I tossed the dark marble inside my mouth.
The pain I had felt the last time I ate one of these returned, but I wasn't as fazed as before.
Sure, it hurt like shit, but at the end of the day, I did just get clawed by like five demons.
That hurt just a teeny tiny bit more.
So I bore through the pain, watching as my injuries healed in real time.
Honestly, an ability core was like an instant heal potion.
It was extremely rare to get, but it was really valuable.
And so, after just a few more minutes of this pain, it was over.
[You have consumed: Demon Baron's Ability Core]
[You have gained: Special Ability - Demonic Energy Resistance (Lv.1)]
My eyes widened at the ability I just got.
There was no way to use it directly like Blood-Sight, but this one was even better.
The demons used Demonic Energy for everything. Attacks, barriers, formations.
If I had a resistance to their main source of damage, then my advantage against them would be that much bigger.
My heart pumped in anticipation.
I actually wanted to fight a demon again.
I wanted to see how much less damage it would deal to me.
Hehe...
Whistling to myself, I glanced over at my status screen.
•—Amon Everness—•
Level 41 → 50 [Low-Grade 4] → [Low-Grade 5]
▷Stats
[Strength 32 → 35]
[Stamina 45 → 50]
[Speed 23 → 27]
[Perception 52 → 56]
[Vitality 53 → 81]
▷Inherent Gift
★Telekinesis [Intermediate] (Lv.52→ Lv.77)
▷Special Abilities
★Blood-Sight (Lv.9 → Lv.10)
(NEW) ★Demonic Energy Resistance (Lv.1)
▷General Abilities
☆Sprint (Lv.21)
☆Pain Tolerance (Lv.30 → Lv.36)
☆First Aid (Lv.12)
☆Mental Resistance (Lv. MAX)
▷Core Traits
◆Dragon Heart [Beginner] (Lv.3 → Lv.5)
•——•
Just like that, I reached Low-Grade 5.
This was the level the main character reached only after a month had passed in the academy.
I was way ahead of him, and with everything that was going to happen during the year, I would only get stronger.
Calming myself down, I went around to each of my group members and poured healing potions on them.
I used the remainder of my healing potions on Isabelle.
Then, I picked up the healing potions she had dropped onto the ground and stored them inside my dimensional ring.
Her potions were obviously better anyway.
I changed my clothes and tossed my bloody clothes into the dimensional ring.
After that, I just waited.
And waited.
Nearly an hour later, Melissa's fingers twitched. Brian followed soon after.
The two took off their blindfolds and glanced at me with confused looks.
"What happened?" Brian asked, groggy. "What did you do to us?"
"I saved you," I responded.
"Haaa? Saved us?"
He didn't believe me.
But right as I was about to step forward and beat him to a pulp, Melissa chimed in.
"Thank you for saving us."
She stood up and bowed.
"I was half awake during the fight... If not for you, we'd all be dead."
Then she placed a hand over her chest.
"I swear on my name that both I and my brother will repay you for this kindness after the exams are over."
It was a little over the top.
But at least she had more brains than her brother.
I would love nothing more than to just beat the shit out of him here and now.
Ugh...
He's lucky.
I took out a few pieces of beef jerky and tossed them over to Melissa and Brian.
"Eat up. They're not poisoned."
After a bit of hesitation, they started eating.
As for me, I gestured at them that I had to go behind a tree to do a little something, but instead, I wanted to check the last reward I got.
[Additional Reward if you kill all 5 Demon Barons: Blessed Armor Set]
If I recall correctly, blessed armor sets were just armor sets enchanted with holy magic.
They worked best when fighting against demons, and that's why they were so useful.
After looking around my dimensional ring, I eventually found the armor set lying around in the corner.
It was a pitch black assassin set with a few black scales protecting the vitals. It also had golden engravings along the edges.
Oh, there was also a neat-looking black mask.
Honestly?
I liked it.
And when I got near it, I was able to inspect it.
[Armor of the Shadow Templar Order]
[Description: A blessed armor set which can perfectly negate 10 attacks from a Grade 30 demon, or 1 attack from a Grade 40 demon. Your footsteps are silent, and you can fall from 1,000 meters without breaking your legs.]
[Bonus Feature: You may wear the armor set but hide its visibility while still maintaining the set's effects.]
I could barely contain my smile.
This was a life-saving item of a decently high grade.
I could use it for a while without having to worry about demons killing me.
Of course, I excitedly put on the armor set, and it fit perfectly.
But since I didn't want others seeing me with this on, I imagined hiding it.
To my surprise, I couldn't even feel the armor anymore, but when I walked around, my footsteps were silent.
Smiling in satisfaction, I returned to my group.
Just then, I saw Isabelle wide awake, leaning against a tree.
She stared at me for a moment, then turned away.
I didn't pester her about what just happened.
I wasn't someone who would seek gratitude in such situations.
We both stepped in shit, and we both got out of it with our own efforts.
Simple as that.
The hours flew by in the blink of an eye.
We mostly just sat there eating silently, while Melissa chatted us up every now and again.
It was getting dark, and I was honestly starting to think the instructors forgot about us.
Maybe they did?
Perhaps they just thought Isabelle could handle everything on her own?
Yeah...
I wouldn't be surprised.
But despite my expectations, I soon felt someone rapidly approaching us.
They were coming from the direction we entered.
On the off chance they were demons, I put my guard up.
Yet when I spotted their silhouettes, I exhaled a relieved breath.
Finally.
They're here.