The journey back to the castle was filled with silence. Everyone in the carriage could feel the heavy air around Sol, but none dared to speak.
His bet with the Kahi'k was the only way he could stop this man from throwing deadly jabs his way, but his confidence in accomplishing his part of the bargain was what kept him thinking.
Fighting against a man and a beast were two different things. He was able to suppress the tier-one ark villager because the man hesitated before attacking.
In the wild filled with various beasts of various kinds who believe in the laws of nature and ruthlessness of reality, Sol knew hesitation would be rare or simply nonexistent.
He knew he would come across beasts who would simply choose to kill him the very moment they set their sights on him. Sol knew his experience in the first test would be completely different and way more dangerous, especially after he heard about the mortality rate of the test.
About fifty percent of students die in the first test alone!
The carriage finally stopped and Sol exited it without saying a word to anyone. While he walked through the front doors, he took note of the excited looks of the guards and how eager they were to welcome him.
For this behavior change, he guessed that the news of what happened in the market square had reached this place even before his arrival.
'News spread fast' Sol admitted in his mind as he walked past them without saying a word. He climbed the staircase and went straight to his room.
Shutting the door behind him and locking it, Sol turned only to see a scroll on his bed. He guessed Instructor Kane sent it over and a guard dropped it here.
Sol sighed as he climbed to the bed and pulled it open.
**Lunar Crystals**: Rare crystals that absorb moonlight. It is more effective when used at midnight.
**Blood Orchids**: Magical flowers that thrive on supernatural energy and the blood of deceased creatures. While it is a general cultivation resource, it is particularly potent in enhancing vampire abilities and blood magic.
**Celestial Essences**: Extracts energy from celestial events like solar eclipses or comet passes, a powerful catalyst for spell casting and enhancing mystical powers.
**Spirit wood**: Enchanted wood from mystical forests, used in crafting wands, staves, and other magical tools for witches.
**Wraith root**: A plant that grows in areas of intense supernatural activity, its roots can be used in divination and spiritual rituals.
**Spectral Crystals**: Crystals infused with spectral energies.
Following its description was a diagram that Sol was able to instantly burn into his mind, thanks to the perks of his system.
Thinking about the system, Sol noticed it had been oddly quiet for a while now, but it didn't really matter to him. Although he was certain, the system would award him with some experience points if he could win the bet against the Kahi'k.
"I guess I'll just have to do it," Sol muttered while looking towards the ceiling.
As a man, he understood that what matters most times is not what you can do. What truly matters is what you have to do.
If he wanted to keep his position as the next Ark family chieftain, he needed to remove the threat of the Kahi'k lingering over him. While the return of Darth Ark would set things right, it would be useless if Darth Ark returned and all the armed forces of the Ark family had become loyal to the Kahi'k.
Huff!
Sol let out an exhausted sigh as he remembered his days on Earth. While things started this way and required him to scheme and fight his way up, he finally made it to the top.
Never did he think he would be brought back to this world where he was being forced to go through the same struggles again.
Darth Ark!
Sol sat up with a look of shock and realization in his eyes as a thought crossed his mind. He has always been told that Darth Ark was more demon than man, but he had been ignoring the most important word in that sentence all these while.
Demon!
He could remember instructor Ethan's words concerning the use of 'Hak'.
"Hak" embodies the power of release, enabling one to manifest their inner strength. However, the way and manner in which this power is harnessed and expressed hold significant importance. Remember, the choices made in both what to manifest and the method of manifestation is what differentiates those with talent from the rest."
The words of instructor Ethan kept ringing in his mind as a full understanding of the truth behind the Ark family power flashed across Sol's eyes.
The Ark family is a product of human and demon copulation. The outcome of this union was the birth of unique humans capable of accessing the power of fire.
However, Sol believed that the fire element was just a byproduct and not the core of their power. The core has always been the unharnessed demonic blood flowing in their veins!
They shouldn't be humans utilizing the power of fire, but demons conjuring the hellish flames of the underworld.
Sol jumped out of his bed and looked in the direction of the door leading to the veranda, and he realized it was getting late. He had been so deep in thought that he didn't know how much time had passed.
Grabbing the last piece of lunar crystal in his possession, he moved to the veranda and experienced the intoxicating feeling of absorbing pure energy from the moonlight itself.
It felt like all the pores on his skin opened up as the energy circulated to all parts of his body before gathering towards his core, which was around his chest area.
He had already become more sensitive towards the movement of the energy within him.
Focusing all that energy on his right hand, Sol narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath before saying the word.
Hak!