Theodore moved silently through the dense forest, leaping effortlessly from branch to branch. The golden light of the sun pierced through the canopy above, casting flickering shadows on the ground below. His crimson eyes darted back and forth, scanning for signs of movement. Every rustle of leaves and faint crack of a twig was amplified in his sharp senses. He wasn't here to hunt goblins anymore; his real target was far more satisfying.
(Where are my prey? I need them to suspend me…)
Ahead, the faint silhouette of a figure appeared, crouched low in the underbrush. Theodore's lips curved into a smirk as he quickened his pace, anticipation building. (Finally…)
But as the figure came into view, his smirk faltered. It wasn't a student. It was Vivian.
She stood in a small clearing, surrounded by eight goblins. Their grotesque, holographic faces twisted with malicious intent as they slowly closed in on her. Her hands were trembling, icy mist forming at her fingertips as she struggled to summon a spell.
"Don't come closer, or I'll freeze every one of you!" she shouted, her voice shaking.
Theodore landed lightly on a nearby branch, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with detached interest. (Why is she even alone? She should've grouped up like everyone else.)
Vivian's frantic eyes locked onto Theodore. Relief flooded her face as she screamed, "Help me! Please!"
Theodore raised an eyebrow and frowned. "Those goblins aren't even real, Vivian. Just use your magic. This is a hunting test."
"I—I can't!" she stammered, panic overtaking her. "They're too fast, and my spells aren't working properly!"
Theodore sighed, unimpressed by her fear. "If you're too weak to handle a few holographic goblins, you shouldn't be here in the first place."
"Please!" she sobbed. "I'm scared!"
Before Theodore could respond, a whistling sound pierced through the air. An arrow flew from the shadows, striking one of the goblins in the throat. The holographic creature gurgled before vanishing in a burst of pixelated light.
Another arrow followed, striking a second goblin squarely in the chest, causing it to dissolve as well.
(Who the hell fired that?) Theodore's eyes darted toward the direction of the arrow. (I didn't even sense them. Is someone from Class B trying to interfere?)
The remaining goblins growled and turned toward Theodore.
"Tsk. Guess I'll deal with this first," he muttered under his breath.
Theodore didn't bother grabbing a weapon. Instead, he shifted into a martial arts stance, his muscles coiled and ready. His mind flashed to one of the martial arts mangas he loved in his previous life. (Let's see if I can pull this off…)
The first goblin lunged at him, claws outstretched. Theodore sidestepped smoothly, landing a clean jab to its stomach. The force of the punch sent the creature flying into a tree before it disintegrated into pixels.
(Their bodies feel real—dense and heavy. This hologram technology is impressive.)
Two more goblins charged at him from opposite sides. Theodore ducked under one's swinging claws, grabbed it by the arm, and slammed it into the ground with enough force to crack the earth beneath it. The second goblin tried to flank him, but he twisted on his heel and delivered a powerful spinning kick to its head. Both vanished in bursts of light.
The remaining goblins hesitated, growling as they circled him cautiously.
"Too slow," Theodore muttered, a smirk playing on his lips.
He surged forward, his movements fluid yet precise. With a series of calculated strikes, he dispatched the remaining goblins one by one, their bodies crumbling into harmless fragments.
The clearing fell silent, save for the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. Theodore exhaled, lowering his stance. (Not bad. I should incorporate more of these techniques into my training.)
"Come out," he called, his voice sharp and commanding.
From behind a tree, Jin emerged, trembling. He still held the bow tightly in his hands, his knuckles white.
"I-I didn't mean to steal your kill," Jin stammered. "It's just… they were about to attack Vivian, and she looked—"
"Pathetic?" Theodore finished, cutting him off with a raised eyebrow.
Jin flinched but nodded slightly.
Theodore's eyes narrowed as he studied the boy. Despite Jin's trembling demeanor, his precision with the bow had been remarkable. To hit two moving goblins in vital spots from that distance required both skill and sharp vision—especially considering the holograms' unpredictable movements.
"Interesting," Theodore said, his tone neutral but thoughtful.
Jin blinked. "W-What's interesting?"
"You." Theodore tilted his head slightly, crimson eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You've got good aim. For someone who looks like they can't even hold a bow properly, you hit those goblins' cores perfectly. Is your eyesight really that sharp, or was it just luck?"
Jin gulped, adjusting his glasses nervously. "I… I don't know. I guess I've always been decent at archery."
"Hmph." Theodore glanced at Vivian, who had sunk to the ground, her breathing ragged but her tears drying. "And you," he said, his voice cold. "If you can't handle something like this, quit pretending you belong here. I won't always be around to clean up your messes."
Vivian's lip quivered, but she didn't respond.
Theodore turned back to Jin. "Next time, don't interfere. If she can't fight her own battles, she doesn't deserve to be here."
Vivian, still trembling, sighed with relief as she muttered, "Thank you, Theodore… even though I was afraid."
Theodore turned, his crimson eyes cold and unmoved. "It wasn't me who saved you. Thank Jin."
Vivian blinked in confusion, then looked at Jin. Her gratitude quickly gave way to embarrassment. "What? That can't be true. You came here to save me, didn't you?"
Theodore crossed his arms, letting out a dry laugh. "Don't flatter yourself. I came here thinking you were some fool from B class. You just happened to be in the way."
Vivian was taken aback. "In the way? Then why mess with the b class like that? You could get suspended—or worse, expelled!"
Theodore's expression darkened, a frown settling on his face. "Maybe that's exactly what I want."
Vivian's voice grew louder, her confusion giving way to frustration. "Do you hate this school that much? Or are you doing this because of me?!"
Before the argument could escalate, Jin stepped forward, his face pale but resolute. He gently placed his hands on Vivian's shoulders, his voice soft. "It's okay, Vivian. Calm down."
Theodore arched an eyebrow at the sight. "I didn't know you two were close."
Jin's face turned crimson as he stammered, "N-No! It's not like that." Lowering his voice. "She's… my cousin. My family is noble, too."
Theodore tilted his head, intrigued. "Oh? You told me you were hiding your name. Why would a noble hide their family name?"
Jin hesitated, his grip tightening on the bow he still held. "My father… he was betrayed by Vivian's father. They're brothers, but the betrayal cost us everything. My family was disgraced, and now we're forbidden from using the Duke's name."
Theodore's smirk grew. "Interesting. And why are you telling me this now?"
Jin's expression hardened, determination flickering in his blue eyes. "Because your advice—to save myself—made me realize something. I don't want to remain weak. I want to grow stronger, to change my fate."
(Hmph, he does have potential. There's something intriguing about him… like a spark waiting to ignite. If he blooms, I'll make sure I'm the one who shapes him.)
Theodore studied Jin for a long moment before offering a faint smile. "You have potential, Jin. But determination alone isn't enough. You'll need to suffer, struggle, and break through your limits. Are you ready for that?"
Jin nodded firmly. "I trust your judgment, Prince Theodore. I'll do whatever it takes."
Theodore placed a hand on Jin's shoulder and pulled him slightly away from Vivian. His tone lowered as he asked, "Are you aware of Vivian's… sudden changes?"
Jin blinked, startled. "Changes?"
Theodore's voice became more pointed. "Her split personality."
Jin's eyes widened, his face pale. "You… you already noticed? I thought I was the only one who realized it. I've been keeping it a secret from my family—they can't know anything that would tarnish the Duke's reputation. I assumed it was just puberty or something…"
(So, I'm not the only one who's seen it. Interesting. If even her cousin noticed, it's something more serious than I initially thought. Still, it's not affecting her entirely. I'll wait and observe—see how it develops.)
"Then keep an eye on her," Theodore said with a faint smile, his voice calm yet firm. "Let's see how things unfold. I have more pressing matters to attend to."
Jin hesitated but nodded. "I understand. Though… it's already late. I know no one can stop you, so… good luck."
Theodore watched Jin and Vivian walk away, their footsteps fading into the forest. He glanced back at the dense trees ahead, the towering canopy shrouding his path in darkness. The air was thick with mana, and the faint growls of holographic monsters echoed in the distance.
(Enough distractions. Time to get back to the hunt.)
With a sharp breath, Theodore ventured deeper into the forest, his figure vanishing into the shadows like a wraith.
Suddenly, a blade cut through the air, aimed directly at Theodore's face. Theodore's instincts kicked in, and he leapt back, his expression calm despite the near miss.
"Who's the fool with a death wish?" Theodore muttered, his tone sharp and dismissive.
"Are you looking down on me, brother?!" Caden roared, his eyes burning with fury as he stepped out of the shadows, his sword glinting menacingly.
Theodore sighed, running a hand through his hair, already annoyed. "Of course, it's you, Caden. Why? Why are you so obsessed with surpassing me little brother ? Can't you let go of your little delusions?"
Caden hesitated for a moment, his fiery rage briefly replaced by surprise. "Did you just call me… brother?" His voice wavered, and for a fleeting moment, a small, almost childlike smile crossed his lips.
Theodore noticed and smirked cruelly. "You're so predictable. Don't get the wrong idea, Caden. I don't mean it in any heartfelt way. Leave now before I lose my patience."
Caden's grip on his sword tightened, his knuckles white. "Are you saying that because I'm your brother? Do you pity me?!"
Theodore's laugh was cold and biting. "Pity you? Don't be ridiculous. You're not worth the effort. Stop dreaming of surpassing me, Caden. The world isn't as soft as our parents made it seem to you. Grow up."
"I will surpass you!" Caden bellowed, his aura flaring violently red. The air around him rippled with heat, and Theodore's eyes narrowed as he analyzed the energy radiating from his younger brother.
(So, he's mastered the Dominick family's royal technique already. Impressive for a nine-year-old. That fire aura isn't something just anyone can wield. I suppose I underestimated him.)
Theodore's expression darkened. "So, Father favors you enough to pass on the family's secret art," he muttered, more to himself than to Caden. But there was an edge in his voice, a hint of bitterness he couldn't suppress.
"Of course! Unlike you, I'm the favorite child," Caden sneered, his confidence swelling with each word.
Theodore's calm demeanor cracked, his lips curling into a grimace. "Let me teach you what it means to challenge me." He shifted into a battle stance, his hands glowing faintly with mana. "I'll use the technique I perfected on those goblins. Let's see if you can handle it."
Caden wasted no time, lunging forward with his sword raised. Theodore sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. Caden swung again, his strikes growing more desperate with each miss, but Theodore dodged every blow with unnerving ease.
"Why can't I hit you?!" Caden shouted, frustration evident in his voice. His aura flared again, the fire around him growing hotter as he pressed the attack.
Theodore smirked, weaving through Caden's strikes. "This is the best you've got? Pathetic. You're telegraphing every move." With a flick of his wrist, Theodore redirected one of Caden's swings, sending the boy stumbling off balance.
Caden roared, gathering his aura into a fiery burst that exploded outward. "TAKE THIS!" he yelled, slashing with all his might.
Theodore's eyes glinted, his body glowing faintly with mana. He stepped into the attack, using his aura-infused hand to parry the blade. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the forest, scattering leaves and shaking nearby trees.
"I'm tired of this," Theodore muttered. His aura surged, suffocating and heavy. The oppressive energy made the air thick, and even Caden's flames seemed to flicker under its weight.
"This is the difference between us, Caden," Theodore said coldly, his crimson eyes glowing with unrelenting intensity. "I've reached the sixth star in aura and six circles in mana. You're a mere child playing at being a warrior."
"No… That's impossible!" Caden cried, charging forward in a last-ditch effort. But Theodore was faster.
Theodore sidestepped his brother's reckless charge and delivered a devastating punch to Caden's stomach. The impact was like a thunderclap, the force so immense that trees bent and bushes were uprooted from the shockwave.
Caden gasped, the air leaving his lungs as he dropped his sword. His knees buckled, and he crumpled to the ground, his vision swimming. The oppressive weight of Theodore's aura pressed down on him, and with one last gasp, he fell unconscious.
Theodore stood over him, expression unreadable. He turned to the group of students who had been hiding nearby, trembling in fear. "Take him and leave," he commanded, his voice cold and unyielding.
The students scrambled, dragging Caden's limp form away as quickly as they could.
Once alone, Theodore exhaled, shaking his head. "I can't believe I just wasted my time on a child's jealousy."
He glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers as he studied the faint glow of his mana and aura. His mana flowed like a calm river, a serene blue, but his aura lacked color—something he'd need to investigate further. (So that's my next step. I'll need to understand my aura better and master its potential. The library will be my next stop.)
The hunting trial concluded as the sun dipped below the horizon. The surviving students returned to the academy grounds, most of them battered, bruised, and exhausted.
Rumors spread quickly about Theodore's exploits. Some spoke of his ruthless efficiency against the holographic monsters. Others whispered about his merciless fight with his brother. No one dared to approach him.
Principal Roman's eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the prince return. "You've caused quite a stir today, young prince," he said, his tone half-teasing.
Theodore shrugged, his expression indifferent. "They challenged me. I simply responded."
Roman chuckled, stroking his beard. "I look forward to seeing how the school handles your… punishment."
But Theodore wasn't worried. As far as he was concerned, he'd already won.