2 hours later.
Following their overwhelming defeat over the undercover dark elves, the large group of first-years continued their journey through the dangerous forest.
After suffering severe injuries from his encounter with Carl, Lutz was in no state to fight. He joined the other injured magic knights: Veda and Marie, walking slowly at the center of the group while the rest of the team protected them.
Despite having fewer wounds than Lutz, Amber was also unable to continue fighting.
The strain caused by her repeated use of Holy Aura, an ability she'd been spamming to heal her teammates, left her in no condition to be useful in battle.
'We have one more day in this creepy forest.' Walking alongside Luna at the front of the group, Vera shuddered, a chilling shiver ran down her spine as she recalled the events that had transpired in the forest.
"This has been pretty fun..." Sharing the same thoughts yet having completely opposing opinions on the forest as the girl beside her, Luna grinned.
'If only we could fight another Pink Rank beast.' Remembering Adonis' previous interruption, Luna frowned.
"What's wrong?" Noticing the sudden shift in mood in the usually upbeat girl, Maxwell tilted his head curiously.
"That idiot ruined my fun!"
"Idiot? Who?"
'She's annoying.' His heart pounding repeatedly from the effects of the toxin, Jerald scowled.
"Grape! Once I get a hold of him, I'll rip him to shreds!"
'Vindicta...' Recalling the seemingly selfless act committed by their leader, Vera hung her head, fighting the urge to cry.
'I'm glad he's dead.' Rubbing his head in pain, Jerald managed a sly grin.
"Do you think he's actually... Y'know?" Although Tarzy and Adonis weren't necessarily friends, Tarzy didn't harbour any ill feelings toward him and didn't wish any harm upon him...
Or at least harm he didn't cause.
"It's highly unlikely he survived, the aura Wendy showcased proved that she is almost Tier Nine..." Analyzing the situation objectively Lutz spoke calmly, lacking any particular emotion.
"He could've escaped right?" His rationalization overwhelmed by his concern for his friend, Maxwell frowned.
"If he did then Wendy would've caught up to us... And even on the off chance he won, he'd be heavily injured and alone in the forest." Dispelling the fragile hope within Maxwell, Amber shook her head.
'He was way different than I first thought.' Remembering Adonis's selfless act and the way he saved her, Marie managed a sad smile.
"SSSSSS"
Disrupting the thoughts of every single magic knight and answering the internal prayers of the battle-crazed Rising Star, a Pink Rank magic beast made itself known.
"Huh?" Deepening his frown, Maxwell's brown eyes fixed themselves on the Pink Rank Konstriktor, that steadily approached.
The snake-like magic beast was enormous, to say the least.
Its beautiful white-scaled body with dark brown stripes was as thick as a large tree, its muscles bulging with every slight movement.
Raising its large head upright, the Konstriktor fixed its radiant pink eyes hungrily on the group of students before it.
"Fuck." Locking eyes with the magic beast, Lutz frowned, his fatigue evident.
"What're you waiting for? Let's fight!" Grinning, Luna dashed at the giant snake, her hazel eyes dancing excitedly.
"Earth Magic: Launch Pad!"
Using a magic circle beneath her feet, Luna willed the earth beneath her feet to rise, propelling herself forward.
WHOOSH
"Triksta, wait!" Failing to grab Luna's hand, Maxwell screamed out the eager Rising Star.
"Give up, she doesn't listen." Amber sighed.
"She'll learn..." Looking at the beast cautiously, Lutz shook his head.
"Flame Magic: Scorch Saber."
Commanding her hand to ignite in a bright yellow flame, Luna flew through the air, aiming for the beast's head.
'Finally, a Pink Rank Magic Be-'
Bringing her back to reality was the Pink Rank Konstriktor.
Displaying remarkable agility, the beast swiftly moved its head out of the girl's path, it shifted its head to the exact spot Luna was about to pass, slamming into her body and sending her flying into a nearby tree.
BAM
CRACK
'That's what happens when you sleep through class.' Tarzy shook his head.
What Luna failed to realize, or rather was blissfully unaware of, was that the strength of magic beasts, even within the same rank, could vary significantly. Just because two creatures were both Pink Rank didn't guarantee they were equal in strength.
The Koko they had battled earlier was comparable to a Tier 8 low-rank magic knight, placing it on the weaker end of the Pink Rank spectrum.
In contrast, the Konstriktor they were currently engaging was approximately Tier 8 high rank to Tier 7 low rank, making it considerably stronger and faster than the Koko.
"What the hell?" Groaning softly, Luna glared at the magic beast, her confusion evident at how effortlessly it had swatted her away.
"We can't fight it head-on, especially in our current condition," Amber concluded while she steadily extracted energy from her mana core, preparing to launch a magic spell.
"We need to get out of here." Agreeing with his squad leader, Lutz studied the magic beast.
"SSSSSSS!"
"Luna! Get back here."
"Shut up!" In another attempt to slay the beast, Luna darted forward.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"Star Ma-"
Before Luna could even gather her mana, The beast flung its tail at her.
WHOOSH
"Gale magic: Mercury's maneuver."
Flying through the air at incredible speed, Lutz intercepted the magic beast, plucking her straight out of the air and preventing her from being swatted away once more.
"Do you even hear reason?" He sighed.
"Shut up Four! Let me go!" Kicking about like a child, Luna scowled at Lutz.
"Amber, now!"
"Light Magic: Isolated Flashbang!"
***
Having successfully escaped the Pink Rank beast the previous day, the group ventured towards the outskirts of the forest.
This strategic move aimed to reduce the distance on the last day of their journey.
Although they had successfully avoided the Pink Rank Magic Beast, their journey was far from easy.
Along the way, they encountered numerous magic beasts and monsters, most of which were fortunately either Unranked or White Rank.
Thanks to their combined efforts, the group managed to defeat these creatures rather easily.
***
The Next Day
Waiting outside the tall fence encircling the forest was Professor Albinus, his face adorning a proud grin while he greeted each first year that exited the forest.
Some staggered, while covered in frightening injuries while others casually walked out of the forest showing minimal damage.
Regardless, Professor Albinus along with an assistant collected the students' magic crystal sacks.
The two diligently counted each of the students' crystals, while simultaneously studying them to determine which magic beast they had come from. This meticulous process allowed them to accurately calculate the points to be awarded to each student.
As the sun began to set, the group of nine led by Amber Shine, finally emerged from the dreaded forest.
With grim expressions plastered on their faces and injuries covering their bodies, the group stood in line; waiting to hand over their magic crystals to the professor.
Luna Triksta: 500 points.
Amber Shine: 435 points.
Lutz van Alexia: 430 points.
Maxwell Aster: 325 points.
Tarzy Goliath: 300 points.
Vera Stewart: 285 points.
Jerald Cecil: 265 points.
Marie Jupiter: 140 points.
Veda Stewart: 105 points.
***
8 PM
All the surviving first years stood outside the fence, catching up with their friends and sharing the horror they had experienced. Meanwhile, the injured received medical attention from the academy's dedicated medical team, tending to their wounds using various potions.
Covered from head to toe in bandages, Lutz sat peacefully underneath a tree, patiently waiting for the rest of the first years to exit the forest.
Only then they could finally leave.
Seated next to him was Maxwell, he too wore bandages, although they were only limited to his head.
"Why are you next to me?" Facing Maxwell, Lutz frowned.
"What's wrong with sitting next to a friend?" He grinned.
"We're not frie-"
"So many injuries, did the forest treat you that badly." John van Ani, dressed in raggedy armour, chuckled.
Unlike Lutz, he was not injured.
"Leave, I'm not in the mood John." Realizing who was now in front of him, Lutz scowled, his irritation palpable.
"How many points did you get Lutz?" Proud of his achievements in the forest, John posed his question, brushing aside Lutz's dismissive attitude
-sigh- "Four hundred and thirty..." Knowing John wouldn't leave him alone unless he shut him up, Lutz answered.
"Four hundred?!" Astonished by Lutz's achievements, John widened his eyes.
"What about you commoner?!" Redirecting his attention to Maxwell, John grinned, aiming to redeem himself by outshining him.
"Three hundred and twenty-five." He shrugged.
'Three hundred and twenty-five?! How many beasts have they fought?!'
***
"Professor."
"Cadet Shine, is there something wrong?" After calculating the points of all the first-year students, Professor Albinus settled into a wooden chair beside a small table, patiently awaiting more students to emerge from the forest.
"Yes sir, I have two matters I'd like to report."
"Is it regarding potential casualties?"
"Yes sir, as well as a matter of grave concern for the Empire."
"For the Empire? I'm listening."
"When my group was in the forest, we fought a Pink Rank Magic Beast. In this battle, we were aided by a member of another group."
"That's not against the rules."
"I'm well aware sir. The fellow student who helped us was Adonis Vindicta, sir."
"Adonis?"
"He's one of the Rising Stars is he not?" After thinking for a few moments, the Professor finally remembered where he heard the name."
"Yes sir, after defeating the beast Adonis's group and mine continued to travel together for the rest of the day. But when we'd set up camp we were approached by another group, led by Wendy Carter. Another Rising Star."
"This group led by Wendy turned out to be a squad of spies sent by a Norse empire, although I don't know what was they're objective, they did attack us."
"Hmmm... Were you able to determine what Empire they were from?"
"No sir."
"Okay, then... Where are these spies now?"
"We managed to kill, three of their members but..."
"But?"
"I believe Wendy, the leader got away."
"You believe? Did you not see her escape."
"No sir, Vindicta stayed behind to hold her off while we escaped."
"I see, so he's the casualty..."
"Yes sir."
'A first-year who sacrificed himself for his comrades, how noble. The Caelum Empire would've been lucky to have you serve it Ado-'
"Professor! One more student is exiting the forest!" Squinting through the gaps in the metal fence, the assistant noticed a red figure approaching the massive enclosure.
"A student? Are they alone?"
"Yes sir!"
'A student survived by themselves alone? It must be Wendy. but why would she come here?!' Startled, Amber turned her head sharply toward the fence, her eyes fixed on the approaching figure.
***
"A student?" Hearing the commotion, Vera who sat next to her bandaged sister and Jerald directed her gaze towards the large fence.
"It's mostly likely one of the groups who were closer to the fence, they were probably farming points before they left." Following her sister's gaze, Veda voiced her opinion.
"Yeah." Jerald nodded.
***
Her sleep interrupted by the commotion, Luna fell out of a towering tree with a loud thud.
***
"Another student?" Marie, who sat next to Tarzy on a small bench looked at the large fence curiously.
"Yeah, I'm surprised there are people still in there." He replied.
***
"Hm?" His eyes igniting with hope once more, Maxwell removed his gaze from Jerald and set it on the fence.
"It's not him." Lutz dismissed.
"Not who?" John who refused to leave the two alone, glanced over his shoulder in the fences' direction.
***
"Who could it be?" Intrigued, Flora fixed her pink eyes on the fence.
"Does it matter?" Sicily sighed.
"It's probably some weak noble who just happened to be lucky." Toni shrugged.
***
The assistant swiftly unlatched the gate in the fence, allowing the mysterious student to pass through.
As the figure drew nearer, the Assistant's curiosity turned to horror...
The silhouette emerging from the forest was unmistakably human, in shape and size, yet something about them was unsettling.
Their eyes, once the defining feature of humanity, had a wild, feral glint to them.
The attire they wore was covered in a crimson liquid, rendering it impossible to discern the original shade of their skin or the colour of the armour beneath.
In their hands, the figure held two heavy sacks, both brimming to the edge and threatening to burst.
When the figure opened its silver eyes, a sharp gaze met the assistant's, sending a chilling wave of fear down her spine.
***
Vera's mind raced as she studied the figure, and suddenly, the pieces fell into place.
"Vindicta?
She was correct...
***
Emerging from the depths of the forest was none other than Adonis P. Vindicta.
The assistant's spine tingled with dread as she took in the sight before her.
The boy, typically recognizable by his distinctive purple hair and pale white skin, was now soaked in warm, freshly spilt blood.
Seeing this, a chilling realization dawned upon her...
None of the blood belonged to him.
Cain Saga- End