Chapter 23: Death and Relics

The wooden sword pierced directly into the writhing mass of tissue. Darrend's body jolted violently, letting out an agonized howl.

But Ron didn't stop. Gritting his teeth, he pushed the sword in deeper, twisting it with all his strength to widen the wound.[Fatal Strike! Basic Swordsmanship experience +8]

[Current Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner 23/30)]A mixture of blood and brain tissue burst forth, splattering over Ron's body.

Finally, the grotesque, giant brain-like creature collapsed to the ground, completely motionless.

Ron stood frozen in place, gasping for air. His chest heaved, his entire body drenched in mutated blood and tissue fluid.

It was hard to comprehend what he had just done—he had killed another Apprentice candidate, someone he had known for several months.

But instinct and the drive to survive took hold quickly, pulling him back to clarity.

In the Black Mist Forest, such things were not uncommon. The law of the jungle reigned supreme. What he had done was not murder, but survival.

"Sorry, Darrend," Ron whispered, his eyes flashing with a tangle of emotions. "But it had to be me who lived."

The battle was over. He cautiously approached Darrend's body, searching for anything useful among the distorted flesh.

Amid the gore, a notebook lay intact. Perhaps even in his final moments, Darrend had instinctively protected it—his research, his work.

Ron picked it up and flipped through the pages. It was filled with dense notes, messy sketches, and theoretical diagrams, all relating to Sonic Vibration magic. Most of it was hard to understand, written in a chaotic, scrawled script. But a few pages were relatively clear. They detailed a simplified prototype of a Sonic Vibration spell—something Darrend had apparently refined to a usable state.

"This is what he was so desperate to finish..." Ron muttered, carefully tucking the notebook away.

It was a valuable find—not just academically, but practically. If this information helped him pass the upcoming assessment, it could shape his entire future.[Unlocked Special Skill: Sonic Vibration (Prototype)]

[Description: A developing magical Conception with initial practical functionality.]

[Effect: Generates offensive sound waves capable of inflicting physical and mental damage.]Ron was just about to search the corpse further when he heard the sudden sound of fast-approaching footsteps.

The School's law enforcement team had clearly detected the disturbance and was now closing in on the scene.

He took a moment to calm himself, adjusting his expression and stance. He needed to appear as the victim in a self-defense incident, not the aggressor.

Although the Black Mist Forest operated by brutal rules, the School still enforced basic order through regulations.

Moments later, a team of law enforcement officers appeared at the far end of the corridor.

Leading them was a tall man with a High Apprentice badge pinned to his chest.

He lowered his hood, revealing a pale, gaunt face with sharp, scrutinizing eyes. His cold gaze swept across the scene with precision.

Ron felt a jolt of familiarity. That face, that scent—strong with herbal fragrance... he remembered now. This was Holt, the High Apprentice who had recently bought large amounts of Stardust Grass at the herbalist shop.

"What happened here?" Holt asked coolly, his tone devoid of emotion.

Ron inhaled deeply, then recounted the incident with composure, detailing Darrend's sudden mutation and his subsequent attack.

"He must have used some kind of forbidden potion," Ron explained, keeping his voice steady. "His brain mutated, and he became violent. I had no choice but to defend myself."

His expression bore a mix of grief and shock, though he remained controlled—enough to sell the image of a shaken but justified survivor.

Holt listened silently, then stepped toward the corpse. He knelt, examining the remains closely.

Pulling a vial from his belt, he collected some of the grayish-pink fluid seeping from Darrend's mutated brain.

"Catalyst-induced mutation," he remarked, rising to his feet and addressing the rest of the enforcement team. "Another case. These are becoming more common lately."

He then turned to Ron. "As per regulations, I need to test your mental state. We must rule out any contamination."

Ron nodded and submitted without resistance.

Holt placed a small crystal against Ron's forehead. It glowed faint blue at first, then green, and finally faded back to neutral.

"Stable. No signs of mutation," Holt said, retrieving the crystal. "Your mental power is steady. And from what I see, your defense was proportionate."

His eyes then shifted toward the wooden sword in Ron's hand, and his eyebrows lifted ever so slightly.

"To take down a mutated subject with just that... your swordsmanship is impressive."

"Just luck," Ron said, playing it down. He didn't want to attract unnecessary attention.

But Holt's perceptive eyes seemed to cut through his modesty. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Caution is wise," Holt said. "But you should know—our School encourages Apprentices to defend themselves when danger arises."

He motioned for the other enforcers to begin processing Darrend's body, then stepped aside and spoke to Ron in a quieter voice.

"The School has always valued research into Sonic Vibration magic. If you've recovered anything useful from the deceased, I suggest you make the most of it."

Ron's heart tensed. Was that a hint? A test? Holt had clearly seen the notebook.

"Thank you, sir. I will take that under consideration," Ron responded carefully.

"You're clever," Holt replied, nodding slightly in approval. "I don't need to say more."

He glanced around the corridor and concluded, "A report will be filed. But since this was a clear case of self-defense, there will be no consequence. Focus on preparing for the assessment—it's not far off now."

With that, Holt turned and departed with his team, leaving Ron alone in the bloodstained hallway.

Ron exhaled slowly, tension bleeding from his shoulders. Then he quietly made his way back to his room.

Today's events had left a deep impression on him—a brutal reminder of the Black Mist Forest's reality.

Power, paranoia, betrayal... everyone was fighting to survive.

Locke. Emily. Darrend... and countless others lost to madness and ambition. Their stories, their lives, were slowly being erased, reduced to nothing more than stains on the path forward.

But no matter how cruel the environment, one's fate was ultimately shaped by choice and strength.

Pushing aside any lingering sentiment, Ron took out Darrend's notebook again.

The prototype spell might be rough, but it held potential. If he could understand it, refine it—make it his—it could give him the edge he needed.

Not only would it strengthen his combat ability, but it might earn him recognition in the upcoming assessment. Perhaps even more than that.

Ron's eyes sharpened as he flipped open the first page.

No more hesitation. No more sentimentality.

Only progress.

Only survival.

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