Eldrin stepped out of the forest, calm and smiling.
Arin and the others froze for a heartbeat—
and then ran straight at him.
"Eldrin! Ever since you left the academy, we've been training nonstop!" Arin shouted proudly.
"We even practiced Bind on you to pin you down! Today is the day we defeat you!"
Eldrin's smile didn't even twitch.
The Bind spell wrapped around him—
—and he broke free instantly with a flick of his wrist.
Everyone's faces collapsed into despair.
Eldrin sighed. "Punishment. Training. Now."
They trained until the sun began to set.
And then, long after their legs were trembling and their arms were numb, Eldrin finally stopped them.
"Did you seriously think you could beat me with that spell?"
Everyone slowly turned to glare at Arin with cold, betrayed expressions.
Arin looked away, pretending the grass was interesting.
They sat down to eat.
Slowly, laughter returned.
Soon they were dancing, eating, shouting, celebrating their reunion with wild joy.
They partied all night.
By noon, they were ready to resume their journey—
until Eldrin's eyes narrowed.
"…An Orc Leader."
He pointed toward the forest.
"Arin. You fight it. Alone."
Before anyone could protest, the Orc Leader burst from the trees, towering and snarling.
Arin didn't hesitate.
He dashed in.
The Orc Leader raised a massive strike from above.
Arin slid between the brute's legs, spun, and leapt for a stab—
—but the Orc Leader turned faster than expected.
A kick like a boulder slammed into Arin.
He flew into a tree and rolled across the ground.
Arin staggered up, breathing hard, but determined.
He sprinted again.
The Orc Leader charged.
The monster once more swung from above—
—and Arin vaulted onto its sword, launching upward.
In one clean motion, he slashed across both of its eyes.
Blinded, the Orc Leader roared and thrashed wildly.
Arin didn't waste the chance.
He climbed, cutting through its thrashing arms, reached its neck
and with Ice Blade, ended it.