The following morning, Damon made his way to his father’s study.
Marcel Jubo was seated behind his desk, examining several documents when Damon entered.
“Father.”
Marcel raised his head.
“Damon. What brings you here?”
“I wanted to discuss something with you.”
“Go ahead.”
Damon took a seat opposite him.
“I’ve been thinking about exploring the city. I’ve spent enough time inside the mansion, and I want to see more of the world beyond these walls.”
Marcel studied his son for a moment.
“Exploring the city?”
“Yes. I believe it’s time I became more familiar with the outside world.”
Marcel nodded slowly.
“That’s reasonable. However, before we discuss that, I heard something interesting from Roderick.”
Damon raised an eyebrow.
“Captain Roderick?”
“He mentioned that you’ve made considerable progress in your physical training. More importantly, he noticed an unusual change in your condition.”
Marcel leaned forward slightly.
“Have you finally managed to overcome your mana obstruction?”
Damon smiled.
“Partially. I recently broke through to the next realm of Knight cultivation, and after that, I discovered that I could finally access my mana.”
Marcel’s expression changed.
“You can access your mana?”
“Yes, although I can’t maintain it for very long. My control is still poor.”
For several seconds, Marcel remained silent.
Then a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
“Excellent!”
He stood up and approached Damon.
“This is wonderful news. I knew your condition wasn’t as hopeless as some people believed.”
Damon smiled.
“There’s still a lot I need to improve.”
“Indeed. And that brings us to your request.”
Marcel returned to his seat. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“Tell me, Damon. What do you intend to do when you enter the city?”
“Explore, visit some establishments and familiarise myself with the place.”
“That’s not a bad idea. But there’s something you need to understand.”
His father’s expression became serious.
“You are the heir of the Jubo family. Your name alone carries considerable weight among the noble families of this kingdom. Now that news of your recovery and improved cultivation begins to spread, some young nobles will inevitably become interested in you. Some will challenge you to duels, while others may deliberately provoke you.”
“To gain prestige by defeating me?” Damon asked.
“Precisely. Defeating the heir of an established ducal family would be something many young nobles would happily boast about. You cannot spend your entire life avoiding such confrontations. If you intend to stand among the strongest, you must learn how to handle real opponents.”
Damon considered his father’s words.
“What do you suggest?”
Marcel smiled.
“Before you explore the city, I want you to visit the Beast Forest. It’s a suitable place for practical combat training. You’ll encounter magical beasts of different strengths, allowing you to test your abilities under real conditions. I’ll arrange for several experienced guards to accompany you. Their responsibility will be to supervise your training and intervene if necessary.”
Damon nodded.
“That sounds reasonable.”
“Good. I want you to return stronger, not injured. And don’t become overconfident because of your recent breakthrough. A higher cultivation realm doesn’t automatically make you a skilled fighter.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Then prepare yourself. I’ll have everything arranged.”
***
Several hours later, Damon stood before the mansion’s main entrance.
Four guards were waiting for him. Captain Roderick stood at the front, dressed in his usual combat attire, sword hanging at his waist. Beside him were three experienced guards, each fully equipped.
“Young Master,” Roderick greeted.
Damon nodded.
“Captain. I hope I’m not making your day unnecessarily difficult.”
“That depends on how obedient you intend to be.”
Damon laughed.
“I’ll try my best.”
Roderick introduced the three accompanying guards before leading the group away from the mansion. Their destination was the Beast Forest, located some distance from the Jubo family estate.
During the journey, Roderick explained that the forest was divided into different regions according to the strength of the magical beasts. The outer region contained relatively weaker creatures, suitable for inexperienced knights and basic combat training. The deeper regions were considerably more dangerous.
Damon listened attentively. He wasn’t interested in rushing into dangerous territory. His immediate goal was to understand his current combat capabilities.
Eventually, the group arrived at the forest’s entrance.
Towering trees stretched across the landscape, their thick branches blocking portions of the sunlight. Strange cries occasionally echoed from within, while the atmosphere carried a faint trace of magical energy.
Damon looked ahead with interest.
“So this is the Beast Forest.”
“Yes,” Roderick answered. “Remember, Young Master. This isn’t the training ground. The creatures here won’t stop attacking simply because you’re tired.”
Damon smiled.
“That’s exactly why I’m here.”
A familiar notification suddenly appeared.
[New Training Opportunity Detected.]
[Objective: Experience Real Combat.]
[Condition: Defeat magical beasts through personal combat.]
Damon’s eyes brightened. He dismissed the notification and stepped forward.
“Let’s begin.”
With Roderick and the other guards following closely behind, Damon entered the Beast Forest.
The air changed at once—thicker, heavier, carrying the mixed scents of damp earth, crushed leaves, and something wild. Tall black-trunked trees rose on every side. Distant growls rolled through the undergrowth.
A low snarl answered from the left.
Damon turned just as a gray-furred wolf the size of a small horse burst from the brush. Yellow eyes locked on him. Foam dripped from its jaws. It charged without hesitation.
He sidestepped the first leap and dragged his practice sword across its flank. The wolf yelped, twisted in mid-air, and came at him again. Damon met it head-on. The blade punched into the side of its neck. Hot blood sprayed across his forearm. The beast thrashed once, twice, then went still.
[You have slain a Graymane Wolf]
[Experience gained]
Damon wiped the blade on the grass and kept moving.
Two more wolves appeared, smaller than the first but faster. They circled him, one feinting while the other darted in low. Damon caught the low one with a kick that sent it tumbling, then drove the sword down through its ribs before the second could close. The remaining wolf leapt for his throat. He dropped to one knee and let the blade rise to meet it. The tip sank under the jaw. The body collapsed on top of him, heavy and reeking.
He shoved it off and stood, breathing hard.
Deeper in the trees the ground began to slope downward. Something larger waited ahead.
A low, grinding roar rolled out of the shadows. A black-furred bear, easily twice Damon’s height, rose onto its hind legs. Scars covered its muzzle. One eye was milky white. It dropped back to all fours and charged, shaking the ground with every step.
Damon did not meet it head-on. He waited until the last possible moment, then rolled aside. The bear’s claws tore a deep gouge in the dirt where he had stood. Damon came up behind it and slashed the back of its left leg. The beast roared and spun, faster than something that size should move. A heavy paw clipped his shoulder and sent him skidding across the leaves.
Pain flared hot, but the arm still worked. He rose, set his feet, and waited for the next charge. When the bear came again he stepped inside its reach and drove the sword upward under the jaw, pushing until the tip punched out the top of its skull. The massive body shuddered and collapsed, nearly crushing him.
[You have slain a Scarred Black Bear]
[Level Up]
Warmth spread through Damon’s limbs. The ache in his shoulder faded to a dull throb.
A chorus of high, chittering cries rose from the trees above. Three long-limbed creatures dropped down—lean, scaled bodies the color of wet bark, faces full of needle teeth. They moved like spiders, too fast, too many limbs. One landed on his back and sank claws into his shoulder. Damon slammed backward into a tree trunk, crushing it against the bark. The second lunged for his legs. He kicked it away and met the third with a rising slash that opened its chest from hip to throat.
The last one tried to flee up a trunk. Damon threw his dagger. It took the creature through the spine and pinned it to the wood.
Silence returned, broken only by Damon’s rough breathing and the slow drip of blood from the trees.
He retrieved his dagger, wiped both blades clean, and stood for a moment among the bodies. Roderick and the guards remained a short distance away, watching without intervening.
The Beast Forest had tested him. He had answered.
Farther ahead the trees thinned again, and a faint animal trail continued deeper into the shadows. Damon sheathed his weapons, adjusted the straps of his pack, and looked back at the captain.
“I’m ready for the next one.”
Roderick gave a small nod, something close to approval in his eyes.
“Then keep walking, Young Master. The forest still has plenty left to teach you.”