Three days later, in Bramblethorn Forest.BOOM!A wave of intensely scorching flames dispersed a green corrosive energy attack. Following an enraged howl of pain, a shimmering silken thread flashed into existence dozens of meters away, then fled in disarray."It's useless! You can't escape!" Grimm roared from within the inferno. "Your unique scent is like a beacon in the night—you'll never succeed in ambushing me. You have no chance! And I will hunt you to your death!"His voice dripped with venom.Simultaneously, Grimm casually picked up a severed finger from the ground and pressed it against the wound on his palm. As numerous tiny tendrils emerged from the injury to reconnect the digit, he sneered moments later, flexing the restored finger—now perfectly healed. With that, he gripped his Echo Bone Dagger and resumed the chase.Over these three days, Grimm and Harired had clashed multiple times. Each encounter ended with Harired, unable to match Grimm, using a bizarre wind-element spe

"Miss, get inside!" The short, fat man—Marlin—startled, yanking the carriage curtain shut. He then turned a stern gaze on Grimm and the others. "You lot…""Sir, we saw nothing, you have our word," one of the veteran mercenary knights cut in smoothly.After Marlin scrutinized them and they all played dumb sufficiently, he gave a dissatisfied grunt and drove the caravan out of the city."What's there to be afraid of? Once we reach Bangel City, I'll be a proper Sorcerer's Apprentice…" the young girl's discontented mumble drifted faintly from the carriage. Grimm paused. Was a full Sorcerer planning to take her as a disciple there?That night, the five mercenary knights sat around a campfire, drinking and eating rations. Marlin and the girl had their own fire by the carriage, eating prepared delicacies.After half a day together, and facing over twenty more days on the road, the burly knights had grown familiar, boasting and joking loudly.The most muscular of them, nicknamed Brutal Bear,

Bangel City, situated at the border between the Blackstone Spire Sorcerer Academy and the Ivory Castle Sorcerer Academy in the Twelfth District of the Seven Rings Sacred Tower, was a major metropolitan hub. A constant flow of merchants, knights, and adventurers gave it an atmosphere of compatibility, inclusivity, and exploration. This open city's status and importance rivaled that of any famous seaport.On the Sorcerer Continent, two types of places often bred Dark Sorcerers: remote, uninhabited regions, and borderlands like this, where two major powers met. These junctions were melting pots, their nobles often descendants of Sorcerers from conflicting factions with historical grievances—a perfect environment for certain Dark Sorcerers to flourish.Grimm sat in a tavern near the city gate, statue-like, watching the endless stream of people coming and going, occasionally sipping fine wine. This was no lowly mercenary knight dive; Grimm occupied a refined private room, attracting no att

On his return to the academy, Grimm maintained his walking training, but his pace was significantly faster now, driven by clear purpose.With the Pale Mask firmly in place, he moved with swift, sure strides. Slung over his shoulder, alongside the knight's greatsword, was a bag containing the heads of the three "Dark Sorcerers." He wondered what reward Mentor Peranos would grant for eliminating three such targets. The thought brought a flicker of anticipation and private amusement.But he would leave that for Peranos to worry about. The reward was secondary; the true value lay in the mission's experience and the knowledge gained.Twenty days later, in Bramblethorn Forest, Grimm sat atop the peak of a giant tree. Clouds obscured the moon and stars. By the light of his Indestructible Flame, he took out the "Devil's Contract," using his soul to carefully feel out the text upon it."Such fascinating script. It can be understood through the soul itself. This writing seems to be a natural im

Sunlight streamed through the laboratory window, illuminating the workbench. The air was fragrant with the aroma of Bitterleaf Wine, a scent both mellow and slightly astringent that lingered pleasantly."This Repulsion-Attraction Force spell," Peranos explained, "as a Sorcerer's Apprentice without the ability to guide natural forces, you can only use your own body as the central point for repulsion and attraction to form effective attacks and defenses. But once you become a full Sorcerer, you can use this Geocentric Stone to connect with the earth's ley lines, allowing you to freely wield these forces."He paused, seeming thirsty, and took a sip of the Bitterleaf Wine, smacking his lips as he savored the bitterness.After jotting down some notes, Grimm frowned. "And implanting this Geocentric Stone will truly cause irreversible skin fissures?"This was the third time he'd asked the same question. The so-called permanent skin damage was exactly what had happened to Peranos—his entire s