[Host need to be careful of the demonic aura]
When Samuel entered the mansion, his father, Cris, was talking to his sisters and brother. They stood in the main hall, discussing the upcoming departure. Cris looked up when Samuel approached. He walked over and placed a hand on Samuel's shoulder. His voice was filled with pride and relief, something Samuel rarely heard.
"Samuel, you all need to depart in three days, as it will take ten days to reach the Zenith Imperial Academy," Cris said. He squeezed Samuel's shoulder gently. "And I was surprised to see you cast magic during the test. You have improved."
Samuel was happy to see his father's proud expression. He felt his heart, which had been cold due to recent events, now grow warm. Usually, Cris was stern and distant.
"Thanks, Father," Samuel said with a smile. "I will go to my room to rest."
He went to his room and jumped onto his bed. He took the rest immediately. It was already close to night time, as the test had taken quite a time. The exhaustion from the previous days caught up to him. Samuel fell asleep instantly.
For the next three days, Samuel spent most of his time reading books. His ankle was still not fully healed, so physical training was risky. However, with the Passive Training buff, he was able to increase his rank even while studying.
In the library, the old lady at the counter looked at him sometimes. Her gaze was sharp, like a hawk. But Samuel didn't mind. Both parties did not speak. Samuel liked the silence in the library. It was a good environment for learning new things. The smell of old parchment calmed him.
He read about the Empire. He read about the Zenith Imperial Academy's history. He studied the main road they were going to take to reach the Zenith Imperial Academy. He memorized the maps. He learned where the dangerous zones were.
[Passive Training Activated]
[Spirit Rank Progression: 60%... 61%]
"It was slow, but with the current condition, that was the best I can do," Samuel thought. He closed the book named 'Geography of the Central Plains'. He packed his bag with a map, the painkillers that Aria gave him, some small steel knives he had prepared, and a book on mana theory.
On the fourth day, the Crimson Mansion was busy. Maids were packing the luggage, and servants were loading the bags onto the carriage. There was a cheering atmosphere in the Crimson Clan. The sunlight was warm, like it would heal the darkness from a person's soul. Butler Ray was standing beside the door, greeting him.
"Morning, Young Master Samuel," Ray said. He was wearing a black butler suit with white hand gloves, with a black tie and the Crimson Clan logo on them. His posture was perfect as always.
"Thanks, Ray," Samuel said.
Outside, his father and mother were waiting for him. His mother, Luna, looked worried. Her hands were clasped together. His father spoke. "It will take ten days. Be careful." Saying that, he handed him a bag of gold. It was full and heavy.
His mother, Luna, hugged him. "Take care of yourself, my child." Tears were falling from her beautiful blue eyes. She did not want to let go ,"And be careful of the other clans... some play dirty."her tone was filled with worry.
His father comforted his mother. His second sister, Aria, was standing beside the carriage. Elena was already sitting inside the carriage. Ryan was beside Aria. He was quite excited for the Academy. He could not stop smiling.
"Get in quickly inside the carriage, all of you," Elena spoke from inside the carriage. Her voice was impatient.
The carriage was pulled by a bulky beast with huge muscles on its body. Its skin was black like iron. It had a horn which was shining under the sunlight. Its legs were strong and sturdy. It breathed steam into the cold air.
[Target Identified: Ironhorn Beast]
[Beast Rank: E]
[Traits: High Stamina, High Strength]
"It will be a safe ride with this beast," Samuel thought. Thinking that, Samuel entered the carriage. He sat beside Aria. In front of him was Ryan.
The carriage started moving. The wheels made a crunching sound on the gravel and rocks. Then the carriage headed toward the main road toward the Zenith Imperial Academy. The Ironhorn Beast was fast, and its feet stomped on the ground with heavy thuds.
Inside, the space was quite spacious. There was even a table there. Ryan spoke first. "It will take ten days to reach." Ryan looked outside the window. The weather was clean. "I think the main road to the Zenith Imperial Academy passes through the Forest of Whispers. There are bandits lurking there."
Ryan's voice was heavy and shaking. He was nervous.
"No one will try to attack the carriage with the Crimson logo on it. And in this carriage, we, the heirs of the clan, are there. Bandits won't dare to attack," Elena spoke while cleaning her nails. She looked bored.
"Arrogance can get people killed, Sister Elena," Aria spoke while reading a book. She looked at Samuel and asked, "How is your ankle now?"
"It's better now," Samuel said. He did not show her the wound. "But the painkillers helped quite a lot."
"That's good, Samuel," Aria said. She leaned towards Samuel and whispered. "Be careful inside the Academy. It is protected by the Emperor, but competition is fierce. Other clans will target you." Her voice was filled with concern for Samuel.
"Don't worry. I know that. I know how to handle them," Samuel said.
The days passed one by one. The landscape changed from time to time. Sometimes it was hilly. Sometimes it was green land. Sometimes there were different kinds of trees. The air grew colder as they moved north.
3rd Day
[Spirit Rank Progression: 61% → 63%]
7th Day
[Spirit Rank Progression: 63% → 65%]
It was slow, but he needed to conserve his energy for the entrance exam of Zenith Imperial Academy. Other clans were also participating in the entrance exam. He could not waste his power on the road.
In the night, they made a tent for all of them and rested there. "Rest today. Tomorrow we will be crossing the bridge," the coachman spoke. His eyes were filled with knowledge. He leaned back, with grey hair, wearing white clothes. He had driven this route many times.
Samuel stretched his arms as he was in a carriage for quite some time. His legs were stiff. His ankle injury was now fully healed, but the mark on his chest was still there. A reminder of the wolf.
The air was cold. They ate the dinner and all slept. Samuel kept one eye open. He sensed something in the dark.
[Warning! Hostile Presence Detected]
In the next morning, they were crossing a bridge made of stone. There was a canyon under it. Water was flowing there, far below. Samuel tightened his fists. He was ready for an enemy ambush.
On the other side of the bridge, people wearing black masks appeared. They had bows. They launched an arrow rain at the carriage. The wood splintered.
"Oh ! No problem." Elena was the first to notice the black-masked men. She saw the arrow rain and casted a spell. "Fire Shield!" A shield made of fire covered the carriage. The arrows burned before they could touch the wood.
The Ironhorn Beast didn't get injured by the arrows as its skin was tough. It was an E-Rank beast. Normal arrows couldn't deal any damage to it.
It charged towards the masked men, trampling whoever came in front of it. Aria jumped from the carriage and casted a spell. "Fire Tornado!" A big tornado made of fire appeared in the middle of the masked men.
They all were sent flying. Some fell into the river under the bridge. A man with a different mask than the others had lightning cracking on his hand. He rushed towards Aria.
[Target Identified: Masked Assassin - Lightning Affinity]
[Rank: D (mid)]
[Threat Assessment: High Mobility, Moderate Damage]
[Traits:
• Lightning Reflexes (Evasion +40%)
• Voltaic Step (Short-range teleport via lightning)
• Spear of Judgment (Piercing lightning attack)]
[Weakness: Unkown]
Before Aria could block the attack, a knife with fire burning on it attacked the man. Samuel had thrown it from the carriage window. The man dodged the knife with lightning. He said, "None of you will be able to attend the Zenith Imperial Academy today, because today will be your last day."
Saying that, multiple lightning spears appeared behind the man. He tried to attack Samuel. He knew Samuel was the weak point.
Elena also jumped from the carriage to attack the man. He was forced to cancel his spell to dodge the strike. Surrounded by Aria, Elena, and Samuel, he turned into lightning and vanished before their eyes. However, before vanishing,
A crack of thunder. Aria screamed. A bolt of black lightning burned through her shoulder. Samuel's heart stopped.
"This won't be the last time. The next time we meet, one of us will be dead, Samuel Crimson."
His voice was hoarse and loud.
The carriage was safe. The coachman checked the beast. It was fine.
Ryan picked the mask of one of the masked men. It had a red symbol which looked like a triangle with a demonic eye in it.
"This symbol..." Aria whispered. Her face turned pale. "It's not just bandits."
Samuel looked at the symbol. He remembered the book he read in the library. 'Origin of Demons.'
"System," Samuel thought. "Do you know this?"
[Analysis Complete. Symbol Matches Demon Sect Affiliates]
[Warning. Host Should Be Cautious]
Samuel clenched his fist. The Thunder Clan was one thing. But demons?And this time they even injured his second sister.The journey was over. But the danger had just begun.
"Let's go," Samuel said. "The Academy is close."
The carriage moved again. The bridge was behind them. Ahead, the capital city stood. White towers pierced the sky.
[Host Has Arrived At Capital]
[Next Mission: Enter The Academy]
The journey was over. The capital loomed ahead, white towers piercing the sky. Samuel looked out the window. The real test was beginning."