Chapter 18: The Hero King’s Plan

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Hero King's Plan

After Sam saved Yuki, he allowed her time to heal her wounds and restore her energy before they resumed their beast hunt.

They continued hunting for hours before deciding to take a break.

In truth, it was Yuki who needed the rest to regain her energy.

During the hunt, Yuki couldn't help but acknowledge that Sam was probably the most powerful awakener in this final test.

He had hunted significantly more beasts than she had.

She didn't think Sam was much stronger than her in terms of raw power.

As far as she had observed, Sam didn't use excessive strength.

Instead, it was his speed that set him apart—he was much faster than her.

His swordplay was exquisite, and his techniques were exceptional.

She couldn't help but be impressed.

As they continued their hunt, they occasionally encountered other hunting parties.

However, no one dared to interfere with Sam and Yuki, as they were widely feared.

Sam discovered that his previous fight with Yami and his underlings had become widely known among the other awakeners.

As a result, Sam had become the most feared individual among those taking the test.

Sam, however, remained indifferent to his newfound notoriety.

[Time Remaining: 10:00]

---

[Name: Yuki Asuna]

[Level: 18]

[Race: Hero]

[Class: None]

{Physical Stat(s)}

Strength: 21

Agility: 22

Stamina: 20

Perception: 19

Heroic Power: 18

{Rare Stat(s)}

Ice Power: 18

[Innate Ability: Ice Pulse(Level: 1) ]

[Skills: ...]

[Techniques: ...]

---

Isabelle glanced in a random direction, her green eyes shimmering brightly for a moment.

"I wonder how he's doing?" she mused.

Like Yuki, ever since the awakening ceremony, she couldn't get rid of his face from her mind.

He kept resurfacing in her thoughts, and she couldn't understand why.

She couldn't ignore it either.

"I guess it's time to go back," she muttered, then made her way to the designated gathering place for when the hunt was completed.

"Looks like a lot of them finished the hunt before me," she observed.

Her eyes automatically scanned the crowd for the man from her memories, but she couldn't find him.

"There's still some time left. He should be on his way," she reassured herself, then noticed Yami and his gang approaching.

"What the hell happened to them?"

She could see the scars and bruises all over their bodies, especially Yami.

He looked like he had been through hell.

They attracted everyone's attention, and everyone was wondering what had happened to them.

Most of the awakeners already knew what Sam had done to them.

A few minutes passed as the Awakeners began to return.

Among them was Sam, who arrived with Yuki, drawing even more attention than Yami and his group.

Isabelle noticed Yuki standing close to Sam.

"Why is this bitch standing next to him? Did they form a hunting party?" she muttered.

She felt an unexpected surge of anger and irritation, as if she were being left out, and turned her face away, pouting.

Funny thing was, she didn't even realize she was feeling these emotions.

The Hero King observed his daughter walking alongside Sam with a mysterious grin, sensing that his plan was progressing successfully.

Jin shook his head knowingly, casting a suspicious glance at the Hero King. "Rowan, What exactly are you planning to achieve by making my grandson her guardian?"

"Come now, uncle. I just want my daughter to have a good friend at the academy," the Hero King replied.

"But you didn't have to lie to him, saying she needed his protection inside the academy?" Jin asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Well..."

"By making my grandson her protector, are you hoping something more might happen between them?" Jin pressed.

"The way Arcane is right now, it needs guidance, stronger leadership. I'm just following the ways of the High Order," the Hero King explained.

"Meaning you're using your daughter's relationship with my grandson to rope him into your politics and groom him for the future," Jin deduced.

"There are still many years before those predictions could come true. Don't you think you're placing too much on my grandson's shoulders? He's just a kid," Jin argued.

"Your grandson is the second hero to ever wield magic. He has the potential to unite mages and heroes under one banner, as it used to be. I know I'm placing high expectations on a child, but..." the Hero King trailed off.

"I understand. I'm worried about the predictions as well, and I know about his alleged involvement in them," Jin said, looking at his grandson.

"Maybe instead of waiting for the predictions to come true, we should strengthen our own forces."

"I suppose you're right. Worrying about something that may or may not happen in the distant future is pointless. But I still want your grandson to be my successor," Rowan said, his expression serious.