Chapter Forty-Nine: Another Visit to the Mountain Summit

However, Heiyu had no interest in arguing with her. Instead, he kept his head down, deep in thought. After all, he had destroyed the barrier around the research institute; if the monster was still lurking there, it would certainly pose a threat to passing travelers.

Should he tell Teacher Shi about this?

At that moment, Teacher Shi announced loudly, "Dismissed! Free practice starts now—no slacking off!"

After much deliberation, Heiyu finally decided to step forward.

"Te-teacher…"

"Hmm?" Shi Fangcheng glared at him. He had intended to give Heiyu a harsh punishment for being late, but seeing the boy battered and looking so dejected, he suppressed his anger. "What is it? Did you get yourself into trouble somewhere, got beaten up, and now you want me to stand up for you?"

It was true that students of the academy often fought with those from other schools, and when they lost, they would return and call on their own teachers for backup.

Heiyu scratched his head awkwardly and whispered, "I really did get beaten up, but it was by a monster of unknown origin. Teacher Shi, last night when I went to the hill across the river to train—"

"What?!" Teacher Shi, a man of impatient character, widened his eyes in shock, almost wanting to slap the boy. "You dared to go across the river? Didn’t I say you were forbidden from training there? Do my words mean nothing to you?"

"Teacher… I have something important to say, please let me finish first!" Heiyu stepped back, dodging Shi Fangcheng’s outburst, pressing his hands down in a calming gesture to try and quell his teacher’s anger.

"Fine, go on!"

Heiyu started again, "I found a monster in the abandoned research institute at the top of the hill. It was very strong—these injuries are its doing. The barrier sealing the place was destroyed by me as well. I’m worried that if this monster isn’t dealt with, it’ll endanger anyone passing by. That’s why I’m asking for your help."

Teacher Shi frowned. "Very strong? Roughly what level of demonic beast are we talking about?"

"It’s not a demonic beast," Heiyu replied. "It’s a monster born from the institute’s evil experiments, much like those humans who are mutated after being corrupted by demons."

"The research institute…" Teacher Shi mused. As a teacher in Holy City, he had heard his share of rumors about the institute nearby.

"That place has been abandoned for a long time. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were monsters left over from failed experiments. I remember there’s a blockade around the hilltop, and people don’t dare go near. Why would you go to such a dangerous place without telling anyone?"

Shi Fangcheng’s eyes were filled with concern, and Heiyu lowered his head.

"Uh… Teacher, I know I was wrong. Let’s focus on how to eliminate the monster."

"All right! Leave it to me. Tonight, I’ll go and send that monster flying!"

Heiyu felt both relieved and grateful. "Thank you, Teacher!"

He thought to himself that Teacher Shi was a magus of the highest order, with formidable defensive and controlling earth magic. Dealing with that monster should be more than manageable.

Yixin strode over as well upon hearing this. "How could I miss out on such a good training opportunity? The hilltop zone is a key patrol area for the Holy City Guard. If something happens, I’m responsible too. I’ll go with you!"

Shi Fangcheng nodded, "Very well. Yixin is already at the mid-stage realm. This will be a good chance for real combat training."

"Teacher, I want to come as well," Shen Zai Guo said at once, her real intention being to stay close to Heiyu.

"And me, I want to go too!" Ling Xiao Lei volunteered, raising her hand.

"Teacher, Ling Xiao Lei has improved a lot lately. I trust her strength—please let her join us. As for Fire Dragon Fruit..." Heiyu looked at Shen Zai Guo, "You should rest today. It’s too dangerous there. I don’t want you in harm’s way."

Teacher Shi glanced at Ling Xiao Lei and thought for a moment. "All right, the dark elf will provide support. If there’s danger, don’t charge ahead—protect yourself. Also… since the monster resembles a human corrupted by demonic magic, we’ll need the purification abilities of a light elf. I’ll contact the teacher from Class B to see if that student is available."

"Dream Spirit?!" Heiyu thought immediately. "I didn’t expect to team up with Dream Spirit—wonderful!"

Yixin added, "The Light Elves are known as the strongest support on the continent. Their control and healing skills are top-notch. This will be my first time fighting alongside a Light Elf. Tonight’s training just got even more exciting."

Ling Xiao Lei pouted quietly, mumbling, "So what if it’s a Light Elf? No need to get so worked up…"

After settling the plan, Shi Fangcheng waved his hand, "Yixin, Heiyu, Ling Xiao Lei—meet at the city gate after dinner!"

"Yes!"

By dusk, as the sky darkened and the evening breeze grew pleasant, Teacher Shi donned his brown mage’s cloak, the white crystal medal of honor at his collar, and led a group of students out of the city.

Heiyu took the lead, occasionally glancing back at the Light Elf girl at the end of the group—Dream Spirit. She was still as quiet and ethereal as ever, her refined bearing untouched by the mundane world.

Ling Xiao Lei ran up beside Heiyu and asked in a low voice, "You went to the institute yesterday? Was it the Scorpion White’s institute? What happened there?"

Heiyu remained silent, unwilling to speak of the grotesque monsters he’d seen, let alone the painful memories it had brought back.

"It’s nothing," he replied calmly.

They headed east, through the forest. The sky hadn’t fully darkened, and the path was easy. Soon, they reached the river. With the mist gone from the hilltop on the far bank, the dilapidated building of the research institute was clearly visible, standing tall on the gentle crest.

Before long, they arrived behind the wire fence and materialized their staffs.

Teacher Shi Fangcheng gave the first orders: "Don’t underestimate this fight! First, I want to see your recent progress. Second, you’ll learn teamwork. Remember: if there’s danger, don’t force it!"

"Yes!" came the crisp reply.

"Heiyu, where is the monster?"

"I saw it in the basement yesterday. That seems to be its lair, so it’s probably still there. But it could be elsewhere, so stay alert."

Ling Xiao Lei spread her sensory web. "The clearing in front of the institute is safe. The monster must be inside the building." Her detection range was limited; she couldn’t see farther.

"It moves very quickly and mainly attacks with the tentacles on its back. They can bind and pierce, much like Ling Xiao Lei’s binding spell," Heiyu explained what he knew.

Everyone nodded, their expressions serious.

Shi Fangcheng said, "Yixin, you take the lead. Heiyu and Ling Xiao Lei, cover the flanks. Dream Spirit, you and I will hold the rear."

"Yes, Teacher," Dream Spirit replied.

With everyone clear on their roles, they leapt over the wire fence and sprinted toward the doors of the institute.