Chapter 173: Attempted Escape Part 1

Damian's plan was simple but it was his best bet a surviving and keeping the beast core that he was unwilling to hand over.

He planned to use one of his fast and powerful skills, using the Maxwell Fire Soul Spirit that he still had activated, then quickly switch his Changeable Energy into Shadow Energy, giving him a boost of speed and maybe he might be able to get away.

As long he could surprise them with the attack and they are dazed by it for a moment, Damian should be able to get away and although they would catch him shortly after, since he was injured and fatigued, if he headed deeper into the Beast Woods, they might be afraid to follow him.

Although it was reckless and dangerous to head deeper into the Beast Woods, especially in his current state, there was a chance of survival if he could find a place to recover, unlike if he attempted to face all 5 of them.

If they intended to kill him either way despite him not doing anything to them and offering him the body of the Moose Beast that was very valuable, then he would feel no regret or guilt when taking one of them down to try and make a path for him to escape.

Damian needed to buy some time until he was able to figure out which one of them would be the easier target, and although he hated submitting to others, he would need to pretend that he was going so.

"Before I hand over this beast core and die, would you mind answering a few of my questions. It would make it easier for me to die at peace" said Damian as he slouched and no longer stood or acted in a confident manner.

His instant change of tone and attitude was surprising, but expected by the royal academy students as they all burst out into laughter.

They all believed that he had given up trying to fight them and didn't mind toying with him and answering his questions before killing him, but the leader and strongest of the group was still cautious.

"How did you guys watch me and get so close to me without me being able to sense you?" asked Damian.

He acted stupid and amazed by their ability to do so and acted as though he hadn't heard about concealment techniques, which he had heard about and had access to in the Shadow Step Skill Book, but was yet to learn.

"What a stupid cultivator?

"Hahaha, they don't even have concealment techniques in their puny academy"

The four students mocked him while the leader of them watched Damian closely and was curious and wary of what Damian might be doing, knowing that he was a talented and capable individual.

Akegria Academy had given birth to many talents and capable individuals, which included one of the most renowned cultivators in the country, Darren Shan, who despite being very young, was still one of the strongest cultivators.

Most of the young cultivators were normal and average, but in the past few years, too many talented youths in both Akegria Academy and the Royal Academy have been showing up in the Gobe Country.

It was the age of talents and was one of the biggest reasons why the conflict and friction between the Royal Academy and Akegria Academy was increasing, as it was clear that the Gobe Country was about to transition into a much more powerful country and that times were changing.

The one that was on top at the end of the transformation stage would be the leader of the powerful, new and improved Gobe Country that was breeding many new and young, capable talents.

The leader of the royal academy students was smart enough not to underestimate any opponent even if they were wounded, but also wasn't paranoid or worried about what Damian could do, so didn't reprimand his subordinates and companions, but stayed cautious.

"What are concealment techniques?" asked Damian, pretending to be baffled by it.

The group of royal cultivators continued to mock and laugh at Damian and while they did so, Damian spun around and looked at each of them closely for a moment, before he turned back to their leader.

His entire body was slouched and his demeanour seemed to be of one that had given up and submitted to him, but his bright yellow eyes didn't show any sign of fear or submissiveness.

"That's enough everyone, I would like to ask him a question now," said the leader of the small group, causing them all to stop laughing and quiet down.

"You are from Akegria Academy and are talented and capable, even on a level that is comparable to myself, from what I have seen. And yet you came out to this dangerous beast woods alone and you don't seem to have a communication device or distress signal with you either. Is your academy stupid? If they are throwing away talents like you, they have no hope of ever gathering a powerful army as most students in Akegria Academy are useless sheep" he continued after his subordinates fell silent.

"Well, I am here on my own because I want to be on my own because I wanted to hunt that Moose Beast for a mission, but I will be handing it over to you guys now and dying. Would any of you mind passing on a message to my mother" said Damian as he turned around and went to hand over the core to one of the royal academy students.

The royal academy student that Damian chose to give the core to was the student that was mocking and laughing at Damian the most.

But Damian didn't pick him out of anger or spite but because he seemed to be the easiest target since he was the least cautious and prepared, was an Internal Cultivator and also seemed to be the weakest out of the group.