Escape

Inside his apprentice quarters, Adrian sat cross-legged on the floor. His temples throbbed with a rhythmic intensity, as if he were exerting himself in some kind of intense mental or physical exercise.

As time passed, Adrian's face grew redder, and eventually, his pores began to ooze a strange dark fluid, almost as if it were seeping from his very skin.

After maintaining this process for over thirty minutes, Adrian opened his eyes and exhaled deeply.

"Phew!"

A dark misty breath escaped his lips, its black color lingering in the air.

A series of subtle cracks echoed from his bones as he stretched. His limbs felt lighter, stronger, and more responsive. His whole body was warm, as though he had just undergone an intense workout.

"After seven long years, I had finally reached the rank of third-class knight apprentice again," Adrian thought, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

Seven years of relentless training had brought him back to this point. At first, His progress had been faster than in his previous life, thanks to the knowledge and experience he carried over. But as the years passed, his peers—especially Steve—began to catch up. His knowledge and experience had gotten him far, but it wasn't enough to overcome the advantage of natural talent. The disparity became more apparent as time went on. Adrian could never match Steve's natural talent. While Steve reached third-class in just five years, Adrian, despite his accelerated progress, still struggled to break through.

Adrian exhaled deeply, dragging himself out of his thoughts. His gaze fell to his body, coated in a sticky substance—a result of his recent advancement. His skin felt sticky, and a strong, unpleasant smell was emitting from him.

"Guess I'll have to wash up first!" Adrian muttered, heading for the bathhouse.

---

The next few days were spent planning and observing. Adrian carefully studied the castle's daily routines, focusing particularly on the movements of the guards and the knight apprentices. Harvest season was fast approaching—when the castle would be bustling with activity, and most apprentices would be busy transporting goods from the fields. That would leave the defenses thin and the outskirts lightly guarded.

After a week of careful observation, Adrian finalized his plan. Harvest season would be the perfect time to escape. With only a month left until the planned date, he knew he had to prepare carefully.

In the meantime, he began gathering money. Knowing he would need it to survive outside the castle, Adrian borrowed small amounts from his fellow apprentices. Not everyone was willing to help, but those with whom he had good relations were more inclined to lend him some money. Whenever they asked why he needed it, Adrian carefully crafted his responses, making sure not to arouse suspicion.

Time passed, and the night finally arrived. Adrian awoke to the eerie stillness of the castle. His heart pounded as he prepared to make his escape. Moonlight streamed through the open window, casting a pale glow around the room. His belongings, packed in a small bag, sat by the bed. Weeks of planning had led to this moment. Now, it was time to act.

He took one last glance at the apprentice quarters, the place that had been his home for seventeen years. But survival came first. With a deep breath, Adrian quietly approached the window and peeked outside, ensuring the courtyard was empty.

The harvest had taken place during the day, and now, under the cover of night, the castle's defenses were sparse. Most guards had retreated to their posts, some too tired to be vigilant, leaving gaps in their patrols. The usual bustle of the harvest had faded, and Adrian knew this was his chance.

He left his room quietly and moved swiftly toward the small side door that led to the outer grounds. It was rarely used and often left unguarded. He had checked it earlier that night, ensuring it would be unlocked. Each step made his muscles tense with anticipation, but the only sounds were the distant murmurs of guards and the occasional rustling of wind.

For just a moment, he hesitated, thinking about the friends he was leaving behind. The guilt gnawed at him, but it was swiftly overshadowed by the urgency of survival. There was no turning back now. He took a deep breath, grabbed the door handle, and gently pushed it open.

He stepped outside, heart racing but movements calm and deliberate. He crept along the outer wall, staying in the shadows and avoiding the patrols.

As he neared the edge of the castle's perimeter, he spotted the small gap in the fence he had seen weeks ago. It was large enough for him to squeeze through. He scanned the area one last time—he couldn't afford to be caught now.

After a brief pause, he slipped through the gap in the fence and into the forest that bordered the castle. Adrian had mapped out his route carefully, avoiding major roads that might have patrols. The dense forest would provide enough cover for him to remain undetected.

As hours passed and the sounds of the castle faded into the distance, Adrian didn't dare look back. He kept moving, focused on escaping. The urgency of survival kept him pushing forward through the dense undergrowth. Every minute spent out in the open was a potential mistake.

His thoughts raced, calculating how far he had to go before it would be safe to rest. He couldn't risk stopping too soon. The idea of being caught plagued his thoughts, but so did the realization that his journey was just beginning. What lay ahead was just as uncertain as the escape itself, but it was still better than waiting for death.

By the time the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Adrian had covered a significant distance. The dense forest had started to thin, and as he passed through a narrow gap in the trees, the scent of smoke reached his nose. He looked up and saw a small village in the distance, nestled at the edge of the forest. Smoke rose steadily into the morning sky. The sight brought both relief and unease. A village meant supplies, but it also meant eyes watching, potential risks he couldn't ignore.

He hesitated for a moment, studying the village from the cover of the trees. He couldn't afford to let his guard down now, but the settlement was close, and he couldn't keep running forever.

Adrian circled the village's outskirts first, staying in the shadows to ensure there were no soldiers or bandits nearby. Once he was certain, he cautiously entered the village, moving steadily with his face lowered. He couldn't afford to stand out. In the quiet bustle of the village square, he bought bread and other simple provisions with some of the money he had borrowed. It wasn't much, but it would sustain him for a while.

As he ate, he overheard the villagers talking. Bandits had been growing bolder on the roads, they said. Adrian made a mental note. With the roads becoming more dangerous, he knew he would need to be cautious.

After collecting enough supplies, Adrian quickly made his way into the forest. His destination was the next city. With his funds limited, he couldn't afford to go any further. He avoided the main roads, staying under the cover of the trees. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the risks increased. The city gates were still some distance away, and though he needed to be cautious, he couldn't afford to delay.

By evening, the lights of the city appeared on the horizon. Adrian adjusted the hood of his cloak, blending in with the other travelers heading to the city. He knew the guards would be on high alert due to reports of bandits. But he had prepared for this.

When Adrian reached the gates, he joined the line of travelers. The guards conducted brief inspections, their indifference evident. Adrian's heart raced, but he remained calm as he waited his turn.

When the moment came, a gruff guard looked him over briefly before asking, "Papers?"

Adrian had anticipated this. Instead of showing nonexistent papers, he subtly shifted a small pouch of coins into his hand and flicked it into the guard's palm. The guard hesitated, glancing around before slipping the pouch into his pocket and waving Adrian through without further comment.

"Move along," the guard muttered, already distracted.

Adrian nodded and offered a small bow before stepping past the gates. As he entered the city, the noise of the streets filled his ears. He allowed himself a quiet exhale and blended into the crowd, his next move clear: find a job, stay low, and wait for the beast horde to pass.