The first day was the hardest. Marcus had to learn how to find clean water, safe food, and shelter. He found a small stream with clear water, but when he was about to drink, a large water snake with glowing red eyes emerged from the water, forcing him to retreat hastily.
For food, he tried various fruits and mushrooms he found, but most tasted bitter or caused nausea. He nearly poisoned himself by eating purple berries that looked tempting, but fortunately only experienced mild dizziness.
The first night was a nightmare. Strange sounds kept echoing - screams of unknown creatures, heavy footsteps, and whispers he couldn't understand. Marcus hid in a small cave he found, hugging his knees and trying to stay awake all night.
The second and third days were slightly better. Marcus began developing his survival instincts. He learned to distinguish safe plants from dangerous ones by observing the behavior of small animals. He also discovered how to make fire without matches by rubbing two hard stones together.
However, the real test came on the fourth day. While Marcus was searching for food near the swamps, he heard deep, frightening growls. From behind the bushes emerged a Shadow Bear - a massive creature with pitch-black fur and eyes that glowed red in the darkness.
Marcus froze in place. The bear was three meters tall with claws that could tear through trees with ease. There was nowhere to run - swamps behind him, and the bear in front.
But then, something within Marcus changed. It wasn't fear he felt, but a strange calmness. Years of oppression and humiliation had taught him not to panic in disadvantageous situations. He slowly backed away, avoiding direct eye contact with the bear, and gradually took a handful of mud from the swamp.
When the bear attacked, Marcus threw mud at its eyes and rolled to the side. The bear roared in pain, giving Marcus a chance to run. He ran like he had never run before, jumping over tree roots and avoiding low branches.
The fifth and sixth days passed with various other challenges - a lightning storm that forced him to seek shelter under a large rock, shadow wolves stalking him from a distance, and nearly getting lost in thick fog that appeared suddenly.
On the seventh day, Marcus felt a change within himself. He no longer felt like the weak young man who was always intimidated. His green eyes, usually full of doubt, now sparkled with newfound confidence. His body, though exhausted, felt stronger and more responsive.
When the sun set on the seventh day, the forest around him began to fade like a disappearing illusion. Marcus found himself back in the testing space filled with golden mist, with Master Grimm smiling proudly before him.
"Remarkable," said Master Grimm, his voice full of admiration. "Not many can survive in the Shadow Forest of Death, especially someone without magical power. You have proven that true strength doesn't always come from magic, but from determination and intelligence."
Marcus felt tremendous relief, but also sensed something different within himself. There was new energy flowing through his body, something he had never felt before.
"Congratulations, Marcus Blackthorne," Master Grimm said solemnly. "You have passed the test and are worthy of receiving the inheritance of the Codex of Ten Thousand Spells. But this is just the beginning of your long journey."
"From today, you are the heir to the Codex of Ten Thousand Spells."
Golden light rippled again, Marcus's body was wrapped in warm energy, and he could feel vast streams of information flowing into his mind.
The Codex of Ten Thousand Spells had officially opened!
Volume One: Introduction to Magical Arts. Volume Two: One Hundred Perfections into Potions. Volume Three: Divine Potions that Defy Heaven.
And many more volumes.
Countless magical knowledge emerged in Marcus's mind, and his eyes shone with light that had never been there before.
He knew that from this moment, his life would truly change!
The warm golden light slowly faded, and Marcus's consciousness gradually returned to reality.
He found himself still standing in the cave, the golden book before him floating calmly in the air, its pages slightly open, as if responding to his success.
"That was... incredible." Marcus stared at his hands, his heart full of disbelief.
He had clearly only chosen to attempt the trial, and as a result, he not only survived, but also gained the initial inheritance of the entire Grimoire of Ten Thousand Spells!
Most importantly, he could clearly feel that his magical core had completely transformed!
Marcus felt the changes flowing through him. Although he remained at the lowest rank of apprentice wizard, something profound had awakened within him. Ancient knowledge of magic now flowed through his mind with perfect clarity, as if he had been practicing for decades. The Ten Thousand Spells Spiritual Body began to live within his essence, and manifesting in his hand was a superior-grade mana condensation potion, glowing with ethereal blue light.
"Still only apprentice wizard level?"
Marcus fell silent for a moment, then showed a bitter smile.
Although he had just stepped through the door of magical cultivation, his cultivation was still only at the lowest fake apprentice wizard level, which was still one level worse compared to students with exceptional talent at the academy.
But what was this "Ten Thousand Spells Spiritual Body"?
"Master Grimm, has my magical core changed?" Marcus looked up and asked.
Master Grimm nodded with satisfaction: "Yes, you were originally determined to have no magical core, but in reality, your magical core was not absent, but rather in an inactive state."
"When you successfully survived in the forest of death and inherited the Grimoire of Ten Thousand Spells, countless spell pathways in your body began to awaken. Although they are not yet fully opened, as long as you continue to perfect magic, your talent will become increasingly stronger!"
Marcus was overjoyed to hear this.
It turned out he wasn't born unable to practice magic, but his talent was so special that ordinary magical core tests couldn't measure his potential at all!
If this were true, then he would not only be able to practice in the future, but might even be more terrifying than geniuses!
Master Grimm continued: "Now, you have opened the magical pathways, but to truly unleash the power of the Grimoire of Ten Thousand Spells, you need to continuously increase your strength."
"Before you leave this place, I will give you one more thing."
As those words fell, golden light flew out from the book and descended into Marcus's mind.
In an instant, a massive wave of information flowed into his consciousness!
Marcus gasped as new abilities flooded his mind. He could suddenly feel the intricate dance of magical fire responding to his will, and the properties of every mystical herb seemed as familiar as old friends. The knowledge settled into his consciousness with perfect understanding.
Marcus's eyes widened as he felt his mind immediately become incredibly clear, and all knowledge related to magical potion-making naturally emerged in his mind!
"This... This is too powerful!"
This wasn't just teaching him to make magical potions, but for the first time, allowing him to control magical fire, and his understanding of magical herbs reached a level of mastery!
Master Grimm smiled slightly: "This is just the beginning. Well, you may go now."
Marcus took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Master Grimm: "Thank you for your kindness!"
As those words fell, the scenery around the cave suddenly distorted. Marcus felt his vision go dark, and his entire body was immediately swallowed by a powerful suction force.
When he opened his eyes again, he found that he had returned to the back mountain cliff.
The sun was still bright, as if nothing had happened.
But Marcus knew that he had truly changed!
"Now... it's time to go home."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.