After parting ways with Belman’s unit, we set out with Aslay leading the foraging activities.
[Your mana has increased slightly.]
The frequency of the system alert for Ricks’s blessing, “The Devoted Sage’s Blessing,” had noticeably decreased. This likely meant that the wolves in the area had been nearly hunted down.
Though it was a bit disappointing, my current mana had nearly doubled. It was initially so minuscule that even a slight increase seemed significant, but progress is progress.
Limberton scanned the surroundings and asked, “I don’t see a single wolf around. How will the others earn points now?”
“Well, some might take the opportunity to rest, having earned enough points already, while others might venture out to hunt different monsters in the outskirts,” I replied.
The outskirts were naturally much more dangerous. The monsters there were on a different level, as they preyed on tri-headed wolves. The saving grace was that these monsters roamed individually, making them manageable.
Still, I had described the area as extremely dangerous because of one particular reason: the presence of the roaming band’s instructors and the young roaming band’s base.
“Most of them will likely engage in treasure hunting like us. They wouldn’t recklessly venture out without information on the monsters in the outskirts.”
“Exactly. That’s why the second day is the perfect time. Others are probably just starting to map out the area.”
Limberton waved the map I had drawn and asked, “But when did you make this? Did you have the time?”
“When I went up to the highlands to rescue you,” I replied.
There’s nothing easier than getting a lay of the land from above. If you know where the sun rises, where the large rocks and mountains are, you can sketch a map pretty quickly. Then, it’s just a matter of matching it with my memory from beyond the monitor and marking areas where treasures frequently appear.
Of course, there might be discrepancies since this is reality, but I wasn’t too worried.
“Found it,” Aslay announced.
His skills would more than make up for any errors. I inspected the three mushrooms he handed over. They were golden, fibrous mushrooms.
“Shingum mushrooms, huh? Quite a rare delicacy. These are worth 30 points each.”
The enchanted forest was a treasure trove, not just for medicinal herbs but also for rare insects and gourmet ingredients that food enthusiasts drooled over. Many ventured deep into these areas, risking their lives for such finds. Especially since the Purple Forest was part of an unexplored zone, it occasionally attracted greedy adventurers.
The academy had chosen secluded locations for exams, considering such risks. Hence, vigilance was always necessary.
– Hersel, someone is watching us.
‘Not another student?’ I asked.
– They look quite young. Their attire is shabby compared to yours.
A young roaming band member. They were likely scouting to gauge whether they could handle us, preparing for tonight’s attack.
Leaving them alone would increase the risk of our base being discovered. We needed to drive them away.
“Why don’t you come out instead of hiding like a squirrel?” I called out.
I heard a faint rustling of leaves.
– Not there, behind us.
I turned and looked up at the trees. Limberton and Aslay also readied themselves. I kept my eyes on the spot, carefully conjuring a sharpened blade and quietly throwing it with precision.
The branch was cut, and the startled forest squirrel darted away, causing leaves to rustle all around.
“We lost them,” Limberton said, lowering his bow.
“Could it be the highland guys?” he asked.
There was no need to explain. They’d find out soon enough.
“Anyway, if there are Shingum mushrooms here, there should be more around…” I said, scanning the surroundings as Aslay continued his search.
“I found another one,” Limberton said, adding the mushroom to his pack.
He glanced at the cut branch and asked, “But why did you keep being a magic swordsman a secret?”
Ever since encountering Luon, they had mistakenly thought I was a magic swordsman.
It was more than just a misunderstanding—I hadn’t corrected them, and it was a deception on my part.
There was a reason for this.
Recently, I’d been having nightmares. Nightmares of being surrounded and trampled by those I had deceived.
In the dreams, they shouted at me, calling me a fraud and demanding all my coins, leaving me beaten and penniless.
If they found out the truth, those dreams could become a reality. So, even now, I had to keep up the facade, burning the embers of noble blood and pretending.
“A talented hawk hides its talons,” I said.
Limberton’s eyes sparkled, and I felt a pang of guilt.
In the estate, I did what I had to do to survive. But at the academy, there was no need for such deceit. I just needed to monitor the storyline and build enough strength to graduate safely. That was the original plan.
But it all started with resisting Bidon to protect something precious.
Then, opposing Buerger Hall because Ricks’s group faced the dungeon trial without weapons.
Defeating Emeric had led to this.
I had eventually succumbed to the temptation of posing as a magic swordsman, looking at the blade Hetherson had given me.
Reflecting deeply on myself, Donatan gave me some practical advice.
– Hersel, lies only cause problems. Haven’t you experienced enough? Rescuing the red-haired woman because of Rockefeller was due to the mistaken belief that you were strong.
I had already faced the consequences, and more complications would arise in the future.
But it was too late to turn back now.
‘So, should I confess everything now? If they find out, I won’t even have bones left.’
– True. It’s already too complicated to untangle.
I felt a bit less guilty knowing I was doing my best. Even if I didn’t meet their expectations, I was striving to become stronger.
I sought out means and acted on them immediately.
The proof of my efforts was the Mana Blade, which could cut through aura.
It was a fake, crafted differently from a real magic swordsman’s weapon, but it was better than nothing.
If my deceit were exposed, I hoped they would be less disappointed.
Aslay found something else.
“I think it matches the picture,” he said.
“Well done, Aslay. This one’s worth 100 points. I didn’t expect you’d find the Sevila flower.”
“But Hersel, when are you going to search for the artifact?” Limberton asked.
“After we’ve sorted everything else out,” I replied.
For now, we needed to focus on the task at hand.
Branches rustled loudly.
A girl, not quite an adult yet, looked over her shoulder, sweating nervously.
Seeing nothing behind her, she sighed in relief.
She was the leader of the young roaming band.
Her task so far had been to observe and assess the enemy’s strength.
But now, someone had noticed her presence.
…This has never happened before.
She was quite flustered.
Her sleeve, torn as if cut by a sword.
There was a magic swordsman on the Frost Heart side.
Two of them, in fact.
The one in the highlands wasn’t the only magic swordsman. She needed to inform the instructor.
She quickly left the tri-headed wolf’s territory and headed for the outskirts.
The base was hidden in a thick mist.
The interior was visible since the fog only enveloped the exterior.
There were three multi-fortresses and several tables in the yard.
The young roaming band members were sharpening their weapons on grindstones, and the instructor was talking to someone at a large table.
As she approached, the instructor turned his head.
“You’re late, Melin.”
His expression was cold.
Intimidated by his demeanor, Melin stiffened and quickly responded.
“S-sorry, Instructor. I was checking to make sure we didn’t miss anyone.”
“I heard from another leader that we had already identified them all.”
Melin knew that failing to provide a satisfactory answer would lead to trouble.
The instructor was like a king to the children here, commanding both fear and reverence.
Obedience was rewarded with food, while disobedience earned the lash, leaving scars as a reminder.
Melin answered briefly and clearly.
“There’s another magic swordsman.”
The instructor’s expression turned serious.
He checked his watch and turned away.
“We’ll discuss that later.”
The instructor called out to the children with a vigilant voice.
“All leaders, gather.”
The children moved in unison.
The instructor, looking satisfied, addressed the line of leaders.
“I will now give instructions.”
He waved his staff, and a large map appeared in the air.
It was a map compiled from the young roaming band’s gathered information.
Melin swallowed hard as she looked at the marked camps.
We don’t know the location of that newly discovered fortress yet… I hope he doesn’t ask me to pinpoint it.
If he did, it would be a disaster.
The instructor began explaining in a composed manner, waving his staff.
The initial content was something they had already learned.
Frost Heart categorized its forces into three levels: Adelle, Buerger, and Schlaphe, in descending order of strength.
To pass the test, targeting Schlaphe Hall was the best strategy.
However, some within Schlaphe Hall were just as strong as those in Adelle Hall, so underestimating them was dangerous.
“The guy with the ponytail specializes in manifestation magic. The instructors deemed his skills comparable to those in Adelle Hall.”
The instructor enlarged the images of the ponytailed man and his followers.
“Those following him are also at a level beyond Schlaphe Hall.”
That meant avoiding them and targeting the rest of Schlaphe Hall was the best approach.
But the instructor dangled an enticing reward.
“I know you’re all thinking of avoiding Adelle Hall. But if you succeed, there will be fitting rewards. The same goes for hunting the ponytailed man and his followers.”
One of the leaders raised their hand.
The instructor nodded.
“What is the reward?”
“You can make a request within reason.”
“Anything that doesn’t involve leaving the roaming band or harming the kingdom.”
The leader shuddered slightly.
“Then… can we ask you to find our parents?”
Melin’s eyes widened.
This was significant for the young roaming band.
All the children here had been abandoned at orphanages and then brought to this place.
Some harbored resentment, while others were indifferent, assuming their parents were dead.
But some, like Melin, still yearned for their parents.
Her mother had promised to return and had given her a doll before leaving her at the orphanage.
But Melin had been sold to the roaming band and separated from her mother.
Now, she had a chance to see her mother again.
The wish she had kept hidden in her heart shone brightly, making her feel alive.
My target is the ponytailed man’s followers.
As she steeled herself, the instructions ended.
The raid would begin tonight.
As everyone moved to prepare, the instructor called Melin over.
Melin approached the instructor’s table, her steps hesitant.
Her gaze was fixed on his staff.
Every tap of the staff on the table made her heart race with fear.
“You found a magic swordsman?”
“Yes… he did this to my sleeve.”
Melin showed the tattered sleeve, feeling anxious.
The instructor raised his staff.
“Melin, you’re the most honest but also the most foolish of the leaders.”
Melin clung to his pants, pleading.
“P-please, Instructor, forgive me this once. They must have thought I was just an animal! I made sure they didn’t see me. Please!”
Her honesty seemed to work.
“You made a mistake that could have ruined the raid and want forgiveness… Fine. I don’t think you lied. So, I’ll end it with a simple punishment.”
The instructor put down his staff and picked up a whip from his belt.
Long red welts appeared on Melin’s body.
Despite the pain, she bit her lip, relieved inside.
As long as she survived, she could one day reunite with her mother.
I picked up a telescope on the second floor of the fortress.
Smoke was rising from the lowlands.
I turned to Limberton and brought up an old question.
“Limberton, do you remember the question I asked you before? If the person trying to kill you was a child, could you take their life?”
Limberton responded immediately.
His expression was firm.
He had clearly given it some thought since I first asked.
With unwavering eyes, Limberton asked me, “What about you?”
My response reflected my true feelings.
At some point, I must have realized that the minimum requirement for survival in the brutal world of Asares was ruthlessness.
This also meant losing one’s humanity.
Could I really become merciless enough to kill a child?
“We’ll find out when the opportunity arises.”
“What happens after that?”
“I’ll tell you then. What I did.”
I stood up and looked at the night sky.
A large cloud covered the moon.
Though it had felt light-hearted so far, it was a dark fantasy world where human depravity could be seen.
In this world, those who lived in shadows took the easy path, while those who sought to be a beacon paid the price and met the necessary qualifications.
Tonight, someone would stain their hands with blood, and someone else would bleed.
“What are those things?”
“I’ll explain later, Limberton. Let’s go down. The lowlands look dangerous. We should take a look.”