Azoth saw that a crowd of people had gathered in front of the entrance to the forest. He did hear about some kind of commotion from the civilians while heading towards the forest but he didn’t know that it would be this serious. He went up to the guard to ask him about it.

  “Excuse me.... Do you know what’s going on?” He approached one of the guards.

  “Apparently, a kid had submitted the parts of a mutated asura to the money counter. People think that he used some underhanded methods to obtain it. Since a kid can’t possibly defeat a mutated asura.” The guard concluded.

  Azoth looked a bit confused. That kid might’ve really killed the asura. But that didn’t concern him. He submitted his name to the counter, and collected his explorer’s permit. Azoth squeezed in through the crowd and entered the forest.

  There were many explorers roaming around in the first section, hunting spiritiz beasts. Azoth didn’t want any interference so he decided to go deeper. There were many spiritiz rabbits and birds but they didn’t attack him. So, Azoth left them alone. His real challenge arrived when he came across a pack of spiritiz wolves. They had surrounded him from everywhere. But the wolves were a bit hesitant to attack him. They could sense that he was strong. Taking advantage of their hesitation, Azoth connected his inner spiritiz with the outer spiritiz and used it to create a powerful gust of wind which gathered all the wolves in one place. The wolves collided with each other and were stunned. Azoth used this chance to create spikes from the ground and impaled the wolves to their deaths.

  “Seven out of fifty...” Azoth whispered.

  He went on killing beasts – wolves, boars, snakes, etc... Finally after two hours, he completed the quota. But he still had to hunt down an asura. He was in the deepest part of the first section. He should’ve seen at least a weak asura by now. But there were none. Azoth went on towards the second section. As soon as he entered the transition area, a foul smell pierced his nose. He almost threw up. But Raz had told him to defeat at least one asura. He could not go back now. Azoth went towards the second section of the forest. It was nothing like the first section. The first section had some sunlight coming through the trees. But this section wasn’t receiving any. It almost felt almost like night-time. As soon as Azoth entered the second section, he was surprised by the atmosphere. It was ominous. He was about to go forward, when suddenly, he came to a stop. Through the dim light, he saw a strange creature, eating the flesh of a dead spiritiz boar.

  “Asura..” Azoth whispered in anger.

  The asura didn’t notice Azoth. It was enjoying the meal. Azoth connected his spiritiz with the atmosphere and pulled the asura towards him, with the help of surrounding spiritiz. The asura was bamboozled by this. It was panicking. Without a moment’s hesitation, Azoth crushed it’s throat as soon as it reached him.

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  “That ends my quest.” Azoth said to himself as he left the second section of the forest. It was almost evening, when he returned back to the metropolis. The girl at the counter asked for his hunt, in return for money. But Azoth had to show this as proof, to Raz. So, he politely declined.

  Azoth went towards the carriage stands and hired a carriage to return to the village. The driver was an extrovert. He shared his entire life’s story throughout the journey. Azoth didn’t want to hear it but it would’ve been rude to stop such an enthusiastic guy. Azoth reached the village after an hour or two. He paid the driver and was happy to get rid of him. He couldn’t stand his blabbering anymore. As soon as Azoth entered the village, Lily jumped upon him and gave him a tight hug. She was crying.

  “Brother Azoth..... Why didn’t you tell me when you left. I thought you would never come back.”

  Azoth looked at her. She was really upset. He saw Sira running towards them.

  “Lily.... Azoth must be tired. Let him rest first..” She pulled Lily away. Azoth gave them a soft smile. “Where’s master Raz?” Azoth asked Sira. She looked at him for a while and then answered. “The saint left the village today, just after you departed. He said that his work was done. Didn’t he tell you anything?”

  Azoth was shocked to hear this. He didn’t know anything about it. “Did he tell you where he was going?” Azoth looked at Sira.

  “No.... But he did have a message to convey... What was it? Oh my, why can’t I recall it.” Sira looked a bit distracted.

  “Come on, Sira.” Azoth urged her.

  “YES...” Sira said in excitement. “He wanted you to enroll in Myztic. That was it.”

  Azoth didn’t understand Raz’s objective behind this. But now, nothing could be done. He would do what Raz wants him to do. Afterall, Raz was a great teacher. Azoth decided to spend the night at the village. He would leave for Soren again, tomorrow. He needed to prepare for Myztic. Azoth gifted the beast parts to the village, as a token of gratitude. As for the asura’s corpse, he decided to keep it with him.

  Next morning, Azoth bid everyone farewell, and set out for Soren. He had to get some studying done before the admissions started. And Soren had the biggest library in all of Hosontropia. It didn’t take Azoth long, to arrive at his destination. The spiritiz boats were faster than the carriages. Azoth was hungry so he visited the nearby inn and had his lunch there. While eating, he overheard a conversation about food shortages, in the Vilene region, Azoth’s homeland. That’s right... Azoth should’ve returned home. But his training had a hold on him. Now that it’s over, he should go back. But then he wouldn’t be able to prepare for Myztic. He had to choose between the two. These thoughts were troubling him, when suddenly, he heard an argument between a lady and some guys. They were trying to add her to their exploration team but she wasn’t interested. The guys looked suspicious. It seemed like they wouldn’t leave until she joined them. Azoth got up from his chair to help her. But he stopped. He saw a boy, no older than him, standing up for the lady. He seemed familiar. Really familiar...