Alec was worried about monsters and his hunger for the rest of the night. But he was lucky for a change and evaded both until the suns rose, and he could make his way back to the Academy by following the sunrise. This time, he saw dawn, so there was no mistaking which direction to go.
After a long and exhausting trek, he finally made it back to the Academy without encountering a single monster.
'Does that mean I couldn't control myself in front of Benjamin because of the Sins?'
He had a lot of time to think while walking. Naturally, there wasn't much room for anything but his Skills among those thoughts.
Gluttony had made him hungrier. Maybe Pride had strengthened his backbone and made it a little too rigid.
It wasn't that he was more hot-headed than he thought. It was just that he was under the influence of a powerful skill that amplified certain emotions and aspects of his being.
Alec's eyes narrowed as he thought about it.
Being hungry was one thing. That only affected himself, and as long as he had something to eat, he could keep it in check.
The other Sins, on the other hand, would affect his behavior during interactions with other people. If he lost control, he would cause trouble for both himself and those around him. He could think of a few Sins that would be especially troublesome in that regard.
'According to the System's descriptions…Increasing my Resistance might help. It's worth a shot. I just need to figure out how.'
Alec's gaze rose from the ground covered by harsh vegetation as he noticed that it was getting easier to walk. He saw the end of the forest and the side of the Academy. He had veered a little to the side and ended up on the other side of the Academy to the city.
'I should probably…'
Alec needed medical attention. Probably. He had fought with a monster and been trapped in a hostile forest for at least a day, after all. He hadn't gotten any sleep. He had exhausted himself and his mana to the breaking point.
It was a miracle he had made it back alive.
It was just that he hadn't made it back until he arrived at the Academy, which he hadn't. He had just left the forest.
That didn't mean he was safe, especially if the perpetrators of his abduction were to find him.
But he didn't manage to convince himself of that.
Alec tried to raise his hand and shout toward the Academy when he realized how tired he was. He hoped someone would hear and notice him.
But the exhaustion hit him like a runaway train, flattening him into the ground.
***
"Zalar," Lius Garan, the headmaster of the Royal Academy, said, looking up at the unannounced visitor.
"How did it go?" He asked.
"Well," Zalar, the black-haired librarian answered with a light shrug.
"Do you need me to pry the words out of your mouth, Zalar?"
Zalar rolled his eyes.
"He killed a monster on his own."
"Did you interfere?"
"Of course, I interfered. If I hadn't, other monsters would have run him over before he'd get a chance to breathe."
"But the kid killed the monster all on his own?"
"If you don't count me isolating it and keeping the others away, yes."
"What kind of monster?"
"A first-stage sheep."
"How did he kill it?"
"He used Pebbleshot to break off a branch and stab it in the monster's eye, penetrating the brain."
"Does he have experience? Has he condensed his first circle?"
"No and no."
Lius frowned.
"I see. He's a potential seedling then. What's your opinion on the others?"
"Benjamin Mason? He and his two minions carried Alec into the forest, dumped him, and returned without waking him and without alerting any monsters."
"And?"
"He's methodical and precise. He also has the skills to back his current level of ambition. He performed better than Alec could have if they were to swap roles."
"But…?"
"He lacks fear. He took a stroll into the forest without hesitation. He would have faltered the moment he came into contact with a monster."
"He's still far behind his brother, then. But still a potential seedling."
"Are there any group activities planned?" Zalar suddenly asked, changing the subject.
"Not until all they start condensing their first stars and circles."
"I want to see Alec compete with Benjamin."
Lius raised an eyebrow and looked at Zalar.
"Do you have something to tell me?" He asked. Zalar did find joy in seeing the students struggle. But he rarely made specific requests like this. He left something out of his report.
Zalar shook his head with a smile. It should have meant a no. But it was as good as admitting that he had hidden something from Lius.
Lius sighed.
"...I'll see what I can do."
"Perfect!" Zalar's smile widened as he disappeared from Lius' office.
He couldn't wait to see how Alec's hunger would develop when faced with the 'injustice' of a system that favored nobles and the opportunity for revenge.
***
Alec woke up with a start like taking a deep breath of air after being submerged in water for several long minutes. He looked around in a hurry.
After all, the last time he passed out, he woke up covered in blood and with a cadaver beneath him.
But this time, he was covered in a white sheet with nothing but a worryingly comfortable bed beneath him. The situation couldn't be any more different. That included the smell.
The smell of dirt, blood, and dead monsters was so nonexistent that Alec started to think everything he had just been through was nothing but a bad dream. Unfortunately, it was too bad of a dream for him to believe it was anything but reality.
He looked around and took in his surroundings.
"Finally awake?"
Alec's eyes narrowed as he slowly turned toward the source of that voice.
Sitting on a chair beside his bed was Benjamin.