abcnovels
Chapter 52 52-Return, Anticipation!
Chapter 52 52-Return, Anticipation!
Chapter 52 Chapter52-Return, Anticipation!
"Howard, you're finally back."
"My God, there was a blaze that shot up to the sky earlier. I have no idea what happened."
"It's such a relief that you're okay."
Even if the students looked down on Howard's talent, they wouldn't let personal differences arise in the wild.
After all, unity is essential for survival out there.
Abby rushed into Howard's arms, her lips quivering, "Just after you left, there seemed to be a battle. It almost scared me to death."
"Don't worry, I'm fine," reassured Howard, comforting Abby.
He then looked around at the other students and chuckled, "Maybe someone did something wrong and got punished by the heavens."
"You know, it really seemed like that."
"Indeed, even from a distance, one could feel that blaze. It doesn't seem like something a human could do."
Many students nodded in agreement, finding it hard to imagine who could produce such flames.
Howard just smiled, remaining silent.
Once they confirmed everyone's safety and set the night watch schedule, they each set up their tents to rest.
Abby, with cheeks flushed, pulled Howard into her tent.
However, being in the Silent Forest, neither of them was in the mood for anything else.
They simply embraced each other and drifted off to sleep.
When it was Howard's turn to keep watch, he didn't call Abby to take over.
He watched over the camp till dawn, allowing Abby to rest.
The next morning, when Abby woke up, she understood Howard's intentions, and her affection for him deepened.
With no incidents during the night, the students were at ease.
They began their leveling-up journey with laughter and chatter.
It must be said that their luck was impeccable.
Yesterday, they had the Bartel family's guards leading their leveling up, and today, they had Howard.
Even if Howard didn't display his SS-level skill, his attributes had long been elevated.
In his hands, even the most basic F-level skill could inflict considerable damage on the monsters.
This time, the students saw everything crystal clear.
Especially after Howard obliterated two wild boar monsters with a single fireball, all the students were left with their mouths agape, utterly astonished.
"What the hell?!"
"Howard, when did you become so powerful in your attacks?"
"Was that really just a fireball? Not a higher-level skill?"
Amazed, students gathered around Howard, their eyes filled with disbelief.
They couldn't fathom that Howard, who had only awakened an F-level talent, could now instantly kill monsters!
Most of them were from elite teams, having been led in leveling up by some big shots, yet none of them possessed such strength!
Even Abby was immensely shocked.
She had previously feared that Howard might fall into despair, so she refrained from saying too much.
Who could have imagined that Howard, in silence, had acquired a strength even surpassing hers!
"Oh, my dear Howard, are you perhaps the young master of some prominent family?"
"That wand in your hand doesn't look like standard gear."
Upon closer examination, a sharp-eyed student instantly recognized the uniqueness of the Mana Drainer, exclaiming, "My God, it looks like a Platinum-tier wand!"
"How is that possible?"
"It's said that fewer than ten people in the entire Saint City possess Platinum weapons. How could Howard possibly have one?"
Several students immediately voiced their skepticism, yet their eyes, fixated on the Mana Drainer, betrayed their curiosity and doubt.
Howard replied with calm demeanor, "I'm just an orphan. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a Platinum wand. Now, let's focus on leveling up."
Although Howard wouldn't deliberately play coy, he wasn't one to boast either.
He provided an explanation that even a fool wouldn't believe and then swiftly changed the subject.
Nonetheless, he didn't hold back, continuing to slay monsters with fervor.
In truth, Howard had his own motives for aiding the students in their leveling up endeavors.
Behind Carlos Bartel stood a powerful family. His death would surely capture the attention of the alliance, and there was a chance they might trace it back to him. By building good relations with the students now, aiding them in slaying monsters and leveling up, he hoped that when investigators from the alliance came knocking, these students would vouch for Howard.
The students weren't fools either. As shocked as they were, seeing Howard reluctant to discuss the matter further, they soon began singing his praises.
"I've always said, innate talent doesn't define everything."
"Exactly. Howard, having only a grasp on an F-level talent, can surpass us and annihilate these monsters. Had he mastered an S-level talent, he might've already reached level 30."
"Howard, mark my words, if you show your true potential, even the top academies will be vying for you!"
"It's no wonder Abby took a shine to him. He's incredible!"
The students continued to lavish praise upon Howard.
Abby, though surprised, felt an overwhelming sense of joy seeing Howard's newfound strength.
Especially hearing the accolades heaped on Howard, her eyes twinkled with delight, as if they were praising her as well!
For a time, Abby, full of enthusiasm and working in tandem with Howard, guided the students through their leveling journey.
Even when they encountered a BOSS monster, under Abby's leadership and with Howard's Frost Arrow Spell or fireball, they could swiftly bring it down.
If they faced agile monsters, Howard's Gravity spell would immobilize them, rendering them unable to harm the students.
As for the SS-level skill?
Using it against lower-level monsters would not only waste its cooldown but also reveal his trump card.
Of course, the students wouldn't let Howard and Abby do all the work.
They conscientiously took on the task of collecting the spoils of battle, ensuring Howard didn't need to run around.
They even took great care of the duo, ensuring that responsibilities like keeping watch at night no longer fell on their shoulders.
Seeing their maturity and consideration, Howard didn't rush to leave.
It was only when the day of enrollment approached that they triumphantly returned to Saint City.
After several days of leveling up, not only had the students reaped substantial rewards, advancing to level 10, but Howard himself had also surged to level 15!
Don't consider their pace slow.
After all, many mentors have taken over a decade just to reach around level 50.
For them to rush to level 10, they're already among the best in Saint City.
Spreading such news would undoubtedly astonish many.
Only prodigies from Adia or talents from the cities directly governed by the alliance could boast such leveling speeds.
Thus, when Howard led the students back to Soulspark Academy, all the mentors were astounded.
"You... how did you level up so quickly?"
"My God! Did you stumble upon some special Ruins?"
Other than the Ruins, the mentors couldn't fathom how Howard and the students could level up at such a rate.
Normally, students, without a mentor's guidance, would find it challenging to combat monsters of their level.
Injuries would necessitate long rest periods, making sustained leveling difficult.
What they hadn't realized was that although Howard was of a lower level, his output was so powerful that he could instantly vanquish monsters below level 15!
Without the need to rest and with a group collecting spoils of war, their leveling speed naturally seemed terrifying.
However, the students remained tight-lipped.
In perfect harmony, they were reluctant to let other students know of Howard's prowess.
Otherwise, how would they continue to benefit from his strength?
Recovering from their astonishment, the mentors didn't press further.
They laughed, saying, "Alright then, seems you've had quite the haul this time. Hurry home and rest for the night. Academies from big cities like Adia have arrived!"
"Rest well, and aim for a stellar performance tomorrow. If you get accepted by a top academy, your futures are secured."
"What, the recruitment officials are already here?"
Hearing the mentors' words, the students exchanged glances and hurried home.
Abby, pulling Howard along, dreamily wondered the whole way whether she might be accepted by the Holy Abyss Academy.
The Holy Abyss Academy was precisely where Caitlin and Glyn studied, holding significant prestige.
Many who awakened their talents yearned to join.
Regrettably, the conditions to enter Holy Abyss Academy were stringent.
At a minimum, one had to have a B-level talent, and even those with A-level talents were considered ordinary students.
Such criteria deterred countless talented individuals.
Walking and chatting, after seeing Abby home, Howard made his way to the magic shop.
After several consecutive days of battle, Howard had amassed a notable number of spoils.
Even though these came from lower-tiered monsters, their sheer quantity meant they could still fetch a decent price.
With money in hand, how could he resist a little indulgence?
"Ah, our esteemed guest, you've finally arrived!"
"Our young lady has been eagerly waiting for you for quite some time."
Upon his return to the magic shop, the attendant's words sparked curiosity in Howard, filling him with anticipation.
Had Caitlin returned from the Church?
What rewards had she received?
What benefits would he reap?
Would they continue exploring the Ruins?