It seems that when Shi Fus El first saw his relative Shi Yun Lan in the arena, he didn't feel the usual fear others did around him. When he later saw him face his opponent, all he witnessed was the other man collapsing in terror — so Shi Fus El assumed it was merely some kind of mental technique. Filled with anger toward Shi Yun Lan, he thought he wouldn't be affected by it.
When Shi Yun Lan noticed this, he thought to himself: "Damn it, with what face is this fool talking?! Doesn't he know that the ancestors have sensed what's happening, and that my grandfather is trying to prevent that old man from destroyy this place? If my father hadn't told me about it, I would've just beaten him a little — but now, I'll do far more than that!"
He then commanded, "Leon, restrain everyone except him."
Pointing toward Shi Fus El, he released the (Aura of Death)—a dark, suffocating energy that induced terror in all who saw it. From within that aura, a dark raven materialized and enveloped his body. Then he activated the technique (Dark Body), transforming himself into pure darkness. With the raven circling him and the addition of the (Flaming Claws), his dominance intensified.
Shi Fus El looked at him in sheer horror — it felt as though the Grim Reaper himself was approaching. When he tried to flee, his legs betrayed him, and he could only await the boy's approach…
Meanwhile, in another place, the maid Bi Ri was comforting Jian Blu Narsi, who was crying. Their moment was cut short by the arrival of the ancestor, his eyes filled with blood, though he regained his composure upon seeing his granddaughter. Shi Yun Han and his father were with him, also worried for her. After some discussion, they learned that Shi Yun Lan was facing Shi Fus El and decided to go immediately.
"Please, save him!" someone pleaded.
"We're actually trying to save others from him! He won't leave a single piece of them behind!" another exclaimed.
The ancestor and his granddaughter didn't understand — but as they neared the site, screams echoed through the forest. The scene was horrifying: Leon was holding the terrified women, some fainting, some vomiting, others trembling in fear as they tried to hide.
Shi Yun Lan stood over Shi Fus El, holding one of his arms, his handsome face splattered with blood, his hands drenched crimson. With the dark raven and flaming claws, he looked like a nightmare incarnate. Shi Fus El lay broken on the ground — every bone shattered, his skin bruised blue and his face horribly disfigured. Jian Blu Narsi fainted at the sight, and Bi Ri rushed to her master, trying to clean him.
Then Shi Yun Lan spoke coldly:
"Report to the head of the family: Shi Fus El violated the laws, left with women, resisted capture, and cursed both the family head and the Fifth Ancestor. I had no choice but to punish him severely and sever his arm."
Shi Yun Lai could only tremble at the boy's tone before declaring:
"Very well. Shi Fus El will be expelled from the family and stripped of everything…"
After much discussion, Shi Yun Lan left the scene. Later, as Bi Ri prepared his meal, he sat deep in thought:
"Blood, body, and soul… why didn't I think of that before? When I struck that fool earlier, his blood reacted strongly with the aura — it seeped from his eyes, his body became corpse-like, and his soul turned chaotic. I only cut off his arm as an experiment… Luckily, Leon didn't tell anyone, and it's good that the girl left. I'll need to prepare for the academy."
He looked at Bi Ri, feeling warmth — but then everything blurred into darkness.
---
In his room, Shion Lan woke up to the morning light.
"Will I really never see Shi Fus El again? I doubt it'll end like that. And what about Jian Blu Narsi— will she regret what happened? Also, when I faced Shi Fus El, how did I know what was going on with Shi Yun Han and the ancestor? How did I see they were coming?"
His head was filled with questions, but he decided to move on until he could meet Shi Yun Lan again. He packed his bag and reminded his two companions:
"Listen, the academy's results don't depend on strength alone but on study as well. So focus on your lessons, alright?"
"Got it!"
Shion then left the academy and, unexpectedly, ran into Pearl Jewel. He walked toward her.
"Good morning, miss!"
"Good morning," she replied, bowing. "I'm sorry about yesterday. When I learned the order was yours, I came to deliver it and apologize."
"Alright, just give me the order now — I've got a lot to take care of."
"Sure, but I actually had a small request once I learned where you were headed…"
"I'm not going there for a picnic — some bastard prevented me from taking the test, and I intend to settle that fast and find out who he is!"
"Then let me handle that, I just need you to—"
"Potions first!"
Shion was in a foul mood. "This girl's trying to use sweet talk and charm to get me to do what she wants — maybe even trick me into letting her keep the potions! Seriously?!"
But Pearl didn't give up.
"Here are the potions. Now, about my request…"
Suddenly, a menacing aura filled the air. Both turned — and standing there was the strongest spirit witch in the academy, Sol Hart, glaring daggers at Pearl.
"Listen, sweetheart! Your little tricks might work on others, but not on young Shion, got it?"
She released a spirit that caused anyone it touched to tremble. Pearl started sweating.
"If you want something from Shion, be honest at least. As for that order — he deserves proper payment. He's not out on a stroll, he's on another test because some bastard stopped him before. He's busy. So if you want his time, pay for it. A down payment first, then the rest when he delivers. Now that you know how business works, I'll allow you to make a deal."
Shion thought to himself:
"Sol's a spirit witch — any magic that affects the mind or soul won't work on her. She deals with far worse, like seductive ghosts and vengeful spirits. No wonder she's so composed and strong."
Looking at Pearl, however, he realized she was trembling badly.
"Unlike her… this girl relies too much on her looks and words — good for politics and trade maybe, but not combat. Wait — what's Soul doing here anyway?!"
As Sol kept pressing Pearl, both suddenly felt a calming wave wash over them. When they turned, the sight that greeted them was of beautiful eyes and noble presence — Shion's.
He gently pulled Pearl behind him.
"Thank you, Sol, but forgive my bluntness — how did you find out?"
"Everyone knows you're leaving today," Sol replied with a soft smile. "I just wanted to talk about our promise, but found this girl instead." She pointed at Pearl in disgust. "I know one thing about her — she only approaches men for deals or schemes, and will use any vile trick to get what she wants. So I stopped her."
Shion looked back at Pearl — only to see her crying, which shocked both him and Sol.
"Don't tell me these are all lies," Sol said angrily as she was affected by pearl's sound magic. "Because I won't believe it — not after seeing your face and smelling that perfume! You were trying to seduce Shion, weren't you?!"
"That's enough!" Shion tried to calm her down.
"What, are you trying to make her look pitiful now, you—"
"Enough!!"
Shion's stellar aura burst forth, filling the air.
"Sol, I appreciate your concern, but if your spirits cause trouble like this, you'd better learn to control them."
The stellar light enveloped her, restoring her senses. Shion sighed.
"If Miss Jewel's sound magic had such an effect, you shouldn't have summoned such a strong spirit," he said, pointing to her face. "You were already losing control when you started yelling."
Something dark flickered across Sol's expression.
"You insolent brat! You think I can't kill you right now — especially when you're protecting that ### behind you? What are you doing—? No… stop!!"
Pearl didn't understand what was happening — until Shion's stellar aura vanished, and when she looked into his eyes, her heart froze. They were pitch-black, empty, lifeless. She felt no energy from him, but the sight alone filled her with terror.
Then, with a scream, Soul's spirit was expelled from her body. Shion's eyes returned to normal, and he looked at Pearl.
"Give me a potion. Now."
Without thinking, she handed it to him. He drank it, his strength returning.
"I haven't even left the academy yet, and you've already made me waste a precious potion… Ugh, you two are such a hassle."
He glanced at Sol, who had collapsed.
"You okay?"
"Yes…"
"Good. I'll come next month — we'll go on the mission together. Please take care of those two while I'm gone."
"Alright… and thank you for saving me earlier." she said shyly.
"...." Shion didn't say anything.
Then he turned to Pearl:
"Now, what's your damn order that made me waste such a precious potion because of your crying? Answer me properly this time, without magic — or I won't treat you like a lady next time!"
As his stellar aura flared again, she panicked.
"Alright, alright! I want parts from the Golden Serpent!"
Shion stared at her coldly.
"You wanted me to take on such a dangerous job for free? Do you even realize it's a level-four beast? You'd need a team to hunt it — its defense is tough, its fangs deadly, and its venom can paralyze or kill. And you wanted me to do this alone, for nothing?"
His gaze pressured her, but she managed to compose herself.
"I know the risks — but I was going to give you the perfect method to capture it, for a fair price—"
"Rejected."
He turned to leave, but she grabbed his arm.
"This method isn't widely known — I got it from a reliable source. It's worth the price."
"Thanks for the concern," he said sarcastically, "but I'll catch the Golden Serpent myself. Now, give me the down payment first."