Winston’s muscles were all tense as he watched the door open. Thalysar stepped in, but after a moment, he stopped. Winston tilted his head in confusion as Thalysar left the room once more. Had he been found out so easily?

  As minutes passed, he felt his anxiety growing. Then, Thalysar stepped back in, the other Caltherans following closely behind him.

  Thalysar knelt before him, checking his spatial ring before pulling out some items from his own.

  [Mana Disruptor - Rare]

  “Congratulations on reaching Acolyte,” Thalysar said as he placed the disruptors around Winston. “We were expecting you to reach it soon, but not this early. Still, it’s a good thing we have these.” He pointed at one of the mana disruptors.

  “These are just to make sure everybody stays safe while we run the tests. Of course, you wouldn’t try anything, would you?”

  Winston’s muscles tensed even more. Was Thalysar just being himself, or had he already seen through Winston’s plan?

  “Thank you for complying with so many of these tests. Your skill is fascinating. Alas, we only need to do a few more tests,” Thalysar placed the last of four mana disruptors before continuing. “Here’s how it’ll work: We’ll give you the items one at a time, and you can step out of the disruption zone to consume them. Then, you go back in and wait for us to bring out the next item.”

  Winston sat, processing the words. They still thought he used mana. He hadn’t even considered how to use this to his advantage, but it was all coming together anyway.

  A blue dome flickered to life around him, and Winston pressed a paw against it, feeling himself being pushed back. He could still use food energy, but he was trapped nonetheless.

  Then, one of the researchers placed an item down, and a small part of the dome disappeared, letting him step out.

  One time at a time, he consumed them, pretending to be more and more exhausted each time. After half a dozen items, one of the Caltherans said something to Thalysar.

  “All right then, thank you for complying,” Thalysar said. Winston was lying on his side, panting.

  Thalysar turned around to speak with the researchers, leaving Winston alone within the disruption field. Just then, a guard opened the door and poked their head in, shouting something to Thalysar. Everything had come together. It was perfect. Winston got to his feet. It was now or never.

  A sliver of energy formed before him, slowly collapsing in on itself as Winston kept adding more. Finally, all that was left was a small, dark shard. Winston launched it at one of the disruptors. Slowly, it forced its way through the defenses around it. Just a second later, it was through.

  Winston forced it farther forward, spinning it and drilling it into the disruptor. Then, it broke all the way through, piercing the item. Just like that, a section of the barrier around him disappeared, giving him a clear path out.

  As Winston darted out through the opening, one of the Caltheran researchers cried out.

  Thalysar spun around, spear appearing in his hand. It was too late—an orb of energy formed before Winston, compressing itself into a tiny marble. The projectile was no longer gold, closer to bronze than anything else. Winston strained, filling the marble with more and more energy.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Finally, Winston launched it. Thalysar’s eyes widened as it flew towards him, but there was nothing he could do.

  Winston didn’t stop as the commander went flying into the wall, the resounding crash shaking the chamber. The guard at the door tried to close it, but Winston shattered his defenses, taking control of his mind. The Caltheran’s limp body fell to the floor, unconscious. Winston darted into the main chamber. There were half a dozen guards, each charging towards him.

  Winston sent a blast of energy behind him, slamming the door to his cell closed. Each of the guards rushing him was Initiate 9. Winston launched shard after shard at them, piercing their armor, but they weren’t slowing down.

  Then, Winston knew. He had to make a decision. He couldn’t fight them all off. Not if he kept holding back. He could either fail or kill.

  A tendril of energy formed before him, shooting forward.

  [You have killed Caltheran(Vorn) - Initiate 9]

  It was hypocritical, he realized. His anger when Renir had died. The fringillade had been defending its flock. Much the same as how Winston was defending himself. It didn’t matter. He didn’t want to kill, but he needed to find his humans. No matter the cost, Winston reminded himself. No matter the cost.

  [You have killed Caltheran(Drathen) - Initiate 9]

  Winston launched himself into the air, avoiding a spear. He loved Erynd. He really did. But after this, he knew he would never be able to return to the camp. Still, he had to do this. He could dwell on the past once he’d found his humans. His family.

  Winston formed platforms of golden energy beneath his paws while still in the air. He’d never done something like this before. He didn’t notice. Winston took over the minds of two of the guards, turning them on their allies. He kept moving.

  As he reached the base of the ladder, he took a mighty leap. It took him nearly all the way up, but not quite. He caught himself on more platforms of glowing energy as he blasted his way out of the trapdoor.

  Winston kept running, not bothering to go through the doorways of the tent. Sending blasts of energy before him, he tore through the fabric. Behind him, he heard the shouts of Thalysar. He was catching up.

  Throughout the camp, Winston could hear bells ringing. They were the same ones that had rung when the System had first announced the System Shop.

  Winston was so close. He was at the edge of the tent. One more second and he would be there.

  He felt himself jerk to a halt, body frozen in the air. Thalysar landed before him, a crazed smile on his face.

  “You will not kill my people,” Even as Thalysar spoke, Winston could see ill-concealed joy and excitement in his expression. “Now, you—”

  Winston activated [Devour]. After a moment of resistance, the spectral chains binding Winston disappeared, absorbed into Winston. Thalysar’s eyes widened in shock as Winston launched himself forward. He attacked with everything he had. As Thalysar’s barriers of mana fought back against Winston’s attacks, a silent war was raging.

  The last time Winston had attacked Thalysar’s mind, he had lost miserably. But now he was stronger. Far stronger. The commander clutched his head in his hands as Winston’s will bombarded him. Then, Thalysar’s concentration broke, and the barriers of mana holding back Winston’s physical attacks shattered.

  [Mental Manipulation lvl 1 → Mental Manipulation lvl 2]

  Dozens of attacks crashed into Thalysar’s body, blasting him into the ground. Shouts filled the air as dozens of warriors began to swarm towards Winston. Launching one more attack at Thalysar, he fled.

  Dozens of magical attacks flew at Winston, but he devoured them all, using the energy to fuel his escape. Each time he devoured one of their spells, the caster lost access to it. Winston didn’t know for how long, but it was something. Slowly, the number of attacks on him dwindled, but the constant barrage had been enough to overwhelm [Devour]. He was vulnerable now, but he was almost out.

  Winston cried out from the strain as he channeled energy, but he kept going. A dozen razor-sharp whips of golden energy burst from Winston, forming a protective sphere around him. Any Caltherans who entered were beat back by a storm of golden strands.

  [You have killed Caltheran(Thren) - Initiate 6]

  As he neared the exit of the camp, he realized he couldn’t escape through the tunnels. Dozens of warriors barricaded them, launching arrows towards him as he ran. Winston growled. There was only one way out. Over the mountains.