It took him roughly one day to adjust to his new strength. By far, the hardest aspect to adapt was moving while fighting. He was significantly faster now, so it could be easier to trip against something while in rough terrain. He needed to eliminate any of those chances, hence he took such a long time.
After waking up early on the last day of the week, he made his way towards the shopping district. He was going to unveil the mystery surrounding Heph’s quest, which never made sense to him.
For all this time, he thought that the old shopkeeper inside the game was a loony who just happened to acquire the key to the academy’s forgotten dungeon.
There was no one there that required help since all of the prisoners were long dead. The only person he might have been able to help was Harmis, but he only allowed people to undergo his trials. But the trials he gave them couldn’t accomplish that.
In spite of that, he was a fool to think that Heph’s quest was only a sham. He simply couldn’t complete it inside the game. At the same time, he didn’t really try to find a way, since his ‘Great Blood’ was enough in those times.
It all changed now, however. Stepping inside the shop during such an early hour would usually be despicable, yet, the antique shop was open, ready for all customers.
As per usual, the sleepy shopkeeper waited behind the counter, half-conscious. His head would slowly leave the supporting hand before falling slightly. As though stuck in a cycle, he corrected his head before it all happened again.
“Hmm? Conall? Have you done it?”
His eyes lit up in anticipation, awaiting a specific reply.
‘As expected, a reaction completely different from before.’
When he always completed the trial, the next day, Heph wouldn’t even try to talk to him. But, now, he held his trust in him.
So, he wouldn’t disappoint the poor, old man.
With a nod of his head, he revealed the truth.
“Harmis passed away peacefully.”
“Oh!”
Heph gasped before clutching onto his pince-nez, quickly taking them off. Tears gathered at the ends of his eyes, he sobbed in solace.
“Thank the goddess. I was sure he would never get to rest.”
He rubbed the corners of his eyes, a silent, but prominent joy in his eyes. Conall didn’t say anything other than that. Watching the old shopkeeper be happy for his old friend was enough.
“Can you show me the proof of his parting? I’m sorry, but I have to know.”
“Don’t mention it. Here, you can feel my heart. He passed it onto me.”
With solemn eyes, Heph stretched his arm towards Conall’s chest before spreading his mana. Closing his eyes, he inspected the heart of his old friend, beating in all of its glory.
“I knew he would like you. No wonder you became an heir of his.”
Heph already brought his hand back. Standing upright with his arms crossed, he thought for a while before finally saying it.
“Come with me, it’s time for you to get the rewards.”
He walked towards the old curtains separating the shops, waving for Conall to go with him.
“Alright.”
He walked through the curtains but only saw the same as what was inside the shop, oddments and old weapons lying around. No, there were far more weapons here than on the front shelves. In fact, anything here looked like either a weapon or a part of it that broke off.
On the side, Heph opened a trapdoor on the floor, and immediately, a heat similar to that of a scorching, humid day filled the place. He found it hard to breathe in such warmth, but looking up at the old man, he saw him prompting him to go down the stairs.
Entering the narrow stairway, he could see a dim light in the background, down below him. The closer he got to it, the hotter the air became and he could hear more and more of what was happening deep below the shop.
Heph, following him closely, showed no reaction, as if all of this was a daily occurrence for him.
Soon, Conall and Heph found themselves in an underground room. Lit with an orange light, it was beyond hot. Every time he breathed in, his lungs felt like they were on fire.
In the room lit dimly solely from the fire roaring inside the tumultuous, ample furnace, Heph grazed his fingers across the heavy, dark anvil which seemed to be at least two meters long.
With its imposing size and manner, the anvil along with the furnace felt like they were made purely for giants and giants only, yet, there Heph was, with passion screaming through his eyes.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t truthful to you from the beginning. Well, I’m sure you didn’t think of me as a blacksmith, but I still deterred you from ever forming such an idea.”
He was right. The boy had always thought he was an odd old man selling antiquities.
“Is this the equipment giant blacksmiths used in the past?”
Conall asked with curiosity, to which Heph smirked proudly.
“Of course not! Those guys would need double the size of this. This set has been specifically crafted for me, who was unsatisfied with our human standards.
“That flame there, is that the scandar ember?”
“Yes, one of the few last. Every great blacksmith has to have one. Though, it’s only wasting mana on me now.”
With a sad face, Heph explained. He didn’t even question how Conall knew about it.
Conall also stared at the black anvil. From what he could tell, it was made from pure teryn. This very anvil before him could cover the costs of buying out half the capital of Etra.
“What do you want?”
Suddenly, Heph asked. Confusion masked the boy’s face, even though he was completely aware of what the blacksmith meant.
“I will help you, just like you helped Harmis.”
He went near the furnace, where all his tools were stored. Taking out the hammer, he tested it a few times on the anvil.
“Though, sometimes, even I have to eat. How about this? Whenever your request is concerning the fang, I won’t take anything. If you want something else, on the other hand, you will have to pay.”
“I’m fine with that.”
“Then? Anything comes to mind?”
“How fast would you be able to modify the fang?”
“Though I don’t usually indulge in modifying my finished creations, it has seen some bad times these last few centuries. What do you need specifically?”
‘He created it, huh?’
Conall thought as he gazed down at his sword.
“Would you be able to do anything with these?”
He asked while putting out all of the demonic crystals, including the Grade B one, on the anvil.
Heph whistled as he saw the materials. Though not that high in quality, they were still something people didn’t see nowadays. A rare commodity of the past.
“You want some advantage over demons, eh? With this, it shouldn't take more than three hours, though I need to do some prior testing. If you don’t mind, just let me.”
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Heph took the sword from Conall before putting it across his body in numerous ways. On his nape, along the shoulder, slicing it on his arms, or hitting his knees, he made many questionable things.
Though he found it mysterious, he felt a sort of profoundness coming from Heph as he tested the sword on his body.
“As I thought. Your tenacity has already imbued itself deep into the sword. Although slightly similar to that of Harmis, it’s definitely different. Not stopping until you have the results, but being able to differentiate good and evil ways. Not hesitant when your strength matters, ready to accept anything if it helps your plans.”
Heph got what he desired. A deeper understanding of the ever-changing fang. With this, he was able to cut down the time to two and a half hours. Before the event happening during his lectures, he was able to gain a significant buff to help him.
…
Every student from his class, with no exceptions, gathered near the academy’s forest. In a semicircle, they surrounded Morgana as she spoke.
“Every year, the academy holds a tournament in our woods. Spanning every single first class, from Grade C’s to Grade B’s, all 900 of you will be stuck here for the next three hours.”
None of them complained because they all knew what this event was about. They’ve been talking about it for the whole week.
“Once you enter your side of the forest, you will immediately see countless animals and monsters with a certain part of their body painted with a specific color. Once you have killed them, points will be distributed to you based on the color of the opponent. Specifically, a number will show up on your uniform’s medallion.”
Suddenly, a female student raised a hand and even before awaiting approval, she asked the professor.
“Professor, can you tell us what colors there are?”
With a tired expression that she didn’t really try to hide, Morgana explained further.
“Of course. There are five common colors in total. Green, yellow, orange, red, and violet. Respectively, green is worth one point and violet is worth five, you should get the rest.”
Seeing the student ask, another one chimed in.
“Professor, is it true that other students can kill us?”
“No, you mor-. No, that was just a rumor. Although you can’t participate anymore after your medallion shatters, you won’t lose all of your points. Half of them go to your enemy, but the other half is still yours to spend.”
She wanted to insult him, but there were many who were caught up in the rumors of the older class that tried to mess with the nervous first years.
Sighs of relief echoed across the edge of the forest, to which she released a sigh of her own.
With a few minutes still to go, there wasn’t anything to do. She could only wait around, though a sudden idea struck her.
Sneaking up on a red-haired boy who peacefully waited under a tree, she spoke abruptly, making him open his eyes.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you this week. Well, at least during a scheduled lecture.”
“Is there an issue, professor?”
“No? Why would there be?”
“You don’t seem like the type to take interest in a student, I guess? Especially the weakest one.”
“You caught me. I do have a problem.”
Smiling with closed eyes, she sat beside him, asking the important question.
“What is it?”
“Tell me, how did you do it? I can’t believe you didn’t get executed after such claims from the victim’s side.”
“It’s quite simple, really. I just revealed the true story to the dean.”
“Hmm. And that story is?”
“How the golden assaulted me first before leaving me unconscious near the staircase.”
“Well, it checks out, but do you think I would believe that? Just tell me the truth. I know you did it.”
“Can’t you see the proof of me not doing it? If I had done it, I wouldn’t have been here already.”
Suddenly, the professor laughed mischievously.
“But you did it, yet you’re still here. Student, do you know what my magic can do?”
“Please, do enlighten me.”
“Sure, if you're willing to lie in front of me.”
Her eyes lit up in a purple light as she asked. Mana started to fluctuate around them as she prepared her spell.
“Have you attacked the elven prince Eyneir one week ago?”
As though he was hypnotized, the red-haired student replied promptly.
“No.”
The smile on her face darkened, hearing an unexpected answer.
‘Was he able to break the spell? No, he’s completely hypnotized. Then, did he actually not do it?’
As her thoughts drifted apart, a loud voice stretched across the area her class was in.
“Students of the academy, please gather at the edge of the forest. In one minute, we will be starting the annual points hunting. As per usual, you will gather points by killing monsters with colors on them, as well as eliminating other students. In order to prevent complaining, at the beginning, there is a period of thirty minutes where students can’t eliminate one another. At the end of the event, you will be able to spend your points at the academy guild. Good luck, everyone!”
After the comprehensive talk of the voice ended, many of the students took on their stances, ready to kill anything in front of them.
Soon, the barrier separating the forest and them opened up before closing after the last student went inside.
The moment the group of fifty students saw the first monsters with any colors on them, they all went after them, fighting for a chance to kill the beast.
Of course, a lot of the students also separated, including Conall. There was no point in trying to win a pointless fight. Besides, he would be able to get much more by walking alone. There were plenty of beasts here and a glut of points waiting to be acquired.
Within five minutes, there was no one in sight. Other students from his class weren’t too interested in his status as the weakest knight, so they simply left him alone. He wouldn’t be of help to them when farming points.
Conall had to admit it. Even inside the game, the academy’s forest was vast and expansive, able to hide 900 people with ease. However, experiencing it in real life was still different. Though, the size of the forest wasn’t that much of a mystery, because this place stemmed from the neverending Octa itself. Of course, the academy separated and claimed certain parts of the forest for themselves, though they were basically untouched, coming from the deeper sections.
Large, tall trees that were covered in moss made it look somewhat imposing. He moved through the forest with relative ease, since the trees weren’t packed densely.
After a while, he finally found his first target. A hobgoblin with a lighter green circle painted on top of its forehead.
Abruptly turning around after sensing movement, the dark green monster squirmed, and with a sharp dagger in its hands alongside witless, guttural sounds, it ran towards the human, swinging its tongue in all glory.
Ready to stab the human ruthlessly in the heart countless times, the hobgoblin’s eyes shone with hatred.
Before anything could happen, it fell apart. Literally. After cleaving the monster in half, Conall added.
“Now I’m sure of it. The fight with that necubus sharpened you even further.”
He didn’t sheathe it back up. There was no need since he saw another monster ahead of him. His feet separated from the ground as he sped up towards the large, white wolf in the front.
Small patches of its fur had been painted with an orange pigment, clearly showing the difference in level compared to the hobgoblin.
Conall, being aware of its high stats compared to his, ranging from 20 to 25 in every attribute, still decided to kill it. Simply because he was confident in his new strength.
The white wolf with crimson red eyes stared at him with its jaws clenched. Saliva mixed with blood dripped from the side while a mauled boar’s carcass lay under it.
Standing as tall as the human, the wolf slowly walked toward him. Its devilishly red eyes were completely locked onto him.
Unfortunately for the beast, Conall didn’t plan on getting away. Noticing that the opponent didn’t intend to stop his advance, the wolf also rushed forward, with its maw open wide enough to bite off his arm whole.
With a taut grip on his right arm, he swung his sword at the wolf, right in the middle of its mouth. The joints and bones connecting the jaws together were cut apart harshly, leaving the bottom jaw hanging.
Growls that came deep from inside threatened Conall’s ears. Clearly, the monster didn’t appreciate that strike.
Having no other weapon to attack with, the wolf reacted obviously. Conall watched as the wolf tried to get away, however, he held it in place.
Nonetheless, he could feel the atrocious power coming off of it. Simply grabbing onto the tail of the furry beast, he had to support himself with a tree or he would be dragged along with the monster. The power that almost reached Grade B was still something he couldn’t recklessly fight with. He wasn’t strong enough for them if he didn't try his best.
Slowing the beast down significantly, he hindered its movement before consequently killing the beast.
He watched as the number ‘1’ on his medallion changed into a ‘4’. Then, he moved on to the next beast in this part of the forest.
Time passed by quickly, with him garnering 80 points in the thirty minutes of no battling against students. As soon as the timer reached the dreaded half an hour, however, Conall felt something approach him from the side.
A large fireball flew directly at him. With a quick movement, he maneuvered his sword to block the familiar spell. There was only one such distinct fireball he knew.
Right after the fireball, two spheres made out of dark waters dug through the weak trees in their way.
‘It’s much stronger than before.’
Conall assessed calmly as he dodged the spell. In the far distance, he saw a hooded figure with a long staff pointed directly at him. On the staff, a dark crystal shined as the light penetrated through the lush crowns of the forest.
‘Already acting, or am I just targeted?’
A hood draped over the figure’s head, with a shadow inside completely hiding the person. Without saying anything, their dark robes fluttered while releasing the potent spells.
Five identical spells were flying directly at Conall, who stood still as if waiting for them to hit him. In the last seconds, his position swerved, and the water balls missed barely. As he noticed earlier, they homed in on him, so he couldn’t dodge in advance.