Chapter 25: Preliminary Exams 3
In the arena, the spectators were abuzz with excitement and disbelief.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they watched Oasis's remarkable performance.
Some pointed excitedly at the magical projection, discussing his swift eliminations and impressive tactics.
Among the spectators, Sir Elias watched with pride, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
He had seen Oasis's potential from the beginning, but even he was impressed by the young apprentice's remarkable skills.
Beside him, Zane and Lancelot stood in shock, their expressions a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
They had known Oasis possessed talent, but they hadn't anticipated just how exceptional he truly was.
As they watched Oasis's swift movements and decisive actions, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration.
Back in the clearing, Oasis took a moment to collect himself.
He quickly moved out of the open space, his keen senses picking up the sounds of distant clashes.
Following the sounds, Oasis soon came upon a fierce battle between three candidates.
The scene was intense and chaotic, each combatant demonstrating their unique abilities.
One candidate, a young woman with fiery red hair, wielded fire magic with precision and intensity.
Flames danced around her hands as she launched fireballs and jets of flame at her opponents, the heat shimmering in the air.
Her eyes burned with determination as she chanted incantations, the ground around her scorched and blackened.
Opposing her was a tall, composed young man who manipulated water with graceful, fluid movements.
Streams of water twisted and turned around him, forming protective barriers and launching powerful jets at his adversaries.
His control over the water was masterful, and he used it to douse the fire attacks while countering with his own aquatic assaults.
His demeanor was calm, his focus unwavering as he maintained his defensive and offensive strategies.
The third candidate, a muscular boy with a fierce expression, relied on his formidable sword techniques.
His blade flashed in the sunlight as he executed swift, precise strikes, parrying attacks and launching counterattacks with remarkable speed.
His movements were fluid yet powerful, each strike delivered with deadly accuracy.
The sword glinted with a sharp, lethal edge, and his stances indicated rigorous training and discipline.
The battle was a whirlwind of elemental and physical prowess.
Fire clashed with water, steam hissing into the air, while the sword-wielder danced between the spells, his blade deflecting and slicing through the chaotic energy.
The ground was marked by scorch marks, puddles, and deep cuts from the sword strikes.
Oasis watched from a concealed position, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each combatant.
He noted how the fire magic user struggled against the water attacks, how the water magic user maintained a steady defense, and how the sword-wielder exploited openings with swift strikes.
It was a delicate balance, each trying to outmaneuver the others, their energies and skills intertwining in a complex dance of combat.
Oasis was particularly fascinated by the girl's fire magic, intrigued by the way she wielded her spells.
"I have to learn how to do that somehow," he thought, studying her movements and incantations.
He decided to make his move.
Calmly, without saying anything, Oasis stepped out of his hiding spot and walked to the center of the triangle formed by the three combatants.
His sudden appearance caused them to halt their attacks and turn their attention to him.
"Who is this? " the girl thought, feeling a mix of relief and curiosity.
"At least for now, I'm saved. I was running out of mana."
The water user glared at Oasis, his face twisted with anger.
"Who do you think you are? Courting death?" he spat.
The boy with the sword, sensing the shift in the battle dynamics, wisely retreated to the forest, watching the scene unfold from a safer distance.
Oasis remained unfazed by the hostility directed at him.
"Both of you look tired. It's pointless to keep fighting," he said, his voice calm and measured.
He then turned his gaze to the girl. "Teach me your fire magic," he requested, his tone firm and sincere.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise. She had never encountered someone who would ask for a lesson in the midst of a battle.
The water user, however, was enraged by being ignored.
With a furious shout, he gathered his remaining energy and launched a massive ball of water toward Oasis.
"Aqua Burst!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the clearing.
"He's done for. Too much confidence ," the girl thought, bracing herself for what she assumed would be Oasis's downfall.
Just before the Aqua Burst could hit him, Oasis extended his hand.
With a swift motion, he absorbed the water spell, subjugating its energy and making it his own.
The crowd watching the projection gasped in astonishment, their excitement palpable.
Gathering the absorbed water energy, Oasis countered the attack with a powerful spell of his own.
"Water Magic: Phoenix Wave!" he bellowed, sending a formidable wave of boiling water magic back at the water user.
The Phoenix Wave crashed into the water user with incredible force, knocking him off his feet and rendering him unconscious.
His body glowed briefly before being transported out of the imitation Whispering Woods, marking his elimination from the exam.
In the arena, the atmosphere was electric.
The massive projection of the imitation Whispering Woods had everyone on the edge of their seats.
As Oasis's "Water Magic: Phoenix Wave " spell unfolded on the screen, the audience was awestruck by the sheer power and precision of the attack.
The vivid image of the water user being knocked unconscious and transported out of the woods played out like a dramatic scene from a legendary tale.
Elder Aric, standing with a commanding view of the arena, couldn't contain his surprise.
"Really, who is that kid? How is this possible?" he muttered, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and admiration.
Sir Elias, watching intently, was equally stunned.
"Which water magic spell is that? I did not teach him, and magic subjugation?"
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"What on earth is going on?" he thought, his mind racing to comprehend the extraordinary display of skill from his young disciple.
Zane, standing beside Lancelot, was rendered speechless.
His understanding of magic wasn't deep enough to grasp the full extent of what they were witnessing, leaving him in silent awe.
Lancelot, however, summed up the collective sentiment with a succinct and astonished declaration.
"This kid is a monster," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Chapter 26: Preliminary Exams 4
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The projection of Oasis standing calmly in the clearing, having effortlessly taken control of the situation, was a powerful image.
It reinforced the notion that this young candidate was not just another participant but a true contender with remarkable potential.
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The combination of his swift, decisive actions and his unexpected mastery of water magic had captured the imagination of everyone present.
"What did I just do?" Oasis muttered to himself, still shocked by his own capabilities.
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The sword-wielding candidate, witnessing this display of power from the forest, immediately ran away, wanting to avoid Oasis.
Despite not fully understanding how he had accomplished what he did, Oasis maintained his composure.
"So powerful," the girl thought, her earlier fatigue and desperation replaced by curiosity.
"Will you teach me?" Oasis asked again.
The girl, momentarily taken aback by his request, nodded slowly. "huh.. Sure," she said, recognizing his genuine interest.
"Anyway, it's about to get dark, so we need to find a spot and rest," Oasis continued.
His approach and calm demeanor helped the girl feel more at ease.
Together, they moved through the Woods, looking for a safe place.
As they walked, the girl introduced herself. "I'm Mira," she said. "I'm from the Emberclan."
"I'm Oasis," he replied, keeping his introduction simple and focused.
As Oasis and Mira moved through the Woods, the spectators in the arena buzzed with speculation.
"Emberclan," they whispered, the name carrying weight and recognition. "So she is a noble."
Zane, watching intently, leaned over to Sir Elias. "The Emberclan is one of the great noble families" he explained. "What is Oasis planning?"
Sir Elias, his eyes fixed on the projection, responded thoughtfully, "Oasis has always been curious."
In another section of the stands, a nobleman sneered,
"Who is this country bumpkin? He thinks he can master fire magic just by asking?"
"Two affinities are already impressive, but adding a third?"
"That's not something just anyone can achieve."
As he smirked, Zane's thoughts were conflicted. He admired Oasis's drive but also understood the difficulty of what he was attempting.
Back in the Woods, Oasis and Mira found a small clearing surrounded by dense trees, providing some concealment and a measure of safety.
Oasis used his magic to clear away debris, creating a comfortable space for them to rest.
Mira conjured a small, controlled fire to provide warmth and light.
"I can start teaching you," Mira broke the silence.
"Don't worry, rest and replenish your mana," Oasis replied calmly.
"By teaching me, I don't mean like that. I will learn as I see you fight with others, so basically, you are now my companion."
"What does he mean? Who learns magic like that?" she thought, surprised by Oasis's unconventional approach.
In the arena, the spectators were abuzz.
"Ha ha ha ha," someone laughed.
"He has hit his head. Kids nowadays are too ambitious," the noble smirked. "If magic was learned like that, everyone would have been great."
After a few minutes of resting, Oasis suddenly created a magic barrier spell combining water and wind around Mira.
"Stay here and rest, I will be back," he said firmly.
Mira protested, "Who do you think I am, your prisoner, huh?"
Oasis ignored her and looked deep into the forest. "Get out, it's pointless hiding there," he commanded.
Without a word, eight candidates jumped into the clearing, each from different directions.
They were surprised to see each other, indicating they were not together; everyone was for themselves.
The scene was tense, each candidate eyeing the others, calculating their chances.
Oasis stood in the center, his calm demeanor contrasting with the tension in the air.
The first to move was a candidate wielding a massive hammer, charging directly at Oasis.
With a swift motion, Oasis used wind magic to create a powerful gust, knocking the hammer-wielder off balance.
As the hammer-wielder stumbled, Oasis followed up with a precise wind blast, sending him crashing into a tree, unconscious.
Seeing an opportunity, two more candidates, a dual-wielding swordsman and an archer, decided to team up temporarily.
The swordsman engaged Oasis in close combat, while the archer fired arrows from a distance.
Oasis dodged the swordsman's attacks with fluid movements, his wind magic augmenting his agility.
He used water magic to deflect the arrows, creating a shield that absorbed the impacts.
With a sudden burst of speed, Oasis closed the distance to the archer, using his wind magic.
He disarmed the archer with a quick strike and knocked him out with a punch.
Turning his attention back to the swordsman, Oasis parried the incoming blades with a combination of water and wind, eventually overwhelming the swordsman with precise strikes, rendering him unconscious.
The remaining five candidates hesitated.
"Moonlight Technique: First Form - Summer Frost ," a calm, almost ethereal voice of a woman emanated from the woods.
In a heartbeat, a girl with silver hair emerged, moving with a speed and grace that left the onlookers stunned.
As she dashed towards the first of the five candidates, a chilling aura followed her movements, a delicate frost forming on the grass and leaves in her wake.
Her technique was fluid and elegant, each strike imbued with a cold, biting energy.
She delivered precise blows to each candidate, her movements too fast to follow.
With her first strike, she created a crescent of icy energy that slashed through the air, freezing the limbs of the first candidate upon contact, rendering them immobile.
The second candidate, attempting to counter, was met with a palm strike that sent a shockwave of cold through his body, instantly freezing his defenses and knocking him out cold.
The third and fourth candidates tried to coordinate their attacks, but the silver-haired girl spun gracefully between them, her fingertips trailing a line of frost across their bodies.
They collapsed simultaneously, their forms encased in a thin layer of ice, unconscious.
The fifth candidate, witnessing the fate of the others, tried to flee. However, the girl's speed was unparalleled.
She appeared before him, her silver hair flowing like moonlight.
She struck with a swift, icy jab to his chest, sending a wave of cold through his body, causing him to fall to the ground, unconscious and covered in frost.
A cold chill lingered in the air, the scene marked by the frozen forms of the defeated candidates.
The girl stood amidst them for a moment, her expression serene and composed. Her eyes briefly met Oasis's.
Without a word, she vanished back into the forest, leaving behind a scene of unmistakable mark of her chilling power.
Chapter 27: Rewards
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In the arena, the spectators were awestruck.
"Did you see that?" one noble whispered. "Who is she?"
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Elder Aric's eyes widened slightly, recognizing the technique.
"The Moonlight Technique Could she be from the Frostveil Clan?" he wondered aloud.
"So that is a martial artist, " Oasis thought, his mind racing.
"Who was she?" As he undid the barrier around Mira, he couldn't help but be impressed by the silver-haired girl's skill and power.
Oasis and Mira continued moving together, eliminating candidates and giving Mira opportunities to fight while Oasis observed her techniques closely.
Two days passed in this manner, with both of them growing stronger and more confident in their abilities.
As Oasis and Mira were moving through the imitation Whispering Woods, hunting for more candidates to eliminate, they suddenly began to glow and were transported back to the arena.
The crowd buzzed with excitement as the remaining candidates appeared, their expressions a mix of relief and anticipation.
"That concludes the exam! Ninety-two candidates remain ," Elder Aric shouted, his voice echoing throughout the arena.
A big magic projection was released, showing the results of the candidates, visible to everyone in the audience.
At the top of the list was Amilia Frostveil with 53 points, her skill and prowess evident in her high score.
Oasis came in second with 50 points, his remarkable performance earning him significant recognition.
In third place was Mirrage Vamonia with 45 points, showcasing her own formidable abilities.
The rest of the results were displayed, with Mira securing the 8th place with 15 points, a respectable position given the tough competition.
Elder Aric continued, "The rewards for the top three candidates will be sent to their respective lodgings, along with their qualification tokens for the Whispering Exam."
The crowd erupted in applause, their excitement palpable.
The nobles whispered amongst themselves, impressed by the display of talent and skill.
"Did you see that Frostveil girl? Incredible!"
"Oasis is quite the prodigy, isn't he? To come so close to Amilia's score"
"Mirrage Vamonia in third, impressive indeed."
As the crowd continued to disperse, Mira's escort arrived, bowing respectfully.
"You did well, my lady," he said, guiding her away from the arena.
Mira gave Oasis a nod of acknowledgment before departing, her escort ensuring she reached their lodging safely.
Sir Elias and Zane approached Oasis, their expressions filled with pride and satisfaction.
"You did well, lad," Sir Elias said, smiling broadly.
"Congratulations," Zane added, clapping Oasis on the shoulder.
"We'll be together at the Whispering Exam in three weeks' time. Prepare well."
Oasis nodded, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and determination.
"Thank you. I'll be ready."
As everyone started heading back to their lodgings, Zane turned to Oasis one last time.
"I'll see you soon," he said, before departing with his escort, Lancelot, towards the inner city.
Back at the inn, Oasis and Sir Elias settled into their room. The day had been long and exhausting, but the thrill of their success still lingered in the air.
Sir Elias broke the silence.
"Oasis, I will be heading back to Mossy Hollow tomorrow. You will remain here while waiting for the Whispering Exam."
"I need to update Marina in person, so I'll be back soon."
Oasis nodded, and after a few minutes, he fell asleep, resting .
The next morning, as the sun cast a gentle morning glow in the inn, Oasis woke up.
"Oh, he already left," Oasis muttered to himself.
After some minutes, there was a knock on the door.
As Oasis opened it, he was handed a box made of wood, looking expensive and intricately carved.
It was from the palace, a reward for passing the preliminary exam.
Opening the box, Oasis found a jade token for the Whispering Exam pass and a bracelet that resembled the one he was already wearing.
"This again, what is this bracelet?" Oasis wondered to himself, recalling Mira and Zane wearing similar ones.
He immediately approached the young lady at the inn who had delivered the box.
"Excuse me, can you help me with something?" Oasis asked.
The lady listened attentively as Oasis inquired about the bracelet.
She explained that it was a storage bracelet, used to store and retrieve items with ease.
"Oh, it's that simple. Why didn't I think about it?" Oasis mused to himself as he returned to his room.
Inspecting the bracelet, Oasis found various mid-grade pills, 10 gold coins, and around 100 mid-grade mana stones.
"Pills, wow. And what are these stones? They seem to hold a thick concentration of mana," Oasis remarked, intrigued by his newfound treasures.
"Now, let me check my bracelet," Oasis said as he retrieved items from it.
Inside, he found three books, all written in ancient languages, along with some herbs containing a high concentration of mana.
Additionally, there were four high-grade pills, about 50 mid-grade pills,
100 high-grade mana stones, 1000 mid-grade mana stones, herbs , ash, as well as some clothing and mystic beast cores .
"This is a lot of things. I think this belonged to my parents," he mused to himself as he carefully examined the contents.
Gathering everything, he transferred them from the newly received bracelet to the one he was already wearing.
"Wow, these bracelet storages are way cooler than the storage box," he remarked, impressed by the convenience and efficiency of the magical storage devices.
"Let me check the books," Oasis said as he took the three books from the bracelet.
"Oh, this one is written < Phoenix's Heart Cultivation>, and this one is < Stormborn Journal>, and lastly < Dancing Phoenix Technique>."
Chapter 28: Impurities
Sitting down, Oasis carefully opened the first book, the Phoenix's Heart Cultivation manual, setting the other two aside.
The delicate pages felt ancient under his fingers, and he marveled at the intricate symbols and writing.
His curiosity piqued, Oasis reached for the Stormborn Journal next.
However, as he tried to open it, he found that the book was sealed. Despite his efforts, it wouldn't budge.
"Fascinating, I can't open this one. I wonder what is written inside, " Oasis thought, feeling a mix of frustration and intrigue.
Deciding to focus on what he could access, he returned to the Phoenix's Heart Cultivation book.
He settled into a comfortable position and began to study its contents.
"As above, so below; as within, so without. As pure flames dominate, all impurities shall vanish ,"
Oasis read aloud, absorbing the profound words of the cultivation technique.
For hours, he immersed himself in the ancient text, feeling a deep connection to the teachings.
The principles resonated within him, and he could feel a subtle shift in his energy.
"I just studied, but it feels like a burden has been lifted off ," Oasis murmured to himself, amazed by the effect the technique had on him.
The more he delved into the cultivation method, the more he felt his mind and body aligning with the powerful, purifying energy described in the book.
Before starting the cultivation, he followed the instructions written.
He took out some mana stones from his storage and aligned them in a circle in the middle of the room, mirroring the setup depicted in the manual.
"Emberfrost herb , oh, this one. Elemental ginseng, oh, it's here."
he murmured to himself as he continued to extract various herbs from his storage bracelet.
He also pulled out Fire Lotus , Frostbloom , Thunderroot , and Earthleaf.
"So, I have to sit here and eat the herbs one after another, starting from this one until this one."
Oasis muttered, settling into the circle surrounded by mid-grade mana stones.
The herbs he was about to consume were of different elements, each contributing to the purification process.
As he began eating the herbs, one after another, a surge of energy erupted within him.
"This is painful ahhhh!" Oasis cried out as the energy forcefully opened his mana veins and arteries.
The pain was excruciating, and he started sweating profusely, releasing impurities.
The agony was so intense that he began sweating blood.
"I feel like I'm going to explode," he thought, as the energy from the mana stones surged towards him, combining with the energy from the herbs.
The energy filled his underdeveloped mana heart with immense force, causing unbearable pain.
Just before his mana heart was about to explode, his conscious realm awakened.
In this realm, he saw a pair of phoenix eyes gazing at him.
The sight of the phoenix eyes stabilized the rampant energy within him, and it began circulating evenly throughout his body.
A blue, pure flame aura started radiating around him, signifying the completion of his cultivation.
After a period of stabilization, Oasis opened his eyes.
"Oh, I feel different Newborn stage, 2nd layer," he said, both calm and surprised. "I had a lot of breakthroughs."
Looking outside, he noticed the sun rising.
"How long have I been cultivating?" he wondered.
"What is this horrible smell?" Oasis exclaimed, realizing the room was filled with the stench of impurities expelled from his body.
"This is embarrassing. I need to bathe and clean the room."
He quickly got up, feeling the sticky residue of impurities on his skin.
Determined to cleanse himself and the room, Oasis headed to find a bath, eager to wash away the remnants of his intense cultivation session.
After cleaning up, Oasis's stomach growled loudly.
"Damn, I'm very hungry. Let me go and eat something," he muttered.
As he moved through the inn, he noticed a significant improvement in his senses.
"I can feel my surroundings more acutely, and my senses have significantly improved, " he thought.
"I can tell there are about 30 people in the dining area. So this is the Newborn Stage Realm."
Entering the dining area, the young lady who had brought him the reward earlier approached.
"I haven't seen you in two weeks. What have you been eating?" she asked with a curious smile.
"Two weeks? It's been two weeks?" Oasis thought, shocked.
"Anyways, let me prepare something for you. Sit down," the young lady said, noticing his surprise.
She moved to the kitchen to prepare a meal, while Oasis found a seat, still processing the fact that two weeks had passed since he began his intense cultivation.
As he waited, the aroma of cooking food wafted through the dining area, making his stomach rumble even louder.
He couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and disbelief at the progress he had made during his cultivation, and now, he was eager to replenish his energy with a hearty meal.
The young lady brought a plate of steaming food to Oasis, and he eagerly started digging in.
As he ate, the conversations around him caught his attention, providing a backdrop of voices exchanging news and gossip.
From a table about six feet away, a man started speaking to the person sitting next to him.
"Have you heard the news about the notorious bandit, Barnabus the Slayer?" he asked in a hushed tone.
The other man looked shocked.
"What are you saying? Has he started moving again? I thought he was killed 20 years ago!"
"Maybe he was just injured," the first man speculated.
"Now he's on the move again. I heard that a few days ago he attacked a farmhouse in the land of the Pecunia family."
"He left a bloody mess, using the corpses and blood to send a message. Everyone knows that's how he operates."
Oasis paused, listening intently.
"So cruel, Barnabus the Slayer, huh, " he thought to himself, feeling a mix of disgust and curiosity.
The conversation continued around him, but his mind was now focused on this new, dark piece of information.
Chapter 29: Barnabus and The Ignis Family.
The dining area was a bustling hub of activity, filled with the clinking of cutlery and the murmur of conversation.
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People exchanged news and gossip in low voices, creating a lively but intimate atmosphere.
Oasis sat, eating with enthusiasm, his senses heightened by his recent breakthrough.
He could hear fragments of conversations from all around, including the discussion about Barnabus the Slayer, which caught his attention.
The two men their hushed conversation.
"It's terrifying. I can't believe he's back," one of them said, his voice barely above a whisper. The other nodded grimly.
As Oasis listened, intrigued and disturbed by their words, the door to the dining area swung open.
Sir Elias entered, fresh from his journey back from Mossy Hollow.
His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Oasis.
"Is that Oasis?" Sir Elias thought, noticing a significant change in the young man's demeanor.
As he walked closer, he sensed something different about Oasis—an aura of power that hadn't been there before.
Curious, Sir Elias activated his divine sense to probe Oasis's new strength.
To his surprise, the sense was abruptly repelled, rebounding with a force that carried a frightening aura.
"What was that? I can't even tell what stage he's at, " Sir Elias thought, astonished.
He could feel the power radiating from Oasis, a level of energy and control that was impressive and somewhat mysterious.
Sir Elias approached the table, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Oasis," he greeted, masking his surprise, "it looks like you've been busy."
Surprised, Oasis looked up and smiled.
"Oh, Master, you're back! You've been gone for almost two weeks. How is Sister?" Oasis spoke quickly, excitement in his voice.
"Relax, lad," Sir Elias replied, smiling reassuringly.
"Everything is fine, and Marina is well, but I couldn't come back with her as she is really busy at Mossy Hollow."
Oasis nodded, his smile widening. "Oh well, as long as she is fine, I'm fine."
"Oh, lad," Sir Elias broke the silence after a moment of contemplation.
"What stage are you at now?"
"Newborn stage, 2nd layer," Oasis replied easily.
Sir Elias choked on the tea he was drinking, eyes wide with shock.
"What did he just say?" he thought, sweating slightly.
"Newborn stage!" he exclaimed, his voice rising involuntarily and catching the attention of people around them.
Realizing he had raised his voice, Sir Elias lowered his tone and asked again,
"Did you just say Newborn stage? You little beast, what have you been doing?"
Oasis explained everything that had occurred since Sir Elias left: the cultivation technique, the painful yet transformative experience, and his newfound abilities.
Sir Elias listened intently, his expression shifting from surprise to understanding as Oasis recounted his journey.
"Oh, I see," he said, nodding as he absorbed the information.
"His foundation is solid, and his aura is very pure without any impurities," Sir Elias thought, impressed by Oasis's rapid progress and the purity of his cultivation.
"Master, who is Barnabus the Slayer?" Oasis asked, his curiosity piqued by the conversation he had overheard earlier.
"Oh, you've heard about him," Sir Elias replied, his expression turning serious.
"Barnabus the Slayer is the leader of the Hollow Peak Bandits."
"They were very active and dangerous twenty years ago. Barnabus himself is extremely strong, and he had equally powerful subordinates."
"However, they were all eliminated by the Ignis family brothers."
Sir Elias paused, taking a sip of his tea before continuing.
"Currently, one of those brothers is the leader of the great Ignis family, and the other is the leader of the Ignis family shadow squad."
"Everyone believed Barnabus had been killed, but now it seems he survived and has been healing all this time."
"His return is a cause for concern, as it means he could be plotting something big."
Oasis listened carefully, absorbing the information.
"So, if he's back, it could mean trouble for a lot of people," he said thoughtfully.
"Exactly," Sir Elias confirmed.
"Barnabus was known for his cruelty and cunning. If he's resurfacing now, we need to be prepared for anything."
"Stay alert, Oasis. The world outside is filled with dangers, and not all of them are as straightforward as a bandit with a sword."
"I will, Master," Oasis replied, feeling a newfound sense of vigilance.
In a grand hall adorned with fiery motifs and rich tapestries, a man sat in a high-backed chair that exuded authority and power.
His presence was commanding;
he had sharp, piercing eyes that seemed to burn with an inner fire, and his hair was a striking mix of dark and crimson strands, a testament to his lineage.
His jaw was strong, and his demeanor was one of resolute determination.
"That bastard is back and making trouble again," he growled, his voice filled with barely restrained fury.
The man leaned forward, fingers drumming on the armrest of his chair, his gaze fixed on the subordinate kneeling before him.
"Send a message to my big brother and start tracking him down."
"We need to remove this trash before he causes more trouble in the kingdom."
The person kneeling before him bowed even lower, acknowledging the gravity of the order.
"Yes, Patriarch Ignis," he responded, his voice filled with deference.
Rising swiftly, he turned and exited the hall, leaving the leader of the Ignis Family to brood over the resurgence of their old enemy.
As the subordinate departed, the revelation hit with full force.
The man sitting in the leader's chair was none other than the head of the powerful Ignis Family.
His authority and determination underscored the seriousness of the threat posed by Barnabus the Slayer, and his resolve to protect his family and the kingdom was unwavering.
As the subordinate left the hall, a young man entered.
He had the same intense eyes and fiery hair as the Patriarch, a clear indication of his lineage.
The young man exuded confidence and strength, his posture upright and ready for action.
"Agni, prepare. We are leaving for the capital for your Whispering exams," the Patriarch commanded, his voice firm and unwavering.
"Yes, Patriarch," Agni replied, bowing slightly in respect before turning to make his preparations.
The hall fell silent once more, the only sound being the crackling of the torches lining the walls.
The Ignis Family was on the move, ready to face both the trials of the Whispering exams and the looming threat of Barnabus the Slayer.