The last wolf dissolved into motes of light, its growl fading into the oppressive silence of the forest. Orin staggered backward, his katana trembling in his hands. His chest heaved with every breath, and his legs felt like they could give out at any moment.
"Three of them," he muttered, forcing a weak laugh. "And I'm still standing."
But just barely. His arms ached, his muscles screamed from overuse, and the dull warmth in his chest where his Soul Core rested had turned into a persistent throb. Every skill had drained more of his energy than he'd realized.
Orin wiped the sweat from his brow and sheathed his katana. The faint hum of the artifact's energy lingered in his chest, but it didn't feel comforting—it felt unstable, like a spark waiting to ignite.
"This forest is going to kill me," he muttered, glancing around at the towering trees and shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly. "I need to get out of here."
---
The walk back to Riverrun was grueling. Every step felt heavier than the last, the forest's oppressive weight lingering even as the trees began to thin. Orin kept his katana drawn, his eyes darting at every rustle of leaves and snapping branch.
When the familiar sight of Riverrun came into view, relief flooded him. Nestled between the Eastflow and Silverbranch rivers, the town sparkled in the light of the setting sun. The sound of rushing water drifted toward him, soothing after the suffocating silence of Blackwood.
Orin crossed the wooden bridge that spanned Eastflow, nodding at the fisherman cleaning his nets. The town square bustled with life as shopkeepers packed away their stalls and children chased each other along cobblestone paths. Despite the exhaustion tugging at his limbs, Orin couldn't help but feel a flicker of comfort at the sight.
"You're late, Orin!" a voice called out as he neared home.
Orin looked up to see a woman standing at the doorway of a modest house, her auburn hair catching the fading sunlight. Evelyn, his mother, had her hands on her hips, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she took in his dirt-covered clothes and weary expression.
"Hey, Mom," he said, offering a weak smile.
Evelyn folded her arms. "Don't 'hey, Mom' me. Look at you—you're a mess! What were you doing in that cursed forest again?"
Before Orin could answer, another voice came from inside.
"Let the boy breathe, Evelyn. You can interrogate him after dinner."
A tall man stepped out onto the porch, wiping his hands on a cloth. Calen Lumis, Orin's father, gave him a knowing look. His dark hair was streaked with gray, and his broad shoulders carried the weight of years spent working the fields and hunting along the rivers.
"You're just as stubborn as your mother, you know," Calen added with a grin.
Orin chuckled weakly. "Yeah, I've been told."
---
Inside the house, the comforting smell of stew filled the air. Orin sank into a chair at the table, his body finally relaxing after the ordeal in Blackwood. Evelyn placed a bowl of steaming stew in front of him, her expression softening as she brushed dirt from his cheek.
"You're going to get yourself killed out there," she murmured, her voice tinged with worry. "I know you're chasing something, but is it worth risking your life?"
Orin hesitated, his hand moving to his chest where the faint warmth of the artifact still lingered. "It will be," he said quietly.
Before Evelyn could respond, a soft ding echoed in the room. Orin froze as a glowing notification panel appeared before him, its crisp lettering clear in the dim light.
---
New Notification: Eldryn Academy Admissions Update
Congratulations! You have been accepted into Eldryn Academy for the upcoming term. Orientation begins in one week.
---
Orin's eyes widened as he read the message.
"What is it?" Calen asked, leaning over to glance at the panel.
"I… I got into Eldryn Academy," Orin said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Evelyn's hands flew to her mouth. "Orin, that's incredible!"
Calen clapped him on the shoulder, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Looks like all that running around in the Blackwood paid off after all."
But Orin could only stare at the notification, his mind racing. How had this happened? His stats weren't impressive—just like most of the other F-Ranked extras who would barely scrape by at the academy.
---
The gates of Eldryn Academy were towering and imposing, casting long shadows across the gathered students. Orin lingered at the edges of the crowd, his F-Rank badge pinned to his chest, trying not to draw attention.
The crowd was a mix of nervous chatter and quiet observation. Most students wore badges marked F or E-, their expressions varying from excitement to anxiety. But there were a handful of individuals who stood out even among the strongest first-years.
At the center of it all stood Reynard Caine, his golden eyes sharp and commanding.
Beside him was Amara Veyl, her silver hair catching the light as she stood with quiet poise. Amara exuded calm confidence, her E Rank badge gleaming faintly.
Standing slightly apart was Darius Greystone, a towering figure with a greatsword strapped to his back. His E Rank badge matched Amara's, though the intensity of his glare toward Reynard hinted at a rivalry already brewing.
But then there were others.
On Reynard's other side stood Selene Arkwright, a soft-spoken mage with long black hair tied into a braid. Her elegant demeanor belied the raw power crackling faintly at her fingertips, marking her as a prodigy in magic.
And at the edge of the group was Luther Vael, a shadowy figure dressed in dark robes. His E- Rank badge made him seem weaker than the others, but the way his cold green eyes swept over the crowd hinted at a cunning mind—and secrets best left untouched.
Orin felt a pang of unease as he watched them. They weren't just students. They were the ones who would shape this academy, this world.
The sound of the academy bell jolted him from his thoughts. The crowd surged forward, and Orin was swept along with them.
"Stay out of their way," he muttered to himself, clutching his bag tightly. "Just survive."
But something told him that wouldn't be so simple.