"Alright class, this will be the end of our class. See you again next week!"
Hearing the professor's words, Zane leaned back on his seat. Slowly raising his head and staring at the ceiling above, as if he was in deep thoughts.
'I guess, today is the day, huh. Well, it was suppose to be yesterday, but I decided against it.'
3 days has passed since Zane had decided to go hunting in the forest. Although, Zane was actually being skeptical—after seeing his progress with Velrath. But, Zane's goal was set. He planned on going in the forest to hunt a bunch of low ranking monsters, simply so he could gain experience.
Well, not really 'simply'. Zane was going to move to the main castle to become stronger, and to learn more about the Thaleward's barrier and sealing spells. And the main castle wasn't for the weak. He knew the true nature of the Thaleward clan, and how harsh their practices are.
The reason for the Thaleward's cruelness is to sharpen them and make sure that they will become a hope for the clan. Cruelness makes people weaker, but it can also make them stronger. The Thaleward clan had become much harsher than what it was back in Wardell's era.
But, well. It was for a reason. The true reason for the cruelness and the insane difficulties of their trainings and task, was because the Thaleward had grown weaker than before. After Wardell died, the Thaleward clan had fell out of their rank, because no one was capable of upgrading their magic formula.
And while the other clans was growing stronger as time goes by, the Thaleward Clan remained the same. Simply because no one was capable of upgrading their magic formula into something stronger. Magic it self has evolve all over the years, because of how many people put their time into studying it and making it much stronger.
To the point that, the Thaleward's magic spells became vulnerable. It didn't really grow weaker, magic it self simply got stronger. Aside from their magic formulas remaining the same, Thaleward also had one fatal weakness.
Their lack of offensive magic.
It wasn't really an issue before, since back in Wardell's era, their barrier spells were unbreakable, their sealing magic was unescapable. Back then they simply used offensive magic spells that are accessible to everyone, such as magic spells that are mostly seen, and can be learned by everyone, something that don't belong to their clan. They do this because their magic formula revolves more on barriers and sealing spells. Well, I mean do they have offensive spells, however, they only had 3 of them, and all of it are extremely advanced. Only top tiers could use such magic spells.
Unlike clans who are mostly all about offensive magic spells, the Thaleward clan was known for their unbreakable defenses.
However, this period didn't really last long. Because Zane's father Vern Thaleward, change their clan's fate. He was the only person in their clan, who was actually knowledgeable, and strong enough to upgrade their magic formulas. By strengthening their barrier's defenses, and also their sealing magics. The Thaleward clan came on the top again.
Vern didn't only upgrade their magic formula, he also covered the Thaleward's biggest weakness. Which is their lack of offensive magic spells. By creating his own type of offensive barrier spell, and also offensive type of sealing spells, Thaleward manage to get to the top again. However, they never manage to get their former spot, which is rank 1.
Unlike the Thaleward clan, where one person makes the biggest significance, the Stormhale clan was full of geniuses, who were all equally as powerful and talented. Which is why, the Thaleward clan remained ranked 2.
That explains why Zane must become stronger, to prepare his self in facing a new hell.
In the past 3 days, Zane had tried to learn as much magic spells he could. From basic spells to advance spells. Although, it wasn't as simple as he expected it to be. Even with Velrath by his side, guiding him, it still took long for him to learn atleast one spell. Specially, the advance spells.
However, even though it wasn't as simple as it sounds. Zane enjoyed the process of learning all those spells. It felt strange and new to him, to finally be able to learn as much spells as he could in one night. Because of his vast amount of mana, he was able to learn 8 spells in just 3 days, simply because he could practice for as long as he could. 5 basic spells and 3 advance spells. Although, non of it are magic spells of his clan, it personally came from Velrath him self, well, some from the books he had brought with him from the Ironveil.
Zane possessed 2 affinities. Ice and Lightning, although there are possibilities he could have possessed more, he just didn't know what it was. Zane didn't really care about affinities back then, since it was useless for him anyways, with his low mana capacity back then, he could only learn the simpliest of the simpliest spells, which is why, he didn't bother knowing more about his affinities, thinking that it was all a waste of time.
Aside from learning as much spells as he could, he was also being consistent with his physical training. Everyday after school, he would go to the training hall and do the exercises he usually did. Although it felt weird sometimes, cause he attracted a few attentions from others.
The time was short, but he felt ready.
Zane then began leaving the lecture hall, heading to the dormatory. He was going to skip his work out this time, since he was going into the Dreadwood Forest and it would take hours to do so, and he had to go home as early as he could.
...
Vale watched as he saw Zane leaving the lecture hall. He stared at him for a bit, feeling suspicious of Zane. He would usually be the last one to come out of the classroom, but this time, he was the first one to leave.
'Hmm, he's been acting strange for the past few days. He's also been sleeping late at night, although he never really told me, I can tell by how sleepy he looks whenever we are in class. Or am I imagining it?'
...
Zane arrived in his room. He stood before it's well made door. he then pulled out his key and opened the door. He then went inside. After going inside, he went inside his bedroom, and locked the door.
Zane then changed his clothes, into something more comfortable. Clothes that could be used in battles and are as hard as an armor. These clothes were also a gift from Zane's mother. Zane took his time preparing his self. Until finally, he was ready.
[Woah, such refined clothes, Zane. Is it a gift from your mother as well?]
Zane looked towards Velrath, he then responded with a soft smile on his face,
[Yeah.]
Zane then started walking, heading towards the door of his bedroom. He then pulled it slowly and went out.
"Woah, what's up with that?! Where the hell you are going? To war?"
Zane looked towards the source of the sound. There, he saw Vale standing before him.
"...Kinda? Nevermind that, you can eat without me Vale. I am going to be gone for a while."
Vale raised an eyebrow, he stared at Zane for a moment, and said with a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Huh? Why? Where the hell are you going?"
Zane paused for a while before answering, he then said.
"Just going to Ironveil, it's weekend tomorrow you know! Just visiting my lovely mother figure."
Vale paused for a moment, staring at him blankly.
"...Wearing that? Hell, if anyone saw you right now they'd think you are some rich kid, being forced to participate in the war."
Hearing this Velrath chuckled, he then told Zane.
[He ain't wrong, if I have to be honest.]
"..."
Zane sighed, ignoring Velrath's words, he then responded to Vale.
"Ah, whatever. It's better to be safe than sorry."
Vale chuckled a little, after hearing Zane.
"Pfft! What the hell does that even mean?"
Putting his hands on Zane's shoulders, he said.
"Anyways, I won't waste too much of your time. You can go now and meet our lovely mother figure."
A smile appeared on Zane's face, he then responded.
"Alright, wait... did you just say 'our'?"
However, before Zane could retort, Vale had already pushed him out of the room.
"Ah, just go already."
Vale said as he pushed Zane outside. Right after Zane stepped out of the room, Vale closed the door. Leaving him standing alone.
Zane stared at the door for a moment, he then released a heavy sigh.
'...Well, I should be fine. The Dreadwood Forest isn't really known for having high ranked monsters anyways. As long as I avoid the monsters higher than C or B rank, I should be fine.'
With that, Zane started walking. Heading to Dreadwood Forest. A forest that lives up to its name, with hundreds of monsters that can be seen lurking deep in the forest. Although the forest isn't really known for having high ranked Monsters, people still avoid it, because of the mindless beasts that lurks around the forest.