On the subsequent journey, Freya encountered no further dangerous creatures.

Ten minutes later, at the end of a winding path, a wooden cabin appeared in her view. The cabin was simple and gray, with a single door adorned with a maple leaf emblem, standing out against its plain appearance.

"This must be the resting point Rand mentioned," Freya murmured. She scanned the surroundings, ensured nothing was amiss, and sheathed her dagger back into her boot before heading towards the cabin.

The door creaked open under her touch, a sound like teeth grinding together. Freya knocked the dust off and then opened the door fully. The faint scent of decaying wood greeted her, and she noticed a layer of white ash covering the floor, indicating the place had been unused for quite some time.

At the center of the cabin was a pile of ash from an old campfire, blending seamlessly with the dust. Besides that, the cabin was empty. Freya frowned slightly at the ash, then stamped her foot lightly. A breeze swirled from the ground, sweeping the ash and dust outside.

Satisfied with the cleaner floor, she entered the cabin. The space was modest, but ample enough to sleep seven people. Freya opened the windows, allowing fresh air to dispel the musty odor.

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the distant forest, a picturesque scene. Standing by the window, Freya inhaled the faint sulfurous scent that grew stronger as she neared the Heart Lake.

'Legend has it that Heart Lake is heated by an underground magma river, keeping its waters perpetually boiling. Except for a few enchanted fire-element fish, no other creatures can survive in it. The geothermal energy also supports many fire-element enchanted flora and fauna, making this place a valuable resource for the academy. After this mission, I should gather some resources to trade for magic stones.'

Freya pondered idly while waiting. Although the mission rewarded ten magic stones, it was insufficient for her current needs. Mastering two zero-level spells had stalled her mental development, necessitating external means to progress.

'The Lilian family specializes in potions; buying from them might be cheaper than the trade district. I estimate my mental strength will stagnate at the nineteenth rune. If I can't save enough magic stones by then, I’ll have to use the energy-gathering array. Once I advance to a third-tier apprentice, the strain of acquiring magic stones should ease.'

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

As Freya worried about her financial situation, she heard footsteps outside. Familiar figures in gray robes approached along the path. Seeing Freya inside, Rand waved.

"Did you encounter any danger?" he called out.

"No," Freya replied.

Soon, everyone gathered inside the cabin. Lar wrinkled his nose at the lingering musty smell.

"This place is really primitive," he remarked, knocking on the wooden wall, which echoed hollowly.

"It's the academy's only resting point near Heart Lake. It may be basic, but it's better than camping in the forest," Rand said with a shrug.

"True. We've slept outside on missions before," Nick said, consoling himself.

Despite their family backgrounds, everyone but Freya and Lena in Ashburn's arms refrained from complaining further about the spartan conditions.

The sun dipped below the horizon, darkening the sky outside. Rand glanced at the approaching night, then turned to the group.

"It's getting late. Let's gather some firewood. Though it's warmer here during the day, it's still cold at night. Lar, see if you can catch some game for dinner."

"Alright," Lar agreed, stepping out.

The others also headed out to collect firewood. As Freya left, she glanced back at Ashburn and Lena, who were whispering. They had been inseparable the entire journey.

Freya shook her head. Ashburn, as their employer, could do as he pleased. Soon, firewood was piled in the center of the cabin. As night fell, the fire blazed warmly, filling the space with light and heat.

Thick blankets were spread around the fire for seating. Rand assembled a simple rack over the flames, placing two plump rabbits prepared by Lar on it and sprinkling them with spices.

Meanwhile, Laney sprinkled a ring of black powder around the cabin, its faint energy aura revealing it as Screaming Dust, a substance that would emit a warning cry if anything approached.

Freya noted their practiced movements, a sign of their long experience together. With nothing else to do, she took out some prepared food from her pack to heat over the fire. Soon, the cabin was filled with the aroma of cooking food.

Everyone ate in silence, absorbed in their meal. Freya tore off a piece of golden-brown rabbit meat and ate it with bread.

Outside, a white mist rose, a chill wind slipping through the window cracks, causing the firelight to flicker before steadying again. The sudden breeze made Freya shiver, goosebumps prickling her exposed neck. An inexplicable sense of unease settled over her.

A faint creak from the window made her glance outside. Against the dark backdrop, a pale, familiar female face stared in, its pitch-black eyes devoid of whites, fixated on her.