The city, a tier 4 settlement, was governed by powerful gangs, not royalty. Only tier 0 cities were home to royalty, including the kings, who held the esteemed title of Supreme Arcanas.
Just four individuals had successfully ascended to the Supreme Arcanas realm. These four kings were leaders of formidable gangs, classified as extremely dangerous.
Lucien and the other participants arrived at the neighboring forest. The forest was known to harbor beasts below tier 4, providing a relatively safe environment for the trial.
Upon arrival, the participants received detailed instructions about the trial. They were informed about the objectives, rules, and expectations for the trial. The instructions likely included information about the beasts they would encounter, the terrain, and any specific challenges they might face during the trial
The instructors laid out the ground rules for the trial. "Your primary mission," they announced, "is to hunt and eliminate beasts of tier 4 and below. This exercise will test your combat prowess, tactical thinking, and teamwork."
But a stern warning followed. "Under no circumstances are you to engage with tier 3 or 2 beasts. These creatures are far more powerful than you can currently handle."
The instructors outlined the protocol for such an encounter: "If you encounter a tier 3 or 2 beast, immediately activate your emergency beacon. Attempt to disengage and flee the area discreetly. We will intervene to neutralize the threat and ensure your safety."
The importance of caution was hammered home. "Your well-being is our top priority. Do not underestimate these creatures. We will not hesitate to step in if the situation escalates beyond your control."
With these instructions ringing in their ears, the participants prepared to face the challenges of the hunt.
Lucien, draped in tattered rags, strolled into the forest. Despite his disheveled appearance, an aura of refined elegance clung to him like a second skin. He was an enigma, a lone figure moving through the dense undergrowth with an unsettling grace.
Deep within the woods, Lucien found a suitable location.
With a silent command, he activated his "Mental Invasion" skill, a potent ability that allowed him to infiltrate the minds of creatures within a ten-meter radius. He swiftly probed the minds of the beasts lurking in the underbrush, anticipating an ambush. To his surprise, a tier 3 beast was concealed amongst them.
A mischievous glint entered Lucien's eyes. He decided to orchestrate a spectacle. He manipulated the minds of the beasts, compelling them to charge towards a group of four unsuspecting participants – three females and one male.
The sight of the approaching beasts, led by the fearsome tier 3 creature, sent shivers down the spines of the participants. Panic seized them. They frantically activated their distress signals, but it was too late. Terror had rendered them helpless. Instead of fighting, they collapsed to the ground, becoming easy prey for the ravenous beasts.
Lucien watched with a chilling detachment as the beasts swiftly dispatched their victims, savoring the gruesome feast.
He sensed the arrival of the lecturers.
Knowing he was not yet strong enough to eliminate them and eager to advance his own agenda, Lucien commanded the beasts to remain still. With a swift, effortless motion, he slit the throats of the fallen participants.
The lecturers arrived at the scene, their faces contorted in horror.
Mrs. Lydia recoiled, vomiting onto the forest floor. The sight of the carnage, and the chilling figure of Lucien standing amidst it, sent a wave of dread through them.
They approached Lucien cautiously, their voices laced with concern. "Don't let this get to you, kid," Mrs. Lydia said, her voice trembling. "This is the harsh reality of our world. If you want to survive, you need to become stronger. Let this be a wake-up call. If you feel overwhelmed, you can withdraw from the trials and try again next year."
Lucien listened to their words, a chilling laughter erupting within him. "Fools," he thought to himself, "If I were at my full strength, I would shatter this world to pieces."
I will continue," Lucien declared, his voice firm. The lecturers were visibly shaken by his resolute response. They felt a newfound respect for him. If they had been in his shoes, they admitted to themselves, they would likely have abandoned the trial.
Lucien, however, remained unfazed by their reactions. He turned and walked away from the gruesome scene, the crystals of the slain beasts and the fallen students clutched tightly in his hands.
"He ventured out from the area and deeper into the forest. Carefree as ever, despite his superhuman status (his double stats surpassing all others), he decided to take a short nap. He lay on the cold green grass, closed his eyes, and drifted into his memories. He started recalling the last dance he had with his brother, delving deep into the passion.
A sound pulled him from his daydreaming. Another group of students, seeing the crystal by his side, succumbed to greed. He flung open his eyes and saw them standing there. As he stared into the eyes of the group leader, the leader suddenly saw his own head detach from his body.
Lucien's system gave him a notification. Ever the indifferent Lucien, he ignored the group and their sweaty, pants-wetting leader. The notification emerged: ~[Killing intent discovered. Kill the source and leach out their exp]~. The system, designed by the gods, mirrored each wielder's character and emotions. Due to Lucien's daemonic void nature, the system had evolved to reflect his thinking and emotions.
He shifted his attention to the group and grinned, a deranged laughter escaping his lips. "More fun for me!" The group saw a dark, empty soul in his eyes. When one tried to run away, terrified by his dangerous aura, he immediately used Arcane Punch, knocking him out cold.
"Run!" he shouted.
The group tried to flee, but his double stats rendered their attempts futile. He dug his hands into the heart of the closest person, ripping it out. The body went limp, falling lifeless to the ground. He repeated this with the others, leveling up to level 2.
He fell silent, lost in his own thoughts. Bored, with his playmates now lifeless on the floor, he decided to leave the scene to avoid suspicion. He ventured deeper into the forest, slaying beasts and other superhumans he encountered.
Suddenly, the giant bell in the distance began to toll. The participants were being sucked into a wormhole, a mechanism designed by the academy to locate all students in case of an emergency. They all appeared at the entrance of the forest.
The lecturers were in disarray. The student count had dwindled from five hundred to only two hundred, with a staggering three hundred dead bodies, all killed in the same way – no hearts within their chests.
Fear gripped them. Could an intelligent beast be lurking within the forest? At the mention of such a creature, all the lecturers shivered in fear and immediately teleported everything – the living students and the silent, observing Lucien – back to the academy's hall."
The air crackled with nervous energy as the new students shuffled into the bustling common room. Laughter and excited chatter filled the space, everyone eager to make new connections. But amidst the whirlwind of introductions and friendly smiles, one figure stood apart.
He stood a little to the side, his brow furrowed in concentration. While others were busy making friends, he was engrossed in his status screen.