties to attend to after. Selena, if you will."


    Sir Geroth in particular seemed rather shaken, Tyrus noticed. Elder Treant must''ve told him something worrisome if he of all people was disturbed. Tyrus didn''t have time to dwell on the thought, however, as Selena wrapped up the speech almost quickly.


    "Best not to keep a protector of Lethos waiting. So without further ado, Celeste will now issue the Explorer tags!"


    The receptionist at the desk retrieved a fancy black box from under the desk and walked up to Mitha first. She smiled with a bow and handed her the first tag, a necklace with a copper plate at the end. Then she went down the line and repeated the same gestures. When she got to Igneal and he received his, he looked at the tag with a grimace.


    "I should be in gold instead," he muttered.


    Celeste shrugged. "Complete more contracts and I''m sure you''ll accomplish that swiftly, Lord Igneal."


    "Naturally," Igneal said with a puffed chest.


    At last, Celeste came to a halt in front of Tyrus and extended the Explorer tag towards him. His hand trembled as he gratefully took hold of it. Raising the copper tag above his head, he reveled in his personal victory. Finally, he had accomplished one of his longstanding aspirations since becoming a sorcerer. Him reaching the status as an explorer was the accumulation of his blood and sweat, tirelessly honing his magic and body to take another step in securing a lavish life.


    Tyrus felt like dancing, running, jumping, screaming, and doing a million other things to celebrate, but he restrained himself and did nothing. He didn''t want to embarrass himself any more than he had already done. He was content with holding the cold metal to his palms and feeling his heart beat with excitement.


    Tyrus held the tag in his hands, carefully examining it. The front displayed the words ''Explorer Guild''. Flipping it over, he noticed a few intriguing details. His name and branch affiliation immediately caught his eye. Strangely enough, unlike the plain inscription on the front, these letters emitted a bright white light. Utilizing his mana sense, Tyrus guessed the tag was infused with mana. And just below his name and affiliation, there was a number.


    Ten? What does that mean?


    Selena cleared her throat and began, "For all of you, my dear new explorers, the Explorer tag contains your personal information, including your name, affiliation with the Valis branch, and age that periodically keeps track. This will facilitate identification when accessing various facilities that require verification. The information on the back is designed in white color, as it is powered by mana, a remarkable creation by Lethos'' renowned sorcerers."


    The gears in Tyrus head turned as the information settled in his brain. Why did the tag say ten when his true age was nine? Sure he would reach that number in the upcoming winter, but why would it show a time a few months from now? Tyrus tried to convey his question through his eyes toward Selena, and she must''ve read his mind. All the branch leader did was wink at him and signalled toward a beaming Fiona, as if to say ''we''ll talk later with her.'' Tyrus mentally shrugged and stared back at the tag.


    "I don''t want to keep you guys, so I''ll wrap this up now. Congratulations to our new explorers! Don''t be shy in teaching the rookies a thing or two about the guild and our way of life. We''re all in this together, so do not hesitate to help one another. If anyone has questions, please come and talk to Celeste, myself, or one of the higher-ranked explorers. With that being said, the guild will provide a feast later tonight and we expect to see you there!"


    The crowd erupted into applause and hollers, shaking the building to its core. Tables and mugs rattled as explorers took their seats or pounded their feet in a rhythm. Tyrus cupped his ears as the sound overwhelmed his senses.


    Ugh, so annoying!


    Just as he was about to run off, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He peered up to see Selena, who was smirking down at him. "You look like a kitten ready to flee! Understandable, given your sensitive hearing. Follow me to my office. We have much to discuss of your... future."


    From Selena''s ominous message and her unsettling smile, Tyrus could not help but gulp. Whenever it came to her, Tyrus always had his guard up. While he would love to leave the building and go somewhere else, he had a couple of questions for the branch leader and information to share.

 Chapter 97- Good News?

    ¡°Recount everything that has happened,¡± Selena asked. ¡°Don¡¯t leave out a single detail.¡±


    Tyrus found himself seated in a chair, feeling his body slump into the unforgiving hardness of the wooden surface. He was in Selena¡¯s office, observing the branch leader with a slight frown etched on his face. If he were being honest, he would much rather be somewhere else, whether it was taking a refreshing dip in clean water or acquiring a new set of garments. But, as predictable as the sunrise, his ravenous curiosity always seemed to prevail.


    He toyed with his Explorer tag for a moment before speaking up. ¡°Firstly, I¡¯m curious as to why the number ten is displayed instead of nine. Is there a problem with my tag? And if there is, when can it be repaired?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not broken, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking,¡± Selena said, leaning against her cushioned chair. ¡°I¡¯m fully aware of your age and all that, but the others don¡¯t.¡±


    Tyrus tilted his head. ¡°I don¡¯t understand...?¡±


    ¡°Okay, let me ask you this: what are your goals in life?¡±


    ¡°To become wealthy and powerful, to the point where no one can walk all over me,¡± Tyrus replied promptly.


    She nodded. "Good aspirations for someone as young as you. Now, tell me, how will you achieve that strength?"


    Tyrus was at a loss on where Selena was going with this, yet decided to answer anyway. "By training, of course. As long as I push my limits and continue to hone my skills and mana, I can attain that strength, whether it be strengthening my body or using magic every day. That is what you and Sir Geroth did, right?"


    "Yes, I suppose you are right about that," Selena said. She leaned forward, lacing her fingers together like a spider weaving a web. "Body strengthening and magic practice is how you will grow stronger, and those gifted naturally accelerates the training process. But what is the body if the mind isn''t up to par?"


    "I still don''t¡ª"


    "Knowledge is just as important, if not more so, than power," she said, interrupting him. "You can swing a stick all you want to become a great swordsman, but without the guidance of a teacher, you won''t navigate its complexities. Same with magic. Experimenting with magic is fruitless if one doesn''t understand the principles behind it. That''s what separates the strong from the weak."


    Tyrus understood immediately her point. He only learned of incantations because he happened to be spying on Fiona. He also gifted a book of incantations from Ivy, thus opening his eyes even more on just how vast and complicated magic truly was. Then there was Igneal who taught him that using his affinity on water was extremely effective. Everything he learned came from another source, not from his own. When he thought about it, it only made him feel even more inadequate about his skills.


    The way Selena studied Tyrus made him fidget with his tag even more. Reading her was just as difficult as keeping his garments from ripping. She always spoke with a smile and gentle tone, but her intentions proved the opposite. Tyrus knew that there was something she wanted from him, that much was obvious. The problem lied with figuring out what exactly without expressing his distrust.


    "This leads me to my next point," she began. "Remember those documents pertaining to your identity? Well, you''re basically an entirely new person. I took some liberties with such convenience and aged you up a year. Whatever time you were birthed is when you''ll turn eleven."


    Tyrus squinted his eyes. "Okay, so I''ll be turning eleven this upcoming winter when it really should be ten. What about it?"


    At that moment, there was a gentle bump against the door. Selena let out a sigh and withdrew, resting her hand against her cheek. "Fiona, could you kindly clarify what I''m trying to say to him?"


    Initially, the room remained eerily quiet, save for the cacophony of yells and shouts emanating from downstairs. It wasn''t until the door swung open that he caught the faint sound of breathing, prompting Tyrus to glance behind him.


    Poking her head through the cracks was Fiona, wearing an unapologetic smile. "H-Hello there! Don''t mind me. I was looking for the toilet, but there''s just so many doors here that I got lo¡ª"


    "Fiona, you are a dreadful liar," Selena interjected. "Fair warning, please be careful about who you eavesdrop on. With those skills, even a deaf person would hear you from afar. Now, please come inside and take a seat."


    Fiona dropped the charade immediately and shut the door, rushing to an available chair next to Tyrus.


    "What am I going to do with you?" Selena murmured. "Anyway, I''m sure you''ve already overheard everything. Could you please be kind enough to explain to the boy what all of this means?"


    With an almost child-like eagerness, Fiona nodded and spoke more loudly than usual. "Tyrus, you mentioned this upcoming winter is when you''ll be turning ten, but Aunt Selena purposely added a year. Following your conversation earlier about teachers and growth, that could only mean one thing: you are now of age to apply for an academy!"


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Tyrus''s eyes shot up, and he almost dropped his Explorer tag. "That seems too good to be true. I can attend school just like that?" He gave Selena a skeptical glance, gauging her reaction.


    She held her arms up in surrender. "Instead of glowering, you should be thanking me. I know how impatient you are about these kinds of things. Wanting to become an explorer at your age instead of waiting a full year. Knowing your personality, I made a few compromises while I forged a new identity for you. Since you''re so eager to rush life, I thought, why not?"


    Tyrus didn''t let up his suspicions and said, "What''s in it for you? Knowing you, there must be something you want from me."


    He still couldn¡¯t forget what she had done to him just a few days ago. She had sent him on a dangerous errand, risking his life, all for her own curiosity. Selena appeared to be the type of person who only acted when it served her interests in some way. If this was one of her schemes that could potentially get him killed again, he might just have to confront her, regardless of the fact that she was a family member cherished by Fiona.


    Fiona glanced at him. ¡°Tyrus, Aunt Selena means well this time. There¡¯s no need to be¡ª¡±


    Selena interrupted Fiona by raising her hand. ¡°He has every right to be cautious, and his concerns are valid. I must admit that I haven¡¯t always presented myself in a positive light. There is a personal motive for me, but it¡¯s not driven by the malicious reasons you may be imagining. When I say that I genuinely want to see you succeed in your goals, I truly mean it. Although you may not see it yet, I can sense something extraordinary within you. A hunger for success that seems boundless, like the depths of the ocean. To be honest, you remind me of someone I once attended the academy with. Your resemblance to her makes me believe that everything I have done thus far has been worthwhile.¡±


    ¡°So... there¡¯s no catch? You¡¯re really helping me just because?¡±


    Selena bestowed upon him a radiant smile, one that instantly eased the tension in his shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re right. There¡¯s no need to be afraid. Just make me one promise, Tyrus, that you¡¯ll always keep that hunger alive and stay true to who you are. Don¡¯t let anyone extinguish the flames that burn passionately in your heart. Only then will you attain the strength that you desire so much.¡±


    With red cheeks, Tyrus looked away and said, "...I''ll do my best. I never intended to take a step back from my dreams. If attending an academy like Fiona and the rest will make me stronger, I''m not opposed to the idea. In fact, I''ve always wanted to attend one ever since Reo talked about the classes there. Witnessing magic every day, every hour and learning more about it..."


    Unintentionally, Tyrus salivated at the mere thought of witnessing such extraordinary spectacles. He couldn''t help but wonder what kind of magical displays the students, or even more so, the teachers, would showcase. He had already made the mistake of underestimating the power of earth, but Meadow had convincingly shown its strengths. The same principle applied to the other affinities as well.


    Fiona poked him on the shoulder, her voice barely a whisper. "You''re drooling at the mouth."


    Tyrus snapped out of his daze and wiped his chin. Not wanting to embarrass himself further, he sat down and stayed quiet.


    "I don''t want to burst your bubble," Selena continued, "but there are only a handful of academies that focuses on cultivating future sorcerers. Not to mention that you have to pass a few tests to even be qualified to register. Of course the tests aren''t the same across whatever academy you choose to attend."


    Fiona scoffed. "Doesn''t matter what test they''ll throw at Tyrus. He''ll ace them, anyway. And why are you bringing up academies when only one matters in the end? Naturally, he''ll be attending the one in Valis. Anything else will be basically be spitting on his face."


    Tyrus furrowed his brows, trying to make sense of Fiona''s words. "You''re talking about Valis Academy of Sorcery, right? I remember you said that you, Reo, and Grant attend that school. What''s so different about that school than the others?"


    "The quality of education," Fiona said with a finger wag. "While there are plenty of talented instructors out there, none can compare to a school founded on top of the capital! The facilities are grandiose, the food is to die for, and it offers a variety of programs for students who wish to pursue careers other than simply growing their magic, whether it be a government official, healer, beast rancher, or even a researcher on magic itself. I''ve only covered a few, but the opportunities are endless!"


    "You''re getting a bit sidetracked, dear niece," Selena chided.


    Fiona chuckled. "Heh, sorry about that. I''ll tone it down just a tad. Other than what I just told you, there are a few things I''d keep an eye on. Because Valis Academy of Sorcerer is a prestigious school, it''s a gathering for nobility and children of influential families."


    The smile on Tyrus''s face faded. If it was a place filled with nobility, then that would mean they would surely act as prideful as Igneal. Having to deal with one noble was hard enough, but hundreds of them? They would surely eat him alive in there!


    "It''s a breeding ground for competition," Fiona continued, her expression turning grim. "Not only will you need to watch out for the students, but the professors, too. Although there are a few kind-hearted souls there, most will judge you based on your... um, lineage and background. B-But don''t worry about that! If those awful harpies dare bully you, they''ll have to face the wrath of Blue Dawn. I can already picture their repulsive faces being beaten to paste by Grant!"


    Fiona raised her arms and punched at the air with pinched brows. Only until Selena coughed did she stop and straighten herself.


    ¡°Fiona is right about the competition. If you found the Wasteful Wetlands to be difficult, then brace yourself for an even more formidable challenge. But let¡¯s put that aside for now; you can ask Fiona all about that later. I would appreciate hearing your report on the events that occurred during your time in the Wasteful Wetlands. Fiona, would you mind being so kind as to go and get Igneal? It is necessary that I also consider his point of view.¡±


    Fiona glanced between the two. "Alright. I''ll be back."


    After she left, Selena and Tyrus sat in silence. It didn''t take that long for them to hear floorboards creaking and the door flying open. Igneal strutted inside, almost as if he owned the guild itself.


    "You called for me, Aunt Selena?" His gaze fell upon Tyrus, and that familiar arrogant smirk appeared. "Ah, I understand now. You want to know about our time in that repulsive location."


    "Observant as always, aren''t you?" Selena said. She motioned at the chair, in which Igneal plopped himself onto. Selena''s expression grew serious as she directed her gaze towards Tyrus.


    "I need you to be thorough and describe everything you witnessed in there, without omitting a single detail. If it''s as serious as I thought, then I''m afraid even His Majesty won''t have a choice but to take action."

 Chapter 98- Shifting Tides

    Selena waited a good few minutes after the two boys left. When she was sure they were out of earshot, she reached under her desk and opened up one of the cabinets. There, she lifted a wooden board, revealing a hidden compartment with a rune carved into it. With a gentle tap, the rune lit up, and a soft hum permeated the room. Soon, that hum disappeared. She then reached for the communication stashed and set it gently on the desk.


    "Did you hear everything, Geroth?"


    "Yeah," he said, his voice sounding solemn. "To think those two experienced that in a short amount of time... No one should be unfortunate enough to go through their struggles. My heart bleeds for those young men."


    Selena nodded. "I agree, Geroth. Those two possess the toughest minds I''ve ever seen for someone so young. Honestly, it''s frightening how composed they are. They battled against beasts, lizardmen, and even a village filled with Scourge members. It was a good idea to assign Zephyr to watch over Tyrus in secret and monitor his actions. If something were to happen to him..."


    "Selena," Geroth interrupted firmly. "The others, except for Zephyr, might not realize it, but I have an inkling of what you might be planning. However, I must be the first to warn you: you are playing a dangerous game here. Changing the exam''s contents at the last minute to test the young man was a gamble."


    "There were several opportunities for an overseer to intervene. For instance, when a crocodile clung onto his leg, or when that Jericho guy nearly pierced his skull, and when they confronted the dark sorcerer face-to-face. You expect too much from that young man, and I in good conscious cannot let you continue."


    Selena smiled as she responded, "This is why I chose Zephyr instead. You have a soft heart and would have interfered to protect him. To nurture a seed into a mighty tree, the right conditions are crucial. Water alone won''t suffice; it needs nutrients, light, and soil. Tyrus, and even Igneal, are those seeds, and I''m the firm guiding hand that will propel them forward. If no one else will step up, then I will be the one that builds the foundation. After all, without a good foundation, how can a house stand?"


    "Selena..."


    "Geroth, there''s no need to worry. I''ve done everything I could for the boy. From this point forward, it''s up to him to choose his own path. My role now is simply to offer occasional guidance, if necessary."


    "What do you intend to do now?" he asked.


    "As the branch leader, I will continue to attend to my usual duties. With Tyrus¡ªand my nephew¡ªnow explorers and possibly attending an academy, there seems to be no other pressing matters. However, if Fiona happens to request a favor from me again, I will gladly oblige. It''s quite endearing to see her get all flustered when she asks me for things. But let''s shift the focus away from me; how about you?"


    There was a moment of silence from the person on the other end. "...I will inform His Majesty about the alarming news. The arrival of a malevolent sorcerer, who is also a black tiger from the neighboring kingdom, in Lethos territory, and the subsequent chaos near the Wasteful Wetlands will undoubtedly provoke a response from the emperor. I fear this will be regarded as an act of war and serve as the decisive blow to what little diplomacy Lethos and the Beastfolk Kingdom held."


    As I thought, Selena mused. She and a collection of others been aware of the ongoing hostility between Lethos and the Beastfolk Kingdom, and she had expected the worst. The appearance of a black tiger on Lethos soil without permission was akin to setting fire to the Imperial Capital. To make matters worse, they had even broken the non-aggression pact between the two countries.


    For years, Emperor Johan and King Murus were on good terms to where their countries happily obliged in trading resources with one another. Mountains ran rampant in Lethos, so it was rich in gems and precious metals, while the Beastfolk Kingdom had a surplus of fertile farmland and lumber.


    Each country benefitted from each other, and they held no qualms as they freely exchanged their goods. It was appalling the relationship had been strained when King Murus amassed troops on the eastern border just last year, cutting off communications with Lethos. The Imperial Palace believes that King Murus was preparing for war, but for what reason? Their motives were unknown, but most at the palace believe the Beastfolk were looking to conquer more lands, and they had their sights set on Lethos, their biggest threat.


    However, that''d be too straightforward, wouldn''t it?


    "I''m afraid I have to go now," Sir Geroth said. "There is much to discuss with the other royal knights. Also, regarding the artifact in Tyrus''s possession, you should know it is my duty to confiscate the relic."


    Selena yawned and said, "Right, you said he refused to relinquish it. Where is the harm in letting him hold onto it? It poses no danger, far as I''m aware. One moment there was corruption in the air, but the artifact sucked it all up, correct? Doesn''t sound dangerous to me."


    "If it''s containing the corrupted mana, then there is a possibility it will explode, causing another Draknir''s Folly."


    "Ah, but this is an artifact, not your run-of-the-mill item you can grab at a store. Artifacts are far more powerful than you can imagine, Geroth. If you''re worried about His Majesty seeking the boy out, then why not concoct a story? Oh, and do make sure to abstain from mentioning Tyrus, but Igneal instead. He''d appreciate that."


    "Selena, I cannot lie to His Imperial¡ª"


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    "You''ll do it? Thank you, Geroth. Bye~"


    Tapping on the communications tool, she severed the connection between the two. Exhaling a sigh, she leaned back in her chair. There were countless variables that could go awry, but she had to remain hopeful. Only Sthito held the knowledge of how their destinies would unfold. What she did know was that she had done everything within her power for Tyrus and Igneal. It was now their responsibility to make the most of the arrangements she had made for them.


    Selena then stored the tool, got up, and made her way over to the window. Outside, the city bustled with life. Carriages were driven down the stone paths and vendors advertised their wares toward the passing pedestrians. The children laughed and played as they ran through the crowds, oblivious to the complexities of life. Explorers exited the building, preparing to complete their contracts or simply wanting to relax.


    It was a shame that such a scene could forever disappear if Lethos and the Beastfolk Kingdom went to war. Given that Valis was the capital and where the emperor resided, it would no doubt be a city most coveted. The smiling faces of children would turn into those of despair, and the buildings as white as pearls reduced to smoldering husks. An outcome as such was not only unfathomable, but possible as well. Everything she worked toward would crumble like a child stomping on ant piles.


    "How would Ethia react to the news? Askalid and the Shaire Kingdom?" Selena mumbled.


    She observed Fiona and Igneal walking out together, accompanied by Tyrus. The siblings engaged in a lively conversation, with Fiona displaying a fiery demeanor while Igneal appeared smug. Meanwhile, Tyrus followed along with a vacant expression, seemingly unaffected by his surroundings, his mind clearly preoccupied with something else.


    Selena let out a soft chuckle. "I truly hope that the three of you will be able to get along well. It''s much better to foster solidarity instead of animosity. Enemies only bring problems, but allies bring strength. Maybe you''ll learn a few things from each other and shed away your weaknesses."


    In regard to Tyrus, Selena was certain about one thing: he was going through Skaura. While her understanding of black tiger customs was limited, she grasped the essence of the process. If he was indeed undergoing the trial, then keeping him close was the optimal choice, regardless of what lay ahead. Persuading Igneal to take part in the exams had proven to be the correct decision, and now the young Lockhart was entertained by Tyrus. Perhaps now, the realization of the outcome she had envisioned would finally come to fruition.


    Selena watched as the three kids merged with the strolling crowd, disappearing from sight. She returned to her desk and began reading a stack of papers with a smiling lingering on her face.


    ***


    Sulroth donned the black mask as the shadows lapping around him ceased. Once he stopped the spell, the shadows around him vanished and his surroundings became clear.


    Perched atop a bell, he found himself stranded on a roof with a distinctive dome shape and many holes. Stretching out before him was a desolate landscape, once a bustling fishing village. The shacks had been reduced to mere piles of charred wood and ashes, their smoke swirling through the air. The bridges that had once linked the various platforms were either broken or consumed by fire. A repugnant smell clogged the fresh air, while the ground was scattered with the lifeless bodies of humans and lizardmen.


    A senseless slaughter between inferiors.


    Sulroth leaped off the bell and sailed through the air, falling through a hole in the roof. He landed inside a dilapidated building, his feet making a splashing sound as they sank into a pool of blood. There were corpses inside as well, yet much fewer than the outside. On their faces were bandages meant to conceal their identities. What a fruitless endeavor, amounting to nothing in the end.


    He stepped over the corpses and made his way toward the center of the wide room, navigating around barrels and stools. Sulroth stopped when he approached the table, and his eyes landed on the magical tool. With a wave of his hand, a black blade materialized, its length stretching from the top of his head to his hips. He stabbed downward, puncturing through the wooden table. The magical tool shattered, and a puff of mana swirled through the air. Sulroth''s blade retracted, disappearing into the shadows.


    "The bodies left behind be will not be in vain," Sulroth said. "Thanks to that royal knight, my forces are in need of replenishing."


    Sulroth glanced around and his gaze fell upon a lifeless body situated apart from the rest. Intrigued, he approached and lowered himself into a crouched position for a closer examination. The sight before him revealed a man with a disfiguring scar etched across his cheek, splayed out on the ground with a pool of crimson beneath him. From what Sulroth could recall, this man was named Jericho and one of Sezor''s aides. He was one of two responsible for releasing the mind-controlled Beastfolk into the Wasteful Wetlands and informing Sezor of his progress.


    Upon closer examination, a small wound on his chest where the heart was located caught his attention. It was a fatal blow, a dagger or a sword through the heart. It couldn''t have been the branch leader or Sir Geroth that killed the man. Selena wasn''t the type to carry around a blade. And because the wound was small, Sir Geroth''s sword was too big to be responsible. Zephyr would''ve suffocated the man with a flick of his finger.


    "Maybe one of the applicants? Or possibly the lizardmen?"


    Thinking about the matter made little sense, so he brushed the notion aside. Sulroth raised his arm and hovered his hand over the corpse. Inky tendrils burst from his fingers, wrapping around the body as it sunk into the ground. As the tendrils receded, the corpse disappeared. Getting up, he walked over to the other corpses and did the same until there was nothing left. Afterward, he would do the same for the fresh bodies waiting for him outside.


    Alongside replenishing his forces, he had accomplished what he sought to do in the Wasteful Wetlands. Three humans that held considerable power in Lethos had seen his face and witnessed his actions. Naturally, that royal knight would run home to his master and report to what happened. As such, they''d believe that a black tiger had infiltrated their territory, causing havoc. With the seeds of hostility and distrust blooming, the next stage of the plan would come into play.


    Nearby, a loud crash rang out, and the ground trembled as another piece of the roof crumbled. Soon, a gust of wind blew past him. Dusting himself off, he stared at the hole, and thoughts of that Dem-human drifted into his mind.


    "It hasn''t been long, but that brat has grown much stronger," he mumbled. "Back then, I haven''t noticed him spying because of his abysmally weak mana signatures, but that has changed. He truly is that woman''s son. If it wasn''t for her, Murus would''ve dealt with him already..."


    Sulroth casually shrugged and made his way towards the front entrance. It was high time to get in touch with Master Raroan once more to share the good news. However, there was another matter that had been on his mind for quite some time, demanding his immediate attention.


    As soon as Sulroth stepped out into the smoke-riddled platform, he turned his head to the left and met the gaze of a man in robes and a shawl levitation nearby.


    "About damn time, Zephyr. I was wondering when you''d show up."

 Chapter 99- Guilt

    "Come on, Tyrus. What were you and Aunt Selena talking about? You can tell me, you know?"


    "Stop buzzing around my friend like that. As you can see, he is in no mood to talk to a woman as annoying as a mosquito."


    "Friend? Ha! You couldn''t befriend an earth spirit if you give it a thousand years. In fact, even a rock would sprout legs and run if it saw you coming. I''m surprised Sir Wayne can put up with a spoiled brat like you."


    For the past half hour, Igneal and Fiona had been fighting like two lesser hounds competing for food. Tyrus had been ignoring them for the most part, keeping to himself and toying with his Explorer tag. He would brush his fingers along the cold copper, allowing the culmination of his experiences fester in his brain.


    During that exhausting half hour, Tyrus had bought himself a new set of garments, nearly identical to the ones he purchased before. He favored dark colors like black more than the lighter ones, as the color suited his hair. Black was also his favorite color as well because it was easy on the eyes.


    Aside from the wardrobe change and feeling glum that his coin pouch was getting lighter, there was one more thing that stumped him: the enchanted coat. There was still mana inside of it, but its current condition was worthless. No matter how many times he wished for the darn thing to change shape, the coat remained motionless. It was as dead as a stone, and he wasn''t sure for how long. Because of that, he''d been using it as a scarf in the meantime. It was now just a regular piece of cloth, all because he couldn''t handle one measly Scourge member.


    The battle with Jericho lingered in Tyrus''s mind. He couldn''t shake off the memories of the man''s repulsive scar, his eerie grin, and his constant sneering that echoed like a piercing bell. Tyrus vividly remembered how Jericho took pleasure in causing pain and suffering. His eyes gleamed with amusement with every thrust and cut of his blood-stained dagger, while his lips contorted into a mocking smile, relishing in the violence and driven by a sinister desire to kill his opponent.


    At the memory, the nicks around his body burned, as if a flame was licking away at his flesh; wounds that he should''ve healed with Healing Touch. But this time, Tyrus chose not to, even though he had the mana to do so.


    While his experience with Jericho was brief, he wanted the pain to linger. To remember that he got these cuts because he was weak. To remind himself that he actually killed someone. Eyes that trembled with fear when he thrusted that sword through his heart. The gagging as the man took his last breath, defeated by a brat more than half his age. But what struck Tyrus, other than finishing the job, was that he felt nothing after taking a life, only numbness. No, it wasn''t just numbness, but relief as well.


    Was there something wrong with him?


    "Something the matter?" Fiona asked, shoving Igneal away like a piece of garbage. "You''re as pale as a ghoul. Do you need a place to lie down and rest?"


    Tyrus shook his head. "No, I''m fine. I was just thinking about what to do now since I''m an explorer."


    Igneal glared daggers at his sister and wrapped an arm around Tyrus. "Now that we''re explorers, it''s only natural we join forces and rise the ranks. I''d say we''d reach adamantine in a few years. With my strength and intelligence, we''d be the most powerful explorers across Dharmere."


    "You little pest!" Fiona snarled. "Like hell Tyrus will join you. He already made the choice of joining Blue Dawn a while ago! Go find someone else to bother."


    Igneal laughed. "My friend would only waste away if he were to join your rudimentary group. I bet he''s learned a lot from me in the past few hours than however long you interacted with him. Face it, you''re just not a competent enough leader to reach adamantine."


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    "Not competent enough!? Huh!? Oh, I''ll show you who isn''t competent. Come here, you little shit."


    Fiona''s hands shot forward and latched onto her brother''s ears, twisting them to where his face writhed in pain. Igneal grabbed Fiona by the forearms and tried to force her away, but Fiona was far bigger than he was. He barely freed his ears from the torment, but Fiona still overpowered him, so they were locked in a constant struggle like two lesser hounds trying to catch the other off balance.


    During the sibling fight, onlookers from across the road stopped and watched. Some chuckled while others sighed. The ones that seemed to enjoy the fight the most were the children. Their giggles were loud and lively, pointing at Fiona and Igneal as if they were street entertainers. At this point, they might as well be considered one with how big of a crowd they gathered, who were also loving the show.


    I should probably do something, Tyrus thought.


    "Hey! What''s with all the damn noise in front of my store!?"


    Suddenly, water appeared between the bickering siblings, forming into two hands that shoved the siblings away from each other. Igneal and Fiona shouted in surprise and toppled over, and the hands dissipated, turning into droplets of water and falling onto the ground. Everyone turned their heads to Erza and Ivy approaching them.


    "Oh shit, it''s Erza! Let''s leave before she drowns us!"


    Like scared mice, the crowd dispersed away from the store, busying the alleyways and roads once more. Erza stopped in front of the rising Lockharts with a look of disgust.


    "I thought I smelled nobles around here," Erza growled. "What in Sthito''s name are you doing scaring away the customers? I got a business to run here, not some free entertainment for the public."


    "Are you sure we scared them away?" Fiona muttered under her breath, dusting off her garments.


    Ivy broke away from her mother and rushed over to Tyrus with a smile. "You got an Explorer tag! That means you''re an explorer now, right? Congratulations!"


    "Thank you," Tyrus said with a slight nod. "The exam was harder than I thought, as you can see by all the cuts on my face. I''m just glad it''s finally over."


    "Did the enchanted coat not work? It was supposed to shield you from blows, especially to the face," Ivy said, examining him with a puzzled expression. It took her a moment of further inspection to realize what was going on. "Oh, it''s just out of mana. I''m confident it will return to its usual protective state by tomorrow. Whatever happened during the exam must have been quite serious. What did you do to end up getting beaten up like that?"


    Tyrus reflected to Jericho and dismissed the image. "There were a lot of... beasts coming after me. That''s all."


    "That''s it? Considering your capabilities, handling them should have been a breeze, let alone getting hit so often. It''s strange that the exam posed such a challenge for you..."


    Erza approached Ivy and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Dear, would you mind heading back inside and taking care of the customer at the counter? Just make sure he doesn''t steal anything, alright?"


    "Okay!" Ivy replied cheerfully, walking back towards the front entrance.


    Once she was gone, Erza whipped around and inspected Tyrus. "You look like crap. What the hell did Selena cook up on that exam of hers? Actually, don''t tell me. I couldn''t care less what that shitty woman is up to. Probably scheming with that annoying grin on her face."


    Igneal snorted and faced the scowling woman. "Typical commoners. Bad-mouthing nobles without a care in the world. Aunt Selena would''ve burned off that tongue of yours if she were to hear you."


    "I''d like to see her try," Erza said with a sneer. "Fiona, take that vile brat far from here while I''m still in a somewhat good mood."


    "Don''t gotta to tell me twice," Fiona mumbled. She grabbed Igneal by the collar and motioned over to Tyrus. "Come on, let''s go find Reo and Grant. We should tell them the good news."


    Without a moment to waste, Fiona began dragging her brother, who was putting up a struggle and yelling curses, in which Fiona ignored. The crowd parted away from the loud pair as they disappeared into the crowd.


    "She has the right idea," Erza said. "Best to be tough than complacent with those types. Let them know there''s someone stronger who won''t put up with their bullshit. It''s the only way they''ll learn."


    Half-expecting to see her face scowling, Tyrus peered to the side, only to be surprised. Instead of a scowl, the corner of her lips were curled, but her eyes seemed distant. Almost sad, even.


    Her face changed when she turned and made her way to the store. "You better catch up with Fiona before you lose them. Oh, and congratulations on becoming an explorer."


    With nothing left to say, Erza left her words hanging in the air, leaving Tyrus all alone at the bustling plaza.

 Chapter 100- Boisterous Party

    The rest of Blue Dawn, alongside Tyrus, sat at a table with a clear view of the commotion happening downstairs. On the bottom floor, men and woman were laughing and drinking, singing and dancing, and eating like it was their last day alive. The place was lively and filled with excitement. Even the walls and tables seemed to vibrate from the intensity, and the windows rattled in their frames.


    A silver glow filtered in through the windows downstairs, coating everything it touched. The mass of explorers clinked mugs with lively energy plastered on their faces. Some arm wrestled, a few watching with pouches filled with coin and yelling at the top of their lungs to motivate the men to win. Others stood around a woman sitting on a stool near the contract board, roving her hands on a stringed instrument. With every stroke, the woman¡¯s fingers danced effortlessly in the air as she played a melody that set the fiery mood.


    The air was ripe with the odor of ale, sweat, and meat, carrying a mixture of spiciness and sourness that swept across every corner. Everyone was enjoying their time, except for one.


    ¡°I heard it¡¯s like this every month,¡± Reo shouted beside him, wearing simple garments. ¡°They¡¯re like this because the food and drinks are free, courtesy of the witc¡ªI mean Selena.¡±


    If it was like this every month, then Tyrus would make sure to steer clear of this place whenever the exams took place. The constant noise was irritating his keen ears. Any longer and he really might pull them out just to feel some kind of relief. Then again, he couldn¡¯t say no to free food.


    Tyrus unclamped one of his ears to pick up a stray cube of meat in a bowl and shoved it into his mouth as he glanced sideways. Fiona was clapping along with the music, her cheeks a tint of red while Grant sat in a relaxed position next to her, nodding his head to the rhythm.


    ¡°You only get one drink for tonight,¡± Grant warned.


    Fiona rolled her eyes. ¡°What are you, my mother? I can hold my liquor quite well, so don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    ¡°One drink,¡± he repeated, this time with more intensity.


    Fiona groaned in annoyance. ¡°Fine, you win. Don¡¯t get your undergarments all riled up. Might as well make this count.¡±


    She grumbled and took another swing, finishing the remainder of her cup with a grin. Grant eyed his friend warily, his jaw tense, and his mouth open as if to say something, but ultimately sighed in defeat. Was her tolerance to alcohol that low, to where Fiona had to be monitored like a dangerous beast? Now that he thought about it, Reo and Grant did mention Fiona burned down an establishment.


    For the following hour, the group continued to converse. Tyrus shared his experiences during the exam¡ªby virtue of Reo asking him about it¡ªwhile Fiona traced her finger along the rim of her empty mug. Of course, Tyrus made sure to neglect mentioning the dark sorcerer, the artifact and all that. Selena made it clear that he and Igneal were to speak of these things to no one.


    Naturally, he started with being teleported to the Wasteful Wetlands and mostly going after goblins to train his swordsmanship and magic. Though the landscape of the Wasteful Wetlands was hard to fight in, he got used to it over time.


    Then, he recounted the encounter with a singular lizardman that proved to be tough. This reptilian creature emerged stealthily from the mist, effortlessly blending into the surroundings, and struck him unexpectedly, much like a skilled assassin lurking in the shadows. What made it even more formidable was its exceptional camouflage. Despite its slender physique, this creature possessed a cunning ability to make its presence subtly known, enough to create awareness, but not enough to trigger immediate caution. Only by relying on his senses and outsmarting the creature was he able to win.


    Later, he recounted how he had encountered additional lizardmen, plunged into a lake teeming with crocodiles, and sought shelter in a temporary cave. During his journey, he crossed paths with Igneal, who was engaged in a battle against goblins. They joined forces temporarily and fought against various creatures, aided by two other applicants. While he omitted mentioning the village inhabited by Scourge members and the Beastfolk, Tyrus brought up Sir Geroth¡¯s role in eliminating the corrupted mana. Selena informed him that Fiona was already aware of the issues in the Wasteful Wetlands, so he reassured her by addressing the matter. When Tyrus¡¯s tale came to a conclusion, Reo was the first to speak up.


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    ¡°...You did all of that in three hours? Fighting beasts with little to no breaks sounds like a pain in the ass to experience. Fiona, your aunt really is crazy for setting such a difficult exam.¡±


    Fiona opened her mouth, closed it, then sighed. ¡°Yeah, I got nothing. Taking place in the Wasteful Wetlands is already crazy enough, but fighting there for three hours? With all of those goblins and lizardmen? Just listening to Tyrus talk about it made my skin crawl! Do you think we would¡¯ve passed, Grant?¡±


    Grant lightly pushed a cup to his mouth and took a sip. Eyes as hearty as an oak tree skimmed Tyrus, and his head tilted back for another, this time leaving the glass emptied and set aside.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so,¡± he confessed. ¡°Three hours would be too much for us to handle. Fiona gets exhausted easily and would need a break every twenty minutes or even every ten minutes if we were constantly fighting. Reo and I could handle goblins and similar creatures, but dealing with swamp imps and lizardmen would be our biggest challenge. We lack the necessary equipment to fight against airborne enemies, and lizardmen are usually found in groups. Honestly, even one hour might be too much for us.¡±


    Reo reclined in his chair, propping his feet up on the table with a resounding clank. ¡°As much as I hate to admit it, Grant is right. When it comes to situations like these, being prepared is half the battle. Endurance, strength, and mana pool all play crucial roles in fighting. The Wasteful Wetlands are treacherous to navigate because of mud and water, so high endurance is essential. Strength and mana pool are self-explanatory. Without them, winning battles is out of the question. We might as well be easy prey for the inhabitants.¡±


    ¡°I think Tyrus had prepared well for the exam,¡± Fiona added. ¡°He was already warmed up when he effortlessly defeated my annoying brother. He even got himself new gear. Plus, considering he has been living in the wild for who knows how long, his endurance is pretty high. And on top of that, he¡¯s a skilled sorcerer. It seems like he traveled in groups of four instead of being all alone. Igneal may be irritating, but he¡¯s actually quite intelligent and skilled in combat. Their group had two sorcerers capable of close-range combat, an archer, and a swordsman. Pretty solid group composition, if you ask me.¡±


    Cheers from below broke out as a burly man raised his fist into the air with a triumphant smile. Men crowded around him, slapping the victor on the shoulders as if he just saved their lives. The loser hung their head in defeat and whipped out their own coin pouch, giving the burly man a few sil. More in the crowd began to exchange their coins, betting on the next contenders to see who the winner would be.


    A sinister glint in Fiona''s eyes flickered. "I just thought of an amazing idea!"


    Reo smirked. "Heh, this should be good."


    Fiona pointed at the arm-wrestling competition. "How about Tyrus challenges that guy down there? He seems like an unblessed to me, so it should be an easy win for him."


    "You want Tyrus, a kid, to enter an arm wrestle competition full of grown men? And against the guy currently winning all of his matches? You just want to find an excuse to bet again."


    "It worked last time," Fiona said. "And it''ll work again. Those men are nothing compared to Tyrus. Isn''t that right?"


    Tyrus glanced at the crowd once more and shook his head. "If I go down there, my ears will definitely bleed. I also don''t want that many eyes on me. Sorry..."


    Grant leaned over and gently patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Nobody is coercing you. Just take solace in the fact that you would have emerged victorious, regardless. If you weren¡¯t careful, you could have easily crushed that man¡¯s hand. As sorcerers, it is crucial for us to refrain from exploiting our power for the wrong intentions.¡±


    "How honorable of you," Fiona said with a scowl. "There goes us making some easy sil. We''ll get another chance down the road."


    Another cheer reverberated across the walls, and Tyrus finally had enough. "I think it''s time for me to leave. I can''t handle this noise anymore."


    "Where are you staying at?" Fiona asked, watching Tyrus get up. "If you need a place to stay, I can help with that."


    "No, I''m fine, thank you. I have somewhere to be for the time being. I''ll meet up with you guys tomorrow."


    "...If you say so. Just be careful, alright?"


    Tyrus nodded and sauntered away from the table. Instead of taking the busy route downstairs, Tyrus walked to one of the empty rooms and entered. The blaring noise outside grew more distant with each step he took, until the only thing he could hear was the steady thrum of his heartbeat. He reached out for the window at the end of the room and pried it open. A rush of cold air stung his face, yet his body welcomed the refreshing sensation.


    Standing on the window, his knees were bent, and his mind eased. He jumped off and landed in the empty alley, sprinting toward the direction of the eastern gate.

 Chapter 101- Return to Wildwood

    A clear night sky swept through Tyrus¡¯s gaze as a chilly night breeze tickled the edge of his ears. Thin wisps of clouds drifted far across the blanket of darkness. The gibbous moon illuminated a golden glow, shining amongst a plethora of stars that sprinkled the sky. The ringing in Tyrus¡¯s ears disappeared the further he ran from the commotion, and his tail swished left and right, the quicker he was to his destination.


    At this time of night, the streets of Valis were devoid of activity and washed a dim blue from the moon above. Only a stray here and a drunkard there shambled in the empty alleys, leaning against walls for support, cheeks as red as tomatoes. Tyrus avoided them by scaling the walls and hopping from roof to roof. It was better to keep his distance from strangers traveling the streets. The fewer people that knew of him, the safer he was.


    Using the shortcut he knew of, arriving at the eastern gate didn¡¯t take long at all. In a matter of seconds, he hopped off from a rooftop, stepping on top of a dirty sack filled with trash and hidden out of view. He cursed his poor luck and kicked the foul-smelling object out of sight, hopefully out of mind as well. What kind of person threw out trash without properly disposing of it?


    Disregarding the trash, Tyrus peered at the eastern gate. Two guards stood at each end, heads low as they spoke in a relaxed posture. Tyrus recognized one of them as the man that allowed him through when he did that errand for Selena. It hadn¡¯t been that long since they interacted, but he doubted that man would recognize. But just in case, Tyrus wrapped his enchanted coat around his head like a hat and tucked his tail away inside the confines of his tunic.


    Tyrus treaded silently toward the guards, fiddling with his Explorer tag. Once he was close enough, the guard he recognized widened his eyes and stepped forward.


    ¡°You again?¡± he said, looking Tyrus up and down. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me Branch Leader Selena sent you off on another mission?¡±


    The other guard sauntered forward. ¡°Who¡¯s the kid, Naul? Should we be letting him through at this time of night?¡±


    Naul noticed the tag dangling around Tyrus neck and whistled. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned! You¡¯re an explorer now. I didn¡¯t know they allowed someone as young as you to apply.¡±


    "Isn''t that irresponsible?" the other guard chimed in. "I heard the contracts at the Explorer Guild can be extremely dangerous. What kind of maniac allows kids to take on these jobs?"


    With a chuckle, Naul replied, "Not our problem, that''s what." He motioned to the gate, stepping aside graciously. "You''re free to leave. And in case you''re wondering, Selena vouched for your legitimacy. Just keep in mind the red bison. They tend to get agitated when their slumber is disrupted."


    The second guard nodded in agreement. "Those creatures would easily rip apart a child like you and devour you whole. Their hides are as resilient as rocks, and their horns can effortlessly pierce through wood. Even Augmentation Sorcerers struggle to handle those bastards."


    "Thank you for the warning," Tyrus expressed, eager to make the most of his time. He bid farewell to the two guards with a nod and hastily made his way out as the gate creaked open. As he reached the middle of the bridge, the gates abruptly slammed shut, causing Tyrus to flinch at the loud noise. However, he refrained from looking back, relieved that the guards hadn''t questioned the bumps on his head or the bulge on his back.


    A familiar fresh wave of salty wind welcomed Tyrus the further he traveled, and his body visibly relaxed. He smiled at the beautiful sight of the Emerald Hills; the moonlight highlighting the emerald blades flitting along the meadow. With its rolling hills and scattered trees, this peaceful landscape brought warmth to his heart.


    Since beginning his journey, Tyrus had become a restless soul. Relaxation seemed slippery for him, whether it was amidst crowds, fighting for survival, or even engaging in a simple conversation. Deep down, he didn''t want to admit it, but he found being alone the best, and this troubled him. However, he couldn''t deny that he enjoyed the company of Blue Dawn, with whom he would soon embark on countless contracts. Being around them was enjoyable, and their conversations were interesting, to say the least.


    What concerned him the most was the uncertainty of what would happen once he stepped out of his comfort zone. He would soon find himself surrounded by more people as he visited the Explorer Guild in search of contracts. There was also the academy to worry about, assuming he was accepted. The thought of being surrounded by countless Igneal''s in that place made him unsure if he could handle it. Despite not being much of a talker, Tyrus was at least capable of engaging in a conversation, but that may be impossible with nobles.


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    Before he knew it, Tyrus had already snuck past the slumbering red bison and stepped foot into Wildwood. Tyrus took in a deep breath, allowing his lungs to be pierced by the chills and floral scent. An exhale released a white mist that sprayed into nothingness.


    As he walked ahead, he came across a tree with a scratch on its bark. He briefly glanced at the arched cave, reminiscing about the encounter with a rock spider there. It was hard to believe that he had struggled so much against a single spider, only to defeat an entire group of them a few days later, thanks to some clever tactics and assistance.


    As he thought about assistance, Tyrus couldn''t help but wonder how Meadow was doing. It had been quite some time since he last saw the little fairy. Unfortunately, he hadn''t been able to go back to Wildwood after successfully escaping the tunnels due to time constraints. This made him wonder if Elder Treant and the others were concerned about his well-being, considering he hadn''t reported to them yet. So much had occurred in such a short amount of time.


    In his walk, Tyrus took in his surroundings. The forest was quiet, with not an animal in sight. Moonlight cast long shadows across his path, streaking past the foliage and shining against red mushrooms and boulders. Trees swayed in a rhythm, accompanied by a faint breeze, causing loose leaves and grass to rustle with the dancing current. Valis was quite the spectacle when looking upon it from a vantage point, but nothing truly beats admiring nature at its finest up close. It was fortunate that the drake hadn''t burned this place down. Suffering from a broken arm really was worth it.


    Soon, Tyrus stopped in his tracks once the mana quality in the air shifted. Satisfied that he walked far inward, he took in a deep breath and looked toward a tree to his right.


    "It''s been a while, Armless Treant."


    With his words, a thunderous sound akin to a tree being uprooted echoed through the serene forest. The trembling tree branch swayed, its rugged finger-like branches moving, as a cloud of dirt was whisked away by a gentle gust of wind. The long limbs, serving as legs, gracefully bent, while the crown of the treant quivered, bringing it into a humble kneeling position.


    "I greet the Hero of Wildwood!" the treant boomed.


    Tyrus cheeks reddened. "Come on, there''s no need for that. You can just call me Tyrus, okay? Please, rise."


    "As you command, Tyrus."


    The treant rose, revealing teeth as sharp as stakes and eyes of honey. Not long after, more loud noises from all around him shattered the calm atmosphere as the ground violently trembled. Treants emerged one after the other and encircled Tyrus. Before long, dozens of treants of different shapes and sizes arrived.


    "You have returned to us, Hero of Wildwood!"


    "Elder Treant and the others were worried when you hadn''t returned for some time!"


    "We scoured every inch of the forest but found no signs of you," said Armless Treant. "Elder Treant, however, was convinced you were still alive, mentioning it was only a matter of time until you came back. And as sure as day, you have returned to us!"


    Tyrus gaped at the treants in awe. Despite their intimidating features, they were rather pleasant and kind. To think they searched every crevice for even an inkling of his whereabouts. Tyrus felt even worse for leaving them in the dark like that. He should make it a point in the future to always let Elder Treant know he was leaving.


    "Can you take me to the sanctuary?" Tyrus asked. "I want to speak with Elder Treant about something important."


    "You do not need permission to enter!" they all answered in unison. "We will accompany you and defend you with our lives if need be! You are the Hero of Wildwood! Think of this forest as your own territory."


    "Um, okay. That''s nice to know. Lead the way."


    As one, the treants spun and headed in the opposite direction, with Armless Treant leading the pack and Tyrus in the middle. The smooth tapping sound of roots moving in coordination resounded through the forest as they marched. Along the way, as the mana got more dense and rich, the creatures that weren''t in sight appeared.


    Fairies flew near and fro from the overhanging trees, shining their jade-like bodies like a gathering of fireflies. Spirits made of water popped their heads through the surface of a nearby pond, waving at Tyrus as he passed. Through the plentiful thickets that appeared the deeper they traveled, so did the thickness of the regular trees. Creatures, startled by the stampede, zigzagged through the foliage, never to be seen again.


    In no time, they arrived, evident by the pit that formed in Tyrus stomach, as if he was falling. Then came the sight of a remarkable clearing filled to the brim with nepora and verdant grass. In the middle of the clearing was Elder Treant, this time, it''s crown showing off even more of autumn than summer. A bit of silver from above filtered through it''s glossy leaves, but that light was merely an ant to the amount of fairies currently swarming the tip of the tree,as if it were their nest.


    Eyes as blue as an ocean peered at this, and Elder Treant said, "As I surmised, you are alive and well. Welcome back, young one. It is good to see you in great health."


    Tyrus waved and took a seat in front of the big tree. "It''s good to be back, Elder Treant."

 Chapter 102- Nagging Guilt

    Elder Treant sniffed and said, ¡°Corruption lingers around you. Why is that so?¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s smile wavered. ¡°That¡¯s what I came to talk to you about. I¡¯ve been to the Wasteful Wetlands to take a test that was needed to achieve my dreams. During my time there, I met a dark sorcerer responsible for flooding the place with corrupted mana through the use of an artifact. A lot of stuff happened there, Elder Treant.¡±


    Before Elder Treant could ask questions, Tyrus recited his entire experience in great detail. He spoke of the lizardmen hunting Beastfolk, Scourge members and how they were working together with a dark sorcerer. Tyrus even mentioned that the sorcerer transported the Beastfolk to the Wasteful Wetlands for whatever reason, possibly to destroy the lizardmen or distract the overseers. Then, most important of all, how there was another Elder Treant at the source of corruption and how it awoken when Tyrus got rid of the corrupted mana with the help of his own artifact. At the end of his tale, he brought out the artifact and placed it on the grass in front of him.


    Elder Treant was silent, merely observing Tyrus with a hardened gaze, sometimes glancing at the artifact. For what felt like hours, they sat there, neither moving an inch. And to break this silence, Elder Treant finally asked a question. ¡°You have brought troubling news, young one. It is distressing to learn that one of Mevena¡¯s sanctuaries has been defiled and tampered with. My heart aches for my brethren. I shall dispatch a messenger to gather additional information and send aid.¡±


    ¡°So you two are related,¡± Tyrus said. He squinted at Elder Treant. ¡°By the way, I couldn¡¯t really talk to that Elder Treant because I was teleported away, but it seemed rather... unhealthy?¡±


    ¡°Unhealthy?¡± the treant inquired. ¡°If you are referring to how the Elder Treant of the Wasteful Wetlands has bare branches and a ghastly bark, that is normal. Like how there are different species of trees, so are we. As our names suggest, Elder Treant is but a title. Your appearance is that of a regular human boy if you hide your Beastfolk features, but are you one?¡±


    Tyrus glanced at his tail and pursed his lips. ¡°You have a point. But I can¡¯t help but feel bad, thinking that the Elder Treant is all alone now. I saw a lot of stumps and bones, the ground bare, with no life in sight.¡°


    For the first time, Elder Treant chuckled. ¡°You really are a far cry from your black tiger brethren.¡±


    ¡°Is that a good thing?¡± Tyrus asked, picking up the orb and rolling it across his hands.


    ¡°Black tigers are solitary creatures. Because of that, they possess a philosophy that compliments that nature. Only favoring themselves and that they have only themselves to rely on, believing that is where true strength lies. A murky philosophy that truly encapsulates their culture.¡±


    Tyrus stopped toying with the artifact and looked up. ¡°That... sounds just like me. I was¡ªstill am¡ªalone most of the time, and it¡¯s up to me to be the strongest I can. Doesn¡¯t sound like I¡¯m all that different from them.¡±


    ¡°Though you are alike in that aspect, there is one thing that sets you apart from them: compassion. You went through the trouble of assisting Wildwood with its little drake problem. A black tiger would deem it beneath them to even pay that much attention to our plight. It would never occur to a black tiger to be gracious enough to assist another unless something was to be gained.¡°


    ¡°How do you know so much about them?¡±


    ¡°When you live as long as I do, it is only natural to amass a healthy amount of knowledge and information, even among our peers.¡±


    The irony of what he just heard struck Tyrus. One couldn¡¯t exactly get much knowledge and experience without spending a considerable amount of time traveling, something Elder Treant could not do since it was a treant and all that. Wait, now that he thought about it, could Elder Treant even move like the regular treants? What a funny sight that¡¯d be, Tyrus thought.


    ¡°Now then,¡± Elder Treant continued. ¡°About that artifact. You said it absorbed every drop of corrupted mana, correct?¡±


    Tyrus nodded. ¡°One moment I was staring at the artifact spewing corrupted mana, and the next thing I knew, my storage ring felt heavy. Then this orb came out of it without my permission and sped for the other artifact. A blinding light happened; it sucked up the corruption, and after everything was over, went straight back to me.¡±


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    ¡°Most peculiar indeed,¡± Elder Treant hummed. ¡°It sounds to me that the artifact in your hands has chosen you as its wielder.¡±


    ¡°Its wielder?¡± he repeated. ¡°Artifacts can do that? You make it sound like they can think.¡±


    ¡°Unpredictability is one of the many mysteries surrounding artifacts. Who is to say they don¡¯t have minds of their own? Not even I know much about artifacts. They are products from an era long passed. Products from an era where gods and ancient beasts freely roamed the land.¡±


    ¡°Are you from that era?¡±


    Elder Treant took a moment to answer, instead, peering down with drooped branches to cast its shadow against Tyrus. ¡°I was but a mere sapling after their time, and when Wildwood was a fraction of its size today. Still, I can remember those times as if it were yesterday.¡±


    The treant had a sad, yet fond look across its wooden features. Tyrus¡¯ face contorted the longer he stared, and without realizing it, blurted out what was troubling him.


    ¡®...I killed someone today, Elder Treant. Does that make me a terrible person?"


    Silence stretched out between them, quiet enough to hear the gentle trickle of a nearby pond. Crickets and hoppers chirped, and the leaves of nearby plants rustled with a crisp breeze that gently embraced his cheeks and tousled his hair.


    ¡°Did you enjoy it?¡± the treant suddenly asked.


    Tyrus frowned. ¡°No, I did not. At first, I felt nothing as I stabbed his heart. I had to do it or else I would¡¯ve died. At least, I think so. But as time went on and I thought about it more, I realized I felt relieved that he was gone for good. That he would no longer hurt others for pleasure and selfish reasons.¡±


    ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing to worry about,¡± Elder Treant said with finality. "If you didn''t derive any pleasure from killing the man and did it solely to safeguard yourself, then the weight you bear on your shoulders is akin to the responsibility of a creature fighting for survival. Similar to how a critter protects itself from predators. As long as you harbored no ill intentions in your heart, then you have committed no wrongdoing. Dwelling on remorse and what-ifs yields no good, as it gradually erodes your mental well-being."


    Tyrus rubbed the nicks around his face. As the Elder Treant¡¯s words seeped into him, a green light from the treelines to his line zipped toward him. The light stopped right in front of his face; a pinch of mana and sweet wildflowers tickled his nose.


    ¡°Hello there, Meadow,¡± Tyrus said, watching the little fairy hug the bridge of his nose. ¡°Glad to see you¡¯re doing alright after our little adventure.¡±


    Meadow sniffed. ¡°I... I thought you were dead! Minutes after minutes I waited at the cave, yet you never came out. When I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, I went in myself, and you weren¡¯t there! All I could find was a rock spider carcass and a hole.¡±


    Tyrus winced at her cracking voice. ¡°Hey now, come on, don¡¯t cry, I¡¯m¡ª¡±


    ¡°A hole!¡± the fairy cried, raising a fist and furiously waving it, glowing bright enough that she would¡¯ve caused temporary blindness if Tyrus still had his eyes open. ¡°The Hero of Wildwood, slain because a measly earth spirit was useless at her job!¡±


    ¡°You are not useless,¡± Tyrus quickly said. He gently raised his hand, allowing the fairy to settle on his palm.¡°You helped me plenty, you know? Without you, we wouldn¡¯t have defeated that drake causing trouble. And hunting rock spiders to help me train was only possible because of your skills in earth magic. It was my fault I fell into that hole and couldn¡¯t climb back up, not yours.¡±


    She wiped her eyes. ¡°R-really?¡±


    ¡°I mean it. And soon, I¡¯ll be needing your help again for training. We still have unfinished business at the cavern.¡±


    There was a glowing tunnel far beyond that cavern, at the spot where he fought the two rock spiders. The sight was still fresh on his mind¡ªthe area glowing with white crystals¡ªhow his mouth watered at the prospect of treasure sitting idly by, waiting for a fortunate soul to claim it.


    A melodic chuckle emitted from behind them, interrupting their moment. It was Elder Treant, looking a bit amused despite not possessing a mouth. Still, it was pretty easy to discern what it was feeling from tone and eyes alone.


    ¡°Is there something the matter?¡± Tyrus asked.


    "Not at all," the treant answered. "I can tell you''ve cheered up and are quite excited to head back to training. Just remember not to push yourself too hard. From what you''ve told me, you have gone through a lot. Your body and mind must be fatigued from the constant battles and revelations. There is much to reflect and absorb."


    "I am pretty tired," Tyrus said. "It''s just... I had to get everything off my chest and tell you. Out of everyone I''ve met, I feel as if you would understand the most, since you''re old and all that. I heard old people always have the answers when you don''t have them, or something like that."


    Elder Treant chuckled once more. "I will take your words as praise. Now it is time for you to rest. We will talk more about that artifact and the dark sorcerer once you''ve regained your energy. Believe it or not, but sleeping in this sanctuary promotes relaxation and rejuvenates the body."


    Meadow fluttered away from Tyrus'' hand and landed on his head. "It''s one of the best feelings in the world. It took months for my body to get used to sleeping in this place, but after a while, your body sort of melts into the grass. Not literally, just so you know. But since you aren''t built like us, you''ll find it harder to get comfortable."


    "I''ll take your word for it," Tyrus answered. "And yeah, I think a nap would do me good. Is there a place around here that''s soft or something? I don''t want to wake up all sore and unable to move my neck again."


    "I know the perfect place!" Meadow said with a grin. "There''s a patch of moss that lesser hounds use from time to time. Come, follow me!"


    Like an excited puppy, Meadow took off. Not wanting to lose sight of her, Tyrus rose to his feet, pocketed the artifact in his ring, and chased after the spirit. Hopefully, it was better than sleeping on prickly hay or a bed of flowers.

 Chapter 103- Another Dream

    ¡°Awake now, are we?¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s eyes cracked open one at a time at the soft voice. He blinked, rubbing away his grogginess as he sat up straight. His body bobbed around randomly, and the sound of clopping filled his ears. For a second, a frown flashed across his face; where was this annoying feeling coming from? Then he realized he was currently sitting atop a moving carriage, bouncing along an unpaved dirt road, flanked by ankle-length grass as far as his eyes could see. Clouds peppered the sky as the sun was at its peak.


    From what Tyrus could remember, he was resting on a bed of moss that was almost as comfortable as an actual bed, pondering Elder Treant¡¯s words. Now, he was in an entirely unfamiliar area? If he didn¡¯t know any better, he might have suspected that he had been abducted or inexplicably transported during his slumber.


    After some thought, he realized he was having one of those types of dreams again. The person next to him had that same clump of fog covering her face¡ªhe assumed it was a woman by her tone of voice¡ªand wore a uniform similar to Sir Geroth, except it was black and lacked an emblem. Around her waist was a belt with two pockets; lying on the seat next to her was a scabbard that clattered every few seconds.


    ¡°Have we reached the border yet?¡± Tyrus muttered, peering at the woman.


    Once again, his body acted on its own, moving like he had already gone through these actions. As always, he was just a spectator observing this character. Tyrus had suspected that maybe he was affected by magic and was experiencing hallucinations at random times. It first began when Wanderer helped him awaken, albeit forcefully, and he experienced it again after saving Ivy, and now it was happening right now. It must be no coincidence that Wanderer must be responsible somehow. That also raises the questions about how and why.


    What he thought were hallucinations and tricks, his tune changed immediately. Everything felt real¡ªfrom the scent of flowers tickling his nose to the harsh sun beating down on his skin. How rigid the seats of the carriage were and the wind rattling the exterior. Whatever was happening to him, it didn¡¯t seem as random or by chance. The more this happened, the more Tyrus became suspicious that everything happened, that he was sure of. He took great pride in his senses and intuition, and his body and mind had been telling him the same thing: this is no ordinary dream.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting closer,¡± a man up front answered. Sitting at the coach seat wasn¡¯t a human, but a hairy creature resembling a rat. With ears as large as a bat and hay-colored fur, it wore a collared coat dyed blue with cuffs along its arms and pockets bulging with something. Tyrus watched the rat creature grasp the reins in both claw-like hands, adjusting the speed as the horses trotted.


    ¡°Are you sure of this, madam?¡± the rat man said, giving the woman a wary look with black, beady eyes. ¡°Our actions will surely displease King Murus.¡±


    She exhaled through her nose, posture relaxed with her hands folded nicely in her lap. ¡°Be at ease, Alderus. I will shoulder any and all blame. Just say you were forced to do this and they will let you be. ¡°


    ¡°B-but,¡± Alderus sputtered, guiding the horses to another curve. ¡°They may... you know, do that.¡±


    The woman chuckled. ¡°That is entirely possible, but it is a scenario I¡¯ve prepared for. I¡¯ve made it this far and I do not intend on letting up. The future of this kingdom¡ªno, Dharmere¡ªrests on my plan succeeding. If the worst is to arrive, then I trust you to hold up on your end of the bargain.¡±


    Alderus went silent for a moment, whiskers twitching and teeth grinding. Then with a sigh of resignation, he slumped against his seat, white fur ruffling in the cool breeze. ¡°Yes, madam. But how will I know it is time to act? I trust you will notify me on this subject.¡±


    ¡°Fear not. On the day that the Skaura ends and the kin of storms gather, that is when it¡¯ll be time. But until then, Alderus, you must be patient.¡±


    ¡°By the ancestors,¡± Alderus croaked. ¡°Madam, there is still time to reconsider! Surely, not even someone as insane as you would be so bold. Are you sure this Demi-human will be capable for¡ª¡±


    The air grew chilly as the woman leaned forward toward Alderus and placed a hand on his shoulder. His body flinched at the touch, and the horses in front neighed nervously.


    ¡°In order to maintain respect, Alderus, it would be wise for you to watch your words,¡± she said firmly. ¡°I apologize, but I find it distasteful when Tyrus is labeled as Demi-human instead of using his rightful name.¡±


    ¡°I-I-I apologise. Just the slip of the tongue; meant nothin'' by it. It will not happen again. No, it will never happen.¡±


    She patted him on the back, ensuring she had done enough, and smiled. The warmth in the atmosphere returned, and she sank into her seat, inhaling a deep breath of fresh air. ¡°I am convinced that this is the right path to follow. It may be gritty and gloomy, but it is necessary. Fate can be such a cruel force, don¡¯t you think? We strive so hard to alter our predetermined outcomes, yet regardless of our efforts, things never seem to unfold as we desire. Many believe that we are mere puppets of fate. Slaves, even.¡±


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    "Why work so hard?" Alderus asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    The woman pondered the question for a few seconds. "It is human nature to fight against all odds. To struggle is what makes us human, hoping to better our lives, no matter how insignificant. Wouldn''t you say so, Alderus?"


    "I am not human, so I wouldn''t know, madam," he replied. "I''m just a lowly gnash."


    She blinked. "No, I suppose you aren''t human. But because you possess that mindset, you will never be something more.


    Tyrus was at a loss for what in the world was happening. Trying to keep up with the conversation was like listening to two people speak in a different language. Why were they heading for the border? Who the heck is Alderus and what was he entrusted to do? Most importantly, what was this woman planning to do?


    She knew who he was and it sounded like they have a close relationship. In his previous hallucinations, or possibly a repressed memory, a person wearing armor guided him through a field of flowers. While the two people wore different attire, it wouldn''t be far-fetched to say they were the same person. He also assumed that was Wanderer back then.


    Given what he knew already, the person sitting next to him had to be Wanderer, right? Both their faces were hidden, had similar voices, and Wanderer felt just so familiar to him, as if they met before. He''d be dumb to think this was someone else entirely. If his gut was correct, then why would Wanderer pretend to not know of him? Was it related to whatever that rat man and the woman were conversing about?


    This is giving me a headache! Why are they being so darn difficult!?


    As if the woman senses his unease, she scooted closer to Tyrus and ruffled his hair. His ears twitched and his tail hung lazily behind him, out of his control, as always. He met her gaze and, if the mask of fog around her face vanished, he''d assume that she had a patient smile as bright as a thousand suns.


    "We''ve arrived," said Alderus.


    The horses whined as he tugged the reins, slowing the carriage to a stop. Tyrus faced forward, gazing through the space between the horses'' rear. Up ahead was a flat land that stretched farther than what was visible. Grazing on the lush green fields were deer and a multitude of other creatures, lapping their tongues across the fresh water to cool themselves from the heat. Mountains jutted in the far-off horizon while clouds shaded a portion of their peaks. Besides the lakes and occasional spot of trees, there wasn''t a person in sight.


    I recognize this place, Tyrus thought. He watched the same scenery while he was in Wildwood a couple of days back. Now, the question is what they were doing so far away from Wildwood, let alone Lethos. Clearly, the rat guy was from the Beastfolk Kingdom, and if they were heading toward the border, that meant traveling away from that kingdom. Just reaching that conclusion opened up a lot of other questions that gave him a worse headache.


    The woman cracked open the carriage door and stepped outside. She reached over and grabbed Tyrus by the hips and lifted him without so much as a grunt, setting him firmly on the ground.


    "There we go," she said with a nod. She lowered herself, crouching until their heads were at level with each other, and added, "Now, Tyrus, do you know why we''re here?"


    He wanted to shout no, but his body, as always, went through the motions on its own. "You''re finally letting me explore around on my own after I begged you for months! I thought you''ve forgotten all about it."


    She nodded. "Alderus and I will wait for you here as you do your business. Just be sure to stick to the forests and avoid creatures you can''t handle. And most importantly, stay out of trouble, especially settlements."


    "What does that mean?" Tyrus asked.


    "Just remember that some people may try to... do bad things to you because you''re a child. If you see anyone following you and you don''t know them, run as far away as you can. Fight, even. If it comes to it... kill, even."


    "But you said¡ª"


    Her grip on his shoulder tightened, but not enough to inflict any pain. "I know I said taking the life of another is wrong, but some circumstances may arise where it may be the only choice, or necessary. You''ll learn later down the road."


    "...I still don''t understand," he mumbled under his breath.


    The woman glanced over at Alderus, who was tapping his wrist with a frown. "I''ve stalled as long as I could, but I''m afraid if I push this matter any longer, it''ll only make things worse for you."


    Suddenly, she reached over to her belt and fished around a pocket, withdrawing an item that had Tyrus mentally gasping, an orb with runes along the side. That very same artifact that was currently tucked into Tyrus'' ring. He wasn''t given the chance to ponder how she had gotten her hands on it before laying it gently into Tyrus''s hands.


    "Keep this artifact with you at all times and do not lose it. It''s a very special item that''ll assist you immensely in the future. Never, and I repeat, never hand it over to another person. The consequences will be dire, and there will be no way to recover from it. Even if it''s stolen, do everything in your power to get the item back. Let only those close to you know of its presence. Am I making myself clear?"


    Tyrus hesitated, but nodded. The woman smiled, even bringing him into a warm hug that lasted a solid minute before releasing him. That smile that was filled with bright emotions vanished abruptly as she stared into his eyes.


    "What''s the matter?" he asked. "Why do you look so sad?"


    "It''s because what I''m about to do will hurt me more than it''ll hurt you," she said in a whisper.


    In a quick motion, she raised her hand to his face, masking his vision. Black tendrils shot forth from her palm, covering his head completely. Everything went dark, and what followed suit was a white-hot pain as if a fire was ripping through his head. He opened his mouth to scream, and it felt like his mouth split at the seams, a part of him falling down into the darkness. For what felt like hours, agony tormented him until eventually, the feeling dispersed into nothingness.


    When Tyrus regained control of his senses, he quickly sat up on his moss bed, screaming and drenched in cold sweat. The pain in his head felt agonizingly real, as if a sharp object was slicing into his skull. However, as the seconds ticked by, the pain gradually lessened to a mild pinch and eventually disappeared completely. Still gasping for breath, he cautiously ran a hand over his face, half-expecting to feel wounds. Once he had calmed down, he lay motionless, noticing that the artifact was in his other hand this whole time.

 Chapter 104- More Unlocked Elements

    "Calm down Tyrus and think about this carefully."


    Cradling his face in one hand and concentrating, Tyrus focused on rehashing and reflecting on every bit of the memories he recently gained. The first time it happened when he recently awakened, and he dreamed about being a baby wrapped in thick blankets. After that, he was taking a stroll through a field of meadows, having a conversation with a person about Beast Transformation and what he could achieve as a hybrid. Then came the most recent dream, and one of his longest and bizarre to date.


    What stuck out to him the most was what happened toward the end. Assuming that everything he witnessed was real, and he found no real reason to deny it, it meant that he lived in the Beastfolk Kingdom for most of his life and only recently traveled to Lethos, which only amounted to two years. His dreams only confirmed that the woman in his dreams took care of him for as long as she could, but tossed him away for whatever reason.


    Did she abandon him because he was a Demi-human? No, that couldn''t be it. When speaking to Alderus, she seemed genuinely angry that he called him a Demi-human and not by his real name, so there''s that. Between them, there was at least some form of attachment. What would that make her? A guardian, caretaker, or even a mother, maybe. It wasn''t exactly a wild idea to think that Wanderer took care of him most of his life.


    That thought circled back to why Wanderer pretended to not know of him. In fact, how did he forget about her? No way would he forget someone as significant as his caretaker or potentially a mother. She must''ve used some kind of magic to erase his memories.


    At that same second, that was when the realization smacked him across the face. Those black tendrils that engulfed him in his dream must be responsible! His head flared with pain as soon as those things touched him, and that must''ve somehow done a number on him. And those tendrils looked just like the ones that the dark sorcerer used against those lizardmen!


    Tyrus wracked his brain back to their second encounter when she saved him from those Scourge guys. Out of nowhere, that orc-man struck his own partner and even slit his own throat. Those actions from him were definitely unnatural. One moment they were beating him to a pulp, and the next thing he knew, they were dead. With their bodies gone, the only one that appeared was Wanderer. Every detail he could remember traced back to Wanderer.


    Then, a dark thought crossed his mind: he had unknowingly been engaging with a dark sorcerer all along. And to make matters worse, he discovered that he had some kind of connection with her. If she had the power to manipulate memories, what else could she have done to his body?


    Seeking answers, Tyrus retrieved the book of incantations and flipped through the pages, almost ripping a few from his frantic action. Scanning through each page, he finally landed on the chapter about the dark element. He was hoping he missed nothing the last time he read it. Sadly, he truly read all there was pertaining to it.


    From the limited amount of information he could gleam, it only talked about the few uses of the dark element and the only spell shown, that being Shadow Bolt. He already knew that a dark sorcerer could control the actions of others and shadows, but that told him nothing he wanted to hear or see.


    Tyrus stashed the book back into the ring and sighed. "Once again, I reach a dead end. Every time I learn something new, two more questions pop up, each one leading me to find another answer and a whole other set of questions. Why is this happening to me specifically?"


    Tyrus sat there in silence, listening to a distant brook running amongst a bird''s sharp caw. Thickets and leaves rustled softly around him as rodents scurried away from their burrows, probably searching for food. A lesser hound even appeared from a nearby tree, sniffing around. Their eyes met briefly, and the beast turned on its heels and ran.


    "I shouldn''t feel defeated," Tyrus said to himself. "I''ll keep looking for the answers to these burning questions, no matter what. While it may seem small now, I still learned something new, and that''s enough. I''ve made it this far, and I do not plan on running or giving up."


    Tyrus slowly rose from his bed, his hand still tightly gripping the orb. He gazed at the artifact, allowing himself to appreciate the smooth and warm texture against his fingertips. As he examined it further, he noticed something peculiar. Despite resembling a colossal marble, the orb was adorned with black runes scrawled across its pearly-white surface. And upon closer inspection, he caught a small section at the bottom that suggested it was dipped in ink.


    "Was that always there?"


    Just as he tried to remember, a mote of green light sped toward him. Knowing it was Meadow, he pocketed the artifact and began walking toward the speedy spirit. He paused when the spirit stopped just a finger''s length away from his face. A tiny frown was plastered on her face. In her tiny arms, she carried a heart-shaped leaf filled with a variety of fruits and nuts.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "A-Are you alright, Savior?" she said in a sad, nearly whispery tone. "It looked like you were having a nightmare through all the tossing and turning, so I went ahead and brought you some food whenever you woke up."


    Tyrus rubbed his forehead and said, "Yeah, I had a nightmare. It wasn''t anything serious, so don''t worry about it. You really didn''t have to do this for me."


    "I did it because I wanted to. You''re still the Hero of Wildwood, even if you rescinded that title away. This much is nothing at all."


    "...Then I''ll take it with a smile. I''m really starving right now," Tyrus replied.


    Meadow bobbed her tiny head. "Not a problem at all. You see, these berries right here are called a phala fruit, and it''s really sweet and juicy. And this white kernel right here is called clam nut. It''s got a bitter but salty taste to it, but some of us seem to enjoy it regardless. Oh, and this one right here is¡ª"


    Meadow went on and on about the different items she collected the past ten minutes. Tyrus listened intently, not wanting to disrupt her moment as he took a bite of the smooth phala fruit. In one bite, a sweet liquid drenches his tongue, and his eyelids shot up in surprise. He had never tasted a berry with so much water contained inside of it. Even then, that didn''t take away from the fruit''s flavor.


    Meadow flew circles around him as she asked, "Good, isn''t it?"


    "Yeah, it''s really good," Tyrus responded, popping another phala fruit into his mouth. He couldn''t help but wonder why the clam nut had been named that way as he took a small nibble. Initially, it left a terrible taste in his mouth, but the saltiness quickly overwhelmed the bitterness. Without even realizing it, Tyrus devoured all the food within a matter of seconds.


    "Meadow, can you show me where''d you get all these fruits and nuts from?"


    The light around Meadow glowed brighter as she nodded furiously. "Gladly! Even better, I can show you other types of fruits and nuts that are edible if you so wish."


    Tyrus smiled. "I was thinking the same thing. Sorry for the trouble. I can hunt and skin beasts, but I''m terrible when it comes to foraging. Because of that, I stay away from mushrooms and anything that looks poisonous."


    The earth spirit giggled in response and gave him a gentle nudge. "It will be my pleasure in teaching our Savior about these things. If there''s anything you don''t understand, feel free to ask me or any of the spirits. We''ll help you in a flash. Now, if you''ll follow me, I''ll show you where I found the phala fruit."


    Without hesitation, Meadow swiftly turned around and made her way toward the trees, ensuring she maintained a steady pace. Tyrus, feeling a slight throbbing in his head, followed suit. He knew he needed to distract himself from what he had just learned. Once his state of mind improved, he could delve back into it. In the meantime, he thought it would be beneficial to learn about foraging.


    ***


    Tyrus hadn''t been paying attention, but he realized that his enchanted coat was back in its usual form while he was relaxing near a pond. He figured that out an hour after bathing and drying his garments off in the sun. Ivy was right after all, which Tyrus didn''t question in the first place. She seemed like a really smart person by the way she talked about certain topics.


    While he was waiting for his stuff to dry, he had been practicing his magic in the meantime. In both his hands, he allowed lighting to flow freely and coil around his arm in the same way a serpent would. The arcs of energy that raced along his skin merely tickled him, but what he was working on was stabilizing the flow of mana. The movements of his magic were still not smooth, and he failed to understand why.


    He knew for a fact he was pouring most of his concentration on making the arcs as straight as a line. They would straighten out, sure, but that would only last for half a second before it gets all shaky. That applied to Lightning Bolt and his other spells as well. Most frustrating of all was that using incantations neglected the issue, but he already knew that thanks to Fiona.


    What bothered him was the fact that basic incantations required little thought or focus to use, while silent casting demanded strong concentration and imagination. From Tyrus'' perspective, incantations seemed to serve no purpose other than being a simple trigger for a spell, doing the work for him. Since he was actively dedicating his full attention to creating and executing his own magic, shouldn''t it be easier to not fully rely on his mind? Or was he approaching it from the wrong way?


    As soon as his mana heart was about half-way empty, he stopped his elements'' activation and took a deep breath, assuming a meditative pose and entering the Sorcerer Plane. The first thing he checked was how the third branch of his reservoir was coming along, and he almost leaped up in joy at the sight. What used to be a quarter of the way full, the white light had finally dipped its toes onto the fourth branch.


    It was about time he passed the requirements to use another element! Though he barely used the other two, it was better he had access to more elements at all times. You never know when you''ll need water to put out a fire or earth to make a crude home during rainstorms. If he remembered right, all he had to do was envision the element he wished to bring forth and it''ll appear above his palm, just like the others. Since he''d been looking forward to this for a while, he already had one element in mind.


    Just as he was about to conjure forth an additional element, a frantic voice spilled into his ears, calling out his name. Cracking one eye open, Tyrus looked to see Meadow speeding toward him, and the look of worry and concern painted all over her face.


    "T-There''s an intruder, this time a sorcerer!" she yelled. "We need your help once more!"


    Horror slathered Tyrus''s face as he rose up. A sorcerer was causing trouble in Wildwood? Could it be that the dark sorcerer followed him here and was going to finish him off!? Did that black tiger find out that it was an artifact that swallowed up the corrupted mana?


    Right as he was about to request Meadow''s guidance to find the sorcerer, a sudden, pinching pain shot through his chest, and he felt his mana heart dwindle as mana from his vessels sprinkled out from his hand. When he looked down at his palms, his jaw dropped at the sight of shadow tentacles squirming around.

 Chapter 105- Unexpected Trouble

    Tyrus was in the worst mood possible, and it only soured more when he arrived at the foot of Wildwood, the hub of all the commotion. A crowd of treants formed a line, blocking his view of whatever they were dealing with. Spirits watching from the sidelines observed in silence and the moment they laid their eyes on Tyrus, a fairy hurried over and whispered something in their ears.


    "The treant''s cannot advance because the sorcerer wields fire."


    The sorcerer wields fire? Tyrus couldn''t recall the dark sorcerer using fire in their last encounter. Then again, fire is effective against treants and such, so he probably thought to take advantage of his opponent''s weaknesses and strike right before the trees could attack or get closer.


    "I don''t mind using your branches as kindling, so come closer if you dare!" a voice yelled.


    Tyrus immediately recognized the culprit and could only heave a sigh as he marched forward, willing the enchanted coat to change to its long form. The treants noticed him approaching and opened up a path, each one kneeling as soon as Tyrus passed them. Ignoring the embarrassing display, his eyes laid upon a red hair faced off against armless treant, flames dancing along his palms. Igneal finally caught sight of Tyrus approaching. A smile crept along the fire sorcerer''s face, but that quickly dissipated.


    "You," he said, while pointing at the treants, "why did they begin kneeling as soon as you arrived? Are you their king or something?"


    Tyrus stopped in front of Igneal. "You''re scaring the residents with your fire magic. Put it away."


    The armless treant raised its head and said, "Do you know this flame caller, Tyrus?"


    "Yeah, I know him, and I also know that he won''t harm you guys. Right, Igneal?"


    Igneal stood there in silence, his eyes settling on the treants, the spirits flying around, and then back to Tyrus. At first, Tyrus thought Igneal would ignore him and go on a rampage against the treants because of what they were, all because of the look he had on his face. The Lockhart seemed to be annoyed, maybe even angry about the whole thing. But after a few seconds of staring each other down, Igneal clicked his tongue and waved away his flames.


    "Since you asked nicely, I''ll forget this ever happened," Igneal said.


    Before he could continue his usual boasting, Tyrus interjected. "What are you doing here? You don''t seem like the type to take a casual stroll through a forest."


    Igneal scoffed and said, "My sister has been trying to find out where you are. Once I heard about her actions, I knew you must have left Valis. So, I asked the patrols near the gates if someone who looked like you had left. It was easy to find you after that."


    Smiling, he glanced at the kneeling treants and chuckled. "To think you were here, getting along with beasts and spirits. Then again, that is not surprising after what happened in the Wasteful Wetlands. I''m beginning to think you favor these creatures more than humans."


    Tyrus had the option to disagree and defend himself, but he remained silent. "Favor" wasn''t the right word to describe his feelings in this situation. He simply preferred this environment over city life, at least for now. With time, he was confident that he would become accustomed to cities like Valis or Valiedge. Additionally, the mana quality in the sanctuary was truly unparalleled. It was the most incredible sensation he had ever encountered, like a man dying of thirst stumbling upon a pristine lake and eagerly drinking every drop.


    Of course, he''d never mention the sanctuary and Elder Treant to Igneal. Not only had he not earned the right, but he would be betraying Elder Treant''s trust by exposing its identity. It was already too late for the others, which was out of his control. Hopefully, the big treant would forgive him. What he can do now is divert Igneal''s attention away.


    "You said Fiona is looking for me? Is something the matter?"


    "Hell if I know," Igneal said with a shrug. "She''s waiting in the Explorer Guild with a dumb look on her face."


    "Alright, I''ll head over there now." Tyrus turned to the treants with an apologetic smile. "Sorry guys, but I''ll be gone for the time being. Don''t know for how long, though. Tell the others I''ll be back whenever I get the chance."


    "Yes, Savior!" they shouted in unison.


    One by one, the treants rose from their positions, their bodies creaking and branches rustling against the breeze. A noise like distant thunder pounded the air as the mighty footsteps of a dozen treants marched away from Tyrus and scattered off into the forest. As soon as the quaking ground and tremors ceased, alongside the disappearance of the buzzing green lights, Tyrus turned to Igneal.


    "They dislike it when humans get too close. I made the same mistake before, and it wasn''t easy getting on their good side."


    "I''d rather live as a commoner than get along with those creatures."


    "Hey, they aren''t all bad once you get to know them. They''re a great help in whatever issues you may have."


    Igneal rolled his eyes and pointed behind him. "It''s time to get out of this forest. I didn''t come all the way out here for sightseeing. I''ve had enough of smelling dung while I made my way here. Those treants ought to clean up the place."


    "I don''t think they care all that much," Tyrus muttered as Igneal walked away. He didn''t know long he''d be gone for, so hopefully it wasn''t anything serious. Whenever he returned, he should make a note to immediately get to training his body and magic.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Tyrus gazed beyond the treetops, his eyes fixed on the speckled sky. Fluffy clouds loomed in the distance, gradually casting a growing shadow over the forest. A storm was approaching, and it seemed to be an especially fierce one, judging by the ominously dark clouds. It wouldn''t be much time before lightning illuminated the sky and the rumble of thunder crept in. Thunderstorms were always something he despised.


    Speaking of despise, there was also the matter with his new element. It sucked that he gained the dark element without meaning to. Even worse was that it was a power that was loathed, which was understandable given what the dark sorcerer was capable of. To Tyrus, it seemed extremely dangerous to wield in front of others lest he gives off the wrong impression.


    His reputation amongst the explorers was shaky at best. Their stares at times were nothing short of skin crawling. Best to lie low and never mention it to anyone. Nothing good would come out of using it in their eyes. Still, that doesn''t mean he''ll neglect using the dark element. Out of the bad he witnessed, maybe there were some excellent uses among the element. Fire can be extremely dangerous as well, but it still had its practical uses.


    "I should catch up with Igneal before he comes and yells at me," he mumbled.


    ***


    The streets of Valis were surprisingly less crowded than usual. There were noticeably fewer carriages traversing the roads. Every now and then, a man would pass by, pulling a wagon filled with herbs, fruits, and trinkets. The annoying vendors that used to swarm the plaza and streets had disappeared, leaving their stalls either gone or concealed under tarps. The baking chambers had all been meticulously cleaned, with just a faint hint of ash and crumbs remaining. Only the permanent structures, namely the bakeries and clothing stores, remained open. People hurriedly walked in and out of these establishments, their strides filled with a sense of urgency from the coming storm.


    Either way, doors slammed, and a handful of voices mingled with rolling wheels and hooves clopping. Those birds that pulled wagons instead of horses would sometimes squawk whenever someone got too close or their owners pulled on their harnesses. What were those creatures anyway? In fact, the only ones who owned those beasts were folks who wore rags that covered most of their bodies, leaving only their faces exposed. Now that he thought about it, they reminded him of that Zephyr guy. Maybe they were related in some way and hailed from the same area.


    As Tyrus passed by the alleyways, he glanced at his side, frowning at Igneal. A thought occurred to him during their walk: where was Sir Wayne? Usually that man would follow Igneal around as if he were his guardian, but he was nowhere in sight, and that worried Tyrus a little bit.


    "Where''s that guy who follows you around?" Tyrus asked.


    "Are you referring to Sir Wayne? I sent him away on an errand just before leaving the city. I despise when I''m constantly monitored. It alludes to the assumption that I require a guardian to protect me at all times, which just isn''t true. Still, Sir Wayne is pretty useful to have around, given that most of my servants are back in Lockhart territory."


    "Servants? How many servants do you have in total?"


    Igneal pondered the question, tapping his chin. "I have no idea. There are just too many of them to count, and to be frank, I couldn''t care less about keeping track. They are simply commoners whose sole purpose is to enhance my standard of living. Fortunately, they have been serving the Lockharts adequately and understand their place within the family, so that''s something, I suppose."


    Well, that wasn''t the answer he was hoping to hear, but it was reassuring to know that Sir Wayne wasn''t around when Igneal barged into Wildwood. That man most definitely would''ve attacked the treants at the slightest hint of danger. Tyrus could still remember Sir Wayne''s blade just a hairbreadth away from his neck when he defeated Igneal. Just the thought of it causes a tingling sensation to run down his neck.


    As Tyrus rubbed his neck, they arrived at the Explorer Guild. Through the giant windows that occupied the first floor, there weren''t that many explorers lounging around, maybe around fifteen. Most of them were chatting at the tables or were pursuing the contract board. As for the receptionist, she appeared to be handling paperwork that covered most of the table''s surface, muttering to herself as her pen glided across the papers. No sign of Fiona or the others, though.


    "Tch. He''s back already?" Igneal mumbled.


    Tyrus turned to see Sir Wayne appearing from a nearby alley, holding a small sack with red apples sticking out. The man waved toward Igneal, yet when his gaze landed on Tyrus, there was an unmistakable hint of a glare before his neutral mask was instantly reformed. Not wanting to deal with Sir Wayne, Tyrus hurried into the Explorer Guild before the man could reach him and closed the large doors with a bang. Everyone seated at the tables stopped their conversations and turned.


    At the drop of a hat, a handful of them shot Tyrus an icy glare that could freeze a forest in a matter of a day. His enchanted coat was in its long form at the moment, doing a great job of covering his tail and ears. At the end of the day, that didn''t truly matter since they were already aware of what he was. Still, it would take some time to get used to walking around without hiding his features. Breaking out of habits were difficult to overcome.


    He ignored the glances and swept his gaze around the place, and immediately spotted Blue Dawn huddled around a table, their backs turned. Sprawled out on their table was a sizable piece of paper. The three sorcerers appeared to be going over some sort of notes, pointing and speaking in hushed voices. They probably hadn''t noticed him enter the guild, too busy to even look up from their business.


    Tyrus was about to walk up to them until he heard chairs screech against the floor. One after another, the explorers glaring at him earlier stood up and stomped over to Tyrus, each one holding a disgusting smirk across their faces. The one that stood up first and approached him was a man who seemed to be in his thirties; a grizzled face with his auburn hair cut short and a plain, metal blade hung at his left hip. The other ones, two of them to be exact, were around the same age, maybe a few years younger, both male with sandy brown hair. Tyrus could only sigh when they crowded around him, snickering like hyenas.


    "Well if it isn''t the Demi-human brat!" said the grizzled man. "You have a lot of nerve showing your face here. This place really has gone to shit if they''re allowing brats to apply. What are you, seven? Eight?"


    Tyrus remained silent and tried to walk past the loud men, yet one of them grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him back. For a moment, a tinge of anger flared inside Tyrus, but he bit the corner of his lips to calm himself. It would do him no favors to fight back.


    The one who had grabbed Tyrus shoulders chuckled. "Filthy beasts like you should run along back to wherever you came from. Really, what was Branch Leader Selena thinking in recommending weaklings like you? Does she think a mere kid is better than us adults? She might as well as spat on our faces in electing you and that Lockhart brat."


    The three of them snickered in unison and looked at one another, as if satisfied in bullying a little kid. It was sickening and their stench wafted in his direction, causing him to scowl. On a brighter note, Blue Dawn had taken notice of him by now and were moving from their table, until the door behind Tyrus burst open and in came Igneal.


    In a heartbeat, the building grew silent enough to hear a scuttling rat. With a face unreadable expression, Igneal strolled forward and stopped in front of the assumed leader of the group. Slowly, he inclined his head and pointed at the man, who flinched at the action.


    "I must have some wax in my ears. Please, do repeat yourself and this time, say it clearly. Who are the weaklings, exactly?"

 Chapter 106- New Members

    While he wouldn''t admit it out loud, Tyrus was enjoying watching the three men squirm in their spots. The two lackeys in the back clenched their jaws, sparing glances between Igneal and their brazen leader.


    "L-Lord Igneal! What a coincidence meeting you here! How have you been faring these days? I didn''t expect someone of your status to-"


    Without warning, Igneal snapped his fingers. "That''s mistake number one, little commoner. When faced with nobility such as I, it''s only proper to grovel beneath my feet. I will only be lenient this time if you bow your heads now."


    Within a second of Igneal''s demand, the men instantly bowed so deeply, their foreheads almost struck the floor. Those near the contract board and still rooted in their seats snickered under the cover of their hands. Sir Wayne, who just waltzed in, merely shook his head and sighed at the comical sight, as if amused that someone dared to bad mouth Igneal of all people.


    "W-We deeply apologize, Lord Igneal!" said the leader. "Us commoners are still ignorant in the ways of¡ª"


    "Mistake number two. I did not permit you to speak to me, let alone in that disrespectful tone. What makes you think you have the status to speak as if we are equals? Do you think you are better than me? More accomplished?"


    The three men stayed quiet, hesitant to reply to Igneal after their poor choices in words. Their gazes were glued to the ground and sweat trickled down their brows. More snickering from the explorers followed, and the receptionist shuffled toward the commotion with a strained smile.


    "As much as you are in the right of protecting your honor, Lord Igneal, but I''m afraid this is not the time nor place. Also, I would like to refer to the Explorer Guilds Code of Law, Section 5.2: No members of the Explorer Guild may harm another member unless acting in self-defence. To disobey this rule shall result in a penalty that correlates with the offense, overseen by Branch Leader Selena her self. Shall I offer you gentlemen a copy?"


    "It''s not just my honor that has been tarnished," snapped Igneal. "These fools have not only doubted my abilities, but have also questioned my aunt''s authority as a branch leader. What''s worse, they have harmed a friend of Igneal Lockhart, and that is absolutely unacceptable. Why should the Valis branch tolerate such rabble?"


    At first, Tyrus thought he was hearing things until he saw the receptionist raise her eyebrow in a manner suggesting that she couldn''t believe her ears as well. Even the other''s watching had slack jaws. Never in a million years did Tyrus expect Igneal to stick up for him and publicly refer to him as a friend. Because of that, he would ignore how he was referred to as and just accept it as is. Watching the three men cowering on the floor after what they''d just said to him was all the satisfaction he needed.


    "I understand you are angry, Lord Igneal, but the rules must be upheld," Celeste said. "If you truly care about Branch Leader Selena''s authority, then I implore you to show restraint and not break a code that not just Branch Leader Selena has sworn to uphold. Violating it would reflect poorly on her. What would the others think about the Lockharts if they reject order?"


    Igneal wordlessly regarded the three men below him with a scowl before setting his sights on Celeste. "That would be bad for our image, that we can agree on, but these vermin need to be punished for insulting us. Tell me, receptionist, what is a fitting punishment?"


    A hushed silence fell between the two. One thing Tyrus could admit was that Igneal''s voice was firm yet commanding, as if every word uttered demanded others to listen. Celeste''s twitching smile seemed strained by this point and she was losing a slight amount of composure the longer the silence continued. After taking a moment to contemplate, she returned her eyes to the still cowering men on the floor and clapped her hands.


    "Not only will these gentlemen pay a small fee to the Explorer Guild, but they will be suspended from the guild for two weeks. Will these conditions satisfy you, Lord Igneal?"


    A mischievous smile appeared on his face, and he nodded. "Make it a month and I''ll accept your conditions."


    "You got yourself a deal," she said almost immediately. Celeste whipped around and jabbed a finger at the three men. "You three follow me to the front. There is some paperwork you''ll have to fill out. After you''re done, send them over to Branch Leader Selena and she''ll deal with the rest. Be grateful that Lord Igneal is gracious enough to let you off this easily."


    "Y-Yes! Thank you for your kindness, Lord Igneal! We have learned the error of our ways! We sincerely apologize to you and your friend!"


    The leader of the group slowly rose and watched helplessly as Celeste returned to her post, muttering all the way there. His lackeys followed suit, each one breathing a sigh of relief. None of the onlookers taunted the embarrassed trio, instead turning away and minding their business, as if not wanting Igneal to redirect his wrath toward them instead. The grizzled man, with his jaw as tight as a bowstring, bowed to Igneal and briskly walked past Tyrus as if the latter didn''t exist, his lackeys not far behind him.


    "I''d rather they be whipped and tossed to the mines, but this will suffice," Igneal muttered.


    Tyrus sighed. "Thank you for that, but that wasn''t necessary."


    Igneal turned, a deep frown etched into his face. "It wouldn''t have been if you actually stood your ground. I''ve seen you fight beasts in a battered body, yet you allow those weaklings to have their way? Do you think of yourself as a saint, too kind to fight back? Or are you just a pushover?"


    Before Tyrus could retort, Fiona waved over at him; her mouth formed into a smile and eyes wide, gesturing for him to come over. He gave her an acknowledging nod and rushed over, glad to be out of that situation. As Tyrus neared their table, Fiona motioned over to an available seat, in which Tyrus took swiftly.


    "Is it true?" Fiona whispered. "Don''t tell me you and that punk are actually friends?"


    Tyrus arched an eyebrow, glancing around at the table. It seemed like everyone was patiently waiting for his answer, since they all bore expectant gazes. He''d been tiptoeing over the topic for a while now, as he never really considered Igneal to be his friend. The two had gotten off on the wrong foot from the moment they first met¡ªnot the best foundation to work on¡ªespecially when he defeated Igneal in that duel.


    At that point, Tyrus assumed Igneal would try his best to get his revenge or even sabotage his chances of succeeding the exam. But after his insistence on them being friendly and he''s gotten to know him more, maybe being his friend wouldn''t be all that bad.


    His opinion of Igneal wavered to a more favorable view, but that didn''t mean he could trust him wholeheartedly. He was still a noble, prideful and self-centered at that. There was still a good chance Igneal would change his tune one of these days and start berating Tyrus to an intolerable degree, but he didn''t think that would happen anytime soon. As annoying as Igneal was, befriending a noble who visibly held no ill-intentions toward him wouldn''t hurt. Besides, Igneal was the one pushing his friendship onto him, not the other way around. Maybe he could use that to his advantage whenever the guy goes crazy or something.


    "I guess we are friends," he answered, directing his eyes to what appeared to be a map of Dharmere on the table. Mountains and cities, rivers and pathways had all been illustrated alongside a series of markings and lines near Valis; this was the first time Tyrus had seen a map of the entire world. There were so many names he didn''t recognize that he felt a bit dizzy from trying to remember them all.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    What shocked him the most was how vast the world was on the map. Valis was on the middle left of the paper, and above it was a country called Ethia, a place surrounded by mountains and only a few passages just to enter its territory. To its right were two kingdoms named The Beastfolk Kingdom, and underneath that was Askalid, a place that was apparently humid year round from what the markings showed. Those four were the largest from what Tyrus gathered, with Lethos being the biggest and Ethia the smallest. If Tyrus had to guess, then Lethos was three times the size of Ethia.


    Tyrus snapped out of his entrancement and pointed at the map, just to deter the conversation to something else. "What are you guys looking at? This is the first time I''m looking at a map of the world."


    "We''re figuring out what route to take," Reo said, spinning a dagger. "Fiona just grabbed a contract an hour ago that''ll once completed, will allow us the opportunity to reach the bronze rank."


    Fiona scowled. "Reo! I wanted to be the one to tell him!"


    "It doesn''t matter who tells him. The message will be the same as it always is."


    "It''ll be his first ever contract, so as the leader of Blue Dawn I wanted to be the one to tell the new member. A bonehead like you wouldn''t understand."


    "Then by all means, oh glorious leader, please impart him your wisdom."


    She huffed and ruffled her hair, which was tied up with a golden ribbon. "I know when you''re mocking me, you ass. Anyhow, Reo is right. I grabbed a contract suitable for our rank. Thanks to the last contract Blue Dawn completed, it propelled our progress to where one more contract is all we need to become bronze. Here, come take a look."


    Fiona reached into her robes and pulled out a brittle-looking sheet of paper. The handwriting on the page was written so neatly, Tyrus assumed it must''ve taken a day just so that there were no mistakes. On the top of the paper were the words "Valis Underground Sewers" with an image below. It depicted that of a tunnel barred with poles, almost as if it were a prison cell.


    "The sewers?" Tyrus mumbled.


    Fiona groaned. "Nasty, right? I wanted to pick something else, but it was the only one available! All the other copper ranks snatched the good contracts. I wanted to settle with something easy and less disgusting, like an escort mission or helping some love-struck woman find love. But the sewers? There''s a reason no one accepts those things! We at the guild call them the undesirables."


    "But before we divulge further, I would like to ask Tyrus something," Grant said, staring at Tyrus. "You seem to move well enough; your condition from today and yesterday is night and day. Is your body healthy enough for the adventure? That is, if you approve of the contract."


    Now that Tyrus thought about it, his body was in much better condition than yesterday. The constant headaches, chest pain, and aching muscles mostly disappeared. Sometimes a random pain crept up, but not so much that it was difficult to deal with. He suspected the mana in the sanctuary had a hand in his recovery, thanks to Elder Treant. That place was practically the healing salve Wanderer used on him, but as a forest. It was fortunate that Tyrus was granted access to use that special place. He hadn''t a clue what he''d do if the Wildwood sanctuary disappeared.


    Tyrus stretched his arms and said, "My body has almost fully recovered. There''s some pain here and there around the shoulders and legs, but it''s nothing I can handle. As for the sewers, I don''t mind entering them. The smell might be a problem, though..."


    "Because of your senses," Reo added. "I''d honestly fall off a cliff if I had your nose and ears."


    Fiona slapped him on the shoulder and glared. "Reo! That was insensitive!"


    "What? I said nothing wrong. It''s not like I told him to fall off a cliff. All I said was what I''d do if I was in his shoes. Seriously, I bet just stepping in front of the entrance will knock him out clean. Think about all the shit and piss flowing down there, fusing to create the world''s nastiest stench."


    Fiona visibly cringed at Reo''s analogy. "Please, just shut up and never speak ever again. In Sthito''s name I swear I''ll stitch that mouth if you bring that up again."


    "You first," Reo said with a snicker. "A leader should lead by example, or are you the type of person to order others around and not get her own hands dirty?"


    As if it were an instinct, Reo leaned away just in time to avoid the swipe from a staff and let out a chuckle. Fiona muttered a slew of curses as Reo stuck out his tongue. Those two argue with each other so many times that Tyrus was beginning to wonder if they secretly hated each other. Maybe he was imagining things. He didn''t feel it was appropriate to ask, though.


    While Reo and Fiona were too busy bickering, Grant tapped Tyrus on the shoulder and smiled sheepishly. "You get used to it over time. It may seem like they hate each other''s guts, but they''re really close. At the end of the day, when everything is all said and done, they both will joke and talk with no care in the world. A friendship without conflict is bound to wither."


    "Really now..." Tyrus whispered, staring at the map once again.


    Friendship was a foreign concept to him. In fact, he couldn''t recall a single moment where he ever had someone close enough to call his friend, aside from Igneal, apparently. One person who came to mind was Meadow, but did she think of him as a friend? The spirit saw him as the Hero of Wildwood, not a friend.


    How about Blue Dawn? Did they consider him as a friend, or did they see him as nothing more than an acquaintance that they happened to recruit. Tyrus imagined it''d take a while before he was truly part of Blue Dawn. The three of them seemed as if they''d been friends for years; he was nothing more than an outsider. Acknowledgment as a team member was good enough. Maybe one day he''d genuinely be a part of their small circle.


    "An extermination contract for the sewers? What a revolting request."


    Everyone looked up to see Igneal standing next to Tyrus, eyeing the paper with a grimace; Sir Wayne wasn''t that far off, merely observing. Fiona shot upward and shot daggers at Igneal.


    "What do you want? Can''t you see this is an important matter between teammates? Go kick rocks somewhere else, runt."


    "Straight to the point and in a rude manner, too. How uncultured." Igneal yawned, then turned his gaze toward Tyrus. "So, are you taking part in this contract? That place may very well be repulsive, but I''m willing to lend you four the required assistance, free of charge."


    Fiona snorted. "Did you take a whiff of pixie dust to be this delusional? Why in the hell should we need help, let alone allow you to travel with us?"


    "I''m afraid I''ll have to agree with her," Sir Wayne cut in. He glanced at Fiona with a hint of distaste in his tone before facing Igneal. "You shouldn''t mingle with these people, Lord Igneal. Perhaps you should look elsewhere?"


    "Sir Wayne, return to the manor and await further orders," Igneal commanded, not looking up to meet the knight.


    "But¡ª"


    When Igneal shifted his eyes toward Sir Wayne, the man bit the corner of his lips and slowly nodded. With a bow, he turned on his heels and sped away toward the exit, ignoring all the stares and looks he received. The guild doors closed with a bang, yet as if nothing happened at all, Igneal continued.


    "You wish to rise the ranks, correct? Then we have the same goal. Frankly, I should at least be in gold, but I must follow Aunt Selena''s policies. With Tyrus, progress will speed up, but us together will triple it. You''ll be adding two sorcerers into the mix, capable of wielding weapons as well. Refusing such an opportunity speaks levels of your competency as a leader."


    Igneal and Fiona locked gazes, neither one daring to speak a word. One had a smirk, as if confident that their argument had no flaws, while the other glowered with a twitching eye, a tinge of irritation mixed within her brown eyes. Fiona lowered her head, contemplating whatever it was she was pondering, until she finally spoke.


    "If you''re going to join us, you''ll have to follow our rules, got it? I don''t care if you''re a noble or that you usually get what you want. In Blue Dawn, no one above the other and we''re all treated equally. The door''s right there if that bothers you."


    The noble rolled his eyes. "Anything else you''d like to get off your chest, or is that all?"


    Her eye twitched again, but she released a sigh and pointed at the map. "No, that''s all. I''ll really kick you out if you screw us over. Give me your word that you won''t ignore a request and not sabotage our chance at succeeding."


    "I, Igneal Lockhart, swear on my name and honor and accept these conditions given by my dear sister. There, are you satisfied now?"


    She shrugged. "Not really, but it''ll do. We''ll see if you truly mean what you swore on. Before we continue, do you guys have anything to say?"


    Reo was the first to answer. "I mean, if you''ve accepted him, then I have no problem with it."


    "Neither do I," said Grant. "Ultimately, it is your decision, Fiona. We will accept your judgement, no matter what."


    Afterward, everyone stared at Tyrus, awaiting his answer. He straightened his back and spoke. "Me? I don''t really care all that much. Igneal is pretty strong, so I''m sure he''ll be useful to Blue Dawn."


    Fiona gave a nod of approval. "Great, it seems like we''re all on the same page now. Our team has grown from three to five members, which might make things a bit crowded, but we can definitely handle the challenge. Now that we''ve settled that issue, let''s get back to focusing on the main task at hand: the sewers."

 Chapter 107- Valis Sewers

    Tyrus thought the sewers wouldn''t be that far off, but he was sorely mistaken. It took about a twenty-minute walk from the guild to reach the nearest waterway, just shy of where the harbor was. While melting into the sea, the waterway also stretched deeper into the city, running under an arched bridge that would split the waterway in half.


    Wagons and footsteps rumbled over the stone, and a blowing wind brought forth the scent of brine and fish. Lightning flashed from afar, and thunder exploded soon after; clouds gathered around the distant horizon, swallowing the sunlight and covering it in darkness. An earthly aroma stung Tyrus''s nose as he stared at the dark sky. Rain would arrive within an hour, which meant they couldn''t linger any longer.


    Everyone stood over a sloped ditch, watching the jewel blue water flow past like a regular stream. There was also a little platform that served as a sort of walkway. Underneath the arched bridge was an area with a sleek manhole, fashioned out of a material that looked like bronze.


    "That manhole cover is one of the entrances to the sewers," Grant said.


    Fiona shivered. "I''m having second thoughts about this, guys. What if something nasty touches my skin and I grow warts because of it?!"


    "Then remove it with light magic," Reo scoffed.


    "Or better yet, how about one of you guys use your mana to erect a shield around me? Preferably one that lasts until we get out of here."


    Grant shook his head. "Fiona, you of all people should know that Reo and I are horrible at enhancing others with mana. That kind of ability from an Augmentation Sorcerer is difficult to pull off."


    "Then what the hell have you guys been doing all this time? We''re about to enter our sixth year and you still can''t do it?"


    Reo scowled. "You''re making it sound like it''s a piece of cake. Transferring our mana and connecting it to another person, even for a second, is far from easy. On top of that, we have to align the mana flow with the unique signature of our target without causing any harm. I''ve tried it many times, but had no such luck so far."


    "Maybe if you paid more attention in Mana Control, you''d figure it out," Fiona retorted.


    "Aren''t you a water affinity masquerading as a fire?" he replied almost immediately.


    Before Fiona could open her mouth, Grant stepped between the two, his expression neutral. "Let''s put a pause to the insults and bickering and focus on what''s important. A storm is approaching, and I''d like to finish this before a drop of rain hits. I will do the honor of sliding down first and opening the lid."


    Grant jumped into the ditch and approached the bronze sewer hole. Fiona shot Reo a quick glare and then hurriedly slid into the ditch, skidding and walking in step behind Grant. Not long after, Reo joined them, arms crossed and his face relaxed.


    Tyrus looked off to the side and said, "About what they said... is it really that hard?"


    Igneal nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "According to Sir Wayne, Augmentation Sorcerers face a tougher challenge when it comes to controlling mana compared to Elemental Sorcerers. They have to constantly fine-tune their mana usage. While spell casting is done in bursts, strengthening the body requires continuous effort and intense focus."


    That makes sense, Tyrus thought. Using an element still required focus, but augmentation demanded more of it. Whenever he used augmentation, he had to keep supplying his entire body with mana through his vessels, and there were many of them throughout his body. Meditation was helpful to know where they generally were, but remembering and supplying mana to them was another thing.


    As for silent casting, all he had to do was imagine the magic he wished to bring forth and expel it outward, only if that element was achieved. But as of now, the more difficult between the two was silent casting. Going by what Grant said, there was a lot more to augmentation than Tyrus previously knew. He never tried to strengthen others with his own mana before. Usually he was off fighting on his own or the thought never occurred to him in those situations.


    Before he knew it, Tyrus was standing all alone. Everyone else was already at the sewer entrance, the lid already lifted. Not wanting to waste their time, Tyrus strode forward, sliding down and running toward them as Grant entered the entrance first. By the time Tyrus got there, he noticed a ladder descending into a tunnel of light; wisps of golden light trapped within a lantern were hung on the sides of the rocky surface. Tyrus detected the scent of water and rotten eggs, causing him to pinch his nose.


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    After Grant was Reo, then Fiona, Igneal, and lastly Tyrus. The ladder was sturdy, made with some type of metal without a hint of rust or wear and tear. Because it was also bolted into the wall, even the combined weight of five people couldn''t make it squeak, let alone flinch.


    Down they all go, no one making a peep as silence encroached their surroundings. The buzzing lights¡ªIllumination, Tyrus guessed¡ªcast a rich glow on everyone''s faces. Shadows flickered past like silhouettes, one taller than an average man and another the figure of a child. Most were skinny, yet one was wide, thanks to the armor and shield the shadow wielded.


    Soon, that silence shattered when the unmistakable sound of running water appeared, getting louder the further they descended. Not long after, Grant and the others jumped off the ladder and onto an unusual metal platform. Instead of being closed off, there were plenty of holes too small for a hand, yet big enough for two fingers to pass through easily. The roaring of water and echoing of splashes got louder, sounding like an underground waterfall. Beneath the platform was water, continuously flowing past like a stream, sometimes with chunks of sewage swimming along. Tyrus even spotted a shoe and a silver earring, turning a corner and disappearing into a barred tunnel that reminded Tyrus of a fireplace.


    Tyrus swept his gaze across the sewers. To the left was a dead-end, only housing the little barred tunnel. To the right, however, his expectations were snuffed out. The underground sewers were massive, with arched tunnels that seemed to stretch for a good amount of miles, given by the dozens of glowing lanterns illuminating the ceilings. Holes with metal bars decorated the walls, with water gushing out like tipped basins.


    "Okay, this is not what I was expecting," Reo said, breaking the ice. He walked further, stopping on a circular platform that had a sort of hatch in the middle. "Would you even consider this to be a sewer?"


    Fiona snorted. "I''ll admit, I expected something a bit more disgusting. Sure, the smell is shit, but everything''s dry and the place is surprisingly clean."


    "That is because we are responsible for keeping this blasted city''s sewers clean, lest there will be consequences," said a nasal voice from above.


    Like a gust of wind, six shadows flew toward them, jumping off a few thick pipes that reached high above their heads. As they landed, they formed a barricade in front of the only two paths forward, three of each. Once the confusion passed, Tyrus took notice of their onyx-colored carapaces, four spindly arms, and red, bulbous eyes that took over most of their faces.


    Fiona retched while she readied her staff. "W-Walking bugs?! We need to kill them with fire!"


    "Already on it," Igneal muttered, his hands bursting into flames.


    At the sight of the flames, five of the bugs gasped, and their wings grew erratic. One of the bugs stepped forward, this one different from the others, given that it was wearing a mangled cap. "You land dwellers are always so quick to violence. Well, I cannot blame you, given how crude and hideous we are." He waved to the five and straightened up, its tiny wings shivering. "I am Arach, supervisor of the Valis'' sewer system. We Subterraneans are in charge of keeping his city''s waste clean. We also fix leaky pipes or find ways to reinforce the metal."


    Fiona lowered her staff. "Subterraneans? How come I''ve never heard of you guys before?"


    The Subterranean shook its head. "It was inevitable that land dwellers wouldn''t care to recognize us. We take refuge underground, for it is better to live in the shadows than amongst others. Our ghastly features are quite... repulsive in the eyes of others. That and our numbers are too few to even be worth a glance."


    One by one, the Subterranean faces twisted in unison with pained expressions. That quickly went away when the supervisor made a gargling voice in its throat. "Now, might I be correct in assuming you are here for the extermination contract? I notice you carry that badge around your neck, land dweller woman. We were informed ahead of time that explorers with a badge would be arriving soon."


    "...Igneal, put away your flames," Fiona ordered, putting away her staff.


    Though reluctant, Igneal clicked his tongue and released the flames. The supervisor and the rest of the Subterraneans relaxed.


    "Please, no fire magic in the sewers. If your flames spread and reach the pipes, then you would not only bury us all under rubble, but destroy half of the capital."


    Everyone snapped their heads at Igneal, who was too busy touching the hilt of his sword before looking up. "What? How was I supposed to know it was going to cause an explosion? Not to mention it was her idea."


    Fiona cleared her throat and approached the supervisor. "Ahem, sorry about that. Won''t happen again. You mentioned you were Subterraneans, correct? Does His Majesty know you are down here?"


    The creature buzzed. "He is the one that offered us shelter when our numbers dwindled. Returning the favor to us, he said. Don''t know why, and we never asked for clarification. His Majesty gave us a home, food, and a purpose. Our lifestyle now is way better than our previous one. Would not have it any other way."


    The other Subterraneans mumbled in agreement, their voices just as stuffed as their supervisor. It was hard to understand them sometimes, but it was better than them speaking an entirely other language. Had the Subterraneans always spoken Lethos'' common tongue, or were they taught?


    "Okay, this meeting has been great, but we need to get started," Reo interrupted. "So, bug thing, what are we supposed to do exactly?"


    Taking a moment, the supervisor looked at Reo with a gaze that was difficult to understand and uttered, "Alright then, come with me, land dwellers. I will lead you to the exact location of the problem. Trust me when I say that this will not be easy. That is why we required explorers for this task, as we cannot face monsters of their caliber on our own. We conduct maintenance, not battl-"


    When the bug-eyed creature settled it''s gaze on Tyrus, it let out a water-logged shriek and tumbled back. Quickly, the other creatures stepped forward toward their supervisor. With one of it''s three bony fingers, it pointed at Tyrus and said:


    "The kin of storms has come to destroy us all!"

 Chapter 108- Rats and Slimes

    It was now Tyrus''s turn to get all confused about the sudden unexpected reaction of the Subterraneans. Like a kid getting scolded by the actions of another, he pointed at himself as if to ask, "Are you talking about me?" He had totally forgotten his enchanted coat was in its shorter form, so his tail and ears were on full display. By this point, he was getting used to getting a reaction whenever his features were in sight.


    In a nervous laughter, Fiona inched toward the supervisor. "L-Let''s all relax here. I''m guessing this kin of storms refers to Tyrus? I can assure you he is harmless to you guys."


    The wings of Arach buzzed incessantly, creating a furious hum that resembled the persistent whine of a mosquito in someone''s ear. "Kin of storms, savages of the east, worshipers of blood... Our elders have spoken about the cruelty of the black tigers; warned to avoid those whose ears been dipped into the night."


    Reo chuckled and jabbed a finger toward Tyrus. "Him, a savage? Just look at his face. Poor guy is probably wondering what he had done to deserve this injustice. Tyrus, tell them about how you saved us from a troop of goblins."


    Tyrus pursed his lips. "...I helped them fight a group of goblins before."


    Reo nodded along. "Yeah exactly¡ªWait, no. That is not what you were supposed to say."


    "What he''s trying to say," Grant interrupted, as he gracefully lowered himself into a kneeling position. He extended his hand to the skeptical supervisor. "Is that Tyrus is not what you believe him to be. Despite his appearance as a black tiger with ears and tails, his heart and intentions are pure. If he truly were as savage and cruel as you claim, why would he be sent here to assist? Wouldn''t that be contradictory?"


    "...You raise a good point," Arach said. "Very well, large land dweller. For now, I will believe your words. I will, however, be keeping my eyes on you."


    Surprisingly, Arach clasped Grant''s hand and helped himself up. Grant gave the Subterranean a pat on the back¡ªor where the spine of a human would be. What kind of bug was Arach, anyway? It had the face of the common fly, with its two bulging eyes that had a plethora of six-sided shapes pieced together like a puzzle. There were also its four arms and two legs, with each arm possessing three hoof-life fingers that seemed to move and flex like regular fingers.


    Everything about them seemed so bizarre, from the size of the Subterraneans comparable to Reo¡ªwho was short, to begin with¡ªand the way they talked; their speech was stuffed, as if their noses were filled with gunk. They were basically oversized bugs. Even the five other Subterranean crew members had similar physiques. Some differences Tyrus noticed was that some had different head and wings shapes. One of them even had mandibles around their mouths; maybe they were some kind of humanoid beetle.


    Still, Tyrus had no right to judge their appearances. To a lesser extent, they were in the same boat, as he wasn''t exactly the same as the others. Why would he think any less of the Subterraneans when his own kind were no better in the first place? From what he gathered so far about the black tigers, they were practically a family of maniacs who craved violence and abandoning their own family members. Just the mere look of his ears and tails had the Subterraneans spooked to the bone. Just what kind of reputation did the black tigers possess to elicit that kind of reaction?


    Then a thought crossed his mind: did Fiona or even Igneal have any knowledge about the Tiger Tribe? So far, they had not mentioned it. Previously, he had told them he was an orphan, claiming to have been wandering through Lethos on his own for most of his life. However, that entire story fell apart when he discovered his connection to the black tigers of the Beastfolk Kingdom. Considering that the ruler of that kingdom was a black tiger himself, it was surprising that none of them, not even Igneal, had connected the dots. The only ones who knew were Elder Treant, perhaps Selena, and Sir Geroth. It seemed that either Blue Dawn was unaware that a black tiger ruled a kingdom, or they were deliberately keeping quiet about it.


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    Suddenly, a squeaking sound from their right grabbed everyone''s attention. It wasn''t just squeaking, but there was also the sound of sloshing, as if something was moving through the water beneath their feet. The platform they were standing on split into four tunnels, with the one behind them leading to the sewer hole on the surface. To their left was a dead-end, leaving only the options of moving forward or to their right.


    Grant and Reo were the first to ready their weapons. The large man unslung his shield and secured his left arm around the strap, an armament silver in color and marred by scratches. All Reo did was simply retrieve daggers from his hips, brown leather blanketing the hilts.


    The two Augmentation Sorcerers crept forward, their footsteps tapping and reverberating after each step. Everyone else followed along closely, with Fiona just one step away from her friends and Igneal close by. Tyrus thought of retrieving his sword from his ring, yet nothing came out. He tried again, yet the same result occurred. That was when he realized his mistake.


    Back in his fight against the Shaman, he threw his sword away and forgot to retrieve it later on. He felt stupid that he had forgotten all about that. Forget about going back to the Wasteful Wetlands and recovering it. Now he had to waste a couple more sil on buying another weapon back at the emporium! But on the bright side of things, he wasn''t completely unarmed. He still had magic on his side, and a cool new pseudo-artifact from Jericho. It was about time he tested out the new flying dagger, and what better way than against a bunch of sewer beasts?


    At the thought of retrieving the dagger, it quickly appeared in his hands. The weapon was larger than most common daggers, but that was probably because his hands were a bit too small for it. It really looked like your regular dagger, but Tyrus knew that wasn''t the case. Just above the hilt, Tyrus tapped on the base of the blade, and a blazing symbol erupted. A pinch of mana from his fingers traced along the tiny symbol, and it continued to glow for a few seconds before going out.


    To test that it worked, Tyrus threw the dagger at a nearby wall. Just before it could make contact, he willed for the weapon to fly back toward his hand. He felt a prick in his head; the dagger obeyed, flying directly into his outstretched palm. An inkling of a smile appeared on his mouth as he joined his companions and the Subterraneans.


    "Ew! What is that?" Fiona said, looking up.


    Hanging off from the arched tunnel''s entryway like ornaments was a gooey material the same color as mucus. Stuck inside the vicious glop were the corpses of rats, bones too large for a rodent, and footwear.


    Arach shuffled forward. "Traces left from the slimes. Every day we clean and scrub the floors and walls of the sewers, yet they make a mess just as much as rats would reproduce. To give you an inkling of what we''re working with..."


    The supervisor and his brethern walked ahead of the group, entering a more vast area that Tyrus could only gape in awe at once he fully entered.


    At the end of the tunnel was a brightly lit room the size of Valis'' plaza. Stone pillars gleaming with the same lanterns held up the whole place, connected by archways that formed bridges across the entire ceiling. Lining the lower levels of the walls were massive locked vaults with metallic wheels to pry them open. One of them so happened to be, and Tyrus glimpsed a heap of trash piled in the middle. The lingering scent of embers flower through his nostrils.


    Other than the impressive display of size, what ruined it was how nasty the place was. More slime gunk littered the pillars and walls. Rats and slimes the size of boars scampered and slithered the moment Tyrus''s group arrived, traveling across not only the ground, but the towering walls as well. Mounds of trash and smelly-looking dirt were scattered throughout the place, as if a tornado itself carried them underground and continued to do so everyday.


    Tyrus had never seen a place so filthy and disgusting that he almost passed out from the stench that punched him across the face. He noticed Fiona on the verge of passing out, knees wobbly and all. Igneal even retched, his face as pale as now as he pinched his nose. Grant and Reo were the only stoic ones, not even budging against the scene.


    "Well, are you ready to get started?" Arach asked, seemingly oblivious to the party''s disgust.

 Chapter 109- Rats and Slimes (2)

    Hacking and slashing away at rats and slimes in a sewer wasn''t Tyrus''s idea of a good time. The assaulting stench alone made his nose curl, and the sight of scampering rodents and their mucus-like counterparts only made it worse. It was truly disgusting in every sense of the word.


    It has been a while since he''d seen a rat, but he was pretty sure these things weren''t supposed to grow that big. Comparing their sizes to boars wasn''t an overstatement, but the actual truth. Their albino tails were as thick as ropes, and their beady eyes as dark as a starless night. Yellow buckteeth gnashed at him every time he got close, as if warning him it could chew through his legs in seconds. It was highly likely it could, and Tyrus was in no mood to test that theory out, content with waving his flying dagger around from a safe distance.


    Thankfully, their hide wasn''t all that different from normal rats, and it only took one clean shot to the head to take them down. After a little sprout of blood, their bodies writhed and their tails swung aimlessly before flopping to the ground, dead. Watching them squirm and squeak had Tyrus feeling all nauseous. A disgusting display he unfortunately had to witness up close.


    As for the slimes, they were trickier to deal with, and it all stemmed from their weird watery bodies. Stabbing a slime was like thrusting a sword through a pool of water and expecting any damage. The slimes would shrug it off, unbothered that their bodies had just been stabbed. That didn''t mean they were immune to physical attacks, however. Tyrus had fought slimes before, and he knew just how to deal with them.


    A slime tried sneaking up from behind, intent on swallowing him whole as it stretched and wiggled its body toward him. Funnily enough, there were items lodged within its belly; Tyrus recognized a boot, minerals, and even one of those lanterns, except without the light. Apparently, slimes were incapable of destroying certain items like rocks or sturdy materials. In their previous encounter, it effortlessly melted his trousers and nearly scorched his skin to the core. Perhaps non-living things took longer to digest? That was the only explanation that made sense.


    With a single thought, mana surged through his veins, and dazzling arcs of brilliant blue emanated from his fingertips. Tyrus faced the slime head on and unleashed a mote of lightning to its gelatinous center. The creature shuddered violently; arcs of light flitted across its surface, reminiscent of roots spreading deep underground. Its form rippled and shook like it was undergoing convulsions and was trying to contain it. Yet it was all for naught as its body caved in and collapsed into a bubbling pool of liquid. Another wave of garbage punched him in the nose as he felt his stomach bubble, too.


    "I''d rather fight a drake again than be here," Tyrus mumbled. "At least that was exciting and meant something. Is this what I''ll be doing as an explorer from now on?"


    Tyrus shook his head, feeling ashamed that he had even entertained such thoughts. He knew he couldn''t continue accepting contracts like the one at hand. Fortunately, there were plenty of other options available, and once he advanced from his lowly copper rank, the opportunities would multiply. He understood that the more desirable contracts were typically reserved for those higher in the rankings. Achieving that status would require dedication, hard work, and a significant investment of time. For now, he had to tough it out and persevere, even if it seemed like his nose was on the brink of death.


    "Igneal! Stop tiptoeing around and help!"


    At Fiona''s shout, Tyrus peered to the side and saw Igneal nearing the tunnel entrance. The Lockhart looked like a thief who had just been caught, pinching his nose as he glanced over his shoulder.


    "A Lockhart should not be allowed to walk on a ground this foul. I expected the sewers of a royal capital to at least be clean enough to walk on, but this is simply outrageous. Breathing in these fumes could contaminate my noble blood."


    Fiona, who had been lingering near the open vault alongside Grant, pulled away from a rat she had just killed. On the bottom end of her staff was a shard of ice sticking to the surface, with red droplets dripping at its end. A rat quivering near her feet had a hole straight through the top of its head. Grant was too busy fending off a few more other rats as Fiona continued to yell.


    "I couldn''t care less that your expectations of a sewer have been shattered. Start being useful to the group by pulling out your sword and get to work on the rats. The faster we get this done, the sooner we can leave! Have you already forgotten what you''ve sworn to do?"


    Igneal looked at the pile of garbage near him and shivered. He hesitantly gripped the handle of his weapon, his face twisting as he unsheathed it. His eyes locked onto a sewer rat hiding behind one of the pillars and advanced warily, most of his attention set on the ground. The rat immediately noticed the new challenger and scrambled forward with a hiss, leaping from the top of a garbage pile to another like a spring, and lunged at Igneal.


    At first, flames protruded from his hands, but a flicker of realization passed through his eyes. The flames dispersed, and he raised up his sword just in time to stab deep within the rats skull. The beast went limp, and Igneal cursed as he let go of the sword, watching it fall alongside the corpse.


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    "Gah! Disgusting! No amount of water will wash the filth off. I will need an entire new blade later!"


    Grimacing, Igneal pulled the blade free, letting the creature slip from its tip with a little plop. He held the blade rather awkwardly, as if afraid that he''d catch whatever diseases the rat was carrying. Watching Igneal squirm and jump at every approaching rat was somewhat amusing. Tyrus hadn''t seen the Lockhart this alarmed before. Usually Igneal carried himself confidently, no matter the situation. Now he was too afraid to even touch his own weapon, struggling to lift a finger to kill a sewer rat.


    It was odd because he wasn''t like this at the Wasteful Wetlands. In fact, he had the opposite reaction when fighting against lizardmen and imps. There was also that one time where he consumed a mouth full of mud, yet his reaction was rather lackluster compared to now.


    Tyrus wrestled his gaze away from Igneal and locked eyes on the Augmentation Sorcerers instead. Reo and Grant were the only two people he was most curious about, given that they shared the characteristics of using augmentation. He had only seen them fight a few times, and each battle was too short for him to digest any definite advice.


    Against the first round of goblins back in Salithia, they finished their battles rather quickly. What stumped Tyrus was whether they did so with or without augmentation. It''s been a while, and he couldn''t recall a white light enveloping either one. That usually happened whenever he decided to use augmentation. Then again, they probably found no reason to use mana against creatures like goblins and decided to save it for later. No other reason came to mind, that was probably it.


    In their fight, their reasoning stayed true, for the most part. Against the rats, Grant and Reo abstained from wasting their mana, only relying on their speed and strength. Like a hobgoblin himself, Grant was a force of nature. Every thrust of the blade struck true against the target. No movement was wasted from the fighter, only merely shuffling his feet and allowing the big rats to come to him instead. One slash was all he needed to lop off ther heads, spilling blood that painted the floor red. Sometimes, he would use the end of his shield and bash it against their skulls, splattering flesh and even a few eyeballs amongst the garbage.


    Tyrus noticed that Grant was fighting in the areas without the holes on the ground. He assumed he didn''t want the blood from the rodents getting into the running water. Without so much as a sign of disgust, Grant calmly fought on the piles of trash, only focused on the opponents in front of him as Fiona would support him on the side with a scowl, cursing at how messy Grant fought.


    Meanwhile, Reo was the opposite, relying more on his speed and evasiveness. Tyrus thought this before, but Reo was one of the fastest people he had ever seen, maybe even faster than he is in his Beast Transformation. It was as if his body was weightless as he''d constantly jump and soar, performing aerial maneuvers with absolute ease. The small fighter slashed through throats and stabbed rat skulls in a blur. Before a rat could even open its mouth to even scream, a dagger was already planted in the center of its head. The body would convulse a few seconds later before completely falling on the ground. Reo wouldn''t stay around to admire his work, quickly jumping from the spot to his next kill, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.


    After killing most of the rats on his side, he finally came across one of the slimes. This time, Reo did something different. With his feet apart, he slid a finger at the base of a dagger, enveloping it with mana that covered the blade portion. He repeated the process with the other, and the daggers'' edges glowed with a white hue.


    Reo started his assault by propelling himself toward the slime. In a flurry of cuts, the blades slashed across its slimy exterior, slicing through like a knife through butter. Trinkets and crystals from within the slime spilled to the ground, undamaged thanks to Reo''s precise control. He continued to prance and drive his blades at different directions until the slime was reduced to nothing more than a heap of cubes and droplets. Once Reo confirmed it was dead, he nodded and continued on to the next slime.


    "He infused mana into his weapon," Tyrus mumbled. "Igneal did the same thing, but flames came out instead."


    Tyrus glanced at the dagger, wondering if he could do the same as them. He doubted he could, since Igneal and Reo were more experienced than he was, but it''d be stupid to not try, at least. If he could get the hang of silent casting so soon, then imparting mana across a blade should work the same as well. Igneal mentioned that he manipulated his mana and forced it onto his weapon to release fire from the tip. The downside of that was that it was difficult to do because its pushing mana across an object, and not from your own body.


    Looking around, it seemed like everything was coming to a close. Rat carcasses littered the floor, and Reo was dealing with the last sewer rat while Grant and Fiona just finished dispatching a couple of slimes on the walls. Igneal was near the tunnel entrance, his head hung low as he mumbled something incomprehensible. The Subterraneans, who had been absent this entire time, were actually hovering near the ceiling, scrubbing away at the byproducts of the slimes with rags and brooms. A strange sight indeed, watching oversized flies cleaning the walls.


    Upon reaching the end of the area, Tyrus noticed a solitary slime, the last creature to eliminate. Curiously, it was slithering towards a wide crevice nestled within the walls, which exposed a hidden passageway beneath. With a raised eyebrow, he cautiously approached, wondering where it might lead. Surprisingly, the appearance of the passage differed from the surrounding sewers. Instead, it resembled a typical tunnel found in a cave, yet it had an unnatural quality to it. The dirt walls were smoothed out, and the shape of the passageway seemed strangely artificial, as if purposely dug by someone.


    "Why would a sewer have a hole this big? And shouldn''t it be patched up, just in case?"


    He glanced over his shoulder, watching the Subterraneans furiously work, and looked back at the escaping slime. Now that he thought about it, the rats and the slimes must''ve come from somewhere, and this hole was most likely the culprit. It made no sense for the hole to still be here, if that was the case. Did the Subterraneans know it was here and already alerted those responsible for construction? Or were they purposely leaving it open?


    As he contemplated, a scent struck Tyrus''s nose. It was brief, but he detected a hint of decay and earth, and it came directly from the passageway. His eyes widened, and an awful realization washed over him as he studied the dark surroundings.


    "Um, I think you all need to see what I found," Tyrus said.

 Chapter 110- Entrance to the Catacombs

    Everyone huddled around the passage, regarding it with skepticism. The remaining sewer rats and slimes were dealt with, other than the one that escaped from Tyrus''s grasp. Defeating it crossed his mind, but a part of him wondered where it was retreating to and where exactly it came from.


    Now, he wasn''t an expert on creatures like slimes since he had no clue how they reproduced. Were they born naturally like any other animal or were they born from something else? What sort of habitat do they frequent as well? He figured they had to come from somewhere, but that wasn''t all that important. What was important was figuring out why there was the stench of corpses beyond the passage. It was emanating a creepy energy, one that instantly put him on edge. His heart pounded the longer he stared, and for a moment, he thought he saw spectral hands reach out. He rubbed his eyes, only finding it was a false alarm.


    Fiona''s fingers ran across her chin as she frowned. "Arach? Can you come down here, please?"


    Arach, who was still cleaning away gunk off the walls, heard his name being called and immediately flew over. He hovered near the crevice, and his stubby fingers rhythmically clacked against each other, as if nervous.


    "I see that you''ve noticed the breach," he said, sneaking glances at the hole.


    "What''s the deal with that?" Fiona asked. "That cannot be safe to have around."


    The Subterranean nodded feverishly. "It hasn''t been long since this hole was dug by a thastilitha¡ªa cave worm, in your language. The cave worm must''ve been attracted to the sounds made by the sewers and dug its way toward the source. Noticing that there was nothing to eat and thus a fruitless endeavor, decided to dig its way elsewhere."


    Igneal snorted. "And how are you sure it was a cave worm, bug creature? What if it was you and your brethren instead?"


    Arach regarded him coldly, taking a few moments to respond. "Because I know what goes on in a cave worms mind, land dweller. Thastilitha are Subterraneans as well, so it''s natural for me to know of their habits and lifestyle. Only a thastilitha could make tunnels this perfect. Besides, my people are well aware of what to do in order to avoid problems with land dwellers. We do not act out of line or else we risk punishment. Do not think of us as mindless drones."


    "I don''t like your tone," Igneal snarled, stepping forward. "Addressing a Lockhart with blatant disrespect leads to your head getting lopped off its shoulders. Do you have a death wish, you filthy¡ª"


    Fiona stepped between the two and gave an awkward chuckle. "Woah there! Let''s take about five steps back, okay? All this needless tension will get us nowhere. Arach, you said a cave worm dug this hole, correct? How come it hasn''t been patched up yet?"


    "We have informed our superiors, and they should arrive later in the day to inspect the damage," Arach explained. "In the meantime, we have been using what little materials we have to block the hole, yet our efforts were futile. The rats would chew through them, and the slimes would secrete acid and eventually create an opening."


    "That is a problem," Grant said. "Have you explored it yet?"


    Arach shook his head. "Too dangerous. Also, we are obligated to remain within Valis or else a punishment is in order. Since we are content with our lives here, we refrain from stepping too far beyond the sewers. It is highly likely that the cave worm has made tunnels that travel out of the city."


    Fiona''s expression turned into a frown. "So, if you dare to set foot outside of Valis, there will be consequences? And you''re actually okay with living this way? I would have thought that you would desire some more freedom down here, considering what you shared with us."


    "His Majesty is well aware of our predicament and has taken decisions that we have all consented to. We have absolutely no inclination to venture above ground, and even fewer motives to abandon the secure confines of the sewers. We, as Subterraneans, are fully aware of the perils that lurk in the underground. The creatures that inhabit these depths are far more formidable than one may imagine."


    "...I still think being cooped up in here isn''t good for you," she said solemnly. Sadness flashed across her features, and her hand clenched into a fist before letting out a deep sigh.


    "Well, what are we waiting for?" Igneal said, catching everyone''s attention. "This obviously poses a security risk for Valis. It''s only natural for an explorer to investigate, is it not? Furthermore, there may be more rats and slimes that should be dealt with permanently. This is an extermination contract, and the job isn''t finished."


    Reo chuckled. "Quite funny that the guy who was pissing his pants earlier against giant rats would want to continue."


    "I''d advise you to show respect to your superiors, commoner. It''d be a shame if your lips were to be melted shut."


    "Then I''d have to talk out my ass, and you wouldn''t want to see that, Lord Igneal."


    "Was that supposed to be a joke?"


    Before Reo could reply, Fiona snapped her fingers with an agitated look. "Can''t you guys focus for one damn minute? It''s like I''m dealing with a bunch of children here. Reo, please do me the favor and refrain from your usual antics. As for Igneal, quit calling your teammates commoners. Like I said earlier, everyone is equal here, and I mean everyone."


    The two fell into silence, their faces twisted with discontent as they gazed in completely different directions. As the room grew hushed, Tyrus thought it seemed like the perfect moment to reveal his discovery to the rest of them, especially since no one else had brought it up.


    "It stinks," Tyrus said, pointing at the hole. "But nothing like the sewer. It''s hard to make out, but I think I smell carcasses in there. And judging by the strength of the stench, they''ve been dead for a while."


    "It might be more rats," Fiona pointed out, calmly approaching the crevice. "It''s not uncommon for them to cannibilize each other if there aren''t any food sources readily available. And with an entrance to the sewers here, it makes sense they would invade."


    "I was thinking the same as well," Grant said. "As Lord Igneal said, we are conducting an extermination contract, and it would make sense to nip the problem in the bud. We cannot allow the rats to multiply further and somehow reach the surface. Rats as big as hogs would surely cause damage in the capitals infrastructure and to the people."


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    Fiona nodded. "Okay, let''s take a vote. Raise your hand if we should continue further into the unknown crevice? Keep your hand down if we should go back up and let the guild handle things from here?''


    Almost immediately, everyone in the group raised their hands.


    "Looks like everyone agrees. Tyrus, do you feel anything else with your... beastly senses?"


    Tyrus considered bringing up the spectral hands, but dismissed it as a figment of his imagination. Even though he was physically fine, he suspected that his adventure in the Wasteful Wetlands had taken a toll on his mind. It was best to keep this strange experience to himself, to avoid receiving strange glances from the rest of the group.


    When he shook his head, Fiona shrugged. She stepped toward the dark tunnel and lifted her staff. A rush of mana formed at the tip of her staff, and a golden ball of light emerged. Tyrus wasn''t aware that Fiona was capable of silent casting. Most of the magic she used was through the use of incantations. Then again, there was much he didn''t know about.


    That means she has fire, water, and light unlocked. What else does she have?


    "Well, then we shouldn''t delay any longer. Grant, you take the front with me while the others stick behind us. We''ll be entering a tunnel, so we''ll have to watch our fronts and backs."


    Without a word, Grant strode forward, shield up front and sword idly at his side. The orb of light moved away from Fiona''s staff and leveled itself above Grant''s head, serving as a moving beacon of light. Once the spell was settled, everyone entered the now illuminated tunnel one by one.


    ***


    Before them lay a tunnel, its ceiling modestly low. Grant, being tall, would struggle to scrape his middle finger against the smooth earth even if he stood on his toes. Despite the height, the tunnel was spacious enough for three people to walk side by side. Tyrus wondered about the immense size and strength of these cave worms. Burrowing through solid earth was impressive, but carving out tunnels of such width was a whole different level.


    They followed the trail left by the slime, the footsteps crunched against the flat dirt, creating a sound reminiscent of cracking open nuts in an empty room. Their shadows danced along the walls as they ventured deeper into the cave, accompanied by the soft glow of a hovering light spell. The smell of death grew stronger, even though they had encountered no carcasses. Tyrus couldn''t shake off the uneasy feeling that had surrounded him, which now transformed into cold chills running down his spine. Although the cave itself was warm, his coat offered no defense against this bone-chilling sensation. Was it really just nerves, or something else entirely?


    To set aside his worries, Tyrus thought of something else instead. Once again, he wound up underground, traveling through an unknown tunnel to gods knows where. This is like, what, the third time this has happened? He lost count at this point. It''d be funny if he wasn''t on edge at the moment.


    "What are you hiding?" someone mumbled nearby.


    Tyrus jumped and whipped his head around, only to see Igneal staring deep into his face with a frown.


    "Don''t do that!" Tyrus hissed, keeping his volume low. "You can''t just scare someone like that out of nowhere."


    Igneal ignored his plea and continued. "You noticed something else, didn''t you? Knowing you, there''s another piece of information you''re withholding. As if I''d only believe you only smell carcasses."


    "It''s nothing," Tyrus said, this time more firmly. "Obviously, I can''t see that far ahead in the darkness, and the sewer smell is still lingering. What more do you want from me?"


    He stared him down some more before shrugging. "I''d be a fool to doubt your senses, and an idiot to expect less of them. But tell me, do you not feel that something is off? As if an unknown force is rubbing against your neck with cold, pale hands?"


    "...You feel that too? I thought it was just me being nervous."


    Igneal averted his gaze and looked forward, staring at the ball of light. "The Lethos Empire is not only an empire that measures their time in centuries, but the largest across Dharmere. Naturally, to amass land that stretches from the Northern Mountains to the High Plateau past Wildwood, Lethos had to defeat their many neighbors in what was The Grand Conquest. A large-scale war waged by the previous emperors."


    Tyrus pressed his lips and said, "What does that have to do with the now?"


    He let out a sigh before explaining, "Let me simplify it for you. In times of war, death inevitably follows. Typically, soldiers would burn bodies instead of burying them, as it was faster. However, Emperor Alvis found this practice distasteful and disrespectful to the deceased. Back when Valis was just a small town, he commanded his forces to dig a massive grave beneath it, a resting place for the hundreds of fallen soldiers. He believed that only the bravest men, those willing to sacrifice their lives for conquest, deserved the honor of being a part of a grand history."


    "So, the stench I smell might be from that same grave?" Tyrus asked.


    Igneal nodded in agreement. "Father refers to it as the Imperial Catacombs. It served as the burial ground for not only soldiers in Emperor Alvis'' army but also past members of the Imperial Family and court. It''s divided into two levels. The remaining details are likely kept exclusively for the Family Head."


    "So that means we might be intruding on somewhere really important!? I think we should turn back and¡ª"


    "Why are you guys so far back?" Fiona said up ahead. "We have a tiny problem on our hands."


    A tiny problem was an understatement. After trudging along the narrow path nonstop for around seven minutes, they came across a section with even more tunnels, about five of them in total, and each one the same size as the first.


    "Okay, what now?" Reo asked.


    Everyone turned to Tyrus, looking at him with expected gazes. He nervously swallowed and observed his surroundings, attempting to listen and smell for clues. There two tunnels to the left, one in front of them that continued going straight, and two to their right. Tyrus noticed that on their leftside, there was green ooze speckled across one of the tunnels, and the stench of carcasses the strongest. He pointed at that direction, and with a thank you by Fiona, continued forward. At around the same amount of time did they finally reach an area that seemed promising.


    What used to be a dirt trail was replaced by uneven stone stairs descending toward a wheel-shaped door. Decorating the walls were symbols that were worn down and eroded over time. The door was different in that regard, as what was carved in the middle were dual sword in the middle of a clash. A large gash cut down the middle.


    "That is Lethos'' emblem," Grant said. "What''s that doing here?"


    Fiona waved her staff around, shining light around the area. "I don''t see any levers or pulleys or anything that could possibly be a means for it to open. Any bright ideas here?"


    Reo and Grant approached the structure and tried pushing the doors to see if they''d open by their own force, even activating augmentation, but nothing happened. They even tried tapping their blades against it, but were unsuccessful.


    "Well, this is stupid," Reo grumbled. "I don''t know about you guys, but we''re probably not meant to enter. Beyond that door might be some place reserved for the Imperial Family."


    Fiona tapped her chin. "Are you sure? Wouldn''t a special place like that be under the palace, or at least somewhere nearby? We''re pretty far away from it, unless this is some secret passage to a treasure vault or something."


    Tyrus glanced at Igneal, expecting him to speak up about the catacombs, but the Lockhart simply sat by, watching with a smile. Tyrus could more or less guess that Igneal was enjoying them contemplate, happy that he was one of the few to know what the place actually is.


    "Let''s try opening it one more time, but with Tyrus this time," Fiona suggested. "Surely three Augmentation Sorcerers can do it."


    The three of them did what was asked and approached the door once more. With every step that Tyrus took, the dread that flooded his body intensified, almost like invisible fingers were threatening to grab his legs and pull him. He tried his best to shake the eeriness that encased his bones and focused instead on pushing. Yet as soon as his fingers touched the cold stone, the ring on his finger began to glow a dark green.


    His heartbeat pounded while the stone door rumbled. Cracked and jagged pieces of earth violently dug out, splintering outwards. Soon, an entrance appeared, and a cold draft swept across his face. Beside him, his companions stared slack-jawed at his ring.Tyrus then realized he never told them about how he got it in the first place.


    This was going to take a while to explain...

 Chapter 111- Scourge

    Sezor paced back and forth in his study, his teeth gnashing together as a familiar wave of anger flooded his body. All he wanted was to scream and pound his fist against the desk, but he knew better. He was already in a terrible mood, and destroying his prized valuables would push him over the edge. Wood exported from Neushia was both rare and expensive, and he had already lost a significant amount of money from his most recent blunder.


    "Darlan... Is Jericho truly dead?"


    Sitting on a stool was a lean man in his early thirties; Sporting slick hair and a thick goatee, Darlan picked away at his ears with a bored expression. Sezor noticed how he''d not look him in the eye, even as he spoke in a dry, dismissive tone.


    "Well, I''m not really sure since everything there''s been burned to the ground. But, since you and I heard no word from that crazy fiend, it''s safe to say he kicked the bucket. Can''t say I''m surprised. That man was bound to die eventually."


    That damn brat must be responsible somehow, Sezor thought. The last time he chatted with Jericho, that Demi-human kid was right beside him. It was already appalling enough that the brat infiltrated his post, but to be responsible for Jericho''s death as well? Who else could have killed him but him?


    No, he shouldn''t rush to conclusions. It was just terrible luck that their operation coincided with the Explorer Guild exam. Never had those meddlesome folks held an exam so far from Valis, especially at a hellhole such as the Wasteful Wetlands. From what he gathered, a few high ranking sorcerers were physically at the location, including Selena. Given that the outpost burned down, it must''ve been her that felled Jericho. And if she was there alongside that Demi-human, there was a high chance the brat told her about him and Scourge!


    Sezor clenched his hand into a fist and roared, slamming his desk hard with enough strength that one of his lanterns fell and shattered, spilling glass all over the carpet.


    Everything he''s built so far was crumbling ever since the incident at Valiedge. One of his sorcerers was killed by that brat''s friend, the air Elemental Sorcerers were captured by that damn royal knight, and now his ties with Scourge have been revealed! Each problem that had arisen all had a common theme - that Demi-human child, and it was becoming more and more apparent that the best way of rectifying things was by eliminating the problem entirely. He had to clean this mess up before Leader finds out...


    Sezor''s worries came to fruition when a hum came from the desk. Next to a stack of papers, an orb sat and emanated a quiet ringing noise. His blood ran cold, and it took all he could not to panic and react. He wasn''t expecting anyone else to contact him today. Receiving a call with no forewarning meant only one thing...


    Darlan lifted an eyebrow as Sezor reluctantly stepped toward the communication tool, making sure his movements weren''t stiff or ungraceful; an act to maintain professionalism and not seem like a frightened child in the dark. Showing weakness at a time like this will surely get his head rolled.


    Tapping on the tool, Sezor found himself face to face with a man flaunting greying hair and pearl-rimmed spectacles. The man''s leathery face appeared rigid, mirroring his cold, lifeless eyes. It was as if he regarded Sezor as nothing more than unworthy scum, not even fit to touch the ground he tread upon. In that moment, Sezor couldn''t shake the overwhelming sense that he was in deep trouble. A single lie would surely spell his doom.


    "Sezor," the man asked. "Do you know why I''m contacting you without prior warning?"


    Sezor gulped, hiding his shaking hand from view. "This is regarding the incident at the Wasteful Wetlands?"


    "Ah, it seems there is indeed a trace of intelligence lurking in that head of yours. Making the choice to collaborate with the dark sorcerer without informing Scourge was quite audacious. What possessed your foolish mind to take such a risk and potentially alert Johan to Scourge''s presence? Was it a misguided thirst for glory that clouded your judgment? Or perhaps it was greed?"


    "...I was given sil in exchange for my services, Leader."


    A dry laugh echoed through the room, causing Sezor''s already dried mouth to become parched. Sezor hated how smug the man sounded. There was not an ounce of respect in his voice, only seeing Sezor as nothing more than a disposable pawn at his beck and call. For the most part it was true, and Leader was given the right to see others in that view because he stood at the top of Scourge.


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    Powerful and rich, that man, and he absolutely loathed that he possessed both. He only accepted the dark sorcerer''s offer because it would take him one step closer to lessening the chasm that stood before them. To control others with authority and strength, not needing wealth to do so.


    The opposite of Sezor.


    Leader narrowed his eyes, and Sezor mentally cursed himself for revealing his emotions. "It''s likely that the Explorer Guild and the Imperial Court are aware of Scourge because of your blunder. That Demi-human still lives given that you haven''t informed Vizien of his status as of yet. I have good news for you, Sezor, a chance to rectify your misdeeds. There''s been a breach in one of the underground tunnels, connected to the city''s catacombs. One of the entrances has been undone by a member of your faction."


    Sezor glanced back at Darlan, who shook his head in response. "It must be the Demi-human. No one of my faction has alerted me of using the tunnels."


    "By allowing a single weasel to slip through your grasp, you have inadvertently enabled him to uncover more of our secrets. A child has not only caught a glimpse of your face but also bears our symbol, thus being aware of our presence and that of others. Do you comprehend the gravity of what I am attempting to convey, Sezor?"


    Thunder boomed in the distance, and a flash of stark white lightning illuminated the rattling window. Alongside the rush of fierce winds came torrential rain, pelting against the roof with tremendous strength. His blood froze in his veins the same way that wind chilled his spine. Sezor nodded furiously and bowed.


    "I will not let you down," he said through a tightened jaw. That man was practically ordering him to go down into the catacombs in person! Sezor was no fool and knew what sort of creatures would be lingering underground if the brat tipped off the security system. What kind of man, an unblessed at that, would dare dive in alone?! But then again, with this disaster falling on his hands, any form of punishment will pale in comparison to whatever the Leader had in store if he failed. Either he succeeded in his mission, or face dire consequences.


    "Dumb as you are, you still have some use to us. I am not some heartless fiend that plucks the pedals off a blooming flower when it can still yield fruit. Look inside the left drawer, Sezor, as I have granted you a gift that you have been seeking."


    Sezor, confused by Leader''s cryptic words, yanked the drawer open. At first, all he found was paper, ink, and a pair of dice and cards that he''d sometimes play with whenever he got the itch to gamble. But tucked away in the corner was an amulet he had no recollection of owning.


    The chain was brownish gray¡ªthe same hue as dirt¡ªand the centerpiece was oval, the size of a thumb; a stone pillar design lay in the middle. When Sezor grabbed it by the chain, a surge of power coursed through his body, but it was only for a moment. His palms tingled as he stared hard at the amulet.


    "What is this?" Sezor asked.


    "An invocation amulet. It enables the bearer to summon an earth spirit that will fight your battles. You can only summon them once, however, so use it wisely."


    Sezor''s face contorted into a frown as he expressed his concerns, "So, there''s actually a spirit inside this thing? I can''t help but worry about what might happen once it''s released. I heard spirits tend to have a hostile reaction when confined."


    "Do not worry about that. The spirit will obediently follow those who summon it so long as you possess the amulet. Let go or destroy it, and you may find yourself in immediate danger. But let that not be a concern."


    Leader averted his gaze for a moment, whispering as if conversing with another in the room. He nodded and then glanced at Sezor. "It is time for you to depart, Sezor. Prove to me you are still valuable to Scourge. If the results are to my liking, I might even give you a reward much more enticing than what the dark sorcerer has promised."


    With a wave of his hand, the connection to Leader ended. Sezor let out a groan, slowly massaging his throbbing forehead. Talking to Leader was always nerve-wracking, especially when he was on thin ice. Sezor felt like there was a target hanging on his neck; he couldn''t stay put and do nothing or else he''d be skinned alive.


    "Darlan, gather as many in Valis as you can. We''ll be heading for the Catacombs through one of the tunnels."


    "Are we really going through all this trouble for a child?" Darlan remarked, rising to his feet. "One would think we were on a hunt for a well-known noble."


    "Whether it''s a kid, a dog, or even a damn flea, it doesn''t matter," Sezor snapped. "It''s my head that''ll be rolling if I screw this up. Just do what I say and get the hell out of here before I get the urge to cut you in two!"


    Darlan shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the door, muttering a curse or two that Sezor pretended not to hear. Now all alone, he rubbed his fingers along the amulet''s cool exterior. The faint scent of soil tickled the hairs in his nostrils. Anger and frustration still filled his body, but that was somewhat alleviated by the gift in his hands. An amulet capable of summoning a spirit was no joke, and for one to follow the bearer''s commands without consequence was unheard of to him. Only Conjuration sorcerers were blessed to handle such beings, and Sezor was no sorcerer.


    "What a truly unfortunate day," he murmured. "I don''t have a choice in this matter."


    Without wasting any time changing his attire, Sezor quickly put on the amulet and opened another cabinet. From it, he retrieved a velvet container and opened it, revealing a collection of vibrant rocks, each radiating a gentle glow as they lay on the cushioned fabric. Methodically, he placed each rock into his Scourge ring and discarded the container. Then, he hurriedly made his way to the closest closet and swiftly grabbed a short sword, still sheathed, before dashing off towards the tunnels, icy rain pelting his body with every stride.

 Chapter 112- Reforming Skeletons

    Explaining from the beginning how he got his ring took way longer than he thought, totalling to five minutes. And that was with him speaking fast and clearly to an audience that quietly listened and uttered not a single word. Apart from Igneal, their faces displayed a range of emotions, including shock and even pity. The fact that they pitied him was something he disliked, as he interpreted it as them perceiving him as a weak victim¡ªan impression he was determined to distance himself from.


    Once he was done speaking, Tyrus expected them to ask even more questions, especially about Wanderer. Naturally, he only brought up the part where she rescued him from Scourge, leaving out everything else. Until he could be certain that the memories he had were genuinely authentic, he decided to keep them to himself. After all, he couldn''t see any benefit in sharing them. He failed to understand how they would be of any assistance to him.


    Igneal and Tyrus locked eyes for a moment, and the Lockhart subtly nodded his head and said, "If a Scourge ring opened up a door with Lethos'' emblem, then that means they''ve infiltrated a restricted zone. They''ve been using underground tunnels connected to the sewers to travel around the city to carry out whatever illegal operations they''re conducting."


    "A secret base, perhaps?" Fiona mumbled. "Those heartless criminals tried to kidnap Tyrus, didn''t they? It''s highly likely they steal unsuspecting children away and sell them off. Aunt Selena would warn me about those types of freaks years ago. To think they would try that against you..."


    Tyrus felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced up to see Grant looking back at him, this time with pinched brows. "Thank you for telling us, Tyrus. It must have been hard bottling that experience in until now."


    "It''s nothing at all," Tyrus muttered. He went through far worse, but he wouldn''t tell them that.


    "We must retaliate and deal your pain to them thrice-fold!" Fiona said with a raised fist. "No one messes with Tyrus and gets away with it. I don''t care if they''re some criminal group or whatever! If they''re beyond this doorway, then so be it."


    Fiona willed her wisp of light forward, illuminating the dark entranceway. More descending stairs appeared, leading to a tunnel that changed directions to their right. All around them, what used to be rocks and dirt that decorated the path, slabs of stone stitched together took their place. The place looked relatively nice, aside from the bones, webs, and green ooze drooling over the walls. There were even thick roots bursting forth from the low-hanging ceiling and the walls.


    Grant tapped the wall with his fist and grunted. "The area seems to be stable, for now. It would be best to tread carefully, though, seeing as we have no idea if this structure will withstand what is to come. Keep an eye on any cracks or trickling rocks from above."


    "Isn''t it odd how we haven''t come across any rats or slimes yet?" Fiona said. "I''m not saying you''re a liar, Tyrus, but are you sure that runaway slime came through here?"


    "There were traces of it leading up to the door," Tyrus replied. He took a quick sniff and gagged. "And the rotting smell is stronger than ever. Do you guys not smell it?"


    Reo shrugged. "Barely, but who''s keeping track? Let''s get this over with so we can get out of here. Death by falling debris isn''t exciting, you know."


    And so Fiona advanced, guiding the wisp in front of the group. They turned the corner, weapons ready for any sneak attacks, and came across a surprising sight.


    Like the shelves of a grandiose library, the walls were packed with skulls and ribcages, and beyond them was a chamber teeming with glowing mushrooms, much like the ones at the cave where he saved Ivy. And what was revealed inside the light-filled room were stone coffins lined across the ground, placed on either side and against the wall in even groups.


    Few of the coffins were slightly ajar, and Tyrus spotted a skull peeking out from one of them. Dread settled within his gut and formed into an uneasy sensation that weighed his body down, so he looked elsewhere to ease the feeling. At least the sewer smell was gone and replaced by an earthy aroma. Sadly, there was still that rotten stench that clung to the stale air, and it was coming from a corridor to their right. When he peered closely, he spotted more coffins at the far end. Alongside bones, dust, and cobwebs were rat carcasses surrounded by dry blood.


    "Where in Sthito''s name did we end up in?" Fiona murmured, dispelling her magic.


    "The Imperial Catacombs, perhaps?" Grant said. "My father has spoken about this before. During The Grand Conquest, a massive burial site coordinated by Emperor Alvis was built to store the bodies of hundreds, and more have been added as the number of bodies grew. If I''m correct, then we are possibly on the first level, reserved for the foot soldiers."


    Fiona tapped a nearby coffin with the butt of her staff and said, "Yeah, definitely the first level. Not enough gold or gems to be considered the resting place of the elites. Though I hate to admit it, it was smart on Scourge''s part to use the tunnels here. Bet you no one has come down here in years, let alone decades. What better hiding place can a bunch of evil creeps find but here?"


    "It''s also quite risky," Reo added. "I''m almost certain that previous emperors and important figures are buried elsewhere. That means a groundskeeper probably comes by once a week or month to maintain the place or something. So why would they bother themselves here when the second level holds much greater value?"


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    Igneal chuckled. "A tradition worth keeping note of. Once I''m the family head, I will enact this custom. Burying figures that have helped propel the Lockhart name further are worthy to be buried in Lockhart territory. Wouldn''t you say so, sister?"


    Fiona rolled her eyes, ignoring her brother''s words as she stepped forth into the next room."Looks like that terrible stench Tyrus was smelling was coming in here. Still no sign of the¡ª"


    Her voice trailed off as a jarring noise assaulted their ears. The group quickly turned, weapons poised, in search of the source. Their eyes fell upon one of the coffins in the distant corner, slowly opening on its own. A skeletal hand emerged from the lid, causing the top half to tumble onto the floor. And there it was, a skeleton stumbling out of its resting place and collapsing to the ground.


    Clad in a rusted cap, a blue and white surcoat, and dirt-stained gloves, the skeleton rose to its full height and stood before the stunned party, its body rigid. Frozen in place, the party watched as more coffins crashed to the ground, skeletons bursting forth and brandishing their worn-out weapons. Soon, the rooms were crammed with dozens of bone knights, marching relentlessly towards the party.


    "Group up!" Fiona screamed, rushing toward the others, but a few skeletons lunged in her direction and thrust their spearheads her way. She yelped and jumped out of the way just in time. Grant pounced toward the soldiers, ramming through one with his shield and lopping off the heads of the others. After a moment, the skeletons regathered themselves and rose into a fighting stance, sustaining little to no damage.


    Tyrus released a Lightning Bolt at a swinging skeleton, hoping that''d do something to them. Arcs of lightning traveled across its body, and the skeleton spasmed from the power. Yet it seemed that it did nothing more than tickle it, and the skeleton charged straight at Tyrus. Fortunately, Grant intercepted, deflecting the skeleton''s crude cut and smacked it away into its friends, causing a lot of them to fall backward.


    "Killing them will require greater strength," Grant remarked. "Simply slashing or smacking them won''t be effective unless we pulverize them into a paste with a hammer or a similar tool. Unfortunately, there are too many of them to attempt that approach. Furthermore, we don''t have any blunt weapons other than my shield at our disposal. Our best bet is to rely on magic."


    Reo delivered a swift kick at a skeleton aiming for Fiona''s backside. It flew into a nearby wall, exploding upon impact and scattering pieces everywhere. Its limbs, head, torso, and arm, twitched as if wanting to reconnect, and the pieces rose in the air as if guided by invisible hands. Soon, the skeleton reformed, good as new. Reo clicked his tongue at the sight and continued fighting. As for Igneal, he stood on top of a coffin, raining motes of fire and slashing at skeletons who got too close to him. Sweat dripped down his cheeks, and frustration seeped into his expression as he continued to mow down his enemies one after the other. But they continued to rise with no sign of stopping. More pouring inside by the minute, possibly from other rooms they had yet to see; the rattling echoing around the room grew to an ear-splitting cry that had Tyrus wincing in pain.


    "Fall back!" Fiona shouted. "Grant, Reo, create a pathway for us so that we can head back to the tunnels. It''d be better to funnel them inside there, as opposed to fighting all of them head-on here!"


    Mana encased Grant and Reo like a protective shield, and they charged for the tunnels. Both razed their way through, sweeping rows of skeletons and crushing their comrades underneath their might. Then, at the mouth of the tunnel, the duo awaited for the others to retreat before continuing with their fight. Tyrus took a deep breath and crouched fast enough to use Lightning Snare.


    Thick tendrils erupted from his fingers, lashing and wrapping around the feet of five skeletons. Not knowing what he had done, they tried to shamble forward but merely tripped; the tendrils acting as a restraint. As soon as the opportunity came, he, Fiona, and Igneal sprinted toward the newly created path. All five of them turned the corner and climbed the steps, stopping just in front of the door.


    Fiona whirled around and lifted her staff. "Stand behind me unless you want to lose a few fingers."


    Not a second later did the swarm of skeletons appear from the corner, trampling and mashing up the bones of the ones that were hit. Watching dozens of skeletons march from the end of the tunnel and shuffle straight for them made a shiver crawl up and down Tyrus''s spine. Their numbers, the rattling, and the crunching made for an unpleasant symphony, and he silently hoped that whatever Fiona had planned would work.


    Tyrus watched Fiona close her eyes and take a deep, quivering breath. Sweat accumulated and fell off her face as she went. Immediately, mana all around them clung around her like an unseen mist. She sucked up that mana, absorbing it into her body while guiding it toward the tip of her staff. When Tyrus exhaled, a fine mist exited his lips, and his skin pebbled with the slightest tinge of cold. Was it always so cold down here?


    That''s when it happened. With a swift, sweeping motion of her staff, a torrent of frost shot out from the tip and raced towards the tunnel, transforming the skeletons into frozen statues in a matter of seconds. The walls, the ceiling, and even the floor became encased in a solid sheet of ice, a stark contrast to the usual mucky clay walls of the sewer. A white blanket now covered everything before them. What was insistent rattling now disappeared, reverting everything into a still silence.


    "W-We should b-be okay," Fiona said, hugging herself. "They can''t move anymore, thanks to the Ice Coffin."


    Tyrus blinked twice and inspected their surroundings. He tapped his foot against the now icy stairs. "Everything turned to ice this fast? You really are strong, Fiona."


    Fiona smiled and laughed. "Thank you for the compliment, but this is nothing. You should see Erza in action. She''d do this with a snap of her fingers with little to no prep time under the hottest of suns."


    She shifted her attention to the frozen skeletons and said, "In the meantime, we should destroy them now before they somehow break out of it. After that, we can continue on from there and figure out why they attacked in the first place."


    "The true cause, eh?" Reo murmured, carefully maneuvering down the steps. "I''m pretty sure you set them off. Scourge probably set a few traps in case of intruders."


    "Correct you are, little boy," said a voice from behind.


    Everyone turned on their heels and spotted a group of armed men gathered at the wheel door. With their weapons already brandished, Tyrus noticed each of them wearing a ring with a green gemstone. Leading the forefront was a man he recognized, wearing a silver necklace around his neck and shoulder-length hair.


    The man frowned as he locked eyes with Tyrus. "We meet again, Demi-human scum."

 Chapter 113-Underground Confrontation

    Tyrus hadn''t expected a meeting with Sezor this soon nor was he looking forward to one, either, but here they were, with both Blue Dawn and Scourge staring each other down.


    Sezor and his friends wielded a weapon of their own, most of them being shortswords and daggers. It looked as if they were preparing for war, but their lack of armor told otherwise, dressed in their everyday clothes with minimal protection.


    "You''ve brought nothing but trouble when you reared your head in my business," Sezor growled. "You should''ve just minded your business back at the harbor. Now you''ll die because you were stupid."


    Grant stepped forward, shielding Tyrus from Sezor''s gaze. A certain animosity bled through his stern look as he stared the man down. "Are you affiliated with Scourge, by chance? I suggest you answer carefully."


    The man laughed, and for a moment, Tyrus spotted a dark amulet hanging off of his neck. It was hard to miss because of the thick amount of mana swirling around the chain. Fiona and the others noticed it too, by the way their expressions shifted.


    "Look at this mountain of a boy. Trying to intimidate grown men without a lick of hair on your face is like a rabbit trying to fight a bear. To answer your question, yes we are members of Scourge. That Demi-human probably tipped you off already. Still, it doesn''t matter. In the end, none of you are getting out alive."


    A man with hair on his chin stepped toward Sezor and said, "One of them is a sorcerer, most likely the one carrying a staff."


    Sezor finally noticed the ice statues in the back and whistled. "No wonder it''s cold as a frost giant''s balls. You must be pretty tired from freezing all those undead behind you. Good thing we came here as fast as we could once we heard some trespassers had entered our tunnels."


    Upon closer inspection, Tyrus noticed that their garments were damp and their faces were glistening, as if they had just taken a swim. The fact that it had just started raining meant that they must have been underground for at least half an hour, but that wasn''t what concerned Tyrus. What worried him was the content of Sezor''s words. How did they know there were intruders down here? Tyrus could only think of a few possibilities: someone had been spying on them and immediately alerted Sezor, they had set an invisible trap that Fiona unknowingly triggered, or it was his own action of opening the wheel door, which seemed like the most plausible option. He was carrying a Scourge ring, after all.


    Tyrus quickly glanced around, assessing the severity of their situation. Behind them, a treacherous terrain was obstructed by frozen skeletons that could be unleashed if they delayed any longer. Ahead of them stood a group of armed men, eager to inflict harm upon him and his companions. In essence, they were surrounded, but the situation was not as dire as initially perceived. Using his mana sense, Tyrus determined that only Thick Beard was a sorcerer amidst the group. While caution was advised in dealing with him, the remaining men should not pose a significant threat. With five sorcerers against one, coupled with nine regular men, the advantage clearly belonged to Blue Dawn, not Scourge.


    Or so he thought. His instincts were practically screaming, calling him a fool for thinking so. That amulet radiating mana on Sezor''s chest worried him. Judging by the amount, it must''ve been quite a powerful item capable of turning the tide, but he wasn''t about to make any assumptions. It''d be best to finish this fight as quickly as possible, but then a thought crossed his mind: would Fiona and the rest resort to killing if it came to it? He shook his head, already aware of the answer once he remembered the bandits.


    Tyrus couldn''t help but notice that Igneal had been giving Fiona a strange look throughout their time together, occasionally stealing glances at the ice statues. It was unusual for Igneal to be so distracted, especially during a critical moment like this. Normally, he would immediately unleash fire upon their enemies without a second thought. However, if Igneal wasn''t going to take action, then it fell upon Tyrus to make the first move. If his suspicions were correct, Scourge had absolutely no idea that Tyrus himself was a sorcerer.


    Charging up a Dual Shot, Tyrus stepped away from Grant''s shadow and unleashed two crackling orbs toward Scourge. A look of shock spread across their faces, and a few of them raised their swords to shield themselves from the spell. Tyrus thought he succeeded until Thick Beard stepped forward and made a slashing motion with his hand. The air itself rippled and the energy spheres were cut in half, dissipating into the surrounding air. Thick Beard raised his hand again, mana building up around his hands, and set forth another attack until Grant blocked it with his shield. A puff of hair tussled their hair.


    "A sorcerer with an air affinity," Grant grunted. "Capable of condensing air into that of a blade to slash foes or objects. He must be at the level of an Apprentice Sorcerer to achieve that feat."


    Thick Beard lowered his arm slightly. "They have more than one sorcerer in their ranks, Sezor. I count at least three, including the dumb red head over there. He must be a Lockhart."


    Igneal finally snapped out of his random daze and glared. "Who are you to address a Lockhart in that manner? Not only are you simpletons for picking a fight with a group led by me, but you dare call me a ''dumb red head''?"


    Without saying a word, Igneal raised his arm and unleashed a powerful wave of flames that surged towards Thick Beard. Unfazed by Igneal''s magic, Thick Beard swiftly crouched down, pressing his palm against the ground, and shouted "Earth Wall" just moments before the fiery blast could reach him. Instantly, the ground beneath him transformed into a solid stone wall, shielding him from the impending heat. The flames collided with the wall, quickly fizzling out. All that remained was a charred wall with a few cracks, obscuring the view of the enemy. Unsurprisingly, that didn''t stop Igneal from drawing his sword and charging towards Scourge, simultaneously launching more flames.


    "Who''s the dumb one now, filth?" Igneal taunted, "Your bodies will be nothing but ashes and bones now!"


    "Grant, Reo, get ahead of Igneal and start pressuring Scourge," Fiona said. "It''s five sorcerers against one and a bunch of unblessed. Try to keep them alive so that can capture them and send them to the guards. But if that cannot happen, then we''ll resort to our last option."


    The two Augmentation Sorcerers nodded and sprinted after Igneal. In a matter of seconds, they passed Igneal in a blur¡ªavoiding his line of fire¡ªand reached the earth wall just as it crumbled from Igneal''s onslaught. Scourge was already in position, as if they expected their foes to push up. Soon, both sides began the clash.


    And it was...quite one-sided. Because most of Scourge were unblessed, they had little to no answer against the might of Augmentation Sorcerers. It was like watching a bunch of dogs attempting to stand their ground against a pack of lions. Sure, some managed to get in a slash or two with their greater numbers, but they never lasted long under the heavy strikes and relentless pestering of Reo and Grant. The big guy would block numerous attacks with his shield and retaliate by punching the unfortunate fool closest to him. The impact sent them flying to a nearby wall and crashed into it. The sickening crunch of bones breaking caused chills to crawl up and down Tyrus''s spine. Blood dribbled down the corners of their mouths.


    Reo dashed through their ranks like lightning, lashing out with precise and swift kicks and elbows that had them wailing in pain until Grant finished the blow. Thick Beard tried desperately to help, sending forth more wind blades. Reo knew they were coming and dodged them with ease while Grant didn''t bother to, using only his shield that received more gashes.


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    During that time, Igneal had already caught up to the battle. He locked eyes with Sezor; a wicked grin flashed across the Lockhart''s face. The two of them clashed head on with their swords, sparks flying as steel against steel resounded around the room.


    "You must be the leader of this pathetic bunch," Igneal said.


    "Like hell I''d be beaten by a cocky brat!" Sezor bellowed.


    A wildness grew in his eyes as his movements grew quicker and stronger. Every time they clashed, Igneal was pushed back and forced to evade instead. Though he has probably received more training with the sword than Sezor, he was still smaller than he was, and Sezor knew this. Sezor pressed his advantage relentlessly, his strikes growing more ferocious with each swing, the sheer force of his blows threatening to overwhelm Igneal, who had been trying to use his off-hand to release more flames, but Sezor made sure that wouldn''t happen. Tyrus was no expert on swordsmanship, but Sezor was holding his own pretty well. He still received a fair share of cuts around his body, and Igneal sustained none.


    That all changed in an instant when he caught sight of a Lightning Bolt hurtling towards him. Swiftly, he kicked Igneal aside and leapt backward, narrowly evading the spell as it barely brushed against his side. His body momentarily stiffened, wisps of smoke curling up from his shirt. Despite moving unsteadily, he managed to rise to his feet, while Tyrus appeared by Igneal''s side.


    "Who told you to interfere?" Igneal snarled. "I was clearly winning!"


    Tyrus furrowed his brow. While he was indeed leading, he couldn''t shake the feeling that Igneal wasn''t taking the battle seriously. Instead of swiftly and decisively defeating Sezor, it seemed like Igneal was merely toying with them, playing around. Given the circumstances, this was not the time for games. Moreover, there was something unsettling about that amulet, although Tyrus couldn''t quite put his finger on it. Nevertheless, he knew that the best course of action was to wrap up the fight before things took a turn for the worse.


    "Argh!"


    Thick Beard was thrown across the tunnel, rolling across the ground like wayward potatoes and stopping near Sezor''s boots. It was a rather pitiful display. After struggling to rise to his knees, he let out an indignant groan. "Dammit. Fighting against an Augmentation Sorcerer is always an unpleasant experience. No matter what I throw at them, they take it on the chin like its nothing."


    Tyrus looked past Thick Beards shoulder and spotted Grant approaching alongside Reo. Right behind them, the entire floor was covered with bodies of those knocked out or who were moaning softly. Cracks upon the earth marred the entire field, and splotches of blood oozed from the numerous cuts they bore on their bodies. A tinge of pity filled Tyrus''s heart, yet only for a moment. They deserved the beating brought to them by their own actions.


    Grant and Reo formed a line blocking their battered opponent''s path. Now they were the ones trapped underground.


    "Surrender quietly, and be judged by Lethos'' law," Grant said sternly, but his eyes remained trained on Sezor. His hand hovered over his sword. Tyrus wondered if Grant was having similar thoughts about the amulet he was wearing.


    Sezor grimaced. "This is far from over. You think I hadn''t made preparations for a scenario like this? I''m not a leader of a faction without knowing how to have an ace in my sleeve."


    In a deft movement, a red rock appeared in Sezor''s hands, pulsating with mana. The man gripped the magical rock and closed his hand into a fist, breaking it; the cracks expanding throughout its surface. Everyone¡ªincluding Tyrus¡ªinstinctively tensed as power permeated the air and flowed into Sezor''s hands. Heat prickled Tyrus''s skin, confusing him. Sezor''s eyes gleamed with pure hatred, directed at the Augmentation Sorcerers blocking him.


    "Fireball!" Sezor roared.


    As the man screamed, a large fiery orb that took up most of the tunnel blazed into existence. Immediately, the scent of ash and fire flooded the enclosed space. Even standing inches away, the flames gave a terrifying warmth as their glow swallowed the golden light emanated by Fiona''s spell. Sezor launched the spell toward Grant, who had already put his shield up, protecting Reo. The Fireball hit its mark and exploded, filling the tunnel with the terrible cacophony of sizzling and crackling among the blazing destruction.


    Sezor''s face was pale, and his chest heaved. Anger swelled within Tyrus and he charged, hoping to use that split second to catch him off guard. His expectations were crushed when Thick Beard sent forth a gust of wind that pushed him back, sending him tumbling past Igneal. Tyrus immediately got back up and focused his mana for a Thunder Stun, but another rock caught his eye, this time a dark brown.


    Oh no you don''t!


    Tyrus released the Thunder Stun, watching it streak forward. However, Sezor had already thrown the rock onto the ground and stomped on it beforehand. Simultaneously, Thick Beard destroyed the Thunder Stun with his own spell, shouting ''Rock Toss''. A rock materialized in the air, speeding forward and colliding with the mote of lightning. Just like before, Tyrus'' spell fizzled out, while Rock Toss persisted and blew by his cheek. Tyrus was given no time to be shocked at what occurred when the ground trembled and a wall was erected in front of Reo and Grant.


    Sezor coughed violently and fell to one knee, blood dripping down his nose and mouth. "That should keep those troublesome Augmentation Sorcerers at bay. Those damn monsters wiped out everyone in seconds! It was a good idea to bring elemental stones."


    He wiped away the blood and rose, grinning at Tyrus and Igneal. "Now all we gotta do is deal with the two brats and the woman. Where is she, anyway? I don''t see¡ªAh, there she is."


    Fiona rushed over, wheezing her lungs out. Ice shards clung to her hair like an extravagant crown of frost. Illumination that was hovering above their heads, giving her makeshift crown a golden glow.


    "S-Sorry I was late," Fiona said. She scanned around, probably looking for the others, and noticed the wall. "Separating us won''t do you any good. It''s still three against two, and we aren''t weak by any means. Think about your next course of action carefully or¡ª"


    Flames flickered to life across Igneal''s palm. "Save your breath, sister. Let''s just get rid of them here and now. No one will shed tears for these rats."


    Sezor shook his finger disapprovingly. "Oh no, no, no, that won''t suffice. I''ve dug myself into a hole too deep to fill completely. If I surrender to the guards, I''ll end up in prison, where I''ll surely waste away and starve. And trust me, that''s not even the worst possible outcome. I was given a second chance to make things right, and failing to eliminate a few kids is a death sentence. But I have no intention of dying."


    Sezor snatched the amulet around his neck and clenched it. He uttered a single word, "Awaken". There was no visible change, at least to Tyrus''s eyes. At first, he thought it was a trick and began forming a Lightning Bolt. But as Sezor and Thick Beard braced themselves for the attack, their demeanor grew stiff, and the mana flowing within the amulet turned turbulent.


    The atmosphere changed, causing the amulet to shatter into countless fragments resembling glass. Amongst the scattered pieces, a vortex of brilliant white light formed, swirling with intensity. Gradually, an arm made of stone emerged, followed by the rest of its body, and finally, two colossal legs akin to the size of trees. Piece by piece, a creature towering over Grant by two heads came into view, a remarkable fusion of interconnected rocks. Its piercing amber eyes glared menacingly at them.


    "Oh Sthito," Fiona squeaked.


    Sezor cackled like a madman and pointed at Tyrus. "Earth spirit! As your master, I command you to attack them!"


    The earth spirit unleashed a deafening roar, its wide jaw gaping open, causing the entire tunnel to tremble. With a sudden twist, it spun around, its head scraping against the ceiling, and delivered a powerful blow to Sezor. The force sent the poor man hurtling several feet backwards, crashing through the fortified wall and bursting through solid rock. The gruesome aftermath painted the walls with a horrifying display of blood and flesh. In a state of shock, Thick Beard stood frozen, a decision that proved fatal as the earth spirit mercilessly crushed him under its massive leg. Bones crunched, organs ruptured. Death. It was quick and instant.


    Everyone froze except the spirit. In one instant, everything seemed to move in slow motion while Tyrus''s brain struggled to piece together the events before him. He watched, alarmed, as the massive being shifted its attention back to them. He needed to do something. Anything. Staying put and doing nothing was out of the question. Every second he wastes, his chances of dying rises!


    Tyrus was about to act until the whole tunnel went dark. Panic swelled up inside of him as the pair of amber eyes seemed to get closer, and the tremors increased. Then he felt someone hold his hand and spin him around. His feet moved; he realized they were running away from the spirit.


    Their pace was rather slow, and Tyrus remembered the iced floor. Popping noises filled his ears, and it felt like he was stepping on fragmented glass. The light at the end of the tunnel steadily brightened as they traveled, just enough to see her holding both him and Igneal''s hands, guiding them to safety. Tyrus kept his mouth shut and peeked over his shoulder.


    His heart nearly leapt into his throat when a rock bigger than his head zipped toward them.

 Chapter 114- Rampaging Earth Spirit

    Tyrus didn''t know what came over him. His body just moved on its own before his brain could catch up.


    He let go of Fiona''s hand just as they were about to turn the corner and activated augmentation. A fresh surge of power filled his muscles, and he raised his left arm just in time. His body stiffened the moment they made contact, and a sharp pain coursed through the limb. Tyrus tried to move his arm, but just the simplest action had him wincing. It throbbed like it had its own heartbeat.


    Fiona gasped. "Are you alright?!"


    Tyrus wasn''t given the chance to check his injury when the earth spirits stomps grew closer. Grimacing, he whipped around and turned the corner, with Fion and Igneal right next to him. They approached the room with all the glowing mushrooms and sprinted to the adjacent one, entering a corridor.


    "We need to find a way out of here," Fiona said.


    "What... what about Grant and Reo?" Tyrus said with a groan. A white-hot pain flared whenever he took a step.


    She pressed her lips and said, "They''ll be fine. Fortunately, they can retrace their steps back to the sewer. We don''t have that kind of luxury, so we need to focus our attention on getting out."


    They exited the corridor and stepped foot into the new room with noticeably fewer coffins and the addition of rat carcasses and scattered bones¡ªoriginating from human and rats. It smelled horrible, causing Tyrus to scrunch up his face and try to take in a breath without vomiting. He even accidentally stepped on a small skull that snapped like dry twigs, sending fragments everywhere.


    Another turn later, they encountered another room, much longer and bigger than the rest. No coffins remained here, replaced by various vases and jars just as cracked and broken as the strewn skeletons. Some were in a complete disarray, with dirt and shattered clay spilling all over the ground. In one corner, a pile of unknown powder sat untouched. There was even a visible corridor just above the right wall.


    "Fiona, look over there," Tyrus said.


    She noticed it too and breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, at least that''s something. Going up is what we need to be doing. There has to be a way to reach it. Maybe some stairs past this room?"


    A low rumbling echoed through the halls, causing everyone to flinch. Everyone turned to the sound of stone being crushed and bones popping left and right. Not even a second later did the figure of the earth spirit came to view. As soon as they locked eyes, it released a bellow so loud that Tyrus clamped his hands over his ears, but it wasn''t enough to muffle out the noise. Then came the horrifying part: it charged straight at them, busting through the low-hanging corridor and raining chunks of stone.


    Fiona''s face turned pale, and she pulled them behind her. "Move, quick!"


    With a sharp turn, they sprinted. The ground beneath their feet shuddered violently and cracked, throwing everyone off balance. Turning a corner, they spotted a set of stairs leading down¡ªnot a good sign¡ªand ran under an archway bridge that seemed to connect to the area they wanted to get to.


    An idea popped to mind, and Tyrus sprung into action. He used augmentation and scaled the wall with a jump, hissing when his left arm hit the side, and reached the bridge. He then grabbed the ledge and pulled himself up.


    "Wait, what are you doing?!" Fiona shouted, standing at the foot of the steps.


    There was no time to answer her as the earth spirit exploded onto the scene, still running with speed that belied its size. It looked up and met his gaze, and roared once more. Instead of charging head on like an enraged bull, it dug its fist into the ground and pulled out a sizable chunk of rock. Tyrus'' eyes widened, and he rolled to the other side of the bridge, the projectile missing him by inches.


    Once he regained his composure, Tyrus began cooking up a Dual Shot, this time a bit more powerful than the one he used against his first rock spider encounter. Both creatures were made of rock, and Dual Shot was effective in penetrating their armor. An earth spirit shouldn''t be any different, no? Because of its massive body, there was no room to dodge in this enclosed space, and he had the height advantage. The circumstances were perfect.


    Lightning stirred, and two powerful orbs burst forth. Crackling with energy, they flew forward and struck the earth spirit in its chest, kicking up a puff of dust. Tyrus smiled, confident that victory was within his grasp. However, his smile faded and was replaced by a look of disbelief as he realized that, despite the impact, he had barely made a dent once the dust settled.


    "I couldn''t pierce it?"


    The spirit bellowed from the attack, ripped a chunk of rock from the wall, and chucked it at the arch. Tyrus jumped off, avoiding being squashed and tumbled, landing on his feet. The entire structure crumbled and collapsed, causing a vast cloud of dust and rubble to pile up. His head shot up as the earth spirit continued its pursuit.


    "Blinding Light!"


    At the incantation, Tyrus felt a hand pull him back from the bright glow of a spell, casting his vision into darkness. His skin stung from a fresh wave of cold frost, and the air grew bitter. When his vision cleared, a sheet of ice coated the ground. The earth spirit was covering its eyes in the middle of its charge and stepped foot onto the ice. Its momentum carried it forward, and Tyrus''s heart skipped a beat when the creature slipped and was sent careening to the left of the stairs. The deafening sound of thunder boomed throughout the caverns, and huge chunks of rocks from the ceiling cascaded down, blocking off the corridor.


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    Igneal was holding onto his arm¡ªwhich he let go with a quickness when Tyrus stared¡ªwhile Fiona leaned against the wall, clasping her chest as her breath came out in labored pants.


    "We," she began, "should be alright from now on. That was very dangerous fighting that thing alone."


    Tyrus frowned. "I thought Dual Shot would work the same it did against a rock spider, but I barely made a scratch on its exterior. Why didn''t it work?"


    "That''s because earth spirits, especially that one, are tougher than rock spiders," Igneal explained. "Their bodies are composed entirely of mana, making them more resistant to magic compared to ordinary creatures. To defeat them, you would require a more powerful spell or exploit their vulnerabilities. As much as I dislike to admit, but using fire magic against it would be a waste of mana on my part."


    Fiona''s breath became steady, and she stepped away from the wall. She walked over to Tyrus and muttered ''Restoration''; a golden light shined. Warmth spread through his body and focused on his injured arm. He felt nothing unusual until his skin and muscles itched. The pain gradually faded, and the throbbing pain disappeared.


    Tyrus moved his arm and said, "Thank you. Was that a light spell you used?"


    "Yeah, I''ll tell you about it later. Right now, we should move while we have the chance."


    Tyrus nodded, and all three of them rushed down the stairs, leaving the earth spirit trapped behind the rubble.


    ***


    might be the way out," Fiona

 Chapter 115- Lump of Rocks

    Watching a giant made of stone menacingly lumbering toward them would anyone''s heart flutter, and not in a good way.


    Fiona adjusted her stance, shifting her feet. "Spread out and attack it from different angles. Our goal is to gradually weaken it until it has no mana left to spare. Once deprived of mana, it will dissipate and merge with the earth. We''re lucky that the item it was bound to has been destroyed."


    Igneal smiled. "Finally! I was getting bored running in circles like a coward!"


    Still smiling, he dashed off for the rightmost wall while Fiona took the opposite, already chanting an incantation. All that was left for Tyrus was the middle, which was where the earth spirit was currently at, not paying attention to the two that ran off. Why was it glaring at him as if he was a tasty slab of cooked meat? Or would it be rocks in its case? Now that he thought about it, what do spirits eat anyway?


    Before the earth spirit could reach Tyrus, Fiona was the first to attack. Hiding behind a pillar, she raised her staff and summoned forth a volley of icicles. They flew fast and struck one of the earth spirits legs, breaking on impact and coating the creature''s limb in ice. The creature turned its head to the origin of the attack and raised its foot, effortlessly shaking off the ice. It looked ready to charge after her, but Igneal intervened by firing a large blast of flame at its face, which exploded and sent the spirit stumbling back.


    As the flames cleared, Tyrus realized Igneal''s attack didn''t leave a single blemish on its head, although it seemed to annoy it. With a roar, the spirit changed targets once more, ready to rush toward the moving Lockhart until two spheres of lightning slammed into its head. A bellow rang out, and the earth spirit stumbled, the sound reverberating throughout the underground chamber.


    Tyrus''s eyes widened when his attack left a visible crack under its eye, and his confidence rose. But that confidence didn''t last long when his vision wavered. His heart pounded, and the world spun, but it only lasted for a moment. That last attack must''ve exhausted his mana reserves. Using back to back Dual Shots was still a feat he had to get used to...


    Tyrus snapped out of his daze and quickly noticed something was wrong. With mana sense, the spirits mana was flowing strangely. In fact, its entire body was trembling and spiking, as if it was preparing for something.


    His fears came true as the creature raised its arm above its head and smashed the ground, shattering the stone beneath and kicking up a cloud of dust. The earth shook, and cracks seeping with mana snaked out in a large radius, reaching all the way to Tyrus and the others. Tyrus jumped out of the way and landed in a crouch, watching in shock as a massive pillar of white light erupted from where he stood. If he hadn''t moved in time, that burst of energy surely would''ve done massive damage to him! No wonder there was something off with the spirits'' mana...


    "What about the others?!"


    Tyrus frantically scanned the area, its ground now pitted with cracks and shifted terrain. The smoke was too thick to see clearly, and the spirit was nowhere to be seen alongside the others. He could call out to them, but that might attract the spirit toward him.


    That didn''t matter anyway when a shadow in the dust caught his eye, and he saw the spirit rushing through the cloud, smoke billowing out of its open mouth. Tyrus was prepared to use augmentation, but his legs felt stiff and his body refused to move. He clenched his jaw and gave his legs a good smack, which seemed to work as they limbered up. He moved out of the way just as the spirit cocked its arm back and thrust it forward. Tyrus leaped to the side and the creature''s stiff fist missed him, punching through air.


    With a roar, the spirit spun and swung its arms wildly, forcing Tyrus to evade the oncoming blows. He ducked below a wide swing and unleashed a Lightning Bolt under its chin. The attack made a deafening boom, and the light temporarily blinded Tyrus, yet the spirit didn''t relent. It swung its arm horizontally, and Tyrus jumped up, narrowly avoiding the attack. In that split second, he made the decision to climb onto its shoulder, now looming over the spirit.


    Raising his arm toward that same crack he made, mana surged throughout his body and he imagined using Dual Shot, this time with one orb instead. An orb of lightning manifested, and the spell was cast. The sphere flew fast, hitting the crack dead on. An explosion of rock and blue burst forth, and a resounding roar rang out as the spirit reeled back. Tyrus grimaced and hopped off the creature''s shoulder, landing on the ground. He fell to one knee as a headache crept up.


    The earth spirit cradled its cracking face, pieces of rock chipping and falling to the floor, revealing a hole glowing a brilliant hue. Tyrus''s eyes widened when he realized the orb didn''t just make a crack¡ªit shattered a piece of the spirit''s head, leaving it an injury Tyrus could take advantage of. However, he had an inkling that the spirit wouldn''t allow the same mistake to happen again. There was also the fact that he took a chunk out of his mana pool in that brief exchange. If he had to guess, his mana heart was a third full.


    Finally, as the dust settled, the room came back into focus, revealing the others. At the far end stood Igneal, his arm pressed against a weathered pillar. His face contorted with a deep scowl; one side of his shirt hung in tatters, exposing a surprisingly toned physique. Blood trickled down his cheek. Despite the injury, his eyes were focused and sharp.


    On the other hand, Fiona was the one who had it worse. Her hair was a mess, and blood stained the front of her cloak. She held her staff with a vice grip, using it for support. Her legs trembled, and she coughed out a wad of spit, a trail of blood on her lower lip and legs. One of her boots was even missing a chunk of leather, revealing skin riddled with old scars.


    Tyrus wanted to ask if they were alright, but the spirits movements caught his attention. While still clutching its face, as if protecting it, it let out a boisterous roar a bit weaker than before. Then it raised one of its leg and stomped, sending forth a shockwave powerful enough to send a cone of rocks to burst from the ground, flying everywhere.


    Igneal stepped behind the pillar he was at, avoiding the attack, and Fiona was quick enough to mutter an incantation to erect a wall of stone that stopped the oncoming attack. Once it was over, she whipped around her protective barrier and fired off a barrage of icicles, which struck the spirit in the chest and coated its limbs with frost. Though the creature wasn''t stuck to the ground like last time, it''s movements were noticeably slower once it began moving to Fiona. Knowing that, Igneal ran past the creature and aimed a Blinding Light at its face. Tyrus heard the incantation and covered his eyes just in time for a ray of golden light to bleed through his eyelids.


    He cracked one eyelid open to see the spirit roaring out in agony as it thrashed around. It swung its fist blindly, punching a pillar and caving in a section of it. A part of Tyrus died when the sight reminded him how easily the spirit could bring this entire place down if it knew, or if it wanted to in the first place.


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    They really had to figure out how to finish it for good if they wanted to live, but no matter what they threw at the earth spirit, it kept standing. And it was getting increasingly angrier, which meant things could only go downhill from here. Alongside Tyrus, the others were losing mana rapidly, while the spirit had much more to spare. If they continued to sling spells, it would be them that would tire out first, making it easier for the spirit to kill them all. Not only was its resistance a problem, but its durability as well. It took on a few Dual Shots and received only a mark on its face. A new strategy was needed, and they had to use it quickly. But what could they do?


    As Tyrus thought it over, going over every spell that he read about in the book Ivy gifted him, Fiona and Igneal approached him and stopped, the three of them facing the earth spirit.


    "What are your mana reserves looking like?" Fiona asked.


    "A third," Tyrus replied, the book of incantations in his hands as he flipped through it.


    Igneal side-eyed him and said, "Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals? Why are you flipping through that boring book? You don''t have more than half of the elements needed for those spells, anyway."


    Tyrus paid no attention to him and swiftly flipped through each page, quickly scanning the words and skipping sections about elements he hadn''t mastered yet. Fire and light held no significance for him at the moment, while water and earth were not worth his time to read about. A hint of panic crept in as he watched the pages disappear, and before he knew it, only a few remained. The last section he had yet to explore was one he had little hope for: the dark element. Just as he was ready to close the book in frustration and chucked it at a wall, a few words caught his eye.


    "...deplete their life force," he muttered. He then glanced at the single spell available and its function. Something clicked inside his brain, a shot in the dark, but it was worth the try. Tyrus was about to tell the others about his idea until he remembered about the earth spirit, which was a mistake on his part.


    It was still thrashing around, but instead of swinging its arms, it proceeded to stomp like a child throwing a tantrum, sending forth more spikes of stone to jut out from the floor akin to mini earthquakes. Igneal and Fiona were forced to step back, the latter erecting a stone wall to defend themselves from a line of spikes. The wall shuddered from the impact, and soon it crumbled, leaving them susceptible to the next line of spikes, which they bounced away from.


    Igneal sighed in frustration and said, "What a troublesome opponent. Attacking the weak point on its face is no good now that it''s actively protecting it. There''s also the problem of it splitting the ground, making it difficult to approach. If this was any other foe, I would''ve handled it with ease. Someone will have to distract it long enough for it to move its hand so I can land the killing blow through the open wound. No one can handle the intense flames of a¡ª"


    "No," Tyrus said, straightening himself. "I think I know how to beat it."


    Fiona looked at him expectedly. "I''m all ears. Anything will be helpful at this point."


    "...It''s made of mana, right? All we need to do is drain its mana until it has none left. Then, it will dissipate like you guys said. Only one element I can think of can do that."


    The two siblings looked at him with confused expressions, but their faces fell when it finally clicked what he was referring to. That was not a good sign, but he expected it, anyway.


    In their little talk, the earth spirit finally recovered from being blinded and leveled one of its glowing eyes at the group. In no time at all it dug its free arm into the ground and ripped a hunk of rock out, chucking it at the group. Tyrus, Igneal, and Fiona split up, and the rock passed by where they were, crashing into a wall and sending sharp rock flying.


    One rock struck him on the shoulder, while another sprayed his back. Despite the pain, he could only groan, silently grateful for the enchanted coat that had shielded him. The fact that he had acquired such a useful item made him incredibly glad. He knew he had to find a way to repay Ivy for her help, even though she wasn''t there with him.


    Looking to see if the others were okay was not an option, as he was already in the midst of aiming at where the spirit was. The lump of sentient rocks was too busy digging into the ground and throwing heaps of stone at Tyrus, which he dodged with ease. He avoided circling behind the pillars and ran straight for the enemy; the drumming of his heartbeat drowned his ears, as if he was submerged in turbulent waters. Sweat dripped down into his clamped mouth, coating his tongue in stinging salt.


    Once Tyrus had approached close enough, he summoned the illusion of a Shadow Bolt. He had never witnessed the power of a Shadow Bolt before, and his understanding of the dark element was limited. In contrast, the others were easier to comprehend; fire consisted of mere embers, while water was a simple and familiar element that he frequently encountered, along with earth and air.


    When it came to lightning, it posed a greater challenge as it was not as frequent as building a firepit or experiencing the touch of a refreshing liquid on his skin. Nor was it like witnessing the wind forcefully whip leaves and dirt into the air or feeling the solid ground beneath his boots. A lightning strike was a rare occurrence, swift, yet equally intense as flames swallowing a forest.


    But darkness? It was an absence of light. A void that inflicts harm and only takes. An element connected to shadows and darkness; sapping the strength of others for ones own benefit. Truly a terrifying element that could do so much more in the hands of others. After all, he had seen just a drop of what it was capable of, and that scared Tyrus. No wonder there are people who are watchful of the element, as he would too. The question is, was it an element that could not only bend wills, but the user as well? If he used it continuously, would he end up like the dark sorcerer? He thought that, then he remembered Wanderer and how kind and powerful she was.


    Do not be content with a life of mediocrity. Take whatever actions are required to ensure a secure and prosperous future for yourself.


    At those words, Tyrus steeled his resolve and imagined himself releasing a sphere of twisting shadows meant to absorb, this time much more powerful than a simple Dual Shot. Though he had just acquired the element, something within told him he could do it without an incantation. Without needing to sit there and imagine every detail of the spell. Without needing to spend days upon days of training to see minimal results. An element equal to his lightning, possibly even stronger.


    It was as if the shadows themselves responded to his desire. The shining lights on the pillars dulled, and the room turned as black as night. Tyrus felt a stabbing pain through his mana heart as the mana inside of him was sucked out from his body and through his arms in half a second. The air in front of him warped, and a shadowy orb was released, soaring toward the spirit with the frightening silence of a huntsman owl.


    Everything was dark other than the earth spirits shining eyes, but even that was snuffed when the darkness struck the creature''s face, and it froze as a wave of pitch black surged up its rocky body. Tyrus knew that because the spirit would usually make a racket with its footsteps or a roar whenever the group landed a hit. Yet all that remained was silence. Then came a sound similar to falling rocks. Soon, his fatigued body that was dangerously low of mana suddenly became rejuvinated. Tyrus'' mana heart was filling up at a rapid pace, and symptoms of mana deficiency dwindled. It didn''t take long for his body to swell with mana.


    The amber eyes of the spirit was gone. The pillars were relit with golden light, and the shadows in the room dispersed. Now that he had a clear view, Tyrus witnessed the aftermath of the spell. The earth spirit had fallen to its knees, and the lower portion of its body was crumbling to pieces, leaving the rest to follow suit. All that was left was a pile of rocks on the ground. The spirit was finally dead.


    He heard footsteps approaching his side, yet he was afraid to look up. He was too scared that Fiona would regard him with a different look, just as cold as a winter storm. But that was the least of his problems when the door behind him opened with a grinding screech, and in stepped a woman with braided hair, wearing the same attire as Sir Geroth. In her clenched hands was a spear. Her sharp eyes locked onto him, and he could see the murderous intent behind them.


    "Mongrel," she said, her tone sharp and unforgiving.


    She disappeared in a flash. Tyrus blinked, and the woman was there in front of him, and all he could see was the tip of her spear an arm length away.

 Chapter 116- Royal Knight Othelia

    Time slowed to a crawl. How had he not seen the woman''s movements? Tyrus prided himself on his excellent senses, especially when on high alert. Even then, how did the woman get past his senses unknowingly?


    One moment she stood at the doors, and the next thing he knew, her spear stayed leveled at his head. Was it magic? No, he would''ve sensed her mana if that were true. Whenever magic is utilized, mana is built up and discharged in the air, and his mana sense can pick that up. That meant she closed the gap with her physical abilities alone!


    Tyrus tried to activate augmentation in that split second, but he was far too slow, the spear just a finger length away. Not even the others were aware that the woman was already attacking, as they had not reacted in the slightest. Was this it? Had his short life ended here?


    Just as the spear tip was about to pierce his eye, an intense pressure abruptly erupted to his side, and the sound of metal clashing rang in his ear. A large figure had suddenly stepped in front of him and blocked the attacker''s strike, sending them back a bit from the force. Tyrus recognized the armor in front of him and looked up to see Grant peering over his shoulder, smiling. Dust and rubble coated his face.


    "A-Are you alright?" Grant asked, his voice strained.


    Tyrus slowly nodded, the phrase ''thank you'' stuck in his throat. The man reciprocated and turned back to face the attacker just as she retreated, stopping a far distance away from the group. Her eyes narrowed while she adjusted her stance, her spear pointed at the group.


    "I had no idea that assaulting defenseless children was considered part of the duties of a royal knight!" a voice thundered from behind. Tyrus turned his head and saw Reo approaching, placing an arm around him and gesturing towards the woman with a disdainful expression. "How would His Majesty react to the news of his esteemed guardians of Lethos attacking innocent citizens?"


    "A citizen?" she said sharply. "That mongrel is no citizens of Lethos, boy. If you wish to protect the enemy of Lethos, then that is your choice to make. And it is by His Majesty''s will that we vanquish those who are a threat to his people."


    Fiona rushed forward and said, "Woah, you''re not about to attack us now, are you? Do you not see who is with us, by chance? The annoying red head next to me is Igneal Lockhart, and this is Grant, son of Royal Knight Geroth! Killing them means incurring their wrath. You don''t want to make an enemy out of a family head and your comrade, do you?"


    The royal knight squinted past Grant, only noticing Igneal glaring at her, sword ready. Then her eyes landed on Grant''s face. She scowled and tightened her grip on her spear. "Is it to my understanding that a Lockhart and a son of a royal knight are collaborating with the Beastfolk?"


    "Collaborating?" Fiona asked. "I don''t like what you''re insinuating there, erm..."


    "Royal Knight Othelia," Grant finished.


    For a moment, Royal Knight Othelia''s grasp of her weapon loosened, and the tiniest bit of a quiver occurred at her lip. Yet just as quickly as she moved, it disappeared, and she was back to staring the group down, though her eyes had grown considerably less intense.


    "Right, thank you. I don''t like what you''re insinuating, Royal Knight Othelia. Tyrus here is our friend and comrade, just as Sir Geroth is to you. Tyrus has no connection with the Beastfolk Kingdom other than his heritage. In fact, he''s even a member of the Explorer Guild and cleared by Selena Lockhart herself¡ªOh, and by Sir Geroth as well. Do you still wish to keep hostilities with this harmless boy even after what you''ve heard here?"


    Tyrus was amazed at how much of a smooth talker Fiona was. Even in the face of someone who could probably kill them all in seconds, she still held her ground and argued with a royal knight''s conviction. Not once did her voice falter, or did her body tremble in fear.


    Royal Knight Othelia was quiet for a long time, her expression a mask. With how long she had been standing there, it was a wonder whether she would ever move, let alone speak. When it looked like she was going to lower her weapon, her eyes fell on Tyrus again, and her gaze turned as hard as stone, yet softened a tad once she glanced at the others.


    The woman sighed and straightened her back. The spear in her hand disappeared, turning into a white light and slinking into her collar, the clinking of jewelry slithering in Tyrus'' ears. Once her weapon was out of sight, Tyrus shoulders drooped, and a sigh escaped him. He had not noticed his stiffened muscles until then, and his mind had grown fuzzy from the tense situation.


    "I will speak to Branch Leader Selena and Sir Geroth to gauge the authenticity of your claims. If what you''ve said was a lie, I will personally come for each and every one of you. You have my word."


    She did not wait for a response. The woman spun around, heading towards the door, and said: "You will disclose in great detail how you''ve gotten access to the catacombs and what you are doing here. In meantime, you will follow me to the surface. You will talk as we walk."


    By the time she finished, she was already past the door and out of sight, seemingly turning a corner.


    "I can''t believe a royal knight was about to kill Tyrus in cold blood," Fiona said, wiping sweat off her forehead. "Did you guys see that? She didn''t even bat an eye when she saw that he was a Beastfolk and went straight or his head. If you hadn''t intervened in the nick of time, Grant, then Tyrus might''ve died! I couldn''t even read her movements at all."


    Grant grimaced as he raised his shield. At the center was a see through hole where the spear had struck. "Not only would he had died, but I as well. Without strengthening her body, she was capable of piercing through my shield. It''d be best to avoid getting on her bad side."


    "Yeah, no kidding," Reo muttered. "You did a great job calming down that blood-lusted beast, Fiona. Good thinking on using your brother''s family name like that."


    She shrugged. "It''s one of the few useful things he has going on for him. Might as well take advantage while I can. But enough of that, we should get out of here. If she notices that we aren''t following her, then she might actually go along with her previous actions. I''ll heal our wounds as we walk."


    The group was quick to move, and Grant had taken the lead, followed by Fiona, Reo. Tyrus walked ahead a few steps until he noticed Igneal stayed behind, a deep scowl etched on his face as he stared at his bloodied hand.


    "They''ll leave you behind," Tyrus said, breaking the silence.


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    "Did you see her movements?" Igneal asked out of the blue.


    Tyrus shook his head. "No, not even a twitch of a muscle or her shifting her feet. By the time she closed the distance was when I realized what just happened."


    "...I see."


    After that brief exchange, Igneal remained silent as he walked, following the others'' footsteps. Tyrus peered over to where he had slain the earth spirit. Its remains were nowhere to be seen, and Tyrus assumed they had been absorbed by the ground like Fiona mentioned before.


    Flashes of the battle filled his mind, and he recalled the Shadow Bolt striking the spirit and vanquishing it on one fell swoop. A fight that they struggled with was ended in a snap, and it was from an element he had no experience with. Why was that so? Was it because it was that effective against the spirit or was where something else he hadn''t thought of?


    "...I should get going," he said as he spun, jogging toward the unsealed door.


    ***


    The new area was much taller and cleaner than the previous. There were no mushrooms that gave the room natural lighting, but more torches that blazed with Illumination, he presumed. No cobweb or slime goo to be seen, and the ceiling was a dome, which was strange to see. The floor was even with no stone sticking out, nor were the walls littered with cracks and crevices. So far, it was just a long tunnel they walked, but he could see a larger room up ahead, and the woman leading the group was approaching it.


    "Explain what you are doing in the catacombs," Royal Knight Othelia said.


    Grant was the one to step up and explained what the group was doing. He mentioned how they were tasked by the Explorer Guild to go down to the sewers and exterminate pests that ran rampant underneath the city. As he talked, Fiona was busy healing her wounds, a golden light emitting from her palm.


    She healed her leg with the missing boot. What used to be gashes that looked as if wolves ravaged her leg were no more, other than the scars previously there. Tyus quietly unlaced his own boot and handed it to her. Fiona stared at him curiously, glanced at her own and figured out what he was trying to do. She thanked him with a smile and put it on. It was probably smaller than what Fiona was used to, but she didn''t seem bothered. The floor was extremely chilling against his foot, but he sucked it up and continued walking.


    After she was done healing herself, she shuffled over to Igneal and began healing his wounds, particularly his face and where his shirt was missing. He seemed offended at first, but he didn''t stop her, nor did he thank her for it. Fiona expected as much and didn''t bother to force it out of him or stop healing.


    While they were off doing their own thing, Grant said something interesting that answered what everyone was thinking. He and Reo apparently punched through the closed off wall together after Sezor blasted them with fire magic. It took them a long time, but they finally broke through and rushed toward all the noise bouncing off the walls. That would explain why those two were covered in rubble.


    Royal Knight Othelia listened with a blank face, though her eyes narrowed slightly at certain parts. Tyrus had his suspicions that the woman didn''t trust what Grant was saying and was just waiting for him to mess up so she could have a reason to attack them. But, from what he knew of royal knights, they were a sort that delivered justice. Attacking out of the blue without reason, other than the fact that he was a Beastfolk, didn''t seem like their style, until he remembered that relations between Lethos and the Beastfolk Kingdom weren''t all that pretty.


    As they neared the other side of the tunnel, Fiona had cut in and finished their story, speaking about Scourge, the tunnels, and the earth spirit they just defeated. The royal knight stopped in her tracks and turned.


    "You say Scourge has been using underground tunnels created by cave worms for their purposes? And that no one has noticed this until now? Not to mention you defeated an earth spirit that this man named Sezor has unleashed and is why you look like that?"


    Fiona gulped. "I know this sounds crazy, but I am not lying in the slightest. You can verify this by accessing the sewers yourself and going through the tunnel we came out of."


    The woman crossed her arms and nodded. "Very well. I will send a few guards to investigate. Since you mentioned Scourge, It is safe to assume you aren''t dishonest. Sir Grant mentioned this in his report to the Imperial Court. But he failed to mention that a Demi-human, a Beastfolk one at that, was running around the capital."


    "Does it matter?" Reo said with an eye roll. "He''s not causing any harm, or some spy sent by the neighboring kingdom. Branch Leader Selena made sure of that."


    Royal Knight Othelia turned towards him. "Quite the mouth you have there, boy. Didn''t your parents teach you to show respect to your superiors?"


    Reo opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when he noticed Fiona glaring daggers at him. He shut his mouth and motioned for her to take over.


    Fiona cleared her throat and said, "That being said, what are you doing down here, if I may ask?"


    The woman folded her arms, hardening her gaze. Now that Tyrus had gotten a good look at her, the royal knight was rather pretty. The braiding in her hair looked as if her head had a silver crown on, and the whole white uniform complimented her stern demeanor perfectly. She seemed like the opposite of Sir Geroth.


    "The one responsible for the upkeep of the catacombs informed me of a strange noise while I was out patrolling. As per my duties, I found it necessary to investigate the noise. And beyond the door, it was you five that were the culprits. You even claim you battled an earth spirit underground, summoned by the one named Sezor."


    "Which is the truth," Fiona added.


    "If what you say is true, then how did you defeat it?" the woman asked. "Because of its properties, you three would have been at a severe disadvantage given that you are Elemental Sorcerers. Two of you are frail brats, while the other is possibly an Apprentice Sorcerer. But even that is not enough to save you."


    Tyrus kept his mouth shut, trying his best to assume a neutral face. The woman''s view of him was bad enough, but knowing that he defeated the spirit with the dark element would surely make things worse. Better to let Fiona do all the talking. She made no mention of what she witnessed and was still adamant about defending him. For all he knew, she probably didn''t care in the slightest what he used, only happy that the job was done.


    "You underestimate the power of the sorcerers, regardless of age and experience," Fiona said. "Thanks to Tyrus, he was able to pierce through the spirit''s rocky exterior with his lightning magic. We capitalized on the opening he created and continued hitting that spot until it died. He might seem frail to you, but he''s quite strong for his age¡ª"


    Out of nowhere, the royal knight calmly walked towards Tyrus and came to a halt right in front of him. She leaned in; her gaze intense, as if she were searching the depths of his soul. Tyrus instinctively flinched, feeling overwhelmed by her proximity, to the extent that he could feel her breath gently brushing against his face.


    "U-Um... Do you need something from me?" Tyrus asked.


    She was quiet, and the tension lingered, though not nearly as intense as before. Then she straightened herself and turned, walking off as if nothing ever happened.


    Tyrus glanced at the others, who shrugged in return and followed her. What was that all about? What kind of person just walks up to someone, stares into their eyes for no reason, and struts away?


    Confused, he chased after the others; the tunnel opening up into a wider space that was very bright, to say the least. Up ahead was another door lined in gold¡ªor at least, appeared to be¡ªthis time guarded by two humanoid statues wearing helmets that veiled their faces. They held swords in their hands; the blade positioned downward as if striking the ground itself.


    To their right was a set of stairs that climbed upward. The steps were smooth and polished, a far cry from what he had seen in the catacombs. The fact that everything was much nicer and cleaner than before was a good sign, or so he hoped. It didn''t take a genius to know that beyond the golden door was the second level of the catacombs Igneal was referring to. A place fit for an emperor and his closest aides.


    Tyrus felt sorry for those buried on the first level. For your burial place to be neglected and forgotten over time, after sacrificing your lives for the prosperity of Lethos. After seeing all the scattered bones and rats, if it were Tyrus that was to be buried alongside the others, he''d be angry that no one bothered to maintain his final resting place. As if he was just a means to an end. An after thought.


    "What are you standing around there for?" Fiona said, snapping Tyrus back into reality.


    With everyone else already climbing the steps, ready to escape the suffocating space, he gave himself a pinch, just to be sure, and then followed suit by climbing after them. The gloomy thoughts that had plagued his mind vanished as the scent of rainwater escalated with each step.

 Chapter 117- His Disappearance

    Thunder crackled as soon as Royal Knight Othelia kicked open a door. Water sprayed outwards, drenching the front of her garments and everyone else behind her. Lightning illuminated the stairway, a bright light that faded within seconds as thunder crackled like a whip.


    Rolling clouds of black swirled overhead, a gray mist covering the once clear sky. Rain pattered the earth, and the wind blew as a ferocious breeze, blowing the water in every direction. Fiona felt the chilling cold press against his bare skin, her hair fluttering from the wind.


    Not only was Fiona dead tired and in a terrible mood, but her garments were wet as well. Was it merely her time for the gods to cast misery upon her? Or was this the consequence of her failure as a leader? Whatever the case, she didn''t want to stick around. All she wanted to do was get cleaned and changed and sleep until morning. No, make that two mornings.


    Othelia retrieved a white, hooded cape from her amulet and wrapped it around herself and her uniform. Although it only reached down to her shoulders, the cloth emitted a bright glow, causing the rain to part above her. It must have been a magical item, as it kept her from getting wet.


    Royal knights are truly fortunate to have access to such useful items. They have storage containers capable of holding a variety of items, weapons of top-notch quality forged at Ironworks, and, most importantly, a generous monthly stipend that could easily feed an entire town for months. The title of royal knight seems more fitting for royalty itself!


    Speaking of royal knight, Othelia was quite muscular. Fiona could tell by the way her uniform tightened whenever she moved. It made her wonder if the royal knights had their own training regiment compared to an ordinary guard. From what she heard, becoming a guard in Lethos was difficult, in contrast to other towns. Since it''s the royal capital, only the most skilled and determined individuals could get a spot. Any other town, anyone with a heartbeat and able to hold a sword properly could enlist. Heck, if Tyrus were to try out, she wouldn''t be surprised if he was hired on the spot.


    "I will personally lead you five back to the Explorer Guild," Othelia announced, stepping out into the pouring rain.


    "We''re fine. We can find our way back. No need to trouble yourself," Fiona replied rather quickly.


    "No, I insist," said Othelia. Fiona understood instantly that declining any further would be a useless endeavor, so she just shrugged. The royal knight took that as her accepting defeat and nodded. She motioned for them to follow her.


    It was a slow and tedious journey through the rain. Thunder and lightning boomed in the sky, as if the heavens were inflicting punishment on some poor soul. Although the rain was heavy, it wasn''t enough to obscure their vision. The chilling rain pelted her skin, and Fiona was grateful Tyrus had given her his own boot.


    She considered declining his offer, but upon gazing at his face, she found it impossible to refuse. Tyrus was a kind-hearted boy, almost too pure for the harsh realities of the world. He was obedient and reserved, yet always ready to lend a helping hand without hesitation¡ªFiona was well aware of this.


    It was truly a blessing that he had turned out well, rather than becoming an unstable mess constantly consumed by bitterness towards the world. She hadn''t given it much thought before, but whoever had raised him when he was much younger had clearly done a commendable job. It pained her even more to think that such a young boy had been left to fend for himself in Valier Forest. Had his caretakers abandoned him, or had they tragically passed away? She never asked, and she probably never will.


    The rain fell hard against the cobblestone street, creating a soothing sound that echoed throughout the city. They were fortunate to not be in the center of town. There, the streets would have been packed with carriages and crowds of people rushing to the nearest shelter. Fiona also realized they weren''t on the outskirts of the city, but on the upper quarter, where the more wealthy folk frequent.


    She recognized a few buildings that she had come across several times when she first came to Lethos with Aunt Selena. The buildings here were taller than average and much grander than the others, around twice the size of Erza''s magic shop. They passed by a pottery shop that currently had customers perusing shelves of vases, pots, and other decorative household items. Parked outside the shop was a carriage with a symbol of a flower wreath imprinted on the side. Must''ve belonged to some noble on the lower end of the hierarchy as she didn''t recognize it anywhere.


    Near the pottery shop they passed was a jewelry shop owned by a rich merchant. This one she visited on her own when Aunt Selena had duties to attend to at the guild. In glass cases resided a collection of sparkling gems and necklaces; silver rings with jewels as clear as a sea of diamonds and necklaces that looked as if they were dipped in pools of melted gold.


    Inside the shop, wiping away the dust off the clear glass was a portly woman in a beautiful pink dress that seemed to barely fit her... curvy body. Fiona talked to her once before, and that was when she shooed her away for lingering around in her shop. She remembered her words very clearly: I cannot have an ill-dressed child wandering about in my establishment; you''ll frighten the customers!


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    At that time, she thought of a dozen insults that could have easily put her in her place. However, she chose to swallow her pride and left before the thought of setting her undergarments on fire and watching her prance around to lose some weight overwhelmed her judgement. She had to remember to lie low and not cause a problem wherever she went, but there were times where the urge to retaliate was strong. Nevertheless, she yearned to adorn herself like other noblewomen, bedecked in opulent jewelry. Alas, such a longing remained nothing more than a distant dream.


    The group continued down the street, no one daring to make conversation with the royal knight up ahead. Grant stuck close to Tyrus while Reo had a steady eye on Othelia. Igneal was grumbling about the rain and how cold he was, which made sense. Half his shirt was missing, after all, no thanks to that darn earth spirit.


    It was puzzling how Sezor had obtained an invocation amulet that possessed such powerful abilities to summon spirits. These amulets were extremely rare and in high demand, so it was no surprise. Only a Conjuration Sorcerer had the ability to imbue a spirit into an object, and it was clear Sezor was no sorcerer. Fiona''s mana sense confirmed that there was no trace of mana, let alone a mana heart, within Sezor. He was simply an unblessed.


    That meant Sezor either purchased the invocation amulet through mysterious means or someone gifted it to him. If it were the former, that man must''ve had many connections in order to obtain an item of that caliber. And if it were the latter, then whoever gave it to him had to have a lot of influence¡ªor they were a Conjuration Sorcerer themselves and were skilled or convincing enough to contract with a spirit in the first place, especially one at that kind of level.


    Even then, who had given Sezor the bound spirit? Fiona had never heard of a spirit outright killing the summoner. Usually, if one wanted a spirit to temporarily follow the commands of another, the previous contract holder would have to transfer rights to another. If a contract was made, the spirit had to obey its master, no matter how much it protested. Even though the spirit would have a will of its own, they were compelled to obey and follow the contract crafted by summoner and summoned.


    Obviously, none of that mattered because Sezor died, and that could only mean one thing. The previous summoner failed to transfer rights, and the earth spirit capitalized on that, thus ending the man''s life. But alas, its efforts were in vain, as it was felled by the dark element, ultimately used by Tyrus...


    She did not know the boy had the element tucked under his belt. It must''ve been quite recent that he acquired it, as he only had lightning, light, and fire earlier in the week. Now, he had gotten himself another so quickly? Most first years would have one element, with that being their primary affinity. But Tyrus had four already, and he was only nine! And he had just recently become a sorcerer himself! His progress so far has been terrifyingly quick, and she worried if there was actually something wrong with his body.


    He''s still so young, and if his magic grows stronger than his body can handle, then it would only be a matter of time before he destroys himself. Too much mana circulating in a small mana heart was akin to filling water into a well. Small wells can only hold so much water until it overflows, and if left unattended, the excess water could destroy the well and seep into the ground below. It''s similar to how one would train a muscle, slowly building it up, allowing the body to adapt. Tyrus'' mana heart wouldn''t be able to keep up with his progress until he ages up and allows his body to grow. If he continued this monstrous growth at his age, then his mana heart exploding would be inevitable.


    It was a miracle Tyrus had made it this far, but at some point, his body would eventually give out. There were tales of sorcerers destroying their own mana hearts because their training was too excessive. They could become crippled; mana pools would be cut in half or their absorption rate would drop. She didn''t want that happening to Tyrus, so she''d have to talk to him about his situation. She''d also have to bring up what she saw earlier...


    "We''ve arrived," Othelia announced, halting abruptly, causing Fiona to bump into her. Fiona groaned and rubbed her nose, checking for blood. That woman''s back was as hard as steel! Just what kind of training did she undergo to get like that!?


    Fiona looked up and recognized the Explorer Guild. Light from within the windows illuminated the inside. The rain had decreased slightly, but the dark clouds were still rolling. Through the window, there were a lot of explorers present and a few travelers seeking refuge from the rain. They were eating and talking amongst each other.


    Othelia pushed the door open, the creaking of the door hinges echoing throughout the room. Every single explorer in the room ceased what they were doing and stared at them. Their jaws dropped when their eyes landed on Othelia, who was strutting through the crowd without so much as an ounce of care. Every explorer and traveler parted like a river as she made her way through, stopping at the receptionist''s desk. Fiona and the others stood behind her.


    "Welcome to the Explorer Guild, Royal Knight Othelia," Celeste said with a bow. "It is a joy to see you in good health. What do I owe the pleasure of your visit? If you''re looking for Branch Leader Selena, then I''m afraid she''s not available. She is traveling at the moment."


    Othelia face turned soft as she nodded. "Well met, receptionist. You can relax. I''m not here for Selena. I was just escorting these children back toward the guild after their brief excursion. Is it true these five have been assigned to the sewers today?"


    "That is true, yes. They were assigned to exterminate the weekly rats and slimes underneath the city. Is something the matter?"


    The royal knight shook her head reassuringly. "There''s no need to worry. I simply wanted some confirmation before I depart, now that the task is complete." She then directed her attention towards Fiona. "Please go ahead and fulfill the contract. That''s what you''re supposed to do, isn''t it?"


    Fiona nodded. "Y-yes ma''am, that is correct."


    "As you accept contracts and commence your responsibilities as explorers, I as well do my duties as a royal knight of Lethos."


    Fiona arched an eyebrow. "What''s that supposed to mean¡ª"


    Everything happened so fast that Fiona had a difficult time processing it. One moment, she was talking, and the next, Othelia picked Tyrus by the scruff of his collar as if he weighed nothing. The boy''s eyes shot open, and with a grunt, Othelia turned on her heels, tapped on the insignia on her uniform, and was gone in a flash of light.


    Royal Knight Othelia and Tyrus were nowhere to be seen.

 Chapter 118- Emperor Johan

    Tyrus stayed there, suspended in disbelief as pillars of light surrounded his every direction. His body felt as if it were falling, yet the culprit of his capture feet remained planted on the ground, or what was a platform of solidified light. He blinked, and when he opened his eyes, he was greeted with solid ground.


    The floor was carpeted, and the room smelled of lavender. A floor as glossy as pearls sparkled even under the dreary light permeating through the windows in what appeared to be a long hallway. Unlit candle holders with three prongs were hung on the walls, yet they contained no candles at all, only balls of floating suns that emitted a soothing, warm glow.


    "Where am I?" Tyrus blurted.


    He felt his body turn as Othelia spun around, facing a door that matched the floor. Her grip relaxed somewhat, and she repositioned Tyrus to where she looped her arm around his stomach, holding him as if she were carrying a sack under her arms.


    Water dripped from his soaked garments and onto the pristine carpet, leaving behind small stains. He felt his shoulders beginning to tremble from the cold. It wasn''t a cold that would give him a fever, but rather the feeling of wet clothes sticking to one''s skin was rather uncomfortable.


    While she gave the door three soft taps¡ªwhich Tyrus found odd since she had been bursting through every door so far¡ªhe looked out at one of the windows, and his heart skipped a beat. Far below and in the distance was a multitude of homes and shops, and he immediately recognized a tower he climbed atop a while ago near the city outskirts. For him to be looking down at these buildings meant he was somewhere high up, and only one place came to mind when he first laid eyes upon the city.


    "You may enter," said a voice on the other side of the door. Othelia pushed the door open, and they entered the room. Tyrus'' eyes grew wide and his breath hitched when he saw the spectacle before him.


    A massive throne room resided. The ceiling was at least seven men tall, and the floor was the same glossy, marble surface as the halls¡ªTyrus could even see his reflection staring back at him. The carpet beneath his boots was of a deep ocean blue, stretching from the door to across the room. At the end of the carpet were steps leading toward an elevated platform; a throne of white gold and blue silk cushions that seemed to sparkle with diamonds. And on the throne was a man who looked to be in his late forties.


    His face was handsome and rugged, yet it carried an aura of wisdom, one that could only come from experience. This man''s light hair was brushed back, free from any constraints. Eyes that matched his hair color shined brilliantly; His chin was adorned with a well-groomed mustache and goatee, and his skin seemed smooth. He wore similar attire as the royal knights, but on top of everything was a blue robe that reached the floor.


    The man''s expression was stern and serious as he gazed down upon them, his elbows resting against the arms of his throne and his hands folded together. Beneath the steps of the throne were a few others, much older, carrying books and parchments. They too looked at him with serious expressions.


    Othelia dropped to one knee and bowed her head. "I greet His Majesty. I have returned from my mission."


    Tyrus, who was still in her clutches and his nose nearly touching the floor, gasped. He was in the presence of the emperor of Lethos! That meant he truly was in the Imperial Palace itself and was thrust straight into dangerous territory. His heart beat violently as the fear began to sink in.


    "You may rise," Emperor Johan ordered.


    Othelia immediately rose to her feet, and Tyrus was still hanging by the scruff of his shirt. He was beginning to feel lightheaded and was sure the blood was rushing to his face.


    "Your Majesty," Othelia said, dropping Tyrus into a splattering mess. "After you sent me to investigate the intrusion underneath the city, I have found this Demi-human alongside others wandering the catacombs. Upon closer inspection, I quickly found out that he is none other than a black tiger."


    Gasps from the older men rang through the throne room. Some whispered among themselves while others were shaking their heads.


    "A black tiger..." one murmured, his face etched with deep lines. "How did one of these vermin infiltrate the illustrious capital?"


    "He must be executed!" another screamed, this time with spectacles with rims as round as a moon. "The Beastfolk are our enemies, Your Majesty. Allowing one to sully our land is akin to an insult, and an insult cannot go unpunished."


    Tyrus gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. He was tired of hearing such hateful words. Why was everyone so against him when he has done no wrong? Everywhere he went, be it a tavern or just taking a stroll, there are those who look at him with skepticism or hate in their eyes. Some regard him as trash, someone less than human. Not everyone thought that way, but he hated the fact that there was a person, even one, that carried a sense of loathing against him.


    Emperor Johan studied him intently, and Tyrus could sense that he was assessing him. He held a hand up to silence the lively old men, and the throne room immediately fell quiet.


    "A black tiger you say," the emperor finally spoke, breaking the silence. "This is indeed an interesting turn of events. The shape of his ears and tail match those of the Tiger Tribe. I can also tell that the Demi-human has awakened. For someone so young, he possesses a sizable mana pool, as expected of the Tiger Tribe. But to confirm this, we have to identify his primary affinity."


    The room grew silent as everyone focused their attention on Tyrus. He looked around the room, confused about what they were trying to get at. Only until he felt something sharp poking him on his back did he look back to see a spear aimed right between his shoulder blades. It finally dawned on him what Emperor Johan was trying to get at.


    If I refuse to show him my lightning, then he might order her to drive that spear into me. Better to do what he asks and not do anything stupid.


    Tyrus rose to his feet, flinching from the sudden burst of cold nipping at his skin. The pressure from the spear on his back disappeared as he straightened his back, looking at the emperor directly in his eyes. Tyrus raised his hand, summoning forth lightning as it crackled along his palm. Emperor Johan''s eyes turned to slits.


    The one with the spectacles spoke. "Your Majesty, this child should not have been allowed into the capital, let alone the palace. Royal Knight Othelia, what is the meaning of bringing the enemy right to our doorstep? Have you no shame!"


    Othelia glared at the man and said, "I concluded this was an issue that needed to be addressed immediately by His Majesty."


    "Then why not have one of the guards take him in for questioning at one of the jails? Why bring him here yourself and disturb our audience with His Majesty?"


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    All she did was remain quiet, and that was enough to infuriate the older man. His cheeks turned bright red. It looked like he was about to shout again, but the emperor''s voice interrupted him.


    "Explain yourself, Royal Knight Othelia, so that we may all understand."


    "Yes, Your Majesty," she said, bowing. Quickly, she repeated what Grant and Fiona had told her while they were underground, even mentioning how Tyrus was part of the Explorer Guild and was accepted by not only Selena, but Royal Knight Geroth as well. As the emperor listened intently to her report, Tyrus noticed him glancing at the explorer tag around his neck.


    The corners of his lips curled the longer he listened, and Tyrus was getting a really bad feeling about this whole situation. The emperor stroked his beard, leaning back in his seat, his gaze focused solely on the boy. As soon as Othelia mentioned that Igneal Lockhart was part of their group, Emperor Johan''s eyes lit up, and he let out a hearty laugh that had the others in the room looking at him, confused.


    "Pardon me. I did not mean to lose control of myself. I just find this whole situation quite amusing. You say two Lockharts and a royal knight had no qualms with allowing a black tiger walk around Lethos scot-free? Knowing our position, they''ve accepted this Demi-human here without so much as batting an eye? I find it hard to believe Selena allowed him to enter the Explorer Guild with the assassination attempts running rampant amongst the Great Lineages."


    Emperor Johan, with a smile still plastered on his face, rose from his seat and began descending the steps, one step at a time. His footsteps were soft and elegant, yet they reverberated throughout the chamber. The sound made him seem more imposing and intimidating.


    The massive windows behind him offered a clear view of the sea that laid near Lethos, waves lapping smoothly along the shore as lightning flashes amongst the shadowy clouds. Hung on the walls of the room were paintings of men, women, and children. All of them carried the same hair and eye color, which meant they must''ve been a family.


    Emperor Johan stopped in front of the soaked Tyrus, standing tall. The man was shorter than Grant, but not by that much. Though he looked old, the emperor appeared to be very well-trained and built, that Tyrus could tell through his lavish attire. Tyrus hadn''t noticed it before, but a sheath rested through his belt, a white hilt with blue jewels sticking out.


    The emperor locked eyes with Tyrus, who met his gaze by tilting his head back. However, this proved to be a regrettable decision as someone abruptly kicked the back of Tyrus''s knee, causing him to stumble and drop to one knee. Glancing over his shoulder, he discovered Othelia standing there, her expression impassive. Recalling her earlier advice on showing respect, he let out a low growl and reluctantly bowed.


    Emperor Johan chuckled and remarked, "This one certainly has guts. There''s a fire in his eyes that remains unextinguished, even when confronted by his superiors. Black tiger, let me ask you, do you have any idea where you are and who you''re in the presence of?"


    "You''re the emperor, Johan, the ruler of Lethos," Tyrus said.


    "Hmph, close enough. I am Johan Lethos, emperor of the Lethos Empire. Some refer to me as Bright One, the Fifth Emperor, or just Johan if they''re feeling rebellious. What is your name, Demi-human?"


    Tyrus squinted at the man. What kind of game was he playing at? The emperor was acting nonchalant, as if nothing was wrong. If anything, he seemed happy, or rather excited, to meet him, which was very unusual considering the other people''s reaction to him.


    What was even more odd was how little mana Emperor Johan exuded. For an emperor, shouldn''t he be the strongest in Lethos? At the moment, Johan had a pitiful amount, lesser than his own. Even then, there was something off about him. Though his mana pool was small, it was still powerful. It was kind of creeping him out.


    "Tyrus," he finally said. "My name is Tyrus."


    "No surname?" the emperor remarked.


    "I don''t have one. Only my given name, but even I don''t know who gave it to me. I''ve been alone for as long as I can remember."


    Emperor Johan arched an eyebrow as he questioned, "Alone, you say? Tell me, young lad, what is your age? And how long have you been wandering the empire?"


    "It says ten on my tag," Tyrus said. "And four years I''ve been living in Lethos."


    "I see," the man muttered, stroking his beard. Suddenly, he reached forward and grabbed Tyrus''s arm, squeezing it. Johan''s grip was firm, and it felt like he could snap the bones in his arm.


    "You''ve got a sturdy build for someone your age. It must be because of your black tiger blood. Your palms are rough too, not smooth like most kids your age."


    "Your Majesty, you mustn''t get so close to him!" said the one with spectacles. "He must be an assassin sent from the Beastfolk Kingdom!"


    Johan scoffed. "I find it insulting you assume a ten-year-old child can best me, Solomnus. Even if he were an assassin and I asleep, the boy would still fail to take my life.


    Solomnus adjusted his spectacles nervously and said, "I apologise for my insolence, Your Majesty, but the risk is simply too great. Even the Beastfolk are cunning creatures that will do anything for their survival, including using the body of a child as a disguise. There may be poison lacing his nails, or a dagger hidden under his cloak. Who knows what other tricks they might have up their sleeve? I am purely troubled by your safety."


    "I''m touched by your concern," Johan chuckled. "However, if the Beastfolk are truly that resourceful, then they would have no need to use a ten-year-old boy as an assassin; I don''t think they even resort to such cowardly tricks. And besides, a royal knight and Selena have already accepted him. Are you implying their judgement is clouded?"


    "N-no, Your Majesty. I would never doubt Royal Knight Geroth''s authenticity. In these cases, it is best to be cautious. That is all I am trying to convey."


    Without a word, Johan let go of Tyrus wet arm and backed away slowly. He strode over to Othelia, stopping shoulder-to-shoulder.


    "Othelia, do you think this Demi-human was sent by the Beastfolk to take my life?"


    "No, Your Majesty," Othelia replied, her head held high. "If he was one, then he is the worst assassin in Lethos'' history. No assassin would act so boldly and join the Explorer Guild without masking their ears and tail."


    "Hmmm," the emperor hummed. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You are right. It would make no sense if the Beastfolk wanted him to be discovered, and that is assuming they are that foolish."


    Emperor Johan peeked over his shoulder and inspected Tyrus for a few seconds before turning. "I will postpone our audience for a later date, Solumnus, Varste. It seems like more pressing matters have waltzed into my doorstep. You may leave."

 Chapter 119- Before the Trial

    Whatever Tyrus was expecting during that whole ordeal, this certainly wasn''t it.


    A part of him expected they would execute him outright given what those two old men were saying. Now that the emperor and the others had left, leaving him with ten more strangers that were ordered to basically take care of him, he couldn''t help but feel like something was wrong. Why were they being nice to him, despite their earlier remarks?


    "Greetings, young guest," said the man named Wes. His gray hair was swept to the side, his sharp eyes looking down at Tyrus. "I am Wes, head butler of the imperial palace."


    "And I am Yuvial, the head maid of the imperial palace," said the woman, gracefully taking a bow. She appeared to be around the same age as Wes, if not younger. "According to His Majesty''s orders, our duty is to clean and provide for you during your short stay in the master''s palace. If you have any questions or requests, please direct them to either me or Wes. Now, if you''ll allow me, I''ll guide you to the washroom while a few servants clean the throne room."


    And just like that, Tyrus was led out of the room. He followed the two down a hallway, their footsteps echoing as a few servants behind him got to work. Everyone walked at a brisk pace, their faces calm and composed. The maids and butlers were incredibly agile and graceful, their feet making barely a sound against the floor. The entire atmosphere was so quiet, he thought they really were planning something terrible in their heads.


    Tyrus was on guard, sneaking glances at every single person surrounding him. With a quick check, Tyrus realized that none of the servants were sorcerers, and neither was the old man or woman that accompanied him. He could probably sprint out the nearest door or window with augmentation and run until he arrived back at the guild, but he decided against it. If he really did attempt to escape, then Emperor Johan would order every guard in the city to chase after him and chuck him to the nearest jail where he''d await execution. The odds were not in his favor.


    "I would advise in abolishing any attempts to sneak out," Wes warned. "His Majesty will not be pleased if he discovers you attempted an escape. I can tell by your expression that you''re contemplating running. You have an important audience with the emperor tomorrow."


    "To decide whether I will get to live or not," Tyrus guessed, clenching a fist.


    The servants remained quiet as they continued walking around the palace. To hide his nerves, Tyrus began looking around the place, and he was in awe. He''s only seen fragments of the palace, but he knew immediately that it really was a beautiful and well-kept place. Everywhere he looked, paintings were hung on the walls, portraits of people from long ago or scenery, like towns from afar or luscious forests. There was also a lot of cushioned furniture, some with patterns sewn into them. Not a speck of dust coated any of the objects.


    They passed by a lot of rooms, which most were closed, so Tyrus couldn''t get a glimpse of what was inside. But a few were opened, and he found out they were dining areas, sitting areas, and lounging areas. What shocked him was that they were only on the second floor, and there was much more he probably missed and most likely would never see.


    The servants stopped in front of a wide door, and Tyrus watched as Yuvial pulled the handles and gestured for him to enter. Tyrus stepped inside, and his eyes wandered around a spacious washroom much different from the one in Valiedge.


    The walls were coated with a deep blue wallpaper that was trimmed with white. There were a few candles on the wall, emitting a soothing, sweet scent as a fancy hanging structure cast light upon an empty hole with tiles on the ground, and surrounding that was a sort of fence that had only one opening inside. There was also a large mirror placed right above a washstand with three weird instruments holding colored rocks on the top. They looked strangely similar to the one Sezor used at the catacombs.


    "This is a washroom?" Tyrus mumbled. "Way different from the ones I''ve used."


    Yuvial nodded. "Indeed, it is. Because this is the residence of His Majesty, it''s only natural for it to be grander and more comfortable than the ones you''ve been to. Would you like me to explain how to use the facility, or would you like to explore on your own?"


    "I''ll look around on my own," Tyrus said quickly.


    Yuvial and the others bowed. "If you require our assistance, then please give us a call. Wes and the male servants will be waiting outside while I and the maids prepare your living quarters and dinner. Deposit your clothes into a bucket and Wes will grab it and clean it up. Enjoy your time in the bath."


    Without waiting for Tyrus to reply, the servants exited the washroom and closed the doors behind them. Tyrus stood there for a minute, pressing an ear against the door. Sure enough, he could hear faint breathing and footsteps leaving the area. They really were waiting for him outside.


    Tyrus sighed and backed away, making his way around the washroom. It really was spectacular to look at, and it was easy on the eyes. Whenever he amasses enough funds from doing enough contracts or selling things, he''d recreate a home similar to the palace. It''d be in his own vision. Then again, taking care of a big place would probably take a lot of time and energy. He''d probably resort to hiring a person or two to clean up the place.


    He spotted the bucket Yuvial was talking about near the fence entrance. Next to it were two more, one with rags and another filled with a brush and a bar with a sweet smell to it. Tyrus walked up to the bucket and began removing his sopped garments. He chucked most of them into the bucket except for his enchanted coat.


    "...I should keep this one just in case," he mumbled.


    There was a chance they''d confiscate his belongings in the future. For why they hadn''t done so in the throne room, he didn''t know, let alone care. The emperor was a sorcerer, so he must''ve sensed the mana radiating from the coat and knew Tyrus owned a magical item. Items infused with mana and crafted from special materials are quite special, and Emperor Johan of all people would know that as well, making it quite suspicious he made no mention or attempt to steal it. It''d be best to throw the coat inside the Scourge ring for the time being.


    Once fully nude and the enchanted coat was in the ring, Tyrus placed the bucket near the door and knocked. Immediately, the door opened, and an arm reached through the crack and grabbed the bucket. As soon as it was removed, the door closed, and Tyrus made his way over to the washstand. Half his body came to view in the mirror, and Tyrus squinted as he inspected his skin.


    Fresh cuts and faint scars were sprinkled across his body; a few scars that were mostly found on his arms alongside the fresh ones. Fiona healed the wounds around his face, yet missed the ones hiding underneath his trousers and tunic.


    As for that last part, Tyrus found himself perplexed by the appearance of new wounds despite wearing his enchanted coat, which should have provided protection. However, he soon remembered when he had been struck by a powerful blow to his arm from a swiftly hurled rock. He realized his magical item must have depleted its mana in order to mitigate most of the damage alongside augmentation.


    It truly felt like a miracle that he had only ended up with a broken arm instead of a completely crushed limb. The cuts scattered across his body were likely inflicted by the spray of rocks launched by the spirit as it relentlessly attacked him and the others within the catacombs. But now, instead of fighting against a rampaging earth spirit, another problem reared its ugly head in his path.


    Tyrus stared at his reflection once more, watching his Beastfolk ears twitch and his tail sway like a rope in the wind. Because of them, a figure he never wished to meet knew he existed. And because of that, he had to attend an interrogation that probably will not go well for him. He''d want nothing more than to jump out the nearest window and run for the hills, but that ship has sailed as soon as Othelia grabbed hold of him.


    At times like these, it was best to stay calm and think about the next course of action. Escaping was practically impossible, so he was left with following along with the emperor''s orders. It was better to comply and play it safe. He was sure there''d be a chance for him to leave this place alive and without getting thrown into prison, so all he had to do was follow their rules. No need to make the situation worse than it already was.


    Tyrus glanced at the washstand below him. There were three structures; in the middle was a long tube that curled toward the end like a hook while two glowing rocks shaped as wheels were propped on top of two smaller ones, the left one being fiery red while the other was ocean blue.


    Each of them had mana stored inside of them, and they definitely looked like the ones Sezor used to attack Blue Dawn¡ªelemental stones, he called them. Following that logic, then the blue one must be a stone that summoned water while the other summoned fire. If so, then why was the fire elemental stone necessary?


    Without further contemplation, Tyrus opted to engage in a little experimentation. He extended his hand towards the pair of stones and placed his palm on the stone positioned on the right. In a matter of moments, a slender stream of cold water gushed forth from the tube. Retrieving his hand, he observed the water persistently pouring, yet upon touching it once more, it promptly stopped. And using his mana sense, he detected a slight decrease in the quantity of mana contained within the stone.


    It was quite a handy device. There was no need to travel to a stream or a body of water with an empty bucket, filling it up, and having to return to a washroom to use it. Instead, one could simply summon a stream of water in a matter of seconds and clean themselves without expending too much effort or time. However, these things must be expensive or difficult to create since this was his first time hearing or seeing it in action. Either that or he wasn''t looking at the right places. Maybe Igneal would know all about it since he''s a noble and all that.


    Turning his head, the area within the fence had the same function as well near the entrance, and Tyrus quickly recognized that he was supposed to bathe in there instead. It was just a big basin a person could step into and bathe comfortably and in style. If nobles lived a lifestyle as grand as this, then it was no wonder they acted the way they do.


    He focused his gaze on the fire stone, and he placed his palm on the warm surface. Nothing happened, and he tried it again for the same results to follow. Then he turned on the water again, which was cold, and then touched the fire stone. Immediately, steam began rising as the water coming out from the tube turned hotter, and he quickly shut it off with a satisfied nod.


    "So that''s how you use the washstand! Whoever thought of this must be really smart. Combining fire and water magic to create a way to easily clean yourself in your preferred choice. I''ll have to get a hold of one of these for myself. Or maybe I can try to make one... No, that''s impossible. I have no idea how to build this on my own."


    Now satisfied with his experiment, Tyrus thought it''d be best to stop wasting time and actually bathe himself. So, before any of the servants interrupted his alone time, Tyrus traveled to the large basin and began preparing.


    ***


    Stolen novel; please report.


    "This will be your living quarters for the night," said Yuvial.


    Tyrus stood in awe in the room he and the servants were currently in. The moment he was led inside, the first thing that caught his attention was a lavishly furnished bed placed near the wall to the right filled with cushions and silk blankets, and he wondered how soft it was. Next to it was a tall drawer, which was most likely for storage, and there was a large window nearby that was currently closed and locked. The carpet was smooth and free of any imperfections, and the walls were coated with a white wallpaper with blue patterns. There was also a chandelier dangling above, illuminating the room with its magical lights and a space with firewood.


    Aside from that, the place even had its own little area for long chairs and a table that had two plates of food releasing steam, and Tyrus realized he had not eaten a proper meal all day once his stomach growled. He recognized three slabs of meat with a dark brown coating and some weird food that was shaped as a C with a light orange texture to it. Tyrus didn''t know what it was, but the smell was enough for his mouth to water.


    The other plate was just a pile of greens, but the smell was just as alluring. There were even a couple of slices of bread resting next to the vegetables, and a bottle of water was sitting on the table, a bit of it already gone as it had already been poured into a glass cup. Beside the plates was a piece of cloth with a spoon, fork, and knife.


    "With the utmost courtesy of Lethos'' finest cooks, a delectable meal has been prepared for you," Yuvial announced, gracefully bowing. "We have taken the liberty of arranging your attire for the evening beside your chair. Your personal garments have also been included. Please take this opportunity to indulge and savor the experience. Dinner will conclude shortly. Should you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Our presence shall be just outside the door."


    The servants bowed once more before retreating from the room. Once the door was closed, Tyrus approached the table and quickly found two boxes resting near the chair alongside his boots. He crouched and opened the first one and found his torn garments snuggled on top of a velvet cushion. Tyrus opened the other box and was greeted by a folded robe that looked like it could fit him.


    "Hm, my garments look clean and dry, yet still tattered. I see nothing wrong with it or feel any mana. Doesn''t look like they did anything bad to it."


    He glanced at the robes, even brushing his hands along it, and was shocked by how smooth and soft it was, as if his fingers were touching a fluffy animal. Just what kind of material did they use to craft this?


    "...I should still wear my own garments just in case," he muttered.


    The robes looked extremely comfortable to wear, but he was worried that the servants may have tampered with it. His clothes weren''t exactly the most luxurious or even comfortable, but he could take the chance that they didn''t have any ill intent towards him. What if there were some sort of device or spell placed to eavesdrop and watch his every move? He wouldn''t be surprised if that were the case. There was an interrogation tomorrow, after all. They probably thought it''d be best to gather as much information about him as possible in a short amount of time.


    After placing the robe back into the box and shutting it, Tyrus slipped his own garments on and sat on the fancy chair, which was firm yet soft. Taking a moment to inspect his food, Tyrus took a deep breath and let his nose savor the alluring scent, as if the hands of a goddess were gently caressing his soul. Though the food looked and smelled good, there were a few things he needed to confirm.


    Tyrus picked up a fork and took the utensil, poking the piece of meat. When nothing happened, he prodded it a few more times. He was pleased to find no resistance and checked the other food items. Nothing weird popped out to him, so he inspected the glass of water as well; no odd coloring or smell caught his nose.


    Everything seems safe to eat, Tyrus thought to himself. And with that, he began to bite and chew everything that caught his eye. In no time at all, he had already finished his portion. Tyrus had never eaten something so delicious before. The meat was juicy, yet had a bit of a kick toward his tongue, as if someone had pinched his taste buds. And whatever the C shaped food was, it tasted similar to fish, but was far tastier. Everything else was great as well, and the water was refreshing.


    As soon as he leaned back into the chair, the doors burst open and in came the servants, rushing in and taking away the plates and cup while wiping away at the table. As soon as they finished, they hurried out of the room, leaving Tyrus with Wes and Yuvial. The head butler reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a silver bell and sat it on the table.


    "If you ever need any of us, ring this bell and either I or Yuvial shall answer," Wes stated. "Each servant in the palace has a dull bracelet that glows whatever color corresponds with the bell rung. For example, if His Majesty or any member of the imperial family was to call for us, it''ll glow a bright gold. For honored guests, it''s white."


    Yuvial cleared her throat and pointed at the box. "Were the robes not to your liking? If so, we will prepare new garments for you to sleep in."


    "It''s fine," Tyrus responded, raising a hand. "I just wanted to sleep in my own clothes."


    Wes and Yuvial shared a quick glance, as if speaking to each other without words. Before the two could wrap this conversation up and leave, Tyrus spoke first.


    "What''s going to happen to me tomorrow exactly?" he said, almost in a whisper. "And why are you treating me this nicely? Wouldn''t it be unusual for an enemy to be living this close to an emperor? Let alone being taken care of in his own palace?"


    Wes adjusted the seams of his collar and said, "Apologies, but we cannot disclose any information. If you have any inquiries, the emperor has instructed us to tell you to save them for tomorrow. It would be wise to heed our advice and go to sleep to recuperate your strength and mind."


    "As for your other questions," Yuvial said, "His Majesty is a strict but benevolent ruler. Though Royal Knight Othelia has forcibly captured you and interrupted an important audience, His Majesty has deemed your arrival worthy of further investigation. You''d be imprisoned in a cell, stripped of your belongings, and would have undergone torture to pry information out of you, yet here you are, receiving special treatment despite your lineage."


    "His Majesty deemed you not a threat for the time being and has allowed you to stay for the night," Wes added. "You should feel ecstatic to be receiving such an honor to step foot into the imperial palace."


    Tyrus frowned. Sure the food was to die for and the palace was eye catching and comfortable, but he was still felt like a bird trapped inside a cage. The emperor was just biding his time until he figured out what to do with him. But instead of killing him outright or throwing him into a prison cell, the man had the servants treat him with respect. That enough warranted suspicion, and Tyrus knew there was something he was missing. That man was planning something, but what exactly?


    "If you have no further questions, then we will take our leave," Yuvial said. "Sleep well, and remember: tomorrow will be a busy day, so expect there to be many unfamiliar faces."


    The two bowed and left the room, closing the door behind them and locking it. Tyrus sat there, ruminating about Yuvial''s words. Why did she have to add that last part? Couldn''t they have just left him in the dark and have him discover it for himself? Other than Emperor Johan, who else would be attending the interrogation?


    After releasing a weary sigh, Tyrus stood up from his chair and made his way towards the window. He noticed a latch securing it shut and unlocked it. As soon as the chilly air brushed against his face, Tyrus inhaled deeply. The wind carried a pleasant and crisp sensation, while the rain cascading against the cliff side provided a soothing, yet unsettling ambiance. The outside weather appeared bleak and somber, with the sun obscured by thick clouds, only allowing a hint of its light to touch the surface.


    Perched high on a cliff side, the palace commanded a stunning view of the sea. A meandering pathway, adorned with elegant fences and smooth cobblestones, led down to the city below. Catching Tyrus''s attention was a grand gated area featuring a magnificent marble fountain at its center. Perched atop a pillar, two crossed swords appeared as if they were driven within the structure, while water gracefully gushed from the base. This spot also served as a miniature garden, with vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges adorning the surrounding fence. It was likely the main entrance to the palace that lay before him.


    As he stood there, listening and watching the rain, Tyrus''s thoughts drifted toward the others. They must''ve been shocked that Othelia snatched him away and teleported without a trace. Fiona was probably panicking and worried that something bad had happened to him while Grant and Reo tried to calm her down. Igneal would be annoyed at first but shrug it off and think nothing of it. In fact, there was a high chance he hadn''t noticed his friend vanished, given how out of sorts he was.


    If Tyrus had the means to communicate with them, he would, but unfortunately there weren''t any communication tools lying around. Even if there was one, he did not know how to work one. How much do they go for, anyway? He''d have to make it a priority to purchase one in case stuff like this happens again, as long as it wasn''t too expensive. A new sword, garments, and a communication tool were on his to-do list currently.


    Without realizing it, Tyrus released a yawn as he stretched his limbs, which groaned with relief.


    "I must be sleepier than I thought," he muttered. His gaze swept over toward the bed, and his vision blurred as he trudged toward it. The adventures underground must''ve been catching up to him. His legs and eyes felt heavier than usual and stifling his yawns were becoming a chore.


    Once his entire body sunk into the bed and his head hit the pillow, keeping his eyes open was impossible. All Tyrus could focus on was his drowsiness and how soft and warm the sheets were. It didn''t take even five seconds before his vision went black as he dozed off.


    ***


    In his dreams, everything around him was foggy.


    Tyrus recalled his fight against the earth spirit, weaving through its attacks and unleashing magic against its rocky exterior. He would be lying if he denied how exhilarating of a fight it was. Defying against all odds and coming out on top was something he would always get a thrill out of and feel accomplished.


    The earth spirit proved to be a formidable opponent, truly deserving of self-congratulation. Tyrus managed to partially overcome its magic resistance by utilizing lightning, although it required a substantial amount of mana and concentration. However, it was astonishing to think that a simple Shadow Bolt easily vanquished the spirit, especially considering that it was a recent addition to Tyrus''s arsenal. The battle ended so abruptly that Tyrus speculated the relentless onslaught from himself, Fiona, and Igneal have weakened the spirit''s defenses. This was the only logical explanation for a low-level spell triumphing so effortlessly.


    Whenever he recalled the shadow tendrils enveloping the spirit, a creepy feeling overcame him, as if hundreds of spiders were scuttling across his skin. Or a chilly hand gripping his heart, gingerly caressing it the longer he used the element. Then he recalled the look on Fiona''s face, and the color on his face drained. A face that looked uncomfortable and unsure of what it saw. Judging him under a new light that Tyrus couldn''t discern exactly.


    Tyrus opened his mouth to speak, yet no words came out. He reached out toward her, but she recoiled, eyes widening as the same shadow burst from his palms and swallowed her whole. The shadows expanded, reaching the ground and engulfing everything within its reach, swallowing up the earth spirit, Igneal, and the catacombs itself, casting everything into pitch black.


    Tyrus felt his body fell, and he tried to scream as a deep pit formed in his stomach. Everything was silent. Sluggish. Unfocused. Tyrus fell for what felt like years until a light from below flashed, growing stronger the longer he fell. He reached out for it, hoping to escape from whatever nightmare he was experiencing, only to figure out it he had entered a new one.


    His eyes flung open, and he took in great gulps of air as he tried to stand, which was a fruitless endeavor. He was forced back down as rattling entered his ears and pain flashed across his wrists. He glared at his hands to see himself attached to a pole stuck inside an elevated platform. His wrists and legs were shackled, bounded by metal with runes etched on the surface.


    "W-What is this!?"


    "Ah, looks like the young boy is awake," a voice boomed in the distance.


    Tyrus recognized it and whipped his head around to see where it was coming from. A piercing light from outside the building blinded him momentarily, and he had to squint in order to make out anything. When his vision cleared, he spotted three seats from across the room settled on a higher level than his own platform. And sitting on the one in the middle was Emperor Johan himself, shuffling through a stack of papers with a blank face. To his left was a beautiful woman with hair the same color as a sunflower, dressed in a fine, regal-looking dress. A circlet adorned her head, accentuating her beauty. To the emperor''s right was a man who wore an expression filled with indifference. His black hair was tied back into a ponytail, revealing a scar running across the bridge of his nose that complimented his sharp eyes.


    Around Tyrus were rows of seats, each one housing a person who stood straight. To Tyrus right, each person wore a white uniform with Lethos'' insignia on their chest. It didn''t take a genius to figure out they were royal knights as well by their attire and oppressive atmosphere. Just looking at them glaring at Tyrus had him sweating up a storm. Sir Geroth was the only one among them who looked at him softly.


    He averted his eyes and looked to his right and immediately spotted Blue Dawn looking at him with worried expressions, except for Igneal, who just scowled. Around them were a bunch of people he didn''t recognize. A few wore garments that looked extremely expensive, while others wore regular tunics and trousers. Tyrus even spotted a few faces he''d seen at the Explorer Guild, but they didn''t matter to him. He was just relieved that there were some people he recognized amongst the crowd.


    That comfort was washed away when Emperor Johan spoke once more.


    "I, Emperor Johan, the Fifth Emperor of Lethos, hereby initiate the proceedings for the evaluation of this black tiger. Today, I shall ascertain whether this Demi-human poses a menace to Lethos and decide their fate, whether to spare or condemn. Without further ado, let us begin."

 Chapter 120- Johans Decision

    A deafening silence ensued. The atmosphere was heavy and tense, almost crushing Tyrus.


    The people around him, especially the ones who wore fancy clothes and jewelry, looked at him like a bug on the ground, waiting for him to be squashed by the emperor himself.


    Tyrus wouldn''t mistake those cruel eyes of theirs. He''d seen it many times before, and he was no stranger to it. But now wasn''t the time to show weakness in front of so many people, especially with Blue Dawn watching him. Whatever the emperor threw at him, he''d meet it head on.


    "I believe an introduction is in order," the emperor announced. "As you already know, I am Emperor Johan, ruler of Lethos. This man beside me is captain of the Royal Knights, Kalavan. Normally he''d be overseeing interrogations or trials in the capital, but because this is a special situation, I will be the one to hold the final decision. They are here to offer their viewpoint on the matter, however."


    "And lastly," Emperor Johan said, gesturing toward the beautiful woman with sunflower hair, "this is Empress Emelia, my lovely wife. She was curious what the commotion was about and decided to attend the deliberation. She''s usually busy with her work and hardly dips her toes into this sort of thing."


    The man pointed at a spot just above Tyrus head. There, painted on the ceiling, was that of a muscular man holding a parcel, posing as if he was reading it. Prostrated before him was a smaller man; his hands were held out, as if begging for mercy.


    "In the Thasmian Court, a deity of justice and truth presides over the proceedings. Any lies you spew will be exposed, so choose your words wisely," Emperor Johan explained. "We will not tolerate any dishonesty, especially during a trial as serious as this. Do you understand?"


    Tyrus''s mouth felt as dry as a desert as he struggled to gulp. "I understand."


    "I understand, Your Majesty," said the captain. "Show respect to the one who holds the title of ruler."


    Tyrus winced, as he didn''t mean to sound rude. He nodded his head and corrected his previous statement. "I understand, Your Majesty."


    Emperor Johan nodded, accepting his answer as he shuffled through some papers. "Thank you for your understanding. Let us officially begin the deliberation. You are Tyrus, a black tiger from the Beastfolk Kingdom, correct?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty," Tyrus replied.


    Referring to someone as Your Majesty felt strange on the tongue. Then again, he should''ve known better when everyone addressed him as such. It must''ve been a respect thing, so he''d have to get used to it. As long as he didn''t have to do something similar to people like Igneal, then it wasn''t an issue.


    A glare from a nearby window shone over his shoulder. His vision darted to the left, and he noticed it was clear skies outside. Then a thought occurred to him: how did he get here chained up without even realizing it? One moment he was back at the palace, staring outside as thunder rumbled and rain poured. Next, a sudden drowsiness overcame him and he fell asleep on a soft bed. And now here he was, kneeling on an elevated platform, his hands and legs bound by shackles.


    Aside from how unusual it was that he was moved from one location to the next without cracking an eye open, it was weird how quickly he fell asleep. Usually, it would take him a while to fall asleep, but for him to have dozed off the moment his head hit the pillow... Something about this situation did not add up.


    "I''ll cut to the chase, black tiger," Emperor Johan said, bringing Tyrus''s attention back to him. "Were you sent to the Lethos Empire under the command of Murus?"


    Tyrus frowned. "Murus... You mean King Murus of the Beastfolk Kingdom? I can''t remember what happened before I arrived here, but I don''t think I was sent here under his orders."


    Emperor Johan said nothing as he sat there, only staring at Tyrus with his arms crossed. Even though he was a good distance away, Tyrus could''ve sworn the pressure in the room was slowly rising.


    "No reaction. It''s safe to assume you are telling the truth," said the emperor. "Then another question: you claim you possess a faulty memory. Care to elaborate on that?"


    Tyrus bit his lower lip, not sure how to answer. His head pounded as his eyebrows furrowed, and he released a sigh. "The memories of before I arrived to Lethos are absent, as if they were locked inside a chest. Sometimes I would remember bits and pieces in random dreams but that''s it. All that I remember are the years I spent in Lethos and not beforehand."


    The empress rolled her eyes. "What kind of nonsense is that vermin blabbering about? Memory loss? It is clearly trying to confuse the issue. There''s no way it could be telling the truth."


    "Her Majesty is correct," said a fashionably dressed woman. For whatever reason, she had a wide-brimmed hat with a veil wrapped around her entire head. "How can we trust a mere beast? Who knows what they''re plotting. We should extract whatever information it is hiding and jail the savage after he''s served his use."


    Many people in the crowd, particularly what he assumed were the nobles, mumbled in agreement. Tyrus glanced around, sweat dripping down his brow, as their gazes bore into him. For there to be this many people that wanted him jailed was alarming. It was only then that he realized just how deep the hatred between humans and Beastfolk ran, and he still had little clue as to why.


    "That''s too extreme, don''t you think?" said Sir Geroth. At his voice, Tyrus looked up to see the man staring back at him with an expression full of pity. "He may be a black tiger, but imprisoning an innocent child is inhumane."


    "And how do you know its innocent?" said a man considerably bigger than the rest. He retrieved a handkerchief and wiped his face. "Beastfolk are savages with tempers that run as hot as a dragon''s flames. If that boy has been traveling on Lethos soil for years, it''s bound to have committed numerous crimes to have gotten this far. I agree with jailing the vermin before it causes any more trouble. Just look at the state of his feeble garments!"


    "You are only speaking in speculation," Sir Geroth growled. "If we are going to discuss what should happen to the child, I suggest we listen to his story before making any hasty decisions."


    "These are not mere speculations," a noble wearing a monocle replied. "Have you seen what has happened to the villages and towns on the outskirts of Lethos? The Beastfolk have been raiding every village or town they can get their filthy paws on! Trade routes have been overtaken, and the capital is receiving more refugees as of late. Confining¡ªor dare I say executing¡ªthe black tiger will serve as an example for the other Beastfolk that we are not to be trifled with!"


    More people from the crowd cheered at the man''s words, yelling in agreement and clapping. Tyrus could hear a few whispering to one another and saw their faces painted with worry and anger.


    "I heard the Beastfolk are strong! Are those restraints enough to hold? What if it loses control and attacks us?"


    "Their thirst for blood matches it as well. There''s no telling what evil thoughts are in that head."


    "I don''t know... He looks more human than Beastfolk, and imprisoning a kid doesn''t sit right with me."


    Tyrus watched the scene in front of him unfold, mouth hung open. They weren''t serious about all of this, were they? They talked as if they were sure Tyrus was some sort of criminal or fiend when he done nothing to gain their fury. It sounded like the Beastfolk were causing trouble on the outskirts, but so what? It had nothing to do with him, so their anger was misplaced. He was just as blameless as they were!


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    Out of nowhere, a sharp noise pierced his ears, silencing everyone. The room returned to silence, and Tyrus realized it was the captain''s fist striking the table. Once everyone had quieted down for good, the captain grunted and nodded for the emperor to continue.


    "Captain Kalavan, I appreciate your interruption," Emperor Johan acknowledged. "It seems we were veering off-topic, and it is crucial that we maintain order during these proceedings. Please bear this in mind."


    Emperor Johan peered down at a piece of paper for a few seconds before returning his gaze to Tyrus. "The Imperial Court has done a bit of digging around regarding your past, in which you claim you have no recollection of. It says here that you attended an orphanage for some time. Do you remember the location?"


    At first, Tyrus was at a loss for what Emperor Johan was trying to get at until the realization struck him against the chin. Selena warned him that this might happen, and it was finally time to put Fiona''s favor to good use.


    If he remembered correctly, she mentioned he stayed at Stonepath Orphanage near Valiedge and the owner of that place was Greyson. Saying it out loud would be no trouble, but another problem presented itself: his origins were false, as Selena said. To make matters worse, he''d be telling a lie if he said he stayed there. Lying in the middle of a trial where a deity was watching was not a good idea, especially considering that Emperor Johan was present.


    "...Stonepath Orphanage was the name," Tyrus said carefully. "The director of that place is a man named Greyson. It''s near Valiedge and Valier Forest."


    It''d be best to avoid discussing the place too much. If he was merely repeating what Selena had told him, he wasn''t necessarily lying. As far as he was aware, the place was real and hopefully the man was, too.


    The plan seemed to have worked as Emperor Johan continued without validating his words. "To be blunt, your existence here is a problem. If you were anything other than a black tiger, then we wouldn''t be having this deliberation. Do you know why that is?"


    Tyrus sat there for a long while, thinking about his answer. "Because King Murus is a black tiger himself, and I might be related to him..."


    Almost immediately, gasps rang out, and the crowd turned into an uproar. Tyrus winced from the volume and shrunk, feeling small as a result. The pressure from their stares was enough to force his head down, and a lump formed in his throat.


    "So it is under orders of the King of the Beastfolk!" exclaimed the large man.


    The veiled lady pointed a gloved finger at Tyrus. "You heard it confess yourself, Your Majesty. This vermin must be disposed of before it commits a heinous crime! Surely, it must be an assassin!"


    "If he''s truly related to the ruler of the Beastfolk Kingdom and not someone descended from a no name in the Tiger Tribe, doesn''t that confirm he''s from the Great Lineages as well?"


    The one that spoke this time was a royal knight that was relatively short, the same height as Reo. Her face seemed like it was in a permanent drowsiness, and her eyebrows were as sharp as a blade.


    Tyrus glanced around the room, his eyes landing on Blue Dawn. Fiona''s mouth was agape, and the others were similarly surprised by the revelation. Igneal looked as if someone had shot him directly in the arm with an arrow. His eye twitched as he eyeballed Tyrus closely.


    "So what if he''s of the Great Lineages?" said another royal knight, this time with messy black hair and stubble on his chin. "He has ties with the opposition. What difference does it make whether he''s the lowest rung or the highest? If he is a threat to His Majesty or the citizens, then the verdict is clear."


    "You and Othelia are way too alike," the short woman said with a pout. "Two royal knights with the personality of a rock. No wonder you''re always alone..."


    Emperor Johan raised his hand, and the royal knight''s bodies bolted upward as they went still. "Validating whether the black tiger is a threat is but a simple matter. Royal Knight Othelia, from the report you handed in, you claimed you discovered him in the catacombs alongside others."


    Othelia bowed her head. "That is correct, Your Majesty. After I heard word from the Gravekeeper that there was a commotion happening in the catacombs, I took it upon myself to investigate the situation. When I arrived, standing in front of the door toward the second level of the catacombs, were the black tiger and a few others."


    "Those others were members of the Explorer Guild," Emperor Johan said, stroking his beard. "They were summoned here, if I am not mistaken. Who are they, exactly?"


    Immediately, Fiona raised her hand. "It''s us four right here, Your Majesty. My name is Fiona Lockhart, and these three are Reo, Grant, and Igneal Lockhart. We, including Tyrus, are a group called Blue Dawn who seek contracts from the Explorer Guild and complete them together."


    "I see." Emperor Johan eyed them closely. "Two Lockharts willingly partnered up with a black tiger. Were you four aware of that fact that this Demi-human possibly has close ties with the King of Beastfolk?"


    Fiona spared Tyrus a glance, her face contorting with uneasiness, but her expression steeled a moment later. "We were aware he was of the Beastfolk race, but not his true identity; I assumed he was a black cat and decided not to dwell on it. Not once did Tyrus lie to us or show signs of being a criminal like those pigs back there assumed!"


    More gasps and murmurs came, and the nobles in question shot her looks of contempt, but Fiona was undeterred. Before one of them could even shout a retort, Fiona continued, her voice getting louder.


    "None of you have gotten to know him, yet you act like he''s some monster that should rot in jail. He''s a kind and courageous person who has done nothing to earn your ire. Not only has he helped us fend off goblins and a hobgoblin in our first meeting, but he even saved a little girl from a rock spider! Keep in mind he just awakened as a sorcerer and he''s brave enough to fight opponents way tougher than he is, all with the goal of helping others. Frankly, Tyrus has done more good than those fat merchants and snobbish¡ª"


    With a deft hand, Grant cupped his hand over the red-faced Fiona, who was still yelling despite the obstruction. The room erupted in uproar, and it didn''t seem like it was going to die down any time soon.


    "What''s with this insolence!" said the large man. "How dare you insult us! The Lockharts must''ve gone mad. Their daughter is even defending an enemy of the empire!"


    "You can''t speak to the nobles that way, girl," said the veiled woman, her voice cold. "Has your mother not taught you any manners? Or has she abandoned you because she knew her daughter was a lost cause?"


    That snide remark seemed to have done the trick as Fiona''s eyes flared and she tried to jump forward. Thankfully, Grant''s iron-like grip and Reo''s hands kept her pinned in her spot. She tried to struggle, but a look from Grant made her settle down.


    Captain Kalavan sighed. "Your Majesty, I believe it is time to wrap this up before this court turns into a circus. I warned you something like this might happen."


    Emperor Johan didn''t reply, instead he raised his arm for peace once more. The court fell quiet, and the emperor''s eyes narrowed. "As I mentioned before, lies in the Thasmian Court would be unveiled, yet the Lockhart girl''s words appear to have been the truth. I will ask the black tiger this one last question: what do you hope to accomplish?"


    For the first time since the interrogation began, Tyrus raised his head and met the emperor''s gaze. "To become strong enough where no one can push me around and to live a life free of worries and fear. To secure a safe and bright future for myself and not be content with a life of mediocrity. That''s why I became an explorer."


    A life where he didn''t have to fear the unknown, a life where he wasn''t forced to hide from those that hated his race and a life where he could pursue his dreams without being held back. Through the Explorer Guild, earning sil was the easiest and quickest route, and with the help of Blue Dawn, he''d accomplish his goals faster than if he were on his own. As long as he remained with them, he''d not only learn from them, but get stronger as well.


    Something shifted in Captain Kalavan''s face, in which Tyrus didn''t miss. It was quick, but his eyes widened slightly as if he were surprised by what Tyrus had said, but he swiftly reverted to his indifferent look.


    Emperor Johan nodded and turned to Sir Geroth. "Royal Knight Geroth, a question I''d like to ask of you. It has been reported that you show considerable favor toward the black tiger. Knowing your position as a protector of the Lethos Empire, what is your take on this?"


    "Your Majesty," Sir Geroth spoke respectfully, "A friend of my son is mine as well. I trust my son''s judgment of character, and he assures me that this young boy has no malicious intentions. Furthermore, Selena, too, has vouched for his innocence. It would be greatly appreciated if you could consider her perspective. This boy possesses immense potential for a bright future, and it would be a shame to see it wasted. I had the chance to witness his capabilities firsthand during my time as an overseer for the Explorer Guild exam. It would be a grave mistake to sacrifice his life for something he has not done."


    "And you, Royal Knight Othelia?" Emperor Johan asked.


    She looked over at Tyrus. "I harbor no personal feelings regarding this situation. I only wish to protect the Lethos Empire from harm. If a royal knight and a Lockhart of high caliber backs him, then the decision is clear. I will trust their words, for now."


    The short royal knight glanced over at Sir Geroth and Othelia. "My opinion is similar. As a royal knight, I''d do whatever I can to protect the lives of the empire''s citizens. I, too, will trust my comrades'' judgment. Now I am quite curious what they see in this boy."


    Regarding the final royal knight, his response was concise, stating, "There is no necessity for additional input. I shall abide by the decision made by the royal knights."


    Emperor Johan acknowledged their statements with a nod. "I appreciate your viewpoints. After careful consideration, I have come to a decision. As Emperor Johan, I hereby decree that the black tiger Tyrus shall be welcomed and treated like any other citizen of the Lethos Empire. There is no reason to perceive him as a threat, and he may continue to reside within our borders. This ruling is definitive. Should anyone have any grievances, kindly address them to Captain Kalavan. The deliberation is now complete."


    Emperor Johan rose. "Captain Kalavan, release Tyrus from his restraints and bring him over to the throne room alongside his friends and the royal knights. There''s something I''ve been meaning to talk about."

 Chapter 121- Gathering Information

    "Fiona, why are you holding me so tightly?" Tyrus said.


    "So that you don''t get kidnapped by a psycho again," Fiona muttered.


    Fiona''s arms were tightly wrapped around his body, her chest pressing against his back. Her hands were interlocked around his belly. Tyrus couldn''t deny that she smelled pleasant, but the issue was that it made it difficult for him to breathe properly. He wouldn''t dare voice his concerns, sensing that Fiona would simply ignore his pleas.


    Blue Dawn¡ªexcept for Fiona¡ªstood shoulder to shoulder as they stood before Emperor Johan and his royal knights. They hovered near their emperor like a pack of wolves waiting to pounce on the first prey that wandered close enough. For whatever reason, the empress abstained from attending the brief meeting, claiming she had better things to do, not that it mattered. Ever since that lady opened her mouth, Tyrus hated her with all his being. It didn''t matter how beautiful she looked; her personality was as rotten as a corpse left buried for days on end.


    Aside from her and the attack against his psyche, Tyrus was glad it was over, for the most part. The emperor and his royal knights accepted him into Lethos and he didn''t have to worry about them aiming for his life. He couldn''t say the same for the nobles, however. He knew those evil people spouting hurtful words toward him were nobles because of how they dressed compared to the others.


    Commoners wore garments similar to his, or simple dresses while the few explorers present wore leather around their chests and legs. The nobles were far more volatile than he thought, to where it made Igneal seem like a saint.


    Speaking of Igneal, the Lockhart was oddly quiet ever since yesterday. His face was scrunched up in thought as he stared blankly into space. Sometimes Tyrus caught him stealing a glance in his direction. Tyrus didn''t think too much about it, not like Igneal would bother him or anything. Then again, he might ask him a few questions relating to what was revealed during the deliberation. There was much to talk about to Blue Dawn after the audience with Emperor Johan was over.


    "I apologise for Royal Knight Othelia''s drastic action," Emperor Johan said with a chuckle. "There are a few times where she acts before thinking. I assume she neglected in reassuring you of where she was taking him."


    "And that without a word, she almost pierced clean through not only Tyrus, but Grant with that spear of hers in the catacombs," Fiona added with an innocent look.


    "She did what?" Sir Geroth asked incredulously. "I didn''t hear a word about this."


    Othelia stared blankly ahead. "Do not worry, Sir Geroth. I made sure to hold back just before I could strike the skin. I am quite confident in controlling my strength."


    "That''s not the issue," he growled. "You went for the kill instead of subjugation. As a royal knight, we ask questions first to gauge a person''s threat. We do not attack without confirmation. Worst of all, it was toward my son!"


    Captain Kalavan sighed as he brought a palm to his face. "Drop it, the both of you. Finish your little spat afterward. It''s unbecoming of a royal knight to argue in front of His Majesty."


    Emperor Johan chuckled. "Come now, Kalavan. Disputes between comrades are signs of a healthy relationship. I do not mind in the slightest. I''d be more worried if Sir Geroth was fine with it all, given that his son was involved. But enough about that. It''s time I reveal why I gathered you all here today."


    His expression grew serious as he spoke. "I would like to hear from Blue Dawn about their experience beneath the capital. Othelia has briefed me, but it''s crucial to get the story directly from the source. Please ensure that no detail is omitted, including your encounter with Scourge."


    Fiona begrudgingly complied and began recounting their experience, starting with the sewers. She mentioned the Subterraneans and how their supervisor, Arach, notified them of a tunnel recently formed by a stray cave worm. After they exterminated most of the rats and sewers running around, they decided that it''d be smart to locate where the beasts were spawning from and stop them from accessing the sewers, which led them to explore the breach.


    She then spoke of them traveling through a long tunnel by following a slime trail, coming across more tunnels that were probably created by the same cave worm. Then she recalled how Tyrus led them toward one of said tunnels and came across a suspicious wheel-shaped door with Lethos'' emblem engraved. As soon as she mentioned that the door only opened through Tyrus'' ring, which he nabbed from a member of Scourge, the royal knights looked surprised, while Emperor Johan merely asked for her to continue.


    After a moment of silence, Fiona began recounting their experience when they entered the first level of the Imperial Catacombs. Instead of encountering slimes as expected, they were greeted by coffins, cobwebs, and an army of skeletons that came to life when she triggered a trap in another room. Fiona described in vivid detail how they overcame the skeletons, emphasizing her own efforts. She then went on to talk about the intense battle between Blue Dawn and Scourge, highlighting Sezor''s summoning of an earth spirit that ultimately led to his demise. Fiona explained how she, along with Igneal and Tyrus, worked together to defeat the spirit just as Othelia appeared at the end.


    When Fiona finished speaking, the emperor closed his eyes in contemplation. A few moments passed by before he spoke, his eyes still shut. "Thank you for relaying your story. Hearing it from you truly differs from a second-hand account. I will have the builders patch up that breach by sunset. These tunnels you speak of will need to be dealt with as well."


    The short royal knight played with her collar and said, "So, because of a cave worm, Scourge has been traveling beneath the city without a care in the world? They''re a smart bunch, I''ll give them that."


    "You shouldn''t compliment those fools, Nessa," said the one with messy hair. "They dared to invade places off-limits to the public, using it for their vile purposes. Captain Kalavan, I propose we send one of us alongside a few guards to explore the tunnels."


    The captain crossed his arms and furrowed his brows. "I was thinking the same thing. We should act before they destroy any traces that could lead us to their whereabouts. Heade, gather a few guards and investigate the tunnels. Enter through the sewers and find the breach. Be quick about it. Report back to me about your findings."


    "Understood. I will set off immediately. Excuse me, Your Majesty."


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Heade bowed to Emperor Johan for a moment and strode out the doors. The captain turned back to the group and asked, "You said an entrance to the first level of the Imperial Catacombs opened because of that boy''s Scourge ring, correct? And that skeletons came to life and attacked your group? There should be no traps within the first level of the catacombs, let alone a ring that opens sealed doors. Scourge must have used runes to achieve such a thing."


    "But if they used runes, then that means they have a Conjuration Sorcerer or two in their ranks," Nessa said. "That would explain how that Sezor guy summoned a spirit through an amulet. They must also be a wealthy group as well if they can afford Elemental Stones. Conjuration Sorcerers can only craft them, and they are terribly expensive."


    He nodded. "Nessa, Othelia, I want the two of you to investigate the first level catacombs and search for these runes. We might be able to find traces of Scourge, or at least the culprit responsible for setting up the runes. Take the girl. It would be easier for her to find the location since she already has been there."


    Fiona flinched. "Excuse me, Captain Kalavan, but am I really needed? I''m still recovering from yesterday. Defeating an earth spirit, freezing dozens of skeletons, and running around all day left me pretty tired."


    The captain didn''t seem convinced. "Fiona Lockhart, was it? You seemed fine enough to attend the deliberation and give a lengthy explanation on your little adventure. You will be doing this empire a favor by contributing to finding the ones responsible for your wounds. The sooner we apprehend Scourge, the less citizens that suffer from their actions. If that doesn''t convince you enough, there will be a reward for your eff¡ª"


    Fiona''s eyes shone, and she immediately stood up straight. "Thank you for the honor, Captain Kalavan. I would be happy to comply. Please take care of me."


    "You have until sunset to conduct your investigation. There will be a group of guards stationed nearby as they await your return from the catacombs. It''d be wise to leave as soon as possible."


    The royal knights gave their captain a salute and bowed toward the emperor. They then proceeded to strut out the door. Fiona was about to join them until she gave Tyrus''s shoulder a quick squeeze.


    "Let''s meet up later at the guild, okay? Might as well get that conversation out of the way and not let it linger for too long."


    Tyrus nodded, and Fiona flashed him a smile. He watched her leave the throne room, following in step with the other royal knights.


    Emperor Johan looked over at Sir Geroth. "I would like to speak with the boy alone. Sir Geroth, escort these two young men back to the guild. This shouldn''t take too long."


    Sir Geroth glanced over at Tyrus. "Very well, Your Majesty. Grant, Reo, I''ll take ya back."


    Like the others, Sir Geroth bid his farewells and ushered the others away from the throne room. Tyrus didn''t particularly like how their numbers dwindled in the heartbeat. Now he was stuck with a captain, an emperor, and an uncomfortably silent Igneal who still wasn''t all there in the head. What did Emperor Johan even want to talk about anyway with just the four of them?


    "Before I start, I would like to apologise for that sorry display you witnessed during the deliberation," said the emperor. "I assure you our interrogations are much more civilized. As you know, our relationship with the neighboring kingdom is at the cusp of war. Nobles are constantly arguing and bickering among themselves, which makes it difficult to find a common ground. Looking at their viewpoint, I can understand their frustration and anger, but their woes are misdirected."


    Emperor Johan paused, studying Tyrus intently as if in search of an answer. "Your mere existence compelled me to swiftly conduct a deliberation to reassure the masses. I imagine you were not prepared for such a large audience, but it was necessary. I had to ascertain that you were of good character and not some bloodthirsty Beastfolk, all in front of a gathering. And once that was accomplished, it was unavoidable that both the nobles and commoners would spread word of a black tiger living within the walls of Lethos. I hope the commonfolk will view you in a more favorable light, but I have my doubts about the nobility."


    Tyrus stood there, unable to find the right words to respond. All he could manage was a nod. To think that Emperor Johan thought so far ahead and even predicted what was going to happen, all while thinking of Tyrus'' well-being. It didn''t seem like the man was lying or had hidden intentions behind each word, which made it all the more surprising.


    "Now, shifting to the actual topic," Emperor Johan started. "According to Sir Geroth, it seems that you two have had more encounters with Scourge compared to the rest. In his report, he mentioned a fishing village in the Wasteful Wetlands that was inhabited by Scourge members. You and a group of other explorers escaped by setting fire to the entire place while being attacked by lizardmen. Is there anything else you would like to add in terms of details?"


    Tyrus thought about it for a moment. Selena probably told Sir Geroth everything that happened, and he relayed it toward the emperor. Tyrus was sure he mentioned every detail he could about their time in the fishing village and what happened afterward with the dark sorcerer. What else could he possibly be missing that''d be useful?


    "Did Sir Geroth tell you about the dark sorcerer controlling the minds of the lizardmen and Beastfolk, Your Majesty?"


    Emperor Johan raised a brow. "Controlling the mind of the Beastfolk, you say? That''s the first I''m ever hearing of this. I was told that they were wandering the Wasteful Wetlands, mindlessly attacking whatever moved. Are you saying that the dark sorcerer purposely altered their behavior?"


    Once Tyrus nodded, the emperor and the captain shared a worried glance.


    "Anything else?" said Captain Kalavan.


    Tyrus sifted through his memories of the Wasteful Wetlands. The bird Beastfolks words came to mind, but something within him told him to hold back on revealing it out loud, so he kept it to himself. There was also that whole artifact situation, in which he was glad they made no mention of, let alone suspected him. Then after a few seconds of more contemplation, a conversation from a while back hit him; the same day he entered the capital and snuck out at night for a little exploration.


    "Actually, when I first entered the capital, I found a group of five holding a meeting inside a building at the harbor. Sezor with two guards, the dark sorcerer, and another man named Boyle¡ªno, Doyle¡ªwere speaking privately about some sort of deal. They also spoke about businesses or something. The dark sorcerer also mentioned their master, but that''s all I know before he spotted me."


    Captain Kalavan cupped his chin and pondered. "Doyle... I''ve heard of that name before. A drunkard merchant who runs a shipping business dealing with trades across the seas. He''s been under the radar for the past couple of years after his latest scandal. Was the man tall and lean?"


    "Yes, and he wore a cap the last time I saw him," Tyrus said.


    For the first time, the man grinned. "Perfect. I will deal with this Doyle, Your Majesty. I''ve always known there was something suspicious about that man. Merchants in which trouble follows everywhere are hardly trustworthy."


    Emperor Johan returned the smile. "You may carry on, Captain Kalavan. I will trust in your judgement. Tell me of your findings after you''re done. It''d be best to catch Doyle off-guard instead of letting him prepare a convenient excuse."


    The captain left the room without looking back. The emperor reached into his garments and pulled out a golden bell, in which he rang. A chime resounded throughout the room. Moments later, Wes and Yuvial walked in.


    "Escort these two boys out of the palace. They may have some trouble finding the way out. Also, prepare a carriage so the boys do not have to walk back to the guild," Emperor Johan ordered. "That will be all."


    "Understood, Your Majesty," the servants said in unison.


    Emperor Johan smirked. "Goodbye, Tyrus, Igneal Lockhart. You''ve done extremely well for someone your ages. I expect great things from the two of you. The next time we meet, I hope it is under better circumstances."


    That comment seemed to have snapped Igneal out of his trance as a small flame flickered in his eyes. With an inkling of a smile, Igneal bowed and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. The next time we meet, it will be when I have become the family head of the Lockharts."


    "Oh? Then may Sthito grant you your wish."


    Igneal nodded in agreement, and Tyrus followed suit. Soon, the servants guided them out of the room. As they made their exit, Tyrus took a quick glance over his shoulder and noticed Emperor Johan waving goodbye. He watched closely as the doors to the throne room gradually closed.

 Chapter 122- An Understanding

    Tyrus had ridden a carriage before, but the carriages nobles ride on were an entirely different story.


    The seats were incredibly comfortable and cushioned; the windows had clear glass, and the vehicle was completely sealed, making it easy to relax inside without worrying about bugs or the wind messing up his hair. Not to mention that the ride was much smoother so there was no worry about bumping him against the wood.


    Driving the carriage up front was the head butler, Wes, who handled the reins with ease. Concentration was etched on his face, and his gaze was fixed straight ahead, not even a flinch of a muscle or a single drop of sweat. He must be a man of many talents if he was a head butler of an emperors palace and capable of driving a carriage.


    Tyrus gazed out the window, watching as birds soared across blue skies peppered with clouds. It was nice to look at a sky that wasn''t shrouded by swaths of gray. To go from where not a speck of light could pierce through the thick clouds to an open expanse of dazzling rays that warmed his skin was a great feeling. Coupled with the fact that he was finally out of that stuffy palace, he could finally take a breather from all the chaos that occurred in just two days.


    "Hey, Tyrus."


    At the sound of his name, Tyrus wrestled his gaze away from the window and faced the one who spoke: Igneal. The Lockhart stared back once their eyes met.


    "You know my name?" Tyrus asked, perplexed.


    "Why do you sound so surprised? This isn''t the first time I''ve said it."


    "You usually call me commoner. I just accepted the fact that you must''ve forgotten my name or something."


    Igneal scoffed and said, "How long have you known?"


    "About what?"


    "About your lineage," he replied. "You aren''t just some Demi-human cat, but a black tiger with some relation to a king. That makes you connected to the Great Lineages."


    Tyrus stared at Igneal, wondering where he was going with all of this. "I''ve only known for a week, at most. I wasn''t lying when I said I remember little about my past. Bits and pieces come back to me in my dreams. If you''re wondering why I didn''t tell you or the others, it''s because I wanted to bring it up at a better time."


    "For a trivial reason like that? How absurd. Did you think no one would find out sooner or later? It''s quite insulting that you regard those around you as idiots."


    Tyrus blinked. "Why does it matter, anyway? You know I''m a black tiger and probably related to this King Murus guy. So what now?"


    Once those words left his mouth, it finally hit Tyrus why Igneal was so uptight about the whole situation. His realization solidified when Igneal looked away and turned his head toward the window, avoiding eye contact.


    "I see what''s going on. You hate that there''s a possibility I''m not a commoner and connected to the Great Lineages, just like you. You see me as an equal now, but are we really? I faintly remember how our last duel went."


    Too late did Tyrus realize he spoke without thinking. Maybe he was finally tired of Igneal''s attitude throughout their adventure and felt compelled to speak his mind. The guy was annoying day in and day out, like a fly constantly buzzing in his ear or a mosquito biting him. Then again, the current Igneal was much more tolerable compared to previous meetings.


    Tyrus expected the Lockhart to get all aggressive or defensive, but contrary to expectations, he was as quiet as a mouse. In fact, Igneal looked deep in thought as the silence persisted. Tyrus was thinking Igneal was contemplating on whether to burn the entire carriage or the person who dated to mock him. Instead, he looked out the window, his scowl deepening.


    At first, apologizing came to mind, but Tyrus didn''t want to take back his words. It was about time Igneal knew he was mostly a nuisance in Tyrus'' eyes, and if Igneal was looking for a fight, then that was fine too. Although he thought of himself as a weakling, taking Igneal on would be much easier than fighting an earth spirit or a lesser fire drake alone.


    "So you think of me as a weakling?" Igneal said through gritted teeth.


    Tyrus thought he misheard him and picked at his ears. "Uh, what did you say?"


    "As much as I hate to admit it, but it was you who defeated that accursed spirit," Igneal continued. "My attacks did nothing more than tickle the spirit, yet a few of your spells cracked through its resistances. A commoner, just fresh of becoming a sorcerer, did better than a Lockhart who has gone through extensive training since birth."


    "At that time, a disgusting feeling welled up inside me, only furthered when that woman waltzed in. Not even my trained eyes could read her movements. Yesterday made it painfully clear that to reach my father and become family head, there are some things I must come to terms with."


    Slowly, Igneal turned his head toward Tyrus, and his scowl was replaced with a serious expression. "With the way things are, succeeding my father would be nothing more than a faraway dream. If a weakling were to become family head of the Lockharts, then they wouldn''t survive a week. Those who covet the title would undoubtedly go to great lengths to rid of such weakness. Not saying it could happen to me, but..."


    He paused, sighing. "It pains my soul to say this, but what you said during the exam and my recent experiences has led me to believe that I am...not performing to the best of my abilities."


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Tyrus could hardly believe his own ears. Igneal, a smug and rude noble who despised him and looked down upon him, could actually reflect upon himself. And, to make things even more baffling, was the fact that he outright admitted he was weak! Was there an imposter who switched places with the real Igneal or was this a wind up toward a joke?


    "If I am to achieve my goal, then there are some things I must change," Igneal muttered. He fidgeted around with his fingers, his mouth squirming as if whatever he was about to say would kill him. "At this very moment, I will admit you have accomplished more than I, but it will not be permanent. The next time we duel, the result will not be the same. Allowing you, who is younger than me, to surpass me will be a disgrace to my name."


    Tyrus waited a second to confirm whether Igneal was finished or not, and once he was certain, he rose from his seat and crossed the gap between them. He held out his hand. The Lockhart glanced down at his extended arm and then at his face, his expression full of skepticism.


    "What are you doing?" Igneal asked.


    "Shake my hand if you''re being serious," Tyrus replied. "If what you said is how you truly feel, shaking my hand means I''ll believe your words."


    "Are you stupid? How does shaking your hand make it seem genuine?"


    "Because you''ll be shaking the hand of the person you saw as a lesser. To shake my hand is to admit that you were wrong about me. I won''t ask you to treat me nicely, but just don''t call me commoner or talk to me like I''m a pebble on the side of the road. Shaking my hand means you''re serious and that you finally see us as equals."


    Igneal sat there for an uncomfortably long amount of time, examining the hand before him. For a while, Tyrus thought he might have been too assertive, but he stood his ground.


    A part of him hoped Igneal was genuine with his words. If so, then he was willing to accept that Igneal truly changed his views over the course of a few days. And besides, it wouldn''t hurt to duel frequently with Igneal. Fighting against someone skilled in swordsmanship and magic would do wonders for his own training.


    "You''re really annoying, you know that?" Igneal said, finally taking his hand, albeit hesitantly.


    Tyrus smiled. "I don''t want to hear that from you, of all people. Pretty sure me and a few others agree that you''re the most frustrating person to interact with on Lethos."


    Igneal scoffed. "If you were anyone else, I would have seen to it that you were properly disciplined. But because you are a friend of a Lockhart, I will withhold such punishment. Be proud that I consider you fit to be my friend."


    ...I totally forgot nobles should be regarded with respect. But since this is Igneal, I guess it''s fine. I would rather cut off my fingers than have to call him Sir or Young Master.


    "Thanks," Tyrus replied dryly, sitting back down. "Anyway, why are you telling me all of this? How come this couldn''t wait until everyone got together again?"


    Igneal looked at him with disgust. "I''d rather be stripped of my name and banished from Lethos than to allow another soul to see me in this state! You seem like you can keep your mouth shut, so I figured I''d share my thoughts with you. Mention this to anyone, and I will have your tongue removed."


    Tyrus covered his mouth with his hand and looked away, forcing himself not to smile. "Don''t worry, I won''t tell anyone. Your secrets safe with me. No one would believe me even if I told them Igneal felt all sad and decided to share his embarrassing secrets with me."


    Igneal''s eye twitched, but he merely chuckled. "I''ll let that last comment slide as well."


    And thus, the two continued the rest of their ride to the guild in complete silence, listening to the horses gallop and the wheels roll against stone. It wasn''t as awkward as it was a few minutes ago, more like how a slight pressure was lifted off their shoulders. It was a nice, tranquil break that both of them took advantage of as they passed by buildings nicer than the ones in the outer capital.


    The head butler entered a bustling street of shops and finely dressed patrons, who stopped and stared at the passing carriage. They must''ve realized the carriage belonged to the imperial family given that their crest was plastered on the side. Tyrus noticed some people bow their heads slightly, which was most likely directed toward the coachman, Wes. Either that or they assumed Emperor Johan or the empress was currently inside.


    What would their reactions be if they realized it was just a Demi-human and Igneal relaxing inside? Tyrus could already imagine their confusion that an imperial family member was nowhere in sight.


    As time passed, the carriage pulled up in front of the guild, coming to a stop. Wes hopped off from the front and gracefully walked around the carriage. He opened the door and held out his hand. Tyrus climbed out, stretching his limbs as soon as he hit solid ground. The Lockhart followed after him.


    "Thank you for escorting us back here," Tyrus said.


    The head butler nodded. "It was a pleasure to do so, young man, Young Master Igneal. I take it the ride back was satisfactory?"


    "Very," Igneal responded. "It is a shame the ride was too short and that His Majesty couldn''t accompany us. I would have loved to converse with him about a few things."


    "I shall relay your message to His Majesty, Young Master Igneal. Now then, I will take my leave."


    Wes closed the carriage door, climbing back up front. The carriage shook as the horses galloped, gradually vanishing into the streets, leaving the two alone with a crowd growing by the second. Explorers from inside the building were peeking through the windows while onlookers passing the street stopped and pointed at the leaving carriage.


    "What are these fools staring at?" Igneal scoffed. "Have they never seen a carriage a day in their lives?"


    Tyrus shrugged. "I don''t think that''s the problem. I think they''re surprised two kids came out of a carriage that belonged to the imperial family. Wouldn''t you?"


    "Only the poor are easily surprised by that kind of thing, but that''s besides the point. What are you going to do now?"


    Tyrus thought about it for a moment. Fiona said she wanted to gather everyone and talk about what just happened to get it out of the way, so he was going to wait in the guild until they arrived, but he didn''t know how long that''d take. As for Reo and Grant, they should''ve been escorted to the guild a while ago, but he didn''t see them. Maybe they were already inside, waiting for them to arrive.


    Ah, but I should buy myself a new set of garments and a sword. Walking around in a ripped tunic and trousers would just draw needless attention.


    "I''ll be buying a new set of garments and a weapon," Tyrus answered. "I lost my sword back in the Wasteful Wetlands when we fought the lizardmen"


    Igneal quietly examined him, then opened his mouth. "I''ll join you, but before that, I have a proposition for you. After my sister returns and your little chat afterward ends, there is something I must show you. I''m sure it''ll be most useful to you."


    Tyrus was curious now, but he figured Igneal would eventually tell him, so he shrugged and said, "Sounds good to me. But if you''re going to follow me around, please avoid attracting too much attention."


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about," Igneal said.


    Instead of answering, Tyrus simply retrieved his enchanted coat from his ring and donned it, covering most of his body. He made sure to pull his hood over his head, concealing his ears, and hid his arms within the folds so that no one could see the Scourge ring. He turned toward the direction of the plaza and headed toward the places Fiona showed him last time.

 Chapter 123- Squandered Fears

    Everything went well without a hitch.


    The first shop Tyrus went to was the one Fiona showed him before: Merchant''s Exchange. The shopkeeper Clive had recognized Tyrus immediately and assisted him in acquiring a new sword, which was a replica of his previous one; same weight and feel. And since it was a copy, it only costed six sil, making it an affordable price.


    After he bought the sword, Clive did the usual sales pitch about the numerous medicines and toys he had in stock. Tyrus declined the offer, using the excuse that he was pressed for time and that Fiona was waiting for him nearby.


    The shopkeeper seemed to have gotten the message and pestered him no longer as Tyrus and Igneal strutted toward their next destination. It was a shame Ivy wasn''t there to greet, but Tyrus didn''t mind it all that much. They''d cross paths again, eventually.


    From there, he had gone to a tailor shop that wasn''t too far away, a place he visited with Fiona. While there were a few shops of the same kind, they were scattered across the entire city. What was special about this one was that not only were the fabrics of great quality, but the seamstresses and tailor create garments of all sizes without needing the measurements. They create an entire set by noting which measurements were quite common and sell them by the standard size. If a size wasn''t there, then the customer could send their measurements and paying a little extra.


    That wasn''t the only thing the tailor shop was capable of. They also took commissions and created unique, custom clothing for a customer. That was the reason Fiona had taken him to that specific one instead of a dozen other tailor shops. If Tyrus wanted something distinct, then Common Tailoring was the place to go.


    Once Tyrus had gotten the usual garments from the nice shopkeepers and left the shop with lighter pockets, which pained him somewhat, he and Igneal were on their way back toward the Explorer Guild.


    The sun had begun to dip, coloring the sky a taint of orange. Valis'' streets were busy as ever, humming with chatter and activity. A group of guards patrolled the sidewalks, pushing the crowds aside, while the city''s carriages moved about with haste. The smell of cooked meats and herbal spices wafted through the air as a slight chill breezed by. Getting some fresh air and relaxing after the last few days was truly bliss.


    "Ah, he returned," Igneal suddenly spoke, pulling Tyrus away from his thoughts.


    Tyrus was about to ask who he was referring to until he noticed a familiar man standing tall in front of the guild. After a closer look, Tyrus frowned as he recognized the man as Sir Wayne, Igneal''s grumpy servant that clearly disliked Tyrus'' guts. The reasoning for that was unknown, and he had no plans to ask, let alone care.


    "Young Master Igneal, welcome back," Sir Wayne said with a slight bow., completely ignoring Tyrus. "I see the deliberation has been taken care of. Did everything go smoothly?"


    Igneal waved dismissively. "It went just as I expected it to. I''ll tell you all about it at a later time. Have you completed the task I asked you to complete?"


    "Of course. A carriage from Lockhart territory has already been sent over to Lady Selena''s residence alongside the servant you requested."


    "Good. Bring the carriage alongside Yeven so that you two may await outside the guild. There''s a meeting I must attend."


    Sir Wayne nodded. "As you wish, Young Master Igneal. I will wait here after I return with the carriage."


    The man stepped aside, giving Igneal one final bow before disappearing into the crowd. Tyrus followed the man with his eyes, a frown plastered across his face.


    "Why do you have a carriage over at Selena''s residence?" Tyrus asked.


    Igneal gave him a skeptical look, as if he couldn''t believe what he was hearing. "Don''t you keep your possessions wherever you call home? It''s obvious that I''m staying with Aunt Selena while I attend the academy. I wouldn''t settle for a dingy tavern or inn. Even though Aunt Selena''s place is smaller than the Lockhart territory, it''ll have to suffice."


    "Oh, okay," Tyrus replied, making his way inside the guild. Of course Igneal would stay over at a family members home. If Tyrus wasn''t so dense, he would have realized it a long time ago. Selena seemed like the accommodating type if it involved people close to her, like Igneal or Fiona.


    Now that he pondered on it, he couldn''t help but wonder where Fiona resided. Was she staying at an inn currently, or did she also live with Selena? If it was the latter, he couldn''t help but feel sorry for Fiona having to share a living space with Igneal. The thought of those two constantly bickering over small matters was unimaginable.


    Setting aside his pity for Fiona, Tyrus looked around the building. The inside of the guild was the same as always: filled with explorers chatting, drinking, and having a good time. They were all in groups, most likely celebrating their success or commiserating after a failed commission.


    Celeste was doing her usual duties of assisting patrons at the desk while another one, who he hadn''t seen before, was busy polishing tables and serving food and drinks to the customers. No sign of Reo or Grant anywhere, though. They must be somewhere on the second floor or in one of the rooms.


    As Tyrus was about to make his way toward the stairs, the air in the building gradually shifted. What used to conversations about commissions or the weather were now about him. The explorers didn''t try to hide their stares directly toward Tyrus; one of the few conversations he heard was mostly about him.


    "Hey, isn''t that the Demi-human that got nabbed by the royal knight yesterday?"


    "Just look at him, walking in as if nothing happened. I heard there was an interrogation held and a few explorers were present. Even Emperor Johan and Captain Kalavan were there."


    "Seriously? Two big shots were there? But why were the emperor and captain there? Was it really that serious? I''d ask him, but that Lockhart is following him around..."


    The conversations around the building slowly became more and more audible, the explorers not bothering to be subtle. Tyrus couldn''t even take a step forward without his ears picking up a conversation. Even when he brushed past the tables and was near the stairs, he could still feel a dozen pair of eyes melting through his skin.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Other than that, it seemed like everyone had already heard of what happened to him, which was understandable given that a few explorers were present. Emperor Johan also expected word to spread around quickly, but Tyrus didn''t expect it to reach their ears this fast. The appearance of a black tiger rounding up this much trouble was something Tyrus didn''t account for. This kind of attention following him around was bound to cause headaches.


    "So annoying," Tyrus muttered as he ascended the stairs, Igneal and Sir Wayne right behind him.


    When they reached the second floor, he was surprised to find Reo and Grant already there. The two were sitting at a table at the far wall, conversing. It seemed like they were waiting for him, as Grant noticed them approaching and waved.


    "It is nice to see you safe, Tyrus. I take it you had no problems arriving here?"


    Tyrus nodded and sat himself next to him. "The head butler led us back to the guild inside a fancy carriage."


    "Yeah, we heard," Reo said, leaning his chair against the wall. "Those guys down there wouldn''t shut up about it. I was tempted to shout at them before I ripped me ears out. You guys caused quite the stir."


    "What about you?" Tyrus asked. "Did you arrive without issue?"


    "We had to travel back to the guild on our own two feet," Reo said. "We were offered a carriage by what''s-her-name, but Grant''s father refused. He made it a point that its best for an Augmentation Sorcerer to walk to his destination. Calls it a great way to train the muscles. Personally, I think he enjoys watching others suffer in the name of training."


    "A little exercise will not hurt you, Reo," Grant said, glancing over at him. "You know the type of person my father is."


    Reo groaned. "Your old man has an unhealthy obsession with training. Didn''t you say that you''ve been doing strength exercises every day since you were seven? I''m surprised you haven''t broken down from all the stress on your body."


    "And I thank him for that. I wouldn''t be standing here today if I did not undergo such an ordeal. A strong body leads to a powerful mind. If you have the opportunity, join us, Reo. I believe you will benefit greatly from my father''s lessons."


    "I''ll pass. I want my legs to still be functional well into old age." Reo looked over at Tyrus and grinned. "Why not offer your invitation to Tyrus instead? Since he''s a Demi-human, his body should handle any rigorous training you throw at him."


    A flash of amusement lit up Grant''s face. "That is a great idea. Tyrus, you seem like a hard worker that aims to improve themselves. Would you like to join? My father can prepare a training regimen that would compliment your skills nicely. It''s not every day that you can learn from a royal knight directly."


    Learning from a royal knight seemed like an enticing idea that few would pass up on. Since they were the best Lethos could probably offer, Tyrus had little knowledge about them specifically. But what he did know was that each one of them had the strength to back up their titles.


    When he first laid eyes on the royal knight''s back when he was being interrogated, he used mana sense and felt firsthand just how strong their mana was. But when he did comparisons, he found it odd that their mana reservoirs were around the same amount as Emperor Johan, yet their mana completely dwarfed his in terms of thickness.


    He was aware of this because whenever he approached another sorcerer, there was a noticeable pressure in the air, as if it had become heavy. Of course, the intensity varied from person to person, but when there were numerous powerful sorcerers in the same room, Tyrus couldn''t help but be threatened, fearing that he would be crushed under the weight of their combined presence. That''s why he could finally relax once he left that cramped room.


    Besides that, Tyrus had been so busy with the exam and other troublesome events that training had become an afterthought. Just last week, he was in Wildwood, running around hunting rock spiders to strengthen his spellcasting and body.


    Sure he improved during the exam, but that only lasted a few hours. In order for him to improve in the future, he would need to continue to fight stronger opponents and hone his techniques. Fighting the earth spirit had opened his eyes on where he stood regarding magic.


    "That''d be great," Tyrus said. "I want to be the best I can, whether it be through casting spells or being just as good as Igneal with the sword."


    Igneal proudly puffed out his chest and confidently declared, "It''s only natural that I set the gold standard for individuals my age. I''m not implying that you can match my skills in swordsmanship, but you can certainly come close."


    Reo eyed Igneal carefully. "I''m surprised to see you here. Shouldn''t a meeting like this be beneath you?"


    "I am a member of Blue Dawn, just like the rest of you. My presence here is needed, just like the rest of you. Also, this is a meeting that deals with my friend here, so it''s only natural that I''m here to listen. More than likely, the conversation will be about that."


    It slipped Tyrus'' mind for a moment on why they gathered at the guild. Talking and thinking about training really steered away from the main reason for meeting up. The nerves from dreading this very moment was starting to soak in.


    "And now his ears are twitching," Reo remarked. "I''ll be the first one to say it: don''t worry too much about it. Our opinion of you won''t change, and it never will, unless you turn bad or leave Blue Dawn for good. Pretty sure Fiona thinks so as well. "


    Grant placed a hand on Tyrus''s shoulder reassuringly. "Everyone has secrets they wish to keep close to their heart. There are secrets that are minimal, and there are those that can corrode the mind if left to fester. Regardless, whatever secrets you may have, we will stand by your side. Do not be afraid to rely on us. You are among friends."


    Tyrus nodded slowly. He couldn''t help but admire the two''s sincerity and willingness to ease his doubts. He was worried they''d look at him differently if they found out he used an element seen as evil, but those fears were thankfully squandered.


    It was also nice that he could get some of the stuff he was carrying off his chest. A secret as big as finding out a companion of yours was actually connected through the Great Lineages through the black tigers was not one to take lightly, he suspected. He saw how everyone reacted to the news, and those were people who knew nothing about him.


    Fear and a lack of knowledge influenced how they treated him, resulting in their harsh attitudes and actions. Many people likely shared the same perspective as the nobles, so it wasn''t an unrealistic thought. The Beastfolk now had a terrible reputation with Lethos, and it was because villages and cities on the outskirts were being attacked by the Beastfolk Kingdom. As much as Tyrus hated to admit it, he could see where they were coming from.


    That didn''t mean he''d forgive those scum. They could fall over and die for all he cared.


    "Fiona won''t be back until sunset, so we might be here for a while," Reo mumbled. "There''s a lot to unpack there at the deliberation, and I have a few questions to ask Tyrus about his answers during the whole thing."


    "That can wait until Fiona returns and that we are in a more remote location," Grant said, watching Sir Wayne, who was standing nearby with his eyes closed. "I would imagine Tyrus would not like others to hear more of our conversation."


    Igneal quickly understood Grant''s implication. "You don''t need to be concerned about Sir Wayne. We can speak freely in his presence. As my personal knight, he is bound by his oath to honor my desires. He will speak not a word to anyone."


    To confirm Igneal''s words, Sir Wayne nodded in agreement, not opening his eyes. "Young Master Igneal is correct. I will not share any of your conversations, even if my life depended on it. Speak freely as if I was never here. Dishonoring the young master''s wishes is the same as dishonoring my title and the Lockhart name."


    Reo shrugged. "Well, whatever the case is, we can just save the important bits for when Fiona gets here. There''s nothing better to do except talking about the commission. We got plenty of time to kill. Tyrus, how about you get yourself something to eat?"


    At that moment, a quiet growl rumbled from Tyrus''s stomach. Now that he thought about it, he hadn''t eaten since last night. "Yeah, I could go for something to eat. I''ll be right back."


    "Bring me a mug of water while you''re at it," Reo called out to him.


    Tyrus nodded and stood up from his chair, already making his way down the stairs and toward a guild worker manning the tables.

 Chapter 124- Underground Examination

    There were a hundred other places Fiona would rather be at, and the catacombs were not one of them. But the allure of earning a reward from the royal knights was too good of an opportunity to pass up!


    Not only were the royal knights strong, but their purses held a stockpile of royal sil worth ten times more than the original. As long as they weren''t a stingy bunch, then Blue Dawn wouldn''t have to worry about expenses for a while. Weapon and armor maintenance were not cheap when it came to explorers. And if sil wasn''t the reward, then she''d file a formal complaint toward that scary-looking man. She''d have to do her utmost underground to make sure the reward was worth it.


    "Hehe, oop¡ª"


    Fiona suppressed her giggling just as she and the royal knights stopped in front of the same door Othelia opened before. She had always been curious about its method of opening, considering the absence of any visible knobs. It seemed likely that it operated via magic, requiring either a spoken command or the use of a specific object to unlock.


    Special places like the Imperial Catacombs usually took pride in their security, warding off intruders so that nothing of value was stolen. Valis Academy of Sorcery had such places, one being the restricted section of the academy library, which was protected by a barrier erected from runes. The entrance and exit could only be accessed with a special token granted by a professor or senior students. It was terribly difficult to gain access to the restricted section, as only a handful of students ever stepped foot inside.


    Fiona''s second guess proved to be correct when Othelia reached into her collar and pulled out an amulet that held Lethos'' insignia. A rune engraved onto its surface glowed once the royal knight held it close toward the wheel door. Soon, the cavern rumbled as the door spun to the right, revealing the aftermath of the battle against the earth spirit.


    Nessa whistled as she stepped into the rubble infested room. "Wow, this is quite the sight! This is the place where you defeated that earth spirit, right? I wish I was there to see it!"


    Fiona looked at her quizzically. "It was not a fun time. In fact, it was a terrible experience for us all involved, Royal Knight Nessa."


    "Aw, how cute. You can just call me Nessa. Saying my name alongside my title is a mouthful. There''s no need for formalities."


    Fiona nodded. "I''ll address you informally, then. You can just call me Fiona."


    Nessa''s face lit up with joy as she bounced around, her arms outstretched. She gracefully hopped from one uplifted stone to the next, her eyes roaming the surroundings curiously. "Say, what appearance did the earth spirit have? Was it a fairy or an animal? It must be something big if it can split the ground in all directions."


    "It was a rock golem," Fiona said, watching the royal knight move around rather agilely. "Way taller than my friend with the armor and it moved rather fast for its bulky size. Its body was covered in stone that none of my friends could get through, and its resistance to magic attacks did us no favors. We only defeated it by continuously attacking one spot until its defenses were crippled."


    "Sounds like quite the experience," Nessa said, stopping near a crumbling pillar. "You three did well when the odds were stacked against you. Through your description and how battered this place is, it sounded like you fought a tier two spirit. I''m sure you already know why that is."


    Fiona gingerly made her way through the debris, positioning herself next to the cheerful Nessa. "It possessed a greater command over the earth element compared to a tier one. And had it been a tier three, I wouldn''t be standing here right now, and this entire place would have collapsed."


    "Good answer, Fio. You seem like the type to excel in academics. Valis Academy of Sorcerer, correct?"


    Fiona nodded. It was true she was doing pretty well as a student at such a prestigious school. Actually, excelling in her academics was the bare minimum Fiona had to accomplish in order to be taken somewhat seriously in the eyes of her family. Since she lacked a fire affinity and red hair even though she was the daughter of the family head, her worth in the family plummeted by the time she awakened as a sorcerer. The memories of her earlier years in Lockhart territory still lingered vividly in her thoughts and skin.


    "Come to me, Lithero."


    As soon as those words left Nessa''s mouth, a burst of mana condensed before her. A green wisp of light emerged from the condensing mana and grew bigger until it took the form of a green-haired fairy that resembled a young boy. His overlapping leaf dress fluttered as it gracefully landed onto Nessa''s outstretched palm.


    "It''s about time you summoned me!" the fairy grumbled, stretching his tiny limbs. "Your Sorcerer Plane is nice, but it''s just so stuffy! Why not let me follow you around in the human world instead?"


    Nessa giggled. "But then I won''t have any mana to spare by the end of the day, and I''ll suffer from mana deficiency. You''ll drain me dry. And besides, don''t I let you guys out from time to time?"


    He pouted and slouched his delicate body. "What did you summon me for this time?"


    Nessa pointed over at the ruined pillar. "I would like for you to repair this pillar using earth magic. I''m afraid it''ll fall over and collapse this place."


    "That''s all? This will be easy."


    The fairy floated up into the air, hovering just inches from the broken pillar. With the flick of his wrist, a wave of dust and rock erupted from the ground and swirled around the pillar. It wrapped the pillar entirely before hardening. The chunks missing from the pillar were filled in until the pillar was repaired entirely, and the fairy slowly descended onto Nessa''s shoulder.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Great job, Lithy. Think you can do the same for the rest of this place?"


    The fairy''s head turned left and right, eyeing the damaged state of the catacombs. "Looks like a lot of work."


    "I''ll treat you to some delicious gemstones and allow you to roam the outside for a while."


    Lithy''s face perked up up at the offer. "Then leave it to me! I''ll fix everything in a flash."


    Lithero fluttered away from his master and immediately went to work tidying up the place. With both arms outstretched, overturned stone and rubble moved around, fixing themselves into glaring holes. Chunks of rock descended into the ground, leveling the ground until it was no longer uneven.


    "We should leave this job to Lithy and continue further into the catacombs," Nessa said.


    Othelia, who had been wandering around and inspecting the place, caught up with the group and nodded. "We should move quickly before any trace of Scourge disappears. If I am not mistaken, then the rune should lie where the dead rest. I will take the lead."


    Without waiting for a reply, Othelia walked past Fiona and Nessa, trudging down the winding stairs. Nessa gestured for Fiona to move along, in which she did while the royal knight followed behind. Being wedged between two powerful knights while they traveled underground would have anyone feel safe, but all Fiona felt was dread¡ªand a bit of anger toward a certain someone.


    Setting aside her distaste, Fiona guided the group through the catacombs to the best of her ability. Through all the stairs, extra rooms and winding channels, arriving back to the rooms with the coffins were relatively easy. All Fiona had to do was follow where destruction was most prominent, and it was all thanks to that rampaging earth spirit. It was also lucky for them that they didn''t have to break through any rock that barred the path forward.


    Fortunately, Fiona had no need to conjure up a light source as the glowing mushrooms provided much needed illumination. Most, if not all of the coffins were open, revealing nothing but empty interiors except for a few rusty daggers and split pole arms. Fiona checked each coffin just in case, and was glad to find nothing out of the ordinary.


    They eventually settled themselves into another area with coffins. Fiona immediately recognized the place where she activated the supposed rune and jogged over to the entranceway that connected to the first room where they escaped the skeletons briefly.


    "This is the spot I stepped on," Fiona pointed out, crouching to get a better view. "Right as I stepped into the next room, all the coffins burst open and the skeletons chased after us. I''m not really sure what triggered it."


    "There''s only one way to find out," Nessa said, crouching down as well.


    In the meantime, Othelia had already gone ahead of the group and went to investigate further along the catacombs. Fiona stayed and watched Nessa eyeball the surrounding ground, her nose practically touching the floor. For a moment, Fiona was worried the small woman would go so far as to even lick the dust-ridden ground by the way her mouth opened and closed.


    "Found it," Nessa announced, brushing a finger across the floor.


    "Found what?"


    "This square block is pressed further into the ground than the others. That means that for the rune to activate, one would have to press this part of the ground with enough force. A hidden switch that most people wouldn''t detect unless they had excellent eyes. A nifty trap, might I say. Not only that, but I can feel the presence of a rune here, but it''s been erased just recently. Luckily, they did a terrible job of scrubbing it away and left a few traces. Here, let me show you."


    Fiona gazed intently at the spot that Nessa was pointing to. Initially, everything seemed perfectly ordinary. However, the longer she looked, the more she noticed a slight unevenness on the surface, as if something sharp had grazed it. Curiously, when Nessa placed her palm on the chipped area, tiny specks of light scattered along the edges, unveiling the faint traces of a rune that had been scratched away.


    "Amazing," Fiona whispered.


    Out of the three specializations, Conjuration Sorcerers were one of the more fascinating groups compared to the others. Not only could they summon or bind spirits and create magical items with their own mana, but their affinity with runes was also exceptional.


    Crafting runes was a specialized skill that only Conjuration Sorcerers possessed, and the majority of them were born with the innate knowledge to create them. Similar to how animals have specific instincts to guide their actions, sorcerers had their own inherent abilities. However, if, by unfortunate circumstances, they were not born with this knowledge, they could still learn the craft and develop the ability to create new runes throughout their lives, albeit at a lesser level than the norm.


    Even better was the fact that Conjuration Sorcerers was the leading specialization with the highest salaries! Sometimes it pained Fiona that she was born an Elemental Sorcerer and not a Conjuration Sorcerer. Her life would surely have been much different if that were the case.


    "It''s an activation rune," Nessa explained, standing up. "A rather simple one, actually. It''s not surprising that a rune of this caliber was easily scratched away. The unfortunate news is that I can''t trace the mana back to its owner. It''s too fragmented for me to follow the mana trail. A line of mana connects both the rune and the sorcerer, but it has been destroyed, leaving me with very little to track."


    Fiona wasn''t surprised by the situation. It had already been a day since the rune was discovered, providing Scourge with ample time to erase any traces. Although the royal knights promptly responded to the report, there wasn''t much they could accomplish if all the evidence had been obliterated. In a worst-case scenario, their efforts would only result in a futile pursuit. Hopefully, the other royal knight would have better luck than their own group.


    "Maybe there are other runes lying around?" Fiona suggested.


    "Unlikely," Nessa said. "I''ve been looking around as we walked, and I didn''t notice any other runes lying around. This is quite the predicament..."


    Arms folded, Nessa stood there with a deep frown on her face, her gaze glued to the ground. For a brief moment, the royal knight stood there quietly, probably contemplating their next course of action.


    "How about we¡ª"


    Suddenly, coffin lids vibrated as the ground to tremble. Not long after, a boisterous noise coming from the direction Othelia ventured to rattled their ears. After a few seconds have passed, the rumbling ceased, and the sudden commotion left Fiona frozen in shock.


    "Lithy!" Nessa yelled at the top of her lungs.


    Within ten seconds, the fairy flew in, looking completely exhausted as sweat trickled down his fair skin. "What happened, master? I finished repairing the area like you told me and felt this great tremor that shook the whole place. Is something going on?"


    "That''s what we''re about to find out," Nessa said, spinning on her heels. "Fio, stick close to me, alright? I have a feeling Othelia is probably involved with that noise just now. Either that or she is already investigating alongside the others."


    Fiona nodded slowly. She was hoping to finish way before sunset arrived, but that didn''t seem to be the case. They might be underground even longer than she initially thought. She felt kind of bad since the others were waiting for her arrival.


    Nessa was the first to move, running at a rather fast pace for her size. She wasn''t too far ahead, and Fiona was able to match her speed. The fairy Lithero stayed beside his master, and together, the trio traveled through the catacombs, sprinting past the wheel door and into the dug tunnels.

 Chapter 125- Underground Examination (2)

    Alongside the glowing fairy and Fiona''s Illumination, navigating through the dark tunnels was a breeze.


    Not long after they began their run, the three of them reached the end of the tunnel, arriving at the same area that branched into five different paths.


    "Wait a minute, something is off about this," Fiona said, stopping at the crossroad.


    Originally, there were five tunnels, but three of them have been closed off. Massive boulders now obstruct these tunnels, reaching from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. Out of the original five, only two tunnels remain accessible. One of them lead back to the sewers, while the other was located on the left side of the crossroads.


    "Yesterday, these four tunnels weren''t blocked off, but now only one remain."


    Nessa looked from tunnel to tunnel and sniffed. "The smell of dirt is higher than before, and I can faintly see a layer of dust through the light. If what you say is true, then the tremors we felt are the result of these tunnels being sealed just minutes before."


    "Is this Scourge''s doing?" Fiona asked. "Their goal might be to seal off the tunnels they don''t want us entering."


    "And that''s not it," said Nessa.


    Alongside Lithero, she moved toward one of the closed tunnels and pointed at the ground. In the dirt, there was a large X embedded into the ground, as if someone marked it recently with something sharp. She moved to the next sealed tunnel, and near the entrance was another X. The remaining tunnel held no such marks.


    Lithero floated around the mark and said, "Why are the grounds marked? That seems odd, doesn''t it?"


    "The other knights did this," Fiona mumbled. "Royal Knight Othelia and the others aren''t here, but I''m pretty sure they would''ve came rushing over here if a loud noise like that suddenly echoed through the place. I think these markings must have been drawn by the knights so we know where they went."


    "Was that before or after the tremors?" the fairy asked, fluttering around Nessa''s head.


    Fiona shrugged, uncertain whether the knights had marked the ground before or after the tremors. However, she was convinced that they had indeed marked the ground and were probably ahead of them. The only logical explanation for this action was to inform their comrade, Nessa, of their whereabouts. Fiona wondered if it would be wise to search the sewers in case the knights had sought refuge there for safety. But was that the best decision to make?


    Fiona looked over at Nessa, waiting for her response. The knight inspected the marks and the tunnels before facing the remaining one. Without a word, the Sorcerer strode down the remaining tunnel and stopped randomly.


    "This will be a great learning opportunity," Nessa shouted. "Fio, do you see or feel anything odd around the area?"


    Fiona stared blankly at the small woman. Was there something else she was missing? What was so special about the spot Nessa was in?


    She approached her and scanned the area, but nothing caught her eye. She wasn''t really sure what she was supposed to look out for until she turned on mana sense, and it hit her like a bucket of bricks.


    "Mana is gathering here," Fiona said, looking around the tunnel.


    It didn''t take her more than a second to locate its origins. On the right side of the tunnel, just an arms length away, a clump of mana was gathered at the wall. The amount was minuscule, hard to miss if a sorcerer wasn''t close attention to their surroundings. Fiona wasn''t surprised that Nessa found it with ease.


    "That''s exactly what I wanted you to find," Nessa praised, patting Fiona''s arm. "From the looks of it, this is another activation rune, most likely from the same Conjuration Sorcerer that placed the trap near the coffins. This one is a bit different as it doesn''t require someone to step on it, but rather them triggering its effects once they pass through."


    Lithero hovered between the two sorcerers, eyeing the mana. "All we have to do is destroy it now, right? I bet the other tunnels had the same runes, which is why they were closed up."


    "But why only leave one tunnel open?" Fiona asked, staring down the pathway.


    "Because the others had already gone ahead and split up," Nessa guessed. "If it were me, then I''d send Othelia to one tunnel, Heade for another, and the remaining guards for the other while leaving the last one for us. No offense to the guards, but in this situation where we know little about the enemy, it''d be best for them to stay close then to separate. We royal knights will be just fine on our own."


    Nessa approached the rune slowly, stopping before entering the rune''s activation range. She placed her hand against the wall, and immediately the rune glowed a pearly white. The light grew stronger the longer she left her hand.


    After she drew in a breath, the glow of the rune started to flicker, its once steady light wavering like a candle in the wind. The rune flared one last time in a brilliant burst of light before its glow dimmed and finally faded away, leaving only a faint outline of where it had been. The magic dissipated, the power within the rune unraveled and gone.


    The royal knight frowned. "That''s odd. Unraveling the rune''s internal structure took longer than I thought. Well, I''m sure it''s nothing to worry about. The rune is gone, and we don''t have to worry about getting buried alive."


    "If you say so," Lithero replied, his voice laced with skepticism.


    Nessa noticed the worried glances the two gave each other and said, "There''s no need to be anxious. I might me short, but my experience is the opposite! Now, let''s get moving before Scourge realizes we''re hot on their tail. Fio, stick close while Lithy lights the way. Conserve your mana."


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    Fiona nodded and stopped using Illumination. After that, Lithero was the first to move, flying at a leisurely pace so that Nessa and Fiona could follow.


    Lithero took the lead, his miniature form radiating a gentle glow, providing enough illumination to light up the path ahead. The tunnel stretched out in front of them, a serpentine passage that grew increasingly claustrophobic the further they delved. The air hung heavy with the scent of moist soil, while the walls glistened with a thin layer of dampness, reflecting the faint glimmer of Lithero''s light.


    Fiona kept her senses sharp, her eyes scanning the shadows that danced at the edge of their light. Every so often, the tunnel would widen or narrow unexpectedly, forcing them to adjust their pace. Sometimes, a worm would pop out of the wall, but they were always quick to dive back in. They even encountered a mole in their path, but the vibrations of two people were enough to send the furry creature scurrying back into the soil.


    As Fiona''s legs ached and her breath caused sharp pains in her torso, the tunnel gradually began to rise. Her body seemed to ascend higher and higher, witnessing the walls and ceiling slowly moving apart. Then, she caught sight of it - a faint, white light radiating from a small door secured with a silver lock.


    "Finally, a door!" Lithero exclaimed.


    "Lity, wait¡ª"


    Too late did the royal knight call out as the fairy zoomed toward the door, his small hands touching its surface; Lithero pulled on a rusted handle, and with a soft click, the door opened with ease. Almost immediately, a gloved hand shot out from behind the door and grabbed the fairy, who was stunned. The figure behind the door retreated, Lithero held firmly in their hands.


    Nessa''s brows furrowed as she picked up the speed. A blade materialized in her hand in two heartbeats; a short sword engrained with markings on a blade that seemed too skinny to hold a sharp edge. Lining a curved crossguard were glyphs of the four main elements. As soon as Nessa tapped on a swirly symbol with her thumb, the symbol glowed, and her body became enveloped in a thin gust of wind that propelled her forward, bursting through the door and out of sight.


    Fiona willed her legs to run faster as she retrieved her staff from her belt loop. She mumbled a small prayer to Sthito for good luck as she inevitably approached the door. Metal clanging and splintering wood echoed in the tunnel, but she didn''t pay any attention to it. Instead, Fiona focused her mana into her staff, preparing a spell, and leaped through the opening.


    The fight was over by the time her eyes adjusted to the light.


    "A warehouse?" Fiona mumbled.


    She inspected the place; crates and barrels were scattered haphazardly, some smashed open from the recent skirmish. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and something else¡ªsomething rancid, like oil or metal. Shafts of light filtered through windows high above, shining upon walkways that connected to each wall. Crates and barrels caught Fiona''s eye, aside from ropes and pulleys hanging from the walkways and some tables.


    Besides that, Nessa stood in the center of the room, with bodies and stains of blood and oil all around. She had her blade aimed at a man groaning in pain. Lithero floated above his master''s head, mischievously sticking out his tongue like an unruly child.


    Nessa gestured over to Fiona. "Ah, you''re here. Come quick, Fio. I caught myself a few suspicious men here."


    "You dealt with them rather quickly," Fiona said, rushing to her side.


    The floor was scattered with vines and rocks haphazardly strewn about. Some barrels lay broken and overturned, causing ores and a thick, yellow liquid to spill out. Fiona had to watch her step so that her boots didn''t catch on the loose debris.


    "These guys were nothing," Nessa remarked. "Though I was a bit surprised when an entire group was lying in wait for us, they still could not do anything against an experienced fighter. Isn''t that right, Scourge?"


    Fiona peered at the injured men lying around her. They didn''t look like members of Scourge. Most, if not all, wore simple close-fitted outfits and gear that most men that worked in a warehouse would wear; aprons, boots, and leather gloves. What shocked her wasn''t the weapons lying around, but their hands¡ªnone of them were wearing a ring with a green gem on it. Were these guys really members of Scourge?


    "Why is there a tunnel that leads directly to the sewers?" Nessa asked the man. "Quite suspicious that none of the guards were aware of this, provided that the capital conducts safety checks every month."


    He glanced at the blade hovering just an inch away from his neck. "Scourge? Are you crazy, lady?! We''re just a bunch of laborers that work day and night for our families! I don''t even know what Scourge is or about this tunnel!"


    Lithero snickered. "The ugly human thinks we''re stupid, master. I say we beat the answers out of him!"


    The man frowned. "U-Ugly?"


    "Good idea, Lithy," Nessa said. "We can round these troublemakers up and toss them into the dungeons where they belong. With winter on the horizon, the cellars will be quite bitter. Fitting for members of an organization that seeks to cause trouble for Lethos."


    "Like I told you, I have no idea what Scourge is!" the man protested. "That tunnel there just appeared out of nowhere minutes ago! You''re a royal knight, so you should know something about magic and its effects, right? Maybe it''s some sort of illusion."


    Fiona looked over at the bodies once more. Their chests were rising, so they weren''t dead. It seemed like Nessa hadn''t dealt a killing blow but instead left them unconscious.


    Apart from that, what could possibly explain why laborers would carry weapons when their main task was simply to move and organize products within a warehouse? It is quite perplexing how they immediately took action upon learning about the existence of a tunnel, even though it was clearly visible.


    Regardless of whether or not magic was involved, wouldn''t it have been more appropriate for them to inform the guards or their supervisor? Moreover, why did one of them grab Lithero, a tiny flying fairy, as if they were fully aware of his presence? There was definitely something off about the whole situation.


    "I don''t see a Scourge ring anywhere," said Fiona.


    Nessa turned her head to peer at the bodies. "I actually noticed that as well. My assumption was that every member of Scourge had been instructed to remove their rings in order to evade capture now that we''re aware of their existence. If Scourge is as intelligent as I believe them to be, then¡ª"


    Blood drained from Nessa''s face as she whipped her head back toward the grunting man. Fiona followed her line of sight in time to see him pulling out a piece of paper with a weird marking on the front; a rune, Fiona guessed, by the faint traces of mana that radiated off it. How in Sthito''s name did they miss that!


    In an instant, a wicked smirk crept onto the man''s face as he defiantly tore the paper in two. "Our boss sends his regards!"


    Suddenly, a surge of mana enveloped the building, exerting a violent pressure that seemed to crush her bones. It was a sensation she knew all too well, a sign of a powerful sorcerer attempting to overpower another with sheer force of mana. A dazzling white light streaked across the warehouse floor, twisting and turning to form a colossal rune that consumed most of the space. The rune emitted a gentle glow, accompanied by a soft humming sound.


    Nessa took the initiative, swiftly snatching Lithero and dashing towards Fiona. With determination, she pushed Fiona down to the ground, protecting her with her own body. Meanwhile, the surrounding light intensified, shining as bright as the midday sun if some stupid soul were to stare for too long.


    The ground beneath them trembled violently, causing the walls of the warehouse to creak and moan. Nessa''s words were lost in Fiona''s racing heartbeat, her breath barely audible. The air thickened with an overwhelming surge of mana, a sensation unfamiliar to Fiona. Her lips quivered as she tightly gripped her staff, channeling the power of the earth to create a protective dome of stone. However, her efforts were in vain, as a searing wave of heat and the crackling of flames assaulted her senses.


    Within moments, a deafening roar engulfed her ears, and a blinding reddish-white light consumed everything.

 Chapter 126- Itching Curosity

    Tyrus''s ears flickered, and he looked out the window overlooking the inner section of the capital.


    A chill ran down his spine, causing his tiger tail to stand erect. He knew that feeling all too well, having witnessed it a couple of times in person. The others felt the disturbance too and looked toward the window, confused.


    Sir Wayne grimaced. "That rise of mana out of thin air... Nothing of this magnitude has appeared within the capital."


    Not long after those words left his mouth, the mana in the distance swelled; a massive, fiery plume swelled into the sky, curling and twisting like a furious dragon unleashed. Part of the once blue sky was suddenly ablaze with brilliant hues of orange and red. Then, like a blooming flower, the fire exploded, spewing curling clouds of dark smoke in all directions.


    "An explosion in the inner city?" Reo said as he slowly rose.


    Grant frowned. "This is no regular blast. That flux of mana and then an explosion soon after? It was not a result of ordinary means."


    On the second floor, a small group of explorers looked up at the smoke, exchanging bewildered glances. Downstairs, the scene was no different¡ªexplorers huddled against the walls, jostling and pushing one another to catch a glimpse. Some rushed out the door, while others remained, captivated by the unfolding spectacle.


    "Its like those fools have never seen smoke and fire before," Igneal chastised.


    Sir Wayne responded, "In situations where something out of the ordinary happens, it is common for people to seek answers, especially if their safety is a concern."


    "Or for gossip," Reo added. He rose slowly from his seat and smirked. "Since Fiona will take a while and there''s nothing better to do, how about we do something and get a closer look?"


    Everyone sitting down looked at Reo like he was crazy for suggesting such a thing. He didn''t look like he cared, let alone would wait for an answer as he strolled down the stairs. Grant let out a heavy sigh and followed his friend, apologizing along the way as he slid through the crowd on the first floor. Tyrus, not keen on being left behind, got up and quickly caught up with them.


    ***


    Blue Dawn was not the only group interested in securing front row seats to the disaster. It didn''t take long for the streets to become crowded, making it difficult for the three of them to navigate through.


    A line of guards, armed with spears, stood in formation, blocking the gates leading to the inner district of the city. As a result, the bridges were filled to the brim with people bustling and colliding with each other, eager to catch a glimpse of the rising plume. The atmosphere was charged with a blend of anxiety, fear, and excitement, oddly enough.


    "Stand back!" a guard with a full-face of hair barked. "It is for your safety that you remain in this district! The guards in the inner district will handle the matter, so there''s no need to worry!"


    "Is this some sort of practice for emergencies?" a gentleman with a cane said.


    A younger man shook his head. "Are you blind, old man? What kind of practice involves real fire and smoke that large-scale!?"


    "It might just all be an illusion," said a woman holding a baby. "The same type the Aerial Troupe use during their yearly performances!"


    The crowd seemed to be in a frenzy as they threw around guesses. Conversations blended together like whirlpools, and the guards struggled to calm the panicking crowd. It didn''t seem like the guards were letting anybody in anytime soon so the rest of Blue Dawn backed away from the cramped bridge and stood to the side.


    "Tsk, they acted faster than I thought," Reo said, biting a fingernail. "Change of plans. We''ll have to sneak around without alerting the guards."


    Sir Wayne scoffed. "This is a foolish idea. Young Master, there is no need to involve yourself in this matter."


    "Usually I''d agree, but I am curious about how this will go," Igneal said.


    "Glad you''re enjoying this," Reo said as his voice trailed.


    Reo glanced at the canal nearby and eyed the mighty wall blocking their progress. It was a particularly tall one, about as tall as three adult men. There were no guards at the moment patrolling the top. Tyrus could more or less guess where this whole thing was going.


    Reo took a quick peek at the guards, gauging whether they were paying attention or not and jogged toward the canal, sliding down the slope. He took one leap upward, landing and proceeding to lock his hands and feet in footholds embedded within the wall. Like a lizard, he scurried up the wall, his speed and dexterity increasing as he got closer to the top. Not long after, he jumped over the ledge, out of sight. None of the guards had noticed someone got past, and even if they did, Reo had already disappeared by the time they''d looked over.


    "So Reo is really committed to this," Grant muttered under his breath as he cautiously made his way towards the canal. "It''s highly likely that there are people affected by this unfortunate event. As a sorcerer, it''s our duty to lend a hand to those in need, no matter what the consequences may be."


    Just like that, Grant followed Reo''s tracks and began climbing. It was a rather clumsy climb, however, and Grant kept slipping and sliding down the wall, but he got over nonetheless. It was baffling how easy it was to slip past security. Were the guards that incompetent? Or were they too engrossed with the growing crowd?


    Seeing that he had no other commitments and a desire to be helpful, Tyrus left. Like the others, he slid down the slope. He jumped and landed close to the wall, then started climbing up. Thanks to his experience in climbing, he effortlessly propelled himself upward and successfully cleared the wall without requiring any mana. Just before impact, he tapped into his mana to reduce the impact and smoothly came to a halt near a bakery where people were still present.


    Tyrus''s eyes were immediately drawn to the smoke. It was much darker and thicker up close. Because of the wind, the smoke was blowing toward the outer district. His nose scrunched from the scent, and he covered his mouth with a sleeve.


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    Shortly after, he noticed nearby movement. As he turned his head, he was met with the sight of Sir Wayne and Igneal standing right beside him. He couldn''t help but marvel at how Igneal had managed to join them until he recalled his servant was also an Augmentation Sorcerer¡ªand the fact that Sir Wayne was cradling Igneal in his arms.


    Igneal quickly pushed his way out of his servant''s arms and adjusted his garments, scowling as he mumbled something about embarrassment.


    Tyrus surveyed the area, but Reo and Grant were nowhere to be found. It hadn''t been that long since they split up, and yet they were already forging ahead. Grant''s eagerness to move quickly made sense, but Reo''s sole focus was on discovering the cause of the sudden surge of mana. In hindsight, his plan to approach the origin of the fire and smoke seemed rather dumb.


    "Young Master, I strongly suggest you turn back," said Sir Wayne.


    Igneal ignored his pleas and stood next to Tyrus. "What are you standing around here for? Please continue with this little trip."


    "...You''re curious as well, aren''t you?" Tyrus said. "Why else would you be following us?"


    Igneal shrugged. "I am here solely to be entertained by the actions of fools."


    "Wouldn''t you be one as well since you''re following us fools?"


    "That only applies if I came here unprepared, which I am not. Now, are we done talking here? I can already feel my lungs withering away."


    Tyrus rolled his eyes and began to jog toward the heart of the fire.


    Now, Tyrus wasn''t familiar at all with the inner district. It was his second time here, so everything was very unfamiliar to him. He recognized a few of the streets and shops when the head butler transported them back to the guild, but anything else was out of his memory.


    In this area, the inner district seemed to shrink in size when compared to the expansive outer district, but the roads stood out with their remarkable width, providing a sense of openness. A bustling supply of businesses dominated the landscape, creating a greater gap between the buildings than one would typically expect.


    The stone used in construction had an unexpected sleekness and polish, giving the structures an appearance as if they were intricately carved from pure marble. The sight was visually captivating, truly a sign that nobility truly wandered this region.


    They mostly traveled on the main road, dodging guards that were running all over the place, probably to assist those in need. A lot of the buildings still contained people, which was surprising. Wouldn''t it be the sensible choice to evacuate in a situation like this? What if the fire were to swallow their homes and belongings? Then again, not much of the buildings were crafted from wood, but polished stone instead.


    Dwelling on the inner workings of a nobles mind was a useless endeavor, so Tyrus focused his thoughts on the important things.


    Wait, if the inner district is where nobles frequent daily, then does that mean I''d be helping nobles if one were to be in trouble?


    The thought of assisting nobles, who he despised wholeheartedly, did not sit well with him. On one hand, helping people was the right thing to do, but on the other hand, they were nobles. He still hadn''t forgotten their words back at the interrogation. Sure, not all of them were there or shared the same thoughts, but there were a significant number who believed him to be beneath them. Would his unwillingness to help meant that he was a bad person?


    Tyrus shook away the evil thoughts plaguing his mind and focused his attention ahead. There, he finally spotted Reo crouched on top of a roof, staring at a burning warehouse without so much as coughing from the excess smoke or even sweating.


    Then he noticed the soft glow emanating from Reo, and Tyrus finally understood why. The mana inside Reo was acting as a shield, protecting him from the heat, smoke, and whatever else was in the air. Augmentation did increase the body''s defenses from what he remembered.


    To test that out, Tyrus immediately willed the mana deep inside his heart to circulate around his body. In a few short moments, his breathing steadied and the powerful smell of smoke weakened alongside the heat. He didn''t know exactly how the mana was helping him, but the effects were undeniable.


    Tyrus was about to join Reo on the rooftops and ask him what he would do next, but before he could, another rush of mana appeared out of nowhere. Tyrus immediately felt the source and shifted his gaze toward the sky.


    Amidst the swirling smoke and raging flames, figures appeared. At first, they were blurry and vague, merging with the hazy surroundings. But suddenly, an eerie clarity descended upon them, as if they were being shaped by the very essence of the fire. Gradually, their forms took shape, rising from the inferno like shadows brought to life, their bodies solidifying within the billowing smoke.


    Their spectral forms appeared ethereal, almost otherworldly, comprised of shadowy, ember-like shades that radiated with an intense, fiery brilliance. The elongated shadows stretched out, their slender bodies contorting and undulating as if composed of living smoke, their movements graceful yet eerie.


    Wisps of dark red and orange trailed behind them, reminiscent of the fading embers of a dying fire, leaving faint, luminescent trails in the air. The scene was a visual fascination, accompanied by a faint crackling sound and the lingering scent of burnt wood.


    Their faces, or whatever could be made out of them, were merely hints¡ªa hazy silhouette where eyes and mouths could possibly exist. However, deep within that shadowy abyss, two radiant, fiery orbs gazed upon the warehouse, emitting an ethereal glow. These eyes flickered with an eerie intensity, mirroring the flames that gave them life.


    "What is that?'' Tyrus said, squinting.


    "A spirit in the form of an ember wraith," Igneal replied, surrounded by mana like Sir Wayne.


    The ember wraith lowered itself toward the destruction and raised both its arms. Not long after, the smoke and flames surrounding the warehouse condensed and swirled around its body. The blaze intensified as the spirit began to draw the fire and smoke into itself, absorbing them into its chest. The longer it stayed there, the bigger it grew, while the flames and smoke continued to shrink.


    It didn''t take long for the rest of the flames and smoke to completely disappear, revealing a blackened building missing a chunk of its roof and walls. Dozens of guards wearing surcoats popped up from a nearby street, rushing inside now that the flames were no longer there.


    Tyrus glanced back toward the ember wraith once more, but it vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving nothing behind except lingering smoke and embers.


    "Hmph. It seems following you guys was worth it after all," Igneal said.


    Spirits truly are a special existence that Tyrus would love to learn more about. Not only did they use the elements like a sorcerer would, but they came in a variety of different forms. They were entirely different creatures compared to beasts. Mysterious beings that he could spend a lifetime learning about, especially their origins and why their bodies were made of mana.


    Reo jumped off from a different roof and approached Tyrus. "I was listening to the guards for a bit to find out what happened. Apparently, they have no clue. This warehouse was a storage site for oil and ores. They think an accidental fire happened, but I doubt that. There''s the mana signature and that spirit to think about."


    "Ember wraiths are usually found in places with a high concentration of heat," Igneal said. "They are harmless creatures, and they prefer to live alone. Clearly the ember wraith was summoned by a Conjuration Sorcerer... or maybe a situation similar to what happened underground."


    Reo''s brow furrowed. "That spirit definitely didn''t belong to Scourge. It absorbed all the fire and smoke into its own body and then disappeared. The spirit helped instead of spreading the flames all over the city. I wonder who it belonged to..."


    As if the heavens themselves answered his question, the ground near them rumbled. Tyrus looked down to see cracks forming on the cobblestone road, stretching far and wide. Everyone backed away from the damage just in time as an enormous hole opened up. From the hole, a spirit flew upward, one that looked oddly similar to Meadow, except it was a boy.


    "Finally, freedom!" said a woman''s voice.


    Through the hole, two heads covered in thick soot surfaced, resembling moles emerging from the ground. Tyrus felt his breath catch as Royal Knight Nessa and Fiona tumbled into a heap of dirt, and pebbles their labored breathing filling the air. The spirit came to rest atop Royal Knight Nessa''s head, sprawling out as if he had just sprinted through the entire city.


    "Master¡ªI expect a vault of gemstones by the end of the day..."

 Chapter 127- Selenas Manor

    "Each day now feels like three stacked on top of each other..."


    Tyrus lied flat on a stiff bed, watching a spider scuttle around the ceiling. Chaotic thoughts were the only thing keeping him awake at this point.


    After everything that transpired, his mind was in a fog. It felt like someone had taken a hammer and bashed his skull repeatedly, leaving him feeling battered and broken. Every day, some big event has been occurring, leaving him drained day after day.


    It was revealed that a dark sorcerer orchestrated events in the Wasteful Wetlands alongside Scourge. He learned that the very same dark sorcerer was also a black tiger, controlling Beastfolk to cause nothing but trouble to others. All he remembered was that the enemy wanted to spread corrupted mana, yet the reason for that was unknown.


    What good would spreading corruption do? The only thing corrupted mana did was contaminate and destroy lives. There were no positives, merely downsides meant to make everyone miserable or face a cruel death. If the exam hadn''t occurred in the Wasteful Wetlands, what would''ve happened without Sir Geroth''s intervention? Maybe the Wasteful Wetlands would be referred to as a wasteland instead.


    With a single thought, Tyrus retrieved the artifact catching dust within his ring. He held the orb close to his face, turning it over in his hands as he inspected its sleek surface. He wondered how such a simple looking object could absorb so much corruption with ease.


    Whenever corrupted mana entered his body, it wasn''t easy getting rid of because of how dangerous the consequences were. Yet here he was, holding a risky artifact that took in the very same substance. Tyrus couldn''t help but think back to Igneal''s words about Draknir''s Folly.


    Tyrus shivered at the thought of such a thing happening because of his insistence on keeping it. While giving the artifact to Sir Geroth would be the smart and safe thing to do, something deep inside his consciousness told him to keep it.


    His instincts screamed at him to keep the artifact at all costs. It was almost as if someone else was telling him this was the right decision. A voice in the wind whispering at him to keep it close at all times. If he told someone this, they''d probably think he was crazy.


    "Wait a minute..."


    It was mild, but the orb looked different from usual. In its usual state, it bore a resemblance to pearls, save for the presence of markings on its surface and a slightly greater size. Currently, the color has undergone a subtle darkening, and the markings have become more pronounced and easily discernible. Last time, only a small section beneath it was blackened, but now the entire artifact displayed a change.


    "Did swallowing the corrupted mana change its color? That''s the only reason I can think of at the moment."


    He stared at the orb for what felt like minutes before releasing a sigh and storing it away. If it looked as if the orb was truly about to cause another Draknir''s Folly, he''d give it to Sir Geroth or Selena at a moment''s notice, whether or not that voice liked it. Either it was his instincts warning him not to do so or some sickness he acquired, there was no way would he be responsible for causing a disaster.


    Tyrus shifted his body to the side, gazing out of the window.


    A full moon was out, bathing the city in its pale light. From his view, the streets were quiet, absent of the usual commotion of people going about their day. Most of Valis'' citizens were probably at home, if not walking there, because the night was growing old. The only signs of life he could see were the guards patrolling the area, and even their presence was scarce. The silence and lack of activity was a pleasant change, especially after what happened with Fiona and Royal Knight Nessa.


    After they burst out from that hole made by that earth spirit, matters were immediately taken care of. Once the royal knight and Fiona finished regained some of their energy back, Fiona revealed the events leading up to their appearance.


    What she told everyone at that moment shocked them. It was especially shocking to find out Royal Knight Nessa was a Conjuration Sorcerer and the one responsible for summoning the ember wraith.


    Once they felt a disturbance and realized a rune was the culprit, Royal Knight Nessa sprung to action. She grabbed the earth spirit and shielded Fiona with her body just as the rune activated, releasing a torrent of flames everywhere in the warehouse.


    Apparently, because there were products in the building that fueled the flames and caused an explosion, it only strengthened the runes'' effectiveness. Luckily for them, the fairy saved them in the nick of time by moving them underground and digging a tunnel until they reached the surface. For something of that size to accomplish that much, it was truly impressive. Tyrus didn''t know fairies were capable of much more than he initially thought. It led Tyrus to think about Meadow''s own abilities and if she could do the same as well.


    After Fiona finished recounting their experience, the royal knight stepped in and instructed everyone that Fiona needed to report back to the imperial palace without delay to inform the emperor of what had transpired. Additionally, she commanded Blue Dawn to return, while the guards and Sir Geroth, who was busy assisting those in need, were tasked with cleaning up the aftermath and conducting an investigation. She didn''t specify why when Igneal asked why.


    Fiona herself suggested they forget about the meeting for today and just rest. The others, including Tyrus, agreed, and they left the area together. And instead of climbing over the wall again, they just strolled through the gates, all because of a certain noble. Soon as they saw Igneal, the guards asked them no questions and parted ways as if on reflex. Having Igneal around truly did have its advantages...


    Apart from that, Tyrus spent his time in a tavern near the plaza, simply lounging around and attempting to drift off to sleep. Despite the darkness outside, the voices of intoxicated men could still be heard seeping through the floorboards. The scent of alcohol and cooked meat wafted through a locked door, a tempting combination that would usually make him hungry. However, he had already eaten before going to bed, so he lacked an appetite at that moment.


    His pockets were feeling lighter with each day that passed, and Tyrus knew he''d eventually run out of money. Even worse, he was running out of places to stay. It wouldn''t take long before he''d have to rely on his tent, or maybe even sleep outside. Because of his constant purchase of garments, food, and weapons alongside staying at inns, his purse might be empty in a few more days if he kept this up.


    "I really have to stop losing my weapons and getting my tunic torn up. Maybe I should go back to sleeping outside and hunting for my own food as well. Living in the capital really changed my way of life."


    Tyrus always wanted to buy his own meals and begin sleeping in taverns, but he hadn''t expect his pockets would be drained this fast. He used to have around a hundred and twenty to his name, but now he had little under forty sil to his name. At this point, contracts alone won''t be enough to get him going. He had to think of other avenues to explore and gain money to get a permanent place of his own.


    One method he considered was selling materials acquired from beasts, which accounted for most of his earnings. The number of beasts he could slay was limitless as long as he possessed the strength. While fulfilling contracts took time, battling beasts did not. He could always trade fur, scales, fangs, and any other valuable possessions a beast may possess to earn extra sil. However, determining which ones were worth selling would be the challenging part, and he had to be careful to sell them in their best possible condition.


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    Then an idea hit him: What about that one cavern where he and Meadow fought those rock spiders? Last thing he remembered was there being a tunnel lit up with glowing crystals. There being treasure at the end of the path struck him as unlikely, but if he found anything remotely valuable, then he would sell it and keep the money earned. He''d rather not waste the effort if it was just a dead end, but the possibility of him finding something worthwhile was worth the risk.


    Tyrus pouted. "I should set aside some time to explore it with Meadow. I did promise her we''d continue the hunts once I return. Doing it tomorrow would be nice, but there''s still that matter with Igneal."


    Tyrus still hadn''t forgotten that Igneal had something to show him. The Lockhart reminded him right as they went their separate ways just hours ago. He could just forget all about it and leave for Wildwood tomorrow and make up some excuse for Igneal whenever they meet, but wouldn''t that be kind of rude on his part? There was also the promise that it''d be something useful. He''d be lying if he said he wasn''t curious about what it was.


    Despite the extended wait, a wave of drowsiness eventually washed over Tyrus, coaxing him to close his weary eyes. The bed, though far from fancy, offered a shred of comfort, lacking the comfortability of the imperial palace''s warm blankets. Nonetheless, it was a vast improvement over the harsh reality of sleeping with no support beneath, or shelter above his fatigued body. The feel of the modest bedding, the hum of conversation, the faint scent of staleness lingering in the air, and the feeling of gratitude for this humble respite all mingled together as he drifted off to sleep.


    An ugly dream wormed its way in. In his mind, fleeting images of the deliberation flickered. The nobles'' scornful glances pierced him like icy daggers. The emperor and his regal knights exuded an imposing aura that filled the air. The harsh bite of the shackles pressed into his flesh, a constant reminder of his powerlessness. Every sight, sound, and touch reinforced the unpleasantness of his experience thus far.


    The dream then shifted to something new. There he was, standing on top of a rock spire tall enough to pierce the clouds.


    The air was still, and there was no sign of wind threatening enough to push him aside. In the distance, mountains as far as the eye could see jutted upward from the landscape like the fangs of some gigantic beast, the peaks wreathed in mist.


    The sun hung high in the sky, illuminating everything within its radiance. Below him, Tyrus could make out a city with those same mountains wrapping around it like a protective barrier. It was a city that rivaled the size of Valis itself, maybe even bigger.


    Half of the city was built on flat land, while the rest of the city was built along the mountain slopes. Tyrus could make out one huge waterfall from a mountain descending beside the city, feeding into a vast lake to its right. Around that very lake was a forest with crowns thick enough to block most sunlight, a lush greenery that was a stark contrast to the marble-like buildings in Valis. It was a city that combined both the beauty of nature and man.


    Tyrus couldn''t help but gawk at the marvel. Whoever made the city must''ve put a lot of work and effort into creating such a wonder without sacrificing the environment. It was the first time he had ever seen such a breathtaking sight, a sight that took his breath away.


    But why did it feel like this wasn''t his first time to witness this beautiful sight?


    Then, the beautiful scenery was interrupted when dark clouds rolled in unnaturally fast. Lightning flashed as the clouds grew darker and angrier, casting ominous shadows across the land. Soon, a rainstorm raged; The wind howled as the freezing rain came crashing down.


    Through the powerful gusts and slick rock, Tyrus struggled to maintain his footing. As the storm worsened, the rock under his feet crumbled, and before long, the entire rock formation gave way. He desperately grasped at the slippery stone as his body slid off the side, sending him plummeting down the mountain. As he fell, the ground raced up to meet him, and the last thing Tyrus felt was the sensation of his body smashing into the earth before everything faded to black.


    Tyrus woke in a cold sweat, his head pounding as he gasped for air. The dream had left him feeling utterly drained. A sense of dread gnawed at the back of his mind, leaving him with a sickly feeling in his gut.


    "Another dream that felt real," Tyrus mumbled.


    He flexed his fingers and toes as the dream slowly faded from his mind. Just to be certain, he even pinched himself, feeling the pain as a reassuring sign. It confirmed that he had returned to the real world and was no longer lost in a dream.


    As the last wisps of the memory drifted away, he released a breath and laid back down. He rolled over and stared out the window. Another cloudy day greeted him, and judging by the light, it was probably around early morning. A few birds flew past, chirping cheerfully as they went about their daily routines.


    After lying motionless for a few minutes, Tyrus finally rose and stretched. Bliss rippled through his body as his muscles and joints protested the movement, but the discomfort soon faded.


    "I might as well meet up with Igneal now."


    Once he finished getting ready, Tyrus set off toward the location Igneal wanted to meet up at.


    ***


    "We''re taking a carriage?"


    Igneal scoffed. "Of course we are. Did you honestly expect us to walk the whole way?"


    Tyrus met up with Igneal right in front of the clock tower. Sitting up front were Sir Wayne and another man who Tyrus didn''t recognize. The newcomer dressed in fine garbs, similar to what Wes wore, but a shade of dark red. His eyes were of a dark brown, the same as his hair which was neatly styled. Instead of Sir Wayne at the helm, it was the other who held the reigns.


    Sir Wayne greeted Igneal with a bow and promptly hopped off and opened the carriage door. Igneal stepped into the carriage first, and Tyrus followed, sitting across from the noble.


    "To Aunt Selena''s manor, Yeven."


    "As you wish, Young Master Igneal," said Yeven.


    With the command given, the carriage was pulled forward into a street and riding away from the plaza. Judging by the path, it looked like they were heading toward the gate to enter the inner district.


    "Why are we going to Selena''s place?" Tyrus asked.


    "You''ll see once we get there," Igneal said.


    He didn''t clarify any further, so Tyrus just shrugged and looked out the window. They were already moving down the road leading to the gate, and it was still early in the morning, yet the streets were already busy. It was always surprising how busy the royal capital was from morning to nighttime.


    Mothers, fathers, and children alike were walking around the street, some carrying baskets with their daily necessities, while others simply talked among themselves in alleyways. Occasionally, a horse-drawn carriage or two would pass by, carrying sacks and crates with supplies. Guards were stationed at every street corner, watching and greeting passersby with vigilance.


    The carriage moved in silence, only broken by the sound of hooves clacking against the paved roads. It didn''t take long for them to pass by the first gate and into the other district. There, what used to be swarms of regular folk wearing modest clothes turned into well-dressed men and women in fancy garbs and jewels, and their presence alone seemed to exude a sense of elegance. Tyrus couldn''t help but frown as they passed by them. It must''ve been nice having all the wealth and status the noble families had.


    An hour passed, and they left the area full of shops and stalls and were now in an area where large homes sat close-by. They weren''t manors per say, but were definitely not small enough to be called a house. Maybe about twice the size of the ones in the outer district, and even more extravagent. Most of them were two stories, sometimes three each with their own stables.


    What Tyrus noticed was that the inner district was smaller in size compared to its outer counterpart. Not too much of a surprise considering it was the nobles who lived here. There were probably not that many of them compared to regular folk. He noticed there were about three times more homes in the outer district than the latter, probably because there was a size difference between buildings and the amount of nobility.


    But why would they live so close to each other? Why the capital? Shouldn''t manors be built outside the city or something?


    Tyrus felt like he was missing something but couldn''t think of an answer, so he just shoved his questions away and continued to watch the homes pass by.


    After a while, the carriage turned a street, approaching near the edge of the inner district. At the end of a long street was a manor that was further away from the shops and nobles. It even had its own garden and an iron gate, though half the size of the one in the imperial palace.


    This must be her home, Tyrus thought.


    Its exterior a striking blend of red and black that set it apart from the capitals common colors. Dark ivy crept up the walls of the iron gate, its blackened leaves blending seamlessly with the onyx-colored accents that framed the structure. A cobblestone path, darkened with age and use, wound its way through the courtyard.


    The gate flung open with a groan, and the carriage proceeded inside. Waiting at the front entrance was Fiona, her smile visible even at a distance. This time, she wasn''t wearing her usual garments whenever she was out. She had on a light blue gown that stopped above her knees and sleeves that seemed to go all the way down to her wrists. Her hair was down, just reaching her shoulders. Fiona seemed way different compared to whenever she was at the guild.


    Once the carriage stopped, Igneal rose and turned to Tyrus.


    "Follow me. I''m sure you''ll love what I''m about to show you."

 Chapter 128- Research in a Library

    "I thought Igneal was playing a prank on me, but you actually came!"


    Fiona gave Tyrus a quick hug as soon as he exited the carriage.


    "It gets colder every day and you''re wearing that?" Igneal commented.


    "Quiet down, boy. I can wear whatever I want. It''s way too early for your antics."


    Ignoring Fiona''s comment, Igneal turned to his servants. "We''ll be at the library. Yeven, prepare a meal for three and bring it there. Sir Wayne, you can join us once you''ve put the horses and carriage in the stables."


    "Yes, Young Master," they said together. With a quickness, they departed to conduct their business.


    Fiona arched an eyebrow and said," The library? What could you possibly want to do there?"


    "That is none of your concern. Now run along and leave us alone. I don''t want some pest disturbing us."


    "Yeah, no. I''ve lived here way longer than you have, so this is practically my home you''re living in. I''m sure Aunt Selena would agree you cannot boss anyone around other than Sir Wayne and the servants."


    A scowl appeared on Igneal''s face, but surprisingly enough, he offered no retort. The Lockhart just turned on his heels and began climbing the steps. Tyrus guessed he was leading them toward the library, so he followed along, and so did Fiona. Tyrus didn''t know why Igneal wanted to go there, so he hoped none of this would turn into something stupid.


    Igneal opened the grand double doors leading inside the manor and stepped in. What greeted Tyrus was a massive space with spiral, grand stairs that stretched up to the second floor.


    Other than that, the place was quite barren, to say the least. Compared to the imperial palace that was filled with paintings and furniture, so far the place looked quite plain. A few plants here and there were present, but no vases or other ornaments were visible other than a dangling light source above their heads. What he did like were the dark colors of the walls, as it matched the manor''s outward appearance.


    Tyrus didn''t dwell on the thought and instead followed Igneal up the stairs, who was walking at a brisk pace. Once on the second floor, there were two corridors on opposite ends and a wide door in the middle. Igneal went left and led them down a long hall with a carpet that was soft with each step. Sunshine poured through windows, giving the floor a shiny sheen.


    As they walked, Tyrus looked to Fiona. "Are you okay from yesterday? It looked like you went through a lot yesterday."


    Fiona grinned and proudly flexed an arm. "I feel amazing. When I was at the palace, they gave me this incredible drink that completely rejuvenated my body. And would you believe it tasted just like honey! It''s quite surprising considering the potions I usually drink are quite bitter. The ones they have at the imperial palace are on a whole other level."


    "Yeah, I know what you mean. The food there tasted better than anything I''ve ever had before. They''re unlike the stuff I eat at taverns or prepare myself in the wild. I already miss their beds and looking around the palace."


    "Fair warning, don''t expect that same quality here," Fiona said. "I''m sure you already noticed the lack of furniture and decorations. Aunt Selena isn''t the type to worry about the little things. I mean, it''s not like she''s even here that much, anyway. It''s just me, the servants, and that idiot over there who already he acts like he owns the place."


    Igneal frowned. "If it were up to me, I''d have already furnished this manor that would greatly mirror the splendor of home at Lockhart territory. But Aunt Selena has refused each of my requests, insisting that I ask my sister to make any drastic changes."


    "Well, yeah? I''ve lived here longer than you have, so that grants me more privileges than you. Even an idiot like you should know this."


    "You know, this is the second time you''ve called me an idiot, and I''m beginning to think your vocabulary is severely lacking," Igneal said.


    "Or that no other word suits you better," she retorted.


    And just like that, the two began bickering like two wolves fighting over prey. The only difference was, instead of fighting physically, they fought using words. Not wanting to get between the sibling fight, Tyrus just stayed quiet and looked out the window. A view of residences with arched roofs over the manor gate filled his vision.


    After some time, the two finally stopped arguing, settling with glares and much needed silence. Then, Igneal slowed his stride and stopped in front of a door. Without any ceremony, he opened it and entered. Tyrus slipped quietly into the manor¡¯s library, the door closing behind him with a soft click.


    The room was cozy and intimate. The scent of aged paper and leather was strong, more concentrated in the close quarters. Bookshelves lined the walls, well within reach, filled with neatly arranged books of various colors. A single window above allowed a shaft of light to filter in, casting a warm glow over the room.


    In the center of the space was a simple, round table, its surface polished to a high sheen. A few books were scattered across it, as if someone had left in a hurry. A comfortable armchair, its cushions well-worn from years of use, was positioned nearby, invitingly close to the small hearth where ash and logs remained.


    Tyrus walked to the nearest shelf and inspected his surroundings. He noticed each area was categorized into their own sections. The one before him had the word history, while others were bestiaries, to name a few.


    Curious, Tyrus pulled a hefty book out titled ''The History of the Lethos Empire'' and flipped it open, skimming through its contents. He set the book back into its proper place once he was done and looked at another called ''The Great Lineages.'' His eyes shot up at the title.


    "Hey, Igneal. Are these books what you wanted to show me?"


    Igneal was at the far end of the room, scanning a shelf labeled Lockhart. "I thought it would interest you greatly if you were to learn a thing or two on whatever subject you prefer. You do know how to read, correct?"


    Tyrus frowned. "Of course I can read. What made you think I couldn''t?"


    "Just checking," Igneal said.


    The Lockhart walked over to the hearth. With a swipe of his hand, a spark erupted, igniting the wood inside and creating a small blaze. The fire warmed the air, taking the chill away from the room.


    "During the deliberation, you mentioned you lack memories before your time in Lethos. It seemed like you knew little of Lethos and the Beastfolk Kingdom¡ªyour origins. Worst of all, you''ve never heard of the Lockhart name. So, I had a brilliant idea: what if reading up on the Beastfolk Kingdom could jog your memory?"


    "You thought of that?" Fiona asked, who had already seated herself. "I don''t know whether to be happy that you thought of someone else well-being or concerned that the thought came from a brat like you."


    "You think too less of me," Igneal said, looking directly at Fiona. "Wouldn''t it be logical to think that reading about his roots is beneficial? He might as well learn more about the Great Lineages and why nobles and commoners alike respect them. Us."


    Igneal made a good few points, and Tyrus couldn''t help but give the Lockhart a nod. It wouldn''t hurt to read a book or two about the Beastfolk Kingdom. He used to hate being reminded about anything Beastfolk related, but after everything he went through and the mysteries piling up by the day, seeking answers didn''t seem like a bad idea.


    There were a few things he wanted to read about, which would be anything related to the Beastfolk, artifacts, and magic, if possible. Maybe knowing more about the elements would help him with his affinity and grow stronger.


    Tyrus grabbed the book that interested him so far and sat down at the table. The book was leather-bound, with a black cover that bore the title ''The Great Lineages,'' written in gold lettering. It was also worn down given the faded print and frayed edges, so it must''ve been a few years old or so. Also, the book itself was quite thick, and there was even a section that labeled different chapters of the book.


    The book wasn''t particularly thick, nor was it too small. There were about seven chapters, each one dedicated to what Tyrus assumed were the Surnames of the Great Lineages: Lockhart, Aduna, Crohn, Eldrathus, Drauths, Black Tiger, and Numicht. Only two of these names were recognizable, while the others were complete strangers.


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    These must be surnames if Lockhart is here. I can see why they just put Black Tiger with the others since they lack a surname.


    "While you do some research, I''ll just sit here and read this quietly in the corner."


    Fiona rose from her seat and walked off. Tyrus caught a glimpse of a red cover she tucked in her arm labeled ''Sir Mautry and His Courtesan''. The title confused him, but he shook it off and focused his attention back to his own. As he flipped through the first few pages, he read the first few lines.


    The Great Lineages were more than just families; they represented the very essence of power, embodying a mastery of the elements that surpassed ordinary sorcerers.


    Already the book made it sound like members of the Great Lineages were gods or something. It was a bit exaggerated, but the fact that the Lockharts were powerful was no lie. Though it was a short demonstration of her magic mastery, Tyrus had seen what Selena was capable of. Silent casting a whirlwind of flames that reached great heights was probably not a simple thing to do. And since he had already met Family Head Lockhart, who was more powerful than Selena, then that meant there was some truth to what the book was saying.


    Each lineage, with a history as ancient as the world itself, bore in its bloodline a legacy of sorcery that had profoundly influenced the course of history. Being born into one of these families meant inheriting the extraordinary abilities of the most infamous sorcerers to have ever graced the earth. It was a weighty cloak of power and responsibility that could never be cast aside.


    Tyrus would be lying if he said he wasn''t intrigued by the book''s beginning. As quick as one would snap their fingers, his attention was hooked, and he had a lot of time on his hand. So, wasting no time, Tyrus flipped to the chapter pertaining to the Lockharts''.


    Descendants of the first fire affinity sorcerer to reach the grandmaster stage, whose flames had once set the world ablaze, the Lockhart name is feared and respected in equal measure. Their flames burned hotter and longer than any other, and they were said to be able to conjure firestorms that could consume entire cities. Sorcerer Bolus Lockhart was among the few to claim stake in the Great Lineages.


    Grandmaster stage? The only stages Tyrus knew of were fledgling, apprentice, adept, and advanced. Did that mean the grandmaster stage stood above advanced? This Bolus guy must''ve been unimaginably powerful to reach a stage higher than an Advanced Sorcerer. Tyrus knew that there were many aspects of sorcerers and their rankings that he still knew very little about. He wondered if one of the books he had could provide some clarity on the matter.


    First of his name, Bolus Lockhart and, among others, assisted Emperor Alvis in his glorious conquest to establish an empire that spanned across Dharmere. It was thanks to Bolus Lockhart and Nasha Aduna that they conquered the Northern Mountains, a place inhabited by the snow giants. Amid scorching flames that mirrored a dragon''s fury and icy waters as piercing as steel, the two sorcerers embarked on a relentless onslaught where they slew Hoarfrost, the towering Father of Giants, and his kin.


    Tyrus couldn''t avert his eyes even if he wanted to and continued reading with bated breath.


    Emperor Alvis had gifted these two sorcerers their own territory to command; Nasha Aduna was given the base of the Northern Mountains, while Bolus Lockhart was granted land south of Valier Forest and east of Ironworks. With land rich with lumber and close to major hubs of commerce, Bolus Lockhart established territory swimming in wealth, thus bolstering the Lockhart name.


    Over the years, many family heads made significant contributions to the reputation of the Lockhart name. Following in his father''s footsteps, Flamen, the second of his title, became the first to fully capitalize on the vast Lockhart territory.


    He gathered a group of men in search of employment and put them to work in various lumber mills, open-pit mines, and caves. Under his guidance, these manufacturing facilities produced and exported an abundant supply of wood and iron, which not only benefited the Lockhart family but also bolstered the military power of the empire during the Grand Conquest.


    Tyrus has recently noticed that the topic of the Grand Conquest has been brought up a few times. Whether it was in conversations with Igneal or while reading the book, it became clear to Tyrus that the Grand Conquest was a significant event. Based on the book''s contents, it seemed like the Lockhart family name played a crucial role in the expansion of the Lethos'' empire. Perhaps there was a map in the library that Tyrus could examine to gain a better understanding of the empire''s vastness and maybe surrounding countries. He had a general idea of where the important ones stood thanks to the map Fiona showed him at the guild.


    Tyrus read on about the exploits of each Lockhart Family Head, their accomplishments, and what they did for the Lockhart family. The third family head named Crane was a bit of a wildcard. He was a young sorcerer, brother to Flamen and also the most reckless of the bunch. Instead of building the Lockhart fortune, Crane was more interested in gambling and seeking exotic women¡ªwhatever that meant.


    It wasn''t long before the fourth family head, daughter of the second, overtook her uncle through cunning and ruthlessness, taking Crane''s position as family head and banishing him to some faraway island called the Volcano Isle.


    From that point forward, the Lockhart lineage persisted, eventually leading to its latest successor: Kleine Lockhart, also known as the hat thief. As soon as Tyrus identified the man being mentioned in the book, he grimaced and swiftly turned to the following section that held his anticipation. He harbored no interest in delving into the hat thief''s exploits.


    As he continued to flip through the book, he couldn''t help but notice the sheer number of pages he was going through. After a few moments that seemed to stretch on forever, he finally reached the end of the book. However, what he discovered next took him completely by surprise.


    There weren''t that many pages dedicated to the black tiger family. The darn section only had about two pages worth of information to get through while Lockhart had a whopping sixteen! The difference between the two was astounding. Even worse was that the contents were uncertain, more or less.


    The text discussed the typical details of a family made up entirely of black tigers with a strong lightning affinity. What sets them apart from others is that their family leader is not called a "family head" but rather holds the prestigious title of King of Beastfolk, in accordance with the rules of the kingdom. That meant out of the rest of the Great Lineages, the one that oversees the rest of the family for the black tigers rules an entire kingdom.


    However, apart from that, the rest of the information seemed to show that the writer lacked confidence in their knowledge of the black tiger family history. It was mentioned that the current ruler of the black tigers was King Murus, along with his predecessors. Additionally, there was a brief mention of how the black tigers had earned their place among the Great Lineages, as their strength was said to be comparable to that of the other lineages.


    The other families hesitated initially, but they were afraid of the potential consequences that might''ve occurred. The black tigers would have interpreted it as a sign of disrespect, thus tarnishing the relationship between Lethos and the king. Since Lethos was still growing as an empire, the last thing the emperor would want was to make an enemy of the black tiger family.


    Following that, the details became scarce, providing little to no additional understanding about the black tigers or even Tyrus''s background. The only information provided was the location of the kingdom, the physical appearance of the black tigers, and the fact that the family only chooses the strongest individuals among them. This rule closely resembled the way beasts battled to determine the pack''s leader. Everything that Tyrus already knew.


    He closed the book with a sign and peered upward at the window. The sunlight filtering through had grown dimmer, and the sky outside was painted a shade of orange. Time had gone by quickly, and before he knew it, the sun had begun its descent, and the day was coming to a close.


    Tyrus hadn''t realized it before, but the food had already arrived. At the edge of the table, two plates stacked with steaming-hot dishes were placed side by side. It seemed like the cook had made a dish that consisted of meat and a pile of green leaves topped with some sort of sauce.


    "Oh, I see you''re done reading your book. You should really eat before the food gets cold." Fiona was the first to speak, her voice snapping Tyrus out of his stupor.


    Fiona stood up from her corner, grunting as she did. She stretched her arms high above her head, shuffling over to the table.


    "You look annoyed. Was the book that bad?"


    Tyrus touched his face, feeling his mouth had turned downward. "I mean, it was fine, just not what I was looking for. The stuff in the book about the black tigers is information I already know. The writer knew all about the Lockhart and probably the other families, yet nothing about the black tigers."


    "Maybe the writer just knew nothing about the black tiger family. I heard that the black tigers are the hardest to find out about because they stay within the Beastfolk Kingdom, only leaving when ordered to. Oh, and that they aren''t inclined to tell the world about their personal affairs."


    "I guess that makes sense," Tyrus said. "Anyway, what were you reading?"


    Fiona''s cheeks blushed as she spoke. "This? It''s called Sir Mautry and the Courtesan. It''s a story about a knight who falls in love with a woman that... spreads her love around. However, she doesn''t love him back. Despite this, he tries everything to win her over, even though his peers oppose. It''s a really beautiful story."


    "What a weird book," Igneal said from the same spot. He had a bored look on his face. "What kind of knight would risk their title and respect from peers and friends for someone who doesn''t care? Why would you read something so unrealistic?"


    Fiona snorted. "Like you would understand if I tried to explain it to you. And who says it''s unrealistic? You just haven''t experienced love yet."


    "And you have?" Igneal said with a smirk. He turned to Tyrus. "You''ve been reading for a while now. The sun''s already setting. What will you do now?"


    Tyrus thought about it for a moment. "I''ll stay here and keep reading. The bestiary section looks fun to read about."


    Fiona smiled and said, "Aren''t you the scholar? Well, I won''t stop you from enjoying your time here. I''ll be retreating to my room for the time being. If you need me, ask one of the servants and they''ll take you to me."


    She proceeded with a step forward, but then paused and glanced back. "Oh, and before I depart, just remember: disregard the words of those arrogant nobles. They''re an ignorant lot. Regardless of being Beastfolk or not, you will forever remain Tyrus to us; a cherished friend embraced wholeheartedly. I''m sure Grant and Reo said something similar."


    Tyrus could feel the corners of his mouth lift. "Thank you, Fiona."


    She nodded and walked off, exiting the room and shutting the door behind her.


    Tyrus was genuinely grateful to have people like Fiona, Grant, and Reo in his life. Who knows what could have happened if they hadn''t embraced him wholeheartedly? Perhaps he would still be residing in Valier Forest, secluded from others as he honed his physical and magical abilities.


    Well, he still dedicates himself to that, but now he doesn''t feel the pangs of loneliness, knowing that there are people out there who genuinely care for him. This realization only fuels his determination to become stronger, not just for his own sake, but for the sake of those who have shown him such kindness.


    "You have a creepy look on your face," Igneal pointed out. "Also, eat what the servants have prepared. It''s considered rude in Lockhart territory to let ingredients go to waste."


    Tyrus gave him a curt nod and ate a lukewarm strip of meat as he reached for another book.

 Chapter 129- Research in a Library (2)

    Time passed by at an absurdly fast pace over at Selena''s manor. Tyrus spent most of his time cooped up in the library, reading whatever piqued his curiosity.


    Though his investigation related to the black tigers ended abruptly because of a lack of information, he didn''t let that mishap dampen his mood. Instead, he redirected his attention to absorbing whatever information that could prove useful to him, like the bestiary.


    The bestiary was the second thing he searched, which contained more useful information than the book about the Great Lineages. What was great about the bestiary was that whoever wrote the book did a great job of categorizing different creatures. There were spirits, regular beasts, magical beasts, and an unfamiliar section about mythical creatures.


    Apparently, the writer noted beforehand that most information was mere speculation, as these creatures were only rumored to exist. Few have seen, let alone knew, that these beings truly existed, so the author took the liberty of adding opinions alongside supposed first-hand accounts. The most common mythical creatures were phoenixes and hydras.


    In each category, everything was classified in great detail, and each creature took up an entire page, so the book was a bit heavy. Every beast had a rough sketch of their appearance, and with those sketches came a description of physical appearances, weaknesses, and danger level. If creatures able to manipulate elements were being read, then abilities are added to the list.


    As an illustration, a lesser hound had a low danger level and lacked any special abilities. They were slightly larger than adult men and carried more weight. Their fur came in various shades of black, gray, or white, but what remained consistent were their striking red eyes. In terms of their characteristics, they were considered the weakest among canine-related creatures and could be trained for hunting. Apart from that, they typically traveled in packs and exhibited behaviors similar to those of regular wolves.


    That was basically the type of information the bestiary contained, and Tyrus had been reading all about the different types of creatures he had already come across, just for future reference.


    The rock spider was deemed a magical creature, not due to its ability to use magic like spirits, but because of its stone-like shell and potential of a mana core.


    An interesting fact mentioned in the book was that certain spider species possess specialized glands that produce a sticky substance, allowing them to attach minerals to their bodies. This unique ability was only present in these adult spiders, as it requires time for the minerals to harden and become integrated into the spider''s protective armor.


    Reading the bestiary was a fun experience. There were fish capable of swimming in flames as if it were water, snakes capable of spitting out poisonous fluids, and some weird animal able to take the form of whoever they kill, luring in more victims. Tyrus wouldn''t want to be on the receiving end of such a monster.


    These creatures captivated his attention, so much so that he hadn''t noticed the silver-ring light emanating through the window and onto the table. Tyrus looked up to see the starry-night grace his eyes, along with a half-moon shining brightly.


    He rubbed his eyes and said, "It''s that late? Time flies when you''re having fun, huh?"


    Tyrus glanced around the room; everyone else had already left, leaving him the only person there.


    He stood up from his seat, stretching his arms and legs as he did. While the chair was comfortable, sitting in one spot for so long did a number on his body. It was also uncomfortable for his tail as well, since it wasn''t able to move much. He''d have to give it a good massage afterward.


    After a couple more stretches, someone knocked on the library door. In came Fiona, a wisp of amber floating near her head like some sort of night light.


    "Hey, you still here?" she asked, walking up to him.


    "I was about to leave," Tyrus said. "Do you need something?"


    Fiona rested her hand on her hip and gazed intently. "Are you considering leaving this place? It''s getting late, and the outer district is quite a long walk away. Why don''t you stay here for the night? I''ve already requested a servant to prepare a bath and a room for you."


    Tyrus saw no point in denying the offer. After all, he had no idea how to get back home from where he was. He wasn''t mentally jotting down a route back when Igneal and the others were escorting him here. Also, even if he was, he wasn''t particularly keen on walking a long distance back to an inn.


    "Thank you. I''ll stay here, then."


    She beamed and said, "Great! I''ll take you to your room. It''s already late, and I''m sure you''re tired from reading all day."


    And with that, she spun on her heels and exited the library, and Tyrus followed, the library doors shutting behind him.


    The manor, though already quiet when he walked in, was eerily more silent than usual. No nocturnal birds to be heard, no creaks of the wooden floors, or the sound of wind blowing against the glass windows. The only things present were the sounds of their footsteps and a silver shine coming from the moon and stars.


    Suddenly, Fiona gasped. "Oh, right! I have to give you the rewards we got from the contract and Captain Kalavan. Can''t believe I let it slip my mind."


    Tyrus''s ears perked up. "What was the reward?"


    A smirk stretched across her face. "We got lucky, or would it be unlucky? Well, that doesn''t matter. What matters is that since the contract was more complex and took longer than usual, the rewards got beefed up! That means it went from a low-ranked contract to a medium-ranked contract, and a good one, to boot. To put it simply, the rewards given reflect the jobs difficulty. And for the sewer job, we''ll be given is 125 sil, plus another hundred from the captain. I don''t know whether to thank Scourge or curse them to death!"


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Once they turned a corner, Tyrus did the math on his fingers, and his eyes nearly popped out of its sockets. "T-That''s 225 sil..."


    "I know! And once we split it five ways, it''ll be forty-five sil for each person. You can buy fifteen meals with that. I thought of leaving Igneal out of the share since he''s rich, but he risked his life alongside us. I might hate my brother, but I''m not some heartless human that''ll spit on his effort."


    "It''s never too late to change your mind," he said jokingly.


    Fiona giggled. "I didn''t know you had a sense of humor, Tyrus. Usually you''re so quiet and serious."


    "Is that a bad thing?"


    "No, it doesn''t mean anything bad. It simply means that you''re starting to feel more at ease with me, and I''m thrilled about that. I never want you to feel alone or like you don''t belong with us. No one should ever be treated that way. It really messes with their mind and can have serious consequences. It makes you lose confidence and everything feels gloomy and hopeless, like being stuck in a dark well, waiting until someone pulls you out."


    "That''s a... weird view," Tyrus said.


    He glanced up to see a miserable look on her face, as if she were lost in her memories. A face so sorrowful it looked like it''d crack at any moment. It was the same expression he''d seen when she spoke a bit about her childhood.


    Tyrus opened his mouth, mustering up the courage to ask what was troubling her until the faint sounds of metal clanking against each other could be heard. He halted his steps, focusing on the sound and attempting to determine where it came from.


    The clanking didn''t come from far away, as Tyrus could tell the source of the sound was somewhere in the manor, or perhaps outside these walls.


    "Sounds like Igneal and Sir Wayne are at it again," Fiona grumbled. "Ever since they arrived, Sir Wayne and Igneal would spar every morning and night behind the manor."


    "Spar? As in with swords?" Tyrus asked.


    "You sound interested. Do you want to watch?"


    It didn''t take even a second for Tyrus to nod his head furiously. Fiona chuckled and began traveling again, guiding him to the manor''s backside. It wasn''t that far a walk, given that their conversation allowed time to fly by.


    They came across the back of the manor, where a manicured garden awaited. Within this area, Igneal and Sir Wayne were engaged in a full-blown battle in the middle, swinging swords and dodging one another''s attacks on top of a spacious platform of stone.


    A bead of sweat on Igneal''s face glistened under the light, his arms tense as he exerted their maximum effort. Despite Igneal''s short stature, his attacks were quick, and Sir Wayne, who was taller and stronger, seemed to be even faster and more precise. The knight''s face was calm, and not a drop of sweat was visible on his body.


    After being pushed back by a one-handed strike from Sir Wayne, Igneal quickly recovered and inched forward slowly, wiping grime off his face with the back of his free arm. Like a cornered predator, his eyes flashed with an instinctive ferocity. Tyrus watched closely, his gaze fixed on Igneal, observing every movement and detail he could catch.


    Is it okay for them to be using real swords?


    Sir Wayne swung his sword at Igneal, who allowed the blade to sail past his chest and into empty air. With the opening in Sir Wayne''s stance, Igneal slashed upward at his torso, aiming at the abdomen, but the attack was easily evaded when the knight stepped back. Almost immediately, Sir Wayne''s sword came sailing back toward Igneal''s shoulder, forcing the latter to leap back to avoid the blow.


    "Your movement is as sharp as ever," Sir Wayne praised. "It''s rare for someone your age to be this adept at swordsmanship."


    Igneal scowled. "It''s not enough. My brother defeated a knight in a bout when he was sixteen of age. To become the family head, I have to be better than him. As things are now, it''ll be Elwin that''ll succeed my father."


    "Young Master Elwin truly has remarkable talent, and I have witnessed his abilities firsthand. However, the one thing that sets you apart is your unwavering commitment and work ethic. Ever since you began wielding a sword, you have trained diligently every single day without fail. And the results are undeniable. Look at you now, sparring with a knight and holding your own. With your determination, it won''t be long before your skills surpass those of Family Head Lockhart."


    Igneal stood up straighter, the fatigue that had been weighing his body down vanishing as he smirked. "Before I reach those heights, I must first beat those that stand before him, including you, Sir Wayne. Isn''t it about time you fight me using augmentation?"


    "In time, Young Master Igneal. You should first focus on defeating me without mana tomorrow. Our spar will have to end a bit early."


    Once confirming their fight has ended, Fiona and Tyrus strode down the small steps that led to the platform and stood in front of the two fighters.


    "You two look like you''re having fun," Fiona said. She took a quick whiff and pinched her nose. "And you smell worse than a pig wallowing in their own filth. Take a bath for our sake, alright?"


    "What an untasteful lie," Igneal said. "What are you two doing here? Has my skills captivated you so much that you decided to watch from the sidelines?"


    "Tyrus was just curious about what you two were up to and wanted to see for himself."


    Igneal locked eyes with Tyrus and gave a nod of acknowledgement. "I understand that my abilities have caught your interest, and I''m not opposed to having an audience. However, you''ve arrived too late. Our session here has concluded. If you''d like, feel free to return tomorrow and witness a Lockhart at the peak of his prowess. Or¡ª"


    With a smile, Igneal walked over to Sir Wayne and grabbed the sword out of his hands. He turned and shuffled over to Tyrus, handing him the heavy blade with an expectant gaze. "How about taking over and fighting me instead? Think of it as us honing our skills, more so for your benefit."


    Without hesitation, Fiona blocked Tyrus body with an arm. "Absolutely not. I''ll only permit wooden swords. It''s far too early for Tyrus to train with real ones."


    "Why do you coddle Tyrus as if he were some lamb? He is no stranger to using a sword, and with his natural ability, he won''t sustain serious injuries. A scratch or two can be healed with minor light magic."


    "You''re right, but I still won''t allow him to risk hurting himself. If you''re his friend as you say, then you won''t purposely send him in harm''s way."


    Tyrus sensed another argument brewing between siblings coming, so he stepped forward. "I''ll spar with you, but I won''t use actual swords. I don''t trust myself yet to control my body when using a sword, so I''ll settle for wooden ones. Also, can we start tomorrow? My eyes are feeling heavy from all the reading."


    Igneal shrugged, saying, "Well, as long as you''re on board, I''m fine with it. Let''s meet right here tomorrow before lunchtime. Sir Wayne, will you be overseeing the spar again, I presume?"


    Sir Wayne gracefully bowed, assuring Young Master Igneal, "I will handle this effortlessly. If there are any adjustments needed, I will promptly bring them to your attention."


    The knight gave Tyrus a side-eye while he rose from his bow. Their eyes locked for a moment, but Sir Wayne looked away immediately. "Now, if you will excuse me, I will take my leave. Good night, young master."


    As the knight sauntered away from the group, Igneal took a step forward and patted Tyrus on the shoulder. "I''m looking forward to our rematch, Tyrus. Only this time, we are both prohibited from using our affinities. Don''t worry though, I''ll make sure to not go easy on you last time."


    With those ominous words hanging in the air, Igneal went his separate way and entered the manor, leaving Tyrus and Fiona alone.


    "Don''t let his words sting, Tyrus. You already know Igneal is a cocky brat and loves to hear himself talk."


    Tyrus wasn''t the least bit concerned; in fact, he was growing increasingly excited about tomorrow. He had always yearned to enhance his swordsmanship skills, and now another opportunity had emerged. The prospect of practicing with people like Grant and his strong father appeared quite intimidating. It would be smart to begin with something more manageable and glean whatever knowledge he could from Igneal. After all, any learning experience, regardless of its amount, was valuable.


    All he needed to worry about was avoiding any lasting damage. There was still that cave he needed to explore over at Wildwood.

 Chapter 130- Brutal Sessions

    Tyrus fidgeted where he stood, clutching a practice sword in his shivering hands.


    A biting wind nipped at his exposed face. A puff of white mist, which was carried away in the breeze, accompanied every breath he let out. In the middle of the stone platform, Igneal stood nearby, a practice sword resting on his arm. Sir Wayne stood between the two, seemingly unbothered by the cold.


    "Don''t get cold feet now, Tyrus. I''ve been looking forward to our rematch for a while now."


    "I''m not afraid," Tyrus said, trying his best to stop his trembling hands. "Just a little cold."


    "Aren''t you a black tiger? The cold shouldn''t be a problem for you."


    "I''m not a fully black tiger. Remember, I''m a Demi-human. Plus, I don''t have fur all over my body for protection from the¡ª"


    "Yeah, yeah, I get it," Igneal interrupted. He yawned and rubbed his chin. "Let''s get this sparring session started already. We''ll be using the same rules as last time, but this time with another rule added. No using magic or mana, only our physical abilities."


    "That''s fine with me," Tyrus said, though slightly disappointed. His enchanted coat offered some resistance against the grueling winds, but it gave him an unfair advantage.


    With a heavy heart, Tyrus shed his coat and stored it inside his ring, letting the icy-cold winds wrap around his body. A fresh wave of chills swept through his body, but he endured it.


    Sir Wayne cleared his throat, his voice booming. "May the sparring session begin!"


    Igneal dashed forward without hesitation, his sword held high. Tyrus, who was caught off guard by Igneal''s sudden attack, barely managed to raise his sword in time to block. The impact of the blow forced Tyrus to step back. However, by the time Tyrus received the blow head on, Igneal was already two steps ahead.


    Pain flared into his body as Igneal kicked him square in the gut, sending him falling onto his back. The air in his lungs rushed out in a gust, leaving him gasping for air as he struggled to stand back up.


    "I told you I wouldn''t go easy on you," Igneal said. "Underestimating you was a mistake I have learned from. We might be part of the Great Lineages, but I cannot allow myself to be beaten so easily by someone younger than me."


    Tyrus glared daggers at the noble. "I never expected you to go easy on me. I can''t get better if you do. Besides, you should be the one worried, not me."


    "I guess you have a point," Igneal replied, watching Tyrus get into a stance. "You are a Demi-human, especially one born from the Great Lineages. Your strength and reflexes are better than mine, I''ll grant you that."


    "Wow, thanks for the compliment," Tyrus grumbled.


    Since they were only fighting with swords, nothing else, Tyrus was at a severe disadvantage. Obviously, Igneal was more skilled than he was, so he probably knew all the in''s and outs of taking advantage of an inexperienced fighter. He was fighting Sir Wayne, a knight, one-on-one, and held his own. Expecting to beat Igneal again would be a dumb idea.


    But that kind of mentality was how weaklings think, and Tyrus wanted nothing to do with them.


    With a grunt, Tyrus shot forward, closing the gap between them. Igneal shifted his feet and leveled his sword. Tyrus swung his sword in a vertical motion, mimicking Igneal''s movements. A flash of surprise appeared on the Lockhart''s face, and instead of blocking, he sidestepped the incoming blade.


    Igneal slashed low, striking Tyrus right on his left thigh. He yelped and instinctively covered reached down to cover the wounded area. He realized too late his mistake and caught a swift strike to his right arm. Another shot of pain raced along his body, and his weapon clattered to the ground.


    "Ow!" Tyrus cried, rubbing his wound. He could already feel bruises forming.


    "You are full of openings," Igneal remarked. "And you dropped your weapon from a bit of pain. I was taught to never drop your weapon. What''s the point of having it in the first place if you drop it the moment you receive a blow?"


    Sir Wayne nodded. "You are right, young master. The Demi-human is too focused on the offensive, subjecting him to a series of counterattacks. His attacks are predictable, and his movements are not as smooth as his opponent''s. His stance and grip are also not firm enough, making him susceptible to being disarmed. He should divert more of his attention to your movements."


    Tyrus remained silent while he flexed his hand, quickly retrieving the weapon that had been dropped. He took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and tightened his grip on his sword.


    In this instance, he made the decision to adopt a more measured approach, avoiding any unnecessary aggressiveness. He knew that if he focused too much on attacking, he would have to lower his intensity and concentrate on minimizing vulnerabilities. Despite not being real, these swords still hurt a lot, and that pain increased in the cold. Walking around with lumps the size of melons would make him look stupid.


    This time around, Tyrus didn''t charge. Instead, he kept his distance and observed his opponent. Igneal happily obliged in attacking first. He dashed forward with a quick stab aimed at the abdomen. Tyrus swatted it away with his sword, but his opponent quickly retracted and countered with a slash to the shoulder. Tyrus jumped away from the swing and got into a defensive stance again.


    "Now you''re using your head," Igneal said.


    Igneal swung his sword in a circular motion, resembling a wheel, as he cautiously advanced. When he reached a close enough distance, he launched an overhead slash. However, Tyrus expected the attack and positioned himself to block it, only to be taken aback by Igneal''s smirk. In a sudden twist, Igneal pulled back at the last moment, redirecting his strike and piercing Tyrus directly in the stomach. Despite emitting a groan, Tyrus mustered the strength to weakly swing his sword at Igneal. The movement was sluggish, allowing Lockhart to effortlessly evade it.


    Darn, I thought I had him there!


    "I didn''t expect you to counterattack as soon as you were hit. If this were a real fight, you''d be bleeding out¡ªor dead."


    Once the pain passed, Tyrus shook his head. "No, I would have augmentation and my coat protecting me."


    Igneal rolled his eyes. "Your enchanted coat only has a few uses, and you don''t have unlimited mana coursing through your mana heart. An Augmentation Sorcerer''s defenses can be pierced. Whether it be from a fist or sword coated with mana, or even a spell capable of sapping their strength. There are so many ways to counter the augmentation ability as long as you have a brain."


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Tyrus contemplated his words and said, "Are you telling me to not get too comfortable with augmentation?"


    "I''m glad you aren''t stupid," Igneal muttered. "Now, stop talking and start moving your feet."


    They faced each other, the wind howling in their ears as it blew around them, sending a fresh cold draft to dull their senses. It was weird how Igneal wasn''t shivering from the cold now that Tyrus thought about bit. Maybe all this movement helped keep the cold at bay.


    Throughout continuous breaks and hours, their sparring session lasted from morning to late afternoon. The sun had already passed its peak and was dipping its rays below the horizon.


    Tyrus was covered in sweat and bruises, his breathing shallow. His muscles screamed for relief as he lay slumped over the platform''s edge, trying his best to keep his eyes open. Every breath sent white-hot pangs that raced along his chest, making it impossible for him to get a full breath.


    Meanwhile, Sir Wayne and Igneal stood next to him, breathing heavily as sweat dripped onto the platform.


    "I''ve worked up a sweat fighting you," Igneal said cheerfully. "We''ll be doing the same thing tomorrow, same time, same rules. Right now, a bath and a meal await."


    With an irritatingly wide smile stretched across his face, Igneal left Tyrus in his wake and made his way towards the grand manor. Sir Wayne hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze shifting towards Tyrus.


    "You may have your uses, Demi-human," he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of condescension. "Remember where you stand."


    Tyrus, exhausted, couldn''t summon the strength to deliver a sharp retort. Instead, he weakly waved the knight away, watching as he departed. As his breathing steadied, Tyrus felt a tingling sensation in his hand, hovering over a knot. With focused determination, he began the soothing incantation of Healing Touch, the faint hum of magic filling the air.


    ***


    try to land a blow."


    , Tyrus thought.


    That makes sense. He probably wanted to answer some questions that his people had. It was a pretty big fire, and it sounded like it wasn''t all that common.

 Chapter 131- Brutal Sessions (2)

    The manor''s dining area was located on the first floor, and it had a great view of the garden out back. Other than that, the dining area itself had little to take note aside from its large space. It had the usual furniture a place built to dine in had: a long table and chairs on each end. However, the size and the number of these pieces made the room feel empty and lonely.


    Fiona''s aunt must really hate decorating.


    Tyrus didn''t care all that much and had already stuffed two plates'' worth of food down this gullet. The food smelled and tasted fantastic, a great blend of spices and herbs that brought a satisfying flavor to Tyrus''s mouth. While the food at the imperial palace was leagues better, eating food as good as this was something he wouldn''t take for granted.


    Tyrus''s eyes were drawn to a tray of delectable sweets, their vibrant colors beckoning to him. With anticipation, he reached out and selected one that appeared thin and pale-yellow. As he took a bite, a symphony of fruity flavors exploded on his tongue, filling his mouth with a delightful sweetness.


    The sensation was so delightful that he couldn''t resist finishing the dessert in a single bite. However, his indulgence was interrupted when he noticed Fiona''s gaze fixed upon him, a sly smile slowly forming on her lips. Feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment, Tyrus hastily adjusted himself in his seat, clearing his throat before sheepishly uttering, "Sorry."


    Fiona smiled. "Don''t apologize. It''s cute to see you wolfing down the food. Just don''t eat too much or you''ll upset your stomach."


    "Get on with the speech already," Igneal said from the head seat.


    "You just had to ruin the moment," said Fiona. "Anyway, His Majesty didn''t spend too much time talking, so I''ll summarize his words."


    She cleared her throat, and, in her best impersonation of the emperor, said, "Dear citizens of the Lethos Empire. It is with a heavy heart that I say that the tragedy that befell us has come to pass. As most of you know, a warehouse containing ores and oil caught fire yesterday. There were a few casualties. Yet by the grace of Sthito, we are fortunate that no more lives were lost. And thanks to those that serve to protect us, everyone was evacuated safely, and the fire was extinguished by none of than Royal Knight Nessa."


    Fiona took a breath and continued her terrible impersonation. Tyrus listened closely as while stuffed his mouth with the sweet treats.


    "We are currently investigating the cause of the fire, but we suspect a crate of oil and ores were improperly stored, and a worker decided to light a cigar, unknowingly dropping embers near that crate. Because such a tragedy has happened because of negligence, safety checks of businesses will be conducted every fourteen days."


    "That''s it?" asked Igneal.


    "Well, yeah," Fiona said. "What did you expect, a grand speech about how he''s going to personally find the culprit and make them pay? I did say I was summarizing. The rest of the speech was just talking about the glory of the Lethos Empire and all that, but that''s not what I want to focus on. His Majesty lied about the cause of the fire; It was all Scourge''s doing."


    Tyrus nearly choked and pounded his chest. "S-Scourge again? Why is it always those guys that are causing trouble?"


    "I don''t know," she said. "That rune you guys felt earlier was created by a Conjuration Sorcerer in their ranks. Or at least affiliated with Scourge in some way."


    "Adding to that," Igneal interjected, "other sorcerers won''t easily buy into the emperor''s words. They too would have sensed the power emanating from the rune. It''s dumb to think that a mere cigar could trigger that big a fire. Undoubtedly, there will be people who uncover the truth behind the emperor''s words."


    Fiona shook her head. "No, I do not believe that is the case. I might be grasping at straws here, but His Majesty purposely withheld information about Scourge. He mentioned Nessa was responsible for getting rid of the flames. I think he expects sorcerers who felt the rune''s power believe it was her instead, resulting from summoning that spirit and not some organization no one has heard of before."


    "Does that mean he doesn''t want everyone to know about Scourge?" Tyrus said.


    "Most likely to minimize panic among the general public," responded Igneal. "If the commoners knew that an organized group was responsible, rather than a mere careless accident, they would soil their undergarments. Before they know it, they would start worrying whether their homes or businesses would be the next targets."


    "Oh, that makes sense. I''d be looking all over my home, scared for my life, knowing Scourge has the guts to cause trouble in the royal capital."


    Fiona stood up from her seat, frowning. "Let''s keep this information to ourselves for the time being. We, His Majesty, and the royal guards are aware of Scourge''s existence. If they want to keep them a secret, then so be it. I don''t want a bunch of guards barging into the manor to send me to some nasty old cellar. Soon, I expect Grant''s father or Nessa to tell us to keep it a secret."


    Igneal scoffed. "Or wipe our minds."


    Tyrus shivered. "C-Can they do that? I don''t want my memories to disappear again..."


    "Don''t listen to him, Tyrus. As far as I''m aware, only those with a dark affinity can do that, and you know how that goes."


    Better to be safe than sorry, Tyrus thought.


    Already have lost his memories from long ago, it was frustrating living with the realization that precious memories were hidden from him. Locked away in the deepest pits of his brain, unable to dig it out because something was prohibiting him from accessing them. Of course, he already knew the reason: Wanderer, the woman responsible for sealing his memories.


    "Tyrus?" Fiona called out. "You look a little pale. Is everything okay?"


    He blinked. "No, I''m fine. My mind just wandered off for a bit."


    "Okay, just making sure. I''ll be in my room studying if you need me for anything." She flashed a smile and a wave as she exited the dining area. Tyrus could hear her footsteps receding until her presence disappeared entirely.


    Tyrus stood up from his seat and walk toward the door. "I''ll be in the library reading."


    Igneal shrugged and said, "Sure, go ahead. Just make sure you don''t oversleep in that place and end up missing our spar. I really dislike it when my time is wasted."


    Tyrus reassured him with a nod and left, making his way toward the library. After a bit of walking and turning the wrong corners, he finally arrived and immediately went to pick out a few books regarding magic. The first few ones were The Foundations of Magic and The Foundations of Spell-casting, and the last one titled History of Sorcery.


    After grabbing the items, he settled himself at the table and placed them neatly beside an open book depicting an ember wraith. Tyrus had intentionally left the book open to that particular page the night before, ensuring he could easily resume reading without delay.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    When the sparring sessions end, he would take a bath, eat, and then make his way to the library for his nightly reading sessions. It was during this quiet time that he found peace, a welcome respite from pain and frustration. Not only that, but it was also a joy he could finally spend time learning and not fighting for survival.


    I''ll try to finish these books first before reading anything else.


    His gaze wandered across the page. He traced the detailed drawing, admiring the intricate details that made the depictions of creatures come alive with a smile on his face.


    Time passed in a flash, and the room grew dark enough where the books themselves became difficult to read. Tyrus repressed a yawn and sluggishly rose from his seat, his body tensing as his muscles awoke from sitting. After a quick stretch, he headed for his room, casting Illumination to navigate the dark halls.


    ****


    The third day of sparring with Igneal was a bit different from the others. The severity of the beatings was still harsh, but the amount of blows he received was fewer and he could actually put up a bit of a fight.


    About ten minutes into their fight, Igneal''s knees sunk slightly while his hand clenched. In that split second of noticing, Igneal lunged the practice sword forward.


    "Oh?"


    Tyrus parried the strike rather awkwardly, yet took that chance to counterattack and lunged for his opponents chest. However, Igneal saw it coming and ducked his body. With his free hand, Igneal swatted Tyrus'' sword arm away and drove his own sword toward Tyrus. Thankfully, he stopped just before the weapon could touch him.


    Igneal backed away slowly and got into a fighting stance. "Finally noticing your opponent''s movements? Took you long enough."


    Tyrus said nothing and got into his own stance, albeit more confidently. It was for a moment, but Tyrus finally recognized an opening in his opponent''s attacks. Whenever Igneal went for a stab, his knees would sink, probably to increase his power and speed. He''d have to keep a closer eye on his legs without sacrificing too much attention to his other limbs.


    The spar continued, and the two traded swings with Tyrus mostly on the receiving end, but it was a lot more bearable than the previous times. Avoiding Igneal''s quick stabs was getting easier to track and avoid. Every time that happened, the fire in Tyrus''s chest grew ever so slightly.


    There were still moves in his opponent''s arsenal that Tyrus was trying to understand and anticipate. Igneal''s footwork was amazing and would occasionally throw him off whenever he went for fake strikes. But Tyrus refused to give up. He kept on fighting until his strength was spent, his lungs gasping for air, his body drenched in sweat, and his muscles burning with exhaustion. While had yet to land a solid hit, he could finally see his progress coming to light.


    When the spar ended, Igneal and Tyrus broke away to do their usual activities afterward. A good shower and meal later, Tyrus was already inside the library, reading until his eyesight blurred and words were no longer on the page.


    Illustrations of swamp imps and goblins shifted all around. Creatures with wings as long as a ships sail, and treants whose appearance and traits adapt to the seasons. A grotesque plant that burrows within a living-creature''s blood and grows in size as their health is drained until they were nothing more than dried husks.


    His mind wandered through the pages, learning the basics of these creatures and their weaknesses. The knowledge he had gained would surely come in handy in the future.


    On the fourth day, Tyrus noted that the sparring sessions were gradually becoming easier. His body was adapting to the constant exertion, and he noticed an improvement in his reflexes. Although still at a basic level, he was now able to partially keep up with Igneal''s graceful swordsmanship.


    Tyrus was in awe of how Igneal had the stamina to keep up with him, a person who lived in the wild and hunted animals for as long as he could remember. Igneal appeared as the indoor type, wasting away in his manor and refusing any long form of exercise.


    His swordsmanship warned the opposite, and the noble was in great shape. While at the Wasteful Wetlands, he did not show such energy, but it was worth mentioning that they were consistently on the move.


    The amount of times Igneal knocked him down lessened as Tyrus was instructed to maintain his balance while moving, not from Igneal, but Sir Wayne.


    In his usual sneering tone, he told Tyrus that a solid stance was a must for a fighter, especially for someone who was using a sword. A weak stance lead to holes in a person''s defenses and a gateway to learning bad habits; separated feet to accommodate a medium-sized bowl, knees slightly bent, and toes facing straight ahead was what Sir Wayne advised.


    Sir Wayne''s words were correct, and Tyrus could see why. Even a slight slip in the stance would lead him to lose his balance, and when it did, Igneal would pounce on him like a wolf. A quick thrust from his opponent would send Tyrus reeling and tumbling onto the floor, but he would get up rather quickly and defend the next strike. Igneal never hesitated; as soon as he saw the slightest of openings, he''d go straight for the kill.


    On the fifth and sixth day, Tyrus exerted himself more on the offense. He would unleash quick strikes without getting too close to Igneal. They were all deflected with ease, but the noble was impressed by his efforts, so much so that his attacks became more aggressive.


    Those two days were filled with excruciatingly brutal sessions that left him battered and sore. Despite using Healing Touch to mend his wounds, he still felt the lingering ache in the areas he had been struck, causing him to groan and toss restlessly during sleep. On the bright side, as Igneal''s strikes grew more forceful, Tyrus no longer flinched at every blow. Gradually, he began deciphering Igneal''s body language, anticipating his attacks with each passing moment.


    An entire week had passed, and Tyrus was getting the hang of swordsmanship. He was getting more confident in defending against Igneal''s strikes and beginning to initiate counterattacks more often. If Igneal went for a thrust, Tyrus would back away, leaving Igneal vulnerable for a counterstrike. But Igneal was quick on his feet and would pull back before Tyrus could attack, and would go on the offensive again.


    During one particular session, Tyrus noticed Igneal was using feints more often. The noble had been using them a couple of times, but never to this extent. He''d make a swing and then abruptly stop just short of Tyrus''s neck, or go for a thrust and pull back immediately. Tyrus saw through most of them and waited for the actual strike, but then Igneal would go for another feint and land hardened blows. He''d have to get used to Igneal''s tactics and predict his next move.


    The days rushed past in a haze as the biting cold of the weather crept closer. It wasn''t winter yet, but the snowfall would start coming any day now. Already, the manor was starting to get a bit chilly, and Tyrus had to wear his coat into its longer form while lighting a fire inside the fireplace at the library.


    Every day, his schedule was jam-packed, with morning to midday sparring sessions, followed by intense studying until it was time to rest. Rinse and repeat. Although it was a repetitive routine, he found it incredibly enjoyable. It wasn''t until now that he fully realized how much he had missed training. The excitement and exhilaration it brought made his blood surge with renewed energy.


    On the fifteenth day, something interesting had happened. The sparring session went along as usual, with Igneal winning all their interactions.


    Tyrus was in a defensive stance, his eyes straining as he watched Igneal move closer with a determined look. Then, as the noble moved, Tyrus''s instincts suddenly flared. Igneal lunged, his sword held high, poised to strike. Tyrus saw an opening. Igneal''s swing was a bit wider than usual, and his grip was slightly weaker, resulting in a slow movement.


    Tyrus took his chance and took an abrupt step forward. He turned his body and allowed the sword to sail past his body and immediately went for a one-handed lunge at Igneal''s left shoulder. Igneal''s eyebrows shot up in surprise and he quickly adjusted his footing. The noble dodged to the side, just barely, and the tip of Tyrus''s sword grazed his shoulder. It wasn''t a sure hit, but the fact that Tyrus landed a blow for the first time made his chest swell with pride.


    "I-I did it! I landed a hit!" With a wide smile, Tyrus glanced at his opponent.


    Igneal rubbed his shoulder. "Hmph, I overextended my swing there. But, I will give credit where its due. It only took you fifteen days, but you grazed me."


    "Right? Next time, it won''t be a graze," Tyrus said, wiping sweat off his face.


    Igneal''s eyes narrowed. "I won''t be making such a careless mistake again, but you''re welcome to try. Don''t get discouraged for what comes next."


    "Huh? What does that¡ª"


    Tyrus, overwhelmed by his triumph, was completely absorbed in the moment. Unfortunately, he failed to perceive Igneal''s swift sword swing until it was too late. The blade''s edge collided with his torso, causing him to stagger backward. A piercing sting shot through him, followed by a sudden numbing sensation, leaving him instinctively clutching his side.


    "Ow! I wasn''t ready!"


    "Get up once you''re done crying," Igneal said.


    It took half a minute before the pain subsided. Tyrus got to his feet and readied himself, shooting a sharp glare at his opponent. He was definitely going to land a hit, and this time he was going to rub it in Igneal''s face.


    Another batch of days passed, and the distance between him and Igneal seemed to decrease with each completed session.


    Their arms grew weary from the constant swing of their practice swords. Their bodies moved with an unspoken rhythm now, like two parts of the same machine¡ªone striking, the other blocking, one advancing, the other retreating. Muscles ached, breaths came heavier, but neither backed down. Wooden splinters flew as they clashed, littering the platform stained with fluids.


    As the twentieth day dawned, their vigorous sword fighting came to an abrupt halt, interrupted by the gentle descent of the season''s first blanket of snow.

 Chapter 132- A Sound Plan

    Winter had finally come, the season that Tyrus hated the most, and for good reason.


    The biting cold pierced his skin, a relentless assault of a thousand icy needles. Each gust of wind sliced through his threadbare garments, indifferent to their feeble attempt at protection. Memories flooded his mind, nights spent huddled in forsaken shacks, seeking refuge in hollowed-out logs. His breath materialized in the frigid air, a visible reminder to the freezing world that enveloped him.


    The wilderness offered no respite, only an endless expanse of white, where snow and ice stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a desolate landscape, devoid of warmth, where survival became a merciless battle. Tyrus''s hands, red and blistered, stung as the biting cold numbed his fingers, leaving him devoid of sensation. He dreaded the long, unforgiving hours of darkness, where even the faintest flicker of fire would attract predators lurking in the shadows.


    Hunger gnawed at his stomach, more ravenous during winter, as food grew scarce, and the remaining animals were just as desperate as he was. Winter wasn''t merely a season of frigid temperatures; it was a bitter reminder of his isolation, an unyielding force that relentlessly tested his resilience, year after year. Nowadays, those days were now echoes. Things were different; he was different.


    Inside the library, the scent of smoked wood wafted throughout the room, creating an ambiance that was relaxing and soothing. Pages being flipped alongside the crackling of the fireplace spreading its warmth were the only sounds audible, other than the occasional cough.


    The manor''s halls had grown cold enough to cause him to shiver, and the snow outside was already piling up at an alarming rate. The sky was a pale gray, the sun''s rays struggling to pierce the thick layer of clouds and snow that coated the city.


    In the middle of reading The Foundations of Spell-casting, and taking a break from the bestiary, Tyrus'' body flinched at a passing thought: When was the last time he practiced magic?


    Once those words left his mouth, the answer came to him as he sifted through his memories. Although he occasionally used minor spells for his day-to-day needs, he hardly practiced magic these days. Over twenty days ago was the last time he could remember working on his magic, and that happened when he visited Wildwood.


    That was not a good sign. Tyrus was so focused on his sparring sessions and reading that he had forgotten all about the most important thing in the world.


    Tyrus stood up from his chair and walked over to the fireplace. He sat himself in front of the dancing flames, allowing the heat to tickle his body, but far enough to not get caught on fire. After taking a deep breath, he shut his eyes and entered the Sorcerer Plane.


    The first thing he checked was how his branches were coming along. Three of the branches were seeping with mana, while a fourth was still in its early stages. It would take a while until that one filled up and reached the fifth branch.


    Tyrus did a bit of digging to uncover the reason behind the presence of a colossal tree in the sorcerer plane, and the explanation he found was quite logical. In a similar way to how a tree begins as a tiny seed and gradually grows, a sorcerer''s mana heart also develops over time. As a sorcerer continues to utilize their magic, their mana pool expands, and each branch on the tree symbolizes their capacity for handling mana.


    A sorcerer passively or purposely absorbs mana from the air like how a leaf absorbs sunlight. Like leaves gathering energy from the sun and converting it as ''food'', a sorcerer''s skin functions the same. Blood vessels circulate mana throughout the body, transporting it to wherever the sorcerer chooses. The more mana a sorcerer can store, the better their chances of survival, especially during combat. In a sense, sorcerers truly are like trees. Tyrus found it a funny comparison to think about.


    Tyrus shifted his attention to the elements. Fire and light had a slight increase in size. The former was still the size of a candlelight, almost reaching the scope of a torch, and the latter was a tad bit larger than the usual street light at night. The latter was growing faster compared to fire, mainly due to him constantly using it as a source of light ever since he entered the manor.


    Regarding his lightning affinity, it was still a campfire of lashing arcs. However, they were more numerous and had grown in volume by a bit. It wasn''t much, but the slight increase in power was a pleasant surprise.


    The dark element, on the other than, was the most shocking. While a recent addition, it was almost the size of his lightning! Instead of arcs, tendrils swayed, their reach extending outward like tentacles dipped in shadows. This was a puzzling development, especially since he''s only used the element once. Just what was the cause for its rapid growth? How come the other elements haven''t exhibited the same results?


    After the thorough mental check, Tyrus''s eyes slowly fluttered open. He shifted his gaze towards his palm. With a mere flicker of concentration, he summoned the dark element, willing it to materialize. In a matter of seconds, ethereal wisps of darkness materialized above his palm. They writhed and coiled; Tyrus could almost feel the cool, tingling sensation of the darkness lick his face.


    He waved his hand, and the dark element dispersed. Lightning then manifested, forming a ball of bright blue, lashing arcs that flickered and danced in a mesmerizing display. The ball''s surface was uneven, its jagged edges giving the illusion of a sphere. It was like watching a miniature storm, with bolts slithering around.


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    Tyrus swiftly scattered the crackling lightning and made his way towards the table. He reached out and snatched The Foundations of Spell-casting, a book with a rugged, rich blue cover. The cover displayed a captivating image of a massive hand clasping four spheres that resembled marbles. Each marble was intricately carved with depictions representing the four primary elements.


    Tyrus casually flipped through the pages, his eyes quickly scanning the lines of text that provided basic knowledge about magic and spell-casting. It was all familiar information to him - the customary explanation of mana and its connection to its sources, the origins of Elemental Sorcerers, and various other tidbits. Thanks to Blue Dawn and Selena, he had already gained a solid understanding of these concepts.


    He kept on skipping through sections such as the dangers of magic, famous sorcerers, and affinities until he stumbled upon one that caught his interest: advanced techniques. Tyrus halted there because the term ''silent casting'' grabbed his attention, causing him to slow down and read carefully.


    Silent casting, often regarded as a symbol of true mastery, enables sorcerers to perform spells without the need for verbal incantations. This technique requires adept concentration since the absence of spoken words eliminates a crucial means of controlling mana.


    Many beginner sorcerers encounter difficulty when attempting silent casting, especially when dealing with volatile elements like fire. The instability arises from their internal struggle to maintain control without the grounding effect of spoken words. Only through rigorous mental discipline and extensive practice can sorcerers gain the precision necessary for silent casting.


    The main challenge of silent casting lies in finding the right balance between intent and control. Any fluctuation in thoughts or emotions can disrupt the spell, leading to weakened effects or unintended consequences. However, with practice, experienced sorcerers can enhance their focus, allowing them to channel their element with the same strength and accuracy as if they were speaking aloud.


    It is believed that a true silent caster''s magic becomes an effortless extension of their will, flowing as smoothly as breathing. Silent casting elements such as earth and water are marginally easier than elements such as fire and air , which have a higher degree of volatility. Silent casting is a challenging skill to master and is not recommended for beginners.


    "Especially when dealing with destructive elements like fire?" Tyrus mumbled.


    If he read everything right, then that meant there were elements that were easier to control than others, and fire was one of the most difficult ones to do so. Elder Treant mentioned that the lightning element was a subcategory of fire. Putting together the pieces, that meant that lightning probably fell under the "destructive element" category, the same as fire.


    So, that basically meant that his primary affinity was more difficult to control compared to elements like water and earth. However, Elder Treant also mentioned that if a primary affinity fell under a common element, there was no need for extensive training to use it. Don''t these statements counter each other, or was there something significant that he overlooked?


    "That can''t be right... I can visualize and use lightning just fine, and I haven''t been training it for too long. Maybe I can solve this problem if I give it some more time."


    The book explicitly mentioned that silent casting was not recommended for beginners, and Tyrus was nothing more than an amateur when it came to magic. However, he wasn''t willing to put this matter to rest yet. After what he''s been through and the power he brought forth in each of his fights with only silent casting, he had the right to confidently say that the problems that arise from the technique didn''t apply to him.


    When it came to silent casting, there was little room for error. Exceeding the appropriate amount of mana in spells would drain the mana heart faster than it could replenish.


    Insufficient mana, on the other hand, would result in the spell not functioning as intended, causing it to weaken. Too little mana weakened the spell, while an excess of mana put the sorcerer at risk of injury, death, or mana deficiency. If a spell were to backfire or become unstable, the sorcerer would suffer the consequences of the spell itself.


    Monitoring the output of mana was a constant necessity, as sorcerers had to regularly keep track of their usage. Silent casting demanded more effort than regular casting, but Tyrus believed that the advantages outweighed the risks. After all, taking risks was an essential part of the magical pursuit. Spell-casting with incantations was a safety net, while silent casting was the real deal.


    "How should I train my magic?" he wondered.


    The main thing he did whenever he trained his magic was to summon lightning through his hands and let it sit there until his mana heart was less than half empty. This was to prevent him from burning himself out and control his mana usage for each spell he used. Knowing how much mana to use for a Lightning Bolt and Dual Shot was a pretty handy skill to learn. This allowed him to fine-tune and use multiple lightning spells.


    "Lightning Bolt, Dual Shot, Thunder Stun, Lightning Snare are the ones I use the most. Should I keep experimenting with those main four and increase their effectiveness, or should I find something new to discover?"


    Tyrus leaned back in his chair, rocking back and forth as he stared at the window. He watched the snowflakes fall while mulling over his next move.


    "...No, I should keep improving what I already have. I need to increase Lightning Bolt and Dual Shot''s power. That earth spirit gave us trouble because our spells were too weak. Thunder Stun and Lightning Snare as well so that I can immobilize creatures quicker and faster."


    Just for a moment, Tyrus completely forgot about the other elements. His mana reservoir was so limited that he couldn''t possibly train his magic using all four of them without risking mana deficiency every single day. It made perfect sense why Elemental Sorcerers tended to focus most of their attention on their primary affinity rather than the others. It was like attempting to dig four holes with just one shovel, as opposed to focusing on digging just one hole.


    After some more thinking, a thought occurred to him: what if he focused on one element per day? Sure it would mean his primary affinities progress will slow down, but his control of the others would improve. There may come another time where one element is more effective than others.


    Lightning on the first day, then fire, light, and then... dark. As much as the element worried him, simply ignoring it when it did help them win against the spirit wasn''t wise. So long as he practiced it in secret and no one else knew he possessed the element under his arsenal, everything would be alright.


    Blue light burst over his palm, and Tyrus peered eagerly.


    "Might as well start now."

 Chapter 133- Lightning Training

    Throughout his days in the manor, Fiona made it explicitly clear that he was free to roam around. At first, he found the idea ridiculous, but he gradually grew accustomed to the lack of supervision. Nowadays, Tyrus would spend some mornings wandering aimlessly.


    Besides exploring the library and dining area, Tyrus ventured into uncharted territory - the storerooms and the grand hall. The grand hall, though impressive in size, lacked any notable features. In contrast, the storerooms overflowed with an abundance of sacks, barrels, and even a rack of bottles. When Tyrus stepped into the room, a pungent yet stale aroma permeated the air, tickling his nose. He took a quick look around and left, off to do better things.


    Tyrus avoided entering places he deemed off-limits, like the bedrooms, kitchen, or any room that looked like Selena would visit frequently. Instead, he went wherever he pleased and explored the manor to his heart''s content, until he reached a room that was his reward for all the exploring he had done.


    A door made of dark wood stood before him, designed with markings and patterns that were simple yet captivating. Two small, curved windows framed the entrance, giving a narrow view of a spacious room in the shape of a dome.


    Tyrus grabbed the handle and pushed open the door, entering as a cold draft rushed through the air. True to expectations, the room was expansive, with a lofty ceiling that was upheld by a carefully arranged collection of columns crafted from reddish stone. No signs of any windows or any other doors leading to another room. All that remained was a tiled floor and some training dummies similar to the ones behind the guild.


    "I bet my entire sack of coin that this is a training room and not a storage one. Why else would those dummies be here?"


    If an indoor training room was available the entire time, then how come Igneal put a pause to their sparring sessions? Either Igneal liked the outdoors, which seemed unlikely, or he was unaware it existed in the first place.


    "Not like that matters. What does matter is that I now have a place to practice magic to my hearts content."


    Outside was not an option because of the snow, and neither the library because of the books. Setting fire to the place because of carelessness would obviously be bad for everyone, especially for Fiona and Selena. To allow a kid to stay in their home, and as a gesture of good will, he set their home ablaze. Knowing Selena, she''d probably set him on fire just to make things even.


    Or even worse: force him to serve under her until he completely pays back the damages! Tyrus can already imagine the type of tasks she''d set him out to do. It''d make saving Ivy from the rock spiders pale in comparison to whatever Selena has cooked up in that crazy head of hers.


    Tyrus shivered. "I-I should stop thinking about Selena and focus on training. I should count myself lucky we haven''t crossed paths yet."


    Tyrus moved his feet toward the middle of the room, his footsteps somehow not echoing throughout the expanse. Once there, he stopped in front of one of the training dummies.


    It was a tall, humanoid figure with no face and intact limbs, save for its legs. The figure wasn''t fashioned out of bundled straw, but wood that had scorch marks all over its surface. Embedded within its chest was a cavity housing a gray cube. One good look at it and Tyrus could immediately tell there was mana pulsing through the cube.


    "These marks don''t look new. Someone must''ve used it some time ago, but who? The only people I can think of are Igneal and Fiona, the only ones who use fire magic."


    Tyrus paced around the dummy, inspecting its features. He didn''t recognize the wood the dummy was made of. It was a type he had never seen before, a rich color that reminded him of autumn leaves. And what was up with that cube? What purpose did it serve to stuff an item of magic in its chest?


    "Ah, whatever. I can ask Fiona next time. It should be fine to use magic on it if it can withstand flames. Aside from the scorch marks, it doesn''t look like the wood is deteriorating. I wonder how it reacts to lightning..."


    Tyrus took five steps back and aimed at the dummy. A rush of mana coursed through his body, traveling through his arm and out his palms as a Lightning Bolt crackled to life. It shot through the air in a straight line, colliding against the wooden chest. Tyrus watched in satisfaction as the sphere''s arcs traced along the dummy''s torso.


    Then something weird happened. The color of the sphere changed from cloudy gray to a light green. A beep emanated from the dummy, and the cube changed back to its regular color.


    Tyrus squinted his eyes, confused about what had just happened. He summoned Lightning Bolt and released it. The same events followed suit, and the dummy beeped.


    "It turns green after I use magic, beeps, and turns gray? What does that mean?"


    He tried something different, a Thunder Stun. He released the spell, and the orb changed to the same color again before turning to its usual self. Without missing a beat, he used Lightning Snare, and the cube was colored the same.


    Finally, Tyrus summoned a singular Lightning Bolt, crackling with the same power as Dual Shot. As he focused his will, his hair prickled and stood on end, reacting to the surge of energy. The room was bathed in a vibrant, dazzling blue light, casting long shadows on the walls. With a forceful gesture, he propelled the spell forward, causing it to collide with the dummy''s torso.


    The impact sent lashing arcs dancing across the wooden surface. The sound of crackling ensued, reverberating through the room, only to be overshadowed by an even louder beep. In response, the cube flashed a brilliant hue of yellow, adding a burst of vivid color to the already stirring display.


    Tyrus had finally become certain about something: the color changes on the dummy showed the amount of damage it had sustained from spells. The intensity of a spell determined the color change. However, what he remained uncertain about was the precise level of power required for the color to shift to green or yellow. There was a strong chance that other colors were present, patiently waiting for the correct amount of mana to activate them.


    This place was absolutely perfect for Tyrus to train his magic. It didn''t surprise him at all that Selena, being a branch leader of the Explorer Guild and a manor owner, had something like this in her home. Clearly, she must be quite wealthy to have a room specifically designed to test a sorcerer''s magical abilities, with the results displayed through a dummy''s cube.


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    "This room is amazing. I can go all out without worrying about breaking anything. But, it''s weird how there aren''t any windows here. I can see myself losing track of time here."


    Now that he thought about it, was he even allowed to use the room? Although Fiona mentioned he was welcome to explore, that didn''t necessarily imply he could freely utilize anything he came across. Unlike the library, which she had explicitly allowed him to use along with his own room, this particular room might have different rules. Its appearance conveyed a sense of uniqueness and specialness, after all.


    "I''ll ask her next time. If it''s a room I shouldn''t be in, I''ll just say it was an accident and won''t come back."


    With that settled, Tyrus faced the training dummy, chin in hand. His primary affinity was the first element he''d start with, then fire the next day, light afterward, and finally dark. Then he''d start all over again with lightning and repeat the process. For how long, Tyrus hadn''t a clue.


    He didn''t really expect to be staying this long at Selena''s manor. As the days go by, he was getting uncomfortable, worried that he was extending his stay. Then again, it was winter time, and he really didn''t feel like heading out until the weather improved or had some important task to do. Until then, he''ll take advantage of what was given and practice his magic.


    "Alright, let''s begin," Tyrus said, rolling his shoulders as he pondered what to do next.


    Before, Dual Shot was a spell that sapped most, if not, all of his mana. Some time later, it would take two Dual Shots, and now he could use around three or four before reaching the limit. If his assumption was correct, increasing his magic power would increase the amount of spells he could cast before he exhausted his mana heart. But there was something else he was itching to find out.


    Tyrus held both arms out, pointed toward the training dummy. He concentrated, emitting mana from his heart and into his arms. He then pictured a Lightning Bolt forming in front of him, but this time, using around three-fourths of his total mana. Just enough to not succumb to mana deficiency, yet hold sufficient power to overwhelm the dummy.


    Blue sparks danced at the ends of his fingertips, and the air sizzled. A small, cloudy orb the size of a fist crackled to life, the same familiar shade of lightning he always used. It grew until it was the size of a large melon.


    A single droplet of sweat trickled down his cheek, while his arm muscles throbbed with exhaustion from the surge of mana coursing through them. It was a new sensation for him, having to harness and release such a massive amount of mana all at once. Yet, he remained determined, clenching his teeth tightly as he concentrated his unwavering resolve into the sphere.


    The sphere surged ahead, soaring through the air before colliding with the training dummy. Tyrus dropped to a single knee, his head throbbing intensely, while witnessing his spell erupt into a flurry of crackling arcs. As he watched, the cube''s color flickered, now tinged with a deep yellow hue, reminiscent of amber or honey.


    "A... darker color appeared this time, almost orange this time," he muttered. "That means my strongest attack almost reached the next stage, right?"


    The surrounding space spun like whirlpools, his thoughts hazy and indiscernible. Thankfully, the sickening feeling didn''t last long when he proceeded to meditate to replenish his mana heart. Afterward, his vision slowly returned, the world regaining its clarity and color, and the pounding in his head faded away.


    For the most part, Tyrus was getting the hang of the training dummy''s functions. So far, the color ranges from gray, green, yellow, and orange. The stronger the magic, the darker the color becomes, and that was assuming there weren''t any colors between them he missed.


    His strongest spell was on the cusp of reaching orange, while the other spells warranted a light green. There was a clear difference of power between them, and that didn''t surprise him in the least. Thunder Stun and Lightning Snare weren''t meant to inflict damage, but to immobilize a target. They were support spells, not offensive spells.


    Tyrus had a particular idea on how to train his lightning affinity in the meantime, and it was something he did regularly: sustained lightning.


    Typically, he would take a seat and let the lightning flow from his palms until he reached a suitable stopping point. Afterward, he would engage in meditation to replenish his mana heart and then start the process again. This not only heightened his overall magical power but also expanded the capacity of his mana heart. He was aware of this because of his knowledge from the Sorcerer Plane¡ªand common sense.


    To become a powerful sorcerer, one required both the strength for combat and a big reserve of mana. It was quite apparent, really. It would be impossible for someone to achieve such a status without possessing either attribute, otherwise, that sorcerer would find themselves trapped in a sea of their own weakness. So here Tyrus was, practicing magic while taking into account the most effective method he knew of at the moment.


    With a clear plan in mind, Tyrus remained firmly seated, his palms facing upwards, as he allowed his natural affinity to flow unrestricted. The chamber suddenly illuminated with bursts of vibrant blue as the elemental energy gracefully snaked its way around him, first enveloping his palms, then his arms, and finally his torso.


    As he flexed his fingers, the lightning obediently responded, swirling around him in tightly controlled currents that resonated harmoniously with the rhythm of his heartbeat. There was no strain, no sense of resistance from the element¡ªonly the comforting hum of power coursing through his veins, akin to a second skin. The longer he held it, a slight pull to his heart grew stronger, a sensation that was typical when spending his mana.


    "When I use lightning like this, it''s calm. But when it leaves my hand, the arcs are unsteady. Does that mean my body is needed to keep the mana stable, but shaky when released outside?"


    Tyrus pondered this revelation as he felt his mana heart being drained. Before he felt the effects of mana deficiency, he slowly retracted his mana, the lightning gradually fading from view. When the last traces had disappeared, a small, yet noticeable headache emerged. He took a deep breath and focused on his mana heart, guiding his will toward its center as he absorbed the surrounding mana.


    Since he was meditating in a closed room, the amount of mana was noticeably lesser than outdoors, but it was still enough to replenish his heart, though at a much slower pace. When he was finished, he repeated the cycle, using the same method from before, with the goal of holding the element for as long as possible. He did this for hours on end, making sure to exit the room at times to check the time.


    Attempting to train Thunder Stun without a living target would ultimately be dumb, as it merely restrained opponents. Considering that the training dummy lacked life from the start, casting the spell on it would be akin to expecting a rock to perform backflips upon command.


    Lightning Snare was a different story. Because the spell was just arcs of lightning being treated as ropes to snare targets, the spell was a great choice for him to practice on the training dummy. There were a few ideas Tyrus had in mind about how to develop the spell.


    Tyrus walked up to the training dummy and stretched an arm out. He imagined arcs of lighting serving as ropes to be released from his hand. Four thin arcs appeared, lashing out in a frenzy. With a simple gesture, the arcs flew forward, coiling around the wooden surface until all four had wrapped themselves around the torso.


    Feeling content, Tyrus took a few steps back, and instantly, the spell began to flicker. As he moved further away, the lights grew fainter. Taking a few steps forward, the lights brightened again. Tyrus kept moving backward until he felt his connection with the spell break. The lightning arcs fizzled and vanished, transforming back into tiny sparks in his palms.


    "So, distance and strength play a role in Lightning Snare''s effectiveness. Around ten steps should be the limit."


    For Lightning Snare, not only did he have to increase the strength of the lightning arcs for tougher opponents, but he had to keep in mind the distance as well. So many factors to think of for each spell in his lightning affinity, and many more waiting from the other elements. That is until he developed them to where he could come up with unique spells of his own.


    There was much work to be done...

 Chapter 134- Monotone Training

    Progress was made that day, thanks to the clear visual of the mana tree, even if it was slight.


    Through the fourth branch, a sliver of light slithered forward, the tiniest advancement that could easily be mistaken for a figment of the imagination. Nevertheless, progress was progress, no matter how small it looked at the moment.


    "Oh, there you are, Tyrus," said a voice.


    Tyrus stopped in the middle of a corridor, turning to see Fiona walking up to him.


    "I''ve been looking for you this entire time. You weren''t at the library, so I asked around and no one had seen you," she explained. "It''s almost dinnertime. We should get ready. Do you know the way to the¡ª"


    Fiona stopped and peered closely at Tyrus''s face. "You''re sweating. I''m pretty sure you''re not supposed to be sweating in this cold..."


    "Just to be sure," Tyrus began. "Are there any places that I''m not supposed to be in?"


    She tilted her head in confusion. "Other than Aunt Selena''s bedroom and office, you''re welcome anywhere. What''s the matter?"


    "I was practicing my magic in a room with a training dummy. After I was finished, the realization hit me it was probably somewhere I''m not supposed to be in without permission."


    Fiona chuckled. "You mean the practice room? Anyone''s welcome to use it. In fact, I was in there yesterday afternoon. I''m sure you noticed the scorch marks left by my fire magic? If permission is what worries you, then I''ll be the first to let you know that you''re more than welcome to use the practice room."


    That''s a relief, Tyrus thought. Now he didn''t have to worry about accessing the practice room whenever he wanted. If he was forbidden from using it for whatever reason, then he''d have to fall onto his next plan of action: training in the freezing cold.


    "Before you eat, you need a bath," she said. "I''ll tell the servants to prepare one for you."


    Tyrus shook his head. "No, no, that''s fine. I should do it myself. Turning the water on isn''t that difficult to do. It works the same as the one in the imperial palace."


    "If you say so. Just a heads up, there''s a meeting tomorrow afternoon. Reo and Grant will be coming over and we''ll convene over in the dining area to discuss the future of Blue Dawn."


    "The future? What do you mean?" Tyrus asked.


    Fiona gave him a wink. "I don''t want to spoil the surprise, so you''ll find out tomorrow."


    Before Tyrus could get another word out, Fiona shuffled away and disappeared around a corner. He sighed, a puff of vapor forming.


    "What was that all about?"


    ***


    The next day arrived, and Tyrus made sure to arrive to the practice room much earlier. It was still quite early in the morning, and the sun had yet to peek over the horizon.


    Tyrus, in a sitting position, watched a pinprick of a flame appear above his index finger. For an agonizing amount of time, he tapped a finger along his leg, feeling his mana drain at a slow pace.


    Since fire magic was his weakest, it was less of a burden on his mana heart than lightning. As a result, it took triple the amount of time to reach the halfway point. Like a bucket of water with a hole the size of his finger, the amount he drained was so small that he had to sit and wait.


    Furthermore, no matter how much mana he pushed into the flame, it would only grow to the size of a torch flame, as if the fire was sucking on his mana greedily, only allowing the tiniest amount for growth. It was an odd sight, considering that for his lightning, it showed the opposite results. Did that mean the nature of the magic itself was what made the difference? Or was it because lightning was his primary affinity and not fire?


    "Well, it should be fine. Lightning is a subcategory of fire, so there''s some connection between the two," Tyrus thought out loud. "I just need to train it enough for it to do more than to be used for lightning campfires. Elder Treant said that it would require less training than the other elements."


    After he reached the halfway point, Tyrus extinguished the flame, allowing his mana heart to recover. Then, he practiced the same monotone method to the point where his butt was sore, his legs asleep. Sometimes, his head would dip, and he''d jerk awake, realizing that he was close to falling asleep. A good smack to the face usually woke him up for a good hour.


    Tyrus pondered whether it would be more beneficial to train in other elements, like light, alongside fire. However, he dismissed the idea and shook his head. He had already made up his mind to focus on one element each day instead of multiple. He believed that training one element per day would lead to faster growth and mastery, whereas training multiple elements would significantly slow down progress.


    Or at least, that''s what he assumed. The thought of falling behind on the other elements seemed like a nightmare. What was the point of unlocking additional elements and never bothering to use, let alone train them? It was like being given a knife, spoon, and a fork, yet only ever using a knife to eat with. Sure you''d waste some time training elements that wasn''t a primary affinity, but it would make a huge difference when a fight arises.


    Take the fight against the earth spirit as an example. If it weren''t for the dark element, he and the rest would have surely perished under the relentless onslaught of the spirit''s attacks. All Reo and Grant would have encountered upon arrival was a raging spirit and lifeless, mutilated bodies. Perhaps with augmentation, they could have overcome its defenses more easily, but by then the damage would have been irreparable. It would be wiser to have a range of options rather than relying solely on one.


    After some contemplating, Tyrus checked the condition of his mana heart and extinguished the flame. Letting out a groan, he stood up and massaged his sore buttocks, stretching his body as he made his way towards the door. Stepping outside, he cast a glance at the sky, assessing the sun''s position.


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    "It''s almost midday. I should head to the dining area now after I take a bath."


    Tyrus shut the door of the practice room and proceeded through the halls, slowly regaining his mana heart with deep breaths.


    ***


    "Hey, are you not forgetting to say something?"


    Tyrus looked up from a bowl of steaming stew and stared from across the table. At the head seat was Igneal, a scowl plastered on his face as he repeatedly drummed a finger against the tabletop. Sir Wayne stood firmly near the front entrance, arms wrapped around the back, eyes closed as if he were sleeping.


    "I don''t think so," Tyrus said. He lodged a spoon full of liquid and meat into his mouth and chewed. A burst of flavor exploded, and he had to stop himself from wolfing down the rest of the food.


    Igneal clicked his tongue. "You''ve neglected to inform me that there was a practice room in this manor! Here I was, bored in my room with nothing to do but practice my fire magic, yet you''re off having fun on your own."


    "Oh, I thought you already knew it existed and did not want to enter," Tyrus lied, taking another spoonful. "You''re welcome to join me. It''s not like I own the room or anything."


    "What do you do in there?"


    "Practice my magic. I set aside a day for one element and train it repeatedly until I''m satisfied with the results. There''s a training dummy in the practice room that determines how strong your spells are if you''re interested."


    Igneal''s eyes widened slightly. "Aunt Selena has a power reflector? This is news to me. Very well then. I will join you, since you so desperately require my presence."


    Tyrus groaned at Igneal''s smugness and continued eating. He was already regretting the offer, but if Igneal was going to help him with his goal, then he''d rather accept the noble''s company. And besides, there was a chance that they might learn from each other''s training methods, so the more, the merrier.


    I wonder if Igneal will let me practice Thunder Stun and Lightning Snare on him.


    After some time, the dining room door swung open, and a group of people came striding in. Tyrus looked up from his meal to see Fiona, Reo, and Grant filing inside¡ªeach one wearing fur-lined coats¡ªfollowed by a few servants pushing a trolley of even more delectable food. He was about to greet them until someone else with golden hair poked their head inside.


    "Ivy? What are you doing here?" Tyrus asked.


    Ivy''s face lit up with excitement as she quickly made her way over to Tyrus. "Tyrus! It feels like ages since we last saw each other! I heard from Teacher Selena that you aced her exam. I always knew it would be a breeze for someone like you."


    Tyrus, a little surprised, nodded. ¡°Yeah, just barely. What about you? It¡¯s been a while.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been busy,¡± she said, adjusting her glasses as they slipped down her nose. ¡°My mother has me studying nonstop for the entrance exams, but I heard all about you. I knew you''d pass!¡± She stopped just short of him, taking the seat next to him. "Tell me everything! How was the exam? Was it scary? Did you fight any beasts?"


    "A swarm of them, yeah. It was rough, a lot harder than I expected. There were even times I thought I would die, yet here I am. Either way, I¡¯m just glad it¡¯s over."


    Fiona snapped her fingers, grabbing everyone''s attention. "Alright, that''s enough. You two can continue catching up afterward. Right now we have important business to talk about and the future of Blue Dawn. Rosht, Eshlain, you two are free to leave."


    The servants who entered with the trolleys bowed and rushed out the door in no time. Grant and Reo greeted Tyrus as they took their seats at the table. With Fiona being the last to sit down, every chair was now filled. All eyes were on her, awaiting her next move.


    Clearing her throat, she announced, "Now that everything is settled, I''m excited to share that in just two months of establishing Blue Dawn, we have been granted the privilege of moving up from copper to bronze ranking!"


    Grant smiled. "That is great news to hear, Fiona. We have only been explorers for a few months, yet a promotion has swiftly landed on our laps."


    "And it''s all thanks to two specific contracts that catapulted us toward the threshold," she added.


    Reo snorted. "Through the trouble we went through underground and that investigation contract, we should be silver-ranked instead. I don''t see any other bronze group fighting Scourge or an earth spirit and making it out alive. At this point, we might as well be considered experienced explorers."


    "I understand your sentiment, Reo, and I think we deserve more," Fiona agreed. "Alas, beggars can''t be choosers. To reach the bronze rank, a party would have to complete eight low-ranked contracts, four medium-ranked, or one high-ranked¡ªwhichever comes first. Blue Dawn has only completed five contracts thus far, three of them being low-ranked. The extermination back in the Wasteful Wetlands was upgraded to medium-ranked because of unforeseen developments. But for the sewer, it was upgraded to high-ranked instead."


    "Because of Scourge and the earth spirit," Grant finished.


    Fiona nodded. "Correct. Obviously, no copper should complete contracts way out of their league. Knowing our predicament, it was only right that Celeste assessed our situation and gave us a more suitable upgrade. Because of the appearance of those two anomalies, we''ve reached the threshold of bronze."


    "So we completed those low-ranked contracts for nothing," Reo said. "How very fortunate for us..."


    "Don''t start getting all gloomy on us, Reo. This is a cause for celebration! Think of it this way: Us five together have the firepower of a silver-ranked party, yet we''re just now reaching bronze. At this rate, we might reach the next rank in half the time it took to reach copper! The sky is the limit. Our group has the potential to become a silver-rank party before half of next year begins."


    "You''re getting way ahead of yourself," Reo said. "Did you forget? Once winter ends, we''ll be heading back to the institute for the new academy year, which means less time as explorers. We''ve only gotten this far because we used our vacation as an opportunity to take up contracts. That will change once the year starts again."


    Fiona''s shoulders slumped. "Oh, right... That slipped my mind. Our time together would drastically decrease. The only time we''ll be able to complete contracts is three days of a new week, so after four days of academy schooling. But that''ll mean less time spent studying or attending workshops..."


    "I am sure we will be fine," Grant said. "As long as we do not slack, then it is possible. Also, it''s not like we''ll be doing contracts every week. A safe balance between being a student and explorer is all that matters."


    "You sound like my dad," Reo mumbled. He turned to Tyrus and inspected him up and down. "What have you been up to this whole time? It''s slight, but there''s something different about you. Isn''t that right, Grant?"


    The big man nodded. "Your posture is straighter. More confident, and a certain gleam is in your eyes."


    "I''ve been sparring with the sword for around twenty days," Tyrus replied, his ears flickering. "Igneal and Sir Wayne have helped me a lot in correcting my posture and combat techniques."


    Reo''s gaze shifted from Igneal to the knight near the entrance. "That must''ve been quite the experience. At least you aren''t sitting around doing nothing. You''ll need all the preparation you can get for next year."


    Tyrus tilted his head to the side. "Next year? Why next year?"


    "What? You''re doing all of this for the Valis Academy of Sorcery entrance exams, right? They begin just as the snow begins to melt, so you have around sixty days."


    I forgot all about that, Tyrus thought. He was so preoccupied with other matters that the academy was the furthest thing from his mind. The entrance exams were nearing, and he had no idea how to prepare. He''d love to attend the academies if it meant learning more about the world and himself. It was possible that the books he was looking for, which were not in the manor''s library, could be located there.


    Following a moment of silence, Tyrus rose to his feet. "Okay, what do I need to know about the entrance exams?"

 Chapter 135- Monotone Training (2)

    "This place is amazing!" Ivy said joyfully.


    Igneal frowned as he looked around. "This is the practice room? I really should confer with Aunt Selena about her interior design choices. It''s plain and not well maintained, but no matter. It will do, I guess."


    Tyrus, Igneal, and Ivy walked through the door of the practice room. As soon as Ivy stepped foot, her eyes gleamed, and she rushed toward the training dummy.


    ¡°Oh my Sthito! Tyrus, have you seen this yet? It¡¯s called a Power Reflector Dummy! I read all about it in Sorcery Techniques and Machines, and I couldn¡¯t wait to see one in person. This thing is incredible! See that cube in its chest? That¡¯s a mana cube, specially designed to measure the intensity of magic. It absorbs the energy you put out and, depending on how strong your spell is, the cube changes color! Isn¡¯t that cool?¡±


    Tyrus barely had time to blink before Ivy continued her explanation, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses.


    ¡°So, it starts out gray and then green once you start. Green means, ¡®Eh, your spell''s okay, but maybe try harder.¡¯ Then it shifts to yellow, which is, like, ¡®Pretty decent!¡¯ and if you push more power into your spell, it turns orange! That¡¯s when you know you¡¯re getting somewhere. But! If you go all out, it turns red. Red means, ¡®Whoa, you¡¯re really packing a punch!¡¯ Oh, and if you¡¯re really powerful¡ªlike, seriously strong¡ªit goes black. But I read that hardly anyone can make it go black, except powerful Advanced Sorcerers.¡±


    She takes a breath, and then leans in closer to the dummy, as if expecting it to move.


    ¡°You see how it¡¯s made of eberdbark? That¡¯s to prevent it from breaking apart when spells hit it, which is brilliant. Eberdbark is an extremely rare material only found on the borders of Askalid and the Beastfolk Kingdom; a place called Eberd Forest that receives little to no sunlight yet infested with powerful beasts!"


    Tyrus, looking mildly overwhelmed, tries to speak, but Ivy barrels on.


    ¡°¡ªAnd I bet if you trained on this every day, you¡¯d be able to cultivate your spells in no time. Just imagine! You could figure out exactly how much mana you¡¯re using for each spell and get super precise about it. Isn¡¯t that amazing? I¡¯ve read about a few sorcerers who figured out eberdbarks'' uses and combined nature and sorcery to create this specimen! Judging by its appearance, this Power Reflector dummy seems to be one of the earlier vers¡ª"


    "I''ve heard enough of this commoner prattle on about useless information," Igneal snarled. "It is like listening to a flock of birds chatter for hours on end.


    Ivy''s mouth dropped open. She stood there, stunned. Her glasses slipped down her nose, and her face flushed with embarrassment as she muttered a few apologies.


    "Don''t mind him," Tyrus said. "I don''t think your words were useless information. I didn''t know that wood was called eberdbark or that it was a Power Reflector Dummy. You really do know a lot, Ivy."


    "It was just common knowledge she spouted," Igneal snorted.


    Tyrus ignored him and said, "Anyway, thank you for telling us."


    That seemed to have brightened her spirits, and her smile reappeared. "You''re welcome! I promise to be more mindful of my words. My mother used to caution me I might talk someone''s ear off. I do my best to limit myself, but when it comes to anything related to sorcery, I simply can''t resist. I mean, who wouldn''t be excited by studying its fundamental rules and secrets?"


    "Yeah, I know what you mean. The manor library is where I spend most of my nights at. Because I don''t know a lot of things, I try to find answers there."


    "I can help with that," she said cheerfully. "If there''s something you don''t know or you need my help for anything, then you can always count on me."


    "I''ll hold you to it. For you as well; if you ever need my help, then I''ll be there."


    Igneal gagged, his voice laced with annoyance. "Is this some sort of support group? If you two are going to be all friendly, take it elsewhere. I cannot afford any distractions right now, especially since it is my turn to handle the power reflector."


    Tyrus was going to head to the manor library after the Blue Dawn meeting to do some studying, but Igneal''s intentions caught his interest.


    Just how strong are Igneal''s flames, anyway? Now that Tyrus thought about it, he hadn''t seen Igneal use his full power against anything. There were times Tyrus was face-to-face against the flames, but he had never seen Igneal try his hardest in causing severe damage.


    Igneal couldn''t help but notice the expectant gaze in Tyrus''s eyes, prompting a chuckle from him. "I understand your curiosity about my full strength, and I''m more than happy to satisfy it. It is only natural that the powerful show off for the masses."


    The noble strutted over to the power reflector and stopped a few steps away. He lifted his arms and aimed his palms toward the training dummy. His lips curled as his eyes gleamed, his hand releasing a faint orange glow. Through mana sense, Tyrus could see that Igneal was controlling the mana inside his body and gathering it in his hands.


    "Unless you''re in the market for a new hairstyle," Igneal advised, "you might want to take a step back for this."


    Tyrus and Ivy retreated toward the corner of the room and watched from a distance. Before long, flames erupted from Igneal''s palm. A stream of flames burst forth and enveloped the training dummy in a rush of fire, its roar ringing throughout the area. Tyrus watched in awe, feeling the scorching heat prickling his skin, his eyes squinting and wavering from tears.


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    After about two seconds, the flames stopped, and Igneal waved his hand away. The power reflector''s cube shifted into an amber color, and then returning to gray.


    Igneal puffed out his chest and whirled around, a smug look on his face. "You see that? Amazed by the strength of my fire, aren''t you? I expected to reach a higher color, but this will do, for now. I expect to reach red soon."


    "Actually," Ivy interrupted. "Because this is an earlier model, the accuracy of the power reflector isn''t as precise as newer versions. I''ve read about a recent version that is able to reach the exact level of a spell''s output. That amber color might actually mean the strength of your spell is one level lower."


    Igneal gazed at her momentarily before shifting his focus. "I shall disregard your words, commoner. I am well aware of my own might and capabilities."


    "I was just trying to help," she mumbled.


    The fact that Tyrus had been using outdated training equipment came as a surprise to him, but he didn''t view it as a major concern.


    Although his strength was slightly below his expectations, he was confident that he had made significant improvements. From the time he first began his journey as a sorcerer to the present, he can confidently claim that his mastery over the elements has greatly improved.


    Yet, it still wasn''t enough. Not even the slightest. Despite everything, he maintained the belief that he was still extremely weak. It would be foolish of him to think otherwise. Throughout his battles, that notion only solidified itself further, and it would remain so until he reached a point of fulfillment.


    One step at a time, Tyrus thought to himself. What he should be focusing on was his training during the winter, and preparing for the entrance exams. After what Fiona, Reo, and Grant told him about the academy, he had a pretty good idea of what to expect and what steps he should take next.


    Tyrus turned to Ivy. "You mentioned you were studying for the entrance exams. Are you thinking of going to the Valis Academy of Sorcery too?"


    She nodded. "Y-Yes! I''m aiming for the Theory Department. I''ve been studying for as long as I can remember to get accepted into the academy. Mother attended the same institute when she was my age, and I want to follow in her footsteps."


    "That''s the most difficult department to be accepted in," Tyrus said. "Well, it doesn''t matter. You''ll get accepted in the drop of a hat."


    "What about you, Tyrus? What department will you be joining?"


    Tyrus smiled, jabbing his thumb toward himself. "The Combat and Sorcery Department. I''m not the smartest, and I don''t trust myself to know a lot like you do. But if it''s that department, then my chances are high. At least, according to Fiona, Grant, and Reo."


    Not long after his boasting, Igneal joined Tyrus''s side and said, "As I expected, you have made a splendid choice. I too will join you in the combat department. That is where the most fun will ensue, I presume. Together, we shall top the charts and display our strength against the other students!"


    Igneal erupted into a fit of sinister chuckling, his voice reverberating across the room. Tyrus, on the other hand, did not share the same sentiment. He had no interest in sharing the spotlight with Igneal.


    He had not forgotten the number one worry that still plagued his mind: the students. If he had anything to go off on about the deliberation, it was that the students would treat him the same way the adults had. It was the main reason he was hesitant to join the academies in the first place.


    However, the reality remained unchanged - there was no other place for him to acquire knowledge. The library in the manor had its limitations in terms of information, whereas the academy boasted a much larger library with a broader collection, thanks to its funds and support from well-known contributors.


    Tyrus didn''t want to be limited to his strength, and the academy would surely allow him to reach new heights. As such, he had decided. He would enter the academy and then leave as a person unrecognizable from before. A person who attained a strength and knowledge that warranted respect.


    No longer would people look down on him solely because he had Beastfolk blood. If he had managed to endure all those years, what made him any different from them? The more he pondered, the more the idea seemed like a challenge. And it was a challenge he wouldn''t refuse. A life of mediocrity and ignorance would await him. He had already sworn to Wanderer that such a life he would not live.


    Tyrus felt his fist clench in determination. "Igneal, we should begin our sparring sessions here tomorrow. From midday we resume, and around the evenings I will train my magic. In the mornings, I''ll be in the library, reading."


    "A splendid idea," Igneal exclaimed, smashing his fist together. "I do miss our daily duels. It was the only fun activity to do around here. Beating you every day is a great form of entertainment."


    "Must be a big deal to beat me, isn''t it?" Tyrus grumbled. He looked over at Ivy. "By the way, I''ve been meaning to ask you. Are you an Elemental Sorcerer?"


    Ivy nodded. "Yes, I''ve been blessed by Sthito and awakened when I turned eleven, around the beginning of autumn. My primary affinity is water, just like my mother, and I''ve been practicing with her the whole time."


    "How good is your control over the element? Can you use silent casting?"


    She stared at Tyrus as if he had grown a second head. "No, definitely not! Silent casting, for Fledgeling Sorcerers, calls for intense concentration to mold your mana without uttering any incantations. My spells may not be as great as with normal casting. I would need to concentrate on reaching my desired result, shaping the flow of mana, and then releasing it!"


    "Is that so? When you put it like that, it seems really hard."


    Between him and Igneal, they were able to use silent casting relatively well. Ivy, who seemed like the smart type, had trouble doing so even though she had been training with an experienced sorcerer like Erza.


    From what he knew about silent casting so far, it was a difficult method that not everyone was able to accomplish in their earlier years.


    Not only did the sorcerer need a deep understanding of their element, but their bodies would need the required amount of mana for it to work. That is why a sorcerer used the skill of silent casting mostly with their primary affinity than others. Through all that, how come he and Igneal could use the method without many problems?


    I''ll probably learn about it at the academy.


    Tyrus shrugged it off and said, "You''ll be heading back to the shop later, right? In the meantime, how about I help you with your sorcery practice? And I would love for you to help me with a few things as well. There are some things a power reflector can''t do with what I have in mind."


    She gasped, her eyes sparkling. "Of course! I would love that very much. When do we start?"


    "Since we''re not busy, how about now?"


    With an infectious eagerness, she bobbed her head in delight and joined Tyrus and Igneal''s side. Tyrus and Ivy proceeded to discuss various ideas about their training as Igneal stayed quiet and listened, sometimes chiming in and demanding a few things during the conversation.


    As the hours ticked away, night drew closer with each passing moment. Ivy, Grant, and Reo were accompanied home in a carriage, bidding farewell to Fiona and Tyrus. Once they departed, Tyrus retired to his quarters, taking rest until morning arrived.


    He resumed his daily routine, starting with morning reading, followed by afternoon sparring sessions with Igneal, and concluded with evening elemental training.


    This continued relentlessly for several months, until the snow outside began to melt, and the song of birds returned.


    At the drop of a hat, a fateful day arrived.

 Chapter 136- Day of the Entrance Exams

    The rhythmic hum of a carriage''s wheels on the cold stone resonated through the air, mingling with the occasional snort of a horse and the gentle rustling of the wind.


    Sunlight bathed the surroundings, casting a golden glow, while a crisp breeze carried the invigorating scent of frost. Wisps of clouds drifted lazily across the sky, heralding the arrival of warmer days. As snow-capped structures began to thaw, rivulets of water cascaded down their surfaces, revealing the sturdy foundation underneath.


    Tyrus, Fiona, and Igneal sat in a carriage traveling through the streets of Valis. Sir Wayne and a servant were up front, handling the reins. Everyone was quiet as the bustling streets of shops and people gradually shifted into wider avenues occupied by a larger crowd.


    "Tyrus... You''ve been tapping your leg against the carriage floor for a while now. Your tail''s been moving nonstop as well," Fiona noted, her brow raised. "Are you that nervous?"


    "A little," Tyrus replied, his hand fiddling with his sleeves. "I mean... Today is the day of the entrance exams of the most prestigious academy in Dharmere. From what you, Reo, and Grant told me, it''s extremely hard to get in. If I fail today, there will be no second chances..."


    Fiona chuckled. "Don''t worry too much. You will surely pass the entrance exams. You''re aiming for the combat department, right? From what I''ve seen of you ever since we met, you''re way ahead of any first-year student I''ve seen."


    "A friend of a Lockhart shouldn''t seem so concerned about such trifling matters," Igneal remarked, crossing his arms. "Relax yourself. A member of the Great Lineages would not display such an unsightly face. You''re making a fool of yourself. Like I, you will easily pass the examinations. Do you think our training was for nothing?"


    Tyrus blinked and gawked at Igneal, who looked out the window with a determined gaze. It wasn''t just the words, but also the tone and expression. Again, Igneal''s voice wasn''t laced with arrogance or conceit. This time, he really sounded as if he believed the words he spoke, and it was toward another person. It had been a long time since Igneal dished out any encouragement. Tyrus wasn''t sure how to react.


    "Yeah, you''re right," Tyrus said. "Sorry. I''ll try to relax a bit. Thanks, Igneal."


    A puff of air escaped from Igneal''s nose as he faced away. "Do not expect it again. It was a onetime occasion. The next time this happens, I will not be repeating myself."


    Tyrus nodded and looked out the window. "By the way, Fiona. Where are we going, exactly? I see there are a lot of people gathering here."


    "Remember that white tower that looked like it would scrape the heavens? It''s called the Grand Tower, and it''s home, a teleportation hub that allows high ranking sorcerers and dignitaries to travel instantly to distant lands or other major cities within the empire. The teleportation gate is a highly regulated magical device, only accessible to those with clearance or magical credentials, ensuring that only authorized individuals can use its power. Only a few of them exist across Dharmere."


    "Father and I used it to travel from Lockhart territory," Igneal said. "It is quite a fascinating experience. There is a slight tugging sensation, and then a bright light blinds you. Next thing you know, you''ve arrived at your destination. I''ve heard newcomers tend to faint during the first few uses."


    Fiona nodded and continued. "It takes a substantial amount of mana to power the Grand Tower, hence why the tower itself is a source of power. As I mentioned, the gate connects to other major cities within the empire, and only certain destinations are preset. It¡¯s not like you can pop in wherever you please. Also, there¡¯s always someone overseeing who comes and goes. Plus, the whole thing requires so much magic that they can¡¯t afford to leave it open all the time."


    "That sounds amazing! It sounds like it requires a lot of care, too," Tyrus said.


    "Correct. From what the academy taught us, it''s that the Grand Tower is one of the greatest monuments of Dharmere. I won''t pretend I know what goes on in the upper floors of the Grand Tower and how it functions exactly, but know this: you''ll only hurt yourself thinking too hard about it. Just know only brilliant minds are behind it."


    Fiona left it at that, and Tyrus decided not to pursue the topic further. While he followed her advice and tried not to think too hard about it, guessing what goes on in the Grand Tower was too intriguing to pass up. A group of brilliant sorcerers maintaining a tower capable of transporting people across land quickly was a concept he couldn''t understand fully. Such a marvel made carriages or walking on foot seem mundane.


    That Zephyr guy transported a group of people to the Wasteful Wetlands on his own. What''s so different between the Grand Tower and the Zephyr guy''s ability?


    As Tyrus was left to his own thoughts, the mana in the air gradually increased. He could sense the mana radiating from the tower. By the time the base of the Grand Tower came into view, it was a colossal white structure towering over all the nearby buildings.


    The carriage rolled to a stop in front of a stone gate guarded by sorcerers in white and blue robes and the ordinary Valis guard. Crowds of people lined the street leading up to the entrance. A variety of garments greeted Tyrus''s eye, ranging from expensive finery to ordinary commoner wear. A majority of them were young, around his age. There were a few adults added to the mix, and judging by their posture and garments, a lot of them were servants and parents.


    Everyone passed through the gate with relative ease. The sorcerers would give each person a quick glance before allowing them to enter a wide stone plaza paved with smooth, white granite that matched the tower¡¯s majestic appearance. Lining the plaza were carved statues of posing figures. At the center was a fountain featuring a statue of a man, his hand outstretched as he held a sword to the heavens. Water spouted from the tip, splashing into the basin below.


    "Pick your jaw off the ground and get out already," Igneal grumbled, snapping Tyrus out of his daze.


    Tyrus glanced at him and then exited the carriage, with Igneal following suit. His legs wobbled at the sheer amount of chatter and people assaulting his senses.


    Everything in his sight was foreign and new, and the energy surrounding him was like nothing he had ever felt before. His brain was practically screaming at him to run back to the carriage and order Sir Wayne to return to Selena manor, but Tyrus held himself back with a good pinch to the arm.


    Tyrus noticed Fiona hadn''t gotten out yet and turned. "Aren''t you coming with us, Fiona?"


    She shook her head and replied, "I''m sorry, but the entrance exams are exclusively for newcomers. Outsiders are not permitted to enter the Grand Tower. The examiners have a strict policy in place, allowing only those participating in the exams to enter. Also, returning students are scheduled to enter at a later date. It''s to avoid congestion and increase efficiency."


    His ears drooped as he said, "Oh... Okay. That actually makes a lot of sense."


    "You''ll be alright, Tyrus. You can take care of yourself. And, reluctantly, I have to acknowledge that Igneal is also there with you. I''m not sure what exactly happened, but it seems he doesn''t have a problem sticking with you."


    Igneal walked forward and placed a hand on the carriage door. "How about you mind your business, dear sister. It''s none of your concern, nor is it your place to speak for me. Sir Wayne, you may take her someplace else."


    Before Fiona could snap back, Igneal closed the carriage door shut and turned his back on her. Sir Wayne gave Igneal a deep bow, which the latter responded to with a simple nod, before turning the carriage and departing the area.


    "Come on. Let''s go," Igneal said, walking towards the gate. "The earlier we get there, the better."


    Tyrus cast a glance over his shoulder, observing the carriage gradually shrinking in the distance. A slight twinge of sadness tugged at his heart as it faded from view. He released a heavy sigh and then proceeded to follow behind Igneal.


    As the morning cold gripped the air, Tyrus felt a shiver race down his spine.


    It wasn''t just the occasional breeze that caused it, but rather the piercing gaze that seemed to intensify with each step he took towards the towering Grand Tower. The vibrant conversations that once filled the air now faded into distant echoes, replaced by icy whispers that sent a chill through his bones.


    "What is a Demi-human kid doing here?"


    "Did that child mistake the entrance exams for a circus?"


    "Hey, isn''t that the child His Majesty interrogated? Don''t tell me he''s actually here for the entrance exams?"


    It was hard to focus through all the noise, but Tyrus was used to this kind of attention. Well, as used to it as he could be.


    A short while later, the two arrived at the Grand Tower entrance, currently flooded with what Tyrus assumed were applicants. Tyrus tried to count the heads bumbling forward, but he stopped when the number reached the high seventies. There must''ve been at most doubled the number from the outside.


    "This way," Igneal said, his stride unfaltering.


    Tyrus followed him up a set of stairs that led to a pair of double doors of silver. Once they got inside, after practically fighting through heaps of people, Tyrus roved his eyes around the breath-taking interior of the tower.


    The domed ceiling was high, around the same height as the clock tower in the outer section of the capital. A vast, circular hall with walls made of white marble veined with blue greeted him, which shimmer as they catch the light from floating, luminous orbs suspended in the air.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The walls were connected by raised platforms, adorned with bronze railings, which allowed access to a second level. Sorcerers and stations for different purposes were scattered throughout, creating a mystical atmosphere. At the end of each catwalk, alcoves with doors could be found.


    On the ground floor, rows of cushioned seats were situated at the side, leaving room in the middle to walk normally. Nestled in the heart of the circular hall, the teleportation portal stood, its majestic arch reaching towards the ceiling. As Tyrus approached, a powerful surge of mana crashed into him, nearly knocking him off balance. The oppressive pressure made it difficult for him to breathe, but he managed to focus on the gate before him.


    The massive circular frame was adorned with countless intricate runes, their polished surface twinkling in the light. It was a sight that would put even the most elaborate book of spells to shame. The gate pulsed with a vibrant azure light, spiraling and swirling, creating a mesmerizing display. As Tyrus peered into its center, he found himself peering into a shimmering surface that seemed to have no end, leaving him with a sense of both awe and trepidation.


    "It''s beautiful," Tyrus said with a gasp.


    He tore his gaze away from the gate when he noticed a line of sorcerers in front of the gate. Instead of the white and blue robes most wore, theirs were more in line to what Igneal usually wore, except blue in uniform. He counted four standing side-by-side. Each of them had an insignia that resembled a miniature Grand Tower. Were they in charge of overseeing the portal?


    A man with a shiny head and few forehead wrinkles stepped toward the flood of applicants, which were mostly children and those a few years older. His eyes scanned the gathering of applicants, their nervous excitement palpable in the air. He cleared his throat, commanding immediate attention as his voice echoed through the stone corridor as soon as the last person entered.


    "Welcome to the Grand Tower," he began, his tone formal but not unkind. "I am Warden Nathero of the Grand Tower. Today marks a significant moment in the history of your lives. Here, you will undertake the entrance exams for Valis Academy of Sorcery. There are two separate stages for the entrance exams: the written test and the physical test."


    He pointed to the left, indicating a row of doors along the wall. "On your left, you will discover the written exam hall. This will test your comprehension of fundamental magical theory, history, and practical application. On the right side, you will find the physical exam hall. This will assess your skill in sorcery, determine your primary affinity, and identify which of the four main elements in which you will excel or struggle."


    The man''s last words hit Tyrus like a punch to the gut. What did he mean by that last sentence? Would that mean they''ll be identifying each and every element at his disposal? How would that even work?


    "Applicants have the option to sit for either one or both tests. Nevertheless, it is important to note that choosing to take only one exam significantly reduces the pass rate compared to those who have attempted both. It is strongly recommended to participate in both exams for your own benefit. Opting for just one test narrows down the evaluation scope, making it more challenging to distinguish oneself as a comprehensive candidate deserving of admission into the academy."


    A series of hushed whispers spread among the crowd with a few gasps mixed in. Tyrus''s ears perked, catching the voices of the crowd.


    "Did he say that taking only one test is practically pointless? But why would the academy give us the choice of taking only one?"


    "I''ve heard a bit about the written test. It''s supposedly designed to weed out the uneducated applicants."


    "Aw man! I was hoping the physical test was going to be enough. Guess I don''t have much of a choice, do I?"


    The hall immediately turned loud as the number of concerns and questions from the crowd increased. It was only until Warden Nathero clapped his hands once when the area was plunged into silence.


    "There are approximately one-hundred and fifty applicants today. You will be divided into two groups. Half of you will be brought into written exam hall, and the other half will begin the physical examination overseen by the Valis Academy of Sorcery instructors. We will now begin separating the groups. I bid you all the best of luck. May Sthito bless your success."


    Almost immediately did the sorcerers in front of the gate move and sort the applicants into groups. Tyrus turned his attention to the right side of the Grand Tower where the physical exam hall resided.


    One of the sorcerers was pointing at applicants, directing them towards either side of the hall. It took some time, and that same sorcerer, a woman with greying hair, walked up to him and Igneal.


    Her eyes landed on the noble, and she bowed. "Young lord of the Lockhart name, I presume?"


    Igneal nodded. "Yes, yes, I am a Lockhart. Let us get on with the entrance exams. I''d rather get this over with. I will be taking both the physical and written exams."


    "Apologies, young lord. You will begin with the physical exam and are applicant fifty-three. Please take a seat and wait until your number is called."


    Igneal grunted a response, and the sorcerer moved on toward an available seat toward the right side of the hall. Tyrus shifted his gaze away from the noble and faced the sorcerer. As soon as their eyes met, Tyrus felt his heart skip a beat.


    "Regarding you, black tiger," she declared, her voice dripping with venom. "Although His Majesty has bestowed upon you the status of a citizen of Lethos, do not delude yourself. You are of Beastfolk lineage, the empire''s sworn enemy. Were it not for the emperor, you would never have been allowed inside the Grand Tower, let alone in its proximity."


    The sorcerer took a momentary pause before proceeding. "For the physical exam, you are applicant number fifty-four. Find a seat and wait until your number is called. The academy instructors will evaluate you when it''s your turn. While you''ve made it this far, don''t anticipate any sympathy or leniency from them."


    With the ominous words lingering in the air, the woman shifted her focus to the next applicant, instructing them to proceed with the written exam. Tyrus shot a piercing glare at the rude woman before he let out a sigh and settled into an unoccupied seat beside Igneal.


    There''s no way the instructors will purposely fail me, right? I really haven''t thought about that before...


    Tyrus laced his hands together, his eyes staring at the floor as he awaited his number to be called. In the meantime, he listened to conversations all around him.


    Most were about the contents of the exams or what life would be like inside the academy, but there were a few interesting bits thrown in the mix, like how some kids were planning their future.


    The noble boys would inherit their family''s business or seek influential positions, while the girls sought the same, save for a few that wanted to become a renowned sorcerer. He even heard whispers that some were seeking worthy sorcerers to marry.


    When Tyrus looked up from the ground, just to take a glance at the applicants whose numbers were called, he noticed the stares he was receiving. Even though he tried his best to ignore them, the constant snickering and murmurs made him feel self-conscious.


    "They must be astonished that a Lockhart has honored them with his presence. I can''t blame them," Igneal said, appearing completely at ease.


    I don''t think that''s it, Tyrus thought. Of course, he wouldn''t knock him out of his common delusions and kept to himself.


    Time seemed to crawl to a slow crawl as more applicants were called up for the physical exam. The hall grew quieter and quieter with each new applicant that stepped out, which did little to soothe his nerves.


    Whenever one finished, they were instructed by the man guarding the doors to make way for the seats over at the written exam and wait there. Those already taking the written exam were already behind the doors, so the seats were empty for the ones finished with the physical. And each one that left the hall, their faces were painted in a pale complexion. A few were shaking and sweating. Some were trembling, and others looked as if they were on the verge of tears as they crawled away in shame.


    A wave of unease washed over Tyrus as his heart pounded against his rib cage. A lump formed in his throat, and the longer he waited, the worse the tension within his body became. The more applicants returned to the hall, the louder the pounding of his heart echoed.


    "Applicant fifty-three," a voice from up front called out.


    "Finally," Igneal grumbled. He stood from his seat and dusted his pants. "I will be sure to impress these instructors and prove my superiority amongst the others."


    "G-Good luck, then," Tyrus said.


    Igneal proceeded to the sorcerer by the doors, his head held high. He disappeared into the room, and the door was closed shut. However, not long after the noble left did someone new take his place.


    "Look what we have here," a familiar voice said. "What''s a Demi-human like you doing here?"


    Tyrus stiffened at the sudden appearance of the three figures before him. Three boys; one with sandy brown hair, another with dark hair, and the last one with blond hair surrounded him. All were wearing expensive, neatly pressed attire, and the two with colored hair hovered over Tyrus.


    "Oh? You don''t seem happy to see us," the dark-haired boy said. "You know, its common courtesy for commoners to address nobles."


    "Father said that the Beastfolk are a dumb bunch," the sandy brown-haired snickered. "He probably can''t even speak properly."


    Dark hair chuckled. "That''s right, I almost forgot about that. So, Demi-human, can you speak? Or are you too stupid?"


    "I can''t believe the Grand Tower is allowing an enemy to take the entrance exams," the blond-haired said, a scowl on his face. "There''s also the fact that the Beastfolk take no prisoners and eats their captives. That''s the reason the empire has been fighting them since forever."


    Tyrus eye twitched at the accusation. "What kind of stupid rumors are you talking about? I don''t eat people."


    "So, you do speak," the dark-haired mused.


    "I can talk just fine, yes," Tyrus growled. "What are you guys even trying to accomplish by bothering me?"


    "To meet a supposed black tiger, obviously. It''s known that black tigers are affiliated with the Great Lineages, making them practically nobility. But in the end, they are still beasts. Just because they possess slightly higher intelligence than ordinary ones, it does not change the fact that they are all bloodthirsty villains. Considering you''re half-human, it is repulsive to think that one of your parents had a child with a beast¡ª"


    Something inside Tyrus snapped. He turned, his eyes locking onto the group. His pulse quickened, and before he realized it, a ripple of mana surged from his core, subtle at first, but growing rapidly.


    The boys stopped laughing. Their smirks faltered as they felt the shift in the atmosphere. A low hum vibrated through the ground, the pressure of Tyrus''s mana wrapping around them like an invisible force. The leader of the trio, the one who had spoken first, took a shaky step back, his face pale.


    Tyrus didn''t say a word. He didn''t have to. His glare, fierce and unblinking, held them in place as if daring them to continue. The mana around him pulsated, wild and untamed, a warning more powerful than any words he could have uttered. His eyes flickered with something primal, something dangerous.


    The dark-haired boy, surprisingly, stood his ground and glared back. "Why you¡ª"


    "That is enough," a delicate voice commanded.


    Everyone froze, Tyrus included, as a pale girl with light blue hair suddenly appeared by his side. She stood with her back turned to him, a white cloak resembling fur cascading down her shoulders. Her right hand was raised towards the trio, as if signaling them to halt.


    "You three are making a commotion," the girl stated. "Go back to your seats before Warden Nathero comes over here. I will not repeat myself."


    "Y-Yes, Lady Kylis!"


    Like a bunch of scared cats, the three scurried away and sat in their respective seats. Tyrus''s eyes lingered on the girl, Kylis, for a moment before the man up front called his number.


    "Applicant fifty-four!"


    He glanced away from Kylis to see Igneal strolling by. Yet instead of a proud face, there was a bit of a frown tugging at the corners as he mumbled something incomprehensible from afar.


    Tyrus immediately rose to his feet. "T-Thank you for helping me out."


    The girl turned, allowing Tyrus to finally catch a glimpse of her face. Describing her as pretty would be an understatement. Her complexion was flawlessly smooth, free of any imperfections, while her cheeks boasted a subtle rosy hue. Her eyes, a striking shade of light blue, were as clear as a winter''s day, while also possessing an icy aura. To Tyrus, she embodied the essence of winter itself.


    And yet, there was a hint of familiarity emanating from her.


    "This is your final warning, applicant fifty-five!"


    Those words snapped Tyrus out of his trance. He picked up his feet and rushed toward the awaiting door, the instructor standing on the side with a grim look. He could still feel the girl staring at him, the intensity of her gaze sending a chill down his spine as he entered the physical exam.

 Chapter 137- Physical and Written Exam

    The doors shut behind him with a resounding thud. Tyrus strained his eyes ahead, sweeping his gaze around the new surroundings.


    A small room, the walls bare and devoid of any decorations, save for a few banners depicting that of the Grand Tower on the other end of the room. Underneath those banners lay a raised, fenced platform with a long table in the middle. Five chairs were seated behind the desk. Five sorcerers, three men and two women, were occupying the seats. In the middle of the room was a wide, three ringed circle inscribed with runic symbols.


    "Hoh? What do we have here?" said a familiar voice.


    Sitting at the end was none other than Sir Geroth wearing his usual uniform. The giant man had a wide smile on his face as a laugh as hearty as he escaped his lips.


    "Sir Geroth, please remember your position as an instructor," said a man with slick, gray hair and a leathery face.


    Sir Geroth coughed and straightened up. "My apologies, Headmaster Freschlain. That boy there is a friend of my son, and I just so happened to recognize him."


    "I hope your fondness of the boy does not sully your judgment of his worthiness. You understand how important this exam is, don''t you, Sir Geroth?"


    "There is no need to worry. Rest assured, I am fully committed to making unbiased decisions and will not let any form of favoritism influence my judgment."


    The headmaster nodded, his gaze fixed on Tyrus. "Applicant fifty-four, where are your manners? Please step forward and position yourself in the center of the runic circle. Introduce yourself."


    Tyrus rushed forward and positioned himself at the center of the runic circle and said, "U-Um, my name is Tyrus. I would... like to be accepted into the academy, please."


    "That''s all?" a woman with a bun of light hair scoffed. "What a lackluster introduction. You do realize that you are standing in front of the most renowned sorcerers within Lethos, correct?"


    Of course I do, Tyrus thought to himself. All he needed was one look to know each and every one of them were extraordinarily strong thanks to mana sense. Their mana reserves were massive and overflowing, and they carried themselves in a dignified manner.


    Headmaster Freschlain carried on. "We have a limited amount of time, so I will cut to the chase. You seem anxious, Tyrus, and I understand why. Rest assured, we will judge and test you fairly, despite your lineage. You are an applicant that wish to attend the academy, nothing more, nothing less. If His Majesty has cleared you of any suspicions, then who are we to defy him? Do you understand?"


    Tyrus nodded. He was a bit surprised by the headmasters words, given that a lot of people were hostile against him. Not only him, but the other instructors as well. Most of them held no hatred or disgust in their eyes, as if the boy in front of them was any regular person. Well, except for one instructor at the far end.


    A man with color still in his hair and a face resembling that of a chimp sat rigid and had his arms crossed. He stared straight at Tyrus without blinking, sometimes sneaking glances at his hands. His obvious contempt was hard to ignore, but Tyrus willed himself to look directly at the headmaster instead.


    "Now, let''s talk about this runic circle," the headmaster began. "It''s designed to detect and measure your aptitude. The symbols you see below you are runes that illuminate based on your affinity as a sorcerer. Before we proceed further, may I assume that you have received the blessings of Sthito?"


    "Yes, sir," Tyrus said quickly. "I awakened near the end of autumn."


    "Good. Notice how there are three rings? Each one represents a sorcerer''s specialization: conjuration, augmentation, and elemental. The inner ring lights up if you are a Conjuration Sorcerer while the middle, Augmentation Sorcerer, and the outer, Elemental Sorcerer. If two rings were to light up, that means you are a Multi-specialist for those two."


    "Each rune in the third ring is aligned with the core elements¡ªfire, water, earth, and air¡ªas well as sub-elements. The brightness and specific runes that light up will indicate your strongest affinities. For instance, if you have a strong affinity for fire, you can expect fiery symbols or colors to dominate the display. To begin, simply enter the Sorcerer Plane."


    A long explanation, but it sounds simple enough. If I had to say all of this to every applicant, I might''ve gone crazy at the first twenty...


    Tyrus obeyed and shut his eyes. The moment he entered the Sorcerer Plane, a sharp pain erupted in his mind, while a pinch eclipsed his mana heart. He felt his mana slowly leak from within, slithering from his torso and toward his feet. Not long after, a bright light engulfed his vision, prompting him to open his eyes.


    As soon as he did, he was stunned into silence.


    Before him, the floor was decorated with a plethora of bright, colorful, and dazzling runes, all interweaving and spiraling across the air like shooting stars. Flying right in front of him was a rune that he could identify, without a doubt: a lightning bolt. And below him, two rings glowed, one after the other¡ªthe second and third.


    In another dazzling display of light, the image of a tree emerged from the circle, branches all. And from the myriad of branches, four below were lit up, the last one just shy of reaching the half-way mark.


    "What a magnificent display!" a young woman with ash-brown hair exclaimed. "Not only is he a Multi-specialist with a lightning affinity, but the capacity of his mana heart is immense!"


    Another instructor nodded, this time an old woman with odd frames in the shape of hearts. "If my eyes do not deceive me, but four of his thirty branches are lit up! Ever so rarely does an applicant have even two branches filled up!"


    As the instructor''s words trailed off, a rune soared upwards, halting in close proximity to the crackling lightning bolt. It twirled in the air, its inky blackness creating a mesmerizing spiral.


    Following underneath was a fiery rune. A gentle breeze brought forth the next rune. The subsequent symbol was accompanied by water. And last, the last rune materialized, illuminating the room with its soft and comforting light. A sharp gasp escaped the instructor with ash-brown hair.


    The man who had been glaring at Tyrus throughout finally broke his silence. "Headmaster Freschlain, it seems that the black tiger possesses a strong connection to the dark element. Given his background and the inherent violence of his kind, this pairing could spell trouble for the students if he were to be accepted."


    Sir Grant''s expression soured. "Mind your tongue, Instructor Malvil. Such preconceptions are unbecoming of an instructor. I assure you that Tyrus holds no evil within his heart! This matter has already been settled by His Majesty."


    Instructor Malvil snorted. "I am well aware of His Majesty''s decision. As a peer, I am merely warning you of the potential danger he could bring. As long as you are aware of the possible consequences, that is all."


    Headmaster Freschlain raised a hand, and both men went quiet. "I apologise you had to witness that, Tyrus. I assure you our instructors are professionals who treat their duties seriously. Let us move on with the exam..."


    Sir Geroth''s glare lingered before he reluctantly faced forward. The headmaster took the royal knight''s resignation as a sign to continue.


    "It appears that Tyrus is an elemental and augmentation sorcerer, a Multi-specialist. He possesses a primary affinity for lightning, and an unusually high ceiling for his secondary element: dark. Already is the applicant on his fourth branch, and his mana heart¡¯s capacity is quite large. Lightning and dark and fire are your best elements, while earth is subpar; water and light should be your weakest.¡±


    Water, earth, and light are my weakest elements? That doesn¡¯t sound too good. What does that mean exactly? I want to ask, but I feel like I shouldn¡¯t be asking questions at this time.


    ¡°To wrap up this exam, I would like you to showcase your strength to I and the instructors. Do whatever you like, young man.¡±


    For a second, Tyrus was confused at what the headmaster was implying until he remembered the true goal of a physical exam: to catch the interest of the instructors. That meant that a half-baked attempt at wowing the spectators would surely spell his doom at being accepted.


    Since these people were powerful in their own right, it was only natural to assume they¡¯ve seen a lot of spells over time, whether it came from the applicants themselves or other sorcerers around their strengths. Because of that, these instructors weren¡¯t expecting all that much from a bunch of kids who have just recently awaken.


    To solidify himself as a lock to become a student of the academy, Tyrus would have to impress them. A strength that no other applicant has displayed for as long as they¡¯ve been instructors. To make them regret that even the thought of rejecting such an applicant would warrant disdain from others. That there were no room for doubt similar to how a child knew the functions of night and day.


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    ¡°Whatever I like?¡± Tyrus repeated.


    Before the headmaster even uttered a word, Tyrus slowly raised his arm, stretching it towards the lofty ceiling. As he closed his eyes, vivid images flooded his mind, envisioning a brilliant Lightning Bolt taking form right above his upturned palms. Suddenly, with a sudden surge of power, the element crackled to life, emitting a mesmerizing, high-pitched sound akin to a swarm of bees, its luminous tendrils dancing with energy. In a matter of moments, the orb expanded in size, growing to twice the size of a ripe melon. The sheer intensity of the mana heart''s energy rushed towards this focal point, creating a powerful aura that permeated the room.


    Popping noises and flashing blue lights crowded the pristine chamber as Tyrus finished cooking up the spell in five heartbeats. His arm strained from the burden of so much mana converging as one, yet he held on. A second later, he released the Lightning Bolt, and everyone in the room watched it streak upward. It exploded into a shower of brilliant light, as if a giant had crushed and tossed fragments of sapphires into the air.


    Sweat trickled down his cheeks while his heart raced a little faster. Wasn''t that a sufficient display of his power, he wondered?


    Tyrus turned his gaze towards the instructors, investigating to determine their reactions, only to be met with a disquieting sight. Each of their faces¡ªsave for Sir Geroth¡ªbore a worrisome expression, as if he had committed some grave mistake. The headmaster, however, remained stoic, his fingers interlaced before him.


    ¡°Thank you for that display, Tyrus. You may now leave this chamber. At the conclusion of the exams, you will be informed about your admission status at Valis Academy of Sorcery."


    Tyrus blood ran cold. ¡°¡­Okay. Thank you for having me.¡±


    Feeling glum, he turned on his heels and shuffled away from the runic circle. The man safeguarding the doors opened them and ushered Tyrus out, pointing toward the seats for the written exam.


    Continuing on, the next candidate was summoned, the same girl who had aided him before. He briefly glanced at her as she confidently entered the room, and the doors shut with a loud bang. Tyrus averted his gaze and proceeded to the next section, not bothering to lift his eyes as he settled down at the far end.


    Did I... mess up?


    ***


    Tyrus found it difficult to focus throughout the written exam portion. His mind wandered back to the incident with the headmaster and the instructors. Had his display of strength not been enough to impress them? He wasn''t sure, and his heart couldn''t stop thumping ever since.


    Even so, he willed himself to concentrate on the exam, which had some straightforward questions, such as common methods of replenishing a sorcerer''s mana heart or to name the four primary elements. There were questions that were kicked up a notch, like naming the factors that influence the efficiency of a sorcerer''s spell or what year was the third emperor of Lethos assassinated. A rather gruesome question to include on an exam taken by children, but Tyrus knew the answer.


    Then came the more tough questions, and a lot of them were ones Tyrus did not know how to answer. History was the one thing he lacked the most and, most of the difficult questions were about historical battles throughout Dharmere.


    The Battle of Frozen Peaks, the Siege of Halsias, the Purge of the Jaliaketh, the Descent of the Flying Fortress, and many others. Most of these battles Tyrus had never heard of, and he was drawing a blank for the questions concerning them. With no other option, he wrote locations that popped to mind and went on to the next one. No use worrying about answers that''d probably never come back to haunt him.


    Tyrus looked around at his peers. Some were frantically scribbling and writing as if the answers would slip out of their minds, while others sat in a relaxed position, as if they were already confident with their performance. There were a few things Tyrus figured out throughout his time during the written exam.


    Not only were there applicants that were nobles, but commoners were free to take the entrance exams. The academy wasn''t exclusive to a certain social class, though he had expected the number of nobles attending would be larger, and the reason for that was obvious.


    The advantage nobles had was night and day compared to those not born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Because their family was well off most of the time, the students would have access to more books and study materials, and they''d be able to get more training than most commoners could afford. Not only that, but some of their families employed personal tutors to hone their talents in sorcery.


    Commoners were usually left to fend for themselves, as most could not afford such luxuries. That led to them being self-taught in sorcery, or not at all. Because of how stark the circumstances are, their chances of being accepted plummets. It was no wonder it was considered a dream to those who weren''t born fortunate. That only made his recent performance more disappointing, and it was a bitter pill to swallow.


    Like a weasel, time slipped through Tyrus'' fingers and he was done in the blink of an eye. He handed his exam over to an instructor and made his way toward the Grand Tower''s front entrance.


    Apparently, everyone who finished both exams were instructed to wait outside until the results were ready. As the time passed, Tyrus''s worries gnawed away at him. What if he wasn''t accepted into the academy? Then what? Applicants were given one shot to prove themselves, and no second chances. If that was the case, he''d have to settle on becoming a full-time explorer.


    That wasn''t all too bad, but his heart still ached, knowing that a part of him craved the knowledge and prestige the academy would grant him. Fiona has said many times that those who graduate from the academy would be set for life, and that''s what he wanted. To make a great living and live the rest of his life as he chooses. Those were the main motivations that fueled his resolve so far. Without them, he''d be nothing more than a boy who was lost in life.


    "Tyrus!"


    Tyrus''s ears perked up. He looked over his shoulder to see Ivy rushing towards him, waving her arms. Her face was bright and cheerful, and she looked like she had something important to say.


    She slowed her pace and smiled down at him. "It''s good to see you again! How did your exams go? You seem really tense."


    Some of the tension riddling his body vanished. Tyrus scratched his cheek and chuckled. "I''m not really sure, to be honest. There were a lot of history questions on the written exam I had no clue about. But I think I did well enough to get a decent score. The physical exam, on the other hand..."


    His face fell and his ears drooped. "I did what I could in there. All I can do is hope that I at least impressed a few of them. Sir Geroth was there, and he seems to like me, so maybe that''s a good thing."


    A brief silence ensued. Suddenly, Ivy adjusted her cloak and sat beside him, her gaze locked onto the sky. Tyrus flinched, but he quickly shook the shock off and did the same. Not a hint of a cloud was visible, and the sky was a bright azure, with the sun beaming down on them.


    Ivy''s voice broke the silence. "Mother says this to me all the one when I''m feeling down: Moping around won''t do you any good, Ivy. Best to keep your chin up and move forward. Things could always be worse."


    "That is true. Things could always be worse."


    "Exactly," Ivy said. She clapped her hands together. "Which is why you should think happy thoughts. What''s your favorite thing to eat?"


    "Stew," said Tyrus quickly. "With carrots, potatoes, and boar meat."


    "What do you like to do?"


    He paused. "Exploring places and fighting beasts."


    "My favorite is steamed mewfish, and I like studying sorcery. Oh, and exploring new places is fun. You rarely know what you''ll find, whether it''s a beautiful flower or an undiscovered species. Or the more common one: a lady captured by a rock spider, who is then rescued by a mysterious and very strong explorer."


    A faint smile curled on Tyrus'' lips. "Hey, how''d you do on the exams?"


    "Heh, I don''t want to sound overconfident, but I''m sure I passed with flying colors. Well, on the written exam, that is. I made a few mistakes in front of the instructors, but nothing too major. It''s not the exam I spent the most time worrying about, anyway."


    "If it''s you, Ivy, then I''m sure you got the highest score. If I''m wrong, may Sthito send bad luck my way."


    Ivy giggled and playfully shoved Tyrus, who couldn''t help but smile back.


    To pass the time, Ivy and Tyrus talked, mostly about the contents of each exam. Their conversation then steered toward the academy and the expectations they had if they were accepted. As time passed, the unease that plagued him earlier slowly dissipated, replaced by a pleasant and warm feeling. They talked and talked, and an hour passed in the blink of an eye.


    Soon, every applicant was outside the Grand Tower, awaiting their results. Not long after, everyone''s eyes turned to the entrance when Warden Nathero stood at the top of the steps. In one swift hand motion, a golden light escaped from his hand, hovering high above his head. Then, the light exploded, revealing two large images similar to whenever a communications orb was used. The left was a list¡ªin order of who scored the highest¡ªof applicants that have passed the written exam, and the right detailing the physical exam.


    "Those must be the results," Ivy said giddily. She grabbed Tyrus by the arm and dragged him closer to the front, where a large crowd was gathering. The crowd parted, allowing Tyrus and Ivy a view of the results, and his eyes scanned through the list.


    A squeal from Ivy drew his attention away, and he spotted her hopping around, a grin from ear to ear. She pointed at the board and said, "Look, Tyrus! I''m in second!"


    Sure enough, her name was number two on the list. The thought of congratulating her crossed his mind, but his eyes were glued to the name above hers: Igneal. Tyrus knew the noble was smart, but he was still surprised to see his name that high.


    As for Tyrus, his name didn''t crack the top ten, let alone twenty. In fact, it was further down in the high fifties¡ªa solid fifty-nine. Disappointment was the first emotion that swept over him, but he quickly dismissed it, knowing that the written exam wouldn''t be his strong suit. So, he shifted his attention to the other board.


    "N-No way..."


    His knees wobbled as he stared, wide-eyed, at the top three names: Tyrus, Igneal, and Kylis. His name was first on the list! Just to be sure, Tyrus rubbed his eyes and focused on the words again, and it was still there. A mixture of relief, shock, and happiness surged within him. He was the highest ranking applicant on the physical exam.


    Ivy''s voice cut in. "See? What did I tell you, Tyrus? Who else would be first other than you?"


    Tyrus was too thunderstruck to say anything, so he nodded his head. After all of that worrying, he managed to place first, despite being a commoner and having little experience. He had to pinch himself to confirm that this wasn''t a dream. Tyrus couldn''t wait to tell the others the great news!


    "May I have everyone''s attention!" Warden Nathero''s voice boomed, startling everyone. When the voices died down, the warden continued. "The passing threshold to be accepted into the academy is that one must perform well. If an applicant were to score too low on the written exam, their physical exam must make up for it to cover the deficit."


    "Certainly, there exists a contrasting scenario. It is equally important not to place your hopes on the physical examination if you score low on the other. This is precisely why I emphasized the significance of giving your utmost effort in both exams. The names listed here are those who have successfully passed and been granted admission to the academy."


    Cheers and applause erupted, while many hung their head low, looking dejected. It was the typical scenario, and the warden patiently waited until everyone calmed down before continuing.


    "Those who have been accepted should make their way to the Grand Tower in two days'' time. Once there, you will use the teleportation gate and be transported directly onto the academy grounds. It is crucial that you arrive on time, as tardiness will result in being denied entry. Take this moment to celebrate and get ready to embark on your new journey at Valis Academy of Sorcery, where the doors of experience will eagerly welcome you."

 Chapter 138- Celebratory Feast

    "Congratulations on passing!"


    In the dining area of Selena''s manor, everyone crowded around the table, mugs in hand as they raised a toast.


    Blue Dawn, alongside Selena, who had just returned from a business trip, was in attendance. A spread of food and drink decorated the table, ranging from steaming breads to roasted meat and vegetables. An aroma wafted through the air, causing Tyrus''s mouth to water in anticipation.


    The excitement hadn''t worn off yet, and the fact that he was going to the academy kept running through his mind. Even now, it felt like a dream, and that at any moment, he''d wake up from. Dream or not, he''d relish in it as long as he could.


    "Congratulations, Tyrus," Grant said, a wide smile on his face. "You should be proud. Becoming a student of the academy is no easy feat. Most cannot, and have to settle with attending the lesser institutes or abandoning their path altogether. You did well to come this far."


    Reo patted him on the shoulder. "Now, I''m not saying I expected anything less of you, but I thought you''d be ranked second on the physical exam."


    "How come?" Tyrus asked.


    "You strike me as the type to become nervous at important events. Maybe you messed up with a verbal incantation, or you slipped in your own puddle of sweat."


    "Well, I was nervous, but it kind of went away when it was time to show off what I could do. With so many people watching me, and it being an important time of my life, there was no way I could live with myself if I didn''t give it my all."


    Tyrus turned to Grant. "Also, I didn''t expect to see your father there, Grant. Was he always an instructor?"


    Reo and Fiona both whipped their heads around, their eyebrows raised. Grant rubbed his hair and said, "I was just as surprised as you guys are. My father only told me of the news just last week. It was by the request of His Majesty that he was recruited. Apparently, the headmaster had been looking for a new swordmanship instructor after Instructor Braun retired. My father has been a full-time royal knight for as long as I can remember, so it''ll be a jarring experience to witness."


    "That means we''ll be seeing your old man at the academy a lot," Reo said, taking a sip from his mug. After a moment, his eyes grew large and he almost choked. "Wait, does that mean your father will be taking over our classes!? That hardworking fiend? I might have to skip a few more lessons..."


    Grant smiled. "This is the time to rejoice, not complain. It''s for the best that Father spreads his teachings to as many students as possible, so that there are more skilled swordsmen in the future. The world would be a better place if everyone adopted his attitude toward the improvement of of their temple: the body."


    Reo''s groans grew louder as Grant continued to drone on about his father''s work ethic and the importance of maintaining a healthy body. Tyrus quietly observed the amusing scene until something in his peripheral vision caught his eye. He turned his head and saw Selena''s unsettling smile directed towards him, accompanied by a wave beckoning him to join her at the front. Sitting beside her were Fiona and a scowling Igneal. Mentally preparing himself, Tyrus made his way over to them.


    "We haven''t seen each other in months and you look as if you want nothing to do with me," said Selena calmly.


    Tyrus shook his head and replied, "How could I ever behave in such a manner, knowing that you have been kind enough to let me stay in your home and share your meals?"


    "How odd. Since when did your words become honeyed? Where''s the usual venom veiled through innocence? You sure have changed a lot the last time I''ve seen you."


    "...I don''t know what you''re talking about," Tyrus said, taking a sip.


    Were his emotions that obvious to Selena back then? Tyrus thought he did a pretty good job of holding back what he truly felt when it came to dealing with the nobles, but apparently, that wasn''t the case.


    "Ignore Aunt Selena," Fiona said cheerfully. "She''s just messing around. What we should be focusing on is how you got first in the physical exams! Ever since we first met, I always knew you were special. It feels like it was just yesterday when you and I were fighting against those goblins all those months ago..."


    Her eyes turned misty as she took a swig from her mug. She wiped her lips and said, "To think, that same kid who knew nothing about sorcery back then is the same boy that placed first among hundreds of applicants. Especially when it was against other nobles! Do you know how fortunate you are, Tyrus?"


    "For instance; those who placed in the top three of either exam are granted a set of privilege that the other applicants won''t experience. Not only do you receive funds from the academy to pay for any books or material, but you also have a greater chance of getting paired up with the higher-ranking instructors for classes. It''s an easy way to improve your relationship with the instructors and receiving a mentorship for future professions."


    Fiona then leaned closer and whispered, "I''m not supposed to tell you this, but the living quarters and facilities are drastically different between the top three and the rest of the applicants. You''ll see what kind of system the academy runs on."


    The branch leader chuckled and looked toward a moody Igneal. "I heard you placed first in the written exam and second in the physical. That is wonderful news to hear, dear nephew."


    Igneal''s body went stiff. "Yes, Aunt Selena, it''s wonderful that a Lockhart went second on the physical exam. I am jumping for joy at such a commendable achievement."


    "Sarcasm is not a cute look for you," Selena said. "Instead of moping like a toddler, be glad you''ve been accepted into a prestigious academy. Do you know just how many people would die to have the same opportunity as you right now?"


    Igneal snorted and crossed his arm. "Who doesn''t envy the life of a Lockhart? But that is besides the point. It is expected of me to place at the top. The academy is full of gossiping nobles, and I have a reputation to uphold. What would people think if a son of Family Head Lockhart performed poorly? I''d be considered lesser than my brother and sister!"


    "You''re putting too much emphasis on what others think. A man who overly concerns himself with appearances will constantly battle to uphold his dignity. It''s a treacherous path, and before long, the facade will crumble, revealing his troubles."


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "Here you go again with your lectures," Igneal grumbled. "What you say is utter nonsense. Status separates the strong from the weak, and the wealthy from the poor. If I do not uphold my family''s honor, then I''d be a disgrace to the name¡ª"


    Selena sighed, rubbing her temple. "There''s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and you''ve crossed into the latter long ago. But... judging by your actions so far, you seem to be improving."


    "What does that mean¡ª"


    The branch leader ignored him and smiled at Tyrus. "It seems we are getting off-track. I called you over here to congratulate your accomplishments. So far, you''ve proven to me that risking my profession and validity has been worth the trouble. The fact that you''ve made it this far is commendable. Stand proud of your efforts, Tyrus.


    Tyrus face flushed, and he awkwardly said, "Thank you."


    "Now," she began, rising from the head seat, "it''s about time we stuff ourselves with food before it gets cold. This is a moment of celebration shared between you and Igneal. Eat well and prepare yourselves these next few days. Best to be in great health for the ceremony than to be sick when the time comes. As I''m sure Warden Nathero has stated, being late for the teleportation will not end well."


    At her words, everyone sat down and began picking whatever dish fancied their taste. The clatter of cutlery and the loud chattering of voices filled the air.


    Tyrus had never experienced a celebratory feast, let alone have a party held in his honor. It was a strange feeling, but a welcome one. Hearing the disciplined Grant talk about swordsmanship classes while the carefree Reo joked around with Fiona brought a sense of comfort.


    Was this what it meant to have friends? To be able to talk openly and have a good time? If that was the case, Tyrus had never felt more thankful in his entire life. It was something he wished would remain unchanged, and he was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that it stayed that way. For the first time, Tyrus found himself almost grateful that he had been rejected and abandoned by the black tigers. It had given him the chance to meet a group whom he could truly call his friends.


    Wow, now that I think about it, I haven''t considered them friends this whole time. This feels... nice.


    Tyrus stuck a spoonful of soup into his mouth as his thoughts lingered. Like Selena said, he''d have to prepare for his entrance to the academy. Fiona mentioned living quarters a while ago, so that meant he''d be living over there for the time being. A few sets of garments were needed.


    Also, just how many in funds was he going to receive? If the academy was the most prestigious in Dharmere¡ªand most likely swimming in wealth¡ªsurely it was no small amount. At least he didn''t have to go out hunting in Wildwood to scrounge some up.


    In that very moment, a sudden recollection brought Tyrus back to a promise he had made months ago. The intensity of the memory was so strong that he almost dropped his spoon. Tyrus grimaced at the kind of reaction awaiting him.


    She''s definitely going to be mad at me...


    ***


    The following day came, and his suspicions were validated as he stood at the base of the Wildwood sanctuary. A spirit, crossing her arms while floating just above his head, gazed in the opposite direction.


    "Are... you mad at me, Meadow?"


    Meadow replied, still refusing to face Tyrus. "No, what makes you think that, Hero of Wildwood? I am simply observing Wildwoods'' splendid looks."


    "Well, for one, you''re not facing me, and two, we haven''t seen each other in months. You have every right to be angry about the promise I made to you. I have no excuse to make, and I hope you can forgive me."


    While subtle, Tyrus could see the corner of Meadow''s lips trembling. She bobbed her head around and groaned until she sighed and turned. "It''s so easy to get swept up into your pace that I''m beginning to feel like a horrible spirit. I''m the one who should apologize for acting like this."


    Tyrus raised his arm, signalling for Meadow to float closer. She inched closer and rested on top of his shoulder. "How about this? We both forgive each other. That way, we can be even, and neither has to take the blame."


    Meadow beamed and said, "I could never be mad at our savior. It''s a deal!"


    "That''s nice to hear. We''ll get started soon, but first I need to greet Elder Treant. There''s something I want to ask him."


    Tyrus stepped foot into the Wildwood sanctuary. What used to be snow-capped ground and trees barren of leaves was a clearing that did not follow the laws of the surrounding area. The snow that covered the ground was no more, revealing blades of rich grass. The air was warm and carried the scent of blooming flowers.


    Flying green dots¡ªthe earth spirits¡ªzoomed through the air. Some flew by and waved, causing Tyrus to wave back. Rodents scurried through the grass while a few birds chirped happily from their nests. It was a scene that brought warmth and joy.


    Tyrus walked past scurrying rodents seeking refuge from the cold and stopped just shy of Elder Treant. The gigantic tree''s eyes were closed, as if asleep, but Tyrus knew better than that. He patiently waited as Elder Treant slowly opened his eyes. A set of blue eyes regarded him fondly.


    "Hi, Elder Treant," Tyrus said with a bow.


    "It is nice to see you in good health," Elder Treant rumbled. "Many moons have passed since our last conversation."


    "Yeah, sorry about that. I was busy with important matters in the capital. As much as I hate to say it, but I won''t be here for too long. I''ll be attending an academy in two days, and I want to make sure I miss nothing important."


    The Elder Treant let out a chuckle before speaking, "Savior, there is no need to worry about us spirits. It brings joy to this ancient treant to see that you haven''t forgotten about us. Unlike you, who are blessed with the freedom to roam the land, we treants are bound to the confines of Wildwood, unable to venture beyond. We will surely miss your presence, and I have no doubt that the other spirits feel the same way."


    "That''s kind of sad, don''t you think?"


    "Sad it may be to you, but to us, it is a part of our life. We were born here, and here is where we remain."


    "That only applies to the treants, not us fairies," Meadow chimed in. "Well, for us to leave, we''d need a constant source of mana to fuel us. It''s why the majority of us spirits stay inside Wildwood and its surroundings. There''s plentiful mana to be found here, allowing us to live freely. That is why that drake you vanquished all those months ago was so scary! The less life that radiates mana, the smaller the area of influence. For an area of influence to shrink, it must be destroyed, meaning¡ª"


    "You''ll die," Tyrus finished.


    "Yes, and it''s worth mentioning that it takes a significant amount of time for a spirit to fully restore itself. Once that process is complete, we undergo a rebirth, with our memories from past lives completely erased. There''s no guarantee that we will return to our original physical forms. It''s possible that I could be reborn as a flower or even a leaf. The world beyond is a harsh environment for spirits who lack strength. We owe our thanks to Elder Treant and the treants for safeguarding us."


    Tyrus thought about Meadow''s words, and his chest felt heavy. To him, the thought of losing memories and returning to an unknown form was terrifying. A cruel punishment, if he had anything to say about it.


    "Enough of the dreary talk, Meadow. Let us speak of the reason behind our savior''s visit," said the Elder Treant, sensing the mood.


    Tyrus nodded his head and said, "There''s this cavern Meadow and I are going to check out. We weren''t given the chance to explore it fully because of my absence."


    "When you went to face the rock spiders," Elder Treant said. "With just one look, I can see that you''ve grown stronger. I can hardly recognize the boy that stood before me. Your future is bright, Savior."


    Once again, his face flushed from the praise. There was only so much praise he could handle before his face went completely red.


    "Anyway, I came here to inform you before we leave. If we do not come out by sunset, then send help," Tyrus said.


    Elder Treant''s eyes crinkled. "Of course. Be safe and may Mevena watch over you."


    "We''ll be fine!" Meadow shouted with her hands on her hips. "Come on, Savior. This time, I will not leave your side ever again."


    Tyrus smiled as he turned in the cavern''s direction. "I''ll hold you to that. Now, hold on tight, Meadow. We have a long way to go."


    The spirit clutched onto his collar as Tyrus sped out of the sanctuary and into the snow, careful not to step on any rodents or trip over any stray rocks.

 Chapter 139- Rock and Web

    Peering around a tree, Tyrus squinted at the same cave he and the spirit vanquished the rock spiders months ago.


    "Are you looking for rock spiders?" Meadow said softly from his shoulder.


    "Yeah, just to be careful," Tyrus said. "Regular spiders tend to crawl to a corner and stay there unless disturbed." Rock spiders are different because of their size and intelligence. They are smart enough to know when to attack or flee. There are also the traps they make for any unsuspecting creature that wanders into their territory."


    "It''s a good thing we dealt with them all last time. There shouldn''t be any surprises, right?"


    "Probably not. Still, it doesn''t hurt to be careful. Come on, let''s go."


    Meadow clutched onto his collar tighter, and Tyrus began moving through the low snow. With just a thought, a sword appeared in his hands. Mist escaped his lips as he approached the cave slowly. A passing breeze tried its best to force Tyrus to fits of shivering, but his enchanted coat protected him well. Throughout winter, he ensured it was in its long state to cover his arms and legs. It was a wise decision, considering the biting wind that blew through the snow.


    The cobwebs that decorated the cave entrance were crystalized, creating a barrier that prevented anyone from entering. With a downward slash, the cobwebs were smashed to pieces, and Tyrus moved inside. His eyes adjusted to the darkness quickly.


    The first thing that caught his attention was the stench of a dozen decaying carcasses and claw marks. Bones and blackened flesh ranging from rodents to even dire wolves littered the floor. The smell was strong, and it made Tyrus wrinkle his nose in disgust.


    "This was not here before," Tyrus noted. "A lot of dried bloodstains and claw marks on the walls. Most likely a territorial fight between animals happened here. Ever since the previous owners left, new ones have come. It could have been a bear or something. Maybe even a pack of dire wolves, but I do not see any fresh blood."


    While the idea of new owners taking over seemed plausible, Tyrus had a gut feeling that it wasn''t the case. According to the bestiary, rock spiders had an incubation period of no more than two months. Unlike regular spiders, they laid a significantly lower number of eggs, typically around eighteen to twenty-four during autumn. If that was the average, then how many rock spiders had he and Meadow killed last time? Eleven? Thirteen? Definitely fewer than twenty-four. The presence of a rock spider matriarch was essential for egg-laying, and if they had missed just one male and female, then¡ª


    "This place gives me the creeps," Meadow shivered, her voice barely a whisper.


    "We''ll be out of here in no time," Tyrus said, rising to his feet.


    The temperature in the cavern was better than the outside, so Tyrus shifted his coat into its shorter form. A fresh wave of frigid air hit him as his bare skin met the cold. He shivered from the sensation and began walking deeper into the cave.


    Quickly, he found the path he usually took. To his left was a ledge with a tunnel leading further underground. Underneath it was a stream of water that spilled down into deep darkness. Falling from the ledge was a definite death sentence, but a fit creature could traverse the path easily enough.


    "Illumination."


    A globe of light appeared near his head. Tyrus pocketed his sword and vaulted across, landing perfectly on the edge. He then began making his way further into the cavern, all while ignoring the numerous webbings and skeletons. His feet crunched the gravel and rock beneath him. The rush of water below receded with every step.


    The tunnel led them into a spacious chamber, filled with scattered boulders and winding trails. Sloping paths and ledges created a natural maze, which could easily ensnare someone in a trap or dead end. The ceiling stood several dozen feet high, adorned with stalactites and tightly woven webs. Surprisingly, there were no signs of rock spiders yet¡ªno chittering resembling rocks grinding together, nor the faint sound of their legs scraping against stone.


    "Oh, right, I almost forgot. Meadow, you mentioned that the rock spiders would sense you coming because you''re made of mana. Is it okay for you to be here?"


    Meadow pursed her lips. "I will not leave your side again. If my appearance brings the rock spiders to us, then I will make sure to support you as best as I can. Will that be a problem?"


    Tyrus shook his head. "No, not really. It would be a problem before, but not this time. I don''t know until I try, but I feel like hunting rock spiders will be a lot easier from now on."


    She regarded him skeptically, yet said nothing as Tyrus jumped on top of the nearest boulder. He then jumped onto another one, and then another, all while keeping his body low and his footsteps light. Instead of navigating on the ground floor and wasting time hitting dead ends, traveling on higher ground would be the quickest. Such a tactic would be a death sentence during his last encounter, but that was because of his inexperience. This time, things were going to be different.


    He continued hopping from boulder to boulder to ledges, jumping on the ones nearest to each other. Cocoons hanging from the ceiling swayed back and forth. Some had already been opened, revealing an empty shell, while others contained old victims. Tyrus avoided the bridges fashioned by the rock spiders to avoid the trouble of being stuck¡ªor alerting them of his presence, if they weren''t already aware. But so far, none showed up, and the silence was beginning to unnerve him.


    A short while later, he reached the end of the chamber and came across the glowing tunnel he''d been itching to explore. He leapt off a boulder and jogged toward it. The closer he got, the warmer the air became.


    Tyrus took a quick peek at his surroundings just in case any more rock spiders were in the ambushing mood. Fortunately, none reared their creepy forms, and Tyrus''s shoulders relaxed. He passed by the hole he fell inside of and stopped.


    "This is the hole I fell inside of after I finished my fight with two rock spiders. Right as I stepped to one of them to finish the job, the ground crumbled beneath me, leading me further underground. To be honest, I was afraid that I wouldn''t find an exit."


    Meadow flitted toward the hole and said, "This hole looks deep! It is a miracle you survived the fall with no injuries."


    "If I wasn''t a Demi-human and a sorcerer, then I''d probably be a corpse down there. I have my lineage to thank." Tyrus''s fingers tingled as he recalled digging them into the stone to slow his descent. A miracle indeed that he so possessed augmentation.


    "Let''s continue on, Meadow."


    The spirit nodded and returned to his shoulder. They faced the glowing tunnel and began jogging down the path. The tunnel was wide enough to accommodate five adults tall and wide. Light from the crystals bounced off each other, blinding Tyrus with its pristine white light. He had to shield his eyes until they adjusted, and even then, it took some time.


    The walls were jagged and uneven, webbed with cracks that shimmered faintly. With each step, his boots crunched over shattered brittle bones and carapaces. The air grew a tad warmer, carrying the scent of damp earth and something metallic¡ªlike rusted iron or old blood.


    As he reached the end of the tunnel, the space opened into a vast, illuminated underground chamber. Towering stalagmites rose from the ground and into the ceiling, like giant poles holding up the entire area. The very same white crystals dotted the landscape, growing in clusters from the walls, overarching ledges, and the steep, spiral-like terrain. It was as if Tyrus entered an entirely different world.


    "It''s huge in here!" Tyrus said in awe.


    Meadow gaped in shock. "This is the biggest cavern I''ve ever seen, and I''ve been in Wildwood for years. The rock spiders found a really great home."


    Tyrus took a few steps forward, examining the area ahead. He noticed an increase in the amount of webbing, and the cocoons hanging from the ceiling and walls were significantly larger, some even as big as the lesser hounds in Wildwood. These cocoons were suspended from sturdy, intricately woven nets above, neatly organized into distinct piles based on size. There was one pile for small rodents, another for cocoons of a size similar to lesser hounds, and a few larger ones that brought to mind bears.


    Tyrus trekked on, carefully stepping through the uneven terrain. Blood-sucking bats hung on the ceiling and walls, their thin wings were wrapped around themselves as they slept.


    Six-legged crawlers skittered away whenever Tyrus got close. Their ebony bodies were the size of his hand and were like crabs, except they used rocks to find shelter in. Using their thick mandibles, the crawlers would latch onto the rocks, and use their teeth to dig through, creating holes to sleep in. Tyrus tried his best not to disturb their peace by accidentally stepping onto them.


    No lingering rock spiders were nowhere in sight.


    A while later, Tyrus walked by one of the huge stalagmites. His heart nearly hopped out of his throat when his foot didn''t meet solid ground, and he immediately retracted his step. Tyrus looked down and saw a deep depression below him. It was like a giant crater in the shape of a basin suddenly sunk into the earth, except there was no debris or dust, and the depression had a smooth surface. The area was steep enough to where he could slide down comfortably. Lying in the middle of said depression was a sight that caused Tyrus''s heart to jump.


    Within the depression, one could see an array of rock spider eggs, creating a fascinating scene. Countless small white orbs, resembling stones, were densely clustered together. There was so much that the eggs were practically a white carpet. In the middle of those eggs were a colossal spider¡¯s husk, easily two times the size of the rock spiders he had fought. Its body lay split down the middle, as if something far deadlier had burst from within an egg.


    "Meadow," Tyrus warned, "that husk in the middle is a rock spider exoskeleton."


    "And a big one at that. The question is: where is it? I don''t remember us slaying any rock spiders of that size. Have you?"


    Tyrus shook his head. Those two rock spiders guarding the entrance were nowhere near the size of the one in front of him. That meant the pair were drones¡ªtunneling guardians protecting the nest. It would explain why their teamwork was extraordinary, and they stealthily managed to get past his senses. The question was: where did the culprit go, and why leave the eggs unattended?


    Recalling from the bestiary, each spider molts throughout its life, shedding older layers of rock exoskeleton to grow a harder, denser one. Molting leaves them vulnerable for hours until the new shell hardens¡ªtimes when colonies are most at risk of attack from outside predators. But for a molt to be so drastic, that meant the rock spider responsible had to be a rock spider matriarch, the highest evolution of the rock spider species.


    Only females were capable of becoming a rock spider matriarch, and one matriarch exists for each nest. The other female rock spiders were responsible for foraging for minerals, and maintaining the tunnels made by the males.


    Judging by the nest and the molt, the matriarch only recently evolved. And after each molt, a rock spider searches for a source of nutrients, like water and minerals, to replenish their energy and reinforce their new exoskeletons. That meant that right now, that matriarch was around somewhere, looking for its next meal. The rock spider matriarch could have gone anywhere in the underground cave. There were countless tunnels and pathways.


    Tyrus looked past the nest, peering at the other side of the chamber the best he could. Thanks to the help of the glowing crystals all around, visibility wasn''t that much of an issue, so he rescinded the Illumination spell.


    "Meadow, there''s a rock spider matriarch around here somewhere. Keep your eyes open for any moving shadows or odd sounds. Since they''re made of rock, it should be easy to notice any movement."


    The spirit glanced at the eggs and said, "What shall you do about the eggs?"


    Tyrus thought about it for a moment; an idea popped into mind, a sad one at that. He shuffled his feet and slid down the smooth incline. As soon as he reached the bottom, a strong stench assailed his nose, almost as if a lesser hound hadn''t bathed in days.


    Pinching his nose, he approached the nest and the husk with the utmost caution. Once he reached the nearest batch, his hand lit up in flames. He crouched toward the nearest egg and touched it, allowing the fire to spread. Within seconds, the egg burst into flame, and the rest did the same.


    After a while, the whole nest was ablaze, and the flames reached high enough that the eggs were completely devoured. The crackling and hissing of the flames were loud, yet the sleeping bats remained asleep, and the crawlers scrambled away.


    Meadow drifted away from the heat. "Okay, now what?"


    Tyrus pressed a finger to his lips and cupped his ears. Meadow understood immediately and covered her mouth with her tiny hands. He listened carefully, ignoring the crackling fire, and focused.


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    Nothing.


    He stood there and waited for a moment longer, his eyes darting from left to right. The chamber was eerily silent. If not for the flames behind him, Tyrus would have assumed that time had stopped. In the quiet space, minute sounds flew past his ears; the sound of crawlers leaving their little hobbles and scattering away; the echoes of water droplets falling from the ceiling.


    Just as Tyrus was about to call it quits, a screech so terrible pierced the silence, coming from all directions. The snoozing bats awakened, shrieking and screeching as they flew out of their holes. Even the crawlers skittered faster, zooming past as they feared for their lives. Tyrus backed away from the blaze and climbed out of the depression with a single bound. When he landed at the top, it finally appeared. Scuttling down one of the thick stalagmites was the matriarch.


    The rock spider was almost twice the size of a regular one, with eight thick legs made of stone that dug into the stalagmite for support. Its body had a combination of saber and pitch-black colors; sprinkled around its carapace of sturdy rock were white crystals that currently illuminated the cavern. Six ruby eyes pierced through the darkness as it descended from a stalagmite. It screeched once more, creating a grinding noise with its fang-like mouthparts.


    On one of the ledges, the matriarch stopped and gazed at its nest, now engulfed in flames. Another dreadful wail escaped its mouth, and it turned its attention towards Tyrus, emitting pure hatred from its eyes.


    The matriarch leaped off the stalagmite and landed a dozen feet away, creating a small crater from its weight. It let out a hiss and began rushing toward him and Meadow. The ground rumbled from the matriarch every step, and the flames that surrounded the nest rose higher, creating a fiery glow that served as the matriarch shadow.


    "Time to start, Meadow!" Tyrus shouted, already summoning lightning from his hands.


    "On it!" she said, flitting just above the rock spider. She raised her arms at the creature and summoned forth roots. They sprang out from the ground and attempted to grasp at the matriarch, but the creature simply broke them apart with its powerful forelegs.


    Tyrus loosed a few Lightning Orbs at the matriarch, yet the monster didn''t seem to mind, as it continued rushing toward him. Lightning crackled and flashed as it hit its mark on its hardened face. Yet, it was completely unfazed, eyes set on its prey.


    The matriarch closed the gap in seconds. With a mighty leap, it aimed to land directly on top of him. Tyrus sidestepped and easily avoided the telegraphed attack. The ground crumbled underneath him, and a cloud of dust and smoke shot into the air. Tyrus regained his footing and leaped on top of a nearby boulder. He aimed at the dust cloud and fired off a singular Lightning Bolt with the power of Dual Shot. The spell streaked by like an arrow, striking the beast just as it came into view.


    The monster screeched as the impact caused it to stumble backwards. A trail of lightning zigzagged across its carapace, leaving behind a smoking crack. The matriarch shook itself and then glared at Tyrus with fury. It opened its mouth and spat out a barrage of webs. Tyrus vaulted away, leaping on top of another boulder, and the webs struck the one he was standing on.


    Meadow''s earth magic is too weak to hold, let alone stop the creature since it''s bigger and stronger. We''ll have to come up with something new.


    Tyrus leapt away just in time as the rock spider charged forward, ramming its body through the boulder, sending fragments and dust to billow out. Tyrus rolled across the ground and regained his footing. Meadow joined his side, flitting above him.


    "Don''t rely on stopping the matriarch," Tyrus advised. He pocketed his sword. "It''ll just keep breaking out of the vines. Support me instead."


    Before the spirit could answer, Tyrus was already on the move, and so was the beast. It circled around and uttered a wail as it spewed out more of its sticky webs. Tyrus dodged them all, even the ones that tried to trap his feet. He and the matriarch charged at each, akin to two bucks clashing horns.


    Mana swelled into his right hand, fusing into a Lightning Orb. A spot in the ground between them shot upward, creating a tall, but skinny pillar that was easily reachable. Tyrus jumped onto the pillar and kicked himself upward. A wide view of the matriarch''s back was beneath him.


    The beast noticed its enemy had gotten on top of it and tried to swipe at him with its forelegs. Tyrus twisted his body enough to where the foreleg merely nearly grazed him. The spell he was building up finished, and he unleashed the spell on a small section on its back where there was a thin lining of rock protecting it: the joints connecting its torso and limbs.


    A blast of lightning crackled across its back, and the monster cried out in pain. The smell of burnt flesh flooded him, and the rock spider stumbled backward, nearly losing its balance. Tyrus rolled on the ground, rising to his feet as soon as he could and getting a higher vantage. He squinted at the part where the matriarch was struck.


    Smoke poured out of the wound, yet no blood or flesh was found. There was a sizable chunk of its carapace missing, but that was it. All it did was serve to make the matriarch even angrier and more feisty. It spun around and regarded Tyrus with so much bloodlust that his skin crawled just from staring into the red eyes.


    Then, something strange occurred. Its body quivered, and the shimmering crystals on its back emitted a radiant glow. The broken fragments of rubble suspended in the air, creating a swirling vortex of dust. Swiftly, the debris converged upon the creature, fitting together like interlocking puzzle pieces, forming a protective layer over the wound it had sustained. The remaining scattered fragments continued to orbit the creature, creating a whirlpool of stone.


    "It can repair itself!?" Tyrus exclaimed. "The bestiary never mentioned this!"


    Moments after a screech echoed through the air, the matriarch surged forward with a newfound determination. The floating rocks zoomed ahead at a terrifying speed, leaving Tyrus with no alternative but to take cover behind the nearest stalagmite, skillfully evading the onslaught of rubble. The jagged edges scraped against the stalagmite, effortlessly hacking through its outer surface as if it were butter. Persisting in its attack, the creature relentlessly pursued, prompting Tyrus to hastily make his way towards the closest boulder.


    I need to find the perfect chance to attack! Since it can repair itself, I''ll need to end it with one blow.


    Tyrus began to formulate a plan through all the chaos. Just when the matriarch''s assault halted, he jumped onto the boulder and took a moment to gather his bearings. His gaze followed the creature''s movement as it circled around, its eyes focused on a zooming green blur above its head.


    Meadow was busy diverting the matriarch''s attention. Since the spirit was fast, it was easy for her to dodge the rock projectiles, which would strike at the ceiling instead. She would then counterattack by throwing rocks of her own, this time at the creature''s exposed eyes. The creature screeched every time a rock struck its target.


    With the beast distracted, Tyrus went to work. In one heartbeat, he mentally entered the Sorcerer Plane and switched to the dark element. His hand glowed black, forming shifting shadows, and he released a Shadow Bolt that zipped by, striking one of its legs. The spell unfurled into tendrils that clung onto the creature''s leg and drained it. The beast lurched and let out a shriek.


    Meadow took that opportunity to form a skewer of rock and hurled it at the beast''s face. Purple blood oozed out of the wound and down its jaw. A wailing roar boomed through the chamber, echoing throughout the vast cavern.


    In a desperate attempt, it stomped its many legs onto the ground, creating shockwaves that shattered the ground. The ceiling above them that received damage from the previous barrage felt the tremors and rained down rock the size of Meadow. One of them knocked Meadow out of the air; she landed on the ground face-first and groaned. The creature rushed towards her and raised its foreleg, intending to crush her beneath its weight.


    Tyrus didn''t even think; he dashed forward, reaching the spirit before the foreleg slammed onto the ground. He grabbed her just as she lifted her head and rolled away, narrowly avoiding the attack. Chips of rock scattered everywhere, peppering his back with stone shrapnel. The residue merely bounced off as if a shield were strapped to his backside.


    "Are you alright, Meadow?"


    She clutched her head and fluttered upward. "Y-Yeah, I''m okay. Thank you, Savior."


    "Good to hear. About the matriarch, we''ll have to finish it in one blow since it can repair itself with rocks. And since we''re practically surrounded by rocks, it can''t die even if we hack and slash away at its body. I''ll need you to continue distracting it while I prepare."


    Meadow eyed the ceiling that was slowly crumbling. "If a distraction is what you need, then I know just the way."


    Meadow immediately darted forward, hovering just above the beast. The matriarch tracked her movement, and its back glowed brighter. It was charging up its attack again, preparing to throw rocks. A moment later, the projectiles came swiftly, aiming right for her. Yet, the spirit flew faster, weaving past the oncoming projectiles, luring the creature away from Tyrus.


    Tyrus took a deep breath and squared his feet. He raised his arms and clasped his palms together, almost in a sort of prayer. His mana heart hummed with power as it circulated from within; from his core and then his limbs. Lightning swirled around his hands, sparking and hissing as he drew his arms apart. In his mind, the form he wished would appear took form: a spear.


    Lightning danced along his fingertips, its tendrils weaving together and flickering wildly before Tyrus skillfully guided them into alignment. Gradually, the tip of the spear materialized¡ªa jagged, razor-sharp point buzzing with a dangerous energy, as if it yearned to puncture something. Next came the shaft, still vibrant but with a more controlled energy, a glowing line of tightly compressed lightning firmly grasped in his hand. As the final step was completed, a brilliant azure light flashed before him, and a Lightning Spear appeared in the empty space between his hands.


    It was a new spell he formed during his training sessions in the practice room. After spending months practicing with his lightning spells, he decided to experiment thanks to his experience with the rampaging earth spirit¡ªand Igneal''s demonstration back in the Wasteful Wetlands. He needed at least one spell capable of piercing through hard objects, and since the matriarchs'' armor was rock, he figured that his newly learned spell could be put to good use. Lightning Spear was still imperfect, as it took ten heartbeats to form one spear, and it had a shorter range than Lightning Orb. Even then, Tyrus couldn''t help but feel giddy upon seeing the weapon he had spent hours creating beforehand.


    His amazement was snapped when a rumbling from above startled him. He looked up to see part of the ceiling finally giving way, and a barrage of sharp rocks falling from above. A chunk of a large stalactite broke off and fell, colliding with the matriarch. A wave of dust and dirt exploded outward, momentarily hiding the creature from sight.


    Tyrus eyes turned to slits, and he dashed forward, his spear held aloft, his gaze fixated on the beasts'' position. He sprinted into the veil of dust, his eyes set on five red eyes that penetrated the gray. Struggling underneath the pile of rubble, the matriarch was trying to dig its way out. It noticed Tyrus''s approach and opened its maw to send forth a wide net of silk.


    Tyrus slid under the web, the sticky substance brushing the hairs on the top of his head. Using augmentation, he took a big leap right as the matriarch wiggled free from its imprisonment. It swiped a fore limb forward, threatening to crush Tyrus in one blow. But he was already too high. His spear aimed down, and the blade-like tip sank deep into the same spot it was damaged.


    A terrible screech filled the air, and Tyrus landed on the ground with a roll. The matriarch''s body convulsed, its legs twitching violently. Smoke billowed from its back, and a crackling sound filled the air. Violet blood poured out from the wound, splattering the ground with its thick consistency, and the beast toppled onto its backside. A hole the size of a spearhead was present in its torso, the edges of the wound fuming.


    Tyrus stumbled to his feet, wiping soot and dust off his face. He panted heavily, and sweat covered his forehead. He looked toward the fallen beast, waiting for any sign of movement. However, his worries were alleviated as the matriarch let out one last cry and stopped moving, curling its leg.


    Meadow drifted to his side,looking twice as tired as Tyrus. Rock residue stained her hair and shoulders, and she was sweating profusely. Her eyes drooped and her wings barely fluttered.


    "Is...it over?" the spirit asked.


    "Seems like it," Tyrus replied.


    Without taking a break, Tyrus walked up toward the beast and climbed on top of its corpse. From atop the body, it looked like a giant boulder with legs attached to the sides. It was a marvel how these things could move so agile with a body that weighed as much as a few horses.


    He retrieved his sword and chipped away at the matriarch''s head. It took some time, but with the help of augmentation, he could break through its thick shell, and eventually, the creature''s black flesh was exposed. He tossed aside the sword and dug into the wound with his bare hands, fishing toward where the stream of mana was most concentrated.


    Through Meadow''s constant gagging, Tyrus felt something solid touch his fingertips, and he ripped free the rock spider''s mana core, its form glowing as brightly as the crystals outward. An orb as big as a man''s head, it was a mixture of different shades of violet, all swirling around each other. The mana core was smooth, without a single blemish, and warm to the touch. It was the biggest and prettiest mana core he had ever seen.


    "That''s a big mana core!" Meadow said, peeking through her fingers. "What will you do with it now?"


    Tyrus smiled. "I''m going to absorb the mana, of course. With a mana core this big and pure, I''m positive I''ll reach the halfway mark of the fourth branch¡ª"


    A familiar tug at his ring finger alerted Tyrus. He lifted his right hand, and the ring grew heavy. Something quick escaped the ring¡ªthe artifact resting within his ring hovered just near the mana core. Tyrus'' heart sank when he realized there was only one reason the artifact would leave on its own.


    But there''s no corrupted mana around to absorb! Why is it outside the ring?


    The artifact spun rapidly, and its two ends glowed. A white beam fired out from the mana core, striking the artifact. Tyrus watched helplessly as he and Meadow''s hard work was greedily devoured. The mana core dulled as the seconds passed, and the artifact brightened with every passing second. Soon, the core was nothing more than a dull rock, falling right in front of him. Waves of black and white glowed in the artifact. After a few more seconds, the light show stopped, and the artifact returned inside the ring.


    Tyrus fell to his knees. "All our hard work... Gone, just like that. The artifact has never absorbed the other mana cores before..."


    Meadow fluttered down and patted his cheek; a touch as gentle as a feather. "It will be alright, Savior. I don''t know what happened exactly, but you seem familiar with that object. Maybe it''s a good thing?"


    I doubt it, Tyrus thought. So far, the artifact only absorbed corrupted mana. He saw no other reason it would suddenly absorb the rock spider''s mana core. But at this point, he didn''t care. He and Meadow did not risk their lives for their progress to end in vain. For a moment, he wanted to get rid of the thing so that such a thing never happened again.


    That was until previous warnings surfaced in his mind.


    Taking a deep breath, Tyrus stood up. "It stings, but I''ll have to move on. What''s done is done. Our time here is done, Meadow."


    He looked around for the entrance they took before, found it, and took a few steps forward. Tyrus stopped when he noticed Meadow was still hovering in the same spot.


    "Meadow?" Tyrus asked worriedly.


    She blinked and smiled. "Ah, sorry, Savior. I''m still dizzy from that last hit."


    "Rest on my hand. I''ll lead us back up."


    The spirit gently landed on his palm. As Tyrus made his way to the exit, he could have sworn that he saw something strange flicker in her eyes, but he regarded it as nothing more than the light playing tricks on him.


    Navigating through the cavern took no more than six minutes, and he returned to the outside world, breathing in the crisp air that stung his lungs. The trek back to the sanctuary was met with silence, and a while later, they entered through a line of trees, greeted by the sight of Elder Treant''s words.


    "You returned sooner than I thought," said Elder Treant.


    Tyrus nodded. "I finished what I sought to do here. It''s about time I head back to the capital and prepare for the academy. I don''t know when I''ll be back, but I''ll try to spare some time to visit. I owe you and your sanctuary for everything."


    "No need. We are honored to have assisted the Hero of Wildwood. It is understandable you are busy. Do not worry about us. May you have a safe and fruitful journey, Tyrus."


    "Thanks, Elder Treant."


    He waved goodbye to the wise treant and Meadow, whose eyes looked lost. She must still be feeling the effects of the hits. While small, the spirit sure could take a hit. The mana inside the sanctuary would probably heal her up in no time.


    Tyrus left the sanctuary and Wildwood. During his journey down the slopes of the Emerald Hills, Tyrus fixated on the Grand Tower with eyes filled with envy. Positioned there was the teleportation gate that he planned to use for traveling towards the academy, his next destination. The mere idea of the things he would learn thrilled him. He had the whole world laid out in front of him, and he''d do his best to not waste the opportunity.

 Chapter 140- Entrance Ceremony

    The teleportation gate pulsed with vibrant energy. The circle in the center rippled, similar to how water looked like after a pebble was dropped in. Standing in front of the gate as a firm sentry was Warden Nathero, in all of his bald glory.


    "I am surprised to see that all the first-year students have arrived on time. It is quite unusual for there not to be at least one or two of you missing. I must say, you all seem more promising than the previous group. What is even more astonishing is that there are no unwelcome individuals attempting to sneak into the academy. It makes me wonder: do young people these days consider adults to be fools? As if we wouldn''t notice anything suspicious happening around us."


    Warden Nathero observed the students lined up meticulously, akin to a general inspecting his troops. It was tough to focus on the man when he roamed around. The light from the gate would bounce off his head, creating a crazy glare that could blind a person if they looked for too long. A few nobles on the side thought the same as well and looked away the moment he passed them, their faces scrunched.


    Tyrus stood at the back end of the row of first-years, holding a flat, square chest with a handle on top. There wasn''t much luggage inside, just some garments and a few books Fiona allowed him to bring from the manor library. By his side was Ivy, who carried a similar box, and Igneal, who carried nothing of the sort. In reality, the ones that were fashionably dressed lacked luggage to bring, while those who dressed similarly to Tyrus carried them. Why was that so?


    Ivy couldn''t help but fidget with her fingers as she exclaimed, "Tyrus, can you believe how thrilling this is? We''re just moments away from stepping through the teleportation gate and entering the academy! I''ve heard so many amazing things about it, like the state-of-the-art facilities and the abundance of space. I tried asking Mother for more information, but all she would say is that I have to wait and see it with my own eyes."


    "Fiona was the same," Tyrus said. "Whenever I asked about the academy, she would snicker behind her hand repeatedly said: ''You''ll see''. At this point, I''m a little worried. What do you think, Igneal?"


    The Lockhart furrowed his brow and replied, "Does it really matter? We''re just about to arrive there. The academy, although renowned as the finest institute, is likely situated in some remote castle. I wouldn''t get your hopes up if I were you."


    Tyrus and Ivy shared a glance and shrugged. It looked like Igneal was still in a foul mood from the entrance exam results. Ranking second must''ve really rubbed him the wrong way. Would Igneal really be mocked by the others just for being one rank lower than he? Tyrus doubted it when everyone around Igneal showed him their respect. Bad-mouthing a noble in front of their face, especially one as high-class as Igneal, would surely lead to harsh consequences.


    "Everything seems to be in order," Warden Nathero announced. "All of you will enter the gate one by one. I will advise you that for first-timers, which I''m sure is most of you, will feel the effects immediately. Teleporting from one place to another almost instantaneously will rattle not only your brains, but your stomach as well. The headmaster and the instructors of the academy will be waiting for you on the other side. Now, begin the procession."


    One by one, the first-years walked through the teleportation gate, their figures disappearing behind the shimmering veil. The warden nodded as each student went through. The line of students gradually thinned, and soon it was just Tyrus left to enter.


    "I hope you are properly prepared for your time there, young man," the man said plainly.


    Tyrus glanced over his shoulder, his gaze lingering on the warden, who failed to meet his gaze. Not wanting to waste another second, Tyrus turned and walked through the teleportation gate.


    At first, there was nothing. Only a sense of floating. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was elsewhere. It was a similar feeling to when Zephyr transported the applicants in the guild. Since Tyrus was used to it, he didn''t get that queasiness in his stomach or the need to throw up his breakfast.


    Others weren''t so fortunate, though, as many of them collapsed onto the stone-paved ground and heaved. One girl with orange curls, in particular, didn''t fare well. Her legs wobbled like jelly, and she fell face-first on the ground. An older boy fell to one knee and gagged, his body shaking. Tyrus watched the unfortunate students struggle with their queasiness, and he looked around.


    His hair ruffled slightly as a soft wind swept across what seemed to be a garden plaza. Everyone was on top of a closed-off platform with a metal railing wrapped around. Behind them, the teleportation gate was deactivated, no longer able to return anyone back.


    Down a set of stone steps, a two-way path was there, with one leading toward a building as tall and grand as the imperial palace itself. White accents ran along the building''s sky-blue walls, tracing intricate patterns across its arched windows and spires. Numerous windows as polished as mirrors glittered, and the sun reflected off them. Two banners bearing the symbol of a mighty tree, with wisps circling the trunk, billowed on either side of the largest door in the area.


    The last path lead toward a walled gate, and beyond it were trees that led to a forest. At a quick glance, Tyrus knew the forest was vast. That begged the question: where exactly were they on the map?


    "It is great to see that you have all made it safely, class nine-seven-three," a voice boomed. "Welcome to the prestigious, and illustrious, Valis Academy of Sorcery."


    Everyone turned toward the source of the voice and caught the headmaster leaving the enormous building. "Allow me to reintroduce myself," the headmaster said, stopping in front of the group. "My name is Freschlain Olivar, and I am the headmaster of this academy. It is with great pleasure to congratulate you for making it here, the finest institute for training sorcerers. You are all part of a new generation. I am sure that all of you will be great contributors to the path of sorcery and the Lethos Empire itself. You did well to make it this far, but this is only the beginning."


    "The entrance ceremony will now begin. First, we will give you a tour of the main facilities and amenities that this academy offers. After that, you will receive your uniforms and be led to the dormitories. Once all of that is done, a large feast will be held in the dining hall. I am sure you are all quite famished from your trip here."


    Headmaster Freshclain turned toward the northern path, moving at a quick pace for his age. The other students glanced at each other and followed the old man''s stride. With one arm, the headmaster opened the shiny door, revealing the interior of the building.


    The halls of the academy were as magnificent as Tyrus imagined, almost rivaling the corridors in the imperial palace. A floor was so polished, one could see their reflection in it. Scones strapped onto the walls held balls of melted gold, allowing light to shine even in the darkest of corners. Stairwells to the second floor and third floors were connected with marble railings held up with a row of small columns, each equally spaced out and detailed.


    According to the headmaster, the place they were at currently was the main academy building. The ground floor consisted of classrooms for general courses and such while the second floor belonged to laboratories and advanced studies, places reserved for the more challenging courses. Lastly, the third floor belonged to the headmaster''s office and a few other rooms that were off-limits to students. Only those given permission were they allowed to enter.


    Afterward, everyone was led outdoors again, revealing a beautiful courtyard that served as a garden as well. All sorts of prospering flowers and plants filled the area, and a large fountain sat right in the center, a sculpture of a woman holding a staff that sprouted water from the tip. It was a flashy yet pleasing sight to the eyes. Benches lined the path''s sides, which were currently empty.


    "As you may know already, we are the only ones in the academy at present," Headmaster Freschlain said happily. "The other students are to arrive in droves later in the day. I did not wish to overwhelm you all on your first day here. But enough of that, we must continue. I am sure you all are eagerly awaiting to see your living quarters."


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    The tour carried on as the headmaster led the way, taking a left path towards the training grounds. Rows of round buildings came into view, each containing an arena for dueling and offering swordsmanship courses. While students were allowed to practice, the instructors strongly advised that duels were to be supervised. This precautionary measure aimed to minimize injuries, as accidents were prone to occur when students were not cautious.


    The training grounds were highly favored by students, as each building housed a state-of-the-art Power Reflector Dummy. These dummies had even more features than the one in Selena''s manor. As a result, not only the combat department but also students from the theory department frequented the place.


    Headmaster Freschlain passed by the training grounds and headed north, just stopping shy of a building even bigger than the main one. "And here is where the commons lie. Students gather here to relax and converse during free time or breaks. An infirmary is also here, taken care of by one of the academies'' finest healers. Of course, those are not the only facilities present, and I implore you to explore to your heart''s content. To help you do so, the school map has been provided alongside your uniform, which you will receive now."


    In a snap of his fingers, the doors of the commons burst open, and out came two young men¡ªwearing white silk shirts and black trousers¡ªall carrying trolleys with folded uniforms. On top of each pile of garments were a tag with the student''s name and a map too big to fit into any pockets. Few had a silver pin of the schools insignia.


    Headmaster Freshclain cleared his throat. "These here are your uniforms, crafted by dressmaker and Conjuration Sorcerer Vivian Falleon. It has been enchanted to fit its users'' size, no matter how big or small. This uniform has also been imbued with a defensive rune, capable of taking a few hits before the wearer receives an injury. Because we are sorcerers, safety is our priority, so you will find the uniform to be very useful. Please come up when you hear your name."


    Each name was called, and the students were handed their uniform. Some were happy, others indifferent. The ones that looked at the uniform unfondly were mostly the nobles. It didn''t take a genius to know that they probably despised the appearance, but no one dared to say anything aloud.


    Tyrus didn''t care all that much about the uniform''s appearance. From the sound of it, the uniform worked exactly like his enchanted coat. They were probably made of the same materials, meaning what the others held in their hands was a pseudo-artifact. Fiona mentioned that his coat would probably sell for two-fifty minimum. And by how many uniforms were in front of him, if Tyrus were to grab it all and sell it, he''d be set for life!


    "The uniforms look cute," Ivy said. "I''m interested in what other functions the uniforms may have. Doesn''t it sound similar coat?"


    Tyrus nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. The academy must be really rich if they produce so many uniforms. What happens if one of them gets torn up? I would imagine these things are expensive to fix."


    "Oh, don''t worry about that," the headmaster chuckled. "Vivian is quite the dressmaker, and has made sure the uniforms are quite durable. I have faith that the garments will not easily rip or tear unless stricken by a very powerful attack."


    A couple of students let out a few ''oohs'' once the headmaster finished his explanation. The rest just remained silent, looking at their uniform with greater interest. Tyrus kept track of the students that walked up to receive their uniforms, just to keep a mental picture of who''d he have to watch out for.


    A boy up front looked to be the meanest and biggest; his angular face was put into a permanent scowl and his black hair cut short. He was a good one head taller than the rest of the first-years and skin of reddish-brown. A marking of the sun with flared edges was seen on his neck. If Tyrus had to describe him, he looked like a shrunken man¡ªminus the hairy chin¡ªwho worked in the fields for years. He did not carry the appearance of a regular eleven-year-old in the slightest. Apparently, the boy''s name was Aeithen, thanks to his name being called.


    Standing in the middle of the crowd was the girl who helped Tyrus a couple of days ago, Kylis. Just one look at her told Tyrus everything he needed to know. She radiated an atmosphere that would steer any regular person away. At a glance, she looked as delicate as a snowflake, yet her eyes told a different story.


    As if she could feel someone staring at her, Kylis glanced over her shoulder. Their eyes met, and the girl nodded at him. Her reaction startled Tyrus, who quickly looked away and feigned interest at the other students. Ivy raised a brow at his odd behavior and flashed a look over at Kylis.


    "Have you met Kylis Aduna before?" Ivy whispered.


    Tyrus stared. "Kylis Aduna? She''s part of the Great Lineages as well?"


    Ivy nodded in agreement and added, "She happens to be the youngest member of the influential Aduna family. They hold the reins of power over the Northern Mountains, overseeing the lucrative mining operations and other ventures. As a result, they have amassed great wealth and are considered one of the wealthiest families in Dharmere. In fact, their fortunes rival even those of the imperial family. Their main business revolves around the exquisite trade of jewelry and gemstones, attracting a wide array of women, both young and old, who are captivated by the beauty of their creations."


    Igneal, who had been lingering around them, snorted. "Those walking specters aren''t as impressive as you think. While their wealth may rival even the imperial family, their strength is miniscule compared to the Lockhart family. Their family only consists of one Advanced Sorcerer¡ªthat being the family head¡ªwhile my family has three. Surely I don''t have to explain why that matters?"


    When his boasting ended, his name was called up front. Igneal straightened his back and walked up while Ivy and Tyrus'' was called a moment after. They were the last ones to receive their uniforms, and they quickly returned to their spots.


    "The academy''s dormitories are situated to the east. When you reach the gate, you''ll find a notice board displaying the names of students and their respective hall and room numbers. There are three separate halls: Lavarun, Teit, and Barachus. Inside your rooms, you will find a few essential forms, including dormitory and academy rules. Please take the time to go through them. Do you have any questions?"


    One of the nobles raised their hand, a girl with golden locks braided at the side. "When will our servants be arriving? I can''t walk around on my own without one by my side."


    Headmaster Freschlain stroked his chin, chuckling. "Servants? Your servants will not be arriving. Employees are only to service the top performers of the academy. You will learn more about the academy rules once you reach your rooms."


    A collective groan erupted from the nobles, who glared at the headmaster with a mixture of anger and disdain. That didn''t bother the old man in the slightest. In fact, his warm smile morphed into that of a sneer. "Of course, if that is a problem, you nobles are welcome to leave the academy. Run back to your manors while you''re still wet behind the ears. Valis Academy of Sorcery is an institute that cultivates saplings so that they grow into mighty oaks capable of surviving storms. We have no interest in a sapling that cannot withstand a simple breeze."


    The students'' faces paled. No one said another word after the headmaster''s statement. Tyrus had to cover his mouth to hide a wide grin that would surely warrant their anger. Underneath all that politeness and charm, the old man was a harsh man. It was a surprising but welcome change. That meant no matter who you were, noble or commoner, you would treat the same as any other.


    The headmaster gestured towards the east. "Now, if there are no more questions, you may all go. Once you have settled in, I expect everyone to gather in the commons and proceed to the dining hall for the conclusion of the entrance ceremony."


    Not wanting to stick around a moment longer, the students scurried to their feet and made a beeline toward the dormitories.


    ***


    During his time at the academy, Tyrus frequently drew comparisons between the institution and the imperial palace. This was because he found no other suitable comparison that could do justice to the academy''s excellence.


    Lavarun Hall''s luxurious exterior seemed to sparkle underneath the afternoon sun. The windows were polished, the walls were cleaned, and the wooden frames were freshly painted. A row of hedges lined the front, leading up to the stairs of grand double-doors made of an expensive-looking wood.


    When Tyrus entered the majestic building, his eyes widened at the sight of the spacious foyer. A chandelier, decorated with dozens of gems, hung overhead and shone brightly. A circular rug laid out the middle of the room, and an assortment of cushioned chairs surrounded it. Paintings of breathtaking sceneries hung on the walls.


    In the corner, a fireplace was lit, crackling and warming up the space. The heat it gave off was welcoming. It reminded Tyrus of the manor, where the fireplace would always be lit during winter. If this was the first floor of Lavarun Hall, then what would his room look like?


    Tyrus eyes wandered, and he noticed a few employees sweeping the halls and wiping dust off the furniture. They wore uniforms similar to the ones the two young wore earlier. Their appearances were rather plain, with brown hair and eyes.


    One of them, a young woman with her hair tied, looked up from her duties and smiled. "You four must be among the first-year students. Welcome to Lavarun Hall. My name is Natala, and I am one of the few employees that takes care of the building. I am at your service."


    Tyrus heard a few others approaching from outside. With a cheerful expression on her face, Ivy scanned the place while Igneal nodded in approval. Kylis, on the other hand, did not show any impression, simply looking around as if she had already seen the place many times before.


    Natala walked up to the group and bowed. "I will lead you to your rooms once I hear your names."

 Chapter 141- Entrance Ceremony (2)

    Room number ten was assigned to Tyrus, which he found funny as soon as he walked inside. A sweet smell wafted into his nostrils and soothed his soul.


    The room had ample space, with a single bed big enough for two people to sleep in comfortably. Sheets and a blanket, both neatly folded, were placed atop. A window sat at the far end, giving a view of trees looming over the academy walls. Next to the bed was a wide desk furnished with a lamp, parchment, and ink with a quill pen. At the opposite end of the room was a chestnut wardrobe large enough to store an entire collection of clothes.


    In the middle sat a glass table with a sofa and cushioned chairs surrounding it. A circular rug covered more than half of the entire space. The interior was decorated with paintings, potted plants, and a bookshelf containing a variety of titles and books.


    "This room is amazing," Tyrus said, dropping his luggage near the glass table. "I wouldn''t mind living like this forever."


    As much as he hated to admit it, he was feeling even more jealous of the nobles that lived as lavishly as this. Servants that answered their beck and calls, and a bedroom comfortable enough to where one could live in without leaving for days. The rich sure do have it nice.


    Tyrus was thankful to have ranked high on the entrance exams. He wondered what the living arrangements were like for those who scored in the middle, or even toward the bottom. He''d imagine that they weren''t given as nice of a room as this. The thought of living in a room better than those with a silver-spoon in their mouths was amusing.


    The next thing Tyrus did was set his uniform down on the table. He picked up a dark blue vest with buttons on the side, alongside trousers that matched. Next came a matching coat with cuffs; It looked similar to the enchanted coat''s shorter version, except without a hood. Other than a plain white, long-sleeved shirt, the final item was black boots that reached the shins.


    The fabric of the garments were soft to the touch, almost comparable to silk. Tyrus could easily tell the uniform was worth a pretty coin, especially since it was imbued with an enchantment. Even if he couldn''t feel mana¡ªwhich was odd if it were enchanted to protect the wearer from some damage¡ªTyrus knew it had the same quality as his coat. Perhaps even better.


    It was a shame that he would have to forsake his coat during his time at the academy. It was probably mandatory to wear the uniform at all times, and anything that wasn''t a part of the uniform would have to be kept inside the dorm. And besides the enchanted coat, the academy provided students one of their own. Wearing the both of them on top of each other would be uncomfortable and unnecessary.


    Tyrus had no trouble donning the uniform, thanks to its flexible properties. The shirt and trousers fit snugly against his skin. He effortlessly put on the vest, fastening the buttons, and slipped into the boots. Next, he put on the coat, which reached just below his waist.


    The best part was that the garments had a hole for his tail to slip through. It was a relief that he didn''t have to wrap it around his waist, something he hadn''t done in a long time. Walking around with his distinctive features was no longer a problem for him, thanks to Blue Dawn.


    Receiving constant reassurance from others that he was fine the way he was, he gained the confidence to proudly walk around with his ears and tail. The glares he would receive from passer-byes were not as intense as they used to be. The collective stares that once felt like knives digging into his skin now only felt like a faint tickle. Occasionally, he would feel a bit uncomfortable, but the thoughts of covering himself up no longer plagued his mind.


    In his reflection, he was a new person. The meek him that would cower at the sight of anyone was gone. What replaced the previous version of him was a sorcerer ready to learn and grow stronger. He would continue to walk the path set before him. Instead of walking backward, he would move forward, no matter how many thorns or obstacles were in his way.


    If he were to meet Wanderer now, would she still see him as the same before? Or would she notice a drastic change in him? Whatever the case may be, Tyrus had a feeling that he would''ve made her proud. After all, he still remembered words of wisdom she imparted to him all those days ago.


    Tyrus''s gaze lingered on his reflection. Tiny scars that were hard to see unless someone paid close attention were sprinkled across his face. He counted four: two on one cheek, one at his chin, and the last near his left ear, all shallow. More of them were hidden underneath his garments, each one holding a story that few knew.


    Locks of hair at the front reached above his brow, just out of his line-of-sight. His hair was cut, which he preferred. Long hair would only hinder him in battle, and it was a pain to maintain. Fiona also said it made him seem like an uncultured ruffian, and that what he had on currently suited him best. In those few months in the manor, Fiona took the initiative to trim his hair. Tyrus didn''t want to refuse her generosity, especially when she wore a bright smile that would melt ice in seconds.


    Once he finished inspecting himself, Tyrus turned away from the mirror and glanced downward. Catching his attention were forms that had a long list of classes and a booklet of the academy rules. Tyus picked up the enrollment forms and skimmed through it.


    The enrollment forms were divided between the Theory Department and the Combat and Sorcery Department. Each form listed had the same classes available, yet each one had different markings on what were required for first-years to take. Those in the combat department were required to take Wilderness Survival and Sorcerer Combat I while the other had to take Sorcery Theory I and History of Magic I. Those were just a few required classes needed to advance to the next year.


    Then there were the classes that any department could take, such as Introduction to Mana Manipulation, Beast and Elemental Spirit Science, or the History of Dharmere. There were so many interesting classes to choose from that it was all overwhelming to think about. Tyrus wanted to take everything, but alas, he couldn''t. He''d have to be careful about what he chose or else lest he regret it at the end. There was no need to push himself needlessly on taking ten classes and having no time to sleep or eat.


    The good thing about these forms was that each class had its respective teacher written underneath and the time a class would start and end. Furthermore, there were separate classes available for the three specializations. The instructor responsible for Augmentation Mastery I-IV was Sir Geroth, and Elemental Mastery I-IV belonged to Instructor Alveria. The last one was Conjuration Mastery I-IV being taught by Instructor Parach.


    Tyrus stared hard at the form, scratching his head with the quill. "They all sound so interesting to take! So many to choose, yet not enough time in the world to go through them all. Wilderness Survival and Sorcerer Combat I are ones I have to take, and they''re both in the mid to late morning. That means I''ll have to take the rest in the afternoon. Any more and I''ll be squeezing myself dry."


    Many of the classes had various time slots, making it impossible to take them every day. Tyrus had to choose his classes wisely to ensure a balanced schedule. In order to avoid missing anything important, he carefully reviewed the entire form and circled the classes that caught his interest.


    Both Wilderness Survival and Sorcerer Combat classes were two hours each, held every other day. Next, he circled Augmentation Mastery and Elemental Mastery I, which were also scheduled every other day for an hour and thirty minutes each. The last two classes he marked were Beast and Elemental Spirit Science, and another mandatory class for the combat department, Ethics and Law of the Sorcerer World.


    A timetable was given, and Tyrus jotted down which available days and time he could take a class. The first, third, and fifth day of the week belonged to Wilderness Survival, Elemental Mastery I and Beast and Elemental Spirit Science, while the second and fourth were Sorcerer Combat I and Augmentation Mastery and Ethics and Law of the Sorcerer World. These were the classes he''d take for the first-half of the year. He sealed his choice by signing his name.


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    Tyrus meticulously double and triple checked his work, ensuring its accuracy before finally allowing a satisfied smile to grace his lips. With his task completed, he set aside the parchment and reached for the booklet. Eager to familiarize himself with the regulations of the academy, Tyrus began reading through the rules attentively.


    ****


    The map of the academy provided was extremely detailed. A wall surrounded the entire institute, with only one main gate that served as the sole entrance and exit. The gate itself was located in the southern region, leading out toward a forest plateau.


    Above the gate was the main building where most of the classes were held. Leading out of the building where a four-way path stood, it broke off into the different amenities the academy offered. To the east were the student dormitories, while the west held the training grounds and arenas. Further north of the main building stood the commons, chock full of facilities such as a rich library, cafeteria, and more.


    What was fascinating about the map was that there were colorful markings and writing, giving more details and information about what each building possessed. It was a map where it was nigh impossible for even a newcomer to get lost. Whatever you were looking for, whether it be a spot to relieve yourself or a place to sit and relax, the map had you covered.


    What it did lack, however, was the exact location of the academy. He couldn''t complain too much, though. It wasn''t exactly necessary to know where the institute was, since it would probably serve him no good. He was curious about whether it was near the capital or somewhere further away.


    Tyrus cupped his chin. "Actually, now that I think about it, the air feels different around here. It has that usual lingering earthy smell that a village near a forest would have, yet there''s something odd about it. I can''t put my finger on it."


    Well, mulling it over was pointless. He''d eventually find out; all he had to do was ask one of the instructors and hopefully they''d give him an answer. Either that or one of the older students once they come. And that''s if they were in the mood to speak with a Demi-human. He was still worried about the kind of reception he''d receive later on. How would he react if everyone ignored him or pick on him because of his bloodline? What if an instructor looked at him in an unfavorable light and treated him much different? Just the thought was enough to make him feel queasy.


    With a sigh, Tyrus pushed those thoughts out of his mind and rose from his chair. He was wasting time worrying. All he could do was wait until his classes begin and see for himself what awaited him. He should be heading over to the dining hall right about now.


    As Tyrus was about half-way to the door, his eyes landed on the silver pin. He grabbed it and clipped it to the coat before donning it. Tyrus inspected the insignia, nodding in approval, and walked out the door, his enrollment form in his hands.


    Down the steps and onto the first floor, Tyrus ran into Kylis along the way. She was crouched in front of the fireplace, staring intently at the flame. He almost wondered if she was trying to absorb the fire into her body, but that was a stupid thought. Perhaps she was feeling chilly and wanted to warm up.


    Their gazes locked as Kylis caught a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye, sending a shiver down Tyrus''s spine. He swallowed hard, attempting to hide his nerves, praying that she wouldn''t sense his unease. The intensity of her stare felt as though a chilling blade was pressed against his back.


    The girl rose to her feet and walked towards him. Tyrus glanced down at her uniform, noticing that it was similar to his own, but with a few slight differences. She wore a hoodless cloak, secured by a strand, that gracefully hung over her shoulders and reached just below her chest. It matched his own uniform in a shade of blue and had a white-lined hem. Instead of a vest, she had a sleeveless one-piece outer garment that extended to the middle of her thighs, with a white shirt hidden underneath. The silver pin was attached as well.


    Kylis came to a halt just a few inches away from him. She gestured towards the enrollment form he was holding and, speaking softly, asked, "Which classes are you planning to take?"


    Tyrus blinked. He wordlessly handed her the enrollment form, letting her see for herself. Her eyes scanned through the paper.


    "Elemental and Augmentation Mastery? Are you perhaps a Multi-specialist?"


    He nodded. "I might as well take the classes that would benefit me. Wilderness Survival sounds like a useful one to learn and one I''m most familiar with. If I had to live out in the woods again, then being able to know where the food and water are is very important."


    Kylis stared at him, her expression neutral, but her gaze held a strange intensity. "Again? Does that mean you have experience living out in the wild?"


    "Well, I guess you could say I''ve wandered out in the wild for years because¡ª" Tyrus stopped himself and sighed. "It''s a long story, and honestly, I''m not that comfortable talking about it. Sorry."


    He expected her to become displeased with his unwillingness to share, but she showed no change in her demeanor. In fact, she only nodded and handed him the enrollment form.


    "No, it''s alright. Since we''ve only just met, there''s really no need for us to delve into personal matters. I''m not one to pressure anyone into sharing. If someone doesn''t feel like discussing something, that''s entirely up to them. In the Northern Mountain region, it''s considered impolite to pry into someone''s personal life."


    Tyrus let his mouth hang for a moment before replying. This was not how he thought the conversation would go. Not only did she not look at him as a lesser, but she was also quite reasonable and nice. Usually, the eyes would betray the emotions a person tried to hide, but hers never shifted nor held any hostility. It was quite freaky, yet at the same time, it was a relief.


    "You do know I''m a Demi-human, right?" Tyrus said carefully. "I have Beastfolk blood running through me."


    Kylis tilted her head. "Yes, and?"


    "I thought you''d show me some kind of scorn, or maybe a hint of contempt or disgust. It''s pretty surprising that you''re acting the way you are. Most would shoot glares my way or give me trouble."


    "Like those group of fleas bothering you in the Grand Tower?"


    Tyrus started. "Fleas? Oh, you mean the bullies."


    "Fleas sound much better," Kylis remarked. "Just like how fleas move from one host to another, feeding on their blood and reproducing, the same can be said for people who bully others. Instead of blood, it is their egos that fuel them. The more they feed on others, the more their egos grow, making them a nuisance. It would be fitting to punish them by whacking them with sticks."


    Although her comparison was both creative and surprising, Tyrus could not find any faults with it. Individuals who targeted others did so in order to elevate their own self-esteem, and the most effective method was to target those whom they deemed inferior. Commoners were often subjected to the disapproval of nobles. Igneal used to treat Tyrus in this manner, but he eventually underwent a transformation. However, he continued to be challenging to deal with. His ego and pride remained problematic, although they diminished somewhat.


    There was also the point that Tyrus had brief interactions with nobles, except during the deliberation. If that was something a typical noble would do, then it would make him even more wary of those who possess such a privileged status. So far, Kylis Aduna didn''t seem to fit into that category. She didn''t hold the same smug airs the nobles in the deliberation held. From someone part of the Great Lineages and coming from a wealthy family, she acted far different from he imaged. Was she faking her personality? Or did she just not care that she was talking to a Demi-human at all?


    Maybe, just maybe, I can get to know her. It wouldn''t hurt to have more friends here. She helped me out before, and she doesn''t seem to hate me.


    A thought occurred to him. "Those bullies called you Lady Kylis. Should I call you that as well?"


    "If that is what you prefer," she said. "I understand honorifics are a sign of respect, but I would prefer it if you didn''t use them with me."


    Tyrus arched his brows. "Really? But I thought your status was..."


    "I am an Aduna, yes, but I dislike using such things to my advantage. In my opinion, expecting to be called by a title means that they think they should be seen as a superior. I have seen that to be a common trend among those with a title. There are some nobles I''ve come across that are not the type of person I would wish to have a conversation with."


    Her gaze shifted to a clock on the wall. "I believe the feast is starting soon. Would you like to join me?"


    "I''d like to," Tyrus said. "You don''t mind if two other people join us, do you?"


    "Are you referring to Ivy and the Lockhart? They are your friends, correct?"


    Tyrus hesitated for a moment. It was still weird to be considered a friend to Igneal, but it wasn''t necessarily wrong. "Yeah, those two. I don''t see them around here, so I assume they''re already in the dining hall. We should go find them and get some seats."


    As Tyrus took a few steps toward the door, Kylis pulled on his sleeve and said, "You''re supposed to hand in your enrollment form to one of the employees here."


    He let out a breath and rubbed his hair. "Oh, right, forgot about that. Thank you."


    It didn''t take long to find Natala, who had just left one of the student rooms with a cart of cleaning tools and a box. Tyrus handed her his enrollment form, in which she thanked him before placing it inside a box and moving on. Tyrus and Kylis then departed from Lavarun Hall.


    A gentle breeze brushed against his skin, carrying with it the refreshing scent of soil. The weather outside was delightful, devoid of any signs of winter. It was unusual for its location, but Tyrus chose not to dwell on it. The comforting warmth enveloping him was far preferable to the biting cold that would have numbed his face. Perhaps the uniform he wore served another purpose, regulating body heat. If so, that would be a welcome added benefit.


    During their walk to the commons, they could hear the distinctive sound of older voices approaching. Before long, the main building emptied as students spilled out, their energy noticeable as they began a new academic year at the academy.

 Chapter 142- Entrance Ceremony (3)

    Two bowls of boiling stew were set on the table. Carrots, potatoes, and meat swam in the brown liquid. Tyrus grabbed a spoon and scooped a piece of beef. The juices and meat melted in his mouth, a wave of warmth and flavor spreading throughout his body. His shoulders relaxed as he greedily devoured the meat, enjoying every bite.


    In the dining hall, various long tables and benches stretched across the hall. Dishes both warm and cold were spread across the wooden surface. Students sat around, conversing amongst themselves as they ate their meals.


    One thing Tyrus noticed was that a bunch of the first-years wore scowls on their faces, picking away at their food in silence. The reason that being was solely their living quarters. Apparently, students who barely passed the entrance exams were sent to Barachus Hall, a place where instead of individual rooms, they were forced to share shacks big enough to accommodate three students. Bathrooms were also communal and shared. Even worse was there were no employees there to take care of their needs. Their living spaces'' cleanliness depended entirely on the residents.


    That was the main reason they appeared sullen, even when eating their meal. Some even muttered curses under their breaths, glaring hatefully at those who had passed the entrance exams and granted the opportunity to live in luxury.


    As for those with an average score, they lived in Teit Hall, which was in the middle of Lavarun and Barachus Hall in terms of quality. Instead of shacks, they were given actual rooms, though they still had to share with one other person. Bathrooms were shared with roommates, and while their room wasn''t as big as Lavarun Hall, they were still spacious and comfortable enough for a pair of students to live in. The residents there were not nearly as displeased as those from Barachus Hall once they heard wind of their living conditions.


    However, their situation was not permanent as long as they improved their grades. A student from either Barachus or Teit Hall could move up a level. The catch was that the higher the quality of the room, the harder it was to move up a step. This system was created to motivate the students and push them to work hard to gain better benefits. It was a good motivator, especially for nobles used to living lavishly.


    What better motivator for a noble than to threaten them with the risk of living like a commoner throughout their time in the academy? For seven straight years, at that? They would rather die than have that happen. Tyrus would image they hated living just like how a commoner would.


    Speaking of commoners, the amount that got accepted could only be counted on one hand. They were scatted around the room, only taking a seat at the deepest ends of the tables. They did not talk amongst themselves, focusing only on the food in front of them. Sometimes they snuck glances at their surroundings, their eyes trailing the spread of the other students'' dishes, and other times looking at the nobles already sitting in groups and gossiping.


    It didn''t take long for the nobles to move across tables to seek their friends and acquaintances. Thanks to Tyrus''s hearing, he could eavesdrop on the conversations all around him. Most talked about their families'' legacies and accomplishments. They also shared their thoughts about their fellow classmates. The girls spoke in a whispery tone, glancing and pointing around the room with coy smiles and laughing.


    "I''m still shocked I got accepted," Ivy said.


    She sat right next to Tyrus, nibbling on a stick of freshly baked bread. Her eyes scanned the area, looking at all the nobles chatting and having a good time. The food laid out in front of her was mostly seafood: steamed fish with pink flesh and a crispy brown shell, boiled prawns and crabs, and a bowl filled with clams and mussels. Was she going to eat all of that on her own?


    "Studying for the Theory Department paid off," she continued. "Mother told me it''s way more difficult to get a high score on the written exams because it''s not just your memory, but also how much you retain. You also have to write out a lot of information, and not to mention there were some trick questions mixed in. It''s a miracle I was given a silver pin when I scored low on the physical exam."


    Tyrus changed his gaze to Igneal, who sat in front of him. The Lockhart had a slab of red bison meat with seasoning sprinkled on top. With a knife in his right hand and a fork in the other, he expertly cut a slice of the meat and brought it to his mouth, chewing thoroughly before swallowing.


    The boy glanced up, his eyes meeting Tyrus''s. "What? Never seen a person eat before?"


    "Wouldn''t it be easier to eat it with your hands?" Tyrus asked.


    Igneal snorted in response. "What kind of foolish question is that? Do you eat stew with your hands? Of course, we use utensils. It is proper etiquette to use a knife and fork when eating meat like this. We don''t simply stuff our mouths with our bare hands; we are civilized beings, not animals."


    He set his utensils aside and jabbed a finger to Kylis, who sat on his right side. "And who invited the specter to eat with us? I don''t remember her being part of our group."


    Kylis glanced up from her plate of vibrant berries, cheeses, and greens and casually shrugged. "Lord Igneal, Tyrus has graciously invited me to join him and his friends for this meal. If my being here is causing any inconvenience, I can certainly remove myself."


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    Igneal gave a dismissive laugh. "Well, if my friend here has given you the green light to join us for a meal with Igneal Lockhart, then I suppose I have no reason to object. But tell me, Lady Kylis, what exactly made you decide to engage with him? I, being the person who knows him best, find it quite difficult to believe that he would have been the one to strike up a conversation with you. It''s as unlikely as a net catching air."


    "Igneal," Tyrus warned. He didn''t know whether to be offended or chuckle at Igneal''s attempt to look out for him.


    Kylis popped a round, purple berry into her mouth, not making eye contact. "Your words are correct, Lord Igneal. I was the one who struck up a conversation with Tyrus, but not the way you think. A couple of fleas were causing trouble during the entrance exams, and I so happened to catch sight of him being bothered. I helped him deal with them. We simply crossed paths at the dormitory and I asked him what classes he would be attending."


    "A couple of fleas decided to mess with a friend of a Lockhart, huh?" Igneal cupped his chin and glanced around the hall. "That certainly cannot stand. Which fleas, Lady Kylis? I would like to know what family they belong to so that they face an appropriate punishment."


    The look on Igneal''s face made Tyrus wonder if he was serious. He appeared calm, his gaze not even betraying any hints. But, on further thought, Tyrus wouldn''t put it past Igneal to do something like that. He was the type of person to get his way by using his status, especially since his family was well known.


    "You do not need to worry yourself over that, Lord Igneal," Kylis said, as if reading Tyrus'' thoughts. "We have already handled them, and they should no longer be a problem."


    Igneal sighed, seemingly disappointed at the outcome. "Very well. It is a shame I cannot deal with them. Allowing fleas like that to roam free is the same as permitting them to return. If that is to happen, I''ll be sure to punish them myself, nobility or not."


    He stabbed his fork into another slice of the red bison meat and lifted it to his lips, chewing slowly. Tyrus felt a tug on his sleeve and looked sideways to see Ivy inching closer to his ear.


    "Is he always like this?" Ivy whispered. "Lord Igneal seems... a bit extreme, no?"


    Tyrus scratched his cheek and smiled wryly. "I can''t deny that, but he''s not the worst person to be around. He might be a little crazy, but..." He paused, trying to find the right words. Nothing came to mind, so he just shrugged and gave Ivy an apologetic look. She stared at him incredulously.


    "A little crazy is the best way you can describe him?"


    "What are you two whispering about?" Igneal demanded. "If you have something to say, then say it."


    "We were just talking about how some of the students around us keep stealing glances your way," Tyrus said. He motioned with his head towards a group who turned away when Igneal looked.


    Igneal puffed out his chest and said, "As expected, people cannot help but become mesmerized by my presence. My status is something many dream of obtaining, or be affiliated with in some way. They most likely wish to make connections with me, hoping their own social standing will improve. Isn''t that right, Lady Kylis?"


    "That''s not inaccurate to assume," she said. "They seem to be afraid of coming up to you, Lord Igneal. I wonder why that is so?"


    It was apparent to anyone why the other first-years were hesitant to approach Igneal. Even from a table away, Tyrus could easily hear their whispers. They were discussing how a Demi-human could converse with two high-ranking nobles, Igneal and Kylis. The gazes of the other students were filled with caution and animosity.


    Every time Tyrus made eye contact with any of them, he was met with a glare or a grimace. And as they shifted their gaze towards the two people in front of him, their expression transformed from disgust to envy. It was as if he was a piece of trash placed beside a pair of precious jewels. Despite proving himself in the physical exams and rightfully earning his place, he continued to face the same disapproval.


    Tyrus could tell classes were going to be a pain to attend, but he prepared himself for this. Not for a single moment did he think he would be welcomed in the academy. This was just another hurdle to jump over, and he would do so no matter the consequences. All he could do right now was sit back and observe until something significant happened.


    "Maybe that Demi-human is Lord Igneal''s slave?" one boy mumbled nearby.


    "I thought the Lockharts forbid taking in slaves once Flamen took charge?" another boy replied.


    "If I recall, they''re called servants now," said a girl. "I wouldn''t put it past the headmaster to allow a member of the Great Lineages to bring in one servant, as long as they passed the exam."


    "Aren''t Beastfolk supposed to be dumb? How come that one passed?"


    I can hear you, Tyrus thought. The others beside him did not react, meaning that they could not pick up on their conversation. If so, it was fine. Like hell he''d rope them into his own problems. Whatever was thrown at him, he''d take it head on without so much as cowering. Show even the tiniest bit of weakness, and his peers would pounce like predators to a wounded prey. He would not give them the satisfaction of reacting to their vile remarks by throwing a tantrum.


    Igneal and Kylis seemed to notice the stares, but they didn''t let it bother them. Maybe this was a normal thing. It wouldn''t be crazy for them to be used to the attention. As for Ivy, she was oblivious to what was going on, happily tearing into her meal as Igneal babbled on about classes and Kylis putting in the occasional remark. Tyrus shared with everyone what classes he would be taking and if anyone were taking the same as him. Better to be grouped up with people familiar to him than complete strangers.


    While Kylis was a stranger, Tyrus was still skeptical about her. Whether she had some ulterior motive, he couldn''t disregard her help a few days ago. He would still keep his eye on her, but for now, he wouldn''t outright avoid her.


    After about an hour of eating and talking, the entrance ceremony feast came to an end as everyone waddled out of the hall, returning to their dormitories with full bellies. Wisps of light illuminated the courtyard, blanketing the area in a sea of gold and silver from the moon.


    In Lavarun Hall, Tyrus bid everyone goodbye as they went their separate way. Once he found his room and settled inside¡ªtaking a quick bath that came with the room and changing into casual garments¡ªhe laid down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.


    Tomorrow would be the day classes would officially begin. The thought sent a mix of emotions through him. Excitement, dread, anxiety, and a whole lot more. What lessons would be taught? What kind of people would he encounter? Most importantly, would he do just fine on his own?


    Those questions swirled around his mind, distracting him. After a while, his eyelids felt heavy, and he rolled over to his side as his consciousness slipped away.

 Chapter 143- Headmasters Office

    Geroth stood by the window with hands clasped behind his back. From the third floor, students filed out the main building and into the courtyard, scurrying around like a disturbed anthill.


    It filled Geroth with great joy to see so many fresh faces, all filled with hope and dreams of becoming something great. So much talent that had yet to be cultivated. All were potential gems in the making. Alongside the Explorer Guild and the academies spread throughout the Lethos Empire, the future seemed to be a bright one.


    He looked forward to the days ahead, watching these young talents grow and achieve greatness. Perhaps one would become a renowned alchemist and discover a new recipe, or a powerful sorcerer able to shift the very weather itself, or maybe even form a family great enough to be considered part of the Great Lineages. Better yet, a royal knight fit to serve and protect not only the imperial throne, but the empire as a whole. Only Sthito knows what kind of troubles were brewing.


    "A lot has changed, hasn''t it?" the headmaster''s voice spoke.


    Geroth glanced sideways. Headmaster Freschlain sat on his chair behind a desk stacked with books and papers: enrollment forms for the first-years. With hands as quick as a lesser hound, the headmaster signed his name and stamped the paper. He set it aside, then pulled out another one from the top of the stack.


    Where they were at currently was the headmaster''s office, a circular room with a domed roof. A large mural was painted, depicting that of the Karti Tree¡ªor in laymen terms, the tree of mana¡ªthat appeared in the Sorcerer Plane. A woman draped in flowy, white robes with her head covered in a veil floated over its branches, her hands cupped as if gifting the Karti Tree a drop of water. Her eyes were closed, her expression peaceful. Geroth had never seen a mural so beautiful. Though his eye for artwork was untrained, he could still see the individual strokes the painter made to create such a magnificent piece. A piece fitting for a deity.


    It had been decades since Geroth entered the headmaster''s office. There were a lot more shelves than furniture. Every nook was filled with thick books, almost as much as there was dust in the corners. He wondered if Freschlain even bothered cleaning this place. The man focused most of his attention on not only his studies, but the students that wandered his halls.


    "It certainly has," Geroth replied, turning his gaze back outside. "The last time I visited was thirty years ago. The academy is much bigger than I imagined. This is nothing to the stories my son has told me."


    "Yes, your son Grant, right? He''s a remarkable individual, both in terms of his character and abilities. Incredibly talented and dedicated, might I add. He has a wonderful rapport with his peers and has never been involved in any conflicts. He reminds me of you when I used to be an instructor myself, except his choice of arms are a bit different."


    Geroth chuckled and remarked, "It seems like he''s putting in an extraordinary amount of effort into his studies. Regarding his choice of sword and shield, I can''t blame him. An Augmentation Sorcerer''s body serves as its own shield. The more powerful our mana, the more resilient our bodies become. Unfortunately, the unblessed and other specializations lack the same advantage."


    "Which is why your son uses a shield to safeguard those around him," Freshclain finished.


    "And for that, I am proud of the man my son has become. Someday, it will be him that stands in my shoes; a royal knight fit to protect the Lethos Empire from the dangers that are brewing over the horizon. I fear that day will arrive sooner than I anticipated."


    Headmaster Freschlain paused his hands and glanced up from his work. "These recent events are indeed worrisome. Fortunately, the extent of the damage was not too severe. His Majesty mentioned that a cigar was the cause of the fire; am I correct in understanding that?"


    The look on Freschlain''s narrowed face told Geroth everything he needed to know. He had known the headmaster since attending the academy. The man was incredibly perceptive, even without the need to use his mana. Well into his olden years, he was still as sharp as he was in his younger days.


    "There are many things His Majesty and the royal knights keep from the general public," Geroth explained. "Not because we find it entertaining, but because doing so will only create unnecessary panic. Your face tells me you already know what I am about to say, Freschlain."


    "You know me too well, Instructor Geroth. I''ll cut to the chase. The capital was attacked, wasn''t it? Every sorcerer near the adept level has experienced the surge of mana and can distinguish between a rune activation and a sorcerer''s release of their own mana. Are the Beastfolk involved in this?"


    "No," Geroth shook his head. "The empire''s troops are still stationed at the High Plateau, watching the Beastfolk Kingdom''s movements. At the moment, no outright fighting has occurred at the border. But, I can say that it is not them who are behind the attack. This is a matter His Majesty has entrusted the royal knights to resolve. We have already identified the culprits responsible: Scourge."


    Headmaster Freschlain leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on the table. He frowned, his forehead wrinkling. "Scourge? I have never heard of this group before."


    "That is not a surprise, for they are a secretive organization. Not much is known about them. In fact, it was just recently that the royal knights had become aware of their existence, thanks to my son''s friends. They are a cunning bunch, and we can assume they have connections far and wide. That organization deals with merchants, like Doyle, and contain capable sorcerers in their ranks. For a rune of that size and magnitude to fly under our noses until it was too late..."


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Geroth closed his eyes and sighed. It was a mistake. He and the other knights failed to see what was happening in the royal capital. It was even shameful to admit how a pair of children had done a better job than the entire order had. To discover tunnels right under the capital and fighting battles that should be handed off to the adults. It filled Geroth with both admiration and a sense of inadequacy on his part. By Sthito''s grace, his son and friends were alright, but that did not alleviate the shame and disappointment in the slightest.


    "His Majesty has issued an order for the royal knights to conduct an investigation on Scourge. Currently, Captain Kalavan is diligently searching Lethos for any indications or leads. His task involves discreetly probing high-profile individuals and questioning suspicious merchants who might have connections to Scourge. He is known for his meticulousness."


    "Nessa, on the other hand, is tasked with coordinating her information network to gather extensive intelligence. This includes studying crime patterns and collecting the latest gossip. Heade, meanwhile, has been assigned to confidentially meet with other branch leaders of the Explorer Guild. They will cooperate in monitoring various towns and cities for any signs of suspicious activities. Othelia is to stay in the capital and keep a watchful eye."


    "What of yourself?" Headmaster Freschlain questioned. "For years, I have requested you to be an instructor at my academy, but you always refused. Why is that?"


    Geroth eyes softened as he pried his gaze away from Freschlain, eyeing the students outside. "I am to perform my duties here in the academy and watch over two students: Igneal and Tyrus. Those two have the most run-ins with Scourge, and there is a high possibility that they might be targeted for how much they know."


    "Are you suggesting Scourge has infiltrated the academy?"


    "There is a possibility that someone, perhaps all, in that warehouse, had some connection to Scourge, given the scribed rune. We can''t be certain how long Scourge has been active, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves. We need to be cautious, Freschlain. Our ongoing issues with the Beastfolk already demand a significant portion of our attention, and now this Scourge has effortlessly infiltrated the royal capital. I''m sure you understand the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in."


    Freschlain nodded, his lips curving downward. "If that is what the royal knights have concluded, then who am I to disagree? I will closely monitor the instructors for any suspicious activities. I am sure you will do the same."


    "I appreciate your cooperation, Freschlain. While I am inexperienced in regards to teaching, I will put my utmost efforts into raising these young talents to be the greatest sorcerers they can be. I swear on my life and honor as a royal knight."


    "I would expect nothing less. Please be mindful that these are children you will be teaching, not soldiers. Their bodies might be capable, but their hearts are still young. Be careful not to burden them too much, especially in the first week. The high altitude may have taken a toll on their bodies, and it is my hope that they can adapt to the change as soon as possible."


    "Bah. An Augmentation Sorcerer should be prepared to endure some hardships. I''ll need to whip these young men and women into shape. Best to reap the advantages of training in high altitudes instead of settling for mediocrity. Struggle and difficulties create the strongest individuals."


    "That is a very harsh perspective, Instructor Geroth," the headmaster said with a sigh. "Please go easy on the first-years."


    "I will be lenient as long as they show me they mean business. I''m not some heartless monster that will have them suffer needlessly. Slack off or show little interest and I will give them an earful."


    Geroth fondly reminisced about his time at the academy, recalling the strict nature of the instructors. While some were kind, the majority were rather tough. In particular, he remembered Instructor Braun frequently tapping him on the head with wooden swords whenever he struggled to grasp a concept. Now, it was Geroth''s chance to share his knowledge and demonstrate to the students what is expected of them in the future.


    Naturally, he would begin his lessons in Augmentation Mastery with a gentle approach. It would be wise to avoid overwhelming them in the initial weeks. However, after a month, it would be necessary for them to adapt to his training regimen. This timeframe would allow them sufficient time to acclimate to the altitude and grasp the fundamentals of augmentation.


    Teaching the first-year students, particularly that young boy, was something Geroth eagerly expected. Though it was merely a gut feeling, he had a firm belief that Tyrus would enroll in the courses with a focus on physicality. It would be the first time he''d witness first-hand the capabilities of a Demi-human, and one that was a black tiger at that.


    Rarely has anyone seen a black tiger in battle before. The ones that had passed long ago, recounting their experiences in writing. Able to rain down bolts of lightning from the skies themselves while carrying the toughness and strengths of a beast, black tigers were a force to be reckoned with. They were considered the apex race among the Beastfolk, and for good reason.


    Geroth was just itching to find out more about the black tigers and their limitations through Tyrus. What he would learn might come in handy if he or the other royal knights were sent to battle against a black tiger. And that was if the Beastfolk made the first move.


    Geroth can still fondly remember his battle against the black tiger in the Wasteful Wetlands. Trading blows against a sword melded with shadows and weaving through spears of darkness. The thrill of a fight was exhilarating, and one he hadn''t experienced in a long while. Perhaps he would soon have the opportunity to do so again. This time, he would finish the job and not leave a threat to the Lethos Empire still drawing breath.


    "Instructor Geroth?"


    "Oh," Geroth said, snapping out of his stupor. He turned to face Freschlain, a bit embarrassed that he was caught in his own fantasies. "Apologies for that. I was reminiscing about a battle."


    The headmaster got up from his seat and walked over to Geroth, joining him by the window. They both gazed out at a group of students who were mingling about, either chatting with each other on the benches or making their way back to their dormitories.


    For a moment, Geroth was thrust back to a time where he was just like those students, eagerly sharing his experiences in classes and challenging the top ranked student in the combat department. Each time, he was defeated, but it never discouraged him. In fact, it fueled him even further to succeed. A man who has never known victory meant he never put in the effort required to seize it. It was a saying Instructor Braun often shared during the latter parts of his academy days.


    Scourge, the conflict with the Beastfolk Kingdom, traitors... There were many challenges and troubles on the horizon. Geroth could only hope that these problems would be solved immediately, but that would be an impossible request. These issues would take time to resolve, and a lot of it. Until then, all he could do was prepare to handle what the future might bring. Whatever news Crown Prince Saldeon brings from the High Plateau, whatever discoveries Captain Kalavan and Nessa find, whatever Heade reports... Geroth would have his role to play, and he would do it as well as he could.

 Chapte 144- Warcamps

    "Today is yet another day of peace."


    Atop a natural tower length of stone, Crown Prince Saldeon stood against the crisp, gusting winds. An open sky blanketed over the sprawling warcamps scattered across the lower region of the High Plateau. The seams of his military uniform¡ªcommonly worn within His Majesty''s imperial court¡ªflapped in the wind. The silver medal on his chest gleamed, reflecting the rays of sunlight.


    Saldeon set his gaze below his vantage. A wall of stone surrounded the warcamps, ten meters high and two meters thick. Within was the bustle of the warcamps were tents meant to house soldiers in the outskirts. A smaller ring was formed in the middle, with stone barracks erected for the officers and sorcerers. Banners bearing the Lethos Empire''s symbol were hoisted into the air, a warning to any intruders who might dare attempt to infiltrate the encampment.


    Soldiers trained with each other on the grounds. The clang of steel rung throughout, and the shouts of commands echoed. Archers shot volleys of arrows into makeshift targets made out of wood. Some relaxed under the shade of a tent or inside the mess hall, eating, drinking, or simply indulging in idle chatter. Others sharpened their blades or practiced the empire''s different sword styles.


    A blacksmith''s hammer struck a glowing blade over and over, forming dents that would be the foundation for a magnificent weapon. A leatherworker cut pieces of leather, then stitched it together to form protection. Grooms combed through the manes of horses, feeding them so that they were ready at a moment''s notice. Cooks cut up the meat and vegetables, and prepared the day''s meals. All was calm in the encampment.


    Saldeon pried his eye away from the camp and looked onward to the High Plateau. It was a landscape of expansive grasslands where herds of red bison roamed free; brackish lakes dotted the land. Forests grew along the valleys, and chasms too deep to peer into the bottom.


    To the north of the High Plateaus were mountain ranges too perilous and tall to attempt to traverse, and further south lie the Scarlet Sands, a region named after the crimson color of the sands and the scorching heat that scorched everything in sight.


    Beyond the horizon, where the sky and earth met, the Beastfolk Kingdom loomed. Saldeon was not aware of the exact distance, but the maps told him it would take at least a three-month travel from Valis on foot. A one-month trip by wagon, a journey that would undoubtedly be rife with dangers from beasts and men. Reaching the Beastfolk Kingdom wouldn''t be a problem if it wasn''t for the fact that one obstacle stood in their way.


    Past a chasm that hindered troops from advancing further was another warcamp, not fashioned out of tents or stone barracks, but of wood. A wooden palisade with towers wrapped around the camp. Trenches with sharpened wood spikes were dug along the southern walls, at the base of the hill. Wooden shacks and buildings were built within the camp, and a stone path was carved around the camp, allowing for easy access. Banners of gold were hung on the front entrance of the camp, depicting the face of a snarling beast with fangs: the black tiger.


    Strolling in the camp and rooted in the towers vigilantly were none other than the Beastfolk, creatures of all manner. Saldeon saw muscular lions standing on their own two feet, their fur, golden, and manes that ruffled with the wind. Wolves with hunched backs and dark grey coats prowled the camp. There were even a handful of monkeys who rested their heads on the ground, eyes closed, sleeping. And within the towers were humanoid birds with plumage as dark as the night and angular-faces, watching the enemy camp as their wings poked out from the side.


    For months, both sides were at a standstill, refusing to make the first move. For Saldeon, this was a good thing. It meant that no blood would have to be spilled. War would only bring chaos and destruction between the two nations. The Lethos Empire and the Beastfolk Kingdom both had a history of peace and prosperity. It would be a shame to destroy a legacy that was centuries in the making.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Trade between the two was an important source of income and resources for the empire. Lethos traded its metals, lumber, and fish in exchange for the Beastfolk''s crops and fur. It was an agreement that benefited both sides, and it was one the citizens were thankful for. But for whatever reason, envoys that were sent to negotiate for the reopening of trade routes were refused. The Beastfolk Kingdom closed their borders and barred any merchants and explorers from entering their lands. And now through these recently built warcamps, the Beastfolk have inched closer to the empire.


    Saldeon was tasked with finding the reason the Beastfolk had cut off their relations with the Lethos Empire. It was a decision Saldeon could not understand. It was almost like they wanted a war. Why else would the Beastfolk choose to cut ties with Lethos when their relationship was as strong as ever? And why build camps so near the border when their capital was far off? It was the very definition of provocation.


    "What are you up to, King Murus?" Saldeon wondered.


    Saldeon''s thoughts were interrupted by a beam of light emanating from below. The light ascended the rocky pillar and settled in front of him. Gradually, the light transformed into the shape of a young man, who knelt down as the radiance subsided. Rising to his feet, the man''s features became visible - a striking face with a clean-shaven appearance and golden eyes. He was dressed in the same uniform as Saldeon, except for the absence of a medal on his chest. A plain sword was securely sheathed at his waist.


    "Gulinar," Saldeon said, nodding his way. "Do you need something?"


    Gulinar approached Saldeon and stood next to him, eyeing the Beastfolk camp. "Every morning, you stand up here, watching the camp. Why is that so, brother?"


    "There must always be a commander who is ever vigilant, watching their enemies for signs of activity," Saldeon explained. "It is a duty I must fulfill."


    "A duty that brings no results," Gulinar said with a sigh. "We have been here for months, and the Beastfolk have yet to make the first move. We could attack first, brother. It is what the other soldiers have been discussing. There have been whispers that the Beastfolk are attacking villages along the border, pillaging and killing our people."


    "Lies crafted by men with hatred in their hearts," Saldeon said. "We are not the aggressors here, Gulinar. We are the protectors of our homeland. The Beastfolk Kingdom has yet to do anything to warrant such hostility, and I will not order my men to attack first. It is not my place to start a war."


    "So, you''re saying that you''ll just stand by and let our fellow countrymen suffer before taking action?" Gulinar inquired. "Are you really willing to wait until they occupy land right in front of us? I hate to say this, brother, but that decision seems incredibly foolish."


    Saldeon shook his head. "Your words are filled with passion, but misplaced. As I have said, the Beastfolk have not made a single move since their arrival at Mevena''s Scar. A war would not only affect our two countries, but the surrounding nations as well. The other kingdoms will no doubt join in the fray, whether for their self interests or for the sake of justice. No one wants to see the world plunged into an age of destruction."


    Gulinar''s eyebrows scrunched together. "And how are you so certain that the Beastfolk would not be the first to attack us? How can you be sure that the rumors of Beastfolk raiding villages are nothing more than falsehoods?"


    "To soothe your worries, I have sent men beforehand to the villages closest to the warcamps. They reported no sightings of Beastfolk or any form of damages. In addition, there have been no reports from the local villages about the Beastfolk attacking the citizens or pillaging the land. There has been no action on their part, and while it is worrisome, I''d rather that than the alternative."


    Gulinar fell silent for a moment before speaking up. "The soldiers are becoming restless. If we do not plan to launch an attack, perhaps it would be wise for us to withdraw and head back to the capital. It has been quite some time since they last saw their families."


    "We will remain stationed here, Gulinar. My decision is final. Father has sent me here to watch over the situation and report any changes. I will not disappoint him by failing to see this task through. Now, leave me be. I must focus."


    "...As you wish, Saldeon," Gulinar said, frowning. He transformed back into a ray of light and disappeared.


    Saldeon sighed, turning his attention back to the Beastfolk warcamp. He could only hope his decision would be the correct one and that this whole mess be resolved peacefully.

 Chapter 145- First Day

    Tyrus groggily rose from the bed and glanced at the windows. The sunlight was already seeping through the gaps between the curtains, and the chirps of the birds could be heard. Yawning, he tossed aside the sheets and placed his feet on the floor, stretching his limbs and popping the knots out of his shoulders. Today was the first week of the academy year, and the first day of officially starting classes.


    Once he finished stretching, he noticed a piece of paper just below the door. Someone had slipped it through the crevices and left it on the floor. Tyrus walked up and picked it up, unfolding the piece of paper. It was a schedule of his first semester, detailing the dates and times of his classes and the names of the instructors he would be taught by. There was also a note of the location on where the class was.


    Tyrus glanced at a clock hanging on the wall. He still had an hour before the morning class began, which was Wilderness Survival. Thirty minutes after would be Elemental Mastery I, an hour break, and Beast and Elemental Spirit Science to finish things off. That meant he''d be busy for eight hours of the day, and that classes ended at late afternoon.


    "Well, it looks like I have a busy day ahead of me," Tyrus said with a smile.


    Tyrus set the schedule down on the glass table and began his preparations. Tyrus walked to where the bath was and proceeded to clean his body¡ªwhich functioned the same as the one in the imperial palace¡ªthen donned his uniform. He made sure everything was in order, especially the buttons and his cuffs. Once he was satisfied, he approached the bookshelf, where the books needed for his classes were lined up.


    Thanks to reaching the first rank of the first-years in the combat department, the required books needed for specific classes were granted to him for free. That benefit would continue as long as he maintained his position at the top, or the third spot, at the very least. If he were to slack off in his studies, not only would he lose his sweet room, he would no longer receive funds to buy the books needed for the next semester! No matter what, Tyrus couldn''t allow himself to fall behind.


    Only one class required a few books for the day, and that was Beast and Elemental Spirit Science. A leather-bounded book with gold linings adorned the cover was pulled out. On the cover were the words ''Book of Wild Beasts: Volume One'' carved into the leather. Underneath the fancy title was a colored illustration of a hobgoblin and a giant facing off while a drake flew overhead. The cover was eye-catching, to say the least.


    The last book to grab was ''Book of Elemental Spirits: Volume One''. This time, it was an illustration of a brook in a forest. Treants and animals surrounded the stream while water spirits, little fairies with fish tails and hair that resembled algae danced within the brook. The water spirits seemed to be in good spirits. Just looking at them reminded him of Meadow. He hoped she and the rest of the spirits back at Wildwood were doing alright.


    Tyrus stashed the books inside his storage ring and looked at the clock again. There were still forty minutes to go, enough time to grab himself a light meal. If Wilderness Survival was what Tyrus thought it was, then he would need to fill up his stomach with some food beforehand.


    With everything in order, Tyrus made his way to his door and swung it open. Just as he stepped outside and gently closed the door behind him, he noticed that one of his neighbors was also making their exit. It was an older boy, towering over Tyrus with his hair neatly tied back.


    The older boy halted in his tracks, giving Tyrus a thorough once-over. He eyed Tyrus''s uniform and took special notice of his ears and tail. To Tyrus''s surprise, the older boy then rubbed his eyes, blinked a couple of times, and retreated back into his own living space.


    "That was weird..." Tyrus mumbled.


    Deciding it was nothing, Tyrus continued onward. He ventured down the stairwell and stepped foot onto the first floor. Apparently, the first floor had its own dining services, only accessible to residents of Lavarun Hall. The food served there was supposedly on par with the meals served at the entrance ceremony feast. Teit and Barachus Hall were forced to settle with eating at the dining hall in the commons, which was a step down in terms of quality. That didn''t mean the food would be bad, but the quality would be noticeable among the first-years.


    The dining services were conveniently situated at the rear of the first floor, a fact that Tyrus found quite pleasing. Upon his arrival, he was taken aback by the stunning aesthetics of the rectangular area. Tables, including round and rectangular, were artfully arranged on a tiled floor adorned with a blend of white and blue. Inactive sconces dressed up the pillars in the corners and center, providing structural support to the ceiling. Across the walls, windows were thoughtfully positioned, affording an unobstructed view of the courtyard and the meticulously maintained backyard.


    There was enough space between the tables that the students wouldn''t feel too crowded even though the seats could fit either a single person, or even a group of six. What was bizarre was that Tyrus saw no counter or place to grab the food. However, there was a swinging door to his left where employees carrying plates or pushing carts were passing through. That was probably where the food was being made.


    After Tyrus got over his shock, he looked around for an empty seat. He found one in the far corner with a good view of the courtyard. Tyrus quickened his haste for the table before anyone could take it from him. The upper-classmen who were enjoying their breakfast and conversing with their friends stopped once they saw Tyrus walking by and stared. One of them even pointed, and another elbowed their companion, whispering something. Tyrus ignored the strange gazes and continued on.


    Once he reached his destination, Tyrus plopped himself onto the seat and rested his back against the chair. The table was of wood, smooth and a slight sweet aroma to it, and the chairs were cushioned with a firm material. It was relatively empty, except for a strange device with a glass face.


    "A communication tool?"


    Tyrus grabbed the device and tapped the glass surface. It turned on, a low humming noise emitting from the device as it projected a translucent screen. It first asked him to speak his name into the communication tool. Tyrus followed the instructions and was surprised when his name was displayed. From there, the options were laid out before him.


    It was similar to the one Selena used in her office. Yet instead of a person on the other end, it was a menu with a variety of options. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert were the options. Tyrus tapped the breakfast option, and a sub-menu showed up with the different dishes available. There was also a section titled ''drinks'' that had a wide assortment of beverages, ranging from regular water to more exotic ones. There was even an image and description of what each meal contained.


    "This place is amazing! Every second I spend here makes me really glad I came."


    Tyrus was filled with wonder and excitement, unable to suppress his glee. He selected his choice of beverage and meal and set the communication tool down. Tyrus sat patiently, waiting for his order to arrive. To pass the time, he gazed out the window.


    A faint sun struggled to pierce the overcast sky, which was awash in shades of gray and white. Students in their uniforms walked across the courtyard, each going to their own destination. Smiles, neutral faces, and signs of worry were visible throughout the crowd; different builds, heights, and hair color. While some walked alone, others were part of lively conversations in groups. They all looked distinct, yet seemed they belong at the academy.


    "What is a Demi-human doing here?" a voice said from nearby.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Tyrus sighed and shifted away from the view, casting a sneaking glance to his right. As usual, his fellow peers had their eyes on him. Tyrus could more or less guess what was going on through their heads.


    They were probably shocked that a Demi-human was even accepted into the academy. Tyrus guessed that it was unheard of that a Demi-human would even attempt to enroll in the academy, or that one got accepted. And now here he was, sitting at one of the tables in Lavarun Hall, a place only meant for the high-ranking students.


    What did the students think about this? What were they feeling right now? Were they curious? Skeptical? Or maybe even surprised that it was possible for Beastfolk to attend a prestigious academy. Beastfolk were called dumb beasts who only knew about violence and fighting.


    A loud ding from the communication device rang, interrupting his thoughts. A cart rolled out from the swinging doors and into the dining room, stopping in front of Tyrus. An employee placed a plate of diced fruit and a bowl of oats alongside a tall glass of water. Once the cart was empty, she bowed and rolled toward the next table.


    "Best not to think about depressing stuff so early in the morning," Tyrus said, dismissing his concerns. "I''m here to learn and enjoy myself."


    He ate the meal without complaint, taking his time and savoring the taste. The fruits were fresh, and the oats were mixed with a hint of cinnamon, adding a sweet touch to the meal. This was his first time having oats, and while it was nothing compared to stew, it was still delicious. He devoured the oats in no time, and before he knew it, the plate was empty.


    "That was delicious," Tyrus said, sighing in contentment. "If the other meals are just as good, then I might get fat during my time here, which wouldn''t be good. A fattened person is easier to hit and slower than a regular one. Well, I won''t have to worry about that if I burn the excess energy with exercise. Speaking of exercise..."


    Now was about time to start heading to his first class. He wanted to be the first one there. Starting off on the wrong foot with an instructor was not a good idea, and he didn''t want to come off as a lazy person who was always late.


    Tyrus wiped his mouth with a napkin and picked up the communication tool. After pressing a few buttons, the display disappeared, and the device went back to being a blank screen. Tyrus rose from his seat and quickly exited the dining room. The burning stares from the surrounding students made his ears twitch, and he hastened his pace.


    ****


    According to the schedule, students of Wilderness Survival were supposed to meet at the front gate of the academy. The instructor would then lead the group to the destination, and from there, the lesson would begin. Tyrus didn''t need the map to know where the gate was, and he arrived at his destination with time to spare.


    Instructor Hugo, a muscular and tanned man, stood leaning against the entrance with his arms folded. He sported a brown, long-sleeved shirt, its sleeves rolled up to his elbows, paired with rugged black trousers and worn-out boots. A curved-blade dagger hung from his thick belt. A full-beard claimed his face, and his dark hair, though long, was neatly tied up in a ponytail.


    Instructor Hugo looked up from the ground, noticing Tyrus. His eyes narrowed, and he pushed himself off the wall. Tyrus stopped once he was a respectful distance away and greeted the instructor.


    "H-Hello, Instructor Hugo. My name is¡ª"


    "I know who you are," Instructor Hugo said in a deep voice. "I heard all about you from the other instructors. They wouldn''t shut up about you. You''re Tyrus, the black tiger that made quite the scene at the physical exam."


    Tyrus looked at him in surprise. "Scene? What scene?"


    The man casually dismissed him with a wave. "That''s not what matters. Now, I don''t know much about you Beastfolk, but what I do know is that your kind aren''t weak like us humans. You possess the strength, reflexes, and instincts of a predator in your blood. Which leads me to wonder: Why are you even here? I have little desire to teach a young person who already has experience living in the wilderness. It''s an affront to my time and your abilities. And before you ask, I can tell from your expression and the lines on your palms that you''re a survivor."


    Tyrus didn''t expect the man to cut straight to the point. His words, although a tiny harsh, held no ill-will. It was true Tyrus had experience in the wild, but Instructor Hugo made it sound like he knew everything there was to know. The man couldn''t be further from the truth.


    "I have been living in Valier Forest for one year, at most, and before those years, I traveled around Lethos with no permanent home," Tyrus began. "I can fend off against beasts, make a fire, know where to find water, and how to hunt and prepare food."


    "But that''s as far as my skills go. I know next to nothing about which plants are edible or poisonous. I do not know of building a shelter or first aid without the elements. There are a lot of things I don''t know, and if I want to be a successful explorer, then I must learn all I can about surviving the wilderness. That is why I am here, Instructor Hugo. Not because I have some sort of experience, but because I wish to gain the knowledge that can save my life, and maybe the lives of the people around me."


    And that this will probably be an easy class to pass, Tyrus thought. If I want to keep my privileges, I need to keep my spot in the combat department.


    Instructor Hugo''s eyes widened slightly, and he nodded in agreement. "You''re truly an honest kid, and I can tell that what you''re saying is true. I have dedicated many years to studying the skills required for survival. The more knowledge you have, the greater your chances of surviving and living another day."


    "Not all sorcerers have mastered every spell, and they certainly don''t possess an unlimited amount of mana to heal every wound. So, in case you run out of mana or are unable to use sorcery for any reason, relying on traditional methods could be the determining factor between life and death. Welcome to Wilderness Survival, kid. And sorry about my words from earlier. I acted too hastily and assumed you knew everything because of your lineage."


    Tyrus chuckled and replied, "I hadn''t considered it from that perspective. I can see why you might have thought that. By the way, I want you to know that your words didn''t offend me at all."


    "It seems like you also have thick skin. You''re quite distinct from all the students I''ve taught in this class. Typically, most kids prefer to stay in the comfort of their rooms to study or practice their magic. Given that this is an outdoor class, it''s common to hear them complaining about the heat or the dirt. I''m simply grateful to have one student who will truly value the lesson."


    "I look forward to learning under you, Instructor Hugo."


    "As do I, kid. As do I."


    Not long after their conversation, other students began arriving. Tyrus noticed that it was mostly boys around his age, at most three years older than he was. Instead of looking excited, they all carried solemn expressions. A few in the group even looked pale, as if they were dreading the upcoming lessons. Tyrus counted at least thirty students altogether, and it seemed like no one else was coming.


    Tyrus was about to join the others and stand at the back of the crowd when a firm hand landed on his shoulder.


    "Looks like that''s everyone," Instructor Hugo said. "Welcome to Wilderness Survival, first and second years. My name is Hugo, and I will be your instructor for this class. I can tell from the look on some of your faces that you aren''t happy to be out here. Some of you are probably thinking that you''re only here because it''s a required course for the Combat and Sorcery Department. And you''re not wrong, but you shouldn''t underestimate the usefulness of this class."


    "In this class, I will teach you all the basics and more of wilderness survival. From creating fire, making tools, building shelters, hunting, finding clean water, and more. While it is true that most of your problems can be solved through sorcery, that won''t be the case if you''re out of mana or if you encounter a situation where the usage of magic is limited. That''s why the basics are important."


    "The purpose of this class is to instill in your minds and bodies that you can never be too prepared. What if you were out on an expedition and you ran out of food? There ain''t no magic in the world that can summon food out of nowhere, or conjure a feast. If you run out of clean water and you''re running low on mana, what will you do? There will come a time where you won''t be able to rely on your blessings and the tools at your disposal. You must know and be capable of using the necessary skills in order to survive the harshest conditions, and to ensure not only your safety, but your peers as well."


    Instructor Hugo gave Tyrus a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "This young man right here holds the top rank among all the first-year students in the combat department, as evidenced by his silver pin. What''s even more impressive is that he has some prior experience in the wilderness, which means he isn''t completely unfamiliar with the fundamentals. Therefore, I will be relying on him for some demonstrations."


    Tyrus heart nearly jumped out of his chest, and his face flushed. "Huh? Me? But I¡ª"


    A bell resounded in the air, startling him and the other first-years. The instructor nodded and turned toward the gate. "And that''s the start of class. Make sure to stick close as we make our way through the forest. Losing a student on the first day is uncommon, and I do not want to find myself reporting a missing student. That''s paperwork I don''t have the time or energy to complete."


    He raised his right arm and shouted, "Let''s move out!"


    At the man''s command, the group began moving. The other students passed¡ªcreating some huge distance, at that¡ªby a star-struck Tyrus, sending him weird glances and whispers. Tyrus quickly snapped out of his daze and trailed behind the last person, trying his best to hide his worried face.


    To think that Instructor Hugo would single me out like that! I better make sure I don''t make a fool of myself in front of everyone.

 Chapter 146- First Day (2)

    Instructor Hugo had everyone following a single path. The trail was wide enough for a horse-drawn carriage to pass through. It was a well-trodden dirt path with no visible sign of grass or weeds, and the sides were covered in a sea of green. The fresh scent of earth and grass permeated the air as leaves whistled and branches swayed with the light breeze.


    A few birds chirped in the background, and sparse sunlight shone down through the canopy. Animals scampered away as the students passed, and the trees, tall and majestic, were an excellent sight to behold. The forest was alive with its natural beauty, a place untouched by man, and it felt good being surrounded by nature.


    "Alright, listen up," Instructor Hugo barked. "I won''t say this twice, so pay attention!"


    Tyrus and the other students stopped in their tracks and gathered around their instructor.


    "Most of our lessons will be hands-on, so you''ll get to learn by doing. You learn best by trying things out yourself. Over the course of several months, you''ll develop skills in navigation, injury prevention, comfort, risk assessment, and much more. We''ll start with the fundamentals and build a solid foundation in the first few days. I''ve also prepared some straightforward tasks. Right now, just pay close attention while I explain some crucial wilderness survival rules. I won''t be repeating myself."


    A couple of groans and murmurs were exchanged, but they quieted down after the instructor glared. Once everyone settled down, the group continued onward, following Instructor Hugo. Instructor Hugo led the class through a narrow forest path, his voice carrying over the sound of rustling leaves.


    "First rule," he began, his tone clipped but clear, "preparation is everything. You can know every spell and survival trick in the book, but without well-maintained equipment and adequate supplies, you won¡¯t last a day out here. A map, first-aid kit, a bag to hold supplies, and protection are necessary items before departure.. Make sure tools and weapons are cleaned, sharpened, and oiled regularly. Your weapons need to be cared for and maintained daily. A dull weapon can easily break or cause an injury during an encounter with a beast."


    He pointed to his boots and the sheathed weapon at his belt. ¡°Each piece serves a purpose and isn¡¯t something you throw into a pack last minute. You¡¯ll need the right boots, tools, clothing, and supplies, and everything needs to be checked before each expedition. So, don¡¯t be that person who finds their map to be outdated when they¡¯re already lost in the wild. That is especially considering the wild is a dangerous place."


    Instructor Hugo waved his hand around the forest. "There are many dangers and unknowns that lurk in the depths, like lesser hounds or thorn bears. These creatures here would rip you limb from limb the moment they sense weakness."


    "The environment itself can also be dangerous, as sudden storms or extreme weather can change the landscape and terrain, which can be deadly. That''s why preparation is key. What if a beast attacked while you were asleep, and your weapon broke because you failed to maintain it? Or maybe you''re sapped of mana because you haven''t been using it sparingly and a dangerous situation arises. If you can''t fend for yourself, then there''s no point in being out here."


    "That Demi-human behind us is probably friends with the beasts here," one student whispered. "He''ll feel right at home, so he doesn''t have to worry about that."


    Some students snickered at the jab, casting glances over their shoulders. Tyrus ignored them, keeping his focus on the instructor.


    "Second rule," the instructor continued, oblivious to his student''s words. "Traveling alone isn''t recommended; always stick with your group. You''ll have a better chance of survival if you''re in a group rather than solo. Not only can they watch your back and vice versa, but it can also help reduce mental fatigue. Only those confident in their skills are given the benefit of the doubt."


    "Third rule: always be mindful of the weather. Be aware of the sky and the land and monitor the wind, rain, snow, and more. If a storm is approaching, the best option is to find shelter and wait it out. If there isn''t shelter around, that''s where you build your own. I''ll go over that later. Also, if there''s a thunderstorm, stay away from the tallest trees and don''t touch metal, which can attract the lightning."


    This continued on for what felt like hours. Instructor Hugo babbled on about his own personal rules and safety tips as the group explored the forest. The most important ones Tyrus remembered, and ones he already knew about, weren''t hard to guess. To not wander off on your own even if one knew what they were doing. And that in forests, the landscape can deceive faster than any illusion spell, and it¡¯ll take only one wrong turn to find oneself in a real mess.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Another was about markings. Without knowing which plants, trees, and landmarks to watch for, wherever someone ventured could turn into a labyrinth. Marking trails and taking mental notes of the area can help avoid getting lost and staying on track. Magic could backfire, equipment may break, and without a solid grasp of the environment, finding one''s way back could be a problem.


    One rule Tyrus hadn''t thought of was securing his own food. Instructor Hugo had told the group that leaving scraps around would undoubtedly allow beasts to smell it, and the leftovers would attract bigger, meaner, and scarier animals. Even the smallest of beasts could potentially become pests or a threat. That was the last thing the students needed. What you bring in, you either consume, bury, or pack back out. No exceptions.


    The longer Instructor Hugo talked, the more impressed Tyrus became. The instructor spoke with confidence, and while some of the information was basic knowledge, the instructor''s delivery was captivating. Instructor Hugo seemed to be passionate about the topic, judging by the stream of information he spoke. It was also baffling how the man could talk for so long with no need for a break or even pausing between words, but that was beside the point.


    The other students, however, did not share the instructor''s enthusiasm. A majority of the group looked bored and irritated. A few students even looked like they wanted to be anywhere else but here, whispering about how dull and pointless this class was. Tyrus wondered why the instructor hadn''t noticed their lack of interest or made a mention of it, and the thought made him sigh.


    Instructor Hugo eventually guided them back to the front gate of the academy. Taking the group to a small clearing at the forest''s edge, he paused where the grass brushed against their feet and no trees obstructed their view. He carefully scanned each student, evidently tallying their count, before giving a satisfied nod.


    "We''re just about done here," Instructor Hugo said. "I''ve babbled on about rules and expectations long enough. Now, it''s about time for a little test to see if you''ve been paying attention. The rules I mentioned were just the basics, and I don''t want to spend another lesson covering them again. You, the one in the back there."


    Instructor Hugo gestured towards the far back, his pointer finger settling on the boy who had previously insulted Tyrus. The student glanced around and then pointed at himself.


    "Yes, you. Don''t think I haven''t been paying attention to you running your mouth off to your friends. What''s your name?"


    "Lannon, Instructor Hugo," the boy replied.


    "Alright, Lannon. How about you tell the class what you''ve learned today? I want you to recite all the rules I''ve been talking about. If you were paying attention, this should be easy, no?"


    The boy hesitated and opened his mouth. "Erm, it''s...uh. The rules. Well, it was something about preparation and how not to travel alone and how to secure food... And, um¡ª"


    "Stop," said the instructor. "You, the girl with the unibrow."


    A girl with eyebrows on the verge of connecting flinched in surprise. "U-Unibrow...?"


    "Your name."


    "I-It''s Sera, Instructor Hugo," the girl answered.


    "Well, Sera. What did you learn today?"


    Sera scratched her head and said, "...Travelling alone isn''t recommended and that it''s best to stick with a group just in case."


    The man nodded. "Good. At least someone was paying attention. Now, what about you, Tyrus?"


    All eyes were on him, and he felt a lump in his throat. He gulped and cleared his throat, and began listing off everyone he could remember about Instructor Hugo''s words. He mentioned the traveling rule, equipment maintenance, the importance of preparation, and more. Tyrus continued on until he reached the last rule, with that being about markings and landmarks. As soon as he was finished, a bell sounded and signaled the end of the lesson.


    Instructor Hugo grinned. "Now that wasn''t so hard, was it? This is all simple stuff every sorcerer and traveler should keep in mind. I won''t keep you for long, so you''re all free to leave. Next class, we''ll be going over basic navigation."


    Tyrus released a heavy breath and slumped. Most of the students left immediately, casting one last glance toward Tyrus before they disappeared. Tyrus thanked the instructor for his teachings and turned to leave.


    "Ah, one more thing, kid."


    "Yes, Instructor Hugo?" Tyrus asked, turning around.


    "You don''t mind if I use you in examples from now on, do you? I''m in search of an Instructor Assistant, and you seem to be the most capable student I''ve come across. No one wants the extra credit that comes with helping an instructor during classes."


    "Extra credit? What does that mean?"


    "Your chances of passing the class increases, to put it simply," the man said. "Do you accept or not? I don''t want to keep you here for any longer or else you''ll be late."


    Tyrus saw no reason to refuse the request, so he just nodded. While the class seemed easy so far, boosting his grades was always welcome.


    "Excellent." Instructor Hugo clapped his hands. "We''ll be having another class the day after, so I expect you to show up early again."


    To avoid being tardy, Tyrus expressed his gratitude to the man and departed for his eagerly awaited next class: Elemental Mastery I. He was curious about the subject matter and hoped it would be a fun experience. A title like elemental mastery obviously involved the elements. Hopefully, it won''t be overly complicated, otherwise he''ll be in trouble.

 Chapter 147- Elemental Mastery I

    Tyrus was the first to arrive given that the classroom was empty. Since he was usually a fast walker, he ended up reaching the room earlier than he expected. While it wasn''t a problem, the only issue was that there was no teacher in sight. He stood there awkwardly, contemplating whether or not he should just wait near the door or to enter.


    "That''s him, isn''t it?" one student with green eyes said out loud.


    "He''s definitely the Demi-human," said a short-haired girl. "Seeing a beast''s ears and tail on a human really is weird to look at."


    Elemental Mastery I was held within the main building of the academy, so naturally there were a lot of students in the hallways, making their way to their next class. Because of those unfortunate circumstances, a small crowd was growing by the minute, pointing and whispering. Before any trouble could potentially brew, Tyrus made a split-second decision and went inside, shutting the door behind him. Upon entering, he didn''t expect such a spacious room to greet him.


    The room had a rectangular shape, spacious enough to fit around one hundred students. Positioned in the center was a raised, circular platform adorned with intricate runes along its edges. Surrounding the platform were seats that appeared to ascend in height the further they extended. Towards the distant end of the room stood a station, most likely the instructors'' area, equipped with a lengthy desk displaying unfamiliar instruments that Tyrus had never encountered. Behind the desk was a sizable board and towering shelves brimming with an assortment of books.


    "This place looks interesting. The space in the middle kind of looks like a little arena."


    Tyrus walked to a seat near the instructor''s station and took his time sitting down, keeping his ears perked. The students outside were loud, but Tyrus ignored them as he stared at the high ceiling. Wisps of light hovered around the room, casting a pleasant glow that replaced the sunlight since the room lacked any windows.


    So far, attending the academy was quite fun and interesting. His first impressions were already positive, and as the day went on, that notion had only improved. The facilities were top-notch, and the classrooms were impressive. Instructor Hugo seemed nice and very knowledgeable about his field. While he''d yet to meet the other teachers, he hoped the others would be just as well.


    Regarding the students, he was slightly surprised no one has come up to him and cause trouble like those boys back in the Grand Tower. Instead, they settled with staying far back and gossiping. At least they weren''t outright bothering him.


    Now that he thought about it, what would he do if someone were to push their luck, seeking a fight? Winning wouldn''t be a problem since he was first amongst the first-years in the combat department. That meant he was undoubtedly the strongest, but it would only create more unnecessary problems.


    They might seek revenge, sullying his time at the academy like mud getting on his garments. He was here to learn and enjoy himself, not deal with petty drama. Then again, a small part of him wished someone would cause a ruckus so he could get it over with and deal with the aftermath, but the better, rational part told him not to.


    Tyrus shook his head, chasing the troublesome thoughts away. The room was starting to fill with students, and the murmurs of the crowd grew louder and louder. Some sneered, some pointed, while a few brave ones stared him dead in the eyes as they took their seats. Tyrus kept his cool, pretending not to notice. What he did notice was that most of them sat far away from him.


    Before he knew it, the seats around him were vacant, and only two people sat near him. One of them was a girl who had taken the seat further down the row, and she seemed to be the type to mind her own business as she set down a few books and paper.


    The other was a boy with spectacles and a face that reminded Tyrus of a weasel. He sat a few seats to Tyrus'' left, mumbling to himself as he watched students piling inside the classroom. Tyrus checked the clock near the instructor station, taking note that there were about ten minutes left for the lesson to start.


    As the minutes passed, the line of people entering the room had dwindled. A little more than half of the seats were filled, with the other side already full. To pass the time, Tyrus had been using mana sense on his classmates, getting a feel for the amount of mana they possessed. So far, his observations were nothing special. He was a little disappointed with the results. The weakest one''s mana heart was the size of a cup, while the second strongest was the size of a small bucket.


    They weren''t kidding when they said I far surpassed the first-years. How come their mana hearts are so... weak? Do they not train or something?


    With five minutes left until instruction, a rowdy group of four¡ªthree boys, one girl¡ªstepped foot into the room, disrupting his thoughts. They were so loud that the already present students stopped their conversation and looked their way. The group was loud, chatting and laughing, with no care in the world.


    One of the group members, a dark-haired second-year boy by the looks of it, surveyed the room as he strutted in. He noticed that one side of the room was already full and made his way towards the other, stopping midway as his eyes landed on Tyrus. He paused, and the corners of his lips curved upward.


    "I thought I smelled something funny here!" he called out. "An animal somehow got into our academy! How did you even manage to sneak in?"


    His buddies burst out laughing, as if the remark was the funniest thing they''d ever heard. Tyrus remained seated, his ears flickering at their grating voices. The rowdy group approached Tyrus with smirks, stopping in front of his seat.


    "I''ve heard all about you. You''re the first-year everyone''s been talking about. Never has there been a Demi-human in the academy''s history attend here, let alone one that has a silver-pin. Tell me, how did you get that? Don''t tell me you stole it from someone?"


    Tyrus sighed. He knew it was too good to be true that no one had confronted him yet. Now, another group decided it was worth the time to come up and try their luck. It was only his first day and someone was already picking a fight. Not only was it an annoying experience to have to deal with, but it was also a waste of time on both their parts. The thought of having to deal with this every day made him frown.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    The dark-haired boy, who seemed like the leader of the group, chuckled at Tyrus'' scowl. "Would you look at that? The Demi-human here looks mad! If we''re not careful, the animal might bite¡ª"


    Tyrus didn''t want to waste his time dealing with the fool. Without warning, he stood and grabbed the boy''s wrist, squeezing. He gasped and tried to pull his hand back, but Tyrus tightened his grip, causing him to cry out in pain. The dark-haired boy''s friends eyes widened, and they all scrambled, attempting to free their leader.


    However, they weren''t given the chance to take another step forward. Tyrus whirled his head around, glaring at them. He even used Beast Transformation to make himself look more intimidating with the claws and fangs. The students froze, not daring to move another inch as their legs wobbled.


    "Why''d you stop?" Tyrus taunted. "Aren''t you going to help your friend here?"


    "S-Shut up, you animal!" the girl stuttered, her voice cracking. "Let Dasan go! Don''t you know who you''re messing with?"


    Tyrus tilted his head, strengthening his grip. "Sorry, I have no idea who he is. And quite frankly, I don''t care in the slightest. You started this, not me. If you have a problem, then why not deal with me directly? Put me in my place, if you can."


    "Release me, you filthy animal!" the leader growled with teary eyes. "When my father hears about this¡ª"


    The entrance door slammed open, and the sound of shoes clacking against the floor echoed through the room. As if sensing an aura, everyone turned their attention towards the newcomer, a tall and attractive middle-aged woman with long black hair and fair skin. Her piercing blue eyes scanned the classroom, stopping when they landed on the group of troublemakers.


    The newcomer raised her arm toward Tyrus''s direction, flicking her fingers. Tyrus felt a sharp sensation in his hand, and without warning, the boy slipped out of his grasp and collapsed onto the floor. His three companions followed suit, groaning in agony.


    The woman sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It is only the first day and there''s already trouble. May Sthito strengthen my patience..."


    She strolled toward the group, her movements graceful like a dancer. She stood before the rowdy bunch, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. "As I''m sure you''re already aware, fights between students are strictly prohibited on academy grounds, except for the training grounds. If both students agree to a duel, only then may the two of them settle their differences under supervision. Since this is only the first day, I will leave you off with a warning. Squabble again, and I will not hesitate to give you all a strike. Am I understood?"


    Tyrus flinched from the warning. Getting a strike was one of the worst things a student could receive in the academy. In the rules given to every student, it stated that getting five strikes within a year would result in immediate expulsion. Getting expelled from Valis Academy of Sorcery was akin to being shunned by other sorcerers. If one was expelled, they could not enter another academy or become an explorer, let alone find employment in high positions in the world. It was basically a stain one could never get rid of. It was also extremely difficult to garner five strikes throughout a student''s tenure in the academy.


    There was a lot of stuff to remember about strikes, but the important ones he remembered was that missing more than three classes without valid reason, cheating on assignments, and failing to meet the minimum grade requirement for over three courses were strikes. To remove those strikes, a student would be assigned mandatory services to complete. That meant either helping employees cook, clean, or even tending to the gardens.


    Tyrus did not want to do either of those things, so he would have to be careful not to do anything stupid or else he''d have no choice but to. But there were times when action was necessary. Allowing bullies to continue their harassment would make him seem weak, and thus continuing their assault. It was better to put a stop to it now and save himself the headache later on. The older boy named Dasan, however, was in no mood to comply.


    "You''re letting him off the hook, instructor?!" Dasan protested. "Look what he did to me! My wrists are red because of that anima¡ª"


    The instructor''s face darkened, and she stomped her foot, making the students jump in surprise. Her gaze bore into the young man, making him flinch. Dasan bowed his head like a lesser hound showing submission, not meeting her gaze.


    The woman nodded in approval. "That''s what I thought. Now, get to your seats so that I may start the class. We''re already three minutes late because of you unruly children."


    Dasan grumbled as he and his group made their way towards the nearest available seats. They settled in the row closest to the entrance, furthest from Tyrus. When they were finally seated, the woman turned to Tyrus.


    "Silver pins should be extra careful with their behavior. Receiving even one strike would revoke you of your privilege. The top-ranked students are role models, and should act as such. And please be mindful of your strength next time. I''m sure you know this already, but you are much stronger than your peers because of your bloodline. I can''t have you breaking the bones of my students and sending them to the infirmary."


    "Understood, Instructor Alveria," Tyrus replied, nodding. "I''ll be more careful next time."


    She gave Tyrus a brief smile and turned toward the class. "And this goes for all of you as well! There will be no fighting or any sort of physical altercations inside my classroom, unless I permit it. I am not one to be trifled with, and you will treat your peers with respect, no matter the age, gender, or social standing. Is that understood?"


    The class responded with a chorus of ''Yes, Instructor Alveria''. That seemed to brighten her spirits as she literally flew toward her station. She opened a drawer¡ªsetting down a hefty book that sent a loud bang across the room¡ªand pulled out a wooden case. The woman flipped it open and took out a wand, pointing it towards the board. With a flick of her hand, white, glowing letters appeared, as if an invisible hand were writing the words.


    "Welcome, class, to Elemental Mastery I. My name is Instructor Alveria. Here, you will be introduced to the basic elemental magics and how they can be utilized."


    With a wave of her wand, the illustrations of the four common elements magically appeared, arranged neatly in a square pattern. Above each element, their respective names were proudly displayed. And then, in a separate spot on the board, two additional elements, light and dark, made their grand entrance.


    "I''m sure many of you are already acquainted with these elements. They are the building blocks of our world, forming the foundation of our abilities. While there are other elements, they are not the main focus of this class. The primary aim is to learn more about your primary affinity and others. Throughout the course, you will delve into elemental theory, learn about fundamental properties, and practice casting spells."


    "The objective of Elemental Mastery I is to familiarize students with the characteristics and principles that govern the elements. Through this course, you will develop precision in the safe and efficient channeling of elemental mana. Moreover, you will acquire the ability to exercise control, while also learning about the potential dangers and optimal techniques associated with casting elemental spells. In essence, this class is specifically designed for Fledgeling Sorcerers."


    Surprisingly, Instructor Alveria cast a discernible glance toward Tyrus. He gave her a peculiar look as she turned away and addressed the class. "Before we embark on an activity I have planned, it is important that I first cover some essential information that every sorcerer should be aware of: the Sorcerer Plane and the Karti Tree."

 Chapter 148- Advancing

    Instructor Alveria¡¯s gaze swept over the room, her expression calm yet intense. Her hands clasped behind her back, and her voice carried a calm authority.


    ¡°The Sorcerer Plane,¡± she began, ¡°is a unique and inner world, bound within each sorcerer. It is a place that reflects both your mana capacity and your affinities¡ªa realm that shows your potential, as well as your limits. Every sorcerer possesses their own Sorcerer Plane, and while it may be invisible to the outside world, it defines the very core of your magical abilities. In the simplest terms, it is the epitome of a sorcerer''s mentality."


    She paused, her eyes sweeping over the class. Tyrus felt her gaze linger on him briefly, though he couldn¡¯t tell if it was out of curiosity or concern. Then, she continued, ¡°In this realm, there exists a tree called the Karti Tree, a term coined by the Progenitors. Think of it as the visual manifestation of your potential. The more branches it has, the greater your mana capacity. Its strength and health show how well you¡¯ve nurtured your mana and trained your abilities.¡±


    Alveria¡¯s expression softened slightly as she looked around the room, her voice almost reverent. ¡°This tree grows only as you grow, and as you practice, you¡¯ll begin to see the branches fill with white light, that being your mana. The stronger the Karti Tree, the stronger your mana heart."


    ¡°Remember this, Fledgling Sorcerers: The Karti Tree can tell you much, but only if you pay attention to it. Some sorcerers seek its wisdom in moments of doubt or meditation. And as you continue through this academy, the health of your Karti Tree will reflect the skills you gain, the growth you achieve. Your Sorcerer Plane is an extension of yourself, and in here¡±¡ªshe tapped her chest¡ª¡°resides your potential and your future as a sorcerer. Treat it with respect, and it will grow with you.¡±


    Another flick of her wand later, and the figure of a person appeared on the board; drawn in its chest was a white heart. ¡°This is what we call the mana heart, a gift to sorcerers blessed by Sthito herself. Without it, there would be no magic, no ability to harness and channel the energies of the world. The mana heart is, quite literally, your magical core.¡±


    She gestured toward the glowing heart as it pulsed rhythmically, faintly imitating the beat of a human heart. ¡°It functions not only as the wellspring of mana but also as a vessel that stores, regenerates, and even circulates it throughout your body. When you cast a spell, you¡¯re drawing from this heart, shaping its energy into an elemental form. The healthier your Mana Heart, the stronger and more efficient your spells.¡±


    Her gaze softened as she continued. ¡°Think of it as a reservoir. If you overdraw it¡ªif you recklessly empty it or push it beyond its limits¡ªyou risk weakening it, even damaging it permanently. Your mana regeneration will slow, and you may find it harder to summon magic. Some spells, especially advanced ones, require deep reserves of mana and the capacity to replenish it swiftly. Part of your training here will be to strengthen your mana heart so that it grows resilient and efficient.¡±


    Alveria let the words sink in and said, ¡°Remember, each of you has a unique mana heart, with different capacities and affinities. Some may feel it in gentle pulses, while others may experience it as a fiery surge. But regardless of its nature, respect it, nurture it, and it will be your greatest ally. Without it, you would be left in silence¡ªa world void of the powerful forces you were meant to command. Any questions?"


    One hand rose, and the woman pointed toward a boy. "Instructor, how does one check their Sorcerer Plane, exactly? I''ve entered it before, but I take a long time to access it."


    "A good question," the instructor said. "Accessing the plane is simply through instinct and practice. A hatchling cannot fly because they lack the strength and feathers, but as they develop, practice, and observe, they begin to fly in no time. Just calm your mind and envision a plane with the Karti Tree and your element."


    Another hand shot up before the instructor could continue, this time belonging to a girl with glasses perched precariously on her nose. ¡°Instructor, is it possible for someone¡¯s Sorcerer Plane to be... damaged? Like, if something happened to their mana heart?¡±


    Instructor Alveria paused, her expression unreadable. "Yes, the Sorcerer Plane can be affected by severe trauma to the mana heart. Such events are rare but not impossible. A damaged mana heart may cause instability within the plane, resulting in diminished mana flow, erratic spellcasting, or worse, an inability to use magic at all. However, with proper discipline and care, your mana heart and Sorcerer Plane will remain strong.¡±


    The room fell silent as her words hung in the air. Then, a boy in the back tentatively raised his hand. ¡°What if someone doesn¡¯t have a mana heart? Are they completely unable to use magic?¡±


    She gave a small, almost sad smile. ¡°Without a mana heart, a person cannot channel, let alone store, mana the way sorcerers do. They may possess other talents, but sorcery, as you know it, would be out of reach. That is why the blessing of the mana heart is so treasured among sorcerers. Now, let us not get sidetracked. Today¡¯s activity will be about accessing your Sorcerer Plane."


    With a wave of her wand, the board behind her instantly cleared, making way for a drawing of the Karti tree and the four fundamental elements beneath it. "To begin, I will demonstrate how to access your Sorcerer Plane within the vision zone. You will also get a visual representation of what you need to look for when searching for your own. Kindly focus your attention on the center."


    Like before, the instructor glided forward, hovering above the runic circle and lowering herself on top of the platform. Tyrus suspected it before, but the woman must''ve been using the air element to fly around. It reminded him of those two sorcerers he ran from all those nights ago. It was a miracle he got out of there in one piece when speed was to their advantage.


    Once the woman settled, she straightened her back and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Meditation is an effective technique that allows one to clear their mind and open their senses. Muddled thoughts are roadblocks to a sorcerer''s effectiveness, so be mindful of the state of your mental and physical condition. Once you are relaxed, focus on your breathing and imagine the Karti tree."


    Not even two seconds had passed before a soft hum resonated through the room as the runes pulsed with a radiant blue light, casting shifting patterns across the walls and ceiling. The instructor¡¯s mana flared to life, a faint yet steady glow that enveloped her form like a gentle mist. Tyrus felt the subtle pressure of mana, a sensation that was both calming and exhilarating, as though the room itself had momentarily connected to something far greater.


    "Observe closely," Instructor Alveria said, her voice serene but commanding. "This is my Sorcerer Plane."


    The light intensified as the vision zone activated, projecting a swirling image into the air above the platform. The students gasped as a vast, otherworldly landscape came into view. At its center stood a towering, luminous tree with shimmering branches that glowed in pure white, fading into a starry void. Beneath the tree¡¯s roots, six distinct splotches of energy rippled and swirled¡ªblue for water, red for fire, green for earth, white for air, yellow for light, and black for dark.


    She has fifteen of twenty-two branches alit!? That''s more than half of the whole tree!


    Tyrus was shocked by how strong and healthy her Karti Tree was. Even without getting a glimpse of her Karti Tree, Tyrus knew that her mana heart was powerful with the help of mana sense. He used it as soon as the instructor walked in and broke up the fight between him and the group. He knew she was a strong sorcerer, and his thoughts were only confirmed with the clear visual of her Sorcerer Plane. But, compared to Selena or even the hat thief, her mana heart was easily weaker than theirs.


    The comparison made Tyrus ponder: just how many branches did Selena and the hat thief possess? It was highly probable that they had far more branches than Instructor Alveria, judging by her lengthy explanation earlier. If having more illuminated branches indicated a stronger mana heart, then Selena and the hat thief must possess exceptional mana hearts.


    However, what intrigued Tyrus the most was the appearance of their Karti Tree, particularly the total number of branches it had and how many of them were filled. At that point, it was a guessing game, a fun one at that.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Fifteen lit branches must mean she must be around the level of a Master Sorcerer," someone mumbled.


    Tyrus glanced sideways to see the weasel kid furiously scribbling away, his face a mixture of awe and concentration. Sometimes he would look up from his work and murmur some more about the instructors Sorcerer Plane. It was hard to see what he was writing, but Tyrus could make out a few words. On the top of the middle of the paper was the instructors name and analysis next to it. A rough sketch of her Sorcerer Plane and her Karti tree was also drawn, though the details were lacking.


    He''s copying the instructor''s Sorcerer Plane? Is it for an assignment or something?


    Asking came to mind, but interrupting him seemed like a bad idea. So, Tyrus stayed quiet, focusing his attention back on her Sorcerer Plane. When his eyes focused on the elements underneath, Tyrus found it odd that it came out in colors instead of the usual images of how strong an element was. Now, it was as if colored ink were spread on top of a black canvas.


    The instructor''s expression remained tranquil. "As you can see, the Sorcerer Plane is a reflection of not only your potential and strength but also a visualization of the elements that you have acquired. Learning to access this different space is crucial for a sorcerer to learn and grow. You should be learning learning all of this in Mana Manipulation since it lays the groundwork for this class, but it seems I will have to cover the basics here. Most students tend to choose classes that sound fun instead of the ones that seem boring. They realize that error usually months later. I talked to the headmaster about this many times, and yet..."


    After her little tangent, the woman opened her eyes. The runes around her flickered once more, and the Sorcerer Plane faded like mist before their very eyes. The instructor''s mana also returned to her body, slinking back into her body.


    "Enough about that. Now, I want you all to try with the person closest to you. Spread out with a buddy and start practicing entering the Sorcerer Plane. You''ve all already entered it during the physical exam, but I want you to get used to it as if it were a normal thing. Once everybody feels more confident in accessing it, that''s when we can begin the overview of the four common elements. You may begin."


    At her command, the students began shuffling around, grabbing their belongings and moving toward the nearest person. It wasn''t long before the class was a sea of activity across the room, and Tyrus turned his attention to the weasel boy, whose nose was buried in his notes, still scribbling away. He was about to call out to him until Instructor Alveria flew toward him.


    "Hold on there a second," she said, standing over his seat. "Tyrus, correct? I would like a moment to speak with you outside the classroom."


    Tyrus nodded. The woman offered a reassuring smile before walking past him, heading for the exit. The weasel kid looked up from his work momentarily before returning back to his papers.


    Tyrus followed after her, wondering what she wanted. Perhaps it was about the fight and she wanted to personally discuss his punishment? It seemed likely, but then again, the woman didn''t seem the type to do something like that when she already gave him a warning. That only puzzled him more the longer he guessed.


    They exited the room and entered the empty hallways. There wasn''t a single student in sight, and the place was quiet other than the rambunctious noise emanating from the busy students talking amongst themselves inside the classroom.


    When the two were alone, the instructor stopped and turned around. "I''ve heard much about you from the other instructors. You are among a handful of students to reach a perfect score on the physical exam. Actually, you even surpassed the maximum score. Only one student in the history of the academy ever achieved that."


    So that''s what Instructor Hugo meant, Tyrus thought. He hadn''t expected to do so well that the other instructors were impressed, especially coming from someone like Instructor Alveria. Tyrus found it hard to believe until he remembered what that old woman with the heart-shaped frames said out loud.


    Instructor Alveria continued and said, "Already do you have four branches of your Karti Tree filled, which means you''ve already have four elements under your belt. I''ve also heard that you accessed your Sorcerer Plane in a snap when it takes the common Fledgeling Sorcerer a maximum of five to enter. Even more surprising was that you used the silent casting method to summon your primary affinity. Do you know what that means?"


    Tyrus had no idea where she was going with all of this, so he just shook his head. The woman''s smile widened, her eyes shining. "We sorcerers are categorized into different ranks depending on our Karti Tree. Sorcerers with one to three of their branches filled are Fledgeling Sorcerers. You, on the other hand, have four."


    The realization dawned on Tyrus. "Wait, does that mean..."


    "Yes, Tyrus, that means you are, in fact, an Apprentice Sorcerer," she affirmed. "I would like to offer my congratulations for achieving a feat at such a young age, but a problem as arisen because of it. You do not belong here. Instead, I find it imperative you be placed in Elemental Mastery II so that it greatly reflects your skills. Usually the second and third years would take this course, but I believe it would be beneficial for you to attend it instead of the basic introductory classes. Ah, but you know silent casting as well, so you''re at the level of a third year student in that regard..."


    With crossed arms, she bobbed left right and as her thoughts wandered off. "I shall speak with the headmaster about this. He should not have a problem with me transferring you out of this class and into one that''s more suited for your skill set. I would love to see you in the more advanced classes, so I''ll see what I can do. In the meantime, I would like you to watch over the struggling students and lend a helping hand. If you don''t mind, that is."


    Tyrus shook off the initial shock, nodding eagerly. The sudden development surprised him, but at the same time, it didn''t. Everyone''s mana was abysmally weak and it seemed like even the simplest spell might''ve been difficult for them to use. This would be a nice change of pace, he thought, and not have to worry about being too far ahead.


    "Lovely. I really am fortunate to have the opportunity to teach a student as capable as you! Now, let''s head back inside and help your classmates." She ushered him back inside, already making her way toward the nearest group. Tyrus looked around, searching for who seemed to be struggling the most.


    Unfortunately, Tyrus went through the entire class helping all but two people, that being the weasel kid and the girl minding her business. Both them decided to pair up when everyone else had their own groups, and it looked like they were having trouble accessing their Sorcerer Plane. Everyone else were purposely ignoring Tyrus whenever he tried to help, either looking away with scowls or outright telling him to go away.


    When he went to the last group and offered his help, they only shrugged their shoulders, which was different from the cold treatment he was getting. Tyrus couldn''t tell if they were being nice or were too scared to be rude to him. Either way, Tyrus was relieved to see them at least try and be kinder toward him.


    And as he expected, it took them almost half an hour to even get a faint glimpse of their Sorcerer Plane. Most of the students struggled for an entire hour before finally giving up and waiting until the next bell rang. When the instructor finally dismissed the class, she gave everyone an assignment to work on accessing their Sorcerer Plane until the next time they meet up. Some groaned and moaned, but the instructor''s gaze shut them up and they hurriedly made their way out the door.


    Tyrus was the last to leave, and when he shut the door behind him, the weasel kid was waiting for him outside. He stopped Tyrus by grabbing him on the shoulder. When Tyrus turned and stared, the other boy flinched and quickly retracted his hand.


    "Oh, um... hi, my name is Parsan, and I would like to thank you for your help."


    "It was no problem," Tyrus said. "The instructor wanted me to help the others since I can already enter the Sorcerer Plane."


    Parsan nodded, his eyes darting around the student-filled hallways. "Is it... true?"


    "Is what true?"


    "That you''re a black tiger?"


    Tyrus narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, it''s true. What about it?''


    "O-Oh, I mean nothing of it! I was just curious, that''s all," Parsan said. "Beastfolk and humans are way different from each other. I''m someone who documents information about things that interest me."


    "Like how you were writing down Instructor Alveria''s Sorcerer Plane."


    He scratched his head, sheepish. "Y-Yeah. It was for documentation. I was going to write it down and ask her a few questions the next time I got the chance, but she''s scary! What I have right now will do just fine."


    An awkward silence fell between them, and after a few moments, Parsan coughed. "A-Anyways, I should probably get going. It was nice meeting you. Maybe I''ll see you around."


    Like a rodent, Parsan scrambled away with his book and paper clutched to his chest. Tyrus watched him disappear into the crowd, confused about the interaction, but shook it off. He made his way through the crowd, entering the courtyard.


    Since there was an hour before his next class, Tyrus decided to get a quick bite to eat at his hall once more. When he arrived, he found that were only a handful of people eating, way less than there were in the morning. For such a big place to eat in, it felt weird not seeing the place to be swimming wtih students. He ignored it and situated himself in the same seat as last time, using the communication device to order some stew and indulging in other delicacy''s.


    After the meal, he stayed put, taking out the wild beast''s book for his next class and reading ahead. Keeping a close watch on the nearest clock, he continued reading until the bell signaling the end of the break rang. He put the book away and rushed off for his next class, which was also in the main building.


    This time, he wasn''t the first to arrive, as there were already around twelve students inside a classroom small enough to fit thirty students.


    Desks were arranged in six columns with five desks each.. He sat in the middle row, near the door, and far from the other students who were scattered about the room. As usual, they whispered to each other, stealing glances his way. Tyrus brought out his book again and was about to continue where he left off until a familiar voice spoke.


    "Is it okay for me to sit here?"


    Tyrus looked up to see Ivy. She had a book tucked under her arm; a friendly smile was plastered on her face as she waited for his response.

 Chapter 149- A Construct

    "Ivy! You have this class too?" Tyrus said, a little more excited than he would''ve liked. Finally there was someone he knew taking the same class as him.


    "Yup, I''m pretty lucky, huh?" Ivy replied, sliding into the seat next to him. She took a glance at his textbook and whistled. "Wow, you''re already reading ahead?"


    Tyrus shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Not really. Just skimming a bit to see what we''re getting into."


    Ivy set her own book down. "Beast and Elemental Spirit Science...You think we¡¯ll get to meet any actual spirits in this class? Like, up close?"


    "Maybe. The instructor might bring in a spirit or two, like a fairy. Or they might use illusions for the dangerous ones, though."


    "Illusions are cool, but seeing the real thing would be way cooler." Ivy propped her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Imagine summoning a fire spirit and it just whoosh¡ªsets the room on fire! That would be amazing!"


    Tyrus shot her a wary look. "Amazing for about five seconds. Then we''d all be running for our lives."


    "True, but hey, what''s learning without a little excitement?"


    Before Tyrus could reply, something odd caught his attention. Beyond the walls, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. Alongside the loud noise, a mana signature drew near the room. What was odd about it was that it felt different from the students and instructors. While theirs moved in pulses like heartbeats, this one was still and unmoving, like a solid object. Tyrus furrowed his brows, unsure of what could cause such a reaction.


    The door at the front of the classroom swung open with a dramatic creak, drowning the room in an oppressive silence amongst the students. The doorway darkened as a hand of stone grabbed the top frame. In a hunched posture, a stone golem stepped through the threshold, its weight making the floor tremble.


    A few students shrunk back in their seats, fear evident in their expressions. One student in the far back row even fell out of his seat from shock, prompting a wave of hushed giggles amongst the group. Another student''s eye rolled up into his head as he fainted, collapsing onto the desk beside him.


    "Good morning, students," the golem boomed. Its voice was deep and gritty, sounding as though it came from the bottom of a barrel. Its form was immense and imposing, a living construct of intricately carved stone with veins of glowing white light streaking through his body like rivers.


    "Forgive me if my appearance startles you. This was the form I was given at the moment of my creation. Do not be afraid, for I have a physical body and a consciousness, just as you do. Please refer to me as Instructor Rock. I will be teaching you this class. Oh, and will someone please wake him up?"


    Instructor Rock shambled toward the front of the room where a podium half his height was settled. In one of his gigantic hands, the book of beasts was held, though it was about three times the size of a normal book. It must''ve been adjusted accordingly to his size, Tyrus thought.


    "I was not expecting a golem to teach here," Tyrus mumbled. "Is he an earth spirit, or¡ª"


    Ivy''s hand shot up. "Excuse me, Instructor Rock! How did you become a teacher here? Also, I noticed your mana signature is a lot like a construct. You''re not an earth spirit, are you?"


    The golem turned its attention to her. Its glowing eyes seemed to bore into her, and Ivy stiffened, her expression faltering. "An astute observation, young one. You are correct. I am indeed a sentient construct created by Lady Vivian to aid the academy as a teacher. My specialty lies in Beast and Elemental Spirit Science, hence the reason why I was chosen to teach this course."


    "A sentient construct? I heard its extremely difficult to create a construct with such high levels of intelligence and sentience. I must know how you were made! Is it okay that I study and ask a few questions?"


    "I do not see the problem, but I believe it is best we focus on the class," Instructor Rock responded. It then faced the class. "I have been tasked with the job of teaching the Beast and Elemental Spirit Science course. Despite my appearance, I have the qualifications necessary to do so. After my creation, I was given one command: to learn and adapt. And I have done so ever since. I have spent many years traveling the world with Lady Vivian and learning about beasts and spirits in their habitats. Now, it is my turn to pass down my knowledge to you. Please refer to volume one on the book of beasts."


    At the front of the room, the golem stood in front of the podium and began its lecture. Despite being a golem, his tone was not monotonous; it resonated deeply, like the rolling thunder before a storm.


    "In this class, we will explore the fascinating realm of creatures that coexist with us in the natural and magical world. From beasts¡ªmythical and real¡ªto elemental spirits, we will cover everything in between. By the conclusion of this semester, you will gain knowledge about their behaviors, ecosystems, and most significantly, their connection to mana.


    The students shifted in their seats, some already scribbling notes, while others sat mesmerized by the sight of a living golem addressing them. Instructor Rock continued, undeterred by their varied reactions. "You will learn how to identify the mana signatures of various creatures, their elemental affinities, and how to determine if a spirit or beast is hostile or amicable. Furthermore, we will cover the ethics of engaging with these beings and the consequences of ignoring the delicate balance they uphold."


    For the next hour and a half, Instructor Rock moved seamlessly through its lecture, pacing the room with deliberate steps that made the floor rumble softly. Its towering figure seemed to amplify every word, drawing the students¡¯ full attention. The construct continued its lecture, detailing commonplace beasts such as lesser hounds and their preferred environments. It discussed their habitat, their diet, and their behavior.


    So far, most of the information Instructor Rock spoke of Tyrus knew of, thanks to the bestiary. What the bestiary didn''t go into detail of were the roles they served in their respective ecosystems. Without lesser hounds, who are usually the dominant predators, the population of lesser beats would grow out of control and eventually consume the surrounding plants, causing a food shortage. The cycle of life would be disrupted, and the area would become uninhabitable for those creatures. Tyrus didn''t know those annoying dogs were that important to forests.


    Every action a beast took contributes to the balance of its ecosystem. Without predators, prey species would overpopulate and consume all available resources, leading to famine and collapse. Instructor Rock made it a note that understanding the balance of the world and the importance of each species was vital to preserving the well-being of the entire world.


    As the class was nearing its end, Instructor Rock imparted a final message. "Remember, comprehending regular beasts goes beyond simply memorizing their looks or diets. It involves identifying patterns, behaviors, and the delicate balance they uphold in their habitats. Every ecosystem is like a web, with each beast serving as a thread. Disturb one, and you run the risk of unraveling the entire structure."A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Once the instructor finished, a bell rang, signifying the end of class and the day. The students rose from their seats, gathering their belongings as they filtered out the door. Tyrus stuffed his own into his storage ring and readied himself to leave.


    He lingered at the door, his curiosity getting the better of him as he watched Ivy approach Instructor Rock. She practically bounced on her feet, a quill and paper clutched in her hands like weapons of inquiry. The golem turned its head toward her, its glowing eyes briefly dimming, as though considering her unexpected approach.


    ¡°Instructor Rock!¡± Ivy began, her voice bright and brimming with enthusiasm. ¡°I was just wondering¡­well, I have so many questions! You¡¯re unlike anything I¡¯ve ever read about. Are you truly sentient? Do you have memories like we do? What¡¯s it like being a construct? Oh! And how were you made? Are you autonomous or¡ª¡±


    Ivy bit her tongue, realizing she was rambling. She cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing slightly. Instructor Rock tilted its massive stone head, the gesture surprisingly human-like.


    ¡°We''ll begin with your background," she said slowly.


    Rock paused, the lights in his eyes flickering as though searching through some ancient memory. ¡°I was crafted,¡± he began slowly, ¡°decades ago, by Lady Vivian. My body was molded from earth and imbued with mana, yet my mind¡­ My sentience, as you call it, was not part of the design. It awakened over time, as I absorbed the world around me and sought to understand my purpose.¡±


    Ivy¡¯s quill danced across her paper. ¡°So you weren¡¯t meant to be sentient? Do you think it was the mana that made you self-aware?"


    ¡°Perhaps. Or perhaps it was the experiences I gathered, the years spent observing and learning. Sentience, I have come to believe, is not merely a gift of creation but an evolution of existence.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s incredible,¡± Ivy breathed, her eyes shining with wonder. ¡°And now you teach. Why? What made you choose this path?¡±


    ¡°Because teaching is another form of creation. Knowledge is a seed, and every student is a field. To impart wisdom is to shape the future, to create something greater than oneself. It is, I think, the most noble use of the time I have.¡±


    Ivy stopped, her quill motionless as she took in his words. ¡°Wow¡­that was poetic. I''ve never thought about it that way. Would it be rude of me to say Instructor Vivian did a great job with you?"


    A grinding stone shot out of the construct, like it was laughing. "A compliment to my creator is a compliment to myself."


    Ivy blushed and quickly changed the subject. She continued asking the construct questions relating to the materials used to make it and what kind of power source was used to sustain it. The golem obliged, giving her as much detail as he could. Tyrus thought about waiting for Ivy to finished, but it looked like she was getting carried away and might take longer. He decided to leave the room and head back to the dorm, figuring that he''ll meet up with her later.


    ***


    "Of the classes I attended so far, not one has grabbed my attention."


    In the dining area of Lavarun Hall, Tyrus and Igneal were seated, waiting for their meals to arrive. They met up with each other at the hall''s entrance, with Tyrus asking Igneal how his classes went as they headed for a table. At the mention of classes, Igneal''s face turned sour.


    Tyrus leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished table. ¡°So, none of your classes impressed you? Not even Elemental Mastery?¡±


    Igneal crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair with a haughty air. ¡°Impressed? Hardly. The instructor droned on about basics. I know the fundamentals. Why waste my time on what I¡¯ve already mastered? Also, I take Elemental Mastery tomorrow.¡±


    A thought struck Tyrus. "Hey, how many branches do you have right now? It''s gotta be over two since I faintly remember you using the air element in the Wasteful Wetlands."


    Igneal''s demeanor changed. "I heard from my sister that you''ve attained four elements already, meaning you''re at your fourth branch already. Are you asking me to compare our strengths? To brag?"


    "Well, you''re not wrong," Tyrus said. "Instructor Alveria showed the class her Sorcerer Plane and Karti Tree. Fifteen of twenty-two of her branches were lit up! Isn''t it amazing that such a strong sorcerer is teaching us?"


    "Only twenty-two?" Igneal scoffed. "That''s nothing to boast about. All it means is that her potential is capped at the low-end of an Advanced Sorcerer, and even that isn''t a guarantee, she''ll reach that level."


    Tyrus frowned. "What are you talking about?"


    Igneal sighed. "Think about it. The Karti Tree serves as a reflection of our power, right? Well, it shows the limits of our growth. The branches of the Karti Tree are a representation of our reserves and magical power. The more branches you have, the larger your reserve and strength. That also means that progression is slowed with each branch you unlock. As a result, it becomes extremely difficult for a sorcerer to break through the further along they are."


    "...So what you''re saying is that Instructor Alveria might remain as a Master Sorcerer?"


    "She could," Igneal said. "I heard she''s a bit old, too. I doubt she''ll reach the advanced rank, let alone fill the required branches to even sniff that rank. But who knows? If she really wanted to, she could always go hunting for mana cores and increase her chances of advancement. They''ll have to be extremely potent though."


    Tyrus fell silent, processing this newfound information as their meals were set down on the table. As the savory aroma of their meals wafted between them, Tyrus remained quiet, his mind churning over Igneal''s words.


    The idea that the Karti Tree could reflect not just the strength but the limits of a sorcerer¡¯s potential struck a chord deep within him. He¡¯d only recently started to grasp the concept of branches and their significance, and now it seemed they weren¡¯t just a marker of progress¡ªthey were a ceiling.


    He glanced across the table at Igneal, who had already started eating, his movements precise and almost dismissive, as though the conversation were already forgotten. Tyrus wondered how much of Igneal''s bravado stemmed from genuine confidence and how much was a cover for his own worries about his potential, especially after admitting he was weak.


    Was Igneal afraid of stagnating? Of hitting a limit he couldn¡¯t surpass? Tyrus couldn¡¯t be sure, but the way the noble had scoffed at Instructor Alveria¡¯s presumed limitations made him wonder.


    ¡°Is it really that bad to have ¡®only¡¯ twenty-two branches?¡± Tyrus asked, his voice quieter now.


    Igneal didn¡¯t look up. ¡°I''m only stating the reality. Her potential is respectable, sure, but it has limits. Every new branch is a fight, and most sorcerers lose that fight long before they reach their peak. It''s a shame her ceiling is that of an Advanced Sorcerer, even if it''s likely she''ll never reach it."


    "What''s your ceiling then?" Tyrus asked. "You never answered my question before. Dodging it isn''t going to help."


    The noble leveled his gaze at Tyrus. "We of the Great Lineages are given a special blessing to allow our Karti Trees to grow further than others. My ceiling is that of the family head position. But, if you must know, I have only two branches. However, it won''t be long before I reach the third. In part, I have you to thank for that."


    "You mean the training we did?" Tyrus said. "My progress toward filling the fifth branch has slowed to a snail''s pace. At this rate, it might take me next year to get another element."


    "Complaining about having four elements already is disgusting," Igneal replied, rolling his eyes.


    Tyrus chuckled. "Enough about the Karti Tree. What classes do you have tomorrow? You said Elemental Mastery is one of them."


    Igneal swallowed a mouthful of meat and took a sip from a red drink. "Sorcerer Combat I in the morning and Runic Studies."


    Briefly, Tyrus perked up. He hadn''t expected to be attending the same morning class as Igneal. Maybe their schedules were matching up after all. While the thought of telling him came to mind, keeping it a secret until tomorrow seemed more fun.


    "Well, good luck with those classes," Tyrus said, lifting a fork of food into his mouth. "Hopefully the instructors aren''t too boring."


    Igneal snorted and resumed with his meal without speaking another word. Tyrus shrugged, focusing on his meal that had gotten a bit cold during their conversation. The two ate in silence, watching the sun disappear and night settle over the academy. Once they were finished, they bid each other farewell, heading for their respective rooms.


    I''ll head to the library tomorrow after classes end. I should get some sleep so that I don''t miss a second of the new classes.


    Tyrus walked into his room; he tossed his belongings onto the table and headed for the bath. After washing himself off, Tyrus stepped out and dried his body and hair, and slipped into casual garments. He plopped onto his bed and closed his eyes, his mind going over what he learned. Soon, drowsiness sunk in, and his consciousness faded into a deep slumber.

 Chapter 150- Sorcerer Combat

    Sorcerer Combat I and Augmentation Mastery I were both located on the training grounds, so Tyrus didn''t have to travel that far for each class. Apparently, sorcerer combat was being held in one of the round buildings, or towers.


    These towers were quite short and made entirely of stone blocks. At the front entrance was a tall, rectangular archway that led inside, where a neat area greeted any new visitor. There were a lot of weapons racks housing practice weapons of different types, such as swords, spears, and shields. Power Reflectors and ordinary practice dummies, both naked and armored. Windows were spaced high along the curved wall, letting in sunlight. The area was surprisingly large, considering the tower itself wasn''t.


    "So this is the sparring room class is held," Tyrus said, surveying the space.


    There were already a lot of first and second-year students¡ªwhich was a common theme Tyrus noticed¡ªgathered in the room, pressed against a nearby wall. From where he stood, he noticed that almost everyone stood in a circle, chatting with someone in the middle. Tyrus moved closer, their laughter and conversation growing louder as he neared.


    One of the second-years noticed Tyrus approaching and stopped mid-conversation. The others around him paused and turned to face him. A hushed silence fell over them as they regarded the new arrival. Tyrus''s gaze shifted between them, using mana sense to gauge their mana signatures.


    To say he was disappointed would be an understatement. Like those in Elemental Mastery, their mana reservoirs were pathetically small. Most of the students were probably still in their first or second branches. Even the second-years were nothing to tell home about, and they were two years older than Tyrus. He could more or less guess what Sorcerer Combat I was all about, but would he learn anything at all with such mediocre students?


    Tyrus flinched at his own egotistical thoughts, surprised that he was judging these people so quickly. Since when did he start thinking of other people like this? Looking down on people gave him a bad feeling, and he wanted to avoid becoming disrespectful and patronizing, like a certain someone.


    After another good look, there was one more mana signature hiding amongst the others. It was much stronger than the rest, and it coming from within the group. Tyrus was interested, but that feeling shortly lasted when a red-haired boy broke away from the crowd and walked over to him.


    "Hey Igneal," Tyrus said with a wave. "Looks like we have the same class. What are the odds¡ª"


    "Cut the act," Igneal said, stopping Tyrus mid-sentence. "Why act surprised when I already told you my schedule? Do you take me for a fool?"


    Tyrus looked away. "...I thought it''d be funny to surprise you. That''s all."


    "Your sense of humor is appalling," he replied with a scowl.


    Well, I should''ve expected this much. It''s not like he''ll be jumping for joy or even show he was glad to see me.


    Tyrus stood near the wall, waiting for the class to begin. Soon after, a pair from sauntered in with happy faces. Tyrus''s blank face morphed into a scowl. Two members from the group of four that gave him trouble yesterday were among them¡ªone of them being that Dasan guy and the girl. The trouble makers moved alongside Igneal, their expressions smug.


    "Lord Igneal!" Dasan exclaimed, stepping forward with a bow so deep it seemed absurd. "It seems the rumors that a Lockhart was attending the academy were true! What a privilege it is to share this class with someone of your standing. Surely, you¡¯ll outshine the rest of us with your unmatched skill and prowess."


    The girl beside him chimed in with a simpering smile. "It¡¯s rare for someone of your pedigree to even bother with classes like these. Truly, it speaks to your noble discipline."


    Igneal, to his credit, didn¡¯t react with overt annoyance or delight. His expression remained impassive, though the subtle downturn of his lips hinted at his disdain for the theatrics. "Spare me your words. Nowadays, I am in no mood to listen to empty compliments."


    Dasan¡¯s face froze for a split second before he forced a nervous laugh, attempting to brush off the sharp rebuke. "Of course! I only wished to express my admiration. Your family has always been a beacon of power and refinement."


    Tyrus stood by the wall, arms crossed, observing the unfolding exchange. It was almost painful to witness Dasan¡¯s relentless groveling, and Tyrus couldn¡¯t help but feel secondhand embarrassment. Worse still, Dasan¡¯s gaze flicked toward him, and the familiar sneer from yesterday returned.


    "And then there¡¯s you," Dasan said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Don''t think I''ve forgotten what you''ve done to me yesterday. I''ve already memorised your name and ugly face. You better watch yourself from now on, animal."


    Tyrus narrowed his eyes but said nothing. He wasn¡¯t about to give Dasan the satisfaction of a reaction. Instructor Alveria''s warnings were still fresh in his mind. It didn''t take a genius to know what would happen if another fight occurred, especially one so soon after his last error.


    The silence only seemed to annoy Dasan even more as he whirled on his heels and returned to the group. Tyrus sighed, a little annoyed that the boy was still determined to pick a fight. No matter what, he had to keep his status as a silver-pin student in mind. Then again, there was only so much patience he could muster before something snapped.


    Before he could decide on what to do in the future, a stern voice broke the tension. "If the lot of you are done chattering, perhaps we can finally begin the lesson?"


    All heads turned forward, where the source of the voice came from. Up a small set of stairs and onto a platform with a railing around it stood the instructor. Tyrus visibly gagged when a man with the face of a chimp came into his line of sight.


    "I am Instructor Malvil, and I will be the one in charge of this class," he barked, his voice cutting through the room like a whip. It was deep and commanding, with a harsh edge that left no room for debate.


    Standing tall and rigid, his build was lean but muscular, with broad shoulders that commanded attention. Deep-set, intelligent eyes scanned the room, sharp as daggers, and his pronounced brow gave him an air of unrelenting sternness. Alongside ears big enough to hear a crawling ant, his nose was thick as a log, and his mouth, with thin, tight lips, seemed to be permanently locked in a disapproving line. A patch of neatly trimmed black hair framed his cheeks and jawline, blending seamlessly into his short-cropped hair.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Despite his odd appearance, the man''s attire was modest. He wore a tailored, high-collared coat of dark blue with gold trim, adorned with an emblem of crossed swords. Polished boots clicked against the stone floor as he shifted his weight, and the hint of a sword hilt peeked out from his side. Instructor Malvil climbed down the steps, arms folded behind his back. Tyrus already knew this beforehand, but he could tell he was going to hate this man with all of his heart.


    "Sorcerer combat, in short, teaches you the basics of battle and how to defend yourself against human adversaries, blessed or unblessed. "


    Instructor Malvil cast a sneaky glance at Tyrus and then turned his head to look at the rest. "Sorcerer combat in its entirety teaches you not only how to wield your power effectively but also how to defend yourself against those who would seek to exploit your weaknesses¡ªwhether they are sorcerers like you or ordinary humans with ambition and a blade."


    He paced slowly across the platform, his polished boots striking the stone rhythmically. "Battle does not care for your lineage, your talents, or the size of your Karti Tree. It demands only one thing: survival. If you cannot meet that demand, you will not only fail in this class, but in life itself."


    "This class," Malvil continued, "is not a place for complacency or excuses. You will learn to fight and defend using your body. You will study tactics, combat awareness, and how to adapt in the heat of battle. Each of you will be pushed to your limits¡ªand then beyond them¡ªbecause that is the only way to grow stronger."


    He came to a halt in front of a display of practice weapons, selecting a wooden sword and raising it for the entire class to observe. "Do not fall into the misconception that relying solely on your sorcery will ensure your safety. A cunning adversary, equipped with both steel and tactics, can swiftly bring an end to your life even before you have an opportunity to utter a single incantation. That is precisely why we place great emphasis on teaching hand-to-hand combat and weapon proficiency, alongside sorcery, for those enrolled in the combat department."


    Malvil returned the weapon back to its spot and continued, "Throughout the months, you will focus on different stances, footwork, and equipment. Can any of you rabble tell me the categories stances are regulated by? What about you, Lockhart?"


    Igneal''s eyes turned to slits. "...Aggressive, defensive, and adaptive."


    "Correct, Lockhart. It seems your family truly are as studious as they are arrogant." Malvil''s gaze lingered for a moment before turning toward Tyrus, his expression souring further.


    "You there," he said. "Black tiger. Name one basic stance and the correct category it falls upon."


    Tyrus stared. "River stance, and it falls under defensive. That''s because the user''s movements are like water, and they take advantage of their opponents'' openings. The user''s objective is to flow, strike, and retreat, attacking unless necessary."


    Mr. Chimp blew air through his nose. "That is correct, surprisingly enough. I guess once in a blue moon there''s a somewhat intelligent Beastfolk among your kind."


    A few students snickered and chuckled. Tyrus''s expression grew stony as he held back the urge to leap at the chimp. However, not only would that surely have him kicked out of the academy since attacking an instructor warranted expulsion, but there wasn''t a chance he would win. With just one look, Mr. Chimp''s mana was clearly far beyond his, and he carried himself as any confident swordsman would.


    Mr. Chimp smiled at Tyrus'' displeased expression. "In Lethos, soldiers commanded by the imperial family are trained to learn the basic stances. Mastery of these foundational movements ensures survival on the battlefield."


    "Stances dictate not only how you fight but how you react, endure, and dominate. River stance, for example, may seem passive at first glance, but its strength lies in adaptability and precision. A soldier trained in it knows how to stay alive against overwhelming odds by conserving energy and capitalizing on the enemy''s mistakes. We will practice river stance until you get the basics down. Everyone, grab a weapon from the rack!"


    At his sharp command, everyone immediately moved and picked out a weapon they were most comfortable with, that being a plain wooden sword. Under another swift command, Mr. Chimp ordered everyone to fall into lines.


    The room stilled, all eyes on the instructor as he stepped to the center of the tower. He waved over one of the second-years, a black-haired student wielding a practice sword. The young man, visibly nervous but determined, bowed slightly and took up a basic offensive stance. Mr. Chimp waved his hand dismissively. ¡°No bowing. This is not a court duel. Attack me as if you mean it.¡±


    The student hesitated before nodding and gripping his sword with both hands. He lunged forward, swinging the blade in a wide arc aimed at Mr. Chimp¡¯s midsection.


    With almost insulting ease, Mr. Chimp shifted his weight to the side, letting the blade pass harmlessly by. His movements were smooth, almost lazy, as if he were strolling by a calm riverbank. The man stepped forward into the student¡¯s range.


    The student¡¯s next attack came quickly¡ªa thrust aimed for the chest. Mr. Chimp¡¯s arm shot out, guiding the blade harmlessly away with his palm. He pivoted sharply and struck the student¡¯s ribs with an open hand, the impact causing the young man to stumble back.


    Before the student could recover, Mr. Chimp retreated two steps, resuming a neutral stance. His feet slid across the ground, not breaking the flow of movement.


    The student lunged again, this time faster and more aggressive, his attacks coming in rapid succession. But Mr. Chimp danced around each strike, redirecting them with subtle parries and sidesteps. His movements were an unbroken chain, each action transitioning seamlessly into the next.


    ¡°Do you see?¡± Mr. Chimp called out to the class as he dodged another swing. ¡°The river stance is not about brute force or endless aggression. It is about reading your opponent, conserving energy, and exploiting weaknesses. A proper user flows around their enemy like water over stone, finding openings to deliver precise strikes.¡±


    He disarmed the student in a blur of motion, his hand striking the blade¡¯s flat edge and sending it clattering to the ground. The student fell back, breathing heavily, while Mr. Chimp stood tall, not a hair out of place.


    ¡°Had this been a real fight, he would already be dead,¡± Mr. Chimp said, his tone clinical. ¡°But as you can see, there was no waste in my movements. The river stance ensures survival by balancing defense and offense. It is a style for those who value efficiency and precision.¡±


    He turned back to the class, his dark eyes scanning the room. ¡°Pair up and practice what you¡¯ve seen. I will be watching and correcting. And if I see even one of you flailing your arms or standing like a frozen log, you¡¯ll wish you had never enrolled in this academy.¡±


    The students scrambled to find partners, their nervous energy palpable. Tyrus, still standing in his spot, replayed the demonstration over in his head.


    This wasn''t the first time he had seen river stance, nor was it the first time he had learned it. After all, it was Igneal''s bread and butter. Ever since their first duel, and their last back at Selena''s manor, the noble made it a point to move like a river. But the fluidity Mr. Chimp displayed was far superior to even Igneal''s. That was a given, since Mr. Chimp possessed far more experience and skill.


    Still... He sometimes used his hands to counterattack. Igneal never did that before. Maybe Mr. Chimp was feeling cocky in that moment since they were using practice swords. If so, why demonstrate something that could easily be misinterpreted?


    Tyrus glanced at Igneal, who was already swarmed with people asking to be his partner. The boy sighed and turned around, looking for anyone that wouldn''t mind being his partner.


    "Hey, animal."


    Tyrus turned to see Dasan, all alone, approaching. His hand was wrapped around a wooden sword and his posture was relaxed, yet confident. Tyrus eyes narrowed as he gripped his own sword tightly.


    "Since no one else wants to partner up with you, I wouldn''t mind practicing with a weakling like you. You just got lucky last time."


    At first, Tyrus thought about refusing the offer and look elsewhere, but he thought of something. He faced Dasan properly and rested the weapon on his shoulder. Dasan''s face split into a smile.


    "Oh, did you finally realize your place?"


    Tyrus remained silent and positioned themselves in the central area of the tower, where they were easily visible to all the other students.

 Chapter 151- Humiliation

    Tyrus stood off to the side, arms crossed and his wooden sword resting against his shoulder. Around him, the other students were paired off, attempting to practice the graceful, flowing movements of River Stance. The results were¡­ less than impressive.


    A boy with sandy blonde hair lunged forward with all the subtlety of a rampaging bull, his opponent scrambling to parry but nearly losing their grip in the process. The wooden blades clacked together awkwardly, and the clash ended with both students tripping over each other¡¯s feet.


    "Come on!" the sandy-haired boy shouted. "You¡¯re supposed to counter, not just stand there like a statue!"


    ¡°I¡¯m trying!¡± the other snapped, their face red with frustration.


    Tyrus shook his head and turned his attention to another pair. A girl with curly black hair swung her sword in exaggerated arcs, each strike loud but painfully telegraphed. Her partner, a stocky boy, shuffled around as if he were wading through mud, barely managing to dodge before taking a wild swing of his own. It wasn¡¯t clear who was leading or what they were trying to accomplish.


    Across the room, two second-years¡ªwho should¡¯ve been more skilled¡ªwere faring only slightly better. Their movements were faster, sure, but lacked the fluidity River Stance required. One leaned too far into their attacks, while the other kept retreating in a straight line, eventually bumping into the wall.


    Tyrus sighed softly. Was that how I looked when I first held a sword? I can see why I couldn''t win a fight with it.


    It wasn¡¯t that Tyrus thought of himself above them¡ªnot exactly. He simply couldn¡¯t understand how so many of his peers struggled with the basics of balance and precision. River stance wasn¡¯t about brute strength or speed; it was about flow. About reading your opponent and responding in kind, like water adapting to the shape of its container.


    One pair near him finally caught his attention. A tall girl with auburn hair and sharp green eyes moved with more intent than the others. Her strikes weren¡¯t perfect, but they were measured, and her footwork carried a faint echo of the stance¡¯s principles. Her partner¡ªa wiry boy with smooth skin¡ªcountered with surprising grace, though his movements were a little stiff.


    ¡°They might have some experience with swordsmanship,¡± Tyrus murmured, nodding slightly.


    Mr. Chimp had been circling the sparring pairs like a predator stalking prey, his hands clasped behind his back and his sharp eyes darting from one student to the next. Occasionally, he¡¯d pause to scrutinize a pair more closely, his expression a mixture of disdain and disappointment. After some barking and correcting later, he''d go on to his next victims, repeating the cycle.


    The instructor would use his own legs to correct a student''s form or stance, and the poor, unfortunate souls would yelp in pain. He also gave some students the opportunity to strike him with a quick attack. Those that even managed to get close were the ones with a bit of sword training, or even some fighting experience.


    One pair caught his attention¡ªa first-year boy lunging wildly at his partner, his strikes erratic and clumsy. Mr. Chimp stopped behind him, watching for a moment before his deep voice boomed across the room.


    "Stop."


    The boy froze mid-swing, nearly losing his balance as he stumbled forward. His partner, wide-eyed, lowered their sword hesitantly.


    "Is that what you think river stance looks like?" Mr. Chimp asked, his tone cold and cutting. "Because I assure you, if you attempted that nonsense in a real fight, you''d be dead before you finished your first swing."


    The boy opened his mouth to protest, but Mr. Chimp held up a hand to silence him. "Your footwork is abysmal, your strikes are predictable, and you look like you''re trying to hack down a tree, not spar with an opponent. Do it again, and this time, use that pea-sized brain of yours."


    Without waiting for a reply, Mr. Chimp moved on, his gaze now fixed on a pair near the center of the room. The auburn-haired girl and her wiry partner were doing better than most, but their movements were still too rigid. He stopped in front of them, his expression as unreadable as ever.


    "Not terrible," he said, his tone almost begrudging. "But not good either. River stance is about flow, not stiffness. You''re thinking too much about your next move and not enough about adapting to your opponent. Loosen up, or you''ll break like a brittle branch."


    The girl nodded quickly, adjusting her grip, while her partner shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny.


    What a harsh instructor, Tyrus thought. He could understand the instructor''s intention, but the way he went about it left much to be desired. Every word of his was a blade, meant to cut and wound. It was particularly awful when that blade was used against a child, who are more vulnerable than adults. That man did not care in the slightest if there was a chance a student might quit because of his methods.


    Tyrus sighed, about to watch another pair, only for rapid footsteps to catch his ear. He turned just in time to see a wooden sword swinging toward his head. He sidestepped the swing, watching the wooden sword dropping to the floor as he moved. Tyrus looked up to see Dasan preparing for another attack with a smirk on his face.


    "That was just luck," he taunted. "You should be paying attention to your opponent instead of looking around with a stupid look on your face!"


    Dasan stepped forward and swung his wooden sword with unnecessary force. His movements were stiff, and his overextension left him completely open. Tyrus sidestepped the blow with ease, his own movements fluid and controlled.


    "You¡¯re wide open," Tyrus muttered as he brought his wooden blade up in a simple, defensive arc, knocking Dasan''s sword off its trajectory.


    Dasan stumbled slightly but quickly recovered, his face flushing with frustration. "You just got lucky again!" he spat, tightening his grip and lunging forward. This time, he aimed for Tyrus''s torso, swinging with brute strength instead of precision.


    Tyrus calmly deflected the attack, stepping back just enough to avoid the full force of the blow. "Luck has nothing to do with it," he said, his voice steady. "You¡¯re swinging wildly without thinking. If this were a real fight, you¡¯d already be in trouble."


    Dasan growled, his attacks becoming more reckless. He charged again, this time attempting to overwhelm Tyrus with a flurry of strikes. However, his inexperience was glaringly obvious¡ªhis strikes lacked rhythm, his grip was uneven, and he telegraphed every movement.


    Tyrus, though only two and a half months into his sword practice, had spent that time honing the basics and understanding the importance of balance and precision. He sidestepped, parried, and redirected Dasan''s blows, conserving energy with each motion. Every time Dasan attacked, Tyrus flowed around him like water, never wasting movement.


    "Stop dodging and fight me properly!" Dasan snarled, his frustration boiling over.


    Tyrus raised an eyebrow, his wooden sword still resting at the ready. "This is proper fighting," he said calmly. "You''re the one ignoring what we¡¯re supposed to be practicing. River stance isn¡¯t about brute force¡ªit¡¯s about control and taking advantage of openings. You¡¯re not giving me much of a challenge. I was just like you when starting out."


    That last comment seemed to have done the trick. Dasan''s face turned red with anger, and he charged again, only to overextend once more. This time, Tyrus stepped in close and lightly tapped Dasan''s wrist with his blade, forcing him to drop his weapon. The wooden sword clattered to the ground, and Dasan froze, stunned.


    "You¡¯re too focused on attacking," Tyrus said, stepping back and lowering his blade. "You¡¯re leaving yourself wide open every time. If you don¡¯t learn to stay balanced, you¡¯ll lose before the fight even starts."


    Before Dasan could retort, Mr. Chimp¡¯s sharp voice rang out. "What is this nonsense?"Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Both turned to see the instructor stalking toward them, his expression cold and stern. The room had fallen silent, yet all eyes had already shifted to the unfolding scene because of Dasan''s shouting.


    Good, it looks like everyone was paying attention to the fight. Everyone is going according to plan.


    "You," Mr. Chimp said, his tone laced with irritation directly at Dasan, "you fight like a drunken bear. Flailing about with no strategy or discipline will get you killed¡ªor worse, humiliated in a sparring match, as you just were."


    Dasan¡¯s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. He picked up his wooden sword with trembling hands, his face a mixture of anger and embarrassment. His ego was definitely bruised after losing like that. If he was smart, he''d realize his mistakes and fix them, but Tyrus knew from experience that the boy didn''t seem the brightest. Perhaps now he''d know how far the gap between them was and decide to leave him alone. Forever.


    "As for you," Mr. Chimp said, turning to Tyrus. "It appears you have some semblance of sword training. Quite surprising, I will say. Yet your movements reek of arrogance over your opponent. I''ll be sure to knock that out of you over the coming months."


    Tyrus resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and merely nodded and watched the instructor stalk away.


    "Reset your positions," Mr. Chimp barked. "Practice properly, or you¡¯ll both be running laps until the moon rises next class!"


    Dasan reluctantly took his place again, his grip tightening on his weapon. Tyrus inhaled deeply and adjusted his stance, this time focusing on the flow of his movements instead of proving a point. As they squared off once more, the tension between them remained, but the lesson was clear: mastery required discipline¡ªand neither of them was there yet.


    ***


    Sorcerer Combat ended in a not so good fashion. Almost everyone was panting heavily, their brows glistening with sweat, as they leaned against the wall or lay sprawled on the ground. Tyrus and Igneal stood slightly apart from the others, noticeably less exhausted and relatively clean and dry.


    Igneal scowled and said, "As I expected, this class is nothing special. I have been practicing with the sword ever since I could hold a sword. There is nothing to learn when I have already been taught by experts."


    "You could always ask the headmaster or Mr. Chimp to ascend to a higher class," Tyrus suggested.


    Igneal looked at him weirdly. "...Mr. Chimp?"


    "You don''t see the resemblance. Doesn''t Instructor Malvil''s face look like a chimp? Even the hair and nose are the same!"


    "A crude description, but I do see the resemblance."


    "Anyway, if you ask, I''m sure they''ll move you up," Tyrus continued. "That''s what Instructor Alveria said she will do for me. Apparently, Elemental Mastery is reserved for Fledgeling Sorcerers or those near that level in terms of skill. Since I have four branches and know silent casting, she deemed it better for me to rise up."


    Igneal''s expression was a mixture of surprise and disgust. "My skills are not those of a Fledgeling Sorcerer. If what you say is true, then there is no reason for me to participate in that class."


    Just then, a bell rang, signaling the end of class. The other students reluctantly rose from their spots, stretching and exchanging tired looks. Tyrus looked at the exit. "I have Augmentation Mastery now. See you later."


    "Wait," Igneal said, pausing for a moment. "What you did back there... That was intentional. You deliberately picked the center of the tower, ensuring that all eyes were on your fight. You purposely provoked that feeble opponent and goaded him into attacking you, all to embarrass him in front of everyone."


    Tyrus chuckled. "Was it that obvious? Well, I wasn''t trying to humiliate him. I needed someone to serve as an example to not look down at me and he so happened to be the perfect choice. At first, I thought of choosing you to make a point, but¡ª"


    His voice trailed at the thought of what might have happened if he had chosen Igneal. "I realized that might not be the smartest decision. You wouldn''t take it lightly, and let''s be honest, sparring with you would have been an actual challenge. But that guy? He was easy, and I knew he wouldn''t pass up a chance to puff his chest in front of everyone."


    Igneal crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "You preach my personality is terrible, yet you flaunt your skills in front of everyone."


    "Our situations were different," Tyrus shrugged. "Anyway, good luck with whatever you''re doing next."


    With that, Tyrus turned and walked toward the exit, leaving Igneal standing in place, his expression unreadable. As the students began shuffling out of the tower, Igneal muttered under his breath, "He does have a point. I don''t belong to these beginner classes. If he can ascend, then so can I."


    Tyrus left Igneal alone to his mumbling and went straight for the exit. Mr. Chimp stood by, watching the students leave with a critical eye. He spared Tyrus not a single glance as he strode past.


    It didn''t take Tyrus long to locate his next class, Augmentation Mastery, since it was held a few towers down the path. While he still had half an hour until the lesson began, it would still be best to arrive early. There was no harm in getting to know the instructors beforehand if they were already in their rooms.


    Also, since Sir Geroth¡ªor Instructor Geroth¡ªwas teaching now, Tyrus had been wanting to meet him again for a while now. Grant''s father was one of the better people he had met, and Tyrus didn''t mind talking with him. Throughout their interactions, he seemed like a nice man. Though he could be quite boisterous at times, the knight was kind and thoughtful.


    As Tyrus expected, he was the first to arrive at the tower. However, while all the towers had the same outward appearance and probably the interior as well, this one differed significantly from Sorcerer Combat. There were still the weapon racks and Power Reflectors, but this tower had a sense of order and meticulous care that was absent in the previous one. The racks were polished to a mirror shine, each weapon perfectly aligned and gleaming as though freshly forged, and several training dummies stood upright, their armor pristine and unscuffed.


    Up a small set of stairs and up the platform, a bunch of chests were open, its contents almost spilling all over the floor. Tyrus recognized orbs, metallic bands, and many trinkets and items he''d never seen before.


    "Aha! I knew you''d come!"


    Tyrus flinched at the voice that echoed all around him. Looking up, his jaw slightly parted open at the sight. Metal poles dug within the walls, each one deliberately placed all around, rising until it reached the top. Each of those poles had a platform big enough to fit a man, and at the end were tightropes that led to the other platforms.


    What caught him off-guard wasn''t the odd display, but Instructor Geroth dangling off a pole near the top. With a grunt, he swung his body upward, pulling himself to the platform where the pole connected. Unbothered by the height, the man waved at him with a grin and simply jumped off the platform. The man''s feet touched the ground with a loud thud, shaking the earth slightly.


    "Well, if it isn''t young Tyrus!" Geroth boomed. "You''re early, lad! I like that! Shows initiative. Shows you¡¯re ready to put in the work!"


    Tyrus couldn''t help but smile at the man''s infectious enthusiasm. "I figured it¡¯d be good to get here ahead of time. I didn¡¯t want to miss anything."


    "Good, good! That¡¯s the spirit!" Geroth strode over, clapping Tyrus on the shoulder with enough force to nearly knock him off balance. "Welcome to Augmentation Mastery, the finest class you¡¯ll ever attend at this academy. Of course, I may be a bit biased, but I¡¯m not wrong!"


    Tyrus nodded, rubbing his shoulder. "It definitely looks more organized than Sorcerer Combat."


    "Organized, disciplined, and rigorous," Geroth said with pride. "We don¡¯t just train here, Tyrus; we transform. Every student who walks through these doors becomes stronger, faster, sharper. And I don¡¯t just mean in body, lad. Augmentation is about pushing your very essence to its limits. You¡¯ll learn to enhance not just your strength, but your reflexes, your endurance, and even your mind."


    "Sounds intense."


    "It is intense!" Geroth''s grin widened, his energy somehow increasing. "And that¡¯s why it¡¯s the best. I expect you to give me everything you¡¯ve got, Tyrus. While our interactions have been short and minimal, I''ve heard a lot about you from my son! And going by your display in the physical exam, I can say with confidence that you and I will enjoy ourselves a lot here."


    Yasaluh," he said with a heavy accent. "I hope my early arrival does not inconvenience you."


    Instructor Geroth made a powerful leap and quickly grasped the closest pole, effortlessly ascending with the agility and swiftness of a monkey. He vanished into the upper platforms, his enthusiastic humming resonating through the room.

 Chapter 152- Augmentation Mastery

    "Instructor Geroth sure is nimble for his size," Tyrus said, wrestling his gaze away.


    Aeithen did not answer. Instead, he merely stared at Tyrus, roving his eyes around his body as though inspecting him for something.


    "You are smaller than the stories suggest," Aeithan said finally. "But I suppose that is to be expected. My people have been known to exaggerate when it comes to the black tigers. Still, you are rather short and skinny for one."


    At Tyrus''s frowning face, Aeithan quickly cleared his throat. "I did not mean to offend you. It is simply that stories spoke of the black tigers as fierce warriors, their presence alone enough to command respect. Seeing you now, I realize how stories can twist the truth."


    "I''m a Demi-human, so I''m only half black tiger," Tyrus corrected. "Also, I''m only eleven years old. I have a lot more growing up to do."


    It was now Aeithan''s turn to frown. "Demi...human? What does that mean?"


    "It means one of my parents was human, and the other was a black tiger. You know, like a mix."


    Aeithen''s frown deepened, his brows knitting together in confusion. "I see. But where I come from, we do not use such terms. One is either of their blood or not. To say ''half'' or ''mix'' seems... strange. How can you only be part of your own self?"


    "That''s just how it is around here. People like me don¡¯t fit neatly into one group or the other, so they made up a word for it. Actually, now that I think about it, I haven''t seen another Demi-human yet..."


    In all of his years of living, not once had he seen, let alone heard, of another Demi-human. He paused, his expression shifting to something more introspective. "On second thought, I might be the only one. I mean, there is a kingdom of Beastfolk and obviously humans, but someone like me? A mix of both? It¡¯s rare¡ªif it even exists beyond me."


    "You mean to say you have never met another like yourself? No others who share your unique ancestry?"


    Tyrus shrugged, trying to play it off, but there was a subtle edge to his voice. "Guess not. Maybe I¡¯m just an oddball. Or maybe the Beastfolk didn¡¯t get out much. Who knows?"


    Aeithen studied him closely, his copper skin catching the light as he shifted. "It is strange. In my homeland, those with extensive bloodlines are celebrated. Their rarity makes them treasures, not outcasts. You say people like you don¡¯t fit neatly into groups, but perhaps you were not meant to fit at all."


    "Not meant to fit? What¡¯s that supposed to mean?"


    The Askelian gave a slight, almost solemn smile. "It means you are like a blade forged with a new alloy. It may not match the weapons in the armory, but that does not make it any less sharp¡ªor any less dangerous. In time, you may find that your place is not among groups, but beyond them."


    Tyrus didn¡¯t know how to respond. The words hung in the air, heavy yet oddly comforting. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, glancing away. "For someone my age, you speak like an adult. Are you sure you''re supposed to be a first-year? You''re way taller than I am, and your voice doesn''t sound like a kid."


    "We Askelians age faster than what is common because of the Scarlet Sands'' harsh environment. By the time we are eleven, we are considered young adults in many respects. Our training, our responsibilities¡ªit all begins early. It is our way of ensuring strength and discipline."


    Tyrus raised an eyebrow. "So, you''re saying you''re a kid and an adult at the same time? That sounds... confusing."


    Aeithen¡¯s solemn demeanor cracked into a faint grin. "Perhaps to you. To me, it is simply life. But I suppose that is why I find this place so peculiar. Your people separate children and adults with clear boundaries. For us, there is no such line. One is expected to rise to the occasion, no matter their age."


    "That sounds... exhausting. I mean, I like to train and all, but being treated like an adult all the time? That¡¯s rough."


    "It has its merits. Discipline builds character, and hardship forges strength. Though," he added, glancing down at Tyrus, "I imagine it is also why I seem so strange to you."


    "Strange isn¡¯t the word I¡¯d use," Tyrus replied, leaning casually against the nearby weapon rack. "More like... intense. But I guess I can¡¯t blame you for that. Sounds like that¡¯s just how things are for you."


    Aeithen nodded, but his eyes held a glimmer of curiosity. "And for you? You speak as though your life has been unconventional. If I may ask, what has shaped the blade that stands before me?"


    Tyrus hesitated, the question catching him off guard. For a moment, memories of the wilderness, solitude, and survival flickered in his mind. He glanced at Aeithen, whose gaze was steady but not prying.


    "Let¡¯s just say I¡¯ve had to figure things out on my own for a while now," Tyrus said finally, keeping his tone light. "No grand traditions or early adulthood for me¡ªjust a lot of trial and error."


    Aeithen inclined his head, as though acknowledging a kindred struggle. "Perhaps that is why your presence feels distinct. You carry yourself differently. Not like the others here."


    "Is that your way of saying I don¡¯t fit in?"


    "Not at all. It is my way of saying that you, like the alloyed blade, may be something far greater than what others expect."


    Tyrus remained silent, allowing the weight of Aeithen''s words to linger in the air. Their meaning was both disturbing and strangely motivating. He reached down and grabbed a training weapon, briefly glancing at the polished floor of the training grounds.


    "Greater than what others expect, huh?" he finally muttered, more to himself than to Aeithen. His tone was neutral, but a flicker of something¡ªdetermination or doubt¡ªcrossed his features.


    Guess I''ll just have to see about that.


    Tyrus felt around the smooth wood, testing its balance and giving it a couple of swings before his eyes widened slightly. He adjusted his grip, rolling his shoulders as he got used to the weight. It was definitely much heavier than the ones back in Sorcerer Combat and Selena''s manor. Besides being made of wood, it was like double, if not triple, the weight of a regular sword.


    "This is no ordinary practice weapon," Tyrus said, glancing at Aeithen, who had also picked up a weapon. The Askelian held his with practiced ease, inspecting the weapon with a calm, analytical gaze.


    Tyrus returned the sword back to its position and grabbed another, this time a slightly shorter blade. It felt marginally lighter, though still significantly heavier than anything he¡¯d used before. He swung it experimentally, testing its balance, then returned it as he grabbed a practice spear. He let out a small grunt as he lifted it, his cheeks turning pink as the weapon''s weight caused him to overcompensate. After adjusting his stance, he tried again, this time holding the weapon with a firmer grip.


    Swinging the spear was like trying to move a tree branch soaked in water¡ªawkward and sluggish. The weight forced him to slow his movements, and each swing felt like a test of endurance rather than skill. Tyrus adjusted his hands along the shaft, trying to find a balance point that made the weapon more manageable. His bones popped and his muscles ached from the exertion, but he pushed on, his face hardening into a determined frown.


    "This... isn''t what I expected," Tyrus grunted as he set down the spear and wiped his brow. "Instructor Geroth definitely did something to these weapons. There''s no way he expects the others to use these without augmentation."


    "I believe that is precisely why these weapons are here."


    Tyrus blinked as Aeithen hefted the practice spear, his movements swift and light, as though the spear were made of feathers rather than whatever wood the instructor used. He watched the Askelian spin the spear in his hand, the tip flashing as it circled around his body. His movements were so fluid that it almost looked like he was dancing.


    In awe, Tyrus watched the practice spear cut through the air, its movement like a blur as it danced through Aeithen''s fingers. The blade was suddenly thrust forward, aimed directly at a regular dummy''s head. He stopped just a hair''s breadth from the dummy, his expression calm as a breeze. Aeithen retracted the spear and got into another position, the tip pointing down at the ground. After about a few seconds of holding the position, he returned the weapon to its original position, resting on his shoulder as he looked toward Tyrus.


    "That was amazing! Where''d you learn to move like that?"


    "That was the kaurat¡ªa sort of dance employed by spearmen to stretch their bodies before a fight," Aeithen responded, returning the spear to its proper place. "Askelians have long practiced the kaurat in the heat of the Scarlet Sands. It is an introduction to learning many stances, a required foundation for Askelian warriors."


    "Could you show me how it''s done? It looks fun."


    "I cannot. The kaurat is reserved for Askelian warriors. To practice it, you must seek permission from a¡ªhow do I say this¡ªan elder from Askalid to be allowed to learn."


    Tyrus nodded. He supposed it was a bit early for him to ask such a question. Still, it was too bad. Not only did the kaurat seem like a cool dance to do, but it was also a good way to keep his body warm and limber for the lessons. While there were other ways of achieving the same result, none of them looked quite as impressive as the kaurat. Stretching or running laps didn¡¯t carry the same sense of purpose or artistry.


    Too bad. Guess I¡¯ll have to stick with boring stretches for now. Still, it¡¯s cool to see how other people prepare for combat. At least I have river stance and some new forms to look forward to learning.


    During their long conversation and Aeithen¡¯s performance, other students trickled into the tower. One by one, they arrived, their expressions shifting from curiosity to wariness as they caught sight of the training equipment and the bizarre obstacles above them. A few whispered among themselves, while others simply stared, hesitant to even approach.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Every time a new student walked in, Instructor Geroth¡ªstill at the top platform¡ªwould greet them with the same booming enthusiasm that seemed to shake the very walls of the tower. "Welcome! Don¡¯t just stand there gawking¡ªstep in, search around! The tools of greatness won¡¯t inspect themselves!"


    His voice carried easily through the training grounds, turning every hesitant shuffle into a reluctant step forward. The students, though clearly intimidated, couldn¡¯t help but obey. Some timidly approached the weighted weapons racks, while others stared up at the complex arrangement of ropes, platforms, and poles.


    "Gah! What''s wrong with these things? I can''t lift them!"


    The newcomers watched in disbelief as a boy fought to raise a practice sword above their shoulders, his arms trembling with effort. Suddenly, a surge of mana surged within them as he strained to steady his muscles, his face contorted with strain, until finally, he aligned it with their necks. However, after only a minute of slow swings, the mana dissipated like a flickering candle, and their strength failed them. With an audible thud, they crumpled to the floor, gasping for air.


    "Even with augmentation, he struggled," Tyrus murmured, watching the boy climb to his feet, cheeks red with embarrassment.


    Besides the boy''s struggle, he could only maintain augmentation for about a minute before completely burning out. Tyrus¡¯s sharp eyes noted how unsteady the boy¡¯s movements had been. And alongside mana sense, there was nothing to write home about.


    Looking around the room, Tyrus started observing the others. A tall girl in the corner fumbled with a spear, her footing too rigid as she tried to mimic movements she had likely only seen in books. Another boy swung a sword recklessly, relying on bursts of augmentation that made the weapon''s movements powerful but unpredictable, leaving him off balance after every swing.


    Then there were those who avoided the weighted weapons entirely, instead opting to inspect the obstacle courses with apprehensive glances. They didn¡¯t even attempt to engage the equipment, as if they hoped the challenge would pass them by.


    Watching them struggle made Tyrus reminiscence about how he had felt during his own first days as a sorcerer, when his skill with a sword was woefully lacking¡ªand still is. He remembered how awkward and unbalanced he had felt in his fight against Igneal. Then there was a time when he couldn''t cast a single spell with his lightning. Only through the help of others did he figure out how to properly swing a sword or expel his magic outward.


    After some time, a bell resounded. Knowing what that meant, everyone proceeded to put away the equipment in their hands and scattered themselves around the tower. Everyone looked up to Instructor Geroth, who finally finished his inspections. Without a moment to lose, he hopped off the platform and approached the middle. His grin was wide, and his energy seemed to radiate off him like heat from a forge.


    "Alright, gather ''round! Now that you¡¯ve had a taste of the tools we¡¯ll be working with, it¡¯s time to get down to business."


    The students shuffled closer, forming a loose semicircle around him. Tyrus stood near the front, arms crossed, his eyes keenly observing the instructor. Aeithen took a spot slightly behind him, his posture calm but attentive.


    ¡°Augmentation Mastery I¡­ Who can tell me what that actually means?¡± Geroth¡¯s eyes scanned the group, his grin widening as the students exchanged uncertain glances.


    One brave student hesitantly raised their hand¡ªa girl with short, black hair near the center of the semicircle. ¡°It means¡­ um, learning how to use mana to enhance our physical abilities?¡±


    ¡°Not bad,¡± he said, though his tone suggested there was more to it. ¡°But not complete, either. Anyone else?¡±


    No one answered.


    ¡°Alright, since none of you seem eager to speak further,¡± Geroth said, chuckling, ¡°let me break it down for you.¡±


    He started pacing back and forth, his hands moving with lively gestures. "Augmentation isn''t solely about raw power. It involves understanding your body so deeply that you can push it past its boundaries without causing harm. It''s not just about becoming stronger or faster, but finding harmony and effectiveness, similar to the other mastery disciplines."


    He stopped suddenly, picking up one of the weighted practice swords with ease. ¡°Take this beauty here. Anyone can channel mana into their muscles to swing it. But if you don¡¯t fortify your wrists, elbows, or even your grip properly, you¡¯re going to injure yourself. And don¡¯t even get me started on footwork and core stability.¡±


    Geroth spun the sword once before planting it in the ground with a sharp thud. ¡°Augmentation Mastery I is about learning the fundamentals. It¡¯s about understanding where to direct your mana, how much to use, and when to pull back. Because trust me, too much mana can be just as dangerous as too little. Overload your body, and you''ll pop like a bubble."


    ¡°Think of the body as a vessel. Pour too little mana into it, and you¡¯ll barely make a dent in your limitations. Pour too much, and you risk cracking the vessel entirely¡ªinjuring yourself or worse. Every one of you has a different vessel. Some of you are like sturdy barrels¡ªcapable of holding a lot of mana but slower to fill. Others are more like delicate paper cups¡ªquick to overflow but fragile under too much strain."


    The students murmured amongst themselves, some nodding in understanding, others looking puzzled. Tyrus¡¯s gaze sharpened, the analogy resonating with him. He knew his own ''vessel'' was somewhere in the middle¡ªnot too large but sturdy enough to handle bursts of intense mana when needed.


    ¡°Now,¡± Geroth said, clapping his hands to draw attention back to him, ¡°here¡¯s the fun part. We¡¯re not just talking about muscles here. Augmentation applies to everything¡ªyour reflexes, your senses, even your internal organs. You¡¯ll learn how to sharpen your vision to see in the dark, steady your heart under pressure, and even withstand extreme temperatures. But none of that happens overnight. First thing first¡ªcome forward one by one and show me how long you can hold augmentation for."


    The students exchanged nervous glances, some shifting uncomfortably where they stood. A few looked eager, stepping forward almost immediately, while others hesitated, clearly unsure of their abilities.


    A girl with a thin frame was the first to step up, her expression confident. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, closing her eyes to focus. A faint glow surrounded her body as she activated her augmentation, the air around her shimmering slightly with the flow of mana. She maintained her hold for a minute before the glow began to flicker and extinguished. She exhaled sharply, beads of sweat forming on her brow.


    "Not bad," Geroth said with an approving nod. "Decent control for a beginner. Next!"


    One by one, students stepped forward, each displaying their abilities¡ªor lack thereof. Some struggled to even ignite their mana, while others held augmentation for fifty seconds before faltering. A stocky boy with a determined look gritted his teeth as he managed a solid minute and thirty seconds, earning a wide grin from Geroth.


    "You all are doing a splendid job so far. Aeithan, why don''t you come up?"


    Aeithen did a curt bow, stepping forward as the students exchanged glances. He didn''t say a word, merely standing with the confidence of a veteran warrior, his copper skin catching the light as the room fell silent. The usual white glow enveloped him, shielding his body. Yet as quick as it appeared, it disappeared, and Aeithen straightened.


    "Why''d you stop?" Geroth asked, stroking his beard. "Four seconds had yet to pass."


    The Askelian turned his gaze to Geroth. ¡°I did not stop. This is the extent of my augmentation endurance. My body excels in short bursts, but prolonged mana flow strains it."


    "Three seconds is your limit, I suppose. No matter! This class is meant to push you beyond your limits. After all, what good is augmentation if you can''t use it for long periods of time? I and your peers will get you right, young man. You can head back to your spot. Last but not least, Tyrus."


    Tyrus stepped forward, feeling the weight of everyone¡¯s eyes on him. He caught Aeithen¡¯s glance as he passed, the Askelian giving him a subtle nod¡ªwhether in encouragement or acknowledgment, Tyrus couldn¡¯t tell. Stopping in front of Geroth, Tyrus squared his shoulders and took a steadying breath.


    "Alright, Tyrus," Geroth said, his grin widening. "Show us what you''ve got. Don¡¯t hold back."


    Tyrus closed his eyes, centering himself. He could feel the pull of his mana reservoir, vast and unyielding like a surging tide. Slowly, he let it rise, channeling it into his muscles, his bones, his skin. A soft white glow enveloped him, brighter and steadier than most of the others before him.


    Instructor Geroth¡¯s brow lifted slightly. ¡°Good control. Let¡¯s see how long you can keep that up.¡±


    The room was silent as seconds turned into a minute. Tyrus¡¯s glow remained unwavering, his breathing calm and measured. Two minutes passed, and still, Tyrus stood strong. Instructor Geroth crossed his arms, his grin shifting into a more thoughtful expression. By the three-minute mark, Tyrus could feel the strain creeping in. His muscles burned, and a faint sheen of sweat appeared on his brow. He gritted his teeth, refusing to give in.


    Push past it, he thought. You¡¯ve been through worse.


    The glow around him flickered slightly at the four-minute mark, his mana heart beginning to protest against the continuous flow of mana. The instructor tapped him on the shoulder and gave him a look that Tyrus understood immediately. He exhaled sharply; the light dissipating as he released the augmentation. His legs felt heavy, and his arms ached, but he stood tall as he looked up.


    ¡°Well done,¡± Instructor Geroth praised. ¡°Four minutes is no small feat for your age. You¡¯ve got the stamina, but we¡¯ll need to work on that strain. It¡¯s not just about holding it¡ªit''s about making it feel like second nature. Nonetheless, you went over and beyond with the effort, and I appreciate that."


    Tyrus thanked the man and shuffled back to his spot, ignoring the sharp stares from his peers. He could''ve reached the five-minute mark if he pushed it a little longer, but he knew the instructor would''ve stopped him. Besides, four minutes was plenty of time, and he didn''t want to overdo it and hurt himself.


    Between elemental and augmentation, the latter didn''t require large mana hearts, so holding it for long periods of time was less about the size of one''s reservoir and more about the strength of one''s vessel. And since the former was all about casting all types of spells in quick bursts¡ªwhether it was a measly Lightning Bolt or a cost-heavy Lightning Spear¡ªcasting complex spells or sustaining elemental effects for a long time demanded a wellspring of energy.


    Tyrus understood this difference well. As someone who specialized in both, he often found himself walking a delicate balance. Augmentation demanded endurance, while elemental sorcery tested control. It was like being pulled in two directions at once, and yet, in some ways, the disciplines complemented each other. His body¡¯s strength from augmentation gave him the stamina to hold out during drawn-out battles, while his elemental magic provided a powerful offensive edge in multiple situations.


    "That is everyone, correct?" Instructor Geroth said, swiveling around to face the group. "Good! Then, now that everyone''s gotten to know their limits, we can get started. I''ve already planned an activity that we''ll be doing for the next two weeks: The Trials of Persistence. Sounds exciting, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    He approached the raised platform, ascending the steps, and proceeded to delve into one of the chests. After rummaging around, he retrieved two metallic bands shaped like rings. The instructor then descended the stairs and casually tossed the objects to a mesmerized student.


    The student fumbled to catch the metallic bands, the weight surprising them. They clinked loudly in their hands, their polished surface gleaming under the tower''s light. ¡°What... what are these for?¡± they asked hesitantly.


    ¡°Good question! Those are restriction rings. They¡¯re enchanted to suppress your augmentation¡ªjust enough to make things a little more¡­ interesting.¡±


    A ripple of apprehension spread through the group as the students exchanged nervous glances.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look so scared!" Instructor Geroth said. "These beauties will help you grow. If you can perform well with restrictions, imagine how much stronger you¡¯ll be when they¡¯re removed.¡± He gestured to the student. ¡°Go ahead, put them on.¡±


    The student hesitated before sliding the rings onto their wrists. A faint, shimmering glow emitted from the bands as they adjusted to the wearer. The student¡¯s expression tightened, their muscles visibly straining as they attempted to channel mana.


    ¡°My body feels heavier!"


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Instructor Geroth replied, his tone almost gleeful. ¡°The rings make it harder for your body to channel mana efficiently. It¡¯ll take more effort to maintain augmentation, which means you¡¯ll burn through your reserves faster. But don¡¯t worry¡ªthey won¡¯t drain you completely or leave you with mana deficiency. Just enough to push you past your limits.¡±


    ¡°Training the body in its normal state is useful, sure,¡± he continued, pacing before the group. ¡°But training it under resistance? That¡¯s where the real growth happens. You can only become strong by challenging yourself. Strength without struggle is just an illusion. You might end up hurt. You might fail. But most importantly, you will learn. The great thing about augmentation sorcerers is that their bodies are naturally more resilient than the other specializations."


    For as little as Tyrus knew Grant''s father, it was the first time a wolfish edge appeared in his voice, his tone rising to a dangerous pitch. It was now he was just realizing just how devoted and strict the man could be.


    "Enough of the long chatter. We''ve blown up enough time. Everyone, grab two restriction rings. It''s about time I whip you all into shape! Be prepared to use two-hundred percent effort in my course."

 Chapter 153- Conflicting Views

    Crown Prince Saldeon stood in an antechamber, a large open room guarded by two of his personal guards: the White Lances, dressed in blue and white surcoats. They were handpicked by him personally, two Augmentation Sorcerers at the early advanced stage. If the Beastfolk or any foul beast were to attack the warcamp, and the crown prince were to somehow be absent, they would hold the front against the Beastfolk and buy him time. Though if it were a beast, the White Lances can handle it on their own.


    The room itself was plain. Windows were cut into stone, offering the sun ample space to fill the room with natural light. Sunlight poured through the stone-cut windows, illuminating the space and casting shadows across the walls. The faint scent of iron and leather lingered in the air, and the sound of hammering and banging rang throughout the room as metalworkers worked at their craft.


    It was soothing to Saldeon that yet another day of peace filled his ears. Soldiers chatting and jesting. Craftsmen singing with their hammers and tools rang through the air. The sound of soldiers drilling in formation and practicing with their weapons. Even the sound of boot soles clapping along the plateau echoed like the patter of raindrops.


    The bustling of the warcamp along the border never seemed to stop, always on the cusp of another day''s activity. In such a large camp, where thousands of soldiers resided in tents and barracks, it would be easy to get drunk and lost within yourself. That was why Saldeon ensured the camps contained necessities, and then some. To mimic a small city on the front lines so that none of his soldiers felt homesick, and to keep their minds off of the Beastfolk that lie over yonder.


    No day was ever wasted here. At any moment, there was always something to do, something to accomplish. Training, polishing armor, working in the armory, taking care of horses and mules, working on weapons, preparing rations and drinking, and, of course, the usual afternoon nap. Saldeon believed that soldiers who remembered the comforts of life fought harder to preserve it.


    However, this peace was indeed a precarious state. He was well aware that it could be shattered at any given moment. Whether it be due to the Beastfolk launching an attack or an unforeseen enemy emerging within the warcamp. If they failed to remain vigilant and ready for any situation, this peace would be short-lived.


    Emperor Johan''s message were still fresh in his mind. An attack, albeit miniscule, was unheard of for the capital. Not only did they have to worry about the Beastfolk, but this Scourge group as well. How come no one had heard of Scourge before? The name was foreign to Saldeon, a specter conjured from the shadows of some unseen threat. For a group to orchestrate an attack on the capital and slip away with such precision, they had to be organized, resourceful, and dangerous. Yet their sudden emergence left gaps in the intelligence network¡ªgaps that unnerved him.


    His father''s words had been clear: Scourge wasn¡¯t just a rogue band of agitators. They were something more sinister, something with the capability to threaten the stability of the empire from within. And now, even as the Beastfolk loomed, Lethos had to divide its attention between two enemies, one known and one obscured by secrecy.


    If I remember correctly, Royal Knight Geroth found a black tiger within the Wasteful Wetlands purposely spreading corrupted mana near Valis. That same black tiger also had ties with Scourge. Father assumed the two groups were working together: one to distract us from the outside while a lone member sows discord from the inside.


    The news was troubling, yet so far, not a peep had been heard of from Scourge for months now. While troubling, Saldeon couldn''t be worrying about Scourge as of now. The matter was handed to the royal knights to handle, and that was that.


    "Crown Prince Saldeon?"


    The crown prince raised his head, his golden locks bouncing with the motion. Ostaun, one of his officers, had returned from his patrols and had a grim look on his leathered face. He stopped and brought a fist over his left shoulder, and his head bowed. "I have... dire news to report."


    Saldeon''s heart took a leap. "What is it, Ostaun? Are we low on supplies again?"


    "Nothing of the sort, Crown Prince Saldeon." Ostaun brought his fist down. "A soldier from the eastern watch post has reported that a singular Beastfolk was seen at Mevena''s Scar. It was a black-furred creature, and a large one, at that. We think that a black tiger was sighted."


    Saldeon took a step forward, his face darkening. ¡°A black tiger, you say? Are you certain it wasn¡¯t just a wild animal?¡±


    Ostaun shook his head firmly. ¡°The soldier reported humanoid features and movement¡ªupright, with deliberate strides. There¡¯s no mistaking it.¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Saldeon¡¯s fists clenched behind his back. ¡°What was it doing at Mevena¡¯s Scar?¡±


    ¡°Nothing of note, crown prince. It didn¡¯t cross into our territory, nor did it seem to be scouting. It simply¡­ lingered. Observing.¡±


    "It might be time, brother." Everyone whipped around to see Gulinar standing in the doorway. The White Lances stepped aside, allowing him to stride into the antechamber. Gulinar continued, "Why else would a black tiger be here? Perhaps to deliver a declaration of war, isn''t it?"


    ¡°A declaration of war?¡± Saldeon repeated, his voice measured. ¡°From a single Beastfolk lingering at Mevena¡¯s Scar? You leap to conclusions, as usual.¡±


    ¡°And you hesitate, as usual,¡± Gulinar countered, his lips curling into a smirk. ¡°A black tiger near our border is not a coincidence, Saldeon. The Beastfolk do nothing without purpose. Their boldness grows by the day, and yet here we are, content to sit and wait for them to bring the fight to us.¡±


    Saldeon¡¯s fingers drummed against the hilt of his sword, but he kept his composure. ¡°This is not hesitation; it is caution. War is not something to enter lightly. If this is a declaration, we must confirm it first.¡±


    ¡°By the time you¡¯ve confirmed it, they will be inside our walls¡ªagain,¡± Gulinar snapped. He strode closer, his boots thudding heavily against the stone floor. ¡°The black tigers are their elites¡ªtheir vanguard. If one is here, more may follow. We can deal with one singular black tiger, but not an entire lineage of them. It is not too late to act, brother."


    Their conflicting opinions created a thick tension in the room. The White Lances stood rigid, their eyes darting between the two princes, while Ostaun shifted uneasily nearby. Saldeon dared not let himself show any emotion¡ªnot when his brother was so near, ready to seize any opportunity to put him down.


    Gulinar and he were constantly at odds, colliding in every situation, in every possible manner, as if they were fated to be rivals. His brother had even dared to challenge him to a duel, engaging in a fierce combat that seemed to stretch on for hours. Saldeon emerged victorious that time, and ever since, his brother had refrained from issuing any more challenges.


    All of this stemmed because Saldeon was the crown prince, next in line to inherit the throne, while Gulinar was relegated to the role of second son¡ªan honorless position in his eyes. Though their father, Emperor Johan, had always praised both of his sons for their strengths, it was clear to everyone, especially Gulinar, where the emperor¡¯s favor lay. Saldeon¡¯s measured approach had always been held in higher regard than Gulinar¡¯s fiery ambition and brute force.


    It was plain to see why Gulinar wanted war. He saw it as an opportunity to prove himself, to rise above the shadow cast by his older brother and carve his name into history through valor and conquest. War, in Gulinar¡¯s eyes, was the great equalizer¡ªa chance to demonstrate that strength and decisive action were the true marks of leadership. If he could emerge victorious on the battlefield, it would silence the whispers of his inferiority and force even their father to acknowledge his worth. That he was fit to rule, and not the current crown prince.


    Saldeon¡¯s gaze flickered to Gulinar, who now stood with his arms crossed, his presence as unyielding as a mountain. He could almost see the gears turning in his brother¡¯s mind, already strategizing, already envisioning himself at the helm of a victorious campaign.


    "Ostaun," Saldeon said softly, breaking the stillness. "Is the black tiger still there?"


    "According to our scout''s reports, yes. It hasn''t moved since he first spotted it."


    "Then I wish to speak to it."


    Gulinar raised an eyebrow, his lips twisting into a sneer. ¡°You wish to speak to it?¡± his tone dripped with incredulity. ¡°Tell me, brother, do you intend to invite it for tea and discuss terms of surrender? Or perhaps you¡¯ll simply ask it to leave our lands out of the kindness of its heart?¡±


    ¡°Communication is a weapon just as much as the sword or the spear, Gulinar. If there¡¯s even a chance to glean its intentions, it¡¯s worth taking.¡±


    ¡°Glean its intentions?¡± Gulinar took a step forward, his voice rising with each word. ¡°It¡¯s a Beastfolk, Saldeon! Its intentions are clear¡ªour destruction, our blood, our land. You think you can reason with that?¡±


    ¡°And if I¡¯m wrong,¡± Saldeon replied evenly, ¡°if its presence is a precursor to war, then I¡¯ll have confirmed it. But if there¡¯s even a sliver of a chance that it isn¡¯t¡ªif this is something else entirely¡ªthen I¡¯d rather understand it before plunging us into a conflict we might not be ready for.¡±


    Gulinar scoffed, throwing his hands in the air. ¡°Your fear will undo us, brother. Your hesitation will give them the upper hand. Strength¡ªthat is the only language the Beastfolk understand. And yet you cling to words as though they¡¯ll shield you from their claws.¡±


    ¡°I prefer to think before I act,¡± Saldeon said, his voice cold now. ¡°Something you might try, Gulinar, before your thirst for glory drags us all into ruin.¡±


    Ostaun cleared his throat, stepping forward cautiously. ¡°Crown prince,¡± he began, addressing Saldeon but glancing briefly at Gulinar, ¡°if you truly intend to speak with it, we¡¯ll need to proceed carefully. The Beastfolk are unpredictable. Approaching it without sufficient protection would be¡­ unwise.¡±


    "There''s no need to worry. I won''t be going alone, just like you said, Gulinar. We can handle a single black tiger. Let''s go and meet the creature to find out its intentions. It''s better if we leave now, otherwise it might wander off. Ostaun and the White Lances, stay inside the warcamp. Gulinar, come with me."


    Without waiting for Gulinar''s reply, Saldeon turned on his heel, striding toward the door with a deliberate pace. Saldeon¡¯s mind raced as they walked, the sounds of the camp fading into his mind. This was the first time a black tiger had ever been spotted near the chasm. What could the black tiger want? Was it truly just observing, or was there a deeper message here?


    It could be a prelude to something far more dangerous. But he refused to let fear cloud his judgment. He would meet the tiger, see what message it carried, and deal with it according to his principles. He did not know what he would find¡ªbut he knew that speaking to it would be the only way to figure out the Beastfolk''s intentions.


    And if it turned out to be an enemy, well, he would be ready.

 Chapter 154- Not What it Seems

    The wind gently caressed his face, causing his hair to dance behind him like fluttering banners in the breeze. Saldeon maintained his focus on the path ahead, narrowing his eyes to shield them from the bright suns that bathed the rugged terrain in their radiant intensity.


    The comforting sound of hooves pounding hard and rhythmically echoed as they journeyed across the rugged terrain. Saldeon found solace in his horse''s steady gait, mirroring the inner calm he sought to foster. Despite his composed exterior, Saldeon''s mind never ceased its relentless whirl.


    His brother¡¯s words echoed in his thoughts, stirring a mix of anger and uncertainty. Gulinar had always been quick to assume that war was the answer, that the only way to prove strength was through force¡ªan ideology that the Lethos Empire abandoned long after the Great Conquest was completed. Saldeon couldn¡¯t afford that mindset¡ªhe couldn¡¯t lead the empire based on brute strength alone. It was his ability to think ahead, to see the bigger picture, that set him apart.


    They rode in silence, Gulinar keeping pace on his own mount. The wind picked up as they neared the chasm, a shallow crevice in the earth that marked the border between their empire and the Beastfolk territory. It was deep enough to serve as a natural divide, yet shallow enough that crossing it was not impossible. A skilled Augmentation Sorcerer would make the leap, though it would be hard. The same cannot be said if they were to fall, as death was nothing but inevitable.


    A bridge used to exist at Mevena''s Scar, free for any merchants and travelers to cross, yet it had been destroyed by the Beastfolk. Now, only the remnants of that bridge remained¡ªa series of stone posts and broken ropes that swayed with the wind, a grim reminder of what once was.


    Saldeon¡¯s gaze lingered on the ruins as they approached the edge. Far away, he saw a figure sitting near the chasm, watching them approach at a gallop. Gulinar noticed this as well, frowning at the creature before them.


    The wind roared through the chasm as Saldeon dismounted, his boots crunching against the gravel. His brother followed suit, and they both calmly walked forward. The black tiger remained seated, watching their approach with its cold, impassive eyes. Its ears swiveled to them, but it didn''t stand. Its tail didn''t even flicker.


    Its sleek, muscular frame stood out even at this distance, its fur an almost unnatural void against the backdrop of the rocky terrain. Its eyes glowed faintly, golden orbs that seemed to pierce through the divide, locking onto him. The black tiger''s armour was clearly handmade, little more than tooled straps holding flat discs of metal at its torso. A pair of baggy, dark blue pants held by a leather belt also accompanied the look, yet the creature wore it without a care, its fur keeping it comfortable in the sun''s heat.


    Other than its striking appearance and unusual silence, there was a sinister aura that the black tiger emitted. A tidal wave of sapphire-blue mana encroached the area, radiating from the black tiger like an unseen storm that would swallow anyone that dared approach. With so much mana being emitted, the black tiger had to be around the level of an Advanced Sorcerer, at most in the middle stage.


    "It is trying to intimidate us," Gulinar said.


    "It is," Saldeon replied as he continued to stride forward. "Therefore, we must stay strong."


    Even from a distance, the black tiger''s mana pressed against his shoulders as if three grown men were on them. Nonetheless, his steps were steady and unwavering. It was not a feeling he was unfamiliar with¡ªin fact, he experienced this feeling more often than not¡ªbut it didn''t make the experience any less worrisome. A relaxed posture and a neutral expression were critical when it came to serious situations.


    They reached the edge of Mevena''s Scar, daring not to step their toes past the stones that surrounded it. Saldeon looked down the chasm, noting how far down it went before turning his gaze back to the black tiger.


    "You¡¯ve been watching us," he said, his voice calm yet firm, carrying over the roar of the wind. "What is your purpose here, Beastfolk?"


    A smirk appeared on the black tiger''s face, revealing rows of sharp canines. Suddenly, the creature rose to its feet, its movements fluid and deliberate, exuding a predator¡¯s grace. The wind seemed to still for a moment as the black tiger stood to its full height, towering over even the tallest men. Its golden eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and sharp intelligence, locking onto Saldeon like a hunter sizing up its prey.


    "You must be the Two Suns!"


    The muscles in its thick arms went taut as it hunched over, bending its legs. In one fell swoop, it lurched forward, soaring across the chasm with ease. Saldeon''s mouth fell agape as he craned his neck upward, his eyes following its progress until the black tiger landed firmly on the other side of the chasm. A cloud of dust rose into the air from the impact, and it took a moment before it settled down, revealing stone that cracked under the tiger''s weight.


    By Sthito''s graces! The strength of these creatures is no laughing matter. It closed the distance with nothing but its physical abilities!


    A low growl rumbled from the beast as Saldeon felt his heart pound, a frantic rhythm against his ribs, his eyes locked on its massive form. Now was not the time to be in awe of its strength. In front of him stood a creature that few could witness firsthand, let alone engage with directly. It was the perfect chance to glean insight into the Beastfolk¡ªinto their power, their motives, and perhaps even their weaknesses.


    Gulinar was the first to act. By the time the beast landed, his sword was already out¡ªa runic blade of medium length and thin, its curved gold crossguard gleaming even in the dimmest of rooms. Most would consider it a mere ceremonial sword, but the Imperial Court witnessed its capabilities firsthand and knew it was anything but.


    "Do you have any idea what you have done, creature?" Gulinar snarled, pointing his sword at it. "Crossing Mevena''s Scar without so much as forewarning is seen as an act of war. I take it your passing was purposeful, given the circumstances. You made a mistake crossing into our lands."


    The black tiger bared its teeth in a grin and spoke in a deep growl. "Yes... You two are definitely the Two Suns. King Murus has warned us about the emperor''s cubs. The fact that you stand here, unfazed by my strength, means you''re a more formidable opponent than I had hoped."


    The tiger leaned forward, licking its maw in a rather chilling way. "My blood boils just thinking of taking you two on¡ªworthy heads of gifting to King Murus. Alas, I cannot sate my desire to fight, not until the Skaura."


    The Skaura? If I recall, that is a trial members of the black tigers undergo every ten years. It''s a brutal test of strength and cunning, a rite of passage that solidified a black tiger''s place within their hierarchy. It is also determined if a new King of Beastfolk is crowned. Why bring that up now when the next begins in six years?


    Tossing aside that question for now, there was another matter that Saldeon had been keeping track. Back in the Wasteful Wetlands, there was a dark sorcerer that held the power to manipulate the minds of others. It was a skill only those with a great affinity for the dark element possessed, and that worried him so.


    Furthermore, a handful of Beastfolk were transported into the Wasteful Wetlands with the help of Scourge. Given that the dark sorcerer was a Beastfolk itself, and a black tiger at that, a haunting possibility loomed large in Saldeon¡¯s mind, a shadow stretching over every interaction with the Beastfolk. The idea that King Murus¡ªor even the tiger standing before him¡ªmight not act of their own volition was a troubling notion, but not farfetched given the circumstances.


    For an ally of the Lethos Empire to suddenly cease relations and grow hostile without clear provocation was unusual, if not suspicious. The Beastfolk, though fierce and proud, had always maintained a cautious balance with the empire. The abrupt shift could not be coincidence¡ªit reeked of deeper machinations.


    The involvement of Scourge¡ªnow a known facilitator of forbidden practices¡ªonly deepened Saldeon¡¯s unease. If the dark sorcerer had indeed gained influence over King Murus or his council, then this was no simple political maneuver. It was a calculated strike to destabilize both the empire and the Beastfolk.


    The black tiger before him, however, did not seem like a pawn. Saldeon scrutinized the creature¡¯s movements, its words. Everything about it radiated purpose, pride, and an unsettling intelligence. If it was under the sorcerer¡¯s control, the manipulation was masterful, devoid of the usual telltale signs¡ªhesitation, blankness, and most importantly, pupils that radiated shadows. None of those symptoms were evident on this beast, who stared back at him with eyes as sharp as knives, like two golden orbs that saw straight through him.


    His thoughts were interrupted as Gulinar, ever impatient, barked: "A Beastfolk refusing a challenge? Hah! Don''t make me laugh. Brother, you have seen its transgressions with your very own eyes. Even a beast knows when not to cross another''s territory, expecting to leave unscathed."


    Saldeon held his arm in front of Gulinar, stopping him from charging forward. "Hold, Gulinar. Before we act, let us ask this black tiger some questions. This is a rare occurrence of meeting one face-to-face."


    Gulinar looked at him incredulously, yet he didn''t protest, and his grip on his sword loosened as he gave an annoyed exhale. Though Gulinar''s mind was cluttered with unfavorable ideas, he too, could see the potential this opportunity offered.


    Saldeon took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Why have you come here, black tiger? As my brother has said, crossing our borders, when tensions are high because of your kind, doesn''t seem wise. What game are you playing here?"


    "Why have I come here?" it repeated. "Perhaps I wanted to see the empire¡¯s little cubs with my own eyes. The Two Suns... so much light, yet so easily dwarfed by what awaits them. So full of light and life... and yet here you are, two tiny specs standing at the edge of a chasm. A drop in the ocean... an ant in the land."Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    "Your king sends you to our border to deliver riddles?" Saldeon pressed, his voice unyielding. "If that is the case, take your games elsewhere. We have no patience for theatrics."


    The black tiger chuckled, a guttural sound that rumbled like distant thunder. "Riddles? The truth often sounds like one when you¡¯re too blind to see it." It stepped forward slightly, its claws scratching against the stone. "But very well, if you wish for something more direct¡ªKing Murus does not send me. I come of my own accord."


    Gulinar stiffened at this, his grip on his sword tightening once more. "A rogue, then," he muttered under his breath.


    Saldeon ignored his brother¡¯s comment, narrowing his eyes at the black tiger. "And yet you speak of the Skaura as if it binds your actions. If you are not here under your king¡¯s orders, what compels you to stand before us now?"


    "The Skaura is more than a trial," the black tiger continued, its grin faltering. "It is a reckoning, a time when the strong rise and the weak fall. I very much enjoy partaking in the Skaura. Yet this time, a gnat dares to interfere with what was... pure."


    It clicked to Saldeon where the black tiger was going with in its statement. "I take it you are aware a dark sorcerer has infiltrated your ranks?"


    "Aye, I do," the black tiger said, its tone darkening. Its claws flexed reflexively, and its eyes gleamed with barely restrained fury. "A sorcerer that sullies the Skaura with its cowardly tricks and manipulations. This... thing twists what should be a trial of purity into a mockery. Even King Murus has fallen to its power."


    So we were right! We are here because King Murus is being controlled by the dark sorcerer. It all makes sense now: the sudden lack of communication between the two factions, the Beastfolk''s newfound aggression, and the presence of Scourge. All of these coincided with the dark sorcerer''s interference. I must tell Father quickly!


    "Gulinar, this was the information we¡ª"


    The crown prince noticed too late what transpired next. Underneath the black tiger''s hulking body, its shadow squirmed. In a blink of an eye, solid black tendrils zoomed forward, coiling around Saldeon''s torso in an instant. The dark appendages dragged him across the stones, carrying him forward and toward the black tiger.


    Saldeon''s body glowed with power as golden light erupted from him, his natural affinity igniting in a desperate attempt to counter the ambush. The radiant glow burned against the tendrils, their grip loosening slightly, but not enough to free him. He gritted his teeth, channeling his energy into his limbs to resist the relentless pull.


    "Saldeon!" Gulinar roared, his sword already alight with runes as he charged forward. With a practiced motion, he swung his blade, unleashing a procession of golden arcs toward the tendrils. The strike cut true, severing the dark appendages and sending Saldeon tumbling to the ground.


    Before they could attack further, the ground beneath them writhed. From the shadows cast by the chasm''s edge, more tendrils emerged, writhing and snapping like serpents. They encircled the brothers, cutting off their escape as the black tiger''s silhouette loomed ever closer.


    Saldeon whirled around, facing the black tiger. What used to be regular pupils were now inky abysses, hallmarks of a being under control. How could they have missed this? Were they really this stupid? The dark sorcerer had used the black tiger as a distraction. This entire exchange was bait¡ªan ambush set to draw them out, to lower their guard!


    The shadow underneath the black tiger expanded, spreading like an ink spill across the stone floor, twisting and writhing unnaturally. From its depths emerged not just tendrils but shapes¡ªamorphous at first, then solidifying into a humanoid figure. A masked face appeared, then the rest of the body followed. It took the form of a cloaked man, a human figure, yet it lacked the aura of a normal human. This was a man tainted by dark magic.


    "We meet at last, Two Suns," said the dark sorcerer. "I will admit, I did not expect for Johan''s sons to fall for such a paltry trap."


    He stepped out of the inky pool, strutting forward as his cloak billowed around him. A wave of his hand sent the tendrils to attack, lashing out at Saldeon and Gulinar. The two dodged and parried the dark appendages, counterattacking when they got close.


    A burst of light exploded from Saldeon''s palms, blinding the shadow tendrils and halting their advance for a moment. The radiant energy seared through the blackness, causing the tendrils to writhe and retract. Gulinar seized the opportunity, his runic blade glowing brilliantly as he charged at the dark sorcerer with a ferocious battle cry.


    The sorcerer, however, remained calm. With a lazy flick of his wrist, a barrier of crackling dark energy materialized, absorbing Gulinar¡¯s strike effortlessly. The force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, but the sorcerer stood his ground.


    "You are spirited, I¡¯ll give you that," the sorcerer drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "But spirit alone won¡¯t save you."


    Saldeon joined the fray, his golden aura blazing as he unleashed a barrage of Light Bolts. Each one struck the barrier with devastating force, cracks forming across its surface. The sorcerer¡¯s grin faltered for a moment as the onslaught continued, and he finally leaped back, dissolving his shield before it shattered entirely.


    More shadowy tendrils lashed out toward the two. They rolled out of the way as they regained their feet, Saldeon narrowly avoiding the attack, while Gulinar avoided the tendrils, slicing through them with a blast of radiant energy from his sword.


    One pair of tendrils shot forward. Saldeon raised his hand upward in its direction, and a wall of golden light rose before it, disintegrating it with ease. As he stepped back, another tendril came up behind him, slithering up his body and coiling around his neck. Gulinar sliced it in half just in time, and the dark appendage dissolved into black vapor. Just for good measure, Saldeon constructed more walls of light, surrounding them in a dome as high as seven feet.


    "Thank you," Saldeon mumbled, rubbing his neck.


    Gulinar sniffed. "See where your quest for peace has led you? Because of you, we were led into an ambush. What I don''t understand is how we are being pushed back by one singular sorcerer."


    ¡°It is filled with shadows, and thus offers a limitless supply of power to those who wield the dark element. The deeper the connection to darkness, the more this place amplifies their strength,¡± Saldeon explained, his voice strained as a barrage of tendrils struck the dome. "We must flee this place using Lightstep, Gulinar, far from the chasm. Father must know what has happened here."


    Before Gulinar had a chance to speak, the ground below them began to rumble. Suddenly, a sizable crack formed, and a massive arm emerged from the fissure, as thick as a log. Just in the nick of time, Saldeon managed to evade the attack, narrowly avoiding a claw that grazed his leg, leaving a cut in his pant leg. As the black tiger landed nearby, its eyes now filled with a sinister dark energy, Saldeon let out a grunt.


    Those eyes... The sorcerer has taken its control of the beast! Escaping will be even more troublesome now.


    As he thought that, the light in the beast''s eyes flickered, and for a moment, it returned to its normal hue. A hint of lucidity returned to its gaze as it shook its head around, disoriented. Its teeth snapped as it looked down at its claws.


    "What fierce willpower this one has..."


    Like last time, the dark sorcerer appeared from the shadows. He lay a hand on the beast''s head, and immediately after, the beast stiffened, its eyes once again pitch black. It stood up straight, turning to face the two brothers blankly.


    "Although I would suggest disregarding what you have just witnessed, it holds no significance. Ultimately, both of you will be under my control."


    Saldeon frowned. "As we suspected. You intend to sow discord between our nations, driving us to war through mind control. King Murus must be under your influence, and you intend to have us join in your sinful quest. All of this for what? Why do you seek ruin!?"


    "How perceptive of you," the sorcerer said sarcastically. "War is the ultimate tumult, a fertile ground for our retribution. The bloodshed, the despair¡ªit will feed into the birth of the founder. A new Progenitor will walk the lands, and a new age will be brought forth."


    "There is no place for those that break the laws of the world," Saldeon growled. "We will stop you."


    "You? Stop me?" The sorcerer interrupted with a sneer. "Your light is strong, Saldeon, but you are far from Johan''s strength. Surely the Two Suns aren''t foolhardy enough to believe they can stop us?"


    "We must try, nonetheless. Gulinar, are you ready?" When no answer came, Saldeon turned to his brother, who stood eerily still, his sword lowered. "Gulinar?" Saldeon prompted, concern creeping into his voice.


    Too late did he realize his mistake. A tendril, not from the sorcerer but from Gulinar¡¯s own shadow, lashed out and coiled around Saldeon¡¯s wrist. The golden light that emanated from him dimmed momentarily as shock registered across his face. Pain wracked his body as the mana within him leaked from his body, quickly sucked up by the tendril. The blood drained from his face as he fell to one knee, his body losing all its strength.


    That damn sorcerer used Gulinar''s shadow to strike! I can feel my body growing weaker!


    ¡°Gulinar!¡± Saldeon barked, attempting to pull free. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Gulinar turned slowly, his expression unreadable, but his grip on his sword tightening. A plethora of tendrils wrapped around him, coiling around him like ropes that bounded his limbs. He was thrust onto the ground, pinned down without mercy.


    No matter how hard he struggled or willed himself to release the light element, it would not answer to his command. His body felt like a leaden weight, his head pounded, and his vision swam as the tendrils drained away his mana, slowly sapping the strength from his body. The light dome disappeared, and the sorcerer chuckled, clearly pleased by their defeat.


    The dark sorcerer approached Saldeon, towering over his fallen form. "Betrayal from none other than your own brother. Quite the amusing development. Then again, it was expected. Family bonds are such fragile things, aren¡¯t they? Easily twisted, easily shattered when you give them what they want."


    He then regarded the silent Gulinar with a nod. "You wish for a war between the Lethos Empire and the Beastfolk Kingdom. I assume it''s for purposes related to succeeding your father. I will grant you that wish if you pledge your allegiance to me."


    At his words, Gulinar finally faced him. "Don''t kill him. It will be suspicious if I return to the warcamp alone. Do what I ask, and you''ll get your war."


    "Gulinar," Saldeon croaked. "You can fight his control. I know you can. Don¡¯t let him manipulate you!"


    Slowly, Gulinar turned, and his face was a mask of cold determination. "Manipulation? You think this is the work of the sorcerer? No, Saldeon. This is my choice. You only have yourself to blame for prolonging what was inevitable."


    The words struck harder than any blow. Saldeon¡¯s breath hitched, his mind racing to make sense of it. "Your... choice?"


    "You¡¯ve always been the favorite," Gulinar began. "The shining star. The one destined to inherit the throne, while I remain in your shadow, receiving your scraps. I won¡¯t allow it any longer. The war the sorcerer promises¡ªit¡¯s an opportunity to claim the path I¡¯ve been denied."


    "This war will bring nothing but needless deaths. Is that the legacy you want? What would Father think of your actions?"


    Gulinar hesitated for a fraction of a second, his jaw set. Then, with a deep breath, he steadied himself. "It¡¯s the price I¡¯m willing to pay for the throne. For my future. Alter his mind, dark sorcerer, so that memories of this conversation never happened, and that he himself starts war. We will remain here at the border, refusing to meet the emperor in person."


    "As you wish, Crown Prince Gulinar," the enemy said, crouching over Saldeon.


    Saldeon glared at the dark sorcerer. "You will not have your way. Father will know something is amiss sooner or later. Only then will your plan crumble."


    "Perhaps. Either way, Johan will find out too late to be able to do anything about it. Now, relax and submit to the power granted to me by my master."


    In a swift motion, he clamped his palm over Saldeon''s face, unleashing a torrent of shadows. Everything went dark. A rush of pain shot through Saldeon¡¯s mind, sharp and invasive, as if a thousand claws were piercing his thoughts. He thrashed against the sorcerer''s grip, his golden light flickering like a candle in a storm. Shadows surged into his consciousness, twisting and reshaping his memories like clay in the hands of a sculptor.


    "Make it quick," said Gulinar, his voice distorted as if heard from miles away.


    Memories of their journey to the border twisted, replaced with false narratives. In these false recollections, Saldeon was driven by fury, not peace¡ªa crown prince enraged by the Beastfolk¡¯s aggression, intent on delivering justice with his own hands.


    Visions of the black tiger attacking him and Gulinar faded away. Despite the intense battle, they successfully banished the creature to its original realm, but not without sustaining injuries from its razor-sharp claws. The sorcerer''s dark hand had planted the seeds of war in his mind.


    Exhausted, the crown prince finally succumbed to the ground, his last surge of magic spent.

 Chapter 155- Nightly Thrills

    Humming a jolly tune, Nessa sat atop the roof of a shop, her legs dangling over the edge as she peered down at the alley below. The scent of damp stone mixed with refuse wafted upward, but she paid it no mind. Brick walls, weathered and overgrown with creeping vines, stretched upward on either side of the narrow passage. The alley was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of rats and bugs perched among the vines. It was the perfect hiding spot¡ªout of sight, unassuming, and easy to overlook.


    Nessa played with a small pendant in her hands, rolling it over her fingers as her eyes roamed the alley. There was still no sign of her target. She''d been waiting here for nearly an hour now, bored out of her mind. A close and trustworthy informant told her that a certain scoundrel acting suspiciously as of late would pass through the alley at this time¡ªand if they didn''t, then they had already caught wind of her presence and were making a hasty retreat.


    "Come to me, Lithero."


    Two seconds had passed before a green wisp formed before her eyes. Lithero, the fairy with emerald hair, appeared, stretching as his delicate wings fluttered in an attempt to awaken. He looked up at her with sleepy eyes.


    "Why the late summons?" Lithero muttered, surveying his environment.


    Nessa smiled apologetically. "Sorry about this, Lithy, but I need your help with something important."


    Lithero frowned. "Why not invite Salph instead? Unlike me, she prefers the night life while I prefer the day."


    "What a good idea, Lithy! Two spirits are better than one, after all. Come to me, Salph."


    A white wisp, rather than a green one, materialized, followed by the emergence of a fairy with platinum hair and an ankle-length gown. Salph blinked, looking around slowly, her eyes barely open.


    "I am ready to be of service to you, Master Nessa," said Salph.


    Nessa sighed. "Sal, I told you and Lithy hundreds of times to stop calling me that. Formalities are such a bother. Anyhow, I''ve got a task for you, and you can choose whether to accept or decline."


    "I will accept without fail," Salph replied. "What task shall I complete for you?"


    ¡°Spread out,¡± she instructed. ¡°I''m looking for a scraggly bearded man with a scar running down his left eye. He also walks with a limp¡ªshouldn''t be too hard to find him. Report back to me as soon as you find him. Cloak yourselves with the mana so that you aren''t found out."


    The two fairies nodded and zipped off in different directions, their faint trails of light vanishing into the shadows. Nessa leaned back, lying flat on her backside as she kept humming, her tune shifting to a quicker, more upbeat rhythm.


    The minutes crept by, stretching into what felt like hours. She glanced at the pendant in her hand, its smooth silver surface catching the faint moonlight. It was an unassuming trinket to most, but to her, it was one of the most important possessions she had.


    Nessa clicked it open, and in it was a scrap of paper. Scrawled on its surface were the words ''May Nes Live Happy'', separately handwritten by her mother and father. They thought it would be a fun idea to write words of encouragement for their only child, given to her after being inducted as a royal knight. To her, however, it was more than that¡ªit was a reminder that she only made it this far with their sacrifices and support despite being raised in the trash heap of a city, Naula¡ªwhere she was at currently.


    With a heavy sigh, she shut the locket. "I would love to pay them a visit, but I have knightly duties to attend to. They''ll forgive me for not dropping by."


    A sudden burst of light zipped into her vision, startling her. Salph returned, his wings fluttering like leaves caught in a strong wind.


    ¡°I have found him,¡± Salph declared. ¡°He was holed up in a tavern three streets over and has finished drinking himself almost to death. The man should be making his way down here any minute now. Do humans really find alcohol that tasty?"


    "To many, yes. Personally, I despise the taste and the headaches that come after. Have you ever woken up with a headache so bad that you thought your skull was going to crack in two?" Nessa caught herself and shook her head. "Nevermind, forget what I said. Great job, Sal. Once this is all done, I''ll feed you some nectar."


    Nessa stroked a finger along Salph''s head, who nodded at the gesture. "Also, Lithero is keeping an eye on the target. If he were to move elsewhere, we would know immediately."


    ¡°Well done, Sal,¡± Nessa said, her voice warm. ¡°You guys are my saving grace tonight.¡±


    Salph¡¯s delicate face softened further as she clasped her tiny hands together. ¡°Serving you is all the reward I need, but nectar is always welcome.¡±


    Nessa chuckled softly, slipping the locket back into her storage device. ¡°I¡¯ll make it the sweetest we¡¯ve got.¡±


    The alley fell quiet again, save for the distant murmur of tavern-goers spilling into the streets. Nessa crouched, her eyes trained on the narrow path ahead, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her runic weapon. The target would emerge soon, and she needed to be ready.


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan once he shows?¡± Salph asked, her silvery voice breaking the silence.


    ¡°Simple,¡± Nessa replied, her tone cool and measured. ¡°I¡¯ll tail him for a while, see where he¡¯s heading. If he¡¯s meeting someone, I¡¯ll eavesdrop. If not¡­¡± She glanced at Salph, a flicker of determination in her eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll corner him and get the answers we need.¡±


    ¡°And if he resists?¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Then he¡¯ll learn firsthand why His Majesty places his utmost trust in royal knights,¡± Nessa said, her voice carrying a steely edge.


    The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness. Nessa¡¯s ears strained for any sound that would signal the target¡¯s approach. Finally, footsteps echoed faintly down the alley, uneven and shuffling. Nessa stood up, making no sound as she leapt toward the nearest building, quiet as a cat.


    The figure stumbled into view¡ªa man fitting Salph¡¯s description perfectly. His unkempt beard hung like a tangle of thorns, and the scar running down his left eye gleamed under the faint light of the moon. He clutched a bottle in one hand, swaying slightly as he made his way through the streets.


    From her perch on Nessa¡¯s shoulder, Salph whispered, ¡°That¡¯s him. He reeks of alcohol and misery.¡±


    Nessa suppressed a wry smile. ¡°Stay close, but don¡¯t let him see you.¡±


    The man ambled forward, muttering under his breath. Nessa followed at a careful distance, her footsteps silent against the cracked cobblestone. Salph flitted ahead, her soft glow vanishing as she cloaked herself in mana.


    They entered the busier street of Naula. Residents walked briskly through the dimly lit streets, their clothes as dull as the buildings that surrounded them. The only people in the city who could afford a brighter wardrobe were the merchants and nobles, and even those people rarely did business in Naula, and for good reason too.


    Ahead of her, the man stumbled and nearly toppled, catching himself on the edge of a market stall. The vendor¡ªa thin, hunched woman with suspicious eyes¡ªsnatched her wares back with a hiss. ¡°Watch yourself, drunkard,¡± she snapped, her hand darting to a knife hidden beneath her counter. The man muttered something unintelligible and staggered on, his bottle swinging precariously in his grip.


    Nessa kept her distance, her hood pulled low over her face. This time, she wore a long cloak that covered her uniform. It would be troublesome if someone were to take a peek at her, but this wasn''t the first time she''d had to conceal herself.


    A royal knight''s uniform was recognizable at a glance, and recognition would only complicate matters in a city like Naula. Here, the sight of a royal knight could spark unwanted attention¡ªor outright hostility. The last thing she wanted was everyone in the city aware of the presence of a royal knight. Everything she had worked for would crumble, and the opportunity window would be shut.


    The man ahead of her stumbled again, nearly colliding with a passing merchant pushing a rickety cart stacked with wooden crates. The merchant scowled but kept moving, muttering under his breath. Nessa took a moment to adjust her hood, ensuring her face remained obscured. The streets were growing narrower now, the air thick with the mingling smells of candles and rotting refuse.


    Turning a few more corners, the few people who walked these streets kept their heads down, their faces gaunt and weary. A trio of men lingered near a corner, their conversation hushed but their glances sharp and calculating. One of them flicked a knife open and closed in a rhythm that seemed almost hypnotic. When Nessa passed, they gave her a quick glance before turning their attention back to their conversation.


    Her quarry, oblivious to her presence, turned abruptly down a side street. Nessa hesitated for a heartbeat before following, her movements fluid and silent. The street was even darker here, devoid of lamps, and the faint hum of distant voices was replaced by an eerie quiet. The man¡¯s swaying figure became her sole focus as she trailed him deeper into the labyrinth of Naula¡¯s underbelly.


    The target came to a halt outside a decrepit building with a sagging roof and boarded windows. Cobwebs clung to its sides like vines, and the faint outline of what used to be a sign hung loosely on its iron post. A broken lantern hung above it, barely providing enough light to see by.


    Fishing into his pockets, the man fumbled with some keys and dropped it onto the street. He cursed, his words slurred, as he bent to pick it up. Standing, the key clicked into its lock, and with some difficulty, he turned the knob and stumbled inside without a glance back.


    "This must be his residence," Nessa said.


    Every house in Naula was cramped, their walls almost touching. There was enough room for alleys to be formed, and some space out back to pile refuse or conduct less-than-legal dealings under the cover of shadows. Nessa glanced around, noting the darkened windows of the neighboring houses. Curtains were drawn tight, and not a single candle burned in any window.


    She crouched low, the folds of her cloak pooling around her, and crept closer to the building. The broken lantern above the door flickered weakly, its light casting a sickly yellow glow over the peeling paint and rotted wood. The cobblestones beneath her boots were slick with dampness, while the scent of mildew filled her nose.


    ¡°This does not look like much of a residence,¡± Salph murmured as she materialized briefly beside Nessa, her glow subdued.


    ¡°True,¡± Nessa replied, her voice barely audible. ¡°But appearances in Naula are always deceiving. Keep watch on the street. I¡¯ll take a closer look.¡±


    Salph nodded and zipped into the shadows, her tiny form nearly invisible against the darkness. Nessa edged toward the side of the building, keeping her movements deliberate and quiet. The windows, though sealed with shutters, revealed faint internal light through the gaps in the boards. She pressed her ear to the wall, straining to hear any conversation inside.


    Muffled voices reached her, indistinct but heated. The tone carried a sense of urgency, and occasionally, the scrape of something heavy being dragged across the floor broke the rhythm of their words. Nessa frowned. This wasn¡¯t the behavior of a man coming home drunk. Something was being prepared, and it wasn¡¯t the kind of activity she could ignore.


    A soft whistle from above caught her attention. Lithero perched on the building¡¯s sagging roof, his green wings glowing faintly as he pointed toward the back of the structure.


    ¡°There¡¯s a rear entrance,¡± he whispered, his voice carried to her by the wind. ¡°Unlocked. Seems they didn¡¯t expect visitors.¡±


    Nessa gave a quick nod and circled around to the rear of the building. The alley behind it was narrow, choked with broken crates and glass shards. The rear door was plain and unremarkable, but as Lithero had said, it hung slightly ajar. She glanced over her shoulder, ensuring the alley was clear, then slipped through the door, Lithero right beside her.


    The interior was just as shoddy as the exterior. Broken furniture lay scattered across the room¡ªa toppled chair, a table with one leg propped up by a stack of warped books. Dust coated every surface, disturbed only by a trail of smeared footprints leading deeper into the house.


    Nessa crouched low, her rapier drawn but held close to her side. Her eyes scanned the room, noting every potential hiding place and point of escape. Lithero hovered near her shoulder, his glow dimmed to match the shadows.


    ¡°Looks abandoned,¡± he murmured. ¡°You sure he lives here?¡±


    ¡°Maybe ¡®live¡¯ is a strong word,¡± Nessa replied quietly, scratching her nose. "Let''s figure this out before I sneeze up a storm."


    She followed the trail of footprints cautiously, her boots making no sound against the creaking wooden floor. The path led her through a narrow hallway cluttered with discarded belongings¡ªbroken crockery, a moth-eaten coat hanging askew on a peg, and a few empty bottles scattered haphazardly.


    At the end of the hallway, the footprints stopped abruptly. A doorway yawned open, its frame crooked and splintered. Beyond that point, a staircase led down into the darkness.


    ¡°A cellar,¡± Nessa muttered. ¡°That¡¯s convenient.¡±


    Nessa crept down the stairs. The darkness thickened as she went; the cellar walls were rough stone, cold and damp to the touch. Although faint, the sound of movement echoed from below¡ªa soft rustling, followed by a dull clink. More clinking was heard, closer now, and Nessa paused, her face darkening. She picked up the pace, forgoing her attempt at stealth as she rushed to the scene.


    Nessa recognized that sound anywhere¡ªthe rattling of chains.

 Chapter 156- Nightly Thrills (2)

    In all of Nessa''s years as a royal knight¡ªwhich totaled to about three¡ªshe understood that a kingdom''s safety often depended on quiet sacrifices and acting before any major threats could take root. The latter, she failed miserably. Attending yearly ceremonial parades were only a fraction of her duties; the real work was done in the shadows. Her blade had been drawn more often in dark alleys and hidden chambers than there were stars.


    Her work was diverse, ranging from the mundane routine, such as managing convoys, to mediating disputes among feuding nobles. Other times, they bordered on perilous, investigating smuggling operations or hunting down rogue sorcerers that dared break the laws of Lethos. But, the most important job His Majesty granted her was overseeing and having close ties with various crime rings to gather intelligence¡ªa task that required more wit than brute strength.


    In fact, His Majesty was the one who found her first in Naula, and recruited her. Usually, it was Captain Kalavans'' job to scout for promising recruits, especially from the outskirts of the kingdom. Yet, in Nessa¡¯s case, Emperor Johan himself had intervened. It was a day etched into her memory¡ªa day when she was just a youth living in the streets of Naula, using her blessed abilities to help her family in any way she could.


    Throughout her experiences, nothing angered her more than witnessing thugs taking advantage of the weak and vulnerable, even if they had the advantage in size or power. In the underworld, however, she saw no difference between the criminals, no matter the crime.


    Nessa cautiously entered the dimly lit chamber, her boots making contact with the uneven floor. Her eyes swiftly scanned the space, taking in the surroundings. As she descended into the cellar beneath the shoddy residence, her jaw clenched at the sight that greeted her.


    Her target, with a bottle of booze in one hand, was hunched over a shackled prisoner at the far end of the cellar. It was a jarring sight; gaunt, pale, and trembling, a youth was shackled to the wall, his wrists and ankles rubbed raw from the heavy iron cuffs. His garbs were little more than tattered rags, stained with grime and dried blood. His head hung low, but the faint rise and fall of his chest told Nessa he was still alive. A lump the size of a walnut was lodged below his left temple, and he groaned weakly as if still awake.


    "Ya should''ve minded ya business, little rat," slurred the man. "A requirement in these parts."


    The boy whimpered. "Please... Let me go. I didn''t betray him!"


    "That ain''t what Sic thinks, rat. Now, thanks to your antics, I gotta deal with ya."


    The drunkard raised his fist. Nessa strode forward, her boot clacking against the stone. The man froze, the bottle clutched in his fist. Nessa didn''t speak. Her face was impassive, eyes cold as steel as she stared him down.


    The man turned slowly, his movements sluggish and uncertain. His bleary eyes tried to focus on her, the haze of alcohol dulling his instincts. ¡°Who¡¯re you supposed to be?¡± he slurred, his free hand reaching for the knife at his belt.


    Nessa stepped closer; the target retrieved the weapon and lunged forward rather awkwardly. He wasn''t given the chance to swing as the ground split from underneath his foot, and thick roots formed. He tripped forward with a startled cry as the roots twisted around his ankle, dragging him off balance. His knife clattered to the stone floor, spinning harmlessly out of reach.


    Uncloaking himself, Lithero emerged, his tiny hands aglow with mana. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± the fairy said smugly, his wings fluttering in satisfaction.


    The drunkard squirmed, his face red with anger and embarrassment. ¡°What the bloody¡ª? Let me go, sorcerer scum!¡± he spat, clawing at the roots binding him.


    Nessa ignored his insults. She knelt swiftly, pressing the tip of her rapier to his throat. The sharp steel stopped his thrashing instantly, his drunken bravado draining away as fear took hold.


    ¡°Move again and you¡¯ll find out just how sharp this blade is.¡±


    He froze, breathing shallowly, his bloodshot eyes flicking between her and the weapon that threatened him. Nessa glanced briefly at Lithero, giving him a nod. The roots loosened slightly but remained coiled around the man¡¯s legs, ready to restrain him again if needed.


    Nessa rose and approached the shackled youth, retrieving a small vial of a swamp-green color that sloshed in her palm as she raised it. The boy looked to be thirteen of age, with tousled black hair that had some locks that stood on end. He flinched as Nessa crouched beside him, his wide, fearful eyes darting from her face to the vial in her hand. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling like a cornered animal.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Nessa said softly, her tone lacking the coldness she¡¯d reserved for the drunkard. ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt you.¡± She uncorked the vial, the pungent scent of herbs and earth wafting out. ¡°This will help with the pain. Drink it.¡±


    The boy hesitated, shrinking back against the wall. ¡°How do I know... you¡¯re not with him?¡± he croaked, his voice hoarse from crying and lack of water.


    Nessa¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°If I were, he wouldn¡¯t be trussed up like a hog over there,¡± she said, jerking her head toward the drunkard. ¡°Now, drink. We don¡¯t have time for doubts.¡±


    The boy hesitated a moment longer, then nodded weakly. Nessa held the vial to his lips, tilting it carefully as he drank. His face twisted at the bitter taste, but almost immediately, his breathing began to steady. The size of the lump decreased until it was gone.


    ¡°There,¡± Nessa said, lowering the empty vial and placing it back into storage. ¡°That¡¯ll dull the worst of it. Now, let¡¯s get these off.¡±


    She examined the heavy iron cuffs binding his wrists and ankles, their edges crusted with blood. It took only one strike to slice through each one, as if a knife was cutting through butter.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Nessa asked.


    ¡°Jaran,¡± he whispered, still cradling his wrists. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to... I didn¡¯t mean to betray anyone.¡±


    Nessa paused. "That man mentioned Sic earlier. It sounds like that creepy guy is still around. I thought that guy was replaced by Horoh years ago. What happened?"


    Jaran¡¯s eyes darted nervously to the shackled drunkard, then back to Nessa. ¡°Sic came back three months ago,¡± he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Horoh... he¡¯s gone. Sic made sure of it.¡±


    ¡°Gone how?¡±


    The youth swallowed, his throat working visibly. ¡°No one knows for sure. Some say Sic killed him¡ªtook back what he said was his. Others say Horoh disappeared after a meeting with Sic¡¯s men. Either way, Sic¡¯s in charge again, and he¡¯s worse than before. Everyone¡¯s scared of him.¡±


    Nessa''s eyes dropped to the ground as she pondered. Sic was a name she hadn¡¯t expected to hear again. Years ago, he¡¯d been one of the most dangerous crime lords in Naula, known for his ruthlessness and ruling with an iron fist in locations like Naula and settlements nearby. Horoh also ruled alongside him, though he was the more reasonable one between the two, so everyone preferred dealing with him than Sic.


    Horoh had been calculated, pragmatic¡ªwilling to make compromises if it meant keeping the peace and the money flowing. He had built alliances with merchants, dockworkers, and even some city guards in other places, ensuring that Naula¡¯s underbelly operated smoothly without spiraling into chaos. Sic, on the other hand, was a blunt instrument. His idea of control was fear, and he ruled through violence, paranoia, and unwavering loyalty enforced by blood. His followers apparently followed his views, given that they were depraved enough to stoop low to torturing the youth.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    This news made Nessa''s stomach lurch. She had always been aware that crime was a serious problem in her birthplace. While combatting crime was easy on the surface level, completely getting rid of it was as impossible as removing shadows from a flame. For every head cut from the serpent, another seemed to grow in its place. There would always be corruption and violence in even the brightest of places. Such inevitability only grew stronger where the darkness thrived.


    The thought of going around, looking for evil men to bring to justice came to mind, but no matter how many times she jailed a criminal or broke up a smuggling ring, the underworld always found a way to rebuild itself. It was a hydra of greed and desperation, its heads sprouting faster than she could sever them. The cycle was maddening, but it also fueled her resolve. If she couldn¡¯t extinguish the darkness entirely, she could at least keep it at bay.


    That was mainly why she formed an intelligence network of her own, a web of informants, spies, and reluctant allies. It wasn¡¯t born of trust, but necessity¡ªa mix of criminals turned informants, desperate souls she¡¯d saved, and those who simply owed her too much to say no. Horoh was one of those reluctant allies.


    Unfortunately, the network wasn¡¯t perfect. Spies could turn traitor, information could be wrong, and not everyone was willing to stay in line. But it gave her something invaluable: a way to stay ahead. If Sic was planning something big, her network would be her first line of defense¡ªand offense.


    Lithero fluttered closer, his wings casting faint patterns of light on the damp walls. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡±


    She stood, tuning to the drunkard still trapped by the fairy¡¯s roots. ¡°First, we start with him,¡± she said, her voice cold as winter frost.


    The drunkard squirmed again, his confidence long gone. ¡°Wait, wait! I¡¯ll tell ya whatever ya wanna know!¡± he babbled, sweat streaming down his face. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me!¡±


    ¡°That depends on how useful you are.¡± Nessa¡¯s blade hovered close to his neck. ¡°Why is Sic back, and what¡¯s his next move?¡±


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know much!¡± he stammered, his voice cracking. ¡°He just showed up one day, with a new crew. Took out Horoh fast, made it clear he was in charge again. He¡¯s got plans, big ones¡ªsays he¡¯s gonna take over more than Naula this time, and he has a giant of a backer helping him. But that¡¯s all I know, I swear!¡±


    Nessa frowned. If a giant backer allowed Sic to wrestle control of Naula three months ago, then her informant led her to the right place. The thought of a backer powerful enough to make that happen was troubling. If Sic had gained the resources to expand his operations, then Naula wouldn¡¯t be his only target for long.


    Surely this backer had to be Scourge that allowed Sic to claw his way back to power, uproot Horoh¡¯s carefully constructed network, and turn Naula into a fear-soaked battleground once again. Just when the city had seen better days, a wound long thought to be dealt with reopened, and this time more severe than before.


    Naula had barely begun to recover after Horoh¡¯s quieter reign had stabilized the region. Now, Sic¡¯s resurgence threatened to plunge it back into chaos. She wouldn''t let Sic destroy the city her family, in their stubbornness, remained in, no matter the cost. Quite frankly, it was partly her fault for allowing such a disaster to occur, but there was only so much free time her duties allowed her. Maybe it was a miracle by Sthito herself she was led here, to prevent Naula from relapsing.


    "If Horoh is truly dead and Sic has replaced him with outside help, then there is only one thing left to do."


    At that moment, Salph fluttered down to the cellar, plopping herself right next to Lithero. Her brows were furrowed, and she pointed a dainty arm toward the surface.


    "Master, a group of humans are approaching the house," said Salph.


    Nessa glanced toward the shackled youth, then at the drunkard still pinned by Lithero''s roots. Time was slipping through her fingers, and she had no intention of being cornered in this dank cellar. ¡°Lithy, Sal, cover the boy and keep him safe. If they come down here, hold them off, but don¡¯t get reckless. As for the man, deal with him if he so much as thinks about escaping."


    The fairies nodded in unison, Salph¡¯s wings buzzing with a faint hum of magic as Lithero¡¯s roots tightened imperceptibly around the drunkard¡¯s legs. The captive let out a pitiful whimper but wisely remained silent under Nessa¡¯s glare.


    Nessa turned to Jaran, her voice softer now. ¡°Listen to me, Jaran. You¡¯re going to stay quiet and stay behind the harmless fairies. They¡¯ll protect you. Can you do that?


    Jaran hesitated, his frightened eyes flickering between Nessa and the spirits. He nodded shakily, curling into himself as though trying to become invisible.


    Sorcerers were feared in Naula, and the appearance of spirits, no matter how big or small, was enough to unsettle most people. But in this moment, Jaran seemed more willing to trust the ethereal than anyone else in the room. It was great that she didn''t have to deal with a child throwing a tantrum or outright ignoring her at such a critical time. That was a usual occurrence in these types of situations.


    A loud knock from the surface caught everyone''s attention. Her eyes flicked toward the exit as the sound of a rattling door filtered into the room. Nessa sighed and strode toward the stairs, passing the drunkard. The man gnashed his teeth, glancing away from her with a mix of defiance and fear. Nessa barely spared him a glance. She had no time to waste on broken men like him¡ªthere were more pressing threats waiting above.


    The knocking grew louder, more insistent. Whoever was at the door wasn¡¯t trying to be subtle anymore. When Nessa returned to the first floor and faced the rattling door, a bang reverberated across the shoddy structure. The door flung open with a deafening crash, the force splintering its hinges and sending it slamming against the wall. Four figures stormed in, their weapons drawn and eyes scanning the room with predatory intent. Each was dressed in rough, dark clothing.


    Nessa remained calm, standing her ground near the center of the room. Her rapier hung loosely in her hand, its edge gleaming in the faint light filtering through the cracked shutters. She didn¡¯t flinch or retreat, her gaze steady as the intruders fanned out to encircle her.


    "Who are you?" one of them asked in a raspy voice. "I don''t remember Korco lugging around a child to watch over this place."


    Nessa ignored his question and said, "You must be Sic''s underlings. I''d like to thank you for approaching me. Finding out Sic''s location will be a pinch."


    The laughter was harsh and mocking, the sound of men who thought themselves untouchable. The raspy-voiced thug smirked, his yellowed teeth on full display as he twirled a knife between his fingers. ¡°You¡¯ve got a sharp tongue for someone who¡¯s outnumbered and about to bleed. You think you can take us and then march up to Sic? You¡¯ll be in pieces before you leave this room.¡±


    They edged closer, tightening the circle. The broadest of the group¡ªa hulking brute with a patchy beard¡ªbrandished a heavy iron club and cracked his neck with an audible pop. ¡°Let¡¯s see how sharp that tongue is when she¡¯s spitting teeth.¡±


    "Oh, I wasn¡¯t asking," Nessa said, running a gloved finger along her blade. "You¡¯ll tell me where Sic is one way or another. Weak men tend to fess up against overwhelming odds."


    "Like hell we''ll get done in by a little girl," the brute growled.


    The laughter faltered. The scarred brute snarled and lunged, his club swinging in a wide arc meant to crush her where she stood. Nessa slipped into river stance, sliding under the swing with practiced grace. Her runic weapon flicked upward, the tip slicing deep across his underarm. The brute roared, clutching the bleeding gash as he staggered back.


    The rest of the group quickly sprang into action, but Nessa proved to be faster. With a sudden motion, she summoned a gust of wind from her weapon that pushed her forward, effortlessly soaring over their heads. While suspended in mid-air, she tapped on the water rune, instantly activating a powerful cascade of water that splashed down on the group, throwing them off balance and soaking them completely. Gracefully landing behind them, she spun around to face their backs, her weapon''s runic glow shifting in hues. The brute let out a curse, still clutching his bleeding arm, while the others stumbled, struggling to maintain their grip on their soaked weapons.


    "She''s a fuckin'' sorcerer!" one of them screamed, desperately wiping his water-soaked hands on whatever part of him was dry. "What in Yutars balls is one of them doing here!?"


    Nessa continued her onslaught. The glow on her rapier shifted again¡ªthis time to an earth-green color. She raised her glowing runic weapon high, and the earth trembled while five mighty stone walls erupted from the ground, their rough surfaces still warm from the earth''s depths. A sharp crack echoed with each strike to the men''s chins, the force of the blows driving them backward, their bodies collapsing onto the floor with a sickening thump. Disoriented and reeling from the unexpected assault, they stumbled back; the impact jarring their weapons loose with an acute metallic clang. Her crossguard still hummed with power as she approached the squirming men.


    The crimson streaks of blood, mixed with bits of chipped teeth, marred the dusty floor. Nessa paused before them. Another swing of her weapon later, she summoned makeshift shackles that bound each of their limbs; stone locked their arms and legs onto the ground, leaving them as helpless as a newborn cub.


    "Now, what was that about making me bleed?" Nessa commented, stepping over the whimpering men. "Don''t worry, I''m not done with you guys. The fun has just begun, and we have all the time in the world."

 Chapter 157- Nightly Thrills (3)

    The five men lay shackled by stone, writhing against their restraints, but there was no escape. Their curses and groans filled the silence, but they faltered whenever Nessa got too close to them, as she checked their restraints.


    Nessa eyed her runic weapon. Hers were special, even among the other runic weapons her friends forged for themselves¡ªthough the rest were stronger than hers. They had to be, considering her size and the weapon''s size. She was shorter and physically weaker, yet her weapon complimented her skills greatly, and her specialization as a Conjuration Sorcerer only improved its effectiveness.


    The runic weapon possessed a variety of spells capable of manipulating elements with a mere brush of a finger. It allowed for seamless transitions between the four common elements, as long as there was sufficient mana available. However, there was a caveat. The wielder had to be a sorcerer in order to utilize the runic weapon, and each use was not limitless.


    When using a low-ranked spell, she could use it three times. For medium-ranked spells, she had two uses, and for high-ranked spells, only one use, until she needed to replenish that specific element. Although it sounded simple, crafting such a weapon was a monumental undertaking. It became even more challenging when considering the nature of runic weapons and the difficulty of managing mana and magical implements.


    In her contemplation, Nessa walked to the nearest thug, a lanky man with bandages wrapped around the lower half of his face. Her boot landed firmly against his chest, silencing his string of curses. He glared at her through hateful eyes, spitting a tooth onto the floor.


    ¡°You think this¡¯ll scare us? Sic¡¯ll make you wish you¡¯d never been born¡ª¡±


    His words were cut off as Nessa knelt, her blade resting lightly against his throat. The pressure wasn¡¯t enough to draw blood, but it was close enough to make him freeze.


    ¡°Sic isn¡¯t here to protect you,¡± she said, her tone devoid of its usual warmth. ¡°And as for what I¡¯ll make you wish¡ªwell, that depends on how useful you¡¯re about to be."


    "Only Yutar himself can make me talk," he snarled. Fuck you, girl¡ª"


    Nessa drove her boot into his mouth, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "How gross. That is no way to treat a young lady such as myself. See, this is the problem with your types. I bet you all lack friends and lovers because of that horrid personality of yours."


    The big one scoffed. "What is this bitch rambling about? When I get out, I''ll crush your head into red paste!"


    "Oh, how scary!" Nessa snickered, digging her foot deeper. "You five seem to be in the mood to shout insults. However, I will need you four to quiet down while I ask some questions."


    She activated the water rune, yet this time willed for a sheet of ice to form over their mouths and ears. The room fell into muffled silence as the icy spell took effect, sealing the mouths of four with thin, glistening sheets of frost. Their muffled protests and wide-eyed stares were met with a satisfied smirk from Nessa.


    ¡°There we go,¡± she said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. ¡°Now it¡¯s just us, and I can enjoy a moment of peace while you all think about your life choices.¡±


    The lanky man squirmed beneath her foot, his eyes blazing with rage. His muffled attempts to shout insults only earned a chuckle from Nessa as she crouched down, resting her elbow casually on her knee.


    ¡°See, here¡¯s the thing,¡± she began conversationally, tilting her head as she spoke. ¡°I could drag this out. I could play a little game where I figure out which one of you breaks first. But I don¡¯t have time for that, and I doubt you do either. Tell me the location of Sic and I''ll be out of your hair."


    The man squinted. "I recognize you... You''re a royal knight! Did you think hiding your face underneath that hood will hide your identity, scum of Sthito¡ª"


    A roar erupted from his mouth as Nessa dug her blade into his shoulder. His face went pale, and his throat tightened as a strangled cry replaced his roar. Blood seeped through the thin fabric of his shirt, darkening the already grimy material. Nessa¡¯s blade didn¡¯t cut deep¡ªit was more a warning than a fatal strike¡ªbut the pain was enough to drain the color from the man¡¯s face and break the defiance in his eyes.


    ¡°That was rude,¡± Nessa said, her voice light, as though she hadn¡¯t just stabbed someone. She tilted her head, studying him with a faint smile. "I''m short on time, so I won''t ask again. Once you answer my question, I''ll ask your buddies, and your answers better be the same."


    Her threat proved effective; the man''s confident demeanor crumbled, revealing his underlying fear. His chest heaved as he struggled to breathe through the pain, his wide eyes darting between Nessa and her blade, still hovering dangerously close to his flesh.


    ¡°Alright, alright... I¡¯ll talk. Just... get that thing away from me!¡±


    Nessa pulled the blade back ever so slightly, her expression softening into something that almost resembled encouragement. ¡°Good. See? Cooperation makes this so much easier.¡±


    The man swallowed hard, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as he tried to steady himself. ¡°Sic took over Horoh''s old base of operations near Naula''s back gate: the Black Grit. You''ll find him on the top floor!"


    The Black Grit? That''s a private tavern that only those under Horoh and Sic could frequent. I didn''t think their base of operations would be there as it''s not necessarily the best place for a hideout. Still, I should interrogate the others, to be sure.


    Nessa filed the information away, her expression betraying none of her thoughts. She rose from her crouch, resting her blade lightly against her shoulder. The man sagged with relief, though his trembling hands betrayed his lingering fear.


    ¡°The Black Grit, huh?¡± she murmured. ¡°Interesting choice. I¡¯ll give you points for creativity.¡±


    The man flinched, unsure whether she was mocking him or contemplating her next move. Nessa gave him a quick pat on the cheek, her smile returning in full force. ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable. If you¡¯re lying, I¡¯ll be back, and I¡¯ll be far less polite.¡±


    Nessa turned her attention to another and walked over to him. She drove her boot into his left ear, shattering the ice, and used her pommel to smash the ice over his mouth. Just for good measure, she drove the tip of her weapon straight into his knee, wanting to quell any disobedient thoughts swirling in that brain of his.


    "I won''t ask twice: Where is Sic¡ª"


    "The Black Grit!" he said hurriedly.


    Satisfied with the answer, Nessa pulling it free with a sharp motion. Pain truly was an excellent motivator to keep one honest. No one favored extreme pain, as they are instinctively inclined to avoid it. They would do almost anything to prevent the path that they are not used to, so a little persuasion and intimidation can be all it takes. Of course, there were some exceptions, but that didn''t matter here in the slightest.


    Other than that, it seemed like the Black Grit was where Sic was currently at. There were no discrepancies in their answers, and they answered rather quickly. She didn''t get the feeling they were lying. Their eyes told her it was the truth, or what they truly believed in those tiny brains of theirs. If it so happened to be that their answers were false, then she''d look elsewhere.


    "We told you what you wanted!" the lanky man said. "It''s only right you let us free!"


    Nessa looked over her shoulder. "Let you free? I can do that with no problem. It''s the least I can do, after all."


    Hope flashed across the faces of those she interrogated. It was amusing to see a bunch of grown men who looked like on the verge of pissing their pants look at her with those hopeful, desperate eyes. It was a look she had seen so often that it seemed mundane to her. They really were just pathetic animals, frantic for any scrap of kindness, even after all their threats and actions.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Oh, she would certainly allow them to go free, just not the way they were expecting.


    ***


    Nessa watched Jaran approach an alley hesitantly. He looked back, fiddling with his fingers. She gave him a bright smile and waved, which seemed to soothe his nervous energy as he waved back before slipping into the shadowed alley.


    "Is it okay for him to be moving on his own so soon?" Lithero asked from her shoulder.


    "Don''t underestimate the children of Naula, Lithy," Nessa replied. "Jaran knows how to keep his head down and stay out of trouble. Tonight was just one of those unlucky nights."


    ¡°Still feels risky. He¡¯s shorter than you, master, and an unblessed."


    ¡°He''s tougher than he looks,¡± Nessa countered. ¡°Naula doesn¡¯t give you much choice in the matter. He¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    The fairy gave a reluctant nod, though his expression remained skeptical. ¡°If you say so.¡±


    Nessa watched the boy¡¯s retreating figure until he disappeared into the maze of alleys, her cheerful facade slipping for a moment. A pang of guilt flickered in her chest, but she pushed it aside. She would''ve loved leading him to safety, but there were more important matters to attend to. For now, all she could do was hope the kid would stay far away from criminals.


    Turning away, she adjusted the hood of her cloak, pulling it lower over her face. The night was far from over, and there were far more dangerous players on the board than those five men she just fought.


    In the corner of her eye, a blob from the residence''s front entrance moved. A creature with no visible eyes and an inklike body that blended in with the darkness slithered toward her. To most, it would seem like tar in living form, and it would probably leave the same mark if one were to touch it. That would be an ill-advised move given the properties the creature held. That didn''t matter to Nessa anyway, so she did as she pleased.


    Nessa kneeled and reached over to the creature, stroking it lovingly. "That''s a good black slime. There are no traces left, I assume?"


    The slime''s body jerked in what could only be interpreted as a nod, its gelatinous form rippling slightly under Nessa¡¯s touch. A soft, wet sound escaped it as it emitted a low gurgle¡ªa sign of its contentment, or perhaps its acknowledgment of her question. She let her fingers trail over the creature¡¯s surface one last time before straightening. ¡°I knew I could count on you.¡±


    Lithero watched from her shoulder, his tiny arms crossed as he eyed the slime warily. ¡°I¡¯ll never understand how you¡¯re so casual around those things,¡± he muttered. ¡°They¡¯re creepy.¡±


    Nessa smirked, brushing her hands off on her cloak. ¡°Creepy? Lithy, this little guy just cleaned up an entire scene for us. No blood, no bodies, no evidence. That¡¯s not creepy¡ªthat¡¯s efficient.¡±


    The slime gave another gurgle, as if in agreement. It slithered back a few inches, its body flattening against the cobblestones until it seemed to melt into the shadows, becoming indistinguishable from the rest of the alley as it returned to her Sorcerer Plane.


    Nessa turned toward the direction of the Black Grit. The streets were quieter now, the late hour thinning the usual crowds to a trickle of weary travelers and those with questionable intentions. The place wasn¡¯t far, and the sooner she got there, the better.


    "Sal, you know what to do," Nessa said, nodding toward a roof.


    Salph understood immediately as Nessa leaped up. With the help of the air element, she was propelled upward, a soft gust of wind swirling around her boots. The cool night air brushed against her face, stinging her eyes slightly. She landed on the rooftop with a soft thud and a slight sway, but she remained balanced and still. After regaining her herself, Nessa hopped from one rooftop to another.


    One of the many great joys of being a Conjuration Sorcerer were the spirits she befriended. They willingly give her aid whenever she calls upon them, offering to use their powers for whatever task Nessa asks of them. Thanks to them, Nessa rewards them with whatever they desire, within reason. Her spirits weren¡¯t mere tools or slaves to abuse¡ªthey were allies, companions, and sometimes even confidants in whatever troubled her. Every night, she was thankful to Sthito that she was blessed to be a Conjuration Sorcerer.


    After about ten minutes of roof-top hopping and resisting the biting wind, the Black Grit''s meager appearance revealed itself. It was a simple tavern¡ªthe kind that served the best drinks Naula could offer¡ªwhich meant it was usually packed at all hours of the day.


    Lanterns were hung along the building''s weathered facade, their warm glow casting uneven shadows across the cobblestones below. The faint hum of voices and occasional bursts of laughter seeped through the cracks in the tavern¡¯s shuttered windows, mixing with the muffled clinking of mugs and the soft strains of a woman''s voice.


    Nessa eyed the entrance: four men patrolled the streets while two brutes manned the doors. Given Horoh''s usual single guard, the scene was quite strange. Maybe Sic replaced the guards with bigger ones and increased the manpower to intimidate any would-be troublemakers. None of them possessed any mana hearts, let alone any mana.


    Nessa''s lips glistened as she licked them in anticipation. "If you truly cherish your life, then I kindly ask that you respond to each of my inquiries without a trace of hesitation. Should you dare to deceive or contemplate any sort of deceitful action, rest assured that I will not only end your miserable life, but also reduce all of your hard work to ashes. If you perceive my words as mere jest, I encourage you to put me to the test."


    It would be quite easy to figure out his plot of spreading his influence with Scourge''s aid through him. Maybe she would finally be able to uncover Scourge''s true objective and identify who was truly controlling everything. However, it seemed unlikely that she would be able to find all of that out through Sic. Scourge likely took more precautions to protect their secrets.

 Chapter 158- Augmentation Lessons

    The academy was a wonder to behold, almost like an entire city within itself. From the dining halls to the dorms, and even the forest outside the walls, everything had a specific function. No expense was spared when the academy was built, and each person, be they noble or commoner, received lessons and a place to call home, albeit temporarily.


    A month has passed, and Tyrus had already gotten accustomed to his life here. The halls, grand as they were, had been a maze to him at first. He had spent the first week mapping the place in his mind, often stumbling into rooms where he didn¡¯t belong and nearly being marked as late to lessons after taking one too many wrong turns. Usually he''d made it a point to arrive early, but there were two problems he hadn''t expected to bite him in the butt later: Augmentation Mastery and Sorcerer Combat I.


    "Come on, you unrefined gems!" Instructor Geroth barked. "Don''t tell me this is all you got?"


    The hardened man stood on top of the raised platform¡ªdesignated as an instructor''s perch¡ªlooming over the students like a mother bear protecting her young cubs. Every student, wearing the restriction rings around their ankles and wrists, was pressed to the ground.


    "Up, down, up, down!"


    Whenever Instructor Geroth let out a roar, everyone else would quickly lift themselves off the ground in response to his command before descending back down with a resounding thud. A few students would groan with reluctance as they were instructed to rise, and a couple even ended up face planting into the ground when their arms couldn''t fully extend to lift them up. The students'' arms trembled like those of a newborn learning to walk, as they struggled to maintain their balance on their palms.


    Tyrus was one of the few who had no problem with strength training. Compared to surviving in the wild for years and hunting for food on his own, this was child''s play. His body, honed by necessity, moved with practiced ease despite the restriction rings that weighed down his limbs. Each push-up felt like a controlled exertion rather than a desperate struggle. While others gasped for air and faltered, he maintained his rhythm, his breaths steady and even.


    That wasn¡¯t to say it was easy. The restriction rings drained energy in a way that no natural hardship could replicate. It was like dragging invisible weights with every movement. Still, Tyrus had endured worse. The wilds had no mercy, and neither did Instructor Geroth, but Tyrus knew how to endure.


    ¡°Keep it up, Tyrus!¡± Instructor Geroth barked, his tone edged with both approval and a challenge. ¡°You think you¡¯re special because you¡¯re not flat on your face like the rest of them? Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re still standing by the end!¡±


    Tyrus didn¡¯t respond, nor did he allow his expression to betray any emotion. He simply kept moving, letting the rhythm of the exercise drown out the instructor¡¯s taunts. If the instructor wanted him to falter, he would be disappointed.


    Nearby, a student named Elias¡ªscrawny and short¡ªlet out a frustrated grunt as his arms gave out beneath him, sending him sprawling onto the floor. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Elias muttered, his face red with exertion.


    ¡°You can and you will!¡± the instructor replied, striding over to stare down at him. ¡°Tell me, son, what is your number one goal in life?"


    Elias looked up and hesitated before saying, "I... I want to be as big as you and be with a beautiful woman who would kill to be with me!"


    Instructor Geroth threw his head back and cackled. "Hah! What a mighty fine dream! Alas, to achieve that goal, you must push through your limits to earn the finest woman in Dharmere. Push through, and that dream of yours will come true."


    Elias'' eyes sparkled with renewed vigor as he pushed himself back into his trembling arms. "Yes, sir!" he shouted, his voice cracking.


    The room rippled with quiet laughter from a few students, but Instructor Geroth silenced them with a single glare. "Laugh if you want," he growled, "but dreams are what drive us to greatness. What are your dreams, hmm? Or do you not have any worth fighting for?"


    The laughter died immediately, replaced by awkward silence. Tyrus kept his focus on the floor, his arms rising and falling in rhythm. He hoped that Instructor Geroth wouldn''t pick on him to share his dreams out loud in front of the class. It wasn''t that he was embarrassed about them, but more so that he had multiple. Picking which one to be more important than the other was the same as picking between which leg he favored. Although he used one more often, he required both to remain upright. His dreams were intertwined, each supporting the other, forming the foundation of who he wanted to become.


    Still, having a dream of wanting to be friends with a beautiful woman was an odd one to have. Why not have a dream of becoming the strongest in the world, becoming an explorer, or even becoming a royal knight? Tyrus couldn''t understand why Elias would choose something so... simple.


    By the time Instructor Geroth reached the number thirty, many of the students had collapsed onto the floor, their arms trembling and bodies slick with sweat. Groans and labored breaths filled the room as some struggled to push themselves back up, only to fail again.


    Only a handful remained, that being Tyrus, Aeithen, Elias, whose face was beet red, and a girl who was quite tall for her age. Her teeth were clenched and her eyes turned to steel as she continued, her expression churning despite the strain of the exercise. A few minutes passed, and the number fifty was shouted. The instructor then ordered everyone still left to rest, in which they complied immediately.


    For the past month, Instructor Geroth had been pushing them through rigorous training, building their bodies through the Trials of Persistence, he called it. For an hour, they were focused on muscle training and stamina, forbidden from using augmentation to lessen its effectivity. He said the rings would benefit them in the long term and that it was important to learn to use their bodies without mana to assist them.


    Elias plopped down beside him, wiping the sweat from his brow with a shaky hand. ¡°I think my arms are about to detach and run away in protest."


    ¡°They¡¯ll stay attached,¡± Tyrus replied. ¡°You¡¯re just not used to this yet.¡±


    Elias groaned. ¡°Used to this? Tyrus, you make it sound like we¡¯re going to be doing this forever.¡±


    Tyrus smirked faintly but didn¡¯t answer. Elias was one of the new friends he had made over the month. Surprisingly enough, it was he who approached Tyrus, and it was all because of his little show on the first day of class. The boy was fascinated by how long Tyrus maintained augmentation, especially when others couldn''t hold it longer for a minute. Elias even went as far to ask for any tips and secrets that could be shared to him.


    There weren¡¯t any secrets that Tyrus could offer, though. His ability to maintain augmentation wasn¡¯t a matter of technique but of practice and the conditions he grew up in. What Instructor Geroth had them go through was nothing in the face of the brutal reality of surviving in the wild.


    The stark difference between his life before the academy and his life now was like night and day. Before, he had to constantly stay on guard, eat every morsel he could find, and make sure no one discovered his secret. Now, he could have as much as he wanted, even if it was considered a delicacy for the rich. The structured lessons, the friends he made, the meals served three times a day¡ªit was like stepping into an entirely different world. Yet, for all its comforts, the academy was still a test to overcome, a constant challenge to grow stronger and know more about sorcery.


    "Alright, break''s over," the instructor said.


    More groans filled the air as everyone rose to their feet, arms hung to the sides like limp fish. They filed into a single row, watching with bated breath as Instructor Geroth paced back and forth, arms crossed as his gaze swept over each face.


    "Now that warm-ups are finished, it''s time to get straight to the lesson," he said.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "Can we finally take these restriction rings off?" one of the students¡ªa girl with short red hair¡ªpiped up.


    Instructor Geroth shook his head and said, "They need to stay with you until the end of class. Only when I am confident in your abilities, can you take them off."


    She groaned. "Pardon me, instructor, but isn''t this Augmentation Mastery? We have yet to use augmentation once in this class! All we''ve been doing so far is working on our stamina and muscle training. If I wanted to do just that, I would''ve applied to join the city guard!"


    "Valid point," he acknowledged, with a slight pause. "However, there is one small flaw. You see, in order to truly master something, you must first establish a solid foundation. Have you ever considered what happens to those who attempt to enhance frail bodies?" he asked, imitating an explosion with his hands, though not in a playful manner. "Believe me, becoming a cautionary tale is not something you desire."


    Instructor Geroth gave a nod of understanding. "Mana flows within the blood vessels, also known as mana pathways, in the case of sorcerers. These pathways transport your mana to any part of your body¡ªbe it your arms, legs, or even a single toe. If these pathways become blocked, strained, or poorly maintained, they can either burst or cause excruciating cramps, making you feel as though you''ve been pricked by countless needles. Therefore, it is crucial to have control and take proper care of your vessel. You must guide your mana with ease, akin to water flowing smoothly in a stream, rather than like a turbulent flood."


    that echoed across the tower and froze the students mid-action. He crossed his arms and tilted his head, an exaggerated expression of mock disappointment on his face.


    This is a royal knight we''re talking about. He knows a lot more about augmentation than I do. Doubting his teachings would be stupid. There must be something crucial I''m missing.


    Instead of infusing mana into his entire left arm, he only focused it into a single, precise point: his fist.


    , Tyrus realized.


    Inhale. Gather the mana. Exhale. Guide it.

 Chapter 159- Learning Curve

    There was a vast difference between full-body augmentation, and it became clearer to Tyrus than ever before. Full-body augmentation was overwhelming¡ªa gate thrown open, pouring mana everywhere at once. It was powerful, burning through energy with little regard for efficiency. Focused augmentation, however, was a different beast entirely. It was about channeling mana into a single point or limb with deliberate intent to prevent wasteful spending on mana, yet bolstering one''s strength.


    "Seems like two students have already figured it out," Instructor Geroth said, approaching Tyrus and Aeithen. "And here I was thinking it''d take you all at most a week to figure it out. You two were right in starting small instead of trying to augment an entire arm or leg. Master using augmentation on a single finger and work your way up instead of rushing headlong into an untrained path. That''s what effort and persistence are for."


    Aeithen inclined his head and bowed. "Rhusan, Instructor Geroth. It is thanks to your wise guidance that I have been able to refine my approach."


    Geroth clapped his hands together, gathering everyone''s attention. ¡°Now listen up, all of you! What these two are doing¡ªstarting small, focusing their mana with intent¡ªthat¡¯s what you should all be striving for. Trying to augment an entire limb or your whole body right out of the gate? That¡¯s like trying to sprint before you¡¯ve learned to walk. You¡¯ll trip, fall, and break something¡ªand if you¡¯re lucky, it¡¯ll only be your pride."


    "They are not casually expending mana as if it were free. Instead, they are channeling and guiding it, ensuring that every drop serves a purpose. This is how one preserves their vessel and remains upright while their opponent is left incapacitated on the ground." He gestured towards the Power Reflector Dummies. "Now, let''s resume our practice. Everyone, begin with small increments. Focus on perfecting control of a finger, then a hand, before even considering moving on. If it takes weeks for each person to master this technique, then let it be so. It is the progression that brings enjoyment to training!"


    With a smile on his face, the instructor left to find a new student to teach and guide. Tyrus shifted his attention back to the dummy and took a breath. While the instructor made it sound like channeling and guiding mana to his fist was easy, there was still some slight difficulty with the restriction rings. Tyrus felt it briefly, but the rings would disrupt the flow, actively pushing back the mana streaming through his pathways. He could cope, though, as long as he stayed focused.


    Tyrus stepped forward and gathered his mana into his fist. A warm, fuzzy feeling encompassed his chest as he guided the energy. He could see it clearly; his mana heart beating as blood and mana circulated toward its designated target. Red and white, so distinct and simple to see¡ªand yet so easy to lose control if one hasn''t had the practice.


    His hand glowed white, brimming with power. Instead of taking a swing at the dummy again, Tyrus stayed in position, getting a feel for the process. The amount of mana he lost as the seconds passed was practically miniscule compared to full-body augmentation. It made sense, given that he was focusing on a single point rather than dispersing energy throughout his entire body. However, instead of a full suit of armor, he now only wore a gauntlet. He''d have to keep that in mind.


    I''ll call this partial augmentation for now. There''s nothing more fun than learning about sorcery!


    For the remaining time in class, all Tyrus did was fine-tune his partial augmentation. Instead of a fist, he would do each individual finger and toe, one by one. And when he did those, he would focus on augmenting his fists, an entire arm, a leg, and even his head. There were a lot of things he learned after experimenting.


    Depending on the location of his chosen spot, each one had a different amount of time it took for the mana inside the mana heart to reach and augment it. For instance, augmenting his fingers was quick and efficient¡ªthe mana traveled a short distance and required minimal effort to maintain. His legs, on the other hand, took slightly longer, the energy needing to flow through longer pathways and adjust to the increased strain of supporting movement and weight.


    Instructor Geroth noticed his progress; he paused in his rounds, watching Tyrus with an expression that was equal parts impressed and cautious.


    ¡°You¡¯re making good progress,¡± Geroth said as he approached. ¡°But don¡¯t overextend your mana heart. Sorcery rewards curiosity, but it punishes arrogance. Keep that in mind.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Instructor Geroth."


    As Geroth moved on, Tyrus returned to his practice, this time slowing down to focus more intently on refining his control. Each movement, each flow of mana, was a lesson in itself. He could feel the improvement with every attempt¡ªthe way his pathways seemed to align more naturally, the resistance of the rings growing less intrusive.


    By the end of the class, Tyrus felt a deep sense of satisfaction. His limbs ached, and his mana reserves were noticeably depleted, but he couldn¡¯t stop smiling in his head. This was what he loved about sorcery¡ªthe endless potential to grow, adapt, and discover something new about himself. There was no greater joy than learning, and even better, it was done at a pace he set himself. It was just Tyrus and his body, taking their time to hone their skills.


    "Tsk. You make everything seem so easy."


    Tyrus turned to see Elias staggering over to him, arms drooped. His freckled face was caked with sweat, and his hair clung to his face like a wet rag pressed onto skin.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "It''s because I''ve had time to practice augmentation before coming to the academy," Tyrus said.


    "So have the rest of us as soon as we awakened. You and Aeithen are not normal."


    When Tyrus frowned, Elias'' face fell. "Wait, I didn''t mean it like that! What I meant is that you guys learn way too fast compared to the rest of us. That''s why I''ve been asking if there were any secrets you could share or if you''re just naturally made to be a sorcerer."


    ¡°There¡¯s no big secret,¡± Tyrus said. ¡°It¡¯s just practice. A lot of practice. Before I came here, I spent most of my time experimenting with mana on my own and fighting a lot. When it¡¯s just you and the wild, you learn fast or¡­ well, you don¡¯t last long.¡±


    Elias nodded furiously at each word as they headed out of the tower. "So what you''re saying is to go out in the wild and pick a fight with any wild beast I see? That doesn''t seem too bad."


    "It can''t be just any wild beast," Tyrus continued. "For one, I''ve fought a drake, a two-tusked boar, and a cluster of rock spiders."


    Elias froze mid-step, his jaw dropping as if Tyrus had just declared he could fly. ¡°A drake? A two-tusked boar? Rock spiders? Ah, I see what''s going on. You''re joking with me. There''s no way you fought those things!"


    Tyrus shrugged. "If you don''t believe me, that''s okay. It does sound crazy now that I say it out loud. Still, I''m not saying you have to fight those things. Just make sure that what you''re fighting is challenging."


    "...I will keep that in mind."


    They vacated the tower alongside everyone else, stepping outside to a refreshing breeze. Leaves from the courtyard fluttered around them, carried by the gentle wind. The crisp air smelled faintly of pine and earth, a welcome contrast to the sweaty scent of the towers. Tyrus tilted his head back, taking a moment to enjoy the coolness against his face. The distant chatter and footsteps of hundreds of students walking toward the dining hall echoed off the walls, fading into the background as he let his thoughts wander.


    Elias was the first of the two to break the silence. "I have to stop by Barachus Hall real quick and grab a few books for my next class."


    "Barachus Hall is the one with the shacks, right? How is it living there?"


    "Absolutely terrible! The place looks like it¡¯s about to collapse any second," Elias groaned, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "The walls creak every time the wind blows, and don¡¯t even get me started on the draft. It¡¯s like the building was designed to make sure you never feel comfortable. Don''t even get my started on how I have to share the place with four others."


    "Sounds cozy."


    Elias shot him a flat look. "Yeah, if your idea of cozy is waking up with a spider dangling from the rafters. I swear, the academy must think it¡¯s character-building or something."


    "Maybe it is. Think of it as practice for surviving in the wild."


    "Ha! Sure," Elias said, rolling his eyes. "Except in the wild, I wouldn¡¯t have to deal with Decean."


    "Decean?"


    "A roommate sent from Horo himself," Elias explained with a dramatic sigh. "He snores loud enough to wake the dead, leaves his undergarments everywhere, and has this weird habit of talking to himself at night. Honestly, sometimes I think I¡¯d prefer the spider."


    "Sounds like you¡¯re living an adventure already."


    "Yeah, an adventure I didn¡¯t sign up for," Elias muttered, but there was a faint grin on his face. "Anyway, I¡¯d better get moving. See you around, Tyrus. Thanks for the tips, though I definitely won''t be fighting any rock spiders or drakes."


    Elias waved goodbye as he hurried off toward Barachus Hall, weaving through the crowd. Once he was out of view, Tyrus thought of what to do next in his free time. He wasn''t all that hungry, and waiting in front of the door of Beast and Elemental Spirit Science sounded like a boring option. Instead, he set his sights on the commons, remembering the headmaster''s words about the many facilities within the place.


    I''ll do a bit of reading at the library again. Hopefully, the books I want aren''t checked out.


    Tyrus turned on his heels and took the northern path, strutting toward the commons. A small gap formed in the crowd as he passed through it. His ears twitched whenever a glare or a rude comment reached him. He ignored them and continued on his way, climbing the steps two at a time.


    The commons had an equally fancy and pristine interior, like Lavarun Hall. As soon as students entered, they were welcomed by a room adorned with marble white and ocean blue colors. There were abundant seating options, like armchairs and couches scattered throughout. Enchanted sconces decorated the walls, emitting a gentle glow that filled the space with a comforting and warm light.


    Numerous hallways spread out amongst the first floor, each one leading to different sections of the commons. Since the place was so big, there were signs in front of each hallway marked with arrows and names of the sections within them. The dining hall, kitchen, and study rooms available to everyone was to the left alongside other facilities while the ones leaning toward entertainment were to the right; where he wanted to go was one floor up.


    Up ahead in the middle of the commons was a spiraling staircase that led to the higher floors. Tyrus moved toward it and stepped into the stairwell, ascending to the second floor. He spotted the library entrance nestled on the eastern side of the commons. Enchanted ivy that shimmered faintly with shifting colors, a subtle indicator of the library''s protective wards framed its arched doorway. Pushing the oak doors open, Tyrus stepped inside and was greeted by the familiar scent of parchment and ink.


    The library was vast, its shelves stretching high and packed tightly with books of all sizes. It was four times the size of the library in Selena''s manor and more appealing. Students were scattered throughout, engrossed in their reading or jotting down notes on paper that sometimes shimmered as they wrote. The sound of pages being turned and the quiet murmurs of people speaking were like music to Tyrus''s ears.


    Tyrus glanced around, searching for an available seat. The front ones were already taken, and the tables towards the back were hidden by the rows of shelves. As a result, they tended to fill up first. He let out a quiet sigh, hoping that one of the tables was unoccupied. Otherwise, he would have to make do with reading on the floor. He didn''t mind it too much since there was carpet to cushion him.


    After a brief search, dodging stacks of books on the ground and ladders leaning dangerously against the shelves, Tyrus found two tables on the left-most middle, one occupied by a lone woman, hunched over a book. Her chestnut hair was put into a bun, and she wore spectacles that hung delicately on her straight nose.


    "I vow, on the lives of those vile harpies, to become a silver pin once more! It''s not my fault they get harder to earn as the years go by. The competition in this damn academy is no joke..."


    Tyrus''s ears flicked as the woman muttered to herself. A glance at her face revealed a hint of familiarity, and after another second of scrutinizing, he recognized her voice and features.


    "Fiona?"

 Chapter 160- Danger Level

    Fiona practically jumped up from her seat, nearly knocking over a book perched precariously on the edge of her table. Her narrow eyes darted to Tyrus, then widened as she adjusted her spectacles and rushed over to hug him. A floral scent from her body wafted into his nostrils.


    "I''ve been wanting to meet up with you for a while," Fiona said, pulling back. "I haven''t seen you for a month! How''s the classes going? Did you get all the materials you need? Are you being treated alright? Any new friends¡ª"


    She clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes flitting between each row of shelves. A frown creased her brow as she surveyed the silent area, as if expecting someone to appear. A few students had looked up from their reading, but most had already returned to their books.


    "Whoops, got a little too loud there," Fiona said. "The librarian here hates it when students are rowdy. There''s a set of rules we have to follow, just like any other place."


    Fiona grabbed the nearest chair she could find and propped it right next to hers. She sat down and patted the seat, motioning for Tyrus to sit. "Come on, have a seat! It''s not every day we get to catch up. It''s about time for a break from my studies, anyway."


    Tyrus happily obliged and plopped himself down in the seat, taking in the smell of the books around him once more. "You look busy. Looks like you¡¯re deep into something important. What did you mean by ''I swear on those damn harpies soul I will be a silver pin once again.''"


    "Ah, you caught that, huh? I guess I was muttering out loud again." She leaned back in her chair and gave Tyrus a sheepish grin. "Well, long story short, I used to be a silver pin just like you, for four years, that is. But, during my fifth year... Let''s just say I had a hard time controlling my emotions. Because of that, now I''m working extra hard to regain my privileges."


    "I''m sure you''ll get it back," Tyrus said. "You are one of the smartest people I know. Those spectacles really do make you look smarter. I''ve never seen you wear them before."


    She removed them and placed them to the side. "Oh, these? My eyesight is actually fine. I wear them for the look. I heard that wearing glasses enhances wisdom and intelligence, but it doesn''t seem to be true. I could have sworn I read about it somewhere. Anyway, let''s talk about you! What have you been doing lately?"


    Tyrus wasted no time recounting his experiences at the academy. The first thing he mentioned was the food, which was one of, if not, the best meal he had ever eaten in his life. What made it more appealing were the wide variety of options to choose one, so there was something for everyone. His time spent in the classrooms was next, going over the ones he liked the most.


    The mastery classes were his favorite, including sorcerer combat. While the instructor was strict and probably hated his guts, his lessons were still fun and valuable to learn from. He even mentioned his fight against Dasan, who wanted to cause trouble for him specifically. So, to teach that guy a lesson, he made it his goal to embarrass Dasan in front of everyone and teach him that there are those that aren''t scared of him.


    Fiona''s face brightened. "You started the fight? That''s quite surprising. The old you would have been too timid to even consider drawing that much attention to yourself. But instead, you confidently taught that punk a lesson without hesitation. In the past, you used to keep to yourself and remain silent unless spoken to. You''ve certainly changed, Tyrus."


    Tyrus fell silent. He knew he''d transformed; this change was largely because of his accumulated experiences. For why he changed, it was all thanks to the friends and support he received that had taught him that he had nothing to be ashamed of. Staying weak and being seen as a pushover would be detrimental to his growth and, ultimately, his goals. If he hadn¡¯t at least changed, Tyrus knew he wouldn¡¯t have made it this far.


    After a few seconds of silence, Tyrus continued on and spoke of the lessons he was going through and what the instructors were like. Fiona listened with a smile, nodding and adding in her own thoughts. Once he finished speaking about the people he met and mentioned Kylis Aduna, Fiona arched an eyebrow.


    "Oh, I''ve heard about Lady Kylis. She''s well known in these parts, but that''s not surprising considering she comes from one of the Great Lineages. By the way, if you''ve already met her, and she claims not to judge based on appearance, I would still be careful."


    Tyrus nodded slowly. "I know to be on guard when meeting other people, but why do you say that? Kylis seems nice so far."


    "It''s been a month and you''re already calling her by her name?" Fiona said, nudging his arm with a smile. "My, my, Tyrus, you''re climbing the social ladder faster than I expected. Here''s some advice from me: making connections in the academy that have children of influential and powerful nobles is great and all, but be wary of who you make friends with."


    "What do you mean?" he asked.


    Fiona leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. Her voice softened, taking on a tone of caution. "What I mean is, not everyone shows their true colors upfront, especially at the academy. The children of noble families are often surrounded by expectations, rivalries, and ambitions that you might not see right away. Even if Kylis seems genuine¡ªand she might very well be¡ªher world is different from yours. It''s filled with subtle games of power and influence. Be careful not to get caught up in something bigger than you realize."


    Tyrus frowned, but nodded. "I get what you¡¯re saying. I¡¯ll keep my eyes open."


    "Good. That doesn¡¯t mean you shouldn¡¯t trust anyone, but always make sure that trust is earned. Jealousy is a nasty trait that can twist people''s actions and intentions. When someone as prominent as Kylis walks into a room, she naturally draws attention."


    "Admiration, envy, even resentment¡ªthey''re all part of the package. Some people might try to use her or undermine her, and if you''re close to her, you could get dragged into the mix. That Dasan kid you mentioned, he''s probably one of those jealous types. That should give you some idea of what to expect."


    "I see... I''ll be careful, then. Thanks, Fiona. I''ll keep that in mind. And if anything weird happens, you¡¯ll be the first to know."


    She gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Let''s change the topic into something more interesting. Remember that promotion we were talking about moving from copper to bronze? I, Grant, and Reo are heading to the guild near the end of the week to take the assessment for a bronze tag. Celeste will be the examiner for our promotion exam."Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    He had to take another exam? A promotion exam to move from copper to bronze? Well, at least he wasn''t doing it alone this time. Exams made him nervous, and had enough of exams already, but that was a price that must be paid.


    A bell rung just as he was about to ask Fiona some more questions, signalling the end of the hour break. Tyrus shot up from his seat, ready to leave.


    "Wait," she said, holding onto his arm. "To leave the academy, you need to seek permission from one of the instructors or the headmaster. They take student safety seriously, and if you just waltz out, you could get into trouble. You read the rule book, right?"


    "I... stopped reading it halfway. Most of the rules were self explanatory, and I thought I wouldn''t be breaking them anytime soon, or not at all."


    "Well, now you know. Ask someone before the end of the academic week or else you can''t leave. Now, get going before you''re late."


    Tyrus nodded, thanking Fiona for her time and advice. She waved as he left the library, rushing through the commons as some students trudged to their next class. Once out of the main lobby, Tyrus made a beeline toward his last class of the day. Apparently, today was supposed to be an interesting lesson planned by Instructor Rock.


    ***


    In Instructors Rock class, furious scratching sounded as students took notes at the construct''s every word. Tyrus was hunched over, tongue sticking out, as he focused on writing away at the parchment as best as he could. The words he jotted down were messy at best, with letters sprawling unevenly across the page like they were in a race to escape. A few sideways and others backward¡ªhe didn''t care as long as he made them readable.


    Ivy, on the other hand, had a steady, elegant hand, her letters flowing with purpose. They were straight and thin, but even then she drew out every word or number, and the rest of her page was filled with neatly drawn diagrams and scribbled notes.


    Tyrus stole a glance at her work and felt a pang of envy. How does she do that? He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on his own parchment. But no matter how hard he tried, his scribbles felt like a chaotic storm compared to Ivy¡¯s calm, controlled script.


    Instructor Rock, at its podium, flipped through a book. "Spirits and beasts each contain their own power rankings, yet use the same categorical danger level. Who here knows what I mean by danger level?"


    Ivy raised her hand without hesitation. "Danger level are designations given by the Explorer Guild to rank threats by strength and scope of destruction. There are four threat levels we follow, which are low, medium, high, and extreme. The levels are split into three categories for further differentiation: power, threat, and environmental."


    Instructor Rock gave Ivy a satisfied nod. "That is correct, Ivy. Danger levels go beyond just the raw power of a spirit or beast. They consider the scope of the threat and the conditions under which the entity is encountered. A low-ranked creature in the wrong environment can pose a far greater danger than its rank suggests. Now, who can give me an example of this principle in action?"


    A scenario popped into Tyrus head, and he quickly raised his hand. "How about a juvenile lesser fire drake that wandered into a forest inhabited by treants and spirits?"


    Instructor Rock¡¯s head swung to Tyrus, its expression unreadable. ¡°Go on,¡± it said, gesturing for Tyrus to elaborate.


    Tyrus swallowed but pressed on, his voice gaining confidence as he explained. ¡°The fire drake might only be a juvenile and classified as a low danger level on its own. But in a forest full of treants and spirits¡ªcreatures highly sensitive to fire¡ªit becomes a much bigger threat. If it starts a wildfire, it could trigger a chain reaction. The spirits might fight back, the treants could go berserk, and the entire ecosystem would spiral into chaos. The danger isn¡¯t just the drake itself¡ªit¡¯s the effect its presence has on the environment.¡±


    For a moment, the classroom was silent. Then, to Tyrus¡¯s surprise, Instructor Rock smiled¡ªa rare sight. ¡°An excellent example, Tyrus. You¡¯ve not only considered the drake¡¯s potential for destruction but also the broader consequences of its actions in the right setting. In your scenario, it would be considered a high threat level to the inhabitants due to its fire-based attacks, but it would be a low threat level if it were at a sea, yet a medium threat in a city like Valis."


    More furious scribbling followed suit at the volley of words being thrown out of the constructs mouth. In no time, the other students began throwing out their own examples of how the danger levels would vary for different locations. One interesting example a boy brought out was about the naraga, a creature Tyrus read about in the bestiary.


    "I heard that the naraga have been extinct since forever ago, yet they were a serious problem to deal with," the boy finished.


    ¡°Ah, the naraga,¡± he said, his voice taking on a thoughtful tone. ¡°Extinct, yes¡ªat least as far as official records claim. I believe nowadays, it is a popular folklore that mothers used to warn children about the dangers of trusting strangers. My creator spoke of the naraga."


    "Their ability to mimic the appearance, voice, and even memories of their victims made them nearly impossible to detect. They thrived in densely populated areas, where confusion and paranoia served as their greatest weapons."


    The boy leaned forward, intrigued. ¡°But wouldn¡¯t they be less dangerous in places like forests or mountains, where there are fewer people to fool?¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± Rock said with a nod, tapping the chalk against the board for emphasis. ¡°In a forest, their ability to deceive would be limited, reducing their danger level. To beasts, they are nothing more than low threat levels. But in towns, where potential victims are plenty? They could destabilize entire communities before anyone realized what was happening. A single naraga could escalate from a low threat to an extreme danger level if left unchecked; to humans, that is."


    The students murmured amongst themselves, the weight of the discussion sinking in. Tyrus found himself both fascinated and unsettled. The idea of a creature so cunning and malicious sent a chill down his spine, but he couldn¡¯t deny the importance of understanding such threats.


    Folklore or not, surely there were creatures still roaming today that possessed similar powers to the naraga. The thought of encountering a creature like the naraga was terrifying, but knowing its limitations would be beneficial to stay out of such an environment.


    In a way, their ability to deceive was awfully similar to the dark sorcerer, both exceling in manipulation and impersonation. While a dark sorcerer might dominate a victim¡¯s will and force them to act against their nature, a naraga took a more insidious route¡ªbecoming the victim, erasing them entirely, and slipping seamlessly into their life.


    "Let us stray away from extinct creatures and focus back on the topic," Instructor Rock said, silencing the class.


    The remaining hour of the class went by in a snap as Instructor Rock shifted the focus to practical strategies for assessing and managing danger levels. Once everyone understood danger levels for simple creatures like lesser hounds and rock spiders, the construct moved on to more complex ones, speaking about creatures Tyrus heard of from the bestiary, like the agile Gale Strider and its mobility due to taking advantage of the wind or even the cave worm.


    Just then, the last bell rung, thus ending the academic day. When everyone began rising out of their seats as they collected their things, Instructor Rock spoke.


    "The upcoming class will deviate from the usual format, as we will venture beyond the confines of the classroom. Merely reading about beasts and spirits is insufficient to truly understand them. To gain firsthand experience, we will be heading out into the forest where you will have the opportunity to interact with a creature of my selection, namely a lesser hound. However, I must caution you that if any of you have any fears or reservations, please inform me in advance. That is all. You may now go."


    The drastic news of interacting with a lesser hound had some of the students visibly sweating, but the ones who didn''t were grinning with excitement. A lot of them shuffled out through the door yet some stayed in their seats, flickering their eyes between the construct and the leaving students.


    Ivy was doing her usual duty of basically interrogating Instructor Rock at the end of each class, her questions becoming more and more in-depth as the days went on. Tyrus knew waiting was useless so he stored his things in his storage ring and walked out the door and into the busy hallways. As he turned, he recognized a familiar weasel-like face in the crowd a few paces away, Parsan, sticking close to the wall as he scurried off to a door leading to the training grounds.

 Chapter 161- Building Shelter

    "Today, you will build a shelter to protect yourselves from weather and critters," Instructor Hugo announced, his rough voice cutting through the crisp morning air and numerous groans. The group of students stood in a clearing on the outskirts of the academy, their breath visible in the cool dawn light. Around them, the towering trees stretched high into the sky, their dense canopies casting dappled shadows on the ground.


    Tyrus glanced at the heap of tools and supplies laid out before them¡ªbasic items like ropes, wooden stakes, tarps, and a few rudimentary cutting tools. It was clear this wouldn¡¯t be an exercise in luxury.


    ¡°A proper shelter,¡± the instructor continued, pacing back and forth with his usual intensity, ¡°isn¡¯t just about comfort. It¡¯s about survival. It shields you from the elements, provides a defensive position, and buys you time against hostile creatures. Today, you¡¯ll be working in pairs to construct one. I¡¯ll be assessing not only the functionality of your shelters, but also your teamwork and problem-solving skills."


    ¡°Your partners have been pre-assigned,¡± Hugo said, holding up a solid board with paper on top and a quill. ¡°Check the list posted on that tree, gather your materials, and get to work. You have until the end of class."


    Tyrus made his way to the posted list, scanning for his name. His eyes landed on it, followed by his assigned partner, Lannon. Disappointment and reluctance sunk into his gut, and he turned away from the list and stood in front of the materials.


    "Why do I have to team up with the Demi-human?" Lannon grumbled nearby. "This has to be a mistake. His dumb brain will just slow me down."


    Tyrus rolled his eyes and bent down, grabbing a coil of rope, a tarp, and stakes from the pile of materials. He bit back a retort, deciding it wasn¡¯t worth the effort to argue with someone like Lannon. Let your work do the talking, he reminded himself, echoing the advice he sometimes tells himself.


    Lannon wasn¡¯t done, though. He marched up to Instructor Hugo, gesturing at the list with an exaggerated scowl. ¡°Instructor, there¡¯s no way this pairing makes sense. I mean, look at him. He¡¯ll just drag me down. He¡¯s¡­ what¡¯s he going to do? Bark orders? Scratch fleas? Can¡¯t I switch partners?¡±


    Hugo turned his steely gaze on Lannon, his eyes narrowing in a way that made the air feel colder. ¡°The pairings are final, kid. If you have an issue, take it up with the nearest tree¡ªI¡¯m sure it¡¯ll care more than I do. And you might want to rethink your attitude. In the field, there are no ¡®switching partners.¡¯ You work with what you have¡ªor you fail.¡±


    Lannon opened his mouth to protest, but Hugo raised a hand, silencing him. ¡°If you¡¯d prefer to go solo, be my guest. But let me be clear¡ªyour grade will reflect it.¡±


    With a loud sigh, Lannon finally turned and stalked over to where Tyrus was gathering materials. ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±


    Tyrus didn¡¯t bother looking up. ¡°Good idea. We don¡¯t have all day.¡±


    Tyrus worked in tense silence as he carried the materials to a spot near the edge of the clearing. Tyrus chose a location between two trees, checking each one so that they provided coverage from both sides. It wasn''t the most defensible position, but it would do for now.


    He dropped the tarp and stakes at his feet and grabbed one end of the rope. "Take the other end of the rope and tie it around that tree," Tyrus instructed, pointing to the sturdier of the two trees. "Make sure it''s secure, and wrap it twice before you knot it. Otherwise, it¡¯ll slip."


    Lannon glared at him, but begrudgingly grabbed the rope. ¡°I know how to tie a knot,¡± he snapped, trudging to the tree.


    As Tyrus focused on tying the rope around the other tree, he could hear Lannon grumbling under his breath, but he paid it no mind. His hands worked with practiced ease, looping the rope tightly around the tree trunk and securing it with a firm knot.


    In a way, securing a loop around a tree trunk was the same as tying his boots, except the knot used was different. Through that reasoning, Tyrus found the task surprisingly intuitive. The rhythm of pulling, looping, and tightening came to him without hesitation, as though his hands had done it a hundred times before.


    Actually, he had done it at least a hundred times. Out in the wild, if there was no shelter freely available like an abandoned shack, a hollow within a log, or an uninhabited cave, he had to build one himself. Scavenging for thick, long branches for support was the easy part, but it was the finer details that always demanded focus: ensuring the branches were properly aligned to bear weight, weaving smaller sticks to create a sturdy frame, and finding foliage dense enough to provide cushion and to somewhat protect him from the weather.


    Knowing how to build a shelter and knowing how to hunt for food were a large part of how he was still standing today. For where he learned these things, he held no memory of, but going by what he knew already, he could fashion a guess.


    Tyrus was at least ninety percent sure Wanderer was the woman in his dreams given the evidence, that being their affinity for the dark element and carrying the same scent. His nose had always been sharp, picking up subtleties others might miss, and the familiar scent he associated with the woman lingered in those fragmented memories.


    It wasn¡¯t just the scent, though. The skills he accumulated¡ªbuilding shelters, finding food, staying hidden¡ªfelt like they had been taught to him, not learned through trial and error. Wanderer must have been the one to teach him, though why she¡¯d done so, and what her role in his past truly was, remained shrouded in mystery.


    To this day, he still thinks about the memories that resurface from time to time, yet nowadays, none have appeared. Why was that? Was it because there was nothing else to remember? That would be impossible. There were still gaps in his knowledge that needed to be filled, yet no new ways that would help him were revealed.


    For as long as he was in the academy, one of the missions he created were to visit the library and look for information regarding the Beastfolk Kingdom, like a history book or something similar. However, in a place teeming with books of various subjects, he could find none that fit what he sought. In his search, he would glace at the titles written along the spines, and if none seemed remotely related, he moved on to the next.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Maybe I should stop stalling and ask the librarian for help. I didn''t want to be a bother and decided to search anything remotely related to the Beastfolk Kingdom, but at this rate, I''ll be out of the academy.


    Tyrus finished tying the rope and stood back, shaking off the thoughts that threatened to distract him. The past could wait¡ªright now, the present demanded his attention. He turned to see Lannon fumbling with his side of the shelter, his face flushed with frustration.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t this working?¡± Lannon muttered, his knot slipping loose for the third time. He kicked at a nearby rock, muttering curses under his breath.


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrapping it tight enough," Tyrus said.


    ¡°I know that!¡± Lannon snapped, yanking the rope free and trying again. His hands moved with quick, angry motions, but the knot came out even worse than before.


    Tyrus approached, gesturing toward the rope. ¡°Here, let me¡ª¡±


    ¡°I said I¡¯ve got it!¡± Lannon barked, smacking his hand away. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just focus on your side?"


    ¡°Fine,¡± Tyrus replied, standing and stepping back. ¡°But if that falls apart, don¡¯t blame me.¡±


    Lannon grumbled under his breath as Tyrus returned to his side of the shelter. Tyrus¡¯s hands moved with practiced ease, weaving branches into the framework and anchoring the stakes deeper into the ground. Every motion felt natural, automatic, like his body was being possessed by an expert carpenter.


    Behind him, Lannon¡¯s frustration boiled over. ¡°This is stupid! Why do we even need to build a shelter? We¡¯re supposed to be sorcerers, not builders! Why is this dumb class even required?¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t handle this, you won¡¯t survive a night in the field. Shelter isn¡¯t about comfort¡ªit¡¯s about staying alive.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say. You¡¯re just showing off. Acting like you know everything.¡±


    Tyrus paused, glancing over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m not showing off. I¡¯m just doing what needs to be done. Honestly, do you want to pass, or are you just going through the motions?"


    ¡°Fine. You do it then, since you''re so great at this."


    He threw the rope at Tyrus¡¯s feet, stepping back as Tyrus grabbed it without a word. He stood as he worked the rope around the tree. He looped it twice, pulled it taut, and tied a secure knot, giving it a final tug to ensure it wouldn¡¯t slip. The job wasn''t finished; Tyrus focused on weaving branches along the rope and into the dirt and layering foliage over the top. It was messy and sweaty work, making sure the foliage stuck to the sticks, but it would hold together even in weak winds and rain.


    When he was done, he stepped back and examined the shelter with a critical eye. There were some gaps in the structure, but it was far from being in tatters. He had to make do with the materials given to him. The rope was used to connect to each tree so that he could throw the tarp over it. The stakes were then used at each end of the tarp to hold it down while the branches were stuck underneath, creating a makeshift frame that provided extra stability. Throw in some leaves and other soft materials for a bed, and he had himself a decent shelter.


    Tyrus wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and turned to Lannon. ¡°There. It¡¯s done. I think Instructor Hugo will give us great marks for the structure."


    Lannon stepped closer, crossing his arms as he inspected the shelter. He gave a skeptical snort. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I guess. Not as good as what I could¡¯ve done, but it¡¯ll work. Not surprising even you can make a shelter out in the wild. You''re practically an animal; a bird finding scraps to scavenge for a nest."


    The smile on Tyrus'' face faded as he watched Lannon saunter off, snickering toward Instructor Hugo. Lannon¡¯s attitude grated on him, but he wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. The shelter was built; the task was complete, and that was all that mattered.


    Tyrus let the insult slide off him, focusing on gathering the leftover materials into a neat pile. As he finished tidying up, he noticed Instructor Hugo making his rounds, stopping to evaluate the other pairs'' shelters.


    The instructor approached their shelter with his usual no-nonsense demeanor. His sharp eyes scanned the structure, taking in the taut ropes, the woven branches, and the secure stakes anchoring the tarp. Tyrus stood silently, his arms crossed, while Lannon slouched nearby with a bored expression.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Hugo said, nodding slightly. ¡°It¡¯s stable, functional, and looks like it could hold up in a storm. Good use of materials. Whose idea was it to use the branches as a frame?¡±


    Tyrus opened his mouth to answer, but Lannon cut him off. ¡°Mine, of course,¡± he said, straightening up and flashing a smug grin. ¡°I figured we needed extra stability, so I suggested it. As the second-oldest son of Solomnus Kevish, financial advisor of the Imperial Court, you learn a thing or two about shelter building when traveling for business purposes."


    Solumnus? Tyrus thought. Where have I heard that name before? Wait, that''s not important right now! This guy is stealing my credit!


    Instructor Hugo''s eyes flickered between them. "Solomnus Kevish you say? Never heard of him, nor do I care. If you were the one who came up with the use as branches to use as a frame, you don''t mind if I ask a question, do you?"


    Lannon blinked, his confident smirk faltering for a fraction of a second. ¡°Uh, sure, Instructor. Go ahead,¡± he said, trying to maintain his composure.


    ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s the best method for weaving branches into a frame to ensure it doesn¡¯t collapse under stress? Specifically, how do you balance weight distribution while maintaining flexibility?¡±


    Lannon¡¯s mouth opened, but no words came out. He glanced nervously at the shelter, then back at Hugo. ¡°Well, uh, you just weave them tightly, I suppose? Make sure they¡¯re secure?¡±


    Hugo raised an eyebrow. ¡°Weave them tightly, you say. And how, precisely, do you prevent weaker branches from snapping under pressure?¡±


    Lannon¡¯s face turned red. He stammered, ¡°You¡­ you just pick the strong ones, obviously.¡±


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Hugo said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He turned to Tyrus. ¡°And you? Care to enlighten me on how this shelter was actually constructed?¡±


    ¡°I used the thicker branches for the main supports and wove smaller, more flexible ones into a net," Tyrus said. "That way, the structure holds together without putting too much strain on any single branch. The stakes and rope anchor it to the ground, and the tarp provides protection from the elements."


    ¡°That¡¯s the correct answer. And judging by the quality of this shelter, I¡¯d say you¡¯ve done this before.¡±


    Tyrus gave a small nod. ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ve had practice.¡±


    Lannon¡¯s face twisted into a scowl. ¡°He¡¯s just guessing! Anyone could¡¯ve¡ª¡±


    Instructor Hugo silenced him with a raised hand. ¡°Enough. I¡¯ve seen all I need to see.¡± He gestured toward the shelter. ¡°This is solid work, but I¡¯ll be marking you down for teamwork. Passing off someone else¡¯s effort as your own is not only dishonest, but also undermines the purpose of this exercise. Survival isn¡¯t about ego¡ªit¡¯s about trust and collaboration. Tyrus, go around and help those struggling.¡±


    Lannon opened his mouth to protest, but Hugo¡¯s glare made him think better of it. He snapped his jaw shut, his fists clenched at his sides. Tyrus gave a curt nod, watching as the instructor moved on to the next group. As soon as Hugo was out of earshot, Lannon spun on Tyrus, his face dark with anger.


    ¡°You think you¡¯re so clever, don¡¯t you?¡± Lannon hissed. ¡°You¡¯ll regret making me look bad, animal."


    Tyrus shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t make you look bad. You did that all by yourself. That''s like shooting yourself with an arrow and placing the blame on someone else for your mistake. You only have yourself to be angry at."


    For a moment, it seemed like Lannon might lash out, but then he turned and stormed off, muttering under his breath. He knew this wasn¡¯t the end of it¡ªLannon didn''t seem like the type to let something like this go¡ªbut for now, he was content knowing he had done what was right.


    This better not be a pattern of me angering someone and them looking for revenge. I can''t just start or be involved in fights or else I''ll lose my silver pin. Losing my benefits would be worse than anything I can experience in the academy.


    Tyrus ran a hand through his hair as he walked around the clearing, feeling the warmth of the sun increasing with each passing minute.

 Chapter 162- Spell Rankings and History

    Within Elemental Mastery II, Tyrus looked up at the patterned ceiling in a daze. All sorts of vibrant designs depicting elemental flows¡ªdragons breathing flames, tsunamis, and even blizzards¡ªspread across the vaulted stone above.


    Changing to a different class was easier than he thought. Tyrus had expected backlash, given that he was a new student and barely a month into his time at the academy. He expected a long wait or rejection, but the headmaster didn''t even flinch and accepted it right away. It seemed his performance in the entrance exams had earned him some leeway, though he suspected Instructor Alverias'' request for reassignment might have helped smooth the way as well.


    The primary reason for his reassignment was his Karti Tree. The academy had been impressed that he had already unlocked four elemental branches¡ªa unique accomplishment for a sorcerer his age. In fact, the state of his Karti Tree had caught the attention of instructors he didn''t even have a class for.


    Tyrus didn''t see how it was anything special. All he did was train and fight battles like his life depended on it, which was more often than not.


    Most of the students in his other classes barely had one branch filled in their Karti Tree at all, but if they consistently trained like he and Igneal did, then Tyrus could see them achieving similar progress. Yet, because they have just recently awakened as sorcerers and were probably sheltered or forbidden from going out, their skills were lacking.


    Despite that, a striking contrast in power was clear between elementary mastery one and two. The former were predominantly first-year students, with a smattering of second-years, whereas the other comprised mostly second-years and a handful of third-years. The students here were far stronger, knowledgeable, and older than his previous class. Mana sense only furthered that disparity.


    Leaning against his propped arm in front of him, Tyrus peeked through the folds of his fingers, his eyes flitting to each face around him. Unlike the hesitant and uncertain expressions he¡¯d grown used to in Elementary Mastery I, these sorcerers looked a little more at ease. Some students exchanged confident smirks or playful taunts, while others maintained stoic silence, their focus on the lesson.


    Over the second and third years, the mana reservoirs, initially the size of cups and small buckets, had grown significantly; the most progressive, belonging to older sorcerers, were now close to half a barrel in size. It had been three weeks since he was put into the class, and he already made a mental note of who were the best sorcerers in the class. Two of them were currently sitting in seats right next to him.


    "Lord Igneal," Kylis whispered, "Tyrus seems lost in his own world again. Is he usually like this?"


    Igneal reclined in his seat, gazing absentmindedly at the ceiling. "He tends to think more than he speaks. Tyrus isn''t much of a talker, so get used to this happening often."


    "He''s awfully quiet; you''d think he was scheming."


    "Or maybe this lesson is just incredibly dull," Igneal commented. "This is information that is common knowledge among the¡ª"


    Igneal''s words were abruptly interrupted as his red hair suddenly stood on end. Without warning, his body lifted from his seat and transported him to the front of the class, placing him right in front of the instructor''s station. The sudden levitation of Igneal elicited chuckles and buzz from the students, capturing Tyrus'' attention as well. Igneal landed with grace, although his crimson hair remained slightly disheveled, resembling a blazing flame. Unperturbed, he straightened himself and turned to face Instructor Alveria.


    ¡°Well, Lockhart,¡± she began, her voice calm but commanding. ¡°If you find the lesson so beneath your notice, perhaps you¡¯d like to demonstrate the principles we¡¯re discussing to your classmates.¡±


    Igneal gave a faint smirk, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. ¡°Of course, instructor. I wouldn¡¯t want to deprive anyone of a practical example of yours truly."


    The instructor sniffed in annoyance and turned to the class. "Before you begin, recite to the class what I just explained about spell rankings and how they''re determined."


    Igneal tilted his head slightly, yawning. ¡°Spell rankings are determined by a combination of factors: the complexity of the spell, the mana expenditure required to cast it, and the caster''s control over the elements involved. Higher-ranked spells demand a deeper understanding of elemental theory, greater reserves of mana, and often the use of advanced techniques, such as multi-element combinations."


    He clasped his hands behind his back, shifting his weight casually. ¡°Additionally, the effectiveness of a spell in combat scenarios or practical applications is considered, which is why higher-ranked spells are typically reserved for more experienced sorcerers."


    ¡°As for spell rankings, there are three tiers for spells: low, medium, or high," Igneal continued, his tone almost dismissive. "Low-tier spells are basic and straightforward, usually requiring minimal mana and effort. They¡¯re the least powerful and contain basic spells. Medium-tier spells, however, are a step up. They demand more control and often involve more mana and possess moderate power. As for high-tier spells, they¡¯re the pinnacle of sorcery¡ªcomplex, powerful, and reserved for those who know exactly what they¡¯re doing.¡±


    Instructor Alveria raised an eyebrow. ¡°You forgot an important detail, Lockhart. Care to enlighten the class on what determines a sorcerer¡¯s ability to consistently cast higher-tier spells?¡±


    Igneal sighed theatrically. ¡°A sorcerer¡¯s capability to sustain higher-tier spells hinges on their Karti Tree and Sorcerer Plane. The more developed the tree, the stronger their mana flow and elemental control, which makes it easier to cast higher spells without risking collapse or exhaustion. The amount of branches in the Karti Tree is an indicator of the sorcerer''s potential of using high tier spells."


    "So you have been paying attention," the instructor mused.


    "It''s just common theory. Even a child could tell you that," he said, his tone flat.


    "Then you must be able to name three spells for each tier."


    The noble didn¡¯t flinch, though his smirk softened into something a touch more serious. "You insult my intelligence, instructor. At the bare minimum, I can state nine spells for each element, tiers included."


    Before Instructor Alveria could reply, Igneal proceeded to list spells as he recited the names from memory. ¡°For fire, at the low tier, you have Ignite, Fire Bolt, and Inferno Wave¡ªall useful for basic training or minor skirmishes. At the medium tier: Rain of Fiery, Fireball, and Flame Breath, which are staples for any competent fire sorcerer. And for high-tier fire spells: Infernado, Heatwave, and Cinderbird, though I doubt anyone here could cast that.¡±


    He rattled on, listing similar spells for water, wind, earth, and even light, his tone growing more monotone as the words rolled off his tongue. There were some spells that the book of incantations hadn''t listed, including Cinderbird for the fire element. In fact, when Tyrus retrieved that same book and flipped through the sections, reading the spells to himself, only the low rank spells for each element were listed.


    Naturally, he deposited the book back into his storage ring and switched to the required book for the class: Theory and Practice of the Common Elements. It was a hefty book that contained detailed explanations, illustrations, and breakdowns of elemental spellcasting principles and spells for a wide range of ranks for each element.


    The book covered many spells across the elements but mentioned nothing about Cinderbird. Most of the high-tier spells were vaguely described, emphasizing theory and application rather than incantations or practical guides for casting them, while the other two ranks of low and medium were more detailed, often using simple illustrations to represent the spell. Why was Cinderbird, of all things, not listed? Did Igneal blatantly make up a spell? But if he did, the instructor would''ve surely scolded him for it.


    ¡°...and that¡¯s the extent of it,¡± Igneal finished, his voice cutting through Tyrus¡¯ thoughts. He turned back to Instructor Alveria with a flourish, clearly pleased with his performance. ¡°Satisfied, Instructor?¡±


    Alveria pondered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "You''ve done a commendable job, although perhaps you went a bit too far with naming spells for every single common element. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that your fellow classmates are eager to witness your abilities. Hence, please showcase a low and medium rank spell while staying within the runic circle. Oh, and remember to incorporate a verbal incantation."Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Igneal shrugged and sauntered off, stepping onto the platform in the middle of the room. The faint hum of residual mana emanated from it, it''s runes glowing from those who previously used it. He stretched his arms briefly, as if loosening up for a full performance, and then clasped his hands behind his back, surveying the class with a calm, collected gaze.


    "Very well," he said, his tone almost bored. "A lowly spell first, as requested."


    He extended his right hand, fingers splayed, and said ''Ignite''. A small but brilliant flame flickered to life in his palm. The class murmured in approval, but Igneal wasn¡¯t done. With a subtle movement of his wrist, he allowed the flame to grow slightly, elongating it into a thin, controlled stream of fire before abruptly clenching his fist and extinguishing it.


    His posture shifted, his aura growing more intense as the space between his legs grew slightly. With a hand in his pocket, Igneal raised his other arm to the vaulted ceiling, palm open and fingers slightly curved. The air around him seemed to ripple, a faint crimson aura uniting at his fingertips, until¡ª


    "Flame Breath."


    Flames spewed from his open palm, roaring forward in a controlled yet ferocious rush. The heat radiated across the room, causing several students to shield their faces instinctively. The flames surged with a fluid intensity, undulating like a living creature, before Igneal twisted his wrist, redirecting the fiery breath into a sweeping arc within the confines of the runic circle. Thanks to the enchantments surrounding the platform, no magic was unleashed outside of the circle, and the flames dispersed harmlessly into the air.


    The spell continued to flare for a few more moments, until he closed his fingers into a fist, halting the flow of mana. The flames gradually dissipated, transforming into a beautiful rush of embers. This left the air feeling warm and charged with residual energy. The entire class sat in stunned silence, only hearing the faint crackling of the lingering sparks. However, the silence was soon broken as more than half of the class erupted into excited chatter and applause. Even Kylis was amazed and joined in the applause, though she clapped at her own pace.


    "That''s a Lockhart for you!" one student whispered, their voice brimming with awe.


    ¡°Unbelievable control,¡± another murmured. ¡°He made it look so easy. I heard he knows silent casting as well."


    "No wonder he was allowed to attend this class as a first year. He would dwarf every other student there."


    Igneal gave the class a few bows before strutting off the platform and taking his seat. He stretched his arms lazily, clearly basking in the admiration of his classmates. The faint applause and murmured compliments still echoed through the room, feeding his already lofty confidence.


    Instructor Alveria clapped her hands once, immediately recapturing the class'' attention. "Everyone, please settle down. Lockhart''s performance was undeniably impressive, but let''s not allow it to divert our focus from the objective of this exercise. As shown, there was a discernible variance in the strength of the two spells he employed. Yet, what precisely accounts for this difference in power? Can anyone explain for the class?"


    A couple of students raised their hands. Instructor Alveria swept her eyes around the room and landed on Kylis, who was waiting patiently to be called upon.


    "Yes, Kylis," the instructor said.


    "The primary point to consider is the mana output associated with casting a spell. For instance, Ignite, being a low-tier spell requires minimal mana. This was clear from the accumulation of mana prior to the caster''s verbalization of each spell."


    Kylis paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "Since incantations are set in the amount of mana required to cast them, they don¡¯t allow for much flexibility. That¡¯s why spells like Ignite have a very limited output¡ªit¡¯s a rigid formula designed to ensure consistency for casters. For example, a Fire Bolt won''t simply transform into Fireball just because the caster pushes more mana into it. But, depending on the sorcerer,'' a Fire Bolt''s power can be comparable to that of a Fireball, though it''ll take more mana to cast due to the higher mana requirement."


    The instructor nodded. "In other words, while the incantation provides a baseline for the spell''s strength, a sorcerer can push its boundaries slightly without breaking the spell entirely. This is especially true for low and medium-ranked spells, which tend to have simpler structures compared with high-tier ones. Overloading a low-tier spell with mana is dangerous and risks backfiring on the caster. A well-articulated point, Kylis. Now..."


    Alveria floated over to the board, wand in hand, and wrote glowing words on the board, basically condensing Igneal''s and Kylis'' words into key points for the class. As she finished, she turned to the class, her gaze sweeping the room.


    "That being said, the question remains: Is it possible for a Fire Bolt spell to transform into Fireball using the same incantation?"


    At the bizarre question, the class exchanged puzzled looks. A few students whispered among themselves, debating the idea, while others seemed too wary to answer outright. The very notion seemed to contradict the basic principles they had just discussed.


    Tyrus furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Supposedly, it wasn¡¯t supposed to happen¡ªspells were stern constructs, bound by their incantations and mana flow. But something about the way Instructor Alveria posed the question made him wonder if there was more to it.


    Finally, a brave third year near the front raised their hand hesitantly. "Instructor, if we¡¯re sticking to the rules of incantations as fixed frameworks, then no, it shouldn¡¯t be possible. A Fire Bolt is its own distinct spell, and it cannot simply shift into Fireball. That''s like asking if water can suddenly become ice without a change in its conditions. The structure of the spell is like the state of water¡ªFire Bolt is liquid, and Fireball is solid. They¡¯re related, but they can¡¯t switch states without external factors or a completely different incantation."


    Several students nodded in agreement, finding the analogy apt. However, a few others still looked uncertain, sensing there was more to the question than a simple "no."


    Instructor Alveria smiled faintly, her expression one of amusement and intrigue. "An excellent analogy, and quite accurate in most circumstances. But magic is not as rigid as the natural states of water. It is, after all, an extension of will, and will is not bound by the same fundamental rules of the world. If one truly understands the essence of a spell, might they not manipulate its state in ways that defy standard practice?"


    The room fell into a contemplative silence. Even the bolder students hesitated to respond, unsure how to reconcile the instructor¡¯s cryptic words with what they¡¯d been taught so far.


    Tyrus¡¯s thoughts raced. Was this a trick question? Or was Instructor Alveria hinting at an advanced concept that the class was simply unprepared for? The idea of spells being extensions of will was common knowledge among sorcerers. Without focus and a mental image of the spell, the mana would either fail to manifest or spiral out of control, leading to disastrous results.


    The notion that a spell could transform beyond its set incantation purely through will was a concept rarely entertained in formal teachings. Spells were, after all, constructed frameworks¡ªprecisely defined pathways for mana to follow.


    Transforming Fire Bolt into Fireball required silent casting, which offered unrestricted mana control absent in the rigid structure of incantations. Silent casting, unlike traditional methods, relied entirely on the caster¡¯s skill and understanding of the spell¡¯s core essence. It allowed for unprecedented flexibility but required aptitude of both the element and the sorcerer''s own mana reserves.


    For a solid minute, no one said a word as the class weighed the instructor''s words. Tyrus glanced around the room, gauging his classmates'' expressions, and what he saw wasn''t shock or disbelief, but confusion.


    When no one raised their hand or added on to the conversation, the instructor continued. "Many centuries ago¡ªwhen the Blessing of Sthito suddenly fell upon us¡ªwhen sorcery and knowledge was in its infantile stage, death and injuries from miscasting were commonplace.''


    "Back then, elemental spellcasting lacked the structure and precision we take for granted today. There were no standardized incantations or runic frameworks¡ªonly raw willpower and mana, with results that were as unpredictable as they were powerful. A single misstep would cause catastrophic backlashes, often harming the caster and those nearby."


    "A century of research later and mimicking those naturally attuned with mana, an Elemental Sorcerer devised a way to harness mana more reliably, creating the foundation for the modern incantation system. This sorcerer was a visionary who believed that raw magic could be tamed through structured patterns. He developed the first set of elemental incantations, each carefully designed to guide mana into predictable, repeatable forms. These incantations became the cornerstone of safe spellcasting."


    She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "His methods revolutionized sorcery. For the first time, novices could wield elemental spells without fear of fatal failure. However, there was a price. By confining magic within strict frameworks, the system also limited its flexibility. Spells became rigid constructs, confining the caster''s imagination."


    The instructor cleared her throat and lifted her arm forward. "I beseech you, Deity of Magic, send forth a soft wind to vanquish my foes¡ªI invoke Whisper Gust!"


    A gentle breeze softly stirred the room, whisking everyone''s faces and causing hair to flutter.


    "What I cast just now was a primitive incantation that sorcerers long ago used before the modern system refined our methods," Instructor Alveria explained, lowering her hand. "As I''m sure you''ve noticed already, the incantations we use now have been heavily modified to where they no longer resemble the original spells. Instead of lengthy incantations, a few words are only necessary to guide the flow of mana into a desired form thanks to ingenuity and the later generations becoming stronger and smarter than their predecessors."


    "The questions I have been asking you all have been trick questions. It is impossible for a Firebolt spell to transform into a Fireball with the same incantation," Instructor Alveria continued. "The very concept of a spell evolving or expanding beyond its original form defies the core principles of structured magic. That is why silent casting exists and what sorcerers strive to perfect all their lives. To return what was so dangerous, yet common, to its most primal, unstructured form. Silent casting, in essence, allows the sorcerer to bypass the rigid constructs of incantations and draw upon the raw connection between their will and the mana itself."


    As if Sthito herself was present to stop the lesson, a bell a bell rang sharply, cutting through the air and echoing off the walls. Students nearby jumped like scared deer, while the instructor rolled her eyes.


    "Oh, how time flies when you''re having fun. At any rate, that concludes today''s lesson. Make sure to study the textbooks as assigned and meet me here next time for a more comprehensive lesson. Next class, I will have you all practicing spells for elements you have already learned. Any questions?"


    Instructor Alveria swept her eyes over the class, waiting for any lingering questions, but none were forthcoming.


    "Good, then dismissed. I wish you all the best."


    The room instantly dissolved into excited chatter as students hastily began packing their belonging and rushing straight out the door.

 Chapter 163- Experimentation

    Tyrus wandered through the academy¡¯s stone corridors, lost in thought. The murmurs of passing students and the occasional clang of a distant bell faded into the background as his mind churned over the day''s lesson. The concept of silent casting he already understood thanks to Selena, and now his thoughts turned to the broader framework of sorcery¡ªthe spell rankings, the history of incantations, and the rigid system that bound them.


    He mulled over the spell rankings first. The way spells were classified into tiers¡ªlow, medium, high, and beyond¡ªwas supposed to reflect their complexity, mana consumption, and potential for destruction. But the system felt restrictive. Each tier came with its own rules, its own incantations, and its own limitations.


    A Firebolt would always be a Firebolt, no matter how much mana you channeled into it or how skilled you were. It was an unchangeable truth by the way the instructor described it as. Silent casting had hinted at a way to shatter those boundaries, to unlock a spell¡¯s full potential by bypassing the rigid framework altogether. That much he already knew.


    Then there was the history of spellcasting itself. Alveria¡¯s lecture had painted a vivid picture of an era when sorcery was unrefined and dangerous, a time when spells were born not from incantations but from sheer willpower and raw mana. Back then, magic wasn¡¯t confined to neat categories or recited phrases; it was a chaotic force that bent to the caster¡¯s imagination and determination. That era had come at a cost¡ªcountless lives lost to miscasts and probably mana deficiency¡ªbut it had also been a time of unparalleled innovation and discovery thanks to trial and error.


    Then a passing thought occurred to him: What about Dual Shot? It was an incantation, yes, and the first time he witnessed it was from Fiona, who summoned two motes of fire. However, when he used Dual Shot, he was able to summon two orbs of lightning instead. A single incantation used two different elements, contradicting the strict rules. If incantations were truly immutable, then how had he achieved that?


    Tyrus furrowed his brow as he delved deeper into the implications. Was Dual Shot an exception to the rule, or was it proof that the system wasn¡¯t as rigid as instructors claimed? Could the true potential of an incantation depend not solely on the spell itself, but on the caster¡¯s affinity and intent?


    Tyrus stopped in his tracks. "I need to check something."


    Without waiting for Igneal and Kylis'' reply, Tyrus swung on his heels and entered a corridor to the left leading directly to the training grounds. Once he stepped out of the main building and strolled along the pathway, shifting through the clusters of students scattered across the premises.


    The afternoon sun bathed the area in a warm light, illuminating the many flowers spread out across the academy grounds. Here and there, he caught snippets of shouted encouragement from sorcerers receiving swordsmanship lessons and the occasional clack from clashing practice weapons.


    Down the column of towers, trees twice as tall as a man offered shade from the harsh sun, leaves of blue and white rustling softly from a slight breeze. Looking at the color display, Tyrus was reminded of winter. This was Tyrus'' first time traveling further down the training grounds since most of his classes were in the main academy building while the sorcerer combat and augmentation mastery buildings were up ahead. As far as he knew, leaves weren¡¯t supposed to come in such unnatural hues. That job was reserved for the flowers.


    Still walking, he snapped out of his trance as a dome-shaped building almost as large as the commons came into view on the far end. If he had to guess, walking at his normal pace would take him about four minutes to reach it. If he was remembering right from what the map of the academy described, the training grounds were organized in a rectangular shape that stretched on, taking a normal person twenty minutes to wrap around the place.


    At the front held the core and supplementary classes such as sorcerer combat, swordsmanship, archery, and more, while the middle possessed the duel towers. In the end, however, was a facility that held private rooms for a sorcerer or a group to use for training purposes, taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology crafted by skilled Conjuration Sorcerers, Vivian Falleon included.


    Since you needed to set an appointment to use the dueling towers, which was an entire process that took days because they were frequently used by hundreds of students each day, many students opted for the private training rooms instead. However, there was one requirement needed to enter: only those with silver-pins were permitted. Luckily for Tyrus, one of those pins was currently in his possession.


    "So, are you finally going to reveal where you''re heading, or will you persist in remaining silent?" inquired Igneal.


    Tyrus slowed his brisk pace, glancing back at Igneal and Kylis, who were both trailing a few steps behind him. Igneal looked mildly annoyed, brushing a strand of his fiery red hair out of his face as he caught up. Kylis followed at a more measured pace, her sharp eyes fixed on Tyrus with curiosity.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t keeping quiet,¡± Tyrus said, still walking. ¡°I just didn¡¯t think you¡¯d care about where I was headed.¡±


    Igneal snorted. ¡°I care when you drag me halfway across the training grounds without a word of explanation. What¡¯s so important that you¡¯re marching off like someone lit a fire under you?¡±


    ¡°I need to test something. The private rooms are the best place as of now. Reserving a spot for the duel towers would take too long. What I need to find out... it''s an itch I need to scratch."


    Tyrus knew he was being vague, but he didn''t want to get into a debate or go over the specifics with them. What he suspected, even he was unaware, if it was possible or just a product of overthinking. Trying to explain it now would only invite skepticism, and he didn¡¯t have the patience for that. He needed to see it for himself, to prove¡ªor disprove¡ªhis theory.


    Kylis narrowed her eyes as she kept pace beside him. ¡°An itch you need to scratch, huh? Sounds like something you haven¡¯t fully thought through yet.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought it through enough,¡± Tyrus replied curtly, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.


    Igneal scoffed, falling into step on his other side. ¡°You¡¯re always so cryptic. If it¡¯s something you¡¯re planning to blow up, just say so. I¡¯ll make sure I¡¯m standing far enough away when it happens.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about incantations,¡± he said, the building growing bigger with each step. ¡°What Instructor Alveria said today got me thinking¡ªabout whether the framework we¡¯ve been taught is as rigid as they claim. I¡¯ve seen things¡ªused a spell that doesn''t follow the rules¡ªor least, I think its a rule."


    Tyrus turned to Kylis. "You''re smart, and you won''t give a sarcastic answer, unlike Igneal. Haven''t you noticed that most spells Elemental Sorcerers use usually have a name that resonates with the element being used?"


    ¡°A name that resonates with the element?" she repeated. "Are you talking about how spells like Fireball or Whisper Gust are tied directly to their elemental nature? Yes, it is common, and there is a reason for that."


    "The incantation acts as a bridge between the sorcerers'' will and the energy they¡¯re drawing upon: mana. The name itself carries a certain resonance that helps attune the mana to the specific element. Mana is a form of energy, and an Elemental Sorcerer converts that energy into a form that aligns with their will. The incantations are used to aid in that process, serving as a means for the sorcerer to draw on the natural power of the element."


    Tyrus nodded, already having suspected as much. Every spell he had used, Thunder Stun, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Snare, each one had a name that directly tied to his lightning affinity, reinforcing the connection between the incantation, his intent, and the elemental energy he commanded. The spells were precise, predictable, and efficient¡ªhallmarks of the structured system of magic he had been taught. Yet, the more he thought about it, the more Dual Shot stood out as an anomaly.


    Never had he questioned Dual Shot. Why would he? It was a spell that even with its high mana cost¡ªwhich wasn''t that much a problem anymore¡ªit saved his life many times, and that was all it mattered. Now, going by what he knew now, Dual Shot as a spell made no sense.


    Asking Instructor Alveria came to mind, but he''d rather figure it out on his own, at least for now. He had to explore this for himself, to see if he could break past the boundaries of what he thought he knew about magic. That was one of the fun aspects of magic, the thrill of exploring, of pushing his limits. It was like the rush he''d felt when he first cast the Lightning Bolt spell, or any spell for that matter. If he were being honest, it was almost addictive to him. Only after experimenting would he ask the instructor about it.


    Tyrus approached the double doors after climbing up a few steps. The doors were massive, their dark wood inlaid with patterns that resembled vines twisting around the surface. He didn''t bother knocking, swinging the door open and walking in, stepping into a circular room with a wide open space in the center. It was surprisingly barren of any decor, with only a few pieces of furniture such as tables and seats on the opposite walls.


    A space like the Explorer Guild''s reception area occupied one end of the room. Behind a long flat-topped fixture with a few potted plants and a communication tool embedded within the table, a young woman stood with a pleasant smile on her face, her brown hair pulled back into a neat braid.


    "Welcome to the private training rooms," she said, her fingers tapping away at the table''s screen. "Before we can proceed, may I see your silver pins?"


    Tyrus approached the desk, handing his pin over. The young woman glanced at it, her smile unwavering, before picking it up and placing it under the communication tool. A brief flash of light scanned the pin, and after a moment, the device emitted a soft chime.


    ¡°Verified,¡± she said, handing the pin back to him. Her gaze shifted to the others as she added, ¡°And yours?¡±


    Igneal stepped forward, pulling his pin from the collar of his jacket and tossing it casually onto the desk. The woman raised an eyebrow but said nothing, scanning Igneal¡¯s pin as well. The device chimed again, confirming his status. She returned the pin with the same polite efficiency, then turned to Kylis.


    Kylis handed her the pin with a small nod. The attendant scanned it; the process taking only seconds before she returned the pin.


    ¡°All in order,¡± she said, her fingers tapping the screen again. "It appears this is your first time entering your building. Before we proceed, I am obligated to inform new students the rules of the building."


    ¡°First, all damage caused during your sessions will be automatically repaired by the facility¡¯s enchantments. However, tampering with the runes, safety mechanisms, or reinforcement systems is strictly prohibited. Violators will face immediate suspension of their access privileges, along with additional disciplinary measures. Additionally, each session is limited to two hours unless prior approval has been granted. Extensions beyond the allotted time will incur monetary fees of up to one hundred sil per every ten minutes."


    One hundred sil!? That''s not a problem since I''ll be out before then, but that''s still a lot of money.


    "Second, you are expected to behave yourself," the receptionist continued. "The rules are posted in each room. Disruptions are strictly forbidden, and violators will be ejected from the room with a corresponding monetary fine. Lastly, for your safety, the rooms are equipped with mana stabilization runes. They will absorb excess energy from your spells to prevent dangerous mana buildups. However, if the system detects critical instability, it will activate a forced shutdown. Please avoid pushing your spells beyond reasonable thresholds. Is that understood?"


    When everyone nodded their heads, the woman tapped the screen again, and the runes on the floor pulsed, an arrow appearing and leading toward the assigned room on her right. Beside her were two hallways. ¡°Very well. Room five is prepared. Follow the guiding runes and have a productive session.¡±


    The trio turned toward the glowing pathway and shuffled forward, their eyes inspecting the spotless silver hall. A line of doors evenly spaced out in the center, not made of the usual wood Tyrus was used to seeing, but a special kind of white stone that was smooth to the touch. Each door pulsed with warm mana, emanating from the elaborate engravings in the middle.


    No sound was heard in the hallways other than their echoing footsteps and soft breathing. Were these rooms made to block out all external noise? Tyrus wondered as his gaze lingered on one of the engraved doors they passed. The mana pulsing from the engravings gave off a faint hum, but even that seemed muted, as if the entire hallway was wrapped in an invisible barrier of silence.


    One, three, five¡ªoh, here it is.


    The number five was marked overhead by one door the glowing arrow pointed to. Once they arrived, the arrow faded from the floor. Then, the runes on the door grew bright, bathing the room in a soft white glow. The door rumbled, and out of nowhere, it shimmered, turning invisible and sinking into the wall as if it were never been there.


    Tyrus waved through the now-open space where the door had been. There was no resistance, and no sensation at all¡ªjust the absence of the door. Tyrus had seen a lot of things in the academy, but this was new. To think that Conjuration Sorcerers could craft something so seamless¡ªit was mind-blowing.


    Communications tools capable of talking with others in long distances, disappearing doors, and so much more were because of them. What other innovations were hidden within the halls of the academy? If something as simple as a door could be made to vanish seamlessly, what feats could the pinnacle of a Conjuration Sorcerer achieve? Could they create entire buildings that folded into nothingness, or weapons that shifted forms based on the wielder¡¯s intent?


    Conjuration Sorcerers were truly something else...

 Chapter 164- Experimentation (2)

    Kylis poked her head in, swiveling her head around. "The stories about Valis Academy of Sorcery were not an exaggeration in the slightest. Witnessing a vanishing door is a first for me."


    "That''s because you live in the mountains," Igneal said, strolling in first. Igneal plopped down on a nearby seat, kicking his feet up as he leaned back. "I admit, the equipment and innovation here are impressive, but this is nothing back at Lockhart territory. The Lockhart Estate is practically a pseudo-artifact in its own right."


    Tyrus narrowed his eyes, walking in as well. It was a small room serving as an antechamber to another area that was right behind a glass wall¡ªor, at least, he thought it was glass. Beyond that wall was an empty space of white stone with runic lines that pulsed, like veins carrying life through the room itself.


    The surface of the wall shimmered faintly, as if it wasn¡¯t glass at all, but some enchanted barrier designed to allow observation while protecting those on the outside. The stone floor stretched out in a wide, perfect square, and the runes etched into the surface wove a complex lattice that seemed to shift and flow.


    Kylis stepped closer to the barrier, poking at the wall. Her finger phased through effortlessly. ¡°Oh? That is quite interesting. This isn¡¯t ordinary craftsmanship. The precision of these runes¡­ It¡¯s almost as if they¡¯re alive, reacting to something.¡±


    Igneal snorted, reclining further. ¡°You¡¯d think the academy was the center of the world with the way they flaunt all this. Still, not bad for an academy.¡±


    "But why is it empty?" Tyrus said. "What purpose does a room like this serve if there¡¯s nothing in it?"


    Kylis withdrew her finger from the barrier, watching the ripple it left behind. ¡°Maybe it is meant to be empty. A blank slate for sorcerers to project their will onto. It would make sense if it is meant for testing or practice. What about that device over there? It looks like the one used to receive meals back in the hall."


    To the left of the room lay that same strange device with a glass face, embedded within the wall and already active. Tyrus and Kylis walked over, staring at the machine as it beeped softly. It seemed to be the same thing, but the options available were much different.


    Instead of the food options they were used to seeing in the dining hall, this device displayed a list of configurations for the room beyond the barrier. The glowing interface was sleek and filled with symbols and sliders, each labeled with cryptic terms that hinted at its function. Tyrus leaned closer, his eyes scanning the options.


    ¡°Environmental conditions,¡± Kylis read aloud, pointing to one section. ¡°You can change the terrain in the room¡ªice, sand, even a forest.¡±


    Tyrus tapped another section, revealing a menu for spell resistance. ¡°There''s also an option to summon targets and dummies for training. It looks like you can adjust the strength of the targets and how much mana they absorb."


    Kylis tilted her head, intrigued. "A fully customizable training environment. You could immitate almost any kind of scenario in here. That explains why it¡¯s empty¡ªit¡¯s meant to adapt to the sorcerer¡¯s needs."


    ¡°There¡¯s a mana cost tracker too. It¡¯ll measure how much energy you¡¯re using for each spell. That could be useful for optimization.¡±


    Tyrus nodded, his lips turned into a smile. But after some thought, he frowned. "How come none of this stuff is implemented in the duel towers? I would imagine this would be useful for competitive training, too. Tracking mana usage and customizing conditions would give students a better understanding of their limits and strategies.¡±


    "Because this is an incentive," Igneal said, his head cocked back as he stared at the ceiling. "This place is reserved for silver pins; students who excel in academics or combat in their year. It¡¯s a reward for standing out, not something they¡¯re going to hand over to just anyone. They want the rest of the students to work for it. Competition breeds quality, and quality is what this academy pops out."


    Tyrus couldn¡¯t deny the logic in Igneal''s arguments. The academy wasn¡¯t exactly perfect, but it had reasons for its restrictions. Even so, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that limiting access to this kind of equipment suppressed the potential of students who might not shine in the traditional sense.


    ¡°Well,¡± Tyrus said, turning his focus back to the console, ¡°whether it¡¯s an incentive or a restriction, I¡¯m going to make the most of it.¡±


    He adjusted the settings, brows furrowed as he slowly went to work. Tyrus had to reread the functions of what some sliders controlled multiple times. He summoned a set of three humanoid dummies at varying distances and a few flying targets at different speeds. While it wasn''t needed, he added to change the scenery of the bland stone to something more natural. He''d be lying if he wasn''t curious about how this place would manage something like that.


    After he was done, he confirmed the structure, and the device emitted a soft chime. The room responded instantly, the hum of mana growing louder as the changes took effect. The stone floor shimmered, its dull gray surface shifting and morphing.


    Grass sprouted within the space, lush and vibrant, while trees materialized around the room. The air felt fresher, cooler, as if the environment itself had come to life. A soft breeze stirred the leaves, carrying the faint scent of earth and greenery. More objects appeared, a bright light that formed from the bottom to the top.


    The humanoid targets came to full form in the middle, unmoving, while round, different sized targets with translucent wings at the sides materialized in midair. Translucent-winged targets zipped through the simulated forest, their wings beating softly as they changed speeds and altitudes. The humanoid dummies stood in formation, their glowing bodies pulsing faintly as they awaited commands.


    Tyrus jaw dropped at the spectacle as he entered the room. His body tingled slightly when he traveled through the barrier¡ªa faint, static hum that seemed to buzz through his skin.


    It was breathtaking. Everything felt real: the grass beneath his feet rustled from his steps. The air, fresh as if carried from a distant forest; even the gentle sway of the trees seemed to follow the rhythm of an unseen breeze. Tyrus crouched briefly, running his fingers through the lush greenery.


    ¡°This... doesn¡¯t feel fake,¡± he murmured, plucking a blade of grass and smelling it. "It''s like a miniature forest."


    Kylis walked up from behind. ¡°It¡¯s incredible. I¡¯ve seen illusions before, but this? It¡¯s like the room itself believes it¡¯s a forest. There is even a sun hanging in the sky,¡± she said, pointing upward.


    Tyrus followed her gaze, squinting. Sure enough, a faint golden light filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on the ground. He couldn¡¯t see the source directly¡ªit was obscured by the canopy¡ªbut the light felt warm against his skin.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just light,¡± Kylis continued, stepping beside him and tilting her head. ¡°It¡¯s radiating heat, like an actual sun. This room is incredible. The amount of precision in these enchantments is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Extravagant?¡± Igneal interrupted, strolling up behind them. He kicked a patch of grass, his boots scuffing the dirt beneath it. ¡°We get it. It¡¯s fancy. But none of this matters if you¡¯re just going to stand around gawking as if you''ve never seen a forest before. Need I remind you we don''t have all day? How about you show us what you''ve been wanting to test out?"


    Rolling his eyes, Tyrus turned his attention to the center of the room, where the targets stood ready. The humanoid dummies remained motionless, one in front of him, while the others flanked his sides at least ten paces away. Above them, the flying targets darted and weaved between the trees. One glided as slow as a drifting leave, and another dashed through the air with the speed of a startled bird, twisting and diving unpredictably. A third target hovered at an intermediate pace, circling lazily in a wide arc.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "I''ll start with the front dummy," Tyrus said, getting into position.


    He took a deep breath, feeling the mana inside him stir in preparation. Raising his arm in a sort of pushing motion, he shouted "Dual Shot". Two orbs of crackling lightning developed above his outstretched hand, their energy sharp and vibrant. They hovered for only half a second before zipping forward with a sharp crack, leaving faint trails of lightning in their wake. The first bolt struck the center of the humanoid dummy¡¯s glowing core, causing it to flare briefly as it absorbed the impact. The second bolt veered slightly to the left but adjusted mid-flight, hitting the same dummy on its shoulder.


    "Every time I use Dual Shot, it''s only been for my primary affinity: lightning. But as you can see, there is nothing in the spell that shows it''s for... well, lightning. Now, what I want to test out is this."


    Tyrus raised his arm again, but this time, his mind wandered to a different element. He envisioned his Sorcerer Plane; the elements churning within the ethereal space of his mind. He visualized fire¡ªthe threads of mana that made up his Sorcerer Plane seemed to hesitate, resisting the change, but Tyrus pressed on, forcing his will into the spell.


    He pictured the flames taking the place of the crackling lightning, their heat radiating from the orbs that would form. The framework of Dual Shot remained the same, but the element was different¡ªa deliberate alteration that defied the rigid structures he¡¯d been taught.


    ¡°Dual Shot!¡±


    Two fiery orbs materialized, their flickering flames casting erratic shadows underneath the canopy. The heat was immediate, prickling his skin. They hovered for a split second before streaking forward, leaving trails of fire in their wake. The first orb struck the dummy dead center, the flames bursting outward briefly before dissipating. The second orb followed, hitting the dummy in the chest and leaving a faint scorch mark on its surface.


    Tyrus let out a slow breath, lowering his arm. "How is it that the Dual Shot incantation allows me to channel different elements? Instructor Alveria¡¯s lesson said that incantations are rigid¡ªbridges between a sorcerer¡¯s will and a specific elemental force. But if that¡¯s true, why does Dual Shot seem to bypass that rule entirely?"


    When Tyrus turned, he noticed Igneal looked at him with a weird expression while Kylis'' lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes looking elsewhere.


    After a minute of silence, Igneal spoke. "Are you stupid or something?"


    "Huh? What do you mean?"


    Igneal let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing his arms as though the question itself was offensive. "No, you¡¯re just ignorant. Spells and incantations aren¡¯t the same thing for a very specific reason. A spell is the effect¡ªthe magic produced. An incantation is the framework¡ªthe spoken words that shape the spell and make it possible to cast."


    Tyrus opened his mouth to respond, but Igneal barreled on. "Take Dual Shot, for example. It¡¯s an incantation, not a spell in itself. When you say it, you¡¯re activating a framework¡ªlike a mold¡ªthat channels your mana into a specific form. In this case, two projectiles. What those projectiles are made of¡ªlightning, fire, or whatever¡ªthat¡¯s up to your affinity and how you visualize them. The incantation doesn¡¯t care about the element. It just creates the structure."


    Tyrus tilted his head, trying to absorb the explanation. "So you¡¯re saying the incantation isn¡¯t bound to an element, but to its effects?"


    "Correct. Dual Shot is what we call a Fluid Incantation¡ªa blank mold. What you pour into it is up to you. From what Father¡¯s taught me, Fluid Incantations are distinct from Fixed Incantations, like Fireball. Fixed Incantations are tied to a specific element¡ªthere¡¯s no flexibility. Fluid and Fixed Incantations are advanced topics, taught in the later masteries. Clearly, you¡¯re not there yet."


    Tyrus stared blankly at the sky, the weight of this new information pressing down on him. Fluid Incantations? Fixed Incantations? He¡¯d never heard of these terms before. Sorcery was already complex, with its myriad rules and exceptions, and now he was learning that it went even deeper. If Fluid Incantations existed, what about silent casting? Did that fall under the same category?


    No, he realized. Silent casting wasn¡¯t tied to incantations at all. It was a technique¡ªa method to bypass the framework entirely and rely solely on willpower and mana. They might share some creativity, but silent casting and Fluid Incantations were clearly not the same thing.


    His head throbbed. This was too much to process all at once. He couldn''t even imagine what kind of knowledge awaited further down the line. Sticking to silent casting would be much simpler¡ªat least using that technique, he understood it and was more versatile than a rigid incantation system.


    Nevertheless, he could only effectively use that technique on lightning and dark. Fire was still a work in progress, while light was impossible. An incantation was necessary for the elements he had a lesser affinity for, yet the opposite was a different story. There was no need to worry about Fluid and Fixed Incantations for now, as he should stick to what he knew already.


    Tyrus sighed, eyes drifting toward the slow-moving target aimlessly drifting behind the trees. Out of boredom, he raised his arm and shot forth a Lightning Bolt. The mote of energy streaked forward and struck the outer edge of the target, causing it to wobble slightly before resuming its lazy path.


    ¡°Almost missed it,¡± he muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his neck.


    As the room returned to silence, Kylis spoke up. ¡°Tyrus, how about you use Dual Shot for two different elements at the same time?¡±


    Tyrus blinked, turning to her with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Two elements? At the same time?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already proven you can change the element of the projectiles. What¡¯s stopping you from using two different ones together? One orb of lightning and the other, fire, for example. It is a Fluid Incantation, correct? It should allow for it.¡±


    Tyrus opened his mouth to dismiss the idea, but paused. ¡°I¡¯ve never tried. The closest I¡¯ve come is channeling lightning and fire separately¡ªone in each hand. But combining them into the same cast? You really think it¡¯s possible?"


    She didn¡¯t blink. ¡°If I didn¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t have asked. Though whether you can do it remains to be seen.¡±


    Tyrus thought to himself that it wouldn''t hurt to give it a try. He closed his eyes and directed his focus inward, picturing his Sorcerer Plane. Lightning and fire stood together, their flames swirling under his control as they crackled and raced. Within the familiar structure of Dual Shot, he intertwined the threads, commanding one orb to be pure lightning while the other took the form of whirling fire.


    His heart and head pounded in unison as he forced the elements to coexist within the framework. The process was delicate¡ªlightning¡¯s sharp, erratic energy clashed against fire¡¯s wild, consuming nature. Tyrus gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he wove the threads tighter, balancing their differences.


    ¡°Dual Shot,¡± he whispered, releasing the spell.


    Two motes materialized above his palm¡ªone crackling with vibrant lightning, the other trembling with dancing flames. They hovered for a moment, unstable but holding their form. Tyrus took a shaky breath, focusing on keeping them balanced as they pulsed with energy.


    With a sharp motion, he released the motes. The lightning orb streaked toward the leftmost dummy, striking it with a crackling burst. The fire orb followed, slamming into the same target with a fiery explosion.


    "It... It worked!"


    Igneal whistled. "Not bad, I guess, but I cannot see the advantages of using two elements in this particular way, especially when one isn''t your primary affinity. All it does is decrease the power of Dual Shot and increase the chance of error."


    "That''s why we''re experimenting," Tyrus grumbled, wiping his face. "I want to try one final thing before I leave."


    "Be cautious," Kylis warned. "Your face is pale."


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful,¡± he said, though he couldn¡¯t quite keep the excitement from his voice. ¡°I need to know if this will work.¡±


    Tyrus closed his eyes, centering himself as he delved into his Sorcerer Plane. The familiar crackle of lightning surged forward immediately, its sharp energy eager to be unleashed. He turned his focus to light, the radiant threads glowing faintly at the edges of his consciousness.


    The contrast was stark. Lightning surged and snapped with chaotic force, while light was steady. Tyrus pulled on both, weaving their threads together within the framework of Dual Shot. The process was agonizingly difficult, the energies clashing violently as he tried to force them into coexistence. It was like trying to force water and oil to mix¡ªthey resisted at every turn, pushing back against his will. His heart beat as fast as a drum, and his skin glistened with a sheen of sweat.


    His hands trembled, his breathing growing heavier by the second. A dull pain throbbed in his temples, but he fought through it, pushing on. The threads of lightning lashed out wildly, destabilizing the framework, while light¡¯s precision faltered, its energy flickering erratically. Tyrus felt the familiar hum of mana vibrating through his body, but this time it wasn¡¯t a steady flow¡ªit was turbulent, on the verge of collapse. Something or someone was telling him to stop, but it was nothing more than an echo.


    ¡°Dual Shot,¡± he whispered, forcing the incantation through clenched teeth.


    Two motes appeared above his palm¡ªone crackling with jagged arcs of lightning, the other glowing with a soft, radiant brilliance. For a brief, shining moment, they hovered in the air, unstable but holding their form. Yet as another second passed, the spell disappeared.


    A searing pain tore through his body, like molten fire coursing through his veins. Tyrus cried out, collapsing to his knees. He gagged and sputtered, back arching from the fit. With a shaky hand, he looked; warm crimson smeared across his palm.

 Chapter 165- New Management

    Nessa paced around the upper floor of the Black Grit, her boots clicking softly against the wooden planks. "Lithy, Sal, would it be better to let them simmer in their own fear for a while, or should I make my intentions crystal clear from the start?"


    Afloat and drifting, Lithero cast a glance towards the struggling, bound criminals. "Talk about extreme, master! These humans look to be on the verge of excreting their pants. Fear is definitely working."


    Salph, the air spirit, scrunched her nose in disgust. She had been holding it the entire time, clearly bothered by the lingering acrid smoke from the cigars that hung heavy in the air. "This stench is vile," she muttered, raising her tiny arm and summoning a flurry of wind.


    The gust swept through the room, dissipating the smoke and leaving the air clearer, though there was still the linger of the unpleasant odor. "Master, I think it is best to unveil your intentions quickly before the others downstairs catch wind of the situation."


    "That won''t be a problem," Nessa said, jumping on top of the table. She kicked away a few chips and cards. "Before long, every criminal here will be under my orders. Isn''t that right, Sic?"


    The thick restrains around Sic''s mouth disappeared once Lithero removed them. The man took a few deep breaths and swallowed. "R-Royal Knight Nessa!" he sputtered, his voice as slick as a wet stone. "It is an honor to be graced by your presence, truly! But this... intrusion is unnecessary. I swear on Yutar''s good name I have no quarrel with the crown!"


    Nessa crouched, bringing herself eye-to-eye with Sic. "Swearing on the name of a mischievous god seems kind of idiotic, no? And you say you have no quarrel with the crown? Let me ask you something, Sic: why have I been hearing whispers of your cozy arrangement with a certain shadowy benefactor named Scourge?"


    His face blanched, his attempt to maintain composure crumbling. "I-I don¡¯t know what you mean. There is no such thing as Scourge. Perhaps you have been misled?"


    "How did you come to overthrow Horoh, then? Knowing him, it is not easy to unseat a man like Horoh. He ruled this place with an iron grip, ensuring some stability. Completely getting rid of crime all over is the same as capturing the sun in the palm of your hands. So, Horoh was left to his own devices, as killing him would sprout another upstart. And yet, here you are, Sic, sitting in his chair, and you tell me you had nothing to do with his disappearance?"


    Sic was quiet, eyes wandering elsewhere. His refusal to answer was incriminating, and his response to the name "Scourge" confirmed his familiarity with it. Even the Imperial Court knew nothing of Scourge until recently, yet this man here flinched at the very mention.


    Did he truly have no connections with Scourge, or was he too afraid to reveal the truth? Nessa¡¯s eyes narrowed as she studied Sic¡¯s trembling form. His silence spoke louder than any denial ever could.


    "You¡¯re scared," Nessa said, her voice low and sharp. "Terrified, even. That much is obvious. But what I can¡¯t decide is whether you¡¯re afraid of me or of Scourge. Or maybe both?" She leaned in closer, her piercing gaze locking onto his. "Tell me, Sic¡ªwhat¡¯s worse? Facing me right now, or the shadow you¡¯ve tied yourself to?"


    Sic¡¯s jaw clenched, his throat working as if he were trying to find the words, but none came. His eyes darted nervously to the men bound alongside him, then back to Nessa.


    Lithero, perched on her shoulder, chimed in with a smirk. "He¡¯s sweating more than a thief caught in the act, master. I bet he knows plenty but doesn¡¯t want to be the one to break the dam."


    Salph, hovering nearby, crossed her arms. "Maybe we should help him find his courage. A breeze to jog his memory?" She flicked her fingers, sending a faint gust of air past Sic¡¯s cheek, ruffling his hair. A small gash on the side of his head oozed fresh blood.


    "Easy, Sal," Nessa said, holding up a hand. "Let¡¯s give him a chance to save himself before we get creative. I mean, I would hate to bring out a few other spirits; a black slime capable of melting flesh and bones or an ember wraith lighting you on fire while you¡¯re still alive... well, those aren¡¯t very pleasant ways to spend the evening, are they, Sic?"


    "I¡ªI¡¯m just a middleman. I don¡¯t have the answers you¡¯re looking for!"


    "Middlemen always know more than they think," Nessa said. "The trick is squeezing it out of them before they realize just how valuable their lives are."


    Lithero snickered. "I like the way you put that, master. Middlemen are like plums¡ªyou just have to press hard enough to see what juice spills out."


    Salph spun her hand in the air, conjuring another faint breeze that tousled Sic¡¯s hair. "And if the juice is bitter? Well, we can always discard the fruit."


    "All right! All right, I¡¯ll talk!" he croaked, eyes wild. "But you have to promise¡ªpromise you¡¯ll protect me! If they find out I told you anything, I¡¯m as good as dead!"


    Nessa¡¯s lips curled into a wintry smile. "The thought of protecting a criminal makes me gag, but this is a matter important to His Majesty, so I will not kill you unless it becomes necessary. As long as you don''t double-cross me, I won''t be forced to bring out any more spirits."


    Sic nodded profusely. "Scourge isn¡¯t just one person¡ªit¡¯s a network. They operate in the shadows, pulling strings, making deals, and eliminating anyone who gets in their way. They¡¯ve got spies, smugglers, mercenaries... even some of the city guards are in their pocket."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "And who''s at the top of Scourge?"


    "I don¡¯t know!" Sic said quickly. "I¡¯ve never met them! They don¡¯t show their faces¡ªthey communicate through messengers, people who disappear as quickly as they come or through special communication tools whose mana traces are untraceable!"


    Finding clues on Scourge was already proving fruitless, so the news of them leaving no trace wasn''t exactly groundbreaking. But, for them to own communication tools is indeed informative. That meant that Scourge truly possessed the resources to obtain highly advanced magical or technological artifacts, possibly ones designed specifically to evade detection. Such tools weren¡¯t common¡ªeven within the Imperial Court¡¯s arsenal¡ªand their existence only confirmed how deep Scourge¡¯s pockets ran.


    Furthermore, among them was a Conjuration Sorcerer, who, according to the children, could create invocation amulets and elemental stones. Not just any Conjuration Sorcerer had the skills to craft such objects. That level of expertise was rare, even among the most skilled Conjuration Sorcerers in the empire. Whoever they had working for them wasn¡¯t just talented¡ªthey were exceptional, possibly operating outside the boundaries of imperial regulation.


    "What is your part in all of this?" Nessa asked. "Why is Scourge doing business with you in Naula?"


    Sic''s jaw tightened at the sudden question. "I... We of the Black Grit were forced to resume our previous operations years ago¡ª"


    Nessa stood up straight. "Resume previous operations? You mean kidnapping and selling off orphans?"


    "I... we have no choice! They gave the orders, and we had to comply, or else¡ª"


    In one quick motion, Nessa raised her leg and lunged at Sic. The man yelped and slid his body to the side, watching as her foot struck the spot next to him with a resounding crack. She leaned forward; her face a hairbreadth away from his nose.


    "Don''t give me that nonsense, you limp dick pile of shit," she growled. "Do you think I''m stupid? You happily agreed to their terms. Why else are you up here, chatting away and smoking as if you struck gold? You''ve been dying to overthrow Horoh and snatch your seat at the head of the Black Grit, haven¡¯t you?"


    "Limp dick?" Lithero repeated. "What''s that?"


    Salph shrugged. "If I am not mistaken, it is a type of food. Or perhaps a form of weapon."


    Sic¡¯s face turned ashen, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. He shrank back against the bindings, his eyes wide with terror. "No, I swear! I didn¡¯t¡ª"


    "Save it," Nessa snapped, cutting him off. "You¡¯re no victim here, Sic. You saw an opportunity, and you took it. But instead of running a ''clean'' operation, you doubled down on the filth Horoh was barely keeping in check. You sold out this city to Scourge and turned your back on every last innocent person you swore to protect under Naula¡¯s unspoken code of survival. So don¡¯t waste my time pretending you¡¯re some hapless pawn."


    "They came with threats¡ªones I couldn¡¯t ignore," Sic continued. "Do you know what it¡¯s like to watch your men get dragged away into the shadows, only to return as husks? To see creatures that defy reason within your nightmares, just waiting for you to slip up?"


    "As if I care," Nessa said, retracting her foot. "From now on, you and everyone else in the Black Grit answer to me. You said you were ordered to resume operations, correct? That means sooner or later you''ll have to meet up with these messengers you speak of. When and where are they supposed to contact you next?"


    "I don¡¯t know the exact time. They don¡¯t give schedules. They just... show up. Usually, after a shipment is ready to move. They keep it unpredictable to avoid being tracked. The deals take place east of Naula, at the front of the Crossroads. We''re supposed to bring a carriage with a cage of the goods and they take it off their hands and hands us sacks of sil as a reward."


    "The Crossroads? A fitting place, I supposed. Flanked by dense trees and a good distance away from cities makes it a brilliant spot to conduct dealings."


    "I didn¡¯t make the arrangements! It¡¯s just how they want it. The messengers don¡¯t like staying in one place for too long. They always move quickly."


    "Of course they do," Nessa said, crossing her arms. "They wouldn¡¯t be Scourge¡¯s messengers if they weren¡¯t slippery. Also, it¡¯s going to be your chance to prove you¡¯re not completely useless."


    Sic¡¯s face paled further. "What... what do you mean?"


    "I mean, you¡¯re going to help me intercept this little exchange," Nessa said, leaning closer. "You¡¯ll play along, like nothing¡¯s changed. Deliver the shipment, collect the sil, and keep those messengers talking for as long as you can. Meanwhile, I¡¯ll be watching from the shadows, gathering everything I need to unravel Scourge¡¯s operation."


    Sic¡¯s breath hitched, his body trembling. "But... if they even suspect something¡¯s off, they¡¯ll kill me!"


    "Then I suggest you don¡¯t give them a reason to," Nessa said coolly. "Play your part, and you might just walk away from this with your life. Give them any inclination that I''m listening, and I''ll make sure to summon a spirit to gouge your eyes out and rip your tongue out while you''re still screaming."


    Sic nodded profusely, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay... okay. I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll do whatever you say."


    "Good. We¡¯ll prepare for the Crossroads meeting. You¡¯ll give me every detail about how these deals work¡ªhow many messengers, how they approach, and what they expect."


    "That won''t be a problem at all, Royal Knight Nessa!"


    Nessa hopped off the table and nodded toward the spirits. Lithero understood immediately and released the bindings that held everyone down. As soon as the stone was lifted, everyone took in deep breaths, rubbing their red wrists and mouths. A few seconds later, Salph released another gust that stretched across the room, touching everybody.


    "This doesn''t apply only to Sic," Nessa said, eyeing the rest. "Sal here has marked every single one of you with a spell that will suck the air out of your lungs if you betray me. If you want to test your luck, be my guest. That just means one less scum roams these streets."


    The men stared at her in a mixture of fear and grudging respect, their trembling hands falling away from their wrists as they realized the gravity of the situation.


    Lithero clapped his small hands together, his mischievous grin belying the threat in his tone. "You heard the boss. Any funny business, and Salph gets to have her fun. I¡¯d hate to see what a vacuum of air feels like, but hey, maybe one of you will be brave¡ªor dumb¡ªenough to find out."


    "Sic, gather every member of Black Grit to the front of the building. My words aren''t just for the few of you in this room¡ªthey''re for everyone under your command. I don¡¯t care if they¡¯re out on jobs or hiding in the shadows. Drag them back here. Now."


    Though Sic paused momentarily, Nessa''s icy gaze brooked no dissent. He nodded quickly, wiping sweat from his brow. "Y-yes, Royal Knight Nessa. I¡¯ll have them here immediately."


    "You have one hour," Nessa said, as she signaled toward the ceiling. Lithero opened up a hole while Salph conjured forth a wind that sent her soaring upward. Nessa landed lightly on the roof of the Black Grit, her cloak billowing behind her as she surveyed the dark streets of Naula below.

 Chapter 166- Schemes

    Once the coast was clear, Nessa let out a long sigh and slouched. "Phew... Glad that''s over! Keeping appearances can be exhausting. Acting all professional is not something I''m used to. But it seems like they bought it, so it wasn''t a total loss."


    Lithero floated up to her shoulder. "You were terrifying back there, master. I think you might¡¯ve shaved a few years off Sic¡¯s life just by looking at him."


    "Good," Nessa replied with a faint smirk. "Fear keeps people in line. It¡¯s not my favorite method, but it works when dealing with scum like them."


    The earth spirit then turned to Salph. "Yeah, especially when Salph used a spell to keep them in check. I never knew you had the strength to cast something so intimidating and widespread!"


    Salph and Nessa shared a glance, and they both sighed.


    "Lithy, Sal cast nothing on them. That was just a ruse to keep them in line," Nessa explained, shaking her head. "The fear of what might happen is often more effective than any actual spell. They don¡¯t know the difference, and I¡¯m not about to correct them. The unblessed are absolutely terrified of sorcerers simply because they don¡¯t understand how we work. To them, the idea that Sal could steal the air from their lungs with a snap of her fingers is just as believable as her actually doing it. Fear of the unknown is a powerful tool."


    Salph nodded. "It is less effort this way. Why waste my energy on a spell when I can let their imaginations do all the work for me?"


    Lithero let out an exaggerated groan, throwing his arms into the air. "You two are way too good at this. Here I was, thinking I¡¯d just witnessed some high-level magic, and it turns out it was all just pretend! Now I feel stupid for being the only one who believed it."


    "Incorrect. You and Black Grit are the only ones who believe it," Salph reminded.


    "Even so, I fell for it. That¡¯s embarrassing enough. You could¡¯ve given me a heads-up, you know!"


    Nessa smirked, grabbing a palm sized emerald and a small vial out of her storage device and handing it over to Lithero. "Where¡¯s the fun in that, Lithy? Watching you look so impressed was the highlight of my night."


    Lithero¡¯s eyes widened as he accepted the emerald, his glow intensifying with delight. "A bribe to soothe my wounded pride? I accept, master. You truly are too kind!"


    The spirit opened his mouth wide and bit into the gemstone as if it were an apple. A loud crunch echoed through the night as Lithero¡¯s teeth sank into the emerald, tiny shards of glowing green splintering off before dissolving into faint wisps of light. His glow brightened further, casting a soft radiance across Nessa and Salph.


    "Ahh, refreshing," Lithero said with a satisfied sigh, wiping his tiny hands on his leafy dress. "Nothing like a quality gem to recharge the old mana reserves. Thanks, master!"


    Nessa smiled and uncorked the vial sloshing with a warm yellow color and gestured at Salph. The spirit floated toward the vial and allowed Nessa to pour the entire bottle. With a wave of her hand, Salph conjured a wind and suspended the golden liquid mid-air. Slowly, she drank the concoction until nothing remained.


    "I''ll need you two to return to the Sorcerer Plane at the moment," Nessa said, storing the empty vial. "I''ll hold things down here while you two and I recharge."


    "No problem at all, master!" Lithero said with a thumbs up.


    "As you wish," Salph added, nodding.


    In a flash, both spirits condensed into balls of light and were whisked into Nessa''s chest, melting into her skin until there was darkness. Her chest felt warm briefly, and the constant drain upon her beating mana heart noticeably stopped. She could already feel her reservior replenishing now that the two spirits were gone.


    For Conjuration Sorcerer''s, there was a constant drain to their mana hearts whenever a spirit was summoned out of the Sorcerer Plane. That was because their spirits existed as extensions of their own magical energy, tethered to the Sorcerer Plane but sustained in the mortal realm by the conjurer¡¯s mana. The longer a spirit remained outside, the more mana it consumed, and while this was manageable for short durations, extended summonings could leave a conjurer dangerously depleted.


    Whenever a spirit used magic, the strain on the conjurer¡¯s mana heart increased exponentially. This was because a spirit''s spells didn''t draw from their own independent reserve¡ªthey pulled directly from the conjurer''s mana pool. The more powerful or complex the spell, the greater the toll.


    The same could be said for the kind of spirit summoned. There were an array of factors that came into play, such as the spirits element, tier, and bond. The longer a sorcerer worked with a spirit, the more attuned they became to each other¡¯s energies. A well-trained bond could slightly lessen the drain, allowing for more efficient mana usage and even enabling some advanced conjurers to channel their spirits¡¯ magic without suffering as much strain.


    Regarding tiers, spirits were classified into tiers based on their strength, complexity, and magical potency. Tier one spirits, like Lithero and Salph, required minimal energy to maintain and could be kept summoned for long periods. Tier two and three spirits demanded a noticeable drain, particularly when casting spells.


    And tier four and five, sometimes called greater Honored Spirits, were incredibly rare and powerful, consuming vast amounts of mana even in a dormant state. Setting up a contract or even controlling Honored Spirits were akin to taming dragons: impossible to most. Only two Conjuration Sorcerers were able to achieve such a feat, yet to say that they controlled them was far-fetched given that they died right after summoning them. At least, that is what historical texts have stated which every Conjuration Sorcerer are forced to read during their basic studies.


    "I would love to foster a bond with Honored Spirits if it weren''t for the fact that there''s a one-hundred percent death rate. Regretable as it might be, but I think I''ll stick with what I have. The cuties I have a contract with right now are more than enough."


    Whistling, Nessa pulled out a magical tool¡ªa communication device small enough to fit on top of her palm¡ªfrom her amulet. She inched closer and whispered "Captain Kalavan" while also inputting a miniscule of mana into the device. It shook slightly, and the exterior glowed white. Following shortly after, a screen that was both translucent and white appeared above the item. After about three seconds have passed, the face of a rugged man appeared, his sleek, long hair tied into a loose-hanging tail.


    Captain Kalavan''s brows scrunched together upon seeing Nessa''s face. "Nessa... If you''re calling me right now, that means you''ve learned something about your investigation."


    Nessa saluted, even if it wasn''t necessary. "Captain Kalavan, you''re looking sharp as always. You''d be a heartthrob if you smiled more; ditch the scowl."


    Kalavan¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Nessa.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll keep the flattery to a minimum. But yes, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ve got something.¡± She leaned in, lowering her voice slightly. ¡°That lead we were chasing? Turns out it wasn¡¯t a total dead end. I managed to ¡®convince¡¯ a certain someone to talk, and now I¡¯ve got a location.¡±


    Kalavan¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but the way his fingers drummed against the edge of the screen betrayed his interest. ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a shipment moving through Naula. Not just any shipment, either¡ªorphans and anyone that wouldn''t be missed. Scourge and the Black Grit made a deal to exchange these missing persons for cash. They''ll be enacting this exchange at the Crossroads. I''ll be intercepting the meeting while hiding in the shadows, learning anything I can about Scourge. I don''t know how long it''ll take; these messengers don''t have a set schedule."


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    There was a pause on the other end of the connection. There was even a bit of groaning happening in the background. Judging by the tone of voice, it belonged to a man, and he was probably hurt or something similar. The captain was probably in the middle of his own interrogation.


    Where was Captain Kalavan anyway? He hadn''t told the rest of the Royal Knights what he''d been doing after his search for Doyle ended months ago. While it took a while, the captain captured Doyle far south of the capital. There, he was in a remote village with a carriage full of coin and personal possessions. That man was trying to disappear, but Kalavan caught up to him before he could vanish completely. Doyle had been living under an assumed name, blending in with the locals, but the captain wasn¡¯t one to let his prey slip away.


    When Captain Kalavan found him, Doyle had been prepared¡ªhired muscle, a few layers of magical wards, and an escape route. But none of it was enough. The captain broke through his defenses, took down his guards, and left the so-called noble bleeding in the dirt. After that, Doyle was forced back to the capital and tossed into a cellar where he would be punished for his crimes.


    Nessa wondered if the captain regretted not killing him outright. Doyle was rotting in a prison cell now, but his connections still ran deep. Some nobles thought it was only a matter of time before he bought his way out. Those were foolish thoughts to have, given that the Imperial Court cannot be bribed whatsoever.


    She refocused as Kalavan finally spoke again, stroking his chin.


    "If what you say is true, then what is Scourge''s true purpose? Setting up an activation rune in some warehouse and spreading corrupted mana in the Wasteful Wetlands can be correlated to causing mayhem for whatever reason, but stealing orphans? What purpose does that serve?"


    Nessa thought about it for a moment. "Maybe to increase their ranks? Orphans can be recruited and brainwashed quite easily to achieve whatever nefarious plot they''re planning."


    "But is it that simple?" the captain mumbled. "If they needed more manpower, there are easier ways to recruit. Mercenaries, deserters, criminals¡ªpeople willing to sell their loyalty for coin. But targeting orphans and the forgotten? That feels more deliberate."


    "You''re right. There has to be another reason. Maybe they''re looking for something specific. Orphans wouldn¡¯t be missed, yeah, but that also means no one would ask questions if they vanished. It¡¯s the perfect cover for¡­ well, anything."


    Another silence ensued between the two. It was difficult coming up with any other possibilities without further information. The pieces didn¡¯t quite fit together yet. What did spreading corrupted mana and kidnapping have in common? The former alongside the warehouse incident in Valis can be seen as Scourge trying to do something to the environment and causing trouble for the empire, but kidnapping innocent people? There had to be a deeper reason for it. Whatever sick reason they''ve thought of, Scourge were a detestable bunch, nonetheless.


    Kalavan exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple as he considered the implications. "We need more information. Right now, we¡¯re chasing shadows, and Scourge is one step ahead. So far, they''ve scrubbed any trace potentially left behind."


    "I¡¯ll find out soon enough," Nessa said. "Once I get to the Crossroads, I¡¯ll stick to the shadows and see who¡¯s pulling the strings. If I can grab one of their messengers, I¡¯ll make them talk."


    Kalavan''s expression darkened. "Just don¡¯t be reckless. We can¡¯t afford to lose you, not when we¡¯ve finally caught another lead."


    Nessa smirked. "Oh, you do care."


    He didn¡¯t rise to the bait. Instead, he nodded sharply. "Keep me updated. The moment you learn something concrete, you report back. Understood?"


    "Crystal clear, Captain," she said, giving a mock salute. With that, the screen flickered off, and she was left alone with her thoughts. She turned her gaze toward the sky above.


    The stars were few and dull, while the moon was just a crescent. In some cultures, a crescent moon symbolized the coming of a new season, new beginnings of some kind. It also signified the time where a person grew from what they were before. Whether those new beginnings were good or bad for the unforeseeable future was to be determined.


    But, from the sudden development that the Lethos Empire has recently undergone, the future that was once a golden ray of sunshine had dark splotches, which were ominous clouds of uncertainty. It was the Royal Knights of Lethos'' sworn duty to vanquish¡ªclean what may ruin a perfect tapestry. To remove scum from the empire before rot set in too deep.


    A gust of wind sent a chill through her coat, snapping her from her thoughts. Below the Black Grit building, a group of men spilled out from the front entrance. Like ants, they separated, entering the winding alleys, disappearing into the shadows of the city.


    Nessa watched as the last of Sic¡¯s men vanished into the alleys of Naula, their hurried steps lost in the night. She exhaled, rubbing the bridge of her nose. The hard part was over¡ªat least for now. Sic had taken the bait, and soon, she would have her eyes on Scourge¡¯s messengers. Word of Black Grit¡¯s new management may spread quickly to other factions that may be present.


    When making the threat to Sic, Nessa had to sell her demonstration. To instill enough fear for Sic and his cronies to forgo any thought of escaping Naula or outright defying her. The unblessed¡ªthose who do not carry the blessing of Sthito¡ªwere terribly afraid of a sorcerer''s power.


    In the perception of many, sorcerers held a position of untouchability and superiority. Some feared them, others revere them, but all understood that defying one often led to ruin. Nessa knew how to exploit that belief, weaving half-truths and veiled threats to maintain control without wasting unnecessary energy. Let their ignorance think she had marked them with a death spell¡ªfear alone would keep them in line far better than constant surveillance.


    Still, she couldn''t rely solely on intimidation. The moment they sensed weakness, they would turn on her. To preempt any opportunistic attempts, however unsuccessful, she had to consolidate her hold on Black Grit.


    While she waited for Black Grit to be rounded up, Nessa stayed on the rooftop, surveying as she regained her mana. Because of Lithero and Salph, her mana heart''s capacity decreased by twenty percent throughout their summoning. A spirit''s capability of using magic came directly from their summoners'' reservoir, and their spells would consume whatever mana was available. So, in the meantime, resting was imperative.


    ***


    Sic gnawed at his fingernails, his nerves fraying with each passing second. The first floor of the Black Grit building reeked of sweat, fear, and stale liquor, but he barely noticed. His mind was occupied with the storm Nessa had unleashed upon him and his men. Black Grit had always operated away from the Royal Knights'' eyes, its survival dependent on subtlety. Now, a damn Royal Knight had waltzed in and upended everything in a single night.


    He stole a glance at the crowd of men gathered around him. Some were pacing, others muttered to themselves, plotting their own escape routes or, more likely, weighing the benefits of betraying him. The threat of Nessa¡¯s supposed spell still hung over the few present during her intrusion, but fear had a way of fading when desperation took hold.


    "We can¡¯t just sit here and wait for her to pull the strings," one of his lieutenants, Jor, hissed. His scarred knuckles clenched into fists. "We¡¯re not her lackeys!"


    Sic wiped the sweat from his brow. "What choice do we have? You saw what she did, what she¡¯s capable of. And you heard her spirits¡ªif she¡¯s telling the truth, then one wrong move means we suffocate before we can even think of running."


    "And if she¡¯s lying? If it¡¯s all a bluff?"


    Sic hesitated. He wanted to believe it was all for show, but that tiny woman was using fear as her weapon alongside those wicked powers of hers. But he had seen enough sorcerers in his time to know better. Even if she hadn¡¯t cast a spell yet, she could. And if she did, it would be the end of them.


    There were no sorcerers in his ranks that were in Naula currently, as they were stationed in nearby towns and cities. It would take three days at most to round them up all up in Naula and possibly retaliate against the Royal Knight. Even then, they were Apprentice Sorcerers, and their numbers could be counted on one hand. Against a singular Royal Knight, those men would be nothing more than a brief annoyance.


    Three days was an eternity when dealing with someone from the capital. If she tightened her grip any further before he could organize a counter, it wouldn¡¯t matter how many sorcerers he had. He needed time, but time was the one thing he didn¡¯t have. It took only three months to regain his rightful position as the leader of Black Grit for cracks to appear. Cracks left alone turn into chasms that cannot be crossed.


    "We play along," Sic finally said, his voice steadying. "For now."


    Jor''s eyes darkened with resentment, but he nodded. "And then?"


    Sic took a slow breath. "Then we find a way to turn this to our advantage. We learn what we can about her, about her weaknesses. She thinks she has us caged. Maybe, just maybe, we can be the ones to set the trap. We will follow her whims, take our time, and strike at the most opportune time. The death of a Royal Knight by our hands would surely boost our name across the land. And besides..."


    He leaned over, whispering. "I heard Scourge has an opening lined up as a faction leader to replace that dumbass Sezor. Apparently, he had been felled at the hands of the Royal Knights. He was in charge of Valiedge and the settlements closest to the eastern front. That position is ours if we play this right."


    "And you think Scourge will just hand it to us?"


    "Not if we ask. But if we prove ourselves? If we show them we can take down a Royal Knight? They¡¯ll have no choice but to acknowledge us. That''s why we will wait. Patience rewards those who seize their opportunity. We will talk more about the plot later. Dont mention this to anyone, even to the intruder. Keep your mouth shut if she were to threaten you. I''ll reward you handsomely once I become a faction leader. Our smuggling operations would increase drastically, meaning we''ll have dens of sil to use at our leisure."


    Jor grinned at the promise of riches. Both men sneered at the thought of claiming a seat in Scourge. Sic was given a glimpse of the organization''s capabilities, and he was shocked that such a powerful group had gone unheard of for years. What he had seen, although small, was enough to convince him that no matter what, getting on their good side was the only path forward. For now, they would bide their time. But when the moment came, they would strike. It was through Yutar''s will that Scourge approached first that a favorable outcome had arisen.


    Their snickering stopped when the Royal Knight burst in with her two spirits.

 Chapter 167- Schemes (2)

    The first floor of the Black Grit building basically served as the run-of-the-mill tavern. Tables and chairs were scattered, some still bearing the remnants of half-eaten meals and overturned mugs. Men, both standing and sat, turned to her, conversations stilled. She met their stares head-on, daring anyone to challenge her presence. None did. At least, not yet.


    She walked with slow, deliberate steps to the bar, where a burly man with a scar running from his temple to his jaw was cleaning a glass with a white rag. He grunted as she approached, but didn¡¯t avert his gaze. Good. That meant he wasn¡¯t entirely spineless.


    Sic and some other man were off to the side, speaking in hushed tones. Their discussion came to an abrupt halt the moment they noticed her staring. Sic¡¯s eyes darkened with something between resentment and calculation. Still, he approached her nonetheless.


    "I have gathered everyone here as you have asked," he said through clenched teeth.


    Nessa swiveled around, counting the heads present. There were about thirty-eight all around, and not one of them possessed a mana heart. A room full of unblessed, unable to retaliate, unable to fight back should she decide to purge them right here. The weight of her presence alone kept them subdued, wary, and watching her every move.


    Nessa snapped her fingers. Suddenly, the ground beneath her trembled. A spire of rock lurched upward, sending her a few feet off the ground. Gasps and murmurs filled the room as the men recoiled, some instinctively reaching for weapons they knew would be useless.


    Standing atop the newly formed pillar, she looked down at them all. Was this how His Majesty felt whenever he sat upon his throne, staring down at those who sought an audience with him? It was almost intoxicating. All that was missing was a throne to sit on and she''d be considered the Monarch of Scum.


    She placed a hand on her hip and grinned. "Now, now, don¡¯t look so scared. I¡¯m not here to smite you¡­ yet." She wiggled her fingers dramatically. "But I do like to keep my options open."


    A few men shifted nervously, while others remained frozen in place, their wide eyes locked onto her. She sighed theatrically. "Come on, lighten up! If I wanted you dead, do you really think I¡¯d go through all this trouble? I¡¯d just¡ª" She clapped her hands together loudly, making several men flinch. "¡ªsquash you like that. But that would be boring, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    Sic scowled. "Get to the point."


    Nessa pouted. "Straight to business, huh? No one here knows how to have fun." She rested her chin on her hand as if considering. "Well, for starters, I want you to stop looking at me like I¡¯m about to eat you. I much prefer adoration over fear. But fear will do for now."


    "We get it. You¡¯re powerful. Just tell us what you want."


    "Fine, fine, since you¡¯re so eager. You work for me now. Easy enough, right?"


    "And if we refuse?"


    She gasped, placing a hand over her heart. "Refuse? After all the fun we¡¯ve had? That would just break my heart. You wound me, Sic!"


    "Bah, this playful act of yours is getting old," Sic muttered, his frustration slipping through. "We all know who and what you really are, Royal Knight Nessa. One of Emperor Johan''s many lapdogs. Does your master know one of his own is making deals underneath his nose? What would the masses think of one of their precious protectors dealing with the likes of ours?"


    Nessa tilted her head. "Well, that''s none of your business now is it? His Majesty is perfectly aware of my location and what I am up to. For the masses, if you''re thinking about spreading rumors about this, then by all means, go ahead. Not like anyone will believe criminals over us. And also, you seem to be under a misconception."


    She spread her arms wide, as if she was about to bask in the rays of the sun. "Your words earlier lead me to believe that you are most likely not the only one Scourge has interacted with. You are one of many groups tasked with delivering orphans to these messengers you speak of. That means you are dispensable, and I will ensure you understand just how insignificant you are in the grand scheme of things."


    The tension in the room thickened, suffocating. Sic¡¯s face twisted in anger, but deep beneath it, she saw the flicker of realization. He knew she was right.


    "Now, are we going to continue this little charade of acting tough in front of your buddies, or will you accept your new reality?"


    Sic¡¯s jaw tightened, and for a moment, he seemed ready to snap back with another sharp remark. But the weight of Nessa¡¯s words settled over him like an iron chain. He exhaled sharply through his nose, lowering his head just slightly.


    Nessa¡¯s grin widened. "See? That wasn¡¯t so hard, was it? I knew you¡¯d come around. And don¡¯t worry, Sic, you¡¯ll find that working for me can be quite... rewarding." She turned toward the rest of the men in the room, her playful expression never faltering. "As for the rest of you, get used to my face. You¡¯re mine now. Follow orders, and you¡¯ll prosper. Step out of line..." She gestured at the spirits hovering around her.


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    The men muttered among themselves, still stiff with hostility. Fear still clung to them, but beneath it, she could sense something else¡ªreluctant acceptance. If their leader accepted Nessa''s command, then so would they. There was no choice, after all.


    After a brief silence, Nessa spoke again. "Sic, be a gentleman and explain to these men what they should expect moving forward. It¡¯s only fair they know how much fun we¡¯re going to have." Her smirk was laced with amusement, but her eyes gleamed with something far sharper.


    The man slowly turned to face his men. "We follow her orders now," he said begrudgingly. "That means we wait for her command, we listen, and we do what needs to be done. No one acts without her say-so. Understood?"


    A few hesitant nods followed. Nessa clapped her hands together. "Oh, wonderful! I knew we¡¯d all get along so well. Oh, but you forgot one thing. Now that Horoh is gone, I, Royal Knight Nessa, will now reform Black Grit to my liking. That means after your meeting with the messengers, you all will no longer be in the kidnapping business and whatever nefarious schemes you''ve been running."


    Once those last words stirred within their thick skulls, the room fell into an eerie silence. Some men clenched their fists, others exchanged uncertain glances. Nessa waited, tapping her foot against stone in mock impatience.


    "Oh, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re all mourning the loss of your little crime ring already," she cooed. "Come now, change is good for the soul! I promise you¡¯ll grow to love this new arrangement."


    One man next to Sic, muttering under his breath. Nessa¡¯s eyes flicked toward him, her playful expression never faltering. "Oh? Something to share with the class?"


    The man hesitated, but under her unwavering stare, he finally blurted, "And what exactly do you expect us to do instead?"


    "Oh, I¡¯m so glad you asked!" Her grin turned sharp. "From now on, Black Grit will serve a new purpose. You¡¯ll still be useful, but in ways that don¡¯t involve snatching orphans and terrorizing townsfolk. Think of it as... a career shift."


    "You¡¯re all experienced in navigating the underbelly of society, aren¡¯t you? Smuggling, espionage, information gathering? Why waste such talent on petty crime when you could be part of something greater? How does the idea of working for the crown sound? Well, not directly the crown, but for me instead, who is very much a part of the Imperial Court and thus a representative of His Majesty."


    Sic scowled, shaking his head. "And you expect us to believe that? Why would we work for the crown?"


    "I''ll just throw you all in cellars and be done with you," she said matter-of-factly. "Seriously, why are we still having a conversation about this? You have no choice. Either adapt, or rot in the dungeons."


    Silence fell over the room. The weight of her words, the finality of them, left little room for argument. Sic exhaled, glancing at his men. One by one, they nodded. Wary, bitter, but compliant.


    Sic wouldn''t be paying these guys much, so double their current pay was probably more money than they''d ever dreamed of.


    To be perceived as authoritative and powerful, while also being generous, is what His Majesty believes a ruler should embody.


    "Let''s see a show of hands: who''s up for making a quick, ethical profit?"


    Nessa disregarded it for the time being and eagerly rubbed her hands together. "Today, you have made an excellent decision! Henceforth, the Black Grit shall be transformed to serve the empire. Now that we have settled that, we can finally begin the preparations. I am truly intrigued to meet these messengers from Scourge."

 Chapter 168- Schemes (3)

    A day passed since Nessa''s eventful meeting with the Black Grit. She expected a slew of problems to arise during her time at the Black Grit building. Maybe the next day, the ones who agreed to work under her would change their minds and be insane enough to defy her. She half-expected to walk through the front doors and be met with swords and crossbows.


    To counteract against that before any sign of rebellion showed up, she had brought with her a chest ahead of time, which was hidden underneath a street. Thanks to Lithero, hiding it and digging it back up was easy while Salph carried it with her wind. With the chest floating next to her, Nessa burst through the doors and strutted into a full room. Sic and his second-in-command, Jor, were waiting at the front.


    "Good afternoon, my lackeys!" Nessa said. She walked toward the bar counter and stopped. Salph dropped the chest, which made a loud bang that echoed through the room. All eyes fell on her, some wide and others narrow.


    Sic''s eyes landed on the chest. "What''s this?" he asked, his tone guarded.


    Nessa grinned, tapping the top of the chest. "A show of goodwill. Or, if you prefer, a test of loyalty. I promised rewards for those who serve well, and here it is. Go on, open it."


    Sic hesitated before stepping forward. He knelt, undoing the latches, and lifted the lid. A collective inhale filled the room as coins gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the windows. Stacks of sil, more than many of these men had ever seen at once, lay in neat piles.


    Jor let out a low whistle. "That¡¯s... a lot."


    Nessa leaned against the tabletop, watching the reactions unfold. "Consider this an advance payment. Those who stay loyal to me will find their pockets filled. Those who try to betray me... well, let¡¯s just say there won¡¯t be a second chance."


    The air in the room shifted. Greed flickered in the eyes of the men, but so did understanding. They had made their choice yesterday, but now, it was solidified.


    Sic exhaled sharply and shut the chest. "Fine. We follow your orders. What¡¯s next?"


    Nessa¡¯s smirk widened. "We move on to the real reason I¡¯m here. I need information about the messengers of Scourge¡ªhow you pick orphans, where the handoff happens, and how they operate. And I need it now."


    "Then let¡¯s talk. But you won¡¯t like what you hear."


    "I rarely do."


    Sic stood up and whispered in Jor''s ear. "Keep an eye on the men and make sure no one takes a single coin out of this chest."


    Jor nodded, his eyes scanning the room. Once satisfied, Sic and Nessa moved to a more private part of the hideout, or the upstairs, where she broke in from. After Nessa instructed Salph and Lithero to keep watch with Jor, they walked up the steps, the wooden boards creaking under their feet.


    A single window sat in the hallway''s corner, providing a sliver of the street outside. Nessa peered down as she ascended the stairs, noting the lack of onlookers around the Black Grit building. Just rows of cracked brick homes that had seen better days. The alley was silent save for the soft caws of beady-eyed birds settled on the rooftops.


    Upon reaching the top floor and entered through the arched door, Nessa made her way to the head chair and sat while Sic closed the door behind them and skulked to a seat two spots away.


    Sic sat down heavily, rubbing a hand across his face. "We don¡¯t get to choose which orphans get sent. Not really. The messengers leave us a note, listing the number of bodies they need. Sometimes it¡¯s five, sometimes it¡¯s ten. We find ones that won¡¯t be missed and bring them to the meeting spot. That¡¯s it."


    Nessa frowned. "And the meeting?"


    "The Crossroads¡ªalways the same spot. Just underneath two trees that intersect like a V. The message tells us where to go, and we drop them off. We never see who picks them up. Sometimes it¡¯s a wagon, other times just a shadow disappearing into the night."


    "And you never asked questions?" Nessa¡¯s voice was sharp with disbelief.


    "You think we had a choice? The last guy who asked too many questions ended up hanging from a bridge with his insides spilled out. We do what we¡¯re told and keep our heads down."


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Nessa clicked her tongue in irritation. This confirmed her suspicions¡ªScourge was organized, methodical. They weren¡¯t just kidnapping for ransom or slave labor. There was something bigger at play.


    "The next time they ask for bodies," she said finally, "we¡¯re giving them something different."


    Sic stiffened. "What do you mean?"


    "Instead of orphans, we use your men. We set a trap, catch these messengers, and find out who¡¯s behind this."


    The man scoffed. "You think they¡¯ll fall for that? They¡¯re not stupid."


    Nessa turned her sharp gaze on him. "And neither am I. We make it convincing. We¡¯ll prepare a carriage, cage some of your men inside, drape it to conceal what¡¯s inside. When the messengers come, we¡¯ll be ready."


    "You¡¯re asking us to put our necks on the line."


    "I already own those necks, Sic. The only choice you have is how long you want to keep them."


    A long silence stretched between them before Sic finally sighed. "Fine. But if this goes sideways, it¡¯s on your head. Don''t be alarmed if some of my men were to flee at the first sign of trouble. Those messengers... there''s something off about them. I have done business with them, and my skin would crawl whenever I meet them face-to-face."


    Curiosity piqued, leaned forward. "What do you mean?"


    Sic hesitated before responding. "They don¡¯t act normal. They barely speak, and when they do, it¡¯s like they¡¯re whispering to something unseen. And their eyes... I don¡¯t know if they even have eyes under those hoods. I¡¯ve never seen them clearly, but the air around them feels wrong, like they aren¡¯t fully part of this world."


    "That is strange," she muttered. "I will keep that in mind. Perhaps they are sorcerers if you feel weird around them. That is what usually happens when the unblessed are around sorcerers. They react to mana differently than a blessed would. While I suspected this already, this only confirms that the messengers are sorcerers... or something else entirely."


    Well, she would find out when it was time to carry out the plan. For now, they would stick with her instructions. Only the best of Black Grit would be in that carriage while Nessa waited nearby, eavesdropping and watching their reactions. They would be bait, a distraction.


    It was worrisome that they barely spoke. Either that meant they communicated in a way normal people couldn¡¯t perceive, or they had no need for words at all. Both instances would throw a wrench into the plan. This was all to glean their intentions and figure out what location they transported these orphans to. If she messed up, then the messengers would undoubtedly uncover the deception, and they would disappear again¡ªmaybe forever. Scourge''s whereabouts and ringleader would slip between her finger.


    She couldn''t allow that to happen. Everything must be executed to perfection, but a handful of unpredictable factors could derail everything. Did the messengers possesses a means of locating and uncovering would-be ambushes? A spell? Some sort of a tracking spell? If so, then how would she prevent, let alone slip through it? Would they be able to detect her mana signatures as soon as she stepped closer?


    Even worse, they might be inclined to check the goods beforehand. These messengers would most likely outnumber her, and catching every single one of them¡ªsorcerers at that¡ªwould be particularly difficult. If one were to escape and notify Scourge''s leader about the mishap...


    Nessa shook her head. Now was not the time to be holding doubts. Whatever advantages the messengers had, she would have to outmaneuver them. Every detail of this plan needed to be airtight, every move calculated. She would not fail His Majesty, the captain, or the Lethos Empire.


    "Change of plans," Nessa said, standing up. "We won''t be using your men, but orphans instead. Everything needs to be as authentic as possible. But I¡¯ll be the one watching over them personally, and this time, I won¡¯t be hiding in the shadows. That poses too much of a risk."


    "If you won''t be in the shadows, then where in Yutar would you possibly¡ª" The realization dawned on Sic''s face before he even finished his sentence. "You''ll be in the carriage with them? Why? That seems like an unnecessary risk."


    Nessa raised her brow. "Is that concern I hear? You flatter me. Anyway, I need to see them up close. If they''re truly as unnatural as you claim, then I need to be near them to study them. Any sign of deception from their end, and I''ll know."


    "And what if they can sense you? What if they know who you are the moment they lay eyes on you?"


    Nessa pondered for a moment before saying, "You and the messengers will meet at night. The carriage will be covered, and I will be hidden at the far back with the orphans, keeping my face out of sight in case they look inside. I will also mask my mana to avoid detection. After the exchange is done, the messengers will take me and the orphans to their designated destination."


    Sic scoffed, shaking his head. "And take them on your own? Royal Knight or not, you''re insane."


    "I¡¯ve been told that before. But I don¡¯t intend to be alone. I have the spirits on my side. If things go south, they¡¯ll act on my command. Furthermore, the Black Grit will be needed as well."


    "But in case we lose sight of you, if they succeed in taking you to a place we cannot pursue¡ª"


    "Then you follow the trail I leave behind." Nessa¡¯s eyes shimmered with conviction. "I¡¯ll mark our path. Subtle, but enough for my people to follow. This is our best chance to learn who these messengers truly serve."


    Sic muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "This plan keeps getting worse."


    "Then be grateful you¡¯re not the one riding in the carriage," Nessa shot back.


    "Fine, we''ll do it your way. Just know that if things get out of hand, don''t count on being rescued. If you vanish, you''re on your own. No amount of sil is enough for us to risk our lives for the empire."


    "Duly noted," Nessa replied, leaning back. "Now, let¡¯s get to work. We have a trap to set, Sic. It''s about time we start handpicking who''ll be inside when the time comes."

 Chapter 169- Messengers of Scourge

    After the meeting came to an end, Sic led Nessa back down the stairwell and back onto the first floor where a surprising scene unfurled before them. What little furniture the room had was relocated to the edge of the room, with chairs propped on top of the tables.


    In the middle of the room were Black Grit''s men, standing upright in a line formation, their bodies turned in a single direction. Jor was stationed at the front of the chest while the spirits hovered around the room, inspecting the scowling troops.


    "You are now under master''s order," Salph said, hands clasped behind her back. "Whatever you were before is irrelevant. From this point onward, you serve her will. Any who fail to meet her standards shall be swiftly replaced."


    A ripple of unease passed through the men, though none dared to move. Lithero, twirling lazily in the air, chuckled. "Aw, don''t look so sad! It¡¯s not all doom and gloom. Perform well, and master will give you an even bigger reward. If not, I can always take your share. I wouldn''t mind. Gemstones don''t grow on trees, ya know?"


    Lithero cackled while Salph floated to the front and said, "One by one, you will come to the front and take a portion of your payment. In this chest, there is a total of a thousand and six hundred sil, and each of you will take forty. Take more than and you will find yourself short of more than just coin."


    Jor, still stationed at the chest, lifted the lid, revealing neatly stacked sil. "Step forward," he barked.


    The first man hesitated before striding up, his movements stiff. He counted carefully, scooping up his allotted forty sil before stepping back. One by one, the rest followed suit, each transaction unfolding in tense silence.


    When the last man took his share, Salph spoke again. "Good. You¡¯ve proven you can follow simple instructions. You all seem to possess some degree of intelligence that Master Nessa can utilize."


    Uh-oh, looks like Sal is about to insult these men just after I give them a small reward. Can''t have them showing any more hostility than necessary now.


    Nessa finally stepped forward, drawing all attention to her as she cleared her throat. "For now, forty sil is all you deserve until I see some results. You have witnessed first-hand that I am not lacking in any funds. Complete what I ask of you, and many more coins will line your pockets. If you''re even thinking of leaving and never to return, I will have Sic search your whereabouts and drag you back here where a fitting punishment for deserting will await. Any questions?"


    No one spoke up other than the jingle of coins being dumped into pockets and the shifting of feet. They were more focused counting the sil, or perhaps pondering her words. Either way, the message seemed to sink in¡ªNessa had the means, both literally and figuratively, to enforce her demands.It also meant that she was the type to hold up her end of the bargain and wasn''t the type to screw them over. The sil that they accepted so readily served as a reminder that they were in her debt.


    Everything was going accordingly. Now all that was left was to wait for the messengers of Scourge to arrive in the Crossroads. However, Sic mentioned they usually arrived whenever a shipment was ready¡ªa shipment that consisted of orphans. The idea of using children to catch Scourge was a disgusting and unacceptable option, yet there were no other clear ways to guarantee Scourge would take the bait.


    Nessa inwardly frowned. She hated the idea of innocent children used to catch Scourge, but if she couldn¡¯t offer a convincing alternative, the opportunity to strike might slip through her fingers.


    "Sic, you should be leaving now," Nessa said, turning to him.


    The man pried his eyes away from the now empty chest solemnly and nodded. "Yes... We should be preparing the shipment right about now. It has been a month since the messengers of Scourge have appeared, and they¡¯ll be expecting everything to proceed as usual. I will bring Jor and a few men along."


    Black cane in hand, Sic strode over to his men and called out a few names among them. Jor and two others approached, still stuffing sil into pouches tied around their waist. He whispered a few things into their ears, and Nessa noted how their eyes grew wide before the two men nodded. Sic patted them on the shoulders and they all, Jor included, headed for the door. Nessa eyed them, silently praying that Sthito would forgive and understand her actions.


    ***


    With nothing better to do, Nessa had been lounging around on the top floor of the Black Grit all alone. Since she''d be wasting mana having Lithero and Salph out of the Sorcerer Plane and she was in no immediate danger, she had dismissed them for the time being.


    Her thoughts drifted to Sic and his men. By now, they were likely gathering the children, preparing them for transport. The thought of accompanying them to watch the process crossed her mind, but she dismissed it just as quickly. She had already decided¡ªshe couldn¡¯t risk being seen as anything other than another victim, which is another reason why wearing cloaks was important.


    She leaned against a window frame, watching the streets below as the occasional passerby hurried through Naula. A orange haze of the setting sun had settled over the city, making it appear like it was shrouded in amber. The sounds of horses clopping down the road, the creaking of wheels, and the bustle of traders and street vendors had all ceased.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Naula had always been quiet throughout the day. As a child, Nessa had learned early to be cautious, to avoid the wrong alleys, and to recognize the signs of a deal going south. It was a city where silence could mean safety or impending danger, depending on the circumstances. The quiet that settled over Naula at night was a stark contrast to Valis, the royal capital, where lanterns kept the streets alive well into the late hours, and the people never seemed to sleep.


    Nessa remembered the first time she had stepped foot in Valis. The sheer noise had been overwhelming. Merchants shouting their wares, musicians playing music in the streets, noblewomen laughing behind their veiled hats¡ªit had been dizzying. The city never stopped moving, a beast that thrived on its own chaos, and for a while, she had hated it. Naula¡¯s silence had been suffocating, but at least she had understood it.


    A bitter smile crossed her lips. Her mother had always warned her about men like Horoh and Sic¡ªmen who ruled from the shadows. Her father, ever a realist, simply told her to survive, to keep her head down, to be smarter than the rest. Nessa had done exactly that, looking both ways before crossing an alley and watching her back. She practically had eyes on the back of her head because of her circumstances.


    In the daytime was where she spent most of her free time, playing with the other kids. In the evenings, she was forced to accompany her father wherever he went or stuck indoors with Mother doing the mundane like cooking or cleaning. Children were told repeatedly to never, under any circumstances, to leave the safety of their own home lest they witness or experience things not meant for their age.


    Beatings were common, and the Black Grit back then would go door-to-door taxing residents, extracting whatever meager earnings they could find. She had seen firsthand how quickly a kind word could turn into a demand, how a friendly visit could end in bruises and broken bones. Her father had always kept their family on the safer side of things, but she had seen the pain in his eyes every time he handed over a portion of his earnings, knowing there was no other choice.


    She remembered the nights when her mother would sit by the window, a knife clutched in her hands, staring at the door as if expecting someone to barge in. The hushed conversations between her parents, the fear that laced their voices, and the way her father would check every lock before they went to sleep.


    To be frank, up to her encounter with the criminals yesterday, it had been difficult keeping her cool after all the suffering those scum inflicted upon her parents. The harsh words and actions¡ªand even summoning her black slime to dissolve those kidnappers¡ªwere all her pent-up rage spilling out. It felt good. Her boiling, negative emotions toward the Black Grit simply got the better of her and she lost her cool. She''d rather be upbeat and look on the bright side of things than to brood and be negative all the time. It was unbecoming of a Royal Knight¡ªand a woman of her otherworldly charms.


    Still, throughout the boredom of being cooped like a hatchling in the nest, that feeling of oppressiveness changed in her eleventh year in this world when the blessing of Sthito unexpectedly manifested come spring time.


    A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. The door swung open, revealing Sic as he strutted in with his clacking cane and a poker-face expression.


    "It¡¯s done," he said. "The shipment is ready. Now all that is left is to wait for the messengers of Scourge to contact us. Usually, that comes in the form of a letter at the front door. They never show themselves."


    His voice was steady, but there was something unsettling about his words. Nessa met his gaze, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation. But Sic was uncharacteristically stone faced.


    She exhaled slowly, nodding. "Then we wait. When it is time, I will be inside the carriage alongside the others."


    Right as she was about to leave, Sic cleared his throat. "Pardon me for asking, Royal Knight Nessa, but I have a question."


    Nessa stopped and looked over her shoulder. "You may ask. But I make no promises as to an answer."


    "Fair enough. I want to know why you seek our assistance with Scourge instead of your allies. I imagine the help of another royal knight or a few sorcerers would be of greater assistance than the Black Grit?"


    "My friends are busy with other duties at the moment," Nessa said flatly. "As for other sorcerers, they are too conspicuous. Their presence would alert Scourge before we even get close. I alone should be enough given my talents. Besides, I need subtlety, and that is something your people specialize in since you are unblessed and all that."


    "I suppose, though I doubt my men are as ''subtle'' as you put it given that you were fully aware of our operations."


    "Oh, that? Let''s just say I have a close friend that has keen ears for these sort of things. That and tracing a certain incident back to Naula was quite easy after a thorough background check."


    Sic''s brow furrowed, and before he could ask for further clarification, Jor entered through the entranceway, a rolled up letter in hand. Without a word, he approached Sic and handed him the letter before exiting.


    Sic unrolled the parchment and scanned the contents with a scrutinizing eye. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips. "It seems the messengers of Scourge have arrived sooner than expected."


    Nessa extended a hand. He handed it over, and she studied the words carefully. The contents were short, only detailing the location, and the time; the Crossroads, today at midnight. A chill ran down her spine at how everything was moving along smoothly. What worried her, however, was the swiftness of the letter and how the messengers managed to get it here so fast.


    While mana sense wasn''t active at the time, sensing the energy of another sorcerer without it was easy enough. Mana sense was simply a telescope to the world, allowing her to view more than just relying on her five senses. One could feel their presence and, with a strong enough connection, where they were at all times. To think they could slip through her detection without her noticing...


    She folded the letter and tucked it into the inner pocket of her coat. "Make sure everything is in place. If we fail, there won¡¯t be a second chance. Take me to the carriage."


    "Understood, Royal Knight Nessa."


    As the man left, Nessa took one last glance out the window. The city of Naula lay bathed in darkness now, its streets empty, its people locked behind their doors. Nessa pulled out her locket as images of her parents flashed in her mind, smiling and waving with tears in their eyes at their daughter leaving Naula for the capital.


    Her lips touched the cool metal, a familiar warmth filling her. She held onto that warmth and let it wash over her as a sudden burst of confidence and courage bloomed. A few seconds later, she stored the locket and turned, following Sic down the steps.

 Chapter 170- Messengers of Scourge (2)

    The cool night breeze brushed against Sic''s skin. He wiped droplets of sweat speckled across his face. The dirt underneath his thin shoes crunched against his weight while a carriage clattered noisily as it made its way through the well-trodden path that was the Crossroads.


    Walking to the destination described by the letter was always a pain, especially when he used a cane most of the time. A glaring pressure built in his knees, a constant reminder of the pain that dumbass Horoh inflicted on him years ago.


    He grumbled under his breath, cursing the uneven terrain and the fools who hadn''t thought to maintain the road better. Every so often, he adjusted his grip on the cane, as if redistributing the discomfort might ease the throbbing ache.


    Not only did he have to continuously supply those freaky messengers orphans¡ªa situation he never dared dwell upon¡ªa royal knight was breathing on his damn neck. Between dealing with Scourge and that psycho woman, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. It was like navigating a razor-thin edge, where a single misstep would send him tumbling into disaster. Who was worse between the two? That, Sic wasn''t sure about, but he could bet his life on it that the knight was just as ruthless as the messengers.


    He adjusted his hat, scowling as the carriage jolted over another uneven patch of dirt. Jor sat at the front, reins in hand, guiding the horses through the darkened path with practiced ease. The other two men Sic had brought along walked on either side of the carriage, keeping an eye on their surroundings. It was a routine they''d done many times before, and yet, tonight, Sic felt a weight pressing down on him heavier than usual.


    Scourge never missed a shipment. If they did, it meant something was wrong. And when things went wrong with Scourge, people disappeared. Sic had spent years ensuring that he remained on their good side, balancing their demands without giving too much, keeping just enough leverage to keep himself from being disposed of. But this new arrangement with Nessa had tipped the scales. He was playing a dangerous game, and for what?


    Although, Sic knew one thing: Johan and his dogs have caught wind of Scourge and were actively sniffing around for answers. That alone made the stakes even higher. The Royal Knights weren¡¯t fools, and Kalavan was the worst of them all¡ªpersistent, calculating, and relentless in his pursuit of justice. If he even suspected something was amiss in Naula, it wouldn¡¯t be long before he came knocking, yet he most likely sent Royal Knight Nessa in his stead.


    That begged the question: was it better to make deals with Scourge or a knight? Neither option sat well with him. Scourge was ruthless, a faceless entity that demanded results without mercy. The Royal Knights, on the other hand, were righteous to the point of suffocation¡ªif they had their way, Sic and the rest of the Black Grit would hang from the gallows by month¡¯s end.


    For now, weighing his options and surveying the situation was the best course of action. After all, whatever choice offered him the most safety and coin was where his loyalty would ultimately lie. That had always been Sic¡¯s way¡ªsurvival first, profit second. Ideals and allegiances were luxuries for men who could afford them.


    His grip on the cane tightened when he stared ahead at the clearing. The longer he looked, the more certain he became that something was off. There should have been signs of movement by now¡ªshadows shifting between trees, the faintest rustle of fabric, whispers in the wind. Scourge¡¯s messengers were never late. They arrived unseen, delivered their cryptic instructions, and disappeared just as swiftly.


    But all that awaited them was a V-shaped intersection of two trees and profound quiet.


    Jor pulled on the reins, bringing the rumbling carriage to a halt. The horses snorted, digging their hooves into the ground, and flicked their ears. Sic traversed around the carriage, eyeing it one last time so that nothing seemed out of place.


    A large cloth was draped over the entire structure, concealing a cage nestled inside. The weight of the shipment was visible in the deep grooves the wheels had carved into the dirt. As for the noise, it was deathly silent. No sniffling, no crying, or even the rustle of fabric. It would''ve been odd for no noise to emanate from the carriage, given that there were children inside. Even if they had exhausted themselves crying earlier, there should have been some sign of life¡ªlabored breathing, a shift in position, something.


    Well, whatever, Sic thought, completing his inspection. The quietness was probably the doing of that woman. Matter of fact, there was a bit of noise in the beginning of the ride, but that only lasted for a meager ten minutes before it ceased. It hadn''t been a gradual tapering off, either¡ªit had been sudden, as if someone had pressed a blade to their throats and whispered for silence. That was the unsettling part.


    Sic let out a slow breath, shaking off the creeping unease settling in his chest. Overthinking would get him nowhere. He had a job to do, and the sooner it was finished, the sooner he could leave this damn place. The difficult part of the meeting had yet to arrive, and that was stalling through talk¡ªlong enough for her to gleam enough information.


    By Yutar, I will ask for double, no, triple the coin after this is over!


    He stepped away from the carriage, adjusting his cuffs as he glanced at Jor and Reb, the bartender who is always strung along for these types of things. Though unblessed like the majority of the Black Grit, he was the most physically capable among them, his sheer size alone making him an intimidating presence. Reb didn¡¯t talk much, but he didn¡¯t need to¡ªhis fists did enough speaking for him.


    "We wait," Sic said, rolling his shoulders. "If they don¡¯t show in the next half hour, we head back. I¡¯m not standing around all night for ghosts."


    Silence settled once more. Minutes passed. The trees swayed, the wind whispered, but nothing else moved. Sic tapped his cane against the dirt, listening to the distant hoot of an owl. His nerves were starting to fray. Where were they? Scourge¡¯s messengers never dallied. They came, they collected, they left. Efficient, swift, like clockwork. But the clock stopped ticking.


    A jarring sight unfurled before them. The oddly formed trees warped before their very eyes, twisting unnaturally as if the forest itself had decided to breathe. The V-shaped trunks bent inward, their bark groaning under an unseen force. Shadows stretched long and thin, flickering despite the lack of firelight.


    A gust of wind blew through the clearing, sharp and cold. From between the gnarled trees, figures emerged¡ªdraped in heavy cloaks that swallowed the light. Ones face was obscured by a mask of bone, their eyes as red as a blood moon while the other relied on their hood to cover most of their face. Two of them, one tall and one with average stature; silent as the grave.


    Sic straightened, offering his best businesslike smile. "Well now, I was beginning to think you''d forgotten about us."


    The tallest of the figures tilted its head slightly, considering him. Then, a voice rasped from beneath the mask. "You are late, Sic."


    Sic chuckled, spreading his hands. "Oh, come now. The road¡¯s a fickle thing, and you lot are hardly the easiest to track down. I¡¯d say we arrived at exactly the right time."


    "And what about the shipment?"


    Sic rapped his cane against the wood. "All here. Safe and sound."


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The figure extended a gloved hand. "Show me."


    Sic hesitated, but complied nonetheless. He nodded toward Jor, still in the box seat, who reached behind him and tugged at the heavy cloth covering the carriage. The fabric rustled as it slid away, revealing the iron-barred cage nestled within. Inside, the shipment sat in eerie silence, their figures barely shifting under the pale moonlight. No cries, no whimpers¡ªjust wide, vacant eyes staring back at the masked figures.


    The other messenger stepped forward, their gloved fingers gripping the bars. A slow, deliberate motion. They peered in, silent, assessing. The dim moonlight cast long shadows over their body, but thanks to the illumination, Sic noticed a small scar near the cheek. Their thin lips parted open slightly when they leaned closer, no doubt peering at the back.


    A lump, large as a stone, formed in Sic''s throat as he spoke. "S-See? No damage. No trouble. Just as promised."


    The messenger said nothing at first. Then, turning their head slightly toward their leader, they gave a single, almost imperceptible nod.


    Sic allowed a sliver of relief to settle in his chest, but it was fleeting. The tallest figure pointed at the ground in front of Sic. A pond of shadows materialized, pooling around Sic''s feet. Out came a chest smaller than the one the woman brought earlier.


    The shortest of the masked figures bent down and unlatched the chest with a faint click. The lid creaked open, revealing piles of coin as if thrown in carelessly. Compared to the royal knight, the amount here was considerably less.


    Sic scooped up a handful of sil, even going as far as to bite into it so the metal would sing under his teeth. "It''s real sil alright. And I do expect that the amount is what was agreed upon."


    "We don''t make mistakes," said the shorter one, their voice balancing between feminine and muscular, with a slight inclination towards the former.


    ¡°Well, you lot don¡¯t, sure,¡± he said, bending down slightly. ¡°But I¡¯m the suspicious type. You understand.¡± He gave a tight-lipped grin before swiping a coin from the chest and slipping it into his pocket.


    The taller figure did not react. ¡°The exchange is complete.¡±


    Sic forced himself to nod, resisting the instinct to turn on his heel and leave. He needed to play this carefully. The deal had gone through, but his real task was just beginning.


    His palms were slick beneath his gloves, though his outward grin remained intact. Damn that royal brat, he thought bitterly. Nessa had practically shoved this scheme into his lap, and now he was the one dancing on a razor¡¯s edge.


    Still, he had a job to do.


    ¡°Bit of an operation you lot have,¡± he remarked, adopting an easy, conversational tone. ¡°I¡¯d say I admire it, but I get the sense admiration¡¯s wasted on your kind.¡±


    Neither of them reacted. The taller one stood like a statue, the shorter one still idly tracing the iron bars of the cage. The orphans inside remained unnervingly still¡ªjust as instructed.


    Sic cleared his throat, pressing on. ¡°Never did ask¡ªwho do I have the pleasure of doing business with? Seems only fair, since you know my name.¡±


    The shorter one turned their head slightly, their fingers halting. ¡°You ask too many questions.¡±


    Damn it.


    Sic forced out a chuckle, tilting his head as if they¡¯d merely scolded him for bad manners. ¡°Curiosity¡¯s a curse of the trade,¡± he said, tapping his temple with a finger. ¡°Can¡¯t help wondering who¡¯s got the pockets deep enough to keep this kind of thing running.¡± He let his gaze flick to the taller figure, watching for a reaction. ¡°A name, maybe?¡±


    Silence. The wind howled through the Crossroads, but the messengers remained unreadable. Sic¡¯s nerves pulled tight. He was pushing, and he knew it. The trick was making them believe it was harmless.


    The shorter one finally spoke. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know names. You only need to know your place.¡±


    The warning sat heavy between them. A lump lodged itself in Sic¡¯s throat, but he swallowed it down and lifted his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Fair enough,¡± he said, injecting an easy lilt into his voice. ¡°Didn¡¯t mean to step on any toes.¡±


    His mind whirled. They¡¯re not giving me anything. He needed another way in¡ªsome sliver of information to draw out.


    Then, just as he started weighing his next move, the figure with the bone mask shifted. Their head tilted toward the carriage, and a ripple of something unseen passed through the air.


    ¡°There is a mana signature inside the carriage,¡± he snarled.


    The words fell like stones, heavy and damning. Jor stiffened. Sic¡¯s gut plummeted. His heart raced, panic clawing up his spine. Nessa was inside¡ªhiding among the orphans. If they so much as lifted that cloth again and actually inspected each and every child...


    Sic barked out a laugh, louder than necessary, smacking his cane against the wood. ¡°Oh, that? Thought you knew already.¡± He leaned forward conspiratorially. ¡°Figured Scourge would want the healthy ones. Nothing fetches a higher price than a bit of raw potential, yeah? It was you who said that those with the blessing of Sthito are worth more than us unblessed. As luck would have it, we found one."


    The second messenger finally shifted. Their fingers tapped once against the iron bars before withdrawing. ¡°A fortunate find,¡± they murmured, though their tone was unreadable.


    Sic forced himself to chuckle again, though his throat felt like sandpaper. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± he said, spreading his hands as if this whole affair was just another smooth business deal. ¡°Took a bit of effort to keep the little thing calm, but we knew you¡¯d appreciate the addition. Quality goods, that one.¡±


    The bone-masked figure lingered, their head tilting ever so slightly. A moment too long. A moment too careful. Sic could feel the sea of sweat forming at his collar.


    The hooded figure turned, moving toward the carriage. Their fingers grazed the iron bars once more, lingering over them as if sensing something left unsaid. Sic¡¯s stomach twisted. Was that doubt? Suspicion? He had pushed his luck already¡ªone word too many, one joke too forced, and this deal could unravel at the seams.


    Then, to everyone''s surprise, the second figure spoke. "Next time we meet, there will be extra coins for your excellent find. Those marked with the blessing of Sthito are valued products that will help hasten His arrival."


    "Hold your tongue," hissed the bone-masked figure, "That information is not meant for their ears."


    The hooded one stiffened but said no more. Sic, however, latched onto that slip like a starved dog catching a scent. Hasten His arrival? That was something, wasn¡¯t it? Something Nessa would want to know. But there was no time to prod, no safe way to steer the conversation without raising further suspicion. Sic could only hope she had caught that slip, too.


    Instead, he played his role. He gave an affable grin, tapping his cane against the carriage as if all was well. ¡°Now that¡¯s what I like to hear¡ªrepeat business. Always a pleasure dealing with clients who know the value of outstanding stock.¡±


    The bone-masked figure remained still. Then, at last, they gave a slow nod. ¡°You are dismissed.¡±


    Just three words, but they carried weight¡ªfinality. Sic resisted the urge to bolt, to look back, to breathe too deeply. Instead, he gave an exaggerated bow, twirling his cane as he stepped away from the carriage. Jor climbed out of the box seat and edged away alongside Reb.


    The second messenger stepped away from the carriage as well and faced the two trees, arm outstretched. Like last time, the air shifted; shadows stretched unnaturally, bending and twisting until they merged into something more. A passage. A void.


    "While I hate a sorcerer''s guts, I''d by lying if I said I wasn''t amazed at the power they wield," Sic mumbled.


    At the scene before them, the horses buckled, their eyes rolling white with terror. The beasts weren¡¯t having it¡ªmuscles twitching, hooves scraping against the dirt as if they¡¯d bolt at the first chance. However, they weren''t given the chance to turn as black tendrils erupted from the sorcerer''s hand, wrapping around them until they were nothing more than black-fleshed horses.


    Now obedient, the horses trudged toward the passage, passing through as if walking through a veil of water. After they disappeared, the other messengers followed. The tall one went in first and vanished. The other had one leg in, but instead of entering, they turned their head slightly at Sic. His eyes shot upward when their mouth curved before the figure disappeared.


    Right after confirming they had truly left, Sic took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Shit... That exchange might''ve taken a few years off my life. Check for any clues that the woman may have left for us to follow."


    Together, they looked around, Jor scanning the area and Reb with his ear to the ground. They checked the ground and trees for any markings, but found none. Sic was beginning to think that Nessa had forgotten to leave any trail, which would mean he had no way to track her down. No tracks to follow meant finding her was an impossibility.


    "I see nothing out of the ordinary here, boss," Reb grumbled.


    Sic''s eyes narrowed. If there were truly no tracks, that meant the Black Grit had no means to go after her¡ªas if a bunch of unblessed can do anything against sorcerers of that caliber. They were mere ants compared to the messengers; their ability to travel through shadows was no more than a slight breeze in the wind. Against the messengers of Scourge, what chance did a lone royal knight have?


    Best to return to Naula and act as if nothing had happened. We got our sil, and I find it hard to believe one sorcerer can fight against the others.


    Having formulated a plan, Sic was on the verge of putting it into action when he heard a soft gasp. His eyes snapped to Jor, who was examining a communication device fixed into the ground, directly where the carriage had first been.

 Chapter 171- Consequences

    The infirmary was located on the second floor of the commons, the opposite direction from where the library was. For why a place meant to treat the sick and numerous injuries was only accessible by winding stairs, was a mystery to Tyrus. A more accessible ground floor location would have been preferable, would it not? If a student had a broken leg or was super sick, what then?


    He could imagine it now¡ªsome poor student doubled over from exhaustion, barely able to stand, being told to climb a flight of stairs just to receive treatment. Or worse, someone with a shattered limb being dragged up each step, wincing in agony while their friends struggled to carry them. The thought made him shake his head. It seemed like an oversight, or perhaps some architect¡¯s cruel joke.


    Tyrus winced when a jolt of pain flared throughout his head, and he stumbled. Fortunately, two pairs of firm arms caught him just before he toppled over the staircase railing and landing face first in front of a crowd.


    "What sort of architect constructs an infirmary on the second floor?" growled Igneal from Tyrus''s left. "It''s obvious that placing a whole medical wing on the ground floor would be more practical."


    "Glad I''m not the only one thinking that," Tyrus huffed, clutching his head.


    To his right, Kylis adjusted her posture and wrapped Tyrus arm around her shoulder. "Less complaining, more walking. Unless you want me to carry you. I might look skinny, but I have carried baggage twice my size back in the Northern Mountains."


    Tyrus managed a weak chuckle. "Baggage... Sorry for being such a burden."


    "Apologies. I did not mean to refer to you as such. You are hardly the heaviest thing I''ve had to haul."


    "You know, if you''re going to collapse, at least do it somewhere convenient," Igneal commented, steadying him as they climbed the last few steps. "Like, I don¡¯t know, in front of a healer?"


    "I¡¯ll keep that in mind," Tyrus muttered, his vision blurring for a moment. He felt the warmth of Kylis¡¯ grip tighten, grounding him. They finally reached the infirmary''s double doors, where Igneal wasted no time pushing it open with more force than necessary.


    The inside was filled with the sharp scent of herbs and medicines. It was spacious and well-lit, with balls of golden light floating around a coved ceiling. Beds cleanly furnished were spaced out with their own private screening and wooden stands that either were empty, contained a bowl of fruit, or even a vase of flowers.


    Currently, less than half of the beds were occupied by students of different years. One student had his back turned to the door with a bloodied cloth wrapped around his shoulder, grimacing as a relatively young man¡ªmaybe sixteen or seventeen¡ªwalked over to him. In his hands was a square communication device that he was repeatedly tapping on while speaking to the patient. He was garbed in the academy''s uniform yet had a white gown that stretched to his knees and the words ''Trainee'' on the back."


    "Can I please get your name and year?" said the trainee.


    "E-Elias, first-year student," the boy grumbled.


    Tyrus ears perked up. Through the pounding happening in his head, he recognized the name and voice to which it belonged to and squinted. Sure enough, as Igneal and Kylis guided him to the bed across from the trainee, it was the freckled-face boy he had Augmentation Mastery I with.


    After a few more taps, the trainee nodded. "Okay... Now, can you tell me in detail the cause of your shoulder wound and what led to the injury?"


    Elias''s face turned red as he averted his gaze, mumbling something under his breath. The trainee, unfazed, simply arched a brow and waited.


    ¡°I, uh¡­¡± Elias hesitated before sighing. ¡°A buddy I know in one of my classes told me that he got strong by practicing and fighting wild beasts in the wild. So, I thought I''d give it a try," Elias admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Went past the academy¡¯s outer perimeter and figured I¡¯d take down something small to test my limits.¡±


    The trainee¡¯s expression remained neutral, though there was the slightest twitch in his brow. ¡°And?¡±


    Elias groaned. ¡°And it turns out a ¡®small beast¡¯ isn¡¯t actually that small when it¡¯s lunging at you with claws the size of your face.¡± He gestured at his bandaged shoulder. ¡°Didn¡¯t go as planned. I ran back to the gate, bloodied and defeated, and ran to the nearest instructor. After some help, she advised me to run to the infirmary to receive proper treatment since her affinity with light was low."


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The trainee brought out a pair of gloves and donned them. ¡°Well, I''m not one to judge your actions since I was in your shoes once. Let¡¯s see how bad it is."


    He unwrapped the bloodied cloth around Elias''s shoulder. Elias winced as the fabric peeled away, revealing a jagged wound running just below his collarbone. The gash was deep, the skin around it swollen and bruised, but it had stopped bleeding for the most part. The trainee clicked his tongue. ¡°You¡¯re lucky it didn¡¯t tear any deeper, or you¡¯d be bleeding out on the floor. Still, it''s a good thing you came here as quickly as you could. What type of beast did this to you?"


    As Elias was answering his question, another trainee appeared from down the infirmary''s hall. A young woman around the same age as her peer had her hair tied back in a tight bun, her uniform neatly pressed beneath her white trainee¡¯s coat. She carried a tray of supplies¡ªcylindrical vials that sloshed at her movements, and crushed herbs on paper.


    She paused beside the first trainee, glancing down at Elias¡¯s wound with a clinical eye. ¡°Another one thinking they¡¯re ready for the wilds?¡± she asked dryly, setting the tray on a nearby stand.


    Elias huffed. ¡°I thought I was prepared.¡±


    The second trainee gave him a flat look. ¡°Did you? And what exactly was your plan if the beast had gone for your throat instead of your shoulder?¡±


    Elias opened his mouth, hesitated, then sighed. ¡°Panic, probably.¡±


    The second trainee turned her attention to the beds across the room, scanning the occupied ones until her gaze landed on Tyrus. Her expression shifted from detached professionalism to mild concern.


    ¡°You,¡± she called out, stepping closer. ¡°How long have you been sitting like that?¡±


    Tyrus barely lifted his head, his grip on his temple tightening. ¡°Not long,¡± he muttered, though his body betrayed him as another jolt of pain lanced through his skull.


    By the time he blinked, the trainee was already at the foot of his bead, communication device in hand. With practiced ease, her fingers moved at lightning speed; her sharp eyes flicked between the screen and Tyrus, assessing him with a precision that made him feel more like a specimen than a person. And for a moment, a gold light shined behind her figure, coming from where Elias was currently receiving treatment.


    "Your name is Tyrus, first-year in the academy," she said calmly.


    Tyrus frowned. "How do you know my name? I haven''t told you yet."


    She rolled her eyes. "Please¡ªit would be harder to not have heard of a Demi-human running around the academy, attending classes with everyone else. Your reputation precedes you.¡±


    She tapped something on her device before slipping it into her pocket. Only now did she realize Igneal and Kylis were here, and her gaze flickered to the door. "Thank you for carrying him here. You can leave the rest to us healers and head on back. Your friend will be healed up and good as new within the hour."


    Igneal crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Why are trainees handling the patients when that should be a job reserved for senior healers? Only the best of what is offered here should be handling the¡ª"


    Fast as a flash, Kylis covered Igneal''s mouth, then bowed to the trainee. "I would like to sincerely apologise for Lord Igneal''s rude remark about your credentials. I am sure you are all very skilled at your job. We will now take our leave. Thank you for your services."


    The trainee''s lips pursed, but she nodded nonetheless. Another bow later, Kylis retracted her hand and strode out the door. Igneal clicked his tongue and followed behind her. As soon as they were gone, the trainee muttered under her breath, ¡°Overprotective much?¡±


    She turned back to Tyrus, her professionalism returning. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get to the root of this. What exactly is the problem?"


    Tyrus exhaled slowly, trying to steady his breathing. ¡°Headache¡­ sharp, deep. Feels like it¡¯s pressing down on my skull. And my heart¡ªit¡¯s like something is squeezing it. Not just drained, but... heavy.¡±


    In great detail, Tyrus recounted the events leading up to this moment. He described feeling completely fine until the final moments of his experiment in the private training rooms. He explained how the pain and pressure had suddenly emerged after using Dual Shot for lightning and light. Tyrus also mentioned the unsettling experience of coughing blood and having liquid seep out of his nostrils. Despite shuddering at the memory, he continued narrating until he had covered all the relevant details.


    Throughout the entire explanation, the trainee had been fiddling away at her device, not sparing him a single glance until a few moments had passed after he finished. "Okay, I think I understand the cause and why it happened. But just to be sure of the correct diagnosis."


    From her coat pocket, she retrieved a purple crystal whose surface exhibited a faint shimmer. Pressing the crystal against his wrist, she watched as the light inside flickered erratically. Once it dimmed, she held the crystal toward the communication device, and they both lit up as an image of Tyrus''s figure displayed on the screen.


    Wow... it looks just like Tracer whenever it showed my health vials. I guess it makes sense that the academy would have something similar for an infirmary.


    After a few seconds, the image stabilized, and the trainee tapped at the device. Her digits moved rapidly across the surface while her wide eyes shifted between the screen and Tyrus''s features. Everything appeared normal until his gaze fell on the area where his chest was. A red mass was glowing where his heart should be, causing him to stifle a cry.


    Uh-oh. Red!? Even I know red means something really bad happened! What is it this time?

 Chapter 172- Consequences (2)

    Tyrus swallowed hard. ¡°Is that normal?¡±


    The trainee¡¯s lips thinned into a tight line. ¡°No, not even close. Karmen, come look at this kid¡¯s chest."


    She turned toward the young man who¡¯d just finished treating Elias and tossing a bloody cloth into a basin. The wound on his shoulder was gone, as if it was never there in the first place. Not even a scar remained. Elias rotated his shoulder, his mouth agape as he lifted himself from his bed.


    Karmen glanced up from his station, his brows lifting at her tone. ¡°What, is it serious?¡±


    "Just come over here already."


    The concern in her tone was enough to make him cross the room immediately. Karmen leaned over her shoulder, eyes scanning the projection. The moment he saw the red mass on the display, his easygoing expression vanished.


    "That¡¯s¡­ yeah, that¡¯s bad." He scratched his jaw, squinting at the screen. "I¡¯ve never seen a mana heart do that."


    ¡°Me neither,¡± the other trainee muttered, tapping at the screen to highlight the wavering energy patterns. ¡°The pathways around his heart are barely holding together. Mana pressure¡¯s unstable¡ªswinging fast. If this keeps up, the heart¡¯s going to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Rupture,¡± Karmen finished grimly.


    Tyrus¡¯s fingers dug into the bedsheets, cold sweat prickling along his brow. ¡°What does that mean?¡± His voice came out quieter than he meant it to. ¡°Is¡­ is my mana heart breaking?¡±


    Karmen gave him a sideways glance, hesitating. ¡°Not yet. But it¡¯s under too much strain.¡±


    The trainee folded her arms. ¡°Have you been overexerting yourself? Pushing your output beyond safe limits?¡±


    Tyrus looked away, memories of desperate fights, lightning crackling from his fingers, and the gnawing hunger for more power flashing through his mind. ¡°¡­Yeah,¡± he said softly. ¡°A lot.¡±


    The trainees exchanged a look, unspoken understanding passing between them.


    ¡°Well, that explains some of it,¡± Karmen said, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Mana heart strain isn¡¯t uncommon¡ªbut usually we see it in older sorcerers who¡¯ve been through years of heavy combat. For a first-year to have damage this severe¡­ that¡¯s unheard of.¡±


    The trainee glanced back at Tyrus, then back to Karmen. ¡°I¡¯ve heard from the faculty that this kid¡¯s already on his fourth branch. Shouldn¡¯t that be¡­ impossible? Someone that young, with that many elements under control?¡±


    Karmen¡¯s brow creased. ¡°It¡¯s not technically impossible, but it¡¯s so rare most healers will go their whole careers without seeing it. Even prodigies only unlock their third branch after years of refinement.¡±


    ¡°And even then, they do it gradually,¡± the trainee added. ¡°One element at a time, giving their mana heart and pathways a chance to adapt.¡±


    Karmen motioned toward the flickering projection above Tyrus. ¡°This? This is someone forcing their body to keep up with their ambition. His core¡¯s developing too fast, branching out faster than his pathways can stabilize.¡±


    ¡°Mana hearts are meant to grow with the body ¡ª synchronized, balanced.¡± The trainee¡¯s voice softened slightly, her professional detachment cracking. ¡°If your growth gets out of sync, even a little, it causes stress. But if you¡¯re pushing four elements this early, that¡¯s not stress, it¡¯s trauma. Even with Beastfolk resilience, his heart¡¯s basically being torn apart and rebuilt every time he forces a new branch to open. It¡¯s no wonder his pathways are a mess now.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s hands clenched the bedsheets, guilt curling in his stomach. He knew he¡¯d pushed himself, but hearing it laid out like this, as though his whole body was fighting to survive every day, made it all too real.


    Ever since he became a sorcerer, life that was already been a constant fight for survival only grew harsher. There was always something: another test, another fight, another person stronger than him that he had to surpass just to prove he belonged here. To prove that he was not as weak as they assumed or claimed. Each victory exacted a hidden cost, a debt accumulating until his body failed under the strain of his growing mana heart.


    It should surprise him that this had happened¡ªthat someone his age had broken through to his fourth branch¡ªbut it didn''t. He was warned multiple times throughout the year. Fiona reminded him of mana deficiency many times whenever he pushed his limits, and Sir Geroth drilled into his students about the importance of protecting one''s body.


    It should have scared him more. The idea that his mana heart, the very core of his existence as a sorcerer, was actively tearing itself apart just to sustain him. But all he felt was a hollow acceptance, like some part of him had known this was coming for a long time. Every crackling spell, every moment of pushing just a little further, a little faster, had all been leading here.


    Still, through all that, the culmination of his efforts resulted in this¡ªa body teetering on the edge, no longer able to keep pace with the power it was supposed to contain. And because of his Beastfolk half, it only stalled what was inevitable through his actions.


    The young woman scrolled through her device again, flicking through diagnostic charts. "I don¡¯t even know if normal treatments will work."


    They stood there, silent for a moment, neither wanting to be the first to admit they were out of their depth. That silence was broken by the sharp click of boots on the stone floor. The rhythmic, confident steps grew louder, and both trainees stiffened instinctively.


    From down the hall, a woman appeared. Like the young trainee, her silver hair was put into a tight bun, yet the lines on her face were as deep as a chasm. She wore a coat that stretched to her knees, lined with the colors of the academy and its emblem on her chest. The sleeves were folded up, and Tyrus could make out thin arms wreathed with blue vessels.


    A single glance from the healer was enough for the two trainees to take a step back, allowing her ample space to approach the bed. She eyed the diagnostic charts displayed on the trainee¡¯s device. Her gaze flicked to Tyrus, and for a moment, there was something in her eyes. Not pity, not scorn, but interest.


    ¡°Well, well¡­¡± she said in a gravelly voice. She leaned over him, her presence like a weight pressing down on the room itself, and placed her hand just above his chest. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but overhear your little diagnosis party. Let¡¯s see what kind of mess you¡¯ve made of yourself, boy.¡±


    Tyrus swallowed hard, his throat dry, but he didn¡¯t pull away. The warmth of her mana seeped into his skin, spreading through him like liquid sunlight. It was steady and certain, like the touch of someone who had rebuilt shattered bones and stitched together ruined hearts more times than she could count.


    Stolen story; please report.


    With the fading light, a frown creased her brow, and she retracted her hand. ¡°Tsk. Were it not for your Beastfolk lineage, your pathways would have burst considerably earlier.


    Straightening up, she glanced back at the two trainees. "Cases this bad are rare. I¡¯ve only seen it two times in over thirty years. One of them recovered, yet the other died because he was too foolish to follow my advice. Bad news is, you¡¯re gonna have to learn what limits are because if you pull whatever stunt you did again, your pathways will close from the stress, or an exploding heart."


    For a moment, Tyrus thought she might be exaggerating. Some old healer¡¯s trick to scare reckless students into compliance. But the hard glint in her eye, the way her fingers twitched slightly at her side as if recalling past failures, told him she meant every word.


    An exploding heart? That was bad. In actuality, worse than bad, even if people always told him how tough his body was. Beastfolk resilience meant little if his own heart was trying to tear him apart from the inside. Just thinking about it made his chest ache, and for a split second, he could almost feel it: the cracks spider webbing through his mana heart, fragile and strained under the weight of every reckless choice he¡¯d made.


    Limits. The word felt like an insult, like shackles being snapped around his wrists. Limits were for people who had the luxury of slowing down, who didn¡¯t have to fight for every inch of ground just to be seen, to be worth something. Without his sorcery, what was he? Just a Demi-human with no special qualities? If he weren''t a sorcerer, no one would dare give him a second glance.


    He''d still be roaming Lethos, scrounging for food and hunting, afraid of what tomorrow may bring. Or, a rather horrifying alternative that almost happened, captured by the hands of Scourge and forced into a fate he''d wish on no one. At that point, he''d rather die than end up being regarded the same as garbage by anyone.


    But those nagging thoughts led him, almost inevitably, toward harm. Because of his stubbornness, because of his pride, his mana heart was the first thing that fell under the strain. It couldn¡¯t keep up with his hunger for strength, for recognition, for something that couldn¡¯t be taken away. Every step forward came at a cost, and now his own body was the one tallying the debt.


    Tyrus lifted himself off the bed, allowing his legs to dangle off the sides. He clutched his chest, frowning. The searing pain that embodied him was nothing compared to the disappointment and regret churning in his stomach.


    "Does that mean I can''t use sorcery from now on?" Tyrus said, his voice as soft as a whisper. "That... I¡¯m finished?"


    The healer arched an eyebrow. "Child, have you been listening to a word I''ve said? Your mana heart isn¡¯t broken yet. Its reached its utmost limit in that tiny body of yours. But with proper treatment, rest, and discipline, you¡¯ll recover."


    A glimmer of hope rose in Tyrus''s chest. "Really? What do I have to do?"


    The old lady snapped her fingers. "Arumn, Karmen, watch closely. This will serve as an educational lesson for you both."


    The healer stepped closer, her worn hands radiating a soft glow as threads of water-like mana wove between her fingers. "The pathways in his body are constricted, almost like a river strangled by too many stones. The water element is ideal for easing that blockage. It flows, seeps into the smallest cracks, and gradually coaxes the pathways open again."


    She hovered her hand above Tyrus¡¯s chest, the cool touch of her mana seeping into him like mist curling over the skin. The tendrils of mana sank deeper, threading through Tyrus¡¯s inner channels. He felt them probing, unwinding the tightness in his chest, gradually loosening what felt like invisible chains wrapped around his core. It wasn¡¯t pain, more like the soreness after a hard fight, a reminder of how much he¡¯d demanded from himself.


    ¡°The real healing,¡± she continued, sparing a glance at the wide-eyed trainees, ¡°comes from time and moderation. His body¡¯s still growing, and so is his mana heart. That¡¯s the problem. His power¡¯s outpacing the vessel meant to hold it. If he were older, his pathways would be wider, more durable. But since he¡¯s young, they¡¯re fragile, prone to cracking under pressure.¡±


    She eased her hand away, leaving a faint shimmer of lingering mana in his chest. Tyrus¡¯s breathing felt easier, like he could finally take a full breath without his chest or head catching fire. The thrumming in his head disappeared, and the room grew clearer, as if a fog had lifted.


    Karmen shifted nervously. ¡°Ma¡¯am, why did you use water? Wouldn¡¯t earth be better for structural reinforcement, or light for healing?¡±


    The old healer snorted. ¡°That¡¯s beginner thinking. Earth is excellent for bones and physical trauma; breaks and fractures. But the pathways aren¡¯t bones, they¡¯re channels for mana flow and blood. Earth would just dam them up, patching them with grit instead of helping them flow. As for light, it¡¯s too superficial. Light works on skin, tissue, surface wounds. It¡¯s good at sealing and cleansing, but it lacks the finesse needed for something as complex as mana pathways.¡±


    Arumn and Karmen exchanged a glance, probably filing the information away for future use.


    The healer turned toward the path she came from and said, ¡°Arumn, head into the storage room with a satchel and fill it with four bottles of Ka-Roh. Bring it here immediately.


    "Yes, ma''am," Arumn said, hurrying down the hall.


    The healer faced Tyrus again, her expression softening just slightly. ¡°Those potions will help if you feel that tightness again."


    Tyrus gave a small nod, absorbing every word like his life depended on it, because it sure as heck did. It was a miracle that he had gotten off light when comparing it to certain death. Though it did suck that he''d have to limit himself tremendously. As long as he could still use sorcery, he would accept anything.


    The soft patter of footsteps announced Arumn¡¯s return before she reappeared at the doorway, a leather satchel slung over her shoulder. She carefully handed it off to the healer, who took it without ceremony and offered it to Tyrus.


    ¡°Pay attention, boy.¡± Her voice, though still gravelly, softened around the edges. ¡°These aren¡¯t your run-of-the-mill recovery potions. They¡¯re tailored specifically for sorcerers whose pathways have suffered stress fractures. They won¡¯t refill your mana, and they won¡¯t numb the pain completely. What they will do is keep your channels from locking up and cutting off your flow entirely.¡±


    She unclasped the satchel, pulling out three slender glass vials, each filled with a pale silver liquid.


    ¡°Three sips,¡± she said, holding up three fingers for emphasis. ¡°No more. If the tightness creeps back, if your chest starts to seize or your head starts pounding like a war drum, you drink. Slowly. Let it settle before you try anything else. If you take more than a sip, you risk thinning your pathways too much, and that opens up an entirely different nightmare."


    ¡°Since I¡¯m not in the habit of losing patients or else Freschlain will have my head, you¡¯ll report to me for follow-ups whenever you feel off. Don¡¯t wait until you¡¯re ready to collapse again.¡±


    "Thank you," Tyrus said. "And how much sil do I give you for the bottles?"


    She chuckled. "The fees paid for by your silver pin status. And don''t worry about it. Healing isn''t free. We have our costs, same as you."


    "Thank you," he said again, "er...."


    ¡°Vaerlyn.¡± She said it like it wasn¡¯t important, like it was just a sound people called her. ¡°Head Healer Vaerlyn, if you want to be proper. But none of you brats use our titles anyway, so forget about it."


    Tyrus gave her a short, respectful nod, tucking the vials into the bag and wrapping the harness around his chest. He leaped off the bed and strutted toward the exit before the head healer called out once more.


    "Before you leave, let me ask you something, child. Does the name Talia ring any bells, perhaps?"


    Tyrus shook his head. "Should it?"


    The old healer gave him a smile, though there was no humor in it. "Forget I asked. I¡¯ve never had a Demi-human patient before, so I figure it¡¯s worth keeping an eye on you ¡ª for curiosity¡¯s sake, if nothing else.¡±


    Her gaze lingered on him for a beat longer than necessary, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes, but she turned away before Tyrus could press her on it, already moving on to whatever crisis waited for her down the hall. Arumn and Karmen lingered briefly, unsure if they should say something, but in the end, they too returned to their duties. Tyrus shrugged and left the infirmary, left to his thoughts.


    How was he supposed to move forward when every step could break him? How was he supposed to explain this to the others that he was left with no choice but to restrict his sorcery? Would they look at him differently now that he could no longer fight like they could? Would the others stop considering him their equal, or would they keep pushing him, not caring about his health and well-being at all.


    Stop it, Tyrus. Why are you thinking bad thoughts about them? They''re not those kinds of people. This is just my brain always having negative thoughts. They''ll understand, right?


    The hallway stretched out before him, quiet and empty. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of his choices settling onto his shoulders. For the first time in a long time, Tyrus didn¡¯t know if moving forward was even the right thing to do. But standing still wasn¡¯t an option, either.


    Now he must think of other ways to be useful to Blue Dawn.

 Chapter 173- Normal Lessons

    Tyrus walked out of the commons at a slow gait. The satchel bounced off his hip, the bottles inside clinking at each step. It was a bit annoying listening to the sound of glass, and he hoped they wouldn''t break that easily. Head Healer Vaerlyn''s silence on the matter of handling them led him to believe they were not easily damaged.


    Then again, glass was glass. It wouldn''t hurt to be extra careful. At the moment, the bottles of Care-oh, Karoo... whatever it was called, were the only thing standing between him and another collapse.


    The commons door swung shut behind him, the cool evening air brushing against his face. Tyrus shifted the satchel, adjusting the strap so it didn¡¯t dig into his shoulder, and started down the stone stairs. He didn¡¯t even make it halfway before Igneal''s and Kylis'' colorful hair entered his view.


    Standing at the bottom of the steps, Igneal was exactly as expected. Arms crossed, chin tilted just high enough to look down on everyone without actually needing to, but there was no proper bite behind it. Not for the past few months, that is. Beside him, Kylis stood with her arms loosely at her sides, her expression neutral as ever, though her sharp eyes flicked straight to the bag hanging off his hip.


    ¡°Took you long enough,¡± Igneal said, his tone caught between impatience and something that almost resembled concern. ¡°You didn¡¯t keel over, so that¡¯s a good sign. What¡¯d they say? Are you dying or not?¡±


    ¡°Not dying,¡± Tyrus said, his voice flat. ¡°But it¡¯s not good.¡±


    Kylis¡¯ gaze lingered on his face. ¡°What does ¡®not good¡¯ mean, exactly?¡±


    At the bottom step, Tyrus paused, considering downplaying his injury; maybe it was nothing, a small problem that would resolve itself in a couple of days. But the weight of the satchel, the dull ache still burning under his ribs, and the healer¡¯s warning rang too loud in his mind.


    So, he told them.


    ¡°Mana heart damage.¡± The words felt heavy in his mouth, like saying them made them more real. ¡°My pathways are messed up. They¡¯ve probably been like that for a while. I just didn¡¯t notice until everything caught up with me after overexerting myself.¡±


    Neither of them reacted right away. Kylis¡¯ brow twitched, but her expression stayed calm, her mind clearly already processing the implications. Igneal, however, stared at him, arms slowly uncrossing.


    ¡°How severe is the damage?¡± Kylis finally asked.


    Tyrus shifted the satchel again and gave it a quick pat. ¡°Bad enough that they gave me these potions for emergencies. If the pathways start to constrict again, I have to take three sips to stop them from rupturing. I can still use the elements and augmentation, but I have to be careful of not overdoing it. Head Healer Vaerlyn says my body needs time to grow in order for my mana heart and pathways to return to normal."


    ¡°So, you nearly burned yourself out,¡± Igneal said. ¡°Figured you were pushing too hard. Didn¡¯t expect you to actually break something.¡±


    Tyrus gave him a flat look. ¡°Thanks for the sympathy. This doesn''t mean I¡¯m going to stop training. I just¡­ have to figure out how to do it without pushing myself too far.¡±


    When those words left his mouth, a bell rang throughout the courtyard. The bell¡¯s echo lingered in the air as students began drifting toward the academy¡¯s main halls, gathering for their last class of the day. The sun hung low but not yet touching the horizon, bathing the courtyard in warm gold.


    Tyrus adjusted the strap of his satchel, giving Igneal and Kylis a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll catch you both later.¡±


    "I trust your recovery will be immediate," Igneal remarked, already departing for the residence halls. ¡°A shame you''ve grown frail. There is no joy or merit in surpassing the weak."


    Before Tyrus could retort, Igneal was already strolling away, hands in his pockets. Kylis took one final glance at the satchel and bid Tyrus farewell before returning to the commons. Now alone, Tyrus sighed, shifting his gaze to the academy building. He took a slower route, weaving through clusters of students until he reached the main building. It didn''t take long to find the classroom for Ethics and Law of the Sorcerer World, as it was just a few doors down from the entrance.


    Like the rest of the school, the classroom was large and open, using the same layout as Beast and Elemental Spirit Science classroom. It was already half-filled, students settling into creaky wooden desks worn smooth by years of restless hands.


    He slid into a seat near the back, resting the satchel beside his chair. His ribs still ached faintly beneath his shirt, but it was dull now, a reminder rather than a threat. Even so, every time his hand brushed the strap of the satchel, he felt the weight of those potions¡ªhis safety line, and a constant reminder of just how thin the line had become.


    Instructor Paltise, a balding man who spoke in a high-pitched voice that made him seem younger than he was, strode into the room. He had a habit of rambling when he walked, and the more he talked, the higher his voice went.


    In that squeaky voice of his, he droned on about the importance of ethics¡ªmore specifically, a few of Lethos law¡ªregarding sorcerers and the unblessed. Because of the stark power difference, a set of laws in Lethos had been put in place to make sure the sorcerers didn''t abuse their superiority over the unblessed.


    A special section was created by the Imperial Court of the Second Emperor, called the Six Codes. The Second Emperor inherited a fragmented empire shortly after the Grand Conquest. Though the First Emperor had relied on powerful sorcerers and noble bloodlines to secure his rule, it led to unchecked magical abuse. Sorcerers levied taxes, destroyed villages that disrespected them, and formed sorcerer enclaves where non-sorcerers were treated as disposable labor.


    Thus, these codes were deemed necessary in the aftermath of the Grand Conquest, a period during which the newly established Imperial Court had to swiftly lay the groundwork for the emerging society. Among the most vital ones discussed by the instructor were the Code of Honor, Code of Imperial Duty, Code of Responsibility, and the Code of the Forbidden.


    While Tyrus mind was mostly occupied with his problem, he still tried his hardest to pay attention to the lecture. It wasn''t anything fun like the other classes, but it was interesting nonetheless, especially about the last code.


    Apparently, the Code of the Forbidden was formed because of the rise of cults and rogue sorcerers experimenting with forbidden arts, causing public panic and destabilized regions. To no one¡¯s surprise, the dark element was at the center of most of these scandals, the element forever linked to taboo practices in the minds of the unblessed. And the one who further degraded the element to infamy was none other than the one called the Mad Sorcerer.


    If Tyrus was understanding this right, a lot of problems arose after the formation of the Lethos Empire, and it was the Second Emperor of Lethos that put an end to the chaos and corruption. It was even said that if it weren''t for him, it wouldn''t have taken long for the newly established empire to crumble from the inside despite their strong military.


    So, to rein in the inevitable ego of sorcerers and lessen the chances of rogues rising again, the Second Emperor established the Ten Codes ¡ª a strict set of laws meant to draw a clear line between acceptable magic and dangerous abuse. These codes didn¡¯t just govern how sorcerers interacted with the unblessed, but also how they interacted with each other, the state, and even magic itself.


    Again and again, Tyrus''s thoughts were pulled back to his connection with lightning, followed closely by darkness. It was in his blood, part of him no matter how much he pushed it down. He had done nothing forbidden, hadn¡¯t even been tempted¡­ but hearing it laid out so plainly made him wonder if being too good at the affinity was a bad thing to express. Tyrus felt a bit sorry for those unfortunate for sorcerers whose primary affinity was dark.


    The rest of the class slid past in a haze, the instructor¡¯s voice blending into the background noise of his own swirling thoughts. Notes were jotted down; half-legible reminders of laws, dates, and edicts, but Tyrus knew he¡¯d have to review them later if he wanted any of it to stick.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    When the lecture ended, Tyrus gathered his things and headed back to his dorm. The hallways were quieter now; the day winding down. His satchel hung heavier on his shoulder than usual, the vials inside clinking softly with each step. Once inside his room, he placed them carefully on his desk, lining them up neatly. A small, bitter part of him wondered if this was his life now. Counting doses, monitoring his own strength like a fragile old man.


    He washed up, brushed off the grime from the day, and went through the motions of preparing for sleep. His body was tired, but his mind wasn¡¯t. He lay awake longer than he meant to, staring at the ceiling, before exhaustion finally dragged him under.


    ***


    The next morning came too soon, dawn light cutting across the room in a thin slant. Tyrus stretched, feeling the familiar ache in his ribs. Duller now, but still there. A quick peek to the side revealed the bottles standing upright.


    Yesterday was no dream, no fleeting nightmare his mind had conjured up. The satchel, the potions, and the words of Head Healer Vaerlyn were all very much real. Tyrus let out a slow breath, sitting up and rolling his shoulders to loosen the stiffness that had settled in overnight. There was no time to dwell on it, not with the day already creeping forward.


    Tyrus bathed and dressed leisurely, pulling on his uniform with practiced motions. He walked over to the bottles and stored a bottle in his ring for emergencies.


    Leaving the rest in his room was better than keeping it all in one place. Not only was there a limited amount of space within the Scourge ring, but keeping all his lifelines in one spot felt reckless. If something happened¡ªif the ring was damaged, or if he lost it¡ªat least the rest would be safe in his room. That was the logic he clung to as he stepped out of his room and made his way to the hall''s dining area for a quick breakfast.


    Once his belly was full of fruit and buttered bread, Tyrus headed out of the hall and into a crisp morning air. The sky was a soft gray, with streaks of pale sunlight cutting through the lingering mist. The back of Tyrus neck tingled whenever a breeze brushed past, and he wished he had brought his cloak with him as he hurried over to the training grounds for his two combat classes.


    When he walked into the tower for Sorcerer Combat I, he was met with the usual scene of a crowd hanging around Igneal like moths to a flame. They made eye contact with each other, but Igneal just gave him a brief glance before looking away, chatting away with his little entourage, most likely fabricating stories and whatnot about how he single-handedly defeated some beast or something.


    Tyrus rolled his eyes and leaned against a wall, waiting patiently for the rest of the class to arrive. To kill some time, he brought out the book about wild beasts and flipped to the section related to the lesser hound.


    He hadn''t forgotten that today was the day that the Beast and Elemental Spirit Science class was scheduled to interact with a lesser hound. To many, it would be an exciting and new experience, but Tyrus had his fair share of encounters with their kind. In fact, he even wrestled one before, so meeting one up close wouldn''t necessarily get his blood pumping.


    His excitement wasn¡¯t particularly high or low. Just somewhere in the middle, like waiting for rain you knew was coming but didn¡¯t care too much about. He was just reading the book beforehand to study in case Instructor Rock decided to test them on their knowledge. Better to be safe than sorry.


    It didn''t take long for the rest to arrive, each one coming in with dropped shoulders and half-closed eyes. Once Mr. Chimp did a quick head count, he proceeded on. The instructor never wasted time on pleasantries, instead launching straight into another grueling review of river stance, one of the foundational stances every sorcerer in the Combat and Sorcery Department was expected to master.


    Mr. Chimp had them cycle through the stance until their limbs felt like lead, and even then, he demanded more like fluid pivots and to stop tensing up to decrease the energy burn. Every slip, every moment of hesitation earned a scowl or a clipped correction, though Tyrus noticed that his own mistakes seemed to draw longer, more withering stares. It was as if the man was just waiting for him to stumble. What was even more appalling was the fact that he was one of the few who actually held experience with the form, so the amount of mistakes compared to the rest was night and day.


    To Tyrus, river stance was one of the easier and suitable stances to use. He was always quick on his feet, dodging and weaving through beast attacks and even the occasional human. The flowing, adaptable nature of the river stance came naturally to him.


    It was less about brute strength and more about anticipating movement, letting the body shift and flow without resistance. But under Mr. Chimp''s watch, even his competence felt like a flaw. The instructor¡¯s eyes drilled into him, searching for the slightest fault to latch onto, and when none appeared, no praise arose. Just the same cold scrutiny, as if Tyrus were guilty of something simply by existing.


    By far, he was the worst instructor Tyrus had the displeasure of learning from, personality wise. On the other hand, Mr. Chimp knew the material and was pretty darn good at it. So, in the end, they balanced each other out, neither of them happy with the situation but working through it the best they could.


    Once the endless cycle of footwork and form corrections concluded, the class moved into motion drills and redirection sparring. This segment forced them to apply the fluidity of river stance under pressure and adapt to incoming attacks without freezing up or falling into predictable patterns. Partners would strike at each other with dulled training weapons or basic elemental spells, while the defender¡¯s job was to pivot, slip past, or guide the attack away with minimal exertion.


    Tyrus had no trouble with the drills themselves. Slithering around, pivoting just enough to let a blow glance off his forearm or slide past his side, it all came naturally. His body remembered the movements better than his mind did, senses honed from years spent dodging snapping jaws and clubbing paws.


    Whenever he was paired with another, they would grow frustrated whenever Tyrus was on the defensive, complaining that it was like trying to catch smoke or punch water. Not a single strike landed cleanly, no matter how fast or forceful the attack was. Tyrus didn¡¯t block with brute strength or meet their blows head-on. Every lunge, swipe, or thrust was either sidestepped at the last moment or redirected with the barest touch, sending their own momentum careening off course.


    A handful muttered that he was cheating somehow, though none could explain how. Tyrus ignored them the same way he ignored Mr. Chimp''s thinly veiled contempt. It didn¡¯t matter if they were frustrated, confused, or outright angry; so long as they couldn¡¯t land a hit, Tyrus counted it as a win. They were furious, but Tyrus found it hilarious watching them get all stressed out.


    Igneal was the only peer that he considered the real challenge to beat. They have only sparred once, and it ended with the Lockhart''s victory. Unlike the others, Igneal didn¡¯t waste energy on wild swings or overextended lunges. He always aimed to limit Tyrus¡¯ room to maneuver, knowing full well how he operated. That was a given, being that they have at each other''s throats the most often, but that didn''t stop Tyrus from admiring Igneal''s skills.


    By the end of class, Mr. Chimp gave his usual clipped dismissal and shooed his students off after the bell. Tyrus more than obliged and hurried off for Augmentation Mastery I, where Instructor Geroth happily greeted him with a forceful pat on the back.


    After everyone arrived, they were soon put to work with the restriction rings once again, conducting excruciating full-body warm-ups that left no joint or muscle untouched. His limbs felt submerged in syrup, every step requiring twice the effort, every stretch turning into a battle against invisible chains.


    The man barked encouragement and corrections in equal measure, thumping shoulders or clapping hands in approval whenever someone pushed through a particularly grueling set. Instructor Geroths'' and Mr. Chimps'' teaching methods were similar, though their personalities were night and day. What Mr. Chimp would consider a failure, Instructor Geroth considered it steps to success. Where corrections came laced with disappointment or thinly veiled contempt, booming laughter or a grin sharp enough to split stone filled the void. Nowadays, Tyrus questioned how Grant and his father''s personalities could be so alike, yet so different.


    The final stretch of class arrived where they focused on augmentation. Everyone had gotten the hang of augmenting multiple limbs for short periods of time, restriction rings included. Mana infusion into multiple body parts became easy for Tyrus. He could augment his left arm and right foot simultaneously, or focus on just one limb and increase the power and speed of that limb.


    Of course, he tried to be extra careful of not going overboard, knowing full well of his condition. In the middle of class, he already gave Instructor Geroth the gist of the situation. The man''s demeanor changed when he heard of the news and immediately went on a speech about protecting the body''s limits and taking care not to overdo it. He even told Tyrus to take a break once his chest started feeling tight. Tyrus simply thanked him for his concern and soothed the man''s fears with promises of self-restraint.


    After another hour passed of grueling lessons, the end of class arrived. At the bell, the students crawled off the ground, legs shaking as they used the tower wall for support. Instructor Geroth cackled and wished everyone a good day. As the students staggered out of the tower, Elias approached Tyrus.


    "Hey, you doing alright? I left the infirmary after being treated, but you seemed worse off. You seemed very pale."


    Tyrus chuckled. "Yeah, I''m fine. Head Healer Vaerlyn fixed me up just fine. She gave me some potions and said I''d recover soon. Nothing serious."


    "Oh, that''s great to hear," Elias said. "I''m glad you''re okay. And... what you saw yesterday, can you please keep what I did a secret? I''d be seen as a loser if word got out I lost to a beast less than half my size. Pretty please?"


    "Don''t worry, I won''t tell anyone as long as you tell me what happened."


    Elias cringed, but he sighed. "Alright, I''ll tell you the story. But promise me you won''t laugh."


    "I promise," Tyrus said. "We can talk about it over lunch, my teat."


    Elias eyes sparkled. "Really? You''re the best, Tyrus! I''ve been craving the food they gave us back at the entrance ceremony! Nowadays, all I can eat now is hard bread and bland meat because of my standing. I owe you big time."


    Elias sprinted out of the tower, no longer relying on the wall to hold him up.

 Chapter 174-Unforseen Trouble

    Beast and Elemental Spirit Science was held beyond the wall from where the commons area was. There was a path also, and after about a minute of walking through, one would meet a fenced clearing at the edge of the academy grounds, blending into nearby forestland. Dug into the soil, as if deliberate, were stones with symbols carved into them, all placed around the fence.


    Inside that fence were worn benches arranged in a semi-circle, the half of which were occupied by people from the Beast and Elemental Spirit class and the other half unfamiliar faces. On the far side, a startling scene played out.


    Constructs similar to Instructor Rock, a tad smaller yet more intimidating, shuffled around the ranch. They looked more like scarecrows than golems, wearing patched-together clothing made from stitched burlap and faded leather scraps, their ¡®faces¡¯ crudely carved with simple slashes for eyes and mouths. Their joints creaked whenever they moved, like a rusty old mechanism, yet their stride was sure and steady.


    Commanding them was none other than Instructor Rock and a man next to it. These golems carried buckets to the few occupied pens lining the edges of the clearing. Shockingly enough, in those pens were a lot of lesser hounds with black and gray coats. Each one bore thick, shaggy fur matted in places of dirt, their hulking forms corded with lean muscle. There was no leash or chain, only a wooden perimeter filled with claw and teeth marks.


    In spite of their fearsome appearance, the lesser hounds displayed no outward signs of hostility. They proceeded at a measured pace, periodically observing the scarecrow-golems as they provided water and raw meat to the troughs. Certain hounds regarded the activity with quiet curiosity, their ears moving in response to each bucket''s impact on the wood. Others merely lounged, sprawled out in the dirt without a care in the world.


    It was¡­ strange. Tyrus expected snapping jaws and growled warnings. Even the heavy, predatory aura lesser hounds typically exuded was subdued, replaced by mellow serenity. The raw instinct was still there, but something had pacified it, leaving the hounds docile as domesticated livestock. All the lesser hounds he met were vicious or in the stalking mood. But these beasts, these lesser hounds, were all docile, maybe even friendly, like giant, hairy puppies.


    Thinking about it more, it made sense that these lesser hounds would''ve been prepared beforehand. Throwing a group of first-years into a pen of untamed lesser hounds would¡¯ve been nothing short of a massacre. Just what exactly did Instructor Rock do to tame so many of these things? An even better question would be when and where did the instructor find so many of these beasts for the lesson?


    Tyrus trotted over to the benches, looking around for any signs of Ivy, yet she was nowhere to be found. Who he did find was Parsan, seated closest to the pens. Once Tyrus got closer, he noticed the weasel kid held a book in his hands, once again scribbling away at it. Instead of a Sorcerer Plane, an illustration of Instructor Rock was sketched onto the page, along with a few detailed descriptions of who created it and whatnot.


    "Parsan, was it?" Tyrus said, taking a seat beside him.


    The boy practically jumped out of his seat, dropping his sketch book into the dirt. Parsan scrambled to snatch up his sketchbook, his face flushing red as he hugged it close to his chest.


    "Woah! Don''t sneak up on me like that!" he sputtered, flustered. "I-I was¡­ focused."


    Tyrus raised his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry, didn¡¯t mean to startle you." His gaze flicked down to the slightly smudged page. "You, uh¡­ always draw during class?"


    Parsan¡¯s fingers tightened around the edges of the book, and he hastily shut it, thumping the cover closed harder than necessary. "I-I like documenting things, okay? It helps me remember stuff. My father said proper documentation is the first step toward understanding." He hugged the sketchbook tighter. "Besides¡­ no one else bothers to write this stuff down. Someone has to, and it just to happened to be my job."


    Tyrus tilted his head. "What kind of stuff are you writing down?"


    "Nothing special!" Parsan blurted out too quickly, his voice rising an octave. He coughed, forcing himself to sound calmer. "Just... class notes. Yeah, class notes. The stuff instructors talk about, important details, that sort of thing."


    "Uh-huh," Tyrus drawled, unconvinced. He glanced at the book again. "I didn¡¯t know you were into art, though. I saw a drawing of Instructor Rock before you slammed it shut."


    "I-It¡¯s just easier to remember things when I draw them. Visual memory and all that."


    "You¡¯ve been sketching all the instructors, then?"


    Parsan''s face went pale, and his grip on the book tightened even more. "Not all of them! That¡¯d be weird. Really weird."


    Tyrus squinted at him. "You¡¯re acting like I caught you writing insults about them or something."


    Parsan let out a nervous chuckle, eyes flicking toward the pens as if hoping someone might interrupt. "It''s nothing like that. Just... observations. Strengths, weaknesses... stuff that might be useful someday."


    "Useful for what?" Tyrus asked again.


    Parsan froze, and before Tyrus could ask anything else, the sound of footsteps drew his attention. Tyrus looked over his shoulder to see Ivy running towards them, her face flushed and panting from exertion, the book of wild beasts pressed against her chest. She approached Tyrus and took the seat next to him, setting aside the book and gasping for air.


    "I-I''m here," she grumbled. "B-Barely on time, though. Geez, these benches are hard! They could''ve at least used a softer material."


    Tyrus raised an eyebrow. "What happened to you to almost be late for Instructor Rock''s class?"


    It only took Ivy a moment to compose herself and put her disheveled hair back into a simple ponytail. "I was at the library, studying for my other classes, and I completely lost track of time. The History of Magic I and Sorcery Theory I courses are so demanding! The textbook material is incredibly dense, and I find myself needing extra days to absorb and memorize everything for both classes. I feel like I''m barely scratching the surface!"


    "We''ve just gone over the Pre-Sorcery Era and the Atrocities Period, which were very interesting to learn more about. It really opened my eyes to how much magic influenced the world before it was properly harnessed. Like, did you know that in the early years, sorcerers were practically worshipped like gods because of their abilities? And that the Great Lineages were instrumental in shifting the world¡¯s perception of sorcery into something more structured?" She barely paused for breath, her words tumbling out in rapid succession. "And don''t even get me started on Sorcery Theory I! We''ve been¡ª"


    "Alright, that''s enough chatter from you, young miss," said a voice that made everyone turn around.


    Instructor Rock and the man next to him previously approached the students. A closer look revealed a middle-aged man with short, wavy black hair, the strands slightly tousled, and a meticulously groomed mustache. He sported a loose-fit tunic with rolled up sleeves, pants crafted from leather, gloves and boots to match. His attire oddly resembled Instructor Hugo''s, but where the wilderness expert wore a color scheme that matched his surroundings, this man''s outfit was lighter and more vibrant, given that his tunic was red and his pants black.


    "Greetings, students from Instructor Rock''s class," said the man. "I am Instructor Belpyr, a Beast Handler that teaches students in Creature Taming the art of taming beasts and emphasizes bonding, communication, and understanding. Under Instructor Rock''s request, today will be a joint lesson between our classes. You''ll not only observe but also engage with these lesser hounds under my supervision. I hope that by the end of this session, you''ll have a better grasp of how these creatures think and behave."


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    He clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing before the class, his sharp, watchful eyes flicking between the students and the lesser hounds lounging behind him.


    "I understand most of you have minimal experience with creatures like these," Belpyr continued. "But I expect you to listen carefully and follow my instructions to the letter. Despite their current demeanor, these lesser hounds are not your pets. Their instincts are strong, and their natural aggression is only tempered by the training we''ve instilled in them. Do not, under any circumstances, provoke them."


    A few students straightened in their seats, and the previously casual atmosphere shifted into one of tense focus. Ivy, however, couldn''t contain her curiosity. She leaned forward slightly, her hand raised high. "Excuse me, Instructor Belpyr?"


    The Beast Handler turned, arching a brow. "Yes?"


    "How exactly did you tame them to be so docile? I''ve read in the Book of Wild Beasts: Volume One that lesser hounds are highly aggressive creatures, especially in captivity. Their bloodlust can¡¯t be so easily diminished without long-term magical subjugation or¡­ or some kind of forceful enchantment."


    A murmur of agreement spread among the class, and even Tyrus found himself nodding along. It was a good question. He¡¯d never seen lesser hounds this mellow before.


    The man, however, merely smiled. "An excellent question, young lady. One that will be answered in time. For now, understand that veritable beast taming relies not on force or subjugation, but rather on dominance through trust and mutual understanding. These creatures may follow my command, but they do so willingly, not because they fear me, but because they have learned to respect me."


    Ivy''s eyes gleamed with fascination, but before she could press for more, the Beast Handler continued. "Now then, everyone on your feet. We''re going to split you into small groups, and each group will have the opportunity to approach one of the lesser hounds. Your task is simple: assess the hound¡¯s temperament, attempt to establish communication, and coax it into following a basic command."


    "A few warnings before we proceed," Instructor Rock chimed in. "Try to make as little eye contact with the lesser hounds as possible. Direct eye contact can be interpreted as a challenge, and while these beasts have been conditioned to remain docile, their predatory instincts are still very much intact. Agitate them, and they will respond."


    "And most importantly, do not raise your voice, flail, or strike if a hound approaches. Sudden movements or outbursts will startle them. Maintain your composure, keep your voice low and steady, and do not break your stance if approached?"


    The boy who previously fainted back then audibly gulped. "Great. Just great. Can we, uh¡­ maybe not do this and just watch?"


    "No one is forced to participate," Instructor Rock replied. "You can merely observe from the fence if you do not feel confident. However, keep in mind that learning through direct interaction will provide far greater understanding than mere observation."


    He hesitated, glancing at the looming forms of the lesser hounds before shrinking back slightly. "I''ll, uh¡­ think about it," he muttered.


    Instructor Belpyr chuckled. "Nothing wrong with caution, but fear should not dictate your actions. These creatures can sense uncertainty just as they can sense confidence. Approach them with a steady heart, and you may find them more willing to respond."


    Tyrus folded his arms, exchanging a glance with Ivy, who practically vibrated with excitement. Parsan, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.


    "Okay," said Instructor Rock, snapping everyone''s attention back to him. "Groups will be assigned now. Follow Instructor Belpyr¡¯s instructions and stay alert."


    The Beast Handler began calling out names, directing students toward different pens. When he reached Tyrus, Ivy, and Parsan, he gestured toward a pen near the far end of the enclosure.


    "You three, along with Cail and Lira, will be working with Grey Wind," he said. "She''s one of the older yet calmer hounds, but don¡¯t mistake her patience for submission. Earn her respect, and you¡¯ll see what true communication with a beast looks like."


    Tyrus turned toward their assigned pen, where a massive hound lay curled in the dirt. Her fur was a mix of gray and light brown, thick around the neck like a mane. Her ears flicked lazily at the sound of their approaching footsteps, but she made no move to rise.


    The hands-on lesson progressed smoothly. Each student took their turn approaching Grey Wind, speaking softly and moving carefully, just as Instructor Belpyr had instructed. Cail was the first, his voice steady but his movements slightly awkward. Grey Wind merely flicked her ears at him, indifferent but not hostile. Lira fared better, coaxing the hound into shifting her weight toward her, but no further response came.


    Then came Ivy''s turn. With a beaming smile, she approached the pen, careful not to make direct eye contact.


    "Hey there," Ivy murmured, keeping her voice soft and warm. "You''re a big one, huh? Bet you¡¯ve seen a lot." She knelt slowly, extending her hand palm up. Grey Wind regarded her, nostrils flaring as she took in Ivy''s scent; brief pause, then the hound slowly padded forward and nudged Ivy¡¯s hand with her nose. Gasps of surprise sounded from the other students.


    "Excellent approach, Miss Ivy," Instructor Belpyr said with a smile. "Organized and patient. You understand the method of approach. Well done."


    Ivy grinned, her excitement barely contained as she gently scratched behind Grey Wind¡¯s ears. "She¡¯s amazing," Ivy whispered. "So much bigger up close, though."


    Tyrus smiled. "You''re a natural, huh?"


    "I read about this stuff, remember?" Ivy shot back smugly, still petting the hound.


    Finally, it was Tyrus¡¯ turn. He stepped forward, keeping his hands relaxed and avoiding eye contact, just as the others had done. Grey Wind, who had been relatively indifferent so far, immediately stiffened. Her head snapped up, eyes locking onto Tyrus with an intensity that made the hairs on his neck rise.


    Before Tyrus could take another step, Grey Wind lowered her head and did a sort of bow with her front legs, ears flattened and tail tucked low: a clear display of submission. The entire group froze. Even Instructor Belpyr¡¯s friendly demeanor shifted to one of intrigue.


    Tyrus stopped dead in his tracks, blinking in confusion. "Uh¡­ is she supposed to do that?" he asked, glancing toward the Beast Handler.


    Belpyr slowly shook his head. "Grey Wind has never bowed to anyone before. This is a fresh experience, even for me. Try giving her a command. Something simple. See how she responds."


    "Okay," Tyrus said with a nod. "Grey Wind, stand."


    Immediately, the massive hound rose to her feet, its massive frame shaking slightly, head still low, and tail tucked submissively. Her gaze never left Tyrus eyes, even though she was a good few inches taller than he was.


    He gave her a command to sit, and she obeyed without hesitation, lowering herself to the ground in one fluid motion. Then he ordered her to approach him, and she trotted over, tail wagging as she nosed his hand. Tyrus''s heart skipped a beat as he watched in stunned silence.


    Now that he got a closer look, Grey Wolf was really beautiful to look at. Her fur was thick and well-groomed, a healthy mixture of gray and light brown that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Her pale red eyes, however, were what captivated Tyrus the most; intelligence that seemed to stare not just at him, but through him. Tentatively, Tyrus brushed his fingers along her snout, and Grey Wind leaned into his touch, releasing a low, contented rumble.


    These beasts aren''t so bad after all. Once you get past their terrifying size, speed, and capability of ripping a throat in seconds, they''re actually pretty harmless. How come the lesser hounds I''ve met aren''t like this?


    Ivy took a step closer, standing next to Tyrus. "That¡¯s incredible. She¡¯s acting like you''re her leader or something."


    "Tsk. This shouldn''t surprise anyone," one student murmured. "This is just two beasts getting along."


    "Isn''t that a rude thing to say?" said another. "Demi-human or not, it''s still disrespect¡ª"


    A sudden, sharp snarl erupted from a nearby pen. Everyone¡¯s head snapped in that direction. A lesser hound that was smaller and leaner than Grey Wind had abruptly risen to its feet, its eyes locked onto Ivy. The hound¡¯s lips peeled back, exposing sharp canines as it let out a low, menacing growl. Then, without warning, it leapt over the fence, barreling straight toward Ivy.


    But before she could react, the lesser hound lunged, jaws snapping. Tyrus didn¡¯t think ¡ª his body simply moved. Augmentation flooded his limbs, and in one swift motion, he was between them. His hand shot out, catching the beast mid-air by the throat, halting its momentum just inches from Ivy.


    The beast thrashed violently, but Tyrus held firm, his enhanced strength locking it in place. It continued to writhe, but then another presence surged forward: Grey Wind. The older hound launched herself at the aggressive pup, slamming it down with a heavy, dominating growl. Her fangs grazed its neck, serving as a warning. Instantly, the younger beast¡¯s thrashing ceased. It lay still, panting heavily as Grey Wind loomed over it, enforcing her dominance.


    "What the heck just happened?!" Cail blurted, wide-eyed.


    Another student stepped out of the pen and said, "I thought these lesser hounds were docile and won''t attack us!"


    Tyrus ignored them and hurried over to Ivy. "Are you okay? Did the lesser hound get you?"


    "No, I''m fine," she replied, staring at the younger hound. "I didn''t even get close to being touched thanks to you."


    Tyrus breathed a sigh of relief. "Good to hear. We should get away from here just in case it''s not done with you. Plus, it doesn''t seem too happy being pinned down by Grey Wind."


    Instructor Belpyr trotted over to Grey Wind and ordered for the younger hound''s release. The massive hound obeyed immediately, stepping back while keeping her intimidating gaze fixed on the pup. The young hound, cowed and shivering, quickly tucked its tail and bounded away, returning to the pen it escaped from.


    "Instructor Rock, I think it would be wise to end the lesson here," the Beast Handler said, looking troubled.


    "I agree," said the construct. "It is surprising that one of the younger hounds would get aggressive. Perhaps further training would be needed the next time."


    The Beast Handler nodded, though his face was creased with worry. "This lesson is over. You may all return to your rooms or whatever you deem is important."


    A few students cheered, while most of the class had gone pale in the face. As the group dispersed, Tyrus''s mind raced. Grey Wind stayed put, and even as he walked away with Ivy nearby, Grey Wind''s eyes never strayed from him.