NOVEL NEXT Chapter 203: The Escape
Van felt the strength of the Spells being released.
They were Spells that could tear cities in half if unleashed.
However, he had nothing to do with this. With the chaos going he might have to consider escaping now.
As he moved, he could barely see the battlefield directly now. However, the Lens fed him filtered images, stripped of blinding Spells and other information, allowing him to study casting postures, mana channeling efficiency, and formation array effects…
[ Spellframe Dissection Progress: Analysis stored in Archive Cell #05 – "True Sorcerer Combat Samples." ]
[ Warning: Residual Spell Radiation Detected. Advise a deeper retreat. ]
Van nodded to himself.
It was enough that he was able to get information about these high-level spells.
This war wasn't his, so he had to leave…
Just like that, Van turned, slipping deeper into the forest, toward the southern woods where no signs of Mages or Magic Beasts could be felt…
But even as he left the chaos behind, his heart beat excitedly…
Although it took him some time to free himself, he still did it…
He trusted his Ocularis Lens all this time, and now, a new life was about to start.
As for taking revenge on those who had put him in such a position? He'd probably consider it once he was at the level where he could easily defeat Archmages.
***
Van entered deeper into the forest.
Though he was already quite tired since he didn't have enough rest, his mind remained sharp thanks to his Ocularis Lens.
Fortunately, this wasn't unknown terrain.
Back when he was still serving Julia, he had secretly copied one of her travel maps during a brief moment when she had left it unattended.
With the aid of his Ocularis Lens, he had memorized the terrain's contours, the safest paths, water sources, and even potential danger zones…
[ Local Terrain Map Overlay: Active. ]
[ Suggested Route: Southern Ridge > Crooked Pine Basin > Lush Plains ( Neutral Zone ). ]
His movements were still relatively fast as he wasn't hesitating in the direction he was aiming for...
Every turn he made through dense foliage or mossy undergrowth was calculated. He knew how far he was from rebel forces, Rukh Tower, and known patrol routes.
In the days that followed, Van adopted the life of a solitary hunter.
The Third-Level Aura, the powerful blue energy coursing within him, stabilized by the end of the first week.
It no longer thrashed uncontrollably in his meridians. He could now circulate it accurately within his body. He started using it for bursts of speed, short-range enhancements, or silent movements.
He was slowly getting better and better with this Aura…
Well, he had advanced a bit too fast, so he wasn't able to properly adjust. Thankfully, the numerous activities that he had to do in order to escape allowed him to get used to his physique.
One of the first One-Horned Magic Beasts that he hunted was a Tyrant Boar… It actually acted differently from its name, as it was swift and cautious. It didn't seem tyrannical at all.
Nonetheless, Van had laid a trap as he found a fruit that he would always eat…
Just like that, one clean strike to the throat. It was over. Even if his sword wasn't the best in terms of quality, with his Aura, he wouldn't have to worry about it.
***
His second week marked his first success against a Two-Horned Viperbeast, a lithe predator of the forest. He had to rely on an ambush, using a blend of Aura Cloaking, sharpened wooden stakes, and sheer patience.
The venom gland fetched from its corpse became an ingredient stored in his satchel.
Speaking of which—
That satchel had become his lifeline.
Reinforced with minor enchantments and lined with preservation magic, it allowed him to collect and store herbs, dried meat, beast cores, alchemy ingredients, and clean water.
He found berries rich in nutrients, discovered safe-to-eat mushrooms that restored energy, and stumbled upon the Redthorn Root, which could temporarily dull any body pain…
During the night, he would have to find or create his shelter.
After all, the nights were colder. Even with his improved physique and Aura, he had to take cover…
During this time, he would just carve a small shelter beneath the roots of a dying tree and mask his aura whenever he or his Ocularis Lens sensed distant beasts.
During the third week, he even encountered a small merchant caravan's tracks. He avoided them immediately.
Well, with his Lens, he could tell they were protected by mages.
"I can't be seen by anyone just yet." Van muttered to himself. This Kingdom doesn't view Aura Users really well after all.
This was something he had learned after staying here for several years…
As he was able to gather information about the caravan, his Lens confirmed that he must leave them alone.
[ Identification: House Ryndor Trade Branch. Notorious Slave Affiliates. ]
[ Threat Level: Moderate. Avoidance Recommended. ]
He didn't come this far just to become a slave once again…
'Still… It's only a Moderate Threat level against Mages?' Van smirked as he knew that he had really gotten strong after achieving the Blue Aura…
However, he didn't want to gamble as the Mages may have Magical Items that could work well on him.
For now, Van kept moving south, avoiding a group of Magic Beasts that could harm him. Thankfully, most magic beasts around don't have any horns… It was probably because this place was owned by another organization, and they were keeping the population of the Magic Beasts under control.
The Rukh Tower had many such locations, so it wouldn't be surprising if that was the case.
Then, whenever Van felt some danger, like the presence of Three-Horned Magic Beasts, he wouldn't hesitate to hide himself and maybe stay in one place for one or two days. He needed to be very careful after all.
During this time, he would just spend his time meditating, reinforcing his Aura Veins, and enhancing his senses.
He even practiced crude weapon forms using a spear he carved from a branch… After all, the quality of his sword wasn't looking good anymore after weeks of travelling and fighting against Magic Beasts.
Despite using his Blue Aura, the durability of the sword would still be affected.
After all, it wasn't made to endure the force coming from the Blue Aura itself.
He might have to find another weapon or perhaps learn to use other weapons he could get his hands on.
By the fourth week, Van was now like a true hunter of the Forest… His hunting efficiency had skyrocketed, and One-Horned Magic Beasts were no longer a challenge for him.
More importantly, he finally found traces of a nearby settlement…
As soon as he climbed a tree to see his current location and the path ahead, he saw the first ever town after his escape! It was from a distant hilltop, and he would still travel for quite some time to reach it.
"Tsk… I really want to look like a human again." Van muttered as he looked at himself.
Although he could take a bath from the sources of water he had found in the forest, he had no change of clothes. Although he could wash his clothes, they were already torn apart, and he was on the verge of being naked.
Well, his clothes were also enduring the Blue Aura whenever he activated it. Despite receiving decent clothes from Julia, it was simply not enough…
During this time, he would only use his Aura on his hands or his weapons and not on his body to protect his clothes.
However, the Third-Level of Aura was just too much.
"I hope there's no mages there… It's quite secluded." Van muttered.
After all, Mages are still considered noblemen in this kingdom. They shouldn't be staying in such a remote town… hopefully.
"Fallowmere Town…" Van read the name of the town from the sign he found on the road. The sign had an arrow pointing to the town about 300 meters away, so he couldn't be mistaken.
From a distance, Van observes the whole town… It was a small settlement with stone palisades and watchtowers…
It was their protection against the animals or magic beasts that could be in the forest…
As he got closer, he noticed smoke rising from the chimneys and a sluggish river curled beside it.
Van crouched low, his Lens scanning from afar.
[ Town: Fallowmere ]
[ Population Estimate: 800-1000. Known Allegiance: Phyrexian Kingdom. ]
[ Aura User Policy: Hostile. Registered Aura Users are enslaved or drafted. ]
[ Recommendation: Do Not Reveal Aura. ]
"Got it…" Van muttered.
He was still within the borders of Phyrexia Kingdom after all.
It was a land where Magicians reigned, and Aura Users were used like fodder—expendable guards, mining slaves, test subjects, or simple mana shields during expeditions.
This was not a place for him to rest.
Still, he needed supplies: new clothes, information, a weapon not made from forest scraps, maybe even forged identity papers.
His goal remained clear… Escape the Phyrexian lands.