The dense forest breathed with quiet life. Towering trees rose like ancient sentinels, trunks thick enough that three men might struggle to wrap their arms around them. Their vast canopies tangled together high above, swallowing most of the sunlight and leaving the world beneath painted in shifting patches of green and gold. Damp moss clung to roots that twisted across the ground like sleeping serpents, while fallen leaves softened each footstep under a wet, earthy crunch. The scent of rich soil and wild vegetation hung in the air, heavy and cool, threaded with the distant sweetness of blooming forest flowers hidden somewhere beyond sight. Insects buzzed lazily between shafts of light, and somewhere in the distance, birds called to one another.
Then the forest's rhythm broke.
A low hum spread through the trees.
Leaves trembled.
The air itself seemed to tighten as a brilliant magic circle unfolded above the forest floor, glowing lines weaving across empty space with intricate precision. Aether pulsed through the formation, ripples of energy washing through the surrounding undergrowth.
Then came a blinding flash.
White light swallowed everything for a heartbeat.
Ronan and Orin materialised inside the circle.
The hum faded, dissolving into nothingness, and the forest reclaimed its voice as though it had merely paused to observe the intrusion.
Ronan drew in a slow breath.
Cool air brushed against his face, carrying the smell of moss and damp bark. He lifted his head, eyes narrowing as he stared through the dense layers of branches overhead. Thin rays of sunlight pierced the canopy like scattered spears, illuminating drifting dust and tiny insects suspended in the air.
"This forest is denser than I expected," he muttered.
Beside him, Orin had already pulled out a map. His movements were smooth and practised, fingers unfolding the parchment with ease before pinning one corner down against his knee.
"We're here."
He pointed toward a red marker near a jagged ravine drawn across the map.
"The herbs we're after grow around this area. Should be about half an hour east."
Ronan leaned closer, studying it for a moment before nodding.
"Alright." He stretched his shoulders with a quiet crack. "Let me send out a scout first."
Then his expression shifted.
He slowly looked upward again.
"Oi, Orin."
"Hm?"
Ronan squinted suspiciously at the sky.
"...Can the audience hear us from here?"
Orin gave him a sideways glance.
"Yeah. Projection stones relay audio, too."
Silence.
Ronan stared blankly for several seconds.
Then his shoulders dropped.
"Ooooh, great."
He dragged a hand down his face.
"So now I need to think before I speak? That's terrible."
Orin snorted.
"You should've been doing that already."
"You're asking for impossible things."
Ronan sighed dramatically before raising both hands.
"Fine. Time to look competent."
His fingers moved rapidly, weaving through intricate hand signs with practised precision.
Aether stirred.
Then—
Poof!
A thick column of white smoke exploded outward.
Orin immediately started coughing.
"Cough—damn it—"
He stumbled back while wildly fanning the smoke away from his face.
"Ronan! Do you have to make this much smoke every single time?!"
The smoke curled around them like a living thing before slowly thinning.
Ronan stood there awkwardly, scratching his cheek.
"Hehe..."
His grin stretched sheepishly.
"Sometimes I forget to suppress it."
Orin stared at him.
Ronan lifted a finger.
"...But admit it. It looks cooler this way."
Orin looked at him for a long moment.
Then turned away.
"I'm not entertaining this."
From within the fading mist, another Ronan stepped forward.
The clone gave a silent nod toward its original self.
Then it vanished into the forest without another word, darting through the trees with barely a sound.
Ronan dusted his hands together.
"Done."
Orin still looked mildly offended.
"You nearly smoked out my lungs."
"They're still there."
"I hate you."
Ronan grinned.
The two began walking eastward, stepping over tangled roots and brushing past thick ferns that reached their knees.
—
Back at the main camp, the atmosphere was alive with noise.
Thousands of eyes remained fixed upon three enormous screens suspended above the arena grounds, each one displaying live footage from different student groups scattered across the forest.
Conversations overlapped.
Excited shouts rose from the crowd whenever monsters appeared on screen.
In the VIP section, Soren Viridion sat with one leg crossed over the other, fingers resting against his cheek.
His eyes narrowed slightly as Ronan's face appeared on one of the screens.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
"So that brat is Ronan."
The smile deepened.
"Perfect."
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.
"The doomsday draws near, Orin."
His gaze remained fixed on the screen.
"Thank you for handing him to me."
Then his eyes shifted.
Across the audience seating, Samantha sat beside Amara.
His gaze lingered.
Too long.
Something dark flickered through his eyes before disappearing beneath a composed expression.
Elsewhere, Serenya Aldercrest leaned forward slightly in her seat.
Her expression remained calm.
Unreadable.
Clan members sat around her in silence, occasionally glancing toward her before returning their attention to the screens.
Her eyes never moved from Ronan.
Don't die yet, Ronan.
Her fingers lightly tapped against her folded arm.
I want to see it for myself.
Just how powerful are you...?
Powerful enough to force Darius to use dual elements?
The corner of her lips shifted ever so slightly.
Two predators had unknowingly fixed their eyes upon Ronan.
For entirely different reasons.
Far from the audience and hidden beyond the main site, another camp remained concealed among rocky terrain and thick trees.
Inside, several screens projected live feeds from the examination grounds.
Alden, Gideon, and Alaric watched quietly.
Gideon sat with his arms crossed.
"Stay ready."
His voice was steady.
"The moment any student enters genuine danger and fails to crush their jade crystal, we move."
Alaric leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
His eyes narrowed on Ronan's screen.
"Hm."
A grin slowly appeared.
"This one might get interesting soon."
Several minutes passed.
Branches brushed against Ronan's shoulders as he and Orin moved through the forest. Leaves crunched beneath their boots while distant sounds drifted through the trees—birds calling, insects humming, something larger moving somewhere far away.
Then—
Rustle.
Ronan's eyes sharpened instantly.
Steel flashed.
His sword was already in his hand.
His stance lowered.
The forest suddenly felt quieter.
Orin reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait."
Ronan's eyes remained fixed ahead.
"They're friendly."
The bushes parted.
An elegant girl stepped out first, her movements composed and graceful. Behind her followed a tall boy with windswept brown hair and an easy smile stretched across his face. Beside him walked another girl whose emerald eyes held an oddly quiet intensity, like still water hiding deeper currents beneath its surface.
Orin stepped forward.
"Let me introduce everyone."
He gestured toward the elegant girl.
"This is Aurelia Viridion. My cousin."
Then toward the tall boy.
"That's Kellan Stormrider."
Finally, the emerald-eyed girl.
"And beside him is his cousin, Selyra."
He turned toward Ronan.
"And this is my teammate, Ronan."
Ronan sheathed his sword and offered a polite smile with a small nod.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," they replied together.
Kellan suddenly blinked.
Then his eyes widened.
"Wait—"
He pointed dramatically.
"You're alive?!"
Ronan stared.
"...What kind of greeting is that?"
Kellan burst into laughter and walked over before throwing an arm around his shoulders.
"Man! I haven't seen you in forever."
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You alive or just avoiding me?"
Ronan chuckled.
"More like buried under lectures and late-night sparring."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What happened to you? You disappeared after orientation."
Kellan looked upward with the expression of a man recalling trauma.
"Don't even ask."
A deep sigh escaped him.
"Sir Vaelric dragged me into some kind of 'special training.'"
His eye twitched.
"I haven't known peace since."
He pointed accusingly at Selyra.
"And this tyrant here kept helping him."
Selyra blinked slowly.
"Tyrant?"
Kellan nodded rapidly.
"Thunder drills."
He shuddered.
"So many thunder drills."
Selyra smiled gently.
"I only shocked you when necessary."
"...You hear that?" Kellan looked at Ronan in horror. "She said necessary."
Ronan nearly laughed.
Selyra shifted her attention toward him.
Emerald eyes studied him carefully.
"So you're the infamous Ronan."
Ronan paused.
"...Infamous?"
"Kellan talks about you often."
A small smile appeared.
"Reckless."
Another pause.
"But stubborn enough to survive things that should probably kill you."
Ronan slowly turned toward Kellan.
"Kellan."
Kellan looked away.
"I also said good things."
Ronan stared at him.
Selyra continued calmly.
"I'm impressed you made it this far."
Ronan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"He exaggerates."
He let out a small breath.
"I'm just stubborn."
Before Kellan could add anything else, Orin cut in.
"We're heading toward a Rank Four monster."
Silence.
Ronan blinked.
Then slowly turned.
"...Wait."
He stared at Orin.
"A what?"
Orin pointed toward Aurelia.
"Aurelia needs help finding it."
Ronan looked between everyone.
Then back at Orin.
"Isn't that completely out of our league?"
Aurelia finally spoke.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a quiet firmness that immediately drew attention.
"I don't trust anyone here."
Her eyes shifted briefly across the group.
"Except Orin."
For a moment, something unreadable passed through her expression.
"So I asked for help."
Orin nodded.
"We're only scouting first."
Then he looked at Ronan.
"We decide after we see the target."
Ronan stared at him for several seconds.
Then sighed.
"...Why do I suddenly feel like my peaceful herb gathering mission just died?"
Kellan patted his shoulder.
"Because it did."
Ronan looked at the sky.
The sky offered no answers.
The journey through the forest stretched beneath a sky painted in shifting shades of blue and gold. Strange vegetation flourished beneath the canopy, fed by the thick Aether woven into the land itself. Ronan crouched beside a cluster of glowing shrubs while Orin adjusted the lens over one eye, muttering measurements under his breath.
The bushes pulsed with a soft emerald glow, tiny veins of light moving beneath translucent leaves like blood through living flesh. Ronan carefully plucked several herbs, rubbing one between his fingers. A cool scent rose immediately—sharp and mint-like.
"Don't crush those," Orin said without looking up. "Worth decent points if they're intact."
"And here I thought you cared about medicinal value."
"I care about not starving after the academy rankings come out."
Ronan snorted.
Nearby, Aurelia stood with her arms folded while Kellan hacked glowing mushrooms from a fallen log. The fungi came away with wet, tearing sounds, releasing tiny, drifting particles of blue light that floated upward like fireflies.
Selyra walked at the front as always, silent eyes scanning the trees.
By the time the sun climbed overhead, heat filtered through the branches in pale shafts of gold, and they finally arrived.
A cave sat between jagged cliffs, its entrance opening like the mouth of some enormous beast. Cold air flowed from within, carrying a smell of damp stone, old blood, and something musky beneath it.
Orin raised his magic lens.
The runes etched around its frame flickered.
"...One Dayfang Lion, Rank 4," he said after a moment. "And ten Rank 3 Brightcubs."
Ronan stared toward the darkness.
"So what's the plan?"
Aurelia smirked immediately.
"Simple."
She cracked her knuckles.
"Blast everything."
Orin let out a long-suffering groan, dragging a hand down his face.
Ronan heard him mumble under his breath.
"Clearly never hunted a real beast before."
Aurelia's head snapped toward him.
"What did you say?"
Ronan almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
Orin instantly turned away and studied his lens with tremendous concentration.
Ronan betrayed him immediately.
"He said—"
"I said," Orin cut in quickly, "that your overwhelming power is difficult for ordinary people to comprehend."
Aurelia narrowed her eyes.
Silence.
Ronan watched sweat form near Orin's temple.
"...You're lying."
"Probably."
Ronan coughed into his fist to hide his grin.
"We'll follow your lead, princess."
Aurelia glared hard enough that Ronan almost expected flames to appear around her.
Before she could start another argument, Selyra stepped forward.
"Kellan, Aurelia, and I handle the Dayfang. Ronan and Orin take the Brightcubs."
No hesitation. No uncertainty.
Just calm certainty.
Ronan glanced sideways at Orin and lowered his voice.
"You think we can handle ten?"
Orin stared toward the cave entrance.
"If we go all out... maybe."
His fingers tightened around his sword hilt.
"But afterwards we'll be drained."
Ronan followed his gaze toward the others.
"Vulnerable."
Orin didn't answer.
Ronan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I trust you, Orin."
He paused.
"But I don't trust everyone."
For a moment, Orin looked at him.
Then he simply nodded.
No further words were needed.
Storm Shroud activated.
Thunder exploded outward.
Blue-white arcs burst around the battlefield, crackling through the air with violent hissing sounds. Wind whipped through Ronan's hair as Brightcubs burst from hiding.
Yelps echoed instantly.
The cubs convulsed as lightning danced across their fur.
"Move!"
Ronan and Orin shot forward.
Steel flashed.
One cub barely lifted its head before Ronan's blade sliced through its neck. Warm blood sprayed across his arm.
Another lunged.
Orin spun beneath it, thunder crackling around his sword as he drove the blade upward into its chest.
Bodies fell one after another.
Then—
ROOOOOAR!
The sound struck like a physical force.
The mountain itself seemed to tremble.
Ronan's head jerked toward the cave.
The Dayfang Lion exploded from the darkness.
Its white mane blazed with Aether. Dense currents swirled around its body like mist while enormous muscles rippled beneath silver-white fur.
Then it moved.
Fast.
Far too fast.
Ronan barely saw a blur before claws descended toward him.
"RONAN!"
A hand slammed into his shoulder.
Orin shoved him aside.
The claw crashed downward—
Kellan struck the ground.
Stone erupted upward into a wall.
For half a heartbeat, Ronan felt relief.
Then the lion shattered it.
Not cracked.
Not broke.
Shattered.
Fragments exploded outward like glass.
Ronan rolled across dirt and sprang back up, heart hammering violently against his ribs.
Purple flames erupted along his sword.
Beside him, thunder gathered around Orin's blade.
"Together!" Ronan shouted.
Their Aether surged simultaneously.
Twin slashes screamed through the air.
The Dayfang opened its jaws.
A sphere of blinding energy condensed instantly.
Ronan's eyes widened.
"...Oh hell."
BOOM!
The collision erupted in a devastating shockwave.
The ground vanished beneath his feet.
Air disappeared from his lungs.
Ronan hit the earth hard and rolled repeatedly before finally crashing into a tree trunk.
Pain burst through his back.
For several seconds, all he heard was ringing.
Then—
Solar spears rained downward.
Aurelia attacked relentlessly, golden light streaking through the sky.
Kellan hurled massive boulders.
Selyra's electric whips lashed across the lion's body.
Explosions erupted around it.
Dust and smoke rose everywhere.
Then the smoke cleared.
The Dayfang stood there.
Barely scratched.
Ronan stared.
"...You've got to be kidding."
The beast shook itself once.
Its hide gleamed beneath sunlight like polished iron.
Ronan's eyes widened.
"Physical attacks!" he shouted. "That's its weakness!"
Orin looked toward Aurelia.
"Aurelia! Strength enhancement?!"
"I don't have one!"
"Of course you don't!"
Ronan gritted his teeth.
No choice.
They charged.
The lion roared and swung.
Ronan ducked beneath claws sharp enough to carve through stone and slashed across its flank.
His sword cut.
But barely.
Too shallow.
Too tough.
Behind it, Orin leapt high and drove his blade into its back.
The lion twisted violently.
Its tail struck Ronan's side.
Pain exploded through his ribs as he crashed across the ground.
Get up.
Get up.
GET UP.
Ronan forced himself up again.
Blood trickled down his arm.
Orin's breathing had grown rough.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Steel rang against claws.
Blood stained the earth.
The battle stretched endlessly.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
The beast began weakening.
Its movements lost sharpness.
Its breathing grew heavier.
Ronan saw it.
Now.
Aether erupted around him.
Purple flames exploded upward.
With a raw yell torn from deep within his chest, Ronan launched himself into the air.
Time seemed to slow.
The Dayfang looked up.
Too late.
His sword descended.
The flaming blade drove through bone.
Straight through its skull.
The lion released one final low growl.
Then collapsed.
Silence followed.
Ronan landed awkwardly and dropped to one knee.
Beside him, Orin stabbed his sword into the earth to keep himself upright.
Their arms shook.
Sweat dripped from their faces.
Everything hurt.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Orin looked over and laughed weakly.
"We're alive."
Ronan stared at the dead monster before letting out a tired breath.
"Barely."
The forest had gone quiet.
Too quiet.
Somewhere beyond the trees—
Something watched.
Twilight painted the forest in soft shades of violet and orange as the group settled around their makeshift camp after the brutal hunt.
The scent of damp moss and soil hung in the air. A small fire crackled between them, sending sparks upward into the darkening sky while vegetable soup simmered in a hanging pot.
The smell was warm.
Comforting.
Normal.
Strangely normal after blood and battle.
Aurelia moved around the camp's perimeter, tracing glowing runes into the soil.
Golden light spread beneath her fingertips.
With a final whisper, a shimmering barrier expanded outward around the camp.
"This should keep monsters away."
Her voice carried quiet confidence.
Orin stretched dramatically.
"Ah... tragic."
He collapsed backwards onto a log.
"My injuries are grave."
Ronan stared.
"You barely got hit."
Orin placed a hand over his heart.
"You wound me."
Aurelia laughed softly.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
Ronan stood slowly.
Pain tugged through his body.
"I'll take first watch."
Aurelia looked toward him.
For just a second, her smile faltered.
"...Alright."
Her voice sounded normal.
Her eyes didn't.
"I'll stay with him."
Selyra spoke suddenly.
"He still has injuries."
Ronan blinked.
Something about her tone felt... off.
Dinner passed quietly.
Spoons scraped against bowls.
Fire crackled.
No one spoke much.
The exhaustion settled over everyone like heavy blankets.
By the time night deepened, only Ronan and Selyra remained awake.
Crickets chirped softly.
Wind rustled through leaves overhead.
Ronan rubbed his eyes.
"Just... a few more minutes."
Selyra looked at him.
The firelight reflected in her eyes.
"Ronan."
Her voice softened.
"Sleep."
He wanted to argue.
Wanted to stay awake.
But warmth from the fire mixed with exhaustion until his eyelids became impossibly heavy.
"...Wake me later."
His body hit the ground.
Darkness swallowed him almost immediately.
An hour later, Aurelia stepped from the tent.
Her movements were quiet.
Measured.
She looked toward Ronan and Orin.
"Are they asleep?"
"Yes."
Selyra's answer came quietly.
Aurelia approached slowly.
For a moment, she simply stood there looking at them.
Firelight flickered across her face.
Then she knelt.
A folded note disappeared into Orin's tunic.
Her hand hovered briefly.
Then she pulled away.
Storage rings slipped from both boys' hands.
Two swords materialised beside them.
Kellan emerged from the tent.
Then stopped.
His eyes widened.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
"What..."
His expression darkened.
"What are you doing?"
Selyra called him over silently.
Then realisation struck.
Rage twisted across his face.
"Are you out of your minds?!"
His voice cracked through the quiet camp.
"They trusted us!"
He stormed toward Ronan and grabbed his shoulder.
"Oi! Ronan!"
Nothing.
He shook harder.
"Orin!"
Still nothing.
Kellan slowly turned.
His jaw tightened.
"...You drugged them?"
Selyra's expression didn't change.
"Your opinion doesn't matter."
"We're leaving," Aurelia said quietly.
She wouldn't look at him.
Kellan stared.
Actually stared.
Like he couldn't understand what he was hearing.
Then his eyes dropped.
To their missing rings.
"...Dammit."
His fists trembled.
He touched his own storage ring and pulled out a small leather-bound ledger.
The same one used for tallying points.
He scribbled something inside before placing it beside Ronan.
Then he looked at the sleeping boys one last time.
His jaw clenched.
Without another word, he turned and walked into the darkness after the others.
Behind him, the campfire continued crackling softly.
Ronan slept peacefully beside it.
Completely unaware.
Completely abandoned.