I treaded through the forest, going at a rather quick pace. I got into three more battles with Class 4 beasts during that time. I managed to kill all of them easily. The first two pretty much just fell for the same trick I used against the wolf monsters. The third was more troublesome, but still easy for me to handle. Its senses were sharp and it was very agile, constantly avoiding my threads and throwing spears while bombarding me with throwing spears, or rather spikes of its own.
However, its spears were completely ineffective. With my essence threads everywhere, I could feel the entire battlefield. Every time the throwing spikes got within the eight meter radius of my threads, I calculated where it would land and dodged out of the way easily. In order for the monster to win, it needed to have much greater strength to throw the spikes faster than I could dodge. Which, it did not have. So eventually I won by backing the beast into an area in the forest with extremely densely paced trees. The place was too restrictive for the monster to use its agility to dodge.
I managed to retrieve an intact soul core of all of the three beasts. One was bad, so I just absorbed the essence. Another was a standard physical enhancement ability, it was very average, possibly selling for around 3,000 Talons so I stored it in my storage ring.
The third was pretty good, it gave the user danger sense. It was a useful and rare ability, likely selling for between 6,000-7,000 Talons. I believe the ability couldn't warn the monster of the environment because it wasn't the environment that was dangerous, it was me. If the beast was Class 5, the danger sense would likely be able to correlate the danger of being backed into the trees with me, warning the beast to not go in that direction.
With that, I arrived at Brutein. It was still quite bright outside with a fair amount of people outside. As I walked past the line for the mundane people to the line to check in for Arcanists, I imperceptibly noticed many heads turn as they saw me walk past. My gait was fluid and deliberate, every step radiating an air of absolute quiet confidence. I could hear the murmurs of people talking about me. And why wouldn't they? I am perfection.
I had paid psychologists, sociologists, fashion experts, and other experts in related fields to engineer the perfect way to dress and carry myself. The way I walked, my perfect upright posture, my calm and composed facial expression, commanding attention effortlessly. People just naturally turn to look.
'Talons well spent' I deemed. Another aspect of myself that I love and what I think draws a lot of attention has to be my heterochromia.
There were a few people in front of me in line. Some snuck a glance at me, which I couldn't blame but that was when a crack formed in my mind. I sensed other Class 4 Arcanists in line, which isn't very surprising considering there's a Class 4 about every 300 people. But, they were young. My age, 20 or so. The average age of when one reaches Class 4 is around their 30s. Thankfully, they looked like npcs compared to me because of their dull faces and clothes. So, most of the attention was focused on me but I still took a hit.
There were three men and a woman. It seemed like one of the men was alone while the others were in a group. In the group, there was a tall, muscular man with a scar who appeared to be the leader. Behind him stood a man of average height, average face, and average build, I could not say more about him. The definition of an npc. The girl to the side was short, kind of cute, and had green hair, which was the only thing that made her stand out.
On the other hand, the boy that was alone was rather striking. He, like me, had dark indigo hair, but it was far darker than mine to the point it would just look black without certain lighting. He had pitch black eyes with a face that was definitely above average, but probably doesn't hit the criteria for handsome for most people. Especially if they see me.
What made him stand out was the way he carried himself. He had an extreme calm to him, with the shadows seeming darker than black around him. While everyone was looking at me, he thought he was too cool for it. He had his eyes closed, opened them to take a cursory glance at me, then closed his eyes again. He then looked slightly irritated to me for some reason.
'Keeping the eyes closed is pretty good, but my heterochromatic eyes are too pretty to be closed. Actually… because they're so pretty, I should show them less, so when I do show them, everybody looks. And the irritated look that he had, It's definitely because I am too handsome and he is jealous,' I thought to myself.
***
'Fucking hell, why do I have to see someone like that before I even get to Brutein. Based on vibes, I feel like he may be as strong as me. The way he carries himself… it kind of seems like a noble. Don't tell me he's like one of them…' I said in my head, irritatedly.
"Hey…" The tall, muscular man called out to the serene man walking to the back of the line, trailing off after that one word. He had his eyes closed but opened them a short moment after the muscular man called out.
'Is he copying me? Well it does make me seem cool and mysterious.'
"What is it?" He spoke in an even tone, it was not commanding but it felt like it must be answered or else he might have your head roll.
'Damn, he's much better than me. It seems so natural as well, is he not even acting?' I thought, reminding myself to take notes while watching him.
"Are you going to the Bloodspire Institute to take the entrance exam as well?" The man asked, his voice on the verge of shaking. "I am Ivan, this is John, and she is Emily, what is yours?" Ivan asked, his voice getting more stable by every word.
'Their names sound like npcs as well' I mused to myself.
"I am. Call me Kyryll. And you?" He asked, in that even tone, turning to me. "I have a feeling you're going there as well."
'Kyryll… How was it pronounced? It sounds cool tho, almost cooler than mine, almost.' I thought, taking a pause before I answered. "Ulysses, Ulysses Umbraborne. And yes, I am going there as well. Good to meet you all, fellow potential cadets." I greeted even though I had little faith the npcs would make it through.