Chapter 18: The Beast Capture Challenge

Chapter 18: The Beast Capture Challenge Early the next morning, Sylvus stretched lazily as he got out of bed.

Last night, he had broken through once again, successfully reaching the rank of a One-Star Archmage.

In just two days, he had reached a level that many would never achieve in a lifetime.

However, he knew that as his cultivation progressed, even with an endless supply of elixirs, the speed of his advancements would inevitably slow down.

Still, compared to others, his progress was astonishingly fast.

After freshening up, Sylvus opened the shop for business with Meylan by his side.

---

In the **Magical Beast Mountain Range**, located near the great city of Artiviri, countless magical beasts made their home.

The entire mountain range was under royal jurisdiction to prevent the beasts from escaping and causing chaos in the human world.

Normally, many adventurers came to this mountain range to hunt beasts, gaining valuable magic cores while honing their combat skills.

But today, the mountain range was eerily empty.

The **Stanway Family** had rented out the entire range for 50 million magic crystals, leaving others no choice but to stay away, despite some grumbling at the family's wealth.

"Father, if I run into danger, you won't just stand by and let me die, will you?" asked **Stanway Corvin**, the chubby boy from the shop, as he walked through the dense forest of the mountain range.

Next to Corvin was a middle-aged man, none other than **Stanway Teddy**, the current head of the Stanway Family and a Nine-Star Archmage.

Behind them trailed a retinue of guards, all part of the family's elite. The weakest among them was at least an Archmage, while one guard was a powerful Saint Archmage. Sёarᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Don't worry, young master. The family head would never let you come to harm. If danger arises, I will protect you," said the elderly Saint Archmage guard, **Lett-Muir **, with a warm smile.

Lett-Muir was not a blood member of the Stanway family but served as a guest elder. It was only through the resources provided by the Stanway family that he had broken through to the Saint Archmage level.

"Stop with the nonsense. If you fail to capture a Three-Star beast today, you might as well be dead," Teddy said coldly, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

Teddy didn't want Corvin to face this trial. But he knew that if his son couldn't pass this challenge, there was no way he could inherit the Stanway family.

Corvin was his only son. Years ago, Corvin's mother had been seriously injured while saving Teddy, all while pregnant with Corvin. Though Corvin was born healthy, his talent had been crippled in the womb.

This was why Corvin had always struggled with his cultivation.

If Corvin couldn't become the next family head, then once Teddy passed on, Corvin would have no way to maintain his standing in the family, and his life would likely become very difficult.

For this reason, Teddy pushed his son so hard, even if Corvin couldn't understand the reason behind it.

"Fine, Father, I get it," Corvin grumbled, though he was inwardly panicking.

With the power of a Three-Star Apprentice Knight, how was he supposed to capture a Three-Star magical beast?

"I wonder if the trap the boss gave me will really work. I hope it does," Corvin thought to himself nervously.

"Roar!"

As the group ventured deeper into the mountain range, the distant roars of beasts echoed through the air.

The presence of so many humans had already disturbed many of the magical beasts in the area.

"Master, there's a Three-Star **Nether Panther** ahead. Should we let the young master try?" Muir asked Teddy.

"The Nether Panther is known for its speed but has limited attack power. Capture it and let Corvin give it a shot," Teddy instructed after some thought.

Muir nodded and vanished from sight.

A short while later, he returned with a jet-black Nether Panther, its eyes filled with terror as it was forcibly brought before the group.

"Go on," Teddy said, motioning to Corvin.

Corvin swallowed nervously. The sheer aura radiating from the Nether Panther was enough to nearly make him wet himself.

"Here goes nothing. I just hope that trap from the boss works," Corvin thought, knowing there was no way to back down now.

Clenching his teeth, he gripped his iron sword and began to approach the beast.

Muir had already released the bindings on the Nether Panther, but even though it was free, the beast remained. It stared intently at Corvin, understanding that the boy was the one challenging it.

"Roar!" the Nether Panther bellowed, sending a wave of energy crashing toward Corvin.

His entire body trembled under the pressure, and he almost dropped his sword.

Seeing his son's cowardice, Teddy shook his head in disappointment. It seemed his son would never be able to inherit the Stanway Family.

"Swish..."

Sensing that its roar hadn't provoked anyone to intervene, the Nether Panther realized that the battle would be between itself and Corvin alone. In an instant, it became a blur of black as it charged at Corvin.

"Damn, it's too fast!" Corvin cursed under his breath. Before he could even react, the beast was already upon him, its jaws wide open, ready to tear him apart.

"Muir , wai—" Teddy began, his heart pounding as he was about to order Muir to save his son. But the next moment, he was left stunned by what he saw.