Rody considered learning necromancy to summon Nicholas' skeleton as his 'Dark Servant' to escape. However, if discovered practicing necromancy, not only would he be burned alive, but his mother too. Necromancers are considered heretics by the Temple, akin to demons and absolutely intolerable. Opting to study necromancy now would be akin to a slow suicide.
The crucial question was, could he even learn necromancy? His body was cursed with 'Magic and Martial Forbidden,' the most malignant and terrifying curse that completely severed his connection to elements and martial energies. Could he truly learn necromancy? Yet, dying of starvation in this wretched stone chamber seemed a worse fate. He resolved to try necromancy, vowing never to use it again once he escaped. His immediate need was to escape and survive.
Rody's heart wrestled with this critical decision, understanding its profound impact on his life. Would he be burned at the stake later, or starve to death in this chamber? Become a necromancer, hunted by all on the continent, or continue as an unnoticed, starving genius trapped in the chamber? Either way, it meant death, so surviving even a day more mattered.
Trembling, Rody picked up the necromancy tome, inhaling deeply to calm himself. Following the unique meditation method described in the book, he began attempting to commune with the dark element, the source of evil in the eyes of the world. He strove for calm, but his heart was tumultuous. Since childhood, Rody had been unable to sense any elemental fluctuations, previously believing this skill required secret teachings. But it was not so; sensing elemental fluctuations depended solely on personal ability.
Could he, cursed with 'Magic and Martial Forbidden,' sense the dark element?
In the cabin, Rody's mother wept secretly. It was late at night, but her beloved son had not returned, far beyond his usual time. She longed to search for him, but she remembered his warning not to leave the cabin easily, especially at night. The traps, animal clamps, and nets he set up at the door and windows were there to ensure her safety.
If she went out to search for him in the forest now, she might only bring more pain and trouble to him. Besides tearful prayers, Rody's mother chose to trust her son. "My son is uniquely intelligent in this world; he will be alright! Merciful God of Light, please protect my son Rody. For the sake of his devout mother, ensure his safe return!"
"Cursed Father Cedric, you wretched man! You ruined my life!" Rody meditated for an unknown duration, only to end in disappointment. He could not sense the dark element, like always, achieving nothing in his meditation.
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Rage boiled in Rody's heart. He threw the magic book on the ground, trampling it furiously, venting his despair. In this isolated underground chamber, he couldn't contain his long-suppressed emotions anymore. He might appear strong before others, but that didn't mean his heart was free from pain. On the contrary, the pain gnawed at his heart like worms.
Becoming a necromancer, constantly at risk of being burned at the stake, was not Rody's wish. But he also didn't want to starve to death in this chamber.
"I hate you! Father Cedric, why did you do this? Why tell me the truth after doing such a thing?" Rody yelled angrily, kicking Nicholas' skeleton. "Nicholas, cursed necromancer, why did you give me hope? Without your mad ideas, I wouldn't have rekindled hope, nor would I have felt such disappointment!"
Overwhelmed by rage and frustration, Rody, whose body was internally damaged from forcibly infused battle energy, could no longer hold on and started coughing painfully. Finally, he coughed up fresh blood.
Feeling a burning sensation in his chest, dizzy and light-headed, Rody collapsed to the ground.
When he woke up again, he found himself exceptionally weak, with a splitting headache and aching in every bone, as if moving a single finger was a struggle. Fortunately, he noticed faint light at the top of one side of the chamber, suggesting it was daylight outside, and the light seeping in helped him locate the exit.
The exit was not large and was about four to five meters high, with a semi-domed stone ceiling that filled Rody with despair. No wonder only warriors with four-star battle energy could escape from such a designed exit. Even a strong man without tools wouldn't stand a chance.
Even if he used Nicholas' skeleton to prop himself up, he was still far from reaching it.
Turning around, Rody was terrified to see Nicholas' skeleton standing up, its hollow eye sockets staring at him. His first thought was that the necromancer had not died. He rolled on the ground, quickly drawing his broken-handled dagger for defense. Watching Nicholas' skeleton move clumsily and slowly towards him, Rody's hands trembled uncontrollably.
"Damn it, Nicholas, stay away from me! Think you can kill me? Not so easy!" Rody suddenly found boundless fighting spirit. Even in the face of life's heaviest and most terrifying blows, he would not give up.
Though physically weak, Rody's will was stronger than anyone's. Even when facing death, he would muster enough courage to ignite a fiery fighting spirit.
Just as Rody was preparing to fight for his life against Nicholas' skeleton, he was surprised to see it bow its head and step back, retreating to the end of the stone wall.
"Huh?" This was unexpected.
How did Nicholas' skeleton come to life? It seemed to harbor no hostility towards him, even obeying him... Could it be that Rody had unwittingly cast the 'Dark Servant' necromancy spell on it? Rody was both shocked and elated, but he couldn't remember ever reciting the incantation for the Dark Servant, nor could he sense the dark element.
What exactly was happening?
"Nicholas, are you my slave? My Dark Servant? Come, kneel before me!" Rody tried issuing a command, and to his near-fainting joy, Nicholas' skeleton slowly knelt down.
Above its forehead was a blood-colored 'S' – the unique mark of a Dark Servant.
As Rody calmed down, he realized he could see in the dark, not with his own eyes. Even with his eyes closed, he could see everything in the chamber and the faint light from the passage above. Clearly, this vision was granted by Nicholas, his Dark Servant, not his own eyes. Surprised and perplexed, Rody wondered: when did Nicholas become his Dark Servant?