CHAPTER 41: BATTLE AGAINST BEAST

The next couple of days passed in a whirlwind, with nothing interesting happening.

Before arriving at this camp, Athar had hoped that even if he did not get a chance to hunt beasts, he could still gather a substantial haul by collecting herbs and probably some other resources.

In these two days, he realized how wrong he had been. With almost a hundred students scouring a limited area, one that lay in the outer zone of the forest, where numerous others had likely already searched for resources before the camp—one could only imagine how meagre his collection had been.

At best, he could call this whole camp as an experience and nothing more.

And the repeated statements from the instructors that they would try and see if they could give some chances to students of the last two batches to engage with few beasts was clearly forgotten. No one seemed to remember them anymore.

"You seem a little too disappointed, Athar," Ryler commented mischievously as they walked together on the final day of the camp.

Athar shook his head. "Nothing like that."

Ryler almost burst out laughing.

"What had you hoped for?" he cackled. "That you would be able to collect some miracle herbs or that a very powerful beast would die in front of you so you could pick up its core?"

"You have already gotten lucky enough," Ryler added, referring to the beast core Athar had collected on the first day itself.

Athar and Ryler continued to roam in the forest for a long time and they would occasionally pick an herb or two but they did not get anything of significant worth.

Not much time was remaining before the light would start fading and all the students were supposed to return back to the camp. And today, they would be returning back to the academy.

It was at this time that Angelica suddenly appeared before Athar. In the past two days, they had barely interacted, and Athar believed that any continuation of their master disciple relationship would only happen at the academy.

"Athar," she said with an impassive face. "Follow me."

Ryler did not look very surprised. Athar had had the decency to inform his ’friend’ that Angelica had accepted him as her personal disciple. Although Ryler had been shell shocked, he had not pressed the issue much. And Athar had been thankful for this. He did not know any reason that could justify accepting him, a man with iron grade beast as a personal disciple.

Athar did as he was told. He followed behind Angelica, who led him diagonally away from the designated area where students were supposed to move.

"Where are we going, teacher?" he asked.

"Athar," Angelica said with a frown. "The word ’teacher’ does not sit right. It feels strange. Either call me ’Master’ or ’Miss’. ’Angelica’ would be fine too."

Athar hesitated. "I will call you Master then."

Angelica nodded, not too concerned.

"Where are we going?" he asked again.

"Just come," she replied. "You have wasted enough time gathering useless herbs. Before leaving, you should get a taste of some real experience."

Athar’s eyes almost lit up as he realized that, most probably, he would be allowed to engage with a beast.

Minutes later, they arrived outside a small cave.

"Inside the cave is an F Rank beast," Angelica said as both of them stood facing each other. "Which beast? You will see for yourself."

Athar nodded as he prepared himself for the upcoming battle. This was going to be a life and death experience.

"Athar," Angelica added calmly. "For you, killing an F-Rank beast is not a very difficult task."

"Hence," she said, "you will not use your Shadow Mist Snake, nor any of its skills during the battle. If you have learned any battle technique, you may use that."

Athar nodded. He too realized that an F Rank beast was probably not going to give him much trouble. Some limitations were definitely necessary.

Seeing that Athar was ready, Angelica raised her hand, and a small ball of mana gathered in her palm. She hurled it toward the entrance of the cave, and it struck the rocks with a loud boom. The explosion was followed by a beastly growl as

Athar readied himself for the upcoming battle as he unsheathed the sword from his waist.

Meanwhile, Angelica had already withdrawn into the background.

Moments later, accompanied by another growl, a beast emerged from the cave. It was a pale yellow hyena.

The hyena stood almost four feet tall at the shoulder and was six feet in length. Its two canines were protruding, giving it a dangerous look. And its large eyes were locked on Athar.

The hyena bared its fangs, its yellow eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. A deep growl vibrated from its throat as it crouched low, muscles coiling like springs.

Athar drew his sword. He held it in a firm two handed grip, his legs muscle tense ready to move abruptly.

The hyena charged.

Athar narrowed his eyes and stayed still until the last moment, then sidestepped cleanly, dragging his blade across the beast’s side as it shot past him.

Blood spattered across the ground. It was not a very deep wound but still the hyena yelped in pain as it skidded, quickly turning to face him again, its eyes filled with rage.

The hyena was fast but not that fast that Athar could not keep with it.

The beast lunged a second time, its jaws open wide. Athar stepped forward meeting the charge head on.

He twisted his body slightly to the side and slashed upward, aiming for the wide open jaw that was coming his way. The tip of his sword clipped the beast’s lower jaw. Another wound but again not deep enough. But enough to sting.

The hyena reeled back and circled, slower this time. The three individuals present at the site- Angelica, Athar and the hyena had realised that the beast was no match for Athar.

Athar who had been cautious had now gained a boost of confidence and decided to be more aggressive. He adjusted his stance. His breathing was steady, controlled.

The hyena sprang again.

Athar narrowed his eyes as he activated his battle technique. Sword Slash. A burst of mana slash erupted from his sword and it raced towards the beast.

The slash struck the Hyena’s shoulder as it was mid air. The slash cut through fur and muscle but it did not stop there. It continued and the beast’s head was decapitated from its neck.

A fountain of blood erupted from its torso and Athar stood there calmly without any injury or even a scratch on his body. Not his breathing was ragged.

Angelica who was not surprised from the result emerged from behind the trees.

"Clearly, F Rank beasts are no match for you," she said. "Next time, you will face a worthy opponent."

Athar did not know when this next time would come but he gave a nod.

He slit open the hyena’s chest and extracted the F Rank beast core. Finally, something worthy after the first beast core he had collected.

"Let us go," Angelica said. "It is time, we return to the academy."

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