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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Lianna’s reaction to the sight of Derek was priceless. A mixture of disgust and contempt. She recoiled from him, avoiding even his slightest attempts at conversation.
I took the opportunity to “punish” him, driving stakes through his limbs and heart. Her expression as she watched was familiar now, the same look of horrified fascination I’d seen so often at the academy.
I asked her to keep watch and closed my eyes for a moment, resting in the tent. When I opened them, I was somewhere else entirely.
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A pure white space, a black door standing out starkly against the pristine backdrop.
Drawn to it, I opened the door and felt like I was falling into an endless ocean. Like Icarus, my wings melting in the sun, I plummeted into the darkness, alone and disoriented.
I fell and fell, until my descent was abruptly halted. A voice echoed in my mind.
[…To you, I offer ■■…]
[…The price is ■■…]
[…May the eternal ■■ be with you …]
What…?
The words were clear, yet their meaning eluded me.
Was it even a voice?
Who was speaking?
What price?
And what is being asked of the one called “you”?
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The words resonated within my skull, a throbbing pain accompanied by a strange sensation, like a gentle touch. I opened my eyes.
I was drenched in sweat, my muscles aching.
It had been a dream. A strange, unsettling dream.
I sat up, and something fell from my head. A damp cloth. My forehead was wet.
“Are… you okay?”
“…”
I turned and saw her, her face etched with concern. I stared at her, speechless.
Her clothes, which should have been clean, were covered in dirt and grime. Cuts and bruises, the remnants of magical attacks, marred her skin.
But the tent was undamaged. No students had attacked her.
Why was she injured?
“I… I fell into a trap…”
“A trap?”
“You looked unwell, so I went to the river to get a wet cloth… and…”
“You triggered the traps?”
“Yeah…”
She looked downcast. I couldn’t blame her. They were my traps.
But this presented a problem.
The traps protecting our camp were gone. I’d put considerable effort into creating them, and rebuilding them would take time. And even then, considering the wolf from last night, they weren’t foolproof. Wild animals were sensitive to human scent and would likely avoid them.
We needed a new strategy.
We’d move frequently, hunting monsters. Actively seeking out other students was too risky. I could handle them on my own, but Lianna would be vulnerable. It was safer to stick together and hunt monsters for extra points.
“I’ll clean up the traps!”
“It’s fine, I can—”
“Jenison, you’re hurt! I’ll do it!”
I reluctantly agreed, trusting her to handle it. I started butchering the wolf I’d killed last night.
The carcass was covered in insects, but I ignored them and focused on draining its blood.
Blood was a valuable alchemical ingredient. Magic circles drawn with blood were said to be more potent. Summoning rituals often required blood sacrifices. Some cultures believed consuming a part of something granted you its power.
Blood was a common and versatile ingredient, and I intended to use it. It was also a key component in curses. It would be useful.
I was still draining the wolf’s blood when Lianna returned. I turned to her, remembering a question I’d wanted to ask.
“Lianna, what are the limits of your Transformation ability?”
“Limits…?”
Every ability had its limits, determined by talent and training. Hers was no different.
As far as I knew, Transformation had no defined targets. Theoretically, she could transform anything into anything else.
And that applied to the results of the transformation as well.
“Lianna, can you transform an object into mana?”
“…What?”
“Can you transform a physical object into pure mana or magical energy?”
“Of course not! I can’t even see mana!”
“What about a magic circle?”
“…What…?”
“Is it possible?”
Magic circles were tangible. They had a physical form, a unique structure. Could she transform them, if she understood their composition?
It was an unconventional idea. Even Lianna looked deep in thought.
Could she keep up with the speed of a spell being cast? Could she quickly decipher its components? Could she instantly visualize and transform it into a different magic circle?
There were many obstacles. It would take time and effort to overcome them.
But she was considering it, which meant she thought it might be possible.
Magic circles were delicate. A single misplaced line could render them useless. But if she could manipulate another mage’s magic…
It would be a mage’s worst nightmare, and an incredible advantage in combat.
“Can you do it?”
“Not yet… not yet…”
I didn’t press her further. Her answer was enough.
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Time passed, and the number of surviving students dwindled. We’d started with around 250, and now there were only 180 left.
The bracelets displayed a list of students who’d been “eliminated,” mostly by other students.
The top performers were Isabella and Princess Kiana. Isabella, aloof and powerful, and the princess, commanding her faction with ruthless efficiency.
We decided to avoid them and focus on hunting monsters. We weren’t strong enough to compete with them.
We searched the forest, enjoying the peaceful scenery—squirrels chattering in the trees, a clear stream flowing through a valley—when the air shifted.
A metallic scent, the smell of blood, filled the air.
The squirrels disappeared. A wild boar, previously grazing peacefully, bolted. Birds took flight, their songs silenced.
The leaves trembled. The metallic scent intensified. The animals grew increasingly agitated.
Something was wrong.
Something was nearby.
We cautiously approached the source of the metallic scent.
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Monsters.
Twisted creatures born from the remnants of mana. Byproducts of magical energy, taking on various forms, possessing unique abilities.
And they existed on this island, too.
A massive wolf-like creature, its eyes glowing red, a purple mana stone embedded in its forehead.
It was too grotesque to be called a living being, too animated to be an object.
Its howl was unlike any wolf she’d ever heard. Its movements were unnatural, its form constantly shifting.
But it was real.
Blood dripped from its claws. A corrosive liquid oozed from its mouth, dissolving the ground beneath it. A dark aura surrounded it, like something demonic.
It devoured a mangled carcass, its identity unknown, blood splattering everywhere. It was a nauseating sight.
The animals had long since fled. Even the students avoided it, sensing its malevolent aura.
Uprooted trees and claw marks on the surrounding rocks attested to its power.
A predator that stalked its prey from the shadows, targeting their throats.
It was Virang, the Black Wolf King.
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