Beastbound: Awakening the Hunter

Oliver Stark

[Mana Core 1 – Elysian Nexus Core – Orange – Current Form: Wild Boar Form.]

[Life Essence: 35]

[Forest Favorability: 1]

Oliver glanced briefly at his status panel, and to his surprise, he saw that his Forest Favorability, which had always been at zero, had increased to 1.

This change piqued his curiosity. What could have caused it?

If he remembered correctly, only a few hours ago, after finishing his hunt in the forest and heading to the tavern, that number had been zero. So the increase to 1 could very well be related to his recent battle with the wraith-Kramar. But what connection did Kramar have with the forest? Why would defeating him increase the favorability of the forest?

Oliver's mind raced, but there were no answers to be found.

Walking behind Hector, he continued toward the academy.

However, as they passed through the dim light of the torches, Oliver noticed a group of people rushing down the town’s narrow streets. The leader of this group caught his eye—Walter, the steward from Lord Avery's house.

Oliver had a history with Walter. The man had once tried to enslave him, which had only fueled Oliver’s determination to grow stronger. Later, after becoming a core apprentice at the academy, even Baron Cavendish had come personally to apologize, offering significant compensation. Yet, Walter, the lowly steward, had never approached him again. Was he avoiding him out of fear? Or was there some other reason?

Oliver pondered these questions as he watched the group disappear into the night. What were they up to at this hour? He felt a spark of curiosity but didn’t dwell on it too long.

Soon, they arrived at the academy, which was quiet under the moonlight. Only the faint light in the back of the academy, near Professor Arcanus’s residence, hinted that someone was still awake.

They made their way to the professor's garden, but once inside, they found not Arcanus but his adopted daughter, Violanda, waiting for them.

Violanda wasn’t just a student at the academy; she was also Arcanus’s foster daughter. Whenever the professor was absent, she essentially became the academy's de facto head.

"What are you two doing here at this hour?" Violanda asked, but her gaze quickly shifted to Oliver’s injuries. "Is everything alright, Oliver? You’re not hurt, are you?"

"It’s just a small wound," Oliver replied, brushing off the concern.

He and Hector explained the encounter with the wraith, and Violanda, listening intently, couldn’t hide her surprise.

"I can’t believe how fast you’ve grown, Oliver," she said. "You’ve taken down such a powerful opponent."

As she spoke, Violanda busied herself making coffee for them.

"I’ve brewed something special for you—Dawn's Brew, a blend that Professor Arcanus keeps hidden. It’s mixed with a touch of Nightshade Herb and Starlight Berries to help with fatigue and restore your energy. You should drink this, especially after your injury."

Oliver, though not particularly in the mood for coffee, took a sip. The flavor was rich and robust, far beyond anything he had ever tasted. Even in his past life, he had never encountered anything quite like this. The magical world was full of surprises.

"This must be expensive," Oliver said. "If Arcanus finds out, will he be upset with us?"

"Yes, very much so," Violanda replied with a mock-serious expression. "If Arcanus knew, he’d scold you severely and probably kick you out of the academy!"

Oliver’s eyes widened in concern,

"Haha, don’t worry," Hector said with a chuckle. "Arcanus isn’t that stingy. If he knew you were hurt, he’d give you even better potions."

Violanda laughed as well, "Just kidding! "

her earlier stern expression disappearing.

Oliver relaxed and put his cup down.

However, after a brief moment of rest, both Hector and Violanda seemed puzzled.

"I remember seeing Arcanus just this afternoon," Hector said. "How could he have suddenly left?"

"Not long ago, a raven came to the garden," Violanda explained. "The professor received a message from it and immediately said he was going to Penhurst Town. He mentioned he might be gone for at least two weeks."

"And he took William, Taylor, and Aria with him," she added.

Oliver exchanged a glance with Hector. That was odd. This meant that only Hector and Violanda remained in town, the other fully-fledged mages had left.

"It’s strange," Violanda mused. "The raven's message said that Penhurst has been overrun by cultists of the Silver Circle. The local lords there are understaffed and worried they can’t handle the situation. They asked Professor Arcanus for help."

"Heretics... Penhurst?" Oliver muttered, his brow furrowed.

He recalled that not long ago, a lady lord from Penhurst had died unexpectedly, leaving behind a patch of unclaimed land. This had stirred the ambitions of the local lesser nobles, who were now eyeing it for themselves.

Could all of this be a mere coincidence?

"The Silver Circle?" Oliver asked, intrigued. "What is that?"

"A bunch of lunatics who worship the Ouroboros Snake," Violanda explained. "They believe our world is a giant snake eating its own tail, and that each of us is a fragment of the snake’s soul. Their goal is to merge all their followers into one, awakening the great snake to rule the world."

"Do the local lords know about this?" Oliver asked, frowning.

"They do," Violanda said. "The raven brought them the message, but the lords have no more mages in their service."

"This is getting too convenient," Oliver thought aloud.

Normally, their town would have at least a dozen red mages and knights, plus Professor Arcanus, a powerful mage of orange rank. But now, their town’s supernatural forces had been reduced to almost nothing.

"I’ve heard that the Silver Circle has recently brought in a new orange-level priest skilled in alchemy and necromancy," Violanda added. "Perhaps that’s why things are escalating."

Oliver immediately understood. The cultists were likely trying to drain the town’s magical defenses, leaving it vulnerable. Then, they sent the wraith Kramar to kill everyone in town, using their lives to fuel dark necromantic rituals and create cursed artifacts.

Violanda’s explanation was clear: the cultists had a long history of such horrific acts, believing that death was merely a return to the great serpent’s embrace. With such twisted doctrine, they could justify anything.