"But... Big Brother..."
The apprentice spoke with a hesitant voice, as if unsure whether to speak up.
"What is it?"
The apprentice decided to say it anyway.
"I heard that apprentice seems to be quite formidable..."
"Go on..."
"That apprentice apparently defeated a Sword Chant School Teacher in a swordsmanship class."
Richter knew that the apprentice had participated in a swordsmanship class and had shown extraordinary talent there; he had been somewhat taken aback when he heard about her rate of progress.
To think someone who couldn't even manage basic fundamentals had become proficient in using a Breathing Technique and even mastered a Combat Skill they excelled at—she was clearly a prime candidate for the Sword Chant School.
"Hmph! I think that Teacher is just getting old, unable to even lift a sword, losing to an apprentice who hasn't even joined a School."
He knew Furan had made great progress, and he knew she certainly wasn't the incompetent apprentice he had first seen.
But he believed Furan was absolutely no match for him, because he knew better than anyone that the School's Spells were far superior to those rewarded in classes, and even more powerful than those of nobles who were useless outside their own territories.
"Big Brother... is it possible that you can't beat that apprentice? I heard people say she already has the strength to compete for a ranking in the Assessment."
"What a bunch of ignorant pigs. Listen, I'm telling you now: the reason High-level Apprentices are called High-level Apprentices is that we have the School's resources behind us. Our Spells and Spiritual Power are both stronger than an ordinary apprentice's."
He had never forgotten his first day joining the Modification School, when the senior student guiding him had casually released a terrifying Spell. Even when he saw the knowledge provided by the School, he could hardly believe the descriptions written there.
He knew better than anyone that apprentices who had joined a School and those who hadn't were from two different worlds.
"She has only just joined the Sword Chant School and hasn't learned their Spells yet... Tonight, I'll show you how a School's Spell can crush an apprentice who won only through some stroke of dumb luck."
If Furan had joined a School earlier, he might have considered his options before acting. But now, since she hadn't joined yet and couldn't possibly have learned any Spells, she was no match for him at all.
Furthermore, he had just achieved a ranking and regained the protection of the Modification School. He felt restless all over if he didn't exercise the 'privileges' he wanted most.
It was like getting good grades but receiving no reward.
---
When Furan returned to the dormitory, she saw a slip of paper wedged in the door crack.
After reading the contents, she could only give a speechless smile.
"I just got back from over there, and already a letter arrives."
However, she also knew the time mentioned in the letter was tonight, and there was still some time until then.
She closed the door and placed the shovel she had just bought by the entrance.
---
Wearing a loose robe, Furan slowly walked into the wasteland.
She looked around but found no movement.
While she was still observing her surroundings, two figures stepped out from behind a large rock nearby.
She feigned a bit of panic and said,
"Who are you?"
Neither Richter nor the apprentice beside him had covered their faces; she recognized them instantly.
Richter pointed his finger at the apprentice beside him and said,
"I think you should take a look at him and see if you recognize him."
"It's... that..."
Furan's somewhat fake acting seemed to hit Richter's sweet spot. she saw the corners of Richter's mouth curl up, maintaining a constant smile.
"Forget it, apprentice. Let's get down to business. I'm the one who wrote that letter."
"You called me here... saying I have a secret... I don't even know what secret I have?"
Richter pulled out a scroll and said with a smile,
"We indeed don't know what secret you have..."
Furan's mouth twitched. If you don't know what secret I have, then what was the point of calling me out here?
"But we do know that you actually died once, right?"
He continued to watch Furan's expression, wanting to enjoy her panic, but Furan didn't quite react to those words.
"I died..."
Furan thought for a moment before realizing—this guy couldn't be talking about her taking over the original owner's body and the fact that the original owner was already dead, could he?
But how did Richter know the original owner had died? Unless he was the one who killed her... "Your life was once taken by this Evil Spirit Command Scroll. Are you the original you inside that shell now, or are you an evil spirit?"
Richter believed there were two explanations for why the apprentice before him was still alive.
First, the evil spirit hadn't actually killed the apprentice, and the apprentice had used some unknown method to trick the inspection.
Second, there was something wrong with that evil spirit; either it knew some unspeakable secret technique and had seized the body before him.
He leaned toward the second option. This would explain why this apprentice seemed like a different person, having learned so many skills that should have been impossible to master in such a short time.
These might be skills the evil spirit possessed during its lifetime, surfacing gradually after obtaining this body, resulting in the apprentice's current rapid progress.
After hearing this, the panic on Furan's face vanished, and she drew her sword.
The only thing she hadn't known was why Richter was looking for trouble with her, but after a few words, she understood.
Richter must have sent the apprentice beside him with that Evil Spirit Command Scroll to kill the original owner.
That's why he had a terrified expression when he saw me walking on the road and ran away upon seeing me.
And Richter had become interested in me because of my 'resurrection,' which is why he lured me here.
Now that Furan knew everything she wanted to know, the next step was just like the future she had seen—bury them, and those two Construct Mages would help her clean up the traces.
Seeing Furan draw her sword, Richter laughed.
"Apprentice, are you trying to kill us to keep your secret safe?"
Seeing that Furan didn't speak, Richter took a badge out of his pocket.
"Do you know what this is? This is the badge awarded this year to all High-level Apprentices who achieved a ranking in the Assessment."
"Therefore, I am a High-level Apprentice."
Richter put the badge back.
"You might think School members are nothing special because you defeated that Sword Chant School Teacher using some method I don't know."
"But let me tell you, those who serve as Teachers are the weaklings of the School; only those who don't dare to participate in the Assessment go to be Teachers."
"And now you're facing me, a ranked High-level Apprentice."
Furan's hand holding the sword trembled slightly; she had a premonition that the moment was about to arrive.
"Apprentice, if I were you, I'd give up resistance... Of course, if you tell me the secret of your immortality, I can give you a death that isn't so painful."