Chapter 39 Ch. 39: Is This... A Test? [5]



"Let's go check on him."

The wheat-haired boy heaved a deep breath to alleviate his rage and nodded his head in agreement.

With that, they began to roll their feet.

As they drew closer, they noticed how the ground around him was littered with numerous mini craters.

Arriving before him, the bandit's body was seen sprawled out in an awkward position.

His limbs twisted and bent in unnatural angles.

His skin was covered in a thick layer of dust and dirt, mixed with his blood, giving him a ghastly appearance.

"Is he—"

Péréz shut his mouth and as if time slowed down, his eyes widened in horror upon seeing an earth needle shot towards him.

It happened so fast that he could only watch how the needle came nigher at him without being able to move.

"Ah…"

Unexpectedly, a hand appeared and deftly caught the needle that was just a millimeter away from Péréz's eye, preventing it from piercing his eyeball.

Feeling his energy drain away, Péréz collapsed onto the ground, landing hard on his backside.

His heart pounded with adrenaline, blood drained from his face and he breathed heavily.

"Haa… haa…"

Adrian glimpsed at Péréz indifferently.

Honestly speaking, that boy was good at fighting, he was just lacking in experience.

Shortly, Adrian tilted his head sideways with ease; letting an earth needle pass by him smoothly.

He lowered his gaze and met the bandit's enraged expression.

His feral eyes glared back at him with vengeful intensity.

Unbothered, Adrian approached the man and looked down at him with his lips stretched into a mocking smirk.

The bandit's body convulsed violently in fury at the sight, causing Adrian to widen his smile even further.

Just looked at him, wriggling like a maggot.

How amusing.

Despite his rage, his broken body and jaw left him unable to retaliate or speak.

"Tchu!"

The man spat in defiance, his saliva which mixed with blood landing on Adrian's sabaton, dirtying the polished metal.

The man's expression immediately lit up when he saw how the boy's smile faded.

He felt a sense of satisfaction in knowing that he had managed to get under Adrian's skin.

Without a second thought, Adrian raised his knee and brought it down with all his might, stomping on the bandit's face with his heavy shoes.

—Whack!

The sound of bone crunching echoed through the air the moment Adrian's shoe connected with the man's face. 

"Urg!"

The bandit let out a weak wail of pain before his body went limp.

Removing his foot, the man's broken nose and mouth could be seen oozing blood, drenching the ground.

With no sense of regret, Adrian yanked the bandit's Telesphere and channeled his Mana into the bead; checking out his Magical Sphere for some valuable loot.

However, after thrice attempts of failure, Adrian rolled his eyes in boredom and threw the Telesphere away.

What a shame, it was broken.

Thereafter, he turned around and Péréz was sitting on the ground; still hadn't recovered from his shock.

Considering his young age, it was understandable that he was shaken after nearly losing an eye.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

Péréz flinched, he looked up and found Adrian offering his hand toward him.

He hesitated for a moment before taking Adrian's hand and standing up.

"Thank you."

Péréz said, his voice shaking slightly.

He dropped his head and resumed.

"I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been here."

"Well, no problem. However—"

Péréz lifted his head and when their eyes met, Adrian continued.

"—Please bear in mind that even when someone has broken legs and arms, they can still cast spells as long as they can recite the incantation with the correct intonation and syntax inwardly."

"I understand. I'll remember it."

Planting Adrian's words to his head, the wheat-haired boy nodded his head in determination.

"Good. Now, let's go see Ralph."

"Alright."

Afterward, they commenced running.

.

.

.

As the boys' silhouettes faded into the shadows of the woods, a group of riders emerged behind the trees and entered the scene of the battle.

—Clip —Clop —Clip —Clop

The sound of their horses' hooves echoed through the clearing.

After studying the vicinity, it was evident that the battle had caused significant damage.

Gizel had always known that the young Prince was gifted, but seeing the magnitude of his power firsthand still left him in awe.

Moreover, considering his youth, Adrian had ample opportunity for growth and development.

However, given the extent of his destructive power, Gizel feared that the young Prince might make a misstep.

Great power always came with great responsibility and he couldn't help but worry.

He thought that someone must keep a close eye on Adrian to ensure that he used his power wisely.

Approaching a battered bandit who was lying on the ground, Gizel instructed a knight next to him.

"Feed him with Elixir."

"Sir!"

He dismounted from the horse and knelt beside the bandit's body.

Still, Gizel couldn't help but be impressed by the mercenary acting skills.

He had played his part perfectly, even going so far as to build a hideout along with his crew.

Once this Survival Test ended, he would double their payment; he was beyond satisfied with their performance.

—Ring —Ring —Ring

Gizel's Telesphere rang and upon looking at the caller, he couldn't help but smile.

Talk about the devil and he surely came.

Without beating around the bush, he answered it.

"Hello?"

// Hello, good afternoon, Professor. //

A voice of a man was heard and he began again.

// We would like to ask if there has been a change in the students' route. //

"What do you mean?"

Gizel furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of the question.

// We have been waiting at the designated location since early morning, but none of the students you mentioned have approached us. Therefore, we decided to call and inquire if there was any alteration in their route. //

"What are you—"

Regardless of his nervousness, Gizel moved to a more secluded area before continuing his conversation.

"Are you absolutely certain that your crew did not have any contact with my students?"

He asked him calmly, not wanting to cause panic in others.

// Yes, Professor, I can assure you that we have not had any contact with your students. //

A sudden surge of pain flooded Gizel's head.

If the man who fought his pupils was not part of the mock attack, then who were these people?

Gizel ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and let out a bitter laugh.

"Haha. So, they're real bandits, huh?"