Extra's Path To Demon King-Chapter 105: Beast Forest

Axel didn’t mind explaining things to him, for one, it showed how much information or process of it he himself grasped, and it served as a kind of revision. Heinz eventually caught up to things, and Axel’s own understanding process developed further as he himself started doing it himself as a test.

Well, on his first few tries, he failed spectacularly. But he was unrelenting and continued again and again. Gareth instructed him each time after his attempts, often criticizing him with very harsh words. But he didn’t mind it, he was familiar with it and had tried countless times more than anyone. As he and Heinz became engrossed in learning the process. Axel’s schedule to go hunting had been pushed back.

For some reason, even the materials they were using now to get the hang of the forging procedure were provided by Gareth; the man simply told them not to get distracted and focus on this. Things like this require the central focus of someone. Doing 10 things all equally important to do won’t get you anywhere. He simply instructed them to pay him back later on.

Something which both of them happily agreed to do. Meanwhile, Lumina often came to him and apologized on behalf of Lucien, saying that her brother did not mean to pry on his personal information. Axel simply told her that he didn’t like that, but whatever happened between Lucien and Axel wouldn’t affect the friendship between him and Lumina. She was kind of touched by that, but she still urged him vehemently to ask for something that would make up for the annoying gesture his brother had made.

He told her that he didn’t have anything in mind for now, but he decided to tell her about it 2 weeks later. Axel presumed he would be somewhat sufficient in the forging within that period of time. While Gareth himself may not like that gesture, he was helpless there. He couldn’t solely focus on mere forging itself for years.

He just needed to be good enough to make a usable type of sword, then start engraving, and he could improve on it with each of his tries. Unlike in the trial, he couldn’t spend year after year simply focusing on such utility-type abilities. He needed to get stronger as soon as possible. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even know how he died. Soon, the first competition would be held between each of the sections.

He needed to become sufficiently strong by that time; riding on the coattails of the main characters in this world will only get you killed prematurely, and remaining an extra was never an option to begin with.

Then, in the year after, the real mayhem will start, and from then on, there will be no rest, only pressure as everything will start to go wrong from there. If things happen as it was supposed to.

Now, the readers might think, why would he not do something to stop the events from spiraling downwards out of control? Imagine a rabbit being thrown into a jungle, but you are armed with the knowledge that a horde of giant elephants is going to run over the entire place, not leaving anything alive. You have knowledge of the future danger, but do not have the strength to stop it or the time to get out of the jungle.

Your only choice is to try and survive to the best of your ability. After all -

Knowledge without power is useless...

...and power without knowledge is dangerous.

Keeping that in mind, he could only do what he was able to do. 2 weeks had passed since he first met with Gareth, and the former instructor decided to help him with the forging procedure. Considering how important forging is, especially for some aspect holders, you would think they have a proper class on that. Which they don’t. So many students had to find a way on their own to learn it, or get help from one of the professors on that topic.

Gareth wasn’t the only one forging on that, as many forgers were there at the forging facility after all. And Axel had finally gotten a rudimentary grasp on forging. He didn’t wait a second after that and left while bidding farewell to Gareth, but Heinz decided to remain, which was the better course of action for him, considering his situation.

Surprisingly, Gareth did not become furious when he told the buff man that he would not be coming here from that day forward. Gareth frowned at him in displeasure and said,

"Well, considering how impatient you were all the time, it was obvious you only wanted to have a basic level of competence on forging so that you could start your rune engraving as soon as possible."

"Whatever, take this sword and use it for now, it’s nothing special, but it should be enough for now in your hunting. And make sure to pay me back."

He was surprised by his generosity and profusely thanked the man again and again to appear as grateful as possible. But internally, he scoffed. He had developed a quirk after the trial, or maybe a bad habit of sorts. The more someone shows Axel kindness for no apparent reason, especially people who should not have any reason to show kindness to him. The more he becomes weary of them.

Of course, there could be many reasons why Gareth saw him so favorably when he did not treat the 4th prince or Heinz too well. It could simply be because the instructor was impressed by his performance in the competition.

Or internally, all the important figures of the academy secretly knew of his runic eyes. Or simply because he was the next most promising runecaster right after his grandfather. That alone could be reason enough to get him various benefits all around the academy, as stated by the lady librarian. But due to the courtesy of his master and Old Man Leroy during the trial. He would rather be doubtful towards everyone than actually believe the front they showed.

In fact, Axel was very wary of both of the Suncrest siblings, because he knew, the reason why Lucien always tried to have an amiable relationship with him was that Axel was useful. His value is very high. If Axel were some nobody, it’s doubtful he would even notice his cousin was doing the wrong thing, let alone stop him. But Axel didn’t really mind that behavior of his; in fact, there is nothing more childish than expecting the world to be just and others to be kind and righteous. So, in that sense, it was he who was the childish one, perhaps.

But unlike Lucien, his sister was most likely a kind soul with no blemish on her. But Lucien knows how to use his sister’s innocent personality to his advantage in certain situations, like when necessary. The guy was a thoroughly ruthless manipulator who would do anything and everything for his goals and the people he cares about. Truly a proper main character.

The only ones who actually had even a slight trust from Axel himself were 2 figures, one was Heinz. He didn’t entirely trust Heinz, but it was something close to it. The other was actually the Valkyrie herself. Despite her complex and hard character, she would pretty much openly show who she got along with and who she did not like. And from what Axel understood. She indeed did not look at him favorably, but that was more on the uncaring side.

She simply viewed his existence as worthless. So, she likely did not have any malicious intent towards him, which was good. He would rather have the manipulative and cunning Lucien as his enemy than her.

Axel took the sword given by Gareth and went on his way, while Heinz continued his practice. Now, it was time to go into the beast area, to do some serious hunting. He put the sword in his scabbard. Reached the entrance, there was a checkpoint. Many others were entering the place, most in teams of four. Axel frowned seeing that, don’t tell me I have to form a fucking team to enter. It better not be.

He reached the checkpoint, and the guards asked for his magic card. He showed it, one of them said, "Student Axel Nomrad, Gold Section 280 rank, Runic Berserker."

The attention became more careful towards him, the moment they realized he was a runecaster. They spoke with a bit more respect, "Mr. Axel, do you not have anyone else to go with you?"

He frowned at that question, "Why do I need someone else? I didn’t know hunting alone was prohibited."

The two guards looked at each other and said hesitantly, "It’s not prohibited. But it’s just that going into the 2nd section is prohibited alone. Especially utility-type aspect holders."

"Why would I go to the 2nd section? I need to hunt 1st-tier beasts in the 1st section."

One of them said with a sigh, "Actually, for some reason, most of the 1st tier beasts actually ventured into the 2nd section of the forest. So, there are rarely any worthy specimens on the 1st section. So, for that reason, most of the students are going in the second section, forming teams of a minimum of 4 Seekers, as the regulations demand it."