Wrong hours, soldiers out of position, paperwork overdue. What happened here? I took a seat in the corner of the huge conference room and only then noticed today's disorganization, which is unusual in Karin's main gym. Since that wind and rain arrived, it seems that everything here has turned into chaos. I put my fingers to my face and sighed. The superiors must have left the Penumbra instructors in charge before they left for the trip, I had no patience for guiding the new recruits. I huffed again. This rain worried me, even with the warnings earlier, it was still a risk. The fire in the hearth gradually dimmed, and the cold began to creep in the corners.

"Bruno Lewis! We need you." said an instructor thinner than me, Fapo.

"Say."

"As a rookie and veteran here, I need you to take these papers to the principal's office and see what's wrong with these damn schedules" He handed me some paperwork and lowered his tone. "Do you think someone here has been sabotaging the base?"

It was suspicious that lately part of the city was without any supervision, but I believed that it was difficult for a mere extra to be able to destabilize without anyone noticing. I pondered for a moment, my gaze found Fapo's and focused on two soldiers bumping into each other behind him.

“If indeed that's the case, we have a dangerous presence watching us."

Fapo remained silent, his jaw was about to drop, but he composed himself and continued giving orders to recruits who were fighting each other. I passed through the big door and turned into the corridor of important rooms. Silence… Here it was great. The winds relentlessly swayed the reinforced glass walling the hallway. I could see another dangerous downpour approaching. I thought it was better to make a round — even with the risk — in case any citizen was caught, but in the current state of the troop it was impracticable to suggest anything.

"Hey, Bruno. I challenge you to a duel" Said a boy with blond hair combed to the side who was holding a wooden sword.

“This isn't the time.

“I entered this mediocre academy just to challenge you! Face me."

I put the stack of papers on the floor and my hands in my pockets. Given his posture when holding the sword and the bad positioning of his legs, I could tell he was a noble, his golden energy that started to cover his arms confirmed that to me. I lifted a single arm and reinforced it with water. The boy grinned and dashed towards me while raising his glowing sword. I dodged and saw him hit the ground. I slammed my open hand against the back of his neck and the boy went down. Lumi would dodge.

I took the sheets and entered the principal's office. He looked stressed, his veins were visible on his face and there were several papers lying on the living room floor. His sunken eyes widened when he saw me. I quickly greeted him and told him why I came, he just told me to put the contents on the table. I briefed him on the situation — which he probably already didn't know — and gave him the idea of the city's check plan, but he suggested it was better to wait for the wind to pass. Disagreeing with him was far from my ideas, I knew Shadows and Penumbras would be unable to do anything useful, and maybe even become wounded civilians.

I left his room and went next door — the meditation room is always good for me. I lit a small candle and sat in the corner, bending my legs and letting my back relax on a black cushion. I replayed in my head everything that had happened in the last seven days. This week, some weapons were out of place, the times that had been posted differed from those discussed, and gray bipedal creatures were seen in the forest surroundings. Karin being in a neutral zone should guarantee the absence of monsters.

Since Lumi was attacked by the goblin and the collection team dealt with an emergency situation, an investigation was opened in order to understand the anomaly. But nothing made sense. It is as if, deliberately, the goblin has been attracted and the Hoasters controlled. If a culprit existed, Karin would be at risk. I smiled to myself for once again being lost in thought. Well, that was better than trying to contain the chaos. I spent several minutes — if not hours — reflecting on all the facts, until the splash of water on the ceiling brought me back.

Water. I looked at the palm of my hand and created a small sphere, then I added mana and it turned into a disfigured knife. I should be stronger. Being ahead of others, manipulating an element as well as a Penumbra, having greater than normal physical strength, none of that would make sense if I failed to save my friend without magic. Ever since my mother became queen, I've been trying to move faster. Maybe I got lost in my ambition to become a Royal Knight. Damn it, why is it so hard to create an elemental weapon?

A thud came from the door and something collided with the floor. It happened again, but much stronger. The third time the door was partially disfigured, as if it had taken a concentrated mana punch. The candle that lit the room went out. A drop of sweat came down. I noticed the feet through the gap under the door, a small dark aura accompanied each of them. I held my breath and ceased my mana release, whatever it was I must remain anonymous for now. I could see two red eyes and a devilish grin for a single second before that presence left. Fuck.

I used the Detection with small drops of water under the door to feel anything breathing. There were bodies on the floor. I opened the door, covered my body with a light layer of magic and left. They were unconscious, with a slight cut on their stomach and horrible bruises all over their bodies, but alive. The enemy must have used a poisoned blade, the damage spot was purple. The glass was shattered, the frigid air slammed against my chest. How did he get in without making a sound? I gritted my teeth and grabbed the sword from one of them. The principal's office door was destroyed.

I lifted the guard and walked cautiously until I could see inside. The room was devastated. A black aura devoured everything like a snake hunting large prey. One attack, and we were without our best. I ran through the dark corridors to the door of the great hall and, again, the red eyes made my heart race. Opening the big door was like trying to drag a wagon full of suitcases. Come on, Bruno. The scene in front of me made me hurl the sword at the masked man's throat. He was holding a recruit by the neck, while everyone else was kneeling with desperate expressions. The place was intact, it was as if no one had reacted, and the fireplace was already out.

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"Oh, graced by mana! How nice to have the honor of meeting you" He said as he held the sword by the blade as if it were simple.

“Let him go now."

The guy started to laugh. He threw the boy to the ground and kicked him, a loud crack could be heard clearly when he hit the wall, this made everyone close their eyes and start to pray. He lifted his hands and raised his face. His mask was white, had a kind of candle drawn next to the right eye and eyes painted with red paint.

“I just wanted to play a little bit, duh."

I lunged forward with a punch, which stopped with a crack in his palm. I launched a series of blows reinforced with my elemental magic, while he used only the palm of his hand to block everything. I pointed my index finger and threw a sphere of water at his neck, but he blocked it with his little finger. I took two long steps back and fixed my gaze on him.

Fapo and Argui arrived at my side, the three of us attacked after a confirming look. I covered my left fist with water and slashed at his palm, as Fapo circled to his back and charged a flame spell. The masked man grabbed my wrist and knocked his staff away with a spinning kick. The villain threw me in the air and pointed at the two who were with me. I screamed when I realized what he was going to do, but it was too late.

I sensed he was smiling, even through that grim mask.

He fired condensed fire arrows. Both had their arm ripped off and fell to the ground, the pain made them squirm. I landed on my feet, watched everyone on their knees with their heads in their hands. Even the paramedics didn't try to react, even the lifeless look on their faces.

"They will die if they continue like this… do something!" I said, but no one reacted.

"It's cold..." said the masked man, as he looked at one of the kneeling ones. He grabbed a boy by the hair and lifted him up.

I ran to try and stop him, I could see him in the air in slow motion. The boy was thrown into the fireplace, his eyes were on me asking for help, mercy. I shot a blast of water, but with a snap of the enemy's finger he burst into flames. Screams of agony, screams, echoed throughout the room. My hands tingled, my stomach lurched.

The masked man took a piece of green paper from the pocket of his cloak, looked at me and the paper. He turned and walked calmly to the door. Without saying a word I watched him leave. It took me a while to come back to reality, to understand that the situation could get worse and that I should act.

"What are they doing? React!" Kairy shouted while putting on a coat, the paramedics immediately reacted and rushed to the two on the ground. Blood still gushed from what was left of their arms, I looked away and wished for them to survive.

I needed to react, but this was too much. The smell of burning flesh, his contorted body, heightened the hatred I felt for the guy in the mask. I clenched my fists and contained the anger, now it would be useless. The weather was terrible, heavy, seeing death up close would ruin anyone's morale. They needed a shake-up, a motivation. Even with the shock, the fear, I decided to speak.

“I know everyone is scared, but I ask that you try to communicate with the Enguerrand Kingdom and go check if there is anyone injured on the farms in the city."

"But Bruno..." One of them said, as he got to his feet.

I took a breath, and realized everyone was watching me.

“We are the defending troops. I don't want them to try to fight that masked man, just focus on the people. I will chase him."

Some started to get up, their faces more hopeful. The way discussions ceased and teamwork flowed impressed me, the situation was starting to move forward. Anyway, conflict must be avoided, that guy could sweep the troop with a single arm.

"What do you think his level is?" whispered a teacher.

“I don't know, but even the chiefs wouldn't stand a chance. Look for a way to communicate, I'll try to find out where he is."

“I've already communicated to the Kingdom since the beginning of the week. They must have come from the goblin with the gatherers, so help should arrive soon if we send a Voin. Don't try to fight him, and, if necessary, take this flag. I take care of things around here. João should be here soon, I'll send him to help you with the chase."

"Thank you, and I hope it doesn't come to that." There are some of our people down with possible poison in aisle three, it's up to you."

Karin is just any city, without strong security or kingly backing, so why?

I released my hate along with my mana and walked to the door. My sprint shook the ground, the light rain had stopped and I was running like the wind. The full moon was visible between some clouds, and a great smoke hung over the Wood of Voices. Is that fire? I charged energy and soared into the air, I must have flown about twenty meters. Most of the city was dirty, with parts destroyed and deserted. A group of female warriors was near the main gate, and on top of the wall were some female elves equipped with bows. One side of the city was guarded. And… fuck, the Wood of Voices is on fire.

I landed on the orange-brown roof of a house and pointed my sword at the presence that loomed behind me.

“Hey, calm down. I just came to help you hunt." Kairy said.

"Do as you wish."

We jumped from house to house, he could keep up with me without difficulty. Not a trace of magic, not a single person in the streets. I stopped at the top of the chimney of a house, put my hand on my chin and closed my eyes. He came here with a purpose, he could have killed us. Unless… he was the distraction. But what or who does he want? The breeze ruffled my clothes, I felt my hair sway back. In the back of my thoughts an idea was forming, until the soldier's irritating voice snapped me out of my trance.

He pointed his index finger at me and let out a burst of red. I created two layers with magic and crossed my arms, but his attack destroyed my defenses and landed directly on me. I forced myself down as I was dragged under the pressure of his attack. With a surge of power, I broke the distance between us. I spun in the air to increase the speed of my strike. Our fists collided, creating a sound and a tremor that shook the whole place.

Did Kairy know about this?

A barrage of punches stopped me from thinking. We started a fight faster than I could keep up, for every five punches per second he threw I threw three. I pulled away and aimed my left heel right at his chin, but he ducked and caught my shin with a kick that spun me around. What a fucking speed. I took advantage of the situation and let out sharp blasts of water and mana as I spun around. The masked man clapped his fists and a wave of sound sent me flying close to a house.

It took me a while to realize that the water was, little by little, protecting my body. Light weights made with magic followed by forming on my forearms and in the region of my ribs. He called me something related to… graced by mana?

I summoned spears around me, disfigured by my lack of skill, but useful. Or at least they had to be. At that exact moment, a person opened the door of the house, calling the attention of the madman in front of me. I turned quickly and yelled for him to come back, until a circle with bright white edges formed, creating a ring between me and the masked man. The man soon understood and leaned towards the house, while I was pulled, dragged, towards the enemy, and my spears broke. I got distracted. Drawn by his power, I flew until his hand found my neck, and with the increased force of gravity my head met the ground.

A buzzing rose in my ear, I could only see his mask through the smoke. It felt like the ground was lower... I had sunk. His leg lifted, until a gust of air took him away from me. I heard a distant voice, a familiar voice. I was groggy, but João reached out to me.

"I'm late?"

“We have problems" I said, and we glared at the guy who was getting to his feet while cleaning his cloak.

“Yeah… I perceived."

The guy stood up, his red aura overflowing from his shoulders, the mask was now more real, like it was a skin. João concentrated air magic on specific points on his arms and looked at me. I nodded in agreement and manipulated the ambient water to create thin, reinforced gloves over my hands. The masked man began to casually walk towards us, the red aura reaching up to his elbows, like a folded coat sleeve.

Even with the situation, I allowed myself to smile. My eyes locked on him, my heart sped up. I clenched my fists until my nails drew tiny drops of blood from my hand. That shit needed to take a hit from me.

It was victory...or death.