Further to the east—much further—Levi and Bram hiked through the dense forests, leaving the lands of Ironvale behind. Two days ago, the terrain had started growing hilly. Rocks emerged from the ground, sharp, some too sharp.

Levi paused to Identify one of them. They were all a type of metal ore that was actually being rejected from the land beneath them, as Bram had explained. The metal within was as sharp as any low-tiered blade, and every step had to be placed with utmost caution, lest he lacerate his feet.

And it wasn’t just the rocks he had to be careful of. A thin layer of grass protruded up, covering short stumps of rock. If Levi parted the grass with his hands, he’d see hundreds, thousands of red worms hiding, waiting to taste the blood of anything that brushed past the rocks.

It was a symbiotic relationship between the worms and the razor-rocks.

Apparently, these rocks were useless for Ingredients, as they were only rated Common. More than that, however, was that they were also worthless monetarily. The metal was too brittle to be used as anything more than decoration. And when refined, brittle turned fragile, like paper-thin glass.

If a commoner somehow managed to save up for a Birthright, or happened by one a seed that was blossoming from the ground—although incredibly rare. Bram had explained that oftentimes when they managed to get their hands on a Birthright, they’d just use the nearest Ingredient they had access to in order to enhance their life now. Instead of looking ahead to the future.

Levi thought it was similar to those who won the lottery back on Earth. He had heard so many times before of people winning a fortune, only to blow it all away in a matter of months, or years—if they were lucky.

It was a shame.

“So,” Levi looked at Bram who was leading in the front. Levi followed his steps, as large as his stride was. His mind still couldn’t comprehend what they were about to do. “Do we really need to invade a nest belonging to an Elite monster?”

“Normally, I wouldn’t dare,” Bram said over his shoulder. “But it turns out that the Relic Fixer in Ironvale is one of the Greats. People that are at the highest of their respective fields. Not only that, but apparently that book of yours is quite the find. Lucky you.”

“Yeah, lucky.” Levi rolled his eyes.

Bram suddenly took a step to the left, then pushed off to another spot. Levi had to jump to follow his stride. He continued, “Yes, lucky,” Bram added with a sly smile. “Do you know that it was he who was searching for it? He told the Bright family—Maerd’s family—about it. Maerd left ahead, betraying his father’s instructions, to search for it on his own. Even stole the Relic Detector right from his desk.”

Levi’s brows rose, an unsettling feeling gnawed into his bones as he leapt to Bram’s previous footstep. “They must be furious.”

“I could hear the Bright’s family leader’s voice from the other side town,” He said with a slight chuckle.

“Wait a minute,” Levi said in realisation. “Then why is this Great Relic Fixer willing to repair it? Is he intending on stealing it?”

“It’s a possibility.” Bram shrugged. Levi was about to leap forward with his words, but Bram waved his arms. “But not a big one. Stealing from the division—my division—is a crime not just against us, but of the Empire.”

“But didn’t I technically steal it first?”

“No, you didn’t. You earned it, and any self respecting nobleman would notice that.”

“Okay,” Levi said, straightening his thoughts. “So our mission is to take an egg from this Elite Monster, an eagle capable of defeating armies.”

“Yes.”

Levi continued right away, “Then we take it back and hope that this ‘Great’ hasn’t just up and left the town, disappearing with the book—that he knows is precious, might I carefully add. While this could be the perfect scenario to guide us away far enough that he could make his escape.”

Bram nodded along.

“This is crazy,” Levi mumbled. “Is this what happens when Gregory isn’t here?”

Bram flashed a smile, raised his hand, and showed a piece of paper stuck in between his fingers. “This was the captain's idea.”

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Levi leapt forward and tried to grab it, but Bram tugged it away, only to return it in place. Levi frowned and jumped again, this time taking it from Bram. He opened it. Right enough, it was Gregory’s words.

“How the hell did he know?” Levi asked, then paused. “Wait a minute–” Levi coughed, lowering his voice. Thankfully he had practice from the Round Table as he imitated the Captain’s charming voice. “–I can see everything.”

Still smiling, Bram nodded.

“Can he see us now?” Levi looked around, scanning his surroundings.

“Smile.”

***

Levi and Bram hid behind a massive boulder, and yes, it was sharp. It had already sliced an opening in his favourite shirt. It was his only shirt, but still.

4 more days had passed since they started their adventure. Levi would have liked to say it had been an uneventful time hiking through the forests, but that would be a lie. Every day was spent fighting, and learning the tricks of the trade of hunting.

After dinner, when the day turned dark, Levi would spar with Bram with a straight stick his protector had procured from the floor. It wasn’t perfect, it didn’t hold the weight a normal spear would, but it was better than nothing. Bram at least taught him the techniques needed to get by.

A spear was really simple to use; point the shaft at one’s enemies and stick them with the point. Simple, apart from the fact that not many people, monsters, or beasts, were stupid enough to simply walk into his sharp stick.

So, Bram showed him different ways to make sure to always stay on the outside; like a boxer utilising his jab. He had learnt more now than he did when Bram and the others were trying to teach him before. Maybe it was because of his new hunting experience. Or maybe it was because he had finally settled on a weapon to use.

Whatever it was, Levi was getting better. He could feel it, and it was an amazing experience.

Something enormous overheard swished through the air. It was so powerful that a violent gust of wind blew past the tree canopy above, revealing a bird of monstrous proportions. It was mainly black, if not for the orange undertone hidden below. That was the only thing Levi could make out before the titan disappeared, casting a dark shadow over the entire forest.

For the single moment, the wildlife of the forest seemed to come to an understanding—fear. There was only silence and the distant sound of wings flapping. There was no other sound bar, the beating of Levi’s heart, and his bated breath.

Then the sound vanished, as if it had travelled out of range. Or worse, it had landed somewhere nearby.

Levi came to after a few moments. He shot Bram a look of daggers. “What the hell do you mean we’ve got to take an egg from that?!”

“I never said we’d be fighting it, Levi.” Bram rested his hand on Levi’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s get closer,” He said, stepping out of the cover of the rock, and striding forwards.

You’ve got to be kidding me, Levi thought as he rushed to keep up. Bram wouldn’t lead him to his death, was the thought Levi kept on repeating as if it were a devout prayer as they continued their journey.

Levi, against everything within him screaming, telling him to run away, followed. Bram must have a method to his madness. There was no way he would be so carefree otherwise. What’s more, was that somehow by a way of a Skill, or something else, Gregory knew what they were doing. It was his decision.

Did the captain run it by Sera? Levi really wondered what she had to say about all of this. No, Levi could see it now. There was no way she would go along with this craziness.

All Levi could do was trust in Bram. He sure as hell didn’t trust in Gregory.

It didn’t take much longer to reach the border of the forest. From there, an expansive mountain range opened up. It was so wide that Levi couldn’t see the beginning or end. Where they stood, directly in line with them was an enormous valley that split through the mountain.

Razor rocks lined the walls, and Levi swore he could see wriggling throughout. He shot Bram with a disgusted look. Bram stepped out. Levi followed.

Entering the valley, Levi inspected the walls, and it appeared his sight wasn’t tricking him. Those same worms lined the wall, wriggling. They travelled so high that Levi stopped looking. One dropped onto his shoulder before bouncing on the floor. Bram had warned him before.

Don’t let the Bloodsuckers touch an open wound, he said, much to the discomfort of Levi.

Levi felt a shiver run up his spine. Bram continued. Taking a breath, Levi put his big boy pants and followed closely behind. So close that he was practically sniffing the back of Bram’s shirt.

Then Bram stopped. Like an immovable mountain, Levi’s face pressed into his back. It was like trying to push a boulder. Levi peered around Bram and saw a teethling. He’d have been surprised, but these monsters were everywhere here.

Wait, was that why Bram wanted me to hunt these? To prepare me?

Levi was sure that was the reason.

The monster screeched then scrambled right for Bram. Bram clenched his fist. Bones creaked. Once it was within striking distance, Bram moved so fast he was practically a blur. When his knuckles made contact with the monster, its body literally exploded into a shower of blood and gore.

It rained red.

A sudden thought struck Levi’s mind. “Were you holding back in the mine within Beron?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bram said over his shoulder.

A lie. His protector was lying through his teeth.

Why were they holding back? For what reason? To see what Levi was capable of?

Or was the reasoning more sinister?

Just how much could Gregory truly see?

Levi’s mind a storm, he trudged behind Bram deep in thought.