Since the plan to convince the Duke had failed, Caius knew he had to find another way to ensure his survival. Staying under the radar wasn't enough—he needed an advantage, something that would allow him to hold his own in this unpredictable world. And then, it struck him.
An artifact.
He recalled a detail buried in the depths of Heaven's Wrath—an artifact that had once belonged to a member of The Echo Chamber, the villainous group that lurked in the shadows. It wasn't just any artifact; it was one that granted the user skills—powerful ones—if they were able to pass its trial.
In the novel, this particular artifact had been inherited by the' broken prodigy' one of the member of The Echo Chamber. Unlike most of the group, he wasn't normal in his head , but he had used the artifact to propel himself to a position of power.However, it was never explicitly stated how the trial is done . But one thing he knew that he got the artifact from the mountain near the forbiden forest after a month before the academy opened. That meant there was still a window of opportunity—if Caius acted fast.
Caius's mind raced. If he could locate the artifact before it fell into the hands of The Echo Chamber, he might stand a chance. But the artifact wouldn't simply bestow power upon him. It came with a price. Anyone who sought its power would have to endure a trial—one designed to test their worth. Those who failed either perished or were left with nothing.
It was a risk. A terrifying one.
But it was also his best shot.
Determination settled in his chest. He couldn't afford to be weak. Not in this world. If he was to survive, he needed power, and he needed it before the tides of fate swept him away.
For the first time since his transmigration, he had a plan. And he wasn't about to let this chance slip through his fingers. so he decided to go tomorrow itself.
The morning light spilled into Caius' room as he fastened the straps of his travel bag. His mind was set—he had no choice but to acquire the artifact. It was the only way to ensure his survival in this world. However, he knew he couldn't tell anyone. If anyone questioned his knowledge of such an artifact, he would be in trouble.If they questioned him where had he gone
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I'll just say I went for training outside the estate," he muttered. It was a reasonable enough excuse. The eldest son of the house going off to train wasn't anything unusual, and if he played his cards right, no one would ask too many questions.
Caius checked his bag one last time. Inside, he had packed essentials—extra clothes, dried food, a map of the region, a dagger for self-defense, and a small pouch of money just in case. He also took a flintstone for fire, some rope, and a notebook where he had jotted down notes about the novel's events. He wasn't sure how much of the details he recalled would hold true in this world, but it was better than going in blind.
He exhaled. There was no room for hesitation. The villain who originally acquired the artifact had done so about a month before the academy's opening. If Caius wanted to beat him to it, he had to leave now.
With a final glance around his room, Caius threw on a long, dark cloak and slipped out of the mansion before dawn. The fewer people who saw him leaving, the better. He avoided the main gates and instead used the servants' exit at the side of the estate, making his way through the quiet streets unnoticed.
The journey to the mountain near the Forbidden Forest was not an easy one. It was a half-day's ride by carriage, but Caius didn't have the luxury of hiring one. Instead, he traveled on horseback, riding swiftly through the outskirts of town. The wind whipped against his face, but he ignored the discomfort, focusing solely on reaching his destination.
Hours passed as he rode through dirt paths and dense woods. The further he traveled, the less familiar the landscape became. This world was stunningly real—nothing like reading about it in a novel. The towering trees, the rustling of leaves, and the occasional distant growl of monsters reminded him that this was no longer fiction.
By the time he reached the mountain, the sun had already begun its descent. The towering peak loomed ahead, its rocky slopes casting long shadows over the land. Caius pulled his horse to a stop, dismounted, and took a moment to survey the area. He knew that somewhere within these cliffs lay the artifact—waiting for someone worthy to claim it.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and began the climb.
The trial was about to begin.
At that time he didn't knew that this was the decision that will change the course of future story forever.