The capital of Elarion was still filled with the energy of the tournament. The victory of the S-Class had spread across the kingdom like wildfire. But while the city celebrated, Lionel was preparing to leave.
He stood in his room, packing the last of his things. His holy sword rested quietly on the table. His elegant white clothes looked as if he was attending another ceremony, but this time there would be no cheering crowd.
Lionel took one deep breath. "It's time. I can't stay here forever. I've done what I could for them… now I have to see the world with my own eyes."
Unlike yesterday, there were no horns or announcements. Only a few people knew he was leaving. Seraphina and Arwen waited quietly by the castle gates.
"Lionel…" Seraphina's voice was soft. Her hands gripped her dress tightly. "You really are going, aren't you?"
Lionel nodded. "Yes. If I stay here, I'll just be in the comfort of the castle. But I need to grow stronger. There are things out there I have to see for myself."
Arwen stepped forward, holding her staff nervously. "Professor… will we see you again?"
Lionel gave a warm smile and patted her head. "Of course. You're my student. And Seraphina… you're my friend. This isn't goodbye forever. Just for now."
Seraphina bit her lip. "At least… promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Promise you'll come back alive. No matter what."
Lionel nodded. "I promise."
He didn't stay long. With a final wave, he turned his back and walked down the stone road, away from the castle, away from the city.
Seraphina whispered, "Goodbye, Lionel…"
Arwen clutched her staff, praying silently, Please, Master… be safe.
And just like that, Lionel disappeared from their sight, his white coat fluttering as he left the capital behind.
The road leading out of the kingdom stretched endlessly. Tall trees grew thicker the further he went. The sound of birds and rustling leaves replaced the noise of the city.
For hours, Lionel walked alone. The air was fresh, and the sky was clear. It felt peaceful, but also lonely.
"Hah…" Lionel sighed, adjusting the strap on his bag. "It's strange. Back in the academy, I always had students around me. Now it's just… me."
The System's voice echoed in his head. Isn't this what you wanted? Freedom? The chance to explore?
Lionel chuckled. "Yeah, I did. I just need to get used to it."
As the sun began to set, Lionel set up a small camp. He gathered wood, started a fire, and roasted some meat from the boar he hunted earlier.
While chewing, he looked at the flames. "I'll miss those noisy brats… Arwen, Kaela, Rhaegor… even Seraphina nagging me."
The fire crackled. The forest was quiet.
"…But this is what I need to do."
The next morning, Lionel woke up early. Mist covered the forest floor, and the air was cool. He looked around, making sure no one was near.
"Alright. I think this is far enough. Nobody's around."
He closed his eyes. "System… release angelic form."
His body began to glow faintly. His elegant outfit shimmered. With a soft tearing sound, enormous white wings sprouted from his back. The mist scattered, blown away by the power they released.
Lionel stretched them wide, feeling the strength coursing through him.
"Finally… I can fly freely."
With one strong flap, he launched into the sky. The trees beneath him became small. The morning sun touched his feathers, making them gleam like silver.
No one was there to witness it. No knights. No students. No princess. Only the quiet forest below.
Lionel smiled to himself. "This is my secret. Nobody will know until I'm ready to show them."
For the next few days and nights, Lionel traveled through the endless forest. Sometimes he flew, sometimes he walked to conserve energy. At night, he camped and hunted monsters for food and experience.
He fought goblins, trolls, and even wyverns. Each battle increased his level little by little. His swordsmanship became sharper, his magic stronger.
One night, after defeating a band of ogres, Lionel sat by the fire. His clothes were stained with blood, but his eyes were sharp.
"This world is much bigger than I thought… I can't imagine what's waiting for me beyond this forest."
The System answered. Stronger monsters. Stronger enemies. But also new skills, if you're willing to risk it.
Lionel smirked. "Then let them come."
On the sixth night, while patrolling deeper into the woods, Lionel sensed something unusual. A strong aura pulsed from the shadows.
He drew his sword. "Who's there?"
From behind the trees, a massive creature emerged. Its form flickered, changing rapidly — wolf, snake, bear, bird.
Lionel's eyes widened. "A… shapeshifter?"
The System's alert popped up:
Target detected. Shadow Beast (Level 80). Ability: Shapeshift.
The beast roared and lunged. Lionel blocked with his sword, sparks flying. The beast shifted into a snake and tried to coil around him. Lionel slashed, cutting its body, but it turned into a bird and soared upward.
"Tch. Annoying thing!" Lionel spread his wings and chased. "Light Slash!"
BOOM! The slash struck the beast mid-air. It screeched, flickering between forms, then fell to the ground. Lionel landed swiftly, stabbing his sword through its chest.
The beast wailed one last time before dissolving into black smoke.
Ding!
System:You have slain a rare monster. New skill unlocked — Shapeshift.
Lionel blinked. "Wait… I can shapeshift now?!"
He opened the system panel.
New Skill: Shapeshift (Level 1)
Allows user to transform into defeated creatures.
Stronger creatures require higher skill level.
Current unlocked form: Fenrir (Mythical Beast).
"Fenrir?!" Lionel's eyes widened. "That's… one of the rarest beasts in existence!"
Curious, he tried it immediately.
"Shapeshift: Fenrir!"
His body glowed. His wings retracted, his sword vanished. Muscles expanded, fur sprouted, claws extended. In seconds, he became a massive silver wolf with glowing blue eyes and fangs like blades.
Lionel looked at his reflection in a nearby stream. "So this is Fenrir… incredible."
He tested his body. His speed was blinding, his jumps powerful, his claws sharp enough to carve trees in half.
"With this… I can hide my angel form. Nobody will know who I really am."
Three days later, Lionel neared the Marquis' domain. As he walked through the forest path, he suddenly heard screams in the distance.
"Help!! Someone help us!!"
Lionel rushed forward, hiding his wings. He reached a clearing and saw a carriage surrounded by monsters — goblins, ogres, and wolves. Knights fought desperately to protect it, but they were outnumbered.
Inside the carriage, a noble family huddled together. A little girl's cries echoed above the chaos.
Lionel clenched his fists. "I can't let them die. But… I can't show my angel form either."
He smirked. "Good chance to test this new skill."
"Shapeshift: Fenrir!"
His body shifted again, transforming into the massive silver wolf. His aura exploded, shaking the ground.
ROOOOAAARRR!!
The monsters froze instantly. The knights gasped in terror.
"I-It's Fenrir?!" one shouted.
"The mythical wolf?!" another trembled.
The ogres hesitated, but Lionel charged. With one swipe of his claw, he tore through them. He bit into a goblin and hurled its body into the trees. The wolves whimpered, backing away.
The knights couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"H-He's… helping us?"
The battle ended quickly. The remaining monsters fled in fear.
Silence fell. The knights lowered their weapons slowly.
"…Thank you, great beast," one knight whispered, bowing his head.
From the carriage, the young girl peeked out. Her wide eyes sparkled. "Papa… the silver wolf saved us!"
Lionel, still in Fenrir form, stared for a moment. Then, without a word, he turned and ran back into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.
The noble father whispered, "Perhaps… this was no monster. Perhaps the gods sent him."
Deep in the forest, Lionel returned to human form, leaning against a tree.
"Phew. That worked better than I expected. This skill will be useful… very useful."
He looked up at the sky, stars twinkling above.
His solo journey had only just begun.
To be continued…