A Reader's Grimoire In A Novel World

Immediately, the challenge started, and all students were teleported to a corner of the barrier around the area.

Julius was confused at first, but then he realized the reason.

He wore the same white attire for this event too, without sleeves this time. His palms were wrapped with soft cloth, and his sword was strapped to his shoulder.

'Makes sense that they would host it this way. There wouldn't be much chaos in this round based on this alone,' he let out a sigh.

His purple eyes glanced up to the skies, and he could see the yellowish transparent wall blocking the area.

Some sounds of rustling came from the sides, and he immediately activated his special eye.

He saw a small creature hiding in the bushes and struck his sword toward the small tree with one swift move, cutting the entire thing, along with the rabbit-like creature, in half.

'This is it... the royal clan's final trial,' Julius thought, and then he moved forward.

He wasn't covering his runes anymore and wore the shirt armless the way it was.

He had already scanned the area and found out where his closest target was.

'The battle royale challenge is still the same. Closing barrier, and violent fights—'

Whi—!

Julius dodged an arrow targeted at him, stopping and looking forward with a smile.

There was a group of more than seven people gathered around. Julius recognized them instantly and remained calm, staying in his spot.

The sounds of clashing swords and beasts reached his ears, and he took a stance, looking at all of them.

Julius spotted the same guy who had led these assassins last time and immediately a bunch of information was displayed in front of him.

[Name: Cris Grey

Rank: First Echelon, Fifth Scheme

Profession: Seeker Assassin

Skills and techniques: ...

Weakness: ...

Status: Currently leading the fifth squadron of the Grey Convoys on an operation to assassinate a target.

Feeling: Excited.]

Julius pulled out his Ninjato from its sheath and got into a battle stance, looking calm and calculative.

"You still think you have a chance, huh?" the guy said with a smirk, and then a light golden aura surrounded Julius.

The first man closest to him rushed forward, and so did the rest of them. Cris stayed at the back, smirking excitedly as he watched the assassins head forward to take down the prince.

'I see they've become more desperate. Nice.' Julius moved from his position, vanishing completely and reaching the leader's face in the blink of an eye.

Julius swung his sword with that same speed. Cris had a hard time reacting to Julius's speed and could only watch as the sword headed toward his waist.

Julius cleaved his body in half with a single swing of the sword and looked back at the others, who also came toward him without fear, not even minding that their leader was taken out.

'They're all moving in sync. But I can see...' He moved his hand to the side, deflecting a dagger that flew toward his face.

The moves and patterns of the culprits seemed coordinated even without their leader.

Julius proceeded to disband the group with his speed and attacks. But even though he was able to take them down one by one, one thought still lingered in his head.

'Why are they after me? Desperation?' he was confused.

Immediately after removing Ivana from their plans, they sent out a full squad of the Grey Convoys to take him down.

In the original novel, he was supposed to be dead by now, so he never actually knew his importance.

For his elder brother to want him dead so badly, something had to be at play here.

Julius's purple eyes glanced to the side in a split second, and the Eye of Providence was already activated.

He had discovered a hidden function too. He was able to see the paths of attacks, three seconds into the future, to be precise.

His sword was suddenly covered with a golden-colored light layered with his aura.

He waved his sword horizontally, stopping a blade from touching him.

The young man seemed shocked that he was able to block it, and Julius punched him in the next second and shot out a beam of light toward the next target.

Julius walked out of the scene with an indifferent expression. He sheathed the blade, which was smeared with blood, and walked off into the distance.

He looked up to see the edges of the dome moving closer. He knew what that meant.

'The barrier is already shrinking. We'll all meet in the middle,' he thought, yawning widely as he walked forward.

Over time, he met other students who he managed to win over without too much stress.

He soon got to a part of the forest densely packed with trees. He made a fist and hit the tree with force, and the tree only shook but still stood.

Only a dent was made in the body.

'This terrain would be nice. They should be approaching already,' he thought to himself before arranging his slightly disheveled hair.

The terrain in this part had a lot of branches above, which blocked almost all the light. He could feel a few presences deeper into the forest, but he remained calm and set traps in the right locations.

Little squeaks began to reach his ears, and he turned around to see a cloud of bats moving toward him. He raised his hand, letting a bright light shine out.

The creatures instantly avoided him, separating to his sides.

He ignored them and proceeded to place his traps. And then he waited... patiently.

Two boys soon approached the area, wearing black combat attire made of durable leather.

Cider scratched his spiky red hair as he approached the area and yawned.

"So far, no threat. The bad thing would be to meet River. That guy would show us no mercy," Rowan said, glancing around the area.

Cider stopped as he noticed a figure ahead of them. He frowned and signaled Rowan to stop.

"Julius?" Seeing the guy that had a grudge against them, they couldn't help but charge at him at once.

Julius smiled and then ran into the area behind him, which was densely packed with trees.

Rowan boosted forward to meet up, and his leg got caught in a rope, and he was dragged up.

"Argh!"

Cider turned around as he heard his brother's voice.

"Rowan!" he called out in an angry tone.

"Up here."

Cider looked up a tree to see his brother there. He gritted his teeth hard and clenched his fists as he gazed up at Rowan.

A light flashed close by, and a fist landed on Cider's face while he was still in thought.

"How dare you?!" He looked up to see Julius emitting an essence that was far greater than what he was used to.

He unsheathed his sword and got ready to fight.