Chương 8: AN HOUR LEFT

"6 hours has gone huh?" The aged man muttered in a calm manner as he fixed his gaze at the entrance of the pocket dimension. But not too long after, he suddenly asked.

"And who do you think will shine in the exam Sylvester?"

"Well Sir I have a feeling it will be a boy named Morris" Not wasting any more time to remain silent, the Headmaster who apparently is named Sylvester answered with a convinced look on his face.

"Oh? And why did you say that?" Noticing the tone Sylvester used to answer him, the aged man asked again with an interested tone.

"It is because of two reasons sir. One is because he was the only student who made the Mana Sphere emit a blinding light, and the second is because of his background" Sylvester explained with a bright eyes.

"And what is his background?" The aged man quickly asked as he began to grow curious. But Sylvester didn't answer him out loud. Instead, he went close to his ear and whispered it to him.

"Now that is really interesting. If the exam ends and am not here, bring him to my manor" The aged man quickly said as soon as Sylvester whispered to his ear with a delighted tone.

"Yes sir, I will surely do as you said" Sylvester quickly replied while he thought excitedly.

'Now I finally have the chance to get him owe me a favor'

...

"Congratulations, you have reached level 3"

"Attributes increased"

"Swordsmanship Proficiency increased"

"Mana capacity increased"

"Health points increased"

Roar!!

Located at the southern part of the Rift Sanctuary forest was a place of both beauty and mystery, a realm where nature thrived in its most untamed form. Towering ancient trees dominated the landscape, their massive trunks covered in thick, emerald-green moss.

The canopy above was so dense that only scattered beams of sunlight managed to pierce through, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor.The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves, mixed with the sweet aroma of blooming wildflowers.

Vines and creepers wound their way up the tree trunks, and clusters of vibrant fungi sprouted in the shaded undergrowth, adding splashes of color to the verdant scenery.A network of crystal-clear streams and small waterfalls crisscrossed the forest, their gentle murmurs creating a soothing symphony that echoed through the trees.

The water shimmered with an otherworldly blue-green hue, reflecting the magic that permeated the sanctuary. Ferns and other lush vegetation grew along the banks, thriving in the perpetual moisture.

And in this such a place lies a boy who wields a blue colored sword inwhich he used to take down the ferocious beast right in front of him.

This beast has a resemblance to a jaguar but has a different color of both the fur and eyes. As it lay on the forest grounds, it's life ebbing away.

It's sleek, midnight-black coat was matted with dirt and blood, the sheen of it's fur dulled by the struggle. The deep, emerald green glow of it's eyes had faded to a dim, almost lifeless hue, flickering weakly as it took in it's surroundings one last time.

It's powerful body, which had once moved with lethal grace and strength, was now battered and broken. The jagged, bone-like spines along it's back were chipped and splintered, some of them barely hanging on.

Massive paws that had once left deep, intimidating marks on the ground now lay limp, claws retracted and powerless.

As it lay there, the beast's long, muscular tail twitched weakly, the tuft of fur at the end barely moving. The life force that had fueled it's dominance in the forest was slipping away, leaving the creature vulnerable and defeated.

"Pheww... That was close" Kaelen muttered as he wiped off the sweat that is coming down the side of his face while he thought.

'Now then, online: blades of eternity'

As soon as Kaelen had that in his mind, a screen suddenly popped up on his first which is showing him both his profile and stats.

Name: Kaelen

Level: 3

Health: 90/300

Mana: 30/80

Strength: 20

Agility: 15

Intelligence: 19

Endurance: 12

Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Minor Healing, Mana Shield

'It seems like what I thought is actually true, both my Health and Mana doesn't get restored if I get into a new level' Kaelen thought while he skims through the screen in front of him.

Boom!!

But not too long after Kaelen began to go through the contents on the screen in front of him, a sound of an explosion suddenly rang out a fair distance away from him.

"Huh? What is going on over there?" Both stunned and curious about what is going on over there, Kaelen muttered as he quickly went towards that area.

Boom!!

"Just give up already, you know you aren't my match"

"In your dreams!"

While Kaelen was going closer to that area, he began to hear some voices inwhich he was very familiar with one of them.

'Morris?' Kaelen thought in doubt as he quickly his behind a bush and finally got a view of what caused the explosion.

And apparently, what he saw was Morris who was holding a scepter bruised and battered while standing in front of the gothic boy with his scythe.

The scepter radiated an aura of divine purity and power, its craftsmanship a testament to the skill of ancient artisans. The shaft of the scepter was forged from a lustrous, celestial gold that seemed to glow with an inner light, catching and reflecting even the faintest rays of sunlight. Intricate patterns of sacred symbols and runes were etched along its length, each one imbued with a sense of timeless wisdom and protection.

At the base of the scepter, a band of silver encircled the gold, encrusted with small, shimmering gemstones of various colors—each gem representing a different virtue: courage, wisdom, compassion, and justice. These stones sparkled brilliantly, their colors dancing in the light, adding to the scepter's ethereal beauty.

The grip of the scepter was wrapped in pristine white leather, soft to the touch and providing a firm hold. The craftsmanship ensured that the wielder felt a connection to the divine power channeled through the scepter, as if the very essence of holiness flowed through their hands.

Crowning the scepter was a magnificent, multifaceted crystal orb, perfectly clear and radiating a soft, heavenly glow. The orb was held in place by elegantly curved prongs that resembled angelic wings, carved with meticulous detail. Within the crystal, faint wisps of light swirled gently, creating an ever-changing pattern that was mesmerizing to behold.

At the very top, a small, golden halo hovered just above the crystal orb, held aloft by unseen forces. This halo emitted a gentle, soothing light, casting a serene glow that seemed to banish shadows and instill a sense of peace and hope.

The scepter exuded a sense of sanctity and reverence, its presence calming and inspiring all who beheld it. It was not merely a weapon or tool, but a symbol of divine authority and righteousness, a beacon of light in times of darkness. The scepter stood as a reminder of the higher ideals and virtues it represented, a relic of immense power and spiritual significance.

But all this wasn't in Kaelen mind. What was is Morris himself who seems to have gone through a suppressive battle as he was having a hard time to breathe calmly. But his eyes showed the determined look to not back down while he stared at the gothic boy.

'This is bad' Kaelen thought anxiously as he quickly looked to the sky. After a few moments, he thought again.

'Just an hour left, I don't think he can hold one'

"Oh? You are quite a tenacious one huh?" The gothic boy suddenly said with an evil smile on his face.

"Well now that you know, what are you going to do about it?" Morris asked with a tired yet cold tone.

"Nothing too drastic, I just have to try harder thats all" The gothic kid said nonchalantly while smiling wickedly before he suddenly vanished.

'No!!' Kaelen thought urgently as he also quickly vanished from the bush he was hiding in.

Clank!!

All Morris could observe is the sound of two irons meeting each other before he saw someone who is wielding a blue colored sword standing right in front of him.

"Kaelen?" But it didn't take long for Morris to recognize who it was as he exclaimed in surprise.

"We'll talk later, let's pass through this mess now" Kaelen quickly replied with a serious look on his face as he looked at the gothic boy that is facing him right now with a stunned face.

"How did you block my attack?" The gothic boy quickly asked with a confused look on his face. But Kaelen remained calm as he he replied.

"Well why don't you come at me and find out for yourself"