Before teleporting to the academy, specifically to the chairman's office, Alex needed to ensure it was empty.
The risks were too high to act blindly. If the chairman or anyone else was present, it would spell certain death, not to ntion the possibility of them hiding the [Vial of Undead Blood] beyond his reach.
To avoid that, Alex sought help from the most reliable source he could think of.
"Arceus," Alex called, approaching the mage who was engrossed in so arcane task. "Can you detect if soone's on the other side of a spatial portal?"
Arceus paused, turning his piercing gaze toward Alex. "I can," he replied evenly, though his tone hinted at annoyance. "But it takes considerable magic."
"Could you do it for this once?" Alex asked hopefully.
"No." The reply was curt, and Arceus imdiately returned to his work, ignoring Alex as if the conversation had never happened.
Alex sighed. "Guess it's up to , as usual."
Summoning the [World Map], he stared at the shimring interface that materialized before him.
The familiar dot labeled [Chairman's Office] beckoned him to click, but Alex held back. He knew better than to act impulsively.
Hesitating no longer, Alex tapped the dot.
A notification rang out imdiately.
And the mont he did, a notification sounded.
[You have reached Tier 5!]
[Your World Map has sensed your distress and thus has gained a new ability.]
Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Well, that's convenient."
The notification continued:
[New Perk Unlocked: Spatial Detection.]
[You can now channel the power of the spatial spaces to detect presences or spells in the targeted location.]
He blinked, surprised. "It even detects spells? That's… actually impressive."
This new ability was a ga-changer.
Not only could he confirm if soone was present, but he could also avoid traps or ambushes.
Even if soone figured out the limitations of his teleportation, restricted to specific map points, it would no longer be easy to ensnare him.
Focusing his mind, Alex activated the new feature, channeling mana into the [Chairman's Office] dot.
His senses extended through the void, scanning the target location for any signs of life or magical interference.
After a tense mont, the results ca back clear—there was no one there.
But...
[36 "Magic Seals", 12 "Alarm Spells" and 1 Spatial Portal detected.]
"Damn," he muttered, a smirk forming on his lips, "though that won't matter much."
With a confident tap, Alex triggered the teleportation.
The academy chairman's office shimred into view as Alex materialized within its opulent confines.
The room was exactly as he rembered: an elaborate oak desk stood at its center, surrounded by shelves of ancient tos and artifacts.
His eyes scanned the space quickly, zeroing in on his prize—the [Vial of Undead Blood], resting atop a velvet cushion on a nearby pedestal.
It radiated a dark, pulsating energy that seed to whisper ominous secrets.
Alex approached cautiously, half-expecting a hidden trap to spring.
But no alarms sounded, no defensive chanisms activated.
The way it worked was like this: if it detected soone trying to break from the outside, the alarms would activate, thus stopping whoever was trying to intrude even if they broke the magic seals.
But now that Alex was already inside, they wouldn't activate.
He reached out, wrapping his fingers around the cold glass.
The vial was heavier than it looked, and its contents swirled like liquid shadows.
"Too easy," Alex murmured, "You're mine to begin with anyway."
He turned to leave, but before he could activate the map again, the air behind him warped violently.
A crackling portal burst open, and the Hatred Sect's most powerful mbers stepped through.
First ca Dominic, his hopeful expression from a second ago now contorted with rage at the sight.
Behind him, Kyofu and Kofuku and the others erged, their sinister presences filling the room.
Finally, Lord X himself entered, his crimson eyes locking onto Alex like a predator sizing up its prey.
The room was deathly silent as they stared at each other.
Alex broke the tension with a smirk. "Oh, didn't expect that…"
"You!" Dominic roared, his voice shaking with fury. "How did you—"
Lord X raised a hand, silencing his subordinate.
His gaze never wavered from Alex, studying him intently.
Despite the chaos of the situation, the sect leader exuded an air of unshakable calm.
"You're bold, boy," Lord X said, his deep voice resonating with power. "Stealing from us and standing here as if it's nothing. Do you have a death wish?"
Alex chuckled, spinning the vial between his fingers. "Death wish? Not quite. Wrong place at the right ti, maybe."
His nonchalance only served to enrage the guardians further.
"Arrogant bastard!" hissed Kyofu, his snake-like tongue flicking dangerously.
"Hand it over, or I'll carve you into pieces!" Kofuku cackled, the bells on his jester outfit jingling nacingly.
"Enough," Lord X commanded, his tone brooking no argunt. He stepped forward, his aura suffocating as it filled the room.
"You won't leave here alive," he declared. "No one defies the Hatred Sect and survives."
Alex's grin widened, unbothered by the oppressive energy. "We'll see about that."
Before any of them could act, Alex tapped the [World Map] again.
Since he hadn't been attacked and thus wasn't in combat, the teleportation feature remained active.
"Sorry to cut this short," Alex said mockingly. "But I've got places to be."
A golden circle of light enveloped him just as Kyofu lunged.
The snake-like guardian's claws swiped through empty air as Alex vanished, leaving behind only their collective rage.
...
Alex reappeared in the safety of the [Fox Tribe Village].
Arceus had told him to not co back until fully mastering the [Volcanic Lance] skill, and he felt like he would be instantly be found in any city because of the many hatred sect followers hiding.
The inside of the village, protected by the barrier from enemies, was the only safe place.
The familiar surroundings were a stark contrast to the tense confrontation he had just escaped.
Without hesitation, Alex made his way to Alera's ho.
He had two priorities: ensuring the village was safe and checking on Arcelia, the silver-haired princess afflicted by the [Soul Curse].
The mont he stepped inside, Alera and Lilith greeted him warmly, enveloping him in tight hugs.
Their relief at seeing him safe was evident.
"You're back!" Alera exclaid, her fox ears twitching with excitent. But her expression turned serious as she led him to Arcelia's room.
The princess lay still on the bed, her pale complexion and shallow breathing a grim reminder of the curse's effects.
"We've been trying to keep her stable," Alera explained softly. "But it's hard."
Alex frowned. "And any other problems?"
Alera hesitated, then sighed. "Three more orcs showed up recently. I handled it."
"You what?" Alex's head snapped toward her. "Why didn't you call ?"
"You seed busy," she said, a bittersweet smile on her lips.
Alex couldn't deny it.
Between the academy, the vial, and the Hatred Sect, he'd had his hands full.
But still, the thought of Alera and the others facing danger without him made his blood boil.
"We've been training," Alera added quickly, sensing his frustration. "With my help, the villagers took them down."
Alex nodded, though his expression remained serious. "Good. But next ti, call . No exceptions."
"I will," she promised, blushing slightly under his intense gaze.
As they stepped outside, Alera hesitated.
Her cheeks flushed red as she stamred, "If you ever need help… with, um, your curse, just let know."
Alex chuckled, his usual grin returning. "Don't worry, I've been dealing with it and resisting it more as of recently."
Flustered, Alera quickly excused herself, retreating to her ho.
Alex watched her go, shaking his head in amusent.
With the village secure for now, Alex turned his attention back to his growing list of problems.
The Hatred Sect wouldn't forget this encounter, and Dominic had seen his face.
Participating in the [Golden Star Academy Entrance Examination] was now out of the question, it would be walking into a trap.
He needed a new plan. And fast.
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