"Hmm~ Hm Hm~"

A blonde young man hummed what was supposed to be an eerie soul-chilling tune in a jolly manner as he briskly walked towards the Sixth Training Field for his afternoon classes.

Daru certainly liked what he heard earlier from his classmates, and he kinda liked Kazuraga's songs, humming them as a tribute to the departed myth.

He soon arrived at the training field, immediately spotting Iris.

He settled in and greeted her.

Their bows were considerably less awkward today, and it seemed as though both were showing more emotions than usual.

The training partners certainly got a little closer and more comfortable around each other, thanks to their recent ventures in the Myriad Sword Realm.

They even lost their lives together — a rather extreme bond-deepening experience.

The two still didn't talk much. They preferred to train when it was training time.

Around thirty minutes later, they had a five-minute water break. Only then did they engage in a casual chat.

Daru remembered something and initiated this time:

"Ah, right, what were you about to say to me earlier?"

Iris's brows furrowed slightly, as if puzzled, before easing when she recalled that she was indeed about to ask something.

"Ah, yes. I just want to ask again if you're willing to try and take on the Aetherborn in the hollows?"

But then, she paused after a realization, slight disappointment noticeable on her face.

"Ah…but it's too dangerous right now, isn't it? You just lost a life…Also, I believe Skylar is on the way and will deal with the enemy bladeborn tomorrow. I'll just keep it a secret from the government that you're back to Valmaris."

Daru deeply appreciated the considerate thoughts. But this time, he didn't need it.

The government wouldn't be able to dissuade him from challenging that SS-ranker Aetherborn to a duel even if they wanted to.

Furthermore, he had long noticed that his training partner liked watching him fight, for some reason.

He would be happy, and Iris would be, too.

If he lost, he would have to reveal himself to the government at worst.

Why would he shy away from such a great chance?

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"About that. You can tell the government I'm planning to head over to the hollows to challenge the Aetherborn first thing tomorrow morning."

Iris' expression visibly brightened, and she nodded enthusiastically, asking:

"C-Can I watch?"

"Sure, but don't intervene no matter what happens, alright? Just allow me to die again, if that's what's going to happen." Daru requested in a serious tone that caught Iris off guard.

It was a rather unexpected and difficult request. But given her training partner's tone, it seemed that he was serious.

Daru was asking her to merely watch and do nothing, even if he was about to be killed.

It was uncomfortable, but Iris understood that people differ from each other — some a great deal more.

She nodded in agreement, respecting Daru's wishes.

She just hoped that she wouldn't have to watch such a scene. She didn't want to.

The conversation ended like so, and realizing so, Daru grabbed his water bottle and drank a bit more before grabbing his training tachi.

But before he could begin walking towards the dummy, Iris suddenly asked an unintentionally spicy question due to her slightly uneasy heart.

"D-Do you think you'd lose to that Aetherborn? I heard from my classmate, Darren, that the guy is extremely strong. He didn't even last ten seconds…"

Daru thought for a moment before responding in an assuring manner that caught the worried maiden off guard.

A shadow of a confident grin slid on the corners of his mouth as he said, "No, I'll probably win."

Snowflower was dumbfounded for a moment, stuttering:

"I-Is that so…that's good, then…"

Daru nodded and returned to the dummy, proceeding to strike it again.

***

The afternoon classes ended with a rather shocking announcement from Instructor Talon.

Apparently, the school year will be cut short and will only last for seven months at most due to the sudden changes observed by the government in the Myriad Sword Realm.

This wasn't uncommon, though a cut of five whole months was quite drastic, second only to the half-a-year cut that happened three decades prior, where a world-shaking novice event happened that resulted in their race almost losing a Nexus.

The class representative selection would be delayed for two more weeks as a result and would only resume after the novice invasion event.

However, the format for the remaining rounds would be changed to a one-day tournament, and the inter-class representative competition's schedule would be pushed forward, as another grand, high-risk novice event would be happening.

This information came directly from the world government.

Graduation would only happen after.

As for what the event was, the students could only discuss and speculate with enthusiasm, as even Talon didn't know.

A majority were average Joes and Janes. They were only qualified to know surface-level stuff.

Daru returned to his dormitory after training with Iris for another hour.

He then settled in, made himself comfortable in bed, and then entered the realm.

The shabby ceiling of the room he rented at one of Agaron's Novice Inns greeted him.

He leisurely sat up, tapping on his belt bag. The inventory window appeared.

His attention instantly settled on the last slot, where the icon of a translucent, dark-purple orb floated.

His heart raced in excitement and wonder as he read its description:

===

Name: A Fourth of a Dark Satyr's Soul (Kazuraga)

Type: Consumable Item

Tier: SSS

Level Requirement: N/A

Description: Once upon a time, a young human was swindled into a contract by the Dark Satyr, Kazuraga. This chilling fragment of a wicked soul is the young human's consolation for their courage and excellence in completing their end of the deal, while the Dark Satyr failed to hold true to his.

Note: [Soulbound] item. Cannot be traded or discarded.

==

Only after reading the details about the harrowing item did he notice the options beneath its moving icon.

Daru tapped on the [Use] button.

[Consume the item: [A Fourth of a Dark Satyr's Soul (Kazuraga)][Y/N]?]

The moment he pressed [Y], a stream of notifications appeared.

[You have consumed the item: [A Fourth of a Dark Satyr's Soul (Kazuraga)]!]

[You have obtained 200,000 experience points.]

[Congratulations! You've leveled up to 36!]

[Congratulations! You've leveled up to 37!]

[Congratulations! You've leveled up to 38!]

[You have obtained a secondary title: [Soul Eater].]

[You have obtained (25) Demon Essence.]

[You have discovered the Hidden Attribute: Will.]

[You've gained 10 Will.]

[You've been cursed!]

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