Chapter Thirty-Five: Preparing for Battle

These past few nights, Han Shuo had been acting alone, relying on his keen senses to hunt down nearby magical beasts. He and his skeletal companion worked together seamlessly, making their hunts smooth and efficient. By now, he had accumulated four level-five magical beast cores, along with a number of valuable pelts and horns.

During these hunts, Han Shuo not only practiced his magical skills but also repeatedly exercised the bone spike spell he had mastered, finding that combining close and long-range attacks often produced remarkable results.

The panic and anxiety that the other students showed when facing magical beasts for the first time were entirely foreign to Han Shuo. From beginning to end, he remained as calm and detached as ever—almost numb in his cold-bloodedness.

Even Han Shuo himself was uncertain why he lacked such troublesome emotions in these moments. In fact, he vaguely sensed a thrill and anticipation deep within, as if he truly reveled in the process of hunting magical beasts.

“It seems I’m not a good person after all!” Han Shuo thought wryly, taking the magical beast core and wind blade wolf pelt from the little skeleton’s hands. He patted the skeleton’s glossy skull with a smile. “Let’s go, time to head back.”

The little skeleton gripped its bone knife, its hollow eye sockets devoid of any emotion, swiftly following Han Shuo’s lead as they returned along the same path.

Midway back, Han Shuo recited an incantation, sending the little skeleton back to the alternate dimension. As his tent came into view, Han Shuo instinctively slowed his pace, slipping quietly through the shadows of the trees.

It was well past midnight. The sentries at the tents had changed to Fanny, Lisa, and Amy. Lisa and Amy were half-asleep, their eyes drooping, clearly dozing and shirking their duties.

Fortunately, Fanny understood the importance of standing watch. Her bright eyes vigilantly scanned the surroundings, and when Han Shuo’s faint footsteps drew near, she immediately cast a wary gaze toward his direction.

With her magic staff in hand, Fanny approached, her delicate face stern with caution as she called softly, “Who’s there?”

“Miss Fanny, it’s me,” Han Shuo replied quietly, stepping from the shadows.

“I thought it might be you. I just went to look for you and found your tent empty. Where have you been at this hour?” Fanny fixed her gaze on Han Shuo, her tone full of suspicion.

“It's nothing. I just went to find a quiet spot to practice magic. After I asked you about the bone arrow spell last time, I started seeking secluded places at night to train. I believe only through repeated practice can I ensure I don’t make mistakes.” Han Shuo scratched his head, his explanation humble and sincere.

“Bryan, your diligence is admirable. Once you master a few more spells, I’ll explain this to the academy. Your status as a menial worker can be revoked immediately, and you might even receive the same treatment as the other students,” Fanny said thoughtfully.

“Oh, I was sold to Babylon Academy as a servant. Does knowing magic really mean I can shed my servant status?” Han Shuo asked, surprised.

Fanny nodded with certainty. “Never has a mage been a servant or a slave. On the entire continent of Chio, mages are held in high esteem. Even though the necromancy branch has declined, if you can prove your mastery of necromancy, your status will change instantly, and you’ll never have to clean or serve again.”

“That’s wonderful. I still have many questions. I hope you’ll help me, Miss Fanny. I’ll work hard to improve and become a proper mage,” Han Shuo said, his mind turning as he recalled numerous unresolved questions from the magic books he’d studied. He decided to seize this opportunity to clear up his doubts.

“No problem. Whenever you have questions about necromancy, just ask—I’ll help you. Er… even though you’re a bit perverted now, I’m sure you’re a magical prodigy. I’ll make sure you’re freed from your current status,” Fanny replied with a gentle smile.

Han Shuo gave a bashful grin, seemingly oblivious to Fanny’s teasing about his lecherous tendencies. Gathering his thoughts, he began seeking her guidance on various aspects of magic.

After a while, Fanny exclaimed in astonishment, regarding Han Shuo with amazement. “Oh my, Bryan, you already know so much about magic! Where did you learn all this? Your questions are on par with any apprentice mage—it’s incredible!”

“I picked up this knowledge while helping Jack clean the library. Ever since I discovered I could cast bone arrow, I’ve been researching the reason behind it,” Han Shuo lied without the slightest hint of shame, feigning embarrassment before Fanny.

“Bryan, I was right about you! You truly are a magical genius!” Fanny gasped once more at his explanation.

Just then, Han Shuo’s ears caught the sound of footsteps—“thud, thud”—his expression turning serious. “Something’s approaching. This time it doesn’t sound like a magical beast, but more like humans,” he said urgently.

At his words, Fanny’s face changed. In her anxiety, she grabbed Han Shuo’s arm and hurried him toward the tents. “There are all kinds of races in this Dark Forest, and not all are friendly. Even some humans, for the sake of a high-grade magical beast core, might kill without hesitation. We should be on our guard.”

Her slender hand gripped his wrist tightly—not out of affection, but urgency. Han Shuo, however, already harbored ulterior motives; the sensation of her soft fingers sent his thoughts reeling, and he couldn’t help but recall the provocative moment on horseback days before.

“Everyone up! Lisa, Amy, wake everyone and prepare for battle—there may be danger!” Fanny shouted. Lisa and Amy, startled awake by her alarm, recognized the seriousness of the situation and rushed about, rousing the other students with shrill cries.

Chaos erupted as half-dressed, bleary-eyed students stumbled from their tents, hastily preparing for combat.

At that moment, Fanny noticed Han Shuo grinning at her hand still clutching his wrist, his expression one of enjoyment. Annoyed, she pinched him hard before letting go, hissing under her breath, “Damn you, Bryan, you’re almost as bad as Fitch!”

Han Shuo yelped, wearing a sheepish smile though inwardly amused—if Fanny ever learned he was the one who’d groped her during the ride, who knows what she’d think.

While the students scrambled in confusion, the heavy footfalls grew nearer—“thud, thud”—echoing in everyone’s ears. After Fanny’s pinch, Han Shuo quickly regained his composure, the glint of mischief in his eyes replaced by a cold, detached gaze as he coolly assessed the situation.

The heavy footsteps, accompanied by guttural snorts, drew closer. Jean furrowed his brow in confusion. “Such heavy steps—this shouldn’t be humans. But there are few bipedal magical beasts. What could it be?”

Fanny pondered, then her eyes lit up. She shouted, “Everyone, summon your skeleton warriors to hold the front. We must have encountered ogres from the Dark Forest!”

The word “ogre” left everyone stunned. Several female students shuddered visibly, fear clouding their faces. Jean, startled as well, quickly directed everyone to form a defensive ring and drew out a thick, root-like brown magic staff, tense with caution.

One incantation after another rang out from the students and instructors. Before them, skeleton warriors, ghouls, zombie fighters, and two massive abominations summoned by Fanny and Jean materialized out of thin air.

Abominations were among the higher-level undead—giant, wielding iron clubs, their hulking, fleshy bodies boasting formidable strength and resilience. They were necromancers’ go-to shields.

Sure enough, after a short while, eight ogres appeared within sight, each about two and a half meters tall, their skin leaden gray, brandishing spiked clubs and long spears.

Ogres were communal creatures; a dozen or so would form a tribe. They were innately lazy and predatory, natural-born bandits who wielded clubs and spears with skill, their brute strength and toughness making them deadly in close combat.

Yet it wasn’t their might that inspired the most dread, but their habits. As their name implied, ogres were man-eaters. During raids, they would not only steal everything but also seize humans as food.

The students’ defensive ring was ringed by skeleton warriors, ghouls, zombies, and abominations. Inside, the necromancy mages prepared their ranged attacks, all eyes heavy with apprehension as they watched the ogres draw near, snorting and grunting.

“Prepare for battle!” Fanny called, raising her magic staff high.

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