Morning in Valdren no longer smelled the same.
Before, Soul used to wake up to the scent of damp wood, warm bread, and that reassuring calm unique to villages where death felt far away.Now… there was something else. An invisible tension clinging to the skin, as if his body already knew the day would once again demand blood.
It had been one week since Valdren Academy had shifted to the new combat program.Just one week… and yet the village already felt different.
The morning air still carried the smell of wet wood, fresh bread, and dew on the grass. But something else had mixed into it now—a dull, metallic tension, as though the land itself had understood that the children were no longer just students.
They were becoming fighters.
In his room, Soul opened his eyes before the sun had fully risen. His body was tired, covered in light aches, but his mind was strangely clear.
Before he even got up, a violet window unfolded before his eyes—silent, precise.
System Window — Progress History
[Level History]
Previous Level: 3
Stats (Level 3 + 5 bonus points applied)
HP: 80 / 80
MP: 100 / 100
STR: 13
END: 14
AGI: 18
INT: 31
WIL: 34
LUK: 18
SUM: 18
NEC: 18
The window slid aside, as if a page were being turned.
[Soul DRASIL — Status]
Level: 4
XP: 350 / 400
HP: 92
MP: 112
STR: 14
END: 15
AGI: 21
INT: 35
WIL: 38
LUK: 19
SUM: 21
NEC: 21
Available bonus stat points: 5
Soul stared at the numbers in silence.
They were no longer just numbers.
He could feel the difference.
Another window appeared immediately—smaller, but far more oppressive.
[Summoning: Slime LV1]
Uses: 9 / 10
[Necromancy: Skeleton LV1]
Uses: 9 / 10
Soul clenched his fists slightly.
One more use…
He took a deep breath, then let his gaze slide to the final window that opened, as if to conclude everything.
[Bonus Point Allocation — Completed]
LUK: +1
END: +1
STR: +3
Remaining points: 0
The numbers updated instantly.
STR: 17
END: 16
LUK: 20
Soul closed his eyes for a moment.
He hadn't chosen those stats at random.
Strength to survive.Endurance to last.Luck… because in this world, sometimes it made the difference between living and dying.
When he opened his eyes again, the windows were gone.
But the sensation remained.
His body felt heavier… and at the same time more stable.His breathing deeper.His gaze clearer.
Just one week.
And yet the child he had been when he first woke up in this world already felt far away.
Soul slowly sat up on his bed.
Today, there would be blood again.Today, he would have to strike true again.
And deep inside him, one thought kept returning, like a dull heartbeat:
9 out of 10…
A tightness seized his chest. He thought of Slimy. Of Osso. Of their daily presence. Of the small, absurd but comforting gestures—Slimy bouncing around as if happy just to exist, Osso making the bed with an almost… human precision.
And if… after 10/10… I lose them?
What if the system "replaces" what I care about with something unknown?
He shook his head, pushing the thought away.
But it stayed there.
Planted deep.
One Week of Teaching… and Survival
In seven days, their group hadn't merely fought.It wasn't a series of calm lessons, nor a simple rise in power.It was a chain of trials—lessons learned through pain, exhaustion, and sometimes fear.
Each day brought its share of bruises, cuts, sore muscles… and realizations.
They were no longer learning to know.
They were learning to stay alive.
With Savi, the herbalist, they roamed the forest edges on their knees, fingers stained with soil and sap.He taught them to recognize useful plants among those that killed slowly.
— This one burns the tongue, he explained.
— That one saves it.
They learned to prepare crude antidotes, to grind leaves, to measure roots, to treat a wound before it became infected.Soul quickly understood that a well-used plant could sometimes be worth more than a spell.
With Kyria, the healer, illusions fell away.She didn't speak of miracles.She spoke of time, pressure, and breathing.
They learned first aid : stopping hemorrhages, immobilizing limbs, keeping someone conscious after a shock.Her exercises were cold, almost clinical.
— A fight doesn't end when the enemy falls, she said.
— It ends when your ally is still breathing.
Master Fenrick then taught them how to observe the living.
Not to attack.
To understand.
He showed them how to recognize a weakened, injured, or sick animal: the way it placed its paw, breathing that was too fast, the smell of a poorly healed wound.
Soul summoned neither Slimy nor Osso during these lessons. He watched, listened, memorized.
— A wounded predator is often more dangerous than a healthy one, Fenrick reminded them.
With Lady Nyxmar, the atmosphere changed.
Silence.
Stillness.
Focus.
She taught them to lock onto a single target, to block out noise, fear, and unnecessary movement.Soul realized how easily his mind scattered.
— One moment of hesitation, she said,
— and death finds its way.
Master Aelhynn forced them to confront another limit: mana management.No raw power.No excess.
They had to cast, maintain, then interrupt spells with precision.Mira, especially, spent hours sweating, brow beaded, learning not to drain her reserves needlessly.
— Mana wasted today, Aelhynn explained,
— is a grave tomorrow.
With Master Harald, combat took on another dimension.He taught them constant alternation between attack and defense, never locking themselves into a single rhythm.
Every strike had to prepare a block.Every dodge had to open a counter.
Once again, Soul didn't summon. He learned to move, to breathe, to endure.
Halden, the gruff archer, was merciless.Maps, plans, positions.
He taught them to build a strategy—and, above all, to stick to it.
— Improvising is what you do when the plan has failed, he growled.
— Not before.
Here too, Soul kept Slimy and Osso back. He needed to function as part of a whole, not as an exception.
Darsa, finally, showed them the other side of combat.Ambushes.Surprise attacks.Striking before the enemy even realizes they're under attack.
Dirty lessons. Fast. Brutal.
Soul observed, analyzed, but still did not summon.He knew his invocations would one day be an advantage… but also a dangerous habit if he relied on them too much.
And then there was Rudolf.
With him, everything took shape.
He taught them how to hold a formation:
• Rear line: Kael and Mira — ranged damage and control
• Front line: Ryen, Èze, and Soul… with his invocations when the situation demanded it
They drilled until exhaustion.
Advance together.
Retreat together.
Cover each other's weaknesses.
The results were visible.
Èze and Mira reached Level 5.
Èze unlocked two techniques:
• Crescent Step LV1
• Reversed Blade LV1
His halberd was no longer just powerful. It was precise.
Mira, for her part, crossed a threshold.
Her grimoires filled rapidly:
Fire:
• Fireball LV1
• Minor Flame LV1
• Blaze LV1
Water:
• Water Jet LV1
• Moist Veil LV1
• Splash LV1
Wind:
• Aerial Step LV1
• Cutting Gust LV1
• Wind Veil LV1
Light:
• Healing Glow LV1
• Pure Radiance LV1
• Protective Halo LV1
Earth:
• Earthen Skin LV1
• Rock Spike LV1
• Ground Ripple LV1
Ice:
• Cold Breath LV1
• Protective Frost LV1
• Gel Plate LV1
Darkness:
• Shadow Veil LV1
• Black Claw LV1
• Silent Step LV1
She was becoming… dangerously versatile.
Kael and Ryen also reached Level 4.
Kael unlocked:
• Archer's Eye LV1
• Light Step LV1
Ryen obtained:
• Reinforced Slash LV1
Soul watched them grow, proud… but also aware of one thing.
They were all moving forward.
And very soon,the world would no longer give them the right to retreat.
But that morning, one detail was about to change everything.
Lynea's Breakfast
For the first time in two weeks, Lynea woke up before Soul.
Not because she wanted to prove anything.Not because she doubted Slimy and Osso.Just… because she wanted to put heart where the System put efficiency.
Soul woke up, washed up, and ran downstairs, ready to prepare breakfast as usual.
And then he froze.
The table was there.
Perfect. Identical to the one he had once prepared "like a king."
3 bowls of milk
3 slices of bread
Fruits arranged by preference:
Soul:Soursop & Cherries
Lynea:Cythere & Papaya
Aegis:Soursop & Guava
Fresh fruit juice
Eggs, bacon, waffles, pancakes
Lynea smiled.
— Good morning, my big boy.
And before he could reply, she pulled him into her arms.
Soul stood still for a moment… then breathed in his mother's scent—clean, warm, reassuring.
— Mom… you woke up early.
— Yes.
She gently ruffled his hair.
— Slimy and Osso do this very well… but I wanted to do it with my heart.
Aegis came in, still a little sleepy, and smiled when he saw the table.
— Oh… Soul, you—
He took a bite.
Then his eyebrows rose.
— … Wait.
He chewed, thought for a second, then looked at his wife.
— That's you.
Lynea laughed softly.
Aegis wrapped them both in his arms.
— Looks like I'm lucky… having two chefs in this house.
Soul laughed too—but his thoughts drifted back, unbidden, to the System window:
9/10.
And a strange, silent fear lingered within him.
On the Way to School
Soul equipped his artifacts: Kage no Kizuna and Shinigami's Embrace.
In the street, greetings came from all sides.
Eldran, the village chief, gave him a solemn nod.
Torben shouted an energetic, "Hey, kid!"
Lirena asked whether he still had any injuries.
And Sira the Nomad, standing behind her stall, called out to him:
— Come back in one piece, Soul Drasil.
It wasn't a joke.
It was a wish.
New Mission: Under Irilla's Gaze
The school courtyard was already buzzing when Soul arrived.
Groups were forming naturally now. No shouting, no orders. Students took their places by reflex, as if in barely a week they had absorbed a new way of existing: as a team.
Soul joined his own.
Èze leaned on his halberd, calm but focused.
Mira reviewed her spells in her mind, eyes half-closed.
Kael checked the tension of his bowstring.
Ryen slowly spun his sword, repeating movements that had become instinctive.
They were no longer impatient like on the first day.
They were hungry for progress.
A dull sound cut through the murmurs.
Bron SHATTER had stepped forward.
His massive frame dominated the courtyard, and when he raised his hand, silence fell at once.
— Listen carefully, he called out.
— Today, the groups stay the same.
— But your instructors change.
A slight shiver ran through the ranks.
The students now knew what that meant: new demands, new methods… and sometimes, no safety net at all.
Bron unrolled a thick parchment and began.
— Group 1: Soul Drasil, Èze InFire, Mira Fayen, Kael Rondor, Ryen Thorn.
Zone: Rocky clearing.
Objective: 10 minor wolves and 1 minor puma.
Supervision: Madam Irilla Dawnstar.
A murmur swept through the courtyard.
Soul immediately felt every gaze turn toward his group.
Irilla Dawnstar.
The headmistress herself.
She stood a few steps away, straight-backed, hands clasped behind her. Her golden eyes slid over each of them, without visible emotion, yet with an intensity that made them feel laid bare.
An invisible pressure settled on Soul's shoulders.
She's going to see everything.
Bron continued, relentless.
— Group 2: Zeke, Garlick, Britney, Zara, Luck.
Zone: Western Forest.
Objective: 10 enhanced Slimes and 5 toxic Slimes.
Supervision: Master Fenrick.
Zeke clenched his jaw. The forest was no longer an easy ground.
— Group 3: Liora, Jorren, Selwin, Mavis, Kellan.
Zone: Marsh edge.
Objective: 10 giant frogs and 5 aquatic Slimes.
Supervision: Savi.
— Group 4: Talia, Bram, Ilya, Noren, Flona.
Zone: Old secondary cemetery.
Objective: 10 basic skeletons and 5 beast skeletons.
Supervision: Lady Nyxmar.
— Group 5: Vek, Harl, Nyssa, Olin, Serah.
Zone: Windy hill.
Objective: 10 minor elemental spirits and 1 primal falcon.
Supervision: Master Aelhynn.
— Group 6: Elian, Farra, Milo, Lend, Sera.
Zone: Overrun ruins.
Objective: 10 monstrous rats and 10 cavern bats.
Supervision: Darsa.
— Group 7: Garrik, Yna, Pol, Thaliah, Brod.
Zone: Dense undergrowth.
Objective: 10 aggressive plants and 10 living roots.
Supervision: Rudolf.
— Group 8: Liri, Henn, Pavin, Toriel, Joma.
Zone: Forest edge.
Objective: 10 fast boars and 10 giant hares.
Supervision: Halden.
— Group 9: Dorn, Mel, Ila, Renn, Feya.
Zone: Flowered plain.
Objective: Giant insects: 10 wasps and 10 beetles.
Supervision: Kyria.
— Group 10: Hana, Trenn, Vali, Sion, Orel.
Zone: Shallow ravine.
Objective: 10 minor stone golems and 1 stone golem.
Supervision: Master Harald.
When Bron finished, a heavy silence settled.
These were not drills.
They were missions.
Soul exchanged a glance with his friends.
There was no more nervousness—only quiet determination.
Mira smiled faintly.
— Feels like…
— we're taking an exam.
Ryen shook his head.
— No.
— We're being watched.
At that exact moment, Irilla Dawnstar stepped forward.
Her gaze settled on Soul's group.
— I've heard a lot about you this week, she said calmly.
— About your discipline.
— About your progress.
She paused.
— Today, I will give you no advice.
— I want to see what you're worth…
— when no one is holding your hand.
Her eyes lingered for a fraction of a second on Soul.
— Show me whether this trust is deserved.
Soul took a deep breath.
Excitement rose in his chest, mixed with a dull tension.
They weren't just going to fight.
They were going to be judged.
And this time,
there would be no second chance.
Rocky Clearing — Five Wolves
The path leading to the rocky clearing was silent.
Not a peaceful silence.
A tense one—like nature itself was holding its breath.
Soul walked at the front of the group, fingers close to the hilt of his katana, the scythe resting against his back. Behind them, Irilla Dawnstar moved without a sound, her golden gaze observing every posture, every step, every micro-mistake.
She said nothing.
And that was worse than orders.
They already knew this place.
The same clearing. The same jagged rocks. The same old signs of past battles.
But this time, something had changed.
They were no longer afraid to kill.Not because they enjoyed it.But because they had understood a simple, brutal truth:
If they wanted to become strong enough to protect those they loved,then hesitation meant death.
Èze knelt near the ground.
— Fresh tracks, he murmured.
— Five. Not scattered. They hunt together.
Ryen nodded.
— Organized minor wolves…
— They won't attack all at once.
Soul studied the tracks, then lifted his gaze.
About fifty meters ahead, between two rocky outcrops, they saw them.
Five minor wolves.
Their coats ranged from ashen gray to dark brown. Muscles taut, ears upright. They weren't starving—but they were ready. Predators aware of their territory.
Soul raised his fist.
— Formation.
They took position without a word.
Rear line:
Mira, slightly elevated, with a clear field of vision.
Kael, bow drawn, already measuring distances.
Front line:
Èze, halberd low, ready to intercept.
Ryen, sword held at chest height.
Soul, at the center.
A brief breath.
— Slimy. Osso.
Two glowing circles appeared.
Slimy, the red slime, bounced silently onto the stone.
Osso, the skeleton, immediately positioned himself in front of Soul, defensive stance set.
The wolves reacted at once.
A low growl.
Two of them flanked left. Three moved right.
Irilla didn't move.
Not a word.Not a gesture.
The first wolf leapt.
— Now, Soul said.
Kael fired.
An arrow sank into the lead wolf's shoulder, deflecting its trajectory. Mira followed without hesitation.
— Cutting Gust!
A blade of air split the space, slicing into the flank of a second wolf.
They didn't retreat.
They accelerated.
Èze stepped forward.
His halberd traced a wide arc, forcing two wolves apart. Ryen seized the opening and struck cleanly, his blade driving into the throat of the nearest one. The body hit the stone heavily.
First kill.
The others howled.
Slimy bounced, slamming into a wolf mid-leap and smashing it against a rock. Osso absorbed a bite that would have torn flesh from a human, then drove his weapon into the beast's chest.
Soul alternated.
The scythe swept low, forcing a wolf back. The katana followed—precise, relentless. One strike.
Then a second. The wolf collapsed, inert.
Mira kept the pressure on.
Ice to slow.
Wind to unbalance.
No fire. Not here.
Kael fired without wasting a single arrow, each shot aimed at a leg, a joint, an opening.
The wolves began to panic.
They tried to break formation—but it was too late.
Èze finished the fourth with a downward blow that split shoulder to heart. The last tried to flee.
Ryen caught up.
One step.One clean slash.
Silence.
Five bodies lay on the rocky ground.
The students' breathing was short. Their hands trembled slightly. Blood stained the stones, their weapons, their clothes.
Soul felt his heart pounding… but no panic.
Only cold clarity.
Irilla Dawnstar finally stepped forward.
She surveyed the scene—the bodies, the formation that hadn't broken even once.
— Formation respected.
— Clear priorities.
— No unnecessary excess.
She lifted her eyes to them.
— Continue.
They didn't know one thing yet.
That this fight was only the beginning.
That this lesson would be the last before the holidays.
And that every decision, every movement, every death…
…was being recorded.
The System Message: Mythic Treasure
As they caught their breath, Soul saw a violet window open.
[MYTHIC TREASURE — Distance: 500 m]
His heart skipped a beat.
Five hundred meters…
Despite himself, he smiled.
Èze knelt near the ground.
— Tracks… a lot more of them.
He lifted his head.
— They're heading toward the forest, near the clearing.
Irilla studied the tracks, thinking for a second.
— All right. But we stay in formation.
They moved forward.
And Soul felt something strange.
The more they followed the tracks…the more the treasure seemed to respond to them.
Surrounded… and the Forgotten 10/10
The deeper they pushed into the clearing, the more Soul felt it.
It wasn't a vague intuition, nor a simple hunch.It was a clear, almost physical pull—like something gently tugging at his mind, urging him forward.
The treasure.
With every step, the sensation grew stronger.
And as they passed through a narrow gap between two stone blocks, a violet window suddenly opened before his eyes.
[Invocation: Slime LV1]
— Uses: 10 / 10
Evolution imminent
[Necromancy: Skeleton LV1]
— Uses: 10 / 10
Evolution imminent
Soul saw it.
But he didn't read it.
Because at that exact moment, a deep rumble rose all around them.
A circle closed in.
— Contact! Ryen shouted.
Ten shapes emerged from the rocks and the undergrowth.
Ten minor wolves.
Larger than the previous ones. More aggressive. Some bore old scars, others had yellowed fangs worn down by countless fights. They didn't rush in.
They surrounded them.
Soul slowly turned in place.
Behind. In front. Right. Left.
They were trapped.
Irilla Dawnstar finally spoke, her voice calm but firm:
— No fire.
— If you set the clearing ablaze, you'll die with it.
Mira nodded without argument.
— Tight formation, Soul said.
— No openings.
They repositioned instantly.
Rear: Mira and Kael, backs against a rock to prevent surprise attacks.
Front: Èze on the left, Ryen on the right, Soul in the center.
Ahead of them: Slimy and Osso, ready to absorb the first impact.
The first wolf leapt.
Kael fired without hesitation.
Two arrows. Two impacts to the front legs. The wolf crashed to the ground, sliding across the stone.
But the others didn't slow down.
They attacked together.
Èze intercepted the first group, his halberd carving powerful arcs, shattering the wolves' momentum as they tried to break through the flanks. Ryen barely blocked a bite, then countered with a sharp strike that slit the beast's throat.
Soul alternated without thinking.
The scythe swept wide—pushing back, unbalancing.
The katana struck short—precise, lethal.
Slimy slammed into a wolf mid-leap, hurling it against a rock with a sickening crack. Osso absorbed a charge, his bones grinding under the impact, then impaled his opponent, preventing it from rising again.
Mira took control of the field.
— Gel Plate!
The ground turned treacherous beneath the wolves' paws, breaking their coordination.
— Cutting Gust!
Blades of air tore into exposed flanks without burning a single leaf.
Kael never missed an opening.
Every arrow pinned, slowed, or finished a target.
The wolves were howling now.
No longer hunting cries.
Cries of pain.
But there were still too many.
Two attempted a simultaneous breakthrough.
Soul dove forward.
The scythe hooked the first one's leg.
The katana pierced the second through the chest.
Ryen finished a third with a powerful blow. Èze shattered the spine of a fourth.
The circle cracked.
Then collapsed.
The last wolf tried to flee.
Kael caught it with a clean, precise arrow that ended its run.
Silence.
Ten bodies littered the ground.
Soul felt the tension leave his shoulders all at once. His breath was short, his vision slightly blurred… but he was still standing.
Beside him, Kael dropped a hand to his knee, panting.
— … I think I just—
Ryen closed his eyes for a brief second.
— Me too.
A violet window opened before Soul.
[CONGRATULATIONS — Level Increased]Level: 4 → 5
Almost at the same moment, Kael briefly closed his eyes.
— … I just leveled up.
Ryen too.
— Me as well.
Soul saw another window unfold, more detailed.
[Status — Soul DRASIL]
Level: 5
HP: 104
MP: 126
STR: 18
END: 17
AGI: 22
INT: 37
WIL: 40
LCK: 20
SUM: 22
NEC: 22
Bonus stat points available: 5
Irilla Dawnstar watched them for a long moment.
Her eyes moved over the corpses, the unbroken formation, the students still standing despite their exhaustion.
— You held.
— You didn't panic.
— And you followed my instructions.
She paused.
— That's rarer than you think.
The Cave
After the battle, the air suddenly felt heavier.
Soul felt that invisible pull intensify, as if something were tugging directly at his soul. Instinctively, he summoned the treasure map in his mind.
A violet window materialized before him.
[MYTHIC TREASURE]
Remaining distance: 100 m
The directional arrow pointed straight ahead.
Toward a dark opening, half-hidden by rocks and thick roots.
— Over there… Soul murmured.
They approached cautiously.
The ground changed beneath their steps—softer, more disturbed.
Èze crouched immediately.
— Feline tracks, he said in a low voice.
— Recent.
The prints were deep and clear. Long, parallel claw marks scored the damp earth—far too wide for an ordinary animal.
Then a sound echoed.
A rough, heavy cry that reverberated off the rock walls.
A cry that sounded like a puma… but too perfect. Too controlled.
Irilla Dawnstar froze.
— Mimicry, she said calmly.
— And it doesn't imitate just anything.
She fixed her gaze on the cave entrance.
— Minor Puma confirmed.
The gaping opening stretched before them, several meters wide. The interior wasn't plunged into total darkness, as one might expect.
Inside, the cave was surprisingly well lit.
Pale crystals embedded in the walls and ceiling cast a soft bluish glow—gentle, yet bright enough to reveal every corner. The walls were streaked with shimmering mineral veins, and the ground, relatively flat, bore the ancient marks of repeated passage.
But the calm was deceptive.
The scent of a predator was stronger here.
Denser.
A chill ran down Soul's spine.
They exchanged a silent look, then moved forward.
One step.
Then another.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the System's violet window reopened before Soul—brighter than ever, as if the place itself were reacting to his presence.
Evolution: LV2
They had barely taken a few steps inside the cave when Soul felt a familiar pressure release—like a lock finally giving way.
The System's violet window burst open before his eyes, larger and brighter than any before.
[Invocation: Slime — LV2]
Uses: 0 / 20
[Necromancy: Skeleton — LV2]
Uses: 0 / 20
Soul's heart began to race.
LV2…
Before he could even form a question, a second window overlaid the first—clear, explanatory, as if the System were anticipating his confusion.
[Evolution Effect — Unlocked]
Simultaneous Invocation: +1 Slime
Simultaneous Necromancy: +1 Skeleton
You can now maintain 2 active invocations per type, within the limits of your MP and your Affinities.
Soul took a deep breath.
— Two… of each.
He didn't hesitate.
He repeated the exact same process as during his very first summoning:focus, call, the familiar sensation of mana flowing… then manifestation.
A luminous circle appeared on the ground.
This time, it wasn't a bright red form that emerged.
A Green Slime slowly took shape, its gel denser, threaded with fine vegetal veins. It seemed calmer, heavier—almost… stable. When it touched the ground, small translucent roots briefly anchored it in place before fading away.
Soul smiled without realizing it.
— You… you'll be called Verdy.
A violet window opened at once.
[Verdy — Green Slime]
Level: 5 (linked to Soul DRASIL)
HP: 45
MP: 30
Skills:
• Sticky Vine LV1 — Partial immobilization
• Vegetal Jelly LV1 — Light heal / Weak poison
Role: Support / Control
Affinity: Nature
Soul's eyes shone for a moment.
But he didn't stop there.
He channeled his mana again—this time with a different sensation. Colder. Deeper.
The summoning circle darkened into a deep violet.
Bones rose from the ground, assembling with near-military precision.
A Goblin Skeleton stood up.
Stockier than Osso.
Angular skull.
Thick bones marked with old fissures, like the scars of a seasoned warrior.
The skeleton straightened and struck its fist against its ribcage in an instinctive gesture.
Soul nodded.
— Grom.
Another violet window appeared.
[Grom — Goblin Skeleton]
Level: 5 (linked to Soul DRASIL)
HP: 55
MP: 20
Skills:
• Bone Charge LV1 — Impact / Knockback
• Dead War Cry LV1 — Taunt
Role: Frontline / Off-tank
Type: Undead combatant
A final window confirmed the progress.
[Invocation: Slime — LV2]
Uses: 1 / 20
[Necromancy: Skeleton — LV2]
Uses: 1 / 20
Soul lifted his head.
The silence around him was heavy.
Irilla Dawnstar stared at Grom, not even trying to hide her astonishment.
— … A goblin skeleton, she murmured.— At this level…
She didn't finish the sentence.
Mira, Kael, Ryen, and Èze all had shining eyes. No fear. No rejection.
Fascination. And dozens of questions ready to burst out.
But they all understood the same thing.
This wasn't the moment.
Without a word, Soul gathered his focus and started moving again.
The cave had not yet revealed its true predator.
And somewhere in the shadows,the Minor Puma was waiting for them.
The Puma… and the Invisible Chest
They moved deeper into the cave.
With every step, the scent changed.Heavier. More animal.A mix of warm fur, old blood, and damp stone.
Then Soul saw it.
The Minor Puma.
It was stretched out on a wide stone slab, its body perfectly still. Its dark brown coat was threaded with nearly black highlights, its powerful muscles clearly defined even at rest. Its chest rose slowly, steadily. Not a hurried breath. Not a hint of stress.
It was sleeping.
And sleeping well.
Its belly is full, Soul understood at once.
But it wasn't the feline that made his heart beat faster.
Behind it…half-hidden by shadow and a rocky overhang…
there was a chest.
An ancient, massive chest, carved from black wood veined with dark crimson. Bands of dulled metal wrapped around it, engraved with complex symbols that seemed to vibrate at the edge of perception. The lock was large and ornate, and a faint golden glow leaked from it intermittently—like a slow, steady heartbeat.
And yet…
no one was looking at it.
Mira was staring at the puma.
Kael was analyzing firing angles.
Ryen and Èze were judging distances.
Irilla was studying the walls and the ceiling.
No one.
Except Soul.
A shiver ran down his spine.
They can't see it…
So it really is a System-bound treasure.
Soul discreetly inhaled and forced his gaze away from the chest.
This wasn't the moment.
Bron's advice came back to him—words drilled into him again and again during training.
— Against a feline, never retreat in a straight line.
— They attack diagonally.
— And if it stares at you without moving… it has already chosen its target.
Soul leaned slightly toward the others and whispered:
— It's sleeping, but don't trust it.
— No frontal attack.
— Stay to the sides.
— If it leaps… dodge sideways, not backward.
Ryen nodded.
Èze tightened his grip on his halberd.
Kael adjusted his bow without a sound.
Mira silently gathered her mana.
Irilla, however, frowned.
Something was wrong.
The puma was too calm.
Too confident.
Too… settled.
— Wait— she began.
But she didn't have time to finish.
The students were already moving.
The formation snapped into place with near-instinctive precision.Bodies aligned.Distances respected.
And at the exact moment Soul took a step forward…
the puma opened its eyes.
Two thin, golden pupils gleamed in the darkness.
The fight had begun.
Combat: Minor Puma… then the Horror
The air inside the cave was colder than at the entrance.
A cold that clung to the skin, heavy with the scent of damp stone… and another, far more unsettling smell: meat, dried blood, a predator that had already fed.
The Minor Puma was there.
Lying on its side, its flanks rising slowly, muscles clearly defined even in sleep. Its fur was short and dense, a dark brown streaked with black highlights. Its claws, half-extended, scratched the rock without it even moving. Its tail twitched from time to time, like a hunting reflex bleeding into a dream.
But what truly froze Soul—
Was the chest behind it.
An ancient chest, dark, banded with metal, engraved with symbols that seemed to almost vibrate.
And above all: no one was looking at it.
Mira was focused on the puma.Kael was checking his bow.Ryen and Èze were positioning themselves.Irilla was scanning the walls.
No one. Except Soul.
They can't see it… not yet.
Soul swallowed and recalled Bron's advice about felines:
— Never stay directly in front of them.
— Felines leap diagonally.
— And if it's staring at you… it's already too late.
They formed up without a word:
Rear: Mira + Kael
Front: Ryen + Èze + Soul (with Osso and Grom)
Irilla frowned.
— It's sleeping… but far too deeply.— Be caref—
She didn't have time to finish.
Èze took a step.
A stone rolled.
The puma opened its eyes.
Two thin, golden pupils caught the blue light of the crystals.
And in the very next second—
It leapt.
Not toward who one would expect: it targeted Mira.
Soul felt his blood turn to ice.
Mira reacted instantly.
— Fire Wall LV3!
A barrier of flames erupted in a half-circle, pressed tightly against the cave walls to prevent the fire from spreading. The puma skidded to a halt, forced back, its fur shivering under the heat.
But just as everyone focused on the feline—
A deep rumble shook the cave.
A massive breath.
A crushing pressure in the air, as if the cavern itself were holding its breath.
A silhouette emerged from the shadows.
Superior Cave Bear.
It was enormous—far larger than a normal bear. A wall of muscle, dark fur caked with dust and mud, thick scars telling the story of countless ancient battles. Its eyes were small, but intelligent. Its claws were long and curved, capable of splitting stone. When it inhaled, the air whistled through its nostrils like a warning.
Irilla went pale.
— … A Superior… here?
Kael and Mira exchanged a look.
One single thought, identical in both minds:
If either of them moves freely… we die.
Kael acted first.
— I'll pin the legs!
He fired.
— Rapid Shot LV3!
The arrows whistled—clean, fast, precise. Two embedded themselves in the puma's hind legs, forcing it to crouch. Two others struck the bear's forelegs—not stopping it entirely, but breaking its initial momentum.
Mira followed immediately, without even breathing.
— Ice Needle LV3!
Needles of ice drove into the puma's joints, then into the bear's—knees, tendons, exact targets. Both beasts howled.
— Cold Breath LV1!
A freezing gust seeped into the open wounds left by arrows and ice. The pain changed—it was no longer just injury, but inverse burning, frost biting from the inside. The puma trembled. The bear growled, enraged.
Mira didn't stop.
— Black Claw LV1!
Shadowy claws slashed at their legs, worsening the wounds.
— Minor Stone LV1!
A block slammed into the bear's shoulder, throwing it off balance.
— Rock Spike LV1!
Spikes erupted from the ground beneath its forelegs, forcing the bear to step back.
Then she shifted tactics.
— Gel Plate LV1!
The ground beneath the puma and the bear became slick and viscous, sabotaging their footing.
And finally—
— Dark Veil LV1!
A dense black fog swallowed their field of vision, crippling their ability to aim and anticipate.
The puma roared, blind and panicked.The bear struck wildly, its claws gouging the rock in a deafening crash.
Ryen seized the opening.
He slipped to the side, just as Bron had taught him, and struck with controlled violence.
— Reinforced Slash LV1!
The blade buried itself in the puma's flank, a deep gash that sent blood spraying. The feline screamed, tried to leap despite its crippled legs—and crashed heavily back down.
Èze hadn't waited.
He was already on the bear.
— Crescent Step LV2!
He zigzagged, exploiting the slips caused by the Gel Plate, striking in half-moon arcs: shoulder, flank, tendon. Not to look impressive—to break it.
Soul joined the fight.
— Osso! Grom! On the puma!
Osso took a bite that would have shattered a human arm. Grom used his bone mass to slam into the puma's muzzle, preventing it from catching its breath.
Cornered, the feline attempted one last attack—
But Soul drew his katana.
One step.A diagonal dodge.A clean strike.
The puma collapsed.
Soul didn't wait for it to rise.
He finished it cleanly, without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Slimy and Verdy harassed the bear.
Slimy slammed into it repeatedly, making it stagger.Verdy hurled sticky vines that clung to its wounded legs, slowing its movements.
Despite everything, the Cave Bear was beginning to break free.
Its muscles strained. Its claws scraped the ground. It roared—a roar so powerful the crystals themselves vibrated.
Irilla clenched her teeth.
She was about to intervene.
But Èze, Ryen, and Soul stepped forward.
They exchanged a single look.
No words were needed.
Èze struck first, opening a breach in its defense.Ryen followed, carving a deep slash into its neck.Soul alternated—scythe to sweep and control distance, then katana to target vital points.
The bear staggered.
Tried to take one more step.
Then collapsed, heavily, with a dull, echoing crash.
Silence.
Irilla stared at the scene, stunned.
— … You just… handled a Superior.
She didn't say it as praise.
She said it as an impossibility that had nevertheless just happened.
Breathing hard, Soul felt his gaze drift behind the puma.
The chest.
He approached as if nothing were wrong, taking advantage of the fact that everyone was still watching the bear, just in case.
And there, out of sight—
He opened his inventory.
A violet window appeared, visible only to him.
[Inventory]
Store item: Chest (Rarity: Mythic) ?YES / NO
Soul chose.
YES.
The chest vanished silently, swallowed by the void.
No one saw it.
No one asked a question.
Irilla was still staring at the bear's body.
And in her voice was a simple, undeniable truth:
— I didn't think you were capable of this…
Level 7… and Reality
The silence that followed the bear's collapse was heavy.Crushing.
Only ragged breathing remained, the drip of water on stone… and the frantic pounding of hearts.
Then, without warning, a violet window forced itself into Soul's vision—brilliant, almost violent.
[CONGRATULATIONS]
You have defeated enemies far beyond your current threshold.Exceptional progression detected.
A second window unfurled immediately, larger.
[LEVEL UP]
Level: 5 → 7
Level skip validated.
Soul felt a blazing heat surge through his entire body, as if every bone, every muscle, every nerve were reforged in an instant. His vision blurred for a fraction of a second—then snapped back, impossibly sharp.
A third window appeared.
[Status — Soul DRASIL]
Level: 7
HP: 136
MP: 162
STR: 22
END: 20
AGI: 25
INT: 42
WIL: 45
LUK: 23
SUM: 25
NEC: 25
Bonus stat points available: 15
Soul stood frozen.
Fifteen points…
With a thought, he closed the window, still breathing hard.
Around him, his friends reacted almost at the same time.
Èze blinked, then let out an incredulous smile.
— … I'm level 7.
Mira pressed a hand to her chest, startled, then let out a nervous laugh.
— Me too…
Kael closed his eyes briefly, inhaled, then opened them again, stunned.
— Same here.
Ryen stayed silent a second longer… then said:
— We skipped levels.
Excitement surged.
They looked at one another—blood still warm on their weapons, breath short, eyes shining.
They had survived a Minor Puma.
They had defeated a Superior Cave Bear.
They nearly jumped with joy, laughter bursting out despite the exhaustion, despite the blood, despite the cave still soaked in death.
And that was when Irilla Dawnstar's voice fell.
Calm.
Cold.
Implacable.
— Enough.
The word cracked like a slap.
The group froze instantly.
Irilla fixed them one by one, her piercing gaze sweeping over faces still flushed with euphoria.
— You won, yes.
— And your progress is real.
She paused.
— But never confuse that with absolute superiority.
With a slight tilt of her head, she indicated the bodies behind them.
— The puma was sleeping.
— So was the bear.
Silence fell again.
— If they had been fully awake.
— If they had attacked you in open terrain.
— If you had made a single mistake…
She let the sentence hang.
No one dared to finish it.
— This level jump is not proof that you are invincible, she concluded.
— It is a warning.
Her eyes lingered for a fraction of a second on Soul.
— The world will not always give you sleeping enemies.
The euphoria faded, replaced by a cold clarity.
Yes, they had grown.Yes, they had gained power.
But above all, they had just learned an essential truth:
Luck can accelerate progression…but it never replaces experience.
And that lesson—no system would ever display it in a window.
Return and Evaluation
On the way back, Irilla congratulated them.
— Your grades will be posted tomorrow.
She studied them for a long moment, then added—almost as if it cost her to say it:
— You have… a rare cohesion.
— If that can be graded, you deserve an AAA+++.
They looked at one another, incredulous.
Irilla sighed.
— Go home. Rest.
— You've earned it.
Back at the academy, she gathered all the students.
— Go home.
— Tomorrow, the grades will be posted.
— And after that… it will be vacation.
Collapse
The door of the DRASIL house creaked softly as it opened.Soul took one step inside… then a second.
And that was all.
His legs gave out without warning, as if the will holding him upright had suddenly dissolved. The fatigue he had pushed away all day crashed down on him in one brutal, absolute wave.
— Soul!
Aegis entered just behind him.He dropped what he was holding and caught his son before he hit the floor. Soul's body was burning hot, drenched in cold sweat, and far heavier than any child his age should have been.
— You pushed yourself too far again… he murmured, more worried than angry.
Soul tried to answer, but no sound came out. His vision blurred, the edges of the room melting away, and he felt his strength abandon him completely.
Aegis didn't waste a second.
He lifted Soul carefully and climbed the stairs in long, measured strides. Each step was firm, controlled, as if he were carrying something fragile… and precious.
In the bedroom, he gently laid him on the bed, removed his boots, then his weapons, placing them aside without a sound. He pulled the blanket over his son and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
— Rest… he whispered.
— You've fought more than enough for today.
Soul's eyelids closed almost immediately.
His breathing slowed, deep and heavy.
A dreamless sleep took him—total, overwhelming…the sleep of a child who had given more than his body could endure.
Aegis remained there for a long while, standing beside the bed, listening to that steady breathing.
Then, very gently, as if not to disturb this fragile calm, he turned off the light.
Tomorrow would be another day.But tonight,
Soul had held on until the very end.
End of Chapter 8.