Year 1, Summer, First Month, Fourth Week.

Karl watched with concern as Diana swung her enhanced sword with fiery enthusiasm. Her laughter, overflowing with madness, echoed through the air as she tested the new sharpness bestowed by the energy crystal. "This is just fantastic! I mean, look at this edge!" she exclaimed, her eyes glinting with excitement and eagerness for battle.

In the background, Tael inspected his arrows, now less prone to breaking thanks to Karl's modifications. "It's quite an improvement, Karl. But let's hope these actually last in a real fight," he said thoughtfully.

Karl had spent the last week meticulously remaking the Rune imprints on their weapons, replacing the white grass with golden grass for better magic conductivity. This change alone had significantly bolstered the effect of the Runes. "You should notice a considerable difference now," he explained quickly.

The biggest challenge, however, had been integrating the energy crystals without draining them constantly. "The crystals need time to recharge, to gather more power. If they're constantly in use, they'll wear out too quickly," Karl shared.

"-- The continuous use of the crystal reduces its durability. --" Master AI had warned him but also provided a clue for a potential solution. "-- An intermittent connection would allow for energy accumulation and prolonged crystal life. --"

Surprisingly, the actual solution came from Grandma Marlen's simple yet ingenious suggestion of attaching the crystals to straw gloves. If the Arrays were drawn to match the grip position in the weapons, they could press the crystal tied to the glove directly into the Array. After some trial and error, they managed to position the crystals so they would only activate with a specific grip. It was tricky, but it worked.

For Tael's arrows, the challenge had been even greater. Aligning the crystal with the arrow's fletching to ensure the energy flowed correctly from the crystal to the Rune had been a complex task. But Karl's dedication paid off. "It's all about the right alignment and flow of energy," he tried to sound humble to hide his pride.

With better weapons, they felt more confident and ready for the next expedition. Which, came soon.

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The crisp morning air filled the team with a sense of anticipation as they crossed the village’s boundaries to embark on their second journey. They maintained their formation, with Diana and Toni flanking the group, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

As they trekked south, Karl's mind was occupied with Master AI's teachings. "-- Elemental crystals, unlike energy crystals, store elemental energy. Water itself is not the same as water energy, but they are invariably found together. --"

He relayed this information to the group in a more digestible manner. "Basically, we're more likely to find water crystals in places with high water energy, like rivers or lakes. The stronger the energy, the higher quality the crystal, and the tougher the challenge," he said, combining his own understanding with Master AI's guidance.

This time, their objective was to collect water crystals in the nearest stream. The journey to the water stream was peaceful, marked only by occasional stops to collect plants and crystals. Upon reaching their destination, they were struck by the natural beauty that unfolded before them. The stream, winding through the landscape with a serene grace, captivated them.

Diana found herself momentarily lost in the tranquility of the scene. "Can you imagine just bathing in that clear water every day? It's so different from the village's musty ponds," she mused aloud, her voice getting softer, almost dreamy. It was rare that she would show such a peaceful side.

Karl, too, was mesmerized by the stream. "The energy here feels different, more vibrant," he noted.

As they approached the stream, the freshness of the water tempted them. Toni, who usually acted cowardly, couldn't resist the allure. "I wonder if the water here has magical properties," he pondered aloud, dipping his hands into the cool stream.

The team, though on a mission, took a moment to appreciate the natural wonder. Until Karl disrupted the tranquility with his eager voice. "Guys, look! That's pickerel weed over there! Let's grab it, and then scout for water crystals. If there’s pickerel here, there are probably crystals too. Remember, they are slightly blue and cold to the touch," he instructed, completely ignoring the glares he was receiving from the others.

"-- Karl, collect the pickerel weed when you are ready to leave. Its efficacy diminishes once removed from the water energy-rich environment. Storing it with a water crystal would help preserve its properties. --" Master AI advised in Karl's mind.

The team, for the first time since they began their expeditions, truly enjoyed themselves. The cool, refreshing water was incomparable with the limited supply they had back in the village.

Despite their enjoyment, Diana continued being vigilant, organizing a rotating watch.

Time passed quickly as they played while searching for crystals in the water, finding four water crystals by the time the sun was high in the sky. Content with their haul, they prepared to head back.

Everything was going as planned until their journey was interrupted by Tael, who halted them with a hushed warning. "Hold on... Did you hear that? Something's rustling in the bushes," he whispered, pointing towards a thicket not far off.

The group instantly tensed, gripping their weapons tighter. Toni stepped forward, his movements hiding his nervousness.

Diana, usually excited at the idea of a battle, felt a surge of anxiety. Tael, on the other hand, was surprisingly calm. His keen senses had alerted him to the strange movements, and he stood poised, arrow-nocked and bowstring taut, ready to release an arrow at the slightest provocation.

For the past two months, the team had been rigorously training for real combat situations. Under Diana's stern and diligent supervision, they had honed their skills in weapon handling, resistance, and tactical coordination. Despite their lack of experience, they had grown confident in their abilities, and it was this training that now kept them in formation and ready.

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Diana, with a tone that allowed no argument, issued a command, "Shift to the retreat formation. Now."

They immediately realigned themselves without hesitation. In this new formation, Toni took the lead, his shield ready to intercept any incoming threat. Behind him, Tael was positioned to provide ranged support with his bow. Karl, the most vulnerable, was guarded in the middle, while Diana took up the rear, her eyes sharply scanning for any threats as she readied herself to provide cover.

This formation was designed to cautiously withdraw from unforeseen dangers, like ambushes or encircling enemies. Diana initially balked at the idea of turning her back on a threat, her instinct being to confront danger head-on. But Chief Omero's strategic insights had eventually convinced her of the formation's efficacy. As the best close-range combatant, her role was to guarantee a safe retreat. If Toni took the back, he wouldn’t be capable of repelling attacks while keeping up with retreat. Tael's ranged abilities were invaluable, but close combat was his weakness. And if both Toni and Tael led, Diana would be left vulnerable to an assault from the sides.

As they executed their planned retreat, two beasts sprung from the brushes. They were small, about half a meter in height, covered in light brown fur, and their sharp fangs glistened menacingly. They didn't attack immediately, possibly unprepared for the group's lack of fear and panic. While maintaining formation, they slowly and cautiously began to back away, each member alert and ready for any sudden movements from the beasts.

The tension escalated as the larger of the two beasts crept menacingly toward Toni, its aura radiating imminent danger. Simultaneously, its partner cunningly began to circle them, attempting to outflank their defense.

"Stay alert. Tael, aim for the one circling," Diana ordered, her voice both firm and calm. Tael, focusing intently, nodded and aimed for the beast, his breathing steadied. With a swift, decisive motion, he released his arrow, striking the beast in its paw. The beast howled in pain, a sound that prompted its companion to launch a vicious attack.

"Brace!" Toni barked, his voice echoing in apprehension. As the beast lunged, Toni used the wooden shield to intercept the airborne predator. A misstep caused his arm to absorb more impact than intended, but his strength was enough to prevent serious injury. The shield, reinforced with Karl's Runes, withstood the brute force of the beast's attack.

Tael, not missing a beat, prepared another arrow, his eyes fixed on the struggling beast. However, in the heat of the moment, his next shot went awry, missing the target and scratching Toni’s shield. Without hesitation, he swiftly notched and loosed a fourth arrow, which accurately found its mark in the beast's head, effectively ending its threat.

Meanwhile, Diana's attention was unwaveringly fixed on the second beast. As Toni and Tael fought against the leading enemy, she knew she couldn't let the second beast out of her sight. With the group at risk of being split, Diana stepped forward, her grip on her sword tightening.

"Cover me!" she shouted to Karl, her tone blending determination with a hint of excitement for the impending clash. The arrow on its paw dropped as it leaped towards Diana with lethal intent. Diana moved with precision to intercept the attack, her sword angled to block the beast's claws in a decisive confrontation.

In that fleeting, heart-stopping moment, Diana's training and instincts kicked in. She realized the beast was dangerously close. With a nimble sidestep, she evaded the oncoming charge, her sword slicing through the air. The blade, humming with the energy of the Sharpness Rune, left a deep, lethal gash along the beast's side. It stumbled, howling in agony, and Diana didn't hesitate. She lunged forward, her sword plunging into the creature's throat, ending its threat with a swift move

Karl, who had been observing the rapid turn of events, felt a wave of pride. His creations, the magic-enhanced weapons, were proving their worth in the hands of his friends. But his triumph was short-lived as he failed to notice a hidden predator stealthily advancing towards him.

Suddenly, a sharp warning echoed in his mind, jolting him from his thoughts. “-- Karl, to your right! A beast incoming at high speed with hostile intentions. --” The urgency in Master AI's warning was unexpected from the always emotionless teacher, which only attested to the severity of the situation.

Karl's heart pounded as he instinctively raised his spear, just in time to block the lunging beast. The impact sent him sprawling backward, the ground harsh against his back. As the beast prepared to pounce again, Karl's mind went blank. He tried to recall his training, but fear clouded his thoughts.

In a blur of motion, the beast leaped towards him. Karl, driven by instinct more than training, braced himself for the imminent attack. He thrust his spear forward in a desperate attempt to defend himself. The creature, mid-leap, impaled itself on the magically sharpened weapon, which tragically snapped under the beast's weight. The animal's lifeless body collapsed onto Karl, trapping him underneath.

"Help, help!" Karl panicked. "Get it off me!"

Diana, also panicking, was the first to reach him. Her boots sent the beast tumbling away from Karl, and she frenziedly plunged her sword into the dead creature, again and again. The terror of seeing Karl in peril had ignited a fire within her. The possibility of their shared dreams, the village’s future, being snuffed out in an instant was unbearable. She was supposed to protect him, their bond reinforced by his unspoken trust and admiration.

Diana's relentless assault on the lifeless beast only ceased at Karl's intervention. He was still shaking, trying to process the near-death encounter, but he managed to say, “We should bring the beasts back to the village. Let's try to preserve their bodies as much as we can.”

Diana wiped the sweat from her brow, her breathing still ragged from the adrenaline. Trying to mask her own shaken state, she exclaimed with a forced bravado, “That was... thrilling! I thought you… we were gone for a second there, but hey, we did it!”

Karl stood up, attempting to gather his composure. He was mostly unscathed, save for a few bruises and a mild head contusion. To divert attention from his lingering fear, he quickly prompted the team to salvage what they could from their encounter.

As they collected the remnants of their battle – broken arrows, pieces of the fractured spear – the rush of adrenaline slowly ran off. They had triumphed in their first real combat, but the victory felt sobering. Their battered state was a reminder of their vulnerability. Should they encounter another threat, their chances of survival would be slim.

Even exhausted from the whole ordeal, Karl attempted to process the materials from the fallen beasts, but Diana swiftly interjected. “We can’t stop now,” she urged. “We're too exposed here. Let's get these back to the village.”

In the waning hours, the weary group trudged back, dragging the heavy bodies of the beasts. Despite the fatigue that weighed down each step, the prospect of abandoning such valuable spoils was unthinkable.

Slowly, night enveloped them, and in the shroud of darkness, the silhouette of the teens, battered but still determined, emerged at the village's edge.

As they crossed into the familiar territory, their presence stirred a buzz among the villagers. Tael, his vision blurred by exhaustion, barely recognized his mother’s figure rushing towards him. “Mom?” he murmured confused.

The air suddenly filled with a chorus of claps and cheers, momentarily lifting the group’s spirits. But the joy also carried concern, especially from Kanin, who didn’t mind voicing his thoughts loud and clear. “I told you it would be dangerous! Son, we thought you were... You can’t go out again!”

Reyna could no longer hold on. “Karl!”, she let out, her voice choked with emotion as she enveloped Karl in a tight hug. Kanin joined in, his earlier frustrations dissolving into relief.

The villagers crowded around, bombarding the group with questions. Parents hurried to their children, inspecting them for injuries. Karl's cheeks reddened under the weight of his parents' embrace, his mother’s tears soaking into his shirt.

Toni and Tael, too, found themselves drowned in embraces. Toni’s parents fussed over him, while Tael was comforted by his mother and grandfather, his father's absence silently reminding him of past sorrows.

In contrast, Diana stood tall amidst the commotion, her grandfather's approving smile all that she needed.