Chapter 1008: Let The Hunt Begin

Proofread by Thomas F

Margaux Swan

"It's good; the composition is clear. Strengthen the spell intent," I said to the elf girl, with Clear Instructions, before moving to another girl.

There are five girls in my class; the best painters and mages among all the girls.

Only two out of five have those two classes. The other three have something like Heiress, Lady, and Dame; all three of them come from noted backgrounds, while the first two are scholarship students.

I planned to take only one class, but some of them were far ahead of their peers.

So, after Principal Kadiz's request, I took another one.

The first class had over fifty people, while the second one had only five, and these girls are good. They are fifteen-to sixteen-year-old girls; the knowledge and skill they have are incomparable.

It isn't just the rich girls, but also the scholarship students.

"Slow down, Etra; you are putting too much mana into it," I instructed the fifteen-year-old orc girl.

I am grateful because now I understand how incomplete my proposal had been.

Lord Silver wants to formalize the curriculum of the college further. Make it a real college with fixed years and a degree, while keeping the originality as it is.

He asked me to create a proposal. Well, more like adding my own ideas to his proposal.

I thought the proposal I had created was perfect, but here I realized how incomplete it had been.

I pushed away those thoughts and focused on the canvas in front of me and the brush moving across it. It is at this stage that she gets it wrong.

Seconds passed as she moved her hand steadily, finishing the last stroke.

As she did, she pulled back her brush and watched it nervously, when the painting disappeared and formed into the small torch radiating the light.

"Congratulations," I said to the blond human girl.

She was the only one who had yet to manage to paint-cast, but now she had. Its most basic spells were quite easy, but they are sixteen-year-old girls.

"Thank you, Miss Swan. I wouldn't have been able to without your help," she replied. I smiled and turned to the rest.

The lecture had already gone past the time. I have to finish it soon; I have to participate in their hunt and leave for Greltheaven early in the morning.

"You all have made incredible progress. Even your teachers doubted whether you could paint cast in such a short time, but you have proved them wrong."

I took a pause and looked at them.

"You can move forward with it or consider it another badge in your life; it will be up to you, but remember, you can do something that very few could and be proud of that."

A few would continue; there is a reason it's a niche type of casting.

It takes time and requires materials for those who do not have an artifact like the Primstroke brush. It has its advantages, but not considerable enough to make it worth it.

"Whatever decision you make, it is yours. All I could do was wish you all the best," I replied and walked out of the classroom.

I didn't think I would say it, but I am going to miss this place. I thought as I looked around.

I will leave in an hour and won't be returning here.

It is an incredible place; it has taught me so much. Now, I can't wait to return to Velvet Garden and work on that proposal. I worked on it here as well, but as I had said, it's far from complete.

Soon, I reached the flame—my favorite place in the academy. Its gentle warmth dissolved every lingering doubt, washing away the shadows of negativity until only a quiet, untroubled calm remained.

I stayed by it for a few minutes before I reached my suite.

It was a privilege to stay within the castle—a privilege granted to only a select few. The suite was one of the castle's original chambers, preserved untouched by time.

Throughout the years, it had welcomed many powerful figures, including the heroes of the incursion.

I walked toward the window and looked at the beautiful view.

Aside from the academy buildings in the vicinity, the rest was a green forest. I couldn't see a single building past the academy's campus.

It is another thing I am going to miss about this place.

A few minutes later, I walked to the cupboard and took out the clothes and accessories that Miss Cain and Eva had sent before I left for the academy.

It was pants, a shirt, and a blazer, along with a hat, shoes, and other accessories, all of which, of course, had been mist-crafted, like all my wardrobe here. Every dress and accessory I had used here is mist-crafted.

I rarely wear mist-crafted dresses daily, despite having a wardrobe full of them.

I only wear them on special occasions or when meeting someone important, but this time, I have been in them every day.

A few minutes later, I changed into the clothes and looked at myself in the mirror. I have to admit; I looked good.

The pants are tight and light brown, with a white shirt and a burgundy jacket, a black bowler hat, riding boots, and other accessories.

After looking at myself in the mirror one more time, I walked out of the castle.

"Headmistress, you look incredible," said Principal Kadiz as I stopped near the stables, where she was waiting with her staff, along with that detestable Vaelith.

The man seemed to dislike me, and the feeling was mutual after suffering his obnoxious nature for the week.

"You are not looking bad yourself, Principal," I replied, and she looked great, with that black hunting jacket and those heeled riding shoes.

"We are getting late; we shouldn't waste any time, Principal," interrupted Vaelith.

"You are right; let's go," she agreed.

We mounted horses and rode out of the castle. Some of the academy staff were coming as well, along with two of my teachers and two guards.

"I hope your time with us has been fruitful, Headmistress," said the Principal, a few minutes into riding.

"It was; your academy is truly wonderful," I replied. It's not a lie; I had genuinely enjoyed my time here.

"I hope when you come to Velvet Garden. You will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed my stay here," I said, and a big smile lit up across her face. "It is one thing I am looking forward to."

She had been invited; it was a formal invitation from Velvet Garden.

I have also given an invitation to the teachers I have made friends with. It's in a personal capacity, but also for Velvet Garden.

They may be teachers, but they have considerable influence, given their pupils are in a powerful position across the merchant state and other kingdoms.

Over an hour later, we reached the hunting lodge, and it's even grander than I had imagined.

It stood overlooking the forest; it was a broad silhouette, blending rugged strength with an understated noble elegance. Built of grey stone and thick wood, the three-story structure stretched wide, crowned by steep slate roofs and chimneys.

"It's majestic," I praised.

"Lady Saelith, the fifty-third principal of the academy, built it." She replied.

"It is also she who started the hunting tradition, and the artifact we use also comes from her house, which we borrow every year for this activity." I could feel the great pride in her voice as she informed me.

I may not have known her for long, but I could tell she loves the academy and pupils and shows great pride in its history and traditions, despite complaining about many of them.

Soon, we stopped in front of the lodge, where twenty-one girls were already waiting in neat lines.

All were wearing hunting clothes, but unlike ours, theirs were of a different style, from noble to mage to warrior. Many had staffs, bows, and blades on them.

"Mistress," they greeted us as we stopped in front of them.

"Welcome to the annual Hunting Competition. It is one of our most cherished traditions." "Each of you has proven yourselves worthy and earned the privilege to participate in this tradition."

"I wish you all good luck and hope all of you do well," she stated, and a moment later, took out an egg.

It was smooth and looked like it had been carved out of polished ivory, with colorful veins shimmering across it. If one looked through the lens or ocular skill, they would see thousands of microscopic runes carved on it.

Balenor's Egg.

It's a rare artifact of House Saelith.

A moment later, the egg lit up, and the tiny creature made of energy came out of it. They are thumbnail-sized and all types, from wolves, bears, lions, rabbits, eagles, and others.

They may look tiny, but they will soon get bigger and more powerful.

Their strength could reach up to Lv. 10, which is quite strong for these girls, but every year, these girls defeat them.

The egg dimmed, and the beasts stopped. Raiza turned toward her students, with a big smile appearing on her face.

"Let the hunt begin!"

The moment the words came out, the girls moved immediately. Those with movement skills activated there, while others cast speed spells.

Those who didn't have them ran as fast as they could toward the forest.

"As tradition states, let's start the betting," said Valith, looking quite excited. Immediately, the staff started betting on their favorite candidate, without shame.

This is, after all, the tradition.

…

White Gyrge

"Everyone ready?" I asked my men. They nodded.

I brought my most trusted people. I also hired people, the ones I know are out of Silent Forest's control. This needed to be completely secret.

The academy is one of the off-limits places. They take it badly when we target such places.

"Good, let the hunt begin," I ordered and moved toward the target. We have to finish it quickly; it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

It shouldn't.

The principal will be troublesome, but I have come prepared. We will deal with her fast before moving to the target.

I will only need a second to finish her.

I wish I could have more time to savor it, but unfortunately I could not. It's already a massive risk I am taking by doing this. The longer I stay, the more dangerous it will be for me.

So, despite hating it, I will finish it quickly. It will teach Silver a lesson and earn a massive bounty.

Just thinking about it makes a huge grin appear on my face.

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