Chapter 11: The Day of Departure
Fate and Vale arrived at the Forest of the Hidden Beasts.
Normally, this forest was filled with monsters—roars echoing through the trees, beasts lurking behind every shadow. Yet now, the forest was eerily silent. Not a single monster dared to approach.
The reason was simple.
A man stood at the center of the forest, calmly emanating an overwhelming cold aura.
That man was Vale.
Every monster within range instinctively fled, their survival instincts screaming danger.
Vale stopped walking and looked around before speaking.
"This area is perfect for testing your new skill," he said calmly.
"There will be no one around to get hurt."
Fate nodded in agreement.
"I agree with you, Father."
Vale then continued, his tone turning instructional.
"First, empty your mana. That way, your shield can properly absorb my attack and convert it into mana."
Fate understood immediately.
"I understand."
Without hesitation, Fate activated his most mana-consuming skill.
(Barrier Creation – 3-Star Magic Protection Barrier)
A powerful three-star barrier formed around Fate as he took a firm defensive stance.
"Are you ready?" Vale asked.
"I'm always ready," Fate replied.
At the same time, Fate activated his newly acquired skill.
Gluttonous Aegis.
"All right then…" Vale said.
Vale raised his hand and prepared a skill—not one of overwhelming power, but precisely calibrated for testing.
Icicle Spear
Rarity: Rare
– Creates a spear made of ice as hard as steel. Has the power to freeze everything it touches.
With a small hand gesture, Vale launched the Icicle Spear.
The spear shot forward at tremendous speed.
Fate braced himself.
The moment the Icicle Spear collided with Gluttonous Aegis, Fate was pushed backward several steps. His feet dug into the ground as he struggled to regain balance.
Then—
The shield's monstrous mouth opened.
The spear began to disintegrate, piece by piece, as it was devoured. Ice shattered and vanished as the shield absorbed the attack, converting it into energy.
(Impressive… even though it's only a fraction of my power, he managed to stop it.)
Vale smiled, excitement flickering in his eyes.
As the Icicle Spear continued to be absorbed, Fate could feel his mana rapidly refilling. He expanded the shield until it was roughly his size.
After ten seconds, the spear was completely gone.
All the absorbed energy flowed back into Fate, restoring the mana he had expended earlier.
Vale walked up to Fate and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Good job," Vale said.
"Keep up the great work."
"Thank you, Father," Fate replied.
They returned home and shared a warm dinner with Elizabeth and Emily.
Later that night, Fate went to his room and slept peacefully.
Days passed quietly.
Until—
The day of the Valhalla Academy Entrance Ceremony arrived.
Early in the morning, Fate was abruptly shaken awake.
"Brother! Brother!" Emily shouted.
"It's the day of the entrance ceremony! Wake up now!"
Fate slowly opened his eyes, still half-asleep. He glanced at the clock beside his bed.
6:00 AM.
He looked at Emily.
"Emily…" he said tiredly.
"It's still early. The ceremony starts at 9:00, not 6:00."
"Hehehe… oops?" Emily replied playfully.
"Why you little—"
Fate grabbed her, tossed her onto the bed, and began tickling her mercilessly.
Emily burst into laughter, laughing so hard that tears formed in her eyes.
"Stop! I give up! Please forgive me!" she pleaded.
Fate ignored her protests and continued for several minutes.
Finally, he stopped. Emily lay sprawled on the bed, completely exhausted from laughing.
Fate went to the bathroom and washed up. Afterward, he headed to the kitchen, where a maid was preparing breakfast.
"Young master," the maid said.
"You're unexpectedly early."
"It's nothing," Fate replied.
"Emily woke me up earlier."
"I see," the maid smiled.
"Please have a seat. Breakfast is almost ready."
As breakfast finished, Emily arrived and froze when she saw Fate staring at her.
"I-I give up! No more tickling, please!" she shouted.
Fate sighed and sat down.
They ate breakfast together.
Afterward, Fate went to the garden and completed his daily training. Once finished, he returned to the manor and washed up again. Then, remembering something, he went to find Elizabeth.
One Day Earlier
While Fate was packing for the entrance ceremony, a knock came at his door.
"Fate, may I come in?" Elizabeth asked.
"Just a moment, Mother," Fate replied.
"I'm still packing."
He opened the door.
Elizabeth smiled warmly.
"Are you ready for the upcoming entrance ceremony?" she asked.
"I'm always ready," Fate replied confidently.
Elizabeth chuckled.
"Tomorrow, before you leave for the Capital, I have something to give you."
"I understand, Mother," Fate replied.
Present Time
Fate entered the manor library, where Elizabeth sat reading with her glasses on.
"Ah, Fate," Elizabeth said as she closed her book.
"I'm glad you're here."
"Good morning, Mother," Fate greeted her politely.
"May I ask what you wanted to give me?"
Elizabeth walked to a cabinet, took out a black ring, and handed it to him.
"Here. Take it."
Fate examined the ring curiously.
"Mother, may I ask what this ring is?"
Elizabeth explained calmly.
"It's a storage ring. It can store many items. To use it, inject mana into it."
"I see," Fate said, smiling.
"Thank you, Mother. It's a wonderful gift."
Later, when it was time to depart, Vale prepared a carriage and handed Fate a cold-steel sword.
"Take this," Vale said.
"And also this money. It's your pocket money."
"Thank you, Father," Fate replied.
"Don't forget to write us a letter every week," Elizabeth reminded him.
"I won't forget, Mother."
Fate departed with Isaac.
After a long journey, they arrived at the Capital just in time for the entrance ceremony.
"Take care, young master," Isaac said.
"Be careful on the way back," Fate replied.
They parted ways.
Fate entered the gates of Valhalla Academy.
Inside, students of many races gathered.
(There are so many different races… Humans, Beastmen, even Elves.)
He approached the mana testing area, where crystal balls were set up.
A professor asked, "Are you a freshman?"
"Yes," Fate replied.
The professor explained,
"The mana test works by placing your hand on the crystal ball. The brightness determines your mana rank—from E-rank to S-rank."
"I understand," Fate said.
"But first," the professor asked,
"what is your level?"
"My level is 30."
The professor adjusted the crystal.
"Alright. You may begin."
Fate placed his hand on the crystal ball.
The crystal flared brilliantly.
The light drew the attention of everyone nearby—including a black-haired girl watching silently.
"Oh my!" the professor exclaimed.
"Your mana capacity is S-rank! And you're only level 30?"
"I'll take that as a compliment," Fate replied awkwardly.
"Where should I go next?" he asked.
The professor pointed toward a distant statue.
Fate thanked her and moved on.
From afar, the black-haired girl continued observing him.
Chapter 11 end