Leylin and his group returned to the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, everyone in the group except for Leylin was relieved to be back after their dangerous mission. Leylin knew that tough times are creeping near and preparations needs to be made swiftly.
At the mission area, everyone noticed an increase in casualties among acolytes. A new mission offered a massive reward for investigating the rise in dangerous creatures, emphasizing the growing threats outside.
Their mission reward totaled 15 magic crystals, plus additional earnings from Red-Eyed Raven materials. After covering expenses, the mission yielded some profit, making potion brewing a more viable income source.
Kaliweir acknowledged Leylin's contributions and offered him a larger share, but Leylin declined, taking only a modest amount.
After parting ways, Leylin returned to his dorm and checked his stats. His strength, agility, and vitality has increased greatly, and he also successfully advanced as a Knight, but further progress in that path seemed limited compared to Magi. The only path ahead, is probably the inheritance in Dorotte's hands, but Leylin can't get his hands of those for now.
Leylin knew a chance would come in the future, so he instead made preparation for leaving.
Using the A.I. Chip, he created a highly detailed map of the academy and its surroundings, marking dangerous areas.
Abyssal Bone Forest Academy was isolated, bordered by dangerous regions like the Death Seas and the Mountain Plains of Despair. The nearby Sage Gotham's Hut was a rival faction, leaving only the Poolfield Kingdom as a viable destination.
Recognizing that Magi secretly controlled these kingdoms, with nobility descending from Magus bloodlines, Leylin planned to travel discreetly to the Poolfield Kingdom taking a long term mission there. He aimed to sell potions in its hidden markets, leveraging his skills for profit while avoiding unwanted attention.
Leylin's potioneering skills were average, but with the A.I. Chip, his brewing success surpassed his senior Merlin and rivaled his mentor Kroft. However, he kept this secret and limited potion sales. Advancing to a level 3 acolyte required vast resources, including 500 grams of Reactive Elixirs and a spiritual force of 7.
The A.I. Chip estimated it would take over three years through meditation alone. To speed up the process, generally an acolyte needed a higher-tier meditation technique or special ingredients. But Leylin had Soulbound Devourer, these things are irrelevant to him, as long as he is smart his path to progress wouldn't be hindered.
With war looming, many talented acolytes, had startes leaving the academy, while weaker ones remained as cannon fodder. Mentor Kroft has also adviced Leylin, and granted him permission to leave without any tedious obstacles from the academy.
Currently, Leylin is one of the best acolyte asset of the academy, they wouldn't let him die here. Leylin immediately decided to leave as well, gathering resources for advancement.
He purchased spell models for Shadow, Dark, and Soul elements for around 200 magic crystals and hired servants to transport them. Meanwhile, the academy's trading area remained bustling, with acolytes seeking valuable goods before the upcoming conflict.
With help of Kroft name, Leylin was allowed to choose from an exclusive list of longest and safest mission kept by mission hall.
He choose the same one as Fang Meng, a three-year mission to investigate wilting vegetation in Extreme Night Town, purchasing a map to aid his journey.
The town, located at the easternmost border of Poolfield Kingdom, was near a Magi assembly point, making it an ideal choice. After receiving an exit pass, he bid farewell to his mentor and some acquaintance, packed essential items, and retrieved a hidden stash of valuable potions.
To transport everything discreetly, Leylin concealed the potions among books and ingredients in chests. He then secured a horse-drawn carriage and quietly left through a hidden academy exit. Consulting his A.I. Chip, he optimized his route for safety and Magi gathering points before setting off, maintaining high alert with his detection system active.
Leylin urged his horse carriage forward, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the hardened dirt road his only companion. He had chosen to leave the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy earlier than Feng Meng, taking a different route to avoid the dangerous Demon Tree. However, he quickly learned that his choice came with its own perils.
Not long after leaving, he found himself facing a horde of Beastmen—half-human, half-beast creatures known for their savagery and brute strength. Individually, they weren't a major threat, but in numbers, they proved troublesome even for him.
The battle had been grueling. Beastmen had remarkable endurance, and their pack mentality allowed them to fight relentlessly. Their weapons were crude, but their sheer physical power made up for the lack of technique. Leylin had to rely on agility, spellcasting, and well-timed strikes to fend them off.
Blood splattered the forest floor, the pungent scent of death thick in the air. His breathing was ragged as he surveyed the aftermath—several Beastmen corpses scattered around, while the rest had retreated.
Leylin stood amidst the carnage, his breath steady despite the exhaustion creeping into his limbs. Around him, the mutilated corpses of the Beastmen lay in grotesque stillness, their lifeless eyes frozen in expressions of rage and terror. The battle had been messy, but it was over.
He flicked his bloodied crossblade, sending droplets of crimson splattering onto the dirt. Then, without hesitation, he raised his hand, his eyes gleaming with an eerie light.
"Soulbound Devour."
A thick, ominous aura pulsed from his fingertips, spreading like invisible tendrils toward the fallen bodies. The air trembled as ghostly wisps of soul essence—faint, struggling remnants of the Beastmen's existence—were wrenched from their corpses. The souls howled in agony, their forms twisting as they were dragged into Leylin's grasp.
As the essence seeped into him, a surge of raw energy coursed through his body. It was a minor boost—these creatures lacked refined strength or intelligence—but it was still a gain. His spiritual force thickened, his senses sharpened, and his control over his body felt just a little more precise.
[Beep! 6 Beastmen devoured. Strength increased by 0.3, Agility by 0.1, Vitality by 0.4, Spiritual Force by 0.15.]
"As expected, as my stats increases progress becomes harder."
These beastmen weren't anything impressive. If he were deeper in enemy territory, he might have conserved their souls for something more useful. But here, so close to the academy, efficiency mattered more than quality. Leaving anything behind could be dangerous.
Leylin exhaled, his eyes glinting coldly. "Trash, but still useful."
Leylin then clutched his side where a sharp claw had raked through his robes. The injury wasn't deep, but the pain was undeniable. However, thanks to his strong vitality, he would recover quickly. He wrapped the wound and continued his journey without delay.
Before leaving, Leylin had ensured he took everything of value from the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. He had copied all available information from the library, purchasing numerous potion formulas and all the spells he could afford.
For the foreseeable future, he had no intention of returning—only when absolutely necessary, such as when the academy would summon students for the final battle in the secret realm.
He also had some unfinished business, such as accessing their higher level laboratory for some research especially bloodline purity, and completing the trade deal with Dorotte regarding the Branded Swordsmen.
Now, free from the academy's watchful eyes, he finally had time to experiment on many things he had to withheld.
"Transfiguration Spell."
Leylin muttered under his breath, feeling the magic take hold. His facial features shifted, bones rearranging subtly beneath his skin, while his robes altered their design and color. In mere moments, his original appearance was completely gone.
A new identity. A fresh start.
For now, his priority was finding a safe place to settle, experiment, and train his abilities further. Among his most exciting prospects was the Soul Bind technique—his mouth curled into a faint smirk at the thought. The idea of commanding an army of bound creatures at his beck and call was exhilarating.
Leylin pushed forward relentlessly, driving the horse carriage at an aggressive pace. He avoided major roads where Magi might travel and stayed away from suspicious locations that could be traps.
Finally, on the fifth day, signs of human civilization began to appear. The wild, untamed forests gave way to small, cultivated fields, their loose patches of green signaling the presence of farmers.
He exhaled deeply, feeling a strange sense of relief.
Although Magi were vastly superior beings, they had once been ordinary humans. Despite the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's horrifying human experiments—disregarding laws and ethics—most Magi still preferred to avoid major human settlements to prevent unnecessary conflicts.
Leylin slowed his carriage and observed his surroundings.
A vast field stretched on either side, dotted with patches of tilled land ready for harvest. A large windmill stood proudly in the distance, its wooden blades turning slowly in the gentle breeze. A small crystal-clear stream ran alongside the road, its surface shimmering under the sunlight. Schools of tiny fish darted about, completely unaware of the dangerous world beyond their tranquil waters.
Leylin closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply.
"Serenity… A peaceful human world. I haven't felt tranquillity like this in a long time."
For a long time, he had been surrounded by the dark, cutthroat world of Magi. Danger lurked in every corner, betrayal was commonplace, and life was cheap. But here—amongst ordinary humans—it felt as if the weight of constant survival had momentarily lifted.
But he knew this peace was an illusion.
Leylin opened his eyes, glancing at the A.I. Chip's map in his mind.
"This should be Grey Stone City," he murmured.
The city lay ahead, not far now. It was a modest-sized settlement, a place where merchants, travelers, and rogue acolytes sometimes passed through. There was a possibility that a Magi gathering point was nearby, which made it dangerous.
"I can't afford to sell potions just yet. This place is still too close to the academy," Leylin thought, his gaze sharpening.
He needed to tread carefully. For now, he would find a place to rest, recover, and plan his next steps.
Flicking the reins, Leylin urged his horses forward toward Grey Stone City, his mind already calculating his next move.