Chapter Twenty-Six: Succumbing to Darkness [Humbly Requesting Your Support]

As Claude drew closer, Han Shuo grinned and let out a low exclamation, bending down to reach for his ankle as if to examine the injury there.

Garl, who stood beside him, frowned at Han Shuo’s action and stepped closer to support him, saying, “How is it? Did you hurt your ankle? Let me take a look.”

“It’s nothing, I just twisted it a little,” Han Shuo replied quietly, keeping his head down and his body bent.

At that moment, Claude and several knight trainees happened to approach. All of them were newcomers and didn’t know Han Shuo. Here, injuries and disabilities were common, so Han Shuo’s behavior did not attract much attention. Claude glanced briefly at Han Shuo’s figure, paid him no mind, and continued chatting and laughing with his companions as they passed by.

Han Shuo’s ankle, which he had indeed twisted earlier, was a bit swollen and bruised. Garl looked down and gasped softly, “It’s really swollen! Let me take you back!”

Watching Claude walk farther away, Han Shuo straightened up, tested his weight on his toes, and flashed a smile at Garl, saying, “I suddenly feel much better. Thank you, Garl, but really, I don’t need any help!”

With that, Han Shuo picked up his pace and quickly disappeared around a corner without so much as a grunt.

Garl watched Han Shuo’s sudden recovery in confusion, shaking his head in bewilderment. “What a strange fellow!” he muttered.

Covered with bruises and wounds, Han Shuo returned to the Necromancy Department of the Magic Academy just as night was about to fall. These days, most of his chores as a necromancy errand boy had been taken over by Carey and Borg, sparing Han Shuo from worry. After collecting his dinner, Han Shuo went straight to the storage room, locked the door, and immediately set about using his magical cultivation to repair and strengthen his body.

His entire body ached; flesh, sinew, and bone were all badly battered. The demonic energy flowed through him again and again according to the cultivation method, and with each circuit, Han Shuo felt his strength gradually returning through the searing pain.

During this process, the demonic energy seemed to grow subtly stronger as well, bringing Han Shuo fresh delight. It appeared that forging the body also incrementally increased his magical power. In the future, he would need to endure such injuries to temper his body further.

By the latter half of the night, Han Shuo’s pain had eased considerably. He began once more to practice the “Profound Ice Demonic Flame Technique,” channeling his energy repeatedly through the palms and fingers of both hands as prescribed by the method.

Time flew by. Han Shuo became completely engrossed, his mind emptied of all distractions, focused solely on cultivation with unwavering determination. He forgot his injuries and all mundane concerns, circulating his energy in accordance with the technique.

Previously, Han Shuo had always been careful not to lose himself in cultivation, awakening after a set time and never immersing himself as deeply as he did now. This time, he was utterly absorbed, forgetting the passage of time, even forgetting himself.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang. The storage room door was flung open, and Han Shuo was jolted awake. His eyes narrowed, shooting a cold, electric glare at Jack.

Jack, startled by Han Shuo’s icy gaze, shivered all over. When Han Shuo’s eyes softened, Jack let out a sigh of relief. “Bryan, so you really were in the storage room! I thought something had happened to you!”

Jolted awake, Han Shuo quickly checked his condition and realized that his previously severe injuries had almost completely healed. The demonic energy within him had grown stronger, and his mind was clearer than ever.

“What could happen to me? I just slept in late for a day, that’s all. With Borg and Carey helping me clean, there’s nothing for me to worry about!” Han Shuo shrugged his stiff neck, which cracked audibly. As he climbed off his cot and flexed his body, his bones popped loudly, leaving Jack frozen in shock.

After a while, when Han Shuo’s body finally quieted, Jack seemed to recover and exclaimed, “Oh, Bryan, it’s not just one day! You’ve been missing for six days! I knocked for ages and you didn’t answer—I thought something had happened to you!”

Hearing this, Han Shuo was startled. Six days? Had he really cultivated for six whole days? Frowning, he recalled from Chu Canglan’s memories that there was a phenomenon in demonic cultivation called “entering the demon state.”

Sometimes, by chance, practitioners would fall into this state, which could manifest in two forms: active or passive. In the active state, one’s mind would become bloodthirsty and frenzied, feeling no pain, and both cultivation and physical strength would increase dramatically. At such times, the urge to destroy everything around would be overwhelming—this was the dangerous, active form.

The passive form was what Han Shuo had just experienced: during cultivation, one would slip into a trance-like state, unaware of oneself, yet the flow of energy and bodily functions would be several times stronger than usual. Though oblivious to the process, upon awakening, one would notice significant changes.

The first, active state, usually occurred after a severe shock or mental break. If one survived the ensuing carnage, the after-effects could be damaging. Han Shuo’s passive state, on the other hand, was beneficial, typically triggered during cultivation, often leading to a notable boost in power upon waking.

“Oh, it’s just that I was a bit tired lately and slept really deeply. By the way, what brings you here looking for me?” As Han Shuo spoke, his stomach growled, and he realized that he hadn’t eaten in six days and desperately needed food and nourishment.

Seeing Han Shuo rub his belly, the chubby Jack rummaged around and pulled out a large piece of bread, handing it over before replying, “I was worried about you. Also, Miss Fanny asked me to tell you to visit her laboratory. Oh, and that little witch Lisa has been asking after you too—maybe she’s looking for more trouble.”

“I see. Well, I’ll go see Miss Fanny first. Let’s go!” Munching on Jack’s bread, Han Shuo headed out of the storage room.

Fortunately, during this time Han Shuo had hidden the little skeleton under his bed, so Jack’s sudden entrance hadn’t revealed anything unusual. After fixing the door, Han Shuo made his way directly to Fanny’s laboratory.

He knocked on the door.

“Come in!” Fanny’s gentle, melodious voice called from inside. Han Shuo opened the door and entered.

On the round table in the laboratory, several magic scrolls lay spread out. Even from a distance, Han Shuo—still a novice in the magical arts—could sense the powerful magical energy emanating from them. Mysterious and intricate magical script and designs adorned their surfaces.

At that moment, Fanny was bent over, chanting incantations. Her slender, elegant fingers, dipped in a brown magical potion, traced delicate lines onto a scroll. The brushstrokes, though seemingly random, formed a harmonious and intricate pattern.

After a while, Fanny finished a scroll and, with another chant, infused it with magical elements. A desolate, somber aura emanated from the scroll, which flashed a dark brown light before rolling itself up.

Putting the finished scroll away, Fanny looked up and, seeing Han Shuo, flashed a warm smile. “Bryan, how are the wounds on your back?”

“Thank you for your concern, Miss Fanny. My injuries are all healed,” Han Shuo replied with a nod.

Han Shuo knew he couldn’t keep up his act of madness forever. Though feigning foolishness brought some advantages, it would eventually cause trouble. It was better to gradually change, so that everyone would slowly accept the new him. If he changed suddenly, they might simply think it was a moment of clarity after a long period of confusion.

Bryan, whose body Han Shuo now inhabited, had suffered much in the Necromancy Department. Han Shuo had resolved to avenge him from the moment he crawled out of that grave. Now, Carey, Borg, Buck, and even Lisa had all been taught a lesson by him, settling much of Bryan’s old scores. Han Shuo remained in the Necromancy Department to lay plans for his own future.

After learning more about this world, Han Shuo realized that to survive, he must continually grow stronger. The Babylon Academy of Magic and Force was the perfect place for such progress. He stayed to make full use of the academy’s resources—to strengthen himself, expand his knowledge, and truly understand this world.

He was well aware that he could not go on pretending to be a fool, and needed to start changing himself, little by little.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. We’re planning an excursion to let the students test their magical progress outside the academy. Why don’t you come with us? You can help the others pack, and I can keep an eye on your health along the way. What do you say, Bryan?” Fanny set down her things and smiled at Han Shuo.

Han Shuo was taken aback, but after a moment’s thought, he realized this was an opportunity. He nodded and agreed, “Alright!”