Aric stood still under the stone archway high above the courtyard, his arms crossed as he watched Lorian's duel with Julian. The years of training had molded the boy into a capable fighter, but what Aric saw today was something different. Lorian had begun to tap into the deeper potential that Aric had only recently uncovered—his ability to channel mana through his body, a technique that even Aric had been surprised to see the boy grasp so quickly.

When Lorian blocked Julian's sword with his mana-infused arms and delivered the powerful kick that sent Julian sprawling, Aric's lips twitched into a subtle smile. He had seen this boy struggle for years, constantly doubting his worth. But here, now, Lorian was beginning to show what he could truly do.

You're getting there, Aric thought. Faster than I expected.

A soft ripple of energy disturbed the air beside him, followed by a familiar voice.

"Feeling pride in the black sheep you took in, Aric?"

Magister Orion materialized as though he had stepped out of the shadows themselves. His purple robes, shimmering faintly in the dim light, clung to the edges of the darkness around him, while his long silver hair framed sharp features that caught the moonlight. His eyes—silver and watchful—gleamed with a faint amusement. The faint aura of shadow magic around him was a subtle reminder of his distant connection to the Varaketh family.

Orion's presence was unsettling to many, but Aric remained composed, his gaze fixed on the courtyard below as Lorian's victory was announced. The crowd erupted into cheers, but Orion wasn't interested in the noise of the students—his attention was fixed on Aric.

"I must say, I didn't expect The Thorn of the Aelorias to spend so much time on the son the rest of the family has written off," Orion said, his tone carrying a light mockery. "Elara's the star, after all—the golden heir with the light magic. I thought you might have aimed… higher."

Aric's smile faded, his expression hardening into quiet neutrality. He watched as Lorian was carried off toward the infirmary, his body clearly spent.

"Lorian's progress speaks for itself," Aric replied, his voice steady. "He's learning faster than anyone expected, myself included."

Orion's lips curved into a smirk, and there was a glint in his eye as he glanced sideways at Aric. "Perhaps he takes after his mother more than his father," he mused, his tone carrying the faintest edge of a jab. "It's a pity, though—he didn't inherit our family's natural affinity for shadow magic. But then, I imagine that's not the trait you're most concerned with, is it?"

The words hung in the air for a moment, and though Orion's expression remained neutral, the meaning wasn't lost. Aric felt a brief twinge—a memory he hadn't allowed himself to think about for years. He forced it aside, keeping his focus on the conversation at hand.

"Elara, though," Orion continued, his voice more casual now, "has everything handed to her. Thaddeus personally oversees her training. She's brilliant, and she knows it." He paused, then added with a faint smile, "I'll give the boy points for effort, though. Better to make the most of the talents you do have."

Aric's eyes flickered toward Orion, his face still impassive. "And that's exactly why I'm training him," he said, his tone calm but firm. "He doesn't need a laid out path by their father."

Orion raised an eyebrow, the faintest glimmer of respect flickering across his sharp features. "I'll admit, I prefer Lorian's approach. The Varaketh family has always believed in using every tool at their disposal—whether it's magic, strategy, or brute strength. Lorian may not wield shadows, but he's learning how to fight with his body and his mana. That's something worth respecting."

Aric was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected compliment. The Varakeths were ruthless, and Orion's acknowledgment of Lorian's hands-on approach was something Aric hadn't anticipated.

"I didn't think you'd appreciate that," Aric remarked, his voice cool.

Orion's smirk softened, his tone shifting to something more neutral. "The family doesn't care how a job gets done, as long as it gets done. Lorian's practicality aligns with that. Besides, not everyone has to live in the shadow of light magic to make an impact."

He let the words settle for a moment before his gaze shifted back to Aric. "That said, don't let my curiosity keep you. The rest of the squad has assembled for the Wendigo investigation. They're waiting for you."

Aric nodded, the brief moment of shared understanding passing as quickly as it had come. His focus shifted back to the investigation—he had nearly forgotten about it in the heat of watching Lorian's duel, but now that Orion had reminded him, his mind was clear.

"Thank you," Aric said simply.

Orion gave a slight nod, the flicker of his silver eyes catching the moonlight one last time before he turned, his form blending seamlessly into the shadows as he vanished with a soft rustle of his robes.

Aric remained for a moment longer, watching the courtyard below as it emptied. Lorian was carving out his own path, and though there were still challenges ahead, the progress he had made was undeniable.

With a quiet breath, Aric made his way toward the outer barracks, where his squad awaited him. The Wendigo investigation had become more urgent with each passing day. Attacks were growing more frequent, creeping dangerously close to Valeria. Something was driving the creatures from their territories, and Aric suspected that this was far worse than anyone in the capital had realized.

As he approached, the squad straightened up. Aric had worked with Kael Varus before, but the others were new to him. Kael, a tall, broad-shouldered warrior, was now a Lord at the beginning stage, having recently earned his rank. Kael stepped forward first, a wide grin splitting his face as he greeted Aric.

"You're late, Thorn," Kael teased, though there was an underlying respect in his tone. "We thought you might've retired to spend the rest of your days showing rich kids how to swing a sword."

Aric smirked, unfazed by the banter. "Someone has to make sure they don't stab themselves. Not every noble can handle a blade without supervision."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "I still can't believe you took that job. We miss you on the frontlines. Things have been too quiet without you scaring the wits out of the recruits."

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Aric raised an eyebrow. "Is that your way of saying you miss me, Kael?"

Kael grinned, leaning slightly on his greatsword. "Damn right I do. The recruits barely know what real fear is without you barking orders at them."

Before Aric could respond, Lira Aeloria spoke up, her voice playful. "Some of us nobles manage just fine without stabbing ourselves, Kael. Perhaps it's the quality of the teacher?"

Lira, a Master-ranked mage and a member of a branch family of the Aeloria line, was well known for her healing abilities. With auburn hair tied neatly back and a poised demeanor, she gave Aric a nod of respect.

"Lira Aeloria. Master rank. I'll make sure you don't die on this mission, Aric." She shot Kael a sidelong glance, adding with a faint smile, "And I'll keep you in one piece, Kael, since you seem to get yourself into more trouble than anyone else."

Kael chuckled, clearly used to her jabs. "You act like I want to get hurt. But I have to give you something to do, Lira. Otherwise, you'd get bored."

Lira raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smile. "Lucky me, then."

Aric nodded toward her. "It's good to have someone I can trust with healing. You'll be crucial on this mission."

"Good to work with you too, Aric," Lira said with a firm nod.

Aric then turned his attention to the next figure stepping forward—Darius Halden, a Master-ranked rogue. He was lean and quick, his movements silent, and his sharp eyes missed nothing. He wore dark leather armor fitted for speed and stealth, and his twin daggers glinted faintly at his sides. There was a carefulness to the way he held himself, as though he was always poised to vanish into the shadows.

"Darius Halden," he introduced himself in a quiet but steady voice. "Rogue and scout. Master rank. I handle reconnaissance and infiltration—anything that needs to be dealt with quietly." He paused, glancing at Aric before adding, "Aric, I've been following the Wendigo reports closely. You should know—there have been additional attacks since you arrived. The Wendigos are moving even further south."

The tension in the air thickened immediately. Wendigos spreading southward wasn't just an anomaly—it was an escalating threat.

Kael frowned, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "They're spreading faster than we expected. What's pushing them out of their territories? Wendigos don't just start roaming like this on their own."

"It's more than just random movement," Darius continued, stepping forward and unfurling a worn map across a nearby table. "We've been tracking the locations of the attacks. If you take a look here…" He pointed to several points marked on the map. "The attacks started up north, near the forests, but lately, they've been moving further and further south. It's almost like they're being drawn toward something."

Lira leaned in to inspect the map, her brow furrowing as she studied the locations. "They're following a path," she murmured. "These attacks aren't scattered. They're coordinated. They're converging on something, but… what?"

Kael scratched his chin, squinting at the map. "They're definitely not acting like normal Wendigos. Something's got them spooked, or worse, under control."

Darius nodded and traced the route with his finger. "They're heading toward Grimholt Forest. But here, right in the center of these attacks…"

Aric leaned over, his eyes narrowing as he examined the spot on the map that Darius had indicated. "What's here?" he asked, pointing at a location that seemed to be the focal point of the attacks.

Lira's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned. "That's where the old fort ruins are."

The others looked at her, curiosity mixed with unease. Kael raised an eyebrow. "The fort? You mean those ruins from the Abyssal Conquest?"

Lira nodded gravely. "Yes. During the Abyssal Conquest, the fort was one of the final strongholds. It was abandoned after the war ended, but there are… legends. People say the land is cursed, that dark magic still lingers there from the battles that were fought. No one's gone near it for hundreds of years."

Kael's expression darkened as he absorbed the information. "If something's stirring there after all this time, it's no wonder the Wendigos are getting agitated."

Ronan, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke up. "Cursed ruins, huh?" The Master-rank brawler cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like the perfect place for a good fight."

Lira shot him a look, her tone sharp. "This isn't something to take lightly, Ronan. If those ruins are waking up, we're not just dealing with Wendigos anymore. The demonic energy from the Abyssal Conquest could still be active there."

Ronan shrugged, unbothered. "Dark magic, ancient ruins, demons—it's all the same to me. I'll take it down with my fists like I always do."

Lira sighed, shaking her head. "You can't punch your way through everything."

"Sure I can," Ronan replied with a wink. "You just haven't seen me try hard enough yet."

Aric looked between the group, his mind racing through the possibilities. "It's not just the ruins," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Something in there is pulling the Wendigos out of their natural habitat. This isn't random—it's calculated. Whatever's stirring in those ruins, it's controlling them."

Darius frowned, his hand still resting on the map. "Controlling them? Like… organizing them?"

Aric nodded slowly. "Yes. I believe we're dealing with something much worse than just a rogue pack of Wendigos."

The group fell silent, tension thick in the air as they waited for Aric to explain.

"I think we're dealing with a Wendigo King," Aric finally said, his voice steady.

A ripple of disbelief ran through the group.

Kael scoffed lightly, though not without a trace of concern. "A Wendigo King? Those are practically legends. The last recorded sighting was… what? Decades ago? Are you sure about this, Aric?"

Darius frowned, his skepticism evident. "A King? I've heard the stories, but they've always been treated like myths. Wendigos aren't exactly known for their leadership skills. You really think one of those things has risen?"

Ronan, on the other hand, seemed far more intrigued than worried. "A Wendigo King, huh? Now that sounds like a fight worth having. It would explain why the Wendigos are moving in packs like this."

Lira's face was more thoughtful as she considered the possibility. "A Wendigo King would have the power to control them, to rally them into an organized force. It's rare, but not impossible. And if that fort is truly cursed from the Abyssal Conquest, it could have been the perfect place for one to awaken."

Kael, though initially doubtful, was beginning to see the logic. "If it is a Wendigo King, we're in a lot more trouble than we thought. A King could lead an entire horde right to the gates of Valeria if we don't stop it in time."

Aric nodded, his expression grim. "Exactly. A Wendigo King can command lesser Wendigos like an army. If we don't take it down before it organizes them, Valeria will be the first target. We need to stop this before it escalates."

Darius sighed, shaking his head. "So we're heading into cursed ruins to take down a legendary Wendigo King. Great."

Ronan grinned, clearly unbothered by the daunting task. "King or not, it's all the same to me. I'm looking forward to smashing whatever's waiting for us out there."

Lira shot Ronan another look. "You're impossible."

Ronan shrugged. "Hey, somebody has to be."

Kael leaned in again, staring hard at the map. "If the King is hiding in those ruins, we'll need to be smart. That place has been abandoned for hundreds of years—there's no telling what kind of traps or dark magic still lingers there. We can't just charge in blindly."

Aric nodded, his voice firm. "We'll have to be careful. But we don't have much time. Every day we wait is another day the Wendigos grow stronger and more organized. If we strike now, we might be able to take the King down before it rallies the entire pack."

Darius folded the map, slipping it back into his pack. "If we're going after a Wendigo King, we'll need every advantage we can get. I'll scout ahead once we're close, make sure we're not walking into an ambush."

Lira nodded, already running through defensive strategies in her mind. "I'll prepare wards and protection spells once we're closer to the ruins. If there's lingering demonic magic, we'll need to shield ourselves from it."

Ronan cracked his knuckles again, the excitement clear on his face. "I'm ready. Let's get this over with."

Aric glanced around at his squad, their determination evident despite the daunting task ahead. "Prepare your gear. We leave for the ruins as soon as we're ready. Stay sharp—we don't know what's waiting for us in Grimholt Forest, but we'll be prepared."

The group dispersed, each of them moving to gather their equipment and finalize preparations. Aric stood by the map a moment longer, his thoughts lingering on the fort ruins and the dark power that might be stirring within. Whatever awaited them, it had to be stopped—before it unleashed chaos upon Valeria.