Chereads / Black Tower / Chapter 12 - Chapters 13

Chapter 12 - Chapters 13

Scene 1: Dark Forest by the Lake

The dark forest loomed around the shimmering lake, its surface reflecting the dim light of the crescent moon. A man stumbled through the dense undergrowth, his breaths ragged and shallow. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the forest floor with each desperate step. He clutched his side, his mana reserves completely depleted, yet he pushed forward with sheer determination.

"I can't stop now," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper against the rustling leaves.

The forest seemed to close in on him, its shadows stretching like claws. Suddenly, his foot caught on an exposed tree root, and he plummeted down a steep slope. Branches tore at his skin as he tumbled, finally landing hard at the bottom.

Dazed and struggling to rise, he froze as a mysterious sound echoed from behind him—a low, guttural growl that sent shivers down his spine. He turned slowly, his wide eyes searching the darkness. Then, from the depths of the shadows, a deafening roar erupted, shaking the very ground beneath him.

Scene 2: Training Ground Aftermath

The training ground was a scene of utter devastation. The morning light had yet to break, leaving the area bathed in a pale, pre-dawn glow. Anon and his team stood in a tense silence, summoned alongside several instructors and professors. Moments later, the headmaster arrived, his assistant trailing closely behind.

The headmaster's sharp eyes scanned the destruction. The training dummies had been reduced to ash, and the ground was cracked and distorted as if it had been struck by a cataclysmic force. A deep frown furrowed his brow as he exhaled a long, weary sigh.

"Anon," he growled, his voice trembling with restrained fury. "What in the world have you done?"

Anon flinched under the weight of the headmaster's anger. His mana field expanded, an oppressive aura pressing down on everyone present. At first, Anon held his ground, but the pressure quickly overwhelmed him, forcing him to his knees.

"Sir, I don't think Anon did this," the assistant interjected, stepping forward.

The headmaster turned to him, his intense gaze softening slightly. "What are you saying?"

The assistant pointed to subtle marks scorched into the ground. "There are traces of mana usage, but Anon doesn't have any mana left. It's unlikely he could have done this."

The headmaster's expression darkened as he processed the information. "Then who?"

"It's me, sir," Aris spoke up, his voice trembling as he raised a shaky hand.

The headmaster's piercing gaze locked onto Aris. "You? Are you saying you're responsible for this?"

"Yes, sir," Aris admitted, his voice barely audible. "I lost control… when I cast the spell, it succeeded, but I collapsed afterward."

Before the headmaster could respond, Instructor Armir arrived, his disheveled appearance suggesting he'd just woken up.

"What's all this noise?" Armir asked groggily, surveying the destruction. "And why are you standing around like fools?"

Assistant Jamar's temper flared. "Show some respect! You're in the presence of the headmaster, you bastard!"

Armir shrugged off the rebuke, turning his attention back to the scene. "What happened here?"

The headmaster sighed, signaling for Jamar to calm down. "Armir, can you repair the damage?"

Armir examined the shattered training ground and let out a long sigh. "It's doable, but costly."

He then turned to Aris, his tone sharp. "It's great that you're powerful now, but do you realize the academy isn't wealthy? Most of our students are commoners or outcasts from noble families. Our funds come from hunting monsters and completing quests. This kind of damage is a huge burden."

Norman, one of the team members, hesitantly offered, "What if we take on some difficult quests to cover the costs?"

Armir scoffed. "Do you think that's easy? This isn't a game."

Ravena stepped forward. "If we use quests as training sessions, it could improve our combat skills and help the academy financially."

Armir considered her suggestion, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You'll be fighting monsters, not people. It'll be dangerous. But… it's not a bad idea. If nothing else, you'll gain experience to protect yourselves."

The headmaster nodded. "Fine. Prepare a list of suitable quests for them. We'll turn this mess into an opportunity for growth."

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