CHAPTER 40: SANKUL’S OPINION

By the time Athar and Angelica returned to the campsite, his turn at guarding the perimeter was over. After quietly wishing Angelica good night, he slipped into his own tent.

The tent provided by the academy was modest—small, but just spacious enough for one person to lie down and stretch.

Athar sank onto the thin bedding and stared at the roof of the tent, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to process everything that had happened that day.

To say he was shocked would have been an understatement.

Angelica had asked him to become her personal disciple.

He still could not believe it.

And if that were not surprising enough, she had revealed her own beast—another Shadow Mist Snake. Just like Sarpinash.

The exact same species that he had gone to such lengths to keep hidden. He had never imagined something like this.

As for why he accepted her offer, well, he could not think of a single good reason to reject it. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Yes, he did not know much about Angelica’s true nature—her background, her temperament, or even her long-term intentions. But his instincts told him this much: rejecting her would have been a mistake. A lost opportunity. A serious one.

And then there was her strength. Athar had no real frame of reference for measuring people’s power. He had not seen many elite tamers or combatants, and he did not possess any technique to judge a person’s rank. But the pressure... the sheer presence Angelica exuded when she had summoned her snake... It had been overwhelming.

He vividly remembered the time Sankul had summoned his ape. Back then, Athar had thought the instructor was strong—very strong. But compared to what he had felt when Angelica summoned her Shadow Mist Snake, Sankul’s presence seemed like a flickering candle beside a blazing bonfire. There was no comparison.

Angelica radiated strength, calm yet terrifying. She probably had not even displayed her full might, and still, it had felt like she could swallow someone like Sankul alive without breaking a sweat.

And finally, being associated with an instructor from the academy, any instructor, even one with an average reputation would have significantly elevated his status. In a world where background and connections meant a lot, being chosen as a personal disciple was no small matter. It symbolized a deep, almost familial bond between mentor and student, one that often extended far beyond basic guidance. Athar understood this well.

Accepting Angelica’s offer was not just a personal milestone—it was a chance to reshape his future.

Perhaps she could also provide resources he had no access to now. Perhaps she could teach him techniques that could not be found in public manuals. Perhaps... she could help him unlock the true potential of Sarpinash. This was what she had promised.

Yes, Athar thought as he closed his eyes, his mind finally beginning to calm—this decision could change everything.

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The chaotic chatter and movement of students in the early morning snapped Athar out of his drowsiness. After spending half the night overanalysing everything that had happened with Angelica, it had been well past midnight when he had finally managed to fall asleep.

"Athar!" came Ryler’s voice, loud and impatient from outside the tent. "Wake up! Breakfast is being distributed—you willl miss it!"

Athar scrambled to his feet, hastily pulling himself together, and thankfully made it in time to receive his share.

The breakfast was basic: roasted meat with barely any seasoning. Still, it was warm and filling—good enough for what lay ahead.

Breakfast did not last long. There was no time for casual talk or lingering, as the true purpose of the camp was now about to begin.

Under the supervision of the instructors, students began moving in organized groups, heading deeper into the forest.

Additional instructors from the academy had also arrived by now, their presence adding a noticeable layer of tension and discipline.

The first four batches were the first to be dispatched. Their assignment was clear. To eliminate as many beasts as possible within the first two kilometres.

"Listen carefully!" Instructor Sankul’s commanding voice rang out as the final two batches, including Athar’s, prepared to set off. "Be very alert while gathering herbs—many of them are poisonous. Carelessness can cost your life. Do not get pricked or pocked by anything unknown."

He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing, this time with a deeper, more solemn tone.

"And one more thing. I do not want any disputes over loot from dead beasts or herbs, or any treasure. Use your head. Be reasonable. If there is a conflict, settle it peacefully. Do not let greed cloud your judgment."

With that, the final groups were thrust into the forest.

As Athar moved with the others, he could not help but feel the weight of unseen gazes. Though he saw no one among the dense trees, he was certain—somewhere, hidden within the shadows, a few pairs of eyes were watching the students intently.

High above, perched casually atop the sturdy branch of a towering tree, two pairs of eyes observed him intently.

Athar, unaware of their scrutiny, knelt near the roots of an old tree and gently plucked a small, pale green strand of grass.

It was the most basic of herbs—Mana Herb, as it was called. Simple in appearance, yet vital. A natural reservoir of raw mana, it was one of the most common and essential ingredients in pill refining. Healing pills, recovery pills, energy pills—Mana Herb was used in nearly all of them.

"What do you even see in that boy?" Sankul asked, arms crossed, voice tinged with curiosity and doubt as he stood beside Angelica on the branch. "I do not see anything particularly remarkable... and yet you have taken him as your personal disciple."

Angelica remained silent, her eyes never leaving Athar.

She did not need to explain. They could not see what she could. They did not know his secret and they likely never would. What potential lay dormant within Athar would be incomprehensible to those focused only on surface level talent.

Unbothered by her lack of response, Sankul continued, "Alice Aquila... now there’s talent. The most gifted student we have seen in decades. And her background is anything but ordinary."

"You could have approached her, formed a bond with real influence."

Angelica finally spoke, her tone calm and steady. "He will do just fine. I am not chasing grand ambitions."

"Getting involved in petty politics is not something I want," she added.

Sankul narrowed his eyes but said nothing more. The wind rustled gently through the canopy, and the two figures stood in silence once again.

Meanwhile, Athar pushed deeper into the forest. He began to come across the bodies of slain beasts—still, twisted, and already harvested. Their mana cores had been cleanly extracted, a sign that other groups had passed through recently.

Unfortunately, they were all Stickdyers. Apart from their cores, they hardly had any commercial value. If they had been of another species, Athar might have harvested few of their body parts. But Stickdyers were scarcely worth the effort.

With limited space to carry materials, Athar made the practical choice, he ignored the carcasses and continued his search for herbs.

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