Chapter 23: Death: Relics

The sword accurately pierced into the wriggling tissue, Da Lun De's body shook violently, and he let out a painful howl.

But the attacker did not stop at all. He gritted his teeth, used all his strength to push the sword deeper, and stirred repeatedly to cause an open wound.

【Fatal blow! Basic sword art experience +5】

Blood and brain tissue mixture gushed out from the wound, splashing all over him.

Finally, the giant-brain monster's body fell to the ground with a bang and stopped moving.

The attacker stared closely at the twisted creature in front of him until he confirmed that it no longer made any movement.

The light on that deformed brain had completely extinguished, turning into a mass of dim tissue.

Luo En stood in place, panting heavily, covered in alienated blood and tissue fluid.

He almost couldn't believe what he had just done—he had killed a person who was also a probationary apprentice, a neighbor who had spent months with him.

But the instinct for survival quickly made him calm down again.

In the Black Mist Jungle, this kind of thing is normal.

The survival of the fittest is the only law here, and what he just did was nothing more than following this law.

"Sorry, Da Lun De." Luo En whispered, a hint of extremely complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "But the one who must survive is me."

The battle ended, and he began to approach Da Lun De's corpse cautiously, hoping to find some useful things.

In that pile of twisted flesh, a small notebook was miraculously preserved intact. Perhaps even after Da Lun De completely lost his sanity, he was instinctively protecting his research results.

Opening the notebook, Luo En found that it was densely recorded with Da Lun De's research notes on sonic spells.

There were many messy sketches and conceptions, although most were difficult to understand, a few pages were quite clear—that was a prototype of a simplified sonic spell, which had been perfected by Da Lun De to a stage that could be actually applied.

"This is what he was desperately trying to complete..." Luo En whispered to himself, carefully putting away the notebook.

This information was undoubtedly precious, not only because of its academic value but also because it might help Luo En pass the upcoming assessment.

【Unlock special skill: Sonic Tremor (Prototype)】

【Description: This is a spell conception that has not yet fully matured, but it already has basic practical value】

【Effect: Can produce aggressive sound waves, causing dual physical and spiritual damage to the target】

He was about to further check Da Lun De's relics when he suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps coming from afar.

The school's law enforcement personnel had clearly noticed the commotion here and were rushing to handle it.

Luo En quickly tidied up his state, ensuring that he looked like a victim of legitimate defense, rather than an active attacker.

Although in the Black Mist Jungle, the survival of the fittest is the basic law, the school still had a set of rules to maintain basic order.

Soon, a team of law enforcement personnel appeared at the end of the corridor.

Leading them was a tall man wearing the badge of an advanced apprentice on his chest.

He lifted his hood, revealing a slightly pale and thin face, his expression indifferent, his eyes scanning every detail of the scene sharply.

Luo En saw the face of this leading apprentice and felt somewhat familiar.

It was only when he smelled the strong herbal fragrance coming from the other party that he suddenly remembered—wasn't this the advanced apprentice who bought a lot of star dust grass at the herb shop a few days ago—Huo Huo Erte?

"What happened?"

He saw Luo En, and his eyes also fluctuated slightly, but he didn't carry a trace of personal emotion when asking.

Luo En took a deep breath and understood. He didn't show that he knew the other party, just explained the matter concisely, focusing on Da Lun De's deformity and active attack behavior.

"He used some kind of prohibited drug, causing brain deformity, and then attacked me. I had no choice but to defend myself passively."

Luo En whispered, his expression showing both a hint of shock and grief, and maintaining appropriate calmness.

Huo Huo Erte listened without expression, then walked to Da Lun De's corpse and squatted down to check carefully.

He took out a small bottle from his waist and collected some liquid flowing out of Da Lun De's brain.

"Typical catalyst deformity." He stood up and said to the other law enforcement personnel: "These cases have become more and more frequent recently."

He turned to Luo En: "According to the regulations, I need to conduct a spiritual power test on you to confirm that you have not been contaminated."

Luo En nodded and obediently accepted the test.

Huo Huo Erte placed a small crystal on his forehead. The crystal emitted a faint blue light at first, then gradually turned green, and finally returned to normal.

"Very good, no signs of deformity." He took back the crystal, "The spiritual power fluctuation is very stable, and the defense is appropriate."

Huo Huo Erte's gaze fell on the sword in Luo En's hand, raising his eyebrows slightly: "Being able to kill a deformed body with a wooden sword, your sword art seems good."

"Just lucky." Luo En answered modestly, not wanting to attract too much attention.

The other party seemed to see through his thoughts, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly:

"Caution is a good thing, but there is one thing you might not know—our school has always encouraged apprentices to defend themselves legitimately when encountering danger."

He signaled the other law enforcement personnel to step forward to handle Da Lun De's corpse, then walked to the side and whispered to Luo En:

"The research on sonic spells has always been one of the key rewarded topics of the school. If you found valuable information in Da Lun De's relics, I suggest you make good use of it."

Luo En felt a chill in his heart, not sure if this advanced apprentice was hinting at him or testing him.

But regardless, the other party clearly noticed the notebook in his hand.

"Thank you for the reminder, my lord, I will consider it carefully." Luo En cautiously replied in the same low voice.

At this moment, Luo En suddenly understood what Andre had said before.

These people in positions of power, although holding the power of life and death, often give appropriate guidance and help to apprentices with potential, rather than suppressing them at will.

Huo Huo Erte's private tip was undoubtedly a recognition of his potential.

"So understanding the school's rules and showing enough potential is perhaps the key to surviving here?" Luo En thought in his heart.

"You are a smart person, it seems you don't need me to say anything more."

Huo Huo Erte nodded, his tone carrying a hint of scrutiny and re-evaluation:

"The incident report will be recorded, but given that the nature belongs to legitimate defense, it will not have any negative impact on you. The assessment is coming, I hope you can be prepared."

After speaking, he took the law enforcement team and left the scene without any hesitation, leaving Luo En alone in the blood-stained corridor.

Luo En took a deep breath and returned to his room.

He needed time to organize his thoughts and digest everything that had just happened.

Today's experience made him deeply realize the cruel reality of the Black Mist Jungle again.

Here, everyone struggles for survival and is crazy for power.

Luo Ke, Emily, Da Lun De... and more white bones he couldn't see were the best portrayal of this twisted reality.

But no matter how dangerous the environment is, what ultimately determines fate is one's own choices and strength.

………………

In a secret room somewhere in the Black Mist Jungle, ghostly blue light illuminated several figures in white robes.

The walls were covered with crystal balls of various sizes, each showing different areas within the school.

In one of the crystal balls, the whole process of Luo En's battle with Da Lun De was clearly presented.

"Seventy-eight points."

A wizard with a serious face announced, holding a complex scoring device in his hand:

"This probationary apprentice's performance is quite good, especially when facing this intensity of sonic attack."

"I give seventy points." Another white-haired female wizard said, her bright purple eyes staring at the screen:

"Although his sword art and adaptability are commendable, his reaction was slightly slow when encountering the first wave of sonic attacks."

"I agree with You Ni's view."

The third wizard—a tall middle-aged man nodded: "But his final fatal blow was very accurate, worth adding points. For a probationary apprentice, being able to remain calm in this situation is already quite rare."

"Then let's set it at seventy-five points." The old man presiding over the discussion finalized the score:

"Record his name, Luo En Ralph, and consider putting him on the key observation list for the next year."

A duty apprentice standing in the corner quickly recorded this decision.

At this time, Huo Huo Erte had arrived at the scene with the law enforcement team and was conducting an inspection on Luo En.

"Interesting, he should be the new assistant recruited by Ai Lun, I seem to have some impression."

Female wizard You Ni raised her eyebrows: "It seems old Ai Lun's vision is as accurate as ever."

In the crystal ball, Huo Huo Erte had already left the scene with the law enforcement team and Da Lun De's corpse, leaving only Luo En standing in the blood-stained corridor.

"He looks in bad shape." The serious-looking middle-aged male wizard commented: "The internal injuries caused by those sonic attacks cannot be underestimated. I am curious if he can survive tonight."

"It will be fine." The old man in charge said lightly, "He has the aura of the sun, his self-healing ability should not be weak."

"Sun?" This word caught the attention of other wizards: "You have confirmed it?"

The old man nodded: "Although it is very weak, it does exist, which is why I am interested in him."

"Then it is even more worth observing," You Ni said thoughtfully:

"In recent years, apprentices with elemental affinity have become increasingly rare. If he really possesses sun aptitude, cultivating him might yield a considerable 'favor'."

Hearing the word "favor," the expressions of all the wizards became subtle.

"Speaking of 'favor'." The middle-aged male wizard suddenly changed the subject, flattering the old man presiding over the meeting:

"Vice Dean, you seem to be getting younger and younger recently. It must be because you cultivated Wizard Ke Lin Na decades ago, bringing you a very generous 'favor'."

"That's why everyone needs to discover more seeds in the surrounding mortal kingdoms..."

The old man, honored as the Vice Dean, said softly: "A student who successfully promotes to a formal wizard can at least help the mentor extend their life by fifty years. I see that the Cui Xi that Ke Lin Na found recently has great potential."

"Of course, this is the necessary responsibility for us to serve as mentors in the school." Everyone echoed, and someone whispered on the side:

"Without the 'favor' brought by cultivating students, we old guys would have been swallowed by pollution long ago."

"This is also why we need such an environment." The Vice Dean said solemnly:

"Moderate danger and competition can allow truly potential apprentices to stand out. Just like Ao Li Fu a few years ago, it was precisely in this life-and-death environment that his originally inferior spiritual power aptitude was stimulated with amazing special talent."

"Well said." You Ni agreed: "True powerhouses cannot grow in a greenhouse. Only by experiencing true life-and-death tests can apprentices stimulate their greatest potential."

"Those children who take prohibited drugs are also part of this system."

The middle-aged male wizard added calmly: "Their failure and death are precisely the nourishment for the growth of other apprentices. Survival of the fittest, this is an eternal law."

The Vice Dean stood up, ending this assessment:

"Continue to pay attention to the candidates on the list, and also, let those 'Black Vipers' slow down their activities in the next few days. The number of deformed bodies recently has exceeded our plan."

"Yes, my lord." The recorder replied respectfully.

You Ni shook her head and smiled: "Apprentices probably never dreamed that the black market organization they view as dangerous is actually a tool we control."

"Necessary evil, that's all." The Vice Dean said calmly:

"Some apprentices will indeed die because of this, but more will become stronger. Just like what we experienced back then, survival of the fittest."

"Alright, meeting adjourned." He waved his hand: "Has the next batch of spiritual catalysts arrived?"

"It has been prepared, Vice Dean," the recorder replied: "However, according to your instructions, the formula has been adjusted. The deformity probability of this batch should be reduced to less than half."

"Very good." The old man nodded: "Still the same old saying, we need competition, but it cannot be too intense. Too much is as bad as too little; after all, true geniuses are very rare."

As the wizards left, the picture in the surveillance crystal ball gradually dimmed.

(End of chapter)