The ritual chamber slowly grew quiet after the trial ended.
The remains of the monster had completely disappeared, leaving only the glowing runes on the floor of the ritual circle. The magical energy that had filled the room earlier was slowly fading, but the atmosphere still felt heavy.
Lucas stood calmly in the center of the circle.
Across from him stood Edward Coventry, while several other members of the Hermetic Order watched with clear interest.
Not many first-year students impressed them.
Lucas had.
Coventry folded his hands behind his back.
"You've passed the first stage of evaluation," he said.
Lucas stepped off the ritual circle.
"So what happens now?"
Coventry smiled faintly.
"Now we observe you more closely."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"You weren't already doing that?"
A few members of the Order chuckled quietly.
Coventry didn't deny it.
"Belgrave attracts many ambitious students," he said. "Some want power. Others want knowledge."
He looked directly at Lucas.
"And a few… possess natural talent."
Lucas remained silent.
Even though the Order believed he had talent, the truth was far simpler.
The System was doing most of the work.
Behind him, the familiar voice echoed again.
Ding! Title Activated — Rising Initiate.
Lucas felt a subtle shift in his body.
The flow of mana through his body became slightly smoother.
"Titles give passive bonuses," he realized.
That was valuable.
Very valuable.
Coventry continued speaking.
"The Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose protects magical knowledge."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"From what?"
Coventry's expression became more serious.
"From those who misuse it."
Lucas knew exactly what he meant.
Enemies of the Order.
Creatures and factions that opposed their control over magic.
One of those factions was the Knights of Saint Christopher — the werewolf order that secretly existed within Belgrave University in the world of The Order.
Lucas had expected that conflict to appear eventually.
But it seemed it might happen sooner than he thought.
Coventry gestured toward the exit of the ritual chamber.
"For tonight, that will be enough."
Lucas nodded.
"Alright."
As the members of the Order began leaving the chamber, Alyssa Drake approached Lucas again.
"You handled the trial well," she said.
Lucas shrugged.
"It wasn't that difficult."
Alyssa studied him carefully.
"You're either confident or reckless."
Lucas smiled slightly.
"Maybe both."
Alyssa almost smiled at that.
But then her expression became serious again.
"Coventry doesn't personally observe many trials," she said quietly.
Lucas noticed the implication.
"He did tonight."
"That means he's interested in you."
Lucas didn't look particularly concerned.
"Is that a bad thing?"
Alyssa hesitated for a moment.
"That depends."
Lucas didn't ask her to explain further.
Instead, he simply walked toward the staircase leading back to the surface.
Alyssa followed.
The two of them emerged from the hidden chamber and climbed the staircase back into the History Building.
The moment Lucas stepped into the hallway above, he felt the difference immediately.
The magical pressure from the ritual chamber disappeared.
The building returned to its quiet, ordinary atmosphere.
Lucas stretched slightly.
"Feels less intense up here."
Alyssa leaned against the wall.
"You'll get used to it."
Lucas looked at her.
"So what now?"
"You continue being a normal student."
Lucas blinked.
"That's it?"
"For now."
Lucas sighed.
"Not very exciting."
Alyssa crossed her arms.
"You're under observation."
Lucas nodded slowly.
That made sense.
The Order wouldn't fully trust someone after a single trial.
But that didn't bother Lucas.
Because the System had its own plans.
And right on cue—
Ding! Major Quest Updated — Enter the Hidden War.
Objective: Grow stronger and uncover the enemies of the Order.
Lucas smiled faintly.
"That won't be a problem."
Alyssa noticed the expression.
"You're enjoying this."
Lucas shrugged.
"It's interesting."
Alyssa shook her head slightly.
"Most people would be terrified."
Lucas looked out the window toward the dark campus outside.
Belgrave University looked peaceful again.
But now Lucas could clearly sense the magical currents flowing through it.
And among those currents…
Something else moved.
A strange presence.
Different from the Order.
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Looks like the system isn't the only thing watching," he thought.
The system spoke again.
Ding! New Skill Detected Nearby — Unknown Energy Signature.
Lucas's attention sharpened instantly.
A new skill?
Or something even more valuable?
Lucas glanced toward Alyssa.
"I think I'll take a walk," he said casually.
"At this hour?"
Lucas smiled.
"I like exploring."
Alyssa sighed.
"Just don't cause trouble."
Lucas nodded and walked out of the building.
The cool night air greeted him again as he stepped onto the campus path.
Mana Sense activated automatically.
And immediately Lucas felt it.
A powerful energy signature moving somewhere in the forested area behind Belgrave.
It wasn't magic.
It felt… different.
Wild.
Dangerous.
Lucas smiled.
"Perfect."
He began walking toward the forest.
Whatever was hiding there might be the first real step toward the hidden war Coventry mentioned.
And Lucas intended to find it.