Ethan found himself back in the Beast Plane, the ominous Thermalions looming overhead. This time, he didn't hesitate; he activated his Aura Shield, enveloping himself in a protective barrier. The beasts, recognizing him as the brat who had injured one of their own, reacted with aggression. One of them pounced, branches outstretched, its glowing fruits ready to strike. It was like a tree trying to punch him. With a quick roll to the side, Ethan barely avoided the massive attack, but more Thermalions joined the fray.
Defeat 5 Thermalions.
Penalty: Extended Time In Beast Plane.
"The fuck! Why do I feel like you're trying to kill me?!" Ethan shouted as he dodged attacks, feeling scratches along his arms and legs.
Aura Control, Hammer Arts, and Weapons Locked. Use Only Martial Arts, Telekinesis, and Spirit Beast.
Ethan's face went pale. The stakes were high—he couldn't summon his Spirit Beast here; it was too dangerous, and he had only just begun training Telekinesis. His martial arts skills? Nonexistent in his own estimation. As he darted between the trees, dodging the relentless onslaught, the system chimed in with another quest.
Use Pointers From The System To Create Your Own Martial Arts.
Develop and Upgrade Martial Arts to Advanced.
Ethan felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes but stifled them as he realized he had to act fast. His Aura Shield was fading, and he needed to escape. He kicked a small Thermalion out of his path, breaking through the encirclement and sprinting away.
Most of the Thermalions were Bronze Rank, with a few Silver Rank beasts towering over him at nearly thirty feet tall. He didn't have a strict time limit, but the penalties were too dire to consider. Staying here longer meant more fatigue, which he couldn't afford—not when he had school to attend afterward. He had to complete this quest quickly to avoid a severe energy drain.
Ethan remembered his previous battle in the Beast Plane, recalling the moves Zark had taught him. Suddenly, he skidded to a halt, an idea sparking in his mind. Turning around, he charged back toward the Thermalions, leaping up to grab the branch of a nearby tree. He yanked it down with all his might, activating *Face of Terror* to intimidate the surrounding beasts momentarily.
The seven-foot-tall tree bent but didn't break. Once his feet touched the ground, he hurled the branch at a cluster of Thermalions. The force of the impact shattered the branch and killed two beasts instantly.
Ethan rushed into the chaos, seizing a large, intact branch from the fallen Thermalion. He swung it at another beast, splinters flying, then dodged another pouncing foe. Jumping high, he plunged the branch into yet another Thermalion, the thrill of battle coursing through him.
But as invigorating as the fight was, exhaustion was creeping in. The Thermalions' natural power was sapping his energy, and he knew he had to end this quickly to avoid disaster.
Using the same branch, he pressed forward, relentlessly attacking the Thermalions until he felt the adrenaline surge within him. But fatigue began to set in.
Ethan weakly limped through the dense forest, relying on a dark green branch for support. Eventually, he spotted a cave—the same one he had used before. After settling down, he examined the branch, which had changed color from its initial brownish hue to a vibrant dark green. Zark had told him to keep it; perhaps its transformation had some significance.
Defeat 5 Thermalions.
A notification flashed before him.
Rare Herb Identified!
Thersatil: a rare herb that helps newly awakened individuals directly open their dantian and pores to feel mänə and use it.
Does Host Wish To Consume It?
"Hell yeah!" Ethan shouted, excitement bubbling up. He had obtained a rare herb that would allow him to become a legitimate mage without the lengthy process of soaking in a medicinal bath.
Upon choosing "Yes," the branch magically transformed, chopping itself into smaller pieces and presenting them on a plate before him. Ethan's mouth twitched at the absurdity.
It could do with some meat. It will help you recover faster, Zark suggested.
Ethan got to work quickly, preparing the Sabretooth Jack rabbit he had hunted on his journey. He grilled it to perfection, savoring his feast.
He felt himself leveling up and learned from Zark that reaching level 10 would mark the peak of his Bronze Rank—a goal he was eager to achieve.
Meanwhile, Leon sat in a meditative pose, eyes shut tight in concentration. Blue snowflakes danced around him as a massive ice crystal floated above his head. His skin transformed from fair to a striking white, a four-sided snowflake rune appearing on his forehead, glowing with energy.
He was on the verge of breaking through to the Advanced Rank, and his excitement bubbled over at the thought of the astonishment on the faces of his peers at Anbord Mage Academy—especially that peasant, Ethan. The idea of crippling him, making him regret ever crossing paths with a "swan" like Leon, was intoxicating.
Little did he know, while he plotted his revenge, Ethan was enjoying a feast that could ignite conflicts among the four families.
"Achoo!" Ethan sneezed suddenly, feeling a peculiar sensation.
Hmm? Is someone thinking about me? Zark mused, amused.
Meh. That's good, Ethan thought, a smirk creeping onto his face.