Just like the schedule, the hunting game began the day after.
The nobles were already riding through the forest. They entered as a group, and now they're spreading out little by little.
Lionel rode his horse calmly. It was the same horse as yesterday. Beside him were Rufus and Simeon, both mounted on their horses as well. The three of them moved together, trying to go away from the other people.
Every noble was alone without any knights following them. Still, the academy had placed a few around the forest. They just stood at key paths and open areas, watching from a distance.
This way, the nobles have the freedom to hunt, while still keeping the area under control.
While they were slowly moving, Rufus glanced at Lionel. "Did you not sleep well, Lionel?" he curiously asked. "You look tired."
Simeon leaned closer and nodded, agreeing with it. "Yeah. Your face looks pale."
Lionel let out a small sigh. "Not really," he admitted. "I just keep thinking about the fall yesterday."
"Right," Rufus winced as he remembered the scene. "That must have been rough for you."
"Anyone would be shaken after that." Simeon frowned. "I guess it's better to not talk about it."
Lionel only nodded and looked ahead.
Inside, he sighed again. That was really not the real reason. The incident wasn't that embarrassing at all.
The real reason was that, last night, after everyone had settled down, he secretly returned to the hunting grounds. He searched again in the area, even more carefully than before.
He checked the area where the monster would be seen, then even went farther out. But still, he found nothing.
That was why he had barely any time to rest.
His grip on the reins tightened for a moment when he thought of that. He was worried, but when he realized that he could still do something, his chest slowly relaxed.
If that is the case, he thought, then I just need to avoid the area where the monster will appear.
As long as he stayed away from that place, he would be safe. Even if the bones were planted later, it would not matter to him.
Right. That is all I need to do.
Lionel sighed. His shoulders were now completely relaxed. With that thought, his mind finally began to settle.
He lifted his gaze and focused on the forest ahead.
I should focus on the hunt instead.
Soon, the forest became quieter as the nobles continued to spread out from one another.
Since the hunt was a solo game, they could not stay together for long. Rufus was the first to slow his horse. He glanced to the side, already scanning the bushes.
"I'll head this way," Rufus said. "Good luck."
Simeon nodded and pointed toward another path. "I'll go around the stream. Don't let either of us beat you too badly."
Lionel gave a small smile. "Good luck to both of you."
One by one, they turned in different directions. Before long, Lionel was left alone.
He adjusted his grip on the reins and guided his horse forward at a careful pace. His eyes moved from side to side, watching the ground, the trees, and the shadows between them.
He had no plan to take the hunt easily.
Since he was already here, he might as well aim for a good result. Either he would catch many small animals, or he would look for one large target that could earn him a lot of points.
Just like any hunting game, the rules were simple. The bigger and rarer the animal they presented, the higher the score. Small animals like rabbits and birds were easy to find, but they were worth little.
Deer, boars, and other large beasts were harder to track, but a single catch could place someone high in the rankings.
With those two choices, Lionel preferred the second option.
He slowed his horse and listened carefully to his surroundings. The forest was alive, and there were actually a lot of birds flying around.
Minutes passed as he moved deeper into the forest.
That was when he sensed another presence.
Lionel lifted his head and narrowed his eyes. Ahead, between the trees, a familiar figure appeared, moving with ease and confidence.
Lionel halted his horse slightly as their paths crossed. Of all the people he could meet here, it had to be him.
Cassian noticed him at once and smiled.
"Well," Cassian said lightly, slowing his horse down just in front of Lionel. "Fancy meeting you here, cousin."
Lionel met his gaze and smiled too.
So, they crossed paths again.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon," Lionel said calmly. "I thought you would already be killing animals."
Cassian laughed softly. "Yeah, me too. But, oh well, it was bound to happen." His eyes swept over Lionel. "Anyway, you look better than yesterday. I thought you would still be resting."
"Yeah, I have no choice. But I could say the same to you. You look full of energy."
"As always," Cassian replied with a grin. "I plan to win again today."
Lionel smiled, but did not answer that. He already knew Cassian would say something like that.
They did not stay in place for long. After a short pause, Cassian turned his horse forward, telling Lionel to follow him. Eventually, Lionel followed him.
Without saying it out loud, they both headed deeper into the forest.
The trees grew thicker as they went on. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, giving the forest a magical light.
Lionel stayed alert, his eyes scanning the area. They were away from the supposed area, so it should be fine. He was just becoming alert for animals to hunt.
Cassian, on the other hand, looked relaxed.
While they were walking, they heard a little sound of footsteps coming. Lionel quickly stopped his horse, followed by Cassian, who just realized it when Lionel reacted.
Between the trees, a deer appeared. It was large, with smooth brown fur and alert eyes. It froze for a second, sensing danger from around.
Lionel was about to reach for his bow when Cassian moved first.
In one smooth motion, Cassian lifted his bow, drew the string, and released. The arrow flew straight and true.
*Pshh
The deer barely had time to react before it fell.
Lionel watched in silence as Cassian lowered his bow.
"Well," Cassian said, turning back with a satisfied smile. "Looks like luck is on my side today."
"Yeah," Lionel let out a quiet breath and smiled faintly. "That was a clean shot."
Cassian raised a brow and glanced back at the fallen deer. Then he looked at Lionel again, his smile turning playful.
"You can take that one, Lionel," Cassian said easily. "Consider it my gift."
Lionel blinked, but he shook his head at once. "It's fine, cousin. I don't deserve something you caught yourself. That deer is too big for me."
Cassian paused. For a second, he only stared at Lionel. Then his smile grew wider. It was clear he was pleased by the answer.
"You really haven't changed," Cassian said with a light laugh. "You're always polite and you knew your place well."
Lionel gave a small smile but said nothing.
Cassian laughed again, sounding genuinely amused. "Fine then. If you won't take it, I'll keep this one for now."
He nudged his horse closer to the deer and looked deeper into the forest. His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Don't worry," Cassian said. "We'll find another one for you. I'll get you something bigger."
"You don't have to do that."
"I want to," Cassian replied without hesitation. "Hunting is more fun when you're helping someone."
Cassian straightened in his saddle and gestured forward. "Come on. There should be better prey deeper in."
"Alright."
They guided their horses forward once more, leaving the fallen deer behind for the attendants to collect later. Every arrow they had had a bow tied to it, to know who killed it.
They continued riding side by side, their horses stepping carefully over roots and fallen leaves. They have met a few nobles on the road, but they just said a quick and hi and proceeded to go on different ways.
Everyone was competitive because of the prize,
Lionel followed at first, but after a while, something felt off.
The trees around them started to look familiar.
His eyes shifted to the slope ahead, then to the curve of the path. His chest tightened.
This direction.
Lionel slowed his horse without thinking. The sound of hooves behind him changed, and Cassian noticed it quicklu..
"Hm?" Cassian glanced back. "Why did you stop?"
Lionel's grip on the reins tightened. His horse came to a full halt.
This was it.
This was the direction of the area.
The place where everything went wrong in his last life.
"I…" Lionel hesitated, then took a quiet breath. "I shouldn't go there."
"Huh?" Cassian blinked in surprise. "There?"
Lionel nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. His heart was beating faster now, though his face remained calm.
"No. I mean, I'll turn back from here," he said. "I want to try another route to see if I can hunt on my own."