The Acolyte of Spirits and Curses

The weekend passed far more quietly than Klein had expected.

By Monday morning, the academy returned to its usual pace.

Students moved through the pathways in groups, conversations buzzing with energy, though one topic seemed to dominate them all.

The upcoming event.

Klein walked toward the training hall with his hands casually in his pockets as he listened to fragments of conversations around him.

"First-years vs second-years..."

"I heard some of the top-ranked second-years are participating."

As he stepped into the training hall, he saw Liora practicing the spear.

Klein slowed his steps slightly, watching her.

Her spear cut forward again, stopping just short of an imaginary target before she rotated her wrist and transitioned smoothly into another form.

*clack*

Another sequence ended, and just as she adjusted her stance, her eyes shifted toward the entrance and saw him.

"You’re here."

Klein walked closer, stopping a few steps away from her.

"Yeah."

She shifted the spear lightly in her hand, resting it against her shoulder "Today’s the event between first-years and second-years. Are you joining?"

"Yeah."

Her smile deepened just a little "Thought so."

---

The forest just beyond the academy grounds has been cleared enough to serve as a training zone, but it still retained its natural density.

The first-year students were gathered in a loose formation near the edge of the forest, with some standing in small groups while others looked around with curiosity.

Klein stood among them with Liora standing beside him.

At the front, a professor stood facing them, "Listen carefully, this is not just a simple exercise. This event is designed to evaluate your adaptability, awareness, and combat judgment under pressure."

The murmurs among the students died down.

"All second-year participants have already been placed inside the forest. They will act as designated targets... or as you might prefer to think of them, mini bosses."

A faint ripple of reactions moved through the crowd at that.

"They will not be using their full strength," he muttered in a firm tone.

"However, do not misunderstand that as meaning they will go easy on you. Each of them is still significantly more experienced than you."

His gaze swept across the group briefly.

"To identify them, each second-year will be wearing a golden band on their arm."

"Your objective is simple. Defeat them... and claim that band."

"Each golden band will grant you a substantial number of points. More than anything else in this trial."

"But, that is not your only way to earn points."

He gestured toward the forest behind him.

"Mana-infused marbles are scattered throughout this area. They have been placed in various locations, some in plain sight, others hidden more carefully."

A few students leaned forward slightly, listening more intently now.

"Collecting these marbles will also earn you points. Individually, they are worth less than a golden band... but they are far easier to obtain."

"Whether you choose to hunt second-years or focus on gathering marbles is entirely up to you."

"Of course, you are not restricted to one approach. You may adapt your strategy as you see fit."

The professor continued "The trial will end at sunset. Before that time, all participants must reach the main structure located at the center of the forest."

A few students exchanged looks again.

"Failing to reach the endpoint before the allotted time will result in disqualification,"

"Your final scores will be calculated based on the total number of points you have accumulated. These points will be converted into Academy credits."

"Additionally, the top three performers will receive bonus credits."

The professor finally stepped slightly to the side, giving a clear view of the forest entrance behind him.

"You will begin shortly."

His eyes swept across them one last time "Use your judgment wisely. Strength alone will not guarantee victory here."

Klein’s gaze condensed ’So not only the top 3 contestants, but the number of marbles also get turned to credits.’

’Then I need to get as many marbles as possible.’

Beside him, Liora nudged his arm lightly, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Good luck," she said with a small smile.

Klein glanced at her and gave a small nod "Mhm."

A sharp signal rang out.

And just like that, everyone moved.

Students surged forward almost instantly, some rushing straight into the forest without hesitation, others splitting off into smaller groups as they tried to avoid the crowd.

The forest swallowed them quickly.

A faint breath left Klein’s lips as he adjusted his direction slightly, veering off from the main path most had taken.

His steps remained light as he entered beneath the canopy ’No need to focus on marbles, all I need to do now is take down those second-years.’

---

A second-year student stood beneath the shade of a tall tree, her back resting lightly against the trunk as she absentmindedly bit at her nails.

She was placed here as one of the designated "targets," but so far, nothing had happened.

"...This is boring," she muttered under her breath.

At that moment, she heard a faint rustle, and her attention snapped toward it immediately.

From between the trees ahead, a figure emerged.

A green panther-shaped spirit beast stepped into view, its body shimmering faintly with mana as it moved towards her.

She blinked in surprise, straightening slightly.

"A spirit?" she murmured and tilted her head curiously.

*swoosh*

A sharp disturbance in the air.

By the time her instincts screamed, he was already there.

Klein appeared in front of her in a blur of motion, his figure materializing from her blind spot with terrifying precision, and his arm was already mid-motion as he hurled the spear towards her.

Her eyes widened instantly.

"-!"

There was no time to think.

Her hand snapped upward as mana surged from her core, forming a defensive barrier just in front of her.

Clang-!

The spear struck the barrier with a sharp, resonant impact, and the force rippled through the construct as it held, though cracks of energy flickered across its surface from the sheer momentum of the throw.

The girl staggered back half a step as the shock of the impact traveled through her arm.

"...What the-?!"

Her gaze snapped forward, and she saw Klein rushing toward him.

Klein dashed forward with no pause after the throw.

His body flowed forward the moment the spear left his hand, closing the distance between them.

The panther spirit lunged from the side at the same time, its timing perfectly aligned with Klein’s approach.

Her expression shifted instantly.

’Coordinated attack-?!’

She clenched her teeth, reinforcing the barrier instinctively as her mind raced.

"...You little-"

But Klein was already there.

His hand reached forward for the spear.

The moment it rebounded slightly from the impact, he caught it.

His fingers wrapped around the shaft mid-motion, and he twisted his body slightly, redirecting the momentum into his next movement seamlessly.

There was no break in his flow.

At the same time, the green panther spirit lunged from the side, forcing her to split her focus as she reinforced her barrier.

Her eyebrows narrowed in irritation "...Seriously?"

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