Chapter Sixty-Two: The Beginning

The letter from the Ring of Shadows contained only a few brief lines, and Hughes paid it little mind. Right now, obtaining the Potion of Vitality was his top priority; once he had it, everything else would fall into place. He changed out of his robe, replacing it with a brand-new apprentice robe. As he examined the golden embroidery at the cuffs, he sensed a wave of energy within.

“This must be a defensive rune,” Hughes mused, probing it with his mental strength.

The time for the assessment was drawing nearer, and the apprentices at the academy were brimming with fighting spirit, each eager to seize their chance. A day before the examination, a new announcement was posted in the sky above the Ring of Shadows.

The gist of the message directed second-level and third-level apprentices to gather in different areas for identity verification, in preparation for the upcoming assessment’s allocation and proceedings.

Hughes joined the crowd heading to the verification zone. He wasn’t concerned about being recognized—after all, who would suspect that someone who had only been at the Ring of Shadows for about a year had already advanced to a third-level apprentice?

The verification process was simple: they only needed to test whether one’s mental strength had reached third-level apprentice standards. After that, they announced the time for the next day’s examination, and it was over. Though Hughes wasn’t worried, the lack of detail regarding the assessment left him in the dark; with nothing more to do, he could only wait for tomorrow.

Because of this assessment, it was the first time Hughes had seen so many apprentices gathered together. A rough count revealed that there were over four hundred second-level apprentices in the entire academy but fewer than a hundred third-level apprentices.

Hughes couldn’t help but reflect on the secret realm incident—a single event that had claimed the lives of at least two-thirds of the academy’s apprentices, leaving only a fraction of the original number.

With time to spare after leaving the verification area, Hughes went to the library.

He remained deeply curious about the enchanted artifact and spent a substantial amount of magic stones each visit to the library’s second floor, poring over texts on alchemy and enchantment to accelerate the chip’s analysis of the artifact.

The second floor housed fewer materials than the first, but those that were kept here were far more significant. Borrowing books required a considerable deposit of magic stones. As for the third floor and above, mere magic stones were not enough; rumor had it those levels contained the academy’s most precious tomes.

The analysis of the enchanted artifact was progressing swiftly. In just over ten days, he would have the full decryption. Hughes regretted only that, had he been able to craft the artifact sooner, his chances in the coming assessment would be even greater.

The day of the assessment arrived, and the academy was abuzz with excitement. According to others, this was the first time the Ring of Shadows had ever held such a trial.

The areas for second-level and third-level apprentices were clearly demarcated, though no one seemed to know how the assessment would actually be carried out with so many participants.

At nine o’clock, Hughes joined the other third-level apprentices in the center of an open space within the academy.

“This assessment will take place in a minor secret realm within the academy. Each of you will be given a medallion with the number one inscribed on it. If you obtain another’s medallion, you claim their number as your own. Tomorrow at nine in the morning, when the gate reopens, the ten apprentices with the highest numbers on their medallions will receive academy rewards!” As the old man spoke, he produced a disc from which a violet beam shot forth, conjuring a door as tall as two men before everyone.

Once the portal was open, the old man reclaimed the disc. “You are permitted to compete for the medallions, but killing is forbidden. I trust you understand the consequences.” His gaze swept over the assembled apprentices.

“Now, you know the rules. In order, take a medallion and pass into the secret realm.”

Standing in line with his large backpack slung over his shoulder, Hughes waited quietly. Inside the pack was a bow he had purchased—a weapon he was particularly fond of. He had even asked Lindsay to find one that suited him specifically.

The line moved quickly. When it was his turn, Hughes examined his medallion and found, as the old man had said, the number one at its center. He put the medallion away and stepped through the door, feeling the world spin around him.

When his senses returned, he found himself in a dense forest. Towering trees surrounded him, each so thick that it would take two people to encircle one with their arms. The air here was fresher than outside, and Hughes took a deep breath.

“Is this a random transmission?” Hughes glanced around. He had expected all the participants to be grouped together, but it seemed the secret realm assigned locations randomly.

“That’s better, actually—safer this way.” He adjusted his bow and began to wander the forest.

Hughes made no move to attack immediately. The forest environment was perfect for archery, and he had no intention of engaging enemies head-on. That would only waste time and drain his mental strength.

The assessment lasted only twenty-four hours. Hughes needed to conserve his energy, aiming to secure the highest score at the end.

Such a short window meant the competition would be brutal—a chaotic battle where only the strongest or the most cunning would prevail. Hughes had no plans to join the initial fray.

As he searched the forest for a suitable position, he encountered no one, indicating just how vast the area was. The only sign of others was a patch of fresh blood by a tree—whoever had been there had left recently.

He wasn’t interested in pursuing anyone now; daylight was too conspicuous for him to make the best use of his bow. Nightfall would be his stage.

Resolved, Hughes continued to roam, trying to gauge the positions of others. Before entering the forest, he had counted the third-level apprentices in this cohort—there were only ninety-seven, himself included.

The main force of the Ring of Shadows remained the second-level apprentices. As for the many first-level apprentices newly recruited that year, the dean had sacrificed them all.

Hughes could only chalk their fate up to bad luck. Otherwise, the Ring of Shadows would likely have housed thousands by now.

The moon rose quietly, casting its silver glow over the forest and imbuing the night with a tranquil air.

A sudden scream shattered the peace just as darkness fell—it was a blood-curdling cry.

“So, it’s begun,” Hughes smiled knowingly. He suspected many were thinking the same as he was, all planning to make their moves under the cover of night.

“Well then, it’s time to start.” He drew the bow from his back.

This bow had been custom-ordered from Lindsay, who had worked swiftly, delivering it to Hughes within half a day. The entire bow was a dark golden color, heavy and substantial in his hand, but for Hughes’s physique, it was effortless to wield.

He didn’t know what material it was made from, but it felt as if it weighed forty or fifty pounds. The bowstring was taut—Lindsay claimed it came from the sinew of some mutated beast.

When Hughes first received it, he’d drawn the bow to test its tension and found it matched his formidable strength perfectly—one of the main reasons he favored it.

Lindsay had provided several bows for him to try; some were too light, not meeting his requirements, while others couldn’t withstand his power and snapped under the strain.

Only this bow met all his demands. Seeing Hughes settle on it, Lindsay had also brought him a supply of matching arrows.

After receiving the arrows, Hughes crafted more himself, coating their points with a deadly poison.

His plan was to strike lethally, giving his opponents no chance to recover.

As night fell, the third-level apprentices in the secret realm became as lively as nocturnal beasts, each plotting to win the academy’s reward.

The creatures native to the realm, startled by the sudden chaos, scattered in panic, and the once tranquil forest came alive with action.

Hughes readied his gear, and, guided by the moon’s gentle light, prepared to begin his hunt.